Redlun XXXXI

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12a8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B>Redlun Archives </B></div> <div> <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun I"><U><B>Volumes I to XXIV</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id295.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXVI"><U><B>Volumes XXXXVI to L</B></U></A><B>XV</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id259.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Village"><U><B>Redlun Village Map</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id181.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Plans"><U><B>Redlun Manor Plans</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id178.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Survey"><U><B>Redlun Survey</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id179.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun Decree"><U><B>Redlun Decree</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Missiledine's Archives</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Missiledines Archives"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id202.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXV"><U>Redlun XXV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id204.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXVI"><U>Redlun XXVI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id207.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXVII"><U>Redlun XXVII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id213.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXVIII"><U>Redlun XXVIII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id214.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXIX"><U>Redlun XXIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id215.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXX"><U>Redlun XXX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id232.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXI"><U>Redlun XXXI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id255.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXII"><U>Redlun XXXII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id261.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIII"><U>Redlun XXXIII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id263.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIV"><U>Redlun XXXIV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id264.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXV"><U>Redlun XXXV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id266.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXVI"><U>Redlun XXXVI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id271.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Redlun XXXVII"><U> Redlun XXXVII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id278.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIIX"><U>Redlun XXXIIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id280.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXIX"><U>Redlun XXXIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id281.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXX"><U>Redlun XXXX</U></A>   |   <B>Redlun XXXXI</B>   |   <A HREF="id285.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXII"><U>Redlun XXXXII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id288.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXIII"><U>Redlun XXXXIII</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id290.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXIV"><U>Redlun XXXXIV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id292.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXV"><U>Redlun XXXXV</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Missiledines Archives"><U><B>Archive Directory</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Redlun XXXXI</I></div> <bR> <div> Missiledine: Ok, for Cedox's information. Once I start GMing I switch to red text. Any out of context chatter is put in < > or ( ) etc</div> <div> Missiledine: Hello to you too, Troy</div> <div> Missiledine: Ok, when we wrapped up last time you had just greeted the return of the ambush party that destroyed the hawk that you believe to be</div> <div> the enemy wizard's familiar</div> <div> Missiledine: Having examined the bird and detected a trace of enchantment it has been turned over to the Baron, who, true to his word, plans on</div> <div> eating it tonight for supper. The feathers </div> <div> Missiledine: have are being passed around as lucky tokens amongst the men. If you want one speak up</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar has no interest</div> <div> tacit01: J's trust is in Mitra</div> <div> Dukejr01: maybe its a familiar. could be a rider spell, but I have not heard of anyone but Druids able to do that with an animal</div> <div> Missiledine: ok...</div> <div> Dukejr01: "The Smuggler's definitely know we are coming. Which begs teh question, will they fight and how have they preapred for us?</div> <div> Missiledine: the column continues on... The scouts are out and so far there is no report of enemy activity</div> <div> Missiledine: <As far as you know, amongst the Velitar at least, only the Druids can do Rider. It is likely that the Jhensari can do it as well. You</div> <div> have no idea what the desert Wizards are really capable of.