Auriel and Shahara charged into the thick of the fighting, thundering hooves and flashing blade carving a wide swath through the enemy that was quickly filled by Choso's infantry. Enemy arrows clattered harmlessly off his armor, and what few attacks did find purchase through his armor were turned by the Celestial's uncannily resilient skin. The chaotic ebb and flow of battle drove him through the gatehouse plaza, where he rejoined General Reeve and his guard.

"I trust your men have it from here, General?" he called out over the clash of steel and cries of wounded men. Receiving a nod in reply, he and Shahara wheeled around to face the city center. Gritting his teeth against the waves of pain emanating from the injured and dying, the two began to make a bloody, inexorable advance towards the Iron Cathedral dominating the city skyline.

Hovering ten feet or so near the archers, Maeve lets loose another fury of blows, sending archers E, F, and G to meet their makers, and (possibly) adding more damage to the sergeant.

[Attack: 37]
[Damage: 21]

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 484):

Keef continues to hold the room.

In reply to Keef (msg # 485):

Team Aerial Strike

Maeve continues to gut the archers, and even manages to land a glancing blow upon the sergeant. He glares at her and orders another volley.

"Set! Serve!"

[Attack (Maeve) x 5: 25,15,22,26,21]

Two find their mark, adding to her collection of wounds.

[Damage (Maeve): 11]

The cleric touches Maeve on the shoulder and gives it a warm squeeze. A flicker of light accompanies the gesture, which extends to the griffin as well.

[Casting: Bless (cleric, griffin, Maeve)]

The sergeant drinks another potion, and his body ripples with energy.



OOC: Everyone else is still taking a breather while we wait for Maeve's timeline to catch up. Thanks for your patience!

"You can't keep that up forever!" Maeve calls to the sergeant, as she further rids the wall of archers H, I , and J before dealing the sergeant a devastating blow.

[Attack: 44]
Confirm crit= yep

[Damage: 52]

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 487):

The sergeant's head rolls from his shoulders, a surprised gasp barely escaping his lips in the process, and the remaining archers scatter, leaving Maeve free to survey the battle. She spies Auriel's painfully conspicuous steed among the rest of the cavalry as they spill into the city -- the entire world is filled with chaos, but Maeve is pretty sure she could reach him without much effort from the air.

~~ End Combat ~~
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:29, Wed 30 Sept 2015.

In reply to DM (msg # 488):

Team Infiltration

Keef continues to hold the gatehouse, which 'til now has proven uneventful. That changes when the doors on both sides begin to quake, and the boy hears shouts of "open up!"

In reply to DM (msg # 489):

Keef, now back in human form, backs against a far wall and hides in the poisonous mists.

[Private to DM: /OOC:  Prep Wall of Fire around the wheel if and only if they get through the doors and aren't chased off/killed by the poison.]

In reply to Keef (msg # 490):

Team Infiltration

The door shudders once, twice, three times before falling inward, after which a pair of Serpentsworn guards rush into the room.

They immediately regret this decision, clutching their throats and rubbing their eyes as the powerful cloud of gas renders them unable to breathe.

As the guards sink to their knees, Keef notices another group of soliders wearing Choso's livery barreling up the stairs to cross swords with a confused pair of Serpentsworn sentries who were hurrying down it.

After defeating these unfortunate guardsmen, they pause to peer into the inky interior of the guardhouse.

"Is there a 'Keef' in here?" the guard asks aloud, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "If so, I've got a message for you. Though it doesn't make much sense. I'm supposed to tell you that it's time to go to church."

Everyone Else

Boreas and Carnaue are standing in an alley waiting for Keef. Auriel is cutting through soldiers en route to the cathedral. Maeve can be seen mopping up archers on the parapet above the gate, though it's not clear what her intentions may be.

OOC: And we've caught up. Everyone is now in real time.

In reply to DM (msg # 491):

A shadow appears in the green sticky mist, which then part and puff out of the way as Keef emerges.

Lead the way, he says simply to the guard.

In reply to Keef (msg # 492):

The guard recoils briefly, startled, before regaining his composure.

"Of course, sir. Right this way."

He leaves three men defending the magic-filled room in order to lead Keef out of the tower and toward the nearest alleyway. Along the way, Keef can see the carnage of battle everyone.

Serpentsworn soldiers are engaged in pitched battle with Choso's finest, which was to be expected, but he also notes the city's civilian populace doing its best to assist their defenders. Craftsmen, artisans, and other noncombatants armed with sticks, shovels, hammers, and stones are harrying the Tyrant's forces, and are being cut down where they stand in greater numbers than one might have hoped. Many flee down the streets moments after engaging in combat, apparently thinking better of their actions after seeing the repercussions awaiting them.

"War is hell, men," General Reeves can be heard rallying his troops. "Accept surrender, but do not expect it. Secure this gate at all costs!"

The guard leaves Keef with Boreas and Carnaue, then returns to his post at the gatehouse.

