Scarst Posted July 29, 2014 Posted July 29, 2014 Sergio's Pre battle report. We've learned of a force coming in to relieve the seige on Eastgate, Dugal and Paulos both seem determined to ride into the relief. My better judgement tells me at least one should stay behind to run the seige, although Dugal said the Alleen Riders could handle it, I'm not so certain, They have no seige equipment and my Machines wont be ready for another three days, Despite this Paulos has asked me to come along, As we were riding trying to find the best, and most likely spot where we'd meet Peteras relief a Man named Garret Hailfist approached us on the road, with three archers and a strange hooded man in tow, They went up to Dugal directly with no formality, Something I've not seen anyone do to any of the ruling class of Eastgate and pulled him away from the traveling party. Apparently what Hailfist had to say was important enough that Dugal didn't get mad, in fact he came back within three minutes looking a bit relieved and the hooded man had separated from the others for quite some time as he only returned an hour before we expect Petera's forces to arrive. DSC_1317 by skaforhire, on Flickr I've learned the Hooded mans name to be Lucent, and he is apparently the only native mage on the isle where the battle of khordeem took place, What he had to talk about I haven't a clue but another Mage in the fight against Petera can't be anything but helpful even if he isn't from the college. Although while issuing positions the yetis seemed to be very fond of being near him, I'm not sure if they were glad they were near water or if there was something else there. A few other troops that caught my eye were the Gnomes ..... They creep me out. They are always smiling. It's just not natural they aren't secretive of their battle lust one even shouting, "I'll drink their blood from their skull!" and then there is their chanting, it's the most haunting thing I've ever heard. I can barely describe it, only to compare it to an evil religous prayer. There is definitely something off about them, But I believe it's better they fight for us then Petera, Knowing Petera's penchant for large deadly creatures he'd probably put those gnomes on the monster he left loose in Eastgate. I'm unsure what to expect, But I can only assume the worst, In case I die I've put my affairs in order. Quote
SkaForHire Posted July 29, 2014 Author Posted July 29, 2014 Chapter Five: Living, Dreaming, Dying in Kaliphlin DSC_1404 by skaforhire, on Flickr As the chaos of battle heated up, Jeremy Illans tightened his helmet. He had been with GEAR Co’s 3rd Cavalry “Dreadfists” for two years – just long enough to be present for the whole battle between the brothers MacLean. When Dugal died, Petera had had a fallout with Paulos, it was even rumored that Petera had tried to kill Paulos, and that he had been responsible for the assassin who killed Dugal. This seemed like nonsense to Captain Tannen of the Dreadfists, and he had made sure that the 3rd had stayed loyal to the true leader of Eastgate and CEO of GEAR CO. Now, over a year later, Dugal had came back from the dead, half of the board of trustees had fled to his side, and Eastgate was under siege. Things were less black and white today than ever. DSC_1323 by skaforhire, on Flickr That didn’t matter though, Jeremy was a good soldier, and loyal to boot. Besides, there were enough members of GEAR Co. loyal to Petera to pay the Dreadfist’s salary. However, it was unnerving that they had to leave the besieged Eastgate via a magical gate. IT would be good once this battle was over and the siege of Eastgate lifted. He could get back to planning his estate outside the gates. The Dreadfists paid very well. The call for battle came… Tannen had told them a few minutes earlier that they would be the vanguard and in charge of smashing Dugal’s forces on the Oil Road, then sweeping back around to the right to take out his back side. This did not seem like a tall order, afterall, the Dreadfists were the most powerful Cavalry in GEAR Co’s arsenal. DSC_1338 by skaforhire, on Flickr They road hard down the road, but as they got closer to the enemy, Jeremy noticed that the 1st GEAR Co. Heavy Cavalry, the Titans, had taken the road against them. As a natural rivalry, this should be good to finally settle the score once and for all. Rumor had it that once Petera