Chromeknight

I will attack the Imperial Mage here on the left. I can block some of his magic, he is less likely to unleash an effect that will hurt us all Nerwen attacks Imperial Mage A from the front row. She looks around for the Rito warriors, Perhaps they would catch up soon and even the odds up some.

Denerii bobbed her head in reply. I understand what you mean, little umbrio, it seems you have an instinctual understanding of the elements. Are you sure you're a rogue? Denerii winked at the patch of shadow where De'kra's eyes glowed. Any other offers before we take off?

Nerwen hands Denerii her fire bomb. Fly swift.

Nerwen was silent. Her skills lay in conversations with people rather than formulating plans trying to factor in a palace full of unknowns. She was a hunter, not a raider. Always more comfortable having the advantage of terrain, or at least being able to see the putative battlefield. Always better to know the enemy rather than charge in blindly. This situation was bad in any number of ways. She shook her head clearing the glum thoughts. I will follow whatever plan Sarick chooses, but I do not have any ideas myself. Also Sarick, if no one wants the helmet, I will take it. Is the helmet an artifact or just a helmet? Also I previously noted I had my stats wrong which has propagated through your party info. My health is 19 and ether 15. Thanks. Turning to the Rito standing by her, the one named Denerii, Nerwen said Will you and your mate be able to fight in the confines of the palace? Denerii replied The ceilings seem high enough. It should not be a problem. How much freedom do we have in characterization for the Rito? Are they merely player actioned NPCs that are still voiced by you or are they now pseudo-PCs like Hoptet etc? Eep! Lots of colours! At least it's clear what is speech and what is OOC.

Nerwen waited for the other members of the party to speak. It seemed that they were still out of breath. Now Denerii and Flavius had landed beside them, waiting expectantly. Nerwen hoped that De'kra was wearing his useful cloak, but she could not see him at the moment. Not, at least, without turning her back on the pair of guards. What looked like bloodstains lay at their feet, a detail that worried Netwen slightly. If the orcish paladin Cronk had still been with the party they might have tried some diplomacy. As it was it looked like battle was shortly to follow. Celebryon willing, the team was ready, but Nerwen, darting a glance left and right as she stared down the guards, did not see the others with weapons out. It was also unlikely Nikolai was going to be much help, given his record so far. She exhaled and took a step closer to the guards. The emperor's life is in danger. And the city also. We have been sent to assist. The Rito are hereto strengthen our numbers, there is no need for fear. We were travelling with Emperor Emeraldo and Russel before fetching the Rito. We have new instructions for you. Go to the southern wall and do what you can. We will make sure that anyone attempting to reach the Emperor will need to pass us to do so. Go! Time is of the essence! Nerwen speaks with confident assurance, hoping the ruse works and the others do not betray their true intent.

Thanks for letting us know. Hopefully you're having as much fun QMing as we're are questing! Nerwen heard Nikolai toiling up the slope. She did not know what he had been doing, but he would be there soon to answer for himself. In the meantime she relaxed, slipping into a light, restful trance.

The absence of Nikolai worried Nerwen deeply. This would not be the first time their 'guide' had turned against them. But in the calm after battle she was better able to understand what the voices that interrupted her healing magic had been. The rememants of the magics used by the Rito to summon their falcon allies echoed in the music of the winds. Although not naturally adept at such calling the long day that she had just spent meditating while waiting for the Rito and the rest of the party to speak gave her insight into the method. Nerwen drew a large circle in the dust with the tip of her staff, imbueing it with a squirt of erher as she closed it. With a loud voice she called the words she had heard echoing on the wind. She felt more than heard the answering scrall of a bird high above, right at the edge of her keen eyesight. A small thrill of excitation ran through Nerwen as the implications of her summoning sank in.

