Heth Wights for No One

Log Info

• Title: Heth Wights for No One.
• Emitter: Cryosanthia
• Characters: Aelwyn, Eztli, Dolan, Andelena, Robert, Shilde
• Place: Alexandros, Oruch Settlement
• Time: Sunday, May 29, 2022, 2:48 PM
• Summary: With the undead onslaught pouring into Alexandros, a group of adventurers has been contracted to see an oruch settlement evacuated before they're overrun. Arriving via airship, the mercenaries find the town already under attack with most of its populace killed and turned. Things immediately look desperate. The group disembarks to save what few they can and battle is quickly joined. It seems that four might be the day's lucky number until Bin falls. The remaining three are lucky to escape after the group fights a touch-and-go retreat to keep the airborne conveyance from being overrun.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Aelwyn       5'3"     150 Lb     Sith-Makar        Male      Runt of a Dragoon.
Eztli        4'6"     140 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A two-toned, short sith-makar.
Dolan        5'10"    174 Lb     Human             Male      Brown-haired human with scars down his face.
Andelena     6'0"     180 Lb     Human             Female    Redhead with steel-grey eyes and powerful build.
Robert       6'3"     235 Lb     Human             Male      A middle-aged Cerenzan with a friendly, fatherly vibe.
Shilde       4'4"     160 Lb     Khazad-Aul        Female    Tall for a dwarf, long blonde hair in a thick braid, big blue eyes.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'9"     291 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

The stars have changed.

It's been a few nights since they seemed to shine a little brighter, the shadows a little less ominous. Laughter rings louder from the ever-present Alexandrian pubs and the fires seem to offer just that much more warmth.

All around, it's like a sense of impending dread, of oncoming doom, has been forestalled. For many it was a weight they didn't know they were carrying. A part of daily life, shrugged off without care and endured. The lifting of it raises spirits everywhere, to the perceptive.

For the mul'niessa, the change is more immediate and the loss of burden even more clear. It's an indescribable sensation, as if a cool shadow had laid itself across their souls to guard them from harm. For perhaps the first time in their lives, they feel a sense of new purpose, as if the weight of the chains that Taara had snared their souls with can be pulled no more.

Despite this wondrous change, the more worldly or paranoid wait for the other shoe to drop, or the first shoe. A low inevitably follows a high. The doubters and denigrates don't have to wait long.

A proclamation from the city council has called for a state of general readyness and alarm. It indicates that Dragonieri Wights have been sighted in the territories in small bands. This proclamation has called for those dwelling in villages outside the city to leave their townships and villages and make their way top the capital or an otherwise walled settlement and for travellers planning to leave the city to reconsider, or leave by airship. This heightened state of security is immediately evident with the watch and Alexandrian military being mobilized fully.

It has long been expected that the forces of Heth might begin to find their way into other territories. It is considered possible they may have crossed the Desolation and descended from the mountains, but even that is a best guess.

Whatever their origin, there are wights.

Airships are now on patrol over the eastern parts of the territory and Alexandria's irregular forces, it's adventurers, are being sent out on regular sweeps in addition to its regular military units. All in all, a day that many had expected would come seems to finally be approaching.

Despite the call to evacuate, one indomitable village of Oruchs decided to hold out against the advancing forces. Until it was too late to evacuate. Being Oruchs, they weren't about to call for help either, until that was too late. The waited until the last minute to do so.

That last minute was an hour ago. An airship commandeered for Wight Patrol saw the distress signals, picked up an emergency batch of available adventurers, and is descending. The captain, a lanky hobgoblin with a permanent stoop, orders her goblin crew. "Awright! We'z comin' in hot. Drop the anchors and be ready to cut the lines."

"Adventurers! That's your go, soon as the gangplank touches!" She gestures at the ramp.

Wights. Of all the things Dolan did not need, that was near the top of the list. Seems that his life gets more complicated by the day, and the change in the mul'niessa has yet to truly touch him. Still, when your partner is by your side, you can take on anything, and so the one-eyed inquisitor turns towards the red-headed woman with them and grins cheekily. "Ready or not, motherfuckers, here we come." One hand's on the rail, and the remaining chocolate-brown eye is alight with challenge.

GAME: Eztli casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15

No one told the tiny makari there were going to be wights until it was too late.

It was supposed to be a simple job, helping out aboard one of the ships for a bit, for a bit of coin. It wasn't until they were in the air that she heard people mentioning they were on wight watch.

Eztli didn't get much actual work done.

The small makari was glued to the railings of the deck, scanning the air around them as she pulled her hood over her head. "We're all going to die, the wights are going to swarm everyone and tear them apart to eat them, drain them of their energy and make them their slaves to come back and kill everyone else." The makari rambles to herself. "This was a horrible idea to begin with, and wait, we're landing? We should leave while we can, that's the best idea, landing is just going to give them more food."

Andelena's white cloak of the Sunguard billows in the wind, her face resolute as she pushes her helmet onto her head. The tall redhead's steel-grey eyes swoop down to the rapidly-approaching ground, and she puts her hand on the shoulder of the dark-haired man next to her with a scarred face. "Yup, here we go, sunshine," she says with a grin as she looks over at Dolan. "You, me, the Knight. Let's fucking do this."

GAME: Shilde casts Longstrider. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15

Shilde still isn't sure what she's doing on an airship. The druid's had been asked for help, Shilde had been sent. Like Eztli, she didn't expect there to be much trouble, even when the airship lifted off and was outside of hte city walls. Deliver supplies, perhaps pick up stragglers. And now here she is, doing her best to comfort Rocky as the Airship makes an emergency, combat approach to a settlement of stubborn orcs that well ought to have been long gone by now.

But here she is. Railing against the past is about as effective as trying to build a castle out of sand. "Eyes forward, lass," she tells Eztli. "Ship's landin'.. ain't changin' that. If ye think ye can't help, then stay aboard.. but folks down there're gonna need all the help they can get."

It'd be a complete lie to say that Aelwyn had been training for this moment all his life. In his mind though, a blessed naivety, this was exactly what he had prepped for. The sithmakar's usually exposed ruddy, red-to-purple hued body was now more covered with leather straps, though he still mostly had just few greaves and bits of other pieces beyond his bodily scales. The short draconian's body was dwarfed by the long glaive and the set of javelins strapped on his back.

Hearing Eztli rambling away, the other makari turns towards her. "Do not worry, one takes a step at a time." Aelwyn grins toothly. "And ascends to the skies." The Dragoon was content letting the others take the lead for now though, with all their commanding presences and filthy mouths. He barely knew what a gangplank was, after all, but 'fuck' was a familiar concept.

Bob the builder looks up from the hatch one of the construction mechanics was kind enough to pop open so the Cerenzan could have a look at the latest-and-greatest in Alexandrian airship techology. "... so -that's- a samoflange," he'd muttered just before the call to ready. A glance up and a nod of thanks proceeds the artifice-swaddled pseudo-retiree standing.

The bulky, adamantine-infused suit of titan armor hisses, sparks, and clatters loud enough to almost smother the groan as Bob pushes himself up from his kneeling position. It's gone to a matte, powdered-black color decorated in copper threading and brass flare. Set crystals of aetherite glow a neon blue and send traces along wiring the wraps over, under, and between the plates. A pack hangs from his hip, bulging and clattering with all manner of esoteric gew-gaws and gadgets.

Oversized gauntlets open and close as he crosses the distance towards the rail, smiling a friendly smile at all and sundry. "Keep your heads and watch each other's backs. We'll be fine." He reaches up and drops the overturned bowl-shaped helmet into place. "Muse' grace," he offers, muffled and echoing from inside.

A little yellow-gold crystal floats above and behind his right shoulder to cast light on the immediate area.

>>THUMP<<

The airship lands with a thump and a whine of her engines. Gobbos swarm over them, setting them to an elevation holding output, keeping them hot.

>>thump<<

The gangplank flips down, a much quieter impact.

The Oruch Roundhouse is near, a short sprint away. The walls are down, the roof is on fire, there is still sounds of battle but mostly the screeching of the undead.

A screeching that intensifies as the airship is spotted.

The only visible entity is an oruch in a watchtower, which is also on fire.

GAME: Eztli rolls perception -6: (12)+5+-6: 11
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+14: (7)+14: 21 (Wight Stealth)
<OOC> Eztli says, "move to 10,11, and begin casting Enlarge person on Dolan"
GAME: Eztli casts Enlarge Person. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15

The small makari shakes her head. "No, that's a bad idea, if anything happens, then I'll just be waiting on the ship to die. Some of them can fly you know, that's how they destroyed the floating cities the way they did. That, and the massive death dragon, I guess." The small makari continues to ramble. "No, no choice but to go down there. If I'm going to potentially die, might as well send as many of them to burn in the hells as possible."

And there was the exit, leading into almost certain doom. The antsy makari peered over the edge, and saw at least one person still there. "They're not big, and usually not armed, don't let that fool you. All it takes is one cut and they'll drain the energy right out of you till you just expire on the spot." She warns. "You there, the guy that got really testy when I suggested you were putting children at risk." She barks back to them as she hops over the railing. "If you're so itching for a fight, at least let me help. Stay close enough for just a moment, two dozen feet or so, and I'll help you smash them better, okay?"

GAME: Aelwyn rolls perception: (8)+1: 9
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "I'll move to 10,10. Can I unequip my glaive and then equip one of the javelins next turn?"
<OOC> Eztli says, "Javelins are one handed iirc, so you can hold the glaive in one hand and draw the javelin this turn"

Aelwyn hops off the _gangplank_ with running grace, the red ribbons on his horns flaring. He tries to take in all the bustle and action with his eyes, but his eyes just sees the fire and oruch atop the watchtower. The sith-makar grins toothily once again at the sight, sliding a javelin off his back. "They would have to be close to bite, Purple Fear." The sithmakar says to Eztli, and he stands back happily.

GAME: Dolan casts Align Weapon. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15, "Aligning to Good."

"Ray of sunshine's over there, baby." Dolan nods in Eztli's direction with another one of those cheeky grins. He's clearly raring to go, the eagerness across the mobile half of his face and the scarring across the other half combining to lend that grin a leering cast that does not fully square with the sunburst that hangs around his neck over the breastplate. "Holy Daeus guide our hands and watch our backs," he answers Robert with a nod, just as the airship touches down with a thump and a whine and he's forced to grab the rail against the impact.

