Cursing her miscalculation, Lasciel is glad to see two of the orcs drop as a result of the bard's spell. Her weight shifts as she strikes again, too quick for the orc to respond.
The screams of battle and sounds of sword on metal and the crack and crash of broken ceramic filter down through the night as you fully engage the protectors of your target. A flash of light and a loud retort from your right signals one of the firepots explosions from several hundred yards across-field at the next catapult location. Another huge rock sails through the air toward the keep, this one with slightly more accuracy as it lands closer to the wall. More orcish screams as the boulder bounces through the night but this one is followed by the a loud crack and crash as the boulder slams into the keep wall. Glancing up quickly, you see the wall has held, the boulder obviously having just bounced into the wall and not hit it directly.
Yanking back the pull bar on his crossbow and slamming another bolt into the guide Thantos practically whips the crossbow up and fires at the overseer on the catapult platform, the bolt flies true but slightly high, but ricochets off the overseer's shoulder plate, flying wildly high into the air and out of sight.
With a wild yell Kith breaks into a dead run, sweeping his sword in a short arc from hip height up over his head and, just as he reaches the nearest orc, whips it down over the top of his head straight down into the neck and shoulder of the lead orc on his side, cleaving clean through from the right shoulder of the orc out just under his left armpit...the orc simply falls apart and falls the the ground dead.
Expecting the blade to get "caught" within the first orc however, Kith is slightly overbalanced as the blade passes cleanly through and finds himself overextended and unable to get his sword back in place to block the incoming strike of the second of the three orcs. He takes a glancing hit to his right hip from the club of the second orc as he comes over a blocking boulder to engage Kith directly.
Quick as a flash, Lash recovers her footing and turns her stumble and failed strike into a fast backhand slash; the sharp tip of the rapier slicing through the hide armor of this orc and drawing a long line across it's chest. The orc staggers backwards and squeals in pain, it's breathing coming heavier to it and for a moment you're sure the creature was going to turn and run off into the night. But as its attention breaks and it glances quickly off into the night you see fear and resolve find it's place in the orc's eyes as it raises it's club and prepares to attack.
Slinging his lute over his shoulder Fyird gathers up the pot at his feet and charges in toward the catapult, heaving and letting fly his makeshift missile at the center supports of the catapult. Almost at the same time, and matching Fyird step for step Commander Kilinthar charges in and snaps his pot into the air as well both of them coming to crash directly into the central mechanisms of the catapult, one on the throwing arm, one a direct hit on the stabilizing cross bar that stops the throwing arm after it's released. The crash of both pots is immediately followed by a loud explosive retort and everyone is momentarily blinded by the bright as day column of fire that seems practically to engulf the entirety of the catapult. A piggish scream, quickly cut off and followed by a loud "thud" accompanies the orc overseer, his flesh practically bubbling right off the bone, as the overseer falls off the "front" (away from your approach) of the catapult and doesn't even manage to hit the ground before stopping moving. You can see as the sticky alchemists fire chemical, some of which is still stuck to the now flaming body, continues to burn the overseer, his armor, and every other possession he owns into a blackened heap.
As an orc takes a swipe at Lash, Selena takes a few strides forward and makes a motion with her hand, the small white ball of fire she had been holding in her hand flying out and hitting the only one of the three orcs on that side of the catapult that was still standing. The fire engulfs the orc for a second and then is gone as quick as it appeared. Onlookers might think it was only a burst of light until they noticed the burn marks on the orc's face and bare arms. Between the slash across the chest (the edges of which are now blackened and scorched) and the burns, the orc throws down it's weapon and turns and runs off into the night, but is cut down by a quick stab from Lash as it turns.
Having his target taken away from him, Mird swings his bow left and fires at the orc off the far left corner of the catapult.
Catching the orc square in the collar bone, no more than an inch down of taking the creature in the neck, the arrow penetrates, knocking the orc back a step and sinking in to stick quivering out of the orc's left shoulder.
Back on the right side of the catapult, near the boulder ammunition for the catapult, the other orc on Kith, seeing it's companion score a hit with it's club, squeals in happiness as he takes a swipe at Kith's head with his club. The sound of metal on wood sounds as Kith easily picks off the orc's club in mid swing, bringing it low and setting the orc up for a counterattack.
Having JUST broken into a run at Kith, the orc off the far left corner of the catapult staggers as it's shot by Mird and it's charge halts, the weapon swipe falling well short of an embattled Lash.
As the fleeing orc drops from the blade in his back, Lash looks back over her shoulder, flashing Lena a quick grin of thanks. She turns to see the other orc coming at her and prepares a lunging thrust. Unfortunately, her lunge takes her right into the path of a gourt of flame that erupts from the catapault.
