OPEN: We couldn't bring the columns down

[faderifting]

WHO: Samson vs. Inquisition, in particular the Iron Bull, Ciri, Bruce, and Norrington
WHAT: BOSS FIGHT
WHEN: Harvestmere 20
WHERE: The Dales
NOTES:There is an open portion of this log for people who want to fight Red Templars or help with the clean-up at their leisure—you'll be NPCing your own fights for that, but team up and have at it—and a closed portion for the team that will capture Samson.

Sources say the Red Templars number twenty, maybe thirty; that they've slipped south through eastern Orlais using the Civil War and the wilderness to obscure their movements; and that they are moving with an unknown purpose to an unknown place. There's a brief window of time where their path may be predicted, funneled through the only viable road in this area of the rocky foothills of the Frostbacks. If they aren't stopped before they enter the southernmost wilds then they may never be found.

The Inquisition's force--a small unit of forty, dispatched quickly and quietly--arrives a day ahead of the force it means to intercept. That's time to blow a bridge, place archers and mages, and tuck reinforcements into the gorges.

In summary, an ambush.

It's nice to occasionally be the springer rather than the sprung-upon.

Comments

[in_death_sacrifice]

Growling, Kain leaps toward the Behemoth, his sword coming in furiously as it's thrown off balance. They may be gaining the upper hand, though the templar isn't going down so easily at all. He's definitely feeling the extent of his wounds by now, but he pushes himself to keep going... ugh... With a heavy strike, Kain deals a particularly damaging blow, more crystals breaking and practically exploding all over the place as he hits. The templar's counterattacks are noticeably weaker than before.

[circleprodigy]

Noting Kain's movements and realizing he needs healing, Inessa grows impatient for her spell to recharge, unable to bring him relief until then. She fires away with her staff, hoping to take it down while they have it weakened, and saving her still somewhat-fogged mind from casting another spell for the time being.

Garahel, grunting and limping thanks to that blow, nonetheless proves how stubborn he is by returning to the fight. Trying to dodge those crystals showering everywhere, the mabari puts his last strength in one great leap, hoping to provide enough of an impact or at least a distraction for Kain to take advantage of.

[in_death_sacrifice]

Kain is definitely pushing himself to his limits, but he has to keep going. He's lost plenty of blood, and will need a lot of time to recharge later, but for now he's got to hold on long enough to fully take the Behemoth down. It's still trying to attack, despite how much slower it is now.

Garahel saves the day, really. The mabari's leap buys Kain just the time he needs to catch his breath and ready another Dragon-Rage. After Garahel attacks, Kain comes in swinging, his sword cutting deeply through into the templar. Their enemy cries out in an inhuman voice of rage and pain as it trembles, on the verge of collapse. It tries to slash with that mighty arm but it's an uncoordinated, weak effort.

[circleprodigy]

[Good. Knowing it's on its last legs, Inessa fires electric bolts with her staff. That isn't helping her lightheadedness any, but...just a little longer....]

Let's end it!

[Garahel, glad to help with that, rams into the creature repeatedly, snarling.]

[in_death_sacrifice]

[Kain slashes with his sword, giving it all he has for some final, ending blows. Between the three of their attacks, finally, that huge templar weakens more, collapsing heavily and suddenly. Even then, Kain doesn't stop stabbing until he's absolutely certain it's dead.]

[He's panting, in pain all over, but it seems they've done it.]

[circleprodigy]

[And it's over. After taking a thorough look around to ensure that nothing's coming for them, Inessa sinks to her knees, lowering her staff. Garahel comes limping over and she strokes him, mess and all.]

I'll heal you both, just give me a moment....

[Nevermind that she could use some herself. It's too much to see the others wounded and not help them first.]

[in_death_sacrifice]

[Kain grabs his sword free, and then stumbles closer to Inessa, panting and half-collapsing as he approaches. He hurts all over, he's covered in more of his own blood than the enemy's but the point is, that Behemoth is the one on the ground. Hah. Mission accomplished.]

Do you need anything...? I have a potion... a lyrium one as well...

[He only carries them for Inessa, let's be real. Kain likes to help her when he can.]

[circleprodigy]

[Kain's state gets a worried frown from Inessa, who straightens a little.]

Use the potion on yourself, but I'll take the lyrium one to heal Garahel.

[And then herself, when there's a chance for that energy to recharge.]

[in_death_sacrifice]

And yourself.

[He's definitely thinking the same. Kain tosses her the lyrium one. He's stubborn, so he simply waits, wanting to be sure she's able to get the healing she needs before he even bothers with himself. He'll just... take a seat right where he is, for a moment, seeing as there's no danger around.]

I hate the mindless way they look at you, these red templars...

[circleprodigy]

[Waiting for Kain to take his first, Inessa realizes that's not going to work, so downs part of the lyrium potion. Feeling some strength return to her, she channels it into healing Garahel. The mabari's pained noises begin to ease, though he still remains worn and weary. Then she finishes it off, waiting until the spell can be cast again.]

As do I. There's nothing left of them, not by the time they begin to change. It's best to end their existence before they can harm others.

[She frowns and forces herself to stand and look around.]

We should find Ciri. She can't be that far.

[in_death_sacrifice]

[Kain stays where he is, catching his breath, grimacing in pain. He only sips part of the potion, preferring to be sure she's better off before he bothers with the rest. Actually, maybe he doesn't need anymore, he can deal (or so his Kain-logic goes, don't believe him). He nods agreement about the templars.]

We're granting them a merciful thing, easing their suffering.

[He sighs, listening intently for any signs of more incoming.]

It does seem all clear for now... we ought to find her location, in that case, and see how she's fared.

[circleprodigy]

We shall, but first, finish the potion.

[Inessa gives him a Look, not typically one to nag him but he's not allowed to be at anything but his best on the battlefield. Just because there's nothing nearby for them to fight doesn't mean the battle is over, after all.]

[in_death_sacrifice]

I'm only making sure you won't need it.

[They'd all taken quite a beating out there, and Kain can tell by looking at the other two that they're just as worn down as he feels. But she has a point, more or less. He sips a little more of it.]