Metropolis (The World in Waiting) - Chapter One

[Phoenix]

After brief discussions, Taran, Ghost and Ba'aktar climb into the boat with Twitchy, leaving room for two more men. Hentre and one of his 'soldiers' volunteer by simply climbing into the boat behind the companions without being asked or really offering.

The boat sloshed across the sea of filth, brown crimson ichor splashing at every pull of the oars, severed limbs and bodies moving about in a morbid current all around them. The trip seemed longer this time, paranoia may have been setting in but, it seemed like some of the floating dead eyes were, watching them...

Docking at the far pier, Hentre offers for his man to take a boat back so that their small group can stay on this side and secure the landing, of course his use of language is hardly that formal or intellectual though.

On the doorstep of their common foe, Taran, Ghost and Ba'aktar had only a few minutes to order themselves before their army decended upon this stronghold. Only a few minutes to prepare themselves for their fate.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Ba'aktar got down to business. He secured his shield on, and warmed up his sword arm with a few practise swings. The sound of the air being torn through brute strength was noticable, and the fact that the huge merc knew where to strike a man to make it hurt more made him extra effective when working with someone else.

He approached Ghost, questions pending on his mind.

"The ghouls... I'm tempted to head back over and protect the last group across. They'd like to pick on few as they can right? If not now, will we have to deal with them on the way back? Or will they lose interest by then?" Ba'aktar asks, "Most important, what's the best way to kill 'em?"

 

[D20Dazza]

Ghost Hound Elf Bard

"Perhaps you are right, although I saw no sign of them following after the intitial time." Ghost says to the half-orc as he scratches at his head "best way to deal with them is with a cleric, failing that just hack at them, but be careful of their claws as they paralyze with a but a scratch"

 

[Festy_Dog]

Ba'aktar nods as he takes in Ghost's reply.

"Taran, I'm going back across for a few minutes," he says.

He waits for the next load of halflings to be dropped off and rows back across to act as rear guard for a little while.

 

[Bront]

"Tis a good plan. I hope it is unnessessary." Taran says.

Taran paces a bit, somewhat nervous about the comming assault. He looks about to see if he can spot his mysterious impersonator.

 

[Phoenix]

It takes another two crossings but eventually the entire group has been ferried across the lake safely. Ba'aktar, the last to cross back over, watches shadows dance in the tunnel nearby, as well as the sounds of movement. Seems as though the ghouls had not left them entirely alone after all...

Now the small army was gathered on the beaches, ready to assault the fortress of the Yellow Cult, all they needed now was a plan.

 

[Bront]

"SHould we see how far we can get by stealth first? I think that might help us save more children, particularly if they decide the remove the evidence against them." Taran says with a frown at that thought.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Ba'aktar seemed approving of Taran's plan.

"The longer we can go without them knowing we're there, the more wee'uns we can get out without riskin' 'em harm," Ba'aktar said, "Over the other side of the big room you two saw, there's another door. Basically through there's the holding cells for the little 'uns. I'd prefer to stay back and leave it to the quieter folk until my... specialty was called for. Or at least until the way was clear for me, I dun' want the job botched on my part."

The half-orc leaned on his big sword as he crouched to discuss the group's plan.

 

[D20Dazza]

Ghost Hound Elf Bard

"Yes then stealth it shall be, but how to move so many quietly?" Ghost asks. Turning to the half-orc, a glint of an idea in his eye, the elf continues "You have been further inside than us Ba'Aktar, is there anyway we could dvide our force so that the majority of our number distract the Yellow Robes while we three and a select few others go for the children?"

 

[Festy_Dog]

Ba'aktar thinks for a few seconds.

"The large room just beyond the first door... on ground level there's many doors. Don't know where they lead, but that room's the riskiest spot I can think of, lots of space to fling magic and sharp things around. No idea if there's more children down behind them doors, didn't get a look at the entire place. We'll need to keep the robes off the walkway at least, if not keep the room clear so the wee'uns have safe passage. The wee'un's cells are in long corridors, so me an' a few capable sorts could keep an end plugged. Can't use their numbers in the narrow. Could even try blocking the doors the Robes'd enter through if we can find gear at hand," he explained, throwing out his half-baked ideas.

Ba'aktar sketched a rough map in the dirt of the layout of passages where the children were being kept.