Printable Version of Topic Click here to view this topic in its original format
Shining Force Central Forums > RPG Gallery > Shining Force: The Chaos War Part IV

Posted by: Rusty Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:26 pm
*Alexander steps forward, kneeling before the god.* : "Great Volcanon, it is good to see you free again. Our efforts proved successful, and it makes me very happy to see everything went well. If you are to thank us, I think I can speak for everyone when we say we humbly accept your thanks. But if you thank us, thank Mitula as well. When we freed her, she helped us with invaluable information that served as a great aid in defeating the Priests of Ur here."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:37 pm
"I am already delivering her my thanks as well, young one," Volcanon rumbles. "As well as rooting out any... remnants of Ur activity in my city."

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:43 pm
"Lord of the Heavens..." Cedric begins quietly, "Is it known to you where the final high-priest works their evil?" The Doctor sighs. Sophie looks up at the statue, awed by its impressive aura.

Posted by: Alpha Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:49 pm
After wiping his blade clean of the considerable amount of gore it had accumulated, Talacre sheathes his weapon and strides into the temple. Stopping behind the bulk of the main group, he is wide eyed at Volcanon's voice and sheer presence.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:56 pm
"The final priest's location is not known to me, though a great shield blocks the entirety of the frozen north from my burning eyes," Volcanon rumbles. "You shall have to find their stronghold yourself."

Posted by: Aldur Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:43 pm
Kria smiles widely, and waves at the Bird God, jangling away for dear life as her bangled arms sound out musically. She steps forwards. "So like, Lord Volcanon...If ya don't mind me askin'...how'd they trap you? Same trick as Goddess Mitula?"

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:44 pm
"The frozen north..." The Doctor ponders aloud, looking up at the great statue, "Are you speaking of Northern Parmecia...or beyond that? There can't be more than a handful of powers in this world that can block your sight. Surely you have some idea..."
"Could it be the creator's ship bearing the holy ark? Is there anything else of even remotely comparable power in that area?" The Doctor continues, "What hope is there of restoring the Innovators?"
"Forgive me, Lord of the Skies, I know that there is much which calls for your attention." Cedric begins, "There is much we would ask, shall we leave you to your labor and return another time?"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:54 pm
"I don't have an item that binds my powers, the Ur found an ancient and potent sealing spell once used by Mishaela, and sealed me with that," Volcanon says. "Only after a fierce fight in which they slew my minion phoenix and priesthood... But we sent half their number to the eternal fire before they won the day!"
The birdgod turn to Cedric. "I will make some time for this, but not much. Speak quickly."
To Coventry Volcanon next turns. "Northern Parmecia, the northmost region, past the Great Wall and the war engulfing the Republic and Empire. Those Innovators that have lost their power cannot regain them, but the Creator's Ship is far from the shielded area."

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:58 pm
"They slew your phoenix?" Hal asks. "Can't phoenixes revive themselves? Is there something blocking that now?"

Posted by: Aldur Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:02 am
"Like, nice one!" Kria smiles. "Can you...tell us what the Strife Lords are currently doing? Like, anywhere that'd be good to go to like...kick ass?"

Posted by: Kaihaku Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:05 am
"Really..." The Doctor looks surprised, "...so..." He chuckles, "I was wrong again." "It's not that unusual." Sophie whispers. ((38 know religion, is there anything up there? Well, anything up there that Coventry knows about. I know there's lots of things up there.))

Posted by: Alpha Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:06 am
: "The gate to the north is near the where Lookover is situated along the Great Wall," Talacre says. "I've been there before with Laeral, he'll be able to get us there."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:12 am
"Didn't you ask Mitula about that sort of thing?" Volcanon rumbles to Kria before turning to Hal. "There are a few methods to permanently slay a phoenix, but in time I will have a new servant," Volcanon booms as the egg on the altar glows and the two halves crumble to dust. A stone compartment crumbles in the wall, and an egg of solid gold, glowing with an inner light is gently placed on the altar. "Behold the next generation that will serve me. He shall be born in nine year's time, and I shall name him Peter."
Coventry recalls rumors of an evil shrine and cult that dwelled in the frozen wastes, but nothing specific.

Posted by: Aldur Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:14 am
"Well there's like no reason to be rude! Worship you I may, but you like, need to set an example. Also, I think Ash is a better name. More symbolic. Like, ya know?" Kria remarks, her body flaming as she raises an eyebrow.

Posted by: Kaihaku Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:57 am
"I see..." The Doctor nods quietly, "Thanks for your time." He then turns and walks from the shrine.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:13 am
"Ash," Volcanon states. "Was his father's name. He wished for his son to be named Peter, and I will honor that."

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:24 am
"Let's say I was a party interested in the continual evisceration of certain high caliber spreaders of strife - Lords of Strife, even, and their cohorts. I don't suppose," Dam asked, "you happen to have any information about useful things that would help with that continued evisceration, would you?"
"More importantly," Ashathel said, "do you have any sort of information about things we should look out for, or ways to protect ourselves and others from them? The war's raging all over the world... if there's anything you can do to reduce the number of casualties, it would be greatly appreciated. Safe zones, healing spells, defensive wards, what evil powers to watch out for... all of that, and more."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:27 am
"Mitula should've told you everything you needed to know about that," Volcanon rumbles.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:29 am
"Is there anything we should know that Mitula wouldn't have?"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:34 am
"No, she knows everything that I do," Volcanon says, his voice reverberating throughout the walls of the small shrine. "Anything you didn't learn from her you should be able to learn on your own."

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:44 am
Hal nods and bows. "Thank you, Volcanon. I will leave you with your devoted." Then Hal turns and walks out.

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:39 am
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Sha'aasta tapped Johann once on the shoulder, then activated her ring of invisibility at the same moment the diminutive diviner cast an illusion. Unseen, and none of her allies the wiser, the tiny gnome began to explore the battlefield and the fallen.
The paladin had said something that had caught the young rogue's ear- dopplegangers. The enemy was using dopplegangers. She doubted many of the others had ever had much interaction with the mysterious race before, but her own past was rather... enlightening, at least in this area. With an expert eye and and a light touch, she began to examine the fallen, searching for dopplegangers so that she could determine their clan-family. Dopplegangers were loners, and worked hard to reinforce that stereotype, but they did have some ties to their clan-families. And where a being has ties to others, there it has weaknesses, as well.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:47 am
Though perhaps there had been dopplegangers working to infiltrate Bedoe's shrine before, Shaa'sta can find none among the fallen. Either they escaped, hid, or were never here to begin with.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:17 am
Jessica finishes healing the wounded and then accompanies her allies into the temple. The Psion finds herself overwhelmed by the sheer presence of the bird God. Kayla wipes the blood from both of her blades and then sheathes her weapons. Afterwards, she follows the rest of her allies into the temple. Once again finding herself in the presence of a God, the tiefling bows before Volcanon, and then moves back to stand amidst the rest of the group.
Kethra bows in reverence before Volcanon but can find no words to say. So she steps back and remains silent.
((I don't have the energy to come up with anything else right now. ))

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:36 am
Undeterred, the tiny rogue begins to walk quickly towards the priest's quarters. Perhaps she could find something left in a hasty retreat.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:39 am
While the others talk, Shaasta finds the spartan quarters of the Bedoe priesthood in back of the shrine. There doesn't seem to be much there, not even personal possessions or items of faith, but she manages to find a single slip of paper. It seems to be a list of notes on a particular high priest's habits, including suggestions on how best to mimic them, or how best to remember to do them.

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Sat Mar 15, 2008 1:58 am
'Perfect.' the woman thought to herself. Not only was this more evidence for the paladin, but now she had handwriting, and she'd wager Johann or one of the others could divine more on the original author. Frowning to herself, the rouge glanced back at the room, her eyes drifting over the spartan quarters. Dopplegangers preferred to leave no trace, but they couldn't always carry their personal possessions on them, especially while in disguise. If this one had been forced to flee suddenly, it could be that a cache of some sort could still be found in the room. Putting on a pair of leather gloves, the girl carefully wrapped the scrap of parchment and secured it in a pouch, and then began an even closer examination of the room, searching the floor tiles, walls and rafters for anything further.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:19 am
Despite her best efforts, Shaa'sta cannot find a single item more, which is semi-odd, since you would think a high priest would have some cached items or valuables. The rogue does find a secret compartment underneath the bed, but it is long empty. The room is clean, as far as she can tell.

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:22 am
"Thank you." Cedric states simply, bowing to the bird statue, then he turns to the ailing king, "I pray that this has set your heart at ease. Good fortune." Unless something else comes up, the group departs for their HQ. ((Something else happened...))
Approaching the entrance of his god's temple, Laika spots Thavon sitting next to the doorway. This is odd... the wolfman thought.
: "Why are you sitting out here instead of going to see Volcanon? He is the protector of all birdmen after all. I would think you should be honored to have a chance to encounter him.
: "Honored?' Thavon blurted out rudely. "You have to be joking, Laika. That birdgod in there got Bedoe overrun with the assistance of the ignorance of the king and his advisors."
:"Those are some harsh words friend." Laika stated, clearly taken aback by the accusations. "I would hope that you have some form of reasoning behind them."
: "Well..." Thavon said with a reluctant sigh. "To make a long story short, I told the king and his advisors that the cult were not to far from Bedoe, and that they hadto be dealt with. They brushed me off saying that they were waiing for the word of Volcanon before acting. I was then exiled from Bedoe. Although that was due to giving the religious advisor a nice uppercut..." The birdman remarked with a shrug as if the uppercut was no big deal.
Laika was unsure of what to say, as he took in exactly what his flying friend had to say.
: "Now, I can understand your anger for the king, and his advisors for their inaction. But it hardly sees fair to blame Volcanon, it shouldn't be his job to tell people what decisions should be made. Perhaps you should enter his temple, and ask him." Laika said as he helped Thavon stand. "If Volcanon can't justify his course of action to your satisfaction, I will not hold it against you if you are still angry with him."
: "Fine." The knight said rolling his eyes. "I can tell you're not going to leave me alone until I do anyways."
The two entered silently, awaiting their turn to speak to the birdgod.
Laika stepped foreward when the oportunity came.
: "Volcanon." The wolfman said with a bow to the intimidating statue ahead of him. "I've been thinking about what I might say to you if I one day had the chance, but all I could think of was a simple thank you. Thank you for giving me a reason to fight for more than just the thrill." Laika steps back, as he had nothing else to say.
: "As much as I don't want to do this." Thavon says as he steps up, "I can tell that I need to. Thavon paused trying to gather his words before speaking again. "Why didn't Bedoe strike against the cult before the attacked first?" Thavon turned his back to the statue before continuing, his gaze meeting the king and his company. "And why am I banished from Bedoe, when I clearly had the right idea to begin with?" Thavon then walks directly infront of the king before wispering his next words. "I really wish I punched you instead." Spiting at the king's feet, Thavon didn't move an inch, waiting to be swarmed for his action.

Posted by: Knight_019 Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:45 pm
*Merkass steps into the great shrine of Volcanon as the others begin their exit. The stalker of evil moves into the center of the audience chamber, kneels down on one knee, and presents his bow with his arms outstretched and palms upward.* : This bow, given by Mitula, is in your service as it is in hers.
*Merkass would do his duty to the world as a vessel of light, and while he worshipped Mitula and was guided by her teachings, Volcanon was as a brother deity to her. Mitula owns the earth and water, while Volcanon rules sky and flame. Both are beacons of light to the world, and in serving Mitula, he could do naught else but serve him as well. His clan, and his ancestors, would wish it no other way.
Merkass stood immediately after speaking with the birdgod, then turned and left. The hunt must begin anew.*
*In the company of the king of Bedoe, Cedric, and his other traveling companions for this trip, Aurik Sentol walks into Volcanon's temple. His holy symbol lays around his neck, presented for all to see, and on his armor is emblazoned the seal of Volcanon, further identifying himself to the firey lord as one of his servants. Though the god would need no aid identifying one of his followers, Aurik always traveled with his devotion on his sleeve.
Aurik walks to the steps leading to the statue representing Volcanon, then kneels on both knees, sitting on his feet. He lowers his head, and begins praying to the omniscient deity in silent reverence of his deities power.*
: Praise be to Volcanon, high upon his mountain sanctum. May he grant us the strength to tackle the greatest of foes and restore this worls to its once great state. The fires of purity wash over the unclean, and what once was evil is turned to good. Evil that resists is reduced to ash. Praise be to mighty Volcanon, says I, his humble servant, Aurik Sentol.
Lord, give us the power to bring this world back from ruin so that it may rise from the ashes of strife once more as one of your holy phoenixes.
*Aurik continues his prayers, awaiting either an answer from his god, or until he finishes before leaving. He could probably pray all day in front of Volcanon's statue, happy to simply be in the presence of the one who he has served for so long. All he had been through, and the time he spent valiantly struggling against Venethetrion the Unholy in that circle of flame, he had been brought through by his faith and devotion to the undying flame.*

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:26 pm
"Aurik, step forward," Volcanon thunders as Aurik prays. "You have asked for power, and your devotion to me has not faltered even though my sight and touch were restrained by the vile Ur. For your faith and for your duty, I bestow on you this gift, and bless your weapon with a fraction of my power..."
Aurik's weapon bursts into flames, and a great column of fire erupts in front of Aurik. Within are a pair of exquisitely crafted gold and obsidian gauntlets.
"Take the gauntlets, my child. Take them and know that no servant of fire will harm you or yours so long as you remain in my service. Take them and with them a new title. I give you the authority and rank of High Cleric of my clergy. Go and spread my fire, the fire that replenishes and warms, but does not burn the just, over the land."
((Aurik gains the Flaming enchantment to his mace. Aurik gains the Gauntlets of Fire: Wearer gains fire resist 30, can speak with Fire Elementals, can dominate Fire Elementals at will (DC23 Will save), and Fire Elementals will not attack the bearer.))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:12 am
With the reserves, the barbarian simply returns when the clerics and wizards teleport the group out of Bedoe. All is uneventful for the half-giant, and he falls asleep without any trouble... at first. Gabriel stirs in his bed, his dreams troubled once more. The image of a great flaming bird dominates his mind.
"Volcanon..."
"Gabriel," the bird god booms. "I am free once more."
"I did not doubt that you would be," the half-giant said. "Few powers can restrain you for long, and none that I know of can do so forever."
"Why did you not pay your respects at my shrine?!" the bird god demands. "Are you not my follower?"
"I was not chosen to go," the half-giant admitted. "But after freeing Mitula, we took time to accomplish other things; I had hoped to come back tomorrow, or even later today... whenever they were willing to take me to Bedoe."
"You should've asked to at least visit the shrine," Volcanon booms. "Where is my fire in you? It would've been a trifle, and have you not struggled through so much with my aid?"
"I have, and you've done so much for me... but I still do not know who I am, or even what I am," Gabriel said, apologetically. "I... I want to be strong, and do what is right, but I don't always know what that is. And even when I know... I don't always know that I can do it."
"And will your struggle on to find your answers, even though you don't know if you'll ever find them?" Volcanon asks.
"As long as I can," the barbarian said. "I don't have a home, or a family, or anything else... it's all I have."
"You're wrong," Volcanon says, bluntly.
"I don't understand," he said.
"Don't you also have me?" Volcanon booms. "As you stand by me as your god, so do I stand by you in your life. You will always have my support, Gabriel, so long as you remain true to me, and yourself."
"Tha...thank you," the half-giant said, at a loss for words. "For everything... for that little bit of hope, I thank you."
"You are always welcome, child," Volcanon says, in a softer tone. "I leave you with the gift you were to be given at the Shrine. Take my power and purge the Cult with flames!"
"Yes, my lord... your enemies are mine, and none shall remain to taint the world any longer!" he assured, the flames of his deepest anger fanned once more.
A blazing heat fills his sleep, but one that comforts and warms him from the cold in this icy winter. When he wakes, he finds an amulet around his neck.
((Flames of Volcanon: Amulet that provides a Fire Shield (Warm) at max level on wearer on command. Gabe's Large Blue Greatsword of the Ox now has the Flaming Burst enchantment on it.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Mar 16, 2008 4:12 pm
Each esteemed member of the assembled Shining Forces receives 7,250 gold pieces and 77 silver pence. The Force sets aside two sets of Adamantine Full Plate Armor and one set of Centaur Adamantine Full Plate for Farain. Diamonds for the purpose of resurrecting the spirit will be divided and distributed among several of the healers. As this benefits all, it is considered a group fund expense.
3k Aurik
3k Coventry
3k Hal
The following mysterious items will be studied cautiously for mystical qualities.
1 golden sword
1 golden lamp inlaid with runes
Note: The adventurer Enrick has already claimed a single emerald of astounding beauty as a portion of his share of the spoils. This fabulous stone is worth a small fortune of 4,000 gold pieces! Therefore, he receives 3250 gold pieces and 77 silver pence.
Unlike their comrades in the Shining Forces, the soldiers of the GDO do not each receive 7,250 gold pieces and 77 silver pence. Instead, their Supreme Commander Jim Radford receives 50,755 gold pieces and 40 silver pence.

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:54 am
Johann blithely casts legend lore on the two mysterious items that were set aside to be cautiously studied.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:14 am
They're just decorative items, worth a lot of money, but not much else.

Posted by: Kaihaku Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:06 am
alamung

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:25 am

QUOTE (Kaihaku @ Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:22 am)
Laika stepped foreward when the oportunity came. : "Volcanon." The wolfman said with a bow to the intimidating statue ahead of him. "I've been thinking about what I might say to you if I one day had the chance, but all I could think of was a simple thank you. Thank you for giving me a reason to fight for more than just the thrill." Laika steps back, as he had nothing else to say.
: "As much as I don't want to do this." Thavon says as he steps up, "I can tell that I need to. Thavon paused trying to gather his words before speaking again. "Why didn't Bedoe strike against the cult before the attacked first?" Thavon turned his back to the statue before continuing, his gaze meeting the king and his company. "And why am I banished from Bedoe, when I clearly had the right idea to begin with?" Thavon then walks directly infront of the king before wispering his next words. "I really wish I punched you instead." Spiting at the king's feet, Thavon didn't move an inch, waiting to be swarmed for his action.

"Noble bearer of my fire, you are most welcome, and in turn I thank you for your loyal service," Volcanon booms. Laika's claws suddenly feel pleasantly warm, and his gloves feel different somehow. "I place my blessing on you to go forth and rid the land of the filth that pervades it."
((Laika's claws now deal an additional 2d6 Holy damage. The fire resistance of Laika's gloves increases from 5 to 30.))
Then Thavon says his peace and the pleasant scene that was is shattered.
The flat edge of two swords clang off Thavon's armor, while another two smack him squarely on the check, four guards of the king taking offense to Thavon's remark and moving for him.
"Still your tongue if you cannot speak properly in front of his majesty!" the Sky-Captain says, taking position next to the king. "You dare to threaten his person and wonder why you were banished? Idiocy!"
((Hit, Hit, Miss, Miss. Thavon takes 18 points of subdual damage.))
"There will be no more fighting in my Shrine this day!" Volcanon thunders. "The next one to raise but a fist in anger will face my punishment!"
The royal guards grimace and return to the king's side.
"How could I give a sign when I was already sealed within my own shrine?" Volcanon booms. [b]"Even if I could, I do not rule over the city. That job I entrusted to the king. In turn, the king entrusted the job of giving him accurate and wise advice to his advisors, one of whom was slain and replaced by a doppleganger on the day of my imprisonment. Anger at wrongs commited is good, it fuels the heart for the neccessary conflict ahead, but you'd do well to save it for your real enemy and not your brother that has been turned against you."

Posted by: Aldur Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:40 pm
KRIA COMMENCES SPEAKING WITH VOLCANO BIRD

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:48 pm
"I'm not some big...like priest of glory. I haven't really dedicated my life to destroying evil...well, like...I guess I have. I dunno what I'm trying to say here but...like totally thank you Volcanon. After I left my village...one of the first things I saw in one of those towns was a statue of you." Kria giggled. And it was just...kinda inspiring. I wanted to be different...I like don't know what I'm trying to say but...you are SO my idol."
"You are welcome, but if truly I am your idol, then all you must do is burn the wicked and warm the hearts of the pure," Volcanon says. "Do that, and you will always have my blessing."
"So different...And I try, though I don't really burn as bright as you." Kria winked, her flamewreath swirling around her as a visual example.
"Flames of the heart all burn brightly for those who see them," Volcanon replies.
"Wow, do you like...think of these sayings in advance? They're like really cool." Kria Exclaims
"No," Volcanon says.
"Wow, guess all that knowledge comes with the territory. Can I ask you a personal question?"
"What?"
Kria frowned a moment, thinking about it. "Whatcha like best about flying?"
"Everything," Volcanon rumbles. "All aspects of flight are wonderful."
"Hey, I don't wanna be rude. Well, I've probably offended you eight times already but...can you help me?" Kria smiled, tilting her head.
"Of course I can," Volcanon says, his voice booming. "Speak and I will judge your request."
"Well, I'm kinda weak. Can you help me? I mean I don't need a super duper sword or nothing, but anything would be good..." Kria smiles widely, shuts her eyes and slightly flinches. Just in case.
"Why do you claim to be weak?" Volcanon asks. "You don't appear so to me."
geddis the hero: "Not when I'm with my crew, that's true." Kria shrugs. "I just don't wanna be a burden. It's beginning to show is all."
Volcanon chuckles. "You have all the strength you need for the task at hand... But there is another task you may actually need my help with."
"What's that Lord Volcanon?" Kria asks, her interest piqued.
"You still intend to rebuild your tribe do you not?" Volcanon asks. "That takes a different kind of strength than the one you are using now."
"Not so much rebuild as remake...but like yeah. Help with that would be good." Kria nodded.
"Where the statue of the Dragon once stood in that blighted home now stands a different statue. It will lend you my aid when the time comes for rebuilding instead of warfare."
"Rock on!" Kria smiles. "That, like really helps. Cool!"
"You are welcome. Now go and make the world ready and safe for your tribe. Let them be reborn as a phoenix, rising from the ashes anew and powerful."
"Yessir!" Kria grinned and salutes, skipping happily out of the shrine.

Posted by: GOD*JESUS Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:50 am
: "Pathetic." Thavon mumbles as he pushes his way through the guards surrounding him to the exit. "I help save the city, and release Volcanon and that's how I'm welcomed." The birdman says to no one in particular, refusing to look at anyone as he leaves the temple. "Don't worry, I can assure you that I'll never be back here again." The birdman takes to the sky before any response can be made to him.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:03 am
The day after Volcanon is freed. Fort Ordalia Marshalling Yard, 9:00 AM. The Rangers are assembled by Sgt. Hale in the yard of Fort Ordalia, the bitter mountain winds buffeting the veteran troops as workers labor to finish construction of the massive fortress around them. The soldiers all take their place in formation as Jim walks out to address them.
: "Officer on the floor!" Hale bellows as everyone snaps to order. With a sigh, Jim waves them down.
: "At ease," Jim says, the attention stance dropping away from the Rangers. "Rangers, a few things have become clear to me in the short week and a half we've been here. First of all, as is rather obvious, we're in this for the long haul. This is no longer an easy in/out mission, this is a campaign, a war in its own right. Neither is this a war we can be assured of victory in. The enemy commands powerful supernatural abilities and allies, enough to match our own technological superiority. However!"
Jim's voice raises in volume, strength behind his words.
: "It is not our technology that makes us the danger we are to tyranny and evil! It is not our guns or spells or even our powers that make us dangerous! It is our skills, our experience, and our will that make each and every one of us a dagger eternally pointed towards the heart of Darkness! Our training, our teamwork, our knowledge of battlefield, and above all, our will to protect those that need protecting! These are the things that will see us through this war, even if all our spells and powers fail, and our technology is broken to bits before us!" Jim looks over the Rangers. "Even so... we cannot underestimate this foe."
: "In this war, we represent the Guardians Defense Organization, and its stake in this struggle. For this reason as well as our survival and the success of the war itself, we cannot allow ourselves any complacency. We've had incredible luck in receiving no... permanent casualties in the battles we've been involved with... but it will not get any better from here in," Jim sighs and closes his eyes. "Every two days when not in combat, all Rangers are to report here for training exercises. We will keep ourselves sharp, and keep ourselves ready. Furthermore, I've spoken with the owners of this fortress. When it is complete, we'll be receiving rooms within it. The tentative decision was reached before, but now it is official. This will be our headquarters for as long as we remain on the planet, and as long as this war rages. We stay here until our job is done, gentlebeings. I've made an arrangement with the others' merchant lord contact, he'll provide raw materials to Adam and the engineers to upgrade and repair our gear in exchange for gold. We've already tested this deal out by making a few purchases and upgrades, and it seems to work out satisfactorily for both parties. Said raw materials will be flown to the Vagabond to produce the more complicated items with the facilities there. We have our supply lines, we have our headquarters, we have our duties, and we have our mission goals. Any questions?"
Sheila grins, chuckling happily.
: "So we're like really part of the team, then? We're going to stay in the Shining Force HQ! That's awesome! Oh, this mission gets better and better!"
: "Just so you know, all support staff and soldiers with a rank less than Corporal have already been assigned rooms in the barracks. Officer's quarters construction has not finished, and we'll be the last ones to take rooms. The others have fought here far longer than we have, it's only fair they get to rest first," Hale says.
"So when you say training regimen, you only mean that for the combat people, right? The combat teams? No reason to drag the support troops into this..." Adam says, holding up his hands placatingly.
: "You know that's not how it works. All Rangers have to be battle ready, support staff included... just in case," Jim says, quietly. Adam sighs and rolls his eyes.
"Just because you almost bite the bullet, you punish all of us," Adam says lightly, shrugging. "Though I have to hand it to you, that dive in the last battle really did the trick. I wish I was as smooth with women as that. What, you had Melissa throw herself in front of a fireball for you, you had Maria go nuts and teleport-drag a medic to you, you had Sheila freak out when she heard, and I hear even our dear medic Jess shed a tear when it looked like our beloved leader might pass..." Adam chuckles. "So I guess my question is, when do you trade in the helmet, blast armor, and machinegun for a feathered hat, a fur coat, and a gold cane?"
: "Adam has KP duty for the next month," Jim says without missing a beat. "Any real questions?"
"Aw man," Adam says, sighing. "Well, it was worth it."
After any questions...
: "All right then, it's time to start! Everyone fall into double file line and MOVE! Ten laps around the interior wall! Watch out for tinkers! GO!"
The Rangers begin their training, bursting into a run around their new home.
((Knowledge: Tactics, Train Troops. 32 total. Pass. All Rangers receive a +1 morale bonus to Will saves, attack rolls, initiative, and AC for 5 rounds at the start of any combat within the next 2 days. The training regimen takes 2 hours.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:44 am
"Oh...you are kidding me..." Maria huffs and puffs, lagging behind the other rangers, "Another seven laps..." The psion glances spitefully at the troopers jogging steadily ahead of her, then her eyes narrow as she notes Adam among them. Given his attitude, he definately was an experienced runner of laps. The psion smiles, letting her pace slow and waits until Hale and Jim are looking elsewhere.
[Dimension Swap: Maria and her ally Adam switch places]

Posted by: FreedomJu Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:30 pm
A few laps into the training Spartan-127 started to come up behind the teleport expert Maria as the psion was moving far slower than Melissa was, likely due to an over-reliance on teleportation. ((>_>)) Amazingly enough Melissa was not wearing her armor, as Radford had ordered her to take it off before starting the laps. The Spartan's head was now covered with a light red fuzz, the start of her hair regrowing. However, there was a thick line reaching from her right eyebrow to above her ear where hair refused to grow. As ever her skin was a pasty white from almost never seeing the sun.
When Melissa caugt up with Maria she slowed her pace to match that of the teleporter's. "I need to speak with you," the Spartan stated neutrally.
"Mus...must you?" The psion gasps.
"Yes," was the simple reply. "I know I died in the last battle; I had been brought to the brink of death enough before to know I went past that this time and I suspect Commander Radford perished as well. However, we are alive now, how is this possible?"
"Magic..." Maria replies with a wheeze, "Oh...why...why..." She moans, "Could you...explain to me...what running in laps...has to do with...fighting?"
"You need to be in shape to move well in order to surive. Common sense," the Spartan states neutrally again. "I should clarify what information I was looking for. I know magic had to be responsible, but I want to know who did it."
"My mind...is in excellent shape..." Maria groans back, "...torturing my body isn't going to...help anything..." The psion looks up at the sky, "Oh, move well... Right... True speed, Melissa, is...being there...." She chuckles weakly, "...who cares how fast you can run... I'm already there." She lets out a heavy breath, "Ah... It was that...healer, the one who...revived me in the ruins... I've never seen anyone...call a spirit back that fast..."
"Who? I need his or her name."
Inwardly the Spartan was mentally criticizing herself for missing who had done Maria's revival during that earlier battle and then not investigating into it later on when things had calmed down.
"...Coventry...Doctor Coventry...a weird fellow...though..." Maria continues, "...rude even..." She glances at Melissa out of the sides of her eyes, "...not that...that would bother you..." Then she blinks, "Wait...he was...traveling in our unit...not long ago, don't...you remember him?"
"I didn't know he could bring people back to life. Thank you for your time." Having gained the information she sought, the Spartan abruptly tripled her pace and left the teleport expert behind.

