Search Posts
Drawn back into the moment at hand from his philosophical doubting by the flurry of activity, Isaeldan analyses the situation. He expended his prayer of foresight in aim to Vaedryn, and without another such spell, he cannot risk shooting into the fight between Ajira and the guard again. Grimacing, he puts away his bow, dons his light shield, and advances while pulling his longsword, looking to take up a position on the opposite side of Ajira.
Isaeldan's hands shake as he pulls back on the bowstring, his mind hammering with the man's words. The sounds of combat from the wagon, distant already, are even more muted to his distracted ears. The battle between the enraged man and Ajira before him is almost silent. All the sound in the world is the elf's breathing and the resounding accusations of his attacker in his head. Debating with himself at the speed of thought, Isaeldan comes to a dire realization. I do not want to kill this man, he thinks. But, he will kill Ajira if I do not. I must act; but he forces me to an unholy decision. Torn, the elf stands for a fraction of a second as he thinks. Then the foe slashes Ajira, and Isaeldan releases the string. He barely even sees the effect of his shot as his arrow connects with his target. All Isaeldan can hear is the word "murderer."
Shaking from the disturbing event, Isaeldan rises from the ground as if in a dream. He looks at the man, seen in a new light, both pitiful and disgusting, and sees him inflict such wounds upon Ajira. The elf hears himself speaking, almost surprising himself as he raises his bow and casts a spell calling upon his god for blessed aim. .
Events are moving too quickly!, Isaeldan thinks to himself, scowling as his companions rush off into the brush. There is no time for the proper composure of thought! Making an uncomfortable flash decision for the second time in one day, in just minutes even, Isaeldan looks down to the weeping man. "I go to aid my friends in battle so that we do not share more fully in your grief. I advise you stay here where we can return and tend to you after the dirty business is done. If you so choose to wander farther into the jungle... that is your responsiblity. Perhaps you can follow the wagon trail to safety, but I wouldn't risk it." With that, the priest looks to what companions haven't run off yet and tells them, "There is no time for tending wounds or saying prayers. Battle is yet at hand, and I will not abandon my companions in preference of our wounded attackers."
Isaeldan emerges from the bushes just behind Genji, worry on his face. His elven ears heard the weeping before he saw the scene, and he could not help but feel worry that something had befallen one of his companions. Finally gaining sight of the situation, he breathes a sigh of relief, but it is quickl replaced by a mild look of sorrow. "I pity the youth, for he well may not have known what he did," Isaeldan says. "But you," the elf continues, raising an accusatory finger towards the sobbing man, "surely knew what you began! We gave you a chance to surrender, and you chose violence. This is the price the gods exact for foolish haste and hot anger. For if you should wish to throw away your life on our blades, that is one matter. But to volunteer this youth's as well, with obviously little regard for the inevitable consequences...." "Let this be a lesson to this 'warrior,'" the cleric continues, with obvious disdain for the man, and looking to his companions now, "and for all of us. Always choose peace and life over blood and death, when there is a choice to be made." His own flash of ire fading, the priest looks once more to the man. "I can perform rites, if you wish."
A delimma races through Isaeldan's mind. Should he continue to fight here, or accompany Genji to check on the caravan? He is used to being forced to decide so quickly. After a moment of paralyzing indecision, he decides that the situation really us under control here, and that the smarter choice is to help the gnome. "I shall accompany you," Isaeldan says as his shorter companion turns off into the brush. The cleric isn't stealthy like the ranger, but surely stealth no longer matters.
Isaeldan raises his hands. "Know in your hearts, friends," he says, his voice swelling with his magic, "that Vaedryn has ordained our victory, and let your strikes land true!"
"I would not bother trying to flee," Isaeldan says to the two men. "Even if you dodged our shots and escaped all of us in the immediate confrontation, Master Genji is an excellent tracker. We would find you, most likely while you slept, and take you anyway. Why not save a step and surrender now?"
