The sky continues to darken overhead. A glance up revealed roiling clouds, clouds boiling down, toward the ground, or, more specifically, the top of the Ivory Tower.
"Cairon, we'll need to hurry." The Childlike Empress said as she glanced up. She remained calm, almost indifferent as thy sky overhead began to part...tear...
"Of course, Empress." Cairon said. His voice wavered, but he crossed the dais, arms raised, and the air shimmered, split...it was a portal, though not like the one the AURYN had produced at the Tower of the Elephant.
"Captain Hahft." The Empress said.
"We shall offer it up." The Captain said. He was still looking up, replacing the galea upon his head. He went to a trot, crossing the platform and calling into the access leading down.
Down below, bells began to hammer.
The sky surged, and lightning crawled in all directions, blue and black, red and purple. Not a hundred feet above, a second portal opened.
"You must go now." The Empress said to the urRu as her own portal opened fully. She looked up, looked back at the Mystics. "I am sorry our time together was so short. May we meet again."
"May we meet again." The Archer said, as he began to shuffle his people into the portal.
Things were going quickly now. Dabbert was trotting forward from his position on the far side of the platform, calling orders to a number of soldiers who were coming up behind him.
Meanwhile, above, the sky began to birth a new problem...as Lord Vader floated down from the portal, landing atop the Ivory Tower with the ease of a falling feather. Hobgoblin and Orc Stormtroopers descended around him.
Chaos.
The horrid, mechanical breathing sound Vader made as he produced the glowing red saber was loud across the top of the platform.
"On the Empress!" Captain Hahft commanded.
"Protect the Order of the Phoenix!" The Empress retorted as the portal to the Southern Oracle closed behind the Mystics. "Wherever you wish to go, Order, it will have to be now."
Shirin silent until now, looks up at the descending forces of Vader, simultaneously surprised and not. Though he didn’t quiet anticipate the consequences of their actions to be like this, it didn’t matter anymore. Soon the forces would be upon them, which would surely spell doom. Fighting monsters was one thing, but fighting an endless army of men was just a game of attrition.
Shirin unsheathes his swords, eying up the closest enemies as they made their way closer.
“I take it that AURYN isn’t getting us out of here this time. What are our options?”
Darla gives off a horrendous shrieking honk as she buzzes by Vader's head to return to her master. When she reaches him, Slade quickly mounts the Goose and shakes his cane in Vader's direction. "Yah, go and boil yerself ye wheezy bastard." To Shirrin he says "Seems most ever one is thinkin of this floatin Ilse. Sounds fair nuff ta me. If we're to be goin then let's do. Sharpish like!"
Jek nods to Hrothgar "I don't know much about Nockmaar or Princess Andromeda or Queen Bavmorda. Do you think they would know about the Triforce or the Shard of Division?" To the Childlike Empress, Jek will say "Do you have people that can help? Or should we go? It seems important... but there are a lot of important things going on."
I.. I do not know. The princess might. She is from Argos, which is not far from Celestia. If anyone would know more about it, its her.
Seeing the urRu depart signifies Hrothgars failed mission. He did not get to them in time.
Unsure as to why the Empress put so much faith in this group his confusion would have to wait. With portals opening and Vaders forces having followed them Hrothgar quickly stands up. He moves towards the Empress raising his shield in her defense.
Struggling in his mind to determine where to go he is visibly in turmoil. His heart wants to aid Princess Andromeda but his mind tells him the triforce would be a greater goal for the world. Gripping his sword firmly as he sees more troopers arrive. He will have to be able to make these decisions he tells himself. He looks to the Empress for guidance who doesnt seem to care about what her fate might become. Seeing that reminds him Princess Andromeda would not want him to risk it for her sake. He closes his eyes with a sigh, knowing his heart will regret this decision. Celestia
He opens his eyes and looks straight at the Empress, Take us to Celestia
Jek watches as things keep dropping down. No... No no no no no.... They got away. The wish, it worked, how did they follow? What is happening?!? No NO no nono no no ...
The chime of the Childlike Empress' voice, and a glance to the bright light inside her, Jek is able to stop the spiral of his thoughts and calm himself. He listens to her words. Why should they be protected. And where to go... He hears the voices of some of his new friends. Hrothgar seems to resolve a struggle within himself, that is good. "I agree.Celestia.... It's.... we have a goal there, a purpose."
As the black figure draws his sword, realization finally dawns on Jek. This is not one of Vader's generals. That is Vader. Oh no.... He looks to the Empress again. "Come with us, we can get you out. He... He's not nice."
As he waits for the others to vote, Jek will think about what he can do. He could try asking a couple of them to fight for the Childlike Empress... But they would probably fall pretty quick. He could cause some mischief, or maybe some darkness. Or... Ohhh....
