Zhu's blood boils at the Keleshite's insult. "This insect stings, you oaf!" Racing toward the sedan as quickly as possible, he fires another crimson eldritch dart -- this time at the claw currently grasping the newly formed cage.
_____________________________________
Robert recovers from the dread at length. Confused and ashamed, he says nothing to the others, until he notices all of them have a look in their faces that pretty much mirrors what he feels.
He recalls the captain of the guard, and hopes that he is not there when he comes back. Still, he decides to return to where the sedan was, see who remains behind and if the goblins are a threat. He also looks for his chakhram, as he has few of them.
Noya hears the chaos at the scene readies herself to continue fighting.
Zhu's spell impacts the rising griffin, causing it to squawk - but the beast is well-trained and does not let go.
"Spare me your pointless pride, insect," the Keleshite says, rolling his eyes as he fires a spell at Zhu...! A bright light erupts right in front of the Tian-Shu Sorcerer.
Arma manages to catch hold of the sedan and scurry halfway up it, but the griffon continues to rise up into the air, its wings beating strongly in spite of the increased weight. When the Keleshite notices her, he heaves a brief sigh. "As amusing as it would be to hear the sound when you smash on the ground like a tortoise," he says while pointing his index finger at Arma, "I shall give you the opportunity to let go now. You will not receive another act of mercy from me, woman."
***************************
The rest of you are close to the site of the battle, when someone comes running towards you. Annalise, especially, is likely to get a small thrill out of seeing the Lady Secunda like this; her pride as a Chelish noblewoman is gone. Her face is streaked with snot and tears as she runs, bawling with terror, heedless of the damage to her clothes as she charges blindly ahead. Blindly -- and waving a knife at the shadows of terror clouding her mind.
Beyond her, you see the griffon rise into the air, lifting the sedan chair. And Arma is dangling from it like a spider...
Kyrax moves to recover his blade, knowing that the act will do nothing to help the princess but unsure what else to do. A Lady Secunda runs by he takes no pleasure in seeing yet one more person screaming in fear, but knows better than to think he can stop her. It will pass, like the fear I felt. With blade in hand he beings to survey the battlefield for an emery he can fight.
Noya get to the scene and realises she needs her bow.
she quickly sheathes her sword and gets her shortbow.
Arma gripping the side of the sedan raises her hand as steadily as she can and aims her crossbow toward the Keleshite mans head. Her words are loud and coldly stern.
"I offer you the same. Fly away, save your mercy for yourself and leave the Princess safely here. Or it will be the end of you!"
As she hangs there she firmly maintains her grip to the sedan with one hand. Shouting firmly again her gaze remains locked on the Keleshite riders eyes, her own glowing blue through her helm as blue light also faintly emerges from the cracks of her armor.
"Princess! Try to find a way to break through the boards!"
How high up is Arma? If it seemed low enough she might consider using a rope on the side of the sedan.
Added +4 to my held crossbow attack as an immediate action using my Nanite Surge. The trigger for the crossbow attack is any physical action other than him immediately lowering the sedan back to the ground.
While it is aimed at his head, this was more for the intimidation roll than the attack. She is just aiming to hit him when she fires.
Sorry my mistake...
My modifier for intimidate is -1 so I actually got a total of a non natural 1.
Annalise scoops up her crossbow and fires it at the griffon, hoping that the beast might at least be distracted by the attack.
Zhu flinches as a bright flash stings his eyes! Balls of light flicker and strobe across his vision. Muttering curses in his native tongue, the young Tian-Shu points his hand at the griffon and, with an angry incantration, releases a ray of icy-cold energy, but his aim is woefully off.
Sensing the rapid return of his allies, he blinks his eyes and calls out desperately, "The beast! Shoot the beast!"
__________________________________________
The bard looks at the great beast and then down at his sling. It seems hopeless but he launches a sling bullet at the griffon.
In Robert's opinion, it is pointless to shoot at the griffon. Plus, he is worried that the princess may be harmed if it suddenly lets go of the sedan. After he recovers his Chakram, he looks around to assess the situation, in particular the state of their allies and enemies.
