A koan for Kara

[Corwyn]

Kara moves forward and thrusts with her lance, using both hands to control the massive weapon now that her mount is gone. She can feel the tip of her weapon strike an invisible barrier and become swept aside, inches before striking the mage. Kara jerks back on the shaft of her lance just barely in time to avoid lodging the weapon in the earthen wall that her target has backed up against.
Slasher growls and roars in time with Kara's attack, leaping against and clawing at the invisible bars of his cage. The great tiger accomplishes nothing more than bloodying its paws against those magical bars, and coating the invisible surface with more blood, continuosly defining its shape.
Following Kara's command, Wen steps beside his opponent and lashes out at the magic-user putting all of his force and speed into his bare-handed assault. However, the wizard proves too fast and Wen shows himself far too distracted for his hits to get through those magical defenses.
The other man, now beside Wen turns from Univene to swing his blade at Wen. The monk is caught by the initial thrust, a gaping wound opening in his side, but despite his injuries, Wen turns swiftly, leaping at an angle into the air, avoiding the next blow neatly.
Univene clicks her tongue, thrusting with her hips and knees, trying to get her mount to trample over the man attacking Wen so she can reach the mage and carry out her mistress' command. The horse balks at her efforts, rearing back and kicking out wildly. The swordsman is forced to duck and dodge the flailing kicks only to be struck by Univene's swinging sword, and then struck again as the frustrated swordswoman brings her weapon back around for another cut.
Therous moves forward, his mace lowered and his holy symbol held high. The cleric chants prayers as he comes up behind Kara, taking one of her hands as he says the last words of his prayer, ..and may she be taken under my protection, as I am under yours... Therous slips a platinum ring on Kara's hand. The ceremony is symbolic and Kara quickly banishes a ludicris image of a formal wedding held in the midst of a raging battle, reminding herself of where she is. The marshall had experienced this effect before and she knows that Therous will now bear half of every wound she suffers.
Meanwhile Twain splashes through the edge of the water, leaping over small bushes and reeds as he nocks and fires another arrow. The arrow is once again joined by three others as it comes down, striking the mage in the shoulder and invoking a cry of pain from the magic-user. One of the other three arrows, one of Samus's also strikes the mage, drawing a circle of blood near his neck. Twain pauses for a moment to tap the invisible cage with his bow, testing the side of the cage that is behind Slasher, apparently determing that it is complete.
The mage curses as he squints up at the sky as if the arrows were raining from the heavens and not from the bows of Kara's allies. He looks straight at Kara and begins to cast a spell. She prepares to thrust with her lance but the mage's eyes never come off of hers and he moves side to side easily, performing his magic without looking at his hands.
The man near the front of Slasher's cage stands up from his crouching position, now armed with another shortbow. He fires three arrows quickly and easily, all airmed for Univene. The swordswoman is struck in the back of the arm, right were the plates of her armor meet. She quickly turns in the saddle, taking the next two arrows on her shield.

