4 - 065: The Fourth Piece

[K Man]

Romar, Irris and Tineniel -

When the rain of arrows falls, the deadly accuracy of the warriors becomes glaringly accurate. A neat little line of fire is formed in the sand, just a few dozen feet before the first nervous guard. No one is hit...yet, but you're sure with such accuracy they could easily target you by just moving a bit closer...

Wasting no time, Romar removes his restraints and hands the key to Tineniel. The ranger then dons his weapons hastily and keeps his eye on the imminent battle on the horizon.

Following his lead, Irris and Tineniel do the same, keeping stock of what has happened.

Telena begins to bark commands in her stern Half-Giant voice.



"Guards! Move to protect the Shard!"

And the Half-Giant herself moves across the sand, helping to form the line.

The warriors on the horizon do not advance, but again you see the flickering of hundreds of arrows once again being lit. However, they are held this time, pointed into the sky just itching to be loosed. [Ready Action]

In the meantime, those citizens close enough to the edge to be fearful of an attack withdraw, leaving those designated as guards behind. Only an empty field of campfires and flaming arrows remain--at least civilian casualties will be kept to a minimum.

Those guards near the shard move to protect the cart, following Telena's orders...

Everyone holds their breath...

{Not much happened in this round. The Elves have a tactic here. }

{Initiative: Romar, Telena and Tineniel, Prince Irinys, Irris, The Elven Warriors, The Guard, The Citizens}

Map;

.......................................................................w.
.........................................................................
...C.C.C...G...........................................................w.
...E.o.C................................................................w
.......C...G............................................................w.
........................................................................w
.......................................................................w.
..............***.G............o........................................w
....................GG.................................................w.
........................................................................w
...................T...................................................w.
...............G....G...................................................w
................R[].G..................................................P.
...............IL[].GG.........o.......................................w.
...............GG....G...................................................
..............G.****...................................................w.
................G.......................................................w
...........o...........................................................w.
*........GGG...........................................................w
.......................................................................w.
........................................................................w
.......................................................................w.
.....o...................................................................
.......................................................................w.

[/pre]

...LEGEND...
o = Campfire
.... = Sand
[]
[] = Cart with Shard in it
G = Guard
* = Citizen of the Dune Palace
E = Erid
T = Telena
C = Nameless Council Member
R = Romar
I = Irris
T = Tineniel
w = Elven Warrior
P = Prince Irinys

{Realistically, there are hundreds more citizens and guards, but an equal number of Elves to match. Let's focus on this portion of the battle for now.}

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Those in the Fortress -

Krysta hurriedly takes off the boots, tying the rope about them and halfway heaving them to Girud. The Half-Giant dons the boots and floats his way towards the pillar quickly, trying to gain as much ground as much as he can.

You look around, to Galdren, Garor, Adelia, Alton, Mordrock and Yuri...only one of which can fly.

This will be a long process...

Most frighteningly however, is that as soon as your mind thinks of the thought, you hear that deep, empty and soul-less voice call out from above.



"Take your time..."

{If you gusy want, we can fast-forward the eight rounds or so it would take you dudes to get across... and just get to this fight?}

{There is just one more thing that has to happen first though, but I'll take care of that.}
__________________________________________________________________________________________

[Japic]

(unless someone has a better idea, um, yah. fast forwarding would be great. Girud will carry Alton with him though, to save a trip.)

[Fangor the Fierce]

Same with Mordrock, he will try to get carried across to save time. Adelia will get her heavy mace ready, hoping it might deal enough damage to this thing. (Stored Deific Vengeance for 6d6 Damage on successful hit)

Nothing else I can think of...

[VemuKhaham]

Romar then spots the elven leader through the smoke rising above the many fires in the desert. Irinys... Romar felt a feeling of hatred boil up inside him against this merciless slaughterer. Romar tried to assess the distance the elves were at, but then realized a shot at the prince would be nearly impossible. Looking to Caelith and Callian, he says, hearing they have a plan but not understanding the details spoken in elven: "Is there ought that I can do to help you in this?"

