Iron Kingdoms: Tides of War

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:30 pm

As Ardel smashed the thrall to pieces, Corey's spell splattered off the magic resistant body of the iron lich. It didn't waste time with the mageling. It continued its measured advance, pausing only slightly to point its mechanical staff at the trollkin. A gout of acid splashed over the fell caller's chest and arms, eating through armour and devouring flesh.

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:52 pm

A plan! The bloody pistolwhipper wanted a plan! Rogan rolled his eyes as he shifted the old man's weight to a somewhat more stable position. "Away from the things tryin' t'kill us t'start!" He slid his wrench back into its proper place, reaching with his now free hand into his belt. Ansleigh's Wound Seal wasn't exactly the most advanced or fancy curative on the market, but it was truly a bodger's curative if there ever was one. It was cheap, plentiful, easy to make, did just what was needed from it, and might involve several bad decisions down the line. Still, it was what he had within easy reach.

Slowing down just enough to apply a dose to a nasty bump or two on the old man, Rogan looked down at the jar and winced, seeing that what he used had been the last dose. He chucked the jar to the side, immediately regretting the act. The jar could have been used as a pressure gauge later, blast it all. Speeding up again, he whispered in the Exarch's ear. "C'mon mate, time to get up, don't want to carry you all the way to the next life."

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:53 pm

Seeing the danger walking with the measured strides of evil assured of victory, Zedrin grabbed three rifle cartridges out of his pocket. Focusing his gun-borne magic through his rifle, the three bullets in his hand gained arcane teeth.

Loading the first smoothly into his rifle, he murmured a second spell, one that nearly would guarantee that he wouldn't miss. That completed, he raised his rifle, and aimed it at one of the globes hanging at the iron and undead abomination's waist, and fired.

Post by **B4UTRUST** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:59 pm

Engas was lineing up a shot at one of the Thrall's when the carriage decided it was being moved. The cause of the movement soon revealed itself to be something straight out of a Mechanikal nightmare. The black armored abomination, spewing smoke and glowing green in spots was a scary sight indeed. Engas did the only sensible thing he could think of. He fired off his four rounds as he moved backwards. As soon as he unloaded the gun he pushed it into one of his packs and moved back to cover Rogan and His Holiness.

He drew his sword and turned back towards the Iron Lich. Staring at the creature he realized it was, in some way, a type of construct or 'jack and that was something he knew.

In the area of undead he didn't know a lich from a thrall from a zombie from a vampire, but mechanika he knew. And he could sense that this was just some strange form of it. And therefore it was covered under his area of knowledge. Or so he foolishly rationalized to himself. He was pretty certain in that special part of his brain that usually warned one of really stupid moves and decisions that one didn't want to make, that purposely getting that thing's attention might not be his best or brightest idea as of late. But then again, he had already shot at it so it wasn't like he hadn't already pissed the thing off already.

Looking at the thing, he figured it had to have a power source. It looked too much like a mechanika made armor or 'jack not to. The black acrid smoke rising above it's... head? indicated that much. He concentrated, whispering words of arcane power that sounded more like science or engineering then sorcerous spell. However, the result intended was the same no matter what the language whispered. One hand gripped his sword, his other was stretched out in the direction of the Iron Lich like he was grasping something only he could see and feel. And as the words ended, his hand closed as he focused his will on crushing the thing before him.
"Find its power source! Take it out!"

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:03 pm

The exarch stirred in Rogan's arms. "Whaa . . . ." Meanwhile the iron lich stepped passed the inert body of the fell caller, green flames hissing softly on his armour.

"Now you shall all serve in death," it growled in a mechanical voice. A bullet zipped towards it, aimed not at its massively armoured body but at a slim soul cage dangling from its waist. There was a tinging sound and a hole was punched in one of the cages. Green light leaked out.

The iron lich unleashed an unearthly howl. Corrosive green smoke jetted from its staff, forming a deadly cloud in front of it. The mechanical monstrosity retreated behind the deadly cloud.

