OOC: I would think that we kept the captive bound in the ruined lighthouse, preferably where the smell of blood lies heavy in the air. If we don’t survive, he could probably free himself after a couple of days of struggling against his ropes.

En’Aranthea looked over the campsite with the enhanced vision of her race, carefully avoiding a direct look at the campfire. The guard high atop the tower wasn’t so cautious, and she could tell by his blank expression that he could see very little beyond the firelight. She described what she saw in a low voice to Varuna, not certain that he shared the eyesight of his Sylvari kin, but confident that her voice would not be heard by the humans caterwauling their drinking songs into the night.

Tal’Anor was restive, however, his worship of Oriana making him fiery and impulsive compared to the bladesinger’s cool dispassion. He commented derisively on the pirate’s lack of caution and she knew that the group would have to attack soon, or lose the big fighter to a brash sally on his own.

“I prefer to not count on the gods, dear cousin, as their priorities are not our own,” she replied smoothly, but without censure,” let us have Valendara work her magic against the pirates, and we can attack while they are confused.”

The bladesinger turned to Valendara and Varuna, and there was a new energy in her stance; En’Aranthea was making the subtle shift from diplomat to warrior. “Valendara, cast a spell that has the greatest potential for affecting the largest number of them, and let us know when it is complete so that Tal’Anor and I may attack. Varuna, I have heard tell of a cleric’s ability to warp any wood no longer part of a tree. Perhaps that would make the guard overhead unable to attack with his crossbow? Otherwise, if there is some other way to negate him as a threat, I welcome it.”

She drew her sword, the slightly curved blade singing softly as it cleared the sheath. “Once Tal’Anor and I are away, guard Valendara, so that she may concentrate on casting any more spells that may help us. Kith_jora watch over us all.”

The young Sylvari looked each of her friends in the eye one last time, before taking her place at her cousin’s side. She looked back at Valendara, and nodded for the mage to begin.

Valendara whisper quietly to En'Aranthea, "I will use my sleep spell first, and then I have a web spell for a group of them together but I need to throw it when there is no danger of any of use being caught in it. I will cast sleep first then web over the largest group I can find near each other.

Valendara gathers her components for each spell out of her poush and moves into casting range taking all the time she needs to move quietly forward. When she has found a good place within the casting range of both spells she pauses. Hoping that she had not been heard. If somwones attention is drawn her direction she will use Ghost sound and cast the cantrip away form her to misdirection any over curious pirate.

Valendara had put away her fear of inadiquacy to meet this current danger. She had resolved to do her best and that is what she would do. What skills she had she would use to aid her friends. She had carefully chosen her spells to be ones that could possible affect several pirates and lower the odds they face,

In a low voice audible but barely she carefully speaks the arcane words of power of the Sleep spell first.. When she finishes it she cast her spell on the pirates in the camp. Then she prepares her web spell and tries web the largest group of then she can get together. If she cannot get a large number of them together thenshe will target the biggest of them and anyone near that pirate.

"Corellon, guide my aim so this will help my companions to defeat these evil men and bring them to justice."

Varuna, I have heard tell of a cleric’s ability to warp any wood no longer part of a tree. Perhaps that would make the guard overhead unable to attack with his crossbow? Otherwise, if there is some other way to negate him as a threat, I welcome it.” The Bladesinger says.
“May Lysora protect us all,“ Varuna whispers to her and prepares himself.

He prays to Lysora asking her to give them all strength (not a spell just a prayer) and prepares to cast his warp wood spell upon the crossbow wielding guard. He doesn’t try to warp the crossbow itself, but pictures the wooden bolts whether in the bow or on his person and warp them so that they are useless. (At his level, he should be able to warp a dozen bolts at a range of up to 30 yards)

He will cast his spell as soon as he sees Val casting her sleep spell, if they are within the range, if not he will rush forward behind the warriors and cast it as soon as he is within range of the bowman (Though I am guessing they are already within range).

For the next round he will keep himself in front of Val, his mace in hand and prepare to cast the hold person spell upon any that appear to still be moving, but only if it is needed. If anyone gets past the warriors and tries to rush him or Val, he will intercede to protect their mage. If some escape Val’s sleep spell, he will use his hold spell to keep them (up to 1d4 people) from escaping and sounding an alarm.

