PrP: Seal the Eastern Gate

Scene Teaser: "It is time to seal the Eastern Gate from Dran's assault. However, Dran have been stepping up their assault plans and using bigger and badder people to assault Rune."

Run by Raethon

Players: Ga'Elian Rgr8, MAC-B1G Art6, Alik Art5, and Zahara Swb4 / APL: 6

---

The Eastern Gate, one of two last gates that need to be closed for Raethon's plan to work it seems. Then, Dran will have to go through a chokepoint at the southern gate and have to face the full might of Rune. At least, that is Raethon's plan.

This time, however, Raethon seems to have a plan, rather than reaction he is assaulting the Eastern gate BEFORE the Dran get there. In this case, he has brought wartime engineers in armored dwarven engineers to build the gates ahead of time, As well as a flight of griffon riders to the gate.

Oddly, there is also a dog walking along with them.

Raethon waits a few streets down from the gate....and awaits the arrival of the Irregulars.

MAC-B1G is programmed and designed for assault. The unit remains in the besieged settlement as little time passed prior to reception of new directives. It lumbers towards the rally point with heavy, long strides.

Ga'Elian rides his griffon through the street to the rendezvous point. Arriving, he waits for the others to arrive, and nods a greeting to Raethon.

'Irregular' would certainly describe Zahara to a T, all dressed up in zouave-like flair. With her little breastplate, richly colored cloths, and slim sword, she looks ready to impart a touch of elegance to the proceedings. She notes MAC and Alik and Ga'Elian with his griffon, casually bringing a hand to her brow as a sort of salute and giving a good old devil-may-care grin. Always good to work with people you've met.

Alik trots down the road on little gnome feet towards the rondezvous point, almost tripping over several bits of rubble as he makes last-minute adjustments on his armor. He looks around at the familiar faces and nods.

Ga'Elian says to his fellow Irregulars, "Good day to fight. Good companions to fight with."

"I'm anticipating on them stepping up their attacks, everyone. This is the last gate they have a chance of holding and splitting our defense. The last thing those jokers want is a chokepoint to get their forces through. Of course, I'm also hoping that we'll just be bored while the dwarves put up the barricade. Hope springs eternal."

Blunt as normal, Raethon leads his way down to the gate, and there's no real resistance, just a couple of guards at the gate to keep it from being overwhelmed.......like it's about to. The Dwarves easily clear the way by chopping off the legs, THEN the heads of the guards as the carts make their way tot he gate to set up the gate....

Alik watches the slaughter impassively.

Zahara arches an eyebrow. "All right," she says. "So if we're able to neutralize the gate this pass covers, that means that the defenses of Rune will be all the safer, because it doesn't have to worry about being flanked," she says, nodding thoughtfully. "So, we defend the dwarves while they put up this gate?" she asks, hoping that she's not embarrassing herself!

Zahara arches an eyebrow. "All right," she says. "So if we're able to neutralize the gate this pass covers, that means that the defenses of Rune will be all the safer, because it doesn't have to worry about being flanked," she says, nodding thoughtfully. "So, we defend the dwarves while they put up this gate?" she asks, hoping that she's not embarrassing herself!

MAC-B1G adjusts course to follow the designated taskforce commander. "Evaluation: tactical importance of location implies heavy defense and/or counterattack likelihood." It does not parse the benefit of dismemberment prior to neutralization, but does not query the khazad at this moment.

Ga'Elian wrinkles his nose at the various scents of death, but focuses his scan on what transpires beyond the east gate, looking for number of opponents, proximity, and any extraordinary threats.

"Good point, Mac." Rae says as they near the gate, and the Dwarven teams begin to set up the gate.

That is when Raethon is hit by a lightning bolt....

Or seems to. The bolt hits a barrier in front of him, and essentially makes the lightning bolt disappear.

"How amusing and hypocritical. They have a mage. Same as before. Nothing gets through. it's time we made them choke on their own pride." And he signals the griffon riders into the air. (This includes Ga'Elian)

Ga'Elian waves and says, "Right." He launches skyward with the other flyers. As he rises, he casts a few spells and readies his bow for combat.