Arrows and bullets fly at both the griffon and the Keleshite on its back - and they just flutter to the ground, apparently completely useless. Even Arma's arrow, fired at point-blank range, does nothing but glance off the rider's face...! It's as if she flicked a feather at him; he only blinks.
"I weary of this nonsense," the Keleshite sighs as he flicks a cantrip right in Arma's face.
The griffon beats its mighty wings and shoots up into the sky - straight up into the sky! The beast is already eighty feet up and climbing!
On the ground, the torch-wielding Goblin wails and stamps its feet - and then seems to realize you're all there as well.
"Andak the Dismembered to burrow in through your holes and eat you from the inside out!" the furious Goblin screams at you. "Chugarra to filet you all like pork! Zurapadyn to choke you to death, you filthy longshanks!"
Still screaming and wailing, the Goblin dashes for the treeline.
Behind you, you hear a triumphant roar. If you turn to look, you can see that the (surviving) Andorans have succeeded in breaking the Goblins' attack! Red-painted bodies are streaming into the forest, while the Andorans come running up to you. More familiar voices start to shout as well, as the Chelish troops are starting to trickle back.
All your eyes are fixed on the dwindling figure in the sky - the griffon and his rider, carrying the coach - and Arma precariously dangling off f its side...
Arma is shocked by the shot not doing anything. Her mind however while not full of fear is now unsure what to do. She drops the crossbow as the sedan pulled by the griffon jerks upward but she begins to punch the side of the wooden cage with her gauntlet covered fist.
"Princess, stay back!"
Even as the ground falls away beneath her and the situation keeps getting worse she does not give in. She refuses to give up.
Note that while I am pretty sure it is flare, I receive a +4 racial bonus on all saving throws against mind-affecting effects, paralysis, poison, and stun effects which flare is not. But if I am wrong then just to mention it.
Noya attacks with her bow targeting the rider
Robert recovers as the Griffon flies away and turns to face the Chelish and Andoran troops. He says to the one in command:
"The Princess has been abducted: some kind of Keleshite wizard. It is our mission to go after and rescue her back in better terms for us than this biased battle.
But surely we need information for that. Who can this Keleshite be? What faction is his, and where will he take the princess, do you know? Is there some political intrigue of significance that could help us understand what just happened?"
He is brining hi practical side to the front, his attitude is one of "don't fight a losing battle, look for alternative paths to victory".
Mirandix picks up his dropped blade, his practiced eye checking it for damage as he turns to face the others. His blade is not held at the ready, for the enemy are streaming away. Mirandix is perfectly happy to let the others make the diplomatic speeches.
Kyrax looks for enemies on the ground. Stowing his sling he will begin to move towards the closest living goblins blade in hand.
Pontia looks up at the fleeing griffon and rider, and their unwilling cargo. We have failed. I know better than to expect mercy for this from House Thrune. At Robert's words, though, she straightens. "He is right. And we had best get to this quickly, before the goblins can regroup." Better to die fighting an unknown wizard or the dangers of the Verduran Forest than to return home in disgrace; it's much more likely to be a quick death. And perhaps we may succeed....
Still blinking his eyes, Zhu hears Robert's words and nods his heads, "Yes, we must rescue her and recover our honor." Then he hears the goblin chief's angry words as the creature starts to flee. "No, cur!" says Zhu. "You must answer for--" The young Tian male dives for the goblin, but -- his vision blurred -- he stumbles over a large rock and falls to the grass.
______________________
Annalise fires her last bolt at the fleeing goblin, unwilling to risk another shot at the griffon now that the sedan chair is that high. She is already plotting how to follow its path from below, though, given the griffon's far greater speed.
Blinded as she is, Arma can hear Noya's arrow zip right past her ear as it flies at the rider. The people on the ground can just barely see it glancing off the man, rather like a blade of grass chucked at a rhinoceros... The Keleshite barely seems to notice it as his mount rises higher and higher.
"Your noise annoys me, woman," the Keleshite speaks, his voice pitched for Arma's ears only. "Give my regards to Pharasma; inform her that her turn is coming soon enough. Unctum!"
