Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Aldar! I'm a proper mai—" Maybe not a proper one. "I didn't intend to be seen li—" Who cares? "The wake!" I can't point. "Fish demons! We need to defend from this enemy now, or we'll be in no shape to fight the gnolls!"

((EDIT - Taking up SP's offer on 'placing' archers, time for Baldy to put on her Bossy Boots*.))

"Archers!" I shout. "Defend your town from the sea!"

 

[senseiseth]

((I just got back from my martial arts class, so I'll reply to the previous posts and then move the story along))

I run to Baldhart, running up the stairs to her affects. She tells me to follow, which I do without question. A lesson my uncle Adalsteinn learned the hard way. I help her put on her affects and prevent the others from seeing her in her...natural state.

"You know, if this was how you wanted our relationship to go, you could have at least bought me a drink first," I say to her, hoping to break the tension. I also thank Tyr that I was not the one caught in my name-day suit. "And never you mind your dignity. My cousin Lars fared worse when he was caught kissing an elm tree and calling it his 'dearest love'. My that boy wasn't right."

Baldhart and I see Aldar running up to us. He comments on our course of action. "Oh, really good sir? Perhaps you can head down there and enlighten us on how to defeat that...whatever the [censored] that was. I could only see ripples in the water and I can assure you, the last thing I want is to embrace it for a passionate kiss."

Baldhart retorts to Aldar and then calls for archers. As the men arrive I call out to them. "All right you little bastards, listen and listen well. Form two lines, skirmish formation (that means spread out), five arrows in the ground, rest stay in their quivers, and make ready to fire on my order! We don't what's going on, but I don't feel like losing a town today. Now move!"

I turn to Baldhart and Aldar, "Please tell me the others are coming."

 

[Steerpike]

((Here is the map. The stairs actually have five switchbacks. Level 1 is sea level, level 5 is Arendal level. Right now, the PCs are on level 2, the fish demons below on level 1. If people start getting too spread out, I'll put numbers next to the avatars of anyone on the stairs.

Let me get some text up before you guys post)).

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart rushes from the water and more and more ripples form around the docks. She is sprinting up the first set of stairs, meeting Hall and then joined by Aldar as shapes propel themselves from the dark waters behind, scrambling onto the wooden docks with a scratching of claws and hissing of breath.

It is cursed dark out, but even so the vague silhouettes of at least three fish demons are visible on the docks, and it looks like at least three more are still in the process of climbing out of the freezing seas. Baldhart's flight was not lost on them, and as soon as they have their feet beneath them they head for the stairs, wet steps splatting against the wood of the docks.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I grab Hall's arm, figuring when he feels the gentle tug in the upstairs direction, there will be no need to make it any less gentle.

"Aldar!" I call up. "Get a torch!"

As I 'encourage' Hall to follow me up, I tell him, "I have a feeling you're a true follower of the God of Courage. I'm all for courage and I don't fear death for reasons that will later become obvious, but I'm not suicidal. We can win from up top rather than die down here. I have one bottle of oil in my purse."

I was saving it for Ghendra, but no matter.

"If the people of Arendal don't want me torching the stairs, they better back us up with bows. I don't suppose you kept a bottle or two on you, did you?"

 

[Steerpike]

((For the new players: once a battle starts, we go into 'rounds' that are supposed to be six second long. So once you've posted for a round, don't post again until everyone has had a chance and I've posted for the monsters as well)).

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

As I pray to my god, I hear His voice in my mind, clear and urgent as a bell. Run to the sea. Those you pray for are in need of you.

I scramble upright, and spare only a moment to ensure I have my bow, full quiver and flail on my person before bolting out of my bedroom, down the stairs and out toward the docks. Danger from the sea... as if we did not have enough approaching by land! Is this the work of Aslaug as well?

 

[senseiseth]

Hall

I agree with Baldhart completely, "I have fear of death. But my father told me a warrior's duty is not to die for his cause, but to make the other bastard die for his." I follow her up, looking back to make sure the creatures are not too close. She asks about the bottle or two of oil. Oil...I don't remember getting oil...ah [censored].

"You want the lie or the truth," I reply to her, "because the truth isn't pretty. I'll cover you two once we get to the top of the stairs and see how much time I can get you two while you both get some more help."