Jek will prepare to cast web centered on Darth Vader if he looks like he's advancing to the empress or a portal opens for the Order of the Phoenix.
"It was a foolish endeavor to try to impede upon my conquest." Lord Vader said, his voice deep and mechanical behind the steel helm that covered his full face and head. He used one hand to whip his fur cloak back and out of the way; a fur cloak so black that it seemed to drink up the light hitting it. He held the red saber in his right hand, somehow easy but with a power unquestionable. "Now I will enact my revenge, and I will have the Ivory Tower as my own."
The warrior in all black reached down, gripped the weapon in two hands, hefted it defensively...and started to stride forward. One hand came up...
The web attack that Jek had prepared exploded around Vader, and the red sword flourished, cutting away hunks of the web faster than it could possibly hit him. One of the nearby Stormtroopers, an Orc, was caught in the webbing, but Lord Vader moved forward, reaching out into the air with one hand, targeting Jek, and raising him into the air while squeezing with his fingers.
"Your attempt is pathetic!" The voice roared.
Captain Hahft and his forces fanned out on the far side of the platform, having a moment of hesitation while trying to decide what to do. Follow their oath to protect the Empress, or follow her command to save the Order of the Phoenix. He stammered, unable to decide, afraid to advance on the black armored foe...and then attacked what was closest to him. First, a Hobgoblin, and misses, but steps to an Orc and cuts it down.
"We offer it up!" He calls back to the soldiers behind him. "For the Skullsplitters!"
"For the Skullsplitters!" They chime.
An archer fires with nervous fingers, and hits nothing...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Oh no oh no oh no oh no! This is not going well! He can't breath! And... and... and... and... He's so scared! What should he do. Everyone... is still here.... But.... He's still in the air.
Jek tries to whisper and wave of his hands, but nothing happened
Edit: As the darkness is about to overtake him, Jek sees a mote of light. It's small, but bright. It's coming from inside him. The light turns into Tola, or at least looks like the tiny luck dragon. The light dragon swirls around Jek, then bursts. As it does, Jek falls to the ground, free from Vader's ethereal grasp!
The archers break; one flees toward the magic elevator on the far side of the platform. The other gets off two good shots, one barely missing, one burying deep in the chest of a Stormtrooper. He wasn't dead, but he wasn't happy...
Another Stormtrooper stormed forward swinging at the archer, but missed. A bigger, meaner Stormtrooper Captain surged forward, targeting Dabbert, but was unable to get past his animated shield. Another Stormtrooper, this one throwing a fireball, managed to reduce one soldier to ash and severely wound several others. A few, including the Captain, took refuge behind their shields.
"Cairon! Hurry!" The Childlike Empress says as the portal for the Mystics closes. She looks over her shoulder at her Chamberlain, then raises her hands. A wall of fire explodes from the floor between the Order of the Phoenix and Lord Vader's attacking forces. Two Stormtroopers are caught in the wall of fire and reduced to ash immediately. The Childlike Empress winces at this, looking hurt. Another is burned and backs up, but doesn't go down.
Darla, of course, wasn't having any of it. The feathered monster raised her wings and offered up a battle cry as the wall of fire separated her from her victims, making many of the Stormtroopers on the other side of the wall of fire recoil in horror, frightened of her. Lord Vader of course doesn't flinch. The goose takes flight, circling over her foes, over the wall, dropping an egg as she does so...which goes behind the wall of fire and explodes. Several Stormtroopers are wounded in the explosion...but Lord Vader holds fast.
Shirin will position himself between the Empress and the advancing forces. Stowing his normal steel sword, he will shout "Igni!" and toss a bolt of fire from his fingertips at Vader - hoping to break his concentration. If that doesn't work as intended, he will result to the more vulgar, "Over here you grotesque f*ck!". (I'd like to use that as the verbal component of Zephyr Strike and cast that as a bonus action if I may :D )
Failing to curb his irrational fear of Vader, and unable to prevent Darla from dive-bombing the enemy lines, Slade casts a 'mage hand'. Using this he winds up and YEETS himself across the room towards the Dais. Despite his terror Slade is able to hit feet first and run downwards disappearing behind the Dais.
"Your transgressions irritate me." Lord Vader says as he reaches out. With Jek released, he targets the Childlike Empress, gripping her and holding her in place. She is suddenly paralyzed, dropping the wall of fire between the opposing forces.
One Stormtrooper, bigger than the others, rushes from the crowd to engage Dabbert. The Captain's halberd reaches out, slicing the things legs to shreds and stopping it in its tracks before it can get to him.
On the opposite side of the battle, a Stormtrooper surges forward and slice Shirin with a longsword.