Arma can not see the perfunctory gesture the Keleshite makes, but she can feel the slippery grease that suddenly runs over the sedan chair's flank -- and over her. Her hands scrabble for purchase that does not exist and she -- she is falling!
As Kyrax casts about for live Goblins to slay, the only one he sees is the chieftain -- who is already making a run for it!
The Goblin snarls and spits without slowing down as Zhu trips and falls before he can grab it -- but then squeals with pain when Annalise's arrow penetrates his shoulder.
"Not yet!" it screams, its voice demented as it breaches the treeline. "I can't die -- before I've made everything else die! Not yet! Not yet! Nebula Nebularum!"
Almost immediately, a thick, pea-soup fog erupts from the spot where the Goblin was a moment ago. Even if you run to check, you don't find so much as a trace of the little bastard...!
With the Goblin out of the way for the moment, Robert's and Pontia's words ring out strongly... And nothing happens. The Andoran and Chelish troops just stand there, watching each other with what is easily recognized as deep, deep, deep suspicion.
One of the Andorans is a startlingly handsome young man, physically fit and with the light of intelligence and wit in his eyes. He is also remarkably-well dressed.
"Isn't anyone going to say anything?" this young man demands. "That's my fiancée, flying off to who-knows-where!"
"Begging your pardon, sir," a grizzled Andoran trooper says, while maintaining eye contact with the Chelish sergeant, who glares back with undisguised venom. "But that's your Chelish fiancée flying off. This smells like political trickery, to me. You can't trust a Chel."
"Unshaven dog!" the sergeant immediately roars. "I'd bet a month's -- week's wages that you rabble hired that Wizard to kidnap the Lady Jeggare, just so you'd have a reason to betray your word! That'd be right up the alley of a people so freedom-loving that they'll wage war on properly ordered civilizations!"
There is a lot of growling and hands start to reach for weapons -- and then you all hear a whistling noise, which quickly grows louder, coming from directly above you.
You have no idea who shouts to - but you all do, and just barely in time, before Arma crashes back to terra firma. There is a loud cracking noise when she hits the ground, and many among you surely assume the brave warrior is dead. Then she starts to twitch, and she slowly, painfully starts to get back to her feet.
"Blasphemies of Urgathoa!" one of the Andorans whispers. "You stinking Chelish brought zombies to guard your broodmare!"
The handsome young man slaps the man who just spoke out in the face and snarls something unintelligible at him, then goes sprinting forward and helps Arma to her feet with surprising gentleness. "I'd recognize you anywhere," he says as he helps her raise her visor. "Come on, take it easy. Do you want to sit down? I'm afraid your armour's a bit... well, there's a big crack down your back."
Paradoxically, Arma's sudden entrance onto the scene seems to have calmed matters down a little. One of the Andorans even mutters something vaguely helpful: "There's been rumours about a Wizard setting up shop in the mountains north of here about five years back, name of... Xoshak or something. Foreign, anyway. He raided a few villages, but that was four years ago. No one's heard much about him since. Didn't think he was on anyone's side... but maybe he was hired to skupper the peace process."
Again, suspicious glances fly from eye to eye to eye...
Noya takes another shot at attacking with her bow, the rider.
Gentlemen, Ladies, Solders, please sheath your weapons. All enemies have withdrawn from the field. the bard makes a show of doing just this with his black blade as he speaks. We may not be all friends here but we are allies and should be united against a common foe. I for one do not like having my charge taken from me by a condescending wizard. I plan to do something about it if it is within my power. I know that wizard would rather us fight than cooperate to work against him. And that is a strong reason to get along.
"He's right ladies and gentleman.
In that you dishonourably look at the other for blame.
But you can regain your honour by getting her highness back,
And showing your enemies your strength, valour, and honour."
"I am going to honourably follow my orders to have her highness meet with his highness.
So Who's with me?"
Annalise carefully reloads her crossbow, not looking anyone in the eye. "I've still got an oath to uphold," she says in a small voice.
