.They round a bend in the Sambre where the river makes a half mile wide oxbow, turning southeast to follow the bank, aiming for the point where the reported enemy tracks intercept the river.

Ahead, they see one of the Elven tree villages along the north bank of the Sambre.  On the south bank, even more.  Woven flower baskets and glowing magic lights hang from the trees as well.  Some of the trees are along the water, and the treetop homes and terraces offer beautiful river views… usually.  Now, the enemy is there, in the village.  The party sees Orcs, Orcs on Worgs, and great rotund Ogres with warty, mottled, wrinkly skin and unusual girth.  Between the trees, along the bank, they see the horrible, insect-like head of the reported demon rising above the others.

It is cold today, and it seems to grow colder moving ahead.  There is a hint of white reflecting on the river.

Turning to the sound of the approaching horses, the Orcish leaders direct their troops to take up positions to block them.  Polearms are leveled and braced, missile weapons readied, and the Orcs shout taunts.

Theoderic is not about to charge into the line of spearheads.  There are ways of dealing with this.  He orders some light cavalry to soften up the enemy with missile weapons of their own, and he sends out a call to bring more troops this way.  This is more than the small patrol they anticipated.  Looking ahead, they get the impression this is the outer flank of a very large force of Huns.

“Be careful with the magic,” he warns.  “Use it against the foes that need it.”

Seti and Scolo are not on the map yet- they are still a little behind the forward force, off the left hand side of the map.

Seti had said, "It sounds like you're on the right track. Protection From Evil would be very helpful, yet another spell I have not mastered. We should focus protecting the king and queen, but I have done what can be done to aid their resistance to fear spells, and a general war prayer will provide some benefit to all nearby, as well as harm to our enemies. Beyond that, I think a good deal of faith is in order. Bless you, child, and be strong."

"Bless you, Patre Seti," Rita responds quietly to him. "We must stay strong in our faith. I can cast the Magic Circle Against Evil on King Theoderic well before we get to the battle scene, as that spell lasts 50 minutes. As you said, we need to coordinate our spell use. I think you said you will cast a Prayer spell as soon as it's clear we're going into battle immediately. Is that correct?

If we survive this battle, the two of us should probably teach each other any spells that one of us has mastered and the other has not.

One of us should probably cast a strength spell on Dagnish. I intend to cast a protective spell on Riordeg, either one giving him additional strength or one bestowing him with divine aid."

The last thing Rita wants to do is put Riordeg at risk. At the same time, she is relieved when Theoderic assigns him to go with his (Theoderic's) group. She is grateful that they will be on the same mission together, and as everyone rides out, she stays as near to him as possible.

"We should try to get as near to the river as possible, as that may give the River Goddess the best chance to help us," she says quietly, doing her best to push back the fear at the sight of the large Hun force along with the worgs and demon.

Immediately before the group heads out to the battle scene, Rita casts Magic Circle Against Evil centered on King Theoderic.

Magic Circle against Evil
Abjuration [Good]
Level: Clr 3, Good 3, Pal 3, Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Area: 10-ft.-radius emanation from
touched creature
Duration: 10 min./level
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: No; see text
First, the subject gains a +2 deflection
bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on
saves. Both these bonuses apply against
attacks made or effects created by evil
creatures.

Second, the barrier blocks any attempt
to possess the warded creature (by a magic
jar attack, for example) or to exercise
mental control over the creature (includeing
enchantment (charm) effects and
enchantment (compulsion) effects that
grant the caster ongoing control over the
subject, such as dominate person). The protection
does not prevent such effects from
targeting the protected creature, but it
suppresses the effect for the duration of
the protection from evil effect. If the protection
from evil effect ends before the effect
granting mental control does, the wouldbe
controller would then be able to mentally
command the controlled creature.

Likewise, the barrier keeps out a possessing
life force but does not expel one if it is
in place before the spell is cast. This
second effect works regardless of alignment.

Third, the spell prevents bodily contact
by summoned creatures. This causes the
natural weapon attacks of such creatures to
fail and the creatures to recoil if such
attacks require touching the warded creature.
Good summoned creatures are
immune to this effect. The protection
against contact by summoned creatures
ends if the warded creature makes an
attack against or tries to force the barrier
against the blocked creature. Spell resistance
can allow a creature to overcome this
protection and touch the warded creature.

All creatures within the area gain the
effects of a protection from evil spell, and no
nongood summoned creatures can enter
the area either. You must overcome a creature’s
spell resistance in order to keep it at
bay (as in the third function of protection
from evil), but the deflection and resistance
bonuses and the protection from mental
control apply regardless of enemies’ spell
resistance.

