Benedict will take a single move towards the other elemental and use his Alter Self SLA to take the form of a human. This is just for the +2 Str.
The elementals earlier were 80' apart; if that is still the case, then Benedict will be able to charge next round.
But if the other one has moved so much that Benedict would need a double move this round and a charge next round, he'll skip the SLA.
Extreme heat (air temperature over 140° F, fire, boiling water, lava) deals lethal damage. Breathing air in these temperatures deals 1d6 points of fire damage per minute (no save). In addition, a character must make a Fortitude save every 5 minutes (DC 15, +1 per previous check) or take 1d4 points of nonlethal damage. Those wearing heavy clothing or any sort of armor take a –4 penalty on their saves.
"Someone find Navah!!"
"Grum, can you strike at it with magic from your sword?"
Benedict double moves to get closer.
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Not missing a beat, Grum charged forward, blade raised. He went straight into the smoke and flame, eager to stop the elemental before it caused any more damage. ”Maybe, but it wouldn’t kill it. Don’t complain, if it fights me it isn’t burning shyt!” He yelled as he went in. Amazingly, his feet didn’t touch the ground…
Not a lot to say, Aerel keeps firing!
Having used his most useful magic William fires at the elemental again trying to do some damage.
The arrows from the archers disappear into the smoke and fire surrounding the elemental. It doesn't appear to have been phased. Grum takes flight, flying into the thick smoke, though the brightly burning elemental is easily picked out through the haze.
The remaining fire elemental continues its rampage, setting more things on fire.
Meanwhile, with the destruction of the other one, Benedict orders the civilians forming the bucket brigade to start working on the fires while staying clear of the remaining threat.
Benedict will keep trying to fight the fires.
He will take the most dangerous positions - at the front of the bucket brigade, or running into burning buildings to rescue civilians.
Having no other options William keeps firing at the elemental.
Grum charges and slashes the elemental while the archers send more arrows into it. It still stands, though it appears more injured than ever. It turns and swipes at Grum.
Benedict is pretty sure he is too far to reach the elemental before his allies win the battle, so he continues trying to contain the damage.
The first mighty swing by Grum ends the elemental's existence on this plane, and it fades out like the previous one. However, the fires it caused remain behind and continues to ravage the surrounding buildings.
An exhausted crew of civilians bravely battle the blaze throughout the morning and into the day. Thom and a contingent of weary soldiers find the Heroes and relieve them from helping battle the fires.
"The Legion's forces have pulled back for now. They've lost their advantage at night, so let's use this time to rest," the mayor advises.
If the heroes go to the wall to view the siege, they see an ominous sight. The dawn's rays crest over the eastern hill, silhouetting the Ironfang Legion's ominous, black tower. It also illuminates a new network of trenches and barricades erected in the black of night. For now, at least, daylight seems to bring with it the promise of rest, and enough respite to bury the dead.
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"Well done Grum! Praise Gorum!"
As Benedict only needs 2 hours' rest (and 1 hour to study the Manual), he will spend several more hours working on repairs and rallying troops.
He is astonished by the carnage inflicted by only two of the Legion's monstrous allies.
Benedict takes a short rest, aided by his Ring, then again studies the Manual (swapping out Flagbearer for Power Attack) and works to repair as much damage as he can.
Though exhausted from the previous night's battle, the beleaguered defenders try to effect repairs to the gates and walls as best they can. However, the fires set by the elementals required precious resources to combat. So by the time the sun sank low on the first day of the siege, few repairs saw full completion.
There was good news, however. At the bell signifying the evening meal, a runner finds Benedict. Out of breath, he still manages to relay a message from Navah. The Lyre of Building is completed.
The first use of the Lyre, to negate damage to structures, would best be used when the enemy has a particularly damaging force at work. I am not sure if we can tell how much damage things are doing; if I had the Lyre earlier, I'd probably have used it when the giant was attacking the gate, but then again the elementals did a lot more damage. And with a 300' radius of effect, the Lyre would have protected against their attack.
So I guess the next time the enemy has a unit that seems capable of causing a lot of damage, I'll use the "protect structures" effect. 300' for 30 minutes. That really is the main value - it even negates Disintegrate.
And in terms of the construction aspect, there is no better time than now - to rebuild the defenses as best we can. Presuming that we think we have a couple of hours until night falls and, most likely, the attack resumes. It is summer, so it gets dark late, and we can try to gauge when the next attack will come based on when the Legion attacked the night before.
Benedict will use his innate Charisma (plus his new Circlet) to do the best he can. He takes the beautiful instrument and calls upon its magic.
As he plays, stones roll uphill and cement themselves into place to reinforce towers; wood assembles itself into barricades and restores the burned buildings. Earth moves from ditches and forms ramparts.
