Redlun XXXXII

<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>   |   <A HREF="id284.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXI"><U>Redlun XXXXI</U></A>   |   <B>Redlun XXXXII</B>   |   <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 XXXXII</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> You have just entered room "Dukejr01 Chat55."</div> <div> Dukejr01: dude.</div> <div> Missiledine: Hello</div> <div> Dukejr01: I also sent chat to ced but he has not responded</div> <div> Missiledine: he didn't get it</div> <div> cedoxrpg has entered the room.</div> <div> Missiledine: There we go</div> <div> Dukejr01: kick ass.....</div> <div> Missiledine: Yours</div> <div> Dukejr01: nah. I pay other guys for that</div> <div> Missiledine: let me open last week</div> <div> Missiledine: Ok, as I recall, you were all about to die...</div> <div> tacit01: I'm sure one of us will survive</div> <div> Missiledine: :-D</div> <div> Dukejr01: 80 years has passed already? our great grandchildren now run Redlun?</div> <div> tacit01: Yippee!</div> <div> Missiledine: ok... The main gates are open, thanks to Athamar's spell work... The inside is thick with smoke, though the fires, both real and illusionary are extinguished. It is impossible to see more than a few yards at the moment</div> <div> Missiledine: (Yes, you are all sitting around in Depends, sucking pre chewed spinach shakes reminiscing about your glory days, all three weeks of them.)</div> <div> Dukejr01: <Why. back in my day......></div> <div> tacit01: <gee, THAT version takes all the fun out of it></div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. back to business. has the second floor of the tower been nuetralized?</div> <div> Missiledine: No idea</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar casts Sense Life 2 yard radious and repeats 3 times in a square pattern to determine if anyone is in the second floor</div> <div> Dukejr01: while the smoke is clearing. he will step to the side so he is not in front of the gate</div> <div> Missiledine: the confusion of the battle is greatly enhanced by the thick smoke.. as you peer into the clouds you can hear the sound of something large and metallic rattling down with a crash!  You assume it is the portcilus</div> <div> Dukejr01: crap</div> <div> Missiledine: Yes, you sense life on the second floor</div> <div> Dukejr01: how many?</div> <div> Dukejr01: is jules about?</div> <div> Missiledine: Troops pour past you, spreading out, hacking and coughing as they do</div> <div> Missiledine: no idea where Jules is</div> <div> Missiledine: From outside you hear cries and the clash of steel... </div> <div> Dukejr01: "The second floor of the tower is still manned."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamr looks in around the gate.</div> <div> Missiledine: There is definate fighting going on outside... You hear the sound of the Baron bellowing orders</div> <div> Dukejr01: outside? as in outsidethe tower?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Dukejr01: not A's job. do we see the portcullus?</div> <div> tacit01: J will be prepared to defend A, and aid him as required</div> <div> Dukejr01: I am not getting what the tactical sitrep is, I thought we were outside. we are inside and the portcullus is where?</div> <div> Missiledine: The portcilus is the one blocking the shaft down from the tower to the underground complex</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. how long has it been? is A's shape stone still going? can he use it?</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, it is still going</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar shapes the stone around the portcullus, to take it off its rails.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok... Athamar advances through the clouds of smoke looking for the portcilus... Suddenly something brushes your back and you hear a series of  soft 'thumps' from behind you. The men start shouting and cursing in alarm!  </div> <div> Dukejr01: athamar moves forward to get away from whatever it is</div> <div> Missiledine: Looking backwards you see a cascade of snakes being dumped from the murder holes!  Not just any snakes but Cobras!</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts sense life</div> <div> Dukejr01: 2 hex radius</div> <div> Missiledine: There is life in that jumble of serpants!</div> <div> Dukejr01: are they on the earth that a moved in teo smother the fire?</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Those are real" Athamar says.</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, your dirt layer is all over the place</div> <div> Dukejr01: how deep? can ut cover the snakes?</div> <div> Dukejr01: ut = it</div> <div> Dukejr01: A uses his still going shape earth to make a wall of earth to encircle and push the snakes off to the side.</div> <div> Missiledine: it's about an inch deep mostly</div> <div> tacit01: J starts swinging at the heads of any cobras near her, careful not to overreach</div> <div> Missiledine: <You will need to renew the Shape Earth></div> <div> Dukejr01: costs one to maintain</div> <div> tacit01: <just moving the dirt around will keep the cobras "off balance"></div> <div> Missiledine: just reminding you</div> <div> Missiledine: and POed</div> <div> Dukejr01: A jsut keeps it going. he has 2 spells going right now so skill is not effected yet</div> <div> Missiledine: You can hear the men cursing furiously, backing against the walls and, in some cases, shrieking in fear and pain</div> <div> Dukejr01: they are bit?</div> <div> Missiledine: you assume so</div> <div> tacit01: <midevial guys are wimps></div> <div> Missiledine: <lol></div> <div> Dukejr01: does the shape earth work?</div> <div> Missiledine: its keeping them away from you</div> <div> Dukejr01: can he corral the snakes?</div> <div> Dukejr01: A turns to the portcullus and takes it off its tracks, the then uses as much left of the shape stone as possible to dig a pit in the floor off to the side to push the snakes in</div> <div> tacit01: any clue where Jules is?</div> <div> Missiledine: No, there isn't enough dirt close by to make a wall more then a foot high and many of these snakes have no problem slithering over that</div> <div> Missiledine: The fighting continues outside, presumably he is there</div> <div> Missiledine: shape stone is what you will need to drop the portcilus</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes.</div> <div> Missiledine: you cancel the SE?</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay,. in your world a mage cannot have more than one spell going at the same time?</div> <div> Missiledine: no, I'm just checking</div> <div> tacit01: are the snakes blocking all of us from getting out, or could someone got ot fetch him?</div> <div> Dukejr01: no, keep SE going</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: the snakes landed in the center area, but are now spreading in all directions</div> <div> Missiledine: The Shape stone brings the gate down with a ringing crash!  The men nearest the opening dart through, preferring to face ambush then Cobras!</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. A;'s plan is this use he Shape stone to get the porcullus off. then use shape stone to dig a pit or trench deep enough to keep the snakes in, then he reorganizes the </div> <div> Dukejr01: shape earth to shove them in as best possible</div> <div> Missiledine: Some of the men have already fled the chamber back through the front gate, others are backed against the wall fending off snakes as needed</div> <div> Missiledine: right</div> <div> tacit01: "Clear a path! - The snakes may leave if given opportunity" J calls out</div> <div> Missiledine: Some of the troops obey, anxious to get out of the way as it is</div> <div> tacit01: "and get some fire in here - or Jules!"</div> <div> Missiledine: Most of the snakes remain in the center area, reare4d up, clearly enraged by the circumstances but not actually pursuing anyone. A few of the more aggresive ones do pursue individuals, but once the men put some space between them</div> <div> Missiledine: they settle down. However they occupy most of the room and prevent troops from crossing the space.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A does something about that</div> <div> Missiledine: Your pit is ready</div> <div> Missiledine: it's about three feet deep, it should hold all but the largest, and about 6' across</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. use shape stone to build a funnel make it easier. then use shape earth like a bulldozer</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: Some of the troops who made it outside are screaming for Jules... You can still hear the clash of steel from outside as well</div> <div> Dukejr01: does the snake dozer work and how long does it take?</div> <div> Missiledine: It will take a good two minutes after you finish making the pit and funnel to push and gather all the cobra's into the pit</div> <div> tacit01: while that is happening, can we work our way around the perimiter to someplace we can contribute to the fight?</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. do they all stay in the pit?</div> <div> Missiledine: moving around the edge is possible, you can't see more then ten or twelve feet ahead of you because of the smoke tho</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, the snakes you push in, tho enraged, make no effort to climb out again</div> <div> Dukejr01: good.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Who was bit?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: A starts orgainizing the move forward?</div> <div> Dukejr01: <scratch the "?"></div> <div> Missiledine: Several men are on the ground, their backs propped against the wall while comrades examine bites in legs and arms</div> <div> Dukejr01: Does A have the anti-snakebite herbs in his medical pack?</div> <div> Dukejr01: Challis root.</div> <div> Dukejr01: draws out venom is used within 1 minute.</div> <div> Missiledine: yes, you have some (Though you probably don't have enough)</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar starts snapping out orders while he applies the root. he commands that more Challis be brought forward to treat the wounded. he organizes the men to start the advance again and sends someone to find out "what the hell is</div> <div> Dukejr01: going on outside"</div> <div> Missiledine: Men hurry to obey</div> <div> Dukejr01: Anyone have first aid? the y can apply challis that A supplies.</div> <div> Missiledine: one of the men who had advanced down the tunnel runs back yelling "A Wizard! We need a Wizard!"</div> <div> Missiledine: some of the men do</div> <div> Dukejr01: Can the men handle the snakebites without Athamar?</div> <div> Missiledine: At least one man seems competent enough</div> <div> Dukejr01: A gives the Challis to him. he then takes the men that are available to advance dow nteh tunnel with him.</div> <div> Missiledine: A man rushes back in from outside... "We've been attacked by a flanking force!  Looks like hundreds!" He runs back out again</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Lets go." Athamar gestures for what men are available to accompany him.</div> <div> Dukejr01: oh. From OUTSIDE.</div> <div> Dukejr01: one moment.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A orders to the man who came up the tunnel "What did you find down the tunnel that you ned a wizard?"</div> <div> Missiledine: The man from below says, "They've barricaded the passage and are shootin us with crossbows! Need a Wizard to shift em!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Okay,. sit tight. I will be there as soon as I am able."</div> <div> Missiledine: He nods and runs back down</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar goes outside to look at the supposed hundreds of attackers.</div> <div> Missiledine: Most of the fires are out now, thje roof is dark and there is no light now from inside, so it is hard to see what is actually happening. There seems to be mass confusion outside, men running in all directions, the sounds of combat</div> <div> Missiledine: carry to your ears from several directions</div> <div> Dukejr01: are the Cont lights being used?</div> <div> Missiledine: Del comes jogging around the tower from your right, calling for more archers and Jules</div> <div> Missiledine: in spots, but there is a lot of darkness out there... Many of the Cont Lights are inside in expectation of fighting underground in total darkness</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. </div> <div> Dukejr01: how many men does A have to force the underground passage?</div> <div> Missiledine: you have about thirty in there with you now</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell sees you, "Lord Athamar! What is happening inside? Some are escaping to the desert below!