Addaru slips into the Way of the Guardian pose, prepared to attack anyone or any thing that may turn and attempt to melee with them.

Held action versus attack.

The strange creatures attempt to claw at the Seanchan but their claws strike the hardened air while the Seanchan find it likewise difficult to impale their foes, the blades striking against the invisible barrier.

One of them glares toward you, his partially shaved head bleeding freely from a nasty gash but he keeps his eyes on the creatures.

End of Round 1. Begin Round 2.

Raiel jumped out of initiative order but I will apply it now.

Raiel steps over clasping her sister's hand and quickly weaves the fireball sending it against the strange creatures.  It bursts causing blasting heat and light to cascade out.

Only three of the strange foes remain standing, nine others are smoking corpses.

The stench of burned yet somehow wet flesh permeates the air.

IGA: Taren you are up in the round now for initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:03, Mon 03 Jan 2011.

I think releasing a weave is a free action. If so, Marissa yells, "Finish them," seeing only three injured enemy left she releases her wall of hardened air, letting the Seanchan finish off the current foes and take any of the damage they might deal out before they die.

[Private to The Dark One (GM):
12:32, Today: Secret Roll: Taren Gildar rolled 25 using 1d20+15. shot 1
12:32, Today: Secret Roll: Taren Gildar rolled 29 using 1d20+10. Shot 2.
12:32, Today: Secret Roll: Taren Gildar rolled 6 using 1d20+5. shot 3.

15:36, Today: Secret Roll: Taren Gildar rolled 18,13,11,14 using 1d20+10,1d8+6,1d8+6,1d8+6. Crit Check, Reg Dam x2, poss crit dam.]

Taren quickly takes aim and lets loose another volley of arrows at the shadow spawn. His first two shots were on the mark but in his haste to end the fight quickly, he snaps his bow string on the third shot.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:38, Wed 05 Jan 2011.

Taren's first arrow takes one of the strange "trollocs" in the back of the neck, shattering its spine and it drops like a flopping fish.  His second shot takes the largest remaining creature in the back of the skull piercing all the way through and out the other side.  The force of it shattering the arrow.  His third shot misses, skittering off the wall in a clatter.

Marissa drops her weave and shouts out...

Marissa, you are actually up in initiative now and can take regular actions.  Only one of the creatures remains.

Marissa holds her actions for the moment, until the final creature is taken out. She will move in to heal any of the solders on the verge of death if they don't turn to attack the group, or other attackers appear.

She will look around for other channelers getting closer.

Marissa watches and Asurii continues being involved in the linking and providing her own power to Raiel keeping her occupied.

IGA: Addaru is up.

Addaru strides over to the last creature and with very little effort bats aside any attempt by the twisted thing to defend itself and drives his blade through his chest.

[Private to GM: 20:13, Today: Addaru si Bashan Kellan rolled 36,18 using 1d20+25,1d10+11. Atk, Dmg.]

Marissa moves forward when Addaru finishes the last creature. She looks to the men in armor. "I can't tell the most injured under that armor."
She does looks for those who show the most blood or damage to their armor as likely needing healing the most.

The last creature is felled, its lungs if it had any have been cut to shreds as Addaru's blade pierces deeply into its chest severing the spine.  As Addaru plants a foot on its chest and pulls his blade out he is left facing the Seanchan, all are holding their weapons at the ready but seem to be waiting...

Addaru keeps his own blade ready, "Look we seek the recovery of a kidnapped companion.  She is near, I suspect down below.  Held by a Darkfriend bent on freeing the Dark One from his prison.

"I know nothing of the creatures that beset you but we have two options here.  We declare a truce and you allow us to pass without any attempt to collar those among us that use the Power or we fight and while you will weaken us and in our weakness we may not be able to stop this Dark Ritual but you will be vanquished and dead.

"It is your choice.  Death or Mercy.  Choose wisely or the Dark One wins and we condemn the World for he will have been freed before his time."

Taren puts his bow away since it is useless now and draws his sword and takes up position just two steps behind Addaru and 3 steps to his right. He remains quiet as he waits for their reply.

The Seanchan that is surrounded says something quietly, his accent heavy but the effect is immediate as the others part.  He flicks his blade clearing the blood and ichor before sheathing the blade.  The Heron mark is clear on the blade.

