Start of #Odal buffer: Wed Apr 29 21:57:55 2009 [17:48:47] * When last we left our heroes, they had encountered a teeming mass of kobolds fighting the remains of an orcish century in a dwarven forge. [17:50:34] To battle! [17:52:02] [Session Start] [17:59:40] * Charles changes topic to '[Eilenia] 23 [Orc Cohort 1] 22 [Orc Cohort 2] 19 [Eye] 16 [Plow, Paera] 11 [Eve] 9' [17:59:45] [Eilenia's turn] [18:02:43] * Eilenia launches a swarm of winged rainbow daggers at the Eye of Gruumsh! [18:03:10] * Eilenia twists her orb. They quickly start attacking him [18:04:44] * Charles changes topic to '[Eilenia] 23 [Orc Cohort 1] 22 [Kobold klusters] 20 [Orc Cohort 2] 19 [Eye] 16 [Plow, Paera] 11 [Eve] 9' [18:06:03] * One of the orc cohorts pulls back, fending off the kobolds' spears as they go [18:08:17] * The second cohort pulls back, and the kobolds are far more successful in harrying them as they go [18:10:50] [Plow's turn] [18:16:26] [Paera's turn] [18:17:09] * Plow slips around the corner. He gauges the situation quickly, levels his crossbow at the bearer of the Eye, and lets fly one of the force darts. [18:18:26] [Eve's turn] [18:18:57] * Paera begins to pray, but the light she summons strikes nowhere near the orcs. [18:23:26] [Eilenia's turn] [18:24:46] * Eve_Kasnora rushes directly towards the Eye of Gruumsh, knicking it with both her swords. Then turns to the orc cohorts next to her and shouts. "You will feel my wrath if you fail to face me honorably!" [18:28:36] * Eilenia rushes up near Eve and whispers some more magic words that forcefully slam the Eye of Gruumsh with a wall of sound, sending him stumbling backwards into the cloud of daggers. Her orb flashes. [18:29:29] * The northeastern cohort drops in formation and then thrusts their spears out around them, jabbing at Eve and the kobolds [18:31:00] * The group of twenty orcs that Eve just challenged to a deul take her up on it, jabbing her with an array of spears, some of them finding gaps in her armor [18:34:58] * The Eye of Gruumsh points into the distance and shouts, and a sudden burst of force knocks Eilenia to the ground and slams into Paera, who is able to use the wall to brace herself [18:35:00] * Eve_Kasnora bats most of their blades asside with her weapons, and staggers back a little from the few that hit. "Hah! Is that the best you are having?!" [18:36:01] * Eilenia flings up her orb at the last moment and deflects the blow with an invisible arcane barrier. A glimmer of it is visible as the Eye strikes. [18:36:13] * Rather, Eilenia wasn't knocked down! It was a cunning illusion when she seemed to fall. [18:37:21] [Plow's turn] [18:44:59] [Paera's turn] [18:46:35] * Plow discharges a bolt of lighting from his arm, electrifying Eve's armor. The resulting discharge of static sears the second attack group of orcs. "Fight on, warrior." [18:50:36] * Paera continues to pray, but nothing happens. [18:51:41] Do not worry, Paera! I am sure Erathis still favors you over these orcs. [18:53:54] "YOU WILL NOT BE ESCAPING ME!" [18:54:18] * Eve_Kasnora bursts through the ranks of the orc throngs to slam her sword into the Eye of Gruumsh. [18:55:21] * Eve_Kasnora drives the hilt of her sword into the Eye's temple as she clears the orc rabble behind her, sending the Eye flying to the floor, unconcious. [18:56:41] "As being for you..." [18:57:38] * Eve_Kasnora turns to the orcs behind her and stands open wide, almost asking to be hit. "Come and be getting some." [18:58:04] [Eilenia's turn] [19:01:03] * Eilenia stands her ground, focusing arcane power into her orb, which begins to crackle with an inner power. There's a flash of lightning within the orb, then a crack of thunder before her, battering a number of orcs. [19:03:07] * The first cohort of orcs stabs ineffectually at Eve as kobolds move in to flank the second cohort. The second cohort's sergeant barks an order as the kobolds get into position and