It is almost dawn now at the Everdusk Fortress.
Dagor Morthis has summoned all of you to the Sundeath Chamber. Far from being a creepy dungeon, the so called Sundeath Chamber is a vast salon just before the master’s study and boudoir; it opens on an east-facing solarium and keeps much of the warmth and tasteful furniture that Jarmille Manor had before your Master claimed it from a spoiled noble family and renamed it Everdusk Fortress. There are signs hinting at a change in ownership though: the dark curtains decorated with hellish runes, a cabinet full of carefully labeled poisons, a chalice full of crystal clear liquid where the eye ripped from the squire’s face floats lazily, and a bloody knife sitting on the delightfully carved mahogany table – which a man covered in purulent bandages is trying to clean.
Ichabod has been in the salon for a while now, cleaning. Lillianna lies down on a soft and dusty sofa a few feet away, and the rest of you just got in.
For a while you are all staring at the dark curtain that separates the salon from the Master’s study. Dagor Morthis has been in there for hours now, in the sole company of Iubhal, the katapeshi soothsayer that came into his service just a few weeks ago.
«AGAIN?» a raging scream in Dagor Morthis’s voice comes from behind the curtain «What are they still doing here? Haven’t they had enough?» many arcane words follows from Iubhal, interrupted by blasphemies and insults from your master.
After a while, between the screams of your master you hear Iubhal whimper «Th-this is not… » he stutters «Master, I am su-sure we can try agaaAAHH!» a bright white light flashes in the minuscule opening between curtain and floor, then you hear a soft thud.
Dagor Morthis comes out of the study, his face hidden by the cowl «Lillianna, my dark flower! Where are you?» he flashes his gaze around the room until he sees her.
«Oh, here you are! Grab Bru and these two dancing monkeys» he points at Leknep and Zexil «Take the southern path down to Crow’s Nest. Those Eagle buffoons think they can keep trespassing in Dagor Morthis’s Territory.» then, almost as an afterthought «Ezekiel, you should probably join them. But clean the study first.» he says at Ichabod.
Bru is ready to go and do his dark master's bidding. He is grateful to have been raised back from the dead to continue to serve. He waits for an appropriate time to speak to not offend his master then says "Those bird brain knights just don't learn do they?"
Zexil brushes off the slight, seemingly unphased.. "As you wish Master, we shall bring the fool knights bodies, so that may be added to our numbers.. I am ready whenever He checks his spell component pouch and heads towards the door
Icabhod dabs the last of the blood off of the knife and takes out a small whetstone.Yes Milord, I will be most happy to assist. Using small, expert strokes, Icabhod sharpens the blade, it would not do for the Master to have a dull tool when he was rebuking someone.
After dusting off the couch, Icabhod will gather his things and head off with the others. Such dreadful bores those Eagle Knights. A teas set is packed along. I'm sure this won't take long and a nice pot be enjoyed before we return. Varisian Mint or Cheliaxian Green anyone?
"OF course my darling, what did you see of them? Just a boorish cavalcade of fools, or anyone particularly interesting to kill?" she asks, riding from her supine position. "If I may I'd like a chance to slip into something a little less comfortable, indicating her lack of armor. It'll only take a minute or two" After further briefing from her master she blows him a kiss and waves, striding toward the door.
With a snap of her fingers a previously inatmate suit of armor in a corner comes to life and comes as she beacons. "Alright boys, shall we go to work then, demonstrate the futility of standing against Dagor Morthis?" Before leaving she turns, and asks, "Ooh, would you like any souvenere or may I have the bodies when we're done?"
as she heads to her chambers to don her arms, she says to Ichabod, "The Varisian please? I don't know what they do to it, but last time the Green didn't sit well with me,"
Zexil nods.. "I agree with Lilli, bring the Varisian, i have all the green we need.. He snickers at his comment..
Icabhod packs some extra Varisian. Very good. Even though they are utter bores, we shouldn't cast aside caution. Icabhod will change into a nicely tailored suit of leather armor and has a walking stick in hand. A little scouting and then a nice rolling fog bank to mask our entry. If we can make it properly atmospheric, with say ghost sounds, we can utterly wreck their morale.
Zexil will talk strategy as the group walks.. "I think the best plan would be to attempt to disable them from range, until its no longer an option.. I will lead with 2 blindness spells, hoping to shut out any obvious casters, or leader types.. What spells do you have memorized, or the ability to cast?"
Bru says along the way "I can sneak up and scout them out first... oh an Icabhod use this on me..hands Icabhod a wand of inflict light wounds..BUT...use it on me only and do not waste it or you will face the wrath of Bru the Wildborn!"
