"Surrender. Surrender or burn, it is your choice. Only out of respect for our king do I offer this choice."

Despite the pain of the spell she slipped smoothly through the Tentacles as if they weren't there, stepping out of their grasp as she began to chant. A spark of fire grew rapidly into the size of a marble and if they had not declared surrender by the time the spell was finished (1 Standard action) she would release it into their midst and let the flames take them.

(Edit)
She was thankful though about Maria's words giving her the little boost of speed to avoid the Tentacles, but she was going to have a long talk with the noble woman about sexual discussions in front of strange men. And quite grateful her helmet hid her red cheeks, that was not a discussion she wanted to have at all let alone about tentacles.


Grapple Check: Passed. Very much so.
Move: Move to O13
Standard: Fireball aimed at.... I6 should work? Needless to state a 20ft Radius should allow her to nail both Elazran and Hermanel without hitting Brightmane or Flameheart with a bit of positioning. 38 Fire Damage, DC 20 Reflex for half.

11:14, Today: Elliana rolled 38 using 9d6+8. Fireball DC 20 (If they don't surrender).
11:06, Today: Elliana rolled 27 using 1d20+7. Grapple Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:09, Tue 24 Mar 2015.

Lady maria is surprised see that Lord Elazran is still standing, she did solid blow and most men would had passed out by blood loss or sheer amount of pain she had inflicted. In her earlier blow she had held back, just enough to avoid hit critical organs and aim for more gruesome but not critical injuries. However Lady Maria was bit distracted by dark tentacles which were conjured up, however she with grunt and effort broke free from the tentacles grip with sheer power of her muscles.

20:51, Today: Lady Maria Brightmane rolled 17 using 1d20. Grapple check (+12).

It's clear the man is stubborn and refusing to listen as Lady Maria speaks; "There is no shame in defeat Lord Elazran, once your injuries are healed we can have rematch later date. But keep going and you only prove yourself a fool, both in eyes of Pelor and to your commander wasting your life in vanity."

OOC: Assuming here talking can be done as free action which can occur anytime.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:01, Tue 24 Mar 2015.

"Get me out of here!" he orders as soon as he can breathe fresh air again. "They have contaminated the water sources! From now on, every water must be boiled first!"
He waits till he is outside the dwell and gives the next order. "Take all the bodies away from the water and burn them. The water will still be contaminated but at least we will stop any more contamination."

He just can't purify water anymore. At least not for this day. And Ezourer fears that tomorrow he will be able to do anything else except purify water.

Captain Alphileus waits for his medic sargeant to come out of the dwell. "So it shall be done, Sargeant. Now go there and help take out the bodies of our water!" He kicks Ezourer back to the dwell and addresses everyone around him. "You heard the medic! All water is to be boiled and I want our water dead bodies free in 10 minutes! Help him!"


He goes away to give the orders himself to the other groups, while Ezourer's mom looks at him from outside the dwell, shaking her head. "Initiative before orders, son."

Lord Hermanel can't believe that Lady Zusari, the main target of his spell is still able to move.
"Damn it!"

"I must go on... I must..." Lord Elazran tries to rise his sword.

"ENOUGH!" It is Fieryheart's turn to speak, it seems. With quick movements of his fingers and words of power the high priest casts a spell and suddenly both Elazran and Hermanel begin to glow. They can't move anymore.

"Enough." He says again, now to Brightmane and Zusari. He walks towards the group and casts another spell, one that heals every wound of the four combatants.

And suddenly a metallic noise comes from one of the corners of the yard. It is a cup, and above it, on one of the windows of a tower, Siarani watches the scene with rage and hate in her pretty eyes. She promptly dissapears after that.

"You should go and wash yourselves. The servants will give you water so you can be attend the King's feast again." Fieryheart tells the winners and stays with the losers.

Lady Maria holds her guard until the golden field appears on both pelorites and Fieryheart calls for cease the hostilities. Then she lowers her guard and silently waits Fieryheart heal the injuries from all combatants.

Then she hears sound of metallic cling, she turns, notices discarded cup and looks up and sees rage and hatred in Siarani's eyes as she leaves the scenery.

As Fieryheart tells her and Elliana to go wash themselves, which is true as in least Lady Maria's case her armor was stained by blood. She makes respectful bow towards her combatant and replies; "You fought well Lord Elazran, but today victory is mine. But in future it can be yours." With that Lady Maria then departs back to feast hall but go quickly wash herself and her armor with the servants and overall freshen up so she looks presentable again. The dent in the armor cannot be fixed now but she conceals it with positioning her cape slide over the dent. Then she would proceed to the feast hall once more.