After Sleep and web I can try color spray on a group after that it would be something like flare on one target at a time. She used the word target becuase that didn't seem so personal, and yet this whole fight was personal but that how she thought of them for the purposes of her spells.

Corellon guide my hand and tongue se prays softly to herself before prepare Sleep and creeping forward with the others. WHen she is in range she cast the spell carefully. then quickly prepares web.

13th Pfier (Valday), 452 E.R.
Pirate camp on the beach

Tal'Anor bristles, his body language screaming a desire to attack these villains, but he mutters deference to the bladesinger. "Aye, cousin," he speaks. "Your plan is wise."

The scent of rose petals wafts into the night breeze as Valendra crumples them in time with her soft chanting. As soon as she beings, Varuna begins muttering his own spell, praying to Lysora to bend the wood of the tower pirate's bolts.

At first, there seems to be no effect. The blonde paladin takes a step forward, intent on charging the pirates, when suddenly, one slumps to the ground.

Then another. Soon, all on the ground but the lone guard are fast asleep. Due to his position (and the fact that he is at least somewhat inebriated), the sentry does not immediately notice that his fellows have fallen silent.

Tal'Anor is on him in a moment, blade pressed to his throat. "Move and die, scum," Oriana's servant hisses. Drunken eyes widen at the blade, and the man opens his hands slowly, to show that he indeed surrenders.

In less than a minute, all waking occupants of the pirate camp (save the sentry on the tower, who still has yet to act is if he has any idea as to what is going on) have been subdued.

Valendara, at first thought her spell failed to have any effect. One never knew for sure it Sleeps would work the way you wanted. Not like Magic Missle that always hit its target.

She watched and waited until she finally saw one pirte slump, then another. Luckily she hadn't held her breath during this period of time that the spell took to affect all those in range of it. She would have been out of breath by now. It was with a great sense of satisfaction that most of the pirates were rendered helpless. She really wasn't the bloodthirsty type however it it had meant a battle she would have done her part just to payback the pirates for what they had done to the lighthouse family--especially the children.

Valendara stayed under cover as the others moved forward to subdue the sleeping pirates and take out those that had not been slept. She kept her eyes on the one pirates and prepared Magic Missile in case he made a move to attack her companions--her friends ws more like it--such they had become during their travels together.

Varuna nodded in satisfaction as the guards on the ground, save one, were put to sleep by Val’s spell. His spell was cast upon the tower guard in hopes that his crossbow bolts would be warped and thereby unusable. They have yet to see if it had been effective as the tower guard had yet to realize there was any problem.

The priest moved to the sleeping pirates and taking rope, either he finds or has on him, he will bind the sleeping men and remove their weapons. He will leave the lone awake ground sentry and the tower sentry to the experienced warriors in the group.

While Varuna bound the men he made sure the binds were tight; he had to restrain himself from wanting to do further harm to these men knowing what these degenerates had done to the helpless lighthouse family. Visions of the blood and the children flashed through his mind as he tugged tightly on the ropes; yes he made sure the bonds were very tight.

(Yeah! Movement! I love it! )

En’Aranthea watched solemnly as priest and mage began their arcane work. She had her skills, they had theirs, and a wise leader valued all parts to be played in a battle. She would not count herself wise – she had too few years on her yet – but she could hope.

Unlike a sword thrust or parry, where results are immediate and obvious, it took a few moments to see any results of their waiting, and the bladesinger could see Tal’Anor straining against the leash of his own restraint. The pirates began to slump, however, and the big paladin, trusting either to his armour or Varuna’s prayer against crossbow bolts, moved quickly to subdue the remaining guard.

With Tal’Anor serving as a distraction, En’Aranthea moved to climb the tower as quickly as possible, trusting to her mottled armour to render her hard to see. Her intent is to subdue the sentry in the tower before he can raise the alarm and wake the unenchanted sleepers.

13th Pfier (Valday), 452 E.R.
Pirate camp on the beach

En'Aranthea made her decision, even as the others pulled out rope and began to tie up the sleeping pirates. A quick second look at Tal'Anor verified that the paladin, while eager to deal revenge for the murders in the tower, was not seekign to do so at this very moment.

