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Bor looks up at the trio of giant bats swooping high overhead. The bat's and their giant wings break open some of his traumatic times and his cursed rune on his neck flares brightly as it trickles blood down his back. Bor clutches the rune and screams into the sky as he falls to his knees. His madness spreads as it ripples through the air.
Buff reminder (Haste; Bull's Strength)
HP 74/81
AC 26 (31; 33 vs Goblinoids; 34 vs Hobgoblin DR/2- Hobgoblin)
Spells Used:
(1st) Shield of Faith
(2nd)
(3rd) Magic Circle against evil
(4th)
Vision of Madness 9/9
Aura of Madness 7/8
Sudden Shift 8/8
Master's Illusion 8/8
CPE 0/2 (4d6)
Ironfang Survivor (free, roll twice vs goblinoid (intimidate, sense motive, stealth): 1/1
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Faolan jumps off the chariot and smashes a wyvern almost to death. Bazsil quickly follows up and lops the head of the surprised creature. Two of the bats swarm one of the remaining adults, one hitting. The third bat fails to hit the third wyvern.
All of your foes are confused by Bor's maddened screaming. The three hobgoblins babble to themselves about ghosts attacking from the dawn. One wyvern is clear headed this round and attacks a bat. The other is sent into a rage and attacks a bat.
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+1 Dex, +9 natural, –1 size)
hp 73 (7d12+28)
Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +8
Immune sleep, paralysis
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft. (poor)
Melee sting +10 melee (1d6+4 plus poison), bite +10 melee
(2d6+4 plus grab), 2 wings +5 (1d6+2)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attack rake (2 talons +10, 1d6+4)
-24/73 59/73 73/73
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 17 (+7 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 71 (7d10+28)
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +4 (+2 vs. fear)
Defensive Abilities bravery +2
DEFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +1 bastard sword +13/+8 (1d10+5/19–20) or
spear +10/+5 (1d8+4/×3)
Ranged shortbow +9/+4 (1d6/×3)
Special Attacks weapon training (heavy blades +1)
71/71 71/71 71/71
While his bats hold off the wyverns Krowe hurls a fireball into the confused hobgoblins.
Krowe follows up his fireball with individual rays of fire to pick off anything left standing.
And the giant bats fight on...
Round: 2
Fort +9, Reflex +9, Will +7
Front Row
Opponent: wyvern
- - -
Conditions: Fly, Haste, Blessing of Fervor, Song (+2 Str/Con, +2 Will, +1 AC (dodge), +1 AC (insight vs outsiders & aberrations), skill limits)
Equipped: Shield
Shield Melee: Attack: BAB 8/3, Str +6, Focus +1, MW +1, (flurry -2) Damage: Str +6, Bash +1, Specialization +2 (crit: 20)
Shield Ranged: Attack: BAB 8/3, Dex +2, Focus +1, MW +1 (flurry -2) Damage: Str +6, Bash +1, Specialization +2 (crit: 20)
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Arrows: 14/14; Ghost Salt, Cold Iron Arrows 6/6
Martial Flexibility (1x swift, 2x move): 4/7
Knockout (DC 20, 1d6r): 1/1
Shield Bearer (free, adjacent ally +2 AC (trait)): 1/1
Ironfang Survivor (free, roll twice vs goblinoid (intimidate, sense motive, stealth): 1/1
Jingasa (negate crit or sneak): 1/1
Amazed at the effect Bor has had on the enemy, he’s half tempted to just step back and watch them tear themselves apart. It would be a kind of justice - bloody, slow, justice. But cruel too, too cruel for Faolan. So he helps them along on the path to destruction. He 5’ steps and attacks the next wyvern (or hobgoblin if need be). If it falls and he cannot reach another, he’ll throw his shield (same damage, -4 on all attacks).
”Bor, I think maybe we need to get you some help, but after the battle… after the battle!”
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song)
Round 3
Continue song.
5' step to nearest foe.
Strike.
Bazsil's song nearly falters as Bors madness nearly trips his tongue. He thinks that if he hadn't been traveling with the man for the last few months, he might be as equally stupefied as the hobgobs. As he is not, the continues to sing and 5' steps to continue pounding wyvern.
