Varjeela> OK. After looking round the not very defensible site,
and observing Huff's nervousness, Varjeela has an Idea. (Picture light-bulb
over head) "This might be a good time for me to use Issaries' Sacred Camp
Defences. I can only do this once before returning to the temple, but some
protection might be good at present."
Nijehl> "Are we expecting trouble?" Wondering if the priestess
knows something he does not.
Varjeela> "Well, Huff seems concerned that the Glob may return.
Or some other spirit. And since our main defence against spirits is a conscious
shaman, I can understand his nervousness."
Nijehl> "I see. Can I help?"
Varjeela> "Possibly. I need to place four marker posts at the
corners of the area to be protected. I don't want them to be blown over,
knocked over, or otherwise damaged. Any advice on positioning is always
welcome."
Dave Black> With Nijehl's help you are able to secure the markers
in a safe and secure fashion. Huff, Joss, and NoBison are listening but
not curious enough yet to ask any questions.
Nijehl> "The markers are in place, anything more I can do?"
Varjeela> OK. The posts, BTW, are about 1m long and come in
three easy-to-assemble pieces. The top section of each is carved in the
form of Issaries.
Dave Black> To be clear do the markers enclose the Skull Rock?
Varjeela> Good question Dave. The plan is to enclose the camp
site, and definitely the lean-to. I would imagine that would enclose Skull
Rock as well? We have a max. area of 81 sq. m. to play with.
Dave Black> It is so then...
Varjeela> OK. Just a warning before I get casting the spell:
don't touch the markers once they're activated. You will be able to leave
and return as you wish, but anyone touching the markers will be assumed
hostile.
Nijehl> Nods to Varjeela, and moves to the side, out of the
way.
Dave Black> Huff will ask what sort of magic you plan to perform...
Varjeela> "I plan to call on the power of Issaries to protect
this camp, as he protected the camp of the Lightbringers when they travelled
to rescue Yelm. I take it you are familiar with the story?"
Dave Black> "Lightbringers? Yelm yes - but tell me!"
Nijehl> Listens and watches Varjeela attentively.
Varjeela> "Certainly!" (preach mode ON, semi-fanatical gleam in eyes).
"When Orlanth was travelling to Hell to rescue Yelm and return Light to the world, he relied on the sacred camp defences of Issaries. At least three times, that saved them."While I am only a priestess of Issaries, not the god himself, I think the defences I can summon should suffice against one Glob, especially one that flees from only two swords."
The first was before the seven Lightbringers had joined: only Lhankor Mhy and Issaries were travelling with Orlanth. Konagog and Vonagog, with their variant army, tried to ambush the trio when they were in the Lightless Forest. The defences of Issaries camp delayed them for long enough for Lhankor Mhy to remember how the enemy should be defeated.
The second time was when they were at sea, Westfaring. A school of small monsters tried to swarm over them, but they could not penetrate Issaries' camp.
And the last time was when they were deep within Hell itself, surrounded by demons. Even there, Issaries' camp protected them in the Darkness."
Dave Black> Huff is digesting what he has been told. Joss and
NoBison too.
Varjeela> In that case, and if they're out of the way, on with
the spell.
With the poles in place, Varjeela walks to each one in turn, places her hands around the carving, and chants in Trade. As she does so, the pole starts to glow very faintly. Once all four are lit, she returns to the centre of the camp. Pointing at each pole in turn, she calls on the Guardians of the Four Directions to watch over her and her people. As each Guardian responds, the pole flashes with a brighter light before returning to the previous faint glow. Finally she calls on the Guardians of Above and Below, and everything within the protected area: the shelter, your belongings, even your clothes, glistens faintly with the magic. (Like RW moonlight, roughly).Varjeela sits down, looking tired but pleased with herself.
