The battle in temple square begins in earnest
Score: 292 | 07/06/19 |
Day 14 -
Braith scouts the enemy, though is spotted by the forces loyal to Ashok. Ruric Ironfoot casts a fog cloud to cover the initial advance into position. The groups clash as lines slam together. From the safety of a rooftop Ruric, Bankanir and Arinet provide support. Ruric, over the course of a few turns, throws a variety of cards from the deck of illusion to confuse the enemy. This results in several bandits, a gnoll, an iron golem and a druid getting 'involved' with the bout. Ruric also uses the nearby river to begin clearing foes away from sacrifices scattered across the square.
Heskan co-ordinates the line of their (newly converted) troops whilst Braith and Elnorin support from nearby.
As the water crashes across the square Ashok appears and attempts to cease control of the water from Ruric. This fails and Ruric redirects it onto Ashok. The priest of Asmodea vanishes to parts unknown whilst the rest of the battle continues.
The controlled river sweeps foes away but not before the majority of Heskan's unit is destroyed. The paladin fairs much better as he, Braith and Elnorin help kill a number of the enemy.
As the water subsides Ashok returns to the fray and proceeds to render the majority of the party unconscious with flame strikes. Ruric and Bankanir leap off the roof, having fended off a sneak attack with the help of the phoney iron golem, and race to assist.
Ultimately all of the sacrifices are saved but only two friendly shadowborn are standing with a further 5 of the 14 total stabilised.
The battle with Ashok nearly claimed the party but, in the end, they forced him into surrender. He gloated as he fell upon the paladin's honour but was spared for the short term.
The party argued over the fate of the now bound priest. After a short rest they crossed the river where Amidir Min'alth rejoined them from his trip to the Fortress of Memories. The group then returned to the square after finding their newest friend.
On Ashok they discovered more spell prepared in glyphs of warding and a resonating fork used for planar travel. A look round the temple revealed an archway under construction, much cruder to Syndrid 'the mad's versions but appearing to be the same in design. This Stone archway was a mystery that would require an interrogation of Ashok, keeping the wounded priest alive a bit longer.
Amidir had also summon Codruta using a large illusion in the sky.
The session ended with Ashok alive and a suggestion that a prisoner in the Quod could proivide some help.