Mission 7: Azelea Tunnels Excursion
Difficulty: 4/5
Soldiers: 10x Archers: 4x Rogues: 5x Mages: 5x Clerics: 3x Other: 1x
1: Lieutenant Amanda (Soldier, Claymore 24/F): 35/35 HP (Level 5) Items: Black Claymore +3 to ATK, Superior Elven Armor: +2 to DEF
2: Li Ann (Rogue, Kunais 21/F): 13/13 (Level 4) Items: Elven Daggers: +2 to Attack Rolls, Mysterious Elven Bracelet
3: Tyris (Soldier, Mace 28/F): 25/25 HP (Level 4)
4: Arastine (Stalwart Defender, Axe, Gauntlets, Tower Shield 49/F): 40/40 HP (Level 5), Items: Paladin Armor, +5 to Defense Rolls
5: McKayla (Cleric, E. Jewelry 26/F) 13/13HP (Level 5) (Spells: Heal, Shield, Gravity) Items: Elven Jewelry, +1 to Healing Spells, Black Bow
6: Moira (Dark Mage, Magic Staff 32/F): 11/11 HP (Level 4) (Spells: Shadow Bolt, Drain Life, Summon Snakes) Items: Elven Bracelet, +3 to Attack Rolls
7: Aura (Archer, Short Bow 19/F): 12/12 HP (Level 5)
8: Terra (Rogue, Axe/Dagger 27/F): 9/9 HP (Level 2)
9: Astrid (Soldier, Fencing Rapier 20/F): 25/25 HP (Level 4), Items: Elven Armor, +1 to Defense Rolls
10: Oola (Soldier, Barbed Whip 22/F): 15/15 HP (Level 2)
11: Zatrilla (Mage, 19/F): 6/6 HP (Level 2) (Spell: Fireball)
12: Judith (Soldier, Spear 19/F): 20/20 HP (Level 3) Items: Elven Glaive +3 to ATK
13: Capricia (Mage, Mage Staff 16/F): 6/6 HP (Level 2) (Spell: Fireball)
14: Rixa (Archer, Longbow 26/F) 14/14 HP (Level 5) Items: Bone Longbow, +4 to Attack Rolls, Doubles as a Melee Weapon
15: Beth (Dark Mage 25/F) 5/5 HP (Level 1)
16: Minerva (Harpy 22/F) 15/15 HP (Level 2)
17: Morella (Rogue, Axe, Spear) 9/9 HP (Level 2) Items: Elven Spear: +1 to ATK
18: Hathus (Archer, Longbow 29/M) 8/8 HP (Level 2) Items: Elven Longbow +2 to ATK
19: August (Soldier, Mace/Shield 30/M) 20/20 HP (Level 3) Items: Slaver's Beatstick, +3 to ATK, +4 against Elves,
20: Elendra (Cleric, 19/F) 5/5HP (Level 1) (Spells: Heal)
21: Anko (Rogue, Martial Arts 27/F) 7/7 HP (Level 1)
22: Yoshiko (Rogue, Kusarigama 23/F) 7/7 HP (Level 1)
23: Millie (Soldier, Axe 18/F) 10/10 HP (Level 1)
24: Eisenhilde (Archer, Crossbow/Spear, 25/F) 6/6/ HP (Level 1)
25: Cernya (Cleric, Longsword, 21/F) 5/5 HP (Level 1) (Spells: Heal)
26: Micci (Mage, 19/F) 5/5 HP (Level 1) (Spells: Water)
27: Mireille (Soldier, War Scythe ??/F) 10/10 HP (Level 1)
28: Shandris (Fencer, Twin Blades 191/F) 40/40 HP (Level 7)
The group sets out shortly after Marla's departure. The entrance to Azelea's tunnels is a few miles away from the city, and the soldiers can already hear the sounds of the siege reverberating throughout the forest. While they're walking, Beth is the first to strike up conversation among the party.
"You guys want to know something interesting about Azelea? Elves who have been convicted of a heinous crime and are sentenced to death are thrown into the tunnels. Supposedly there's a giant pit in there, and in it lies a fearsome monster. No one's ever seen it, but it's got hundreds of tentacles and a huge mouth with tons of sharp fangs and teeth! They say if it kills you, it feeds on your soul and tortures you forever!! Scary, right?
No one responds to the energetic dark mage besides Shandris, in a dead-tone manner.
"Correct. These tunnels we're going through are ancient, and they go on for miles and miles, leading into the city's sewer system. Even an elf that's lived in the city their whole lives could easily get lost in there and never be found again. Only a select few elite in Elven society are really familiar with the layout, and even then I don't know all of the routes but the most direct one."
