Dragon's Egg - Act III

[SeverinR]

Aliron
To Baldhart:
"Will my task remain unchanged? Should the signal be told to the new messenger?

To Cadell:
"Know where the traps are, don't look like your avoiding them, so pick your path well."

To Hall:
"I still defend all in our group, harm one and I will kill the one that harmed them. Defend them and you might become one of us."
"I swear to kill any that would harm an innocent child, anywhere." Aliron scans the militia and then back to Hall. "Hell, that might even include Gnoll puppies."

Yes, we should drop ropes on every strategic building, Hang them out of the sight of the dogs, so anyone climbing will not be in a clear shot if they enter while someone is climbing."

Bressel
Bressel walks up wiping his muddy hands on his tunic. Bends to gather up the finished spikes, listening to Aliron's words.
"Aliron, you always make new friends feel so welcome."
to Hall;
"Don't be minding him, I bet he spoke the same to every new person in the group. He don't trust no one, and even those he calls friends he don't trust much either."
"I'm sorry, where's me manners? I am Bressel McAlmond, Barbarian from the Iron Mountain. Yes, I be Irosh." Bressel drops the sharpened sticks, and offers a muddy hand.

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
"Baldhart gave his pep talk, so I might as well throw out my words. I appologize in advance to any that might take offense for what I am about to say" glances at Cadell and Liadan, then looks to the militia.
Aliron raises his voice, as loud as he has ever spoken since we began:

"You did not ask for this fight, Hell, we didn't want it either, but those dogs out there won’t be swayed!
Don’t fight this for me or elves, any foreigners, you don’t know us.
Don’t fight for King or Queen or any nobles, they be buggering each other while the world falls to shambles!" Aliron tries to keep a smile from his face.
"Don’t fight for your country; it doesn't give a shit for you!"
Aliron turns to stare into the crowd.
"When they come, know they come to sack you town, burn it to the ground! Rape your women, burn your children, and probably eat some too. They did it in that other village, Srilkind!
When they come, there is no surrender, theirs or yours. They will kill you and your families or you will kill them.
There’s vile group of dog faced bitches out there, no offense Baltos, where ever the hell you are, looking to rape pillage and burn your…'fine'(was there a crack in voice, when he said that?) village. Let’s make sure they don’t soon forget this battle or even better make sure none shall live to remember this battle.
They want your women, feast on your children and loot your life savings, and only you stand in their way.
Remember Srilkind!
There’s a nasty bunch of sons of bitches coming in, let’s go kill them!" Aliron hurls a sharpened spike into the dirt in front of the militia.

http://rolz.org/embed?5243923

He doesn't wait to see if it stuck or not, but turns to help Bressel collect the sharpened sticks.

 

[senseiseth]

Hall

As Alrion Bressel extends his hand, I take with a smile. "Thanks be given to Frey then, I thought the man simply didn't like me. But can attest to the advantage of keeping trust to a few. So, so you two need help with setting up the defenses?

 

[SomethingToPonder]

Listening intently through dinner and afterwards I hear tthe others discussing the plans and ethics of whats going to happen.
"Im fed up feeling useless round here, Somebody give me a job to do. Ohh, Also, Why dont we encircle the warg riders, We already have a lot of firebombs handy to slow them down untill the archers can take them from a distance, however why not just encircle them in fire, We could draw a ring in the ground with a flammable liquid over sticks or logs , then use a fire arrow or firebomb to ignite it once a good few of them are inside the ring, that would give us time to focus on the rest of the foes."

I go to walk towards the door to go outside to get some air.
"If anyone has anything they need done just let me know. Im bored stiff sitting around waiting on these damned enemies."

((SP could you please let me know when it is a new moon or a full moon as well. Thanks))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

When Cadell whispers, I tell him, "Let me help you get your horse ready to ride."



To Alin, I say, "If anything, your task is easier this way. Shoot Ghendra on sight. He is the biggest, wears battered armor, has a shield. The shield will do nothing against your best shot. Up to you, of course, but I think Ghendra is the strongest enemy. I defeated a lone warg unscathed."

When Hall mentions Freya, I turn to him. "Hall... do you follow Freya? She is the goddess of my parents, the whole Eisenberg clan in fact... other than me, that is. I follow Brynhild--I mean, look at me. Childbirth? In this?" I pound my rock-like abs. "Um... what was I...? Oh, yeah. Though I follow Brynhild, I am still guided by the principles of Freya, as are most of those on the Iron Mountain. I actually felt bad for you, stepping into town and getting roped into this. But it's no wonder you show such enthusiasm! You will serve Freya well when you kill these gnolls."

