CMP

"Far as I'm concerned, anyone supportin' us, warrior or otherwise, is a damn hero, and is gonna be remembered like one," added Atramor, nodding in agreement with Dyric. The rogue was panting rather heavily what with the smoke and the arduous battle they'd endured, and he was quick to quench his thirst with a Mead, inhaling a bit of Smelling Salts for a pep up as he looked to Bellanotte and offered her a Grand Tonic. "That feels like a month ago," mumbled Atramor off-handedly, before straightening up. "But aye. I'm thinkin' that you could pick up the trail of the party that went after the Oracle here, Dyric. We need to work on reunitin' the parties now that we have a target, some information, and reinforcements." "And great work, ya'll. That was a damn close one, but it coulda' gone a hell of a lot worse. We kept our heads and got it done, all we can do in this sorta rock-and-a-hard-place kinda deal."

Oh right, I forgot that they combined. Atramor smirks at the success of the guard and paladins backing off, and even moreso as he sees Matthias enthrall one of their leaders, but as he turns to thank the gnome, he sees Dyric and Torc struck down by the paladin prophet. "Damn it! Alright, everyone get ready to retreat, we gotta get behind this wall before we're overrun! Matthias, Althior, if ya' can get your magic workin' overtime, it'd save us some essence later, but don't forget to flee!" Luke uses a Phoenix Essence on Torc if she isn't already revived, then flees. If he hasn't been revived, Atramor empties a Phoenix Essence to revive Dyric. He then flings a Smoke Bomb into the ranks of the enemy, and with a swift turn of his coat, leads the party into a retreat. All the other Lion Knights flee. Battle Order Matthias Matthias Althior Althior Luke Luke Atramor Atramor Leona Leona High Guard High Guard Phalanx Phalanx Bellanotte Dyric Hoke Torc

I think you forgot to account for Dyric's Defense against the Prophet, he should be up with a whopping 5 health. How does escape work? Do we use a Smoke Bomb or do we just need to survive this last round?

Not an ace in the hole, but damn, full negative effect protection and an ally with 2000 health would be nice.

Profound Tactics - All Town Watch forces have a 1/2 chance to ignore their Target's the Positive Effects. I can't really wrap my head around this. Encouraged and Reinforced are straightforward, I suppose, but I don't know how any other positive effect interacts with this. Also, I'm basing this plan on the belief enemies are also affected by how flanks work, let me know if this is not the case. I kind of doubt we'd be facing two ballista and two high priests if it weren't. Also, did anyone know Matthias takes half damage from free hits?! Because I didn't. Who says healers can't tank. Atramor whirls around in his drilling of the high priest to see yet another one approach on the opposite front. He is quick to regroup with the party and round everyone up into defensive positions as the Archangel descends on Flank A, using her Holy Word to cleanse their buffs. "Althior, we're gonna need the last of those damn Pumpkin Bombs on Flank B. Everyone else, focus Flank A! Dyric, we need some serious cullin' here, don't let us down, mate. Everyone at the top, be careful, won't be as lucky as we normally are; we're gonna be tankin' hard 'til we can thin these bastards out. Matthias-" the rogue looked left and right - and left, and right, and then down to see the top hat he'd spotted at the periphery of his vision. "-oh, there ya' are. Got a special job for ya', mate. Ya' familiar with scrolls?" Without waiting for an answer, he handed the druid his Scroll of the Chasm. "See that dark-lookin' lady on Flank A? Dunno 'bout you, but I'm thinkin' she'd be of more use on our side," he explained vaguely, with a wink. Atramor then goes to spray Flank B with his bottle of Fearomone from the back row. Lions in the back row. Leona strikes the Inspector General twice. The Archers fire on Ballista A twice. The Phalanx attack Snipers A and B. The High Guard attacks Enforcers A and B. Luke drinks a Tonic and then heals whoever is injured. Battle Order Leona Leona Archangel High Guard High Guard Phalanx Phalanx Atramor Atramor Matthias Matthias Luke Luke Bellanotte Dyric Dyric Hoke Torc Althior Althior

Everyone repeats. Luke will drink his Tonic when he runs out of ether. Battle Order Archangel >Luke >Luke >Bellanotte Atramor Atramor >Dyric >Dyric Torc Hoke >Althior >Althior >Matthias >Matthias >Leona >Leona >Infantry >Infantry >Archers >Archers >High Guard >High Guard I'm aware Bellanotte is going to run out of ether for the Lion Knights. Can you have Hoke give her an Ether Core next round, MDM?

