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Post by joelocaust on Jan 25, 2010 9:20:15 GMT -5
Barth reads from a list in midair that only he can see, "Well, we found a dead druid, looked kinda like this. Four- wait- no- three stab wounds with swords that looked like this. We found some dogs that looked like this. I threw a knife at one and scared it off. Apparently they were hunting druids and druid-forest-buddies. I'm not talking catch and release either, although I believe that isn't a law in these parts... or on land. So we came back here and a guy with a mustache bigger than this rode past us that way." Barth makes all of the appropriate gestures, imitations, or displays with his speech to clearly explain his point (in a rather unconventional but very expressive manner). He offers the short sword to Finster. "Say, maybe we could go talk to Oswald, see what he knows. Then you could stay here- wait- yeah, you could stay here and do guard stuff, optimizing our efficiency."
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lonewolf2017
Senior Member
The Truth lies not in the Light, nor the Dark; But within the Shadows.
Posts: 263
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Post by lonewolf2017 on Jan 25, 2010 13:18:36 GMT -5
"The Dogs were Iron Defenders. Constructs. The had to have someone controlling them and the swords bore the same symbol as the damn constructs." Dom added drawing the other two swords passing one to Ian to inspect. "a seal implies organization and constructs are not common nor easy to build. I don't like it Finster."
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Jan 25, 2010 15:00:52 GMT -5
Clearing his throat loudly, Ian interrupts. "I am sorry to say, but as sad as it is, a few dead druids and those two Iron Defenders are the least of our problems. There is a contingent of at least 100 men on the other side of that forest. When we saw them they were mobilizing to move, although their pack animals, which were trolls by the way, seemed rather restful for any sort of long term movement. I don't know what to make of it." Looking over at Dom, Ian shakes his head as he points at the sword. "And they were all wearing that symbol. They had some who were obviously spell casters of some sort, and I saw everything from Elves to Dwarves to Half-orcs, but the group was predominantly Human. Including the two we chased, there are 8 of those Iron Defenders." Standing straight, he looks around at the rest to see if they have anything to add. "All in all, it doesn't bode well."
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Post by cOMMUNISMISFANCY on Jan 25, 2010 17:47:01 GMT -5
Returning to town with the others, Sir Tolman looks over his shoulder every few strides to watch the forest behind them. He appears disappointed, but constantly offers suggestions to the others about ways that they might overcome such odds and become not just adventurers, but heroes.
After listening to the description given by the others, Sir Tolman nods, his head bobbing with anticipation. He adds to the conversation,
"In my opinion, Scouts should be posted on the road and the small-folk brought inside the walls. Also, a signal fire may give us more time to react in-case they move against the town. Hopefully, they are interested in matters elsewhere, but I have an ominous feeling about all of this. I won't allow them to take this town without a fight though!"
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Jan 25, 2010 22:15:13 GMT -5
(Let me know if I'm wrong, but I'm going to assume by the way you've been talking about the town that even with all the guards, we don't have near the numbers of people trained in weapons to handle 100 well trained and well armed soldiers.... If i'm wrong, you can ignore this message.)
Looking around he snorts at the suggestion by the Cavalier. "You want us and the few guards here to stand up against at least 100 well trained and well armed soldiers? We'd probably have a better chance of surviving if we evacuated the town and tried to beat them to next town. Thats if they are even interested in attacking us, although I don't know what else a force that large would want in this area."
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lonewolf2017
Senior Member
The Truth lies not in the Light, nor the Dark; But within the Shadows.
Posts: 263
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Post by lonewolf2017 on Jan 26, 2010 2:45:57 GMT -5
"Best we could hope to do is play speed bump and slow the progression if they are marching through the towns. Would be one hell of a fight but if we are planning on running I am sure me and Barth could come up with some interesting little toys to keep them occupied and slow the progression." Dom Turns to Finster. "Well then Commandant, what say you?"