"Master Genji is correct in that not all of us are of the urban persuasion," Isaeldan says, futily trying to twist this way and that to escape the thorny vines. "I appreciate your concern, and do sincerely apologize for tespassing on your lands- we meant no harm to you, but are in the process of tracking down the lair of orc raiders. Had we known that such a one as you was in this region, we would have sought you out, at least for what knowledge you could have given us."
"Friends, look closely here," Isaeldan says softly but audibly. "There, in the undergrowth- we seem to be under observation, but the thing has not acted yet." This is... strange, Isaeldan thinks to himself, quite befuddled. "I... am at a loss; does anyone have a suggestion as to a course of action we should follow?"
Isaeldan listens intently. Vaedryn he prays silently, may my eyes and ears inform me of what dangers may lay ahead. He keeps his bow out, with an arrow knocked.
I seriously doubt that we even need that much information from these wretches- Genji should have no trouble following the march of these beasts back to their cursed den through the jungle. Let us glean what we may about the particular defenses and send these to their dark god!
Hello, this is Saern speaking through an alternate account created for play by post. However, with the new aliases, it's no longer needed. Can it somehow be deleted so that I can make an alias with the same name/avatar? I didn't see a method under My Account. Thanks!
Realizing that there is nothing obviously amiss about the orc's worship, other than the anamoly of the barrels, Isaeldan decides to dig a little deeper and see if he can't discover some further clue. The elf clears his throat before beginning to speak in the guttural, foul tongue of the orcs, Isaeldan begins to ask his own questions, trying to "dumb down" his word enough. "How long have you been allied with the two-headed giant? Do you have a temple, or just some filthy hole in the ground? Where was the giant from? Was there ever another person or creature with the beast? Do you have any priests that came with you on this raid?"
Kali... Isaeldan reflects a moment upon this to try and discern what path his questions should follow. Knowledge (religion) roll: 18 + 7 = 25.
What a strange place, Isaeldan thinks to himself as he walks his winding way down through the mushroom tunnels to the prisoners, carrying a torch whose golden light bobs along with his steps. Vaedryn, I find myself growing uneasy here. Is it your will that I remain and learn from these unusual circumstances, or should I return to the road with haste to continue our quest for Teksor? I seek your words, for my discomfort is great, but I will not abandon your will. Upon seeing the ritual performed by the tiger-skin clad shaman, Isaeldan looks upon the captured beasts with disgust. He glances to the shaman, keeping the orcs in the corner of his eye, and asks in a low voice, "What will become of these animals when we have extracted all the information that we can from their wretched skulls?"
Isaeldan breaths a sigh of relief, and looks around. There are wounded in need of clerical assistance. He drops his weapons and moves to the closest fallen defenders. He looks for signs of life and stability. Without breaking in his pace or even looking from his work, he begins speaking. "If the villagers could produce a large amount of clean water and cloth for useage as bandages, I would be most appreciative. Also as a precaution, I would suggest lighting a fire and acquiring what metal rods and brands we can. Cauterization may be necessary in certain cases. If there are any other priests on hand, let them be mindful to say the magic of the gods for those in the direst needs. Mundane uses such as those I have requested materials for will suffice in most cases and conserve deific gifts for when they are truly needed. "Leave the attackers until the villagers are tended to. Once done, we can search for survivors amongst the orcs and take hostages for interrogation." Mechanics: Heal checks (untrained, +3 modifier) to find and stabilize injured defenders, only using healing spells as needed. I have three cure light wounds available with spontaneous conversion, and can use the same method to produce up to five cure minor wounds.
(Lucky for Harumn, Isaeldan dropped his light wooden shield back at the beginning of the fight. Speaking of which...) Isaeldan looks around him. His smile fades as he realizes that his advantage has quickly dissappeared. The orcs are now engaged with Genji, and the elf doesn't trust his aim that well now that Vaedryn's power has left him. He would simply take aim at anothe band of savages, but many are already engaged by the defenders, and he can't just leave the gnome to fight on his own. Isaeldan places his bow back on his back. That accomplished, he rushes over to try locating an advantageous position to ally with Genji in the fight against the orcs. His blade is drawn as he moves. "I should have had the foresight to keep my shield with me rather than discarding it so soon! Forgive my foolishness, Vaedryn." Mechanics: A move action to put away my bow, and a move action to close as well as I can with Genji with hopes of assuming a flanking position, drawing my longsword as I do so.
