Emerald Sky

Game Master Asmodeus

Sir Norin nodded."Glad to have you aboard. I wouldn't have wanted to do it without you, Brand."

Amelia arched an eyebrow as the dark chaos deep inside her wriggled in recognition of a like darkness in the boy. The wizardess focused her cold steely will and drove the beast back until it whimpered submission in the furthest corner of her mind.

"No, I don't think so" she said with a voice calm and bereft of emotion

"You've proven to be an excellent liar, and morally bankrupt. Feel free to attempt to redeem yourself, but I will not participate in your tiny game. Now, if you will excuse me, I have some mercenaries to speak with" and Amelia began heading for the house.

The Knight scowled."So much for not splitting the party. It must be nice to have never made a mistake in one's life, Darkarch. How I envy you."

He waved at the distant cabin. "Suit yourself, Ice Queen. Velgar Sornbrek will skin you alive. Now who stands with Brand and I and who wishes to waste more time?"

You lack the virtue. 'Sir' Norin, and your karmic reward is hurting the innocent. I will see what happens once Ms. Darkarch has spoken to your former allies, and then I suspect - one way or another - the people will get the food these men withhold. But I will not work with one whose lies have only helped to keep food from the mouths of the hungry.

Would your father even know what to do in this situation? Would your mother?

His fists clenched at his sides. Your in over your head Orson. What would your opinion matter anyway? your the bastard of a dying Dryad and a man you know less about than the supposed knight in front of you.

He relaxed at the thought,his shoulders loosening. My opinion, not what I think my father would do. But I would do, regardless whether or not everyone agrees. At least your voicing you're own opinion.

"I think we should help him get the food back. Yes, he made a mistake, and he admits that. But he did try to help these people, and without him there would be no food to begin with."

He stood tall as he spoke, his face stern, resolute. He looked at Maitreya.

"Would Teaching a man to be better, not better us all by extension? I for one would like to see Sir Norin redeem himself and his family's name. For him to become a stronger individual for it and earn praise that he will realize he never needed to being with."

Evelyn walked calmly behind Amelia, her milky-white eyes unwavering as they proceeded forward.

Cast Bless as we leave.

Amelia walked to the door and knocked.

The man Sir Norin had identified as Velgar opened the door, one hand on the hilt of the broadsword riding the scabbard at his hip. Behind him, the others hurriedly packed, jamming their belongings into satchels.

Velgar gave Amelia a long look up and a longer look down. "Oh, I get it. Norry couldn't talk his noble arse out of the bind he's in and so decides to send you to pay with coin of a diffeent kind. Well, you're a bit long in the tooth for my tastes and I like 'em with more upstairs but any port in the storm, eh lads? Who don't you come in, my lady and show us what you got on under those black robes of yours?"

Amelia locked her unblinking and unflinching gaze on the man known as Velgar.

" Oh my no, you ridiculous, foolish, idiotic, repugnant man. You misunderstand our purpose here. We are here to take you and yours to explain to the lovely people of this town exactly what you and "Norry" have done. We will give you and your men the opportunity to ask them for forgiveness while their starving children stand in judgement of you. You will do this, because the alternative is a long lifetime of pain from your terrible disfigurements"

Black lightning played around Amelia's unblinking eyes

" If you do cooperate you may only be jailed. If you fight I will merely offer the same deal to your men while your mewl in the corner in remarkable pain. So, what say you"?

DM

I intended to cast Shield of Faith on Ameilia as we walked.

Evelyn escorted Amelia to the door, and then stood to the side, her
back to the wall.

Velgar looked at Amelia and laughed. "It's been nothing but a string of unarmed idiots today. I'm Velgar Sornbrek, honey, and the day I take orders from some peice of strange is the day a dire ape comes out of my arse. I don't mind killin women. They die easier than men."

His sword lept from its scabbard, slicing towards Amelia's head in a blur as he yelled "Fyornii", the blade erupting in eldritch fire. She spoke a word of magic as it came, turning mist-like and insubstantial but the magical blade tore through her defense, plunging deeply into her side.

"Stupid girl, coming here alone."

Battle of the Blue Star Round 1
Velgar Sornbrek 24
Evelyn Nyx 23
Blue Star Mercenary #1 20
Blue Star Mercenary #4 13
Amelia Darkarch 12 [38 damage]
Blue Star Mercenary #3 5
Blue Star Mercenary #2 2

Velgar Sornbrek's Flaming Sword vs AC 20: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Flaming Sword: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (6) = 14
Velgar Sornbrek's Flaming Sword vs AC 20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Flaming Sword: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 5 + (1) = 14
Extra Critical Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

>Evelyn is Up!