Posted by: Aldur Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:11 pm
Interestingly, Jim would notice that Viletta was strangely absent from the laps. Indeed, she had other more pressing things to do, and with the aid of one of their many spellcasters, the technological genius found her way to Prompt once more.
"Perfect. Now let's see..."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:46 am
With a flash of light, Adam and Maria switch places, the engineer looking around confused as he pops out at the end. "Wait, what? What ju-YAH!" Adam yells, tripping over a stray brick and hitting the floor in his confusion. "Quit messing around soldier, back into formation!" Hale yells, running back to Adam before speeding up to catch up with the others. "Hurry up or we'll tack time on your duty!"
"Wait!" Adam yells, getting up and racing forward in an almost panic. "It's not my fault! It's not my fault!!!"
The Rangers train for a good two hours before breaking for lunch, at which time Jim sends Hale out to "retrieve" Viletta. The rebellious technician is brought back and assigned to help Adam with KP duty for two weeks for being AWOL, but is also added to the roster for the Prompt trip later that day.
---------
Prompt
Alexander's group along with the Rangers that accompany them arrive just outside of Prompt, being able to enter without incident after a brief conversation with the guards. The city is much the same as Jim had left it.
((Maria, Jim, Sheila, and Viletta are with Jim as well as any other Ranger that doesn't have a reason to be elsewhere.))

Posted by: Rusty Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:43 am
((Assuming Michael didn't join Jim, with Alex are: Zook, Ombligo, Sophie, Merla, Michael, and Tanis. If you don't want your character here, assume they are not and let me know.)) : "This is quite an interesting place. We'll speak with the King here, and hopefully we'll speak with Alef and Torasu as well. I want to try and set up a strong alliance with regular communication, which I'm guessing Jim has been working at. We'll need all the allies we can get on Rune. I also want to have us look around town afterwards and see what we can learn here. If everyone's ready, then we shouldn't waste any time."
*Alex then looks over to Jim, nodding.*
: "And I'm pretty sure we're all ready, so we'll be right behind you when you're all set to go."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:19 am
: "Right then," Jim says, moving to the Sunken Castle of Prompt after nodding to Alex. After a short conversation with the guards, Jim and the others are shown to the throne room. "I see you've brought friends with you this time," King Kusuko notes. "Do you have what you promised?"
: "Recon information and tactical maps of the area from here to the Great Wall of Runefaust," Jim says, handing a sheaf of papers to the king. The king looks them over and nods.
"Yes... Yes, these are very detailed. Exactly what you promised," Kusuko says, looking up. "Now then... Have you destroyed any of the warcamps?"
: "No, not yet," Jim says. "We'll get to that soon enough, though. I thought you'd want the reports as soon as they were finished. Old information is useless information when it comes to intelligence work."
"It is as you say," the King says, looking the group over. "Now then, who are these? Members of your band?"
: "Members of a fellow band. We work together. But he can talk for himself," Jim turns to Alexander, nodding his head towards the King. "Your turn."

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:18 am
After asking around a bit, Zook begin to look for the tinker organization. It doesn't take him too long to find a large workshop building labelled "Prompt Technological Society." He notices that despite the bite of early winter, it's still worlds warmer here than it is back at the fort. He doesn't really mind, and knocks on the door, at an area that would be about waist level for a human.
The door shortly opens, pulled inward by an elderly gnome.
"Can I help you?" he asks, looking over Zook.
"Uh, yeah..." Zook says, looking around. "I'm looking to learn a little bit about the Society. Can I come in?"
TheUnknownMarine: "No!" the gnome shouts, slamming the door shut.
TheUnknownMarine: OK, anything else?
"Certainly," the gnome says, opening the door. A small office occupies this first room. The gnome sits behind a short desk and gestures to another chair. "Have a seat."
"Thanks." Zook sets his satchel down beside the chair and shifts his toolbelt to allow himself to sit comfortably.
"Now then, what do you want to know?"
Zook drums his hands in a fast patter-patter on his knees while he speaks. "Well, how old is the organization? What's its mission statement? Does it work with tinkers anywhere else in the world? How are you holding up with research and membership in wartime? What sort of fields do you specialize in?"
"The Society itself doesn't specialize in anything, though many of our members choose a specialization. Our membership has held steady, and our research progresses well thanks to the patronage of the crown during this war. We will accept any tinker into our ranks so long as they do not belong to a pre-existing guild," the gnome answers in a rapid fire manner.
"The Society is five hundred years old, being founded shortly after the establishment of Prompt, but we've only become a notable force in the last two hundred or so. Our mission statement is to restore the wonder of the Ancients to the modern world."
Zook can't help but smile a thin, bitter smile at that last bit. "What do you mean by 'pre-existing guild'? Would, say, a commission by the crown of Cypress fall under that?"
"A commission is not a guild," the gnome replies. "It does not have membership, nor charter, nor standing. No, it wouldn't count."
"Alright," Zook says. "Do you publish? I've been in the field for quite a while and I'm not sure if the academic side of things has held up since the war began."
"We do publish, but it's been severely cut back due to the war. Once this upstart Cult has been crushed under the treads of Prompt-built warmachines, we can get back to publishing, and really any sort of work that doesn't make a bloody mess... literally."
Zook giggles at this, more at the hubris than the humor. "Right. So, how would I apply for membership?"
"You fill out a form and have to pass a test by building a device of suitable use with parts we provide in a period of time."
"Excellent. D'you have the forms handy?"
"Always," the gnome replies, opening a drawer and handing Zook the forms.
Zook fills out the forms quickly, taking longer to sign his full name than to provide the information.
"Right then," the gnome says, taking the forms and reading through them very swiftly. "These all look in order. When do you want to take your test?"
"What's the time limit?"
"You have an hour... and I'd like the hundred gold entrance fee now please," the gnome says.
Zook reaches down for his money purse, only to realize he hadn't brought it. "Uh, no worries," he says, patting himself down. Eventually, after turning over his shoe he comes up with ten platinum coins, as well as a great deal of lint and loose springs. "There you are."
"Thank you," the gnome says, accepting the coins with great ceremony. "When do you want to take your test?"
"I've got time now, if that's alright."
"Follow me," the gnome says, leading Zook to a door. The gnome opens the door, revealing a large room cluttered with parts and tools. "Assemble a useful device in no more than an hour using only the parts within," the gnome says. "The device must have some useful purpose and must function. Depending on what you create, you may pass or fail."
"So, what do you mean by useful, exactly?"
"Anything that serves a purpose," the gnome says. "We've had people come in and try to just cobble a bunch of pieces together and call it 'art'. That wouldn't count."
"What about a toy, or a working model of a larger device?"
The gnome rubs his chin. "I suppose entertaining a child would count, but I'd be grading you on a stricter scale. The model would be safer ground, as it shows you have knowledge, or the basis of, to build the real thing."
Zook smiles. "Alright. Thank you."
He rubs his hands together as he surveys what he has to work with. "Hmm..." A few deft movements later, Zook has gathered a pile of unassuming scrap. He prods it, mumbling to himself. "That'll...yeah, that'll do."
He exhales, and his hands become a blur. Zook's eyes fix on a point in space, as if he were looking upon the device already completed. Minutes later, he is. His long fingers twirl a key at the object's base, priming its tiny motor. Three little propellers spring to life and an immaculately functioning model gyrocopter, the size of a child's toy, levitates up from the workspace. The wind generated rattles and blows the scattered springs and scrap that Zook found he hadn't needed after all.
"Well, how's that?"
"Uh..." the gnome says, taking a moment to compose himself after being awed by the tinker's display. "Yes, that will do."
"Great!" Zook says, reaching up and catching the model in flight, killing the motor with a tiny whine. "Do I get a card or a badge or something? I'm not really sure how this works."
"Yes, we'll have a card made for you within the week," the gnome says, extending his hand. "Welcome aboard."
Zook shakes the elder gnome's hand. "Thank you. Who would I talk to to find out the state of Prompt's technological defenses?"
"I'm one of the engineers on that, what do you want to know?"
"How are things set up? What's your defensive strategy? What sort of Ancient salvage have you been able to employ?"
"Classified. About all I can tell you about are the cannons we've set into the walls."
"Alright, tell me about them."
"We've installed a number of cannons into the city walls, some salvaged Ancient make, some newly forged by us," the gnome says. "They've helped tremendously in repelling the sieges."
"Can I take a look at them? I've had some experience with munitions."
"No," the gnome says. "You're very talented, but you've just walked into the door and asked right off the bat to see our defenses and plans. That's rather suspicious if you ask me."
"Makes sense," Zook says. "I wouldn't trust me either."
"We'll look over your forms, if you want to be assigned to the military wing, you'll need to pass a series of background checks and divinations," the gnome says. "No offense, it's just that if we fail we die. Cult and all."
VoxPVoxD: now comes the part where they think he's insane
"No, no, I've been there. Fail or die is sort of the norm for us. I remember a few weeks ago, we were fighting one of the Strife Lords, and even with the help of the hero Max it still took quite a lot of doing, and we had some casualties. Truth be told, I'd like nothing better than to never pick up a weapon again, as I'm sure you would, but we don't have that option, do we?"
The gnome raises an eyebrow. "Uh...HUH."
"Like I said," Zook says, "I wouldn't trust me either. Do I need to come back for the card or do you mail it?"
The gnome snorts. "Postal services are in a bit of disarray with the world wide war, even if you did have a permanent address. Come back here in a few days, we'll have it ready."
"Excellent," Zook says, standing up. "Nice meeting you." He gets halfway to the door and stops. He turns around. "Sorry, I forgot to ask your name..."
"Thirk's my name," the gnome says, waving. "Nice meeting you too."
Zook departs, making his way to the great library of Prompt. He begins to research meticulously, looking for anything relevant to the Link, the Castle of the Ancients, and anything that might turn up on Thanas.
((Research checks, you told me to roll everything. Results, from lowest to highest:
Kno[Tactics] 29
Kno[Planes] 32
Tinker Lore 36
Kno[Tech] 40
Kno[Ancients] 41))

Posted by: Alpha Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:37 am
((AlphaAlec (10:27:45 AM): TIME FOR A RETRO POST)) Wondering through the Fort, getting accustomed to its layout. It is during this wonder that he comes across the Rangers in their training. The elf watches them for a couple of minutes, sorely tempted to show them all up. With a shrug and grin, he decides not to (so as to not give a bad impressive, considering he's new around here), and begins to walk off again. He does notice Maria's dimension swap however, and chuckles as he moves away.

Posted by: Rusty Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:04 pm
((Diplomacy just for fun. 45 is the result.)) *Alexander nods to Jim before kneeling before King Kusuko.* : "Your Majesty, my name is Alexander Bernhart. I don't know how long you've been working with Jim, but he and his force is an ally of mine. We recently freed Mitula and Volcanon of their bonds from the Ur Priests, and Mitula spoke of Alef and Torasu, the Shining Force members, as being here. I would like to speak with them also, as I have some news that may interest them. However, before I do that, I have to ask about this alliance you have Jim. You two are sharing information, yes? Is it regularly? I hope so - we need all the allies we can get on Rune. This is where the fiends have made their claim, and this is where the most difficult battles are to be fought, as I'm sure you know. I just want to know more about this alliance - the forces of Prompt, and any goals of yours I might be able to help with. Jim and I are allies, but we've been busy with different tasks lately and haven't been able to share all of the information yet. I thought this would be a good opportunity to do that, as well as see Prompt in its glory, as well as speak with its King, and Alef and Torasu."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:12 pm
"We don't have an alliance yet," the king says. "I've been discussing ways with Commander Radford that your forces might prove yourselves trustworthy. This..." he says, tapping the maps. "Goes a good way towards that, but I'm going to want to see proof of your willingness to take arms against the cult. Destroy one of the warcamps the Cult operates from and I'll consider you true allies."
The king frowns. "What business do you have with Alef or Torasu?"

Posted by: Rusty Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:36 pm
: "I know several of their friends and close allies, personally, and I want them to be able to get in contact again. Also, I would like to work together with them in training our troops and letting them know what to prepare for. They are experienced and very powerful, and they would be invaluable if our forces could meet."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:44 pm
"I doubt they'll have time to train your forces, they're busy with actual fighting," the king says, shaking his head. "Other than that, if you've a message for them from their friends, I'll send word to them. Will you be staying in our fair city?"

Posted by: Rusty Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:58 pm
: "Then we'll help them so they will have time to talk and train. Let us know what we need to do to help you. We'll be staying here for a short time, but then we'll be going back to our headquarters to speak with others. We definitely will look around, though - it looks like a nice place here. As for contacting their friends - just tell them that I know of a resistance force led by Mae of Guardiana in Shade Abbey. They should try and get in contact with her soon, if possible. Another I'm sure they'd be happy to meet..."
*Alex nods to Jim and then looks to the King again.*
: "...is among our ranks. He has been taking a much needed break, and he needs some time off to help a close friend. Of course, I'm speaking of Max. I understand if you're quick to deny what I'm saying, but contact Mae and you will find that what I say is absolutely true."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:50 pm
"Yes, your friend here has made that claim before, but in times such as these, I'll need more proof that just words. Nonetheless, I'll have that message sent to them. Anything else?" *Alexander shakes his head.* : "No, nothing more. I just want to help you and to ally with you. Let us know what we need to do to prove ourselves, and we shall do just that. If it is all right, I will want to return here before leaving so that I know what to tell the others. Is that okay?"
"That's fine, but as I said, attacking one of the Cult warcamps is what you can do."
*Alexander frowns.*
: "Then I hope this region of Rune is different from the other in what the enemy will do if we do. If it's not different, we will have to plan very carefully. Mae has told me that the Cult has threatened to take lives of villagers should we attack any of their camps."
"The Cult here has only managed to overrun Protectoria, and nearly all the villages and towns between there and here have been evacuated," the king says. "Even if they had villagers to spare for sacrifice, our forces have been keeping them too busy for such matters."
*Smiling, Alex nods.*
: "Great news! We'll definitely attack a Cult warcamp."
*He then looks to Jim once again.*
: "Do you have another report like that? I want to strike the fiends where it will hurt them most."
"Yeah, I've got another copy. We can go over it and determine a plan of action. All of the camps are fairly large, so I wouldn't recommend a single team taking on one all by itself."
: "All right. We'll still have to be careful, of course, but I'll admit I'm very excited that we'll be able to fight them now."
*Standing again, Alex bows to King Kusuko.*
: "Your Majesty, thank you for allowing me to take a bit of your time to speak."
Jim bows as well.
"Quite welcome. If that is all, I have important matters to attend to," the king says.
*Alex nods.*
: "That is all."
"Then you are dismissed. Farewell," the king says, as the guards lead the two from the chamber.
----------
The merchant is paid for supplies to be sent to the Vagabond. The ship in turns delivers a resupply package for the Rangers.
Equipment issued:
3 Health Syringes (Melissa)
Rifle Scope (Melissa. Range of weapon increased by 150%. Links into helmet HUD.)
3 HE grenades. (Melissa)
1 A-M grenade. (Melissa)
C-drum modification for rifle. Rifle now holds 100 rounds in a drum magazine.
3 drum magazines. (Melissa)
Purchased from Derrik: Headband of Intellect+6 (For Jessica)
Diamond (for Coventry.)
All money spent.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:42 am
: "Who am I... anyway..."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:23 am

QUOTE (VoxPVoxD @ Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:42 am)
: "Who am I... anyway..."

TWO FOUR SIX OH OOOOOOOOOONE!!!!
Those of the Shining Force taking part in the raid assemble after a few hour's time, and teleport just short of the eastern warcamp. Tendrils of smoke from campfires tickle the sky from the north. A mass of tents and piled supplies is barely visible from this distance, and even then only to those with exceptional sight, or a means of boosting vision. A blanket of snow covers the foothills with a deceptive air of peace.
: "All right, the plan is somewhat straightforward. I've arranged for a distraction that should draw attention as well as severely weaken the enemy. While they're in disarray, we'll cut straight through their line soldiers and head right for the commanders at the camp's center. The command staff appears to be mostly demons, so take appropriate precaution. The fight through the line troops shouldn't be hard, but there are a lot of them, it might take some time..." Jim looks around, then to Alex. "Is everyone ready?"
((Make preparations, the first battle portion begins tommorrow.))

Posted by: Alpha Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:21 pm
BOW BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY WOOPER!!!!

Posted by: Rusty Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:24 pm
*Alex looks to his force before nodding to Jim.* : "Yes. We're ready when you are."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:01 pm
Jim nods. : "Right then," Jim says, clicking a button on his commlink. "Clear to proceed." A loud roaring sound splits the air as three large blurs shoot overhead, streaking over the warcamp in moments. Seconds later, a series of explosions rip apart the Cult outpost, sending pillars of melted snow, fragments of tent and supplies, and pieces of Cultist into the air.
: "Right. Hurry while they're in disarray!" Jim urges as he breaks into a run towards the camp.
The three blurs turn around and make another pass over the camp, more explosions blossoming beneath them. Beams of light arc from them and slice over the campsite as the enemy pays no heed to the force advancing from the south, all attention on this bizzare and powerful foe in the air. Spells of flame, frost, and lightning dance from the fingers of Cult mages and demonic magic users, most simply missing the soaring shapes due to their incredible speed. Finally, when the Shining Force is more than halfway there, the camp clearly visible even for those with poor eyesight, the airborne allies turn towards the northern sky and speed away, leaving a camp in chaos.
The Force makes it nearly to the camp's outer edges, battered tents and smoldering campfires before a Cultist lookout spots them and gives the alarm. What few Cultists managed to arm and armor themselves and survive rush out to meet them, backed by a large group of lesser demons.
Freeform Fight
Autokilling allowed.
Foes:
70 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
30 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
40 Cult Archers.
10 Cult Mages
10 Lesser Cult Priests.
30 Dretches
20 Babaus
10 Vrocks

Posted by: Alpha Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:21 pm
Talacre is off immediately, moving even more quickly than before. In a blur, the blade dancer neatly slices through enemy troops, twisting, turning and jumping as he goes. His first kill involves the elf executing another impossible jump, leaping twenty feet into the air towards a vrock. On the way up, he slices one of the demon's wings off and then slices the other on the way down. Leaving the demon in a bleeding heap he speeds towards a pair of archers, dispatching them with two spinning slashes.
The elf merely smirks then as a cult mage turns his way and attempts to fire off a spell at the blade dancer. Rushing forward, he ducks under the duo of fiery rays sent towards him, and brings his courtblade forward, stabbing the disbelieving mage through the chest.
Yanking the blade free, he targets another vrock nearby, this one hovering closer to the ground than the last. With another incredible leap, Talacre is a couple of metres above the demon, using the drop to add momentum to the coming strike. His sword punctures right through the vrock's head, continuing deep into its torso. Extracting it, and causing a considerable amount of blood to gush over him, the elf raises the weapon before him in a defensive posture, his momentum played out for now.

Posted by: FreedomJu Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:01 pm
Keeping pace with Radford, Melissa fires several rounds from her rifle, each metal spike finding a new home in some unlucky Cultist. One spike even managed to punch right through a Cult Soldier's pitiful armor and flesh to continue on and to punch a hole in an Archer's arm.
By this time one of the Cult Soldiers had nearly reached the Spartan and attempted to arrest her charge with a jab from his spear but the elite soldier simply ducked under the attack and extended her shoulder right before she slammed into the hapless minion, knocking him flat onto his back where she was able to easily fire a gauss round into his head, killing him. Out of the corner of her vision Melissa spotted another soldier charging towards her, spear extended. She easily spun out of the way of the weapon, and as she continued the spin she lashed out with the butt of her rifle to the back of the soldier's skull, caving it in and killing him as well.
A pair of arrows bouncing off her armor alerted her to the fact that some of the enemy's ranged support had located her, but she was able to easily trace the arrows back to their source and silence the offending archers with another pair of gauss slugs. The sound of movement behind her alerted the Spartan to a possible attack from the rear and she instinctively ducked and lashed out backwards with her leg in a sweeping motion that tripped the dwarf that had been raising his axe for an overhead strike. Now he would never get the chance for that attack as despite the two of them getting back up at the same time, the Spartan soon finished him off with a brutal kick to the knee, shattering it and leaving him wide open for a similar blow to the face.
When the dwarf fell backwards with his skull caved in a similar manner to the soldier before him, Melissa found her immediate area clear of threats. However, the sheer number of targets in this battle meant that it wouldn't be that way for long, but that fact didn't bother her in the slightest.
Foes: (This includes Alpha's kills so far)
63 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
29 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
36 (one injured greatly) Cult Archers.
9 Cult Mages
10 Lesser Cult Priests.
30 Dretches
20 Babaus
8 Vrocks

Posted by: Alpha Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:15 pm
Observing the masses of enemies grouped before him, Tanis’ eyes flash as he picks what spell could cause the most damage. The warmage settles on one of his newly learnt spells. Cross his hands before him, he begins to chant slowly, and flames begin to dance about his hands. Quickening his casting, the catfolk raises his hands to the sky, slightly outstretched. Small fireballs shoot from his hands, fifteen in total, roaring up into the sky, causing a brief flare of light.
After reaching a suitable height, Tanis directs them back down, and the fireballs spread out, gaining power and size as they roar back to the ground. The firestorm rockets into many of the enemy cultists, causing significant casualties. And yet despite the effectiveness of his spell, Tanis displays no satisfaction in what he’s done.
Foes:
43 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
19 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
26 (one injured greatly) Cult Archers.
9 Cult Mages
10 Lesser Cult Priests.
30 Dretches
20 Babaus
8 Vrocks

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:38 pm
*Excitedly, the new, larger Dagron flies ahead of the others, then waits above while he looks for some of the nastiest enemies he could find.* : AHAHAHAHA! TO BATTLE, EVERYONE! *Dagron finds his target after bellowing out his joy at taking this fight of great magnitude head on. He flies down, belching a wave of flames over many of the enemies, catching them on fire, which lingers and burns for nearly half a minute. Bellowing more laughter over the field, Dagron dives once more, this time careening for a certain enemy. He drops into the dissipating flames on top of a number of the Dwarves. He spins around, flailing his tail and sending a few of the dwarves flying. He then grabs one of them, then hits it into the air with his other claw. On the way back down, Dagron bites into the Dwarf, and tosses it away once more. He flies into the air again, and beelines for one of the demons, who were the real prizes he was after.*
: Come on, you foul creatures from the hellfire of the abyss!
*Almost instantly, one of the vulture-like Vrocks flies up to clash with Dagron in the air. They hit each other with a great thud, then begin tearing at each other in the skies. Dagron's claws and fangs glow with holy energy, and the young dragon tears unholy flesh from the demon in chunks. His foe manages to tear at a scale, but not much more. They wrestle more, climbing higher and higher, before the fight becomes intense and gridlocked, ceasing their motion and causing them to careen down to the ground once more. Dagron manages to get a claw on the Vrock's face, then pushes its head out of the way, exposing its neck. He opens his fangs wide, then bites in, causing it to flinch and let go. Dagron, however, wasn't finished yet. He turns the Vrock over and grabs hold of its buzzard wings. With all the force he can muster, he presses his hind legs into its back, then yanks the wings right off of the Vrock's body. He tosses them aside, grabs for the Vrock's battered body, then regains control of the fall once more. Now, within 75' of the ground, he dives fast and hard, throwing the Vrock's large frame on top of a couple of babau, splatting all of them along the ground in the process.
Only a few more to go now.*
((Kill count: 20 cult soldiers
5 Dwarves
1 Vrock
3 Babau
Many, many more severely burned and injured from flying bodies everywhere.))
Foes:
23 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
14 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
26 (one injured greatly) Cult Archers.
9 Cult Mages
10 Lesser Cult Priests.
30 Dretches
17 Babaus
7 Vrocks ))

