Galin nods, I suppose I'll come along, doesn't hurt to have another set of eyes.
Theran holds back. He's fast, but not quiet.
Steave stays with the troops.
The army marched. Blink and Galin's scouting took them well ahead of it, finding little for the first day. A quarter of the way into the second, as the host approached Keeper's Canyon, they found what they had expected: two small armies lay to either side of the canyon. A host of abyss-touched arrayed themselves outside some ruins while a force of dretches squatted within. They looked arrayed to resist assault, but also so they could easily shift for an ambush.
Steave asks the war council for advice. He would lead an assault team on the mortal army's command, in order to scatter them before concentrating holy archers into the dretches. But, he sits silent hoping for better ideas.
Is it possible the same trick would work twice? Could we instigate a war between them first? Yridhrennor ponders.
His raven groans and shakes its head. Battle, they're called BATTLES...And you're a historian!
"Depends on the situation," Blink replied. "If it's one overall leader whose split his forces, then it's unlikely. Unless his underlings have a grudge, and that's why he split them. Without more information..."
Steave asks the war council for advice. He would lead an assault team on the mortal army's command, in order to scatter them before concentrating holy archers into the dretches. But, he sits silent hoping for better ideas.
"I concur with you, Captain," Sosiel said. "But if they are so near to one another, the dretches may converge on us from the flank while we engage the others. Demons do not eat as we do, but they are predators and will strike any weakness. Their nature demands it."
"We could take a closer look?" Aron offered, sounding anxious.
"Damned shame. This is the only way to Drezen we could get to before our supplies run dry," Nurah said.
Ljos closed his eyes and considered for a long time, "The surest way to defeat an ambush is to advance into it, keep them back-footed. The assault team may work, but there should be a better method."
He rested a hand on the hilt of his blade and tapped his scabbard against his thigh rhythmically, "They're divided in two and anticipate the advantage of ambush, we have speed thanks to our mounts, and range from bows. I see two options that offer a high probability of success. First, is to split our force into footmen and horsemen. The footmen will attempt to get behind one of the enemy forces, probably the tieflings, and act as an ambush of our own. The horsemen then advance until the enemy launches their attack, at which point the horsemen charge full on into the tieflings, and, once battle is joined, the infantry then attacks the tieflings from behind. Once the abyss-touched are put to route we turn and deal with the dretches. The advantage is if it works our casualties are minimized, the disadvantage is if it fails our loss will be severe. It's a gamble."
The devotee of Sarenrae took a deep breath, "Alternately and more simply, we let them try to ambush us. When they spring the trap we charge full bore into the faster enemy force, I defer to Yridhrennor which that might be. Once we smash one enemy away we wheel and deal with the other. Less of a gamble than my first plan, but there are guaranteed to be losses, hopefully less than other forces due to our number of paladins but it will still sting."
In, Asticlan's Campaigns, the Taldans were defeated by the Corbomite Maneuver: they set the bulk of their force forward, as a lure, drawing off their main ranks. Then, Asticlan led his elite forces against the Taldan commanders. We could do a similar strategy, bolstering our number with summoned creatures and then attacking from positions of stealth.
"Would holding one lot in place, maybe with magic to block the entrances to the fort? I'm guessing the plan is to grind any attackers against the fortress walls, but if we trap them there with walls of stone or a small strike force holding their own entrance...the bulk of our forces can grind the force outside the fortress to paste, and then we can focus on the damned in the fortress."
[b]That seems most wise[/n]
[b]That seems most wise[/n]
We couldn't us illusions and summons to create obstacles at the openings, while we send the main force up, then we tackle the generals on the side
We couldn't us illusions and summons to create obstacles at the openings, while we send the main force up, then we tackle the generals on the side
Blink considered, looking over at the other Spellcasters. "Arcane Lock to seal their own doors against them, multiple castings of CreatePit to create a barrier should they break the spells or do our work for us and knock down the doors for us?"
That would be a most wise strategy, Blink. He muses for a moment and then nods to himself. We can coat the earth before them in ice, grease, and shifting sands, to slow their steps. We could summon illusions to appeare a larger and more threatening force. We could always summon creatures to battle for us as well.
That would be a most wise strategy, Blink. He muses for a moment and then nods to himself. We can coat the earth before them in ice, grease, and shifting sands, to slow their steps. We could summon illusions to appeare a larger and more threatening force. We could always summon creatures to battle for us as well.
