Ljos's page

Ljos extended a hand and helped Arles to his feet, "Everyone goes through a crisis of fate at some point brother, there is no shame in it. Meditation and prayer may help to calm your mind and restore you to the Inheritor's grace." The fiend-blooded knight thought a moment, "I want you to spend time with Othirubo, he needs teaching and guidance in the ways of knighthood and service to the Light and my duties as an officer preclude me from devoting as much time as he deserves. Perhaps, in teaching him, you will find new insight and a way toward inner peace. Ride with me and him in the column until you feel the Light's touch once more."

Ljos quietly came up from behind Sir Arles, gesturing for the gathered knights to not alert Arles to his presence. After a moment of listening Ljos moved next to the doomsayer and laid a hand on Arles's shoulder, allowing the paladin a moment to see his golden wolfish eyes and predatory smile.

"You assume that there are good places to die. No such thing as a good place to die exists. What matters is not where, but how you die. How are you willing to die, brother? Will there be any more meaning to your life if you die cowering under bed rather than on your feet and standing against evil? The skein of your life was woven long ago, and there is nothing you can do to extend it. You can run and hide if you like, but you will not live one instant longer. We are the only one's who can do this job, the only ones who can take the fight to the Enemy. We are blessed warriors, chosen by the gods to be here.

You're not being asked to die, brother. You are being asked to fight."

Diplomacy, Touch of Destiny, Surge, Aid Another: 1d20 + 1d6 + 16 ⇒ (9) + (6) + 16 = 31

Ljos is a tad better at diplomacy than Steave, if he'd like to aid another we can sit down Sir Arles and assuage his fears? I can also use Touch of Destiny and Surge if needed.

The golden-eyed knight listened to Sosiel and sat quietly a moment, arms crossed, "Do we know who specifically? I could talk to them and assuage their fears. Or lacking that one of us could assemble and address the ranks."

Ljos raises his hand a moment, "Captain Steave, this was an area they fortified, however haphazardly, perhaps we should have the men gather supplies from the fallen? We may need more than we began with if we plan to assail a fortress."

Bull's Strength and Blur should be sufficient for me, if anyone needs BS just tell me.

Ljos closed his eyes and considered for a long time, "The surest way to defeat an ambush is to advance into it, keep them back-footed. The assault team may work, but there should be a better method."

He rested a hand on the hilt of his blade and tapped his scabbard against his thigh rhythmically, "They're divided in two and anticipate the advantage of ambush, we have speed thanks to our mounts, and range from bows. I see two options that offer a high probability of success. First, is to split our force into footmen and horsemen. The footmen will attempt to get behind one of the enemy forces, probably the tieflings, and act as an ambush of our own. The horsemen then advance until the enemy launches their attack, at which point the horsemen charge full on into the tieflings, and, once battle is joined, the infantry then attacks the tieflings from behind. Once the abyss-touched are put to route we turn and deal with the dretches. The advantage is if it works our casualties are minimized, the disadvantage is if it fails our loss will be severe. It's a gamble."

The devotee of Sarenrae took a deep breath, "Alternately and more simply, we let them try to ambush us. When they spring the trap we charge full bore into the faster enemy force, I defer to Yridhrennor which that might be. Once we smash one enemy away we wheel and deal with the other. Less of a gamble than my first plan, but there are guaranteed to be losses, hopefully less than other forces due to our number of paladins but it will still sting."

I believe the terms I used were eradication and butchery. I don't think quarter was asked or given, hence the crying.

After the battle Ljos found himself in the midst of the field of dead. He knelt in a spare patch of blood-muddied earth, sword point down before him, and prayed. His cloak and tabard soaked and stained, torn in places where blades or claws had found purchase, he wept silently among the dead and dying. After his prayers were done he made way back to the other officers of the army, joining as Blink found her voice.

Tear stains still marked his face as he spoke, exhaustion in his voice, "I don't suspect many yet live, we're striking into enemy territory and the soldiers know we can't afford many prisoners."

