Growling Attris turns as he hears the guards call out and charges the closest one a full sprint.
He bellows as he marks his target.
Berrin suggests to scramble any equipment that can be salvaged from the
Hellknights and placed onto our horses that will aid our cause.
Perhaps draw a symbol on the carriage or in the dirt as a warning to the Hellknights, and with Arael make a swift retreat before reinforcements arrive.
As Attris is out of Berrins "suggesting voice" range Attris is going to continue to charge toward these Hell Knights!
Bark will assist the young lion in plundering the carriage whilst keeping an eye on the half orc. as the hell knights come into range bark will attack with arrows if he can. if the half orc returns then we take what we can and leave
"My gear is in the bench," Arael says pointing to the one long wooden seat in the small wagon."'It's also locked."
The three Hellknights that seem to have taken only minor injuries from their fall settle their limping comrade before drawing their swords and advancing towards Attris, spreading out slightly as they do.
"Doesn't look like the other two are in any hurry to get out of here, Berrin. You stay here and help Areal, I'll go get the horses."
Benni tosses the keys to Berrin and dashes off to where the horses are hidden.
Continuing to move at full speed!
As Attris is baring down on the three Hell Knights he unleashes an almighty, blood freezing roar.
Intimidate:
Berrin leaves the Hell Knights to Attris, and prepares to leave. He cries out to everyone.
"We have lingered here to long!, we need to move!"
Berrin looks over to the charging roaring Attris, plunder in hand, and awaits the return of Benni with the Horses.
I have proven myself Savage orc, now lets see what you can do
As Benni rushes off to get the mounts and Berrin gathers the loot with half an eye on the impending clash of Attris and the three remaining Hellknights, Bark drops one of the enemies with a long-range arrow to the throat. He swiftly draws and fires twice more.
The first arrow misses, firing some 20 feet over the charging warriors' heads, but the second takes one of the two remaining mercenaries through the eye, and he falls to the ground, twitching.
As the last Hellknight, his eyes wide with fear, crashes into the bellowing half-orc he swings his sword wildly.
He scores a light slash across Attris's outstretched arms as the gladiator lunges.
Attris rushes in to the attacking Hell Knight and attempts to grapple him around the waist and lift him in to the air.
Grapple Attempt:
Attris grabs the man around the waist, trapping his opponents's off hand within his arms as well. As Attris hoists the man into the air, Bark struggles to find a clear shot. The Hellknight, roaring, raises his sword.
The Hellknight almost drops his sword, so poor is his grip on his weapon.
Maintaining grapple:
Spiked armour attack:
Damage:
Attris gives another roar and squeezes the flailing Hellknight to his body. With a scream of metal on metal, the nasty spikes on Attris's armour penetrate the man's black mail, and he screams as blood begins to run immediately down his sides.
Still screaming, the hapless warrior strikes downward at Attris again.
Maintain grapple:
Attris bear hugs the Hell Knight again with all his strength!
Damage:
With another bloodthirsty roar, Attris crushes the flailing Hellknight in his arms, blood running down the man's sides as he arches his back in agony. Attris throw him aside, his arms raised in the glory of the kill.
Arael has gethered his gear from the carriage, and exits just as Attris performs his death move on the last Hellknight. He shakes his head sadly at the half-orc's obvious bloodlust. "This is not the way to bring Westcrown to the Light," he murmurs so only Berrin can hear.
The priest turns to the tall youth. "My thanks, friend. Are you wounded, young warrior? I have recovered my wits enough to heal you by the grace of Iomedae, if you require it." His brow furrows in confusion before Berrin can answer. "Again, my thanks, but I must ask, why have you liberated me?" He moves towards Berrin, his hand on his holy symbol, preparing to cast if required.
Berrin looks down at the priest.
"None of this blood is my own Arael,we have set you free at the request of your woman Janiven"
Berrin walks over to collect supplies and yells
"We need to leave now!
Attris turns to face Berrin as he calls out. Attris loots the three bodies at his feet grabbing all he can carry and then runs toward Berrin.
This new armour isn't going to pay for its self ill need every gold coin I can find and this hell knight junk might fetch a few gold with the merchants.
Bark will help gather what supplies can be grabbed quickly. (potions, Swords, Crossbows. Assuming chainmail will take a bit to get off?)
"Janiven!" exclaims Arael. [b]"She's still free?" His expression brightens. "What about the rest of them?"
Berrin still remains calm and assertive with Arael
"Janiven still lives along with a band of your crew"
Berrin begins to collect his things
"You can talk to her and she will explain it all but for now you are free thanks to us.. the longer we sit here the more chance Hell knight reinforcements arrive."
Berrin runs towards the Horses Benni has fetched
"That lightens my heart," Arael murmurs. "Where do we go from here?"