The leather harness hits the deck of the airship, and he holds it before him, point up, resting his forehead on the flat of the blade. "Holy Knight, let your servant's blade be as You are, that that which opposes be struck down." A flash of sunlight down the blade answers his prayer as he draws the sunburst on it with a finger, and his grin widens. Excitedly, he looks over at Andelena. "Stay with me, I need to stay in range of the spell!" He doesn't wait for answer before dashing off. He completely ignores the jibe that accompanied that offer of spell enhancement.

<OOC> Shilde says, "Casting bull's strength on Rocky."
<OOC> Shilde says, "Then I will move to 10,9 while unlimbering my shield. Rocky will move to 11,8"
GAME: Shilde casts Bull's Strength. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16

"Aye, that's the spirit," Shilde responds, as she pats her dog on the shoulder. "Time t'work, boy," she tells him before taking a few seconds to grace him with Dana's strength. Then she unlimber's her shield from her pack as she squeezes by Robert in his massive armour with a "S'cuse me, big'un," and then rumbles down the gangplank with Rocky at first following, and then leading the way to join the line forming up ahead.

There's an oruch on one of the wall's watchtowers. A watchtower that's on fire.

"YEAAAAAH! I'LL TELL 'EM THE RIDES 'ERE!" He's obvious to everyone once he shouts, and then he jumps to the ground and runs towards the roundhouse. He looks tough, he has a big axe.

His movement draws more howls.

<OOC> Andelena says, "Ok! Moving over to 8,11 and casting Bless on the party."
GAME: Andelena casts Bless. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14

"You mean you're ordering me to look at your ass, Bry? Easiest command to follow I've ever been given!" Andelena jabs back as she follows him down into the field. She's grinning with him--the two Daeusites drawing off each other's zeal for combat and the task ahead of them.

She raises her blade and utters a prayer to Daeus. "Holy Knight, bless us and our efforts this day to victory," she says, and, just like Dolan, her grin widens as she witnesses herself and her allies be washed in an aura of holy light. "Let's go!"

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4+2: (3)+4+2: 9 (Wight 1, touch attack Bin Ong - Miss)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4+2: (6)+4+2: 12 (Wight 1, touch attack Bin Ong - Miss)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4+2: (7)+4+2: 13 (Wight 1, touch attack Bin Ong - Miss)

The Oruch's movement draws three wights out of the surrounding buildings. They give chase, charging and surrounding him. They reach out with decripit hands.

Somehow, he avoids being touched by all of them.

<OOC> Robert says, "Move to 11,9. Power the armor as a Swift. *AHEM* artificer-cast Shield."
GAME: Robert casts Shield. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

The titan armor crashes down the plank, whirring and hissing with each pump of its armored legs. Fists open wide, fingers splaying as Robert lifts his elbows for greater balance on the descent. The dragonieri cloak draping down from beneath his pauldrons flaps once, lazily.

Pushing between Aelwyn and Shilde, he reaches into a pouch and pulls out metallic, spheroid object the size of a lucht-fist. "Raise shields," Bob's voice offers a clipped bit of Kulthina as he twists two halves of the orb in opposite directions. It glows blue and he sockets it into a pauldron. A semi-transparent hexagonal mesh spreads out from the socket before fading out of view.

Finally, the armor seems to come to life, plates lifting subtly and rearranging to make it look just a fraction larger. Ratcheting sounds issue from the massive arms as the articulated gauntlets come up in a boxing stance. The crystals hum and glow. <Kulthian>

The rumours of dragonierie wights are confirmed. While undead often have the same general appearance and palour, the tattered and tarnished armour is that of the fallen kingdom.

<OOC> Eztli says, "move to 16,10, and try to shoot 26,10 wight with a light crossbow"
GAME: Eztli rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)

The small makari looks back to the ship, finding where the person she singled out before was. Eztli closed her eyes for a moment, and outstretched her hand.

"We may fall, but we will fight. Rise up and stand tall, and fight to your last breath!" The tiny sorceress growls in another tongue, before turning back.

Nothing seemed to happen for a moment, at least until Dolan was suddenly twice as tall, with weapons to match. Eztli fumbled with her robes, pulling out... a large crossbow? How was she even hiding that in her robes to begin with? She stopped, and took aim, looking at the wights that were surrounding the oruch as she pressed forward. What was it the bowyer had said? Wait till you could see the wight-no, whites of their eyes. She continued to take aim and-

"Oh by the gods,that one still has on their robes from one of the colleges of Caer Dragoras." The small makari squsaks, and whatever aim they had managed was thrown off as their hands trembled, the bolt thudding harmlessly into the wooden wall several feet to the right of it. <Draconic>

<OOC> Aelwyn says, "I reckon Aelwyn will just keep moving forward to 17,9."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "I think you can only make 16,9. Let me check"
<OOC> Robert says, "Javelin has a 30' range increment. So up to 30 is a regular range attack. 35-60 it's -2, 65-90 it's -4."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "no it's 30' range increment, thrown, you have 5 of those"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "and as Robert said, yes, so you have a -2 on visible targets"
<OOC> Robert says, "If you don't have precise shot you're -4 to make a ranged attack at something in melee."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "+csheet to see your equipped weapons"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "+inv, to see your inventory, +inv/equip # if it isn't"
<OOC> Dolan says, "Spell out weapon, unless you have defined an alias."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "then +roll weapon# as it appears in Csheet, should work."
GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon5: (17)+5: 22
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "hits, do the damage1, +roll damage5 should work"
GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage5: aliased to 1d6+0: (4)+0: 4
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "there was a -6 on your to hit, but it still hits"
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "And adjusting grip was a free action Robert?"

Aelwyn runs right besides Eztli, holding out his spear like some kind of athlete from the games. With a heaved growl, he swings it over his shoulder at the nearest wight, the small-framed grinning in satisfaction when it hits the target. And the wight hisses its screeching response to thee impolite interruption.

The sithmakar turns towards Eztli, reaching out towards her shoulder. "Breathe, kin. Breathe." He suggests, waving air towards his mouth. "What is dead will die again, for the life is gone like the fire that burnt them." He grips the glaive in his both hands again. Yes, fire. So much fire.

<OOC> Dolan says, "How does being a large creature impact movement?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "I don't think it increases your movement but it does increase your reach"
<OOC> Robert says, "No movement change. +2 size to STR, -2 size to Dex. -1 size penalty to AC and attack rolls."
<OOC> Robert says, "Bigger weapon damage."
<OOC> Dolan says, "I think that my lower right corner can only reach 21,10, 30' base move."
<OOC> Dolan says, "May as well declare judgment - a moment."
<OOC> Dolan says, "The inquisitor is protected from the vile taint of her foes, gaining a +1 sacred bonus on all saving throws."

For a moment, Dolan is startled as he suddenly begins to enlarge, but when it's done, he shouts down in a voice that is even deeper than his norm, "Thanks!" He turns back to Andie long enough to leer down at her. "There, now you can see it better. Try to keep up, will you?"

So saying, he takes off running, around the sith-makar, and closer into the fray. Once he gets a better look at his foes, though, he frowns, and readies his blade defensively. "Knight's shield shall be my defense, and your doom!"

<OOC> Shilde will move to 15,7, Rocky to 16,6.
<OOC> Shilde will cast aqueous orb and drop it on top of the burning house to start putting out the fire.
GAME: Shilde casts Aqueous Orb. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17
<OOC> Shilde says, "The one at 31,7"

As people begin to cram towards the main entrance, Shilde touches Rocky's shoulder again, then gestures to a part of the wall that looks to be crumbled and tumbles. "That way," she tells him, and then the pair advance forward at a hustle. When the fire atop the main building comes into view through that hole in the wall, Shilde reaches into a small pouch, pulling out a small marble.. which she spits upon. And then toses. Magic consumes the marble.. and a large, ten foot wide sphere of water coalesces upon the roof of the hall, smothering the large fire there.

Ingoring the wights that are surrounding him, the oruch opens the door to the long house. Well, he hacks it apart in one mighty swipe with his battle axe, because fuck doors.

"Bin!" An oruch voice calls from inside, "You let them in!"

Just barely visible are three other ourchs, wildly swinging axes and chopping down the wights facing them. Each felling one.

"Rargerk Red! Mornu!! Hikk! Airship came!" Bin shouts, then, "LOOK OUT!"

Rising behind the remaining Orc warriors are fallen Orcs, returning as wights.

It has been asked, rhetorically, 'is there anything more terrifying than a raging orc with a battle axe?'. This can be definitely answered with a yes, when the raging orc with a battle axe is also a wight.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Oh, I will note, Friend NPCs (in blue) will sometimes take orders or suggestions from PCs."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "If there are none, they'll do their own thing (as I decide)"
<OOC> Andelena says, "Ok! I'm going to take a full-round run action to run in a straight line to 18,11"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Run is a x4 or x3 (depending on armour) movement in a straight line"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "a double move, is a x2 move, however you like"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "so if you have 30' move, you could double move it wherever you wanted,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "but a straight line run, yes, you'll get to 18,11 and be blocked (and have an AC penalty)"
<OOC> Andelena says, "I'm at 20 ft due to speed reduction from breastplate, so I'll take x2 move and get to 16,11."

Keep up? Well, that's not fair when her man is now taller than she is and has the legs to boot. "At least the view's nice from down here!" Andelena yells after Dolan, grinning cheekily. She is, in fact, looking (dis)respectfully--but her attention returns quickly to the battlefield and the chaos that's on it.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "W1 intimidates dolan and moves up, W2 attacks Bin with flanking,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "W3 also attacks Bin, with flanking"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (6)+16: 22 (vs DC 15-ish, success)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "so that's against your DC of 10+level+wis, and I think a success, giving you shaken"
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon1+2-1+1: (12)+8+2+-1+1: 22
<OOC> Dolan says, "Damage dice is 2d6, does that become 2d8?"
<OOC> Robert says, "2d6 -> 3d6"
<OOC> Robert says, "https://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipmenT/weapons/#table-weapon-damage-size-conversion"
GAME: Dolan rolls 3d6+5+2-1: (8)+5+2+-1: 14
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4+2: (12)+4+2: 18 (W2 on Bin)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4+2: (20)+4+2: 26 (THREAT) (W3 on Bin)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4+2: (17)+4+2: 23 (Confirmed) (W3 on Bin)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3 (+1 neg level)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d4+2: (2)+2: 4 (+2 neg levels, total 3)

Speared in the back by a javelin, the wight turns around and screams at the closest thing it can see. Dolan. It's mouth opens unsettlingly wide, jaw dropping almost to its collarbone. The howl is one of unending torment, and then it rushes him.