Twisting despertely to avoid the fire, she abandons any hope of accuracy, hoping only to keep the orc at bay with her wild swing.
Thantos notices an Orc that has picked up Lash's scent and attempts to get off a quick shot hoping to slow him down a bit.
Crossbow Shot with "If hit" Damage (1d20+2=8, 1d8=1)
Selena turns her attention to the Orc threatening Lash again, sending a worried glance towards Kith at the sight of blood. "Are you alright, Kith?"
She gathers the flame to her hand again, the white golden energy sparkling in her palm, sending it towards .
Mird grins devilishly as he hits the orc square in the shoulder...not a moment to spare, though, as he realizes all orcs are now engaged with his fellow adventurers. Mird manuevers within deadly range, knocks an arrow, takes aim, and fires at the orc that is still bleeding from Mird's last arrow.
Grunting from the minor hit, Kith nods at Selena. Snarling at his attacker, but seeing the Commander engage a different Orc Kith swings to assist . Raising his sword in a signature overhand chop Kith is determined to lay the orc low.
Fyird laughs at the glory of battle, and begins to orate the tale of the battle of Whiterock pass.
He then looks for someone close by to assist with his battleaxe.
DM
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Round2 Results:
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Round3 Items:
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Thantos yanks the draw bar of his crossbow back, knocks a bolt, raises and fires, but the bolt whistles past the orc engaged on Lash as he makes a quick step to the side.
Kith's overhead chop whistles through the air and catches the orc2's club on the downswing, knocking it wide and blocking the orc's incoming attack.
Lash's stab with the rapier is blocked by orc8's club, parried out wide to the right, but the orc's backhand attack whistles harmlessly across, coming no where close to Lash as she spins with the parry, putting herself back in line for a strike.
A strong male voice raises in song over the battle field as Fyird breaks into a battle song, lifting your hearts and helping to time your strikes.
Kilenthar draws his mace and approaches one of the two orcs on Kith, sliding into range and taking a swing that glances off the quickly turning orc's shoulder pad.
Selena pools the golden fire in her hand and throws at the orc on Lash, the fire bursting on the orc's upper torso and across his face. Squeals of pain follow the burst of flame as the orc's skin hisses from the heat of the fire and starts turning black.
The burst of light from the fire momentarily blinds Mird and his shot at the same orc flies just high.
Selena nods her head curtly at the satisfying pulse of heavenly light and the inhuman squeal from the orc. She notices that her companions are well enough for the time being, so focuses her energy on the Orc again.
Heavenly fire (1d20+2=16, 1d6+1=2)
Stepping around the orc's attack Lash strikes again, trying to get around the monster's defenses. 1d20+1=12, 1d6+1=5
Hearing the bards song Kith performs a deadly overhand chop.
If the one attacking Lash is still standing. Fyird steps forward in full song, and tries to attack that orc. If possible he will atempt to flank the beast with Lash.
Ummmmm...Never mind.
With a howl of fury due to his last miss, Mird snarls slightly as he knocks another bow...somewhat single-mindedly, he maneuvers himself appropriately and lines up a shot for another attack on the same orc as he mutters under his breath, "Lets see if you can dodge THIS one you flea-ridden bastard..."
Two things catch your attention as the battle rages on.
First, the catapult is not burning. The oil on the catapult is still flairing strong but not a lick of wood on the catapult is even darkening, let alone catching fire and burning. Within another turn or two this is going to be obvious to everyone on the battlefield as the fires are, even now, dying down as the alchemist's fire chemical is consumed by the flames they spawned and will soon go out completely. Glancing to your left and right you also notice that the nearest catapults (several hundred yards to your left and to your right) seem to have their fires dying down as well. As far as you can tell, none of the catapults have actually caught fire as planned. This, too, seems strange and unnatural to you.
Second, and more worrysome and arguably more important to your health in general, there is a shimmering in the air behind you as a semi-circle of figures, 7 in total, appear as if out of nowhere within the ring of light cast by the torches. From each end of the semi-circle on each side stands an orc baring a crossbow, followed by an orc baring a short sword, followed by an orc with a staff and a feathered headdress. In the very center of the semi-circle's border is a very large orc wielding a large two-handed sword. The large orc has his hand raised and none of the monsters yet seem to be moving to the attack, none of them seem to have noted that they've been spotted yet.
The large orc has a wide grin on it's piggish face.
Thantos fires again at the Orc attack Lash.
