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Post by firemyst on Nov 5, 2007 2:58:23 GMT -5
Unless there's repairs to be done for being poked to death, a lot, then Eadbald should be ready to rock. (Do I still have that sword?)
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Post by TG Barighm on Nov 5, 2007 16:28:40 GMT -5
Likely. Patching up Eadbald's armor takes the better part of the day and costs him 5g. He still has the sword.
(I'm waiting on a response from Golddess)
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Post by TG Barighm on Nov 8, 2007 12:33:56 GMT -5
(Holy updates, Batman!)
[glow=blue,6,300]UPDATE[/glow] ***************
With Eadbald's repairs completed, and the party more or less prepared for the greater journey ahead, they set out with the shaman south to Castle Iatsargo. The search for insight is complete, but the soul harvester remains undefeated.
"There is nothing we can do about that for now," Kay explains. "We don't know where this soul harvester is, nor do we know more about him. Maybe he can be killed using normal means, but if it's that simple, why is he still spreading chaos in the empire? We must learn more."
That thought is on the party's mind as they begin their trek south. Days pass without incident, and it is not long before they reach Castle Iatsargo. Unfortunately, the sight that meets them is grim and unwelcoming. The party easily spots the smoke plumes rising into the sky before they can even see the town, and as the setting sun fades into darkness, the warm light of fire is much more apparent. As the town comes into view, they can see the tumultuous waves of flames licking at the rooftops.
Xelander doesn't wait a second later. With a shout of "Dad!", the halfling bolts towards the gates. He sets an amazingly brisk pace, and the rest of the party are a little surprised they are having trouble keeping up with him. When they reach the gates, they are shocked to find them smashed. Bodies of Iatsargo soldiers are strewn about in a strange way. They seem to circle eachother, as if they were fighting themselves...
The party doesn't have much time to investigate the scene because Xelander bolts again. When they reach the North Plaza, Xelander immediately turns to his right and heads towards his father's house. Before the party can follow, a group of people charge past the halfling, all screaming hysterically, as they run towards the nearest gate. By the time the crowd passes, Xelander has disappeared from view. As the party gathers their bearings, and searches for Xelander, they spot pockets of battle raging all over the town. Every now and again, what appears to be a small group of soldiers, all Imperial, seem to be fighting eachother. If they're not fighting, they're smashing doors in and searching houses before setting them ablaze, while more of the same soldiers try to stop them.
Looking up at the castle, the party can see more fighting taking place in the courtyard. The castle gate has also been smashed, and the door into the castle is currently slamming open and closed. The fighting seems to be very fierce around that spot. The party can even see arrows and boiling water being dumped onto the soldiers below.
Every now and again, the party can see shadows in the sky above. It must be the Sky Legion.
Kay's gaze jumps from fire to fire. "Er...what the blazes is going on? Are they fighting eachother?"
Just as Kay asks that question, a well-dressed elven woman, probably an innocent caught in the chaos, appears and begins running towards the party. Before she can reach them, two soldiers in the middle of torching a house suddenly decide to charge, weapons drawn.
"Those must be the crazy ones. I don't know what's going on, but we can't allow them to murder innocents," Kay shouts as he draws his club.
BATTLE OF IATSARGO--North Plaza: =========================
Fighting rages around the party. As far as anyone can tell, Iatsargo soldiers are fighting their kindred. Fighting around the plaza is fairly sparse. The real hotspot is outside the castle.
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Post by firemyst on Nov 8, 2007 14:36:17 GMT -5
Eadbald draws the magical sword and trusy shield, but seems a little more hesitant to enter the fray. Perhaps it's the last brush with death, but maybe it's the lack of understanding on what's going on.
"How can you tell they are the crazy ones?" Eadbald will step in to protect the fleeing woman, but fight defensively against the soldiers until convinced he's doing the right thing.
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Post by TG Barighm on Nov 8, 2007 14:47:39 GMT -5
"I...I'm not sure," Kay stutters, "But they're the ones torching the houses, and some soldiers are trying to stop them. I guess that means...they're the bad guys."
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Post by cealia on Nov 8, 2007 15:41:45 GMT -5
"I agree with Kay, the bad guys have to be the ones torching people's houses."
Cealia will mount Torryn and fight defensively.
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Post by firemyst on Nov 8, 2007 17:03:22 GMT -5
Eadbald thinks about this. He shouts to the soldiers.
"Do not cross us, for we do not wish to shed your blood. Why do you chase this maiden?"
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Post by TG Barighm on Nov 9, 2007 11:31:18 GMT -5
(*pokes Golddess*)
(Btw, did Cealia prepare new spells? Lv.3 spells?)
