Once more Eadoin binds the Huns' left, this time calling the forest not just to hinder, but to harm those who defile it by their presence.  He hopes to catch the Worgs and their riders as they shift to prevent the king's charge or to come to the aid of the Ogre surrounded by the cavalry.

The young druid is unsure exactly why it is he's chasing after Theoderic and Titus when he'd planned to stay close with Aelasuria.  Eadoin frowns, finding no delight in battle, only duty.  He has neither armor nor enchanted weapons, but places his trust in his gods and he follows.

OOC: Casting Briar Web wherever I can get in the way of the Worg cavalry.

Hmmm…not sure how I ended up with Titus and Theoderic when I was sticking close to Aelasuria, but I guess there're three confused Centaurs, not just two.  Also, not that it really matters, but doesn't Entangle have a radius of 40' rather than 20'?

Briar Web
Transmutation
Level: Druid 2, Ranger 2,
Components: V, S, DF,
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Area: Plants in a 40-ft.-radius spread
Duration: 1 minute/level
Saving Throw: See text
Spell Resistance: No

This spell causes grasses, weeds, bushes, and even trees to grow thorns and then wrap, twist, and entwine about creatures in the area, holding them fast.  Creatures that stand still are entangled but experience no other effects and take no damage.

A creature attempting an action (attack, cast a spell with a somatic component, move, or the like) takes thorn damage of 1d4 points +1 additional point per caster level and must make a successful Reflex save or be entangled (-2 penalty on attack rolls, -4 penalty to effective Dexterity, and unable to move).

Anyone trying to cast a spell within the area must also make a Concentration check (DC 15 + spell level + damage taken) or lose the spell.

An entangled creature can try to break free and move at half normal speed by using a full-round action to make a Strength check or Escape Artist check (DC 20).

A nonentangled creature can move through the area at half speed, taking damage as described above.

Each round nonentangled creatures remain in the area, the plants attempt to entangle them.

The plants provide one-quarter cover for every 5 feet of substance between a creature in the area and an opponent—one-half for 10 feet of briar web, three-quarters for 15 feet, and total cover for 20 feet or more.

The DM may alter the effects of the spell somewhat, based on the nature of the available plants.

"Let's deal with the Demon. The sooner it's down the better. We might be able to destroy the ice via a few different methods Rita. Applied heat or if we had siege weapons a well placed boulder could put a end to their plans. It might not be impossible for the river goddess to do something about the ice however what that is I am unsure."

She advances trying to keep up with Theo and Titus intent on helping to clear the way or strike at the demon as soon as opportunity presents. Although if the calvary and other soldiers clear the path sufficiently she reserves her magic to deal with the demon itself.

Scolo considers for a moment ... He needs a hair brained scheme. He wants to set up the others for success and not upset Melissa too much.

Aha! That's it, but it is an attack, well not directly an attack more like a prank really ...
He once did a similar attack on his good friend Aldo the Retromancer, you should have seen his face when he finally came to his senses he was practically covered in grease and blindly following a Mephit through a Gnomish red light district as they stared he kept thumping his head on their little hanging signs. ...

What if the demon isn't as smart as Aldo? ... I guess it's gonna get really cold and Melissa will be pissed.

He rummages through his pack taking something out and wrapping arround himself though you wouldn't be able to tell that was what he was doing. When Edgar returns the wizard whispers his plan and casts a spell. The invisible Edgar flies around to be behind the Demon close to the tree and waits.

Scolo had already been moving south to the house facing the water in the tree, he now stands at the bridge (G1:30) in full view of the demon but hopefully obstructed by the trees frome the charging attackers. When they empathically know they are both ready Edgar attacks touching the Demon and flying immediately up to the tree house above him.

Scolo and Edgar are visible as Edgar flies to a hiding spot Scolo stands there wrapped in and holding up a heavy dark bolt of cloth. The cloth is sparkly and seems to contain answers for every riddle you've ever thought of, he wears a silly look on his face as if he were a flasher looking for an expression of shock.

Paranip.

He says with conviction
This message was last edited by the player at 16:40, Sun 02 Dec 2012.

