Session20

**Amara and a City at War - Part 2**
 * 6-1-13 **

The city of Valparia prepares for the advancing battle coming. We are outnumbered by the Xianese, but the elves of Ellendar and the Dakarian forces are currently an unknown advantage in the city. Teeatha Starlite traveled the woods and was able to bring back Thorn and Posy from Destiny to join us. Vhoori is interested in Thorn and Mali's race, never having seen halflings before. Thorn shows him his hairy feet to which Vhoori exclaims, "Not as hairy as mine!" "Well... you got me there..." Vhoori tells us his race is called the Kith-Kin. We join in on the battle plans. Illusions will be put into place to hide the forces from main sight. The Dakar will come from the north, the elves from the south, and the Irillian will take their places on the walls to draw in the Xianese with their fall back. We tell them about the portals at the camp sites and the number of boats we seen in the harbor, trying to get a better understanding on the numbers we'll face.

There is an elven queen, but Lillarthi is the head of his kingdom. He is very handsome and princely. He says he knows of a supply camp of the enemy, and we could sneak in to put a hit on them to force them to attack sooner... possibly before all of the portals are up and the forces brought in. The archery maidens, Vhoori, Thorn, Wren, and Erevin volunteer to go with him. Azarius talks with Amara... he explains that while he understands that he is much more beautiful than her, and more powerful with magic... he does still love her! Yarrik whispers to Amara about while she has only spoken good things of her brother, he seems like kind of a douche. Lillarthi comes to take Yuki on a tour of the healer tents, but munching on cake with new exotic flavors, she's caught a little unaware, spitting pieces of cake on him as she tries to speak... but he is handsome and very charming through it. "I'm so sorry! I'm usually so graceful..." Erevin hand signals behind her about how clumsy she is... Lillarthi continues to smile and nod, the ever charming host. Azarius and Amara go off to chat alone... she tells him that she's been here for 5 years. She fell into Dakara where it was nothing like home. Used to living with a well known noble name, everything became more difficult for her being unknown here. A dakarian wizard seen the magic talent in her, and took her to the capital city where she attended the university there. She has since graduated and become the apprentice to the High Mage himself... she gushes about how he has taught her so much! She goes on to tell him that the magic of this world is very similar to ours with the exception of healing... magic here speeds up healing or transfers wounds to others to help heal... Yuki, with her strong ability to close wounds and heal instantly will be in high demand. She talks about her story for about an hour, and then asks him "But what's been happening with you? Who are those people you're with? ...and have you gained weight?" "Yes... thanks for noticing... but that is a story for another day..." Azarius goes on to tell her that the people are a band of adventurers that he's joined with. "Adventurers?! Didn't father say that those types are murder hobos? Brigands?!" "Yes, he may have said that... but these people have helped me. They've been very handy... but our parents have sent me to bring you home, and I can't return empty handed... I need to know, what is your intention? I see how you feel about Yarrik and I'm sure he feels that way as well..." "Big brother!! Oh... do you really think so?" "If you want to stay... I'd like you to come home and explain things to the family..." "I will return. I'd like to see our parents, but I cant leave this battle without giving them all the aid that I can... I owe them that much." "Maybe Yarrik would even come with us... you can talk to our parents together... explain the situation." "Maybe you can talk to him for me? Put in a good word?" "I will talk to him. I plan to ask his intentions toward my family..." Amara hugs him gratefully, and Azarius can feel that she has grown stronger with magic.

Lillarthi takes Yuki through the packed streets where elves dressed in burnished gold armor salute him, and look to Yuki to be very loyal to Lillarthi. Yuki - "You're men love you..." Lillarthi - "I have led them for years... I think they will love you as well." They walk through a cobblestone grove. Trees have been grown here as a connection to Elowyn. White robed elves attend the pavilion of beds where some injured are already there. Prayers are spoken over them - a divine healing. They seem curious as they look strangely at the other-worldly priestess on Lillarthi's arm. Yuki asks if they always have to touch to heal and about channeling healing energy. Lillarthi says that they do always have to touch, and seems curious about this "channeling energy"... Yuki demonstrates, standing in the center of the room, as she sends out a warm pink glow... wounds close on the injured, leaving them healthy and restored. All of the elven healers rush over, very excited about her wondrous healing! Yuki says that she would be very useful on the battlefield, but she would need protection because her ability tends to draw a lot of attention on her. Lillarthi says that he would gladly guard her personally with the aid of the elven archer maids. Yuki links her arm into his happily.

