Fantasy Tally Ho!

[Archdemon]

(Wait, we rolled a 7, that should mean our prayers are answered right? "All readers give one number each. If the roll lands on any of the numbers you give, Ethan will, die but there will be three consolation choices." I just assumed the comma was misplaced, meaning that if the roll lands on any of the numbers, Ethan will die but with three consolation choices, or was it just unfinished?)

Seems more heroic to fight to the death. If there is only one outcome, might as well take as many of the bastards with you as you can.

Seeing as I must end the tie I agree with Viper. Let's kill as many as the guys as possible before they kill us.

 

[ViciousVip3R]

Nah, not answered. Nobody gave a number 7. So, no consolation choices either since it only applied if the roll landed on one of the numbers given.

Ok, the wording and punctuation was just a bit odd. Maybe I'm just confused but now you are saying that the miracle is that Ethan will die but consolation choices are given, I guess our definition of miracles are different. :/

 

[Zer0]

Ok, the wording and punctuation was just a bit odd. Maybe I'm just confused but now you are saying that the miracle is that Ethan will die but consolation choices are given, I guess our definition of miracles are different. :/

Oh, no, the choice means if the roll lands on one of the numbers, Ethan will die, but there will be three consolation choices. Like, Ethan will die either way. Yeah, that comma after will was a mistake.

 

[ViciousVip3R]

Ah ok, thanks for clearing things up. I'll be sticking with my choice to fight to the death.

 

[Zer0]

- Howling Pass -
OOC​

Ethan roared, lunging at his foes, desperate to live. Steel clashed with steel, as with a reckless wrestle he outbalanced one and they both fell on the floor struggling against each other --- his blade pierced through a gap in the armor, into an arm pit, then slid down to the chest, just as he looked up and found himself face to face with a steel boot from above --- stars erupted in front of his eyes, as he was stomped; he grabbed on to the foot to push it away, but after one more stomp he blacked out.

"Take this fool away . . ." said muffled voices in the dark, "We'll get every ounce of knowledge he has. Find out who sent him . . ."

* * * *
​

A week had passed since Elena sent the letter. She had been expecting Ethan's reply since three days ago, but so far there had been no word from him, and she wondered if this meant he declined the king's offer . . .

" --- hey, hello!"

Elena looked up from her horse, startled out of her thoughts, as a gloved hand waved in front of her face. "Oh, pardon, Coal, you were saying?"

"I was saying, pass me the map."

Today a company of the King's spellblades were riding their horses up a snowy mountain pass. There had been complaints of bandits raiding a village, what with winter starting and all and the supply of food dwindling, that the villagers came to the king for help. Normally he wouldn't send any of his warlocks to handle such trifle, but with Elena's training coming along well, her master decided that this would be very good experience as a spellblade apprentice.

Elena rummaged her saddle for said map and handed it over to Coal, one of the warlocks she had become friends with during the past month, before drawing her fur cloak more snugly around herself against the freezing cold. She was wearing steel armor with the royal crest, a sturdy spear at her back and a shield slung across her shoulders, as she sat very much at ease on a dapple grey stallion. Her auburn hair, once long, was now short and loose, hidden inside a helmet that shone like silver just like the others in the company who rode in twos or threes on the frosty road. Her horse neighed, as their company leader and her master gave the signal to stop, then called Elena and Coal up front.

"Greenie, Burns, ride ahead and scout the land. Come back immediately if there is danger or something noteworthy to report, or return before dark." he said curtly.

"Yes, sir!" they both replied. Greenie, that's been Elena's name since she became his apprentice. Her master was a grizzled forty-year old spellblade by the name of Master Harrast, who had the steely eyes of a soldier who has seen enough battles for a life time. He had the certain, straightforward aura of someone used to giving commands and seeing his words obeyed, and he was the strictest, get-it-right-or-if-this-is-a-real-battle-you're-dead teacher Elena's ever known. It did not matter that she was a woman and was out of shape, he had her answering to him when he called her "Greenie", and running laps until she was crawling on the first day. She had to make her bed, polish her armor, and stack her clothes the way he wanted her to, or she was punished and made to cast spells until her manna ran out and she had chest pains. Now it was second nature to her to just obey him without question nor hesitation, and off she and Coal galloped, not once looking back, as they entered a narrow passageway that left the main road and into what locals called, The Howling Pass.


[1] - Focus on scouting. (Intelligence + Knowledge Success = Must roll 14 or higher.)

