Knowing full well the potency of blood and the oaths sworn upon it, Alaric looks at Khrovin for a long moment before answering. I will join my blood to yours as I have joined my name to Sir Bronwyn. You have shown yourself so far to be a true and virtuous man, one worthy of a title. Pulling his dagger, Alaric slices his arm to mingle his blood to the others. Alaric looks deeply into every eye that does the same, letting the full weight of his bond flow into them. While breath remains in my body, I will not fail you.
When Khrovin mentions Ariarh, Alaric says She has been my friend since the beginning. I would give my life for her. You need not ask for me to look after her but you show your character by asking so. I have seen the way you look at each other. She deserves someone good and true. I believe you are such a man. He pauses for a moment before saying quietly but should you hurt her... Alaric leaves the threat unspoken. He truly does like this man but Ariarh has had enough hurt to last three lifetimes. Alaric looks at the man long enough to let the message sink in before smiling and saying ...but I do not fear for that as you seem to truly care for her.
"I have every confidence in you, Khro," Kae says smiling, shaking the man's hand.
Ka'etil looks on at the proceedings between Alaric, Khrovan, and Ariarh with curiosity, intrigued by the foreign goings-on before him, looking back and forth before his new friends of a matter of days and weeks, he momentarily musing on how quickly the newcomers, including himself, bonded with the original charter-holders. Well, facing resurrections, giant dead snakes, unholy hybrid abominations, and dragons can do that to people. Smiling with a strange sort of naive, he listens.
After oaths are taken, and returned, Ka'etil stands up tall, and steps toward the center of the group inhaling to speak. "A-a-l-right, then. We all have our specialties, and powers, and may need to use them soon, as this Stag King is near. Hopefully those Ustalavians will not interfere with us, but i do not count on it."
"Khrovin, be careful of using your compulsion, if used properly, it can turn a dangerous foe from one of us, saving them, in addition to directing them at a foe, so it may be best to save it for then. And your holds would be best served targeting men of great strength of body."[/b]
He also says to Ry, Khro, and Alaric, glancing at the kobolds as well, "Be aware, men such as myself, given to rages are resistant to mental attacks, as their emotion drowns out your magic, so watch for such barbarians."
"Everyone, I have seen knights devastate foes with charges from their lances, and we should make sure to support Bronwyn as much as we can, to allow him to best use that talent. Clear out foes blocking his way, and do not obscure his vision or impede his movement." He gestures indicating wooshing by in a straight line, then attacking, as he describes Bronwyn charging, and small sparks fly as his imaginary lance strike hits true"[/b]
"And we should try to make sure to save any abilities that allow us greater power for a short time until we have our greatest foe in our sights. Or at least till we are close, best not die before we get to him." Kae gives a tense and slightly uncomfortable chuckle.
"Brett and I can attack from hiding as Bronwyn makes his first devestating charge, Khrovan peppering our foes with arrows, and Ry supporting us from safety. Then we can move in if necessary to support Bronwyn, or protect Khrovin" Then turning to the Kobolds, Should you join us, those of you who prefer to take up swords would be wercome on the front lines, supporting Khrovin and Brynwyn, and those with less overt offensive capability can remain protected by us, and cast with impunity."
"There is also the concern of protecting Anuk-su, while maintaining strong numbers, and ensuring our success and survival..."
Alaric looks over at Kae as he is talking of strategy. Kae, you make sense but I believe we are getting ahead of ourselves. We do not know the lay of the battlefield we will be on. I would surmise that the Stag Lord has a fortification not unlike those found at Oleg's at the least. Walls, gates, perhaps even a moat. Who knows at this point? I think we should wait to make any sort of determination of who does what until we see what there is to see. We are in dire need of reconnaissance so that is what I suggest. We find the fort and then make our plans for assault or subterfuge. What do you think?
"I think we should hide Anuk-Su. Find her a safe place and leave at least one of the metallic kobold guards with her. It's simply a suggestion, nothing more at this stage. The Stag Lord and his allies do not know that we have found her and unlocked her from sleep. If it is her pure blood they seek, it makes no sense to make her presence known on the battlefield. Yet, in all due respect, we should ask her what she would like to do. Only Anuk-Su should make the decision to be present and participating, present but hidden or secured some distance away from the Stag Lord's camp."
Turning her focus on Anuk-Su , Ry bows her head to the young female, "Milady, if we are to stand against this Stag Lord this day and face him and his men, where would you like to be? Amongst us and beside Alaric, or safely secured away from their eyes and weapons?"
Hearing Alaric speak of waiting and reconnaissance, Ry adds, "Aye. I would like to first see this map Sylvath has been drawing for us, and, perhaps sending out a scouting party seems prudent."
"I think we should hide Anuk-Su. Find her a safe place and leave at least one of the metallic kobold guards with her. It's simply a suggestion, nothing more at this stage. The Stag Lord and his allies do not know that we have found her and unlocked her from sleep. If it is her pure blood they seek, it makes no sense to make her presence known on the battlefield. Yet, in all due respect, we should ask her what she would like to do. Only Anuk-Su should make the decision to be present and participating, present but hidden or secured some distance away from the Stag Lord's camp."
Turning her focus on Anuk-Su , Ry bows her head to the young female, "Milady, if we are to stand against this Stag Lord this day and face him and his men, where would you like to be? Amongst us and beside Alaric, or safely secured away from their eyes and weapons?"
Hearing Alaric speak of waiting and reconnaissance, Ry adds, "Aye. I would like to first see this map Sylvath has been drawing for us, and, perhaps sending out a scouting party seems prudent."
"As I have said, I shall travel with he who has awakened me from slumber; the one you call Alaric. Further, my subjects are sworn to me, therefore, they too shall come forth to do battle on your behalf." she adds to Ariarh, gesturing to the silver kobolds while still in her dragon form.
Brett comes in from the cold, stomping his feet to warm up, and rubbing his hands together, listening for a moment.
When he hears the bit about the blood oath, he frowns.
"Lad, ye be a good 'un, I reckon, but me word be me oath, as it were... I don't put too much on the rest - trappings as may be called by some - I give ye my word, that be enough. Anything else... well, let's just be saying me word ought to be enough, eh? But if ye need me to make a blood ritual with ye... if it got to be done... well, tell me true now... But I be from further south; and in Cheliax lands blood oaths got maybe different meanings on which I ain't too kind on, and I ain't normally fer 'em, as may be. But ye tell me, if it be true important to me, well... then I listen, and we be going from there, eh?" he adds, looking at Khrovin.
Sylvath and Adjt have finally finished sketching the last elements of the map they have been working so hard on. They beckon you over, and show you their work.
You see a very crude sketch, and are not entirely sure what you are looking at. Sylvath explains.
”The land is bisected south by two rivers. One, to the west of us, runs nearly all the way to the very north of these lands, and has various crossing points.”
