"Waitin aint a help ta the cause. We should be on about it, then." Lucrezzia seems ready to fly off right away if need be.
Sapphire whistles low and slow as she surveys the fortified area and surrounding troops.
I'm no siege expert but this looks like a meatgrinder of a battleground, I'd be interested to meet the defenders if the attackers are as malicious as you indicate
She nods at Corrleon.
Grayston looks out at Spurhorn and down at the massive army below. Another sight beyond what he would even expect to see.
"Built underground? Could we find away in that way and skip the risk of falling on any patrols? There's a lot of men down there." He looks out again, attempting to get a better look at the flying creatures.
Corum studies the besieging army in silence for a long time before he says The pickets should be flogged. Their lines are ragged and they are too thinly spread. You could stroll through with a little care. As for the army, it is big but an army is like a snake: cut off its head and the body dies."
He pauses, again studying the army arrayed below them. "Where is their general?"
Geyston rubs his temples his headache getting progressively worse as the day is going on, but hearing Corums plan a large thud appears. "No." He turns to the large man, not the first time he's attempted to stand up to him.
"We are not being stupid, stop trying to turn this into a suicide mission. Can you not see how vast the army is down there, while scattered they would converge on us a second... We go down there and start fighting we will die." He turns to the other. "Help me out here."
flogging teaches a man only one thing....how to turn his back Elleross says as he listens to the warriors wild plan I'm sorry Corum but Greyston is right, to even attempt to infiltrate this army to get to its commanders would be suicide. Plus I do not imagine their are many folk who look like us strolling around.
We would draw attention to ourselves immediately .
Our best hope is to slip between their lines, use the fact they are spread thin to our advantage. If we are careful we may be able to pick our way through
Elleross says as he backs up Greyston, he glances at the young elf and he can see he does not look well, he looks drawn and stressed.
We don't even know who leads the assault. Bescaylie replies. Certianly not Yrax. He is a White Dragon the like of which you have never seen. If it is one of his lieutenants it could be a Triaxian, a drake or even another True Dragon.
I think you are brave, but your friends are correct, to attack that army would be to court death.
Efrixes just grunts his agreement.
She points out across the valley.
There are more ground troops than airbourne. If you can all conjure the winds to fly we might have a chance to pick our way through and make it to Spurhorn. We can update the Commander and he can discuss with you about this two-headed bird. she trails off.
Corum looks at each of the others then shrugs nonchalantly "Just a thought."
Corrleon shares a look with his niece before nodding deferentially to the newcomers, "However ye wish to proceed, I shall help as best I can."
Looking the staunch warrior in the eyes, Sapphire simply says
Another time, when we understand more of what's going on and are sure we're fighting for something, not just fighting for fighting's sake
She claps Corum on the shoulder.
So what's the quickest way we can get inside? Magic? Corrleon, what defences do they have against magical incursion? We don't want to be deposited in a spiked pit, and ideally we need somewhere we can appear without dozens or armed and besieged warriors getting... 'jumpy'...
"I fear those are questions I am unable to answer. It hath been years since my time with the Legion, and even then I was not privy to such knowledge." He turns he gaze down to the siege and offers, "Your friend Corum's observation is quite correct, though. Should thee wish to approach by air or by foot, Yrax's forces maintain woefully inadequate patrols."
"We should fly through their lines, but I don't think my solution will last long enough to get there. So we may have to rest for me to brew more." He looks out trying to work out how long it could take.
Looking the staunch warrior in the eyes, Sapphire simply says
Another time, when we understand more of what's going on and are sure we're fighting for something, not just fighting for fighting's sake
She claps Corum on the shoulder.
So what's the quickest way we can get inside? Magic? Corrleon, what defences do they have against magical incursion? We don't want to be deposited in a spiked pit, and ideally we need somewhere we can appear without dozens or armed and besieged warriors getting... 'jumpy'...
Bescaylie replies to the warrior woman;
I know that ancient wards were put n place. But I know not that they are still effective or what they would do if you tried to enter magically.
