Lead on, Casimir. Here, I'm the stranger, and you must read the signs... Kalev says, a mixture of amusement and uncertainty marking his voice.
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Casimir, Kip and Kalev hit the town of Restov on an evening tour of various establishments familiar to Casimir.
Kalev was clearly not in his element throughout the evening, although he enjoyed good food and drink at his leisure, he found very few locals seemed to warm to his company. He was, however, flattered by an approach and offer of employment from a man serving one of the vassals of House Medvyed. He apparently recognised Kalev by his fierce reputation and promised him a generous position and wealth if he would commit his sword to his masters, the Tunnwold's.
Casimir bumped into a few of the younger students he had been something of an idol for in his time at the duelling school those three years ago- they were either graduated themselves or drawing close. One of them, an earnest young man known as Pieter, asked him if there was a place for him in Kardas. Pieter was a Taldan man from a good family but had little interest in the coming conflict. From what Casimir recalled, he was a good, reliable warrior- but had lacked the ability to improvise or the spark of a truly gifted swordsman. Although he ran into other familiar faces and briefly exchanged pleasantries, "how've you, he mostly learnt what he already knew. He sat quietly contemplating what he remembered about local affairs here in Restov.
Although the most hostile of the Swordlords to Surtova traditionally come from the Rogarvia region, here in Rostland and around Restov- not only Swordlords make up the lords of these lands. There is little love lost between the "Swordlord Council" and the lesser Rogarvian vassals and lords that once enjoyed the status of being of the ruling house of Brevoy. Not only have these lesser vassals been at each others throats for years in petty disputes and power grabs from one another, but their abuse of the Swordlords and their vassals was even worse until the disappearance of the bloodline of their liege lords.
Until Rogarvia disappeared, the lesser nobles of the Rogarvia area of Brevoy had bullied, abused, stolen from and made small land grabs against the Swordlords wherever they could, with the power of their status and benefactor- House Rogarvia, behind them. From the moment Rogarvia disappeared, they have mostly backed down and basically ignored the Swordlords, hoping they would forget earlier offences over time.
The Swordlords, Casimir knows, have not forgotten. They have been slowly laying foundations in preparation to someday take their vengeance- both against the crown and the lesser Rogarvian nobles that had abused their power at their expense too many times. Casimir has little doubt that the Swordlord's first strategic move would be to swiftly unite the former Rogarvian holdings under the Swordlord Council and their vassals and essentially claim the large Duchy for themselves.
Unfortunately for them, a noble family known as the Stonehouse has done what none of them thought would be possible- united many of these smaller lords under his own banner, in a manner so rapid in the past few weeks it caught Restov somewhat off-guard. Stonehouse married his eldest son to the eldest daughter of Baron Walters, burying a long-existing territorial feud with the move and securing a strong alliance that swayed many lords to their banners under Stonehouse command.
Although Baron Garrett Stonehouse was not a Surtovan vassal, he is known to harbour no love for the Swordlords. While his force could not yet threaten the Swordlord's, if more ex-Rogarvian lords flocked to his banner the Swordlords could end up in a longer war for control than they had expected; and with New Stetven not nearly as far away as to not be a threat, the Swordlords face a potential of a war on two fronts.
The Swordlords have many great individual warriors on their side and strong armies, often with an elite core of deadly Aldori mixed infantry. Due to the varying different styles, armour and techniques of these Aldori they are ill-suited to hold a line but make for excellent shock troops and skirmishers. They lack Knights in their ranks but have an abundance of light cavalry and strong infantry; including excellent archers from the city of Restov. Casimir would expect that the Swordlords would be keen to hire many mercenaries; their holdings are some of the richest in the south, especially the very large city of Restov whose coffers are enviably deep. It remains to be seen whether the Swordlords could stomach hiring Mivonese mercenaries for the war
Conversely, the minor Rogarvian lords not sworn to the Swordlords often have (comparatively) many knights to call upon, but frequently lack strong infantry. The crossbow is particularly popular among these lords as a cheap and easy weapon to arm a militia with; and many lords will clearly be forced to defend their keeps or castles wall's- where the inferior troop quality would be less telling. From many years of fighting each other, spear levies have also become very popular; while swords are still seen as something of a status symbol and usually, only a lord's retinue would be armed as such.
Although Lord Mayor Ioseph Sellemius, Lord of Restov, has held the city along with his ancestors for a little over a hundred years and was sworn to the Dragonscale Throne; his sympathies have always quietly been with the Swordlords; many of whom are his direct vassals. In fact, his very heir was trained in an Aldori Duelling School and brought up as a Swordlord- the Lord Mayor gave him no special advantage but he became one of the deadliest duellist's in the Duchy, nevertheless. This means that the heir apparent to Restov and arguably the Duchy of Rogarvia itself, is a Swordlord; and is also a ranking member of the Swordlord Council.