As Cairon continues to work on the portal, one of the soldiers, even though badly wounded, rushes to his Captain's aid. His sword is unable to penetrate the Stormtrooper's armor. A second of the big Stormtroopers emerges from the group to attack the Captain, swinging its Greataxe and missing. Dabbert steps back, tries to get it with his halberd, and misses himself before it aggresses him and swings the axe again. The Greataxe clangs off of his breastplate, almost staggering him.
There's a noise from within the Stormtroopers, and they part in time for a Lightning Bolt to eject directly toward Dabbert and company. The Captain is hit directly, as well as a soldier next to him that is killed instantly. Another, an archer further back, is struck but mostly alright.
Standing near the Empress Hrothgar looks around at the mayhem. His gaze goes over the battlefield as sound fades and almost gets drowned out by his thoughts, time seems to slow as he is brought back to a hardfought battle from his past.
His eyes land on Vader and everything but him blur for a moment. This was not like that battle. Such a foe is beyond him, beyond any of them. A chill moves up his spine. He wants to rush out to hold them off but his feet feel to heavy to move towards him.
Then a sharp sound of metal is heard near him, breaking through to his ears and his vision returns to normal snapping out of it. He looks to the side seeing Shirin attacked by the stormtrooper that had rushed forward.
Hrothgar blinks a few times to get himself fully back into the current situation and with heavy steps crosses the few feet distance to Shirins side and tries to stab the stormtrooper with Hrothgars own longsword.
As he ends his short charge with the stab the momentum of the sprint carries him closer to the trooper and Hrothgar places his shoulder behind his shield trying to slam the trooper back away from Shirin. Then shouting Protect the Empress!!
If the force is enough to move the trooper back Hrothgar will step into the gap as a barrier between the trooper and Shirin.
Movement: to Shirin who is also close to the Empress (likely 10 ft) and another 5ft if the shield shove is succesfull Action: Longsword vs trooper Attack: 20 Damage: 10 Bonus action: Shield master shove to push the trooper back 5ft (so hes no longer engaged with Shirin) 20 vs troopers Athletics/Acrobatics
Blood arcs in a magnificent crimson spray as Hrothgards longsword carves a canyon into the Stormtroopers armor and chest. The trooper doesn't have time to recover before the shield sends him stumbling back. He's not dead, but he's not having a good time.
Another Stormtrooper streaks from the crowd with astonishing speed and attacks Hrothgar, but its Greataxe goes wide.
Brevon, near the back, raises two hands and utters a low prayer, invoking the majesty of the Lady of Light. Shirin, Hrothgar, and Dageron feel the effects of this blessing, as well as himself.
Seeing the resistance on the western side of the battle intensifying, another Stormtrooper steps out and attacks Hrothgar, but its Longsword goes wide, missing.
On the farside of the battle, another soldier comes to Captain Hahft's side, but his sword slips from his sweat soaked hands...
(( My rolls aren't linking to Discord but are in the DDB Campaign Channel log ))
As Vader and his elite Assault Troopers drop down and begin to engage everyone, Dageron lowers the visor on his helmet and mounts his warhorse. A deathly calm comes over him. (( Action 1 )) He points his gauntleted hand at Vader, "Galfeki." A mote of radiant energy erupts forward, directed at Vader. (( Action Surge )) Then he fires another at Vader. Finally, he signals his mount to move towards Cairon (( 30' Movement )). He will strike at a Stormtrooper in range as he does (( War Priest Bonus Action Attack )). As he does, he yells, "The Empress has given her orders, protect Cairon or our mission will fail!"
Wisdom Save = 13 (+3 below) = 16
Brevon's Bless = +3
Hobgoblin Racial Ability 'Saving Face' = +5 (( Apply to any failed roll ))
Action 1 = attack 18, damage 15 -> Becomes 23 if 18 misses (see above)
Lord Vader's sword swings around, batting Dageron's attacks away with ease, even as the Hobgoblin warrior falls back and misses his attack on one of the Stormtroopers.
Stormtroopers advance on Hrothgar and Shirin, but find nothing but air. A third, however, stronger Stormtrooper wearing Lieutenant's insignia steps forward and javelin's Jek.
Melisandre, having not been in the fray yet, steps forward, prayers on her lips as she raises both hands and moves toward the center of her defensive line. Too afraid to target Lord Vader directly, she extends her hand toward the center of the invaders, picking out one unlucky Hobgoblin...and channels all of her capability into a Fireball. In this case, it's one of the enemy spellcasters next to Lord Vader. The Stormtrooper is killed instantly, and the resulting explosion bakes off one of the nearby Lieutenants and then kills the other spellcaster next to Vader. The Dark Lord is singed by fire as it rolls up his cloak at the same time that Dageron's radiant damage hits him, and he cries out in pain before thrusting a hand toward Melisandre.
