We start the mission off with a Live Roleplay.. which we actually did up while we were finishing up writing the last mission's Finale.

There's a huge host of characters here, so I'm going to just start listing the 'writer' as the dungeonmaster for these things, I think. This one only features one fight with some Knob Goblins, and the start to a fight with a few Elite.. but it has a ton of character building moments in it. This even features Crabjesasus making his only AIL showing thus far in AIL. Oh, there's some good humor here, and we touch on AIL's history a bit, too.

Our heroes are camped outside of town as the fire starts to rage in the city. With no idea of what to expect in the town, our heroes head in to save what they can!

[LIVE RP Notes: While waiting to finish off the last mission, some friends and I put together this live roleplay, which takes starts a few seconds before the events in Rollover and continues into them. It introduces a long dormant member of AIL.. Expect the next roleplay session Thursday, and enjoy!]

 
(To recap.. The Knob Goblins have attacked KOKOL and the Council of Loathing setting off a major war in Seaside Town. Every member of the Elite 7 (all 10) are involved. At some earlier point, they'd all met up, rallied, and retreated to the middle of the town to take over the Council's own building!

(After getting into the council building, that is surely KOKOL's ultimate goal - to defeat them!)

(A more immediate goal? It's recovery time for our heroes!)

(The fighting has subsided at this point as the forces of the Knob Goblin King have taken over the building in the center of town.

(Both sides are exhausted and temporarily burned out on battle.

(The anticipation is we don't know what they're up to.)

(Our story opens up outside Seaside Town, at night. The Knob Goblin King's ceremony has not yet begun in the middle of town, so our heroes are granted some reprise as they rest and recover from the fighting which ended only hours earlier.

(Outside Seaside Town... outside the gates.)

Kadlin: "We need to stock up. I've got some potions for people."

Xanadon the Defiler: "I made them. Just want you all to know."

<Tasked with guarding the gates, Konall Bearsmasher and his sister sit amongst the other forces of KOKOL.>

Kadlin: "Yes. Fluffy there made them."

(Xanadon the Defiler aka Fluffy is a chef-in-a-box.)

Dash: "Yeah, well, I think there's a good chance you killed one or two of my great great grandfathers too."

Xanadon: "Not sure. I killed a lot of people. What were their names? I had a list somewhere."

<Crabjesus stands atop a mighty megatortoise, marshalling the reptilian and amphibian wildlife into defensive rings. His bald, glowing scalp tops a sun-scorched, weather-beaten face resting on flowing white robes and open toad sandals, and a strong smell of seaweed and displaced fish wafts towards the others as he communes with the amphibians and reptiles. He looks like he'll be busy for a while.>

<Despite the imminent danger in Seaside Town, the KOKOL forces seem almost relaxed and at ease. It's as if it's a plot of the fantasy author to justify doing something other than battle for a while.>

<Catrina crashes through the vegetation and collapses at fireside- exhausted and beaten.>

<Dash, having satisfied for a light meal, polishes Bad Beats in preparation for the army, reciting (for luck) a battle rhyme about a situation in which everyone was simultaneously 'kung fu fighting.'>

<Kadlin hands out potions to Catrina and Dash.>

Dash: "'It was hypno..' What? Oh.. thank you, Kadlin."

Kadlin: "This is a rat form potion. Throw it at an enemy, that enemy is a rat. And this one is a spiderweb potion. Explodes into a massive spiderweb that traps things inside it."

<Kadlin and Xanadon cook a light meal for everyone.>

<Dash seems happy to have someone else doing the cooking.>

<Catrina growls.>

Catrina: "And if your enemy is already a giant rat?"

Kadlin: "Then you use the spiderweb potion."

Dash: "That reminds me. Has anyone seen their pet rat army? From the woods?"

Kadlin: "Followed a piper?"

<Catrina stretches stiffly.>

Catrina: "I ran into Mortimer. He ran away after I tied his tail into a knot."

Dash: "Nice.. I have no idea how they control them. I assume it's due to the rats being moderately intelligent and self aware."