Elliana comes to the dinning hall first, and is received with the whispers of the nobles and the hateful stare of Lord Moncarin and Lady Glenven. Maivan Lamkirk, the one who studied with you at the warmage academy and then abandoned, is still sitting at their sides but keeps his eyes down.

Fanastida and Lord Soldercot immediately runs to her. "My daughter! What happened to Maria? Why isn't she with you?" the worried mother asks, while her hands grips on Elliana's shoulders.

"Fanastida, please. Let her breathe." Lord Soldercot tries to hold her.



The servant don't like serving or helping Maria. At all. They help her in silence and with ugly faces. And she is right at time to see her mother begging Elliana for information, practically not allowing her to answer.

The King, Fieryheart, Siarani, Hermanel and Elazran are not in the dinning room.

Lady Maria enters and makes loud (playful dramatic) sigh and says; "I am fine mother, just had to clean blood from my armor. Although need visit armor smith to repair the dent in it."

Elliana had been annoyed that the wound was healed by a Pelorites magic but unfortunately it had happened, and she wasn't the type to crack her skull open to prove a point. The scorch mark on the helm of her armor would be enough, though it would easily come out with a bit of elbow grease.

Maria had simply put taken a lot more damage then Elliana, Maria was meant for close combat but Elliana had proven how she liked to fight before her friend today. Everything -burned- before her.

She had walked into the room with her head held high though an obvious scorch mark on the front of her helmet as she removes it after the crowd has time to see, though before she can do more then remove it she is.... assaulted by Maria's parents. She blinked trying to catch up to their words. As she opened her mouth to speak Maria began to approach from behind as she favored Maria's mother with a soft smile.

"Your daughter fought well, but is above coming to the feast with blood upon her. None got upon me, so I came in after escorting her to the cleaning chambers."

Elliana thought it was sweet Maria's mother was so protective and felt a twinge of regret remembering her own parents execution. Glancing up she stared directly at Lord Moncarin and Lady Glenven, her gaze rigid as she spoke next a little louder so it would carried.

"Though it was not agreed upon beforehand in the fight, we made sure to leave them both alive as our king would want. Your daughter proved herself superior today, do not doubt that Lady Fanastida."

The good part of ascend in the stair of power is of course all the privileges someone gets. Ezourer takes mental note that the Bridgeburners is the exception to the rule.

Cursing himself and the Captain and his leg, the healer swims again and tries to take one of the undead by its legs and tie it to the rope. If he succeeds, he will do the same.


OOC: I can drag 500 lbs of weight. So unless they are of a giant, I should be able to take them all

Zarusian soldiers
-----------------

Naturally Lady Fanastida Soldercot hugs her daughter the moment he sees her. "My dear child, I am so happy Zarus has lend you his strength so you could be victorious once more."

Lord Soldercot smiles at the embrace of the two women and decides to do something about Elliana, bowing to her. "Thank you for fighting at my stepdaughter's side, Lady Zusari. Truly your power and faith surpass your beauty. Please come and sit with us."

From that point, the meal is ate in silence... and whispers. And then the king returns with High Priest Fieryheart and Siarani at his sides.
"My apologies. I suddenly felt undisposed but now I feel well enough to join you and celebrate."

The nobles arise and applaud the King. Siarani sits at his side with a frown that never leaves her face. The King is eating slowly when a guard wearing the armor of a captain comes with an announcement. "My King, we have seen three riders with elven banner coming this way."

"Your allies and friends have come with news of the destruction of your enemies, my king." Fieryheart stands up and raises his cup. "This is the power of your alliance. Your wisdom in mantaining the good relations with your elven and dwarven pairs has secured your lands from the monster that want to extinguish the light of harmony in these lands."

"Not all of them, I am afraid." Siarani says aloud after hearing her uncle.

"Good news. I need good news to sleep at peace tonight. Bring them to me immediately, Captain." King Kurtac Stonewill orders perhaps a little too eager.

Everyone finishes eating before the newcomers arrive. Two elves, walking with dignity, followed by a bald human male with an armor few of the presents have ever seen. The kind of armor used by the Bridgeburners. The human male constantly moves his head, looking at everyone and everything. He is hardly a noble.

"What is the meaning of this? Why is this man not in chains?" Fieryheart steps forward, not believing what he is seeing. "Is he not one of the dreadest Bridgeburners?"

