The Centaur clearing their spears brings some of the upper shields apart as the Hobgoblin's seem utterly stunned by this development. Those holding the Longspears do not falter against the coming onslaught but some of the line has just given up full cover and revealed themselves to Livain's bow.
The moment of shock passes quickly as these shield bearers bring their shields down and lock them to defend their rear from the centauress that was now behind them.
The shadow dragon Wallace had summoned lands right next to Rhavenna. It appears to be looking between the centauress and the hobgoblin lines as if it were unsure.
Ever spear moved with him as one, shouting battlecries and raising their javelins as the knights who still rode with them took the fore and leveled their heavy lances. The initial charge didn't go unnoticed, the hobgoblins reared their creatures, angry that their fight was to go poorly again. Instead of finishing the battered mercenaries they charged the newcomers with sword, bow and alchemical bombs.
The Blades of Death mercs took the moment of distraction and disappeared into the trees once more to recover as the two large forces clashed beneath them. As the sound of thundering hooves and the snarls of mutated abberations closed and the outcome of this battle was unclear...
Adrian's men lobbed spears and javelins, taking several of the hobgoblins off their beasts before they could counter with their bombs. Some of the horseback spearmen are brought down by the fangs of the wolves but the knights tear the creatures throats out with their heavy lances before the damage could become widespread.
Adrian rides against the apparent leader of the pack, killing the hobgoblin and letting his heavy horse brong down its fell beast on its own.
The beasts and their hobgoblin masters are torn apart in the first few seconds of combat thanks to the injuries already inflicted by the unknown fighters before. Strangely these fighters had disappeared...
Wallace looks to the roiling draconic shadow and glances to the hobgoblins.