The Rito warriors' words encouraged Nerwen. Beaten you fairly it is. But you were right, we were arrogant ourselves and less than truly polite as we approached you. My name is Nerwen, the Naga is Sarick, the echo, De'kra, the human Mage Nyx and the other human Xander. We also have a guide with us, Nikolai. He will have a better idea of what is needed. You said that this is sacred ground. I was wrong to be dismissive of that. What god do you serve and how can atonement be made for the battle fought here? Some reparation? I feel we should make clear we are not merely warriors for hire, but truly seek the good of all peoples in this land. Nerwen looks around for Nikolai. Welcome back JimBee! My humble apologies. I think I've had my stats wrong for a while now. Health is lvl+9=19 and ether is lvl+5=15. I've updated my sig. Sorry again!

With a sigh, Nerwen sank to her knees as Nyx's spell brought the second Rito down. Something about the flurry of combat made it so much harder to channel healing and seemingly impossible to heal herself. Now that they had proved themselves in combat, it was to be hoped that the Rito would willingly aid the people of Dastan to avoid the chaos that was threatening them. Outside combat, Nerwen could now concentrate better, so she began by healing Nyx, De'kra, Sarick and herself. With her ether depleted she then drank a tonic. Turning to the knocked out Rito warriors, coming to groggily, she said, I am a cleric. Shall I heal you also or would you prefer one of your own to do it?

Nerwen's keen eyes were able to pick out the Rito against the glare of the sky. She saw the moment his soaring turned to a dive, directed at Xander. Ready with a heal for him following Nyx's brutal application of a blow from a healing staff. Sarick's own strike on her she barely felt, concentrating on the Rito as she was. But it felt like something was twisting the music of the world. Something raw and chaotic. An aberration of nature. A foe of civilization. She gasped to her teammates, Hurry! I feel we are running out of time. Hoping it would not be required, but knowing fate wove strange twists, she readied her hammer to attack Flavius from the back row. I will heal those that need it when battle is done.

Healing will be appreciated thank you Sarick. I find that I am unable to heal myself. I do not know why. While the Rito is on the wing, I will heal Nyx. When he comes back into range I willheal Xander.

Everything in proportion and harmony, Nyx. This is the time to prove our worth in combat, then it will be time to heal the hurts of battle. Ah. I missed that announcement. I'm too impatient. It's made harder by not reading the other quests either... Thanks for the gentle rebuke!

With only one target left Nyx and Xander did not have to make complex decisions about who to aim for. Still, the final Rito was still relatively healthy, the battle was not over by any means. Hopefully Xander's axe striking from the front row, and Nyx's wind magic from the back row should cut the Rito down quickly. Keep it up heroes. Let us finish this fight! Again, sorry. Trying to keep things moving. I'm keen to see the fallout from the end of this battle...

Extra XP? Interesting loot? What are these things of which you speak? This is not a complaint, I've been really enjoying the path I've taken through Dastan, and the people I'm with (now with bonus Nyx!) but we've been light on in the loot front. And the XP front, this is only our fourth battle, (not counting the Constance battle which didn't generate XP). Maybe we missed a side quest somewhere...

The whispering in the back of Nerwen's mind was hard to shake. She knew there was more going on here than simply this battle. Invoking a complex counter-chant, Nerwen sang in harmony with herself, matching the whistling of the wind across the barren, rocky battlefield. Once again directing her healing power at Sarick. Although there was only one foe remaining now, she was careful to stay well out of reach in the back row but gave herself room to perform the deft hand movements that, coupled with her voice, were intended to rid her of the invasive presence blocking the proper channeling of healing.

As Nerwen began gathering her healing power she noted thatSarick was not only hurt but stunned. He seemed unable to even speak, the previous arrow had hurt him so much. She spoke up. The two Rito are targeted, we need not worry about free hits. Sarick will recover from shock next round. In the meantime, Nyx, strike first, Xander can follow you. Battle Order >Nyx vs. Denerii Xander vs. Flavius >De'kra vs. Flavius >Nerwen healing Sarick >Sarick stunned Noted Xarxan had not posted. And figured that was what we were waiting on. I'm keen to keep this quest rolling, not least because it's linked with the others and making them have more filler battles would be impolite. If I've overstepped propriety by posting a battle order, I'm sorry.