Maitreya, Sir Norin, and Brand will join in Round 2.

Brand Orson Initiative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Maitreya Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Sir Norin Mildegard: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

FYI: My init is +7. Also, Windy escape prevents criticals.

Evelyn Nyx Rnd: 1 Init: 23

Evelyn's shadow reached out, and began to seep into Amelia's wound.

Cast Cure Critical Wounds defensively, and then move 5 feet East.

Touch Attack=1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24, if needed.
Cure Critical Wounds=4d8 + 9 ⇒ (6, 8, 8, 4) + 9 = 35 on Amelia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Cloak of Darkness power on me. +6 Armour, +4 Stealth

Bless in affect for all allies. +1 on Attacks, +1 vs Fear

Shield of Faith in affect for Amelia (?)... +3 deflection if so.

Note: Cannot fail Defensive cast (+21, DC is 22 for 4th level).

Question: The way we do concentration checks: Does healing offset damage done?

FYI: My init is +7. Also, Windy escape prevents criticals.

And I think mine is +4, not +6.

FYI: My init is +7. Also, Windy escape prevents criticals.

Good to know. I will update it for the next round(s). Windy escape only prevents criticals for a single attack. He critted on his second one.

hmmm......ok. I somehow have them wrong in my iniative scripts under campaign info. I will fix them. Thanks for letting me know.

Evelyn Nyx Rnd: 1 Init: 23

Evelyn's shadow reached out, and began to seep into Amelia's wound.

Cast Cure Critical Wounds defensively, and then move 5 feet East.

Touch Attack=1d20+9, if needed.
Cure Critical Wounds=4d8+9 on Amelia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Cloak of Darkness power on me. +6 Armour, +4 Stealth

Bless in affect for all allies. +1 on Attacks, +1 vs Fear

Shield of Faith in affect for Amelia (?)... +3 deflection if so.

Note: Cannot fail Defensive cast (+21, DC is 22 for 4th level).

Question: The way we do concentration checks: Does healing offset damage done?

Actually, casting defensively is 15 + double spell level or 23, so you can fail on a roll of a 1.

1d20 ⇒ 2

But don't. Barely. :) Healing does not offset damage done, I'm afraid. Evelyn did manage to cast Shield of Faith on Amelia so she has the bonus. You cast cloak of darkness before, shield of faith on the walk over and cure just now. Where does the bless come from?

Evelyn walked calmly behind Amelia, her milky-white eyes unwavering as they proceeded forward.

Cast Bless as we leave.

Here.

Evelyn Nyx wrote:

Evelyn walked calmly behind Amelia, her milky-white eyes unwavering as they proceeded forward.

Cast Bless as we leave.

Here.

Ok, thanks.

so where are we at now?

One of the swordsmen barreled out the back door of the cabin and rushed out of sight.

>Amelia is up!

What kind of Armour is Velgar wearing?

What kind of Armour is Velgar wearing?

Chainmail

Amelia glanced down at the wound in her side as it healed over, showing pale new flesh. She looked at Velgar and smiled.

refocus my initiative

Mercenaries spilled from the cabin, racing through the alleyways to emerge onto the packed earth courtyard, swords in hand.

Another stayed inside, slashing at Amelia despite the doorframe partilly sheilding her.

Blue Star Mercenary #2 vs AC 24: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Sword Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Battle of the Blue Star Round 2

Amelia Darkarch 27 [3 damage]
Velgar Sornbrek 24
Evelyn Nyx 23
Blue Star Mercenary #1 20
Sir Norin Mildegard 15
Brand Orson 13a
Blue Star Mercenary #4 13b
Maitreya 12
Blue Star Mercenary #3 5
Blue Star Mercenary #2 2

> Amelia is Up!

Amelia stepped away from the mercenary and began floating upwards

"Please remember that you asked for this"

5 ft step and use levitate to move 20 ft up

Velgar read Amelia's movements and shuffled a step, keeping next to the wizardess. His sword slashed at her as she rose out of reach, drawing blood.

Velgar's Attack of Opportunity vs AC 23: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Valgar's Flaming Sword Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (5) = 14

Noticing Evelyn by his side, he breathed another word of power and turned his sword on her, the blade flashing snd gleaming as it blurred through the air with a speed that boggled the mind.

