Osric speaks softly. "It would appear I'm not the only one who has made a mistake today. Continue when you're ready, Captain."
At Odebie's earlier remark, two other members of the Ardare Watch lay their swords down next to Odebie. At a brusque gesture from the oread, the two ifrits sit in another corner of the office, which is quickly becoming crowded.
Instra interjects, "I think we can all use our imaginations from there, Ferret. You can interrogate him more later, but the question of the moment is: what are we going do about it? For whatever deranged reason, you, a sylph, want to help cure what is primarily a symptom of the disease that is Volcano worship. However, I can provide Byron here," she spreads her hands toward the rest of you, "and whoever else wishes to escort our cloudmaker, potions of flight and invisibility. You could be out of this madhouse in a quarter candle. Can't any of you see the sense in that?"
You hear just a whisper from the Captain's mind, and an accompanying image. They're coming soon...they'll kill me if they found out I talked...
The image is that of the pyramid-and-sword insignia of the Temple Watch. They are coming here--in force--soon.
"Tyranny is a plague, Ms. Instra. Running will only spread it. I believe it to be moot, as the Temple Guard is not stupid. They're going to be here before that quarter candle is up to ensure the good captain doesn't triple cross them. Isn't that right, Captain? Since they'll kill you anyway, you might as well take up arms against them and attempt to redeem your cowardly butt. Better to live an honorable life than a very slightly longer dishonorable one, eh?"
Byron frowns in thought. "It is true that for self-preservation flight would seem most reasonable but I believe Osric has a point as well if the Temple faction here remains unchecked it will have serious consequences for elen civilization as a whole with Hearth totally under their control they could threaten the food supplies of those who do not submit to their madness assuming of course that the planar instability here does not grow worse and end up destroying the city and unleashing a plague of berserk elementals on us all."
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Odebie's eyes narrow, and his mouth firms into a stiff line. A heavy step takes him to the back of the chair, and he rests a heavy hand on the Captain's shoulder. "This act you will pay for. In this life or the next, I will see to it. Captain Grecco was a good man - unlike you." He takes a deep breath, re-prioritizing while Osric talks. "This is alchemy, yes? Like a cooking recipe? So send the recipe away to safety. We have work here. First, we survive the night. Then I will need to speak to a tree."
Instra throws her hands up in exasperation. "Fine. Since none of you will agree to sense, we have no choice but to repulse these alleged guards coming our way. We have a silver golem, at least."
Osric doesn't really have any useful skills as far as making the place more secure, but he is familiar with the church and their historical combat tactics.
He'll chug a potion that he thought would be used for helping him think more clearly about the planar issue, and instead cogitate on issues far more domestic.
Assuming there are no wounded to heal, Fiordelise has no skills at construction or fortification to aid the defence (though she will use Mending/Mage Hand or whatever else if someone will direct her).
If there are materials to hand she can create some scrolls (cure light wounds probably) if it's felt we have at least the two hours to do so...
Odebie stands ready behind the main entrance. At his feet, he's driven an iron nail into the ground.
Byron looks about for anything that could be used to fashion hasty traps.
Osric, you recall seeing two or three newspaper articles in which the Temple Guard raided suspected Dark cultists or other heretics. They used identical tactics each time - a strong assault on a frontal location, while splitting a lesser force to flank, like a side entrance. A large bay window looms to the left of the building's front entrance. You would bet your neck brace that the secondary force will come this way.
Instra agrees, and sets the silver golem slightly to one side of the window, ready to catch any auxiliary force off guard. She remains close to the silver golem.
Odebie, you stand ready. The iron nail is in the floor.
Fi, you are ready to spring into action the moment the assault occurs.
Byron, cobbling together some spare reagents, you manage to set up a simple trap above the front entrance. The first person through the door will be subject to the equivalent of an acid arrow trap.
There is not much time to prepare - fortifications are out of the question. Relatively few Makers are here today - many stayed home because of the trouble on the streets. Among those that are here, several have experiments that could likely explode if left unattended; and among those that remain, there is only a handful willing and able to fight a trained attack force.
Instra, pursing her thin lips, appears somewhat disappointed by the showing, but says nothing.
Captain Entoro wordlessly takes up a position next to Odebie at the front.
You hear a whisper from a lookout upstairs - a large contingent of Temple Guards just came into view...
Byron quaffs his extract of bomber's eye.
Osric will stand behind and between Entoro and Odebie, sword drawn, ready to aid.
Odebie stands ready behind the door, hammer held loosely in one hand. If there's diplomacy to be done he'd rather someone else handle it, and he didn't like who was fighting next to him, but he was ready to fight nonetheless.
Fi's thoughts flash to the people at her home, she should have made some effort to warn them. Whatever happens here she is declaring against the temple and putting her friends in yet more danger.
A little late to worry about that now...