Arma watches the greasy wood slide out of her grasp after she hears the Kelishite man speak his words.
Still the shock of falling from her suddenly slippery grip makes her unable to do more than stare at the sky futilely looking for the vanished griffon trying to mark its direction while the ground rushed up behind her. The sound of the area below quickly grew but was barely heard at all in the whistling of the wind rushing past her. That whistling vanished in the instant of impact as the sound of her striking the ground is barely understood in her jostled and stunned state.
She slowly moves to rise with some measure of pain as her senses refocus. Feeling a moment after that, a hand helping her rise she looks over to a very familiar voice with a confused look on her face below her visor. As she listens to Doritian, she stands weakly a moment but as soon as she is on her feet she remains standing despite the offer to sit.
"Thank you... (Gasp) My friend..." As Doritian raises her visor and reveals her face she smiles slightly and she seemingly comforted holding his hand as he helps her get up. His mention of the damage to her armor is only responded to by her raised hand and a dizzy shake of her head. "The armor is not important now... (Pant) The Lady Valeria is..." Her voice grows a bit more firm though still somewhat strained as she stands up despite a smiled grimace and her look changes to a pained but serious one as she begins speaking but concern is more noticeable when she looks to Dortian.
Hearing the Andoran soldier make mention of a wizard she pays attention to the rumor as surely the others do.
"Perhaps... I am not sure how important it is, but... the Keleshite magic user said something... in his last insult... about me giving his regards to Pharasma... and that I should inform her that 'her turn' is coming soon enough. That was all I heard that might be important, before his spell made me fall... I promise I will go and rescue her Dortian..."
At this Arma uses her sturdy longspear that survived the fall to stand strong on her own beside Dortian, with noticable reluctance releasing his hand. She joins the others in where to start searching for the kelishite abductor. Her face now appearing determined and attentive as if ignoring the fall that she had taken only a few moments ago.
She listens and agrees with Noya, Kyrax and Annalise looking them in the eye respectfully as each declares their intent.
In between discussion she looks to see if her horse Garnet is nearby or if her crossbow had survived the fall.
Seeing that there is no imminent violence, Mirandix replaces his curved blade in its scabbard across his back. Seeing that there is, however, still a great deal of tension between the two factions, Mirandix speaks in a slow voice, as if unused to voicing complex thoughts, "Both sides have been betrayed here. Look to the wizard who kidnapped Lady Jeggare for answers, that is where I shall look."
"If this 'Xoshak' is truly the villain responsible,' says Zhu. "But yes, we have little other information to go on. We should go there and demand answers. The ... goblins have disappeared, it seems? Odd that the princess' ... kidnapper knew to pick that moment to make his attack. The goblin chief and wizard seemed to know one other, but they were NOT allies." His words are clear but halting, as though he's having some difficulty with the language of this land.
Zhu examines his still-bleeding wound with a frown. He looks up, "Many of us were injured -- wounds that will need tending before we invade a wizard's domain." He looks at Pontia and adds, "You... are Pontia, yes? How feel you, uh, I mean, how are you feeling? The attack on you was fierce."
He then looks amazed at Arma and says, "That was very brave. In my land, you would be called 'Iwa Senshii' -- the Immovable Rock. You do not yield." Zhu smiles with admiration.
Arma listens and mentally agrees with Mirandix words as she listens to the debate. But with Zhu mentioning the Goblins she also wonders what their role in the events were. At the mention of wounds she looks to her other allies especially to the woman Zhu calls Pontia. Her wounds look far greater than most. But as he turns back he addresses her.
"Thank you for the compliment. It was just my duty... I could do no less for my friend." Her words are calm and steady again though they are thoughtful in tone as well. "You also stood brave as well in the face of the wizards magic... I believe that to be very strong and honorable. " She smiles at him pleasantly but briefly.
Pontia stands tall despite wounds that should be causing her considerable pain. "Are there any of the goblins left alive? They should be questioned."
Robert smiles as the field seems to come to an uneasy agreement.
He approaches the emergent leader, Doritian, as he is clearly the most interested person and seems also to be quite capable.
