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Before Thakus can run outside, Bomlin shouts out "Boy, where ye goin'!? I'm standin' right 'ere!"
The dwarf's bluster seems to draw the other's out of hiding as well, and Aubrin, no longer bleeding, rises to her feet. With a woozy gate, she staggers over to the door and looks outside. There's a tremor in her voice as she looks on and says "It... it sounds like there’s an army out there. How did they fall on us without being seen? These damn plains are so flat you can see an elk from two days off, let alone an army!” She winces and presses her hands against the bloody hole in her chest. “They sound large. Too large to fight on the ground like honest fools. We need to gather what we can, cross the bridge, and hide out in the Fangwood. I—I know a few secrets that may keep us safe. Should probably figure out how to take down the bridge while we’re at it, else they’ll just march themselves across before we have the chance to hide.
I'll gather up the people here and head for the bridge, but we'll need resources if we're going to make it for any length of time. I'll need you four to slip through town and hit as many stores as you can. There's three you'll need to visit for sure; the general store, the blacksmith, and the shrine. Grabs as much as you can and send everyone you see our way, but get out of there if things get too hot.”
With that, Aubrin turns to the others and begins barking orders, instructing them to gather everything edible they can carry. Some refuse, instead choosing to leave and try to find their families, but in the end, Aubrin heads for the bridge with Bomlin and three others, carrying as much food and water as they can .
Before departing the bar, you search the dead hobgoblins and find on them two sets of studded leather, two longswords, two longbows with 40 arrows, and 10 gold. They also carry with them some spoils of raiding, consisting of a masterwork backpack, a heavy crossbow (with 20 bolts and 10 masterwork bolts), eight clearly labeled potions of guidance, a wand, three scrolls, and somedried goat meat, sheep’s cheese, and a jug of sheep’s milk .
Thakus jumps in surprise and spins. "Bomlin! When did you get here?" He waves off a response. "Sorry, i-it doesn't matter. I'm glad you're here." And safe, he mentally adds.
"Okay," he says to their new band of would-be heroes after Aubrin gives them their instructions. "I think we should hit the store first, for food."
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"Wait, wait, it was that prettier building down the road a bit right ? Yea, yea..that was it." Karist nodded realizing he had passed the place earlier in the day, just hadn't realized it was what they were talking about.
"But, you know Thakus, I think you are right, find the food first, then help folks. Let's do this before we find more of those things." Karist agreed with the half-orc and headed towards the exit at the back of the room. [b]"Think we should still use the back of the building and not walk down the road in all that chaos."[/b[
"Get food, get people, get out. If it is an army, they will surround town, burn it down. We must leave before more come."
Shessik pauses, then says, "If the enemy is too strong to defeat so that you can retake this place, yes. Deny them the resources."
Ko'Faahin hefty her spear and moves towards the back door with Karist.
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"Ko'faahin does not believe we should set the building afire, but will not stop us if we decide to do so."
Shessik keeps his falcata drawn as he focuses on Karist and replies, "Be quick."
Ko'Faahin follows Karist, spear at the ready!
Thakus follows behind, hammer raised, watching for a possible attack from behind.
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Opening the door, the group finds themselves standing back outside under the open night sky. With the general store in mind, the group sticks to the shadows and alleys to avoid as much combat as possible, what little you see of the main streets isn't pretty. Hobgoblins battle with townsfolk in every direction, and from the sounds of battle, the whole of Phaendar is under attack. Bodies lie on the ground everywhere, run through by hobgoblin blades and left where they fell. A wolf howls in the distance, its eerie cry echoed by the screams of the dying.
Within a couple minutes, you find yourself just outside the general store, Oreld's Fine Shop. The store, labeled with a small shingle hanging out front, is one of the few buildings in town made entirely of stone. Mortared white blocks form the walls of this odd shaped cottage. Scorch marks that shift in color from black to dark blue to glimmering violet mar one wall. The door to the shop stands open and bloody footprints lead inside.
Ko'Faahin holds up a hand, stopping the group. She points to the footprints leading inside, then holds her finger over her lips to indicate silence. Turning back to the door, she waits to follow one of the others through the door.
"Wait just a minute," Thakus tells the others, and rushes off to his and Bomlin's wagon. Please still be there, please still be there.
The cart is overturned and burning, the set of plate armor knocked over and scattered, many of the weapons missing. Thakus digs through what remains of the cart's contents, and thanks Torag when he finds it-- a large wooden shield, nearly as tall as Bomlin, untouched by the flames. As he straps it to his arm, he spies a hammer lying with the rest of the gear. No mere smith's tool, but a veritable warhammer. It had taken two swords' worth of steel to craft the head of the weapon, and Thakus had forgotten they'd brought it. I did pretty well with the small one... He snatches up the warhammer and leaves the cart behind, briefly considering offering the rest of it to his allies but remembering that they seemed well-armed already. We'll be fine.
He rejoins the others with a large wooden shield, almost reaching the ground, and a bigger hammer.
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Ko'Faahin points to her ears and shrugs to the others. Then she points to one of the fighters and then the door. She gets in line to enter the room either second or third.
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Karist turned his eyes from the half-orc with the giant shield to the door and then back to the catfolk. He noted her ears were twitching and he looked at her with his left hand raised upwards in a questioning jester.