Velgar's Sword Attack vs AC 24: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Valgar's Flaming Sword Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (6) = 15
Velgar's Sword Attack vs AC 24: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
Valgar's Flaming Sword Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 5 + (1) = 13
Velgar's Sword Attack vs AC 24: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Valgar's Flaming Sword Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (6) = 15

"Women! You send women against the Butcher of the Red Eye Arena! You've lost your touch Mildegard!"

Battle of the Blue Star Round 2

Amelia Darkarch 27 [17 damage]
Velgar Sornbrek 24
Evelyn Nyx 23 [15 damage]
Blue Star Mercenary #1 20
Sir Norin Mildegard 15
Brand Orson 13a
Blue Star Mercenary #4 13b
Maitreya 12
Blue Star Mercenary #3 5
Blue Star Mercenary #2 2

> Evelyn is Up!

so, he has step up or something?

Evelyn Nyx Rnd: 2, Init: 23

My AC is 22, not 24, So he hit me every time.

Surprised to find herself unexpectedly fighting in hand to hand combat with the entire gang, alone, Evelyn staggered under the onslaught.

She reached out and tried to grab Velgar by the face...

Touch of the Void = 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 vs touch AC
Damage = 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2) + 4 = 8 cold plus acid, Fort Sv DC 20 or be fatigued for 4 rounds.

Then a five-foot move East.

so, he has step up or something?

Exactly so.

Evelyn reached out and grabbed Velgar by the face. Chill tendrils of stinging mist rose from the point of contact. Velgar screamed in pain and jerked his head back, a raw red burn in the shape of Evelyn's hand singed across his visage.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 -> Pass!

The mercenary touched his ruined face and stared in horror at his bloody palm. "You witch! What have you done to me?"

A soldier turned the corner behind her and stabbed out with his sword, foiled by the cloak of shadow billowing around the Oracle.

Blue Star Mercenary #1 vs AC 24: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Sword: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Sir Norin hefted the greatclub Brand had crafted him and strode forward with purpose, closing on the group of mercenaries.

> Brand Is Up!

Brand broke into a run, blurring forward with unnatural speed.
As he moved his skin turned a reddish brown, growing rough and bark like.
flavor text for spending a ki point to get +4 AC

He looked to Norin as ran past, "If by some miracle he drops his sword, Make sure to pick it up before he does!

He leapt at the man who dared to strike Amelia.

Brands kick drove into the mercenaries midsection, bending him over with a whoosh of lost breath. Velgar gasped for a moment, struggling to regain his bearings.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 -> Fail! 12 damage and stunned 1 round

A second mercenary came to his leaders aid, rushing forward to stab at the monk, how sword thunking into the thick wooden shell covering the monks body.

Sword: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Sword: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

> Maitreya is Up!

Evelyn reached out and grabbed Velgar by the face. Chill tendrils of stinging mist rose from the point of contact. Velgar screamed in pain and jerked his head back, a raw red burn in the shape of Evelyn's hand singed across his visage.

[dice=Fort Save] 1d20+8 -> Pass!

The mercenary touched his ruined face and stared in horror at his bloody palm. "You witch! What have you done to me?"

A soldier turned the corner behind her and stabbed out with his sword, foiled by the cloak of shadow billowing around the Oracle.

[dice=Blue Star Mercenary #1 vs AC 24] 1d20+8
[dice=Sword] 1d8+1

Sir Norin hefted the greatclub Brand had crafted him and strode forward with purpose, closing on the group of mercenaries.

> Brand Is Up!

I didn't hit Velgar with my touch attack... natural 1 is always a miss.

Not sure what the Battle Map represents. Am I that far away?

Maitreya, Rnd 2, Init 12

Maitreya, moved, flowing like water into the room and moving to place himself in position to aid Evelyn, assaulted as she was.

Stunning Fist: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
evil bonus damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4) + 1 = 11
Fortitude save for the figure threatening Evelyn DC

GM_Arrule wrote:

Evelyn reached out and grabbed Velgar by the face. Chill tendrils of stinging mist rose from the point of contact. Velgar screamed in pain and jerked his head back, a raw red burn in the shape of Evelyn's hand singed across his visage.

[dice=Fort Save] 1d20+8 -> Pass!

The mercenary touched his ruined face and stared in horror at his bloody palm. "You witch! What have you done to me?"

A soldier turned the corner behind her and stabbed out with his sword, foiled by the cloak of shadow billowing around the Oracle.

[dice=Blue Star Mercenary #1 vs AC 24] 1d20+8
[dice=Sword] 1d8+1

Sir Norin hefted the greatclub Brand had crafted him and strode forward with purpose, closing on the group of mercenaries.

> Brand Is Up!