"I-is that thing about the monster true?" replies Minerva
"Yes. It's called a Beholder. Though it only awakens upon being fed a victim. If we're lucky, we shouldn't encounter any problems from it."
Unfortunately, that does not do much to set the group at ease.
Miasma finally arrives to the entrance of the tunnels. A cave covered by foliage at the side of a riverbed leading into a mountain. The inside is completely dark, and there's only room to walk three at a time. Shandris takes a torch and heads first inside, flanked by Tyris and Arastine (Amanda decides now is not a good time to be in the front of the group.) At the back of the column, is Astrid, Judith and Terra.
The group walks through the dark tunnels for what seems like hours. Shandris leads them on a winding path, and going quickly through one passageway before taking another and then another. The torches illuminate the dark, and with it the many bones that lie strewn among the path. Some belong to animals, while a few could easily belong to an elf. Eventually, the group comes across some waist high water. The sounds of fighting above grow louder.
"We've reached the sewers." says Shandris, in her usual deadpan voice. From here on out we'll be within vicinity of the city. Our target lies further on ahead, through these waters. Come."
The group heads into the water, though not with much enthusiasm as they wade through the foul-smelling gunk. Terra is the last person in line, though before she can put her foot in a hand suddenly covers her mouth. A wicked looking elven dagger plunges into the rogue's kidneys. She thrashes in the grip of her assailant, but the hand covering her mouth prevents her from crying out, and the negligent Astrid and Judith are unable to hear her over the sounds of the splashing water. Eventually, Terra ceases her struggling, her knees buckle, and she falls face first into the water. (Terra has died)
"How much farther?" Amanda asks Shandris.
"After we get out of the water, we'll come to a large bridge overlooking a pit. From there is a staircase that will take us to the upper level of the tunnels. We'll place the bomb there, and turn around and head through another set of stairs that will lead us to the southern most part of the city, away from the explosive. If we're fast enough, they're should be no issues."
"Pit...? T-that's not where the Beholder is, is it?" asks Minerva
"Yes. Though it should be sleeping upon our arrival."
As the group continues wading through the water in silence, Judith finally realizes that Terra is no longer walking in place behind her. As she turns around to investigate, an arrow suddenly lands in-between her eyes and penetrates her brain. Her eyes follow the arrow, before she sinks into the water. (Judith has died) Unfortunately, Astrid does not notice this death either.
The group finally, makes it out of the water and back on-to dry land. Again, they follow Shandris through a series of winding narrow tunnels.
"I-I'm tired!" My legs aren't as long as all yours! cries Zatrilla. Can we take a break?"
"We have no time for breaks. As you can hear the siege is well underway. Hurry along or be left behind." says Shandris
Zatrilla pants heavily as she tries to catch her breath. She waves along the soldiers passing her ensuring she'll follow along. Just as Astrid passes her, the goblin sets out to move again, but she finds a strong pair of arms take her from behind. Covering her mouth and lifting the small mage up, the assailant dashes the goblin against the wall. Once, twice and then a final time before her face is completely pulped and destroyed. (Zatrilla has died)
The group continues following Shandris until they finally reach the "pit". It's a massive room, dark and sinister, with a single bridge connecting the two sides together. Those brave enough to look down see nothing but total darkness.
"Through here, quickly." says Shandris
The group begins to make their way across. As Astrid is still flanking the back column, she suddenly realizes that Zatrilla hasn't caught up. She turns around just in time to step out of the way of a launched arrow that hits Hathus in the shoulder. 5 Elf Assassins are standing in the doorway Miasma had just came through.
"Oh, you dunces finally noticed we're here, we've only been following you since the forest."
vs
5 Elf Assassins (Swords and Bows) (25/25 HP) Level 5
The elves quickly move to bottleneck Miasma on the bridge and cut them down one at a time. The Assassin in front charges Astrid, who begins to exchange blows with her assailant.
"Archers and mages! Get across the bridge! Soldiers hold position!" screams Amanda.
As the other elves move to join in the attack, Moira activates her necklace. A group of vipers is conjured upon the group of assassins. While most of them are able to skewer the reptiles, one unlucky elf suffers multiple bites. She immediately seizes up, and begins to violently convulse on the floor. (Kill for Moira).
Astrid, who had been receiving healing from Elendra and Cernya, manages to stick the assassin in the throat with her rapier, and kill her. (Kill for Astrid)
Another Assassin moves to take her place, while one of her comrades is peppered with arrows from Rixa and Eisenhilde, with the cultist scoring the kill. (Kill for Eisenhilde)
Astrid engages the elf in combat while her last remaining comrade attempts to dodge arrows launched at her and fire back. It seems the Assassin's plan to create a bottleneck has backfired.
"I have an idea!" yells Micci. "Leave this last one to me!"