With that I head out to help Alin get the oil bottles to rooftops, and to see if the smith has a good shield I can hold while I wait for enemies to close in. On my way, I tell Aldar, "If you'd like to help get these oil bottles to the roof tops, I could use an extra pair of hands. Or more than one extra pair if anyone's interested."



To Cadell I say, "I'm ready to move." When outside I tell him, "When you see the others, find out what they know. It's possible Ankari will have met them first, and Mauve... who knows? We decided as a party: one - we will not accept the gnolls as allies, two - we will attempt to avoid conflict for the sake of Arendal, three - if the gnolls set foot in Arendal, they die."

 

[SomethingToPonder]

"Great Baldhart, Keeping busy would not be so bad right now, I hate doing nothing."

I head outside with baldhart to assist with lifting bottles to the rooftops. If only I had taken the time in my youth to learn a spell that would have helped here...

"Ohh baldhart, I almost forgot to mention, I have the ability to cast a spell that may be of assistance should the attack come at night time. Dancing lights, It may be basic but we may be able to fool the enemy into thinking we are somewhere we are not, then be able to lure them into a position where we could get the jump on them. Just let me know where to cast the lights and I will get it done as fast as I can."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"The trick is knowing where to cast from. Most villages in the north would put you to death for casting. Maybe..." I make sure no villagers are in earshot. "...you're relatively safe, considering the trouble that happened earlier. Still, cast near no one. If something goes wrong and your spell hurts a villager, we may have a three-way fight!"

((@Something, if you don't know, your character probably does: failed spells can inflict 1 HP damage, and higher-level fails hurt more and may have other effects.))

"I tried to get a feel for whether they might 'forgive' magic, considering the need. This talk of honor is worrisome--they won't see another way, even with innocent lives at stake. Still, the lights may function as both a lure and a signal. I'm not sure how the risk stands against the benefit." He wants to help--as a wizard would. "Tell me, what do you know besides the lights?"

 

[SomethingToPonder]

I consider the prospect for a moment or so.
"I wouldn’t trust them with the knowledge I am a wizard, However I could just as easily convince them that it was hung up lanterns not spells. I can cast the spell to a different area, For instance If I cast it here, I could cast it further afield, the spell would not stay here because it was cast here, either way it looks like moving lights or torches; I think it would help us enormously."

((Yes I realize the effects of casting a spell incorrectly. ))

" Best to er on the safe side though I reckon. I have a variety of spells I am able to cast, Some are more aimed towards further learning of magic such as read magic, which allows me to read magical writings and inscriptions. I can also mend items without the need of a smith,depending on the damage done if it is too far destroyed it may be beyond my talents but I could always try. Endure elements, which allows me to survive and endure any and all weather which is more useful than you would imagine. And I am able to message people mentally over short ranges. I can also summon my familiar, who I am sure is lurking somewhere nearby actually already, However I have to keep him safe otherwise I inflict serious damage to myself. And of course a spell no mage should be without Magic Missile. It allows me to fight from a distance and you know about the dancing lights already."

I stop for a moment to gather my breath.
"They may well be useful at some point baldhart, people are always quick to condemn wizardry because they do not understand it, I think there must have been a few wizards who were corrupted beyond help who caused problems in the north and the stories have evolved ever since.

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron:
"Maybe have the casters go alone into a room with a window?
Then return to the fight, or just move room to room to use magic?"

 

[SomethingToPonder]

"Could be a good idea Aliron, Seems better than standing behind the fighters in the melee anyway, there are quite a substantial amount of variables in that choice. We would need a way to communicate, depending on the distance, I can use my message spell to communicate, however it is a spell so it may not always work, and it is never a good idea to cast when it is not absolutely necessary. The idea seems viable though. Where should we position ourselves, and I can of course cast the lights to divert the enemy to where we want them."

 

[senseiseth]

Hall

To Baldhart: My most humbled of apologies, but I was referring to Lady Freya's brother, Frey. Though I will be praying to all the gods I can that new see victory on this day. My God is Tyr, he has seen generations off family through hard times before, hopefully he will not forsake us now. And given that he is the God of justice and honorable war and glory, I feel that hos influence will most beneficial. I have no qualms with how I arrived here. I sly hope that I can help slay a few of those cowardly bastards before the day is done."

 

[senseiseth]

To all: Speaking of which I was hoping to see the priest at the temple of Tyr, I didn't see anyone there when I arrived. When will they be back?

