"Worgs with wings of fire ?"

 Tugdual is puzzled to say the least. He further asks :
  "Do they only travel like this, or is it something they use on the battle field as well ? For that would change he situation a bit..."

The murmuring Celibus river curls past steep hills on either side.  Well ahead and to the left, they see one of the great Home Trees of Beda.  Damaged last year in the battle, it is still standing.  And now, atop newly repaired arboreal terraces… are those ballistae?  Dwarven ballistae?

Cirostis recognizes them.  They put the portable “mountain ballistae” in a tree!  And they are shooting at targets to the east, concealed from view by the folds in the terrain.

”Well, if they are shooting, then the battle is on,” Tawna says.

”And the Huns will throw magic against them,” Ilsyan says.  “There are powerful Shamans with them.  The flame winged Worgs have a spell I have not seen before, and… that is another.”  The Elf is pointing at something ahead, blocking the path along which they intended to approach.

”What?”  Tawna asks.  “Oh.  That.”

Ahead, along a slope, the Huns have a sort of “flank guard.”  They are small tornadoes, no more than twenty feet across and fifty feet high, gliding over the terrain.

”Gyres of wind, deadly to plants,” one of the Elves says.  “Not natural.  They must have been summoned by a Shaman.”

There are two of them, and where they touch the ground, they leave trails of withered looking plants, leaves and twigs snapped off, remnants lying lifeless, desiccated on the ground.

”Are they alive?” Tawna asks.  “Will they come after us?”

”I don’t know this magic,” Ilsyan says.

Where are our scouts? It is time to move the troops into position and get a view of the battlefield along the lines of our attack. We need to hit the enemy as soon as they are fully committed. We can't tell from here if they are committed or trying to circle and avoid the fort.

About a mile north of the main battle area, the Celibus bends around a prominent hill. The Elves move around this hill carefully- and when they are south of it they can see the trees at the battle area.

 Between the bend and the hill that dominates the east side of the battle site, there is about a half mile of low bluff facing the Celibus, including, at one point, the only actual cliff the party sees:  A section only about two hundred feet long, overlooking the Celibus.  On the north side, a stream seperates this rocky, low bluff from the higher hill at the bend.  It appears to be where the Huns have established their north perimeter guard, because along that cliff can be seen a patrol of Huns with Worgs.  Perhaps a dozen of them, it is still hard to count.  Below them, along the slope between the cliff and the Celibus, the two whirlwinds.

And so, the Elves use a Summon Tactical Map, and it shows:

1.  Ilsyan's route of advance, with the PC's.  Other Elves are moving south to the east and west, parallel.

2.  The 2 "whirlwinds"

3.  The North flank guard position of the Huns, at the cliff

4.  The Hun "artillery hill"

5.  Hun main attack route

6.  and 7.  Heolstor's forces.

 


http://europa512adgame.pbworks...beda%20field%203.JPG

Oh that's nice that is.
Cirostis always enjoys a good tactical map.
"So we must fight our way south removing their rear defenses. But not directly, if they know we are a threat they will notify the main force who will disengage the battle and come after us. We need them to think they have caught some separated scouts or spies that they can have sport with.

Have we any owl support?  Let's get a flight to circle high to ensure there is some separation between the rear patrol and the main force, and that the battle is committed. While they do our quietest archers can move up along the west bank to this point near the number 3 but west of te river. The reat can remain north of this hill on the east bank covering the river basin for the ambush.

That done a small group should strike the wind beasts, kill one or both if we can and be surprised by the arrows from the guards above. We run up the ravine when chased by worgs and lead them into the trap. If any attempt to communicate it made, a squadron of owls can attack covered by archers in stealth just west of the river nearest to the number 3.

Once done we regroup at that point west of the three if no reenforcement come back then we can cross to the east bank and march right up their tucass when your brothers are striking from the southeast. "

There is indeed “Owl Support”.  Stryx is here, and he is a large owl, fully capable of being a combatant as well as a scout or messenger. Stylos and Nyre are two more Giant Owls.  There are a half dozen other owls available, which would be considered “very large” owls, not giant, although, in a pinch, they could fight effectively.

Ilsyan sends a troop of Elves across the river.  They have to backtrack slightly, to reach the small covered wooden bridge that spans the Celibus at a narrow strip a little to the north, but they move quickly.  Very soon there are about a hundred Elves across the river.  They look like they can lay down quite a barrage.

Meanwhile, they observe the whirlwind things ahead of them.  They move around, but make no moves to leave the area.  Nor do the Orcs and Worgs on the bluff.

"This is about where where Haakon will volunteer us for the most dangerous part," Tawna offers.  "It's going to be us going after the tornado things... or creeping past them and taking the hill, right?"