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Kiirnodel
Keeps Coming Back for More
Posts: 937
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Post by Kiirnodel on Jan 26, 2010 2:54:47 GMT -5
Deian stays grim and silent throughout the conversation, he nods in affirmation at what each person says, particularly Ian's recounting of the army. With nothing to add, he sees little reason to interrupt or make things more complicated.
[ooc] can't think of anything to add, but figured I should at least make sure you know I'm paying attention [/ooc]
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Post by joelocaust on Jan 26, 2010 10:01:57 GMT -5
Barth seems to ignite at the word "toys." "Oh yeah, toys. Most definitely. Hours of fun. It might slow us down watching them deal with the games I set up." Barth proceeds to scratch down a bunch of gibberish on a sheet of paper, it almost looks like a shopping list. "I need this, and we'll have a town wired to cover the evacuation twice- wait- no- just once, but that should be enough, right? As long as no one steps on anything that looks like this." Barth continues to calculations and logistics as if visualizing the town layout.
"I guess we should tell the druids, although they probably know. WAIT! We should ask the druids what the know. I mean, they are the ones getting ganked, right? No- wait- yes. Where are they? I'll ask while you all flee."
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lonewolf2017
Senior Member
The Truth lies not in the Light, nor the Dark; But within the Shadows.
Posts: 263
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Post by lonewolf2017 on Jan 26, 2010 13:20:36 GMT -5
Dom pats Barth on the shoulder. "Easy now buddy. Lets not get ahead of our selves."
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Jan 26, 2010 15:03:11 GMT -5
Finster takes one of the swords and eyes it closely. "I know this symbol... the Night-Feather Hawk... takes me back a bit. You say you found this symbol all over this regiment? Maybe a detachment of them survived... but why would they be here?" He seems rather distracted at first as opposed to worried or upset, it seems to be genuine confusion. "No, it doesn't matter, it can't be for a good reason!" He shakes his head and snaps out of it. "You said they were a hundred strong? With mages too? And they had pack-mule trolls that weren't moving even though their regiment was?! Damn!" He curses and swings the sword into the wood railing, letting it stick there. "You never bring packmules into a battle and you never leave them far behind unless you're headed to one!" He turns and then stares up for a moment... seeing something... but quickly scowls and continues, heading down the watchtower at a brisk pace, calls out down to the guards: "At arms! At arms you lowly dogs! The enemy is upon us already! Get the villagers into the church and town hall. If there's a backroad or hidden path take them in groups of ten and get as far from the village as you can! Head to the Southwest, Folleck Town should be safe still and should be warned! Use no torches so they can't see you easily! The enemy will come from the North and East! Their first targets will be me and mayor Westbrook!"
He turns back towards your group: "Do what you can but don't be heroes. If they are here then this town will burn." His face has darkened and he is tightening straps on his armor and drawing his weapon as guards hurry around to follow orders he continues to bark as he walks away.
The people around town are suddenly heard to be in quite an evident and definitely growing panic. You can hear the cries of children and the rustle of belongings being packed in some vain hope that they can all be taken and carried along with a person on the run. Trevor, the guard from before, approaches you as you come down from the guard house. "Captain Alcemedes instructed me to tell you that the druid enclave, or rather, what's left of them lie far to the Northwest in a place called the Stone Pines. Guess it wasn't about adventuring at all earlier was it? Guess it was these murders going on. He also told me to tell you that a Thalassan outpost is far to the West if you want to try and travel there to set up a warning for whatever it is we're up against here..." Trevor sighs heavily, "I've been instructed to be on watch in the tower." He dashes past you to run up the steps and take watch. As you watch him go, something catches your eye. Atop the flag pole, a black bird, a hawk, sits.
Barth, Ian, and Tolman all notice something unusual about it. Its eyes stare with undoubtable intelligence. The thing glares at you hatefully, if a bird were capable of such a thing. Its gaze travels over a few more parts of town before it screeches a cruel screech, answered by three of its fellows circling the town overhead that you just now notice.
