From up close, the fortress of Gazad Helkona was even more impressive than what the Magnakai had perceived during their scan from afar. The vas basin of rock it had been buil into was completely barren, with no sign of vegetation or ridges; from the marks on the geround it was clear tha the area was cnstantly patrolled and was kept completely clean of anything which could conceivably obstruct sight or allow an enemy to sneak any closer than the small ridge of rock, barely waist-high, which surrounded the entire area, clearly marking the point where the forest ended and the fortress area began.

It was pretty obvious that the entre setup had been designed specifcally so that any attempt to approach the solid coal-black walls would require at least twelve minutes of walking across a completely open field, one dominated by the tall watchtowers situated just behind the walls. During the day, avoiding notice from such elevated watc position woud be impossible; even with the cover of the night, which the Kai currently had at their disposal it was not looking like an easy task, considering the excellent sight the kraan occasionally flying overhead sported even at night, and the quantity of moving fire and glinting metal moving along the basin in regular patterns - clearly patrols of drakkarim carrying torches.

Similar fairs could also be seen at regulars intervals near the walls, clearly indicating the places where door were situated; almost all of these were marked by only two burning fires, except for one, which was lighted by at least six different torches as well as two large braziers overhead, obviously corrensponding to Gazad Helkona's main gate. In fact, the sheer amount of light from those fires was enoguh that the group of Kai could count twelve armoured figures standing guard, with more visible atop the walls themselves, positioned as if to control the position of the braziers - clearly read to turn them over and let smoldering embers fall over any possible intruders.

And, cast into stark contrast by the red light of the fires, they could all notice one more thing: above the door, where the emblem of Darklord Chlanzor (a spider covering the sun) should have been, was instead a heavy drape of black wool, over which was marked in red a quite different symbol, of a red skull wearing a spiked helmet, with two snakes intertwined surrounding it; and, standing most striking under it all, was the mark of two crossed hammer painted in the colour of blood.

Welcome to what's most likely going to be our last thread before the Endgame, and the one where you will face your most difficult challenges so far, with death waiting behind every corner. And that starts now with getting past the walls and into the fortress proper, while avoiding the enemy patrols and their surveillance lights from overhead.

I wonder why this remind me of something?

Anyway, not much more I can say to you now; it's time to come up with your plans, and hope they work! Both Renora and Sun Fox have ideas and means to help with any attempt at distraction, but if you don't come up with some idea of your own to make it past the walls, their contributions won't be enough to make you pass - they're only here to help, they won't be doing all the work for you.

So, let your creativity run wild, be ready to give it your all to make it through, don't be afraid of taking risks, and remember: the fate of Magnamund is in your hands now! :D

OOC: Hmmmm...  Hope someone brought the chaff grenades and nikitas!  :)
Some "mood music" for anyone who wants it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gzVbTqJKZc


At the sight of the lights around the gate, Swift had quickly returned the mirrored shield to her back, to avoid giving away their position with any reflected light.
Now she crouched low at the edge of the forest, her gaze flitting quickly over the defences ahead of them and mentally marking the positions of the visible guards, watching their movements carefully.

She either didn't seem to notice the banner above the gate, or else didn't consider it relevant to her search of the fortress in front of them...

Sun Snake looked out too, though he was probably using senses other than his eyes to take a further look at the fortress.

"Colonel Vyctar clearly is in residence" Fox said noting the banner

However his own senses would then trail to focus on the task at hand

"Twisted serpents where the ring of fire is, and a red skull. Has he claimed some old Darklord's domain, some ancient Drakkar clan? Or is there a different allegiance?"

Not sure the meaning of the new banner, but it might warn us of some plot thing I'm guessing if we figured it out!

Sun Snake muttered to himself. "The gate is not our only worry. There is a barracks of a hundred men each inside. One at each of the two main gates at either side of the fortress, and four spaced equally between them, two each side."

Snake tapped his lip. "The side entrances would seem to be our best bet if we want to infiltrate, perhaps one of the ones furthest away from the rest. Of course, we could try to draw attention by walking across. Someone who can pretend to be a messenger, or even just one person to be captured who can allow others to follow the route ot the heart of the keep later?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:21, Mon 30 Mar 2015.

At Sun Snake's words, Swift's eyes moved to the banner for what seemed like the first time.
"Twisted serpents?  Well we know of a couple, Valador for one" she remarked quietly with a smirk that showed she wasn't completely serious.
"Of course it could be a literal reference to a snake.  Maybe he admired you after your meeting?" she added, with a glance towards the image on Sun Snake's shield.

Her expression changed to a slight frown as she studied the image more intently.
"Skulls usually represent death.  A reference to the mysterious 'Deathlord' that the Nadziran spoke of perhaps?  Spiralling serpents...  The Deathstaff had a spiralling design, likely a method of channelling power from one end to another, or inwards from the outside, or the other way around."