"HOW DARE YOU!" He says as his hand clenches, just as it had with Jek, and suddenly she is dragged up off her feet, grabbing for her throat as he feet kick in the air. "You insolent wench! Do you even conceive in your pathetic little mind of the power of the dark side of the Force! Now you die!"
On the far side of the battle, a soldier comes to Captain Hahft's aid as they continue trying to break the hold of the Stormtroopers on the pinnacle but is unneffective.
Lord Vader jerks his fist forward, dragging Melisandre into the circle with him as he raises his saber and rams it through her belly as she flies to him. She screams, and is then tossed unceremoniously to the deck in a bleeding heap. She's in bad shape.
Lord Vader doesn't waste time. He charges forward, the red glowing saber raised as he suddenly closes the distance with the Childlike Empress and attacks. The saber flashes twice across her chest before he grabs her by the throat, this time physically holding her.
"I cannot believe you have been allowed to maintain control of this world for so long." He says in between deep, rattling breaths. "Be assured, today the strong wrest control from you."
"Empress, no!" Captain Hahft calls from the farside of the platform. Still unable to move forward, he does what he can to batter his way through the enemies closing on him. He swings viciously and finally catches one in the legs, tripping it before bringing the halberd down on its chest for the final blow, killing it. He dodges to the side, butt of the weapon up, before swinging around wide and still missing his target.
An archer shoots one of the elite Stormtroopers attacking Captain Hahft.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jek watches as the Red Lady does amazingly well! He didn't know she had it in her. But... Oh no. She looks very hurt. And.... NO the Childlike Empress! She said that they were more important than her, but... but that doesn't mean she isn't important. But.... Why is he so scary!
Jek can be scary too... right? There is something.... something he doesn't like to think about. Shadows, just like the Lightless, are a balance of light and dark. One can't exist without the other. Jek's life has been mostly focusing on the light in him... But there is darkness in there as well.
As Jek tapes into the darkness. While his facial features aren't visible, his face will noticeable elongate and his eyes will shift from there normal yellow light, to a red color. He will say in Deep Speach "Reloseer Tel’quiet" as he casts Cause Fear on Vader, Wis 14.
After which, he will return to normal, and run up to Iron-Hoove (who should be still attached to the cart) and mount him.
Action: Cast Cause Fear on Vader, Wis 14 Movement: Get to Iron-Hoove and mount him Wisdom Save against Frightened: 18
Whether it is something in the Deep Speech, something in the little Lightless's face, or something else...it actually frightens Lord Vader. There's a clear sense that whatever happened, it had happened by shear luck. He shouts something, stepping back and releasing his grip on the Childlike Empress in the moment before sweeping his arm around in a defensive gesture and throwing out a wall of force from his position.
The Childlike Empress is swept up in the concussive wave, tossed backwards, and knocked prone. Jek flies even further away, hitting the dais and going limp.
An archer lines up for a shot, then the string on their bow breaks. There's a loud curse as they fallback to restring their bow.
A Stormtrooper charges for Dageron and lashes out with his longsword but misses. One of the Lieutenant's attacks after that, then steps to the side, taking a chance to swing at Shirin. Neither attack hits.
The Childlike Empress, still holding her bleeding front, raises a hand and speaks the words, casting Invisibility on Dageron, Hrothgar, and Shirin.
Darla surges forward, running straight at the Stormtrooper attacking Dageron. She reaches out, her powerful beak taking him by the leg and dragging him to the ground. She shakes hard, furiously, shaking the poor bastard to death.
Unable to do anything about his unreasonable fear of Vader and with his back against the wall, Slade casts a quick bit of 'prestidigitation' creating a fierce itching/tickling sensation inside the dark lords nose in an effort to distract him from his attack.
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The sky continues to darken overhead. A glance up revealed roiling clouds, clouds boiling down, toward the ground, or, more specifically, the top of the Ivory Tower.
"Cairon, we'll need to hurry." The Childlike Empress said as she glanced up. She remained calm, almost indifferent as thy sky overhead began to part...tear...
"Of course, Empress." Cairon said. His voice wavered, but he crossed the dais, arms raised, and the air shimmered, split...it was a portal, though not like the one the AURYN had produced at the Tower of the Elephant.
"Captain Hahft." The Empress said.
"We shall offer it up." The Captain said. He was still looking up, replacing the galea upon his head. He went to a trot, crossing the platform and calling into the access leading down.
Down below, bells began to hammer.
The sky surged, and lightning crawled in all directions, blue and black, red and purple. Not a hundred feet above, a second portal opened.
"You must go now." The Empress said to the urRu as her own portal opened fully. She looked up, looked back at the Mystics. "I am sorry our time together was so short. May we meet again."
