After the drow have been dealt with, the Darkness is dispelled. The remnants of the elven scouting party cautiously emerge and greet you with relief. Kaerishiel is unconscious, as well as a half dozen elves.
With your aid, you retreat back to the elven headquarters (much delayed due to having to dodge that sentient cloud of poison gas you freed earlier) to heal and report back to Eviana. She is grateful for your success.
As Kaerishiel is borne away to the healers, he gives you a slight nod; which to an objective perspective might have been respect.
Cynara smiles back at him, then turns back to Eviana. "I suppose you have something else you'd like us to do once we're rested?"
Zephram returns the nod, It would appear that counter to earlier evidence, that elf may actually not be wholly unreasonable... He shakes himself out of that train of thought when Cynara asks for another mission, turning his analytical gaze on Eviana, Given our successes, I cannot imagine that the answer to that question would not be affirmative..
Zane turns his own gaze toward Evianna, interested in her response. While their methods might well be considered unorthodox, the results were undeniable.
Sylvianna turns to face her queen as well, curious as to the answer.
"I suppose you have something else you'd like us to do once we're rested?"
"Yes indeed." She said, leaning back against her chair with a grimace. You realize that she is wounded, her leg wrapped in bandages and wound about with Regeneration spells.
"I apologize for not standing, but I was wounded earlier today. They've taken to making day attacks using demonic troops, caught our headquarters by surprise. Now we get to be attacked both day AND night."She shook her head with a grimace.
"We've decided on a change of strategy." She said.
Waiting until the unit commanders filed in, a light lunch with a nice wine was served.
When everyone was settled, Eviana started.
“The battle has been brutal,” Eviana says with a clenched jaw, “but I feel that we still have a chance at victory.
"With the aid of these heroes here, our forces have managed to clear a path to the Academy of Arts."
She pulled down an overview map of the City.
"We won’t be able to hold this route for long, though.
"The time for our decisive strike has come.
"I would like you to participate in the attack.
"We have limited forces to commit here, with our kin spread so far around the city or holding the route to the Academy, so you’ll be one of three small teams moving against the building.
"It is my hope that we can capture or kill the drow leadership, secure access to this 'Armageddon Echo' whatever it is, and finally bring this war to a close.
"I can understand if you feel this is beyond you, and I would find another group if one was available, but this is just not an option.
"I need you. Will you take on this last mission?”
And congratulations on achieving Character Level 8!
"Absolutely!" Sylvianna says enthusiastically, without a moment's hesitation.
Cynara smiles. "Of course. I wouldn't dream of missing it."
Zephram nods, "Striking down their leadership would be a logical approach. And, I believe, the fact that we are not a normal elven team means we are not what the drow expect... Which makes us more effective."
He nods again, "I will see this through."
As each person speaks their peace Zane smiles at Eviana. "And there you have it, consider us all in. We'll see this through to the end."
Looking closely at each of you, Eviana nodded slowly.
"Well then. Here is the plan." She said, then pulled up several maps.
Celwynvian strategic map phase 3
She explains that the assault is scheduled to take place at dawn the next morning, giving you time to rest and prepare for the battle and hopefully catching the drow at the time of day when they are most vulnerable.
Eviana has little information about the interior of the Academy of Arts to share, but she does know a bit about the exterior.
She explains that there appear to be three entrances into the building—the main doors in the front and two holes in the exterior, one to the west and one to the north.
Both of the holes look like the result of wear upon the ancient structure.
She also knows that the drow and their servants fiercely guard all three entrances.
The front door is watched over by a host of drow and is by far the most secure.
The hole to the west is also well guarded by a few drow and a number of dretches.
The hole to the north looks the easiest to breech, since it is close to the trees and guarded over by a few drow and a number of troglodyte slaves.
After conveying this information, Eviana asks the three groups which entry each would like to attempt.
Kaerishiel leads one team, Shalelu leads another, and you comprise the third.
Zephram says, "The one that looks easiest is likely not. These drow have repeatedly shown they love to lay traps, and while I would prefer an approach where we are well covered by trees, I cannot help but distrust it. Similarly, the front door would be total folly. I would suggest, then, we strike from the west hole -- perhaps a moment after another group begins to knock on the front gate."
Zane listens to Zephram's assessment a slow smile creeping across his lips. "While I agree that the entry point that seems most inviting is likely to be a trap, I'm of a mind that if they've gone through the trouble of setting up a big welcome, we'd be just plain rude to not make an appearance. We left subtlety behind a while ago. I say we go in the front and make our presence known."
Cynara steeples her hands, mulling over the conundrum. "How many fighters will Shalelu and Kaerishiel be leading?"
The oracle nods with a small smile. "Main entrance, then. Try to time it so we go in a minute or so after the other two attacks."
