Thirteen 2 session 31
Summary
Hildie realizes her cousin is missing, and stops by the Guindashan estate to try and find a clue. She meets up with Skalla and Svald with Thekla's part and decides to stay and be part of the action. That night Svald and Lucas both have dramatic dreams - the former positive, the latter more alarming. Lucas 's spirit snake wakes with him, and Lucas decides to seek out Welumque for safety and advice. The next morning the assault on the fort begins, and Thekla's party picks off some officers and other targets from afar before moving on to another area of the battlefied as Svald lets loose the owlbear spirit to wreak havoc.
Session
- Session date: 2023-02-26
- In Game date: following in from the previous session
Hildie discovers her cousin is Absent and decides to track her down
<Narrator> Skalla and Svald are camping out with Thekla and the rest of her volunteers for the evening, right?
<Skalla> (yes)
<Narrator> Hildie, roll me a Notice check, please
<Hildie> 4d3-6
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-6
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 2 1 1 2 ] for a total of [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 0 ].
<Hildie> (Can I use Too Nosy for her Own Good to add +2?)
<Narrator> (Yeah, that would make sense)
<Narrator> I'll say then that you notice late in the evening that you haven't seen Skalla all day, despite everyone ostensibly staying close to home in the current troubles.
* Hildie will start asking around if anyone has seen her or knows where she is.
<Narrator> Roll me an Investigate check
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-6
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 3 1 2 3 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 3 ].
<Narrator> Asking around, the last anyone at the estate seems to have seen her was that afternoon, leaving with Svald.
<Hildie> (Do they know where she was headed?)
<Narrator> (I don't believe she told anybody, no)
* Hildie sighs.
<Hildie> Gods damnit, Skalla. I hope you know what you're doing.
<Narrator> (You do know she and Thekla had been coordinating support for the Black Guard, and the Gudinashand estate is only a few miles away.)
* Hildie will head there then.
<Narrator> The Gudinashand estate on Sisawinak (in contrast to their country estate Hokkule House where the gryphon hunt took place months ago) seems to be about as crowded as the Stormvallvag.
* Hildie will ask for Thekla or if anyone has seen Skalla
* Young_Dwarf (webchat@68-235-164-162.gvec.net) has joined #thirteen
<Narrator> As you make your way to the main house, you spot a young dwarf, maybe in his early teens, sitting on the broad porch, whittling what you think is supposed to be a bear.
<Young_Dwarf> Mamsel.
<Hildie> That's pretty good.
* Young_Dwarf nods politely to you.
* Hildie gestures to the carving
<Young_Dwarf> Thank you. I'm still learning.
<Narrator> (Roll me Contacts)
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-7
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 1 1 1 3 ] for a total of [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ -1 ].
<Hildie> (Oof)
<Hildie> (Can I use Family Matters because I'm looking for Skalla?)
<Narrator> (If you like, sure)
<Hildie> (+1 then)
<Narrator> (You recognize the kid as one of Thekla's younger brothers, though his name escapes you at the moment.)
<Hildie> I'm looking for my cousin and your sister. Do you happen to know where they are?
<Young_Dwarf> I'm sorry, but I have a lot of sisters. You'll have to be more specific.
<Hildie> Thekla. I think they might be together.
<Young_Dwarf> Oh.
* Young_Dwarf looks down at his carving.
<Young_Dwarf> She said I'm not supposed to tell anyone.
<Hildie> I understand. Promises are important. Especially to family. Right now I'm trying to find my cousin so I can help keep her safe, just like you would for your brothers and sisters, I'm sure. If you can't tell me, I understand, but I promise I won't tell anyone else where they are.
* Young_Dwarf considers.
<Young_Dwarf> Thekla's at Bäcksjön (small pond on the other side of Fastning Irena, about two miles from Alhusan al-Aswad). I wanted to go, too, but she said it was too dangerous.
* Hildie nods.
<Hildie> Thank you. She's concerned for you. That's what family does. Besides, I'm sure your family needs you here.
* Hildie reaches down and pulls her army issue knife from her boot and hands it to the kid.
<Hildie> Here. If you're gonna whittle, you should have something a bit better to learn with.
<Hildie> I owe you one.
* Young_Dwarf takes it from you reverently.
