"We can't afford him telling others of this tunnel. Zillyanna, your bow."
Venali quickly traces a sigil and thrusts his hand toward the kobold, ice forming on its body.
Zillyanna sighs while picking up her bow and aiming for the kobold, taking some steps to reposition into a clear shot.
Hutch will run at the fleeing Kobold, a look of bloodlust in his eyes. DIE!!!!
He swings his Halberd in a chop, going for its head.
Stop squirming you worthless coward!!!! I just want to feat in you! Kobold is delicious!
As if guided by providence, the kobold ducks under Zillyanna's arrow and scampers sideways, just as Hutch's halberd comes down, but then suddenly stops in mid jump, as a sheen of frost covers its hide and a last, foggy breath escapes its lungs. The small reptilian collapses where it stood.
Venali lowers his hand, "Well, that could have gone better. Everyone's alive at least, well," he looks around, "all of us. That is the most important thing." He sighs and runs his hand through his hair.
"Should we take the time to hide the bodies? They are likely to draw unwanted attention to this entrance, but we do have that temple and the people inside to worry about." He has a slightly pained expression on his face, torn between the logical choice and the urgency of the other situation at hand.
Vorrak picks up and shoulders one of the cultists' bodies: "I will take care of the mess, all of you go ahead and make sure the people in the temple are fine."
"What Vak do?", the Kobold inquires.
It is only now that you all notice that Zilyana seems to have disappeared somewhere between the guard house and the tunnel.
Venali gives Vorrak a slight nod, "Do you need help with the drake before we go?"
Looking to Vak, "Vak, stay here with Vorrak. When you two are done, go back to the keep. Talk to the dwarf and try and find a way to secure the tunnel from the other side if possible."
While he goes around collecting some of the less damaged cloaks off the cultists he can't help but worry. Where could Zilyana have got to? There's not time to look for her, we'd best press on. He then collects his bag and hands the other cloak to Hutch, "Think you'll be able to pull off a bit of acting?"
Evendur is happy to receive one of the cloaks.
He moves a bit stiffly given the hit to one of his legs by the sling stone but has no means to heal it.
"Looks like we lost our drow friend...I hope she is alright."
Zillyanna loots the cultists' scimitars, taking one for herself and offering the others to her companions.
"They all have scimitars, i suppose it would help us blend in."
Venali nods and takes one of the curved swords. I can't say I'm used to it," he gives it a few swings, testing the weight balance, "but hopefully we won't need to use them."
He moves his cloak around, trying to hide the rapier on his side as best he can. Hopefully they won't bother looking twice.
After everyone is ready Venali starts moving in the direction of the temple, no longer trying to be stealthy, confident in the disguise. As they near the temple he hesitates for a moment to get a good view of the situation before just walking right into the cultists.
Hutch stalks over to the Drake Carcass, and proceeds to cut its head from its body. What?! Do you think I don't deserve this?
He then begrudgingly puts on a cloak and smears it in blood. I ran into villagers willing to fight back he jokes darkly.
[ooc]Better than trying to scale the wall, if the temple is that lower left building with the wall.
The party manages to pass through town unmolested by the raiders, as you approach the temple you begin to hear the screeching voices of what mostly sounds like kobolds. On the path leading into the walled-off yard, you notice six kobold, three standing on either side of the dirt road, keeping watch, two cultists are handling the improvised battering ram, which is apparently the trunk of a tree they must have cut down or perhaps retrieved from a logpile somewhere in town.
A third person, in a similar cloak as the cultists is shouting at the two cultists handling the ram, clearly annoyed at how poorly they coordinate their attack.
A kobold and a human cultist pass them by, carrying thick bundles of hay they scrounged up nearby. They enter the yard and make their way around the left side toward the back of the building.
Lastly you notice a procession of culitsts, kobolds and even two of the green drakes you fought before, slowly circling around the temple, shouting and screeching, the kobolds even appear to be performing some sort of ritualistic dance. They are coming from the left side of the building and making their way toward the right, you notice the kobolds standing guard cannot resist paying most of their attention to the circling mob, as it passes.