Right into the inquisitor's sword

"Not so fast!" Dolan rumbles, all ogling happening behind him forgotten when the creature opens his mouth wider than should be possible. That's the stuff of nightmares, right there, and his flesh eye goes huge. He takes a step back and only as an afterthought does he actually raise the blade, scoring a hit that is less deep than it should be, but plenty deep enough. "Form up!" he shouts to the oruchs. "Don't let yourselves get surrounded! To me!"

GAME: Dolan rolls intimidate-1: (2)+13+-1: 14
<OOC> Dolan says, "Reroll. I am tired of this."
<OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "Okay, do the re-roll
GAME: Dolan rolls intimidate-1: (9)+13+-1+2: 23 (+2 Size)

Good advice, excellent advice. If only Bin hadn't let himself get surrounded. One wight reaches out, touching his neck, the other drives its hand deep in an already existing wound.

He goes rigid, shuddering as all colour drains from him.

"BIN!" Ragerk shouts!

"Not... dead... yet." Bin shudders.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (16)+4: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24 (THREAT)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL) (not confirmed)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (13)+4: 17

Inside the roundhouse, the former family move up on their still living brethren and attack. It isn't looking good for the oruchs.

<OOC> Robert says, "Move to 17,8. Will cast Blur on self since nothing is in range."
GAME: Robert casts Blur. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16

The advance of the rumbling titan armor is as inexorable as it is not-very-fast. The distant puffing of an aged Cerenzan blacksmith can be heard filtering out through the eyeslits of the domed helmet as he passes the assembled evacuators.

One of the titan fists has begun to open and close in something of a spasmodic fashion-- perhaps experiencing a malfunction. Dancing arcs of green and black spark and fizzle around the articulated gauntlet and armored sleeved. It grinds and clanks as it goes.

Ignoring the jittery limb for now, Bob selects a disc that affixes to his breastplate. "Memories fade..." There's an ozone smell and a muffled thunderclap. The artificer is replaced by two ghost-images overlapped with one another. <Kulthian>

<OOC> Eztli says, "moving to 20,8"
<OOC> Eztli says, "burning hands wight #1"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (2)+2: 4 (vs DC15 Reflex - fail)
GAME: Eztli rolls 3d4+3: (5)+3: 8
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "that kills wight 1"

Oh, this was an absolutely horrible idea. The small makari looks around, and there didn't seem to be more attacking them, at least not yet. But they were supposed to be here to help the Oruchs, after all.

"Oh, Eluna preserve me." Eztli sighs as she darts around the entrance, coming within spitting distance of one of the wights. She froze on the spot for a split second, as if unsure what to do. Their hand curls in on itself, drawing blood as the claws pierce skin and scales.

"BURN IN THE HELLS THAT BIRTHED YOU, UNDEAD BASTARD, AND LEAVE ME ALONE!" She yells at the wight, throwing out the hand. Drops of blood sizzle midflight, before igniting completely, followed by a gout of flame, incinerating the wight.

"Gods forgive me, I'm so sorry for having to do this." The small makari sniffed, but there wasn't time to dwell on it as she coughed and looked around. "There's only one wight in front of the door! If you in there can make it there, we're going to try to clear a path. Once they're down, get out of the building and we'll cover you!" She shouts in the direction of the main building. "Goes for you too Bin, as soon as there's an opening, get out of there!"

<OOC> Aelwyn says, "Hypothetically, can I throw another javelin at wight 3 without hitting the great butt in the sky?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "sure, same -4 for into melee and -2 for range"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "you could move up and elimiate the -2 for rnage"
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "So I can move to 21,11, equip the javelin and throw it at #3?"
GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon5: (7)+5-4: 8 (-4 into melee)

Aelwyn looks up towards the now giant of a man, but shaking his head he starts running besides him towards the entrance. Grabbing another javelin off his back, snapping a chest strap holding it along the way, he attempts to take another running throw at the wight by the doorway.

Then there was a really loud yell besides him and a burst of fire, and his grip slips. Glancing towards the side, he calls out to Eztli. "Fire spirit!" He raises his glaive in the air, before turning back towards the wights, bracing himself. "Trailing after one's stride, Giant!"

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "#1 right in front of you was killed,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "#2 & #3 are still up"
<OOC> Dolan says, "Charge up behind axeboi, and go after #3."
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon1+1+2: (9)+8+1+2: 20
GAME: Dolan rolls 3d6+2+5: (7)+2+5: 14

The thing goes down, and Dolan feels that relief flood him. Now to clear the doorway. He runs screaming in and crashes through, bringing his sword down in a mighty swing intended to cleave the horror in two. Sadly, it's just a little wild, and a little mis-aimed, and the massive blade leaves a gash down the front of the wight instead of all the way through it. "Hold still, you ugly bitch!"

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Bin, says stuff and bull rushes #3"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (6)+8: 14

"Brothers... do not... let me come.. back... as one." Bin struggles ferociously, his orc blood boiling but also feeling so drained. He attempts to shove the wight out of the way of the door, heeding the suggestion.

Despite his efforts, he fails.

Inside, one of the orcs answers Dolan, "Who are you to... woaw! Lookit tha size of 'im!"

"FORM UP ON THE BIG GUY."

"Last Stand!"

"Sleep Well Brother."

They move in, wacking at the wights... and Bin.

Who is in the process of becoming one.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+9-2: (13)+9+-2: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+11: (4)+11: 15
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+9-2: (16)+9+-2: 23
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (4)+11: 15

Roaring, the oruchs charge, swinging axes and landing mighty blows. One wight is nearly taken down, the other one, already injured, is dispatched.

The middle orc hacks at Bin, dropping him also.

<OOC> Shilde will move to 21,8. Rocky will move to 25,8. Rocky will bite the wight. 
<OOC> Shilde will ove the aqueous orb.... hm. Are there any holes in the roof from the burning?
<OOC> Robert says, "Black/brown dots are corpses/difficult terrain?"
<OOC> Shilde says, "If I can, I'd like to move the Aqueous orb through the hole and drop it on the wights. 29,7/30,8."
<OOC> Shilde says, "They get two reflex saves, one to avoid the non-lethal damage they won't suffer."
<OOC> Shilde says, "if they fail that, they have to make another save or get swept up into the orb."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (8)+3: 11 (Reflex vs Orb)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7 (Reflex vs Orb)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (8)+3: 11  (Reflex vs Orb)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (16)+3: 19 (Reflex vs Orb - Success!)
<OOC> Shilde says, "DC was 17."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "one isn't swept up"
<OOC> Shilde rolls Rocky
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+7: (12)+7+1: 20 (Rocky) (+1 Bless)
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d6+6: (6)+6: 12 (Rocky damage)
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+7+1: (16)+7+1: 25 (Rocky Trip) (+1 Bless)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "hits, roll the trip success, also, dead"

Shilde continues her advance.. but this time she sends Rocky forward. "Git'im!" she tells the large fluff, and he is more than happy to answer the call as he sprints forward, bearing one of the wights close to door to the ground, ripping its throat out. Not that that by itself would have been enough to kill it, but the combined damages it has taken finally have the dark magic holding it together dissipate. Shilde's attention, however, is on the large globe of water on the roof. Expressing her will upon it, the conjured water squeezes through the compromised roof and ceiling to drop down upon ex-members of the Oong family. One of them is swept up into its swirling currents.

<OOC> Andelena says, "Ok! Run x2 to 24,11."

More space is cleared out for Andelena to move around the battlefield--the warrior woman beats a hasty path to catch up to her man. "You know, I think I understand about what you like about the view from down here," she quips to Dolan.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, wights are dead. Axe-Wight 1 is stuck in the orb, rolls a reflex to get out"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17 (AW 1 Reflex, vs DC 17)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d13: (1): 1 (Location)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "does escaping use it's turn or it can still do things? the spell isn't clear"
<OOC> Dolan says, "Usually escaping a grapple is a standard action."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW2 charges the wall and attacks, AW3 goes after Orc 2, AW4 goes after Orc 3,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW 5 & 6 attack walls, charging if they can, also PA."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10+2-2: (7)+10+2+-2: 17 (AW 2, +2 Charge, -2 PA - Miss)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10-2: (6)+10+-2: 14 (AW 3, -2 PA - hit)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10+2-2: (19)+10+2+-2: 29  (AW 4, +2 charge, -2 PA)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10+2-2: (7)+10+2+-2: 17(AW 5, +2 charge, -2 PA)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10-2: (6)+10+-2: 14 (AW 6 -2 PA)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+11: (12)+11: 23 (damage on Orc 3)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+11: (7)+11: 18, "damages to walls"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+11: (3)+11: 14, "damages to walls"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+7: (1)+7: 8, "damages to walls"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "these aren't the greatest walls and the building was on fire, so there are holes now"

The aqueous orb rolls over two of the orc-wights, engulfing one, who drifts around inside it struggling and thrashing to eventually pop out.

The others, rush the walls and the oruchs barring the door. One is missed, the other struck, and the mighty blow nearly finishes off Mornu.

Their walls turn out to made of less sturdy stuff, and the Axe-wights chop holes in them, clearing paths to the adventurers and their airship.

<OOC> Robert says, "Move to 22,8 and we'll thunderstomp axewight 2"
GAME: Robert rolls 1d20+4+4: (11)+4+4: 19 (CMB vs CMD 17, Trip - Success)
<OOC> Robert says, "I'll also draw my death ray as part of that move. Just in case."

Bracing one hand against the pillar as he advances around it, Bob mutters something under his breath at the jerky fist. The words are lost beneath the sounds of the powered armor and thee narrow eyeslits of the helmet.

The artificer detaches a complex, boxy thing from the plates at the small of his back and the expand, unfold, and rearrange into something vaguely resembling a thunderbelcher. Only with crystals and tubes and weird little knobs. A switch is flicked and a capacitor begins to charge with condensed aether.

