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A thunderstone cracks with defeaning pause as Chief Defender Halgra rides up on a horse. With a booming voice she bellows. TAKE YOUR PLACES ON THE WALLS OR SEEK SHELTER IN THE LONGHOUSE! We will speak on this matter Baesil. You are a man of Abadar no less. Brinya is innocent in this matter you bull-headed fool.
Baesil begins to turn red in the face as he hunches back, the look of shame crossing his face. Jest tired of the damned Orcs attacking us is all.
The crown begins to disperse as another boulder slams into the Ampitheatre behind the group creating a small hole in the roof. Brinya drops to her knees as she seems to be shaking. Thank you once again. I though they were going to have me join Rodrik in the chaos. First you go out of your ways to investigate Rodrik's murder and them you save me.
She digs in her cloak and pulls out a hopeknife out. She holds the hopeknife forth to the group. It is the hopeknife from the ceremony. Please take Rodrik's hopeknife. Allow him to defend Trunau one last time. When the time is right, Rodrik's spirit will help protect those who laid his soul to rest.
"Aye lass, just doing what's right. Now we best be lightin' them beacons." Van says, looking around for the nearest one.
Kraygan glares at the mob as they withdraw. "With Trunauns like that who needsh enemiesh."
To Brinya, he gives a salute. "Rodrick wash like the stones of the town - damned invadersh knew right where to kick at. Don't worry, we'll carry that knife proudly!"
Pointing with his lance, he kicks Haggis into a trot. "Onward!"
Vanderhoff shakes his head. "Surely they keep something like that near the beacon! That's what'd I do." He mutters, looking around for a source of ignition.
At Wren's question Jorgan casts light on his axe and then pulls out a pair of sunrods. "Oh, you mean for the fire!" He shakes his head. "I'd think they'd have that stuff nearby, like Vanderhoff said. Let's go and get it lit! Still got three more!"
"Hoooold up!" Kraygan says, fumbling in his belt pouches. "I got somin here somere... aHAH!" He pulls out flint and steel like some kind of drunken magician, and hands it to someone not mounted on a yak. Once the fire is lit, he takes a torch from his saddlebags and lights it as well.
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Wren breathes a sigh of relief as the flint and tinder is wrought, and another as the torch is produced. For seemingly the first time this day, he finds a reason to smile.
At seeing that, I felt something.
Is it pride?
No, not that.
Less shame, then?
Yes, that's it!
Wren nods to himself, as if he had decided something.
When the beacon is lit, he leads the group to the Inner Gates Beacon (Area K).
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Kraygan gets out his tinder and flint. After a few moments a flame ignites. The pyre shoots into the area dimly illuminating the area.
The group decides to head towards the Inner Quarter beacon. Upon reaching the southern gate the guards raise the portcullis to allow the dwarves group to enter. The gate slams shut right behind them with a resounding boom.
Conditions on the other side of the gate are a stark contrast from the Upper District. Upon entering the gate the dwarves notice that the large wood pile, that used to be the beacon, has been utterly destroyed, fortifications are toppled, multiple buildings are blazing in flames and bodies lie everywhere in the streets.
As the group gets their bearings Kurst Grath rounds the corner leading a squad of stalwart Truanan militia members. Blood spatter speckles the left side of his face and armor. Ah I see you have got the Upper beacon already. The damned orcs have been decimating the inner quarter. On you way to the Hopespring beacon help secure as much of the lower district. This area has been under heavy attack and may well fall to the raiders if we don't restore some semblance of order in this rubble.
While you do this I will lead a sortie from the town to drive "that thing" that is throwing boulders at the town closer to the walls so that it will be within range of the archers.
Kurst raises his fist and turns on his horse as the squad follows closely behind.
Dark storm clouds begin to move in over the town, mingling with the smoke and fading sunlight. A makeshift barricade has been constructed before the inner quarters southern gate. The barricade is already covered in the spilled blood of raiders and innocents alike, and several victims of the bloody fight are strewn about the ground north of the barricade.
Torgan will graciously take the weapon.
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"We'll defend this area an' drive out th'invaders." Torgan states plainly.
As the squad leaves, he turns to his compatriots. "Wren, take Jorgan an' rebuild up th'pyre. Van, Kray, with me o' th'defensive."