 

[senseiseth]

((I've read as far as to the end of the first battle in the first act, so I have a fairly decent idea of the mechanics...but if I make a mistake, please let me know)).

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
Dropped the rope with his grappling hook over the edge of the tavern.
"Call to arms" Aliron turns scanning the woods, then turns towards the ocean.
Attack from sea? They had no boats? Aliron slips quickly down the rope.
If Gilsa is still near by, (If not preferably a person of rank in the militia)
"Make sure we have people on watch for the gnolls from the woods, this might be a diversion."

Rushing towards the stairs where people were gathering, looking to the sea below. Slipping the bow off his shoulder, they have many stairs to climb to reach the town, they will have a few holes in them by the time they reach it.

((Aliron will run to spot 6 places to the left of Baldy on the shore. ie Rogue to queens row 6

Bressel
Bressel in the field covering the spikes with snow when the call to arms is heard.
He stands and scans the woods, looking for possible attackers there.
He charges towards the group calling for help, pulling the ax from his shoulder.
Baltos was with him, he looks to the wolf,
"Go to her." He yells, wondering if the wolf understood or not, then his mind focuses on the battle.
"Lets KILL!" Bressel yells approaching the group.
((Bressel will run to the stairs. Will stop to take in the scene, then will try to move down the stairs one level to block them. If Hall goes down further Bressel will follow, but he is alittle further away so he will have to catch up.
Main goal: prevent easy entrance to the sea, make them earn every level of stairs, but leave room for the archers to hit them before engaging in melee.))

((I don't think either are close enough to make an attack this round, Aliron might not even make it until next, not sure of the actual distance from the MSpear to sea stairs. I think Bressel might make it to stairs, possibly start down the stairs.))

((Town map for reference is post #1072 on page 108.
Actually looking at the map, Aliron and Bressel are about the same distance from the stairs.))

(( If Aliron didn't have a chance to tell someone with rank in the militia to post some spotters, he will do it first thing when he arrives at the sea edge. He thinks this is a gnoll feign attack, expecting the main to come by land.))

 

[Keitsumah]

(oh crap is Batos back yet!?)

I whirl around to face the window when i hear a commotion break out towards the docks.

Blast it! Did the gnolls try a sneak attack? I wonder, grabbing my new weapon, slinging it over my shoulder, and rushing down the stairs. If anyone is in the inn i shout:

"There are staffs and slingshots with stones in one of the rooms -if you do not have a weapon feel free to take them!"

Then i sprint out the door and head towards the docks, sending a mental cry to Batos to give him my location, as well as where I am headed. I spy Liadan ahead of me and snatch at the bag of good-berries at my hip.

[1d21+0] = 14+0 = 14 (how many berries i grab in both hands- my US is STILL not working!)

"Liadan! here!" i yell, coming up alongside her and handing off the berries after putting the ones i had grabbed into the spare bag. The ones i have yet to change are in my pocket, so i can access them easily. "Take these -give them to anyone who needs them!"

 

[SeverinR]

((Bressel clarification:
"Fishies = 1st floor
Hall and Baldy = 2nd floor
Aldar = 5th floor
Others running = top floor (which may be the 5th, but I'm not sure)"
Bressel will run to 3rd level if Hall and Baldy are coming up, or will join them on 2nd if they are making the stand there. (Might take a second round, not sure of the distance)

 

[senseiseth]

((I'm for that, extra support would be great. And if Lidan, Alrion and Kiet can provide cover fire that would definitely help.))

((So...my first turn is up right? So I don't have to write anymore until Steerpike posts again.))

 

[SomethingToPonder]

"No problem, Hang on, Try to keep them at bay from a range until I get back!"
I turn and run back towards the town, Luckily there is a torch hanging on the side of the buildings, I grab it and run as fast as I can back towards the steps down to the docks. I fly down as many flights ((levels)) as I can before shouting to baldhart.

"I have the torch, What will I do with it?" The tension in my voice must be visible to the others, The adrenaline is surging through my veins like I haven't felt in a long time.

"If you have Oil, Throw it now! But it means we cant escape by sea if we do."