won, all trader regiments would be disbanded. That meant more treasure for the loyal regiments… DSC_1352 by skaforhire, on Flickr Jeremy was in the second row of the Cavalry when Tannens ordered the arrowhead formation. As they began to spread Jeremy saw PGTC spearmen rushing in front of the Titans. This isn’t going to be pretty… DSC_1373 by skaforhire, on Flickr The Dreadfists came crashing against the spearmen, killing all of them eventually. But the damage had been done. The Titans counter thrusted, taking Tannen off his horse – then Jeremy saw the line break and a group of blood drenched gnomes start pulling through the gap. Tannen was literally bit to death by one of these gnomes. Jeremy tried to reign his horse in (of course panicking by now), when he turned and saw Paulos had advanced almost equal to him on the left. He turned and took a shot at the traitor brother. Just then four other Dreadfists hit Paulos. One of the lances pierced deep and Jeremy saw blood come from Paulos’s mouth, he struck again landing a blow on the traitor’s armor. But somewhere from behind a tree, a woman’s chanting began. Soon Paulos looked invigorated. He turned to Jeremy after beheading one of the other Dreadfists attacking him, and just smiled… DSC_3436 by skaforhire, on Flickr Meanwhile… Elsewhere in the Dreadfist line, the unit engaged a varied set of opponents. Centaurs DSC_1365 by skaforhire, on Flickr Gnomes and Blue Guard DSC_3431 by skaforhire, on Flickr And even Minotaurs… DSC_1372 by skaforhire, on Flickr Jeremy looked into Paulos’s cold eyes. He knew it was his last moments… the estate would never be a reality. He had chosen poorly. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of steel, then felt a burning pain in his right side. Jeremy fell from the horse down to the planking of the Oil Road... as his life faded to black, he was serenaded by a low thump… Thump… thump… coming closer, periodically broken by what sounded like an out of tune bugal… The Order of the Golden Mask was on the move. DSC_3449 by skaforhire, on Flickr Quote
the lego dwarf Posted July 29, 2014 Posted July 29, 2014 Looking good so far can't wait for more. Quote
Yzalirk Posted July 29, 2014 Posted July 29, 2014 Man Ska, this is looking excellent! Still trying to keep up with story though. Quote
SkaForHire Posted July 29, 2014 Author Posted July 29, 2014 Chapter Six: Upon the Crown In the hand of Marty El’Dron, Marksman for Lord Sansael. Lord Sansael, This is my report from your Marksmen. I think we fared well, given the circumstances. We met with Lord Dugal, and he placed us, along with Nammuat on the far right of the field. Our mission was to climb this rock formation that we nicknamed the “Crown,” and provide support for Lord Vladius’s (who were on a mission of infiltration into Petera’s ranks hours before – but ultimately failed, and then ended up on our flank with us) and the mercenaries sent by the PGTC and Masa. DSC_3365 by skaforhire, on Flickr We successfully got on top of the rock, accompanied by PGTC Archers. Unfortunately, instead of comradery, we immediately struck up a rivalry with these other archers. This served our own purposes well, and many enemy fell because of this, but I am afraid without coordination, we let more of the enemy through strategically. DSC_1371 by skaforhire, on Flickr We watched as an Avalonian lord and a few other bands, included Belig of Mitgardia moved through the sands toward us. We outnumbered them 2 to 1 easily, but as we took petty shots at lancers on the other flank to prove who could shoot further, most of Vladius’s men fell. DSC_3453 by skaforhire, on Flickr We also came under attack by Belig’s expert bowmen. At one point, 3 of us were down on the ground with arrows in our bodies. Nammuat rescued us to continue the fight, but Jorgen fell to his death after taking another arrow to the shoulder. DSC_1389 by skaforhire, on Flickr We also covered the PGTC’s Mummy platoon poorly. Instead of shooting Dreadfists, we should have been shooting the men behind them, because they wheeled around and hit the mummy platoon’s side, decimating the whole core with only three lance charges. DSC_1370 by skaforhire, on Flickr After they were bogged down, the Blue Spears, a mercenary cavalry group charge up the side, their captain killing 3 more mummies on his way towards the Crown. DSC_1390 by skaforhire, on Flickr Unfortunately, not 10 feet in front of us General Phixelle was skewered by one of these Blue Spear riders. We utterly failed here. We had lost our leader, we had allowed a rivalry to get the best of us. DSC_3451 by skaforhire, on Flickr Both the PGTC archers and ourselves sobered up at this moment, and avenged Phixelle’s death. Nammuat organized a rescue attempt, hopeing that Phixelle’s spirit had not left her body yet. DSC_1400 by skaforhire, on Flickr TO BE CONTINUED… Quote