"Flyin' or Dimension travel, is there a way to let the defenders know we aint attackin'? A passcode or somethin' ta signal?"
He rubs his temples an action he is getting more used to the pounding in his head picking up, his stomach starts to feel like it's about to turn it's self inside out only to settle down finding nothing to throw up.
But he pushes that all aside and focuses attempting to work out how far he would make it towards Spurhorn turning back to the group he lets out a out a long sigh. "I'll make the decision. We rest here tonight, and in the morning we fly for Spurhorn. I will not make it there with the time I have left on my solution it will burn out of my system by the time we get there."
He slumps on the hard ground, more used to it as a bed now more than he would like there no point in complaining. Unscrews his flask and takes a long sip, the strong alcohol burning his throat on the way down but continues to dull his mind and takes the sting out of the cold and the pain in his back.
Elleross draws out his pipe and lights it with a tinder twig.
Drawing deeply he chews lightly on the pipe as he thinks upon their proposed plan as he gazes out across the valley .
flying is our safest option, but we can improve upon this plan slightly I think.
If we fly in two tight groups I can surround us all with an invisibility sphere. Unless they have scouts with the means to see us we should encounter no problems along the way.
He says as he blows out a steady stream of pale smoke.
we will need to find somewhere safe to camp tonight , Corrleon do you know of anywhere nearby we can set up a camp?
Nodding at Ellri's suggestion, Sapphire smiles
Invisible is a good idea, and day means we can see what we're doing.
Clever.
She'll make ready and is good to go after the group rests.
Elleross draws out his pipe and lights it with a tinder twig.
Drawing deeply he chews lightly on the pipe as he thinks upon their proposed plan as he gazes out across the valley .flying is our safest option, but we can improve upon this plan slightly I think.
If we fly in two tight groups I can surround us all with an invisibility sphere. Unless they have scouts with the means to see us we should encounter no problems along the way.
He says as he blows out a steady stream of pale smoke.we will need to find somewhere safe to camp tonight , Corrleon do you know of anywhere nearby we can set up a camp?
"Mister Magee wants ta let everyone know, he knows a trick so he can carry someone on his back. Anyone here ever want to fly on a' enormous vulture?"
Whichever way it's done I will have to learn greater invisibility x3 to cover the dragon and it's riders
And Replicate invisibility sphere x2 to cover everyone else.
So that's the plan, kind of. Just need to know who's carrying who
Corrleon nods at Elleross' question, "Were thine band smaller in number, it might prove easier, but we shall find a suitable place nonetheless. We do not wish our firelight to be spied by the eyes of Yrax's forces."
The group spends a largely uncomfortable night out on the plateau. The camp is horribly exposed to the elements but at least it is not so cold as the mountains of Artrosa.
The next morning, with the still of the air only interrupted by the sounds and smells of a beseiging army rising from the valley below, the group make their preparations.
Elleros concentrates and casts his spells. By the time he is finished the group is hidden and prepared for flight, supplemented by Lucrezzia's own powers. On the advice of the sagely wizard, those not used to flight are encouraged to try for a few moments on the relative safety of the plateau before they plunge off the cliff and have to face the ordeal for real.
Surprisingly, while changing direction and ascending sharply are difficult, the magic suffusing their bodies makes the act of generally flying from one point to another as easy as swimming in a calm lake.
With that done, it is with some trepidation that Bescaylie leads the group to the edge of the precipace.
We will not be able to see eachother. But make directly for Spurhorn. The Ice Seers will spot you, not even hidden creatures escape their gaze, but I will do the talking.
With that, she kicks Efrixes into action and hurtles out into the cold air. The rest of you follow suit. It is disconcerting for everyone when the ground falls away but for Greyston in particular his stomach feels like it flips over and he has to will himself not to vomit.
The valley floor spreads out before you with Spurhorn rising like a tooth at one end. You see now it is surrounded on all sides and camps can be made out with hundreds of soldiers milling here and there between pickets, supply lines and tents. Groups of Drakes fly slow circles around the perimeter of the siege, clearly in a patrol pattern but while they are numerous, your invisibility fools them and you are able to slip between their flight patterns easily.