Ljos dismounted and joined the companions as they watched the chaos unfold, "Encirclment, partitioning, and eradication is our best strategy. I would prefer to keep as many alive as possible but having any of these to our rear might endanger our venture and we can't save souls if we're dead." He pointed to the mass, "Those of us better on horse will lead the encirclement and herd the enemy, those better on foot will be responsible for the butchery. Keeps any from having a decent chance of escape." Ljos frowned and moved to remount, looking over his shoulder for a moment, "Unless there's a better plan?"

Can we assume the "Let Blink get spotted" plan went... according to plan?

Also: Sorry I've been a little out of it, term papers coming due.

Ljos knelt by the demon, pulling a wand from his belt.

"I'll stabilize him, Blink get ready to do something to attract the attention of the sentries, the rest of you get out of here and take position with the cavalry. Wait for the chaos to start. Blink when the sentries get here be poised to strike a death blow on sleeping beauty here, when they see you shout something suitable in their tongue and teleport out. I'll be waiting with Morgunsar over there to get you out of here." He indicated a direction away from the camp as soft blue light emitted from his wand.

Wand of Cure Lights: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

That moment when you don't want to succeed too much cause you need to fail...

Ljos continued his assault, hoping that his blade did not bite too deep.

Attack, Power Attack, 2 Hands,flank: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Ljos ran to the side of the tent. With a rapid slash he made an entrance and dove in, rolling to a offensive stance behind his foe, blade extended.

Would I be able to carve my way into that tent and get behind Sparkles as my round? Just not sure if it's something I can do in one turn.

Ljos grunted and surged forward, blade at the ready. He moved in a looping motion and used the momentum to power his blade in a fell arc.

Two Handed, Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

His blade found limited purchase but opened a wound in the fiend's unnatural hide.

Sword in the guts? I thought it was a hammer. My bad.

By the way, after this is done, does anybody want my scale of sacred weaponry? It does align weapon (good or lawful only) 3/day. I don't need it much anymore since raging aligns my attacks.

STOP! Hammer Time.

I'll just go to my room for that one...

More seriously, thinking Galin or Blink might be best off with the Scale as me and Steave both can smite or cast bless weapon. Leaning Blink.

Ljos lopes toward his new foe chanting in Abyssal, reaching down as he does so to snatch up a handful of earth. As he slides to a halt he throws the dust at his target and completes his chant. The dust becomes a great shining cloud, blinding bright, and envelops the fiend.

Glitterdust, DC 16

The one that's down would be the one who I had smite on... Oh well, just have to comfort myself with Mythic Power Attack :)

Power Attack, Two Handed: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

Ljos rounded on the second demon as the first fell. He blade moved in deadly arc and, connecting, bit deep into the fiend but not as deep as it should have.

DR reduces to 13

Yeah, once these two are dealt with I think a glitterdust blinding and a sword in the guts will make him think we really want his head and convince him to run. Of course, plans and contact with the enemy and all that... it's why we have a plan to charge in anyway if this goes south.

No, these are guards. Killing them is A-OK, actually it's for the best, got make this assassination look real. :)

It's going to be the actions listed above, unless you want me to reroll. 'cause I'll happily reroll :)

I think it should be Yridhrennor up next, but I'll go ahead and declare actions.

Ljos smiled behind the haze of flies before letting out a cry in the twisted language of the demons and lashing out with his blade.

Smite

Power Attack, two hand, smite: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Swinging wide of his mark.

AC 23 right now with 20% miss

Ljos whirled to face the demon as it appeared next to Blink, sword raised he moved to circle the creature.

Just some movement for now, set up a flank move for Blink

Touch of Destiny and Mythic Surge plus whatever penalties the baddies get from distance and using cover on my approach *crosses fingers*

Stealth: 1d20 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (12) + (1) + 4 = 17

"Alright Yridhrennor, let me and Blink take position and then try to lure them in. Theran, set yourself up to support us if we get in trouble. Ok, let's move out."

