14th Fourth Quarter 998
Sapphire and Jack
With the morning siblings prepared and left their long extinguished campfire. Getting through whole Iseth was long and tedious, but they are finally close to their destination.
[4] Following the Wolf's Road to Anxrean border they got to Isethian campsite in no time! They were stopped by two soldiers upon reaching it's entrance:
Stop! Identify yourself! - one of them hastily shouted.
Sapphire and Jack, we are agents sent by king to infiltrate enemy camp and destroy their weapons. - Sapphire replied.
Any evidence of this? - second soldier inquired readying his weapon. Looks like there's quite a big tension and distrust in the camp.
Yeah, these papers. - Jack showed soldiers reports.
[4] One of them read it aloud, then handed them back to Jack.
Alright, you're granted entry to the camp. You may want to speak with a few people before you leave to complete your duty. Start with Andes Unraill, he is a leader of our military forces. He'll tell you the rest. - the man pointed the leader's tent. Sapphire and Jack led their horses to camp's makeshift stables and entered the tent. There already were some people inside, arguing about something. As siblings approached, their discussion stopped.
Greetings! We are the agents sent by king to aid you. I'm Sapphire and this is my brother Jack. - Sapphire greeted everyone.
[5]
Excellent! This is the most opportunate moment you could arrive! Gretanars are busy with barbaric horde's assault! - a scout in light Isethian aketon exclaimed.
Firewater flasks have just been readied. - said a tall, llaramsirian man.
We should attack immediately! - a heavy armored soldier said, this probably was Andes. Jack quickly asked:
Maybe we should talk about a plan or something? - waiting for a reply.
A big horde of barbarians is attacking from north-east. We have two options - surprise Gretanars from south or west. Joining the assault would put us in ballistae and mortar focus, which we should avoid at all costs. - the scout started.
Once at the foot of their walls we should find a way inside and then rush to battlements. Most of the soldiers should be busy with barbarians, but they won't leave their fortress unprotected. - Andes added.
Once you get to mortars, pour firewater inside. The effect won't be instant or rapid at all, they'll explode when used by Gretanar soldiers. - alchemist explained.
Once you're done with mortars, you can either run back to camp or elliminate ballistae. If you do the latter, we'll join barbarians in their assault and help you get out of Gretanar campsite. - the scout ended.
It seemed that they carefully planned it all, and improved it to use opportunity given by anxrean hordes.
What are we waiting for then?! Let's move! - Jack shouted, raising his claymore. After some further preparations, siblings with a squad of twelve men moved out while the rest was waiting for a signal to join them.
[Squad: 3, Barbarians: 2, Gretanars: 6] Sapphire and Jack led their men from south. Most battlement guards were positioned to the north, so they moved undetected. The anxrean horde was shot with mortars and ballistae, getting quie big losses before soldiers moved out to give them proper beating.
[Squad: 5, Barbarians: 4, Gretanars: 3] As siblings and their men reached foot of the fortress' walls, they found a damaged and rotten out element. Jack gave it a strong kick and opened up a way inside for the squad! When ballistae and mortars were reloading, barbarians defended quite well against soldiers, even wounding some of them!
[Squad: 2, Barbarians: 5, Gretanars: 5]
Intruders! - someone from the battlements shouted, the squad was detected! The horde and soldiers were fighting on par.
[Squad: 1, Barbarians: 6, Gretanars: 2] Soldiers quickly left fortifications and surrounded siblings and their soldiers. They were heavily outnumbered! Lack of artillery support was a huge disadvantage for Gretanar soldiers. Barbarians in battle trance mowed through them, getting some losses in their berserk fury though.
[Squad: 5, Barbarians: 1, Gretanars: 4] Jack immediately rushed into battle with a powerful whirlwind, backed up by Sapphire and soldiers. It is truly rare to see someone with such offensive power - he heavily wounded most of soldiers while the rest finished them off. Sudden and strong counterattack from Gretanar squads forced the horde to retreat, getting some more losses. The battle started leaning more towards the Empire's side.
