The Cranstonian Expedition (RPG)

[Raven Hawk]

Bump-a-Rump dump

[Blade6119]

bumpizzle

[Vince]

I must have missed the roll-call before the board went down -- I'm still here, and bumping again

[Poli]

Hello? Hello?! Is this thing working?

[Raven Hawk]

As Jadrich released the knife from his finger tips, time seemed to stand still. He could see every rotation of the dagger as it tumbled through the air towards its target. Muffled sounds echoed slowly in his ears. Nightion's shouts for help lingered and frost slowly began to crystalize on the tips Xypheus' fingers . . .

[Blade6119]

Dereth moved in to make a death blow on his foe, so he could then move to aid his party memebers...he heared the screams of nightion, but had yet to turn to see the scene. Dereth just had a bad feeling something had gone terribly wrong with the simple situation he had seen played out in his mind a million ways...not once resulting in the screams of his fellow men-at-arms...especially not a Rhyllan!

[WSUCougar]

Dereth’s sword quickly found the throat of his exhausted foe, and in an instant the hill-man was reduced to a bloody, sagging corpse impaled upon the Rhyllan’s weapon. Xypheus’ spell fizzled into nothingness as the enemy warrior was obviously done in.

Reod’s quick observation revealed no other foes at hand, but the three advancing would soon be upon Brayden, Kallash, and Jadrich. One of the hill-men was forced to slow, as Jadrich’s thrown dagger imbedded in his shoulder, but this wound seemed only to enrage the man further – he screamed a hoarse war-cry and lunged forward once more. The other two were angling right at Kallash, who stood ready to receive the attack with sword in hand, and the Azaran, who looked unprepared.

And to the rear, his last vestiges of strength gone, Nightion fell forward into his own blood, the spear still sticking upward from his back.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Okay, back at it. Jadrich and Brayden each have a guy bearing down on them a few paces away, as does Kallash. Xypheus is close behind, Reod is not far away, and Dereth further behind him. Refer to the graphic above.

[JeffNights]

Nightion drew his breath raggedly as he lay on the cold ground, he knew he was going to die...but his honor has been solidified, and his spirit would soar free. Yet, he did not want to die with his face in the dirt, no....he'd struggle to turn over, to face the sky and the sun...

His breath coming now in blood filled gurgles, he rolled onto his back, and was treated with a new dearing pain as the back end of the spear pivoted and the ground, and finally broke. But not before it again had turned on his insides.....Spear point sticking out his chest....he lay as he should, facing toward the heavens.

[Raven Hawk]

"Somebody! I NEED to get to Nightion!" Jadrich screamed as the hill person bore down upon him. As he screamed, Jadrich quickly pulled his kukri from its sheath and prepared for the oncomming attack.


Jadrich, when in close combat has a very defensive fighting style. Simple philosophy: Don't get hit. If somebody can intercept the hill person charging Jadrich, he'll break full sprint toward Nightion, fumbling for a blue vial in his scroll case.

[Poli]

Reod saw nothing when he turned around. Satisfied no other tricks were coming, he turned to hear Jadrich's cry.

Reod ran as quickly as he could to Jadrich, although it was unclear if he would make it in time.

[Blade6119]

Dereth turns to see reod begin his run...Dereth has the same idea, but mounts his horse as usual and starts after the hll men, hopng to free up someone to help nightion. Leaving Reod's horse alone worried him, as it brought about this whole mess, but he had no choice with more immediate dangers imminent. Dereth would attempt to close on the advancing hill men, and use his riding attack feats to eliminate them if possible. This situation had to be taken care of quickly, for Nightion didnt have much time left....if any...

[MacroGuru]

OOC: Sorry bout that...thought the downtime killed us all.


Brayden swings his head back and forth, his palms sweating, flexing them upon the hilt of his rapier, he faintly notices the man bearing down upon him.

He quickly turns, and prepares to handle the onslaught, looking to take the first blow as a parry, or even side step, and hope for an opening.

He starts counting the paces the man is moving at, to help his timing.

[WSUCougar]

FYI, Vince has promised a post tonight, and then we can roll.

