Paldo watched the two guards as the burned to death. He looked at his hands in disbelief having not taken a life yet with his new found fire powers.
Unnerved Paldo looked at Linge "Sorry Linge... I didn't give them much of a chance to surrender."
Paldo looked at Eladorn fter his suggestion "The disguises wouldn't fit my small frame, however I could be a captive that's being escorted back?" Paldo turned his head looking at the two burned guards "And I'm not sure those two uniforms will be much good too us... again... sorry."
Garran checks for magical items and finds nothing. the guards do not have any mundane keys on them either. it appears these must not have been very high level soldiers...
Eladorn makes a suggestion to use the guards uniforms as a disguise. none of them are going to be small enough for Paldo, but you could probably make them work for the others in the group.
Linge is touched by Paldo's sadness and guilt over his difficulty to control his powers. She can't exactly gloss over the death of the two men by arguing that it's fine and not something to worry about, either. So she simply places a soothing hand on Paldo's shoulder, giving it a light, reassuring squeeze.
"I can't carry any of these without breaking my vow and losing my powers," she explains, gesturing at the longswords, crossbows and steel shields. "I won't make a very convincing soldier. Perhaps it would be better if I played the captive with Paldo."
She glances at Horn, currently busy rolling over in the snow to wash the blood off his fur.
"Though it may be difficult to turn him into a convincing prisoner. Perhaps with ropes... I can try and talk him into playing along."
”I’m dressed enough like them as it is.” Garran says. ”Except for my shield…” Garran displays the symbol of Iomedae that is blazoned on his shield. ”So if I just present one of theirs, that should do for me.”
It takes more than a little cajoling and a couple of honey biscuits for Horn to finally bear with being on the end of a rope. Even so, Linge is worried that the trick won't be convincing enough.
"When we get inside the tower, you can pretend to keep me under the threat of your weapon," Litsy explains to Sigrun. "That way, if they start asking questions about how you managed to bring Horn along with you, you can explain that he followed along because you threatened to kill me, and I ordered him to do so."
Linge convinces Horn to accept a rope tied to him
Garran picks up one of the shields with a symbol of the Pale Tower on it and agrees to act the part of a soldier bringing in captives.
Eladorn and Sigrun also take pieces of soldier atire and lead Paldo, Linge and Horn as captives.
the group makes their way back to the walls of the pale tower.
what do you do now? any further preparations or do you walk up to the walls now?
"Would Shael be alright with playing the captive?" Linge suggests. "I have some honey biscuits left... But I don't think Horn will want to share," she adds, a little sheepishly.
"I have never specifically trained him in that way, though I imagine that he would quietly follow wherever I lead him. So, if I play guard, I could be bringing in some captured fauna well enough, I'd imagine."
”It would help if we had some mist, or fog to strengthen our disguise.” Garran looks at the sky. ”I don’t suppose nature will cooperate though”
Linge looks even more sheepish.
"Yeah... I'd need to prepare a new spell for that, I'm afraid."
As you approach the gates, you see a guard on the rampart above. he is looking over the party, clearly trying to figure out what is going on here. and possibly waiting for you to speak.
Linge uses some of the spilled blood to stain her clothes and mimic wounds. She does her very best to wear her ties convincingly, and hopes that the distance will make her 'captivity' more believable, though, up close, it looks incredibly amateurish.
She also gives some orders to Horn in a low voice as they get closer to the tower, having him 'thrash' a little against the ropes and give a few convincing growls. He seems mostly confused by these new, unknown directions.
Garran makes sure the symbol of Pale Tower is prominently displayed, and his face is shadowed by his hood as he boldly walks up to the gate.
He pounds on the ice with his gloved fist.
the group approaches the walls with Paldo, Linge and Horn acting as captives. Linge is maybe playing things up a little too melodramatically, and Horn is just very confused. the others are dressed as soldiers, and Eladorn has an elk following him...
the guard on the wall calls out in Skald to Garran
What happened out there? who are all of these people? and where are the dogs??
Garran makes his voice higher pitched and gravely. ”I got hit in the throat. (Cough.) We took this lot, but they killed the dogs before we did.” He answers back in Skald.
Eladorn ruffles the Mantle of the Black Rider across his shoulders and gruffly adds "...but we got this!"
Even with her limited understanding of social situations, Linge can tell that this is not going particularly well. Eladorn and Garran look tense and rather awkward, and the armors fit them a little weirdly.
