Gilgamesh and the Golden Palace of Za-Hadrash - Introduction - Part Eight

  Previous installments:

• Introduction - Part One
• Introduction - Part Two
• Introduction - Part Three
• Introduction - Part Four
• Introduction - Part Five
• Introduction - Part Six
• Introduction - Part Seven

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THE PLAN

As this was an in-game action plan worked out round-by-round within the rigid framework of the D&D 3.5 combat rules, inevitably the narrative "flow" lapses into gamist terminology in this section.  With some work, I could recast this as more of a storytelling narrative; but instead, invite the reader to simply accept that it could be re-written in that way, and take it as a given.

The Invisibility had worn off; Gilgamesh could manage one more round of Invisibility for all, but would save that for just before they went in.

First they would lurk at a good distance in Wind Walk, amidst the treetops in the darkness where they would not be detected. They would await some indication of the arrival of Serise Lendri, given the degree of expectation they might hear a cheer go up.

Gilgamesh would then use his divinely-conferred powers to render them all invisible, and ethereal. They would then move in.

Close to their target, they would drop out of Wind Walk, but remain ethereal.

They would position themselves for the snatch. (Ed-Wyna, to grumbles from Ur-Zababa and her father, had persuaded them that attempting to carry additional women off, no matter now comely, would jeopardize the mission. “You’re such a spoilsport Ed-Wyna. Always getting in the way of our fun.”)

Ur-Zababa would cast Divine Power for increased combat prowess. Also Prayer and Bless.

Sumu-Abum would cast Silence on a coin from his pouch to suppress spellcasting.

Surprise Round:

Gilgamesh would dispel his Etherealness.

Ed-Wyna would hurl her Rope of Entanglement (a trophy she had taken from a slain devil) at the target.

Ur-Zababa would then make a grab for the woman.

Sumu-Abum would also help to grab and restrain her.

“I should think the two of you will be enough for one dancing girl, heh?”

Hopefully, all this would occur before any opposed actions could take place.

Round 1:

Gilgamesh would next open a Gate back to Uruk.

Ed-Wyna would be tasked with fending off anyone who attempted to stop the abduction, with trip attacks. If the grappling is already failing because their target is too slippery, Ed-Wyna bull-rushes the target through the Gate instead.

Ur-Zababa and Sumu-Abum would next aim to pin their hostage and drag her through the gate into Uruk, or else assist Ed-Wyna in bull-rushing her if grappling is obviously failing.

Round 2:

Gilgamesh delays until after everyone else has passed through the Gate

Ed-Wyna et al further grapple, pin and drag their hostage through. Shout for the Palace Guard.

Once they are through, Gilgamesh steps through and lets the Gate close.

What could possibly go wrong?

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As the ambushers from Uruk watched, and waited, they became aware of a rustle of excitement in the gathering of woodland beings about the mound, a change in the music. The green-skinned dancers moved to the outer perimeter of the circle of toadstools as a cloud of mist expanded in the centre. Somewhere within, glowing lights began winking on, dancing flickering flames. Then another glowing radiance developed, pouring downwards to form what might be a humanoid shape, though the mist made it hard to see any detail.

Then a rushing central downdraft of air blew the mist down and outwards over the surface of the mound, whooshing out over the toadstools towards the audience who gave a rousing cheer as the dancer was revealed, glowing traceries of light swirling in intricate patterns that emphasized her feminine contours.

“This is surely she” Gilgamesh whispered to his companions. “She likes to make an entrance, doesn’t she? Now, we must move in and get into position. Remember the plan. Box her in, and wrestle or shove her through the Gate to Uruk I will open.”

Holding hands together, Gilgamesh shifted them to the Ethereal Plane, and they moved in closer.

But as they approached, they were all slack-jawed in wonderment as they observed this superb being engage in the most awe-inspiring display of dancing they had ever seen. The finest temple dancers of Ishtar could not compare with her gyrations and the graceful use of her sleek limbs, the swirl of her hair which seemed to possess its own life, her control of the tracery of glowing lines that performed a dance of their own over her supple form. Now they knew why the Sheikh’s son Husaam had been so taken with her, and why Elysium had called upon her talents to impress the Amir.

It was evident that boxing her in or even laying a hand on her at all might prove a challenge, such was her agility, and it seemed that she may possess the power of flight, also.

Gilgamesh found now that he was greatly enjoying watching this paragon of beauty and artistic skills go through her moves. It was quite the most arousing thing he’d seen in many a year. He was also aware of a magical enthralling effect in the glowing patterns swirling over her form. He was immune to this and his companions strong-willed enough to not be completely robbed of their wits. But her talents were sublime, even without magical enhancements. 

He glanced at the others and shook his head. “Let us wait until she finishes. She will be more exhausted by then.”

“A most excellent change of plan, O wise King” said Sumu.

It was a lengthy, tireless performance, though. Gilgamesh had to renew the group’s Etherealness. “We are the lucky ones, to observe her this closely, unseen.  Her talents are unrivalled, and I am keen appreciator of such arts, not easily impressed.  Be prepared for the end of the performance, though.”

The performance drew to a crescendo, and suddenly there were a half dozen brightly coloured birds flying around her that discharged sprays of rainbow coloured light outwards from her in every direction as she leapt and span and gyrated faster and faster. With her final move she threw her head back, her arms stretched skywards and a massive electrical discharge leapt skywards from her open palms, radiating spokes of lightning over the heads of her audience.

Gilgamesh found himself clapping with great enthusiasm and shouting his approval into the ethereal mists, before sternly reminding himself that he was here to kidnap this woman and make her reveal the whereabouts of the scoundrel Fishy King she served whose actions had already led to the death of four janni warriors and a village full of his people.

He touched each of his companions to draw the cloak of Invisibility around them in readiness. “Now quickly, people are stirring and soon they may swarm up the hill to get closer to her and offer her their praise.”