Not really wanting to pick through any possibly demon infested ruins any more than he has to, Drakra nods in agreement with Godwin's decision to head to some place safer.
I agree, getting to Defender's Heart is vital so that we can make sure that all is safe there.
Fomiel nods in agreement. "We need to be careful."
Vardan smiles, "I'd say this destruction is proof that the forces of light haven't abandoned us just yet..."
He then nods, "We do indeed, Fomiel..."
Then let us head in that direction. Both Anevia's home and Defender's Heart lie north of us.
Listening to the others, and realizing that as big and tough as they are, most of his companions would have a tough time navigating their way out of a cloth sack, once more Drakra begins to lead onward.
Perception: <-- searching for the fastest, and more importantly safest, way to their goal
Moving once again, Drakra picks a way through the rubble strewn streets, pointing out the safest way to go. Often though, the others in the group, save Vardan need to duck, and squeeze through some of the path, as Drakra, while choosing the path didn't necessarily pay the most attention to the size of the path. Eventually you pick your way to Anevia's house, which seems to be intact.
Anevia, it seems there is another little bit of good fortune here.
Vardan nods, "Every small victory should be treasured."
Drakra thinks to himself:
Every victory is a death avoided . . .
Godwin moves cautiously towards the house with his falchion out. The demons were very... targeted in the places they hit. There is some blasphemous intelligence controlling their acts. They did not just crash and burn through the city.
Anevia lets out a short sigh of relief on seeing the house and starts forward, only to jump back a bit as a loud chittering is heard. Almost immediately, a giant fire beetle skitters out of the foliage with a hiss.
***********Round 1***********
Init: Drakra, Thorne, Vardan, Fomiel, Godwin, Beetle, Anevia
Drakra, seeing the vicious beast (beetle), jumps back, cursing the unintelligent creature.
Standard: Start Inspire Courage
Flank it. Hit it Hard! Godwin calls out as he moves in and attacks.
Fomiel casts quickly, and the beetle seems to fear him.
beetle will save
Fomiel's spell takes hold and you all see the visage of a skull flash up in front of the beetle, which stops cold and turns to flee. Godwin easily slashes through the carapace, pinning the creature to the ground where it ceases moving.
Perception:
Drakra bravely scans the area from behind his taller companions.
Both Vardan and Drakra hear the unmistakable sounds of spellcasting from just within the doorway.
Vardan calls out, "Spellcaster. In the door.", then directs Thorne to move toward the door, bringing the lance down in a threatening manner.
Godwin rushes in to bash the door open.
Drakra nods: Definitely someone casting.
He is prepared to begin belittling whoever the caster is, while hiding behind the legs of his taller companions.
Delay - ready to begin Inspire Courage if necessary.
As the party nears the door, another fire beetle rushes out of the hedge at Anevia.
***********Round 2***********
Init: Drakra, Thorne, Vardan, Fomiel, Godwin, Beetle, Anevia
Godwin bursts down the door, but only sees the empty entryway.
There is nothing here!
Vardan says, "I heard spellcasting. Might be invisible."
Drakra begins to insult whoever, or whatever is hiding.
Begin Inspire Courage
Kill the beetle, then we check the house!
Godwin charges the beetle.
Fomiel tries to smash open the door.
He bounces off the door disgusted.
Godwin slice through the Beetle easily as the others examine the entryway, as this happens you all hear a guttural voice yell something unintelligible shortly before an orc appears beside Anevia an ugly Ranseur in his hands which slashes down on her, leaving a grisly wound.
Vardan nods, "Agreed... my only thought is someone could be summoning the beetles."
With that, he lowers his lance and wheels, ready to charge the beetle as an Orc appears. He knees the wolf gently toward the newly-appeared foe, whispering, "Thorne, charge."
for
Surprised at the sudden appearance of the orc, Drakra stops his commenting in mid-speach. Fortunately the inspiring effect of the insults continue.
Free - Stop Inspire Courage <-- continues for 2 rounds from lingering performance
Action: Delay
Move back Anevia! Godwin delays waiting for Anevia to put some space between her and the orc, he then moves in shielding her and attacking the demon worshiper.
Vardan and Godwin both cleave into the half-orc, Vardan's lance punching through it's side in a spray of gore, and Godwin slashing down its chest. The half orc coughs up a gobbet of deeply red blood, glaring at you all, "You will not deny me my vengence!"
Anevia gasps and hurriedly moves behind Godwin and Vardan, clutching a wound that is spilling blood.
******************Round 3***************
Init: Drakra, 1/2 Orc, Vardan, Fomiel, Godwin, Anevia
Fomiel tries to dominate the orc as he steps back. A quick spell of dazing comes quickly to mind.
Deciding that avoiding getting killed is the best option, Drakra haphazardly drops a bolt into his crossbow and attempts to send it toward the orc.
Attack-crossbow: <-- -4 shooting into combat
Damage:
Amazingly, the arrow does fly in the general direction of the fight. Unfortunately, it deflects off the side of Godwin's armor and just misses the orc.
The half orc's words slur as Fomiel's will crashes down upon it. The bolt from Drakra's crossbow strikes Godwin's armor, and appears to be heading off target, but the half orc's ranseur intercepts it and it skips off the polearm, and strikes the half-orc in the neck. With a dumbfounded look, the half-orc mutters, "No..." and falls to the ground.
Iomedae favours you Orc Slayer Drakra. Now. What is happening in the house? And what vengeance did the demon worshipper want? Godwin moves back in and tries to use all his senses to figure out what is going on in the seemingly empty house.
Drakra stands with his mouth agape for a moment, amazed that he yet again managed to load his crossbow without hurting himself, let alone that the bolt some managed, after several deflections, to somehow strike and kill the orc.
Suddenly realizing that it was his bolt that brought down the monstrous creature, Drakra puts on his best show of bravado.
Of course, someone had to save you from his vicious weapon.
He then begins to search the room, albeit from behind his taller, and more capable of not falling when hit, companions.
Perception:
Vardan raises his lance in salute, "And it's well appreciated. I'm never fond of things not having the good sense to die when I run them through with a lance.", then turns his attention back to the corpse, using it to wipe the blade clean.
Anevia groans from the ground as she hastily gets up and rushes into the house, calling out "Irabeth!! only to silence. A quick search of the house finds nobody else at home. When she gets to the bedroom, she looks into a secret niche near the bed and pulls out a note, as well as several potion bottles, and relief floods her features. She wasn't here! Irabeth is a Defender's Heart, and she left the password to get in, 'Silverstrong'. The potions are curatives and invisibility potions." She hands over one of the curatives, and three inivisibility potions before drinking the other curative herself.
This is hopeful. Let us head that way then. North I believe?
Vardan nods, "I believe that is correct. And, I'm glad to learn the password to avoid being killed by our allies."
Drakra looks at the potions.
Any of you want any of these? I can use the invisibility if I need to scout. Much easier if I cannot be seen.
Vardan shakes his head, "I'm not sure I could convince Thorne to drink it... and without that, it's somewhat less useful to me."
I am slow and clunky, perhaps it would be good to ambush the foul creatures for a change Godwin says accepting an invisibility potion.