a sudden ring of spears stabs deep through Eve's armor and fells nearly two dozen kobolds [19:03:18] EVE! [19:03:30] [Plow's turn] [19:04:06] * Eve_Kasnora staggers back as several spears stab into her torso and thighs. "Grurgk..." [19:12:01] [Paera's turn] [19:16:39] [Eve's turn] [19:16:55] * Paera shakes her head, and closes her eyes, beginning to pray again. A burning pillar of light strikes into the midst of the orcs. [19:17:55] I told you so! [19:18:03] * Plow tosses Eve a vial, before launching two bolts. A spike wire just catches one of the groups of orcs before a fiery explosion rocks the center of the forge. When the smoke clears, Eve is at the center, her sword aflame. [19:19:14] * Eve_Kasnora recieves a blast of divine light and alchemical medication. There is a glint in her eyes, and Eve adjusts the grip on the flaming weapons. She doesn't look like she's going to take these particular orcs in for questioning. [19:22:46] [Eilenia's turn] [19:26:12] * Eilenia points her orb at the orcs before her and unleashes a blazing inferno that burns on the ground before her. [19:27:58] * The orcs push themselves up with difficulty, and one of the groups of orcs manages a directed thrust at Eve, jabbing her in the side [19:28:04] [Plow's turn] [19:33:08] [Paera's turn] [19:34:45] * Plow re-energizes Eve's armor, but fails to affect any nearby enemies. [19:36:23] [Eve's turn] [19:38:46] "Elena! I am needing your assistance with these murderous orcs!" [19:38:48] * Paera continues her quiet prayer. While nothing happens to the orcs, Eve feels as if an outside force is guiding her sword. [19:39:06] Isn't that what I am doing? [19:39:33] "Please be distracting them in melee combat!" [19:40:37] ... hm. If you say so. [19:41:44] * Eilenia draws her longsword, stepping up. She uses her sword defensively to protect herself while providing some distraction for Eve. In the meantime, she unleashes another explosion of sound with her orb in her other hand. [19:43:53] [Eve's turn for real] [19:47:35] * Eve_Kasnora springs as soon as some of the orcs turn their head to acknowledge Elena's threat, and her sword glows with radiant energy. She lands a blow amongst the orcs and it explodes with light. [19:51:48] * The southern orc cohort lays about itself with its spears again, throwing Eve off-balance before the northern cohort stabs deep into her gut with a telling blow, sending her into unconsciousness. Seeing this, the kobold leader barks in alarm and pulls back with his troops, beginning to chant. [19:52:13] [Plow's turn] [19:56:16] [Paera's turn] [19:59:56] * Plow launches a bolt into the midst of the second group of orcs. One of the creatures is struck, and Plow channels the lifeforce into Eve. "Another troublesome battle..." [20:03:19] [Eve's turn] [20:04:38] * Paera 's eyes flash with anger. "GET OFF OF HER!" She angrily chants another prayer, searing the orcs with holy fire. [20:05:27] * The last of the cohort goes down, burned to a cinder [20:06:18] [Eilenia [20:06:20] 's turn] [20:07:50] * Eilenia raises her orb. She speaks arcane words slowly, and a hypnotic pattern of light appears over the hot anvils... [20:08:30] [Eve's turn] [20:10:45] * Eve_Kasnora eyes's shoot up after the surging euphoria of several healing effecta affecting her at once, and she gasps. "I am not fight ing alone...." [20:11:41] * Eve_Kasnora gets up all the way, leaning on her grandfather's sword, then striking out with all the strength of a coiled snake, pushing the entire mob of orcs back. "WE ARE NOT FINISHED!" [20:13:21] * The hypnotic pattern catches the orcish cohort's eye and they move towards it, eerily in sync with one another, crawling over the ever-burning anvil to try and reach it. Many suffer severe burns and collapse before the reach the pattern and, shaking out of their reverie, do their best to escape the white-hot metal dais they've found themselves on [20:13:44] [Plow's