[Squad: 6, Barbarians: 5, Gretanars: 1] A call to arms sounded from the distance - barbaric reinforcements arrived! The horde started fighting with doubled fury, once again slaughtering Gretanar forces. At the same time, squad led by Sapphire and Jack reached mortars and ballistae. But before they used firewater to destroy them, one of soldiers asked:
Why don't we just use them against empire's soldiers? - and after some pondering, they stopped themselves from destroying them.
We'll defend you from incoming soldiers while you'll shoot! - Jack shouted, moving with Sapphire and three more man to their position.
[Squad defense: 1, Squad: 1, Barbarians: 3, Gretanars: 4, Fortress guards: 2] Soldiers that ought to protect the fortress moved out from barracks and charged. Siblings and their men couldn't quite protect mortar operators and got a slight beating which forced them to retreat towards artillery. The operators were highly unskilled and all mortars and ballistae missed! Counterattack from empire's forces wasn't so severe this time, however some slight losses appeared in barbarian forces.
[Squad defense: 2, Squad: 3, Barbarians: 3, Gretanars: 2, Fortress guards: 1, Isethian soldiers: 6] Siblings managed to push back fortress guard and get back to their previous positions. Artillery operators finally got hold of mortars and ballistae, releasing several shots at Gretanar soldiers, severely wounding some of them!
What the hell they're doing up there! They had to destroy these cannons, blowing whole fortress up! They don't have any chances against soldiers inside, let's move! - Andes said angrily and ordered everyone to attack. Isethian soldiers rushed blindly, some of them joining barbarians and some of them getting inside fortress.
[Squad defense: 1, Squad: 3, Barbarians: 2, Gretanars: 6, Fortress guards: 5, Isethian soldiers: 1] It was nearing a noon. With a wrong move siblings got disarmed by fortress guards! Rest of the squad tried to defend themselves, getting slightly hurt. Imperial soldiers churged with a mighty counterattack, dwindling down the horde while getting some small losses. Isethian soldiers still couldn't find their way within whole that mess!
[Squad defense: 6, Squad: 3, Barbarians: 3, Gretanars: 2, Fortress guards: 4, Isethian soldiers: 4] Jack willingly snapped into a berserk fury and with bare hands charged at fortress guards. This only made a distraction, but others were able to get their weapons back and squad could give more shots! Missiles hit Gretanars and instantly killed some of them! Barbarians used this chaos to deal some more damage while Isethians finally got inside the fortress!
[Squad defense: 4, Squad: 1, Barbarians: 2, Gretanars: 4, Fortress guards: 5, Isethians soldiers: 5] Sapphire and Jack bravely defended themselves from strikes and slashes when soldiers finally moved in to aid them. The anxrean horde was starting to lose this battle after another successfull counterattack from the empire! Artillery operators found themselves without ammo!
[Isethian forces: 3, Barbarians: 4, Gretanar forces: 4] Isethians defended their positions inside the fortress, they wouldn't last there if barbarians fail and soldiers from the battlefield return though. Despite great losses, anxrean hordes were still fighting on par with imperial soldiers.
[Isethian forces: 3, Barbarians: 1, Gretanar forces: 3] By the evening, barbaric forces were elliminated by Gretanars. Some soldiers were wandering the battlefield to finish off wounded men - empire takes no captives. Isethians with siblings managed to secure whole fortress during that time and prepared a trap. They used mortars, firewater and some ammo. Then they left unnoticed while they still could.
[Isethian forces: 5, Gretanar forces: 2, Unexpected roll: 6] Isethians waited until all the soldiers enter the fortress and then ignited a trail of black powder. It burnt rapidly and after quite a while whole Gretanar camp exploded in a blazing inferno! Strange, unnatural markings appeared on the sky upon explosion and a lightning stroke at a lone mountain nearby. Some soldiers survived the explosion, but they had little chances of survival without all supplies and wounded after the battle.
Siblings with Isethian forces returned to their camp victorious, to rest before moving on to other important matters.
Siblings: Bruised up, slightly wounded
Tyr Loknar
Tyr left the tavern and continued searching for Llathandrill. First, he checked the area neighboring the inn. Erdhen was somewhat clean and tidy city, it seemed that all of it's streets were carefully and orderly planned, so moving through it wasn't a big problem.
