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----------------------- Chapter 4: Drastic News ----------------------
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(Silver:)
Silver wanders upstairs away from the celebrations alone. Anyone
looking for her later may find she is not in her cot, nor anywhere to
be found in the Common's rooms.

This is of course because she will have been out hunting with Tuft for
most of the night.  She will have shape-changed into a female eagle
owl and explored the surroundings while enjoying the company of Tuft.

(DM:)
When you decide to go hunting as an owl, you fly around in the dark.
You spot some dubious looking animals, but suddenly your eyes fasten
on shapes moving in the woods.  Small humanoids are moving stealthily
towards the village. There seem to be HUNDREDS of them. You realize
from what you have been told, that such large warparties are
unprecedented, and you realize that the village is in trouble. You
scout some more, and to your horror, you see *large* animals move
through the forest on which virtual towers have been built, filled
with warriors. Large columns of men and women bearing wicked looking
weapons march among those beasts. You cannot make out their whispered
commands, and anyways, their language you know not. You rush back to
the village to warn them.

(DM:)
Silver is not at the Tavern. The rest of you are busy enjoying
yourselves.  Before you all decide to go to bed, an owl suddenly lands
amongst you and transforms into Silver. She seems distraught, and
brings you dire news....

(Silver:)
Silver arrives back breathlessly. 

She transforms back into her normal self from the form of an owl. She
would normally have done this out of sight of other people, since the
shapechange ability she uses is very personal, but this is no time for
such matters.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana rushes over to Silver to comfort her.  Putting an arm around
her she says with concern "What's the matter Silver?  Has something
happened?"

Tatiana concentrated for a moment as Silver collected herself.  *Tuft.
Tuft?  Tuft are you out there?  I need to know what happened with
Silver.*

(Keilan:)
When the owl/Silver enters, Keilan opens his eyes at the commotion and
crosses his arms waiting for some explanation.

(DM as Silver:)
Since Colin was out of touch for awhile, the DM spoke for Silver:

A little less distraught at the comfort offered by her friends, Silver
begins speaking.  Haltingly at first, gaining strength as she goes
along.

"I was flying over the forest, when I saw them. They are everywhere!
We are under attack!" When someone asks her urgently who 'they' are,
she continues: "The natives! A whole army of them. They come by the
hundreds!"

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana's mouth drops open at the exclamation.  Then looks down to her
scantily clad body.  Her eyes get big with worry.

"I want to go back to the Commons and get ready.  Anyone coming along?"

(DM as Silver:)
Silver continues "Some of the natives are riding huge monsters that
they converted into moving assault platforms. They will jump right
over the palisades! We have to warn everyone! We have to defend this
place!"

(Arlon:)
At the mention of the armored monsters, Arlon gets a gleam in his eye
and looks at Mendahl - thinking "our first exchange may be soon".

(DM:)
Mendahl, having recently returned to the Tavern, hears her loudly
spoken words, as do a whole lot of others around her. Most just begin
shouting and cursing, running away to get their weapons. Mendahl walks
up to Silver calmly, muttering some words under his breath.

Immediately Silver relaxes and seems less frightened. Mendahl speaks
to her in kind and simple words, making her describe what she saw in
detail.  You all feel a chill at the mention of what is arrayed at
your tenuous hold on civilization. Over a thousand natives, in an
organized army are on the way, maybe an hour away. Several hundred
scouts and ambush teams ring the village already. The monsters are NOT
elephants, but some huge scaled, dinosaur type monsters, from which
archers and warleaders and what appear to be shamen can do their
mischief in relative safety. Mendahl looks extremely worried.

By the time Silver finishes relating her story, Lord Talon Clasp and
Lord Kael are there too with a mottled group of guards. They come from
all the allied cities and countries, even the mercenaries under the
banners of the Iron Throne are present. About half the population of
the village is armed or arming themselves.

(Arlon:)
Turning to Mendahl, Arlon says "Master, I have possession of a magical
stone that may prove useful outside the walls - it has the ability to
send my enemies into a berserker rage and they will attack whatever is
nearest them - even their kin -, of course the drawback is at some
point it may be one of us."

If this sounds good to him - if I get to him - I will relay my full
plan when I receive confirmation - Arlon will also be willing to hear
suggestions from Mendahl also.

(DM:)
Meta: *grin* guess your little dagger throwing competition has to make
way for REAL action :).
 
(Kaeyar:)
At Silver's news, Kaeyar's mood seems to lift a bit.  "We shall see
action sooner than any of us expected, so it seems!"  A blood-thirsty
grin crossed his face.

"But we must make a plan quickly.  Stand and fight here, defending the
walls?  Flee to the south with our tales betwixt our legs?  Or
perhaps...  these owls" glancing at Tatiana and Silver "might enable
us to ambush some of those already near the city."

Kaeyar begins pacing. "From outside the walls, we could hide from the
main force of the army, striking by hit and run.  Then when the city
falls, we'd find it easier to get away."

(Kaeyar:)
In a low voice, he added "Yes, Arlon, I know you set great store in
Wyvernspur, but he is only one man; even a mage such as he cannot hope
to stand against an army of this size."

(Keilan):
Keilan calls out in a loud, disbelieving voice.  "NO!  It would be
suicide to attempt to harry a thousand natives in their own forest!
They may be primitive but if they survive there then there can be no
doubt they know every trick and trap to be laid.  I've led many a
raiding party in the trees at home, but if the town falls sooner or
later we fall.  How many of you really want to spend the rest of your
days wandering a hostile forest?"

Keilan now assumes a controlled tone and quick speech. For those
who're battle-tested it is the voice of an experienced commander.  "I
say we fight here.  Walls are a hundred times safer than trees in a
full scale attack.  We have among us several capable warriors
including myself.  As well as two or three capable of some significant
magical assistance, I hope (looking to Arlon and the other mages).
The enemy is probably unable to match us in this respect, otherwise
the city would have fallen long ago.  Add to that the defensive power
of the walls and our best chances lie with the city."

Reaching to his side Keilan's hand comes to rest on his knife and he
looks down at it.  "DAMN!  I need a sword.  If any of you carry a
longsword you can spare, I would greatly appreciate it.  Come, we must
retrieve our equipment from the Commons.  Gird yourselves for battle
immediately.  Our decisions will mean nothing if the enemy arrives
before we are at least capable of fighting!"

(Kaeyar:)
Kaeyar scowls at Keilan's speech, responding "very well then, we shall
stay here to get a closer view of the fires that will soon rage inside
the walls."

(Arlon:)
"Keilan is right, a fort can be like well-magicked plate armor. But my
magical talents may be better served elsewhere, perhaps even with
Silver as a scout."

(Keilan:)
With that Keilan slugs back the rest of his ale and begins walking
very briskly back to the Commons.  He will not discuss the matter any
further in the Tavern.  If someone accompanies him he will listen to
their comments.

