Game #22 Protect the King

2/1/1564BM

In the Estian city of Osest, one of the third fragment kingdoms of Estia. Under the rulership of the first king Oris Deleon. We arrive in the castle at the center of the city, a gathering of faces and kind from around the castle, a late night briefing, the regular meeting yet many hours later than expected. Three powerful individuals, those who do not fit well into the mold of the rank and file royal guard and who hold great power and ability on their own. Teldor Wolfson a human man with clear Estian jungle lineage, darker hair and shin with well-defined muscle, he wears a fashionable vest and always is dressed well for the occasion no matter no practical the matter is. Naila Thar, a high elf who is late into his third decade of service to the king, shorter and nimble in appearance, a blue tunic and well maintained elven chainmail, weapons at his side always ready to draw and defend. Lastly is Malarak Kitzal, a Vedalkin man who, has fallen from the height of his ability and so while quite powerful done more in his past, acting as an advisor but still quite competent in ability and might, a kite shield at his side and bow with a quiver on his back. These three work together in tandem along with other staff of the castle in service of the protection of the king Deleon. They have been summoned by their boss, the high general Emmani Korvesh, a stern half elven women dressed in plain functional clothes. She explains to them the simple task, that tomorrow their will be a drill, a mock invasion of sorts, both to test out the strength of the castle and the offensive abilities of their soldiers, the rules are simple: the test will last all day, and that anyone wearing red is an enemy. After this she lets in the three other castle generals for the six of them to discuss plans and potential ways to mitigate things. A large note that special bracelets will be worm by select members that cause the attacker to be unable to kill with attacks, thus not killing any actual soldiers in the process.

Before she steps out Naila asks Emmani if people not wearing red can still be the enemy in which she just reiterates the same statement of anyone wearing red is an enemy. As she leaves the other three generals enter. General Tofo Renma, general of security. General Oseta Felnis, general of defence. General Ridja Moure, general of prevention. These three run and manage aspects of the castle and the guards. A long meeting commences, one of discussion and topics on how to best manage this situation. At first Naila suggest the simple idea of having fake disguised kings to prevent any attempts on life and to add distraction, taking this well they decide to put the real king in the third tower with some extra royal guards undercover to prevent the obvious detection of it. five royal guards per tower, five extra guards for the king in secret and then five roaming patrols of guards. Next they get to assigning regular guards. 20 guards per tower with two captain in that, 10 at each back up entrance, 20 at the main entrance, forty scattered within the wings and central areas. Ballistas have been prepared, extra guards placed on watch. Also made preparations are extra wooden sections and rocks for potential barricades. Talking over many other minutia and small parts they feel good about potential plans, then our three get to extra work. Naila and Teldor move the real king from tower three to tower four, this in case that one of the generals is a secret double agent, also working to be alert and making their own checks of defense. Malarak does two things, firstly he stations a guard in tower one to monitor any potential disruptions and hazards done in that area, getting a report on the matter post battle. Secondly he places a team of rangers outside the walls on the back side, hidden in cover suits he places thirteen men among the branches and back gardens of the castle. Feeling confident for the night the three take their rest, ready for the day to come tomorrow.

2/2/1564BM
early in the deep morning, near the first tower an attempt is made, a lone assassin clad in black but with red lines in his uniform, he is stopped by the royal guards and regular guards but still one line of defense was slipped.