<Hildie> What's your name?
<Young_Dwarf> Thank you, ma'am.
<Young_Dwarf> It's Bo. What's yours?
* Young_Dwarf is now known as Bo
<Hildie> Hildie. It's been a pleasure meeting you, Bo.
<Bo> You too. Be careful, and tell my sister the same when you see her.
<Hildie> I will.
<Bo> If you don't mind.
* Hildie will nod to him and head off towards Bäcksjön.
<Narrator> Roll me Notice
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-6
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 3 2 3 3 ] for a total of [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 5 ].
Success! Hildie joins the camp in the woods
<Narrator> Though they've clearly made good effort to be inconspicuous, you spot the camp at Bäcksjön as you come upon it. There's at least a hundred dwarves camped out, all clearly armed. After a brief conversation, a lookout can direct you to Skalla (and presumably Svald as well).
<Hildie> You know, I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed.
* Skalla looks up from where she is sitting around a fire with some other folks
<Skalla> You here to join the party then?
<Hildie> That depends. Do you trust me enough to? You could have told me you were leaving.
<Skalla> You were busy.
* Skalla says warily
* Hildie sighs.
<Skalla> ...and I didn't ant to put you in a position you're not ready for yet
<Skalla> (want)
<Hildie> Skalla, I know we don't always agree, but you're family. I'm here for you. Literally. Have I ever given you reason to doubt that?
<Skalla> This is beyong just family, Hildie
<Skalla> (beyond, gah)
<Skalla> But if family is good enough for you - that's okay
<Hildie> I know. This is bigger than either of us. I don't know where it's going to end. But I trust you. You know what you're doing. All I ask is you trust me too.
<Skalla> I said okay
* Hildie nods.
<Hildie> So what's the plan, then?
* Skalla will kick over a log for her cousin to sit on
* Hildie will join them around the fire
<Skalla> id *you
* tell anyone where you were going?
<Skalla> And how did you find us?
* Svald is sitting quietly, not wanting to get too involved in family matters
<Hildie> You're not the only one with contacts.
<Hildie> No one knows.
<Hildie> No one who didn't already.
* Skalla nods
<Narrator> (Out of curiosity, are any of you going to try to get any sleep?)
<Skalla> The Emira's troops are planning an attack in the early morning. You should try and get some rest
<Hildie> What about you? When did you last sleep?
<Skalla> I'll sleep fine, Don
<Skalla> Don't worry about it
<Skalla> (tbh Skalla might have been in the middle of trying to find herslf a bedmate when Hildie showed up)
<Hildie> Alright. I'll try to grab a few hours. It's gonna be a long day tomorrow, I'm sure.
<Svald> (yeah... sleep is what happens at night >.>)
<Narrator> (heh)
Svald and Lucas have dramatic dreams - Lucas wakes and decides to go w=see Welumque
<Narrator> Svald and Lucas, can I get you both to roll Will, please?
<Lucas> (me?)
<Svald> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 2 3 2 1 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 4 ].
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-7
* Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 2 1 1 1 ] for a total of [ 5 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ -2 ].
<Narrator> Both of you dream of storms, perhaps inspired by the (for Svald none too) distant sound of cannon fire. Svald, you feel invigorated by the storm, and when it breaks just before you wake up, you witness a clear and bright dawn. Lucas, your dream turns darker, as the driving sheets of rain turn to a bitter hail of blood. Beneath the thunder is an echo of a rattle, and a flash of lightning reveal a pair of enormous, serpentine
<Narrator> eyes. You awake in a sweat, with that echo in your mind.
* Lucas is unsettled
* Snek will start when Lucas awakens so abruptly, and slither over onto his leg, looking up at him.
<Snek> You saw it, too?
<Lucas> Yes.
<Lucas> What does it mean?
<Snek> I don't know. Something big, I think.
* Lucas gets up and starts getting ready to go out
<Snek> Where are we going?
<Lucas> I want to go see Welumque, if I can. She might be too busy, I don't know. If she is, then maybe I can help out somewhere else.
<Snek> Off to the east?
<Lucas> maybe...
<Snek> I will help, whatever needs to be done.
<Lucas> Thank you. I just feel like I'll know where I need to be when I see it.
* Snek will go along however you normally transport him when you head out.
