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Hope is like energy. Lillith hears Polo's even voice in her head, almost as if he were standing behind her. It can be changed, diminished, transferred, directed. But like the nature of energy, it cannot be truly destroyed. You're the key, Lillith. If you live, hope stays with you.
Too late Lillith :) I agree we probably could have fought our way out but I decided it was more fitting to take Polo out in a blaze of glory. It felt right for the story.
I hope Fiendish won't deny me some artistic license. I've loved playing Polonius and this seems like as fitting and dramatic end for him as I could hope to muster :)
Polonius feels Lenneth place her hand on his shoulder and the flood of good fortune that cascades through him. It is a beautiful gesture, a feeling of love and friendship and hope. He turns to the witch and sees her beautiful, pale face strained with pain and concern and even in the midst of all this fire and blood he takes her hand in his and smiles. It's going to be all right. he says, looking up at her. You're going to get out of here Lenneth, I'll see to it. Please, find Ben for me. Tell him what happened here, what I've done to reach him. Find him and protect him, help him. he says, with urgency. He's going to be very angry but you have to make him understand that this world can still be wonderful, it can still be worth living for. His mind floats back to the struggles in Sandpoint, the hazy grey smoke of the fire, the terrifying flight from the church and the terrible loss he felt in failing Kaiya. He remembers every step of the journey across the mountains, how they clawed to feed themselves, to keep warm and how the bonds of friendship were tested to breaking point. And finally Solace, where he learned for the first time that his son had survived and the feeling of relief that washed over him like a wave that cleaned away all those feelings of doubt and hopelessness that had plagued him from the start. There are tears in his eyes but that smile remains. As the wolves snap at him he wraps the belt of bombs tightly around his arm.
Thank you Lenneth! He launches himself forward, knowing that biting death is just inches away and as the wolf tilts it's head, preparing to clamp it's jaws down on his throat and choke the life out of him forever, he dodges nimbly to one side, rushing past and through and suddenly his short legs, that he has cursed all his life, are pumping, his lungs, heaving, his heart - like that of a lion - thundering in his chest. The wolves cannot ignore a million years of primal instinct. At the sight of the small creature running they wheel and give chase, the pack forming behind him with a glee borne of blood-lust. As he runs, he tears the tops from the bombs in his belt and rips his component pouch from his pocket, spilling sulphur and potassium nitrate all over himself. It didn't matter, he only needed enough for a single primer and the black powder finds it's way into the now fizzing liquid of the bomb mixture. It's ok Ben. he says silently. I'm going to be with your mother soon. You won't join us for many years but when you do you'll find us in that little townhouse in Magnimar. We didn't have much in those days when you were just born but the place was always filled with light and laughter and the warmth of our love. That's the gift you can still give to this world, Ben. Joy. Like the joy you gave us when we held you for the first time. It was unequivocal, elemental and pure. You'll find us boy, when you're ready to leave behind this cold, hard world having made it all the brighter for your presence in it. The bombs rage in his hands now. It's nearly time. He can feel the White Wolf's hot breath on the nape of his neck, hear it's hungry panting in his ears. Well, it's going to get a surprise. Polonius Fynch is a man of his word and he told them he would make them regret ever laying eyes on he and his friends. His friends... In the time he has travelled with them they had become more than that. They have become part of his family. When he was hungry they had helped feed him. When he was cold, they kept him warm. When he told them he had to find his son, they helped him. The world had grown worse than anything he had seen in his darkest nightmares and yet now he knew that for them, when death came to claim them all, he would throw himself before it, the sum of all the hate and love he possessed; and then, if his burning chest had been a bomb, he would have blown his heart upon it... His eyes glitter in the burgeoning moonlight. Amelia, my darling. I'm coming home. The flash of light is blinding, a huge column of fire that erupts out of the ground in a spiral, sending sheets of burning heat out in every direction and smouldering chunks of earth and rock streaming through the air. Within a moment the flash is gone, replaced only by a thin tendril of smoke. A cold rain begins to fall and the realisation dawns that the wolves, and Polonius, are gone.
As the wolves draw in - snapping jaws and spittle, heckles and blood-lust - Polo looks to his belt of bombs, mind working desperately to find a way out of this...
You're definitely right about the rogue scenario (and I have a personal bugbear about that!) but I think AOOs would only work the way you suggest if I was standing more than 5ft away because then I would have total concealment and the enemy could not use sight to locate me. But I think I'm right in that when there is only partial concealement the attack of opportunity action economy remains unchanged except with a 20% miss chance.
Unfortunately Lillith Obscuring Mist only provides concealment when a person is adjacent to the enemy. So I would still incur an attack of opportunity but the wolves would have a 20% miss chance.
Ah, may need to re-evaluate our potential damage output then! I myself am down to only 4 bombs :/
Hugely metagaming here, but I think you have a good 2 rounds left Euron. Between us, Lillith, Azmerai and I can put out about 35 damage in that time even if your conditions prevent you from hitting. I think that gives us a great chance. All is not lost!
