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The Goodman Gang in The Mysterious Tower
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 4049273" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center">Saga of the Dragon Cult</p> <p style="text-align: center">Interlude 1</p> <p style="text-align: center">Intrigue at the Standing Stones</p> <p style="text-align: center">Scaled for level 3</p><p></p><p>Turn 82: Bring on the Noise.</p><p></p><p>At the top of the Hill a flock of ravens circle madly, so dense is the flock that it almost blocks out the moon, the area seems however to preternaturally lit, the circle of Standing Stones glimmer, shimmer, silver in the glorious rain.</p><p></p><p>Nine stone arches each consisting of two hulking standing stones topped by a lintel circle a central platform complete with stone slab altar.</p><p></p><p>BOOOOOM</p><p></p><p>Thunder comes again.</p><p></p><p>CRAW</p><p></p><p>The revolving maelstrom of black birds crow, craw and call.</p><p></p><p>And stood in the midst of it all, atop the altar stone is a hulking Half-Orc wrapped in armour and a swirling cloak, holding a glowing bluish-black heavy mace in hand, as if conducting an orchestra, the creature face up staring at the heavens, which are obscured by the birds, seems to be shouting, nay screaming- his words are lost in the cacophony.</p><p></p><p>CRA-CRA-CRACKKKKK</p><p></p><p>Lightning strikes barely twenty feet away from the circle, scorching earth and blackening dead the plants caught in its blast.</p><p></p><p>Also punching a soon mended hole in the flock of crows above, dead and burnt birds tumble and plummet from the sky.</p><p></p><p>“What the…” Jim gasps.</p><p></p><p>Cas catches up at last and lays a hand on the Ranger shoulder.</p><p></p><p>The Gang perch just at the tree-line barely ten feet outside the circle of standing stones.</p><p></p><p>“JIM.” Cas shouts.</p><p>“WHAT?” The Ranger stares hard at the Paladin.</p><p>“ARE YOU OK?” Cas screams back, he actually looks concerned.</p><p></p><p>Jim takes a breath, then nods.</p><p></p><p>“He’s summoning something.” Anya states.</p><p>“No, it’s not a summoning, it’s something else.” Ala corrects.</p><p>“Who is he?” Cas asks to blank stares, turns back and is the first to notice that the Ranger is missing. </p><p></p><p>“CHARGE” Jim’s up and running into the circle, past the first trilithon.</p><p></p><p>“THE STUPID…” Cas begins, just in time to see Bec leap to his feet and charge after the Ranger, loyalty for the Barbarian is a given.</p><p></p><p>“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.”</p><p></p><p>And of course the trap is sprung, a cluster of screaming feral women, previously huddled in wait, hidden on the other side of the huge stones, spring to attack from both sides of the soon beleaguered pair.</p><p></p><p>These foul creatures, just as Mischa described back in the Wheatsheaf Inn, are battle worn and scarred, hairy, toothsome and feral, their hands end in jagged nails sharpened on the rocks of the standing stones, like talons- northern barbarians, just as the Druid stated, crazed and raging already.</p><p></p><p>Jim is caught by one of the bitches, clawing for the Rangers throat she falls short and rips a hunk of bloody flesh from Jim’s exposed upper right arm. His own attack proves ineffective; there are three of them pressing him back.</p><p></p><p>Bec fairs less well, caught on both sides he is clawed and scratched, blood pours from his wounds staggering the giant man, almost disabling him in an instant. </p><p></p><p>The Barbarian digs deep into his reserves of strength, smashes his greatsword forward, like a barrier, forcing all three of his attackers back, swings again and cleanly decapitates the first of the women returning to the fray, and then slices away much of his second attackers lower arm, which only causes the her to scream louder still before rushing to attack with her good arm. Bec knows the signs of Rage, nothing will stop these creatures- except death. </p><p></p><p>“More of them.” Ala points ahead, past the fracas, where another pair of the crazed women stand ready either side of the screaming gesturing Half-Orc. </p><p></p><p>Ala chants as she moves forward, her Bless spell encompasses her allies. Cas dodges forward around the fracas, charges up the hill towards the source of the fury, above the crows caw and wheel, like miserable black clouds, ill omens.</p><p></p><p>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM</p><p></p><p>Thunder calls.</p><p></p><p>The two Barbarian women scream their delight, rage and head forward to cut the approaching Paladin to ribbons.</p><p></p><p>Anya, who it seems is regretting her choice of spells this day, edges around the fight, trying to touch one of the women, the fingers on her right hand clutch and grab gloved in the electric blue of her Shocking Grasp spell, alas she doesn’t dare, cannot get close enough, or rather fears to, the Wizard backs away.</p><p></p><p>Newt meanwhile scatters out of harms way, fits a bolt into his crossbow, crouches and fires.</p><p></p><p>FWONG</p><p></p><p>The bolt canons into the hip of one of the two Barbarian warrior maidens set to destroy the Paladin.</p><p></p><p>Atop the hill Torslak, the Half-Orc, continues to chant, at last the wind brings his words to them, dark and profane, a spell it is certain, although what spell is beyond the knowledge of those present.