Seeing the lizard retreat Somer sighs How it was smart enough to do that is beyond me.
As he moves forward he enchants his blade again (spending an arcane point) and slashes with both hands at the lizard.
A rapier to the brain finally puts the orange orc beast-tamer down.
The lizard starts to charge, and seeing its trainer fall, instead decides to wander off in search of easier prey.
You easily dispatch the last orc who is incapacitated already anyway.
Then the next round of 12 orcs and a troll step into view.
The engineers get the portcullis working, and it is again in place. That, plus Omast and now a few more friends, should be able to keep the orcs at bay here for a bit while you continue your duties.
Somer goes to Derrik and casts Infernal Healing on the fallen priest. The priest and the dwarf took the brunt of that. Terrible, just terrible.
"Well that was... horrible. Still we must press on once we are healed."
Once Derrik regains consciousness he will ask about the CLW wand and if healing is available still.
I may need to come up with a new approach. These orcs are tougher then they look up close.
Derrik wakes up slowly from the healing that Somer gave him, spitting out some blood.
"That healing has an interesting taste to it, what is it?" Derrik looks around at the carnage that has taken place, then pulls out his healing wands and gets to work.
"Where else do we need to go? There have to be more to be rescued."
Somer is fully healed
Derrik is 23/25
Balmir 26/29
Mouser is 27/28
Use the last 6 charges on the 1 wand, and 6 off the new one leavign me at 44/50 charges
Tam leans forward, vomits noisily, wipes blood off his mouth and nose, then straightens and says, "It looks like that's it. The palisade's more or less intact, and we broke the back of the latest assault. Where's the guard captain?"
"I know that may have not been to your liking Derrik but my research shows there is no long term effect. That and it was the best I could do."
Still squatting he looks about him at his town.
"This must be brought to an end. We must get to the Flames of the Fallen and light it. I believe it is straight beyond this gate. Plus we must rescue who we can."
Standing Somer sighs. "Best get to it. Lets hope we do not find another group like this."
"Actually we should check these goblins first. Our resources are depleted."
Somer searches the bodies and uses detect magic on anything that looks interesting.
Wand of CLW 44/50 charges
Healers Kit 18/20 uses
Holy Water x 2
Smoke Stick
Remove Sickness x 2
Sooth Syrup x 2
HP 23/25
Spells:
1st - Barkskin, Magic Weapon, Shield
2nd - None
Balmir groans and stretches a few times. "I know my body is healed now," he nods thanks at Derrik, "but it doesn't stop the pain that happens when the blade is slicing you!" He glares at the dead orc bodies laying around. "Stupid orcs."
He looks up towards the gate. "Ok. So where are we supposed to be going?"
Map of Trunau shows all of the areas.
Once you exit the inner quarter, the final beacon at the Hopespring is finally within reach. Trunau’s lower quarter is surprisingly peaceful for now, as most attackers have already passed through, though the sounds of battle still rage throughout the town.
Derrik looks over the wall at the surround land,
"They are quiet for a siege, I wonder why they choose to attack now?" Derrik will tie off a rope and help to lower people down.
"Ok. Now that we've taken care of those orcs. Let's get this last beacon lit." Balmir spots it and starts to walk towards it. He skirts to the south of the two buildings and stays close to the water.
"I cannot imagine Derrik but it is to organized to be random. There must be something. Lead on, we need to light the fires but also help the residents."
Somer will follow over the wall and take a front position feeling terrible that Balmir took so much on himself.
Balmir, are you feeling ok after dealing with those orcs. Despite the gods powers to heal us it is hard to risk our lives as you did."
You are able to make your way to the pile of wood.
Before climbing over.
Of the items on the orcs Somer grabs a potion of CLW as well as the bow. He comments that he just wants to 'fiddle with a bow for a bit'.
--------
Over the wall.
"Should we check these buildings for anyone hiding as we move to the fire?"
"Good idea, might find more survivors." Derrik moves slowly towards the fire keeping an eye out for more orcs.
Checking the houses, you find no hidden orcs lying in wait.
Somer approaches the signal fire cautiously. If he does not see an eminent threat or get attacked he will light the fire.
Derrik walks up to the beacon, "Milani allow me to light this in your name"
Unfortunately, those that went to light the fire did not notice a yellow-white powder coating the logs and stones of the fire pit. As Derrik sparks the fire, an explosion of green fire engulfs Somer and Derrik.
Once ignited, the bonfire stays lit, and Trunauan guards arrive.
One of them thanks you, and says "Those flaming boulders are killing us. Someone needs to take out that siege engine!"
Somer sees the explosion growing and ducks letting it only sear the back of his head. He stands and brushes his hand feeling that the back of his head now has more blood then long white hair.
Blast these orcs and their attack. This will take years to grow back to its proper length. First my town and then my hair. Whoever is behind this nonsense does not know it yet but they are as good as dead. No matter the hardship. No matter the journey. You... do.... not... mess... with... an... elfs... hair.. it.. grows... to... slow!!
Of course no one hears this. All they here is the normal.
"Bahh, my friends are you ok?"
Once the guard arrives he nods. "I guess that is us. May as well get to it then my brothers, are you ready?"
Somer grabs the sides of his hair first right, then left, and slices it all shorter, crudely with his longsword, so it does not grow back at odd legnths.
Derrik is blown off his feet, landing solidly on his back.
"Owwwww." A low moan escapes Derrik.
"That is not something I was expecting, next time I won't apply such a large spark?" Derrik grabs his gear that he dropped standing up.
An open-air market is usually held atop the flat rocks of the Barterstones, but the stalls and shops have been destroyed in the orc raid, and the stones now shield an orc siege engine.
With a sigh "I guess we have to deal with that next. With luck this is the end of these blasted orcs. We must be behind the line if a seige engine is here."
Somer double times it towards the rocks partially to get cover and partially to set up an attack.
Derrik will follow Somer, "How do we do this? I am not overly quiet."
"We need to get those stinking orcs out of here," Balmir growls. He follows hard on Somer's heels heading towards the emplacement.
Derrik will take the advice of his friend, "Maybe we can offer distraction while mouser attacks unnoticed from the rear?"
"I'm pretty quiet if needed - but I really, really don't want to get into weapon range of those guys," says Tam.
Balmir stops next to Somer. "So I guess we wait for those guys to figure out what they are doing." He points back to where he had come from. He can see that they are still talking about plans but he can't tell what they're saying.
Looking back and shaking his head slowly Somer sees noone but he and Balmir have advanced.
"I guess we wait here and see what they decide."
Tam hunkers down and uses the omnipresent smoke for a little concealment as he sneaks up behind Mouser. He cocks his small crossbow as he prepares to head once more into danger.
So far, so good. The orcs are continuing to load things into their catapult and fire again. Then they start the process of pulling it back into position.
"Looks like they're about to launch again. We need to stop them and now." Balmir looks with urgency to the others. "We can go around this side," Balmir points to the left, "and Mouser can go around the right."
"Sounds like the best we have. Ready when you are Balmir."
In the final advance Somer will spend 1 more Arcane point to give his Longsword +1.
"Milani let your power shield my friend here, help us to defend this town and the innocents inside from this Orc menace." Derrik holds out his holy symbol allowing his power to shield Balmir.