turn] [20:18:05] * Plow appears at Eve's side, "I am glad to see that you were not overwhelmed - but I suppose such strength was to be expected." The unemotive face regards Eve for a moment, before Plow lets fly a bolt (without effect) at the orcs. [20:18:35] * Plow actually hits the orcs, awesome. [20:19:24] [Paera [20:19:27] 's turn] [20:20:54] "Your medicines are quite potent, my stoic friend." [20:22:48] * Paera breathes heavily, trying to calm herself. She pursues the orcs, raising her holy symbol. [20:23:26] ERATHIS! [20:24:06] * Paera sinks to her knees, panting heavily, as a holy blaze descends on the orcs. [20:25:33] * Eve_Kasnora walks over and helps Paera up. "As is your faith, PaePae." [20:26:20] * The orcs are reduced to their component parts between the divine flame and the fire of the anvil. The remaining kobolds in the room lower their guard, standing around their leader as he chants [20:26:37] * Plow rests his bowarm back on his shoulder and look towards the kobolds. [20:26:42] Is it over? [20:27:12] "For now. We must still be finding the Seed." [20:27:33] Oh, kobold friends. Thank you for your assistance. [20:27:39] * Paera looks up at Eve and grins weakly. Then blinks. "...PaePae?" [20:28:48] * Eve_Kasnora nods to Elena and starts speaking draconic to the kobolds as she walks toward them, apparently ignoring Paera's inquiry into the nickname. "[You're assistance was quite welcome. I only regret we could not save more of your men.]" [20:29:32] * Eilenia looks around for an exit. [20:29:36] * Eilenia also ties up the Eye! [20:30:07] * The kobold finishes his chant, and the room is illuminated with a soft light. You feel some of the weight of the day fall off of you as those kobolds who have not already died begin to stand. He nods, speaking in stilted common. "They knew what they fought for. Those that need saving are still in the warrens." He sounds, somewhat strangely for a kobold, proud of the ones who died. [20:30:59] * Plow moves to where Eilenia has tied the Eye, and crouches beside the instigator. He nudges the orc. [20:31:17] * Eve_Kasnora nods. "Bahamut would be proud to call you kin." [20:32:26] * Paera slowly pulls herself to her feet. She looks over at the charred remains of the orcs. "I..." she trails off, turning away. [20:33:25] * Across all the bodies, if you search, you find several pieces of green jade and a large number of coins. Interestingly, the coins and jade are all imprinted with the profile of an orc on the front, his head bearing a crown, and an image of a dire wolf rampant on the back. [20:33:41] All told, it's worth 700 gp. [20:34:06] (DM Note: Level 4 parcels 6 and 7) [20:34:50] * The eye seems pretty thoroughly knocked out. There are exists in the east and southeast of the room, the eastern exit being a double door that hangs open [20:34:55] * Eve_Kasnora frowns at the coin. [20:35:26] * Eve_Kasnora looks at the kobold leader. "Are you knowing which way is leading up?" [20:35:40] Don't blame yourself, Paera. It was a bad situation. [20:37:34] * The priest nods. "The great hall is to the east, and then the stairs. The chieftain followed the dwarves up there. I was sent to ensure you were safe." He pauses briefly, and then makes a strange choking noise. "The better to lead from behind." [20:37:56] * Eve_Kasnora is looking pretty terrible, with torn and bloodied clothing, some of the torn holes showing nasty, angry wounds that have only stopped bleeding because of Plow's infusions. [20:38:23] "They passed us so quickly? Hm." [20:38:29] * Eve_Kasnora looks dissappointed. [20:38:32] I think we should... take some time to recuperate. [20:38:44] "I suppose they are knowing the citadel best." [20:39:32] "No. We must not be letting our comrades go into battle without aid. These orcs are being much more well-disciplined than is normal." [20:39:35] * "I would be suprised if the orcs expected resistance