Thoroncir echoes Ceol's prayer. May the Valar smile upon our undertaking.
Printable View
Thoroncir echoes Ceol's prayer. May the Valar smile upon our undertaking.
Ok, Mulligan and Rorimac will head for the city. Freya can wait here, talk to Missy and give a general idea of the situation to Gilraen. They want an hour's head start and if anyone else wants to come along say now. We could do with one person who has Dispel Magic, who wants come along for the infiiltration and we can try and keep you safe.
We promise not to burn the town down as a distraction again.
"*Again*? I suspect that this is a story which I do not wish to hear." Ceol gives Mulligan and Rorimac a wry smile. "Be safe, my friends."
"I'll accompany you," says Drindoleth. "I just hope we can manage all of this as peacefully as possible."
The various stealthy people head out, some individually and some in teams. Elfstan joins the other two young Hobbits along with Drindoleth. Drindoleth won’t be able to scale the wall though and will need to use either a rope or turn into an eagle.
Fely will scramble over the wall on his own relying on stealth and not invisibility. No one is sure about Linwen’s plans but she and her scouts will be inside scouting.
Lindar likes Gil-Gandel’s plan and will add his voice to support it. Gilraen will also join in that should give them a small bonus.
The Hobbits reach the wall they plan to climb. Elfstan and Mulligan head up first planning to drop ropes for Drindoleth and Rorimac. As the reach the top a lightning bolt comes blasting at Elfstan, he dodges but takes [color=red]15 points.
Horns go off sounding some sort of alert.
What does Mulligan do? What does Drindoleth and Rorimac do?
"This is what happens when you use invisibility and not rely on stealth", mutters Mulligan under her breath.
Can Mulligan see where the Lightning has come from and if any guards are running to this area?
As this is supposed to be stealthy, Rorimac resists the urge to notch an arrow and waits at the bottom of the wall.
Mulligan cannot see where the lightning came from but does see guards heading for the section of wall the Hobbits are at.
If the guards are coming, then they can flounder around here for a while.
Speaking down the wall, "Rorimac, get your cloak out for cover. Drindoleth. Catch", and turning to Elfstan, "Drop down the wall, the guards are coming, we won't get everyone over before they turn up".
She starts hastily descending.
Elfstan moves quick to do so.
The parties hear horns going off in the town of course. Folca reports the lightning bolt to Deor where the Hobbits were going up.
Drindoleth pales a bit at the lightning. They were lucky no one was spotted and hit with that while flying over the wall, as such a fall would stand a high chance of being fatal. He catches the thrown ropes and considers what plants are growing along their side of the wall. If there are already brush or trees present, he can use Plant Growth for an overgrowth to hide where they are. Or to see where they retreat to.
At least Drindoleth and Bjorn are protected from lightning and all but immune to it.
The walls are well clear of brush of course. This town is as much a border fort as a town. Retreat should not be too tough though. The mage was probably not too close and the guards are not sure what to look for. Speed is probably the best idea now.
As she gets to the bottom of the wall, Mulligan turns to the others with a grin, "Fly, you fools".
Then lacking any brush, Drindoleth makes a hasty retreat!
As the party runs, the Hobbits in their cloaks or invisible spread out a bit and make haste back to the party. When the much larger Drindoleth is no more than 300 feet from the wall another bolt strikes him. But his Protection from Lightning simply absorbs the 32 points of damage. This time the caster is seen though as he is on the wall.
In short order finely made arrows strike him until he dives over the wall to escape. He has 3 arrows in him but drifted to the ground.
Thoroncir, his helmet off and under his arm, cranes his neck and peers intently at the town walls to see what's going on.
"Ok, that went not so well. Let's try this again with no invisibility and a little bit of natural hobbit stealth and cunning."
Elfstan says, "Problem is we still carry many magic items. I suspect it would unsafe to try even stealth without removing all of them. That seems like a bad idea to me."
Mulligan replies, "Only one way to find out what they are looking for. Stay here, I'll be back shortly to see if I set off an alarm somewhere further around. I've never tried climbing in specs before. If there is a detect there, hopefully, I can spot it before I set it off."
Mulligan quickly realizes the entire wall is somehow enchanted. This could be a variety of things, but it was mentioned that Linwen's prior attack made this entire kingdom very paranoid. Thus the founding of the 5 schools of magic by the Kings.
Mulligan's smile becomes a really big grin and the eyes start to gleam. "A challenge", she whispers to herself.
Heading back to the others. "Ok, Elfstan you're right, the entire wall is magic to the base. Going over without any magic is going to be the only way. I somehow doubt they would let us in throuigh the front gate."
