Kevin's Watch

"Perhaps caution is called for. Remember what happened when you tried to use healing magic against the spores back at the ruins."

"Skyseeker has told us what she knows about these things, but she's extrapolating from childhood stories. There's too much risk... too much on the line. We have no time to experiment with what might would, but might kill him. (And if he dies because we cast a heal spell on him, there's no way to avoid calling guilt down upon our own heads.) Can we establish a real two-way conversation with your Druid master, or speed him here to advise? I don't want the whole region to die because we were making guesses based on Skyseeker's childhood stories."

The following morning, there is somewhat of a commotion at the North Gate. The anticipated (well, by you at least) arrival of Yurian, to whom Skyseeker and Jauron report, along with a half-dozen Knights of the Eternal Blade. There is some muttering, as Yurian is an elf (as are some of his companions). However, Knights of the Eternal Blade are never denied admittance, so the entire retinue comes in. Except for most of the animals...the Dire Weasels, the wolves, and the wolverine stay outside, but the Brown bear sticks close to Yurian.

Sir Pval arrives to greet teh Knights, and is pointedly not looking at Yurian. The Knights introduce themselves simply by titles...namely, 4 Swords, the Second Sword, and the First Sword who is in charge. However, when the First Sword introduces Yurian as who they are following, Sir Pval visibly grits his teeth, and greets him in a proper, courteous manner, and inquires as to his companions other than the Knights.

Gesturing to an Ice Lands tribal warrior, "Polar Storm is how his name best translates, for he strikes with all the fury of his namesake" who bears three javelins across his back, a spiked shield, and a Warhammer.

"Midnight Windsong, a warrior most woods-wise" is an elf, eying Sir Pval distastefully, his longbow across his back. "and his apprentice, Arek" a young human with several daggers and a short sword at his waist.

The dwarf with the waterspout symbol is "Gagror, a cleric of the Lord of Waters"

Lastly, the odd looking halfling in crimson and orange robes is "Torch, a skilled practicioner of the arcane arts"

Sir Pval acknowledges them as minimally as possible, before returning to the First Blade, and having a whispered conversation with him, even as Yurian addresses the crowd..."Word has reached us, fo a dire epril approaching your town. The wrnings given were" a pause, and a loko over at Sir Pval "ambiguous, adn not readily apparent, so the time for possible evacuation is passed. We msut prepare to defend this very night" Some comments about elven witchery arises, before the Second Sword steps over, "Yurian stands high in the service of the Mother Of All, this approaching foe is a fundamental desecration of Her Domain. The Order of the Eternal Blade knows the worth of his word, and so we ride to his call"

[ooc] - after chatting with Seven about some more details on my knowledge checks, I've revised my actions. Sorry for the retroactive changes here.[/ooc]

Led listens to Yurian's speach to the people, and nods his satisfaction. When there is a moment of peace, and it looks like Led won't be interrupting any public speaking, he will go around and greet the various new people. Just welcoming them and whatnot.

As things start to wind down, and people look to start leaving and preparing for the upcoming battle, Led will head towards the shrine of Serloth. As he gets to the edge of the clearing, heading down the first left as you enter the gate, he stops and turns back to the crowd.

Calling out loudly, he says "Book-Ward Loxaran, would you join me in a quick prayer at Serloth's shrine? I would like to perform the Acknowledgement of Revelation, to thank Him for clearing up the confusion and doubt that has set us all on edge these past few days. Misinformation and confusion are two of our enemy's greatest weapons against us; but now that we know what and where our enemies are, the might of these worthy knights will not be squandered on shadows."

The cleric looks taken aback, and surprised at this...."Why...er....um...yes, of course." He follows Led to the shrine to He Who Is Wisdom. He looks more than slightly hesitant, but commences with the ritual...albeit rather slowly, and not the smooth movements it seems it ought to be. He suddenly stops....he had reached to take the symbolic quill in one hand, and inkwell in the other...except that both had been on the same side of his belt, leaving him grasping at air....the very air seems to still, and from nowhere a voice echoes, "KNOW TRUTH!" adn the cleric's vestments of Serloth quickly burn away. Obviously against his will, he shouts, "Uhluh-Tec Loc'Nar!" and speaks a Word of Recall, disappearing.

"Yurian, it is possible that Sir Pval has been infected with some kind of mind control spore. We believe that his strength of will has prevented him from being made captive, a testement to his loyalty and fortitude. But I believe there is danger that the spores may simply kill him if they fail to control his will. Do you know of any way to purge him of their taint?"

Turning to the priest of Missaryi, "My lord. I put the same question to you. Yurian's people may have seen this spore before in ages past. But your connection to the healing arts is probably his best hope."

