Adventure 67: The Bonds Would Break...

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

"What of relative distance?"

"Yes, we are in a valley and we have perhaps three locations where the veil is thin enough to be breached, but will each send us to the same relative place in the SW?"

"This catacomb, it seems indeed to be meant for giants and their kin. Will it lead into the Shadow in a place where their power remains strong? - Might there not be guardians of the catacombs?"

"The battlefield, might the slain not still wage war on the other side?"

"And the river, where our memories are under assault, might in the end prove the most feasible, even if we cannot bring all the men with us?"

"I believe, with what we have now, that to move the men over in mass, then we have to challenge whatever lies in the catacombs or the battlefield. And of the two, the veil is likely thinnest in the catacombs."

"Lets experiment. Search the tombs and these guardians. Do not break into the sarcophagus's until we are relatively certain how to counter these statues if they wake up or some such trap work."

"If they appear even slightly enchanted to animate, we should cast them down and crush them, before breaking seals."

[X-Bellam & BC/TB (Bobby)]

Baron Bellamie will recruit a group of the IHH's templars and lead an exploration of the Mausoleum, ordering them to touch nothing and speak only when necessary.  "This is a place of power and one of stillness.  Disturb it at your own risk."  Despite his words, though, he moves quickly, snapping orders at any man who seems hesitant or slow.  Night approaches rapidly, and he fears what might issue forth from the place once darkness falls fully upon it.

The captains of the units brought with the heroes, meanwhile, are ordered to establish camp and post sentries, including scouts set to watch the river bank and the battle site.  Either could prove a source of attack as well. 

[DM B]

Meanwhile:

Scouts signal that they have found something, or several things in fact.

One is a set of stone stairs that seem to go down into the river. It has become visible now that the evening sun shines down into the valley (because of the steep sides it mostly lies in shadow - fittingly enough). You wizard quickly confirms that there is magic involved - one spell to hide the stairs and something else as well.

The second item is a portal hewn into the rock face further down. It's partially ruined, but they way inside is not completely blocked. What really sets it apart is the fact that its nearly fifty feet tall (unlike the stairs, they are of more normal size).

Finally they have found what appears to be the remnants of an old battle. White bones, corroded metal, that sort of thing.

Gaerred wonders to Kalieman that perhaps each one of these directions presents a path to take: the Mausoleum, the Stairway or the battlefield.

Kaleiman: "Yes. I believe that it might be so. The stairs would be like jumping in the river, through presumably with less risk...otherwise I cannot understand why it is there. And yes, the battle site and the mausoleum...both are places where we could manage to cross over."

[DM B]

Baron Bellamie will recruit a group of the IHH's templars and lead an exploration of the Mausoleum, ordering them to touch nothing and speak only when necessary.  "This is a place of power and one of stillness.  Disturb it at your own risk."  Despite his words, though, he moves quickly, snapping orders at any man who seems hesitant or slow.  Night approaches rapidly, and he fears what might issue forth from the place once darkness falls fully upon it.

The captains of the units brought with the heroes, meanwhile, are ordered to establish camp and post sentries, including scouts set to watch the river bank and the battle site.  Either could prove a source of attack as well.

The site of the stairs is easily watched. The battle site is a bit bigger - it's the only relatively large and open area in the valley (it's more like a gorge, since it ends not as open farmlands, but narrow into a gorge through which the river flows) - but you've plenty of men. The last group watched the entrance to the mausoleum.

---

In the dark of night it happens...a faint misty tendrils reach out from the battle site to touch the men on watch...some succumb to sleep, but not all. There alarm is raised and suddenly the tendrils are gone, chased away perhaps, buy the blessings of the goddess of light and reason. Landen Tshalen leads the charge of the Osoedans as they emerge from the gloomy battlefield. Battle is joined. IHH templars stand to the fore, hacking away at the enemy with great zeal. It is a confusing scene, for although the moon is out the valley is deep and dark, and torches only go so far. For a time the templars keep the enemy at bay, but there is one problem - the Baron of West Hold is unstoppable. Every time he strikes a blow it strikes true, and a man bleeds. His strength is inhuman.

---

In the meantime Baron Bellamie and his group explores the catacombs. They are very very old - this place was dead and forgotten before men started building huts. They are also very extensive. Parts of it lies in ruins other sections have clearly been savaged and pillaged...but who knows what might be hidden down here? The Veil is thin...reality and dream blends seamlessly in places...there is no telling what could happen. Such as that which awaits you as you make your way back - you find that you have crossed over. Before you lies the valley, bathed in moonlight. It's the same place, only there are no ruins. Only great stone temples and mausoleums along the length and breadth of the valley. Like it was, before the ice scoured it clean. Upon the battle-field you see an army with torches - arrayed as if for battle...

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

The Patriarch observes the battle. The heavies are in front, the ranged units sending streams of missiles high over the front and into the attackers back ranks.

"We must take down that man he states." Pointing to the melee centered around the apparant Tshalen.

"Maester Kaleiman, Aux. Patriarch Drago, can you target him with magic?"

