Redlun XXXXIII

<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>   |   <A HREF="id285.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Redlun XXXXII"><U>Redlun XXXXII</U></A>   |   <B>Redlun XXXXIII</B>   |   <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 XXXXIII</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> You have just entered room "Dukejr01 Chat46."</div> <div> tacit01 has entered the room.</div> <div> cedoxrpg has entered the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: yo</div> <div> cedoxrpg: yo</div> <div> Missiledine: Good evening all!</div> <div> Dukejr01: hey. we are on time</div> <div> tacit01: yo</div> <div> Missiledine: hang on a sec, need to finish an email and open a file</div> <div> Missiledine: Ok, we all ready?</div> <div> tacit01: sure</div> <div> Missiledine: Ok, then lets get you in your graves!</div> <div> Dukejr01: yah</div> <div> Missiledine: When we broke up you were discussing the alternate tactical plans available. Either try and close on the closest enemy group and</div> <div> force a fight by attacking them, or circle them, get between the enemy and their train and assume </div> <div> Missiledine: a defensive posture where they attack you</div> <div> Missiledine: or some variant there of</div> <div> Dukejr01: yep</div> <div> Dukejr01: They have, what, 20 or 30 men in their rearguard?</div> <div> Missiledine: so you believe</div> <div> Missiledine: maybe 40ish</div> <div> Dukejr01: how many did they spot riding off from on top of the cliff?</div> <div> Missiledine: 30 to 40</div> <div> Missiledine: plus a few pack animals</div> <div> tacit01: they have the advantage of area knowledge - I say we straight out attack instead of attempting to flank</div> <div> Dukejr01: 30-40 sounds like their entire force.</div> <div> Missiledine: the other group may only be women, children and a few wagon drivers.... or not</div> <div> Dukejr01: how far away was the other group?</div> <div> Missiledine: about 26 miles</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will cast Seek earth again. looking for silver more than 27 miles away</div> <div> Missiledine: you don't detect anything</div> <div> Dukejr01: what is the range of seek earth? 100 miles?</div> <div> Missiledine: no range limit per say, but the minuses have an effective limit of about 1,000 miles -8 to skill</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay</div> <div> Dukejr01: Hmmm... k</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. we have 100 men and we could catch then in 2-3 hours if we dismount half? Risky, but it might work.</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron paces a bit as he considers... "Our force is mostly swordsmen and archers... If we had crossbows we could assume a</div> <div> defensive posistion atop a dune and shoot them to bits as they came on....Hmmm"</div> <div> Missiledine: "There can't be that many more in the second group... we killed six, there were fifty... We saw maybe forty ride off.... If we let them</div> <div> link up they won't be that much more effective...."</div> <div> Missiledine: He looks at Athamar, "Any idea where they might be headed in this waste land?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I can't imagine. Its doesn't seem in charactor. This mage has performed brilliantly, surely he has some plan to escape. He must have considered that we</div> <div> would pursue....."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "One thing. he is a relative - a cousin or in-law or a desert caravan master. PErhaps he will seek shelter with him. maybe a friendly tribe</div> <div> Missiledine: Lord Boma says, "Perhaps the mage has already escaped, leaving his minions to their fates."</div> <div> Dukejr01: <strike the second "or"</div> <div> tacit01: "Lord Athamar - can they fool you into thinking you are finding something you're not?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Yes. They could. He no doubt knows about Seeking. One thing. We determined last night that they could keep track of us. that is why we sentt hat</div> <div> party to press him. Eitehr the mage is with the second group or they havea magic item</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell says, "Are we completely certain that the force we saw ride off this direction, the one we are tracking, was real? I mean, could it</div> <div> have been a handful of men, leading a lot of horses, with illusionary riders?"</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron is staring at him in growing horror, "While the bulk of their men lay hidden until the main body leaves in pursuit and then</div> <div> they...."His voice trails off</div> <div> Dukejr01: What is the range of Sense Life? same as Seek earth?</div> <div> cedoxrpg: If Bruin hears this he readies his bow. (After a quite a few seconds of thinking)</div> <div> Missiledine: its an area spell</div> <div> Missiledine: not a seeker</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Damn illusionists will have you questioning your own shadow. I detected a mass of siilver heading south the night before the attack, there is no reason to</div> <div> believe that was a ruse."</div> <div> Missiledine: "True," Dell agrees "But that may be their loot..." He falls silent and shakes his head. "Damn!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: <wish I have Telepathy now></div> <div> Missiledine: "This bastard is damn annoying!" ThE Baron mutters. "Wish he'd stand still so we can kill the bugger!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar has to agree.</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron seems to reach a decision, "We will not split our force. We will press on and wipe the bastards out together! No more</div> <div> pissing around, I want them dead!