Selena keeps her attention focused on the orc attacking Lash, but she notices out of the corner of her eye that the catapult is unaffected by the alchemist fire.
"Excuse me, Commander. Isn't the alchemist fire supposed to be... I don't know... burning the wood or the ropes or something?"
Just as she finishes her question, she senses a dark presence behind her, turning around just in time to see the hostile orcs appear out of the shimmering mist.
"Hmmm, it seems our plan might have another complication. The true threat is behind us now."
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Thantos's next crossbow bolt cuts through the air directly at Lash's back as lash feints to the right. Luck is with her as she dodges back out to the left, setting the orc up for her strike and the bolt whistles harmlessly between lash and the orc...right in front of Lash's face.
Both combatants are surprised by the close call of the bolt, but Lash recovers quicker, slipping a stab of her raiper into the orc's neck, and up into it's brain, killing the create where it stands.
Across the field, Kith uses the momentum of his last block to bring the sword down, past the orc's club, in a circular swing back over his head, and to use the momentum of that blade spin to carry the overhand chop straight down on top of the unprepaired and overmatched orc, literaly splitting him in two.
The second orc, thinking Kith unprotected with his sword out of position takes a quick step forward and snaps his body stright forward in an all out full strength swing putting his entire body into it...which puts his head straight in line with Kilenthar's already swinging two handed cross swing...not even knowing the commander was there, and having thrown every bit of strengh into the swing of it's own club the orc never saw the mace coming, and was wondering why the world was spinning as it's head is literally ripped from it's body to go spinning off into the night sky.
Thantos shouts at a volume he hopes can only be heard by his group mates, "ORCS! BEHIND US!" At the same time he sprints in to Kith's side.
Arriving at Kith's side Thantos begins to utter words that are all but unintelligible to the group. With the final forceful utterance a large ugly beetle appears.
Selena moves quickly to Lash's side, her hands glowing with heavenly light. "Hold still, Lash. It looks like the fight just got more difficult. You might need this."
The glowing flame spreads from her fingers and surrounds Lasciel's body with a glistening coat of golden flames, with green and blue sparkles across its surface.
: I edited this after the DM's post three down from here.
"Excuse me, Commander. Isn't the alchemist fire supposed to be... I don't know... burning the wood or the ropes or something?"
We're fully engaged in battle, not sure the Commander is going to hear you and the "Excuse me" doesn't seem to fit the circumstances.
Actually, with all the orcs we were previously fighting dead or sleeping, we're not really that fully engaged in battle. Selena isn't really "engaged" in battle, mostly calmly flinging fire around. :) And the "Excuse Me" fits perfectly with Selena's character. :P
[
As the last orc's body falls headless to the ground in front of you and Lash is preparing a killing strike on one of the sleeping orcs, shouts of "ORCS BEHIND US" assault your ears. As one Lash, Kith and Kilenthar turn to see the scenario Selena, Thantos, Mird and Fyird have already seen.
Into your consciousness you hear the clashing of metal on metal and various shouts of surprise (human voices) and glee (orcish voices) carry down to you from the battles to your left and your right. Each of you can imagine the scene before you playing out 7 more times up and down the catapult line as groups of orcs appear out of invisibility behind their already engaged and unknowing attackers, ready to shred the assault on the catapults.
Into the almost near silence, that brief moment between sanity and chaos Selena's melodic voice floats to each of your ears:
"Excuse me Commander? Shouldn't the catapults be burning?"
The moment of paralysis is broken as Kilenthar curses and shouts "AMBUSH! PROTECT THE UNARMORED!"
At this the grinning orc leader, the one Lash, Mird and Thantos recognize as the orc leader they saw talking to the human in the orc camp, grins just a little wider, gives a slight nod and drops his hand, ordering the crossbowmen to fire, the shaman to start casting, and the swordsmen to stalk forward picking their targets as they go.
Lash takes a ddep breath as the mystical energies evelop her body, a warm tingling senstion flowing through her. She flashes Lena a grin as she looks at the orcs materialized from th cirle.
"I could definitely get used to this" the mutters quietly.
"Thanks, stay back, don't get close, I'll try to take the shooters. And....good work!"
Her last statement trails off as she takes off at a full charge, barrelling towards an orc crossbow weilder, a shimmering field surrounding her outline. A moment before impact she plants her foot, launching into a deep fencing thrust.
Sneak attack, orcs flat footed(have yet to act) (1d20+4=16, 1d6+4, 1d6=[5, 4], [4])
Fyird acts as soon as possible in the round, and sings another song of sleep.
"Blades of Hell! We've been setup!"
