Dragon's Egg - Act III

[SeverinR]

Aliron and Bressel
"We could use help digging or sharpening sticks. We need an axe, shovels, sacks or buckets and some cloth also... also some torches might be nice."
Aliron catches up to Baldhart,
"Baldhart, if you rush back to town, stay on the dock side of the torches. The torches will be archer distance markers also. The gnolls will think they are markers for distance and will probably knock them down while others run past and into the traps. Remember, when in doubt go towards the dock side."

{Baldhart, give into your feelings, go to the dock side.}

Bressel will begin to collect sticks to sharpen while Aliron gathers the other items.

If anyone follows Aliron will shoot an arrow long distance or fifty feet from the tree line which ever is less. He will have several small holes dug on the opposite side of the arrow from the dock. (The dirt will be placed in sacks/buckets and emptied out of sight.)

Then he will shoot two arrows about 75 feet or 25 feet less then the first, one to the left nd one to the right. He will have several small holes dung on the opposite the dock from the arrow.
When each of the sets of holes are finished, a lit torch will be placed a few feet towards the dock from each arrow, and the arrow left there.

Several wood spikes will be placed in each hole, then covered with cloth and a light covering of dirt and dust (or snow if the field is snow covered) will cover them. If snow covered the group will also walk around the field to make it less obvious the area that was focused on. And will trample the area on the dock side of the arrows too.

Aliron tells the group as he looks at the tree line:
"They must be encouraged to charge into town to avoid our arrows. Then they will encounter the traps. These won't kill, but they will injure them and slow them down. All the time we are picking them off with arrows. We must tell the archers to avoid the ones limping until all the healthy ones are dead. Easier to kill a wounded dogman then a healthy one. If we expected a siege, covering the sticks with excrement would add disease to the wound, but this battle will be over long before disease ever sets in."

Bressel nods, "We must kill the mounted riders first, they will be on us fastest. Then if the leaders charge in, they should be next."

"How many militia can we count on? or should I say, how many townspeople will be there at the start? How many will flee in panic when they see the attackers?" Bressel asks.

 

[Ankari]

Ankari and Mauve

If Mauve intended to sneak away, she did a poor job. Her path took her through the thickest snow, snapped a number of branches, as if a boar on the charge. It is well that she didn't attempt stealth.

I make the same effort in disguising my approach as she did in concealing her escape. Coming abreast of her, I watch the night for any sign of threats. "Some say all of creation experiences sleep, even the earth and the sky. There are parts of the world that have been scarred by long-forgotten events, tragic passings that have broken the sanity of all living things. Only the land remains as witness. In its attempt to protect itself from the recollection, it sleeps. The sleep of the land is different from ours. The green plants shrivel, animals grow lethargic, and the water dries. And still the memory remains, visiting the land in vibrant flashes and violent shakes.

"What troubles you, little mage?"

 

[Nihal]

Woods

The snow crunches under my feet, threatening to invade my slippers. It's a fair price. Each step takes me closer to the danger, yet I feel less burdened, released from all the resp—

Ranger.

"At this exact instant, I am troubled by the notion that I have been followed by a certain ranger." I turn to him, starting to mouth my next question. Why have you followed me? I don't.

Isn't it obvious? Didn't he do the same thing in the past, when I tried to leave? I close my mouth and breath. That time he was not nearly as gentle as now. He's scarier now. I bite my lower lip to not smile at this thought.

"Before I had how to turn the game and get out of an unsustainable position, now it is different. As soon she feels the opposition to her is too strong she will play her trump, she will give a 'choice' to Burnbright and we know what the girl will do. You heard the same I did." I raise my hands, shrugging. "You got me, I am weak, pathetic, I give up. I do not fight for lost causes. Go back to them and keep an eye on the girl, your hands are not bound as mine and the girl will still listen to you. A little.

"And do not forget, you have a new mage in your group now." I let the words sink in before chuckling. "Oh, I know, I am sorry to leave you with that mage to replace me."

 

[SomethingToPonder]

on and ask him if he needs any assistance with his ideas, Perhaps some ideas will come to me while I am doing some work. I always seem to come up with ideas much better while I'm busy at work.