Worse still, Horn is looking more and more bereft by the minute, and she can almost physically feel his anxiety growing, like a cold, steel grip clenching tighter around her own gut. He does not understand what the ropes are for. He does not understand why Friends Garran and Eladorn are suddenly not behaving the way they normally do. He does not understand why Linge won't look at him and give him Instructions the way she typically does. He has lost all his bearings, and Linge can hear him starting to huff, pacing back and forth as he grows more and more agitated.
If she lets him, he's going to do something rash. Or stupid. Probably both.
So, as discreetly as she can, she commands him to sit.
Nothing happens.
This time, the growing anxiety that Linge can feel is her own.
She repeats her order. Nothing happens.
It takes a while. She can't really turn around to look at Horn and gesture to him what to do, and he's too stressed to properly listen to her. She even has to rummage in her pocket with her fake restraints for a honey biscuit, just so Horn doesn't have a full-on panic attack and makes a break for it.
She sighs. And starts to recite mentally the words of power for her attack spells.
They'll probably come in handy.
The guard looks slightly confused, but he perks up at the sight of the cloak.
[b]"well, that certainly looks like what we've been looking for. Radosek is going to want to see that right away. Take the prisoners to Yana, then bring the cloak to the audience chamber. but leave the animals outside... that bear looks sick or something.
The guard works a mechanism on top of the wall and a section of ice in the shape of an arched doorway vanishes. you can see into the main courtyard of the tower. the ring of the ice wall extends around the large double door entrance into the tower, also made entirely of slick ice. the courtyard contains several small shelters (likely for the dogs) and a large fountain with an ice sculpture of a dragon
the courtyard and walls have several more guards, and a female ice troll.
Garran moves into the courtyard, then begins to rummage through his backpack, looking for that bottle of alchemical fire.
Slightly confused that their rather pitiful acting worked, Linge whispers an order at Horn to wait around, and does her best not to panic as she follows Garran into the courtyard. Unsurprisingly, quite a few guards are waiting for them inside.
She eyes the ice troll particularly warily, and tries to remember what she knows about her species. It might come in handy if a battle comes along.
Eladorn snugs the cloak back around his shoulders, and--deliberately misunderstanding the command--leads Shael into the compound.
The group heads into the courtyard. Eladorn tries to lead his elk in, while Horn dutifully sits on his rump outside the gate, with a short growl to show he isn't thrilled.
you know that these trolls are similar to the one you fought on the other side of the winter portal, but slightly larger and more intelligent. you have heard from several people during your time here that the Winter Guard employs a lot of the monsters in their army. they regenerate wounds very quickly unless affected by acid or fire. fire is especially damaging to ice trolls.
Garran walks in, fishing around for an item.
Eladorn walks in and the guard above yells out
"Hey, leave the beast outside. we'll get to it later, i don't want an animal inside! Borga will handle it.
As the soldier speaks, the ice troll perks up and walks towards Eladorn and his elk, licking her chops.
Line's gaze goes from Garran to Eladorn, in case one of them decides to initiate combat.
With the way that ice troll eyes Shae like a juicy steak, maybe it's merely a question of time.
Eladorn eyes his companions, warily glancing at the guards. He gets the sense that Linge might be ready to act now, but he's not sure about the others.
Paldo did his best to act as a securely confined prisoner, keeping his head low. Paldo's mind raced as they entered the structure trying to come up with a last minute plan to help his companions.
Eladorn steps into the courtyard, calling Shael to his side to protect him. "Borga's never been good at cleaning game; I'll handle this one myself," Eladorn bluffs, showing little concern over whether he's believed or not. He calls Shael in and casts magic fang on those deadly antlers, all the while trying to give off an air as if nothing is amiss. "Besides, I've almost got the thing trained as it is; shame to deliver it to Borga."
Shael follows Eladorn into the courtyard, stepping in front of the divine hunter.
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Eyeing the guards on the wall, Linge changes her plans and waits for a good opportunity to cast a summoning spell.
Looking down at the ground appearing hopeless, Paldo suddenly sprang to life throwing his fake bindings into the air.
"Fools, you will never contain the all powerful Paldo!!"
After disappearing Paldo, ducks behind the nearest building between the building and the wall.
Linge blows once in the whistle that she wears hanging around her neck, and Horn's ears twitch.