Riordeg stays close to Theoderic during the initial phase of the battle, while the disposition of the orcs is being discovered. Although he is armed with his lance, going up against orcs with pikes isn't sensible - unless they can flank them. Then the pikes become a hindrance rather than an advantage.

When the king orders the cavalry forward to cut off the river crossing and bring the fight to the demon, he sees this as a task he can lend his weight to. "With your permission, my king!" Readying his lance, he moves forward with the cavalry.

There is a definite flaw in Seti's plan.  He is invisible, on foot, and trying to get to the Demon.  So are Titus and Theoderic, and they are very visible, on strong horses, charging forwards at the head of a column of cavalry.

The Hun front line is mired in Eadoin's spells on the right, and almost destroyed on the left, where cavalry is mopping up survivors.  Human riders and Centaurs are pouring into the gap, along with one Elf on a Unicorn.

Aelasuria and Spica are magnets for the enemy.  The Orcish reaction to beauty and grace is profound rage.  Around them, the Centaurs seem almost relieved to be finally genuinely into the battle.  But it is a confused and vicious melee, and Spica find herself facing a Worg, which she stabs with her horn.

The Ogre charges towards them, but is quickly punctured repeatedly with arrows and lances, and collapses in a grotesque bloody lump.

The number of Huns taking the "bait" seems to clear the path for Titus and Theoderic.

Meanwhile, Melissa holds off the front door.  She's only got what armor she's managed to scrounge and beg since Turnacum.  She managed to pull together a good suit of reinforced leather armor (she's much better at the begging than the scrounging, Scolo has learned) but she doesn't look like an experienced wearer of heavier armor.  Still, as long as they come one at time... fortunately, due to the nature of the tree village, the Orcs are doing exactly that.  They look surprised to see a Human here.

Melissa adds a bothersome fact to Scolo's pool of knowledge:  "Look, they've got one of those giant war boars here!".

Scolo sends Eadoin over to deliver a spell.   It's really good timing, as it distracts the creature.  But it's not good for Edgar.  Angered by the creatures attack, the demon unleashes a blast of bone numbing cold.  Swirls of white condensate form in the air around it, and Edgar drops like a rock.  A moment later, Theoderic's sword smashes into its flank.


 

Rita, on horseback, does her best to follow Theoderic and Titus in order to get close enough to cast her spell at the demon. She heads directly to W23, then to X25, then to A1 26, which should put her within the required 35-foot range for the spell.
OOC: Not sure how many rounds this will take.

She will not cast the spell until she is certain she is in range for it to hit the demon.

DEMON DIRGE
Transmutation
Level: Cleric 3, sorcerer/wizard 3
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: Living creature
Duration: 1d6 rounds; see text
Saving Throw: None or Fortitude
partial; see text
Spell Resistance: Yes
You cry out the ancient words and make
the prescribed motions, and your foe lets
out a howl of pain as his blood boils in
his veins.
Demon dirge deals 2d6 points of damage
each round for the duration of the
spell to any creature that has both the
chaotic and evil subtypes (such as a
howler or a demon). No saving throw
is allowed against this damage.
If the target creature also possesses
the tanar’ri subtype (MM 316), the
spell has a much more powerful effect.
In addition to the damage, a tanar’ri
is stunned for the duration of the
spell unless it succeeds on a Fortitude
save.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:23, Tue 04 Dec 2012.

"Oh Theo!  I need a clear shot! I can't use my strongest magic if people are in Melee combat with the demon." She looks troubled realizing if there had been a window to use her fireball spell it was gone now. Nothing she had would do more then mildly irritate the demon at best now. Well perhaps it would prove fruitful to save it for the Hun troops which there seems to be no shortage of. She casts displacement on herself for what it's worth. They were attracting a lot of attention on the battle field.

She considers moving to use a lightning  on the group off orcs in R through M. Though that's only a valid tactic so long as she has a clear shot free of calvary, centaurs and foot soldiers. There was also the fact that it would delay her from being at Theo's side to help him. She was afraid for him being in combat with a demon. Much as he had felt when the Demon tree had battered her so badly with it's branches.