The wind was brisk, and the bladesinger could feel it ripple through her hair as she moved to climb the tower. She was able to easily locate the rope ladder that lead to the top, and with a last glance around, began to climb. The oaf at the top was apparently oblivious to everything below, as he continued to aimlessly pace, unaware of the threat that ascended towards him.

Soon enough, the top of the tower was reached. Carefully, slowly, the sylvari eased up over the edge. Unfortunately, Shinara chose that moment to turn her face away from the bladesinger, as the board upon which she placed her weight groaned, alerting the sentry.

The man, on the far side of the platform, whirled to face En'Aranthea, but instead of reaching for a weapon, he chuckled. "I wondered 'ow much longer it'd take ye lot."

Glancing at En'Aranthea's bared blade, he opened his hands slowly. "I surrender," he spoke, a sneer spreading across his bearded face. "But first..."

Before the bladesinger could react, the pirate reached out and casually pushed a lantern off of the tower railing, causing it to crash to the beach below. "I'll not fight ye, lass, but ye might wish to look to yer friends, aye?"

The shattered lantern was obviously a signal. When the rest of the party naturally glanced towards the noice caused by the breakign glass, a new noise broke the night air - the telltale twang of a crossbow bolt being loosed. Several, in fact.

Tal'Anor is struck a glancing blow, then a second bolt buries home in his thigh, causing the tall syl to stumble backwards in pain. Varuna takes another a shot himself, this one to the shoulder. Armed pirates come rusing out of the tents, where they have been lying in ambush!

Varuna jumps up from where he was helping to secure the unconscious pirates as he hears the sounds of attackers rushing out of the tents; it was a trap! His rise came just in time to take a crossbow bolt in the shoulder which spun him half around and knocked him off his feet.

Wincing in pain he struggled to prop himself up on one arm and reached into his belt pouch with the other. His fingers quickly found a small iron nail and drew it forth. Holding the nail out in his right hand, he quickly mumbled his prayer to Lysora and pointed the nail at a group of four pirates rushing out towards them.

The spell complete, he prayed to his goddess to ‘Hold’ the group of four pirates bearing down upon them. Varuna couldn’t believe that they had been caught completely off guard by these vicious pirates; obvious their plan had not been as good a one as he had thought. Then again, what did he know about tactics? He was a healer and hated fighting, he just hoped that they had not thrown away their lives in a futile attempt to stop these evil men. He for one was not going to give up so easily, even if he had to resort to killing to stop the evil that these men had done.

(I am sure you realize that he is casting Hold Person on a group of 4 men attacking them)

En’Aranthea would have cursed in frustration at the pirate’s actions had she’d been able to do so, but as soon as he’d moved unexpectedly, she’d shifted into the bladesinger’s battle trance, a keening note rising from her throat as she brought her blade up.

The trance did what it was meant to do: washed away emotion and unnecessary sensation, and sharpened her perceptions and reactions. Any anger at the pirates or fear for her comrades soared away on the notes of her song, leaving her cold-eyed and clear to the dangers around her.

The pirate professed no intention of fighting her, but his actions implied something less than total surrender. The main danger was below, but En’Aranthea was not about to turn her back on a foe. If he claimed he didn’t want to fight, she’d make sure of it. With the stunning speed of the bladesingers, the sylvari maiden took several strides forward, Leaf Dancing on the Wind and delivered a swift cut along the upper right arm of the pirate, before dancing back out of range. The cut wasn’t fatal, but painful, and he’d now lack the strength to hold and fire a crossbow.

She took a quick glance below her to locate the approach of the attackers, then dropped to the ground, one hand grasping the rope ladder enough to slow her fall to a safe speed. Landing, she swirled her blade in a challenge and advanced on the rushing pirates, putting herself between them and her companions

The whizzing bolts make Val duck a bit but she keeps her attention on her surroundings. Lifting her hands she casts magic missile at one of the crossbowman. The spell will allow her to hit the peirates if they were in range of her spell even though she cant see them.

After she casts her spell she looks for a place she can hide behind, at least for a little cover. without armor in the midst of flying crossbow bolts is not a place for a wizardess to stand.

IT is such time as these she wished she could wear armor, but she pushed the thought behind her, if wishes were horses, prooor men would be riding.