"Horn! Heel!" she shouts in Skald, and, dropping her bindings, she quickly hides behind a wall to cast a spell.
Apparently quite glad to be finally called to action, Horn stands up, and runs to Linge with a huff, too fast for the soldier to close the gate on him.
The troll yells at Eladorn
Borga clean game just fine! Borga clean you, skinny man!
She moves up, swinging her big axe at Eladorn, but misses in her anger
the soldiers move to attack. one moves to attack Shael, the others fire crossbows from the ramparts
apparently the soldiers were definitely surprised by your reveal, and none of them can hit anything!
The whole party may act. Paldo do two rounds of actions as the first to act in round 1, then your round 2 action before the enemies get to go again.
Global Condition: None |
Global Condition:
Garran HP: 23/23 - AC: 18/11/17 Status:
Eladorn HP: 21/21 - AC 17/13/14 Status:
Linge: HP: 17/20- AC: 15/13/12 Status:
Horn: HP: 23/23 - AC: 21/19/13 Status:
Paldo HP: 17/17 - AC: 14/14/11 Status: invisible
Sigrun HP: 24/24 - AC: 17/11/16 Status:NPCS:
Red guard HP: ?? | AC: ??
yellow guard HP: ?? | AC: ??
Purple guard HP: ?? | AC: ??
Green guard HP: ?? | AC: ??
Troll HP: ??| AC: ?? |
As soon as Linge utters the final words of her spell, a big bird of prey appears nearly above one of the guards's head. Without any kind of warning, it drops onto the man's face as if to gouge his eyes out. The attack, however, is more distracting than effective.
Feeling threatened by the troll's swinging axe, Horn moves in to attack her, drawing first blood.
Paldo moves behind the building positioning himself in a nook at the bottom of the stairs, enough that he can see the back of the large troll.
Paldo utters an incantation firing a small ball of light towards the trolls face.
Before the troll knows what is happening flame erupts from Paldo's fingers shooting flame across the Trolls skin.
Leaving his backpack and the alchemist’s fire on the ground for now, Garran moves up to engage the guard on the right.
;
;
Linge summons a bird that distracts a guard but doesn't do much damage
Horn attacks the troll, geting in two good hits.
Sigrun attacks with her battleaxe against the troll
Paldo casts two spells at the troll
the troll roars in anger as fire stops her healing powers and melts part of her skin.
Ignoring the many closer enemies, the troll steps towards Paldo and attacks him with axe, claw and tooth
Paldo is hit hard, and is barely standing
the guards stay on the walls
Green attacks the bird with a sword
the others shoot at the party
one hits Garran directly, the other misses.
the party may act
Global Condition: None |
Global Condition:
Garran HP: 23/23 - AC: 18/11/17 Status:
Eladorn HP: 13/21 - AC 17/13/14 Status:
Linge: HP: 17/20- AC: 15/13/12 Status:
Horn: HP: 23/23 - AC: 21/19/13 Status:
Paldo HP: 1/17 - AC: 14/14/11 Status:
Sigrun HP: 24/24 - AC: 17/11/16 Status:NPCS:
Red guard HP: ?? | AC: ??
yellow guard HP: -17 | AC: ?? | dead
Purple guard HP: ?? | AC: ??
Green guard HP: -1 | AC: ??
Troll HP: -24| AC: ?? |
Sadly, the druid's eagle gets a tiny scratch in before being severed by the guard's blade.
Painfully squeezing her way through the narrow space in-between the wooden wall of her hiding place and the ice wall protecting the tower, Linge reaches Paldo, grabs on one of her magical scrolls, and touches his arm as she recites the words of power that will heal his wounds.
"Get back, Paldo- get on top of the wall!" she says into his ear.
Unused to seeing freshly dealt wounds knit themselves back together, Horn seems to be completely spooked by the troll, and misses out all of his attacks!
Eladorn takes careful aim and lets a pair of arrows fly at the sole guard he can see on the southern railing; without missing a beat, he gives Shael subtle cues to begin attacking the troll in front of them.
Shael finds Eladorn's command quite clear, she lowers her rack and tries to impale the troll as she steps up.
”Iomedae grant me your strength!” Garran calls on his goddess for healing, then readies his shield.
Linge and Garran both call on different magics to heal some of the group's wounds.
Eladorn shoots two arrows that both find their mark, dropping a guard.
the two animals struggle against the troll, not able to get past her defenses at all!