"Good that we are coming to terms. I see three things on the plan now: 1) rest and recover; 2) find all we can about the political situation; 3) go and do something about it."
"It seems clear to me that someone is trying to put our two nations against each other in order to better fight both of them, so we should do just the opposite and stand allied and strong, if not together. But surely, someone must know of who'd have such an interest."
"Are there settlements nearby where we can rest and recover, and get informed on the current political affairs?"
Look as Pontia might, she finds no live Goblins on the field of battle. Only dead ones...
Noya's words do much to soothe fraying tempers, and hands start drifting away from hilts. Doritian is the first to step forward, a look of determination on his face.
"My friends," he tells you all, "you speak well and honourably. Duty and honour require of me that I be the first to join you in --"
"You can't, sir," one of the other Andorans says. There is no hostility in his voice, no anger, but also no hesitation. "It's more than our jobs' worth to let you go haring off after some crazy Wizard, even if he does have the... your lady fiancée. We have to go back to Andor and organize a proper rescue party."
"But my honour," Doritian starts to protest, an angry flush rising from his collar.
The other Andorans start shaking their heads and argue with him.
On the other side, the Chelish are starting to draw back.
"You may be right that this Xoshak's to blame for everything," the Sergeant says, shaking his head, "but it's not my job to make decisions like that. We need to report to House Jeggare, get some more men and equipment to find out where that bastard lives..."
It is only the quality of Noya's and Kyrax' oratory that seems to be keeping the two groups from snapping and snarling at each other even now, but the two groups seem equally determined to leave -- with the exception of Doritian.
"Look," the young Andoran finally says, trying to shut everyone up. " We might as well all continue on to the nearby village. As this man here" -- he indicates Robert -- "said, we need to recover. If any of us are brave enough to follow after the Lady Jeggare, they might be able to find some information there to help them move on. In any case, none of us want to be travelling after dark, not in this forest! Now, who will join me?"
I will, my old friend. Kyrax moves to stand beside Doritian. Though the road will be long and treacherous.
Having listened to Doritian speak of his honor and his intent Arma's eyes widen when he declares his intent to join them. Before she can speak however she is stunned to hear his frustrated call for attention. His words are a call to action. Kyrax speaks first but she is soon to follow.
Arma steps beside him as well with a grim but confident smile on her face. "So will I. I will travel any road needed to see Lady Valeria brought safely to your side."
Mirandix nods and glances in the direction in which the kidnapped Lady Jeggare disappeared, "Job's not done." With that speech finished, he gathers his belongings and is ready to set out.
Robert walks over to where the group is assembling, and with a confident smile, he says
"You can count me in also, of course."
"Yes, Zhu, the goblins injured me. I won't let that slow us down, though."
Zhu nods at Pontia, then turns to the others and says, "I have made a commitment, and that thief -- wizard or not -- is a crude villain. I will continue as well. I am honored to fight alongside all of you."
Noya in with the group
"I think it's best that we prepare for the trek and for the Wizard before we leave and as we go."
The two groups travel on to a little village -- the one where the Andoran party rested the night before. There is not a lot of talk, apart from Doritian renewing his friendship with Arma and Kyrax, and trying to rally everyone's spirits. He has his work cut out for him, though; while most of you escaped with your lives, the Andoran in full plate is very much dead and needs to be carried on the shoulders of his surviving comrades. On the other side, the Chelish soldiers are clearly less than sanguine about the kind of reception they should expect back home...
Brother Gorlist, the Asmodean priest attached to the group, has marched in stoic silence since Lady Valeria was abducted. Some time after you left the scene of the ambush, Lady Secunda joined you, creeping out of the forest while avoiding all of your eyes. At first, she kept to Brother Gorlist's shadow, slinking along like a whipped dog, but gradually she regained her former hauteur, until she is once again staring down her nose at anyone who is not the Lady Secunda.
You manage to reach the little village -- Apol's Thorp -- before the sun sets. The simple village folk gape, astonished, at your appearance. It is clear they recognize the Andorans, but are shocked by the state in which they've returned. Doritian quickly organizes the simple woodsfolk to provide all of you with places to sleep, a warm meal and strong drink 'to get over the shock'.
