Egoboo Community Forum

< HP >---< MP >--< Pos. >---< Name >------
26/26 .|. 3/3 .|. Front .|. Lucy
24/24 .|. 0/0 .|. Front .|. Flannán
17/17 .|. 5/5 .|. Front .|. Orgeus
17/17 .|. 4/4 .|. Front .|. Soren
-----------------------------------------------


Jeran, autumn 883. Jeran is a large and powerful nation, ruled by a king with only symbolic power, as he is elected by a senate that can choose a new king at will, making him but a marionette. As a result, the members of the senate hold the most political power of any individual in the country - yet not everyone uses their power for the greater good. Some people aren't satisfied with what they have and always yearn for more... ...leading to a completely corrupted political system with backstabbing and betrayal around every corner. The senate ignores the needs of the people and only cares about gaining absolute power, as well as diplaying that power. Little does the senate know that their behaviour has prompted a rebellion to begin to form...


Soren. A member of a shamanic, tribal community that used to deliberately live in a forest on the outskirts of civilization. This community has been destroyed - the houses pillaged, the people either killed or captured as slaves. All as nothing but a display of the senate's power. Out of sheer luck, Soren himself wasn't around when this happened, causing him to be the only member of his community that managed to escape the slaughter.
Something needs to be done, but doing so on your own wouldn't go anywhere...

Flannán. A dedicated swordsman of low birth. Peasants and other people of low birth often have trouble paying the absurdly high taxes in Jeran, and the current law is extremely unforgiving to those who are poor - the penalty for failing to pay the taxes is death. Thus, a bad harvest meant the death of his parents. At the same time, Flannán's efforts to become a royal swordsman were completely fruitless, as in the current system, only swordsmen of noble birth can hope to ever become royal swordsmen. Disappointed with the country's political system and angered with the unjust death of his parents, he swears to overthrow the country and change the system to one that is right and just.
But no matter your skill with the sword, you can't overthrow an entire country on your own... You need help.

Orgeus. Once a prominent government official, Orgeus is now a bitter middle-aged dwarf with a deep grudge against Jeran's corrupt political system and the even more corrupt politicians. In the eyes of the law, on the other hand, he is a wanted criminal. After a tragic event of his past, Orgeus took up a habit of drinking, leading him to losing his composure and badmouthing other senators. Said senators, having wanted him removed from his position since a long time for 'misusing his power' to help the people, used the opportunity to set up a scandal against him that forced him to escape the country to avoid being arrested. The weight of Jeran's corrupt political system is a massive burden on his shoulders... ...so he decides to take it upon himself to change this system.
But you can't do it on your own... You need support.

Lucy. A traveling elven exorcist with no direct connections to Jeran. However, she instinctively strives for the greater good and likes to help others in times of need - as such, when she learns of the events in Jeran, she decides to do something about them. Maybe it's even the doing of demons and evils spirits? After all, no-one is born inherently evil.
Being the born leader you are, you decide to gather support and bring justice to Jeran!


It is through a strange string of coincidences that all four of you end up meeting in an abandoned stretch of land near Jeran, filled with ruins and surrounded by forests. You feel that you all have similar motivations and the same goal, so you quickly agree to help each other. After building a provisional base of operations - a small wooden hut with a provisional place to sleep for all of you - you come up with some possible ways to get your plans started.

According to Orgeus, there's Seus, a former war hero being condemned of high treason for completely ridiculous reasons. Despite the people openly disagreeing with his sentence, the senate plans to have him executed in two weeks. He is an extremely strong warrior, said to be capable of fighting against five trained killers on his own and winning. He is known to be just and obviously is an enemy of the senate, so if you could rescue him somehow, he would likely be a great help. However, the dungeon he is being held captive in is guarded very heavily and located pretty much in the center of Jeran, so going there unprepared is not an option - you need to act quickly to rescue him, but you'll probably need more support first to have any hope of success.

Speaking of support, you need more fighters for your cause. There's a slave camp at the border of the country that keeps the surviving members of Soren's tribe, as well as a lot of people who openly opposed the senate's corrupt rule, captive. It's guarded, but with the help of the captives themselves, you might be able to defeat the guards and rescue the slaves, ensuring you their support. This would also give you the manpower to set up the production of useful items and equipment that you'll likely need if you want to have any hope of defeating the senate.