></div> <div> Dukejr01: <right, gotcha></div> <div> Missiledine: <Apart from the rumors and reports from your old Master></div> <div> Dukejr01: <which told us little></div> <div> Missiledine: <Yep! :-D></div> <div> Missiledine: the day passes with the dull monotony of the march. The weather is clear but cold and the ground is firm and dry, with some frost</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will give Master Dell a bag full of cont light objects for use among the men</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron is pleased, you are making good time and having minimal trouble with the wagons and transport... <hang on a sec></div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar is more worried about what will happen when we get there.</div> <div> Missiledine: <sorry, had to find a file></div> <div> Dukejr01: np</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron calculates that at your present rate you should reach the stronghold around mid day of the day after tomorrow</div> <div> Dukejr01: <its titled: "the masive amounts of treasure the players will acquire after a tough, but successful fight with few casualties"></div> <div> Missiledine: Dell doesn't seem as pleased. "Arriving at dawn or dusk would be a better plan. "</div> <div> Missiledine: <No, its titled "Things to Kill and maim PCs with."></div> <div> Dukejr01: "I don't like to press the men, but perhaps if we arrived a little early, it might give us an advantage. Surely they will be expecting us and have a good idea</div> <div> of when we will arrive."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Dawn would be best. Since we can't reasonably expect to speed things up, perhaps spending a part of a day resting, to ensure fresh</div> <div> troops, would be worthwhile." Lord Boma offers</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods, that is another good idea.</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron frowns looking at the two of you. "Captain Dell, can we get more speed out of the column?"</div> <div> tacit01: agreed</div> <div> Missiledine: "Only is we abandon the wagons and infantry, My Lord. A rapid advance could be made with the mounted troops."</div> <div> Dukejr01: <don't care to do that></div> <div> Missiledine: "No gentlemen, that leaves too much of our strength back on the road. I will not split my forces in the face of unknown opposistion."</div> <div> Dukejr01: How long do we camp for the night?</div> <div> Dukejr01: Its winter so teh days are shorter/</div> <div> Missiledine: Normally you stop less then an hour before dark, which this late in the year is early. And break camp about an hour before light</div> <div> Dukejr01: So we spend more time in camp than moving.</div> <div> Missiledine: Exactly, Lord Athamar." Agrees the Baron. "We don't want to make our last camp too close to the enemy either."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I was thinking that if we wanted to arrive a little earlier, we could use light spells to march a little longer tonight. Cover less distance tomorrow. On the</div> <div> other hand, it might be better to arrive better rested, as Lord Boma sug</div> <div> Dukejr01: suggested"</div> <div> Dukejr01: <Athamar is not pressing this point. just throwing out options></div> <div> Missiledine: "We will delay our arrival." The Baron decides</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods.</div> <div> Missiledine: Camp is made and the evening meal prepared. To much cheering the Baron makes a great show of dining on the hawk. He</div> <div> pronounces it stringy.</div> <div> Dukejr01: lol</div> <div> tacit01: <hee-hee></div> <div> Missiledine: The men seem much cheered by his bravado</div> <div> Dukejr01: <and when he gets the bloody flux, we will have a lot of trouble></div> <div> tacit01: < a lesson in morale building ></div> <div> Missiledine: <lol></div> <div> Dukejr01: <yes. the men are easy></div> <div> Dukejr01: "Save a bone or two, mght be useful in casting a Seeker on this mage should he prove to be troublesome."</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron will cheerfully offer you the bones, feet, head and gizzard</div> <div> Dukejr01: gizzard is good eating.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will take a couple longer bones and wrap them in cloth.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> tacit01: <he didn't eat the gizzard?! That's the best part!></div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar will eat he gizzard</div> <div> tacit01: <well, maybe not the BEST part...></div> <div> Dukejr01: <my dad likes the gizzard best></div> <div> Missiledine: After the revelry of the meal, things settle down for a quiet night... <Never cared for it myself></div> <div> Dukejr01: with the scouts in, Athamar casts Seek EArth looking for silver, discounting the camp and its sentries.</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell does not order morning call until daybreak, giving everyone two hours extra sleep...</div> <div> tacit01: <good breaded and fried, with beer></div> <div> Missiledine: the nearest source is again South and slightly west, consistent with the location of the smuggler base</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar is troubled. Why would these guys stand and fight?</div> <div> Dukejr01: A distributes cont lights to all his men.</div> <div> tacit01: greed? high manna area? place of worship?</div> <div> Dukejr01: or actually, he gives Ollyn enought cont lights for all his men,</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: Even if they win, they cannot continue to operate out of the base. unless there is more to this than meets the eye</div> <div> Missiledine: That is an interesting point</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar shoots the shit with Ollyn about it.