From what you can see, Apol's Thorp is a very simple little town. It has an inn because it is built on the road, but the two-story building looks more like an overhauled barn than a travellers' rest. There is a small temple dedicated to Erastil, where the villagers say you can get healing and "bask in the priest's holy wisdom". The third major building is the local Sheriff's station, and the "mayoral manour" (a house which distinguishes itaelf from the other rustic huts by having an extra room) is the fourth.
Fool. If she can't hide her worry.... Erastil has respect for good order, at least. To the villagers, Pontia will at least try to be polite, even if she can't manage warmth. "Thank you. I would speak with your priest, as well." The wizard makes her way to the temple.
Later Kyrax catches Arma and notes It seems we have the friendship of the Doritian in common. I am pleased to know I travel in such good company. That was quite a fall back there. It is amazing that you let live. I have some small ability to heal. If you are wounded it would be my honor to assist you.
Annalise remains hovering at the group's rear, constantly checking and rechecking her weapon while avoiding everyone's eyes. She seems to be planning to go after Lady Valeria with the others, but hasn't actually said so - or really much of anything since the attack.
After the group had reached an agreement on their course Arma watched the others from her position not far from Doritian as they continued on. She had been silent for much of the time afterward as others spoke of a plan of action or where to go. Still she kept moving forward as she agreed with their ideas. Any path forward was the one she would walk.
"If you wish, I offer my horse Garnet to carry this brave mans body." Her offer is in a rather flat tone but while it is not meant to be disrespectful it does sound odd.
Whether they accept or not, shortly after she is met by Kyrax who came to stand near and speak. "Thank you Sir Kyrax. See that the others who are hurt more are tended to, I would gladly take any healing that is left then. But I will recover in time with some rest." Her words sound pleasantly calm as Arma walks in pace with Kyrax behind Doritian as she guides her horse Garnet besides her. Her visor down once more so her face is hidden. "I am surprised to have lived as well, but truth be told my armor took the brunt of the fall." She looks over her shoulder to guide his gaze to the crack running down the back of the armor.
Looking at the man then through her helms cold metal visor she asks in a rather pleasant if neutral tone that reverberates oddly through the helm. "I am honored as well and also glad to know that Doritian has other friends so close to him in his time of need. How long have you been his friend?"
Arma looks around at the others who had fought by her side even while she listens to what Kyrax has to say. She seems distracted by something for a time while looking at the lady Secunda but otherwise after looking at everyone about where their eyes are for a time,(but a bit longer on Doritian who is ahead of her) she seems to continue walking in the fashion of a practiced soldier showing no real sign that her fall had bothered her much at all anymore. Garnet makes noise next to her making her pat the mares head in a comforting gesture without a look or a word.
Noya thinks,
Lady Secunda looks worried, but is it for herself or Lady Valeria.
Zhu doesn't trust this Lady Secunda, but he can clearly see she's worried. But about the princess' fate? From the whispers he's heard, not necessarily.
Entering the common room of the inn, he finds himself still marveling at such a place. Even as small as this village is, the coziness of the inn and the friendliness of the residents would be impossible in his birthplace -- unless you were an ally of the slave masters.
With that in mind, he takes a seat near one of the Chelish soldiers whose face (if not name) has become familiar to him over the past few days. He takes a quick glance to make sure that the bullying captain is nowhere to be seen before he speaks...
"This is a grim business," Zhu says very softly to the soldier. "But I believe that we will find Princess Valeria. Excuse me, I am rude... my name is Zhu. This wizard will pay. Still, I wonder why he would do such a thing? Obviously there will be retribution. Could someone have paid him to take her? You have more knowledge of the powerful people in the region than I do... what do you believe?"
Walking with Arma, he responds to her question. The prince and I played together as children. My mother had a special status at court I was one of his few friends at a young age. Of course this could not last. We remained friends but saw each other less and less as his duties demanded specific training and and other obligations took him away from boyish fun. And how did you become friends with Doritian?