Xaeken followed as best he could holding a hand up to his brow to see in the storm.
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Marra struggles to keep up with the group within the turbulent storm, following the lead of the fox-being.
Breewyn watched each of them as they stepped out of the cave and into the pouring rain. She bit her lip and squinted, trying to see if she how many of those that left she could still see.
She already lost track of the first ones that had left, but she could still see the human that just left. She looked at her light, and willed it to go out. Once more she was in the darkness of the cave.
She quietly stepped out of the cave and tried to keep her eyes focused on the human and any others that she could see just beyond that.
Luca waited impatiently for the signal. She remained behind, knowing she was about as stealthy as an avalanche.
The guards shifted in the storm, muttering to themselves as they strained to keep guard with their bows at the ready. The gale of the storm was strong, darkening the skies to the point it was almost night conditions. The sound of the gates being battered by the elements were the only sounds over the torrential rain, wind, and thunderous roar of the lightning.
The archers do not seem to notice the movements of the slaves. Still trying to watch the cave entrance. It seemed all is good so far. Though there was still one large hurdle to get through, sneaking around the tower that jutted out to the left of the main gate.
At your current distance the archers only seemed like little black blobs atop the walls.
Octavian glances up at the guards huddled against the storm and grins as they continue to ignore him. Slipping past them he follows the scout.
Jietin remains far enough behind as to not threaten the cover of their stealthier members. Still, he keeps quiet.
Luca felt her feet slip in the mud as they had begun to round the tower. She manages to keep her footing, but not without raising a din fit to wake the dead as she cursed and used the shield to steady herself.
The shout fo the guard let her know that she had be heard, and now that her cover had been blown, she charged forward, hoping to make it to close quarters with the archers before they could get organized.
"For Dovan-Dur! For Vengeance!"
Her war-cry cut through the gale, almost as if if had been powered by the voices of her dead kin, and not just her own.
Jietin's vision fades for a moment and he shakes his head. Just one more moment, let me get you closer. I will free you so that you may free me. The tiefling raises the makeshift shield above his head, then runs towards the gate, lips curling in snarls as he shoves the boiling rage down.
"Damn damn!" Octavian swore as he spun and charged back to the large gate they had been trying to avoid. He pulled his spear and held it in a two hand grip as he followed the sound of battle.
Iraldia glanced behind her and saw the kin making their line behind her. She kept low to the shadows watching the forms on the towers intently.
so intently in fact that she didn't notice the muddy slope. Her foot slipped from under her just about the same time the dwarf bit it. She scrambled up under the tower to avoid line of sight. "we've had it! Let's move!"
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Tsakua had held back when the group started forward. The planning had been fast, and a little over his head, but he knew his fists could still contribute by bringing down a guard or two. When he heard the cries, he chuckled in the dark. The dwarven lass was obviously crazy, but it was a crazy he could respect.
"Hah! Lad's, could've told ye this! Tis no point sneakin' about when ye can charge in and knock their heads in!"
Doing his best to stare through the storm, Tsakua prepared to charge into the battle.
She was rather proud of herself that she made her way up the muddy slope without any trouble whatsoever. Ha! That was easy! She thought to herself with glee, but then remembered where she was and what she was doing and looked up at the tower warily. She hunkered near to the wall as she continued along it. That was until she heard the shouts.
Her eyes grew wide as she heard the dwarf shouts, and then Octavians curses, and then their fake guard ally. Her heart dropped as she saw the large form of the Ilidari rushing at her, towards the gate they were passing. Oh good heavens! Was her only thought as she was almost knocked down the muddy hill from how fast he was running past her.
She wasn't as quick to follow after, having nearly been sent flying in Octavian's haste. However, she did do her best to try to keep up with him once she managed to steady herself and move carefully back down the muddy hill, frowning some as he hair, now less dirty, was plastered to her head from the rain and she looked very much like a drowned rat.
Jietin = 21
Zorgg = 19
Iraldia = 17
Xaeken = 16
Marra = 15
All Enemies = 15
Chuthan = 14
Octavian = 12
Breewyn = 9
Luca = 7
Tsakua = 3
"Archer on the move be careful!" the stone man grumbles...he does his best to hew to the shadows and get further into the complex undetected...
