Dragon's Egg - Act III

[SeverinR]

Bressel
Bressel continues up the stairs until on land.

"It won't hold, you must flee!" he yells back at those still fighting. "You don't want to fight them in the water!"

Bressel looks around for an object to throw. Rocks(BFR) boulders, crates, etc. If too large, Bressel can roll it to the top of the stair and be ready to roll it down on an approaching enemy.

Aliron

Aims at the rider demon again, and fires. ((not sure if it is dawn, but will roll daytime arrow shot, if still night +2))
If rider is not visible, target will be lead fish demon on Aliron's side. (that is the closest, not the one that looks like a leader.)

normal to hit day arrow [1d20+6] = 15+6 = 21 ;damage[1d8] = 3

"Militia! Use your bows! Shoot the fishies! Others, find big objects and hurl them down on them. Shoot only those that are not close to warriors." Aliron yells.

 

[senseiseth]

Hall

The others call for a retreat, but it seems the big spider is not conducive to our situation.

"Hey...spider!" I call out, "We're gonna take our leave so you and your fishy friend can destroy the wharf by yourselves. Is that going to be an issue." I think I hear a loud hiss. "So...I'll take that as a no, well sucks to be you then." Baldhart covers our retreat to the upper levels. As we head upstairs, I sheath my blade and get my long bow ready. Let's hope the gods of war smile upon us this night...oh look a sun, guess it's day now.

 

[Keitsumah]

I spy the others trying to disengage from the spider and flee, but Baldart's distracting blow misses, and my heart rises into my throat. I will not see her die by that beast's jaws!

1D20 => 1 (light)

1D20 => 14

The magic crackles in my hands, threatening to backfire as i realize that the water demon may have summoned something much darker than it originally seems to be. Darkness clings to the spider like a dense blanket, and I grit my teeth and let out a shout as the spell finally punches through in a blast of light just before the spider's ugly face.

"Baldart! Run!" i scream, "I think i may have blinded it!" After that, i turn and bolt for solid ground.

(the running can be moved to next turn if she can't do that)

* * *

1D20 => 16 (hang on and fight!)

Batos, despite being pulled down into the water with the water demon, didn't once let go and instead started writhing and twisting his head around; aiming his fore-paws to get a slash in at the monster's throat.

1D8+3 => 6 (die!)

(Batos only had enough air for that i think, so he will immediately let go of the body and try to surface then)

 

[Steerpike]

The battle continues to rage on and around the stairs as the pre-dawn light continues to take the edge off the night sky. Liadan swings her flail at the spider again, landing a crunching blow that bites through flesh into the soft tissue below, spattering a thick goo. The spider's legs buckle and its head hits the wood of the deck. It tries to raise itself, but before it can do so, Hall skewers it from behind. The creature's legs crumple beneath it and it dies with a shudder, the strange, smoking substance dripping from its lifeless fangs.

Nissa emerges from the flame of Aldar's torch and takes the fiery brand from the elf as Aldar calls to the milita men for bows. The two men appear to regain some of their senses and turn, running past Cadell as he arrives at the edge of the cliff and sees the activities below. The militia men call out to the other members of the militia who are approaching, crying out the need for bows and arrows, and as a group they turn and head back into town, presumably to find what ranged weaponry they can.

((Nissa can't attack this last round, but can do so in the upcoming round))

Keitsumah attempts to cast light, but the spell fizzles. She easily channels the excess magical energy safely away.

With the spider dead and no fish demons on the stairs, the party members still on the stair case are able to head to the top unimpeded. Before they reach the top, however, the fish demon riding the giant reptile readies himself for another run at the staircase supports. Aliron gets the fish demon in his sights.

Aliron's arrow catches the rider in the back. It is not enough to kill the rider, or to knock him from his mount. With grim determination, the rider urges his mount forward again, and again the tremendous reptile barrels into the supports holding up the wooden stair case. Numerous loud cracks sound, and this time one of the supporting timbers gives way beneath and another attaching the upper portion of the stairs pulls free of the stone. The staircase leans precariously away from the cliff, threatening the footing of all who are still climbing toward the top.

((DEX check from those on the stairs - Hall, Keitsumah, Liadan, Baldhart, Aldar)).

Dex Check [1d20+1] = 14+1 = 15

Gisla stumbles, but uses the stump of her left arm to catch the boards of the deck and does not fall. She continues her way to the top of the stairs only to find that a gap of about five feet exists between the upper deck of the stairs and the safety of solid ground.

Bressel finds plenty of rocks of various sizes scattered along the edge of the sea cliffs. He is hefting a large one as the crack resounds along the stairs and the staircase pulls away from the cliffs. For a moment, it looks as though the entire structure will collapse, but it holds.