In the early morning gathering forces are notices, a few lone horsemen sent forward, in an attempt to scout and Invision these men on horseback rush forward, trying to skirt and doge but still our hero’s manage to pin down and take out a combines eight housemen, four going to Teldor, and two each to Naila and Malarak. Feeling confident but seeing some horsemen going away the rush to communicate this with the first scouting patrol goes off, a horn from the left wing of the castle, our group of three and a set of four royal guards go to meet the threat. The royal guards down the further hallway as to prevent escape. Our three meet head on with a roaming band of enemies, men wearing green died leather armor with scale motifs and with red headbands and scarves, the captain wearing a bright red cloak. Teldor opens up with a series of close sword strikes, slicing to the ground three men, quickly followed in Naila cutting another two, the enemy soldiers retaliate at Teldor but his impressive shield skills block all the strikes. Malarak goes at a well aimed shoot to the enemy captain. Once again Teldor strikes true and falls another three men, Naila another two men in his path. The captain moves in and with overwhelming strikes manages to land a few lite blows on Teldor. Malarak enter into the fray and attacks again. Again Teldor attempts to break out of his surrounded enemy soldiers, now bodies around his feet. Naila uses a splinter of magic and burning hands out at the enemy, catching a fair number in the area of effect. At this point Nalia suggests a surrender, the captain asks politely if they can have a minute to talk, and so surrounded by the royal guards now they decide to surrender. The group pulls the captain aside and asks for any information, he tells them about the existence of the dead camp for the enemy side, how its where they go when dead, but they don’t get to revive or anything. The group congratulates the enemy men for a hard fought time, and those feeling solid thank them, this group the “Lizetti lizards” moving back, and sending more guards to hole up those that were defeated at the gate they move back out to the front entrance. It seems the main invasion is taking place here, a few hundred men have been gathered and the scouts sent ahead report a mostly unorganized effort coming forward to attack from the front, lite siege equipment in hands. They are spotted out and the ranged archers start to fell them away, bodies pile up but men continue to rush, Malarak counts himself 28 men downed while Teldor a bit out of element shooting with crenelation only gets eight men. The archers in both towers hold off most of them, a few short bridges cross the moat but are taken down by the Ballistas, moving forward and continuing Naila wonders of the strategy of this, why send men right into the pit trap set up? At this moment tower one stops shooting at once, seemingly going quiet, rushing over the room has been covered in ice and a winter blast, it seems the court mage has made his entrance of devastation, taking out almost thirty men at once. Naila goes to see if any other area of the permitter have been breached, running back to towers three and four, out from tower four he spots a small battle, the forces that had been planted by Malarak and some invading stealth agents invading, seeing this taken care of he moves onwards to tower three, not seeing anything but getting a feeling he orders the grass to be lit on fire, using his own firebolts magic and pots of oil he smokes out the agents, seeing scurrying shapes in the grass. Shooting at them once and hitting but not ending, they take a shot at him, he feeling an odd magical effect ducks down and gives no chance to be hit. Another horn is blown coming from the middle and intercepted by Nalia, it’s a man who says there are problems in the right wing, but spotting a splash of red he knows it’s a ploy, quick to disarm and capture the infiltrator he asks where the problem really is, he was sent by the enemy commander Kostal, so Naila goes back and gathers the other two and some royal guards to investigate. A general chaos has overtaken the castle, people moving about and feeling the panic of an invasion, Teldor works to calm other down and set the mood straight, working to keep order and discipline.

Gathered the three and two of the royal guards go off to investigate the right wing, coming down the hallway a group of black cloaked figures stands, red lining on their cloak ends and knives drawn with short bows. The royal guards act first, using guiding bolts to illuminate the front two making easy shots for Teldor and Malarak, both hit and deal damage to the front figures, the figures throw down some glass vial and soon a smoke fills the space and the figures obscured, the sound of foot fall landing behind him as Naila turns and sees the court wizard Flabius, he rips forth with a dazzling wand a bolt of powerful lightning and Nalia, but quick reflexes and the casting of absorb elements leads to little lightning damage, Teldor and the royal guards are less lucky, all standing but greatly wounded and hurt by the lightning. Flabius wears a red sash around his neck. Naila then moves in and attacks with ruthlessness striking quite hard. The Royal guards turn and one fires a guiding bolt that misses, the other brings up a spiritual weapon that is magically blocked. Malarak shoots off and arrow at Flabius hitting true and painfully. Teldor lets off a shot, with steady aim he causes Flabius to fall, the three and royal guards turn attention to the smoke that is starting to fade, the three move out of the smoke and yet fail to hit the two closest, still blinded by stinging eyes. Naila turns and uses his firebolt to hit one down. The royal guards go, one healing himself and moving his spiritual weapon, the other moving forward and laying down a searing smite. Teldor moves in and punches with his fists, finding hidden weakness and uses his stunning strike to take one down. Malakar knocks and looses and arrow again, hitting one more down. The last standing figure casts a spell on himself and dashes away with great speed, but not great enough for our three. Naila dashes up and attacks, others moving up before Malarak moves up and takes the last figure down. On the way out Naila snatches a smoke vile from one of them, he protests but Naila reminds the man that they where defeated and are thus supposed to be dead. Its midafternoon at this point the battle continues onwards, siege towers have been spotted out on the horizon and the three work to redistribute guards, close off the wings with barricades and continue to reinforce the castle. The towers close in on the moat and men start to pour out but are stopped by well placed archers and some guards that run out from the castle side of the moat to fight the men head on. The generals and captain all are using orders and keeping men in line, less frantic it seems the mock invasion is coming to a close.

High general Emmani and some guards come close with a large red flag declaring their surrender, Naila says they need a white flag, promptly shoots the red flag and tells them to get another. In a half hour she comes back with a white flag, the moat is downed and the two sides close the day, honors and said and recognition is had. Emmani does to the kitchen to call out chiefs to set up an honor dinner, generals and leaders from both sides come out, but spotting a hint of Red on Emmani Naila still suspects it is not over, once the food comes out he waits to see what others do, the royal taster declares that the wine tastes odd, Emmani retorts that she had to at least try one last line of offence, telling those not to drink it as she remover her sword belt and thus the spot of red on her. A long feast is had, celebration held and each side talks over their strengths and weakness, the good and the bad of what they did. Naila raises questions over some of the strange strategy of the enemy side to which Emmani retorts that their may yet be leadership change to happen soon from this demonstration. The night finishes well off and the mock battle was held as a success, while King Deleon saw little of it he thanks many for their participation.