(I'm assuming that the true strike continues to apply to my critical confirmation roll. I have a scene in my mind; let me know if I'm overstepping my bounds as a player) Isaeldan stands as close to back-to-back as he can with the shorter ranger. Without looking from the circling orcs, he speaks to Genji in Common. "I suppose now would be a good time to break my habit of deliberation and show some initiative." Refocusing on the orcs, moving like predatory sea beasts who've caught the scent of blood, the elf calls out in their gutteral tongue: "The first one to take another step closer to either of us will recieve my arrow in their face!" One of the creatures chuckles and boldly puts his foot forward. Mechanics: Attack- Natural 20 on attack, 23 to confirm; Damage- 17 (assuming confirmation; 3 if unsuccessful somehow). The others cease chuckling. "A cleric of Vaedryn never lies!" Isaeldan says with a smile, his confidence swelling.
True strike is still in effect, and a rolled another natural 20. However, I got a 2 on the confirmation roll. What happens? Does the +20 insight bonus apply there as well? I'm really hoping that it does, because if not, I only got a 1 on my damage roll, and that's just... crappy. :) I hate it when my dice do these alternating high/low rolls. EDIT- oh, that would be a THREE on the confirmation roll because of bardic music, and 3 on damage as well from point-blank shot (provided they're within 30 feet) and bardic music.
"No!" Isaeldan shouts as he sees the orc finish his bloody deed. A glob of acid shoots across the battle field, a roar comes from the ettin, and the elf's anger wells inside of him. He now understands perfectly the reason for his people's hatred of the orcish race. Isaeldan begins to murmer a prayer to Vaedryn, asking for truth and knowledge once more as he prepares his bow again. Action: Casting true strike on my next round. Will attack on the following one. Provided there aren't any obvious and dire threats in the way, Isaeldan will march grimly forward after his casting and before his shot next round, attempting to get within 30 feet to use Point Blank Shot.
I must remain close in the event they should need me Isaeldan thinks to himself. The elf knows full well that he is not and experienced archer, and will risk much by firing into the melee that has enveloped the twin-headed best. Donning a severe countenance, he quickly strides forward, staying out of the reach of the orcs, and looks for an easy target. He spies a beast-man bearing perilously close to a stranded child "Vaedryn is the Lord of Learning, and the rearing and teaching of children is precious to him. It is against His will that you harm him, foul beast, and I will see to it that he is not defied!" Speeking more to himself than anyone else in an attempt to build his confidence, or perhaps due to the swelling of morale he feels as his grey elf companion speaks, Isaeldan simultaneously knocks another arrow, and takes aim at the offending orc. Attack roll: 7 total, 8 if within 30 feet. Damage: None likely.
Glad that the ranger had convinced him that wearing his leather armor was a better idea than continuing on through the jungle in his priestly robes, Isaeldan is stunned by the sight of the massive creature and its destructive rage. Never have I seen such a sight as this he thinks to himself, watching the orcs swarm like deadly ants across the village, the natives doing their best to repulse the attack. The elf's stunned reverie is broken, however, as the dwarf calls out, and charges ahead towards the towering, two-headed foe. "Vaedryn, may your eyes be mine and give truth to the flight of my arrows," he murmurs softly, dropping his shield and slinging his bow off his back. He pulls back, trying to aim his shot towards the gulf between the two massive necks, and lets the arrow fly as he contemplates this, his first shot in a true battle. (AC is now 14, flat-footed 12) Initiative: 5 Attack roll: Critical threat; Confirmation: 19 (natural 20, wow!) Damage: 16 if critical, 2 if not
It was either this, or Sovellis with his leather cap. *sigh* How hard should it be to find a picture of a male elf with dark hair in robes who isn't screaming or yelling and who isn't Vaarsuvius? I guess having an alter ego as a 20th level cleric of Vecna isn't so bad. :) |