He looms behind Shilde, working around he and jumping fully into the air, knees bent. Steam hisses, legs jerk out, and he lands hard with a crack. Tremors rumble beneath the ground only to erupt beneath one turned oruch. The pitiable creature gets set up ass-over-tea-kettle before landing in a pile on the roundhouse floor.

"We all fall down," he chirps. <Kulthian>

<OOC> Eztli says, "moving to 19,9 and magic missile wight 2
GAME: Eztli rolls 2d4+2: (5)+2: 7

The way out was clear, but that didn't change the fact that there were several wights still in the tent. The small makari shakes her head clear as she steps back and away from the compound. "There's still wights out in these forests, and some may be drawn to the fire and sound of fighting. N-not to mention the smell of the living." She warns, already bringing her hand back out. She flicks her wrist, and two ruddy orange bolts of energy appear out of her hand, zipping and darting between the combatants to thud into one of the wights. The small makari blinks.

"Oh for the love of- I GET IT, PEOPLE ARE DYING. IF WE DON'T DIE TOO, YOU CAN OGLE HIS ASS AS MUCH AS YOU WANT AFTER." The sorceress ends up yelling, as she turns to look around in case any more were coming.

<OOC> Aelwyn says, "I'll move 24,12 and throw yet another javelin at wight #2."
GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon5: (11)+5: 16

Aelwyn couldn't throw fire, roll blobs of water in the sky or do... that boxy armor of an artificer was quite impressive, he had to admit. Yet one thing he could do was to run forward and... grab another javelin off his back, throwing it at the poor wight getting pummeled left and right.

It misses. Straightening and rolling his shoulders, the sith-makar just flat out states, "Fuck."

<OOC> Dolan says, "CLW on orc #3 and call retreat."
<OOC> Dolan says, "And fall back myself, one move, in this, 10'."
GAME: Dolan casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14
GAME: Dolan rolls 1d8+4: (5)+4: 9
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "he's healed, make an intimidate to convince them to withdraw... they're orcs."
GAME: Dolan rolls intimidate+2: (13)+13+2: 28

"Andie, we have _got_ to try this spell in bed sometime." It's almost as if between fire, being in combat, the sounds of clashing blades, screams, and groans, Dolan either didn't hear or chose to ignore Eztli's exasperation.

Or maybe it's the crashing as the stone walls meet wight axes and begin to crumble.

Seeing the wounds their rescuees took, Dolan rests one giant hand on the top of an oruch's helmeted head. "His strength be yours." Golden sunlight floods his hand, but this time, he doesn't smile. "Fall back and protect the exit! If they get behind us, it's over!"

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, they take a wack each, then move"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (5)+8: 13 (Ong 2 on Aw - Miss)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (8)+8: 16 (Ong 3 on Aw - Miss)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (10)+8: 18 (Ong 4 on Aw - Miss)

"Withdraw to a more tactical position!" Ragerk Red shouts, as Dolan's hand engulfs his brother's head. "Ha! Mornu! He could squish you like a grape."

They seem in good spirits, despite everything being on fire and most of their loved ones slain. Oruchs. "WITNESS!"

The axes swing, the axes ring off the armour of the former fellows, none seem to land anything telling. Then they move.

They pull back only as far as Dolan, "We'll cover the retreat! Get behind us!"

Oruchs.

<OOC> Shilde says, "The orb has 30' move. Move it once diagonally, nw, to try and sweep up the wight there."
<OOC> Shilde says, "Then diagonally sw, to try and sweep that one up. 
<OOC> Shilde says, "Them move south to end up with its bottom left corner on 27,11 to try and sweep the three up along the way.
<OOC> Shilde says, " If it by some miracle gets them all, it will have to eject one randomly."
<OOC> Shilde says, "Shilde will step back to 20,11, drawing her wand."
<OOC> Shilde says, "Rocky will move to 24,8, ready to attack the first wight that comes into reach (ready action)"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "#3 is pretty bad looking. K/religion if you have it, DC15 or a DC25 heal"
GAME: Andelena rolls Knowledge/Religion: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Dolan rolls knowledge/religion: (18)+8: 26
GAME: Shilde rolls heal: (18)+8: 26

All of the oruchs are looking draining, suffering from negative energy. Any one of them who dies could come back as a wight, as their relatives seem to have. Bin Ong looks chopped up enough he likely isn't coming back. Of the living, Mornu, the oruch in the middle, seems the worst off.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "there are bodies along the way, which won't get a reflex save"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "is it picking those up too, I don't think it's got 'control' of that"
<OOC> Shilde says, "DC 17."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW1"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5 (AW1 vs DC17 - fail, swept up)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "body at 28,7, collected, AW2"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17 (AW2 vs DC17 - success, not swept up)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW3 & 4"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16 (AW3 vs DC17 - fail, swept up)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (3)+3: 6 (AW4 vs DC17 - fail, swept up)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "body at 28,11, so 1d5 which is booted, 4 & 5 are bodies"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d5: (1): 1, "kicks out AW1"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d13: (1): 1, "NW square)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7 (AW5 vs DC17 - fail, swept up)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5 (AW6 vs DC17 - fail, swept up)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, 
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d5: (2): 2, "3,4,5 are body" (AW4 kicked out)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d9: (6): 6 (Kicked out E of AO)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d5: (5): 5 (Body kicked out)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, it has 5 & 6 and two bodies, sorry for that"

Shilde seems to approve of the call to retreat. She takes a moment to direct the large, swirling mass of water inside the shelter to sweep up as many wights as it can.. then she thumps on Robert's armour, once, letting him know she's moving and that the area behind him is clear. "Rocky! Defend 'em!" she yells at, and as Rocky moves closer to one of the orcs, his eyes on the approaching wights, his lips curled back into a snarl, she shuffles down to the gate, pulling out her wand. Preparing to heal people on the way by.

As she settles in beside the gate, Shilde points at the orc called Mornu. "Get yer bleedin' butt o'er here so's I can heal it, smelly! Yer the worst off, an we don't need ye comin' back as a deader!"

<OOC> Andelena says, "Andie's gonna follow Shilde's statement and go heal Mornu."
GAME: Andelena casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14
GAME: Andelena rolls 1d8+4: (5)+4: 9
<OOC> Andelena says, "Then I'm going to move over to 20,10. That's my turn."

"Alright, alright, c'mon--let's get you all patched up." Andelena utters a prayer to Daeus, and the Knight answers, granting her holy healing power that mends some of Mornu's injuries. Once she's satisfied with the level of care that Mornu's been given, she moves back in anticipation of a retreat, but not too far.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW1 charges Mornu, AW2 stands then moves around the house north of Rocky. Rocky gets an AOO. 
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW3 charges Orc 2 (Rargerk Red),"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW 4 goes all the way around the Orb and tries to move around the south hut,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Orc 4 (Hikk) gets and AOO, so does Aelwyn."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW 5 & 6 do reflex saves, if they make them they'll do a move somewhere."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (5)+8: 13 (Hikk AOO)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Rocky & Aelwyn, roll yours"
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14 (Rocky's readied attack)
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+7: (3)+7: 10 (Rocky's Aoo)
<OOC> Shilde will use her reroll for that one.
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21 (Rocky's AOO)
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d6+6: (5)+6: 11
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+7: (10)+7: 17 (Rocky's CMB Trip - Success!)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "#2 is injured and tripped but still wriggly"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it does not advance to where it was going"
GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon1: (13)+4: 17 (AOO - miss)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10-2: (2)+10+-2: 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10-2: (12)+10+-2: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+11: (5)+11: 16
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (5)+3: 8 (AW5 Reflex - fail)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14 (AW6 Reflex - fail)

The tripped Axe-Wight rises, rushing out the door and into Rocky's waiting fangs. Avoiding those, it continues around the building only to have its ankle bitten and end up on its back.

The oruchs guarding the retreat face two more Axe-Wights as they hop over bodies and step in swinging. One blow is deflected, but second bites into Rargerk Red, and all the colour drains from him. He's still standing, but looking ill.

"WITNESS!" Mornu shouts, then "Thanks," as Andelena heals him, and he reades for an attack.

Hikk gets a chance, and misses as one of the Axe-Wight leaves the roundhouse and heads south around the party and the building. It avoids Aelwyn's attack as well.

While inside, two more wights drift around inside a water bubble, unable to get purchase and leave. In the distortion, they're hard to tell from the corpses that share it with them.

<OOC> Robert says, "move to 21,14 and zap at the living-impaired oruch trying to be sneaky."
GAME: Robert activates his Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Str
GAME: Robert rolls 1d20+3+2: (18)+3+2: 23
GAME: Robert rolls 2d6+4: (5)+4: 9
GAME: Robert rolls Bluff: (1)+1: 2 (EPIC FAIL)

"... can't leave them to rampage across the countryside," Bob answers the call to retreat, raising his voice so it echoes distantly from inside his helmet. "The oruch are strong fighters, maybe they can secure the airship before the wights get aboard?"

The blacksmith's eyes scan the melee and catch sight of the creature baking south around the tent. Taking his weapon in a two-handed grip, he jogs down from the opposite side to meet it with the barrel raised.

WHEEEEE-KRRZZATT the weapon goes, discharging a jagged line of electricity as the capacitors along its receiver drain down to a dull-orange glow.

Then the Cerenzan lowers the weapon, shaking out the plated fist as he readies for a charge.

"We fight to the last man!" Rargerk Red howls.

<OOC> Eztli says, "move up to 23,8, and hold action to burning hands when Rocky is out of the way"

Eztli looks back to the large, but not largest man, and sighs. "You're going to get us all killed, and I hate these wights as much as anyone." She says, before moving up. "Healing won't do much, I knew I forgot to say something. These, things, they drain your soul. Doesn't matter if you're fit as an orchestral strings section of fiddles, if they do that enough, you'll drop all the same. Use the magics on them, not us, weird as it sounds."

"Miss Shilde, please order your dog back. I'll try to burn some more of them if we're staying here, but I don't want to hurt Rocky."

<OOC> Aelwyn says, "I think I'll move to 22,12 and try to throw a javelin at #1."
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "Can I try to drag this closed oruch with me too? ._."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "no, because he'd resist, so you'd have to grapple him, which would use up your attacks"
GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon5: (18)+5: 23
GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage5: aliased to 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6

Aelwyn takes few steps back from the raging melee to give the oruchs an easier path to retreat. He breathes in as he holds the last javelin in his hands, and then stretches his shoulder back to swing it direct into the melee. Thunk. And the sith-makar just grimaces wide in a grin of his.