I didn't hit Velgar with my touch attack... natural 1 is always a miss.

Right you are. I only saw you hit his touch AC and didn't notice the 1.

Maitreya forced the mercenary back, his sword sweeping out to cut off the monks angle of attack, Evelyn temporarily forgotten.

Another pair caught Sir Norin between them, their blades clanking against his armor as he fought to keep the lethal bladed at bay with little more than a length of shaped wood.

Sword vs AC 20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Sword: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Sword vs AC 20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Sword: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Wood shavings curled from the branch Brand had reformed for the knight but it held against the steel.....for now.

Battle of the Blue Star Round 3

Amelia Darkarch 27 [17 damage]
Velgar Sornbrek 24 [12 damage, stunned 1 round]
Evelyn Nyx 23 [15 damage]
Blue Star Mercenary #1 20
Sir Norin Mildegard 15
Brand Orson 13a
Blue Star Mercenary #4 13b
Maitreya 12
Blue Star Mercenary #3 5
Blue Star Mercenary #2 2

> Amelia is Up!

Amrlia smirked as she spoke words of power. The air behind Valgar shimmered and stretched.

summon monster 4 directly behind velgar. Dire ape will arrive next round

Amrlia smirked as she spoke words of power. The air behind Valgar shimmered and stretched.

summon monster 4 directly behind velgar. Dire ape will arrive next round

lol@Amelia

Velgar shook the cobwebs from his mind and his eyes fixed on the young monk beside him.

"You'll pay for that, boy. You'll pay in pain."

> Evelyn is Up!

Maitreya forced the mercenary back, his sword sweeping out to cut off the monks angle of attack, Evelyn temporarily forgotten.

Another pair caught Sir Norin between them, their blades clanking against his armor as he fought to keep the lethal bladed at bay with little more than a length of shaped wood.

[dice=Sword vs AC 20] 1d20+10
[dice=Sword] 1d8+1
[dice=Sword vs AC 20] 1d20+10
[dice=Sword] 1d8+1

Wood shavings curled from the branch Brand had reformed for the knight but it held against the steel.....for now.

Battle of the Blue Star Round 3

Amelia Darkarch 27 [17 damage]
Velgar Sornbrek 24 [12 damage, stunned 1 round]
Evelyn Nyx 23 [15 damage]
Blue Star Mercenary #1 20
Sir Norin Mildegard 15
Brand Orson 13a
Blue Star Mercenary #4 13b
Maitreya 12
Blue Star Mercenary #3 5
Blue Star Mercenary #2 2

> Amelia is Up!

I took 43 dmg, not 15.

Evelyn Nyx Rnd: 3/Init: 23

Evelyn grabbed at the soldier, her gloves starting to drip a green ichor...

Touch of the Void = 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 vs touch AC
Damage = 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 = 8 cold plus acid, Fort Sv DC 20 or be fatigued for 4 rounds.

The soldier grunted as Evelyn touched him, but he fought on, his sword sweeping towards the oracle.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Blue Star #1 Sword Attack vs AC 24: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18-> Miss!

Sir Norin stepped in and plucked Velgar's sword from the ground an instant before the mercenary could regain it.

Blue Star #1 Sword Attack AoO AC 21: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Sword: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Blue Star #1 Sword Attack AoO AC 21: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Sword: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Ah, ah, ah, Velgar. Boys who don't play nicely lose their toys. Surrender! Now!"

>Brand is Up!

GM_Arrule wrote:

Maitreya forced the mercenary back, his sword sweeping out to cut off the monks angle of attack, Evelyn temporarily forgotten.

Another pair caught Sir Norin between them, their blades clanking against his armor as he fought to keep the lethal bladed at bay with little more than a length of shaped wood.

[dice=Sword vs AC 20] 1d20+10
[dice=Sword] 1d8+1
[dice=Sword vs AC 20] 1d20+10
[dice=Sword] 1d8+1

Wood shavings curled from the branch Brand had reformed for the knight but it held against the steel.....for now.

Battle of the Blue Star Round 3

Amelia Darkarch 27 [17 damage]
Velgar Sornbrek 24 [12 damage, stunned 1 round]
Evelyn Nyx 23 [15 damage]
Blue Star Mercenary #1 20
Sir Norin Mildegard 15
Brand Orson 13a
Blue Star Mercenary #4 13b
Maitreya 12
Blue Star Mercenary #3 5
Blue Star Mercenary #2 2

> Amelia is Up!

I took 43 dmg, not 15.

Ok. I have your character sheet saying AC 18 and your cloak of shadows gives +6, so not AC 24?

