Session 18: The Siege Begins Report
General Summary
With the hope of a peaceful resolution dashed, Seraphina had little to offer, Thalidras General, would push for an immediate assault. While the casualties would be high, if they waited it seemed no hope of victory would remain. "And where would that leave you?" A'lar would ask. The General would frown, "Admittedly weakened, the two strongest houses forces decimated against each other, Aureate would be vulnerable." There would be some discussion about recalling forces from the port and how to stop Aelindon forces afield, before Adalon would offer, "What if, a feinted assault could allow a team to enter, open your gates, disrupt the ritual or any number of things?" While a high risk for those inside a plan would be set in place to use their drakes, a magical fog and an assault to drop several teams into the castle to try and open a postern or main gate for the sieging forces to more quickly enter, as well as put a stop to the increase of new soldiers from the Draconien rituals. Looking at the available map of the Aelindon fortress and Indalell's knowledge, A'lar would feel more detail was needed. He would suggest the Scales go and prepare while the Aureate military figured out the finer details of their plan.
Arriving that afternoon near lunch at Elims tailor shop they would enter, Elim was preparing for his lunch, closing the shop behind them, he would smile as the Scales told them of their plan. "Well I am just a tailor, but..." from beneath his cutting table an illusionary map of the palace would emerge. "I suspect at the top in the Dragon Lords quarters there is a way to his lair, the second floor holds the mage Galadron's lab around here, and somewhere on the first floor there is a way down into the hatchery and cave network but I was never able to find it." The Scales would decide to work their way up, raiding the lab, and searching the Dragon Lords rooms, they would also convince Elim to accompany the strike teams, his presence as a distraction given the new security to alert them to his shape changing presence. They would spend the day in final preparations for the assault and arrive at the Aureate Drake Aviary at the appointed time that evening.
The Scales would arrive in full force, The scales proper and their various guards, henchmen, and compatriots. In addition there would be 12 well kitted and armed others waiting to be assigned a drake. Across from them a dozen drakes were saddled and their riders were getting things ready. The Aureate general would make his way over giving final instructions, potions of reduce person and feather fall would be handed out to lower the burden of the drakes, reduce chance of being spotted as well. "As this maneuver has been used before, most Draconic Fortresses have safeguards for those dropping from well above the wall. The Drakes will have to swoop low over the wall, drop you, then proceed to hit the walls with their breath weapons to make it look like an attack rather then an insertion. We have no means of getting you out beyond our victory at the gates or over the walls, much will rely on your success." He would salute his own men and nod to the scales, as the full moon rose, things were ready, potions were drunk and drakes took to the air. As they flew towards the Aelindon compound across the city an unnatural fog would push against the massive structure. The magic of the fog battled against the fortress but in moments the think mist rolled over the walls obscuring much. Dim red glow of flaming rocks lit up from catapults that hurled against the walls and soon the air was rushing by them as the drakes dove towards the courtyards. The ground rose up faster and faster towards the drakes and their cargo, the final potions quickly drunk, all being careful to not fumble them as they were uncorked, talons released as they near skimmed treetops of the walled forests dropping their cargo and lighting the ramparts up with their dragon fire.
On the ground Elim quickly moved to the north away from all other teams, hoping to be a beacon of distraction as he shape changed into a guard. The Aureate teams would move west as the Scales crept east thru the forested garden. Moving to the east wing they would stealthily pass near the embattled walls, as Indalell went to work upon the lock upon the servants door entrance. Taking the image of a servant he would open the door and slip inside, the roar of the battle outside would subside as the team pushed inside. From down the dimly lit hall footfalls would be heard of metal on stone, everyone ducking around a corner, Indalell would walk forward, and look about the lower hall, finding no one about, he would hurry everyone up to the second floor thru the servant stairs up. Trying to keep everyone hidden as the footsteps of a guard patrol coming down the second floor hall could be heard. Indalell would walk out and down the hall, giving a nod to the guards, as they passed, Indalell's blades would flash, cutting harmlessly against a very surprised guards plate cuirass. A'lar would act quickly moving around the corner with a brief incantation the second guard would suddenly be overwhelmed with the putrid smell of the Amarantine Sewers, he would blanch within his helm and feel ill. Katarina one of A'lars guards would move forward her long Spear striking out, also bouncing harmlessly off the plate of the Guards. Ayrien and Vaera would rush forward, her spear bouncing off a quickly overwhelmed guards shield, but Vaeras teeth would sink in deep behind the knee and calf where the armor is weak as the cat grappled the guard. Longweis flying kick would push the guard but cause little damage as he staggered with a cat clinging to him and a churning stomach. Surprised the second guard wouldattempt to strike the Cat from its comrade and attempt to stab the beast, Vaera however was too nimble ducking both attempts. Gaar, A'lar's other guard would push forward his heavy axe crashing down into a guard. Adalon would move forward his draconic tail would sweep the gaurds feet as Ismaril and Indalell's blades would pierce the exposed gaps, ending him. A'lar's illusions would animate a nearby wall portrait, that would reach out and silently strangle the life from the last guard.