Growling in an ancient and dangerous tongue
Ṯ͖̻̩͎͚͍̘̫̞͕̭̻̝̙̼͎̠̔̌̐ͤ̌̒h̙̲͎̻ͮ̊ͪͭ͊̌é̪̣̺̭͔̰̠ͫ̆͗͆͌̅͂ͤ̚ ͕͉͓̲̝͕̭̣͉͉̯̖̩͍̬̮͍̥͙̋͆̒̍G͖̲̫̙̳̎̀ͨ͋͗̈̓̚o̤̪̳̝̘͔͓͊͗̀ͤͣͅb̰̰͕͔̣͖͕̺̯̘ͫ͒̔͐̐̐̿̆ͨ̈lͮͪ ̫̫͙͓̰̝͒̃ͅĭ̙̜̭͇̘̀ͮ̇͌̈̏̊̏ͯ̋̋̍̃̍ṇ͙̝͛̄̄͋̆͆̾̓̀͐̾̍̎̾͌̑ͩs̗̤̭͔͕͚̻ͥ̃͒ͮ̃ͯ ͍̗̮̟̘̫͇̪̩͎̼͗ͤ̇ͦ̃̊͗̔ͤ̾́̏̆ͯ̑̉ͅs̝̼̘̺͙͙͚͍̝̟̘̈́̓ͤ̈́̊͊͒̐̏̃͗̈́t̹̳̰͎̣̼̩͇̟͕̻̭ͨͨͫ͌̅̒̐̌̾a ̦̠̼̙̯̪̰̣͖̩̭̑̓̇̐̾̈́́ͪͭ̈́ͫ̌͆ͦͅn͍̱̦̺̥̫̤̅̑ͦ͐̃͑ͩ̃ͩ̇̈ͥ̓̓̊̄̈́ͥ̚d͓͔͂ͩͪ͌̄̎̏ͭ͒̂́͛ͤ͑ͥ̓͒̚̚ ̩̪̹̩̟͈͚͉̹̭̙̝ ̟͎̯̮̟͈͙̦̥͕̝̹̓̂͊͛ͅi̝̳̬̻̫̟̯̤͕ͨ̑̍̊͛͐ͅn͉͍̝̞̦͍̙̩͈̽̈̂ͯ̿̚ ̼̣̭̺̤͈̭͔͉̈̉̍ͨ̿͋ͭͨ̐͌̚ã̺̘̗̮̻͎͇͈̝̺̖̰̊̊͋ͮ̅̏̅̐̂̏ͩ̈́ͫ̚ ̦̮̪̝̭̻̼̩͓̖ͭͧ̃̌͛t̠͍̭̩̳̳̟̏ͮ̋ͩͥr̻̺̥̞͈̗͚̱̯̪͓͂ͮ̓̐ͯ̎̾͆̄̂̒́̊̈o̹̗̗̫͇̹̲ͨͣ̃̎̒ͪ́̆̀̆̄ͦͅ ̖͖̝͔͉ͅu̞̮̳̬̘̮̭̭̓̏̇̈́͆ͬͥ̌̋̄͌ͨ̐̃̽̂ͯ̚̚g̪̼̞͇͎͔̫͎̺ͩ̌̒͂̌̂́͌ͣͩͅh͕̼̖̖͔ͩͧͣ̂ͩ̈͋ͥ̈́̒͗͂͊ͩ ͕.̗̤̞̭̯͇͍͚͖̦͚̖̠͓͇̳̹̪̹͐ͮ͗̔̇ͭͤͯ͛͗̓̉ ̩̝̭̗͆ͣͯͤ͛̆ͨ̿͐̋͐Ḯ̟͔̙͍͕̫̫͎̩͉̪͍ͦ̐͑̾̽͋͒́͛̒̆f̮̘̜͚͔͙̥͎̜̜͎̝̯͍͙̻̫͊ͫ̂̍͆̾ͦͤ̓ͩͭͫͣ̆͗ ͙̪̝͍̤̥̹͖̰͔̳͖̩̜̅̈́͐̎̄̿ͩͅy͓̲̯͔͕͕̮̹̗̫̬̳ͭ̏̈̏ͪ̈̔o͖̰̥̲͇̳̰̯͈̯̺͙̮̹̘ͪ͋̽ͩ͋̔̉ͨ̓͐u͆͌̈́̃̋̊ ̯͕̠͖̬̫̈̀̎ ̯̥̫̫̖̳̭͔̞̪͚͆̅ͪ̃̂ͭ̑͂͊͗ͣ̎̋̉̄͆̏̌̚e͔̮̯̦̘̯̱̮̠̝͖͎̘͇̜͇͈ͤ̾̃͐̔̎̋ͩ͛̎̓ͬ̆̓̍͗̇ͤ̚ͅͅn̈́͗͗͑̃ ͚͔̪̙̜̼̭͇̩̤̯͊̑͌ͯ͐͆ġ̥͖̤̼̋̀͌́͗̀͊̈́͒͋̀̐̐͂̏̓͌u̝̪̼̹͕̭̱͖̥̩͇̳͚̤̺̯̤̮ͮ͊̎̏̌l̯͎̼̅̓̑̆ͭ̊ͨ ̲̬̼͎͚̤̜̝̦̼͉f̖͙̥̰̜̼̱͙͉̭̺̰̖̺̲̰̩́ͤ̿̂ͥͨ̈́̂̒̇ͥ͌͑̈͊̌͗ ͚͎̥̼̬͓͈͙̬̳̘̭̜̞̪͚̈̌̀͐͑͒ͬt͈̫̯̠̤̱̘̳̮͙̳̣͍̓ͥ̄̃ͧͬ̈̿̃͂͋̚h̬͇̹ͮ̄̐͂e̺̲̯̪̺̖̘̥ͥ̊ͬͩ̀͒́͐ͯ ̹͈̣͎̻̹m̠͈̙͕̤̳̦͉̩̰̬͇̬̰ͬ͐̅ͣͧͧͪͅ ͙̥̖̣̠̼̭ͤ̈̽̈̆͐ͦͣͨͮͩ͛͌̚̚i̝̜̬͇̹͓̘̘̻͔̪͒̍̈ͥͨ́͆̅͊̊̒ͤ͊̉n̘̫̠̗̝̬͔̏̑ͣ̑̇͛̍͐̈́͂͂ͫ̔̓̀ͣ͌ͥ͒ ̫͖͎̗̻̰̥̣ͅ ̗̺̠̳͔̯̼͉͎̊̒ͫ́̈̎̃ͩy̘̙̦̤̜̥̖̦̦̘͈͂̔̾̍͗ͤo̟̥̙̲͎̯͕͗ͬ̓̄̂͛̽u̲̯̬̭͉ͧ͌̂̄̓̎͐̈̃r̘͇̃ͮ͂̅̾̇͌ ̫̘͇͖ ̝͓͙̳͔͓̹͕͒̏ͭͪ̀ͪ̈́̀ͭ̌͗ͥ̋͂ͯͪ̅̑ͅͅf̗̙̯͎̋̂ͥ̇͂͌ͦ̐ͬ̔̌ͩ̽͆l̗̟̲̳̯̃ͬ̆́à̂͑̒͗̍̏̒̈̀̈́̈̂͂̑͊̚ ̲̰̯͓̼ͩͅm̩͍̭͎͚̻̱͉̖̥̭̠̘͔̠̝̰̊ͯ̋̀͊ͯ͐̋ͦ͐̄̔̀̋̓́̉ͅe̟̩͙̞͉̙̐͊̔͐̀̈́̑ͮ̒ͅͅs͖̜̰̓̃́̆ͥ̋͐ͫͥͭ ̖ ͇̥̱̟͔̣͔̝̱̙͒̿ͮ͐ͅt͚͖̞̠͈͌ͥ̃̓ͮ̏h̹̞̲̼̙̞̤͚̲̍͂̃ͮ̈́͐ͥ̈́̀ͩͬ̏é͚̝̜̘̩̹̫̰̺ͮ̂̏ͥ̋̄̂ͭ͐͌yͨ͑̈́̊ ̰̲̪̞̯͖ͪ̍͐͋̔̏ͭ́͒͆ͭͭ͆̚ ͓̞̟͙̥̙̯̹̓̇ͭ̋̇ͤw̺͙̼͙͉̞͕̲͈̟͚̟̦̯̪̑͂͑͆̅̈́̊̊͊̌̏ͦī͙̬̘͈̳͕̯̟͎͉ͤ̀͊̂̄ͅl̻̳͍̯̘͓̲͖̫̊ͫ͒̂̅ ̺͕̯̣l̘̻̬͍̠̟̝̖̗͍̰̮̫̘̞̲̈́̉̓͊ͬ͆ͨ̅͒̓̈́̓́ ͙̦̠̜̪̬̹̗̩̝͖̥̫͙̻̍ͦ́̈́ͣ̎̓̉̉̾ͮ̾̏ͥͩ͑ͨ̽a̪͚̗͓͓̹̜͌ͪͫ̑̓̂́ͤ̅͛̊̓̓ͭ̍͐l̩̃ͬ͌ͨͥ͆͐ͪ̋̃ͣ̐̃ͪ̚̚ ̬̳̖̞͕̮͙͈͈̝̗l͓͈̙̬͎͔͉̩̹͈͑ͩ̒̉̾ͧ̃͌͗ͣ̓ ̬̠̭͙̝͕̭͈̰͎͙̘̹͒̿̂͂d͍̳̳̤͙̝̱͔̣̞̞̞̞͉͍̟ͭͧ̓ͣ̋͆̊͆ͮ͒ͅi͎̜̰̦͌̿̄͐͐͂ͮ̄̃͋͆̋͗̇ͫ̊ͧ̂̚ͅe͊ͫͭͬ ̬̙͕̻̖͇̱̎̉ͭ̌̐ͩ̈̌ ̻̲͇̈́̌̈́̎̂ͮ̃ͬ̃̚s͚̱̰͕͎̦̘̫͆̊̏ͣ̑ͨc̺̲̳̣͚̥̹̫̲̞͉̠̽ͭͫ̍͌ͧ̉͂͌ͪ͒ͬ̑͌ͦ̾r̲̥ͣ̔̉̐͒ͪͭ̃͑̾ͫͫ̊̓͌ ̟̜̪̰͉̠̘̟̘̦̳̬͉e̜͉̦͉͍̱̣̯͓̙͚̟̰͙̜̮̳̬̿͗ͭ̒ͧͣ̋̒ͩͣͪa̖͈̘̱̤̥̞̙̠̗̣͖̗̘̟͖̾̀̈́ͨ̍̊ͮ̏mͤ́̋̄ͨ͐ ̼̳̮̬͔͇͓̲̳̜̹̞̺͙̐̒͒̐̂̃̃̅i͎̰͎̗̪̥͗̋̾͆ͮ͑ͪ͆͒̌̏ͮn͉̭̤͚̥̼̠̩̝͇̝̘̤ͦ͌ͩ͆͛̓̒ͧ̏ͫ̔̒̑̈̓̓ͬ̄ͅg ͔̦̫̹̘̼̝̘̺̻̝͙̬ͫ͒͛̔͊̐̔͛ͅ.͚̱̝̩̤̫͈̬̘̐ͮ̈̃͛ͮ̃̍ͫ ̣͕̞̼̮̟͉͓̗̩̱̭̩̙͈̞ͩ̽ͫ͌͆ͨ͗̒̎ͥ̋̋̎ͤ̚