[2] - Get to know Coal better.

[3] - Look for a monster to fight. Gotta test these new battle skills. (Dexterity + Cavalry Combat Success = Must roll 14 or higher.)

[4] - Climb up the cliff-like walls to get a lay of the land from a good vantage point. (Strength Success = Must roll 14 or higher )

[5] - ? (Readers feel free to control Elena)

- Elena Goodhart -
Health: 6/6 | Manna: 10/10 | Armor: 8
Condition: Healthy​

Spoiler: Stats

Spells Learned:

Spoiler

"Sentinel" || 2 Mp. Wards an area for 2 hours. An alarm against intrusion that warns Elena either mentally or audibly if something as large as a dog or bigger enters or touches the area. Those who speak the password do not trigger the alarm. Limit: 100 m. diameter.

"Protego" || 2 Mp. +4 Armor for one round or six seconds. A deflecting shield charm.

"Detect Magic" || 1 Mp. Sense magical wards, arcane vibes from items, people, and areas where recent arcane spells have been cast.

Sleep || Mp 3. Knocks a target out for a couple of hours.

"Chain Lightning" || 3 Mp. 4 dmg. Upon rolling an even number, lightning arcs and strikes next nearest opponent. This spell creates a very loud thunder.

Attributes:

• Intelligence: 4
• Strength: 2
• Dexterity: 2

Qualities:

• Photographic Memory: +2 Knowledge
• Soft Spoken: +2 Persuasion
• Loves Food: +2 Cooking
• Wary Sleeper: Enemies have a -1 penalty when trying to attack Elena in her sleep.
• Cavalry Combat I: +1 to spear, sword, axe, javelin, and horseback riding mastery. Allows Elena to wear heavy armor.

Drawbacks:

• Clumsy: -1 Stealth
• Wolf Scar: A bite mark from the top of her nose to underneath her chin. Makes her easily identifiable.

Spoiler: Gear

Money: 1 silver, 30 coppers

Weapons:

Main Hand: - Steel spear, total damage 5​

Off-hand: - Wooden shield​

Strength damage bonus: +2​

Armor:

Head: Steel Helm, +1 armor​

Torso: Chainmail Armor, +3 armor​

Legs: Steel Greaves, +1 armor​

Hands: Steel Gauntlets, +1 armor​

​

Dexterity armor bonus: +2​

Accessories:

Trinket I: -​

Trinket II: -​

Backpack: Soldier's Bags

1. Coin Pouch
2. Parchment
3. Quill and Ink
4. Book on local flora and fauna
5. Book of intermediate spells
6. One-handed axe
7. Dagger
8. Rations and waterskin (4 days)

 

[ViciousVip3R]

Based on the description of Elena's master, I think we should follow his orders. It will be more trouble for us if we don't. Let's just scout ahead.

1.

(Also willing to amend my choice to talking to Coal if any of you feel strongly about that)

 

[official clown business]

Better just get to scouting, since that's where most of our strengths lie. Don't see why we need to spend our time doing anything else, though there is plenty of time in the day to consider talking to Coal for a bit.

 

[Zer0]

- Elena Goodhart -
" CaravelVillage "​

The two crossed the narrow passages in single file, their horses' hooves crunching on the deep snow. This pass was commonly tread by those who live in the mountains, but it seems no one has come this way recently, for the frost was untouched.

It was very quiet.

They heard booming trumpeting calls, and Elena, who was riding up front raised a fist, signalling to halt. With a backward glance at Coal who nodded, the two dismounted their horses, then carefully crept forward to the end of the passageway, where what sounded like giants were stomping about, shaking the ground.

"Still as clumsy as always." chuckled Coal, surprised, when Elena suddenly slipped and flailed, slapping a hand on the cliff side and ending up in a split. "Are you practicing for the winter festival, Elena?" he whispered, sniggering, as she straightened herself up.

Elena laughed a little. "Why, yes I am, Coal." she said gracefully, a little redder around her cheeks that were pink from the cold. "I am going to dance and do a split." she whispered, stepping on the snow instead of the hard frosty areas now.

"You jest."

"I am very serious." said Elena, giving him her most serious face. "Care to bet?"

Coal raised an eyebrow. "Very well! If you do not do a split on the festival, you will have to drink firewhisky . . . through my sock."

Elena pulled a face. "That is disgusting!"

Coal laughed. "Well, if you are going to do as you say it shouldn't be a problem."