Indalell would begin to drag the bodies into the room of his last murder assuming it still empty. As they began to do this, the door closest to the scuffle would creep open, a young elven boy would stare out, as the scales all stared back in silence. After a few heartbeats the boy would slam the door. As Adalon went about using his magic to clean the mess from the scuffle, A'lar would knock upon the door, there would be hushed frantic words, from behind it of the occupants. Another light knock, "Yes hello, we aren't here to hurt you" A'lar would say in a quiet tone, the door would slightly creek open, the boy peering back out. "Just stay inside till this is over, and you will be safe ok?" The boy would nod. Indalell would have the bodies stashed and take out rope, looking between the doors with a calculating look. Adalon would tilt his head, "Trying to secure all the doors so they cant open." Indalell would nod "Idealy but I'm just not sure.." from another room over a voice would call out, "ugh yeah we promise to not open them." Deciding it best to move fast the scales would push on down the hall towards the Study of the mage, opening the door to the main halls of the second floor they would be greeted by 2 other guard patrols looking curiously and impatiently in the direction they just arrived from. Indalell would rush ahead "Help they killed the guards!"
The First guard moved forward knocking an arrow and sending it thudding into Adalon with elven precision, then dropping it the guard drew his sword and shield taking up defensive stance in the hallway. Vaera went charging forward and latched onto the guard tying up his defense with her feline antics. Ayriens spear however was shoved aside as she followed her companion in. The second guard would rush forward its boot driving Vaera from her grip and delivering a glancing blow to Ayrien. Katarina finding the narrow halls to her weapon style would take the second rank and drive her spear into the enemy, scoring a solid blow into the gaps of their armor. Adalon would imbue his blade with divine power, compressing time around him he would seem to stutter in and out as he moved closer, then blinking away he would appear behind the guard delivering a heavy blow to their back. The third guard would rush forward to meet Adalon, delivering a glancing strike before being parried easily with his second. Longwei would tumble thru friend and foe, landing besides the original guard delivering a blow with a roar of a dragon, force energy shurging from his fists. A'lar would tell his guards to hold to make ready as he threw magical dust into the air. A surge of energy as Bliss and Garr teleported thru the lines. Bliss would press into the quickly filling hallway her psionic blades glancing away from the Guards armor. The 4th guard seeing his comrades overwhelmed would begin to withdraw to alert the castle intruders were inside. Indalell still appearing as a servant would follow close behind cutting into the guard as he attempted to flee. The First guard would move to strike Adalon who would glow, attempting to curse his attacker, the divine energy would swirl and change, instead causing Adalon to begin to move slower, as the guards two heavy blows landed despite the divine magic, the guards now taking more defensive postures hoping to hold the gap. Vaera would try to latch back onto her target with no success, this time sinking razor fangs into gaps of the legs in the mans armor. Ayriens spear deflected away by the guards active shield. Ismaril would move into a gap created by the missing Claws of Fate and would drive her crystalline thinblade into an attacker. Katarina would deliver a ringing haft blow to the guards helmet deafening him then deliver a solid thrust with her spear. Adalon slowed from the mishap of divine magic would swipe the feet out from under an adjacent guard, but his heavy stab down with his great sword would be batted aside in his slowed state. Neia would push up into the changing fight in the hall way delivering glancing blows as she tried to fight her way to her Knight. Longwei would deliver a flurry of blows as the guard grumbled and then with a running leap, push off from the wall and clear the fight to begin to chase the fleeing guard. Bliss's blades would ting harmlessly off armor but it would distract the guard as Garr delivered a heavy axe blow and delivered a solid kick to the mans groin. The Guard suddenly attacked by Indalell would strike back with little success, then with an attempt to kick out his legs from under him that also failed he would resume his flight. Indalell would cut him down and it was not long after the last 2 guards were overwhelmed by the Scales of Fate.
A'lar seeing the fight in hand would begin studying the door he suspected lead to the study, cautiously opening it he would begin to look about the mages office. Indalell would begin stashing bodies, and Adalon would start clean up with some magic as before. The rest would find the office expanded into a large laboratory, with notes, alchemical and magical components, and a variety of other resources. Not having time to thuroughly go thru it, A'lar just began to shove papers and items into his bags. Indalell would suggest Katarina and Garr switch out armor to better blend in. 10 minutes of regearing and searching, with no one seemingly alerted to their presence the scales continued up to the third floor. As they moved into the main hall, Indalell now appearing as a guard and the two Claws in guard armor next encounter the patrol here, "Someone's trying to infiltrate the castle, we came up the West wing to cut them off!" The patrol would turn and rush to defend the east wing stairs from this threat as Indalell moved into the main Dragons Chamber. A massive room with fine marbled floors, brilliant magical light, ceilings at least 50ft high, with its back wall dominated with the heads of Chromatic Dragons. As they entered two guards in much finer armor would round on them from behind statues and challenge their presence. A'lar having disguised the rest with his illusions would begin to filter in, making the Elite guard more uncomfortable. One however would see thru the magics and shout the alarm, the two readying their weapons...