”That must be the river we’ve traveled south by, the one with all the bandit camps,” Brett volunteers, as he has now come in from watch to see the map.
”Most likely; though of course, we have not seen it. The other river was this one, which travels in an easterly direction, and this is but one of the bridges that cross it. If I am not mistaken, roughly two hours to the south west of here, you will find the river that runs south. In my time it was called the Rauros, though I do not know what they call it today,” Sylvath continues.
”If you follow that river far enough south, you will come to a wide semi-circle of rock, which has existed for centuries before my birth. The land here flows gradually south, into a bottleneck between two massive cliffs. Then, on the other side of the cliffs, it spreads out again. Many generations ago, spellcasters and engineers created a dam between the cliffs. The water was effectively blocked at the cliff base, and filled to a massive lake roughly five miles in width, and nearly three miles long. At the base of the dam a spillway was formed to let the water move out gradually. This spillway was directed into a river that traveled due south. In my time, flanking the narrow river was reclaimed land which were used to create estates and farmlands, depending on the proximity to the river.”
”Fair enough,” says Brett.
”But I got’s a few questions fer ye… Namely; what be this box on the north side of the water?”
”That is a small port village and docks for it. The lake was roughly one hundred feet deep at the base of the cliffs south, and was large enough to fish from. The druids kept the lake teeming with fish, and it provided a ready source of food, which the people on the north side of the lake brought south.”
”Okay, and these little boxy things on the side of what I presume to be this spillway?”
”Your pardon; they are a crude representation of estates and homes on the river.”
”I reckon this thing here be the dam, between the two cliffs. But what about these little boxes on top of the brown cliffs? What be they?”
”They are the two fortresses built. The cliffs rise slowly up; a man can ride up a road from the east or west of the cliffs and reach the top. Further, we built roads on the south side of the cliffs that wound their way up to the summit; the summit being roughly two hundred feet from the reclaimed land on the south side of the dam. The dam wall itself is nearly two hundred feet in height, and nearly eighty feet thick; a full company could march across it, or man it as a wall, if need be. But in any case, at the top of the cliffs are two fortresses. They are fairly large, and well manned. A company of men could approach the forts from a narrow way from the north, or the south, if they are prepared to make their way up the path.”
”Can we sail up to them? Attack ‘em with a boat?”
”That is unlikely. The fortresses are built also as defenses for the dam itself; which was considerably thick. Therefore, if you were to sail a vessel close to the fortresses, either one of them, you would still be roughly twenty or thirty feet from their very base. Further, you cannot sail a ship to the north side of the fortresses, for sheer cliff drops down to meet the water. You would observed and assaulted, and, moreover, there is a dock on the easterly side of the water with which they can launch ships.”
”Huh! Well, what be yer best guess, then?”
”Unless I am mistaken, this bridge and outpost put us to the east of the Rauros. If so, we merely follow this river west for a short time, then, we’ll hit what is the Rauros; which should be running due south. We should already be on the eastern side of the Rauros, and we follow it south, around the width of the lake, moving slowly uphill, until we find the easterly path on the cliffs up to the fortress on the eastern side. If the knights were on the eastern side, doubtless they would have preferred that side of the cliffs. It is likely the camp of this “Stag Lord” is located in one of the two fortresses; most likely the easterly one. Once we reach the path on the easterly side, we simply advance to the fortress and take our chances with what the gods favor us with.”
”Well that sounds plain crazy! What if there be traps, or ambushes, or guards? We’d be cut down on the path up the mountains?”
”Indeed, sir,” Sylvath says ”and though such an end would be both glorious and worthy of a song… I doubt such things will happen, if our scouts are able to discover any problems in advance, eh?” he adds with a sly grin.
”Mmm… Yes, I suppose ye’re right…” Brett returns, then looks at the rest of you.
”Well, anyone got any suggestions, or questions?”
"As I have said, I shall travel with he who has awakened me from slumber; the one you call Alaric. Further, my subjects are sworn to me, therefore, they too shall come forth to do battle on your behalf." she adds to Ariarh, gesturing to the silver kobolds while still in her dragon form.
"As you wish, Milady."
Ariarh moved a little back, near Khrovin, Kae and the others discussing strategy.
Brett continues to stare at the map for a long moment.
"I be something of a fan o' maps... in the family, as it were... But this don't make much sense! Ye said the dam be eighty feet wide, eh? And the lake be nearing five miles wide? But if ye look on this sketch... well, things don't match up! How can the lake be nearing five miles, if that dam be only eight feet in width, eh?"
"Yes... well, clearly the map was not drawn to scale... " Sylvath says dryly.
"And another thing," Brett plows on "this color scheme makes no sense... Why'd ye have dark green grass on north side, and bright green grass on south side? That don't make no sense neither."
"Yes, well, the lands on the north side were filled with heavy grasses, plains, rough land... the "bright green" grass on the south side? That is now reclaimed land... fertile and clean... that's all."
"And another thing... If the cliffs be two hundred feet up... how high the docks on the northern village? How do that work?"
"The docks are roughly "sea level"; that is, they are the same level of the land we are on... But when you start reaching the cliffs... the lands slope down gradually to the base of the cliffs. Some sages believe that a great rock of fire fell from the sky long ago and plowed a long strip of land from the earth, eventually shattering the earth and breaking apart - forming the massive cliffs. If the lake was not there, it would look like a giant fireball did indeed strike the land on the trail of the Rauros and slammed all the earth and rock in harsh path south to throw up the cliffs. Beyond it is the remains of the low lying lands."
"What about these here grass lands from what ye call the "estates"? What be them?"
"The land on the south side of the cliffs was once a mass of swamps and wetlands. When the dam was built, the marshes were drained and the land reclaimed for better farming. The spillway down the center of the estates still allows a narrow and well defined river to keep the lands watered, without it overlowing into a swampy morass."
"Hmm... well, how do we get up to the fortresses? We can't sail up to them, do we have to go all the way around the easterly cliff to get to them? Then be stabbing up these little roads by the "estates" you done marked?"
"No, there should also be paths on the cliff walls that run somewhat due east - west... once we're on the far easterly spur of the cliffs, we should be able to ride up the mountain on a well made road. It was once heavily gaurded with fortifications... but I doubt they will have gaurds there now."
"And why be that?
"Because," Sylvaths says with a somewhat exesperated sigh "This Stag Lord has only some men and a dozen or so knights, I should think. Those garrisons and gaurdhouses needed hundreds of troops. No; it is likely that such a small company of men as this Stag Lord, no matter how powerful he is, will no doubt consolodate his forces into one large keep, and the dam between. In fact, I would think he would prefer one keep to two, it would be easier to garrison and defend. He may also have the western side as well, yet I doubt it - else why would the bandits prefer the easterly side, and gaurd the side of the river that protects the easterly lands? No, my guess is that they would keep their men in one place, and it would be the easterly garrison."
