[4e] The Wolfcrown, Chapter 1

[Shayuri]

Thorn rose up from the Queen's chair, her majestic features resolute.

"We knew this was coming," she said in a clear, regal voice. "Knights of the Vale, I trust you with the safety not only of myself, but of the White Vale as well. Go with Bounder to see the invaders for yourself, but return quickly. There will be a council of war, and I need all of you present for it."

"When you go, look for places we can hold them at the coasts. I would keep the ravages of war from my lands for as long as possible."

She nodded at Bounder. "Show them the way."

 

[HolyMan]

"Your majesty!" Torath says saulting and then turning to follow Bounder.

Whispering to Doren as they walk, "Seems she was born for this role."

[sblock=ooc]Great post Shayuri [/sblock]

 

[Rathan]

Doren shook his head softly to Torath as they moved to check out the incoming force on the coast.

"She was not born to do anything Torath save to deceive. I just thank my lucky stars she's on our side, as with more experience, she might well be a MORE than worthy advisory none of us would have the resources to deal with." Doren said almost coldly. It's not that he did not trust her, yet very well knew what her and her kind like her were capable of.

 

[industrygothica]

Baern peers at the two as they talk. "I might be remindin' ye two to shut up, and keep to the task. There's lots o' ears about now, and no shielded walls a'tween them an' you two's ramblin'."

 

[Phaezen]

Squeal, Warforged barbarian

Squeal moves behind Bounder, it's demeanour alert looking for any danger

"This one would like to know, how far is it to the coast and what defences are in place?"

The warforged, adjusts it hide armour, the image of a bull, horns lowered for a charge, embossed on the breastplate.

 

[DistractingFlare]

Bounder leads you down toward the coast, navigating tricky forest trails. The normally comforting sound of waves cracking against the beach is tinged with the sinister undertone of invasion.

After about an hour, Bounder leads you silently to a clifftop that overlooks the sea. A cadre of rangers is posted along the rim of the cliff, each armed with a longbow and quiver of arrows. A vast armada of ships (numbering perhaps around 50), each flying a huge black sail, approaches from the south. It appears that the enemies will arrive within two hours.

Bounder indicates a chokepoint (about 30 feet wide) in the cliff face that the invaders will have to pass through in their advance toward the White Vale.

"We could hold them here at Strata's Cliff - perhaps indefinitely - but this would be a battle for the ages. Should we stay?"

[sblock=Skill Checks]
[sblock=Nature or Perception 20]There are a series of boulders along the rim of the cliff that could be rolled down into the chokepoint. It seems as if they could be used as artillery or to block up the chokepoint.[/sblock]
[sblock=History 15] The great warrior Strata, legends say, held this pass singlehandedly for more than a day. The name of the mountain pass is named after this: Strata's Cliff.[/sblock][/sblock]

[sblock=ooc]Your characters can speak freely. You have time to go back and grab Thorn from the Grove, or you can use your extra time to prepare more thoroughly.[/sblock]

 

[Rathan]

History Check (1d20+8=23)

"These two cliff overhangs is where Strata held an army single handedly for an entire day. This should be our choke point and from here we have the advantage for retreat back to the Vale via hidden back paths." Doren said softly as not to be noticed.

"My suggestion is we put our rangers and best fighters at the base of the cliffs in the middle of the path in ranks, using shield, spear, and sword alike to hold them at bay. Yet from above we get two ranks of expert archers on the tops of the cliffs themselves to form a killing zone so to speak. The archers will pick off as many as possible until they close to close combat with the rangers below. At that point the archers would target the next wave behind the one we are currently battling OR they can target targets in the back of the formation we are currently battling in the pass. Doren said softly as he spoke with eyes closed as if envisioning the combat in his mind as he speaks is thoughts about it.

Doren stopped talking for the moment yet his eyes remained closed. His mind wandering to Blackmoor himself, wondering if they all had what it took to defend this City from the vileness that come.

"Bounder if your people have armorments of any kind weather it be snare-pits, abatses (spelling? The wooden pikes tied together to stop formation forward movement), Balista... then get them in place and ready to defend the city if the forces of assassins breath through. Doren added as he seemed to playing this batter out like a symphony within his own mind.

"If no one has suggestions now lets get back to the Vale and get her Highness and our troops for the clifftops and the pass itself!"

 

[DistractingFlare]

Bounder calls out to his troops and makes the necessary arrangements. Before long, the clifftop is lined with archers, and a small squad of elven rangers have positioned themselves in the middle of Strata's Pass.

Bounder races back through the woods to the Queen's Grove, where he addresses the Queen.

"Your majesty, the knights have requested your presence at Strata's Pass. I advised against it, ma'am, but they request an answer from you."

The enemies sail even closer, and soon, it will be time to stand and deliver.

[sblock=ooc]Check the OOC thread, please.[/sblock]

 

[Phaezen]

Squeal watches the deployment, having no further input to give.

looking at Doren, the warforged asks "Where do you want me... This one to deploy? This one can use my... its javelin to assist on the cliffs, but would be more comfortable in melee."

[sblock=ooc]
History 3, Perception 8, Nature 9
[/sblock]

 

[HolyMan]

"Join me brave Squeal," Torath says adjusting his shield strap and drawing his sword. "I believe we should defend the pass, a do honor to Strata."