after months here. They may well have moved the bulk of their army away." The priest stops to consider. "Having seen the battle for the gate, that seems likely." [20:40:39] * Eve_Kasnora smirks. [20:41:03] * Eve_Kasnora frowns. [20:41:16] How long has it been like this? [20:41:22] "Have you had any orcs flee from your forces toward the gate?" [20:42:26] Paera, are you well? [20:43:01] * The kobold shakes his head and then turns to Eilenia. "Best guess, the orcs came about four months ago. They didn't make contact with my people. Maybe because we hid. Maybe because we are who we are." [20:43:04] I'm...okay. I'm just...upset, I guess. This wasn't how I wanted it to go. [20:43:18] "Four months?" [20:43:46] * Eve_Kasnora looks to Paera and Elena. "How long has Odal's Fen been having its food shortage?" [20:44:12] * Plow brushes his armor, and sits full down beside the Eye, waiting patiently next to the orc. [20:44:38] * The priest shrugged. "That was about the time our scavengers started competing with dwarven scavengers, I think. Could have just been that they wanted to hoard food, but I'm not willing to accuse them of things I do not know they did." [20:45:19] * Eve_Kasnora nods. [20:45:41] * The eye of Gruumsh begins to stir to consciousness. He looks around, seeing the bodies of his men, and says what's clearly a curse in giantish. [20:45:43] "This... Orc Nerath is... challenging many of my assumptions." [20:46:01] * Eve_Kasnora turns at the curse, toward the orc. [20:46:52] * Plow turns his empty stare on the orc, "You have awakened." [20:46:54] * The priest bares his teeth, in what might be a smile. "Young paladin, in the century since Horbek's Glory fell, everyone who knew the touch of the gods have had their assumptions challenged." [20:47:12] * Paera looks over at the orc, avoiding eye contact. [20:47:58] * The orc does his best to sit up, and looks at Plow. "So I have." [20:48:16] * Eve_Kasnora nods to the priest, but walks forward to Plow and the orc. "Let me handle this, friend." She says to Plow. [20:49:47] * Eve_Kasnora closes her eyes for a moment, and then she opens them. "You have been taken as a prisoner of war, and will be afforded all the rights that such a situation calls for. Understood?" [20:50:28] * The eye of Gruumsh nods. "Understood." [20:51:03] * Plow doesn't blow off Eve, but he has many questions of his own - especially regarding Nerath. "Your brethren we fought earlier claimed to be Nerathi." [20:52:58] * Eve_Kasnora nods. "Nerath has fallen, and as far as I recall, your people were never civilized enough to join the Empire. Why have you become so in the intervening century, and how?" [20:54:36] * The Eye nods, closing the one eye that is not covered by his helmet. "I think that the Nerathi that came before had a term for wild-men who adopted their culture. They were the noble savages." He pauses briefly, to collect his thoughts. "It might help you understand it if you believe that my clan became noble savages too late." [20:55:31] "How are you meaning?" [20:56:21] * The kobold priest makes his way around the room, avoiding the fallen corpses, as he moves to stand a respectful distance from Paera, observing the exchange with interest. [20:57:01] * Plow listens intently. [20:57:36] * Eilenia watches the proceedings unfold with interest [20:57:39] * The eye collects his thoughts. "My clan was the clan that sacked Aiulen, the kingdom that ruled over this part of Nerath. And, in the years following the sacking, we settled into the city, among the people we had dominated." [20:58:02] "You are mere bandits." [20:58:55] * Eve_Kasnora holds out a hand for Plow. [20:59:23] * Plow speaks with an uncharacteristic hesitance. [20:59:24] "Forgive my friend. He is very old, and has a long memory. Over a century long." [20:59:37] * The eye smiles at Plow's insult. "Perhaps. It should be said that Erathis works in strange ways, or perhaps