When he saw her answering jesters, he nodded and looked at the others trying to get himself into a line up.
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Stepping into the shop, you see that it consists primarily of a desk, a few crowded shelves, and a cluttered window display, all of which appear to have been ransacked. A man with a javelin protruding from his gut lies propped up against the wall next to the entryway. He looks at you as you enter and, unable to utter a word, merely points across the shop towards a hobgoblin busy rifling through the shelves. The creature seems engrossed in it's search and hasn't noticed you yet.
Upon seeing the distracted hobgoblin Ko'Faahin rushes the room, leveling her spear at the creatures back.
As the creature turns in surprise, Ko'Faahin pokes at it again, hoping to end the fight quickly!
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With a couple of well-placed stabs, Ko'faahin is able to take down the hobgoblin before it can even react, ending combat for now.
Karist moves over to inspect the man's wounds. He's gravely injured, but the druid is unable to assess the full extent of his wounds .
Ko'Faahin wipes her blade and turns about, making sure no more enemies are close before bending to search the hobgoblin.
She looks over to Shessik, where he hears her voice in her mind.
[spoiler=Shessik]"There is something whimpering under the floor! I think people are hiding in the cellar."
With this, she moves to the door and opens it when everyone is ready.
"I think there's someone in the cellar!" Thakus says when the hobgoblin quickly falls. Since the others are closer, he points to the cellar door. "There!"
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Shessik keeps his weapon drawn and takes a cover position near the door. "Check. I guard."
Ko'Faahin moves drops her spear and hefts her mace as she moves over towards the trap door. Once everyone is set, she carefully opens it, wary of any traps.
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Hearing a whimper, the party moves to inspect the trap door when they hear a weak voice call out "Wait...trap on door...cut wire..."
Looking back, you see that the man with a spear in his gut is pointing out a tripwire leading to an alchemical bomb trap rigged to the cellar door. Though short of breath, the man is able to guide you around it without an explosion.
Opening the cellar door reveals four townsfolk huddled in terror. They look up at you with squinting eyes and meekly call out "Is it over? Is the invasion over?"
"No," Thakus says as he comes close to them, "but you're safe for the time being. We need to get you out of here. Can you all walk?"
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Seeing Thakus move in and help the refugees, Ko'Faahin turns for the man by the door. She moves over to him and inspects the wound. Touching his head, he hears her speak to his mind.
"I will heal you.. but the spear must come out. Prepare yourself."
Ko'Faahin takes hold of the spear and removes it from the mans body as she channels healing power over the man.
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"We need folk to grab what goods, and backpacks, that you all can fill and carry. We really need to move quickly though." Karist whispered to the four townfolk. He looked back over at the catfolk, and realized he could have helped the man as well. He shook his head and thought aloud, too many things happening all at once, need to keep my wits about me."
Karist looked about for any of provisions he could grab and load up.
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With the man healed and the situation explained, the townsfolk begin to mumble amongst one another with frightened expressions on their faces. Despite their fear, they are able to round up a wealth of provisions before making their way to join Aubrin on the bridge. The man stands shakily before introducing himself as Vane Oreld, alchemist and town doctor. While the other mumble in fear, Oreld is able to keep his emotions more in check as he seemingly says to himself "So Aubrin wants to knock out the bridge to cover our escape, eh? Been workin' on a new formula that might be able to help with that. I call it the Stump Remover. It won't blow the whole bridge, but it'll take out a support column or two for sure. Only got enough for one charge, though."
As the citizens' gather up supplies, Oreld gathers up his portable alchemist's lab, stuffing it with everything he can. Before leaving, he takes out four vials and says "Here, take these with you. They're healing potions , not the strongest but they'll have to do. Use them if you have to and make sure you meet us at the bridge."
Ko'Faahin helps the man to his feet and gratefully accepts one of the vials and stows it away in her pouch. She transmits her words to Shessick.
Shessik relays Ko'faahin's words:
"We thank you, sir. We will do our best to get as many people out as we can and meet you across the bridge. Blowing the bridge is a great idea.. it could allow us to escape to the forest while blocking pursuit. Where is this concoction and how do we use it?"
He stuffs as many provisions as possible into his wicker-and-leather backpack, then hauls it up onto his back again, apparently unbothered by the weight.
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He stuffs as many provisions as possible into his wicker-and-leather backpack, then hauls it up onto his back again, apparently unbothered by the weight.
Oreld smirks at Shessik's question before replying "Oh don't worry about the mixture. I'll be securing it to the bridge while we wait for you lot. Just make sure you get everyone you can before headin' our way. As fer' where to go next? Well, the blacksmith might not be a bad choice. Some weapons would go a long way out in those woods."
Ko'Faahin bows to the man as she moves to the door prepared to make sure the coast is clear before sending the frightened townsfolk onward towards the bridge. Once the civilians are on their way, she leads the way to the blacksmith.
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Keeping his falcata and shield raised, Shessik hauls his pack back up and looks in the direction of the local blacksmith to check for smoke or signs of fighting in that area.
Thanks suddenly feels very stupid. Of course... I should have grabbed more. Not for me, but for the citizens. "The cart I came with has probably been ransacked by now, but hopefully the blacksmith will still have usable supplies. And I'm a smith's apprentice myself, so I can make repairs when needed."
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