However, after a few moments, you hear a roar from behind you. Turning, you see four horrific beasts closing in on you. They resemble a gigantic humanoid bear with the talons of an eagle and curling ram horns sprouting from its head. The streak toward you out of the morning sun, closing all the tie though they fly without wings and can seemingly see through your invisibility!
"Foes! From behind!" Corrleon slips his bow free, twisting around to get a better view of their pursuers. "Terrazen Zerata!" There's a brief clap of distant thunder and a golden bolt of light streaks from the heavens only to then fade from view when it reaches the triaxian.
HP: 84/84
Cold Resist: 10
AC: 20 (18 T / 13 FF)
CMD: 21
F/R/W: +14/+11/+14
Lay on Hands remaining: 10/11
Smite Evil remaining: 3/3
Divine Bond remaining: 1/1
Stormlure remaining: 1/1
Hunter's Cloak minutes remaining: 10/10
Ongoing Effects
Favored Terrain (cold): +4 bonus on initiative, Knowledge (geo), Perception, Stealth, & Survival
Favored Terrain (urban): +2 bonus on initiative, Knowledge (geo), Perception, Stealth, & Survival
Aspect of the Falcon: +3 perception, +1 to hit, crits = 19-20/x3
PoF (1/10): +1 AC, +1 to hit, +1 damage, +1 vs fear
Elleross twists around to look behind him and his heart begins to hammer in his chest.
Looking down at the snow laden ground below he wonders how much the drifts will cusion him when he falls.
we are discovered! We have no choice, we must destroy them quickly! he says As he begins to weave a spell
Potestatum,fulgur arcus! barking out the words of the spell his arms are suddenly wreathed in streams of writhing electricity and as they blaze brighter he draws apart his hands suddenly unleashing the spell.
Behind him the creatures are suddenly enveloped by a writhing stream of pulsating lightning that lances between them.
you cannot fight and carry me. They will need your help.
Set me down or if you need to ...drop me! The snow will cusion my fall
He says
Arcane mark, detect magic,disrupt undead, light
Endure elemements
Grease
Magic missile x3
Blindness/deafness
Create pit
Mirror image x2
Scorching ray x2
Black tentacles
Lightning arc
Teleport
The electricity rips through the bizarre creatures but whilst definitely damaging, was not as devastating as Elleros would have hoped. Worse, the old wizard is now fully visible in the morning air.
Swearing under her breath, Sapphire casts blur and draws her blade ready to fight.
Grayston was only just able to hold it together as they flew, along as he didn't look down and stayed focused on Spurhorn he could keep doing but as they are discovered his head starts to pound and just stomach starts to turn an all too familiar feeling.
Steadying himself in the air he moves to pull out two vials for his satchel and starts to shake them up readying for the creatures to come closer.
---
Grayston was only just able to hold it together as they flew, along as he didn't look down and stayed focused on Spurhorn he could keep doing but as they are discovered his head starts to pound and just stomach starts to turn an all too familiar feeling.
[dice=Fly]1d20+13+2+2-2
Steadying himself in the air he moves to pull out two vials for his satchel and starts to shake them up readying for the creatures to come closer.
[dice=Attack]1d20+11+2+2+1+1-2
[dice=Damage]5d6+9+1+1
---
[dice=Attack]1d20+6+2+2+1+1-2
[dice=Damage]5d6+9+1+1
Lucrezzia turns and sees the swarming things chasing the party. Trying to ward off the things she creates a bad of moving lights. Now flying backwards, she watches the things, hoping her trick slows at least some of them.
Corum, with Elleross tied to him and circled by one of his arms in a powerful grip, turns to face their attackers. He draws his long sword and hurtles into the nearest assailant. He lets his rage erupt and hacks at the thing's body.
Pa Charge
Dam
Lucrezzia turns and sees the swarming things chasing the party. Trying to ward off the things she creates a bad of moving lights. Now flying backwards, she watches the things, hoping her trick slows at least some of them.
Lucrezzia shouts a phrase and a cloud of billowing foul fumes envelopes their pursuers.