"Keep pinnin' em down, they're gonna get reinforcements!" Atramor stabs the High Cleric twice in the back row with his Brain Drill. Archangel does nothing. Leona, Infantry, and High Guard repeat. Archers will fire on the High Cleric. Luke attempts to cast his Scroll of Frailty on Flank A. If he's successful, he then heals any damaged party members. All in the back. Battle Order Archangel >Bellanotte Atramor Atramor >Dyric >Dyric Torc Hoke >Leona >Leona >Infantry >Infantry >Archers >Archers >High Guard >High Guard >Althior >Althior >Matthias >Matthias >Luke >Luke

Amidst the flames, Atramor drops his Doomsday Bomb and kicks into Flank B before turning to use an Ether Core on Bellanotte, both from the back row. The Archangel looms like a beacon of judgment over the paladins, but does nothing this round. "Leave the rest, now we hit Flank A. Careful of those Infiltrators, mates. Dyric, show those snipers how it's really done, if ya' will." Lion Knights stay in the back. Luke drinks two Tonics. Infantry and High Guard repeat. Archers fire on Informants A and B. Same Order

Instruments are ranged, wands are not.

Atramor whips into the front row and slashes into the Paladin High Cleric with his Brain Drill twice. The Archangel uses Holy Word on Flank A. Lion Knights will remain in the back. Luke attempts to cast his Scroll of Arc Frailty on Flank A until he succeeds. If he succeeds on his first turn, he will cast a Light spell on War Priest A. Leona will attack the High Cleric. Infantry, High Guard, and Archers all repeat. Battle Order Archangel >Bellanotte Atramor Atramor >Dyric >Dyric Torc Hoke >Leona >Leona >Infantry >Infantry >Archers >Archers >High Guard >High Guard >Althior >Althior >Matthias >Matthias >Luke >Luke

Atramor beholds the small army of town guardsmen before the party, and stows his claws; pulling out two similar but rather distinct stones from inside his coat, one in each hand. In the back row, he charges 60 Mana into the Archangel Summonstone, and 25 Mana into the Archdemon Summonstone. The Archangel uses Holy Word on Flank B, while the Archdemon uses Devil's Whisper on Flank A. The rogue stumbles as the stones drain his very life force, but manages to stay on his feet as he looks sideways at Dyric, unsurprised at his already picking out targets. From the cobblestones of the street, an inky darkness seeps from between the rock to form a mighty, demonic entity that faces down half the party's foes alone. Meanwhile, a ray of light descends from the heavens towards the other half, a stunning woman with features far too perfect to truly grasp gliding alone it. "Don't worry about Flank A this round, they'll be too busy rippin' themselves apart, courtesy of big an' angry over there. Lady in the sky should purge Flank B of all their luck, so let's spread out, hit 'em quick, and hit 'em hard, mates!" All Lion Knights stay in the back row. Luke will cast his Scroll of Arc Frailty on Flank B. If unsuccessful, he does so again; if successful, he heals Atramor. Leona strikes the Paladin High Cleric and the Paladin Knight mob. The Archers fire on Seraphim A and B. The Skirmishers attack Vindicator A twice. The High Guards attack Vindicator B twice. Battle Order >Atramor >Atramor Archdemon Archangel >Luke >Luke >Bellanotte >Dyric >Dyric Hoke Torc >Leona >Leona >Infantry >Infantry >High Guard >High Guard >Archers >Archers >Althior >Althior >Matthias >Matthias

I'll use two Grand Tonics on Bellanotte. Atramor gave Dyric an approving nod as the party advanced. "Almost there."

"Almost got 'em mates, now surround 'em and put 'em down." While taking great satisfaction in the effectiveness of the party and their allies, Atramor started to look mildly annoyed as he swiped at Knights A (twice) and B (twice) from the front row. Luke will heal whoever is wounded from the back row. All Lion Knights will attack Archers A for their first turn and B for their second. Battle Order >Bellanotte >Dyric >Dyric Hoke Atramor Atramor >Leona >Leona >Infantry >Infantry >High Guard >High Guard >Archers >Archers Althior Althior >Matthias >Matthias >Luke >Luke

Atramor nods at Dyric, slashing War Priest A (twice) and B (twice) from the front row. "Someone nail down those archers!" Luke will attempt to cast his Scroll of Arc Frailty on each flank once from the back row. Leona will attack Watchman Mobs A and C from the back row. The Skirmishers will attack Heavy Enforcer Mobs A and B from the back row. Lion Knight Archers will fire on Informants A and B from the back row. The High Guard will attack Knight Mobs A and C from the back row. Battle Order Luke Luke Bellanotte Dyric Dyric Torc Hoke Atramor Atramor Leona Leona Infantry Infantry High Guard High Guard Archers Archers Althior Althior Matthias Matthias