Kraygan rides up to the barricade and looks over it.
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Just on the other side of the barricade acolytes from the Sanctuary and Trunau Countinghouse have set up a small medical station. The clerics are busy tending to injured militia members and townsfolk. They pay no mind to Kraygan except for one cleric that looks up momentarily. Bring any wounded you find here. The guards in the towers will escort any who can walk to the to the Longhouse.
Dogs bark in the distance to the west and drums can be heard resounding in the distance to the north outside the cities walls.
Torgan pulls out the bright red and orange marble from his pack. "D'ya think this'll work fer th'fire?"
He shows the Campfire Bead to his compatriots.
Once they have decided on this, Torgan will head with the dwarvesmoot+Wren down the road to the burning home.
Kraygan blinks at the campfire bead in Torgan's hand. "Hah! And 'ere I thought tha wash da dumbesht magic item I e'r sheen!"
Once the fate of the campfire bead has been determined, Kraygan urges Haggis to climb the barricade and trot over to the burning house, calling into it. "Oy! Anyone livin inder!"
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Realizing that this might be his chance to die nobly, he intends to make it last as long as possible so he might slay as many orcs as possible. He uses one of the few magical, elven protections he knows to prolong his weak, old life.
Not necessarily agreeing with the usefulness of the magic campfire amongst the burning buildings, Wren moves up to the barricade to scout before moving forward. He trusts his elven sight (low light) paired with the other fires to give him adequate light for seeing threats and those who need rescue.
Perception
"Should we clear out the building to our right?" Wren whispers to Torgan, indicating the building to the right of the barrier.
Kraygan is currently yelling at the house indicated to by Wren.
Torgan pulls out the bright red and orange marble from his pack. "D'ya think this'll work fer th'fire?"
He shows the Campfire Bead to his compatriots.
"Great idea! It's worth a try!"
Jorgan then hods in agreement with Wren. "Let's do it then!"
[ooc]Note: Jorgan is not riding Hops. He's only medium-sized right now so I can't ride him yet.
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A small explosion sounds from within the house. Long flames lick the walls of the sizeable structure and burning beams begin to crumble under the weight of the sagging roof. Though the front entrance remains accessible. for now, the conflagration rages beyond control, threatening the lives that may be trapped inside.
It looks as if a flaming boulder smashed through the structure heading in a destructive path to the west.
Looking through a collapsed portion of the wall as the smoke breaks Jorgan sees that there are two people still inside. Squinting his eyes he realizes that Agrit is desperately trying to free Sara Morninghawk, the blacksmith, who is trapped beneath a fallen beam that is on fire. She seems to be unconscious and blood pours from a wound on her head.
To make matters worse a small group of orcs seem to have come from around the corner brandishing deadly falchions.
The red and green orc hurl a javelin at Vanderhoff and Jorgan while the blue orc slashes at Torgan with a sharp falchion.
one of the javelins flies through the smoke as they clatter through the rubble while Torgan feels a blade slam into his armor from behind.
Vanderhoff feels a javelin slam into his side nearly knocking him to the ground.
Orcs
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Vanderhoff (10/17 hp)
Kraygan (17/22)
Jorgan (Hops 14/21)
Wren (12/13 hp)
Torgan
Morninghawks
Kraygan wheels Haggis and spots the orc standing in the street to the west. All of the frustration built up over the last few days overflows upon seeing a real enemy.
He cries, and urges the yak into a charge. Well trained, Haggis stampedes right past the orc, giving Kraygan a perfect target for his lance.
"Go get 'em!" Jorgan points to the green foe and Hops goes charging in!
Seemingly without hesitation, Jorgan then takes a deep breath and runs straight into the burning building!
In his haste he forgot to hold his breath though and you hear him coughing and wheezing from just inside the doorway.
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Kraygan flies into a fury as he charges the orc. The orc's eyes open wide, he drops his weapon holding his arms into the air, though it does not stop Kraygan from completely impaling the lone orc upon his lance.
Jorgan rushes into the building coughing and hacking as Hops slams into the green orc. His small horns ripping into the orc's green flesh.
