| Session Summaries: |
As Osmodel prepared to leave Hollowfaust and return to his besieged city of Burok-Torn, he sought help from those two with whom he had spent much of his time in Hollowfaust. Feng and Quarian both agreed to make the journey and all prepared left the inn on the eve of the Carnival of Flowers.
The streets were eerily empty -- the bustle of the plaza market was non-existent and the streets were virutally empty. Atop the battlements which surrounded the city, however, many people could be seen milling about, as if in anticipation or nervousness. Heading for the First Gate, the three companions turn to the sound of heavy, booted footfalls from behind. They stopped the soldier -- who had obviously been making this trip throughout much of the morning -- and asked what was amiss.
The soldier explained that the city was again under siege -- the fifth time in its history -- and that the guildsmen were preparing magical defenses in the Faust while the army protected the walls. Asking to be escorted to the commanding officer -- Commander Hlast -- the trio were introduced and the situation explained.
Outside the city lay thousands of Githyanki and flying above their numbers were many huge ships fashioned with terrifying visages. Their offer of help accepted with great enthusiasm. They were assigned a patrol route through the city streets until the guildsmen were able to extend the protection against the teleporting invaders to the city itself.
They departed immediately and patrolled through much of the day with no trouble. Nearing the end of the third circuit and having checked the buildings numerous times, the task was becoming quite tedious. As they neared a city corner, however, there was a brief flash of faint blue light which quickly dissipated. Peering around the corner, Osmodel and Quarian took note of three Githyanki. Spotted easily by the alert invaders, two of the creatures charged with greatswords drawn.
The first was hit hard when it rounded the corner in pursuit of the apparently fleeing dwarf and elf and came face to face with a massive half-orc. It was sent back a few steps, staggering and trying to recover from the massive blow. The second made a wider circuit and intercepted the dwarf. The third remained behind, its presence evident only by the occasional flash of mystical light as the warlock worked its arcana.
Seconds later, the already severely wounded githyanki went down under the onslaught of Feng's blade. The other went on the defensive against its two opponents, parrying strike after strike from Osmodel's axe and Quarian's scimitar.
Feng, deciding to take on the warlock, charged around the corner only to find it vacant. Swinging anyway, hoping to strike an invisible foe, was futile. As Quarian continued his assault on the githyanki opponent, Osmodel heard a sound from behind. Turning and looking up, he observed the warlock clinging to the side of a building, weaving more spells.
Leaving Quarian to deal with the githyanki warrior, Osmodel conjured a divine axe to battle the warlock. Feng came back around the corner to aid Quarian, unable to do anything to the warlock. The warrior again went on the defensive, parrying blow after blow.
Seeing the danger posed by the dwarven cleric, the warlock launched a bolt of arcane force at the already wounded Osmodel. The githyanki warrior seized an opening and switched to the offensive, pressing his attack, but received a brutal blow from Feng's greatsword for his effort.
With both his warriors dead, the warlock cast a final spell and leapt the width of the street to cling to the building opposite. He began climbing the building in an attempt to escape, but was struck down by one of Osmodel's divine axes.
Moments after the battle ended and the bodies searched for useful information and equipment, a second patrol happened across the scene, dispatching a runner to the First Gate and offering to help to carry the bodies to the Third Gate.
The battle would get worse before it got better...
Written By: Thoth
30 August 2003
