3 - 029: The Third Piece

[K Man]

Callian - Sturmguard almost immediately lifts you by your shoulder, a slight wincing pain as his powerful grip grasps your guard. He ensures you stand upright and address him on the same level, not below.



"You have done just as I would Callian, just as I would expect you to do. If Cannon's Foot has fallen and their inhabitants seek refuge, Ravenshead is an open gate to their sanctuary. If you would like, I will dispatch caravans, boats or anything else I can to help."

"However, I am concerned more by your report. You say Astoril has betrayed us by stealing the shard from us? That your party has also betrayed you?"

"And what is this 'SlaughterFog you speak of? Come man, be more specific."
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Hero, Caelith, Garor, Newt, Krysta, Girud and Galdren - Girud swings in a great arc. [Attack Roll = 23] The blade meets the Elven Captain at about his stomach, lifting him from the ground. [Damage Roll = 24] The Leader slides off the blade, falling to the ground still on one knee. He spits blood at Girud's feet along with a string of unpleasant curses.

Elven Captain is near death. (Down 67) [2 hp left ]

Galdren flies into a frenzy towards the warrior near him. [Attack Rolls = Nat. 19, Crit Confirm Fail/Nat. 19, Crit. Confirm Success, 16] His first two strikes with his katanna are accurate, lethaly so. [Damage Rolls = 8, 16 (Crit.)]

Elite Warrior d is wounded. (Down 24)

Mordrock pauses, heeding the words of his female idol, Krysta. [Delay Action.]

Caelith simply remains in place, weaving his hands and bringing forth another bolt of lightning in the same path as seconds before. [Ref. Saves = 2 Scouts and 2 Elite Failure (h,g) Damage Roll = 23] The blast is devastating, clearling out a large line of the fighters, including the captain.

The captain falls, his corpse smoking and charred like a dying campfire. The two warriors next to him also fall, collapsing ashen bodies atop him like macabre dominoes. One of the scouts also collapses, his body and bow charred. The remaing scout looks little above deaths' door.

The Elite show no signs of giving up, instead finding an energy and valor with the fall of their comrades. Perhaps the treachery has driven them mad.

Elite e lashes out at Krysta for the death of his companion. [Attack Roll = 14] The swing misses, threatening to strike Mordrock but he is too far.

Elite d spins on Galdren, pressing the attack. [Attack Roll = 13] It also misses, proving to do little beyond messing the human's hair.

Elite c attacks Girud. [Attack Roll = 11] Apparently the Elite are shaken if anything with their loss of their leader.

Finally, Elite b spins and aims at Hero, trying to run her through. [Attack Roll = Nat. 19, Crit Confirm, fail] A good blow, but nearly as lethal as it could have been. [Damage Roll = 6]

Newt acts next, disappearing into the ground and driving his weapon into the small of Elite d's back. [Attack Roll = 9] The Elite spots the attack and sidesteps the blow quickly.

Garor moves on Elite b and swings his maul around like a titan. [Attack Roll = Nat. 20, Crit Confirm, Success] The maul comes down in a straight arc, like a hammer pounding a nail. [Damage Roll = 37 (6d8+9...yuck)]

Elite b dissappears, replaced with a crimpled and unrecognizable form, a crushed body that used to be an Elf. (-4)

Krysta and Mordrock act next, using their tactics to an advantage. [Krysta move and Mordrock Flank.] Krysta reacts first, attacking in a frenzy. [Attack Rolls = Nat. 17, Crit Confirm, Success/8, 18] Two attacks hit, one lethaly so. [Damage Rolls = 12, 6] Blade slices through e and passes onto d. [2nd attack will be applied to d, Cleave Roll = 25, Damage Roll = 11]

Elite d collapses to the ground, dead. (-1)

Mordrock, seeing his woman in action with such passionate battle, simply stops and stares, a bit of droll forming on his lip and glimmers in his black eyes.

The last remaining scout, blood dripping from his burned lips and charred face, spins and howls an attack at Caelith. [Attack Roll = 29] The arrow, with such a pull, is nearly lethal at this range. [Damage Roll = 13] The lightning arrow strikes, sending sparkles of energy all over Caelith.

Lastly, Hero moves, preparing to finish off the remaining scout with an expert blow. [Attack Roll = Nat. 17, Crit. Confirm Success.] The strike is perfectly at neck level for the kneeling scout. [Damage Roll = 20] With one swift move, Hero cleanly takes the head of the remaining scout, sending it sailing from the cliff.

The remaining Elite warrior, now fully outnumbered and outclassed, relents and throws his sword to the ground, spitting on Girud and yelling in Elven.

