The Crystal Sslugs of the Test

[Grey Aides]

A bug...for a bug. It has a certain...elegance, Yerkan.

Start with Amatin...focus power on the powerful...

Its instructions must be merely to destroy...and in this case, to destroy Durin...

[Great Thrash]

What about the defense of Durin? Is our defense to be an offense? I think we need at least a parry of some sort.

If not, that's fine, but distracting a mindless being doesn't sound very smart.

[Yerkan of Elish]

I am fairly certain that these things cannot be distracted. At least not under normal circumstances - that is, without reprogramming them.

On the other hand, they can be considered constantly distracted by whatever their current task is. As such, a bold task such as moving against Steepest Durin is a good time for us to strike from behind.

[Yerkan of Elish]

Okay, we need to make our stand. I will work on the bug to counteract their own programming; I'm not sure if I'll be able to construct such a thing on my own. But in my mind it relates quite perfectly to my skills. Data is just a form of knowledge, is it not? I will alter the sslug programming to be delivered through my Estoc to infiltrate the sslugs. That'll counteract their weakness, if all goes according to plan.

Aside from that, I think we need a spell of some sort. Plus whatever circumstances Thrash devices for the terrain.

I'd also love to get a look at that citadel. If we can counter that, it'll give us a nice advantage. Take out some of their aerial power.

My normal tactics are pretty much useless here; sslugs are unlikely to care what I smell like. On the other hand, they're just data. All they can do is follow instructions. If their instructions do not match up with reality, they have a problem. Good luck to us.

I smile and get to work on my "bug.... for a bug".

[Steepest Durin]

I am ready. I've been buildin' a dangerous array of things ta drive 'em back.

First, I've completed I's field projector. With th' data procured from Yerkan's Estoc an' I's own analyses, an' with Yerkan's help, I've run an infinite feedback loop through the field projector's integrator inputs. Each turn of th' loop adds more an' more on th' Sslugs - an' th' entire setup is broadcasting on a continuous basis. In other words, the device is a steady an' reliable long-term reprogrammer.

We'll start off tryin' ta divert Amatin's course away from I's fortifications.

[Yerkan of Elish]

Excellent, 'tis beautiful Durin!

[Great Thrash]

I am going to bend the Diamond a bit, so I will use a minor Reality Revision in conjunction with my Domain to give us the most favorable circumstance.

I'll run up to the Diamond Watchtower, ocean shaking as I go. I place 15 DM Favor carefully around the base of the tower and blow on it, muttering to the Diamond Master in Terran, sacrificing the Favor back to him.

Suddenly, the Watchtower stirs, if the DM wills it so, and stirs up the high amplitude wave of earth which peaks just under the Citadel! The earth has been brought to the sky.

Run, Yerkan, before they counter!

With my domain, I hold the earth in place, delaying any counterspelling of my earthwave with my will as long as I can.

[Great Thrash]

And for good measure, I will have a pool of magma building up pressure in the earth wave - to strike against whoever disturbs my wave or to counter the offensive of the Citadel!

[Yerkan of Elish]

I am nowhere to be seen. That is, until you look up at the peak of Thrash's wave. There, standing at the top you spot the slightest glint of light off of my adamant scars. A drop of blood mixed with quicksilver falls to the earth where my skin has sizzled away slightly from a minor injury in the experiments with the sslugs. I leap quickly towards the Citadel and attempt to board, skulking in the shadows and hiding away as best as I can as I search around.

[Grey Aides]

And there...I am also. Darkness increases at the top, assisting Yerkan's...stealth...and trickery...

Partially...concealed...my body is limned in darkness...but you can see one upraised hand and a fluttering cloak. Magic pulses...
Magical offenses streak toward the Sslugs, slowing them...slowing their thinking...bringing their corporeality closer to that of a corpse...