Yurian looks deeply shaken at these events....."It is tying again....there truly WERE survivors.....we failed....and now, we're but a shadow of our power of old...That Name he called upon....It is part of what is only taught to those of Bright Stars of Evening. Our gods were created by older, primal Entities beyond our comprehension...but one of those, impinged upon the very creation of the Gods. In making the Gods, these Powers all ceased to be, putting themselves into their creations, from four coming all the deities. But the fifth did not. It acted as its nature...Corruption...it moved too soon, as its' touch twisted some gods, creating the horrific deities of evil we know...but all of the gods were not yet made, and thus the valiant gods of good came to be. Between the Good and Neutral, the evil were overmatched, and the Corruption was banished beyond all worlds. Kunisoiri, the Fallen Prince of Darkness, made tentative contact with this Power, and the DarkWood was born. The Name of that Power....was Uhluh-Tec Loc'Nar.This power seeks to corrupt and twist all of this world, and all others. By bringing all fo the world under It's fell auspices, ti will weaken the gods enough that ti may return here in full, and take up again its war with the then-weakened gods."

a clamor arises from teh East gate guards.....refugees, fleeing their farms...distantly, shots of Orc Raiders" can be heard.

Sir Pval looks confused for a moment...."To teh Gate, we shall sally and handle.....no...man the w-w-w-w....We'll ride out....No...hold the....All warriors, charge...no...no.....NO...NO.......WE WILL HOLD THE TOWN DO NOT SALLY! AAAAAAIIIIIIEEEE!!!!!!!" as he clutches at his head....blood begins to trickle from his nose.....then ears...then eyes....."I AM MY OWN MAN!"

Yurian quickly intones a healing spell, as does the Light of Missaryi...but he crumples, blood now pouring from every opening on his head. The Dwarf priest intones a Blessing, and the blood puddle steams away to nothing.

The bard jumps quickly to Sir Pval's side, then looks at the clerics gathered. "He needs a Remove Poison or Remove Curse or some sort of Remove spell or perhaps Cure Disease to dispel the fungus spores controlling his mind, not necessarily Healing to start.

"Do any of you have such an ability among you?
...that is, if he still lives..."

Herren Taussig says, "Look at Sir Pval..it's too late for any healing" as his head is visibly caving in upon itself. "I have to get to the Gate, we're going to be attacked"

Led follows Herren to the gate, and inserts himself into the tactical discussion. "I'm a scout. I can go out, find their positions, and return to tell you about it. Skyseeker is, as well, if she's followed us. Do any of you know the Heshic bullroarer, and how to communicate with it? I may have to use that to give notice.

The gate is opened, to let refugees in...and orc war-horns can be heard, not too distant. "I think we know where they will be very shortly, but I thank you for your offer." The First Sword appears to be in charge by default, and he announces that due to his greater experience, Yurian will be given command. This sits not that well with some of Pval's cronies....but no one in Sverdhame in their right mind argues with Eternal Blades. "If you can think of anything we may be forgetting, tend to it by all means. Else wise, find where you feel you may best aid in the defense."

Led's face blanches, as he remembers something... "Oh no. The tunnels... they were warded by Loxaran! Quick, I need some men to come with me. There's a tunnel under the walls, that comes up near here."

Led looks around to be sure someone's heard him, then dashes off to where the bakery once stood.

Laurel approaches Yurian and attempts to gain his notice with the intent of offering her archery skills and perhaps be placed somewhere where she could help inspire her allies...

Vynarkus looks back and forth between the group with Led heading off to the tunnel, and the group staying at the walls, wondering where he could be of more use.

While he does this, he begins his personal preparations for the upcoming fight, weaving very complex patterns around himself and covering himself in magic.

[ooc]Eldritch Armor every round for five rounds, and then... I haven't decided yet.[/ooc]

Seeing Laurel talking to Yurian, Led calls out to her. "Laurel, we'll need your bow over here. And your singing, more than that. We can't approach the tunnel ourselves, and I'm sure the orcs will send their best through this tunnels to catch us from behind."

The bard looks towards the scribe, considering. "My arrows yes, perhaps they would help pick off anyone who attempts to come out from the tunnel. But the ward was placed over a Silence spell inside the tunnel. How could my singing help there? Would it not better serve elsewhere, where it could have an effect?"

Stopping his sprint, Led turns in exasperation. "We won't be in the area of effect for the silence spell. We'll all be standing outside it, waiting for the orcs. And your singing will help us, not hinder them."

"We have no time to argue. Come, or stay, as you see fit. They may already be coming through." With that, Led turns again and sprints towards the bakery.

With a last glance towards the druid in the hopes of being advised and being unable to catch his eye, the bard grasps her shortbow with an arrow nocked, and races after the scribe.

As everyone approaches the tunnel by the burnt-out bakery remnants, there is a sudden crashing noise, and billowing clouds of dust....something collapsed part of the street, creating a sinkhole..from out of which come orcs and other enemies....two FellSpears, 4 simple savage orcs, one cleric of Darethon, and lastly lumbering up out....an Ogre. As you approach, the elven ranger, Midnight Windsong calls out to Skyseeker, "Might my martial prowess at long last turn your eyes from the heavens above to look upon me with favor?" as he grins impudently. She replies laughingly, "NO, for you are aptly named Midnight, for only then can your face not induce nausea!"

Initiative

Beau--21
Led--19
Marrik-19
Orc Priest--17
Laurel--16
Vynarkus--15
FellSpears--12
Skyseeker--11
Orcs--10
Ogre--9
Midnight Windsong--8


Map to be posted soon....

"Perhaps we could focus on defeating the enemy, instead of planning the celebration afterwards?"