She held up the Jade Spike, examining the spiralling patterns of dimly glowing jade on its hilt before lowering it and looking up at the banner again.
"I don't know if it's supposed to mean that though.  It could just be a personal symbol Vyctar created for his 'new existence', so to speak.  Something to intimidate his enemies."

She shrugged lightly and looked back at Sun Snake.
"Still, if you need someone capable of disguising themselves, and who can speak their language, I could volunteer."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:32, Mon 30 Mar 2015.

"No, you could not. I can smell the sun power on you from a mile away, little girl, they're sure to have someone who can do the same in there."

The words out of Renoras mouth carried a cutting tone as she adressed Swift Fox, that of one who wouldn't accet interruption; in fact, she even pushed Swift Fox bckwards by putting one of her pointed nails in the middle of her chest, before turning to Sun Snake.

"I, however, might do that and actually succeed at it."

There was haughtiness in the wytch's voice as she spoke, as well as a sense of condescension as she explained her idea.

"I can introduce myself to the guard without risk, simply by making myself up as an envoy of Sejanoz. This might allow me acess, as well as interfere with the guard's patrol routes; dependng on how good you are at going unnoticed, you might even manage to slip in when they opne the gate to let me throught."

She paused, then aded, with a cold smile:

"Of coure, that would mean that I cannot promise I will be there when you confront this Vyctar, since there's no telling how they handle visitors; once inside, you'd be on your own, without any other help I might provide."

This is naturally enough me, not Rain, making this post.

Really, I just want to remove Renora from your group because I wasn't planning on having her as an NPC around you - she's just too powerful for me to let you have that big of a trump card in hand, especially when her goals are not at all aligned with your own, aside from disposing of Vyctar. That said, if you can come up with a plan that doesn't requires her to act as a distraction, you're free to use it and keep her around; you're the players and the decision is yours. What I can say, as a GM promise, is that, as long as she goes alone, the Drakkarim will indeed accept her as an envoy of a southern dark power and let her in without a fuss - and with a considerable armed escort to follow her around once she's inside, to prevent her from sneaking away or spying.

As always, you're the players, so the decision is up to you! ^_^

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:45, Mon 30 Mar 2015.

Water Hornet watched the fortress in silence. His face showed little emotion: no fear, no worry, but merely a deep concentration. Occasionally, he raised his eyes to the skies, observing Kraan patrols.

Following witch's statement, the young Magnakai bore with his look into her. "That would be a dangerous endeavour," he said coldly, "for you. And for us." Hornet let the words sink and continued: "I will say it again: I do believe your ultimate goal might intersect with ours...but I have difficulties letting you...separate from the group. Because, just like the possibility that you might refine your plans regarding our alliance, the seizure of your person as a spy by the fortress' defenders might just as well prove fatal to our cause." Water Hornet looked again at the fortress (maybe to avoid Renora's look or maybe not), before continuing. "Although we might not have other possibility, as you might point out... The last couple of days were full of the most unbelievable cooperation, one has to admit," he added with a dark smile.

OOC: As a player, I'm undecided what would be best of the two options (keep Renora with the group / use her as the distraction); plus I agree, that keeping a game consistent (i.e. letting the PC go when the player is unable to play) might be a valid reason for a specific decision.
As a character, though, I have to point out Hornet's concerns: he didn't completely accept that Renora is trustful (although he does believe that she indeed wants to help the group - for the time being and for her own agenda), sorry. But that doesn't mean he won't accept the decision (of letting Renora act as a distraction); or realize that to be the best option: after all, he had to trust Renora so far and keeping doing that would mean have only one point of failure instead of several points where things might go wrong.

Swift flinched back slightly as Renora pushed her.
For a moment it looked as though she was about to make some sort of retort, but then she glanced down at where Renora had touched her with a surprised look.

Her face went a little paler than before as she looked back up at the fortress again.
"That... might be a problem..." she muttered quietly to herself, raising her hand to her chest.
Moving back towards Silver Raven, she bent close and whispered something to him.


OOC: Typical player-turned-NPCs and their penchant for noble sacrifices! :)  hehe.
Also, yep, I never thought of that...  (O.o)

Silver Raven seemed surprised by Swift Fox's question, but then he assmed a thoughtful expression, before whispering something back.

Sun Snake looked to Renora. "Do you have a way to project dark energy outwards? Enough to diffuse our own signatures?"


Would this be another way to effectively neutralise Renora as a character for our benefit? :p Have her mask us at the cost of her focus for weighing in, and of course actually helping at all at any point :)

Renora shook her head.

