"Steady...steady..." the Mayor cautions.
Kenna took a defensive stance by the others nearest to the gate. She wished she had more in way of weapons, but there was no time to go and search for daggers and alike.
Addressing the shield wielding Bannock before her, Kenna asked in serious manner, "What strategy will we employ? If the gate is breached, what would you have us do, Bannock? Mayor Bronson?", turning her gaze briefly toward the Mayor standing to the side of her.
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The Lady in White stands beside Bannock, a comforting shoulder on his arm. She speaks to him in a comforting manner, 'You shall not fall this day. Be a sign of strength to all around you.'
Bannock nods, though if its to the Lady or Kenna is left up to the audience. And he addresses Kenna's question,
"Ach, lass, keep a good fire up. Once it gets close to us I'll rush and try to keep it occupied so you can feather it some more. Unless..." Bannock turns to Rory. "Unless his Mayorship wants us to abandon the town?"
"No!" the Mayor says immediately, as soon as Bannock's suggestion is put forward. He pauses after his outburst, staring down at his light crossbow.
Just when you're about to assume he's done talking and are about to turn away, he speaks up again, more quietly. "If...we have to abandon the town, follow my lead. I can lead us where that giant abomination would have trouble following."
After giving what advice he could, Eral retreated towards the barracks. He passed a group discussing strategy with the mayor and gave his two copper. "Knock it down if you can, the bigger they are and all that stuff." He made his way to the doorway of the barracks, but rather than lock himself in stood and watched out of a grim curiosity of the nature of this beast.
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an ear splitting howl is heard just before a loud crash. The gates hold, but are bent inward, another howl is heard and a second crash is felt against the gates and they come crashing inwards, an orge stumbles inward seemingly dazed for the moment. Apparently it used its head as a battering ram rather than its shoulders. It stumbles withing 20ft of the line of militamen. Just outside the gates skeletons appear and a lone figure on a steed of jet black slowly makes his way towards the town.
Do I recognize the leader on the horse?
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"Apologies, your Mayorship, but that was my double-whammy. I don't think we've martial skill in amounts to win. Were it just the ogre, or just that...thing...on the horse, I'd lay odds. But all we can do now is die well."
Bannock thrusts his shield forward and resumes his stance in front of the waitress and mayor, and prepares to die well.
Kenna steps 5 ft to the left to get out from behind Bannock. Now that her line of sight is clear, she takes aim at the ominous rider, and, when he is within 80 ft of her, fires her loaded crossbow at him.
Rodar takes another swig before finally noticing everyone seems to have gathered together, including his favorite barmaid. He then thinks to himself "I must protect Kenna, for if she dies who will bring me my next round?" He then proceeds to stumble over to the group. He concentrates very hard on each step trying to make himself look sober, but failing miserably.
"DON'T LET THE OGRE GET THE ROOM HE NEEDS FOR A FULL SWING! RETREAT FROM THE SQUARE! FALL BACK!" the mayor bellows, letting off a meager crossbow shot at the massive ogre.
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The lumbering beast bellows as two bolts strike him. More arrows accompany the bolts, several bouncing off others bring forth more bellows. The captain of the guard moves forward with three guardsmen, the ogre slams his massive club flinging two guards hurtling towards the wall with a resounding crunch. The captain manages a strong cleave cutting through the beasts belly, but in it's stupid stubborn way the beast remains standing. Several skeletons begin pouring in through the gate.
The cleric lifts his holy symbol and runs through the horde, several disntigrating when they draw close. He confronts the mounted rider. You hear him shout to his god, then become encompassed in a bright light. Only for it to be smothered in an aura of sheer dark. Slowly the cleric falls to his knees and beings to disintegrate into black dust. A deep, malevolent laughter escapes the rider.
You've heard stories of monsters such as this, you realise you fight something from nightmares. You fight a grave knight
Several more ghouls bound into the lines two reaching the PCs.
The first sinks its claw into the dwarf
The other is deflected by bannok.
The wall Earl reinforced still stands, keeping a choke point at the gates and keeping the fire from spreading into the town.
"Fall back! STAY AWAY FROM THE BLACK DUST! KEEP IT AWAY FROM YOU!" Rory shouts, as he lets loose another bolt, desperately trying to bring the ogre down.
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going to go ahead and jump to this.
As the cleric falls, the ogre smashes his club into the side of the captain. sending him flying, he lands in a pile.
Several guards ignore the mayor and rush forwards to the knight. who casually cuts them down with his blade.
the remaining guards form up and cut off the skeletons, once again showing superior swordsman ship and losing none while casting down the undead though it is a hollow victory.