</div> <div> Missiledine: Morning arrives uneventfully... you get breakfast and hit the trail again</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar will chat with Dell. "Are there any changes to the plan now that they are certain to be ready?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Hmmm, It is hard to guess what will happen. I was convinced that they would not fight and the place would be empty when we arrived.</div> <div> Now I'm not sure..."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I am puzzled as to why they would stand their ground. they cannot effectively keeep using the base now that we are aware of it, even if they successfully</div> <div> win."</div> <div> Dukejr01: <scratch the "successfully"></div> <div> Dukejr01: <I changed what I was going to say.... :-P></div> <div> Missiledine: Dell stares off into space for a bit... "Perhaps there is something about the place that compells them to hang on till the last possible</div> <div> moment..."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamr sighs. "Nothing for it, I suppose. But they will have men in the tower, I expect."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Have you heard about our little difficulty in Redlun?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Seems likely, but we shall see. What puzzles me is, if they plan on resisting, why let us advance unhindered."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Maybe its a trap."</div> <div> Missiledine: "To swallow this lot, it will need to be a damn big one."</div> <div> Missiledine: The column marches on all day... The scout report no movement or any sign of the enemy</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Ah. true. but maye its to trap the Baron. I have been wondering if there is a connection with our little difficulty in Redlun, Are you familiar with it?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Only incidently."</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts Seek Earth looking for iron, ignoring anything to the South or the column</div> <div> Missiledine: ok... again the next nearest is Windhook</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar grunts. "Its probably nothing. Hopefully we will have answers soon."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar leaves Master Dell to his business.</div> <div> Missiledine: The column stops a bit earlier in the afternoon as two scouts return and report sighting the tower about seven miles ahead</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell brings the senior scout to your conference...</div> <div> Dukejr01: <visions of the movie Army of Darkness... "Bing on the Scout!"></div> <div> Dukejr01: <bring></div> <div> Missiledine: He salutes, "My Lords, we were able to approach to within a half mile of the perimiter defenses without being detected. We went on</div> <div> foot and took great care. The tower appears to be occupied and there is considerable activity on </div> <div> Missiledine: the roof."</div> <div> Missiledine: "We saw smoke rising from the tower's chimney and men passing back and forth from the tower to the defenses."</div> <div> Missiledine: "It was difficult to make an accurate count at that distance, but I believe we saw at least thirty men at work. We also saw what</div> <div> seemed to be women and children outside. They did not behave as prisoners or slaves."</div> <div> tacit01: <families? That'd be a reason to stay></div> <div> Missiledine: "Or a reason to get out and take them with." Boma says</div> <div> Missiledine: <Sorry, though J was talking there!></div> <div> Dukejr01: <does the scout have anything more to report?></div> <div> Missiledine: not really</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Several of the smugglers have families, the women and children might be them, pressed to help ready the defenses.... The Roof is interesting. Could they</div> <div> be readying a siege weapon?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "A catapult or something?" Dell muses. "Can't see that it will make that much difference."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Oil? molten lead? the chimney was producing smoke"</div> <div> Missiledine: Boma looks thoughtful, "I wonder... They are sticking to the place to the absolute last minute, there is smoke and activity... I wonder...</div> <div> Could they be mining something?"</div> <div> Missiledine: <Hang on guys, brb.></div> <div> Dukejr01: "Smuggling could be a sideline business... it would have to be valuable."</div> <div> Missiledine: <Back></div> <div> tacit01: <front></div> <div> Dukejr01: <inconcievable!></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <er></div> <div> Missiledine: <Not again!></div> <div> Missiledine: "Silver perhaps?" Dell smiles</div> <div> Dukejr01: <we could start quoting another movie instead></div> <div> Missiledine: <lol></div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar grins. "How does this affect our assault plan? the tower is occupied already."</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron says, "Lord Athamar, did your prisoner give you any reason to assume some valuable was being mined or quarried</div> <div> there?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I hadn't pursued that line of questioning. I simply cannot say."</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell shrugs, "We have always assumed that they would have sentries that would see us coming at least in the last hundred yards or</div> <div> so. It was never my belief that the roof would be undefended."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Thre was actuvuty on top of the roof?