"Lure them out by attacking their... ah... tornado things," Ilsyan says.

Tawna eyes them, with a studious look on her face.  "Needs magic weapons. You don't fight anything like that with straight steel."

Cirostis is still feeling the results of the battle the other day.  Days and days of battle and little rest.  Even with the healing of the Elves… even a Dwarf gets worn down.

"You have an enchanted weapon?"  Islyan asks.

"I do,"  Tawna says.  "I don’t know about the others."

"We can empower weapons," Ilsyan says.  "We have that spell."

"I really hate air elementals," Tawna says.

Well now, I've got a magic axe but if you can make it more magic ill take it, by the way, I forgot all about this, if you have any magic potions I can put them in two of my crossbow bolts I'd be obliged for that too in the battle coming up.

Once preparations are done, Cirostis looks at the team.

Lets go, we'll go up along the ravine, were scouts getting surprised by the air things we can't make it too pretty of an attack.

His Axe and shield at the ready, The dwarf moves to their target.

Haakon shrugged. "As long as those air elementals remain where they are, I think we can afford to just watch.  There are other elves to the West (who won't make much difference) and to the East who will, it seems to me, make this flank guard irrelevant.  Let's communicate with the others first and find out about the disposition of other enemy troops."  He grinned, "I've got a lot invested in you Tawna and while I might volunteer us for stuff that might seem brave, I'm not volunteering for anything that's likely to be pointless."

Styx, will you go up and check the disposition of those troops? Are they separated from the main force? Also, is the main force fully committed to battle?  We cannot cover you without giving away our position, please don't get close to the enemy.

Cirostis asks the Owl for recon then He looks a Haakon confused by the last statement.
"You mean, don't join in the battle at all? Or do you mean to go around them and have them at our backs?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:36, Sat 19 Jan 2013.

Haakon nodded, "I mean don't join in the battle until they realise they are wasting their time... then shoot 'em in the back."

After Styx has gone, Cirostis moves to speak with Haakon in semi-private.

My friend, I am unsure what you are saying and it would be unseemly to have direct conflict. I don't see how we can "stab them in the back" as you say from a mile away. I am not confident they will "realize they are wasting their time" there are thousands of them. They could bypass the fort or breech and overcome and we won't know from back here and once done it will be too late to act.

I think we must remove the rear guard and get in closer so we can attack when the moment is most opportune.

If you wish to present an alternate plan than mine (which was to be seen attacking the whirlwinds and then run away when the worgs reach us, pulling them out of sight to ambush. Then strike the rest with air power assistance to prevent any messages) please say so.

Of course if you and your lady would be wasted on whirlwinds, I understand - I can do that with other elven scouts. 
This message was last edited by the player at 12:35, Sun 20 Jan 2013.

 Tugdual seems a bit overwhelmed by the situation. As usual with these strategic-heavy problems, the druid is a bit lost. Clearly his fighting and tactical skills do not match his reconnaissance and magic aptitudes...

  "Don't ask for my input... but I'll be with you, Cirostis."

 He will put his magic and fighting skill to good use when he can.

 If an enchanted weapon proves necessary against the tornadoes, he will use one of his uncle's potions to enchant his antlers. That is, once he has grown them by growing into a cervid shape.
  "I might have to drink the potion AFTER I transform... and by then I will lack the thumbs do open the flask. I'll need your assistance then." he explains to the dwarf.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:19, Tue 22 Jan 2013.

"Well", said Haakon.  "I have no enchanted weapons but I do have a bow and am quite prepared to move closer.  If that is to prove futile though, then I'd rather not do it.  Or rather not do it until the whirlwinds have gone."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Mon 21 Jan 2013.

Of course, my friend - Cirostis takes potion from the Druid and follows his instructions. Once he is turned Cirostis pats him on the neck and gives the potion as directed. Then he gathers the team to set out.

Of Course Master Haakon - We will be under your cover when we bring back the enemy.

Right then ... Well - who has enchanted weapons and will join the "scouting party?"

Once ready they wait for Styx to return, and will execute the plan if all is well.

They execute “the plan”…  with a little help from the Elves here.  The Elves have a number of minor wizards among them, even having some warriors with some spell casting ability.  Ilsyan calls two over, and they supply two “Enchant Weapon” spells, solving Haakon’s shortage of enchanted weapons by putting spells on his arrows, and his axe.

Then Ilsyan chooses one of them, and two dozen scouts, and himself to join in the attack on the Huns northern flank.

He warns as they get closer- these are not ordinary whirlwinds.  These are evil elemental creatures.

The party approaches from the north, and the two whirlwinds seem to react to their presence when they are still a few hundred feet away, north of the little stream.  The whirlwinds re-position themselves as if to intercept.

