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The Captain and the station manager bid you all a good rest. Petrune gives a wave to follow him. There are four doors to the Parlor, the one you came through which was the dining hall(east), one goes to an inside latrine(east), another he tells you leads to the accounting office(northeast) and the last leads to a hall way(northwest) which is the one you go though. The hallway runs to the west and there are stairs right outside the door that go to the second floor. The second floor is off limits to your group, its mostly private quarter for the rest of the staff. We have working for us as was told to you earlier 29 defenders, plus eight servants who cook or clean or other duties, and then we have six skilled laborers, a boatwright, two carpenters, an engineer, a blacksmith and an accountant. Your duties mostly will be standing guard at your post for 12 hours on 12 hours off. He continues talking as he is walking down the hall. At the end of the hall stands a guard standing outside a door. Petrune turns right down another hallway. The guard nods as you pass. The hallway wraps around the west side of the building to the back of the station house. Max these are some new help, he says as he passed the guard. The door he's guarding is to the cargo storage room one of the many posts you get to know real well. Once to the back of the building you see the hall wraps back around to the front. A guard stand post at the back door, he smiles as you walk by, Petrune stops at a door straight ahead and opens it, Here is the guest quarters you will use for you stay, you will see you have your own latrine and a closet for you gear. Get some rest and I will be back in an hour to give you a quick tour of the grounds and introduce you to the officers stationed here that you will report too.
The party asks several questions:
1. What is it that we are guarding here at the station?
2. How long has this station been here?
3. When was the last attack?
4. How many times have the elves attacked?
5. What have been the elves tactics?
6. Have they gotten inside the fort?
7. Have they employed magic in the attacks?
8. Do you have healers here?
9. When are reinforcements scheduled to arrive?
10. We have lost several of our enchanted arrows & bullets -- is there a supply where we can restock here?
11. Do you have any other items/weapons/ or supplies that you can spare to help us?
12. Where can we get oil for Seelah's armor and to care for our weapons?
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Petrune stops as he is about to walk away from the group, he takes a deep breath. You are guarding the station! Property of the Aspis Consortium! Its been here awhile, I have only been here a season so I can't really say how long it has been here, never asked before, don't realy care. Last attack was a week ago so its been a nice break from an attack once a day. They have not gotten inside the station house yet mostly attacking from the jungle with their deadly bows. No magic as of yet but that is not to say they don't have any and are just saving it. And our healer died in the last attack unfortunatly. Reinforcement could come any day, or maybe not at all if the elves intercepted them like they tried to do with you from what I heard earlier. As for weapons and supplies tomorrow I will introduce you to the officers and they will take care of you needs at that time although I am sure that there are no enchanted stuff left to give out..... With that he turns and goes out the back door quickly without a glance back at your group......
At first chance, Sheldon releases his owl to prowl! He lets the group know he will do this. The others glance at each other & there are some murmurs of out of the frying pan . . .
Harsk says "expect an attack soon, perhaps tonight. Rest as soon as you can. I will go out along the walls & see what I can observe. I will be very interested in your owl report Sheldon."
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The rest of the group goes into the guest quarters and finds it sparse but comfortable, A bed for each of you, a wash basin, a small closet to store things, a small indoor latrine with a door, a couch, a small writing table, two covered windows and netting for covering the beds to keep pests out during rest. The windows are boarded up, one facing out the back of the building and the other facing east. Harsk tries to step outside but is blocked by a guard who says you are not allowed to go out yet until the officers give the word. Harsk pleads to just have a quick look, the guard shakes his head but allows the dwarf to take a quick peek through the open crack the guard makes by opening the door slightly. Harsk sees this is not an actual fort but a small compound. The area in back is just cleared away jungle with small walls not connected, built here and there for protection. he also sees five smaller buildings which he asks about to the guard and finds they are the barn, the laundry, guards quarters, a barracks, a workshop for the skilled laborers and a cold storage building. He says no one is allowed to go into the tree line or death will find you quick. The elves hold the tree line. He can see guards ducked down behind the wall ready to fire back at elven attacks. With that he closes the door and Hasrk goes into the guest room to join the others, the door to the guest room being only 20 feet away from the back door. He informs the group of all that he witnessed and suggest it might not be a good idea to send out the owl if the elves have the tree line covered, would be a very short trip for him........
