"Very true," Maeve says, with an anxious look behind her.  "Let's make tracks."

While it goes against her nature to flee from a fight, she recognizes that the two highborn are probably best equipped to handle the assorted hellspawn.  Not to mention having the ability to port out of danger should things go against them.

Don't die you two.  I'd never let you live it down. Besides, I would kind of like to take that flying shield if you *did* die. . . . .

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 958):

At the Shed

"I hardly think we have the time to climb 30 flights of stairs to retrieve a handful of potions and scrolls," the third mage exclaims. "Time is of the essence!"

"Besides, I always keep a few on my person," Les pipes up.

"After you, then," Drake continues, nodding toward the shed. "Basil led with his chin, and ultimately wound up without one. I've no intention of doing the same."

At the Bridge

Brooks shares a skeptical look with the commander, then clears his throat.

"I'm beginning to think you simply don't understand what is about to happen," the mage says, as the commander nods vigorously. "See those mounted, armored men over there?"

Brooks gestures across the bridge absently.

"There are hundreds of them, and at any moment, each of those 800-some-pound armored behemoths will be hurtling toward us at nearly 50 miles per hour. They will crash against stone and steel and flesh and bone with equal fervor, and there will be no stopping it. You're not going be able to get the word 'yield' out of your mouth before it's all over."

He spits into the dust for emphasis.

"And even if you could, they wouldn't be able to hear you over the tremendous cacophony that accompanies a cavalry charge. Without some way to freeze the whole lot of them in their tracks, the tactic you've proposed cannot help but fail."

Brooks cracks his knuckles and motions toward the line of constructs.

"The best we can hope for is to position these to take the brunt of the impact, then make a fighting retreat back to the spire. With luck, we can keep them from ever noticing that a few of us are missing until our allies have made good their escape."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:32, Fri 25 July 2014.

Boreas nods.  Let's get moving.

Lyriel turns to Brooks. How are you controlling them? Why can't you just leave them here as a rearguard and escape now with the rest of the staff? You seem awfully eager to throw your lives away.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 961):

The Bridge

"I'm eager to play my part," Brooks shrugs. "And they do what they were created to do, and nothing more. They protect the spire, but they're much better at it if I'm nearby to keep them patched up. If I were to leave, they'd crumble too quickly... besides, I have something I want to try. We may survive after all."

The Shed

The others begin to make their way into the tunnels, descending the steep staircase carefully until it ends at a flat wall -- the back end of the spiked slab, which apparently came to a stop at the bottom of the staircase, where it wedged into place. There is no way to squeeze past it.

Lyriel sighs. Well, in that case I suppose we had better delay as best we can. Who knows? Perhaps some of us will make it.

She exchanges a loaded look with Zuriel. Alfonse, I could use a bracing drink right now, I think, she says, meaningfully.

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: When it's time, get ready to run. I have no intention of staying to be trampled.]

[Private to DM: Ready action to Greater Command: Halt once the charge begins and either Brooks begins to cast as the paladins near, or before the noise becomes too loud for the Command to carry.]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:41, Fri 25 July 2014.

Zuriel nods, filling the chalice with Gnomish cognac and taking a sip before extending it to the priestess. They fall into line behind the OSA defenders, preparing to receive the charge.

[Private to Lyriel Vesper: Zuriel reaches out and gives Lyriel's hand a squeeze. "Whatever happens, I love you," he whispers. "But I have no intention of this being the end. Stay by me, no matter what. We'll get through this, you and I."]

[Private to DM: Ready action to summon Shahara and mount, pulling Lyriel up with me, as soon as Lyriel initiates her action.]

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 964):

The Bridge

Zuriel and Lyriel work their way toward the back of the group while the commander takes his troops toward the barricade itself. Brooks looks around, then utters arcane words.

[Casting: Fly]

He pauses for a moment, then takes off straight up -- well ahead of the paladins' charge.

Boreas looks to his accompanying mages.  Are any of you able to teleport?  I know from coming up this way that the stone block extends diagonally down about 50 feet.  If one or two of you can take us past, that would be ideal.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 966):

The Tunnel

"We normally can," Drake says. "But today's battles have left us without much in the way transportation magic. We have some combat magic left, but little else, I'm afraid."

He ponders the slab for a moment.

"We could destroy it, though. Is it the only way through?"

"Er... I can do it," Les says, pointing at the slab.

[Casting: Passwall]

A tunnel erupts from the center of the obstacle, providing a passive through the slab and onward.

Drake nods.

"Let's go!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:52, Sun 27 July 2014.

Zuriel leans over to Lyriel. "Pass me your bow, if you please," he says quietly. He also reaches into his pouch, bringing his tabard close to the surface and in easier reach.

His amber eyes study the wedge formation closely, watching with an experienced eye for the first indications of the charge.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 968):

The Bridge

The Crusaders tense, seconds from charging.

Brooks floats a good 50 feet in the air, waiting for something to happen so he can execute his plan. The commander and his troops are behind the constructs, bows and crossbows at the ready.

Boreas, and presumably the others, continue through the tunnel.

Lyriel positions herself more or less below Brooks, readying her spell.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 971):

The Tunnel

Boreas, Maeve, and Keef hurry down the tunnel with Reginald and a trio of mages in tow. They pass much the same obstacles as before, but upon reaching the room where the erinyes fight took place, they find that the plank is gone... and two erinyes are flying back and forth, patrolling the chasm.

Fortunately, the group notices this and stays back in the passage before they can be spotted.

The Bridge

The paladins rear up and charge. At that precise moment, Brooks begins to cast a spell -- and so does Lyriel.