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: <activity></div> <div> Missiledine: "Yes, my Lord."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Do they have any cover overhead?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "No sir."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Odd. surely they know about the Rain of Stones I dropped on their horsemen."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "We could also fireball them up there."</div> <div> Missiledine: "A roof traps the effect of a fireball, making it even more lethal." Jules offers</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods absently.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar has nothing more to add</div> <div> Missiledine: "Not a lot of lumber hereabouts." Boma points out. "Building a structure of any substance would require some travel to get materials."</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron says to the scout, "How close do you think we could move the column without being noticed?"</div> <div> Missiledine: The scout frowns, "I hesitate to guess My Lord, perhaps two miles."</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron considers that. "Captain Dell, please ride forward and confirm that."</div> <div> tacit01: annoying tactical ?'s - what cycle is the moon in, and is there any cloud cover?</div> <div> Missiledine: It is a waxing, first quarter moon, with five tenths cloud cover and visibility to 10,000 feet. The wind is from the west at about 3 miles</div> <div> per hour and there is no indication of percipitation...</div> <div> Dukejr01: <why do fools fall in love? Why are hot water faucets always on the left?></div> <div> Dukejr01: <cut and paste the local conditions?></div> <div> Missiledine: <Ha! I was a Geo student! Meteorology was a minor!></div> <div> Dukejr01: <que laughtrack></div> <div> Missiledine: <thank you very much!></div> <div> tacit01: so it should be pretty dark after sunset, and there will be no moon by midnight...</div> <div> Missiledine: Periods of widely scattered darkness followed by extensive light in the early morning</div> <div> Missiledine: <in short, yes></div> <div> Dukejr01: okay.</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell calls for a fresh horse for the scout and himself\</div> <div> Dukejr01: <my greedy dog ate the whole rawhide I gave him></div> <div> Missiledine: They gallop off to inspect the lay of the land</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron calls for an extended halt but tells the men not to make camp yet</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts Seek earth looking for more than 100 lbs of silver in one batch</div> <div> Missiledine: <getting tricky eh?></div> <div> Dukejr01: Worth a shot</div> <div> Missiledine: The closest source that you detect is NE of here, either Oak Hall (probably the Baron's treasury)or the Monastary</div> <div> Dukejr01: lol</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay then</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar waits/ looks in the sky</div> <div> Missiledine: It is almost dark when Dell returns. He rides up to where you are waiting. "My Lords, I have found a gully about three miles east of the</div> <div> tower that will serve well to conceal us. I do not believe that it is safe to approach any</div> <div> Missiledine: closer."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar has nothing much to add.</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron nods, "Very well. Order the column to advance to that location."</div> <div> cedoxrpg has left the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A gets moving.</div> <div> Missiledine: The column picks up and moves </div> <div> cedoxrpg has entered the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A is about as ready as he is going to be.</div> <div> Dukejr01: He watches Ollyns preparations, mostly tries to leave him to do his job.</div> <div> Missiledine: The column advances quietly into the posistion that Dell has selected</div> <div> Dukejr01: He hides his own nerves by saying little</div> <div> Missiledine: "No light, no fire, no noise." Dell orders</div> <div> Dukejr01: right</div> <div> Missiledine: The men settle in nervously, talking quietly and sharpening blades, cleaning armor adjusting harness etc</div> <div> Missiledine: food is distributed and everyone hunkers down for a sleepless night</div> <div> Missiledine: Extra sentries are posted and the pickets are pushed out further</div> <div> Dukejr01: Around midnight A casts Seek earth again. excluding hte camp, the senties and the smugglers base.</div> <div> Missiledine: after about an hour one of the pickets reports that the noises that had been pretty steady up till now, has completely stopped</div> <div> Missiledine: Seeking?</div> <div> Dukejr01: silver</div> <div> Missiledine: how much?</div> <div> Dukejr01: A wants to know if they are trying to escape. any amount</div> <div> Missiledine: the first silver you detect is about seven miles due south</div> <div> Dukejr01: k. wait ten minutes and try again.</div> <div> Missiledine: well past the tower which is about three miles from you</div> <div> Dukejr01: in the desert</div> <div> Missiledine: Little over seven miles the next time... Correct</div> <div> Dukejr01: moving away?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar looks up Dell</div> <div> Missiledine: You find him sharpening his sword</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I cast Seek earth, excluding us and the smugglers base. there is a source due south - in the desert, moving south."</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts again. this time NOT excluding the base.