Telerin Quenya |
The wizardress inquires Do you know if there will be any wizards among this group. Now that I think of it, are there are here that have a proclivavity or talent for arcane magic, perhaps I can begin a mage school to help bolster our forces.
GM the Fifth |
Irabeth says, "Sorry, Telerin, but I don't know what to expect. You only get so many words with these spells."
The day passes more or less uneventfully, though the encampment of schur in Paradise Hill seem to be taking the threat more seriously, and are actively preparing to repulse an attack--or at least, what passes for preparation in creatures who, by nature, do not cooperate with one another. Their commander does seem to be able to get them to act as a cohesive group, however, which is a feat in and of itself. Early afternoon, Irabeth approaches you and says, "We are marching on the hill tomorrow. I don't think they are going to wait for us much longer, and I'd rather not have the battle on this side of the river. It would undo much of what we've started rebuilding, and probably wreck what little trust we have earned with the citizens."
You take turns scouting for the approaching company, and by early evening you see roughly two dozen soldiers, a small support staff, and what appear to be the aforementioned specialists. You meet them at the approach into the south city. The first is an osiriani woman with a small, lean frame, wearing obviously traditional Oririani makeup and clothing. The other is a very big half-orc that I don't have a description for, so I'll let Bron take care of that.
Let's speed things along, and assume the whole party meets up, and you are walking to the command tent to meet Irabeth.
New players, take it away!
Telerin Quenya |
DM, if possible, one of the things that she would like to do is train people in wizardry, so if she finds orphans or other people with talent she would like to begin a little school/
Bron Frostbreath |
A real big half-orc smiles widely behind his beard and among his long canines - which gives him a somewhat comic image. Clad in full armour, a crusader tabard tops up his vestment. The few inches of flesh you can witness appear as small patches of slightly tanned light brown muscle. He rises his arm in salutation, kindly greeting the party.
"Well met, I'm Bron. Let me just say what you did today is impressive; I'll be more than glad to join you, brothers."
He finishes his introduction with a reglamentary salute and a truly felt "For the Lady!"
To those observant enough, he seems a kind soul, though one who takes his task seriously. His accent seems neutral to the point of being a bit antinatural - there's no place in Golarion where folks would talk like that. Now about his moves, now that he's not smiling, he's certainly not gracile, but mighty - every motion feels like a calm storm about to crack thunder.
Arloric Dziergas-Highbough |
Arloric pounds his chest in salute to Bron.
"She who stood for Sarkoris when no other god did. May her light shine upon us forever!"
Then he notices the hedgehog and gives a small gasp.
"You have a little friend! Can I pet him?!"
Bron Frostbreath |
Bron smiles and takes Stingy into his open hands. The hedgehog trots up his arms and stands on his shoulder.
"This is Stingy. He's a bit shy, though..." he says with a worried face.
Kemat of An |
The slight Osiriani woman inclines her head to the crusaders and makes a cryptic sign with one hand.
"How may we serve?"
Darya Flamekissed |
The tall, powerfully built woman with flaming red hair, dressed in well worn armor, adorned with a pair of polished medals, steps forward, returning the salute with a smile.
"Well met, Bron! I'm Darya, and my companions are Alexa, Telerin, and your little friend's admirer is Arloric." she says, introducing the others with a grin that lights up golden-tan features that seem to reflect the sun a bit more radiantly that they should.
"Glad to see you all made it here without any undue trouble...welcome to the front lines."
She gives the Osiriani woman a warm nod as well, waiting for her name.
Telerin Quenya |
Telerin will examine the religious regalia worn by Kemat to see if she recognizes it
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32 religion
Alexa Dorne |
Alexa eyes the newcomers with some wariness, but when Bron makes the Crusader salute, she stiffens and narrows her eyes.
She turns her expression towards the priestess. "I don't believe we caught your name."
Arloric Dziergas-Highbough |
Bron smiles and takes Stingy into his open hands. The hedgehog trots up his arms and stands on his shoulder.
"This is Stingy. He's a bit shy, though..." he says with a worried face.
Arloric approaches and lets Stingy smell his hand.
"Hi there!" he says softly, as he gently strokes the hedgehog's quills. "You've got a fine coat of quills, little guy!"
He reaches into his pack and pulls out a couple of mealworms, offering them to Stingy.
"Want a snack?"
Bron Frostbreath |
As soon as the redhead guy steps forward, Bron steps back. With a worried face and full of embarrassment, he puts Stingy back to its bag.
"Eh... He'll have to... uh... get used. It'll take some time."
Bron smiles, trying not to appear too harsh, but it's clear he's way more worried than the hedgehog.
"We... eh... shouldn't make the Queen wait! Yes!" he says, in an attempt to leave the embarrassing moment behind.
It sounded fun to act a bit overprotective :p
Arloric Dziergas-Highbough |
"It's okay...Red Branch can get that way sometimes. Hope he's doing alright out there..."