Music

Prebattle https://youtu.be/1-M5Ls_NoJY?si=_ZAiWRzSjU8qr35d

Osest theme https://youtu.be/VFVPkl-ax1w?si=pqpdoCvl4T_v-cjj

Battle https://youtu.be/FKRLBwiP_Qo?si=zOcRaNvi7r-hS2ef

Game #23 The Revolution in Aranti’an

9/3/1564BM

We start with a small group meeting in a shack, near the outskirts on the edge of the city of Aranti’an, part of mainline Kest. Here in is meet a contingent of lizard folk and kobolds, those who seek a better life for their fellow brothers and sisters in scales, those who have lived as an underclass in draconic society for far too long. At this meeting notable attendees include: Marenret, the informant who has strong ties to the draconic elite and, for a lizard folk, is well respected. Elder Oberdine who has acted as a sage of wisdom and advice, being late into his years he has seen much change of times, yet also little change for his people. Four well respected lizard folk captains. captain Grumsk, he is missing and eye and has many scars from taking down guards in fights. captain Ojun, she trained with flying monks of the Aarockra and brought back knowledge with here. Captain Gihil, a young and upcoming captain, the son of the famous martyr Gahelen. Lastly here we have our characters of focus: Wabeed Atreed, the forth captain, he holds a sword with a dragon bone hilt and wields a fierce and respecting presence on the battle field. Smert, a fanatic kobold who has both great passion and great skill for killing, he is the cities top butcher and is whispered to bring other unworthy dragonborn down as well at night. Two unlikely allies join the movement, Varnswood the red dragonborn, he is a charming magic user and good with words, his coworker Elysium the white night, a black dragon born who wields blessed power in his sword. These two are aid from the draconic empire, they come on a mission of making an example about the failing government of Aranti’an and to fight the brutal oppression that is faced, while they may be the skin of the enemy their heart is with the movement. Oberdine welcomes those present, a small scale dinner is held and food is had while introductions made, light talk and chit chat, with many gathered it is assumed that some development has been made. Oberdine stands and address those present “I bring good news, our movement draws close to its conclusion, the city has become weakened over the past few months and with our unlikely aid from draconic friends across the mountains, and the help of another hidden force we will take down the boot that has stepped on our backs!” continuing “we will take down those dragonborn within their walls, those who feel protected but instead have laid us a great opportunity, an opportunity to spell their downfall, we will take control, we come to end them!”. Roars and shouts occur, all those gathered happy at the speech, Oberdine lays out a more concrete plan, he talks of how he has been in contact with someone who simply refers to themselves as “The White Faced” that this person has said to deliver a shipment of explosives disguised as grain into the city at the port Karmail, the first step of this revolution will be to intercept these explosives and gather them before word gets out to the port authority, and to stop any who see this happen. Plans are made up for the main attack tomorrow, our elite team will explode a hole in the wall, break into the armory and steal armor before doing to the home of the high speaker Orieda and take her down. The other teams will take over the walls from the river and prevent dragonborn from escaping. Marenret tells of information of the dragon born, lizard folk, and kobold population in Aranti’an, how may guards and warriors are held by each side and the general layout of the walled city.  Gathered lizard folk and Kobolds will act to shepherd Dragonborn to Bulwick square. Feeling confident in ability and plan the groups set out on their work for tonight. By odd timing of it all, the next day, the day of their planned revolution is lovers day and so ironic that they strike at the “heart of society” on the day of love.

