Keep Hope Alive

[Dracos]

Dracos takes advantage of the fact he has the endurence of the gods at the moment, staying as close to the point of the wedge as he can manage, his blade sweeping forth as he shouts encouragement when he can, though saving most of his breath for the battle at hand.

Dracos
who awkwardly writes out of battle time ^^;

[Brian]

You lose track in the blur of battle ... you're not even certain you killed a single enemy, but you know you've wounded and stunned more than you can count, and the rest of the wedge formation further back probably finished them off.

In short order, the wedge reaches the end of its charge -- an earthen maze that's been build between the keep and the approach to it.  Any way to the side would run through the great, fire-filled moat.  The dreadmarch has been warded away from the center of the field, routed to the sides, where they're likely to rally.  A charge might keep them from reorienting themselves, but it would leave the women and children vunlerable ... and you've still to navigate the maze.

[Dracos]

"Pikesman, cover our sides!"  Dracos quickly analyzes the maze trying to figure out if they could get through.

Dracos

[Brian]

As you halt to look at it, it wavers and collapses, leaving you at one end of a field with the general in the middle.

[Dracos]

"TO VICTORY!"  Dracos charges onward, trying to build momentum as he heads towards the general, sword ready to either block or strike as he closes on the ogre.

Dracos

[Brian]

The field is clear except for you, your enemy, and some allies from the other side of the field who are also charging the general.

[Brian]

A glowing circle of power surrounds the entire field, starting just before the storm-riders, and ending just before the pikemen.  Inside this circle are: Phil, Bjorn, Lammermore, Breke, and the general.  Ahead of you, you can see an arrow (fired by who?) bounce off the edge of the field.  Nathan looks distraught, and smashes his glowing blade against it, but to no avail.

[Brian]

Dracos now moves from Keep Hope Alive to Crossfire Sequence.

[Brian]