You can assume it's nothing good to say.

[Initiative (Should battle go on): Girud and Galdren, Mordrock, Caelith, The Elite, Garor and Newt, Krysta, The Scouts, Hero.]

~~~~~~~~~~~~
----------------|
-C--------------|
----------x------|
---------KxM-----|
------G2xN-------|
-----x1c--------|
CH---xxx--------|
--xx-------------|
~~~~~~~~~~~~

K = Krysta
H = Hero
C = Caelith
N = Newt
G = Garor
M = Mordrock
1 = Girud
2 = Galdren
S = Scout
a-h = Elven Elite
x = Dead Elite
~ or | = Rock cliff face

Current Damage Totals -
Elite A (Captain) - (-9)
Elite b - (-4)
Elite c -
Elite d - (-1)
Elite e - (-5)
Elite f - (-2)
Elite g - (-1)
Elite h - (-1)
Scout 1 - (-2)
Scout 2 - (-14)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Romar and Yuri - [Rest grants Lvl+CON bonus back in HP] The day passes uneventfully, with little seen or heard...thankfully. It appears that 'The Masters' influence in this area is lessened, probably from lack of things to kill and pillage.

The metal horses spend the day basking in this sunshine, recharging whatever wonderful machinery they need to remain active. [Survival Check, Romar.] The hunt for Yuri is successful, yeilding a few more bottles of precious blood and excellent meat to keep you healthy.

When night falls, you mount your adamantine horses and press on, finding the speed of the mounts still something to become used to. They seem to move even faster after a day in the sun, racing at blidning speeds, crushing rock and bush beneath their metal hooves as though they were paper.

The lands fly by, blurred by the wind in your eyes and the smile across your face. With dawn several hours away, you come over the crest of a hill and spot RocRoost Bay...or rather, what appears to be left of it.

The town is delapidated and run down. Buildings are missing parts of the roofs, a pathetic collection of ships are half-moored and half sunk into the harbor nearby. The few fences that remain are broken and charred, evident of fire.

Maybe your guesses of 'The Masters' influence in this region was wrong...

If you have to guess, the battle that took this place was short, leaving behind no bodies as usual and little damage. It was swift and hopefully merciless.

Looking to the coming dawn, in a few hours, perhaps it would be best to find a place here to hide and wait out the day...
__________________________________________________________________________________________

[Merovingian]

Not one for diplomacy or able to handle a prisoner of that size alone, Newt does what any good thief does, loots. Check the bodies for anything of value and make a pile then start piling up the bodies to be burned.

[Japic]

{No great cleave afterall, and I was so close too. }

With a deadly gleam in his eye Girud places the tip of his sword at the nape of the last Elite's kneck. Stepping closer he holds the blade ready to stake this elf to the ground (readied action to finish him). In a voice that is all too calm and cold he speaks.

"That better have been a request for mercy."

He stands impassively ready to skewer the elf, but will stay his hand looking to Krysta for guidance. She speaks the language, maybe he said something useful.

If he's given no good reason to let the Elite live by the end of this round, he will drive the sword downward with all of his might.

{PA for 5. +9 to hit 2d6+15 damage}

(If skewerd) "No mercy granted...."

Edit: the elf is not prone, so I adjusted.

[Hero]

Turning from the center of the carnage Hero says over her shoulder, "Girud, make it a clean stroke, but grant no quarter."

Hero will lay on hand to Caelith +12 hp

Cure Lights Wounds on self +11 (back to full)

[Jevva]

K said:

[Damage Roll = 37 (6d8+9...yuck)]

OOC: Damage modifier is multiplied on a crit also, so technically it should've been 6d8 +27 (combat section, standard actions, critical hits). Not that it really matters, but it would've made quite an impressive display of destruction. Plus, I never got an attack with my wakizashi...

Galdren spits blood onto the ground. "He deserves no mercy, Girud. Kill the bastard."

[Wizard]

"Lord, I'm afraid I don't know how mych Caelith told you...apparently those we thought slain at Boon's Freehold survived. They were taken prisoner and put to work digging for another shard. Apparently the Master knows of their importance. With the help of the Prince of Astoril, also a prisoner in the mines, they escaped. They teleported into Cannon's Foot even as we were readying its defenses against...the SlaughterFog. After we had recovered the shard in the wilderness near the fortress, we traveled toward it on foot to seek shelter for the night. But we barely made it in time...a fell mist settled around us, moving as quickly as we could run. We made it inside before they closed the gates to keep the Fog out, but it was there in the morning, which they say had never happened before. Apparently the Fog is itself nothing more than a magical fog, but the Slaughter part is all too evident. Trolls, ogres, bugbears, orcs, and all manner of evil creatures lurk within it. They demanded the release of the Shard, or they would attack the Fortress. Caelith hit upon the idea of firing the Shard far away where it might be easily recoverable for us---given our powers of transportation---but much harder for the Fog.