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Well, we know whatever force we are chasing is tiring. we also know that force has some means of detecting us. Lets get those guys and hopefully take</div> <div> a prisoner or three and squeeze some information out of them.</div> <div> Dukejr01: <oops></div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar agrees with that.</div> <div> Dukejr01: mount up</div> <div> Missiledine: Yes... You head out again after the half hour is up...</div> <div> Missiledine: Almost three hours later you come upon your scout party, resting as ordered, since dawn</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron calls for another half hour rest at this point</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar casts seek earth excluding our party</div> <div> Missiledine: The first group is now about 12 miles ahead of you, they have only covered a third of the distance you did in the same time period</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts again. this time excluding our party and THAT source. then repeats exclusing our party and those two sources.</div> <div> Missiledine: The second casting shows the second group (The Train) to be 17 miles ahead. It has not moved</div> <div> Missiledine: The third casting shows a third group about twenty miles ahead and slightly east of your line of march</div> <div> Dukejr01: A informs Dell of this</div> <div> Missiledine: "Hmm, the spell actually detects only a single source of silver, correct? So that third point could be a single silver noble lost in the</div> <div> sand, or the silver chasings of a nomad's saddle or anything, right? </div> <div> Dukejr01: "Yes"</div> <div> Missiledine: We really can't tell how many we are dealing with, it might even be their force breaking up into individuals."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Yes."</div> <div> Missiledine: "It could also be the cousin's caravan coming to the rescue."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "That is what I thought."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Piss.... Let's go tell the Baron. He'll be thrilled."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Wish I could tell you more...."</div> <div> Missiledine: You go to report, Dell relates what you have told him and his observations and comments. The Baron listens silently.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts again. this time he is casting to find out if there is more than one source of silver at the third point. see what I am lookingfor?</div> <div> Missiledine: to see if there are multiple points in a tight group?</div> <div> Dukejr01: yes</div> <div> Missiledine: ok... you cast a fourth time... you detect a second point within a hundred feet of the first</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay.</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron sits thinking for a very long time, then he speaks. "All right gentlemen, this is the situation. I am loathe to go home empty</div> <div> handed. But if we get to the scene and find a fair sized force waiting for us, we are in for a </div> <div> Missiledine: tough fight. Not only will a retreat be awkward, if not impossible, there is the added complication of a victory. I want to make sure you</div> <div> understand this. If we engage a caravan there can be no desert survivors or escapees to make</div> <div> Missiledine: their way home to report what is an act of war. The Crown does not want a desert war that will cramp trade and cost a fortune in</div> <div> tarriffs and taxes. There can be no quarter. Understood?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar nods.</div> <div> tacit01: J nods</div> <div> Missiledine: "So, with that in mind I will ask Lord Athamar and Lord Boma what they want to do. Lord Athamar, as a King's man I can't order you</div> <div> to advance."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Lord Boma, I've known you a long time and I trust your judgement. What is your opinion?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: "These people commited crimes against the Kingdom and its people, I am with you whatever you decide."</div> <div> Missiledine: Boma scratches his chin, thinking before answering... "I agree with Athamar on that, and, we have invested a lot into this, both in</div> <div> resources and lives. I too do not want to go home empty handed."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Very well, we continue then." The Baron gets up from where he was sitting in the shade of his horse. "Let's get on with it."</div> <div> Missiledine: The column mounts and you move out</div> <div> Dukejr01: Any freaking birds in the air?</div> <div> Missiledine: You ride until noon, with short breaks every hour. The Baron calls for a one hour break at noon. "We should stop longer to keep the</div> <div> horses fresh, but lets see how the enemy progresses." He looks at Athamar</div> <div> Missiledine: none acting oddly</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts his spell</div> <div> Missiledine: The casting detects the first silver source to be about 9 miles ahead</div> <div> Dukejr01: Again. excluding us and that source</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin seems a somewhat frustrated and puzzled</div> <div> Missiledine: The second casting shows a second silver source about 9 miles ahead</div> <div> Dukejr01: exclude anythign within 10 miles</div> <div> Missiledine: The third casting does not pick up another silver source within 50 miles, then it picks up one to the east</div> <div> Dukejr01: There are a couple sources nine miles away then nothign for 50 miles.</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell nods, "They have linked up."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "They will be ready for us."</div> <div> Missiledine: "So," Says the Baron with some satisfaction "All the pigeons on one roost eh? Time for the hawk!"