”Wyverns, wyverns, wyverns,
Krowe magic will give you burns,
Bors magics you cannot spurns,
You'll sleep amongst the ferns.”
to hit; (+bull,+song)
slashing damage.
to hit; (+bull,+song)
slashing damage.
to hit; (+bull,+song)
slashing damage.
1) +4 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution
2) +3 morale bonus on Will saving throws
3) +1 to dodge AC (+2 for guarded stance,-1 for song)
4) You cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or use any ability that requires concentration.
5) +1 insight AC vs Outsiders and Aberrations
[ dice]1d20+14+1+[/dice] to hit; (song,+flank)
slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+7+1+[/dice] to hit; (song,+flank)
slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+11[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] piercing damage.
[ dice]1d20+6[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] piercing damage.
HP: 66/66
AC: 20 (7 armor, 3 dex) = 20/22 vs. gobs.
L1: 2/5 used (CLW*0, Ident*0, Grease*0, Vanish*2, LibCom*0)
L2: 3/5 used (Invis*1, Heroism*2, Blister*0, BDash*0)
L3: 0/3 used (GHope*0,InvisSpher*0,JJ*0)
Kenning: 0/1 used
Words: 4/20 used
Battlecries: 0/2 used (+1 morale to hit;+4 morale to fear saves 1 minute)
Ironfangedness: 0/1 used
Extend Lesser: 2/3 used
Dbane Arrows: 1/10 used
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not used
Rage: maybe later
[spoiler=Bazsil's Deep Song of Wrath] Bazsil has activated his bard like song. You can opt in or opt out. Your choice...but you get all or none of the below. Bazsil will be opting in because that's what he does. You get:
1) +4 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution
2) +3 morale bonus on Will saving throws
3) +1 to dodge AC (+2 for guarded stance,-1 for song)
4) You cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or use any ability that requires concentration.
5) +1 insight AC vs Outsiders and Aberrations [ /spoiler]
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Bor's scream continues to pulsate through the crowd as he punches and punches at the endless stream of devilish creatures coming over him.
Buff reminder (Haste; Bull's Strength)
HP 81/81
AC 26 (31; 33 vs Goblinoids; 34 vs Hobgoblin DR/2- Hobgoblin)
Spells Used:
(1st) Shield of Faith
(2nd)
(3rd) Magic Circle against evil
(4th)
Vision of Madness 9/9
Aura of Madness 7/8
Sudden Shift 8/8
Master's Illusion 8/8
CPE 2/2 (4d6)
Ironfang Survivor (free, roll twice vs goblinoid (intimidate, sense motive, stealth): 1/1
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Krowe unleashes fire and death upon the hobgoblins while the party smashes down all three adult wyverns. The juvenile wyverns snap at you but aren't even old enough to know what they're doing yet.
The hobgoblins remain confused and respond by attacking the now visible Krowe with their shortbows.
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 17 (+7 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 71 (7d10+28)
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +4 (+2 vs. fear)
Defensive Abilities bravery +2
DEFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +1 bastard sword +13/+8 (1d10+5/19–20) or
spear +10/+5 (1d8+4/×3)
Ranged shortbow +9/+4 (1d6/×3)
Special Attacks weapon training (heavy blades +1)
25/71 47/71 47/71
Round: 3
Fort +9, Reflex +9, Will +7
Front Row
Opponent: wyvern
- - -
Conditions: Fly, Haste, Blessing of Fervor, Song (+2 Str/Con, +2 Will, +1 AC (dodge), +1 AC (insight vs outsiders & aberrations), skill limits)
Equipped: Shield
Shield Melee: Attack: BAB 8/3, Str +6, Focus +1, MW +1, (flurry -2) Damage: Str +6, Bash +1, Specialization +2 (crit: 20)
Shield Ranged: Attack: BAB 8/3, Dex +2, Focus +1, MW +1 (flurry -2) Damage: Str +6, Bash +1, Specialization +2 (crit: 20)
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Arrows: 14/14; Ghost Salt, Cold Iron Arrows 6/6
Martial Flexibility (1x swift, 2x move): 4/7
Knockout (DC 20, 1d6r): 1/1
Shield Bearer (free, adjacent ally +2 AC (trait)): 1/1
Ironfang Survivor (free, roll twice vs goblinoid (intimidate, sense motive, stealth): 1/1
Jingasa (negate crit or sneak): 1/1
Faolan, both pleased and dismayed that the wyverns have been handled (I don’t get to fly!) takes a step and weighs in on the hobgoblins. If he has to move further to join the battle, just one attack.