Alternatively, you could look for artifacts first. This stretch of land is full of ruins, ruined temples and caves, some of which are said to hold fabulous artifacts and other valuable treasure. This would have the benefit of not immediately alerting Jeran of your presence while still giving you a small advantage in power, but that doesn't mean that it won't be dangerous, and artifacts alone likely won't be enough to overpower a whole country.

What will you do?

Soren, Lv 0.00 (Cover)
HP 17/17
MP 04/04
1d4 Dmg | ±1 Hit | 13 AC
Dagger [ 1d4 Dmg | +2 Hit]
Old Robe [ 1 AC ]
Grim Aegis [ 2 AC | Haunt Focus: +1 HP ]

[Reveal] Spoiler: "Inventory & Status"
Items (0/4):
-
-
-
-

Spells (3/6):

• Toxic Mist
  [Current: 3 damage, 2 poison for 3 turns | 15 Hit vs. FOR ]
  The caster creates a cloud of poisonous olive-colored mist in a chosen area nearby. Anyone caught in the mist will have to make a FOR check with a DG of [10 + INT], and will take [WIL] poison damage as well as suffer a poisoning of [1 + WIL/2] damage for [1 + INT/2] turns if they fail it.
  
• Harm
  [Current: 2d8+3 dmg | +5 Hit vs. AGI]
  The caster concentrates and commands raw arcane energy to rend the victim's flesh, inflicting severe wounds upon a hit. Deals [2d8 ± WIL] damage.
• False Life
  [Current: +65% HP for 7 turns]
  The caster injects magical energy into the target's life force, temporarily allowing them to survive much more severe wounds than their body could usually take. The target receives [50 ± 5x WIL]% additional HP, up to 150% of their maximum. However, this magical energy is very unstable and dissipates after [5 ± INT/2] turns, taking away just as many HP as it previously added. The target is guaranteed to survive this loss of HP even if it takes them into the negatives, although any further damage will then take them out as usual.

Abilities ( 150/150 AP):

• Haunt [ 1 / 1 ] [ Active ] [ 25 AP ]
  [Current: 2 HP | 5 Dmg | +5 Hit | Poison: 2 Dmg for 1 turns ]
  Soren creates a stationary dire totem of bone and animates it with unlife. The totem will fire venomous magic missiles at his enemies until it is destroyed or dismissed by Soren. The totem has 1 + [INT/3] HP and always takes 1 point of damage from attacks. Its missiles deal [INT] damage upon hit, inflict poison of [INT/2] damage and [WILL/2] duration, and have a hit bonus of [INT].
  This ability costs 1 MP to use and requires a corpse. The corpse is destroyed in the process. Soren can use certain special items as a controlling focus to give individual haunts extra abilities, but only one such effect can be chosen with each haunt.
• Accelerate Poison [ 3 / 3 ] [ Active ] [ 15 AP ]
  Directly manipulate and guide the venom inside of a poisoned victim, making them instantly take all delayed poison damage that they still have stacked on them, and deals a bonus [INT] poison damage on top of that.
• Displace Poison [ 3 / 3 ] [ Active ] [ 15 AP ]
  Soren can transfer up to a total of [INT]x2 delayed poison damage from one target to another. (Including the dead.)
• Toxic Gift [ Passive ] [ 20 AP ]
  Whenever Soren is afflicted with poison, he recovers 1 MP. He will not recover MP if he was poisoned by his own spell or from a Haunt he created.
• Viperblood [ Passive ] [ 25 AP ]
  Whenever Soren sustains poison damage, the amount is always disregarded and he only loses 1 HP.
• Tools of the Trade [ Passive ] [ 50 AP ]
  + 2 inventory slots.

Stats:
-3 Strength
±0 Dexterity
+0 Agility
±0 Fortitude
+5 Intellect
+3 Willpower

HPMod: +1
AP: 00

Appearance:
- Medium Height and build.
- Brown Eyes.
- Short, carefully groomed brown beard. Hair cut to a buzz.
- Wears decorative teeth and bone necklaces.

