Small armies meet [Combat thread]

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

Quila pings Ande <‘Can you fill me in on what’s been said? I was only there by Sight this time and saw Graytch move his snout. Anything else that is aurally interesting happen?’>

[AthasianLaborer]

Giggling (both internally and visibly) at their collective triumph, Ande responds to Quila's ping by just replaying the memory from her perspective; letting Quila feel and hear the booming voice of Graytch just as Ande did "You have won this day! I was a fool to think such treasures were unguarded" followed by the bampf and then the distant, unhinged cackling of Liandrin.

As she replays the cackling, the giggles turn to resolve steeled by anger and loss as she realizes what she hadn't heard the first time around.  "I will repay her for her insolent act of thievery but first, there are wounded to care for" Ande leaves the ping-line open to Quila as she switches her focus and tends to the needs of the wounded before her.

[DM Bob]

The laughter stops abruptly.

Oronis disappears from sight, but you are pretty certain he has not left the field.

There are no apparent casualties from the Kurnish forces as they quickly finish the last of the lingering skeletal host. Injuries, yes. Death, no. It seems that the most heavily injured were brought to Nirik after the first push, and had taken the brunt of Graytch's defiling entropy. Hurk is quickly sweeping the last few undead warriors from the field.

From the northwest, a dozen exhausted brown robed Kurnish psions approach the field, as if from nowhere, led by no other than Akos.

Smiling tiredly, he states...

"The Rite of Blood will be performed here shortly, to curb the effects of this foul defilement. Our forces will protect the field until then... and then back home. It is dangerous for us to linger here, much for the same reasons it was unwise for Graytch to openly present himself. I take it that you can thank the tohr-kreen in Nirik for us? We have begun gathering herd animals for their Hunt as you suggested and will have them transported to their home beginning on the morrow. If ever they need help, they merely need to ask and we of Kurn will answer the call."

[Attilius]

Once the field is clean of functional undead, the naked half giant approaches the psions, blades resting on his shoulder and congratulates their mental efforts
"What was your plan of assault? Multiple psionic attacks in unison? Or something else?"

[AthasianLaborer]

Ande rises to greet Akos warmly, replying "I will inform J'lact that Nirik-Tohr can expect the continued support of the City-State of Kurn. I will personally do what I can to embody that support for their community. I will prepare to receive the Erdland when we return to Nirik-Tohr so that space is ready for them when they arrive tomorrow. If I may, I’d requisition a contingent of Templars for persistent deployment to Nirik-Tohr, a diplomatic garrison in the interest of mutual benefit. If there are proficient Erdland breeders/herdsmen among their numbers, all the better, if not, find some reputable ones for hire and put it on my tab. I don’t know if it is too last minute, but might I also request some Pagafa fruit, fermented in the rind? I do believe it is in order, all things considered.” As she says that, Quila (if still paying attention to Ande) would at first get flashes of Ande’s trinkets lost with her thoughts quickly moving to the knowledge that Liandrin is how Graytch was able to achieve such terrible acts of defilement.



"If our assistance is no longer required here and no one has further questions, let's return to Nirik-Tohr with all due haste to help with our wounded there" Ande says before opening up a wormhole on the designated landing spot. Wormhole rolled a 5 needing under an 18 PSP -48; 3/112

(OOC: Apologies on the delayed post.  I know what Ande's intentions are once she returns to Nirik-Tohr but don't want to get too far ahead.)

[DM Bob]

The brown elf replies.

"We often practice fighting against Oronis at the monastery. He encourages us to attack his defenses in different numbers at different times. Drilling this way is how we can take down a larger psionic threat, possibly our only real chance at defending ourselves against another Sorcerer King's attack. Our leader's skill in the field as a tactician, while rarely used now, is that of a true savant. He often feels remorse after doing so... the last time we had to take down a rogue threat, one of The Order, he needed a solid month of personal reflection before he returned to his daily routine in Kurn, Hurk."

Several aarakocra land in the defiled field. Obsidian knives are seen as they dance about in a savage manner. Opening their veins, they drip large amounts of their life blood upon the earth, while chanting quickly. Akos seems to be unperturbed as he continues.

"We divined much with the information you gave us and came to a plan of attack utilizing all of our quick units. We kept the heavies and the infantry at home - no need to commit more than necessary. Had the field been different, mental communication would have been made back home and other units would have 'holed where needed. Magical relics were distributed from the armory and stealth magics and other preventative wards were worked prior to our charge."

Replying to Ande's request of templar help, Akos merely shakes his head negative.

"Keeping templars from home is not our priority at this time. In fact, I expect to have further orders for you after the last of the ancients are revived. But it is too soon to make those decisions, our King needs attentions and rest."

The bird folk wizards and quite possibly your unseen monarch were beginning to weaken at the loss of blood. When the first fell, another templar swoops down to heal. This is repeated for each participant. By the end of this morbid dance rite, some small green is seen where the earth was once defiled. It would be some time before the grasses grew proper here again though.

[Attilius]

Oct 17, 2023 10:56:41 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

The brown elf replies.

"We often practice fighting against Oronis at the monastery. He encourages us to attack his defenses in different numbers at different times. Drilling this way is how we can take down a larger psionic threat, possibly our only real chance at defending ourselves against another Sorcerer King's attack. Our leader's skill in the field as a tactician, while rarely used now, is that of a true savant. He often feels remorse after doing so... the last time we had to take down a rogue threat, one of The Order, he needed a solid month of personal reflection before he returned to his daily routine in Kurn, Hurk."

The half giant looks surprised. "Why did one of The Order need to be defended against?" he asks is hushed tones (for a half giant anyway)

[DM Bob]

"That is talk that should be had elsewhere... as we risk more having these conversations out in the open. I know some wards protect our leader, but their extent can be questionable. Mental discussion is preferred in such matters and I also need Oronis' approval regarding discussion of State secrets."

[Attilius]

The massive psion bows reverently to the wise answer. "Of course. Safe travels..." he turns to rejoin the team heading for the wormhole and stops abruptly and says to the brown elf "Tell Syndic I miss his sour face and that he missed me catch a meteor swarm with my face!" the giant says laughing as he walks through the portal.

-------

If there are still wounded riders/mounts, HurK will lend his Cell Adjustment aid to all those in need.

[DM Bob]

[Ending thread. Unless you have something bad ass to add.]