Greko smiles at Rum "Always so astute! I missed you friend...Powers at be are all three" Greko giggles at his rhyme "You see Greko the Green was done for this world. He had done all he could, saving you all, was his destiny. However, I, Greko the White, was sent back by powers of good to help combat the evil that swept across the land. Although our group tried to do good and prevent mass calamity, other groups were.....less thoughtful of the big picture....The Gmork most definitely was sent back by the forces of evil and is not revealing itself for they know we would end it once and for all." Greko stops his mini lecture and shouts down into the void "Come out come out little doggy! Why hide when we know you are there." Greko looks at Rum and smiles again while nodding his head as if the Gmork will appear
As Kaede comes across the bridge with her Dwarven entourage, the darkness below her in the chasm shifts. A white-gray mist crawls from rhe depths and envelops her temporarily... And then there is a black swirl from the chasm that begins to solidify with horrific quickness before her, blocking her path.
Suddenly, the Gmork is standing on the bridge between her and the rest of the band.
"Ssweet child..." The Gmork says, it's large body fully obstructing the path. It's voice is a hoarse whisper, only loud enough for her to hear and not the rest of the band. "I ssavor momentss like thiss. There iss never a kill as juicy as when the prey iss alone. Now your friendss will watch asss you die alone..."
He reaches out with. Huge, clawed forepaw and clips one rope with all the ease of a Samurai slashing paper. The rope snaps, sending a shockwave reverberating along the bridge as it tilts suddenly to one side... But miraculously stays suspended. The jolt is devastating for the Duergar, though. Eight of the twelve, surprised by the sudden tilt, are thrown over the edge into the chasm, screaming as they fall. One reaches out as he panics and grabs his nearest compatriot, dragging her off into the black below.
Three are left behind. Two, at the rear of the group, begin to scream as clinging white mist creeps up on them... And little streaks of crimson begins to evaporate from the pours of the Duergars' bodies...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Lady Kaede, face hidden within her helm, cries out in horror as her new friends fall into the abyss. As the bridge falters and begins to fail, she deftly springs forward as if dancing on air, to get within striking range of the foul beast. She screams out a battlecry of "Yi Yi Yi!" and in a sudden flash of steel, attacks with youthful vigor:
Lady Kaede invokes Samurai Fighting Spirit + Great Weapon Master feat + Fighter Action Surge
"Attachments are for the weak." The Stormtrooper leader says to Greko.
"I'd like some tasty cakes..." One of the Orcs says...and then the leader shoots him a look that can shatter glass. He gets quiet and looks away from Greko, ashamed.
The Stormtroopers get very, very quiet when Jek starts talking about how he came face to face with Lord Vader twice. And how the Lord of the Sith is no longer with them. Then, when he makes the claim that he, in fact, is responsible for the death of the Sith Lord, along with Greko, their faces all harden. Snarls cross all their lips, even the shamed one...and then the hound of ill omen steps out of the shadows before them. More than one pulls their faces back as it stalks their lines and Jek continues his questioning, but a few keep their hardened gaze...until they realize that their leader has fallen under the spell of the Lightless.
"Captain...no." One of the elite Stormtroopers says.
"Don't tell them." Another pleads.
"The Titan Forge." She says when Jek asks where the Blast Bellows is. "In the Great Cavern. As for what power could bring something back from the dead, I do not know. It is not our magic."
The Gmork howls in pain as Lady Kaede surges forward with unfettered fury, her slashes taking horrible tolls on the forefront of the beasts body. It growls, backing away...and then lunging forward with all the power it can muster. It hit's Kaede like a hate-fueled missile, trying to knock her flat, and snaps at her katana in an effort to pull it from the Samurai's hands...
Post Order
Rum Gmork Ro Jek Duergars Kaede Wo-Dan Greko Stormtroopers*
The Gmork barrels into Lady Kaede, knocking her down to the ground prone with an unexpected fury, which startled even the battle hardened samurai. Then, the Gmork made the mistake of attempting to gnaw away at her blade. "How dare you, foul beast. No one touches my blade unless I allow you to be cut down by it. No. One."
DC12 STR save vs. being knocked prone: Kaede rolled a failing pathetic 9.
DC14 STR save vs. having the Gmork rip her precious katana away: Kede rolled a successful 21.