When Bron mentions Queen Galfrey, Arloric stiffens a bit.
"Um...yes! Absolutely!" he says, blushing a little.
Telerin Quenya |
The wizardress will remark to their new cleric. I am happy to see the Ancient goddess Isis taking interest in the events of the World Wound. As an elven wizard and from an ancient people, I appreciate that much. The younger gods may not have the staying power or interest as the ancients do.
Darya Flamekissed |
Darya arches an eyebrow at Telerin's comment about 'younger gods' and their interest in the World Wound before shaking her head. "Yes, let's get your contingent back to base." she says leading the way.
In turning she squeezes Alexa's hand for a moment, offering reassurance. Her flinch at the reglementary salute, didn't go unnoticed.
Kemat of An |
"I am Kemat of An," says the priestess. "The goddess Aset has blessed me with a healing and recuperative touch. For... inscrutable reasons, she has guided me here, perhaps to heal a wound so great that it injures the very world."
The priestess has a regal bearing and a deliberate, conscientious way of moving. Garbed in the ceremonial vestments of the Osirian priesthood, she seems quite fastidious in comparison with the dusty, travel-stained troops.
Arloric Dziergas-Highbough |
"The gods work in mysterious ways an' they're all around us," Arloric comments, giving Kemat a polite bow. "With your goddess, Darya's grandfather, Iomedae's favored queen and the rest of us, we'll heal Sarkoris yet!"
Darya Flamekissed |
"You think that matters in the least here?" Darya asks the aloof wizard pointedly.
Arloric Dziergas-Highbough |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"All the gods are important! Sarkoris worshiped gods you southerners have never even heard of!" Arloric adds. "Sturovenen the Dragoneagle and his dawn-feathered children! The Stag Mother of the Forest of Stones! Alglenweis, the Princess of the Rime, the daughter of a demon lord who became a benevolent force, much like Ragathiel did!"
GM the Fifth |
Irabeth greets you as you enter the command tent.
"Our next move," she says, answering Arloric, "is Paradise Hill. Tomorrow morning." The half-orc woman turns to Kemat and Bron and looks them over. "I am General Irabeth Tirabade, and you must be our new specialists. I am pleased to have you, as two of ours were recently recalled for urgent matters. I apologize but the messages I received were brief and I wasn't given your names, only the news of your arrival."
Bron Frostbreath |
Bron stands to attention immediately.
"Bron Frostbreath, Vanguard irregular from the Vilareth Ford detachment."
From his attitude, it's clear he's proud to serve, be it the crusade, the Queen or the Lady.
GM the Fifth |
"Welcome, to both of you." She steps back to introduce the others in the tent. "This is Sosiel, servant of Shelyn, Aron and Anevia, our scouts, and Nurah, our historian and my aide-de-camp." She does not introduce the soldier that you notice is standing a polite distance from Nurah, never more than a few feet away. "The situation is this: the last of the enemy forces in the city, proper, are on Paradise Hill. They are dug in, and we must cross the river on this bridge, here, to engage. I expect this to be an ugly fight, as these are primarily schir demons, and we will have a bottleneck." She points to the bridge on the map between the southern half of the city and Paradise Hill.
See the map of Drezen here. The green line shows area of the city you control.
"So far, there has not been a response from Vhane's forces, but I expect that to change soon. Reports show that there is considerable activity within the walls of the citadel, and they are mobilizing their forces. We believe that is defensive only: they have no need to come to us, so we must go to them. But that is for another day, and it may not be their only response. Rest up tonight, as I want you all on high alert tomorrow. If there's going to be a response, it will likely come after tomorrow's battle. I think Vhane is waiting to see how this plays out."
_____________________
- Irabeth is a female half-orc paladin of Iomedae.
- Sosiel is a dark-skinned male human cleric of Shelyn.
- Aron is a male human rogue. Nurah is a femal halfling bard.
- Anevia is a female human ranger.
You'll learn quickly that Sosiel and Aron are involved, and Irabeth and Anevia are a married couple.
Saunton Vhane is the dwarf that holds the citadel, and is a well known traitor who betrayed crusader forces and was instrumental in Drezen's fall to demonic forces many years ago.
Telerin Quenya |
schir demons are the goat looking ones, aren't they?
She is going to research what she knows about the shir demons to see if she might prepare spells and companions that are best able to deal with these demons
1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 2 = 33 Planes +2 since fiends are her favored enemy
Telerin Quenya |
I think that is the first time I have been able to or even used my favored enemy features, lol
Arloric Dziergas-Highbough |
Arloric scratches his chin as he looks at the map and listens to Irabeth.
"You don't think Vhane will show himself if you're on the battlefield, do you, Irabeth? He may remember how you exposed him back in Kenabres and want revenge for fouling his schemes...I wouldn't want to get in your way if you want to put him in his place for good."
