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Post by Gregor on Jun 30, 2009 7:43:42 GMT
Gregor let out a wry smile as he saw the man stumble out of the bridge and fall to his doom. Turning towards Jasper, he approached and took hold of Sherri.
"I'll take her, you get into that tower now!"
Gregor hefted the girl over his shoulder then, still holding the rope, made his way across to the tower. Once in the tower, he placed Sherri down gently on the floor. He then set about examining the mechanism that would have collapsed the bridge. He was going to take no chances on them being followed. He reached out for the lever and pulled it, looking to see what affect i t would have on the bridge.
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Post by zipp on Jul 1, 2009 1:15:23 GMT
There is a grinding sound, and the pillars that hold the bridge to this side of the tower lower by a good fifty feet, turning the bridge into an untraversable slope. You shudder to think what would've happened had the lot of you been on the bridge when this lever was pulled.
Jaspar is looking down the stairs of the tower. "We're almost there," he says. "We just have to take this all the way down."
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Post by Gregor on Jul 1, 2009 8:23:55 GMT
"Lead the way Jasper, lets hope its not too far."
Gregor hoisted Sherri over his shoulder and followed Jasper down the staits. He used his spear as a walking stick to help with his balance. As they travelled down, he posed the other a question.
"That infected that I hit, it looked somewhat different than the others. What was that bone protusion on its neck? I had not encountered one such as that before."
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Post by zipp on Jul 2, 2009 22:06:20 GMT
"It was good what you did. That was a carrier. Those bone spurs on its back come off and can explode. If the shards hit you, you're done for. You'll be a zombie like them within minutes. That's why we had to leave the main hall. Remember all the bone shards? I keep forgetting how little you know about all this."
Still, there is a new found admiration tinging Jaspar's voice.
"You have damn good aim, I must say," he says. "To have spotted that creature and taken care of it from back here... amazing! And that blast! I've never seen anything quite like that! Are you one of the fabled magicians from the Town that floats on the large wetness? I hear tell there is such a city where people train to wield fire and lightning as if they were everyday tools!"
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Post by Gregor on Jul 3, 2009 7:35:22 GMT
"Aye sir, I am a Magician from the Toran Brotherhood in Sommerlund."
Gregor smiled at Jaspers comments. He forgot that despite all that had gone on around him, Jasper was still a simple soldier. Things like undead and magic and science didnt really apply to him, whereas Gregors world was filled with nothing but! Perhaps a little too much undead for his liking, he mused, but still, it was nice to hear praise when it was due.
"I just hope I can put my talents to good use. Getting into the Citadel is a must if we are to stop this thing".
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Post by zipp on Jul 4, 2009 4:51:29 GMT
After a brief rest, the two of you proceed to descend the stairs. Despite the fact that he is now carrying Sherri, Jaspar seems better than he was before. Perhaps the adrenaline rush from the combat has revived him somewhat? Still, you worry a bit about his condition. It's a long ways down.
Roll skill... this will be another perception roll
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Post by Gregor on Jul 4, 2009 8:36:37 GMT
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Post by zipp on Jul 4, 2009 16:16:53 GMT
This tower is nowhere near as sturdily built as the last. Rather than a set of stone stairs winding their way down, this tower is an empty turret lined with rickity wooden stairs badly in need of repair. Only the occasional landing provides any rest, and your going is slow. You've gone down a good bit (about halfway to the bottom, Jaspar tells you), when you hear the sounds of shouting drifting down from the top of the tower.
"Damn!" Jaspar says. "We've finally been found out. We've got to reach the bottom before they catch us, but I'm not sure we can do it loaded down as we are." He indicates Sherri and then suddenly collapses, dropping both her and himself to the wooden floor. Thankfully, you are on a landing, otherwise both would've toppled to their deaths. You run to Jaspar and see that his shirt is soaked through with sweat and what smells like blood. The man's wounds are not healing properly. He's dying.
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Post by Gregor on Jul 6, 2009 10:29:04 GMT
"Damn, Jasper!"
Gregor kneals down to help the man up again. Checking the wound, he can see that its bad. The look on ther others face afirms what they are both thinking.