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:18 pm

"Sorry mate, I'll fill you in on the details when we're in the clear. If'n ye kin walk, ye might want to get started." Rogan helped the Exarch find his footing, then looked around, drawing his bow and looking for any hostile targets.

"Right then, everyone call out, collect the wounded, and come to me!" If and when the Exarch was back on his feet, an arrow would be nocked immediately, ready to fire at the first undead or mechanika that made a overtly threatening move. That gas did not look good, and he didn't trust that this was over quite so easily.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:26 pm

"Wait," said Merwyn. "Hold me up." He raised a shaking hand and chanted. The toxic cloud dissolved. The iron lich was no where to be seen. "Take me to the wounded."

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:31 pm

To say that Zedrin was surprised at the results of his shot would be a severe understatement. His eyebrows nearly climbed upward beneath his hat, but only for a moment. He shook himself, and taking a quick glance back at the Exarch, he relaxed slightly as he saw that His Holiness was being tended.

Looking back to see the foul gas cloud dissipate with nothing behind it, Zedrin decided to do an area search for anything untoward before he relaxed completely. His footsteps became whispers, his movements became swift sighs upon the wind, darting with loaded rifle in a wide circle around what had become a battleground.

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:37 pm

Rogan eyed the old man and drew in a deep breath, taking a moment to assess the situation. "Right, I don't think it's safe yet though, so let's move slow. Whatever did that isn't done yet." He put back the bow and drew his wrench, cautiously approaching the scene he had just recently left, keeping a close eye on anything out of the ordinary. Before long he saw the trollkin on the ground. The body wasn't moving, but it wasn't missing a head like the carriage driver, so it had better chances.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:41 pm

Malkamar swept the area with his rifle, breathing slowly. "I might have a bit more healing power left, if there is anyone needing it badly. I might be near the limit, though." He cursed that once more under his breath. He would gladly suffer the horrific pain of overhealing, but it seemed.. Unfair to force it upon the wounded.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:51 pm

"Who is wounded?" Merwyn called out. A soft golden glow of a protective spell enshrouded the exarch. "I will do what I can."

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:54 am

Teghe just barely dodged the maul as the thrall slammed it into the ground where he'd stood. The lithe Thurian did not like the idea of being that close to something that smelly. Time to get it to back off ... one pistol shot to the face, empowered by her own spell energies.

Post by **B4UTRUST** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:27 pm

Engas' spell has been seemingly completely uneffective against the monstrocity. Whatever it was, it was bad news for them all. It's proclaimation about the group's death confirmed Engas' beliefs on this matter rather well. So he was rather shocked when it disappeared before the fight was over.

He stood by Rogan, waiting and watching, hoping he didn't have to defend himself against anything else at close range.
"Anyone know what in the name of Morrow that thing was?"

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:22 pm

"Morrow had nothing to do with that thing," Rogan growled. "Like I said, this isn't over. Now, if'n y've got a spell, maybe ye kin help Teghe instead of asking questions ye don't want to hear the answers to?" Rogan frowned. He hadn't gotten that good of a look at the mechanika before it disappeared, but he saw what got hit that made it run off.

He had an idea of what that was, and the thought of it sickened him. He had been around several shady freewrenchers, but only a few even thought of something like this. It was no small wonder that a guilder had no idea what that thing was, they wouldn't teach forbidden techniques at the guild, especially not to a novice.

Rogan gently guided the Exarch to the wounded Trollkin, careful to be a little more gentle with the old man now that the danger was lessened. Still, he kept an eye on the undead attacking Teghe.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:31 pm

Having come back from is wide sweep, Zedrin saw the last undead still menacing the other gunmage. Loading his rifle with the second of the enchanted bullets, he took careful aim, making sure that Teghe was nowhere near his shot before firing at the undead's lower back, hoping to blow off a leg or two.

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:09 pm

Corey channeled a minor bit of arcane power as the gunmage loaded his rifle. He delved into the pattern that stored his lightning bolt spell and called up a tiny piece of the incantation into his working memory. It would permit him to unleash a smaller lightning bolt without wiping the spell clean. He raised his hand and spoke a single word

"magnetos" and a small bolt of lightning erupted toward the last undead

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:15 pm

Corey's lightning arc charred the already severely damanged thrall. It took a step and fell prone and smoking. Teghe's bullet obliterated the other thrall's face while Zedrin's shattered its spine. The thrall fell.