No, nothing rash yet :) I think we've got this but if there's a couple of crits or something from the wolves that really turns the tide against us Polo is going out in a blaze of glory to save his friends!
Thanks guys. That means a lot and I genuinely mean it. I've grown attached to all these characters and we've had an amazing time. Polo is preparing to sacrifice himself so the others can get away and hopefully make sense of all this :( Also, poor Valex. Be seeing you soon, bro
Fight back to the bridge, but get clear! We can still win this but if they press I'm going to blow all my bombs, I'll take them all with me! Just get back as far as you can! His belt of bombs hang's limply in one hand now. He turns to Lillith and Lennet, his piercing gaze looking deep into them. If I have to do this, don't let it all be for nothing! Promise me that if I do this you'll find my son, Tell him... Just tell him I'm sorry. He turns back to the battle, ripping another bomb from its loop.
We can get out of this but you need to get it together! This time he throws his bomb with greater accuracy. It explodes at the feet of the wolf assaulting Azmerai causing it to howl in pain.
Hope everything's ok Lenneth
Valex, NO! he yells as he sees the man slip from the edge. He pushes down a sudden rush of guilt and sickening feeling to hurl a bomb at the white wolf but it lands short, luckily not harming his friends either side.
Status:
HP=10/27 4NL Bombs=5/9 No extracts No mutagen Fatigued
Polonius hurls his bomb but the wind pulls it wide and it explodes behind the wolves, causing only superficial burns to the enemy
Yeah. They survive I'm sure of it :D
As Han says; "Never tell me the odds!" ;)
With the wind howling and the rain driving in his face, even with his excellent nightvision, Polonius finds it difficult to pick out a clear target. Instead he edges closer to the bridge and awaits the inevitable.
The only thing I'd add Fiendish is that as much as the players know this is a real character-threatening situation but, and I can only speak for Polo here, he knows there is no way he would give the wolves a sacrifice. So even if as a player I know that's the sensible course of action role playing wise he has little option but to fight He can't reliably make the climb check with the fatigue he suffers but he can most definitely make a few of these wolves feel the pain before they take him Having said that I have NO problem with the deadly nature of the game and have always been of the opinion that a well placed character death can serve to heighten the drama of the story.
Status (bad):
HP=10/27 4 non lethal
If you can, tie yourselves to the one remaining rope that holds. If all else fails the last one alive this side can cut it and you'll swing to the other side. It'll hurt when you hit, but less than wolf jaws I'll warrant.
Polonius notices movement out of the corner of his eye and though his spirit soars to see Azmerai and Euron mobilising beside him, his stomach lurches when he hears the drow speak and sees her moving toward Valex and, more importantly, Kaiya. His memories of the argument outside the goblin complex come flooding back, the sudden realisation of Tali's heritage, Euron's defence that they had all done things they weren't proud of and his own counter, the story of the fox and the scorpion he had told Ben years ago... "I couldn't help it," said the scorpion. "It's my nature." A cold fury rises in him like nothing he has experienced before. He doesn't even feel the wind and rain lashing at him, just a deep cold, a nothingness. It frightens him, but it makes him feel alive. STOP MOVING, DROW! he screams above the wind. You lay a hand on that girl and you die first tonight. I swear it by Desna, Shelyn, Gorum and any other absentee God still out there watching this Hell. If we sacrifice that defenceless girl so that we can live then that's not living at all in my book. How could we do that and look her father in the eye again, or eachother or... Ben.. ...anyone! Knowing that the world had gone so bad that we were willing to trade children for maybe just a few more hours, scratching and clawing at survival. Well, I won't do it. I say we make these mongrels regret they ever laid eyes on us! The rest of you get across that bridge as best you can.
It's got to be safer than this! Polo replies with an almost manic, snorting laugh.
As the howl rings out in the night, Polonius turns slowly to face what he already knows is there. Wolves. Those bloody wolves. We are in serious trouble here. Polo whispers to the others. But I'll be damned if I let any of us go to those bastards. Back toward the bridge. Euron, Azmerai, we need you to hold these things at bay but if we get to the bridge they will only be able to come at us a couple at a time. I'll give them something to howl about... he says grimly, pulling a bomb from his belt. This is the wrong time, wolf. he points defiantly at the fanged monster in the darkness. The. Wrong. Time. Back off now and live. If you come at us we will wipe you and your brothers from the face of this cursed earth. You shouldn't doubt the truth of my words, only consider the fates of those that came before you.
Suddenly, remembering the amulet of the Whispering Way around Kaiya's neck, Polonius stops Valex for a moment so he can remove it and stuffs it in his pocket.
Success
Lungs burning and limbs turning to lead, Polonius struggles to keep up with the faster members of the group. Solace, we've got to get back to Solace. he puffs. It's the only place we can defend against a herd this size...
Polonius' chest heaves with the effort of running over the broken ground. Not for the first time in his life he curses his slight stature but he does not complain, he does not quibble. He just runs for all he is worth.