(Tatiana:)
"I'm right behind you Keilan my friend.  We'll meet you back here at
the Tavern in less than 10 minutes."  She then takes off in a run,
stops quickly and hops around as she takes off the sandals.  "Damn
things are useless in a fight".  Then takes off again passing the
briskly walking Keilan.  "This isn't a drill buddy, put your butt in
gear there!" she said with enthusiasm.

(Kaeyar:)
He joins Keilan and Tatiana in a rush towards the Commons, telling
Keilan along the way "I rarely use my longsword these days; it is
yours if you would like."

(Dithion)
After Keilan's speech, Dithion says, "Aye, I agree, we must meet them
here.  We know this forest not.  I suggest we find out where the
battle will be thickest and go there.  We, together, have a vast
amount of skills at hand.  We will serve best at the front, even if we
fall we may be able to give enough time for all that cannot do battle
to reach the fort. (There is a fort on an island, yes?  That is what I
am referring to)"

Dithion then says, "This place must have made some big mistakes to
have an army marshaled against it."

Then he adds again, "Mayhaps we should find the lord of this place, or
some other leader and offer our help.  Silver alone could be
invaluable as a scout for them.  Knowing where the enemy is located
makes a huge difference."

(Falrun:)
Falrun turns to the party and says in a commanding tone, "I agree that
we should stay and fight here.  We have the benefit of many soldiers
at our backs and the aid of a powerful wizard.  We should speak with
Lord Wyvernspur, for he will know the defenses of this town better
than anyone and will know best where we are needed."  With that said
Falrun approaches Lord Wyvernspur and says, "My Lord, myself and
hopefully my companions, are at your service.  If you would please
tell us what assistance we may be, we will do our best to serve the
needs of the defense of this city."

(Dithion:)
Dithion smiles at Falrun's commanding agreement, and says to Lord
Wyvernspur, "I also have some military experience, Lord Wyvernspur.  I
held the rank of Sergeant in the Army of Savron, and have had
experience leading squads and platoons.  My companions and I, as
Falrun has said, are willing to help you in anyway possible.  I will
point out to you that we are a group of highly skilled people.  Among
us are warriors, mages, and priests.  Together we present a strong
force."

Dithion will say to the group, "Perhaps Silver could scout out the
forces, and give us an idea of where the main attack will be coming
from.  If she is willing to do that, then we can be where we are most
needed."

(DM as Silver:)
Silver explains that the main force, several organized columns
interspersed with the monsters, is coming in from the North. The
scouts have infested the entire area though.

Mendahl Wyvernspur is in deep discussion with Lord Talon Clasp, Lord
Kael and a newly arrived (NOT newly arrived as in rookie, but new on
the scene) Drow in black and silver mage-garb. The High-Priests that
came with you are also there.

(Shade:)
Shade stares intently at the other drow trying to figure out who he is
OOC: Are there any good drow communities or is he more likely to have
run away from the underworld? Do I know his family? I was a House
Prince, if he is (or has been) a VIP in drow society I ought to know
him.

(DM:)
From their conversations you pick out that the general plan of the
city militia is to fight at the palisades and inside the village.
There is NO talk of fleeing or retreat. If the foothold is lost, there
is no hope anymore here.  They greatly worry about the state of
affairs at Rhuleck's Farm. They do not seem overly worried at the
large numbers however and you remember from tales and history that
generally in organized fighting, casualties were in the order of one
settler per ten natives.  Even so, these are the first seemingly real
armed forces of the natives ever encountered or fought.....

(Falrun:)
Falrun will stay close to Mendahl Wyvernspur and try to hear where
they expect the weakest area to be.  If they have no concerns for a
weak point then he will try to learn where the heaviest fighting will
be.  Falrun also will try to find out if there is a special area that
free adventurers are expected to be or if they should all intermingle
with the rest of the defenses.

If he is noticed by Mendahl's group, he will then offer his and the
groups services.  If not, he will listen until it is time to go to the
defenses of the city.

(DM/Mendahl:)
Mendahl does hear you guys, and says:

"Your aid is much appreciated. The north wall will be where the enemy
will attack in force. We have help on the way though. I have called
for my steed.  She will be here shortly." As he says this, he points
towards a small speck over the sea. It approaches rapidly, and you
would swear that it is a dragon.  "I have also been able to get our
Priestly allies to summon aid."

You see a group of six spell casters assembled, Mendahl, the Drow, an
as yet unknown woman and the three priests that came with you on the
ship.

You have no clue what they are about to do, and they are guarded by a
double ring of heavily armed and armored guards....



(Some OOC Notes:)
OOC : (1) Kaeyar is *not* wise (chuckle)
          Neither is Tatiana.  She will take big risks!
          Shade is. He will try to stay alive.
      (2) Kaeyar is cynical (he expects the walls to be breached quite
          quickly, and the city to be sacked)
          Tatiana is optimistic in the extreme, and thinks just about
          anything will workout properly.
          Shade is fatalistic - what is bound to be will be.
      (3) Kaeyar is interested in saving his butt (although he's not
          selfish about it, he assumes everyone else thinks the same
          way).
          In Tatiana's mind she is immortal.  (Like we used to be when
          we were teenagers:)
          Shade is quite interested in his own life, but he will try
          to help and protect his friends at his best.  BTW the drow
          is quite conscious of his and everyone else's mortality.

OOC: Comments on Arlon's attitude - he is very confident in himself
     and his abilities, he has a pretty good idea of what he can do -
     although sometimes he thinks he can do more (it has gotten him
     into trouble).  He has a protective attitude - as you may have
     guessed from my initial meeting post and the conversation with
     those who would poke fun at Tatiana and her dancing. He will do
     his utmost in the defense of his friends and those that are in
     need of assistance (which in his mind may be about 90% of those
     around him) - he knows his own mortality and he will take steps
     to defend himself - thinking if I die (even in sacrifice) my
     power to aid is nothing.


(Shade:)
In the main commotion Shade won't speak a word, he will start playing
softly a melancholic tune with no words but just a humming voice part.
The tune will soon turn to more rhythmical and emotional themes and
finally to a drow war song.

OOC: It should sound like a Stravinsky composition if you know what I
     mean.

Still playing he will stand up and run to the Commons with the others.

(Arlon:)
Yelling back to those who are going to the Commons, Arlon says "Could
someone retrieve my backpack for me, I will need some of its contents
during this crisis."

(Tatiana:)
Hearing Arlon ask for his back pack as she raced out of the Tavern she
called back "I'll take care of it for you", but wasn't sure if he
heard.



At the moment, Kaeyar, Keilan, Shade and Tatiana are rushing towards
the Commons ....

(Tatiana:)
As we run to the Commons. Tatiana shouts out her battle tactics.  "I
will try to cast spells as long as useful.  From that moment forward I
will use my bow until the walls are breached, Gods forbid that to
happen.  At which point I will then draw my longsword.  I will try to
stay close to you Kaeyar as you are unprotected by armor, and I can
pluck missiles from the air to protect you."

(Keilan:)
"You are fast with a knife, indeed, but arrows are another matter."

(Tatiana:)
"It is not a matter of natural speed, but magical devices such as
these" She held up her hands which you could have sworn she had just
put gloves on.  Then looking closer you notice they are still on, just
not obvious.


