A Late Start, New Challenger - RPLOG
Participants
Date
24/8/478
Log
Zuri nods in agreement with the basilisk. "Do you figure we can pull that off, with this group? If we could get a nice surprise attack going it would be excellent!" He smiles. "Even better if it gives us the chance to knock them out early and prevent them from mounting a reinforcement of the main entrance."
Thelergramor continues carving the stone for... fun... Then nods at Zuri. "Maybe. Depends on if we go in the back and it's more heavily guarded than the front. It wouldn't surprise me, really. Shouldn't leave one side of your camp less guarded then another..." The basilisk stands, sheathing his dagger. "I'll go in the back when we're ready to go."
"Can't say I've heard the Snowmane name before," Lucasiel says with a hum, adjusting her helmet. "I am not exactly suited for a stealthy approach, so I shall move on the main gate. Unless you decide you want the extra punch in the back with you," she says, shouldering her large battleaxe.
Hugo has nothing more to add, waiting patiently for night fall. The lion stands looking out the mouth of the cave, his cane tucked under his arm and his incredibly long tail draped over it, tasseled tip swaying gently. He looks at Lucasiel and shrugs. "We have not had much presence in Sweetwater for some time now," he says, "Something that I hope to change in the near future."
Shizuko spends most of her time waiting for nightfall in quiet meditation, thumb slowly stroking along a bone bracelet she has around her wrist. As the time for business draws near she stands up and lightly stretches, then nods to Lucasiel and Hugo. "I will come with you, although I hope we have a way to break in."
The mercenaries wait and wait until the sun of Promise begins to set, sadly no other heavenly body replaced the missing sun in the night sky. The sellswords are then split into two groups, the larger main group and the smaller stealth group. The beings exit their hiding spot and continue on their path before they reach a certain spot. "Ok, second group go that way and we will continue on the path." the scout says as he points out at a large, thankfully climbable, rock to the side before he continues on the main path.
The stealth group's path is anything but that, the group having to climb up and down a few rocks and squeeze into some spots before they finally reach their position, a small clearing, with thankfully even ground that leads directly towards a four or five meter tall cliff, the camp obviously in the area above, "Ok, when we start hearing combat voices we will climb from here and attack. If we are lucky most of the guards would be racing towards the camp's entrance."
In the front the main group stops far enough to not be spotted immediately before a group of musketeers break off, and luckily manage to line up without being detected. In the distance the camp's gate is visible, three guard towers with a large wooden gate, not the defense around but still viable. When the signal is given the musketeers all fire at the same time with the scout gesturing to the gate, "And now charge before they know what hit them." The voice of gunshots can also be by the other group, announcing that it was the time to act.
Zuri perks up as he hears the sound in the distance. The small salamander moves up to the sheer cliff, glancing up at it, then back at Thel and the other mercenaries moving up to do their ascent. Zuri places both his hands on the cliff and closes his eyes, focusing as he opens his mind and visualizes a complex mathemagical equation - complex for him, at least. The trainee hearth magician attempts to mould the wall, ever so slightly, to cause jutting hand-holds and foot-rests to form out of the very rock, to facilitate the climb of the entire group, or at least prevent grievous disaster should anyone not be a very good climber.
Thelergramor shifts about on his feet in the clearing, listening for any signal that he should begin climbing. He stays silent, looking out his mask at the area around him, watching Zuri do his magic stuff with the cliff, crouched near said cliff listening for anyone approaching. No opposition visible, doesn't mean they're not there...
"Do we have any archers?" Lucasiel asks quietly, glancing between the others that have chosen to move on the main gate. "If we can take out the tower guards without alerting anyone, it would be for the best. Then we can get closer before we have to worry."
Hugo had no other plans, so this one should do just fine. The lion tucks both his tail and his cane into his belt, then starts to charge toward the gate. It is rather like watching one of the great mover golems start up, slow at first, then quickly building up steam to move a massive load. Creators help any being that gets in the way. As he nears the gate, still running silently as only a feline can, he makes a leap for the top, ready to pull himself up.