The Swordlord Council effectively rule over Restov, the Swordlord holdings here in Rogarvia and most of south Rostland. Although he himself is not a Swordlord, Ioseph Sellemius is an honorary member of the council and its de facto leader. His calm temperament has more than once eased growing tensions between Swordlords- hot-headed and proud individuals at the best of times.
Historically, when the rest of Brevoy had already bent the knee to Choral the Conqueror 300 years ago, first of the House of Rogarvia- the Swordlords of Rostland were the ones to truly resist. They fought a losing war and were pushed back to the Valley of Fire at the east edge of Brevoy.
The Valley of Fire lies in the southern part of the Icerime Peaks of Brevoy. The land there is blackened and melted and it has been that way ever since Choral the Conqueror's red dragon allies scourged the land 300 years ago, destroying the Aldori Swordlords' last great army. The magical energies spent wantonly in the battle are rumoured to have caused the Ghost Soldiers that reputedly wander that cursed, scorched land- and most Brevans would never want to go near such a place. Some adventurers claim to have found magical swords from the battle there, but most who venture in never return.
After the Aldori Swordlords lost the battle of the Valley of Fire, their leadership had been shattered. The once-proud Swordlords were stripped of many of their titles and no longer controlled the Duchy- turncoats and Rogarvian loyalists were put in charge of Rostland instead- while even the most powerful Swordlord was merely a great warrior with perhaps one or two keeps.
In three hundred years, much has changed. The Swordlords slowly regained lost titles through compliance to the throne, cunning politics and honour duels with their very Baronies at stake. Nevertheless, although their power had grown, it was only with the disappearance of the Rogarvia house that the Swordlord Council was formed by the Lord Mayor- the Lord Mayor himself and the seven most prominent Swordlords in Rostland formed it and there have always been eight, no more and no less, in the fourteen years since Rogarvia's disappearance. This move endeared the Lord Mayor to the Swordlords, cementing his power base and helping Restov to grow both militarily and economically.
Now that open war has been declared, should the Swordlords and their allies prove victorious- these eight men stand to become some of the most powerful in all of Brevoy; not just in Rostland. With the exception of the Lord Mayor, every member is a deadly warrior; even with all Casimir had endured and all the power he had gained in the Stolen Lands, he would be deeply hesitant to go up against even the least of them. No one ended up on the Swordlord Council by accident- these men were all ambitious men who had fought hard to reach their positions- both politically and with a weapon in hand.
Truthfully though, Casimir knew little about many of them beyond their names and deadly reputations as well as tales about some of their spectacular duels.
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Ageing now close to his mid-forties, the Lord Mayor was the man who presented the original Guardians of the Greenbelt with the charter to explore the northern Greenbelt, a little over three years ago now. He had hosted a fine dinner in their honour and Casimir could still recall his final, prophetic words as he bid them farewell at the gate of his estate-
"It is your honour and your privilege to serve Rostland, and indeed Brevoy, in this stead. But make no mistake. These Stolen Lands are a grim and dangerous place. Some of you may lose your lives there. Some of you may lose yourselves... Blessings of Erastil upon ye, aye, and Iomedae too."
Rickard Sellemius is the heir apparent to the title of Lord Mayor and had graduated from the same duelling school Casimir himself attended, some six years before Casimir himself. To the common man, Casimir recalled that Rickard was said to have a fierce temper and a streak of cruelty to him. He was feared, but not particularly popular, specially among the peasantry.
Marcus Arzeltus is both Swordlord and Banker. Casimir knows he is much older than many other members, but recalls little else about him.
Stefan Maseri is notable for both being just and honourable as well as frequently winning local tournaments all over Brevoy, especially jousting. He is not particularly well-liked by Swordlords outside of the council itself.
Mikael is a veteran of dozens of duels and dozens of minor wars as he fought with hostile neighbours on almost all sides of his home Barony for years after inheriting when his father was slain by a lesser Rogarvian noble in a land dispute. Mikael not only defended his Barony against all comers, but even absorbed two baronies into his own holdings and forced two more to sue for peace over a relentless five-year campaign that many said he simply could not prevail in. He is nicknamed "Man of Iron" for his unwavering sense of cold justice and resoluteness and is considered among the greatest living military commanders in Brevoy. Within the Swordlord Council, he is the Lord Commander and in military matters his voice carries extra weight.