Our band of four goes out to intercept this shipment of explosives disguised as grain from the mysterious “The White Faced”. Moving with stealth, the four lead the front but with ten hardened warriors to back up if needed, and to help carry cargo. The ship is seen, pulling in slowly into up the river, the bright moon light shining a reflection on the surface and giving way to the figure who stands on board, a flowing mass of sheer white cloth, blowing as if a gentle breeze is carried, ye the night holds no wind. The figure, no expression but a flat white full smooth mask covering the face, discernable as a human form but just barely. Our four are transfixed for a moment, the spectacle of it and yet strangeness. But mission comes first, four watchmen stand present, they having notices the strange boat but first hearing the noise of the glittering armor of Wabeed. Calling out and approaching two of the watchmen approach “hey, greenie, what you think your doing this late here, scram or else!” at that statement Varnswood holds his hand out, casting a holding force of a spell, Wabeed feeling a surge of energy and excitement dives forward with his graceful rapier, a hexing aura stems forth on the watchman and strikes well and clean, using his determined fervor he cuts the watchman down in a single strike. Smert runs forward “The fun starts!” yelling blasting out beams of foul energy at two watchmen, pushing one into the water and one back to the edge of the dock. “Begone foul living ones!”. Elysium follows in the path of Wabeed and moves forward, pushing past the crates on the dock and strikes the watchmen’s skull clean in twain, dead on the spot, saying “hit the planks, you done” in a cold uncaring manor. The dragon born fell into the water climbs out, seeing the paralyzed watchmen in front yells “help us you scared idiot!” a frantic plea in his voice. Varnswood shoots out a bolt of fire and hits that one, Wabeed moves forward and strikes clean down the third one, now only the paralyzed one stands fast, Smert blasts with his four energy and Elysium finishes the job. The White Faced only stands and watches, waiting to say a word. Wabeed jumps abord the ship, coming closer and yet still not seeing much more, the figure speaks in slow graceful sentences “take, the cargo of your need is here”. Wabeed responds “Why didn’t you help us there?” he responds back “worthiness is earned for a cause”. Confused a bit Wabeed calls out to the lizard folk in wait “come on, we need to haul this stuff fast”. Forward Wabeed oversees the crates of explosives being taken out before speaking again “where do you come from and why are you helping us?” The White Faced looks towards the walls slowly and says “I am from a different place but I know this well, I ally with your goals”. Wabeed is appreciative but wants more asking “what do you gain, what do you want from this? if you’re an ally then you would give and give more”. He turns back “what gain? What want? Give? Yes, I gain goals of my own end, I want to start this, to send out a signal of beginning, give, I offer these things to you” he holds out his hands, wrapped in white but holds two things, a small cloth scroll and a golden scorpion. Saying “be carful with that one, put his pincers on someone’s skin and they are unmade” wabeed “unmade, what do you mean? Why not just kill them” The White Faces whispers back “kill? Where is the spectacle? Where is the offering? To be unmade, to put it simply, their skill will fall, their bones will melt and all that will be left is blood, pleasing and satisfied blood”. Wabeed still warry and unsure of this person in front on him confronts him “you are still just a smuggler in my eyes, no ally, that must be earned”. Wabeed looks him and tried to read the still expression of this strange figure behind the flowing cloth, with a focused gaze he does so, he can tell, this being, this person here, they want to see the action, an almost voyeuristic view of the instability and changing that will occur. Feeling uneasy but content with the physical acquisition of items the lizard folk move on. The White Faced walks, moves across the river to the other side, and getting to a large tree passes into the bark and disappear into the night. On the docks they try and get an idea of the cloth scroll, it has two elegantly written words on it, saying “Nauge germer” in elvish to mean “cloud blossom” strange and unknown but magical of some sort. The band moves off into the night with the cargo. The bodies of the watchmen are weighed down and thrown into the river, their armor taken and weapons to be used.

On their walk back to safe houses by the planned spot of the wall, Varnswood and Elysium lead the way, acting as draconic guides to pass, while at the back Wabeed and Smert tail to make sure nothing of note happens. Something of note does happen, two late night guards approach, saying “oy greenies, what you doing out so late here?” in a gruff manor, Wabeed responds “were just hauling grain back to out master, late night docks shipment” the guard responds and lashes out “well get on with it then you good for nothings!” with this insult Smert cries out “bleed and fall!” as a cloud of magical daggers forms around them both, covered and lacerated swiftly they both get cut to pieces by this aura. Their bodies his the floor and Smert has a smile plastering his face. Wabeed takes the swords and armor and fits some more of these men with gear, the lizard folk man says “fine steel this is, but it will be better when coated with red”. The bodies are brought with, and under the cover of darkness no other disruptions are had, supplies are dropped off at safe houses and all go back to live another day, the last of the daylight of the old system. Meet at 10th bell, the order is given, plans laid and the revolution is on the tipping point.