</p><p></p><p>Jim struggles on and is clawed twice in quick succession, the second blow is enough to rip his shield from his grasp, the Ranger staggers as blood cascades down his face and hands, sullies the earth on which he stands, he’s cut to the quick- out on his feet. His attack is weak and yet scores a hit, more by luck than judgement, it’s a scratch however, his attackers redouble their efforts.</p><p></p><p>Anya sees her opportunity, or rather is at last stirred into action, she reaches in and grasps one of the women.</p><p></p><p>FZZZZZT</p><p></p><p>The crazed Barbarian leaps back but not before lashing out and leaving a red river in her wake, Anya scrambles backwards, clutching at her wound, in the exchange clearly the loser.</p><p></p><p>Bec too is clawed, this time however only a scratch, he stabs his greatsword clean through his attacker, kicks her dead corpse off his blade, and the slashes wildly at the next, his greatsword bites, digs deep into the woman’s flesh, almost cutting her in two- the second is dead, he’s clear- all of his attackers destroyed.</p><p></p><p>But that’s not enough for the Barbarian who dodges right and into the screaming fiends attacking Jim, scattering them in an instant, he stabs forward and shoots his blade through the face of the first of them, killing her instantly. </p><p></p><p>“Help me.” Jim whispers, but Ala is close enough to hear, she steps forward and touches the Ranger, her healing powers fill him full of warmth, his wounds knit together and close over.</p><p></p><p>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM</p><p></p><p>Thunder comes again, but no lightning strike, the pressure builds, the air is charged.</p><p></p><p>Cas fights on, trying desperately to get past the Barbarians, he’s caught once- scratched across the throat, not deep but enough to give an edge to his voice. He stabs back and catches one of the women in her side, not enough to worry her though.</p><p>“Newt- the Half-Orc. Shoot the Half-Orc.” The Paladin growls.</p><p></p><p>Back down in the shadow of a great standing stone Newt blinks and whispers- “I would do if you’d get your fat head out of the way”, then settles his aim.</p><p></p><p>FWUNG</p><p></p><p>And suddenly a crossbow bolt sprouts from the Half-Orc’s chest, just as the creature bites off the last syllable of his spell, which is swiftly followed by an eruption of hot blood which slakes his face and chest.</p><p></p><p>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM</p><p></p><p>CRA-CRA-CRA-CRAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK</p><p></p><p>The lightning comes at last smashing down into a lintel stone, forking further down into each of the supporting standing stones.</p><p></p><p>CRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRASHHHHHHH.</p><p></p><p>The entire trilithon is shattered into pieces sending jagged rocks spinning out in all directions.</p><p></p><p>“I KNOW THE TRUTH. I KNOW THE TRUTH.” The Half-Orc screams as splintered rocks fill the air with death.</p><p></p><p>Next Turn: And death shall have no dominion.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 4049273, member: 16069"] [CENTER]Saga of the Dragon Cult Interlude 1 Intrigue at the Standing Stones Scaled for level 3[/CENTER] Turn 82: Bring on the Noise. At the top of the Hill a flock of ravens circle madly, so dense is the flock that it almost blocks out the moon, the area seems however to preternaturally lit, the circle of Standing Stones glimmer, shimmer, silver in the glorious rain. Nine stone arches each consisting of two hulking standing stones topped by a lintel circle a central platform complete with stone slab altar. BOOOOOM Thunder comes again. CRAW The revolving maelstrom of black birds crow, craw and call. And stood in the midst of it all, atop the altar stone is a hulking Half-Orc wrapped in armour and a swirling cloak, holding a glowing bluish-black heavy mace in hand, as if conducting an orchestra, the creature face up staring at the heavens, which are obscured by the birds, seems to be shouting, nay screaming- his words are lost in the cacophony. CRA-CRA-CRACKKKKK Lightning strikes barely twenty feet away from the circle, scorching earth and blackening dead the plants caught in its blast. Also punching a soon mended hole in the flock of crows above, dead and burnt birds tumble and plummet from the sky. “What the…” Jim gasps. Cas catches up at last and lays a hand on the Ranger shoulder. The Gang perch just at the tree-line barely ten feet outside the circle of standing stones. “JIM.” Cas shouts. “WHAT?” The Ranger stares hard at the Paladin. “ARE YOU OK?” Cas screams back, he actually looks concerned. Jim takes a breath, then nods. “He’s summoning something.” Anya states. “No, it’s not a summoning, it’s something else.” Ala corrects. “Who is he?” Cas asks to blank stares, turns back and is the first to notice that the Ranger is missing. “CHARGE” Jim’s up and running into the circle, past the first trilithon. “THE STUPID…” Cas begins, just in time to see Bec leap to his feet and charge after the Ranger, loyalty for the Barbarian is a given. “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.” And of course the trap is sprung, a cluster of screaming feral women, previously huddled in wait, hidden on the other side of the huge