[Zurlane] Chapter 4: The Fires of Hiedelswatch

[Licel]

Zurlane stood there in the doorway his back to Winona and listened to what was said.

"I will show you. I have failed you once, but not again."

With that he closed the door behind him and broke out into a sprint towards the south gate.

I can fix this. People can change.

[Throndir]

Heading towards the south gate, you noticed that a lot of the fire supplies were almost ready. The large pile towards the south as well, looked like it was going to be a large bonfire. By your estimations, it was just about 10 minutes of work, but the Valkyrie both worked and moved fast.

The Valkyrie on the West end lagged behind their companions on the East end. Potentially due to the change of leadership. Audhild was trying to do her best, but she was not a skilled commander. Eydis on the other hand managed her people better, and were quite close to completion.

It was the center lane, the one being lead by Alvilda that looked like it was dire. From an initial squad of 100. It looked only a third of what it was. To Alvilda's credit, she didn't lose a lot of ground even though the fight was fierce.



Since last update

Zurlane Run To South Gate
Total: +3 rounds

Elapsed Rounds: 112



Defense Team
Commander: Alvilda
Army size: 33
Distance From Gate: 85 ft.
Currently: Engaging Enemy

3 Valkyrie fallen
[include u=2]Battle entered on round 15[/include]


Fire Team - West End Supplies
History Since Last Update:
3 rounds: Fighting Demons

Commander: Audhild
Army size: 37
Supplies at Center (From West End workers): 73
Supplies at West End Roads: 73
Currently: Fighting Demons - 1 rounds remaining
Next step: Gathering - 2 rounds remaining



Fire Team - East End Supplies
History Since Last Update:
3 rounds: Fighting Demons

Commander: Eydis
Army size: 44
Supplies at Center (From West End workers): 94
Supplies at West End Roads: 94
Currently: Fighting Demons - 6 rounds remaining
Next step: Depositing - 1 rounds remaining

At 100 Supplies, we assume everything is ready.

[Licel]

Zurlane runs to central lane where Alvilda is fighting.

"Alvilda pull back to the south gate. You know your sisters best. I will take your place here. The fire is almost ready to be lit."

He unsheathes his sword and begins to stab over the tops and bottoms of the Valkyres in front of him at the demons that are engaging them aiming for arms and legs, acting defensively to give the Valkyre an advantage in melee.

"Sisters! The day is almost ours! We will make them pay for every dead! Just a little while longer now! You are heros every one of you and will go down as heros of your people this day!"

Initiative

Rolled 1d20+5 : 20 + 5, total 25

[Licel]

Zurlane looks at the line in front of him looking for the most injured Valkyrie fighting with a demon.

Perception

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

Once he sees one that he decides to help he makes his way right up to her and begins fighting with that demon trying to draw it's attention.

Sword attack

Rolled 1d20+8 : 17 + 8, total 25

Damage

Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4

[Throndir]

Your attack hits, but its thick hide seems to absorb most of the damage.

The demon attacks a Valkyrie and misses.

The Valkyrie you helped had various wounds on her body, she looked like she was about to faint simply from blood loss.

[Licel]

"Sister! Flee back to the south gate. Help Princess Alvilda, I will hold back this demon. Now go!" Zurlane motioning to the injured Valkyre he is fighting beside. "Tell her... tell her that Zurlane is doing his best." He says in a mixture of all of his emotions but being deliberate.

He turns his head to the demon. "Alright you mangled piece of shit, now lets see if you can kill a hero. Come on! I am for you!"

Sword attack

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

Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4

[Throndir]

Alvilda, who had just dodged an attack from a demon, called out to you.

"Hero!" She yelled, a distance away, preoccupied still with a demon, and breathing hard.

"Our lines... hath broken. The volunteers... of 100 are down... to only a third left... Tis a welcome... sight that you hath... joined us here." She attacked a demon then, though her movements were sluggish.

"I cannot leave now, we shalt fight until they are ready."

Rapier Attack: 26
Like before you managed to hit, but the demon wasn't injured.

The demon responded by attacking a couple Valkyries around itself, along with a punch aimed at you. The blow connected, and you felt yourself blown back. Along with the injuries from before, you felt that you would soon pass out.



East Side has completed all the supplies. West side still need 12 more rounds (72 seconds).

Rough Status
Eydis: Badly Wounded (hit and fall, failed putting out fire)
Iona: Dying
Zurlane: Near Death (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: -30, +5 AC Deflection, +2 DR
Alvilda: -45
Eydis: -35
Spirit Alvilda: None
MP Alvilda: -10
MP Aurora: -28[/include]

[Licel]

The moment the punch made contact with his chest Zurlane felt a crack and a snap. It sounded as if a tree branch had broken and it was at that moment he felt something inside of him die. Not his physical body, but something else. Was it hope or fear? He did not know, but one realization hit him and it was something much worse than the pain that he felt from the damage his body had sustained. He shambled to his feet before finally being able to catch his breath and stumbled away from the demon he had been engaging it wasn't until he was a distance away that he felt he could actually breath again.