[1] After searching around the tavern yielded no results, Tyr moved on to cathedral square. The Cathedral of Three Gods dominated over smaller churches and truly looked like an architectural wonder. From withing beggars and monks praying on the streets someone got up, and upon noticing Tyr taking a shortcut to market shouted:
Hey! You over there! Loknar immediately stopped and hastily approached the man in hope that it was Llathandrill. An ugly, old man in torn rags certainly wasn't him. Before Tyr could say a thing, the man spoke:
Do you seek a blessing of three gods wanderer? - with an intense reek coming out from his mouth.
You can receive a holy symbol for mere fifty Florins! What a bargain! - he took a dirty, small figurine of three gods from a pocket.
No thanks, I already have one with me. - Loknar lied.
Care to show it? - the man asked.
[5]
Away with you, you dirty beggar! - a knight in full plate mail with symbol of the rising sun on chest appeared and hastily kicked the man, then grabbed him and thrown away from the cathedral, then returned to Tyr.
I thought that Order of the Rising Sun was supposed to help poor... - Loknar said.
We help poor, not liars. This wasn't the first time that I've thrown that bastard away. - cathedral knight explained.
Thanks for help. I must go now, I'm looking for a travelling alchemist and I can't waste any moment! - he said and when he was just about to go, the knight asked:
Is his name Llathandrill by any chance? - Tyr immediatey stopped and turned towards knigt.
Yes! That's him![1]
He was locked up in Erdhen dungeon for burning half of market with some unusuall brews. They say that it was a result of an argument he had with another alchemist. You should go to the castle and ask for permission if you want to see him. - the knight said.
[6] Loknar left the cathedral square and quickly reached castle gates. Some messanger appeared there at the same time. After a while an archer from the battlement appeared and shouted:
What brings you here? The messanger took out the papers given to him by king's agents and said:
I'm a messanger sent here by king's agents. I bring back documents stolen by spies. The archer then asked Tyr:
And you? Without any forethought, he replied:
I'm with him, I have a package for one of jailers. - taking the package to Llathandrill out.
[6] The messanger looked at Loknar but haven't said anything. The archer opened the gate and they both entered the castle. Some soldier took messanger with documents while another showed Tyr the way to dungeon. They quickly reached jailer's room, the man in chainmall was surprised with the package and quickly found a note with "To Llathandrill" on the parcel.
You said that the package is for me?! Explain yourself! - the jailer insisted.
Damn it! They gave ma a wrong package again! It's fourth time already that I drive through whole Iseth, only to find out that it's a mistake! - Loknar said angrily, then added:
Do you know where I can meet this Llathandrill dude?[5]
In one of our cells. - he said.
Quite a coincidence, don't you think? He's leaving today, someone payed a big amount of Florins to royal treasury to buy him out. You can wait here. - Tyr sat beside the jailer, the man left him shortly after to deal with prisoners.
[4] It didn't took long until the jailer brought Llathandrill.
You'll deal with that whole package-thingy after you're out of here. - the jailer said and took both Loknar and the alchemist to the exit, then ordered soldiers to lead them out of castle.
I don't know how you got me out, but I'm really grateful! - Llathandrill thanked Tyr, happy that he finally left the dungeon.
I didn't, someone payed for your leave. Anyways, I've brought a package from Ivette to you! - he said giving him the package.
Ah wonderfull! I'm afraid I don't have much to pay you for the trouble. Perhaps my friends here can reward you. Let's go to meet with them.[4] After getting through whole city they got to a small manor where several people were already waiting.
You've finally arrived! It seems that our plan worked just as intended. - a vottian woman said.
And who is this man? - asked someone else.
It's my friend, he brought me a package from Ivette Jeannis. He helped me deliver her components before too. - Llathandrill explained.
Guess that he deserves a reward. We'll think about it later, you should stay with us for some times.Tyr accepted alchemist's proposition and stayed with them for the night.