"So the plan is to seed the field with magical traps, then use illusions to lure the enemy into them," Sosiel said. "Very well; I will inform the men."
Good to go.
The demons fell for Yridhrennor's ruse and the paladins descended upon them in force, scattering the enemy and driving through to their mortal allies in the ruined works. In just a few hours, it was done. The foot of Keeper's Canyon was theirs.
The next dawn broke over the Worldwound, its sky a crazy quilt of unnatural striations that wove in and around each other in ways that gave headaches to those foolish enough to look so long. Dawn came with a loud hail...of frozen eyeballs.
This is.. interesting.Yridhrennor collects some of the grisly rain in a over-turned helmet for study. This.. this is amazing.
Theran treads carefully when he emerges from his tent. "I think somebody is upset at us."
Galin pulls on a cloak over his polished armor, grimacing as he is just too late in pulling up his hood to prevent an eyeball from descending onto his head. Lovely. Just lovely.
"Lovely. Let's start moving." The captain orders.
Ljos raises his hand a moment, "Captain Steave, this was an area they fortified, however haphazardly, perhaps we should have the men gather supplies from the fallen? We may need more than we began with if we plan to assail a fortress."
"Good idea, Ljos. Supplies may not be plentiful where we go."
"Good idea, Ljos. Supplies may not be plentiful where we go."
A thorough search reveals enough safe provisions to keep the army supplied for a further two days.
Proceeding up the Ahari Riverbed proved slow going. They made only eighteen miles over the uneven ground, sometimes reduced to riding through passages barely wide enough for their supply wagons. More than once, the earth seemed to close up above them and the Knights of Mendev rode in in nearly full dark.
The day after the battle at Keeper's Canyon, Sosiel came before the Knights with grave news:
"My Lords Captain, I did not think it possible for those so blessed by the gods to yield to despair. Yet I have word of dissension in our ranks. Men speak of futility, that all is already lost and you lead them only to a worse end."
The golden-eyed knight listened to Sosiel and sat quietly a moment, arms crossed, "Do we know who specifically? I could talk to them and assuage their fears. Or lacking that one of us could assemble and address the ranks."
I ... I could supply a story? And.. we could.. um.. act out the parts.. Like in a play.. Yridhrennor blushes and burries himself in his books.
A play!? PLAY!? his raven guffaws on the ground. Really? You want to rouse the troops with.. .a PLAY!?
It worked in the Second Crusade. It was a bitter winter, and the troops were underfed, ill-equipped, and homesick. Theyhad just been beaten and it seemed all hope was lost. But, then, a bard stepped forward and told a simple story. It had such power and renown that the whole regiment clamored to take the field. The commander related and they actually pushed the line forward a few miles in a single night. All because of a story.
Well.. i'm sure it's not one YOU could tell
"This doesn't sound natural," Blink murmured thoughtfully. "Not for an army like this. Something or someone must be affecting the minds of our people." She glanced at the others. "Perhaps we should interview the dissenters, and try and track down a common cause? Combine that with something to boost moral, maybe..."
"Sosiel, how much further must we travel? What hazards must we overcome before arriving at our destination? We can speak to the troops together, but we should tell them what to expect, in addition to reminding them of how far we have progressed and how important our mission is."
The golden-eyed knight listened to Sosiel and sat quietly a moment, arms crossed, "Do we know who specifically? I could talk to them and assuage their fears. Or lacking that one of us could assemble and address the ranks."
"They were reluctant to say, but I believe it may be Arles Jhestander. Two of those who came to me are often with him."
"Sosiel, how much further must we travel? What hazards must we overcome before arriving at our destination? We can speak to the troops together, but we should tell them what to expect, in addition to reminding them of how far we have progressed and how important our mission is."
"There should not be much more between us and Drezen. Assuming no difficulties, we should reach the fortress within two days. Then the work of reducing it must begin."
The Knights of Mendev found Sir Arles at a campfire, bending the ears of a half dozen or so other paladins who seemed to waver between bored resignation and paying him close mind.
"Listen to me, there is no light in this tunnel. It's straight to the Abyss. The Inheritor didn't ask us to throw our lives away here. She can come take us up whenever she likes. This is all on that queen and her kingdom's done for. There's better places to die than this, with eyeballs falling from the sky."