"May we meet again." The Archer said, as he began to shuffle his people into the portal.
Things were going quickly now. Dabbert was trotting forward from his position on the far side of the platform, calling orders to a number of soldiers who were coming up behind him.
Meanwhile, above, the sky began to birth a new problem...as Lord Vader floated down from the portal, landing atop the Ivory Tower with the ease of a falling feather. Hobgoblin and Orc Stormtroopers descended around him.
Chaos.
The horrid, mechanical breathing sound Vader made as he produced the glowing red saber was loud across the top of the platform.
"On the Empress!" Captain Hahft commanded.
"Protect the Order of the Phoenix!" The Empress retorted as the portal to the Southern Oracle closed behind the Mystics. "Wherever you wish to go, Order, it will have to be now."
"May the Goddesses have mercy." Cairon lamented.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Shirin silent until now, looks up at the descending forces of Vader, simultaneously surprised and not. Though he didn’t quiet anticipate the consequences of their actions to be like this, it didn’t matter anymore. Soon the forces would be upon them, which would surely spell doom. Fighting monsters was one thing, but fighting an endless army of men was just a game of attrition.
Shirin unsheathes his swords, eying up the closest enemies as they made their way closer.
“I take it that AURYN isn’t getting us out of here this time. What are our options?”
Darla gives off a horrendous shrieking honk as she buzzes by Vader's head to return to her master. When she reaches him, Slade quickly mounts the Goose and shakes his cane in Vader's direction. "Yah, go and boil yerself ye wheezy bastard." To Shirrin he says "Seems most ever one is thinkin of this floatin Ilse. Sounds fair nuff ta me. If we're to be goin then let's do. Sharpish like!"
I.. I do not know. The princess might. She is from Argos, which is not far from Celestia. If anyone would know more about it, its her.
Seeing the urRu depart signifies Hrothgars failed mission. He did not get to them in time.
Unsure as to why the Empress put so much faith in this group his confusion would have to wait. With portals opening and Vaders forces having followed them Hrothgar quickly stands up. He moves towards the Empress raising his shield in her defense.
Struggling in his mind to determine where to go he is visibly in turmoil. His heart wants to aid Princess Andromeda but his mind tells him the triforce would be a greater goal for the world. Gripping his sword firmly as he sees more troopers arrive.
He will have to be able to make these decisions he tells himself. He looks to the Empress for guidance who doesnt seem to care about what her fate might become.
Seeing that reminds him Princess Andromeda would not want him to risk it for her sake.
He closes his eyes with a sigh, knowing his heart will regret this decision. Celestia
He opens his eyes and looks straight at the Empress, Take us to Celestia
Jek watches as things keep dropping down. No... No no no no no.... They got away. The wish, it worked, how did they follow? What is happening?!? No NO no no no no no ...
The chime of the Childlike Empress' voice, and a glance to the bright light inside her, Jek is able to stop the spiral of his thoughts and calm himself. He listens to her words. Why should they be protected. And where to go... He hears the voices of some of his new friends. Hrothgar seems to resolve a struggle within himself, that is good. "I agree. Celestia.... It's.... we have a goal there, a purpose."
As the black figure draws his sword, realization finally dawns on Jek. This is not one of Vader's generals. That is Vader. Oh no.... He looks to the Empress again. "Come with us, we can get you out. He... He's not nice."
As he waits for the others to vote, Jek will think about what he can do. He could try asking a couple of them to fight for the Childlike Empress... But they would probably fall pretty quick. He could cause some mischief, or maybe some darkness. Or... Ohhh....
Jek will prepare to cast web centered on Darth Vader if he looks like he's advancing to the empress or a portal opens for the Order of the Phoenix.
"It was a foolish endeavor to try to impede upon my conquest." Lord Vader said, his voice deep and mechanical behind the steel helm that covered his full face and head. He used one hand to whip his fur cloak back and out of the way; a fur cloak so black that it seemed to drink up the light hitting it. He held the red saber in his right hand, somehow easy but with a power unquestionable. "Now I will enact my revenge, and I will have the Ivory Tower as my own."
The warrior in all black reached down, gripped the weapon in two hands, hefted it defensively...and started to stride forward. One hand came up...
The web attack that Jek had prepared exploded around Vader, and the red sword flourished, cutting away hunks of the web faster than it could possibly hit him. One of the nearby Stormtroopers, an Orc, was caught in the webbing, but Lord Vader moved forward, reaching out into the air with one hand, targeting Jek, and raising him into the air while squeezing with his fingers.
"Your attempt is pathetic!" The voice roared.