my people were as soft as our wild cousins said, because we were not satisfied with living among the ruins and preying on the citizens who did not escape to the wilds. Over the years, our chieftains began to have the city rebuilt." [21:00:02] * Paera move a little closer to Eve, Plow, and the orc. [21:00:55] "I see." [21:01:26] * "Even living in the mountains, even living in fear of Nerath's legions, even when rallied to tear it down by the Ruler of Ruin, it was impossible to escape stories of Nerath's majesty. Our chieftains were wise, and able to read the tomes left behind, that other clans might have burned. We were able to understand what we had taken. And what we were responsible for, having taken it." [21:01:57] * Eve_Kasnora looks to Plow and then back to the Orc. "Nerath strove for peace, however. Why have you driven the dwarf clan from their rightful homes? I sounds as if you are repeating the sins of your ancestors at Aiulen." [21:06:31] * The orc shakes his head. "It is a difficult situation. All of Nerath's chieftains want peave. They all want to drive back the night that has taken hold of Nerath's lands. However, some feel that this peace must come at any cost. The chieftain who took Horbek's Glory is one of them, and as the emperor grows old and his power wanes, it is harder to speak with one voice." [21:07:36] * Eve_Kasnora frowns. "You claim to have an Emperor without the blood of Elidyr?" [21:07:57] * Eve_Kasnora puts a finger between her brows and closes her eyes, visibly trying to calm herself. [21:08:37] * "I will not speak ill of my chieftain. The dwarves were given a chance to join Nerath again, under our leadership, delivered by the chieftain's son. When they murdered him in full view of the chieftain, he chose to make a decision to expand the empire for the good of the world, if not the good of the dwarves." [21:09:10] "You sent an emissary?" [21:09:44] "Not under Nerath." Plow speaks towards the floor, "Under a loose of confederacy of usurpers." [21:10:00] * "And what is an emperor but a chief of chiefs? We might not be the same Nerath as there was a century ago, but even the house of Elidyr rose from simple origins." [21:10:08] "Wait. If you truely wished to act for the good of the world, why have you been hoarding resources?" [21:11:50] * "We have, as best we can, been shipping food to the cities that have already joined us. The decision to leave the dwarves to starve... Was the chieftain's, and his alone." [21:12:17] "I am sorry, but that is unacceptable." [21:12:34] Sounds more like you were asking them to surrender than inviting them to join you. [21:12:46] * Eve_Kasnora nods. [21:13:13] It sounds like he was trying to punish them for what they did. [21:14:32] "Regardless of who is right and who is wrong, I have chosen to side with the dwarves. I feel their claim to Horbek's Glory is more just than your... "New Nerath's". You will remain prisoner. Should you attempt escape, please understand that the rights given to you as a prisoner of war will be revoked and I will have to treat you as an enemy once again." [21:14:55] * The chieftain nods. "That is not an unfair assessment on either count. This is a world that needs to be tamed, and until it is made safe again, it is too dangerous to ask for anything other than surrender. And it might be true that the chief seeks to punish the dwarves. I will not question him." [21:15:03] (The Eye, rather.) [21:15:54] "Before we leave, I would have your name." [21:17:17] * "Such is your decision. But know that our empire will not take the loss of a city and the death of a chief lightly, and consider what you may be condemning both of our societies to. You are powerful, but we are legion." He pauses. "I am Koros N'Padar, Eye of Gruumsh, Seer of Erathis." [21:18:21] "If I can manage to capture your chieftan as a prisoner of war as well, I will trade him and all other prisoners back to