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song)
Round 4
Continue song.
Move to help Krowe.
Strike a hobgob.
Bazsil moves to help Krowe, lest he be diced for a soup.
”Gobbos, Hobgobs, Villains,
You are invading cretins,
Lack of good your heart within,
You’ll feel your death set in.”
to hit; (+bull,+song)
slashing damage.
to hit; (+bull,+song)
slashing damage.
1) +4 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution
2) +3 morale bonus on Will saving throws
3) +1 to dodge AC (+2 for guarded stance,-1 for song)
4) You cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or use any ability that requires concentration.
5) +1 insight AC vs Outsiders and Aberrations
[ dice]1d20+14+1+[/dice] to hit; (song,+flank)
slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+7+1+[/dice] to hit; (song,+flank)
slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+11[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] piercing damage.
[ dice]1d20+6[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] piercing damage.
HP: 66/66
AC: 20 (7 armor, 3 dex) = 20/22 vs. gobs.
L1: 2/5 used (CLW*0, Ident*0, Grease*0, Vanish*2, LibCom*0)
L2: 3/5 used (Invis*1, Heroism*2, Blister*0, BDash*0)
L3: 0/3 used (GHope*0,InvisSpher*0,JJ*0)
Kenning: 0/1 used
Words: 4/20 used
Battlecries: 0/2 used (+1 morale to hit;+4 morale to fear saves 1 minute)
Ironfangedness: 0/1 used
Extend Lesser: 2/3 used
Dbane Arrows: 1/10 used
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not used
Rage: maybe later
[spoiler=Bazsil's Deep Song of Wrath] Bazsil has activated his bard like song. You can opt in or opt out. Your choice...but you get all or none of the below. Bazsil will be opting in because that's what he does. You get:
1) +4 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution
2) +3 morale bonus on Will saving throws
3) +1 to dodge AC (+2 for guarded stance,-1 for song)
4) You cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or use any ability that requires concentration.
5) +1 insight AC vs Outsiders and Aberrations [ /spoiler]
Krowe looks down in surprise at the two arrows sticking out of him. The mercs had been handling the fights recently and he hadn’t taken an injury in a while. As the pain begins to set in he redirects his bats to fight the hobgoblins and ducks low to make himself a harder target.
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Bor's aura of madness seems to lessen as it ceases. He rails his fist over and over into the hobgoblin, which seems to make him feel a little better.
Buff reminder (Haste; Bull's Strength)
HP 81/81
AC 26 (31; 33 vs Goblinoids; 34 vs Hobgoblin DR/2- Hobgoblin)
Spells Used:
(1st) Shield of Faith
(2nd)
(3rd) Magic Circle against evil
(4th)
Vision of Madness 9/9
Aura of Madness 6/8
Sudden Shift 8/8
Master's Illusion 8/8
CPE 2/2 (4d6)
Ironfang Survivor (free, roll twice vs goblinoid (intimidate, sense motive, stealth): 1/1
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Bor uppercuts a hobgoblin. The soldier stands up straight from the blow, setting his neck up nicely for Bazsil to decapitate him. Faolan runs up and bashes the other while Krowe's flying rats distract the third. They drop their bows and draw their swords, attacking.
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 17 (+7 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 71 (7d10+28)
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +4 (+2 vs. fear)
Defensive Abilities bravery +2
DEFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +1 bastard sword +13/+8 (1d10+5/19–20) or
spear +10/+5 (1d8+4/×3)
Ranged shortbow +9/+4 (1d6/×3)
Special Attacks weapon training (heavy blades +1)
33/71 35/71
Round 5
Continue song.