"Shouting in Abyssal would be best, do you need me to teach you the words? From experience, fiends don't have a lot to worry about poison. Now angels on the other hand..." Ljos shakes his head, "That's why I wanted a bomb, shrapnel kills demons as well as anyone else. Hmm, I think killing a guard would be a good idea, two better. The enemy commander panicking is our ally, the more we look like a serious attempt the better. How about we lure them close to one another and I try to blind them and then we go for the kill, make the kill loud enough for the enemy to panic and once the alarm goes up we run?"

Ljos crouches by Blink, his form indistinct and hazy behind a cloud of flies and bow clutched in his hands. "Two demons, think you can take one silently?"

My creepy versions of Shield, Blur, and Bull's Strength are up

Can we get a vote on which option we're going with?

1 - Assassinate Enemy Leaders

2 - Fake Assassination to get Enemy to fight among themselves

"Our duty is to win. We have a siege to look toward and must hold our gains afterward. Unnecessary loss of life among our forces will only make that harder." Golden eyes are soft but unyielding, the fiend-blooded knight's voice calm and half saddened,, "If we attempt a successful assassination we risk one enemy commander surviving and controlling a united force. If we charge straight in, we risk our soldier's lives. A failed assassination only risks the lives of a few of us, mine included, and still allows us to charge in with the main force."

"Alright, first goal is to find out who commands which force. I want some of our scouts to grab a sentry or two and find out. Once we have that, Othirubo will tell us who is the stronger enemy commander. Then we go after them, the stronger commander will be the one most likely to have an assassination attempt made on them by their colleague. The assassins will consist of myself and Blink." Ljos looks Blink in the eye as he speaks, "The goal here is to fail, we want him hamstrung and mad, but alive. We'll use ranged weapons and then teleport out, I'll make sure to yell something in Abyssal to implicate the other commander." His gaze turns to Theran and Yridhrennor, "You two will be our back up, in case this goes poorly for us. If me or Blink run into trouble then we'll counting on you." Ljos turned to Steave and Galin, "Steave, Galin, Irabeth, each of you takes a contingent of soldiers and waits for a little chaos to start. If we can get the enemy fighting among themselves, then let them get stuck in and exhaust themselves a bit before you move in. If not, then Steave charges in and divides them before turning to engage the weaker commander. Galin attacks the same enemy unit, a hammer to Steave's anvil. Irabeth charges into where the assassination team is, your goal is to pin down the enemy while Steave and Galin finish their assignment. Once the weaker force is gone, Steave and Galin wheel and move in a pincer attack on the remaining enemies." Ljos lays the plan out using rocks and tokens to represent the movements. "Any officers not otherwise assigned will either fight in the main line or act as triage for our wounded. Othirubo, after you provide intel you'll be on healing duty, prepare potions accordingly. Does anyone have any questions or disagreements?"

"Getting the enemy to fight among themselves is the tricky part, if we just want to take out the commanders that's relatively easy." Ljos thought a moment, "Blink, you have the ability to teleport, right? Can you carry someone with you? Do you think you can get from the commander's tent to the edge of the camp?"

Ljos considers a moment, "I'm not the best at sneaking around, but I may have a distinct advantage here." His golden eyes flash as he smiles, the pointed teeth of a carnivore showing through. "I like where your thoughts take you Steave, but if we want the enemy commanders to be fighting each other a successful assassination isn't the best option. And the tieflings and their demonic masters will have an advantage pre-dawn with their darksight." Ljos looks in the direction of the enemy for a moment, pondering, "I could just walk in easily enough, they probably won't stop of tiefling... Othirubo, could you build a bomb on a delayed fuse? Something I can plant and leave and goes off after say, two minutes? And do we have any recovered enemy holy symbols?"

Ljos's concern remains, "Hmm, perhaps I am to used to fighting more organized foes. Prior to coming to Kenabres, my experience was with Taldan knights, devils and the Chelish army."