Hearing Sarick struck badly by an arrow, Nerwen ceases attempting to heal herself and instead heals Sarick without moving from her position in the back row.

No criticism intended! I know you're doing a lot of hard work. I, for one, am grateful! Whilst chanting Netwen could feel the world moving about her. Big things were happening in Dastan. The battle here was but one in a much larger symphony. She thought of the other heroes they had met,, the party from which Nyx had come and of Cronk and Galen, somewhere in Dastan, battling Celebryon knew what. Her resolve to prove the teams worth in this combat and bring the Rito to the aid of the people of Dastan in their hour of need was strengthened.

Feeling her focus spin off, Nerwen grasped for the trailing edge of the healing energy, but was unable to draw the surge back. However, since no one else needed it she tried healing herself again. Standing in the back row she resumed the soft chanting that helped her connect with the music of Galadrya. Although while she did so, she kept a keen elvish eye on the high flying Rito. Discerning his intention to dive back into the fray and causes free hit, she asked Sarick between snatches of tune, who will take the free hit from the Rito? Before returning to her music. Nerwen's ether should be 11/12 since I healed Nyx. Thanks Zepher.

Nerwen saw that the party was in good shape. Although, the Rito were tough and this would still be a long battle. Knowing she could not take a hit from either of them she healed herself while in the back row so that she'd be able to engage them next round.

The air and the light of the mountain top invigorated Nerwen. In the flutter of the wind she could hear the music of Celebryon and Galadrya, even in this place, far from the trees of home. The hammer of heartbeats pushed in the exertion of battle added a bass line that could not be ignored. But the sting of the falcon's claw on her cheek caused Nerwen to wonder why she was using a hammer against a bird. Yet Xander didn't seem to be having any difficulty using his club against the Rito. His teamwork with Sarick, taking advantage of the way the Mage blew the falcon within striking distance was impressive. Then, seeing Nyx hurt again, but now having space to act, Nerwen rushed to her side. I am coming Nyx! Nerwen heals Nyx keeping her position in the back row. Thanks for taking over Zepher, it's good to keep things rolling. You didn't tick down Nerwen's health in the current party stats though. (not that I really mind the oversight!)

Perhaps De'kra should use one of his potions on you. Then I can keep at the other falcon and we will not have any free hits. Will you be alright this round Nyx? Nerwen attacks the falcon (b) again from the front row.

Since De'kra will remedy Nyx, she can attack and we will not suffer a free hit. As long as your attack hits, you will survive the round and I will heal you next.

The solid thunk of her hammer against the diving falcon was satisfying. Especially as she'd managed to interrupt it's attack and kept herself safe from hurt. Looking over at the party, Nerwen could see Nyx cowering in cover, pinned down by a rain of arrow from the bird-woman. The clicky rogue was muttering to himself. She called over to him. De'kra. you need to act now. Either strike one of the birds to prevent it attacking or remedy Nyx so she can attack. Speaking to Xander she said How are you going big man? Do you need healing or will you be right for another round? Nerwen swung again at the falcon (b) from the front row but hoped for a miracle. Her party's health could not withstand too many blows, and with one member less than commited, she did not have a free hand right now to keep everyone going.

Nerwen listened to De'kra's words. I only spoke truth to them. They registered as insult out of the pride of their hearts. But I think they would have found some reason or other to fight us. As for battle, to hurt us they will need to draw close like any fight, they will not stay out of reach. Besides, both Nyx and Sarick can manipulate the wind, it is hard to dodge when falling from the sky. But if you want to hold your weapons I understand. Have Sarick throw you his healing staff and you can care for the team while we prove our worth. That way you will not raise a hand against those you cannot, but will still contribute to the task we are given. As for killing them that's up to the QM. I expect we will just knock them out like any hero in battle. We can clearly state that any finishing blows are pulled to be non-lethal. I would have had Nerwen say as much, but you posted the question OOC. Besides, I think we were unlikely to dodge this battle regardless of what was said. I think we're still firmly within the plot track that was set...