Move to help Krowe.
Strike a hobgob.
Bazsil moves again to help Krowe..
”Gobbos, Hobgobs, Villains,
You are invading cretins,
Lack of good your heart within,
You’ll feel your death set in.”
to hit; (+bull,+song)
slashing damage.
1) +4 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution
2) +3 morale bonus on Will saving throws
3) +1 to dodge AC (+2 for guarded stance,-1 for song)
4) You cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or use any ability that requires concentration.
5) +1 insight AC vs Outsiders and Aberrations
[ dice]1d20+14+1+[/dice] to hit; (song,+flank)
slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+7+1+[/dice] to hit; (song,+flank)
slashing damage.
[ dice]1d20+11[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] piercing damage.
[ dice]1d20+6[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+7[/dice] piercing damage.
HP: 66/66
AC: 20 (7 armor, 3 dex) = 20/22 vs. gobs.
L1: 2/5 used (CLW*0, Ident*0, Grease*0, Vanish*2, LibCom*0)
L2: 3/5 used (Invis*1, Heroism*2, Blister*0, BDash*0)
L3: 0/3 used (GHope*0,InvisSpher*0,JJ*0)
Kenning: 0/1 used
Words: 4/20 used
Battlecries: 0/2 used (+1 morale to hit;+4 morale to fear saves 1 minute)
Ironfangedness: 0/1 used
Extend Lesser: 2/3 used
Dbane Arrows: 1/10 used
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not used
Rage: maybe later
[spoiler=Bazsil's Deep Song of Wrath] Bazsil has activated his bard like song. You can opt in or opt out. Your choice...but you get all or none of the below. Bazsil will be opting in because that's what he does. You get:
1) +4 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution
2) +3 morale bonus on Will saving throws
3) +1 to dodge AC (+2 for guarded stance,-1 for song)
4) You cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or use any ability that requires concentration.
5) +1 insight AC vs Outsiders and Aberrations [ /spoiler]
Round: 4
Fort +9, Reflex +9, Will +7
Front Row
Opponent: hobgoblin
- - -
Conditions: Fly, Haste, Blessing of Fervor, Song (+2 Str/Con, +2 Will, +1 AC (dodge), +1 AC (insight vs outsiders & aberrations), skill limits)
Equipped: Shield
Shield Melee: Attack: BAB 8/3, Str +6, Focus +1, MW +1, (flurry -2) Damage: Str +6, Bash +1, Specialization +2 (crit: 20)
Shield Ranged: Attack: BAB 8/3, Dex +2, Focus +1, MW +1 (flurry -2) Damage: Str +6, Bash +1, Specialization +2 (crit: 20)
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Arrows: 14/14; Ghost Salt, Cold Iron Arrows 6/6
Martial Flexibility (1x swift, 2x move): 4/7
Knockout (DC 20, 1d6r): 1/1
Shield Bearer (free, adjacent ally +2 AC (trait)): 1/1
Ironfang Survivor (free, roll twice vs goblinoid (intimidate, sense motive, stealth): 1/1
Jingasa (negate crit or sneak): 1/1
Faolan attacks the hobgoblin he’s on with wild abandon, laughing as he’s covered in the blood of his enemies.
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
(BoF, song) (song)
As he completely wiffs several times his laugh grows louder, and is more self directed. But a blow or two might land none the less... He hopes it will be enough as his arm grows numb from the failures.
(BoF, song)
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One hobgoblin falls and the other is badly injured after this latest round of sword and boarding.
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 17 (+7 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 71 (7d10+28)
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +4 (+2 vs. fear)
Defensive Abilities bravery +2
DEFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +1 bastard sword +13/+8 (1d10+5/19–20) or
spear +10/+5 (1d8+4/×3)
Ranged shortbow +9/+4 (1d6/×3)
Special Attacks weapon training (heavy blades +1)
5/71
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Bor can seem to contact the hobgoblin as it pins him back just out of reach. "May as well drop your weapons. It is just you left."