The knight charges unhindered into the gate to stare at the remaining defenders, a dark aura builds and begins to radiate outwards, catching the PCs (save aetherburt) you each feel the life begin to drain away from you. Then there is a flash of light, you each feel a surge of power rush into you. Suddenly the black aura is receding overpowered by pure light, in the form of a shield. Suddenly, as the shield of light overtook the black figure the entire world turned pure white, and there, where he had been was nothing, save a silver shield with an inscription written upon it. The skeletons crumpled and the ogre began to gaze around confused, as it wondering how it had gotten here. The surge of strength takes hold in each of you. You each gain power though you are unsure how.
Bannok swears he spies a golden figure in the light but perhaps it is just his fantasies.
(congratulations! you lived through the trail! please, make the finishing touches to your now classed characters, making sure to carry over your HP and BaB and saves from your NPC classes, and post when you are finished! you still have an ogre to take care of!)
Rory marvels at the shield for a moment along with everyone else. Then, he sees that the ogre looks confused, as if it were recovering from an enchantment. "Men! Swords up!" he shouts at the guards, demanding that they not engage the ogre and enrage it again.
Approaching the confused ogre, the slightly portly man waves his arms over his head wildly, as if he were trying to scare off a large bear. "Go on, git!" he shouts at the ogre. "Leave! There's nothing for you here! Get out of here!"
Kenna was not entirely sure what had happened, but was pleased by the turn of events for she had felt the life draining from her at the touch of the black dust when the light appeared, resembling a shield. Thank the gods! she mused.
Seeing the ogre seemingly distracted and addled, Kenna confidently loaded a new bolt into her crossbow, and, ensuring she had a clear shot, fired at the ogre, even as Mayor Rory attempted to scare it away.
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The ogre turns to Rory. And, surprisingly, speaks fluent common.
sir. I beg your forgiveness but I believe I am lost. Or, you are lost,
He takes a moment to look around
hmm. But I believe I am. Now then, I hope I haven't cause anyone any problems, you see I must admit I am a, well, quite frankly I'm not exactly welcome with my people, so I wonder, but I do not recall the last well, I don't know how long now. The last thing I remember was I felt something in my head and then black. Perhaps you coul-
The ogre stops speaking as a crossbow bolt slams into it's chest. It looks down, then towards kenna.
why do you shoot me? I've done nothing to you if I can recall.
It scratches its chin.
then again I can't recall. You seem fine sirs and madames, I'd rather not have to fight you, I'm not very good at fighting you see. Why don't we sit and discuss this situation like gentleman, hmm. Indeed. Sit and discuss by.
He finally turns and looks about then spies the gate and shattered men.
by Jove! Did I do this? Why, I didn't bloody know I even could! For shame! My honor has been disgraced! Now now ole chap. Prim and proper, straight and strong and carry on and all that.
He mumbles a bit more to himself, seemingly having forgotten present company then suddenly starts.
by Jove look at me! I've done it again! Where are my manners today, my name is sir fredric Charles the Odd. It's a pleasure !
He looks down to the bolt in his chest.
well... Mostly.
Most of the guards are awaiting an order from Rory since the captain is incapacitated. Players actions.
There is still a shield of silver laying on the ground with an inscription, several injured men, and a burning palaside.
Kenna stared at the ogre as he began explaining, her bolt protruding from his chest.
She couldn't figure out if the ogre was attempting to fool them or was being earnest.
"You were attacking our town and people. I only shot you with my crossbow to stop you from doing more harm."
Kenna only slightly lowered her crossbow as she waited on the Mayor's order.
"What say you, Mayor Rory? Lay our arms down and check on the wounded or continue fighting the ogre?"
Her blue crystalline eyes remained firm on the talkative ogre.
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Bannock gently, gingerly, reverently, walks to the shield. His collapses to his knees and touches it, oblivious to the tumult around him. He carefully picks it up, running his fingertips over the surface, feeling it's realness, tasting it with his fingers.
He turns it over and looks at the back, then turns it over again, looking at the front as if for the first time.
He bows before it, placing his head to it, and mutters prayers for a long time. When he finally feels the shock of the moment to be again bearable, he drops what he was holding and slides the shield onto his right hand. He tests the inner grip as one would the hilt of a sword.
He takes up his mundane shield in his left hand, and stares about the town as if only now seeing it for the first time.
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As bannock looks over the shield he sees, in what appears to be gilded gold a prophecy.
when shadow threatens and nightmares roam,
When the virtues of 7 are finally made whole,
A light long ago faded is rekindled,
A final bastion shall remain unhindered
A sacrifice yet to be made
To stand alone and fade
Or together remain
One last shield against the darkness
It ends though you feel there may be more.