Before Theodoric springs forward Titus turns to the men of his command, "Men of the Queen's Guard! Your mission and duty is to defend Queen Aelasuria so that she may work her magics and aid our battle."

And with a smile and bow of his head to Aelasuria he pauses, "And one day be mother to Belgica's Heir! Stay near her -- do not leave her regardless of what else occurs. The Gods are with us, Brothers, let us show them we deserve their attention!"

He then moves forward with Theodoric

As soon as sighted, before the leaders move forward, Seti shouts, "Gloria et spiritui sancto!" Those within earshot (40 feet radius) can immediately feel the infusion of divine spirit from the prayer.

Still running and trying to pace his words and breath, the priests says to his long-time ally Dagnish, "Be safe, friend. Stay near Titus. This is a battle, not a melee, and I have prepared differently. Do not worry for me. Protect Titus and the King and Queen. I will try to slow or stop the demon."

Even the steel-handed older dark priest's voice quivers slightly. Whatever faith any Human has in the underworld, one is never in a rush to get there. Having known Seti for years, Dagnish knows to follow his instructions, even if all is not clear.

OOC: Spells cast:
Aid on Seti: +16 Temporary HP, +1 Morale attack, +1 Morale vs Fear, 8 minutes
Aid on (Titus or Theodoric): +18 Temporary HP, +1 attack, +1 Morale vs Fear, 8 minutes
Prayer at first sight, 40' radius: +1 Luck to attack, damage, saves, 8 rounds
Remove Fear on Aelasuria, Seti, Theodoric: +4 Morale vs Fear saves, 80 minutes
Shield of Faith on Seti: +3 deflection bonus to AC, 8 minutes
Status on Aelasuria & Theodoric, keeps Seti informed, 8 hours

I can't find the demon on the map.... is it just me?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:06, Wed 28 Nov 2012.

Scolos man purse stands up firm and stiff like an iron club and he casts a spell on it. He also casts on Melissa while she is speaking to him. When he sees the battle approaching and the distant demon creature he gets off his mule and hands her his man bag.

I promise not to get in the front lines. Will you still watch my back?

Good now, stay quiet and stay down.

He takes her hand and they disappear.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:23, Wed 28 Nov 2012.

Despite King Theoderic's warning injunction against conserving magic, it seems those with such abilities are intent to use them.  Eadoin calls for his own folk with bows, as well as any other archers nearby, to gather briefly.  While they come together, he asks Titus, "The left or the right flank first, sir?"

Since he's asking Titus more for the archers gathered than for himself, the young druid doesn't wait for the guidance, but begins his own prayer.  He scatters a sprinkling of what look to be cast-off snake scales in the general direction of the archers, empowering them to add a second volley towards whatever target Titus directs them towards.


OOC: Casting Mass Snake's Swiftness to give the archers a second volley.

Aelasuria looks troubled at the unexpected numbers of orcs here. Considering the elves had made a lot of effort to stop the Huns as well as monitoring their movements it didn't bode well. "They have gone through a lot of trouble to get here in such numbers undetected Theo. This very well could be a trap. They might know you need to protect the river goddesses so they might have planned this. To force you into a battle where they are trying to take the advantage. Watch for any spell casters that might be hiding in support of their troops. Strike them first if you can and be prepared for possible traps. If they have been on this ground long enough they might have made a pit trap for calvary."

Seeing what's going on she nods slightly. "I think that is some sort of Ice demon. The could be coming directly from it. Perhaps their sacrifices brought it here so that they could freeze the river. If the ice is thick enough their entire army including the iron soldiers could cross anywhere they please. Possibly totally surprising anyone that felt they couldn't."

Looking over at Theo she nods slightly speaking softly to him. "I can use lightning to help soften up the Hun troops if you want. However I need a clear field of fire so I don't hit our own. The rest I will need to save for the Demon itself. If it's a Ice demon a fireball might prove very effective while ice magic would be useless."

Theoderic isn't sure why Rita used her protection spell on him.  He would have wanted it on Aelasuria... but he's not going to waste it, now that he's got it.

"Stay close, Aely, Rita's magic will help protect you.  When you can, try to scatter some of the Orcs ahead of us, and the cavalry can charge through."

He looks to the Centaur guard and gives them an order too:  "Give her some room for a clear shot!"

One of the cavalrymen near Aelasuria speaks when she looks worried about the number of Orcs.

"This is just a tiny fraction, your ladyship!  I've heard there are thousands of them.  Thousands!"

One of the Centaur guards says, "And this is the best way to beat superior numbers, then, one small piece at a time.  Bite off, and chew."


