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Aldus sits on a log, eyes darting from person to person as they start speaking. His hands tend to the small pouch on his lap as he folds one of his magical scrolls into a paper crane before placing it in a cup and lighting it on fire. He continues adding things to the cup, some wine from his wineskin, herbs from his pouch, a bit of the spider leg split down the middle. A faint aroma wafts up onto the breeze carrying the odd sent of pumpkin and cotton candy. Smelling the brew, absently nodding, he tilts Bird's head back before pouring it down his gullet.
Baster, on his way to meet Leylyn, happens to see the strange ceremonies of Aldus.
He stands at a short distance, seemingly captivated, while Aldus does what he does.
When the bug-eyed man "feeds" his bird, Baster almost speaks to him, but then thinks better of it.
I don't really want to know what's going on here. I'm just glad the crazy cackling man is on our side... I think.
The nobleman resumes his walk and soon comes across Leylyn.
"My dear Leylyn !" he salutes her by bowing slightly, obviously pleased to see her.
"How about we have our first flute lesson ? I have packed my belongings and I can help you pack yours, if need be."
Baster his a noble from Nivmadas who was recently pardoned by queen Gwenehart. He had been apprehended after trying to carve a fief for himself in the kingdom's marches, with a number of destitute knights and some men-at-arms rallied under his banner.
Baster has had a recent fallout from his family: the Thorns from Castle Thorn, preeminent nobles of Nivmadas.
Castle Thorn lies along the Southern Sea Road, at a three days travel from William's Rest to the sea.
This old white-walled castle sits on the sunny side of the Vale of the Deer, a narrow vale invaded from olden times by brambles and bushes and the occasional oak wood.
The castle's name comes from the numerous wild rosewoods which prosper in the vale around it, even daring to climb its ancient ramparts.
The legend goes that the blood-red flowers grow in remembrance of the tale of Thorn, a huntsman of great renown who lost his love in the vale.
Thorn the first had boasted to his lord, the king of Nivmadas, that he would bring him back the snow-white pelt of the Deer Fair, a fey creature of unsurpassing beauty sometimes sighted (and venerated) by the peasants and foresters living in the Vale of Thistles (as the place was named at the times).
Upon coming in the vale, Thorn had met a fair maiden and they had both fallen in love. She tried to convince him to renounce his hunt, arguing that the Deer Fair was the protector of the Vale of Thistles, but he was not one to be reasoned with as he had given his word to his king.
So he hunted for the Deer Fair, and one day he caught up to it, while the marvelous creature was grazing verdant grass near a copse. Thorn unleashed an arrow which felled the beast. Alas, when he came to reclaim his price, he found that the deer, a doe in truth, had transformed back into a woman, the maiden he loved. As she laid bleeding, her blood seeped into the ground.
Broken with sorrow, Thorn returned to his king empty-handed. He told his story and asked to be punished for his crime. But the king of Nivmadas, a wise man, instead granted him sovereignty over the Vale, so that he could protect and care for its inhabitants in stead of the Deer Fair.
When Thorn the first returned to the Vale of Deer, he found numerous blood-red rosebushes had grown around the grave of his love.
He picked one of the flowers to admire it and breathe in its scent, but his flowing tears prevented him from doing either and he said:
"From these roses I claimed only the thorns."
After that last idiot threw Tim's longspear down the ravine, he's been looking for a new weapon and now several are right in front of him though a ranged weapon would be good or reach, hmmm. He grabs a finely crafted full steel longspear with ivy design with flowers that have inset semi-precious stones, and a gold and silver endcap with the makers mark not yet etched. Was this taken before it was finished?
Later Tim finds Leylyn, "How did you stumble onto the spiders? Beautiful they were, if a bit dangerous. Don't you think?"
Leylyn had just finished a game of cards with a group of soldiers when Baster finds him.
"Sure Bastey. Lets do this!"
They find a good spot somewhat secluded and Leylyn starts to teach Baster the basics. Once Baster seems to have a good understanding, she hands her flute over and starts to endure the pain of teaching a novice flute player. She conjures a flute to play to assist him in his learning.
