Map of Fort

Map of Gatehouse
Nuyok and Cas have gone off to check out the infirmary and the stranger. The rest of you have remained on the heights. Materials are hastily summoned for Faliol's plan.
Mako approaches you as you all gather at one end of the wall.
"All right, Red. I've been giving your plan some more thought. Able here has some cages for your lanterns. They shouldn't cut down the light two much, but it should make it harder for any riven archers to shoot them out. These are the sturdiest lanterns we have. Now it's likely that they will succeed in breaking them eventually, but they have a limited supply of arrows.
"The sally port is over here at the west end. You'll have to cross the moat on that line of rocks that forms the gator barrier. Its a narrow partially submerged wall, and the top is lined with twisted iron scrap. You can't run that; it's a slow careful walk. Not too dangerous. Set your posts and lanterns. I had the blacksmith cut you some poles and bend hooks onto them. Don't light them till you set the last one. Otherwise, you be a sitting duck once they figure out what you're up to. Here's a waterproof box of matches.
"If you get into trouble, forget the lanterns and get your tail to the nearest tower. There'll be someone with rope at each one. I know your buddies are watching out for you.
"If this whole crazy scheme works long enough and well enough to justify re-lighting a lantern, we'll lower you from the east tower. If you went in and out by that the sally port you would have to run the length of the wall twice. I think that's pushing your karma.
"Good luck. If we live through this, I'll stand you and your whole caravan for expenses at the Gatorhead."

Some notes on the night map. The proposed lantern spots are numbered counterclockwise, starting at upper left. There are nine. There are also nine towers, numbered in a similar direction. There are four ballistas numbered this way as well. The barracks/infirmary has been marked, and there is a lantern at the end of the dock, to light the harbor.

Edited to add map of Gatehouse


[EDITED on Mon December 16, 2002 @8:28 PM (PST)]

[EDITED on Fri December 20, 2002 @6:31 PM (PST)]

[EDITED on Fri December 20, 2002 @6:32 PM (PST)]

[EDITED on Sat March 1, 2003 @9:00 AM (PST)]

"Faliol, we three should spread ourselves out over the wall to cover you as you set the lanterns. One person could run to the next available tower as the other two cover the next spots. Such as: If we are positioned at towers 1, 2 and 3, when you move from lantern 1 to place lantern 2, the person at tower 1 would move ahead to tower 4, and so forth. That way two lantern positions will always be covered, and any of us should be within easy distance of the tower should you need to be lifted"

"Celeste, that is a good idea. That will give the person currently watching over me a chance to brace their aim, greatly improving their accuracy."

OOC: Don't want to sound bossy, but I do want to save time between posts. If it is ok with you three, Faliol will just assign Tower numbers to people.

"Alphabetical order sound good? Miss Beka gets towers 1, 4, and 7. Celeste gets 2, 5, and 8. That leaves Riccoco with 3, 6, and 9. Ricco, if you will hold onto the stuff I don't want to take with me, I would appreciate it."

Unless someone interjects a comment, I begin walking towards the first tower. I will only carry the lanterns, the hooks, the pole thing to set the lanterns, some source of fire to light the lanterns, and my sword. Everything else, I put into Ricco's keeping. I take off anything that jingles/glints and rub some mud over the white parts of my fur. (Help with the stealth rolls, hopefully)

.oO(My glorious tail, forgive me for the mud. I will cleanse you later...)

Death or glory awaits!!!

Celeste will take her position at tower 2 as Faliol exits the sally port. The bow is strung and she holds an arrow loosely in her left hand next to the bow, ready to draw and shoot. In the dimming light, she grimly watches moving from Faliol to the edge of the clearing and back. .oO(Evil riven or no, they will die tonight.)

I will go to my tower and get ready.
I will count on the wall to give me cover and not fire on my off phase (as is my wont).

Good plan, but I am going to double up Riccoco and Beka on seven, since it is the last adjacent tower. Tower 8 has a line of sight, but Tower 9 is on the other side of the hill that the fort is built on (Note elevation lines; after the eastern gator wall, the hill rises abruptly in a steep cliff.)