"Unfortunately, Astoril was too quick for us."

The contempt in Callian's voice is obvious, though he tries to hide it, as it is not his place to judge persons---only actions.

"Through trickery and magic they stopped the crystal from reaching its intended destination, and then sent it speeding through the earth in the arms of some soil creature. Then they flew off on winged beasts---along with Krysta, Galdren, Girud. I know not what part they play in this, my Lord...they fled in the face of the enemy."

[K Man]

Jevva said:

OOC: Damage modifier is multiplied on a crit also, so technically it should've been 6d8 +27 (combat section, standard actions, critical hits). Not that it really matters, but it would've made quite an impressive display of destruction. Plus, I never got an attack with my wakizashi...

{I've been playing it all wrong then. I read "Extra damage over and above a weapon’s normal damage is not multiplied when you score a critical hit." and assumed it meant STR mods too, but I guess that only applies to flaming and the like. Fair enough.

And regarding your Wakizashi;

[Attack Rolls = Nat. 19, Crit Confirm Fail/Nat. 19, Crit. Confirm Success, 16]

You should see 3 attacks here. Two Natural 19's, both with the Katanna, then a 16 with the Wakizashi. I usually do same weapon attacks seperated with a '/' and the second weapon with a comma. When dealing with PC's anyway.

Hope that helps. }

[Toptomcat]

(Bonii applied as dice, like Flaming or sneak attack, is not multiplied. Bonii applied as straight pluses, like Strength or Weapon Specialization damage, is.)

[VemuKhaham]

Seeing the deserted and destroyed city of Rocroost Bay appear on the dusky horizon, Romar slows Húna's speed and looks apathically in its direction. Another evidence of the Master's doings... It follows him where-ever he goes, from Carealal up till now. The bad part is only that you can never get used to the knowledge people underwend the same fates as he and his loved ones did during their battle. Looking to Yuri, he says:

"Daytime is coming soon. I want to roam the ruïns for a short while; maybe something of interest can still be found. I doubt though that much help will come from this place, and we can't man a decent enough ship with the two of us, especially not these wrecks. Let us first find a decent shelter to spend the day in, which mustn't be too hard here, and while you are safe I'd like to investigate some further. If we find nothing of interest here, we will move on tomorrow. What do you say?"

If Yuri accepts, he will follow that course of actions: find a shelter and then explore the ruïns, not too detailed of course, and return as soon as he thinks he has had a good view to rest again. Hopefully at least one person can still be found here who might know things, or a trace that explains what happened exactly, or even a direct source of help to their quest. Romar will especially pay close attention to any temples, government buildings and the like, that might contain some important stuff. He also checks the harbor if there is even one usable vessel for them. He will also not hesitate to take any items he finds of value to their quest, if he does so, like potions, especially good weaponry or such stuff; he's not out for riches though, so anything like that he leaves behind.

[Jevva]

Oh, ok, yeah, I thought that the 16 was the crit. confirmation roll for the second katana attack. Cool.

[GeneralMHB]

Yuri looks around the devestation, not at the least bit surprised as to the events happening here. The town was small, unprepard for the onslaught of The Master's Armies. He listens to Romar's suggestion and agrees to it.

I could not have said it better myself. I'll seek haven at what's left of the inn, maybe find some supplies and the like. That, and I need the company of a real ale bottle. If you need anything, just whistle. Sindri will stand outside. Just let him see you. I see what Sindri sees.

With this being said, Yuri heads to the inn. He starts looking for anything of value, as far as supplies go. After that has been done, he has Sindri stand guard outside the door of the inn and see if Romar comes back, either in need of aid or just coming back to report his findings.

He also checks his books on more information on the Lich-King Lurst. Something's telling him he's still alive....

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Journal Entry:

Very fortunate turn of events here. It seems I have gained an ally after all, though the unlikeliest of places. The vampire has seen my true form and will no dought try to hunt me down along with Romar. I must say, all I have ever said about him was a mistake.

Sindri has turned out quite nicely with the new body. I am very impressed with the handy-work of the Dwarves. I will surely miss them. It was good to be in the company of dwarves again one final time.

Let us hope we can find aid somewhere.

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(OOC: Journal entry was written before we found what's left of RocRoost Bay.)

