@Belsarious
"Dolo pull back your familiar since his attacks will break the enchantment."
"Can we not parley with this band of persons obviously well organized and comprised of all races all creeds united under a single banner could we not come to some resolution that involves a simple surrender or possibly a bit of time where you tell us of the benefits of following such an awe inspiring and no doubt worthy queen."
"Let us visit for a bit brothers in arms and sister so that I might learn of you and learn of your goals so that I can see the nobility in your ways, it seems some of you were over enthusiastic and chased me from my woodland home, is it not possible that given a chance to talk I would have helped you rather than fleeing from that place."
"I would have audience with you to hear my grievance over your exuberance and possibly my haste in running away when first we met."
@Belsarious:
@Syl and @Min:
@Sir Damian:
Damian and Keythan await the dragon, taking a position a bit back behind the walls, but high enough for the archers to still see him. Once the archers unleash their volley, he will strike using the arrows as cover for his advance. He shouts to the archers, "Spread out! Watch for the dragon's flames!"
"Has it not come to pass that I am perchance in the wrong place at the wrong time on more than one occassion. I beleive that had we a chance to meet under better quieter circumstances that we would have likely broken bread and shared some times exchanging stories of valor, honor and adventurers beyond the imagination of common folk. I see a hearty brigade of soldiers before me, organized and disciplined to a degree well beyond anything this land has seen."
"I tell you that I see your strength, your boldness your belonging, you have found your place among these your compatriots.
@Dolo and @Belsarious: There is a pause. The handful of clerics and paladins who were rushing out to defend the Citadel pull up short when their foe is blanketed suddenly in a towering Sleet Storm, followed by a blast of blinding and coating Glitterdust. "Hang back!" Yell the clerics, "Let their magic take hold! Get into position in front of the spellcasters, be ready to fight, but wait for the most opportune moment!" Even outnumbered as they are, the men of Izmir are a well-oiled fighting force and they know enough to stay out of the way of working magic-users. They begin to reposition themselves out of Belsarious' way, but near enough to jump in if something goes wrong.
The enemy soldiers, all 100 or so of them, have stopped running, stopped trying to shake the dust off their helmets, just...stopped. You see their silhouettes inside the sleet and glitter as they stand still, listening raptly to Belsarious' entreaties, intertwined with magical power that keeps them from continuing their attack.
Syl takes a quick look around the battlefield - it's here she casually caresses Ansrithar's back, and pours energy into his wounds to mend the damage - and begins an assessment. She shouts out towards the silver rider, now unsure of where to go next. There's so many places that need help...
"You! On the Silver Dragon! We need to help multiple areas at once! I recall the griffon-knight claiming another dragon is on its way! You take care of that, I'll head down below to remove a pesky thorn!"
With that, she held on tight, and grasped lance firmly, holding it high after she tends to wounds - and cries out in triumph and courage!
Dolo hears his comrade's warning and looks back to see defenders organizing around the Citadel.
"Let's pull back Glorfindel. There will be plenty of opportunity soon."
Glorfindel retreats to the defensive line to allow Belsarious to cast his enchantment.
Dolo hears his comrade's warning and looks back to see defenders organizing around the Citadel.
"Let's pull back Glorfindel. There will be plenty of opportunity soon."
Glorfindel retreats to the defensive line to allow Belsarious to cast his enchantment.
@Dolo: The enemy is motionless, standing there in ice and dust, listening to the siren song of Belsarious. High above you see the last airborne blue dragon fall at the hands of the white dragonrider, the silver having assisted. Then the silver dragon rockets towards the west wall of the city, while the white begins approaching the courtyard.
The dozen or so paladins and clerics of Izmir are confused, but holding their ground. They know enough not to interrupt Belsarious, but are asking aloud "when do we attack? what do we do here?"
Dolo made the right decision by holding off attacking the main group of soldiers. Belsarious has woven a particularly enchanting spell on the mass of enemy soldiers.
