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04:36, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol.

Posted by DM PawnFor group archive 0
Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 806 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 1/33
Tue 27 Aug 2019
at 02:52
  • msg #262

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Valthur squints at the growing vortex, unsure of whether or not it is real. He hopes to himself that what he sees is a hallucination resulting from his many wounds.

Unsure of what to do next, he tries to help Eoni close the rift by swinging at one of the sigils as it passes by. "We've got to close this portal! There's no way we can match up with that five-headed devil!"

21:41, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 15 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 12.  Axe vs. sigil (on the off chance it can be hit).
21:42, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 19 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 20 (in case it's needed).  Save vs. Spells (10 or higher). Crit!

Sarah
Player, 670 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Tue 27 Aug 2019
at 13:32
  • msg #263

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Her "fight or flight" reflex overwhelmed, Sarah slowly backs away in abject terror.  But Valthur's shout seems to penetrate the shroud of fear.  She lifts her crossbow, tries to steady her trembling hands, and fires (with surprising accuracy, given the circumstances) at one of the sigils.


08:31, Today: Sarah rolled 20,5 using d20+2,d6 with rolls of 18,5.
DM Pawn
GM, 1104 posts
Tue 27 Aug 2019
at 21:38
  • msg #264

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Eoni strikes the swirling sigils with her magic staff and causes a tear in the weave as the powerful item interacts with the even more powerful planar gate now ripping into the world. She is thrown powerfully backward and come crashing down quite hard on the ground, a blow that knocks that wind out of her, but doesn't put her out for the count.

Valthur likewise slaws his axe into the planar gate, but the dwarf's native resistance to magical effects protects him from a similar fate, though he too is surrounded by arcane energies but none seem to have any effect on him.

For her part, Sarah targets the weave with her crossbow, and strikes one of the objects, but it seems to have little effect. Likewise, Taerix shoots an arrow, but it too flies right through the glowing magical energy.

Thus far, the weave has only been damaged by those attacking it with melee weapons, perhaps the secret lying in the soul connecting with the gate?

In any event, the planar gate has been damaged, but the five-headed monstrosity continues to soar through the distant skies, bounding ever closer to freeing itself onto the material plane to inflict certain destruction!

Tiamat approaches...


OOC: Eoni took 15 damage. Any succesful melee attack against the weave will require a Save vs Spells.

Planar Gate:
AC: 9
HP:??



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8   8/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4   1/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  22/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

This message was last edited by the GM at 08:58, Wed 28 Aug 2019.
Eoni Daflin
Player, 926 posts
Sister of Avandra
AC: 8 | HP: 28/28
Tue 27 Aug 2019
at 22:41
  • msg #265

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Gasping for breath, the Sister scrabbled around for her staff and used it to lever herself back to her feet.

"We have to," she croaked, trying to will her lungs to work.  "We have to get it closed."

Although she knew what had to be done, she hesitated to swing again.  Her head was still spinning and her bones ached like she'd been trampled by a horse.
Kane Taerix
Player, 331 posts
Halfling Myrmidon
AC 1 (-1) HP 16/24
Wed 28 Aug 2019
at 00:57
  • msg #266

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Taerix races up to the gate and gives it a smack with his sword.

19:55, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 4 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 2.  sword damage (doubled for Strength).

19:53, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 16 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 14.  Sword vs gate.

19:56, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 17 using 1d20 with rolls of 17.  Save vs spells.

Vaxfar
Player, 59 posts
Wed 28 Aug 2019
at 03:39
  • msg #267

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

 Vaxfar takes a swing at the gate but is so distracted by what he sees coming, he barely touches it.

22:37, Today: Vaxfar rolled 20 using 1d20 with rolls of 20.  Save v spells (13).
22:35, Today: Vaxfar rolled 4 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 3.  Sword to gate.

[Private to DM Pawn: I should have 4 more hps after drinking my last healing potion ]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Wed 28 Aug 2019.
Sarah
Player, 671 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Wed 28 Aug 2019
at 16:14
  • msg #268

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Sarah runs to Eoni and drops a vial in her lap.


[Private to Eoni Daflin:
extra healing   (heals 3d6+3)
]
Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 807 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 1/33
Thu 29 Aug 2019
at 03:39
  • msg #269

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Though no expert on the arcane arts, Valthur concludes (from the reaction of the portal around him) that his enchanted battle axe is making headway against the gate. "It's working! Keep swinging at this thing until it falls!"

He swings with all his might, wondering if this swing will be his last.

