The Tearing of the Veil

[Tibalt Graf]

"We're unlikely to succeed at possessing the Cardinal - he is likely to be too strong of will. However, if both Lon and I try it, one of us may overcome the odds. On the other point - my Scare spell will only work on two targets, and it seems likely, once again, that the horse has a weaker will than the man. However, I could target both the horse and the man, on the chance that they will both be affected ..."

"If everyone is agreed that an attack is necessary, let's give any who wish to, a few minutes to circle, and then use as a signal to start the attack either the Cardinal's horse bolting (which may draw off all of those mounted), or a flame strike on the Cardinal (if somehow the horse resists the spell)."

It's my understanding that turning is based on our being animated by 'negative energy', and that, rather than alignment, is the basis for the effect. For instance, there are undead-like beings in Eberron (the Undying Court) which are not affected by turning because they are animated by positive energy.

 

[warlord2]

JD sets up a free fire zone

Very good then, I shall find an area that allows free fire into a large section of the beach with some cover for me such that my bow will be effective and await the start of action as I can do great harm with it..... I will then set my bow, put a line of arrows in the sand in a location such as that described above where can cover a large area of the beach in fire. This will allow me to grab and rapid fire once I stand, should be pretty easy to hit someone in a group at this range even if I miss the cardinal in the middle.....plan on doing that until the targets are down or I run out of arrows.....
After that I shall evaluate the situation and see if can close upon them and feed.....

 

[Lon Deslo]

Lon Deslo

Andrinor's point that attacking by sea leaves the land open as an escape route raises an important consideration. But then again do we care if any escape? To a certain extent no I don't- we're after the skiff not them. They are just in the way. Of course I have different needs than some of you...

I agree with Tibalt- trying to possess the Cleric is unlikely to work. Possessing his mount could be interesting, though I'm not clear if animal possession is a possibility as I have never tried. Now is not the time to find out.

It sounds as if we are getting ready to move, and doing so apparently without a distraction, but using instead a spell as a signal to commence. That being the case, unless someone has an alternative to put forward, I'll go position myself to possess a guard some distance from the Cardinal. Unless stopped by further discussion, Lon departs.

 

[Halden Kraal]

Halden Kraal

Hefts his crossbow,

Very good. I suggest we get to it then. Spellcasters, ready whatever area effect spells you have to let loose before we get close. Fighters watch out for our spellcasters during melee, help out when you can. Be careful and we may not die...well, not again at least.

Turns to the owl.

Anything more to add?

Here I go again into battle against others that may very well be innocent of anything except for being in my way. May whatever gods that are still looking over us...well, look out for us.

My movement rate is 40. Is the snow deep enough to slow us down? How steep is the slope down to the beach?

 

[Hanuman47]

As you discuss the situation further, the soldiers below begin to busy themselves setting up a camp. A stove is assembled from pieces stored on several of the horses, although it is not clear what the fuel source is. The cardinal warms himself as the soldiers scurry about, pitching a bright blue tent (really more of a three-sided pavilion) around him and the stove.

When Halden addresses the owl, it goes silent and looks at him. It is hard to tell whether its glare is reproachful or merely attentive.

A few clarifications:

The name ir'Vennerum is not familiar to any of you, although you can all infer from the the ir' prefix that he is a member of the aristocratic class.

Tibalt knows enough to be able to have some idea of the effects of turning on the undead - his analysis is more or less correct. For the sake of complete accuracy I should point out that deathless (such as members of the Undying Court) are actually affected by turning in the opposite manner that undead are (turned/destroyed by evil clerics, rebuked/commanded by good ones). Of course, you have no way of knowing 100% whether you are undead or deathless...

It appears that Kraal and Dukar are ready to be snipers - is the party attacking? After all the above conversation, you have maybe 5-10 minutes to retreat or attack before it is nearly certain that you will be seen if you remain in your current position. Anyone who moves in closer had better make some Hide and Move Silently checks.

The grade is fairly gentle; it drops about 15' over 80' horizontally. The snow is deep enough that it will slow you down a bit, though:
base move snow move
40 30
30 20
20 15
The grade is fairly gentle; it drops about 15' over 80' horizontally.


If relatives would stop coming into town unannounced I could get a map up! Look for one by Sunday.

 

[Andrinor2]

Andrinor

The Cardinal won't try to turn what he doens't think is undead. I don't suppose we have any kind of make-up available? At close quarters, we don't look alive anymore. Not being turned would definitely be an advantage we should shoot for.

BTW, I have no range weapon. I am nasty in hand-to-hand, but useless here. I also can't afford to stay and try to guard the spellcasters; we just don't have the numbers needed for the front otherwise.

Is there any way we can get that holy symbol off the cleric? Even if you spook the horse, it will take me 10 rounds to get to him. That doesn't sound painless to me. Hell, I'll never get past his cavalry! Maybe the damn bird should go tell him to leave...

He glances at the owl. Then turns away.

I still think that since surprise isn't going to happen like we want it, we need to take small bites. Get some of them to come to our trap and finish them on our terms. Then there will be less of them for our main attack. And they will be scared.

 

[Muleke]

Carmilla

Carmilla crouches like a pugilist and punches the air with the jamdhar. Her saucy grin reveals her approval of this cold gut-slicer. She darts behind a rise, and when she returns she is wearing a black body stocking and a dark red woolen cap. Stitched in white across the cap: Liberty!

ir'Vennerum... sounds rich. I wish I could remember where I've heard that name before.

Bardic Knowledge +10, History +5, Religion+2

"I'll get their attention," she whispers.

Carmilla kisses her thumb, and says "no candy for you." (casting ghost sound). From the crest of a gentle slope nearby comes the voice of an infant wailing. She touches her nose, crosses her arms, snaps her fingers, and becomes invisible.

 

[Tibalt Graf]

Tibalt Graf

Still invisible, I believe, Tibalt flies down into the camp, and attempts to possess a soldier involved in caring for the horses.

(I can't recall how the extra dice work in this system, but I'll spend one if it's necessary to succeed)

 

[Andrinor2]

Well, game on!

 

[Halden Kraal]

Halden Kraal

When Halden can determine whether the distractions have succeeded or are failing, he will either advance and fire a crossbow bolt at the riders investigating the wailing child or advance towards the camp to fire on the Thrane soldiers when he is around eighty feet from the closest soldiers.

May the gods protect us.

He mumbles, I hope we can neutralize that priest, or this may be the shortest offensive of all time.