Cadell sees now the full extent of the battle, and of the precarious position of his allies.

Batos bites hard into the fish demon caster. The creature is motionless, and does not rise from the dark water when Batos' head breaches the surface so the wolf can breathe. The wolf senses the presence of swimmers in the water nearby, and a couple of fish demons from the docks dive into the water upon sighting the wolf.

Other fish demons on the docks continue rushing the stairs, some of them reaching the lower level and beginning to ascend, either oblivious to the tilting of the staircase or unconcerned by it.

From the rocks below Aliron's vantage point comes a scratching of claws, as though numerous hands pull themselves up the rock face of the cliff, but as yet no creature has come into his view, whatever they are doing being hidden by jutting rock. He does see the fish demon rider again, the creature once more preparing his mount for an assault on the stairs. Too, he sees the fish demons on the dock and those at the lower level of the staircase.

 

[senseiseth]

Hall

We are rushing up the stairs as the entire structure begins to move.



I am able to hold my balance, but it is not without great effort. I turn to the others to make sure they are all here.

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

I look on in grim satisfaction as the spider dies from a final blow by Hall's sword. I turn to retreat up the stairs, but they crack and sway again. I throw my arms out, trying to keep my balance.

No good! I fall forward, landing hard on the stairs. Better than the icy sea! I grimace in pain as I struggle to my feet. I need to reach the top before the whole structure collapses!

Cadell

From the top of the cliff I can finally see what's going on below. Fish demons swarm in the waters and on the lower levels of the docks, while what looks to be a gigantic spider lies motionless on the cracking, teetering stairs. The timbers groan as my comrades try to climb to safety, but more than one of them fall, including-- "Líadan!"

She's still on the stairs, but too far from the top. Damn it, there's nothing I can do!

((Note -- saw in Rolz that Baldy failed her DEX check, hence the "more than one" comment even though only two of us have posted yet [and Hall succeeded, yay!].))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

((Not sure what I can do, but one thought I had earlier was to escape through the broken railing. Since level 2 is 1/4 the way up, I guess we're only ~7'6" above water and it's wading depth, so painless drop? That was a gamble I considered earlier. At any rate, here's the action I planned to use after jumping, in case I can do this now—unless Baldy just did a face-plant or something that prevents further action on this turn.))



There's no way I'm escaping, so why try? I make my way through the broken railing where I sent my kill. If I can get to the cliff walls, I'll scale them despite the risk of my being armored and the rocks being wet. Unfortunately, I'll need both hands.

((EDIT - SP says Baldy can climb, Aldar has a rope so Liadan isn't abandoned. Baldy will get up top ASAP and use her muscle to pull others up to relative safety.))



Nissa

First thing – light up and bomb the fish demons so they can't get to Baldy.

Second thing – get the sword!


((Note: scimitar or two-hander... depends on Baldy's action.

EDIT - seeing how Aldar has rope, Baldy keeps climbing. Looks like Nissa will fly Baldy's sword up for it. Of course, Nissa can't swing that thing. If she can't even lift it in flight, she'll tie the sword to the end of the rope so it can be pulled up.))

 

[senseiseth]

Hall

I hear the sounds of screams coming from where Liadan and Baldhart. They've fallen to their feet. I turn to the others, "Liadan! Baldhart! Do you need aid?"

 

[SomethingToPonder]

((Aldar was already atop the cliffs Sp, In order to talk to the militia men and call for a retreat so I dont think a DEX check is required, However please let me know if I am wrong and I will gladly edit the post and add one in. Thanks))

With the resounding crack of the staircase my worst fear is realized.
"I dont think we will last if that creature takes another run at the staircase! Nissa, Bomb those Fish Demons so everyone can escape."

I see Baldhart going to climb through the splintered railings onto the cliffs, but unsure whether or not to do so because of Liadan, So I quickly rush to where she would be climbing upto roughly, and throw down a Silk rope that I had in my backpack. I look around for something to secure it to and there happens to be a large boulder nearby, Which I attach the rope to and then throw it down over the edge of the cliff the them.

"Baldhart, Liadan! Here, use this to assist your climb!"

I look to my side and see Cadell has just arrived.
"Greetings old friend, You certainly took your time." Even amongst dire situations like this, I cant help cracking a joke with a big grin across my face.

I turn and look around for the militia men, They seem to be scrambling around looking for any ranged weapons, Not too organized but they seem to be rousing all the able bodied men. I take a few steps towards them ((3 squares)) and shout over, "Hurry men, We dont have much time, I want you all lined up on the cliffs by the time the sea creature makes another pass at us!"

I then hurry back over to the cliffs edge where I let the rope down for my two friends.

