[Zurlane] Chapter 3: Ride of the Valkyries

[Throndir]

The valkyrie who was running nodded at you. She pointed further deeper into the battle, though you personally could not see her. When you talked with the second one, she blushed once she realized she was being talked to, but eventually nodded and told you she will pass the message to Iona.

You can spend another turn going deeper into the battle, and rolling another Perception.

You can make it Zurlane. This... is just like our war from our world. Do you remember the Yethra?

[Licel]

Attempt to look for Alvilda again (Perception)

Rolled 1d20+3 : 11 + 3, total 14

"I remember Yethra... both the good and the bad... We'll... We'll push on just a little more... Aurora, what did you tell me when I was a baby? When I was too young to understand much?"

[Throndir]

I spoke to you often when you were still too young to understand. My initial directives were to have you understand language, and to both be acquainted and be familiar with my speech patterns and auditory signals. I was there when you learned to take your first steps, and when you uttered your first words.

Sometimes there is certainty in our actions. Other times, it would seem as if there's no one to help guide you and show you the way.

Your heart is beating irregularly, and though there is adrenaline from this battle now, there is more to it than that. But just as you were when you were a child, you know that I will be guiding you through each step of the way.

There were many lives lost too, during the war with Yethra. You have what it takes. The Valkyrie look upon you as something of a hero, don't let your steps falter.

Perception: 14
You scan the front lines, and among the fleeing Valkyrie, you see Alvilda attempting to stem the tide of demons that were ignoring the thickest part of battle, and had been trying to flank the Valkyrie.

[Licel]

"My steps won't falter Aurora... it really means a lot to me that I have you around. I feel really lucky, lucky to have known you and to be with you... you're my light in the dim when everything else is hazy." Upon saying this Zurlane managed to muster a smile. His mind was a little clearer and a small sense of courage found again, he quickened his pace towards where he could see Alvilda.

As he closed in on the lines he noticed he did not have the same distractions and hallucinations that he once had before, everything was clearer and less hazy. He felt for a moment in total control and his mind began to work, he could see the world around him like it was a chess board. It was time to formulate a plan. It was time to get these Valkyre back and safe. He just needed to formulate a plan. It was time to be decisive. It was time to win.

Knowledge (Martial)

Rolled 1d20+9 : 13 + 9, total 22

After taking a moment to calculate a plan he closed the distance to Alvilda. "Alvlida!" He yelled, "I've come back for you!"

[Throndir]

Sometime on your next level, take a point in Knowledge (tactics), or roll Profession (soldier), Knowledge (martial) is actually more used for identifying specific martial combat techniques an opponent is using.

Knowledge (martial): 22
You remembered what Aurora said about toppling buildings, but you weren't sure if you had the fire power to do such a thing. The demons had already begun circling and flanking, and the the simplest solution right now was to simply retreat. Potentially a few Valkyrie could sacrifice themselves to slow down the hoard.

When you reached Alvilda, you realized her movements were sluggish, and she was haggard. She was already in poor state when you had first seen her back in the summoning room. Likewise, after her fight with the first demon from earlier, she still had many wounds on her body. When you saw her next, she had even more injuries, but she was still bravely putting up a fight, and was locked into combat with a demon. Blood streamed down her armor, she had various new gashes and cuts on both her arms and legs. To her credit however, she continued attempting to retreat, along with a couple of other Valkyrie with her, who were just as heavily wounded.

A dark blast of some sort of energy that you couldn't recognize hit one of the Valkyrie then, the girl was blasted forward, and lay still.

Alvilda gritted her teeth.

"Good tidings thou art here, hero! I'm... not sure we can hold out much longer... Most of the Valkyrie are on their retreat... Tis all I can do to slow them down."

If you plan to engage in any combat-related activities, or anything that might require exact turn order, roll Initiative.

Rough Status
Eydis: Badly Wounded (hit and fall, failed putting out fire)
Iona: Injured
Zurlane: Badly Wounded (fight  with demon, failed catch), affected by Wind Shield, affected by Hardened Carapace,
Alvilda: Badly Wounded (fight with demon, protecting from flank)

[include u=2]
Zurlane: -19, +5 AC Deflection, +2 DR
Alvilda: -45
Eydis: -35
Spirit Alvilda: None
MP Alvilda: -10
MP Aurora: -28[/include]

[Licel]

"Alvilda, you have to get out of here now. Your people need their princess, you must not fall today! I'm begging you please retreat, I will be right after you."

Zurlane attempts to shoot the demon that Alvilda is fighting with, with his crossbow.

Crossbow (Dexterity)

Rolled 1d20+9 : 4 + 9, total 13

Damage

Rolled 1d8 : 4, total 4

"I'll do what I can to slow the enemy down. Something very powerful is approaching!"