As soon as he spots the Gmork materialise, Rum says in Celestial, "To the bridge, noble Star Lancer. Our enemy awaits". With that, Porkins makes haste towards their shadowy adversary.
The Star Lancer streaks across the space between the mounted tabaxi and Gmork, taking up a position next to the bridge to allow Rum to alight onto it, his clawed feet easily finding purchase in the wood to keep him stable. "Stay out of that mist, and stay close in case one of our own falls", he directs Porkins as he dismounts. Porkins then moves a little away from the bridge, and sweeps down a little under it, in case anyone needs rescuing. He keeps away from the white mist though.
"Finally you stop skulking you cowardly whelp", he says to Gmork as he takes up a position behind it, sandwiching it in between himself and Lady Kaede.
With that he unleashes his own torrent of blows towards the creature that has been treating him as prey, looking to turn the tables on it. He uses no weapons, but pays attention to the effects of his blows as they rain down, changing his attacks if he finds Gmork is resistant to them.
His first strikes are a pair of punches to get the Gmork's attention, before he reaches into his Ki to follow up with a swift upper cut and then an elbow to what he hopes is it's throat.
Porkins Movement: 50 feet towards Gmork Porkins Action: Dash 35 feet towards Gmork, ending right next to the bridge, then 15 feet diagonally down under the bridge in the direction of the Gmork (assuming it does not take him into the mist).
Movement: Dismount then up to 22.5 feet across the bridge (has climbing speed) to end next to Gmork, flanking it with Lady Kaede. Action: Unarmed Strike 1 (with advantage for flanking): (12, 3)+11=23, Damage: 1 + 8 = 9 [magical bludgeoning] - (Spends 1 Ki point - Stunning Strike - DC 19 Con save or be stunned) Unarmed Strike 2 (with advantage for flanking): (17,20)+11=31 [crit], Damage: (2, 6) + 8 = 16 [magical bludgeoning] - (If not already stunned 1 Ki point - Stunning Strike - DC 19 Con save or be stunned) Bonus Action: 1 Ki point - Flurry of blows: Unarmed Strike 3 (with advantage for flanking): (11,14)+11=25, Damage: 2 + 8 = 10 [magical bludgeoning] - (If not already stunned 1 Ki point - Stunning Strike - DC 19 Con save or be stunned) Unarmed Strike 4 (with advantage for flanking): (4,17)+11=28, Damage: 3 + 8 = 11 [magical bludgeoning] - (If not already stunned 1 Ki point - Stunning Strike - DC 19 Con save or be stunned) Defense: Until he takes damage any attacks are at disadvantage against him Reaction: He does have reactions, will post again if applicable Special: - Crit: Crusher Feat - When you score a critical hit that deals bludgeoning damage to a creature, attack rolls against that creature are made with advantage until the start of your next turn.
"We don't know who's magic, though we suspect the Skeksis. Still, that seems like more than even they are capable of." The Captain replies to Ro. "No, you are incorrect. We call it the Blast Bellows as well. The Titan Forge is the compound where we have taken it. We intend to use it to forge the mightiest weapons the world has ever seen, using Hyboria's very core for heat."
Porkins stops shy of the mist, allowing Rum a clean approach to attack Gmork. The wolf wheels on Rum and is surprised as the first blow catches him in the face, and the second one connects with the tip of his snout, spraying blood. It's eyes open in pure rage as blood drips from its snout, and it's clearly still not stunned even as an uppercut connects with his lower jaw and there's a rattle of teeth. The beast barely has enough time to growl before a fourth strike snaps its neck over to the side, tossing teeth to the bridge below.
The Gmork backs away, blood drooling from its mouth as it tries to get some room between itself and Rum, when the Tabaxi lashes out again, smashing its face one more time just for good measure and rattling its brain, stunning it in place...
Updated Post Order
Rum Ro Jek Duergars Kaede Wo-Dan Greko Stormtroopers*
"I see,"Ro says as the stormtrooper answers his questions, "Where specifically can we find the Titan Forge and how strong are its defenses?"
As he waits for the stormtrooper's answers, Ro whistles for his dragonnel mount to fly over and scrapes at some of the charred blood on his arms from the previous fireball that hit him earlier. He whispers several arcane words and blows the crusted blood into the air. Suddenly, another shadow clone of Ro appears once more on the dragonnel. "Go support Rum and Kaede. Deliver the dragonnel to them."