[Fangor the Fierce]

Krysta pants, as her frenzy is wearing off slowly. She turns to Girud, who holds the blade levelled at the Elite's head, and Hero's words of "Grant him no quarter." ring true in her ears.

"Wait! He has dropped his weapons. We can be as foul as the Slughter Fog and the Master's forces, wiping this one last Elite out, or we can show our true nature. If we kill him, we are no better than evil and its forces. He was following orders. Remove his weapons and belongings, but do not kill him. If he resists, then deal with him accordingly. As he has aided in the slaughter of Cannon's Foot, Sturmguard should be aware of this and his fate will be decided upon by Sturmguard. Cannon's Foot is not under his protection, but the group that was there is." Krysta stares at the others, at Hero mainly.

"We had no knowledge of their tactics back there. The treachery they brought forth was of their own device. Our actions here before you arrived were to show them that we will not stand by anymore and be used as pawns in this war. As long as I have strength to wield this sword, handed over by the Knights of the Purest Star, then my oath to them to use it to fight the Master and his troops will be ongoing. Of that, you can be certain."

Turning to Mordrock, she says, "Go get those arrows. They seem to be better than yours anyways. And see if they have anything else of note that may aid in our journey."

Back to the wizard, she grins, "Caelith. I am glad to see your powers improving. The mages over there, they have a wand that they were intent on using against us. And the book of spells might come in handy. You have earned that, at the least. But I must ask you one thing. As we attacked the Elves, they muttered a word, which deactivated all of our magic weapons and items. Would you be able to reverse the effect, as our belongings are now missing their full effects and we will need them, considering we have to travel by foot."

She will tell him the elven word that the Elite Captain muttered, hoping that cealith or another would be able to reverse the effect. She then sheathes her swords, and moves over to the bodies of the Elite. She removes any items of note, and their weapons, as Newt does the same.

Turning to Hero, Krysta says, "This method of your travelling; how did you come by it and would you be willing to impart that knowledge to us? I can not deny the possibility of your mistrust of us, for the recent events have been all too much. I can only say that my one purpose is to end the reign of the Master. The elves of Astoril may be treacherous, but they have one thing that I have seen with my own eyes. A weapon devistating enough to deal great blows to the Master and his troops from their island. If such a weapon exists, and is available, would you not take the chance to power that weapon, with the shards, and end this war with one swift blow? That was our decision. When we made that decision, we were under the impression that Boone's Freehold was lost, you along with the others were killed, Sturmguard's nephew had turned tail, and Ravenshead was now missing its set of great warriors. When all was lost, and we found ourselves ont he other side of the world, this chance to deal this blow to the Master presented itself, and we took that chance. Now, as we find out you and the others have survived, and that the Elves are treacherous and coniving, we are at an impass. We must decide out course of action, and come to an agreement amongst ourselves."

[TheUdjat]

As battle winds down, Caelith goes from wincing in anguish at the pain of the lightning arrow to sighing in relief as Hero aids him. "Thank you, Lady Hero." And then he begins to assist Newton with 'looting' - Starting with the mages. Conveniently, Krysta extends an invitation, but Caelith shoots her a dubious look with a raised eyebrow when she does so, regarding her curiously for the duration of her speech.

When she is finished, he glances among his companions, then speaks up. "First Krysta, I would have you understand that though we helped you just now, all reparations have not been made. I know I, at least, am still unsure where your loyalties lie, and how much, exactly, we can trust you. I would be enthralled to regain that trust, but it will take time - And until then, I think it would be wise of you to make less decisions concerning your fate, when it is at least partially in our hands at the moment."

He pauses. "Or have you a way off of this cliff already?"

Caelith quietly takes the spellbooks, eyeing them cautiously - he will have Newton examine them later, in the event of traps. The halfling is good at such. Caelith takes a deep breath, and levels his gaze at Krysta again.

"Here is what I suggest, my wayward compatriots. We have a community of refugees waiting down below, in that crater. They need to be guided here, to these cliffs, for safety. Then they must wait until help arrives - a boat, perhaps - and then we will travel to Ravenshead. I will, sooner or later, attempt to recover the crystal that was taken from us not an hour ago. I would greatly appreciate any knowledge of its whereabouts you may happen to have, as I do not see it here. I hope to return to Ravenshead with the crystal shard. Either then, or before, some of us will turn towards the Glade, and work for that crystal - We shall see how plans for helping the refugees go first."

"You will gain my trust again, all three of you, when the refugees trust you."