<OOC> Dolan says, "Strike once and then move backwards."
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon1+1+2: (7)+8+1+2: 18
GAME: Dolan rolls intimidate+2: (16)+13+2: 31
<OOC> Dolan says, "Withdraw, if they want to bury their brethren properly."

It's harder than it looks to strike over another's shoulder, especially when one is unused to one's current size and dimensions. In an effort to miss the weakening oruch, Dolan's strike whistles wide of the axe-wielding wight.

"Withdraw, you fools! They are draining the life from you! If you die here, nobody's going to be able to come back here, and you're not far from it from the look of you! All of you, back to the airship! Withdraw now and be able to take this place back, or let it die forever!"

Finally, some sense gets through the oruch's boiling blood. It helps that the order is bellowed by a giant, scarred man. They move as one, pulling back from the front line and around his legs, heading through the gate and towards the airship.

"WE'LL AVENGE YOU BIN! EVERYONE!"

<OOC> Shilde says, "Rocky will bite 25,9, and then move to 21,11"
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+7+1: (13)+7+1: 21
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d6+6: (2)+6: 8
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+7+1: (1)+7+1: 9 (EPIC FAIL) (Rocky CMB - Fail)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (8)+10: 18 (AW AOO on Rocky)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+7: (4)+7: 11
GAME: You damaged Shilde's companion for 11 points. 26 HP remaining. (1 neg level, -5 hp, -1 most rolls)
GAME: Shilde casts Mad Monkeys. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17

"Rocky! T'me!" The dog's ears twitch, then he takes a snarling bite at one of the wights before turning about and dashing off to Shilde's side as she begins a more complicated ritual summoning, leaving the orb to sit and churn and stir its corpses about.

GAME: Eztli rolls 3d4+3: (8)+3: 11
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (9)+3: 12 (AW Reflex vs DC15 - fail)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18 (AW Reflex vs DC15 - Success)

With Rocky out of the way, Eztli had an opening to send out another gout of flame, burning a pair of the wights.

And suddenly everyone was gone, leaving the small sorceress alone. The makari was trembling on the spot.

<OOC> Andelena says, "I'll make it easy--taking the Withdraw action. 12,11, please."

Andelena's a compassionate woman. She sees injured people, she's going to follow them and make sure they don't get taken out. "I'll make sure they get to safety!" she yells, and she goes with them in the direction of the ship.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW1 charges Dolan, AW2 stands up and moves, AW3 charges Dolan,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW4 moves by Robert and out the gap, Robert gets and AOO. 
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW5 & 6 try to reach dry land and maybe do something if they do."
GAME: Robert rolls weapon14+1: (11)+9+1: 21 (AOO)
GAME: Robert rolls 1d8+6: (7)+6: 13
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10+2: (16)+10+2: 28, "attacks on Dolan"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10+2: (18)+10+2: 30, "attacks on Dolan"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+7: (11)+7: 18
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+7: (1)+7: 8
GAME: You damaged Dolan for 26 points. 22 HP remaining.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "that's also 2 negative levels for Dolan, so another -10 hp, and -2 attacks and such"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17 (AW5 Reflex)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (18)+3: 21 (AW6 Reflex)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d9: (1): 1
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d9: (6): 6

As Dolan backs up, two wights charge, swinging high and low. The axe blades connect, biting deep. In addition to the physical pain, which is significant, there's a coldness, a sense of darkness and the feeling of life simply ebbing away. Hands tremble, grip weakens, a strong stance buckles.

It was true that the oruchs couldn't take another hit. The inquisitor would not survive another one like that.

The screeching of one wight intensifies as it burns completely to a crisp. Yet, it still moves, around the small family hut and out through a gap in the wall.

This seems to be a shared idea, as the one near Robert ignores him, running past despite the blow he lands, and towards the airship.

"Gurrankar's Gushing Gonnorhric Gash!" Captain Infallia swears, "THEY'RE COMING FOR THE AIRSHIP! We have to go! NOW! NOW! Adventurers! Get back! We can't fight these off!"

A blurping noise, two, from inside the roundhouse indicates the remaining wights have found their way out of the orb.

<OOC> Robert says, "Move to 15,16. Another zapperydo at 4"
GAME: Robert rolls 1d20+3+4: (12)+3+4: 19
GAME: Robert rolls 2d6+4: (5)+4: 9

The powered fist crackles with new energy when it finds the undead creature squeezing through the gap in the wall. There's a flash and a curious feeling running up the Cerenzan's arm but the frown is hidden within his large helmet.

He catches the cry from the airship and was-- thankfully-- already in pursuit of the fleeing ex-oruch. Up comes the overly-complex and multi-part thunderbelcher once more, again it whines as energy coalesces amongst the capacitors, and a second familiar WHEEEEE-KRRZZATT report leads to a singed burn mark described on the monster's back.

It's still hard to focus on the artificer, as his blurry double-image has yet to settle. The domed crown of the suit scans the space between the broken walls and the airship plank. Again, he lowers the death ray to hold at mid-stock with one hand, curling the other into a readied fist.

<OOC> Eztli says, "I think I'm going to delay"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Aelwyn will withdraw back to help the airship, no javelins"
<OOC> Dolan says, "I will delay to after Eztli, so that everyone can withdraw, but I will delay no later than that."

"Coming!" the taller sith'makar answers the airship captain, as he pulls back out of the oruch settlement and races towards the gangplank. He even pulls out ahead of the Ong brothers.

The Ong brothers rush after the sith'makar, pounding up the gangplank then turning to take defensive positions and fend off the wights. "We have the ship secured!"

"No you Ain't!" Captain Infallia shouts at them, "One touch an' you'll be joinin' the other side!" She sucks in a huge breath, "ADVENTURES WE GOTTA GO NOW OR WE'LL LOSE THE SHIP! GIT ABOARD!"

<OOC> Shilde says, "Dropping a mad monkey swarm on the wights. 10x10 swarm, corners are 23,9 and 24,10"
<OOC> Shilde says, "Each of them take 2d6 automatic damage."
GAME: Shilde rolls 2d6: (2): 2
GAME: Shilde rolls 2d6: (7): 7
<OOC> Shilde says, "Rocky will move behind Dolan to get to 22,8, and bite the wight there, trying to trip it."
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+7+1-1: (19)+7+1+-1: 26
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d6+6: (3)+6: 9
<OOC> Shilde says, "trip attempt"
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+7+1-1: (10)+7+1+-1: 17 (CMB Trip - fail)
GAME: Shilde casts Frigid Touch. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16
<OOC> Shilde will cast a touch spell and hold the charge, moving to 18,11

"Time t'go, boy," Shilde says.. but a little too slow. Rocky isn't a slave.. and apparently his priorities are a little different as it becomes obvious the tide is pushing everyoe back. And some are stuck in that tide. He races off to try and bail Eztli out of that trouble, but the wight stubbornly retains its footing. Shilde just shakes her head... spelling her free hand up as she moves around the gate post, not willing to leave too far without the dog.

Even as she turned her back to scoot out of the enclosure, her summoning spell coalesces into a shrieking, undulating swarm of tiny monkeys who roll over the two wights who'd been in front of Dolan. They poke at eyes, pull at flesh, chattering and screaming, and a group manage to pull the axe out of the grasp of one of them. An axe that is now being passed around inside the swarm.

Monkeys with an axe.

<OOC> Andelena says, "Withdraw 4,11."

Andelena follows the Ong brothers on board. Mission successful... For the moment, unless one of them keels over suddenly. "Let's go!" she calls out to her allies. "Bry, get your ass up here!"

<OOC> Eztli says, "move to 17,9, move to 13,10 with second move"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (3)+10: 13 (AOO on Eztli, miss)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it misses"
<OOC> Dolan says, "Double move, I'll take the AOO"
<OOC> Dolan says, "Full withdraw action. 40'?"
<OOC> Dolan says, "If so, that puts my bottom left corner at 21,10."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (7)+10: 17 (AOO on Dolan)

Everyone was leaving, and there was no time for her to wait any longer for an opening. Eztli ducked her head and attempted to flee as best as she could, hoping the one wight next to her would swing wide, which thankfully it did. with the main threat dealt with, she continues to flee back to the airship, looking back every now and then to make sure she was safe for the time being.

The chill in Dolan's flesh and bones, along with the hot fire that accompanies deep axe wounds, and the weakness that comes with it, is enough to tell Dolan that it is Time To Go. He doesn't question his good fortune when the monkeys appear, and dodging the remaining axe, turns and runs for all he is worth. He cannot hide the limp as searing fire shoots through a gashed leg, but urgency lends strength to it.

GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+5+4: (1)+5+4: 10 (EPIC FAIL) (Mad Monkey's Disarm)
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+5+4: (19)+5+4: 28 (Mad Monkey's Disarm)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW1 charges Dolan, AW2 charges Eztli, AW3 (no ax) attacks Rocky, 
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW4 ... I think can charge Andelena, AW5 & 6 move, may promp AOOs"
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+3+2+1: (13)+3+2+1: 19 (AOO on AW1)
GAME: Shilde rolls 4d6: (16): 16, "Cold damage"
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon1+1+2-2: (11)+8+1+2+-2: 20 (AOO on AW1)
GAME: Dolan rolls 2d6+5-2+2: (2)+5+-2+2: 7
GAME: Robert rolls weapon14+1: (18)+9+1: 28 (AOO on AW4)
GAME: Robert rolls 1d8+6: (3)+6: 9

As one of the wights runs by, Shilde swipes at it.. discharging the magic in her hand with a sudden, damaging chill. "C'mon, Rocky! Time t'go ye daft furball!"