As im walking I recall some time spent during my youth, Well I say youth I mean when I was only 200 or so.

I was walking through a forest when I was ambushed by a group of bandits, They were not skilled fighters by any means, But by sheer numbers the odds were stacked against me. I tried to talk my way out of the situation but the bandits were having none of it.

"Hand over the satchel and any weapons you may have wizard, And dont try anything funny or we'll gut you here and now."

I paused for a moment to consider my options, The usual spells would not work so I had to resort to something a little more out of the ordinary.

I managed to conjure my familiar earlier, and was enjoying the company of him rather well, Upon hearing strange noises I told him to circle around 20 feet away and communicated via thought, It was the first time I had ever actually conducted any extensive communication while under pressure mentally and holding a conversation as well to keep the bandits at bay; Personally I think it turned out rather well as I managed the task with surprising ease, on top of that who knows when I may have experimented with such communcation had the opportunity not arisen when it did.

I quickly set about telling my familiar to physically attack the two bandits at the rear of their 6 or so strong party, The communication or bond as some like to call it is hard to explain and I think different for all wizards who happen to know how to summon familiars, However with me it is as if I am thinking in a seperate part of my brain, An imaginatory sort of "box" that I contain the familiars thoughts in, So when I think in that "section" of my mind I can communicate with my familiar.

The two at the rear started shouting and flailing their weapons around uselessly. I thin they must have put the weakest two at the back to appear more intimidating. the front end of the party without thinking turned around to see what the disturbance was and I casted two succesfull magic missiles right into the chests of the front two. the middle section of the party quickly turned and fled when they realized they were surrounded by a beast eating two of their friends and an angry wizard casting missiles at the two burliest of their friends.

I probably could have tracked the last two down, However I think the story must have saved many people getting robbed in the woods of those parts for many years. I really should summon up my faithfull familiar when I get a chance, You never know when they may come in handy.

 

[Steerpike]

Arendal

Gisla listens intently to the party's plans, a thoughtful look crossing her face now and again. From time to time she supplies pertinent information about the layout of the town. When talk turns to the route the gnolls will take to Arendal, she says: "The western road is the obvious choice, given their current location. I do not know that they'll want to take the obvious route, though. Barring the road, the woods are similar to the west, north, and east. It doesn't sound like an approach by sea will be an issue, but they could certainly swing east and come into town from the other side with very little difficulty."

She stretches and rubs at her eyes, then goes back to listening.

When Aliron speaks of Father Geralt's death, Gisla's fire returns. "Attempt to justify it however you like, the attack on Father Geralt was cold blooded murder. What do you think we're fighting for here? It isn't just a question of a few lives. Civilization itself is always precarious here in the north. We're a few steps away from barbarism if we push our laws to the wayside to suit the whims of a violent thug, and that's what your friend is. In a civilized society, you don't draw a weapon and strike down an old man. And this talk of protection of an innocent child is nonsense. When you see a child in imminent danger and have to kill to save her, then I'll see it your way. Striking down an old man in his robes because he proposes to have a trial in accordance with our laws is anarchy, and the route to barbarism. Better to go live with the orcs if that's your view."

She shakes her head. "No. This Ankari is a cold-blooded murderer, and Mauve is an accomplice. If they aid the village in its time of need, I'm sure that will be taken into account at their trials. But it doesn't change the fact that before there was any battle to be won, your friend killed an old man and he wasn't defending himself or anyone else when he did it."

"Those two are branded outlaws, and rightly so. If you think you can sweep through village with your swords and knives, dispensing death and some perverted notion of justice only as you see fit, then wipe it all away by helping to protect the village later, you've got a warped view of the world. Or at least of the world we should have, and need to have."

She takes a deep breath. Then: "I'm going to check on the militia patrols. The air is a bit thick in here suddenly."

With that, she leaves the inn.

Baldhart and Liadan leave a few minutes later, off to pursue Baldhart's "experiment." As they step outside, a two-man militia patrol approaches. One of the men is recognizable as the blacksmith.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

"I couldn't agree more, Gisla. Ankari is a murderer. And let it not be forgotten that he also harmed the unarmed elf who tried to stave off conflict by putting himself between Ankari and the priest. My ribs have not forgotten him yet. But be careful whom you call 'barbarian' -- there are some here who wear that title with pride."