The elves nods to the priest and kneel in front of the King. "Eurielmen The Chain Braker salutes you and wishes you well, great King. My name is Badan Alauie. My king has sent me to ask you to join him in a pact."

"I am Martil." The Bridgeburners says to everyone, before he lays his eyes on Maria "You are Red! You are the one who fought with us! I am human!"

"Silence!" The other elven interrupts him, letting Badan continue. "Great King, Eurielmen asks you to let the Bridgeburners stay on your city known as Pale. You shall receive a payment for this, of course, but we think that we will need the Bridgeburners soon. Erielmen asks you to consider them part of the Army of the Alliance."

It is now the turn of Martil to kneel in front of him. "My Captain, Alphileus, will fight at your side my king. In front of you and behind you. He has returned from death, but not as an undead. He breathes, his blood run in his veins. He and five hundred soldiers swear loyalty to you and your allies if you let us be."

OOC: Remember, they are not undead, they are just dead.

Ezourer successfully and slowly takes the dead bodies to the surface where he can tie them to the rope. The same mechanic happens in every source of water, and soon the Bridgeburners can say that there are no more corpses intoxicating the water.

Of course, the water is still toxic.

Ezourer's mother, Gulmina, comes to his side.
"Neither me nor the other healers are prepared for this. We will have to focus all of our spells in purifying the waters. In the meantime, there are thirty Bridgeburners that need your help."

Elliana returned the bow of Lady Brightmane and though quiet walked politely to join Maria's family for food, allowing the others nobles to whisper and chatter amongst themselves. The whispering snide comments though a part of nobility never made sense to her, they had no conviction in their thoughts it seemed if they would not speak up.

Finally the king returned and the meal continued after the light applaud and cheering that he felt better. Siarani was all scowls and despite a sense of accomplishment, Elliana had a feeling today had not gone well for the Zarusians at all. At least she had helped put the champions of Pelor in there place though.

"Not all of them, I am afraid." Siarani says aloud after hearing her uncle.

Here though Elliana spoke as her voice carried softly, gentle but firm as she followed up with Siarani's blatant statement with a polite nod.

"Yes. There are still many threats to the safety of our country and king to be wary of."

After that she stayed quiet, observing the situation between the bridge burners and the king. She would not speak up herself, quite curious to see. After all the pelorites had already petitioned about how dangerous and unacceptable the bridge burners are. To accept the bridge burners into the kings army would be an open slap in the face of the church of Pelor and their council.

OOC: Right, just dead people who are extremely dangerous to the living.

Ezourer sighs. "In other words, we will be vulnerable for a whole day. Damn it." He shrugs before heading to where the intoxicated Bridgeburners are.

If he finds the Captain, he will talk to him about his preocupation for an undead attack when all the healers will have is Purify Food and Drink.

OOC:
00:06, Today: Ezourer rolled 22 using 1d20+18. Heal check. Damn low. Can I make a Heal check for the whole group even when I rolled this low?
Also yeah, praying for Purify Food and Drink in every slot. Being able to spontaneusly cast cure spells is good!

Lady Maria hugs her mother and then joins on tables, acting not to pay mind any rumors and whispers or glares done by nobles while she now enjoyed much as she could the celebration wine and feast. Once king returned, she did cheer along with rest people for his return but she also saw Siarani, king's girlfriend or betrothed, was not happy and considering reaction earlier it's no doubt because Lady Maria and thus her faction won the crossing of blades with Pelorite knights.

Then things got stirred as elves arrived with a Bridgeburner who recognizes even her and then discussion went to alliance or count Bridgeburners as part of the alliance. Lady Maria could not resist and she looked on Fieryheart and said; "I remember I suggested this exact same thing, albeit using different words and format, when you came retrieve my troops from the Pale but then my advice went to deaf ears apparently. Dismiss Bridgeburners nothing more than spawn of evil than just soldiers which had defected from a empire hostile to our kingdom."

Lady Maria then looks on the elves and she asks; "How many dwarves and elves suffered casualties in battle before you came to this arrangement with Bridgeburners? Reasonable thing to know as last what I saw both dwarven and elven armies marched against Bridgeburners and Fieryheart was certain none of them would be left standing when you were done. I just wonder how many lives of this kingdom allies would had been spared if Fieryheart would had just listened what I said to him earlier.