Sheldon mutters something about this being worse than being on the boat. "never get out of the boat . . ."
Lem says "we made it this far" before being interrupted by Selah who suggests that they all pick their beds, store gear but in a way that it can be grabbed quickly.
Harsk grunts & nods affirmatively. Both Selah and Harsk take off their armor, Selah with Sheldon's help, and both use oil to tend to it.
Lem sits on a bed quietly trying not to aggravate his companions who he cares for.
Sheldon then goes and simply lies down to get some quick sleep before the summons comes.
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The group settles in for a good rest each choosing their own bed, taking time to oil their armour and weapons or just get some sleep. The rest of the day and night go by quickly. You are awakened and told to get some food in the dining hall. You are the only ones eatting as the rest of the station is already up and doing their assigned duties. Petrune strolls in and nods to each of you. I hope you all got enough rest, as soon as you finish your meal I will give you a quick tour and then I will introduce you to the officers of this station so eat up.
After you get done eatting Petrune takes you around the staton house showing you where to clean up, where to get your laundry done, eatting hours, and basic rules of the station. He tells you to stay off the 2nd floor of the station house except for using the washroom and that should be done quickly and only go into the washroom, the rest of the rooms are personal quarters. He then take you out to the parlor to meet the officers in charge of defence of the station. Three men in chain shirts are talking to each other as you walk in, something about defence against attacks from the left flank. Petrune clears his throat and introduces each of you to the officers who you find out to be Toltber, night watch, Carlton, Midday watch and Daval Morning watch. They each thank you for you help and give you the lay of the land........
The party is gracious and respectful of the officers. They express empathy for the struggle the guards have fought so far. They ask if they have heard and studied their battles going up the river. The party has successfully fought off the elves twice in combat that could have gone either way. They are very respectful of what the elves can do with bows and when in cover. They have also fought off a beast under their control.
They let them know that Lem is an inspiring force using his arcane music and also a healer. He is brave but they suggest that his primary role should not be to go head to head with elves either with his sling or short sword, though he has always come through as needed. His music can inspire others to fight better. His magic can heal. Given that you have lost your healer, Lem could substitute until a new healer arrives.
Sheldon is a practitioner of the arcane arts. He can remain hidden and also let loose several, deadly blasts of arcane magic. He needs a good place of cover to be effective. Brave, he would not last long in direct combat. He has an x-bow which he would use, but is nowhere near as effective as his magic blasts.
Seelah and Harsk can both go head to head with the elves either with bow or in melee. Harsk can also serve as a scout and medic salving the wounds of the injured. Seelah can inspire confidence.
The party also hopes that the officers will consider using them as a team in reserve, ready to meet elven attacks head on and to stop them before the attack makes headway.
They ask if there would be any possibility of restocking on magical arrows and bolts. Are there healing potions which could be distributed or even purchased if necessary?
They ask about the general defense plan and if there are areas of ambush and trap that have been set.
Is there any plan to try to break the blockade or take the fight to the elves they collectively ask?
Other questions include how many defenders were originally here before the attacks began? Why are the elves attacking? Where/what direction have the attacks originated from? What weapons have been used? Have there been any creatures supporting the elves or under the elves control?
How were we able to bring our boat in . . . unless the elves thought it easier to deal with us in the fort?
They let the officers know that Sheldon could cause Lem and/or Harsk to disappear for a few minutes which might allow them or either to scout closer to the treeline. Harsk would be the best choice, a ranger who has recently grown a fondness for downing these wild elves.
[aside -- when Sheldon & Lem have time to talk privately, both being chaotic, they discuss the possibility of when the two of them go to the wash room together, that perhaps Sheldon should turn Lem invisible and let him explore the upstairs. Lem is intrigued, but thinks not now. We should consider that though to learn what is really going on when the time is right. They will not tell their orderly, lawful companions of this though -- for DM -- now aren't you proud of this role playing?]
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Toltber smiles at the groups enthusiasm to get started and promply says to all, Well I am going to take my leave now and get some much needed sleep, I will leave you all in the care these other two fine gentlemen, goodnight! He walks off with a wink to his fellow officers and disappears into the interior of the building followed by Petrune now relieved of his duty as baby sitter.
