Helakuu will browse the magical wares for a while, then finally decide on a nice brown cloak and a well crafted cold iron morningstar .
Most of the time he merely follows the group and pays close attention to everything except the following two things. He will constantly keep the spell 'message' up among his teammates and suggest the practice using it periodically. He also often sends his bird friend to fly high and keep an eye on the comings and goings outside the wall and in the countryside. Hoping to gain a few extra hours notice before an attack.
When Soranna Anitah is introduced as Helakuu's personal guard he bows to her and thanks her. He spends time learning her skill set and explaining his own. He then casts fly on her so she can practice fighting in the air as he will likely be up there at some point.
Range 190 feet. Limited to 9 plus Helakuu.
Leonar blushed a bright red at the fuss being made by Trellara and the rangers. He wasn't used to anyone making a fuss over him, especially not someone as pretty as she was. "Uh, alright, get up everyone. Thank you, I suppose. I'm not exactly what I'm supposed to say. I guess, thanks again. Let's do our best to keep those creatures from storming our walls, how about that? Trellara, you know the rangers better than I. I trust you to position them to take advantage of their strengths. And everyone, please, stay safe. If we need to run, there's nothing wrong with retreating and regrouping."
He shook all the ranger's hands, and then went to try to upgrade his items as well.
Ambrose salutes Teyani in the Stone Wyvern. "Very well, one beer when you save my life. And one for you now, and one for each of you Lionesses." He returns the grin and purchases a round of drinks for the four Lions. "May our lances and swords rain down with the fury and justice of Heironeous's lightning bolts."
Ambrose spends the evening among his brothers and sisters and the other warriors, taking up the role of informing them of the enemy's strengths, weaknesses, and tactics. He will find a moment to get to the stable for a few moments of peace and privacy and find Smoke, as he often finds clarity in grooming her before a big battle.
"This is it, old friend," he says to her as he inspects the new magic shoes upon her. "Our grandest, and most terribly battle is upon us. You have been there with me through the thick of it all, and once more I must look to you for your aid. You have grown stronger than I could have ever hoped, a true paragon of your kind. There is no greater honor for me than fighting in this saddle. I will protect you, as you always have me, even as I ask you to go into places that could mean death. Your life is as important to me as my own, the people of Brindol, even Lord Jarmaath's. We will show this goblin army what it means to face a true steed."
Later, when the elves appear to serve Leonar, Ambrose nods to Trellara with respect, and gives a half-grin to his druid companion, clapping him on the shoulder. "Doesn't seem like it was that long ago when you came across us in the woods. Now you command a squadron of Tiri Kitor wild elves who have mistrusted and denounced humans for centuries, and have sworn their lives to you. War is a strange thing, Leonar of the Witchwood. A strange thing indeed."
"Heh. Pleased take meetcha, all. Name's Harek, jus' n case ya ain't heard yet. Me and these lads, we're gon' chop demand gobbo scum in half, and cut deir nasty heads clean off after! Happy ta have more fightin' types along, 'specially you elf lads and lasses. Yer arrers gon' come in mighty handy, I figger. To yer health, da lot a ya's!"
Harek tosses back a good healthy swig from his whiskey bottle, then passes it along to the next warrior standing by.
"Now, if'n ye'll 'scuse me, I'm a go buy all da bear traps, barbed wite, oil an' alc'mist fire display town can supply. I can' wait til demand filthy gobbos start getting chomped, squished, burned, and bleedin' from all dese traps and whatnot."
Aleste disappears into a series of weird and wonderful alchemists' shops: from scarf hung, smoke-filled and colourful street-side shops to grimy, unwelcoming structures stacked high with copper pipes and strange glassware.
The horde's approach is signalled over the next few days as more refugees pass into and through Brindol. The time is well-spent, you hope, reinforcing the city's defences and making asjustments in line with Harek's plans.
When the horde arrives before the city it is just that, a great horde which throws up vast plumes of dust and whose encampment stretches into the distance.
There is no flag of parlay, no formal niceties. The generals of the Red Hand makes their plans and dispositions, Brindol does the same.
With their darkvision, the horde has an advantage in the dark and nobody is suprised when they use it, attacking a few hours after dusk the next day.
As the Red Hand begin to move, an extended telepathic bond is established between Ambrose, Lord Jarmaath, Immerstal the Red (the crafting wizard who casts the spell) and Captain Ulverth.
The attack begins with giant boulders pummeling the walls of Brindol.
A lump grew in Leonar’s throat when he saw the size of the attacking horde. He waited on instructions as he looked out over the masses. He casts Magic Vestment and Barkskin, sterling himself for the battle.
Seeing Leonar’s actions, the elves string their bows and check their flights.
In the days before the battle, Ambrose assists wherever and whenever he can with the preparation of the defenses, though without shirking any duties set upon him by Captain Ulverth or Lord Jarmaath. He also sees to it that his own effects are ready for battle, having his weapons and armor serviced, sharpened, and cleaned, and Smoke well fed, rested, and groomed. He also finds time to visit his parents if he can.