(If Nijehl has seen a big Pavis Market after dark, he'll recognise the effect)
Nijehl> (Yes, he would have seen the effect, but since he helped,
he feels like he has been casting it himself... that makes him proud of
himself... and the speech did impress him considering he does not know
much on Orlanth and the Lightbringers)
/send NIJEHL You will have seen the Pavis Market illuminated in
this way before and you would also know that it is a way of keeping thieves
at bay. It'll be an odd feeling for you to be inside the area for a change...
Varjeela> Incidentally if he's seen the spell actually put up
before, it usually takes half a dozen priests including the High Priest
to do it. (This is true. Let's not talk about comparative areas covered,
OK?)
Dave Black> Everyone's feeling much more secure I presume?
Varjeela> I hope so! Secure, happy, and protected.
Nijehl> Gets some water for Varjeela. "You know, it is strange...
ususally I keep away from the market when it glows this way. To be in it,
and to help doing it...", grins and returns to sit in his place.
Varjeela> "The defences will activate only if someone attempts
a hostile act within them. Theft is, of course, a hostile act.."
Nijehl> Looks at her but comments nothing. Better stay quiet.
Varjeela> (to Nijehl) "So I'm sure you never had anything to
worry about. And certainly not here. Right?"
Dave Black> Joss says, "Mawth is stirring!"
Varjeela> "Mawth?" Go over to him, see if he looks better.
Dave Black> NoBison and Huff (who are closest) run over to where
Mawth is.
Dave Black> He does look considerably better. His breath is
deeper and his skin warmer.
Nijehl> Moves slowly towards Mawth, and watches from behind
the two man.
Varjeela> Hmm. He improved as soon as I put the defences up?
Are they activating now? They make quite a noise when they go off.
Dave Black> The defenses are activated.
Varjeela> Right! I'll turn down the noise to a more bearable
level. (Not quite off, though) Do I get any impression through the spell
of what's attacking?
Dave Black> Not necessary. As you like into the gloom you will
be able to see several shambling humanoid forms.
Varjeela> Oh, lovely. Well, this is what the defences are for.
Stay within them, people. Who wants to be Strengthened or Shimmered again?
Nijehl> Looking at Varjeela, pulling out the dagger. (Dave,
does anyone carry a shortsword around, that I can borrow?)
Dave Black> NoBison leaps to the front of the line Joss too.
Varjeela> Dave, are the shambling forms actually within the
defenses? If so, are they saying "ouch"?
Nijehl> (Or any extra weapons? A bastard sword, a spear, perhaps
a buckler??!!)
Dave Black> Mawth has a Singlestick and a Javelin and a buckler.
Varjeela> "There's a target shield in my kit: I was hoping to
sell it, but if you can use it, have it." (Adjusts a bracelet on her left
wrist, turns her staff so an Earth rune carved on it faces her, and starts
applying spells. STR 1 first, on each)
Nijehl> (Can Mawth defend himself in his conditions? If not,
I borrow his Javelin (to use as a spear) and buckler. If he can use them,
I rush for the target shield.)
Dave Black> Mawth is still unconscious.
Nijehl> Nijehl rushes for Mawth's weapons. He quickly straps
the shield on his left arm, then balances the javelin in his right arm,
testing it. "Should do...". Moves to Varjeela's side.
Dave Black> The creatures have in fact penetrated the defenses.
They are moving slowly however.
Varjeela> And they're wincing, I hope. Casting STR on myself
as well as on the others, and moving between the creatures and Mawth
Dave Black> They do not appear to be affected by the defenses.
There are three of them.
Varjeela> Not affected? That almost implies they're not enemies!
(Or not corporal)
Dave Black> The one in the lead is now close enough for a reasonable
view. It is ghoulish in countenance and hideous. It stops, glares at the
defenders, and lets loose with a long horrible howl.
Varjeela> The second option, then. Ghouls are enemies!
Nijehl> Tries to look unafraid as the ghouls howl...
Dave Black> Your GM is badly stressed right now. Can we call
it a day and deal with the intruders next Sunday?
So that's what they'll do: though Varjeela may be rather quiet.