Fiordelise stands, blade in hand, a little energy pushed into it to make it glow, "This place is under our protection, I suggest you consider carefully your next actions. This does not have to end in bloodshed."
The guards' approach is quiet. You can hardly hear the boots beyond the closed door. Then, suddenly-
Yelling.
Running.
A sharp crack as a battering ram smashes one of the fine doors of the Makers' off of its hinges. Several guards pour in, yelling at the top of their lungs. Fi's reasoned words are nearly drowned out. One of the guards is hit by acid as he comes in - he screams, but plunges forward regardless.
Osric will give both Entoro and Odebie +4 to hit.
Byron hurls a frost bomb into the midst of the guards.
Fiordelise will start a song, and move up
Osric aids Odebie and Entoro.
Fi sings; both Odebie and Entoro accept the song.
Odebie and Entoro both hit the front guard, taking him down instantly.
Byron's frost bomb hits the middle of the group of ifrits, making them shout in surprise at the painful cold.
Instra and the golem wait for a side attack.
The neophyte alchemists seem unsure, and hesitate to throw bombs into the melee.
Right outside the entrance, you see what appears to be a priest, chanting hymns of Volcano. The guards' eyes gleam upon hearing the chant.
Two guards engage with Odebie and Entoro (one attack each)
The other two guards inside shout to one another - "There he is!" and surround Byron (they are unable to attack this round however)
Three more guards pour into the front entrance.
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Growling in pain, Odebie slams a foot down onto the nail he placed earlier. It erupts into a tangle of metal vines, hopefully slowing down the influx of guards.
"Oh, no you don't!"
Osric moves next to Byron, takes total defense, and (as inspiration) aids Byron for +4 AC.
My AC should be 22, his should be 19 if I'm reading the taglines correctly.
Byron backs out of the flank (taking the attacks of opportunity) and hurls a bomb out the door, aiming for the priest.
Fiordelise keeps her side of the flank, trying to push the guards back.
Round 1 Results!
Osric defends Byron.
Fi skewers a guard that had already taken damage from Byron's earlier bomb. The guard collapses (deleted)
Odebie creates a thick tangle of sharp, looping wire that cover the entrance.
Byron's frost bomb hits the priest directly, and splashes onto three adjacent guards.
The priest continues to chant. After being hit by the frost bomb, he shouts angry invective in High Ifrit at the closest target - Entoro.
Entoro runs.
Three guards and Captain Locatelli of the Temple Guard burst through the window, dropping the large wooden shields the used to smash through.
Instra directs the golem to attack. It turns the closest guard's face into bloody paste (deleted)
The two guards near Byron press their advantage and follow him. They attack with their greatswords.
The neophyte alchemists, realizing their fire bombs will do nothing against the ifrit guards, imbibe mutagens to enhance their dexterity and fire their crossbows at the guard closest to Byron.
Three guards attempt to surround Odebie. Odebie's AoO kills one of them (deleted) The remaining two, flanking, attack Odebie.
The last guard is tangled in the wire, and does not get a chance to attack.
There do not appear to be any more reinforcements coming from the front entrance.
Do I get an AoO on either of the guards moving around me?
If so...
By my calculations, 38 damage means that Byron is down.
With not many good options at his disposal, Osric takes a moment to look over the more injured guard and aims for his weak spot
Odebie staggers, his heavy tread sending hair-thin spiderweb cracks through the floor around him as the strength of the earth rises to meet him. His wounds close, slightly, and he wrath is increased tenfold. With a whirl his hammer closes on the nearest guard.
Entering Defensive Stance. +4 to Str and Con, +2 to AC and Will saves. They've been included in his statline.
Std: Power attack one of the adjacent guards.
Round 2 Results!
Osric lands two successful blows on the guard, causing him to fall (deleted)
Fi rushes over to Byron to administer a Cure Moderate Wounds. The guard gets an AoO.
Entoro continues to run. (off the battlefield for now)
Odebie hits the guard in front of him so hard, his neck snaps - his head is now looking backward as he crumples (deleted)
Byron takes a cautious 5 foot step back, then hurls another ice bomb at the priest.
The priest's head shatters as it is frozen solid. The body falls bloodlessly to the ground. (deleted)
The neophyte alchemists concentrate their fire on the one remaining guard next to Byron.
Two guards and Captain Locatelli shout in fright at the presence of the silver golem, running north toward the hapless sylphs. Captain Locatelli charges and kills one instantly (deleted). The other two guards have to maneuver around the tables, unable to attack.
Instra directs the golem to make a clumsy charge toward the entrance. It gets tangled in the wire, falling on the guard and crushing him. (deleted)
The last guard near Odebie, shouting with desperate fear, tries an overhand swing at the oread.
The guard near Byron says, "Your evil will not survive this day!" He follows Byron with a five-foot step of his own, and attacks.
"You've been holding out on us, Bryon! You're secretly the evil one in the room?"