"Alright then, Coal, I will take you on, but if I do make a split . . ."

​

[1] - " . . . you will drink firewhisky, through Allen's sock." Allen was a farmer who picked floral alchemical ingredients from the hills, then delivered it to the castle. He spends a lot of time hiking and does not bathe for days at a time.​

​

[2] - " . . . you will treat me to all the winter festival stalls." All those magical prizes one can win and the exotic food from visiting merchants ~ Elena shall taste them all!​

​

[3] - ". . . you will kiss the first person who meets us when we return to the castle from the festival." Hopefully it's someone stiff and imposing. Like Master Harrast.​

​

[4] - ? (Readers feel free to write your bet)​

After shaking on their challenge, Elena peeked from behind the rock, spear and shield at the ready, and beheld woolly mammoths knocking down trees to get at the bark that they eat for winter. It was a big herd, and striding among the shaggy beasts, were two giants taller than two-storey houses. They had mismatched teeth, boulder like heads, thick skin and legs like thick stubby tree trunks. Their skins were a dark blue and they wore great mammoth-fur clothes with tusked skulls on their shoulders. They dragged behind them clubs that were literally entire pine trees, the branches cut off and replaced with wicked spikes.

"No wonder no one's come this way." said Elena, watching the scene in awe. "They're beautiful." she said, gazing at the mammoths. It was her first time seeing them.

"Glad to know your type." sniggered Coal, who was looking at the giants. "Come on, let's look for another way."

After a few hours of scouting out the passages, they found a longer route around the giants and their mammoth herd that could lead to the village. And they returned to the spellblade company close to lunch time without any incident.

"Good work." said Master Harrast gruffly. "Everyone, we'll eat on the road. Let's move out!" he barked at the spellblades, and off they went at an easy trot through the narrow pass.

They arrived in the mountain village around sunset, cold and their horses tired, but they were welcomed warmly by the elders and the people, and were invited into their village hall, where they declined any food the villagers offered, insisting they keep it for themselves, and cooked their own dinner --- with Elena being the head chef of course.

Surprisingly not a lot of the spellblades knew how to cook a hearty shepherd's pie over a fire, nor roast a goose to crispy perfection. When they learned Elena can cook and that she made a mean kidney and steak pie, she's been cooking for her friends who'd chip in gold so they could buy good ingredients and make something nice. And it was over a spread of five roasted goose --- salted and preserved in a sack that they carried up the mountain --- and a piping hot stew of barley, mushrooms, and thyme that the village elders told the company about what's been going on.

Spoiler: Dice Roll for Scouting

- Elena Goodhart -
Health: 6/6 | Manna: 10/10 | Armor: 8
Condition: Healthy​

Spoiler: Stats

Spells Learned:

Spoiler

"Sentinel" || 2 Mp. Wards an area for 2 hours. An alarm against intrusion that warns Elena either mentally or audibly if something as large as a dog or bigger enters or touches the area. Those who speak the password do not trigger the alarm. Limit: 100 m. diameter.

"Protego" || 2 Mp. +4 Armor for one round or six seconds. A deflecting shield charm.

"Detect Magic" || 1 Mp. Sense magical wards, arcane vibes from items, people, and areas where recent arcane spells have been cast.

Sleep || Mp 3. Knocks a target out for a couple of hours.

"Chain Lightning" || 3 Mp. 4 dmg. Upon rolling an even number, lightning arcs and strikes next nearest opponent. This spell creates a very loud thunder.

Attributes:

• Intelligence: 4
• Strength: 2
• Dexterity: 2

Qualities:

• Photographic Memory: +2 Knowledge
• Soft Spoken: +2 Persuasion
• Loves Food: +2 Cooking
• Wary Sleeper: Enemies have a -1 penalty when trying to attack Elena in her sleep.
• Cavalry Combat I: +1 to spear, sword, axe, javelin, and horseback riding mastery. Allows Elena to wear heavy armor.

Drawbacks:

• Clumsy: -1 Stealth
• Wolf Scar: A bite mark from the top of her nose to underneath her chin. Makes her easily identifiable.