William talks with Posy as they walk together, "We've never seen a gnome like you... where are your strange doodads and gadgets?" She explains to him that she was raised differently with her uncle back home. She picks out a couple of men sparring and demonstrates her strength and skill in battle. Morale boosts a little with the surprise at her fury. William admires her and says she still seems to be holding back, but that he looks forward to seeing her unleashed... Thorn looks on, "Be careful what you wish for..." Azarius finds tents set up in the dakarian camps in a patch where snow has fallen. There are wounded soldiers here as well, and dakarian wizards transfer wounds to volunteering healthy soldiers. Amara tells him that she knows how to do that as well. Evening falls to night as Lillarthi walks charming and subtly flirty with Yuki, "The Goddess of Beauty, you say? Well... then your an apt priestess then." Yuki giggles at him, "You're so sweet! Sune is the goddess of Beauty and Love... true love. ...though I haven't even been kissed yet." He nods to her, "I was wondering if you were like the maiden archers... they've taken a religious vow of chastity..." Yuki blinks at him in surprise, "Oh! No... no... not like that! Why? Why would they?!" He tells her it's a religious tradition for them... and asks to see her in the morning after he gets back. She agrees to meet him for breakfast. He kisses her on the back of her hand, and it tingles with an elven magic. Yuki runs to Wren who is getting ready to meet with the others to sneak into the camp... she tells her all about Lillarthi. Wren is very happy for her... such a charming and handsome elf... "You should totally let him be your first!" Yuki beams and then looks at her skeptically, "Kiss him right?" "Of course..." Wren smiles innocently, "What else would I mean?" Yuki leaves very happy as Wren goes to join the others.

Vhoori and the elves hand out bags from the dakarian wizards with the plan to leave them in the camp after gathering some of the supplies. "Do not be on fire with the bags..." We move in to the lower city where flaming boulders are being launched against the city walls... for a moment, we also see flaming skulls and people being launched into the walls. Lillarthi takes his cat form. He, the archers, Vhoori, Erevin and Wren seem at one with the forest, but Thorn falls a little behind. Lillarthi picks him up and slings him on his back to carry him up to the clearing. We look on at the cleared beach of zigaurats, and everything is quiet. Wren manages to crack a stick as she is distracted by all the pretty fires, but Vhoori reels her in with him. We make it on to the beach of supplies. There are several guards, though they are not horribly attentive. Everything is quiet until Wren manages to find the only stick to crack on the sand... A few guards look toward her direction, but she quickly disappears with a spell. Erevin whispers a scolding to her, "We're on sand! How did you manage to find the only stick?" She whispers back, moving swiftly with them, now invisible, "I'm sorry! I didn't expect it to be there!" Several hundred crates in different sizes are gathered together in a roped off area. Managing to slip past the guards, we gather only the best stuff. High protein foods and fresh water. We place the bags strategically amongst the remaining supplies, and sneak out.

Thorn pauses to peak into a little tent with a dozen guys in it. A fire burns in the center. They are gathered around it orderly. One walks among them, pouring a liquid from a gourd into their held up wooden bowls. Their eyes glaze up and spittle forms on their lips. A deep chanting of Xian erupts through the camp. Thorn takes one of the hanging gourds and slips out.

Lillarthi creates a green fire in his hands that all of the archers dip into. We launch fiery arrows into the bags we left, lighting up fiery explosions behind Thorn as he walks up to join us. The maiden archers throw out waves of arrows into the chaos, joined by Erevin and Wren. Lillarthi puts a gentle hand on the shoulder of one of the archers, "There will be time enough for that later. We should go." "Yes, my lord!" We move quickly back into the city. Thorn walks with Wren, "I got a gourd!" "Sweet! We can do all kinds of fun stuff with that!"

Lillarthi goes to meet Yuki with a tray of cakes and hot bread. Woken by his knock, she dresses quickly with her magic ribbon and greets him at the door, "You made it back!"

"Yes... your companions were most helpful. Thorn is very sneaky. Erevin was adequate... (No, no, there's no jealousy there... lol!) and Wren had a spell that made her disappear... With their supplies limited, they should be coming soon."

A little star struck, Yuki gazes at him, "You're very handsome... did you know that?"

He smiles charmingly at her, "You are beautiful as well..." He leans forward toward her, lowering the cake fork in her hand, he grows closer. Yuki's eyes widen slightly as she realizes she's about to get her first kiss... when CRASH!!! A meteor shower erupts into the city.