When Tim comes around, (It isn't hard to find her if he follows his ears) She says, "Hey Tim, How do you think Baster is doing? Not to terrible for a first time huh?" She lies.
"I just followed the group, I'm not sure who stumbled upon them... In fact I think they more stumbled upon us once they got close."
Leylyn raises an eyebrow. "Beautiful? More like creepy. They're alright I guess. You diffidently get a different feel about spiders after meeting one as big as you!"
Baster finishes with his first bout of playing the flute. He looks a little bit out of wind.
"Hey, hello Tim ! I'm good, hu ?" he says, more cheerful than anyone has ever seen be him among the Seekers.
"I was made for this, I feel it !"
"Hmm, it is much more difficult than it appears when you play it, Leylyn..."
"The spiders were interesting foes, with their web and their swarming. Beautiful ? I don't know. Creepy ? A little bit. I would have enjoyed slaughtering the lot of them, but it would have hurt some sensibilities among the group, I could tell."
Baster takes a bottle in a pack he was carrying about.
"I have a little bit left to drink. That's that red Tokeray bottle from your people's vineyards, Tim. Would you care to sip it in our good company here ?" the nobleman says, in the brightest of mood.
I wonder if Tim has bedded Leylyn...? She was ready to do it with him since the first night they met, in the Legion's Mortar inn, after all. Hmm, those lustrous lips of hers, those pale and firm hands on the flute...
Baster seems to shake himself. He pours the red Tokeray in three cups, offers one each to Tim and the bard woman, and swallows the third one. He then speaks to Leylyn.
"Listen, I have in mind to play this epic saga which depicts the victory of the Good Tree Giants of the West against the Vile Snow Giants of the North - a tale originating from your part of the country, I think, Tim Deamon. When do you think I will be ready to tackle this, milad... hu, I mean... Leylyn ?"
Blast it, Baster ! Get a grip ! That must be that hot red wine...
Not seeing anyone in the tent Ithriel decides to head back to his camping spot. I'll check in the morning.
After getting back to his bedroll, Ithriel enters into his Sleep Meditation. While in this state, he dreams.
Walking down a dark corridor, he comes across a young warrior that lays dying on the floor. "Do not worry young one, I'll stop the bleeding. Tampagar." The young warrior stabilizes. That's when he hears it. "Eleguina." Ithriel then sees a the auras of several undead approaching. He readies to channel Eveldine's blessing. They close in. When Ithriel can see them at the edge of his sight, he raises his staff vertically with both hands and shouts, "Nawanwa," and strikes one end of the staff on the ground. Holy Light bursts out and engulfs the abominations, to no effect. The young warrior then turns to Ithriel and says, "You cannot win without proper training." The undead are upon Ithriel..... Then an image of a lion appears before him.
Ithriel awakens from his dream as the sun begins to rise. Feeling a little more powerful than the day before, Ithriel gets up dons his armor and sets out to find Leon. He has a brief encounter with Captain Pelemynn, who congratulates him for helping with the spiders, hands him a pouch of gold, and informs him to pick up a well crafted weapon from the Quartermaster. He stops and picks up a beautifully crafted quarterstaff.
Upon finding Leon, he asks, "Leon, can I inquire something of you?"
After his brief discussion with Baster, Endrian begins to make his way back to his tent.
On his way, he is intercepted by an officer who informs him that he is to report to the Quartermaster to receive a new weapon.
Following his instructions, he heads to the Quartermaster who hands him a bag of coin and points him towards some weapon racks, telling him to make a selection from the weapons on display.
Endrian spends some time looking through the weapon racks before stopping at a particularly fine Warhammer. He picks up the weapon and feels the weight to be very comfortable in his hands.
This Warhammer is magnificent... The craftmanship is exquisite. It deserves a name... Sera.
He then continues on, back to his tent where he gets ready to sleep.
He takes off his clerics vestments, so he is only wearing his breeches, and kneels over his bedroll, praying to Saint Eveldine, "Please Saint Eveldine, be with me as I continue on this quest. Help me to follow your guiding light."