"Your conspicuous friend is already heading toward the cathedral," Carnaue says silkily, jerking his head in Auriel's direction. "Shall we follow him, or make other plans?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:35, Thu 01 Oct 2015.

In reply to DM (msg # 493):

I go to liberate the cathedral for Ka, Keef replies simply, his voice filled with weariness.

In reply to Keef (msg # 494):

Team Infiltration

Assuming Boreas is in agreement, Carnaue likewise nods.

"Then let's get you there."

The trio dart off, making much better time toward the cathedral than their celestial ally by avoiding the main streets and thoroughfares -- places Auriel is forced to contend with due to the bulk of his armor and his trusty steed.

Soon, they find themselves crouching on the last rooftop before the cathedral proper, which is situated on an island of pavement such that it seems almost like a separate city all to itself. It even has walls, though they look largely ornamental.

A low marble wall boxes in the structure, with a single iron gate facing to the south. The gate can be seen from the trio's vantage point, about 100 feet away. It is closed, but it looks like it was built for esthetics, not for war.

The sky above the cathedral is black with smoke from the fires that still rage in the northwestern quadrant of the city, and very loud bellowing can be heard to the north.

"It seems the giants have reached the northern gates," Carnaue says quietly. "Let us hope this quickly becomes a rout. I do not want to be fighting a guerrilla war for Nekria when the Serpentsworn army eventually returns from Imbraer."

He glances at the cathedral again.

"But that's neither here nor there. Who else are we expecting? Shall we wait for them, or proceed with just the three of us?"

Carnaue raps his fingers against the rooftop idly, awaiting a response.

Team Celestial

Auriel and Shahara make their way through the streets as best they can, but the further he gets from the main gate, the more acutely aware he becomes of the fact that he is the aggressor in this situation.

The commoners in the buildings around him have shut their doors, but have no qualms about emptying their chamberpots and hurling moldy bread and broken furniture at him from the higher apartments lining the streets.

His way is eventually blocked by a makeshift barricade made from old carts and garbage, manned by what appear to be a combination of schoolkids and older men.

"Get outta here," one of them calls, hurling an empty cask in Auriel's direction.

There is nowhere to go but back the way you came, or through the barricade.

Team Griffin

Maeve can clearly see Auriel plodding toward the cathedral from her perch atop the walls -- though it is becoming an increasingly chaotic place to be. Archers and soldiers are engaged in combat with one another as the Tyrant's forces flow up onto the parapets in an attempt to take the walls.

"Where are we needed, my lady?" the cleric asks, clearly unsure of what to do. She jerks her head and puts a hand to her mouth. "I'm sorry, my l- Major. I meant no offense."

Maeve watches as Boreas, Carnaue, and Keef scurry across the city's rooftops with amusement, and also notices when Auriel's plodding advance comes to a halt about halfway to his destination. She sees General Reeves plowing through startled defenders, though they have begun to collect their bearings.

She sees the fires raging to the northwest, and can make out masses of giants bearing down to the north. She can see the Tyrant's forces continuing to file through the still-open gate, with Lord Choso's own banner fast approaching the front -- Rachel and Sir Culley are surely with him.

The Matron's forces seem to have split, with half filing to the north and half filing to the south. Providing the Tyrant gains control of both gates, that seems to her like a prudent maneuver.

Overall, things are not looking good for the Serpentsworn... though the battle is young, and there are many soldiers still fighting under Nekria's banner.

And throughout it all, the dread cathedral's booming bells chime on.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:43, Fri 02 Oct 2015.

Shahara slowed to a halt about a hundred feet from the eight-foot barricade, and Auriel looked around to examine his options. With the conjured windstorm flying above the rooftops was out of the question, as besides, he wasn't about to abandon Shahara. The barricade was across the major avenue leading towards the Iron Cathedral. If there were other routes forward, he'd lose precious time looking for them, and there was no telling that they weren't also likewise barricaded.

The best chance of ending the siege before the city and its populace was utterly decimated was to gain the Iron Cathedral as soon as possible. Even if he had to spill blood to do it.

He kicked himself upward, his wings throwing aside his cloak as he alit on top of the barricade.

"I've no wish to harm you, but I will pass," he said, Dawn held at ready by his side. "The army is coming, and you will be overrun. I promise you they won't stop to offer this warning: save yourselves and make for the outskirts away from the gates. But try to delay me and you'll meet the same fate as Kazul's pet dragon."

Auriel narrowed his amber eyes dangerously, and Dawn grew brighter as he chanted a war hymn.

"O the Dragon's balls were blazing as I stepped into his cave,
And I sliced his fucking cockles
With my long and shiny blade!

'Twas I who fucked the Dragon,
Fuck-a-lize, sing fuck-a-loo!

And if you try to fuck with me
Then I shall fuck you too!!!"

In reply to Auriel (msg # 496):

Team Barricade

"Oh, the army's comin', all right," one of the defenders shouts at the paladin. "The Serpentsworn Army. And when they see what you've done to the city and its people, there will be Hell to pay."