Cloak of Darkness power on me. +6 Armour, +4 Stealth.

Evelyn Nyx wrote:

GM_Arrule wrote:

Maitreya forced the mercenary back, his sword sweeping out to cut off the monks angle of attack, Evelyn temporarily forgotten.

Another pair caught Sir Norin between them, their blades clanking against his armor as he fought to keep the lethal bladed at bay with little more than a length of shaped wood.

[dice=Sword vs AC 20] 1d20+10
[dice=Sword] 1d8+1
[dice=Sword vs AC 20] 1d20+10
[dice=Sword] 1d8+1

Wood shavings curled from the branch Brand had reformed for the knight but it held against the steel.....for now.

Battle of the Blue Star Round 3

Amelia Darkarch 27 [17 damage]
Velgar Sornbrek 24 [12 damage, stunned 1 round]
Evelyn Nyx 23 [15 damage]
Blue Star Mercenary #1 20
Sir Norin Mildegard 15
Brand Orson 13a
Blue Star Mercenary #4 13b
Maitreya 12
Blue Star Mercenary #3 5
Blue Star Mercenary #2 2

> Amelia is Up!

I took 43 dmg, not 15.

Ok. I have your character sheet saying AC 18 and your cloak of shadows gives +6, so not AC 24?

Cloak of Darkness power on me. +6 Armour, +4 Stealth.

I think I'm AC 16. Dex of 16, Shield Cloak +2. I had Dodge at one point, but traded it, not sure where the extra point came from... math is bad?

GM_Arrule wrote:

Evelyn Nyx wrote:

GM_Arrule wrote:

Maitreya forced the mercenary back, his sword sweeping out to cut off the monks angle of attack, Evelyn temporarily forgotten.

Another pair caught Sir Norin between them, their blades clanking against his armor as he fought to keep the lethal bladed at bay with little more than a length of shaped wood.

[dice=Sword vs AC 20] 1d20+10
[dice=Sword] 1d8+1
[dice=Sword vs AC 20] 1d20+10
[dice=Sword] 1d8+1

Wood shavings curled from the branch Brand had reformed for the knight but it held against the steel.....for now.

Battle of the Blue Star Round 3

Amelia Darkarch 27 [17 damage]
Velgar Sornbrek 24 [12 damage, stunned 1 round]
Evelyn Nyx 23 [15 damage]
Blue Star Mercenary #1 20
Sir Norin Mildegard 15
Brand Orson 13a
Blue Star Mercenary #4 13b
Maitreya 12
Blue Star Mercenary #3 5
Blue Star Mercenary #2 2

> Amelia is Up!

I took 43 dmg, not 15.

Ok. I have your character sheet saying AC 18 and your cloak of shadows gives +6, so not AC 24?

Cloak of Darkness power on me. +6 Armour, +4 Stealth.

I think I'm AC 16. Dex of 16, Shield Cloak +2. I had Dodge at one point, but traded it, not sure where the extra point came from... math is bad?

Ok. Hard to be accurate if the character sheet you provided is wrong. :). Please update your stat line accordingly please, giving the debuffed numbers if you'd be so kind.

Brand smiled as Norin picked up the sword.
"I think a lesson needs to be taught about respecting women. Its gonna be hard lesson to be sure."

A Blue Star Mercenary slipped sideways, pinning Maitreya between enemy blades. He stabbed and slashed, drawing blood.

Sword vs AC 28: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 2 = 29
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26
Sword: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

>Maitreya is Up!

want round 4 actions? while we wait?

Taking over for Maitreya. Ki point spent for extra attack.

Maitreya winced at the shallow gash and then lashed out with his fists and feet, smashing both warriors to the ground, senseless.

Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 10 + 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + (1, 3) + 1 = 20
Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 10 + 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + (6, 3) + 1 = 21
Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 1d10 + 10 + 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + (4, 1) + 1 = 21
Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 10 + 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 + (6, 3) + 1 = 30
Flurry of Blows: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Damage: 1d10 + 10 + 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 10 + (6, 2) + 1 = 22

"This battle is at an end, Velgar. You cannot stand befopre us."

Velgar spat blood and wiped his chin with one sleeve. He glared at Sir Norin and then raised his hands in surrender. "Put up your arms, boys. No sense dying today." Swords clattered to the mud courtyard as the mercenaries gave up the fight.

Combat over!

A long minute passed before the pounding of running feet announced the arrival of a squad of Mudwater militia and the warden Oleanne.

"What's the meaning of this?" she asked the companions.