Konall: "What's this about rats?"

Dash: "While you were off on homicidal therapy, we had to set the Toot Oriole free. We ran across bats, under the control of the Penguin Mafia, and rats, which seemed to be either pets or allies of the Knob Goblin. They're Kingdom largehairs. This was, obviously, in addition to the Trinity lead Muri-Dan."

Kadlin: "So I need more newt form potions then?"

<Kadlin also passes out a healing potion to everyone.>

<Dash smiles.>

Dash: "Hard to say. They've only used the rats a few times. But they seem to be pulling out all the stops for this one. How can you two look so unconcerned, anyway? It's like you're enjoying this."

<Catrina growls.>

Catrina: "They are not under the Goblin King's control. That idiot can hardly control his own bladder. They are only seeking their time."

Konall: "We're Vikings. We're not afraid of death. Death is afraid of us."

Kadlin: "Vikings believe that what you call life is just training, preparation for the life yet to come."

<Catrina shrugs.>

Catrina: "We should just find his comic books again and force the Gob king back under his bed."

Kadlin: "Those souls who pass muster are sent on to Valhalla, where the true struggle begins. This is the ultimate battle. Death for a noble Viking isn't the end, it's a graduation to bigger and better things."

Dash: "Yeah, well, in that case, I'm hoping for another thirty or forty years of training, thanks."

Konall <cough> "Wuss." (under breath)

Dash: "I'd respond, but I might hurt your feelings and force you into another two months of hiding, Konall."

<Dash flashes a friendly rogue'ish smile.>

<Konall twirls his hammer.>

<the 'rock' Konall is sitting on gets up and stretches its limbs, ejecting him in the process, and plods off to help form ranks. Watch where you sit.>

<Konall mutters something about hostile terrain.>

Dash: "So, anyway, what's our plan? Strike just before sunrise?"

Catrina: "Do we have that long? Who knows what they might do in the meantime?"

Spaz: "They might practice ballet!"

(ummm kay?)

Spaz: "Oh, sorry, what were we talking about?"

Dash: "True, but we should do everything we can to control the when's and where's of the battle.. Hey Spaz.. I think I saw some rocks down the road you could find things under."

<Spaz flies off.>

<Dash returns to cleaning Bad Beats in silence.>

Catrina: "I'm just afraid of what that monster might do to the captives."

Konall: "Hey, Lapine, you wanted me to work on the wizard's cloak for you? I slutted it up as much as I could."

<Konall hands Lapine a cloak that even a hooker would call skanky.>

(It adds +2 cold resistance and +2 fire damage to spells.)

Dash: "She's still passed out."

<Dash looks up, scanning the horizon for any potential nasty surprises up there.>

<Catrina chuckles and gives Lapine a smirk.>

<She sets about licking her wounds- literally.>

<Dash sees something on the horizon. A wavering. Like the ground is shifting, maybe. It's dark and hard to see.>

<Dash leans over to kiss Catrina for luck.>

<Catrina pulls him into a nice, deeep kiss that says she'd rather they just stay there.>

<Dash doesn't let it last long, though.>

Dash: "Cat... do you see anything on the horizon?"

<Dash has a bad feeling about whatever he saw.>

Dash: "What do you see, Catrina?"

Catrina: "I dunno... but I'm not seeing straight yet anyway- Why?"

Spaz: "Hey, under the rocks were some worms and a beetle. Volkswagon is a cool company."

Dash: "Just looks like.. a bunch of somethings."

Becky Joy: "What's a volkswagon?!"

<Spaz found Becky Joy and possibly Todd Blackpaws on his trip. YAY!>

<Cat gets to her feet with a groan.>

Catrina: "Let's go check it out then!"

Dash: "Hi, Todd. Alright.. we probably should."

<Seaside Town seems... brighter than usual.>

<Which is odd since it's night.>

Spaz: "So why's Seaside Town on fire?"

<Todd shakes his head!>

Todd: "If you cats are thinking about headin back toward town forget it."

Dash: "We need to stop them from burning the town down!"

