Commander Kilenthar's page

"In many instances and at many times over the last several hours I have given each of you the ability to betray or attack me and none of you has taken that opportunity. I must assume, then, that none of you are my enemies...if any of you had wished me harm I suspect that harm would have come long before this. That said, I ask that each of you draw your weapons and place them at your feet, within easy reach should you need them but within visibility of each other as well. You will understand the precaution when my story is finally complete."

Waiting for everyone to do as asked, the commander visibly relaxes when each of you does as requested and turns your attention back to the conversation.

"First, I would like to thank each of you for your assistance to Kiren's Keep, over the last several years, this place and it's people have come to mean much to me, and I would hate to have seen this home come to harm. Your actions today are not without merit and the posted reward: land and status in the surrounding area, are yours each to claim as you will, but I hope after hearing my saga that you each will decline that offer. I have need of hearty friends at the moment."

The commander pauses at this point, as if struggling to gather the courage to continue.

"It was once told to me by a mentor of mine in my religious training that trust in your fellow man is a human trait, but blind trust is an act of faith reserved for the desperate, the dying and the devoutly pious. I suppose I fit the first and the last of these descriptions at the moment. The story I am about to tell may sound far fetched but I suspect, at least for a few of you, that I carry enough proof to make you believe."

"Too, you should know up front that what I am about to tell you would fetch a pretty penny on the right market and would mark at least two of us here for death almost immediately. If any of you choose to walk away from this after my story, understand that you will hold my life and the life of one of your fellow group mates in your hands. This is the trust I put in each of you."

"Yet this story is not mine alone to tell, the risk I take not mine alone to bear. I would ask that the other person here to whom this story pertains please identify themselves and give me their permission to continue before I put their life at risk needlessly."

"Lastly, I will ask of each of you two favors. The first is to listen well to my tale and hold your questions till the end. The second is to be honest with me in return. For any of you who wish to continue with me after this is over will need to reveal of themselves at least a bit more than I know now. Understand that I will be casting a spell of divine power to detect any lies you might tell in that process."

With that the commander goes silent, waiting for his permission to continue with the story.

Seeing the skull emblazoned upon the bag and on the sword pommel the commander goes somewhat white and begins to frown.

Taking the proffered scroll tube, handling it almost as if it would blow up in his hands, he unrolls the letter and frowns again. Then reads the short note aloud. Feel free to look at the spoiler at this point - Bone Scroll Tube Contents.

"Kavorquian is a well known mage in these parts, his home is south of here near the region's largest town of Penhaligon. (see provided map at Rise of the Regent Kiren's Keep Area) He is somewhat of a well known diviner in these parts and seems to have fallen into the notice of the coordinators of this attack. This "Queen" is unknown to me, and who she is or might be is a mystery...a mystery I would deeply like to solve."

Lookup up and glancing around the Commander then says "There is more, more to add to your line of questions and more to add to the story I have to tell. We must be quick and be off this field, this bag, this note and that sword (the commander nods at the sword currently being held by Kith) tell me much I have suspected for some time. The group associated with this attack is known to me, and my time avoiding my past seems to be at it's end. Let us finish up here and begone back to our encampment, there is much to talk about."

Nodding to each of you in turn the commander says:

"Well done. Tonight you have earned my trust and my thanks, neither of those is a quantity I give out freely. Many of you have questions, it is plainly written all over your faces and it probably seems ever since you met me either yesterday or this morning that there have been nothing but secrets between us. Let us head back to our tunnel entrance to the keep, the fighting will continue long into the night as the Keep pushes the orcs out of the area. For us, a brief respite and my assurance to all of you that I will put the events of the last few days, and even the last few decades, into order. Each of you have earned it."

"But first, to the victor goes the spoils, let us see what we shall find."

As the commander ushers Fyird up onto the catapult, and climbs up onto the catapult platform after him he explains:

"Use your axe to cut the various ropes and chains of the catapult to disable it, if we can't burn it, we'll destroy it. Even should we fall to this ambush we MUST disable this catapult."