GAME: Alik casts Shield. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15

GAME: Ga'Elian casts Strong Wings/A1. Caster Level: 8 DC: 15

GAME: Ga'Elian casts Aspect of the Falcon. Caster Level: 8 DC: 14

GAME: Ga'Elian casts Gravity Bow. Caster Level: 8 DC: 14

Zahara takes a look at the gate to see if there's any sort of rampart or defensive works that could be repurposed. She assumes the gate's defenses are presently oriented the wrong way for their new purpose, now that the dwarves are capturing and rebuilding it.

MAC-B1G's faceplate pans at the discharge of electricity and mention of arcanists. Gemlights upon its chassis brighten and its cylindrical weapon system articulates over its scapular plate, extends and energize. "Anti-arcane countermeasures deploying..."

GAME: MAC-B1G refreshes spells.

GAME: MAC-B1G casts Bullet Shield. Caster Level: 6 DC: 14

"Does anyone here have a good knowledge of military theory, or perhaps engineering?" Zahara asks. "If not, then I don't, I suppose we'd best leave the khazad to it." She nods to MAC-B1G. "Anti-arcane countermeasures? That uh...sounds useful." Securing her own anti-arcane countermeasure (her laughably tiny little buckler), she looks over to see if she can see anything arcane, or the advancing opposition.

Alik nods to Zahara. "Both. Acceptable, the khazad strategy." Raethon says, "All you have to do is protect the Dwarves, Zahara. Let them do the rest."

"WE'RE KHAZAD, YA BLEEDIN' JERK!"

Raethon rolls his eyes. "you know what I mean."

And a loud gutteral roar is heard from the other side of the gate as dran start to pour through."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  ATTENTION  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

       Raethon has dropped a TIMESTOP!

       Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Raethon to instruct you further.

       For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

"This unit possesses engineering and tactical data on- Threats detected!" the construct advises as threats pour through the gate.

===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
    26   Ga'Elian         1  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
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    13   Alik             1  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
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    8    MAC-B1G          1  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
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    8    Zahara           1  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
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    3    Dran                
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==============================================================================

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 26.
     It is now Ga'Elian's turn! Alik is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon: (17)+16+-2+1: 32

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon-5: (5)+16+-2+1+-5: 15

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon: (10)+16+-2+1: 25

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 13.
     It is now Alik's turn! MAC-B1G is next!

GAME: Alik activates his Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Dex

GAME: Alik rolls weapon7+1: (20)+9+1: 30

GAME: Alik rolls weapon7+1: (10)+9+1: 20

Ga'Elian takes aim, scanning only momentarily for a leader, but seeing none, he fires at three of the soldiers in the front of the Dranei column, and succeeds in taking them all down.

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 8.
     It is now MAC-B1G's turn! Zahara is next!

Alik positions himself in a spot with good cover and a commanding field of fire, activates his armor, and sends a contraption that projects a defensive field hovering above him before flattening himself down and firing into the invading force with his Thunderbelcher. The artifice device that loads ammunition into the rifle surges and sparks, causing his bullet to split into five fragments, and each fragment leaves a small hole in the forehead of a dead Dran. He looks at the weapon curiously and nods admiringly.

GAME: MAC-B1G activates its Titan Armor, gaining: +2 Str,+2 Dex

GAME: MAC-B1G rolls ranged: (12)+7: 19

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 8.
     It is now Zahara's turn! Dran is next!

GAME: Note Flat-footed ended.

GAME: Zahara rolls weapon2: (15)+9: 24

"Combat systems engaged," the construct announces as additional chassis components activate to supercharge its frame. The particle cannon aims and fires behind the leaders of the incoming charge, energized particles burning through a threat and rendering tissue and fat into a thick cloud of hydrocarbons.

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round One - Init 3.
     It is now Dran's turn! Ga'Elian is next!

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (19): 19

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (12): 12

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (1): 1

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (3): 3

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (5): 5

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (4): 4

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (17): 17

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (19): 19

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (18): 18

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (3): 3

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (11): 11

Zahara steps up along with the dwarves defending the gate, and she's there as Dran warriors pour through. Her blade is out of its sheath in a flash, lancing through the thigh of one of the Dran warriors as she sets up to try to hold or slow the onrushing opposition. She knows she'll likely have to move back to avoid getting overrun.