He sees the confusion in the dender's ranks and shouts out a purpose to the group. "Form a defensive perimeter around this entrance and guard the spellcaster! His actions are keeping them at bay!" indicating Belsarious as he does.
"None shall enter or this war is lost!" pointing back to the entrance to the Citadel.
With that, Dolo urges Glorfindel towards the blue dragon hoping that his dragonriding companion moves to assist. Glorfindel uses his newfound speed and agility to launch a series of attacks on the evil wyrm.
With the enemey blue falling from the sky, the pair turn towards Sir Damian watching the brave knight for a brief moment as they steel themselves. As Min refreshed Lin's shield the shouts of the other rider Arandur spoke of reached Min's, as the strange pair flew down towards the courtyard, Lin gave a great huff in their direction.
Min quickly inspected Lin's wounds as his spell took hold. "Lin, stechli anyonhumyichw lian whuuniraty, mynii gorayzimy raydrniunrak yw onmy. Poimyuntyimy Tyeliunera raiitymy emy lionstni niichba emy nii stera kidr..."
Lin snorts angrily as she starts flying towards the western wall and too the brave flying paladin's aid. "Un ekhuii ziundrni anyon Min zii myniyonchty emymyunmydr drniedr Goraunknidr. Ziniedr e dranbaunstech Dreondrniera, stylilieraty wunhumydr 'lieanpoi' myylii huimybaistdr chedrihu unw anyonhu chonstgoan..."
Min took hold of his Lance again as he brought his focus to the battle ahead. "Myefii anyonhu hueki wyhu drnii irailian, Chidrmy wunraunmyni drniunmy.."
The pair moved in silence after that, flying with all haste, to the western wall intent on helping Sir Damian.
Min "Lin, calm yourself my friend, she knows nothing of us. Besides Damian needs as much help as he can get..."
Lin [smaller][i]"I agree with you Min we should assist that Knight. But what a typical Tauthan, command first 'maybe' some respect later if your lucky..."
Min "Save your rage for the enemy, Lets finish this."
"I have seen dragons in mighty combat, and low some of them have fallen, but others continue to ride free, and given time will heal to full strength and will once again be ready to destroy and to battle again. At times like this having friends around one aids one in not being attacked and helps one to feel secure."
"I believe we will get an opportunity for the dragons to visit us here at this location in the near future it will be something to behold the great dragons with friends upon them."
"Patience now while our friends gain strength and come forth to aid us with a little time to meet and discuss things a bargain maybe reached and a time of enlightment for all shall come to pass. New friends and old coming together."
Damian regards the half-elf dragonrider as Min takes position near him. "The dragon will be upon us in a moment, an old red. We are all that stand between it and Izmir. Charge the dragon once the arrows fly."
Min nods in agreement to this Paladin's order, responding back to him in common. "Once we strike it initially, we will rake its flanks and assist your attack's or did you have something else in mind?
"Once engaged, see if you can get the dragon to focus and remain somewhat stationary. I can strike it like a hammer if you act as the anvil." Damian lowers his lance, ready to charge.
Dolo made the right decision by holding off attacking the main group of soldiers. Belsarious has woven a particularly enchanting spell on the mass of enemy soldiers.
He sees the confusion in the dender's ranks and shouts out a purpose to the group. "Form a defensive perimeter around this entrance and guard the spellcaster! His actions are keeping them at bay!" indicating Belsarious as he does.
"None shall enter or this war is lost!" pointing back to the entrance to the Citadel.
"You heard the Professor!" shouts a paladin, "Form up around the wood elf! Keep him safe and make sure that door does not open! Until we have sufficient strength, his spell is all that's keeping us alive! Where is Captain Merit?!"
With that, Dolo urges Glorfindel towards the blue dragon hoping that his dragonriding companion moves to assist. Glorfindel uses his newfound speed and agility to launch a series of attacks on the evil wyrm.
Min follows the Paladins lead lowering his lance in preparation for the charge. "Lead and we will follow, Paladin of the Wall, to the last breath." Lin gives the paladin a respectful nod, before focusing on what was coming at them.
