Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Steerpike]

((Put ooc comments in double-parentheses like this. That's the format we've been using. It makes it very easy to distinguish ooc comments versus in-character comments.

The blacksmith doesn't have time to make anything else at this point. He has some regular shields on hand, the sort you might expect in a small village like this. You could always try to rig something. The militia men might be able to form a rudimentary shield wall with instruction, but keep in mind these are villagers, not fighting men, and the militia are just the more able-bodied and younger among them who have become members of the village's militia. Apart from Gisla, you don't know of anyone in the village who has had substantial fighting experience)).

 

[senseiseth]

((Gotcha, will do....oh...this is gonna be a rough one then. Thank heavens for fantasy aspirin.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I look around at the militia men, and see who has a shield. Perhaps some of us can form a wall... though Cadell is the one I prefer most to help make the wall.

I head to the dock.

It's time to put my armor on... but first, I remove everything but jewelry. Maybe the men are too busy to notice. I hardly care if they see me.

I step into the water... it's freezing! But as the goosebumps cover my skin, warmth follows. I bathe, as if it will be my last time. A wave crashes on my back. I don't want my hair wet... but I don't want to get out. Everyone else needs to huddle by a fire. Not me.

I swim. I have the sea to myself. I savor these moments of peace...

 

[SeverinR]

While they continue to place spikes I walk back to find Gilsa.

"I need some rope, I figure we should have several building rooftops for the archers to access. I have one for the Maiden Spear, We need one on the building across the street, that building(building marked 3), the temple(4) and the prison(5)."

"If you have people that could place them that would allow me to prepare for battle, but if not I could do it."

((SP: How many militia archers do they have?))

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

While the others discuss battle plans, I return upstairs to arm and armor myself. Before going back downstairs, I kneel to pray to Oercus. I do not know if He will be willing to aid the humans against the gnolls, but at least He might grant a blessing to the elves among us. I pray especially for Cadell, that he remains safe in parley and returns to Arendal unharmed, whatever the outcome of his meeting may be.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Oil bottles are on any rooftops where Alin put the ropes - buildings 3, 4 and 5, it seems.))

 

[SomethingToPonder]

I return to the spear from helping baldhart outside. I cant help but feeling there could be more we could do, I just cant quite put my finger on what that is. I walk to the common room and see gisla sharpening her sword. I cant help but blurting my thoughts out.

"We should be building more defences or things that can help us in the fight, A shield wall, Some sort of planks connecting the roofs so archers can pass freely between roofs in emergencies or for a better aim, maybe we could draw a ring of fire to encircle the warg riders or perhaps some sort of cart filled with oils that we can roll into the enemy and set aflame from a distance, If we pack all the flammables into a tight metal container or even perhaps a thick wooden barrel, we could create a bomb, that would surely take a good few of them down to the depths of hell."

I look at Gisla.
"Sorry, I seem to be getting carried away with myself, But I cant help but feel the danger is very real here and we all need to be doing everything we can in order to secure our safety. What do you think?"

((Longest Day I have ever heard of! =P))

 

[senseiseth]

I enter inside to hear Aldar speaking with the one they call Gisla.

((This is essentially my first try at the rolz.org system, I forgot to write #DEX Not smacking shoulder against upright beam, my bad. But please please PLEASE let me know if I fouled this up.))



I weave out of the way of a beam in the tavern as I enter the conversation. "I agree with Aldar, Gisla. Not to imply any insults but I feel a few more means of defense could very well decide who will win in the coming battle."

 

[SomethingToPonder]

"Well Im glad it is not just me, What do you say me and you get to setting up some defences then between the two of us friend?"

I look around for anything that may be of use.

"Im sure we could get tools at the blacksmiths, Gisla do you have any large planks of wood in the cellar or anything along the lines so we could construct "bridges" between the buildings or roofs if possible? I have rope to create some sort of bannister so we dont fall over the edge. Or anything that could assist with any of the afore mentioned ideas I had."

 

[Steerpike]

Dark Water

Baldhart slips into the cold salt water of the northern sea, the chill that washes across her quickly replaced by a comfortable warmth. Swells lift her as passing waves move to break against the rocks, but the waves are not strong enough to carry her with them, and she is able to find relatively calm pockets of water in and around the docks. Her mind on thoughts of battle, her gaze passes over a small rock jutting from the surface of the water, and she is unconcerned for half a second until she realizes the rock was not there moments before. She looks back at the object, and even in the dim light she makes out the familiar, saucer-like eyes watching her dispassionately from the spined head of the fish demon. Having been spotted, the creature sinks below the surface of the water without a sound.

The Inn

Gisla frowns, considering Aldar's words. "You make me think of my days in the south, where we had the time and resources to build fortifications. I don't know what we can do here in the time left to us, assuming the gnolls come at first light. We have wood-workers here, and no doubt we could scavenge the resources we need to do something. The question is, do we have the time to do it? And do we want to be in the middle of doing it when the gnolls descend?