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d10: (7): 7

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d4: (4): 4

GAME: Zahara rolls weapon2: (12)+9: 21

GAME: Zahara rolls weapon2: (10)+9: 19

Dran pour through the gates and are met with rather stiff resistance. Zahara manages to block a stiff attack from a much larger giantborn's club.....and retaliates by making him a girl. Of course, he bleeds out shortly afterwards. Another giantborn storms through the gates with a loud roar. His axe is so out of position that he never sees the trip attempt from the dwarf coming.

And by 'trip', I mean an axe cutting right through his knee.

Now the rocs begin to fly in to provide a bit of air cover, which is met with stiff resistance by the griffon air guard, who have a distinct advantage.

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Raethon advances the initiative order.
     Round Two - Init 26.
     It is now Ga'Elian's turn! Alik is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon: (4)+16+-2+1: 19

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon-5: (9)+16+-2+1+-5: 19

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon: (17)+16+-2+1: 32

As a sturdy Dran warrior comes in and takes a swing at the swashbuckler, she quickly shifts on her foot and then jabs her rather long, slim blade through the maille shirt of her assaulter. She's trying to stand her little piece of ground as best as she can, and she curses a challenge to the Dran warriors around her. "Seems like a lot of effort for so little gain, my friends. Who's next!" Such unsoldierly behavior.

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 13.
     It is now Alik's turn! MAC-B1G is next!

GAME: Alik rolls weapon7+1: (15)+9+1: 25

GAME: Alik rolls 1d12+5: (5)+5: 10

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 8.
     It is now MAC-B1G's turn! Zahara is next!

Alik squeezes off another shot, staring expectently at his rifle... which behaves normally, rather than demonstrating the dramatic effectiveness it had before, knocking a Dran invader to the ground and pooling her heart's blood beneath her. "Well enough," he decides.

Ga'Elian, seeing the airborne attack advancing, fires three arrows. One strikes, but to deadly effect as both bird and rider plummet to a deadly collision with terra firma.

GAME: MAC-B1G casts Toughen Construct. Caster Level: 6 DC: 14

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 8.
     It is now Zahara's turn! Dran is next!

GAME: Zahara rolls weapon2: (18)+9: 27

GAME: Zahara rolls weapon2: (10)+9: 19

The tide of threats may be briefly delayed by the smoke, but there is an imbalance between incoming ground threats and close combat defenses. Its weapon retracts and stows as it lumbers forward to support unit designate Zahara. En route, tiny pores open in its chassis plating to allow a viscious metallic fluid to ooze out and cover the plating before hardening into an ablative shell.

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Two - Init 3.
     It is now Dran's turn! Ga'Elian is next!

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d100: (73): 73

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (3): 3

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (10): 10

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (15): 15

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (11): 11

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (14): 14

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (12): 12

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (13): 13

A quick flash of her blade allows Zahara to nick another of the Dran through their maille links, her comparatively shorter, broader stabbing blade a good choice for such work as it has the stiffness to handle this kind of abuse. She's still prepared to intercept any of the attacks

GAME: Zahara rolls weapon2: (10)+9: 19

As fast as the Dran flood into the gate, they are being cut down by the dwarves. Eventually they stop charging. Is a victory?

"IMBICILES!"

yeah right.

"Can you sodden oafs do NOTHING right!? You can't even scare off an attack force such as this. I shall do this MYSELF!"

That is when the roar of something otherworldly roars and it begins to lumber through the arch of the gate. 'AW BLOODY HELL! DEMON!' One of the dwarves yells as the demon crashes it's way through the arches, screaming it's pain to be under control of the wizard that walks in confidently next to it. "BEHOLD! You shall fall victim to my little slave!"

However, it's attention is almost immediately diverted by the dog that was next to Raethon.....the dog that boldly charges for the demonic humanoid, leaps at it......Changes to a humanoid and the force of the impact of the great sword from the revealed Hound Archon shakes the ground in it's immediate vicinity.