</div> <div> Missiledine: still some silver at the base</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Dukejr01: could be forgotten coins.</div> <div> Missiledine: "Hmm, they may be getting their famlies and booty away before the fight."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Perhaps"</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts again. this time lookign for any iron the size of a sword or larger excluding us.</div> <div> Missiledine: You detect iron at the base</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Dukejr01: aboveground?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes (sorry for delay)</div> <div> Dukejr01: k. np</div> <div> Dukejr01: well. Athamar gets some sleep</div> <div> Missiledine: Not a lot of sleep for anyone tonight, everybody is too keyed up</div> <div> Dukejr01: <hmph. just as well attack></div> <div> Dukejr01: <I know I kniw, night attack. won;t matter when we get underground></div> <div> Missiledine: Several hours before dawn, Dell gives the order to get ready. Food is passed around and everyone armors up. Everything not</div> <div> essential for combat is left with the wagons and guards</div> <div> Dukejr01: A has his armour and staff</div> <div> Dukejr01: and medical kit</div> <div> Missiledine: The order is given and you begin your advance... The continual light objects have been distributed, but the orders are not to use them</div> <div> until the word is given</div> <div> Dukejr01: and knife. of course</div> <div> tacit01: J is ready to go</div> <div> Missiledine: although the column is as quiet as possible, it is unrealistic to expect total silence as a hundred plus men advance across rough,</div> <div> unfamiliar ground in total darkness</div> <div> Dukejr01: <SEALs we ain't></div> <div> Missiledine: There are many starts and stops as the scouts try to determine the best path to follow as the attack proceedes</div> <div> tacit01: <arf arf></div> <div> Missiledine: <SEALS ain't usually wrapped in tin foil and assorted pots and pans either></div> <div> Dukejr01: <and they have duct tape></div> <div> Missiledine: <lol></div> <div> tacit01: <and air support></div> <div> Missiledine: Finally a whispered halt is called, you are only a few hundred yards from the perimiter defenses (You Think!) </div> <div> Dukejr01: <Corren would love this shit></div> <div> Missiledine: A last conference is called "This is it." The Baron says. "The scouts report no lights or sound from the tower or the defenses. They are</div> <div> either abandoned, or they are anticipating our imminent arrival."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Advance line abreast for an assault on as wide a front as feasible, or punch through a narrow gap in column formation and spread</div> <div> out afterwards?" The Baron continues. "Athamar, can you make us a gap?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Yes. it would take time."</div> <div> Missiledine: "How much time and how much noise?" The Baron demands</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar demonstrates. Cast Shape Earth. one point from 3 point powerstone.</div> <div> Missiledine: "If the send troops to pinch it off, the column, and you, could find things very nasty." He adds</div> <div> Dukejr01: maintain it.</div> <div> Missiledine: "How wide a path and how quickly will it make it?" Dell asks</div> <div> Dukejr01: I can move at walking pace and have it three feet in diameter. </div> <div> Dukejr01: <qoute that></div> <div> Dukejr01: <wide></div> <div> Missiledine: "If we advance abreast, we'll take damage, but we might get through quicker." Boma says</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell says, "Lord Athamar, take a squad. I have six shield men ready, start pushing through. If the alarm sounds, we shall order a</div> <div> general advance. Otherwise we will use your path."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Very well." Athamar signals his chosen men and takes the squad.</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron seems sataisfied to let Dell take charge and nods his agreement</div> <div> Missiledine: <Who goes with? Mklas, Ollyn, J?></div> <div> Dukejr01: A just keeps the spell maintained.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: how deep a trench are you digging?</div> <div> tacit01: J is with A</div> <div> Dukejr01: Miklas, Jacinta, and two others. Ollyn should be in charge of the men.</div> <div> Missiledine: He won't be happy about that!</div> <div> Dukejr01: Is there someone else he trusts to be in charge?</div> <div> Missiledine: uhmmm, no</div> <div> Missiledine: <deep down he probably doesn't really trust YOU to be in charge.></div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar would rather have him at his side too. but we will need to recruit a leader or two</div> <div> Dukejr01: <Robust Fecal Matter></div> <div> Missiledine: <Remember, he's known you since you were a snot nosed kid></div> <div> Dukejr01: <yes. Athamar's first memories are of ollyn changing his diaper....></div> <div> Dukejr01: <heh heh</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. anyway. Avaunt!</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will stir the earth looking for pits and traps. when he finds any he fills them in. I suppose not more than a foot is needed going down.</div> <div> Dukejr01: unless they were talking a literal trench going in</div> <div> Dukejr01: if so, make it six feet by three feet wideand pile earth to the sides.