Rodar reaches back into his bag and refills his tankard, seeming to not even notice the miracle that has just saved them from an almost imminent demise. He stumbles toward the ogre "Man that sssucksss. I always ssso lossst every time I wake up and don't know how I got there. I find the best cure for it isss to have another swig, now that I think about it that ssseemsss to be the to be the best answer to any problem." He goes to take a swig, but stops just before touching the tankard to his lips and holds it up to the ogre. "You want a sip, it's the good stuff from my private stock." he then lowers his voice so only the ogre can hear him "Don't tell Kenna but this makes the stuff she sells taste like camel spit in comparison."
"Sir...ogre," the Mayor begins cautiously, "Please be seated over there, against that wall. I do not doubt your good intentions, but we will have guardsmen standing at the ready, just to be safe." he motions to the guards to make it so, then continues; "Beyond that, the enemies that were destroying our town have been routed! It's a miracle! Someone fetch the others in the church!"
Kenna heard the Mayor give order for the townsfolk hiding in the church to be summoned outside now the threat was over. "I'll go get them, Mayor Rory."
With one last look at the seated and wounded ogre, Kenna ran back to the new church door and knocked on the solid wood, calling out to the people inside -- telling them it was safe to leave. Kenna moved away from the front step to give them room to file out.
"Don't rush, please. Be careful as you move into the courtyard", the waitress was heard to say as she tried to keep them calm and safe.
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The ogre looks ar Rory.
Hmm, while I may be an ogre, I am no ogre sir! Please, call me Charles. I say I am very sorry of any actions I took during my, well, black out. Yes, I believe that is the best way to describe it. I feel I must offer my assistance in rectifying any destruction I caused, conscious or not, what would you have of me?
Rory holds up a placating hand. "The other townsfolk may not be so willing to immediately accept help from an ogre that was trying to eat them moments ago. I believe I can get them to understand - but for now, Charles, please be seated so that I can assure them that you are no threat."
Assuming Charles agrees to do so, Rory will turn to the other townsfolk, after Kenna retrieves them.
"IT IS A MIRACLE!" he cries at the top of his voice, using his best mayoral carrying tone. "The dark rider has been vanquished and this ogre is free from the mental control that drove him to attack us!"
He gestures sweepingly behind him with one arm. "This is Charles! He wishes to make restitution for the damage he unwittingly caused! He means us no harm!"
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As Bannock claims the shield and straps it on his arm, he sense a power from it. Then suddenly the world falls away. He stands in a bare temple, with little decor save several empty pedestals and paintings containing nothing but a white coat of paint. As he scans the room his eyes fall on a fair maiden, sitting in a plain chair. He recognizes her. She smiles a beautiful smile and then speaks. You find yourself unable to speak, whether from awe, shock, or magic you know not.
My fair follower, the last light of me. Long have endured for me, powerless, connection-less. You believed when all else had forsaken me. For that you have my eternal thanks, and what blessings I can, I will bestow. she pauses a faint orb of light comes from her hand and slowly drifts over to you, entering your chest. You suddenly feel a surge of strength as divine power flows through you for the first time in your life.
she speaks again.
A god I am not anymore, when I sacrificed myself the universe saw fit to let me live on, greater than mortal, but much less than god. Though now my twin sister would see me destroyed completely, and had almost succeeded with her knight of darkness, beware! it is not destroyed, and he shall return! You must face him and defeat him next time, for a fear my stored power is all but depleted and centuries shall pass before I can exert my will so again. Fear not, their remains yet one way to revive me, I know not fully the means or I would have contacted others long ago, however, now your shield is the first of a prophecy, but one piece to a grander whole, I believe it is key to restoring my power. Find the other 6, gather them together and perhaps more knowledge of this most ancient prophecy, long lost in the ages past, shall be gleamed and a course set.
she seems to fall forward, then grimances
Alas, what strength I had left to speak to you is gone, Farewell my champion, my last light against the darkness. My fate, now rests upon your shoulders, and I fear the fate of your world may as well. bew--
suddenly the brightness returns, then fades as quickly as the first time. You find yourself standing where you were staring at a sitting ogre and the mayor speaking to the townsfolk. You thought back to just mere moments ago, where you had spoken to what was left of the lady you worshiped, she had wanted to say something else, alas her strength that remained had finally failed her.
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Charles the odd moves to sit, but then waves at the crowd as Rory introduces him.
yes yes! Good gents and Madames, I'm sure you shall find having a wizard around will be quite the boon! I shall make compensation three fold the trouble I caused!
He pulls out quite a large book as he moves to sit until a request is made of him. As he sits he snaps his fingers and things suddenly begin to clean themselves!
Kenna had returned to the Mayor's side after releasing the townsfolk from the church and listened to his impassioned speech. Mayor Rory was an enthusiastic speaker!
Turning her blue topaz gaze upon the ogre named Charles and his declaration to being a wizard, she watched keenly and silently as he opened his book and performed his magic.