Bearing no family relation to Baroness Vaysh despite the surname, the young Mileesi Triesente is a vicious Aldori duellist who is not afraid to use her feminine charms to catch opponents off-guard both in duels and on a political level. Mileesi has been unfortunate in love- no less than two of her husband's have been assassinated by petty Rogarvian nobles in age old disputes and Mileesi's lands are swollen with former Rogarvian holdings taken in revenge. To the common folk of Restov, she is both a tragic anti-heroine and an assurance that any stranger causing enough trouble in the city to catch the Swordlord's eye might be unfortunate enough to receive a visit from her...
An devout Gorumite now in his early fifties but still strong as a bull, Alvar Orrick disdains the Aldori Duelling Sword for larger, heftier weapons. After he won his first few duels in his youth against arrogant Swordlords who assumed his size meant he would be too slow to best them, he was treated with a lot more respect. He holds few lands or titles, but maintains a fanatical force of some of the deadliest heavy infantry in all of Avistan and his aggressive church tithes and taxes make him one of the richer Swordlords.
The Swordlord Council's diplomatic representative and chief voice, Herbert Orlowska is rumoured to also serve in capacity as a Spymaster of sorts. It is whispered amongst the peasantry that his invisible influence tightening around a foe's neck like a noose can bring far greater ruin than any blade could- but the man himself was no slouch.
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The information Casimir gleaned from the evening did not surprise him- Restov had already called its banners who were gathering north of the free city- some of the Swordlord's vassals were already assaulting a lesser Rogarvian barony, with every expectation of a swift siege and surrender. He also heard another, slightly odd rumour. Apparently, there were those within the city who believed that the Lodovka army that had landed on Orlovsky soil were making haste towards Skywatch rather than the capital of Eagle's Watch. Since the Vanishing, the night House Rogarvia vanished, Skywatch's gates had been sealed, and the walled city has allowed no one to enter or leave since, not even couriers or supply caravans. No one is even sure anyone is alive inside and reputedly, divination magic to determine what had befallen it did not function.
Kip was a little more popular than Casimir that evening as he drank, made merry and gambled. He just about broke even on the gambling, when buying drinks for his fellow gamblers to loosen their tongues was taken into account. Without any specific topic in mind to inquire about, the conversation often turned to talk of the coming conflict. The rumour mill was active in these gambling games and Kip heard two things that seemed like they might be significant.
Firstly, a great Orc warlord of Old Iobaria to the east was rumoured to be uniting savage humanoids such as Hobgoblins and Giants to his banner, claiming to be the reincarnation of King Irral the 1st come to forge a new nation once more. Regardless of the truth of his claim, if the rumour was true then Orlovsky, Medyved and the Swordlords had another potential foe to contend with and border to guard...
Secondly, a little before the war broke out, a pair of guards upon the wall of New Stetven had sworn they had seen a Red Dragon soaring over the city. Many people were sceptical of these claims but many who had been darkly musing all along that the Vanishing was a prelude to Choral the Conqueror's return had taken up the rumour and spread it.
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Fenna and Kundal are unable to find any tracks on the rocky ground here. Fenna has heard rumours of hyena packs roaming the southern Kamelands- perhaps this was the work of such vicious beasts.
Ricter is able to determine a little more. Although clearly the bodies were partially feasted on, the shattered and brutally broken bones lead him to believe that many of the victims were hurled from the high cliff of the ravine- the east side in particular.
Let's move around and up to the cliff on the east side to see if we can spot anything else regarding what is going on here.
Malthir takes out his Lance as he rides up to the ridge...
"A sound plan"
Ricter also mounts up and follows Malthir to higher ground, staying wary of attack.
Kundal's best guess is that the south exit of the crossroads would eventually lead upwards, judging from the steady incline in that direction. Malthir began to lead the group south when two voices called from the eastern passage, scattered with rocks and boulders, between a north and south cliff- they sounded frightened and fearful and one voice was male and one female.
Please, don't leave! Help us! Save us from the terrible Troll, Kundal!
We're frightened- Ricter, Fenna, come quick!
While Malthir heard the cries, he paused to consider them and just barely managed to shake off the compulsion that urged him to ride out towards the cries. Ricter, Fenna and Kundal however, were all affected and spurred their mounts swiftly into the east pass towards the voices.
The trap was sprung immediately. Just as Fenna, Ricter and Kundal had entered the pass and rounded the first corner towards the noise, great boulders fell with a resounding crash from the cliffs to the north and south, separating the trio and their mounts from Malthir on the other side. Kundal and Ricter had ended up ahead of Fenna, their horses faster than her riding dog Dandelion.
The cliffs to the north and south gradually petered off further towards the east and ahead- two more boulders lay, where the shouts for help had come from. From behind them emerged two horrendous, quadruped creatures, each as large as a warhorse. The freakish beasts bore the head of a badger, the hooves of a stag, and a wide mouth with sharp ridges of bone instead of teeth. They each must have weighed at least 800 pounds and they were five feet tall at the shoulder, tawny-coloured fur coated with dried and clotted filth.