"I'm still going to try going over. Rorimac, can you hold onto these for me, seeing as your not letting that sword out of your sight." She passes across her magic items.
The wall will require three Climb Wall rolls to ascend. Without your items you chance drops significantly. For every 10' you drop you will take a d6 damage. Also without the Elven Cloak and Boots your hide in shadows and move silently drops to a much more pedestrian number though it is still excellent. Your armor class is pretty much 6/N without items. Even your movement drops. You're also down to some fairly minor weapons though Elfstan can at least hand you a normal sling to use.
Gwaelur, heretofore silent, will do whatever is needed of him.
"Mulligan...your courage is undeniable, but I'm not at all sure that this is a good idea."
Rorimac fixes a look at Mulligan and folds his arms. "No Mulligan, you are not going over that wall. After all that time we spent sneaking around, avoiding things like this, for you to decide that this time you want to try it out, well the answer is still no. We can't sneak into the city, you have no idea what is over there and what you will be able to achieve."
"Well, I won't know until I get over the wall, what I will be able to do."
"Mulligan, you can't free the hostages because you can't dispel the glamour that is on them. You won't be able to find them because they will be magically hidden like everything else in this country. There is no point spiking food on the grounds that everyone will be moving up in an hour, so they won't have chance to take effect. Think about it, there is little to nothing that you can do other than get captured and cause a headache for us all."
"I can spy out the positions of the ambush in the town and report back."
"I'm sure the army in there won't mind you wandering around finding out where they seeing as if they spot you, answers still no."
"Not even from the top of the wall?"
"You're impossible"
"Thank you, but if I can get just a peek over the wall, I'll be straight back down, I promise. No sneaking around the town, just a glimpse to see what is there and get some information, otherwise us being here was just a complete waste of time"
"I don't think the others are going to mind it being a waste of time if we come back in one piece."
"Please"
"Fool of a Took"
"Who, me?"
"Yes, you and fool of a Brandybuck for even considering it. Top of the wall and then straight back down."
"That's all, no other sneaking around. Promise."
"Don't make me regret this."
"I'll try not to."
"You have one chance to get up that wall. You fall, we go back."
"Understood."
"Let's go." Rorimac shakes his head knowing that he will probably regret it anyway.
So Mulligan tries the wall in a different location having the first target already on high alert. She successfully climbs the wall in the shade of one of the towers and starts looking around the town. Take a quick look to see if the has disturbed the hornets nest once again she sees something very odd going on. Men are running all over the place. Far more than 8 locations which is the most people that would be going over the wall. There are people without armor seeming to direct their movements and the soldier seem to be desperately looking for something they cannot find. Not only has no one noticed Mulligan, it would just be terrible luck at this point if they did.
Mulligan can just make out the soldiers waiting on the roof tops partially concealed near the only gates to the town. They are holding position and the gates are still open. Apparently they are still hoping for an ambush. Someone is riding out the gate as she watches. Overall the town seems empty of non-soldiers. The stores and houses appear to be shuttered up tight. But there must be over 100 soldiers searching the walls and many dozens waiting in ambush. Of course there are large sections of towns she cannot see at all being only 25' up. But the great mystery is what is causing the confusion on the walls.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...nofDravoon.jpg
Well, there are not any guards in the vicinity, but she did promise Rorimac not to go wandering off. Mulligan thinks for a little while noting the positions and the trouble going on and then climbs back down the wall.
"Ok, I've seen what's going on. Let's go, there is a rider heading for the rest of the them and I have some details of their ambush."
A rider comes down from the town swiftly. He calls out, the town is under attack, we need your help. Please make haste, especially your spell casters. We think the attack is magical. Bren, the other parties ranger reports in a low voice, "He is neutral." Lindar, their bard reports, "But chaotic." Finally Mírëgol reports, "He himself is not magical or enspelled and only his sword is."
"Clearly a trap," Thoroncir murmurs to Gil-Gandel and Gilraen. "We didn't walk right in when they left the gate open, so now they're trying to take advantage of our good nature."
I realize it's a violation of local norms to use magic to detect falsehoods, but I think we can risk it here.
Is Ceol able to detect any falsehood in the rider's plea for assistance?
Surprisingly no, no lie detected. Haldreng agrees.
Perhaps he has himself been deceived, but I think we should treat the call for help as genuine, and may the Valar ward the righteous. If things begin to look hostile without immediate violence breaking out, we always have our song and dance plan to fall back on. Let us go.
