[dice=Initiative]1d20+13
"Watch out for their defenses! See there, on the walls, some manner of defensive siege weapons, and those carvings might spit fire or other disagreeable substances!" Kethe then proceeds to share her recollections with both groups via mind link, relating the characteristics of morlocks and the likely geological structure of the mines.
As she does this, she reaches out with her senses in the air of the caldera. The volcano was likely dead or dormant, but that didn't meant it didn't remember. She visualises the powerful eruptions, the liquid rock fountaining from the summit, clouds of ash and smoke billowing out into the sky. Energy crackling as the debris clashes with incredible force, flashes of lightning arcing inside the plume. It is that energy that she reaches for, condensing it into a ball and sending it hurtling towards the morlocks, where it explodes into blinding brilliance.
** spoiler omitted **
Initiative
As Johnny lands, he smirks as he moves next to one of the Morlocks and "You guys are in troouubbllee!" before cracking his knuckles.
The sinister ceremony proceeds with a ponderous but steady pace.
Still, the heavy, sonorous reverberations of the drums resounds in the nighttime breezes.
Two of the larger 'chimeras' drag the bound man forward, viciously pulling on the spiked chain wrapped around his torso, pinning his arms like coils of a metallic cephalopod.
The red-robed creature gradually raises a large platform, several dozen feet in length, from the depths of the volcanic pipe which comprises the mine (. Without a doubt, its appearance is truly otherworldly, a curious admixture of an unidentifiable, yet clearly artificial alloy modeled into a semi-organic shape, something like a spine-laden insect. The strange device gradually rises to an almost even level in the chasm between the fortress before which the ceremonial procession is gathered, and the far side of the caldera where the fire drake waits hungrily at the jagged cavern mouth of its den.
Two of the white-skinned creatures are seemingly attendants of the red-robed entity, based on their similarly-cut black mantles as well as close physical association with the central figure, standing on each side of the blood-hued cloak which swathes the operator of the lift controls. Their next actions also confirm a quasi-clerical role in the proceedings. They lift a wheel firmly over the head of the captive, enmeshing his neck in the center of the spokes, despite his futile struggles. Next, the two black robed creatures en-kindle narrow, spine-like candles spaced at even intervals around the outermost lip of the wheel. Finally, they contain the captive's guttural protestations with a thick hood shaped in the image of a fire-drake's mouth, so that the effect is as if the great beast is devouring the head of the victim.
However, as the drum beat reaches a crescendo, the platform which Rokan has slowly levitated around the outer perimeter of the processions' line of sight, then up and over their heads, brutally interrupts the proceedings.
The immense object crashes with a thunderous force, pulverizing the red-robed figure, and its two black robed attendants. The mounted warrior and two of his large guards remain, but stumble back in shock, covered in slick blood.
The entire shelf on which rests the fortress from which the procession emerged shakes with a violent shudder, echoed soon by the abandoned platform, its ascent halted by the sudden death of the red-robed creature, descending calamitously into the depths of the pipe.
The six unaffected members of the procession begin to cast around warily at this shocking course of events...
|
"...I'm gonna need bigger arrow's..." he mutter's fishing into his pack and pulling out a wand.
With the falling of the platform taking out the leader, Kuro plant's his great energy bow into the ground to stabilize his firing arc, a long slender arrow, more resembling a sword, appears in his hands. With practiced ease, Kuro draws the sword arrow back, arm's bulging, and eye's alight with his mythical power.
"I am...the bone of my sword" he mutter's under his breath, repeating his mantra again, eye's focused on the enemy, writing the 'history' of his arrow. He 'write's' a hatred of human like monster's into his bow's very being. finally, he let's his draw string snap back into place, sending his large arrow shooting across the gorge, a spear of blue light. About halfway through the arrow's flight, it split's into 6 separate arrow's all poised to spear they enemy down.
Rokan gasps after releasing his concentration on the platform. He's not sure if the crushed enemies were the most important ones, and he can see that some remain and will soon wise up to their location.
He places two fingers on his forehead and focuses on the creation of energy. He gathers it until five bolts fly out towards the remaining foes.
Well, if they didn't know where we were attack from before...
Shocked by the archer's deadly volley, Malkaer stood next to him with his blade drawn. He figured that if the enemy were going to attack anyone, it would be this demi-god of death. He would stand before any who came.
With the greatest threat neutralized quite permanently, Pak releases another set of Magic Missiles, these not enhanced by his new ring at the same Gorelock his magic already struck.
Magic Missile
Ja'far stood steadfast with his bronze scimitar as it glistened under the sun. He scanned the battlefield looking if any of the archer's foes were even living, suffice to say Ja'far was impressed and glad Kuro was on their side.
Canaan waits behind her cover to strike at her targets if they pass by her hiding spot to reach the others that accompanies her.
The plummeting doom occasioned by the great lift platform slightly disperses the remaining creatures gathered on the lip of the plateau overlooking the great chasm of the extinct volcano's caldera. They are all pushed back as if by some great hand, and now attempt to regroup, two of the larger specimens and four of the smaller ones, against the fortification in front of which they are gathered for their sinister ceremonies.
