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Post by Admin on Mar 21, 2014 1:13:27 GMT
After debriefing came much needed rest, followed by a large breakfast and good will from the fellow soldiers. They spot Lt. Foster, who whisks them into a room with a map of the island on the wall. The area covered in friendly territory has expanded greatly along the flanks, now covering both the shrine and the ruins. Lt. Foster points at the center of the map.
"Thanks to your efforts, the enemy's taken a huge hit to morale and organization," she says. "Ewing's mercenary forces are deserting and fleeing after that avalanche echoed across the island, but something more interesting occurred."
She points at a spot near the ruined city, with a red circle around it. It seems isolated from the gains made on other fronts.
"Mordred's lost control of his bugs and giant vermin, and now they're running everywhere and attacking everything that moves," Foster says. "Including each other and friendly forces. They're another reason the sellswords are fleeing."
She again focuses on the circle. "In the old city center, we've held the line thanks to our druids and artillery," she continues. "But the best part? Mordred's had to expose himself to keep control of what remains of his bugs. That's why the main offensive's stalled."
She highlights the circle. "He's been adept at dodging snipers, mages, and artillery, and our infantry are still tied down, so we decided a small team would be needed to hunt down Mordred. Since you had such ease with the ruins, we'd like to see if you're interested."
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Post by Admin on Mar 22, 2014 23:28:06 GMT
"Mordred is all that stands between us and the factory. If we can finish him off, we've got a clear shot at Ewing," Foster says. "Our troops would hold off his bugs while you go directly for him. Artillery and magical support would be ready for your call. What do you think?"
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Post by jon on Mar 23, 2014 11:31:05 GMT
"Sounds a reasonable plan..." Hans nods,"What do we know of his personal guard?"
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Post by Admin on Mar 23, 2014 23:11:17 GMT
"Ewing's few remaining human troops are holed up in the factory, and Mordred's only defended by a swarm of bugs under his control," Foster explains. "Our infantry can engage some of the bugs, but you'll probably have to get through a few to get to him or have a clear shot."
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Post by henwen88 on Mar 25, 2014 1:41:06 GMT
"Is there any chance of a druid's being able to influence the bugs that are currently under his control?" Leath asks. "If we can turn them against him, he'll have absolutely nothing."
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2014 21:14:27 GMT
"Spells aren't my area," Lt. Foster says. "But I heard one of the druids talking about counterspelling being effective. It'll prevent bugs from responding to Mordred's orders."
[Knowledge (nature) check for Leath: 17]
Leath recalls that insects, and their giant vermin cousins, use scented chemicals to convey orders to each other. He is aware of two alchemical substances devised by druids to help manage bug outbreaks, one that repels vermin and another that lures them. Each substance could be carried in flask, similar to alchemist's fire. The ingredients, he recalls, could be made from things he's already seen growing on the island.
[Knowledge (arcana) check) for Psychlis: 11]
The wizard recalls that counter-spelling would be a very important asset, given Mordred relies on them for controlling his horde. So perhaps a professional (such as himself or the druid) could try it, so the party can deny him reinforcements or even better, leave him alone and exposed. His own arcane powers might also help in dealing with the bugs, if they were to try a more direct assault.
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Post by henwen88 on Mar 26, 2014 2:40:46 GMT
Leath stands for a moment in thought, his brow furrowed as he envisions the plants on the island and where he saw them growing. Then he comes out of his study and speaks to everyone gathered there, saying, "If someone will provide me with two flasks, I can create substances that will keep the bugs away from us and possibly send them back at Mordred. It wouldn't take me long to make them."
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Post by jon on Mar 28, 2014 1:33:55 GMT
"That sounds perfect! Foster, are there any flasks around that Leath can use?" Hans inquires.
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Post by Admin on Mar 28, 2014 2:02:01 GMT
"Yes, we've got a whole workshop, well stocked with alchemical reagents and plant extracts," Foster says. "As well as some apothecaries who can assist with making them. But since we're at war, that workshop is a vital resource, especially for medicine."
"I'll volunteer to assist with your medical needs in exchange for giving Leath access," Jiao says, turning to the rest of the party. "What say you?"
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Post by henwen88 on Mar 28, 2014 3:21:01 GMT
"Let's do it. Lead the way to the workshop!" Leath says, clapping a hand on Jiao's shoulder in appreciation.