Captain Meriadoc says, "We should indeed stick to your plan and try the flying attacks that Mírëgol, Bjorn, Lindar and Haldreng planned as support. This leaves Gilraen singing her song to support your wise Bard."
Lindar says, "Aye, and with any luck Linwen at least made it into the town and is positioned."
As he says this Fely returns at a run. "I failed and nearly was caught, but as they looked like they were coming for me, things got confused and the soldiers and mage types seem to send people in every direction along the walls. I think I saw something very odd though, it looked like a mouse climbing the wall about a dozen feet yards from me and the mouse appeared to be a very even dark grey colour."
Lindar says, "Soldier get you back in all haste and tell them we come swiftly. Keep those gates open and help shall arrive."
As soon as the soldier takes off Lindar asks for all the fighters under 10th level to gather near and gives a blast upon his horn. This gives all fighter types either 3 or 4 levels for a short time. "Let us rude swiftly now he says, the four fliers shall be behind you but ready for surprise."
The groups mount up and charge up the hill. Haldreng reminds them, leave the horse outside if you value them, in town they are likely to die. Though a few of you like Ceol and Thoroncir will probably be fine.
Any other prep besides Gil-Gandel's song? Time is now of the essence.
Deor will take his staff in his left hand and his ring in his right. If things go sour, he'll put the ring on and try to hide.
Ceol whispers in Leofwin's ear. "Let us show them how a Knight of the Mark and a proud horse of Rohan fight."
With a short prayer to Eonwë for the party's success, he is ready to go.
With a loving nod to Gilraen, Thoroncir dons his helmet and takes to the saddle on his great warhorse Baygir. He draws his sword and sidles up beside Ceol, saying, "Let us go, then, as proud sons of Gondor and Rohan. May strength and honor be yours, my friend!"
Mulligan adds her report to those of Lindar, pointing out what she knows of the troops lying wait in the town and confirming the confusion going on.
After that, if the warriors are going to be going in ahead, she will stick close to the magic users
The party rides up close to the gate with the two part harmony as they ride.
Behold us, your trusted friends who here return in triumph!
Let your songs of victory and joy with ours be blended:
Join us in celebration and clasp the hand of friendship,
Sing with us and dance before the gates we have defended.
As they approach the men of the North and the South join in the song though not all know exactly what they are singing. Gilraen’s Song of Estë acts as a counter point to this and then seems to strengthen it as the two fair singers wrap their melodies together. Lindar’s powerful voice joins to Gil-Gandel’s song as the music of his horn strengthens the hearts of 22 warriors greatly. Ithilneth’s voice and Mirëgol’s voice and harp add much to the main theme. Indeed Gil-Gandel recognizes both are trained in Elven Song weaving. Then from Ithilneth’s shoulder the voice of Dulindar the nightingale joins in and stirs the hearts of man and elf. To Gilraen’s song, the voices of the 4 Hobbit join in, Meriadoc’s voice is surprisingly strong and Mulligan’s is sweet, Rorimac shares a fair voice with Merry and Elfstan is surprisingly good at harmony.
Thoroncir and Ceol surprise themselves and find them singing with the rest. Only the three Dwarves and Deor seem immune to the effect. Deor is lost in thought preparing his spells. Drindoleth can easily shake off the effect but sees little need to. Those nearest him do discover that Sala’s singing voice is poor. But thankfully he does not sing with gusto.
The war party comes close to the open gates and Mírëgol and Lindar both disappear and from those few that can detect or see them, take to the air on their mounts. Deor was asked to sleep those on the left after Bjorn flies over them and Ithilneth was asked to sleep those on the right after Mírëgol’s sleep goes off. Haldreng will be going after any evil leaders on the roof tops and Ceol is asked to look for the same on the ground.
Most dismount but not the Knights, they prepare to charge. Mulligan, Elfstan and Fely are asked to secure the gate tower. Do whatever you can to keep them from closing to swiftly and avoid killing if possible. It should be an excellent time for Mulligan to use her sleep, smoke and paralysis items. Elfstan figures he will work on the mechanisms as Mulligan holds off the guards. Fely will be there to help if things go sour. He is a good fighter and excellent defensive fighter. Probably second best to Sala for disarming and parrying attacks and far stealthier.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - -
As the party enters there is already confusion as the many of men of Raj come out to greet those entering as friends. Lindar’s voice calls out in their tongue, “Stand up and say hello those foes of the necromancers and friends to the King”.