stones, spring to attack from both sides of the soon beleaguered pair. These foul creatures, just as Mischa described back in the Wheatsheaf Inn, are battle worn and scarred, hairy, toothsome and feral, their hands end in jagged nails sharpened on the rocks of the standing stones, like talons- northern barbarians, just as the Druid stated, crazed and raging already. Jim is caught by one of the bitches, clawing for the Rangers throat she falls short and rips a hunk of bloody flesh from Jim’s exposed upper right arm. His own attack proves ineffective; there are three of them pressing him back. Bec fairs less well, caught on both sides he is clawed and scratched, blood pours from his wounds staggering the giant man, almost disabling him in an instant. The Barbarian digs deep into his reserves of strength, smashes his greatsword forward, like a barrier, forcing all three of his attackers back, swings again and cleanly decapitates the first of the women returning to the fray, and then slices away much of his second attackers lower arm, which only causes the her to scream louder still before rushing to attack with her good arm. Bec knows the signs of Rage, nothing will stop these creatures- except death. “More of them.” Ala points ahead, past the fracas, where another pair of the crazed women stand ready either side of the screaming gesturing Half-Orc. Ala chants as she moves forward, her Bless spell encompasses her allies. Cas dodges forward around the fracas, charges up the hill towards the source of the fury, above the crows caw and wheel, like miserable black clouds, ill omens. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM Thunder calls. The two Barbarian women scream their delight, rage and head forward to cut the approaching Paladin to ribbons. Anya, who it seems is regretting her choice of spells this day, edges around the fight, trying to touch one of the women, the fingers on her right hand clutch and grab gloved in the electric blue of her Shocking Grasp spell, alas she doesn’t dare, cannot get close enough, or rather fears to, the Wizard backs away. Newt meanwhile scatters out of harms way, fits a bolt into his crossbow, crouches and fires. FWONG The bolt canons into the hip of one of the two Barbarian warrior maidens set to destroy the Paladin. Atop the hill Torslak, the Half-Orc, continues to chant, at last the wind brings his words to them, dark and profane, a spell it is certain, although what spell is beyond the knowledge of those present. Jim struggles on and is clawed twice in quick succession, the second blow is enough to rip his shield from his grasp, the Ranger staggers as blood cascades down his face and hands, sullies the earth on which he stands, he’s cut to the quick- out on his feet. His attack is weak and yet scores a hit, more by luck than judgement, it’s a scratch however, his attackers redouble their efforts. Anya sees her opportunity, or rather is at last stirred into action, she reaches in and grasps one of the women. FZZZZZT The crazed Barbarian leaps back but not before lashing out and leaving a red river in her wake, Anya scrambles backwards, clutching at her wound, in the exchange clearly the loser. Bec too is clawed, this time however only a scratch, he stabs his greatsword clean through his attacker, kicks her dead corpse off his blade, and the slashes wildly at the next, his greatsword bites, digs deep into the woman’s flesh, almost cutting her in two- the second is dead, he’s clear- all of his attackers destroyed. But that’s not enough for the Barbarian who dodges right and into the screaming fiends attacking Jim, scattering them in an instant, he stabs forward and shoots his blade through the face of the first of them, killing her instantly. “Help me.” Jim whispers, but Ala is close enough to hear, she steps forward and touches the Ranger, her healing powers fill him full of warmth, his wounds knit together and close over. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM Thunder comes again, but no lightning strike, the pressure builds, the air is charged. Cas fights on, trying desperately to get past the Barbarians, he’s caught once- scratched across the throat, not deep but enough to give an edge to his voice. He stabs back and catches one of the women in her side, not enough to worry her though. “Newt- the Half-Orc. Shoot the Half-Orc.” The Paladin growls. Back down in the shadow of a great standing stone Newt blinks and whispers- “I would do if you’d get your fat head out of the way”, then settles his aim. FWUNG And suddenly a crossbow bolt sprouts from the Half-Orc’s chest, just as the creature bites off the last syllable of his spell, which is swiftly followed by an eruption of hot blood which slakes his face and chest. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM CRA-CRA-CRA-CRAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK The lightning comes at last smashing down into a lintel stone, forking further down into each of the supporting standing stones. CRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRASHHHHHHH. The entire trilithon is shattered into pieces sending jagged rocks spinning out in all directions. “I KNOW THE TRUTH. I KNOW THE TRUTH.” The Half-Orc screams as splintered rocks fill the air with death. Next Turn: And death shall have no dominion. [/QUOTE]
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