The four companions reach the Commons ....

(Kaeyar:)
At the commons, Kaeyar grabs his bow and pack, and throws the
longsword (in its scabbard of course!) to Keilan.  "May it serve you
well, friend!"

(Keilan:)
"Thank you for the sword.  If we live through this, I will return it
to you.  Also I will need my gloves.  They may prove useless but who
can say what will happen?"

Keilan dons his studded leather armor, Kaeyar's longsword, a hand axe
from his pack, checks his knife, and then grabs his bow and quiver.

(Tatiana:)
As she rushes over to her cot, she dropped her belt in preparation for
donning her armor.  Her sandals hit the ground with a flop as well.
The lute was next and she grabbed the chain mail and hoisted it over
her head.  Wiggling her torso to make it slide down she giggled
despite the battle tension. "It's cold!  I've never had to wear it
without proper cloth underneath before."

She then refastened her belt around her waist and made sure it was
snug.  The chain mail flopped over the belt a little loosely to ease
the burden of the weight on her shoulders properly.

Grabbing her now much lighter backpack she swung it across her
shoulders and fastened it into place.  Her lute, quiver, and bow soon
were in place as well.  She looked as if she had done similar drills
before.

Making one last check for her spell components she started towards the
door making comments about her battle tactics to Keilan and Kaeyar.

She then ran for the door and skidded to a stop.  "Damn!  I forgot
Arlon's backpack.  He'd never forgive me if I did that."  She then ran
to Arlons's cot and retrieved his pack.  She glanced around the cot to
see if there might be something he wanted to retrieve but forgot to
ask for.

(Tatiana:)
Calling out to her friends, Tatiana says "I can protect someone from
non magical missile if they desire. Kaeyar ?"

(Kaeyar:)
"Thank you, Tatiana, but hold your protection from missiles for now.  I
have knowledge of that enchantment myself. Also, these," pointing to
the armbands he wears "provide me with almost as much protection as
your chain shirt."

(Keilan:)
Hearing the offer of the protection spell, Keilan says "Wait until we
have seen the savages battle formation.  If they are without missile
weapons, then the spell is wasted.  We will know the form of the
assault well before it begins."

(Kaeyar:)
"One who may have need of the spell, however, is Arlon."

(Tatiana:)
"I'll not cast the missile protection spell until we see the enemies
tactics.  And I plan not to be in the midst of any fighting so that I
may protect the more vulnerable."

(Keilan:)
Turning to his companions, Keilan says "I have two potions stashed in
my pack that may be of use.  One is a powerful healing enchantment,
the other endows strength beyond that of mere men.  I will require
someone who does not plan to fight at the wall with weapons to hold
one or both until they may be of use."

(Tatiana:)
"If you wish I can hold on to your potions until they are needed.  I
hope to perform the role of facilitator in the upcoming battle, as my
spells are very limited in power"

(Arlon:)
Later, if Arlon is asked he will accept the protection spell from
Tatiana.

(Kaeyar:)
"I may be able to eliminate one of these giant beasts upon which they
ride, or if not, at least hurt and frighten one.  I will blind
another, hopefully throwing their ranks into chaos."

(Tatiana:)
"Back to the inn. Quickly." she calls out. On the way back, she
continued discussing more battle tactics with whoever ran with her.
She was starting to get winded.


The four Companions arrive back at the Tavern, where Silver, Arlon,
Dithion, Tarok and Falrun await them ....

(Kaeyar:)
Kaeyar then rushes back to the Tavern, mentally reviewing his spells
and the material components required.

Kaeyar's usual scowl has been replaced with a bloodthirsty grin, and
there's a manic gleam in his eyes.

"I can magically endow a group of us with great speed when the fight
approaches; however, in those few speedy minutes you will age a year.
If this is not to your liking, tell me now, and stay a long dagger's
throw away from me when I prepare to cast"

(Shade:)
"I'll gladly age one year if it is necessary. Keep it for the melee.
It won't last very long, will it?"

(Tatiana:)
"If I am still casting spells then I do not wish the enchantment.
However if I am down to swordplay then I will take it.  But I'd like
to wait as long as possible."

(Keilan:)
"What other magicks can you mages bring to bear?  Your spell of
quickness sounds dire, Kaeyar.  I would not wish to be in it unless
the battle becomes grim for us.  Some spell of warding I would prefer
to see or one that harms the enemy rather than myself."

(Kaeyar:)
Turning to the rest "I will endow us with magical speed only when we
are engaged in close combat, and I will not affect the humans nor
those who are primarily spellcasters."

(Arlon:)
"Mendahl tells me that the other mages have a surprise in store for
the natives; but I don't know when it will happen - I am sure we will
be able to tell though.  After this - if it appears necessary - I will
be going outside the walls and hopefully cause much chaos within the
natives' ranks.  If any would like to join me speak up; but as others
have noted it would be dangerous; especially without some protections
- I will also be in flight and invisible; so you would need to be able
to fly at the least.  But until then I will be here."  He smiles
confidently and encouragingly to his companions.

Meta: That is the best way I could describe his smile - I have seen
      this type of smile before and that's how I describe it.

(Kaeyar:)
Kaeyar advances to Arlon, and says "If you go outside the walls with
Silver, I have a way for you to keep up with her.  I can provide you
with the gift of flight for an hour or so.  You may also find this of
use," handing the mage a vial.  "Drinking it will render you
invisible."  He slaps Arlon heartily on the back.

(Arlon:)
Arlon is nudged forward slightly by the slap and says: "Cough - that
is a generous offer Kaeyar but I too have the means to create both
effects on myself; and you may need both of them later for yourself"

He then moves his shoulders in order to loosen his back.

(Kaeyar:)
"Now let us get to the walls, friends!  Keilan, I fear my spell
casting will leave me less time for archery, so I will lose this
contest as well"



The party run to the palisade ....

(Kaeyar:)
Arriving at the wall, Kaeyar climbs up to the walkway at the top of
the wall, and searches the forest for enemies.

OOC: Assuming that there are no enemies in view yet, and that he'd
     have 10 minutes to spare...

Kaeyar finds himself a spot near the wall where he won't be in
anyone's way, and begins chanting an incantation.  This goes on for
some 10 minutes, the others ignoring him as they prepare themselves
for battle.  The sound of a whinnying horse quickly draws their
attention again, and they see Kaeyar talking to a strong and solid
black mare.  He pulls a length of silken cord from his pack, ties one
end around the horse's head, and leads the horse closer to the wall
below where he was standing earlier, searching about for a good place
to secure his new mount.  "Ah, this will do nicely," he says as he
ties the horse to a supporting beam.  He strokes the horse's head, and
after a few quiet words to it, he is back up to the top of the wall
and readying his bow.

(Falrun:)
When Falrun reaches the top of the wall, he strings his bow and tests
the pull of the string.  He then draws both of his swords (long sword
in right hand, short sword in left) and takes a few swings as if
testing the balance and warming up for combat.  He closely examines
his blades to make sure that there are no nicks or other flaws in
them.  He then sheaths his swords and once again picks up his bow.

