CH. 3: Mages, Mages Everywhere

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Tulbas and Kynaston return to participate in the initiation. It's a fairly dull affair, where Nora leads the new initiates (each given a grey hood and cloak), in prayers to the mighty Fistandantilus. Many vague promises are made about 'things changing soon' but beyond that, nothing specific is learned.

Regardless how skeptical the party is, it's clear that the other initiates are eating this stuff up. Their eyes shine with fervor and hope at the new changes promised, and the era of equality that Darewind will lead them to once he is again among them.

Two hours later, the initiation ceremony ends and the three are finally allowed to leave. Tulbas heads to his uncle's shop while the others all make preparations for tonight's attack.

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(OOC: If you have any special plans to prepare for the attack, let me know.)

[djhyland]

As the others depart the area to attend to their own business, Darga lingers on. Looking about, he finds a corner a little ways away, but still within eyesight of the intersection. Spreading out his cloak, he sits against a wall or other likely object, hoping to be taken for a refugee with nowhere else to go while keeping an eye on the area. In truth, he does have nowhere else to go, but perhaps while he'll see something useful for the night's ambush while he waits.

[mgbevan]

The only preparations Gregeddin needed to make was to return home and take a large sack with four torches plus a flint & steel to light them with. He tucked the sack securely off his belt, scabbard and new broadsword to one side and the burlap hanging off the other hip. Checking his things over, he makes sure he had two knives hidden away too, and decides that 34 Steel could be a considered decadent in the docks, so reduces this to 4 Steel along with the silver and copper to sit in his belt pouch.

He thumbed the split in the side of his armour hesitantly. He was anxious going into combat again. He didn't know much of Cavaliers or their reputation, but given Trench's reaction he expects things to be difficult. Heading back out he reconciles his thoughts and assures himself they are much more organised than before, he also takes comfort having seen the skill of the others in combat knowing he can rely on them. His thoughts wander to the curiosity of magic, after this he was yearning to learn more of its mystery.

[BishGada]

Tulbas quickly returns to his home. As he enters he quickly glance at the counter searching his uncle. Finding him in the shop he says, "Uncle. Are you available?" with some urgency sneaking to his tone.

[JadedDM]

Darga settles down to keep an eye on their place of ambush, looking every bit the part of a homeless refugee. Nobody pays him any mind, save maybe a disgusted look or two, as the day passes on. He even starts to feel the part, as his stomach reminds him he hasn't had anything to eat or drink yet today.

Gregeddin returns home and makes his preparations, sorting out his gear and only taking what he felt he needed most. He thought about magic and how much of their plan relied on Tulbas and his spell. Would he benefit from such power himself?

When Tulbas tries to open the door to his uncle's shop, he finds it locked. Using his own key, he steps inside, calling for his uncle, but there is no sign of him. On the counter is a letter, written in elven. It reads:

"Nephew,

I have been summoned to Wayreth for an emergency meeting of my order. I am traveling through the corridors of magic, so I shouldn't be gone long. I will likely be back by tomorrow. We can discuss what I have learned then, but for now, there is no time to go into details.

-Raetmal"

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra starts her way back to Norris', but she pauses upon looking at Darga. She frowns slightly, and walks over to him. "Are you hungry?" she asks. "We all should be well rested before tonight, and that includes having at least one good meal."

[BishGada]

'Hmm... Wayreth...' Tulbas thinks to himself, 'That is curious... Pity it couldn't wait for Daxia's rescue as Uncle thought it would be a good place for her to hide. Two birds in one stone.' after a second his mind returns to his own matters and he thinks, 'Well, that leaves me to deal with our ambush alone, but I'm feeling pretty comfortable with our plan.' Tulbas thinks, and returns to the door to lock it so no customer will enter while his uncle isn't there. Starting to play in his mind the different scenarios he will soon encounter Tulbas wonders between the shop shelves, half consciously remembering here and there tools he used as apprentice and thinking whether he could use any of them tonight. After that he goes to the kitchen to cook some meal and later get some rest.

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(OOC: Does Tulbas recognize any magical item which he can use and won't be a moral issue to lend for the night's action?)

[djhyland]

Darga blushes in embarrasment as his stomach rumbles at Kendra's mention of food, but he shakes his head and smiles to cover his shame and hunger. "Thanks fer askin', but I reckon I kin make it until after our work tonight b'fore I eat. I figure I'd better keep an eye out here than go back ta th' inn ta get a meal."

