"This won't be where my story ends, though. I've lost good men in the name of staying here, protecting here. I'm not giving up on them this easily."
Farasha muses for a moment, before simply shrugging
Well they are before us and we need to be past them, I see only one course of action given the numbers on both sides preclude stealth as an option
she glances skywards
Desna wants to help, but she's a bit busy to veil our entire army right now, and of course I'm sure she'd want them stomped in to the ground...
she clears her throat in a ladylike manner
...in an elegant and dainty manner of course! she winks.
So, what's the plan?
"You're right, we can't give up on them! And we must go on and find a way to end this conflict swiftly, before it claims anyone else. We've lost too many too it already."
Arlena's words are full of the same determination she showed when they both confronted their demonic captor. But they also bear a hint of sadness behind them.
We report back to the commanders. I think if we can sneak the troops into position, a downhill charge would be perfect.
The scouts come back. riding hard. Pulling straight up to Irabeth and the rest of you, Anevia reports the situation.
"It's time to take the fight back to the Worldwound." Irabeth says. Turning to Kazul, she starts firing questions: "Did you see any scouts or pickets outside their camp? Any demons about? Where there any survivors from the Ford's garrison? "
Once she has her answers, she lays down a simple plan. The army will ride along the road, scouts out in front, until they reach the rise. Then they form up in a line, and begin the charge from the top of the rise. You will follow on after the initial impact. Your job is to enter the buildings around the ford and kill any demons you find, and rescue any survivors.
"Any questions?"
I think that's clear, we should move quickly in case they do have scouts.
Farasha makes sure her quiver is stocked, armor buckled, and nods her readiness to the others.
It's late evening as the army readies itself for combat. There is a tangible sense of urgency and excitement in the air while the crusaders pack their gear and get their mounts combat-ready. Irabeth and Sosiel are everywhere at once, encouraging the men. Within the hour, you move out. Irabeth has sent Anevia and Erin ranging ahead, scouting the road. She rides at the head of the column while she has the six other leaders in the back with the supply train to avoid any rearward ambush. You she places next to her on her left.
Soon the road dips and rises again, the road passing over the rise before dropping down to the river. A short flash, followed by two longer flashes, signals the army that the road is clear. Irabeth draws her sword and raises it on high, signing for Bollwerk to do the same.
"Now, Knights of Kenabres, rise up and fight! Follow Radiance! Follow me! To victory! For Kenabres!"
The charge of the Knights of Kenabres is like a thunderstorm rolling across the plains of Mendev. Righteous vengeance sweeping from the east, accompanied by hundred horns trumpeting their fury.
The cultists react as swiftly as they can, having only moments to get prepared to meet the charge. You can see them on the far side of the ford, rushing about to form lines. From somewhere far ahead a guttural voice can be heard: "Form lines! Form lines you maggots!"
A cloud of arrows arc out from the charging crusaders, the initial salvo in your quest to retake Drezen!
1d20+10
Kazul will follow alongside the charge, adrenaline up to the max, falchion in hand, scouting for buildings where cultists could be massing in front of, perhaps identifying them as places where innocent villagers could be holed up. He uses his keen senses to try and spot areas such as this. So he heads to main 4 building up ahead.
Farasha moves to cover Kazul, trying to keep the stealthy ranger in sight as best she can.
Moving towards the 4 buildings she too keeps an eye out.
Riding on the other side radiance at hand Bollwerk trust his companions to keep him informed of any danger, keeping an eye on the army.
Horns? And horses? Can it be the crusaders? Thank the Dreamer...
Arlena watches approvingly as Irra works on their chains.
"That's quite a useful skill! I'm afraid I can't contribute as much to getting us out though, not unless we get our hands on some weapons. Best I could do right now would be to hurl rocks at the nearest cultist. An alchemist's kit would be a welcome and explosive addition, though!" Arlena adds with a grin.
Arlena follows closely behind Irra, keeping an eye out for any danger and picking up a couple of rocks from the ground.
Fabian rides in alongside Farasha, knowing he is neither stealthy nor one who should be in the thick of it. He has an extended Mage Armor going, and he has Muriel safely enclosed in her familiar satchel. He keeps a sharp eye out for anything unexpected that might bother the army, but also knowing that his group's mission is to move into and clear the buildings, he tries not to worry too much about what's going on back there, and trusts them to do their job.
The arrows slam into the ragged tiefling lines, causing a great slaughter.
The tieflings break and run, fleeing the oncoming rush of the crusaders. Soon, the paladins are across the river and among the fleeing cultists, cutting them down.
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You make it across alongside the army, rushing up on the four buildings of the enemy encampment. Tieflings run about in a panic. The screams of the dying, the whinny of horses in battle frenzy, and the shouts of the crusaders, all make for a chaotic scene.
The enemy pays you no mind, more concerned with self-preservation than fighting. Surging out of the water at the river's edge, you are right next to the largest of the buildings, a small storage barn by the looks of it.
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Cutting down tieflings left and right with short economical strokes of radiance Bollwerk guides his horse to the barn and dismounts feeling that the enemy command might be located there.
Arlena stops cold as she sees the scene outside.