Carlton takes up the mantle of informing the group of their duties and answering any questions he feels fit to answer. He takes in the accessment of group as Sheldon tells their story plus the strenghs and weaknesses of the group. Carlton then goes into a long speech of trying to cover everything he can all at once.
First I would like to thank you all for you help, this will unable us to rest up some of the other men who have been pulling double duty for a couple of weeks now. We run this staion like a military unit, so you are expected to obey all orders given to you while you are with us. Your primary duty will be to guard this station, while you are here working for us you will not leave this building unless you are ordered to do so. Everything you need is here in the station so there is no reason to go outside and its safer also. The only time you will be outside is on guard duty right on the otherside of the back door or the two posts on the dock at either doorway, the one that enters the dining hall or the one to the cargo storage. The other two posts you already saw, just inside the back door and the other is in the hallway by the stairs going up to the upper level. Petrune told you I assume that upstairs is off limits except for bathing and that is only with permission. If you need clothing washed just give it to one of the servants and they will take it to the laundry for you. He clears his throat and takes a drink before going on with his little speech.
The little one will most likely do most of his guarding at the back door so if the elves attack his can do his thing to help the fighters in battle. If things get a bit chancy we might have to use Sheldon here on the upper level of the tower which commands a view of the clearing out back. All of the attacks to this point have been on this side of the river and at night when the elves have an advantage with their cursed eyes. We should use the dwarf for the night watch at the back door, this might help our fighters even the odds. Our orders are to hold the station at all costs, defend it with our lives, we get paid good to do this service and everyone here is here of their own choice. So no plans to take the fight to the elves at this time, maybe later when reinforcements arrive we might change tactics but for now we hold tight. He smiles and says he will show you to your posts in an hour so get some food and rest till then.
Daval nods to you all and says one last thing before he departs, when you off duty you may take your ease in your quarters, dining hall or this parlor. This is a small place for as many people as we have to fit in here due to the elves so please be respectful and stay out of other peoples areas, it makes things easier and tempers will not be lost as often With that he leaves the room.
Carlton smiles and says off with you, he thanks you again, be here in this room in an hour.
Before Carlton leaves, Lem speaks up & reminds him "I have night eyes too, not as good as Harsk here, but good, better than you tall folk. Perhaps I should do the night shift with Harsk in back?"
[Seelah goes within to detect evil. If it's not too late, she was doing that with all the officers. If she detects evil, then we'll need to play this out differently. Please assume from her on out when she has a moment such as the others talking, she will be looking for it. She will not serve if she detect significant evil in the fort. (aside, I think that's a major flaw in the plot vis a via having a paladin as a preset character, but then it's not over yet is it?]
Assuming Seelah, let's it happen, the party then retires to the dining hall to enjoy what will be offered as a meal!
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Carlton stops at the door and says, Ah yes, I am sorry to overlook you little one. Your eyes will be another asset to our cause! I look forward to your help, all of you, thanks for your help again! with that he leaves the room.
Seelah takes a moment and talks to her god asking for help and insight on her current situation. She senses a slight presenses of evil all around her. Not pure evil per se but small nuances all around her coming from the men of this station. These men all out for their own self serving needs, coins is what motivates them mostly. All are mercenaries of some kind or another just like you group but without a higher purpose in life. Bloodcove was full of these same kind of men she notes as she passes along the information to the rest of the group
The group follows instructions and eats a fine meal and nice refreshing water. After, they retire to their room and rest for awhile. Seelah and Sheldon are first up it turns out for guard duty, both are assigned to stand duty on the dock. They can see the boat is still being unloaded by other guards and servants taking the goods into the cargo storage room. The day seems normal enough, hot, muggy, bugs and other pests flying around causing no relief to the stations inhabitants. Their shift goes by at a slow and tiring pace.......
Lem & Harsk welcome the opportunity for extra rest. They remain soundly asleep except that Harsk's badger is with him and cautiously guarding his loyal master.
Seelah is considering her choice of profession, not the holiness but the wearing of heavy armor. If she can stand it, she will keep it on, simply because battle is possibly afoot. She is however, pondering what are the motives of the elves? Am I serving on the side of right? She keeps her questioning to herself, but Sheldon can see there is a tightness in Seelah's face and at times a pained look.
