Magic Playtest (Temporary RPG Group)

[Drainial]

"Right, let's get going then. I have no intention of being here when the sun peeps his head over the far horizon." Ki'lia attempted to chivvy them along, a consensus appeared to have been reached and she was anxious to move on.

Just an attempt to seal of the planning phase and get things moving.

[Desmodeus]

"Agreed, I have very fair skin, don't you know..."
Anast began moving to the door, hefting his crossbow and checking the clip.

Anast will follow Ki'lia's plan.

[Kinslayer]

Anast and Ki'lia led the way outside, their crossbows already in their hands as they entered the courtyard. The Mages were right behind them, wholly aware of their surroundings and ready to act on impulse should anything go wrong. The two guards Anast had told them about were still conversing beside the statue, just as the three patrols were still looping around the towers on their monotonous route. The guards by the gate were dispersing however, two staying to guard the portal to the outside as the other two marched quickly towards the Southern tower. Moving away they were of no immediate threat to the group, but their movements still put the mercenaries on edge.

The group stalked forwards like shadows, moving into optimum crossbow range before kneeling on the short cut grass as Ki'lia and Anast took up firing positions. The two guards were unhelmeted but wore chest armour, so the warrior and shade instinctively aimed for their heads. Set to single shot, both crossbows thumped gently as they let a dark bolt of black fletched iron sailing through the air. Anast hit the leftmost guard square in the brow, dropping him without so much as a murmur. Ki'lias shot took the jaw off the other guard, spinning him onto his back where he began to twitch. He was still alive, but luckily the warriors shot had apparently muted him.

Two guards were down, and the rest were none the wiser.

[Masked jackal]

Serraken nodded her approval at the marksmen's abilities, they had taken them down clean. She waited for their lead to begin, mentally preparing herself for the effort of wrenching the souls from the living. Something told her this wasn't going to be so easy.

Serraken will follow after Anast and Ki'lia when they feel ready, and will ready herself for any potential danger, though she will err to the side of caution in this, to keep from giving away their position.

[Drainial]

Got to keep going, come on girl move! The guards were down, though she cursed herself for failing to take down the target cleanly, finishing him would take time and that was not something that they had in abundance.

None the less the key to this gambit was speed, if they stood around until the next patrol arrived they would be seen and that was game over. With that in mind Ki'lia ran out across the grass towards the tower, running close to the guard she stopped for a second to send a bolt towards his prostrate form and then ran on towards the tower.

Hoping that Khalea would be able to do something to hide the guards from casual sight Ki'lia looked around for her companions, they would doubtless need the lock picks.

Ki'lia knows that their plan is based entirely around speed so she is not going to waste any time in getting to the tower, however on the way she will pause to try and finish of the wounded guard. She hopes that Khalea can use shadow magic to help disguise the bodies on the ground (simple absence being a good deal less incriminating) and that the rest of the group is following closely because otherwise we are all, to use the technical term, goners.

[Slortor]

Well... it worked... just

Khalia moved rapidly, the moment the guards went down she was racing towards them. Reaching the two guards she drew her dagger across the throat of the first guard. The rush of energy accompanying his death was tamed swiftly as Khalia drew the shadows around herself - hoping to disguise the two bodies.

Khalia will race over asap. She will kill the guard if she gets there first and if possible use his death and the release of energy to help her cast a spell of shadow to disguise the body. Once done she will go for the tower with the rest of the group.

[Desmodeus]

Anast felt a small flare of satisfaction at the clean kill but it was lost under a surge of adrenaline as he launched into a ground eating lope, keeping low to the ground and heading for the tower like a dart.

He stowed the repeater away as he ran, drawing his short sword for any surprises...
Or more to the point, to slit the throats of those guards heading for my objective.
The shade leered into his face mask; he always had enjoyed the hunt.

Anast is likewise moving swiftly, he expects the guards that moved from the gate to cause trouble and is ready for it.

[Kinslayer]

OOC - Okay just to clear up what I meant Desmodeus, the two guards that left the gate are heading to the South tower, whereas you are heading to the North one. They are effectively moving further away from you, but are moving into the route of the other three patrol pairs. Those are all that now lay between you and the Northern tower.