</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell nods, "Aye, they know we are coming and they'll have a couple hours to rest."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I was think of some way to achieve some tactical surprise. perhaps if they are tracking our water, we split off a group without water supplies to</div> <div> approach from a different direction."</div> <div> Missiledine: "If we advance now we'll reach there posistion with just over an hour of daylight remaining"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Indeed? Will you drain the water from our soldier's bodies?" The Baron asks</div> <div> Dukejr01: <having discussed the differences in game world rules. nevermind></div> <div> Missiledine: Dell says, "We cannot attack with men and horses exhausted from a day of marching. Let us move to within , say, three miles and</div> <div> camp. We will post a picket line and prepare to recieve an attack."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Perhaps we can harrass them through the night, try and run off their horses or something." He adds</div> <div> Missiledine: "Need to make sure they don't stampede OUR horses." Boma mutters</div> <div> Dukejr01: "I will make a corral and fortify our postition."</div> <div> Missiledine: The Baron brightens at that, "Excellant idea Lord Athamar."</div> <div> Missiledine: "We will advance another six miles or so, then seek a defensible posistion that Lord Athamar can strengthen."</div> <div> Missiledine: After the rest break you begin again... </div> <div> Missiledine: Around three o'clock Dell indicates a wide, flat dune that is a bit ahead and right of your line of march. "We shall camp there."</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts Seek earth. exclude us</div> <div> Missiledine: Reaching the top you have a good view of the area almost a half mile around before the dunes start blocking the view</div> <div> Missiledine: About 3 miles ahead</div> <div> Dukejr01: exclude that source and cast again.</div> <div> Missiledine: 3 miles +/-</div> <div> Dukejr01: exclude everything within 4 miles.</div> <div> Missiledine: next source is about 55 miles east and north of you</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. inform dell and get to work fortifying</div> <div> Missiledine: He listens, "So, they wait for us." He goes to tell the Baron</div> <div> Missiledine: What is your plan Athamar?</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. a will use Shape earth to form a small palisade. is the earth here sand or is this plateau clay ro earth?</div> <div> Dukejr01: the Romans liked to fortify by forming a chest high wall for night fortications.</div> <div> Missiledine: The officers start circulating through the troops, telling them to be alert for an attack after dark, but to try and get some rest because</div> <div> there will be a battle in the morning</div> <div> Missiledine: sand</div> <div> Dukejr01: A will form a wall sand around the corral areaso keep the horses from running off. not all the way around. an opening leading into the camp will be fin.</div> <div> Dukejr01: we can gurad that</div> <div> Dukejr01: he then forms a trench followed by a steep wall aroundhe camp. make it hard to climb by making it loose. compactt he sant at the top and behind the wall</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: its better than nothing.</div> <div> Missiledine: true</div> <div> Missiledine: The men watch with interest as you build sand castles</div> <div> Dukejr01: great</div> <div> Dukejr01: any rocks to move?</div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Missiledine: nope, not on top of a sand dune</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. Can he built a watch tower?</div> <div> Missiledine: a mound</div> <div> Dukejr01: shape earth. earth to stone. stone watch tower</div> <div> Missiledine: ok, that is doable</div> <div> Dukejr01: doesnlt have to be thick or wide. a pole with a crows nest on top</div> <div> Dukejr01: with handholds to climb up</div> <div> Dukejr01: do that.</div> <div> Missiledine: how tall?</div> <div> Dukejr01: lets see, in 2 hours I can probably make a 20 foot tower with a foundation so it on;t fall over.</div> <div> Dukejr01: pole that is.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Dukejr01: Whew. A eats something</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <need to boot. comp went dead></div> <div> cedoxrpg has left the room.</div> <div> Missiledine: Soon it is sunset... Dell posts sentries along the dune's sides and calls for a half dozen volunteers</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts seek silver again, exclude us</div> <div> Missiledine: He orders a couple dozen fire arrows to be prepared</div> <div> Missiledine: Nearest source is still 3 miles +/-</div> <div> Dukejr01: k</div> <div> Dukejr01: <this is a job for.... Suuuuuuuper Archer!></div> <div> cedoxrpg has entered the room.</div> <div> Dukejr01: <job opening for a kick butt archer....></div> <div> tacit01: <yippee></div> <div> Missiledine: <Ok, Cedox, what was the last you got?></div> <div> Missiledine: <Hello?></div> <div> Dukejr01: <quack?></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <haa></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <sorry :-)></div> <div> Missiledine: <ok></div> <div> Missiledine: <What was the last post you see?></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <I got the one concerning flat tops :-)></div> <div> Missiledine: <Errr, that far back?></div> <div> Dukejr01: <oh well.