In reply to DM (msg # 972):

I... don't like those things.

Keef looks around and does some math.

I... can't take everyone.  Boreas can get by alone.  From the other side of the gap we could surround them.

"I'd rather not have to fight them if we don't have to.  We already took out their leader.  I imagine they'd be none too pleased to see us again. . . ."

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 974):

Keef nods.

I can... try something else to get rid of them.

Keef thinks for a moment.

Wait... no... that doesn't work...
This message was last edited by the player at 15:10, Mon 28 July 2014.

As the paladins charge and the soldiers draw back their bowstrings, Lyriel draws on her divine power, and shrieks FLEE!

[Casting: Greater Command]

Amethyst-tinged green energy swirls around the commander's head, and 9 of his soldiers. Three soldiers manage to shake their heads to overcome the compulsion, but the rest of the troops, commander included, begin to desperately run away from Lyriel - and onto the land bridge and directly into the charging paladins.

Seeing her work take effect, Lyriel turns and runs in the opposite direction.

Tassada, please let this work!

Zuriel trains Lyriel's bow on the paladins, but keeps his attention on Brooks. As soon as he sees the mage begin to cast, he snaps his bow up and looses an arrow at the mage.

[Devastating Smite: 36]

[Damage: 29]

The arrow streaks toward, trailing brilliant white light, and explodes as it thuds squarely into his chest. Zuriel likewise turns and runs, hoping to put as much distance between himself and the charge as he can.

Get out of the charge get out of the charge get out of the charge

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 977):

The Tunnel

"What's the trouble?" Reginald says, rather too loudly for your tastes. "Can't you just blast them out of the air? What kind of mercenaries are you?"

The Bridge

Whatever day-saving spell Brooks had on the tip of his tongue is lost in a torrent of pain and holy energy as Zuriel's arrow catches him through the shoulder. Blood drips from his wound as he turns his attention toward the traitorous paladin, but his vengeance is delayed by the sound of trumpets from across the bridge.

Nine archers barrel over and past the barricade to charge toward the Flame's ranks just as the trumpet sounds for their cavalry strike to begin. It's hard to say who is more surprised at this turn of events: the paladins or OSA.

The charge proceeds anyway, and in fewer than ten seconds, what was once a reddish stone bridge occupied by nine archers becomes a writhing sea of armored men and horses, which trample the commander and his nine fleeing soldiers remorselessly before crashing against the barricade of constructs.

The constructs hold the line for a scant moment, but the shattering impact is more than they can bear. One hole appears, and then a second, and then the Flame is through. A dozen crusaders peel off of the main column to mop up the remaining three soldiers and the various constructs, but the bulk continue along their path in an endless sea of golden armor.

The Command Flag at the fore points toward the spire, and the spearhead continues to devour ground as it races toward the spire's base -- and the two P.A.R.T.Y. members hurrying toward it ahead of the charge with all their might.

High in the sky, a robed figure clutching its shoulder is also racing toward the spire, gaining altitude to approach the aerie level as he does so. You don't need enhanced vision to see the rage gleaming in his eyes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:40, Mon 28 July 2014.

Zuriel pounds along the ground, extending a hand in front of him. In a flash of white, Shahara appears before him. He vaults into the saddle.

What? Zuriel, where are...

"No time, run!" he exclaims. Mounted, he quickly catches up to Lyriel, sweeping her up into the saddle in front of him.

"Nice work," he pants, pulling the priestess into him securely as Shahara takes off. "Here, help me with the tabard!"

Lyriel leaps breathlessly into the saddle, and quickly helps Zuriel throw on his tabard. As she does so, she looks over his shoulder at the dazzling golden tide of Crusaders threatening to wash over them.

Never before had she seen a sight quite so beautiful and terrifying in equal measure.

Zuriel, quickly!

She hurriedly alters her armor glamor into the battle-robes of the Priesthood. Not often were clerics of Tassada dispatched to the front lines, but when they were, there was protocol to follow.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:49, Mon 28 July 2014.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 979):

The Spire

Zuriel, Lyriel, and Shahara reach the spire just seconds before the rest of the column, which fans out in a wide circle that surrounds the structure entirely. In the process, Zuriel and Lyriel are subsumed within the column -- but that doesn't mean they go unnoticed.

Silence falls as the Command Flag is waved in a specific motion, and the crowd parts to reveal a tall, well-armored man on horseback.

In reply to DM (msg # 981):

The Spire

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the armored man begins, his voice carrying across the windless air with ease. "Soldiers of justice! You have fought valiantly against the horrors of hell and the treachery of men to reach this moment. This spire has served as a staging ground for all manner of foulness, and may be connected with more evil than even we can fathom. And today, by the grace of the Goddess and through the strength of her champions, it falls to the Light!"

A cheer goes up at this, which is swiftly silenced by another wave of the Command Flag.

"It is only appropriate, then, that it fell in part through deception. Two of our own number infiltrated the lines and allowed our approach to continue with ease. You all saw it! And I say, it is about time. We have forsaken the path of tradition these long months, and have done a world of good in the process. It is not heresy, and shall never be -- for our Goddess has not forsaken us. In time, we will create a new tradition -- one that's worthy of the cause of Justice, one that serves the Goddess and not her shepherds."

The words ring out clear and strong, and no one so much as coughs.

"I would recognize these paladins who braved certain death to secure our victory this day with the honor of accompanying me into the spire to secure the structure. Come forward, sirs or madams! Come forward, I say, and be known!"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:00, Mon 28 July 2014.