IC -

The four mercenaries quickly dashed across the courtyard as quietly as possible, noticing that the guard Ki'lia had shot was still squirming around on the ground. The dragon statue would make ideal cover as opposed to running across the open courtyard, so staying as low to the ground as possible they ran to it. As they neared the statue Ki'lia pumped a second crossbow bolt into the head of the wounded guard. Just to be sure he was going to stay down, Khalia drew her dagger across his throat in one fluent motion as she moved into the shadows beneath the statue alongside her new comrades. Serraken and Anast were only a moment behind, and Khalia fed off the lifeforce of the dead guards as she tried to ensure the shadows beneath the statue did not fail them.

Pausing for only a moment while Khalia cast her spell and the others made sure no guards had spotted their movements, they took off once again in the direction of the Northern tower. One of the patrols had just passed, meaning they had roughly two minutes to reach the tower and get out of sight. It took them the best part of thirty seconds to sprint across the grass to the foot of the mighty bastion, whereupon they immediately looked for an entry point. There were several large stone steps leading up to a double door made of reinforced oak, plus a pair of nearby ground level windows. One window revealed only darkness, the room beyond unlit. The other was open ajar but candlelight flickered in the room within, accompanied by the sound of cruel Druchii laughter.

Ninety seconds...

[Slortor]

Khalia skidded to a halt in front of the door. No time to waste - just act... now! Grasping for Chamon Khalia pushed at the door gently.

Khalia summons Chamon in preparation to cast a spell and pushes a door on the off chance its open. If it isnt then she will use chamon to try and open it - as subtly as possible.

[Drainial]

Adrenalin thundered through Ki'lia's slim body, she might as well still have been fighting. Her clothes stank, sweat ran in streams down her back and as she came to a halt outside the tower she shivered involuntarily.

The tension was incredible, her nervous energy was not suited too well to standing around while others did the work, but she had no choice in the matter. The laughter from the tower was more than a little unnerving.
Probably watching a mime or something, don't worry about it, she told herself; she did worry about it though, that and a thousand other things. Of course she did her best to keep this hidden, worry given free reign led to panic, panic led to mistakes and mistakes led to premature impalement.

Things are going well, relax, it was true that their simple plan was going well so far. The guards were down and out, the shadows drawn so thick over them that even knowing they were there Ki'lia could hardly make them out, and here they were at the doors. She could only hope that they had enough time to unlock the thing and get inside. She would worry about what was in there when they came to it.

Not much she can do really, just wait for the door to be opened and keep a beady eye out for anything. Once the door pops open she wants to get in as quickly as possible.

[Desmodeus]

OOC- Woops, pay attention Desmodeus!

IC- Anast didn’t pause to watch the mauled guard’s last moments and continued unabated until he reached the tower door. He was worried about the voices within and readied his blade, hoping he wouldn’t need to use it...

Once through the door, Anast is prepared to just slip by quietly without alerting the druchii in the adjacent room, but is prepared to open throats with the advantage of having surprise on his side.

[Masked jackal]

Serraken barely kept up with the others as they dashed towards the tower, but fortunately her breathing didn't become too laboured. Still somewhat fit, I see. Ki'lia shot a second crossbow bolt into the squirming guard, and Khalia finished them off, apparently casting a spell to draw the darkness in the area to them.

Almost immediately, she then came up to the door, apparently to try and open it. Well, it's true, we don't have much time. She prepared her magic to drain the life from any guards if they were discoverered. Of course, they may be having fun with a prisoner, judging by the laughter....

If the party is discovered by guards, then Serraken will use her Death Magic to exterminate some of them. If there are only a few, she'll weaken them for the others, but if there are many, she'll go for outright kills to keep from being overwhelmed.

[Kinslayer]

The group of mercenaries reached the base of the tower with all haste, wasting no time in judging that the door was the easiest way inside. The window with the laughter no doubt led to danger, and they could waste valuable time trying to open the other one. They rushed up the stone steps two at a time and Khalia went straight for the door handle. She gave it a tug and found that, fortunately, it was unlocked. She opened it as quietly as possible, just wide enough for a lithe elf to slip inside, and then dissapeared into the tower. Anast was right behind her, followed by Serraken and lastly Ki'lia. Leaving the darkness of the courtyard behind, they made their way into the Northern tower in search of Mintors' daughter.

They were standing in an entrance hall about fifty paces wide, presented with two seperate stairways to either side of the main door leading up onto an overlooking balcony. Aside from the staircases the ground floor had three doors, one to each their left and right, and one ahead of them between the two stairways. The stairs led up to the balcony, where a corridor went out of sight both to the left and to the right. Five options; up and left, up and right, straight ahead, or left or right. They already knew heading right on the ground floor would take them past a dark and empty room, and a room filled with candle light and laughter. They also knew Mintors' daughter probably waited at the very top of the tower.

