Dragon's Egg - Act III

[SeverinR]

Aliron
Aliron rushes to the edge, looks over the enemy, quickly decides the one speaking will be his target.

Normal Heartbow arrow(night):
night arrowshot [1d20+8] = 20+8 = 28 ; damage [1d8] = 8
The Unseen Servant

((YATZEE! natural 20,(28) natural 8!)
"I feel like Sushi tonight!" Aliron shouts down at the enemy.

[if I didn't hit, Aliron is running away screaming like a little girl]

Bressel
Bressel reaches the top of the stairs, sees Baldy and Hall below, and rushes down to join them, weapon ready.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I want to stop and put on my armor, but...

...it looks so comfy, it may make a nice pillow.


No, Baldy! It's bronze! It doesn't look comfortable because it isn't!

 

[Keitsumah]

I skid to a halt just at the top of the stairs, straining all of my senses just to understand what is going on. A bark just behind alerts me to Batos's presence, and when i open my hand, he rubs his head against my palm. All i can make out are dark shapes, but Batos's lip curls in a snarl as he takes in their scent. He recognizes it, though there is no way for me to know anything more than that as he cannot actually name them for me.

I notice several others rushing down to assist Baldart, then curse when i note her sluggish movements. Some kind of spell?

I can't make it down in time. I'll have to cast a counter-spell, but Light may end up backfiring and I can't afford hurting anyone. But if i use life magic . . . I look at Batos, tepid, but the wolf steps in front of me, eyes blazing as they lock on the creatures below. I smile. He'll try anything for me.

Kneeling beside him, i pray to Brynhild that my idea works. Trying to change his howl so that it sounds as if many voices are coming forth won't be an easy spell, but if i can pump life-magic into Batos's already natural ability it may just work.

Gritting my teeth, i thread my fingers into the soft fur at his throat and give him the word:

"Howl."

[1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19 (again, my Unseen servant is not working... i neither can make a new file or recover my old one...)

I feel the howl bubbling up in his chest, and Batos widens his stance, the fur on the back of his neck rising. Magic crackles around us, unsure, then i close my eyes and focus all of my energy on the spell.

The resulting sound even strikes fear into me. Batos's jaws open wide, and the howl is not of a true wolf's, but of a Warg's. It is as if twenty of the huge beasts stand right behind me, their ghostly shapes looming over the docks. Their voices join with his own. A war cry, a warning:

Intruders begone, or ye shall perish!

I can only hope it will snap Baldart out of her stupor as well as strike fear into the beings below.

 

[senseiseth]

((I think I met the check, but I cannot remember the magic number...never mind I read that I lost the check, Hallcrest OUT!))

There is a soothing sensation as Baldhart and I climb the staircase away from the hellish creatures. I try to fight, but with all my strength I cannot fight it. I see a face as the world turns dark. Her. I see her again...

 

[Steerpike]

((New Map. Description coming)).

 

[Steerpike]

Liadan arrives at the cliffside, her elven eyes making out the figures below - some sort of abominations risen from the depths of the ocean. She looses an arrow, but a gust of wind from the cold sea pushes it off course and the arrow disappears harmlessly into the ocean.

Aliron gets the fish demon caster in his sights and looses a shot of his own, striking the creature in the thick pectoral muscle of its right side. The creature lets out a loud hiss and casts a baleful glare at Aliron.

Bressel pushes past Aldar and rushes down the stairs toward Baldhart and Hall. He finds them both slumped on the steps, their chests rising and falling softly in slumber. Whether they can be awakened immediately is unknown.

Keitsumah channels her energy into Batos, who lets out a powerful howl, the sound sure to wake any yet sleeping in the village and to carry a great distance through the trees around Arendal.

The fish demons look upward, toward the cliffs, as the howl resounds:

Intimidate Save [1d20+2] = 20+2 = 22


Intimidate Save [1d20+2] = 13+2 = 15


Intimidate Save [1d20+2] = 12+2 = 14


Intimidate Save [1d20+2] = 4+2 = 6


Intimidate Save [1d20+2] = 15+2 = 17


Intimidate Save [1d20+2] = 16+2 = 18

All but two of the fish demons remain rooted in their tracks as the howl washes over them. One of them continues moving along the docks, heading for the stairs, though he moves more slowly than he might, watching his companions as they stand, rapt, listening to the howl.

The fish demon caster tugs the arrow free from its chest and, with a second glance at Aliron, dives into the sea, disappearing beneath the dark waters.

In the distance far to the west of Arendal, a faint howl sounds in answer to Batos. This sound is joined by a chorus of other howls, equally distant.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Sleeping Baldy

Wake up, Baldy! Yes, you’re worthy of the wings, but don’t be in a hurry to get them!

Wings? I have… wings?

Oh no… don’t have another one of those flying dreams. It takes forever to wake you up from—

* * * * *

​

Nissa and I fly side by side! No weapons, no clothing, no possessions from the mortal world. No embarrassment either.