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Post by cealia on Nov 9, 2007 12:06:28 GMT -5
(oh snap. thanks for reminding me.)
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Post by golddess on Nov 9, 2007 22:14:22 GMT -5
Mialee stops and turns around upon hearing the dwarf's voice to see the scene she'd just rush past, while keeping a watchful eye around her for any other crazed soldiers headed her way.
(Sorry, was trying to finish up my equipment first)
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Post by TG Barighm on Nov 10, 2007 11:46:48 GMT -5
(Golddess' ref. sheet has been uploaded) * * *
[glow=red,6,300]UPDATE[/glow] **************
*Remember, AT LEAST 2 rounds worth of actions. Always.
Eadbald quickly hustles after the elven maiden and is able to reach her just as the guards attack. Eadbald tries to question them, but they don't reply. They simply attack. He has little trouble deflecting their blows with his shield, but now it's certain these guys wish the party harm.
Cealia mounts Torryn while Kay joins Eadbald in defending the elven maiden, who also produces a weapon. Thankfully, the party's little spot in the plaza is isolated from the rest of the fighting, so no other soldiers join the skirmish.
Eadbald counters the soldier's attack with an icey blast of his sword, exposing flesh and freezing blood droplets in one fell swoop (-12 HP). The soldier staggers back a few steps while the second takes another swing at Eadbald, but the dwarf easily blocks the attack a second time. Kay lunges into the first stumbling soldier with an attack of his own, but Kay ends up striking the soldier directly in his breastplate. The elven maiden seems to be evaluating the party's combat prowess.
Kay growls at the quickly darkening sky. "I'm just not a warrior. Cealia, how about you hand me that healing wand of yours so I can do something useful."
These soldiers are definitely hostile. Action?
*Soldier A. -12 HP
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Post by cealia on Nov 10, 2007 14:05:10 GMT -5
Cealia hands Kay her CLW wand while she goes after the nearest soldier and attacks them with her scimitar.
If Torryn is hit during the fight then Cealia will move accordingly to protect him. (ride check to negate.)
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Post by firemyst on Nov 10, 2007 21:21:36 GMT -5
Eadbald takes the threat seriously now. He gave them a chance, and now he will deal with them. Until someone can either take one of them off his hands, or one falls, he will continue to fight defensively.
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Post by golddess on Nov 11, 2007 1:54:36 GMT -5
Mialee quickly determines that these group of three travelers are unaffected by whatever has got ahold of the soldiers, and decides to help out. She will attempt to sneak around and catch the injured soldier off-guard with her Rapier.
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Post by TG Barighm on Nov 11, 2007 12:44:18 GMT -5
[glow=red,6,300]UPDATE[/glow] **************
Cealia rides up to Kay and hands him the wand while the shaman carefully watches the soldier for any hostile actions. Hostile action indeed comes, but Cealia places Torryn between Kay and the soldier, then attempts to use her superior riding skill bump the attack away.
Er...whoops. No beginner's luck for Cealia. Torryn finds a sword buried in his shoulder (-8 HP, Critical failure). The horse pulls away from the attack, but Cealia manages to keep him under control. Kay, meanwhile, backs away as he switches his club for another wand, this one crafted out of birchwood and topped by a red gem of some kind. The healing wand goes in Kay's shield hand.
Eadbald continues to focus on the soldier in front of him, who tries to strike the dwarf again. The sword almost sneaks through Eadbald's defenses. Thankfully he was prepared for it. As for Eadbald, he attempts a defensive swing and manages a solid blow on the guard (-12 HP).
The elven maiden isn't about to be outdone by these travelers. She swings around the dwarf as quickly as she can, then strikes at the soldier who is distracted by the rider. She easily connects, and her rapier penetrates the back of the soldiers' head (-15 HP damage). The soldier falls to the ground.
That strange, magical scimitar Cealia has begins to hum...
NEXT ROUND: =========
The remaining soldier suddenly seems a little shaken by the quick hewing of his comrade. He tries to back away, but Eadbald and Cealia quickly lunge at him. Eadbald's axe is blocked by the soldier's shield, and Cealia misjudges her slash and misses. Kay seems content to survey the plaza for any more trouble.
The elf once again circles the soldier and pounces on his explosed flank. She once again manages to place her rapier for precise, and devastating, damage, and the soldier falls (-13 HP).
EXP: +400
Kay quickly rejoins the party as they clean their weapons. "This place was fine a week ago. What is going on here?" Kay turns to face the elf. "Do you know what's going on?"
STATUS LINE: ============================================== Cealia: >>Torryn: -8 HP
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Post by firemyst on Nov 11, 2007 14:03:17 GMT -5
(axe?)
Eadbald looks around to see if anyone else is in danger, or others coming to aid the fallen.