Sheldon is restraining himself from pulling some practical joke magic on the dock workers. He's day dreaming on an illusionary goblin jumping in front to the workers & watching the reaction. On the shift goes . . .
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Sheldon and Seelah are about half way into their shift for the first day, both are a bit tired and very sweaty from the hot muggy day in the jungle. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, the workers have got most of the cargo off the boat and are taking a break inside for some fresh water. You both can see up and down the river and have spotted nothing of the enemy as of yet. You strain your eyes everytime you look directly across the river trying to pierce the jungle, your eyes playing tricks on you many time as you think you can see someone looking back at you......
Straining to stay awake both Sheldon and Seelah keep watch scanning their eyes around the jungle and across the river. Momentarily, Seelah (roll 14) seems to notice something . . . is it something she asks . . .
Lem & Harsk are doing what off duty soldiers do. They are resting. They are both sound asleep though Harsk the tough dwarf has his leather armor on, he's learned to sleep in it as a ranger.
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Guard duty is taking a slight toll on the two heroes, the trip up river taking more out of them then they thought. Both see things across the river in the jungle but its so hard to tell what the movement is from trees blowing to animals moving about for food. The workers come back out from their break and begin to unload the boat again but arrows streak out of the jungle from across the river taking two workers down, dropping their loads to the boat's deck, one in the shoulder and the other in the calf. More arrows follow the first volley aimed at other workers and guards.......
Seelah, the valiant paladin immediately jumps into action, unslinging her bow, notching an arrow, scanning from where the arrows fly. As soon as she sees a target based on an arrow's fly, she launches her own strike:
She senses her arrow flew straight, but will the jungle cover protect the shooter on the otherside of the river she wonders. Either way, whatever the arrow hit will never be the same. (11 dmg roll).
Sheldon, being more cautious, and not totally enamored of this mission, remains in the background, doing nothing to draw attention to himself. He goes within to let his magic powers come forth, he then makes a few simple gestures and quietly makes his incantation casting the spell "invisibility" upon himself (5 minutes).
Harsk & Lem remain in their room until they hear a summons or alarm.
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The cry goes up, We're under attack, everyone to their stations! The workers that are not hit help the ones who did off of the dock and into the building as fast as they can. Arrows start to fly back over the water into the jungle coming from the watch tower, most of them just covering fire for the workers. Arrows from the jungle continue as everyone runs for cover. Seelah takes a shot into the jungle keying in on what she thinks is one of the elves she hopes, if it was she made a very lucky shot. The elves blend into the jungle so well its very hard to tell them from the leaves of the trees. Sheldon does his usual and becomes not there where he can be the most help. Guardsmen race out of the building and onto the dock now taking up positions to cover the workers retreat, the only real cover on the dock is the River Queen herself other than that a few crates and barrels that got dropped as soon as the attack started are it......
Harsk and Lem hear the shout of an attack and jump out of their beds....
Seelah finds cover and notches another arrow awaiting any sign of a legitimate target. Sheldon looks for a place from which to safely observe the other side of the river.
Lem & Harsk gear up & go out into the hall to await orders. Both want to assist their friends. This guarding thing is not so much fun!
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After the workers are safely all in the station house and the armoured men are under cover the arrows seem to trail off from the jungle. All of the easy shots now gone, Daval pokes his head out the door and tells everyone to wthdraw into the station house for protection, he says it seems they were just a small group of snipers. Mean while in the back of the house Carlton has everyone take up positons on the back deck in case the elves were trying to draw them off. When Harsk and Lem step outside with a few others it seems quiet, no elves, no attack. Out in the clearing men are racing around for cover just in case. The guard house out in the middle of the clearing has men stationed in positions ready for an attack, these men the first line of defence for the station house. Back out front it is quiet now, everyone is either taking care of the wounded or by a window crossbow at the ready. Sheldon still not seen and outside still can clearly see a few of the elves peek out of the jungle and talking amongst themselves. He can see they are pointing at various positons of the station house, a few shots from the watchtower arch over the river and push the elves back for cover but none of them were hit.
Harsk & Lem simply wait for orders & keep looking at what's going on around them.
Seelah followed orders and withdrew into the station house.