"Spica a brief jaunt towards that pack of orcs over there. I will take them down with a lighting bolt unless they are handled by the soldiers. Then to Theo I think my minor globe of invulnerability will protect him from most if not all of the demons magic. Like a wizards it will have to use something powerful to overcome it. spica we also need to help Edgar assuming Scolo doesn't get to him first. It looks like the poor little creature needs healing badly."

On the way to the demon she uses magic missile for lack of a better idea. Perhaps it would distract it from Theo and buy him a little more time.

Somehow, yet again finding himself not following the one he's pledged to, Eadoin begins to wonder what whims of fate guide his hooves as it doesn't appear to be his will that directs him from place to place.  Somehow, he must have gotten caught up in the moment, deciding not to cast a spell.  For now he just goes wherever the winds seem to be blowing him, along with the press or off in yet another random direction.

Titus is to the Demon right after Theodoric and his Mercury's Hook flashes as he attacks in a attempt not only to get a piece of the creature before the King slays it, but to also remind it that there is more than one opponent present that can hurt it.

Huh, why didn't it see me?
Scolo looks at the Demon and cocks his head to one side. He scratches.
He looks at Edgar sensing what he can of his status. Is he in pain, or frozen numb?
Excellent work little buddy, if the spell worked the demon will have problems fighting the warriors. Too bad the rest of his plan didn't help.


The wizard thinks about hitting the demon with another spell but remembers Melissa, she asked him not to fight the demon. He moves back enough to see her and says Step right. he is already casting a surge of blue smokey tendrils to add to his next spell  in order to hit with as much damage as he can muster. Edgar's feelings are welling up inside him.
He adds the scream as Melissa steps aside. Laced with a power of force the sound moves straight through the orcs in a line.

21:57, Today: Scolo rolled 4 using 1d6. Energy surge .
21:41, Today: Scolo rolled 19 using 8d4.
19 sonic damage ref save at DC 19 for half plus 4 force damage.

He doesn't watch the orcs but turns back away and looks out for Edgar

C'mon little buddy, can you fly?

PM (invisible, sorry I botched last post. =p)

Riordeg finds himself on the eastern edge of the melee, but with a clear path to the south and the king's group around the demon.

He shifts himself in the saddle and wheels to the right, setting his heels to the flanks of his horse. "Come on girl, one last effort!" he calls encouragement to the mare as she surges forward, heading straight towards the knot of fighters around the demon.

Seeing opportunity, Eadoin follows Riordeg and the cavalry.  Ever mindful of the role he's been asked to play in this fray, he tries to keep himself and his folk between the Huns and Aelasuria or to make sure there simply aren't any living Huns to cause problems.

Thus far, he's trusted Apollo's power to guide him through the ebb and surge of melee.  Truth be told, he's rather afraid and confused about things.  He hangs the staff, trading it for the long-bladed spear he's carried these last few months.  Armed and accoutered like an ancient Greek warrior, he follows his friend to keep Riordeg from being surrounded.

Scolo takes a few moments to fire off a blast of wizardly energy at the Orcs climbing the tree, at the same time sending pieces of tree house falling the forest floor below.  Melissa sees her way cleared.

Scolo looks out for Edgar.   He sees Edgar there on the ground near the Demon battle.

The Demon is the center of things.  It is hit by multiple attacks almost simultaneously- Theoderic and Titus’s swords, Rita and Aelasuria’s spells.  It is clearly reeling and its own counterstrikes seem off balance and clumsy.  It is not doing well.

Seti has found an opening.  He is now very close to the Demon, and the fallen Edgar, Scolo’s familiar.

Around Aelasuria and Rita, a battle swirls.  Riordeg and Eadoin have caught up with them, and the Centaur guard, somewhat spread by the whims of battle, are all around.  They’ve left the worgs and the Orcish front behind- no need, now that the heavy cavalry and some Lucimburic troops have shown up.  But the enemy still tries for Aelasuria and Spica, and the Centaurs intercept when they do.  Riordeg finds himself on the outside of the knot currently centered on the Unicorn, but in a few moments, his path is clear.   Eadoin is close by.