Kith quickly scans the attacking force and settles his gaze on the leader. Hoping to cut the morale of the other orcs by cutting off the head of the snake, Kith moves at a determined, accelerated pace directly toward the leader.
"So be it.."
Charge Attack with Overhand chop (1d20+8=12, 2d6+10=20)
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Coming out of his shock first, Fyird starts the battle by raising his voice in a lilting song of beautiful evenings and soft breezes and dark nights. Woven in with the song is the arcane language of magic.
Selena breaks into a run and practically slides to a stop by the already moving Lash, muttering a quick spell under her breath Selena places her hand on Lash and for a brief second a flash of yellow flame encases Lash and almost as quickly fades to nothing, traces of green and blue sparkles winking out as a field of force surrounds Lash.
Mird snaps his bow up and fires at the nearest threatening archer, to the left of the orc commander, piercing the leather shoulder armor and knocking the crossbowman back a step as a dark stain appears and grows down the front of the crossbowman's leather jerkin.
Thantos takes a few steps back from the orcs and starts his own spellcasting, settling into concentration as the power of the weave touches and flows through him.
Kith breaks into a run and charges right up to the Orc Leader but must contend with both swordsmen as they move out to intercept his charge. Sweeping his sword from high down across his chest to dip down and spin up around his left shoulder, his blade connects with the blade of the second swordsman, blocking that strike. Bringing his sword back across the other direction in a similar sweep he blocks the thrust of the first swordsman and uses the momentum of his strike to bring the blade high over his head and snapping straight down at the orc leader, going for the quick kill. The orc leader however shows surprising grace and agility, sidestepping the overhand chop and throwing a fast backhand with his deceivingly quick longsword that opens a slice across Kith's breastplate and a deep gouge from chest over right shoulder.
The crossbow wielding orc on the right raises his crossbow in careful aim and snaps off a shot straight at Selena. The bolt flies true and looks as if it will skewer Selena's chest when it acts as if it hits an invisible brick wall and simply stops dead, the haft of the bolt snapping off from the force of the impact to go spinning off into the night while the tip of the bolt goes flying in another direction...Selena is unharmed.
The second crossbowman on the left levels his bow and fires straight for the concentrating Thantos and whistles past mere inches from his face as it speeds off into the night.
Lash goes into a spin as one of the two crossbow bolts cuts right by her on it's way to strike at Selena, that spin ends with the point of the rapier darting out and piercing the chest of the right side shaman, causing her to squeal in agony and step back from Lash. The squeal turns into a fast chant and a wave of despair rolls out from the shaman toward Kith. You can see the effect almost immediately as Kith's eyes go wide and a shudder courses up his spine. As Kith goes back to his battle with the two swordsman and the orc commander you notice his actions aren't quite as "on" as they have been in the past.
The second shaman stays with his commander in case assistance is needed, but yawns heavily as he and the swordsman on his side simply fall flat to the ground, snoring loudly. The grin on the orc commander's face becomes a grimace as he watches part of his support fall to the ground beside him.
Meanwhile, Commander Kilenthar doesn't move up to engage, instead, seeing Thantos otherwise occupied, the commander grabs the crossbow hooked to Thantos' belt, being careful not to disturb the spell cast in progress. He loads a bolt and pulls a glowing yellow ball from a pouch at his side, he carefully fits the ball over the business end of the crossbow bolt and fires it straight up into the air. A shower of sparks and a burst of light appears in the sky for a few moments and then fades from visibility.
"We must hold!" Yells Kilenthar "Protect yourselves and hold the ground!"
To add insult to injury, it becomes clear to all of you (by the dying light of the fires on the catapult) that the fire along the catapult is quickly playing itself out, and for anyone able to notice, the wood isn't even charred, let alone burning as it should be. Taking quick note of the catapult the commander gives a little nod and yells "Fyird, I have need of you and your axe!"
Selena pulls her dagger from the sheath tied to her belt. She wipes the side of the blade on her wool dress, keeping a wary eye on the battlefield.
Fyird rushes when summoned his axe held at ready.
[ooc]Inspire Courage (Su): A bard with 1 or more ranks in a
Perform skill can use his performance to inspire courage
in his allies (including himself ), bolstering them against
fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected,
an ally must be able to percieve the bard’s performance.
The effect lasts for as long as the ally percieves the bard‘s
performance and for [bold]5 rounds thereafter.[/bold] [/ooc]
Selena pulls her dagger from the sheath tied to her belt. She wipes the side of the blade on her wool dress, keeping a wary eye on the battlefield.
She walks over by the sleeping orcs , the dagger now in her hand.