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Friendly Group
Jietin
Octavian
Breewyn
Iraldia
Luca
Marra
Xaeken
Zorgg
Chuthan
Tsakua
Enemy Group
5x Archers
Seeing the bowing gate ahead of him Octavian slides to a halt next to Jietin. "Together!" he yells over the fury of the storm and waits for the barbarian to set off.
Breewyn comes stumbling slowly down, looking up at the wall as lightning flashed.
With the rain striking her in the face as she looks up, it makes it rather difficult to make out shapes, let alone see figures up on the battlements. She moves to behind Octavian and Jietin, awaiting their push on the gate.
Archers...there were archers at this outpost! Tsakua thought. Maybe there was something to the words of that blue man. With or without the storm, Tsakua would be an easy target out in the open. Turning, he began running to the first mound that seemed like it could offer protection and dove into the mud.
Zorgg hears the shouts and attempts to hide amongst the chaos. He makes for the rocks.
Iraldia planted her back against the left tower and drew her sword. She peered around looking for any kind of other avenue of entry, maybe by climbing. Otherwise, she would wait until someone stronger than her could open the gate.
Trudging up the muddy slope proved to be a difficult task for Marra in this weather, and the effort of trying to keep up with the group in the dark did not leave much in the way of moving stealthily.
Her steps slipped often as she stumbled near the tower almost blindly, though it appeared that several others also had not been so fortunate trying to stay concealed. The dwarf's war-cry startled her and the movement of the Ilidari towards the gate caused her to grip the spear in her hands tightly.
Marra begins to make her way back down the muddy slope clumsily towards her group, their forms barely visible to the human in the darkness and rain.
The archers scrambled on top of the ramparts, the gong being smashed repeatedly for at least a minute to sound the alarm before falling silent, which would only indicate there was a force ready for the assault.
With the archers moving into position they took their aim. Another crack of lightning illuminated the archers, making them look like reapers the loomed over them, casting elongated shadows across those below them.
"Loose!" cried a voice as arrows were sent on their way downwards.
The archer above Iraldia took the easiest target and that was straight below him, the wind wouldn't knock his arrow for this. He let the arrow lose, only to miss by mere inches as the arrow sunk into the ground before her foot.
The rest of the shots the archers made were almost fruitless as the shots way wild from the severe winds knocking them around like their own little play things.
The gate before the two brutes bent in the wind once more, groaning under the strain as it bent inwards against the board that secured it.
"Hit your targets damnit! Kill them!" Yelled another archer as they moved to cock their bows with another arrow, lining up another round of shots.
Jietin doesn't even hear the blue man next to him. His sight is tunneled, on the archers and the gate. With a roar he crashes into it with all his might.
As soon as Jietin takes off Octavian is right next to him with his own roar. He turns at the last second and impacts the gate with his shoulder with all of his weight.
Luca rushes up to the gate beside the strange blue man and the giant demon, throwing her shoulder into it with all of her might.
The gate shuttered against the impact of the three ex-slaves. The wooden bar that kept the gate secured bent, groaning under the sudden force. A resounding crack could be heard as the bar gave away, splitting into two. The hinges cringed from the force and the gate was nearly torn from its brackets as it flung open, digging itself into the mud as the wind helped snap it open.
Before you stood a line of four slave guards, large steel shields up and braced, "Come get yer'selves skewered!" one of them yelled, a chorus of rousing battle cheer went up as they banged their swords against their shields, adding to the tumultuous clamor of the night.
Another crack of light flashed across the muddy battleground, briefly illuminating the night.
The fox gives an annoyed look up at the archer who was too smart for his own good, but she had other things to focus on. Iraldia sees the trio smash into the gate. The archers would be setting up to focus on them. Kneeling down, she dug her paws into the earth and reached out with her spirit. She called to nature, asking for its aid. She felt something stir in the ground, tunneling toward the right tower...
"Attack!"
Gommie's ears perked up as he heard his mistress' command. He let out a howl and dashed around from behind the tower, barreling toward the four waiting guards. With a small leap, he tried to latch his jaws onto the nearest guard.