Faliol exits the sally port at the western end. With graceful steps (Dex roll by 5), he crosses the gator wall without mishap. He is difficult to see, and you often lose sight of him entirely (Stealth by 8) In fact, he sets all nine lanterns without mishap, which takes him about 30 minutes. (Stealth and running don't mix.)
It is the return trip where speed is needed. Faliol gathers himself, sets his concentration on the task before him. He lights the first lamp and sprints through the darkness. each lantern in turn flares into life. Number 8, Number 7, Number 6.
It is crossing the road from number 6 to number 5 that an arrow whistles through the dakness with a noise like a June bug.
Faliol, the arrow passes by you by a good four feet, disappearing into the night, Taking a brief moment to get your bearings, you back track its flight to the forest ahead of you. (In the clump directly above the words "to Adala")
Beka, on Tower 4, sees Faliol react to the arrow--glancing briefly along the flight path--but cannot perceive the arrow directly. Celeste on Tower 5 does not notice Faliol's pause. Riccoco is enroute to Tower 4 and sees nothing.
What does everyone (particularly Faliol and Beka) do?

Riccoco hurries between his designated positions completely oblivious of the peril of his friend.

.oO(He'sgonnamakeit.He'sgonnamakeit!)

Carefully in the direction that Faliol looked. I am looking for rustling bushes, shining glints, or anything that might tip someones hiding place off.

The forest is black, with no movement or sound.. Maybe if Faliol lights the next lantern...

I'm waiting until he lights the last lantern but looking in the direction he looked.

my elf sight, no wait...
armor piercing against Riven!
That's it!

Riccoco moves into position and whips out his bow and nocks an arrow.

.oO(What be a good 'coon name for a bow anyways? Keep the mind on the task old 'coon. The trip to Adala be a long one if ol' Riccoco be doin' all the scoutin' on his own.)

.oO(Risky, but here goes! Hope my luck holds just a little longer...)

I light number 5 and then plan to run for the rope on Tower 4. (Tower closest to Faliol that borders the road)

.oO(Friends, don't fail me now!)

OOC: I like the way you are handling this, Keith!

Faliol, sprints for the Lantern 5. Unfortunately, in the darkness, the brave fox fails to see an unexpected hole in the ground, overgrown by grass. Though it is only a few inches deep, his back paw is grabbed and painfully twisted. Stifling a yelp of pain, he manages to use the lantern post
to pull himself up. An arrow whistles from the darkness and strikes him! Those on the wall are impressed that he still keeps grimly quiet and lights the lantern anyway.
Beka, upon the wall notices the jungle foliage rustle and sees the bowman crouched behind a tree.
Taking careful aim, she lets fly with her arrow. On the tower across the gatehouse, Celeste does likewise. Two bowstrings twang simultaneously. Two arrows disappear into the darkness, arcing over the sputtering lantern. One short, sharp cry sounds from inside the jungle's edge.
Faliol turns and starts to run toward the tower, but his ankle gives out and he stumbles. He falls head over heels but is quickly on his feet again, hopping toward the tower. An arrow is plainly visible protruding from his torso.
Those on the wall can hear a low chant begin as soldiers mutter under their breath, "come on...".
Finally, as Faliol reaches the tower, he grabs the rope that Beka has dropped. Strong hands join Beka's as she pulls the fox upawrds. A cheer goes up as Faliol is swiftly recovered. A quick examination soon shows that the arrow missed the fox by a fraction of an inch, sliding between his fur and his armor.
"Hmmm," says Soldier Doom, "Lucky. The next one will probably kill you."

I think I can light the rest. Your foot needs rest. How 'bout it?
.oO(Then, if I'm dead, I won't have to see the Reavers!)

OOC: Assuming our oblivious 'coon realizes the jig is up and races over to where Faliol is hauled up... Otherwise... Forget it. He's hanging out wondering what happened to Red.

Ricco runs up and claps Faliol on the shoulder. Glancing at the mud now on his paw, he says, "Red, a clumsy Kit you are! Fallin' in a hole on the job?" The 'coon's muzzle is split in a broad grin and his manner is jovial.

A few moments later, his tone somber, "Ol' Riccoco don' be thinkin' it be best for Miss Beka to be makin' the trip... It be a job for someone else."

Looking up grimly, he continues, "It be lookin' like the Twisted comin' from that way, then. Do we be needin' the lanterns lit, or no? Few be fleeter o' foot than ol' Riccoco."

If you think it would be better. I will still cover you.
.oO(Darn, I might still have to see a (shudder) Reaver!)

I take a bow, mugging shamelessly. "My thanks, ladies. I think one or both of you hit the rascal that shot me."

Almost in a whisper, I say to my three compadres, "Listen to the soldiers now. In the armory, I could tell that morale here was about as low as it can get. Every small victory helps. Thanks, ladies and gent, for watching over me."