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Post by TG Barighm on Nov 11, 2007 15:01:22 GMT -5
(Sorry. You've been using that axe awhile. Old habits and all that. Don't worry, the difference in damage between the two is like 2 points)
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Post by cealia on Nov 11, 2007 15:48:12 GMT -5
Cealia tries to clean up some excess blood from Torryn's shoulder with her sleeve. She gives him a rub on the neck and apologizes.
She's then distracted by the hum of the magical scimitar and looks over at it. She puts away her old scimitar and slowly begins to take out the magical one, examining it closely.
"I think this might be useful here," She says to no one in particular, but anyone in earshot.
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Post by golddess on Nov 11, 2007 16:15:47 GMT -5
Mialee shakes her head. "I'm afraid I do not know what foulness hath befallen this fair town. I was making my way towards the castle as there is rumor they are flying out to safety those who have been unaffected. Come, it will be safer if we go together."
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Post by firemyst on Nov 11, 2007 16:28:29 GMT -5
"We must decide quickly. Do we leave this place and gather ourselves, or continue to press onward in chaos?
Personally, Xelander knows this place better any of us. He'll be fine. We must withdraw for now."
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Post by cealia on Nov 11, 2007 16:31:13 GMT -5
"I'm worried about that little halfling. I agree we should withdraw here but we must not stray far in case he needs us," Cealia says.
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Post by TG Barighm on Nov 12, 2007 12:32:51 GMT -5
[glow=red,6,300]UPDATE[/glow] **************
Kay nods. "I agree. Xelander is small and knows a few good spells, so I wouldn't worry about him too much. What we should be thinking about are these free rides from the castle. The place is crawling in crazy soldiers though. How are we going to get in?"
Just as Kay says this, the party finally notices the soldiers they just struck down have returned to their feet. Sword and shield are still in their hands, and despite their wounds they still seem willing to engage the party, but there is a new light in their eyes. The flash of intelligence and intent is missing. It has been replaced with something more primitive...more hungry...
The newly risen soldiers begin to shuffle towards the party now, their limbs swaying and dragging unnaturally, but not badly enough to slow them down.
Kay's eyes widen at the sight. "Wha-wha-what in the blazes...?" He suddenly squints at them for a moment, then his mouth drops open in shock. "They have no souls! They're zombies!"
Looks like the soldiers are still itching for a fight, dead or not dead. They have an unimpeded path to Eadbald. Actions?
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Post by firemyst on Nov 12, 2007 14:26:34 GMT -5
"Take them down, again. We need to have time to leave this place without these giving chase." Still ready for battle, he will wait for them to come to him, then strike. (no defensive this time)
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Post by cealia on Nov 12, 2007 14:54:19 GMT -5
Cealia agrees with the dwarf. She takes out her humming scimitar this time and tries to stabbity stab the closest one. (hopefully with better luck this time. ) Hoping this scimitar really kills them this time.
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Post by TG Barighm on Nov 13, 2007 16:45:55 GMT -5
(Don't have enough posts from Golddess yet to establish Mialee's fighting style) * * * * * [glow=red,6,300]UPDATE[/glow] ************** Eadbald decides to start this new round of battle off with a quick slash of his sword. Quick it is, successful it isn't. He tears a nice bit of flesh away, but to the zombie, this damage is meaningless. It counters with a laboured whack of its sword. The warrior's former precision is long lost to the curse of undeath, but its new strength easily makes up for this loss. The sheer power of the attack striking Eadbald's armor makes him shiver (-8 HP). The other undead soldier lumbers towards the dwarf, but it's now too clumsy to attack and move in the same round. Cealia moves Torryn next to the zombie who couldn't reach Eadbald and swings her magic scimitar at it. The scimitar suddenly bursts to life as it connects with the Imperial zombie. It gains an odd, reddish glow, and releases a spray of mist at the exact moment it strikes. Cealia admits it wasn't one of her better strikes, but the enchantment of the sword made up for it (-9 HP). Kay decides to wait and see if Eadbald can deal with the zombies. The elven maiden is not sure how to react to this twist in the soldiers' fortune, so she watches. NEXT ROUND: ========== Eadbald continues his assault on the zombie standing before him, and this time he lands a much more meaningful blow to the zombie's shoulder, which nearly cleaves the entire arm off at the shoulder. The zombie counters and once again manages to muscle through Eadbald's defenses (-10 HP). As for the other zombie, it decides to go after Cealia instead. It is smart enough to focus on the druid instead of the horse, but it's not a very good swing, and Cealia knows she is better off just using her own body to dodge the attack than Torryn. She twists away, then takes advantage of her height to counter the zombie. She accidently slices into Torryn's neck (-4 HP). The horse rears, and in her shock, Cealia drops the scimitar. It clatters onto the ground. At least the druid doesn't fall. Thankfully, the elven maiden makes herself useful here. She grabs the scimitar and hands it to Cealia while Kay heals Eadbald with the wand (+9 HP). *LOL. 7 critical failures in a row! I would have ruled Cealia accidently cut Torryn's head off and broke the sword if the weapon weren't magical and couldn't possibly deal enough damage on a single swing, even on a crit, to kill the horse. Besides, she would probably be pissed. If it were a live session, I bet she'd throw her die at me. MAP: (Don't really need it. More for atmosphere really. And yes, Cealia standing by a deer as a way to show how much space Torryn occupies looks silly, but Cealia standing IN a deer looks even sillier. The lesser evil wins again) *Zombie Soldier A: -11 HP, Zombie Soldier B: -8 HP STATUS LINE: ============================================== Eadbald: -9 HP Cealia: >>Torryn: -12 HP
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Post by firemyst on Nov 13, 2007 17:33:24 GMT -5
(I think she'd punch you and make you buy a new dice. If you refused, she'd force-feed it to you.)
