Even as they converse, the group passes quickly but cautiously through the Lower Quarter. It has sustained clear damage during the siege: broken windows, holes in roofs and walls. Large rocks litter the road where they have been thrown over the palisade by catapults; one small cottage is half-caved-in where the Twisted Nail scored a direct hit on one side.
As they approach the town gate, they can see where the catapults concentrated their fire and reduced the gates and a section of the palisade to splinters. Mathath's cousin waves impatiently from his position outside Agrit Staginsdar's House of Wonders. "You got the message to Captain Frum?" he asks, his eyes wandering over the group that notably contains no members of the Patrol.
He offers the scabbard out to no one in particular.
Marikel glances at Dorn's axe before he takes the scabbard and slides his sword into it.
"If those are healing potions, make sure everyone gets one. I have almost exhausted Iomedae's virtue for today.As they approach the House of Wonders, Marikel looks up to the one who addressed them.
"Mahath got your message through and Captain Frum has personally assigned us to aid you. We've slain dozens of enemies already today and saved the lower gate and the Killin' Ground from traitors within the walls. But we've still enough strength to help here. Now, what's the situation?"
Alicia grunts and climbs up the side of a nearby building for a better look.
The Patrolman watches Alicia shinny up the drainpipe, shrugs, and leads the rest of the group to the edge of the palisade, directing them cautiously to take turns peeking through for their own look at the battlefield.
It's clear that, for today, the Twisted Nail's attack will have failed. The Chief Defender's away party at their flank siphoned away too much of their forces for the orcs to take effective advantage of the hole their siege weapons pounded through the palisade; the only remaining question is how many defenders will be lost and how badly will the Lower Quarter be ravaged before the attackers are turned away.
"As you can see, the main fighting is away from the town. The Chief Defender's group attacked recklessly when they saw the palisade broken and orcs pouring in. Fortunately, the brutes are stupid enough to let themselves be drawn away rather than realize that's just what we were hoping they'd do. But that catapult is in No Man's Land right now."
Behind the Barterstones (N) to the west of the main road is the catapult in question. It can fling its ammunition over the rocks with ease, but the landmark provides it and its crew with cover from the arrows of the defenders at the gate.
"We have enough men to keep out anything less than an assault by their full force, and the Chief Defender and Patrol Captain won't allow that," he goes on, "but we can't leave the wall undefended to go roust out that catapult. And if they continue to pound away at the palisade, they'll have so much of it down by nightfall we'll have no wall to defend. What do you think, Padre? Can you take out that nest and put the catapult out of action so they can't get it going again after you've returned?"
Marikel nods grimly. "I'd bet my life that we can take out that catapult."
He turns to the others. "It doesn't look like stealth is going to help us out there in the open. I think we're going to have to charge out there."
He nods to the Patrolmen. "Can the defenders here provide some covering fire to buy us an extra moment or two if we do?"
He shouts up to Alicia. "Can you see any alternative, Miss Alicia?"
He nods to the Patrolmen. "Can the defenders here provide some covering fire to buy us an extra moment or two if we do?"
"Hells, yeah ... uh ... I mean, absolutely, Padre," he replies.
He shouts up to Alicia. "Can you see any alternative, Miss Alicia?"
From the rooftop, you can see over the top of a few of the Barterstones and catch a glimpse of the siege engine in question and its crew. It seems to be manned by at least three orcs, but they are firing blindly from behind the huge landmark. They appear to have packed rocks and debris in the narrow paths between the boulders so the only avenues of approach are from the northeast or south. The northeast has the advantage of being out of the line of fire of their engine of war, but you will have to cross more open land; approaching from the south puts you under the arcs of the rocks they are firing, but by skirting the palisade you might have a shot at getting fairly close before they see you. Even better: if one group approached from the northeast making a lot of noise, it might open the way for a stealthier group to slip in from the south.