Merwyn eased forward to the fallen fell caller. The wounds were severe and life was fleeing the trollkin's ruined body, but sufficient power could coax life back into the devastated frame. Golden light crawled over the trollkin's body, healing the acid wounds without any noticable scaring.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:26 pm

Teghe let out a slow breath, before lowering his pistol. He'd need to take some time to make a few new runic-cast bullets if this was going to be a normal occurrence. Looking around, he saw that everyone but the trollkin seemed to be in one piece, even His Holiness. Strolling over, he joined the rest of the party.

"So... what hit us, and what was that scream?" Teghe asked no one in particular, setting the case down protectively on the ground between them.

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:30 pm

"That was an Iron Lich, a powerful combination of mechanika and necromancy. That scream was the sound of one of its soul cages, the sources of its magical power being destroyed"

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:33 pm

Looking grim, and still a little jumpy, Zedrin sat down with the others, and began to clean his rifle. He replied more to himself than in answer to Teghe's question, though he did refer to the other gunmage. "The answer to both questions, good Teghe, is some dark monstrosity that was half steamjack from the deepest hells, and half undead. I may not know exactly what it was, but I'd be quite happy not seeing it or it's ilk again."

Suddenly Zedrin realized that the Mage Corey had replied, and more specifically than he. "An iron lich, was it? If I see one again, it'll be too soon for my tastes."

After this last, he looked up meaningfully while scrubbing the inside of his magelock rifle. "However, I'm quite willing to make sure history repeats itself if I do see one like it again."

Hotfoot · Post by **Hotfoot** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:03 pm

Corey's blithe summation grated at Rogan ever so slightly. "That's the basic version. I'm not exactly an expert on the undead side of things, I try to stay away from the blighters, but I've seen just about every way you can power mechanika, and that one is the sort even I wouldn't touch," He flicked a serious look to Engas, to express the gravity of this situation. "Power at a price, souls. If it was destroyed, we just did those poor bastards a favor." He gave Zedrin a quick nod.

He brought his gaze back to the Exarch. "Sorry about the rough handling mate, that woozy feeling should head off in a few hours or so. In the meantime, we need to get you to safety. Lass?" His eyes went to Jessica. "Where to from here? Where do we need to go?"

Bloody Good · Post by **Bloody Good** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:15 pm

Mostly-dead trollkins don't wake up happy. Specifically, Ardal sat up with a jerk, screaming profanities. Realizing the fight was over, he poked and prodded himself, as though checking to make sure he was still in one piece. Lastly, he rubbed his eye. It'd heal itself the rest of the way before long, thank Dhunia. Until then, he'd get to wear an eyepatch. Yar.

Looking at his armor, pitted and warped where it wasn't missing entirely, he sighed. "Durn. I spent weeks puttin' that together." Working methodically, he stripped the black chainmail from the re-dead thralls. Examining one of the mallets, possibly even the one that whacked him, he admired the rough, splintery-yet-solid striking surface. He tried to tuck one into a belt that was missing, dissolved by the acid. The clatter of wood finally alerted him to the fact that most of his clothes were gone.

"I thought it was drafty." Dropping his loot in a jangling heap next to the remains of his armor, he went after the carriage, presumably to get his luggage and some pants. Rummaging through the mess, he asked, "So what'd I miss?"

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:13 pm

Teghe was rubbing his temple and decidedly NotLooking in the trollkin's direction. "Pants help, Ardal... not everyone wants to see a trollkin's backside, especially not the ladies."

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:18 am

"Forget the ladies Teghe, think of the men...sweet Morrow" said the mage, averting his eyes to the awefullness

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 6:24 am

"nothing 'sweet' about that, Corey," Teghe snickered, looking at the mage. "... are you blushing?"

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Iron Kingdoms: Tides of War

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