Lets strike these ones down while the procession circles and then get these people out
Venali holds up a hand before he steps towards the kobolds standing watch at the break in the wall. "You there, scale-backs. Word from above. You are to move on the keep, Cyanwrath believes you might be able to scale the walls un-noticed and help take the fortress from within. We shall relieve you of your watch." He points in the direction of the keep and waits, hoping they will buy his farce and be struck down once in reach of the archers.
The kobolds are just about to take off, when the man in the long-winged cloak turns around to venali: "What are you talking about? I am the dragonclaw here, these kobolds are under my command and any order to them goes through me!"
Venali winces a bit as the man turns around, "No disrespect meant, I assure you. I only thought that to trouble you over such a small matter would be a waste of your time." He takes a single step forward, "You've heard the orders then, shall we take the watch? Or if you'd rather, I can return to Cyanwrath and-"
Hutch stares at the Dragonclaw intently. How much trouble you run into? No disrespect intended, but these folk fight back pretty hard. Wouldn't want to loose anyone of your status to these folk.
Hutch smiles, though he is ready to pounce if he needs to.
The dragonclaw matches Hutch's stare. "You must be some of the newer additions. If there are new orders, you bring them to me. Not to one of my kobolds."
He thinks for a moment, looking toward the keep. "Fine, I'll see what's going on. The four of you see to it, that that damn door opens up. The ones at the back entrance will call for you if they manage to open that door before you do this one. If you're done first, call them. They might be just rabble in their, but cornered rats fight fiercest, so don't storm in alone. Let's go!", he waves the two cultists and the four kobolds to himself.
The two cultists heft the log down at Hutch's and Venali's feet expecting them to take it, while the dragonclaw and the kobolds slowly make for the town center.
Venali looks at Hutch and then at the log, mentally sighing in relief as the dragonclaw and his men start to leave the area. Bending down to start grabbing the log, he waits for Hutch to do the same, no sense in not keeping up the act until the cultist are out of earshot.
As soon as they are he whispers to Hutch, "For once you've surprised me, you do seem to have a head on your shoulders after all. Now, in a few moments the circling group will likely come around again, I suggest we at least be pretending to try knocking in the door."
Hutch follows suit, and picks up the log.
Of course I have a head in my shoulders. No one has taken it off frilly. Besides that guy looked full of himself. I was hoping he would attack and then I could kill him. It's called goading, learned it from the Chill. Though if we are going to do this right I shouldn't be wearing this stupid cloak. It's a good hiding spot for my trophy... Hutch says once they are out if earshot.
I should see if they have any taxidermists. I want to stuff the head and mount it on my wall if I ever get a house. Can I kill them now?
Also picking up the log, Zillyanna pretends to help, she pulls the hood of her cloak down, trying to hide her anxious expression.
"Just a while more, everyone...", she whispers.
Also picking up the log, Zillyanna pretends to help, she pulls the hood of her cloak down, trying to hide her anxious expression.
"Just a while more, everyone...", she whispers.
But I want to kill them now. You are all no fun. What is life without the thrill of battle and proving you are the strongest? Hutch asks incredulously.
No way to prove you are the strongest without risk.
The circling procession is currently on its way toward the far side. The dragonclaw and his unit go down the road toward the keep, disappearing out of sight behind a building quickly, and under the noise of the raid are also out of earshot soon. The time window to do someting, they are not supposed to see, would be widest now.
You hear the crash of breaking glass and the immediate screams of the peasants, as the southernmost stained glass window is smashed by a fist-sized rock, which smacks against a pillar, narrowly missing a young woman in a half-torn dress, who ducks to the side. The rock is quickly followed by a burning torch, which impacts on the temple floor, uselessly.
|
I dart forward and start stamping out the torch, glaring daggers at the woman for not doing so herself.
Then I back off, my head on a swivel, watching for other such attack. If any more pyromantic attempts are more productive, I may not be able to wait for the drama with the battering ram to play out.
Hutch throws his cloak off, revealing his armor, and the severed drake head, held in his left hand. His right hand holds his halberd out to his side. The cloak falls slowly behind him, and he gives a bloodthirsty glare to any stragglers.
This drake was a good kill. You dragon kooks are next! He exclaims.