After notching an arrow he stares out into the area surrounding the
town with a trancelike intensity.

(Tatiana:)
As she joins the others at the wall, Tatiana rests up a moment and
collects her thoughts.  As Arlon prepares himself for battle Tatiana
steps up to him with a confident smile "I promised Kaeyar that I would
protect him back at the Commons.  If you would stand nearby also then
I could protect you as well. I have the means to render you
invulnerable to normal missiles if you'd like."

Tatiana then prepares to cast her spell.  From her large belt pouch,
she pulls a tiny sack of crushed turtle shells.  Selecting a few she
then begins to chant mystical words of magic.  The turtle shells
glisten and sparkle with faerie light and then scintillate with
flashes of various colors.  Then a beam of light replaces the turtle
shells and arcs to Arlon, then shimmers for a moment and winks out.

"You should be invulnerable to normal missile fire for little over an
hour now"

(Arlon:)
Shortly after Tatiana cast a spell on Arlon (Protection from normal
missiles) he then takes a feather - he then smiles at Tatiana and says:
"No, it is not an owl's feather" - he then begins a chant, when he is
done he will lift slightly off the ground (5') and then land again.
	"Ready, phase 1"

(Tatiana:)
"If I am not occupied then I can snatch magical arrows from the air
that would hurt you as well."  She shrugs, "Problem is I have to know
which one to grab.  It's kinda tough to figure out which ones are the
magical ones."

"Other than that my spells are 'as the moment demands' kinda things.
I shall use my bow and take out enemy spell-casters if I can identify
them, until my supply is exhausted.  Then I shall wait for battle."

"If the battle is dire enough to warrant the use of your haste spell,
Kaeyar, do not worry about my human heritage.  I will accept the loss
of a year for the chance for a longer life."

"For now though I shall stir the hearts of my heroes" she says as she
looks to everyone in the group.  She then pulls her lute around and
tries to get comfortable in her chain mail.

She then starts to strum a hymn "Nothing like a good religious song to
stir the masses."  It's catchy, everyone knows the song, and soon
everyone's singing right along.

OOC: What ever this worlds version of "Mine eyes have seen the glory"
     You know the "Glory Glory Alleluia" really stirs the blood no
     matter what your religious preference is :)

She then starts singing the songs words in a crisp carrying voice.
She has obviously been trained by a master!

(Shade:)
Shade will clap his hands admiringly at Tatiana's performance, but he
will not join in until the enemy is in sight.

(Kaeyar:)
Learning that Keilan is low on arrows, Kaeyar would offer him 10 sheaf
arrows from his own collection.

(Keilan:)
Keilan accepts the sheaf arrows from Kaeyar.  "Thank you, again.  Why
is you carry so many instruments of destruction if you do not use
them?  It's almost like you foresee this calamity."  (chuckle)

(Dithion:)
Dithion looks over the palisade and says, "It seems we have a bit of
time."  He notices the spellcasters busy at work, and then says, "I
was thinking, do any of you have means of getting a couple of us on
top of one of the platforms carried by the monsters?  It is there that
they will have their shamen and witch doctors.  If we could take out
those forces, we would be serving the city here well."

(Kaeyar:)
"Hmm, well, I could enable you to fly for an hour, which would allow
you to do that; if Arlon can cast such a spell as well, we could get
two people out there.  It would be a very dangerous mission, and for
myself, I'll be more effective here casting spells and shooting
arrows.  Any volunteers should speak up now."

(Dithion:)
He pats his club, and smiles again.

Then he says to the others, "Are there any others here willing to go
with me?"

(Shade:)
Shade shrugs slightly, an expressionless mask on his face "I'll go if
necessary, but I'd like to be persuaded this is the best course of
action before embarking on it. I say, let's see how things are
developing. If the need is dire, I'll be with you Dithion."

(Dithion:)
Dithion says, "Aye, it would be very dangerous, but the risk may be
worth it.  I would volunteer for such a mission for I have a means of
affecting possibly a great many of their people, at least for a while.
I could make them sleep.  The others, would have to be dealt with, of
course, in a much more expedient manner."

(Keilan:)
Keilan remarks to the discussions about flying: "You make too many
plans.  Such attacks will be a tactical maneuver best decided in
battle.  If the assault is repulsed by the archers you would only
endanger yourself needlessly.  Wait until you have good reason to
strike at them in this manner.  If there is sufficient need I will
attempt this attack as well, though I hope your spell endows the
knowledge of how to fly as well as the ability, for I have never tried
such a thing."

(Dithion:)
Dithion says, "I doubt the archers will repel them. They come en
masse, and no doubt will not flee until they are thrashed soundly ...
something I doubt the archers will be able to do, unfortunately.
Although I appreciate your concern, now is the time, in my opinion, to
be making such plans.  Not only will such a plan damage their leaders
and spell casters, but it is likely to damage morale.  Especially, if
we can kill whoever is maneuvering the beasts, and then cause the
beasts to run amok within their ranks."

(Falrun:)
Falrun, hearing the discussion going on around him, turns to Keilan
and Dithion and says, "I agree that this plan of flight is risky and
should only be executed when we see how they attack.  If you were to
fly to the platforms, you would be a target for every savage that has
a missile weapon.  We don't even know how many that may be.  First
wait and see how their force is made up and then we can consider all
the options."

(Dithion:)
Dithion shrugs and says, "Well, perhaps you and Keilan are right.
Perhaps it is not wise to attack in that manner...  It was just a
suggestion, although one that we might want to use as the battle
progresses."

(Falrun:)
Falrun looks back out to the wild, studying the area for movement and
concentrating on the sounds.  He becomes somewhat trancelike again as
he directs all of his senses in the direction of the coming battle.

(DM:)
Now following what you guys see while discussing the proper ways of
action on your part on the ramparts of the palisade. To the left and
right of you, stand soldiers and trappers, adventurers and farmers.
All armed and ready to defend their homes.

(DM:)
While you guys were running around, the sky began to darken.  Partly
from natural darkness, partly from a cloud that begins to form over
the muttering spell casters. They continuously mutter, and the air
around them crackles with magical energies unleashed.  Suddenly near
the temple grounds, the graveyard bursts open, and skeletons begin to
emerge. They form a ragged line facing the palisades and the oncoming
enemy formations behind them.  Shadows and other nearly invisible
creatures form and shimmer into existence.  They too face the native
army, waiting to be unleashed at their master's command. A group of
three huge fire elementals forms, then also a group of three huge
earth elementals bursts out of the ground. Suddenly, as you guys look
out into the forest from your positions, you can make out the enemy
columns arriving through the forest.

(Shade:)
When the enemy is in sight, Shade starts to play a song reminding
everyone of the joy of family and everyday life, the beauty of this
place and the pleasure of building a home in a newfound land.
Conscious that remembering to everyone what is at stake will
strengthen their nerve and stir their souls toward battle mood.