The golden-eyed warrior is alert for much of the night, only bedding down after his predicted attack time of midnight. He sets up a watch rotation with Othirubo and in the morning continues the Tiefling's lessons on the Order. This time, Ljos educates him on the basic tenets of the Order: No matter how far one has fallen, forgiveness is possible. Self sacrifice is the highest honor in the order, but not done foolishly, if one is to die then you should save a soul doing it. And, most importantly, no one who has not sinned greatly is allowed within the Order. Those who wish to join the good fight but have never known the path of evil are encouraged to join the Order's sister organizations.

Arodus 28, near Vilareth Ford

Ljos rubbed his jaw, nodding along to Yridhrennor"Could work, way I would do it would come after nightfall though and time is a factor." Black fingernails resembling claws drummed on his scabbard. "Could always assassinate the commanders, then send up a flare and let the cavalry charge in." Ljos waves over Othirubo, "You know anything about this force? Who commands?"

I'm all for more capable hands and like having the NPCs around. (Also more options for cohorts)

I say yes to all until someone wants to veto any/all of them.

I'm curious, did any other named NPCs other than the three the Queen sent and Othirubo (and Jeslyn's corpse, that thing's coming along until it's beyond raising) come with? I've been trying to catch up on the game prior to Ljos and Blink showing up but it's taking a while and I'm not sure who lives... I'm rooting for Anevia though. :)

Ljos dismounted and strode up to the two lieutenants, "Have you looked at the terrain ahead? Think like a bandit and really look at the land we're in. Imagine, the merchant caravans that went missing have started to become too big of a problem for the local baron and now he's sent men after you. He sent knights of course, heavily armed and armored with sturdy mounts but with limited mobility when not on flat, open ground. You don't have the numbers or the men to deal with them head on, but they have to come to you. They pass through a ruined town, much like this, and then a choke point, much like that." He pointed to the trail ahead, "How would you hit them?"

He paused, "We need to not be here right now or we need to prepare for attack. If it was me, and I've done this before, I'd hit two times tonight and once tomorrow. First, right as the first watch starts to get tired and hungry, while their comrades are sitting down for supper and time in the sack. Second, right around midnight when half the camp is asleep or trying to get there but having trouble calming from the first attack. Third, I'd hit 'em in the morning when they tried for the pass. The first two shots would be limited, raiders with longbows just to force the enemy to stay awake and wear their nerves, use the ruins for cover and to shield my withdrawal. The third would be full force. Mages with big blasting spells, archers, and people rolling big rocks. All of them hitting the front and rear of the column to bottle the enemy up. Then, right as the enemy got ready to attack back, I'd fade. If they didn't fight back, if I did better than expected, I'd hit the center next... and I'd gut them. Repeat as necessary. I'd need a dozen men, two dozen at most." Ljos looked at the soldiers meaningfully. "We need to get ahead of the enemy before they get ahead of us. Thoughts?"

Evening, Arodus 27, Vala's Gift

Over the course of the day Ljos road along the column, placing himself to respond to potential ambushes and reviewing the troops. He kept one eye on Othirubo during this time, both to make sure he behaved himself and that he was not harassed by others. Once reaching camp Ljos allowed Othirubo to rest while he went and took a look at the wrecked town of Vala's Gift. Looking at the path ahead he began to calculate, old habits playing upon his mind.

A dozen trained raiders and I could cripple this column by laying ambush in that pass. If I hit them while camping here, it would take maybe fifty to ensure they were useless in a siege later...

Riding back Ljos went to meet with the captains, particularly Nurah and Sosiel, to voice his concerns.