((As to the question of militia archers - as many of the militia men as you wish could be used as archers. These men have all hunted since they were young, and they're probably all better with bows than with hard, face-to-face fighting with swords and shields. They don't seem to have a keen eye for strategy and seem a bit overwhelmed by the size of a potential attack, and have simply fallen back on the idea of wielding swords or spears or whatever is at hand to defend their village. If you want to place them at points around the village with bows, simply explaining to them what you want them to do would probably be sufficient. They seem to recognize that the group are seasoned fighters, and that apart from Gisla they themselves are simple villagers with only a little fighting experience between them)).

 

[senseiseth]

"Capital idea. I'd say let's start with some stakes, but Bressell and Alrion are on that...and to be perfectly honest I don't feel comfortable with that Alrion character near me with a pointed stick...or pointed anything for that matter. And I think connecting the houses isn't bad at all. You think we can enlist Baldhart in the effort as well?"

 

[SomethingToPonder]

"you may be right, I doubt we have time to build full scale fortifications, However a few planks between rooftops and some rope attached to a pole at either end for a bannister of sorts would not take more than an hour or two I reckon, Especially with help from any men to hand. Filling a cart with flammables and explosives would not take more than an hour as well, so long as we are prepared I think it is essential we do so. Even send the men able to do so to the point where arrows reach at their farthest point, maybe give it 10 metres prior just to be safe, and lay sticks or hay in a massive circle, then cover them with oil or flammables, we need to be able to slow the warg riders down. Can you get word to the militia men to get started on that now, And tell me where I can locate some planks so I can get to work on a "bridge" .

I look at Hall, "Yes Im sure she would be interested, However we need to get started asap, I shall get started you run down and get her, tell her it's urgent, She may be enjoying her swim, however we need her here now. Make haste friend, Lives may depend upon it."


((SP, Do you think it would be possible to mark on the map the locations of the militia men just for reference, The locations of where they will be during the battle I mean. That may make it easier to decide where to place them.))

 

[senseiseth]

"Of course, don't have too much fun without me," I say as I leave Aldar. I bolt down to where I can see the water. I try to leave some distance to allow the warrior some discretion, as much as the night will provide.

"Baldhart!" I call out "Baldhart it's Hall, Aldar and I need to help with some defense work, we figured you'd want to partake. Are you decent? If you're not just let me know please. I'd rather not lose my eyes for seeing things I should not see. It's a concern I have."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I get out of the water and grab my sword. I'm naked, and I don't care.

I yell out, "No time for modesty! Come quickly—you and anyone armed! I'm under attack!"


((I'm assuming it's impossible to get the breastplate on. If not, she puts it on. I hope it comes with a skirt so it doesn't look worse than nude!))

 

[Steerpike]

((I'll get a map going for this as well. Just a reminder, the dock area of Arendal is at the bottom of a long, narrow set of stairs descending the side of the cliff. The areas nearest the dock and cliffs have some shallow water that you can wade out into, where Baldhart was. The solid, dry ground is on the docks themselves. Baldhart can be heard from above, within the village itself)).

 

[senseiseth]

I unsheathe my long sword ((no pun intended)) and run to Baldhart. "Aldar!" I cry out, "To arms, to arms! Get down here now! We got something to kill!"

I reach Baldhart, her sword in hand and...just a sword in hand. Don't do it Hall, just don't do it.Have some class for Odin's sake. "What's happening, what's going on?" I ask Baldhart.

 

[SomethingToPonder]

Still waiting on Gisla's response about where to find supplies when I hear Hall yelling from the beach, I cant make out the exact words but the screams seem frantic and I manage to hear "to arms".

"Gisla, Tell the men to continue as I had planned as best as they can, I must go and see what the problem is, I shall return soon to assist with the defensive positions."

I quickly run down to the beach and when I reach it I see baldhart and Hall standing with swords in hand and ripples in the water.

"Whats going on!" I demand

 

[senseiseth]

"Either Lady Baldhart has a very sick method of bathing, or we have something with a mind to eat her." I say to Aldar, "I have a joke about that, but now isn't the time. Lady Baldhart, what are we dealing with?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Sword, armor, and MOVE!

Your purse!

Berries! Right!

I make haste, and—thank Brynhild!—help is on the way. I rush to Hall. "Stairs," I say, hoping he knows not to go further—though I'll ascend to him if I'm faster.

((Basically, Baldy doesn't stop until she's near Hall—she gets to the top of the stairs if she can.))

"Help me get this on," I say as my sword clatters by my feet. I start getting dressed with or without help.

It's so awkward, I do all I can to make light of it as I await his help. HIS help.

"First I invite you to my bedroom, now you see me like this. I wonder if you believe I am a maiden. Do you think Tyr will count dressing me as your 'test of courage?' I'm hoping Brynhild counts me sacrificing my dignity as a 'sacrifice.'"



She has a sense of humor, but you made enough sacrifices overnight to cover this and the gnolls: the berries can be for this battle, and for the gnolls, you sacrificed your desire for retribution and prioritized what the people of Arendal want. Those are greater sacrifices. Besides… this isn't the first time you sacrificed your dignity, is it?

At least I have some left to sacrifice… uh, right?

 

[SomethingToPonder]

I see Hall and Baldhart rushing from the water and getting a safe distance from it.
"What's the problem? You two look like you could have handled this between you. Hurry we have defences to get ready, In case you forgot we are in the middle of preparing for a battle and im going to need both of your help if we're to have any shot of making it sustainable."