The appearance of the beasts combined with the dangerous rockfall snapped Ricter, Fenna and Kundal back to their senses and the compulsion was gone. It seemed apparent that these creatures were the source of the voices that worked as a lure to bring them here. Behind the beasts, a pack of feral humanoids easily recognisable as Gnolls complete with pet Hyena's were formed up, mostly unarmoured but armed with javelins, spears and sometimes shield and maces. Up on the cliffs, more of them with bows had arrows nocked and behind the Gnolls at ground level, four bloated, hideous figures snarled as they showed off their vicious teeth and claws.
Beyond the force set against them, Ricter, Fenna and Kundal could make out some kind of small war camp or village- tents and furs were set around a campfire. Notably, two large cages were on the west side, with one man inside one and another two in the other.
In a voice quite unlike the frightened humanoid it had just posed as, one of the badger heads demanded in harsh, grating Taldane-
Kundal looked to Fenna and Ricter as he hesitated.
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On the other side of the rockfall, Malthir found himself cut off from his allies. He heard a harsh voice shouting but couldn't catch what was said.
Kip considers the evening a smashing good time and shares what he has learnt with Casimir and Kalev.
What is the next move Casimir?
Coming to her senses at the dire sight before her, Fenna glances back to the rockfall hesitantly.
"To whom would you have us surrender?" the gnome speaks loudly, any doubts seemingly forgotten as she falls into her typical, impassionate, logical tone, "Know that we are representatives of the nation of Kardas, and any actions taken against us would be seen as acts against Kardas as a whole."
"Be that as it may," she continues, holding up a pacifying hand, "I acknowledge that we may have inadvertently trespassed into your domain, but rather than seeing this as a cause for hostility between our two peoples, surely it would be preferable to take this as an opportunity to bring us into a closer relationship, where we both might benefit."
Casimir enjoys the socializing, and files the news he learns away for later.
He encourages Peiter to relocate to Kardas, saying that there will alway be a place there for someone with a brave soul and a strong swordarm. He is intentionally non-comittal about any official position though, not wanting to promise more than he can keep.
After he feels the night is done, he returns with the others to the inn. The next day, he shares what he has learned with the others over breakfast.
"Let us go out and have a look at the merchant district. We might as well get any shopping out of the way. I expect that we will likely be summoned to the Swordlord Council before noon. If not, I'll make some discreet inquiries to try and get us a meeting."
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Had Fenna been able to get her entire speech out, there is little doubt that it would have been most eloquent. Regrettably, she only got as far as "we are representatives" before the freakish beasts growled gutturally, apparently having decided that if surrender was forthcoming, it was too slow for their liking. The narrow pass exploded into activity as it became apparent to everyone that battle was to be joined.
Malthir-
Fenna-
Ricter-
Kundal-
Freakish Beasts-
Gnolls + Hyenas-
Hideous Humanoids-
Of the three different kinds of creatures upon the battlefield, you recognise only the Gnoll's and unfortunately, what you recall isn't particularly useful now. Fairly muscular Monstrous Humanoids that favor cunning ambush tactics, Gnolls are an evil race of creatures that typically prefer intelligent beings for food because they scream more. Gnolls usually only speak their own language. This result also reveals all humanoid traits. You do recall they aren't usually particularly agile or strong willed, although they are undoubtedly hardy.
Round 1-
Ordered Initiative-
Kundal- 13
Gnolls + Hyenas- 12
Malthir- 11
Hideous Humanoids- 9
Beasts- 8
Ricter- 7
Fenna- 6
Active Effects-
Map-
Notes-
Action-
The pass exploded into motion as Gnoll war-cries were shouted and Hyena snarls as they were loosed into motion- like the horde of undisciplined melee warriors they were, the hyena-headed Gnolls began to charge into the fray.
Atop his horse however, Kundal was quicker still. Before the Gnolls could reinforce the two creatures that had lured the trio there and before any arrows loosed had found their mark, the Kellid tribesorc spurred his horse forwards, leaving room for Ricter to do the same beside him although the Hellknight was a heartbeat too slow. Kundal held his tribal-styled greataxe in his rugged hands as he cried out to the God of War, imploring him to witness his battle-
Kundal leant forward on his horse and with one mighty, reckless blow that left him wide open to counter-attack- swung his axe with a mighty overhand chop.
Unbelievably, especially given his weakened state after the reincarnation- Kundal felled one of the massive beasts with a single mighty blow, his fury made manifest as he almost severed the grotesque badger head in a single blow. Kundal followed through and struck the other beast in the same powerful swing, gashing its head open as it unsuccessfully tried to duck under the blow and wounding it.