"Hmm... ye seem pretty well informed on their intentions. How the hell ye know so much anyhow, eh?"
"I don't know anything... I merely guess. It is simply tactics and strategy," Sylvath sniffs.
"Well, why not the low-lying lands - these estates and farms?"
"They may have taken them," Sylvath responds somewhat patiently "But I doubt it. Bandits are not farmers, they prey on them, they do not work the lands themselves. Also, the estates, though well made and beautiful, as I recall them, were well founded homes. None of them a well suited and easily defeneded garrison. Yes, they may have men below, but why bother? Why not keep all their men together in one simple place? Besides, the estates and farms may have eroded somewhat with time and age... perhaps somewhat ruins of their former selves. We shall see in the morning, no doubt," he adds stiffly.
"Now, anyone else with a comment?" Sylvath querries, looking around the room.
Ry has:
5 0 level spells (Orisons)
4 1st level spells + 1 domain
3 2nd level spells + 1 domain
Storm Burst (Sp): As a standard action, you can create a storm burst targeting any foe within 30 ft as a ranged attack. The storm burst deals 1d6+1 points of non-lethal damage. In addition, the target is buffeted by winds and rain, causing it to take a -2 penalty on attack rolls for 1 round. You can use this ability a number of time per day equal to 3 + WIS modifier = 7.
Class abilities: Wild Empathy, Trackless Step, Resist Nature's Lure (+4 bonus on saving throws against the spell-like and supernatural abilities of the fey) & Wild Shape 1/day.
Domain Spells
1st Level- Obscuring Mist
2nd Level- Fog Cloud
Orison Spells
Create Water
Detect Magic
Stabilize
Light
Resistance
1st Level Spells
Cure Light Wounds
Aspects of the Falcon
Magic Stone
Produce Flame
2nd Level Spells
Bull Strength
Flaming Sphere
Stone Call
(any of the above can be dropped and replaced with Summon Nature's Ally II).
"I wonder if the Ustalavians have sequestered themselves in the western garrison. I cannot see them all sharing the same space as it seems the Ustalavian loyalty is not exact nor permanent. That Ustalavian priest was ready to forsake the Stag Lord on one word from us in joining them and overthrowing the Stag Lord himself. And, we came across two different Ustalavian scouting parties, the one outside the Spider's Nest and the other here at this bandit camp. They may have all regrouped at this clifftop fortress. We cannot underestimate numbers. But this is just speculation as I am not experienced in battle plans, tactics and the machinations of evil men." Ry pauses and looks seriously at each companion.
"Perhaps we should first ride out to the old fishing village to guage the nature of the area, being preparesd to take prisoner any spys of the Stag Lord that are there, and question them. We can speak to the populace, if there are any there still," he says pointing at the river on the map. "Then we can move around and attack the fortress. Perhaps we could cross the river and approach from the west, taking cover, especially if you suspect they would be in the east fortress," he says tracing along the west side of the map.
"I doubt that we would be able to convince the Ustalavians to retreat once again, as we shall likely be outnumbered, if they remain. We may be able to, and should attempt to parlay with them, but should they join the combat, we should engage them first, as they will fight to the last man, whereas the bandits could be routed, ant it would be even easier should we be able to dispatch the Knights."
”Well, here how I be seeing it, too, then,” Brett says, looking at the map.
”We ride out in the morning… Get to the fishing village, which be about three miles or so north of the rocks and dam? Hmm… how many miles from here do ye reckon it be to the fishing village?”
”Firstly, we must travel west to the Rauros, which will spill into the lake which the fishing village is based on. I should guess that is roughly four miles west of here… Based on this structure itself, and the ruins we are in, I would guess we hold the north bridge on the Raurion; this is a smaller river off the Rauros…”
Sylvath pauses to explain some quick information about his history and culture to you all, as well as the people who lived her centuries ago.
”The Rauros starts in the far north, where heavy rains collect waters in deep swamps and various tributaries. These feed into a long river which travels south, into what would be known today as the “Rauros Lake”. As the river moves south, a second river from the north east moves down and merges into the Rauros; we call the river that travels south west into the Rauros the Raurian River. This river… which travels from the north east to the south west and connects with the Rauros… was a natural defense from any invader from Southern Brevoy who may try to push south into Rauros Lake and the area which was once our capital.”
”Any army who tried to advance south from Brevoy over the plains to Rauros lake would need to cross either the river right outside these walls, the one we just crossed to fight the bandits – or travel far to the west and find a way to attack from that side. Both rivers had bridges in our time, with garrisons to protect the crossings. But the garrisons were heavily guarded, and nearly fortresses themselves, at least equal to the buildings we have seen so far. Should we travel west to the Rauros, we could remain on the easterly side, heading south – or we would need to find a way over the Rauros River, finding a bridge, then move south on the western side of the river, go all the way around the spur of the western cliffs that the fortresses rest on, then come all the way back up north over the plains under the lee of the mountain. This could be done, but would take many days, and there is no knowing if the bridges will be guarded.”
”Wait, this river here, the one we just walked over on the makeshift bridge? That was the river that was a border to your northern flank? Doesn’t seem like much of a river or a bloody defense…” Brett adds with some suspicion.
”Doubtless the size and force of the river may have waned with time; yet even so; it is still too wide and too cold to bring baggage and horses safely across without a bridge. And any bridge constructed and maintained for so long will no doubt be guarded,” Sylvath adds.
”Okay,” Brett interrupts ”so we can either travel west until we get’s to the place ye call the “Rauros”. I think that be the very same river that we done call the “Thorn” river… and the river we just hopped over… It be the one we called the “Shrike” river… So ye call the Thorn River the Rauros, and ye call the Shrike river the Raurian?”
”It appears so…”
”Well, anyhow, what be the plan then?”
”As I see it,” Sylvath continues ”we would be best suited to stay on the easterly side of the Rauros river, the one you call the Thorn river. We move west for about four miles, and we’ll find the Rauros river. We use that as a natural road or landmark and travel south to Rauros Lake. At the northern side of the lake is the fishing village. It is roughly eight miles south of here,” he concludes.
”Right, so we bunk down, sleep, and in the morning we wake up, ride about an hour or so west; hit the Thorn or Rauros river… Then we ride south for about seven or eight miles, say... two or three hours... until we hit the fishing village. Once there, we’re on the north-east side of the lake. We look around, take stock and make new plans… If we wait to first light we should be getting to that old ruined village about 11:00 AM, I’d say… “ Brett says.
”Indeed… but it may not be totally ruined. Such a place may have bandits guarding it. We must move cautiously. I would guess they would have some men at the fishing village, it is the safest place to dock boats which could theoretically be used to attack the fortresses by the dam. In either case, if there are villains there or now, we dispatch them quickly, then ride around the eastern side of the lake, and then up the rising edge of the cliffs on the road they have built and then to the fortresses themselves. Once we win the fortresses, we'll have a good command of the southern valley beneath the cliffs, and we'll be in a strong and defensible position.”