Paldo, guards, troll, Garran, Linge, Eladorn
Global Condition: None |
Global Condition:
Garran HP: 18/23 - AC: 18/11/17 Status:
Eladorn HP: 21/21 - AC 17/13/14 Status:
Linge: HP: 17/20- AC: 15/13/12 Status:
Horn: HP: 23/23 - AC: 21/19/13 Status:
Paldo HP: 6/17 - AC: 14/14/11 Status:
Sigrun HP: 24/24 - AC: 17/11/16 Status:NPCS:
Red guard HP: ?? | AC: ??
yellow guard HP: -17 | AC: ?? | dead
Purple guard HP: ?? | AC: ??
Green guard HP: -16 | AC: ?? | dead
Troll HP: -24| AC: ?? |
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Paldo gets a bit oof healing and follows Linge's advice, withdrawing to the top of the wall where he has a better vantage point and is out of reach of the angry troll
One guard fires a crossbow at Shael
their thick hides protect them
the last guard on the rampart moves along the north wall towards a door in the side of the tower!
The troll attacks Sigrun
The Troll starts healing again, some of the damage from the last round vanishes without a trace.
the party may act
Global Condition: None |
Global Condition:
Garran HP: 18/23 - AC: 18/11/17 Status:
Eladorn HP: 21/21 - AC 17/13/14 Status:
Linge: HP: 17/20- AC: 15/13/12 Status:
Horn: HP: 23/23 - AC: 21/19/13 Status:
Paldo HP: 6/17 - AC: 14/14/11 Status:
Sigrun HP: 8/24 - AC: 17/11/16 Status:NPCS:
Red guard HP: ?? | AC: ??
yellow guard HP: -17 | AC: ?? | dead
Purple guard HP: ?? | AC: ??
Green guard HP: -16 | AC: ?? | dead
Troll HP: -19| AC: ?? |
Horn keeps attacking the troll, though he has trouble piercing her thick skin.
Stepping out of behind the wall, Linge uses another scroll on Sigrun's wounds.
Eladorn tracks the last guard on the rampart with his bow, letting two arrows fly when he has the man locked in his sight. He keeps an eye on Shael's fight with the troll, letting the combat play out with existing instructions for the time being.
Shael continues to try to gore the troll, driving his antlers repeatedly into the belly of the icy beast.
”Shield of Iomedae protect me!” Garran summons a shimmering field around himself; a shield of faith.
He then studies the troll as he advances a little closer to the dangerous brute.
Linge heals Sigrun some more.
Eladorn fires two accurate shots, dropping the guard
Shale gets some damage in on the big troll.
Paldo tries to daze the troll, to no effect
Sigrun tries to hit it with a fire spell
The troll is angered and slams into Sigrun again now that she has brought in fire!
Sigrun falls to the ground!
the purple guard fires again at Eladorn
the party may act
Global Condition: None |
Global Condition:
Garran HP: 18/23 - AC: 18/11/17 Status:
Eladorn HP: 21/21 - AC 17/13/14 Status:
Shael HP: 19/19 - AC 19/14/15 Status:
Linge: HP: 17/20- AC: 15/13/12 Status:
Horn: HP: 23/23 - AC: 21/19/13 Status:
Paldo HP: 6/17 - AC: 14/14/11 Status:
Sigrun HP: -6/24 - AC: 17/11/16 Status:NPCS:
Red guard HP: -17| AC: ?? | dead
yellow guard HP: -17 | AC: ?? | dead
Purple guard HP: ?? | AC: ??
Green guard HP: -16 | AC: ?? | dead
Troll HP: -33| AC: ?? | burned 1 round
Afraid she'll be caught in an endless loop of healing Sigrun only for her to get knocked down again, Linge takes a step back. The troll's pretty beaten up, and she hopes she'll get knocked out quickly enough to take care of the fallen magus.
Meanwhile, Horn is still doggedly trying to take down an enemy twice as large as he is. All attempts to catch her arm in his powerful jaws are thwarted, as he has to jump to reach her elbow, only for her to move at the very last second and his jaw to close on thin air.
Nevertheless, he manages to scratch her side just below the knee in apparent frustration, this time leaving a trail of blood on her hide.
Garran moves in cautiously and slashes at the troll.
Paldo focuses on the viscous axe wielded by the troll causing the Langlets in the haft to become extremely hot cooking the trolls skin.