One thing becomes evident about their movements:  they don’t go in or near water.
Up on the bluff, the Hun flank guard force watches but otherwise stays put.  They know how Elves work:  they harass, they taunt, they entice, try to draw you away from your position.  But they have orders.  Guard the north flank against Elven raids.  They do not move.

 Tugdual has transformed into a deer. Not a very large deer, nothing like the famed giants who once roamed the plains of Hibernia, but the size of a large pony with a slender build and sharp antlers.

 Once in this form, the druid has little means of communication... the best he could do is write glyphs in the dirt with his hooves, and one cannot get too verbose that way.

 He thus relied on Cirostis and Haakon to decide on an appropriate course of action. His only idea at the moment was to bull-rush the whirlwind monsters away from their position... not much of a fine and clever tactic, more of a straight to the point manoeuvre.

 Scratching the ground with antlers down, Tugdual explained that he was ready to charge if need be.

As soon as he was within what could normally be considered long range but not extreme range, Haakon nocked an arrow, fired, fired another at the same whirlwind and then moved forward by ten yards to do the same thing again.  Before doing so though, he asked, "Seems that thing doesn't like water... anybody have the magic to make it?"

  "Brââh." Tugdual acquiesced.

 He was not sure how efficient his spell would be, and this did not call upon his magical powers just yet.

Doesn't like water, eh?
Tug, you think you can go around and bull rush one into the stream?

I will start hurling and see what my axe can do.

Cirostis moves out to within range and starts hurling his axe at the creatures.

It takes Cirostis a little work to get the distance correct on weird things like this.  His second shot is a winner- it sails straight into the heart of one of the whirlwindy things, and seems to disrupt it.

They ignore Tugdual entirely as he approaches.  Evidently, deer are not on the approved target list.

They close range with the things, and splash across the little stream.  Further ahead, the Orcs and Worgs on the bluff have now taken notice, but the Elves on the far side of the Celibus River are starting to shoot arrows at them, keeping them busy.

Tawna observes the effect of Cirostis's throw.  The one he hit does seem to have weakened.  The winds do not circle with as much force as they did.

"It has a heart," she says quietly.

They also seem to have intelligences, of a sort, because they immediately turn on Cirostis and Haakon, and are now approaching rapidly in all their whirlwind fury, leaving dry, crumbling vegetation trailing behind them.

Cirostis keeps his distance moving in the stream and hurls his axe again at the injured wind - he shouts a Dwarven battle cry in the ancient language.
Ghar NOST!!!

When his axe returns he charges into the whirlwind screaming as he goes, his little legs driving him forward with wonderous and unexpected power.

 Tugdual accompanies Haakon and Cirostis. He stays between them and the whirlwinds, ready to strike in melee as soon as the elemental foes appear to be within range.

 He charges the "wounded" enemy, and tries his best to put himself in a flanking position.

 The magic-infused antlers then shred through the tornado, hopefully bringing real damage upon it.

 (I'd say a deer is like war pony with a single gore attack instead of hooves)

Haakon returns his bow to its accustomed place and drew his axe.  The sensible thing to do would be to wait for the attack, but Haakon is not much good at waiting and so, with a cry of "Deutschland!", he goes to meet the charge of the whirlwinds, ready to try to slice the nearer in twain before running on past.

Tugdual attacks a whirlwind... and Cirostis goes berserk.

The Elves are amazed, as Cirostis hurls himself at one of the two whirlwinds, slashing with his axe like a whirlwind himself, and then... the whirwind isn't there.  It dissipates, scattering itself into the air, and is gone.

It doesn't even last long enough for Haakon and Tawna to get to it.

For just a moment, Cirostis felt the raw, blistering fury of a desert wind.  Which is strange, as the Dwarf has never seen a desert.  But his skin is red and blistery where the hot, dry blast of the whirlwind scorched him, and he feels tired and very thirsty, like he hasn't had a drink in days.

Tugdual feels a little of the same- there is a raw area on a shoulder where the wind slashed him.  His skin is dry and cracked there.  But overall, he wasn't hit hard.

Now, the question becomes... can these things feel fear?

Apparently not.  The other bears down on the group, about fifty feet away and closing fast.  Islyan's wizards unleash a barrage of Magic Missiles, the standard go-to magic offense for them.

Cirostis shakes his head and says to the others

"You dont want to be hit by these things, I'm getting in the water."

The Dwarf makes good on his promise, falling back into the stream. He hurls his axe just once, but the throw feels awkward. Then, instead of moving as the creature comes he drinks some water, wetting his face and throws his mighty WarAxe again, feeling better.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Fri 25 Jan 2013.