Posted by: Rusty Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:19 pm
: "Take them all out at once, quickly! Charge!" --- *Ombligo floats forward, twenty feet in the air, even in the thick of battle, casting a Bolt spell into a group of enemies. An enemy mage shoots a Lightning Bolt at the floating magic creature, but it has no effect whatsoever. Ombligo looks as his spell finishes, hurting several enemies and killing many more.*
: "You can't win! Give up now!"
((Bolt 1 cast.
Kill: 3 Lesser Cult Priests, 2 Cult Mages, 5 Archers
Injure: 1 Cult Mage, 4 Archers))
---
*Alex begins to shake with anticipation, growling deeply as he lunges forward into a group of demons. Bringing his sword into a Babau's skull, he kills the demon with a single blow. The demon's acid slides right off the blade before it can do any damage. The Vrocks begin to shriek at Alex, but he is unaffected by their cries. The hero then spins around, slicing into a Vrock with three swift strokes, the magic of the force sword ensuring the Vrock's defeat. As he does this, several Babaus attempt to claw at him, but they fail to pierce Alexander's armor. Alexander roars at the demons.*
: "Demons! Hear this: I am Alexander Bernhart, slayer of fiends! No fiend that I fight shall be spared by my blade! You have met your match. Your defeat is inevitable!"
((Alex kills: 1 Babau, 1 Vrock
Foes:
23 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
14 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
21 (four injured greatly) Cult Archers.
7 Cult Mages (one injured greatly)
7 Lesser Cult Priests.
30 Dretches
16 Babaus
6 Vrocks ))

Posted by: Lord Oddeye Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:28 pm
: "Innovative." Enrick comments sweetly at the dervish's outburst of killing blows, "Let me try something... different, for once." He draws a rapier that now matches the radiance of the brightest stars that dwell the heavenly vault, or rather the weapon leaps instantly into his open palm as he barely grazes the hilt.
: "Prepare yourself, evil, for here I come! *smirk*"
The adventurous noble springs up and takes to the sky long after Talacre was done there, following in vain behind the elf but only because more Vrocks were up there.
Dashing forth with increasing speed, his weapon soon meets the hard demonic flesh of one of the creatures in an heroic charge, the critical blow disposing of the beast in the blink of an eye. The dead demon falls and takes a header into the dust below and the other nearest gargoyles, outraged by the spreading, speeding onslaughts against their kin, start to circle in on the noble that remains hanging in the air, ready for a vengeful confrontation.
: "Ooh, if it's not a full-fledged party of... huge guts." He taunts at the trio dancing around him and closing in, "*chuckle* You're a welcoming bunch, aren't you?"
One demon snarls savagely and moves in for the attack, clawing wildly at Enrick. A series of attacks that the noble dodges neatly one after another.
: "Aw, now I'm feeling hard pressed." He mourns, digging his blade twice into the demon's skin without much effort and critically injuring this one.
The other two quickly follow with their own share of attacks but without much more success as they either fail to connect or scratch uselessly against his armor, although this greatly disturbs the fancy dandy in that they actually managed to touch him.
: "Um well... I have to go you see? No hard feelings."
Enrick runs an agile hand along his neck and draws what looks like a crossbow bolt made of hard and shiny material from a concealed container hanging in his back. He waves his dear foes goodbye and swoops down amazingly fast before they have a chance to "wound" him further. He lands straight to the ground and looks back up, holding the ammunition with three fingers and directing it at the demons still flying high above. He speaks one word in magical tongue and the bolt is sent flying towards the three vrocks as if fired by an actual weapon.
Of six fool wings two stop flapping.
The nobleman grins satisfied, then realises he landed in the middle of one of the troups of demons.
: "Uh... More admirers? Sure, why not. Well, get ready for here I am!"
He is answered by a multitude of... nothing. He was surrounded by dretches. The corpse of the demon previously shot crashes near him with a loud thud and bursts into ashes. The athmosphere is very tense.
: ".....Not very enthusiastic. Well then, http://www.voxpvoxd.com/rustysfc/EnGarde!.mp3"
Enrick hurls a huge boulder at the dretch troup, squashing them all mercilessly.
A really epic fight ensues, Enrick fencing around as most of the pathetic creatures desperately try to escape from the plucky nobleman's expert thrusts. For those that stay, their claws land uneffectively against protected spots, when they land that is. One... two... five... they get slaughtered one after the other, Enrick seemingly punfully unstoppable!
((F O E foes:
23 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
14 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
21 (four injured greatly) Cult Archers.
7 Cult Mages (one injured greatly)
7 Lesser Cult Priests.
0 LOL PWNT 23 Dretches
16 Babaus
4 Vrocks ))

Posted by: Alpha Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:24 am
Laeral moves off towards the cult mages, seeking to take out the only enemies in this area capable of inflicting much damage to the Force. Guiding his persistent blade, the glowing dagger flicks backwards and forth, attracting the attention of a cult mage. Sneaking up behind the disctracted spellcaster, Laeral buries a dagger in his back, the long blade finding his heart.
The elf then uses his stealth, as well as a bit of magic to continue on, using the same tactic. A second mage falls to this method, but the third is more of a problem. He saw Laeral from a distance and fired off several missiles of force as the green haired elf closed the distance between them. The magic missiles dissipate however, losing their energy when they hit Laeral's shield of foce. Grinning at the wizard's sudden look of panic, Laeral hulrs a dagger at him, the blade crackling with electricity. The blade buries itself into the cultist's lung as arcs of electricity wrack his body.
Retrieving his weapon and wiping the gore from it on the wizard's robes, Laeral whirls around to meet two cult soldiers bearing down upon him. Simultaneously raising each arm, he catches both spears with his dagger hilts. The surprisingly strong elf then throws their weapons out and lunges forward, burrying his daggers in the heart of one and the lung of the other.
Extracting his weapons, the daggerspell observes the field, picking out his next target.
((Foes:
21 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
14 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
21 (four injured greatly) Cult Archers.
4 Cult Mages (one injured greatly)
7 Lesser Cult Priests.
23 Dretches
16 Babaus
4 Vrocks ))

Posted by: Cyrus Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:29 am
Gail chases after Enrick, breaching the line of Cultists with a slam of her shield and pressing on to the soon to be beleaguered noble. Stragglers in the line attempt to curl back and impede the soldier of the Light, two Dark Dwarves with wickedly curved axes as big as they were, but Gail is quick enough to catch the first attacker's blade with her shield, whirling around to disarm him and slash open his throat. The next screams in rage, but his face meets only the open face of a shield, the foe stumbling back covering his now bleeding nose. She continues on, reaching the treasure hunter's side just as the Vrocks plummeted from the sky, thrusting her sword to catch the first in its chest and spinning around to slice the next on its neck. The demon gasps at the blow, talons trying to grasp at its swiftly fading life, before it collapses in a heap of ash and dust.
((Foes:
21 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields. (one injured)
13 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes. (one injured)
21 (four injured greatly) Cult Archers.
4 Cult Mages (one greatly injured)
7 Lesser Cult Priests.
23 Dretches
16 Babaus
2 Vrocks ))

Posted by: Tarethen Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:41 am
The centaur stayed at the back of the group as the others raced forward, quickly scanning the battlefield for weakened enemies. It wasn't long before his keen eyes met with his first target, a retreating wounded archer. A sinister grin not characteristic of the timid natured centaur crept across his lips as he pulled an arrow from his quiver and notched it. He lined up the shot, aiming at the helpless archer's throat. When he was sure his aim was true, he let the arrow fly as it raced through the air, hitting its mark. The archer fell dead into a heap, blood gushing for his final, fatal wound.
It wasn't long before his second target came into sight. A similarly injured mage shuffled along the battlefield, also looking for a chance to save his life. In much the same way that the archer died, the mage went down too, but this time with an arrow lodged deep in his chest.
Farain's final target was one of the dwarves that had caught notice of him picking off the wounded. The ranger noticed that the dwarf was running just as he had felled the mage, and it wasn't a moment too soon. He took a few steps back, pulling a normal arrow from his quiver as he fired it. The arrow hit the dwarf in the arm, but he continued to race towards Farain. The centaur made a face of disgust as he took a second arrow from his quiver and let it fly, this time hitting the dwarf in the leg. He staggered, falling to a knee for only a moment as he jerked the arrow out, a stream of blood following it. Yet, he continued to run.
"Persistant," he said as he pulled a final arrow from his quiver: one of his precious explosive arrows. He placed the arrow in the bow and pulled back the string, closing one eye as he set his aim. He was going to make this arrow count. He lined up the arrow with the dwarf's stomach and held it there, letting the dwarf get a few feet closer. "Come on..." When the dwarf was just a few feet away, Farain let go of the bow string, sending the arrow straight towards the dwarf's stomach. As was expected, the arrow buried itself in the dwarf's stomach, the explosion causing it to burst open, disemboweling the poor creature. The dwarf fell dead.
((Foes:
21 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
12 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
20 (three injured greatly) Cult Archers.
3 Cult Mages
7 Lesser Cult Priests.
23 Dretches
16 Babaus
2 Vrocks))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:33 am
Were the chaos of battle not present, Isyndel Rhoe'wyn might have stood much as the midday sun loomed in the sky as magic enveloped her. Her pearl white robes pulsed and thrashed with bright magic as the energy about her flickered and waned, coursing around and through the elvish woman from the ground to the tip of the ornate staff she held in the sky. Calmly, her free hand weaved about her, parting the air before her in a glowing dance as magic trickled from her fingers illuminating each movement. And then abruptly all movement ceased excluding a deep breath, as the wizardess opened her eyes.
Amidst the rear lines grew a circle of bright light that quickly imploded upon itself, very nearly disappearing. A marble sized orb that the implosion had formed into pulsed, and then exploded, lashing forward in a brilliant, multicolored display. Those closest to the eruption shrieked as the lights seared through them, and several of those who remained closest threw their hands to their faces to shield themselves in a vain effort to combat the daze that would only overcome them several seconds later.
"Yaaahhh!!!"
No sooner than the Babaus began lunging at Alex did Eve arrive, her large scarlet form thrashing into the crowd before her, lance levelled and shield raised. The Pegasus slammed into the foes to Alex's right with explosive force, impaling the head of one with her lance as her mass drove her shield into the next, throwing it into the advancing monsters behind them. With a flourish, she brought her lance forward once again to strike at another in a wild strike, thrusting its lifeless form to the side. Seeing an opportunity one quickly leaped to strike the woman from the left, but the Pegasus Knight anticipated the blow, shifting her hooves into the ground before thrusting forward with a heave of her wings as she backhanded her shield into its advance.
With another flourish, hooves spread and dug into the ground, Eve Morslyn slashed her lance in a wide arc as she set herself in front of their leader, tightening her grip on her shield.
"I'm not gonna' to back down either! You're not going any further!!"
((
Foes:
21 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
12 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
11 Cult Archers. (5 dazed)
1 Cult Mage (dazed)
7 Lesser Cult Priests.
23 Dretches
13 Babaus
2 Vrocks))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:16 am
Roaring with uncontained rage, the half-giant set to work on the Cult forces around him. Taking off in a leap feet away from the line, he slammed down hard and tore clean through the neck of a soldier, wading into the fray like a hunting dog released for the chase.
Snarling as his blade flamed, empowered by the might of Volcanon, Gabriel's weapon chewed through the hideous flesh of fiends. A babau came at him, only to have it's fatal wound cauterized almost instantly; two dretches came to him and received the same treatment. Just as he plunged his blade into the back of another babau, he felt the familiar sting of axes on his back.
"Don't toy with me! This is a battle, not a playground!" he threatened, waving his blade in front of the quartet of dark dwarves. Undaunted, they advanced, flashing steel and nearly foaming from the mouth in battle lust; matching their rage without tapping into his barbaric strength, Gabriel met them head on. An axe slammed into his side, drawing blood; ignoring it, he kicked his attacker back a step and cut through his armor like paper. The others, more cautious, nevertheless remained within attacking range; rewarding their valor the same as he would have rewarded their folly, he continued to fight, ripping and tearing into them until not a one stood.
Grunting with pain, he felt the claws of a babau withdraw from his back, and with a turn almost too swift, the half-giant buried his greatsword halfway through it's body, ripping it out from the side he'd entered from. Gutting a fleeing dretch as it headed away from the humanoid maelstrom, his eyes narrowed and he headed for the thickest part of the melee.
((2 Babaus
3 Dretches
4 Dark Dwarves
3 Cult Soldiers))
Shaking his head, Dam Dicem slipped swiftly and quietly into the midst of the battle, skirting around the larger combatants to his real targets.
Look at them... mindless hounds, all, the rogue thought, shaking his head. Creeping between the treeline, he came up behind an archer and slid his blades up and into the unfortunate cultist's torso, barely leaving the sniper time to scream. His ally barely had time to react before the dagger-wielder was upon him, and didn't even have time to pull his short sword free before his lungs were punctured. Gasping his last gasps for air, the rogue shook the excess blood off of his blade and proceeded onwards, still shaking his head.
See that? Clean, easy... the way it should be, Dam said, seemingly admiring his own handiwork. And, of course... they always forget the spellcasters. Typical. A barbarian wades into the fight all gung-ho about killing as many as he can.
"When will they learn," he whispered into the ear of a mage, seconds before leaving a ragged slash where the smooth skin of his neck should have been, "it's about quality, not quantity?"
Let's face it... if he'd dropped even some of his weaker spells on the group, we'd be in a whole lot of mess. Fire, lightning, the whole nine yards, he thought, continuing his internal monologue. Spotting two priests attempting to magically enhance themselves, he only smiled and moved through the shadows.
"And you two," Dam said, puncturing one of them a half-dozen times as he went down, screaming. His ally, eyes wide with shock, hastily attempted to grab the rogue and joined in his fellow's anguished cries as the blades sliced through his outstretched palms. Crushing the downed priest's throat with his heel, Dicem pulled one of his knives free of the priest's palms and shoved it into his throat, ripping them both free at the same time. Slitting the downed man's throat before hastily cleaning his weapons on his robes, the rogue shook his head again, slipping through the shadows to find other prey.
Finesse, not manhandling... it works wonders...
((2 Cult Priests
1 Cult Mage
2 Archers))
((Foes:
18 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
8 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
9 Cult Archers. (5 dazed)
0 Cult Mage
5 Lesser Cult Priests.
20 Dretches
11 Babaus
2 Vrocks))

Posted by: GOD*JESUS Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:42 am
Not to be outdone by his friends, Thavon sets forward and towards the left of the battlefield, skewering a Dark Dwarf upon his ranseur, the birdman kicks the sputtering body off of the end of his weapon and grins as it falls to the ground. Seeing his ally in trouble, several soldiers charge at Thavon but all mysteriously fall to the ground as if running into a brick wall. The skyknight laughs as he sees five of them poking hesitantly infront of them with their spears before running again.
Thavon's magic saves him from an axe strike that would've surely done him in if it connected. The birdman responds by bashing a dwarf in the face with the but end of his weapon, followed with a swift slash across his chest, and a life ending hack through his throat.
Thavon was having too much fun that he forgot to check his flank as a claw came slashing towards his face, only to be severed at the last possible second by an oversized axe.
: "HAHA!" A triumphant shout is belted out. "Ye bes' be watchin' ou' lad. Yer magic won' pretec' ye from everythin'. Tha's why ye've got a friendly dwarf on yer side! Gorrik finishes his lecture as a blue demonic head is launched into the sky, and it's severed body drops lifelessly.
The Dwarf doesn't miss a beat as his gigantic axe makes quick work of a slew of demons surrounding him and the birdman. Gorrik is almost in disbelief of the power of his newly inherited axe as it's flame rips through demon flesh again and again as the bodies begin to pile up.
((Thavon casts Wall of Force to the east.
Thavon kills 2 dwarves.
Gorrik kills 4 Dretches and 2 Babaus
18 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
6 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
9 Cult Archers. (5 dazed)
0 Cult Mage
5 Lesser Cult Priests.
16 Dretches
9 Babaus
2 Vrocks))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:24 am
Eight arrows soared at Jim Radford, and eight arrows simply bounced off the matte black surface of the Field Commander's body armor. Jim merely turned and dismissively lobbed a grenade at the group of archers, the explosion ripping apart the lightly armored cultists and sending their body parts careening high in the sky. With a battle-cry of outrage and bloodlust, a trio of dark dwarves rushed Jim, their axes raised high. Jim merely planted one foot back and braced himself as he opened fire with his GSAW, a full automatic hail of bullets shredding through the plate of the dwarves as it were nothing. The large gun arcs to the left to blow apart an approaching group of dretches with ease, the commander never uttering a word, completely focused on the battle.
((9 archers slain. 3 dwarves slain. 5 dretches slain.))
Sheila vaults throught the air, guns blazing even as she completes a complex flip, five Babau demons falling down with smoking holes through them. The demon corpses fall to ash soon after their deaths.
"Wooooo hoooo!" Sheila hoots, leaping onto the back of an unsuspecting Vrock and emptying a full six shots into the demon even as it thrashed and clawed at her, small bloody gouges being torn in her suit. "Nope! Not gonna work!" Sheila says, flippantly as she jumps off the demon, whirls around and finishes it off with a single headshot. The Vrock turns to ash in an instant as its remaining brother squawks with rage and charges the agent. Sheila dodges aside with superhuman reflexes, winking at the monster as it went past her.
"That all?" she asks, sounding almost disappointed as she fired the rest of her clips at the demon. She avoided the diving claws and tearing beak aimed at her by the slimmest of margins. The bullets tore through the bird-demon, breaking bone, ripping flesh, and at last shattering the body of the Vrock until it too, turned to ash.
((2 Vrocks, 5 Babaus slain.))
One of the wounded archers stumbles back, a Cult priest reaching for him with a spell on his lips. Instead what came out with a bloody gurgle as twin swords cut through the dark clergy's midsection. A priest next to the slain one turned with surprise only to be cut down along with his companion as an invisible opponent put both of them to the sword. One by one, the other remaining priests all met the same fate, a bare handful of healing spells being supplied to the Cultists before no healers remained to them.
((5 Cult Priests slain.))
18 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
3 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
0 Cult Archers.
0 Cult Mage
0 Lesser Cult Priests.
11 Dretches
4 Babaus
0 Vrocks

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:09 am
Varro charges into the thinning fray, his frame wreathed in the flames from Dagron's breath. He raises his blade, rearing it back instead of up. He skids to a stop before a pair of hapless dwarves, who look up at the towering robot. A moment later, the remaining cultists are looking up at them.
Varro swings his sword, underhand, like a croquet mallot. It catches both dwarves, caving in their ribcages and crumpling their plate armor like foil. They sail through the air, landing on a pair of Dretches who were otherwise occupied.
The only living dwarf raises his axe and lets out a feral cry of rage and anguish, launching himself at Varro. "Ye bastard!" he cries, closing the distance with surprising speed. "Those were me brothers! Ye killed my brothers!"
Rather than moving out of the way or raising his sword, Varro simply meets the dwarf head-on, steel and bone giving way against reinforced megatanium. All that remains of the dark dwarf is a smear on Varro's knees.
One of the Cult soldiers points his spear at the bloodstained robot hurtling towards him. "Come on, you great blue demon! Have a taste of this." He widens his stance, raising his shield as a brace. Whatever that thing was, it was in for a nasty shock when it ran into the spear full speed.
Varro's attention was on the Babaus behind the soldier. He didn't even notice when the spear snapped harmlessly against his chest, or when the soldier squelched beneath his feet, blood mingling with the snow and dirt. He didn't notice the four other soldiers who didn't get out of the way in time, or the stains they left on the ground. His sights locked onto the demons.
The Babaus stood in tight formation, weaving their hands as they prepared to dismantle the magic powering the great blue iron golem. It was beginning to work, they thought, when they saw the sword fall from its hands. But it wasn't slowing down any. When it began to spread its arms wide, they thought it was about to fall at their feet.
The last thing they think, as their spells flicker and fizzle, is that it's awfully odd that it's still moving so fast...
Varro reaches out, managing to ensare all four babaus in a massive bear hug. They writhe and scratch and scream, attempting to teleport out of his grasp. They realize too late that their magic isn't working. A soft, heavy sound, a kind of wet crunch, flies underneath the din of battle. The Babaus fall from Varro's arms, their backs broken, their skulls crushed, their entrails a steaming sulfurous smear on the snow.
Varro turns around, dripping with gore, and picks up his sword.
((3 Dark Dwarves
2 Dretches
5 Cult Soldiers
4 Babaus killed
13 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
0 Dark Dwarves with Great Axes.
0 Cult Archers.
0 Cult Mage
0 Lesser Cult Priests.
9 Dretches
0 Babaus
0 Vrocks))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:08 am
The remaining cultists and dretches scatter and flee after the monstrous assault. Spears and shields drop from hands as the pitiful remnants of the Cult warband run as fast as they can in all directions. : "Let them go, if they spread word of how they in the hundreds lost to a mere thirty-some soldiers, it will demoralize them. Especially when we didn't take a single casualty," Jim says, reloading his weapon. He looks up and around. "Besides, we still have to take care of their commanders. Once more, charge into the fray!" Jim begins to jog towards the camp center, where the officers and elites of the warband had regrouped.
The Cult warcamp was in most respects just like any other military camp you might find on this world. Supplies were stacked high in crates and barrels. Campfires roared everywhere to ward off the cold. Tents were clustered around those fires to provide shelter to the troops. However, despite the many similarities, the Cult warcamp was clearly seperate.
Heads and dismembered bodies of Prompt troops taken in battle stood impaled on iron spikes around the perimeter of the camp. Odd crystalline formations jutted from the ground, pulsing with fell energy while demons supped on their foul auras. Craters from the air raid, and bodies from the same littered the area, while the snarls and growls of warbeasts split the air.
"What're ya doin' ya bunch of half-dead louts!" a savage voice roars over the camp as a Balor cracks his whip furiously. "Form up! Rally and attack, you vermin! Stomp the enemy flat!"
Groups of huge frog-like foul smelling Hezrous, giant horned Glabrezu, and massively fat ape-like Nalfeshnees, all mill around in a chaotic mess, waiting for the chance to strike, but never falling into any sort of order.
"Well," a snake-bodied Marilith notes to the Balor. "You can't really expect most of our kind to follow orders anyway."
"Sure I can!" the Balor roars, reaching out and grabbing a passing Vrock. "Get ready and attack them, you maggots! Or you'll end up like this one here!"
With a sickening crack, the Balor snaps the neck of the Vrock with one twist of his massive hands. The demon immediately explodes into sulfurous ash as the others panic and begin to form a crude defensive formation.
The Marilith sighs, then shouts, "Cultists! To arms! Rally formation zero!"
Instantly orderly ranks of warriors, centaur knights, archers and more fall in, ready for a battle.
"Bring it on, ya ants!" the Balor roars, chortling. "This is the core of my corps! Hahahahaha!"
Music: http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/633/7
Map:

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:42 am
Varro, still stained red and black from the previous battle, raises his sword and bellows a challenge to the encampment. : "CULTISTS! DEMON SCUM! Stand down now, or be destroyed. There will be NO QUARTER!" As if to demonstrate, he leaps into the air, blade descending on the Hezrou. Two devastating strikes and the demon is reduced to steaming chunks of flesh that explode upon hitting the snow. He turns to the Retriever. He severs half its legs, and the construct falls down.
((3 crits, one upgrade. Hezrou destroyed, Retriever reduced to 30 HP
HP: 220/220
Saves: Fort +16/Ref +4/Will +6
AC: 31
DR: 15/-))

Posted by: Rusty Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:57 am
*Ombligo, breaking from his usual electricity chain of spells, hits a group of enemies with a blinding rainbow flash, a burst of energy hitting them simultaneously.* ((Radiant Assault cast. It hits the 5 soldiers in the center, as well as the cleric in the center. It would hit the Marilith and Nalfeshnee also, but I failed the SR checks somehow.
Damage: 48 untyped. WILL save DC 28 for half.
If they fail the WILL save, they are dazed for 5 rounds.
If they pass the WILL save, they take half damage (24) and are dazzled for 5 rounds.))
---
*Alex swings his sword four times at the Glabrezu, connecting with every hit. He quickly takes the demon down, calling out to the others as he prepares for the next wave.*
: "Everyone, spread out! Watch out for their magic!"
((Full Attack:
Attack #1: 17 + 15 [BAB] + 5 [STR] + 2 [Bull's STR] + 1 [Elation] + 1 [Size STR] + 2 [Heroism] - 1 [Large size] + 1 [focus] + 3 [magic] + 10 [Force Sword] + 1 [Haste] (and any other buffs I missed?) = 56. Hit!
Damage: 24 [sword] + 8 [bane] + 9 [STR] + 3 [magic] + 2 [aura] = 46.
Attack #2: 16 + 10 [BAB] + 5 [STR] + 2 [Bull's STR] + 1 [Elation] + 1 [Size STR] + 2 [Heroism] - 1 [Large size] + 1 [focus] + 3 [magic] + 10 [Force Sword] + 1 [Haste] = 50. Hit!
Damage: 27 [sword] + 5 [bane] + 9 [STR] + 3 [magic] + 2 [aura] = 46.
Attack #3: 8 + 5 [BAB] + 5 [STR] + 2 [Bull's STR] + 1 [Elation] + 1 [Size STR] + 2 [Heroism] - 1 [Large size] + 1 [focus] + 3 [magic] + 10 [Force Sword] + 1 [Haste] = 38. Hit!
Damage: 30 [sword] + 7 [bane] + 9 [STR] + 3 [magic] + 2 [aura] = 51.
Attack #4 (Haste): 5 + 15 [BAB] + 5 [STR] + 2 [Bull's STR] + 1 [Elation] + 1 [Size STR] + 2 [Heroism] - 1 [Large size] + 1 [focus] + 3 [magic] + 10 [Force Sword] + 1 [Haste] = 45. Hit!
Damage: 34 [sword] + 4 [bane] + 9 [STR] + 3 [magic] + 2 [aura] = 52.
Heroic Surge to gain a Standard action...
Standard Action: Divine Shield. Alexander gains +8 to his AC for 8 rounds.))