So those were their options. Soren thought deeply as the old dwarf laid down their possible venues. The dwarf knew what he was doing. He knew this system from the inside, he knew its workings. A whiff of spirits invaded Soren's nose as he spoke, and so Soren twitched his nose momentarily, by sheer reflex. He didn't know if he should be disgusted or pitiful, this man was obviously a victim of their common enemy.

Soren already knew what he wanted to do. Right now, he needed to free his brethren, those who were still alive but held captive in their slave encampments.
The corruption in Jeran's government disgusted him - greed ruined their humanity. His tribe always sought to live in harmony, but here people were so different, each only concerned with their own personal well being, with complete disregard for the good of others.
Soren intended to change this. He intended to bring equilibrium back to this broken system. Partly because he wanted revenge, partly because it was the right thing to do. Mostly because he didn't have a choice.

The elven exorcist and the swordsman stood there assessing their options. The dwarf hadn't voiced his own opinion yet, it seems that all four of them were carefully thinking about the first step.
What an odd group the four of them made. It seems that necessity can form the most unlikely alliances. He remembers the look on the elf's face when he first met her, Soren thought she looked like she would draw her blade at any moment and try to strike him down...
His eyes met those of the swordsman. He carried himself proudly, like the best warriors of his tribe - with an air of confidence that hinted at his combat prowess, and walked like someone with a grudge. He didn't quite explain why he decided to join, all he said was that he was cheated out of something...

Ending this train of thought, Soren decided to speak first.
"Liberating the slave encampment should be our first priority. My tribesmen are fierce hunters, and our elders are wise. There is no doubt they will join the rebellion. Jeran's soldiers are no match for our hunters, their bellies are fat and they reek of complacency, while my people have rich, hard earned experience fighting beasts and men of all sizes."

_________________

Flannán, Lv 0.00 (Front)
HP 24/24
MP 00/00
1d6+1 Dmg | 5 Hit | 20 AC
Rapier [ 1d6+1 Dmg | +1 Hit ]
Studded leather armor [ 3 AC | Cap at +6 | -1 Mal ]

[Reveal] Spoiler: "Inventory & Status"
Items (0/3):
---

Spells (0/1):
---

Abilities ( 70/70 AP):

• Concentrate [ 2 / 2 ] [ Active ] [ 25 AP ]
  Flannán charges up power for the next turn only. [ x[2+lvl] Dmg, +1 Hit ]
  [ Currently x2 Dmg, +1 Hit ]
  
• Critical Knowledge [ Passive ] [ 45 AP ]
  Does x3 damage if Flannán rolls a natural 19 or higher.

Stats:
-2 Strength
+5 Dexterity
+5 Agility
+3 Fortitude
-3 Intellect
-3 Willpower

HPMod: +2

Appearance:
- Tall and slim
- Blue-green eyes
- Brown Fire-Emblem-length-hair-what-is-this-adjective

Story:
Flannán was a raised by some peasant couple. He dreamed about being a royal swordsman so he could support his family; thus he trained everyday. A few years later, their crops were bad and because his parents couldn't afford their taxes, they were killed, unbeknownst to Flannán. A few months later, Flannán returned to their house and found that some other couple was living there. They told Flannán their knowledge of what happened to his parents, but the couple didn't know about their debt to the country. Outraged, Flannán swore to overthrow the country, remembering about his parents and the fact that the country only allows swordsmen to become royal swordsmen if they are of noble birth.

Flannán thought deeply about their options, not really noticing what was going on around him. Thus, when Soren spoke, he was surprised and lost his train of thought.

After hearing what Soren said, Flannán thought a bit. More fighters would be a good idea, but is it worth it to let the senate know that there is a resistance?

In the end, Flannán decided to trust Soren, after all, he trusted him just before and Flannán hasn't died yet.

"Yes, we should free the slaves and win their support."