Captain Hahft and his forces fanned out on the far side of the platform, having a moment of hesitation while trying to decide what to do. Follow their oath to protect the Empress, or follow her command to save the Order of the Phoenix. He stammered, unable to decide, afraid to advance on the black armored foe...and then attacked what was closest to him. First, a Hobgoblin, and misses, but steps to an Orc and cuts it down.
"We offer it up!" He calls back to the soldiers behind him. "For the Skullsplitters!"
"For the Skullsplitters!" They chime.
An archer fires with nervous fingers, and hits nothing...
Post Order
Dungeon Master
Jek
Dungeon Master
Shirin
Dungeon Master
Slade
Dungeon Master
Hrothgar
Dungeon Master
Brevon
Dungeon Master
Dageron
Dungeon Master
It is Jek's turn
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Oh no oh no oh no oh no! This is not going well! He can't breath! And... and... and... and... He's so scared! What should he do. Everyone... is still here.... But.... He's still in the air.
Jek tries to whisper and wave of his hands, but nothing happened
Edit: As the darkness is about to overtake him, Jek sees a mote of light. It's small, but bright. It's coming from inside him. The light turns into Tola, or at least looks like the tiny luck dragon. The light dragon swirls around Jek, then bursts. As it does, Jek falls to the ground, free from Vader's ethereal grasp!
Wisdom save against Frightened: 6
Wisdom save against force choke: 5
Edit: luck for advantage for force choke save: 20
Lord Vader keeps Jek held in his grasp, firm.
The archers break; one flees toward the magic elevator on the far side of the platform. The other gets off two good shots, one barely missing, one burying deep in the chest of a Stormtrooper. He wasn't dead, but he wasn't happy...
Another Stormtrooper stormed forward swinging at the archer, but missed. A bigger, meaner Stormtrooper Captain surged forward, targeting Dabbert, but was unable to get past his animated shield. Another Stormtrooper, this one throwing a fireball, managed to reduce one soldier to ash and severely wound several others. A few, including the Captain, took refuge behind their shields.
"Cairon! Hurry!" The Childlike Empress says as the portal for the Mystics closes. She looks over her shoulder at her Chamberlain, then raises her hands. A wall of fire explodes from the floor between the Order of the Phoenix and Lord Vader's attacking forces. Two Stormtroopers are caught in the wall of fire and reduced to ash immediately. The Childlike Empress winces at this, looking hurt. Another is burned and backs up, but doesn't go down.
Darla, of course, wasn't having any of it. The feathered monster raised her wings and offered up a battle cry as the wall of fire separated her from her victims, making many of the Stormtroopers on the other side of the wall of fire recoil in horror, frightened of her. Lord Vader of course doesn't flinch. The goose takes flight, circling over her foes, over the wall, dropping an egg as she does so...which goes behind the wall of fire and explodes. Several Stormtroopers are wounded in the explosion...but Lord Vader holds fast.
Post Order
Dungeon Master
Jek
Dungeon Master
Shirin
Dungeon Master
Slade
Dungeon Master
Hrothgar
Dungeon Master
Brevon
Dungeon Master
Dageron
Dungeon Master
It is Shirin's turn
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Shirin will position himself between the Empress and the advancing forces. Stowing his normal steel sword, he will shout "Igni!" and toss a bolt of fire from his fingertips at Vader - hoping to break his concentration. If that doesn't work as intended, he will result to the more vulgar, "Over here you grotesque f*ck!". (I'd like to use that as the verbal component of Zephyr Strike and cast that as a bonus action if I may :D )
Igni (Firebolt): 22 Damage: 1
Failing to curb his irrational fear of Vader, and unable to prevent Darla from dive-bombing the enemy lines, Slade casts a 'mage hand'. Using this he winds up and YEETS himself across the room towards the Dais. Despite his terror Slade is able to hit feet first and run downwards disappearing behind the Dais.
"Your transgressions irritate me." Lord Vader says as he reaches out. With Jek released, he targets the Childlike Empress, gripping her and holding her in place. She is suddenly paralyzed, dropping the wall of fire between the opposing forces.
One Stormtrooper, bigger than the others, rushes from the crowd to engage Dabbert. The Captain's halberd reaches out, slicing the things legs to shreds and stopping it in its tracks before it can get to him.
On the opposite side of the battle, a Stormtrooper surges forward and slice Shirin with a longsword.
As Cairon continues to work on the portal, one of the soldiers, even though badly wounded, rushes to his Captain's aid. His sword is unable to penetrate the Stormtrooper's armor. A second of the big Stormtroopers emerges from the group to attack the Captain, swinging its Greataxe and missing. Dabbert steps back, tries to get it with his halberd, and misses himself before it aggresses him and swings the axe again. The Greataxe clangs off of his breastplate, almost staggering him.