</div> <div> Missiledine: the scouts will lead you to the last of the cover.. Pointing ahead they show you where several of the apparantly harmless, scree</div> <div> covered hillocks are actually concealed look out posts. "THe ground ahead is thick with traps, </div> <div> Missiledine: caltrps, concealed pits etc."</div> <div> Missiledine: <caltrops></div> <div> Dukejr01: gotcha</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas sniffs the air, "T'aint right" He says. "There 's nothing here... I'll bet my boots they are gone."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Aye. possible"</div> <div> tacit01: <my computer's crashing - sorry if i dssapear></div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: <k></div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar starts moving the earth to the side. making a path and uncovering pits.</div> <div> Missiledine: The shield men flank you and lead you by a few feet. It's a bit awkward to work with them, they make it very hard to see ahead as they</div> <div> keep the shields up and interlocked</div> <div> Dukejr01: A does the best he can. he stoops to see as needed. </div> <div> Missiledine: The spell seems to be working fine, pushing a furrow of earth, gravel, rocks and small brush to either side as you slowly advance. You</div> <div> uncover many small pits and uproot sharpened stakes</div> <div> tacit01 has left the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A settles into a pace. filling in pits as necessary. he is making it rough and visable</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas is walking close behind you... He suddenly puts a hand on your shoulder and pushes you down... Somewhere ahead, probably</div> <div> from the tower, comes a loud 'Smack' and you hear a man to your left hiss "Catapult!" Something thumps</div> <div> Missiledine: into the ground to your right and the entire area is suddenly bathed in light! Almost immediately a silent rain of arrows begins to fall </div> <div> Dukejr01: A looks out between a crack in the shields and casts Rain of Stone 3 hex radius, pulling 2 from powerstone centering it on teh top of the tower.</div> <div> Missiledine: The shieldmen raise their shields, but not before one cries out in pain... The arrows clatter on the shields and rocks about you... You</div> <div> cast the spell but can see and hear no effect from it... At the moment you are safe under the</div> <div> Missiledine: shelter of the shields.</div> <div> Missiledine: However, advancing further will be tricky</div> <div> Dukejr01: A looks at the man. is he badly hurt?</div> <div> Missiledine: From behind you, you hear a call and a horn blows... With a roar the troops surge forward across the belt of traps.... Many have cut</div> <div> whisks of brush and twigs to sweep the bround ahead as they advance...</div> <div> Missiledine: The injured man to your right has an arrow in his right thigh</div> <div> Missiledine: <ground not bround!></div> <div> Dukejr01: is he bleeding heavily?</div> <div> tacit01 has entered the room.</div> <div> tacit01: did we win yet?</div> <div> Missiledine: despite their precautions you hear many a cry of pain as the men cross the danger zone and pass through the hail of arrows</div> <div> Dukejr01: Can he continue or will he have to remain here curled up under the shield?</div> <div> Missiledine: <lol, your still alive at the moment></div> <div> tacit01: <guess not></div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar plans to press forward.</div> <div> Missiledine: He can continue</div> <div> Dukejr01: We continue</div> <div> Dukejr01: hopefully we didnlt pause for long</div> <div> Dukejr01: neat. where are all these arrows coming from?</div> <div> Missiledine: The line of troops will pass you by on either side as you advance... they are anxious to clear this nest of traps and are willing to risk</div> <div> running through it</div> <div> Dukejr01: a uses the spell more shallowly to keep pace</div> <div> Missiledine: at the moment they are falling almost straight down, they do not seem to be all from the tower</div> <div> Dukejr01: Does Athamar sense magic?</div> <div> Dukejr01: <something smells about this rain of arrows></div> <div> Missiledine: as the troops ahead of you pass over the low hillocks that form the sides of the last gully before the tower, and they disappear over the</div> <div> top, the far side is suddenly lit by a flare of fire that seems to stretch a hundred feet or </div> <div> Missiledine: more in either direction... You see some men shillouetted against the flames and hear others screaming on the other side of the</div> <div> mound</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, you do sense magic</div> <div> Dukejr01: from the fire or before that?</div> <div> tacit01: <well, that ws impressive></div> <div> Missiledine: before, and from the fire</div> <div> Missiledine: men are scrambling back over the hill, coming back your direction now</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar looks for an arrow on the ground. he picks it up. is it real or illlusionary?</div> <div> Missiledine: there aren't all that many arrows on the ground</div> <div> Dukejr01: less than there should be?</div> <div> Missiledine: in fact they are rather hard to find when you actually look for them</div> <div> Missiledine: definately</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Illusions!" most of the arrows are illusions!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar shouts it</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I bet that fire is an illussion too"</div> <div> Missiledine: No one seems to be listening at the moment.. they are too busy making tracks</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Forward!" He orders his men. A continues to use shape earth to make the path.