When the hawks screech, there is an answer of a low building thunderous noise...
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Jan 26, 2010 17:04:55 GMT -5
Grabbing the shortsword from where the captain left it stuck in the wood, he slides it back between some straps for safe keeping, not one to leave a useful weapon to no good. Looking up when the captain does he frowns, trying to see what the captain might have seen. Shaking out of it when the captain starks barking orders, Ian moves off after him at a brisk pace, keeping up. When Trevor comes up to the group of them Ian scowls, trying to figure out what to do. "The druids are a lost cause is my guess, if so many of their numbers have already been killed, they probably went out of their way to take out the grove..... We should either stay here and hope to help some people escape, or try to get to the Watch outpost to the west, start up the beacon system to get the warning out....Thoughts anyone?"
Noticing the bird, he slowly reaches up, fingering his crossbow that he keeps loaded on his back, the creature giving him a bad feeling. When the thing screeches the crossbow snaps to his hand in a blink, the dice over his shoulder roll again, this time red instead of the blue they have been, as he takes quick aim and fires at the bird.
"And whatever we decide, we should decide now... Whatever this is, I think it just started....."
Attack:19+2+1=22 Possible Crit Confirmation: 14+2+1=17 Damage: 1d8(7)+1=8 Critical: 1d8(4)+1=5
(After IM conversation with james): Watching his bolt deflect off some invisible force around the bird, Ian grimaces, glancing up and counting the birds in the sky again. Looking back at his allies he shakes his head. "And if four Wizards familiars with Mage Armor cast on them used for scouts is any indication, this town is extremely outclassed and outnumbered.... I think we should head to the watch outpost to the west... Try to get word out. Any other suggestions? If not I Suggest we get moving.... Before its too late." Pulling back the string on his crossbow, he drops another bolt in real quick before tossing his crossbow back over his shoulder in its sling.
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lonewolf2017
Senior Member
The Truth lies not in the Light, nor the Dark; But within the Shadows.
Posts: 263
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Post by lonewolf2017 on Jan 27, 2010 2:53:43 GMT -5
Dom glances at Barth. "Traps! Lots of them and Fast! We have to be out of here before the dust settles from the first one." Turning to the rest. " I can slow movement of units but not for long if we stand we die and if I have to choose my fate it will not be to die here waiting to decide. I saw fight and move get to the outpost and get reinforcements. The problem is that that damn half pint Finster knows something more then he is letting on." Dom nocks a flame arrow and looks out into the gathering gloom to see where they will come from first. He will move with Barth and who ever else is going to et traps to provide cover but his agitated mannerisms and incessant checking of the parameter denotes his impatience to put some distance between himself and the oncoming army.
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Jan 27, 2010 13:17:37 GMT -5
Sliding his longsword from its sheath, he looks around anxiously. "Are we sure its a good idea to stay and try to lay traps? How longs it gonna take you Barth? I've half a mind to start moving towards the Watch outpost without you guys. I move faster than you anyway....Or then again I could stay here longer and cover your retreat, and catch up with you later. Damn I hate indecision!"
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Post by joelocaust on Jan 27, 2010 17:19:46 GMT -5
Barth does some calculations and attempts to figure out how long a decent set of traps will take to set up (Craft:Traps 19) and which buildings he could collapse on people (Know:Arch 18) to cause distractions. Anything that Barth can do in under an hour, he does.
>If there is stuff he can do: "Gather what belongings you guys need, I'm going to rig up a few surprises, and then let's get to that outpost." Barth also grabs any useful tools/devices he sees around town that are unattended during the panic (Search 10). >Otherwise: "Nothing I can do- wait- yeah- nothing. Let's get outta here quick. To the outpost!"
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Post by joelocaust on Jan 28, 2010 16:16:43 GMT -5
Barth decides that there is not enough time, and begins moving hastily toward the outpost.
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