_________________
Oh dear, I do believe I made that chicken angry.

Lucy

Level 0 [0] Elven Exorcist

HP: 26/26
MP: 03/03
Imbue: 2/2
Purge: 2/2

2-9 Dmg | +3 Hit | 09 AC

Weapon: Longsword [1-8 dmg]
Armour: Studded leather armour [3 AC | Cap at +6 | -1 Mal]

Lucy stands by, watching the scene fold out at first. Her newfound companions are not the first choices she would have made when she decided to strike out against a government so cruel she could smell demonic presence all over the place, but they don't seem inept at all. She studies Flannán, with his rugged looks of low-birth and the stance of a bladesman, and doesn't even have to guess about his motive. She studies Soren, or what is not concealed by his hood and robes. The outlandish vials and contraptions remind her of a possessed man, and she is rather offput by the suspicious looks he has been giving her, but when he raises his voice and speaks first she understands that he knows his way around well enough, and that there is no immiment cause for alarm. She also studies Orgeus. The age on his face, the smell of alcohol around him. His bitterness is evident from even the first glance, and she can tell that he won't rest until he sees Jeran's purity restored or his old bones fail him. Lucy expects that he will be often troublesome to deal with but a valuable ally in their cause.

"It sounds like a good idea to me, assuming that we can trust their group. I don't want them taking things into their own hands out of arrogance at the very least."
She didn't want to voice her suspicion about Soren's purity, because she wanted to think that they could all co-operate smoothly, but if it did become a problem it was worth bringing the point up now. A slightly uneasy look crossed her face for a moment before she continued to speak.
"I also like the sound of freeing this Seus person. If Orgeus' word is true he would be invaluable. I do understand that reaching him alive at this stage would be nigh impossible, though. Let's focus on freeing your tribesmen, Soren."

_________________
I am quite fond of touching stories.

Orgeus - , Lvl 0 Dwarf Cleric (Cover) -00-
======================================================
17/17
5/5
1/1
3d3+3, +1 Hit
- Musket - [ 3d3+3 Dmg | 2h | 20/20 | requires a minor action to reload after each shot ]
10/12
- Silk Robe - (01 AC)



Orgeus watches his three allies speak with a solemn, stone face that hides his interest in their words. These people weren't as experienced as he was used to, and didn't seem to know as much about what they were doing. But after the incident with the senators, maybe that was for the best. People who thought they knew everything didn't think they needed help, and were more likely to throw each other under the bus. Every now and then, the old ideas had to be replaced with new ones.

That was what he was here for, to help the new generation. He wasn't in charge of anyone anymore, he was a free man. He had no burdens, no office, no reputation... no friends... oh, bloody hell.

Orgeus turns his face from the three as he pops the cap on his bottle, and downs a small sip of ale to shove down any tears that might be coming his way. It was a solution he'd been using for a while now. Whether or not it was actually effective, he didn't know, but it had been a damn long time and he still hadn't lost his mind, so it was good enough. It was enough to rest his mind but not too much to wear it down.

The venomancer spoke first. He seemed resolute, serious, committed, and spoke of his brethren with as strong of a loyalty to his tribe as his hate for Jeran. The man seemed a trustworthy individual, but whether or not Orgeus had his trust was an important question as well, and a mistrusting asset could quickly become a dangerous threat. In the olden days, he would have had this man put to the sword just for the air of dark magic around him. But wisdom and years had taught him just how fickle of an idea "good" and "evil" magic was, and he was happy to have a benevolent friend.

The swordsman spoke second. He was... simple, to be frank. He seemed like a soldier- easily controlled, easily directed, quick and efficient. He was quick to agree, and didn't add much of his own input. He would be a valuable ally to be sure, but Orgeus didn't know whether or not he knew what he was doing, or the kind of hell he was getting into. Whether or not the young man would be a follower or a leader was yet to be seen. Without question, he seemed emotional, however, and there was nothing like emotional dedication to guarantee loyalty.