(Dithion:)
He lays his club down on the ground beside him, and looks toward the
starry sky above.

Now that the battle (i.e. the enemy) is near, he picks up his club and
puts it on his shoulder, only to reach into a pouch and pull out a
small circlet of wood, he says "May Des protect each and everyone of
you." You each feel a slight warmth about you for an instant, and then
it is gone.

(Keilan:)
After Dithion does whatever he did: "What charm is this that it will
protect us against the savages?"

(Dithion:)
He then readies his club for battle, another slight smile coming to
his face.

(Kaeyar:)
At the first sight of the attacking army, Kaeyar holds out a long loop
of leather in one hand, and gestures and points with the other while
reciting a spell.  A large, fallen tree outside the palisades begins
to rise up into the air, until it is some 150 feet overhead.  Kaeyar
grins in anticipation.

(Arlon:)
Arlon: "Interesting Kaeyar, I think I will give you a hand with that -
I will venture out to the log and signal you when to drop it" He shows
a waving arm motion.  "Don't worry all, Tatiana's spell should keep me
safe from your and the native's missile fire, so fire at your leisure"

Arlon will then start to fly out to the log when the natives are
getting closer and says: "I will be back shortly after the log drops,
after doing a few other things"

(DM:)
You hear a local mutter something about the eyesight of the natives
being as good or better than that of elves in the dark. By now the sky
is filled with a threatening looking cloud, lit from below by the last
rays of the sinking sun.  The monsters are interspersed evenly among
the enemy line. They form a long line facing the palisade, but do not
yet attack. From behind their lines the low banging sounds of
war-drums sounds. All the natives appear to be adorned with
frightening looking war-paint all over their bodies.  Here and there
you spot a triad of what can only be shaman or witch-doctors from
their garish apparel, shielded by a wedge of nine 'Black Knights' on
the ground. Most natives are armed with javelins and nasty looking
clubs, set with sharp stones.  Some have jade knives or a sort of
scythe worn on a strap. Many also bear shields that appear to be made
with hide from Death Deer.



Various battle plans are thought of ....

(Falrun:)
Falrun will fire arrows off of the wall until the wall is breached.
Then he will pull out his long sword and short sword and fight the
savages man to man.  His reply to the offered Haste spell will be,
"I'll take the spell, I have many years to spare and I like to have
all the advantages I can get.  Better to live prepared than to die
needlessly."

During the battle Falrun will try to stay close to the group, strength
in numbers and that kind of thing.  It will also be easier for him to
lend aid to his comrades if need should be and also easier for them to
aid him.  He will not seek out "the strongest foe" unless "the
strongest foe" comes to him.

(Keilan:)
Keilan will fight on the wall exclusively having no other way in which
to contribute.  Whenever possible he will use his bow; targeting
spellcasters and groups attempting to gain the wall.

(DM Meta:)
You pretty much used all your arrows, and wasted about six natives
from this last rush.

(Keilan:)
In melee, he will fight with longsword and hand-axe or longsword and
knife.  If necessary throwing the axe and knife to keep opponents from
reaching the spellcasters.  Since Keilan has only a few arrows, he
will gladly pick up any from the fallen or the dead and fire those.
If he is wounded seriously, Keilan will try to retreat to whoever
holds his healing potion.  At breaks in the general melee Keilan will
toss bodies back over the wall onto any enemies below.  Keilan is
likely to be of the opinion that he cannot effectively hurt the big
lizards and will not fire at them.

(Shade:)
In general Shade will try not to be first line. Sing to strengthen the
defender's souls and use his magic to rebalance situations when things
are going hairy. Last chance is conjuring a globe of darkness and
blindfight inside it.

If even this is not possible... well a prayer to Elisstraee and let's
go to melee: longsword in right hand and shortsword in left hand. The
shortsword is always used to parry.


Battle is Joined ....

(DM:)
Suddenly the spellcasters (Mendahl, the Drow and all the others)
appear on top of the pentagon. From there they direct their summoned
host to attack.  The elementals climb the palisade while the shadowy
monsters flow over it. They form into a ragged formation with the
skeletons and charge. Meanwhile Kael gives a signal and all archers
fire their bows in a high arc.

(Kaeyar:)
He pulls out his bow, and fires a few of arrows at long range into the
advancing army; he then slips the bow about himself, and readies his
first spell.

(Keilan:)
At the signal for the archers to fire, Keilan begins quickly and
smoothly firing arrows at the advancing horde.  Those who are able to
track his arrows can see they strike home with great accuracy.

After his arrows are exhausted, and they soon are, Keilan surveys the
battle.  Keilan is clearly in awe of the powers brought against the
natives.  "Dear gods have pity on these poor savages!"  Between the
mages and priests of the city and the incredible onslaught mounted by
his friends, Keilan is little concerned about the outcome of this
battle.

(DM:)
Arrows clatter into the enemy, felling many. Screaming and cursing
they fall, but the rest stands fast as the summoned host clashes with
them. Shaman from the monsters and those that direct the Black Knights
fight desperately with the elementals, which leave whole swathes of
dead native soldiers behind them, casting mostly arcane spells you
never seen before at them. Bolts of lightning flash from their
fingertips. Suddenly the Settler Mages respond.  Mendahl swings his
arm and four screaming meteors come screeching from the sky, exploding
noisily into the thickest concentration of savage shamen.  The clerics
point time and again and each time a huge lightning bolt crashes onto
the battlefield amidst savage troops from the sky. Here and there,
prominent shamen are engulfed in holy fires descending onto them,
sending them running screaming loudly.

(Kaeyar:)
Kaeyar whistles, dazzled by the spectacle of the battle unfolding
around him, then gets ahold of himself.

As the natives draw closer, [130 yards] he takes a small golden tube
and a small black ball from his pouch.  While reciting arcane words,
he loads the tube and lifts it to his mouth as if it were a blow-gun.
When he shoots the black pellet from the tube, it is transformed into
a fiery ball, which he quickly snatches in his other hand, and throws
at the natives.  It strikes a native soldier in the chest, setting his
clothing on fire.

(Arlon:)
He gets to the log, when the natives get to a good position he signals
Kaeyar and seems to follow the log down.  He moves towards the front
part of the group to be about 10' to 20' above them.  He then raises
his arm at which point many of the natives stop charging the fort and
fighting each other (hopefully).

(DM Meta:)
Your plan to enrage the natives did not work. You do not know why,
they just ignored you and kept charging... Your non-physical spells
seemed to have little effect either (sleep etc), any magic-missiles or
melf's arrows or such DO have the desired effect.

(Arlon:)
When his first attempts at the natives fails, he remembers Mendahl's
words about the natives being vulnerable to magic, then mutters, I
wish I was this vulnerable. ARGHH! This is truly a magic filled place.

(Arlon:)
He then moves toward the group that was on the far side when the log
landed, and then producing similar things.  He quickly flies back
towards any natives that are getting close to the wall as he gets
close he sprinkles something in the air and several natives drop to
the ground.  He then returns to the group (hopefully no worse then
when he left).  He then goes into a spell casting frenzy, while gently
moving threw the air, perhaps even challenging the beast that broke
through the wall.

