Heroica RPG - Quest #31: Lions and Lambs

[Brickdoctor]

Results of Round Eight of the Battle of Drakencourt:

Lion Crossbowmen A vs. Rogue Lion Knights A - Critical Hit ((3*2)-3=3 Damage)

Lion Knights C move one hex north.

Lion Knights C vs. Pongcanis Brutes A - Critical Hit ((4*2)-2=6 Damage)

Lion Crossbowmen B vs. Pongcanis Brutes A Rogue Lion Knights B - Miss

Imperial Pikemen A vs. Rogue Lion Pikemen B - Shield ((2*2)-1=3 Damage)

Lion Pikemen B move one hex south-west.

Imperial Pikemen C move one hex south-west.

Lion Pikemen D move one hex south-west.

Arthur, your men finish off the Pongcanis, knights, and pikes on the western front. Alexandre, your men continue to move west.

"Those pikes will never survive in a head-on attack! Draw their reserve troops back towards the center of the battlefield!"

Enemies:

Rogue Lion Knights B

Type:

Mounted

Level:

3

Health:

10/10

Defense:

3

Passive Special:

Mounted units can act twice in a Round. (move two hexes, move one hex and attack, or attack twice)

Drops: 11 Gold

Rogue Lion Pikemen B

*Flanking*

Type:

Footsoldiers

Level:

5

Health:

10/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Drops: 12 Gold

Teuthisal Crossbowmen A

Type:

Ranged

Level:

4

Health:

10/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Drops: nothing

Allies:

Lion Pikeman B

, Level 3 Footsoldiers (lead by Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

3

Health:

6/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Lion Pikeman D

, Level 3 Footsoldiers (lead by Flipz)

Power:

3

Health:

2/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Imperial Pikemen A

, Level 2 Footsoldiers (lead by Flipz)

Power:

2

Health:

3/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Imperial Pikemen C

, Level 2 Footsoldiers (lead by Flipz)

*On a Hill*

Power:

[4

Health:

7/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Lion Knights C

, Level 4 Mounted (lead by Capt.JohnPaul)

*On a Hill*

Power:

8

Health:

10/10

Defense:

2

Passive Special:

Mounted units can act twice in a Round. (move two hexes, move one hex and attack, or attack twice)

Lion Crossbowmen A

, Level 3 Ranged (lead by Flipz)

Power:

3

Health:

10/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Lion Crossbowmen B

, Level 3 Ranged (lead by Flipz)

*On a Hill*

Power:

6

Health:

10/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Party Second-in-Command, choose the order of actions.

All of you, choose what action(s) each of your units will perform.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Action at the end of the Round.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Knights attack the rogue knights twice.

Pikemen B go NW.

"Arthur, I suggest you have your Crossbow B move NW to the hill, I got the knights taken care of. Move all your western troops east, so we can "bait" them into getting into our crossbows range. Move all the eastern people west to reenforce us. What do you think?"

[Flipz]

"Those Imperial pikes are doomed nonetheless. If they don't attack the Tethusials, they'll be taken out by a Free Hit anyway. Best to let them go out fighting. Imperial Pikemen A, attack the Tethusial Crossbowmen, your sacrifice will be avenged! Crossbowmen A, move NorthEast one hex, Crossbowmen B, Attack the Rogue Lion Knights B. Let's see...Imperials C NorthWest one hex, and Lion Pikemen D, SouthWest one hex!"

Edited June 26, 2012 by Flipz

[Brickdoctor]

Results of Round Nine of the Battle of Drakencourt:

Imperial Pikemen A vs. Teuthisal Crossbowmen - Critical Hit ((2*2*2)-1=7 Damage)

Lion Crossbowmen A move one hex north-east.

Lion Crossbowmen B vs. Rogue Lion Knights B - Special Damage (No Damage)

Lion Pikemen B move one hex north-west.

Imperial Pikemen C move one hex north-west.

Lion Pikemen D move one hex south-west.