“You were right, Nissa! I feel so free like this!”

I dive close to the open sea under the stars.

“Not so close to the water, Baldy. If your wings get wet…”

​

* * * * *​

“Whert herpens when mer werngs gert wert? Zzz…”

Stupid question! A valkyrie is not an insect. Wake up so I can explain it to you. Yeah! What do you say? How about I reveal another secret about the afterlife? A vision of Asgard and everything!

…

Darn, that usually gets her out of bed.

 

[Steerpike]

((I forgot Gisla. She's reached the top of the stairs as well, and is making her way down toward Bressel and the others with her sword out)).

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

Baldhart and Hall don't seem to be woken by Batos' howl. I rush down toward them ((if I can; if not this will be my action next round)), halting in front of them. Some sort of fine dust invades my nostrils, tempting me to sleep.

The temptation is easy to resist. I take off my cloak and spread it over Baldhart, then look up at Keitsumah and Batos. "Help!"

Those two can drag or carry Baldhart together. I turn to Hall and try to lift him.

And fail miserably. I should have put my bow away first -- I can't hold both at the same time!

 

[Keitsumah]

(waste of magic or not it helped split the demons up a bit!)

After Batos cuts off his howl with a clack of sharp teeth, I rush down the stairs after Liadan.

"We need to get them away from here as quickly as possible. There's a sleep-spell that's been cast over this place." i hiss in Liadan's direction, then when the knight fails of keep a old on Hall, i attempt to pick him up. Baldart would not want to be the first one to be dragged out of a situation like this, and I know that she is in good hands despite them not being visible on this plain.

1D20+ 0=> 15 (strength)

Still, Brynhild if you let Baldart die now you do realize that I have not learned very much yet right? I say mentally, then grunt as i heave Hall up. I may not be very strong, but he is heavy!

"Try to get Baldart awake." i grunt, pulling the fighter's limp body up the stairs. Hopefully i can get a flight up at least. . .

"Liadan, if you can't move them, hold off those things until i get back. I'd like to try out my new mace-stave on them." I call back.

(if you don't remember: her new weapon is a staff with a rock attached to either end via a rope. Steer would it be fair to have the staff get a +2 bonus to damage because of the rocks? If i remember correctly it only does four at most otherwise)

 

[Ireth]

((Keit, Cadell is still on his way back to town, nowhere near the docks. It's LIADAN who is helping Hall. Please pay attention to the names at the top of my posts, it helps all of us keep things straight!))

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
(("The fish demon caster tugs the arrow free from its chest and, with a second glance at Aliron, dives into the sea, disappearing beneath the dark waters." ))
"Dang, there goes breakfast"

Target the one still moving forward:
The Unseen Servant
HTML: <a href=http://unseenservant.com/default.asp?do=showone&id=17761>night arrowshot [1d20+8] = 13+8 = 21 ; damage [1d8] = 4</a>
((not max damage, but causing pain to da fishies.))

Bressel
((creatures 2 levels down, only has his great axe.))
Bressel will try to wake Baldhart, while watching the creatures approach.

 

[senseiseth]

Hall's Dream I

I am alone in a field of tall green grass. The frost from my breath floats in front of my face as I look out past the field and over the distant fjord and a forever blue sea; caws of seagulls echo overhead, but none are seen as clouds hover above the earth. I walk to the edge and feel the mist of the broken waves cascade upward into the air. Cooling sensation tingles my skin and the icy touch of the sea breeze enters my lungs.

I know this place intimately, I grew up here. I fought battles and wars upon this landscape when I was first a child. Many an enemy met their end by my blade, though my brothers never saw the efforts worth of their respect. Their laughter rings across the land and I roar back at them. Their taunts cut deep, but they learned what a long sword could do. It was the last mistake they ever made.

There is a voice in the distance, unknown, foreign. A low hound-like sound that reminds me of the stories of the dreaded Fenrir, death-dealer of the All-Father. I reach to grab my sword, but it is not there. A hand grasps mine. It is soft, delicate, I can barely feel the touch. Turning my head I find her standing before me.

Long locks of black hair, emerald eyes and a soft smile looking back at me, she takes both my hands and draws me closer to her. I try to ask about the noise as her lips touch mine, then I think no more. Only the moment is my concern. The locks of her hair caress my face as the wind raises them up. I hold her tightly as the moment lingers on and on and on….

I am in a hallway. Screams beyond words echo in a distant room. I ran towards its source and find the door is locked. “Don’t, please!” cries a woman’s voice. I kick the door down, and find the room empty. I search desperately to find the woman, when a man appears from the shadow. There is no face, but I know his name.

“Well,” he says coldly, “I see you’re back again, once more too late.”

“You bastard,” I say to him, “I should’ve kill you when I first had the chance.”

“And yet you didn’t. And look what came of it.”

“Be silent,” I growl.

“Course, it was nice to have one last run with girl…”

“I said be silent, knave!” I bark.

