Sunday April 21st 1428 Imperial Calendar
The commanding view from the battlements of the steps of the ancient abbey afforded the party a unique view of the battle below. An imperial campaign style palisade fort had been hastily built on a hill a quarter mile from the entrance to the abbey. Trees from the surrounding valley had felled and fixed in place around the fortress as an impressive barrier, forcing attackers to choose one of four defended approaches.
Corman took a few minutes to assist a young priest who was among the captured men affixed to the impromptu crucifixion stand on by the entrance to the abbey. Releasing the cleric proved to be a difficult proposition to avoid further injury. The young cleric, once freed, saw to the need of the remaining captives as the adventurers attended to the larger concern of Eric Venns’ fortification.
Casper took a moment to return mouse to his human status. Mouse agreed once he was able that this was the preferred host for his spirit. Though the experience of being a carp was brief the impression was lasting.
After a careful assessment of the fort’s defenses, Casper suggested that teleportation would offer them the safest approach. No resistance was given to this tactic, but it would fore two of the party to make the journey on foot. The hope was the advance group would keep the defenders busy while the remaining members approached.
A last minute tactical change by Corman placed the group over a hidden tiger trap adjacent to the defending red knight and his dire wolf. The attempt to avoid the notice of a Nessian War hound nearly disenfranchised the ambush. Celeste luckily avoided the pitfall and pressed her advantage against the defenders. Enzo, Silverhawk, and Casper managed to extricate themselves from the trap in time to storm the gate along with Celeste.
The armored Nessian war hound wasted no time engaging the invaders. His breath weapon proved to be a formidable force. Undaunted Celeste and Enzo formed the front ranks of the assault. The war hound, though impressive was no match for the attackers by himself. It wasn’t long before reinforcements arrived. Calais and Silverhawk made sure the the hound never had a chance to feel anything but the sting of arrows. Amidst all the chaos of battle a small ember drifted into the back lines of the party. It exploded in a massive fireball. The resulting damage crippled Corman and Casper. The source of the fireball was none other than the dark knight Venns. As he was preparing to unleash a second volley on the group, Enzo stepped up and got his attention. The price for that attention was evident soon. Using his unholy bastard sword Venns exacted a price in flesh from enzo for his fool-hearty bravery. The gamble was life saving for the back line and allowed the m to regroup to some degree. Casper turned the might of his scorching ray on Venns. His answer was immediate and nearly fatal. A second Fireball landed in the rear echelon sending Corman and Casper to the ground. The price for this actions came from Enzo who was more than happy to repay compliment.
Calais shouldered his bow long enough the check on Corman. Hew as still alive, but only just. Pouring the contents of a healing potion into Corman brought him sputtering back to consciousness. Seeing Casper in a similar state to his own Corman rushed to his aid. Celeste and Enzo continued to hammer on the incoming defenders, slowly reducing their numbers. Mouse, for his part, knew better than to get involved in the fray used his stealthy nature to avoid the troops and place himself in a position to be of benefit to the outcome of the battle.
Casper now feeling a little refreshed, thanks to Corman, wasted no time in letting the anti-paladin feel the wrath of a true spell caster. The scorching ray served to further reduce Venns’ ability to remain on the offensive.
Eventually the tide stated to turn in favor of the invaders. The red knights were falling the horsemen were gone and the skeletal warrior was nearly beaten. From the tent where venns held court a shapely shadow emerged. Those who caught sight of her suspected she what the very succubus that hat attempted to corrupt Calais while he stood guard in the Grand inquisitor’s office. Melinda was her name. She did not engage, but managed to summon one of the Tan’ri. An enormous vulture-like beast appeared near Enzo. His skin spilling spores into the air. Enzo and Celeste were immediately effected.
Seeing that Venns’ was reeling from Casper’s last attack Mouse seized the opportunity to strike. Scaling the fence of the war hound’s coral Mouse moved into position behind Venns unnoticed. Pacing the poisoned blade into Venns’ back with assassins grace the fallen paladin showed the obvious drain from the debilitating poison.
Casper scraped at the bottom of his spell repertoire. Using his final scorching ray he brought the seasoned dark knight to his end.
Enzo and Celetse in concert with Calais and Silverhawk continued to eliminate the final resistance. Even though the summoned demon was a worthy opponent he was no match for the combined attentions of the foursome. Making a brief appearance Melinda made her way to the fallen remains of Venns. Bearing his hand from behind the gauntlet she removed the ring that was the source of his magic. Without delay she departed.
Mouse feeling somewhat bold fell upon Venns’ corpse, beheading it in a swift strike. In moments Enzo and Celeste had removed the last threats to the group.
Inside Eric’s tent they discovered an abused captive woman from the Vorseman tribes. He mental state was deteriorated bar beyond the physical abuses obvious on her body. Corman went to great lengths to accommodate her and heal her wounds. Shrinking deep inside herself she appeared catatonic on the floor. A defensive measure she had no doubt used on many occasions as she endured her captives attentions. The veritable pleasure-palace inside the tent was testimony enough to the debauchery that took place in here.
Mouse at the urging of other took the decapitated head of Venns to the high tower of the fort to display it for all to see. FInding a signal horn in the watch tower he sound it. The message was clear and the reaction was immediate. Scaven without leadership are notorious cowards. With their ranks broken the tide of battle changed irrevocably.
The Astoria Lighthorse was the first to reach the fortification. The sound of so many hooves approaching was reassuring and signal the cessation of hostilities in the valley of the rose.
This distant sound of trumpet calls and marching troops would soon bring the command elements here to conclude the business of celebrating victory and claiming the abbey in the name of the church and the empire. |