”Sounds like a fine plan,” Brett says with a nod ”and ye know, mates… If we done be trying to get our kingdom settled, as may be… setting up shop at a old ruined fortress overlooking farmland and a lake? Hell! That sounds like a pretty good place to start, eh?”
You all consider that statement, and naturally make your own conclusions, but Brett is right; if someone is looking for a place to found a city, such a place as these fortresses would indeed be very safe, and very well founded. As for the fortresses themselves? They make you hearken back to the words of David Grear; the man from Galt who traveled with the caravan to Oleg’s. He recommended a strong place; a keep or a fortress… If one still existed, even ruins… It could be very advantageous to you all, should you liberate and claim it for your own.
Ariarh whispers to Dior to stay quiet and remain with her lest his flight is noticed by any who may reside or man this fishing village/port. She rides in on Tal cautiously, slowing him down to a walking gait and looking about the village and terrain, looking for sign of life or changes to the infrastructure of the village, including the dock which is important if one is to cross the lake by boat. She is looking about the land, lake, cliffs in the distance to marry what she learned from Sylvath to the present day visage/panorama, wanting to note any discernible differences, if they exist.
Ariarh whispers to Dior to stay quiet and remain with her lest his flight is noticed by any who may reside or man this fishing village/port. She rides in on Tal cautiously, slowing him down to a walking gait and looking about the village and terrain, looking for sign of life or changes to the infrastructure of the village, including the dock which is important if one is to cross the lake by boat. She is looking about the land, lake, cliffs in the distance to marry what she learned from Sylvath to the present day visage/panorama, wanting to note any discernible differences, if they exist.
I will throw up what you see after all the other players have posted what THEY do today... However, if I have not heard their posts by midnight tonight, I will simply post what you all see regardless.
For all: I am here, and reading the posts, but again, sadly, the "answers" to your questiosn will come at the end of the night after everyone has posted at least once. If no word from them, we'll move on and wait till they post the next night.
Bronwyn voices his concern:
I'd rather send Kae'til and Brett to scout the fishing village ahead of the main column. If we all advance, the enemy is sure to hear us coming, and may have time to prepare or send word to the others in the fort.
Before gsetting out, kae asks Sylvath "Are there any areas, based on your knowledge of the area, that we could stop riding, so Brett and I could scout ahead and see the state of the village without alerting anyone there of the presence of our group? That way we could scout out the area in advance and better prepare to counter any ambush that may be there?"
Bronwyn voices his concern:
I'd rather send Kae'til and Brett to scout the fishing village ahead of the main column. If we all advance, the enemy is sure to hear us coming, and may have time to prepare or send word to the others in the fort.
Kae nods in agreement with bronwyn, supporting stealthy scouting
Bronwyn voices his concern:
I'd rather send Kae'til and Brett to scout the fishing village ahead of the main column. If we all advance, the enemy is sure to hear us coming, and may have time to prepare or send word to the others in the fort.
Ariarh slides off her horse and asks her remaining companions to do the same (ensuring the 9 horses are held by rein/secured lest they bolt and draw attention) and draw relatively close to one another. With Kae, Brett and Ryul undertaking the scouting mission via stealth, the rest of the party needed to be invisible to detection from the fishing village. Ariarh casts and a misty vapour appears, arising from her and stretching 20 feet wide and 20 feet high, giving the party some cover. Now they would wait, quietly.
As they approach, Kae indicates to the party to stop, and wants to dismount and go with Brett, and looks to Ryul, "Are you interested in joining us, taking a look at the village, maybe providing some insight into the lay of the land?"
Kae will leave his horse with the others, and go to approach the Village, keeping to the grasses, and not arousing attention...
stealth
...watching for any foes and looking places an ambush could lie, and for good entry points.
perception:
Asking Brett to borrow his spyglass, Kae looks at the people of the village.
Watching people
As they approach, Kae indicates to the party to stop, and wants to dismount and go with Brett, and looks to Ryul, "Are you interested in joining us, taking a look at the village, maybe providing some insight into the lay of the land?"
Kae will leave his horse with the others, and go to approach the Village, keeping to the grasses, and not arousing attention...
stealth 1d20+9...watching for any foes and looking places an ambush could lie, and for good entry points.
perception: 1d20+9Asking Brett to borrow his spyglass, Kae looks at the people of the village.
Watching people 1d20+14
You move forward slowly, advancing through the drifts of the snow, and pushing up through the tall grasses. Ka’etil, Brett and Ryul are ducked down, close the ground, and making their way to this “fishing village”; after all, if the bandits are there, this could be a good outpost for an advance scouting mission. Putting patrol boats to send troops across the lake quickly, or even more mundane things like fishing… such a place could prove useful.
As you move down the grass, nearly a mile and a half away, the track for the Thorn river is quite obvious. Yet, it is also odd.
You can see that the sides of the river fall up and outwards, like a gradually widening gorge or track. It seems that Sylvath’s suggestions may have been right. Namely, and this is pure speculation of course, if some huge ball of fire or rock tumbled from the sky and slammed into the earth, it would carve a widening channel into the ground and force the rock forward like a wave. This seems likely, because as you move forward you can see the “channel” where the river runs to begin to widen and become deeper. You suspect that the bottom of the lake would have a huge crater, of sorts, or at least the cliffs on the far side may have once been solid earth or rock that was forced up like a huge wall of stone from the heat of such an assault.
Was it a cataclysmic event that did this? An assault by the gods? An errant spellcaster gone mad? Or perhaps a tumbling bit of rock from the sky. Such things have been reported in Numeria, and that land borders this… It could be possible, though it seems fairly amazing and unlikely!
Then again…
Still, as the three scouts advance they can see the river running in this channel. Yet, as they gradually leave their friends behind far off, they are perplexed to see the widening width of the river, and more disturbing – the water level seems fairly low!
True, the river itself is about twenty or thirty feet in width, and possibly ten or fifteen feet deep, at least, you’d think… Yet, the sides of the riverbanks are much wider. Nearly a hundred feet and widening. And the surface of the water is far more shallower then the banks themselves.
”Mayhap the river’s been running here so long, it simply cut the banks deeper and deeper, eh?” Brett says to lighten the mood, but the whole thing strikes you as odd.
Nevertheless, you do not proceed down the banks, but stay on the level plains, and push ahead. Soon, after nearly an hour of slow movement, you see the beginnings of what may be some buildings.
Dropping low, you keep close to the grown, and peer out with Brett’s spyglass for information. Brett will look forward first, then hand over the glass to Ka’etil.
”Bloody hell! he mutters after a moment, then passes the glass to Kae.