Lillarthi withdraws as the moment is lost to the outside commotion... and we all move quickly to our battle positions. Posy and Wren go with Vhoori, William, Amara, Yarrik, and the Dakarians to take position in the south. Thorn and Yuki go with Lillarthi and the elves to the north. Erevin, Azarius, and Trieste go with the Illarians on the wall to later pull back and join the elves.

Yuki talks with Nuala Heartseeker, asking about their religious vow of chastity. Nuala explains about the tradition of only Elowyn in their lives. Yuki tries to talk to her about love... and why wouldn't they want love, but Nuala answers "Tradition." Nuala tells Yuki that she noticed Lillarthi going to see her early that morning... "He seems fascinated with you..." "Really? You think so?!" Fire and meteors rain down in the city around them as they chat.

The irillians hold their position on the wall, launching arrows with Erevin. He and Azarius look out as hundreds of yards away they can see a dozen of the leashed possessed being drug in with chains. Whistles blow and they simultaneously begin casting fire balls into the gate... Corellius calls out to fall back. They move quickly, trying to cover their retreat as the gate gives way...

Wild men with hair that winds with their armor and over their faces are the first to break through with xianese soldiers and knights pouring in behind them. The irillians suffer badly, but they bring them into the city as planned.

The northern and southern forces hold position behind their illusion of hiding and watch as the xianese fill into the city between the walls... a whole unit of the black knights fill in to the center around a large statue of the Irillian leader and direct their people in. Buildings are on fire all around us. We wait for the possessed to come close to the center to take out as many of them and the handlers as possible.

The elves move in, crashing into the line of xianese, catching them by surprise. Screams are heard, "We're under attack!"

Posy charges in with full rage, slashing into a group of beserking wild hair people. William and the dakarian soldiers charge in alongside her, clashing into the line from the south. More screams are heard, "We're under attack from the other direction!" Swarms of soldiers clash on either side, with the knights in the center trying to control the chaos.

Wren sends in an empowered bolt of lightning through a line of possessed, their burnt bodies dropping to the ground still lighting up with sparks. Azarius sends in an empowered fireball from the other side! Handlers fall in the explosion, leaving the resisting possessed confused.

Erevin leaps up onto a small balcony of one of the buildings, launching a barrage of arrows into the crowd. The maidens send out waves of their own arrows, protecting Lillarthi and Yuki, as she sends a prayer out from the center statue, aiding the elves and lessening the morale of our enemies. Thorn tumbles into the fray to partner with one of the elves against the xianese soldiers.

Fire unleashes from Yarrik, Amara, and the dakarian wizards bringing down a looming figure and more of the soldiers. A half dozen soldiers surround Wren, striking her, but Vhoori launches into them, growling and biting, giving her enough space to step back and cast out waves of pain into them.

Erevin rapidly fires into the crowd, bringing down soldiers, "For Corellion, For Elowyn, For Eilistraee!" One of the black knights holds out his sword in two hands to aid another in leaping up to the balcony to attack Erevin.

Handlers who lost their possessed to Wren's lightning rush over to grab the chains of the confused possessed left in the wake of Azarius's fireball. Lillarthi strikes out with his glowing green fiery sword, bringing down approaching soldiers as Yuki sends out her warm wave of healing over the elves.

With the aid of Yuki's healing, Thorn and the elves drop soldiers one by one around them. Azarius throws an empowered fireball back into the crowd of newly joined handlers and possessed, dropping more handlers in the explosion.

Posy smashes with waves of destruction from her great axe with William and the dakarian soldiers fighting alongside her, dropping some of the wild haired men. The handlers blow their whistles and point angrily at Azarius... the possessed begin waving and casting. Trieste steps in front of him with her shield as 3 mighty fireballs engulf them. Trieste rocks back from the power as the fire roils over her, leaving her wounded and singed. Azarius is severely wounded, but survives the hit with her protection.The elves around them drop, their bodies burnt.

Wren calls out for Cirdan and launches a lightning infused arrow into the soldiers as Vhoori continues to tear into them. Erevin draws both blades, battling with the black knight on the balcony. The knight slams him backward with his shield, but Erevin manages to latch onto the railing, staying up as his blood splashes onto his sword, hissing.

Thorn tumbles through the battle, striking out with his daggers into the backs of the soldiers as they drop to him and the elves. Yuki channels out her healing, keeping them up. Lillarthi's wounds close and he flashes her a charming smile of gratitude. Azarius's body still smokes, though some of his severely blackened skin begins to restore to her healing. He sends in another empowered fireball, taking down some of the wounded possessed and all of the rest of the handlers in the explosion.