Tearing off part of Jaspers sleave, Gregor does his best to tie a turniquet around Jaspers wound. The man winces as it is pulled tight, but under the circumstances its the best he can do.
"Im sorry Jasper, this is the best I can do. Fixing machines I can do. Human biology is somewhat different though."
Ensuring Jasper can stand, Gregor then picks up and hefts Sherri over his right shoulder.
"Lets keep going. Just dont think about anything except putting one foot in front of the other. We can make it."
Gregor hoped that his words not only reassured Jasper, but also gave some security to himself. Making sure he had a firm hold on Sherri, they made their way down the stairs once more.
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Post by zipp on Jul 7, 2009 2:32:27 GMT
The going is slower than you'd like. The sound of pursuit isn't getting any quieter. But Jaspar can't seem to go much faster, and you're burdened with Sherri's body. Finally, at the next landing, Jaspar sits down and refuses to go any further.
"I'm not going to make it much longer anyway," he says with a grimace. "I can barely move as it is. Leave me here. You've got only a little ways more to go. And I've got a surprise for anyone who tries to follow you."
Despite his brave words, you sense a note of fear in Jaspar's voice. Still, his words are not wholly false. You yourself doubt he'll make it much further. It might be for the best if you continue on without him. If not, you'll have to stand here and make a stand against whatever is pursuing you.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you.
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Post by Gregor on Jul 7, 2009 8:25:11 GMT
Gregor face showed his decision before he spoke and Jasper knew it. Gregor knew there was no point arguing with the man. He couldnt move and although it tore at Gregor, he knew he couldnt save him.
"We'll get them Jasper, rest assured that I will ensure that the Citadel falls and whatever is responsible for this.....thing...is brough to justice."
"Thanks lad," Jasper replied,"you get that girl to safety. I'll be alright here."
Despite his words, Gregor couldnt help but notice the tears welling up in the other mans face.
Gregor hefted Sherri and smiled for the last time at Jasper. He then turned and made his way down the stairs as quickly as he could.
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Post by zipp on Jul 7, 2009 22:45:51 GMT
Inspired by Jaspar's selfless act and your desire that his sacrifice won't be in vain you find renewed strength in your limbs. You make steady progress down the tower and are only about fifteen feet from the bottom when a huge explosion rocks the top of the tower. Looking up, you see, high above you, the platform where Jaspar sat engulfed in a cloud of smoke and fire. You're not sure what's happened, but you suspect Jaspar had a final ace up his sleeve that he's just played. In the next instant, you realize you are in very real danger of being crushed by the falling stone and wood work that was blown away by the explosion.
That's a skill roll to dodge... let's say the DC is 16
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Post by Gregor on Jul 8, 2009 8:16:12 GMT
1d20=16, 1d20=18, 1d20=3, 1d20=12
re-roll 3 (1d20=9)
well I re-rolled, cause Im thinking 2 successes might not be enough to dodge while holding Sherri.... worth a try at least.[/color] Gregor jumped forward with Sherri as the stair-well came tumbling down. He moved as fast as he could but couldnt help stumbling a little as he moved to avoid getting crushed. unable to move anymore on the cramped stairs, Gregor put himself over Sherris body in the hope of saving her from the worst of the falling stone.
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Post by zipp on Jul 8, 2009 9:37:54 GMT
The move probably saved Gregor's life. Pushing himself and Sherri into a corner, he waited out the worst of the falling debris. Only a single rock struck him, and though painful, it didn't cause much injury.
That's 1 damage. Go ahead and roll toughness.
After assuring that Sherri was okay, Gregor moved on towards the bottom of the tower. Here he found a tunnel descending into the earth.
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Post by Gregor on Jul 8, 2009 11:01:28 GMT
1d20=15
Toughness comes up good for a change![/color] Gregor adjusted Sherris load on his shoulder, holding her firmly with his right hand, while using the spear in his left to steady himself as he walked along the tunnel. Odd that something like this would be found in such place but Gregor pressed on regardless. He was hoping he would reach relative safety soon.
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