"More of them... this invasion is huge. We should keep moving and deal with them if we must. But I believe we still have a mission, do we not?"
Corric nods.
"We need to get to the next warning torch {I think its called)."
"I agree, we do, but I'm not sure I can handle another bout. That last one got me good..." Rokar shows the others his wound, which has stopped bleeding, but left him feeling exhausted. After a moment his collects his chakram and says
"Maybe we can stick to the shadows?"
Aisha looks at Rokar's wounds and nods. "That may be wise. We're a bit... worse for the wear."
"We can't rest too long though. We do have some of those healing potions we got off those assassins," Norasha reminded everyone.
"Fair enough" Rokar says, pulling a vial from his hip and downing the contents. "I'd been hoping to save this for one of the other citizens, but getting the beacons lit is critical. Let's get back out there."
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As Rokar downs the potion, he feels instantly better, his more severe injuries knitting together once more. Ignoring the other raiding orcs, the group elects to continue their mission. As they move towards the beacon, thick plumes of pea green smoke billow into the air here, where three hardy trees that flank the road have been set ablaze with green alchemical fire. The air reeks of sulfur and ashes and the smoke obscures the route ahead.
The smoke obscures vision within the darkened area marked on the map, granting concealment to creatures inside the cloud. The smoke is also laden with alchemical irritants, and all creatures within the cloud take a –5 penalty on sight-based Perception checks. Creatures entering this area without protection must succeed at a Fortitude save each round (DC = 15 + 1 per previous check) or be nauseated for 1 round. A creature nauseated by the smoke for 2 consecutive rounds takes 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. A creature nauseated for 3 or more consecutive rounds takes 1 point of Constitution damage each round from the poisonous reagents mingled with the smoke. Creatures that hold their breath gain a +2 circumstance bonus on their Fortitude saves; covering their mouths with wet cloths or a similar material grants a +1 resistance bonus on the saves.
Rokar looks at the clouds, deathly concerned.
'Was that lit to distract, or to hide something else? What's on the other side, or in it?'
Unable to see through the cloud, he sniffs at the air hesitantly, afraid of what they might find on the other side.
"Do we rush through it then? Can't wait much longer for the beacon, and we don't have time to put it out."
"By the spirits of the ancient dwarven forefathers! Quick! Everyone get some damp cloths, rags, or whatever you got, doesn't matter if it's your freaking nickers or bloomers just make sure it's wet and cover your mouth with it. It'll help with the smoke. Damn! Everyone be careful, stay sharp, and keep your weapons ready to smite some raider heads. This be a perfect place for an ambush. Rokar, you stay back a bit since you've injured. Corric, keep that crossbow of yours loaded. Aisha stay sharp. Rokar see if you can have Milani follow me in. We'll try and draw any enemies out just enough to keep them in but far enough out that the smoke doesn't affect us. I really wish I knew what was causing this smoke to be so irritating. Someone must have doused a boulder or ballista with some alchemical junk. I could be wrong though. Someone could have just set fire to an alchemist's shop or a magic store or something you really don't want to set on fire."
Corric nods, and makes sure he has a bolt ready to go. He also steps off a bit, to become hidden.
"There's not really another way to go, is there?" Aisha says with a sigh. "Well, does anyone have water to dampen rags with? Or do we need to find a nearby well?"
"Use your waterskins," Norasha suggested.
Rokar nods to Norasha.
"Why don't we all just run for it then? I don't like the idea of splitting up-- or spending more time in the cloud than we need to."
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"If I was carrying mine, I wouldn't have asked..."
Rokar sighs, and looks around nervously.
"Good point Aisha. And I really don't like not knowing what's through the cloud. Corric..."
Rokar starts, turning to address him slowly and carefully, while gesturing to Milani.
"I can't believe, I'm saying this but, feel like going for a ride? We could use a better sense of what's happening from above."
As Rokar gestures to Milani, her fur pattern shifts, darkening from white to black, even while she starts glowing subtly. Looking closely, a pattern of twinkling dots is visible throughout her fur, closely resembling the constellations in the sky.
Corric was pulling out his waterskin, his quasi paranoia having left it full when he hears Rokar's suggestion.
He nonchalantly, but in clear view of the others, slides it back in his bag and whistles as he approaches the two cats.
He's smiling broadly and points to Milani, then to him, and nods.
Norasha blushes a bit from Aisha's reply.
"Now I just made myself look stupid in front of such an attractive lass like her. Oh Bolka help me here!"
Regaining some of her composure, the red headed dwarf replies back, "Sorry. I have a bad habit of thinking everyone is prepared like me. So you'll have to forgive me about that. I hope that doesn't me look foolish or bad in your beautiful eyes, Aisha."
She winked at the half-orc before handing her waterskin to Aisha to use.
"Thank you." Aisha takes the waterskin and tears a piece off of her sleeve to cover her mouth with. She wets it down and hands the skin back. "I think I'm ready now..."
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Meanwhile, those on the ground can hear barking and growls from within the smoke, mixed with a loud voice that seems to be controlling the dogs (in orcish). While the dogs can be heard hacking, the voice is loud and clear, with no sign of impediment.
The time is fleeting and Corric's time aloft comes to an end as Milani recognizes that her flight is fading and gently touches down back where they began.
A concerned Rokar asks,
"Well, Corric: What did you see? How's the town faring?"
"RAhhhrrr!" Rokar roars loudly in frustration at Corric's news.
'So much to do and there's so few of us to help!'
"RAhhhrrr!" Milani echoes his frustration.
Making a quick decision, Rokar yells to the others,
"We've got to stop the horde from getting in through the barricades, or nothing will be left in the town to save!"