@Min and @Damian standing at the ready, you both notice that a dozen or so archers have multiple quivers on their backs and powerful, enchanted compound bows in their hands. The arrows in these quivers have strange fletching like you've never seen; cardinal feathers in some, cedar waxwing or crow feathers in others. Right now these archers all have arrows (some two at once!) nocked that have woodpecker feathers for fletching.
Suddenly an officer inhales sharply. "There it is. Fire!" The dragon crests over the small cliff that acts as a buffer against flooding and it pulls up short. It did not expect a welcome. A massive volley of arrows rockets into the old red dragon, catching it completely by surprise. Many arrows find their mark, the ones with woodpecker fletching, you note, all burrow deep into the dragon's flesh.
In response, it roars and unleashes a massive gout of flame at the archers. Some are able to duck for cover, a few have magical protections, but many die, burned to a cinder in an instant. Then, the dragon's eyes widen as it spots the two of you, and it roars a challenge.
@Dolo:
@Syl and @Min:
Lin roars just as the pair charge at the Old Red dragon. Min brings his lance to bear intent on striking the Red's scaly hide.
Whether or not their attacks find purchase on their enemy, the pair stay in close trying to do what the Paladin had asked. They had to keep the dragon as stationary as they could manage, but with its greater size both of them knew they couldn't hold him for long.
The arrows fly and Damian flies with them. Clear of the dragon's breath weapon, Damian points his lance at the dragon and leans forward. As Keythan streaks towards the beast, Damian lets out a battlecry as if Iomedae herself is working through him. "You will go no further, foul dragon, not today! Today you die!"
Damian's lance slams against the dragon, the force overwhelmingly driving deep into the red dragon's scales. Damian is nearly lifted out of his saddle, but holds on as he passes.
Keythan slashes and bites as they pass, his primal instincts as a pouncing raptor pumping through his blood.
x 2 is 24.
Syl carefully glies down, allowing herself the time to build momentum, the time to focus, and concentrate on the task at hand. He was an immediate threat to the people below, and that called to her heart, to her duty, and when she saw the moment, she took vengeance for the fallen.
She allowed Ansrithar to take his time as well - and when he found the weakness within that creature, he struck hard, and fast! He dived right in and let loose with his jaws, aiming to rip apart the wing to disable flight. Meanwhile, Syl had her own plans.
She gripped that lance firmly, and aimed it true and steady - here she'd lean into the charge, and allow herself to carry into the charge, lance slammed forward in an attempt to gut the poor thing - and she'd twist afterwards, once connected, pushing in to try and end this conflict, now
"Soldiers! I offer you one chance, and one chance only! Repent for your evil crimes, and you shall be granted mercy by the grace of Sarenrae! Surrender your arms, and I shall guide you back from darkness!"
Dolo, turning his attention to the blue dragon and his companions, unleashes another burst of glittery dust, hoping to blind the dragon so that Glorfindel can have an easier time dismantling its hide.
@Dolo:
One of the camo-painted soldiers shouts "Spellcaster!" as she spies Dolo approaching, and the four remaining troops and the dragon are able to avoid being blinded. They are still completely covered in glitterdust, however, and suddenly their furtive sneaking about is neither so furtive nor sneaky as it was just a moment ago.
Another one of the four, seeing Glorfindel approach, yells "What is THAT!" too late to warn the Blue Dragon, however, and it howls in agony as Glor tears giant chunks out of its hide, spewing blood and scale on the white marble of the walkway around the courtyard.
@Syl: you see the Gnome summoner's eidolon ravage the blue dragon as you approach, causing it to wheel about and expose, just for a moment, its underside.
But a moment is all you need.
Ansrithar mauls the unsuspecting beast, throwing its vulnerable areas even more wide open, and allowing you to bury your lance in its heart. There is a moment where everything seems to pause, the glitterdust hanging in the air with ash from the battleplain to the east looking almost peaceful drifting together. Then with a hideous gasp and brief flash of lightning, the last blue dragon falls, dead.