Buff reminder (Haste; Bull's Strength)
HP 81/81
AC 26 (31; 33 vs Goblinoids; 34 vs Hobgoblin DR/2- Hobgoblin)
Spells Used:
(1st) Shield of Faith
(2nd)
(3rd) Magic Circle against evil
(4th)
Vision of Madness 9/9
Aura of Madness 6/8
Sudden Shift 8/8
Master's Illusion 8/8
CPE 2/2 (4d6)
Ironfang Survivor (free, roll twice vs goblinoid (intimidate, sense motive, stealth): 1/1
Bazsil wipes the blood off his blade, the song dying on his lips.
”What do we do with the young’uns?” He asks, looking at Krowe for some reason. ”Maybe we can take them to town, sell them. I know they are evil things, but if there is to be a siege, then they might offer some defense, or even food, if needed.”
Bazsil takes a moment to cast Detect Magic and loot the dead. He will pack up anything that might be useful in a siege and offer magical items to Krowe for identification.
"What are we gonna do, tether them to the chariot and have them fly on strings behind us? I say leave them be, they're just kids. Don't like killin' kids, no matter what the species, and I don't see how we bring them with us."
He'll help pack up anything useful as he searches the compound for loot and survivors.
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"We could offer them food and try to make them dependent, but I'm not certain that would work. I just don't know enough about wyverns unfortunately." Krowe looks at the young monsters and considers. "However, I don't like the idea of leaving them behind. If forces from the Legion come across them they'd surely snatch them up and train them to use against our people in the future. It may not work, but let's try to lure them along with us for now, and perhaps I can research a spell to control them in the future."
"Faolan, let's see how they like the taste of hobgoblin."
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You quickly search the camp, finding some magical items and basic gear.
potion of cure serious wounds x3
+1 chainmail x3
+1 bastard sword x3
shortbow with 20 arrows x3
spear x3
cloak of resistance +1 x3
military saddle x3
186 gp
There is plenty of meat (from unknown sources) should you choose not to butcher the hobgoblins. You attempt to negotiate with the wyverns by bribing them.
Krowe blinks when the young wyverns begin speaking in draconic. It hadn't even occurred to him that they might be intelligent enough to do so.
"Your masters are gone. We are your masters now. We will be better than they were, and will reward you well for service."
Whatever response they have he will translate, hoping that Bazsil's silver tongue can help with negotiations.
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Bazsil joins with Krowe to try to get the deadly murderbirds to the local metropolis where they can be set free amongst a nearly helpless population of food sources. This is a good plan.
Bazsil sings deeply, enticing the birds with equal parts rhythmic chant and food.
Diplomacy
”C’mon, birdy bird, come on,
Set your scales to sway,
C’mon, birdy bird, come on,
I will show you the way.
C’mon, birdy bird, come on,
C’mon, birdy bird, come on.”
Faolan scowls at Bazsil, though he doesn't know why.
He watches as the others try to make friends of the wyvern juveniles. He's not sure about this, but brighter men than he came up with the plan, so he'll roll with it, assuming there's some reason he simply hasn't fathomed as yet.
"Yeah, work for us, we're much nicer than the hobgoblins. Might have better food too." he pokes at the mystery meat.
vs DC 10 to aid
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The wyverns seem agreeable to being fed, if not much else. They don't immediately attack you but they don't seem interested in following you either. Their draconic can be summed up as "Food food" and "You killed our parents, prepare to die."
Nibbitz pokes her head over the side of the chariot. "Ok, so taming wyverns, hope they can keep up with the chariot. You guys are in a hurry for the next camp right?"
Faolan smiles at Nibbitz, "Yes, we're always in a hurry. Speed is one thing we have over the hobgoblins. However, while this took less time than I thought, it is late. Perhaps we should camp here, or near here, tonight. Might be that there's a wyvern patrol still out there who might come home, and besides it's dark soon."
He suggests camping here-ish for the night and proceeding at first light.
Listening to the wyverns, Krowe decides three unreliable allies aren't worth the effort.