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "We have forced the portcullis, but I was sent word that there was a flank attack."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Yes, a handful of bandits, but there was the sounds of a full fledged battle accompanying them! That son of a bitch running things is a smart one!"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Drew men off in all directions, sucked them into more of the damn traps!  I have a lot of injured, but most are not serious."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I thought as much. We have a lot of snake bit men, I sent for more Challis, but I am not sure the man I sent will be back. There is a barracade below. I will see about it."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar trots back inside.</div> <div> Missiledine: You hear someone calling to Dell about the men getting away as you enter, but the words are lost in the confusion</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar just continues inside.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Son of a bitch must pay.... " Athamar shakes his head as the goes</div> <div> Missiledine: The smoke is thinning out and J and the fit troops are by the tunnel entrance</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay, A goes to take a look see about this barracade</div> <div> Missiledine: the tunnel descends and curves... about twenty feet down the men are sheltering behind the curve. There are a half dozen crossbow bolts lying about in the sand. One man nurses a wound. "Careful, My Lord." He says</div> <div> Dukejr01: "How far down?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: how wide isthe tunnel? how high?</div> <div> Missiledine: "Just around the bend, about twenty feet. Tunnel is choked with furniture, barrels and such. Canna see who is back there."</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts sense life repeatedly starting 6 hexes down looking for human life.</div> <div> Dukejr01: 2 hex radius.</div> <div> Dukejr01: he does a search pattern</div> <div> Missiledine: Jules is beside you... He has a nasty cut on his cheek but looks fit enough. "Sorry fo the delay My Lord. What's up?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Good to see you. I am now checking the barricade ahead to see if how many arethere." A hands the wounded man a bandage</div> <div> Missiledine: you cast the spell... there is life there, three figures</div> <div> Missiledine: three sources</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Three humans down there. Hardly seems worth a fireball.</div> <div> Dukejr01: how wide is the tunnel</div> <div> Dukejr01: ?</div> <div> Missiledine: "Hate to see any more of our boys hurt tho."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "yes."</div> <div> Missiledine: It is about fifteen feet wide and twelve feet high at this point, it is not smooth but rather irregular</div> <div> Dukejr01: "WE could fireball it, or I could shape a wall of sand 6 feet wide to shield us as we advance. Suggestions?"</div> <div> tacit01: "both" J says, half jokingly</div> <div> Missiledine: "Good idea that." Someone else grumbles</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Actually not a bad idea. We could advance halfway there behind hte shield and then left loose witha fireball. ou game, jules?"</div> <div> Missiledine: Jules says, "Let's see if I can soften them up."</div> <div> Dukejr01: A expands his Shape earth to a second hex and prepares a wall of sand</div> <div> Missiledine: "Keep most of the men cak. There will be some back blast." He warns</div> <div> Missiledine: cak = back</div> <div> Dukejr01: rigth</div> <div> Dukejr01: rright</div> <div> Dukejr01: <stay AWAY from th fireball throwing mage></div> <div> Missiledine: You push the wall out and forward, Jules crouches behind it, peeking around the edge as you advance. He holds up a hand to signal a stop... Nothing has happened so far.</div> <div> Missiledine: "I see a gap!" He whispers before casting and then hurling the fireball</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar covers his ears</div> <div> Missiledine: The explosion is muffled by the fact that it occurs on the otherside of the barrier and there is no back blast because the barricade blocks it</div> <div> Missiledine: "Perfect shot if I do say so myself!" Jules chortles</div> <div> tacit01: <wow - the intelligent use of an exploding fireball - who'da thunk?!></div> <div> Missiledine: "Any life there now, My Lord?"</div> <div> Missiledine: (lol)</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts sense life 2 yard radius, repeat twice</div> <div> Missiledine: no life</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Forward. no one there."</div> <div> Missiledine: the men hurry forward and begin tearing down the barricade... They make short work of it and as an opening appears one armored Merc starts through the hole. He stops "Mitra!" He curses softly and pauses</div> <div> Missiledine: Other men are peering through and you hear some cursing and praying</div> <div> Dukejr01: Oh damn.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A looks.</div> <div> Missiledine: Tied to the barricade on the otherside are three women. They are, or were, bound and gagged. They are now very dead</div> <div> Missiledine: Jules looks too. "Oh Mitra!" You hear him whisper in horror</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Bastards." Athamar is clearly angry. </div> <div> Missiledine: Jules looks like he's in shock</div> <div> Missiledine: The troops are angry too.. Word of what has happened passes down the line until there is a general murmur of angry voices behind you</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar rounds on him "Look at me! You are not to blame. They did this out of cruelty. They earned our scorn. Now lets be after them!"</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell, the Baron and several soldiers arrive as you are speaking to Jules</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Lets go" Athamar orders. he looks at Jules to see if he is combnoying up.</div> <div> Dukejr01: <cowboying></div> <div> Missiledine: Dell looks through the gap, "Clever bastards!" He growls. "Get blankets, wrap them!" He orders</div> <div> Missiledine: <FYI: ALL PCS are now present in the same space and the same screen!