The slightly dim-witted Kellid marvelled at the blow he had stuck, but a mere moment later the Hyenas were upon him and together they ran to get around behind him. Kundal cut one of the pack hunters in half after reversing the grip on his axe, stopping it dead on the ground. The other three Hyena's got around behind him and lunged for his horse- two latching onto it with their teeth and tearing flesh from bone. Kundal's horse was badly wounded but the hyena's failed to bring the steed down- in fact, the two that had wounded it were kicked to the dirt themselves for trying.
Hit
Hit
Soft Fall fail
Hit
Hit
Hit
Miss
Miss
Miss
The first volley of arrows from the archers was launched from eight nocked longbows and it was aimed primarily at the mounts the Guardians were sat upon. Kundal's horse took an expertly placed arrow in the neck followed by one in its side and it crumpled underneath the brave warrior. Kundal did his best to leap clear but was hindered by his chainmail and landed hard atop the dying horse. Ricter's horse was struck by three arrows and badly hurt as it threatened to crumple under his armoured weight. It was clear the poor animal couldn't take any more harm before it too collapsed dying. Fenna's dog Dandelion got off far more lightly- an arrow grazed his paw but it was a shallow wound.
Miss
Hit
Hit
Hit
Miss
Miss
Miss
Alas, defence was not really a part of Kundal's fighting style. Four Gnoll's with maces and shields began to make short work of him, his chainmail only protecting him from one of the four blunt weapons smashing into him. Kundal was down and surrounded by foes, three of which had injured him with their maces. As the cruel, savage humanoids struck him the rings of the Kellid's chainmail rang with the repeated heavy blows as Kundal did his best to defend himself.
A hurled spear hit Ricter's mount and finished it off while two more were thrown at the Hellknight himself. As the mount died under him, Ricter managed a truly impressive feat. He leapt out of the saddle, fully armoured in Hellknight full plate, with his shield strapped to his arm and flail spinning- despite only the most basic grasp of the art of riding he leapt through the air, a javelin bouncing off his hastily raised shield as he landed upright, with an ominous thud, only to be met by a spear-armed Gnoll that had sought to finish him off on the ground after his horse fell.
Behind the battle lines, the four disgustingly bloated creatures began to sway from side to side, their claws moving in intricate, irregular spiral patterns to no discernible effect.
The hideous humanoids are attempting some kind of summoning ritual, a minor one to summon more of their kind.
The second freakish beast clearly wanted nothing to do with the axe that had just almost killed its partner. It skirted around the struggling Kellid to attack Ricter. The beast got past his shield only to be foiled by his newly enchanted Hellknight Plate Mail- despite the clear strength and power of the beast's frame and teeth, it left nary a dent in the armour and it growled in frustration as it sought another opening.
A chaotic influence in the court of Kardas is tragically killed in battle...no. We cannot afford to be seen to have wasted funds on resurrection.
Ricter steps forward towards the beleaguered Kundal, swinging his flail left and right as he does so:
Ricter stepped up to assist Kundal, his flail breaking the spine of one hyena and then shattering the face of another with two easy swings. The badger-headed beast looked even more enraged now that Ricter had essentially ignored it.
Fenna looks towards the writhing forms behind the fray, considering how best to frustrate their efforts, but then the pale gnome sees the badly wounded Kundal struggling on the ground, and goes so far as to lay a hand on the heavy holy symbol around her neck before remembering that Kundal is not a guardian, and therefore lacks the matching ring to allow her to call upon Aroden to shield him from harm. Instead, she silently hopes he can hold out for a little longer as she shifts her attention to the now enraged beast, seemingly about to turn its wrath on the Hellknight who considered it beneath notice.
Attempting to hop down from Dandelion's back, she only manages to tangle herself in the reins for a moment, but quickly frees herself to stagger a few steps fowards, where she begins an Azlanti prayer "I ask that the beauty of the Artist's work is revealed unto these hideous abominations, that they might marvel upon it and know how wretched they are."
Malthir will attempt to dismount quickly
and draw his potion of enlarge....
Will (Fail)
Will (Fail)
Both the Gnoll and the badger-headed brute crumpled before the potent display of colours that overwhelmed their senses- each of them rendered unconscious by the illusionary magic as they collapsed to the dirt.
Round 2-
Ordered Initiative-
Kundal- 13
Gnolls- 12
Malthir- 11
Hideous Humanoids- 9
Beasts (inactive)- 8
Ricter- 7
Fenna- 6
Active Effects
Malthir enlarged for the next ten rounds.
Gnoll and Badger-headed beast unconcious, blinded and stunned for rounds.