At Nakoda's expression, Zane's grin broadens. He had a feeling the petite firebrand would enjoy the idea of a full on assault. Her warsongs would be the last thing many drow heard in this life.
Zephram offers, "Facing their strength when we do not have to its not a logical approach... Unless you have the magics to strike them down. I am most useful when striking from the shadows."
"Thinking you have an advantage over drowning in the shadows is suicide." Sylvania chimes in. "The shadows are their home, darkness and subterfuge like the very air to them. Their side passages are likely to be lightless mazes, where the faintest illumination will make us easy targets. It plays to their strengths."
Zephram says, "And to mine as well. Striking from where they do not expect has served me well to date. I was not trained to hold a line like a soldier, or to smash down my opposition like an Ulfen raider.... And I need no light to see."
He holds up a hand, "But, I will follow the group, even if doing so greatly reduces my effectiveness."
"Sylvianna is right--darkness is their ally, not ours. That said, we'll have to offer you the chance to strike from distraction, at least. Few of us are at our best in a conventional battle."
Zephram shrugs, "Which is why I suggested an approach other than kicking in the front door... where they are likely to be strongest and most fortified. I am not certain how suggesting we outwit our opponents and strike from stealth or surprise became a discussion of the merits of darkvision."
He steps back, "No matter. As I said, I will follow, and do as I can."
You have an opportunity to purchase equipment up to 500gp value through the quartermaster. Do you buy anything?
Yes to potions.
Alright, I am proceeding on the basis that you're going to attack through the main entrance.
I believe that was the consensus, yes.
The next morning you set out about nine in the morning. The rest of the army does its best to distract the drow forces by making loud and flashy attacks to the Northwest while you circle around the other way.
Dodging drow patrols and the still rampaging animated cloud of poison gas, you finally make your way to the front door of the Academy of Arts.
At the front door of the Academy of Art.
Before closing up, Cynara casts a few spells.
Zephram whispers, "If you give me a moment, I can drink an extract to increase my speed -- it would let me get behind one of them and distract them from your attack."
all on himself
"Go for it." Zane whispers in reply.
Unable to see the drow clearly while approaching, Cynara listens to the description offered by the others. "Let's sweep from the south. Zane, can you open with an attack spell on the southern group before we get there? Zephram, can you tell from here if there are snares or other traps across that line of approach?"
With a grin Zane waits for the most of the group to circle south. Once they ae in position, he opens the festivities by drawing a scroll and casting a devastating firball in their midst.
.
success
success
success
success
Save
Fail
Save
Fail
A brilliant flash of fire exploded in the entrance lawn, leaving only blackened vegetation and a char shadow where four drow used to stand guard.
Round 1_________________________
Players take their turn in order of posting, enemies will go last.
"That the kind of distraction you were thinking of?" Zane whispers with a grin.
Cynara nods. "I think so. Point me in the right direction, will you?" The elf advances strides forward, listening for attackers, circling from the south through the cloud of smoke from Zane's spell.
Zephram whistles, then says, "Well it certainly reduces my ability to get behind them," his tone a little awkward as he tries to make a joke. Using his enhanced speed, he begins to cross the room diagonally, readying his bow and seeking a somewhat clear shot before firing at the lead drow.
For
Uttering the words to a protective spell, Zane moves forward, the tell tale shimmer of arcane armor surrounding his body before fading to invisibility.
Round 1_________________________
Cynara_______
The elf advances strides forward, listening for attackers, circling from the south through the cloud of smoke from Zane's spell.
Double move up, aiming to pass south of #6.
Zephram Taranis______
Zephram whistles, then says, "Well it certainly reduces my ability to get behind them," his tone a little awkward as he tries to make a joke. Using his enhanced speed, he begins to cross the room diagonally, readying his bow and seeking a somewhat clear shot before firing at the lead drow.
Move to N18
Nakoda______
Laughing, Nakoda advanced behind Cynara, her grin wide as she found the pick in her hand, hardly having thought about drawing it.
Zane Argentus______
Uttering the words to a protective spell, Zane moves forward, the tell tale shimmer of arcane armor surrounding his body before fading to invisibility.
Cast Mage armor, advance
Zylvianna moved up behind Nakoda.
ENEMIES_______________________
Recovering from surprise, Drow skirmisher 1 fired her hand crossbow at Cynara.
for a possible plus fort save DC13 or sleep
Recovering from surprise, Drow skirmisher 2 fired her hand crossbow at Zephram.
for a possible plus fort save DC13 or sleep
A blurry figure moved inside the open arch to the interior; suddenly a streak of a small flame darted towards you; it erupted in a ball of fire!
Cynara, Sylvianna, Nakoda and Zane are affected by a fireball dealing fire damage. Ref save DC17 for half damage.
Drow 1: 18
Drow 2: 14
Arcanist: 30
Round 2____________________
Players take their turn in order of posting, enemies will go last.