͙̻̠̯̙̲͕͉̥̰̜͚̘͇̈́̈́̔̉̇̇ͭ̐̓͛ͩ̋ͬͅS͔̹̠̫̮͍̪̫̝͇̳̖̫͓̜̘ͬͯ͑̈́ͧ̃̃̇͊̀̆̓͒̑̄̽ͅͅt̏̂̑̈̐ͪͬͮ͌̀̇ ͙̦̬̤̹̰̭̮̱̬ͅr̥͖̲͈̻͇̗̙̖͚̪͕ͯ̾͐̿ͨ̉i̳͖̫̺̫̹̜͍͓͓̰͉͔̬̜̝͛̄ͥ̏ͨͧ͂͗̌ͧ̀̀͗ͩ͂̆ͬ̊̂ͅk̹̳̟̓͛́̏ ͓̲̼̘̻̫̦̩͚͉ͅͅe̤̱͇͙̦̥͇͙̭͇͇͓̮̞̲̰̮̞̾͐̾͐ͥ͗̆̍̓̊̔̓͒ͭͣͫ ̯̘̼̦̤̥̼̘̎̽̈ͪ̾ͪ̓ͬ̒͛ͪͨ̔͑̃t̝͓̰̤͌͊ͪ̈ͧ̆̉̔̂̉ͦh̦̻̯̯̋͑̀̇͋ͪ̂ͧͣͭ͐̚ė̊ͣ͆̎͌̊ͧ̐͂ͬ̅͆͐̉͒̐̋ ̝̼̦͓̙͇̝̫ ̮̼̗̼̰̼̬͚͚ͨ̋̒ͨ̎̈̌̿͑̔̿̐C͈͖̗̟̳̘̦̻̯͍ͥ͒̍ͬ̈́͐ͣ̃ͦ̂̌͐ͦͅe̯͓͎ͭͯ̀̓̃͆̓ͫn̩̯̣̫͚̜̻̺̝͖̾̏̉ͩ̂͌ ͇͓t̻͕̝̦̱̮̝̠͎͖͉͋̋ͣͨͮa̳̹͖̗̙̰͇̳̞̺͉̪̥̠̥̠̦͑̐ͥ̍̓̑ͥ̊ͅu͙̜̤͕ͭ̆̉̉̊̿ͯ͋͛ͯ̽̈́͊̀̑̈́rͪͨͥ͗̓͐ͤ ̹͕̤̫̯̭̬͎̝̲̰̪̰͙̌ͨ͗̉̿ͅ ͓̣̘̼̥̯̟̲̗̑̅̇̍͒͛̚̚a̠͎̱͖̗̝̖̍́ͣ̒̊̚n͍̬͉̳̙̜̹̠̤̙͖̯͇͔̤̪̈̂́́͊̓̈́̆̚d̦̖̥̲̰͙͋͂̓ͮͬ́͗ ̮̟͙̹̺͍ͥ̂ͬ͂ͪͫ̊̍̃͌͐̊ͯͯt̲̞̯̬̤͈̠̰̩̭̬̟̾͐̈̾̏̔͐ͩͬ̓͛̚h̩̫̳̯̒͌ͭ̃̅́́͛͆̽e̼̖̪͍͍̟̺͇͙͖͆͊ͮͨ ̹̥̯̙̲̖̟ ̥͎̼̺͓̳̠̥̼̼̥̝̼̫̙̋̈́̆ͤͫ̅ͣ̈́̐ͅA͙̮̭͉͖̤̭̭̬͎̬̮̙̦̿̅ͬ͛ͮ̈́̉ŕ̞̳̥̘̩̄ͩ̋́͂ͫͣ̈̍̌c̑̐ͣ̌ͪ͊ͮ͐̉̊ ͍̘̪͔̣̝̺͉͍͓̲͎̘̞͖̰̜͇ͅh̹͙̫̮̭̜̻̓̐ͥ͑ͧͨͭ̄ͧ̒ͅe͖͕̣͖̜̺̼͇͈̭̬̦̻̫̣͎ͥ̈̂́̄͆̋ͯ̏ͧͅȓͩͪ͒̃̏̍̒ ̯͕̖̒̑ͧ͒ͪ̾ͅș̯̪͓̲̹̯̰̖̖̩̰̖̼̤͖ͪ͋ͫͮ͒ ͓̠̺̮̭̖͎͖̙̩̣̻͈̜̓ͤ̏̓̂̂̉ͭw͖̣̯̰̟̘̳̥̿͂ͫͧͭ̄̒͑͒̓̈̓͒ͦͧ̽i͇̥̬̮͋̅̊̇̈͑͋l̰̖̯̰̆̽̄̿̓̀̉ͦͯ͆̈ ̠̖̺͖͓̪̺̪̙ͅl͖̦̲̟̥͉̮̮̗̗̦ͩͬ̋̔̔ͤͥͪͯ̄ ̥̩̯͕̭̩̳̮̳͕̲̯͍̞̬̼ͮ̐̍͗̃ͯ͒̇ͪ̃̃̐̒̍̚ͅd̜̩̙͙̠̻̪̪̜͕̗̟̣̱̻͕̋̾ͤͦ̌̅͂͊̍͒͊͂͌ĩ̏̄̌̇ͧ̔͋ͫ̽͗ͨ ̠͇͉̮̲̯̟͉̜̳͓̟ͩ̆ͧ͑s̯̻͚͖͙͔ͫ̀ͬͫ͂̑̋͑̾ͣ̌ͧ͗̂͋͂p̣̩̲̣̝͕̖̻̦͎̼̦̣̹̜͕̞ͮ̈͋͑̂̓ͤ̉̽̊̓̐̑ͅȅ̿̂ ̭̦͎̙̥̮̝̦̖̥̘ͣ̓̋̏ͩ́͒͂ͣͩͥ͆̇̃̚ŕ̼̱͍̫̤͓̻̗͎̯͎̺̪͖̭͇ͯ͗͐̈́̍͆̾̆ͅs̮͇̟̙ͧͦ̂̆̈͛͆̓ͪ̈́ͧ̍͒ͤ͌̇ͫ ̩̪͔̹̱̥̘̮̘͖̝e̲͖̤̼͔̱͙̪̜̘͖͉͚͓ͪ͛͋͂͂̐ͯ͛ͩ̀͗̄̈ͫͭ͆ͩ̐ ͎͎̹̬̪̠͇̘͕̻̖̫͕̦̬͇̦̥͈̄ͮͧͥ̽ý̻̲̙͎̳̼̤̫̻͖͈̘͍͇͕̜̹̈́̎̀̈̓̿ͫ̃ō̬̤͇̱̈͂̑͊̇͗̏͋̓ͩ̍̃̊͑͛̌̅ͬ ͈͇̩͓u̱̹͇̺͇͔̣͎̹̼̟̹̫̖ͨ̀̈͌̊̽̌͆ͫ̽̔̍ͣ̚ͅͅ ͍̠̰̭̞͖̦͕̝̰̹̑ͩͣw͉͔̯̼̝̦̺̗͈͇̜͈̯̘͈͎̑̋͑̿̉ͤ̾̂̈̔ͫͫͪ̐ͣ̓͂̚i͚̫̹̬͇̫̝͓̰̦̼͊͋̇̇̿ͧ̊ͤ̉͋ͧ̚ͅt ̻̯͙̤̬̞͈̺̥̝̤̞̳͉̆̒̈͆ͯ́̀ͨ͆̉̔͗ͅh̠̠̫̲̫͚̤͔̻̣̙̫͈͕̙̖ͬ̿͂̓̆͛̏͌͋̍ ̜̜̟͚͖̝͇͉̲͖̲̣͆͋̂͗̚ͅͅc̻͎͙̠̥͍͍̟̝̤̗̞̤̤ͬͥ̋̎ͥ͌ͦ͑̂̇ͣȯ̪̺̙̪̭̪̼͓̗͕ͬ̄ͩ̑̑͐̽̉̎̐͛̆̈́͗̍̆ͅͅ ̜̯̖̲̖̹̠n̫͖̥̱͔̣̜͈͖̥̤͙ͭͦ͊̌ͨ͊̾̅̎̈́̾̏̿ͮ̽ͣͅć̼̹͈̪̩͇̖͈̰̰͇̥̠̏̉ͨ̈́̑ͦ͒͆ͬ̀ḛ̰͍͍̈̽̎̒n͂ͮ̈́ ̣̻̻̮͖̖̲̝̥̗̀ͧ̎̃ͣ̌̇͑̎ͩ̀t̙͕͍͉̠ͣͮ͒̈́̓ͤͦ͂͆̓̄ͩ̀r̬̬̹̳͐̽͆ͦͥ̑ͩ͐͂̔ͩ̓ͤ͗̈́̊̌̅a͂̍̂ͮ̄ͪ̅͗ͭ̑ͥ ̭͓̥͍̝̯̤̰ͦ̍t̲̹͉̟̣̄ͫͣ̅̂̌̃̐e̝̻̳̦̣͔͙̳͖͍̱̞͉͔̯͉ͬ̑ͬ̑ͦ͗͐ͬ̂̅̍̎ͫ͋̓̚d͙̥͓͚̫̯̘̭̖̃ͫ̇̈̽͌̌ͅ ̞̗̹̯͕̻͉̤ ̳͍̜̻͍̬͖͙͑͐̅̆̄̉ͅp͈̣͖͓̺̘̫̟̪͙̩̭̘̭ͭ̿̈̏ͦ̇ͧ̐ͤͭ͛ͩ̒̾̄ͧͅȯ͇̠͕͙̗̭̳̗̹ͩ͗͌̓̾̓̀ͤ̍̋̾͗̓́ͭ̅̚ ̬̬̗w̗̦͇̘̝̰̭̠͙̙͍̼͓̣̪̤̲͙̌̄̓̑̆̂ͦe͓̣̜̳̠̜̣̘͉̙͓̤̩̱̐̈̓̎̍͒ͮ̈́͑̏͛ͣͫ͋ͮͣ̒̂̚r͈̳̗̐̓ͪ̋̊̒̐ͮ ͚̬.̪̤̣̙̹̟̼͎̬̹̞͐͂̋̾̓͂̄͐ͬ͛̓ ̙͎͇͓̙̞͉͚̰̩̬͖̎ͨ̀̑ͪ͛͂ͦ̾̆͌̀̊̇̆̚ͅ