Sheldon on the other hand . . . knowing that he could do a few more invisibility spells . . . makes his way over to the boat where he looks for a place to observe the woods but remain behind cover. Here is Sheldon's Spot Check:
His winged friend is securely covered in his cloak.
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Men stand by all of the windows ready to fire out if more attacks happen. The stream of arrows have halted for the time being. Sheldon sees the elves as they start to depart away from their attack positions, their movement easier for him to spot than when they stand still in the trees. They seem to be pointing up river, they stop and make signs to the jungle on your side of the river to someone or thing guessing about 50 yards or so, its hard to tell from your vantage point.
Seelah goes inside with the rest and keeps a watchful eye by the window and wondering where Sheldon went to as she does not see him anywhere.
Harsk and Lem see no signs of enemies coming from the jungle from the back of the station house. They are ordered to stay put and keep a close eye on the jungle for signs of the elves. Harsk thinks he might have seen a few elves moving about but they stay in the jungle.
Harsk & Lem keep on their perhaps not needed guard duty. Seelah raises the alarm. "Where's Sheldon, he must have been left outside?!" (being lawful & not really imagining, Sheldon is up to his own devices).
Sheldon remains quiet & tries to determine what the elves are communicating with/whom:
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Harsk and Lem keep watch but nothing materializes in the next few minutes. After a bit they are released from their positions and told to go back inside and continue to rest by Carlton. They go back in the building and pass Orin, the guard posted inside the back door, he nods as they pass and head for their room.
Seelah raises the alarm that one person didn't make it back into the station house. Daval has all the men at the window keep an eye out for Sheldon. He starts to prepare a few men to make a dash out to the boat to see if Sheldon made it onto the boat. Through the building word comes down from the watchtower that the elves look to be moving on but were seen comunicating with someone on this side of the river.
Sheldon moves into a position to get a better look at the elves, he has a hard time of it but makes out from their gestures another attack is about to begin but can't make out the last of the gestures from what direction they might be coming from soon.
Sheldon still invisible for a four minutes lets his trusty owl, peak and look out too while himself trying to determine what's going on with the elves:
Sheldon is intent upon his own scanning and receiving the very clear impressions of his friend. Otherwise, they remain as still as possible, though invisible, and on the boat.
Seelah is monitoring & looking out, wondering "where is Sheldon?" Her urge is go to the rescue, though something is holding her back for now. Perhaps he's up to something . . .
Lem & Harsk mutter about false alarms. Harsk easily falls back to sleep, Lem has thoughts of a jungle ballad floating in his head.
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Sheldon standing on the boat very still like watches the far bank, the elves move off into the jungle he notices heading up river. As soon as they move into the jungle he is unable to see them anymore. The sun is slowly heading down, darkness will be upon the Station in the matter of minutes. As he continues to watch he notices another small band of elves have taken up positon across the river getting ready for something and sure enough that something happens. A shout from behind the station house goes up as well as the watch tower. Elves are said to be coming out of the jungle in numbers. All of the staion house is roused and ordered to their stations. No movement from the far side can be seen but they seem ready for something. Men start to come out the front doors and head to the eastern side of the building. As soon as they step out onto the dock arrows begin to arch across the river. They were waiting for this occurance Sheldon thinks to himself.....
Sheldon sending the thought to his trusted companion knows what he must do. Having only two minutes or so of invisibility left, he as quietly as he can gets up and bolts off the ship running in a zig zag as he approaches the walls of the fort and the entry. When he gets closer, he yells "It's Sheldon, it's Sheldon!" then as he gets within 10ft of the door reappears and crouches quickly to be less of a target! His owl is within his cloak during the whole time!
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Bells are going off within the station house as everyone is running to stations as fast as possible. Arrows streak in from across the river as men emerge out onto the dock trying to get to the side of the building to protect from jungle attacks from the rear area. Men in the back take up positions on the back porch and in the compound as elves pour out of the jungle arrows flying out of their bows as they do. The men return the favor and fire back but not as accurate. Sheldon rushes back into the station house and dives just inside the door to get out of the way of men exitting the building. Guards take up positions behind the boat for cover and fire back across the river with out to much success. Lem and Harsk jump back up out of bed, grab their weapons and run for the door. Seelah smiles as she spots sheldon laying on the floor of the station house saying something to the effect of "Its about time you showed up!" Carlton races into the room and shouts You two with me now, and heads into the interior of the building most likely heading to the back exit.