"No, that I cannot do."

She paused, then offered a menacing smirk.

"I could enchant your body with actual dark magic, though. That would give off confusing signatures aplenty. Ever fancied yourself having metal claws instead of your nails, lord Snake? Or maybe an acid spit, to better fit your moniker?"

There was a vicious note in the woman's tone, as if she would be all too happy to grant such "improvements" on the Magnakai.

"That depends. Would you like to be locked in your own mind, unable to move, only feeling the last moments of your daughter for eternity? It is something I can easily do, especially if turned to Darkness. Which is exactly what will happen if we Kai are captured, I am sure. The only hybrid Kai I have seen work was one infused with irrational hatred against me. I suspect they would do a similar thing with me, and you would seem to be a perfect target for such mental focus. So perhaps before you casually joke about such matters, and casually offer your services to infiltrate, remember what is at stake. Losing to Vyctar doesn't just allow a Darklord to rule. The Kai have beaten them before. A Darklord is a focus the Kai can rally behind. No, if we lose, we might offer Naar champions he desperately needs. That may be the real danger here if we fail. So for your own continued existence, you might want to consider very carefully if you can truly get inside that place and not reveal our presence should you be captured or tortured. There are worse things than death or the Nadziranim, I fear."

Sun Snake might still be less kind to Renora the NPC than Renora the player, especially if she's pushing buttons.

Renora didn't seemed scared by Sun Snake's words, although her lips thinned in displeasure for a moemnt after them, before veering into an amused smirk.

"I've been threatened with worse, Kai Lord, even if only an handful of times. But it is good to know that you do have fangs after all; it raises your chances of succeeding."

That said, she turned back to watch the fortress, and she added:

"As for me, and what is the limit of my powers, that's not something I'm going to disclose. But you can count on this: if I say I can do something, then I can, and if I say I can't, then I can't. I want this new Darklord disposed of as much as you do; that's the only guarantee I can give you of my trustworthiness."

Water Hornet didn't try to cover his surprise at the exchange between Sun Snake and Renora. Yet, when he spoke, his voice was firm and devoid of any signs of antipathy. "Well said," he began, although it was unclear who of the two speakers he was referring to, "and this sums up our relations quite well. Seems we have common goal - regarding the rise of a new Darklord - and we all realize that without one another we won't achieve that goal; plus failure of one part of the group will be highly detrimental to the other." Hornet looked Renora straight into the eyes. "As for what happens if we succeed... Well, I will die peacefully knowing we stopped great evil; although I will not die easily. As for you: that, Lady Nematah, is your fight; and I'm sure you already have a plan how to ensure we don't endanger your life once we're done with Vyctar. As I don't expect you would rely on Kai's honour not to stab erstwhile allies in the back." There was no trace of sarcasm in Hornet's last words.

The young Magnakai relaxed a little, before continuing: "I hope we have this clarified. I propose, thus, to focus on getting into the fortress alive and unhindered.So, you say it would be impossible to present us as your retinue, Lady Nematah? Even if we shield our minds and ensure anyone at the gates with abilities to detect our aura is unable to manifest their power...?"

OOC: I might be beating a dead horse here, but how about Mindshielding/Psi-screening our own minds and Mindblasting/Psi-surging minds of those alignement-sensitive at the gates? :)

Renora turned toward Water Hornet, considering his words, and finally answered, her tone hard:

"I can present you as my retinue, but would they believe me? I cannot promise that: I have my powers to make sure my disguise holds, but you would have to rely on your own skills to make it through. And, as you rightly said, one of us failing could well mean all of us failing."

She cast her glance over the whole group before asking:

"Is any of you so confident in your ability to disguise yourself that you would be willing to stake the entire mission on that certainty?"

"the enemy of my enemy is my friend?" fox said speaking up after being silent for quite a while.

"either way i have used my senses to scan the fortress and what i have found isnt good"

fox then took a breath before speaking.

"as expected, these soldiers are clearly the cream of thier crop. they avoid any uneccasary conversation purely to not miss the sound of intruders, which makes our infiltration more difficult. But despite the new banner, which i believe will be Vyctars symbol when he becomes a darklord, they are infact his men as we can expect. as such they are extremely skilled with thier armaments."

thats at least 20 cs and above per game mechanics

fox then took a breath before speaking.

"there are twenty five patrols on the battlements of twenty men per patrol, and despite a five hundred strong squad on the watch, that still leaves another one thousand five hundred inside. we cannot be detected, as we would be overwhelmed"

he then used his fingers to indicate his next point

"each group has three of them carrying torches, one at either end and one in the middle so they have enough light to see each other and confirm any intruders. clearly they are vary weary of intruders, as there will be no margin for error in spotting us"

he then circled his hands

"of the twenty patrols, they run opposite each other along the battlements so ten are moving clockwise and the other anti clockwise, meaning its very well protected as to be expected. the cloests they ever are to each other is fifty meters, but we shouldnt think thats a large distance. as the remaining five patrols are running in intersecting paths as a figure of eight, to cover the gaps of the others"

fox then shook his head.