̝͖̜͓̘͂̿̓̑͂͑̽̇ͩI̪̙͉̼̱̹̻͉̺̊̐͛͛ͬ̔̏̒̽̾͑̄ͯ̑͛ ̱͙̺̣̻̙̝̻̱͚̣͕̲̲̝ͯ̏͋ͣͅd̤̬̭̼̲̈̿ͣ̆̌̚ị̩̥͖̞̪̞̩̌ͬ̉̌͗ͬ̄̊d͕̟̲͔͔̹͓̪ͦ̃͒ͩͧ̿̑ͨ͒̌̇ͣ̂ͣ̉ͭ͋ ̝͕̖̤͓ ͈̝̥̖͉̭̪̱͇̮̜̝͈͙̣̌ͭͬ̍͗n̹͇͉̩͓̍ͨ̊̅ͦ̆̈́̉͑͐ͨ̒ͫ̿̀ö͙̝̠̟͓̮̯̠̣̞͖͓̥̣͈́̀̀̍t̮̱̯̪̤̄̓ͦ͊͑̈̆ ̘̹̗̩ ̳͚͉̠͉͎͕̞͎͙͇̻̋́̽̍͂́̌͗ͨ͗̚s̭̩̳̓̅ͤ̑̓̔́͐̓̐́̏͌̊ͩͪ͐u͔̝͎̤͚̱̘͚͔͌ͧ̑̅̓͛̀̓ͅmͤͭͫͨ̇̋̈̓̿ͥ̚ ̠̜͕̹̳͚̘͔̯͕̙̏͊m̲̞͍̟̳͓ͯͫ̂o͍͓̣̮̻͎̳͖̐̿͐ͬ̆̈́̌̃͛̍͆n̦͕͈͔̝̲̯̜͓̣̮͎̅ͫͦ̎̐ͮ̈́͂ͨͨͫ̆ͪͦ͆̂́ͯ͑ ͇̥̥͍̭̹͔̻͆͂͊̀̚y̘̭̠̰̬̤͍͉̻̫͙̮̩ͧͣ̒̅̓͒̂o͙̝̬͉̘ͦͧ̌̈́̿̃̓ü͉͎̙̩͉̙̹̪̂̾̈̅ͦ̓͒͑̄̆̿ͪͩ͛̑ͦ̓̃ ̬̟͙̣̥͍̞̥ͅ ̯͕͈̟̖̦̠͇̳̝̮̣͙͖̲͇͒ͣ͑̇ͮ̀͌͂͑h̠͓̖̝͔̲̮̲̺̫͔̰̲̽͛̒̆͌̉͌̏͑̍̀ͨ̓ͬͣͪ͒e̪͉͙͙̘̩͖̦͚͈͌ͬ̋̒̋͊͑ͅ r̬͖̣̻͖̤͔͙̫̞̖͉͍̩̹͊͐̆̌͒̌̍͑̿̿̈ͬ̌ͩ̏͂ͮ̎ͪe͔̪͕̣̦͙͖̱͈̻̬̟̝̱̜͐ͥͫ̀̒̒ͅͅ ̟͎̳̩̝͍̱̹̗̼͓͔͕̜̈́̎ͭͮ̃̚ͅf̠͔̦̩̯̳̬͚̎̔͛ͭ͊̊̌̒̽̐ͭ͑͂̽̐ͣͅͅo͇̟̼̮̬͇̟͒̊̈̍̍̇̎r̼̥̳̾ͨ̄͋̅͗ͨͅ ̘̪̜͈͍̦̮ͅ ͉͔͙̦͙̬̜͇͖̪͍̰̝̹ͦͭͮ̒̌̅ͩͬ̋̾̂̊̀̊̓̈́a͇̙͙̳͍̺͔̲̘̠ͥͮ̍ͬ́ͬͧͧͫ͂̓̍̉͐̓̎ͪͧ͆ ̫̟͈͉̹̫̮̋̍ͩ̈́̐̔́̐f̭̲͙͉̰̫͇͖̦̭̮ͪ̒͋̍̑̄ͩ̑ͩ̑̿ͨͬ̽ͭͣͧͨ͛ͅi̠͎̩̩̖ͪͪ̃̑ͫ̓̉̈́͌ͨ͑̇ḡͮͮ͒̑ͭͤ́̐ ̪̮͈̣͇̍̽̂ͬ̒̍͋̚h͉̜͕͓͉͓́ͪ̏̈́̅ͫ͊͋ͥͨ̅͋̆̌ͤͣ̀ͬͣt̳̺͈̼̐ͩ̌͛͗ͦ̋͌̆̈́ͭͯ́̏ͧ̂ͤ,̽ͪ̒̌ͫͤͯ̒̓͐ͧͧ͐ ̮̻̬̗̖͈̭͗ͫ̈́ͦ͒͋ ̱̮͔̤̝̙̖̘̫͕̎͌ͦͮ̇ͮ̑́̋͗ͣ̎I̪̬̠̭̯̞̾ͭͬ̍͂̓̇ͩ͑̂ ̣͈̭͇͈̪͔̪̼͉͎̦̮́ͮͥ̍̓̆͆̓ͩ͑͋s̳̣̲̙̙̬͈̯͈̝̩̥͙̤̔ͣ͑̎̃ͬͭ̈́ͩ̊̊u͈̙̬̗̥̺̗̹̭̹͕ͦ͐̔m̍̆ͯ̎ͩͮ͂̓ͨ ̱̬̦̘̱̯̬̘̳̖̯͓̪̎ͥ̋m͔̺̳̻͕̼̯͍͌ͭ̈ͬͪ̔ͅǒ̳̗̘̺͈͈̼͓̦̗̫̯̫̺̗̞̑̊̄́̍̑̓̄̿͒̎́ͨͫ̒́̈́n̊̈̈́ͣ̓̆̔ ̙͎͕̜ͮè͕̪̣̫̤̼̳̗̪͙̼̝̯̊̎̋̿̈́̚ͅd͔̙̭͖̥̼͙̝͇͈̙̖̝̈́̐̌̃̓ͯ͊̑ ̹͙̮̂ͫ̓ͤͦ̍̾ͅy̘̥̻̯̼͚̦ͬ̌ͯ̃ͬ̆ͬͯ̿͊o̹̹̯̰̣̤͍̎̃ͪ̐̎̓̅ͮ̉ͮͮu̻͙̜̫̪͐ͪ̅ͨ ̘͚͚̼͖̼̣͈̰̭̝͖̉̅͂̽ͮ̎̑͑̒̓ͨͨ̎̈ͥ̎ͮͨͅḣ̠̗̻̜̱̉̃̂͊͂ͮ͒ͨͅê͕̭͚̠̞̟͕̠̮͉̫̦̼͔͇͚̼͗̾̈̏̊ͮrͭ̉ ̤͇̗̩̦̬̹̣̟͕̟̪̺ͬ͗̽̏̑̃ͥ̓̽̈̋̀͋ͥ̆è̺͓̩̜̤̻ͥ̑̌̍̇̎̔̈́̆ͥ ̹̪̪̖̥̜͇̘̦̳̘̘͎̞̬̲̩͈͗ͭ͂̄́ͮ̍͐̅̓ͪͫ̐̚̚ͅt̰̮̣̝͓̣̳͓̯̖͕͓͖̜̻ͪ̀ͨ͆͂̿̂̀ͮo̯͇̽̒̏̄̽͆̄̄ͯ̑̄̇ͦ ̺̙̝͎̙̹̲̭̯̥̟͇̺̟͇ͅͅ ̠͍͚̣̣̙̱͔͇̗̫̯̠̭͓͙ͬ͛ͮͧd̜̘͍̘̹͈̙̈́̍̓̓̂ͮ̈́ͥͨ̾ͨ̈́̆ͮ͌̊̂̓ͩͅě͖̬͔̮̦͈̥͒͋ͩͦ̈̇ͫ̊ͫͭ̋v̔ͩ͂ͭͯͥ ̠̟͚̘̩̣ͭͥͣ͗̐̃ͯ͒̋̒ͧ̐ͅo͙̟̩͙̟̠̩̟̲͉̺͓̰̤̺̳̬͈ͯͪͩͧu̲̠̮̻̭͇̓͂̿͐ͥ̿́̒ͨ̿̅̆͆r͈͙̱̳ͫ̄̀̎.̐ͫ͋ ͔̞̟̰̔ͫ̆̎́̂ͤ ̰̥̠̞̦̩̺͓̗͖̬͂ͮͪ̅́͊ͥ̊̿̋̃͆͐̚S̖͇̞̰̫͙̻̳̳̣͔͔̥̹͓̐̇̈͂ͨ̓́ͤ̇̾͌͂ͣͪͣo͂ͮ̈́͒͒͆̇ͥ͆̇ͪ͋̅ͧͫ̀ͪͯ ͈̘͚̦̞͓̦̯͎̝̰.̬̰̪̗̻̣̭͕ͦ̆̐̉̌ͯ̈̿͛̊̈́̄̏.̹̠̻̞̘̥̰͎̺̝̣̱̬̹͈̬͚͒͋ͯ͐̍͂ͩ̽̔̑.̌̎̄̊̈ͬ̂̓͆̉̋ͥ̆ ̳͙̠͖̥͔̮̰̖ͫ͂͑́
̤̹͚͚͙̦̠̻̱̺͓͈̫͕͉̯̩̿͋̒̿ͯ̐ͧ̏̽̏ͯͧ̋͆̍ͩF̱̞͕̬͚̯͒͑̃̽E̠̦͕̜͕͇̬̯̼̝̤͓̟͕̪̓ͭͪ̈́͊͗̿͆ͩ̋ͅÀ̇̈ ̪̯͈̳̣̱̝͈̗̜͕̦̘̠͑͐S͎͙̱͍͗̿ͤ̓͛̊̉ͭ̈́͒̆̈́͌̎͊T̺͓͉̮̩͈̮̪̣̹͇̘͓ͤ̆̐̊ͨ͆͑ͧ͒̔̚ͅͅͅ!̝̣͈͎̺͛̅ͩ̀ͯ ̣̥̦̪̻̪̠̳
The Goblins stand in a trough of their own making. If you engulf them in your flames they will all die screaming.