Sheldon looks up at Seelah & winks then with but a moment's hesitation & contemplation if only he'd stayed in the boat gets up to quickly follow Seelah & Carlton. Seelah merely smiles and moves forward to the task at hand.
Lem & Harsk, a comedy of wee folks, manage to get out the door of their quarters without knocking each other down. They proceed to the door, bow drawn & flute in hand. Lem starts his courage song for the defenders as soon as they reach the door giving off a magical inspiration to the troops at hand.
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Lem and Harsk step out the back door and into chaos. Elves from every direction are coming out of the jungle and into the clearing of the Aspis Consortium's Compound. They can see elves have moved up to positions by the farthest out buildings(#4's on the map) exchanging fire with the guards stationed at the second largest building in the clearing. Off to the right Harsk spots elves running up to the back side of the barn(#3 on the map) just a little under his range for his heavy crossbow. Men are dashing in all directions towards the other building in the clearing trying to get better defensive position before the elves get to them and begin to pin them down in the open or at the station house.
In the house the three race through the station house stopping at the back door. Carlton points to the door on the left and says to him, Go through that room(#8 on map) and into the next room(#11) and follow the stairs up to the top of the watch tower! See if you can be of some help with your arcane might, we need to keep the elves back, we can't afford to have the guard house(#7) over run by the elves. If they get cut off the station house is in big danger. He leaves with Seelah out the back door with bow in hand. Once outside he state to everyone on the back deck, We need to give cover fire to the men in the clearing, everyone here stays on the deck we must protect the station house, we are the last line of defence! Find what cover you can! Done speaking he begins to shoot at elves in the clearing but all of the shots fall short, the elves being out of range for the moment except off to the sides of the clearing.
Seelah seeing Harsk take a beat on the elves approaching building 3 follows his lead. They both let magic bolts fly!
Harsk: 1d20+9=19, 1d10+2=4
(note I did not add Lem's singing +1 to attk/dmg so Harsk really scored 20 to hit, 5 dmg).
Seelah: 1d20+ 7=8, 1d8+5=12
Seelah hisses as her arrow badly misses but at least got the elves attention!
Both she & Harsk are using a pole and the rail as partial cover.
Little Lem is content to play behind a pole & as out of sight as possible.
Sheldon catching his breath looks out through the cover slit. He sees the direction of his friends fire and realizes he can launch an arcane attack easily. He briefly thinks about putting up his mage armor but senses with the amount of cover he has his focus better be on offense -- he really wants to get up river!
He senses satisfaction knowing he sent three stunning bolts of light into one who would do him harm though he wonders "what is really going on here? to himself."
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Both sides take hits as elves fall attempting to cross the clearing and men fall mostly at the guards barracks(#7) as there is little cover for them there. The ones inside the barracks are fairing better as they shoot out windows and are able to keep the elves from getting to close. Off to the side Harsk can see about four jungle elves taking up position by building three getting ready to race closer to the station house except a well aimed bolt hits one of them sendng him to his knees making the rest pause for a moment. Seelah follows Harsk in his attack but her arrow flies off into the jungle only harming a tree in the distance. Sheldon makes it to the roof of the watch tower out of breath from his quick accent. He surveys the area below spottng his friends targets he tries to lend a hand so to speak, arcane energy flows out of his finger tips at the wounded elf ending its life quickly. The other under cover of the building pull back out of site. Sheldon can see two elves dart out of the jungle to the barn(#3), grab their dead comrade and race back towards the jungle. Lem continues to sing and play, calm as a cucumber, not even noticing there is a battle going on behind him. A shout goes up that elves are seen rushing to the back of cold storage building(#6). Men rush out of the station house's(from Room #6) and make a mad dash over to the workshop building(#5) to intercept the attackers at the cold storage building. They instantly come under heavy fire from the jungle and from across the river even though the shots from there are way out of range even for the talented bow slingers..........
Reacting quickly, Seelah & Harsk shift their fire toward the elves coming to the cold storehouse letting a magic arrow & bolt respectively fly:
Seelah:
1d20+7=14, 1d8+5=8
Harsk:
1d20+10=12, 1d10+3=4
Perhaps doing better than his compatriots, Sheldon takes a shot at an elf attacking the cold shed:
Consistent, at least!