Stepping forward, he catches Addaru's eyes with his own gaze, locking them on him.  When he finally speaks, his accent is thick and it takes a moment for your mind's to decipher what he says.

"I would agree in this instance that we must set aside our blades for several reasons.  I am Utho AnMieraca, Son of the Twilight Dawn.  I am of the Blood and have been invested with the duty to guard a Seal.

"If not for that threat to the Seal, we would be crossing blades for those women are dangerous but there are more serious matters as that beam indicates.  The very fact that my soldiers lay dead around the camp and my damane and their sul'dam were killed before we even knew she was upon us.

"Your women are marath'damane but they may be the only thing that can stop the madwoman now.  My men and I will not accept anything from an unleashed one but I will accept a truce because of your aid.

"She is down there now and the Seal is breaking."

He sizes you all up and his gaze returns to Addaru.  "You have the strength of will of a commander and the bearing of a noble.  If you will vouchsafe for your marath'damane and swear your individual loyalty and service to me and by extension the Empire then I will accept they will not at this time require the A'dam."

A number of the Seanchan behind him hiss at this pronouncement but in a calm, commanding voice he speaks one word.  "Silence."

"Swear and my men and I will aid you, attacking the rest of her personal guard of those creatures but your marath'damane will need to stop the ritual if they are strong enough.  If you will not swear due to your aid, I will not hinder your passage but neither will I aid it and if you live I will let you leave unhindered as well.

"Choose warrior, time runs short."

Addaru could feel the outrafe through their bond, but also the cool calculation as she ran through the ramifications. Addaru would be a King in his own right and to swear loyalty to this Empire would make him a vassal of their Empress.

Marissa had little against the order Seanchan claimed to offer, except how they viewed those who channeled. She would never submit to such rediculous ideas of slavary. It was worse than slavery. Even slaves had families, children, time left to themselves when work was done.

Their aid here would be valuable. Then she smiled. They were bargaining for aid that was already their sworn duty.

"Husband," she soft to her husband, "is it honorable to try to bargain performing a duty that one has already sworn to do?"
She looked to Utho AnMieraca. "What would your empress say at you even thinking of refusing to do your duty to protect the seal you have stated you have been charged protect?"

"We swear to take no action that would harm you, even offering healing and other aid your damane can not, to help you protect this seal and stop this ritual. Our only requirement is that you not in any way hinder us and offer aid to the best of your ability."

Marissa's resolve was clear through their link. She had chosen to speak because the Seanchan needed to understand that channelers were to be as respected as any soldier. If she had to shame him into performing his sworn duty, then he should not have placed himself or them in that position.

The Seanchan noble turns his cool gaze upon Marissa, "You would do well to remember your place marath'damane and hold your tongue.

"I know all my duties well and one of them includes seeing all of you leashed or dead.  I will pay a penance for not doing so even with the threat of the Seal being broken.

"So if I ask a vow and a swearing for the sake of such as you.  That your leader be willing to answer for your actions and become an agent of the Empire in this matter so that you may remain free and yet held to answer so we may deal with this other threat then it be his choice whether he finds the price of his word and service worth it."

The Son of the Twilight Dawn turns his gaze back to Addaru.

[Private to Marissa: As he does so, Marissa sees an image form between the two, connected as one.  The Wolf lays at the feet of the Hawk obedient.  Claws join Talons, Beak joins Jaw and together they savage and push back the darkness.  Then the Wolf rises over the Hawk, the fowl answering to the canine.  Then another quickly forms as she can feel Addaru's temper begin to take hold...  Hawk and Wolf battling one another as darkness smothers all.]

Marissa urges calm through their link, knowing everyone loses if the two factions fight each other.

"I know my place well, oathbreaker. You would bargain with something you already have sworn. There is no honor in such bargaining."
"So, let me swear my oath. If you do your sworn duty and fight to defend the seal, we shall be victorious this day. If you do so, you have all of my power to aid you as I did with the shield that prevented those spawn from ripping you to shreds before they were incinerated."

"If you choose to break your oaths, as you speak of doing, then I also swear that if you hinder or attack any of my companions I will erase you from the pattern and see if your subcommander is any more honorable."