Polo blows a breath of relief. You're right Valex, let's get out of her! He rushes back over to the entrance of the barn and snatches up his belt of bombs. If one of you can carry her, I'll cover you
Polonius mood darkens ever more as Kaiya remains unresponsive. He has a churning in the pit of his stomach and the iron taste of blood in his mouth. He realises he is biting so hard on his lip that a small trickle of blood runs down his chin. Come on Kaiya, don't leave us again... He works frantically but for some reason his eye is drawn to a small silver necklace around her neck.
Someone help her, I have no healing left! Polonius kneels beside her and tries hs best to revive the broken girl.
Cursing all the way, Polonius makes his way along the beam to the far wall and down toward Kaiya.
Everything in the world slows. Polonius watches, with a kind of detached observation, as Kaiya reaches out her hand. Even as she does so, he seems to know what is going to happen. With one hand on that heavy crossbow, the other now reaching for him, she perches on the beam only by the strength of her small knees and when the wind takes her, and discards her from the rafters like some used plaything, Polonius is dismayed but not all all surprised. He sees her topple and then, seemingly an age later, her hair streams upward as if it were reaching back up to grab the beam and halt her descent. Colours suddenly grey - all except the pale blue of her eyes. Sounds suddenly mute - except the horrid keening of her little voice as she falls. Details all fade - except the fear, like a twisted mask, drawn in sharp, pointed lines on her face. Everything...in...the...world. Slows. And yet, despite seeing all this. And having all the time in the world.... Polonius could not catch her. --------- The world comes rushing back in on him like an avalanche and the dull roar of his own voice is impossible loud in his ears as his hand snakes out... and snatches nothing but air.
Realising that Kaiya will not come to him, Polonius steps out onto the beam and moves quickly over to he, stopping just short and offering a hand. It's alright. Don't think about anything else except my hand. Just reach up and take it and we'll get far away from here.
Kaiya, come to me, honey. Don't worry about controlling them. Don't worry about anything. Just come to me so I can take you home. Polonius remembers the spell he cast to signal his friends and manifests another ball of flame, hurling it down at one of the groaners threatening his friends.
The walkers close in but Polonius ignores them, his attention fixed entirely on Kaiya. That's right, sweetheart. I found him and he'll be desperate to see you. He withdraws from the battle, clamoring up the wall to the rafters. Come to me, girl, I'll take you to him.
I think the same thing. I didn't roll diplomacy because I'm not sure I can talk her down at all. But I thought mentioning her father might appeal to whatever humanity she has left and also the last line where im talking about her father missing her is all Polo's guilt and hopes coming out. He Would no sooner fight Kaiya than his own son. But I'm really enjoying this either way :)
Polonius sees the small figure scampering among the rafters even as the fire sears his flesh and his heart lurches in his chest. It appears the girl does not want saving Polo. I say it is time to retreat. Polo turns back to the wizard and slowly and sadly shakes his head. He slowly unbuckles his belt of bombs and extracts and lays it on the ground. You're right, Kaiya. he says, as the collection of bottles clink together as he places them down. I failed you. I broke my promise. I won't fight you Kaiya and if you want to punish me then you can. But you should know that Tsuto has been lying to you. I searched and searched and searched. It tore me apart that I couldn't find you and I'd give anything to go back to that night. But you shouldn't listen to me. And you shouldn't listen to Tsuto either.... you should listen to your father. he calls up into the rafters. I met him yesterday, you know. He was wounded and awoke in a place near here where they've cared for him since. come down, and I can take you to him. Please Kaiya... he says, tears filling his eyes. He will want to see you so badly, to know that you are alive, and just touch your skin, smell your hair and just... hold you... Trust me. I know.
Upon hearing the voice, Polonius quickly casts Produce Flame and hurls a ball of flame as high in the air as he can. It is small, but burns brightly in the night sky. Kaiya... is that you..? Could it really be you?
Polonius helps the others knot a rope together and lower it carefully out of the window. I'm going down there. I'll climb down and run across to the barn, they won't even know I've gone, once I give you the signal climb down and follow, Lillith and Lenneth can slow them down whilst we make a run for it. Anyone who can come with me - Valex I think you are pretty light on your feet - please do. He clambers out of the window and down the side of the building, dashing across the open, muddy field whilst keeping his head as low as he can.
We need to get out of here. Azmerai, I think you are the fastest here among us. I hate yo ask you to run my friend, when your strength of arm has kept us alive so far. But I think you have the best chance if distracting them and getting away whilst the rest of us search the barn. What do you think?
Still on the roof, a slight breeze ruffles Polo's long, unkempt hair. For the first time in.... he can't even remember, he smells death on the breeze. In the early days the smell was everywhere, overpowering, all-encompassing. Even in the wilderness he would catch that sweet, acrid stench of decomposition. In truth his keen sense of smell had probably saved him more than once because when he caught that scent, he knew to run the other way. He supposed the smell was always there but that, like so many other terrible things in this world now, he had simply become used to it. It was just another one of those things. Like preparing explosive mixtures. Or repairing torn clothes. Or losing friends and loved ones. He watches as the others gather themselves and he moves back among them, readying himself to fight their way out.
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