Lion Knights C vs. Rogue Lion Knights B - Hit (8-3=5 Damage)

Lion Knights C vs. Rogue Lion Knights B - Miss

Rogue Lion Pikemen A - Free Hit against Imperial Pikemen A (5-1=4 Damage)

Arthur, knowing that their death is unavoidable, your imperial pikes to the west charge into the middle of the Teuthisal crossbows, before being hit from the flank by rebel pikes. As the rest of the troops converge on the center of the battle, Alexandre, your knights make two charges down the side of their hill, taking the Rogue Knights by surprise.

"We have them now!"

Enemies:

Rogue Lion Knights B

Type:

Mounted

Level:

3

Health:

5/10

Defense:

3

Passive Special:

Mounted units can act twice in a Round. (move two hexes, move one hex and attack, or attack twice)

Drops: 11 Gold

Rogue Lion Pikemen A

Type:

Footsoldiers

Level:

4

Health:

10/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Drops: 12 Gold

Teuthisal Crossbowmen A

Type:

Ranged

Level:

4

Health:

3/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Drops: nothing

Allies:

Lion Pikeman B

, Level 3 Footsoldiers (lead by Capt.JohnPaul)

*Flanking*

Power:

4

Health:

6/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Lion Pikeman D

, Level 3 Footsoldiers (lead by Flipz)

*On a Hill*

Power:

6

Health:

2/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Imperial Pikemen C

, Level 2 Footsoldiers (lead by Flipz)

Power:

2

Health:

7/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Lion Knights C

, Level 4 Mounted (lead by Capt.JohnPaul)

*On a Hill*

Power:

8

Health:

10/10

Defense:

2

Passive Special:

Mounted units can act twice in a Round. (move two hexes, move one hex and attack, or attack twice)

Lion Crossbowmen A

, Level 3 Ranged (lead by Flipz)

Power:

3

Health:

10/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Lion Crossbowmen B

, Level 3 Ranged (lead by Flipz)

*On a Hill*

Power:

6

Health:

10/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Party Second-in-Command, choose the order of actions.

All of you, choose what action(s) each of your units will perform.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Action at the end of the Round.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

All my troops attack the rogue knights B. (My knights go twice)

[Flipz]

"Imperials C, SouthWest, Lions D, the same. Crossbowmen A, NorthEast to the hill. Crossbowmen B, Rogue Knights B."

OOC: Can we auto-play a few Rounds? Pikemen will try to move between the Lion Crossbowmen and the approaching Rogue Pikemen, and Crossbowmen A will attack whatever enemy is in range, with the Tethusial Crossbowmen being the preferred target.

Edited June 28, 2012 by Flipz

[Brickdoctor]

Results of Round Ten of the Battle of Drakencourt:

Imperial Pikemen C move one hex south-west.

Lion Pikemen D move one hex south-west.

Lion Crossbowmen A move one hex north-west.

Lion Crossbowmen B vs. Rogue Lion Knights B - Special Damage (No Damage)

Lion Pikemen B vs. Rogue Lion Knights B - Miss

Lion Knights C vs. Rogue Lion Knights B - Damage (3-2=1 Damage)

Lion Knights C vs. Rogue Lion Knight B - Hit (8-3=5 Damage)

Rogue Lion Pikemen A - Free Movement one hex south-east.

Teuthisal Crossbowmen A - Free Movement one hex south-east.

All your troops converge around the rogue knights, and, at long last, Alexandre, your knights make another move down the hill and drop the last of the knights.

"Quickly, to the west!"

Enemies:

Rogue Lion Pikemen A

Type:

Footsoldiers

Level:

4

Health:

10/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Drops: 12 Gold

Teuthisal Crossbowmen A

Type:

Ranged

Level:

4

Health:

3/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Drops: nothing

Allies:

Lion Pikeman B

, Level 3 Footsoldiers (lead by Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

3

Health:

6/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Lion Pikeman D

, Level 3 Footsoldiers (lead by Flipz)

Power:

3

Health:

2/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Imperial Pikemen C

, Level 2 Footsoldiers (lead by Flipz)

Power:

2

Health:

7/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Lion Knights C

, Level 4 Mounted (lead by Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

4

Health:

9/10

Defense:

2

Passive Special:

Mounted units can act twice in a Round. (move two hexes, move one hex and attack, or attack twice)

Lion Crossbowmen A

, Level 3 Ranged (lead by Flipz)

*On a Hill*

Power:

6

Health:

10/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Lion Crossbowmen B

, Level 3 Ranged (lead by Flipz)

Power:

3

Health:

10/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Party Second-in-Command, choose the order of actions.