Also I wonder would you call elves consorting with same flock like you and rest court had called me doing so because I made brief alliance with Bridgeburners for sake defeating a lich which was threat to our kingdom."

So thus Lady Maria strikes subtle blow on Fieryheart, minor jab for his decision which had cost lives of his allies and thus kingdom allies.....let blind faith lead to decision which was outright awful and Lady Maria had seen it since start it was a bad decision and had missed opportunity which had cost less. More so when Bridgeburners being part of alliance is no longer his nor king's call but by call of elves themselves...so denying them and calling them consorting with 'spawns of evil' would create damn awful diplomatic mess.

Zarusians
------------

Siarani stomps her cup on the table when Elliana speaks. But other than that, she says nothing except glaring the Zarusian warmage.

Fieryheart just stares at Brightmante at first. There is an evident fury in his eyes. But when she address the elves, they don't look at her. They only look at the King and Fieryheart. "Your highness, do we have to hear the words of someone whose heart is full of evil?" the elf asks still in his knees.

"Shut up, Brightmane!" Fieryheart demands, visibly losing his temper. "It seems you are enjoying the company of such one, Badan Alauie. Mere words could hardly harm you." Fieryheart speaks swiftly and firmly. He is pissed. "I was told that the Bridgeburners were your sworn enemy, but now I must think that they are a charming bunch given they not only bonded with the Zarusian faction of this kingdom but also with our dearest ally Eurielmen, who promised me that he would take care of this scum! Next thing I will be willing to believe is you becoming best friends with Maria Brightmane!"

"Not under the rays of Pelor, High Priest Firyheart." the elf answers. "Perhaps we can talk about this in a private place."

"I will not eat tonight, right?" the King sighs and gets up. Siarani follows his movement and they are escorted by Fieryheart to the King's private chambers. "I guess not, my lord." the girl says taking his hand. "But allow me to share your burden."

"Stay here." Badan Alauie orders to the Bridgeburner. He nods. "I will wait for you." Martil bows his head and then turns to the table where Brightmane is. The bald man then happily gets closer.

"Hey Red, I didn't know you was nobility. It must be good to sit at a King's table." Then he offers his hand to Elliana and Maria's parents. "Hi, my name is Martil. I am human!"

Lady Maria is happy with the public social blow to Fieryheart, as indeed without doubt he is thinking already same reason for this sudden shift in alliance between elves and Bridgeburners; they have hold over the elves somehow. Blackmail? Highly possible reason. But it was because Fieryheart's decision elves wound up into such position; if he had just taken Bridgeburners as refugees or politely told them go off without attacking them, then he would not be in this political mess first place.

As Martil comes over she smiles and says; "Yes, I know your human Martil. Also in battlefield no much use for noble titles and rankings when I lead my own soldiers in battle. More so when said titles hold no meaning to Bridgeburners anyway as you were not part of kingdom where I hailed from.

It's mixed blessing sit in king's table, as only reason for invite is more king needing giving respects to what pelorites would call necessary evil. As I am highest ranked representative of Zarusian faction in the kingdom and all religions, by law, should be present in king's table. A situation which pelorites wish would made exception upon my faith's case and most population hold similar attitude.

Plus side, I get to see pelorites grit their teeth across other side of the tables, which is fun. I am pretty sure I know how you managed change elves opinion on you people but how you handled the dwarves? Or did dwarves listen elves and backed off from attacking you?"

Elliana considered his hand and while normally she would be happy to shake his hand, certain decorum had to be followed when sitting at the table. She flashed him a gentle smile and instead bowed her head just a few inches, leaving his hand hanging. She spoke softly though so her words did not carry.

"My apologies, but when I am at the king's table it would be rude for me to grasp hands. I will do so at a later date when I am a soldier, and not a noble of the king's court."

She took a sip of her wine, glancing in the direction the king had left along with his pelorite companions. A gentle sigh and a soft smile as she glanced away from Martil towards Maria, a bit of wry grin slipping through her noble smile for just a moment.

"I would say our day has been quite productive, would you not Lady Maria?"

Lady Maria looks on Elliana, smirking she replies; "Annoying and pissing off pelorites for sure, but not productive in not sparing the king from headaches and also denying him dinner."

"Such is the woes of one who ties his body to that of the Pelorites I would assume. Unfortunate, I hope our dear Lord feels better soon."

Elliana went back to quietly sipping her wine with a sedate smile, happy things had worked out so well. A victory in a grudge duel, an overwhelming one at that. The bridgeburners openly requested as allies by the elves after the Pelorites preached how evil they where. And even the court itself a bit leery about the armies of the outsiders marching within the kings lands. Quite productive indeed.