As Jek focuses on his spell, he sees the Gmork appear again. Taunting them. "Really? Now? What a jerk." As he looks at his fellow shadow monster, he sighs. If he didn't have the Bright Lady, would he be like the Gmork? No, probably not. He yells out "GMORK! You have strayed far from the Bright Lady's light! But it is not too late. All you need is a Guiding Light to show you the path!"
Jek raises his hand, and a ball of shadow forms above it. "Sei Hwul!" Two things happen as Jek says the words in Celestial. First, his eyes get slightly brighter in hue for a moment. Second, the ball of shadow shoots out towards Gmork. But, as it travels, the darkness seems to bleeds off, leaving just a ball of bright white light traveling across the cavern. The white streak quickly strikes the still form of Gmork. Jek will whisper a prayer to the Bright Lady as it strikes. "Bright Lady, please, guide him back to the light."
The bolt of bright light that hits Gmork is enough to shatter the corporeal (or semi-corporeal) form of the huge, wolf-like beast. It snarls and howls in pain as it looks back, over its shoulder, casting a hateful glare toward Jek as it's body begins to disintegrate.
"I'll kill you ssecond!"Gmork sneers between yelps of pain. His head snaps around, his bloody teeth gnashing one last time at Rum. "Only after you..."
He, it, whatever it is, screams in pain as its body is torn to pieces before their very eyes, the pieces floating up into the air and dissipating...
The Stormtroopers watch this short skirmish in silence. The leader waits for Ro's attentino before trying to answer his last question. She gestures back the direction they'd come from (south by southeast) with a nod of her head before speaking.
"Ten day's walk that way. You'll see it from days away. Glowing orange. Its defenses? Magical traps. Thousands of troops. Multiple Inquisitors on duty. Warbeasts. It makes the Black Crags look insignificant."
Greko becomes very serious for a moment and seemingly answers to no one speaking "I will be waiting. Next time don't waste my time skulking about"Greko looks out to Rum and Kaede "You quit hanging around. Decisions to be made....Greko will save you" Greko slams his staff into the ground causing the earth elemental to meld back into the rock floor. He begins to twirl his staff above his head over and over chanting in Druidic. Greko pulls the air from above his head down into his staff and aims it out towards Kaede, Rum and whoever is left on the bridge. An air elemental appears looking at Greko. He points to those on the bridge and commands it to "SAVE THEM"
"If you want to keep dying, be my guest and come back, whelp!", Rum says as he watches the Gmork dissipate with satisfaction. "I will not miss that thing whispering to me one bit", he says to Lady Kaede, before calling for Porkins and hopping back onto his Star Lancer. He motions for her to join him if she wishes.
Seeing the Dragonnel with Ro's shadow on it and the air elemental summoned by Greko heading towards the bridge to help the surviving Duergar, he stays only long enough to ensure no-one falls before heading back to the chasm edge where the Storm Troopers are being questioned.
"How many times can that thing return? And who else has been brought back?", he says as he lands on the chasm edge in front of the Storm Trooper leader, before asking, "What did I miss, fellow Remnants and old...friends?". He gives the word friends a strange inflection, as if trying it out.
Lady Kaede, still breathing heavily from a combination of adrenaline coursing through her blood from the battle, and sorrow from losing so many of her new dwarven friends into the yawing abyss below, hops on the back of Porkins and hangs onto Rum for dear life. As they're flying back to land, she comments back to Rum (a little loudly...she's still a little flustered, and not exactly comfortable with heights), "If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles, Rum-san. That Gmork entity will surely be back, but we now know its weakness, and can surely vanquish it quickly if and when it decides to challenge us again!"
When they finally land on the chasm edge, Kaede beckons over the remaining dwarves (OOC: I assume the Greko's air elemental saved whoever was remaining...and brought them safely to land) and announces to them "Your enemy has been subjugated, my friends! You no longer need to be afraid!"
Greko stands idly by hunched over leaning on his staff with his air elemental by his side. He stands and listens to the others and the questioning of the captured leader. He wonders out loud so the leader can hear him "Now that Vader is gone, I wonder who leads you....hmm?"