Perplexed at Brett’s response, Ka’etil looks forward, peering cautiously, doing his best to hind behind a blade of grass – and sadly, not very successfully.
But it seems their concerns for stealth are fairly moot at this time.
While it is true you can make out what must have been the “fishing village” you espy several things to give you pause.
The first thing is that the village itself must have long been destroyed. There seems to be nothing of note; except for a few broken stone walls perhaps a few feet in height. No attempt has been made to rebuild the walls, or do any work to reconstruct or maintain the village.
Of course, this leads you to the second point – the point that has seemingly drawn Brett’s consternation and ire. As you look forward you can see the river meandering slowly down into a huge valley. The valley, from here, looks almost like a bowl. It is filled with dark trees, heavy fogs, and looks like a filthy swamp. Running through the length of the swamp is the Thorn river… it is stretching in the same track, but there seems to be no lake. Rather, at the far end of the valley, by the base of the cliffs, is a tall mess of swamps and heavy water lapping at the cliffs. It looks fairly shallow – perhaps less then fifty feet in depth. The majority of the river seems confined to the gorge itself; that same “track” you’ve been observing.
The track, or gorge, runs all the way across the valley to the very base of the cliffs themselves. A ray of light shines brightly between the broken cliffs; strange, that shining light seems to be right where a dam may have once been standing, once upon a time…
The cliffs, which were supposedly level on both sides, so that ”A person could ride from one fortress to the other, using the dam as the bridge”, as Sylvath suggested, are no longer level. The cliffs on the west side have been smashed heavily. They look like (even at this distance) to be much lower; perhaps by a hundred feet or more… though of course you cannot make an accurate guess from this distance.
Brett stands up and angrily kicks a rock forward.
”Well, that was kind of a bloody waste. Might have been better to just ride up here as a group, I reckon,” he gripes.
”None knew what we may have found, sir,” Ryul said, his face looking shocked at the sight ”And none could have prepared for it. In the end, we acted in caution, we must not worry overmuch on that. It is done… But what shall we do in the meantime? Which direction did these bandits ride toward? It is no wonder that the village is not rebuilt. What ships would have sailed from it… How I recall the fair sails in the north winds… and the spires of the town from the walls of the fortress. Now, all is gone and empty,” he says with a weary sigh.
”Well, here’s a plan,” Brett says, still annoyed of having moved all this way ”why don’t ye move back quickly to the others; meantime, while ye be doing that, me and this here lad be doing some searching about. Tracking fer signs of what may be out there, eh?”
”Tracking? Tracking what?” Ryul asks, somewhat perplexed, puzzled as if anyone would bother to make that suggestion.
Brett wipes his face with exasperation.
”It be snowed not but two days ago? There be four heavy riders, with heavy mail and they riding in group? And it be last night that they do it? They be riding o’er what – snowy grasses under a warming sun, eh? The snow be somewhat melting… huge drifts o’ melting snow, as it were said by some? Ye mean that them four riders leave nay tracks twixt the bridge up there, and the way down here? None that a lad with a good eye fer tracks can’t be finding? Ye gods! We need to look and see which way they went… down across the valley, all around the lake, or wherever. No doubt they tooked the best road, and the best way to travel. Safest, fastest, and best place to move. I say we look fer that while another lad goes back and gets the others. Fer me? I ain’t be going… I be staying here. And why? Because that was a bleeding pain in the arse to walk over all that snowy, poxing, sodding mess. It be up to yer knees? Well, it be up to me bleeding chest! So I wait here and look fer tracks while ye go back and get the others, Ryul – if you please,” he says the last with a melodramatic wave of his hand.
The silver kobold frowns, the makes a curt nod with his head and runs off quickly to the north to warn the others.
”Well, Ka’etil lad, ye want to look fer tracks and I help ye, or do ye fancy helping me look fer the tracks, eh?” he asks the half-elf, his voice sounding less gruff, but no more happy at all this traveling.
"I'm sure you're a better tracker than I, so I shall lend you a hand. I can do that easily enough. Lets go."
aid another: Track:
"I'm sure you're a better tracker than I, so I shall lend you a hand. I can do that easily enough. Lets go."
aid another: Track: 1d20+8
Brett grunts and decides to Track. Knowing that they have plenty of time for the others to arrive, he decides to make a wide search, taking a long time looking for tracks.
In roughly fifteen minutes, he finds in the distance, by about a half of mile, a wide muddy track with horse prints. He points his finger at the tracks and examine the land.
Though there are tall grasses, it seems that this place where the horsemen have traveleved is, in fact, a mashed down dirty roard or path; for there is no grasslands there, only mud.
The path moves to flank the width of the crater, and rides nearly directingly to the eastern spur of the mountain range. It looks like a two mile ride, fairly straight, to the middle of the eastern mountains.
Looking down in the crater, Brett shakes his head with disgust, but, as he has little else to do, goes to explore the ruins of the village.
Kae follows him.
They are both surprised to observe (though not too surprised, what they see does seem rather consistent with the buidlings and design so far) that this "village" was fairly well laid out. The streets are uniform in size, and pattern. There are several breaks in the streets, and you can look between the breaks and see what looks like a rudimentary sewer system or spillway. The streets are twenty feet in width... There is one primary street against the docks. It is nearly one hundred yards in length. On the west side there seems to have once been a place large buildings - probably warehouses. This would make sense as the Thorn river would flank it, and if it was filled to the brim of that gorge then sailors could sail larger vessels down the entire length of the river.
There seems to be four streets that run east - west, and there are other streets that run north south. The north south streets are at sixty feet intervals. Again, everything uniform. The people here built their homes well, and situated themselves well - the sewers and spillways allowed for a prevention of flooding, and good health besides.
"Huh! A person could make something out o' this place... If they didn't mind the dreary mess o' that swamp down below. But it be well founded, is all... and if it were rebuilt, it be a good place to start, and not far from the hills there," Brett adds, pointing to the cliffs that house the keep.
Indeed, as the crater is deepening fast, the westerly side of the village is seemingly flanked by what is almost on a extremely steep hill or cliff. Once it may have been filled with deep water which would have been level with the piers, but now? Now there is nothing until a person makes their way down to the bottom of the cliffs to the swamps below, where the Thorn river meanders to the cleft in the mountains ahead, sliding between the still existing gorge.
"It be a good thing this be winter, eh? If it be spring, or summer worse, the bugs'd be horrible," Brett says with a shake of his head; the thought of swamp vermin making him somewhat uneasy.
"I wonder what be down there now, though... oh well, we'll find out soon enough, no doubt," he adds with a shake of his head.
Ryul will return to the others and quickly relays what everyone has seen in their scouting.
You are now free to ride south quickly, which you do.
You arrive at the fishing village at roughly 1:30 PM.
