Ch 3: Part 5: The Rescue: Session 44

[15:29] <Kilarra> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:30] <Kilarra> ~~~Chapter 3: The Armageddon Echo~~~
[15:30] <Kilarra> \Part 5: Rescue MIssion/
[15:30] <Kilarra> -Session 44-
[15:33] <Kilarra> After dealing with a pair of necromancers, the party had removed yet another serious threat from the battle for Celwynvian. Kilarra used one of Tognik's alchemist fires to burn a pair of necromantic scrolls, and left them burning as she exited the Necromancer's hideout. The fire begins to spread, and could consume the building eventually, but there aren't any other standing structures close enough to be in danger.
[15:37] * Kilarra makes her way out of the building and seats herself on a bench across the alley, looking herself over. She had been relatively unscathed by the fireball, but the lightning shock had hurt.
[15:38] * Aluthyra stands next to Kilarra. She looks her over and asks, "Are you in need of more healing? I am sure Tognik could spare more charges in his wand..."
[15:39] * Kilarra plucks out her own wand, "Got it covered." She prods herself one additional time.
[15:40] <Kilarra> Kjell looks to Tognik, "Considering your proficiency with wands, perhaps you should take this." He motions to the fresh fireball wand. "It would give you a reliable means of offense."
[15:42] <@Aluthyra> Tognik nods, taking the offered wand. He smiles. "Thank you."
[15:45] <Kilarra> Kjell nods, "Good work subduing the apprentice by the way, what sort of spell was that?"
[15:47] * Kilarra looks to Aluthyra, "You alright?"
[15:48] <@Aluthyra> Tognik smiles. "A spell of confusion. Shame it didn't work on the necromance-- they could have attacked each other, that way."
[15:49] * Aluthyra nods to Kilarra. "I am fine," She looks over Kilarra, showing slight concern. "And you?"
[15:51] * Kilarra frowns a bit, "I was admittedly hoping that would be a bit more satisfying. Guess it just lacked that personal element for it to really be a satisfactory vengeance."
[15:54] * Aluthyra frowns. "Vengeance?" She thinks for a moment. "...Would that have to do with your parents, or?"
[15:54] * Kilarra frowns, "My mother, yes."
[15:57] * Aluthyra nods. "Maybe... we could speak of it back at camp? If you do not mind."
[15:58] * Kilarra nods, "Maybe. Just... not somethign I've shared with anyone who didn't already know about it."
[16:00] * Aluthyra nods, leaning over to give Kilarra and giving her a quick hug. "If you do not wish to, that is fine... but we should continue to move. The elves still need our help."
[16:03] <Kilarra> As if on cue, an elven scout, sweating and looking to be out of breath, runs up the street towards the party. He stops when he reaches them, hunching over a moment to catch his breath.
[16:03] * Aluthyra raises an eyebrow, looking at the scout in his worn-out state. "You have news?"
[16:07] <Kilarra> The elf stands up, nodding, "Urgent news." He pants a bit. "We were only just informed via an animal messenger that Captain Kaerishiel's squad has been pinned by the drow nearby. You're the closest group I managed to locate."
[16:08] * Kilarra raises an eyebrow, looking a little smug, "So the elf suddenly needs help from outsiders does he?" She smirks.
[16:10] * Aluthyra nods. "Then we should go and assist him." She adds, looking to Kilarra, "What better way to show him wrong then to save him."
[16:11] * Kilarra smirks, "exactly what I was thinking. There's the personal touch I was hoping for. Frankly I don't care about the elf, but if we do save him, the look on his face will be oh so sweet."
[16:11] <Kilarra> Kjell nods his agreement, "OUr own motives aside, we shouldn't let the elves lose a valuable captain if we can help it."
[16:12] <@Aluthyra> Tognik nods, gesturing for the elf to lead the way. "Then let's hurry."
[16:17] <Kilarra> The elf quickly relays the position of Kaerishiel's squad, but then has to depart to return to the camp for further messenging duties
[16:18] <Kilarra> Kjell draws Tyrant's Bane and leads to the aforementioned site.
[16:20] <Kilarra> The site in question is a pair of towers, with one still mostly intact overlooking a ruined one. According to the messenger, Kaerishiel's group was pinned inside the ruined tower, while atop the other tower, the Drow were in posession of a Ballista, and were positioning it to bring the tower down on the trapped elves.
[16:21] * Aluthyra frowns, looking up to the drow manning the ballista. She tries to estimate her current range, if she were to shoot...