"I am unsure of my calling, I don't know if this is truly what I am meant for, stopping petty theives and fighting off spiders," as he expresses his doubts, a tear wells up in the corner of his eye "I... I also don't understand why you have sent Leylyn... Is it a test? Am I to prove my virtue?" He then sighs.
He places his hand on his back, rubbing his birthmark "It's just all so strange, to go from being a Paladin taking on evil to a common foot soldier... Surely I am just impatient. Help me Saint Eveldine, give me the grace of patience, help me realise there is more to this than what I can see..."
He then blesses himself with the sign of Saint Eveldine, dons his vestments and goes out to the campfire, waiting for dinner.
The sun sets upon the camp as the rain finally comes to a halt. Mists steams up from the forest and fields around the hastily fortified encampment. The chattering of spiders continues but never seems to approach. The men and women of the campsite slowly drift of to sleep, preparing themselves for a long day of march.
Yet, this peace comes to and end prematurely. Just before the sun would normally rise, shouts echo out from the mists, followed by the sound of arrows and swords clashing.
Waking from where you had stayed to rest, you see the campsite in chaos. Horses run free while flaming arrows pierce through the mists. Cloaked figures launch themselves from the mists and attack barely awakened soldiers.
All in all, the following situations are the following: Horses from the camp are running wild, multiple fires have started throughout the campsite, cloaked assailants attack soldiers, snipers shoot from cover beyond the mists, and the roar of some creature sounds from above, hidden by the mists.
Startled awake from the shouts, Ithriel dons his armor, grabs his new staff and goes searching for the other seekers. He keeps his staff in a defensive position while he moves.
"Wha... what's going on?" Endrian begins as he wakes.
Then a horses frantic neighing brings reality crashing down upon him.
Somethings happening he thinks to himself.
He hastily dons his armor, strapping his bow and arrows across his back while grabbing Sera.
He emerges from the tent to a scene of chaos I must remind myself never to complain about facing petty thieves and spiders again he thinks to himself as he weighs up the situation.
Thinking time ends suddenly as an arrow flies past striking down a fellow Seeker. Where did that even come from?
He quickly drops down on one knee and starts looking for any of the Seekers he knows Baster, Tim, Leylyn, Leon, Ithriel, Jevon, Burrin or even the shamanistic fellow... Where are they?
Aldus blinks and looks to the action with a passive face. Glancing at Endiran he snaps his fingers and suddenly Endiran's vision sharpens to unbelievable clarity. He stands up, shaking his head vigorously, letting the berries and leaves that he placed in his hair before he slept shake loose before silently cackling.
Endiran (Fortune) - 2 rounds
Description
Cackle (Su): A witch can cackle madly as a move action. Any creature that is within 30 feet that is under the effects of an agony hex, charm hex, evil eye hex, fortune hex, or misfortune hex caused by the witch has the duration of that hex extended by 1 round.
Fortune (Su): The witch can grant a creature within 30 feet a bit of good luck for 1 round. The target can call upon this good luck once per round, allowing him to reroll any ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, taking the better result. He must decide to use this ability before the first roll is made. Once a creature has benefited from the fortune hex, it cannot benefit from it again for 24 hours.
Seeing the shaman, Endrian calls out "You there, get down! There's snipers taking people down, arrows have this horrible tendency of causing blood loss when they hit you!"
He makes his way over to Aldus saying, "This is probably not the greatest time to formally introduce myself, but I am Endrian, we fought together against the spiders. I do believe you healed me during that particular foray. Have you seen the others?"
Jevon springs to his feet at the sounds of battle. He picks up Big Bertha and straps his axe onto his back. "Oi, Koldie! Up an attem ol' chap." He steps outside the tent and takes in the chaotic scene around them. Me and Koldir are probably best suited out in those mists. "C'mon mate! We got snipers out in those mists. Lets string 'em up. We can find the others on our way. Jevon readies his musket and trots off in the direction of the arrows coming out of the mist. If he sees any of the others in the group on his way he will call out to them.
Tim gathers some archers into the dirigible and cuts them lose to rain arrows from above, telling them that green lights are friendly and blue lights are bad guys and red lights are priority targets. Tim plans on using dancing lights to mark targets through the mist and lets any casters he comes across in on it as well.