You see Brett and Ka'etil sitting by the remains of the fishing village. You are standing there, and can see the remains of a path that runs in a south easterly direction. This path is well traveled by horsemen, and you supect the horses were in fact the same Ustalavians that you dealt with the night before.
Further, the path leads almost straight to the cliffs that house the easterly keep.
"Well, anyone want to do anything clever?" Brett says.
"We could just move quick over the path there, and hope fer no trouble, or maybe..." and he looks a tad green at his next proposal "we could maybe move across the valley here, and then try to move up the cliffs from bottom up. After all, the map the kobolds done drew had some sort of docks on the north side of the easterly cliffs to bring in supplies from the north side of the lake. The docks'll be useless, but there may be an ungaurded path that way, eh?"
"So we can either ride hard over the plains and possibly meet an oncomming charge of enemy in clean combat, or go skulking through those swamps, and try to find a way up the cliffs, never mind leaving the noble steeds behind, and then hope that if there is a way in undamaged it will also be ungaurded as well?" Sylvath asks with a cocked eyebrow.
"Well... I don't be saying we done have to do things the second way, just laying out options. I be fer riding in hard, too... but we ain't master and commander o' these folk. Maybe it be best fer the others to pitch in and tell us what their plan be, then we go from there, eh?" Brett retorts hotly.
Ariarh speaks her thoughts aloud, trying to aid in the decision before them.
"The Ustalavians returned by riding along the straight path leading up the cliff to the eastern fort. Climbing in and out of the swamp and making our way through muck, mire and all manner of foulness and without our horses, which we will have to secure, seems less appealing to me. This does not take into account what may be living in the swamp that we should be wary of. And, we will need to safely descend into the cratered swamp and then somehow find a way to pull ourselves and each other up out of it. It looks deep from up here." Ry looks down from the dock by the ruined fishing village. "I understand there is tree cover down in the swamp but the journey itself will be fraught with foreseen and unforeseen obstacles. I am no tactician so I will rely on, and defer to, those in our party with honed battle savvy. It just seems better if we too were to take the direct path up the cliff. And if we did come across outriders from the fort then I would prefer a cleaner fight in open field than falling sick from disease or breaking a leg or some such in the deep-seated swampland."
"Alaric, I have witnessed you casting magics that rendered creatures unconscious, as well as spewing flames, but I do not know what other magic you have at yoru disposal. I'd like to know how best to act with you. Would you be so kind as to enlighten us?"
anyway...
Ka'etil takes a moment, closes his eyes, and delves deep within himself, past his fractured mind, hidden fury, and dark blood sleeping within himself, and seeks the shining blonze light shining bronze light deep down in the fibers of his being. Before us are two paths, is it better to take the fast way, letting our foes know we approach, but knowing what threatens us, or is a secret approach worth braving the dangerous unknown of this vile swamp? He asks his ancestors for their wisdom in weighing the risks of these paths.
If there is no answer, or they suggest avoiding the swamp, then Ka'etil suggests this...
"We are loosing light, and while it would give the enemy time to prepare, within their fortress, they know we are coming, as we allowed the Ustalavians to escape. Perhaps we best try to conserve daylight, and ride along the path. Should we meet outriders, we can dispatch them."
"It may be wise to let the Seti ride, as we taller folk can walk faster than they, and the horses are slowed anyway, so we can keep the best pace. I for one would be more than willing to lend another my horse, as I am naturally fleet of foot," turning to Alaric,"And with your fancy new shoes, our lord seamstress looks like he could out-pace even me perhaps." He smiles, with his good natured jibe.
"Bronwyn, I've not seen you fight much on horseback since we encountered that Ettin, before I succumbed to fury, but you made an impression. If you make use o the space, charging them, Alaric may have some magic to deal with the other foes, you will be a great asset."
"We can attack at range from afar, at the start, and Khrovan can engage them in closer quarters, as I tear them to pieces. With the addition of the Seti clan, we remain grouped together, never getting too far out of our ally's range."
"No charging out ahead and making the rest of us play catch-up, Bronwyn. And we should do our best to conserve or resources, avoiding casting more spells than absolutely necessary, and saving limited resources for any advanced party."
"Although Ry, Khro, you indicated that you have abilities or limited effectivness compared to your other spells, but after i calm myself I suffer from a heavy fatigue, and you can sure that, and your storm-calling may be useful against these outriders, weakening and distracting them. And if any are only rendered unconscious, we could rouse them and question them further."
We ride out, fast as the Seti can move, unless those with faster movement give their horses to the Kobolds, not Bronwyn, as he is a mounted character, Brett who is slow. We should dismount when we see outriders.
Khrovan may want to keep his horse, as he is effective mounted, so we could have Seti on Ry, Kae, and Al's horses, and the 2 we looted. Ry can always re-mount when we see the riders if she wants...
WHen they approach, we let alaric use magic to hamper their progress, Bron charges, Khro, Ry, and Kae attack from a distance, the Seti act as support
"My lady Anuk-su, may I ask you about your power? You are a dragon, as i know that dragons have both innate arcane power like Alaric and I as well as a greater host of magical abilities a potentially devastating breath and the power of flight . How great are those powers that you possess?
K(arcana) to identify the abilities of a silver dragon of Anuk-su's age: 1. sorcerer level, 2. special abilities and 3. Breathweapon, how often can she use it, and power.
"Well, charging enemies be not charging long... if they be entangled, eh? And then, horse and rider be on foot... and if they be wearing plate mail? They be easy pickings..." Brett says, sliding another piece of tobacco into his mouth.
"Just a thought, is all... just a thought..." he says with a half-nod to himself, begining to chomp on the tobacco quid.
"My lady Anuk-su, may I ask you about your power? You are a dragon, as i know that dragons have both innate arcane power like Alaric and I as well as a greater host of magical abilities a potentially devastating breath and the power of flight . How great are those powers that you possess?
"I am young in blood and not full mature. I cannot do as much as my elders, though I have some powers. My own abilites to cast spells are not matured; though I do clearly have some strengths - I can fly, I have my claws and fangs - and have some rudimentary powers as well... Nothing as potent as my ancestors, though... " she says, considering your words.
"I hope this infomration has helped thee in thy planning," she adds politely.
You nod enthusiastically. Armed with that information; detailed and well structured, you are confident you know everything you need to about your new companion!
Having listened to Kae's strategy and instruction, Ariarh nods in the affirmative.
"I will be judicious with my spells. I agree my storm calling ability can be used in the way you have mentioned, Kae, and I intend to call down the wrath of the gods of the skies giving you opportunity to do what you do best." Ry gives a smile.
"My horse is at the disposal of one of the Seti guard. I can walk beside for a while until I have no choice but to mount Tal and ride hard. If light is an issue, I have the ability to cast once a day, so if necessary I shall cast it if we have no alternative but to fight in fast fading light or evening."
