The Masters of Darkness – Attempt 1, Part 5

Welcome back!

First, a thought with regard to the absent commenter Fenrir –

*Snif*

Back to it, Lone Wolf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I DIDN’T MEAN BACK TO THINKING ABOUT JULIE DELPY, LONE WOLF.  FOCUS!

You may recall that I intended to ambush a solitary Drakkar soldier, who was being sent back down the road as punishment for cheating at cards.

Aside : Being sent home from a dangerous military mission doesn’t sound like too much of a punishment to me, but what do I know?

I move a further three miles (!) down the road, and get my hiding place ready, behind some roadside rocks.  The trap is set!

This isn’t quite the same sort of ambush, but I love it anyway :

Aside : Three miles??  That’s a fair hike at nighttime in enemy territory just to get into position for an ambush, but I guess Lone Wolf was feeling athletic.

As the Drakkar starts to approach my position, I get a hankering for my MEGABOW.

Conscious of my limited supply of arrows, I am determined to make this shot count.

Luckily, I only need a 5 or more on my R10 check (after adjustments) which makes the shot a :

The arrow pierces the Drakkar’s throat, leaving his armour basically undamaged.  I drag the unfortunate into the bushes and strip him of his uniform.  Props to Joe Dever for noting that the battle-jacket, leggings and mask are not a ‘perfect fit’, but that they should suffice as a disguise.

Aside : A Project Aon  footnote confirms that the battle-jacket doesn’t add to my Endurance, but is still able to be worn over my existing armour.

I refill my quiver, and take 28 ‘Kika’ coins, which are worth (each) about 1/10 of a Gold Crown.

I use my basic Discipline of Animal Kinship to calm the horse, and we’re off!

As sunset approaches, I near the port of Argazad.  It consists of a number of miserable grey buildings, together with a harbour containing forty or more of the ironclads which are used for the Sommerlund blockade.

I briefly check my map.

Project Aon link – Map of Darklands

I see that I’ve reached the highway which leads (eventually) to Aarnak, but realise it would be folly to attempt to ride directly there.  In a nod to realism (which is often absent from these type of stories – see this TV Tropes entry) it is confirmed that my horse will perish from a lack of food or water before I got even close to Aarnak.

Project Aon link – Drakkarim swords

I decide to take the metaphorical bull by the horns and try to bluff my way into the city, using my mastery of disguise and costume!

The Death Knights don’t (despite my hopes) wave me through unchecked, but rather block my path and interrogate me aggressively in their own language.

Aside : The cheek!  Like many tourists, I am astonished when, while I am in someone else’s country, they have the effrontery to address me in their own language, rather than English!

Enough of this!  I use my Psi-Surge to overcome his will, essentially psychically ordering him to allow me to pass.  It works, and he directs his troops to make way for me.

And for my next trick….

I move into the small town, and note signs directing me to either the harbour or a supply depot.  While my hope is to eventually get onto some kind of ship, I don’t think it’ll happen just because I turn up at the docks and say please.

I therefore head toward the supply depot.

However, en route to same I pass the town square, and see that atop a small official building, there is an Imperial Zlanbeast, which is essentially the personal airborne ride of the Darklords and their close associates.  If I can *ahem* “borrow” the Zlanbeast, I should be able to fly directly to (or close to) Aarnak!

Aside : Interestingly, Lone Wolf doesn’t seem to give a lot of thought to the identity of who actually may be inside the building, where said individual has presumably used the Zlanbeast to arrive….

I circle the building before dismounting (leaving yet another horse behind) and entering through a side door (using Mind Over Matter to open the bolt).

I sneak inside, and watch a figure dressed in red (and not, interestingly, crimson) give orders to a couple of Death Knights, who scurry to obey in a manner which gives an indication of this stranger’s rank.

I follow the red-clad figure through to the top floor, where a single room takes up the entire level.

I hide behind one of the shadows which circle the room, and behold one of the Darklords (named Kraagenskul, to be exact) berating certain Vassagonnian lackeys regarding delays in the construction of a battle ship.

I’m thinking the atmosphere is somewhat akin to this scene :

Here’s the picture of this charming individual :

Project Aon link – Darklord Kraagenskul

To emphasise his point, the Darklord draws his sword, a wholly black thing of dark beauty, which, annoyingly, twists in his hand and points directly at my hiding place!

And on that note, trapped and, apparently, identified, in a supply town with a Darklord, hundreds of miles from allies, I leave you.

 

Base Stats : CS : 22, E : 28, GC 22 (Kika 28)

Final Stats : CS : 44/44, E : 32/32

Weapons : Sword, Dagger

Weapon-Like Special Items : Silver Bow of Duadon (+3), Sommerswerd (+8 CS), Dagger of Vashna

Backpack : Rope, Lantern, Potion of Laumspur (+4E), Meals (3)

Special Items : 1. Sommerswerd (+8 CS) (with Korlinium scabbard) 2. Platinum Amulet / Gold Amulet, 3. Dagger of Vashna 4. Shield (+2 CS),  5. Padded Waistcoat (+2 E), 6. Bronin Vest (+3 CS, +1 E) 7. Blue Stone Triangle Pendant, 8. Psychic Ring 9. Quiver (6 arrows), 10. Silver Bracers (+2 CS, +1 E) (6), 11. Crystal Explosive 12. Silver Bow of Duadon.

Kai Monastery storage :

• Backpack Items : Sack of Silver (3)
• Special Items : Map of Tekaro, Diamonds (2), Boat Ticket, Power Key, Copper Key, Ornate Silver Key, Jewelled Mace, Obsidian Seal, Brass Whistle. Quiver (4 arrows), Pass, Vial of Clear Liquid, Crystal Star Pendant, Receipt, Invitation, Signet Ring

Magnakai Rank : Archmaster

Magnakai Disciplines : Weaponmastery (+4 CS in Sword, Bow, Mace, Dagger, Spear, Quarterstaff, Broadsword, Warhammer, Axe), Pathmanship, Huntmastery, Divination, Invisibility, Nexus, Psi-Screen, Psi-Surge, Curing

Lore-Circles : Fire (+1 CS, +2 E), Solaris (+1 CS, +3 E), Spirit  (+3 CS, +3 E)

Kai Disciplines : Camouflage, Animal Kinship, Tracking, Hunting, Sixth Sense, Healing, Mind Over Matter, Mindblast (+3CS), Mindshield, Weaponskill (+2 CS in Short Sword)

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