"Sisters!" Zurlane yells "We must hold the line so that the princess can escape! Do not lose heart!"

[Throndir]

Crossbow attack on Demon: 13
You aimed at it, but it was off, and your bolt was avoided.

"I will not abandon my people Tis my duty!"

"Mine princess! Please... prithee thou lets us do this. Thine blood hath the most divinity amongst us all. Tis not wise for what remains of our people to lose thee..."

"Even so... I can't just abandon anyone!"

"Tis fine mine princess... Tis man be the hero that you hath been attempting to summon? Mayhaps all will be well... No, prithee to make haste! Flee from hither!"

At that moment the demon slashed at another one of the Valkyrie, and its target was sent flying far behind you, as blood splattered against your face.

Diplomacy requested if you want to get Alvilda to leave.

[Licel]

"Please Alvilda, live to fight another day, the day is lost, but with you we will still win the war. I beg you listen!"

Zurlane slams another bolt into his crossbow.

"The world needs you Alvilda."

He pulls the sting back.

"I need you!"

He draws up the crossbow, aiming down the sight and fires at the same demon.

"Even heroes know when it's time to pull back!"

Diplomacy

Rolled 1d20+3 : 4 + 3, total 7

Crossbow

Rolled 1d20+9 : 14 + 9, total 23

Damage

Rolled 1d8 : 2, total 2

[Throndir]

Attack Demon with Crossbow: 23
You managed to hit, but the bolt didn't seem to do very much.

The demon attacked again towards the next Valkyrie, she too was cut apart, and her body fell to the ground, lifeless.

"Mine queen's forces are still a distance yonder... If no one holds back the demons hither, many more of mine brethren will die as they flee to the south... I shant retreat so hastily!" Alvilda steeled herself as she dodged another blow from the demon.

[Licel]

"Alvilda, please! Do it for your people you mean so much to them. It will be a far greater pain to lose you than losing this day ever would. Please reconsider. Tell me Alvilda, what will it take!?!"

Diplomacy

Rolled 1d20+3 : 14 + 3, total 17

Zurlane turns around to attempts to see if he can spot Iona coming back.

Perception

Rolled 1d20+3 : 17 + 3, total 20

[Throndir]

"What art we to do then Zurlane? If we flee here then the demons shalt simply pursue us... No longer do mine Valkyrie people have the ability of flight save for but a few of us. We cannot escape unless we hath some sort of distraction... I wilt not ask mine own people to sacrifice themselves, I will lead a group to hold as many as we can here, whilst the rest escape..."

She stared you in the eye, her resolve clearly seen.

"For thee as well... Mine hero. Prithee that you escape from here, gather thy strength... and avenge the fallen Valkyrie."

[Licel]

"Alvilda, remember I have a plan. We're going to make a distraction to buy our people that extra time to get away! Come, I need your help to make this work. We're going to draw a line in the sand, I just need you to trust me. Iona is on her way as well, I just... I need you to trust me."

Zurlane puts his hand out.

"Don't do this, stay in this world and live... with me!"

[Throndir]

"V-very well, hero..." With that she took your hand.

Zurlane, Iona is inbound in 6 seconds- Zurlane watch out!

A large mass of dark energy was coming right for both you and Alvilda.

Agility requested, you have a bonus to Agility due to Aurora's warning, I'll add that myself though, so roll normally.

[Licel]

Dodge (Agility)

Rolled 1d20+9 : 17 + 9, total 26

After getting up from the doge Zurlane yells out, "I'm so glad Alvilda, here's what we're going to do, pull back and get as many of your sisters as possible you're going to get the biggest bonfire you can burning, I'll go over the rest with Iona, are you good with a bow?" Zurlane smiles a craft smile. "Once you get the fire going arm as many of your sisters that can still fire with a bow."

I make my way over to intercept and get Iona's attention.

[Throndir]

Alvilda nodded at your commands. She wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but she trusted your judgement.

"We Valkyrie hath been training all our lives, hero. We've mastered bows since we were 10." She winked at you, then using her sword she lifted it high up in the air, and shouted out at the top of her lungs.

"Valkyrie! Tarry no longer, retreat as swift as thou can! Do not sacrifice thyselves, for tis we that makes our country for what it is! Fall back towards the southern gates! We shalt build a bonfire tither!"

"Hero!" Iona called out once you were near enough. "Eydis is leading the retreat towards the southern gates... Our scouts report too that the queen's army, our reinforcements, are on their way here now riding hard. Mayhaps another 30 minutes..." She looked worriedly at you.

"Praytell, shalt we make it?"