And that is when they realised that the suit of arms beneath each stairway were not just statues, but guards. The two guards wore intricate silver heavy armour, and each carried a large sword akin to the Draichs' carried by the much feared Executioners. Their helmets completely covered their faces, giving one the grim expression of an angry lion and the other the sharp features of a hawk. With a startled cry the two guards were suddenly thundering towards them across the entrance hall, their blades poised to strike whoever they reached first.

[Masked jackal]

Huh, apparently, there wasn't any. The group had walked into a huge entry hall, with two staircases to the front and 3 doors. Abruptly, as they walked further in, two suits of what Serraken had assumed to be decorative armour started running forwards, draichs drawn. Quickly her mind worked, pulling out the vestiges of magic she had let go, and formulating her plan. Since there were only 2 guards here, they were likely very skilled. She decided that they would need to be weakened for the others to have a chance at fighting them, and that's what she did, attempting to pull their life force away to make them susceptible.

Serraken will attempt to weaken both the guards. If one of the guards looks like he's about to pull out a victory, Serraken will focus on him, and if one seems to be flagging, she'll go in for the kill.

[Slortor]

'Well at least the door was unlocked' was Khalias first thought. The second was 'where the hell do we go now' and the third was 'for the love of Khaine why now?'

The two guards charging towards them looked dangerous, and logic dictated if they had equipment which was so obviously expensive they must be capable of using it.

Lets see how well they use it with no eyes then....

Khalia moved back swiftly past Ki'lia, she needed time to make this spell work and her staff was going to be minimal use against a fully armoured warrior. Luckily she was already casting...

Khalia will retreat behind Ki'lia if possible, if not behind her then get sonmeone else in the way. She will then use Chamon to try and melt the guards helmets - hopefully obscuring their vision and in the best case taking out their eyes and leaving them vulnerable.

[Drainial]

The door was not locked, which was worrying in its self. Ki'lia did not know a single person who did not lock their doors at night and no one with the resources to hire footmen would be likely to take the chance simply for the ease of their servants' and guards' comings and goings. None the less she was more than ready to take advantage of the fact, after all perhaps the lady Mintor had cleared their way.

It certainly seemed so on first sight, the hallway was beautiful, she had rarely visited anywhere decorated with better taste, opulence in moderation. Why those suits of armour, perfect for the space, oh... this last thought was prompted by the sudden charge of the supposedly decorative pieces.
Those blades look worryingly like they could cut me in half, she thought. No matter, it was their life or hers and it was not like they were without advantages of their own, numbers, magic and ranged weapons.

Raising her crossbow to her shoulder Ki'lia aimed a volley at the nearest guard. Taking nothing for granted with such heavily armoured foes as they thundered closer she dropped her crossbow and pulled out her sword and shield.
This could be messy, offensively they seemed to have the advantage, but there was a problem with Draichs; true enough with the momentum of the charge, the strength of a warrior's arms and the weight of the blade a good soldier could cut half way through a bullock, but after that one swing they were cumbersome things.
Usually at least, but those look like damn fine swords to me.

Regardless of quality her plan (if such it could be called) remained the same, a swift dodge, parrying with her shield should he prove too quick, followed by an all out offensive to keep him off balance and to prevent him from ever getting in a decent second stroke.

Ki'lia will fire as many shots as she has time for at the guard nearest to her, when and if he gets close she will drop said crossbow (even if it means she never gets to shoot at all) and get out her sword and shield. Then when the guard comes at her (assuming that one does) she will attempt to dodge and counter attack. If neither of the guard's attack her directly she will of course attempt to help her companions in much the same manner.

[Desmodeus]

Bloody typical!

Anast swiftly switched his arms, levelling his repeater at one of the charging guard’s faceplates.
Crouching and stepping sideways to clear his line of fire, the furious shade began firing, feeling the weapon thump against his shoulder.

Anast intends on trying to fell his foes from afar, and will maintain as much distance from them as possible.

[Kinslayer]

The guards may have the advantage in armour and weapons, but the mercenaries had the advantage of numbers and range. Anast and Ki'lia went straight for their crossbows as they realised they were under attack, the female warrior kicking the door shut behind her to ensure the patrols outside would not hear the commotion. Khalia and Serraken pulled on the winds of magic, drawing power to themselves as they prepared to each weaken the guards in their own way. The crossbows thumped first, pumping bolts into the two guards as they drew near. Ki'lia fired at the hawk-faced guard and Anast at the lion-faced one, though neither was able to land a killing blow through the guards' heavy armour. Still, Ki'lia successfully hit her opponent twice in the right thigh, and Anast scored a lucky hit between the plates of the guards' chest armour.

