Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Ireth]

"Whatever is out there was shot, and is running away," I murmur to Mauve. "Though it eludes me what it might be."

I shift slightly to make room for Burnbright and Mauve to trade places, glad that we are keeping the most vulnerable member of our party toward the middle. I turn my eyes forward again, keeping my ears pricked for any sign of trouble.

 

[Sparkie]

Aliron flashes the signal, and I say "It's running. Come on, let's move up."

I begin proceeding up the tunnel as before, with Darin at my side in case of sudden trouble. If there's one monster down here, there's bound to be more. Maybe many, many more.

((EDIT: Ninja'd. I'm at work, so I don't have much time. Can we assume this post preceedes LS's please?))

((Now yours is first! ~LS))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

When Rydh joins us, I report, "It ran off with an arrow in its leg. I suspect it has friends, so it may be best to move with shields up front. Three shields if the path is wider. Only…"

Don't be silent. It's time for you to get over your weakness.

"…Rydh, do you see that everyone here follows your lead? We can really act as one when you organize us. I can suggest tactics as well—we all can—but we will only act as one if there is one person who gives commands. Only one. One who is not on the front.

"Sir Matthew has volunteered to take your position, and Sir Matthew, I even have another thought—that you and I are on offense behind shields, but you are our third shield in case we find ourselves in a wider area. Sir Cadell, your right hand is your shield hand. Would you be willing to focus entirely on defense, knowing Sir Matthew and I will be there with sword and spear?

"And most importantly, Rydh, will you lend Cadell your shield and be our commander and healer?"

 

[Steerpike]

The creature disappears along the passage ahead, and as it goes the strange dim glow recedes, leaving you once again with your own torchlight. A noxious stench wafts into the area occupied by the party, stinging your eyes but not causing any real harm.

Darin fingers the half of his hammer. "We must rid this place of these vermin. They pollute these chambers with their very presence!" He moves up far enough to see around the corner, then turns back to the group with a questioning look.

Burnbright takes her new place nearer the middle of the group, careful to keep her torch away from others. As the party decides what to do next, the elves in the group hear the soft sound of footsteps rapidly approaching from behind.

 

[SeverinR]

"Reverse the shield wall, hurry!"
I rush back, arrow ready, I will position my arrow between two shields, ready to fire.

"I was thinking, the one that lost a hand, maybe a hand crossbow cocked by someone else for prepared fights. Maybe with enough strength a regular crossbow?" I say quietly to the group, watching for the attackers.
Someone make sure nothing comes from the reptiles side."

"I have never encountered one before, but the smell, matches what I heard of Troglodytes."

 

[Nihal]

The elf's words float back to me, but they don't make sense immediately.

Reverse? Why? How would it help- wait, "nothing comes of the reptiles side". WHAT?

I curse and turn to the darkness, ready to deflect any attack. I hear nothing, I see nothing and it makes me even more nervous.

The damned shields aren't useful if we're in front of it!

"Is something coming?"

((Dodge stance))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

These interruptions are impossible!




"Nod, how about we stay put and watch for the lizard?"




Does he have a choice?

He can get down.

Not easily. You should've had Arn strap a ladder over your cloak instead of a sheath.

 

[Ravana]

I wait, my hand still on my word…

((You should draw it. A picture is worth a thousand words. ))

((I'd apologize for that, were it not that multiply-layered setups seldom come along, and I feel obligated to make use of them when they do. You know I love ya and I'm not picking on ya.))

•

"Nod, how about we stay put and watch for the lizard?"

Does he have a choice?

He can get down.

Not easily.

((Aww, phooey. Baldhart remembered she had a hobbit on her shoulders before she tried vaulting the dwarf. And I so wanted to see that, too.… ))

((You, I'm picking on.… ))*

 

[Ravana]

"I was thinking, the one that lost a hand, maybe a hand crossbow cocked by someone else for prepared fights. Maybe with enough strength a regular crossbow?"

((Assuming one were available, of course.))

((In fact, a crossbow is an excellent weapon for a one-handed user—any sort of crossbow. And a normal-sized ones would be better than small ones. It can be cocked with one hand, since you're normally going to be using a stirrup for leverage, or a crank, depending on just how heavy it is: it might take an extra action, depending on the user's strength… but the user would be able to cock it himself, rather than having to rely on someone else. The Greeks had an early version of a heavy crossbow—very heavy: easily equivalent to an arquebus, and considered the forerunner to the ballista—called a gastraphetes ("belly bow"): it was designed with a broader stock, which the user placed in his midriff for leverage when cocking, while resting the end on the ground… and rather than pulling the string up, the user pushed a slider down to bring the string into position. And unlike a bow, a crossbow does not require a second hand to grip anything when firing: it can simply be rested on the shooter's arm. This would, of course, involve some small penalty to the attack until the user became accustomed to working this way… but that shouldn't actually take too long. Good idea.))

 

[Ireth]

I look up at Baldhart when she speaks, and a strange sense of relief floods through me at her words. I may not be able to fight, but I can defend. "I would."

I raise an eyebrow at Aliron's words, biting back a less-than-civil remark. "For future reference, my name is Cadell."

((@Ravana: Heh, yeah, I caught that typo too late to fix it. Hate when that happens. ^^; If I could draw, I'd try, though.))

 

[Sparkie]

The day may come, True Soldier, when you will give the orders instead of following them. When that day comes, be ready. Be decisive. Be humble. Be brave. Be willing. Be strong. Find it within yourself to lead, and your service to the Lord of Combat will please Him.

