Softly to the others, but not loud enough to be heard outside... "Oh, sh*t... This seems the perfect time to hide... idjit... he's going to get us all killed... " She sighs audibly and goes after Kers...
"What's wrong with hiding anyway?" Still, despite direct confrontation going against every nerve in her body, she puts her hand on her blade hilt. IF this turns into a fight, I don't want to get caught unarmed.
"I won't let the halflings be hurt because of us. We have to go out." Xochtli says, walking to the door. "We outnumber them... there is no reason for us to cower while they hurt these people. I suggest..." As she pulls out a smokestick, "We get the drop on them from the start. I can toss this out, be sure they see where it came from, force them off the horses and into this narrow doorway here where we can catch them off guard as they rush in.. if they choose not to rush in... for example if instead they make a threat or don't immediately attempt to then we go out while they are still caught in the smoke, either way they'll have to assemble themselves while we here are prepared."
I agree, we cannot allow the villagers to sacrifice themselves. Give me just a minute. Let them talk. If they are smart they will point out out location, if not, we will go out. I just need a little time.
This is going to be a running fight from here on out either way. we are going to need help.
So saying, Israfel ducks behind the counter and begin concentrating, as she does so, the air around her begins to shimmer.
We knew this was coming. Sooner or later we were going to have to reveal ourselves. Hiding no longer serves a purpose and this monstrous evil cannot be repeated.
I guess I am less for confrontation than the others, but they are right - this is going to be a fight whether we are ready for it or not. I just hope we can hold our own against those bullies. I'd rather take them by surprise myself... but we can't always have what we want.
Fleur pulls out a pair of darts and palms one in each hand so they are not visible on casual inspection.
Grinning because they have decided to join him, Kers growls, "Lets do it!". Save your smoke Xochtli, I can get them to come.
Kers moves boldly out the door and shouts at the orcs... I thought it smelled like &^%% and then I look out the window and see you ugly bastards. Why don't you go back and suck Irazador's &%$^ you filthy eunuchs!
Fleur does her best to suppress an almost embarrassed giggle at Kers' language and waits for the orcs' response to his taunts.
She whispers softly to Xochtli, "they have nearly unlimited hostages... they might not comply - the smokestick might still come in handy"
xochtli nods slightly at Fleur, "I had no intentions of putting it away yet, I still have a number of concerns about our situation... like how they discovered about us."
Fleur whispers back, "I had the same concerns, someone in Fellhallow may have talked under duress. At least I hope it was under duress. And we haven't actually made a secret of our presence here. We can contemplate all of this later, I guess, assuming we survive the coming fight."
She looks at Xochtli grimly, her mouth set in a firm line...
Hopefully our survival is not a remote assumption. We do outnumber them, but they are better armed and armored than us. A fair fight maybe, but then whoever said I like to fight fair.
Kers steps into the light and insults the orcs, their God and their smell. The orcs on the horses leap from their mounts, snarling and drawing their greatswords. However the lead orc holds up a hand, stopping them immediately.
Pitching his voice loudly, he calls out:"Rebels and traitors! You have been found guilty of aiding an elf and plotting treason against our Lord Izarador. Moreover, you are guilty of leading innocents astray. Come out and throw down your arms and these people will not need to suffer for your crimes. Resist and we will burn this town to the ground." He nods at the nearest orc, who smiles unpleasantly and pulls forth a tindertwig and a torch.
"Decide quickly. You have until my Lieutenant lights his torch."
Xochtli shakes her head, "That would be too quick if it were the halflings... I was actually thinking of something else but now its now the time to discuss it. Fleur quick, light this so I might toss it out at them before they get that torch lit."
Kers grins again, with no mirth. Go ahead and burn it. I know no one here, and the smoke will give me plenty of time and cover to escape. I wonder what your whore god will do to you when he realizes you helped us escape. Orcs are STUPID, damn but they are dumb. Light the fuse *&^$ face so I can get out of here. I do not have all day.
Kers tries to draw as much attention to himself to give others time to act, or react.
Fleur lights Xochtli's smokestick as rapidly as she can, so that Xochtli can toss it out there... "I was afraid they wouldn't fall for Kers' taunts." She then stands aside slightly, so Xochtli can get to the door right behind Kers...