He lets that linger, sifting through the items of the slain mages once more. Thinking on that, he stands, brushing himself off. "As for the elves - We will pool together all their items, and we shall decide where items go. We will be fair. I will also do my best to reverse this elven enchantment. It would, I daresay, be my pleasure. If by the time we have reached land, you are trusted, then we will consider imparting the secret of our travel. Only then." He waves an absent thought towards the surviving elf. "Oh, and he will be allowed to live, and will be our captive. I think I might find a use for him, at some point."

"Are we agreed, Krysta? Your three will follow us, and will have to try very very hard to be trusted again. And until that time, you will listen to us." He glances towards Hero, checking to see her reaction to all of this. "That, or manacles."

Assuming they agree, Caelith will try to reverse the elven enchantment to make their gear work again. Spellcraft +15. If the possessions of the mages help at all (notes or something), he will use them.

[Fangor the Fierce]

Krysta truns to Caelith, as his words scorn her and her fellow warriors. "Do not mistake this little scuffle with the elves as a rescue attempt on your part Caelith. We were already in the heat of battle, before you and your fellow companions arrived to, as you say, 'Save us'. We are not here to follow you and your orders. We are here as fellow companions, seeking to end this world of the Master. If you do not take that for it's worth, then that is your decision. But we will not be treated as criminals and such. Threats are idle, and there shall be no more of such talk. I have already told you our information, and you have told us nothing. How did you escape the grasp of the troops at Boone's Freehohold? How did you escape the Slaughter Fog? Is it not convenient that you and the others are also dodging out of the Master's path, unscathed? Or is there some other workings in place that you have not divulged? As you can see, trusting you and your fellow companions is what my heart tells me, and what I am doing. I have spoken true to my heart, and if you can not find the same feeling in yours, then you may take your leave, as you so conveniently are want to do. We shall find another way off of this rock if you are so inclined to put us into manacles and test our resolve."

She turns to the other warriors, still a little roughed up from the recent battle. "I am talking of my own accord. You each are bound to your own fates. If you deem it as such to be put under such scrutiny and scornful words, then that alone is your decision."

She moves to the elf that held the locator of the shards, removing the cloth and looking at it closely. Turning to the group as she does this, she says, "This is the key to the shards. It is tuned to their locations, and each day, it will show their current locations. As for its owner, I am keeping this. I have shown you where the other shards are, and the one from Cannon's Foot rests deep within its earth, underneath the city itself. With those books, you have access to the magic that put it there. Perhaps with some aid, you can release it from its earthen tomb and bring it back to the surface. The shard in the Glade is there, as I promised, as well as the one in the dwarven kingdom. And as you can see, the Master has already gathered a few for himself. Now is not the time to quiblle over this information, for the longer we do, the more time the Master has at securing the rest of these shards. We must not let him!"

She keeps the cloth, as she and the warriors are the only ones to know of its existince and use. The info she divulges only shows that she was telling the truth, and has shown them their magic at locating the shards. "And what now Caelith? Are you to try and wrestle this from me now? As you can see, I speak the truth, and am hiding nothing. If that is not enough for you to stop this ensuing banter, then I will be on my way."

Krysta makes her way to the edge, gathering her things and making ready her rope to climb out of this area.

I can not blame them. A lot has happened in the days that have transpired. Boone's Freehold, Cannon's Foot, both have been torn to their bases. Elves and their treachery. Paladins and their moralistic ideals. I am tired of running. It is time to stand now. Alone if I must. This conitnued mistrust and finger pointing must stop. The Master's shadow has clouded our judgement, causing our once fellow warriors in this cause to turn on each other too easily. It must end. I must right this wrong.

OOC - As for the looting, I seriously doubt that this is going to be a free-for-all in where everyone states they are looting...

The arrows are great for the small goblin, with his two feats, they should come in handy. Other archers are welcome to them also, as there should be enough to go around.

Also, KMAN, Krysta sent the letter to Sturmguard, and I will PM you with the info. I don't know how long it will take to reach him, that's your call.

[BluSpecs]

Garor waits for someone more diplomatic and Glib to relay the story of Boon's and cannins foot to their old companions.

I agree, nothing good can come from our continued conflict, only the master can benefit.

I also agree that our first priority should be securing the survivors here in the clifs.

I belive you are genuine in your words Krysta.

after a pause garor continues in the flatest voice possible.

Once this is done I have pressing business in the dwarven halls of Bazakrak. it is belived that both my father and elderbrother are dead leaving the kingdom in an uproar. I must go there

[Japic]

No comment for the converstaions going on around me. Per the paladin's request and Qills words I won't skewer the guy, assuming he cooperates that is. If not then I deal with him. (still readied action)