The details of this protective backdrop now come more fully into view, and consists a monumental fortress wall and four large guard towers. The curtain wall, its summit shielded by dense crenelations, appears to be made of some variety of granite, its surface sheer and eerily illuminated by the flickering torchlight of the procession.
The four watchtowers now appear to erupt in new life, their quaternary peaks spewing immense flames like a spitting wyrm. These new blossoms of fire illuminate immense canon-like siege engines, all of which are slowly grinding into position, two to the left, and two to the right, in order to assail the fortresses' new adversaries.
The ruined bodes of the robed creature, as well as his mounted associate and its beast of burden, are also now made subject to yet another transformation beyond their deaths.
Three hideous entities, appearing as disembodied brains suspended over the earth by a set of four bestial paws, claw their way violently into the mouths of the fallen white-skinned ritualists.
Suddenly, a telepathic communication erupts into the telepathic continuum created by the Tyrian druid Misra.
"The serpent-spiders have sent their slave against us brethren. They have failed to seize the Aerie from below, and now they attempt a surface siege."
The voice then seems to address House Vordon's representatives,
"Know, slaves of the serpent-spiders, that the power of the Master of the Aerie shall annihilate those who possess the gall to disrupt the sacred worship of Ymeri the Queen of the Fires."
”Are those siege weapons? We need to get off of this death trap, now.” Suddenly his sword felt very insubstantial. He readied himself for the worst...
”Are those siege weapons? We need to get off of this death trap, now.” Suddenly his sword felt very insubstantial. He readied himself for the worst...
As Pak is about to blister the foes below once more, the defenses heretofore unseen begin to move against the intruders, in this case meaning the Thri-Kreen and his allies!
Expending his innate powers he casts a spell allowing him to float through the air in case their position is overrun by large ballistic weapons. He then takes a defensive action to ensure that these new weapons cause him much less harm.
His attacks will have to commence once more after his own safety is, while not ensured, at the least bolstered, "The defenders see us as pawns of another faction, regardless, this foul ritual must be stopped!"
"We need to get down there! Our melee combatants are useless on this ledge! I will obscure our passage as much as I can." Kethe calls out as she prepares to cast a spell. The precipitous escalation of events doesn't give her much time to think about it, but she has definitely registered the use of arcane spells around her! If they survive this encounter, she fully intends to confront the users afterwards.
For now, they were stationary targets and those siege weapons looked formidable and deadly. Focusing, the druid locates what scant moisture exists in the air, multiplying it and concentrating it in an area between their group and the fortress in order to provide them some cover against attacks from below.
|
|
Kuro stares down at the scattered and confused monsters below him and feels a sense of pity for them. He then smothers the feeling under layers of cold calculations in his head. There are a number of enemies still alive, one's his original volly did not slay....
He once again grasps at his power, a sense of 'Pure Steel' deep in his soul. For a moment he just appreciates it, noting how it's slightly dulled from his prior use of power. Letting it run through his veins, he gains a battle clarity beyond a human of his own skill level. Time slows, and he feels his 'Steel' enter his mind and forcing it calm.
He doesn't even blink when litteral walking brains crawl up and begin assimilating themselves into 3 of the dead morlocks, he only takes aim when they expose themselves.
The sudden bombardment of their mysterious allies on the western side almost breaks Kuro's hold on his 'Steel', which he grasps onto more tightly then ever before. The shift in concentration forcing his arrow off course by a wide margin. He tsks to himself, before shifting his attention from the body snatchers to the 4 towers all unleashing hell from afar.
His mind whirls with different possibilities, and his eye's narrow from the destruction caused. Making up his mind, Kuro turns his bow on the groups of bombards. Surely if he slays at least one from each group, they're rate of fire will be lessened if not stopped completely.
He once again aims, long spear-like blade taking the place of his arrow. Then he fire's it again, the arrow bursting it more, 5 different arrows seeking to stop those bombards from firing again.
"If you can't fight at range, find a way down there or into that castle! Those things can't be allowed to fire for much longer!"
** spoiler omitted **
As Pak is about to blister the foes below once more, the defenses heretofore unseen begin to move against the intruders, in this case meaning the Thri-Kreen and his allies!
Expending his innate powers he casts a spell allowing him to float through the air in case their position is overrun by large ballistic weapons. He then takes a defensive action to ensure that these new weapons cause him much less harm.
His attacks will have to commence once more after his own safety is, while not ensured, at the least bolstered, "The defenders see us as pawns of another faction, regardless, this foul ritual must be stopped!"
** spoiler omitted **
Kuro stares down at the scattered and confused monsters below him and feels a sense of pity for them. He then smothers the feeling under layers of cold calculations in his head. There are a number of enemies still alive, one's his original volly did not slay....
He once again grasps at his power, a sense of 'Pure Steel' deep in his soul. For a moment he just appreciates it, noting how it's slightly dulled from his prior use of power. Letting it run through his veins, he gains a battle clarity beyond a human of his own skill level. Time slows, and he feels his 'Steel' enter his mind and...