“What, too upset that you never had a go…” I grab his head throat and squeeze as hard I can. I remember how he died. It wasn’t a clean death, it wasn’t a good death, but the bastard was dead regardless. His specter form fades away into the wind and I am alone. All alone. There is nothing left for me here. I am left with nothing but hatred and sorrow. Hatred and sorrow. The pain is returning, all that horror, all that agony, all of it returning. Those bastards, those damned bastards, I’ll make them pay, I’ll make all of them pay! I roar out and curse the fiends who returned me to this hell. Damn them!

 

[SomethingToPonder]

With all the commotion I cannot believe that this attack would come now, Right at the worst possible time.

I decide to cast a magic missile at the demon closest to me, I can faintly make out his outline so my aim should be no problem.
I conjure up the missile and let loose when I feel the momentum building.

Damn! a miss. So close yet so far.
((I rolled twice by accident, but I used my first roll even though it was lower, feel free to check ))

I shout down to Baldhart.
"Wake up baldhart, Dammit wake up!"
When she shows no sign of changing I call out to the others.
"We need to protect all those who are paralyzed or go to sleep, Stay spaced out and attack with all you have, I think we will have some aid from the villagers soon enough!"

((Please let me know if I rolled correctly etc. thanks all))

 

[Steerpike]

((OK, turns out I don't have time for the map. You will be able to follow this without a new one, and with so many characters rushing to the same place on the stairs, it may be better given the jumble of avatars you'd see

)).

Liadan makes her way down the stairs, arriving beside Bressel and her fallen comrades. The remnants of sleeping magic on the air do not bother her. Her elven heritage protects her, and the magic is dissipating more quickly than one might expect. She bends down to lift Hall, but is unable to move the man. A moment later, Keitsumah arrives at her side, and the two of them together are able to lift the man and begin moving him up the stairs.

Aliron fires at the fish demon still dashing toward the stairs, and again his aim is true. When the arrow strikes the creature in the thigh, it performs a sort of stutter-step to keep its balance, then continues it's run. The remaining fish demons, who were momentarily distracted by Batos' howl, begin running toward the stairs as well. Ripples spread across the water near the rocks, directly below Aliron's vantage point, as though something unseen moves just below the surface.

Bressel shakes Baldhart in an attempt to wake her. Although she is asleep, the magic does not appear to have fully taken hold. Perhaps the fact that the fish demon caster was struck by Aliron's arrow and had to dive into the sea, or perhaps a weakness in the spell itself, but whatever the case, Baldhart comes to, albeit groggily. Likewise, Hall begins to stir as Liadan and Keitsumah carry him up the stairs toward the relative safety of town.

((Baldhart and Hall are both awake this round, but too groggy to do much of anything until next round)).

Aldar attempts to cast magic missile. He feels the energy building inside of him, but something goes awry just as he prepares to release the missile. The magic crackles around him and spins out of control, but with a sheer effort of will he is able to harness the energy and safely contain it.

((I rolled the runaway magic save for Aldar. He made it)).

 

[SomethingToPonder]

(( thanks SP, Forgot the runaway magic save cast, I'll be sure to include it next time.))

managing to Regain my composure I take a second to analyse the situation.
"Aliron, Move! Something is moving below you, Move now!"
I glance at the advancing sea demons and notice they seem more aggressive than before, Perhaps there is a boss coming or perhaps it is only the aggravation from being attacked. Either way I start to get a bad feeling.

I focus in on the fish demon that Aliron hit in the thigh with the arrow and I calm my mind to have another attempt at casting a magic missile.

Success, The Missile soars accurately towards the target. I cant help but let a smug boyish grin slip out of the corner of my mouth, I may be 1003 but I still love those little successes as I did when I was just a boy.

"Baldhart, Hall if you can find the strength to move at all try and climb as many stairs as you can!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I look up. "Am I... home?" No. It's Bressel. And I'm--"I'm not... decent. Sorry."

I remember.

I rise.

The sword or the armor? How close is the enemy? I look through the floor boards.


((Assuming there is no enemy on level 2...))


"Please help me with this," I say to Bressel as I fumble with my armor.

A glowing light passes by.

"Pretty."

 

[Steerpike]

((The foremost of the enemy have just reached the bottom of the stairs and begun to ascend. They're all still on level 1)).

 

[senseiseth]

Hall II

As the rage from within my soul comes forth I feel the world around me breaking apart into a reality that I do not know. Flames of a pain unbound by man engulf my being as I find two people standing over me. I try to break free of their grip, but my strength fails me.



I begin to thrash back and forth as the anger inside begins to show in the conscious world.

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I do my best to hold Hall down, murmuring in an attempt to soothe him. "Easy, easy. You're dreaming. Hold still."

((I'm not sure if that worked at all... it's better than Hall's roll, but still a fail.))

I look toward the docks, where the fish-demons are beginning to find footholds on the stairs. With a sigh I put away my bow, and take up the dwarven flail instead. Sooner or later it may come to a melee anyway. Good thing I can swim, just in case.