></div> <div> cedoxrpg: An archer of Baron curses and you see some tears in his eyes. "Revenge.", he mutters</div> <div> Missiledine: The barricade is torn down, the bodies are cut loose, carefully wrapped and carried back outside.  Jules does not look good</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell says, "A large number, perhaps twenty, galloped south across the desert."</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Archer tells, where he last saw them</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Perhaps there won;t me much more resistance."</div> <div> Dukejr01: me = be</div> <div> Missiledine: "The rats have bolted." The Baron growls. "But they may yet hurt us with their traps. Everyone take care!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods follows the lead men.</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell looks at the archer, "Your the one who shot one? What is your name?"</div> <div> cedoxrpg: "Bruin, My Lord."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Good shot." He says and gestures you and the others forward. You are in the third rank, just behind Athamar and his retainer Jacinta.  Several mercs with large shield are in the first rank, advancing with shield up and great care</div> <div> Dukejr01: lets press forward. A will keep his shape earth going </div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin bows shyly, but you can see he is not very content about the events.</div> <div> Missiledine: the tunnel winds downwards and then opens into the main area. There are several exits out of this room, including the one that goes to the lower level.  The furniture in here, what is left, shows it to be the</div> <div> Missiledine: complexes main hall. Tables, bebches etc... Much of the furniture was used for the barricade, the rest is in disarray</div> <div> Dukejr01: "we should start moving the horses and the men to pursue down to here."</div> <div> Dukejr01: A gestures for men to guard each entrance and then leads his men down the path to the desert.</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron frowns. "Let's make sure we can get back out first."</div> <div> Missiledine: More troops are coming down the tunnel behind you and Dell designates Beal to take charge of flushing out the other passages</div> <div> Missiledine: He and the Baron will come with you</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I will seek the exit to the desert below. the sooner we can be after them. Tehre should be a pool of water thataway"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Righto</div> <div> Missiledine: Beal nods at your direction and starts detailing men to check things out</div> <div> Dukejr01: A is anxious to get after these bastards.</div> <div> Missiledine: As you advance down the tunnel there are all the signs of a hasty retreat... dropped weapons, bundles of clothing, water bottles, bedrolls, etc all abandoned in flight</div> <div> Dukejr01: A frowns at that. </div> <div> Missiledine: below you can see some light and the shield men in the lead halt</div> <div> Dukejr01: how far?</div> <div> Missiledine: from what your prisoner told you, the bottom should be about thirty feet ahead.. probably the source of the light</div> <div> Dukejr01: "hmmm... the bottom should be near.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A uses his shape earth to advance a wall of sand again for cover.</div> <div> Dukejr01: check the ceiling for drop trps</div> <div> Dukejr01: traps</div> <div> Missiledine: the shieldmen flank you, using their shield to give you extra cover. You advance down the passage and ahead you see the lower chamber. Nothing happens as you go</div> <div> Dukejr01: A looks about the room and casts sense life several times to make sure of this</div> <div> Missiledine: It is an oblong chamber running left to right... The opposite wall is lined with stalls andd the center of the room is dominated by a large pile of fodder</div> <div> Dukejr01: cast sense life on that.</div> <div> Dukejr01: pile of fodder</div> <div> Missiledine: There is no life present, except for your people</div> <div> Dukejr01: "no one here."</div> <div> Missiledine: <Maybe some small vermin hiding in the fodder></div> <div> Missiledine: "Damn!" Curses the Baron. He turns and calls for the horses and fresh troops</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. slowly check the place out. looing for traps or deafalls, wouldn't want a collapsing cieling to block the exit</div> <div> Missiledine: "Too bloody many casualties to come up with an empty bag!" He snarls</div> <div> Dukejr01: "They were well prepared. probably worked this plan out months or years ago. no doubt something similar if attacked from the desert.</div> <div> Missiledine: The men spread out slowly, looking for trip lines, traps, anything odd or unusual.  After about five minutes you conclude that this area is secure</div> <div> Dukejr01: Okay. A will go out into the desert. sending some men out first.</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin volunteers</div> <div> Dukejr01: He will cast Seek earth looking for silver. excluing everything north. he wants to find the enemy</div> <div> Missiledine: The sand outside the narrow cave mouth is heavily trampled and shows signs of many mounted men having recently been there. A body is lying about a hundred feet away with an arrow in him</div> <div> Dukejr01: A looks up atthe cliff and down at the body. "Fine shot, that"</div> <div> Missiledine: you sense silver about 100 feet in front of you, on the body</div> <div> cedoxrpg: "A lucky one.", Bruin says grimly.</div> <div> Dukejr01: exclude the body and do it again</div> <div> Missiledine: six and a half, maybe seven miles south of here</div> <div> Dukejr01: A goes back in to findhte Baron or Dell. "Seven miles almost due south."</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron growls in anger and stalks up the passage yelling for mounts.  Dell sighs, "It was about as bad is it could get. Good thing you recognised the illusions."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods and sighs. "Illusionist....  are there many dead?"</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Baron's archer lays everything ready for riding and shooting at the same time.