Ye Olde Adventure Worlde session 6

Ye Olde Adventure Worlde session logs Previous Session 4 Next

Summary

The battle vs. the Maazikai and their allies. The trap works as planned, and Korivan opens the fighting by impaling the rebel Hrieffen standard bearer at great distance. Laris brings Saḫḫiru close to the goblin front lines to disrupt their demon summoning, and then duels the Ankai Hraal, who seemed to be looking for an excuse to surrender. Back at Nēšu Abamātu , May and Induriel have more of a chance to catch up, and Induriel's entourage report their assessment of the city so far.

Session

Session date: 2018-02-25

In Game date: one day after previous session

Korivan opens the battle as Kraaz draws the enemy into the trap

<YOAW_Narrator> Okay, Korivan, you are waiting in valley with the Hrieffen troops that aren't part of the raid/bait, as well as the infantry from House Lalu and your other allies.
<Korivan> (keen)
<YOAW_Narrator> The sun is still rising, and you can feel the anticipation of your people, both the living and, perceptible at the edge of perception even for the non-awakened, the dead.
<YOAW_Narrator> You're focused on your own magic, but you also sense the arrival of many small spirits, feeling their cloaking magic as hot breeze, giving a sort of heat-shimmer effect across your troops.
<YOAW_Narrator> (Apparently May did her job :p)
<May> ( :D )
<Korivan> (wooh!)
<YOAW_Narrator> After what seems like an eternity, you hear the familiar sound of rushing hoofbeats in the distance, and you spot the Hrieffen troops entering the small valley in which your trap has been laid.
<Korivan> (@_@)
<YOAW_Narrator> Not far behind them, you see former Hrieffen riders flanking them, looking like they're trying to corral Kraaz and his troops into the valley. Maazikai archers fill in the line behind them, stopping occasionally to take shots at your 'fleeing' tribesmen, along with Ankai warriors keeping a good pace.
<YOAW_Narrator> Kraaz is at the center of your riders, leading them in a rough wedge, putting distance between them and their pursuers now that it looks like they've committed.
<YOAW_Narrator> They ride past your line, forming up behind your infantry, though Kraaz reins up next to you at the front.
<YOAW_Narrator> You're fairly certain that, to the Maazikai and their allies, your numbers look pitifully small.
* Kraaz (webchat@199.38.187.9) has joined #gnomeland
* Orak (webchat@199.38.187.9) has joined #gnomeland
* Eryvet (webchat@199.38.187.9) has joined #gnomeland
<Kraaz> Good to see you, Kor. Looks like everything's going according to plan?
<Korivan> Yes... Everything is in place. They have come.
* Kraaz says after taking a drink from his waterskin, then pouring some over himself.
<Orak>
<In your head> The trap is laid.
<Eryvet>
<In your head> The die is cast.
* @Korivan nods
<Korivan> We are ready
<Kraaz> Ancestors bless and guide us, then. Let's make them proud, and let Bane sort the dead!
* @Korivan nods
<Korivan> They are with us.
<YOAW_Narrator> The Maazikai host forms up opposite your lines. It looks like they plan to make a charge with the former Hrieffen and then rush in with infantry.
<YOAW_Narrator> As they begin their charge, you hear a voice.
<Orak> Throw your spear.
<YOAW_Narrator> (They are clearly out of your range)
* @Korivan will do that anyway because.... I'm sure he knows what he is doing more than I do @_@
<YOAW_Narrator> You feel strength not your own guiding the throw.
<YOAW_Narrator> (I'm sort of imagining everyone else sees Orak kind of superimposed on you as you throw.)
<YOAW_Narrator> The spear streaks out, faster and farther than any living warrior in the tribe could manage, striking the former Hrieffen warbanner bearer in the chest, carrying them off their horse and toppling the banner from their grasp.
<YOAW_Narrator> A warcry goes up from your troops, with more voices than living soldiers, thundering through the valley.
<YOAW_Narrator> The former Hrieffen charge falters a moment, then recovers, as they are too committed to turn back now.
<YOAW_Narrator> The last coherent thing you remember seeing is Valax at the head of the former Hrieffen, clearly bearing down at you, another spear already in your hand as you set to meet him.