Accepting my stuff back from Ricco, I listen to Beka and Ricco discussing our next move. "I will help cover whichever one of you wants to go. Be careful, we whacked the hornets' nest. We no longer have surprise."

I tell both of them exactly where I put lanterns 1-4 and hand over the pole plus the source of fire to whichever one goes.

I massage my ankle while they discuss strategy.

Mako overhears the last bit of this.
"Bandit, you're welcome to try, but I think they're onto the game. Houma knows where the sally port is; he'll likely send someone to cover it. If you're a good swimmer, we could lower you into the moat. You could light what you can and we'd pick you up the same way we got back Red, here."
He claps Faliol on the back.

Riccoco turns back to the group at Mako's words. At his feet is his rumpled rucksack from the journey from Tallon. In his leathery paws he holds... A waterproof book of matches.

The 'coon's face is plastered with his knowing grin, "Ol' Riccoco know a bit of swimmin'? This 'coon be the fastest swimmer along all o' the Sabre!" Ricco's bluster fades a bit as he says, "Ol' Riccoco can be lightin' your lanterns, Mako. But you be needin' to remember him by his name if he falls."

Then, glancing quickly at Doom, "An' not a word from this one. He be bringin' the bad luck on the lot of us with his gloom!"

OOC: Yeah... So, he's a little touchy... He's nervous!

What do you mean falls? Just don't step in a hole like ol' clumsy here and you won't fall.
(Grinning at Faliol)

.oO(Oh, Shut Up!))

If Faliol is now enroute from Lantern 5 to Lantern 4 (Celeste not having seen him pause), she will move on to Tower 2 to cover Faliols final retreat back to the sally port, paying extra special attention at this time. Once at Tower 2, Celeste will draw her bow to the easy spot and hold. Should something appear (other than a Reaver or the megadeezle) anywhere near Faliol she will fire. If the megadeezle comes romping after him, she will fire on it in an attempt to distract it from Faliol.

.oO(Only one shot thus far, this has gone a little too easily)

Riccoco reitterates his earlier conviction, "May the Toad's Luck go with yeh, Faliol. A braver soul this 'coon has never seen."

Riccoco mutters as he moves over to his postion, bow held in a tightly gripped fist. He mutters, "Or stupider. Damn fool of a kit!"

Riccoco begins to talk, but pauses when Celeste answers with her idea.

.oO(Faliol be the better bowman and ol' Riccoco be the fastest Beast of this lot. The better chance of livin' til day along that lantern line lies with this 'coon.)

Riccoco starts to talk and clamps his mouth shut, one paw slowly reaching up to twirl his whiskers. Finally he simply says, "Good luck, Red. This 'coon will be shootin' a straight. Nothin' to worry 'bout."

Not surprised that it crossed your mind. Good roleplaying NOT to volunteer. Ricco wouldn't be alive at his age if he were as stupid as Faliol!!!!

OOC: Is it just me? My face-to-face games never have this level of good roleplaying. The slow pacing of online leads to much better roleplaying, IMO. Plus face-to-face has soooo many distractions...Late players, phone calls, TV, food....

OOC: Food!

We get good roleplaying in FTF, but you're right, there are a LOT of distractions.This is great for focus!

Riccoco, Beka and Celeste continue on. Faliol is propped up with his bow on tower number 4. Celeste will have tower 3, Beka Tower two and Celeste again on tower 1. There will be an NPC archer on each tower too.

The plucky* raccoon is lowered quietly into the moat. Like a fish he arrows across the water. hugging the ground, he quickly makes his way to Lantern 4. Taking a moment to get his bearings on Lantern 3, he lights the lamp. Like a bolt from an arrow he streaks across open ground to lantern 3, and lights it just as the twang of a bowstring is heard from the jungle. An arrow misses him by a good five feet and he is off again.
It is here that he runs into trouble. Halfway between the two lanterns, his attention is caught by a snarl from the direction of the jungle. A large creature, presumeably once human, is charging from between the two clumps of trees to his left.
Like a wolfman in general shape, it has eight limbs of freakish length. Using any number of them as legs, it blurs toward the raccoon, far faster than he himself can run!

OOC: *Raccoons and squirrels are always plucky. They just are and no one knows why.

I curse my sprained ankle and hobble towards tower 3, wanting to see what is going on...

OOC: Haul your furry butt! May I suggest - pushing your running?

So... Ricco is in between lanterns 3 and 2 when he sees the drider beast closing fast from the left. Now, I don't see any numbers on the Towers. Which one is which?

If I can get to Lantern #2 before the Drider gets to me, put my head down and barrel forward. If I can't, angle towards the moat, making sure matches are secure before diving in.