** spoiler omitted **
As Pak is about to blister the foes below once more, the defenses heretofore unseen begin to move against the intruders, in this case meaning the Thri-Kreen and his allies!
Expending his innate powers he casts a spell allowing him to float through the air in case their position is overrun by large ballistic weapons. He then takes a defensive action to ensure that these new weapons cause him much less harm.
His attacks will have to commence once more after his own safety is, while not ensured, at the least bolstered, "The defenders see us as pawns of another faction, regardless, this foul ritual must be stopped!"
The ostensibly sturdy granite bastion on which the easternmost of the immense bombards operated by the cliff forts' defenders is sheathed in a veritable hail of arrows by the impressive arrow craft of Kuro. Under the devastating tumult of his assault, the tower's commander, a large, semi-reptilian variation of the white-skinned creatures, tumbles over, dead, into the abyss below, while several of its comrades fall in a less dramatic fashion beside the great, cannon-like weapon.
However, the bombards make a dual landing on the western cliff face in the wake of Kethe's spell erupting into vision, casting the opposite approach of the caldera into a misty haze.
Both Slavathras the bard, as well as the enigmatic mul Hussayn have seemingly disappeared in the course of the melee.
The pair of Tyrian druids are currently ascending the narrow steps behind the platform control panel, seeking, for whatever might be their inscrutable reasons, the heights of the mine caldera's surrounding wall.
"Ayeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The mojh shrieks in a decidedly valorous tenor upon its first experience of the 'chimera's' assault.
His armored brows furrow somewhat as he lifts his hands in an elusive gesture of magical import.
The winds rush in a deafening roar as an elder power of the heart of all air enters the skies of Athas...
Malkaer, Canaan, come follow us up these steps, I think I see something on the heights, perhaps another means of crossing the caldera to the fortress.
Yes, your description matches what I saw. There is a panel that allow us operate the platform to ferry us across the caldera. Anyone knowledgeable in engineering and those without the ability to strike at range should come along with us while the others keep our foes at bay.
Cutting off her thoughts from the bond, Canaan hurries after the druids and the bard.
Yes, your description matches what I saw. There is a panel that allow us operate the platform to ferry us across the caldera. Anyone knowledgeable in engineering and those without the ability to strike at range should come along with us while the others keep our foes at bay.
Cutting off her thoughts from the bond, Canaan hurries after the druids and the bard.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **...
No, it's more than that -- look, there are a set of narrow, partially concealed steps leading upward behind the platform control station -- I think there's another 'fail safe,' some sort of non-psionic mechanism for crossing over to the fortress from above, some kind of rope-suspended chariots. We might be able to use them to get behind our enemies while their attention is focused elsewhere.
As his allies begin to break away, Pak follows the Druids. Why fight from a position where the defenders can attack him?
1. Free Action - None.
2. Fast Casting - None.
3. First Step - N/A
4. Standard Manifesting - Precognition.
5. First Attack - None, too far for Melee.
6. First Half Movement - N/A
7. Second Attack - N/A
8. Second Half Movement - Follow the Druids up!
9. Remaining Attack(s) - N/A.
10. Final Spellcasting - N/A.
11. Final Actions - N/A
The narrow ascent, skillfully concealed from the eyes of casual inspection by the undulating geodesic strata of the extinct volcanic basin which houses the remnants of ancient Kalidnay's diamond mines, winds in an erratic path upward some two or three stories above the cliff entrance which faces the caldera. It cuts back and forth at vicious angles, seeming more like the path of a prancing mountain goat than any path intended for bipedal locomotion up the steep magma-formed escarpment. The cut backs only become more extreme as the narrow route achieves its ultimate termination in a small perch on the heights of the caldera walls, overlooking, with the dizzying perspective of a predatory bird, the depression of the mine's main shaft.
On this small rocky embankment perched, like a fortified crows' nest, atop the highest portion's of the dead fire-mount's surround rock walls, a curious contraption occupies the majority of the available space, positioned in the center of a complex, circular arrangement of hieroglyphics similar to those which illustrates the use of the gargantuan platforms on the control station below (image). The contraption resembles a horse-drawn chariot, made completely of some unknown alloy
(image).
Might this strange device offer some other means of traversing the perilous divide between House Vordon's emissaries and the fearsome ritual delegation now defending itself in the cliff-face redoubt set below and across this hitherto unnoticed vantage point?
Kethe follows Pak'cha, Misra, and Dalman as they climb the switchback path to an unknown destination. Seeing what the bombards were capable of, she is loathe to remain in one spot for long, even with the cover of the fog cloud. Her steps are hastened by her magic, allowing her to easily catch up with the others.
2. Fast Casting - None
3. First Step - N/A
4. Standard Spellcasting - Cast Longstrider
5. First Attack - N/A
6. First Half Movement - N/A
7. Second Attack - None
8. Second Half Movement - Follow the others to the chariot
9. Remaining Attack(s) - N/A
10. Final Spellcasting - N/A
11. Final Actions - Knowledge checks
Up top, she examines the hieroglyphics and the chariot, trying to make sense of them.
Misra, should I ready another platform as a backup or do you wish for my aid above?