My Lockpicks didn't inspire me by any chance, did they? Atramor couldn't help but crack a grin as the party cut down the paladins and Watch with ease, and alongside the rest of the heroes he led the way down the alleys with the Lions watching their flank. A thought occurred to him, and he dug around in his coat. "Hey Luke, catch," he remarked towards the wise Lion sage he'd fought beside, tossing him his Scroll of Arc Frailty. "Everyone stick close, we ain't outta this yet." Leona will drink her Mead. Same Order

Atramor drew his claws one more. This was a lot of opposition to cut through. "Leaders aren't what I'm concerned about. It's those Paladin Knights. You hit the second one and someone from the other flank." He looked towards the Lion Knights. "Leona! Keep your men safe and hold that second flank, we'll handle this side then regroup! Everyone else, spread out as much as ya' can, we gotta keep everyone on the first flank covered!" Atramor will use an Ether Core on Bellanotte and slashes at Paladin Knight A with both claws from the front row. Leona will use Smelling Salts and Nostrum in the back row. The Infantry will attack Archer Battalion and Paladin Priests from the back row. The Archers will attack Paladin Infrantry A and B from the back row. The High Guard will attack Paladin Lieutenant Prinnis and the Heavy Enforcers from the back row. Battle Order Bellanotte Dyric Dyric Hoke Atramor Atramor Leona Leona Infantry Infantry High Guard High Guard Archers Archers Luke Luke Althior Althior Matthias Matthias

Thanks. Just started reading the whole thing again...I think when the parties met up for the last time we were too busy finishing the planning for the final battle to read most of the roleplaying. I love how utterly convinced everyone is that they're on the right side.

Atramor unrolled a map of Eubric since Photobucket works now. "I say we go south 'round Sungold Hill, up 'til we get to Glassblower's. Then we weave in between the Marketplace and Heroica Hall - tight fit, but the Academy's an empty lot now anyhow and once we get past the Ziegfrieds' we're more or less in the clear. Lady Leona, once we get there you and your men should probably secure the entrance to the Hovels by the Manor - they're friendly, obviously, courtesy of Arthur. If you can keep that path in and out clear, hopefully we won't have any issues with the Town Watch or the paladins inside. If we're lucky, they ain't gone far. If we aren't, we could be bouncin' 'round a fair bit. If Dyric or Althior pick up on their trail on the way, we can change the plan as necessary. Sound good mates?"

"First we gotta round up the other heroes. That in mind, maybe our forces should stick together while we do it. If we head back to the Hovels, maybe Dyric can pick up the trail of the party that went to seek out the Oracle."

"Luke - good to see ya' again, mate. Only ever fought with you and Leonard in that dungeon, almost forgot ya' had a whole army of your own at your side," chuckled Atramor as he clasped arms with the elven cleric. He then turned to tilt his head towards Leona. "Glad to meet ya' as well, seem to recall your uncle was a hell of a swordsmen, if a bit long-winded. Arthur ain't here with us, I'm afraid, but rest assured he's fine: he fought alongside us not an hour ago, in fact he's the one that told us ya'll were havin' some trouble with the guards. Any luck, maybe he'll join back with us down the line." "Aye, a friend of Hoke's is keepin' the guards distracted, but it's only a matter of time before someone else stumbles across the buildin' and sends for more guards. We don't got a hell of a lot of time; the short version is, we're gonna make contact with the other heroes in the city - they've been doin' their own recruitin' - and with our combined forces, we're gonna take a ship and assault Fort Freedom. We need to put an end to the Council and the false Founders, and damn could we use your help."

"Heh, thanks Torc." Atramor turned towards the woman, sweeping off his hat with a bow. "Lady. We ain't with the Council. We're with Heroica. And we're on a quest to bring them and these false Founders down with all the help we can muster. And Arthur Regulus says you're some of the best help 'round. That true?"

Once the guards and Dyric were a safe, inaudible distance away, Atramor, with a nod to the rest of the party, lead them around the corner. He approached the guard captain slowly, shaking his head as he did so. "So this is how good ol' Cap'n Cousland shows gratitude, huh? Look, mate, you're doin' your job as guardsmen, and we're doin' our job as heroes. I can respect that. Now I'm sure ya've got a tough group of veterans here, but the fact of the matter is? We're really damn good at our jobs. And we have a long road ahead of takin' down these frauds of Founders and makin' sure they haven't executed the Houses. So, are ya' gonna move your men aside, or are they gonna be moved?"

Atramor followed the gnome's example and inhaled some of his own Smelling Salts and downed a Mead as the party watched the exchange from around the corner.

"Heh, I like the way you think. Give it a shot, we'll hang back here."

Atramor nods and buys out Mynatt's offered items, handing him 150 gold. "Aye. Let's move, mates."