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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Archon Basileus" data-source="post: 7132191" data-attributes="member: 6855545">HAGADARKTo Hagadark’s left, his hunters attack the boar, silent as predators. Was it a front line, he’d hear the imprecations and curses of warriors. But a hunting party is always subtle and silent, to the point of suffering heavy critics from their violent counterparts. Nevertheless, they bleed the beast mercilessly, plunging lance and arrow into the creature’s back. As it bleeds and squeals, it leaps over Ragah furiously, trying to bleed him with its tusks, but the hunter dodge the attempt, jumping to the side and provoking it with the lance.The shaman saw all this as he threw the flask against the distracted giantess. The vial explodes, fire eating the dark surrounding the creature. She moans and shrugs, but the fires lay at her feet, unable to climb her features! The others charge her, swinging weapons at the creature as she seems to dodge all attacks… How could she be so agile, how could she resist to his concoctions as if they were nothing? It’s almost as if she’s…Of course! She’s not there! It’s an illusion! Hagadark realizes, perhaps too late, the ruse… She sent forth the beasts, and along with them an illusion of herself! He regrets wasting a flask on her. Beneath the beasts’ yells and squeals, Hagadark hears the low, echoed huff of muffled, heavy steps around. Still, he can’t find her or see her![<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> NOW we go for initiative! Roll once for you and once for the gang, ok? I’ll roll for her. You can’t clearly discern where she is, but you can try to find her with a perception test, if you so choose. If you succeed, I’ll locate her in the map before we begin the next turn, and you’ll be able to rely on the info for your actions.]Map updated<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZBfqlZpct8SZ7vh_U_nqispO67s2ZXLunqhdY4dnNwI/edit#gid=1405717895" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZBfqlZpct8SZ7vh_U_nqispO67s2ZXLunqhdY4dnNwI/edit#gid=1405717895</a>MORGRYM/MARIUSAfter listening to the companions’ suggestions, Rhasa gives word to his second. Soon enough, the troops are on the move, taking the hill and barricading it with sand bags. With astounding speed and vigor, they finish the job, and soon enough the crossbowmen are positioned under several banners. Small fire pits have been dug, if not to help see in the dark, at least to call forth the saurian troops, allowing the cavalry to stay in the dark. Rhasa joins the riders, leaving the companions to decide where will they be and how will they help. Tension covers the lines. Infantry stands in line, unmoving; Crossbowmen listen to wind and fire, waiting for signs of the attackers, their eyes clinging to the horizon. Soon enough, all is quiet, not a whisper can be heard. Only the desert whistles around, toying with the thin, white dust that covers it. The cold air of the night cuts through flesh and bone. A shame the two-legged saurians surpassed their ancestors in their need for heat. Were they sluggish, this battle would never happen at such dark hours. Time moves on. From the east, a faint light defeats the darkness. It starts as a shy flickering, but gains strength as the minutes go by. It is followed by a second one, quite like the first. The captain… He claimed the towers and shut the path to the city. With luck, the saurian captain will split his troops, confused by the signs he sends. But if the serpents are in command, this is unlikely.It’s the dead of night as the signs reach the horizon. A cloud of dust lifts. Suddenly, the army knows: the serpents are near. Soon enough, some of the men yell, even though they’re not yet within reach. Bolts are fired against the nocturnal sky, and the sound of axes hacking and metal feet stumping is heard. The companions watch the sands and skies as, here and there, snakes climb out of their holes, scouting the area. Up above, a handful of dragonettes fly around, scattered, their small eyes shining as small, swirling stars. Mages! And they’re studying their enemies before the impending attack!The men manage to destroy most of the spies. In the distance, the march begins. Dust rises as, in agitation, the troops move with astounding speed! The floor shakes and trembles under heavy, numerous steps. The first lines appear, breaking the veil of shadows… Several lines of saurian riders, mounting raptor-lizards, race towards the infantry, hissing and yelling. The lines are mostly made of lizardmen, but kobolds and true saurians can be seen brandishing decorated weapons here and there. The numerous riders break their lines in two. One moves towards the infantry, as the other rides southwest! Do they know of the dwarven riders? Did the scouts find them?They’re followed by a line of archers. They lose terrain as they run behind the cavalry, bows in hand, readying themselves for the battle!As the troops approach, the companions see a trio of massive riders emerging from among the others. Three saurians, true saurians, crowned in horns, mount slower, heavier beasts, odd mixtures of lizards and dragons. Each saurian must amount to at least six feet in height, and each beast bears the impressive height of a camel, maybe taller. They’re armed and painted for war, and as the trio emerges from their ranks, they take point and lead the charge! Drums resound loudly into the desert void as the troops clash, riders against a shield wall, pushing and forcing, bolts plunging into scales![The map portrays the final configuration of the battlefield after the arrangements made and the attack initiated. You have three ‘champions’ – if you will – leading the charge into crossbowmen reach. Archers will arrive late and won’t be able to target the crossbowmen, only the infantry. Their center probably holds mages and the serpent captains. Sneaking is an easy task now. Small groups can move around the battlefield unnoticed. Your turn!]Map updated<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U3L9WtRrSavIgTUKy2k7WhaFBIXC1XAbz3TZI0tM-z8/edit#gid=0" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U3L9WtRrSavIgTUKy2k7WhaFBIXC1XAbz3TZI0tM-z8/edit#gid=0</a>[Also, since this is a LOT of info to process, please correct me if I got anything wrong! I re-read everything on both ends several times, but it might be that some details still eluded me. I'll edit if such is the case. Oh, as for the battle, it will unfold as planned after you guys make your moves. I decided to break it into several parts so individual actions can be played and adapted to the situation at hand! You may see as well that the saurians made a few mistakes already... I hope it reflects the rolls in an interesting way!] @<a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=24380" target="_blank">Neurotic</a> [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION] @<a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/member.php?u=87106" target="_blank">MetaVoid</a></blockquote>

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