"Now, if you are not going to move forward and protect the seal, stay out of our way."
Marissa moves towards the ongoing battle. "Grab an a'dam. They may prove useful."
Marissa motions to the twins to move forward and scout. They knew enough to keep hold of saidar and not engage the enemy alone.

Marissa can feel Addaru calm through the link, his temper dissipating but she can also feel a resolve, a firmness, a decision that has been made.  He places a hand on her arm for a moment, urging her to hold with that very gesture.

Stepping forward, he places the point of his sword into the stone as he kneels, "I know my duty and my destiny and I will swear to you my individual service and loyalty insofar as it does not conflict with previously sworn oaths or duties.  My bonding as such does not beholden my friends, family, lands or troops to the Empire, only myself and wheresofar as there is a conflict my prior oaths take precedence.

"I will not swear and be used as a tool against my lands or loved ones but insofar as I am a weapon of the Empire against the Dark One's encroachment you have my bond, my fealty and my loyalty.

"This I swear."

Addaru says this looking the Noble straight in the eye and not averting his gaze.  "If that oath is not worthy enough then consider it withdrawn and I shall go with my wife and companions to deal with the dark fiends ourselves though it lessens our chances."

Several of the soldiers gasp when Addaru does not avert his gaze and while some hands go to their pommels, none move to intercede...

Addaru could feel Marissa's pride and approval at his wording. Except for very limited cases, such as this battle, it meant nothing. There were already oaths in place, and other exceptions that once home and fighting for his own family, people, and kingdom the oath would be cancelled.

Taren remains quiet as he watches the spectacle....he glares at the other seanchan soldiers as they grasp their pommels and steps up at Addaru's side, still 3' to his right but moves no closer as he eyes the guards and waits for now. All three of the ladies can feel his rage, hatred, and impatience boiling yet he is remarkably keeping himself in check and not showing it outwardly.

Asurii cautiously moves forward to place herself in front of Marissa and on her right.  She knew they could kill these men before them and that they were a threat especially to Marissa, her sister and herself.  But it came upon her that neither was she a warrior or a Wise One but a blending of both - The weapon whose blade was tempered by wisdom.

She remained prepared to strike but Asurii waited, recognizing that there may be a moment where the weapon was not needed and in turn conserved strength.  This land, their journey was changing her and her sister and she was not entirely sure what the final resolution would be but she knew they had their mission and they would see it through no matter the consequences.

Raiel followed her sister's example flanking Marissa on the left.  Either they would be forced to dance or they would shortly be allowed to pass.  Though letting them live would leave an enemy to be dealt with in the future.  A threat to every free woman that can channel.

The Seanchan Noble Utho frowns slightly, almost looking puzzled for a moment as if he is trying to work through what Addaru just said.  "I accept your vow."  Slowly drawing his blade, he lays the flat of it on Addaru's head.

"I raise you to the Low Blood.  You are now a servant of the Empire and a Guardian of the Seal under my command.  You will be responsible and answer for those in your party.  All the women and the manservant.

"We have not the time to instruct any of you in the proper etiquette of your station or what is required of you."

He sheathes his sword and offers his hand to Addaru to help him to his feet, "Nor will I stand on formality in this situation.  As one warrior to another, I give you my own vow to work with you and guard your back to protect the Seal below.

"If we survive what is to come then I will instruct you in what you will need to learn to function as a member of the Empire and of the Low Blood."

Addaru accepted being raised to whatever this Low Blood was with calm solemnness.  Nodding he accepted the proffered hand and rose to his feet.  "If we both survive we will finish this."

Turning he shielded his eyes as he looked toward the hole and the blazing garish green light.

"All of you will follow my lead and command.  We cannot afford any divisiveness.  Now how do we get down there?"

He begins to walk toward the hole.

"Stop!" Utho commands sharply.

"Get too close to the beam and it will incinerate you." He turns back toward the wall they had at their backs and presses a section of the wall.  A portion of the stone slides in and then swings inward showing a tunnel with a series of stone steps leading down.

"This will take us below..."

To be Continued! But herein ends this Section of the Prophecy.  Experience to follow.