There's a noise from within the Stormtroopers, and they part in time for a Lightning Bolt to eject directly toward Dabbert and company. The Captain is hit directly, as well as a soldier next to him that is killed instantly. Another, an archer further back, is struck but mostly alright.
Updated Post Order
Dungeon Master
Jek
Dungeon Master
Shirin
Slade
Dungeon Master
Hrothgar
Dungeon Master
Brevon
Dungeon Master
Dageron
Dungeon Master
It is Hrothgar's turn
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Standing near the Empress Hrothgar looks around at the mayhem. His gaze goes over the battlefield as sound fades and almost gets drowned out by his thoughts, time seems to slow as he is brought back to a hardfought battle from his past.
His eyes land on Vader and everything but him blur for a moment. This was not like that battle. Such a foe is beyond him, beyond any of them. A chill moves up his spine. He wants to rush out to hold them off but his feet feel to heavy to move towards him.
Then a sharp sound of metal is heard near him, breaking through to his ears and his vision returns to normal snapping out of it. He looks to the side seeing Shirin attacked by the stormtrooper that had rushed forward.
Hrothgar blinks a few times to get himself fully back into the current situation and with heavy steps crosses the few feet distance to Shirins side and tries to stab the stormtrooper with Hrothgars own longsword.
As he ends his short charge with the stab the momentum of the sprint carries him closer to the trooper and Hrothgar places his shoulder behind his shield trying to slam the trooper back away from Shirin. Then shouting Protect the Empress!!
If the force is enough to move the trooper back Hrothgar will step into the gap as a barrier between the trooper and Shirin.
Blood arcs in a magnificent crimson spray as Hrothgards longsword carves a canyon into the Stormtroopers armor and chest. The trooper doesn't have time to recover before the shield sends him stumbling back. He's not dead, but he's not having a good time.
Another Stormtrooper streaks from the crowd with astonishing speed and attacks Hrothgar, but its Greataxe goes wide.
Brevon, near the back, raises two hands and utters a low prayer, invoking the majesty of the Lady of Light. Shirin, Hrothgar, and Dageron feel the effects of this blessing, as well as himself.
Seeing the resistance on the western side of the battle intensifying, another Stormtrooper steps out and attacks Hrothgar, but its Longsword goes wide, missing.
On the farside of the battle, another soldier comes to Captain Hahft's side, but his sword slips from his sweat soaked hands...
Brevon, Hrothgar, Shirin, and Dageron are Blessed
Updated Post Order
Dungeon Master
Jek
Dungeon Master
Shirin
Slade
Dungeon Master
Hrothgar
Dungeon Master
Brevon
Dungeon Master
Dageron
Dungeon Master
It is Dageron's turn
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
(( My rolls aren't linking to Discord but are in the DDB Campaign Channel log ))
As Vader and his elite Assault Troopers drop down and begin to engage everyone, Dageron lowers the visor on his helmet and mounts his warhorse. A deathly calm comes over him. (( Action 1 )) He points his gauntleted hand at Vader, "Galfeki." A mote of radiant energy erupts forward, directed at Vader. (( Action Surge )) Then he fires another at Vader. Finally, he signals his mount to move towards Cairon (( 30' Movement )). He will strike at a Stormtrooper in range as he does (( War Priest Bonus Action Attack )). As he does, he yells, "The Empress has given her orders, protect Cairon or our mission will fail!"
Wisdom Save = 13 (+3 below) = 16
Brevon's Bless = +3
Hobgoblin Racial Ability 'Saving Face' = +5 (( Apply to any failed roll ))
Action 1 = attack 18, damage 15 -> Becomes 23 if 18 misses (see above)
Action Surge = attack 17, damage 16
Bonus Action Attack = 12, damage 7
Lord Vader's sword swings around, batting Dageron's attacks away with ease, even as the Hobgoblin warrior falls back and misses his attack on one of the Stormtroopers.
Stormtroopers advance on Hrothgar and Shirin, but find nothing but air. A third, however, stronger Stormtrooper wearing Lieutenant's insignia steps forward and javelin's Jek.
Melisandre, having not been in the fray yet, steps forward, prayers on her lips as she raises both hands and moves toward the center of her defensive line. Too afraid to target Lord Vader directly, she extends her hand toward the center of the invaders, picking out one unlucky Hobgoblin...and channels all of her capability into a Fireball. In this case, it's one of the enemy spellcasters next to Lord Vader. The Stormtrooper is killed instantly, and the resulting explosion bakes off one of the nearby Lieutenants and then kills the other spellcaster next to Vader. The Dark Lord is singed by fire as it rolls up his cloak at the same time that Dageron's radiant damage hits him, and he cries out in pain before thrusting a hand toward Melisandre.