Then the elf spoke. He wouldn't lie to himself, he didn't like elves. No dwarf did, especially not those old enough to remember the age old conflicts the two races had had. He didn't imagine the elves cared much for dwarves, either. He didn't see himself getting along with him well- she was an exorcist, likely heavily dedicated to... god knows whatever gods she worshipped, and its clear that she's already holding any trust she could have for that Soren fellow in reserve from the bitter comment she lobs his way.
"If the man says they're to be trusted, we're gonna believe him, lass. He's been nothing but trustworthy so far, hasn't he?"
Orgeus considers the comments of all three of the others, and stands up from his chair to speak. He was a short man, and too often stature made the difference of whether or not people listened to you.
"Rescuing Seus would seem a good option. He's strong on his own, and the people love him- getting his support wouldn't just net us a fighter, it'd get us sympathizers too. But we can't rescue him through the entire damned country on our own, though, especially not as fugitives, and I'd rather not kill all the support we can rally in less than two weeks to save a single man. Rescuing him wouldn't be worth the time or resources. The slave camps would likely be our first target- they're likely the least guarded place where we can strike and still gain support. We could look for artifacts if we decide Seus isn't an option, but I'd rather not put prisoners through more days in those hell camps for a few shiny trinkets."
Orgeus sits back into his chair, and relaxes. He was getting old, he was out of shape, and standing was hard on his bones.
"But that's enough said. You know where I stand, and we all seem to be in agreement, so unless someone has something else to say, we'll head to the slave camps."

_________________
"It only hurts when my squad won't f***ing heal me."

http://guildedage.net/

Lucy

Level 0 [0] Elven Exorcist

HP: 26/26
MP: 03/03
Imbue: 2/2
Purge: 2/2

2-9 Dmg | +3 Hit | 09 AC

Weapon: Longsword [1-8 dmg]
Armour: Studded leather armour [3 AC | Cap at +6 | -1 Mal]

Lucy picked up on the distinct distaste in the voice of Orgeus, who spoke at last. She didn't approve of being labelled by nicknames like 'lass', either, so her immediate reaction was to frown, and she begun to open her voice in protest.
"I ha-"
But she remembered what the four of them were there for, and how important it was that they stay together. She knew from past adventures that a group of people who disagreed was not a group but a fight with a common interest.
"...Nevermind. Let's be off to get a look at the camp before we head in."

_________________
I am quite fond of touching stories.

< HP >---< MP >--< Pos. >---< Name >------
26/26 .|. 3/3 .|. Front _|. Lucy
24/24 .|. 0/0 .|. Front _|. Flannán
17/17 .|. 5/5 .|. Cover .|. Orgeus
17/17 .|. 4/4 .|. Cover .|. Soren
-----------------------------------------------


After carefully assessing your options, you eventually agree to free the captives from the slave camp first - personal motives, morals and practicality are all good reasons for this decision. Thus, you head out and approach the slave camp after about an hour of travel.

The slave camp. From a nearby hill, you have a good view over what is going on in there - and it's not a nice sight. The captives are forced to do hard physical labor with no discernible purpose whatsoever, forced to keep moving by the whip blows from the guards. Those who collapse under the stress are forcibly taken into the building, presumably for even crueler 'punishment'. You can see roughly fifty slaves and ten guards out in the open, but you have no idea how many more might be inside the building. Most of the guards are wearing heavy armour with strong shields and spears, just like the regular guards inside Jeran. A few other guards are equipped with much lighter armour, whips and what looks like short swords at their belts. There are two obvious ways to go about this...

Option one, you could try to sneak inside and take out a few guards at a time. This could be risky, though, and if the guards were to alert their colleagues, you'd be in trouble.

Option two, you could take the most direct approach possible and simply rally the slaves to fight the guards with your help. This has the disadvantage of endangering the slaves' lives, and depending on how much strength they have left, without weapons, they might not be able to take on the guards even with your help.

Maybe there's another way?

Lucy

Level 0 [0] Elven Exorcist

HP: 26/26
MP: 03/03
Imbue: 2/2
Purge: 2/2

2-9 Dmg | +3 Hit | 09 AC

Weapon: Longsword [1-8 dmg]
Armour: Studded leather armour [3 AC | Cap at +6 | -1 Mal]

The situation doesn't seem ideal to Lucy. There's a lot of security and it won't be easy to make any real difference. She tosses ideas around in her head. What can work, what can't?
"It seems like getting the slaves to help us out in helping them out will be a key part of making this work. We can't exactly expect to turn ourselves in and still end up being successful in overthrowing them, though.
...
Perhaps we could signal to one or the other from a distance?"