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel
Bressel hurls a rock at the closest fish demon.
[1d20] = 2(non-normal weapon attack)

Rock bounces off a rock and splash harmlessly into the water.

Aliron

Aliron aims at the rider again,
normal to hit day arrow [1d20+6] = 11+6 = 17 ;damage[1d8] = 6

"The stairs will collapse, Get off of them!" Aliron shouts a warning.

"Shoot the fish demons! Anyone you see!" Aliron encourages the militia.

"Bressel, stop skipping stones and hit something!" Aliron yells at Bressel with a laugh.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

Chaos rages below. I grind my teeth and think. There must be something I can do!

In a flash I remember Nodrick, singing encouragement to us as we battled the tunnel-dwelling lizards. Maybe I can do the same. I just need a song...

"They will never break our spirit,
We will never turn and run.
And we will rise, stronger still,
When we stand as one!"

((Sweet! So, everyone doing non-battle checks [within 60 feet of Cadell] gets +2 to their rolls next turn, yes?))

 

[Keitsumah]

Keitsumah

The bridge comes crashing down beneath me and i scream in alarm, grabbing for the rail:

Keitsumah: 1D20 => 12 (joined lobby but how do i get the link? and what's our room address?)

But the wood slips through my fingers and i skid across the planks, my back slamming into a post.

My stunned brain can only notice that the world has suddenly gone dark and cold before all sense fades.

* * *

Batos

Spoiler: edit, if GM-approved

The wolf looked up at keitsumah's scream, then howled in alarm when he watched her limp body splash down. Casting a glance back at the rapidly approaching fish demons, he struggled to paddle in her direction.

2013-11-07 20:40:06 Batos: 1D20+3 => 5 (i think i get it now...)

But the current is too strong, and instead he's swept up against the rocks. Batos snarled, eyes alighting with desperation as he seaches for her, but keitsumah doesn't surface. His heart hammers louder and louder in his chest, and he turns to bark in Baldart's direction, praying that she might save her.

Keit asked to remove that part about her character falling into the water unconscious. Let the GM post determine what really happened.
~LS

 

[Steerpike]

((New Map. Everyone still on the stairs is on level 3. Baldhart is on the cliffs at an equal height to level 3))

 

[Steerpike]

Hall rushes up the stairs, having managed to keep his balance as the stairs swayed. Gisla and Liadan manage to get to their feet, and Hall stops before ascending to the fourth level of the stairs, calling back to see if they need help. Whether Gisla or Liadan do or not, Keitsumah does. She lays motionless next to one of the thick support beams of the third level, having apparently been knocked unconscious when she fell.

Liadan hears Cadell call out from the top of the stairs.

Baldhart picks her way through the broken, swaying wood of the stairs and leaps the short distance to the cliff wall, grabbing on with her strong hands. She climbs up the cliff face and draws even with the party members still on the stairs.

Aldar grabs a silk rope from his backpack, then finds a large chunk of rock jutting out from the ground near the top of the cliff and begins tying the rope to that, satisfying himself that he has a strong knot. He lets the rope fall to those below.

Bressel finds a rock suitable for a weapon. The fish demons closest to him are rushing in to attack Batos, so Bressel hurls the rock at one of them. The rock misses by a wide margin and splashes into the water.

Aliron keeps his bow trained below, watching for the rider whose mount is set on destroying the stairs. When the creature appears, he looses an arrow. The shot strikes the fish demon just below the base of the skull, and the creature pitches from the mount into the water, the thick chain it was using as a rein going slack. Instead of charging the stairs again, the strange mount remainless motionless for the moment, its thick head swaying side to side as if to determine what happened to its master.

Cadell begins singing a powerful song of encouragement and resolve. His elven voice cuts through the noise of battle and of the crashing sea. Weary and cold as you all are, the song causes hope to rise in your chests.

((People on the stairs probably have a hard time seeing Cadell, which is normally required, but I'm going to say they could catch glimpes of him as the glance up, with him standing near the edge. Every PC on the map gets a +2 to any attribute check)).

Many fish demons have clawed their way onto the docks. Two remain in the water, converging on Batos. Each strikes with a claw and bite:

Claw Attack [1d20+2] = 18+2 = 20

Bite Attack [1d20+2] = 3+2 = 5

Claw Attack [1d20+2] = 12+2 = 14

Bite Attack [1d20+2] = 1+2 = 3

Even hindered as he is by the water, Batos manages to avoid the bites. He is not so lucky with the claws, however, and both creatures land solid blows.

Claw Damage [1d4+2] = 2+2 = 4

Claw Damage [1d4+2] = 4+2 = 6

((10 total damage to Batos. Being in the water, his AC is reduced and he suffers a -2 situational modifier to attacks. He can't stand where he is)).