The rifle is still recharging, humming quietly as the sound of retreats and charges mingle in the wilderness outside the ravaged oruch camp. Yet another of the feral risen speeds towards Bob, ignoring the blacksmith and taking powerful shot to the shoulder as it passes.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "making rolls AW1 charge dolan, AW2 charge Eztli, Aw3 on ROkcy, AW4 charge Andelena, 5 & 6 just moved."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10+2: (19)+10+2: 31 (AW1 on Dolan, +2 Charge)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10+2: (9)+10+2: 21 (Aw2 on Eztli, +2 Charge)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+7: (9)+7: 16
GAME: You damaged Eztli for 16 points. 8 HP remaining. (+1 neg level, 1 total)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (11)+7: 18 (AW3 on Rocky)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+6: (4)+6: 10
GAME: You damaged Shilde's companion for 20 points. 16 HP remaining. (+1 Neg level, 1 total)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10+2: (6)+10+2: 18 (AW4 on Andelena, +2 Charge - miss)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+7: (8)+7: 15
GAME: You damaged Dolan for 15 points. 7 HP remaining, (another neg level, 3 total)

One of the wights is holding an axe, and then it isn't. The monkeys have taken it, are pulling on blade and shaft, howling and banging it against the ground. Also smearing filth on it, they are monkeys.

The wight abandons the weapon, moving to punch Rocky, landing a cold, clamming fist between his ears and sucking out some of his life.

The one with a remaining axe rushes after Dolan, swinging. It frosts over as it passes Shilde and she touches it with her spell. Its movement slows, ice cracks over it's joints, but it continues. Even as it meets Dolan's blade, the wight is unrelenting. Ruined and tattered, it swings at Dolan.

The inquisitor feels a different sort of cold as the weapon connects, and the world fading.

The wights are seemingly everywhere, as one rushes the little sith'makar sorceress, chopping down. Connecting.

Andelena finds one running up the gangplank. The elevation saves her, as it misjudges a swing and chunks the axe deep into wood.

The remaining two are moving out of the roundhouse and towards the ship.

<OOC> Robert says, "Moving to 14,12. Casting defensively. This character has Combat Casting."
<OOC> Robert says, "Hitting 1 and 6 with burning hands."
GAME: Robert rolls 1d20+4+4: (15)+4+4: 23
GAME: Robert casts Burning Hands. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15
GAME: Robert rolls 4d4: (14): 14
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9 (vs DC 15- Fail)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17 (vs DC 15- Success)

The wights are coming out of the woodwork! The half-dozen undead advance menacingly, crashing against the airship defenders and would-be rescuers with an unnatural hunger.

Bob grumbles to himself, hesitating for the briefest of moments before moving wide around the creature that's earned the punch and stopping to menace one of the two looming over the fallen Dolan.

"Toasty!" he chirps as he waves a hand. Dark fluid squits out from the underside of his vambrace, coating the wights before a spark jumps from the closest crystal and sets it ablaze. <Kulthian>

<OOC> Eztli says, "delaying turn until after Shilde to see if there's an opening to get onto the ship"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "do you resist Aelwyn grabbing you?"
<OOC> Eztli says, "probably not"
<OOC> Shilde says, "Okay. Maybe Eztli can dismiss the enlarge person spell to make Dolan easier to grab, then, if she's being carried away."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (4)+10: 14 (AOO on Aelwyn)

"Do what you will do on the ship!" Aelwyn says, grabbing Eztli as she seems to hesitate and consider her actions. "Druid! Do you have a bear form you can carry the big man?"

The fiesty sith'makar is dragging Eztli towards the airship. "MAKE A HOLE! No! DO NOT GET OFF THE SHIP."

"Don't you DARE think of running out there." Infallia grabs the armour of the nearest oruch, "We're here because of you. Now stay rescued!"

Eztli winces when the wight slashes at her. The purple robes start to stain a dark red down the length of the slash through the fabric. The small makari was unsteady on her feet as she waited for another opening to escape, as one of the wights was on the gangplank, too.

The waiting was interrupted as she was unceremoniously dragged away by someone else. Eztli stops to hold her side to keep the wound closed, while she gestures with her other hand, undoing what magic she worked on Dolan and returning him to normal size.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (4)+7: 11
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "the three ongs uselessly swing at the wight"

"Come on through!" Rargerk Red calls, swinging at the Wight on the gangplank, "back off Borik, I never liked you."

"That's his brother, Kengore." Mornu also takes a swipe, which misses.

"That's his SISTER, Ugara." Hikk hisses, bringing his axe down, and also failing to connect.

"Okay, make some space, let them through."

<OOC> Shilde says, "Rocky is going to.. ugh. Withdraw to 9,1"
<OOC> Shilde says, "I can't find anything to say swarms can't double move, so I'd like them to move to 14,10 by 15,11"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "they're monkeys, why not"
GAME: Shilde rolls 2d6: (12): 12
GAME: Shilde rolls 2d6: (4): 4
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Aw1 is torn apart, aw6 is damaged"
<OOC> Shilde says, "ALright, Shifting into a black bear and moving around the monkeys to avoid AoO's from the wights to help drag Dolan to safety."
GAME: Shilde spends ONE use of WILDSHAPE.

Ever aware of her companion's relative condition.. she hears him cry out when he gets struck again. "Rocky! Hide!" she shouts even as the screaming ball of monkeys rolls and rolls, swarming over the two wights trying to eat Dolan. The axe is still in their midst, but mere moments after joining the two wights they add more toys to their collection. Limbs that have been pulled apart. A fleshy jaw bone. Eye balls. It isn't pretty.

Shilde herself starts moving around the ball, and as she does her limbs, torso swell. What sounds initially like a cry of pain turns into a gutteral roar as she falls down on four feet, now a bear of midling sized as she barrels on over Dolan.. grabbing the man now that he's returned to regular size and dragging him towards the airship.

<OOC> Andelena says, "I'll delay my turn for after the wights, then."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "the wights are going for the airship AW2 moves onto the gangplank,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW3, double moves closer"
GAME: Robert rolls weapon 14+1: (20)+0+1: 21 (THREAT) (AOO on AW6)
GAME: Robert rolls weapon14+1: (13)+9+1: 23 (Confirmed)
GAME: Robert rolls 2d8+12: (5)+12: 17
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (4)+10: 14 (AW4 attacks Andalena - miss)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10+2: (2)+10+2: 14 (AW5 & 6 move up to attack Shilde - miss)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10+2: (15)+10+2: 27 AW5 & 6 move up to attack Shilde - hit)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+7: (4)+7: 11
GAME: You damaged Shilde for 11 points. 29 HP remaining. (Neg Level on Shilde)

The wights rush the gangplank. The one already at the top of it swings at Andelena, missing. Others crowd the already crowded ramp, surrounding the Shilde-Bear and trying ot take the stuffing out of her.

The first axe thunks down in the ground, while the second coming in from the side connects on her hip.

And the roundhouse burns.

<OOC> Andelena is not wholly sure if there's a syntax for Channel Energy--either way, DC is 13, I believe.
<OOC> Robert says, "30' radius from the cleric"
<OOC> Robert says, "So all 5."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21 (vs DC12 - Success)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (6)+4: 10 (vs DC12 - Fail)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL) (vs DC12 - Fail)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (14)+4: 18 (vs DC12 - Success)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (11)+4: 15 (vs DC12 - Success)
GAME: Andelena rolls 2d6: (12): 12
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "AW2 & AW3 are destroyed, 4, 5, 6 seem damaged but stil going"

Things are quickly going to hell in a handbasket. Her man's hit the ground. The wights are trying to tear at everyone and everything, and Andelena's the wall between the undead and the people behind her.

And she grins that valorous grin, red hair streaming out from underneath her helmet like the rays of the sun. This is exactly how she prefers it to be.

She lifts her sword up into the air. "DAEUS, Holy Knight, make me the instrument of your light!" she roars.

And He answers. The light pours out from her and washes out of her in a flood. Two of the wights are unmade in the light.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (15)+10: 25 (AOO on Robert)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12+7: (10)+7: 17
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "under 20% is miss"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d100: (3): 3

"Crew! Engines hot and reverse thrust to climb!" Captain Infallia orders, "They're all aboard. Almost aboard. If you're not on deck, you better hold on."

"Biggie! Get some ropes!"

Robert has the aetherite-powered death ray contrpation collapsed and folded back in on itself. It's back to looking like a chunky and awkward little briefcase that he stows on the armored plates protecting his lower back. He watches dawn break as Andelena calls down Daeus' light and resolves to follow the false horizon's glow.

Steam jets in volume from the back and flank of the massive, adamantine-infused titan and the ground shakes with every powerful step. With every stride he splits and resolves into two ghost images pulling opposite directions.

The oruch wight turns, taking a mighty swing that cleaves through the meat of the titan's trunk... only there's nothing there!

Bob pants from the bottom of the gang plank and raises his fists up, rolls his shoulders forward, and raises his voice.

"Start pulling up! The boarding plank is clear!"

GAME: Eztli rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2

The small makari stumbles away from Aelwyn as she gets onto the deck, still holding her side as she raches the railing to see what was going on. With the way clear, she attempts to harry one of the wights still attacking Shilde, but whatever movements she can manage are weak, and the singular bolt made manifest barely knocks it around.

"Move, help me grab him." Aelwyn orders the nearest orc, and reaches for Dolan, pulling him on board.

"Move up, we'll grab you!" Rargerk Red shouts at the remaining two on the gangplank.

<OOC> Shilde says, "Rocky will do a double move to get on the ship."
<OOC> Shilde will try to pull Robert up in range of other grabbers.
<OOC> Shilde says, "5'step towards the grabbers, trying to pull Robert with me."

Shilde lets out a long and loud bellow.. Rocky seems to get the message, dashing out of his hiding place beneath the tree to scramble up the gangplank and on board the airship. Possibly jostling people on his way through. He is definitely one scared puppy. Then Shilde swipes a beefy paw at Robert, finding a hold on one of the the plate edgings to move pull him closer to the people up on deck as she scrambles backwards, claws scraping and digging into the gangplank's wood.

"NOW! NOW! NOW! UP! UP!" Captain Infallia shouts.

"Grab them!" Rargerk orders. Strong Oruch arms reach out, catching hold of the titan armour and the bear.

There is an incredible >>THRUMMM<< The airship shudders, the engines are flipped, no longer fighting the lift of the gasbag, their thrust is directed downwards, the vibrations rattling through the deck. The intense, white light strobes as the grass beneath is blasted.

The airship shoots upwards, like a balloon rising from the depths. Wind whistles past the canopies as the goblins scramble to keep it all level. Engine outputs and weight balance all out of kilter in the rush.