[JadedDM]

Raetmal keeps his magical items in a storeroom in the back that is sealed with a magical lock. The only items he keeps out in the open are components, blank scrolls and spellbooks, and other wizardry bric-a-brac such as mortars and pestles, glass flasks, component pouches, mundane daggers and staves, and so forth.

Having politely turned her down, Darga remains in his spot to keep an eye on things while Kendra returns to Norris' place to have a nice dinner. Norris interrogates Kendra as to what she is up to, knowing something is going on because the others came looking for her. But, as usual, she assures him she isn't going to do anything dangerous and remains vague on the details.

The hours pass by. The sun goes down and the temperature plunges to just below freezing. The waning silver moon and full red moon, Solinari and Lunitari, light up the night sky. Somewhere out there is the third, black moon, Nuitari. But it is not visible to anyone in the party.

At Afterwatch, an hour before the battle, the party reunites to make final preparations. During all of that time, Darga kept close watch on the site, but didn't see or hear anything suspicious or noteworthy.

"All right," Kynaston says to the others, his breath visible in the cold air, "it all goes down in an hour. The waiting will probably be the worst part. Everyone ready?"

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(OOC: If you want to make any last minute preparations, let me know. If you aren't clear on the battle plan, ask any questions in the OOC thread.)

[djhyland]

Despite his thick cloak, Darga can't help but shiver in the cold as the hours pass. Seeing nothing unusual in the area despite his careful watch, he can't help but kick himself for not taking Kendra's kind offer. A sense of relief floods his heart as his companions begin to arrive, and he unobtrusively leaves his post to join them.

"I'm as ready as I kin get," Darga answers in response to Kynaston's question. He remains with the group in case one or another have last minute suggestions, but he readies his walking stick and eyes his designated alley, ready to start the business at hand.

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra nods her head as she rubs her arms a little bit to keep warm. "Ready," she says softly. She takes a few moments to make sure that her new sword is where she can easily grab it.

[mgbevan]

Gregeddin produces the four torches from his sack."We might want to divvy these up to help us see once battle commences, though Darga and Haahqae I know you both have a good set of eyes for the dark, so I'll leave you to decide if these are useful or not."

Gregeddin picks one up and looks over to where he and Trench will be stationed.

[BishGada]

Tulbas prepares his backpack, tucks his knives at his belt and makes sure his darts are easily available, he also takes some sling stones he hasn't used yet from previous training and games he played. Not having appetite before, he takes some fruits and shoves them to his pockets. Before he gets out of the house he writes a note to his uncle.

'Dear Uncle, if you read this it means things went amiss.
I'd like to tell you how much I love you and appreciate all you have done to me,
taking me to your house and making it my own home.
You were a great shalafi and I respect you plenty for that but even more you were my whole family,
supported me emotionally, educated me and taught me to how to think.
I owe you all I am.
Tulbas.'

Not able to find better words to describe his feelings he puts down the feather and exits.
Locking the house he looks at the door, a thought that it might be the last time he sees it crawls to his mind. Pulling himself together again he turns and sets to the meeting place biting on an apple.

At the meeting place he nods to the others, having his first apple only half eaten and few more in his pockets he asks if someone would have any. Then to Kynaston he answers, "First I'd collect some more sling stones and put them near my post, second, I'd like to practice fast descent from the roof to the ground to help you down there if the need arises, third, lets make sure once again everyone knows perfectly their escape routes, and last just to remind you, we all wait until I cast the 'Sleep' spell. I'll do it when their group will be more or less in the middle of our posts and focus the spell around Daxia. Hopefully you will see some fall to the ground and there will be some confusion. At that time we all attack. If none will fall to the ground I'll whistle hard, draw their attention to me and then we all attack from all directions." Tulbas waits to see if there are any comments. Then he adds, "If we find ourselves at major disadvantage and someone manages to kidnap Daxia back and run, he should signal the rest and all of us will fold. If we split, try to hide her and bring her to my uncle's shop tomorrow. He will be able to defend her and bring her to safety if needed. May the old gods smile upon us tonight." 'Or even Fistandantilus' he thinks to himself bitterly.