></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <argh></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <I started wondering why you didn't talk at all></div> <div> Missiledine: <Hmmm, ok Bruin... There is now a fort built on top of the dune with a stone tower/sentry pole in the center that is 20' high. Built by</div> <div> Lord Athamar using magic</div> <div> cedoxrpg: ok</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <I moved my pointer over chat window and it produced a trail of pointers. I just had to boot></div> <div> Missiledine: Captain Dell is calling for a group of volunteers and a couple dozen fire arrows to attempt a night attack on the enemy camp. It will</div> <div> be risky because they may well detect your approach</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin volunteers</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <ready... go!></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <im not seeing any text again?!?></div> <div> Dukejr01: <hi></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <what the.. ah :-) ></div> <div> Missiledine: Dell assembles you and five others, all archers. He passes out a half dozen prepared fire arrows to each man. "Get as close as you</div> <div> dare. Aim for tents and wagons where possible. Jules will accompany you. He will try and panic their</div> <div> Dukejr01: <chit chat in other screens></div> <div> tacit01: J also volunteers</div> <div> Missiledine: horses and make an accurate account of numbers. Remember, you are dealing with an illusionist!"</div> <div> Missiledine: ok J</div> <div> Missiledine: "Any questions? Watch out for an ambush!"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar refrains from volunteering this time. much to Ollyn's relief, no doubt.</div> <div> Missiledine: true</div> <div> Dukejr01: A gets some sleep</div> <div> cedoxrpg: "No questions"</div> <div> Missiledine: After a pause to grab a quick bite and a drink you set out.... The camp lies south and a bit east of here. Lord Athamar has detected</div> <div> no sources of silver within 3 miles of your camp</div> <div> tacit01: keep a close eye out anyway - they may have scouts not carrying silver</div> <div> Missiledine: You have horses with you for the get away, but you lead them now to allow them to rest a bit.... The desert is very quiet</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin whispers that they could do a small circle to avoid anyone between their main body and the enemy.</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts seek earth looking for iron. exclude us.</div> <div> Missiledine: After about forty minutes walking you catch a faint whiff of smoke... Possibly a camp fire</div> <div> Dukejr01: <before they go></div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin goes before hand and lets someone else take care of his horse.</div> <div> tacit01: which way is the wind blowing?</div> <div> cedoxrpg: He is quite agile so he thinks he can move quietly</div> <div> Missiledine: No one else is taking care of your horse</div> <div> Missiledine: the wind is coming from the east and a tad south</div> <div> Missiledine: You would guess that the camp must be on the otherside of the line of dunes about a quarter mile ahead of you... Or so you think</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Onwards then</div> <div> Missiledine: If you want a horse to ride back, then you lead it</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Then Bruin wont go doing recon</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Just stays with the rest of the archers</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: Jules whispers. "Leave the horses at the bottom of the Dune... There may be guards along the top ridge."</div> <div> tacit01: is this a pure sand desers, or are there some rocks, tree stums, anything like that</div> <div> cedoxrpg: "Right."</div> <div> Missiledine: There are some rocks, mostly small ones, in the vales between the dunes... What vegetation you have seen, and it ain't much, is low,</div> <div> thorny ground cover a foot high or so</div> <div> tacit01: just looking for something to pin the horses reigns down, discourage their wandering off - </div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin tries not to kick rocks too much</div> <div> Missiledine: There is very little in the way of cover available... On the otherhand, there isn't many places for sentries to hide except over the crest</div> <div> cedoxrpg: And lead the horses so that they wont be making too muach noise</div> <div> Missiledine: Tether them to a rock, which they will have to drag, or to a shrubby thing... Or just let the reins drag</div> <div> Missiledine: You have walked the entire approach for silence and to rest the animals</div> <div> Missiledine: It is an overcast and rather dark nigt</div> <div> Missiledine: night</div> <div> tacit01: k - just wanted to find something, in case they get spooked - </div> <div> Missiledine: You spread out in a line to make the final approach up the dune, several of the men have bows ready, some have knives in hand for</div> <div> close combat</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <Maybe tie them together?></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <not too close each other></div> <div> tacit01: tether them at the bottom of the dune, and belly crawl our way up</div> <div> Missiledine: One man says, "Let the reins drag, they are too tired to wander off."</div> <div> tacit01: <I think they'll stick together unless they get seriously spooked></div> <div> cedoxrpg: "ok, lets move on."</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin avoids tops of dunes. (He knows something about hunting) and goes dune sides to avoid from being seen against the sky</div> <div> tacit01: "true'</div> <div> Missiledine: Climbing the dune is quiet work, but the sand is heavy and slipping backwards is easy... You are about a third of the way up when</div> <div> one man, with bow ready, sits up slightly, aims and shoots</div> <div> tacit01: shoots at what?</div> <div> Missiledine: From above you hear a soft 'grunt' then silence</div> <div> tacit01: ah</div> <div> Missiledine: you didn't see</div> <div> cedoxrpg: He didn't manage to alarm?