The oruch settlement drops below. The wights left behind with it, and while the flames of the burning buildings reach up. They will not reach this high.

Escape. At last.

With the ship flying off and away, Eztli has to brace herself not to be thrown around by the sudden ascent. Partway through, the claws that had been growing out on their hand slice through the railing, sending them tumbling to the ground. The small makari flops over, and pulls her legs into herself as she leans against the wall, pulling her hood over her head to hide it as she sniffled quietly.

Once up on deck, with the Airship flying safely away, Shilde melts back into her dwarf body.. and she stumbles over to her dog to check on him. And console him. And heal him up with her wand. She hears Eztli's sniffles, but despite having saved three orcs.. the mission itself is almost a bust. Wights still remain to roam the countryside, more than half of the orc family was lost.. her own moral is not high. What can she possibly say to the small sith? "Ye made it out, lass. More'n many can say. Hold on t'that."

OOC and Combatty

Map! <be>https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=m5l0d511sb3

Dramatis Personae

Dolan
Straight, dark-brown hair falls over the face of this late-twenties-ish man, only partially concealing the trio of deep, furrowed scars and twisted flesh of the right half of his face beneath. Set into the ruined right eye socket of that face, otherwise fair of skin and with smooth and well-defined features, is a facet-cut, round topaz gem, set into a steel ring inscribed with complex-looking arcane runes. Its matching eye is a human one, chocolate brown and warm, over a straight nose and thin lips ready to smile. The rest of that straight brown hair falls to his collar, above a breastplate and a chain that holds on it the sunburst of Daeus. Over his back is harnessed a greatsword, positioned for easy release, should that become necessary, and a sturdy frame with good muscles looks strong enough to wield it. A variety of pouches and miscellaneous items are attached to the various leather belts he wears, the sure sign of one used to the road, and loose trousers and well-used leather traveling boots bear this out. Over all is flung a pair of cloaks, the one beneath gold-edged, the one above a plain gray, non-descript but warm-looking gray thing.

Andelena
The first thing almost anyone notices about Andelena is that she is a tall for a human woman. Standing at six feet, her build is just as impressive, as her muscular frame is powerfully built. Her face is striking as well, with well-defined cheekbones, a moderate jaw, and gray eyes that peer at people analytically, like they have to prove themselves of being competent at whatever they're doing before she wastes any time on them. Her copper-tinted blonde hair rolls in slightly untamed waves down to her shoulders. Years of what appears to be a life used to the rough and tumble has worn into her face: she has the beginnings of wrinkles under her eyes, and her skin is textured as one might expect for someone with seldom access to smoothing creams to hold onto the fading memory of youth.

She dresses rather practically in well-fit steel armor, a white-and-gold cloak with the symbol of Daeus prominently on display draped across her form and fastened tight by a gold pin. A longsword of impressive make rests on her back, accompanied by a steel shield.

Aelwyn
The Dragoon did not stood very tall. A bit of a runt for a Sith-makar, though his tall horns that stood straight up like devil's spires did lend his height few inches (and credibility) to reach at the very tip, six feet tall. Yet his body did not carry the proud musculature of a hardened beast nor the thick hide of a dragon forged in fire and inferno - his was far more suppler, more flesh like, with shades of purple from the fringes tinging into the dusk red of the autumn. His tail was thin and more whiplike, adjusted to his smaller build.

His face carried a look closer to a lizard more than a dragon - his eyes were slit with golden pupils, his horns protruded from his forehead and his tongue was forked. Yet his snout was crushed in near flat against his face, leaving his smile less wide and forward, but it was filled with sharp teeth all the same. His smooth, soft scales from around the corners of his lips darkened along his more hollowed cheek lines, as if to hint of a jaw that never quite properly grew there. Thin red ribbons tied around his horns constantly flittered about his face - sometimes he'd gnaw on them, at other times he'd blow on them in annoyance. A mane of deep autumn red frills flow down from his scalp down his back.

Rest of his body was mostly bare - a simple shoulder paldron and greaves, pair of leather belts and long flowing red loincloth were his most distinctive features. He had some leather around his calves at the very least - but he walked on the tips of his feet, pointed claws dragging along the cobble stone, with a stubbornly proud upright stance. A large leather satchel smacked against his leather covered rump. Yes, good on you rump. Whip that bag, little tail. He was inclined towards shaft weapons of all kinds; usually carrying a javelin with his glaive.

This short humanoid dragonkin always carried his red glaive-tipped spear, wrapped in brass vines with their paint worn. Occasional scars criss cross his back and chest, but he was young enough to carry them with just faint scratches on his scales. For now, at the very least.

Eztli
The first thing likely noticed about this sith-makar is how incredibly short they are, at least by the race's standards. Followed by the colors of their scales. It is hard to tell for certain which is predominant, but Eztli appears to be white with brass scales, and the structure of their face tends to confirm this, with frills on both sides of their face like the white scaled dragons the makari may claim ancestry of. The upper portion of these frills extend out and taper off to two points facing backwards, like many sith-makar who developed such horns after a century. The brass scales are no less pronounced however, covering the underside of their chin and throat, many large patches of the metallic scales, and spatterings everywhere else, reminiscent of a field thawing at the end of winter. Their eyes are a light blue, and the makari's thin tail ends with several flexible spines.

Their dress is not typical for a sith-makar. Eztli wears a soft looking and large purple robe that opens at the waist, and a pair of loose fitting brown pants, with a pair of oiled black leather boots that leave openings for front and back claws and several straps to put them on. The robe has numerous pockets sewn into it, filled with all manner of odds and ends.

Robert
Robert is a big bloke from big stock and getting just a bit shorter and softer around the middle as the years pile on. He has dark, reddish skin and the build of a man who's spent his nearly-five decades of life at some form of manual labor or the other-- while also eating quite well. His hair is black where it isn't going grey, his hairline is receeding, and the swirl at his crown is thinning.

Though the Cerenzan is starting to wrinkle, his blue-eyes are still sharp with an inquisitive intelligence. A smile rests easily on his full lips and he's perpetually afflicted by a five o'clock shadow. The older man seems perfectly comfortable in his own skin and content to take his time and enjoy the world around him.

Shilde
In some ways Shilde appears to represent a figure straight out of Khazad sagas. Thick, blonde hair; blue eyes large and clear; a warrior's frame, both sturdy and nimble. But rather than the healthy ruddy of long hours in front of the forge or the darker brown shades of the earth, Shilde's skin is a bronzed colour of much time spent out in the sun. Often small twigs, leaves, or other evidence of an outdoor life might be found snagged in her braid and she often bears scents of the outside such as the wet fur of her companion, overturned earth, both living and rotting vegetation, among others.

She is typically garbed in hides and leathers and carries a club and a large shield made of a dark, almost ebony shaded wood in addition to a pack for the rest of her gear. Extending a finger width past the short sleeves and waist line of her leather jerkin appears to be a sturdier armour. A close look reveals what appears to be strings of connected pebbles. An even closer look reveals those pebbles to be oh so slowly shifting about.

A continuous presence at her side is a large dog of indeterminant breeding, grey and shaggy with a perpetually dumbstruck expression on his face.

Negative Level Saves
<OOC> Shilde says, "Eztli and Rocky and Dolan can make the saves now."
GAME: Eztli rolls will: (13)+4: 17
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17
GAME: Shilde rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19 (Rocky)
GAME: Williwaw makes Dolan roll Fortitude:(13)+9: 22
GAME: Williwaw makes Dolan roll Fortitude:(12)+9: 21
GAME: Williwaw makes Dolan roll Fortitude:(19)+9: 28
GAME: Shilde rolls fortitude: (14)+8: 22

 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
     23   Eztli            1  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     23   Aelwyn           1  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     22   Dolan            1  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     20   Shilde           3  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12   The Ongs            
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11   Andelena         1  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9    The Wights          
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4    Robert           1  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================
 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 3 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
     23   Eztli            1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     23   Aelwyn           1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     22   Dolan            1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     20   Shilde           3  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12   The Ongs         1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  >> 11   Andelena         1   <<
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9    The Wights       1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4    Robert           1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================
 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 3 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
     23   Eztli            1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     23   Aelwyn           1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     22   Dolan            1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12   Shilde           3  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12   The Ongs         1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  >> 11   Andelena         1   <<
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9    The Wights       1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4    Robert           1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================
 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 3 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
     23   Eztli            1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     23   Aelwyn           1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     22   Dolan            1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13   The Ongs         1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  >> 12   Shilde           3   <<
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11   Andelena         1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9    The Wights       1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4    Robert           1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================
 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 8 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
     23   Eztli            1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     23   Aelwyn           1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     22   Dolan            1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13   The Ongs         1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12   Shilde           3  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  >> 11   Andelena         1   <<
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9    The Wights       1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4    Robert           1  Titan Armor (4 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   | CHP | HP  | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Andelena  |HUMAN     |Clr        | 32  | 32  |19/18/12 | 19 | 6  | 2  | 7  |
|Dolan     |HUMAN     |Ftr/Inq    | 48  | 48  |20/19/13 | 19 | 9  | 3  | 8  |
|Eztli     |SITH-MAKAR|Sor        | 24  | 24  |16/13/14 | 14 | 4  | 4  | 4  |
|Robert    |HUMAN     |Art        | 28  | 28  |18/16/12 | 20 | 7  | 7  | 3  |
|Shilde    |MOUNTAIN_D|Dru        | 40  | 40  |19/17/12 | 17 | 8  | 3  | 8  |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 |     Name      |  CHP (T) |  HP  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 | Aelwyn........|   19     |  19  |
 | Andelena......|   32     |  32  |
 | Dolan.........|    7     |  48  |
 | Eztli.........|    8     |  24  |
 | Robert........|   28     |  28  |
 | Shilde........|   40     |  40  |
 | (C) Rocky.....|   16     |  37  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inspirational Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaVDpj2nrFw&list=OLAK5uy_m2cKxf4ZPsPAwsZYVNbp6eS0P08fvb9p8
https://open.spotify.com/track/0bUgTRe5st6TMbRCEjKezX?si=53d6ab91ad2f4668

Art
https://i.imgur.com/KoMvJaH.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/C4cIv.jpeg - Monkeys with a Gun

various rulings and rules
<OOC> Robert says, "Just for specificity's sake: you can change the grip on a weapon as a free action (taking the glaive 1h and making it unusable). Then you spend a move action to go where you want to go. Since you have a BAB of +1 or higher you can draw a weapon (your javelin) as part of that move action."