Spoiler: Gear

Money: 1 silver, 30 coppers

Weapons:

Main Hand: - Steel spear, total damage 5​

Off-hand: - Wooden shield​

Strength damage bonus: +2​

Armor:

Head: Steel Helm, +1 armor​

Torso: Chainmail Armor, +3 armor​

Legs: Steel Greaves, +1 armor​

Hands: Steel Gauntlets, +1 armor​

​

Dexterity armor bonus: +2​

Accessories:

Trinket I: -​

Trinket II: -​

Backpack: Soldier's Bags

1. Coin Pouch
2. Parchment
3. Quill and Ink
4. Book on local flora and fauna
5. Book of intermediate spells
6. One-handed axe
7. Dagger
8. Rations and waterskin (4 days)

 

[ViciousVip3R]

There's nothing except maybe some temporary mirth to be gained from making him drink from the sock, I prefer to be more practical: free food and prizes sound about right to me

2.

 

[official clown business]

Oh, man. The winter festival stalls? The prizes? The food? I'm not really crazy about the other options, and I can already taste that food, so you better believe it's going to be number 2.

 

[Archdemon]

2. Is my choice

 

[Zer0]

- Elena Goodhart -
" Caravel Village "​

Still happy that she practically got herself a free pass to the winter festival, Elena hummed as she sat at the long dining table with the other spellblades, enjoying her piping hot dinner, and spent a good time just savoring the steaming stew.

"The last raid was three days ago," said one of the village elders, "came down to our pastures where our llama herds graze and got into a tussle with our shepherd boys. Only one came back, the rest, well . . ."

The other elders' expressions became grim. "That was the fourth raid." continued the elder. "They made off with half the herd before we arrived. That's eight families now who will be struggling this winter." he shook his head. "If you can get our llamas back alive too, that would help immensely."

"We'll do what we can." said Master Harrast. After the elders showed them a map of the mountains and where the raider's hideout was, the spellblades went to sleep early that night, except for Elena who stayed up a bit longer, talking to the elders about how the raiders' previous attacks went and how they did battle. Better to know her enemies before she faces them tomorrow. She also asked if there was a way to talk to them in surrendering peacefully. She's never killed a person, and she hoped she didn't have to tomorrow.

Before finally going to sleep, she had one more thing to do . . .

​

[1] - One mammoth can feed the entire village for a good while, though giants are no easy foes. The matriarch of the mammoth herd would fight them too if they hunted one of the mammoths. But this would solve the food problem. If they killed two, maybe it would even make the bandits leave the village alone. They could bribe them with food. Talk to Master Harrast about this plan. (Persuasion success = must roll 16 or higher)​

​

[2] - Talk to Master Harrast about not hurting anyone unless they had to, and also for Elena to lead a small group to infiltrate, capture and talk to the leader of the raiders to make them surrender. (Persuasion success = must roll 14 or higher)​

​

[3] - Nothing. Go to sleep.​

​

[4] - ? (Readers feel free to control Elena)​

​

- Elena Goodhart -
Health: 6/6 | Manna: 10/10 | Armor: 8
Condition: Healthy​

Spoiler: Stats

Spells Learned:

Spoiler

"Sentinel" || 2 Mp. Wards an area for 2 hours. An alarm against intrusion that warns Elena either mentally or audibly if something as large as a dog or bigger enters or touches the area. Those who speak the password do not trigger the alarm. Limit: 100 m. diameter.

"Protego" || 2 Mp. +4 Armor for one round or six seconds. A deflecting shield charm.

"Detect Magic" || 1 Mp. Sense magical wards, arcane vibes from items, people, and areas where recent arcane spells have been cast.

Sleep || Mp 3. Knocks a target out for a couple of hours.

"Chain Lightning" || 3 Mp. 4 dmg. Upon rolling an even number, lightning arcs and strikes next nearest opponent. This spell creates a very loud thunder.

Attributes:

• Intelligence: 4
• Strength: 2
• Dexterity: 2

Qualities:

• Photographic Memory: +2 Knowledge
• Soft Spoken: +2 Persuasion
• Loves Food: +2 Cooking
• Wary Sleeper: Enemies have a -1 penalty when trying to attack Elena in her sleep.
• Cavalry Combat I: +1 to spear, sword, axe, javelin, and horseback riding mastery. Allows Elena to wear heavy armor.

Drawbacks:

• Clumsy: -1 Stealth
• Wolf Scar: A bite mark from the top of her nose to underneath her chin. Makes her easily identifiable.