The Centaurs look rather smug, since Theoderic has more or less adopted their tactic, but on a larger scale.

The lead horseman points ahead, and shouts to Theoderic.

"Gap in their lines sir, under the branches of the great tree!"

And so it is.  The Huns, for whatever reason, did not set themselves up directly under the overhanging branches, houses and terraces of the Elven trees.  There is a fifty foot stretch between the trunk of a great chestnut tree, with a delicate wooden stairway spiraling up to the homes above, and the nearest of the pole-arm wielding Orcs.

"Take it!" Theoderic shouts.  The cavalry thunders towards the opening.

On the right flank (towards the map bottom) the light cavalry troop peels off to the south, launching arrows and spears at the Hun lines as they pass.  Their missile barrage is enhanced by Eadoin's magic.

Not all the Orcs are afraid of the Elven trees, it seems.  In the far distance, they can see a few of the Orcs headed up into one of the trees.


Scolo Teleports.. and as soon as she realizes where he's taken her, Melissa gives him a harsh but whispered piece of her mind:
 "You crazy wobble-brained wizard, do you know where you just put us?  We're right here in the middle of it!"

Indeed, from their tree house, Melissa and Scolo can see the nearby demon clearly.  By the river.  Tall, the color of sea ice, long tail... that's the one.


There is another problem.  A few Orcs have started making their way up the tree.  Strangely, they don't seem to be aware of Melissa and Scolo specifically, but they are moving carefully, possibly looking out for "hold out" Elves.

While they approach if there is time Aelasuria will cast Mirror Image on herself. Perhaps displacement as well especially if the Huns are using ranged weapons. She already has mage Armor up.

"I will do my best Theo! I can hit more of them if I attack from the north of their formation. Spica get me as close as you can I am going to aim for the thickest concentration of Orcs. Which seems to be where they get closest to the huge tree.  If possible I am going to attack twice with lightning before the calvary charge hits them." 

Pulling her wand she eyes the battlefield carefully. Then unleashes lightning not once but twice  intent on taking down as many orcs as possible. Her goal if possible is to hit at least five orcs with each lightning bolt. Forking it if she has to or going with a single bolt if range demands it. If she couldn't get five she was fairly confident she could get at least four per bolt.

If possible Riding Spica Aelasuria closes to O-15 to take her shots. If not she will take the best shot she can get as they ride in. A purple bolt of lightning flashes into the Orc ranks with a crack followed by a Brilliant blue bolt of lightning.

Scolo whispers to Edgar who flies invisibly to Aelessuria he hovers in the air above her and she will hear his voice shouting from behind Spica's head.
M' Lady! M'Lady! Comes the shout of Edgar's voice.

They are ice demons, one is here freezing the river solid. The river is frozen in other places too and the Orcs are crossing in great numbers. Ice demons can fly call walls of ice and intense blasts of ice. Scolo and Melissa are in a tree farthest away by the river he can cover you if you are ready to attack the demon. It might help if you can summon something made of fire or water to destroy the ice.

Scolo chuckles

No no no, the middle is over there between those trees, but it is getting closer.

Look we have some Orcs coming, lets go through here I will shuffle around and watch you can whack them when they get here. Hmmm? That's fun and I'm not even fighting the demon ... Yet ...

Scolo shuffles south into the elf house facing the river he looks at how the demons are working...will dispel magic destroy what they are doing? Or are they physically so cold they are freezing without magic? He tries to calculate how much time there is to stop the demon before the bridge is complete. He looks at the other bridges to see if any reinforcements might be headed here.


He hums a little bit, looking out over the ice,
I wish Lutu would come back. He could make it muddy again.

This, a semi-wild place, is his element.  Where the trees grow thickest, the roots are strongest.  Where there's green upon green upon green, the young druid has the most to say.  While his craft is small, it can help for a few moments.  Seeing the attack go to the right and towards this middle, Eadoin takes advantage.

Close behind Rita and Titus, the young Centaur calls aloud in the language he's offered to none.  In an odd mix of Sylvan, of Elvish, perhaps a dialect of Gallic, Eadoin calls the forest to life.  Binding and hindering the Hun's flank to prevent their moving to close the gap in the line, Eadoin trusts his magic and the cold marshy ground between to pin the Orcs in place and buy precious time for the attack to carry forward.

Though he's not certain anyone can hear him above the rushing thunder of hooves and shouts from the cavalry, he adds his own voice.  "Stay to the right and center!  Avoid the left!  The magic'll bind anyone, them or us!"  He follows, staying close to Aelasuria, since she's his charge, unsurprised as yet again she heads for the thickest, densest portion of the fighting.