</div> <div> Missiledine: you continue to climb... your maybe twenty feet from the top when you hear a voice on the other side of the ridge calling softly</div> <div> Missiledine: not that you heard</div> <div> Missiledine: It sounds like someone calling a name</div> <div> cedoxrpg: With bow readied sneak there and shoot away</div> <div> Missiledine: You think the vouice is getting closer, coming from the left and going right towards where the archer had shot</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin moves fast, before the man can see the body</div> <div> Missiledine: Bruin, you reach the top of the crest, to your right you see a crouching figure moving along the far side of the ridge towards a dark</div> <div> shape lying on the ground</div> <div> Missiledine: He is about twenty feet from it and stops whispering and stops moving</div> <div> Missiledine: he is about thirty feet from you</div> <div> tacit01: J keeps moving up the dune</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin fast-draws a bow and does a snap shot</div> <div> Missiledine: his back is to you</div> <div> cedoxrpg: As quickly as possible</div> <div> Missiledine: ok...you draw and shoot...and hit him square in the back</div> <div> cedoxrpg: again</div> <div> Missiledine: He screams out, grabbing the arrow in his back and arching backwards</div> <div> cedoxrpg: this time 1 sec aim and for go for neck</div> <div> cedoxrpg: curse</div> <div> Missiledine: He twists around towards you as you shoot, but the shot is good and he tumbles down the dune into the darkness below</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <Well now he doesn't shout..></div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin curses and asks someone to look for possible other guards near them</div> <div> Missiledine: Farther down the dune slope, in the vale between dunes, you see an encampment... there are four tents and maybe six wagons...a</div> <div> half dozen small fires are visible... Cries of alarm are heard from below and to</div> <div> Missiledine: your left and right along the dune ridge</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Quickly assemble behind the dune and start firing</div> <div> tacit01: what's the range to the tents and wagons?</div> <div> Missiledine: almost 200 yards</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <Holy smoke! It's -15 outside and its a blizzard out there.></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <breeeze></div> <div> Missiledine: The archers are lighting their arrows... They move to where they can see the camp.. start shooting, high arching shots that are aimed</div> <div> at the tents</div> <div> Missiledine: Jules is lying on his belly, peering down trying to get a count</div> <div> Missiledine: <Brrrrr!></div> <div> tacit01: yup - lauch the fire arrowas as fast as we can</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin fires at the horses to scare them off. (Horse riders are a terrible opponent against archers)</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <If he can see any></div> <div> Missiledine: there are no mounted troops visible at the moment, just a large remuda of horses near the center of the camp</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin fires randomly at tents, though conserving the arrows</div> <div> Missiledine: Arrows are begining to hiss down around you... you see a skirmish line rushing the base of the dune, pausing to shoot up at the fire</div> <div> sources before climbing</div> <div> Missiledine: you have six fire arrows</div> <div> cedoxrpg: six?</div> <div> Missiledine: plus what ever you normally have</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <ahh :-)></div> <div> Missiledine: of regular arrows</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <24+6></div> <div> Missiledine: Jules is casting a spell...</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin fires for the incoming attackers</div> <div> Missiledine: The enemy archers are narrowing the firing gap.... Ok</div> <div> cedoxrpg: When they get near enough he fires two arows at time</div> <div> tacit01: how many archers are approaching?</div> <div> Missiledine: Your allies, having exhausted their fire arrows will spend a few rounds shooting at the advancing enemy... The skirmish line looks</div> <div> like twenty, maybe half are archers</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <24-4 arrows +6 on belt quiver + 6 fire></div> <div> Missiledine: you are both shooting into the advancing force now... J... You shoot and hear someone give a satisfactory shriek of pain in response</div> <div> tacit01: good </div> <div> tacit01: did we hit any tents or wagons?</div> <div> Missiledine: Bruin you shoot... a man slumps down, but staggers up and onward again</div> <div> Missiledine: The tents are all burning at the moment, toi varying degrees... Several small fires are visible on the wagons... People are scurrying</div> <div> about throwing sand to put them out</div> <div> Missiledine: Suddenly there is a tremendous flash and "BOOM!" in the remuda area as Jules' fire ball goes off... Horses are screaming and</div> <div> bolting in all directions</div> <div> cedoxrpg: "Yes!"</div> <div> Missiledine: One of your archers screams and tumbles forward down the dune, an arrow in his back</div> <div> Missiledine: Other arrows come whispering past you from behind and the sides, as well as in front</div> <div> Missiledine: Some one yells, "We've been flanked!"</div> <div> tacit01: behind! - look back to the horses</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin looks fast behind him. Can he see the enemy?</div> <div> Missiledine: On the slopes below you are seven men, with bows, three to the right, four to the left, they are shooting up at you. You cannot see the</div> <div> horses from here</div> <div> cedoxrpg: They are near?