Cylina quickly stowed the holy symbol as she saw the approach of the guard to the room she was in, coming out unarmed as she saw Nadya submit. As the group is wrangled, the young woman looked at the soldier who seemed to be in charge.
The corporal only laughs again showing his gap-toothed grin. He responds to Cylina:
He shrugs emphasizing his lack of ability to change things and shoves Cylina roughly into line with the others.
The soldiers move to disarm any of the captured strangers.
Dang it! How in the heck am I supposed to get them out of this mess? As soon as everyone is clear of the home Ruso slips out of his hiding spot and gives a short shrill whistle to see if the house sprite is still about.
Ruso gestures that everyone has been taken by armed guards and that he needs help to get them back.
"Come. We have work to do and friends to save." Ruso heads for the door. Ruso quickly and quietly moves to the door leading out of the home. He glances around the door frame out into the street to see if anyone is nearby.
If he doesn't spot anyone immediately outside of the home he will slip out the door and stealthily track the party to their current location. All the while Ruso coats his blade with Oil of Taggit. All right lets do this Ruso.
If someone is just outside he checks for a back door or window to slip out of instead.
Once at the square or wherever the party has been marched to Ruso will take a quick count of the guards. Time to create a distraction and get them free. Ruso reaches into his hip pouch and pulls out a handful of caltrops. Holding a position just behind a corner Ruso gives a whistle hoping to pull one or two of the guards to him.
Irina looks angry at the man. She stands as tall as her short statue will allow her to. She tries to shake off anyone's touch.
If given the same offer as Cylina she glares at him and raises an eyebrow.
Cylina sighed and nodded resignedly to the Corporal, though she does scowl at the man as he shoved her into line with the others. The redhead fought down panic as she slowly started moving with the others, noting that the wily elven man was nowhere to be seen. Noting Irina speaking a native tongue of Irrisen, corroborating her earlier story of being from the place, the priestess hoped the two could talk their way out of whatever was going on. She should have known better than to throw in against the rulers of this land!
Radzislau gives in, not willing to commit his friends to fight the town's authorities without further consideration, but it rankles him greatly.
The guards push and drag you to the tavern at the center of the Waldsby. There, four other guards stand in various states of boredom. The guards lead you inside, where the broad-shouldered, dark-bearded man talks with the innkeeper and his wife.
"So, which one is the leader of this bunch of outlanders?" the sergeant says in heavily accented Common. "It is no secret you come from outside of Irrisen. Just where do you come from, " he asks cocking an eyebrow, waiting for a reply.
Back at the house, Ruso finds the diminutive house spirit who is quite animated and angry. "How could you let them take Nadya like that? No they all need resucing and all we have is a lone elf....Impossible!" he stalks over to where the twin boys sit troubled by the loss of their mother.
Hatc decrees he will stand guard over the boys, while Ruso makes plans to free his friends or Nadya or both.
Slinking along through the village, Ruso is able to move sight-unseen to the outside of the tavern. Listening in at the dirty windows, the rogue can hear what is transpiring so far. There are four guards outside, and 6 plus the sergeant inside.
Cylina cut in before any of the newcomers could take the Sergeant's attention.
Irina glares at the Sargent as if he he's nothing to her. She tries her best to look if she's one of the jadwiga.
Time to move like the winds shadow. Ruso checks the tavern windows for a way in as he move quietly and stealthily through the snow.
If he spots an exterior guard he takes cover and holds still until the guard passes. After the guard is clear Ruso will continue his task.
If Ruso finds a way in he will quietly take cover and hide among the furnishings of the tavern. He will then use the furniture to his advantage to creep towards his guarded companions.
Radzislau grumpily follows along, keeping quiet with visible difficulty.
Wulfgang looks for a way out of the tavern, but only sees the front door and small windows that face the town square. As he looks, he sees Ruso creeping in from the kitchens, hiding behind the bar for the time being.
The sergeant, whose name is Volan Sertaine, shrugs his shoulders when Cylina denies being a foreigner. "It may be so, my young doe, but you are associatign with them, are you not? And if not with them, you were at this dissident's home. That's enough to haul you in, if I have mind. Convince me whyI should not, eh?" His eyes are the cruel kind of amused as he looks you over.
When Irina tries to pull rank on the Ulfen man, he looks worried. "That may be so, but my orders are still my orders. I am to bring this one," He indicates Nadya with a lift of his bearded chin. "To the tower so my master may speak with her. Additionally, I am to bring any outlanders I find with her along as well. By your speech and manner, I do not mark you as an outlander. If you wish to stay here, I will contact my master and ask him for permission. What is your name?"
No one, except Wulfgang, notices Ruso creeping into the back of the tavern as they are all too busy focusing on the prisoners and don't expect any locals to challenge them.
Disgusted by the man's insinuations, and thinking that at best she would get Irina's offer to stay in custody while the others are brought to the Tower, Cylina's shoulders sagged as she resigned herself to the mercy of the local jadwiga. She still scowled at the Sergeant as her mind whirled, trying to think of a way out that wouldn't involve whoring herself for favors.