A rock pings off Auriel's armor.

"We're already dead, right? And so're you. This whole city's filled with the dead. It's just that nobody's realized it yet."

Another rock pings off Auriel's armor.

"So we're holding this road. You want through, you gotta come through us. I'm not gonna die scurrying from gate to gate waiting for someone to end me. Our lives. Our city. Our homes. Our road. Our terms."

A third rock smacks into Auriel's armor.

"So bring it, dragonslayer. Let's see if prettyboys bleed."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:06, Mon 05 Oct 2015.

In reply to DM (msg # 497):

Keef responds by pointing at a window on the cathedral and squinting to aim.

A red bolt zips from his finger and shatters the window.

He then forms his fingers into a cup and points them at the now-open window.

[Private to DM: /OOC:  that was magic missile to break the glass.  The next move is a fireball to go through the window and explode but you said you wanted time to stop me...]

"Hmm.  Let's set up camp. . . . there." Maeve points to where Auriel's forces have become somewhat bogged down.  Whatever else Auriel's tauter might have to say is drowned out by a fearsome griffon screech.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 499):

Team Barricade

The arrival of a fearsome griffin, a battleclad warrior, and a resolute-looking cleric has the intended consequence, and a series of squeals is followed by hastily thrown objects, which pelt the buildings around the barricade with little effect.

Among the various raised voices, you can hear several people berating someone else about how a barricade is supposed to help against FLYING enemies.

In reply to DM (msg # 500):

Team Cathedral

"What are you doing?!" Carnaue hisses, grabbing Keef and Boreas and hurling all three flat against the rooftop.

Nothing else happens for a few moments, and the trio slowly rise back to their previous position.

"If you want to hurl spells, do it on another rooftop. You'll give away our position! Those red beams of yours can be traced from miles, especially when they're traveling hundreds of feet. And unless you have sufficient magic to level that building from here, without ever setting foot within the grounds, we should probably try to get INSIDE the cathedral first."

He smiles slightly.

"It's always easiest to gut a place from within. But we can't GET inside if you raise the grounds to high alert beforehand. Does that make sense?"

[Private to Keef: OOC: You're welcome to ignore him, of course. But that's his shot at sanity :P]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:33, Mon 05 Oct 2015.

In reply to DM (msg # 501):

(Autofollow)

Auriel brightens when he sees Maeve swoop down, and uses the distraction to leap from his high horse... literally.

Until next time, Shahara. Stay safe!

The warhorse shimmers and vanishes with a snort and a whinny. Before he begins his descent, however, Auriel shrugs out of his cloak and unfurls his enviable plumage. With three swift flaps, he is hovering near Maeve.

"You're through!" he smiles handsomely. "Did you happen to see where the other-"

A bolt of red energy flickers past his viewpoint, lancing from a nearby rooftop to the cathedral proper.

"Keef."

He sighs and shakes his head.

"Nevermind. Let's go."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:52, Mon 05 Oct 2015.

In reply to Auriel (msg # 502):

As Auriel flies off toward the rooftop, the cleric behind Maeve clears her throat.

"Pardons, Major, but... what's a Keef?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:51, Mon 05 Oct 2015.

In reply to DM (msg # 503):

Keef stands up and brushes himself off.  He glares at Carnaue, a steely resolve in his eyes that Chubbs, also staring down Carnaue from a few feet off, matches.

It's Ka's now, I'm getting the servants of the enemy out.

Without looking, Keef hurls a tiny dot of light at the cathedral.

It sails across the gap and into the broken window.

A half second later a raging gout of flame erupts through the window and shakes the level.

[Private to DM: /OOC:  Fireball]

Keef nods.  As you said, they'll know where we are.  We should move if we don't want them to find us.

Chubbs leads the way down from the roof.

"A Keef is something that's probably causing more trouble than it's worth right now.  Let's find out!"

Boreas nods to Keef.  That's where I come in.

[Casting Walk Unseen]
[Casting Fey Step]

He fades from view, then teleports back and forth, bringing Keef and then Carnaue to whatever destination they desire.

Let's finish Kazul for good.

In reply to Keef (msg # 504):

Smoke and fire pour forth from the afflicted window, and a cry goes up from various areas within the cathedral. The gonging of the bell doubles its cadence in response, and a handful of cowled figures rush from the cathedral's front door. They do not appear panicked so much as wary, and small knots begin to patrol the courtyard between the gate and the building.

Keef and Boreas reach the ground without incident -- not long before Maeve and Auriel arrive. All four now stand about 200 feet from the looming Serpentsworn Cathedral. Carnaue lurks nearby, but he hasn't spoken since Keef's fiery demonstration, and he looks more than a little annoyed.

Ding! Boreas, Lyriel, Maeve, Keef, and Zuriel have reached Level 15!  Please update your sheets accordingly.

~~ End Chapter 14~~