Posted by: Cyrus Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:58 am
[Prior to battle, Gail uses her stored three actions to cast: Holy Aura on Dam, Tanis, Ombligo, Eve, Thavon, Talacre, Farain, Isyndel, Laerelas, Dagron, Gorrik, Caius, Gail. Holy Sword on Gail's silver sword [Now Holy Brilliant Silver Sword +5].
That said, withholding action until I get a better idea of what needs to be done.
HP: 179/179 + 30 temp.
AC: 48
Saves: +38/+35/+28
DR 7/-
Buffs: Righteous Fury, Protection Domain Power, Protection from Evil, Holy Aura, Brilliant Aura, Holy Sword, Elation, Bless, Shield of Warding, Diamond Steel
HP: 125/125.
AC: 34
Saves: +12/+18/+4]

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:25 am
Merla quickly decides on a course of action and moves swiftly towards the Rangers. She stops next to Kyoji and pulls forth a shaving of licorice root from her component pouch. Magic swirls around and courses through the wizardess as she begins to recite the spell's incantation. Merla uses her free hand to trace glowing magical symbols in the air in front of her. And then her movements cease as she opens her eyes. She looks around and immediately recognizes all the demons present.
"The tall red demons around us are Glabrezu. They're immune to electricity and poison. The big demons with wings are Nalfeshnee. They're also immune to electricity and poison. The frog like demons are Hezrou, and they're immune to electricity and poison as well. Their commander there is a Balor. They are immune to electricity and poison as well as fire. The demon next to him, the one that has the lower body of a serpent is a Marilith. They're immune to electricity and poison too.
((Knowledge: Planes rolls [48, 30, 36, 38, 34]
Merla moves to Y-23 and casts Haste on herself and the Rangers.))
HP: 129/129
AC: 40
DR: 5/-))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:48 am
((In the three rounds previous to the battle, Pantherath does the following: Battle - 3: Uses scroll to cast Enlarge Person on Gabriel (6 minute duration) Battle - 2: Uses scroll to cast Ghost Touch Weapon on one of Dam's long knives (6 minute duration)
Battle - 1: Uses scroll to cast Ghost Touch Weapon on the other one of Dam's long knives (6 minute duration)
Also... before touching down, Pantherath casts Mass Bull's Strength. It hits him, Gabriel, Dam, and eleven others (assume spellcasters to be at the end of the line for that); Thavon's saving his four spells and the other people covered by his are being caught by it (Alex, Eve, Caius, Laeralas).
More forthcoming tomorrow, when I can think better.))

Posted by: GOD*JESUS Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:05 am
: "Careful lads!" Gorrik shouted out to the force, "These folks won' be goin' down withou' a figh' like the las' batch." The Dwarf then struck blow after blow upon the Glabezru next to him until it's head was finally lopped off in a truely gruesome manor, turning to ashes being blown away in the wind before it ever had a chance to touch the ground.
: "Errrrmmm..." Gorrik looks at the atlas axe and shrugs, "This may be easier than I though'!"
((Full attack, smite. Crit threat. Crit confirmed. VORPAL'D))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:39 am
Jim scans over the camp, narrowing his eyes at the demons present. : "Their commander is a Balor... What a bad decision. If we take him out, he'll wipe out half his team with his death throes. We should be able to make it, though. Just be ready to hit the deck!" Jim says, feeling the effects of Haste come over him. "And that will get the job much quicker!"
: "Follow all, CHARGE!" Jim roars, charging towards the Balor in the center of the camp and stopping short to unload a full five bursts of GSAW fire at the demon. The weapon glows golden for a moment in Jim's hands as he channels his will into defeating the foe. Terrible wounds appear all over the Balor as he stumbles down to a knee, gasping in surprise. Jim and Sheila both dodge the lance blows aimed at them from the knights.
((Heroic Surge to move into place. Hit, Hit, Critical Hit!, Miss, Miss. Smite! Holy ammo used. 240 damage to the Balor. AoO: Miss, Miss.))
: "Not done yet!" Sheila cheerfully shouts, easily keeping pace with Jim and erupting into a whirlwind of gunshots as electricity arcs over her. The rounds rip through the Balor and Marilith, causing the Balor to howl in rage and pain as blinding light begins to show through cracks in his body.
((9 attacks and 3 nat 1s, with another low roll miss. -_- Still enough to finish off the Balor and have enough kick left over to smack the Marilith for 70 damage.))
The cracks over the Balor spread swiftly and soon the demon explodes violently in a flash of blinding light and a deafening boom. The destructive force knocks Sheila off her feat and moves over the entire camp, blasting friend and foe alike. Varro's Retriever is blasted apart, the demonic construct reduced to a pile of clanging metal pieces, most partially melted. The Demon Masters and Dark Clerics of the Cult scream in agony as their flesh is torn from their bones by the very lord they had but moments ago served. Naught but ash is left of those unfortunate spellcasters. Tents are ripped apart and set on fire, barrels annihilated, mysterious crystal formations crushed, stacks of supplies brought to ruin. A pile of bombs detonate and the resulting explosion blows up a quarter of the camp, taking with it a Hezrou and two unlucky archers near it. Everything that survives the blast is gravely wounded.
((Jim makes the save and evades. Sheila gets another nat 1. Sheila uses DIVE FOR COVER! Sheila gets a retry, but is now prone. Sheila passes the retry save with an ACTION POINT. Failed the saves for the Cult Clerics and Cult Demon Masters. They die. Varro's Retriever is destroyed. One Hezrou, one Glabrezu, and the Cult Beastmaster save. Every other enemy fails the save and takes 100 damage. The Siege Bomb stockpile explodes, taking out 2 of the archers by it as well as the Hezrou next to it. The other 2 archers evade.))
: "And that," Jim says, looking around. "Is why Balors make poor commanders."
: "Ooooow," Sheila moans, rolling over on the ground with a wince. "That was too close. Almost hoisted by my own petard... or however that saying goes."

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:02 am
Jessica tries to dive for cover when the Balor explodes, but the Psion just isn't fast enough. The blast hits her with such force and yet she manages to remain standing. Jessica holds out her hands and wills healing upon herself and her friends.
"Gisar!"
((Jessica moves to Y-26 and uses Gisar. +36 HP to the Rangers.))
HP: 64/123
AC: 34
DR: 5/-
PP: 261/313

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:06 am
"Like I said before - no finesse..." Dam said, his body twisting as a piece of wreckage rolled by him. Using it to his advantage, he completely avoided the Balor's death throes, and scanned the crowd to see what still remained. His blades in hand as his form skipped and hopped, he whispered cruelly to his enemies as he searched for his first victim.
"Now that the gunpowder's gone off, let's see if I can't set off a different kind of reaction..."
((Dam's blink doesn't help, but he does pass the save and takes no damage due to evasion. Pantherath fails and takes 95 damage, before dropping a Mass Cure Light Wounds on the Rangers that I'll work out later. Real actions still to come.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:15 am
Hal ducks behind a barrel, avoiding the worst of the blast. When he stands, his arms are spread, his hands glowing orbs of light. "The Light has set its love upon us, and we will deliver; we will set the weak on high, and the Light will mark their names. The Light shall call upon us, and we will answer. The Light will be with us in trouble; the Light shall remain when the battle has ceased. The Light brings protection, and will be our salvation. Fiat Lux."
All of Alexander's Avengers feel a warm presence, and a wash of light, white tinged with gold, erases their wounds.
((Mass Cure Critical Wounds with Supreme Healing and Healer's Touch. 87 HP restored.))

Posted by: Rusty Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:18 am
((I can't take actions for next round until we have a map or I at least know what's still alive, but I can post my saves. Alex passes with ease, having a +28 REF save currently.)) *Alexander manages to evade the explosion of the Balor, thanks to the magic of his ring.*
: "That's all they're good for."
((Despite Greater Blink, the Death Throes hits Ombligo. However, he uses Ruin Delver's Fortune as an immediate action to gain a luck REF save bonus equal to his CHA mod, which is +11, and also gains Evasion for 2 rounds.))
*Ombligo cries out in fear, casting a spell which protects him from the blast just in time.*
: "That was way too close!"
((Also, I've been informed that all 5 of the soldiers failed their saves, so they're dazed ^_^))

Posted by: Kaihaku Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:45 am
((Something about three rounds of actions...)) [Inconstant Location: Maria] [Teleport Trigger: Maria] [True Seeing: Maria] "Whoa, this raid is turning into absolute victory!" Maria declares as most of the battlefield vanishes, "Let's wipe this base off the face of the world!" She laughs, "Hey, after this, let's take down the next two! What do ya say, Sheila?!"
[I don't know what's still alive, so this action is a little vague]
[Augmented DD: Move Action]
She then vanishes, north of Varro. She points a finger in the direction of a distant fiend, unleashing a blast of sound that shreds the tent before her, as well as many an enemy.
[Maximized Energy Bolt(Sonic): 85 Damage, ignores hardness.]
[Reflex DC 25 : everything in a line from Q33 to a location that hits a lot of enemies, was going to be B19 before the explosion]
[Inconstant Location: Free Action]
[Move: V29]
Maria vanishes to reappear closer to her unit.

Posted by: Alpha Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:15 am
((I believe this has been updated correctly. It doesn't take into account where Jim and Sheila moved to though [Reflex saves: Laeralas: 1d20(12) +10(base) + 8(DEX) + 4(cloak) + 1(elation) + 1(haste) + 4(greater heroism) + 8(watchful eye) = 48. Pass
Talacre: 1d20(2) + 10(base) + 7(DEX) + 1(grace) + 2(vest) + 4(heroism) +2(shield of law) +1(haste) + 1(elation) + 8(aura) = 38. Pass.
Tanis: 1d20(5) + 4(base) + 4(DEX) + 4(shield of law) + 8(aura) + 1(elation) + 1(haste) = 27. Fail]
Without directing, Laeral’s persistent blade shoots off toward the closest living target, the nearby nalfeshnee. Following the lead, Laeral darts around to the side of the huge demon, tumbling as he goes. Coming up behind the ape like creature, Laeral drives his holy dagger into the monster’s back, the pure energies within it seeking release in this embodiment of evil. Then, with a final word of power, a lance of pure sonic energy shoots from the dagger also, driving into the demon.
[Persistent Blade moves to U15 and attacks the Nalfeshnee
Laeral moves to Q11 and attacks the Nalfeshnee
PBlade: 1d20(3) + 9(bab) + 3(int) = 15
Laeral: 1d20(13) + 8(bab) + 8(dex) + 1(focus) +1(encht) -2(twf) + 4(greater heroism) + 1(haste) + 1(elation) + 1(bless) = 36. Hit.
Damage: 1d6(dagger) + 3(str) + 1(ench) + 5d6(sneak attack) + 1d6(critical strike) + 2(aura) + 2d6(holy) + 1 electric + 1 fire(material) = 27 + 4 holy + 1 electric + 1 fire
Use circlet to quicken cast Sound Lance:
SR Check: 1d20(20)…pass
Damage: 38. Fort save DC20 for half]
Tanis closes his eyes for a moment, concentrating all his warmage and fatespinner energy that he has stored. He snaps his eyes open and chants the same spell he had used earlier. Only this time with much more devastation. The firestorm roars down all over the battlefield, catching every single enemy in its blast, which is immense.
With so much magic coursing through him at one point, as soon as Tanis completes the spell, he leans forward, hands on his knees trying to catch his breath. Looking forward, he see that even some of the tents were caught in the storm. Sighing, Tanis realises if he was a flamboyant person, he'd say he did that for effect.
[Stay, cast Sudden Maximised, Sudden Empowered, Fate Spun, Firestorm.
Hits: every enemy on the map
SR checks
Glabrezu: 31, 31, 16. Pass, pass, fail.
Rerolling the fail with Resist Fate. Get a 25. Pass.
Hezrou: 23, 31, 25. Pass, pass, pass.
Marilith: 25. Pass.
Nalfeshnee: 23, 24, 33, 20. Pass, pass, pass, fail.
Damage: (22 x 6) + 8 = 140 fire
Reflex save DC28 for half damage]
((final action to come))

Posted by: Lord Oddeye Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:51 am
Enrick casts magic missile at the darkness. ((Yeah.))

Posted by: Tarethen Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:56 pm
((REF verses the explosion: 1d20: 12 + 16(REF) + whatever bonuses = Pass. More to come later.))

Posted by: Knight_019 Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:19 pm
: Demons can never get enough, can they! RAAAAAAAAAAAAWR! *Dagron bellows a loud, guttural roar, then flies up over his allies heads and around the tent to confront the group of soldiers behind it. As he moves, however, the Balor explodes, sending waves of unholy flame and blinding light his way. With a powerful flap of his wings, he is able to redirect much of the oncoming fire away from him, but the tainted flames still cover his body in discolored splotches. Hal's healing cleanses them from him, and he is able to continue on.
Once he can see the group of axe-wielding demon warriors, he lashes out with his own flames, sending them over the enemy. The fire washes over them and the nearby Nalfeshnee, then dances over their bodies, refusing to leave them be just yet.*
((DAGRON REF: 1d20 + 28 = 18 + 28 = 46. Pass. DAGRON takes 50 damage.
DAGRON is healed to full.
DAGRON flies up 5' and over so his bottom left corner (noting he's Large, unlike what is marked on the map) is in S19.
Clinging, Lingering Fire Breath. All 5 axemen, the Nalfeshnee, and the Marilith. I'm presuming that 30 fire damage will break through the tent, so it should just continue, as the breath is a spread.
(4d10)*1.5 = (2+9+8+1)*1.5 = 30 fire damage.
Next round, they take either 15 or 7 fire damage depending on if they pass their save or not.
REF DC 24 for half.
Breath weapon useable in 1d4 + 2 = 4 + 2 = 6 rounds.
CLINGING BREATH
A clinging breath weapon lasts for 1 round. In the round after you breathe, the clinging breath weapon deals half of the damage it dealt in the previous round. Creatures that avoid damage (ie: evasion, incorp) from the breath weapon do not take the extra damage.
A foe can take a FULL-ROUND ACTION to attempt to remove the clinging breath weapon before taking any additional damage. It takes a successful reflex save (save DC as normal breath weapon) to remove the effect. Rolling on the ground grants a +2 to the save, but the foe is left prone. A clinging breath weapon CANNOT be removed by jumping into water or smothering. It CAN be magically dispelled (DC equal to save DC).
Buffs
Mass Mage Armor (+9)
Elation
Bless
Mass Align Weapon (Good)
Mass Fire Shield (Chill)
Shield of Law (+4 defl, +4 resist, SR 25 v spells from chaotic)
Holy Aura (Same, but SR 25 v spells from evil)
Deban (DR 5/-)
DAGRON is immune to fire, sleep, and paralysis.
AC: 46 (Touch: 33)
FORT: 24
REF: 28
WILL: 20
HP in sig.))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:31 pm
Isyndel had only begun surveying the battlefield for a few seconds when an explosion rocked over it, searing everything in it's path. Miraculously, the wizardess had managed to avoid the brunt of the damage occuring from it, and before she had even begun to assess the damage, Hal's power washed over her. The woman grasped the shaft of the Psychowand tightly, quickly turning her head toward the the right. There would not be much time to slow the enemy advance without risking the safety of the others. She pointed the staff as she quickly begun the motions and incantations of her magic, and only opened her eyes when it was completed, in time to see several foes enveloped and surrounded by vicious floes of sharp ice!
((Using the 1/day Maximize on the Psychowand on a casting of Field of Icy Razors. Initial targetting is that clump of...uh, Rune Knights or whatever. Can target 1 target per level so long as they are no further than 60 feet apart, so that should get those big red things on the right side too. And maybe some of those green things. Anyway.
Psychowand: +2 Caster Level, so: 18d6 = 108 damage, half of which is cold, the other half Slashing. All targets have their movement speed reduced 20' for 1 rd/caster level. REF save: Half damage, no movement penalty. SR applies.
Isyndel's Bonuses to SR checks: +8))
((Eve's action is on standby until I know what Thavon is doing. If Thavon moves, Eve is charging the right thing to the left.
Attack Roll: 14 + 11(BAB) +2 (Charge) +8 (Str) +1(Wpn Focus) +2(HvyLance) +4(Wpn) +1(Haste) +2(BullsStrength) +1(Elation) +1(Bless) - 1(Size) = 46
Attack: 6 x2(Charge) = 12 +8(Str) + 4(Wpn) +2(WpnSp) + 2(BullS) + 1(Elation) +2(MotivateArdor) = 31 +5(PowerfulCharge) = 36
Bonus damage (Chromatic Lance, Poison and Electricity removed due to assumed immunity): 3(Fire)+2(Acid)+2(Frost) = 7
Total: 43. Brilliant Energy, Weapon Aligned - Good
Dodge to it. Eve's AC 32 +1(Haste) +6(Prot.Dev) +1(Elation)=40 plus anything else I'm missing, 41 to the red thing if it survives.))

Posted by: Cyrus Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:09 pm
[Gail succeeds and takes half damage. Anthem fails and takes half damage. Okori is hit throiugh incorporeality and succeeds the save, taking out half his chi pool.] Gail weathers the storm of raw energy that washes over the force, the rush of the commander's first and last act threatening to crush bone and strip the flesh from her body. Threaten was all it had the strength to do. A silence falls over her in the blow's aftermath, a silence that soon fades into the screaming chaos that was the remnants of the demon camp and the shouts of her friends, both fields recovering from the vengeful blast. Gail turns her sights to a bloated Nalfeshnee, struggling to keep himself together against the fallout of his commander's death, and she intones a single, soft prayer. Suddenly she is next to the corpulent demon...but it was already turned to ash by the combined power of her allies. Gold eyes flit over the ruined camp, looking for targets, only to find the Marilith still alive, trying to give order to her brood. The soldier of light then falls into a sprint, ignoring the line of Cult warriors and bolting for the remaining commander, her blade taking on a blinding blue shine...and then that abomination falls, the storm of friendly fire too much to take. Amazed with the skill the force had demonstrated, Gail spots the last remaining soldier of the Cult, pointing at it with her glowing blade and striking the ground, a column of purifying fire soon burning her target to ash.
[Cast Knight's Move to proceed to V-15...and was told Nalfeshnee was likely dead. Gail charges and uses Dark Slayer on Beastmaster. If not possible, Gail will stand and use Dark Slayer on Beastmaster, since she can hit the demon anyway.
Dark Slayer! Auto-hit!
Damage = 13d8+10 = 58 holy damage.]
Anthem dives into the fray after his charge, plummeting amongst the axe men of the Cult to provide a distraction for his master's valiant charge.
[Anthem falls down (not literally) on a soldier and eats him. Ends up hovering 5' above P-14, Q-14, P-15, and Q-15. Smite on first.
Attack [beak]: 1d20(19)+11(BAB)+7(STR)+11(Smite)+2(dive)=50.
Confirm: 1d20(2)+11(BAB)+7(STR)+11(Smite)+2(dive)=33.
Damage: 2d6(9)+7(STR)+11(Smite)=27*2(?)=54.
Attack [claw 1]: 1d20(15)+11(BAB)+7(STR)+2(dive)=35.
Damage: 1d4(1)+7(STR)=8.
Attack [rend]: 1d20(12)+11(BAB)+7(STR)+2(dive)=32.
Damage: 1d6(5)+7(STR)=12.
Attack [claw 2]: 1d20(11)+11(BAB)+7(STR)+2(dive)=31.
Damage: 1d4(1)+7(STR)=8.
Attack [rend]: 1d20(15)+11(BAB)+7(STR)+2(dive)=35.
Damage: 1d6(1)+7(STR)=8.
Okori, having just noticed the wave of crushing force, yipes as his nautral protection fails him and is forced to dive for the ground. Just as soon as the energy is ripped from his form, it's replaced, the work of the Rangers keeping their kin alive. Taking his paws off his eyes at his realization that he still existed and was, in fact, fine, he floats to his normal height, surveying the destruction of the battlefield. Finding most of it ravaged by his laiies, whether he knew htme or not, he suddenly jumps in disgust at the green frog thing shambling towards him, covered in burns and gashes. Revolting at the sight, the fox turns his gaze and throws a paw up at it, a bolt of light hoping striking the...thing before it could get much closer.
[Cast Lucent Lance on the remaining Herzou.
Touch Attack: 1d20(7)+9(BAB)+6(DEX)=23.
Caster check versus spell resistance (if needed): 1d20(13)+11(CL)=24.
Damage: 11d6 = 34 damage.]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:09 pm
Ombligo wounds the Cult soldiers further with his dazzling display of spellwork, then Dagron finishes three of the soldiers off with his fiery breath. The cultists scream in pain as the fire clings to them, thrashing wildly and rolling in the snow to try and get it off. Their struggles end soon enough, though.
Alex slashes apart the Glabrezu with consummate skill and focus, his first strike opens a line of red in the demon's gut, the second slices off his left pincer arm, the third, the right 'normal' arm, and the last strike severs the creature's head. The Glabrezu head seems to blink in confusion at Alex for a moment, as if to wonder just how a mortal could slay him so swiftly. Then it disintegrates into sulfurous ash along with the rest of the body.
Gorrik's vorpal axe goes snicker-snack, the Glabrezu's head rolling the snow, mouth still open in a vile curse. The body turns to dust and blows away in the wind.
“I like the way you think, Maria!” Sheila yells in response as Maria blasts apart a Glabrezu, wounds to near death a group of Cultist knights, then blows apart the head of a Nalfeshnee. The demons turn to ash and smoke even as they topple over.
Laeralas opens up dire wounds in the Nalfeshnee's bloated body, then drills a hole though its shoulder with a lance of pure sound. However horrible the wounds on the beast are though, they're not enough, the demon still standing, growling at the elf who opposes it.
((Nalf at 17 HP.))
Tanis' firestorm incinerates the wounded Nalf, the remaining two soldiers, all of the Cult knights, the last of the archers, all but one Glabrezu, all but one Nalfeshnee, and only two Hezrous remain. The Cult Beastmaster is shielded by his two pets, who take the brunt of the spell for him, shielding him with their bodies. The ice dragons scream in pain and anguish as the fire consumes them, the two creatures literally out of their element. The incredible fiery apocalypse wipes out nearly the whole camp, leaving only a scattered few survivors.
((Tthe top three demons and the BeastMaster save. Everyone else is teh dead, except for one Hezrou near the bottom.))
The group of demons to the northeast had managed to avoid a good deal of the damage thus far, but their luck ran out when Isyndel sighted them. The elven wizardess has only but to speak a few words of power to seal their fate, shards of ice shredding apart the remaining demons. Icy winds scatter the foul smelling dusty remnants of the demons that are left by their departure from this plane.
Okori notes a Hezrou swaying on his feet, looking dazed by his many wounds. The kitsune fires a bright lance of light at the creature, and it topples into the snow, turning to dust.
The last enemy on the field, the Beast Master is brought down by Gail's flashing blade and Anthem's diving claws. The cultist seems to sigh in relief as the final blow is struck, going to join his deceased dragons.
Victory!
Level 17s gain: 1000 XP
Level 16s gain: 2000 XP
Level 15s gain: 3000 XP
Level 14s gain: 4000 XP
Farain and Dam gain: 5000 XP
Searching the remains of the camp yields a rapidly cooling puddle of fused and melted gold coins. The mass of gold looks to be about 50,000 coins worth.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:22 am
Varro moves forward, stowing his sword. He leans down, picking the pool of gold up and peeling it from the ground. He bends it, and the metal groans under the pressure but the huge golden sheet bends in two. With a crashing double-fisted blow, he shatters the gold into several large glittering chunks. He dumps these into one of the less-damaged tent canvasses. Varro folds the entire thing up into a makeshift sack and shoulders it.
He moves over to Jim, stained with blood and ooze and ash and bearing significant structural damage. Varro carries a charred, tattered sack with jagged hunks of gleaming gold sticking out of it. Overall, Jim gets the impression of a very grisly Santa Claus.
: "The gold is gathered, Jolly Jim."

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:31 am
"Efficient... I wish we could get Gilliam to do that, but he complains too much," Dam said, sheathing his blades. "Well... now what? Shouldn't some of us be... oh, say, scouting? Checking the status of the rest of the camp? Trying to determine where escaped forces went?"
"Just a thought," the rogue continued, turning a rare, mostly intact barrel upright to sit on. Gesturing to Gabriel and Talacre as he spoke, he said, "Not like the half-giant's nose or the elf's speed would make for good scouting or anything..."

Posted by: Alpha Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:54 am
: "I'll see if I can find where they went, and follow them from a distance," the elf responds to Dam's suggestion. With a nod, he runs off, fast as ever. Laeral then looks around, before offering his skills too. : "I'll scout the immediate area," he says. "Just in case we missed anything," and he sets off to begin his search.
[Scout the surrounding area
Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Search, Spot for Laeral
42, 30, 36, 27, 44]

Posted by: Cyrus Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:59 am
Gail looks to Anthem after Dam's 'suggestion', some thought passing between the two of them, and the griffon takes off, rising into the air with a series of dust-kicking flaps while the paladin moves to her leader. "He's going off to survey our surroundings...after that, he'll keep a patrol around the camp, so that we aren't caught off guard by any reinforcements."
[Anthem spot: Not as high as Laerel's (25 + whatever bonus being 60' in the air provides).]

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:23 am
Nodding in understanding, the half-giant threw off his humanoid form, taking on one of a greatly enlarged lion. Senses as alert as possible, he attempted to distinguish which way the escaped cultists headed. ((Spot: 1d20 +7 (ranks) +3 (wis) = 20
Listen: 1d20 +10 (ranks) +3 (wis) = 18
Search: 1d20 +2 (int) = 15
Move Silently: 1d20 +4 (dex) +4 (racial) = 13
Hide: 1d20 +4 (dex) +4 (racial) = 16
Survival (track): 1d20 +5 (ranks) +3 (wis) +2 (feat) = 27; he also has the Scent ability, so if there are no tracks, he will search by smell.))
"Call him back for a moment," Pantherath said simply. When Gail does so, he places his hands on the winged creature, before allowing it to take to the air once more.
((True Seeing cast on Anthem.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:28 am
While Varro gathers the gold from what remains of the cult base, Maria vanishes only to reappear a few minutes later, "I scouted out the next base." She smiles, "I can easily teleport all of us to a forest near there, then we can take them out too!"
"If we strike now, our magic will still be active and they won't have time to strengthen their defenses…" She laughs, "Not that it would matter."
[Maria manifests Teleportation Circle unless someone gives a convincing argument aganist taking out another base or Jim orders her not to.]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:09 am
: "Ah... good job, Varro," Jim nods at the sack of gold. "Gold is gold, I suppose." The others fan our, finding nothing else in the devastated camp. Talacre finds a few of the survivors, but they seem to be headed in all direction, completely panicked and scattered.
----
The deafening roar of engines drowns out nearby conversation as a trio of silvery machines descends from the sky, parts and sections moving around and reconfiguring in mid-flight to form three forty foot tall robots that hit the ground with a massive thud. A hispanic-accented voice echoes from the lead robot's loudspeakers.
"Greetings again, Capitaine. I trust our air show was to your liking?" the voice says.
: "Very good, Lt. Ketterino, executed perfectly. The cultists literally did not know what hit them," Jim says with a nod. "Our thanks."
"Oh no, my thanks to you," the pilot says. "Thanks to you bailing me out of that hecatonchire hell I found myself in, I had the good fortune to come upon my wingmates and save them from a similar fate. Salvador squadron is at your service, commander. We've got to refuel and rearm at the humble outpost serving as our HQ for now, but when you need us, we'll be there."
"Provided we've got enough fuel and firepower to make it to you," another pilot remarks. The three robots lift off into the sky in a blaze of jetfire, reconfiguring into jets and soaring off with a sonic boom in their wake.
((Due to the Rangers successfully accomplishing the subgoal of rescuing the Swift pilot in their second mission, Jim's Support Fire special gains the Air Strike command.))
Jim turns to Maria.
: "Good work. Considering the ease with which we destroyed this camp, perhaps it would be a good idea to strike while the iron is hot," Jim says, nodding. He turns to Alex. "Do you have an objection to pressing the attack?"