Soldiery - Codex 3:441

*****​

It seems like the decision has been made, after a fashion. Baldhart openly defers to me, Matthew's hints are none too subtle, and here's Cadell agreeing to bear my shield. Darin has cooperated despite not knowing me, a half-blood elf. Nodrick has been trying hard to ingratiate himself to me, and even Aliron and Mauve seem to show a certian kind of respect. Strange. I never would have thought, after leaving Stoneport, that I'd be given this kind of chance.

I cannot let them down. I will not let them down. I will honor my God and take this load given to me.

As I'm about to reply to Baldhart, Aliron reacts adversly to the distant sound of footsteps. I turn to him.

"Keep calm, Aliron," I say. "Those footsteps you hear may well be Hiljikki or Ankari come to join us. Still, let us be vigilant. Keep your arms ready, and make sure Burnbright stays where it's safe."

I then hand my shield to Cadell. He takes it, making a point of equipping it himself despite having just one hand. I then turn back to Baldhart and give her a coy grin.

"Alright," I say. "I'll stay behind the shields. But you can't stop me from fighting should the need arise."

Darin is still looking to the group for an answer. I give him one.

"We're with you, Darin. Let us honor your kin this day."

And now I do something I've never done before. I start giving orders.

"Cadell, take your place beside Darin. Sir Matthew, you stay behind Darin. Ready your spear, but have your shield handy as well in case we need to widen our defenses. ((This assumes the tunnel is still ten feet wide.)) Baldhart, you and Nodrick stay behind Cadell. Burnbright, I want you next to me so you can give us all a little light. Speaking of light, Mauve? You can cast the Light spell, right? Cast it on the blade of your spear. Don't argue, just do it. Aliron, you're in the rear with Mauve. Once Mauve has cast her spell, we get in position and move. Let's go!"

 

[SeverinR]

"I did fail to mention that it might be friends, but with someone rapidly approaching we should treat it as possibly hostile. Please do not shoot without identifying your target."
I stop and move back still keeping the arrow ready, but also checking the other direction also.

 

[Ireth]

I quickly move into position beside Darin, hoping I will be a better shield than a swordsman. I look on down the tunnel with my eyes narrowed, hoping that whatever is approaching turns out to be friendly.

 

[Nihal]

Before I realize, I let slip out "Are you out of your mind? We're under the Taint!"

Of course he's willing to take the risk, it's not him the one who will suffer the consequences! I doubt he would waste his precious healing magic with me! I swear under my breath. They won't take my refusal well. Stupid Mauve, control your mouth!

"Oooh, fine! But someone keep an eye on whatever is coming." I walk towards the darkness, distancing myself from the group more than I would outside the Taint.

"Of course I would cast it on the blade, do you take me for an idiot?" I mutter, feeding my anger. I was angry when my spell worked. I hope it works again. I block out any noise, retreating to my own mind, feeling the urge to succeed.

"Again!" I lower my spear, feeling the quartz pendant dangling from my wrist. I don't even need to see the rock, I only feel it, and it's all that exists for me in the whole world right now. I reach for the magic and gather it, chanting.

[1d20+2] = 19+2 = 21 #Spellcast



((Mauves need to be mad to cast. Okay.

Light Spell on blade!
She has 3HP and 4MP now - if she didn't have time to rest after her knife inspection.))

 

[Ravana]

((@Ravana: Heh, yeah, I caught that typo too late to fix it. Hate when that happens. ^^; If I could draw, I'd try, though.))

((Heh… I don't pick on typos per se. But if they can set up something funny, they're fair game. Humor's always fair game. ))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Look at him lead. We are organized! We will function as a party! Nissa, my words actually seem to have done some good.

What did you expect?

I thought I'd at least have to work harder to convince him. I was scared that if I failed…

You never could confront a friend, Baldy. You gotta use your words like a sword. Don't hold back when you know you're on the right side of a battle.

A battle of words… oh, crap! What if Ankari is coming? What will he say to Rydh's leadership?

Now that Rydh's off the front, maybe Ankari won't fuss… but you know what you gotta do if he makes a stink.

I gave Rydh my word.

I trust you to keep it. As long as you do, you are prepared for battle: your fourth sacrifice has been accepted.

What sacrifice?

You sacrificed your weakness.

What kind of a sacrifice is that?

One that works out for everyone. Those are the best kind. Remember that before you go and toss a scabbard overboard or start ripping your clothes off.




I move toward my position. As I pass Rydh, I pause and say, "From one devout follower of a Battle Deity to another, I know your god is pleased with you."

 

[Philip Overby]

I sit on Baldhart's shoulders, looking around. Her hair smells funny. I keep my crossbow raised. "I totally missed earlier, but my next shot will be true! Just let me know if you're going to start swinging. I don't want you to mistake me for your sword."

 

[Ankari]

The gloom of the tunnel pulls back to reveal the party facing my direction in battle formation. I search for Burnbright, verify she's unhurt, and then notice the parasite draped around the shoulders of Baldhart. Before the voyage north, the comical sight would illicit ridicule. Now, I just shrugged it off and attribute it to the exessive thinking and deliberating that is common with my allies.

I return my axes. "All is well? Did a rat run across the Gnat's foot?"

 

[Sparkie]

Yes, it's him. Alright then.

"Ankari, glad you're back," I say. "Keep to the rear for now, but be mindful that you may be needed towards the front if Sir Matthew must vacate his position."

He's going to give me trouble, I just know it.

"Everyone in position? Good, good. Let's march!"

We begin to move further down the tunnel, after the Trog.

 

[Steerpike]

((OK, guys, here is a new map. I'm going to push the action forward a bit so give me a few minutes to get the narrative written up))