A field of rubbery black tentacles to appear, burrowing up from the ground to grab the wyvernlings and squeeze the life from them.
Bazsil looks somewhat, but not completely shocked by Krowe's spell. Bazsil knows that the wyverns were possibly unreliable, but they may not be worth the effort to get them to town.
He shrugs, letting go his minimal hopes.
"Let's camp away from here, unless we can make the town soon enough," Bazsil says, wanting to get away from the wyvern corpses.
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Nibbitz blanches somewhat and looks away as the wyverns are killed. "Well, that's war I guess."
The night passes without event, you keep watch but see no sign of wyverns nor the mysterious visitors you've occasionally entertained on such nights. The stars are bright and clear. You find yourselves wondering what secrets they hold.
Faolan frowns at Krowe's deed, but agrees with Nibbitz and lets it go.
In the morning he says, "Aren't we headed to the warmachines (link) next? We're well ahead of schedule I think, but no rest for the wicked!"
He enjoys a hearty breakfast and is ready to go when the rest have finished their morning routines.
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That night Bor's dreams lend back to Krowe's blackened tentacles grabbing ahold of the baby wyverns as it pulls their limbs apart in their sticky, shadowy mass. The screams stick in his mind as he continues to be dogged and chased by his unseen assailant. He is trapped in a maze, rounding corner after corner of walls built out of bones, skulls and stuck together by the blood of the killed.
The winged shadow climbs high overhead, landing on a pile in the distance as it silently watches Bor. "Ssssooon." The voice hisses with delight.
Bor wakes up with a cold sweat, his heart pounding as his bunk is soaking wet. Nibbitz was right. This was a war. A war I am fighting on two fronts.
He heads outside as the sun begins to rise in the distance. What more will we be forced to do to survive? Just then Faolan comes out of the tent. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you. Yea I think the Warmachines are next." Bor begins cooking breakfast. "You think we are going to make it out of this in one piece?" His hand reflexively goes to his severely damaged jaw hidden underneath the scarf.
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"Yes," Bazsil agrees, limbering up in the cool morning air. "We should hit those war machines on our way to Longshadow. Would be good take them out before the assault, and if we do take them out, it will be important to kill their engineers if we can, to delay their ability to build others."
Just then Faolan comes out of the tent. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you. Yea I think the Warmachines are next." Bor begins cooking breakfast. "You think we are going to make it out of this in one piece?"
Bazsil kneels closer to Bor, watching the man cook and the bacon sizzle.
"Nah, no one survives a war. We may endure longer than most, but there is too much here for any hope of survival. It's not that we are lost, but I hope that our deeds live long in song and our valorous deeds resonate with those who will continue the fight. That is why I tell our tales, so that others may carry them out of here, and that even should we die this day, some part of us might find immortality."
Baszil reaches down to grab a piece of sizzling bacon, burning his fingers in the process. It hurts, but it was going to be worth it.
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Faolan crouches down with the others and helps himself to breakfast. He says, almost wistfully, ”Yeah… Someday this war’s gonna end.”
He takes a big bite of the bacon and walks away munching, eventually settling down with a tree at his back to eat. And he eats heartily. When he’s done, he asks, ”Do we have ways of, you know, making large magical fires? Seems to me we’ll want to burn their war machines, rather than just disassemble them. Burn ‘em to the ground. I mean, I’ve got a couple flasks of alchemy fire, but I don’t think that’s gonna cut it. You know?”
Taking the final watch, Krowe is awake when Bor emerges in the morning. Sitting against a tree, concealed within the folds of his elven cloak, he remains unnoticed by the disfigured man as he gazes off at the sunrise. He’s about to greet him when Faolan and Bazsil arrive and the three begin discussing the costs of war.
”I’m fairly certain you’ll be alright, blood. But these cutters are probably f@#%ed.”
He slips to the side before Faolan can sit in his lap.
”Survival is possible. Living, however...”
Changing the subject, he taps his spellbook. ”I believe my magic may be able to produce enough fire to burn their siege engines.” He closes the boom and stows it away. ”If that is not enough we may be able to break key functions and push them into the river.”
