Adventure 67: The Bonds Would Break...

[X-Points East]

IC:

Elamien allows Kaleiman to precede her; then, glancing over her shoulder to see whether any,—friend or foe,—might follow them, she, too, descends.

[DM B]

Kaleiman has entered the water: "There is no need. The stairs protect us - from magic and current alike. Just follow them and we'll meet on the other side."

Shortly thereafter you are all walking up the very same stairs you are descending...it makes no sense, but here you are, in the Shadow World, dripping wet in the moonlight, but otherwise unharmed. Rashid, Elamien, Gaerred and Kaleiman have crossed thus far...

(and we are moving this to a new thread)

[DM B]

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.

They are men. Baron Tshalen's men and those Eliniean exiles that came with Gerad and later followed Tashalen into the Grey Hills. You count six or so units - as you watch men turn into apparitions of moonlight and then disappear. They are crossing over to the other side. You think you hear the sounds of battle, as if from a great distance.

Suddenly you become aware of movement to your right, from the river. Gaerred Khaiarén, High Hierophant of the LPA steps out of the water, gasping and dripping wet...

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

The templars now fully rouse and given some respite by the intervention of Drago Tanar close ranks and begin to gain on the enemy. Archbishop Bellamie roars prayers to Haelyn instilling the men with the Courage the All Father.

Over and over the Archbishop repeats:

“Men of Osoerde if any of you have yet to fully succumb to the vile machinations of the Grey Duke now is the time to fight against his control. Behold your commander is the former bandit king the Ogre! You must stop attacking the zealots of Haelyn. IHH templars bear you no ill will but we will cut you all down if you persist attacking us”

As the battle bring the Archbishop closer to the Ogre word from behind about the approach of the SM and her living statue reach him. Damned he will be if that witch shall beat him to it. I shall bring the All Fathers justice upon the Ogre.

With that in mind Bellamie orders two detachments of Armsmen to form behind the battleline and make ready to press on the attack. Their orders: To envelop the Ogre busy fighting Drago Tanar.

“Dispatch!”

“Bring word to the Pontiff I will make for distraction in but a moment. He should gather whom he can and dash to the other side of the veil”

EDIT: Changed "to" into "two" (making two detachments of armsmen ready etc)

[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.

A horn of warning sounds from the rear - from the mouth of the mausoleum iron-clad orogs pour forth to fall you in the back! Suddenly everything is uncertain...you are surrounded and ever more warriors pour forth from the Shadow World to join the Ogre...while at the same time many of your heroes have abandoned the fight!

(the SM is en-route, but has yet to arrive with her little stone pet)

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

The Pontiff, Lachlan and the Marshall having received the dispatch from the Archbishop make ready to run to the stairs as soon as the distraction takes place. However with the attack in the rear there is little hope to get to the stairs as of yet. Instead Wallac take charge of the rearguard action breaking the attack of the Orogs while LL watch his back in earnest.

"My lads let them have it in earnest. We'll show them the men of IHH are no cowards!"

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

While doing what he can Wallac keep looking for a chance to run down the damned stairs

[DM B]

While doing what he can Wallac keep looking for a chance to run down the damned stairs

It is either run to the water and descend the stairs or stay and fight. You can't do both (unless you mean to stay and fight first then descend later - if the situation permits).

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

While doing what he can Wallac keep looking for a chance to run down the damned stairs

It is either run to the water and descend the stairs or stay and fight. You can't do both (unless you mean to stay and fight first then descend later - if the situation permits).

[OoC I understood it as he could NOT get to the stairs. He would certainly go as soon as he could!!]

Waiting for their chance suddenly its there. Wallac, LL & the Marshall make a dash for the stairs

[DM B]

With 'the Marshall' I presume you mean the aging Marshal Edwin Balter of the Aegis?

That leaves who in the valley? Drago certainly. Archbishop Bellamie - and Rogal Destar? Plus General Rashida.

The Sword Mage is en route of course.

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

Yes the aging Marshal Edwin Balter of the Aegis. I would miss his odd remarks too much if he was left behind.

Rogal Destar was not allowed in the Valley. He is with the main army as well as Wallacs bodyguard.

[X-IHH/Wallac Isilviere (Kasper)]

What about the men that went with Tristan? Can they attack the Orogs at an opportune moment?

[DM B]

Yes the aging Marshal Edwin Balter of the Aegis. I would miss his odd remarks too much if he was left behind.

Rogal Destar was not allowed in the Valley. He is with the main army as well as Wallacs bodyguard.

Duly noted. Another semi-minor NPC left with the main army. Might come in handy.

---

The brave crusaders are in a very bad place - they are being crushed from two sides. There is nothing the topside detachment can do to alter that fact. They can help out a bit...but that's it. Meanwhile the Ogre has felled Drago Tanar - so there ARE limits to his prowess. He is saved, however, by the timely charge of Saraen Bellamie and his hand-picked veterans. They manage to seize Drago and drag him back to the lines. Dead or alive - no-one knows. For his troubles Saraen is beheaded by a two-handed blow from the Ogre, following so many of his men into the Great Beyond and the Halls of Haelyn. The Ogre then screams something i the foul tongue of the orogs and leads the renewed assault on the IHH lines...lines that finally crack under the pressure.

At that very time, when defeat seems inevitable, does something incredibly large and massive leap down along the steep walls of the valley, landing on the enemy flank...the Colossus of Tornilen is here...and so is his mistress!

[DM B]

What about the men that went with Tristan? Can they attack the Orogs at an opportune moment?

Nope. The orogs are in the daylight world remember. Tristan and his crew are here in the Shadow World with you (but hiding inside the mausoleum entrance).

EDIT: This doesn't belong here. Moved to adventure thread.

[X-Tornilen/SM (Alexander)]

The Swordmage held on for dear life, as she gave the colossus the command to jump the last 10 meters down. It crouched as it hit the ground and the shock almost threw her off.

They find battle immediately after. The foes in front of them look dismayed as the statue looms over them. There is a short pause as they take stock of each other, then the colossus moves forward, one fist swinging in a wide arc. Flesh is torn and bones shattered as it strikes through them and into the ground, sending reverberations through the ground and echoing off the cliff walls. The moment is passed and the battle is joined again.

From the top of the colossus, the Swordmage is focused on getting an overview, trying to see what is going on. From her vantage point she catches a glimpse of a figure, vaguely recognizeable, being dragged away by IHH's templars. Her brother, Drago Tanar.

No one really hears her scream of rage over the din of battle. It is just one woman screaming out her rage, nothing compared to the roaring Ogre or the sound of steel meeting steel. Yet the scream fills her world, seamlessly turning into howled words of arcane command. The lightning that she has gathered around her arm explodes outward and into the ranks in front of the colossus. It is quickly followed by others as she draws deep from her reserves of power. The Colossus is filled with one singular purpose: Go to the Ogre, destroy all in your path and then destroy him.