Strike the Centaur and the Archers will disperse you with concentrated power.
I did not summon you here for a fight, I summoned you here to devour. So...
FEAST!
Livain seeing Maiathreen move into combat follows behind him but stops just short of the hobgoblin ranks. She quickly rattles off the final words of a spell and a riot of colors and shapes explode from her outstretched hand engulfing the gobgoblin shield wall.
Wallace's ride over the wall wasn't a pleasant one. His crotch having been smashed into the hard back of Rhavenna's equine lower back as he held on for dear life. As he scrambles from nearly dangling off her flank he comes face to face with his summoned creature which spits more burning spittle at him before speaking in the same dark language as Wallace.
It's speech is interrupted, it shakes its head as if in pain before roaring in anger at Wallace, its rage shaking the ground before it turns its attention back at the enemy before it. Its maw opens wide, the shadows that made up its form swirled and began to coalesce in front of its maw before shooting forward towards three of the rear shield bearers.
The shadows lanced forward, through the hobgoblin's tower shields and through the creatures holding them as well before receding back into the creatures form. The hobgoblins stood there as if stunned before their forms began to melt into a black liquid. Their equipment lay on top of this puddle before the liquid began seeping towards the shadow dragon and was quickly absorbed. As it absorbs the fallen it looks at Wallace with a flash of insight, memories bombard his mind but not in a way that shakes him but gives him... Understanding of what he summoned.
The Hobgoblins middle shieldwall rear was breached, three of there shield bearers were gone and it left them open to a rear assault on foot. On top of that their left flank was breached as several of their warriors were laid out by the colorspray from Livain.
The Mercenary fighters plunged through the opening, one taking a spear in the shoulder as he pressed to kill the ast tower shield bearer. His companion turned his blade on those on the ground, intent on finishing them before they could rise. Hawks Arrows slew the one that had braced the spear and his rangers arrows embedded themselves into the remaining shields uselessly.
Xiang Yu smashed into the line, narrowly avoiding a spear as he pressed into the shield wall with a Tian battle cry.
Yalanda presses forward as well, making it a ways up the ramp before continuing to maintain her Inspire Courage for everyone
The Hobgoblins, beset on multiple sides, and facing a monstrous creature that was aiding the Blades, did there best to hold the line. They never broke, never retreated and held on until the last one fell. The fought tenaciously but were outmatched by the superior training and power of their foes. They rallied there spears to hold off the Centaur in vain, her lance proved far more devastating and the angels of death above were more ferocious than anticipated.
Crossbow caught the flying warriors a few times but their shots were inaccurate. Their shield bearers fell rapidly as they were unable to maintain a line long before the mercenaries broke their line again. From the constant and unrelenting pressure of the attacks, the Hobgoblins were brought down to the last standing, who was struck down by Rhavenna.
By the end of the conflict the shadow like creature that Wallace had summoned disappear's after devouring more of the corpses of the enemy before disappearing completely.
After quickly recovering and healing injuries the Merc's pushed into the structure just as a group of mounted warriors, numbering a thirty or more, broke the tree line. Four separate heraldry flew proudly at the head of this force, one in particular stuck out.
A Green banner with a white shield at the center. Crossed in front of this shield is a pair of grain stocks. The other banners were of lesser knights, Stag, Hawk, Griffon and Dragon banners rose behind the White Shield.
The Stag, Dragon, Griffon and Hawk Banner's are from minor knight errant's, most likely serving House Medvyed.
The White Shield is of the House of Whitefield, minor nobles who rose from a wide spread farming family. One of which that made Medvyed wealthy, so in a classic example of nobility they elevated them through noble titles. Since their rise the House Whitefield has fought [i]hard to protect those under their banner, often hiring mercenaries and forming militia's to fend off bandits or worse.
Since their rise eight of the fourteen sons of the family have been killed in battle along the southern and eastern borders. Along with countless other militia forces, however with their sacrifice came a more stable, calm and prosperous area which helped lift famine.
On the inside of the fortress you continue to hear the fighting and screams from within, fire was spreading throughout the lower level and the bodies of human's, tengu and hobgoblin's littered the floor in what looked to be sporadic fighting within the ruins. Among the corpses you find one man still alive as Yolanda and the others use water to control the fire.
Laying near the table was a dead Hobgoblin in a long blood apron, whose eyes had been burst when its skull was crushed. Some of the cages lay broken open and the largest of which contains women and children. Shouting for help as a handful of battered fighters, both men and woman, struggle to break the larger cages open.
As you enter a sentry roars in challenge, raising a broken scimitar and battered shield despite being grossly outmatched by your force. He doesn't hesitate, even in the presence of Rhavenna's terrible visage. His bandage was stained red with fresh blood and covered the whole left side of his head. His one eye burned with the ferociousness of a man pushed over the edge.
He wasn't alone, several of those struggling with the cages turn and pick up iron bars, bricks and other improvised weapons...
"Calm yourself human, if we wished you harm we'd of just let the vermin kill you." Maiathreen growls in response.
Wallace sticks close to Rhavenna for the combat, warding away any lucky strikes with his morningstar. The human relying on driving fear of the Centaur Horror and the Shadow beast to keep most of the blades away from him.
On the battle concluding he aids the efforts in healing in the small amount he can. He also takes a few moments to stabilize the least wounded hobgoblin he can find.
"As I said before, there is more here than simple slavers. Those creatures fought to the last man to defend the castle, something dire is happening here." The human states as he finishes the wrapping and leaves the unconscious creature for later interrogations.
------------
With Banners on the field and the action still in the tower Wallace nods to his allies.
"I've no idea what waits for us on that field but I expect if they are friendly they will spend a few moments gawking at the overgrown lizard we brought down. Lets use that and end this!"
The human cleric follows with the others, using his own divine power to create water and extinguish the flames he can reach as he walks.
The Human pulses
Wallace glances around the room, the cacophony of desperate squalling fear rich in the air. I will need to bank their terror or they will not hear me.
"Lower your weapons for a moment, I'm going to try and calm them."
Wallace expends the last few ergs of his power thrusting one hand forward with a symbol of his faith and the other one reaching into the pocket of his coat touching the gem he had obtained. He searches for a specific idea, an emotion of self assured dominion over lesser beings. The presence of a dragon.
With his spell seeking to stall the defenders motions long enough Wallace begins to speak. When Maiathreen speaks up Wallace shrugs adlibing around the statement instead of stopping.
" Warriors! I know not your names but as my ally has so crudely stated we are not here to bring you any harm. We just spent the last hour butchering our way through your captors, their warped mounts and the Dragon Dresskel. They lay defeated and slain outside these walls." The human gives a wry smile and looks at his own appearance before glancing to his allies.
" We are no shining knights but if you will look past the odd dent or bloodstain we are here to help. I am willing to disarm myself if it will allay any fears you have of our presence." The human states as he looks to the warriors and their improvised weapons, waiting for a sign of violence or an indicator of lowering guard in their demeanor.
The fighters react violently to the spell, three though stay on their feet, two are looking to you with undivided attention while one moves between you and the cages. Bearing nothing more than his bloody fists and filthy rags. He seemed far to regal to be a prisoner but his stance was obvious and he was more than prepared to fight. "They vermin have fed on these people long enough foreigner. I am Lord Whitefields personal Scout and Warder, Tadis Redfield. Now, who sent you?" His eyes narrow at wallace and he balled his fists.
Seeing the mounted fighters Hawk saw an oppourtunity and competition for what they had accomplished here. His scattered mercenaries had regrouped on the ramp of the ruin and just as he was wondering how he was going to control the situation their reinforcements appeared from the forest. Armed and winded from hastily rushing to their aid but they were at least here. Hawk fired the arrow over the corpse of the white dragon, the black plume easily guiding the newly arrived merc's to where he wanted them. The two shriekers that followed relayed the order to split up. Defend the corpse, defend the ruin, quick and easy.
Recognizing who was leading the militia he fired another shrieker skyward and all his men relaxed, sheathing weapons and laying arrow along the belly of their bows. Seeing this the militia approached cautiously.