Spoiler: Gear

Money: 1 silver, 30 coppers

Weapons:

Main Hand: - Steel spear, total damage 5​

Off-hand: - Wooden shield​

Strength damage bonus: +2​

Armor:

Head: Steel Helm, +1 armor​

Torso: Chainmail Armor, +3 armor​

Legs: Steel Greaves, +1 armor​

Hands: Steel Gauntlets, +1 armor​

​

Dexterity armor bonus: +2​

Accessories:

Trinket I: -​

Trinket II: -​

Backpack: Soldier's Bags

1. Coin Pouch
2. Parchment
3. Quill and Ink
4. Book on local flora and fauna
5. Book of intermediate spells
6. One-handed axe
7. Dagger
8. Rations and waterskin (4 days)

 

[ViciousVip3R]

Yeah, let's try and lead a mission. It will be a good learning experience and show them what we are capable of.

2.

 

[Archdemon]

2. Don't think we're ready for mammoth sized stuff yet.

 

[official clown business]

Mammoths, huh? Don't want to bother with the wildlife right now.
An infiltration, though? If we don't have to take any lives then 2 is the option we want. Surely Harrast would agree.

 

[Zer0]

- Elena Goodhart -
" Bandit Hideout "​

Taking a deep breath, Elena knocked on the door of the one room in the village hall where Master Harrast was staying, aware that a couple of spell blades who were sleeping in the hall were watching her. "Master, permission to speak to you about tomorrow?"

"Come in." said her master's voice.

The room was spartan, just a wooden bed of straw and fur, a simple table, two chairs, and a wooden carving of the Moon Goddess hanging on the wall were the decorations inside. Master Harrast sat behind the table reviewing a map of the mountain while a mug of something hot steamed beside him; his armor and shield lay neatly on the second chair, while his weapon, a spear encrusted with emeralds leaned on the wall beside him.

"What is it, Elena?" he said, looking up from the map.

Elena stood in sharp attention. She was so different from the librarian she used to be. "Sir, to avoid bloodshed, allow me to infiltrate the hideout with three others and capture their leader to convince him to surrender."

Master Harrast looked at her for a moment, and took a sip from his mug. He didn't look like he agreed to that plan. "No. As the elders said there are around thirty to forty raider inside who've been at the business of ransacking villages for years, while you, you are clumsy and inexperienced." he said bluntly. Her hurt must have shown a little, because then he added. "I'm not trying to put you down, Elena, I'm stating the facts. Four against forty, there's a large chance one of our comrades will get killed. Tell me honestly, why are you suggesting this and not have someone more experienced lead?"

" . . . T-to prove myself, sir." admitted Elena.

"That's the spirit." said Master Harrast standing up. Elena looked up hopefully. "Your initiative is good, but this plan, according to what I've seen you do in training this past month, has a high chance of getting your comrade killed." he held her shoulder. "Do not ever bring your comrades to possible risk just to prove yourself." he said very seriously.

Elena felt her face burn with shame. "Yes, sir. B-but I honestly meant the bloodshed part. I've never killed anyone, and I've experienced hunger. Maybe if we give them food they'll stop."

"And when the food runs out, what then?"

" . . . S-so tomorrow, I-I'm going to have to kill a man?"

"Yes. That's why I chose you to be in this mission. Call it an initiation if you will." said Master Harrast, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before letting go. "You know what it's like, you've been attacked before. It's either you or him."

"But this is different, I have a choice to talk before taking someone's life."

Master Harrast gave her a look as though he thought her pitifully naive. "Do as you wish, but you are not putting any of my spellblades in danger. You will not be sneaking in either, goodness knows we don't need a hostage situation."

Elena felt looked down on again, but it just made her more determined to prove her master wrong, but there was a finality to his voice. And grudgingly she said, " Yes, sir . . ." and went to bed feeling, well, a little discouraged.

* * * *​

The next day found the spellblades huddled together in the cave in the mountains as they waited for two of their comrades to come back from scouting. Elena had been thinking of the plan their master had discussed just minutes ago. Because it was winter, there was a general lack of food everywhere, that meant no bringing prisoners to the city jail, since prisoners will just eat the food stored up by the king --- a waste to his eyes when it can be given to honest, hardworking folk --- and so, all criminals were to be killed.