If I get into combat... dodge and dive for cover, moving towards the moat. When (not if) I get the chance, dive into the moat.

It looks like I can see from tower 2. True?
If that is the case...
I take aim at the hustling shape and let fly!

The furry monstrosity fairly flies across the ground. Riccoco takes a moment to judge its speed before realizing that it can probably beat him to lantern two. It only has to travel a bit further than the raccoon, since the paths are almost perpendicular. In any case, the slavering man-monster is fixed on Riccoco. As it gets closer, what sounded to be panting growls resolve themselve into a repeated "Kill-kill-kill" mantra.
Riccoco takes off like a rabbit on a racetrack for the moat. At the tower, Beka draws a bead on the riven and lets fly. Twang! whish! Thunt! The arrow hits the target! A roar of pain sounds from the dripping jaws, but the creasture does not break pace. The soldier next to Beka fires and misses. Riccoco makes a desparate leap for the moat and dives in head first. The riven halts as two more arrows come perilously close. It then realizes its danger and turns on a copper piece, sprinting back for the cover of the trees. No more arrows follow it as all are busy hauling up Riccoco.
The Raccoon is unharmed.
Mako comes running up shortly. "Good work Bandit, but let's stop with what we have. I don't want to risk anyone else. I'm putting Shado on Tower 2. He has enough night vision to warn us if anyone approaches. We can use the bullseye lanterns where he directs."

OOC: for someone who didn't remember she could use a bow

Riccoco grins knowingly at his friends and Mako's crew. "This 'coon told you he be a quick one!" Clapping Beka on the shoulder, Ricco chuckles, "You had ol' Riccoco fooled. He be thinkin' you be leaving him on the web o' that Twisted! Where be Faliol?"

When the limping scoundrel shows up, the 'coon Beast steps over and barks out a laugh, "Your sire Jareek still be for you to feed, Faliol! This 'coon be ready to save this Fort again!"

OOC: Plucky? Blustery seems more apt! Sheesh!

.oO(I would be dead right now, if I had been chased by that thing!)

"Ricco! Never thought I would be glad to smell wet 'coon again!" Hopping on one good paw while patting the dripping 'coon on his back, I am immensely relieved that my friend is not wolf-spider-riven dinner.

"Good grief! That ugly brute was FAST! He would have caught me for sure! A soldier told me that Miss Beka hit that brute with an arrow! Nice shooting!"

.oO(Hope that ugly creature bleeds to death or gets a nasty infection...)

span class="ooc">OOC: Or at least a paper cut!<

OOC: lemon juice

OOC: and a nice mustard.

OOC: In a papercut? How declasse'. Next thing you'll be wanting ketchup in your papercuts! : )

Nahh the sequel is never as good as the original... Besides, nobody liked the looks of the thing that may have once been their buddy.

.oO(Proud of you Ricco...very proud)

Celeste smiles at her furry brother.

OOC: was 'plucky', but what about the moose?

All grows quiet after Riccoco's run. An hour or so passes as the night grows darker and the lanterns burn on. Suddenly a whistle splits the night. Trees crack and fall over with thundering crashes! In the glow of the lanterns, a vast bulk emerges from the forest west of the Adala road. Once a deezel, now some gargantuan parody, it snorts and paws the ground, digging up holes big enough for a man to lie in. Twenty feet high at the shoulder with thick folds of rough thick-furred hide, it looks like an juggernaut of death. A massive shaggy head shakes, horns eight feet long each clear themselves of tree limbs and vines.
With a bellowing roar it lowers its head and charges directly for the gate!
"Hold your arrows for the riders!" shouts Mako. You can clearly see numerous small figures clinging to its back. They have shields, some military, some of strips of tough bark. They are crouched low and do not appear until the animal lowers its head.
Arrows whistle toward the riven on its back. A few screams are heard as twisted folk clutch at protruding shafts and fall. One is trampled into paste beneath the hooves of the behemoth.
"Ballistas, now!" shouts the Commander.
THRUMM! FOOSH! go the ballistas, releasing five foot shafts with metal heads. The ballista over the gate scores a direct hit, burying itself deep into the creature's neck. It tries to stop, but the inertia is too much. With a shuddering CRA-CRASH! the megadeezel plows into the reinforced portcullis. The entire gate shakes. Some stone work cracks and falls, but the structure stands. The metal portcullis is bent and the thick wooden doors are cracked down half their length, but the gate remains.
At this same moment, the riven crouching on its back leap! Propelled by the force of the megadeezel, they rocket to the height of the gate. Some overshoot and land with a thud on the far side and lie silent. One falls short and is crushed between the juggernaut and the gate. Four gain the top of the gatehouse.