 

[Steerpike]

((Hang on guys - we're in combat rounds. They last ten seconds. Your average move speed is 30 feet per round. More than that if all you're doing is running flat out. Running up three levels of stairs, to a building, grabbing a torch, and returning to the stairs is well beyond what can be accomplished in the ten-second round. We can assume that you're running as fast as possible up the stairs, on the way to doing the rest of what you want to do)).

 

[SomethingToPonder]

((Ok thanks SP, Sorry I thought I was at the top level for some reason so all I would be doing would be running back towards town and grabbing a torch then returning, and it seemed as if the road was practically right next to the stairs so I figured there would be a torch on nearly all the buildings. but no problem, lets play it that way ))

 

[senseiseth]

((Sorry sorry, my bad. I'll try to be more conscientious about that for the rest of our little soiree.))

 

[Steerpike]

((Next map:

Explanation for who is where (there is some dramatic license here to kind of put the events together as best as possible and avoid things that don't make sense, but did when initial posts were made):

Aliron and Bressel were outside when the call to arms went up, so they're just arriving at the edge of the cliffs.

Hall and Baldhart were working with Baldhart's armor and interacting quite a bit in the time between the fish demon appearance and heading up the stairs, so they're at the next level up (indicated by the three; if there is no number by you're name you're at the top level (5)).

Aldar was on his way down when he found out what was going on and started sprinting back up the stairs. We'll go ahead and say he's back at the top now.

Liadan and Keitsumah are just outside of the map, below where Bressel is (I need to expand the map to include town). Batos is back with Keitsumah, as you'll see from the write-up.

Gisla is just behind Liadan and Keitsumah.

Detailed write-up coming next)).

 

[Steerpike]

Cries from the docks below Arendal rise to those above, and the call to battle is repeated as people leap to action, though many do not yet know what is the matter.

Baldhart and Hall, after fumbling hastily with Baldhart's armor, begin to move up the stairs, rounding the next switchback and emerging onto the platform at the next highest level. The fish demons who were still in the water clamber on to the docks, and their comrades advance, albeit as a measure pace as one of them calls out orders to the others. The fish demon calling out the orders ((see the one with the yellow background)) straightens up and lifts once clawed hands, a series of slithery words issuing from its lip-less mouth. Nothing seems to happen...

...except on the stairs, where Baldhart and Hall, dragging one another upward toward safety, suddenly find a fine mist of dust settling over them, making them want to sneeze. Moreover, the mist tugs at their eye lids, cajoling them with promises of rest. Suddenly, the stairway platform looks more inviting than the richest bed.

Something inside Baldhart and Hall remembers the danger, and they fight against the urge to sleep. ((Need WIS checks from both)).

Aldar is ahead of the other two, rounding the higher switchback and rushing onto the upper platform, to come face to face with Bressel, who is headed in the opposite direction.

Liadan dashes through the common room of the Spear and emerges into the night. Gisla watches her curiously, but is alarmed a moment later when the cries of those near the docks make it clear some evil is afoot. She grabs her sword and heads out of the Spear herself. Gisla is prepared to turn toward the wood, and catches herself when it is clear that the commotion is coming from the docks. "From the sea! What fresh doom is this?" She heads in that direction.

Batos emerges from the wood at Keitsumah's call, and the two of them sprint past Gisla, catching up to Liadan, who is already running for the docks. Keitsumah stops Liadan a moment to hand over some of her healing berries.

The militia-men, heeding the call for ranged weapons, dash toward the temple of Tyr or the blacksmith to try to find bows.

((Unless you can see out onto the docks, you aren't aware of the nature of the threat yet. Just that something is wrong. If you are human, you still won't be aware of the nature of the threat once you get to the top of the stairs or cliff, because it is still too dark to get a good idea of what is happening. If you're an elf, you will be able to make out the figures of the fish demons below, though not in great detail.

Anyone not on the map yet will be able to make it to the top of the stairs or edge of the cliff this round if they like)).

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

I skid to a halt at the crest of the cliff ((left and down from Hall, four spaces right of Aliron)), and peer through the darkness at the happenings below. Most of the company is clustered on the stairs, but silhouetted figures move on the docks below. One is directly in my line of fire ((the one giving orders, though she doesn't know it)). Do I dare risk a shot in this darkness?

Yes. I nock an arrow to my bowstring and whisper a prayer to Oercus as I let fly.

The arrow misses completely, splashing into the water behind the shadowy form.