After that he casts dancing lights and shield, and starts marking enemies. He can only mark up to four and only of they are close together otherwise might have to settle for one at a time.
Tim starts wading through and directing the troops to gather at the left side of camp, drawing fire to give troops an opening if needed and remaining defensive.
He makes his way over to Aldus saying, "This is probably not the greatest time to formally introduce myself, but I am Endrian, we fought together against the spiders. I do believe you healed me during that particular foray.
Aldus nods quickly, eyes searching the darkness for assailants.
Have you seen the others?"
Aldus shakes his head no.
Leon fumbles in the darkness, shaking off the confusion of sleep, looking for assailants. He jerks his shield up tries to take cover while getting his barings.
The camp was in chaos.
No order. Scattered. We need a center.
Acting on impulse, he upended his pack and yanked free the ancient banner. The white cloth glowed in the firelight as he whipped it back and forth standing high on the center wagon.
"Rally! To me! Form a perimiter! Shields high! Archers behind! Move! Move!"
Seeing Leon's as a rally point, Endrian says to Aldus "Quick, move with me to the banner. Stay low"
Endrian then leads the way to the banner, crouching along the way.
Baster snaps awake instantly.
Chaos assails him as he jumps up naked from his couch, crouches in the darkness and tries to make sense of what is happening outside the tent and all around the encampment.
Through the canvas he sees lines of orange light wheezing through the air, Fire arrows !, and hears the clash of steel and the gurgling screams of soldiers awakened to their death, They're in the camp, past the sentinels ! We've been ambushed ! and the chilling roar of some creature of slaughter: A worthy enemy !
He then hastily equips himself: clothes, scale mail armor and shield on his back, weapons at his side, his hands trembling slightly not from fear but from an eager guts-clenching desire to engage the enemy: I'll bring you death, you treacherous swines !
All the while, the nobleman hears Skein prancing and snarling on the other side of the canvas, eliciting a savage smile from the warrior: She too chomps at the bit for the fight !
Rushing out of the tent bristling with weapons and holding his military saddle - "I'm here Skein, my beauty !" - Baster equips the war-horse with incredible speed, before jumping onto its back.
He snatches his banner and fixes it in the back of the saddle ; a gentle nudge of his gigantic spurs and the war horse starts trotting towards the chaos of battle, the peacock on the banner deploying his multicolored wings in a gesture of defiance.
Suddenly Baster of the Peacock hears the call: "Rally! To me! Form a perimeter! Shields high!"
Leon !
Reacting with an ingrained feel for battle, Baster launches his skein-like grey warhorse ahead, aiming straight for the white banner glinting like some beacon of hope in a night of disaster.
With his shield on his arm and his lance lowered like a boon of death, the Peacock Knight rallies to the Lion's banner.
Hearing Leon's call, Ithriel heads in that direction. Finally he sees the Lion banner and tries to position himself where he can see all of his allies and help where he can.
Seeing Tim lighting up targets and gathering soldiers on the western edge of camp, Jevon jogs up to him and says, "Time ter show us that nobles are worf sumthin'." He helps Tim to finish gathering the nearby soldiers, and lead the group into the mists. "Lets go huntin'" he says gleefully, lifting Big Bertha to couch the musket's butt against his shoulder, searching for a target.
Awakening quickly, Koldir listens intently for a moment, then grabs his crossbow, slinging his shield, pack, and warhammer onto his back, before giving his new suit of armor a wistful glance and running out of Jevon's tent, seeking the darkest area he can. When he hears Leon he makes a point to follow the noble's voice, but to keep his distance, hoping to use the rallying point as a distraction. He whispers a short incantation as he slinks through the mist, unencumbered by his usual armor. He loads his crossbow as he moves.
Startled awake from the shouts, Ithriel dons his armor, grabs his new staff and goes searching for the other seekers. He keeps his staff in a defensive position while he moves.
Sorry about having to interrupt your questioning. Feel free to carry it over on the discussion thread as you would have had the time to. I just wanted to move ahead. I humbly apologize.