[Vince]

I'm here Will get to replying shortly.

[Loki]

Can I play? I want to be Sol!

Sol looks around cautiously and hides behind a stone off the side of the road.

[Vince]

Xypheus turned to see Reod begin a mad dash towards Jadrich. He followed quickly, muttering under his breath.

Coug, you have a PM.

[Loki]

Sol peeks his head out from behind the rock to see if there is still danger. He doesn't see any, but you can't be too careful.

Sol hides some more.

[Blade6119]

bump

[WSUCougar]

The two Rhyllan fighters reacted swiftly, but the interval was too great to intercept the charging hill-men quite yet. Though on foot, Reod was nearest to Jadrich, and would soon be in striking range. Dereth mounted and reined his horse around, but the animal took precious seconds getting up to a gallop, and he had the greatest distance to cover. It would be several moments still before he could close the gap. Xypheus began to move quickly in the background, also toward Jadrich’s position.

Kallash was the first to bear the brunt of the savage assault. His opponent - a short, screaming brute - actually leapt into the air and tried to kick the older man in the face. The Cranstonian was ready and deflected the blow with his sword arm, but the maneuver had the desired effect for the hill-man nevertheless, as Kallash was now off-balance and his weapon was no longer ready to strike. And the hill-man was quicker. With a swift back-handed sweep of his right arm, he landed a solid blow. Kallash staggered…

Brayden, meanwhile, had a bigger but more ponderous opponent with which to deal. One of the hairiest men he’d ever seen, the hill-man lumbered forward with what looked like a giant, jagged tree limb as a weapon. It was a small matter to side-step the enemy charge, but the bulk of the man forced the Azaran to step farther than parrying range at first. With a grunt, the hill-man turned and began to swing his tree-limb…

Jadrich had drawn his ornamental weapon but quickly saw that he would be overmatched. His enraged foe was the most properly-armed of the remaining three, carrying a rusty but still sizable longsword and wielding it like a butcher might wield a cleaver. Eyes ablaze, the savage shrieked another battle cry and closed the final few steps…

All had gone gray and cold for Nightion. What had been searing pain was now…nothing. The sky above…grayness…shadow…creeping cold…

[MacroGuru]

Brayden begins to feel something he hates....fear. The fear that this man is potentially his match, the hope of his speed and agility are all he has in order to defeat this opponent.

As the swing comes, Brayden judges where the angle is coming from looking to make his move.

Brayden, waits for the swing, balancing himself, if it comes from the side, he will try a daring move he has only used once or twice, going low, trailing his left leg back, his left palm resting on the ground, his body, hugging his right knee as he comes up and under the blow, pinpointing the rapier into brute.

If it comes from above, the choice is to side step, and wear the brute out, waiting for the opening, attacking the wrists holding the weapon.


OOC:

Can we use If/then statements? I have 2 potential actions I can see Brayden doing, however, without knowing which angle the swing is coming from, I can't make that choice.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by indoorsoccersim

OOC:

Can we use If/then statements? I have 2 potential actions I can see Brayden doing, however, without knowing which angle the swing is coming from, I can't make that choice.

Sure.

[MacroGuru]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Sure.

Great, post is modifed

[Raven Hawk]

Jadrich's muscles seize up and a blank stare comes across his face. He clutches at his heart and falls to the ground with a thud, motionless, breathless.


Perhaps Jadrich can win an Oscar for this performance. The real idea is remove himself from being a threat to the hillman and give him better vision so he can see the charging fighters coming towards him. Defense mechanism #2 in the Bard's Handbook. Play dead. I don't take these hillmen to be very intelligent and hope that Jadrich's stellar performance will be enough to confuse the bastard.

[Poli]

Reod had seen death before. It didn't worry him, but seeing the men of the expedition falling like flies was starting to give him a sense of self preservation.

Jadrich's fall to the Hill man was nearly impossible, he thought.

"How, wha, no!" he thought as he ran to the scene. Impossible. Reod turned his anger on the Hill man.

"GAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Reod screamed for all to hear. He gripped Hellantic a little tighter and was prepared to send the Hill man to his maker.