Micci suddenly conjures water directly into the avoiding elf's path. The assassin loses her balance and begins to slip. She tries to grab hold of something, anything but is unable to find purchases. She finds herself careening off the edge of the surface she was standing on, and falling straight below into the pit, screaming all the way down. (Kill for Micci)
"YOU IDIOT!" screams Shandris, showing the first sign of emotion you can remember since falling under Marla's spell. "EVERYONE RUN, NOW".
Shandris bolts for the exit, leaving a bewildered Micci wondering what she did wrong. A sudden monstrous roar fills the tunnels. No one needs to stick around to realize what that means, and immediately everyone takes Shandris' example. Astrid finds herself still engaged with the Elf assassin, until suddenly, to her horror a giant red tentacle shoots up from the pit and wraps itself around her foe. It squeezes the life from the Elf before dragging her down into the pit. Astrid quickly bolts.
vs Beholder (??/?? HP) Level 20
The group runs in terror, completely abandoning the order of the column and trying to push past each other as they follow Shandris through a series of winding staircases. Tentacles begin crashing through the walls and knocking debris over. The scene is complete chaos. Millie, who was doing her best to keep up with the more athletic members of the unit, cries out as she feels a tentacle grab her leg. She tries to shake it off but is unable to, and in a panic grabs at the nearest fleeing comrade, in this case, Beth.
"HELP ME!!" she pleads with tears in her eyes at the dark mage. Beth, with a look of disgust and shock on her face, raises her free foot and slams the heel into Millie's nose, shattering it. The peasant girl loses her grip and is dragged off by the tentacle, screaming in terror. (Millie has died)
Debris is still being sent flying everywhere from the Beholder's wrath. One tentacle crashes through a wall and wraps itself around Capricia, carrying her screaming form away before anyone can react. (Capricia has died)
"THIS WAY! QUICKLY!" screams Shandris, as she reaches the top of the steps to approach twin ornate doors. Arastine and Tyris both heave them open and the group runs through, however Aura is trailing everyone. Ever since she lost her bow, she was no long as adept a fighter or as athletic as before. Behind her were a large amount of tentacles gaining ground.
"CLOSE THOSE DOORS NOW!" orders Amanda. When Arastine and Tyris hesitate, they are pushed out of the way by August and Yoshiko, who don't wish to be food for the demon. The doors close before Aura can reach them.
"NOOO! LET ME IN! PLE-" Aura's cries are suddenly cut off from the rest of the party behind the door. (Aura has died)
The group is in clear shock and dismay at what just happened, and many fall to the floor in an attempt to catch their breath. Shandris, seemingly unaffected at recent events, begins to head off in one of the two directions available.
"I-I think we need a breather.." shakes out Amanda
"There's no time. Up ahead is the weak point to the structure of Azelea's walls, and where we will detonate the bomb. You'll be heading through that tunnel. There's no sense in wasting the entire battalion." she begins to head further down.
"W-wait! Does that mean you're not gonna make it?!"
"Of course not. Someone needs to detonate this thing after all." Shandris turns around and faces the group, a grim smile on her face. "Excellent work, Mistresses Marla and Toxin will be most pleased with your work. Now scurry along..."
With that, Shandris disappears. Not wanting to stick around, the group immediately rushes in the opposite direction. They head up another path of long spiral staircases, that lead to an entrance way that brings them to an alley in the city of Azelea. Yoshiko and Anko are the first ones out, and get the jump on a pair of Elven Sentries, who were certainly not expecting company. Anko snaps one's neck, while Yoshiko strangles the other with her Kusarigama. (Kill for Anko) (Kill for Yoshiko)
The group hides in the alley, surrounded by the noise of the ongoing siege, and attempts to regain their breath. All of a sudden, a piercing explosion rocks the air. From their position, they're able to see Azelea's most main outer walls begin to crumble, revealing Toxin's large army gathered outside. (Shandris has died)
The sacking of Azelea has begun.
Individual Choice (Everyone does their own thing):
Toxin's army is pouring through the city and slaughtering everyone in sight. The looting and cries of the fallen fill the air. Being already in the city, you can get a head start on the looting. There's a very good chance you'll be able to obtain some excellent items in the process, albeit facing some minor resistance. You could also link back up with the main forces. This should at least guarantee your safety.
A: Get to looting! Powerful items galore!
B: Meet up with Toxin's main forces. You've had enough fighting for one day
C: Write-in option
Choice for Arastine, Tyris and McKayla:
The three of you are still struggling to come to terms with the terrors you encountered in the tunnels though. However, one thing does stick out to you. Some of your fellow soldiers clearly hold the lives of your comrades in very low regard. And it does not make you happy.
A: Confront Yoshiko, August and/or Beth
B: Leave it be
C: Write-in option
