The Red Matt of Honor

07-25-2020: Game Thirty-Two: The Red Matt of Honor
 
There was magic in this world once, but they stole it all away.
 
The bastard hefted the chain saw sword, giving it a test by cutting a lewd statue out of a living tree.
 
Off in the distance, as the echoing of the chainsaw sword faded the party heard the sound of Jafaa staff weapons going off. Attracted to the sound of potential new weapons, they crept closer to the site of the battle.
 
They came over the top of a hill, to a small forested area. A clearing in the forest contained a small fortress where a squadron of shiny elves were doing their very best to defend it. From the northeast a group of snake-helmeted troops with heavy armour and staff weapons were attacking. From the Southwest a group of Yellow skinned humanoids and one riding a Large Red Dragon were also attacking.
 
A hushed conversation occurred, as they watched the chaos unfurl. Perhaps the elves could use assistance, or they play the part of vultures: allowing the three forces to thin themselves out. Eager for justice against their Jafaa oppressors, they crept in to turn pincer into a double back attack.
 
The Jafaa were focusing their staff weapon fire to create an opening in the wall of the castles northern wall. The shiny elves were laying down a withering field of fire on the Jafaa formation, but having a hard time penetrating their armour. The Gith were moving to the Main Gate of the castle.The red dragon strafed the castle, a gout of flame cascading down and frying a handful of elves as it passed. Half of the Jafaa turned their weapons towards this new flying threat, several hits scored. The dragon was not happy.
 
Ophelia made herself look very convincingly like a Jafaa, and joined ‘her troop’ into the breach they had created. She removed her tongue, so she would not have to answer any questions an gestured to the injury as she ‘got in formation’. The leader of the Jafaa led the charge into the hole.
 
Around the other side of the castle, a formerly unseen Elf Swordsman riding a glowing steed charged past the line of Gith preparing to assault the gate. He struck a vicious blow against a Gith footsoldier, cutting him from nape to navel. He collapsed in a burst of blood as the Elf champion continued riding past.
 
The duck crept in the shadows along the wall of the castle. The elf archer squadrons were quite ineffective at hitting both Jafaa and the Red dragon. So much for alleged elven accuracy.
 
The Red dragon roared down, raining fire and incinerating one of the groups of archers.
 
Yuk and Bastard crept closer, and Wrecker clanked forward looking for a better shot.
 
Ophelia crept closer to a pair of Jafaa who had remained behind, and were attempting to brief her. Nodding in understanding, she leapt at the one on the left tearing him limb from limb. The duck tossed a smoke pellet, granting cover to the approaching brothers.
 
The elf archers who were left fired several volleys of arrows, two of which found chinks in Jafaa armour. The dragonrider rained arrows down, killing several elves. Yuk rolled up, accidentally complimenting the Jafaa before picking him up in an overhead bear hug.
 
One of the Jafaa missed some elves, and anothers staff weapon blew up in his hands (and his head). The Jafaa in Yuks hands wiggled free. The two gith foot soldiers warped next to him, giving him free reign to cut one of them down: unfortunately, his illusions protected him from elven wrath.
 
The duck crept through the fog cutting at the freshly escaped Jafaa. Yuk hugged him again, walking away: As they stepped, Ophelia cut the throat of his victim.
 
The elves launched a volley of ineffectual arrows.
 
Bastard crept into the breach firing up his chain saw sword. Invoking fear in the hearts of the Jafaa soldiers. They began shaking, losing their battlefield focus.Ophelia leapt in after Bastard, setting down her half-eaten Jafaa. She slashed out the throat of the one Jafaa who had not been shaking by Bastards flourish.
 
The elven champion cut through the magic defenses of a Gith footsoldier. The Jafaa leader blasted through another elf defender. The duck tossed another smoke pellet, obscuring the Jafaa leader. The elf archers fired another volley at the dragon, failing.
 
The red dragon laid waste to the last group of elven archers.
 
Yuk threw the now dead body into the smokescreen ahead.
 
A pair of Jafaa came to their senses, turning their staff weapons on Ophelia. One of them triumphantly shot her in the chest, but the hole that appeared didn’t seem to phase the creepy woman who gave him a pair of holes in his own chest. He died screaming.
 
The elf champion galloped round the corner of the castle, severing the face from the only Jafaa standing outside the castle. He leveled his gaze at Wrecker, a bit confused.
 
The duck continued to fill the castle with smoke, creeping ever closer into the battle.
 
The Dragonrider breathed fire upon the elf champion, but he masterfully dodged his mount out of the way.
 
Yuk picked up a staff weapon and missed the red dragon. Wrecker finally arrived, barreling through the smoke into the castle. Bastard started looting bodies, and picked up a staff weapon also.
 
The elf champion rode towards Bastard: wondering why a dwarf was here.
 
The Jafaa leader smacked Ophelia around with his staff a bit.
 
The duck continued to fill the castle with smoke. The coughing of the elves and Jafaa within echoed over and over. Yuk walked into the smoke, looking for a target. Bastard continued looting the dea Jafaa under the visored gaze of the elf champion.
 
Ophelia slashed at the Jafaa leader, striking several blows. He tried to strike blow for blow, but was obscured by the smoke.
 
The red dragon strafed the elf on the roof: missing him thoroughly. He hadn’t had a chance to do anything yet in this combat, but who knew what he could do? The Wrecker launched a surprise attack, and the first prime was slain.
 
Yuk found found stairs and started climbing them. He was very tired by the time he hit the top steps.
 
Bastard finished looting the Jaffa and took cover in the castle.
 
Ophelia was disappointed her worthy opponent was taken away, so started running up the stairs in order to find that dragon. Atop that same tower the lone elf cut into the earthbound dragon spilling a little more blood.
 
Wrecker ran around the building looking for an enemy.
 
Yuk picked up the gith, and hurled him down the center of the spiral staircase: he did not survive the landing.
 
Opehlia reached the top of the staircase, and launched herself inside the dragon through one of its staff weapon wounds, her vicious cuts laid it low and the rider and lone elf looked in in horror as she popped bits of dragon flesh into her gaping mouth.
 
The Gith leader realized he was all alone and teleported away. Ophelia gave him a lash across his pretty face, but did not manage to stop him. Hopefully he’d remember her and she could eat him later.
 
Moments later, the battle was over and they more about the elves of Glimmersky Citadel. They had no idea why these apparently two separate forces had happened to be attacking. They were introduced to the party: A metal man, a duck, the stinking dwarf, a fat man, and the blood-covered Ophelia.
 
They started to learn the secrets of why there was a castle out here in the woods. Who these shiny-elves were and what possible reason these two disparate forces could have to assault them.
 
Suddenly Bastard stabbed the paladin out of nowhere! He struck a vicious blow. Yuk grabbed him, shouting: “Desist!”. Bastard bided his time. The Duck tried to discern the Paladins reaction. (He was confused). Wrecker looked on, uncaring. The elf leader was not sure what to do. The champion asked “What were you hoping to accomplish?” Bastard responded with a stream of obscenities between the folds his Yuks arms.
 
Yuk removed Bastard from the room much to his chagrin. Ophelia did her best to gain some knowledge about these elves. What was their story? Were they guarding something? Some ancient secret these two armies were interested in? Was the castle simply a stronghold in just the right place?
 
He offered some tidbits, admitting that the group had saved their lives. What more would they learn, from these grateful elves? What fantastic treasures would they glean as rewards from the corpses of their foes? Time would tell.