_________________
I am quite fond of touching stories.

Soren, Lv 0.00 (Cover)
HP 17/17
MP 04/04
1d4 Dmg | ±1 Hit | 13 AC
Dagger [ 1d4 Dmg | +2 Hit]
Old Robe [ 1 AC ]
Grim Aegis [ 2 AC | Haunt Focus: +1 HP ]

[Reveal] Spoiler: "Inventory & Status"
Items (0/4):
-
-
-
-

Spells (3/6):

• Toxic Mist
  [Current: 3 damage, 2 poison for 3 turns | 15 Hit vs. FOR ]
  The caster creates a cloud of poisonous olive-colored mist in a chosen area nearby. Anyone caught in the mist will have to make a FOR check with a DG of [10 + INT], and will take [WIL] poison damage as well as suffer a poisoning of [1 + WIL/2] damage for [1 + INT/2] turns if they fail it.
  
• Harm
  [Current: 2d8+3 dmg | +5 Hit vs. AGI]
  The caster concentrates and commands raw arcane energy to rend the victim's flesh, inflicting severe wounds upon a hit. Deals [2d8 ± WIL] damage.
• False Life
  [Current: +65% HP for 7 turns]
  The caster injects magical energy into the target's life force, temporarily allowing them to survive much more severe wounds than their body could usually take. The target receives [50 ± 5x WIL]% additional HP, up to 150% of their maximum. However, this magical energy is very unstable and dissipates after [5 ± INT/2] turns, taking away just as many HP as it previously added. The target is guaranteed to survive this loss of HP even if it takes them into the negatives, although any further damage will then take them out as usual.

Abilities ( 150/150 AP):

• Haunt [ 1 / 1 ] [ Active ] [ 25 AP ]
  [Current: 2 HP | 5 Dmg | +5 Hit | Poison: 2 Dmg for 1 turns ]
  Soren creates a stationary dire totem of bone and animates it with unlife. The totem will fire venomous magic missiles at his enemies until it is destroyed or dismissed by Soren. The totem has 1 + [INT/3] HP and always takes 1 point of damage from attacks. Its missiles deal [INT] damage upon hit, inflict poison of [INT/2] damage and [WILL/2] duration, and have a hit bonus of [INT].
  This ability costs 1 MP to use and requires a corpse. The corpse is destroyed in the process. Soren can use certain special items as a controlling focus to give individual haunts extra abilities, but only one such effect can be chosen with each haunt.
• Accelerate Poison [ 3 / 3 ] [ Active ] [ 15 AP ]
  Directly manipulate and guide the venom inside of a poisoned victim, making them instantly take all delayed poison damage that they still have stacked on them, and deals a bonus [INT] poison damage on top of that.
• Displace Poison [ 3 / 3 ] [ Active ] [ 15 AP ]
  Soren can transfer up to a total of [INT]x2 delayed poison damage from one target to another. (Including the dead.)
• Toxic Gift [ Passive ] [ 20 AP ]
  Whenever Soren is afflicted with poison, he recovers 1 MP. He will not recover MP if he was poisoned by his own spell or from a Haunt he created.
• Viperblood [ Passive ] [ 25 AP ]
  Whenever Soren sustains poison damage, the amount is always disregarded and he only loses 1 HP.
• Tools of the Trade [ Passive ] [ 50 AP ]
  + 2 inventory slots.

Stats:
-3 Strength
±0 Dexterity
+0 Agility
±0 Fortitude
+5 Intellect
+3 Willpower

HPMod: +1
AP: 00

Appearance:
- Medium Height and build.
- Brown Eyes.
- Short, carefully groomed brown beard. Hair cut to a buzz.
- Wears decorative teeth and bone necklaces.

Seeing his people being worked in slavery made his blood boil, but he had to keep his temper. Getting angry now will cloud his judgment, and clear thinking was critical in this situation.
"I don't know if they will be willing to cooperate right away. Think about it, their spirits are broken, they have no hope, and no will to fight, otherwise they'd still be resisting or dead. We need to take the first step and take out as many guards as possible before we try to rally them for an overtaking."
Soren squints in an effort to find some guards alone or patrolling around the borders of the camp.
"Maybe we should try posing as guards and taking them out silently... You and Flannán can probably pass for guards if we could get each of you some guard's armor. Orgeus and I can follow behind some distance and give support as you silently assault them one by one, I know a spell well suited for quiet killing."