Even Rae looks shocked.

"BRING IT DOWN BEFORE IT CAN RECOVER!" Rae shouts.

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Raethon advances the initiative order.
     Round Three - Init 26.
     It is now Ga'Elian's turn! Alik is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon+OutsiderEvil: (9)+16+-2+1+4: 28

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon+OutsiderEvil-5: (14)+16+-2+1+4+-5: 28

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon+OutsiderEvil: (20)+16+-2+1+4: 39

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon+OutsiderEvil: (9)+16+-2+1+4: 28

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 2d6+3 cold iron: (2)+3 cold iron: 5

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6d6+9+12: (16)+9+12: 37

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 13.
     It is now Alik's turn! MAC-B1G is next!

GAME: Alik rolls 1d20+10: (2)+10: 12

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 8.
     It is now MAC-B1G's turn! Zahara is next!

Ga'Elian shouts "Woo hoo!" and fires as soon as he sees the demon. One arrow misses, one plinks, and one sinks. The griffon takes evasive aerial maneuvers.

Alik unlimbers his death ray and focuses it on the enemy leader, setting off an electrical discharge that is grounded by the large pile of Dranei corpses and their weapons.

GAME: Alik spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: Alik refreshes special ability pools.

GAME: Alik spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: MAC-B1G spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: MAC-B1G spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: MAC-B1G rolls ranged: (17)+7: 24

GAME: Ga'Elian used a Arrow.

GAME: Ga'Elian used a Arrow.

GAME: Ga'Elian used a Arrow.

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 8.
     It is now Zahara's turn! Dran is next!

GAME: Zahara rolls weapon2: (5)+9: 14

"Deploying countermeasures." The construct's primary purpose is arcane countermeasures. Its particle cannon extends and powers as it takes aim on the outsider, Nethercite mix ratio increasing to maximum. The violet bolt fired has little physical or energetic impact, yet the Nethercite quickly erodes active magical effects on the being.

GAME: MAC-B1G rolls artificer: (10)+6: 16

GAME: Zahara rolls 1d6+7: (4)+7: 11

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Three - Init 3.
     It is now Dran's turn! Ga'Elian is next!

Zahara steps back, hoping that the Hound Archon doesn't land on her in its quest to assault the enemy demon. She glances back behind her, and sees if there's an opportunity to try to sneak up behind and hit something a little vulnerable against the fearsome foe. Assisted by the magic of the others and the positioning, she manages to nick her blade against its skin - no doubt for comparatively little effect ordinarily, but thanks to MAC's efforts the blade plunges in deep.

GAME: Raethon rolls 1d20: (3): 3

The Hound Archon is in a furious rage at the sight of the devil in front of it. Blow after greatsword rains down upon the devil's sword. When Mac's cannon hits the devil, the Archon's sword cleaves right through the Devil's sword and buries itself into the shoulder of the demon.

The Demon lets out a gutteral roar and punches the Archon, knocking it backwards and ALMOST into Mac's iron clad body.

Meanwhile, the wizard cackles! "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Even the defenders of Rune are no match for my summoned slave! First Rune! THEN DRAN!" Someone has a high opinion of himself.

GAME: NEW ROUND!

     Raethon advances the initiative order.
     Round Four - Init 26.
     It is now Ga'Elian's turn! Alik is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon+OutsiderEvil: (20)+16+-2+1+4: 39

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon+OutsiderEvil: (11)+16+-2+1+4: 30

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon+OutsiderEvil-5: (4)+16+-2+1+4+-5: 18

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls Bow-RapidShot+AspectFalcon+OutsiderEvil: (16)+16+-2+1+4: 35

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 6d6+9+12 cold iron: (20)+9+12 cold iron: 41

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 2d6+3+4 cold iron: (2)+3+4 cold iron: 9

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 13.
     It is now Alik's turn! MAC-B1G is next!

GAME: Ga'Elian used a Arrow.

GAME: Ga'Elian used a Arrow.

GAME: Ga'Elian used a Arrow.