Ariarh walks over to Khrovin as he has been unusually quiet since they arrived at the remains of the fishing village. Standing before him, she takes the gold dragon amulet from around her neck and places it around his own. In soft voice she says to him,
"I want you to wear this amulet and keep it safe. You, and the other two, will be in the forefront and this amulet is compatible with positive energy and magnifies its potency. I have seen and felt what it can do. I remember Anuk-Su's words that the amulet will enhance the channelling of positive energy when restoring health or life. So, at this time, you are the best person to wear it. May its magic meld with your essence in Light."
Alaric will respond to Kae's questions promptly I have many spells that may be useful though illusions may be the most useful in the battle to come. They can provide cover for approaches, distractions, additional targets, and many other things. I can also turn myself invisible for a short time, a matter of seconds, maybe as long as half a minute, but that will only work for myself.
Turning to Anuk-su, he says Anuk-su, it would please me greatly if you took to the sky and provided us with eyes to potential dangers. Forgive me for saying so, but you are too precious to risk in the battle proper. If you see a danger that we do not, warn us, but do not place yourself in danger unless there is no other option.
Looking at the group Alaric says, My friends...we are nearing the end of our mission...and about to begin the true destiny which awaits us. As we enter battle, think of your friends... he bows to Ariarh, Brett, Khrovin, and Kae ...family... he bows to Sir Bronwyn and Anuk-su, ...allies... he bows to Sylvath and his silver brethren, ...and all those that we fight for whom are not with us. Think of them and we shall not falter. Think of them and we will triumph. Now...let's finish this...together! Alaric will then begin moving towards the path Kae pointed out.
"Sir Bronwyn, if you would ride along with Khrovan, and Brett, I shall take point on foot, with the Seti Clan, and Alaric and Ahria bring up the rear, we can advance at optimum speed. Then if a foe appears, we can halt their charge with an Entangle. Bronwyn, you can charge at the one on the edge as the Seti and I advance on foot. Khrovan and i can pepper them with arrows, and Ahria, if you focus on one that is in the frey and render him unconcious, we can use him as a prisoner, and slay the rest; try to target a barbarian."
Kae would like to look through the spyglass on occasion
perception:
to spy for oncoming outriders.
Kae will cast shield as they are charging, about 100 ft outside range of his bow, before combat, and start shooting advancing 40 ft per round.
Anuk-su Seti will bow once to Alaric's suggestion.
"It is a wise suggestion - I shall be happy to do so," she says.
Anunk-su Seti claps her silvery wings and flys off to the horizon. The rest of you proceed; the passion and drive from Alaric's words seem to inflame your spirits and inspire you all.
Ka'etil, you continue to watch the horizon, but cannot see anything except the silvery speck that is Anuk-su Seti flying far toward the cliffs.
At this time, you will move around the eastern side of the lip of the crater, following the same path the riders have taken.
Hearing no specific protest or intentions from the rest of your companions, Ariarh, Alaric and Ka'etil push forward while Khrovin and Brownwyn accept the wisdom of their suggestions, as do the others.
After nearly thirty minutes of riding, however, Ka'etil observes in the horizon the sudden and rapid approach of Anuk-su. She flys in fast and hard, and alights on the upraised arm of Alaric, and stares at him with proud wide eyes.
"There is movement from the south - a company of ten outriders are pushing hard fast. Nine of them are wearing plate mail; and one of them is wearing robes; a priest or wizard perhaps? They ride under the standard of the Red Wyvern, which is stitched on a black flag."
"They are riding fast, and they look ready for battle and bloodshed. They will be here soon, perhaps in a few minutes. What will you do?" she asks primly.
Brett glances at her, and drops from the saddle of Stybba. He pulls the pony to earth, resting on its flanks. He crouches behind the pony, and and begins to prime his musket. He has his pistols primed as well, and glances to you.
"There be no cover out there, just open plains. These lads won't be here to talk; get yer arse ready, as best as ye see fit," he adds, loosening his sword in its sheath.
You turn and watch him a moment. The silver kobolds quickly begin to ready themselves.
"Perhaps there is no reason for bloodshed; perhaps we may yet reason with them, as we have done so for before. What say you?" someone asks quickly.
"Nay, that is true foolishness. Art they not servants of the dark lady Urgathoa? Art they not bearing the same Scarlet Wyvern, even as the slaves of the cult once governed by Sied Miorgrod; the late lord of Ustalav, from whence these scum do ride? Shall they indeed hold conference with us? Nay! I should say they are here to do battle; to kill, not question," Sylvath says grimly, yet with the hint of a cold smile on his face.
"Moreover, they will have marked us and our lady - for her sake alone they will fight, and there will be blood. Ready thyself!" he adds, lifting the shortsword which he had taken from one of the body's of the bandits in a fierce salute.
"Yeah, well... as it pleases ye," Brett says to Sylvath "but I be agreeing with ye. Here they come!"
Brett spits once to the leeward, and cocks the hammer of his musket back.
The riders are indeed charging hard and moving fast. They lower the tips of their lances and are now spreading out in what looks like an offensive manuever...
As their lances are lowerd at you and their horses spurred on fast, you are not sure, but you don't think they are moving to parlay, or to have a discussion.
Seeing the enemies arrayed against them by the sunlight spurs Bronwyn into action. Drums begin to beat in his ears as the blood rushes through his veins and his eyes widen. He takes a deep breath, expanding greatly his chest, and puts down his helm, raising his visor so he can shout:
Take defensive positions, spread out to avoid magical barrage, but stay at MOST sixty feet away from each other, so you can provide help to your fellows! Kae'til, I'll need you to ride with me, if I ride alone I'll be swarmed. Ariarh, prepare for the entangle, and quench the spell on my command! Khrovin, Brett and Alaric, focus your fire on their mage, we need him down! Brothers, I'll draw their fire, but I need your magic along with my armor to keep me alive!
His commands, sharp and decisive, leave no room for doubt. Most may remember the strategy discussed before and need no further explanations. The enemy is ahead; the battle has begun.
Praying silently to the gods, he lets his visor down and mounts Valiant. Closing his eyes for a couple seconds, the knight remembers all his lessons, and proceeds to mentally check his preparations.
Check the stirrups; done. Tie in the reins, they won't be needed. Condition of the shield straps? Humid, but will do. Connect lance to plate support. Regulate breathing. Open eyes.
The green field ahead was alight with life. Each blade of grass moved of its own accord, bending with the gentle western wind. He blinks, adapting to the dark recesses of his closed helm. The world is now a narrow slit of color and movement, and the drums in his ears feel loud as a waterfall banging on his head.
A second blink, and there's the enemy. Riding across the plains, their horses covered in lather, spurred on by their merciless riders. This moment seems to last for a life-time while Bronwyn examines their faces, their armor and their weapons. In a swift and natural movement, he kicks his mare's flanks, spurring her into motion.