OOC: I will allow it, but you will be barely able to help them with such a low roll.
And damn, I forgot you could convert any spell in a cure spell. :P

Next day comes and people are still sick. And Glasenter's exhaustion doesn't make things easier for him. Before Ezourer helps him to drink some water, his mother comes for him.

"Can you drink it on your own, Glasenter?"
"Yes Gulmina. Go, kill this plague." Glasenter answers before coughing.

She nods and smiles taking her son with her.
"We will divide, Sargeant." She begins talking, walking to a cart with a horse. There are around two dozens of shields in the cart. "This is for you to use. You take south and I take north. The other healers already took their respective route. Purify any well you encounter and place a shield so everyone can know that it is safe to drink from it. When you finnish, come back to the town center. Understood Sargeant?"

Ezourer nods and before he turns, his mother comes closer and kisses his forehead. "You take care, allright?" And of course, this is seen by four Bridgeburners who immediately laughs at Ezourer.

When he finishes his duty, he reunites with the other healers to report about the situation. It seems that the spells were enough to purify the all the water sources.

Galú also runs to his owner, making high pitched noises. Ezourer knows what does it mean. Galú is hungry and even he didn't eat anything. Gulmina doesn't have any rations either. Only one of the other healers have half a ration.

"We ate all the food we took from that town, right?" he asks even when he knows the answer. "I am going to hunt with Galú. I will try to bring something, but I have to say that I have never been a good hunter."

With his noisy stomach that urges him to find some food, he goes to the outside of the town with his bow and his dinosaur, hoping that the animals could escape the undead invasion and that they are still around.


OOC:
13:42, Today: Ezourer rolled 11 using 1d20+9. Survival check. Give me food!
I am starving! Galú, I failed you!

Zarusians
"Sure, right." Martil gives a forced smile to Elliana as he takes back his hand.

"Honestly?" The Bridgeburner now address Maria and takes a seat. "I don't know. All I know is that suddenly our Captain is now alive and he is ordering us to face the dwarves while he and Ezourer takes on the freaking elven army. A special team is sent to attack the trebuchets that would destroy the town's wall. The dwarves keep coming anyway but with some help of arrows, fire and experience we stand our ground without casualties. All this of course with semi-naked men fighting, because those who came back from death with the Captain didn't bring any clothes with them. It was rather hilarious!" He laughs and Maria's mother and stepfather look at each other. They are not happy to have such guest at their table.

"And then, they didn't attack anymore and the Captain comes saying that he has reached an agreement. With the elves and the dwarves none the less. But he needs me to go here and talk if necessary. I like to think that I am good with words, but I don't know if I will be up to the task. Can I count with you if the king doesn't want us and we need some help in convincing him?"

Everyone wishes Ezourer good luck as he and Galú leaves the "security" of the town.
But wishes are just that, wishes, and Ezourer soon finds that somehow animals always manage to escape from him.
Then, just by luck, an animal looks at him and doesn´t run.


In fact, it is curious enough to get a little closer to the shifter who slays it with an arrow, thus gaining his meal for the day.

This of course, is not of the taste of Galú, who goes hunting on its own. He comes back later with a full stomach. And the looks he gives to his owner says that no, he is not going to tell Ezourer where the rest is.

When the healer comes back to town, he finds that everyone else is in the same condition. Soldiers are hungry and hungry soldiers are not good ones.

The Captain is holding a reunion with Ezourer´s mother and the other healers and indicates him to join them.
"Sargeant, come here. We were discussing the situation. And it is very simple. There is no food, and we don´t have enough hunters to find it on a daily basis for the entire army. So that means that from now on, you will be our primary source of food with your spells. And that is pretty bad. Foreseeing this I unstructed Martil to get us as much food and clothes as he can in the negotiations that will be held with the humans of this land. But we can´t endure like this forever."

The captain turns, looking at his men working or resting, hoping to be healed.
"And I can´T order them to transform in farmers."

OOC: I will never eat rabbit again, thank you.

Ezourer returns to the town looking down and still remembering the look in the rabbit's eyes that will haunt him forever.
But he has other problems right now.

"Captain, maybe we can trade some goods for food in other towns? Or maybe services? If we sell weapons we may get enough money to buy food for everyone. At least for a few days. We can also try taking jobs like dealing with bandits."