Yzalirk Posted July 29, 2014 Posted July 29, 2014 I wonder what's going to happen when they go to retrieve Phixelle's body. Quote
SkaForHire Posted July 29, 2014 Author Posted July 29, 2014 Mid-battle message, found on the ground after the battle. General – Herrick slain by Rasputin’s lady friend in the blacksmith shop. Counter attempt on route. Sending Soraya. Falconi DSC_3459 by skaforhire, on Flickr DSC_3457 by skaforhire, on Flickr [Herrick spent most of the battle countering Scarst’s spells, and hanging back at the large rock to watch the battle from afar, DSC_1336 by skaforhire, on Flickr but he snuck up into the smith’s shop and dried to lay down a blizzard spell on the main forces on the right side of the battlefield, it was ultimately countered by a much more powerful mage, and this let the cat out of the bag where he was. Scarst deployed an assassin, and she scored a critical hit… If this is a no-die character, we can just say someone found him clinging to life after the battle. ] Quote
Yzalirk Posted July 29, 2014 Posted July 29, 2014 I wonder when we'll find out if the character dies or survives that had been attacked by the assassin. Quote
Gabe Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 Those foolish archers! Their lack of discipline will not go unpunished... if they survive, they will be cleaning the new recruit's latrines for a whole year before they are worthy to even touch their bows again. I shall have to speak to Nammuat as well about the pressures of command, although i dare say she had her hands full keeping those jokers alive. I wonder what's going to happen when they go to retrieve Phixelle's body. Well, Phrixelle is a no die character, so she'll survive one way or another, but it's sad to see her go so early in the battle. Hopefully her mercs and infantry can extract some payback. Looks like Paulos had a close shave too. I'm looking forward to seeing that elephant in action! Quote
Zach101 Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 Wow, this is looking good :) Can't wait till my troops join the battle :) Quote
SkaForHire Posted July 30, 2014 Author Posted July 30, 2014 Those foolish archers! Their lack of discipline will not go unpunished... if they survive, they will be cleaning the new recruit's latrines for a whole year before they are worthy to even touch their bows again. I shall have to speak to Nammuat as well about the pressures of command, although i dare say she had her hands full keeping those jokers alive. Well, Phrixelle is a no die character, so she'll survive one way or another, but it's sad to see her go so early in the battle. Hopefully her mercs and infantry can extract some payback. Looks like Paulos had a close shave too. I'm looking forward to seeing that elephant in action! It was about the only surprise move I got on Scarst, throwing up those fast light lancers in that opening, she just happened to be standing at the other end of the opening, and took a full speed charge. Rarely does a character with so many hit points and toughness fall in one blow... So I was kind of amazed. We knew she was a no die, but she actually isn't eliminated from the game via rules, as she was only knocked out by the injury and not outright killed (there is some math involved that I won't go into right now) Quote