Orcs (Green -10)
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Vanderhoff (10/17 hp)
Kraygan (17/22)
Jorgan (Hops 14/21)
Wren (12/13 hp)
Torgan
Morninghawks
Growling at the pain, Vanderhoof yanks out the javelin protruding form his side, draws his hammer, and moves to swing at the nearest orc.
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Wren begins to get ready to drag Sara free though it does not look as if he will be able to drag her with the heavy wooden beam laying on top of her.
Vanderhoff draws his hammer attempting to smash the orc. Smoke gets in his eyes from the open door and he misses the creature.
Orcs (Green -10)
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Vanderhoff (10/17 hp)
Kraygan (17/22)
Jorgan (Hops 14/21)
Wren (12/13 hp)
Torgan
Morninghawks
Torgan covers Wren and Jorgan's back as the blue-garbed orc tries to strike him down.
"Ya bloody raider..." Torgan spits as he swings his maulaxe and waraxe at the invader.
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Torgan's waraxe find's it's mark nearly severing the orc's arm. It lets out a howl, spittle flying from it's mouth as the orc's arm hangs loosely at it's side.
Sara continues to bleed from her head as the burning beam singes her chest.
The orcs faces enter such a rage as the dwarves have never seen as they swing their blades with unparalled force.
Torgan is able to dodge the orc's blade but hears a loud yell of pain behind him. Looking back momentarily Torgan sees a falchion enter Hops' neck. The yak wavers momentarily before dropping to the ground in a bloody heap.
Orcs (Blood veng 1) (Green -10; blue -6)
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Vanderhoff (10/17 hp)
Kraygan (17/22)
Jorgan (Hops -10/21)
Wren (12/13 hp)
Torgan
Morninghawks (**)
Kraygan's rage abates slightly with his victory over one orc, but as it begins to ebb he feels a little nauseous, as if his bile was a ship rising on a tide of beer in his gut. Before it can boil over, he forces it down with a furious gulp and turns his yak around to survey the battle.
Vanderhoff and Torgan seem to have one of the orcs on the ropes, but Kraygan's eyes go wide as the other hacks into Hops like a butcher at the slaughterhouse. With a wordless cry of rage he heels Haggis into another charge, this one heading straight into the brute with lance and horns!
Torgan swings his axes once more at the ineffective orc. "Tell Pharasma th't yer brother will be joining you shortly!"
Jorgan helps Wren free the woman, lifting the beam off her.
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Kraygan's lance slams into the orc's head effectively breaking it's neck with an audible snap of bone.
Hops continues to bleed out in the rubble as Jorgan and Agrit try to lift the heavy beam off of Sara. The beam doesn't shift much it feels as if he might need the assistance of one or two more people to get the burning beam off of her as Wren stands ready to slide the woman out.
Torgan slams his waraxe into the orc once again as it has a hard time blocking the attack with his broken arm. The orc seems staggered by the blow
Round 2
Orcs (Blood veng 1) (blue -15)
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Vanderhoff (10/17 hp)
Kraygan (17/22)
Jorgan (Hops -4/21)
Wren (12/13 hp)
Torgan
Morninghawks (**)
Glancing at Hops, Vanderhoff swings hard, trying to end the orc, and reach the downed yak.
Jorgan wants to shout out for help but doesn't want to lose his breath any more than he is already while struggling under the weight of the beam. He just hopes that the others will kill the orcs quickly and follow inside to help.
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Vanderhoff smashes his hammer into the orc's knee. It looks as if it could drop at any second.
Sara's bleeding continue's as her clothing catches fire.
The orc shifts away from Vanderhoff's deadly hammer and slashes at Torgan once again
The orc aim seem off as his knee gives out on him causing him t stumble.
Orcs (Blood veng 1) (blue -19)
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Vanderhoff (10/17 hp)
Kraygan (17/22)
Jorgan (Hops -4/21)
Wren (12/13 hp)
Torgan
Morninghawks (****)
Van curses again as his glancing blow does not drop the orc. Following the orc, he swings again.
Hops seems fine for the moment.
Meanwhile Jorgan keeps straining against the flaming beam!
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Van's hammer caves in the orc's head with the sound of a melon striking a stone.
Jorgan and Agrit continues to strain against the board but still feels as if he could use the assistance of another person's strength to lift it off enough to free Sara.