(Kaeyar:)
As the natives continue their advance, [80 yards] with a quick gesture
Kaeyar sends the tree that had been floating, crashing to the ground
in the midst of the already-ragged unit of natives.  Several are
crushed, and several others trip and fall over it in their dash for
the wall.  Kaeyar then, with a flick of his wrist, fires another small
flaming ball at a native soldier.

(DM Meta:)
Kaeyar got off two meteors, then lost the remainder of his spell.  He
winged three natives with his arrows, and another with one of his
meteors.

(Dithion:)
Dithion watches in awe as the battle progresses.  However, his
attention turns to the oncoming natives.  He sets his jaw in grim
determination, and as they get closer starts to chant.

Within moments, bolts of crackling purple energy stream from his
finger tips, flying over a hundred feet and striking a couple of the
oncoming natives.  They scream in pain, and then fall.

(DM Meta:)
Dithion: You got off your magic missile spell. I believe you said you
fired one missile per native. You see your packets of purple energy
strike the natives.  They stumble, then shrug it off, and continue
coming.


An Ally Arrives ....

(DM:)
Suddenly Mendahl's dragon appears on the scene. It is a huge silver
dragon. It makes a diving attack, breathing on a group of natives
charging the wall, killing them to a man.  Then the dragon proceeds to
claw one of the monsters.  They become locked in a thrashing fight,
the dragon spewing cold and ice onto the monster that has thrown off
all its riders and is now standing upright, holding the dragon in a
bearhug.  Trees splinter all around them, and no one within a hundred
foot radius can survive.

Meanwhile the mages and clerics speak more words of power and scores
of natives, nay hundreds fall dead. Some without apparent cause,
others in clouds of putrid green and black. Swarms of insects descend
on the native formations, attacking them with a vengeance.


The Natives Are Not Completely Helpless, Though ....

(DM:)
Through all this they keep coming however.  As you watch the
spectacle, one even the drow has not seen its like before, you see a
ragged company of sixty surviving natives charge your part of the
wall. You pray to whatever god you revere that you do not have to face
one of the monsters you just saw crashing through a section of the
palisade a few hundred yards away from you, and eat several of the
settler defenders that were thrown off the shattered wall.

(Falrun:)
Once the battle begins, Falrun will not fire his bow until the natives
are close enough to be in medium range, at which time he will fire his
bow, two arrows per round, until either he runs out of arrows or until
the natives are close enough to attack with his swords.

(DM Meta:)
Falrun was also shooting arrows, and got 5 natives, two of which
spectacularly hit in the eye, spinning to their deaths....

(Falrun:)
After finishing with his bow, he will then tell Tatiana, "I do not
wish to lose my bow in the confusion by laying it down and it would
most likely hinder me on my shoulder.  Would you please watch it if
you can until the battle is over?  Thank you kind lady."

After handing his bow to Tatiana, Falrun will pull out his long sword
in his right hand and short sword in his left hand.

(Tatiana:)
"Holy mother of ..." Tatiana exclaimed.  

"I'm glad I'm not a native!"  Tatiana totally forgot to cast any
spells as she surveyed the damage wrought by the settlers on the
natives.

"I wonder what set them off like this?  They seem pretty fanatical to
waste their lives like this." An arrow from the natives came speeding
toward Kaeyar as he cast a spell.  Tatiana reached out with lighting
fast reflexes, and grabbed it with her bare hands, snatching it from
it's flight and notched it into her own bow and shot it back at the
native.

Tatiana started to shoot her own normal arrows, pausing to snatch
another arrow that strayed near Arlon or Kaeyar, sending it back to
meet the offender.

(Keilan:)
Once fighting draws close Keilan moves to interpose his (well,
Kaeyar's) sword between any enemy and the fearsome spellcasters
(Kaeyar, Tatiana, Arlon).  Still his fighting is half- hearted.
Several times he can be seen to strike at the heads of his opponents
with the flat of his blade or the back of his axe - knocking them
senseless but not slaying them.  His only concern seems to be the
large beasts the natives brought.  To the spellcasters Keilan says,
"If you can drive those monsters back I suggest you do so now!"

(Tatiana:)
One of the giant monsters came lumbering within bow shot and Tatiana
reached into her pouch of spell components and spoke some arcane word
difficult to understand and soon forgotten by it's listeners.  An
arrow sped from her finger tips with more accuracy than her normal
shots (How accurate do you need to be when your target is a barn
door?).  The tip dripped an black viscous ichor as the speed to the
creatures eyes.  She cast the spell a second time and aimed for the
eyes of the great beast again.

From this distance it was difficult to see if she had hit, but the
effects of the acid arrows were soon seen.  The giant creature was
soon obviously irritated.  It reared up, tipped the platform on it's
back dumping it's occupants to the ground far below.  And then
trampled as it tried to dislodge the arrows that were burning it's
sensitive eyes.

(DM Meta:)
The large monsters were too far away and are too tough anyways, to be
hit and hurt by arrows, even Melf's kind. Leave them to the cabal on
the pentagon to deal with...

(Kaeyar:)
As the savages near the wall, the grim elf pulls a pinch of some kind
of dust from a bag in his belt pouch.  He clutches at his eyes with
one hand, shouts some arcane words, and flings the dust downward at
the savages.  The dust turns into a thick cloud of bright, golden
particles as it falls upon the natives, blinding a number of them; the
resulting confusion slows the advance of the remainder.  Kaeyar tosses
yet another flaming ball at an enemy who seemed unaffected by the
shining dust.

[Then, if there is still time for bow shots, firing at point blank at
 the savages who are presumably climbing the palisades or trying to
 set fire to it; when close combat is unavoidable, fighting with mace
 and dagger; still have 3 more flaming balls to throw, one per round.
 A couple more tricks up my sleeve if things are looking bad for us,
 but will wait and see what happens.]

(Tatiana:)
She continued to send arrows until the natives came within hand to
hand combat range.  She then left her bow, and lute on the ground next
to Kaeyar and Arlon.

(DM Meta:)
Tatiana: You shot arrows, and downed four of the natives.

(Dithion:)
As they get closer still, he starts chanting again, this time flaming
arrows fly from his outstretched hand, impacting on two of the closest
natives.  They seem to burst as they are struck, and die soundlessly.

(DM Meta:)
You used some flame arrows to finish two natives off that were damaged
by your magic missiles, then you fell and lost the remainder of the
spell.

(DM Meta:)
Shade: You used three times magic missiles, two missiles per native,
and thusly wasted six of them.


The Big Bang ....

(DM:)
As you see the group charge, you guys begin firing your arrows and
spells at them. Some are hit, and fall spinning, others are set
aflame.  They flow around the place where the log hangs, and as it
falls, it only manages to catch one unlucky savage. About twenty have
fallen to your various missile attacks and ranged spells, when six of
the surviving ones, shielded by others with the large shields you seem
unable to penetrate by spell or arrow, produce backpacks and throw
them at the wall. You stare in shock at the black shapes assailing
your section of the wall, and you jump off the palisades.