Tyr: Lost package to Llathandrill
Euzaroch
Retrospection, 10th Fourht Quarter 998
Llathandrill- you possess much knowledge in alchemy, no doubt. But to what extent? It may be daft of an apprentice to philosophize so boldly, but I think that the greatest mistake an alchemist- or anyone can make, for that matter- is to withhold knowledge. It would be a great benefit if our community would share more, it would benefit us all. Don't you agree? I understand your conviction in withholding this man's identity from us, but surely he is a wise and knowledgeable man, he would forgive you for sharing his identity with us. We need these components right now so that we can pursue our scholarly pursuits in alchemy. To gain knowledge, to become more intelligent. - Euzaruoch maintains a stern and serious face, so that Llathandrill knows he means what he says. What is his name, where is he? Tell us so that we may enlighten ourselves and others.
[1] I really can't tell you anything about my friend or give you any of these components. I'm bound by a wov, and breaking it will have most dire consequences. You may know this very well, since you serve the dark lord. - the alchemist said.
[2] We understand it, and will give you help just as we promised. There's not much we can give you, but we'll help anyway. - Kallun replied.14th Fourth Quarter 998
Staring at the lifeless sorcerer's corpse lying on a table, Euzaroch thought about a way to bring Kallun back to life.
[2] All the alchemical recipes won't help, as he doesn't have components or knowledge on how to prepare the brews properly. There was only one way to bring him back left - request Zyugewolg's aid.
[4] Euzaorch hastily set up altar upon his friends corpse and focused. After a while he received a vision of dark lord!
Why doest thou call me?! - the diety said angrily. Master! I hold no doubt in thy powers and might! A friend of mine died during a ceremony to please winter's gods. He shall return to serve you! I ask you to ressurct Kallun, the sorcerer! - Euzaroch begged the dark lord.
[4] Thy request is granted! In a place where arrows fly and swords clash, wait for a sign and seek the path led by dark sigils. The sword that thou bear should gather power of the sigil and resurrect the alchemist, so that he shall be born from the darkness! - Zyugewolg then abruptly ended the vision, giving Euzaroch a splitting headache.[2] Dealing with dark god always comes at a cost. Blood started dripping out of Euaroch's eyes and after a moment it stopped - this time dark lord claimed part of his life energy.
[5] Thinking about words of Zyugewolg, Euzaroch recalled that Llathandrill spoke of war getting close! He immediately left the hideout and locked it, then after making sure that he has the Life Leech with him, he took a horse from village and drove. Towards Anxrean border. Just as he reached part of Wolf's Road tract leading to the border, he heard explosions in the distance. Mortars! The battle has began!
[5] He speeded up and avoiding Isethian camp he reached a hill in Anxreah that gave him a nice view of the battle field. There he witnessed not only the mighty battle between Imperial soldiers and Barbarian hordes, but also Isethians sneaking inside the fortress and using mortars against their owners. Then after barbarians fell and the fortress exploded, the sign of his master appeared on the sky and lightning showed him where he should look for dark sigils.
[2] Without hesitation he got on horse again and hastily drove to the mountain, several soldiers that survived explosion spotted him however!
[Soldier survivor: 1, Euzaroch: 4] One of the soldiers that survived was an archer. He took last arrow from his quiver and shot it at speeding up Euzaroch. He missed however and the arrow just flied past the sorcerer's apprentice. Then a burning battlement fell on that soldier!
[2] Euzaroch reached the mountain where lightning pointed him, but suddenly corpses of barbarians and gretanars that died during battle started getting back to life!
[Euzaroch: 5, Revenants: 6] Some of them instantly charged at him, while the rest tried to get away. Curiously those that got out of mountain's vicinity turned into ashes! Euzaroch defended bravely with his sword! Slash after slash, he cut through to the mountain.
[Euzaroch: 2, Revenants: 4] Then the undead swarmed him! A big group of them rushed towards the mountain top, trying to kill him on their way!
[Euzaroch: 3, Revenants: 2] Euzaroch held on and slashed some more until he got rid of the swarm, then proceeded to higher part of the mountain.