All of you, choose what action(s) each of your units will perform.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Action at the end of the Round.

[Flipz]

"Alexandre, send your Knights Northwest to make sure there are no surprises waiting for us, the other troops can deal with the rebels we have here. Crossbowmen A, take the Tethusial Crossbowmen! Crossbowmen B, hold your ground, all other troops, NorthWest one hex."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

ALL troops move NW as much as possible.

[Brickdoctor]

Results of Round Eleven of the Battle of Drakencourt:

Lion Crossbowmen A vs. Teuthisal Crossbowmen A - Damage (4=4 Damage)

Lion Crossbowmen B do nothing.

Lion Knights C move one hex north-west.

Lion Pikemen B move one hex north-west.

Imperial Pikemen C move one hex north-west.

Lion Pikemen D move one hex north-west.

Rogue Lion Pikemen A - Free Movement one hex south-east.

All your troops move to engage the final enemies. Arthur, your crossbowmen are surprised to see the Teuthisal manage to fire off a few arrows.

"Finish them!"

Enemies:

Rogue Lion Pikemen A

Type:

Footsoldiers

Level:

4

Health:

10/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Drops: 12 Gold

Teuthisal Crossbowmen A

Type:

Ranged

Level:

4

Health:

3/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Drops: nothing

Allies:

Lion Pikeman B

, Level 3 Footsoldiers (lead by Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

3

Health:

6/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Lion Pikeman D

, Level 3 Footsoldiers (lead by Flipz)

Power:

3

Health:

2/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Imperial Pikemen C

, Level 2 Footsoldiers (lead by Flipz)

Power:

2

Health:

7/10

Defense:

1

Passive Special:

Footsoldiers gain a +1 Power flanking bonus whenever their target is adjacent to one of their allies.

Lion Knights C

, Level 4 Mounted (lead by Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

4

Health:

9/10

Defense:

2

Passive Special:

Mounted units can act twice in a Round. (move two hexes, move one hex and attack, or attack twice)

Lion Crossbowmen A

, Level 3 Ranged (lead by Flipz)

*On a Hill*

Power:

6

Health:

6/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Lion Crossbowmen B

, Level 3 Ranged (lead by Flipz)

*On a Hill*

Power:

6

Health:

10/10

Defense:

0

Passive Special:

Ranged units can fire over obstacles or other units to attack enemies up to two hexes away. If their target is two hexes away and not also Ranged, they cannot take Damage.

Party Second-in-Command, choose the order of actions.

All of you, choose what action(s) each of your units will perform.

Any enemy not targeted will get a Free Action at the end of the Round.

[Flipz]

OOC: Knights C should have moved an additional hex NorthWest.

Arthur opens his mouth to speak, but the troops have already chosen the best course of action; the pikemen all move NorthWest again, Crossbowmen A try the Tethusials again, and Crossbowmen B shoot Rogue Pikemen A.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

My knights move and attack the crossbowmen. My pikemen sit still.

[Flipz]

My knights move and attack the crossbowmen. My pikemen sit still.

"No, wait, the crossbowmen deal double damage against will shoot the steeds out from beneath Mounted units, that's why we lost so many Knights before. Have the Knights scout some more while the pikemen move into position."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"No, wait, the crossbowmen deal double damage against will shoot the steeds out from beneath Mounted units, that's why we lost so many Knights before. Have the Knights scout some more while the pikemen move into position."

"You're right. I'm terrible at offense. " Alexandre directs his knights 2 hexes NW.

[Brickdoctor]

QM Note:

Lion Knights C should have moved another hex north-west last Round, so they can't move two hexes in that direction this Round. (well, actually, they could, if you want to see another section of the map full of blank hexes that I haven't mapped out, and I know that, being a Darths and Droids reader, Flipz, you'll want to do that, but I assure you that there's nothing of importance there) I'll just move them within striking distance of the closest enemy when their Turn comes up.