Scarst Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 (edited) Field Journal Of Paulos, Part 1 We'd finally established a line not a moment to soon as the enemy came marching down the road not ten minutes later, I decided to take the opportunity to rally the troops, my brother declining the honor he seemed to be a bit destracted and insisted on staying near the river with the Alleenriders. He also keeps looking over at that strange mage Hailfist brought, it's most pecular. As I rode out in front I began my speech to the men on the road knowing that they were most likely to see battle first and therefore most likely on edge. DSC_1310 by skaforhire, on Flickr "Men we meet here today on this battle field as Equals, you who have come to the aide of Eastgate are not my subordinates you are my brothers on this battlefield. As we face my brothers Armies today we do so knowing the cost we will endure, the price we must pay and the allies we will lose. Do not let their sacrifices be in vain for today many of us may die, but we fight for a cause greater Than Eastgate, greater than Kaliphlin, We fight for the independance of all our Kingdoms, all our independant Cities....." No sooner had I finished my speech than the battle was on. As we made our slow advance I saw many of the men hesitant, many of the mercenaries held back waiting for their employers to move, as they did the Dreadfist thundered down the road, I decided I had to Lead by example No one wants to be the first dead man on a battlefield, Myself included, but I've a responsiblity to these men so I moved forward ready to advance into the Dreadfist flank. A band of brave spearmen Set up in front of the titans ready to take the impact of the charge, all of them feel but I later saw a few get up with the help of a scarlet sister. Those brave spearmen Singlehandledly routed the advance of the dreadfist. Unfortunately I did not see part of the battle as four of the Dreadfist charged me with lances, A mage marking me as a target after he shot me with lightning thankfully my shield absorbed the spell. But it did not save me from the tearing of flesh those lances caused, I was fighting for my life against the four horsemen, I could only see red as blood splattered everywhere. DSC_3429 by skaforhire, on Flickr The moments felt like hours as I took my swings hearing the clash of Eastgate folded blacksteel, I suddenly felt all the pain lifted from me and my eyes were clear, I saw the Dreadfist torn to shreds and the horrifing sight of a gnome ripping one of their juggulars out with his teeth as he bashed in the Commander Tannens Skull with one of his maces, this gnome, this creature is perhaps one of the most horrifing sights i've ever witnessed, It wasn't the acts he was performing, but the fact he was doing it with the most gleeful smile and horrowing laughter one could ever imagine, if he were not on my line I surely would order every mage we had to "kill it with fire" as he scares me more than any of my brothers monsters. DSC_3417 by skaforhire, on Flickr DSC_1373 by skaforhire, on Flickr DSC_3431 by skaforhire, on Flickr As the battle rages we've seemed to clear the charge on the road just in time for a second wave I can only hope the First Infantry can pincer the line. ~Paulos. Edited July 30, 2014 by Scarst Quote
Yzalirk Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 Well, Phrixelle is a no die character, so she'll survive one way or another, but it's sad to see her go so early in the battle. Hopefully her mercs and infantry can extract some payback. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Quote
Gabe Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 It was about the only surprise move I got on Scarst, throwing up those fast light lancers in that opening, she just happened to be standing at the other end of the opening, and took a full speed charge. Rarely does a character with so many hit points and toughness fall in one blow... So I was kind of amazed. We knew she was a no die, but she actually isn't eliminated from the game via rules, as she was only knocked out by the injury and not outright killed (there is some math involved that I won't go into right now) Oh gosh, so theoretically she could get patched up and re-enter the fray? I didn't realise that. I didn't know how strong you guys had made her, but yeah, i figured it must have been a big crit to take her out with one hit like that. Kinda cool to know that it happens i guess, although very unlucky for poor Phrixelle. ps. I hope you guys don't think i'm criticising Scarst's tactics in my previous censure of the archers btw, just indulging in a little light roleplay, trying to enter into the spirit of the event! Quote
SkaForHire Posted July 31, 2014 Author Posted July 31, 2014 ps. I hope you guys don't think i'm criticising Scarst's tactics in my previous censure of the archers btw, just indulging in a little light roleplay, trying to enter into the spirit of the event! No, not a problem. The more RP the merrier. Quote