22:31, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 22 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 19.  Axe vs. gate.
22:32, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 6 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 3.  Damage.
22:31, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 14 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 15.  Save vs. Spells (10 or higher).

Eoni Daflin
Player, 927 posts
Sister of Avandra
AC: 8 | HP: 8/28
Thu 29 Aug 2019
at 20:11
  • msg #270

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Recognizing the vial as one of the ones they'd been given by Defense Counsel, Eoni quickly downed it's contents.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 12 using 3d6+3 with rolls of 1,3,5.  Extra Healing, Eoni.
DM Pawn
GM, 1105 posts
Thu 29 Aug 2019
at 22:51
  • msg #271

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

The adventurers hack furiously at the planar gate, desperate to destroy the arcane threads temporarily binding the prime material plane to Avernus, the first layer to the Nine Hells of Baator.

First, Taerix strikes a cordon of sigils with his Flametongue blade, eviscerating that magic weave. Moving up to his side, Valthur strikes his axe at another cordon. He too connects!

The gate begins winking in and out of view, this stirring a frenzied response from the five-headed draconic goddess soaring as quickly as she is able toward the collapsing gate. The gate has now collapsed to a quite small size, its magical boundaries fighting to remain open.

In anger, Tiamat belts out a stream of fire, ice, acid, electricity, and poison at the adventurers. The plasma stream streaks out in front of her, billowing in wild proportions as it makes the jump from Avernus to the prime material.



OOC: All PCs need to make a Save vs Breath Weapon!



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  20/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4   1/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  22/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Eoni Daflin
Player, 928 posts
Sister of Avandra
AC: 8 | HP: 20/28
Fri 30 Aug 2019
at 01:14
  • msg #272

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

A little further back from the others, Eoni is able to dive away from the blast.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 16 using 1d20.  Dragon Breath (14).
Kane Taerix
Player, 332 posts
Halfling Myrmidon
AC 1 (-1) HP 16/24
Fri 30 Aug 2019
at 01:24
  • msg #273

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

The young halfling was so pleased that his strike had an effect on the gate that he was caught flat-footed by the dragon's breath. Taerix's thought is, This can't be good....


20:21, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 3 using 1d20 with rolls of 3.  Save vs Breath.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Fri 30 Aug 2019.
Vaxfar
Player, 60 posts
Fri 30 Aug 2019
at 02:05
  • msg #274

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Vaxfar, still stumbling from the wild swing at the gate takes the dragon’s wrath head on.

21:02, Today: Vaxfar rolled 4 using 1d20 with rolls of 4.  Save v. Dragon breath (13).

If somehow he survives the dragon breath, he takes another swing at the gate, connecting!

21:08, Today: Vaxfar rolled 6 using 2d4+1 with rolls of 4,1.  Damage v. Gate.
21:07, Today: Vaxfar rolled 20 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 19.  Bastard sword v. Gate.

This message was last edited by the player at 02:11, Fri 30 Aug 2019.
Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 808 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 1/33
Fri 30 Aug 2019
at 03:57
  • msg #275

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

As Valthur strikes frantically at the gate, a spark of hope flickers in his heart. "The gate is collapsing," he cries. "Keep at it. We've almost-".

He stops mid sentence, his hopes consumed by a five-sided wave of death from Tiamat that explodes onto the material plane and washes over his weakened body. He stands for only a moment before it envelops him.


"So this is how it ends."

22:42, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 5 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 6.  Save vs. dragon breath (10).
Sarah
Player, 673 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Fri 30 Aug 2019
at 15:57
  • msg #276

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Still in a fog, Sarah turns . . . and is engulfed.

10:56, Today: Sarah rolled 5 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 3.  Save vs. Dragon Breath (14).
DM Pawn
GM, 1106 posts
Fri 30 Aug 2019
at 20:31
  • msg #277

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

quote:
"So this is how it ends."


An ever-expanding, billowing conglomeration of wrath bursts forth from Tiamat's hellish maws while the adventurers frantically try to do whatever they can to destroy the collapsing planar gate. If the gate is not destroyed, the Red Hand of Doom's stratagem will most certainly usher in certain death for not just the adventurers or Brindol, but the entirety of Elsir Vale, perhaps even the world?

If allowed to break free of her hellish prison, Tiamat will most certainly unleash her unbridled and apocalyptic fury.

Vaxfar takes a final strike at what remains of the planar gate moments before the rush of fire, ice, poison, acid, and lightning bursts through the threshold. The elf's magic sword connects solidly with a sinuous strand of sigils and causes a massive tear in the weave. Arcs of eldritch power race through the sword's blade, straight into Vaxfar's hand and then, propelling further through the elf's body. For a brief moment, the sigils completely surround Vaxfar, taking on the form of a swiling vortex of arcane power.