Her eyes moved about her surrounds, noting that things were being righted as she watched. Still, the tavern lass was not a trusting sort, and she scanned her eyes for anything out of the ordinary or suspicious.
Rory blinks a few times, staring in blank astonishment when the ogre reveals himself to be a wizard. He approaches...Charles.
"Sir ogre, how did you come to be enthralled by that dark rider? Obviously wanton destruction isn't your normal MO."
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The Ogre scratches his head.
I don't recall. As I said the last thing I remember was sitting down in my lovely little cave home in the mountains when suddenly I felt a cold chill. the next thing I knew I was here, staring at you all. quite the foray if I do say so! Never thought I would make it into a human town and not be killed on sight, you are a kind man sir.. Rory, was it that the fiery Madame called you? Do you yourself pursue the arcane arts as well?
Kenna notices Bannock go taunt upon strapping the shield on his arm and sees his eyes glaze over for a small while. Other than that, and other than the ogre being a wizard, not much is out of place save the corpses of those who died during the battle.
He ignores the ogre's question about his own magical abilities. "How far from here is your cave home?" the Mayor wants to know.
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Bannock at last rouses himself from his revelry. Scanning about, he takes in the scene of the after-math. The Ogre seems to be some kind Ogre...magic...user, of some sort. Pah! A likely story. Still, with that front under control and no other invasion likely, he slings both shields about his back, stashes his flail in his belt and goes about the business of seeing to the fallen. Those still staving off death's door can be stabilized and healed. But for those brave souls that are beyond his help, he gives them the last rites that they deserve.
He ponders heavily his vision. What does it mean? He resolves to speak to someone about it, but to whom he does not yet know.
"Well, this is a fine kettle o' fish y've put me into," he says, expecting the Lady in White to answer. But, no, his ever-faithful companion is no longer there. Is it true? That she has used the last of her power to inform him of his great purpose?
He places another corpse in their row, and thinks on the matter.
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As the town begins picking up the pieces and finally put out the fire. The Guard Captain Derrick awakens in a start. He spies the ogre, sitting down and swinging its hands as if caught in a merry tune. Looks towards rory, then back towards the ogre then back to Rory before shrugging, accepting that it is fine and wanders off to check on his family.
That night everyone has fitful sleep, however a certain few have something more.
Each of you save bannock hears in your dreams, a soft, faint voice. Liken to the whispering of the wind.
Hear me brave soul, I beseech thee. I ask you now to aid my lone warrior in a quest perilous to all who go. Yet, the consequences of not undergoing it may prove disastrous, the dark warrior you met today is not dead, he shall return, when I cannot say but he shall and you must stand against him alone this time. I will not be able to aid you again. Seek out sir Bannock, he resides in your town, you are all pure of heart and soul. and I sense in each of you a great power just awakening. Please, for all our sakes. the last words slip away into such a quiet whisper you should not have been able to hear them at all. But hear them you did. You awaken the next morning, the words ringing clear in your mind. [/b]
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After tossing and turning in a restless sleep, Bannock wakes early and dresses for travel. To where he goes he knows not, but he'll accomplish no great deeds in this town.
He goes to others in the town whom he saw fight bravely the day before; the Mayor, the drunk who punched all those skeletons, the waitress who seems to know her way around a crossbow. To each he pleads with them, asking the sasme question that has no answer.
"I do not know ye very well, but I would have ye know that I mean t' accomplish great thing. I've received a vision, which I beleive is relfected in the prophecy on this shield here. We none of can ken what exactly has happened here, but I forsee a time when th' Black Knight will return, and we'll no be able to stop him. I feel we must sojourn to accomplish this, though I've not yet direction nor heading. Still, I must ask ye: Will ye come with me?"
He waits for his answer from each, and then moves on to the next.
"I've been curious about the phenomenon that saved our town myself, and it seems to have some sort of special connection to you. If you hadn't proposed going yourself I would've suggested it to you. I'm in."
Kenna was bustling about, serving food and drink to the usual patrons in the tavern. The voice in her dream came unbidden and she wondered who it belonged to and what powerful magic was wrought to send such a message into her thoughts.
She heard Bannock and Rory talking outside the double front doors and set down her tray and cleaning cloth and walked out to them. Kenna greeted both men and looked keenly upon Bannock who yesterday seemed overtaken by some malady when he claimed the shield after the battle. His eyes appeared clearer this day.
"If we are to put down this dark knight, then count me in. The basterd tried to kill all the townsfolk ... and he will return to finish the job, to be sure!"
Kenna turned bright blue-topaz eyes upon Bannock. "If you know more on this, then speak up so we may be better prepared. Perilous quests and dark knights seem to go hand in hand. I just want to know what we will walking into!"
Rodar holds up his tankard "If you're buying the next round you can count me in."