Ljos quietly came up from behind Sir Arles, gesturing for the gathered knights to not alert Arles to his presence. After a moment of listening Ljos moved next to the doomsayer and laid a hand on Arles's shoulder, allowing the paladin a moment to see his golden wolfish eyes and predatory smile.
"You assume that there are good places to die. No such thing as a good place to die exists. What matters is not where, but how you die. How are you willing to die, brother? Will there be any more meaning to your life if you die cowering under bed rather than on your feet and standing against evil? The skein of your life was woven long ago, and there is nothing you can do to extend it. You can run and hide if you like, but you will not live one instant longer. We are the only one's who can do this job, the only ones who can take the fight to the Enemy. We are blessed warriors, chosen by the gods to be here.
You're not being asked to die, brother. You are being asked to fight."
The Sylph smiled. "We do not ask a single one of you to do anything we wouldn't. Any risk you take, we will take. Any challenge you face, we will face. We will fight by your side. And I can tell you this - I have no intention of dying for this cause. I have no wish to gloriously sacrifice my life. I intend to destroy a lot of demons for this cause. They can be the ones to sacrifice, as they have made us do all this time."
Blink held up her finger. "Remember, this. This mission is vital to striking back at the Worldwound itself. Because, and this is important, the Wards are down. We can no longer sit and allow this land to be populated by these creatures. We can't afford to sit and wait behind walls and barriers. How many lives will failure here cost? How many will flee and die if the Worldwound grows, and devours nations?"
She glanced around. "How far can we run?"
[dice=Diplomacy, Touch of Destiny, Surge, Aid Another]1d20 + 1d6 + 16
Arles and his companions started at the knights' arrival. The malcontent himself started to say something, but one look at Ljos closed his lips tight. He listened with barely controlled rage that gave way, word by word, to shame.
In the end, he threw himself on his knees before his awesome commanders.
"My lords, the Inheritor has turned from me. I am a coward and a fool!"
Ljos extended a hand and helped Arles to his feet, "Everyone goes through a crisis of fate at some point brother, there is no shame in it. Meditation and prayer may help to calm your mind and restore you to the Inheritor's grace." The fiend-blooded knight thought a moment, "I want you to spend time with Othirubo, he needs teaching and guidance in the ways of knighthood and service to the Light and my duties as an officer preclude me from devoting as much time as he deserves. Perhaps, in teaching him, you will find new insight and a way toward inner peace. Ride with me and him in the column until you feel the Light's touch once more."
Ljos extended a hand and helped Arles to his feet, "Everyone goes through a crisis of fate at some point brother, there is no shame in it. Meditation and prayer may help to calm your mind and restore you to the Inheritor's grace." The fiend-blooded knight thought a moment, "I want you to spend time with Othirubo, he needs teaching and guidance in the ways of knighthood and service to the Light and my duties as an officer preclude me from devoting as much time as he deserves. Perhaps, in teaching him, you will find new insight and a way toward inner peace. Ride with me and him in the column until you feel the Light's touch once more."
"The demon?" Arles said with undisguised loathing, but he soon mastered himself. "Yes, my lord. I will."
Arles' discontent settled, the army marched the next day. No rain came down on them, but the clouds high above swirled in leering faces. Many seemed to track the crusaders for hours. Toward the end of day, Anevia and Aron came forward to report on the latest scouting.
"My lords," Aron said, looking nervous. "It wasn't on our maps, but we found a battle chapel above the gorge."
"Can't be," Nurah said, spitting. "I been over this whole damned pit a dozen times, never seen one just here."
"We saw it with our own eyes," Anevia said.
"There's stairs carved into the wall. It's probably as old as Drezen. These places were built to serve as shelters and strong points. It may still have stores," Aron continued.
Nurah rolled her eyes. "After this long? You're dreaming. Like as not whatever's there has the Abyss in it, as soon kill us as save us."
"Either it holds and might provide something of use - if nothing else, our troops would probably enjoy the chance to pray at a proper altar - or it's been tainted by the enemy and will need to be cleansed before we pass, lest we leave an enemy to our rear." Blink looked at the others. "Either way, it should be investigated."
Galin nods, Definitely, perhaps we should go and make sure it's clear ahead of the rest? I could certainly use a proper church for once.
Theran agrees with both. "We don't have a choice. If it's a trap, we can't simply ignore it." he adds.
With consensus, Steave orders the army to move and shelter at the shrine. "Well, let's investigate if the gods have provided us divine providence or if the demons have laid a trap."