May scries on the battle from the city

* May is watching the battle unfold from a scrying pool in the library with the other mages.
<YOAW_Narrator> Okay, we can do some stuff with that, as you'd be getting more of bird's eye view.
<YOAW_Narrator> You see Korivan's throw, and the former Hrieffen charge. They crash on your troops like a wave, but the line holds. There's some shifting in the line of the Maazikai, but they also commit, moving in behind their allies. As they close, your archers spring the rest of the trap, raining death down upon them from the surrounding heights.
* May cheers!
<YOAW_Narrator> You can sense the swell of magic as the Maazikai summon some sort of bull demon thing (you can roll Knowledge if you really want to know), which seems to shield their leaders from the arrow storm for a moment. You don't quite catch what happens, but you clearly see the moment their control slips and the demon turns on its summoners.
<May> Haaaa! Amateurs!!!
<YOAW_Narrator> You see the Ankai screen a retreat by the Maazikai leadership, one of their champions killing the demon even as they are crushed by it.
<YOAW_Narrator> Their nobility is rendered moot, as you see the Katalal cavalry, held in reserve for the most part, rush to their pursuit.
<YOAW_Narrator> The battle is fairly quick and bloody, over well before midday.

Korivan and Kraaz face down Valex

<YOAW_Narrator> Korivan, you come back to yourself (as much as you ever are) facing down a bleeding Valax alongside Kraaz.
<YOAW_Narrator> Kraaz (or you) waved the rest of your troops away.
* Eryvet is now known as Valax
<Valax> Imperial pets!
<Valax> Lickspittles! Mongrels, waiting for scraps!
<Valax> Go on then. Finish your work of killing the Hrieffen.
<Korivan> You are not Hrieffen. You are nothing. As dead as Bael Turath.
<Kraaz> (Check)
<Korivan> (?)
* Valax spits at your feet.
<Kraaz> (I'd forgotten which window was which for a second)
* Kraaz closes with Valax.
<YOAW_Narrator> Both are tired from the battle, but Kraaz is younger, stronger, and filled with a sense of righteous vengeance.
* @Korivan will let Kraaz have this - he's Hraal, after all
<Korivan> (I dunno maybe I can buff him up a little though? I'm still not sure exactly how battle magic works atm)
* Valax strikes first, faster than one would think a man as wounded as he could, but Kraaz is quicker.
<YOAW_Narrator> The two trade blows for a few moments, Kraaz deflecting Valax's, Valax taking several more wounds, though he manages not to cry out.
<YOAW_Narrator> Finally, a turn of his shield and a quick strike by Kraaz sends Valax's spear flying.
<YOAW_Narrator> He tries for a shield rush, but the young Hraal throws him back, dashing him to the ground.
<Kraaz> Kraaz stops, his spear at Valax's throat, and glances at Korivan.
* @Korivan nods
<Korivan> Finish it
* Kraaz nods.
* Kraaz pulls his spear back and thrusts it forward, ending the wayward Hrieffen and his threat to your people.
* @Korivan will spit on his corpse
<YOAW_Narrator> A cheer goes up from your people, "Kraaz! Hraal! Kraaz! Hraal!", but Kraaz looks at you, beginning to chant himself, a different cry, simply, "Hrieffen! Hrieffen! Hrieffen!"
* @Korivan can take up that chant!
<YOAW_Narrator> It will take a while to sort out prisoners and wounded and such, but your battle is over. Halgalaz will bring you want and probably some form of food.
<YOAW_Narrator> (Korivan's gonna need five minutes and a sandwich :p)
<Korivan> (Yeah, at least ;p He's probably pretty spent on a number of levels)

May and Induriel catch up some after observing the victory

<YOAW_Narrator> Korivan, you come back to yourself (as much as you ever are) facing down a bleeding Valax alongside Kraaz.
<YOAW_Narrator> Kraaz (or you) waved the rest of your troops away.
* Eryvet is now known as Valax
<Valax> Imperial pets!
<Valax> Lickspittles! Mongrels, waiting for scraps!
<Valax> Go on then. Finish your work of killing the Hrieffen.
<Korivan> You are not Hrieffen. You are nothing. As dead as Bael Turath.
<Kraaz> (Check)
<Korivan> (?)
* Valax spits at your feet.
<Kraaz> (I'd forgotten which window was which for a second)
* Kraaz closes with Valax.
<YOAW_Narrator> Both are tired from the battle, but Kraaz is younger, stronger, and filled with a sense of righteous vengeance.
* @Korivan will let Kraaz have this - he's Hraal, after all
<Korivan> (I dunno maybe I can buff him up a little though? I'm still not sure exactly how battle magic works atm)
* Valax strikes first, faster than one would think a man as wounded as he could, but Kraaz is quicker.
<YOAW_Narrator> The two trade blows for a few moments, Kraaz deflecting Valax's, Valax taking several more wounds, though he manages not to cry out.
<YOAW_Narrator> Finally, a turn of his shield and a quick strike by Kraaz sends Valax's spear flying.
<YOAW_Narrator> He tries for a shield rush, but the young Hraal throws him back, dashing him to the ground.
<Kraaz> Kraaz stops, his spear at Valax's throat, and glances at Korivan.
* @Korivan nods
<Korivan> Finish it
* Kraaz nods.
* Kraaz pulls his spear back and thrusts it forward, ending the wayward Hrieffen and his threat to your people.
* @Korivan will spit on his corpse
<YOAW_Narrator> A cheer goes up from your people, "Kraaz! Hraal! Kraaz! Hraal!", but Kraaz looks at you, beginning to chant himself, a different cry, simply, "Hrieffen! Hrieffen! Hrieffen!"
* @Korivan can take up that chant!
<YOAW_Narrator> It will take a while to sort out prisoners and wounded and such, but your battle is over. Halgalaz will bring you want and probably some form of food.
<YOAW_Narrator> (Korivan's gonna need five minutes and a sandwich :p)
<Korivan> (Yeah, at least ;p He's probably pretty spent on a number of levels)