* Lucas tucks Snek in my coat pocket, probably
Thekla's party reinforces their plan and sets up to harry the Emira's forces, tring to target officers
<Narrator> Svald, you are presumably shaken awake about two hours before dawn, as Thekla's force readies to make their way to the battlefield.
* Bo is now known as Thekla
* Thekla will come over to check on you guys as things are getting under way.
<Thekla> Everyone ready? Last chance to bow out.
<Skalla> ready.
* Skalla says, rolling he shoulder as she finishes checking over her gear
<Svald> Ready.
<Skalla> you?
* Skalla looks to Thekla
<Skalla> (less questioning her, more like... chekcin in vibes)
<Thekla> As I'll ever be.
* Skalla nods
<Thekla> I'll admit, your point about the Emira's troops got to me a little, but...well, hopefully we can do this with as few casualties as necessary.
* Hildie checks her rifle and pistol and her spare ammo one more time.
<Thekla> We just need to disrupt their attack.
<Thekla> And at least we have a group suited to this hit and run fighting.
<Hildie> Speaking of, do you have a spare horse. I won't be much good at the running part, otherwise.
<Thekla> We can't really bring them along through the woods at night.
* Thekla looks apologetic.
<Hildie> I'll make do.
<Narrator> Can I get you all to make me Stealth checks, please?
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-8
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-8 ] getting [ 2 1 3 2 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -8 ] totals [ 0 ].
<Svald> !roll 4d3-6
* Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 2 3 2 1 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Skalla> (can I use my Comfortable Outdoorswoman?)
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-8
* Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-8 ] getting [ 3 1 3 1 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -8 ] totals [ 0 ].
<Skalla> (well its a 2 if I can)
<Narrator> (Sorry, yes, that makes sense, Heather)
<Skalla> (keen)
<Hildie> Unfortunately I don't think I have anything that would work :P
<Hildie> And also I only have 1 fate point left and we're going into battle
<Hildie> (Gah, sorry ww)
<Narrator> Hildie, you don't have the same comfort in the wilderness as skilled outdoorsfolk like Skalla and Svald, but you're able to soldier through. Thekla has you all starting off approaching the further west camps of the Emira's troops. You can manage to get within accurate range of one of your good hunting rifles, where answering fire won't have anywhere near the same accuracy.
* Hildie will try to find a good sniper spot in some high grass.
<Narrator> Roll me Notice (Svald, Skalla, and Hildie)
* Skalla is going to try and focus on officers, or shooting to disable rather than kill, if she can
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-6
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 2 1 2 1 ] for a total of [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 0 ].
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-3
* Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-3 ] getting [ 3 1 2 2 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -3 ] totals [ 5 ].
* Skalla will also tell Hildie
<Svald> !roll 4d3-5
* Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-5 ] getting [ 1 1 1 1 ] for a total of [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ -1 ].
<Narrator> You can all see the soldiers readied for battle, waiting in their ranks for the appointed time. They've got some good cover from the fort with some dug in positions, but they're much less protected from the direction you'll be firing from. Skalla, you spot several officers uniforms among their number, so you have some targets picked out already.
<Skalla> (keen)
<Narrator> Svald, you can feel the owlbear spirit wanting to rush into the fray, full of righteous fury.
<Svald> ...
<Narrator> Your nervous vigil is broken as a bugle sounds and drums rattle, and the emira's troops begin their assault.
<Narrator> (Hildie and Skalla, roll Fight. Svald, what are you doing?)
<Hildie> (Fight or shoot?)
<Narrator> (Sorry, Shoot, yes)
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 2 2 3 1 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 4 ].
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-5
* Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-5 ] getting [ 3 2 2 3 ] for a total of [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ 5 ].
* Svald is looking to Skalla... like... should I?
<Skalla> Let's see what we can do here first
* Skalla says, eyes on her sights, but catching Svald's uncrtainty in her peripheral vision
<Svald> (then I will try to use the old root snaring trick to snarl up their advance)
<Narrator> (Roll Will)
<Svald> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 1 3 2 1 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 3 ].
<Narrator> Skalla, you see the target of your first shot, a lieutenant-colonel if you read the uniform correctly, fall, even as you duck down to reload. Hildie, you manage to hit another officer, shots ringing around you. Svald, you're able to concentrate, despite the din and the spirit's insistence, and call forth roots which foul and stall the forward company's advance.