Shizuko follows close on Hugo's heels, the leopardess moving very fast for a woman of her age. As she reaches the gate she launches herself up, feet pushing against the gate to help her vault over.
Zuri's spell works wonders as it forms the intended handles and foot rests, draining a bit from the salamander to be able to pull it off on the large cliff. But it proves immensely helpful as the group begins climbing, most of the group ending up on the cliff within a minute or so.
The two large felines charge the gate before the guards could react, or rather because the guards were busy attempting to fire on the musketeers in the distance. Both of them manage to grab one of the gates doors, and they could managed to jump over to finish the job, but sadly that was not the case the gate opened and the bandit rushed outside to attack the group. At least luckily for both of them no one noticed them as they each hid behind one of the gate's door. Now both sides were rushing to meet each other in melee. As three or four more archers began climbing onto the guard towers to give their comrades some support.
Zuri huffs tiredly as he finishes the spell. The salamander sits back against the cliff as the other beings take the lead to climb ahead of him. He stands up only when the last of the remaining beings start their climb in order to recouperate his strength. He starts his ascent, trying his very best to remain quiet and behind the other beings as he crests over the top.
Thelergramor climbs up the cliff after the handholds are made, easily making it up. Still crouched, the basilisk moves off to one side as he approaches the camp, keeping a few feet between him and the rest of the group. He pulls his dagger into his hand again, starts searching for a target.
Now this is the moment Lucasiel was waiting for! The gate was open, and the melee was about to begin. Hefting her axe in both hands, she strides forward to meet them head on with the rest of the mercenary group.
Hugo heaves himself up onto the wall and nods toward the ascending archers, indicating that Shizuko should take one side. The white lion then turns and barrels toward the archers nearest him, no need to let them keep on as they are. as he rushes along, his hand lies on the head of the cane tucked into his belt, ready to strike as soon as he is in range.
Shizuko nods at Hugo and follows his lead, slipping up the rest of the way onto the wall, then drawing her sword and charging the other archer.
The battle is engaged as the two sides clash together. A nimble bandit manages to deliver the first blow on Lucasiel but thanks to her armor and positoning, the attack fails to do anything but make the lizard bandit curse.
Hugo manages to swiftly climb from his position into the tower above. The lion beast swiftly delivers a crippling blow to the side of the bandit, causing the being to grunt as he falls off the tower into the harsh ground below, and just in time for the first archer to go for a stab on the lion who dodges it.
Shizuko suffers a similar fate as she climbs up the tower and delivers a blow from her weapon. The archer grunts and crumbles down onto the floor, barely alive as he attempts to get up. And just as well the next archer gets on top of the tower and attempts to attack Shizuko only to dodged.
The stealth group all finally manage to climb the cliff and land in the camp, however sadly one of the guards manages to spot Zuri and alerts his fellows. As a result some of the bandits go for the stealth group, causing them to drop their cover and attack.
Those in the camps and on the towers can see another group of bandits rushing towards the gate to reinforce the first wave, while another group dart for the armory to get their weapons.
Zuri curses under his breath. The salamander was just too slow in getting down and hiding his profile, and got his group spotted. He tries to not dwell in it as he scampers towards Thel, hiding next to him. He reaches over and touches the basilisk's arm to cast a quick mathemagical spell on him, a bit of earth magic to keep him safe.
Thelergramor curses as Zuri is spotted, "Shit." Then fires a shot from his wrist mounted crossbow at the nearest bandit before his group gets in the way. Collapsing the bow, he remains low, watching for any particularly vulnerably looking enemies, he nods appreciatively at Zuri as he's touched and magic starts helping him out.
Lucasiel leers at the bandit from behind her helmet, turning to face the lizard. She plants her feet and lifts the axe high. It's the only warning, if a clear one, before she brings the heavy weapon back down in a swift, cleaving arc. Like one might split a log.
Hugo smoothly spins on his heel, sidestepping the second archer then sweeping in to sheathe his revealed hidden blade in the brigand, shoving him off the tower toward his ascending compatriot. Seeing the commotion down below, the lion decides to add a bit more confusion to the well trained ranks of bandits with the old Kitsune Mind Trick. "They've taken the armory!" he bellows down to the bandits.