"Divine intervention? That might actually not be a bad idea, do we have anyone who can create water? If so we could bring less water and more food and extend the length of our supplies. Old trick when we were ranging for long raids. If we have the mounts we could also extend our supplies the hard way, don't suggest it but it is an option. On a related note we should see to pairing those without mounts with experienced riders." Ljos cast his golden eyes upon Yridhrennor, [b]"If you are done with your research we should prepare to move at dawn, speed and surprise will be our best assets in retaking Drezen. We lack the numbers for methodical warfare. And, we need to get some eyes on the scene in any case, to much may have occured under the Abyss's gentle ministrations."

I was just looking at everyone's character sheets because I'm bored at work. And, I realized, everyone able to use arcane magic has learned Glitterdust. Things are going to get really shiny. :)

Ljos nods along, "Ok, that makes things a little harder than I'd like. Without horsemen we'll be unable to shield our flanks or have a rapid response force. I'd like to move quickly, too. Steave, my experience with large forces is as a raider and with large proportions of mounted or stealthy troops, I'm a bit out of my specialization here. Would you be so kind as to take overall command?"

Ljos taps a finger to his lip, "Captains, you know the force we have been assigned better than I. What is the proportion of horsemen, infantry, and archers among our force? Are any of the chosen by the gods or are the all strictly lay warriors?"

Ljos gave another quick bow, "I'll go to make immediate preparations, let's have all the officers of the strike force meet at dusk to combine information and see what our basic strategy will consist of. Any enlisted or auxiliaries who would like to contribute to the officer's meeting are welcome to attend. Objections?"

Ljos gave a low bow in response to the queen's decision. Noticing Blink's reaction, he reached over and gave her arm a gentle squeeze, a sad smile on his lips as he tried to give some comfort.

Ljos nods in respect as the queen speaks, "As you command, we shall reclaim Drezen." He pauses a moment before continuing, "I have a few requests, in the name of my order, if I may. I request that the prisoner Othirubo be pardoned for his prior crimes and given to the guardianship of the order until such time as he is discharged or granted membership. I must also ask if you can help me to raise the criminal Jeslyn so that she may be given a chance at redemption. I do not ask her crimes be pardoned at this time, merely that her punishment be... delayed until she can be properly assessed."

Ljos spent his week getting little sleep, his face now pale and drawn. After the battle with Jeslyn he carried her body back to the party's bivouac, Othirubo brought along as a prisoner. He spent the days tending to the wounded and his nights interrogating Othirubo and looking for a cleric willing and able to raise Jeslyn. When asked about either, his reply is "Everyone is worthy of redemption."

With the arrival of the Queen, Ljos gathers himself together. His fatigue is alleviated with an infusion of divine power. He replaces his bloodstained cloak with a new one sent by his order, white with silver trim. Other supplies from the order include a new ring and better armor for his horse, Morgunsar, both bearing the open palm and flame insignia of the order. He polishes his silvered chain shirt and combs his hair prior to venturing forth to meet Queen Galfrey. He finds someone he can trust to watch over Othirubo and waits for his allies.

If you're worried about extra attacks, I think the easiest way to limit them would be keep the cost to 1 Mythic Power per use but make them limited to "tier/day". So at tier 1 it's once/day, at tier 3 it's 3/day. That way you can use an extra attack ability and still play with a few Myhtic toys, especially with the slow recharge rate. Just my thoughts anyway, I'm trying to use mostly passive abilities so I won't have to worry about it.

Lest we forget

Mount: Morgunsar
Horse

Str 19, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
BA +3, CMB +7, CMD 20
AC 20, Touch 13, Flat 17
Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +2
HP 43 (5d8 + 20)
Speed 50ft
Init +2

Attacks: Bite (+7, 1d4+4)
x2 Hoof (+2, 1d6+2)

Feats: Dodge, Power Attack, Improved Overrun

Skills: Perception +9 (5 ranks + 3 class + 1 Wis)

Special Qualities: Combat Trained, Low-Light Vision, Scent, +4 Nat Armor, Bite (1d4), x2 Hoof (1d6), Bonus Tricks (2), Link, Share Spells, Evasion, Tricks (Combat Trained, Throw Rider, Exclusive)