Adjo's Journal (23 of N)
Jan. 21st, 2009 10:47 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bluegargantuaHi,
Earlier, I pledged to remain within the safe confines of Brawl at all times during any sort of combat where he might be present. Once more, I have proven that a keen grasp of the mystical underpinnings of the universe also serves one well in other, more physically oriented arenas.
After a delicious second helping of desert and a good night’s sleep, we assembled the next day to meet with Brawl (who’d been let into the fortress overnight). Noob dropped by to see us off and to present us with some tokens of his appreciation in the form of upgraded equipment. I feel like many of us are strongly considering applying for citizenship.
There was much door-slamming and Thrace and Taras disappeared to be replaced by Shay. We haven’t seen Shay in quite awhile. We got caught up on the situation and he regaled us with boring stories about killing rats or something. Anyway, with much fanfare, we set off from the Rookery to make our way to the Hook.
Several hours later the road ends in a broad flight of steps leading up with a portcullis slammed down in front of it. Brawl tucks in close to a side passage to block it off from interlopers and the rest of the party hops out to investigate. Shay finds the door mechanism, but it requires some sort of turning key. A quick check of the opposite wall finds a hidden panel with the key, but fails to detect the alarm on it that goes off when Shay pulls the key out. He quickly manages to silence it, but the damage is done and we can see figures rushing up out of the gloom behind us.
Turned out to be a squad of elite gibber riflemen. Gibbers with guns are very disturbing because if those groups are becoming more common among Northman forces, then the defensive lines are going to have lots of trouble.
They caused quite a bit of trouble for my companions, but safely ensconced within Brawl, I was able to direct a good deal of fire down upon the foes (who bunched up pretty nicely actually). Sadly, the restricted field of view, combined with the general nimbleness of the gibbers meant that my area attacks were less than optimal. Still, at least one gibber got hit every time I cast, so that’s worth something.
Things were going pretty well, right up until the varten popped into view and promptly blasted chilling magic through Brawl’s firing ports. I found myself blinded and immobilized from the chill, but at least I wasn’t also poisoned, on fire and sitting out in the open. Luckily, since Brawl absorbed most of the blast, I was able to quickly shake off the effects and return to blasting things.
Eventually, we finished off the first wave of gibbers, when we heard horns from behind us. More gibbers were on the way. Then we heard and answering horn following Commonwealth patterns. We looked to the steps to see the portcullis rising and a shieldwall of Legionaries standing on the steps. We piled inside of Brawl and rushed under the portcullis and up the steps.
Emerging from Brawl, we met with the Centurion and confirmed our status as their gallant rescuers. Heavy drinking accompanied this news. Apparently, the Legion is exhausted, but nearly at full strength with only about 300 men too injured to continue. That’s good to know. It’s going to be a long slog back, but if we can escort them through safely, the defensive lines will get a much-needed reinforcement.
Now we’re off to speak to the commander and get this evacuation underway.
later
Tom
Earlier, I pledged to remain within the safe confines of Brawl at all times during any sort of combat where he might be present. Once more, I have proven that a keen grasp of the mystical underpinnings of the universe also serves one well in other, more physically oriented arenas.
After a delicious second helping of desert and a good night’s sleep, we assembled the next day to meet with Brawl (who’d been let into the fortress overnight). Noob dropped by to see us off and to present us with some tokens of his appreciation in the form of upgraded equipment. I feel like many of us are strongly considering applying for citizenship.
There was much door-slamming and Thrace and Taras disappeared to be replaced by Shay. We haven’t seen Shay in quite awhile. We got caught up on the situation and he regaled us with boring stories about killing rats or something. Anyway, with much fanfare, we set off from the Rookery to make our way to the Hook.
Several hours later the road ends in a broad flight of steps leading up with a portcullis slammed down in front of it. Brawl tucks in close to a side passage to block it off from interlopers and the rest of the party hops out to investigate. Shay finds the door mechanism, but it requires some sort of turning key. A quick check of the opposite wall finds a hidden panel with the key, but fails to detect the alarm on it that goes off when Shay pulls the key out. He quickly manages to silence it, but the damage is done and we can see figures rushing up out of the gloom behind us.
Turned out to be a squad of elite gibber riflemen. Gibbers with guns are very disturbing because if those groups are becoming more common among Northman forces, then the defensive lines are going to have lots of trouble.
They caused quite a bit of trouble for my companions, but safely ensconced within Brawl, I was able to direct a good deal of fire down upon the foes (who bunched up pretty nicely actually). Sadly, the restricted field of view, combined with the general nimbleness of the gibbers meant that my area attacks were less than optimal. Still, at least one gibber got hit every time I cast, so that’s worth something.
Things were going pretty well, right up until the varten popped into view and promptly blasted chilling magic through Brawl’s firing ports. I found myself blinded and immobilized from the chill, but at least I wasn’t also poisoned, on fire and sitting out in the open. Luckily, since Brawl absorbed most of the blast, I was able to quickly shake off the effects and return to blasting things.
Eventually, we finished off the first wave of gibbers, when we heard horns from behind us. More gibbers were on the way. Then we heard and answering horn following Commonwealth patterns. We looked to the steps to see the portcullis rising and a shieldwall of Legionaries standing on the steps. We piled inside of Brawl and rushed under the portcullis and up the steps.
Emerging from Brawl, we met with the Centurion and confirmed our status as their gallant rescuers. Heavy drinking accompanied this news. Apparently, the Legion is exhausted, but nearly at full strength with only about 300 men too injured to continue. That’s good to know. It’s going to be a long slog back, but if we can escort them through safely, the defensive lines will get a much-needed reinforcement.
Now we’re off to speak to the commander and get this evacuation underway.
later
Tom