Over half of those on the rooftops do stand up. Then Mírëgol and Ithilneth sleep all but two on the right not waving and a Golden Eagle appears flying over the right appearing to cause men to become confused as he passed overhead. Most of those few still ready to shoot are slept by Deor and it leaves but 3 that Lindar appears and begins to attack. He calls out the 1st and 3rd are evil but the 2nd one is not. Haldreng charges into and seriously injures the first left on the roof; his great warhorse knocks the foe to the ground as he continues through the last man on the right. One arrow pierces his armor but them he is beating this foe with his sword and shield.
On the ground, the Dwarves each form the center of a shield wall for the three gaps with archers behind them. Rorimac, Sala, Bren, Nico, Merry and the men of Raj following split up to support the Dwarves. Ceol and Thoroncir charge down the road leading the knights. Drindoleth stays back with Hound to protect the spell casters.
A lightning bolt blasts down on Mírëgol but appears to just ground out without doing damage. The caster though starts getting shot with arrows from 2 towers. It must be Linwen’s scouts. On another tower a man in dark robes screams in pain and falls face first 35’ to the ground.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - -
There is fighting among some of the Raj defenders. There is fighting where the charge of the knights. Gil-Gandel’s song has probably done about as much as it can. What next?
"Elfstan, Fely let's go secure the gate tower." She looks round the the entrance to the tower hoping it is nearby.
The 3 stealthy ones find the gate tower door is open as some men are coming out of it to greet their friends. The three slip in invisibly. The magic detection seems to be going off full alert anyway so no longer and issue. Whatever Linwen did as overwhelmed their defenses on this front. It is short work for Elfstan to pop the lock on the door the gate mechanisms. The 3 duck in and Mulligan sees a pair of guards to deal with.
"Ok, Fely occupy and disarm the guard on the right, I'll use some sleep juice to knock out the guy on the left from behind. Elfstan make sure they don't raise the alarm."
It goes like clockwork, Just as Mulligan's knife goes in and the guard goes to sleep, Fely swiftly disarms the better armored guard and as a surprise Elfstan bops him on the head with the side of the sword and hopes for the best. Both guards are down fairly quietly and Elfstan goes to work on the gears. Spikes and his small hammer and some wire is put to quick use. Then one of the guard's swords is pounded into a strategic location. Meanwhile Fely takes a quick look at Elfstan's victim after tying and gagging him.
Mulligan sees that amid all the confusion the bit of noise they made is not a problem. Within a few minutes they are ready to move on.
"Shall we press on to find the Colonel? How long will our advantage here last?", queries Ithilneth.
Bitur suggests the shield wall and those it protects slowly and deliberately progress forward through the town.
Thoroncir is encouraged by the low casualties thus far. Of course he has no wish to harm the innocent or the ensorcelled. He will attack any who do not immediately show their friendliness, or who fail to yield to him upon command.
"Slow and deliberate progress has its place, but it might also allow our enemies time to regroup. If we keep moving fast, incapacitating enemies as quickly as we can, then we might be able to solve this quickly and avoid more bloodshed."
Rorimac will continue to provide support to the dwaves using his bow.
Now the gate is "fixed", Mulligan will lead Elfstan and Fely onto the next target.
Fely wonders, "Perhaps we three should come behind Bitur's foes from the tower. That could lead to a quick finish to that part of the battle. Would you be willing?" Elfstan looks slightly hesitant, how about Mulligan?
Near the front, is the only place the fighting is fierce and bloody. But the Knights have the upper hand as the defenders were planning for much support from the rooftops and three side alleys.
The rooftops are now clear. Lindar calls for the a little help, a few of us will try to tackle the central citadel. Haldreng grabs up Nico, Mírëgol takes up Meriadoc and Bjorn is already in the air. The 6 fly off leaving the rest to subdue the main forces.
Deor and Ithilneth each drop a sleep spell to the front making the job of the Knights simpler.
Does Gil-Gandel go to swords, bow or other magic? What does Drindoleth do? Another eye in the sky might be useful.
Mulligan replies to Fely, "Ok, Let's see what is there and if we can lend support without getting into too much trouble. Besides, we have the tower to come back to if it goes wrong. If we can lend aid and stop the fighting early, we should. Let's lock the far door first though, so no-one sneaks up behind us. The other option is to ensure the walls are clear as well. Then again, sneak attacks appeal."
Rorimac will be very careful with his bow, looking to injure and incapacitate his opponents instead of outright killing them. They can survive an arrow to the shoulder, an arrow to the chest is a little more difficult.
Ceol nods to Thoroncir, as he continues to work on ending the combat, hoping to shed as little blood as necessary.