Map-
Notes-
Action-
Hit
Hit
Hit/Crit
Crit Confirmed
Hit
Miss on last Gnoll
Miss VS Kundal
Bought a moment of respite upon the ground, Kundal lay flat and lashed out with a mighty horizontal swing of his axe that hewed through four of the five remaining foes left facing him and stood up. The remaining Gnoll who had caught the end of the axe swing on his shield tried to bash him with his mace as the half-orc rose but the monstrous humanoid missed, perhaps appalled by the turn in fortune. Kundal was covered in blood but had regained his feet- and all the Hyena's had been slain.
Hit
Miss
Miss
Hit
The remaining four Gnoll spearman ganged up on the barbarian, seeking to overwhelm him before he could fell their remaining warriors. Deep in his rage as he met them, Kundal was flanked, and stabbed by two spears while two more glanced off his chain-mail. The Kellid roared his defiance in another hoarse cry to Gorum, but his feeble shout was dwarfed by the earlier one, blood welling up in his mouth.
One of the Gnoll's arrows pierced Kundal's chainmail at the chest and the big half-orc collapsed to the ground, bleeding from almost a dozen wounds. Whether he had already perished or clung to life was difficult to ascertain with the Gnolls surrounding him. Not truly understanding what Fenna had done, the Gnolls above focused their fire on Ricter. No less than six separate arrows ricocheted off Ricter's shield and full plate while one narrowly missed his helm.
The hideous humanoids numbers suddenly grew as two more of them faded into existence in front of the other four. The closest of the bloated creatures began to make similar motions but completed them much faster...
The creature is using a spell-like ability to cast Stinking Cloud, a spell your familiar with and recognise.
Dandelion-
Fenna-
Ricter-
As the creature finished with a triumphant snarl, a noxious green cloud of gas settled over Ricter, Fenna and Dandelion- not only limiting their vision but also threatening to nauseate them with the foul stench of the cloud- the various pungent scents included the smell of death and decay, livestock and manure. While Fenna, Ricter and Dandelion all resisted the disgusting smells, it was clear that if they remained in the cloud they would likely eventually succumb to them...
Unbeknownst to the remaining two and riding dog, the other five bloated forms advanced awkwardly on the noxious cloud...
Malthir consumes the potion and starts to climb deeply worried for his friends...
but makes no progress this round...
Flextime - 3rd Gozran, late evening
As Kip, Kalev and Casimir make their way out into the nightlife of Restov, Casimir muses offhandedly to no-one in particular...I wonder if Malthir and the others have managed to keep themselves out of trouble...probably not...
"Kind Shepherd," Fenna prays, barely managing to suppress a cough as she staggers out of the cloud towards Kundal's fallen form, heedless of the waiting gnolls, "please mend this warriors wounds."
Ricter steps out of the cloud and continues his onslaught against the gnolls:
The sight of more foes fading into existance spurs Ricter's memory. Even as he strikes at his massed enemies, he tries to recall what he knows of the monsters from Outside:
One of the gnolls goes to parry Ricter's second strike but finds that somehow the flail does not move in the arch it should:
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You recognise the foul humanoids as Demons from the Abyss- creatures of chaos and evil that do not naturally belong on the material plane.
Specifically, you recognise the creatures as dretches.
Even the lowest demons of the Abyss are dangerous and filled with a driving need to spread ruin and dismay. The lowly dretch is as hideous and foul as it is cruel, even if it lacks the strength and power to realize its need to brutalize others in its native realm. The lot of the dretch's existence is to serve more powerful demons as victims, and only the lucky few survive long enough to evolve.
What you can recall of these creatures is limited but you remember they are usually a little stronger than the average man and can combine their claw attacks with a vicious bite to tear out throats and rake flesh.
One more thing of note- the four individual demons apparently summoned more of their kind. This means they had to have been called to the material plane, rather than summoned themselves. Despite the worrying implications of this fact, Ricter can take some joy in knowing that slaying the original four will kill them permanently rather than simply send them back to the Abyss...
Ricter shattered the skull of the first Gnoll and the ribs of the second as both crumpled before him, clearing a path for Fenna to reach Kundal and use the most powerful restorative magic she could muster on him. With a gasp of pain as he awoke to the feel of some of his broken ribs snapping back into place, Kundal returned to conciousness. It was clear that being rendered unconscious had given pause to his mighty rage and that he would be far less effective now he was fatigued.
Round 3-
Ordered Initiative-
Kundal- 13
Gnolls- 12
Malthir- 11
Demons- 9
Beasts (inactive)- 8
Ricter- 7
Fenna- 6
Giant- 1
Active Effects-
Malthir enlarged for the next nine rounds.
Map-
Notes-
Action-
Kundal got to his feet with a groan of pain, turning aside a spear lunge with the haft of his greataxe as he did so. The Kellid half-orc retaliated with a heavy swing but the Gnoll easily took it upon his shield.