"Soldiers! I offer you one chance, and one chance only! Repent for your evil crimes, and you shall be granted mercy by the grace of Sarenrae! Surrender your arms, and I shall guide you back from darkness!"
Will save for the four remaining spec ops troops:
With deflated sighs, the four soldiers switch to an "at-ease" stance, drop their weapons, and raise their hands above their heads in a gesture of surrender.
"It would seem my friends that you are hearing me and that is well for my fate relies upon the good-will within you, and good will is all that I ask from you, it seems that all is well today and the sun shines and smiles upon us all as we gather here, and wait for an opportunity that we hope shall come and surely will be worth the wait for you and for me. Good things it is said come to those who wait."
@Min and @Damian:
Min's lance deflects off the red's impossibly thick hide, but Lin strikes true, tearing a gash in its flesh. While it's distracted, Sir Damian opens an enormous gash along its side, which Kythan's razor beak extends, and this elicits an unholy roar of pain and fury from the beast.
The archers gather themselves and fire again! Most of the arrows deflect off, but the special ones by those elite archers strike true, and do damage. But the dragon only has eyes For its flying enemies, right now.
@Min:
Min didn't know if he was screaming or Lin was when the old red dragons attacks smashed into the pair, Min was unable to block the titanic blow that hit Lin. As his lance was knocked aside, he felt the reds claws slash across his armor most of the blow smashing the wind from his chest. As a white hot pain ran through him, he could feel the warm wetness of blood running down his face from the new slash across his forehead. They couldn't hold up like this and, as the Paladin flew past the beast, Min cursed as he tried to guide Lin away before they were both knocked from the sky.
Lin withdraws and tries to keep out of reach of the red, forcing it to come after them, because they surely could not take another ferocious attack like that. She could feel the burning of the injuries she had taken so far but she thankfully was still strong enough to fly evenly as she put distance between her and the red.
With her lance engraved deep in the dragon, she yanks it free, mentally asking Ansrithar to aid in shoving the corpse away - and then she turns to new business at hand.
She looks to the men who have surrendered, and nods firmly. Ansrithar gloats mightily, and sneers.
"You men, report to our forces inside, and tell them you have surrendered into custody. I will see to it you are given a second chance at life!"
She smiles as she speaks, and sets the lance in the holster, looking around quickly - and recalling what had happened earlier, not even believing it would be over so fast. Ansrithar calmly nods at her.
"Come now. We must aid our brethren in the sky - they fight something strong, so my nose tells me. Let's away!"
Now she holds on tightly, and resets the lance, a look of exhaustion on her face - she does wave at the summoned creature, and winks as she's taken back into the air, heading west.
The blood drips from Damian's left shoulder where the dragon's sharp teeth had nearly ripped his arm off, falling into the pure lake below and merging with its waters. Only his armor prevented the dragon's maw from severing his arm, although it did hardly more than that. He grits his teeth, intent on doing battle until his last breath. This defense is more important than a simple, single knight's life.
With a prayer to Iomedae to keep him safe in the afterlife, Sir Damian Lamorak of Order of the Silver Flame wheels his griffon mount around for what he is certain will be his final charge on the the dragon. He feels Keythan's wings flapping, the slight rise with every downward thrust and the slight fall that follows it, as if everything is happening in slow motion. His lance pointing at the dragon, Damian finds himself yelling a wordless shout as his flight takes him on a collision course with destiny. The noise and sights of the battle fade away, replaced entirely by the beastly red dragon in front of him, a vision of death and destruction made incarnate. Damian thrusts forward with his lance, pushing with every bit of strength and conviction as deep into the red dragon as he can.
Keythan follows the orders of his master, despite the obviously suicidal nature of charging a dragon. Twice. Such is the bond between a knight and his steed. Keythan claws and bites at the dragon, trying to do his part to bring the dragon down before its fiery breath flays the skin from their bodies. In a flash, Keythan continues past the dragon as far as he can go, then turns quickly for the inevitable counterattack.