Results of Round Twelve of the Battle of Drakencourt:

Imperial Pikemen C move one hex north-west.

Lion Pikemen D move one hex north-west.

Lion Crossbowmen A vs. Teuthisal Crossbowmen A - Shield ((6*2)-1=11 Damage)

Lion Crossbowmen B vs. Rogue Lion Pikemen A - Special Damage (No Damage)

Lion Knights C move one hex south.

Lion Knights C move one hex south-west.

Lion Pikemen B do nothing.

Arthur, your crossbowmen, from atop their hill, stand in front of the sun and fire arrows that the Teuthisal don't see coming until too late.

"Crossbows B, keep firing on those pikes from afar; you can't take Damage. Everyone else should do nothing. There's no reason to risk losing any more men."

QM Note:

As it is possible for you to win this battle without taking any more Damage, I'm going to declare this an automatic victory and move to the next phase of the Battle. This is not a separate Battle; just a short interlude before you move to the boss phase of the Battle. Take some time to roleplay and chat with the enemy.

I've got a 'behind the scenes' look at this next photo coming up shortly in the QM Lounge, by the way.

As your troops finish off the rebels, a pair of men approach on horseback, galloping along the road leading back to the city. Seeing you, they slow down and one of them dismounts. As he turns to you, you see both men draw their swords.

"Ah, heroes, we meet at last. You have defeated my armies, despite being outnumbered, but even as I speak, the final pieces are falling into place. Soon, the emperors will be dead, and I, Sir Loren, will rally the people of Dastan behind me. Sir Laurant and my other lieutenants are all that I need to finish what was started all those years ago."

"My lord?"

"Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen."

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Hmph. I wanted to see the blank map.

Alexandre rips off his Guard disguise to reveal his cross surcoat.

"Arthur, I think he's the bad guy."

"So, my Lord, do you have a monologue prepared?"

Edited July 1, 2012 by Capt.JohnPaul

[Flipz]

"Well, we could stand here and duke it out, or we could settle this like gentlemen. After all, we are but hired swords, so we have no specific care as to what happens here; if a compromise can be reached that shall (at least partially) satisfy all parties, then all the better for us--particularly if we can claim a reward from both sides. But it would be rude to negotiate when one side has all the information and the other has none, don't you agree? Therefore, we're going to need some answers--and we are going to get them. You have no idea the hell we've had to deal with trying to puzzle out what's been going on in this gods-forsaken desert, and we are not in the mood to be ducked with."

"So first: who is allied with who? I know of you, the Cult of the Chimaera, Lady Wren, and a man by the name of XX; I also know that Emperor Roland is considered a traitor for some unknown action. I want to know who's working together, and to what ends?"

[Brickdoctor]

"So, my Lord, do you have a monologue prepared?"

"Nah, my Somewhat Beloved Evil Secretary was supposed to prepare one, but he kinda got killed along with the rest of my men a hour or so ago."

"Well, we could stand here and duke it out, or we could settle this like gentlemen. After all, we are but hired swords, so we have no specific care as to what happens here; if a compromise can be reached that shall (at least partially) satisfy all parties, then all the better for us--particularly if we can claim a reward from both sides. But it would be rude to negotiate when one side has all the information and the other has none, don't you agree? Therefore, we're going to need some answers--and we are going to get them. You have no idea the hell we've had to deal with trying to puzzle out what's been going on in this gods-forsaken desert, and we are not in the mood to be ducked with."

"So first: who is allied with who? I know of you, the Cult of the Chimaera, Lady Wren, and a man by the name of XX; I also know that Emperor Roland is considered a traitor for some unknown action. I want to know who's working together, and to what ends?"