[WSUCougar]

As Jadrich collapsed in a melodramatic heap, his wild assailant took on the look of a man who has just been served the big mutton deluxe when all he ordered was gruel. Astounded and mightily pleased with himself, his progress skidded to a halt…pleased, at least until he noticed Reod bearing down on him, screaming intensely, with Dereth at the gallop close behind. The hill-man only grunted woodenly at his impending doom, frozen in place as a rock might await a huge ocean breaker. And then did the Rhyllan wave break upon him…with the full weight of his momentum behind it, Reod brought a crashing blow with Hellantic downward toward the hill-man. With this one massive stroke, the foe’s head was cleaved from his body, and went twirling sideways to bounce off the prone form of Jadrich, who was subsequently drenched with spattered gore.

Dereth galloped past this battle theater, and rode down upon Kallash’s opponent. The old Cranstonian had managed to fend off further damage, but his strength was fading and the hill-man definitely had the advantage…until Dereth swept past and severed the enemy’s right arm with one powerful stroke. The hill-man screamed in agony, pirouetted in a grotesque dance, and then got skewered by Kallash right between the shoulder blades.

Not far from there the large, hairy foe followed through, and the tree limb began its long sweep sideways toward Brayden. One of the Azaran’s facial muscles was twitching involuntarily, but he had no time to pay it any mind. He dropped low, just as the bulk of the limb passed overhead with a great whooshing sound. Brayden was prepared to parry with his rapier, but a stray branch attached to the top of the great limb slapped him like a strap across the face, and he reflexively recoiled and rolled fully upon the ground…

[Raven Hawk]

Opening one eye, just as a hillman's head fell into his lap, Jadrich knew that he would be just fine. Once again, his attentions turned to his dying companion on the hill. Jadrich quickly rolled over to his stomach pushed his body up with his slender arms, and began running toward Nightion before he was even upright. Amidst the sprint, Jadrich opened a scroll case and pulled out a blue vial.

[Blade6119]

Dereth continued his mounted sprint at the last enemy. He had to remove the threat so that nightion could be saved. He glanced at reod and the decapitated body at his feet. Despite the intensity and importance of the situation, a small part of his youth shone through. He let a smirk come to his face, and slowly even came to a laugh. It had been quite some time since he had fought in a battle with allies, and it was quite fun. Memories of the days at the academy raced through his mind. He zoned out for a second in a sense of surreal daydreaming, suddenly feeling like he was back on the day of the attack. He felt the burns of the injuries he had sustained over the course of his entire life. And with it came anger...hatred...Dereth became enraged and took all of the anger from his life. It was somehow channeled into strength. He felt like he had the strength of 1,000 men, and he would use it all on the poor bastard that stood over Brayden. There comes a time in every man's life when he faces adversity, takes it head on, and becomes better and more mature for it. Dereth had a feeling like after today he would never be the same again. He was once again apart of something greater then himself. He was now fighting for his friends, and not just himself. He was fighting for the life of a fellow Rhyllan, and he would not stop until the battle was over.

I just got into a groove, so sorry if it goes overboard.

[MacroGuru]

Rolling around and positioning himself far enough away from the brute. Brayden moves the initative and starts attacking with his rapier, and yells out loudly. "Could someone please provide assistance?"

[Vince]

Running low on spells for the day, and unable to physically help Brayden, Xypheus let Dereth and Reod help the Azaran against the small tree-wielding hill-man. Instead, he sprinted after Jadrich, attempting to provide cover of some sort while Jadrich did what he could to save Nightion's life.

[Poli]

Reod had to recoil after his mighty swing of Hellantic. By the time he had, Jadrich had got up and had started running to Nightion. This took Reod back for a moment, as he had assumed Jadrich was dead.

Reod heard Brayen's cry for help and turned, but noticed Dereth to the rescue. He turned to view Nightion and noticed that both Xypheus and Jadrich were on their way there.

Reod turned around once again to make sure no new foes were incoming.

I'm a little lost as to my location and the location of the others, but I don't think I'm within reach of Brayden.