_________________

Lucy

Level 0 [0] Elven Exorcist

HP: 26/26
MP: 03/03
Imbue: 2/2
Purge: 2/2

2-9 Dmg | +3 Hit | 09 AC

Weapon: Longsword [1-8 dmg]
Armour: Studded leather armour [3 AC | Cap at +6 | -1 Mal]

Lucy feels slightly awkward hearing her suggestion quickly overturned, but starting the conversation was necessary, so she doesn't dwell on it.
"I would rather just subdue them... these are people and not demons we're talking about here. But your plan is definitely more realistic, I suppose.
Should we try picking off the ones at the outermost reaches for uniforms, or infiltrate it?"

New pictures like a boss.

_________________
I am quite fond of touching stories.

< HP >---< MP >--< Pos. >---< Name >------
26/26 .|. 3/3 .|. Front _|. Lucy
24/24 .|. 0/0 .|. Front _|. Flannán
17/17 .|. 5/5 .|. Cover .|. Orgeus
17/17 .|. 4/4 .|. Cover .|. Soren
-----------------------------------------------


Yor keep your eyes open, looking for any foolish guards standing isolated or patrolling by themselves. However, after watching them for several minutes, you give up - the smallest groups of guards you can see are groups of two, and some of them have positioned themselves in such a way that they're in the view of another pair of guards; they seem to be organized enough to avoid being alone at all times. It's possible that there are isolated guards inside the building, but from your current position, you can't tell for sure what - and who - is inside.
In conclusion, it's unlikely that you'll be able to ambush a lone guard, but you could try to pick off a single pair of them.

What will you do?

Lucy

Level 0 [0] Elven Exorcist

HP: 26/26
MP: 03/03
Imbue: 2/2
Purge: 2/2

2-9 Dmg | +3 Hit | 09 AC

Weapon: Longsword [1-8 dmg]
Armour: Studded leather armour [3 AC | Cap at +6 | -1 Mal]

The situation is tough. It's not going to just turn out positively for them.
"Perhaps we can distract one of the pairs and have them wander off where other groups can't see them?"
It seemed like a reasonable assumption to make. It sounded feasible.
"They might mistake Soren as a prisoner on the escape, if he'd be willing to decoy. The rest of us could potentially hide nearby and then subdue them?"

_________________
I am quite fond of touching stories.

Soren, Lv 0.00 (Cover)
HP 17/17
MP 04/04
1d4 Dmg | ±1 Hit | 13 AC
Dagger [ 1d4 Dmg | +2 Hit]
Old Robe [ 1 AC ]
Grim Aegis [ 2 AC | Haunt Focus: +1 HP ]

[Reveal] Spoiler: "Inventory & Status"
Items (0/4):
-
-
-
-

Spells (3/6):

• Toxic Mist
  [Current: 3 damage, 2 poison for 3 turns | 15 Hit vs. FOR ]
  The caster creates a cloud of poisonous olive-colored mist in a chosen area nearby. Anyone caught in the mist will have to make a FOR check with a DG of [10 + INT], and will take [WIL] poison damage as well as suffer a poisoning of [1 + WIL/2] damage for [1 + INT/2] turns if they fail it.
  
• Harm
  [Current: 2d8+3 dmg | +5 Hit vs. AGI]
  The caster concentrates and commands raw arcane energy to rend the victim's flesh, inflicting severe wounds upon a hit. Deals [2d8 ± WIL] damage.
• False Life
  [Current: +65% HP for 7 turns]
  The caster injects magical energy into the target's life force, temporarily allowing them to survive much more severe wounds than their body could usually take. The target receives [50 ± 5x WIL]% additional HP, up to 150% of their maximum. However, this magical energy is very unstable and dissipates after [5 ± INT/2] turns, taking away just as many HP as it previously added. The target is guaranteed to survive this loss of HP even if it takes them into the negatives, although any further damage will then take them out as usual.