Gisla leaves, and others soon follow suit. I sit in silence, my chin in my hand, lost in my thoughts. I still want peace above all, though war does seem inevitable. Baldhart may call it weakness if she will; I no longer care. My choices and desires are my own, for the good of the company. I don't know what to make of having Ankari's opinion match my own, though... or was it only a ploy on his part? I would not put it past him to betray the gnolls as he betrayed us. Would that be counter-betraying the company or not? Most everyone seems dead set on war.

Right now, I just want to sleep.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Inside

"I take no offense from Gisla's use of the term. While I may not agree with the laws that endangered Branwen, we have no right to tell the north how to run their towns and we were able to save her without making enemies here. If we act like the enemy, we are no different than the monsters we claim to protect them from.

"Frankly, if this is how behave as a 'team,' I need to find another means of serving my Goddess. Children keep me here now. Children and my Sisters who follow Brynhild… and the monsters that deserve to die."



Outside

I conduct my foolish experiment. Fortunately, I don't hurt myself… though I learn nothing.

But—I do see the smith!

"Ha, ha… hi, there, Mr. Smith. Um… I normally don't dress like this. I was on the boat and…

"Never mind. I was wondering if you could get back to preparing my armor. You don't want me to fight defending this town dressed like this, do you?" I blush, recalling his hand on my breast. "I'll put up a better fight with that breast plate."

To the other man I ask, "Can you help me with something? It's to defend us from gnolls, in case they attack in a couple hours or so." I carefully dismantle my trap, and get a barrel. I tell Alin, "You gave me an idea when you mentioned the torches." I tell him and the militia man, "We need to fill as many glass bottles with oil as we can—dozens!—stuff a rag in and get them on the rooftops. If Gisla can supply the bottles, we should start right away."

I gesture to what little I wear. "We have plenty of material for rags." I tell the smith, "Of course I'll get dressed before I tear this up. I am a maiden, you know."



He doesn't.

I know.



As I head in, intent on wearing the new green kilt I purchased here, I tell the others, "If Gisla asks what the bottles are for, tell her they are for Nissa."



Brynhild won't object to you revealing yourself here, will She?

I know Her well and I know Her path. It would be grossly irresponsible for me to hide from battle when I am able to save lives.

And end lives.

Yes… I will rid the world of some child-killers soon.

 

[Keitsumah]

I head upstairs, remembering that I had gathered a good deal of branches, dried grasses and stones. New weapons to give the villagers would be a good idea, even if they have to run for it. Plus, maybe everyone else could use them in some way or another.

I pause for a moment, then a smile comes to my face. Batos is a little over-active at the moment, and I know why. He's helping Aliron and Bressel dig holes.

They'd better stand back. Dogs were descended from wolves, and where did that digging urge come from? I laugh as i imagine dirt flying. Batos's sharp claws can slice through even hard earth fairly well, so I am positive that the humans at least won't wear themselves out.

The door to my room opens with a faint creak, and i head over to the corner to the stack of materials. Now to prepare some new spears and slingshots.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart and Keitsumah

I bring the barrel of oil to the Spear, then head up with Keit, explaining, "I love this ring, but I should probably dress normally. Something about the way the smith looks at me. Is it wrong to be flattered... I'm not used to men looking at me that way." I snap myself out of--"Sorry, Keit. I'm just trying to keep my mind off of the harsh reality. The odds are against us, and I'm not sure who among us recognizes the gnolls as the enemy. But you never faltered. You never questioned whether these child-killers are really 'that bad.'

"You may not think of yourself as a warrior, but there's more to Brynhild's path than just battle. And you follow Her path in that sense, too. Speak to Gisla of these matters if I don't survive this battle... but don't let my words worry you. I intend to take every advantage I can get.

"Let's look for areas with lots of plant life, and make sure Alin knows. I think as soon as Gendra is spotted, we fill him full of arrows--not you and I, but those who can shoot. Gendra is the strong one, so he'll survive when we trap them all. But Alin has Heartseeker to finish him.