Then came Khalia and Serrakens time to attack, but something went wrong. Both Mages threw their hands forwards as they went to launch their attacks, forcing the life to ooze from the guards and melting their visors in unison. The usual smell of ozone filled the air as the powers were unleashed, but then the air around them fizzled and went still. As if in answer to their questions, a pair of gems tied each around one of the guards' necks glowed blue as the power in the air dissipated, before returning once more to a barely visible black colouration. They knew instantly what they were, for although such artifacts went under many names and guises, they all performed the same trick. Magic Eaters, stones or gems that dissipated the power of mana before its effects could come into fruition. The Mages' cursed, this was going to be a hand to hand fight, and one they were not fully prepared for...

The guards slammed into the group with the force of a charging Nauglir, one bringing his blade in an upwards stroke at Ki'lia and the other in a downwards stroke aimed for Serrakens' head. Ki'lia had already dropped her crossbow and drawn her blade and shield, and the Mages had their staffs and daggers at hand, not yet knowing if it would do them any good. Ki'lia dodged to one side and narrowly avoided being cut in two, pushing her shield into the guard to unbalance him and slashing at him as he accidently continued on past her. Her blade hit the back of his neckguard and glanced up, knocking the back of his helmet and causing his visor to fall open. His dark face was revealed from under the beak of his hawklike mask, his eyes like black orbs of hate and his expression grim. He lifted his heavy blade, ready to make another strike for the warrior before him.

Anast had backed away a few steps and reloaded, keeping his crossbow trained on the lion-masked guard attacking the Mages. Serraken was fast enough to dodge the downward strike, probably only by the fact that she wore little armour. The factor that had saved her from that inital blow, however, would probably prove her downfall if the combat continued. She knew this, and so did Anast and Khalia. Serraken tried to keep the guard too busy to attack again, hitting him with staff and dagger, Khalia joining in at her side. Anast waited for a clearer shot, hoping he or Ki'lia could intervene in time before the guard cut one of the Mages into pieces, but knowing it would probably have to be him, his comrade preoccupied with a fight of her own.

[Drainial]

Squeezing off several black fletched bolts Ki'lia aimed for weak spots in the armour, there was simply no way that her weapon could reliably penetrate the thick plate worn by the guards. Rewarded with two solid hits in the thigh she was almost surprised to see the guard continue to charge, but these were elite troops and it never did to underestimate your opponent.

This was a fact that was proven shortly thereafter as the magic of her companions was brushed aside, the ensorcelled stones about the necks of their opponents’ proving more than a match for the half tutored magi, let alone Ki'lia's crude grasp of the arcane.

Luckily for her however Ki'lia did not rely upon the magical arts for her strength, unfortunately neither did the guard. As he closed in she tensed, dodging to the right with the cat like quickness which had saved her so many times before. Though the guard was encumbered and relatively slow his heavy armour proved its worth as a decapitating blow failed to faze him. It did however unveil his face and offer an opening in his defences.

Knowing full well that one good hit from that monster blade would rend her shield in two Ki'lia decided to use it as an offensive weapon; she knew that she had to keep the guard of balance for if he had room for another swing she would be lucky to escape a second time.

Jamming her shield forwards Ki'lia thrust it into his face, darting forwards herself to swing a powerful blow towards his leg, already weakened by the darts she had left there mere moments ago. If he fell to the floor he would not be rising again.

Ki'lia will try to smash her shield into his face while cutting at his wounded leg, she will do everything as quickly as possible to try and force the guard onto the defensive.

[Desmodeus]

The shade spat curses into his facemask as the armoured guards brushed the bolts off as though mere irritating flies, before scattering his companions left, right and centre. Watching the scene unfolding, Anast's eyes darted about as he sought a decisive solution.
I stand no more chance than the magi in a melee with these bastards; they’ll cut me to ribbons...

He watched as the Ki’lia unmasked her assailant’s adamantine features and capitalised on his lack of balance and Anast then saw his opportunity to reduce the pressure on the spell-weavers...
“How about some insurance on your kill?”

Ebon hued darts hurtled towards the newly exposed face of the hawk visored guardian, briefly catching reflected light, thrown from bared steel.