Todd: "Can't stop what's already happenin, man! And it's cool since we got all the innocents out."

(Or did they?!)

Dash: "We don't have a choice.. we've got mages here.. we'll just wake them up, once we figure what we're doing."

Catrina: "We have to do something! We can't just sit here and twiddle our tails!"

<Eyes Todd's tail as she says this.>

Becky: "Oh noes! I don't know where my Wolfie is!"

Kadlin: "We've got to put out that fire."

Konall: "This goes against the Viking code. Don't the scriptures say 'Pillage THEN Burn!'"

Kadlin: "It's the First Commandment."

<Cat shakes her head then starts to head for the fire.>

Catrina: "C'mon Honey- let's go find your wolfie!"

<Todd whines and flat tails- but follows!>

<The fire has broken out on the Right Side of the Tracks.>

<Hagnk's Ancestral Mini-Storage is burning down. Again.>

<Dash and Becky rush to keep up. Worse still.. there are several demonic spirits hanging in the air. Harmless for now, but forbidding.>

(Spaz is savvy enough to know they're an equivalent to illusions, or writing on a wall.)

Spaz: "There's something about those guys that seems off. Like as if they're... they're... anyone have any candy?"

Dash: "Someone cast a focus spell on him!"

<Spaz plays a song that boosts focus.>

Dash: "... thanks."

<Dash looks around. The heat is unbearable.>

<Todd begins to play then switches to counterpoint on Spaz's tune.>

Spaz: "Hmm... I can think straighter now. Hmm... those demons aren't a major issue. They're also unlike any of my pals from Hey Deze. They're not demons in any sense you're familiar with. I wouldn't worry about them for the moment."

<Kadlin conjures stinking tentacles to slap the flames, putting them out.>

(Stench is strong against hot!)

<Dash goes with the more conventional approach of dousing the flames with the bucket of water he brought with him.>

Spaz: "Ahh. It reminds me of home."

Spaz: "Do we have to put all of this out?"

<The fire brigade is trying to stop the flames but they can't keep up.>

<Cat wrinkles her nose.>

Catrina: "I don't remember Hey Deze smelling like this..."

Dash: "If we can shut down the magic behind this, maybe the flames will taper out."

Kadlin: "Where's it coming from?"

Dash: "Good question."

<Todd nods.>

Todd: "Good Idea man- now how do we do it?"

<Catrina is busy sweeping the area with her gaze looking for 'wolfie!'>

<Dash starts looking around trying to figure some way out of this mess.>

Spaz: "Wait a second. Why's the town center not on fire?"

Kadlin: "That's strange. There's a lot of fire magic coming from that area."

Dash: "I knew something was up.. alright, we'd better head there."

Catrina: "They are probably casting from the dead zone."

Kadlin: "I don't know what's up but we'd better look into it."

<Crabjesus seems to be heading for the river with a big bucket atop his megatortoise. At this rate he might make it to Seaside Town with it within the week.>

Konall: "What are you doing?"

Konall: "Crab, the weirdness is this way."

(Konall shouts LOUD.)

Dash: "Ah, I don't think he's listening. Konall, do you have any weapons with elemental properties?"

Becky Joy: "I'm one dead Becky girl right now!!"

Konall: "I've got spooky hatchets. Why?"

Konall: "And fire arrows."

Dash: "Try to put the flames out.. preferably not with fire arrows."

<Konall shieldbutts the flames trying to smother them.>

Kadlin: "We need to get through the flames to get there. Anyone got any ideas?"

<Dash pulls out ice arrows and fires them into the worst sections.>

Becky: "Ummm.. can we wait til the fire burns itself out?"

Kadlin: "No."

Spaz: "Yes."

Konall: "Maybe."

Catrina: "Big help."

Spaz: "I like fire."

Becky: "Oh wait.. the town'd burn down, nevermind!"

Becky: "I gots it! Can you eat fire, funny looking demon?!"

Spaz: "Yeah, but this stuff, it's sloppily made. The taste would be all off. Imagine if someone put mustard on top of ice cream. Just, no."