</div> <div> tacit01: "Shall we lead by example, Lord Athamar?" J asks</div> <div> Missiledine: you can hear a bugle being sounded to the rear, a 'come to me!' call</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Damn Straight. Move!"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Sounds like someone is trying to rally." Miklas says</div> <div> Missiledine: the shield men look hesitant, but they copme with you</div> <div> Missiledine: <come></div> <div> Dukejr01: "You!" A says to to one of his men. "Go tell the Baron and MAster Dell that almost all of the arrows are illusions. Keep your shield up. Ignore them. they</div> <div> are NOT real"</div> <div> tacit01: <rallying is good...></div> <div> Missiledine: you reach the slope up, out of the gully and the traps seem to peter out</div> <div> Missiledine: The man nods and runs off, shield up and ducking as he goes</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Flames a hundred feet high my ass..... Mog Sur would be pressed to oull that shit off." Athamar snarls as he moves forward.</div> <div> Missiledine: <Not high, long... a wall of flame></div> <div> Dukejr01: <nevermind that last then. let me rephrase...></div> <div> Missiledine: <lol></div> <div> Dukejr01: "Wall of flame, hmmph. Bet that is nothing more than illusion too"</div> <div> Missiledine: are you going over the top to find out?</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A keeps his path going.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Feel anything, Miklas?"</div> <div> Missiledine: as you reach the top of the rise, you see a bit of slope down... ahead of you, right at the base is a long barrier of cut and piled brush...</div> <div> uprooted shrubs, faggots of sticks, all thrown together and engulfed in flames... The fire</div> <div> Missiledine: crackles and burns, throwing off convincing heat</div> <div> Dukejr01: smells of oil?</div> <div> Missiledine: "Errr, there is something..."</div> <div> Missiledine: Not particularly</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Hold up."</div> <div> Missiledine: Not a problem... Everyone has come to a halt!</div> <div> Dukejr01: A extends the shape earth forward of our position. he is looking for an illusion covering a pit filled with flamables</div> <div> Missiledine: glancing around you can see many of your troops lying along the slope, some moving and groaning, others very still</div> <div> Dukejr01: mine in particular or ours as in the army?</div> <div> Missiledine: the dirt furrows aside without showing anything... Pushing it into the flame?</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes</div> <div> Missiledine: Can't tell easily without searching</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Missiledine: the brush pile is pushed away, but the flames themselves remain exactly where they were</div> <div> Dukejr01: in other words, illusion.</div> <div> Missiledine: you hear someone running up behind you... it is Dell</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Bah! Its another illusion"</div> <div> Missiledine: he has his shield up, but the arrows have tapered off</div> <div> Dukejr01: A continues to clear a path, he moves forward.</div> <div> Missiledine: "An illusuiion?" Dell asks. "I have men with wounds, is that possible?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Some are real. most are not."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I suspect an acruballista or three. and 9 out of 10 simply illusion"</div> <div> Dukejr01: <can illusionary arrows cause wounds in this formerly AD&D world?></div> <div> Missiledine: "What about these men?" He gestures to the ones lying near the flames. "Are they burned then?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar walks up to the flames and waves his hands in it.</div> <div> Missiledine: <Physical, bleeding wounds, no. But they can kill the person inflicted if they BELIEVE the arrows are real></div> <div> Dukejr01: "of course they also trips a lot of traps on the way in"</div> <div> Missiledine: There is a moment of intense heat, then it is gone and your hand passes without harm </div> <div> Dukejr01: "LEts get on with it" Athamar leads the way to convince the men to follow"</div> <div> Dukejr01: A clears the path with his spell. not wanting to trip any traps.</div> <div> Missiledine: "How do we convince the rest of the force." Dell says aloud</div> <div> tacit01: "example?" Jacinta offers</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar walks back. "By example."</div> <div> Missiledine: pushing the brush aside reveals no traps that you can see... but it does not dispell the flames, they now seem to originate a foot or two</div> <div> off the ground.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar walks downthe line of flames. he cajoles the men, tells them its naught but illusion. he demonstrates by walking in and out of ut</div> <div> Dukejr01: it</div> <div> Dukejr01: "On your feet! the fire isn't real. the arrows are illusion. Get up you lot!"</div> <div> Missiledine: as you pass to and fro in the illusioanary fire, calling to the men to advance, you are well illuminated and your body guard of shieldmen</div> <div> are somewhat hesitant to follow your example... A crossbow bolt whickers past your head, </div> <div> Missiledine: close enough to feel the breath of it's passing</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Lets get that guy. Where is Jules? we need to give them a REAL fireball"</div> <div> Missiledine: at this they guard tightens up and closes in, but they are still somewhat reluctant</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar will grab men and push them to the fire.