**Your action. He effortlessly Cast on the Defensive, meaning it will be unlikely that he ever provokes by casting. Therous cast Shield Other on you...**
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
*BEGIN 0 0 rs 0
*s -1 2w 30 rs 0 9zabk -8 30 -8 2c 8 10 o -4 1k -1g 2o -2s 2w
@-30 *s -1 58 6k rs 0 9zabk -2k -k -24 c -1o 10 -s 24 -4 30 10 3w
@2s 50 3w 5o 58 6k *s -1 58 6w rs 0 9zabk 58 68 4k 6w *s -1 5g 6w
@rs 0 73 5g 6w 58 68 4c 4o 30 2w 10 1c k -1c -4 -2g -4 -3s s -4w
@1o -6g 1w -6w *s -1 54 64 rs 0 73 2g -64 14 -3w g -30 g -1w 14
@-k 1k 1w 3k 3o 4w 58 54 64 *s -1 5k 6w rs 0 73 4o 5c 5c 6g 5k 6w
@*s -1 3s 10 rs 0 73 3s -k 2o 10 *s -1 2w 20 rs 0 73 2w 1c 2w 20 *s
@-1 3c 3k rs 0 73 2o 14 34 28 3c 3k *s -1 4s 5c rs 0 73 2s 3c 44
@4g 4s 5c *s -1 4g 4s rs 0 73 3k 44 4g 4s *s -1 5k 6s rs 0 73 4o
@50 5k 6s *s -1 3s w rs 0 73 3s 0 34 w *s -1 30 1w rs 0 73 30 1o
@30 1w *s -1 3c 38 rs 0 73 34 1w 3c 2k 3c 38 *s -1 58 6w rs 0
@9zabk 44 6w 58 68 4c 60 3g 5c 24 4g -4 2w -s 20 -1w o -2k -g -2k
@-w -2s -1s -2k -2g -2c -3c -1o -48 -1g -54 -k -60 -4 -6w *s 3 31
@5n rs 0 *s 2 3o 6a rs 0 *s 2 50 8c rs 0 *s 2 5n 8b k5 1mc *s 7
@64 7z 1q1 -i *s 7 4c 6z zb -d *s 7 4c 5m 54 1ch *s 8 3m 5m rs 0 *s
@4 4d 4x rs 0 *s 1 51 4z rs 0 *s 2 71 8b rs 0 *s 2 hh as rs 0 *s
@-3 ce d2 rs 0 Samus *s -3 3m 4k rs 0 Kara *s -3 3b 5y rs 0 Wen *s
@-3 1e 5w rs 0 Leader *s -3 5a 5h rs 0 Therous *s -3 79 8g rs 0
@Twain *s -3 4c 8j rs 0 A1 *s -3 32 6m rs 0 A3 *s 0 4b 6i rs 0 *s
@-3 5f 8t rs 0 Slasher *s -3 4j 6n rs 0 Univene *s -3 dl d1 rs 0
@60' *s -1 7k 6r rs 0 9y6tc 4o 6g 6g 6g 74 6w 6o 6w 74 6w 74 6g
*END vf4w0n

Current HPs Kara = 23/62 Stomper = 55/76 ?? Slasher = 83/120 Wen = 32/60 Univene = 39/64 Univene's Mount = 9/30

[turtledunn1191]

Kara howls, and resorts to a grapple. Knowing mages to be week, she throws out her arms, and hugs the man, trying to crush his life out.

((Switch Aura to art of war Grapple,

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+14:	(9) + 14	Total = 23

))

[Corwyn]

The mage stuggles against Kara's sudden grip, but he is unable to avoid her quick move and the two become intertwined as the marshal takes hold of him, trying to crush the life from his body.
Univene urges her mount forward, attempting to trample over her opponent in order to get her blade within striking distance of the mage. Amazingly, the swordsman not only manages to avoid becoming crushed by the warhorse, but ducking to the side, he grabs hold of the bridle and twists his body, bringing the horse's head down and back and causing the animal to roll over into the dirt, depositing Univene onto the ground in the process. The quick-moving soldier swings deperately at the swordswoman as she leaps to her feet, cutting open a wide gash in her side. She responds with a powerful thrust against him, dealing a similiar wound as her horse struggles to its feet beside her. The swordsman reposits, causing more blood to appear and the swordswoman's tunic.
Recognizing Kara's tactical commands, Wen renews his efforts to bring the magic-user to the ground, kicking out fast with his foot and reaching for the mage with both hands. The sudden force of the move brings both the magic-user and Kara down to the floor in a heap. Wen follows up with a powerful kick, with which he accidently strikes Kara rather than the mage.
Therous winces in pain as he shares the injury that Kara recieves, but moves forward just the same, reaching for her with glowing hands. The marshal can feel healing energies flowing into her body once more.
Twain and Samus switch their targets to fire at Univene's opponent, unwilling to risk accidently striking their leader as Wen had done. They both move forward as the swordsman is nearly brought to his knees under their arrows.
Slasher struggles fruitlessly against his cage as the bowman in front of him fires into the crowd of Kara's allies. Univene is struck by one of the arrows, but she takes the hit with nary a sound and the second arrow is lost in the tumultuos struggle, dissapearing among the shifting feet and churnign sand of the melee.
Kara can hear the magic-user chanting, and then suddenly he vanishes from her grip. The mage can now be seen standing atop the low cliff, looking down at Kara and the others. His voice booms, surrender or die! he says simply.