Tim gathers some archers into the dirigible and cuts them lose to rain arrows from above, telling them that green lights are friendly and blue lights are bad guys and red lights are priority targets. Tim plans on using dancing lights to mark targets through the mist and lets any casters he comes across in on it as well.
After that he casts dancing lights and shield, and starts marking enemies. He can only mark up to four and only of they are close together otherwise might have to settle for one at a time.
Tim starts wading through and directing the troops to gather at the left side of camp, drawing fire to give troops an opening if needed and remaining defensive.
You manage to mark a group of enemy assailants (not the sniping kind) and the archers promptly put a bunch of arrows in them.
Enemy Assailants Left: 30
Snipers Left: N/A
Leon fumbles in the darkness, shaking off the confusion of sleep, looking for assailants. He jerks his shield up tries to take cover while getting his barings.
The camp was in chaos.
No order. Scattered. We need a center.
Acting on impulse, he upended his pack and yanked free the ancient banner. The white cloth glowed in the firelight as he whipped it back and forth standing high on the center wagon.
"Rally! To me! Form a perimiter! Shields high! Archers behind! Move! Move!"
A group of frantic soldiers and a few archers form into position behind you. Your tactics allow you to cut them some of the assailants with great efficiency.
Your rallying cry also had the effect of calling an arrow to be fired in your general direction.
Enemy Assailants Left: 26
Snipers Left: N/A
Awakening quickly, Koldir listens intently for a moment, then grabs his crossbow, slinging his shield, pack, and warhammer onto his back, before giving his new suit of armor a wistful glance and running out of Jevon's tent, seeking the darkest area he can. When he hears Leon he makes a point to follow the noble's voice, but to keep his distance, hoping to use the rallying point as a distraction. He whispers a short incantation as he slinks through the mist, unencumbered by his usual armor. He loads his crossbow as he moves.
[dice=Stealth (Guidance)]1d20+8
[dice=Perception to see dangers or targets]1d20+10
Leon's Banner: PCs plus 18 soldiers and 6 archers.
Enemy Assailants: 26
Snipers Left: Unknown
As well, you all heard the bestial cry from above.
After the first volley of arrows, Ithriel thinks, We need more of an edge. Raises his hand in the air, "Aman Eveldine Tirlye," a pale orb of white light forms and bursts, engulfing all allies within 50ft.
Jevon whirls in the chaos, losing sight of both Tim and Koldir. He hears the shouting of some of his other companions in the distance. Must. Kill. Snipers. he thinks, gritting his teeth and searching the mist. He stealthily moves in the direction that most of the fire arrows are coming from, searching for their source.
"Thank you Baster!" She says as she happily accepts the drink. She makes merry with Baster and Tim for a while longer. She goes and picks up her new bow and money and then returns to her & Endrian's tent for the night. Seeing Endrian alseep, she slips into his sleeping bag again.
--
When the calamity happens, Leylyn wakes up and assists Endrian with his armor. "What the hell is going on?!"
Once Endrian is ready she dons her studded leather armor and grabs her gear and takes off following him, Immediately braking into song...
"Oh, it is the biggest mix-up that you have ever seen. ~♪
My father, he was Orange and me mother, she was green. ~♬
My father was an Ulster man, proud Protestant was he. ~♪
My mother was a Catholic girl, from county Cork was she. ~♬
They were married in two churches, lived happily enough, ~♪
Until the day that I was born and things got rather tough... ~♬
Leylyn follows Endrian towards Leon's rallying point.
Tim gathers those at the west edge and sweeps around "quietly" the edge of camp to flank those attacking Leons group.
While moving the group around Time scans for the snipers.Tim hears the roar and looks up to see if the dirigible is in danger.
+5 if arcana works.
Having rallied at Leon's side and assessed the situation, Baster launches his war horse in a deadly charge, intent on mowing down the assaillants gathered in front of the wall of shields and breaking their formation
Passing through the ranks of their enemies, Baster and his mount whirl about to charge once again in a bloody swath of destruction.
"This cry from above ! What manner of foul beast is that ?" Baster shouts.