Corric follows Rokar, trying to sneak and stick to shadows so he remains unnoticed when approaching enemies.
"Agreed. And I'm right behind you Rokar," Norasha says, her axe and shield ready for combat.
"Then let's go..." Aisha follows the group in to the smoke as they race for the gates.
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The quintet enters the choking smoke and feels their eyes and throat burn as the acidic nature of the cloud takes its toll. Barely able to see, they push blindly forward until at last they emerge from the other side. Everyone needs to make a Fortitude save at +3 or be nauseated for one round. This is a save versus poison.
On the other side of the smoke, a horrifying sight greets your eyes. A horde of orcs are smashing the portcullis with a large battering ram and is about to pour through the gates. Only two wooden barricades stand between Trunau and the horde. Two barricades, and one lone human, Omast Frum!
"Well met, my friends," he says soberly. "If only it were under better circumstances. I fear that we are all that stands between the enemy and Trunau, now. Let none question our courage, eh? I've gathered a few items that may be of use in the barrel over there," he points to a wooden barrel nearby that contains a variety of polearms.
From here to the gate, it's a downhill run, so the orcs have to charge uphill (also giving you the high ground, +1 to attack rolls). In addition, there are two great piles of logs, one to each side of the road, and a huge boulder that has been flung into a spot in front blocking the road. Rokar detects the scent of the same alchemical agents that were within the smoke on the boulder.
The barricades are three feet high and five feet wide and provide cover to anyone within 30 feet of them (the attacker can ignore this cover if he is closer to the barricade than his target). They are AC 5, Hardness 5, hp 20 per five-foot square, and Break DC 20. It costs 2 squares of movement to cross a barricade.
The easternmost barricade is equipped with sharp and splintered wooden stakes. A defender can ready an action to impale an incoming attacker on the fence posts as though readying a brace weapon against a charge.
Omast gives you a dire look. "Make ready, my friends."
Aisha hacks painfully as the smoke sears her lungs and eyes. "I... I'm as..." She breaks off coughing again, her head spinning from the smoke.
Corric's small form start to shake as he begins to retch and retch.
Aisha uses the pain in her lungs to fuel her power, letting the burning open her mind to her powers. Her eyes flare crimson red and she bombards the mind of the orc with the largest weapon with conflicting sensations of pain and fury, attempting to overwhelm his senses and send him out of control.
"Guys! We're gonna die!" Corric screams, in fear and excitement. His mind races, wondering if there's anything he can do to turn the battle.
Then he spots the boulder.
"Rokar! Norasha!" he screams and points to the boulder. Then he bounds up to it and shoves his weight aginst it with all his might.
"Do we have anything else here Omast?" Rokar askes, hurriedly.
He looks to the others in turn,
"And any more of those healing potions? I'm still a bit roughed up from before..."
Then, as Corric darts forward, Rokar and Milani follow his lead, moving over to the boulder, and leaning into it a few times, rocking it just up to the edge of the retaining wall and letting it roll back towards them.
'Any minute now...' he thinks.
"As soon as they get through the gate, we let 'em have it! No more of us die today, Corric!"
Milani adds a
"Ah thank the gods you're somber Omast! Now, I say we push that...hey, I wonder if that boulder is like those burning rocks. Omast put a torch in front of the rock's path. Hopefully, it'll set some of those raiders on fire!"
"Push you maggots! Do ye want to live forever!"
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Omast follows instructions, tossing a lit torch in front of the boulder. The group rocks it back and forth until, finally, it begins to move. Once started on its way, the boulder quickly ignites and picks up speed as it rolls downhill. It flattens the barricade before it and rolls over three of the attacking orcs before coming to a stop against the gatehouse at the bottom of the hill. This will not completely block the entrance, but they will have to squeeze through one at a time.
Aisha's spell goes off shortly after, the orc shaking it's head to clear the fog, but otherwise unaffected.
plus fire
plus fire
No
Yes
Yes
"YES!" Corric shouts as he moves to shoot the first orc to pop his head out of the crevice.
"You all need to tell everyone how awesome I am!"
Rokar casts a spell, turning the excitement and energy into positive, healing energy. Then he darts forward, drawing a chakram to his hand and sets a line just inside the gate. Milani follows, and waits for the Orcs to advance.
"Let's set a line! Norasha, can you hold the left?"
Rokar and Milani move forward, leaving a spot for Norasha along the left flank. If she follows, no Orc should be able to move through the entrance without going through them.
"Sure thing! When possible, if more come through, release those logs. We need to make it difficult for more to come at us!"
Norasha readies herself, making sure that no orc will get by her!
Aisha growls and channels her power again, sending a second pyschic energy burst at the nearest orc's mind while she ducks back behind the rest of the group.
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Aisha tries to ensorcell another of the orcs. The dull-witted creature comes to an immediate halt and begins to babble incoherently. The others quickly move into position and ready themselves for the assault. The orcs close in and are swiftly cut down by the waiting companions. The others keep coming, undaunted by the demise of their allies.
Corric will climb up as fast as he can scramble, onto a barricade, trying to get a better line of sight, and also stay clear of any angry enemy's melee attack. He does this stealthily, hoping to get a sneak attack off later.
"Do we have more of a plan? Because there are a lot of them!" She sends random thoughts and flashes toward another orc, trying to stop him in his tracks.
"I'm going to try and catch em unawares" Corric annouces, still trying to heft himself up.
Norasha rushed one of the orcs in front of Rokar and Milani, swinging her axe at the raider, seeing an opening the orc warrior's defenses.