Posted by: Rusty Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:19 am
*Alexander shakes his head, smiling eagerly.* : "Not at all. Why, I wanted to do just that myself! Let us be just as swift and successful in our next attack!"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:30 am
: "Right then. Can you gather your men together? I noticed a few of them going off to scout. When they get back, I'll have Maria teleport us as close as possible," Jim says. ((I'll estimate ten rounds pass between now and teleportation, so any buffs with a duration in rounds will need to be put up again.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:34 am
Maria draws a circle in the dirt and ash, power flashes in the air, then she stands with a nod, "All set." Stepping into the circle, she vanishes. [Teleportation Circle]

Posted by: Rusty Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:47 am
*Alex nods, motioning for Eve, Thavon and Dagron to retrieve them.* : "I wish they'd have asked to scout, rather than just go ahead and do so...I know their intentions were good, but we're wasting time like this. They might have to put up with rough terrain, so I want you three to go and find them and tell them to hurry back."
((Marine OKs that they find and bring them back for the purpose of speeding this up. Arc has Pantheranth tend to the wounds of everyone else via Mass Lesser Vigor. We all heal as we wait.))
*Not long after the three leave, they return with the others.*
: "Good. Let's put a few spells up before we go, then."

Posted by: Cyrus Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:55 am
Anthem looks around as he receives the gift of enlightened sight, and unfurls his wings in anticipation of his new power. Pantherath swears he could see him smile. "Excellent...no prey will hide from my eyes now." The griffon turns to the woren paladin. "You have my thanks."
At the mention of even more prey, Anthem turns to his master in anticipation, his eyes carrying the gleam of a starving hunter stumbling upon a feast.
Gail looks to Maria and her excitement at the opportunity to remove more Cult presense from the world, then turns to the devastation already around them. Bodies lay strewn in every direction, burned and mangled, and the land wears a fine coat of sulfurous ash, leaving it black and blasted. The only scent around is the scent of drying blood and dead fires, and the wind cuts through in a soft howl. The paladin looks to herself, touching the shimmering silver island in her now pitch armor, the still slick blood splayed across the proud lion engraved on her shield. She sighs at this, but raises no objection, instead stepping onto the circle and leaving for the next confrontation.
Anthem stares, confused, before following the greater servant of god through the circle.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:15 am
((Figure out what buffs you want while we do the freeform portion. Post cast buffs, and any buffs still up in the OOC thread.)) Maria teleports the group just at the foot of a mountain pass. Visible up the trail is a heavily fortified barricade manned by wary troops that peer at the distant force suspiciously. Across the plain, barely visible, is another Cult warcamp. The group heads toward it, using a nearby forest for cover.
It's a good twenty minutes before the group gets near the camp. Preparations are made within the forest, and then the Force emerges from the treeline, striding confidently towards their foe. Scrambling to meet them, the army of Cultists moves out from their camp to engage the enemy on the snowy plain.
((Freeform battle again.))
Foes:
120 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
40 Cult Soldiers in chainmail, shields, and longswords.
30 Dark Elves with longbows.
30 Cult Knights: centaurs with plate armor and lances.
20 Cult Archers.
10 Cult Mage
10 BrassLoaders manner by Cult Tinkers.
15 Lesser Cult Priests.
40 Dretches
30 Babaus
10 Vrocks, keeping behind the others.

Posted by: Tarethen Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:41 am
(( Farain leveled up! ECL 14 Farain gained a level in Stalker of Kharash! HP + 11! BAB increased by 1! REF save increased by 1!
Gained favored enemy: Evil!
+1 Rank in Listen!
+1 Rank in Spot!
+4 Ranks in Move Silently!
Gained Feat: Improved Favored Enemy: Evil!
Ass kicking coming later. ))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:13 am
((Dam does not gain a level, and remains at level 12. More to come later.))

Posted by: Lord Oddeye Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:26 pm
And there he goes again. Enrick skips across the battlefield like the fruity dashing swordsman that he is to engage the enemy up close. He soon gets to the enemy line and fells a cult swordsman with ease as many others bunch up to retaliate. Swords and spears zig and zag at the nimble defender of the light (weapons). He evades the series of awkward attacks, because that's what they were to him until finally one made the difference. Steel crossed steel, the two fighters struggling to maintain hold on their weapon in this dramatic, terrific, sword wrestling.
: "Don't you know that I'm too pretty to die?" Enrick's wit comes into play.
He paries and counters, leaving the man disarmed, letally injuried on the ground. He then makes inviting gestures at the other soldiers of the Cult.
: "Anyone else? Go ahead! Make my day!"
It is then that Enrick enters a punful state even as he defends himself against the weapons that slice and lunge at him. The combat drags on but is very memorable.
"Cult through your arteries!"
"You'll have to soldier on if you want to hit me."
"That's the 'spear it'! *guffaws* Spear."
"Longsword is looooong! *stab*"
"Soldier of misfortune!... Because you miss! Get it?"
"Bear witness of my rapier wit!"
"One two! One two! And through and through!"
Enrick's sword went snicker snack, yes, into the Cult's hordes! He left them dead and... chuckled at the others, readying his rapier defensively once more for another incomming onslaught. His presence among their ranks definitely wasn't unnoticed. Soon, even arrow projectiles would join the fray as most dark elves noticeably irate turned their aim to that pesky fighter.
A lone cult knight charged at some point but was fell at just about the same moment, much to Enrick's amusement.
: "*guffaws* Lance."
((Foes:
115 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
35 Cult Soldiers in chainmail, shields, and longswords.
30 Dark Elves with longbows.
29 Cult Knights: centaurs with plate armor and lances.
20 Cult Archers.
10 Cult Mage
10 BrassLoaders manner by Cult Tinkers.
15 Lesser Cult Priests.
40 Dretches
30 Babaus
10 Vrocks, keeping behind the others.))

Posted by: Alpha Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:45 pm
Recovered from the earlier mass energy output, Tanis extends an arm towards a group of cult soldiers on the other side of the encampment. Chanting a spell that would sound familiar to any who have fought alongside him before, though the words seem more connected than usual. With a small pop then spell unleashes and rockets from the catfolks left hand. Swirling and spiralling somewhat as it traverses the battlefield, the lance of sound smacks into Tanis' primary target. It drives straight through the cult mage's chest, leaving him lifeless before chaining to nearly a score more targets. Though the sound missile loses some of its potency in the process, only not a single soldier is able to survive the warmage's arcane onslaught.
[Kills: 2 cult mages, 4 cult archers, 4 cult knights, 4 dark elves, 3 dretches, 3 babaus]
With the speed he's becoming to be known for, Talacre races off. Jumping high in the air he comes down, sword leading, destroying a brass loader with a single clean stab. Rolling off the tinker's contraption he charges a cult knight from the side. Catching the centaur completely off guard, the blade dancer almost cuts his target in half, and his swing carries on to take out another cult soldier.
Talacre then triggers his quicksilver boots, taking him closer to the vrocks. With another mighty jump, he slices apart two vrocks, one of the way up and another back down. Then with a final burst of speed, he comes up behind a dark elf and stabs the drow through the chest, his coutblade erupting out the front of his torso.
[Kills: 1 brass loader, 1 cult knight, 1 spear cult wielder, 2 vrocks, 1 dark elf]
With a few steps forward, Laeral chants as he goes. Using the energies in his headband, a small sphere of ice shoots towards a cluster of enemies. When it reaches the designated spot, the ice suddenly expands and shatters them. Not even paying attention at this point, Laeral targets another cluster of enemies. Casting another spell, almost the same as the first, but of fire instead, Laeral incinerates another cluster of enemies. Stopping, the elf gives a satisfied nod.
[Kills: 10 spear cult soldiers, 10 sword cult soldiers, 5 dark elves, 5 cult archers, 5 cult priests]
((Foes left:
104 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
25 Cult Soldiers in chainmail, shields, and longswords.
20 Dark Elves with longbows.
24 Cult Knights: centaurs with plate armor and lances.
11 Cult Archers.
8 Cult Mage
9 BrassLoaders manner by Cult Tinkers.
10 Lesser Cult Priests.
37 Dretches
27 Babaus
8 Vrocks, keeping behind the others.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:38 am
Still damaged, Varro charges through the horde like an electric blue wave of death. His every movement crushes bone and tears flesh, and they blur together into a seamless tapestry of destruction. At odd intervals his voice blares static-riddled speeches, in voices other than his own.
: "This is where we hold them! This is where we fight! This is where they die! Remember this day, men, for it will be yours for all time."
: "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
: "And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge, with Ate at his side come hot from hell shall in these confines with a monarch's voice cry HAVOOOOOOC and let slip the dogs of war."
: "War! War NEVER changes!"
: "Most of you know what it means when a hundred corpses are lying side by side, or five hundred, or a thousand. To have stuck it out, and at the same time — apart from exceptions caused by human weakness — to have remained decent fellows, that is what has made us hard. This is a page of glory in our history, which has never been written and is never to be written.... We had the moral right, we had the duty to our people, to destroy this people which wanted to destroy us."
: "Look to your battle-gear and it will protect you. We guard it with our lives. Your armor is your soul, and your soul's dedication its armor. The soul of the warrior is the protector of humanity. Honor the craft of death. Only the Light is higher in our devotion. Honor the battle gear of the dead. We ask only to serve."
((94 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields.
25 Cult Soldiers in chainmail, shields, and longswords.
20 Dark Elves with longbows.
24 Cult Knights: centaurs with plate armor and lances.
11 Cult Archers.
4 Cult Mage
5 BrassLoaders manner by Cult Tinkers.
5 Lesser Cult Priests.
37 Dretches
27 Babaus
8 Vrocks, keeping behind the others.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:56 am
Jessica takes in a deep breath and closes her eyes. The Psion focuses her mind and outstretches her hands. "Energy Wave!" Jessica's eyes snap open and a wave of ectoplasmic energy spreads out from her fingertips and washes over the battlefield.
((Jessica takes out 4 Cult Soldiers, 1 Dark Elf, 3 Cult Knights, 4 Cult Archers, 4 Cult Mages, 3 Cult Priests, 2 Dretches, and 3 Babaus with a Sonic Energy Wave.
PP: 238/332))
Merla reaches into her component pouch and pulls out a tiny ball of sulfur. Magic swirls around and courses through the wizardess as she recites the spell's incantation. Merla traces glowing magical symbols in the air with her free hand, but these symbols are different from those of the last spell she cast. She points her finger and a glowing pea sized bead streaks from her pointed digit. It stops in the midst of a group of Cult Soldiers and Knights, and blossoms into a fireball.
((Merla takes out 12 Cult Soldiers and 6 Cult Knights.))

- 86 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields
- 17 Cult Soldiers in chainmail, shields, and longswords
- 19 Dark Elves with longbows
- 15 Cult Knights: centaurs with plate armor and lances
- 7 Cult Archers
- 0 Cult Mages
- 0 BrassLoaders manner by Cult Tinkers.
- 2 Lesser Cult Priests
- 35 Dretches
- 24 Babaus
- 8 Vrocks, keeping behind the others

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:15 am
((This was supposed to have been my action, but obviously it doesn't work now. I am taking an indefinite hiatus from SF:CW; my character's sheets will be made available over the next few days.)) Smiling, snarling... both had the same appearance on Pantherath's face. And after years of facing the worst in sentient life - and even in non-sentient life - he smiled at the thought of purging evil, even while grimacing during the act.
"Your abominations can exist no longer!" the templar said, extending his holy greatsword at one end of the line of brass gunners. Stretching it straight across their lines, he yelled "Be purified by the crucible of the Light!"
Instantly, a conflagration sprang up around the tinkers in their machines, surrounding the tanks with magical heat. Some tried to shut down vital systems, while others hopped out. One attempted to cut out the fuel, but never made it; his machine's ammunition overheated, each round leading to a chain reaction that spread to the others until the combined explosions set off the fuel tank.
The machine's detonation sent scrap metal flying in bits, while the cuncussive force itself dented the tanks around it. One tinker leapt free as his machine sputtered and died, too damaged to run; the other, already badly damaged, had it's fuel tank ruptured and joined it's neighbor in a fiery display that also broke down the Brass Loader next to it. Those tinkers that survived the blasts and the flames crawled free, though the heat proved too much and charred one beyond his ability to withstand the heat.
Eyes lit up by more than the conflagration he started, Pantherath prepared to further decimate the enemy forces.
((Wall of Fire cast on the Brass Loaders.
- 2 Brass Loaders (and their pilots) destroyed.
- 2 Brass Loaders damaged beyond operation; one pilot survives, one dies.
- The rest (5) are operational but damaged, and are still within the Wall of Fire.
One round of actions taken; the rest forthcoming.))
-={^}=-
Once more in his leonine form, the snow-covered ground under Gabriel's paws crunched as he bounded across the snow. Snarling as he went, some soldiers gave up and ran; others, whether bravely or foolishly, stood their ground and waited, spears at the ready.
Across a section of the line, splintered wood was the only effect, their non-magical weapons ineffective against his thick hide and slashing claws. The spearmen went down hard, one shredded by claws while another felt his chest separate from the rest of his body with a snap of the primeval's jaws. The barbarian was a storm of death, sundering and cleaving through the enemies, leaving bloody smears in the snow where Cult forces once stood.
((All three rounds of actions used.
17 spearmen killed.
4 swordsmen killed.))
-={^}=-
Always the same thing... you'd think they'd learn, wouldn't you? Dam thought, creeping behind a arcane caster to stain his robe with his own blood. "Nope," he shipered, moving onwards. He headed towards another trio of spellcasters, waiting for them to begin spellcasting. As two of them raised their hands in arcane gestures - higher-level Blaze spells, he thought, by the looks of it - he thrust both of his daggers into their jugulars, the spells dying in their throats as they gargled futilely for air. The third, mere steps away, turned and attempted to cast a spell; too surprised to do so properly, he left himself open and cried out as the rogue's daggers drew more blood.
They never do, really, he thought, pulling his weapon free as the spellcaster slumped to the cold ground. Moving on, he encountered another priest, this one seeking to undo the damage done by the woren's spell by dispelling the supernatural flames. He began the process, but only ended up grunting in pain as a quartet of stab wounds put an end to his life.
"They never do," he repeated aloud, ready for the next target.
((4 Cult Mages killed.
1 Cult Priest killed.))

Posted by: Knight_019 Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:19 pm
((I'm going on the following still being alive:

- 69 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields
- 13 Cult Soldiers in chainmail, shields, and longswords
- 19 Dark Elves with longbows
- 15 Cult Knights: centaurs with plate armor and lances
- 7 Cult Archers
- 0 Cult Mages
- 0 BrassLoaders manner by Cult Tinkers.
- 1 Lesser Cult Priests
- 35 Dretches
- 24 Babaus
- 8 Vrocks, keeping behind the others))

: You would think they would just surrender, and we can go back to not fighting. Really, I would enjoy eating so much more if I didn't have to worry about when I might next have to suddenly fly off to fight the cult. Hrm...
*As soon as Dagron finishes musing, the draconic juvenile takes off high into the air. A loud, monstrous roar signals yet more flames raining down over much of the battlefield, catching the armored warriors with the brunt of the blast. The swordsmen scatter far more effectively than the spearmen, whose long spears clatter off one another and prevent their retreat to safety. Those caught in the blast feel their metal armor heat up to the point of searing their flesh as their clothes catch on fire in the gold dragon's flames. Many of the spearmen and a few of the swordsmen who were unable to get away collapse from the intense heat, their blight on the world finished for now. If any survived, they wouldn't for long, as they found the flames still clinged to their flesh, bringing the remaining warriors down as the
Dagron was far from finished, however. Laughing at the effectiveness of his strafing fire attack, he dives straight down into the array of archers at the edge of where his flames had finished. A volley or two of arrows comes his way, but he dives straight through them. His near-adamantine-like scales cause those that come close to hitting him to merely snap and shatter against his body. He opens his mouth wide, and his gaping maw finds the head and torso of one of the Dark Elves. He chomps, and the Elf tries to feebly wriggle its way to escape no more.
Dagron makes one more powerful wing flap, landing on two of the archers who had begun to move away from the vicious dragon. Under Dagron's weight, they find their bodies crushed as their frail elf frames could not support such a load. While not necessarily dead, they were no less out of the fight. Dagron chucks the Dark Elf's foul body from his mouth and at another scattering archer, knocking him prone, With a step, he lashes out with his right claw, piercing the Elf's back. His talons close around the Elf's body, and he then throws the archer into two more. With a bite and a claw slash, they are ended. Dagron spins, throwing three more archers to the ground, then finally batters them with his metallic wings. The archer brigade is broken, battered, and defeated by the dragon, the rest fleeing away from his location.*
: WILL YOU ALL NOT YIELD? THERE IS NO REWARD IN EVIL, ONLY DEATH!
((DAGRON does a strafing, clinging, empowered fire breath to take out 30 of the spearmen and 3 of the swordsmen.
He dives down, chomps one archer in half, lands on two more.
Finally, he moves into the fleeing archers and full attacks, taking out 6 more.
Remaining cult forces:

- 39 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields
- 10 Cult Soldiers in chainmail, shields, and longswords
- 12 Dark Elves with longbows, 2 of whom are severely wounded from having a dragon STOMP ON THEM.
- 15 Cult Knights: centaurs with plate armor and lances
- 7 Cult Archers
- 0 Cult Mages
- 0 BrassLoaders manner by Cult Tinkers.
- 1 Lesser Cult Priests
- 35 Dretches
- 24 Babaus
- 8 Vrocks, keeping behind the others))

Posted by: Tarethen Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:54 am
"This onslaught is endless," the centaur muttered to himself as he began pulling arrows from his quiver. There was an archer nearby, so he decided to take care of him first. Two well placed arrows, one to the side and another to the neck brought the archer down.
His next target was one of the armored soldiers. Farain suspected a single arrow would not work, so instead he decided to use multiple arrows in succession. Three arrows raced towards the soldier, once after another. The first hit his leg, the second his shoulder, and the final arrow his eye. The final arrow caused the soldier to cry out a blood curtling cry before falling to his knees and then forward to the blood-soaked ground below.
His last two targets were one of the elves and another soldier. The elf had caught Farain off guard by shooting an arrow in his direction which grazed against his arm. The centaur frowned, shooting one of the explosive arrows at the elf, lodging it deep into his right hand. The hand exploded in a shower of blood and bones as the elf dropped his bow, grasping as his wrist. Farain put the archer out of his misery by shooting an arrow into his throat. A soldier standing nearby had noticed this and out of fear began backing up before turning and running. The centaur grinned sinisterly as he shoot one arrow into a part of each leg that was not protected by armor. The soldier tumbled, but still tried to retreat. Farain's final arrow, a dragonbreath arrow, lodged itself into the soldier's back as he burst into flames.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:17 am
((Note that Kyoji is not present at this battle, having returned to alert the others of the victory and change in plans.)) Jim plucks a grenade from his vest, hurling it towards a charging trio of Cult Knights. The grenade explodes into a cloud of freezing air, and the three centaurs instantly freeze solid, perfectly still ice statues in the middle of a frenzied battle. Before long, an errant missile strikes them and they shatter to frozen shards.
Jim scans the battlefield and his eyes settle on the last spellcaster, firing a precision burst of gunfire to strike down the unlucky priest. Looking up, the veteran soldier gestures towards the flying Vrocks.
"Sheila!" Jim calls. "Get the Vrocks! Don't let them use their dance!"
"Righto, boss!" Sheila calls as she dashes through the battlefield, guns blazing. Jim turns and braces his machinegun against him, firing a long sustained burst that catches one of the demons in flight. The hyperaccelerated rounds tear through the creature, causing it to land with a shriek. Concentrating on his target, Jim moves his gun to track the fiend's movement, keeping up the hail of fire despite the demon's attempts to avoid it. At last the creature shrieks an unholy wail and collapses to dust just as Sheila leaps over its dying body to assail two more of the creatures in the air.
"Hiya boys, let's dance!" Sheila cheerfully calls as her hail of bullets smashes apart one of the Vrocks' skull. That demon falls to the ground thrashing, his body melting away as the other two near Sheila caw and dive towards her. Sheila rolls out of the way of one, but the other catches her in the side with a shallow cut.
"Aw man, now I've got to repair the suit when this is done!" Sheila complains, twisting on the ground to turn and fire off a quartet of shots that drive through one of the diving Vrock's chest. The creature squeals and bursts into sulfourous ash as the other one banks to the side, soaring back up into the air. Sheila rolls back into a sitting position and fires off a full eight shots at the fleeing demon, grinning as it roars and explodes in midflight.
"Hehehehehe... You can't run away!" Sheila calls out in an odd imitation of another voice.
# 69 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields
# 11 Cult Soldiers in chainmail, shields, and longswords
# 18 Dark Elves with longbows
# 12 Cult Knights: centaurs with plate armor and lances
# 6 Cult Archers
# 0 Cult Mages
# 0 BrassLoaders manner by Cult Tinkers.
# 0 Lesser Cult Priests
# 35 Dretches
# 24 Babaus
# 4 Vrocks, keeping behind the others

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:37 am
The psion teleports around the battlefield, jumping across space to unleash bolts of sound, fire, and lightning across the assembled forces of the fiends. This does not go unnoticed by the enemy, but despite their best efforts, she eludes their attempts to strike her down again and again. In the end, their ranged units devastated by the other allied forces, they are helpless as she mows down legions of foot soldiers.

Posted by: FreedomJu Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:46 am
What passes for the front lines of the Cultists face a withering hail of fire from Melissa-127 as she quickly empties half of her clip, leaving many of them dead or near death. This is soon followed by a gently tossed grenade that causes many a body part to fly through the air to decorate her allies in a most gruesome fashion.
((
# 59 Cult Soldiers in chainmail with spears and shields
# 8 Cult Soldiers in chainmail, shields, and longswords
# 18 Dark Elves with longbows
# 12 Cult Knights: centaurs with plate armor and lances
# 6 Cult Archers
# 0 Cult Mages
# 0 BrassLoaders manner by Cult Tinkers.
# 0 Lesser Cult Priests
# 35 Dretches
# 24 Babaus
# 4 Vrocks, keeping behind the others))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:00 am
The battle goes on for a little bit, but not much longer. The Cultists flee before long, their numbers by far reduced. Their escape is covered as the elites of the camp march out to meet the heroes... And the battle begins anew. ((Freeform off.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:22 am
The stained and shambling mass barely recognizable as Varro leaps into action -- literally. He charges towards the nearest demon, covering the last ten feet with a midair jump. The Varroblade cuts a wicked arc through the frigid air, burying itself deeply into the demon.
((Hit the closest green dude. Charge, Leap Attack, PA 4, hit. 43 damage
HP 135/220
AC 29
DR 15/-))

Posted by: Knight_019 Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:06 am
*Dagron had no words left for demons and their servants. The battlefield would be cleansed in the wake of fire. Dagron ascends up into the air, then gets overhead and between the Hezrou and group of axemen, where he drops a large wave of fire over them. From there, he continues North-northeast laying a trail of fire over the western portion of foes. All the fire breathing was beginning to leave him a bit tired, and this blast not as intense as others, but he makes up for it by causing the flames to cling to those hit by them. The flames dance more intensely than in the previous battles, indicating they would be around far longer than before.*
((Clingingx2, Empowered, Strafing Fire breath.
(4d10)*1.5 = (2 + 7 + 1 + 8)*1.5 = 27 fire damage. Ref DC 24 for half.
Everything hit takes 13 damage for the next 2 rounds, or 6 on a successful save.
Positions as indicated here.
))

Posted by: Alpha Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:15 pm
With their support spells mostly long worn off, Laeral decides to play the defence mage in this confrontation. Tapping his daggers together lightly, the movements of those around him quicken with magical energy, and then the daggerspell moves off to the left. Picking out the group of cult soldiers and the cult cleric near them, he looses a potent ball of freezing energy.
[Quicken cast Haste on: Thavon, Eve, Dam, Gorrik, Gail, Gabe, Laeral, Hal, Talacre, Farain, Caius, Alex, Johann, Merla, Ombligo, Tanis
Move to X8 and cast Freeze 3, centred on T3
Damage: 10d8 + 10 = 61
Reflex save DC21 for half damage]
[HP: 122/122
AC: 34]
With a nod to his brother for the enhanced speed, Talacre peers across the battlefield, searching for a worthy target. In between the various demonic bodies, he spies the marilith. With a grin, he activates his quicksilver boots with the command word, and he’s suddenly on the other side of the battlefield. Nodding his head in salute to the mighty demon, he speaks to her.
[Use quicksilver boots to move to F16. Tumbling avoids AoOs]
: “I thought I’d come and bring the fight to you,” he says mockingly. “What, with you being all the way back here.”
With that, the blade dancer explodes in a flurry of moves, jumping, twisting and slashing around the snake like creature with deadly precision.
[Tumble to avoid anymore AoO and move counter clockwise around the marilith, executing five attacks before moving away and ending up at B5
Power attack 5, combat expertise 2. Weapon counts as good here.
Attack 1: 1d20(14) + 30 = 45
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6(deadly defence) + 1d6(starmetal) + 9(x1.5 str) + 3(enchantment) + 6(int) + 1(trait) + 3(ddance) + 2(acrobatic) + 10(power attack) = 48
Attack 2: 1d20(8) + 25 = 33
Damage: 1d10 + 2d6 + 1d6(flay foe) + 34 = 57
Attack 3: 1d20(13) + 20 = 34
Damage: 1d10 + 3d6 + 34 = 44
Attack 4: 1d20(15) + 15 = 30. Critical threat!
Confirm: 1d20(14) + 15 = 29
Damage: 1d10 + 3d6 + 34 = 57 (100 if a crit)
Haste Attack: 1d20(3) + 30 = 33.
Damage 1d10 + 3d6 + 34 = 46]
[HP: 197/197
AC: 36]
Tanis surveys the battlefield before him, deciding on whether to bring down another fire storm across the battlefield, or to attack a chain of targets with an enhanced soundlance. Glancing down at the newly bought metamagic rod, a wicked grin appears.
The catfolk raises his hands again, as he’d done earlier, chanting his spell. As before, the balls of fire stream up into the sky, before coming down as a deadly inferno. And as soon as the spell finishes, Tanis calls upon the powers of his new possession, sending a sound lance out to strike at a hezrou, before chaining off to many other targets.
[Stay, cast Fire Storm. Gets everything except the hezrou Varro attacked and the group of 6 cult warriors and priest down the bottom left
SR checks
Marilith: 25. Pass.
Glalbrezu: 17, 31, 29, 31. Fail, pass, pass, pass
Nalfeshnee: 19, 22, 21, 32, 20, 23, 27. Fail, pass, fail, pass, fail, pass, pass
Hezrou: 33, 16, 26, 23, 20, 33, 34. Pass, fail, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass.
Damage: 60. Reflex save DC26 for half damage.
Then use quicken metamagic rod to cast an empowered, chained sound lance. Targetting the K11 Hezrou, all those with tinted backgrounds are hit:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o297/AlphaAlec/chainedspell.png
Damage to the primary hezrou: 69
Fort save DC22 for half
Damage to secondary targets: 34
Fort save DC22 for half]
[HP: 97/97
AC: 26]