In a moment of insight, he readies his shield, yet carries the Roman staff from Scoronlo in his left hand.

OOC: Casting Entangle, targeted on the lower right corner of C1-11.  Reflex DC13.

Titus kept his position beside Theodoric and his eyes peeled for signs of the Demon. When the King sends the riders towards the opening in the Hun line he shouts an Hurrah as the they charge forward.

PM
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:03, Tue 04 Dec 2012.

OOC: Where on the map is the demon?

"They froze the river! The River Goddess may not be able to help us unless we find a way to melt the ice!"

Rita is far from a strategist, but an idea occurs to her.

"While fighting, we should try to push them back onto the ice. Then, when they're all out there, we melt it, and they're all at the mercy of the River Goddess. The question is, how do we do this?"

When it is clear fighting is imminent, Rita casts Aid on Riordeg.

Her plan is to cast Demon Dirge on the demon, but that requires her to get within a 35-foot range of it. She heads towards the demon, with the goal of getting close enough to cast while it is distracted by being in melee with the fighters. She will hold back until at least someone, preferably more than one person, engages the demon in melee.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:15, Fri 30 Nov 2012.

OOC B1 29

Demon is blue

She listens to scolo's familiar with a look of appreciation for the valuable information. "Thank you for letting me know what we are up against. I am afraid nothing I could summon would be of much help. The best I have is the fourth order of summoning monsters. Wouldn't it be nice if one of us could cast meteor swarm? I will attack the ice demon as best I can as soon as I can get close to it."

Looking to Theo she speaks quickly. "Theo the Demon is helping large numbers of orcs crossing over the ice it has made. We must slay the demon and stop them!  I hope they have just one. Either way aside from slaying it if we can't stop them from crossing we need to strike as many of them down as we can before they regroup into one large army."

OOC: It's going to take time to get to that demon. Hopefully we can stop the orcs from crossing in to great a number!

From Scolo's treehouse, he can see that the ice bridges are rapidly joining into one large span of frozen river.  It's very cold out.  A light snow has just begun... and he realizes that it is cold enough so that Dispel Magic would only stop the creation of new ice, it would not unfreeze the ice on the river.

The Huns thought of that, apparently.  Perhaps that is why they were so insistent on summoning cold air.

Melissa instinctively checks her weapons, as if uncertain that they made it through the teleportation.

"Whack them?" she asks (clearly rhetorically)  "Wait.. "  She pauses, listens, looks... watches the Orcs climbing into the tree.
  "I don’t think they know we’re here.  I think they’re getting ready to fight the troops.. or maybe search the trees.  Yeah, I think I can whack them if they come this way.  It looks like just one can get here at a time.  No wonder the Elves built these things.  Really cuts into any advantage in numbers."

* * * * * * *

Meanwhile, below and to the west...

The front ranks of Orcs are reduced to a handful, being hit by Aelasuria’s bright purple lightning, and arrows from the light cavalry, and some of the Centaur guard as well.  So many fall that she doesn't even need the second bolt.  Theoderic’s front line light horsemen are already charging past, under the branches of the Elven tree, the area the Huns hadn’t covered.  Eadoin’s spell holds back others on the left, but a few on the right converge to try and close the gap.  But it doesn’t seem they are going to make it in time, because a troop of heavy cavalry is charging forwards.


Theoderic orders his cavalry forwards, to cut off the river crossing area as fast as they can, and bring the fight to the Demon that is freezing the river.


Titus stays with Theoderic, pushing the troops through the gap.  A couple of the Centaurs have joined as well, seeing Eadoin and being a little confused about where exactly they were supposed to be.   The fog of war… such things happen.

The remaining front line Orcs do not have a strong enough line to hold back a heavy horse charge, they know it.  But they get ready anyway.

Seti works his way forward, invisibly.  It's harder than one might think.  No one can see him... including those on his own side.  With all these horses, Seti has to be alert to avoid being run down accidentally.

 
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:14, Sat 01 Dec 2012.

Titus scans the area realizing that he has pushed ahead he wants to be certain that Aelasuria is not without her escort. Except for the two Centaurs that mistakenly followed Eadoin Her Guard remains with her, so he feels confident he can turn his attention to the Demon, who he has finally spotted. Turning Bucephalus he says to Theodoric and Eadoin with a grin, "I intend to confront that thing directly, will you join me?"

The Hook of Mercury flashes in his hand as he stands in his saddle and shouts his battle cry, "Dei Volunt!", and heads toward the foul creature creating the ice with Felix at his side ready to ride over or cut through whomever stands in his way.