Korivan talks to Kraaz about what they want to get out of this fight for the Hrieffen

* @Korivan will probably do a fair amount of delegating to the rest of the Booyaghi who are maybe less drained (sorting out and accounting for the dead and such, preparing for necessary rituals, etc), but will make time to seek out Kraaz
<YOAW_Narrator> Cool cools
<Korivan> (I'll giev it some time, as he probably also has things that demand his immediate attention)
<YOAW_Narrator> (It's just Booyahg, btw. It's a collective noun. :p)
<Korivan> (my bad, I don't know where I picked up the i ;p)
<YOAW_Narrator> You can find him with his wounds being seen to by one of the booyahg and some apprentices.
* Kraaz is munching on a chicken leg as the stitch him up.
<Induriel> Heh. It's "Booyah!" with a 'g' at the end for 'goblin'!
<Induriel> (ww)
<Kraaz> Kor! Well met and well fought.
* @Korivan nods
<Kraaz> A battle to sing about, and add to the histories.
<Korivan> YOu as well, Kraaz
<Kraaz> That spear throw... @.@
<Kraaz> I don't think even I could have done that.
<Kraaz> Not that I won't try. ;)
<Korivan> That...was Orak
* Kraaz frowns for a moment and then laughs.
<Korivan> He lent me his strenght
<Kraaz> Seems my ancestor likes you, then.
<Kraaz> His aid was greatly appreciated.
<Korivan> Yes.
* @Korivan agrees, though after a slight frown at the initial laugh
<Korivan> He had questions... Things I have heard from the living as well
<Kraaz> Oh?
* Kraaz waves with his chicken leg for you to continue.
<Korivan> The last words of Valex-abar...
<Korivan> People don't understand that the empire is dead.
* Kraaz nods.
<Korivan> They see the city as.... more than it is
<Korivan> and fear that they can control us
* Kraaz looks concerned at that.
<Korivan> They need so see...what this alliance bring us
<Kraaz> Leave us
* Kraaz says to the healers.
<YOAW_Narrator> Halgalaz will glance at Korivan with a worried look, but move to go.
<YOAW_Narrator> (Sorry, meant to say earlier it was her. She was the booyahg there all along. :p)
<Korivan> (np ;p)
<Korivan> (enh, Korivan may not have actually realized :p)
<Kraaz> (heh)
<Kraaz> It is a symbol, I agree.
* @Korivan 's gaze does settle on her as she departs, though
<Kraaz> But I think it can be one we can use.
<Korivan> Yes
<Korivan> The city needs us
<Kraaz> And will only become more indebted.
<Kraaz> I'll hand it to him, Kadanu and his men fight well. But they're a few hundred, and they won't be getting reinforcements.
<Kraaz> But we will continue to grow, and we can add to our host.
<Korivan> They seek other alliances
* @Korivan points out
<Kraaz> The Osoro? Tiny traders with sticks.
<Korivan> The Katalal fight well enough..,
<Korivan> but they will keep reaching. It is their way.
<Kraaz> The Katalal don't even like Iaga. If we give them a chance, they'd be happier to fight with true warriors.
<Kraaz> But you are not wrong.
<Korivan> Have you decided....what we will take form this?
* @Korivan gestures vaguely at the carnage of the battle field, and then looks back at Kraaz
<Kraaz> Captives, lands...hopefully the Ankai, if they can see wisdom.
* @Korivan nods
* @Korivan thinks about that and sees if there are any useful insights
<Korivan> (from the voices.... possibly the ancestors are done with me for the day tho)
<YOAW_Narrator> They seems to be pretty quiet at the moment.
<Korivan> Perhaps...
* @Korivan will notice that you are half stitched up, and sit to at least finish that off
<Kraaz> What did you think we would get out of this?
* Kraaz doesn't seem fazed by bone needles and sinew going through his flesh.
<Korivan> The first step to healing the tribe...
<Korivan> was the death of Valaxabar anir'Myreth anir'Hrieffen...
* Kraaz spits.
<Kraaz> Good riddance to him.
* @Korivan nods
<Korivan> Now...
<Korivan> The tribe needs to see that we are ewquals, at least, to our allies
<Kraaz> Did you have something in mind?
* @Korivan frowns, thinking
<Korivan> Not yet
* Lan-phone (uid135102@id-135102.tooting.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
<Kraaz> Well, I'll think about that, then.
* @Korivan nods
<Kraaz> I think *our
* tribe knows we are their equal, but a show of strength is not a bad idea.
<Korivan> yes
<Korivan> It will be good... for the Ankai, as well, to see
<Kraaz> We will claim their Hraal, then I thought we would speak with their Gaath.
<Korivan> Yes...
<Kraaz> If they acknowledge our strength, they would make good allies.