OK, here is where our heroes are:

Beka, you are at tower 4 to the west of the gate.
Faliol, so are you. You have wrapped your leg and it seems to be OK, but you are -1" to movement and will need to make a DEX roll to perform any movement other than straight running on even ground.
Celeste, You are on Tower 5, to the east of the gate
Riccoco, so are you.

Each tower has another two soldiers. There were four atop the gate as well, two ballista crew and two archers. From your position, you can see they are already in pitched battle. Mako is one of them. The lanterns atop the gate were smashed when the megadeezel hit, and the best light up there comes from a spreading pool of burning oil.

The gate has a door on the west that leads to the winch. The door on the east leads to the briefing room. You are not sure if these two rooms connect. Each side has a flight of stairs that leads from the wall to the roof of the gatehouse.
The map has been updated to show more detail on the gate, and the gate ballista has been re-sized to scale.

"Celeste!" Ricco's high pitched shout carries easily to his companion, "They be goin' for the winch 'ouse! They can't open that gate!"

If he can't get a shot at any of the Riven on the gatehouse, Ricco will rush over with his trident. Part following a write-up for that.

Riccoco drops his bow grimly and hefts up his trident. "You hoomans stay in case they be sendin' more agian' us!" Not wanting to chance that there isn't a connecting door between the breifing room and the winch house, our blustery 'coon heads for the stairs at top speed!

OOC: I'm a little confused, Keith. is the roof of the gatehouse above the tower Ricco is on or lower? What about the poriton of the Gatehouse where the ballista is shown? It was my impression that the stairs ascended from Ricco's point of view. Is that the case?

Perfect timing on that question! Click
here for a zoomable floorplan. Yes, the wall is below the roof of the gatehouse. The towers are higher than the wall but below the gatehouse roof.

OOC: First off. I really like having a GM that can make these awesome maps!

Next, I believe my earlier action description goes. If I can't get any shots off from this tower into the confusion of the gatehouse roof, I'll move over there.

OOC: Whoah, I just went into first person with Ricco like you originally asked for. Must be the Christmas spirit eking in.

If I can get a clear shot on the four riven fighting with Mako, I will 0 Phase action brace and fire arrows. If friendlies are in danger of being hit by my arrows, I will hold fire and instead half-move closer (not down the stairs) angling for a clear shot.

I don't want to risk the stairs with my injured paw. I want to shoot from the top of the wall, if possible. I am listening to Beka and the others in case a new threat from the forest attacks. I should be able to pivot and fire.

if needed for the half-move, Dex roll, 12-
3d6: 13 Thu December 19, 2002 @3:30 PM (CST)

Since I am on the West side, I go in the door that goes to the winch room. If they attacked the gate and get through to that room, they will raise the gate. From here I do two things, ready my sword for anyone who gets through to this room, and keep my bow handy in case I can get a shot off before they get this far.

Here is the order:
1. Get to the winch room.
2. Perception to assess situation.
(Depending on situation
3a. Ready sword to defend the room hoping for the first shot with surprise. (if I see enemies breaking through)
or
3b. Fire my bow at any Riven on the approach. (If I see enemies breaking through and I have a clear shot and time to draw my sword before they get here)
or
3c. Get to Mako and TWARMS! (If I see the defenders need help where they are and I can get there from here.)

After looking more carefully at the map:
1. Is the winch room door open?
If yes, I will go in, through the unknown to block the door that way.
If no, good, leave it and go up the stairs to join the fray.

OOC: Due to a real life shortage of time today, Celeste will be responding to this thread later tonight, if you don't mind. (Need to look at the new map for a bit. : )

Hot on the heels of the "plucky" 'coon, taking the stairs to the top of the gate 2 at a time, drawing her falchion and preparing for close combat.
(bow is with her in case long range attack is needed after we mop up these riven)

Perception to ascertain what weapons the riven folk are carrying.
12-
3d6: 3, 2, 5 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Sat December 21, 2002 @1:20 AM (PST)
Engage closest enemy, all sword skill levels to damage
3d6: 6, 5, 3 (STUN: 14, BODY: 4) Sat December 21, 2002 @1:20 AM (PST)

Now in the thick of the battle, Celeste's training comes to bear, she moves with efficiency and determination. While not a "berserker", she will continue to engage the enemy as the situation reveals itself.