Of course... What was I expecting... A great battle between two armies, while we both slipped away? This is no battle. It's a massacre! These are trained knights... How many of these cultists have even SEEN combat? How many of them came here because they found nowhere else to be?
Arlena winces at she sees yet another tiefling woman get cut down.
That could have been Melissa... And who knows, it might as easily been me... Might?! That is me! To them, I'm just another cultist! This rescue might just turn into an execution because of this cursed blood...
"Ir... Irra..." Arlena does her best to hide the fear in her voice as she calls out to her gnomish companion. "Irra... Go on ahead. You should be able to escape easily among this chaos. Me, probably not. Go! Save our men!"
Let's just hope whoever finds me here won't strike down an unarmed opponent...
In between looking, if she spies a lone cultist or a small group fighting with a group of crusaders, she joins the fray with a sonic blast. IIII
Drawing and firing her arrows again and again at the seemingly endless ranks of the enemy, Farasha makes sure to keep her companions in the periphery of her vision even as she picks her targets.
As Bollwerk dismounts, Farasha sees a tiefling coming screaming towards the paladin, swinging one leg over her saddle she nocks another arrow and fires it as she hops down to the floor. In the time it take her to land she has already drawn and fired again, her arrows thunking in to the torso of the cultist and sending him spinning to the floor.
As Bollwerk glances over his shoulder she shrugs
You can't have *all* of them my friend...
her eyes twinkle like the stars above as a smile plays at the corner of her lips.
She swiftly nocks another arrow and follows the chosen of Iomedae in to the building.
"Un...understood." Arlena looks Irra in the eye as she answers. "And... Thank you."
Arlena quickly follows Irra's suggestion to hide inside, behind the door, listening closely for signs of someone approaching.
Fabian mostly ducks out of the way of the massive engagement, saving his arcane energies for taking down whatever commanders may be lurking inside the barn or elsewhere. He ride close behind Bollwerk, and dismounts when Bollwerk does.
Too late, a small squad of crusaders spots Irra and Arlena discussing their plans outside the door of their prison. With a shout, the sergeant of the group raises his sword and points it at them. The men wheel their horses about and begin the charge...
----------------------
Bollwerk, Farasha and Fabian dismount in front of the barn. The doors are barred, but not locked. Thrusting aside the wooden beam, the doors swing open to reveal a dozen men and women, all bound, and in various stages of health. Just as you are about to enter, you hear a shout from nearby. "Two more! Over there!" A small squad of crusaders has spotted two more cultists hiding in the door of a smaller building about 30' from where you stand. They are wheeling their warhorses about, setting up a charge, when you notice something.
One of the 'cultists' is a halfling female, the other a tiefling woman who is cowering by the door frame. As you watch, the tiefling woman nods at the halfling and ducks back in the door. Then the halfling turns about to face the onrushing men.
The ginger-haired gnome turns to face the charge. She comes to immaculate attention, feet stamping into the ground, and raises her hand in a perfect salute. "CRUSADERS- SERGEANT IRRA SARUSEK, ANDORAN MILITARY ON SECONDMENT, ORDERS YOU TO HALT! FRIENDLIES!"
Halting his horse bollwerk waves the halfling forward.
"Little friend, you do no order anything or anyone in this army. But if you are who you claim to be, you are among friends! And what about the other tiefling, trying to hide?" (ooc]detect evil.[/ooc]
As Arlena hears the shout coming from outside, she turns around and freezes in panic as she sees the paladins prepare their charge.
No... no no no no... This is what I feared! My blood has doomed Irra as well... Her words won't convince them! She's now as tainted in their eyes as I am!... NO! I won't let this happen! Desna, please, grant me the strength I need now!
As she hears a paladin shouting back, Arlena's fear gives way to desperate determination, and she rushes out of the building, trying to push Irra out of the incoming charge.
"No! This blood may have doomed me from the day I was born, but I won't let it damn anyone else!"
In the loudest voice her companions have ever heard her use, Farasha shouts an order
Already dismounted, the priestess runs full pelt towards the halfling that Bollwerk was approaching, desperate to get between the paladins and their intended targets.
Bollwerk has yet to be wrong about someone, we must trust him!
She reaches the building, dress skirt flying high around her hips as she wheels in place, arrow nocked and ready to fire at a moment's notice...
Trust is one thing, but even the best of intentions can be betrayed
Where's the rest of your unit Sergeant Sarusek? And who is that other behind you!?
As the tiefling flings herself in front of Irra, Farasha fights with the reflex to bring her bow up.
Selfless... scared... not a cultist...
You had both better explain quickly before the rest of the crusaders get here!
The gnome keeps herself at attention and salute, her voice booming out to the charging crusaders. "Ma'am, this is Arlena Fashaen, comrade. We were both recently captured then chose the worst godsdamn time to escape our bonds, ma'am!" She waves her free hand the desparate Arlena, holding her ground against the tiefling's pushes. "Not all tieflings are enemies, etcetera etcetera, ma'am!" She nods at Bollwerk, "Begging your pardon sir but I will order about anyone I please when trying to avoid becoming blood on hooves, sir!"