</div> <div> Missiledine: One of Dell's officers comeas up and passes him a small slip of paper. He reads it and sighs. "The butcher's bill. Fourteen dead, twenty three injured, mostly light. Six of them, all dead. And of course, the women."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Not sure yet who the dead belong to." He adds</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar's hands tighten up at that last.</div> <div> Dukejr01: <the women that is></div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin covers his eyes with his hand in frustration and sorrow.</div> <div> cedoxrpg: He starts looking for those horses.</div> <div> Missiledine: about fifteen minutes later you hear a faint "Boom!" From waaayyy up above</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods. "Well, we can track them. and they might be slower. but their wagons will have a 12 hour head start</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell satrts, "What in the nine hells was that?"</div> <div> tacit01: J looks up</div> <div> Missiledine: Nothing more is heard</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I think we had better see." Athamar goes up the ramp</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell points to his officer, "Find out."</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin looks for cover, if something is dropping from up.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Lets hope it was a trap sealing the caves."</div> <div> Dukejr01: wasn't</div> <div> Missiledine: The officer is running up the ramp, others in the ramp are looking back the way they came, waiting to see what happens next</div> <div> Missiledine: As you come up to the Hall, you hear Beal telling everyone to relax. "Everything is under control!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar does so. he looks for something to drink.</div> <div> Missiledine: He sees you and Dell. "They couldn't get the horses to go past the snake pit, so the Baron ordered Jules to roast them."</div> <div> Missiledine: "The snakes, that is." He adds with a smile</div> <div> tacit01: "that's good"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I hear they taste like chicken"</div> <div> Missiledine: "If you'd like I'll send for some." Dell offers</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar will go look for Ollyn.</div> <div> Missiledine: You find Ollyn talking with Miklas</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Perhaps later. Thanks!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Good to see you! How are the men?"</div> <div> Missiledine: They see you coming and both come to attention. They look unghappy</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar's face falls. "what?"</div> <div> tacit01: don't think any of us are very happy</div> <div> Missiledine: "Three of ours bought it, My Lord. And we have two more hurt."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar pales slightly. "how bad?"</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin appeals someone to get to hunt as soon as possible. </div> <div> Missiledine: "One merc dead, two of our militia dead, including the Smyth's son. The injured ain't too bad. All in the feet tho."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Damn traps." Miklas growls</div> <div> Missiledine: The horses are being lead down the tunnel now. The Baron is calling for a conference of the Lords and Officers</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Dammit." Athamar looks really unhappy. </div> <div> Dukejr01: He goes to see the Baron.</div> <div> Missiledine: When all are present he says, "All right. I'm not going back to Oak Hall empty handed. But we need to make some hard choices.  Once we leave the cave we are out of the Kingdom. There will be no help and no recourse if we run into</div> <div> Missiledine: serious trouble.  Our Writs end at the border, not thatr Demetrius or Urien is all that fussy about such things. But it's something to keep in mind.  We CANNOT start a war out there."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Anyone want's out, I'll understand." He looks at Atrhamar as he says that</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I'm in." Athamar says simply.</div> <div> Missiledine: Boma nods, "Me too."</div> <div> Dukejr01: <no way can Athamar back out now.></div> <div> Missiledine: "All right. Lets kill those bastards!" He leads the way down to the desert</div> <div> Missiledine: <Guys, I need to let my dog out, brb.></div> <div> Dukejr01: Right. Athamar goes to see Ollyn and make his men ready</div> <div> Dukejr01: <right! Let Loose the Dogs of War!></div> <div> tacit01: Has J seen Master Beal about since the battle?</div> <div> Dukejr01: Beal was in charge of clearing the rest of the complex.</div> <div> tacit01: k</div> <div> Dukejr01: he was telling people to relax about the big boom</div> <div> tacit01: right - nevermind</div> <div> Dukejr01: <relieved that he is still alive?</div> <div> tacit01: <J would be relieved - I have mixed feelings></div> <div> Dukejr01: <lol></div> <div> Dukejr01: <yeah. what are yu going to do when J gets married?></div> <div> Missiledine: <Ok, back></div> <div> tacit01: <haven't thought that far - tho I might need a month or soo hiatus to work on other things></div> <div> Dukejr01: <front></div> <div> Dukejr01: <J can visit Beal for awhile....></div> <div> Missiledine: Athamar, you are with Ollyn as you make your way down to the desert. You have to walk with care, the tunnels are packed with horses and the men leading them</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar points out this archer guy Bruin and tells him that he took that shot at the dead guy in the desert. </div> <div> Missiledine: As you exit outside you see the Baron, mounted, giving orders to Beal, who is staying behind.  "I want this place stripped down to the hardware on the latrine door! Take every cup, sppon and door nail.  When you are done have your</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will take his mounted troops and a few horses with water.</div> <div> tacit01: <water good> J fills her waterskins</div> <div> Missiledine: men slight the defenses and get ready to collapse the tower. Ineed hardly say that you wait till we are back before you do it!  Lord Athamar will seal the desert entrance when we return."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods at that.