Setting his shield in front of him, Kilenthar plants himself directly in front of the working Fyird, using his shield and his body to cover Fyird's work.

Fyird will now be at a +4 AC and +4 to Reflex Rolls. If anyone knows of a better way to manage this (one man sized creature covering another man sized creature) please let me know. The "destruction" of the catapult will take 3 rounds including this one. The sleep will go off at the beginning of round 5, so Rounds 5, 6 and 7 will be occupied with Fyird chopping and Kilenthar Guarding.

Perception Roll: Perception (1d20+4=10)

Kilenthar Casts a sidelong glance at the burning catapult and moves over to engage the other orc (Orc1) attacking Kith, drawing his mace and moving in to attack.

Invisible Castle down again for me. Having to go with the D&D Dice roller.

Kilenthar Initiative: Roll(1d20)+5: 10,+5 Total:15

The commander will grasp his firepot and charge toward the catapult. This should move him 40' and into range of a toss at the beginning of the next round. The commander, as well, will be at a -2 AC penalty next round but is not expecting to be engaged (hopefully).

The commander gets a ponderous look for a moment and then starts nodding.

"That's actually a very interesting strategy Thantos. You're right in that we shouldn't really need more than one to take down the catapult. With the darkness of night surrounding us there's no way anyone would come upon one of these things and know what it was till the last moment. That very well might buy us some time if we're being chased."

"Regarding the signal, the keep will let us know when it's time to attack. Each group is responsible for their own plan so we don't really need to coordinate with the other groups. It's risky, admittedly, but any attempt to communicate with any of the other groups across a distance would be more risky."

Looking at the sky the commander says "I estimate we've got about 15 more minutes before the signal, lets get the planning completed and move out."

Stiffening a bit and then shaking his head Kilenthar says:

"Your sword isn't needed right now Kith, I'm no traitor, though I suspect one within the Keep. 'In a room next to mine where you and I were playing a game of Dragon Chess' is the answer you're looking for. Put the damn thing away and get down. We don't have time for questions right now."

Quickly addressing everyone Kilenthar says "There's obviously more to all of this conversation than meets the eye. Earn my trust and I assure all of you that you will have all the answers you require and more. I warn you all now: Stand against me or take action against me and you will die as so many other assassins have over the years. For the moment, put your confusion and your perceptions behind you. Stand with me and the Keep now, lower your weapons, put this all behind you, and prepare for the task of destroying these war machines so the folk of this region can go back to their farms in peace. Or you can walk out of here and no Ill will will be born against you, or take your best shot at me and end up as vulture food as so many of my enemies have in the past."

With that the commander turns forcefully and moves over to put his back against the rocks, hiding himself from anything moving on the plains below.

Taking a deep sigh and relaxing visibly Kilenthar looks directly at each of you and says "My apologies to you all. I do not have the time nor the inclination to explain myself to anyone at this point because I do not trust any of you..." smiling the commander nods at Kith "almost any of you. When you hear my story you will understand my plight. Bear with me a little longer everyone."

"I believe that would be for the best as well."

Taking out a smallish mirror with a hole in the center from a pouch at his side, the commander holds the mirror up to his eye, looking through the hole and then angles the mirror to catch the rays of the late afternoon sun and flicks it once, twice, pause, once, twice, three times. You notice the signal as the same one sent to your position from the other positions. The commander proceeds to pass out the same signal 6 more times so that the message is passed on to all attack positions.

After a brief pause the commander puts the mirror back into the pouch at his belt and turns to the rest of you.

"The position here should be secure enough for us to wait it out. The trees just back from us might provide someone nimble enough a better view of the lands below, otherwise I estimate we've got about 30 minutes before the bulk of the orcs pass by our position. Stay down and stay behind the rocks here, the orcs should have no reason to climb this far when their goal is in sight down field. If our position is overrun or looks to be discovered make for the tunnel back to the keep."