Posted by: BLT Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:49 pm
Caius stretches and yawns, preparing to go attack the cultists. It'd been a while since he'd seen much action so it took him a moment to work the laziness out of his limbs. Drawing his scimitars with a flourish, he went to attack and saw they'd all ran away. His disappointment didn't last long, though, as he noticed the darker forces still in the fray. Picking a nearby target he let out a fierce howl as he ran off in that direction.
Reaching the large greenish creature, he started with a low slash before scoring a slash across its neck, shearing the thing's head half off. Caius turned and cartwheeled back past the creature, cutting it three more times before putting two deep slashes into it's chest. He did a backflip away, landing not too far to look back and see if it was still standing.
((Activate Primal Scream, Dervish Dance and Blood in the Water
8 Tumbles, first 7 at full speed, last at half. Take 10 for all auto-success.
Attacks all on the green thing at Q,R - 23,24
1: 9+30 = 39
damage: 27+ 7 good (34)
2: 20, threat. confirm: 15, threat. confirm: 15, threat. Confirm: 18, threat. Confirm: 11 +30 = 41
Crit + 3 upgrades -> x4 damage
damage: 4 +2 +2 +5 +21x4 = 97 +5elec +6caus (108)
3: 3+26 = 29
damage: 25 + 6 good (31)
4: 4+26 = 30
damage: 24 +2elec +6caus (32)
5: 13+21 = 34
damage: 26 +6 good (32)
6: 15, threat. confirm: 10 +21 = 31
damage: 4 +1 +22x2 = 49 +3elec +1caus (53)
7: 16, threat. confirm: 4+32 = 36
damage: 5 +2 +25x2 = 57 +8 good (65)
End at U-22 ))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:42 pm
With a few words and a gesture, a glowing orb of energy appears in Merla's hand. She motions towards one of the Cult Priests and the energy orb streaks off towards him. The wizardess then closes her eyes and magic swirls around and courses through her as she recites the spell's incantation. Merla weaves glowing magical symbols in the air before her with her free hand. She takes in a deep breath and opens her eyes. A swirling vortex of hot lava and chunks of steaming ice forms above the eastern Cult Knights and Priest. As the lava globs and large hailstones rain down on her enemies, Merla cannot help but smirk.
{Halfling} "Who says that you can't do two things at once?"
((Merla casts a quickened Orb of Force and Storm of Fire and Ice in succession. The Orb of Force hits the Cult Priest at R-3 for 42 points of damage, killing him.
The Cults Knights and Priest suffer 28 points of fire damage and 28 points of cold damage. Reflex save DC 25 for half.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:59 pm
Noticing the formation of Cult Knights nearby nearing death from Merla's, Jessica's, and Tanis' potent offensive combination, Jim hurls a grenade at them to seal the deal. The freezing blast of a Cyronic Grenade turns four of the six knights to ice, but the remaining two avoid it.
((Heroic Surge: Throw grenade. 4 Cult Knights die. The rest take 30 damage.))
Also, I counted Jessica's action despite the database losing it. This was the image she used.
http://magic19.homestead.com/sfcw/sfcw4/realjessicaenergywave.jpg

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:40 am
Eve took to flight, passing a bit to her right before pushing back toward the center, lunging at the (green thing at R11). ((If it's dead, next logical opponent. Sorry, you weren't around for me to ask TUM. She ends around S-14. I think she has enough reach for that.
Combat Intuition on the green thing:
Sense Motive Roll: Natural 20 + 10 + 7 = 37
Attack: 11 + 11(BAB) +8 (Str) +1(Wpn Focus) +2(HvyLance) +4(Wpn) +1(Haste) - 1(Size) = 37
Damage: 6 +8(Str) + 4(Wpn) +2(WpnSp) = 20
Chromatic Lance Bonus Damage: 6(Fire) 5(Frost) 1(Acid) 5(Electricity) 5(Poison)
))
Isyndel moves three spaces right, one down, and casts Radiant Assault -- centered somewhere in the northeast of the map (like J-29ish, maybe). Wherever it can hit the most targets without catching Talacre in his position or anyone else I may have missed out there.
20 foot radius, Will save for half damage and to avoid the daze. SR, etc. Uses her once per day Enpower.
49 x 1.5 = 73.5 = 73 damage.
Casts at two levels higher with the Psychowand. +8 to SR checks, etc, you know the drill. It's late. I'd say I'll tidy this up tomorrow but I probably won't pretty it up much.

Posted by: FreedomJu Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:26 am
Even Melissa, the veteran of far too many battles, was awed by the sheer amount of destruction that just a few people had managed to unleash. After a few moments she picked out a few targets that had managed to survive and sent a small volley of spikes at each of them.
((Melissa full attacks. First attack on blue thing behind the green thing Varro killed, the other two attacks against the Knights Jim failed to kill.
Gauss Hit: 1d20 + BAB + DEX + Weapon Focus (Gauss Assault Rifle) – Burst Fire + Enchantment = (12/7/2 + 8 = 20/15/10)
Attack 1: 7 + 20 = 27
Attack 2: 17 + 15 = 32
Attack 3: 4 + 10 = 14
Gauss Damage: 3d10+3 + Weapon Specialization (Gauss Assault Rifle) + 2d10 (Burst Fire) + Holy + Enchantment + PBS = (5d10 + 8 + 2d6)
Attack 1: (5d10 = 4 + 2 + 6 + 6 + 7 = 25) + (2d6 = 2 + 1 = 3) + 9 = 37
Attack 2: (5d10 = 3 + 9 + 6 + 6 + 9 = 33) + (2d6 = 5 + 6 = 11) + 9 = 53
Attack 3: (5d10 = 4 + 1 + 3 + 10 + 10 = 28) + (2d6 = 6 + 3 = 9) + 9 = 46
Ignore 20 points of DR and AP7
Dodge to first thing to attack?))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:49 am
Maria raises a finger towards one of the weaker of the pitiful few remaining enemies, unleashing a blast of sonic power to finish it. [Touch Attack: 9 + 11 + 2 training + buffs = 22+] [Something that's still standing] [35 sonic damage, no save.]

Posted by: Rusty Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:13 am
*Alex runs forward as the Hezrou before him falls. Despite his moving forward, he's able to unleash a flurry of attacks. Though his strongest attack doesn't connect, he does manage to defeat the three powerful demons surrounding him.* : "As long as you are in this world, you have an enemy in me! If you're smart, you'll leave now before it's too late."
((Alex's action:
Heroic Surge to move up north to M. Using smite...Power Attack 5...Divine Might (free action)...and full attack. Starting on the Nalfeshnee on the left, the Hezrou above, and the Nalfeshnee to the right, respectively.
(Nal 1) Attack #1 (smite): Natural one.
(Nal 1) Attack #2: 18 + 10 [BAB] - 5 [PA] + 10 [force sword] + 1 [focus] + 3 [magic] + 8 [STR with Bull's Strength and Enlarge Person] - 1 [size] + 1 [haste] + 2 [heroism] + gosh knows what else = 47.
Damage: 34 [sword] + 7 [bane] + 5 [PA] + 3 [magic] + 8 [STR] + 8 [Divine Might] + 2 [Aura] = 67.
(Hez) Attack #3: 3 + 5 [BAB] - 5 [PA] + 10 [force sword] + 1 [focus] + 3 [magic] + 8 [STR] - 1 [size] + 1 [haste] + 2 [heroism] = 27.
Damage: 31 [sword] + 3 [bane] + 5 [PA] + 3 [magic] + 8 [STR] + 8 [Divine Might] + 2 [Aura] = 60.
(Nal 2) Attack #4 (Haste): 12 + 15 [BAB] + yadda, he hits.
Damage: 35 [sword] + 12 [bane] + 5 [PA] + 3 [magic] + 8 [STR] + 8 [Divine Might] + 2 [Aura] = 73.))
---
*Ombligo casts the same spell he used at the last great encounter with these demons. A burst of rainbow colors attacks three of the Glabrezu's, though one remains completely unaffected.*
((SR checks: first fails, the other two succeed
Targets: The 3 rightmost Glabrezu. Only the two rightmost are affected.
Damage: 48. WILL save DC 28. Pass means they're dazzled for 4 rounds. Fail means they're dazed for 4 rpunds.))

Posted by: Cyrus Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:56 am
[I hear there is one of those blue ape things alive, so...] Gail blocks her eyes from the havoc her comrades unleash on another unsuspecting camp of demons, and scans for wicked manifestations of evil to send to their judgment in the aftermath. Finding an Nalfeshee still reeling from the blow, the paladin takes off, a single celestial word leaving her lips while she charges on. Her image blurs in the wake of her prayer, and her quickened steps leave a trench in their wake. When she delivers justice to her foe, her sword falls like a hammer, and palpable force breaks over the corpulent demon's flesh.
[Charge remaining Nalwhatsit. You know the drive.
Attack roll: 1d20(2)+13(BAB)+3(STR)+5(weapon)+4(misc)+10(smite)=37.
Damage: 1d10(7)+3(STR)+13(Smite)+10(might)=33*2(Rhino's Rush)=66+Holy(11)=77.]
---
Okori watches the Magic Creature's assault and notes the one demon left out of the fun. Calling upon his own powers, he throws another shaft out, hoping impaling the baron of hell.
[Cast Lucent Lance on the Glaberzu.
SR check: 1d20(10)+12=22.
Touch attack: 1d20(2)+BAB(9)+DEX(6)=17.
Damage: 2 1 5 3 1 6 6 2 6 2 6 = 40 damage.]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:21 am
Dagron, Tanis, and Viletta bring down an inferno upon the battlefield, turning much of the plain to scarred earth and evaporating snow into steam instantly. Whether by spell, breath, or grenade, fire touches each corner of the Cult position, burning the spellcasters of low constitution alive. What few clerics there are left perish in the next wave of spells.
A massive sonic wave blasts across the battlefield, annihilating the rest of the casters and further wounding all the enemies in its path.
Talacre charges forward, a darting blur of speed as his swords slash apart the Marilith before it can even utter a word.
Varro easily finishes off his chosen demon, weakened as it is by the barrage of spells. Caius changes direction, leaping to the other nearby Hezrou and slashing it apart instead.
As a counterpoint to the firestorms, Laeralas summons an icy wind to freeze the formation of Cult soldiers near him. Eve crashes into the Nalfeshnee in front of her, wounding but not killing the fiend. No, that honor goes to Alex, who manages to slay all three of the demons around him in an astounding display of swordsmanship.
Melissa takes out a Nalfeshnee and one of the Knights, but the third burst only manages to shred the centaur's shield.
Michael finishes off the last Cult Knight with a blast of energy as Maria blows up the head of a Hezrou with her mind.
Dam and Gorrik charge a Hezrou together, Dam landing a critical blow, and slashing open the demon's throat.
Gail and Okori team up, slaying the last Nalfeshnee with sword and spell
Jim and Sheila storm forward, guns blazing as they fell three of the Glabrezu with a concentrated hail of gunfire, the many gauss propelled bullets tearing the demons apart.
A single Glabrezu remains as the force finishes, and he merely snarls and vanishes, teleporting away.
The remaining archers, all that was left of the enemy force, break and run, scattering in all directions.
Experience for:
Level 17: 2,500
Level 16: 3,500
Level 15: 4,500
Level 12: 10,500
Various supplies worth a total of 50,000 gold found in the camp.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:46 am
Hal stares dumbstruck at the destruction the others wreak. When all that remains is rubble, gore, and gold, his mouth works and a moment later words follow. "I... I'm just... just going to stand over here," he says, taking a few steps away from the others.

Posted by: Rusty Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:47 am
: "Perhaps I grossly overestimated the strength of the enemy. But I'm not complaining about an easy task, especially as it's a good one. I'm eager to attack the final base. I see no reason not to press the attack."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:48 am
: "I agree," Jim says, looking around. "We'll take a few moments to search the camp and then move on. Maria, can you get us there?"

Posted by: Cyrus Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:49 am
Move, my minions, move.

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:55 am
"Are you trying to insult me?" Maria asks with an arched eyebrow, "Can I?" She vanishes to scout out the final base and locate a good entry point for the team...then she returns and manifests... [Psionic Teleportation Circle]

Posted by: Lord Oddeye Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:06 am
Enrick dusts off his white cape and smirks. He didn't even need to cast magic missile this time. What a feat!

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:13 am
Jim chuckles. : "Who do you take me for, Adam? I know better than to insult a woman who can teleport me into deep space with her brain," Jim comments as Maria teleports everyone once more. The forces of Alex's Avengers and Radford's Rangers fall upon the final camp with nearly unparalleled skill and ferocity in battle. Hundreds of cultists and one hundred demons fall before the heroes as spells, gunfire, screams, arrows, and roars all crowd the air with noise. Though the soldiers of the Light take a few wounds, more from the sheer number of the enemy and luck than any true threat, these are all swiftly healed by the healers with the Force. The vast gap between the Cult forces and the Shining Force in both equipment and experience makes the battle less a fight than a massacre, and even the Cultists' fanatical zeal is not enough to bolster the enemies' morale.
When the final lesser demon and Cult soldier falls, the Force marches on the camp proper only to find it completely abandoned, nearly all of the supplies within simply gone. Only a few crates of weapons, potions, and supplies remain.
((5,000 GP in various supplies found.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:13 am
"What a cakewalk..." Maria laughs, "If that's our version of a raid, I can't wait to see an invasion."

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:17 am

QUOTE (Kaihaku @ Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:13 am)
Maria taps her foot, waiting to continue removing the wicked from the world.

: "You're kinda bloodthirsty, lady."

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:18 am

QUOTE (VoxPVoxD @ Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:17 pm)
: "You're kinda bloodthirsty, lady."

"Why? What are you suggesting?" Maria looks up to the massive blue and red (cause of the blood) killing machine, "Might you want to go crush some conscripted peasants and a few brained washed cultists?"

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:20 am
Jim quietly watches the now burning camp for a while, turning to face Maria. : "Careful, now. This foe will wait until you think your victory assured, then it will take your confidence and turn it against you like a dagger in your hand being forced into your own breast," Jim says, quietly. "The destruction of these camps is heartening. But we cannot let it go to our heads."

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:22 am

QUOTE (Kaihaku @ Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:18 am)
"Why? What are you suggesting?" Maria looks up to the massive blue and red (cause of the blood) killing machine, "Might you want to go crush some conscripted peasants and a few brained washed cultists?"

: "Are you asking me out on a date?"

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:29 am

QUOTE (VoxPVoxD @ Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:22 pm)
: "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"You, me... A little napalm to set the mood... We could paint the town red."
...
Maria shakes her head, staring out at the absolute carnage and finding nothing to be pessimistic about.

Posted by: Cyrus Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:35 am

QUOTE (TheUnknownMarine @ Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:20 am)
Jim quietly watches the now burning camp for a while, turning to face Maria. : "Careful, now. This foe will wait until you think your victory assured, then it will take your confidence and turn it against you like a dagger in your hand being forced into your own breast," Jim says, quietly. "The destruction of these camps is heartening. But we cannot let it go to our heads."

Okori, having retreated back into the familiar warmth of his master's mind, narrows his eyes at the troop commander. Maria, he asks in a suspecting tone, Why is he talking about your breasts?

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:38 am
((Rangers gain 37,500 for their share. Using 2,000 of it to buy the parts needed for 5 Miracle Goo Pods for Varro. Using 1,500 to buy 3 Battlefield Repair Kits for Varro. The kits take a full round action for Varro to activate, but heal him 4d8+20 HP.)

Posted by: Kaihaku Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:39 am

QUOTE (Cyrus @ Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:35 pm)
Okori, having retreated back into the familiar warmth of his master's mind, narrows his eyes at the troop commander. Maria, he asks in a suspecting tone, Why is he talking about your breasts?

Maria blinks, suddenly aware the strange wording of her commander's reply, That... She glances back at the marine, That's a very good question.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:45 am
Jim appears to come out of his reverie as Maria gives him an odd glance. : "What?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "What's the matter?"

Posted by: Cyrus Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:06 am

QUOTE (Kaihaku @ Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:39 am)
Maria blinks, suddenly aware the strange wording of her commander's reply, That... She glances back at the marine, That's a very good question.

Well...I guess he doesn't get out much, the voice reasons. Doesn't get to know a lot of women, in his profession...at least, women that act like women. You know, like you. The fox then performs the mental equivalent of scratching his head. Come to think of it...I can't remember the last time I saw a girl that was my type...

Posted by: Rusty Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:00 am
*Alex smiles. They had won, and they had great victories, at that. The alliance is strong, and he has strong allies. Things are looking up more and more. Indeed, the struggles of past were slowly ebbing to each victory. Before his forces met with the others, the battles were much harder - and, while his force never failed - things often looked bleak. Turning to Jim, he speaks.*
: "We should probably get back to King Kusuko now and report. I don't think he'll expect that we're returning so soon, but I'm sure we'll gain his favor once his scouts witness our progress for themselves. He doesn't seem to be a trusting man, understandably, so I expect he'll want his own men to go and report back, I mean."
---
It is not long before the two leaders stand before King Kusuko once more.
"That was fast. You have news for me?" the King asks.
*Alex nods.*
: "Indeed. We have taken care of the three camps the Cultists set up nearby. It was a complete success."
The King tilts his head. "What do you mean, taken care of?"
: "Any foes we did not defeat retreated, and we defeated the vast majority of them. There were no casualties on our side, either, I'm happy to say."
The king is silent for a moment. "My scryers appraised me of your victory over the first camp... but are you telling me that you wiped out the other two as well?"
*Alex nods again.*
: "Indeed. We decided that we would press the attack, having such momentum. You can have them scry there, or you can send scouts to witness it firsthand, if you like."
"I'll believe you," the King says, stroking his beard absentmindedly. "So... It seems you truly are what you say."
*Alexander smiles.*
"Thank you, Your Majesty. There is one more force of Cultists in the area, though. The ones in the Tower of the Ancients we did not approach, but if they're still there we're sure to take care of them soon enough."
"That is good to hear..." the King closes his eyes. "At this rate, our plans for a counteroffensive may be moved up."
: "That sounds great. I pray we'll be just as successful in other regions so that we can free Rune, and every land for that matter, of the Cult's clutch."
"Indeed," the King says.
"We'll attempt to clear the tower shortly, but other matters on other fronts may demand our attention for a while afterwards," Jim says.
"That is fine," the King says, waving a hand dismissively. "The regular army will need time to cover all the land we'll be reclaiming anyway."

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:14 am
Adam begins to work on repairing Varro while the other Rangers are allowed an hour or two of leave within Prompt. Presumably, Alex uses this time to reorganize the troops he intends to lead to the Tower.

Posted by: Rusty Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:01 pm
((Every non-Ranger gets 3,375 gold.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:42 am
*Alexander, departing Prompt Castle, notices Zook coming out of the library. Having not had many good opportunities to talk to the tinker, Alex thought now would be a good time to strike up a conversation, since he had some time before the next assault. He waves to the gnome, smiling.*
"Hello, there."
Zook looks up at the hero. "Hello, Alex. Back so soon?"
*Nodding, the hero responds.*
"Indeed! Things have gone very well already. We took down three Cult camps near Prompt with ease, and we're going to strike the remainder of their forces at the Tower of the Ancients soon. Given that I overestimated their strength, I've suggested that a lot of the others to go and take the rest of the day off. I also am here to see if I could pick up a replacement or two, since while the battles were easy, the mages can't cast spells forever."
"You took out all three Cult camps?" Zook blurts out. "How--how'd you manage that?"
*Alexander grins as he responds.*
"It was easy. Mostly, we overwhelmed them with magic, so thankfully we didn't have to worry about another Naerth. I, myself, specialize in fighting fiends, and Jim had the brilliant idea of taking down the first group's Balor, which gave the enemy heavy losses. From there, we simply rode the momentum to victory. Of course, these weren't the toughest of foes - they're certainly no Strife Lords - but we're obviously making great progress."
"So it was just demons then?" Zook asks.
"Demons, humans, centaurs, dwarves...anyone pulled into the Cult's grip that refuses to leave it. We saw many there, but there were plenty of demons, yes. No devils at all, though."
Zook is silent for a moment. "How many Cultists were there?"
*Alex responds, folding his arms.*
"Hundreds. It's a terrible thing, I know. I, myself, went solely after the demons. To me, those fiends can't be reasoned with. At least devils can follow some rules."
Suddenly Zook begins to feel very dizzy. He stumbles back, landing with a thump on the stone steps of the library. He doesn't look up at Alex. "That's..." He shudders, clearing his throat and standing again. "What-what did you need?"
*Frowning, Alex looks at the gnome.*
"I don't like it any more than you do. I'm fighting this war for the very purpose of saving lives and families, yet I find myself fighting many that could potentially be saved and end up victim to another spell or a dagger. I want to tear apart the fiends, but the others...I wish I could speak to them and reason with them. I want there to be a way, and I don't know how to find it without taking them prisoner and trying to open their eyes. The Cult is surely exercising its grip more now that we've been striking them hard."
*Sighing deeply, he continues.*
"This war has changed me. It's changed all of us, to be sure, but it has changed me so much. I thought the wars were done and over with when the three heroes defeated the Vandal, but apparently that was only the beginning..."
"You're right," Zook says softly. "But wars don't work like that, do they?" He sighs and shakes his head. "Anyway, you said something about the Tower?"
*Alex nods again as his arms fall to his sides.*
"Yes, we're going to strike the Cultists there as well. That should be the last of them in the Prompt area. If we're lucky, they'll have cleared out of the Tower after learning of the defeats of their three large camps. In fact, the last camp had been mostly abandoned when we reached it."
"If you cleared out the Tower, Prompt would probably be able to sweep the Cult off the map," Zook says. "Do you know what to expect there?"
"Considering they were described to me as remnants hiding out, I would say a small force compared to the camps. Beyond that, I'm not really sure. Jim's keeping his forces full in size, so I don't want it to get overcrowded, and I don't know if they're going to block the doorways or what, assuming they're still there."
"You want me to come," Zook says, more as a conclusion than a question.
"Well...Yes. We'll need all the ranged attackers we can get here, and you're renown for studying the Ancients. You're also very good with machines, from what I understand, and Jim's group would certainly appreciate someone like you around with that machine of theirs. I don't expect you to know the layout of the Tower or anything, and it's all right if you don't want to join us, but I felt I should ask as it'd certainly make an interesting field trip. Wouldn't you agree?"
Zook rubs the back of his neck, looking down at his shoes. "Yeah," he admits. "Yeah, it would. I didn't bring any weapons, though. Can we kip back to Ordalia so I can pick up ADAM?"
*Alex nods.*
"Sure. I wanted to speak with a few others there anyway."
"I'm not going anywhere," Zook says, taking a seat on the steps, voluntarily this time.
"All right. Follow me, then. I'm going to take some others back to the fort as well. I think they'll need a little bit of time off after the battles."
"Sure thing," Zook says, standing again and following Alexander.

Posted by: Rusty Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:25 am
*Deciding he would experiment a little - getting to know some of the others better by having them join him in battle - Alex comes across Telanna. He waves to her as he calls out to get her attention, walking towards her.* "Hello! I don't know if you remember me, but my name's Alex."
Telanna looks up, watching the hero approach. She hastily gets to her feet. "Oh, yeah, I remember. What can I do for you?"
*Smiling, Alexander responds.*
"Well, firstly, I want to apologize for not speaking to you sooner. But I suppose we've all been busy. I imagine you heard we were attacking the Cultist camps in Prompt? We've defeated the camps, but there's a force of Cultists in the Tower of the Ancients. I was wondering if you'd like to join us in that battle."
Telanna blinks. "You left like two hours ago. How big were the camps?"
Alexander: "We teleported. The camps were numbered in the hundreds, though the third was mostly abandoned by the time we reached it."
Telanna stares blankly at Alex. "Are you serious? That's insane!" She clears her throat, looking slightly embarassed. "Uh, I mean good work. Why me, though?"
Alexander: "Well, to be honest, I don't know very much about you, and I'd like to get to know my allies better. Considering how well the other battles went, I doubt we'll have much to worry about, and I want to see what you're capable of. A bit of warning, though - Sheila is going, as Jim is bringing his whole force. I don't know if you two resolved anything or not, and I'm sure there won't be any problems with that in the battle, but I thought I would let you know ahead of time."
"Oh," Telanna says. "Well, I'm flattered. But there are other druids who are much stronger than I am. Are you sure one of them wouldn't be better-suited to this?"
*Folding his arms, the hero frowns.*
"I have a druid on my force, and he'd do well enough on his own. But I thought it'd be nice to work with my allies directly and see what they're capable of. I doubt you're as weak as you're suggesting, and we could use the help of a druid. If you don't want to go, I understand, but doubting your abilities should not be a reason here. If anything, that makes me want you to go more, so that you can prove to yourself that you're stronger than you think."
Telanna thinks about this for a moment. "Yeah, I suppose you're right." She nods. "Alright, I'll do it."
*With a slight nod and a grin, Alex responds.*
"Thank you. Well then, follow me. I'm sure the others are there, if not on their way."
"Alright!" Telanna says, following Alex.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:19 am
A short while later Alexander and the others he'd selected return to the city of Prompt. Zook sets down in a gleaming mithril gyrocopter, which incidentally looks very much like the model he'd built for show earlier that day. Several tinkers drop their jaw at the device, and more than a few narrow their eyes at Zook jealously as they continue on their way.
"Well now," Jim says, jogging up. "And here I thought I might have trouble finding you."
"Indeed, I thought the same. I figured he'd probably be in the library, though, and I was right. Find anything interesting, by the way?" *Alex says, looking at Zook.*
"Some stuff I knew already, and some stuff about the Castle of the Ancients," Zook says. "We can talk about it later when all the leaders are together."
"Speaking of the Castle of the Ancients, that's what I wanted to ask you about," Jim says. "I seem to recall that the Ancient Tower was where the Ancient Castle could be raised, wasn't it?"
"The Tower has controls to raise the Castle," Zook says. "It's supposed to have a lot of other machines in there too, which is why I want to get a look. The Chaos Breaker can raise the Castle too."
"The Chaos Breaker...hm. At least we can always use that if we need to." *Alex adds, not knowing a lot on the matter.*
Jim frowns. "Why would the Cult hold troops there? The Castle is already risen."
"The Castle's already risen, isn't it?" Zook says. "I remember Yeesha saying something about that a while ago."
RustySFC: lol
"Exactly," Jim nods to Zook. "You read my mind."
Zook shrugs. "They must have an interest in some of the other machines. That or they're just using it because it's more fortified than a camp would be."
"You're probably right," Jim nods to Zook. He turns to Alex. "All of your men ready?"
*Alex nods.* "Yes, of course. We're ready to go when you are."
"Do you know anything about what kind of troops are holed up in the Tower?" Zook asks Jim.
"Yes, I had Maria and her familiar scout it out a few days ago," Jim frowns. "They may have changed it since..."
"There are a number of cultists there, with some magic users among them," Jim says. "Also, a number of trained attack beasts."
"From what I heard, no more than thirty enemies tops," Jim says.
"Oh," Zook says. "That doesn't sound too bad. Alex said there were hundreds at the camps."
"Indeed," Jim nods. "We can either expect the enemy to be very skilled and the site an important one, or the enemy a pittance force for a token outpost."
"Did your scout run into any trouble?" Zook asks.
"No, they left without incident as I recall," Jim says.
"Alright," Zook says. "Yeah, I'm ready whenever you all are."
*Shrugging, the Paladin speaks again.* "Even if they're skilled, we're ready for them. I say we target their magic users first with our ranged attackers and move on from there."
"Agreed," Jim nods.