Konall: "Spaz!"

Becky: "You might like it! It'd be tangy and sweet!"

Spaz: "All right, all right. I'll see what I can do."

<Spaz starts inhaling the flames, creating a path.>

Becky: "Hurray, I'm being productive! Hey.. I can do ice magic.. but I don't know what puts fires out!"

Catrina: "Hooray." <Keeps eyes peeled from the wolf>

<He gets you about 1/5 of the way.>

<Becky pulls out a toy yeti and plays with it.. everything around her gets nice and coolies!>

<You're halfway to the town hall.>

Todd: "That's my girl!" <Switches to playing tunes to buff Becky's spellcasting.>

Becky: <Looks up> "What'd I do now?!"

<Spaz boosts it as well.>

Todd: "You did good hon. Keep castin them spells!"

<You're 2/3 of the way there.>

Becky: "Ohh.. pretty cool huh?!"

<Kadlin conjures stinking tentacles, getting you further still.>

<Becky spins around showing off her toy and sending ice everywhere.>

<Todd and Catirina both chuckle.>

Todd: "Yeah, babe- we're cool."

Konall: "Have I told you how me and my axe feel about puns?"

<Todd looks up at the big Viking- and up... >

Todd: "I'm sure I'd remember hearing from one so high."

Dash: "Lil focus.. we're almost there, team!"

Spaz: "Gotcha. Focus. Keep attention on task at hand. Don't think about random things, like hippos on bicycles."

Becky: "Or spiders in fingerpaint!"

<Everyone gets +4 boost to muscle from Dash's rally. They also have +3 focus from the song, still.)

<Konall smothers a pathway for you. They arrive at the town hall.>

<The town hall has been graffiti'ed by the goblins with various misspelled words and poorly-painted obscene pictures.>

Kadlin: "I'm not sure that's even anatomically possible."

Dash: "The thing's glowing.. something is up."

<Goblin grunts patrol the edge.>

<There are a few commanders lurking about. So far you guys haven't been seen yet.>

<As they do, a Knob Goblin voice calls from inside, taunting us. It's clearly Grillhamo and the Jester King of Beasts!>

Jester King of Beast's voice: "Ohhh, what have we here?! A couple stray adventurers out for a night on the town.. it's going to be a hot night, kiddies!" <A sinister joker like laugh fills the air>

Konall: "You! Gay clown. Me and my axe need to talk with you about puns."

Konall: "Let's get them!"

<Konall runs in.>

Kadlin: "Cover me."

<Dash's roguish nature allows him to sneak up behind the enemies, who aren't looking at us.. hopefully.>

Dash: "As if."

<Grillhamo and the Jester move back into the building.>

<Sebastian somehow uses his abilities to dodge their senses. It's totally a one time fluke though.>

<Dash sneaks around. But to remain unseen he has to go far from the battle. This takes him too close to the fires and deals 3 hot damage.>

<Kadlin drinks a rat potion.>

<There's 3 Elites blocking your path.>

<Becky walks up to a Knob Goblin.>

Becky: "Hi!"

<Konall slams into 1 with his axe, nearly killing it.>

Goblin: "Shouldn't you be killing me or something?"

Becky: "I dunno.. do you want me to?"

Goblin: "We're enemies here. If I don't fight you I don't get a combat bonus to my pay. And I look bad in front of the union boss."

<A rat runs between his legs.>

Becky: "Oh, okies, but maybe you'll get more money if you're alive!"

Goblin: "True. Maybe I shouldn't have worn my red shirt. But are you going to kill me? You seem a bit scrawny. And how old are you anyway?"

Becky: "I'm like twentysomething, but I wanna talk about something else! Do you like to sing? Have you seen my winged wolf flyin' around town?!"

Goblin: "Can't say that I have. Look, if talking wasn't a free action I'd be killing you right now."

Goblin: "No offense."

Becky: "That's sooo mean!"