"Alvilda" He wheezed reaching out helplessly towards her. Struggling to keep himself breathing and trying very hard to take deeper fuller breaths. "I... I am sorry. I do not think that... that I can save you." He coughed up blood and felt the world spin as he stumbled around. "I... I..." The realization of what he was about to say ate at him terribly. "If... I do not see you again... I... want you to know that I will save your people and I will never forget you. I will save them Alvilda!" He begain stumbling his way up the street towards the southern gates. "I will light the fire myself if I have to. I will... not..." *Cough* "I will not fail you Alvilda. I will be a hero." He said as he swayed still stumbling towards the gates.

"Status" He said through clenched teeth.

[Throndir]

http://www.youtube.com/v/l6Ztg2gD-5Y

The princess of the Valkyrie's heart sank as she saw you head back towards the gate. She called out then.

"Zurlane... Prithee... Avenge us." Alvilda said as she brought up her shield to deflect an attack, bringing her focus back on the fight.

The demons continued its relentless assault on both Alvilda and the few remaining Valkyrie around her. There were many of them that continued to pressure them. Small ones, large ones, ones that could fly - each of them were dangerous in their own right. The army of 100 Valkyrie that was initially sent to hold the tide of the demons were quickly shrinking. Now there was only about 30 of them left.

Yet, there was a strength in the glint of their eyes, even as one by one more of them continued to fall to the onslaught of the demons. There were those who were incinerated at the spot. Those who were torn from limb to limb. There were those who were simply crushed or thrown distances, with their lifeless corpse no longer moving after the battering. The entire situation was dire. With Zurlane moving back towards the gate, their hope was getting dimmer and dimmer.

Yet the Valkyrie never stood down or broke their ranks. Each one knew discipline, and each one was willing to die for their cause. Pushing themselves to the limit they continued to stem the tide of the demons.

Pulling every ounce of her strength, even though she had been breathing hard, and even though she was completely drained of stamina, Alvilda yelled loudly for all her fellow Valkyrie to hear.

"Valkyrie! To me! Our sisters are almost ready... I beseech mine fellow sisters to me on this last stand! Our valiant hearts be one! Though the fates mayhaps be cruel to us, let our enemies know that we shalt show no fear! Bedight thy swords with the blood of thy enemy! Though they outnumber us, let them not besmirch the name of the Valkyrie! Forsooth, though this may be out final moment, we shalt not let our sacrifices be in vain! Hither now our reinforcements come, and even if thou shalt draw thy final breath, know that this is for our sisters... For mankind... For our hero, Zurlane!"

"Be stalwart mine sisters! For today tis be the day that we shalt show the demons the name of the Valkyrie!"



Remaining Valkyrie in Defense Unit: 30
West Side Supplies Done in: 9 rounds

Round sensitive, so roll another Initiative. Note that that long dialogues will be counted for rounds, 30 words per round. You can of course do actions while talking. Each round from now Valkyrie will die.

Zurlane Rhomedes
Wielder of Darkness
Level 21

Condition: Near Death, Refreshed

HP: 3/33
MP: 41/41
STR: 18 +
DEX: 20 +
CON: 17 +
INT: 21 +
WIS: 11 +
CHA: 9 +
MAG: 20 +

Blessings: Quick Learner, Mana Sensitivity, Translate All, Personal Status, AI Companion, Upgrade

You have 4 unspent ability points.

You see Eydis leading the supply gathering, along with Audhild. Winona, along with a few other Valkyrie were taking care of what looked to be Iona. The remaining Valkyrie continued to bring supplies. They were almost ready.

Rough Status
Eydis: Badly Wounded (hit and fall, failed putting out fire)
Iona: Dying
Zurlane: Near Death (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: -30, +5 AC Deflection, +2 DR
Alvilda: -45
Eydis: -35
Spirit Alvilda: None
MP Alvilda: -10
MP Aurora: -28[/include]

[Licel]

Zurlane stumbles over to the group of Valkyre that are crowded around looking after Iona. He is barely able to stand coughing and spitting out flecks of blood. "Eydis, your sisters have finished their assignment. Our defense in the center has gone poorly and Alvilda and her remaining fighters will fall soon. Though I know it is risky we have to try and save who is left. Please assemble your sisters in the streets with bows and arrows at the ready. We must attempt to slow down as many demons as we can so are brave fighters can retreat. The fire will be lit soon and I do not want any of us sealed in with the demons to their doom when the blaze is lit. But please be careful. We must not hit an ally." He says as strongly as he can fighting off wheezing.

After another terrible cough he says to Winona. "I..." But he stops looking away. "You should take the time to start moving her now. I will... see if I can find something that may help."

"I also need to make sure that everything is laid out properly, we won't get a second chance if this fire doesn't stop them."

Zurlane looks over the supplies that have been laid out to make sure that it looks like things will be easy to burn and will burn very hot.

Perception

Rolled 1d20+3 : 3 + 3, total 6

He also attempts to gage how well Iona is doing from afar by looking at her.