Induriel consults with the members of his entourage

<YOAW_Narrator> I'm thinking you peeps are waiting for you when you get back to your quarters.
* Induriel is in the apartment assigned to his entourage, considering the day's events
* Kraaz is now known as Valtheriel
* Valax is now known as Malliel
* Orak is now known as Mifflepon
<Malliel> Any news on the battle?
* Induriel smiles
<Induriel> A convincing victory.
* Malliel smirks.
<Malliel> So not entirely useless, then.
<Valtheriel> And the summoning Heri Lalu wanted your help with?
<Induriel> I'm happy to say it played a key role in the victory; and I played a key part in making it happen.
<Valtheriel> Oh?
* Mifflepon will kind of putter around making sure everyone has drinks and snacks if they like.
<Induriel> Yes. The new Regent is grateful.
<Induriel> So I think we're off to a good start.
<Valtheriel> Excellent.
<Valtheriel> I thought tomorrow we might spend some time around the..city, see what we can find out?
<Induriel> Yes, that sounds like a good idea. There are going to be celebrations, wine will be flowing, and people should be speaking more freely.
<Induriel> It does seem that Mamitu Lalu has been doing a good job so far.
<Malliel> With what she has to work with.
<Valtheriel> Honestly, there's a lot of potential here.
<Induriel> Well, of course. She's one of MY students.
<Valtheriel> This is a convenient stop along eastern trade routes, and the tribals in the area offer plenty of opportunities for slaves to sell. We might even be able to establish trade back towards home.
<Induriel> Ah, you mean the city. Yes, that's certainly true.
<Induriel> Now that the enemy army has been defeated, the city should prosper even more.
<Induriel> What do we know about Laris Valerius Corvis?
<Valtheriel> I don't mean to disparage your student, my lord. I just haven't had the opportunity to evaluate her.
<Valtheriel> Thantopolitan nobility, obviously. Father a member of the senate, so fairly high ranking. Given this post as a temporary assignment ten years ago. He's done a remarkable job with so little support from home.
<Valtheriel> I get the impression they had other priorities.
<Induriel> The Thantopolitans had other priorities, you mean?
<Malliel> Laris Valerius Corvis? With the archers? I seem to recall hearing good things from some of the Thantopolitan military types, from that ambassadorial trip a few years back.
<Valtheriel> Yes. They wanted to hold this, but didn't put too many resources towards it. I think their western expansion taxed them.
<Induriel> And that is why Corvis is no longer in charge?
<Induriel> Mamitu said she didn't think he really wanted to be here.
<Valtheriel> Ah, no, that's a legal matter. The Thantopolitans never actually had claim to this land in their own right.
<Valtheriel> They had stewardship over it at the time of Bael Turath's destruction.
<Induriel> That wouldn't stop them if they had the power to back it up, though.
* Valtheriel shrugs.
<Induriel> I just can't help but wonder how he feels about it.
<Malliel> We'll, if it lets him get himself out of this backwater...
<Malliel> I know I'd jump at the chance.
<Malliel> (well*)
<Induriel> That's possible, and that's certainly the impression he seems to be giving off.
<Induriel> But what is he going back to? Less power, I imagine. And that may not sit kindly.
<Induriel> I look forward to meeting him for myself - maybe that will give me a better idea.