Abilities ( 150/150 AP):

• Haunt [ 1 / 1 ] [ Active ] [ 25 AP ]
  [Current: 2 HP | 5 Dmg | +5 Hit | Poison: 2 Dmg for 1 turns ]
  Soren creates a stationary dire totem of bone and animates it with unlife. The totem will fire venomous magic missiles at his enemies until it is destroyed or dismissed by Soren. The totem has 1 + [INT/3] HP and always takes 1 point of damage from attacks. Its missiles deal [INT] damage upon hit, inflict poison of [INT/2] damage and [WILL/2] duration, and have a hit bonus of [INT].
  This ability costs 1 MP to use and requires a corpse. The corpse is destroyed in the process. Soren can use certain special items as a controlling focus to give individual haunts extra abilities, but only one such effect can be chosen with each haunt.
• Accelerate Poison [ 3 / 3 ] [ Active ] [ 15 AP ]
  Directly manipulate and guide the venom inside of a poisoned victim, making them instantly take all delayed poison damage that they still have stacked on them, and deals a bonus [INT] poison damage on top of that.
• Displace Poison [ 3 / 3 ] [ Active ] [ 15 AP ]
  Soren can transfer up to a total of [INT]x2 delayed poison damage from one target to another. (Including the dead.)
• Toxic Gift [ Passive ] [ 20 AP ]
  Whenever Soren is afflicted with poison, he recovers 1 MP. He will not recover MP if he was poisoned by his own spell or from a Haunt he created.
• Viperblood [ Passive ] [ 25 AP ]
  Whenever Soren sustains poison damage, the amount is always disregarded and he only loses 1 HP.
• Tools of the Trade [ Passive ] [ 50 AP ]
  + 2 inventory slots.

Stats:
-3 Strength
±0 Dexterity
+0 Agility
±0 Fortitude
+5 Intellect
+3 Willpower

HPMod: +1
AP: 00

Appearance:
- Medium Height and build.
- Brown Eyes.
- Short, carefully groomed brown beard. Hair cut to a buzz.
- Wears decorative teeth and bone necklaces.

The elf was right, using himself as a decoy is the best way to pull out a pair of guards without them alerting the others.
"I'm willing. Let's do this. Remember to act quickly and quietly. As soon as they get too close to me I'll strike them, that's when the rest of you rush in at subdue them. Orgeus, you probably had best hold off using your weapon for now, as the noise will alert everyone nearby."

_________________

< HP >---< MP >--< Pos. >---< Name >------
26/26 .|. 3/3 .|. Front _|. Lucy
24/24 .|. 0/0 .|. Front _|. Flannán
17/17 .|. 3/4 .|. Cover .|. Soren
17/17 .|. 5/5 .|. Cover .|. Orgeus (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------


And so you approach the camp to put your plan into practice. You approach from the east side of the camp, as that side appears to be the least-guarded one that the other guards are paying the least attention to.
Just as planned,a pair of guards promptly notices Soren and indeed mistake him for an escapee, rushing towards him to take him back into the camp. Little do they know about your ambush...

Surprise attack!
Soren: Harm @ Jeran Guard A
15+5+10= 30 vs. 9-4= 5 ---> Hit! 11 damage!

The others reveal themselves and cover you while you rend one of the guards with your Harm spell.
"Augh! What the...!? It's a trap!!"

< HP >---< MP >--< Pos. >---< Enemy >------
24/35 .|. 1/1 .|. Front _|. Lv1 Jeran Guard A
35/35 .|. 1/1 .|. Front _|. Lv1 Jeran Guard B
------------------------------------------------

Humanoid enemies use exactly the same stat system as you do, so depending on their level, they will be roughly as strong as your own characters on average. Of course, their stat distribution and/or abilities may make them more or less intimidating than they appear to be.

Lucy

Level 0 [0] Elven Exorcist

HP: 26/26
MP: 02/03
Imbue: 2/2
Purge: 2/2

2-9 Dmg | +3 Hit | 09 AC

Weapon: Longsword [1-8 dmg]
Armour: Studded leather armour [3 AC | Cap at +6 | -1 Mal]

It works splendidly. Soren's ambush works like a charm, and the guards are caught completely unawares. Lucy is compelled to congratulate Soren but she doesn't want to raise further suspicion in this proximity to the camp. Instead, she immediately attempts to help subdue the guards.
Lucy casts Despair on the first guard.

_________________
I am quite fond of touching stories.