</div> <div> Missiledine: Ollyn listens to you and nods to the merc in question. "Good shooting."</div> <div> Dukejr01: <I take it the Bruin is not one of my men></div> <div> Missiledine: no, he's one of the Baron's temporary hirelings brought on for this campaign</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin doesn't take notice on the comment.. He is ready to ride!</div> <div> Dukejr01: <lol></div> <div> Dukejr01: <I am trying to set up for recruiting him :-)></div> <div> tacit01: <how convenient></div> <div> Missiledine: There is about ten minutes of rather turbulent activity as waterskins are filled, fodder bags hung on the saddles, cinches tightened and men mount up. Finally the Baron is satisfied that all is ready. He waves and leads off</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <muah></div> <div> Missiledine: The sun is fully risen, it is about 8 am now and the day promises to be clear. The sky to the south is cloudlees, though there are some to the north</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar takes the time to cast Seek Earth again, silver. excluding us and the body</div> <div> Dukejr01: btw, the archer guy should probably loot his kill.</div> <div> Missiledine: The nearest silver is back in the stronghold</div> <div> Missiledine: You have ridden past that already</div> <div> Dukejr01: sigh. again. excluding ourselves and everythign to the north</div> <div> Missiledine: The next nearest, after excluding you, the column and everything north of you, is about 8 miles south</div> <div> Missiledine: <:-D></div> <div> Dukejr01: <lol></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <he gets the loot?></div> <div> Missiledine: <You didn't stop... you were too eager to ride on></div> <div> cedoxrpg: Onwards</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron sets a fast pace... It will wear out the horses in a few hours but he's clearly gambling on catching them as quickly as possible</div> <div> Dukejr01: <I am sure Beal will take care of it, you will get a share of a share.></div> <div> tacit01: <and... desertwards></div> <div> Dukejr01: "Eight miles south></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <ah.. nevermind that. was hoping to get some info on the enemy></div> <div> Missiledine: The desert in this area is mostly flat, hard sand with a few scrub plants. The natives consider it a garden paradise compared to what lies ahead... An area of desert they call, "The Anvil of God."</div> <div> Dukejr01: they are heading straight towardthe Anvil?</div> <div> Missiledine: The dunes will start in about ten miles, from that point on there is no vegetation and no water for a very long way.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts seek silver again excluding us and looking for silver farther than 10 miles away but not north</div> <div> Missiledine: Yes, they have little choice. The Anvil covers a wide swath that lies to the south of Velitrium. To avoid it you would have to ride east, past the water fall and the Road to Nygg. Your ancestors crossed the Anvil, tho it almost </div> <div> Missiledine: killed them</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay</div> <div> Dukejr01: he does this right after the first one. he wants to exclude their retreating troops</div> <div> Missiledine: okay... you detect a source of silver about twenty miles south and slightly east of here</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athmar relays his information to Dell.</div> <div> Missiledine: "Maybe their main body. Women, children, loot."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "that is what I think, the ones that I detected last night</div> <div> Missiledine: "They did a good job slowing us down and weakening us, but not good enough." The Baron growls. "We'll catch these son's of bitches and cut every mother's son into blood pudding! I swear by Mitra!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: How many men do we have?</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Lets hope they don't have allies out here."</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron holds the trot for almost a half hour and then has a ten minute gallop before having the men dismount and walk.</div> <div> tacit01: J keeps a careful eye on the horses' condition</div> <div> Dukejr01: Good idea.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "The main body probably has regular horses, but I imagine their delaying force has desert horses."</div> <div> Missiledine: There are about a hundred mounted with you, Beal kept back a few horses</div> <div> Missiledine: "Yes," Dell agrees. "Our enemy, tho fewer, is better mounted. If we are not careful we will be walking back."</div> <div> Dukejr01: " I will keep track of the other source, if that is their train. they will move slower than we will"</div> <div> Missiledine: You ride on, stopping to walk the horses for twenty minutes every hour, at noon you will stop completely for a thirty minute rest. The Baron is unhappy about it, but a quiet word from Dell convinces him</div> <div> Dukejr01: When we rest A casts again. excluding us. and everything north.</div> <div> Missiledine: The horses and men are all allowed a drink and the men snatch some food.  Shortly after you set out again you will reach the edge of the dunes. Going is slower now, the horses have to work much harder</div> <div> Dukejr01: then again. excluding us, everything north and farther than x+1 miles.</div> <div> Dukejr01: can A use shape earth to help at all? probably not</div> <div> Missiledine: The first group is still a giood eight miles up on you. The second group, the one you think is their wagons, is now about 18 miles out</div> <div> Dukejr01: A informs Dell again.</div> <div> Missiledine: no, you'd have to level dunes to make a smooth path that didn't collapse back in immediately</div> <div> tacit01: would that put the first group in the Anvil?</div> <div> Missiledine: "If we didn't gain ground on the first group over the last four hours, we aren't likely to at any time soon. Our best chance is catching them with the main body."</div> <div> Missiledine: Both groups are in the Anvil and you are entering it now</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will cast trackign spells every 2 hours or so</div> <div> Missiledine: "Once they join, their speed will be that of the slowest member, and we are clearly faster then that. The gamble is, will our horses last that long."