<Narrator> You all settle in for the moment, taking shots as fast as you can reload. Rear company of the regiment reverses and lines up to fire a volley in your direction, but it is hasty and inaccurate. You hear a grunt from someone being hit, but the response thus far isn't particularly effective.
The group decamps to the next target, but Svald lets the ownbear spirit take over and it also wreak's havoc with the Emira's defenses
* Thekla will make her way over to Skalla after you've all taken several shots.
<Skalla> time to move?
<Thekla> We need a few folks to stay here a little longer to keep them pinned, then I'd like to move south to try to foul them up there as well. We can't afford to stand still for too long, but I think we can do some more good.
<Hildie> I'll stay.
* Hildie says as she lines up another shot.
<Skalla> No - you shudl go, to make sure you can get out
<Skalla> *we
* should
* Hildie nods.
<Skalla> Svald? Do you want to go ahead?
<Skalla> Hildie and I can catch up
<Svald> Ahead ...?
<Svald> by myself? or..
* Skalla nods
* Svald hesitates for a split second, then nods.
<Skalla> just ty and remember who our targets are
<Skalla> (try)
<Svald> I will do my best
<Narrator> (Okay, just to clarify, who is doing what exactly?)
* Svald will slip into being a coyote to move ahead unseen before ... letting the spirit do what it does
<Svald> (but I *will
* try as much as I can to convey pls maim/kill officers only)
<Narrator> (Roll Will for me, please)
<Svald> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 1 3 3 2 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 5 ].
<Svald> (whew)
<Narrator> (Okay, so Skalla and Hildie are holding here for a moment still?)
* Hildie will follow Skalla's lead
* Skalla will start to back off if there's other folks who can hold on for the moment)
<Skalla> (Unless I misread there and Thekla was actually asking us to stay rather than just saying someone needs to >.>)
<Skalla> (gotta look ut for Hildie ;p)
<Narrator> (Yeah, she was just saying someone has to. Y'all can head with her if you like)
<Skalla> (yeah, we'll do that)
<Narrator> Svald, you get some distance from the other Vinmarker troops, then can let the owlbear spirit have freer rein. While the owlbear in your dreams is big, this avatar it forms with you is truly massive. It lets out a thunderous hoot-roar and charges the Khalijani line.
<Narrator> You distantly feel bullets hit you, but the spirit seems to pay them no mind and rushes into the fray, a lieutenant falling under your beak as you bat away several line soldiers.
<Hildie> ...Remind me not to piss them off...
<Narrator> You and the spirit wreak havoc among their lines, and you're able to keep enough control that it at least doesn't use its claws and beak on the enlisted troops.
* Thekla and the rest of your people stare for a moment in horrified fascination. A cheer goes up, and Thekla shouts to get you all moving to your next target.
<Narrator> Hildie and Skalla, roll me Physique.
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-5
* Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-5 ] getting [ 3 3 1 2 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ 4 ].
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-5
* Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-5 ] getting [ 1 3 1 1 ] for a total of [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Narrator> Skalla, you can hoof it alongside the rest no problem. Hildie, you struggle to keep up on your bad leg, but you manage not to fall particularly behind. The southern force has a company already at the walls of the fort, but you're able to get into a position to suppress their reserves.
<Narrator> Svald, before too long the unit with which you're engaged retreats north. Hildie and Skalla, the southern portion of the assault likewise seems to collapse as its officers fall and the line troops lose what motivation they had.
<Narrator> Much of the southern force just scatters, and the northern force heads east to link up with the larger eastern regiment. Hildie and Skalla, you can see that the eastern force is sounding the retreat as Thekla shouts to signal your own.
<Narrator> Svald, the spirit will continue to pursue and harass the retreating enemy until/unless you call it off.
<Svald> (I will try to pull it back when they're like... well away from the fort)
<Narrator> (Roll Will for me again, please)
<Svald> !roll 4d3-4
* Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 2 1 3 2 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 4 ].
<Narrator> The spirit is never easy to control, but you get the feeling that it feels a sense of accomplishment in defending "its" territory, and is okay stopping after they've retreated sufficiently towards the town and beach.