[Euzaroch: 5, Revenants: 4] With his trusty sword sorcerer's apprentice kept undead at bay while slowly climbing higher. He noticed that the path here was shown by pebbles and rocks illuminated from withing by unusual purple glow.
[Euzaroch: 2, Revenants: 2] Just before reaching the mountain top, undead soldiers once again tried to fight their way up. It was a hard combat, one wrong move could make you fall down to your death, and join the undead in their desperate race again. Nobody could go on further.
[Euzaroch: 4, Revenants: 5] While trying to push the undead down, another barbarian revenant approached Euzaroch from behind and pushed him! He quickly grabbed one of rocks and tried to climb back up, otherwise he'd fall down and die.
[Euzaroch: 5, Revenants: 1] Suddenly a powerfull lightning stroke at the mountain top, killing all the undead that was there! Curiously Euzaroch wasn't hurt by it. He managed to climb up to the mountiain top and noticed a big rock with strange, glowing marking on it. They looked like two swords with their blades disappearing within a triangle.
[3] He touched the symbol with blade of his sword and it instantly drained the power from dark sigil! The symbol faded out and all the undead that still tried to climb up the mountain turned to ashes.
[4] With that done, Euzaroch tried to descend down. It was harder since all the rocks and pebbles stopped glowing, so he had to climb down in darkness. He managed to do it quite quickly with it being a small mountain and got to his horse.
[6]
Time to return to the hideout. I can't wait any moment! - he thought and set off. Raging through forests and along the trade route, he almost led his horse to exhaustion, not mentioning drowsiness getting in his way too. Finally he reached White Fell and left the horse at stable, then ran to the hideout and opened it. All the time he had a strange feeling that something is watching him.
[5] Euzaroch entered the hideout and approached Kallun's corpse. In silence he took the Life Leech that absorbed dark sigil within it, and embedded it in his chest. The power accumulated inside sorcerer's body and burnt a symbol on his chest just as the one that he seen on the mountain sigil. He took the sword out and waited.
[4] After a while the lifeless body gasped for air and Euzaroch resurrected!
Born from the darkness, to bring chaos, sorrow, torment and death.... - he muttered out.
[1] Sudenly something started banging to hideout's doors! An aura of immense danger, coldness and death surrounded them. Bonelord!
Vrillith
Next day Vrillith gathered people in the villages main square. It was time for training.
[1] The training was a complete disaster! While previously villagers done really good at their sessions, this time it was hard to keep them from hurting themselves! It would take some more time to fully train them.
[3] Blacksmith did a better job, preparing some war scythes and voulges. Vril equipped people with them and took some of people for hunting.
[3] Vrillith and fifteen previously trained people entered nearby forests and searched for prey. They quickly spotted a deer.
[Villagers: 2, Deer: 1] While the animal was trapped and surrounded by them, they couldn't even hit it with their scythes and voulges!
[Villagers: 3, Deer: 5] Suddenly it spotted a weak spot in a circle surrounding it and escaped!
[2] Searching further they couldn't find any easy prey.
[5] Suddenly they managed to spot two bandits moving with pillaged goods. Vril ordered them to attack and claim their stuff.
[Villagers: 6, Bandits: 6]
Stop right there you criminal scum! We are the militia of neighboring villages! - one of villagers shouted when charging at bandits. Then the two men dropped their cloaks and revealed themselves.
What?! We are the militia of neighboring villages! It was a trap for bandits! - one of them said angrily.
[1]
And we are the real bandits here! - a group of five armed criminals approached the villagers squad!
[Vril: 5, Villagers: 4, Bandits: 6] Vril assisted by villagers beaten bandits black and blue, while rest of them that was hidden in bushes escaped!
[4] After the battle ended, villagers took bandits captive and took their stuff to use in other battles against them. Militias from other villages united after this battle, assigning Vrillith as their commander!
[2] After they returned to village and dealt with bandits and their stuff, Vril tried to start another training session. Villagers still weren't in good shape for it however, so they ended for today and returned homes to rest.
GM Notes
Moved killerhellhound's Julia Dragonblood to Cold Storage for long lack of activity.
Author
Topic: Heroes of Tenath [8/8] (Read 20193 times)