All doubts vanish. The banging of the drums coincides perfectly with the beating of his mare's hooves on the soft ground. This is what he was made for. Man and horse on the field opposite to his enemies. Many depend on him to succeed. He would not fail them.
At Anuk-Su's warning of the oncoming ten riders, Ariarh commands her horse Tal to stay (DC 15), he heeds her command and she runs over to Sir Bronwyn, answering his call for a buffering spell. Ariarh lays her hand on the paladin's arm and casts on him . "May the gods protect thee, Sir Bronwyn. May your honourable might stand true!" Running fast, Ariarh returns to her horse, jumping onto the saddle (giving Tal a pat and few quiet words) and is ready, waiting for Bronwyn's command to cast and dismiss it at the appropriate time. All the while she is watching the land before her, in the direction of the fast approaching Ustalavians, her main worry resting on the one garbed in robes, the Ustalavian priest. Ry resolutely beseeches the gods, "Hold thy shield over us, protect us all. Safeguard thou our animals, encircle us together. Guide well thou ourselves, shield our procession." Dior, her little griffon, emits a high pitched screech and then stands firm before his mistress, ready. "Do what you can, my little protector, but do not risk your life with impulsive action."
Our enemy is upon us, whether we win or lose will be decided upon this very day. We must avenge those who have fallen in these lands. We must avenge those who have fallen in these lands whilst wanting nothing more than to make an honest living. Let us make this charge count, let us make this very charge count, and may our enemies learn to fear our mighty rage in the name of all that right right and holy.
Casting Guidance on Sir Bronwyn, then calling to him May this spell make your arm strong and true
Move action to follow him, remaining 10 feet to the east of him at all times. Standard action to pull out shield and morningstar and equip them.
To Ry Your gift of this amulet is much appreciated. I will endeavour to use it to the best of its capabilities, and thus to take care of us all. Ry, I cannot promise you that I will not fall in this battle, but I promise not to allow my death to be for some hopeless cause. If my death can guarantee that these lands are safe for you and our friends to settle for the good of others, then I will do it. The world and the people in it around us are in this point in time, superior to our cause. Please take care of yourself though, and if you need healing, find me
Initiative
AS 25
Init:
So many speeches. Looks like we are ready.I'll keep pace, Bronwyn, so long as you dont get too far ahead" Kae says, as he prepares to fight.
If you would have allowed it (indicated in last post) I would cast shield when they were a bit less than a minute away, cause I have a 3 minute duration. Also commands Konur with the "Defend Trick" Handle Animal check: take 10+6 = 16
Round 1 full round action: Ready and action to fire my bow at the unarmored rider as soon as he gets into comfortable shooting range. [ooc] between 100 and 80 feet away
Fire bow (+2 for favored enemy[human] included)
attack:
Dammage:
Otherwise: Casts shield and give Konur the Defend command
Handle animal:
Forgot Alaric's bonuses
Init: 22
Bow attack: 23
Damage: 12
that's the rolls. also, if the "priest" stops hs charge and the others approach, Kae will target the second one. so the condition is, Target's the unarmored foe, unless he stops outside range, then targets second closest armored rider.
you played out your round 1, Kae just had the need to do some prep, foes in the distance. You can "take charge" in round 2, lol.
Brett has his musket out and primed. He intends hold action and fire.
His pony is laying on the ground, and he is using it as a "shield" - granting himself 5/10 cover, while his musket is laid over the flanks of his horse.
He awaits to make his action until the enemy is closer, then he shall fire when they get into range.
Brett's initiative -
Brett will be attacking the caster in range. But not UNTIL the caster is in range will this attack be effective...
Attack
IF he hits the robed man...
To all: I will post the enemies movements and the NPC's after either I get everyone's post for the day, or midnight. Whichever comes first... Then, I shall tell you were the enemies are, and what they will do next.
Also; I need quardinates from Alaric at this time. HIs position will dictate where the kobolds will be.
REMEMBER: Your horse is a large animal, it takes up two squares (five feet "wide" and ten feet "long"). When you tell me your coordinate, I will assume that the grid behind you is the hindquarters of the horse. After that, though, please just let me know. Also, if you are not mounted, please let me know as well.
Good luck!
Alaric pulls his want from the pouch on his belt and gets a steely eyed expression on his face. Extreme focus sets in and he breathes deeply, readying himself for the fight.
Brett takes his shot on the robed man as he rides forward. It scores a hit.
Ka’etil also takes a swipe at the villain; also a hit.
Alaric’s shot also goes off.
The robed man has taken points of damage.
The dark outriders have charged forward hard.
They move to attack; they are wearing full plate, and they are heavily armed, though somewhat uniformly.
The kobolds have moved to intercept and are attacking.
On AP17 is Gladius. He attacks the first knight.
Damage if hit
Ryul is next to him, he attacks the same villain
Damage if hit
Tiam takes a shot with a spear on the villain on AQ21
IF he hits
Adjt and Sylvath on are on the opposite side of the enemies.
Sylvath attacks the villain on AO35
If he hits
Adjt is casting something…
The villain takes a swipe at Ryul who is at AQ20
IF he hits
The next villain takes a hit at Tiam at AR22
IF he hits
The final villain takes a swing at Sylvath at AM35
IF he hits
All other villains have only managed to charge forward the 200 feet.
Recap in a moment…
Sum-up and Beginning of Round 2
Gladius and Ryul have both scored hits on the enemy at AO20 and have done a total of 12 points of damage so far. Tiam has dropped his weapon. None of the villains have hit so far.
Brett is at AS23 and is currently dropping his musket and picking up a pistol as a free action. He will lift it and attack the robed figure in front of him on his round. The robed man is at AQ26.
Brett shall fire, he is still at partial cover.
– for Point Blank Shot with pistol and bonuses from Sir Bronwyn.
IF he hits
Cursing himself under his breath for his slow reflexes, Sir Bronwyn rears his horse, aiming Valiant's hooves on his enemy.
In the highest point of Valiant's rearing, he shouts over the battle sounds, pointing his sword at the robed man:
You! Servant of the Dark One, corrupter of souls, today your evil will fall before my blade!
Using the horse's downward momentum, Bronwyn stretches his sword arm to further his reach and deliver a whip-like thrust of his blade.
Ry knees Tal in the flanks and spurs him forward 30 ft . She casts and a burning globe of fire appears. Ry targets the two closest Ustalavians in a line to her left at . The flaming sphere rolls toward the first Ustalavian rider hitting him in the head and it rolls, blazing toward the second rider hitting him in the head.
if he does not make reflex save:
if he does not make reflex save:
Dior sees the first Ustalavian rider his mistress targeted with her flaming sphere and flies swiftly in his direction and lets out an almighty scream and launches himself boldly at the rider.