​

[1] - Sneak away alone and talk to the bandits to convince them to surrender and live an honest life. (1d20+ Intelligence + Soft Spoken success = must roll a total of 18 or higher)​

​

[2] - Go into battle with the others. (1d20 + Dexterity + Cavalry Combat success = must roll a total of 14 or higher)​

​

[3] - ? (Readers feel free to control Elena)​

​

Spoiler: Dice Roll for Persuasion

- Elena Goodhart -
Health: 6/6 | Manna: 10/10 | Armor: 8
Condition: Healthy​

Spoiler: Stats

Spells Learned:

Spoiler

"Sentinel" || 2 Mp. Wards an area for 2 hours. An alarm against intrusion that warns Elena either mentally or audibly if something as large as a dog or bigger enters or touches the area. Those who speak the password do not trigger the alarm. Limit: 100 m. diameter.

"Protego" || 2 Mp. +4 Armor for one round or six seconds. A deflecting shield charm.

"Detect Magic" || 1 Mp. Sense magical wards, arcane vibes from items, people, and areas where recent arcane spells have been cast.

Sleep || Mp 3. Knocks a target out for a couple of hours.

"Chain Lightning" || 3 Mp. 4 dmg. Upon rolling an even number, lightning arcs and strikes next nearest opponent. This spell creates a very loud thunder.

Attributes:

• Intelligence: 4
• Strength: 2
• Dexterity: 2

Qualities:

• Photographic Memory: +2 Knowledge
• Soft Spoken: +2 Persuasion
• Loves Food: +2 Cooking
• Wary Sleeper: Enemies have a -1 penalty when trying to attack Elena in her sleep.
• Cavalry Combat I: +1 to spear, sword, axe, javelin, and horseback riding mastery. Allows Elena to wear heavy armor.

Drawbacks:

• Clumsy: -1 Stealth
• Wolf Scar: A bite mark from the top of her nose to underneath her chin. Makes her easily identifiable.

Spoiler: Gear

Money: 1 silver, 30 coppers

Weapons:

Main Hand: - Steel spear, total damage 5​

Off-hand: - Wooden shield​

Strength damage bonus: +2​

Armor:

Head: Steel Helm, +1 armor​

Torso: Chainmail Armor, +3 armor​

Legs: Steel Greaves, +1 armor​

Hands: Steel Gauntlets, +1 armor​

​

Dexterity armor bonus: +2​

Accessories:

Trinket I: -​

Trinket II: -​

Backpack: Soldier's Bags

1. Coin Pouch
2. Parchment
3. Quill and Ink
4. Book on local flora and fauna
5. Book of intermediate spells
6. One-handed axe
7. Dagger
8. Rations and waterskin (4 days)

 

[ViciousVip3R]

We advance and retreat with our allies. Time to fight!

2.

 

[official clown business]

I know there is an update coming super soon and I've forgotten to vote for some reason but that's okay because I'm in agreement with Vip3R's decision, even though I don't really have the time to come up with a good reason right now. I merely believe the time for diplomacy has passed now, and at this point we don't want to take any unnecessary risks if they can be avoided. So, to battle it is! (2)

 

[Zer0]

- Elena Goodhart -
" Bandit Hideout "​

Elena decided that she didn't want to take any unnecessary risks and made up her mind to advance with her friends.

The two scouts returned, and they told everyone all they observed. They sketched out a rough map of the fort and Master Harrast encouraged everyone to contribute to the plan, asking questions to test the spellblades tactics and the reasoning behind them, until finally they arrived at a plan.

It began with Elena and two others casting their shielding charms on everyone, then crawling as close to the fort as possible so that she can cast her Detect Magic spell. "No warlocks, good." she signaled the others, and then came the barrage of spells like a slap in the face good morning!

Fireballs the size of garden sheds rained down from the mountain top, shooting out of Coal's white hot spell circle; as the bandit fort erupted in chaos. The others took this opportunity to charge.

Elena waited for the cavalry to leap through the barricade, before whistling for her horse and joining the fray. Death cries filled the air as the blows of the raiders fell uselessly on the shielded spellblades. Couching her spear, her horse galloped for a formation of archers, and she caught a man by the shoulder as he leapt away. The blow sent him spinning like a top then falling hard on the stones. Elena gritted her teeth. She's doing this so that they won't raid the village or anyone for that matter anymore, she kept telling herself, but she couldn't bear to snuff him out and ended up bashing him with her shield on her second pass --- he didn't get up again.

They cleared the outer courtyard, then burst through the barricaded doors of the fort where crossbowmen have been shooting through the windows. Everyone knew how long the spells last and how much damage they can take. Three more minutes and they wear off --- they have to be careful now. The raiders may have set traps.