The Duergar look on at the Stormtroopers in amazement as they land, before looking back over the ledge of the chasm to contemplate what they'd just survived. None of them look too good after having been assailed by the strange mist. Blood beads on their skin where it had been syphoned from their body.
"We're led by General Vurdrad. That thing? I don't even know what it is. And I don't follow you? Who else would have been brought back?" The female Stormtrooper answers Greko, then Rum.
Rum frowns at the storm trooper leader before turning to the others and ignoring her questions.
"It seems that these hapless troops are just a handful among thousands, if we believe what they have said, fellow Remnants and Embers. What we have done here has put pressure on us. Our enemy has known we have been in Subternia for some time I expect, but they didn't know our capabilities then. This will have made them aware. We should formulate a plan and move quickly, and ensure these aren't capable of reporting back", he says, at the last motioning to the captured troops.
He jumps off Porkins and instructs it in Celestial, "Most noble mount, if you would round up your fellow Star Lancers, we would ask for their aid against the ones that have treated you poorly".
Turning back to the Remnants, he continues. "These are amazing creatures, capable of great stealth. We should use as many of them that will join us".
"And there is still the question of these to answer", he says motioning at the troopers, all lined up against the chasm edge. "It is an abhorrent thought, but you know my opinion, they should not be allowed to leave here".
Greko smiles at Rums suggestion "Rum is right...let's come up with a plan...yes Greko will write it down so it's is not botched. Perhaps the Duergars would like to administer their own justice being the ones who were wronged hmm?"
Lady Kaede leads the remaining duergars over to where the troopers are conveniently lined up at the edge of the precipice, and addresses them "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a burn for a burn, a life for a life. That's how all this got started...and that's how it's going to end. The fate of these soldiers [OOC: she says "soldiers" almost spitting] is in your hands. What does thou choose? Do you wish to mete out retribution for restorative justice?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Greko smiles at Rum "Always so astute! I missed you friend...Powers at be are all three" Greko giggles at his rhyme "You see Greko the Green was done for this world. He had done all he could, saving you all, was his destiny. However, I, Greko the White, was sent back by powers of good to help combat the evil that swept across the land. Although our group tried to do good and prevent mass calamity, other groups were.....less thoughtful of the big picture....The Gmork most definitely was sent back by the forces of evil and is not revealing itself for they know we would end it once and for all." Greko stops his mini lecture and shouts down into the void "Come out come out little doggy! Why hide when we know you are there." Greko looks at Rum and smiles again while nodding his head as if the Gmork will appear
As Kaede comes across the bridge with her Dwarven entourage, the darkness below her in the chasm shifts. A white-gray mist crawls from rhe depths and envelops her temporarily... And then there is a black swirl from the chasm that begins to solidify with horrific quickness before her, blocking her path.
Suddenly, the Gmork is standing on the bridge between her and the rest of the band.
"Ssweet child..." The Gmork says, it's large body fully obstructing the path. It's voice is a hoarse whisper, only loud enough for her to hear and not the rest of the band. "I ssavor momentss like thiss. There iss never a kill as juicy as when the prey iss alone. Now your friendss will watch asss you die alone..."
He reaches out with. Huge, clawed forepaw and clips one rope with all the ease of a Samurai slashing paper. The rope snaps, sending a shockwave reverberating along the bridge as it tilts suddenly to one side... But miraculously stays suspended. The jolt is devastating for the Duergar, though. Eight of the twelve, surprised by the sudden tilt, are thrown over the edge into the chasm, screaming as they fall. One reaches out as he panics and grabs his nearest compatriot, dragging her off into the black below.
Three are left behind. Two, at the rear of the group, begin to scream as clinging white mist creeps up on them... And little streaks of crimson begins to evaporate from the pours of the Duergars' bodies...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Lady Kaede, face hidden within her helm, cries out in horror as her new friends fall into the abyss. As the bridge falters and begins to fail, she deftly springs forward as if dancing on air, to get within striking range of the foul beast. She screams out a battlecry of "Yi Yi Yi!" and in a sudden flash of steel, attacks with youthful vigor:
Lady Kaede invokes Samurai Fighting Spirit + Great Weapon Master feat + Fighter Action Surge
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"Attachments are for the weak." The Stormtrooper leader says to Greko.