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin passes out torches to whoever wants them and Tulbas manages to collect fifteen stones and piles them up by his post on the roof to use as ammo. The party runs a few drills while they wait, practicing escape routes and climbing up and down from the roof; but they try and keep it quiet, as waking up the locals will only draw attention to themselves.

The tension is thick among them, as they all realize how many things could go wrong. But they do their best to try and prepare for every contingency. They were risking their lives to save a woman they barely even knew, but all had their own reasons for doing so whether it was to make up for a mistake, a desire to 'be a hero,' to do the right thing, or just for kicks.

Would the gods look down on them with favor tonight? Were there any gods to do so in the first place? Perhaps, in times like these, acts of men were greater than acts of gods. In any case, there was little reason to dwell on it much.

The hour passes quickly, and despite the cold, some of the party finds themselves sweating as they wait. Kynaston and Gregeddin take their post in the alley heading west, weapons at the ready and waiting. Kynaston is like a statue, not at all fidgeting or relaxed, but tense as a cat waiting to pounce on its prey.

Kendra and Darga hide in the alley going eastward, around the corner a bit so that the Ergothians don't see them as they pass by.

Haahqae and Tulbas take their positions on the roof, in a perfect vantage point to not only oversee the battle and call out tactics to the others, but also to see the Ergothians coming.

However, all of the party hears them coming before then. They march from the south in formation, like a miniature army on its way to the front. Tulbas and Haahqae see them first, thanks to their high vantage point and infravision. There are twelve of them in total, including Daxia herself.

In the very center of the group are Daxia and the cavalier. Daxia's hands are behind her back and her hood is down. She looks at the ground, not really paying attention to where they are going. The cavalier has a hand on her, guiding her way. He wears plate mail and a beautiful cloak that billows behind him. Tulbas notes he has a nasty looking pick on one hip and a short sword on the other, and a small steel shield on his back. His face is completely concealed by his helmet, which has elaborate ram-like horns protruding from its sides.

Cavalier.jpg (69.3 KiB) Viewed 6591 times

Immediately in front of and behind the cavalier is an archer. Both are wearing leather armor and carry composite short bows in their hands. Quivers of arrows are slung over their backs and hand-axes hang from their belts in case they are forced to melee.

In front of and behind the archers are the pikemen; two up front and two in the back. All four wear padded armor and carry glaives in their hands. They wear medium shields on their backs and have short swords at their belts.

In front of and behind the pikemen are the swordsmen; two up front and two in the back. They wear scale mail and are armed with long swords, spears and body shields. One on both ends carries a lantern to help light the way.

They march with speed but also keep a vigilant eye out. However, none think to look upward, at the rooftops. Kendra and Darga hear the troops move past them and Gregeddin and Kynaston hear them coming close. The Ergothians soon come into position, right between the party's two groups and Tulbas realizes that the time to act is now.

Key:
T - Kynaston Trench
G - Gregeddin
K - Kendra
d - Darga
h - Haahqae
t - Tulbas
C - Cavalier
D - Daxia
A - Archer
P - Pikeman
S - Swordsman
Each 'square' is 10 x 10 feet

Street 01.JPG (163.1 KiB) Viewed 6591 times

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(OOC: Are you guys excited? I'm excited.)

[BishGada]

Tulbas looks at the upcoming group. For a moment having second thoughts if they are really up to deal with such force. But it's too late for second thought. Tulbas shoves any insecurity to the back of his mind and returns back to the fight. Strangely, seeing the Cavalier only strengthen his resolve as he see the cruelty that will be brought upon Daxia written on his hideous helm.
Tulbas holds himself not to cast the spell too early. At the right time he starts muttering under his breath the old elvish rhyme, and spreads some fine sand into the air:

'Fried or foe,
Slumber fills you down,
From head to toe,
And thus you fall to ground.'

Tulbas casts the spell centered on the archer behind the cavalier.
In his peripheral sight he notices Haaque ready himself for shooting and once the spell is cast he also reaches for his darts remembering that if the spell fails he will have to whistle as agreed to signal the others to strike.

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(OOC: Excited?!? The first thing I saw opening the forum today was the picture of the cavalier. Even before reading the text I felt shaken in real life .
Now I'm about to roll the dice and so worried it will be disappointing as usually I don't get high scores. So here goes... and as was expected: 2d4 = 3)