</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin readies two arrows, aims for 1 sec and fires away.</div> <div> cedoxrpg: against the four</div> <div> Missiledine: Arrows seem to be coming from all directions... The swordsmen advancing up the slope infront now yell a battle cry and start their</div> <div> final rush upwards... they'll be there in 3 rds... The archers behind you are about fifty feet away</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Ah, ok</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Fire for the swordmen in that case</div> <div> Dukejr01: <I think you guys better move your asses.></div> <div> tacit01: "To the horses!"</div> <div> cedoxrpg: One last shot</div> <div> Missiledine: You shot for trhe four</div> <div> Missiledine: From what you can tell, neither arrow hit anything, but one man seemed to flinch slightly</div> <div> Missiledine: last shot to which?</div> <div> tacit01: J is running, drawing her sword</div> <div> cedoxrpg: The swordmen. Nearest of them</div> <div> Missiledine: J and Jules and the other two men are running down the dune</div> <div> Missiledine: ok, aim?</div> <div> cedoxrpg: no aim</div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> Missiledine: you shoot, he screams and stumbles backwards, falling down the dune....</div> <div> cedoxrpg: And off he goes.. Bruin starts running as fast as he can</div> <div> Missiledine: J, while running down the slope, you loose your footing and tumble</div> <div> tacit01: <goody></div> <div> Missiledine: you do keep your grip on the sword tho!</div> <div> Missiledine: You can see the archers on the slope taking aim as you run down past them....</div> <div> Missiledine: Bruin, you feel a burning pain across the back of your neck as a shot grazes you for 1 point... J, you are missed completely because</div> <div> of your erratic behavior</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <hehheh> Bruin covers the wound with his hand and runs..</div> <div> Missiledine: One of your men shrieks, stumbles and goes down... Two of the enemy drop their bows and rush towards him</div> <div> tacit01: who?</div> <div> Missiledine: J, you are back on your feet at the base of the dune, having arrived at the bottom first!</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin tries to fire his bow while he runs and shoots one of these men</div> <div> Dukejr01: <you won;t hit shit on the run></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <he might have Luck></div> <div> tacit01: any idea who went down?</div> <div> Missiledine: archer you think</div> <div> tacit01: k</div> <div> tacit01: keep running to the horses</div> <div> Missiledine: Bruin, you shoot.... One of the two advancing goes down to his knees, clutching his belly</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <I bet someone is on Bruin's heels right now></div> <div> Missiledine: You looking back?</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <Nope.></div> <div> Missiledine: ok</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <Try to ready another arrow though. Although he might stumble, but still></div> <div> Missiledine: Bruin, you hit the level ground at the base of the dune.... Jacinta is ahead of you, Jules is off to your left... The other archer is beside</div> <div> him... The wounded one did not follow</div> <div> Dukejr01: <dammit, they havea prisoner></div> <div> Missiledine: The enemy archers on this side, the seven minus the one Bruin shot, are taking their time now to aim their shots at your retreating</div> <div> backs</div> <div> tacit01: <for now></div> <div> cedoxrpg: To horses and ride away. Bruin tries to fire as he rides</div> <div> tacit01: are the horses where we left them?</div> <div> Missiledine: As you grab your horses the arrows come... some are now from higher up the dune, arching down, others, better aimed are from the</div> <div> 6 eneemy closer to you... </div> <div> Missiledine: yes they are</div> <div> Missiledine: J, you are hit as you mount, for 2 points</div> <div> tacit01: k - torso hit?</div> <div> Missiledine: Bruin, you are hit for 3 points</div> <div> Missiledine: yes</div> <div> Missiledine: Jules' horse screams in pain and bolts before the mage can mount</div> <div> Missiledine: the remaining archer is up and ok</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Does Bruin drop from the horse?</div> <div> Missiledine: Jules runs to one of the other horses...</div> <div> cedoxrpg: If not he shoots at the nearest archers.</div> <div> Missiledine: No, you are up</div> <div> tacit01: Jwill pick up Jules - let's get out of here</div> <div> tacit01: neverming - let's just leave</div> <div> tacit01: <forgot we had extra horses now></div> <div> Missiledine: Bruin, you shoot and the nearest enemy drops his bow with a cry, but he is still alive</div> <div> Missiledine: Everyone else is galloping away... </div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin tries to be as close the horse as he can</div> <div> Missiledine: ok...</div> <div> Missiledine: A few more arrows hit the sand around you as you ride off, but soon you are out of range</div> <div> Missiledine: Ok.... Meanwhile....</div> <div> tacit01: J is hit, Bruin is hit - anyone else?</div> <div> cedoxrpg: The one who was left behind</div> <div> Dukejr01: two</div> <div> tacit01: of course - of those that got away, is anyone else hit?</div> <div> cedoxrpg: And one who got shot in back</div> <div> Missiledine: The camp has settled down to await the return of the raiding party... Everyone is nervous and tense, but rather subdued</div> <div> Missiledine: Jules is unhurt, everyone else took hits of some degree</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. before catching some sleep. A casts seek earth looking for iron, exclude us </div> <div> tacit01: k - let's get back and report</div> <div> cedoxrpg: We could stop and fire again..</div> <div> Missiledine: Athamar already announced he was going to sleep!