Mechanics
Combat Map
**You are prone. Take 5 damage and gain 17 (noted below), Your action.**

status Kara = 35/62 Stomper = 55/76 ?? Slasher = 83/120 Wen = 32/60 Univene = 22/64 Univene's Mount = 9/30 Therous = 57/63

[turtledunn1191]

And if we surrender? Kara asks, knowing how close to death they are...

[Corwyn]

The mage pauses, looking down at Kara with a brief flash of surprise and confusion on his face. But then he composes himself, evidently preparing yet another spell.

**Instead of breaking initiative, I gave you the most immediate effect of your question, you will not be able to see the entire response until the round is over. What do you do with the rest of your action? (you can delay, or ready. Or else you can only stand up, or you can stand and move... or whatever.)**

[turtledunn1191]

Kara stands up, and calls to her troops, HOLD! ((instruct troops to delay. Do you want a diplo check? if so...

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+14:	(14) + 14	Total = 28

)) Well?

[Corwyn]

The mage steps back from the edge of the cliff, glancing once at the imprisoned dire tiger, before returing his gaze to Kara. At last you have found your wisdom! Surrender now, and swear your allegiance to me and your lives will be spared. Serve me in my quest and should you survive, a sad expression crosses his face as the magic-user glances at the mutilated carcass before Slasher, will be rewarded greatly! He loooks mainly at Kara while he speaks, but he is talking to everyone. Kara's followers all but ignore the mage's words, looking to their leader for her commands.
The archer near Slasher stows his bow and climbs atop the cliff, drawing his weapon again from the advantageous position. The other man sheathes his sword and reclaims his bow from the ground, also scaling the cliff and looking back down at Kar and her people. Univene leads her wounded moutn away from the fray, keeping her blade in hand. Wen comes up to the cliff's edge, looking at Kara as he makes ready to quickly scale the wall. Therous moves up to stand beside Kara as well. Slowy, Samus advances, his bow trained on the mage's head. Twain too keeps his bow aimed at the wizard, but also waits for Kara's command.
What say you, lady marshall? Do you swear allegiance to me?

Combat map
**You may continue to act in initiative order or else forego intiative in favor of conversation. If you give up the init., and combat begins again, new initiatives will be rolled. It is your action.**

status Kara = 35/62 Stomper = 55/76 ?? Slasher = 83/120 Wen = 32/60 Univene = 22/64 Univene's Mount = 9/30 Therous = 57/63

[turtledunn1191]

What is your quest... Where will it take us?

[Corwyn]

The mage looks taken aback, still surprised by Kara's apparent surrender. He lowers his hands, speaking in a loud, strong voice. I am traveling to collect the Sword of Wisdom. Once Wayfinder is in my hands, I will use it to collect all eleven of its brethern and claim my prize as ruler of all the world. His face and stance are those of one who speaks quite seriously as if stating a fact. Send your cleric to heal my wounds and I shall consider your surrender as accepted. Do this, and I might restore your rhinocerous to its original form...

[turtledunn1191]

A chance. Townsaver has ceom closer to my grasp.
Allow me to confer with my party for a moment. Kara asks, moving among her group. Check to see if he is evil please. We may join with him, if he is not evil.

[Corwyn]

I do not see any evil about his presence, Therous begins as he moves to stand beside Kara, looking up at the mage. Though I am afraid that if he were to attempt to disguise himself from me, it would not be too difficult for a mage of his ability. The cleric glances pointedly at the blueish locust struggling in the sands, the insect that had once been a mighty rhinocerous, just moments before.

[turtledunn1191]

We shall handle it was we go... Do your best to heal him, treat him courteously. Lord Tyr will let us know what to do... Kara turns mage, and nods. We have an accord. What weapon are you after in this desert...