Tsakua waited for the archers to fire their next round before coming out from behind the sheltering outcrop and running for the outpost. The storm was thick, but Tsakua could hear the sounds of fighting and the smashing of wood.
Grinning into the storm, Tsakua began running for the outpost gate, hoping the storm would shelter him from the archers.
Luca laughs at the men. She opened a mouth wide and let loose a roaring, maddening laugh to the looming storm clouds. When she looked back at the humans facing her, there was no humor in her eyes, nor did her smile hold any warmth. Rage and fury flared in her eyes, no longer dull, but bright as gems gleaming in the light of an inferno. A song came to her, soft and menacing. She sang with every slow, methodical step.
They came in the halls with heads held high,
Saying we were doomed to die.
In gleaming lines the humans stomped,
Thinkin' it all a quick fun romp.
But to their horror, they did find,
That their blood ran thick in those mines.
With blade an' hammer, we did smash.
On a wall o' thousand dwarves they did crash.
Howlin' and scearmin' did they,
who in folly fought dwarves that day.
In hell, I hope, they do dine,
Those whose blood ran thick in those mines.
Her eyes gleamed in hatred and rekindled fury. She remembered that horrible day when her clan fell in a different light now. No longer was she frightened. Anger burned the fear away, anger strengthened by grief. She was only a few steps away form the humans, her song still rolling off her tongue like the beginnings of a great avalanche.
We fought and died well,
In those tunnels for a spell.
Our home is gone, stolen in those long days,
By humans wielding shields and blades.
But deep down, you rats will find,
Their blood still running thick in those mines.
She glares at the first human before and snarls before readying her shield and weapons. Ghostly warpaint riddled with runes of power and prayers for vengeance appears on her face as the lightning flashes again.
"For Dovan=Dur, for vengeance." she said, barely loud enough to be heard above the wind.
And then she rushed forward, her shield ready to block any counter as she sought to kill the fool before her.
Jietin stands in the gateway for a moment, staring at the guards. He starts walking forward, and slowly it turns into a run. As he gets close and raises his sword, dropping his shield, he gives a sickening laugh.
Xaeken ambles forward, his stony bulk making him slow. As he moves he pushes against the air with his off hand, magic then noise following, a sound of more angry slaves meant to seemingly bolster their numbers...
Giant friend is in trouble. I should burn those guards. That will teach them.
Zorgg casts produce flame and then sneaks out around the corner.
Those silly guards will never see this coming. ha ha ha
The guards kept their formation, their shield wall bolstering their defenses against any attacks from the front. They had positioned themselves in a way that it would be hard pressed for the slaves to get past them and get into the outpost itself.
Though it seemed that the shield wall had varying levels of success. When the large canine attacked the right flank, the guard was unable to block it with his shield quick enough, the canine sinking its teeth in the womans leg. A cry of pain erupted as she moved to return the favor.
Her strike with the halberd was well placed, striking the canine in the shoulders with a quick and brutal jab.
The right flank suffered more success as the guard expertly deflected the attack from the crazed glowing dwarf, "That all you got?! yelled a gruff male voice at her, as he returned the attack with a thrust of the halberd past his shield, still holding it before him like a solid wall.
But it seemed like the jab missed, just mere inches from the dwarf's torso. Unfortunately the shield wall was broken as the large tiefling crashed against the line, bringing his sword down on the guard. He tried to bring the shield up to block the attack but it wasn't enough for the tieflings attack was brutally strong. The shield crumpled under the impact, breaking the wielders arm, his cry of pain was ended shortly as the sword sunk halfway through his skull. His body slumped down into the mud with a splat. His companion to the right of him turned to face the tielfing and took a wide swing with the halberd.
He struck a solid blow, the halberd connected with the tiefling for a good strike against his right torso.
[ooc]Archers Will Save then Guards Will Saves
The sounds of battle cries grew numerous, the guards began to doubt their chances, "How many ARE there?!" one yelled out. The guard line seemed unsure. The archers though were not fooled by these sounds, as they readied their bows. "Die you filthy savages!" yelled an archer as another volley of arrows came hurtling down.
This time their second volley scored a few hits, the rest arrows sinking into the ground or being knocked off course by the wind once more.
