Morteft says, "Yeah, let's go."

He casts magic missile with the staff at the Troll King to see if he has spell turning. If it comes back at him, he will absorb it with the staff.

If it hits him or fizzles due to magic resistance, he will then cast disintegrate at him and then a fireball at the approaching troops.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 5):

OOC: I think I may have confused things.  The troll army is about 400 yards away at the moment.  The king just flew forward for his little monologue, so the army still needs to get there.  Also the troll army is currently in the no magic zone.

We can do the magic missile by Morteft and Shorty.

Troll king to Shorty: "Eager aren't we, armies are meant to fight so battle will begin when they clash."

Morteft and Shorty are in the air to greet the king - you both are about 100' away from him.  Morteft fires a Magic Missile which does fizzle as it reaches the king as he suspected.

"I see we are all very eager" the King says  "I shall speed up my troops, be back soon."  He moves off at high speed.

As Morteft prepares his next spell he sees the troll army begin to fan out and what he sees does not amuse him.  It appears there are well over 300 trolls out there, probably at least twice that number.  He also notices one little detail, a lone robed troll hovering over the army.  A mage with a black mist hovering around it.  You recognize this mage from the battle of Calator.  He was almost invulnerable as the mist would seem to act like a shield.

OOC: you can still do the Disintegration if you want.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 6):

Something is probably going to happen before he flies back so we'll assume he is still hovering nearby; but close to leaving.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 7):

Shorty lowers himself as the king moves away and looks to Warwick.  "How strong fuzz face?  Me gots idea fer army.  Dis place be funny.  Might makes big mess."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 8):

"As strong as a giant, lad, when I use me axes power.  What do ye have in mind?" asks Warwick.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 9):

Shorty reaches behind his back and pulls out a large maul that was hooked on his belt.  It fits Shorty's hand rather well but it is quite large.  "Dits be Blue Guy Hammer.  It do lotta neat trick when fightin.  If'n hit ground hard wid hammer.  It make ground shake lots so people falls down.  Maybe wid funny magics... it make big shake em ups.  Maybe maybe?"

Shorty extends the maul to Warwick.  "No breakem hammer."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 10):

Morteft says, "An earthquake could affect our people as well and may have unknown consequences in this crater. It might be a great option, though, since we are going to likely lose against such a force. Luckily we have pretty good artillery from the mages with the distribution of wands and such. I think we are going to need to use my homonuculus on the mages protection instead of the Troll King. Warwick, maybe you and I should try to take the mage. Can you have Aztar place him above the evil mage? He will come in invisible and hit him with the rod of cancellation once I identify what is causing the protection with my true sight."

In reply to Morteft (msg # 11):

On to the show.

The items have been distributed the troll army is converging.  The have spread out enough where the can make a pincer maneuver by flanking both your sides.  The king, the mage you remember from the Battle of Calator and the fighter you just met are flying out ahead of the army - about 70' up. The trolls are now within 100' feet of you and continue forward.  The mage troll hangs back about 60' front the crater center, the fighter and king continue.  You also see about 5 trolls dressed different than the rest and about 6 ranks behind the front line.  They are heavily arm in black plate and carry a large two-handed sword.  They look to be about 1' taller than any troll around them and are aligned in a kind of V as if they guard something behind them.

At 30' from the center the king yells out, "It seems you want to stay and die.  Anytime you're ready small one, time to put on a show."

Any actions before all He** breaks loose?

--DM2

In reply to Morteft (msg # 11):

Warwick relays the message to Aztar from Morteft.  "And lad, ye better see if ye can raise Calator.  The force here is bigger than we thought and they got some additional tricks.  We're going to need help."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 10):

Warwick takes the hammer and puts it on his belt.  "Aye, lad, I'll use it if need be.  Ye still going to go after the mage?"

In reply to Morteft (msg # 11):

"I thought that Shorty was going after the mage and I'm to distract the king as long as I can."

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 12):

Shorty looks over at Warwick one more time and asks softly.  "Still wants me go gets Magic troll?  Me not knows ifn ken hits.  Me ken go 1 times."  Shorty begins to rise up towards the king and his son as he listens for Warwick's answer.

Shorty bellows at the King.  "Which one me kilts firstus or be so scairt take two to fights one little ogre?"

*I've witnessed the cloud before.  It acts like a sentient being.  I don't think the rod would affect it, but we can certainly try if you like.

I thought Calator had already been contacted and they'll come if they can.  I'll contact someone that may know though.*

In reply to Shorty (msg # 16):

"I don't know lad.  Whatever you go after, ye have to kill quickly."

In reply to Aztar (msg # 17):

"We got to try whatever we can.  We're facing more of a challenge than any of us expected.  And, if we're going to win, we need every advantage we can find."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 19):

Morteft says, "Maybe you should cause the earthquake. It could make a huge difference. Have Aztar warn our forces back...an organized retreat with the mages using all the firepower they can. Then we hit them with an earthquake. I think that seems like a decent plan."

In reply to Morteft (msg # 20):

Warwick glances at Morteft.  "Ye sure, lad?  Sounds a bit crazy to me.  But, I don't have any other ideas."

Warwick relays Morteft's plans to Aztar.  He then hangs his axe on his belt and grabs the hammer.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 21):

Morteft says, "A little crazy is all we have right now. I didn't think we would survive this with the numbers we had expected. Now, I think we have very little to lose. Let's do it."

He will fly toward the troll wizard and hope to see his protective shield come down once his homonoculus hits it.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 18):

Shorty sighs.  "Wish could jes snap neck ob magic troll.  Not tink work doh.  Sword not hit not tink ken break neck.  Only one me think ken kills quick be boy.  Dat maybe make kind mad nuf."

Shorty moves up into the air and positions himself in front of the army to block the king and his boy.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 23):

"Do what ye think is right, lad, but just make sure it isn't a one way trip."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 24):

Morteft flies toward the wizard. If the barrier comes down, he will hit him with disintegrate, polymorph other (hamster) and then a load of magic missiles if the others fail.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 25):

Shorty Keeps an eye on the magic duel

In reply to Shorty (msg # 26):

Warwick flies backwards towards the troops until he reaches their front lines.  "Morteft's telling me that ye should all retreat, now.  We'll try to delay them, but there's too many for the forces we got.  Leave behind what ye have to, but get all the troops moving, double time."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 27):

OOC: I'll send a couple of posts I think.

Warwick runs back to the first line of troops and tells them to get back.  They hesitate at first but as their captain nods the start marching back but keeping an eye on the advancing trolls.  As they go they tells others to do the same.  The main troll army seeing this doubles their pace and will soon cross into the magic area.  The 5 large trolls maintain their original pace and the others just rush around them.

The troll king says, loud enough to hear, "Krull, go fetch me that dwarf he may make some good post battle sport."  The troll next to him, Krull apparently, flies toward Warwick, sword drawn.

Almost at that same instant the troll king points and unleashes a large Fireball that almost doubles in size when it hits the magic zone of the crater.  Dozens of soldiers become engulfed in flame.  "I can do this all day" he exclaims looking at Shorty, Art and MegaVolt.

OOC: On to post 2.

--DM2

Aztar will opens portal as instructed to release the homunculus and at the same time cast a spell of Dualis's minions to start laying into the army from a safe distance above them hoping to lower their numbers some.

*I'm told we might have reinforcements but we need to hold on for awhile.*