[Vince]

Coug -- I never got a reply to the PM I sent you -- I'd like to do what I can to prepare an offensive spell without wasting it. I'm not sure I have any offensive spells left though.

[WSUCougar]

Brayden scrambled away from the big brute like a spider, bringing his rapier up defensively as he called out for aid. And here was Dereth, enraged and rising up on his steed over the large hillman and swinging a powerful stroke with his sword. It was the very bulk of the tree limb he carried that salvaged the situation for this hulking individual; he turned to face Dereth’s assault, and the limb swung with him and thus interfered with the Rhyllan’s deadly blow. The horse whinnied and shifted away from the branch, drawing Dereth off a few paces to the right (his left) of his opponent. The big hill man was thus standing between Dereth, on horseback, and Brayden, on the ground. Kallash and Reod were a moderate distance away to the east.

Despite his attention on his vial and scroll case, Jadrich’s dash toward the bloody and motionless form of Nightion gave him and Xypheus, who followed close behind, the best view of what next occurred. Closing in on where the ranger had fallen, the two men were brought to a staggering halt by a sudden whirlwind of energy that rose up from nowhere on the small slope before them. Glowing with interwoven threads of brilliant green and shimmering ebony, the magical form stood a full 8 paces high; it danced about for a brief moment, then thrust forward onto Nightion’s body, and began to tremble forward and back as if struggling against some unseen binding…

[Blade6119]

Dereth was taken aback by his horses movements...he had drawn off the attention of the brute from brayden, but his attack had been thwarted. He hoped brayden could now strike the foe from behind, with dereth keeping him occupied long enough, then moving in for the kill once brayden had made his move. He attempted to calm his horse, while attempting to communicate with brayden. They had this brute surrounded, and now it was just a matter of speed and teamwork. Dereth yelled t brayden and informed him of the plan, seeing as how none of the brutes could speak, he wasnt worried about the brute learning of their plan. During all this, Dereth saw a bright light illuminate the area even more strongly...it was somewhere behind him. He hoped whatever it may be might distract the brute long enough for this plan to succeed.

[Raven Hawk]

Just to clarify:

1. What shape is the magical form? Humanlike or amorphous or other?

2. Did the form originate from beneath Nightion or someplace else?

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Raven Hawk

Just to clarify:

1. What shape is the magical form? Humanlike or amorphous or other?

2. Did the form originate from beneath Nightion or someplace else?

Consider it to have the appearance of a miniature tornado or dust devil, but consisting of apparently-magical energy. It appeared over the top of the slope (just beyond Nightion's position).

[JeffNights]

Ummm, any ideas on onto roleplay this one? lol

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by JeffNights

Ummm, any ideas on onto roleplay this one? lol

Lay still.

[Poli]

Reod could only think one thing, and he said it out loud as well. As he said it, he lowered Hellantic.

"Damn."

[Raven Hawk]

Jadrich stopped dead in his tracks as he saw the magical tornado appear in front of him. He immediately began scanning the area looking for a spellcaster . . . other than the one that was jogging up the hill with him.

[WSUCougar]

bump (Vince? indoorsoccersim?)

[MacroGuru]

Brayden rolls into an attacking position, and listening to the instructions being yelled by Dereth, he attempts to attack from behind whenever he gets the chance.

[Vince]

"This is some sort of twisted energy!" Xypheus called out to Jadrich. "Vile...I am not sure what we can do to stop it, however." Xypheus began to circle the energy surrounding Nightion, maintaining his distance while trying to get to the crest of the hill to attempt to find the source of the magical energy.

Couple questions -- it sounds like the energy has already gotten to Nightion. If it hasn't, is there any chance Jadrich and I could get to him first? Also, what time is it again? I think it's still mid-afternoon, and probably quite bright outside, but I want to make sure.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Vince

Couple questions -- it sounds like the energy has already gotten to Nightion.

That is correct.

I think it's still mid-afternoon, and probably quite bright outside, but I want to make sure.

That is also correct.