your nation in exchange for what I can." [21:18:42] "I am Eve Kasnora, templar-errant of Bahamut." [21:19:09] * Eve_Kasnora nods respectfully. [21:19:27] * Plow stands, and turning his back on the orc, paces away. [21:19:51] * He returns the gesture. "If we meet again after this, I can only hope it is not in battle." [21:20:11] * He laughs, darkly. "Seeing as how I've already lost." [21:20:12] * Eve_Kasnora blinks. [21:20:25] * Eve_Kasnora smirks. "Ah, of course." [21:21:19] * Eve_Kasnora turns to the kobold priest, and speaks in draconic. "[If I may, could I ask you to guard this prisoner? He is under my protection." [21:21:22] ]" [21:23:58] * Paera turns away. "This is just going to get bloodier, isn't it." [21:24:36] * The priest nods. "I'll look after him. If we both live through this, I'd like to talk to you again." [21:25:25] It probably will, Paera. But perhaps some greater good will rise from this. [21:25:30] * Eve_Kasnora nods. "[Certainly. Bahamut's blessings upon you.]" [21:25:38] * Eve_Kasnora turns to the others. [21:25:48] * The priest looks to Paera. "It's- it's kind of bullshit, but kobolds have a saying. It doesn't exactly translate to man-speak, but it says that the suffering we endure has to have a purpose." [21:25:56] "We're leaving right now. We must find the chieftan before the dwarves do." [21:26:41] * "Because not even Tiamat is cruel enough to make us endure this world without some kind of payoff. It's a lot more poetic in draconic." [21:27:01] * Eve_Kasnora 's eyebrow twitches. [21:27:14] "Tiamat?" [21:27:54] * "Many kobolds turned to her during and after the time of Arkhosia. But hurry! If you don't beat the dwarves there, we might be all the more screwed!" [21:28:01] * Eve_Kasnora looks at the kobold, then to Koros, and the symbol of Gruumsh and Erathis upon him, then back to the kobold. [21:28:20] "Yes..." [21:28:21] * The kobold is only wearing the symbol of Bahamut, stitched into a rough, ill-fitting chain robe [21:28:30] Perhaps they call upon both Bahamut and Tiamat. But let us make haste. [21:28:30] * Paera sighs. "Maybe you're right, maybe not. But I'd rather work for a world where we wouldn't need that kind of saying." [21:28:47] * Eve_Kasnora nods. [21:29:17] * Eve_Kasnora looks at Koros. "One more question, N'Padar. Your chieftan is here? Or elsewhere?" [21:29:21] "...You do not decide your place in the world - only how to work within it." [21:30:15] * "His command post is at the top of the citadel, near the gardens. Even though he moves our troops out, he stays here, to watch over the dwarves." [21:30:27] * "Given what I've heard, that may not have been a wise choice." [21:31:37] * Eve_Kasnora nods grimly. [21:31:53] "Everybody, be moving. Must get to top of citadel before dwarves!" [21:32:10] * Eve_Kasnora runs out of the room, weapons drawn, toward where the kobold said the stairs up were. [21:32:59] * Eilenia moves along. "Come on, Paera." [21:34:10] * Paera nods, and runs after the group. "Time for thinking later." [21:35:01] * Plow lingers behind, regarding the orc silently. Then he shakes his head, and follows. [21:36:58] [Session end] [21:37:31] [20:33:25] * Across all the bodies, if you search, you find several pieces of green jade and a large number of coins. Interestingly, the coins and jade are all imprinted with the profile of an orc on the front, his head bearing a crown, and an image of a dire wolf rampant on the back. [21:37:31] [20:33:41] All told, it's worth 700 gp. [21:37:31] [20:34:06] (DM Note: Level 4 parcels 6 and 7) [21:38:12] XP doesn't really matter because, you know, you'll be levelling after this arc is over anyways. I swear after the break we'll do for-reals D&D. :( [21:57:15] * Paera is now known as Yon [21:57:19] * Eve_Kasnora is now known as NovaSeaker [21:57:31] * Eilenia is now known as Demota [21:57:38] * Plow is now known as MattyQ End of #Odal buffer Wed Apr 29 21:57:55 2009