The Militia and its leaders trotted up, weapons lifted as they realized the mercs were merely laying claim to their spoils however the bewildered look on the blond haired noblemen's face was obvious.
"Rideon Hawkwood, Commander of the Blades of Death and we lay claim to the dragons corpse along with what spoils lie in the structure." The militia lowered lance and readied Javelins despite the many mercs that now matched them one for one.
Great, a fight with the Brevoyian nobility. Just what I wanted. Hawk readies to grab an arrow as he waited for their response.
He cared little for the dead beast or the Hobgoblins as he fixed the Mercenary Commander with his stern gaze. "Adrian of the House of Whitefield. And I commend you for what you've done this day and agree that the equipment they bare, the corpse and what horde lies within are yours. But." He doesn't lower a weapon as his voice hardened. "Anyone found within of sentient thought or race is leaving with us. I'll not have any making slaves of the people beneath my families crest. This is beyond contestation Commander Hawkwood."
"Done, anyone we find save for the enemy are yours to take by right to rule Baron Whitefield. I do not need nor want conflict with the Masters of Field and Scythe in Brevoy, nor do we have need of slaves." Hawk relaxed and as he spoke so did the militia. From there it was a less tense moment, too forces with similar interests and common enemy was a bonus. The militia focused instead on ensuring the field was clear and all the enemy were brought to heel.
Allowing the Merc's some rest as Hawk sends more inside to deal with the fire on the inside. A burdensome task but he had much to be thankful for.
Xiang Yu was grievously wounded as were others but the field was theirs, the first victory and hopefully of the may that were soon to come in Iobaria...
Seeing the situation turn worse rather than better Wallace even expression jumps with concern for half a second. Well even if it didn't work in the way I was expecting it worked. Always working in strange ways that lord of mine.
The human looks to newly revealed man removing the unnecessary flourishes he had been using a moment ago and taking a much more professional stance. "I am Wallace Boyd of the Blades of Death Mercenary company, we discovered the presence of this Hobgoblin force when we were trekking the mountain. Our leader decided to intercede and we followed his command. Our Leader has not chosen to share the benefactor of this mission with us far as I know. He is not known for his fondness of Slavers or Brigands though ,he may well be doing this mission on his own coin."
Which will mean more weeks of lean nights and hoping again for a new benefactor. Damnit Hawk...
The people continue to writhe as the man watches you all, its plain to see he is outmatched but he doesn't look like one to give ground. He listens to Wallaces explanation with an almost unnerving calm nodding at the end.
The man's face soften's at the sudden appearance of Rhavenna's true form, his eyes flick between her and Wallace as if it were some trick. He clears his throat as he speaks. "Release them from whatever magic your using Wallace. They were doing terrible things here... Your magic will have an adverse effect."
He relaxes as he turns towards the cages and their occupants, who appeared to be calming down at the mans change in attitude. A moment of hope blossomed as he spoke again. "Baron Whitefield asked me to investigate, I did so and allowed myself to be captured. When I found out what was happening here I could not abandon them. I knew someone would come, so we took our chance and broke free. They had planned to burn them to death before you broke through there dragon pet." He laughs darkly, tapping the dead hobgoblin's foot. "Too bad for them we were ready. This one..." He grunts. "... Died first." There was a note of satisfaction in Redfield's voice. In the gloom of the torches its not hard to tell that his fists and fingers were stained with blood.
Looking to Rhavenna he remarks. "You look mighty strong, I have met your people but not on the best terms. If'n you'd help me now I'd owe you a dept. These people have suffered enough and it's time I get them home. Besides this ruin isn't very stable and I'm sure the fires haven't helped, it could come down at anytime..."
Wallace frowns as he looks to the people in question. "A fair point, I had not expected a simple spell of enthralling to effect them so. It was only meant to keep them from striking long enough for us to speak. I will release it now." With a slashing gesture he ends the spell Another thing to investigate once I am out of here, these people should not be reacting in such a manner to a spell like this. Is the emotion of the gem so great? Was it the remaining darkness from my calling earlier?
Stowing such thoughts for another time wallace nods to the man speaking "if you will permit me I will extinguish the flames, I also possess spells of healing but with the reaction I had a moment ago I think it would be better if we brought those wounded to our company's master healer."
Feeling the shift and seeing the reaction on the man's face, Rhavenna breathes a sigh of relief at being herself again. It wasn't that she was all that vain but being some horriv=fic monster was just...disconcerting.
"I'll be glad to help get them out of here, get those who'd have difficulty making it on their own on my back, children first. I'll come back for the elderly next." the centaur says stowing her weapons and stepping forward.
The warriors rise to their feet, all of them apparently shakened even moments after the spell ended. They watched Wallace nervously and looked to Tadis Redfield more than once. Nodding to Wallace he started directing their efforts, the man was no slouch when it came to organizing. "Fight the fire please Wallace, won't have any to save if we can't get out. Your companions can stay and help us break the doors or go and fight the fires as well."
Tadis nods to the main iron bared door. "These last two cages are the problem, their door's are pinned and the keys don't work, our broken weapons weren't enough to pry open the last two doors. We scoured some web ropes and were about to try and form a line before you showed up. I think with your mighty frame we'll break it for sure."
Tadis selects the strongest of the standing warriors as they gathered up the ropes made of strong webbing. Lashing them to Rhavenna's lower frame, much like a horse pulling a crude cart, they all took hold of the ropes and readied to pull themselves.
The other cage door had some of the other freed prisoners struggling to open it but unlike the ones being assisted by Rhavenna, they didn't have any leverage on it to do anything truly effective. One rammed their unbroken blade in the lock and tried to pry it open by force, only to be reqarded with his blade snapping under the strain. Leaving its jagged edge in the iron cages door, wedging it further shut...
Wallace concentrates on keeping the fires at bay, seeing the warriors struggle wallace removes a two for long rod from his belt and presses a button. The item pops into a solidly built crowbar. " use this, its a magic item that can become nearly any tool. If you have places to put it I also have a coil of rope you can use.
Taking a deep breath Rhavenna puts everything she hass into pulling the door off.
The door groans, the hinges strain as the battered prisoners pulled on the door but it held firm. However the power of the Centaur race was not to be tested lightly and as Rhavenna leaned forward, her powerful legs straining the hinges started to crack, fracturing as her might overwhelmed their design. The door held only long enough for each of its hinges to snap with an ear piercing snap. The door was flung forward, narrowly missing those closest to the cage as thy were thrown to the ground. Rhavenna took two full strides forward as the shock of the door giving through her off balance momentarily. The door slid to a stop just behind her and it was a matter of a minute before they started to strap the web rope to the last door.
Wallace's anytool was used as best they could while they prepared but to no avail, the frustrated prisoner handed it to Rhavenna before joining the those who would pull once again.
Taking a deep breath Rhavenna focuses her strength, surging forward with everything she has, unleashing the explosive power of her exquitite form. The door stood no chance whatsoever.
Maiathreen stands off to the side and calmly raises an eyebrow as Rhavenna tears not one but two doors from the cages.
The second door is torn from it's hinges with a scream of snapping metal and this time its followed by an earth shaking groan from the walls of the ruin, the escapees don't stumble and fall this time. Tadis looks around calmly as the others appear more concerned as dust falls from the stones above and the walls as well. In a calm voice he directs the escapees and the newly freed. "Woman and children first, men clear a path to the surface. Apparently their secrets were to die with them..."
He nods to Rhavenna as he helps to remove the web ropes. The rest of the former prisoners leap at his command. Leading the others as quickly to the surface as they can. Wallace's efforts are easily seen as his anytool is returned to him a little worse for wear by the one he had handed it too.
They are met with a welcomed sight at the amassed riders and Adrian Whitefield at its head, along with a literal army of mercenaries that appeared to have taken control of the entire area. The slain hobgoblins at their feet cause a mix of anger and strangely fear to cross their faces.
The structure groans again and Tadis, seeing that everyone was nearly out of the basement level quickly gave the room a once over just in case before looking back towards the stairs. His face retaining its stoic look as he spoke quickly. "Looks like this is our que to get out now. Lest we be buried with these hob's." He rolls up the web rope and picks up Wallace's rope before following behind Rhavenna.
As the building groaned again the dead hobgoblin's corpse shifted and its table of beakers and strange items rattled around. The human corpse remained motionless, its chest still splayed open as more dust fell from the roof above.