Meta: All take 4hpd from falling, unless you make dex-checks or have
      jumping profs or such.

(Tatiana:)
The savages scrambled for the wall and Tatiana look down in pity on
them.  Until she realized they had explosives that would undermine the
wall she was standing on.  Without hesitation she jumped off of the
wall screaming all the way down. "Damn it I wish I had a feather fall
spell" punctuating her remark with a loud thump.

(DM Meta:)
Kaeyar got off two meteors, then lost the remainder of his spell
falling.  Unfortunately, your horse was tied to the palisade, and is
now a good imitation of a huge french fry.

(DM Meta:)
Arlon was flying, so did not fall.

(Keilan:)
One of the last to leap from the wall, Keilan is hit by the blast
before he hits the ground.

(Kaeyar:)
As the natives set their explosives at the base of the wall, Kaeyar
speaks a single word and jumps lightly off the wall.  He floats
lightly to the ground, and would have landed easily upon his feet if
it hadn't been for the explosion which sent him tumbling.



Shade and Tarok are down with the natives closing in ....

(DM:)
Shortly after you hit the ground, the wall explodes. You have never
seen such a display of violence before. Some logs fly up to two
hundred yards into the sky.  Logs and pieces begin raining on and
around you. And you are all scorched by the accompanying fireball.

Meta: All take 5hpd unless some form of prot from fire is worn or
      otherwise active, Tarok gets a log on his noggin and falls down,
      hard.  Arlon is hit by a piece of log for 1hpd, Shade gets a
      large part of log on him which pins him down on the ground (the
      log is lying on his leg) and receives 9hpd. Others get hit by
      pieces too small to do real damage, but all receive scrapes and
      such.

(Kaeyar:)
Looking about, his eyes widened at the scene of destruction.  The
horse he had conjured was nowhere to be seen [disappears when slain],
and two of his comrades were immobile.



The Natives Come To The Slaughter ....

(DM:)
You get up from the ground and shake your groggy heads. All stuff you
had in your hands is scattered about, arrows fell from quivers. You
cast about for your weapons or pull out new ones. While doing so, you
see the surviving forty or so savages regroup outside of the LARGE
hole in the palisade, and begin to rush it in hopes of catching some
of you still pinned or unarmed.  They come running, screaming loud,
bloodthirsty sounding yells. The scene is beginning to look even more
eerie, what with the overcast sky, smoke all over, and a large crater
in front of you. Parts of the wall are still on fire or
smoldering.

(Falrun:)
After clearing his head from the effects of the blast, Falrun quickly
surveys the scene and pulls out his long sword in his right hand and
his short sword in his left.

(Tatiana:)
She hit the ground hard but manage to roll a little and some of the
impact was absorbed in the tumble but not much.  Her bow had broken as
a result "Crap!"

She got up quickly from the fall and took up a position which would
protect Shade if the need arose.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana moved closer to Shade where he was trapped under the fallen
log.  "I can't stop to help you out.  Are you doing okay?  I've got a
healing potion from Keilan.  Do you need it?"

Tatiana listened carefully to Shade's response but didn't take her
eyes off of the battle.

(Keilan:)
Still he gets up quickly and retrieves his borrowed sword from the
ground.  Not spying his axe immediately, he unsheathes his hunting
knife and turns to face the breach in the wall.

(Dithion:)
Finally, as the natives close in for battle.  He pulls a bit of sand
from a pouch at his side and throws it forward.  Several of the
natives fall soundless to the ground, and lay there unmoving.

Dithion then raises his huge club, and starts to sing a song of battle
as he wades into the natives.  His club literally picks native upon
native up from the ground and tosses them several feet, so great are
the blows he delivers.  He continues battling until he can fight no
more....

(Kaeyar:)
OOC: If we've got a moment of breathing room, here's what Kaeyar does
     next.  He doesn't want to risk accidentally hasting any of the
     natives!!

As Dithion and Keilan move forward, Kaeyar pulls a small piece of root
from his pouch and calls out "any who doesn't want to age a year move
away from me!" He places it on his mouth as he begins casting a spell.

OOC: I should be able to cast this so that the humans advancing into
     the fight (Dithion, and Keilan) are outside of the range (center
     of spell some 10 feet behind me).  Who else gets caught in the
     spell, I leave for them and the DM to decide.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana calls out "Kaeyar! If you are doing haste.  I want to get
hasted too!"

(Kaeyar:)
He takes a defensive position in front of Shade, and then grabs his
mace from his belt and hefts it in his left hand, holds a dagger in
his right hand, and grimly advances to fight the natives.  Affected by
the magic spell he has just cast, he attacks with unnatural swiftness.


(DM:)
The scene of battle is as follows ....



                        @        @          @         @       @
                            @              @       @      @
            @
                   @                                   @         @
        @      
             @            @          @           @          @

        @            @                                  @       @

              @
                              _  -  -   - _                  @
                           /                 \
                        /                       \
                      /                            \
                     /        <crater>               \
********************                                   ************************
                    |                                 |
                    |                                 /
                     \                               |
                       \                            /
                           \                     /
                              -  _          _ -
                                    - _  -


     @= native

You guys are on the lower side of the crater or to the sides of it.
The natives are not really charging in formation, but in a dispersed
mob. They do all go for the big crater though off course. Also, pieces
of burning palisade (or ex-palisade :) are scattered about.

What do you do?



After the Big Bang ....

(Arlon:)
Arlon, continuing to fly, moves in closer to the natives - producing
something leafy, waves his hands and a billowing cloud envelops some
of the natives.  He then flies inside the gate and starts to move in a
semi circular pattern above the foray while firing volleys of small
fire globes into the groups of natives that explode on impact.  He
continues to fly around looking for targets for more of his magic.

(DM Meta:)
When Arlon targeted his magic missiles at the bag carrying natives, he
thought one missile per native would do the trick. Helas helas. Such
was not the case.  They took the hits, and kept on going, slightly
wounded. Sleep did not seem to have effect.

(DM:)
At the rim of the crater, suddenly a putrid green cloud springs into
existence, right on top of six natives. They stumble and fall coughing
and choking into the crater, where they lay gasping for a few seconds.
As they crawl to get up again, two seem to have broken their legs, or
otherwise injured themselves.

(Keilan:)
Keilan spits once, throws off his useless quiver and charges after
Dithion toward the breach yelling, "Dithion!  We must hold them off
until the others regroup!"  turning his head back toward the other
comrades, "Tatiana, use the healing potion I gave you.  The dwarf and
drow look bad."  By now, he has (I suppose) encountered the first of
the savages, and begins fighting hard to prevent anyone swarming past
him or Dithion.  His other words are lost in the din of battle.

(Dithion:)
Dithion, seeing his companions down, picks up his club, and charges
the forty natives.

He engages them as far back as possible, and will try to stop ANY
forward movement ....  finding a place that is narrow that they must
go through.