They seemed to be at the upper floors for there was no one down below. There were hasty barricades set up everywhere, but one area seemed flimsily made. There was a door here, and suddenly, a portion of a big eye looked through the keyhole at the spellblades

[1] - Move away from the door and warn the others.​

​

[2] - Talk to this creature. (1d20 + Intelligence + Soft spoken success = must roll 18 or higher)​

​

[3] - Cast Chain lightning! (-3 manna, 1d20 + Intelligence + Knowledge success = must roll 12 or higher)​

​

[3] - ? (Readers feel free to control Elena)​

​

Spoiler: Dice Roll for Battle

- Elena Goodhart -
Health: 6/6 | Manna: 7/10 | Armor: 8
Condition: Healthy​

Spoiler: Stats

Spells Learned:

Spoiler

"Sentinel" || 2 Mp. Wards an area for 2 hours. An alarm against intrusion that warns Elena either mentally or audibly if something as large as a dog or bigger enters or touches the area. Those who speak the password do not trigger the alarm. Limit: 100 m. diameter.

"Protego" || 2 Mp. +4 Armor for one round or six seconds. A deflecting shield charm.

"Detect Magic" || 1 Mp. Sense magical wards, arcane vibes from items, people, and areas where recent arcane spells have been cast.

Sleep || Mp 3. Knocks a target out for a couple of hours.

"Chain Lightning" || 3 Mp. 4 dmg. Upon rolling an even number, lightning arcs and strikes next nearest opponent. This spell creates a very loud thunder.

Attributes:

• Intelligence: 4
• Strength: 2
• Dexterity: 2

Qualities:

• Photographic Memory: +2 Knowledge
• Soft Spoken: +2 Persuasion
• Loves Food: +2 Cooking
• Wary Sleeper: Enemies have a -1 penalty when trying to attack Elena in her sleep.
• Cavalry Combat I: +1 to spear, sword, axe, javelin, and horseback riding mastery. Allows Elena to wear heavy armor.

Drawbacks:

• Clumsy: -1 Stealth
• Wolf Scar: A bite mark from the top of her nose to underneath her chin. Makes her easily identifiable.

Spoiler: Gear

Money: 1 silver, 30 coppers

Weapons:

Main Hand: - Steel spear, total damage 5​

Off-hand: - Wooden shield​

Strength damage bonus: +2​

Armor:

Head: Steel Helm, +1 armor​

Torso: Chainmail Armor, +3 armor​

Legs: Steel Greaves, +1 armor​

Hands: Steel Gauntlets, +1 armor​

​

Dexterity armor bonus: +2​

Accessories:

Trinket I: -​

Trinket II: -​

Backpack: Soldier's Bags

1. Coin Pouch
2. Parchment
3. Quill and Ink
4. Book on local flora and fauna
5. Book of intermediate spells
6. One-handed axe
7. Dagger
8. Rations and waterskin (4 days)

 

[official clown business]

It's probably a beholder or something, but I don't think Elena spent enough time studying otherworldly creatures to figure that out.
Now that I think about it, though, that could actually be a security system of some sort. Either way, if we're not careful, these guys may get the drop on us.

At any rate, though, I figure speech is out of the option, especially since it's got quite the difficulty here.
Chain Lightning? Well, that door is the main barrier between the spellblades and our currently unknown foe, so we shouldn't blast it open quite yet.

Risks are fun and all, but we've gotta play it safe with what we know. There's plenty of time to consider this decision (since I don't think anyone's getting attacked through a keyhole), so Elena can just take a few steps back and let the others know there's a threat behind this flimsily-barricaded area.

 

[ViciousVip3R]

It's probably a beholder or something, but I don't think Elena spent enough time studying otherworldly creatures to figure that out.
Now that I think about it, though, that could actually be a security system of some sort. Either way, if we're not careful, these guys may get the drop on us.

At any rate, though, I figure speech is out of the option, especially since it's got quite the difficulty here.
Chain Lightning? Well, that door is the main barrier between the spellblades and our currently unknown foe, so we shouldn't blast it open quite yet.

Risks are fun and all, but we've gotta play it safe with what we know. There's plenty of time to consider this decision (since I don't think anyone's getting attacked through a keyhole), so Elena can just take a few steps back and let the others know there's a threat behind this flimsily-barricaded area.

I agree.

1.