Shizuko quickly turns to face the new threat as another bandit attempts to contest the wall. She leads with a heavy kick to throw the being off balance, following up with a quick shoulder slam to send them falling to the ground.
Both Hugo and Shizuko manage to throw the archers off the towers and onto their compatriots, sending all to the ground. In Shizuko's case even knocking the bandit she hit unconscious.
Lucasiel manages to strike the bandit that attacked her a moment ago, sending her onto the ground, and moving just in time to dodge another bandits attempt at attacking her. Luckily for her it does appear that her group are winning the fight and driving the bandits back.
The stealth group and their enemies clash together, Theler's arrow hitting one of the bandits before he dodges a heavy clan being's axe while Zuri dodges another bandits short sword.
Hugo's kitsune ability affects one of the bandits causing him to randomly attack, sowing some discord in the bandit lines, while his diversion also work causing some more of the bandits to move to the armory to check for the attackers. Meanwhile the second wave of bandits exit the gate and reinforce their lines.
Zuri dodges out of the way of the bandit's shortsword, the small salamander throwing his opponent a dirty look. He raises his hands and focuses on a protective incantation. The earth under his feet begins to churn, somewhat growing to resemble mud, bubbling under his feet as the spell unlaces itself. The salamander practically dares the bandit to try again by standing there smirking at him.
Thelergramor sidesteps the axe easily, then steps in past it's reach. Using his dagger to hook the weapons haft and pull it in, then shifting his weight and violently wrenching the axe in an awkward direction for the bandit to keep hold of it. He spins the axe back around in his hands, then swings it once at the bandit, merely grazing him with the blade.
Lucasiel doesn't move to finish off the bandit she'd just driven to the ground. Instead, she just tries to kick whatever weapon they were using aside while moving out of the way of another attack. This time, she slides her second hand up the shaft of the axe and uses it like a bar, trying to reach behind the bandit to pull them close- Right into a helmeted headbutt.
Hugo looks around at his current position, satisfied that he has done what could be done from here. The lion wipes his blade clean and sheathes it, then swings himself over the edge of the tower and descends quickly, ready to join the fray.
Shizuko takes a moment to sheath her falchion and survey the bandit encampment, then quickly makes her way down the tower to ground level, drawing her miao dao as she goes. She mutters to herself on the way down, then gets ready to cut her way through the camp to the other group.
Both Hugo and Shizuko are attacked by two bandits which they dodge. The rest of the bandit encampment eyes them, and they two groups rush towards each being.
Lucasiel's attack manages to knock the other bandit to the ground as well. Looks like the mercenaries are easily winning this one, handling the second wave and the remnants of the first wave. Some of the mercs then break off and move towards the camp proper, Lucasiel can either finish the remnants of the bandits off or rush towards the camp as well.
Theler's fancy attempt attacking the large rhino with his own weapon does not go unnoticed by the group, as they press on. The rhino being attempts to punch Theler, but fails. And Zuri's own friend's attack is met with a small landslide than sends him onto the ground, struggling with the mud underneath him.
The leader's tent opens as a regally dressed tiger being steps outside, dressed in fine leather armor, and flanked by two big well-muscled brutes each with a large warhammer.
Zuri takes advantage of the now-unbalanced bandit to disengage from him, dashing to the other side of friendly mercenaries where he might be safe. The small salamander pants tiredly. So much magic is really taking it out of him! Instead he focuses on hiding in the crowd, trying to avoid getting attacked again.
Thelergramor keeps the axe, dodging the punch easily, then pulling the axe back behind him, his grip a bit awkward from holding both the axe and his dagger. Which likely contributed to his lack of accuracy previously... Thel glares, then rushes in and tries to shoulder tackle the rhino. Just slam himself into him to knock him down...
Given that the rhino is... large... Might be a poorly thought out plan. Which is normal.
Lucasiel turns to make her own way into the camp. The bandits she faced were knocked down and subdued. She had no interest in killing them, and hopefully they'd have the sense to not get back up. Or at least run off if they did. And just in time, it seems, to rejoin with the others for what looks to be a final confrontation!