Dismounting and moving to the halfling next to Farasha Bollwerk undons his helm. "Not all tieflings are enemies! It is not the blood but your actions that define your true worth. If you are no part of the marauders, you can come out. I promise being a tiefling is no death sentence in this army! Take my shield and use it as a token of my protection. And now.. please excuse me, we have a battle to win." Donning his helm to protect his tiefling features and mounting his horse again, Bollwerk rides to one of the last pockets of resistance and aids his sword to the fight.
Irra blinks and hesitantly comes to rest. She looks enquiringly at Farasha. "...he always like that? Meant more that Arlena here's a tiefling in the middle of a bunch of tiefling cultusts under bloody attack..." She shrugs and finally lets herself breath normally.
Farasha looks between Bollwerk, Irra and Arlena, before the paladin dons his helmet and rides off back in to battle.
The priestess shrugs at Irra's comment and can't help but grin
Yes, he's always like that. Iomedean, what you gonna do eh?
she laughs despite their grim surroundings.
and just so you know, you're probably the first person in my life that's called me 'ma'am', I'm not an officer, I work for a living!
she winks at the gnome as she shares the well worn army joke.
Now then 'Arlena' is it? You've got a massive Iomedean shield to take care of for our paladin, he's called Bollwerk by the way. If you can't use it then at least strap it to your back so I can keep track of you.
The group of paladins finally arrive on horse looking confused and suspicious
Go that way where Bollwerk just charged and support him! shouts Farasha encouragingly we're fine here!
She glances over the gnome and the tiefling
It'll be nice to have some female company for a change! she smiles warmly
Now, I've a couple of daggers I can loan you, unless you know where your kit is being held and can lead us there? I think you should probably stay with me for now, save having to explain yourselves to every paladin we meet...
She continues to scan the area for threats as she carries on the conversation.
"Need my kit to do anything, no idea where it is. I'll keep myself with ya, let out a few blasts when I need to." Spotting a few cultists, Irra takes a breath then lets out a low-pitched scream. IIIIII
The crusaders pull up just short of your group, looking confused, but are professional enough to listen to Bollwerk and Farasha. They ride off after the paladin, spurring hard to catch up.
It doesn't take long to complete the rout of the tiefling cultists. Irabeth oversees the final mopping up with a part of the army, while the rest begin to set up camp at the ford. The rest of the prisoners are set free and tended to, and a quick search of the other buildings turns up the missing gear. The supply train is next to arrive, with the rest of the officers.
Irabeth joins you as the supply train arrives.
"Well, looks like that's it." She says, swinging off of her horse into the dust around where you stand. "No survivors, no prisoners. Strange though, no officers that I found."
She takes a quick survey of the camp activities. "We'll get this set up and post guards. We need to decide what to do in the morning about guarding the ford. I've sent messengers back to Kenabres to report our victory here."
With an exclamation of relief, Irra finds her gear and dons her Andoran uniform. "Good to be back in my kit" she says, also pulling on an ornamental belt and headband.
After the fuss is over, she makes her way towards Arlena, clasping her shoulder. "Seems we keep our heads for another day, eh? How'dya want to celebrate, get a drink or a new mission?"
After the battle is over, the wounded tended and guards posted, Bollwerk searches for the gnome hiding behind his shield. Or just carrying it. "Excellent, there you are. Please follow me, we are all keen to hear your stories." Putting his shield on his back he guides Irra and Arlena to the other officers eager to learn how a gnome and a tiefling ended up as prisoners.
Arlena smiles meekly at Irra, still a bit shaken from the day's battle. "I... I think I'd prefer to go with the first option for now."
But the gnome's cheerful disposition quickly catches up to her, and Arlena can't help letting out a small chuckle as she whispers to Irra, after Bollwerk's request: "Looks like the second option reached us first though."
As they approach the officers however, Arlena quickly regains her composure, and steps forward to address the group:
"Greetings. As some of you already know, I am Arlena Fashaen, and this is Sergeant Major Irra Sarusek. We were sent by Lady Tirablade to join the forces holding the ford."
"But we were overwhelmed by the enemy's surprise attack... Everyone fought back valiantly, but we couldn't hold out against them... The few of us who survived were captured."
Signs of sadness and despair can be seen on Arlena's face as she goes on with their tale.
"It... It didn't end there however... Twice did the enemy commander come to pick some of us up to send off to some terrible fate... We... We tried to fight back the second time... but we were powerless against her... The next thing I remember is waking up in our cell, where you found us as we were trying to make our escape."
Irra comes to attention. "Can't report more than Arlena. Attacked, caught, escaped; grateful, now."
"Maybe you could tell me more about the enemy commander. You said her, so she is female. But more? A demon, Tiefling, half-elf?"
Arlena turns to Bollwerk as she answers:
"She was a demon. A brimorak to be exact. Called... Umestil, I belive."
After a short pause as she recalls their confrontation, Arlena adds: "And she seemed to be working with someone else... Someone called Staunton, if I recall correctly."
As she recalls the last of the demons's taunts, Arlena's face darkens. "And they were expecting you. They knew you were coming."