The goblin pads after the rest of the group, uncharacteristically quiet as he fidgets with what appears to be a femur, several smaller bones, and some twine. Every now and again, he squeaks or jibbers in goblin, becoming frustrated with the project. In time, the diminutive terror gives up, tossing the whole of it to the side of the way before scurrying to catch up to the collection of villains.
"Leknep's hungry and master upset. This be big-big chewing time with lots of breaks and bunch of stabs," he surmises quietly, more to himself than the rest of his companions.
Icabhod pats Bru's head. Yes of course. Icabhod stashes the wand. I can tend to our wounds and call up a bank of fog to shield our movements and enhance my memory.
With a fearsome darting of his gaze Dagor Morthis silences the chatter of his minions. He makes for his boudoir, then almost as an afterthought stops, looks back towards Lillianna and Zexil. He whispers two words, opens his hand and a scene made of dust and arcane colors takes form in front of all of you.
You see the rock formations and flora typically found at the feet of the mountain, five miles south of the villages that Dagor’s zombies raided a few weeks back. There, four knights in high uniform ride in square formation.
Dagor snaps his fingers and the image disappears. «Enough questions. Go. And make a message out of these fools.» he walks back to his quarters, leaving you in the Sundeath Chamber.
Icabhod stands silently at attention as Dagor speaks and gives a polite bow.
After Dagor re-enters his room, Icabhod finishes his preparations. Arms and armor donned and a sturdy walking stick in hand. He does have a small bird watching glass and a book of breeds that can be found in the mountains. Well let us head to our rooms and get whatever we need. I'm sure the kitchen staff can pack a quick basket for us before we leave. Pip Pip.
Zexil hisses as he recognizes the knights in the image.. "Their members of the Golden Legion, a branch of the Eagle Knights.. One of them is a, the female, is a Captain.. She should be dealt with first.. If we leave soon we should be able o intercept them.. Come we can formulate a plan on the way.." Zexil heads to the door and waits for the others..
Deflating slightly for Dagon's temper, Lillianna smiles again at the note that the woman is a captain, considering the best way to make that example, and please her master. But that'll have to wait till tomorrow and we have to kill her first. She bows to her master once again, as they step out, "I hate when he gets upset like that," she says to nobody in particular as she heads to her quarters. Her skeleton aids her in donning her armor, and a few short minutes later she reconvenes with the others in well polished black armor, and a shield emblazoned with the mark of Baalzebul.
"Indeed, we should kill her quick, I have magics that attack mind or body. My personal favorite should turn one of the weaker-willed men against his mistress, perhaps? There's also a spell to inflict . It does make spell-casting problematic, which could be good if any of them have magic, ambushes become child's-play. We can lay in wait, and then say fire an arrow that carries the them so they cannot rally. Or Bru can hide and charge shen i cast it upon him so he carries it with him. He jsut has to keep his distance from us for a few seconds."
Bru cracks his knuckles after his master's orders then says "Those do-gooders will receive your message master. I promise."
Listening to Lilli.. "All seem like solid plans, do you perhaps have hold person memorized? I plan of targeting the captain with blindness and see what happens from there.. Having your skeleton try to provide flank for Bru would be good.. Icabhod could try and disarm one of them and maybe cast bless? Leknip could try an charm one to keep them off our backs and inspire Bru.. I agree about laying in wait and ambushing them.. Start with range and draw them to us, hopefully giving Bru and opportunity to flank.." A sinister smile spreads wide on his face at the thought of the slaughter to come..
A paired Silence and Fog Cloud would be a good combination for sowing chaos in their ranks. Blind and deafened we can approach safely. If we attack at range, I would not doubt that that would allow them a better chance at fleeing if they become hard-pressed.
"Remember that a fog spell works both ways, they can't see us.. but we can't see them either.. I personally like it better as a defensive spell.."
"Yes, Mistress Lill's pet should be able to help me well... us skeleton's need to stick together. Lill can heal us both with channel if needed and Icabhod has a wand I got after me new birth as undead to help us out if things get messy." Bru smiles and goes to skellyfist Lill's companion.
Oh very well Zexil, although if they charge us on horses we can stymie their advance. We best be off though.
As they approach and talk tactics, "I could Silence Bru, so he can hide, and when they get close enough, he can surprise them, or come from behind while my Pet attacks from the front. While you go blinding then, Zexil, I can try to turn men away or against each other. I can one of them or try to disarm or burn them, hopefully leaving them vulnerable."
After a moment she adds, "And if any of em get to close to us, I can give 'em a gentle caress and leave them helpless, although you may not want to be too close when I do. the stench can be rather unpleasant."
Vastly ignorant the string of tactical talk going on amongst the other lackeys, the goblin mutters madly to himself as he picks at a severed finger he managed to retrieve from the many pouches sown about his jester's attire.