If not, he runs to the fore and joins the line of the guards and Telena's men. Not being much of a leader, he is hesitant to speak. It looks like the elves are waiting for them to charge, so they can shoot their arrows at them. But waiting here seems even less of an option; the elves had proven with their first volley that to them the distance seemed not a problem. Turning to Telena, he shouts: "What is your command? Do we charge?"

If the answer is yes, Romar clenches both his fists very firmly around the hilts of his swords, and as he does so a blue and silvery glow gathers around them, which immediately spreads out from his arms to his shoulders and then over all his body. "For Fahrlanghn, I charge!" Protected by the power of will, he runs along with the other men, undaunted by any arrows that might rain down on him during his advance.

If the answer was no, he would go into full defense, ready to sidestep any arrows that might come next.

---

Okay, first move action to join the line of guards, free action to speak with Telena, then, if answer is yes, standard action to cast Sanctuary on self. (Will DC 13 to see if attack succeeds or is warded off, lasts 6rounds)

Next turn, I could then charge, or if the answer would be no, I could go into full defense next turn.

By the way, I assume Telena has left the council fire by your words, joining the front line, and you simply forgot to update the map. Also, there are two T's on the map.

[K Man]

By the way, I assume Telena has left the council fire by your words, joining the front line, and you simply forgot to update the map. Also, there are two T's on the map.

{Thanks for catching that Romar. Updated map.}

[TheUdjat]

At Romar's address, Tineniel (though the name begins to sound increasingly foreign to the elf) looks to him and thinks on the offer. Times are somewhat trying, so he is inclined to waver on his policy of distrust. "In a manner. Fight. Do everything you can to hold the enemy's attention."

Tineniel turns his attention back to the elven archers. Their situation is exceedingly problematic - The elves have the tactical edge. Tineniel scans their lines for the robes characteristic of wizards, hoping that they are absent. Arrows, warriors - the defenders may be able to combat this with ingenuity. Magic would be most difficult, however.

The time for action is not quite yet, though. Tineniel has moments to prepare. The exhiliration of the moment, the danger surrounding them - it all calls back memories, images, and instincts. His fingers twitch, ready to contort in the tell-tale signs of wizardy, and his lips urge to shape the archaic, spidery words of the arcane arts. A veritable catalogue of potentially useful item he has unknowingly carried all this time makes itself available to him, and somehow - he knows not how - he can call upon it when the time if right.

The need to act, the need to speak - it all comes to a boiling point, the fiery pulsing of the spiral pushing him until finally, like the torrent of a river, the words rush from him. He doesn't know what they mean, but he knows them, and he is dimly aware that now, perhaps, he is safer. His hand moves quickly and sharply, shaping magic into substance - unseen but present.

He moves forward then, pulling a simple wooden rod from his belongings, looking to Irris and nodding simply as he advances beside the half-giant Telena. Quietly, to her, he speaks. "We can still save the shard - even if we must run. I have a way. Will you aid us if the moment arises?"

((I don't know where Wizard is, but I'll post Irris's actions if I don't hear from him soon. Kman - what kind of material is the wagon with the shard made out of? Some kind of pottery to hold the lake? And if so, how breakable does it appear to be?

Vemu - I'm responding without consulting my PHB, but to my recollection Sanctuary is also dispelled when you attack someone. May want to consider a different spell, Vemu - Though Sanctuary may get Romar by those arrows

God what I wouldn't give for a Wind Wall right now.))

[Jevva]

Yeah, let's just speed this up. Killing the Master would be a good Christmas present. ;D

[BluSpecs]

prepare to fast forward captin K.....

[VemuKhaham]

I chose sanctuary cause I didn't have much else to do and the distance to the elves seemed quite much, so this way the arrows or anyone readying spears or such against a charge wont hurt me. I also thought about my obscuring mist against the arrows but the range of that spell was a bugger and I figured I would probably also screw our men as well. Maybe I can still cast that one next turn when I know Telena's decision.

Also a question to Kman: can I assume I hear Caelith saying to Telena he thinks he might be able to save the shard?

[K Man]

Sorry Guys, preparing for a final tonight and the post (1/2 done in notepad) is going to be rather long. I'll try to have it up ASAP in the morning.