"You seem to have an interest in power, so let me educate you a little. It's sort of this thing I like to do sometimes, especially for learned wizards such as yourself. Power, it isn't something that you put on or take off like a jacket. It's something you just ARE. If you can lose it by blowing two die rolls, you never really had power in the first place, see what I'm saying? Your scroll shenanigans are real flashy, but they have one weakness: they are shackled to your MegaBlokin' mid-level self! I used to think scrolls equaled power, too, back when I was Chaotic Good. I've learned a lot since then. You know what does equal power? Power. Power equals power. Crazy, huh? But the type of power? Doesn't matter as much as you'd think. It turns out, everything is oddly balanced. Weird, but true. For example: Right now, power takes the form of knowing who's allied with whom and not telling you. So, Uncle Loren, what's the moral of the story? A big pile of scrolls isn't enough when the other guy has a big pile of scrolls AND the knowledge you want. And they died happily ever after. The End."

[Flipz]

OOC: Shouldn't Alexandre and I get an experience increase from that battle?

Bored by Loren, Arthur munches his Zoot's Cookie, gaining another +1 to his maximum Health. "Ah, I get it. Lyonel's on your side. Clever, really well done. I presume you've already taken care of our countermeasures? Shame, I sort of liked Alandri, he would have made an entertaining servant after we evacuated him to Eubric. Of course, he wouldn't have known of his servitude--he's a puppet, and puppets aren't supposed to see the strings on which they dance. I know I don't, and you Rogues don't see yours, either. But that's OK. It's no fun when people fight their puppetmaster. Why, my party and I could flee back to Eubric with our tails between our legs right now, and leave you unopposed, but you wouldn't enjoy it as much that way. I'm a reasonable fellow, so I'm going to inform you of what you did wrong:"

"First, you insulted me. For that I shall remove your eyeballs from your skull, while you are still conscious, in case you were wondering. And second...just because I am offering you a choice, doesn't mean you actually have one. Either way, there is only one way this can end. One which you yourself predicted, incidentally. 'And they died happily ever after.' What a delightful ending!" Arthur unleashes a Shadow bolt at Laurant as Knyghton aims his already-loaded and drawn crossbow and Luke summons an aura of energy around Arthur's loaned staff, in perfect timing with Alexandre removing the last elements of his guard disguise. The light from Luke's spell, bright enough to be seen for miles, shines behind the party, casting a golden glow hinting at the badassery to come. Arthur grins. "You first."

OOC: Because I know you won't be able to resist making some kind of illustration for this, I'm going to go get some high-quality shots of Arthur's face for you so you can photoshop it into this image.

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"First, you insulted me. For that I shall remove your eyeballs from your skull, while you are still conscious, in case you were wondering. And second...just because I am offering you a choice, doesn't mean you actually have one. Either way, there is only one way this can end. One which you yourself predicted, incidentally. 'And they died happily ever after.' What a delightful ending!" Arthur unleashes a Shadow bolt at Laurant as Knyghton aims his already-loaded and drawn crossbow and Luke summons an aura of energy around Arthur's loaned staff, in perfect timing with Alexandre removing the last elements of his guard disguise. The light from Luke's spell, bright enough to be seen for miles, shines behind the party, casting a golden glow hinting at the badassery to come. Arthur grins. "You first."

OOC: Because I know you won't be able to resist making some kind of illustration for this, I'm going to go get some high-quality shots of Arthur's face for you so you can photoshop it into this image.

So epic.

"Remove his eyeballs? That's a little gruesome Arthur."

[Flipz]

So epic.

"Remove his eyeballs? That's a little gruesome Arthur."

"I admit, the tongue would be more dramatically appropriate, but that wouldn't hurt as much. "

[Capt.JohnPaul]

"I admit, the tongue would be more dramatically appropriate, but that wouldn't hurt as much. "

"How about we just ransom him, or keep him as my prisoner? That's if he surrenders or asks for mercy, of course. If not, we could just stab him."

[Flipz]

"How about we just ransom him, or keep him as my prisoner? That's if he surrenders or asks for mercy, of course. If not, we could just stab him."

"Works for me. "

[Brickdoctor]

OOC: Shouldn't Alexandre and I get an experience increase from that battle?

QM Note:

Yeah.

So epic.