Arael hears the basic plan, then nods and helps you collect what loot you want. His expression is noticeably sad as he examines the slaughtered Hellknights, "What a shame. The poor misguided souls. Did they really deserve death? I guess it doesn't matter now. But look, these are no more than boys - and girls," he says sorrowfully as he lifts a helm to reveal the face of a girl of no more than sixteen. Her features are framed by her own blood that has run from her chest wound over her neck and around her ears.
"Please, might I ask... If you're going to be so kind as to help our cause in the future, could you perhaps try and be a little less... lethal in your approach? I hope that the children and I can promote a future that involves a good deal less bloodshed, fear, and hatred. We want to be shining examples of the virtues Iomedae extols - justice, truth, and freedom. This, this would be as disturbing to the people of Westcrown as anything House Thrune has done."
As Berrin's face turns stony at these words, Arael hurries to clarify. "Oh, don't get me wrong, my boy - I'm quite thrilled to be free of torture and incarceration. But most of the Hellknights, they're not evil, although some of them undoubtedly are. And I must admit, seeing the fate of that one," he says gesturing at the Hellknight's fallen leader, "does indeed fill me with a certain unhealthy sense of pleasure. Ah, the world,we live in! Where did all the black and white go - all I see is shades of grey..."
Shortly, Attris makes his way back over the bridge and Benn returns with the horses. You all mount quickly and head down the road to the preplanned meeting place, and sure enough, Janiven and her band of rebels are also just arriving. She calls out Arael's name when she sees him, riding over to embrace him from horseback. He gives her a fatherly kiss on the forehead, and after asking after his health Janiven swiftly launches into a quick recounting of the last 24 hours' events as the group begins to move out.
Arael looks impressed at your exploits, although he does wince as he recounts the carnage back at the stone bridge. Janiven looks down as he does. "Sorry Arael, that is my fault - I didn't make it clear that non-lethal force was preferred..."
The half-elf sighs. "I understand. You are young yet, and filled with enthusiasm, but you must remember mercy, and forgiveness. Desna, also, preaches these things, yes?"
"Yes Arael, she does. I just forgot. We were all so worried about you, and everything was happening so fast..." she stammers.
"As I said, I understand. Don't whip yourself over it, but remember. It is important, child."
As you ride back, Arael spends a little time speaking to each of you, asking about who you are, where you come from, and how you have become involved.
Attris overhears the conversation between Janiven and Arael.
What fools...to think that they're enemies would show mercy to them. I am all for fostering good and righteousness in this world but the weak are crushed beneath the boot of the strong...this is the way of the world now and always will be.
Attris seems to shirk away from engaging Arael in conversation and when he attempts to garner information the half orc mutters an answer under his breath and pretends to be interested in something Berrin has said instead.
Ahhh Young Lion!...A mighty display of prowess on the battlefield today. Those Hell Knights didn't stand a chance against our combined might.
Attris looks in the direction of Bark
Nice shooting
There is a hint of derision in Attris's compliment to Bark but he smiles at the Tiefling none the less, completely unaware of the string of drool dripping from his mouth on to his armor.
Benni, speaking to Arael and Janiven but happy for the others to participate:
"I must admit, Arael, I find your compassion for your foes remarkable. If it were I that had been locked up and tortured, I would not have been happy until every last one of them was killed. But that is my failing - you set a fine example to your followers.
Isn't it sad about those young Hellknights. I guess they did know what they were signing up for, but how much does a teenager really know about life and death? These brave fellows waves around at his companions know that when you step out your door with weapons and armour on you should expect to face a violent death. But did they? Did she?"
Benni continues:
"Why were they out here dressed as Hellknights anyway? What convinces an otherwise innocent youth to take part in savage oppression? Did they have a choice? Perhaps they were just trying to make some coin to feed their family. They're just as much victims in this as we are.
Tactically, perhaps it would have been better to take out their leader and force the others to surrender. Things would certainly be easier for us if we were known to be merciful. These encounters needn't always be a last-man-standing affair.
And thinking strategically, Arael. What plans do you have to win over youngsters like those back there? How can we show the people of Westcrown, for that's surely who every Hellknight is beneath the armour, that they should side with us, and not the oppressors?"
Bark listens intently to Araels words and too, Benni's.
'Yes, perhaps these young ones did not deserve death and may just be misguided youth, But chin up all. We came here to rescue Areal and we have done that. We were not to know they were of such a tender and manipulative age. Given we kn ow how this is how they are working we can be more tactiful in future.'
'More importantly Arael, the halfling has how do you plan on wining over the people of westcrown. Enlighten us as we travel.'
Bark helps pack things up as he finishes his sentence to help motion the movement out of here.