Random Wight jokes
<OOC> Robert says, "So many scene names. The Wight Stuff. Doin' a Hethin' Concern."
<OOC> Dolan says, "The first one is for the new kids on the block."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "You came to the Wight Place; Wight or Wrong, I'm the one with the Thunderblecher; Be Wight With You..."
<OOC> Shilde says, "Heth Wight's for no one?"
[RPThree] Robert says, "So, bad news, guys. These being dragonier wights... well. Might be time to switch sides."
[RPThree] Eztli hyperventilates
[RPThree] Dolan says, "You want to be on the wight side of history?"
[RPThree] Shilde says, "One of those wights bears a striking family resemblance, Robert."
[RPThree] Robert D:
[RPThree] Robert says, "Bob's dead kid died in Dragonier."
[RPThree] Robert Pet Cemetaries.
[RPThree] Shilde says, "Do we want to put out some of these fires?"
[RPThree] Robert says, "And youtube starts playing Alice Deejay,."
<OOC> Shilde says, "Wight symbolizes purity."
<OOC> Shilde says, "Wight turns are better than left turns."

Random Ong Jokes
[RPThree] Robert says, "What if the taint comes in a kettle and not a vial?"
[RPThree] Eztli says, "Oh, Dolan was a girl this whole time?"
[RPThree] Andelena says, "Lol. I always forget how randomly gendered Pathfinder 1e class description text is like."
[RPThree] Andelena says, "Andelena: "Dolan's ass as the last thing I see when I die? You know what, that's a good way to go out.""
[RPThree] Robert says, "When I go out I wish to not go out with a bang... but with a clap. A clap of his dummy thicc cheeks."
<OOC> Eztli says, "please stop staring."
<OOC> Andelena says, "HAHA"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "The secrets of the universe are not in there"
<OOC> Andelena says, "I was /just/ about to joke that Andie is too distracted by the clap of Dolan's dummy thicc cheeks, too."
<OOC> Robert says, "Clearly, the hiney IS Andie's religion."
<OOC> Andelena laughed so hard IRL I cried a little. XD
[RPThree] Shilde says, "Remember those two auto-firing mana powered chain cannons you were mounting on the deck as we flew here, Robert?"
[RPThree] Robert nods, "Made sure to roll Craft/Artifice so they were all tuned up and ready to go. 10d6 lines of positive energy that hit on touch AC."
[RPThree] Cryosanthia says, "you just know that the gobbos took them apart to see how you did it"
[RPThree] Robert says, "Shilde, entangle Dolan and Eztli. Then the rest of us can escape while the wights feed!"
[RPThree] Robert says, ">.> <.<"
[RPThree] Andelena says, "Look, I understand Dolan's a snack, but that doesn't mean you have to actually feed him to the wights."
[RPThree] Dolan says, "I'll feed you later."
[RPThree] Robert says, "So what you're saying is that Andelena is selfish? :D"
[RPThree] Andelena says, "HOOO."
[RPThree] Dolan says, "Sudden thought - need armor property where you touch the armor and take lightning damage."
[RPThree] Robert says, "Andie's gonna have to find that 'do not disturb' sign she keeps in her luggage once we're back in the air."

Negative Energy Drain
You paged Shilde with 'now, does the negative energy level happen if you attack it with a natural weapon?'
Shilde pages: I am confident the answer is no, but I'll double check.
Shilde pages: the entry under energy drain says it only triggers when the creature with energy drain hits with a melee or ranged attack.
Long distance to Shilde: Cryosanthia nods, "okay. which also doesn't make a whole lot of sense, how does it drain down a wooden pole."
Shilde pages: I think it's one of those rules where they bend logic in the interest of avoiding complications. Maybe something about their energy draining aura extends to their weapons. It's less about physical contact and more about them adding evil to their attacks.
You paged Shilde with 'true point, okay'
[RPThree] Robert says, "For each negative level a creature has, it takes a cumulative -1 penalty on all ability checks, attack rolls, combat maneuver checks, Combat Maneuver Defense, saving throws, and skill checks. In addition, the creature reduces its current and total hit points by 5 for each negative level it possesses. The creature is also treated as one level lower for the purpose of level-dependent variables (such as spellcasting) for each negative level possessed. Spellcasters do not lose any prepared spells or slots as a result of negative levels. If a creature's negative levels equal or exceed its total Hit Dice, it dies."
<OOC> Dolan says, "Wait a moment, Cryosanthia."
<OOC> Dolan says, "Oh, never mind."
Dolan pages: There is a save on that energy drain.
You paged (Dolan, Shilde) with 'there's... an awful lot of controversy on the will save vs the drain, if it happens after 24 hours, if it's automatic. The was a reddit forum saying PF1e wanted it automatic with a hit'
You paged (Dolan, Shilde) with 'So i'm really not sure if there is one or not'
You paged (Dolan, Shilde) with 'like, reading this, https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qkqf?This-Sucks-Energy-Draining-and-Negative-Levels I don't know if TB handles it differently'
Dolan pages: Not at CR3 they didn't
To (Cryosanthia, Shilde), Dolan pages: Carry on for the moment and we'll have Whirlpool rule it.
[RPThree] Eztli says, "the fact negative levels takes hp out of your current is killer at low levels lol"
Shilde pages: That thread is from 2014. The dp20sfrd says it's a will save each day.
<OOC> Dolan says, "I am sorry, I do not have the bandwidth to do both this and my Discord game. Dolan will remain unconscious, and I will leave the others to handle it."
Shilde pages: but unless the attack mentions a save, it's automatic, I think?
[RPThree] Robert says, "Negative levels are really rough at low levels. Wights and Shadows are bastards."
<OOC> Dolan says, "I am sorry to do this. Thank you for running, Cryosanthia, and for the RP."
You paged Shilde with 'The attack just says 'energy drain', no save on that, they do explain how to calculate a save, which seems to be for the 24 hour thing'
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Thanks. I'm sorry that I've found yet another thing to get confused over"
You paged Shilde with 'kind of why I asked earlier'
<OOC> Dolan says, "Energy drain has a will save."
Shilde pages: This attack saps a living opponent's vital energy and happens automatically when a melee or ranged attack hits. Each successful energy drain bestows one or more negative levels (the creature's description specifies how many). If an attack that includes an energy drain scores a critical hit, it bestows twice the listed number of negative levels. Unless otherwise specified in the creature's description, a draining creature gains 5 temporary hit points for each negative level it bestows on an opponent. These temporary hit points last for a maximum of 1 hour. Negative levels remain until 24 hours have passed or until they are removed with a spell such as restoration. If a negative level is not removed before 24 hours have passed, the affected creature must attempt a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 the draining creature's racial HD + the draining creature's Cha modifier; the exact DC is given in the creature's descriptive text). On a success, the negative level goes away with no harm to the creature. On a failure, the negative level becomes permanent. A separate saving throw is required for each negative level.
From afar, Shilde Didn't see you ask earlier, I am sorry :(
<OOC> Shilde says, "Energy drain doesn't always list a saving throw."
<OOC> Robert says, "Oh, hey, look at that. It does in this instance. Will DC14."
<OOC> Robert says, "Well, for the standard Wight statblock."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "and it's not in the Template, which was 3rd party, of course."
<OOC> Robert says, "DC is 10 + (1/2 HD) + CHA mod"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it's DC14, I calculated it out earlier"
<OOC> Shilde doesn't see it in the stat block.
[RPThree] Robert says, "https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/undead/wight/"
<OOC> Shilde says, "ah there it is."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, thanks, so he didn't get any either"
<OOC> Robert says, "No save on the initial damage. You automatically take the negative level."
<OOC> Robert says, "The fort save is to avoid it becoming permanent."
<OOC> Robert says, "FAQ: https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2kdgw?Pathfinder-Energy-Drain#5"
<OOC> Shilde says, "Okay. So we still have our negative levels."
Shilde pages: You were right to begin with.
You paged Shilde with 'Oh. okay. Thanks. That's an even older thread though.'
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, so Robert did you pose, I can advance?"
Shilde pages: it is, but it's one of the game designers saying it. And nothing in the stat block contradicts it. It lists the DC for purposes of avoiding the negative level from being permanent.
Shilde pages: You can note those saving throws for the 24 hours have passed save to avoid them becoming permanent.
You paged Shilde with 'okay, will do'
Shilde pages: Though I'm not sure if they'd be permanent anyways from a non-DC PrP. Not clear on that.
You paged Shilde with 'yes, I was thinking that too.'
You paged Shilde with 'James Jacob is one of the authors? okay, neat'
<OOC> Shilde says, "So."
[RPThree] Robert says, "So, Dolan, we did some checking. There is no save on the initial negative level. You get a save
after 24 hours to keep the temp negative level from becoming permanent."
[RPThree] Robert says, "Found an asked/answered thread courtesy of James Jacobs on the official Paizo forums."
[RPThree] Dolan says, "Yes, I did see that."

'Wight Axe Warrior (Half-Orc Barbarian 3) Axe Warrior CR 2 XP 600
Half-orc Barbarian 3
LE Medium humanoid (humanoid, undead, orc)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +6

DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 14, flat-footed 19 (+6 armor, +2 Dex, –2 rage, +4 NA Wight)
hp 40 (3d12+15)
Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +4
Defensive Abilities orc ferocity, trap sense +1, uncanny dodge

OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft. (30' + 10' Fast Movement)
Melee mwk greataxe +10 (1d12+8/×3)
Ranged mwk sling +6 (1d4+6)
Special Attacks rage (10 rounds/day), rage powers (intimidating glare)

Energy drain, 1 neg level, DC 14 (10 + 3/2 +3)

STATISTICS
Str 23, Dex 15, Con -, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 16
Base Atk +3; CMB +9; CMD 19
Feats Intimidating Prowess, Power Attack
Skills Climb +8, Intimidate +16, Perception +7, Survival +5, Swim +6, Stealth +14 (1sp, +3 class, +2 dex, +8 wight)
Languages Common, Orc

TACTICS
During Combat The barbarian uses intimidating glare each round, attacking first, then focusing her glare upon the uninjured.