Vanderhoff (10/17 hp)
Kraygan (17/22)
Jorgan (Hops -4/21)
Wren (12/13 hp)
Torgan
Morninghawks (****)
Torgan throws his axes onto the ground as he hears his brother yelling for aid. He rushes in and sees the catastrophe in front of him. "Oi! Push on three!" Torgan yells as he pushes against the beam.
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Torgan rushes into the fiery building after his brother. On the count of three Jorgan, Torgan and Agrit all heave on the fiery wooden beam. Between the three of them they are able to shift the beam just enough for Wren to pull the blacksmith free with her only receiving another burn, though she continues to bleed.
The group is able to drag the two half-orcs to the clean open air where everyone can breath once again.
The stench of death hangs over this small square in Trunau’s
inner quarter. Bodies of all kinds—orcs and humans, men and
women, children and the elderly—lie scattered across the
cobblestones where they fell. Veins of watery blood crawl from
the base of the well in the center of the square, spreading from
the limp body of a slain Trunauan guard draped over the side of
the well. A rare moment of silence on the battlefield accentuates
the sounds of crackling flames in the distance and the steady,
hollow drip of blood into the well.
Torgan will either get Jorgan to heal either or both of the survivors.
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Wren exhales deeply when he escapes the smoke, choking air like it is water, but grateful for it nonetheless.
He puts his head down to listen for sounds of breathing from Sara...and looks to the dwarves.
"There is a medical station just inside the barrier! Let us carry her there," Wren suggests picking up his share of the woman (likely an arm) and carrying her forward. "Then we can return to look through the rest of the area. There might be more who need us."
Wren's face strains with the effort of leadership of it all, but he keeps his cool.
* * *
"Let's explore the other buildings!" Wren returns to scene, hopefully with the dwarveship in tow. "That building there? The one with the drums?"
Wren points to the drumming sounds.
Red in the face, breathing heavily, and fighting back vomit, Kraygan clings to Haggis as Wren and his cousins drag Sara from the burning building. Not trusting himself to speak without projecting lunch all over, he follows grimly along to the medical station.
By the time the group is ready to move on, he's nearly back to his normal (drunken) self, thanks to a few sips from his keg.
"Aye, let'sh go shilence thoshe *belch* drumsh." He says, starting to kick Haggis forward. He gets a couple feet before reigning up and looking back to Vanderhoff. "Er.. that wand. Maybe nowsh a good time for ushin it, eh?"
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The group drops the wounded half-orcs off at the healing station where they start to bind their wounds looking for anything serious.
They find a few broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a large wound on Sara's head that they are able to treat right away. Though she is still unconscious they were able to stop the bleeding and determine that she will live.
Wren moves towards the drums and is able to see a bit more. To the south the group hears a small group. Can't believe the fools fell fer it. They let us right into their town!. Leaving the building is a small group containing a half-orc and some humans wearing the same style clothing as the assassins. They each have a barrel in their hands that are stamped with Moonshine. Hey! I thought you shaid they were all hiding er dead. The human drops his barrel drawing a spear as the other draws a greatsword as they notice a man laying on the ground with a wound. He must have been feigning death as he heard the group. He slowly begins to crawl backwards against the wall holding his hands before him.
To the north towards the sound of the drums in the air, the cluster of homes look to be abandoned, as the residents have fled to the safety of the Longhouse or are dead.
Kraygan and Wren see through the smoke that there is an entire squad of orcs ransacking the buildings and looting all of the valuables.
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Spotting a citizen (and moonshine) in eminent danger, Kraygan lowers his lance to point at the one wielding the greatsword. Glancing back to make sure his companions are with him, he notices something through the smoke to the north.
"Lesh take these quick. We got lotsh more tha' way." He grunts. Trying to maintain control in this battle, he kicks Haggis forth and focuses on his old training.
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Torgan picks up his axes and sheathes them before tending to the wounded half-orcs. He will ensure that the raiders are dead and coup de grace any invaders that are alive.
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"Take care o' them. They may 'ave smoke inhalation issues." Torgan advises the clerics.
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As the group pushes back into the fray, he draws his axes. He sees the looting and yells "CEASE YER LOOTING OR FEEL MY WRATH!".
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Jorgan pulls out his axe as he moves up, telling Hops to stay with him this time.