<Brian> Okay.  The scene is thus:
<Brian> Phil has just pushed ahead of you, and is now sealed in a magically locked arena with Bjorn, some guy who's got chains on his arms, an Archon, and the Dreadmarch general.  For what it's worth, this Archon is pretty dead-set on killing the Dreadmarch.
<Rez> OK. This is good.
<Rez> Hm.
<Rez> Does it look much like the Archon we saw leading the dreadmarch?
<Brian> Not at all.
<Brian> Alec is nearby, and you've got two defensive lines with all the women and children in the middle.  The way forward is blocked, and you're surrounded by enemies.
<Rez> "Leave me with the hard stuff, will he . . . bastard."
<Brian> Since the defensive lines are maintaining their position (the storm-riders are not willing to risk their families), the Dreadmarch is rallying to the west and the east.
<Rez> Archers, pikeorcs . . . and reading for a charge, or . . . ?
<Brian> Alec looks really edgy.  "This is it," he says, baring his teeth and preparing for the tide of the Dreadmarch to break on the defensive Storm-rider formations.  Eagle-clan bowmen are trying to pick out leaders, but the tide continues anyway.
<Brian> The majority of the orcs are armed with random weapons, no real theme to them.
<Rez> As long as they ain't massing to rain arrows on us just yet.
<Rez> Is Liandral around, actually?
<Brian> A little bit behind you, but yes.
Rez waves to get Liandral's attention, and calls to everyone in the vincinity. "Keep an eye out for archers - if you see any start massing, YELL. These wretches are nothing before our blades!"
<Brian> The tide rushes.  At your point in the defensive line, it quickly becomes you, Alec, and Liandral in a sea of enemy.  You're surrounded by orcs, but see something (don't have the time to make out what, exactly), approaching that's bigger, but not as wide as most ogres.
<Rez> How far away is it?
<Brian> I'll probably reach you in a few seconds, actually.
<Brian> We're at segment 0 right now, the orcs don't have actions because they just charged, but all of the defenders do.
Rez will keep hacking down orcs, but try to keep an action hel-aha.
<Rez> I hold my action until segment 3.
<Brian> Okay.  Alec tries a sweep on two of the nearby orcs.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> And is successful.
<Brian> roll 2#2d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2#2d6 --> [ 2d6=2 ]{2}, [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> Pushes one of the orcs around, and draws some blood from the others.
<Brian> Liandral drops his bow -- his right fist is glowing -- and punches at one of the nearby orcs.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
Drac-away is now known as Dracos
<Brian> roll 6d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 6d6 --> [ 6d6=23 ]{23}
<Brian> The orc looks undamaged, but is completely knocked out.
<Brian> Segment three, speed 4s, and those with held actions can act.
<Rez> Do we -have- a speed 4? :)
<Brian> No.
<Rez> In that case, I'll sweep two orcs!
<Brian> Make your roll.
<Rez> roll 2#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2#3d6 --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}, [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Two hits.
<Brian> Roll your damage (twice).
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : your damage (twice). --> error: malformed expression
<Rez> roll 2#2d6+1
<Brian> roll 2#3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2#3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}, [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Arm (unarmored) and chest (armored) respectively.
<Brian> Both of your targets go down, and you can roll your transfer one time.
<Rez> Knife through butter.
<Rez> roll 4d6 for transferance!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 4d6 for transferance! --> [ 4d6=17 ]{17}
<Brian> The orc goes down, his armor puffing into dust as he hits the snow.
<Brian> Segment 4, your large and ugly friend approaches.
<Rez> How large, and how ugly?
<Rez> ;)
<Brian> You appear to be facing some huge, armored, humanoid lizard.  It's standing erect, rather like a person, except with a stubby tail that hangs down to about his knees (which is half-armored).
<Brian> It's greenish white, what you can see of its scales, and its eyes are spaced oddly -- on the sides of its head instead of at front.  You imagine its field of vision covers whats in front of it, as it's bearing down on YOU pretty accurately....
<Brian> Weapon of choice appears to be a mace, looks like it's black iron; completely non-reflective.
Rez narrows his eyes.
<Brian> It moves to club you with this heavy-looking hulk of black metal.
Rez brings his blade up to block.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your block roll.
<Brian> roll 3d6 to hit
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 to hit --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Rez> roll 3d6 to block!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 to block! --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> You do not block.
<Brian> roll 7#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 7#1d6 --> [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> You take 6 body, 25 Stun, and only half of your defenses apply.
<Brian> (This is NORMAL damage.)
<Brian> You take 18 STUN and are Dazed.
<Brian> Liandral is swept away from you in the tide of other baddies.
<Brian> Alec takes a swing at the armored and scaly thing.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=17 ]{17}
<Brian> Fails to come close, but at least doesn't hit you.  Or himself.
<Brian> Segment 8, speed 3s.
<Brian> Dex order, our scaly friend goes first.
<Brian> And tries to hit Alec.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Alec aborts to dodge.
<Brian> Nathan recovers from being Dazed.
<Brian> Segment 12, the scaly guy goes after Alec again.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Hits.
<Brian> roll 7#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 7#1d6 --> [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> Alec's arm is smacked, right on the armored sleeve.  He yelps in pain, and is staggered (Dazed) but does not drop his weapon.
