[Taocow PBEM] Chapter XVIII - Into The Heart Of Darkness

[Aaron Clausen]

> > [Alister]
> > "The ice lady's army is outside." Alister says.  "What did you guys take,
> > sleeping pills?  The council is waiting for you."
> > [/Alister]

> > [GM]
> > Just as Alister says, outside are at least two hundred elves, some in
> > armor with fine weapons, and others in rougher gear.  About two dozen
> > knights sit on horses.  At the front of them stand the council.
> > [/GM]

> > [Amanda]
> > "That was one helluva dream." Amanda says.  "Well, I guess we put on our
> > brave faces."
> > [/Amanda]

> > [GM]
> > The tall, outspoken Councilor comes through the door.  "Your *army* is
> > here, m'lady.  he says to Amanda. "Who among you is sneaking in?  I have
> > been asked to be your guide.  We must leave now, before first light."
> > [/GM]

> [Ted]
> "I will be sneaking in," Ted states.
> [/Ted]

> [Owen]
> "I will also be sneaky."
> [/Owen]

> [Sia]
> "I'll come too."
> [/Sia]

> [Ted]
> "Glad to have the company, Owen and Sia. What kind of skills do you have
> that might benefit the rest of us?"
> [/Ted]

[Louissa]
"I'll be going wherever Talas goes." Louissa says, a little dreamily.
[/Louissa]

> [Alex]
> "I would prefer to act as support at a bit of range but I am a scout,"
> Alex responds. "If you think I would be more useful with the lead team, I
> will help in the lead." Her expression is one of curiousity
> [/Alex]

> [Ted]
> "This is going to take the best each of us has to offer, Alex. I would
> prefer you on the lead team," the lizard man states.
> [/Ted]

> [Sia]
> "As you probably know by now, Ted, I'm an accomplished spellcaster...
> Unfortunately my most useful minor ability, that of turning invisible in
> shadow, is confined only to me.  As for my greater abilities..." she gulps
> a bit, "well no use keeping secrets at this point, though I ask you to
> keep it to yourselves for my kind are often irrationally distrusted by the
> less enlightened.... I am a shifter, and given the use of a ley line I
> might be able to summon something to fight for us, or otherwise open a
> Rift for a quick escape."
> 
> Addressing Alex's idea of acting as a scout for the main team, Sialillion
> adds, "While no one is doubting your abilities, I agree with Ted.  We're
> heading in blind and I'd rather have a talented scout leading the way, at
> least while traveling there.  Once we get to Rath Iren we can assess the
> situation and act accordingly."
> [/Sia]

> [Ted]
> Without replying, the lizard man files this bit away for future reference.
> [/Ted]

> [Koba]
> "I would rather try to face as little of those minions as possible.
> Standing at the head of an army is not my thing. I'll go in with Sia here.
> The quicker we move in and out the better for us and for these Elves. A
> prolonged fight would be difficult to maintain."
> [/Koba]

OOC: Haven't heard from Mr. Deskins yet, so I'll volunteer him :-)

[Carlos]
Carlos agrees to go with the "sneaky" team.
[/Carlos]

> [Alex]
> Alex does a quick check on her weapons and equipment. Her thoughts about
> how can a Coalition trooper, granted a ranger not a grunt, get involved
> with elves, wizards, and the like. Magic never really bothered he per say
> but just seems funny.
> [/Alex]

> [Talas]
> Talas looks at Koba then looks over the Elves and then back at Koba. "Mr.
> Koba all we need is for them to draw the demons forces and attention away
> from the temple. A prolonged fight would only accomplish needless death."
> [/Talas]

> [Owen]
> "Well, to be of use to this company, I guess I can't hide what I can do
> forever.  I have a few psychic abilities that can help us in this
> situation--manipulation of fire, electricity, and a few other things that
> might prove useful.  What useful skills do you have, Ted?"
> [/Owen]

> [Ted]
> The lizard man pats the rifle over his shoulder. "Just years of mercenary
> experience. Not much else."
> [/Ted]

[Amanda]
"That seems as practical as anything right now." Amanda says as she slips
into her icy form.

Lady Frost then turns to Alex.  "Well, General Hawk, it's you and me." she
says with a grim laugh.  "If you feel out of place, I started out as a
reporter."
[/Lady Frost]

[OOC]
Alright, just to clarify here.  This is who I've got going with who...

- Alex and Lady Frost will be leading the army to knock on
   the K'murd'faka's   door.
- Ted, Owen, Talas, Carlos, Koba, Lady Sia, Alister and Lady
   Louissa will be in the "sneaky" team.
[/OOC]

[GM]
As the party heads outside, the tall, mouthy Elf walks up to Lady Frost. 
"You're army has assembled, m'lady." he says.  "I hope you know what you're
doing, and don't lead us all to get killed."

He turns to the army.  "Alright!" he says in a loud voice.  "These are our
leaders.  We're going to help these people rescue our children, so remember
that as you're staring into the Gates of Hades!"
[/GM]

[Lady Frost]
"How long should the journey to these standing stones last?" Lady Frost asks
the Elf.
[/Lady Frost]

[GM]
"About six hours if all goes well." the Elf replies.
[/GM]

[Lady Frost]
Lady Frost turns to the rest of the party.  "Make sure you guys are there in
plenty of time!"
[/Lady Frost]

OOC: I'm going to split things here between the two groups.

-- 
Aaron Clausen mightymartianca at gmail.com