"I'd like some tasty cakes..." One of the Orcs says...and then the leader shoots him a look that can shatter glass. He gets quiet and looks away from Greko, ashamed.
The Stormtroopers get very, very quiet when Jek starts talking about how he came face to face with Lord Vader twice. And how the Lord of the Sith is no longer with them. Then, when he makes the claim that he, in fact, is responsible for the death of the Sith Lord, along with Greko, their faces all harden. Snarls cross all their lips, even the shamed one...and then the hound of ill omen steps out of the shadows before them. More than one pulls their faces back as it stalks their lines and Jek continues his questioning, but a few keep their hardened gaze...until they realize that their leader has fallen under the spell of the Lightless.
"Captain...no." One of the elite Stormtroopers says.
"Don't tell them." Another pleads.
"The Titan Forge." She says when Jek asks where the Blast Bellows is. "In the Great Cavern. As for what power could bring something back from the dead, I do not know. It is not our magic."
The Gmork howls in pain as Lady Kaede surges forward with unfettered fury, her slashes taking horrible tolls on the forefront of the beasts body. It growls, backing away...and then lunging forward with all the power it can muster. It hit's Kaede like a hate-fueled missile, trying to knock her flat, and snaps at her katana in an effort to pull it from the Samurai's hands...
Post Order
Rum
Gmork
Ro
Jek
Duergars
Kaede
Wo-Dan
Greko
Stormtroopers*
It is Rum's turn!
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
The Gmork barrels into Lady Kaede, knocking her down to the ground prone with an unexpected fury, which startled even the battle hardened samurai. Then, the Gmork made the mistake of attempting to gnaw away at her blade. "How dare you, foul beast. No one touches my blade unless I allow you to be cut down by it. No. One."
DC12 STR save vs. being knocked prone: Kaede rolled a failing pathetic 9.
DC14 STR save vs. having the Gmork rip her precious katana away: Kede rolled a successful 21.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
With the stormtrooper under Jek's suggestion spell to cooperate, Ro joins the interrogation and begins to ask questions:
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
As soon as he spots the Gmork materialise, Rum says in Celestial, "To the bridge, noble Star Lancer. Our enemy awaits". With that, Porkins makes haste towards their shadowy adversary.
The Star Lancer streaks across the space between the mounted tabaxi and Gmork, taking up a position next to the bridge to allow Rum to alight onto it, his clawed feet easily finding purchase in the wood to keep him stable. "Stay out of that mist, and stay close in case one of our own falls", he directs Porkins as he dismounts. Porkins then moves a little away from the bridge, and sweeps down a little under it, in case anyone needs rescuing. He keeps away from the white mist though.
"Finally you stop skulking you cowardly whelp", he says to Gmork as he takes up a position behind it, sandwiching it in between himself and Lady Kaede.
With that he unleashes his own torrent of blows towards the creature that has been treating him as prey, looking to turn the tables on it. He uses no weapons, but pays attention to the effects of his blows as they rain down, changing his attacks if he finds Gmork is resistant to them.
His first strikes are a pair of punches to get the Gmork's attention, before he reaches into his Ki to follow up with a swift upper cut and then an elbow to what he hopes is it's throat.
Porkins Movement: 50 feet towards Gmork
Porkins Action: Dash 35 feet towards Gmork, ending right next to the bridge, then 15 feet diagonally down under the bridge in the direction of the Gmork (assuming it does not take him into the mist).
Movement: Dismount then up to 22.5 feet across the bridge (has climbing speed) to end next to Gmork, flanking it with Lady Kaede.