(DM Meta:)
Dithion, there ain't no 'narrow' spots. Outside the wall is woods and
fields, and the wall has a 30 metres large gaping hole in it.

(DM:)
The native soldiers rush the breach in the palisade, and are met by a
charging, club swinging madman (Dithion:). About four or five of the
natives stop and engage Dithion, the rest runs on. The others see
through the rushing bodies a heavily engaged Dithion. He swings and
splatters one native, but gets hit in the back by two others (2+4hpd).

(DM:)
During the fighting, Arlon, seeing that Dithion was in more trouble
than the rest of you guys, flies over to him, and takes out two
natives (those that attacked Dithion in the back) with two blackish
arrows of oozing acid. Dithion splatters another native with regained
confidence, but still suffered a minor scrape by a serrated club on
his left cheek for 2hpd.

(Falrun:)
He then rushes to the edge of the crater formed by the blast and tries
to engage the natives using a slight height advantage.  As he runs, he
yells to the rest of the combatants, "Try to take them at the edge of
the crater.  You may have a height advantage and you may catch them
off balance as they try to rush through the destruction!"

As the natives approach, Falrun's swords start their dance of death.

(Falrun:)
Swords in both hands, Falrun proceeds to cut a swathe of death through
the native's ranks.  Falrun fights with extreme economy of motion.  It
appears that he barely moves as he sidesteps attacks from the natives
and his long sword quickly and gracefully slips inside the defenses of
one native and disembowels him.  Meanwhile his short sword, with equal
grace and quickness, slips under the sternum of another native and
pierces his heart.

In the next minute, Falrun slams his long sword through the neck of a
charging native, stopping him in his tracks.  As he yanks the long
sword out of the sinking corpse he crushes the nose of a native behind
him, shooting bone and cartilage into the brain of the helpless
attacker.  At the same time his short sword appears to be fighting a
battle of it's own as it fells another native by taking advantage of
an overextended swing and slicing through the back of his neck and
severing the spinal cord.

Falrun continues his dance of death until there are no more dancing
partners with "guts" enough to be his partner.

(DM:)
As those natives who survived the cloud unscathed, and those who
evaded it charge out of the crater, they are met by Falrun and Keilan
and Kaeyar. This triad swings wildly with whatever weapons they could
grab after their fall, and their savagery pushes back the first wave
of natives.

(DM:)
Five natives now lay dead. However, Keilan got hit by a jade throwing
knife that now sticks out of his right leg (4hpd & 1/2 move & AC 2
steps worse), and Keilan lost his knife, as it was stuck in the body
of a dead native that is now laying in the deepest crack of the
crater...

(Tatiana:)
She spoke arcane words of magic in preparation for attack and her
hands began to flicker with a bluish crackling light. Sparks of
electricity danced across her hands looking for some form of
discharge.

A few savages had breached their defensive position and were rushing
forward unhindered.  Tatiana reached to her belt and withdrew three
daggers and flung them with deadly accuracy at the savage.  Doing
massive damage simply due to her well placed throws.  Three more
followed for another savage (same savage until he's dead then move
on).

Finally she was forced to draw her weapon.  She watched the savages
advance, and she took stock of the equipment they were using.
(Anything indicate magic?  weapons?)

(Tatiana:)
She advances, weaving her long sword with the art of a master.  Those
that made it past Dithion, and Keilan soon died on her sword as well.
She continued to battle in a methodical manner without joy or regret.
Her motions were graceful and energy efficient.

Her long sword flickered with grace born a well trained warrior.
Electricity sparked around the handle as she practiced.  Tatiana had a
strange gleam in her eyes as hand-to-hand combat came nearer, which
was very uncharacteristic for a girl as flighty as Tatiana.

As the natives rushed forward, Tatiana grinned and instead of
attacking with her sword she put her hands together and created a fan
shape with her fingers connected with intertwined thumbs, her fingers
spread wide.  A sheet of flame rushed out in an arc enveloping more
that she could have attacked with her sword.  One of the savages more
wounded than the others screamed and fell dead.

Adrenaline coursed through her veins and she let out a scream of holy
terror and brought the battle to the savage.  Her sword came low in a
feint and slashed high across a mans sternum splitting him wide, while
side stepping another tripping him in the process.

She reached down and touched him sending a massive bolt of energy
through his body.  The static electricity that had danced around her
hand was now gone.  She was down to sword play and despite the battle
frenzy she tried to stay close to the other fighters of her group and
survive.

(Tatiana:)
*A painted man is rushing you from your blindside* a thought came to
her.  Tuft was somewhere high above giving her tactical information
which help a lot on a chaotic battle field.

She spun quickly recognizing Tuft's voice in her head, and prepared
for the savage.

Her eyesight in the dark was as good as the daylight thanks to Tufts
symbiotic relationship with her.  Normally she would have heard the
savage as well due to her keen hearing as well, but she was
preoccupied.

(Silver:)
As the battlements collapse, Some of you will notice a huge bear with
silver fur rushing from inside the village to the breach of the
battlements. The bear - almost ghostlike in appearance, especially at
this time of night - will lumber towards the rest of the group.

An enormous roar is heard easily over the sound of battle. The bear
seems to be issuing a challenge to those natives who enter the
breached palisade. This will probably not deter those who enter the
hole, but will certainly draw their attention away from other
characters.

If the bear sees any companions falling, or being overrun by the
native onslaught, she will go to their aid.

The silver-furred bear will move nimbly through the melee which is
losing most sense of order and degenerating into individual
hand-to-hand battles. She will swipe at most natives as she passes
through, unless one strikes her. In this case, she will focus her
attention on the small puny creature below her, and attempt to hug and
bite them.

(DM:)
As the swarm of natives engages the party, you fend them off
successfully time and again, the silver bear being a GREAT help,
squashing four natives all by herself, a single paw swipe each. Ten
others die by the collective defense, though all (Tatiana, Silver,
Keilan, Kaeyar and Falrun) take 3hpd from various scrapes and such.

(DM:)
The next wave of natives thru the crater now is also met by The Silver
Bear, but even so, as twenty natives crest the rim at once, you guys
are overwhelmed and forced to retreat.  You guys form a protective
circle around Shade, who is slowly regaining consciousness through a
haze of pain.

(Silver:)
Time will come when the battle has progressed, and the bear will have
taken a number of wounds in defense of the village. Her fur will be
matted with blood, and her previously nimble movements will become
sluggish and slow. When this happens, she will move slightly to one
side, and transform back into Silver.

At this transformation, she will cry "My friends, we must have faith
in ourselves as never before ! They wantonly destroy their own lands,
their own forests ! They are truly savages !"

As if to herself, sh-------------------------------------------

And then to the savages around her (even though she knows they cannot
understand her) "Flee before your doom overtakes you !"

(DM:)
The situation is now that we have a charging Dithion, a pinned Shade,
Tarok out cold or worse, Silver is a huge Bear and Arlon is flying
around spinning off spells like a madman :^) Tatiana is if I am not
mistaken defending our fallen Drow comrade, the rest I have to re-read
my mail to see who I missed