"finally the torchbearers give each other signals as they pass one other on the patrols, without speaking. it seems vyctar wants complete solitude in his transformation, and with this level of security, he might just have it"

Sun Fox nodded to Sabre Fox's assessment and chimed in, her tone thoughtful:

"Indeed, the guards pattern has been built with care... but, there's at least one small blessing in it."

The Kai Lady had been occupied with frwning at the ball of smoke that levitatng over her palm, which was now as bg as her head and so dense as to be black in colour, except for the small silvery strands that swirled over its surface whenever she poked or prodded it with her finger, but nnow she turned a smile to the others and said, in an attempt to cheer everyone up_

"All the soldier who are utside are ones we won't need to worry about once we've made it past the walls!"

She paused for a moment, then asked to the group at large, sounding a bit mmore serious:

"So, does anybody has any idea how to actually do that?"

Feel free to start posting again and offer some plans, you all - I'm reall curious to see how you'll make it past this first challenge. :)

"This is by no means a plan to seriously advocate," said Sun Snake relctantly, having apparently had an idea, "but in the interest of generating ideas...

Sun Snake gestured around, then to Sabre Fox. "We have about four tasks, each one seemingly impossible and draining of our resources to even reach Vyctar. We need to get across the plains unspotted, then through the gates somehow, then remain unspotted in the keep whilst also trying ot naviagate all the traps and paths." Sun Snake signed. "We would need to either try to disguise ourselves as the soldiers, which seems difficult due to the precautions, or hide which would appear to at the very least require a distraction. Perhaps one larger than Renora alone, especially if there are those who can detect our aura approaching."

"Sabre Fox and Renora are probably the only ones who would have an excuse to appraoch the gates, perhaps stand a chance of getting through. Certainly Sabre Fox and myself stand a chance of piquing Vyctar's attention enough to get an audience, possibly. Sabre Fox and Renora could approach the the main gate with me - my apparent body. I can leave through Spirit walking well enough to seem near dead. And I am sure Renora can be flamboyant enough to draw attention to the group. With more attention at the gate, there may be more chance for the group to either use an alternative entrance or come through with us."

Sun Snake shrugged. "Sabre and I are led to Vyctar, and if I can keep a link to one of you that allows you to know the safe path there. Rneora, you can keep the Nadziran and those with other powers busy if you can, through whatever tales and bargains you need to. Wo knows, perhaps you may even locate the Sommerswerd if Vyctar has not kept it near him."


Sun Snake sighed. "As I say, it is not a good plan, but it is a plan. I will make it the first suggestion, so you know there are no foolish ideas. This is an impossibly difficult target, but we are powerful if we can figure out the correct way to concentrate our powers."

Swift frowned slightly, gesturing towards the heavily-guarded walls.
"If they're overly cautious enough to mount this much of a defence, how do you know they won't decide to stick a blade in you just to make sure you're dead?" she asked, looking towards Sun Snake.


OOC: I've got no ideas either.  Just thought I'd point out the risk there though.  Don't want Sun Snake to die before Swift gets a chance to kill him...err, I mean, got to watch out for our allies, right? :D

"I cannot feign death, just being comatose. And in that state I wouldn't react to anything, so it would be quite effective. And I hope Vyctar would be intrigued one way or any other to want to see what Sabre had done. Even if he suspected a trick, he might be inclined to see me anyway just to call the bluff."

Sun Snake looked uncomfortable. "Besides, the point is we must stop Vyctar. If we ended up pulling focus and being attacked, it would still be a large distraction - the rest of you would have a clear shot at Vyctar, even if we did not survive beyond the initial encounter."

Sun Fox frowned, and turned toward Sun Snake.

"I don't like the idea of any of us dying here. I know it is a possibility, but it's not one I'm comfortable with - I would like to bring every one of us alive out of this, if I can. That's my resolve."

She paused, then raised her hand which was holding the globe of smoke and added:

"I collected the smoke from burning the spider so we can use it if a wide scale distraction is needed, but I can only do it once - once I've spread it all over an area, it would take way to lng to collect it all again. We could use it here, or we can keep it for use inside the likely narrower corridor of the fortress... I'm not sure which is better - we won't need to keep things in reserve if we can't get inside, but getting inside without having any trick left ot use would not be an happy situation to be in, either."

That said, the Magnakai looked at the others, as if to check on their opinion on the matter.