[16:23] <Kilarra> The drow have exceptional cover atop the tower's 'roof' (which is actually a previously internal floor exposed by the collapse of the tower above), and can easily duck behind the ledge if attacked from without.
[16:27] * Kilarra looks to Aluthrya and Kjell. She was really only good at social hunting, due to her time as an information worker for Shorafa. Tactical stuff like this she hoped they could figure out.
[16:28] <@Aluthyra> Tognik notes. "I can distract them with pyrotechnics and then turn myself invisible-- if not before-- while you two make it to the tower's top." He nods. "Unless either of you have a better idea."
[16:29] <Kilarra> Kjell nods, "A Diversion would allow us a chance to get to the base of the tower unnoticed. From there, we could scale the inside without fear of fire from that Ballista. We need to act quickly though."
[16:30] <@Aluthyra> Tognik smiles. "Then get as close as you can without them seeing you. When I start with the fireworks, run."
[16:30] * Aluthyra nods, looking to Kjell and Kilarra. "Then I am ready when the two of you are."
[16:32] * Kilarra notes, "I can sprint, but I got nothing when it comes ot being sneaky."
[16:32] <Kilarra> Kjell nods, "I am the same. ALuthyra, if you can, perhaps you should just go ahead, and then we'll run to join you when the fireworks start."
[16:33] * Aluthyra nods. "Very well." She smiles to the pair before she starts off, attempting to sneak to the tower's base.
[16:35] <Kilarra> around the base of the tower, Aluthyra can find two possible entrances. One is a locked door, the other is a hole in the wall. However, the hole is full of crumbling stones, and it would be difficult to enter quietly.
[16:38] * Aluthyra frowns. She can't pick locks. She decides to try and look through the hole in the wall for now, rather than go through it.
[16:40] <Kilarra> The bodies of a dozen drow lie heaped on the floor here, a testimony to the amount of damage the desperate elves under Kaerishiel have managed to do so far. All of their gear has been sent back to the Academy for allocation to other drow.
[16:42] <Kilarra> Kjell nods to Tognik. Now or never.
[16:45] <@Aluthyra> Tognik nods. He first throws an alchemist's fire potion towards the tower. "Cover your eyes," he notes, then casts invisibility on himself. Finally, Tognik points to the fire, casting pyrotechnics and creating fireworks to shoot up towards the drow, closing his eyes as the fireworks go off.
[16:46] * Kilarra shields her eyes
[16:48] * Aluthyra was never informed to shield her eyes, but thankfully, the dazzling light doesn't affect her.
[16:48] * Kilarra takes off at a sprint as soon as the flash subsides.
[16:49] <Kilarra> Atop the tower, the drow are not blinded (although, considering the daylight, they were already somewhat dazzled), and begin scanning the area below the tower where the burst came from for signs of their would-be attackers
[16:49] <Kilarra> This leaves the Party free to approach from the southeast while they're distracted
[16:52] * Aluthyra gestures to Kilarra and Kjell as they approach, waving her arms at them.
[16:53] * Kilarra sprints on her hooves, skidding to a halt at the base of the tower.
[16:53] <Kilarra> Kjell follows, not quite as adept a sprinter
[16:58] * Kilarra looks to Aluthyra, "How we getting in?"
[16:58] * Aluthyra frowns, pointing towards the locked door. "We can wait for Tognik to unlock it, or," She points to the crumbling hole. "Go through that, but it wouldn't be quiet."
[16:58] <@Aluthyra> Tognik begins to make his way to the tower.
[17:00] <Kilarra> Kjell looks at the hole, "I think we've already used what surprise we can get, so I say we do this quick and keep the elves from tasting that seige weapon."
[17:04] * Kilarra nods, "Since we got this far, I guess it wouldn't be any fun if he was dead before I got to gloat."
[17:05] * Aluthyra nods. "Then... shall I go first? Since I have at least a chance of sneaking through."
[17:06] * Kilarra shrugs, "It's probably not gonna matter once we get in."
[17:07] * Aluthyra shrugs, proceeding through the hole-- hopefully quietly.
[17:15] * Kilarra brings out her whip. A drow tripped was a drow not firing a balista.
[17:17] <Kilarra> Kjell takes the lead once he reaches the group, Tyrant's bane at the ready and his spell arm charged with arcane energy.
[17:27] <Kilarra> A pair of drow skirmishers duck into the upper edge of the tower's stairwell while looking around. Upon catching sight of the party below, each one fires a single potshot. One at Aluthyra, one at Kjell, who are at the front and more threatening looking.