Heal

Rolled 1d20+4 : 12 + 4, total 16

After looking over the supplies and judging how Iona is doing he attempts to make a stretcher that could be used to transport Iona.

Craft

Rolled 1d20+10 : 14 + 10, total 24

[Throndir]

Perception: 6
There were a lot of fire supplies. From stacks of timber, to variou oils, and fire starters. The western side was nearly complete, the last of the suppliers were already on their way back.

Heal: 16
Iona was still unconscious.

Eydis had seen you come up. She approached you then with concern in her eyes.

"Mine hero, I shalt assist Alvilda at once. But prithee that thou takes care of thyself. You hath just been brought to us not more than 20 minutes prior..." She then went up on her toes and kissed your cheek. With that she saluted then started barking out orders as she began to take flight in the air, leaving you, Winona, and Iona. Audhild was still busy commanding the western supply carriers.

When you approached Winona looked up towards you.

"Worry not hero, mine general has been stabilized..." She then looked away. "I told not the others thy moment of weakness."

Craft: 24
Once Winona noticed what you were doing, she too began attempting to help create a stretcher.

This will take a couple of rounds until completion.

Rounds since last update
Zurlane Talk: +3 rounds
Zurlane Talk and Eydis Move out to Center: +2 rounds
Eydis Move out to Center and merge with Center: +1 rounds

18 Valkyrie lost
Remaining Valkyrie in Defense Unit: 56
West Side Supplies Done in: 3 rounds

[Licel]

Zurlane just watched with a small smile trying to hide back his pain as Eydis kissed him and watched her fly off.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Zurlane speaks while working to complete the stretcher"I... I thank you for that. I... Winona, can we start over? I mean you and I. I've learned more from you since I came into this world than from anyone else and you've given me the chance to make right a wrong. I can not thank you enough for that. I would really like to get to know you, you know. To learn about what you want out of life, what your dreams are after we've driven the demons back. I mean that."

He stops working for just a moment. "You know it's funny. Where I come from there are no Valkyries, we know what they are or at least what they're supposed to be, but they are characters in stories, heroes that save the innocent from people and monsters that do terrible things."

He keeps working. "I guess that makes you my hero doesn't it?" He says with a little smile.

[Throndir]

Zurlane Talk: +4 Rounds

13 Valkyrie lost
Remaining Valkyrie in Defense Unit: 43

When you had finished you see Audhild waving towards you. You noticed too that there were no more Valkyrie going back and forth between the various storehouses and the piles of fire material. Audhild then took a horn, and blew into it, signaling the completion of the plan.

At that moment, both Eydis and Alvilda started their retreat. You surmised they should get back to the center in about 18 seconds.

"The dreams of all Valkyrie are the same. To drive the demons to whence they hail from." Winona eyed the activities that were currently happening.

"Thy plan is about to be fulfilled..."

"There is a stablehouse near the south gate, though, perhaps only 10 steeds remain in there... Our princess and high commanders, Eydis and Iona hath no need of it, but mayhaps that thou shalt make use of them. Audhild too methinks."

[Licel]

Zurlane listens to her tone and choice of words trying to put together what Winona thinks of him.

Sense Motive

Rolled 1d20+3 : 2 + 3, total 5

"I thank you. I will have someone help you with Iona."He says with a salute.

Zurlane runs over to Audhild as best as he can.

"Ahh sister! The time is almost here. I have another quick task for you. Quickly have one of the sisters under your command help Winona transport Iona out of here. Next we need you to send 10 of your sisters to grab the horses left at the stablehouse we can't leave them behind. Ensure they bring their bows so they can harass the enemy from afar with speed. After that you and your remaining sisters will help me with the fire. I'll see you at the south gate Audhild!"

Zurlane makes his way to the supplies and makes a tourch setting it ablaze.

Craft

Rolled 1d20+10 : 14 + 10, total 24

[Throndir]

Sense Motive: 5
You couldn't quite read anything from her. You did notice however, that she didn't quite fully respond to your previous statements and questions.

Winona salutes back.

By the time you had reached Audhild, the troops at the center with Eydis and Alvilda was in full retreat. Audhild saluted as well and began giving out the commands. Shortly after Winona and another Valkyrie began moving Iona's body on a wagon. and attached that to a horse. 13 other Valkyrie mounted up on the horses. The remainder of them began lighting up all the piles of fires both on the west side, center gate, and east side.

You see Eydis in the distance heaving up an severely injured Alvilda. At that moment she took flight then. Large globs of dark energies were lobbed at her, but she managed to either avoid them, or deflect them with some sort of ability. Eydis finally landed near you as the rest of the Valkyrie were just about past the incoming horde.

Alvilda's armor and clothing were soaked in blood, and her wounds looked bad, but she stood on her own two feet and approached you closer, with Eydis behind her looked worriedly at her.

"I hope.... we... brought thee... enough time." Alvilda said. A moment later, she began to collapse.

Roll DEX to catch her