Action:
Unarmed Strike 1 (with advantage for flanking): (12,
3)+11=23, Damage: 1 + 8 = 9 [magical bludgeoning] - (Spends 1 Ki point - Stunning Strike - DC 19 Con save or be stunned)Unarmed Strike 2 (with advantage for flanking): (
17,20)+11=31 [crit], Damage: (2, 6) + 8 = 16 [magical bludgeoning] - (If not already stunned 1 Ki point - Stunning Strike - DC 19 Con save or be stunned)Bonus Action: 1 Ki point - Flurry of blows:
Unarmed Strike 3 (with advantage for flanking): (11,14)+11=25, Damage: 2 + 8 = 10 [magical bludgeoning] - (If not already stunned 1 Ki point - Stunning Strike - DC 19 Con save or be stunned)
Unarmed Strike 4 (with advantage for flanking): (4,17)+11=28, Damage: 3 + 8 = 11 [magical bludgeoning] - (If not already stunned 1 Ki point - Stunning Strike - DC 19 Con save or be stunned)
Defense: Until he takes damage any attacks are at disadvantage against him
Reaction: He does have reactions, will post again if applicable
Special: - Crit: Crusher Feat - When you score a critical hit that deals bludgeoning damage to a creature, attack rolls against that creature are made with advantage until the start of your next turn.
"We don't know who's magic, though we suspect the Skeksis. Still, that seems like more than even they are capable of." The Captain replies to Ro. "No, you are incorrect. We call it the Blast Bellows as well. The Titan Forge is the compound where we have taken it. We intend to use it to forge the mightiest weapons the world has ever seen, using Hyboria's very core for heat."
Porkins stops shy of the mist, allowing Rum a clean approach to attack Gmork. The wolf wheels on Rum and is surprised as the first blow catches him in the face, and the second one connects with the tip of his snout, spraying blood. It's eyes open in pure rage as blood drips from its snout, and it's clearly still not stunned even as an uppercut connects with his lower jaw and there's a rattle of teeth. The beast barely has enough time to growl before a fourth strike snaps its neck over to the side, tossing teeth to the bridge below.
The Gmork backs away, blood drooling from its mouth as it tries to get some room between itself and Rum, when the Tabaxi lashes out again, smashing its face one more time just for good measure and rattling its brain, stunning it in place...
Updated Post Order
Rum
Ro
Jek
Duergars
Kaede
Wo-Dan
Greko
Stormtroopers*
It is Ro's turn!
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Lady Kaede attempts to grab hold of the bridge (perhaps one of the boards or ropes): Acrobatics 7
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"I see," Ro says as the stormtrooper answers his questions, "Where specifically can we find the Titan Forge and how strong are its defenses?"
As he waits for the stormtrooper's answers, Ro whistles for his dragonnel mount to fly over and scrapes at some of the charred blood on his arms from the previous fireball that hit him earlier. He whispers several arcane words and blows the crusted blood into the air. Suddenly, another shadow clone of Ro appears once more on the dragonnel. "Go support Rum and Kaede. Deliver the dragonnel to them."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
As Jek focuses on his spell, he sees the Gmork appear again. Taunting them. "Really? Now? What a jerk." As he looks at his fellow shadow monster, he sighs. If he didn't have the Bright Lady, would he be like the Gmork? No, probably not. He yells out "GMORK! You have strayed far from the Bright Lady's light! But it is not too late. All you need is a Guiding Light to show you the path!"
Jek raises his hand, and a ball of shadow forms above it. "Sei Hwul!" Two things happen as Jek says the words in Celestial. First, his eyes get slightly brighter in hue for a moment. Second, the ball of shadow shoots out towards Gmork. But, as it travels, the darkness seems to bleeds off, leaving just a ball of bright white light traveling across the cavern. The white streak quickly strikes the still form of Gmork. Jek will whisper a prayer to the Bright Lady as it strikes. "Bright Lady, please, guide him back to the light."
Action: Guiding Bolt 4th Level. To Hit: 22, Damage: 28 Radiant
The bolt of bright light that hits Gmork is enough to shatter the corporeal (or semi-corporeal) form of the huge, wolf-like beast. It snarls and howls in pain as it looks back, over its shoulder, casting a hateful glare toward Jek as it's body begins to disintegrate.
"I'll kill you ssecond!" Gmork sneers between yelps of pain. His head snaps around, his bloody teeth gnashing one last time at Rum. "Only after you..."
He, it, whatever it is, screams in pain as its body is torn to pieces before their very eyes, the pieces floating up into the air and dissipating...
The Stormtroopers watch this short skirmish in silence. The leader waits for Ro's attentino before trying to answer his last question. She gestures back the direction they'd come from (south by southeast) with a nod of her head before speaking.