"Sinew and teef, we rip and break. Eyes for keeps and noses take!"
You’re all set and suited up, and walk out the front gate of Everdusk with clear intentions. You follow the southern pathway down to intercept the Knights – it’s a familiar walk, one you’ve taken many times when leading a raid in Dagor Morthis’s name.
The spring is in full swing, and the sun shines above the Aspodell Mountains. The vegetation grows greener and stronger the more you get downhill, towards the Andoren country. As you get farther away from Everdusk, the sight gets increasingly more peaceful and full of life.
For some of you it’s a bit sickening.
All that green and lusty vegetation has his use, though: hidden in the thick bushes on the side of the street, you wait for the Knights to come in range.
Finally, after almost half an hour squatting in hide, you see them, all riding slender bay horses at a sustained walking pace: three knights wearing the usual blue jacket with golden shoulderpads above the engraved breastplate, armed with cavalry sabres; and their Captain, lightly armored and covered with a cowl, a longsword on her back. The knights are chattering loudly among themselves, and seem very excited.
"Maybe Leknep can distract the Knights as they approach if they seem to notice us," Lillianna suggests sheepishly, as she clanks along the path toward to the ambush.
Lillianna
corpse
+2hilly/rocky areas
Lilli try to hold one of the 3 knights and send ur comp forward.. Bru try to roundside them and coup de gras the held one, or flank with the skele.. Liknep you do your thing.. Icabod maybe try to disarm one? We focus on killing the captain afterwards.. THoughts?
Bru, why don't we head over somewhere near J:4 so you can get behind them, and I can silence you.
My corpse companion heads to K:10 awaiting others to attack or orders from his mistress. At this point it can charge out of the foliage and get 8 spaces and hit her with his reach weapon.
- Even if She draws their attension, Bru may not be noticed, and if Lenkeep Fascinates them, it could let us get everything started.
"After Bru gets in, I'll hold one for him to finish off, but at that point we should be good."
Zexil listens.. Lilli perhaps you should between them, so as to offer healing if needed.. Somewhere around J:8 maybe?
+2hilly/rocky
Yall get into position..
Battle profile
HP 27/27
Ac 12/10/12
Spells per day U/6
Spells 1/CLW,Bless,Burning Disarm,Obscuring Mist,Memory Lapse
Weapon: Lt.Crossbow
Icabhod does enjoy the nice day as they walk out of the castle, gazing at some birds and making noe in his bird book before they reach their destination.
Ths eknights are so tackily dressed.
Icabhod is hiding in the bushes at I,7, He will cast Bless on the group (+1 Hit/Save vs. Fear 3 minutes) when the Soldiers get closer.
(Hiding in bushes)
Shuddering with excitement, the goblin creeps as close to the edge of the tangled brush as possible, drawing his wide, serrated dagger in anticipation for the bloodshed to come.
Zexil waits till everyone is in position and just before he takes off gives Bru a touch of Necromantic Power... Moments later he attempts to permanently make the captain blind..
As they ride towards your ambush point, some of you manage to hear the knights’ conversation.
«Shouldn’t we move faster? » asks one of the knights.
«The High Aruspex saw it clearly, it’s just sitting in the nest. It’s not going anywhere. » replies the Captain over her shoulder «I don’t want to fatigue our horses. These hills can be dangerous: right above us lives that madman that slaughtered Harridan’s troop. »
«Is he really that dangerous? I mean… Harridan has always been a foolhardy and impulsive commander – everyone knew he would have led his guys to the disaster sooner or later…»
The Captain turns, furious «Don’t talk about your superior this way, Falk! We are not here to assess what happened in that battle. The sooner we get away from this peak, the sooner we can deal with our mission, the better. The egg must be destroyed. Now, ride!»
Bru manages to hear this just before the silencing spell is cast on him. Lilianna still has time to interrupt the casting if so she wishes.
Lilliana raises and eyebrow to her companions, as this may be interesting information. She whispers, "Take a prisoner" jsut as the is about to fall.
then for the three to the farthest north, there is no more sound.
In a scratchy, terrifying chorus, the goblin leaps out of the bushes, beginning his song while attempting to fascinate any knight within range. "Stab their eyes and break their necks, that what Master want the best! Flay them now and eat what's left, send them all to their DEATH!"
All is set. The trees around you fall silent, small animals scared away by your menacing presence. The quick clop of the Knights’s steeds is about the only sound that can be heard. All of you (but for Bru) hold your breath in anticipation.
Then the Captain is finally in front of the bushes you're hiding in. She turns her head startled «Did you hear th…?» but she’s too late.
They fell right into your trap.