GAME: Alik spends ONE use of DEATH RAY.

GAME: Alik rolls 1d20+10: (11)+10: 21

GAME: Alik rolls 3d6+4+1+4: (10)+4+1+4: 19

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 8.
     It is now MAC-B1G's turn! Zahara is next!

Ga'Elian fires three more arrows at the hulking fiend. Again, sinking one deeply, then missing, and plinking with the other two. The griffon shrieks, and is answered by the corresponding shrieks of its fellows.

GAME: MAC-B1G rolls ranged: (16)+7: 23

GAME: MAC-B1G rolls artificer: (9)+6: 15

Alik readjusts the target filtering on his death ray to ignore piles of dead Dranei and fires again. This time the actinic surge strikes true, superheating the enemy's torso and sending chunks of it flying into space.

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 8.
     It is now Zahara's turn! Dran is next!

GAME: Zahara rolls weapon2: (18)+9: 27

GAME: Zahara rolls weapon2: (7)+9: 16

GAME: Zahara rolls 2d6+11: (5)+11: 16

The advantage that had been offered by MAC's ray and the ability of the group to surround the demon mean that Zahara's blade is able to pierce true a second time, this towards something far more vital in the demon's construction. Her blade sizzles with vile ichor as she pulls it free, a sweep to clear it of most of it as she looks, still quite surprised and perhaps overwhelmed with adrenaline, for any other huge enormous beasties about to stomp on her.

MAC-B1G adjusts Nethercite intermix levels before firing countermeasures at the creature once more. It observes the target afterwards. "Assessment: countermeasures ineffective. Alternate tactics required."

GAME: Raethon advances the initiative order.

     Round Four - Init 3.
     It is now Dran's turn! Ga'Elian is next!

The demon is truly taking a beating at the hands of the combined forces of Rune's defenders, even after it knocked the Hound Archon off of him. It's a stab from Zahara that fells the beast, and it melts back into the ground. But the wizard next to it stands undeterred, still laughing.

"Idiot! Still can't find good help! I'll just summon ano-.."

"CRY HAVOK!"

A loud hissing noise can be heard from Raethon as the eyes on his Goat Head Staff suddenly fires a black bolt of energy at the wizard, and hits him right in the chest.

The wizard tries to stop it, but only screams in agony that can be heard all through Rune before the man slumps onto the ground, still awake, but apparently....drunk or bewildered...

Raethon walks his way towards the wizard, who thrusts his hands out in front of him, as if to cast a spell....

And does nothing...

"What.....what have you done you me!?" The Wizard says.

"I Just took away your magic." Raethon says. "You will not be casting another spell as long as you live. And now, you are our prisoner....."

GAME: MAC-B1G deactivates its Titan Armor.

GAME: Alik deactivates his Titan Armor.

GAME: Raethon removes the timestop.

Ga'Elian comes in for a landing and practically somersaults off his mount, then blasts a celebratory sounding of his horn.

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls acrobatics: (13)+8: 21

GAME: Ga'Elian rolls MW_Horn: (3)+1+2: 6

Alik puts away his death ray and thunderbelcher and jogs over to Zahara. "Well done!" he cheers effusively, looking like he would clap her on the shoulder if their relative heights didn't make that extremely awkward.

Doing her bit in the defense of rune, Zahara glances over at Raethon, and then nods, once, with a smile. "Too bad I don't have a way of capturing this sight," she says to MAC. "It'd make a nice landscape above my dresser," she quips, surveying the death and destruction with the heap of the dead demon as its centerpiece.

The wizard gapes at Raethon before Rae steps tot he side. "take this idiot to the dungeon." Rae says before he nods his respect to ga'elian, Alik and Zahara. Mac has been tasked with taking the wizard to the dungeon.

"So begins the counterattack. Only the South passage is left....and that's to the main Dran army."

it's then that Rae speaks to the Hound Archon. "Thank you. I am ever so humbled." he then lowers his head to the Hound Archon.

The Hound Archon looks at Rae for a few seconds, before changing back to a dog.....and walks away to lose himself in the crowd.....again.