"Nissa will fight ths battle as well. Remember: if anyone asks, I cannot use magic. This is the truth. It is Nissa who uses the mana that flows through my body. I never learned to control it. As for you, use your entangle spell as you see fit but beware the witch-hunters. If Nissa speaks to any superstitious villagers be sure not to contradict her. She will likely speak truthfully, but... she'll do what it takes to keep you safe."


I head to my room and slip into my kilt. The rags I was wearing can be torn and used to hold the oil.


Baldhart in Common Room

When I get downstairs, I tell all who are willing to help, "Gisla let me take some bottles. We need to fill them with oil, and 'cork' them with oil-soaked rags." I demonstrate, and conveniently forget to tell the others I was wearing these rags for the past several hours. "Let's prepare dozens of these, then get them to the tallest rooftop... preferably one in a central location where we can reach the enemy. If we make enough 'bombs,' we can use more than one rooftop, placing several bottles on each."

I turn to Grim, "Nissa is sorry she startled you earlier, and she suggested that I mentally prepare you: she intends to intervene in this battle. She also says that we must get over our differences and unite against this enemy, using whatever skills we possess to bring victory. A loss to the gnolls is a loss of innocent lives." I sit next to him as I work on the next bottle. "I knew Nissa before we first met, but... I wasn't sure. I mean... if I just imagined her, though her presence felt real even when others could not see. I told Eskel's mother that a valkryie guided her son and... it's true. Nissa knows of these things.

"Eskel's mother... did she escape the attack? I saw her daughters, but not her. What of Hrolf, and his friends, Borin and Snorri? I imagine they'd have put up a fight if they were in town during the attack. They seems the typed who'd fight to the end. Did they? I didn't get a chance to know them well, but their names and Father Harald's will be in my prayers before the battle."

 

[Steerpike]

((Rudimentary map of Arendal.

1 = The Maiden's Spear and Stables
2 = Location of stairs to docks
3 = Blacksmith's shop
4 = Temple of Tyr
5 = Stone building under which Mauve was held prisoner.

You guys can use this map to place people and/or traps around town)).

 

[Steerpike]

Common Room

Gisla waves a hand at Baldhart. "Take all the bottles you want. Let's just try not to burn down the village while saving it." She gives a rueful chuckle, then says "I'm going to let each of the militia patrols know what is going on." She heads out into the night.

Grim smiles at Baldhart, though there isn't much mirth in it. "Your little valkyrie did give me a bit of a turn. Still not sure what to make of her, if I'm honest. Guess I heard stories of the old shield maiden's, like everyone else who grew up in the north, but there's never been much in the way of followers of Brynhild around Srilkind and I reckon I never paid it much mind."

"Still, if she's helping us against the gnolls..." he makes a fist, a dark cloud passing over his face.

At the mention of Eskel's family, and others from Srilkind, Grim says: "I didn't see nothing of Eskel's mama once the gnolls swept into town. Couldn't tell you what happened to her. Snorri is dead - saw that with my own eyes. Hrolf was fighting early on, and I lost track of him after that. Can't say as I ever say Borin yesterday"

He gives Baldhart a pained look. "Could we have saved any of them, you reckon? I'd have been all for fighting, and I think that Masama would've come with me. Hell, even Joffur would've fought, I bet. But we had Burnbright in with us, and it was clear the gnolls was after her, so I wouldn't let anyone set one hair outside. Leastways, not until Burnbright offered herself up to go with them. A damn fool idea, if you ask me. Had it come to it, I don't reckon I'd have let her do it."

"But if we'd gone out and fought, 'stead of staying holed up in the Crow like we was, maybe we could have saved some of them. Maybe helped more of the townsfolk get away."

Eyes shining, Grim looks suddenly away, as though embarrassed. He picks up one of the empty bottles. "I'll help get these filled."

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron follows them out:

"Baldhart, make sure the town militia does something with that road in. Its the easiest way to attack the town. I will be on the roof of the Maiden spear(if the roof is not so high pitched, if it is then I will be in the corner room.) I invite any and all archers that don't mind elves to join me. It has a clear shot to all areas that the gnolls will be approaching.
Make sure they don't have a problem with elves though. We wouldn't want to have a bigot slip off the roof during the battle.
Maybe the bigots would be better on the other building across the road."
"The militia have plans to defend their town, see how best we can fit in with them, and make sure they are reasonable. If not use your tact to tell them how they failed in some way. They wouldn't take it well coming from a pointy ear."