The two remaining Gnolls at ground level tried to bring Kundal down again but his chain-mail held fast against the blows rained upon it.
A few of the Gnolls continued to fire at Ricter but most switched to what they expected to be an easier target in the form of the little armoured Gnome. One arrow hurtled towards Ricter's head but the Hellknight raised his shield at the last moment to swat it aside out of the air, another arrow bouncing from his plate boot. Fenna herself was struck by only a single arrow, her small size and breastplate doing a good job of protecting her despite the many arrows fired her way.
Three of the demons once again used their spell-like abilities, trying to invoke fear in Ricter, Fenna and Kundal. The Guardians souls were simply too powerful for such magic to affect them but Kundal was struck with fear, unspeakable torments from the Abyss playing before his mind's eye. Two more moved to assault Kundal and Ricter eagerly with their claws but neither managed to harm the two warriors.
Visible to Fenna and Ricter as they stepped out of the fog and slowly moving to join the fight was a massive, hunched giant. It moved clumsily even by a giant's standard and it was hunched and knotted with corded muscles and awkwardly formed limbs. It carried a tree trunk it clearly intended to use as a club Emblazoned upon its chest was a rune, apparently carved or tattooed onto it.
Malthir attempts to climb the wall of rubble again being over 10 feet tall with elongated arms almost able to reach the top of the rubble...
but made no progress due to the loose gravel...so he tried again with a mighty heave....
and seemed to make better progress
"These bloated things are dretch demons! Feeble creatures with no purpose in the abyss but to be victimized!"
He turns to the demon nearest him.
"Slithering onto our plane will offer you no respite!"
Ricter continues his steady advance and focuses his attacks upon the monster he is shouting at:
Ricter sees the giant approaching
"And that twisted creature," Fenna speaks levelly, pointing to the approaching giant, "is a follower of Kostchtchie, the Demon Lord of cold and giants."
Stepping forwards, she raises her buckler to ward against the nearby Gnoll, and intones another prayer similar to her first, holding out her empty hand to release a wash of shimmering, star-like patterns.
Flextime - 3rd Gozran, late evening
As Kip, Kalev and Casimir make their way out into the nightlife of Restov, Casimir muses offhandedly to no-one in particular...I wonder if Malthir and the others have managed to keep themselves out of trouble...probably not...
The magically affected skin of the Abyss creature before him proved no defence against the cold iron Ricter wielded. His first flail blow left the dretch staggered and the second caved in its groin, slaying the demon rather than sending it back to the Abyss. He had slain both its foul body and abyssal soul with the two blows.
Fenna's next colour spray narrowly missed Kundal and rendered the Gnoll and two demons unconscious with the bright pattern of magical colour. One of the demons resisted the effects, clinging to conciousness as it snarled in bestial fury.
The gnarled Giant clad in hide armour stepped forward, dropped his greatclub and produced a large rock from a large sack he had strapped to his waist. The giant hurled it at Malthir from both hands and it sailed high over the stinking cloud to slam into the Baron, almost knocking him from the top of the rubble as it crashed into his enlarged form.
Round 4-
Ordered Initiative-
Kundal- 13
Gnolls- 12
Malthir- 11
Demons- 9
Beasts (inactive)- 8
Ricter- 7
Fenna- 6
Giant- 1
Active Effects-
Malthir enlarged for the next eight rounds.
Map-
Notes-
Action-
Legs shaking in fear, Kundal fled back into the stinking cloud, withdrawing from the melee. The last Gnoll on ground level looked over his shoulder at the Giant approaching with fear in its eyes, and hurled himself at the suddenly exposed Fenna rather than flee. His sudden spear thrust caught her in the abdomen but her breastplate prevented the wound from being a deep one. Having identified her as a threat they were more able to strike, the archers all launched their arrows at Fenna. Several glanced off her breastplate but one arrow cut open her thigh as it flew by her, just below her mithril armour. The Gnolls above on the cliffs showed little sign of their morale faltering, especially with no counter-attack being directed at them.
Kalev, Kip, Kressle and Casimir awoke in their private rooms in the Silver Shard- well rested. At breakfast, just after Casimir shared the information he'd gleaned the night before, the innkeeper humbly sidled up and informed him that a message had arrived for him earlier that morning. Casimir was not in the least bit surprised to see that it was a summons, asking that he alone present himself before the Swordlord Council at Lord Mayor Ioseph Sellemius' mansion, at his earliest convenience.
Casimir shared the content of the note with the others, then prepared to leave for the mayors mansion.
"We had better not keep the Lord Mayor waiting. Come, ride with me and wait for me outside the grounds."
You will pay for that you worthless sack of meat. Iomedae, lend me your grace, so that I may slay the evil before me!
Swift Action Smite.