"Yeah, looks like they've barricaded themselves in. Only the northeast and south approaches are free. But if a group provided a distraction in the northeast, I think another group could sneak in from the southern approach," Ali calls down from her perch.
"If those are healing potions, make sure everyone gets one. I have almost exhausted Iomedae's virtue for today.[/b]
Levvy will take the potions and examine them.
Cracking his neck freestyle from one side to the other, "Oh yeah, we can take it. Let's take this thing down and send these blasted orcs that we don't drop, packin'. Send 'em packin' I say! YEAH!" he gets himself fired up at the thought of it all. Then taking a deep breath to calm himself, "Blast I hate orcs."
After carefully examining each potion, Levvy singles two of them out. "These two are definitely healing potions," she says. "The other three are probably healing potions, though I can't say absolutely for sure."
Mahath sniffs at the potions that Levvy seems doubtful on.
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
When Marikel finishes conversing with his cousin, Mahath meets his gaze, nods towards the misfit outsiders gathered and quietly says "I saw the way you looked at them. They are good people, Jawn. They've proven themselves, and they are about to prove it again. I will bet my life on it." With that, he steps closer to the small band planning the assault, leaving no doubt that he is with them.
Jawn hesitates only a moment, then returns Mahath's nod. "Watch out for yourself out there, cousin."
Marikel looks up at Mahath.
"You and Miss Levvy have done a fine job. Your task is complete and there's plenty of important work to be done here with your companions. But if you do wish to join us we'll be grateful for the assistance. What can you do?"
"We can help," Levvy answers. "We are both accomplished spellcasters, though we use different methods. I, for one, would like to accompany you. But oh, no need to call me Miss Levvy. Just Levvy will be fine."
The dwarf simply shakes his head. "Forget it, lass. He's gonna keep callin' ya that because that's just who he is. It'd be simpler if ya just get used to it, trust me. BUT, on the bright side, I've no problem callin' ya Levvy!" he declares with an adamant nod, grinning.
"I have been studying under Mistress Staginsdar for some time now. What skills I have are at your disposal."
Marikel nods.
"Miss Alicia says if a group provided a distraction in the northeast, another group could sneak in from the southern approach. Would you or your friends be able to provide a distraction? And do you have anything to help me sneak in?" He holds aside his shield and gestures at his bloodied and dinted scale mail armour.
Dorn strokes his beard in thought a moment before it hits him. "I could send Reaver in as a distraction. How about meself and Reaver? We could do it. I can't sneak ya in by any means but me and me bird friend could be the distraction. Once we get 'em occupied, the lot of you could move in otherwise. What do ya say, lad?"
"I'm not sending you out there alone. I'll come too. Miss Alicia can lead the others by the southern approach. We'll time our attack to give them the best distraction."
Marikel turns to the others.
"Any last questions before we take up our positions?"
"It sounds like a good plan," Levvy says. "Just be careful not to rush in too fast before the rest of us can get in to back you up."
Not even bothering to look around to see if someone might or might not have a question, "Looks like no more questions, lad. Let's go!"
Marikel nods to Levvy.
"Mister Dorn and I aren't the swiftest of foot. You'll have time, Miss Levvy. I mean... Levvy."
Marikel shakes his head and follows after the dwarf.
Not seeing a better solution, Mahath stands with Levvy, waiting for his chance to help.
Marikel nods to Levvy.
"Mister Dorn and I aren't the swiftest of foot. You'll have time, Miss Levvy. I mean... Levvy."
Marikel shakes his head and follows after the dwarf.