Eadbald feels he's making progress and will continue with sword and shield, but if he's hit again, try and bash with the spikey shield.
(If it falls, I have some feat to attack the other, right? little help on the melee.)
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Post by cealia on Nov 13, 2007 17:44:20 GMT -5
(hell yeah i'd be pissed. stuffing die down your throat would be the nicest thing i'd do. ) Cealia nods to elf in thanks and takes the scimitar back and starts to slashy the zombie again. This time, she is careful of Torryn's neck.
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Post by golddess on Nov 13, 2007 23:08:49 GMT -5
Mialee steps back from handing the Scimitar back to the catfolk, edging around to the right to silently and swiftly catch the one zombie off-guard once more with her Rapier.
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Post by TG Barighm on Nov 14, 2007 13:51:33 GMT -5
(Heh. Funny. But don't go thinking I avoid results just to spare peoples' feelings) * * * * *
[glow=red,6,300]UPDATE[/glow] **************
*Always provide 2 rounds worth of actions
The elven maiden begins to sneak around Torryn as she sizes up the zombie for a precise, deadly strike. The zombie has no idea she's there, so it's easy for the elf to place her rapier for maximum damage.
The rapier cuts into the zombie all right, right to the heart, but it doesn't seem to care. Looks like the undead aren't that easy to take down.
Eadbald continues hacking away at his zombie, and intended results are achieved. The zombie falls. As for Cealia, she attacks her zombie without striking Torryn, but ends up striking a piece of armor she didn't think would get in the way. The druid just isn't used to beating on opponents that wear armor.
The zombie attacks! Kay attempts to stop the zombie by lunging at it with his wand, and strikes a gauntlet, but the zombie gets its sword around. Thankfully, the catfolk's nimbleness greatly exceeds her martial prowess.
NEXT ROUND: ==========
Everyone converges on the remaining zombie. Eadbald and the elf manage to cut away parts that don't seem to impact the zombie, but Kay and Cealia do, dropping the soldier for good.
EXP: +200, Eadbald +300 for his whacky-whacky *Exp. will be combined in later fights with soldiers
The party waits for the soldiers to rise again, but this time they stay down.
With his weapon still drawn, Kay begins to look around the town. "Well, THAT makes things more complicated. Soldiers that rise after falling! Okay, we can't stay out here. We can get a ride out of here if we can get in the castle, right? Well, look at the fighting right outside the door! I don't know how we can get around that. I guess we can try entering from the south side, which looks a lot clearer, but we will have to go through the town. Or we can just go back outside and go around the town entirely. That may be safer. What do you guys think?"
Options:
-Go right through the castle's front door, or find another entrance in that area. Most direct route, but very risky.
-Enter the castle courtyard through the southern entrance where there doesn't appear to be any fighting. It's a long way around, and the party may have to face other dangers they're not aware of as they pass through the town.
-Forget the castle and exit the town. Go around the whole battle, then flee to Gavalles. It seems to be the simplest solution...
-Other options are available, but need to be discovered by the party.
STATUS LINE: ============================================== Eadbald: -9 HP Cealia: >>Torryn: -12 HP
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Post by firemyst on Nov 14, 2007 18:03:24 GMT -5
(Heh. Funny. But don't go thinking I avoid results just to spare peoples' feelings) (Didn't think you should. I just think it'd be funny to see her do it ) Eadbald eyes the front gates, and the chaos near. "We should explore the courtyard and try to enter the castle. There's no need to join that mess yonder, but we should find out what exactly is going on, if we can. At least a swift ride away from here, if nothing else."
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