5-foot step closer to the guard, then studied combat/strike.
Burning an inspiration to give Fi +4 to hit.
Odebie keeps his momentum, letting the hammer drag him around until he can drive its haft into the temple of the last guard next to him.
Standard: Power attack the last guard next to Odebie.
If Odebei's foe is still standing after his blow Fi will move to flanking position with him, otherwise she'll charge one of the one's engaged with the alchemists'
"I would hate to kill you over a misunderstanding," Bryon tells the guard as he steps back and throws a bomb at Captain Locatelli.
Round 3 Results!
Osric misses.
Odebie misses.
Fi flanks with Odebie. Her attack connects, and the guard, who has already taken two bouts of splash damage, falls down with a groan (deleted)
Byron takes a five foot steps, then connects with Locatelli.
Entoro has likely run out of the back of the Makers by now.
The guard near Byron taking advantage of the alchemist staying close, takes a five foot step and attacks.
The neophyte alchemists take five foot steps and nervously attack the guards next to them.
Two guards and Captain Locatelli advance with military precision upon the remaining sylphs alchemists.
One more alchemist is killed instantly (deleted), but Locatelli and the other guard miss.
Instra yells curses in Sylph as the golem gradually disentangles itself from the wire and takes a few steps north.
Locatelli yells, "Put down your weapons and let us kill Byron Cheme. We will then leave peacefully. Continue this folly and you will all die before that slow golem has a chance to knock over the coffee tables!"
The sylphs, seeing two of their number killed, throw down their crossbows and cower.
"You're too late, idiota culo! We've already sent the formula five times over to five different places! Didn't you see the birds?"
Five foot step between the guard and Byron.
I would've given you one of my CLW pots, but I never took the feat that lets me share :(
Pulling his feet free from the floor with a shower of detritus, Odebie snorts loudly. "No." Hammer ready, he moves over to where Byron lay fallen and prods the fallen sylph with his foot.
Fi song changes tone and she pushes soothing energy into Byron
Round 4 Results!
Osric misses.
Odebie and Fi heal Byron.
Byron takes a five foot step, then connects again with Locatelli. Locatelli's left arm seems stiff and unresponsive from the repeated cold blasts.
The guard near Byron, seeing everyone arrayed against him, runs out the front door, making a small running leap over the tangled wires. (he is about 60 feet out the door now)
Instra screams in a reedy voice, "Tân y metel, you cowards!"
In response, the neophyte alchemists take five foot steps and hurl their fire bombs at the golem. Both connect.
The golem takes on a liquid aspect that brings to mind molten silver. With uncanny speed, the golem charges the nearest guard, covering the space in three huge leaps. Knocking the table aside with a loud clatter, it brings its two over-sized hands together to crush the guard's skull. Making absolutely no sound, the guard slumps to the floor (deleted)
The final guard, utterly terrified of the golem, throws his sword away and falls to his knees, weeping.
Byron, as it becomes apparent that you and the Makers have won the day, Instra wastes no time. Her pinched face catches your eye. "Do you see now, Cheme? Guards, the Temple, and Sky only knows who else is after you. The greatest single act you can achieve is thwarting their plans and preserving the dream of cwmwl. The formula is not enough - you are the only living elen who has made it."
She walks toward you, one arm extended. "I will ask you one last time: will you come with me to Light? Will you make your mark on history?"
Odebie, Dove runs into the building, completely out of breath. "Sergeant..." he gulps for air, "I...heard from my contacts in the Makers you were here. All the other Captains and Lieutenants are dead - unless we rally the Watches, starting with our own vaunted Dims Watch, the city will plunge into chaos. Not just a brutbreve game gone awry - not even a mephit infestation. This will be city-wide, and long-lasting. A city this size cannot survive without elens of the law."
He places a pale hand upon your shoulder. "We need a strong, respected figure to Captain the Dims, and bring the other Watches to order. We need a hero." He pauses. "In short, we need you. Time is of the essence. Captain."
Fi, you notice Captain Locatelli getting ready to flee. you match him, ifrit speed to ifrit speed, boots squeaking on the polished floors.
As you reach the rear exit, there is a slightly bent figure waiting in the doorway: Signore Locatelli, the noble you had lunch with, seemingly a lifetime ago. His eyes are wide with fury.
"You son of a cagna! What the hell have you done to the family name!" The Captain attempts to rush past the elder, but Signore blocks him with his blade. As you rush up behind, the Captain turns his head toward you. Signore does not hesitate - he slices at the intersection between neck and shoulder, cutting to the bone. Blood sprays onto Signore's cheek.
He wipes his blade, stone-faced. Conversationally, the strange old man says, "I now have no heirs. No other family. And I hear that your house has fallen on hard times these past years." He smiles, the effect savage with his bloody face. "Well signora with a blade, efreeti-slayer, what say we make this more than a partnership? Be my heir. My daughter. Make my house fierce and good again."