Moving to the breakfast, he forks some potato into a bowl. ”Before we commit to either though, we should consider the possibility of bringing them to Longshadow. I have a spell that may allow us to break down and transport one or two.”
...he taps his spellbook. ”I believe my magic may be able to produce enough fire to burn their siege engines.” He closes the boom and stows it away. ”If that is not enough we may be able to break key functions and push them into the river.”
Moving to the breakfast, he forks some potato into a bowl. ”Before we commit to either though, we should consider the possibility of bringing them to Longshadow. I have a spell that may allow us to break down and transport one or two.”
"Oh, good call. Yes, we should absolutely take one or two if we can." Faolan agrees as he munches away happily, "And sure, what we can't torch we can break and soak." He seems less keen on simple destruction and hopes Krowe's magics will suffice to burn what they don't take.
Bazsil shoves the sizzling bacon in his mouth. He can feel the oils popping against his saliva. Yes, it hurt, but it also was a bit of feeling of joy, because hot bacon is good bacon.
”Enough talk of our deaths. They will come and we will face them. But do not worry, i shall tell our tale in Longshadow as well, so more seeds of our immortality will be borne. You’ll see. I shall tell them all and give them heart for siege to come,” Bazsil steals a bit more bacon and goes to pack up his bedroll.
He’ll be ready to go soon enough.
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You load up the chariot and depart the former wyvern camp. Nibbitz is subdued and stares at the twisted bodies of the dead wyverns as you ride south for more war.
You make your way to the river with no interruption. Though Legion forces are moving through the area, they seem strangely quiet here. Either they consider this region conquered or they have another focus.
"I say we get a little closer and do our usual invisibility maneuver to get into the camp. These are going to be siege engineers mostly I'm guessing. Shouldn't be much of a fight. They'll probably have guards of course, but we've been moving so quickly, surely they won't have been able to prepare for us."
He thinks a moment, "I do think we should head in on foot though. I expect this camp to be more spread out than the wyvern camp. Owing to the siege weapons."
He takes out his shield and readies it for the battle ahead.
"Let us approach in stealth and see what preperations have been made here. If they have not yet brought the engines, then I think we should press on to the munitions camp."
Bazsil will use another Invisibility Sphere spell, which is far superior to the antiquated circle of invisibility spell, as any good mage would tell you.
”Alright, let’s not die here. Keep close,” Bazsil says as he casts the spell, his deep voice providing the words to unleash the magic.
Bazsil will creep closer to look at things
Perception
Faolan tightens up and is careful not to slip out of invisibility too soon. "Thanks for the spells Bazsil. You empower me." he slaps him roughly on the back as he grins and moves forward.
As they get closer, he does his best to remain quiet as he peers around for information.
(invisibility, heroism)
(heroism)
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You cross the last ridge quietly, having cast your spells at the bottom of the slope. You see a large troop of hobgoblins guarding 4 heavy catapults. They are on the far side (120 feet across) of the river and you are a 500 feet from the near side of the river.
Standing near the river you see a Legion lieutenant talking to a hideous creature. It appears to be a skinless man riding a skinless horse. The hobgoblin is gesturing at 20 humans chained and kneeling near the catapults.
Each catapult has been towed by a pair of strange looking creatures. From here you can't tell if they are horses or yaks.
The skinless creature is a nuckelavee, a type of water fey. It is a manifestation of pollution and filth in the water.
The strange horse/yak creatures are yzobu, an aggressive herd animal called war yaks by hobgoblins and trained as mounts and beasts of burden by the same.
Know (Nature) -
Know (Nature) -
Bazsil takes a moment to share what he learns about the foes, and hoping Krowe can add more detail.
”Also, there are human prisoners. We should be mindful of them. They need rescue.”
Faolan whispers, "Do we take them now? Fly over the river to the other side and attack? Or wait for them to cross? I don't see any boats, and I fear the prisoners might be sacrifices to that undead thing to help them cross."
As usual, he's ready to go now and doesn't want to wait, but he'll listen to the wise counsel of his allies.