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Their other party has been moving since last night. they have to stop sometime."</div> <div> Missiledine: Around two thirty you cast again... The first group is still about eight miles out, the second group is a bit less then eighteen. You have closed some</div> <div> tacit01: "this is a lot like when we pursued them to the tower the first time..."</div> <div> Missiledine: Miklas shudders at that</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar grimaces than chuckles. "Except we have enoguh troops this time."</div> <div> Missiledine: 'I hope." Miklas mutters</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Me too"</div> <div> Missiledine: Around five you cast again... The first group is still holding the disdtance. The second group is now around sixteen miles out</div> <div> tacit01: "and more water - but we need consider how lon it will take us to catch them, and what kind of shape we'll be in"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Update Dell.</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron orders a halt.  "We will rest for one hour, then push off as the sun sets and ride for three more then camp."</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin tries to count how many hours, but he messes up the calculation and trains a bit with bow.</div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Then he sleeps as long as he can.</div> <div> Missiledine: The horses are rubbed down and watered and given a small amount of grain and fodder. The men then rest and eat as well.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts again,. his twinned spell, then repeats in a half hour.</div> <div> Missiledine: The hour passes all too quickly and you are again in the saddle. It is hard riding, up and down, up and down... The sand wears the horses out qwuickly and</div> <div> Missiledine: you now rest them for ten minutes every half hour, leading them as you walk</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin gives a bit of his water to his horse. Just a bit.</div> <div> Missiledine: As you set out the first group has gained a bit less then a mile on you, but the second group is at the same spot</div> <div> Dukejr01: update Dell.</div> <div> Missiledine: you gave it when you first stopped, to allow them time to digest it. Now your on the move again</div> <div> Missiledine: A half hour later the first group maintains its distance. The second group is now at 15 miles</div> <div> Missiledine: "If they keep up like this, they will link up before dawn." Dell observes</div> <div> Missiledine: "But they have to rest eventually." The Baron replies</div> <div> Missiledine: It is about nine o'clock when the column halts. "We'll stop for five hours." The Baron orders</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell will ask you to cast again</div> <div> Dukejr01: Do so</div> <div> Missiledine: The first group is now about 7 miles ahead. But the second group is moving again, though you did close some distance and is now 13 miles ahead</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin stretches his tired muscles sips water, gives some to his mount and sets to sleep. He takes cover from the sun as much as he can. Digs a bit into sand. (if he has wits for that)</div> <div> Missiledine: It is night time</div> <div> cedoxrpg: ahh.. okay</div> <div> Dukejr01: imform dell</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I bet they move at night, out of the heat."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Hmm, give it a half hour and check on the first group again, if you please."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Yes, I think your right."</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will do both in a half hour.</div> <div> Missiledine: The first group seems to have stopped at the 7 mile mark. The second has moved off a bit less then a mile from its last location</div> <div> Dukejr01: update</div> <div> Missiledine: "They are resting too. We need to know when they start moving again."</div> <div> Missiledine: He looks thoughtful "I wonder if they know we are resting?"</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell hurries off calling for the rangers</div> <div> Missiledine: You hear him saying, "I want four men with the freshest horses we have!"</div> <div> cedoxrpg: "Im ready to serve."</div> <div> Dukejr01: how far can a we travel in an hour?</div> <div> Missiledine: When the men are assembled he says, "Ride south for two miles, no more.  I want to know if they are tracking us the way we are tracking them. If they see us coming on, they'll pack up and move out. We can use small groups to </div> <div> Dukejr01: "good idea"</div> <div> Missiledine: harrass them all night while the main body rests."</div> <div> cedoxrpg: "Affirmative.", Bruin starts riding south with the rest of the men.</div> <div> Missiledine: <You going Bruin?></div> <div> Missiledine: <ok></div> <div> Missiledine: The four men disappear into the dark. Dell says to you. "Wait an hour, then try again." He goes off to eat and rest</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Wake me in an hour."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar takes a snooze</div> <div> Missiledine: Ollyn nods</div> <div> tacit01: <sure - we finally get all teh PC's in one spot, and one of them rides off in the night!></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <heh heh, my rpg-flaw></div> <div> tacit01: <no prob - we've done it before, too - keeps the GM on his tired little toes></div> <div> Missiledine: <lol></div> <div> Missiledine: An hour later Ollyn shakes you awake</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Thanks. Get some rest."</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts his spells. both ofthem.</div> <div> Missiledine: He waits to see what you learn</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay</div> <div> Missiledine: The first group is now eight miles out</div> <div> Dukejr01: and the second?</div> <div> Missiledine: the second group is 15 miles</div> <div> Dukejr01: update Dell</div> <div> Missiledine: 'So, they can see us!" He rubs his hands with glee. "I want four more men!" He shouts</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Any number of seeker spells. no telling which. If they wanted to mess with me, they could drop old swords or pieces of silver."