Venali sighs as he moves towards the door, knocking, hoping one of the frightened people will believe him. "Please, we are here to help, I assure you. We were sent by Governor Nighthill. As soon as we are able we're going to get you out of here."
I am a priest of Kelemvor, and I swear to you in the name of the Lord of the Dead and Judge of the Damned we are here to get you all to safety!
He then speaks up:
A soft, male voice comes from within, muffled by the heavy door "Wh...what's your plan?"
Hutch sighs as no one approaches. He goes to the door and knocks on it, the drake head still in his hand.
You wheat headed villagers coming out or are you waiting for the dragon worshipers to break down the back door. I mean I would fight em, but my companions are seemly lead by my frilly elf here. I mean I could just break this door down if you guys are to scared. Hutch calls through the door very seriously.
Then again maybe its not worth the trouble. I don't quite remember a contract so say the word and I will leave. Other wise come out and I will easily dispatch of anything that attacks. I need more trophies anyway. Now quit wasting my time.
Hutch bursts out laughing, a full bodied and deep laugh.
I dunno who you are voice, He said. But I like you. Just so you know I have never let innocents die. Despite everything, I made a promise to someone along time ago, and I will keep that promise. Besides, letting innocents die is bad for business, as the Chill taught me. Less people to pay me that way. No way a good mercenary can let that happen. And I mean good as in skilled, and not whatever religion would teach. Gods be damned at morality. Now get your sorry hides out here, and lets get moving. You are burning moonlight.
Finally fed up with the buffon, Venali tries to shove the man away from the door.
"You're not helping by insulting them and scaring them more than they already were. Just," he waves off towards the left side of the temple, ",go and watch for the procession, and put that cloak back on." He pinches the bridge of his nose, trying to restore his calm and lower his blood pressure.
Speaking back through the door, "The plan was, and as far as I'm concerned still is, to move you all in small groups. Though all at once would be ideal if there aren't a lot of you hiding away in there. There is a tunnel that hasn't been used for a long time leading into the keep near the stream to the southwest. We will move as many as we can each time the group circling this temple is no longer in view, and return the bar on the door when they are close."
He lets out a deep sigh before continuing, "We will need to make a show of trying to break down the door as they pass. I hope this can all be over quickly, but we must act with haste if we are to do anything."
He then turns back to Zillyanna, "Can you keep a watch at the wall to make sure that our friends don't return without us knowing?"
Hutch looks at Venali with one eyebrow raised.
Or I could kill the enemies. Don't they have a group moving around. And a group on the other side. Its best to make a mad dash with us holding the enemies back. Have you never been in a serious battle before frilly? The time for stealth is gone. Just get them to run for the caves. He says strictly. They are all going to die if you try the small groups method.
Venali looks back at the man, "Fine. Turning back to the door, "You all go at once, I suppose at least one of us will have to go with you to show you the tunnel. The rest will cover the escape if necessary. Well?"
Hutch smiles at the elf approvingly, though other than that his expression remains grim.
Good job frilly. Way to put that brain of your to work. Maybe we can get along after all. You have a good mind for battle, but things NEVER go as planed. That is rule number one. he says darkly. I know I will stick at the back of the group. I promise you I will kill anything that tries to attack the group. Maybe if there is a new drake I can get a matching head.
There is nothing here right now! Hutch says to the door. Start running to the safe place!
Voice. There is a simple reason. If we go and challenge them they could attack you guys. If you rush out now, we can simply hold them off. We don't know exactly where the other tow are. the circling ones left relatively close to now, so i would guess they are not even half way across. So now is the best time for you to run.
Hutch sighs. Am I the only one here who has experienced a few battles? Yes? Then listen to me. The one who took down a drake. The one who is willing to risk his life to save your lives. I swear I better get a bigger reward for having to deal with the argumentative villager.
The clicking of a mechanism in the door signifies the lock opening.
The male voice seems to be adressing people inside the temple now: "Everyone, I need you all to line up in two files. There are people outside who will help us escape to the keep, but we need to be organized!"
"I'm surprised no kobolds or cultists are coming after so much screaming."
She nods at Venali and takes a peek to the side of the church to see how far the circling group is.
The procession is not in vew on this side yet. With the dancing kobolds the whole train moves very slowly