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Post by Admin on Mar 28, 2014 21:15:54 GMT
An apothecary takes Leath to a cavern off to the side, where apprentices mix and match various substances in bottles and flasks on shelves from wall to wall. It's a chemical library, with powders and concoctions in all places. Some are bundling goods with medical packs, while other compounds have more explosive implications. Leath notes a seedling sprouting in a gel within a glass jar, sustained by the nutrients in the solution. A formula is written beneath it, one that seems similar.
[Knowledge (nature): 11]
He recalls a druidic concoction that does something similar, but this version seems weaker or misguided compared to the formula he knows. Given that Brandon's order, his own former circle, and whatever else remains of their order, it's very easy for such information to get lost. Perhaps lending or comparing his own knowledge of druidic lore to their own would ensure the order survives in the future, especially in printed form.
Examining the amount of components (many used in both substances), Leath imagines he can fix 4 lures and 4 repellents, 8 of one type (at the exclusion of the other), or a combination between them.
---
Dr. Baines enters the room, and addresses Psychlis. "You plan to return to Byzantium after this war ends, right?" he hands an envelope to the half elf. "The troops recovered some incomplete cargo manifests of what Ewing was smuggling. The dromon comes to drop off prisoners from Constantinople's jails to fight for our enemies, and picks up shipments of muskets and explosives. There's also special orders for some type of large explosive or alchemical device smuggled in parts, but I imagine the factory can provide more information."
"I was told you can read this," He opens the envelope and hands a sheet of paper to Alicia. It has Aklo characters on it, as well as geometric designs of some kind. "Ewing's been drawing this pattern and message on the walls of his factory as he fortified the place."
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Post by henwen88 on Mar 31, 2014 4:24:06 GMT
Leath goes to work on creating the lures and repellents, asking for a little assistance from two apprentices to speed up the process. While he works, he explains to the apothecary the formula he knows that may work better than the one they're currently using for the gel the seedling is sitting it, and asks him to write it down for future usage.
"I look forward to a future exchange of knowledge," he tells the apothecary. "Maybe once the fighting is over and we can focus on preserving the legacy of our breed."
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Post by kooshster on Mar 31, 2014 12:08:24 GMT
Psychlis frowns as he reads over the manifests. "This is proof enough that we share a common foe," he says, crumbling the paper into scraps as his fury at the attempted sabotage of his homeland overrules his more rational mind. "If we can lure the bugs into a valley of some sort, I may be able to reconstruct a working replica of Greek fire and burn them to the fiery pit of Hell itself."
[knowledge check]
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Post by Admin on Apr 1, 2014 0:55:28 GMT
"The battlefield's full of trenches and defensive works, so that'll be easy enough," Foster notes. "Maybe Leath's lures can help with that?"
[Knowledge (alchemy) check=12]
Psychlis recalls the formula for Greek fire, and its close relative alchemists' fire, would indeed be what they need. He is escorted to the workshop, where Leath is directing the apothecaries. He seeks 2 flasks of alchemists' fire already completed, but there are components to make barrels of it. He notes a handheld pump in the corner, and suddenly has an idea.
[Knowledge (engineering) check: 14]
He's heard of Byzantine shipwrights constructing siphons to spray Greek and alchemical fire at their foes, but the small hand pump could easily be connected to a larger tank and hoisted around the battlefield. Such an ungainly contraption would interfere with his own spellcasting abilities, but he imagines there's probably enough burly soldiers who could hoist it around easily.
---
"That new one works well, since it means the seedlings have ten times the protection," an apothecary marvels at Leath's knowledge.
The apothecaries begin distilling the compounds that Leath directs. He still has a mutually exclusive choice to make regarding current supply stocks: to make lures and repellents, only the lure, or only the repellent.
---
[Knowledge (alchemy) check: 13]
With all the talk about alchemy, Hans recalls alchemical cartridges that might work with his weapons, such as a dragon's breath round that would turn his dragon pistol into a flame thrower.
---
Meanwhile, Alicia leaves the room, her eidolon following close behind, after reading the strip of paper.
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Post by Admin on Apr 1, 2014 20:05:09 GMT
Leath makes 4 lures and 4 repellents, enough for everyone and perhaps more than enough if he wants to lure the bugs.
"Everyone ready to go?" Lt. Foster asks. "Mordred isn't going to sit around and off himself."
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