 

[Zer0]

- Elena Goodhart -
" Bandit Hideout "​

"There's something with a giant eye in here!" said Elena, backtracking immediately, shield overhead to protect herself from the barrage of arrows from the second floor ---- one of them whizzed pass her arm, clanging on her gauntlet. Her arcane armor has wore off.

Master Harrast barked orders and the spellblades split into two. He and the older warlocks formed a shield phalanx, spears sticking out like a sea urchins to face whatever giant might come out of that door, while he yelled at Elena to take charge of the others and raid the upper floors. "You take care of your comrades." he said, loud and stern. " You help each other finish this mission!"

Elena had a split-second moment of surprise, bewildered and honored that he trusted her with this. "Y-yes, sir!" said Elena determinedly, and suddenly felt the weight and responsibility of being a protective leader.

They charged up the steps, shield up, Coal throwing fireballs to scatter the raider's hunkered down formations, until they got close and steel clashed with steel. About the guilt of killing a man, all that flew away from Elena's mind as all her world was reduced to surviving and helping the comrade next to her; all around them the noise was loud, but she could hear cries of: "Release him!"; "Set it loose!"; "Move! Get out of the way!"

"It's coming!" yelled Master Harrast from down below.

A tremendous earthquake rocked the tower as a booming roar filled the air. There was a crash and a door came flying across the lower floor and smashed right into the phalanx, knocking the forward defenders backwards to their fellows --- "Giant!" --- jets of frost bolts were hurled forward as a giant hand stretched out and swiped half the room away against the wall. It cracked.

The tower rocked, groaning ominously, as the floor began to tilt.

[1] - Command spellblades to stay and fight the giant while it's still hampered by the cramp tower. (1d20+ dexterity + cavalry combat success = must roll a total of 18 or higher)​

​

[2] - Command spellblades to stay and finish off the raiders, no one escapes! (1d20 + dexterity + cavalry combat success = must roll a total of 15 or higher.)​

​

[3] - This tower is going to fall. Get out. (1d20 + dexterity success = must roll a total of 13 or higher.)​

​

[4] - ? (Readers feel free to control Elena)​

​

- Elena Goodhart -
Health: 6/6 | Manna: 7/10 | Armor: 8
Condition: Healthy​

Spoiler: Stats

Spells Learned:

Spoiler

"Sentinel" || 2 Mp. Wards an area for 2 hours. An alarm against intrusion that warns Elena either mentally or audibly if something as large as a dog or bigger enters or touches the area. Those who speak the password do not trigger the alarm. Limit: 100 m. diameter.

"Protego" || 2 Mp. +4 Armor for one round or six seconds. A deflecting shield charm.

"Detect Magic" || 1 Mp. Sense magical wards, arcane vibes from items, people, and areas where recent arcane spells have been cast.

Sleep || Mp 3. Knocks a target out for a couple of hours.

"Chain Lightning" || 3 Mp. 4 dmg. Upon rolling an even number, lightning arcs and strikes next nearest opponent. This spell creates a very loud thunder.

Attributes:

• Intelligence: 4
• Strength: 2
• Dexterity: 2

Qualities:

• Photographic Memory: +2 Knowledge
• Soft Spoken: +2 Persuasion
• Loves Food: +2 Cooking
• Wary Sleeper: Enemies have a -1 penalty when trying to attack Elena in her sleep.
• Cavalry Combat I: +1 to spear, sword, axe, javelin, and horseback riding mastery. Allows Elena to wear heavy armor.

Drawbacks:

• Clumsy: -1 Stealth
• Wolf Scar: A bite mark from the top of her nose to underneath her chin. Makes her easily identifiable.

Spoiler: Gear

Money: 1 silver, 30 coppers

Weapons:

Main Hand: - Steel spear, total damage 5​

Off-hand: - Wooden shield​

Strength damage bonus: +2​

Armor:

Head: Steel Helm, +1 armor​

Torso: Chainmail Armor, +3 armor​

Legs: Steel Greaves, +1 armor​

Hands: Steel Gauntlets, +1 armor​

​

Dexterity armor bonus: +2​

Accessories:

Trinket I: -​

Trinket II: -​

Backpack: Soldier's Bags

1. Coin Pouch
2. Parchment
3. Quill and Ink
4. Book on local flora and fauna
5. Book of intermediate spells
6. One-handed axe
7. Dagger
8. Rations and waterskin (4 days)

 

[ViciousVip3R]

I like the sound of 2.

(I wish I could give a more detailed explanation, but I've been pretty busy so this will have to suffice.)