10/3/1564BM

The day is at hand, the day that the oppressors will fall, the day it ends. As the sun rises and trails across the sky all appears normal, citizens go about their lives, few knowing a the great change which will occur. The ninth bell strikes and those lizard folk gather at homes, poised close to the wall, the barrier. Men and women eat and talk, some for the last time in their life. by the river gather lizard folk, waiting for the signal to start, to climb from the river, up the walls and to surround the city. In one building gather our four, Elysium and Varnswood, Wabeed and Smert, ten hardened lizard folk fighters, the best of the best for the incursion. Wabeed stands “the time is at hand, the boot at our backs will be lifted and thrown off, to be placed back again, we will be victors at war” “long live the fighters!”. Varnswood sneaks forward and sets up the crates of explosive, then stepping back hurls out a gout of flame, in a loud thunderous boom all begins. Our fourteen run forward into the armory, running through the newly made hole in the wall. The guards above pelting with arrows, a swarm of kobolds in wait move forward and follow closely behind. Smert using his foul energies to push some guards off from the walls, killing them on impact with the ground. Running into the armory they see a large amount of guards in wait, almost expectantly, a still singular moment of pause where the sides look at one another, a contingent of revolutionaries looking at trained dragonborn guards. The captain of the guard says “don’t just stand there, get them” and the fighting breaks out. Wabeed sticks his sword into the floor saying “fear, this is your last day” as a presence of fear and cowardness in the some of the guards is set place. The lizard folk warriors go, improvised weapons and the gnashing of teeth forth, they kill two men and make hits on many others at the front. Elysium hits a guard knocking them down at once. Smert ways “the stars call!” in a shriek and a bubble of pure darkness fills the back of the room, those men trapped inside it, at the same time his bones snap and lengthen, skin stretching over his more draconic looking form, as if more a rotted corpse and his dreaded form is seen. The guard captain rushes out of the darkness to battle Wabeed hitting with hard and solid attacks, wabeed slashes one away. Breath attacks are spitted at the lizard folk warriors, those who get close in line suffer well from fire and cold blasts. Varnswood uses magic like Smert, to cast a cloud of daggers on a group of four more guards cutting them down in their place. Wabeed moves in and with devastation fury and spite, uses a wrath filled smite to cut the captain down, the goal for the freedom of his people is a conquest of justice. The lizard folk warriors advice and continue to hit and overwhelm the guards, biting and punching them down. Elysium moves into a strategic position and braces for combative defense. Smert goes outside to shoot and pull down more wall guards with his foul energies, now transformed and bolstered by whatever strange thing fuels this dark creature, he managed to kill two more wall guards and screams “My kobolds, attack! Burn! Kill!” as he laughs wildly. The guards move up and out of the darkness, yet cannot move more, their blindness now being replaced by fear of the mighty Wabeed. Varnswood lashes out and cuts another guard down, remarking “that little kobold sure can kill”, Smert in turn is inspired. Wabeed turns to cut down the guard in front of him with cold remorse, thought of what the dragon born have done to other fill his head. The lizard folk warriors continue to gnash at the guard that lie in front of them, stepping over corpses and closing the gap in the armory. Elysium makes a flourish and manages to slice two guards at once. Smert, flowing with inspiration and truly in his element as dealer of death slays another two from the walls. The guards still on the edge of the circle of darkness fall like ash in the wind, their bodies marked with grey spots, strange spike marks a crossed their bodies, what every dark magic Smert coiled up ended many. Our group gets a precious few minutes to take the best armor and weapons, and passing it out to more oncoming lizard folk who entered the walled city. Kobolds run amuck on the city. By the two river entrances captains Ojun and Gihil have lead successful overruns of the defenses and are fighting a moving battle on the walls, securing the city and making the trap laid. Captain Grumsk leads those around the outer walls and brings in those not trained, calls to arms and sheer number will win this fight.

Our fourteen continue onwards, precise directions held and had to the home of the high speaker Oreida. The home face is pretty, beautiful in a way, but opulent, oppressive in its scale and grandeur, it deserves to be topped. Smert runs up and exclaims “fall!” and a loud shattering noise is made and the door bursts open with thunderous energy. The guards in the hall, seeming ready for this braced and prepared yet still shocked by the suddenness of the action. Twelve men stand in their way to the high speaker. Shooting from the back of the room Elysium and Wabeed are hit with arrows, it seems these guard are tougher and stronger than normal city keepers. Wabeed runs in towards those in the back. Smert yells “come closer darlings” as he pulls a guard forward with his four energies, his form still gaunt and skin pulled, the draconic resemblance stronger than before, more invigorated. The guards are hitting back, bolts from special crossbows hit Elysium hard in the chest, he reacts by using his healing magic and casting a brief protective ward. Varnswood uses a hypnotizing pattern of those four in the back, two are stunned still by its colorful shimmer, he then gives wabeed a nod of inspiration, a permission and affirmation of his destiny. Wabeed stabs the guard next to him, hitting hard. Two guard move up towards the oncoming horde, spears and shields ready. The lizard folk charge forward, determined to act as one and kill as one, they surround and take one of the guards out, plus hitting a few on the way. The guards strike back, cutting down one of the hardened warriors, yet this death only adds more fury to the warriors. “they spill our blood, give it back tenfold”. The guard slays a second lizard folk with these fast attacks and rapid skill.  Wabeed teleports forward and crashes into one of the guards in the back. Smert reaches on his back and pulls out a gnarled bone, a large led bone of some kind, all but a single strange black symbol is on its face, a seven looped chain of sorts. With an almost frightened yet determined look he points the bone at one guard in the back and says “Now” a thin green line stems out, pinpointing the head of the guard and he falls at once dead, a skilled man who was unharmed killed at once. Smert laughs in pain as from his right hand, which bore three fingers now has a bleeding stump and only two fingers. The price for a life is a bit of ones own. The Guards continue to move in to try and stop this “protect the high speaker at all costs”. Elysium moves in and hits hard with his oath bound blade. Varnswood roars and a feeling of true draconic fear, an ancestral fear is felt in the guards. The guards still yet some go, breath weapons of lightning and acid stream out. The warriors continue to attack, killing another guard down with sheer number of attacks thrown out. The guards attacking still determined, Elysium is shoved down and hitting the ground goes unconscious from the force, Varnswood also circled in and taking some significant damage. The guards seems to be defending, but our revolutionaries will prevail. Another lizard folk is struck down but hardened warriors still remain. Smert uses his foul energies to blast more of the guard and by his disgusting form instils fear. Elysium bleeds but breaths, for now. Varnswood uses his inspiring words of healing “rise, you are still needed” and Elysium is filled with faint energy and stands up. The guards use lightning breath weapon and icy cold blast forth. The lizard folk continue, seeing brother die by their sides they are steadfast in the need for victory, even if they may fall it is for a greater cause. They kill two more guards, moving around. Wabeed moving swiftly and around the hall darts and finished off another guard. Smert goes forward and continues his eldritch blasting energies, screaming “die with your back to the wall” as he kills a guard. Elysium slashes at the guard in front on him, killing him, saying “you get me, I get you, you stay down”. Varnwood heals himself quickly. All that remain are the two paralyzed in the back, witnessed to the death of their fellow guards. Unable to move the lizard folk move in rhythmic violence to stab in unison, killing with six blades in kind. Moving forward down a hall from noise hear, the pack approaches. The high speaker stands behind a mage, a circle of runes on the ground, the partial casting a teleportation circle, an attempt at escape. The mage “I fear they came to soon”, Smert cackles again and his leg bone extends “explosion” as the green lines goes to the mages chest and he falls to the ground as his body flakes and falls like burned paper. The High speaker screams and pleads “anything please spare me!”. Wabeed chants “for the fighters, for the dead” as he walks, with a blunt calmness up to her. Varnswood and Elysium stand back, giving a leading gesture toward the high speaker. Wabeed holds her shirt, she once again begs “anything you want you can have just please” in a sinister tone wabeed responds “my people free” and stabs the neck clean. The High speaker Oreida has fallen, the city of Aranti’an lacks leadership.