Ambling through the path put out between the flames comes Crabjesus on the back of Deep Thought, bucket firmly filled. Settling at a good distance from the action (are buffs line of sight?) he starts chanting a prayer to the Collector of Empty Shells (Or, will do whenever his combat turn is.)

Becky: "Wanna be friends so you don't have to be so mean? You can be my next familiar!"

Goblin: "You got a good dental plan?"

Becky: "I dunno.. we got teeth magic! Oh, and pies!"

Goblin: "Hmm... Would these include meat pies? What about kidney?"

<Crabjesus starts praying to grant Sebastian elemental resistance, in case he needs to dash through the flames anytime soon.>

Goblin: "I like kidney pie."

(Dash needs protection badly.)

Becky: "I don't think so but I can request if you think it's coolies!"

Goblin: "I do."

Becky: "But no people kidneys, okay?!"

Goblin: "Look, I'm getting old. And the retirement plan here seems to be 'drop that guy into a pit so the alligators can get something to eat. You have pie then I'll join you."

Becky: "I gotta bake some new pies later.. wanna go help?"

Goblin: "No people kidneys. Fine. Provided you have a no-alligator policy."

Goblin: "I always wanted to be a chef. Or a butcher."

Becky: "I dunno.. you gotta ask our boss about that. No butchering people, k-kayerz?"

<The goblin leaves his post.>

<There's 2 goblins left.>

Becky: "Bye new friend! Meet me later by the lake!"

<Dash, tired of all the talking, does himself a thrust smack!>

<Kadlin in rat form gets a critical hit on the injured goblin's ankle (sneak attack, hamstringing him.>

<Konall finishes that goblin off.>

<Becky walks up to Kadlin and taps her shoulder.>

Becky: "Tag, you're it!"

<Kadlin sneaks into the compound, relying on her small form to keep her hidden.>

<The grunts have all died off of being on fire.>

<Inside the compound there's Grillhamo and Jester King of beasts waiting for you.>

<Crabjesus finishes his prayer, and Sebastian is bathed in radiant white light, in which the faint symbols of the elements can be seen glowing, granting 12 points of elemental protection. He begins smelling faintly of fish, and Crabjesus plods forwards to the door, smiling beatifically.>

<There's also a circle of 12 pyromancers focusing their efforts to keep the city burning.>

<Deep Thought crashes through the doorway, widening it to fit his frame.>

Jester King of Beasts: "Nice of you to show up. Wouldn't want to be late to your own funeral."

JKoB: "Your turtle needs to go on a diet."

<Konall starts getting angry.>

<Crabjesus smiles beatifically, but the smell of seaweed intensifies.>

<Faster than light, Cattaras attempts to blindside Konall before he can go into a rage.>

Konall: "What the Hel are you doing?"

Konall: "Did I say 'Hel?' I meant 'Hellheim.'"

<If we were paying attention to what was going on behind us, we might see Amras and Feena sneaking out, possibly never to be seen again, on the edge of our perceptions.. but we're a bit too busy to notice. Except maybe Catrina.>

<Konall blocks Cattaras's attack on his shield.>

<JKoB goes invisible.>

Crabjesus: <intoning> "Blessed are the prudent, for they shall be saved."

<Deep Thought retracts into his shell, turning into effectively a giant platform. Crabjesus, meanwhile, fingers the exoskeletons around his neck, ready to bring the protection when the time is right.>

<Konall slashes at Cattras with his sword.>

Dash: "You've become soft, Cattaras! Your time away from your people has made you weak!"

Cattaras: "Ouch, you're mean!"

(*Cough* Writer on board *cough*... also...)

Cattaras: "My time away from my people has made me strong."

<And so, the forces set and settled into a battle. All around them, fire blazed in the town, fueled by both the dragon hovering menacingly above, and the Knob Goblin pyromages. And the remainder of the Elite 7 still lay in wait, in the Council's own headquarters, ready and eager to finish off the heroes, if the fire fails to do the job. Inside of the Council of Loathing's fallen dome, the Knob Goblin's merciless laugh echoes throughout...>

(Who will help our daring heroes?!)