One arrow strikes Octavian in the shoulder.
Another arrow finds Luca solidly in her back.
And the third arrow strikes Jietin in the upper body.
The storm seemed to be growing much worse. It was odd how quickly the storm was growing, and how sudden it seemed to be. Another thunderous boom of lightning echoed.
Octavian see's the last remaining guard focus on Jietin after the barbarian's mighty strike fells his compatriot. A true warrior that one. I think we need to get him proper equipment. he thinks to himself. He snarls as an arrow slices through the skin on his shoulder. Instead of stepping up into the melee he raises one hand and focuses energy into it. Even through the rain and wind the air visibly trembled above his palm as he pours both magic and rage into the strike. He focuses once again on the guards' feet intending to even the odds a little more. "Hadouken!"
That thunder be loud
As the archers attempt to rain down death on the encroaching slaves Xaeken attempts to fire back and the archer nearest to him, an arc of acid and stone leaping from his fingers...
Jietin takes the blow to his torso, not even grunting as his flesh is cleaved open. Then an arrow finds his chest and the tiefling hits a knee, panting from the blood loss. However there's no fear of hate, just widened and dilated eyes with a bloody grin. Yes. You die next. Stand up, stand up!
Luca staggers forward with the impact of the arrow. While painful, the wound is thankfully shallow and would heal with time. The dwarf calmly reaches up and rips the arrow out with her sword hand and holds it before her and the soldier with a grim smile.
"Nay laddy. I have a hundred times eighty o' me kin to avenge. Do ye nae hear their cries? I do. I keen their song, even in this maelstrom. They haunt me every step. What hope have ye an' the rest o' teh swine that walks with ye noses turned so that ye'd drown in a rainstorm when I have all o' me kin that ye slain at me back," her eyes glitter dangerously as she snaps the arrow in two.
"Nay lad. Ye have nae seen what I have in store for ye."
With that she thrusts with the sword, this time not even lamenting that it was not a hammer as it struck home. It was not a deep cut, but it was a start.
"That was for the cut you gave me da in Delgar's Hall," she cried, beginning to return the first of the many, many wrongs done to her clan in the battle of Dovan-Dur as she circled about the guard, her grim, rain-streaked face smiling at him while her eyes promised that his death would not be clean, nor swift in coming.
Tsakua rounds the corner to the gate to see a guard standing above the kneeling barbarian, fighting an unseen assailant.
"Time to bash some skulls lads!" Letting out a yell, Tsakua hurries forward to strike the distracted guard with a callused fist.
Tsakua laughed as the storm rages around him. "Fer freedom lads, whether in life or death!"
Breewyn barely can make out anything with the howling of the wind, and the sheets of rain blinding her. She moves forward quickly and concentrates hard on trying to see or hear what's happening.
She nearly runs face-first into the backs of those who had charged the gate. She saw several arrows protruding from them. "Oh no! You're hurt!" She said, looking at shallow cuts, and broken hafts of arrows. Her eyes fall on the Tiefling, and she attempts to assess his current situation.
Her eyes widen and she knows how serious his injuries are. Although she can't see the stars, she calls upon their aid.
She concentrates, calling upon the energies granted to her by the heavens to restore her companion. Speaking in a Sylvan tongue, the open wounds begin to knit closed, leaving smooth skin wherever they are healed. She begins to look a little drained, as she has spent more energy on healing and it won't be too long before she is unable to grant more aid without resting for a while.
Chuthan will move up and cast magic stone, hoping to aid his allies after losing track of time.
Jietin hears the strange tongue behind him and feels the surge of magic in his flesh, raising back up with a lurch. Who dares to touch me, to touch death!? He slowly turns and looks down at the little gnome, standing timidly and shielding herself from the weather. With a sick grin he raises his sword. No...ally...guards alive... Jietin frowns, then abruptly whips around with a roar and slams his stolen longsword into the standing guard next to him. She'll be there when I'm done with the rest.
Breewyn flinches as the big scary Barbarian whirls on her. She lets out a timid squeal, cowering as he stops, and then grins and while roaring attacks the other guard. That was close. Her shaky legs barely holding her up after her close call with death incarnate.