The night is long fought, thousands die on each side, heroes, freedom fighters, traitors, civilians. by the dawn of the morning light all those dragon born who survived the night are in Bulwick square, many thousand but mostly women and children of the dragon born kind. Wabeed, standing along the other captains and notable Kobolds proclaims for all to here “leave now or die here” a simple choice yet an ultimatum, those lizard folk who sided with the oppressors left no such choice but death. Those who stood for their principals are cut down with blade and claw, the rest walk a long march south to the sea. Varnswood and Elysium to meet up with more operatives to find homes for them in the draconic empire, once those who are worthy are sorted out of course.

The captains and Elders take hold of the situation over the next coming weeks, systems long standing of oppression and hierarchy are removed, equality and freedom is had. The revolution won, and for now it stands.

Music

Aranti’an theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oCrVIp51jU

Battle music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y-jqPtV3kw

Smert theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJongnNp1m8

Victory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3IQC3HCg-w

The dawn of a new city https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGqMMpMkKXs

Game #24 An obfuscation of ooze

37/1/1564BM

We appear in the town of Volantai, laid on the northern shore of Adrea on the Soln Sea, a well sized yet uninteresting port town. A collection of problem solvers arranged to meet, after a the day of work and hearing some rumors this group gets together in the main sipping spot of the city, a nice tavern called the Prancing pixie. After a hard day of work many a laborers will come and drink and dine, our three however are arranged for a more serious nature. Having all heard some rumors that a slime population a days south by walk was getting out of hand, something strange for the given season, they wished to investigate and make sure it was not anything of great consequence. Sitting around this table near time to evening we meet our three. Dranvug, a pale skinned human man with short black hair, he is dressed in clean and well maintained leather armor yet a layer of dirt exists over time, a few short feathers decorate his outfit, a tell tale sign of his Velngi heritage. Outside in the stables his Khale bird awaits, still caught off guard by the horses by managing well enough. To his right in Falrea Neset, a dark purple almost eggplant colored skin of a tiefling, large ram like horns on his head yet a cocky brash demeanor, wearing black robes that would be fitting of a Thalian inquisitor yet lacking the metal medallion or the white ranking stripes. Lastly we have Maura stonesmith, a towering goliath that stands well above the other two, a study frame and well muscled yet wearing interspersed plates of metal armor, a mace at her side, sea stained blue clothes on her body with a slight smell of salt at all times. These three who mealy have heard of each other, and passing notes between clients arranged to meet here, all travelers in their own right yet problem solvers and those with ability above the normal populace. Falrea introduces himself first, telling of how he is currently working in Adrea to become a thalian inquisitor, his abilities lie in the balance between magic and sword skill. Maura is a traveling healer who says little but a few stories of the scale of her gifted ability. Dranvug tells how he doesn’t use any magic but is quite cleaver with a bow and with his special obsidian knives, Maura assumes a stealthy of infiltration like ability but he is quick to correct and not compare himself with criminals. Lightly introduced the problem is presented. It seems that on the shores a few hours south of Volantai by boat slime populations are far higher than expected, and while not yet a problem for the local people it may blossom into a problem if not delt with or the source found. So with the easy enough information the plan to rent a boat tomorrow, sail down to the island that is known to be the home of the slime and to investigate is hashed out.