The Huns are more scattered now.  Their front is broken and they’ve had no time to reform.  But there are so many of them.  Up ahead, they seem to be all along the river bank.  And there..

The ice is not the only way the Huns have to cross the river.  One of their huge warbeasts is preparing to wade.




 
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:42, Thu 06 Dec 2012.

OOC: map is the same as last version.

With Melissa no longer in melee Scolo calls her over.
Thank you so much for watching my back - see?
We stayed out of the front hmmm? Good yes?

He seeks reassurance.
But Edgar is down there I must go get him, will you come or stay here?

Scolo goes out on the bridge, precariously ... Come on, trust me

He drops off the side and floats down like a feather pumping his legs till he lands beside Edgar. If Melissa agreed she is riding piggy back like a teenager. (Ring of feather fall)
Weeeeee! I never used that ring before, glad it worked -

He takes Edgar up into his frock,
who's my boy, yes you did good-Defeated the demon and saved the king no doubt.
Scolo says as he walks briskly away from the battle toward the ice.

Now, what's next? That poor demon never had such bad luck, ah well - we should see how much bridge it made, more diddyboos may be headed our way if we don't break it. Stay close and watch for any archers.
He examines the situation while helping Edgar warm up by wrapping him in the Jacksonpollock and putting him in the back pack.

What is the size of the  narrowest part of the ice? Plan to use fryerball to break it up

(Also using prestidigitation to warm Edgar)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:28, Thu 06 Dec 2012.

Titus presses his attack hoping that they will bring the Demon down before the Warbeast gets across the river.

OOC: Where on the map is the warbeast preparing to cross the river?

Still invisible, Seti continues to carefully make his way closer to the demon and the king, to be ready for whatever may transpire. The battle seems in hand, but he's learned not to count one's chickens until they've hatched.

As he does, with a wave of a hand and a quick incantation, he calls forth a mephit from the elemental plane of fire, spawning into existence as close to the war beast as possible with orders to block it's crossing of the ice bridge by force, frightening it into the river, melting the ice, or whatever may seem practical.

Cast Summon Monster IV: Fire Mephit, duration 8 rounds, range 45' (for initial placement)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:20, Thu 06 Dec 2012.

Ack Ooop!

I accidentally linked the wrong map to the last message!

I have fixed this.  Please note the corrected map.

Eadoin does a mental double-take, suddenly not all that certain that charging to the front of the battle is the right thing to do.  He's seen enough of the warbeasts up close and personal to have had a fine lifetime full of them.  When the damned thing lumbers onto the field, Eadoin knows this means trouble.  It's not tough in the conventional sense, but is nigh unto unstoppable.  He's heard rumors the things will even fight beyond the point of death, too grizzled and angry to know they've passed over.  Still, they're not overly bright.

The young Centaur ignores the demon for a few moments, guessing the warbeast's handlers will drive it towards Aelasuria the moment they spot her.  He calls out to those around him, "The warbeast!  Kill its handler!  Draw it towards the river!  Maybe we can lure it onto the ice!"

Eadoin slides to a stop and jabs the point of his spear into the ground.  With a hand free, he calls plainly to briar and to thorn, to angry thickets grown wild with vines and wooden spikes.  Though he knows the warbeast will tear through the foliage, at least it'll be hindered and momentarily unable to charge.  The Huns surrounding it might not be so lucky!  "Aelasuria!  If it goes on the ice, maybe you can break the ice under it with a fireball and drop it into the cold river?"

OOC: Casting Briar Web, centered at the lower right corner of P1-26, intentionally leaving a gap along the edge of the river with two goals: to hinder the warbeast's ability to charge to join the melee around the demon and to channel it out onto the ice bridge.

OOC: Oh, I had it all wrong! So these guys are crossing the river to get away from us, not making a bridge to bring nasty friends to us?

Oh well, Scolo is often confused - so the warbeast is wading to escape us not to come get us!

Seeing the fire Mephit Scolo says "Hello, have you visited around here before?"