Posy lands a powerful double hit on one of the larger wild men, slicing him in half like butter and then in quarters. William is greatly impressed! Posy, William, and the dakarians are covered in blood...

Two soldiers team up to slice deeply into Thorn, and more soldiers swarm in around Posy and the dakarians. Vhoori strikes down the last of the soldiers around him and Wren, and looks up at her, "Are you alright?" She nods to him gratefully, "I'll live... Are you?" She scans his condition first to be sure he's alright as he nods to her. "Stay with me a little longer, and I'll get us both closer." He nods and watches her wounds close as she casts over herself.

Erevin finds a weak point in the knight's armor and cuts deep. The knight glares back at him, "So you have a bit of fight in you after all... you'll make a great slave." Erevin sneers at him, "I'm going to use your hide as a quiver... with your soul still in it!" The two battle on.

Thorn tries to hold his ground as he is outnumbered on the battlefield. He slashes with his daggers into the wild men around him. Yuki sends out another much needed wave of healing, keeping Thorn, Azarius, and the elves standing. Azarius drops the last of the already horribly singed possessed with magic missiles.

Posy struggles, a little overwhelmed with the black knights surrounding her. She bites into one of them angrily as her axe fails her. "It's biting me!!" William fights on, surrounded by another group of knights, though he's injured terribly.

Two black knights bash into Erevin with their shields, but Erevin catches one with a bloody strike that sends him off of the balcony. Thorn tumbles through the fray to strike into the back of a black knight who turns angrily around to glare and looks down... "What the...?"

Azarius helps out Erevin, sending magic missiles into the black knight bashing into him.The black knight prays on the balcony, closing his wounds and bashing into Erevin again with his shield, while yet another strikes him with his sword.

Posy manages to bring down 2 of the ones on her, but one of them slashes into her with his fiery sword. Bloodied and raging, she fights on. Yarrik and Amara direct the mages with them and they manage to take out another group of incoming black knights.

Wren holds Vhoori close to her, "Vhoori... we need to help William." She lifts from the ground, and flies them toward the front, setting Vhoori down and placing her hands on William's back, closing some of his wounds with her healing. He looks back at her surprised, "What magic is that?" She smiles, "I'm a witch." "What's a witch?" "Someone who can heal you..." "Witches are good!" She grins and nods, "Witches are good."

Erevin whirls both blades masterfully as he strikes something vital, dropping the last of the knights on the balcony with him. Thorn finds the flaw in the plate armor, and slashes into it as he battles on with the elves. Yuki sends out another powerful, and much needed wave of healing.

With Yuki's healing aid to keep them going, the elves have managed to take down almost all of the xianese on their side, and they begin grouping up to move together to help the dakarians. Yuki gasps as she sees Trieste come closer, "You're badly hurt!" "I'll be fine. See to the others. I must protect Lord Chaat."

Azarius magic missiles the knights on Thorn, but they smash against him still. Posy slashes into the knights, and bites another in the throat, managing to drop another two. The elves rush across to join the dakarians and together we smite down the last of the xianese in the square.... the advancing group make a quick retreat back out of the gate with archers launching arrows behind them.

Yuki sends out massive waves of healing over everyone bringing them back to healthy and well. We lost only a few elves and allies in the battle, thanks to Yuki keeping everyone alive.

William looks on at the retreating forces, "We have dealt them a heavy blow." Erevin looks at him, "Enough to make them not come back?" The maiden archers and Erevin go together to scout out the retreat where they see a lot of movement...  Nuala speaks up, "That's strange... those aren't xianese." Erevin looks to where she points and sees a group of elves and humans... several hundred, chained and being herded ahead of the troops. Some of the black knights move up with the soldiers chanting Xian! Erevin and the archers watch in horror as the knights plummet their swords into their own bodies, and with their swords covered in their own blood, they cut down the prisoners... Xian! Xian! the chanting grows louder. An angry looking dark angel with multiple faces begins to emerge... a black flamed sword in each arm... and big, black wings spreading out.

Teeatha gasps, "Xian's right hand... the angel of destruction... We need to tell Lillarthi at once! We need to go now!" Erevin and the maidens rush back to the city where things are winding down and some of the people are resting and relaxing... "My lord! Come quick!"

We rush to see the dark angel flying toward the city! "How can we even get to it?! None of us can fly!" We call for Destiny to fly in close. Lillarthi, the maiden archers, Vhoori, and a few others stand beside us, "We will go with you!"