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An early rise, but getting out before the sun rises means that one get to enjoy the sunrise. Falrea rents a boat at the dockyard, a simple dingy with a very small scale mast, the boat still uses oars for any decent speed but the mast and sail help against currents. Before leaving shore Maura sprinkles a bit of salt into the boat and mutters a short prayer under her breath, Dranvug asks why this may be she responds “it protects from the tempest itself, from the things under the waves” a mild guess from his believes that this may mean the god Delas, one of sailors and tempest, taking this he says “let us hope Delas grants us passage”. Setting outward as the early morning Falrea picks up and starts the rowing, he finds a steady and rythmatic pace for it and the trip to the island does smoothly, watching the sun rise and the morning clouds gather it is quite serine. The journey takes a brief five hours to get to the island, known as the Vetar marsh this island, or rather series of collected dirt and trees in the coalesced form of a shape. Dranvug spots a solid enough embankment and lands off the boat. Setting first foot on the island they area greeted with a deep spectrum between land and water, nowhere is one or the other but all is varying degrees. Stepping their boots are wet but this initial ground is solid enough, the boat is tied to a mangrove tree and they start their journey inward to the island. Walking in on the marsh plains, often a guessing at the mere place to walk but with a slow pace less danger happens. Falrea, feeling overly confident and feeling in the rhythm, yet talking steps without looking, he takes a step forward into an area far to damp and his foot deeply sinks into the mud mixture, stuck for a second. Dranvug throws him a rope and he is able to be pulled out. Heading even deeper still into the island, the sounds of the swamp slowly start to rise. Falling tree branches, soft splashes of water, the odd chirp of an unknown bird, slithering, all these sounds continue. As if stepping into a place where man does not belong, that civilization has not and should not touch. A large rock is seen dipping below the surface, the shell of a giant turtle. A dancing line beneath the surface of the water is a large snake, over a dozen feet long. Having yet to see a slime and the forest cover getting darker, the sense of wrongness rising. All thinking it but first to speak it, Dranvug says “maybe we should turn back, look around the island first” all in agreement they turn around. They all remember the trees, plus seeing their former footprints makes the way back quite easy to track. Interrupting their way, a log, or at least it looks like a log, yet Dranvug sees no stump and Maura remains suspicious of it, Falrea takes the first action and blasts this log with a cold spray, an alligator is revealed to have bene sleeping in wait, snapping its jaws and angry at the sudden cold burn on its back. Falrea charges up and sword drawn misses cleanly to the side as the alligator moves. Dranvug steadies himself and carefully loads and looses an arrow, an arrow to the stomach, a small drop of red blood shows in this vast green landscape. Maura comes up and charges as well, being careful of the terrain, and swings her great mace at the alligators head, crushing the bone and teeth of the beast, in one move she pushes it forward and down beneath the waters into the mud, where it will no more see the light of day. Moving onwards back to the boat the three covered in a deep layer of water, a suspicious amount, but none the less. Maura easily lifts the boat over her head and drains the water out. The boat is then well enough and set off to shore to try and find another day to the problem, sailing around the island they find one slime in the water after about an hour, Maura kills it with radiant holy energy then noticing and spotting two others, which are quickly killed in the same manor. they make plans to head for shore when an odd swell comes up and tips the boat over suddenly, suppressed, and now soaking but not hurt the three go off to the shore. Falrea ties a rope to the boat and climbs up into a tree to bring it to land. Dranvug on swimming over feels a touch on his leg and with natural honed instincts grabs down and gets a small red snake, killing it with a quick squeeze of the hand he brings it to shore. On shore they set the boat right again, and Dranvug takes a few minutes to extract a vial of venom from the snake, plus saving it for later as a snack he claims. Reasserting themselves and deciding that this is the right direction they continue onwards. Boating a bit further down until they find a good spot to more up the boat, taking it further on shore this time.