"We should prepare to retreat into the catacombs. They are large enough to contain us, and if we are outnumbered the walls and limited space is to our advantage. Your Holiness, will you give the orders?"

"Can we get some light? - How many of them are there, and are they still coming through the veil?"

[X-Bellam & BC/TB (Bobby)]

Wordlessly, the Baron motions to his escort to remain within the cave mouth and wait.  He steps out, keeping to the shadows around the walls of the valley, and disappears into the night, using all his skill and art to remain unseen.  Carefully, he approaches the waiting army, trying to make out the banners and the nature of the men composing it - if men they are, in this place forgotten by time.

[X-Points East]

IC:

Elamien approaches Rashid and Kaleiman, during the battle.  And says she, "This is our opportunity; this is our distraction.  So, let us go to the stairs and cross.  Rashida can be left with the troops, along with any others, who would stay and support them.  But there are more important battles for us to fight:  for, as you told me, Rashid, we must face that, which these scores of lesser men can not."

[X-LPA/Gaerred Khaiarén (Gray)]

Gaerred, having been speak with some of the Elinien soldiers, is quickly becoming cutoff from the safety of the mausoleum, he whispers a quite invocation of the Lady causing small rock to shed bright light, which he throws into the fray.

"This is a distraction," he quietly says and at the very edge of the light, he can be seen walking down the stairs into the river.

[DM B]

Gaerred disappears into the river.

Meanwhile Kaleiman is doing what he can...but he is very reluctant to use his powers at this stage. He fears the trials to come will test him to his limits and thus cannot spend his might at these minions. He does, however, conjure forth a great ribbon of light to illuminate the battle-field, knowing that such magics will be useless on the other side. The magelight reveals Landen Tshalen to be gone...or should we say replaced...by a hulking brute that can only be the Ogre! Facing him is Dragon Tanar - who is generally busy staying in one piece. But now that the Ogre is busy trying to squash Drago he's no longer ripping the templars to pieces. They close ranks again and the Osoerdans cannot seem to break them.

[DM B]

A runner brings word to the Sword Mage - a great light has been seen in the valley and there are sounds of battle.

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

At the camp the Swordmage is doing what she can to help the ones in the valley. Orders are given that archers are to be brought up along the sides of the valley, looking for fire opportunities, but under very strict orders not fire unless they clearly can see their mark. Friendly fire would not improve the situation.
Meanwhile the rest of the army is roused and prepared for battle, this might be the precursor for a greater attack. The enemy faced is tricky and vile.

Then a breathless runner gets to the Swordmage, as she is standing among her captains, giving an order to be sent to the second column...
"... tell him to take the eastern approach, we will hold the upper... what did you say?"
She looks at the man, who is cradling his injured arm. She listens without expression, though a gleam seems to awaken in her eyes.
"Very well. Get this man to a medic, see that he is tended to."
She turns back to the man she was adressing before.
"The first column will hold the entrance to the valley and be ready to charge down from the mouth, if the need should be there. Tell Commander Gaerik to arrange his column defensively. Go now."

She then adresses her captains. "Hold the valley and keep supporting them down there. Try to open a way for reinforcements to get down there. There is no room for more troops, but we can replace their fallen. Meanwhile, I shall attend to the Ogre."

She turns from her captains, walking towards the valley entrance, focusing her mind. Awaken Iorassus, COME to me
As she draws close to the entrance, the sound of great, thudding footsteps can be heard. 25 meters of marble and steel are moving with swift, long strides towards her. She turns, letting it meet her at the valley entrance where people are swiftly making room, not wanting to be trambled underfoot. Then, the Colossus slowly bends down, letting her step up onto it's hand. It lifts her up and she supports herself on it's shoulder. Then it marches into the valley, towards the Ogre, while power and lightning ignites the air around the Swordmage.

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

"Rashida, find Baron Bellamie and his party. Tell him the group is passing over at the river, and that he should rally with us when it is possible."

"If the Ogre is here, then the Swordmage will be coming as soon as she hears of it. Hold the catacombs until help arrives."

The Patriarch then rounds up as many of the team that he can, before running to the stairway.

[DM B]

Kaleiman follows the Patriarch, as does (presumably?) Elamien.

None of the others are in a position to come with you.

[X-Points East]

IC:

Elamien does follow Rashid.

En route, she calls out to Kaleiman, "Can you fortify our minds, before we entre?"

[X-Elinie/RiD (Niels)]

Rashid prepares himself for the immersion, while he waits for Kaleiman to cast his spell.

He looks around to get a feel for the landscape on this side, imagining where the small group might be able to remain hidden and get away from the immediate area on the other side.

As Kaleiman finishes his spell, Rashid pulls up his hood and walks resolutely down the stairs.

He is focused on getting to the other side, and once there secure the little group into a safe location, take stock from hiding and then move on. His hand is tight on the hilt of the Sunsword, he does not draw it, as losing it in the stream due to mishap would be terrible. He is ready to draw it though, should he have to fight.