</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell sends someone back</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Shit. lets go!" Athamar leads them forward.</div> <div> tacit01: J wil also demonstrate the true nature of the fire as necessary</div> <div> Missiledine: despite your best effort, there is a significant percentage that adamantly refuses to advance. "Wot about them there?" One man</div> <div> calls, pointing to the apparently dead and injured on the ground. "Wot killed em?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "They killed themselves." Athamar goes over to a wounded man. he checks to see if his wounds are caused by a trap and are real or just an illusion.</div> <div> Missiledine: some of the men you grab will twist violently away... prepared to fight rather then be pushed into the fire</div> <div> Missiledine: others allow themselves to be lead and begin to advance</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Come, follow me then. Stick out your hand. Its not real. Only ttour fear makes it real, or are you afraid?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: your</div> <div> Missiledine: you can't see any major marks... but there is a reddish area that seems tender to the touch. The man clearly perceives things</div> <div> differently and clutches the wound in agony</div> <div> Missiledine: "Damn right I'm afraid! Only a fool dunna fear fire!"</div> <div> Missiledine: some of the men raise their voices in agreement, others wait, listening to what you say</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar laughs. "Real fire, sure. This isn't real. Some asshole mage is fucking with your mind." A points to the man on the ground "He isn't really hurt, he</div> <div> jsut thinks he is hurt."</div> <div> Missiledine: suddenly, from the top of the tower, comes a tremendous 'KABOOM!" and a ball of red flame mushrooms upwards, briefly revealing</div> <div> several figures stumbling and falling</div> <div> Dukejr01: "ARe you going to lket some desert folk barbarian mess with you like this?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Nice job, Jules."</div> <div> Missiledine: more and more men have gathered at the top of the slope, looking down at the wall of fire, watching you and your people, listening to</div> <div> your words.... Some one shouts, "Hell no!" A roar goes up and the men surge forward, kicking </div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar moves brush away. "Does real fire burn without wood?"</div> <div> Missiledine: the brush aside and passing through the flames... Almost instantly the fire winks out and is gone</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Yeah!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: <appeal to their prejudices. it works.></div> <div> Missiledine: on top of the tower you can see some small fires burning and there is a bit of movement, but seems to be no coordinated resistence</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar does his job by shape stoning the gate open.</div> <div> Missiledine: the men have reached the base of the tower, screaming for blood! There is no sign of any counter attack by the enemy</div> <div> Missiledine: You cast your spell unimpeeded... a few moments later the door crashes in... The men rush forward... to be meant by a rolling wall of</div> <div> flame, smoke and heat... Behind which you hear a roar of rage and dimly see a large figure of f</div> <div> Missiledine: flame</div> <div> Dukejr01: A plans to open the gate and shape some stope into a bowling ball sized sphere so that he can roll it down the passage to trips traps or locate pits.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar casts detect life on it 2 hex radius.</div> <div> Missiledine: Again men scream in pain, clothes ignite and there is a powerful smell of burning oil in the air</div> <div> Missiledine: you detect no life... the thing surges forward, great whips of flame lashing out to engulf a hapless man in front of you... he goes down</div> <div> screaming</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamr grabs him. "That thing isn't real!"</div> <div> Missiledine: the men around you hesitate, looking to you for assurance</div> <div> Dukejr01: A shapes earth to cover the oil flames.</div> <div> Missiledine: you feel waves of heat coming from the open doorway</div> <div> Missiledine: <using the floor stones?></div> <div> Dukejr01: "the flames are oil though, let me take care of it." A stands calmly. ignoring the "Demon"</div> <div> Dukejr01: nah. using earth from outside.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: as you push the earth in, the fire is smothered... suddenly the 'Thing' is gone.</div> <div> Missiledine: the chamber beyond is full of thick smoke and the air is unbreathable at the moment</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar readies to push the spheres forward. </div> <div> Dukejr01: "Sneaky bastards"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar says conversationally.</div> <div> Missiledine: <I'm sorry guys, but it's after 2 am here, time to close up!></div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. was exciting.</div> <div> tacit01: "good tactics, though"</div> <div> Dukejr01: night. thanks for running us</div> <div> Missiledine: glad you liked it</div> <div> Missiledine: your welcome</div> <div> Dukejr01: "They are delaying us.. trying to get away with teh loot"</div> <div> Dukejr01: night</div> <div> Missiledine: good night all</div> <div> Dukejr01 has left the room.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>