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:13 am
Soon after everyone is assembled, the group makes its way to the Ancient Tower, a massive brick edifice rising out of the Prompt mountains. Vines wrap around the ancient building, crawling over it almost as if nature seeks to reclaim the land stolen by this upstart monument of a dead civilization.
Viletta is left to guard the entrance as the rest of the team moves in, climbing what seems like endless stairs and passing by room after room of crumbling stone. Scars from the tower's last battle between the Shining Force and Darksol still mar the stone here, the occasional blast mark or damaged wall bearing mute testimony to the struggles of times past.
At last they near the top and emerge from the tower's inside to an exterior series of battlements leading upward. As the group forms up, a yellow light flares around them before vanishing, the protective spells around them dispelled. Cult archers and mages surge to the battlements as demons and monsters take their positions, ready to bar the way upward. Wyverns and Frost Dragons circle the tower, eyeing you hungrily. Barely visible from here, at the pinnacle of the tower, a bizzare series of machines points at the sky.
"Hold the line!" a masked mage roars from his perch high above the tower. "Drive them back at all costs!"
((All buffs in place are dispelled by the triggered trap, so you start without any spells up. Nothing is stopping you from recasting though. No grid because it doesn't line up with the original SF map. Don't stress out if your movement isn't exactly right.))
Power: http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/633/9

Posted by: Rusty Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:39 am
: "Attack! We must take the Tower. You know what to do! Watch out for spells, and cut down the enemy quickly!" *Using his magic tabard, Alex flies up as he casts a spell, catching a group of enemies in a powerful Bolt spell.* ((Actions: Free action: Enter Holy Fury.
Free action: Use tabard to fly for five minutes.
Move action: Fly up to spot the enemies.
Standard action: Using Bolt Lv. 3 as a spell-like ability.
Damage: 57 electric damage. Ref save DC 26 for half. This hits the Steel Claw, the Torch Eye, the mage, the beast trainer, and his pet. CL 16, if you must know.
Using Heroic Surge to gain another Standard action.
Standard action: Divine Shield used. +8 to my AC for 8 rounds.
Same auras are up. REF +8 and damage +2. As they're extraordinary abilities, these buffs can't be dispelled. ))

Posted by: Alpha Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:20 am
With a laugh and spirited ‘See you on the other side!’ Talacre sprints forward and jumps impossibly high into the air, easily clearing the fifteen feet high wall and coming down the other side. An unfortunate demon master is his first target as the elf lines up his first strike to include the momentum of his jump.
[Dervish Dance, fighting defensively. Move, jump (auto pass) land on the left of the demon master.
1d20(15)…critical threat
Confirm: 1d20(12) + 16(bab) + 7(dex) + 3(enchantment) + 1(weapon focus) + 3(dervish dance) + 2(acrobatic attack) - 1(trait) – 4(fighting defensively = 39
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6(deadly defence) + 2d6(devastation gauntlets) + 9(x1.5 str) + 3(enchantment) + 6(int) + 1(trait) + 3(ddance) + 2(acrobatic) + 2(aura) = 73
Killing it releases a TUMCO classic: Tal takes 110 damage]
The powerful blow rips the demon master in two, but the evil mage’s death triggers a spell that explodes over Talacre, causing severe injuries. Shocked, but able to go on, the dervish reverse direction, no longer amused. With four rapid strikes, the blade dancer rips apart the cult archer, and then uses the momentum of his last swing to carry around and score a solid hit on the other archer before him.
[Move 7 spaces left, attack archer
1d20(10) + 22 = 32
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6 + 26 = 37
Move one space up, attack again
1d20(14) + 17 = 31
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d6(flay foe) + 26 = 40
Move two spaces left, attack again
1d20(16) + 12 = 28
Damage: 1d10 + 2d6 + 26 = 37
Move one space down; activate bracer of quick strike, attack again. This should leave him in between the two archers.
1d20(13) + 27 = 40
Damage: 1d20 + 2d6 + 26 = 41
Cleave attack on the left archer
1d20(4) + 27 = 31
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6 + 26 = 35]
[HP: 87/197
AC: 42
DR: 5/-]

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:44 am
*Dagron begins to fly up and over the wall when Talacre leaps extraordinarily high in the air, landing perched upon the crenellation. In a fell swoop of his sword, the mage is killed and... explodes? Dagron almost took pause, but Talacre seemd to pull through fine. He continues into a whirling frenzy, and just as Dagron makes it up over the perch, he sees the second archer killed. His job just became easier.
Dagron flaps his wings, propelling him over the head of the now furthermost right archer, then wheels around behind him.*
: Medium, Well Done, or Extra Crispy?
*Before the fell archer can spew forth his retort, Dagron spews forth the answer to his own question in a wash of flames, angling down over the wall as well as spreading alongside it. The fire spills over the edge and down as far as the hovering blue dragon, but sparing Zook, to whom the flames had come dangerously close, and Talacre, who was near where they began.*
: SORRY ZOOK! Oh, *Dagron says, looking to Tal for but a second,* I'm Dagron. I fought with your brother for a while. I'd offer you a lift, but it looks like you've got that under control. So, uh... Let's toast some more bad guys!
((Dagron flies up and does the following
Empowered, Clingingx1 Breath weapon.
Damage
(4d10)*1.5 = (9 + 7 + 3 + 2)*1.5 = 21*1.5 = 31 fire damage.
REF DC 24 for half.
Those affected take half whatever damage they take this round next round (15 or 7).
Breath weapon is usable in 1d4 + 2 = 1 + 2 = 3 rounds.))
*Mahler hears a loud "FWOOMP" from behind him, and upon looking behind him, he notices Talacre is gone. A quick look up notices where he had gone, and a loud "BOOM" says what he had done.*
: That is impressive.
*Mahler hops, but notices he doesn't go very high, and quickly gives up all hopes of doing anything similar to Talacre's amazing feat. Golems just weren't meant to fly, he guessed. He could, however, move something out of the way if necessary, and he would do exactly that. Mahler walks to the corner of the wall, then notices the large Overseer.*
: These again?
*Mahler waits for it, or possibly anything flying on the other side of the wall, to come over toward them. He loads his fist to his side, ready to lash out with a punch if necessary. He wouldn't wait forever, though.*
((Mahler moves 6 squares to the right, placing him right at that corner. Prepared action is to attack anything that comes by him. Should that not happen, he'll take the second move action as a 5' step to the right, leading him out into that corridor.
It'll be a smite, so attack bonus is as follows:
1d20 + 25 + 1
PA 2 to begin, then 2 for every size category it is larger than medium.
Damage if it hits
2d8 + 10 + 2d6 (holy)
If he rolls a crit, it automatically confirms due to sanctify strike, with rolling only to check for an upgrade.))

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:59 am
Eve took to flight immediately, high enough to get a view beyond all the walls. Following in DAGRON's wake, she flung herself over the wall and lunged at the closest blue dragon from a few feet above it. "Let's go everyone! Keep 'em from playing pincer!"
((Att: 5 + 11BAB +8Str +1Wpn Focus +2HvyLance +4Wpn +2Dragonbane - 1Size = 32
Damage: 8 + 8Str + 2WpnSpec + 6WpnEnchant= 24
Chromatic: 12(Fire) 1(Acid) 4(Elec) 6(Poison) = 23
Dragonbane: 8
Total: 55
Eve is directly to the right of the dragon, but flying a few feet above because of her reach. Dodge to it.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:41 am
It had been a long time since Zook had flown ADAM into battle. He hadn't quite forgotten what it was like, seeing friends and enemies scurry beneath him like angry ants, but he's sure it didn't feel like this last time. Last time he'd thought about how strange they looked, how strange he must have looked to them, way up high and shining in the sunlight. Now he wonders how easy it would be to step on them. He shudders -- ADAM creaking slightly -- and the feeling passes.
As if of its own accord, as if the machine was trying to take its master's mind off such grisly things, ADAM begins to list to the left when Dagron's breath creates a strange convection current in the air. The flames don't do more than threaten to lick against ADAM, and Zook is thankful for that. He'll have enough of a mess as it is.
ADAM lists to the left, and as if by happenstance the Blue Dragon engaged in combat with Eve settles into view. Zook stares at it for a moment, before leaning out to pull a lever, shining and clean -- freshly installed. The massive cannon attached to ADAM begins to whine. Sparks of blue light come from nowhere at all to collect in the cannon's barrel, as if it were taking a deep breath. With a sound not unlike an enormous sneeze, it fires twice, bolts of blue white rippling light spinning towards the monster.
((Fire Gauss Buster twice. First target: Blue Dragon. If that goes down then switch focus to the Wyvern.
To-hits (attack ignores all forms of armor): 23, 15
Damage rolls (ignores 30 points of DR): 31, 29))

Posted by: Kaihaku Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:41 am
Maria teleports to the ledge beside the fiend, unleashing a sonic bolt that tears through the line of enemies: fiend, priest, archers, even the far wizard, before crushing the far wall. The psion chuckles, then teleports back to the ledge just above Enrick.
[PDD: move action]
[Maximized Energy Bolt(Sonic): 85 Sonic Damage, Fort save for half, ignores hardness]
[Inconstant Location]
((I forgot that Mahler was here so edited.))
Sophie moves up to Mahler and casts a potent spell upon the construct, granting him the powers of a real Golem.
[Cast Golem Immunity on Mahler, type is up to Knight.]

Posted by: Cyrus Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:25 am
Okori's gaze flicks from one enemy to the next, all of them lined up like a row of ducklings all paddling too far behind their mother for her to care. The spirit licks its jowl in anticipation, imagining how long it had been since he had a right meal...before he realized that he already ate, and licking up another appetizer now would just be a waste of food. Frowning at the effort he took getting all worked up for nothing, the fox rises slowly in the air, giving a cross look to one of the ducklings in the second row before a bolt of light strikes the fat friar. He then points off to the growling black frankenstein posed above the stairs and snaps off a staggered line of bright orange that zigs and zags while it makes its way to impact its target, forcing the creature to adopt the beam's own sense of poor co-ordination.
[Lucent Lance on the furthest priest, Quickened Ray of Clumsiness on the furthest Overlord.
Lance Attack: 1d20(10)+9(BAB)+6(DEX)=25 touch.
Damage: 11d6(5 3 5 4 6 3 2 3 4 6 3)=44 damage.
Priest is blind this round, dazzled the next.
Ray Attack: 1d20(18)+9(BAB)+6(DEX)=33 touch.
DEX Damage: 1d12(6).]

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:32 am
Jessica moves up behind Merla and holds out her hands. "Deban!" ((Jessica moves 10' ft. forward and uses Deban. Since there is no grid, everyone within a 30 ft. radius centered on Jessica gets the benefits of Deban [DR 5/-].))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:08 am
Newly cleaned and repaired, Varro sets off after Jessica bolsters his defense. He stalks along the tower face, his sword cutting a deep sparking trench in the stonework as he drags it along. He stops at the corner. Standing at the base of the stairs is a slavering patchwork abomination of flesh and claws.
Varro raises his sword, crouching low, more like a sprint runner than a warrior. A moment later, it's clear why. With a burst of incredible speed he charges towards the Overlord, clearing the last fifteen feet in a flying leap that ends with the Varroblade embedding itself into the Overlord's shoulder. The sheer momentum is too much for the behemoth, and it falls, Varro standing over it, newly stained sword in hand.
((Heroic Surge to move to charging position. Charge Overlord, Leap Attack, PA 5, ACTION POINT!!!
Hit. 53 damage. Overlord fails FORT save and falls prone.
HP 220/220
DR 15/-
AC 29))

Posted by: Lord Oddeye Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:21 am
[Insert something DAGRONish here that involves bringing Enrick to the upper wall] ((I'm in a hurry right now so I'll edit this later.)) --- ((Attack something on the wall where Talacre is Full attack rolls: 9 9 4.
AC: whatever +9
SR20))

Posted by: FreedomJu Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:35 pm
Melissa reaches down for one of her grenades, only to have her fingers accidentally brush against the controls for a demolitions pack instead. She barely has time to exclaim a simple "Oops!" before the pack explodes. The pack's explosion is devastating enough to pierce the armor around the tiny fusion reactor powering Melissa's armor, causing that to explode as well and releasing an incredible amount of destruction in a 10 meter radius around her.
Very little lives through that, and certainly not the Spartan, and certainly not that part of the tower.

Posted by: Knight_019 Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:01 pm
*Just then, Mahler is given true meaning in his life. The explosion gushes forth from Melissa's space suit in a dazzling array of colors and patterns. It looks like a work of art, expanding outward in the air and stopping just a few feet in front of him. Such beauty he had never seen before. It drove him to fall to his knees and gaze upon it. Though the explosion was short lived, it lasted for many eternities to him. Even after it was gone, he felt he understood his real purpose, handed down to him from his master. He needed to appreciate beauty in all its forms, and in people. From this day forward, he would be different. The sight of the charred remains of bodies might have shocked him out of all of it if there were any bodies left.*
: It's so... just so pretty...
((Mahler gives up all his levels, which are traded Bard 4/Reforged 10!))

Posted by: Arcdragnbreth Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:39 pm
This is pointless, the rogue thought, blades in hand. Why... why am I wasting my time here. I don't belong here, with heroes, with anyone even a tenth of as goof as the worst Cultist here. I don't deserve to live. Slowly, pressing the edges of the blades against his wrists, he crossed the long daggers. Then, in a swift motion, he ripped them down the length of his arms, blood flowing freely as he slumped into a corner after the deed was done. Looking up into the sky, he waited for the sweet release of death.
He prayed it would be soon.

Posted by: Dark Maiden Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:32 pm
Oh noes, I just remembered that it's April Fools day! *Insert "Emo Kid by Adam and Andrew" here*

Posted by: Wandering Dezorian Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:32 am
Johann sighs, and casts a quick flurry of clone and polymorph spells on Sha'aasta. A veritable army of pegusai, spartans, golemns and emo-kids spring up to replace the legion of suiciding PCs. "Well done." Holzgeist says to his vertically-challenged friend, "But shouldn't you have placed them under the control of a player doesn't randomly disappear for three months every few days?
Solomon looks up at the noise, curious if anyone was nearing him, then shrugged and settled down for his 18,626,294,815,346,536,543,678,615,312,138,468,312,321-st game of Solitare since being rebuilt.

Posted by: Kaihaku Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:51 am

QUOTE (Kaihaku @ Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:41 am)
((I forgot that Mahler was here so edited.)) Sophie moves up to Mahler and casts a potent spell upon the construct, granting him the powers of a real Golem. [Cast Golem Immunity on Mahler, type is up to Knight.]

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:20 am
((Time for my real action. Merla moves 15' back and uses her warding ability [Personal], and imbues it with two veils: Red and Orange))

QUOTE (Complete Arcane Pg. 46-47)
Personal Warding This warding is a sphere whose diameter is equal to the Initiate's space, and encapsulates the Initiate. It moves with the Initiate, but they cannot force another creature to pass through it. Any creature striking at the Initiate with melee weapon or natural attack is subject to the veil's effect. The warding provides concealment to the Initiate, but the Initiate can see out of it with no hindrance. This warding lasts for 1 minute per level.
Double Warding
The Initiate may raise two veils at once any time they create a warding. This still only counts as one use of the Initiate's warding ability. The less powerful effect is always considered to be outside the more powerful effect. To negate an entire warding, the outer veil must be negated before the inner veil can be negated.
Red Veil
A warding imbued with this veil blocks all nonmagical ranged attacks and missiles. A creature crossing a red veil takes 20 points of fire damage (Reflex half). A Cone of Cold spell or effect destroys a warding with this veil but is negated in the process. A warding with this veil is the equivalent of a 4th level spell.
Orange Veil
A warding with this veil halts magical ranged attacks, including spells that conjure missiles or create rays but not spells that do not require a ranged attack. A creature crossing an orange veil takes 40 points of acid damage (Reflex half). A Gust of Wind spell or similar effect destroys a warding with this veil but is negated in the process. A warding with this veil is the equivalent of a 5th level spell.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:56 am
Telanna is awed by the massive ivy-colored Tower. She keeps her head down while moving through the ancient interior and climbing seemingly countless stairs. The cold air catches her by surprise when they finally step onto the battlements. She looks around, not feeling nearly as frightened of the monsters as she had been of the enormous building. Telanna raises her hands in the air, weaving two spells at once. The skies begin to darken even as the druidess begins to ascend in the air, her clothing billowing in a wind that affects only her.
((Casting Master Air for flight, and Call Lightning Storm with HEROIC SURRRRRGE. Ascend 30'))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:21 pm
Talacre dashes forward, slashing apart the enemy as a chef chops vegetables, Dagron frying up his own portion of the MEAL OF PAIN. Eve crashes into one of the Blue dragons like a freight train, tearing open a huge wound in its already charred flesh for Zook to fire into.
Meanwhile, Zook has no part in the overblown metaphors, simply shooting apart one of the Blue Dragons already wounded by Eve and Dagron.
Maria heavily wounds a line of Cultists with her mental powers, the sonic blast battering and bruising them until they can barely move.
Enrick finishes off the fat cleric, but his wit deserts him, and the best he can manage is, "Uh... Go to fat hell, you fat... fattie... No! Damn, should've made a stuck pig joke!"
Thavon casts Haste on all fighting types within the area. It's super effective.
Melissa issues tactical advice, clinically noting what people should do.
(+3 to hit for all.)
Sheila surges forward (last use H. Surge) and moves towards the Overlord. She seems somewhat puzzled at the appearance of the monster.
"Is that an Overlord? What the hell are those doing here?!" Sheila shouts as she opens fire. The bullets rip open great holes in the monstrosity.
((7 hits. 170 damage.))
Jim manages to kill one of the battered Glabrezu after focusing his fire on it, the already wounded demon no match for the barrage of bullets.
A cascade of lightning knocks Talacre off his feet and to the ground as a wizard laughs madly behind him.
((Cult Wizard casts Bolt 4 on Tal. 90 damage. Tal is under. -3.))
The masked mage at the top of the tower outstretches his hand and closes it swiftly in a crushing motion. A torrent of lighting streaks from the sky to blast Maria with all the fury of a thunderstorm.
((Demon Master casts Bolt 4 on Maria. 95 damage.))
A thin beam of light slices the sky as it burns a deep hole in Dagron's side.
((Torch Eye fires on dagron for 30 damage.))
Despite being on the ground, the Overlord lashes out at Varro, doing little to the megatanium titan
((2 hits 17 damage after DR.))
A red wyvern shoots out a stream of fire at Varro and Dam, but the fire mysteriously evaporates in front of Varro, and Dam simply ducks under the robot, using him as a giant shield.
((Wyvern blows flaming breath! Varro's AMF field deflects it away! Dam evades!))
A blue dragon soars down to exhale a freezing blast of air at Sheila and Mahler. Sheila rolls to the side, but Mahler is hit dead on by the blast, a thin layer of frost coating him.
((Blue dragon blows freezing breath! Sheila evades! Mahler is hit for 30 cold damage!))
A wyvern dives at Zook, shooting a jet of flame just over the tinker's head.
((Wyvern blows flaming breath! Zook evades!))
One of the robots flies over the walls and fires a small laser in its side at Maria. The energy burst is dispersed by the psion's force field.
((Metal Claw uses side laser! Maria takes 20 damage!))
The Frost Worm emits an odd trilling sound that washes over the group. Most are unaffected, but Jim and Melissa find their limbs no longer respond to their brain's commands.
((DC 17 Will save or be paralyze for 3 rounds. Jim and Melissa fail due to lol nat one.))
Dagron kills one of the archers before he can open fire, but the rest launch a hail of exploding arrows into the Force's ranks. In particular, Enrick is hit with a near point blank shot that blasts a sucking chest wound into him.
((1 Crit. 2 hits. 8 misses. Dagron takes 17 damage. 23 damage to Telanna. 45 to Enrick.))
A barbaric man in a dragon skull helmet howls a feral battlecry over the tower, the various dragonkin answering in kind.
((BeastMaster uses Howl of the Dragon. All enemy Breath Weapon DCs increased by 4.))
The last demon standing shouts an unholy word of power, and Thavon is left in shock and awe.
((Glabrezu uses Power Word Stun on Thavon. Thavon is stunned for the next 2 rounds.))
The last priest utters unholy words and jabs an accusing finger at Enrick. Instantly the nobleman feels unwell, his body roiling with unholy energy, though he remains standing.
((Destruction on Enrick. Save passed. 35 damage instead.))
A blue dragon swoops down on the group, breathing out a weak wave of ice and frost over the group that most manage to avoid.
((Breath weapon. Panth and Jess take 21 cold damage. Tel, Sophie, Melissa, and Michael take 10 cold damage. Alex, Jim and Okori evade.))
((Originally I thought Tal had killed the Demon Master, the boss and the guy on top of the tower. He was the one with the contingency. Since this turns out to not be the case, I've simply switched the target of the spell, since the surprise is kinda ruined, and now you know to engage him at range.))
Next turn!

Posted by: DragonmasterDon1 Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:41 pm
Immediately after Zook's shots, the Pegasus Knight's wings push her forward into a series of strikes at the wyvern just near her. ((5 ft, attack wyvern. 12 +8Str +11(BAB) +1Wpn Focus +2HvyLance +6Wpn+1(Haste) +3(Mel)- 1Size = 43 Dmg: 1 + 8Str + 2WpnSpec + 6WpnEnchant = 17
Chromatic: 2(Fire) 6(Frost) 5(Acid) 3(Electricity) 6(Poison)
Dragonbane: 7
2 +8Str +11 (BAB)+1Wpn Focus +2HvyLance +6Wpn+1(Haste) +3(Mel)- 1Size = 33
Dmg: 4 + 8Str + 2WpnSpec + 6WpnEnchant = 20
Chromatic: 5(Fire) 6(Frost) 6(Acid) 6(Electricity) 6(Poison)
Dragonbane: 8
1 +8Str +6(BAB) +1Wpn Focus +2HvyLance +6Wpn +3(Mel)- 1Size = Who cares, miss.
6 +8Str +1(BAB) +1Wpn Focus +2HvyLance +6Wpn +1(Haste) +3(Mel)- 1Size = 27
Dmg: 7 + 8Str + 2WpnSpec + 6WpnEnchant = 23
Chromatic: 2(Fire) 4(Frost) 6(Acid) 2(Electricity) 5(Poison)
Dragonbane: 5))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:02 pm
"Oh bloody hell." Merla reaches into her component pouch and pulls out the materials needed for her spell. A chant on her lips, magic swirls around the wizardess. She weaves glowing magical symbols in the air before her with her free hand. Merla opens her eyes and points towards the Steel Claw. Large fireballs rain down on the machine from the sky, and the ground beneath it begins to fissure. Vents of super heated air erupt from the ground, and a fiery dragon erupts forth, coiling around the machine and preventing any chance of escape.
((Merla casts a Maximized Blaze 4 on the Steel Claw. It suffers 104 points of fire damage [No save].))

Posted by: Knight_019 Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:39 am
*Dagron ignores the pitiful machine of the Ancients and its searing laser. Instead, he focuses on the foul archer in front of him, already badly burned, battered, and beaten. There would be no reprieve for him this day. The evil inhabiting this tower sought no penance and felt no remorse. He would now finish what his flames had begun and cleanse this tower of its evil. With a short flap of his wings, he brings the archer within biting distance, and Dagron quickly lashes out with his razor-sharp fangs. He grabs hold of the archer's neck and clamps down, spilling the archer's blood. The bowman tenses taut for a moment, then limp. At that sign, Dagron rears his head and tosses his enemy from the tower, leaving him to fall far from sight.*
: Evil tastes like chicken. Rotten, moldy chicken that has been sitting out in the sun for three days.
*Dagron spits a few times to get the worm pieces from his mouth, then shakes his claws clean. The worm still lives, though chunks of it are visibly missing.*
((10' left, Bite.
1d20 + 24 + 1 = 20 + ...
CONFIRM: 1d20 + 25 = 17 + 25 = 42. CRIT.
Damage
(2d6 + 14) + 2d6 (holy) = 6 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 28 + 3 + 5 = 52.))
*http://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/nintendo/n64/Metallic_Mario.mid. He felt no differences due to heat or cold at the blue dragon's breath, though when the icy winds blew over him, the new iron protection contracted on him, stressing his body. Mahler sensed Sheila was beginning to make a move against the Dragon, and so noticing that the Overlord had been knocked over, Mahler had a new target. Mahler outstretches his steeled stone legs, clanking heavily across the hewn stone blocks making up the tower. He reaches back with his right fist, lining up his target for a mighty blow.*
: You are no different now than in the tunnels of Parmecia.
*Mahler's fist impacts mightily, glowing brilliant white before the strike lands, and transferring into and across the Overlord's body, wracking it with holy energies.*
((Charge straight up, Smite PA 4.
1d20 + 23 + 1 (haste) + 4 (charge) + 4 (prone) + 1 (smite) - 4 (PA) = 18 + 29 = 47. Hit.
Damage
2d8 + 2d6 (holy) + 1d8 (Powerful Charge) + 10 + 9 (smite) + 4 = 42.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:26 am
Sophie casts Mass Cure Critical Wounds on the platform above, catching all of her allies located there. [MCCW - +36 HP – centered to catch as many people around Talacre as possible.] Maria repeats her attack of a moment before, teleporting to the upper platform and blasting the line of enemy archers, wizard, priest, torch eye…etc…then she teleports down to in front of the patch of moss on the wall.
[PDD: move action]
[Maximized Energy Bolt(Sonic): 85 Sonic Damage, Fort save for half, ignores hardness]
[Inconstant Location]

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:48 am
Varro is suddenly wreathed in white flame. He lashes out at the Overlord, but most of his strikes go wide because of the intercession of Mahler and the Wyvern. ((Three attacks, one hit. 55 damage before DR))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:27 am
Sheila fires five shots at the Blue Dragon, one shot blowing apart one of its three heads while the others blew through its body. The dragon hits the ground with a pained howl as Sheila turns to Mahler, guns firing off a parting two shots at the Overlord.
"These again? Hey, you've fought these before too?" Sheila calls to the golem.
((7 hits with one crit. Dragon blown apart. 2 hits on the Overlord for 50 damage.))