"I suggest we get the majority of available arrows into place for the militia. Not all in case they attack from another direction."

[if the town archers have claimed the maiden spear and has elven bigots, I can move to the other roof] I can shoot just as well from either roof, but the spear has the best field of fire.

((Rudimentary map of Arendal.

1 = The Maiden's Spear and Stables
2 = Location of stairs to docks
3 = Blacksmith's shop
4 = Temple of Tyr
5 = Stone building under which Mauve was held prisoner.

You guys can use this map to place people and/or traps around town)).

Just to be clear, the edging behind the Maiden spear is cleared area, not rocks or cliff?

My view on defenses:

The road is a little closer then I thought. We must do something about the road. Maybe the town has already something figured out to slow attackers.

When the battle is near I will go on the roof with grapling hook and rope. I will have the rope ready to climb down if the gnolls get into town.

The militia must be divided to protect the town from all sides.
The prison or temple might be the best place to mass the militia on that end.
If we have archers on that end, building 5 has the best field of fire for the west,
the building south of the temple probably best for the south and west. We need runners on the ground for the archers to warn of attack from each direction.

[post battle: if someone could, make sure the town knows where the stick traps are, don't want the kids to play in the snow and get injured.]

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I follow Baldhart out, not from any desire to help with their plan. I touch her shoulder and meet her eyes. "Might I have a quick few words with you?" No need to foist my opinions on her if she is not willing to listen, though something tells me I should anyway.

 

[SeverinR]

Tried to upload my modified map but it was too big.
So I will link to my Deviant art.

Arendal by SeverinR on deviantART

red is torches for the round ears to see by. ) )
Green is where I would have the militia. Aliron suggests 1/4 at each end, and the other half massed in the middle. So we are ready for attack either direction and backup will arrive about the time the attackers reach them in mass. (maybe send 1/4 to first attack if it appears not to be all out, keeping the other 1/4 in reserve) If militia is too small, might need to go all in center)
blue is the archers
orange is for runners
brown is where the covered spikes are.
If no archers in the militia then post observers and give them a couple bottles to toss before they go down to die...I mean join the fight.

there is one archer to cover the ocean, I doubt they will come by water craft, not having access to boats in the immediate area.

I did not place anything on the road. Aliron suggests the covert, lets the warriors do the overt.
I'm hoping the ranger will figure out a way to signal where the attack comes from.

(one if by land, two if by sea... no wait, Paul that won't work in this scenerio. Maybe a glow rock in the night behind the main force?)

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I tell Grim, "Your wife is alive because you kept the Crow safe. Had you gone out, they'd have taken Burnbright. And Liadan here would not have saved your wife if Burnbright was moving with the gnolls. Not that we wouldn't save her, but we wouldn't have known to look there. In fact, it's only because you put a knife to Burnbright's throat that they didn't rush you--I'm sure that tactic saved everyone in the Crow. You even had some members of our party convinced you'd really kill her, though I assured them it was a deception tactic.

"Grim, there were thirty-six enemies when we arrived. In a straight fight, you and Masama maight've killed one or two more before they killed you. Don't beat yourself up over your decision. You did right and you did save lives. If anyone had time to think and plan, they'd have considered a defensive position." I hold up Burnbright's necklace. "It may be this that the enemy uses to find her, though I believe this does nothing when Burnbright isn't wearing it. Maybe we can 'prove' to the gnolls that Burnbright is already southbound.

"It won't get them to stop attacking the village, but maybe when Aliron puts an arrow through the leader's heart, that--combined with their impossible objective--might break their morale."


Aliron and Liadan both want to have a private conversation with me!

Look who's Miss Popular all of a sudden?

Aww... but can't we just discuss things as a group?


I look left, then right, then left and right.

Well, Alin's already telling me his plan so I say, "One moment, Liadan." I hear out Alin's plan...