Time to press my luck. Ruso slinks out from behind the bar towards the closest guard. He stabs at the guard with his rapier hoping that oil of taggit he smeared on his blade will be effective.
Guards and Sergeant - Surprise Round
As the others talk and Sergeant Volan seems to be enjoying himself, suddenly Ruso bolts from behind the bar, his envenomed rapier driving at the nearest Tower guard. Unfortunately, even flat-footed the guards are well-armored, and the rapier glances off harmlessly.
One of the guards, Blue, somehow turns his head jsut right to catch the flash of movement, and he cries out, moving quickly towards the elf assassin but not able to fully close the ground.
End of Surprise Round
If the sargent won't allow her friends to stay with her, then she will go with the tower.
Guards and Sergeant - Round 1
21 Irina
20 Nadya
19 Radzislau
19 Volan
19 Purple Guard
17 Green Guard
16 Orange Guard
15 Cylina
14 Wulfgang
11 Blue Guard
9 Ruso
8 Red Guard
8 Yellow Guard
Irina tuns and gives the guard that Ruso attacked the Evil Eye. Then she cackles.
Radzislau has been waiting for a moment to strike, and it seems like this is it. He slams his foot down, a shield of stone erupting from the ground between him and the adjacent guard.
He then throws himself towards the table, desperate to grab his weapon and begin defending his companions.
Guards and Sergeant - Round 1 - continued
Irina reacts quickly when Ruso pops out and assaults the nearby guard. She spits out a witch hex trying to reduce the defenses of the Orange Guard. While the guard, who has seen his share of witchcraft, is strong enough to overcome the hex, his defense is dropped for one round at least.
Seeing the fight break out, Nadya attempts to trip the guard nearest her, sticking her leg out as he tries to join the fray. The guard goes sprawling, too surprised to even react with any kind of attack. The quick Irriseni woman then rushes as close to the weapon table as she can.
Radzislau summons forth a wall of stone that interposes itself between him and the guard. With this cover he is able to reach and grab his hammer from the table near the Sergeant, ready to get the fight started in earnest.
Roaring his disapproval, Volan leaps up and draws his longsword, attacking Radzislau as he steps forward. The skilled fighter is able to wound Radzislau drawing first blood.
Purple Guard attempts to grab Wulfgang, trying to restrain the big man from entering the fight but his clumsy attempt fails to hold the viking.
Green Guard attacks Radzislau, but only to provide aid for his sergeant's next attack. He tries to feint and distract the paladin effectively drawing a bit of the target's attention.
Finding himself the target of a sneak attack, and hexed by the witch, Orange steps away from Irina and focuses his attack on Ruso but his attack misses.
Seeing the elven man appear and then surprised by the almost immediate bedlam that followed, Cylina was slow to react. Still, as the holy warrior moved forward and claimed his weapon and then was blooded by the sergeant for his trouble, the priestess saw the other guard setting Radzislau up for another strike of the vicious Volan.
There was no going back now. Stepping forward, Cylina grabbed her morningstar, then proceeded to try to distract the leader of the guardsmen, hoping the paladin could take the opening before accepting another hit.
Guards and Sergeants - round 1 - continued
Moving to his weapon, Wulfgang risks the stabbing attacks of three different soldiers as he goes. A pair of the swords find their marks and while Wulfgang is able to grab his weapon, he pays a high price for it in wounds.
Cylina is able to distract Volan enough that Radzislau's next attack on the sergeant has a bit of an advantage.
Blue Guard, already drawing blood from the viking, stabs at him once again, trying to finish the job
Ruso tumbles past the guard and leaps up onto the bar. As he does so he stabs at the guard closest to Wulfgang with his rapier.
Radzislau takes a swing at the Sergeant, trying to make the most of Cylina's opening.
Guards and Sergeant - Round 1 - continued
Ruso deftly avoids a stabbing attack by one of the guardsmen, leaps up on the bar, and stabs down at Blue, trying to hit the man from behind. His rapier finds the mark, but the guards chain shirt turns the point aside, and the guard is unharmed.
Moving up from the back of the room, Red Guard gets to where Ruso stands atop the bar and makes a hacking swing at the elf's feet, cutting his leg open as blood pours down on the bar top.
Yellow Guard pushes himself up from where Nadya tripped him and steps forward readying to attack her when he can.
End of Round 1
Guards and Sergeant - Round 2
21 Irina
20 Nadya
19 Radzislau (4hp dmg)
19 Volan
19 Purple Guard
17 Green Guard (aiding Volan)
16 Orange Guard (evil eye, -2 to AC, 1 round)
15 Cylina (aiding Radz)
14 Wulfgang (18hp dmg)
11 Blue Guard
9 Ruso (7hp dmg)
8 Red Guard
8 Yellow Guard
Radzislau's attack, with a help from Cylina, scores a hit on the guard sergeant, Volan. He looks hurt, but isn't ready to give up the fight just yet.