Posted by: Alpha Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:49 pm
Even as the agile elf is knocked off his feet, Sophie’s healing energy washes over him. Using his momentum, Talacre rolls backwards and is up to a standing position almost immediately. With a growl and an elven curse, he jumps straight up into the air, and activates some of his limited magical energy. Now literally walking in the air, the elf races towards the next wall, and then runs along it, slicing at the (SF2) demon master. As the first attack connects, he twists and spins, laying another attack in the caster.
[Free stand, jump 15’ up, activate air walk. Then run along the wall, attacking the SF2 demon master. Auto pass tumble/jump checks
Power attack 5, Combat expertise 2
Attack 1: 1d20(4) + 16(bab) + 7(dex) + 3(ench) + 1(w.focus) + 1(mwk) - 1(trait) + 3(ddance) + 2(acrobat) + 1(haste) + 3(tactical) – 5(PA) – 2(CE) = 33
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6(deadly defence) + 9(x1.5 str) + 3(enchantment) + 6(int) + 1(trait) + 3(ddance) + 2(acrobatic) + 2(aura) + 10(PA) = 44
Attack 2: 1d20(16) + 24 = 40
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6(deadly defence) + 1d6(flay foe) + 36 = 48
If that kills it, then Tal will get a cleave attack against the torch eye
Cleave: 1d20(10) + 24 + 2(construct bane) = 36
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6(deadly defence) + 2d6(construct bane) + 1d6(demolition crystal) + 36 = 47
Weapon treated as adamantine for overcoming contruct's DR
Tal has the Sense Weakness feat, so reduce DR by 5 points]
Not stopping to check if he killed the caster or not, Talacre executes an in air jump, something that looks extremely odd. Coming down near the glabrezu, the blade dancer executes three quick slashes, before continuing his sprint, finally hopping over the bottom wall and landing near Sophie.
: “Hello Sophie,” the battered and injured elf says. “Thanks for that healing, but if there’s any more, I’d gladly accept.”
[Continue running right, end up next to the glabrezu. Run down, attacking three times, and end up two spaces to the right of where Sophie is on the map
Attack 3: 1d20(6) + 21 = 27. Hit (just)
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6(deadly defence) + 1d6(starmetal) + 36 = 51
Attack 4: 1d20(18)…crit threat
Confirm: 1d20(7) + 16…normal hit
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6(deadly defence) + 1d6(starmetal) + 1d6(flay foe) + 36 = 43
Haste Attack: 1d20(12) + 29 = 41
Damage: 1d10 + 1d6(deadly defence) + 1d6(starmetal) + 1d6(flay foe) + 36 = 50
Starmetal weapon overcomes any DR the glabrezu has]
[HP: 33/197
AC: 38
DR: 5/-]

Posted by: Cyrus Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:17 am
Okori doesn't move from his spot in the air, firing off another stilted bolt of bright orange and causing the three archers and their priest companion to suddenly feel heavy as stone... [Cast Slow as a 5th level spell on that row of people on the third tier (DC 24 Will save), and another Quickened Ray of Clumsiness to the Overlord.
Ray attack: 1d20(11)+9(BAB)+6(DEX)=26.
Damage=1d12(11 DEX).]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:08 am
Eve impales the red wyvern on her lance, the magics in the potent weapon flaring to life and cascading across the dragon's body, causing it to shrivel into a dried husk and fall to the ground far below as Eve pulls her weapon out. ((Eve slays the wyvern.))
Merla's spell reduces the Metal Claw to a puddle of metal, utterly melted by the intense heat and fire of the mage's power.
((Metal Claw destroyed.))
Dagron lunges forward and takes a bite out of crime, killing the cultist.
((Cult Sniper slain.))
Okori works his magic, sapping the Overlord's agility and slowing down the enemy forces above.
Dam takes a defensive stance as Pantherath moves up.
Enrick mediates, POOLING HIS AWESOME POWER.
((LO, you get a free action next turn as I haven't a clue what to do with you.))
The Glabrezu staggers back, barking out a word of power. Talacre immediately soars up into the air, only to fall back down onto the stone floor of the tower.
((Reverse Gravity. Nothing to hold onto, so according to the spell, Tal gets no save. 27 damage.))
The Frost Worm rounds the corner and exhales a freezing breath of air onto Dagron and Enrick, but the nimble noble evades while Dagron flattens himself to the floor to allow most of the blast to sail past him.
((51 cold damage, Dagron saved, so 25 damage. Enrick evades.))
The Beastmaster utters a guttural war cry to his pets.
((All enemy beasts gain +5 hit and damage.))
Finally, when all is said and done, Michael casually finishes off the Glabrezu in front of Talacre with a burst of holy light.
((Michael kills the Glabrezu.))
The Overlord lashes out weakly at Varro, the many injuries it has taken clearly affecting the monster's abilities. The best the abomination can manage is to scratch Varro's paint.
((1 hit. No damage.))
One of the Blue Dragons takes flight from behind the stone wall, landing just behind Sheila and exhaling a blast of ice onto the warriors of Light. Sheila and Dam swiftly roll out of the way, but Pantherath is hit full on by the blast, ice coating his fur and armor.
((Sheila and Dam save and evade. Pantherath fails the save and takes 79 cold damage.))
The remaining archers fire a hail of explosive arrows onto Dagron and Maria, one coming perilously close to the dragon's throat!
((2 hits, 1 miss. Crit failed to confirm. 28 damage to Maria. 15 damage to Dagron.))
The wyvern claws futilely at Varro, unable to pierce the robot's thick metal plates.
((A few hits, and nothing pierced DR.))
The Blue Dragon battles fiercely with Alexander, opening painful wounds in the hero.
((3 hits, one would've been a crit but lol fortification. 22, 18, and 17 damage.))
Another Blue Dragon exhales a blizzard onto the team, the tactic growing old and cold.
((Everyone on the lower platform's left side takes 30 cold damage or evades, except for Michael, who took 60 cold damage, since he was the only one to fail the save.))
Telanna feels her skin begin to harden, but the effect soon wears off as the last mage curses his luck.
((Flesh to Stone. Save made.))
Next turn!

Posted by: Rusty Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:27 am
((Here's what Alex's action was from last round. Move to attack the Blue Dragon. Attack: 17 + 32 = 49. Hit. Damage: 31 total, ignoring up to 5 points of DR. Alex has DR 6/- for 10 attacks, so Alex only took 39 damage. And now for this round. Also, Alex has Evasion and takes no damage from the breath.))
*Calling upon the power of the Light to help him, Alex counterattacks the dragon.*
: "Foul beasts! You side with the Cult? For that, you die!"
((PA5. Divine Might. Full Attack.
Roll to hit:
Attack #1: 5 + 28 = 33.
Damage: 30 [sword] + 1 [magic] + 5 [STR] + 5 [PA] + 8 [Divine Might] + 2 [aura] = 51.
Attack #2: 1. lol
Attack #3: 11 + 18 = 29.
Damage: 24 [sword] + 1 [magic] + 5 [STR] + 5 [PA] + 8 [Divine Might] + 2 [aura] = 45.
Attack #4: 9 + 28 = 37.
Damage: 27 [sword] + 1 [magic] + 5 [STR] + 5 [PA] + 8 [Divine Might] + 2 [aura] = 48.
All attacks can ignore up to 5 points of DR. They all count as good, adamantine, and if for some reason this is a fiendish dragon, they'll do a lot more.
Marine says it's dead, so w00t. Btw, it's the one above Alex on the map below.))

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:13 am

Posted by: Knight_019 Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:22 am
*Dagron's draconic fury knows no bounds as the wyrmling continues his hastened assault on his enemies. The young dragon launches into a flury of attacks, biting, scratching, tearing, battering, and smashing the small ice worm. He spits out the disgusting pieces of frozen worm flesh, leaving a destroyed worm carcass on the ground in front of him. Even with a few attacks landing well away from where they were intended in his hurry, he had no difficulties connecting with all his blows.*
: You call this a challenge!?
*Just then, the worm's remaining body solidifies into an ice sculpture. Dagron looks at it inquisitively, not sure what to make of it. Suddenly, it explodes in a powerful blast of ice shards and freezing energy. Dagron bats his wings hard to try to rise up and avoid it. He succeeds in avoidng the most of it, shakes his head, then remains at his new altitude.*
: WHO SAID THEY COULD DO THAT!?
((Dagron kills the worm with 7 hits. It explodes. 59 cold and 31 piercing damage in a 100' radius. Most enemies evade, but the nearby wyvern gets its shit torn up.
Dagron passes the reflex save.))
: What is that...?
*A rain of ice shards and a wave of cold energy flows over the edge of the tower down on his level. In the cramped space near Varro, the overlord, and wyvern combined with his new, heavier, iron body, Mahler is unable to move at all, let alone cover himself from the attack. It hits him full on, again causing the iron plating on his stone body to contract, cracking a few of the stones with hairline fissures. No matter, he could still fight on. Mahler launches a barrage of lightning fast strikes into the overlord, connecting with all of them. He calls on the power of the light to guide his strikes, and his last blow causes the Overlord to raise a hand feebly, but then it drops unconscious, no longer able to plague this world.*
: You will torment this world no longer.
((Nat 1, Mahler fails his save.
Mahler punches the overlord a bunch, hitting 4 times. It doesn't die yet. Mahler uses servant of the heavens to deal 1 more damage. It dies, lol.
Don't feel like descriptions right now.))

Posted by: Cyrus Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:40 am
Okori visibly flinches at the tide of ice that comes rolling over the wall to engulf him, moving out of the way just in time to only watch a quarter of his essence be spirited away. Looking to his former target, he finds it crumpled against the stairs it fought so stupidly to defend. Frowning at the fact it was once and truly gone, he turns to its cousin, mounted on the third tier...and then it hits him. Those things couldn't scratch him...he could get as close as he wanted. Smiling at this newfound knowledge, the fire around Okori flares, burning through a modicum of chi to bolt across the field of battle and slam against the Overlord, thin tendrils of soul stuff wrapping around the monster...when there is no resistance, the fox spirit melts inside the amalgam of monstrous flesh. He feels the beats of many hearts, air cycling through many lungs, muscles far too large for skin to hold them flex and twist...The Overlord lets out a scream as its controller comes to realise the joy of a physical body, even one so dead.
[Use Fox Flight as a swift action for 3 Chi to gain 90' perfect fly speed. Charge, use the malevolence ability on the remaining Overlord (DC 24). No quickened spell this round.
HP: 560/560
AC: 33
Attacks: +22/+22/+17/+17
Damage: 2d12+12 per claw, poison]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:47 am
((Explosion: Ref save DC 22. 59 cold damage, 21 piercing damage. +4 cover save may apply depending where you are. Only Dagron, Enrick, Alexander, and Maria take the piercing damage.)) "Wow! I've never seen an Overlord taken out that quickly before! That's really impressive!" Sheila comments as she blasts away in the general direction of the Wyvern, the dragon already nearly dead from the Frost Worm's death throes. The Wyvern plummets towards the ground, a bullet through its brain as Sheila gets lucky. The agent's luck does not desert her as she whirls around to fire again at the Blue Dragon, a round each exploding the monster's heads.
((Critical Hit! Critical Hit! Hit, Hit, Hit, Hit, Hit. Far right Wyvern and Blue Dragon slain.))

Posted by: Rusty Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:04 am
((Alex saves and has evasion, so he takes no damage.))

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:28 am
((Too tired to do a proper post. here are my actions Zook goes up a little more and makes a spot check to see if there's anyone on top of the tower. there isn't Varro helps Mahler kill the Overlord Telanna flies onto the third tier and casts Unearthly Beauty. All three archers go blind, and one of them dies. The beastmaster rolls 2 20s for saves and lives for another round. At the end of the round, Telanna suppresses the effect as a free action, so if anyone else makes it up there they won't get hurt))

Posted by: Kaihaku Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:33 am

QUOTE (VoxPVoxD @ Fri Apr 04, 2008 2:28 pm)
((Telanna flies onto the third tier and casts Unearthly Beauty. All three archers go blind, and one of them dies. The beastmaster rolls 2 20s for saves and lives for another round.))

((That is so hot. Does Sorel know his daughter does that?))
Sophie heals those above, again.
[MCSW: +30 HP]
Maria teleports back down to the group below, clutching at some serious wounds, "Whew... I'm spent..." She chuckles, "Maybe wiping out four 'strongholds' in one day was a mistake. Nah."

Posted by: Lord Oddeye Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:50 am
: "And on to the next level!" Enrick takes a run up and dashes towards the great wall of the tower which he jumps past easily in an incredible display that only Talacre could ever hope to match... and lands beside the beastmaster, using the momentum to stab the warrior for deadly effects.
((Jump check: nat 20. Success.
Attack the beastmaster
Melee: Nat 20. Confirm... 11 + bonuses = critical hit!
Damage: 1d6+1 (Weapon) +9 (CHA) +3 (INT) +2 (Motivate Ardor) = 6 +14 = 20 x2 crit = 40 damage.))
: "You can't win Barbazak! I have the high ground! *guffaws*"
The swordsman keeps stabbing verbosely, ending the life of his opponent in the smirk of a mouth, and with many, many attacks.
((FA the beastmaster
"Ooh Burn!" Used.
+1d6 fire damage.
Rolls : 3 14 13 14. The 3 might hit too if there are enough buffs. Bonuses on my side make a total of +15.
Damage bonuses: 1d6+1 (Weapon) +9 (CHA) +3 (INT) +2 (Motivate Ardor)
Result: 16, 21, 21, 21. +2 fire damage somewhere along the lines.
Use up 3 charges of belt of battle to gain a full round action. (swift)
FA beastmaster.
Rolls: 12 1 9. And for once I can't use hax to make it a nat 20. For shame.
Damage: 6 6 1 = 21, 21... why do I even bother it's dead. ))
Dodge to an archer.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:16 am
((Merla passes her Reflex save and takes 29 damage. Jessica fails her Reflex save and takes 59 damage.))

Posted by: Alpha Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:47 pm
[Reflex save: 1d20(8)...pass] As time an reality alters, Talacre finds himself not on the lower tier as he thought he was, but rather back next to where he'd attacked the glabrezu. With an irreverent shrug, the elf decides to try again. Jumping up, he stops midair, his air walk ability once more taking effect. At the same height as one of the blue dragons, he rushes towards it and dishes out a series of styling attacks. The sight is an odd one, to be sure. An elf floating in the air, tumbling about to avoid retaliation whilst chopping away. Only two strikes into the attack however, he slices two critical areas and the beast drops dead. With a grin and shrug, he floats down to where Sophie is.
[Jump, air walk, tumble, etc. Move south to the blue dragon that's alive and full attack
Attack 1: 1d20(20)...
Confirm: 1d20(10) + 16(bab) + 7(dex) + 3(ench) + 1(w.focus) + 1(mwk) - 1(trait) + 3(ddance) + 2(acrobat) + 1(haste) + 3(tactics) = 46
Damage: 1d10(9) + 9(x1.5 str) + 3(enchantment) + 6(int) + 1(trait) + 3(ddance) + 2(acrobatic) + 2(aura) + 10(PA) *2 = 90
Attack 2: 1d20(18)...threat (to hit would be 49)
Confirm: 1d20(19)... upgraded threat (to hit would be 50)
Confirm: 1d20(18)... double upgraded threat (to hit would be 49)
Confirm: 1d20(14) + 31 = 45
Damage: 1d10(9) + 9(x1.5 str) + 3(enchantment) + 6(int) + 1(trait) + 3(ddance) + 2(acrobatic) + 2(aura) + 10(PA) *4 + 1d6(5)(flay foe) = 185...it's dead Jim
Move down next to Sophie]
[HP: 41/197
AC: 38
DR: 5/-]

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:19 pm
((The only people left are people that either don't want to post or are inactive. That combined with the fact the battle is almost over...)) Enemies fall one after the other, leaving only a wyvern, a pair of archers, and a frantic Demon Master, shouting orders.
"They've taken the Overlord! Kill it! Kill it all over again!" he shouts, sending a pillar of fire at the creature as he descends the stairs to get in range. The magical flames eat away at the layers of corpsemeat and demonflesh that make up the grisly construct.
((Okorilord takes 104 fire damage. Sudden Maximized Blaze 4.))
The archers only manage a single shot off each, their movements slow and sluggish thanks to the fox's enchantment. The arrows explode against the Overlord, doing little.
((2 hits. 18 damage after DR to Okorilord.))
Another jet of flame washes over the Overlord as the Wyvern dives in, breathing fire. The Overlord shifts its weight to avoid being caught by the brunt of the blast, though.
((Okorilord saved and takes 38 fire damage.))
Next turn.

Posted by: Lord Oddeye Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:26 pm
Enrick stabs blind people wittily. ((Move and attack the nearest archer. Melee: 7 + bonuses. Damage: 1d6+1 (Weapon) +1d6 (Ooh Burn!) +9 (CHA) +3 (INT) +2 (Motivate Ardor) = 4 + 5 + 14 = 23.))

Posted by: Dark Maiden Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:30 am
((I don't feel like making a really fancy post right now since I'm pretty tired. Merla kills Archer #2 [The one that Enrick didn't attack] with an Empowered Orb of Force.))

Posted by: Cyrus Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:00 am
Charred and broiled flesh falls from amalgam of dead flesh, and deep growls rumble through its body...but in the end, the monstrosity still stands, a testament to its infernal construction. Severed tendons hang from its neck as it turns to its most powerful target, the shrieking voice of the Demon Master carrying while he runs down the stairs. The Okorilord bolts for him, its twisted feet not even touching the ground, and two cruel claws lash out at the mage, who evades them and responds with an explosion of fire. The two grapple together, great talons carving into stone and more fire lashing the beast, when two orange beams lance from the corpse's eyes, the only sensible feature on its body. the mage goes limp, and the giant snatches him, pulling him into a bear hug that elicits hideous cracks from the mage's body. Blood rolls down his mouth, and the beast stops...before roaring and dropping his prey, beating on his own head. The demon begins to scramble up the walls themselves, before fire coats it and it flies away, scraping the tower's walls until there is no more tower, and climbing ever higher.
[Kill the mage and Fox-Flight straight up. 180' a round, 1 Dex damage each round. Tell me when it falls, TUM.]

Posted by: Knight_019 Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:07 am
*Dagron continues his previous ascension from destroying the ice worm, and suddenly he sees an archer fall flat on his back, unconscious, and the other one staring in disbelief.* : WHY HELLO THERE! *The closing motion of the word is on the archer's face, and then Dagron starts tearing at the archer with his claws. Finally, he lets go, his wings fluttering to keep him aloft and being completely ineffective for attacking. Dagron, however, finishes with a spin flourish, throwing his tail around and knocking the bow-wielder off his feet and over the wall, where he careens to the level below and to his death.*
: Looks likes someone didn't have a pleasant trip...
((7 attacks, TUM says it dies.))
*Meanwhile, the ever erstwhile, newly golemized-golem plods up the stairs in a cartoonishly fast fashion thanks to the haste spell on him. He clanks and clatters all the way, tinkling out melodies on the floor. It makes him think more on the nature of people, now on their music, and he is intrigued. Artibeus had never taught him much about music. He hadn't discussed any he liked, either. He talked about sacred hymns and such, but never about what music was to be liked. What if he could make music? How would he know if he was making good music? Was this music, with his metal plated body clanking off of the stone tiles of the tower? Would people enjoy it if he clattered and clanked on himself and other objects like a potpourri of percussion?
Then, he notices that the enemies had been defeated upon moving around the tower, and there was little left to do. He wondered who he could talk to about such things. He calls out to make sure, however. His voice booms, amplified by his metallic shell.*
: Have we won!?

Posted by: TheUnknownMarine Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:18 am
>>This is a placeholder for Eve's aerial duel.<< --------- The tower falls silent as the last defender is slain. XP: Level 17: 2500
Level 16: 3250
Level 15: 4750
Level 13: 8000
Searching the tower yields a pair of chests with the following inside:
1 Running Pepper
2,000 platinum pieces.
Ring of Major Fire Resistance
Instant Fortress
Wings of Flying (equipped on one of the mages)

Posted by: Rusty Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:11 am
: "Excellent work, everyone. I'm especially impressed by Okori, there. I didn't know you could do that. Well, let's clean up here and report back to King Kusuko when we're done." ((Alex swipes the Pepper. Sorry, Talacre.))

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:21 am
((Sorry, I got DCed for about three hours... )) "Sheila, glad to have you back!" Maria calls happily up to the level above as the agent blasts apart scaly hide and foul flesh, "We were hurting without you!" She shakes her head with a grin, About time, Jim revoked that order... Then, her smile fades away as she notes the wisps of spiritual flame beginning to wreath the hideous amalgam of patchwork flesh, "Wait a minute…"
Then the twisted beast lets out a roar of feral ecstasy, twisted muscles bulging and raw flesh exposed between torn stitches and wound. The psion takes half a step forward as the few pitiful survivors that remain blast the collage of flesh with blasts of magic and flame, though in the end it remains…scorched, battered, and horrifyingly unphased by the punishment it had just taken. "By the light…" Maria breathes, "How…is that thing still…"
The desperation written across the face of the priestess a moment ago fades to be replaced with a dull horror. She lets out a ragged breath, holding a delicate hand over her mouth, then turns her eyes away, squeezing back tears as her cherished friends casually, nay flippantly slaughter the blinded archers. At each of the quips of Enrick and Dagron, the priestess visibly shudders…then as the last enemy falls, she suddenly turns and swiftly walks down the stairs, her face pallid.
The last enemy is brutally crushed, leaving only the Overlord which then lets out a triumphant bloody roar before beginning to beat on its own head. Maria struggles to repress a chuckle, then gives up the struggle and gives into her laughter, "Okori, you're too much!" She vanishes to reappear on the upper level of the castle, standing arms akimbo and looking up at the beast with cautious curiosity.
Then, the overlord begins to scramble up the very walls, causing the psion to take a step back, "What are you up to now?" As it reaches the end of the tower and begins to comically crawl its way up through the sky, wreathed in flames, the nomad begins to laugh, "Oh…you… That's awesome!" She steps forward to get a better view, then she staggers and nearly falls as her feet have difficulty catching grip on the slick stone beneath them. She glances down with a frown, noting that she is standing in the edge of a growing puddle of blood pouring from the crushed corpse of the magician. "Oh, gross..." She mutters in disgust, taking a few steps back and wiping her shoes on a patch of grass peeking up between the stone, before looking back up to the skies above with an expectant smile.

Posted by: VoxPVoxD Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:44 am
Varro lets his arms fall, looking about the wasted battlefield with an expression of stoic satisfaction...insofar as Varro can express anything. Telanna opens her eyes, letting the spell fade as her unearthly beauty fades and she returns to normal. She looks at the corpses strewn about her, at her allies standing triumphantly over them, and suddenly feels very tired.
Zook brings ADAM down for a landing on the highest battlement, hearing the sounds of battle dim below. He doesn't notice his pulse quicken, or his heart thudding in his chest. He manages to lose himself in the machine for a moment. The machine lands. Through the thick glass window the ravaged dead seem remote, distant, not altogether larger, in a way, than they had been when Zook was in the air. He climbs out.
The smell hits him, the smells of sulfur and burnt flesh and the first creeping hints of decay flood his sensitive gnomish nose. Foolishly, in an effort to distract himself, he looks down. His gaze meets the milky, blinded eyes of an archer riddled with rapier wounds. Its mouth his slack, its tongue already drying, but the corpse's dead eyes are staring directly into Zook's.
He feels sick, terribly sick. He turns an unpleasant shade of gray-green. With a monumental effort, he restrains himself, instead doubling over, taking several deep gasping breaths, each gasp inviting more of the burnt, poisoned air into his lungs.

Posted by: Cyrus Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:01 am
Okori never knew that air had a taste. For all his years, which were short compared to his kinfolk, he had never felt it rush across his face, linger in his nose, swirl in his lungs. He was used to flying, but not to feeling like he was flying. He watched the vision of the world expand while he climbed, The tower becoming a model, then a toy, and the mountains releasing the sight of the verdant bounty beyond them. The sun began to fall from its lofty place in the sky, crawling lower and lower in the sky. For a moment, the sky turns a deeper shade of blue. Then, he tumbled from his host, the being simply giving up. The body hangs there just long enough for a little red fox to appear and follow it down.
A little grey speck was the first thing to appear. Soon, it became a black blob, like a splurt of ink, which grew and grew as it fell. The hint of a shadow forms at the beginning of the stairs leading to the top of the tower. A whistling sound flits through the air, deepening in pitch while the shadow grows darker. Then, at the bottom of the note, the body comes into full view, a massive hunk of rotting and blackened flesh crashing through the brick of the open air floor, throwing up smashed stone and a cloud of powdered mortar and leaving a smear of red in its wake. The crashing sounds continue below until it falls too far to be heard. the observant person is able to pick out a little red body falling alongside it, just far enough behind to avoid the horrible effects of the fall. It too disappears in its chase after the Overlord.
Soon, Maria feels a presence in her mind, one so familiar. A voice comes so after, unable to hide its disappointment. Awww...He won.

Posted by: Kaihaku Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:22 am
He won? The psion laughs out loud as she questions mentally, turning away from the fallen mage and walking down the stairs, Were you racing?

Posted by: Cyrus Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:57 am
Yeah...I was so sure I was going to win, too. It's just...so disappointing. A sudden thought turns around the spirit's mood, Maria receiving a high of excitement. But you should've seen how high I went, Maria! The tower looked like a little toy, and the mountains looked so tiny, and the sky turned a different colour, and...It was like standing on a map! You know, the round ones, where the land kind of pops up and everything. The spirit then goes back over what it just says, confused. I guess that doesn't make a lot of sense...

Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)