Lin/Min:
@Sir Damian:
Once again your lance rakes the mighty hide of the red dragon, shredding flesh and scale alike, and the same wound is gouged deeper by Kythan. The red roars mightily, spinning to protect its wound. Its eyes are wild now...
...as it looks up at the hill on which the Citadel sits. Smoke plumes from its nose as it growls a challenge that you could swear sounds like "No!" Looking east yourself you see the white dragonrider who you met earlier shooting through the sky towards you, but you also see something strange...a cloud of some sort, that seems at first to be part of the cloud over the battleplain but upon closer inspection you see is actually rising spectrally over The Citadel of Izmir; grey and wan, it has odd glowing patches. It is insubstantial, and the winds are quickly dissipating it.
"FIRE!" comes the command from the wall. Energized by your mighty charge, the archers let loose another volley, though so few have any chance to hit and damage such a creature. As the arrows fly, the dragon rears its head up to protect its eyes. Something it sees in the sky causes it to let out a tortured scream.
Lowering its head, it looks first at Min, then its eyes narrow with the hate of a thousand hells as it glares at you. "THIS IS NOT OVER, HUMAN. SO I HAVE MARKED YOU, SO I WILL RETURN TO FINISH THAT WHICH I HAVE STARTED. I SWEAR YOU WILL DIE BY MY HAND."
There is a glowing of runes carved in the dragons hide at it mutters an incantation, moving its foreclaws in an odd pattern, then it vanishes. There is a faint *wshhhhSSHSHHHSsshshshsh* and the treetops move briefly.
A cheer goes up from the archers at the wall when the dragon disappears, quickly shushed by the officers.
@Sir Damian and @Min:
@Dolo:
@Belsarious: The blue-clad Telestari, Arialanar, approaches you, its arms moving in spellcasting motions...
...as it finishes its spell, the enemy soldiers are all standing rigidly in place. The clerics and paladine of Izmir that were guarding you realize what is happening, and quickly move to disarm and bind the enemy troops.
Damian lets out a breath that he didn't know he was holding. Shocked to survive the encounter, he simply stares for a moment at the dragon's previous location. As the realization hits that he bested a dragon, even temporarily, a smile appears on his lips. He raises his lance above his head and lets out a cry of victory. "The days of the Black Dragonflight are numbered! We will push them back from Izmir and crush them in their homeland!"
Damian lets out a breath that he didn't know he was holding. Shocked to survive the encounter, he simply stares for a moment at the dragon's previous location. As the realization hits that he bested a dragon, even temporarily, a smile appears on his lips. He raises his lance above his head and lets out a cry of victory. "The days of the Black Dragonflight are numbered! We will push them back from Izmir and crush them in their homeland!"
1d20+1
After your rousing cry, even the officers on the wall permit themselves a rousing three-cheers with the men: "HOO-RAHHH! HOO-RAHHH! HOO-RAHHH!"
It is then you notice Na-Calanon flying down after the corpse of his defeated foe. He looks badly hurt -- one wing is torn and his scales are mottled with terrible rends and scorch marks. One eye is swollen. But he is flying.
Looking upward at the plummeting red dragon, he shouts a warning to the men below. "Watch out above you!" He swoops Keythan out of the way, then flies towards Na-Calanon to take up a defensive position around the embattled dragon.
Min shudders in the face of such an immensly powerful enemy, this was the first time since the fall of their first homeland that they had been involved in a battle. They look about making sure they're isn't fighting somewhere else that needs to be addressed.
Lin watches their foe escape, silently thankful that he hadn't focused his assault on them again, she could feel Min's pain through the bound.
As Damian breaks off, Min follows his flight and realizes why he did so. He follows Damian and takes up a defensive position on the other side severely wounded gold. Hooking his lance in its holder, he draws his heavy composite bow and knocks a thistle arrow.
"Seems tha threat here is ended"
Turns his attention skyward hoping to preserve an ally or possibly influence a battle.....