[Corwyn]

The spell-caster makes his way down to Kara and the others, after nodding to his ally. The archer remains atop the cliff, and the other archer joins him there as Therous heals the mage. I seek the Sword of Wisdom. I believe that Wayfinder is the key to controlling all of the Swords, so I will collect it for myself. The mage speaks to Kara in a confident and assured voice, nodding to Therous to cast another healing spell, I have heard that Wayfinder had found its way to the western city of Oceania. A young soldier even now leads an armed force through the southern mountains with Wayfinder as his guide. His ambitions are small and simple, and his destination is obvious. The boy seeks to find a new path to a known city. Such a waste of the power he holds in his hand.
After healing the wizard a second time, Therous looks to Kara before convalescing to obey the spell-users command of a third spell. The mage sighs and gestures towards the struggling locust in the sands. Suddenly Stomper is standing in its place, snorting and thrashing about. The mighty beast stops suddenly, looking around in confusion. Kara is able to calm the steed with a gesture, but it remains on guard, standing beside Kara and flicking its little tail nervously.
One more time cleric, the mage demands, then I will leave you your powers to heal your allies. Theorus abides by the mage's demands and then turns to heal Kara. He summons greater energies for her than he had for the spell-user and her wounds are nearly negated by his gentle touch. The cleric then goes to Univene and Wen, healing them in turn. At last, he goes to Univene's steed and then Stomper. Save a bit for my servant, the mage indicates the mroe severely wounded of the two surviving archers, and for your tiger. With a glance at Kara, the mage waves his hand towards Slasher, and the blood covered bars of invisible force vanish, leaving the massive cat free to move. Slasher growls angriliy and strides to over to stand nearer to Kara. Samus and Twain remain a bit away, but their bows are now lowered. The heeavily wounded archer climbs down from the cliff and presents himself to Therous. The cleric bestows a meager bit of healing energies upon him and then claims exhaustion, leaning over to rest his hands on his knees and pant heavily from the exertion of expending so much energy at one time.
I am known as Khirszat, tell me your name, brave marshall. The mage speaks to Kara, recognzing her as the leader of the group, demonstrating the same ambivalence towards her allies as he does towards his own men.

**Free actions. I assume you don't stop Therous from healing everyone, but if you do, he will listen to you. Also, I assume you attempt to calm Stomper and Slasher, if you do not, they might very well try to attack someone. Also note the new HP totals (after Therous' healing) below**

Status Kara = 60/62 Stomper = 76 Slasher = 107/120 Wen = 56/60 Univene = 57/64 Univene's Mount = 28/30 Therous = 57/63

[turtledunn1191]

Kara moves over to stomper, and pulls some of his feed out and lets him nuzzle her, munching on the snack. Its okay boy. Okay... She leads him over to the water, and gets him fed and watered before returning. Wen, tend to Slasher. We wouldnt want things getting out of control...

I am Kara. Last of the Bahzir. Do you know the location of Townsaver?

[Corwyn]

As Kara and Khirszat begin talking, the others start to settle down, lowering or sheathing their weapons. Wen leads Slasher away from the group, consoling the massive cat and Kara keeps Stomper distracted with some of the natural growth around the water.
Therous continues to check everyone's wounds, though it is evident that the cleric is quite exhausted. Once Univene gets her mount under control, she climbs into the saddle and positions herself near Kara and the mage, watching and waiting. Samus and Twain converse quietly, keeping their distance from the others, but staying alert.
Well met Kara. You and your followers did well to survive my magics, I must say I am impressed. Your strength proves to me that you might very well survive to see the winner of the Game of Swords. To answer your question, I do not know the location of Townsaver, though you pique my curiousity by singling out the Blade of Heroes. Khirszat gestures casually, causing a table and chairs to appear right there on the sands. He pours wine from a bottle that was not there moments ago and offers Kara a glass before pouring some for himself and sitting down. He adjusts his robes and reclines, for all the world like a king in his private hall. Sipping the wine, the mage continues, I have information that directs me towards Wayfinder, and I intend to head directly to the Sword of Wisdom. Once that Blade is in my hands, all twelve Swords will be but ripe for my collection. Serve me well and I will make certain that you bear Townsaver when the time comes. But tell me Kara, what is it about the Sword of Heroes that makes you covet it so, is there a town that you must save? Perhaps I can more properly soldify your allegiance by lifting a siege for you or slaying an evil army? The wizard's expression and demeanor is wholly different now that an alliance seems to have been struck, his manner pleasant and freindly, where only moments ago he showed tremendous wrath and fury.

**Make a Sense Motive in your next post. You have free actions...Gain 12,000 XP!!**