Kip looks at Casimir with concern. Alone? Shaking his head he adds, I do not like that one little bit...
I did not ride all this way to be left sitting outside the gate while you walk into what may be trouble of the worse kind. How are we to know if things go pear shaped?
The cloud of nauseating vapours dissipated for the briefest of moments, revealing Kundal gasping for air and Malthir, striding through and doing his best to ignore the stench. Only a moment later, one of the called Demons conjured another similar cloud, not seeming to care that it caught the last Gnoll spearmen in it as well as Fenna and Ricter- all three resisted the urge to give in to nausea. A second stinking cloud was conjured to make Malthir's progress more difficult and the remaining Demon struck Ricter's plate-mail with a claw.
Ricter-
Fenna-
Gnoll-
Ricter punishes the Gnoll that dared to strike the counciller of Kardas:
The magical gas clearly poses more of a threat to him than the feeble scrabbling of the demons, so Ricter strides out of the miasma. He all but ignores the attacks this provokes:
Emerging from the cloud he bellows at the giant:
"YOU WILL BE CRUSHED BY THE MARCH OF CIVILIZATION!"
Ricter's armour and weapons begin to shine with the light of Abdur's vault - or is it the fires of Azmodeus?
Malthir heals himself, makes a single move into the cloud and draws out his shield.
I am coming for you giant, you will fall before the holy power of Iomedae!
The Gnoll crumpled with a piteous yelp as Ricter's flail struck him in the shoulder and the Hellknight moved to meet the Giant...
"May Aroden show mercy," Fenna offers a short prayer over the bleeding mount at her feet, before following Ricter out of the cloud, similarly heedless of demonic claws.
The giant appeared to understand both Ricter and Malthir's cries and its gnarled, twisted face contorted even further into something that resembled a contemptuous sneer.
The rune-engraved Giant moved to meet Ricter as he himself moved out of the stinking cloud and with a massive horizontal swipe of his club, sent the heavily armoured warrior flying back as the primitive weapon collided with him with too much force behind it to resist. Fenna arrested his fall as he slammed into her, landing in an armoured heap beside the now bruised Oracle. The collision prevented Ricter from being sent back into the cloud at least.
Round 5-
Ordered Initiative-
Kundal- 13
Gnolls- 12
Malthir *(action posted a round early)- 11
Demons- 9
Ricter- 7
Fenna- 6
Giant- 1
Active Effects-
Malthir enlarged for the next seven rounds.
Map-
Notes-
Action-
Kundal continued to cower in fear as the Gnolls above fired at Fenna and Malthir. Fenna took two arrows to the chest, the stout little Gnome's armour preventing them from piercing her too deeply as well as deflecting a third. Arrows mostly glanced from Malthir's armoured form but one struck him high on his right arm and pierced the magical metal.
Two of the snarling, bloated Demons were quick to take advantage of Ricter's fall, lashing out with teeth and claw while the Hellknight did his best to ward them off with his shield. A single claw penetrated the elbow joints of his armour in the furious attack, tearing flesh before Ricter forced it back. Perhaps more infuriating than the pain itself, the demons blocked his path to the massive foe. Fenna was assaulted by the third demon but took no further wounds. All the while, Malthir slowly descended into the stinking cloud and readied his shield.
With the enemy's attacks begining to tell, Ricter decides to spend less time shouting and more time fighting.
Kip looks at Casimir with concern. Alone? Shaking his head he adds, I do not like that one little bit...
I did not ride all this way to be left sitting outside the gate while you walk into what may be trouble of the worse kind. How are we to know if things go pear shaped?
I understand your concern, Kip, but the summons was for me alone, and I feel it would be unwise to openly defy the Swordlords by bringing you along. After all, we do not want to provoke them any further, but mend whatever bonds of friendship we can. And remember, we are in the seat of the Swordlords power. If they wish us harm, none of us will leave the city alive. If things go sour, I'll try and use my magic to alert you if I can - otherwise, we'll just have to roll with the punches. After all, we're pretty good at that by now.
Realizing there is likely nothing he can say to change Cas' mind, Kip sighs loudly before muttering, Did I mention that I really do not like this?
After a moment, Kip snaps to and turns to offer, At least take my wand of expeditious retreat... and this magical hat of disguise I recently acquired. They could prove useful should you need to make a hasty exit. And we will of course place message upon you before you go... Kip taps his chin as he continues to contemplate other safeguards for his friend. If you think things are turning sour, whisper a short prayer to Cayden and we shall attempt to help however we can...
Casimir smiles at Kip's offer, but declines to accept either of the offered items.
Thank you for the offer, Kip, but I think you should keep those. They will be useful in case you need to mount a rescue. I can cast expeditious retreat myself, and aquired a couple of scrolls to help alter my appearance before we left Swordhaven.