</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay.</div> <div> Missiledine: The raiding party has been gone just over an hour when there are cries of alarm from the tower... the camp, and you, are now awake!</div> <div> tacit01: the longer we wait, the greater danger the captured men face</div> <div> Missiledine: Looking up you see the sentry pointing east... looking east you see what looks like a towering, swirling column of sand sweeping</div> <div> towards you at an alarming speed!</div> <div> Dukejr01: does Athamar sensemagic?</div> <div> Dukejr01: A casts Seek earth loking for iron,. exclude us.</div> <div> Missiledine: In the dark and gloom it is hard to judge, but it looks at least 50 feet high and ten feet across at the base</div> <div> Missiledine: it's not close enough yet to sense magic, but just as a guess, you'd say, yeah, it's probably magic</div> <div> Missiledine: it'll be closer in a minute!</div> <div> Dukejr01: the seeker spell?</div> <div> Dukejr01: I am asuming this is a diversion.</div> <div> Missiledine: nearest iron, 3 miles</div> <div> Dukejr01: hmmmm.... </div> <div> Missiledine: the... whatever it is, comes right up the side of the dune, swirling a blinding cloud of sand in all directions... it hops right over the</div> <div> barrier and sweeps into camp</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar considers. what is teh negative to cast sense life on it at this distance?</div> <div> Dukejr01: a minute passes fast....</div> <div> Missiledine: Horses start screaming, men are cursing and staggering... it's moving at about the speed of a galloping horse...</div> <div> Dukejr01: uh huh. </div> <div> Missiledine: You can cast before it arrives, or at anytime after</div> <div> Dukejr01: the spell. cast before it arrives.</div> <div> Dukejr01: 3 hex radius.</div> <div> Missiledine: It is not causing any physical damage other then causing you to blink and shut your eyes</div> <div> Missiledine: no life</div> <div> Missiledine: it seems to be just wind and sand, though the air elsewhere is normal and calm</div> <div> Dukejr01: CAst shape earth. 4 hexes worth. use it to take earth out of the cloud</div> <div> Missiledine: The worst effect of the attack is in frightening the horses</div> <div> Dukejr01: keep the spell close to the ground so it cannot pick up more sand</div> <div> Missiledine: For a brief second it thins out the sand, but the wind continues sucking it up from the desert floor... your spell moves at 2 hexes a turn,</div> <div> this thing is much faster.... </div> <div> Dukejr01: it moves earth at two hexes a turn. can I move the spell effect faster?</div> <div> Missiledine: The thing crosses the encampment, slowing down briefly, then hops the barrier on the far side and goes down the dune to the valley</div> <div> below... </div> <div> Dukejr01: Where is slowed. A casts sense life. 3 hex radius</div> <div> Missiledine: I don't see how you can move earth faster then the spells limit, you are still pushing sand</div> <div> Dukejr01: k.</div> <div> Missiledine: you sense nothing</div> <div> Dukejr01: Where does it go?</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Would you say taht was a diversion?"</div> <div> Missiledine: other then the horses and men running tither and yon in utter confusion!</div> <div> Missiledine: you see it vanish into the darkness below</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell comes up, "Aye, but for what?"</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar shrugs. "Thought it was after the horses a first. I didn't detect any iron within three miles."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Hmm, well I'll double the guard, not that anyone will be sleeping anytime soon."</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar goes over to the spot where it slowed down. "Maybe that was he sole purpose."</div> <div> tacit01: J is riding toward camp</div> <div> Missiledine: "Then it was effective."</div> <div> Missiledine: "What the hell was it?"</div> <div> tacit01: hopefully the other survivors are, also</div> <div> Missiledine: <It will be another half hour to forty minutes before you guys are back></div> <div> tacit01: k</div> <div> Missiledine: yes they are</div> <div> Dukejr01: "If I were a betting man, I would say another illusion. Could have been an Air spell" A looks up at the sky.</div> <div> Missiledine: There is no sign of pursuit.... yet</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell brushes sand from his hair, "The sand was real enough."</div> <div> Missiledine: An assesment of the camp shows no real damage, all the horses are accounted for and everyone is ok... A few meals were spoiled</div> <div> bu that was it</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar shrugs. "Yes. could have been like the other illusions. A little little somethign real made to look larger."</div> <div> Missiledine: After about twenty minutes calming the horses, everyone is settled down, as much as they can</div> <div> Missiledine: What do you do, Athamar?</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar investigates where it slowed down. then does a perimeter search.</div> <div> Dukejr01: Then he casts seek earth looking for silver, excluding us.</div> <div> Missiledine: ok, you walk the perimeter, look at the spot, talk to a few men who need reassuring... Then cast your spell. You are in mid cast (10</div> <div> seconds) When you are grabbed from behind and stabbed in the back!</div> <div> Dukejr01: There are 100 men here? A will make a point of walking within 3 yards of all of them.</div> <div> Dukejr01: great. My next thought was an infiltrator</div> <div> Missiledine: There is a burning pain in your back and you cry out... You hear Ollyn roar in rage and see him charging from the side shouting</div> <div> "Invisible assassins!"