Without a weapon in hand, Nadya takes a 5' step nearer the table and shoves a healing potion in the hand of Wulfgang who looks quite badly hurt. "Drink it, man and be quick about it. We need you in this fight."
Irina cackles, and then sends a Ray of Frost at the yellow guard.
Guards and Sergeant - Round 2 - continued
Irina cackles sending chilling shivers down the spines of all who hear her. She then conjures a ray of ice that flies across the pub, but doesn't hit anyone.
Aided by one of his minions, Volan strikes out at Radzislau, first with his sword and then with his spiked shield. Even with the assistance, the guard sergeant cannot hit with his blade, and his shield gets so tangled up in the morass of bodies he nearly drops it.
Purple Guard moves up and attacks Nadya who is now pressed from at least two sides. He stabs the Irisseni mother who grunts with pain.
Green Guard slides over directly behind the heavily engaged paladin and stabs him from behind -- really more of a scratch than anything.
Still under the effects of the evil eye, Orange Guard steps forward and swings at the witch who hexed him.
As her companions took hits all around her, Cylina saw the situation deteriorating as the fight continued. She had little hope that this encounter would end well. Then again, dying here might be preferable to going before the jadwiga. Perhaps if they could drop the leader of the guards, it might affect the morale of the others. Her brow furrowing in determination, the priestess swung her weapon at Volan. She thought about backing up to the other end of the table afterwards, but dismissed it. The group was already surrounded as it was...retreating further would only invite her allies to be even more surrounded.
Guards and Sergeant - Round 2 - continued
With the potion from Nadya in hand, Wulfgang just needs a safe place to drink it. He decides to cut his way free, risking geetting hit again, and likely going down. Instead he brings his axe around and slashes it into the Orange Guard, nearly chopping the man clean in half. The viking then steps into an open area, with the hope of consuming his potion unmolested next turn.
Cylina swings her morningstar, but there is little room to operate in the chaotic and crowded inn, and she bumps into Nadya, spoiling the attack.
Blue Guard steps away from the flanking elf and stabbing Cylina who he has pinned between himself and Sgt Volan. The wound is not minor, hurting the red-head.
Ruso dashes across the bar top and tumbles his way into a flanking position behind the guard captain. His rapier flashes forth trying to find its way through a weak point in his armor.
Guards and Sergeant - Round 2 - concluded
Dashing down from the bar and sliding under the attack from Blue, Ruso ends up in the corner of the small tavern, stabbing the guard sergeant in the back for all he is worth. The rapier scores a direct hit this time on Sgt Volan, wounding him badly. .
Red Guard steps up to the nearest foe, which is the injured Wulfgang. He cuts at the ranger with his sword, scratching him. While just a minor wound, it is the last straw for Wulfgang, who feels like he could faint at any moment, his head light from blood loss.
Yellow Guard maneuvers around the table and makes an attack on Nadya, cutting her.
End of Round 2
Guards and Sergeant - Round 3
21 Irina (4hp dmg)
20 Nadya (13hp dmg)
19 Radzislau (6hp dmg)
19 Volan (11hp dmg)
19 Purple Guard
17 Green Guard
15 Cylina (6hp dmg)
14 Wulfgang (20hp dmg, disabled)
11 Blue Guard
9 Ruso (7hp dmg)
8 Red Guard
8 Yellow Guard
Irina realizing that Wulfgang down is a very bad thing, but scared to try to cast a spell with two guards with swords in front of her tries to move out of the way.
Radzislau swings at the guard-captain once more, shouting as he does.
Irina realizing that Wulfgang down is a very bad thing, but scared to try to cast a spell with two guards with swords in front of her tries to move out of the way.
Guards and Sergeant - Round 3 - continued
While Irina mulls over her bad choices, Radzislau takes on the Irriseni sergeant with his minions milling about. This time the paladin's best attack clangs off the spiked shield of Volan harmlessly.
Flanked on all sides, Nadya tries to move out of the box she is in, stepping to her left and attacking Purple with both her weapons. Bewildering hte guard with her attacks from both hands, Nadya scores hits with both, crippling Purple, as he barely stays upright.
Irina decides to stay where she is. She chooses to try and cast Infernal healing on Wulfgang. She's so nervous her spell fails.
I hope he doesn't mind.
Guards and Sergeant - Round 3 - continued
Nervously casting a spell while surrounded by foes, Irina trips over the words and the spell fizzles.
Fully surrounded by enemies, the Pale Tower grits his teeth knowing he has to fight his way clear of this situation. "Be brave, lads! We have been worse scrapes than this. We have these outlanders right where we want them!" he calls in Skald before turning his weapons on Cylina, who is stuck between him and a guardsman. He is able to mash the Milani cleric with his shield spikes and cut her with his longsword, leaving the woman disabled and surrounded.
Purple Guard is also quite hurt and he makes a dying stab at Nadya who is also flanked. He misses and goes down in a heap.
Green strikes at Radzisalu who stands between him and his leader. He drives his sword deep into the paladin, hurting him badly.