Lem keeps on playing, all fight long (maybe)!
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Running to the other side of the back deck and almost running over Lem in the process, Seelah and Harsk take up positions firing at the elves running to the workshop. Both are successful in their shots, wounding two elves out of the four who were dashing across the open area between buildings. Sheldon sends forth more of his arcane might and finishes off the elf that Harsk struck moments ago. The wounded elf and the two other continue to race for the workshop making it behind the cover of it and out of site of the defenders. Another shout goes up as three elves by the barn try to do the same thing on the other side racing for the laundry(#2)....
The battle in the clearing seems to be at a stand still as the defenders of the barracks and the elves at both of the smaller buildings(#4-guard houses) exchange fire with each other. A few dead elves lie in the middle of the clearing, their attempts to make it to the station house ended by arrows.....
All fire is now directed at those approaching the barn!
Harsk:
Ouch, bet that hurt!
Seelah:
(not to be outdone!)
And Sheldon from above!
A fine performance if not quite as good as his warrior friends!
And Lem keeps a playin' "all fight long!"
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Of the three attackers racing for the barn two are easily dropped by Harsk and Seelah. The third gets smashed by three bolts of magical energy but continues to run and makes it behind the cover of the laundry. More elves rush out of the jungle but do not look to be attackers they look intent on retreving their fallen. The small attack seems to have stalled out for the elves, a sound from the jungle can be heard, its hard to tell if what kind of animal it is but the elves in the field pause in their efforts and then begin to retreat back into the jungle. The elves behind the building however you are not sure what they are up too.....
Harsk & Seelah do not take advantage of the elves gloom rather they withhold fire for now. Harsk is maintaining watch out over the barn & Seelah redirects her attention to the other side. Both expect further trouble.
Lem takes a breath & stops playing though has a smile on his lips -- this is the way to fight!
Sheldon wary of what's next decides to follow his comrades' lead and hold back fire. Besides he may need it. He's thinking he does like this solid tower thing, but wonders what's going to happen next.
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Night is coming on as the elves retreat to the jungle. The ones behind the buildings are still there as far as anyone knows for the station house's vantage point. Even the one's above in the watch tower can't tell till a scream from inside the laundry building can be heard. Some one says, "Those blasted elves are inside!" The officer points to four members of the station house deck defence and quietly says, "Retake that building NOW!" The four pointed out, Seelah and Harsk plus two guards Calvin and Shemas, the two guards nod and begin a sneak run to the building which brings fire upon them instantly from the windows of the laundry.
Sheldon from above spots the two guards sprint from the cover of the station house in the direction of the laundry. Arrows streak out from within the building. He can also see other guards begin to bring the wounded towards the station house quickly but draw no fire from the elves. The last of the elves from the clearing are now back to the safety of the jungle. And as he further scans to his left towards the workshop he can hear glass break from behind it. One of the guards with him says out loud, "There are still workers in the workshop!"...............
Slinging their bows, Harsk & Seelah draw axe & sword respectively and run at full speed to the laundry with shields held high to cover their runs.
Sheldon will watch the laundry and launch a missile at any elf who fires from the laundry:
Lem smugly surveys the scene and relaxes a bit. He's confident that Harsk & Seelah will quickly do what needs to be done, then maybe they can all get some dinner!
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Dashing off after the two guards heading for the laundry building, Seelah and Harsk are ready for battle again with axe and sword in hand. They turn the corner just as the elves enter the building. A scream goes up from the workers hiding within the laundry. The two guards enter behind the elves and steel can be heard coming from the newly begun battle. Sheldon's command view of the whole compound spots guards rushing into the station house from the barracks, he also sees most of the elves who made it to the jungle disappear into it, sounds of struggle can be heard coming from the workshop and sounds of battle begin coming from the laundry. Having no targets he just stands there ready to sling his arcane might. The battle seems to be over except for a few fights left over......
Sheldon remains at the ready, Lem now cracking a wide smile & yawning a bit as if everything is all ok.
Seelah and Harsk burst in to the laundry behind the guards already there ready for what awaits. Let this work be done Seelah thinks something is not quite right about the situation gnawing at her Paladin's conscience!