When the horde presents itself in its full muster, Ambrose tightens his grip around his blade and clenches his teeth, fully steeling his spirit and will for the trials ahead. He looks left and right to his allies - his friends - and mutters a silent prayer to Heironeous to protect them in the battles to come and to guide their weapons and spells. He is just about to speak when Lord Jaarmath's voice comes into his head. He senses the urgency and immediately turns to face everyone else.
"It is upon is. Giants at the south and east walls. We are to break the southern attack." He mounts Smoke and raises his lance, fitted with battle standard. "For Brindol!"
"Oh, aye, lads. It's on, an dese stupid, stinkin', green-blooded, ugly bastids are gon' feel the edge o' me axe! I'm thirsty, and it ain' fer ale er whiskey today, nah, it's fer gobbo and giant blood!"
Armored in heavy plate, recently scrubbed, polished, and oiled, Harek raises his axe and shield on high, loosing a mighty bellow of rage and hate before proceeding with Ambrose.
Leonar follows the others, giving their orders to the elves to arrow the heck out of the intruders!
Helaku prepares for a night attack, saving his second cast of mage armor for the actual start of the fight and getting a short nap in the late afternoon. When the boulders slam into the walls, he casts his armor spell and prepares for orders.
As Ambrose barks directions, he pulls out a small feather, makes a quick motion and speaks the following, "lighter than air, make us an eye in the sky." With that he channels his arcane power into a spell for himself and Soranna Anitah.
He zips into the air above the group, trying to get a better vantage point on the battle. He motions for Soranna to stick close.
Should the spell duration expire while the subject is still aloft, the magic fails slowly. The subject floats downward 60 feet per round for 1d6 rounds. If it reaches the ground in that amount of time, it lands safely. If not, it falls the rest of the distance, taking 1d6 points of damage per 10 feet of fall. Since dispelling a spell effectively ends it, the subject also descends safely in this way if the fly spell is dispelled, but not if it is negated by an antimagic field.
As you reach the gates, you peer out from the damaged ramparts, grateful that the moon is up. The humans amongst you can see vague shadows in the distance and a huge boulder which soars through the air and smashes into the walls.
Trellara turns to Leonar, "We have the owls, if you wish to fly out?"
The human guards on the walls peer into the dark, holding their crossbows, but struggle to get a bead on a target.
I can ride a horse along with Ambrose, better to stay close by him and watch his back.
Helakuu looks at the battlefield and then his allies. ”If one of you wants to make themselves a target and help the ranged people out, I can make you glow really really brightly. It might even hurt some of the enemies a tiny bit.”
Our heroes slip through the postern gate.
initiative
Init
Soaring high through the air on the back of the giant owl, I prepare to engage the hill giants with a furious storm of arrows
Heroes go first: act now!
The Druid shifts form into that of an Eagle. He spreads his wings and takes to the air!
Helakuu channels powerful arcane might into a spell and transfers it into Ambrose’s Armor, where it starts glowing painfully bright. He then takes to the air with his guard in tow, following Leonar.
Duration 10 min./level (D)
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
You touch an object when you cast this spell, causing the object to shed bright light in a 60-foot radius. This illumination increases the light level for an additional 60 feet by one step (darkness becomes dim light, dim light becomes normal light, and normal light becomes bright light). Creatures that take penalties in bright light take them while within the 60-foot radius of this magical light. Despite its name, this spell is not the equivalent of daylight for the purposes of creatures that are damaged or destroyed by such light.
If daylight is cast on a small object that is then placed inside or under a light-proof covering, the spell's effects are blocked until the covering is removed.
Daylight brought into an area of magical darkness (or vice versa) is temporarily negated, so that the otherwise prevailing light conditions exist in the overlapping areas of effect.
Daylight counters or dispels any darkness spell of equal or lower level, such as darkness.
Harek makes sure his axe and shield are ready, riding beside Ambrose with a grin.
"Oh lad, it's gon' be a good day today. Today, we kill us some giants!"
As they depart through the gate, Ambrose nods in agreement with Harek. "We must harry them before they are able to damage the walls. I am going to pound earth hard ahead to hopefully gain their attention while everyone else gets into position. Catch up when you can - I look forward to hacking them down alongside you!" With that, the knight kicks Smoke into a full charge, newly acquired magical horseshoes spurring the steed into unseen speeds.
The Druid shifts form into that of an Eagle. He spreads his wings and takes to the air!
Ambrose glows magnificently, while Helakuu shoots 60ft through the air, his bodyguard beside him.
Ambrose and Harek spur their mounts, surging forward, and Ambrose soon pulls away.
The Lions of Brindol ride hard beside Harek but cannot keep pace with Ambrose.
"Ha ha, lad! You'll beat me there, but I'll best ye in body count!"
Raising his axe high, Harek bellows his war cry alongside the knights.