Then, a deafening roar of sound rushes over the adventurers as the gate implodes, binding within it a confusing psyschedelia of elemental plasma. Then a flash of light, followed by utter darkness...

***

Far away, in his impenetrable fastness deep within the rolling foothills west of the Wyrmsmoke Mountains, the High Warlord, Azarr Kul watches these events through a scrying pool. Eager to see his hard work, disciple, and utter devotion to this destined outcome realized, his face is awash in extreme satisfaction and accomplishment. Moments from now, Tiamat will come and then, with her, he will take the rightful mantle of dominion over the weaker races. Elsir Vale, and beyond, will be his.

The scrying pool becomes jumbled as he watches these new developments with growing horror.

"It cannot be!" he cries out loud.

The planar gate implodes, and with it, his ultimate scheme to call forth Tiamat.

Welling anger and despair bursts forth from the hobgoblin general. His plans, hopes, and dreams now adrift, lost.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" he shouts while falling to his knees at the foot of the scrying pool.


***

Minutes, hours, perhaps even days later, the adventurers regain consciousness in a blasted field that only vaguely resembles the land they once defended. The shards of war-torn buildings rise up from ashes, ruin, and the stench of death.

Completely covered in soot and dried blood, the adventurers look upon this bleak landscape. It takes a few moments to do, but after a time, they spot each other lying in a similar state nearby. Among the survivors, they also see several soldiers, likewise regaining consciousness. Tired, weary, and parched with thirst, the party awakens.

Glancing around, their vision eventually falls upon the Cathedral atop the hill. Though it is badly damaged, several towers still remain and rise in defiance of what has transpired at Brindol. As the sun rises, her rays shine through the massive stained glass window, washing the battlefield in a riot of early morning color.

Dawn has come to Brindol and Elsir Vale, hope against hope, the heroes victorious against the Red Hand!
Eoni Daflin
Player, 930 posts
Sister of Avandra
AC: 8 | HP: 20/28
Sat 31 Aug 2019
at 02:16
  • msg #278

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Crawling to her feet, coughing up dust and ash, Eoni fumbled around for her staff before searching for those she could help with it.

"Sarah, Valthur?"
she called.  "Taerix, Vaxfar, where are you?"
Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 809 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 1/33
Sat 31 Aug 2019
at 05:35
  • msg #279

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Eoni Daflin:
"Sarah, Valthur?" she called.  "Taerix, Vaxfar, where are you?"

"I am here, Eoni," Valthur gasps between coughs. "Not sure how I am still here, but I am here."

The dwarf tries to stand up, but cannot. For now, he is satisfied to bask in the sunlight.
Sarah
Player, 674 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Mon 2 Sep 2019
at 13:34
  • msg #280

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Sarah rolls over, and slowly sits up.  She looks around with uncomprehending eyes, not seeming to take in the scene before her.
Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 810 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 1/33
Tue 3 Sep 2019
at 01:50
  • msg #281

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Sarah:
Sarah rolls over, and slowly sits up.  She looks around with uncomprehending eyes, not seeming to take in the scene before her.

Seeing Sarah silently take in the scene around her, Valthur chuckles. "You've finally got your wish, Missy," he calls across the rubble between them. "It's finally over."

He expels an enormous sigh of relief, followed by a chuckle, followed by a fit of coughs that roll him over to his side.

"Moradin's beard, do I feel like crap!"
Kane Taerix
Player, 333 posts
Halfling Myrmidon
AC 1 (-1) HP 16/24
Tue 3 Sep 2019
at 02:48
  • msg #282

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

"Over here, Eoni." The halfling pushes himself to his feet, emerging from a depression in the ground, and looks up at the cathedral.

"How about that...."


Taerix turns and slowly walks toward the others, as if forcing his legs to take each and every step by will alone.
Vaxfar
Player, 61 posts
Tue 3 Sep 2019
at 22:02
  • msg #283

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Hearing Eoni's voice took Vaxfar out of the thoughts in his head that seemed a dream.  He had wanted to make a name for himself, but had never imagined the depth of the danger of facing giants, a dragon, a Wyrmlord and a 5 headed dragon. He had been pumped up by the thought of contributing to the victory against the giants outside the gates and it all seemed so easy.  Yet that quickly faded from a dream into a nightmare of the near death experience.  Yes, he had bravado in his taunts of the Wyrmlord but that was all that was getting him through the battle knowing he was on the verge of being destroyed.  As he heard the High Warlord scream it really did seem a dream for he couldn't have survived the dragon's fire and acid, could he?  Yet, Eoni's voice brought him back even though he was still in disbelief.