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Seelah and Harsk rush behind the guards and find one guard already down and the other hard pressed against two elves. A quick glance around as they enter they can see four elves total, one grinning standing over the dead guard, one about to take down one of the workers and the two others fighting the only standing guard left.
Sheldon can hear the sounds of battle coming from the two buildings but can't see whats going on in either of them. Shouts, screams, battle cries and last gasps of air can be heard. Guards from the station house crash into the workshop to fight off the elves inside and somehow protect their skilled laborers.
Lem stands around thinking he's pretty lame and is only good at picking his nose and scratching his arse!!!
occ/ ok, but I'm not sure Seelah would approve/travel w/ CN. Perhaps CG?
Seelah rushes to the aid of the guard:
Harsk goes quickly to help the work advancing on the elf with a snarl an axe ready to cleave:
(oh, how these two make a greet pair & note, they still have the benefits of poor Lem's courageous tune).
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The battle in the laundry gets even more heated as Seelah and Harsk join the frey. Both are very effective wounding elves they each attacked. The elves are made of a little more than the two anticipated thou as they both take the wounds and make there own attacks. The one standing in front of Harsk stabs out with his spear and finds a spot between his armour drawing the dwarf's blood(3 hps dam). The one fighting Seelah does not have the same luck though and misses his target. The workers cower as the free elf moves in to end their lives. The remaining guard trades blows with his opponent now relieved of two elves to fight.
Sheldon continues to keep watch over the clearing behind the Station House but sees no threats only guards running about taking care of wounded and strengthing positions in case the elves decide to attack again.
Lem is sitting on the stairs humming a light tune as a female elf steps out of the station house dressed in leathers and a rapier on her hip. She looks like she can take care of herself......
Fully engaged in battle, Harsk & Seelah focus on their elven foes:
Harsk: 1d20+8=16, 1d12+4=11
Seelah: 1d20+10=24, 1d8+5=11
Surely, the masterful axe & sword "play" of the tandem has felled two of the otherwise stouter jungle elves.
Lem continues his playing this time bringing in a melody of curiosity.
Sheldon too notices the attractive, yet he senses dangerous elf.
[occ/ I decided I don't want to run her as a character. If you have her in the adventure, I'd prefer she be an npc. I'd like to keep Lem around. Perhaps there's something we could do to strengthen Lem.]
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Again Seelah and Harsk connect and both drop their opponets, the guard however is not so fortunate as he takes a big hit by the short spear of the elf. he drops to the ground bleeding out on the laundries floor. One of the workers also takes a fatal wound leaving two other workers and two enraged elves for Seelah and Harsk to deal with. Lem while humming his tune welcomes the elven female to the party, as he does this he spots thru the open door Petrune slip down the hallway heading towards the front of the station house. Lem thinks this is odd because the only place he could have be coming from was out of their room. Sheldon contiues his watch for more enemies but it seems the elves are done for now. The workshop is still full of noise from battle which can be heard even from Sheldon's position.
Lem taking his que, playing another role so to speak, quietly follows the mysterious Petrune:
Not terrible in the midst of a battle, though I bet the female elf takes note!
Sheldon & Harsk each engage a foe, this time fighting firmly. But, wait, on a lark, Harsk asks of his foe, "why are you attacking this station?"
Seelah:
Harsk:
Sheldon, curious at Lem's stopping playing & nothing going on, decides to begin to go down the stairs of the tower. He'll stop & pause at the second floor.
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Lem takes up the chase so to speak following Petrune down the hallway, then the next and then turning towards the parlor door but instead of going into the parlor he heads up stairs. Lem halts at the bottom of the stairs waiting for a moment deciding should he follow up the stairs where he knows he was told not to go. Sheldon decends the stairs and goes through the door into the second floor. He finds himself in what looks to be a mess hall for the officers and other staff. The room is empty of people, everyone outside defending the station house. After peeking around a bit he finds no other exits except for the one he came through, the other two doors in the room leading to inside human dumping stations. Harsk and Seelah battle on both scoring hits again on their new opponents but the elves stay standing and do not respond to Harsk's words most likely not able to understand his harsh speech. The elves strike back each successful in wounding the heroes(4 hps dam, Harsk-5 hps dam, Seelah). The elven female new to the station dashes over to the workshop to lend a hand with the elves.....