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

After a quick goodbye kiss from Liadan, I go with Baldhart to the stables and wake Llucheden to ready her for the ride. When Baldhart speaks of Ankari and Mauve, I nod. "Very well."

I swing up into the saddle when all is ready, and look down at Baldhart as I walk Llucheden out of the stables. "Wish me luck. I think I'll need it."

Liadan

I look to Hall. "The priest who served in that temple is dead. He was murdered tonight. Much of the chaos and tension between us is because of that, I'm afraid."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Inside (before leaving the Spear)

"Oh…" My mistake then. I tell Hall, "Well, you are from the north, so I should expect you follow Tyr. You seem courageous, true to his path."

It'll be nice to see that, after the wolf-tickler and the baby-burner. Too bad he never got to meet Father Harald.


Outside (present)

"Yes… good luck, and be careful. Once the gnolls see we will not be manipulated, you may be in danger though they supposedly honor parley.

"Never assume the enemy honors it. Usually when parley is broken, the ones cheated don't live to tell the tale; the tale is rewritten as one of self defense by those who broke parley. Don't take my word for it… take Nissa's word."

I add, "I don't care what happens to Burnbright's necklace. Ankari has one that's identical, in case you give this one away, toss it, or it's taken. It's the message that matters. If the gnolls know they can't track Burnbright…"

I smile. "Aw, hell. You know. Hurry back to us."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I smile back. "I'll do my best. Good luck to you as well."

I urge Llucheden on, leaning forward and gripping the reins as I ride out into the last of the night. Burnbright's necklace hangs around my neck, beside Darin's medallion. If the gnolls are tracking its location, no doubt I'll give them a surprise when I come to them alone.

((Hmm... how to continue this? Side Treks, or play-by-PM?))

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron and Bressel go out to place the stakes in the holes.
If there is enough snow they won't have to use the cloth to cover. Just set the stake and fill in with snow.

[we should probably get the militia out in the area to practice, so the field will look as if we practiced all night and thats why it looks so disturbed.]

LS after the return of the negotiator, Nissa can use any torches in the field if she needs them. They are range markers and trap markings, so they are not needed after the fight has began.
Also she could draw them to the traps when she retreats.

I purposely will mark the furthest point an archer can shoot a little short, just to make it seem like my arrow shot is better then it is.

 

[senseiseth]

I take in the words of the priest's death with great difficulty. But I have to remind myself that I am not in familiar surroundings. I don't know these people, as nice as they all...well, most of them are. And right now with this gnoll attack pending, looking around for clues to the priest's death is not wise to say the least.

But this is most unsettling, a priest murdered? Who could do such a thing. I know holy men are not perfect, but by the gods, this was an act most unbecoming of all honorable creatures. I sheath my sword, put the whetstone back into my sack and excuse myself as I go outside. I cannot think of a proper response and the scent of the air outside has always aided my mind when it is in conflict.

I step to where the two roads converge by the Maiden, looking out over what might be the feeding ground of so many birds of carrion. Trees in the distance appear to be spectators awaiting the coming slaughter. Hoove marks from Cadell's horse can be seen in the snow. He is a man I look forward to fighting alongside. He reminds me of my father. Gods I wished to have him with us. His very name would've brought fear to this group of murderers and slime.

But he is not here. And I must do what must be done. I recite a pray to myself, one I say before each battle, preparing myself for what is to come. This is along way from being a housekarl, but in my heart I feel that this is right. This is where I am needed.

 

[Steerpike]

((Full moon is still a little ways off. Funny thing, it is still the same night after all this time. Longest day and night in the game so far!)).

The preparations are made with perhaps an hour to go before the first light of dawn. Cadell rides into the woods. Gisla takes everyone's plate and mugs into the kitchen, but she doesn't clean them. Instead, she sits in the common room and sharpens her sword, using her legs to brace the weapon as she works with her one functional arm.

Grim rises from his chair and stretches. "I'm going to see what that blacksmith has that I can borrow 'til this fight is over." He heads out of the door of the Maiden's Spear and into the night.

((The blacksmith has standard weapons and armor on hand. This includes shields, and there are others in the village who have shields as well. Any player can borrow what is available for the duration of the battle, or buy anything they wish to keep permanently. We need to resolve the side treks with Ankari, Mauve,and Ireth, and then the time to talk or fight will be at hand)).

 

[SeverinR]

Any shields that can be propped for archers?

 

[senseiseth]

[Breaking fourth wall/character]

Well the blacksmith could make some pavise shields, if the time and resources are available. And if the militia can make a shield wall, that could also help make the town a premier terrain to defend.