Wallace grips the Anytool and looks at the building itself as the structure groans glancing to his pocket before turning to usher the last few stragglers out of the building
No, with as much that occurred in this place whatever I might learn from the burning wreckage in the basement I can also gain from the captives and my prisoner. The human grins as he looks to the north eyes focusing on something on the horizon "No I think this is enough, isn't that right?" The human mutters to himself before moving toward the banners
It seems our guests are important, and not apparently here to steal our kill. Hopefully Hawk hasn't threatened them much yet, we might be able to shake enough gold out of this to make it worth the wounds yet.
You detect something magical on the table of beakers and bottles, its small and from the stairs your unable to see it clearly...
Upon seeing the freed prisoners the riders amas once more, one bearing the white shield and grain embroidered banner at the fore a man with a strong jaw and the look of one who's known many days of hard labor from the thickness of his muscles. "You can have whatever hob's as prisoners, our deal is done and I am only to take them home. But why are you this far east? There are no cities or towns hereabouts..."
Hawk spat on the nearby corpse before kicking one of the down hob's with a vicious blow to its head. Had it still been alive it was now thoroughly dead as blood leaked from its skull. Hawk looked from the strong rider and the groining ruin behind him before answering. "We head for Iobaria..." The riders sudden shifting didn't phase Hawk, he merely smiled as he continued. "This was a mission of mercy, these ones pissed me off and they deserved to be buried. That is all, is there anything else we can do for you Lord Whitefield?"
At being addressed so formally the man's casually stance became a lot more firm and professional. "No and you have my thanks for dealing with this Warband, and the thanks of House Medvyed as spoken by their loyal retainer. Whatever riches you plunder from here are yours... As is this ruin by my decree. We have no use for it and it is too far out of our boundries to maintain."
Hawk remains silent, merely nodding as the riders begin to dismount and collect their kinfolk as they emerge. He waves his men aside and to move towards the dragon corpse. "Skin it and be quick before rot sets in. WE'll be lucky if he makes a few decent shields but at least Dresskel's bones will make a fine stew..."
Structurally the building seemed sound for now and was settling after the chaos of what occured inside. From yur fitting the fire and it now being under control you can see the supports are weakened but not completely destroyed. Oddly this old ruin is primarily supported by a wooden framework intermixed with stone sides and walls throughout its multifloored interior. In its hayday it was probably a magnificent home for a wealth merchant or landowner. Now that you were inside it hardly screamed Fortress to you...
A number of destroyed weapons, only their steel spear heads, arrowheads and metal strappings survived. Several sets of burned chainshirt lay throughout but in their current condition it was hard to tell if they were worth salvaging... Other than that you were still searching in vain for something of worth on the first floor...
Maiathreen notices some kind of magical aura emanating from something sitting on the table. He quickly moves closer to get a better look.
Wallace walks toward the grouping of mercenaries outside as the bannered nobles ride off, former captives in tow. The human sighs as he glances to the leaving people, walking up on Hawk as he does. "A shame we won't hear what happened here, those people are going to return to their lives best as they can and bury this experience deep. I suppose that learning more would just mean another day's work hopefully on a nobles tab though." Wallace waits a tick resting the banner of the Blades against one shoulder as he appreciates the horizon so high up in the mountains.
"So Hawk, how much of a cut did the nobles want for our sudden burst of charity? Some good news, that burning wreck might sound like it is going to collapse but unless we do more damage to it it ought to stay standing. Once the last of the fires are extinguished and the stones get blasted with cleaning magic it should make a fine place to camp for a night and bind our wounds."
As Wallace talks of profit, Rhavenna rolls her eyes, happy to have brought punishment to filthy bastards. She makes eye contact with Hawk, stifling a grin with a slight shake of her head.
You find the object and are surprised to find a single coin, made of a metal you long thought disappeared. It was a single Electrum crest which detected as magical. It was the size of a badge of office that an officer or seneschal would where...
His militia would work to take those prisoners home as Whitefield and the knights finished his business with these mercenaries. The sight of his Warden alongside the exotic looking centauress. "I see you are still alive Redfield. We found your message, the nobility was slow to act however we were not. Are you any worse for wear?"
Tadis approached his lord and bowed his head. "No Milord, they were too weak to break me. I will send you a full report once my debt is repaid."
Adrian nods and raises his fist. The knights wheel around and begin riding after the retreating militia. "I will see you again then my friend. Work hard and don't let these Mercenaries best you." Tadis nods as Adrian wheels his horse around and rides off after the trotting knights.
As there banners disappeared Hawk looked to Tadis askance before looking at Wallace and especially Rhavenna. "Care to explain you two?"
Tadis offer's an explanation first though. "Without your attack we... would have never made it. My plan was impossible so long as Dresskel dwelled in the central chamber. However th- Rhavenna did what we could not. So until I have repaid my debt I will serve as your Warden and scout."
Hawk shakes his head in disapproval. "I have scouts, Rhavenna is the fastest I have or need, go hom-"
Tadis cut in bluntly much to Hawks annoyance. "You head to the Maw of Karth. Have you sent men ahead? Do you know what awaits you in those peaks?"
Hawk growled in annoyance before answering Wallace. "Nothing. The house of Whitefield is an honorable one, he wanted nothing to do with this ruin either. All he wanted was his people returned without delay and I have no need for prisoners." His barbed comment doesn't affect Tadis who watches you all calmly.
"However..." Hawk was more concerned with coordinating his fighters than answering Tadis, especially as Wallace's comment was obviously something he too was thinking about. "... I agree with you, so most of the advance force will pull back to the main camp. I will leave some of you here to search this ruin while we prepare for the next move. Gather whatever you can and we will retrieve you in the morning. Before we depart we need to skin that beast over there, lest its scales go to waste. I'll send for the forgemaster, perhaps that old dwarf has dealt with dragon scales..."
In Iobaria's Icerime Peaks, the Maw of Karth is a massive fanged skull carved into the mountains, towering over two neighbouring peaks to create a gate, with Karth's tongue to connect a massive stone doorway to the Koloran Roads.
in Iobaria's Icerime Peaks, the Maw of Karth is a massive fanged skull carved into the mountains, towering over two neighbouring peaks to create a gate, with Karth's tongue creates a stairwell its fangs form the side rails to connect a massive stone doorway to the Koloran Roads.
Karth is worshipped as a god by local monsters and it is not uncommon for ambushes to occur near this unholy ground. Few i any dare to take the Koloran road or any road leading into Iobaria nowadays but the Maw of Karth is especially dangerous for large and noticeable bands.
Wallace nods to Hawk, glancing to the noble scout attempting to impose himself the priest grins. " Ah, well if you refer to the tallest of three peaks carved as a great skull which is the site of worship for many evil creatures and famed for being a place all manner of creature use as an ambush point I actually had an idea that might work to ensure our passage is smooth. I will need to discuss the details with my commander later though, we've wounded to deal with and preparations to make. However while your continued stay can be discussed later I would very much appreciate your assistance in checking this building for more fires now. It appears to be settling but the inner core of the building is wood, if there remains any flares they could easily work through the timbers and cause a collapse." Wallace requests with several evocative hand gestures, as he points back to the wreck. being able to quiz you on the natural of what happens here and hawk owing me a favor for getting you off his back until he can center himself again is just a bonus, I really do need to make sure the building is sound before using it as a potential camp site. Also the other option in case hawk agrees that we have absolutely no use for such a structure." the priest has a smile on his face, as he turns back around his Anytool turning to crowbar form.
Tadis, doesn't show any emotion as Wallace speaks so easily of the Maw of Karth, he does however looked to Rhavenna before moving into the ruin to do as asked.
Hawk waits almost a minute to make sure that Tadis was long gone. "He stays with you lot. I don't want, nor need him in our camp but staining his honor would be a slight against his House. However he might prove useful so utilize him however is needed. Hopefully we can turn him around before we pass through the Maw."
"So what do you have to tell me?" As he waits for your response he sends Yolanda off to retrieve the Forgemaster. Xiang Yu is sitting nearby his sword leaning against his shoulder as he watches his fellow mercenaries around the Dragon's Corpse.
Maiathreen's eyes widen ins surprise at the discover of the ancient metal. He focuses his spell tryi to discover what type of magics were imbued in the coin. "My love came look electrum..." He says calling Livain over from where she was searching.