The chief orc smiles as the torch catches fire and splutters to life. He nods at his lieutenant. "Do it." he speaks in a clear voice. The lieutenant pulls back his arm as the crowd of halflings gasp.
The orc throws the torch high and true. Through the air it sails.
To land in a townhouse on the opposite side of the street. The thatched roof catches with a soft 'whomp'. The halflings gasp and break apart as one woman cries, "Oh no, my baby!"
The orc chief stares directly into the general store as his orcs light more torches and throw them everywhere but at the general store. "My God will reward me for the sacrifice this town has made. Their blood is on your hands, but Izarador will redeem their souls." He stands motionless as the town burns.
Lump, whose hand stopped moving when the torch soared toward the home, bellows and barrels past the orcs, straight into the townhouse on fire. He smashes through the door, breaking through wood as he dives inside.
Israfel will stride from behind the counter, her silver and gold scale armor almost seeming to flow and shift as she walks to stand beside Ker. Upon her brow burns a strange rune in blue fire. As she approaches, she speaks words of power, and the air about her once more shimmers for a second.
Quarterstaff igniting with power, Israfel strides out of the inn. The only souls Izarador will feed on today will be your, Orc.
I cast mage armor and activate Arcane Strike
Current AC = 20
"Apparently you didn't hear my friend, attempting to guilt us with such words isn't going to work." Xochtli calls out before throwing the stick out centered on the orcs, she hisses back. "Allain, go help Lump in that townhouse please, we'll handle the orcs." She will pull out one of her non-magical daggers and prepare to step out and with it assuming the smoke stick strikes where intended.
Standing behind Kers, Fleur will toss a dart at the leader orc, then draw her blade with her now free hand.
[surprise damage]
\
Order
20 Fleur
16 Xochtli
14 Chief
10 Kers
9 Orcs
8 Israfel
Orcs:
Chief:
Round 1!
Recap of Surprise Round:
Fleur launches a dart through the open door, hitting the chief. He grunts, but otherwise makes no notice as the dart falls out of his arm. Kers launches himself through the door, followed closely by Israfel, now covered by silver and gold armor and sporting a sigil upon her brow. Allain, his hood pulled up, slips out the door just ahead of Xochtli, who tosses out a smokestick, which splutters and smokes and rapidly fills the center of the plaza with hazy smoke.
Round 1:
20 Fleur
16 Xochtli
14 Chief
10 Kers
9 Orcs
8 Israfel
Fleur launches another dart at the Chief Orc, , narrowly missing him as he shifts in the smoke.
Thanks for the patience, everyone! Moving is proof that mankind was not meant to own so much stuff...
Xochtli holds back, watching the Orc Chief to see what he proposes to do.
Round 1:
20 Fleur
14 Chief
13 Xochtli
10 Kers
9 Orcs
8 Israfel
The Chief coughs and levels his sword at the approaching Kers. Bellowing a word in Orcish, he charges the youth!
Trip Attack vs Ker's CMD 16
-2 to AC due to charge!
Miss chance:
With a bellow, the orc chief swings his falchion, twisting it at the last minute to hook Kers' legs and flipping him hard on his back, prone!
When the chief charges out, Xochtli will pull one of her non-magical daggers out and throw it at him.
:
Xochtli's dagger flies wild as she attempts to hit the orc without hitting Kers. Unfortunately, he is definitely not surprised as she would wish and moves with skill and clarity.
Kers reacts on instinct alone and swings his ax at the orcs legs. lets see how you do from this position. he thinks mid stroke.
Ker's axe cuts deep into the Orc's leg, eliciting a choked cry from the chief. He snarls at Kers. "Boy, you just signed your death warrant."
The three orcs smile and move to attack!
One attacks the prone Kers: , dealing damage!
Two circle, flank and attack Israfel! and , but Israfel's invisible arcane protection deflects their blows just enough to save her!
Grimacing Israfel steps up next to Kers and swings at the chieftain, staff arcing with arcane power.
Kuchukua juu ya mtu kawaida yako mwenyewe nguruwe