[4e] The Wolfcrown, Chapter 1

Squeal, Warforged barbarian 50/50hp, 21AC, 20Fort, 18Ref, 16Will

Sensing the tide of battle slipping from the defenders Squeal launches and brutal assault on the onrushing army, arms and weapons a blur

[Sblock=Actions]
Standard Action - Whirling Step: Attack J7 +11v Ac 1d8+7 Damage
Effect: Shift to H9, If the attack on J7 hit 1d8 Damage vs I9 and H7
Action Point - Whirling Frenzy: Attack +11 vs Reflex, 1d8+1d8+7 damage against all creatures in close burst 1. Squeal takes 1d6 damage on a miss.
If an enemy is dropped by Whirling Frenzy - activate Whirling Lunge - shift 2 and deal 1d8 damage to an enemy.

@Distracting Flare
Can't seem to log into Invisible castle right now, will try again this evening, otherwise you can roll for me
[/sblock]

THE QUEEN'S GROVE

Thorn, along with a cadre of six bowmen, race toward Strata's Pass.

[sblock=Shayuri]On Thorn's next turn, you can have her enter the battle and place the archers wherever you like.[/sblock]

STRATA'S PASS

Doren takes holy vengeance upon the thug that attacked him, smiting the hedonist to the ground.

Squeal's whirling assault fells an INCREDIBLE number of thugs. The warforged, a tornado of blades, chops his enemies to bits, leaving none around him standing. He leaps back and forth, finally landing next to Doren.

The elves prepare for another volley. The archers nock their arrows, and their hail of missiles cuts down four of the thugs. The lone elven swordsman at the vanguard cuts down an out-of-formation thug, then crouches down into a defensive huddle next to Torath.

"Sir Torath, I'm honored to stand by you in battle."

Torath's turn.

Doren looks about noting all the dead... his eyes turn to the sky with a prayer...

"These great elven brethren fell in war and battle Blackmoor. Please watch over their transcendence to the heavens and hold a place for them at your side." he utters before looking behind him.

"Form the line my elven brothers in heart and soul. Step forward and take you place among history! we must NOT loose this pass! Fill in the gaps, for I believe if the line hold we will be victorious!" the war priest barks...

Torath nods and smiles at the praise, (and the title). He steps in front of the swordsman and runs another thug through. Pulling the blade free it glows and the swordsman can feel the divine power wielded by the paladin surrounds him.

[sblock=actions]Shift (thanks, ) to H6 then Shielding Smite vs G6 CHA vs. AC 1d20+9 = 26, 2d8+6 = 15 [/sblock][sblock=actions]
Give the +2 AC bonus to the elven swordsman at I6 [/sblock]

[sblock=Torath stat block]
Male Human Paladin 4
Passive Perception: 14, Passive Insight: 19
AC:24, Fort:16, Reflex:16, Will:16 -- Speed:5
HP:52/52 + 13, Bloodied:23, Surge Value:13, Surges left:14/15
Initiative +2 -- Resist All: 1
Action Points: 1, Hero Points: 2, Second Wind: not used
Powers: Divine Challenge, Lay on Hands, Bolstering Strike, Virtous Strike, Holy Strike, Divine Mettle, Divine Strength,Virtue, Strength of Valor, Shielding Smite, Dazzling Flare, Path of Destruction, Glorious Charge, Dwarven Armor
[/sblock]

The remaining thugs swarm around the heroes, slashing away, barely missing each time. Only one blow lands, taking Squeal by surprise and leaving a small cut in his armor.

[sblock=Damage - Squeal]Squeal takes 5 damage.[/sblock]

The rest of the thugs seem to be immobilized, each one trying to push through to the front, severely slowing the attack. Seeing the enemies bunching up at the mouth of the pass, Baern lashes out at them with a burst of radiant magic.

"Ye won't make it past me, ye snivelling dogs!"

Five more of the enemies fall.

Another wave enters from the beach.

Next up, it's Doren's turn, followed by the triumphant return of Lady Thorn!

[sblock=Battle Update]Squeal 45/50
Doren 41/46
Torath 52+13/52

32 Thugs killed. 56 total have been placed.[/sblock]

Doren HP: 41/46 AC: 20 Fort: 17 Reflex: 16 Will: 20

Doren sees Baern helping out from above and his comrades working from below... Squeals last push is what they all needed for a bit of a boost in confidence!