Maithreen and Livain
As you start to reveal it had a weak aura that was permanent somehow however the strange metal upon closer inspection was face down its symbol obscured until it was flipped over.
However you could not see what was enchanting the Electrum crest, only that the aura was quite weak.
"I think whatever the hell Wallace's spell did to me has him freaked him out a bit. He's probably going to be skittish around me now." Rhavenna says shaking her head. "Honestly, we just did what was needed, the damn dragon needed killing for everyone else to stand a chance. They had all those people trapped inside, locked up to do who the hell knows what to them."
If everyone would post a perception check I would appreciate it heading home. Posting is spotty
Other than a few moans throughout the structure it remains standing and your search reveals quite a tidy sum of loot for the mercenaries. Apparently the Hobgoblins had been creating alchemical items but towards the witching hour Tadis uncovers a trapdoor that appeared to be well hidden in the main entrance of the ruin.
Tadis looks dubious at the thought of delving into an area that even the Hobgoblins hadn't found. Before anyone could discuss much more the master smith trundled in with the dragon's skinned hide. His hands were covered in blood up to his shoulders and it took a moment before his helpers materialized with severa of the dragon Key bones and claws.
"What a s*~~ dragon, I'll be lucky to make boots out of his tattered hide. But we'll see. Just don't interrupt me lest ya be Livain. The rest of ya sod off until I need ya." He looks at the ruins around him and scoffs. "Stone exterior with a wooden interior. S%$& humans, can't build a damn thing, it'll come down around us with a solid trebuchet round. Mark my words we be dead in the morning." He continues grumbling as he trundles down to where the alchemical lab is with helpers in tow.
Tadis watches him go before adding. "Such a... Friendly dwarf. Is he always so graceful?"
As this moment is when Livian notices a similar leak coming from a supporting wall nearby...
On closer inspection the wooden surface is far harder than expected...
Coins 143 pp, 362 gp, 73 sp, 63 cp
Gems
Azurite (7 gp)
Bloodstone (50 gp)
Freshwater Pearl (8 gp)
Green Spinel (45 gp)
Hematite (8 gp)
Hematite (10 gp)
Hematite (12 gp)
Jade (90 gp)
Onyx (45 gp)
Onyx (50 gp)
Opal (500 gp)
Peridot (45 gp)
Pyrite (10 gp)
Red Spinel (40 gp)
Rock Quartz (7 gp)
Rock Quartz (9 gp)
Saltwater Pearl (110 gp)
Sardonyx (40 gp)
Sardonyx (55 gp)
Shell (10 gp)
Shell (11 gp)
Topaz (600 gp)
Total value = 1762 gp
Masterwork Items
Masterwork Breastplate (350 gp)
Masterwork Greatsword (350 gp)
Masterwork Halberd (310 gp)
Masterwork Heavy Wooden Shield (157 gp)
Masterwork Hide (165 gp)
Masterwork Lance (310 gp)
Masterwork Light Wooden Shield (153 gp)
Masterwork Nunchaku (302 gp)
Masterwork Scale Mail (200 gp)
Masterwork Sickle (306 gp)
Total value = 2603 gp
Magic Items
Oil of Erase (cr, 50 gp)
Oil of Grease (cr, 50 gp)
Oil of Light (cr, 25 gp)
Oil of Mage Armor (cr, 50 gp)
8 x Oil of Purify Food and Drink (cr, 25 gp)
8 x Potion of Cure Light Wounds (cr, 50 gp)
Potion of Endure Elements (cr, 50 gp)
Potion of Feather Step (apg, 50 gp)
Potion of Guidance (cr, 25 gp)
2 x Potion of Hide from Animals (cr, 50 gp)
Potion of Keen Senses (apg, 50 gp)
2 x Potion of Magic Fang (cr, 50 gp)
Potion of Protection from Chaos (cr, 50 gp)
Potion of Remove Fear (cr, 50 gp)
2 x Potion of Resistance (cr, 25 gp)
Potion of Stabilize (cr, 25 gp)
Scroll of Ant Haul (apg, 25 gp)
Scroll of Cause Fear (cr, 25 gp)
Scroll of Create Water (cr, 12 gp 5 sp)
Scroll of Entangle (cr, 25 gp)
Scroll of Mage Armor (cr, 25 gp)
2 x Scroll of Protection from Chaos (cr, 25 gp)
Scroll of Read Magic (cr, 12 gp 5 sp)
Scroll of Shield Other (cr, 150 gp)
Scroll of Shocking Grasp (cr, 25 gp)
Scroll of Touch of Fatigue (cr, 12 gp 5 gp)
Scroll of Vanish (apg, 25 gp)
Wand of Ghost Sound (cr, 375 gp) (design provides clue to function)
Wand of Inflict Light Wounds (cr, 750 gp)
Wand of Message (cr, 375 gp)
Total value = 2762 gp
Salvage
Amphora of Common Wine (2 gp, 80 lb)
2 x Bag of 20 Marbles (2 sp, 1 lb)
3 x Bag of 20 Sling Bullets (2 sp, 10 lb)
Bag of Chalk (1 sp, 1/2 lb)
Bag of Chestnuts (1 gp, 1 lb)
2 x Bag of Iron Nails (5 sp, 1 lb)
2 x Bag of Wheat (1 cp, 1 lb)
Barrel of Ale (6 gp, 240 lb)
Basket (4 sp, 1 lb)
7 x Bedroll (1 sp, 5 lb)
Bolt of Canvas (1 gp, 10 lb)
Bolt of Linen (5 gp, 10 lb)
15 x Bottle of Common Wine (1 sp, 4 lb)
Bottle of Honey (4 sp, 4 lb)
12 x Bottle of Olive Oil (3 gp, 4 lb)
Bottle of Vinegar (1 sp, 4 lb)
Bow Saw (5 gp, 5 lb)
Box of 20 Candles (2 sp, 1 lb)
Box of Charcoal (1 sp, 20 lb)
2 x Box of Firewood (1 cp, 20 lb)
2 x Bucket (5 sp, 2 lb)
7 x Cart (15 gp, 200 lb)
2 x Cheap Wig (1 sp)
16 x Chisel (5 sp, 2 lb)
37 x Clay Tankard (2 cp, 2 lb)
2 x Common Wig (1 gp)
13 x Courtier's Outfit (30 gp, 6 lb)
2 x Fishing Net (4 gp, 5 lb)
4 x Flask of Oil (1 sp, 1 lb)
2 x Glasscutter (2 gp)
3 x Hammer (5 sp, 2 lb)
Hemp Rope (50') (1 gp, 10 lb)
32 x Iron Bar (1 sp, 5 lb)
2 x Iron Pot (8 sp, 4 lb)
Ladder (10') (2 sp, 20 lb)
3 x Large Iron Box (2 gp, 100 lb)
Large Wooden Chest (2 gp, 50 lb)
2 x Loaf of Bread (2 cp, 1/2 lb)
Pair of Dice (1 sp)
29 x Piton (1 sp, 1/2 lb)
3 x Pole (10') (5 cp, 8 lb)
Portable Ram (10 gp, 20 lb)
Pouch of Tobacco (5 sp, 1 lb)
2 x Rack of Firewood (1 sp, 200 lb)
Riding Saddle (10 gp, 25 lb)
9 x Round Table (50 gp)
Sack (1 sp, 1/2 lb)
Sack of Apples (5 gp, 50 lb)
2 x Sack of Wheat (5 sp, 50 lb)
3 x Sewing Needle (5 sp)
4 x Sickle (1 gp, 2 lb)
Sledge (1 gp, 10 lb)
Small Cask of Common Spice (5 gp, 5 lb)
Small Cask of Oil (8 sp, 5 lb)
Small Cask of Sausages (1 gp, 5 lb)
2 x Small Cask of Wax (2 sp, 5 lb)
9 x Small Glass Rod (1 sp)
Small Wooden Chest (1 gp, 10 lb)
Snowshoes (8 gp, 8 lb)
Tiny Wooden Box (5 sp, 1 lb)
Vial of Ink (8 gp)
7 x Waterskin (1 gp, 1/2 lb)
10 x Wedge of Cheese (8 sp, 4 lb)
12 x Whetsone (2 cp, 1 lb)
7 x Wooden Holy Symbol (Shelyn) (1 gp)
Wool Cloak (5 sp, 3 lb)
Total value = 1131 gp 2 sp 1 cp
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