"I'm here" he replied.  "Sellyria Starsinger was certainly watching over us, but I am grateful to be a part of such a brave and valiant group.  My friend, he says to Valthur, after what we have been through together, I have only respect for you and your race."

He sat up still wondering how he survived and amazed at the acceptance he had received from a group he had only recently met.
Valthur Ironhelm
Player, 811 posts
Dwarf 6
AC: 4 | HP: 1/33
Wed 4 Sep 2019
at 03:42
  • msg #284

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

Vaxfar:
"I'm here" he replied.  "Sellyria Starsinger was certainly watching over us, but I am grateful to be a part of such a brave and valiant group.  My friend, he says to Valthur, after what we have been through together, I have only respect for you and your race."

He sat up still wondering how he survived and amazed at the acceptance he had received from a group he had only recently met.

Vaxfar's kind words are enough to bring Valthur to his feet, albeit with a struggle. "It isn't easy for me to say anything good about elves, Vaxfar, but I thank Moradin that you were willing to join us, especially when others were deserting us. Without your help, I don't think we would've prevailed. You are a credit to elvenkind and a Trailblazer through and through!"

Sarah
Player, 675 posts
Thief
AC: 4 | HP: 21/21
Wed 4 Sep 2019
at 19:48
  • msg #285

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

"I want to leave.  But there's really no place to go now, is there?"
DM Pawn
GM, 1108 posts
Wed 4 Sep 2019
at 20:34
  • msg #286

Re: Chapter 16: The Battle of Brindol

The party regroups along the slopes of the citadel and takes stock of the aftermath of the Battle of Brindol. Scanning their immediate surroundings, the formerly lush green grass and gardens that spread out across the hill are now trampled and little more than a muddy quagmire. Moreover, the battlefield is strewn with bodies, friend and foe intermixed in heaps of carnage and abject brutality. Plumes of smoke rise from all quarters of the city, a visible reminder of the hellish battle that transpired over the past 8 or so hours.

Captain Jarmaath picks his way through the debris to come alongside the adventurers. Like the rest of the scattered survivors now emerging from the shock of battle, he is decorated with an assortment of soaked-through bandages, but is moving along quite well all things considered.

"A credit to your people," he says. "We were lucky to have you fighting on our side. My thanks." Then, he drifts off to assess the state of his soldiers. He is soon joined by a contingent of acolytes in blood-stained robes as they work their way through the battlefield looking for survivors.

Scouts begin reporting the hobgoblin horde appears to have been turned aside. Several bands of hobgoblins were spotted fleeing away from the city, breaking up into small warbands that scatter into the surrounding countryside. Lord Jarmaath seizes upon this information and begins organizing Lion Guard detachments to hunt down and slay the monsters. As it turns out, skrimishes break out here and there over the next several days, but none of these engagements prove to be too problematic for the remnants of Brindol's army to manage.

Lord Jarmaath, recovering from his wounds, invites the adventurers and other key members of the Defense Council to a great victory celebration the day after the Battle of Brindol. This day of celebration begins with a rousing speech by Lord Jarmaath in Cathedral Square, where he publicly thanks the adventureers.

"Were it not for these brave souls, victory may have eluded us. Armed with might and magic divine and arcane, the singularly distinctive actions of Sister Eoni Daflin, Taerix the Halfling, Sarah the Rogue, Valthur Ironhelm, and Vaxfar the Elf Swordmage reflect great credit upon themselves and the people of Elsir Vale!" he says.

This is met with a rousing round of applause and cheers from all present. Then, Lord Jarmaath bestows upon each a token of his appreciation, The Benevolent Medallion of the Lion, a golden medallion etched with a lion's head in profile and the highest military honor to be awarded for valorous actions in combat and defense of the city.

He reverently places a medallion onto the party members and pronounces each, hereafter accorded all privileges and benefits of this elite order. Along with this pronouncement, hereafter each are counted among Brindol's nobility and accordingly, addresses as Sir or Dame, as apporopriate.

Much celebration ensues, though the festivities are somewhat tainted by the tremendous loss and destruction that occurred across the vale. In any event, as the sun sets over the western horizon, the promise a new dawn and new opportunities await.

Forever more, the adventurers heroic actions in the War of Elsir Vale and the Battle of Brindol will be told and retold through the ages.

Long live the Heroes of Elsir Vale!

Hear here!
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