@Min and @Sir Damian: you re-position yourselves by Na-Calanon as the corpse of his enemy plummets into the earth, shattered and useless. The great gold's breathing is slightly labored.
@Syl and @Dolo: you two arrive in time to see this.
Na-Calanon addresses you all; "FRIENDS, YOU HONOR US WITH YOUR SKILLS, BUT THE DEFENSE OF THIS CITY SHOULD NOT HAVE FALLEN ON YOUR SHOULDERS. IZMIR OWES YOU MUCH. WE ALL OWE YOU MUCH." Noting Dolo's arrival, the gold perks up a bit. "PROFESSOR! HOW WENT THE RITUAL? HOW IS BELSARIOUS? DID YOU SUCCEED?"
@Belsarious:
Everybody:
Will save
Dolo still looks a bit ashen from the experience but divulges to Na-Caladon what he knows. "Prefect Na-Caladon, the process went better than expected considering the circumstances. And I think it no coincidence that the raid occurred at the time of the item's arrival, wouldn't you agree? They are devilishly mad but this could only mean..." Dolo pauses as his though process catches up to his mouth. 'They seek them all!' Dolo reasons and turns a paler shade than he was even before, momentarily speechless as he and Glorfindel come to rest near the massive protector.
Syl cheers as she watches the display, and finds herself stopping, and allowing Ansrithar to hover for a moment, looking back to the other one who had joined her. She smiles, and gives a gesture in the form of waving, and turns around.
She was to speak at the small one, but she feels no need to go further. In fact, all she feels right now is to relax, and she knows her best friend feels the same way, as she caresses his scales soothingly.
"Come, Ansrithar. Let us go perch, while they sort it all out - we've helped the people of this town today, and feel no need for reward. That's our goal, remember?"
I understand - but I will always long for a hoard.
"Then I will make you one in due time. Come now! Let us await their decisions, whatever they be!"
It is then that the large white dragon moves to lay down in the courtyard, and Syl will begin dismounting - but not before doing what she can to heal his injuries.
"For the record, great one, you owe me nothing. Nothing at all," she speaks, as she tends to the wounds of Ansrithar.
Dolo still looks a bit ashen from the experience but divulges to Na-Caladon what he knows. "Prefect Na-Caladon, the process went better than expected considering the circumstances. And I think it no coincidence that the raid occurred at the time of the item's arrival, wouldn't you agree? They are devilishly mad but this could only mean..." Dolo pauses as his though process catches up to his mouth. 'They seek them all!' Dolo reasons and turns a paler shade than he was even before, momentarily speechless as he and Glorfindel come to rest near the massive protector.
The great gold regards you.
"...'COULD ONLY MEAN' WHAT, PROFESSOR? WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?"
Will save
1d20+4
Captain Merit comes out from the Citadel. His armor is back on and he appears quite recovered. He stops at the door, two attendants by his side, and takes in the situation. After looking at the dead blue dragon, captured soldiers, and spec ops troops being led by, he rushes up to you. "Belsarious! How are you! How do you feel? Where is the Professor, and the others? What happened?"
Dolo still looks a bit ashen from the experience but divulges to Na-Caladon what he knows. "Prefect Na-Caladon, the process went better than expected considering the circumstances. And I think it no coincidence that the raid occurred at the time of the item's arrival, wouldn't you agree? They are devilishly mad but this could only mean..." Dolo pauses as his though process catches up to his mouth. 'They seek them all!' Dolo reasons and turns a paler shade than he was even before, momentarily speechless as he and Glorfindel come to rest near the massive protector.The great gold regards you.
"...'COULD ONLY MEAN' WHAT, PROFESSOR? WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?"
Dolo takes a big gulp and addresses Na-Caladon. "Honorable Prefect, I suggest we move to a 'private' location to continue this conversation. I don't want to start any rumors. I've jumped to conclusions before and don't wish to now. Shall we find Captain Merit and discuss this further, my lord?" Dolo sweeps his hand around to the many ears - both enemy and ally - in the area.