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Give them each an extra horse, ride ahead, do not.. I say DO NOT make contact!"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Keep a liesurely pace until dawn, then rest. We will follow your trail."</div> <div> Dukejr01: A goes to sleep.</div> <div> tacit01: sleep good</div> <div> Missiledine: He nods, "Out here, with a desert mage, it's probably our water he sees."</div> <div> Missiledine: The group rides off into the dark... the rest of the night passes quietly.. around two the camp is woken and food passed around</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts his spells immediate;y</div> <div> Dukejr01: he does it three times. one for our scouting grooup</div> <div> Missiledine: The first group you detect is two miles out</div> <div> Dukejr01: everything within three. miles</div> <div> Dukejr01: exclude</div> <div> Dukejr01: pardon</div> <div> Missiledine: the second group you detect is about seven miles out, probably the scout group. The third group is about fourteen miles out.</div> <div> Dukejr01: once more. this time exclude everything within 15 miles.</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell grunts, "They only made six miles in almost six hours eh? Their horses are getting tired!"</div> <div> Missiledine: The last group is a bit over 21 miles ahead</div> <div> Dukejr01: right. tell dell</div> <div> Dukejr01: A sits and rests. don't expect much from him for an hour</div> <div> Missiledine: The column moves out again</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <heh></div> <div> Missiledine: A bit less then an hour later you pick up the first group of four, including the Archer</div> <div> Dukejr01: yay</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Who is fully asleep</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Probably snoring</div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Missiledine: The column will wake you, not to worry</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin stands up in a second, grabs the bow and tries to look like he can't be ambushed. (failing miserably)</div> <div> Missiledine: The march continues.  The same as before, resting the horses every half hour. Around dawn the Baron orders a thirty minute rest</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell asks you to try again</div> <div> Dukejr01: was just going to say that</div> <div> Missiledine: <its been almost four hours></div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts three times. the first for our other party, the second for their retreating force and the third for the train</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <train?></div> <div> Dukejr01: <train. general refeence to their noncombatants and supply wagons.></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <okay :-) Sorry for my english ></div> <div> Missiledine: The first group, your scouts you think, is about nine miles ahead. The second group is 18 miles. The third group is about 26 miles ahead</div> <div> Dukejr01: <no problem></div> <div> Dukejr01: update Dell</div> <div> Dukejr01: they made 4 miles on us?</div> <div> Missiledine: "So, our enemy tires. Only two miles ahead of our lead elements now. I hope those idiots out there obey orders and stop at dawn. Otherwise they will run right into them."</div> <div> Missiledine: That's all</div> <div> Dukejr01: oh, gotcha</div> <div> Missiledine: "We could catch them easily if we split our force, dismount half the men and let the remaining half switch horses every half hour.  But that would leave us only fifty men to fight a force of forty plus."</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron frowns, considering. "If we could close to within sight it might panick them into doing something stupid."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Yes," Agrees Boma. "Like attacking us."</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <lol></div> <div> Dukejr01: "They have been a clever and resourceful foe"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Their leaders do not appear to be stupid."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "can we catch them if we do not dismount half?"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Perhaps we can do something else though." Dell muses.  "Split our troops as described, but instead of going after them directly, circle around and head for their main column. They will wear themselves out trying to catch us."</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin volunteers to be in that force.</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Then we can deal with them separately."</div> <div> Missiledine: Eventually you should close on them, but it could take all day. If you split the troops and allow half the horses to rest you could catch up in two or three hours.</div> <div> cedoxrpg: He might be of assistance if some of them get too close.</div> <div> Missiledine: Lord Boma says, "Whoa! That puts us with half our men, between two enemy forces of unknown ability!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "if we split our men, can we catch their trailing force before they link up with their other?"</div> <div> Missiledine: <Well gentlemen, its 3 am here. The deciscion will be made next week, same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel.></div> <div> Dukejr01: okay, thanks for running us.</div> <div> Dukejr01: night</div> <div> Missiledine: thank you</div> <div> Missiledine: good night Dave</div> <div> Dukejr01 has left the room.</div> <div> tacit01: nite all</div> <div> tacit01: thank for running us</div> <div> Missiledine: Thanks for playing</div> <div> tacit01 has left the room.</div> <div> Missiledine: So, what do you think?</div> <div> cedoxrpg: nice gaming</div> <div> cedoxrpg: We did a lot of advancing in this session</div> <div> Missiledine: thank you. </div> <div> cedoxrpg: thank You! :-)</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Excellent GMing</div> <div> Missiledine: Some sessuions are slow, others get a lot done</div> <div> Missiledine: thanks. You guys are all good players</div> <div> cedoxrpg: I'll send mail to you soon</div> <div> Missiledine: ok, talk to you later</div> <div> Missiledine: good night</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Good night, bye</div> </td> </tr></table></body>