QM Note:

I stole it from OoTS. (with adjustments to make it fit the situation)

Party:

Arthur Justus Regulus VII

, Level 13 Mage (Flipz) *Party Second-in-Command*

Power:

20

Health:

19/19

Ether:

12/17

Defense:

1

Gold:

18

Inventory:

Staff of the Cultist Battlemage (WP: 7;

50% chance of Fleeing instead of being KO'd

)

, Standard-Issue Crossbow (WP: 1),

Robe of Magi (SP:1)

, Potion(x2), Bedroll, Healing Staff (WP: 5), Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Scroll of Sleep, Shovel, Grand Tonic, Opal (

Ice

), Telescope, Amethyst (

Darkness

), Tonic, Mead

Luke

, Level 19 Sage (controlled by Flipz)

*Pacifist*

Power:

24

Health:

27/34

Ether:

11/26

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory:

Arthur's Staff of Elven Necromancy (WP: 5)

, Standard-Issue Crossbow (WP: 1), Wooden Staff (WP: 1), Diamond (Light), Tonics (2), Bedroll

Alexandre le Chevalier

, Level 13 Knight (Capt.JohnPaul)

Power:

21

Health:

22/22

Defense:

7

Gold:

17

Inventory:

Sword of the Elven Blademaster (WP: 8; ignores SP),

Standard-Issue Crossbow (WP: 1),

Cross Heater Shield (SP: 7)

, Potions (6), Tonic, Remedy, Smoke Bomb

Count Lewis Knyghton

, Level 14 Engineer (controlled by Flipz)

Power:

15

Health:

21/21

Defense:

0

Gold:

0

Inventory: Spatha (WP: 3),

Standard-Issue Crossbow (WP: 1)

"Ah, I get it. Lyonel's on your side. Clever, really well done. I presume you've already taken care of our countermeasures? Shame, I sort of liked Alandri, he would have made an entertaining servant after we evacuated him to Eubric. Of course, he wouldn't have known of his servitude--he's a puppet, and puppets aren't supposed to see the strings on which they dance. I know I don't, and you Rogues don't see yours, either. But that's OK. It's no fun when people fight their puppetmaster. Why, my party and I could flee back to Eubric with our tails between our legs right now, and leave you unopposed, but you wouldn't enjoy it as much that way. I'm a reasonable fellow, so I'm going to inform you of what you did wrong:"

"First, you insulted me. For that I shall remove your eyeballs from your skull, while you are still conscious, in case you were wondering. And second...just because I am offering you a choice, doesn't mean you actually have one. Either way, there is only one way this can end. One which you yourself predicted, incidentally. 'And they died happily ever after.' What a delightful ending!" Arthur unleashes a Shadow bolt at Laurant as Knyghton aims his already-loaded and drawn crossbow and Luke summons an aura of energy around Arthur's loaned staff, in perfect timing with Alexandre removing the last elements of his guard disguise. The light from Luke's spell, bright enough to be seen for miles, shines behind the party, casting a golden glow hinting at the badassery to come. Arthur grins. "You first."

"Sir Lyonel? Hah, the boy's an incompetent fool. I have no idea whose side he's on. I don't think he does, either."

You expend 1 Ether to launch a Darkness Elemental Spell at Sir Laurant, but Sir Loren parries the attack with his sword.

"Do any of us have a choice? Once, I had a shark. I took my shark out for a swim in Lake Glaz, but there was a fisherman in the water. My shark mistook the fisherman for prey, and it attacked him. It didn't have a choice. My shark was driven by instinct. As he had been taught, the fisherman fought back, going for the eyes and the gills. He didn't have a choice. My shark was attacking him. I loved my shark. That day, my shark died. In time, all things die. Some by having their eyes gouged out. It is our destiny.

"Do you really think that you can threaten me with death, by separating my soul from my body? The caterpillar's destiny is to give up its body. It doesn't have a choice. Only by shedding its old body can it become a beautiful butterfly. "

[Capt.JohnPaul]

OOC: I should be at level 13.5, according to Sandy's updated level rules.

"So, what are you saying? I don't understand what this butterfly and shark stuff have to do with anything."