Bron Frostbreath |
"So what are we expected to do, if I may ask?"
GM the Fifth |
Next up is mass combat which is, in a word, boring. In two words, boring and complicated. Then back to PC action.
Irabetha answers, "For now, nothing. Once we take the city, we will turn our sights on the citadel, and for that, we need you. But you're also here for if and when--and I am sure it's a matter of when--Vhane throws something at us that armies are not so good at fighting."
Mass combat coming later today.
Arloric Dziergas-Highbough |
Irabeth says, "We should be so lucky. Vhane is many things, but a fool is not one of them."
Knowing how things shook out for him in the PC game, this is a funny statement!
GM the Fifth |
Vhane was clever enough to operate as a saboteur against the Crusade while openly serving in it. That went on for a few decades until he was ultimately exposed by Irabeth, so I think he deserves some credit there.
@Telerin, mass combat is purely for armies. PC's don't contribute directly to it, so no, it won't expend any of your resources. The army is assumed to have its own.
You turn in for the night. As the evening progresses, you are aware of some activity around the city. Soldiers are going door to door along the main road and especially near the bridge to Paradise Hill, and evacuating those who are willing to temporarily leave their homes. It is being done under cover of darkness and as quietly as such a thing is possible. They are being lodged in a couple of larger halls and a garrison on the south edge of town. Not everyone chooses to leave their home, of course, but most do.
Moonday, Rova 8
7:00 am
The army forms up in a column to cross the bridge to Paradise Hill, with archers positioned to cover their march across. The schir are anticipating an attack, and dig in when they see the mobilization.
Nurah sounds the Horn of Assured Victory, and the attack begins.
Ranged Phase
Knights of Kenabres vs DV28: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28
Result: No damage
Schir army does not have ranged weapons
Melee Phase
Round 1
Knights of Kenabres: Standard Strategy and tactics
Schir Army: Standard Tactics, Aggressive Strategy
Knights vs DV26: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36
Schir vs DV21: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Result: Schir army takes 10hp of damage. Knights take no damage
Round 2
Knights: Aggressive strategy
Schir Army: Reckless Strategy
Knights vs DV24: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35
Schir vs DV19: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27
Result: Schir army takes 11hp of damage. Knights take 8 hp of damage
Knights use their lay Hands abilities to heal 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10 points of damage.
Schir Moral Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Round 3
Knights: Standard strategy
Schir Army: Reckless Strategy
Knights vs DV24: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
Schir vs DV21: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
Result: Schir army takes no damage. Knights take 9 hp of damage.
Round 4
Knights: Standard strategy
Schir Army: Reckless Strategy
Knights vs DV24: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26
Schir vs DV21: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Result: Schir army is destroyed. Knights take no damage.
The army surges across the bridge under cover of arrow fire. They are able to make it across and fan out into a line, but the schir seem unaffected by the barrage.
The paladins advance on the schir positions, and engage. The schir take heavy losses during the assault, and are beaten back. But the line reforms as the paladins attempt an aggressive strike to finish them off, and when the paladins hit it an absolutely brutal fight ensues, with both lines breaking. Without formations it turns into a bloody, street-to-street fight.
The paladin army uses their healing abilities to prolong the fight, and are able to pin down the remaining schir in just a few buildings. It is a long, protracted fight, but in the end, the Paladins are standing, and the last of the schir are dead or gone. It has come at a cost, however, with the most significant losses of the campaign to date.
Once the army's temporary hit points wear off, they will be at 10/16.
Kemat of An |
During the fighting, Kemat is performing triage, dealing with badly-wounded troops and those who're dying, doing her best to stabilize as many as she can. After the fighting ends she moves through the troops, giving what comfort she can.
"This feels like it was just a first wave, a probe," she says. "I feel like there will be more. Perhaps at nightfall."
Telerin Quenya |
Though she is sad about the loss of mortal life, she is happy that her knowledge was in some way beneficial to the army.
Bron Frostbreath |
During the fight, specially when the Crusade army crossed the bridge, Bron was expecting a trap. "If I were the defenders, I probably would have made the bridge collapse under the invaders' own feet."
It didn't happen, fortunately, and though at the cost of big losses, the crusaders managed to annihilate most of the Schirs.
Now it's time for them to act. The paladins need rest after their brave battle, and some other folks will take care that the place is fully secured in preparation for the assault on the citadel.
After some time of meditation and pray, focusing his inner tranquility for a later unleashing if required, Bron stands up.
"We're next."
I got the link to the VTT, now let's see how mobile-friendly it is. I'll also level up Bron.
Darya Flamekissed |
Darya stands where she can watch the battle as it rages on, lending her support in spirit. As the battle ends, she takes a while to go around to the paladins, congratulating warriors on a battle well fought, uplifting the spirits of the wounded and assisting in laying the fallen to rest.
When the chaos subsides she finds Alexa, seeking some quiet time with her paramour.