Leon grunts as an arrow slaps into his leg but stands tall the lion banner shining under the light of the elven blessing.
"Shield wall, here! Archers, fire ahead and behind Sir Baster! Spearmen and bowmen are priority! Endarian, we need more cavelry! Take anyone without a shield or a now and head for the horses!!"
Looking over and seeing an arrow in Leon's leg, Ithriel move to remove it and heal.
As some horses gallop wildly through the chaos of the campsite, Endrian looks at Leon, "Those horses?
He then suggests, how about instead of trying to get the horses under control, I take a group of men and try to take out some of those blasted archers?"
He quickly turns to the soldiers without shields or bows, "Move with me, we will get to their snipers and try to neutralise them. Make sure to stay down though. On my mark... GO!"
Endrian takes the small group of men to the origin of the arrows being fired at the rally point.
Looking over and seeing an arrow in Leon's leg, Ithriel move to remove it and heal.
Leon winced as the elf pushed the arrow through, and blinked in wonder as the wound stitched itself closed at his touch.
"Thank you." He said solemnly. Seeing the elf's staff, he asked "Can I borrow that?"
Koldir will, as quickly and quietly as he is able, make his way towards the snipers. When he is within range of as many as possible, he raises his hands and lowers them each palm down, sending out a shockwave of bad energy towards the men around him.
"Toss me your shield." Tosses Leon his staff. "Take good care of her Leon."
Turns his back to Leon, spreads his feet, weight centered on his right foot, right arm bent up at a 90 degree angle towards the rally leader, left arm bent at a 90 degree angle parallel to the ground.
When Tim's group is in position he marks a few backliners and Tim casts shield on some pretty girl with no armor, then enlarges himself.
When finished with that he leads his group to charge the main portion of baddies attacking Leons position. "We are the hammer and Loen is the anvil, crush them!!!!"
As he charges the intruders he screams out directions to his group keeping them focused and he marks some stragglers and such when possible.
Leon quickly secures the flag to the staff, raising it higher and sweeping it broader, then planting it down into the wagon's post hitch.
"Next we start moving, picking up anyone who's wounded or pinned down." he says to Ithriel as he hops to the ground.
Kicking the wheel block free, Leon grabs the wagon's neck yoke, lowers his shoulder and pushes.
Seeing Leon attempting to push the the wagon, Ithriel jumps down to assist until they find wounded.
Your continued efforts at fighting through the enemy have proven to be amazingly effective. Both Ithriel and Leylyn manage to aid the soldier's moral and efficiency, Baster is a veritable killing machine, Jevon and Koldir engage the snipers and slowly but surely the enemy begins taking heavy losses.
Enemy Assailants Left: 8
Snipers Left: 7
Troops Left: 16 soldiers, 4 archers
As well, the sound of battle from the far side of the encampment sounds out. It appears that while your battle rages, Captain Pelemynn's own troops are fighting the enemy off as well on the other side of the camp.
Far ahead, the cry sounds once again, followed by the dirigible coming crashing to the ground. The archers aboard are wounded but alive, but the dirigible itself bears deep gouges in the wood and its canvas is alight with flames.
Leon looked up trying to see what had happened to the flying machine, but could not spare thought to it. Those men were in danger.
"and that's our first stop!" the big farmer growled, digging his feet in deeper and doing his best to move the wagon toward the dirigible.
Endrian continues to make his way towards the snipers with his small band of men, taking out any assailants along the way.
Once the enemies here are taken care of Tim will take some soldiers and head for the other fight. Leaving the S&R to Leon.
"You folks stay here and help, everyone else with me!"
If Koldir has not yet been noticed by the snipers, and if there is a suitable place between them and the main group, he will break cover and dash between the archers and Leon's wagon as fast as his short legs will allow, casting Obscuring Mist when directly between the groups, before attempting to fade back into the darkness/mist.
Bugger this, every shot's costing me 12 gold. Sorry Bertha.
Having found the snipers, Jevon will switch his great axe for the musket, enter into a controlled rage and charge the half-moon of archers, chopping down as many as he can with sweeping two handed swings of his axe. "Raaaaaarrgggh!!!"