With a raised eyebrow, Dorn looks at the cleric curiously. "Just say 'Miss', lad, just say 'Miss'. You're startin' ta sound all weird ta me now. It's out of yer element. Ya might just start callin' me 'Dwarf'. Ya know, 'Hey, Dwarf, what are ya doin', Dwarf. Dwarf! Get yer bird and attack those bad guys, Dwarf! Hey Dwarf! Why did ya go that way and not this way, Dwarf?' he says in his impression of the healer, which is horrible at best. "Ya see? It's a slippery slope, lad; a slippery slope. Do ya really wanna head down that road? I don't think so... I don't think so," his shakes his head forlornly as his voice sounds practically solemn. He then takes a deep breath and clangs his hammer upon his shield, his demeanor changing in a flash. "Okay! Let's go get us some bad guys. And for the record, Padre, I'm fairly swift of foot. Well, for a couple more hours anyway," he gives a wink. "Reaver!" he hollers as they move out, the roc easily keeping pace through the air.
Marikel grins wryly.
"My apologies, Mister Dorn. No offence was intended."
"Keep your bird above our arrows," Jawn advises before stepping away to organize the cover fire.
The roc not only keeps pace with the longstriding dwarf and the armored priest; he quickly moves ahead, soaring toward the boulders behind which the catapult is dug in.
Marikel grins wryly.
"My apologies, Mister Dorn. No offence was intended."
Giving a wink and a nod, "None taken, lad. Now let's go kill us some orcs!" he says with fiery gusto.
"Keep your bird above our arrows," Jawn advises before stepping away to organize the cover fire.
Shooting a glare at the soldier, "How about this, lad: You don't shoot my bird...," is all he says in a not very pleased tone, giving him a look that should leave the soldier a bit concerned on what might happen if he does so happen to hit the roc.
Alicia loads her hand crossbow and awaits the cue to move in.
Behind the cover of the huge boulder, Alicia prepares her hand crossbow.
Mahath doesn't have an action this round either.
"Well, if we're going to be distracting..."
Marikel puts his head down and runs forward.
As Marikel starts to run clankily toward the Barterstones, Jawn and the squadron at the gate send a flight of arrows over the boulders.
Shrugging, "I guess running it is then." The dwarf takes off after the healer, running up next to him.
Still under the effects of his speed-enhancement spell, the dwarf jogs easily up next to the clanking cleric.
Levvy will cast message.
Levvy sets up an arcane link for quiet communication between the groups.
Skyreaver follows Dorn, circling above the dwarf's head.
A lone arrow from behind the Barterstones counters the flight from the Patrol at the gate, aimed haphazardly at the roc.
Alicia tenses, ready to run as soon as the distraction commences.
Mahath watches their charge, bracing himself to aid them when the time is right.
Marikel slows his run as he rounds the corner, keeping sword and shield at the ready.
"Right behind ya, Padre!" The dwarf keeps pace with the healer, stopping next to him once again.
Marikel and Dorn slow a little as they circle around the north side of the Barterstones. Now the catapult is visible, as well as its three-orc crew, one of whom is holding the bow that undoubtedly just loosed an arrow at Skyreaver. Loose rocks and some crates and sacks are scattered around the siege engine.
One of the orcs, in rough, patchwork hide armor, grins and points at the pair. "Kyk, 'n dwerg. Ek hoor hulle vlieg goed." He advances toward Marikel and Dorn and waits, expectantly.
Another follows suit.
Narrowing his eyes at the half-orcs, "Kyk, Padre, dis Idioot. En hy het Stupid en MORON as sy rugsteun," he yells that last title loud enough to be heard by the one remaining at the catapult. "Ek het beter gesien wat uit die agterkant van 'n trollie kom. So, watter een van julle wil eers doodgaan? Maak nie saak vir my nie, ek is nie kieskeurig nie," he says as a matter of fact. "En ook die seun is nie so ver as wat dit gaan nie," he motions toward the healer.
"Once the orcs respond, we should begin our approach," Levvy whispers to the others in the link.
Skyreaver flies over the Barterstones to rejoin the dwarf.
The orc near the catapult shoots another arrow at the roc.
Alicia motions for the others and moves forward.
Marikel glances with confusion at Dorn and charges the nearest orc.
"IOMEDAAEE!