((@Ireth, if you want to play by PM for Liadan's words to Baldy, feel free to send the PM. I'll reply to yours after I reply to Severin's, but I'm not sure when that'll be.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

After speaking to Aliron and Liadan, I head to the smith's.

He's working on my new breast plate! I quietly say, "I can't wait to try that on!" Of course, he'll never finish if I disturb him. "Um… mister smith? Could I borrow that charcoal you gave another customer earlier?"

If he allows this, I write a note to Ankari on the back of the parchment with my diagram on it.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

At the Smith's

((I think the play-by-PM bits are over...))


Oh, I almost forgot...

I bug the smith again. "Any chance I could borrow a crossbow?" Nissa, which one looks like the ones the goblins were using?

((If Nissa can find such a crossbow, she replies,)) That one.

I point to the one most like that of the goblins. "I just need to test-fire to see if the bolts will reach the highest rooftops. Oh! But if you can just tell me what the upward range is--straight up, and at thirty and sixty degree angles--that would help, I think. I want to know if bolts can be fired effectively at someone on the tavern or temple roof."

((If the smith can answer, I go on,)) "If one is crouched on the roof, is there a chance the bolt could be fired in an arc, like an arrow from a longbow? I don't think crossbows work that way becaue of the firing mechanism, but... sorry! I must sound stupid knowing so little about archery! It's against my religion to use ranged weapons, but I must know since the goblins do not share my faith. Nor do the men of the militia, so I hope most of you know how to shoot."

 

[senseiseth]

Hall

There seems to be an increase of activity throughout the town. Shouts and metallic clangs fill the air and I walk in without much notice. For the best, I am not a fan of crowd's noticing me. A dog barking announces my arrival, but everyone seems to ignore the animal. I throw a stick to the dog, who runs after the twig.

I find The Maiden Spear's and Stables. I check my coin-bag and hope I have enough coins to cover the expense but I feel a stop to the temple of Tyr may be a prudent move before down a mug of ale and mead and a copious amount of bread. (Hmmm, mead, so meady).

The temple of Tyr is empty for a moment, but I can see there are many mementos left by those wishing the battle go to their side. It is now that I begin to sense the smell of death in the air. You do not know its unique scent until you are staring the specter into those dark hollowed eyes. When your soul is placed upon the altar for sacrifice and you do not know weather or not it is your time to leave this world. I am reminded of my first time facing the eternal abyss, a bitter one if there ever was. It seems many of these people have yet to see what is about to come. Too many have lived with much strife or turmoil...this will soon be rectified.

How many will die, how many will live, that is the question that is to be answered.

I utter a small pray. I have seen enough death in this world and I know how to survive, at least for the moment. I pray for the people of this town, and for those who are about to have their tales end here. A chill runs up my spine, I never like that feeling.

A drink, yes. A drink is just what I need. I remember The Maiden's tavern I passed when I entered town.

[This is my first post for the forum, so if I broke any rules, please tell me, I don't want to repeat mistakes if I can help them.][Nice to meet everyone!]

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I head back toward the Spear when my conversation with Baldhart is done. Something moves in the darkness; I approach with caution, wondering whether it is Ankari or Mauve. Surely they would not be so foolish as to come back into town after what they did. Perhaps it is another of the company? No, they are all busy working on traps, except for Baldhart and Cadell. But who else would be out and about at this late hour?

Blast this darkness. This far from the lights of the tavern, I can't tell who it is.

"Who goes there?"

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
Sitting near the Maiden spear sharpening a stick, looking to the field I see Bressel and Baltos digging holes.

Movement in the street, the lack of urgency in their movement catches his attention. The person doesn't dress like the towns people, doesn't walk like the dog people. To dark to tell much about the stranger.
Dropping the sharpened stick into the pile, Aliron slips into a shadow
<a href=http://unseenservant.com/default.asp?do=showone&id=17336>hide/open locks [1d20+4] = 4+4 = 8</a> {failed;better now then in battle}
lifting his bow placing an arrow, watching the stranger.
{if stranger goes into Maiden spear, Aliron will switch to (Celexa's) sword and move up to doorway.}
Aliron sees Liadan notices the stranger also.
Aliron strains to make out all needed information: weaponry, armor, clothes,