</div> <div> tacit01: <ho-boy></div> <div> Dukejr01: ow. </div> <div> Missiledine: Ollyn bodily slams into you and who ever has you, forcing you both apart</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar will try to roll away</div> <div> Missiledine: <My you are alucky man tonight!></div> <div> Dukejr01: <gee. hope I was wearing my armour. I really need to specify these things.</div> <div> Missiledine: You feel a horrible burning in your back! The pain is incredible and seems to be spreading</div> <div> Missiledine: you were</div> <div> Dukejr01: a will try to pull it out.</div> <div> Missiledine: nothing there</div> <div> Dukejr01: probably poison.</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. does he have his medical kit?</div> <div> Missiledine: you feekl very woozy and are barely conscious, you have taken 10 points from the attack</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Poisoned!" Athamar gasps out</div> <div> Missiledine: You see, on the ground, an odd looking dagger... it appears to be chalky white rather then metal, of course it is stained with your</div> <div> blood, and the blade seems to be foaming</div> <div> Dukejr01: apply chalis and take a draught of healing grass</div> <div> Missiledine: In your rather fuzzy state it actually looks like it it melting into the sand</div> <div> Dukejr01: probably is.</div> <div> Dukejr01: I don't suppose the priest is along on this jaunt</div> <div> Missiledine: yes he is... Captain Dell is beside you and is calling for the Priest</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamr points at the dagger</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Ollyn?" Athamar looks for his man.</div> <div> Missiledine: With a look of distaste, Dell says "A Dagger of Venom, I have seen them before."</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Ollyn.... all... right?"</div> <div> Missiledine: Ollyn is beside you. "I'm allright, My Lord. He broke free. The men are searching."</div> <div> Missiledine: You can hear the Baron ordering the men to form a line, link hands and sweep the compound area</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Good.... should.... have.... guessed."</div> <div> Missiledine: Someone yells, "Riders coming!"</div> <div> Missiledine: The raiding party is returning</div> <div> Missiledine: what's left of them</div> <div> tacit01: <yippee - (cough)></div> <div> Missiledine: The Priest is present now. They remove your armor and he studies the wound....</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Foot prints..... in sand.... perimeter." Athamar says to Ollyn.</div> <div> Missiledine: "I can stop the bleeding, heal some of the damage and stop the pain."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Be quiet and don't move." The Priest orders</div> <div> Missiledine: Ollyn goes off to spread the word</div> <div> tacit01: J sees a bunch of grown men walking around the camp holding hands, an figures they had a bad night, too</div> <div> Missiledine: The Priest begins his ritual and after a bit the pain sibsides substantially</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar complies.</div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Missiledine: You also see Athamar, stripped to his waist, face down, bathed in blood, being tended by the Priest</div> <div> Missiledine: Dell approaches you and Jules. "An Assassin entered camp, tried to kill Lord Athamar." He explains. "Report."</div> <div> cedoxrpg: Bruin is too shy to go to tell Ath anything what happened. After all it was his fault that the enemy was alarmed too early</div> <div> tacit01: we do "we too out two of their sentries and we firing on their camp when thy attacked - and flanked us. They were waiting for an attack"</div> <div> Missiledine: It takes about ten minutes, but you are now feeling much beeter Athamar. The pain is gone, the bleeding stopped and you are now</div> <div> only down 6.... The Priest looks whipped</div> <div> tacit01: "they captured or killed 2 of our archers, and 3 of us are wounded"</div> <div> Missiledine: "Captured? damn." Dell growls. "What did you count?"</div> <div> tacit01: <did we bring all the horses back?></div> <div> Missiledine: lost one</div> <div> tacit01: Jacinta looks to Jules for the count from the camp</div> <div> Dukejr01: "Thank you."</div> <div> Missiledine: Jules says, "Six wagons, four tents. Counted about 80 that looked like fighters."</div> <div> Missiledine: "Damn." Dell walks away</div> <div> Missiledine: "My pleasrue, My Lord." The Priest says</div> <div> Missiledine: Ollyn comes up to Jacinta, "You okay?"</div> <div> tacit01: "we were charged by 20, flanked by 10... " Jacinta starts telling Dell's retreating back, then decides to seek medical attention</div> <div> Dukejr01: Athamar makes his way to bed slooowly.</div> <div> tacit01: "Been better - and better than Athamar looked - what happened?"</div> <div> Missiledine: <Not a bad idea that, quit soon></div> <div> Missiledine: Ollyn tells you, sounding very angry at his failure</div> <div> Dukejr01: okay. well, that was exciting.</div> <div> Missiledine: lol, thanks</div> <div> tacit01: "they've more men than we expected, more magic, and we're in their back yard"</div> <div> cedoxrpg: <mages do rule around here, dont they :-P></div> <div> tacit01: "Not a lot else you could have done, Ollyn"</div> <div> Dukejr01: <night all></div> <div> Missiledine: <I don't know if I would go that far.></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <hehheh></div> <div> Missiledine: <okay></div> <div> cedoxrpg: <night></div> <div> Dukejr01: <depends on the mage.... :-)></div> <div> Missiledine: lol</div> <div> Dukejr01 has left the room.</div> <div> tacit01: thanks for running us Jim</div> <div> Missiledine: well, good night I guess</div> <div> cedoxrpg: yes, thanks :-)</div> <div> Missiledine: thank you</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>