"Come men fight along side one another we can do this if we stay one cohesive unit!" Doren barks as he takes another swing at the thug just in front of him!

[sblock=Actions for Round 4]

Minor Acton: None

Standard Action: Bonus At-Will Power: Righteous Brand
At-Will ✦ Divine,Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Strength vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage, and one ally within
5 squares of you gains a power bonus to melee attack rolls
against the target equal to your Strength modifier until the
end of your next turn.
Attack on thug (1d20+8=14, 1d8+4=7) (Flanking has not been counted here as of yet) Will give the power bonus to Torath this time.

Move Action: Shift to J8[/sblock]

[sblock=ooc]Shayuri, you can place Thorn and her retainer of guards on the board as you like. Just let me know.[/sblock]

Baern moves up closer to the archers for a better vantage point.

"Aye, how's about one more!" He unleashes another cloud of radiance, and the tiny beams of light cut like a knife.

[sblock=Actions]Move: J12
Standard: Grasping Shards (burst 1) centered on G9 for 5 damage: 1d20+9=27, 1d20+9=14, 1d20+9=24, 1d20+9=23, 1d20+9=26

For all intents and purposes, consider me back in the game. I'll let you know if things change. Thanks again for being patient with me.[/sblock]

The situation at the pass was getting desperate. Though the archers took their toll, the tide of thugs and jackboots seemed unending, and the Knights of the Vale couldn't hold the pass on their own. Every elf cut down was another tick of the clock hand towards when the Knights would find themselves surrounded, isolated, and the rest of the army would pour through the pass around them like water parting around a rock in a streambed.

Doren rallied the elves behind them and they formed up on either side again, stepping over the bodies of their friends and brothers to block the pass. Even so, Doren...no stranger to war...could see yet another wave of foes coming even as the immediate enemies leaped at him with swords and daggers at the ready!

Cries echoed around the Knights...cries of pain, cries of defiance. The clang of metal on metal, and the sound of bodies hitting the bloodsoaked mud were all around. But then there was something else. Sharp elven ears pricked at a quiet noise that was new to the battlefield. A moment later the Knights could hear it too.

A deep, warbling tone that buzzed out of the trees from the direction of the city. It slid from a low note to a higher, making a simple two tone melody. Buuhhhh-WUHHHHHH.

Excited murmuring started racing around the elven warriors, and the Knights realized elves were joining the battle from the cliffsides above! Several more archers were taking up stations where they could fire down into the pass itself, not just out at the approaching army. Then a cheer rang out from the back ranks, and the Knights spotted a tall figure clad in emerald robes and leather armor sweeping forward with a long polearm that looked like a cross between a spear and an axe mounted on a staff.

The Queen had arrived, and she'd brought help.

"The pass stands!" she bellowed, and raised a curved, carved horn to her lips. When blown, it made that two-tone sounding once again. "Lift swords and nock arrows and show them that we may be a land of peace, but we are not weak!"

With that she plunged her glaive into the ground before her...into, the Knights of the Vale noted, her own shadow. The blade of it tore out of the ground beside one of the invading thugs...one too far away to strike with a sword...and pierced his armor with the long spearlike tip of it. The thug, who'd thought himself safe, slumped to the ground...and the battle was joined anew!

(OOC - New Archers line up along I, J, and K, columns 4 and 11...lining the pass, basically, so they can shoot at the forces within.)

(Minor Action - Change Dynamic Shortsword +2 into a Glaive +2. Then using Inescapable Blade on enemy at H10 (increases reach by 2, for a total of up to 4 reach! Also negates cover penalties to hit). To hit: 27 for 4 damage. Hopefully they're minions. )

Roll Lookup

Looked to the crest where reinforcements had arrived and let out a holler aloud to the skies as he cheered!

The queen has arrived my brethren! For HOME AND CROWN.... PUSH... this will be where we stand and HOLD! They can throw wave after wave as we WILL stand... Fight like you have Blackmoor within you HIMSELF my fellow knights and elves... I...WE SHALL NOT FALTER!" Bellowed Doren as he hoped his words would inspire the rest of his troops to rally with renewed vigor!

[sblock=Diplomacy Check for a Rally!]Diplomacy check to rally the troops still standing! (1d20+9=13) Not happy with this result.. perhaps a circumstance bonus?! heh... perhaps I can try again on my actual turn![/sblock]