Moving on in the island, feeling the right direction and the trail of the slime. Falrea leads the way, feeling as though he mastered the terrain of the island and the shifting pools, yet one bashful step and he falls face forward into the wet mud, at once his vision is cut, his mouth no longer tastes air and for a moment he wonders about death, feelings as thought is the longest moment of her yet life. the tug of a rope jolts him back to reality as Dranvug tied the rope and Maura pulls on it, lifted out from the mug, he hyperventilates from fear, his face covered with mud that he almost claws off with force, Maura offers her water skin to clean it off and he sees the light of the world again. A few minutes to calm down as he steadies himself. How close death can come at any moment, how vulnerable we all are. Resting for a few minutes before treading on, now Dranvug taking the lead going forward. A smell pierces the air, one that Dranvug and Maura both pick up on, it smells of death and rot, not that of blood but or organs, of a dead creature, guessing at the source here they move forward. Seeing them with a little time a group of slimes is in wait, a cluster of the dark blue yet very transparent blobs of from in front of them. Dranvug shoots from the back and lays three that are in close proximity, Falrea moves us and uses a spray of poison to get two more. Maura uses a loud thunderous boom of a shattering spell getting three more in the loud blast. Falrea close to the action a few swarm his legs, their acidic sides eat away at his boots and clothes, quickly reaching deep into his skin and muscle, deep searing pain as he yells a short, pitched cry. Dranvug sprints us and his obsidian blade leveled low cuts into four at once and ends those in the area. taking a few seconds to check to make sure the coast is clear before Falrea gets on the ground and Maura uses her healing magic to while not fully heal the wound to seal it up and prevent any major injuries. Maura makes a comment to Falrea “do you have to be self-sufficient to be an inquisitor” she says it in a gruff but not disrespectful way, yet Falrea takes it very close to heart, he is still in training but even now would pale in comparison to those men and women who are part of the inquisition, keeping any comments to himself he just gets up and continues to walk forward. Moving forward still, the stench getting more and more pungent, while not yet seen it is smelled, and so each move cloth around their noses to prevent some of the effect. Coming up on a small embankment they see the suspect, a large whale carcass, now that it is seen Maura recognizes the smell and has seen a sight like this a few times on her costal journey. Next to the carcass is the second suspect, a large congregation of slimes, perhaps two dozen with a large almost central slime that are all feeding off the whale carcass, along the beach are crabs both big and small in scale, but crabs do not propose a problem. A few brief words of plan are gathered before the battle begins. Maura runs up and calls out, shrieking into the sky and holding up an ancient pendent “please give me the strength of your wrath” as she calls into the sky, a bolt of lightning extends from her hands and crackles across the climes killing six in one fell shot, she feels the pleasant pain of the deep electricity in her very bones. Falrea runs forward and yells in a likewise vain “its time for a little seventy two card pick up!”  and a flourishing spray of magical cards spring out from his hands, a three slimes are caught in the wake and parish. Dranvug stands back and fires off a bolt, then moving into the trees and seeming disappearing. The largest slime moves toward and the multitude follow behind him , Falrea is surrounded by managed to step around the slimes this time. Maura uses his mace and kills another slime while also glancing off and hitting the larger one. Falrea moves forward and swings to kill the large slime, its drooping mass falls to the side with a wet sloping sound. Dranvug uses his bow from the vantage of the trees and knocks another small slime down, then moving across over to behind the whale carcass. Maura hits out again but misses those small slimes underfoot. Falrea kills another with his short sword, Dranvug lines up a shoot and managed to hit three slimes in a row. Maura is hit by one of the slimes, and with a defensive wrath hits back with a small bolt killing two slimes. Falrea moves forward and around the big slime to kill two more behind it. Looking around the crabs have left, the slimes seem to be taken down and now the only problem in the whale.

Falrea chops down some wood while Maura gets out her tinderbox, happy that it was made water proof and still in function. Knowing the fat of a whale the plan to set the carcass aflame is put into action, while a slow burn of many hours is had the fire burns steady and well. Falrea plunges his sword into the deep belly and uses a magical flame ability to set it alight from the inside as well saying “may the fire purge you” this greatly speeding up the time. even with this measure it will be late into the evening before it is fully burnt. In the time Dranvug cooks the snake and eats it, Falrea having a singular thank you bite of it. recovery is had and their clothes dried off by air and by the warmth of the fire, injuries tended to by Maura using both magical and non-magical methods. Going back for the boat and bringing it over before dark they decide to sleep on the boat for the night. Maura this time remembers to sprinkle her salt in the bottom for safe passage. The first watch is by Dranvug, it goes without issue as he thinks about the day, his success at exploration, he hopes his Khale bird is well cared for.  Maura has the second watch, the deep night. It is a calming time, she spends some time in prayer thanking Delas for the calm seas, even if she wonders in the back of her mind about the swell. The open ocean is not a time to bring ones problems to a god of the sea. Falrea has the before dawn, he quite distracted from the day, his leg still in pain from healing and his head with thoughts on inadequacy. He can help a few problems in town but once he has real challenge he folds? How will the inquisition even consider someone who does so little, troubled and lightly distressed but not showing it.

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The morning rise of sun comes up, while the night was not the greatest sleep, the gentle rocking of the waves is a pleasant effect.  Rowing their way back Falrea makes good time yet not as efficient. The three arrive back in Volantai by the early afternoon, talking briefly to the dock worker they explain the whale carcass and the slimes. He is glad the boat is in fine condition, glad that they all did fine. As the three walk away he mutters under his breath “glad they didn’t run into any leviathans of like that”. Turning back Dranvug asks “what was that?” in a inquisitive tone, “oh nothing” he replies. Making their way down to the Salty Spitfire, the tavern at the edge of the water. The floor covered in always a thin layer of salty surf. Floor board rotted away and yet caked in, asking a worker “is this safe?” Maura says, but he reassures her that the salt fills in the cracks and even underneath is stone so it’s all fine. Joining a few men playing a simple round of liars dice to pass the time and make simple conversation. After a bit they asking about any strange occurrences out at sea, things like that. Maura asking, any mermaids, selkie, krakens or other things of the deep? A bit surprised but admitting of the things of the deep water. They also tell of how about two months ago Vodras went cold for an unknown reason, no ships left it and all sent did not return, by land it to was quiet. Left with wondering in their mind, their few days normal enough but are their greater forces at play? Is there a grander explanation? Thought left to be unanswered. For now, these three part, partners and helpers to each other for this time yet unlikely to meet again.

Music

Tarvern theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd10InDdvJE

Swamp themehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P-Ylgs9d08