"Ten day's walk that way. You'll see it from days away. Glowing orange. Its defenses? Magical traps. Thousands of troops. Multiple Inquisitors on duty. Warbeasts. It makes the Black Crags look insignificant."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Greko becomes very serious for a moment and seemingly answers to no one speaking "I will be waiting. Next time don't waste my time skulking about" Greko looks out to Rum and Kaede "You quit hanging around. Decisions to be made....Greko will save you" Greko slams his staff into the ground causing the earth elemental to meld back into the rock floor. He begins to twirl his staff above his head over and over chanting in Druidic. Greko pulls the air from above his head down into his staff and aims it out towards Kaede, Rum and whoever is left on the bridge. An air elemental appears looking at Greko. He points to those on the bridge and commands it to "SAVE THEM"
"If you want to keep dying, be my guest and come back, whelp!", Rum says as he watches the Gmork dissipate with satisfaction. "I will not miss that thing whispering to me one bit", he says to Lady Kaede, before calling for Porkins and hopping back onto his Star Lancer. He motions for her to join him if she wishes.
Seeing the Dragonnel with Ro's shadow on it and the air elemental summoned by Greko heading towards the bridge to help the surviving Duergar, he stays only long enough to ensure no-one falls before heading back to the chasm edge where the Storm Troopers are being questioned.
"How many times can that thing return? And who else has been brought back?", he says as he lands on the chasm edge in front of the Storm Trooper leader, before asking, "What did I miss, fellow Remnants and old...friends?". He gives the word friends a strange inflection, as if trying it out.
Lady Kaede, still breathing heavily from a combination of adrenaline coursing through her blood from the battle, and sorrow from losing so many of her new dwarven friends into the yawing abyss below, hops on the back of Porkins and hangs onto Rum for dear life. As they're flying back to land, she comments back to Rum (a little loudly...she's still a little flustered, and not exactly comfortable with heights), "If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles, Rum-san. That Gmork entity will surely be back, but we now know its weakness, and can surely vanquish it quickly if and when it decides to challenge us again!"
When they finally land on the chasm edge, Kaede beckons over the remaining dwarves (OOC: I assume the Greko's air elemental saved whoever was remaining...and brought them safely to land) and announces to them "Your enemy has been subjugated, my friends! You no longer need to be afraid!"
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Greko stands idly by hunched over leaning on his staff with his air elemental by his side. He stands and listens to the others and the questioning of the captured leader. He wonders out loud so the leader can hear him "Now that Vader is gone, I wonder who leads you....hmm?"
The Duergar look on at the Stormtroopers in amazement as they land, before looking back over the ledge of the chasm to contemplate what they'd just survived. None of them look too good after having been assailed by the strange mist. Blood beads on their skin where it had been syphoned from their body.
"We're led by General Vurdrad. That thing? I don't even know what it is. And I don't follow you? Who else would have been brought back?" The female Stormtrooper answers Greko, then Rum.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Rum frowns at the storm trooper leader before turning to the others and ignoring her questions.
"It seems that these hapless troops are just a handful among thousands, if we believe what they have said, fellow Remnants and Embers. What we have done here has put pressure on us. Our enemy has known we have been in Subternia for some time I expect, but they didn't know our capabilities then. This will have made them aware. We should formulate a plan and move quickly, and ensure these aren't capable of reporting back", he says, at the last motioning to the captured troops.
He jumps off Porkins and instructs it in Celestial, "Most noble mount, if you would round up your fellow Star Lancers, we would ask for their aid against the ones that have treated you poorly".
Turning back to the Remnants, he continues. "These are amazing creatures, capable of great stealth. We should use as many of them that will join us".
"And there is still the question of these to answer", he says motioning at the troopers, all lined up against the chasm edge. "It is an abhorrent thought, but you know my opinion, they should not be allowed to leave here".
Greko smiles at Rums suggestion "Rum is right...let's come up with a plan...yes Greko will write it down so it's is not botched. Perhaps the Duergars would like to administer their own justice being the ones who were wronged hmm?"
Lady Kaede leads the remaining duergars over to where the troopers are conveniently lined up at the edge of the precipice, and addresses them "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a burn for a burn, a life for a life. That's how all this got started...and that's how it's going to end. The fate of these soldiers [OOC: she says "soldiers" almost spitting] is in your hands. What does thou choose? Do you wish to mete out retribution for restorative justice?"
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?