Niku Posted August 1, 2014 Posted August 1, 2014 a-w-e-s-o-m-e as usual. Great battle*story so far. Quote
SkaForHire Posted August 1, 2014 Author Posted August 1, 2014 So... Good news... We are actually many turns ahead of the last report... bad news, I go on research trips for the next two weeks starting Sunday and we are not near completed yet. So... There will probably be a 2 week hiatus between the middle of the battle and the end of the battle. teaser: Major plot element happened (x2) Reinforcements arrived on both sides One of the sides broke through Quote
Gabe Posted August 2, 2014 Posted August 2, 2014 So... Good news... We are actually many turns ahead of the last report... bad news, I go on research trips for the next two weeks starting Sunday and we are not near completed yet. So... There will probably be a 2 week hiatus between the middle of the battle and the end of the battle. teaser: Major plot element happened (x2) Reinforcements arrived on both sides One of the sides broke through Ahhh... 2 weeks, can i handle the suspense?? Safe travels Ska, we'll be waiting with bated breath to hear about the rest of the battle when you return. Quote
TheUtilityBelt Posted August 3, 2014 Posted August 3, 2014 Best battle ever! I'm glad the gnomes aren't on Peteras side! Quote
SkaForHire Posted August 12, 2014 Author Posted August 12, 2014 Chapter 7 Holding the Crown In the hand of Marty El’Dron, Marksman for Lord Sansael. Things seemed to get worse from here. We heard screaming below us at the foot of the crown. It turns out that Assassins led by Falmoir the mad appeared behind a detachment of mages trying to hold our right flank. Some of their backstabs found the innards of our mages, including the sorceress Byarssh, whose critters were in battle before her. In the hand of Marty El’Dron, Marksman for Lord Sansael. One of the red sisters, and the fire mage that was present avoided being wounded too deeply, but Byarssh was not as lucky. Her animals came to her aide, but were also slain by Petera’s assassins. DSC_3500 by skaforhire, on Flickr Next blue Spears reached upon the crown and struck down some of the PGTC’s archers. DSC_3467 by skaforhire, on Flickr The crown was falling quickly… and this became truer when the healer Nammuat took an arrow to the gut from Belig of Mitgardia. His archer corps seemed unstoppable. Bilis, my good friend was also killed by their fire and he fell to the ground below the crown. DSC_3525 by skaforhire, on Flickr The crown was all but lost when our final mage was killed by Belig’s arrows. Nothing seemed to be able to stop those fierce warriors. I glanced in front of us to see the general Hailfist blink from his saddle in mid combat. I am not sure what had become of him, but he seemed to vanish. DSC_3521 by skaforhire, on Flickr Beyond us the Avalonian line seemed to be faltering to Leander mercenaries, but the orcs that were with us were all but decimated. The right flank was quite tenuous with the line almost broken – especially with Blue Spear mercenaries at our back. DSC_3476 by skaforhire, on Flickr I looked down the field to our left, hoping there would be more support… and to my terror I saw a portal the size of a building open. portal by skaforhire, on Flickr Out stepped who I thought to be Petera MacLean. Fear dropped from pit of my stomach. It was surely all over. And on cue, Petera’s voice boomed over the battlefield. “Oh brothers, how I long to fight you myself. … But that is not in the cards I am afraid. I bestow onto you one last surprise. Now this war of brothers is truly equal. BEHOLD, MIKEO, long lost – Returned!” Portal2 by skaforhire, on Flickr The man that looked like Petera wielded an Ice sword, and he appeared with a full contingent of warriors, along with the Eastgate 3rd Heavy Infantry – The Merchant Princes / AKA the Blackguard. He also was flanked by Snake Dwarves prepared against the charge. However, that was not the only surprise they brought. A moment later an Efrite stepped through the portal, and more terrifying… some sort of giant lizard chained to a man. Something I had never seen before, but I later learned was a “Luck Dragon” Our luck had changed… the right flank was crumbling, and now the whole line had been attacked from behind. DSC_3510 by skaforhire, on Flickr Quote
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