Seti's fire mephit takes to the ice.  Ice starts to melt rapidly under its feet, causing great clouds of steam.  The mephit does not like the feet of the ice melting, and quickly realizes that if it melts all the way through it will fall in- into cold water.

That is about the most unpleasant thing that can happen to a fire mephit, so it starts hopping from spot to spot.  Ice melts and starts to split.

The mephit complains.  "What IS this stuff?  This stuff is NASTY.  That thing is making it?  Kill it, KILL IT NOW!"

It ignores Scolo.

Melissa does not.  She tries to get his attention.  Now that she has the tree to herself she has found a good vantage point and she sees...

"The Iron Monsters, Scolo!  East of here!  They're crossing the river!"  She shouts and points, but Scolo cannot see from where he is.

Scolo reaches Edgar.   The weird creature is still alive!  Chilled, yes, but alive.

Eadoin uses his briar web spell.  And now he knows why the Huns use these giant warbeasts.  While the spell is effective against the Orcs on foot, the plants barely interfere with the massively strong creature.

Huh?

Forget the ice bridge, Scolo uses his boots to teleport immediately back to Melissa and looks for the iron soldiers. How many, How far? What is nearby? Where are they going?

"I can try though that ice is probably several feet thick Eadoin. Each one of the iron soldiers is tremendous in and of itself."

Since she's likely to play bait in this case Aelasuria cases mirror image on herself. Nine elf maidens and one unicorn will draw more attention then just one elf maiden and a unicorn. "It's to far at the moment though if I get a clear a shot I will get it's attention with a lightning bolt. Spica we want the giant boar creature on the ice with the Iron soldiers. We are going to try to sink them into the river. Lead it onto the ice I need a clear shot."

Aelasuria rides towards Scolo in a effort to clear the tree and get a shot at the giant boar. On the way she might as well use her magic missile spell to try to help finish off the ice demon that Theo is fighting. She calls to the Orc in a clear lovely voice. "Orcs! Ewww! There are so many nasty orcs! The one riding the giant war beast is stupid! Why not cross the ice instead of trying to swim in dangerous waters? He will never catch me while I flee across the ice!"

If somehow she reaches a point where she can she will unleash a lightning bolt to try to take out the handlers and anger the boar. On the other hand the ice is already breaking up. If she see's a opportunity to drop the Iron soldiers into the water she will use her fireball to aid the Fire Mephit instead.

OCC: Priority one. Sink the iron soldiers. Priority two if it's feasible get that war beast onto the ice to help break it. Assuming there is enough time to pull off Eadoin's plan. Prioities are subject to change if someone needs saving. ^_^

Perhaps an oversight on his part, Seti does not know Ignan. Thinking in Latin, he attempts to communicate to the mephit that the real problem is the ice itself, not the demon, which is already being attacked on several sides. Further, should Seti hear Melissa's screams about the iron soldiers, he will suggest to the mephit that the section of ice they are attempting to cross is the real problem. His final thought on the summoned being is to suggest that it follow any commands Scolo gives it. For now, he has to focus on his own actions, and he presumes the mephit - independent creatures that they tend to be - will do its own thing.

All that best wishing aside, Seti continues to move forward, towards the edge of the ice, trying to stay out of melee of anything in particular. Note that he is also not leaving any footprints into the rough ground, nor even scent that the war beast might pick up, thanks to the Pass Without Trace spell. Assuming things are always worse than expected, he came exceedingly prepared for this encounter, even at some cost to his magical reserves. Yet now they are running low, especially ones that will keep him sheltered from enemies.

He attempts to reach the water's edge to witness the ice bridge from the best viewing point and see any weaknesses it may have, who is crossing where, and so forth. Is there another further down the river or is this the only one? At 100 feet in width, he wonders whether it can be broken down easily or whether it will reform, but with the iron soldiers on the field, they may have a new set of problems or targets. For now, he continues his vigil, attempting to watch in every direction - using his enhanced abilities to sense how the king and queen and holding up.

Now that he is within close range of the demon and the war beast (assuming it continues moving towards the ice bridge), he will again call to Lord Pluto to aid them in their time of need, "Gloria et spiritui sancto!"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:22, Fri 07 Dec 2012.