Anast feels he can best reduce the pressure on the Serraken and Khalia by freeing up Ki'lia. To do this he's now aiming his crossbow the bare-faced guard.

[Slortor]

Khalia swore viciously as her spell simply disappeared into the stone. 'Sons of an Asur whore; by Khaine I hate combat!'

Luckily for Khalia the guard directly in front was more focused on Serraken than herself. This gave her an opportunity to do what Druchii did best... cheat.

Carefully she circled around Serraken and the guard, making sure she went away from the guard in front of Ki'lia, no need to expose herself. Then she thrust her staff between the guards legs. "Push him!"

Khalia will circle around Serraken and the guard until she can get her staff between the guards legs and then yell at Serraken to move him - forwards or backwards hopefully wont matter.

[Masked jackal]

Damn... Serraken had little time to react to the sudden failure of her magic. In an instant, her reflexes were all she had against this man, and with his armour and weapon, that didn't matter much. Fortunately, her speed kept her from being killed right away, and her staff and dagger kept the man at bay, for now.

The exertion didn't really give her time to notice what the others were doing, until a staff seemingly appeared from between the guards legs. "Push him!" It briefly occurred to Serraken how dirty this seemed, before she obliged, attempting to push the guard back with her staff.

Serraken will attempt to push the guard back with her staff, to coincide with Khalia's plan. If the guard begins his next swing too soon, Serraken will dodge, then attempt to do this once he is off-balance.

[Kinslayer]

The Mages were left fighting a heavily armed and armoured guard, so they reverted to dirty Druchii tactics to try and help them survive. Khalia got behind the guard as they kept his blade busy with their bludgeoning staffs, before suddenly getting her weapon behind his knees and calling to Serraken. The other Mage responded instantly, shoving forwards to unbalance the guard. Even as he tripped on the staff, it became apparent he was not to be so easily overcome by two lightly armoured opponents. He turned his backwards stumble into an attack, elbowing Khalia in the jaw and spinning to bring his sword down on her shoulder. The Mage shrieked in pain as the sharp edge cut a few inches into her unarmoured flesh, instantly staining her robes red with blood.

Ki'lia slammed her shield up into the hawk-masked guards now exposed face, just as she went for his wounded thigh with her blade. Her shield made his head roll back, just as Anast fired his crossbow into the opening in the combat. Ki'lia was suprised to see the guard collapse to the floor as her blade barely cut into his leg, before she noticed the black bolt protruding from his eye. The guards' heavy bulk fell to the floor and blood started to pool around his helmet, freeing up the rest of the group to assist the Mages with the lion-masked guard. They all knew that, despite being inside, they still had to work fast and do it quietly. They could not risk being caught in this exposed entrance hall.

[Desmodeus]

One down... Time to up the pressure and get out of here: Fortunately I know just the technique for bringing down dangerous game.

Drawing his blade, Anast stepped forward, positioning himself on the 3rd side of the guard, leaving position 4 for their resident warrior. Waving his blade to catch the lion-visaged swordsman’s attention and distract him from Khalia.

“Who’s a bad kitty then? I’m going to wear your hide wretch.”

Anast intend on harassing the guardian, hoping to have him turn his back to Ki’lia and his attentions from the mages (he is assuming he is more adept at getting the hell out of the blade’s path!).

[Drainial]

Slamming her shield straight into the guard's face was satisfying, as was his sudden collapse. Ki'lia had no time to think of stolen glory or any such foolishness, turning to the others she saw a frightful mess.

The two magi were in no position to be tackling heavily armoured and armed adversaries, despite that they were both alive which was more than she had expected. Ki'lia worried about the noise they were making, but it was unavoidable and scolding someone for screaming when their arm was sliced into was both unfair and pointless.

Now it was four to one, good odds by anyone’s count, now they just had to capitalise on it. Keeping her voice low and steady, though the adrenaline pumping trough her demanded a battle field bellow, she said
"Press him, don't let him raise that sword!"

With that she advanced, not slowly but not with reckless abandon. Savagery wasn't going to get this done, it would take both strength and precision. Reaching the fight Ki'lia lashed out, anywhere, everywhere his armour was weak. Slashing and dancing she looked for an opening that would allow her to end the fight and finally kill the elf, opening up their way.

Ki'lia would thank Anast for his assistance but there is no time. She will join the attack on the guard from the one free side and try to press him so that he does not have the time or room for another swing. She herself will attack anywhere that his armour looks weak and will always be looking for an opportunity to strike a telling blow.