<Brian> Rez: Your action.
Rez hefts his weapon, steps forward, and chops downwards at the lizard - haymaker.
<Brian> Post segment 12, everyone gets a recovery.
<Brian> Segment 1, speed 12s, and those with extended actions.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for eat this!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for eat this! --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> That is a hit.
<Brian> roll your damage
<Rez> roll 3d6+1d3 for eat it raw!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6+1d3 for eat it raw! --> [ 3d6=10 1d3=1 ]{11}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> Arms.
<Brian> Which are armored.  Roll transfer.
<Rez> roll 4d6 for Shatterbelt?
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 4d6 for Shatterbelt? --> [ 4d6=16 ]{16}
<Brian> His armor is sundered, and you now have the dubious honor of fighting a surprised (and naked) lizard-man/troll thing.  The cut you inflicted on his arm is already healing.
<Brian> Segment 4, speed 3s.
<Brian> He knows his enemy now, and raises his mace to attack you.
Rez attempts to block again.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Rez> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=18 ]{18}
<Brian> You fail to block, and in fact, nearly drop your magical glowing sword.  You get the distinct impression that the only reason you didn't drop it is because it didn't WANT you to drop it.
<Brian> roll 7#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 7#1d6 --> [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}
<Brian> Take 7 body, 17 Stun, normal damage (1/2 your defenses apply).
<Brian> Segment 6, Alec recovers.
<Brian> Segment 8, speed 3s go.
<Brian> Lizard-man first.
<Brian> Who attempts to smite his arch-nemesis, that destroyer of armor: Nathan.
Rez whirls his blade around in an attempt to block - again!
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=17 ]{17}
<Rez> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> You didn't really need to try and block that shot....
<Brian> Roll transfer.
<Rez> roll 4d6 for Shiny Swordage!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 4d6 for Shiny Swordage! --> [ 4d6=17 ]{17}
<Brian> The weapon shatters, bits of it littering the muddy snow behind you.
<Brian> Segment 12, everyone acts.
<Brian> The lizard-man attempts to grab Rez.
Rez aborts to dodge, and backpedals quickly!
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> His grasping hands just barely miss you.
<Brian> Alec goes.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> roll 2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=6 1d3=2 ]{8}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> Shoulder.  That leaves a nasty mark.
<Brian> It's still healing ... but until it does, lizard-man can't use his left arm.
<Brian> Post-segment 12, everyone takes a recovery.
<Brian> Segment 4, speed 3s, Lizard-man first.
<Brian> He takes a recovery, and his wounds seal.
Rez takes this opportunity to take another step back and spin around, bringing it crashing into the pausing lizardman. Haymaker, again. This'll burn stun.
<Brian> Alrighty.
<Brian> Segment 5 -- no speed 5s or higher, so only Nathan acts in this round.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for EAT THIS - AGAIN!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for EAT THIS - AGAIN! --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> That's a hit.
<Rez> roll 3d6+1d3 for This oughta leave a mark.
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6+1d3 for This oughta leave a mark. --> [ 3d6=9 1d3=1 ]{10}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> You sever an arm.
<Brian> Segment 6, speed 2s.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> Alec goes at it again.
<Brian> roll 2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=4 1d3=1 ]{5}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> And Alec hacks at the stump, which keeps the ... thing ... from making any headway on growing it back.  You guess.
<Brian> Segment 8, speed 3s.
<Brian> The lizard-thing turns around and staggers away a bit.
Rez attempts a presence attack on the general orcs.
<Rez> "SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO YOUR CHAMPIONS, PUNY ORCS? NOT EVEN DEATH WILL SAVE YOU FROM ME!"
Rez promptly charges forward and slashes away at the lizard thing again. Normal attack, this time, one +1 on DC and one on DCV.
<Brian> Okay, go ahead and make your normal attack roll before your presence attack roll.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Smackdown!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Smackdown! --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> That's a hit.
<Rez> roll 2d6+1d3 for Beatdown!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2d6+1d3 for Beatdown! --> [ 2d6=6 1d3=2 ]{8}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> You're not killing him -- you're torturing him.
<Rez> roll 14d6 for Run, cowards!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 14d6 for Run, cowards! --> [ 14d6=47 ]{47}
<Brian> Every enemy around you flees, except for the lizard-man, who just drops to the ground and quivers.
<Brian> Segment 12, everyone acts.
<Brian> The lizard-man is just laying there.
<Brian> Your action.
Rez takes a few steps back, watching the lizardman, turns and walks back towards the stormrider lines.
<Rez> then turns*
<Brian> And then ... the moon rises, and all of the Dreadmarch is turned to dust anyway.
<Brian> The magical barrier sealing you away from Phil is gone (he's wounded, but alive -- the only person you see who died aside from the general was the guy with chains on his arms).
<Brian> The storm-riders charge for the open gates, pushing their women and children first, and far away, you see Eske drop his gate, though you don't know where he is anymore -- Mattias seems to have cloaked him.
Rez swipes at the air with his blade in an attempt to throw some of the ichor off it, and goes walking over to where the general died, an unreadably flat expression on his face.

[Brian]

Keep Hope Alive now ends, and we move on to: Crossfire Sequence.