[17:29] <Kilarra> They both miss horribly.
[17:37] * Aluthyra returns fire, shooting two arrows into each of the skirmishers.
[17:40] <Kilarra> The drow skirmishers tumble off the stairs with a cry of pain from one and surprise from the other.
[17:42] * Kilarra looks between Kjell and Aluthyra, "Meat shield, you go first. I'll follow in case you need backup. Aluthyra, you can keep back a ways and cover us I guess. Runt, if you're here, keep Aluthyra touched up as she needs it."
[17:42] <@Aluthyra> Said runt uses the already lit fire, and casts a second firework spell to distract the drow.
[17:42] <Kilarra> Kjell chuckles and moves to the base of the stairs, looking up.
[17:43] <Kilarra> Kjell can't see any additional drow immediately around the mouth of the stairs, but they are no doubt aware two of their number didn't come back up.
[17:44] <Kilarra> A pair of drow shriek as their eyes are blinded by the searing pyrotechnic flash. The other two drow manage to shrug it off.
[17:45] * Aluthyra blinks. "That's our queue, Tognik must have cast another spell. Let us move quickly."
[17:50] <Kilarra> Kjell forges up the stairs as quickly as his armour allows. He makes it about halfway up before stopping to aim his spell arm through the upper exit.
[17:50] <Kilarra> There's nothing immediately visible
[17:56] * Aluthyra runs up the stairs even faster. As she reaches Kjell, she looks out of the opening for any drow.
[17:58] * Aluthyra continues until she sees drow, running as fast as she can if not!
[18:01] <Kilarra> Aluthyra eventually finds herself atop the tower.
[18:02] * Aluthyra looks about the area.
[18:02] <Kilarra> This floor of the tower was once on the inside, but the walls have crumbled, making it the roof. Sitting in the center of the floor, mounted on a trio of iron wheels, is a large ballista, made from scorched iron and stained wood.
[18:02] <Kilarra> Four Drow stand around the platform, two of tem groping blindly, while the other two spot Aluthyra immediately.
[18:05] * Kilarra forgets about Kjell and rushes up to join Aluthyra. She wasn't about to let the woman get surrounded, blinded drow or no.
[18:08] <@Aluthyra> Tognik begins to make his way to the tower, moving as fast as his little legs can carry.
[18:10] <Kilarra> The two unblinded drow turn their hand crossbows on Aluthyra and KIlarra
[18:11] <@Aluthyra> Tognik reaches the tower base and pants. Running *pant* is for other people. Not Tognik!
[18:15] <Kilarra> Kilarra and Aluthyra are both struck by the bolts, and feel dreary for just a moment before shaking it off
[18:15] <Kilarra> The drow frown as their poison doesn't take effect, dropping the hand crossbows and each drawing a Rapier.
[18:16] <Kilarra> Each of the skirmishers orient themselves to the sounds of the other drow firing and attempt to fire as well.
[18:17] <Kilarra> The bolts whiz past any concieveable target
[18:18] <Kilarra> Kjell finishes ascending the stairs, then aims his spell arm at the nearest drow Soldier. A pair of searing rays shoot forth.
[18:19] <Kilarra> The drow's dark skin is seared painfully by the scorching rays.
[18:20] * Aluthyra turns to fire two arrows at the uninjured drow, and one more at each of the blinded drow.
[18:23] <Kilarra> Aluthyra's first shot embeds itself in the chest of the drow soldier with enough force to slam him against the parapet. He slumps to the ground, unmoving. Her other shots stop the flailing of the blinded drow.
[18:24] * Kilarra decides to finish off the wounded soldier, grasping his sword arm at the wrist
[18:25] <Kilarra> The surge of negative energy isn't quite enough to finish the job, the drow holding on.
[18:26] <@Aluthyra> Tognik continues to sprint up the stairs!
[18:29] <Kilarra> The barely alive drow attempts to skewer Kilarra with his rapier
[18:30] <Kilarra> He manages to nick her shoulder
[18:30] * Kilarra frowns, "You better hope Kjell kills you before I get another shot."
[18:31] <Kilarra> Kjell Magic Missiles the drow to death because he can.
[18:31] <Kilarra> The Balista is now unmanned and unprotected.
[18:33] <Kilarra> -End Session-
[18:34] <Kilarra> Rewards: 1 EL 9; 1600 Experience Each