"HOW DARE YOU!" He says as his hand clenches, just as it had with Jek, and suddenly she is dragged up off her feet, grabbing for her throat as he feet kick in the air. "You insolent wench! Do you even conceive in your pathetic little mind of the power of the dark side of the Force! Now you die!"
On the far side of the battle, a soldier comes to Captain Hahft's aid as they continue trying to break the hold of the Stormtroopers on the pinnacle but is unneffective.
Lord Vader jerks his fist forward, dragging Melisandre into the circle with him as he raises his saber and rams it through her belly as she flies to him. She screams, and is then tossed unceremoniously to the deck in a bleeding heap. She's in bad shape.
Lord Vader doesn't waste time. He charges forward, the red glowing saber raised as he suddenly closes the distance with the Childlike Empress and attacks. The saber flashes twice across her chest before he grabs her by the throat, this time physically holding her.
"I cannot believe you have been allowed to maintain control of this world for so long." He says in between deep, rattling breaths. "Be assured, today the strong wrest control from you."
"Empress, no!" Captain Hahft calls from the farside of the platform. Still unable to move forward, he does what he can to batter his way through the enemies closing on him. He swings viciously and finally catches one in the legs, tripping it before bringing the halberd down on its chest for the final blow, killing it. He dodges to the side, butt of the weapon up, before swinging around wide and still missing his target.
An archer shoots one of the elite Stormtroopers attacking Captain Hahft.
Brevon, Hrothgar, Shirin, and Dageron are Blessed
Updated Post Order
Dungeon Master
Jek
Dungeon Master
Shirin
Slade
Dungeon Master
Hrothgar
Dungeon Master
Brevon
Dungeon Master
Dageron
Dungeon Master
It is Jek's turn
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Jek watches as the Red Lady does amazingly well! He didn't know she had it in her. But... Oh no. She looks very hurt. And.... NO the Childlike Empress! She said that they were more important than her, but... but that doesn't mean she isn't important. But.... Why is he so scary!
Jek can be scary too... right? There is something.... something he doesn't like to think about. Shadows, just like the Lightless, are a balance of light and dark. One can't exist without the other. Jek's life has been mostly focusing on the light in him... But there is darkness in there as well.
As Jek tapes into the darkness. While his facial features aren't visible, his face will noticeable elongate and his eyes will shift from there normal yellow light, to a red color. He will say in Deep Speach "Reloseer Tel’quiet" as he casts Cause Fear on Vader, Wis 14.
After which, he will return to normal, and run up to Iron-Hoove (who should be still attached to the cart) and mount him.
Action: Cast Cause Fear on Vader, Wis 14
Movement: Get to Iron-Hoove and mount him
Wisdom Save against Frightened: 18
Whether it is something in the Deep Speech, something in the little Lightless's face, or something else...it actually frightens Lord Vader. There's a clear sense that whatever happened, it had happened by shear luck. He shouts something, stepping back and releasing his grip on the Childlike Empress in the moment before sweeping his arm around in a defensive gesture and throwing out a wall of force from his position.
The Childlike Empress is swept up in the concussive wave, tossed backwards, and knocked prone. Jek flies even further away, hitting the dais and going limp.
An archer lines up for a shot, then the string on their bow breaks. There's a loud curse as they fallback to restring their bow.
A Stormtrooper charges for Dageron and lashes out with his longsword but misses. One of the Lieutenant's attacks after that, then steps to the side, taking a chance to swing at Shirin. Neither attack hits.
The Childlike Empress, still holding her bleeding front, raises a hand and speaks the words, casting Invisibility on Dageron, Hrothgar, and Shirin.
Darla surges forward, running straight at the Stormtrooper attacking Dageron. She reaches out, her powerful beak taking him by the leg and dragging him to the ground. She shakes hard, furiously, shaking the poor bastard to death.
Jek is down
Brevon, Hrothgar, Shirin, and Dageron are Blessed
Hrothgar, Shirin, and Dageron are Invisible
Updated Post Order
Dungeon Master
*Jek*
Dungeon Master
Shirin
Slade
Dungeon Master
Hrothgar
Dungeon Master
Brevon
Dungeon Master
Dageron
Dungeon Master
It is Shirin's turn
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Shirin wastes no time, drawing his second sword and cutting into the lieutenant in front of him with unseen vigor.
Attack 1: 25 Damage: 13
Off-hand: Attack: 27 Damage: 9
Regardless of whether or not the lieutenant falls as a result, he will rush toward the empress, hoping to shield her from any approaching attackers.
Unable to do anything about his unreasonable fear of Vader and with his back against the wall, Slade casts a quick bit of 'prestidigitation' creating a fierce itching/tickling sensation inside the dark lords nose in an effort to distract him from his attack.