[WSUCougar]

As the magical vortex pulsated atop Nightion’s body, all attention on the battlefield went toward it. All, that is, except Brayden, who was too intent on dispatching the brute with the tree limb to worry about anything else. With an easy target to strike, he plunged his rapier deep into the back of the hill-man, who bellowed with agony and rage, dropped his tree limb, and began to thrash madly about. Like the hill-man, Dereth’s gaze had been distracted by what was going on up the slope, but his attention turned fully back as the foe screamed and again startled his horse. Too many frightful things were happening as far as the horse was concerned, and it shifted nervously under Dereth’s reins.

Kallash’s eyes went wide at the sudden appearance of the magical whirlwind. He fought the resultant wave of panic successfully, but even though his will was steadied he had no idea what to do, and could only watch on with frustrated impotence.

Successfully reaching the crest at what seemed a safe distance away, Xypheus searched in vain for any source of the phenomena. Jadrich was also unable to see any spell-caster who might have summoned this thing. These thoughts became secondary, however, when the vortex began to shudder and quiver violently. Slowly, Nightion’s body lifted from the ground and began to revolve around the base of the whirlwind, as an eerie orangish glow crept out from the ranger’s skin…

[Raven Hawk]

"Color me fecal! What the hell is that thing! What is it doing?"

Jadrich pondered for a moment trying to recall such images described in prose that he had memorized to see if he could get a clue as to what was going on.

Trusting in the mage, Jadrich began to sing a countersong. Even though he couldn't see a spellcaster present, perhaps his countersong would help. He really had no other options. The countersong was dirgy and rang out with cacophony . . .

Ilt wrendegga vasnol kreg
Kuliot mordremma samstol reft
Ilt sammo lehg sahn
Wrendegga kamok krostreg!

He repeated the discordant incantation louder.

Ilt wrendegga vasnol kreg
Kuliot mordremma samstol reft
Ilt sammo lehg sahn
Wrendegga kamok krostreg!

and louder.

Ilt wrendegga vasnol kreg
Kuliot mordremma samstol reft
Ilt sammo lehg sahn
Wrendegga kamok krostreg!

Edit: Edited to reflect Vince's previous post where Jadrich actually discovers that the magic is "vile."

[Vince]

Xypheus was incredibly torn -- he knew that decisive action was necessary as Nightion's body was manipulated by the vile energy...but he had no idea what to do! Risking an offensive spell was out of the question; the risk to Nightion was too great. Setting his course of action, he set upon it with grim determination. Rummaging through his pack, he began to mutter under his breath...

[Vince]

Upon finding the item he sought, Xypheus brought the coil of rope out and began swinging the end around, taking aim near Nightion's foot. Saying a quick prayer to whatever gods were listening, he let fly...

[Blade6119]

Dereth dismounted at all haste and attack the hill man. he attempted for a quick kill while the hill-man was crazed. He needed the entire team to focus on what was happening to nightion. Brayden had done his part, and now dereth needed to finish it. He would strike quick and hard. He would leave no time for a counter attack.

[MacroGuru]

Brayden moves himself out of the way of the thrashing brute, looking at Dereth, as if more direction is needed.

This situation is one he has never been in, or has enjoyed, the roar of the ocean he would prefer over the miserable racket he has heard in this commotion.

Turning. Brayden notices the light growing....stepping towards the light he slowly raises his arm up, jaw going slack, he manages to mutter.

"Sweet goddess of the sea....what in the abyss is that!"

[WSUCougar]

The scene was surreal. To one side of the field the Azaran rogue was slowly moving toward the crest, his face drawn with amazement, as just behind him Dereth dismounted and with a vigorous series of strokes from his sword dispatched the huge, wailing and thrashing form of the hill-man brute. Not far away, Kallash and Reod stood motionless, transfixed by the magical form. Upon the crest, Jadrich stood chanting a song whilst the wizard, Xypheus, tossed a rope end toward the rotating form of the Rhyllan ranger, Nightion.

As the big hill-man collapsed into a puddle of his own entrails, all action stopped beyond that at the crest. Jadrich’s song seemed to have little effect – except, perhaps, to brighten the orange light emanating from Nightion’s skin as his body whirled around the magical vortex. But Xypheus’ rope fell close by the base of the vortex, near to his intended target…