Two other fish demons reach the cliff walls and from the sound of scratching, it appears they are climbing. Baldhart catches glimpses of them from her vantage point. Aliron can finally see two of the climing demons as their heads crest a rock.

Nissa lights up her bomb and waits for the first fish demon to get near the stairs. She drops the bomb, the container shatters, and flaming liquid spreads across that portion of the docks, the bottom level of the stairs, and even into small burning pools on the water, which are quickly put out by the action of waves. The first fish demon is caught full on, its body going up in flames as it screeches and flings itself into the sea. The second fish demon, shielded from flaming death by its comrade, pulls up short, as do those behind it. They contemplate the flames and the party members on the stairs, as though deciding what to do next.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

From my position on the wall, I see two demons enter the cave. I know where this leads.

"Two demons entered the cave! The children!"

I keep climbing up. "Alin," I shout, "you're above it. Can you climb in after them?"

I hope they don't fall. But the rocks should be dry enough. I'll follow them inside… the children are the priority.


Nissa

I fly up to the militia men. Hopefully, they each have a crossbow or a couple bottles of oil on them as Baldhart and Alin suggested.

"There's little time. I'm Nissa, from Asgard. My fellow valkyries and I do not wish to guide the souls of children to the afterlife, if instead they can be saved. Ready crossbows or oil bottles. I'll light the bottles, except for one which you—" I reach my hand to the nearest militia man with oil. "—will hand to me."

I hope I don't make them nervous.

((11 with Exalt. Yay?))

"Courage, followers of Tyr! Children's lives are at stake!"

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
Aliron shoulders his bow, and climbs down towards the cave.

Climb[1d20+4] = 20+4 = 24

Aliron will enter the cave moving silently.
move silently [1d20+6] = 20+6 = 26


Bressel
Bressel grabs another rock and throws it at the demons going after Baltos.

[1d20] = 20(non-normal weapon attack)

not sure rock damage.


((triple crits! I had doubts so I tried a 1d10 and rolled a 7.

The Unseen Servant my rolls for Bressel.

18602 Aliron none move silently [1d20+6] = 20+6 = 26 11/9/2013 4:49:04 PM
18599 Aliron none Climb[1d20+4] = 20+4 = 24 11/9/2013 4:43:53 PM
18381 Aliron none normal to hit day arrow [1d20+6] = 11+6 = 17 ;damage[1d8] = 6 11/7/2013 7:31:24 AM
18238 Aliron none normal to hit day arrow [1d20+6] = 15+6 = 21 ;damage[1d8] = 3

18605 Bressel McAlmond none [1d20] = 6 test roll 11/9/2013 4:54:33 PM
18600 Bressel McAlmond none [1d20] = 20(non-normal weapon attack) 11/9/2013 4:45:21 PM
18380 Bressel McAlmond none [1d20] = 2(non-normal weapon attack)

Triple crits in one action of two characters. ))

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

Cadell's song fills me with courage, but the danger to me is not lessened. Now others need my help as well. I turn to Keit, knowing I cannot likely carry her and make it across the breaking stairs at the same time. Dropping my flail, I kneel by her and cup my hand gently under her head, focusing my magic to heal her.

((If Cadell's Exalt works here, that's a 6.

Also, I'm not sure what else Cadell can/should do. I'm not sure if he can use Exalt again today, and... really, what else is there to do? Bressel's already throwing rocks, and Cadell might not be able to hold them properly with his gauntlet. His off-hand would hinder that too. Grawr.))

 

[SomethingToPonder]

Having no other option I too decide to join Bressell in throwing rocks at the demons. Better than nothing I think to myself as I glance around for a sturdy semi boulder.

I see a rock that must be the size of two fists or so and decide to pick that up, I take aim at the fish demon who stopped just short of Nissa's wall of fire. I toss the rock up and down lightly in my hand a few times to get a feel for the weight of it, Then I take aim and throw with all my strength.

((Roll with the +2 from Cadell's song incase anyone was wondering))

((Damage roll))

Success. I see the rock strike the fish demon and give myself a little pat on the back mentally. You may be 1003 old boy but you can still show these young ones

I wonder how the militia men were getting on that I sent for weapons and the others, No reinforcements seem to have arrived yet. However I do manage to see a little flame conversing with two men in the distance.
Nissa It's gotta be. I have a little laugh then get back to concentrating on the problems at hand.

 

[senseiseth]

Hall

I find Keitsumah knocked out, Liadan running to revive her. I come to cover her while the others prepare to escape. Bolts have fallen the leader who was attacking the stairway, gods be praised for the good fortune. "Liadan, how's our comrade coming along?"

 

[SeverinR]

[1d6+8] = 4+8 = 12 rock, str and height

Bressel's damage roll for the rock. ((since no damage roll yet))