He will take direction from Captain Kulcher as to the best locations to fortify and the best types of work to focus on.
The first hour of playing doesn't need a check. That is 600 person-days of labor.
The second hour, for another 600 person-days of labor:
Benedict almost falters, but manages to continue.
A potential third hour:
He can play no more. He can still use the Lyre to ward against damage, and once a week has passed a more skilled musician can use it to rebuild - after the battle.
I don't know how much of Longshadow's strength is restored by 1200 person-days of work, but hopefully it's a decent amount. Probably weren't going to have more than two hours anyway.
Benedict starts playing and the wonderful magic begins to work. For the first ten minutes or so, it's a marvel as work is done by invisible hands, fortifying the walls and the damaged gates.
Then there's a cry from the hobgoblin camps. Their spotters scouts have clearly observed the magical phenomenon and reported! Though out of bowshot range, the hobgoblin ranks begin mustering while it is still daylight, the calls of their captains drifting across the battlefield!
Benedict has played for nearly a half hour, but the Ironfang Legion has responded. The sun is sinking low, but it is still daylight, yet the hobgoblins are marching upon the south gates!
"I have lured them to attack? Good!
Now, they may think they can similarly lure me to the fight..."
Benedict looks down at the Lyre and concentrates on the right chords to play.
"But I think I can do more good here. Only call on me if it is dire. I have faith that the four of you can handle anything the Legion has to throw at the city. Aerel, feel like being the tactician?"
Troops of soldiers advance upon the southern gates, trying to stop the magical reinforcements of the defenders' battlements. Rows of archers loose quarrels and arrows that pelt the soldiers rushing to take advantage of the light! Longshadow archers, including Amélie, brave the incoming hail of missiles to lay down accurate fire against the invaders.
Both sides see serious damage, as scores of Ironfang soldiers die to the bowfire of the defenders, but the rain of arrows similarly drop many of the defenders even as Benedict is sorely taxed to keep playing!
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While Benedict played, Grum made his way to the gate. As arrows flew in either direction, he strode up and down the battlements, flaming sword in hand. He walked with his head up, as if daring the arrows to fall on him. As he did, he bellowed out "GORUM! He watches us! GORUM! He approves! Defenders! See their desperation! See their hurried attack! They FEAR you! They depend on a quick siege. Give it to them! Give them death!"
With that Grum let loose a primal roar, swinging his flaming blade in the air for all of the defenders and attackers to see.
Finally, he took his bow and took careful aim. He looked for any hobgoblin flag bearers. He knew how important they were for morale. He knew that killing them wouldn't do anything permanent, as the flag would certainly be picked up again. Nor would any one death break the attack. Instead he went for their morale. He tried for a hardest of shots, looking to hit the flag itself, so that it might be ruined. To ensure that it could not be used again would damage morale more than a single death or a temporary drop in the flag. And if he missed? It wouldn't matter too much, so long as it looked good when he shot. This assault would be won or lost based upon which side wanted victory the most. All that he could do was tip the scales towards the town while Benedict did the important work of playing his magical instrument.
The Ironfang Legion continues to throw waves of soldiers in an effort to stop the lyre of building from continuing its work restoring the defenses. Benedict is able to concentrate amidst the hail of bolts and arrows while Grum emboldens the defenders and intimidates the attackers.
Fortunately for Longshadow, the magic restores and improves the southern gates and walls, undoing what damage the Legion's forces can wreak.
However, spotters on the walls issue a cry of dismay as the last of the day's light begins to dwindle. More and more soldiers are seen pouring out of the black tower high on the ridge above Longshadow. The Ironfang Legion has called up more reinforcements!
As Benedict finally falters in his playing, runners from the northern gates arrive, panting, with news that a force of minotaurs are attacking the northern gates, which are now seen as the weakest spot of the city wall!
It will be fully dark by the time the Heroes reach the northern gates.
Benedict stows the Lyre, takes up his flail, and moves toward the northern gates.
"Here we go again. Let's get ready. Maybe we're lucky and this Kosseruk is one of the minotaurs."
WIlliam gathers heimself up and moves toward the north gate.
Aerel is traveling light and heads to aid the defenders at the north gate.
The heroes make haste to the northern gates, where they see a heavy amount of combat taking place. A trio of heavily armed and armored minotaurs and wreaking havoc on the defenders, having forced their way through the sally port and are trying to hack away at the chains holding up the main gates while hewing through soldiers trying to stop them.
William looks the situation over and decides the one hacking at the chain is the most dangerous currently and fires at him.
William's first arrow falls short of its mark, but his second pair bite deep into the minotaur's flesh.
Benedict moves up and strikes at a minotaur, focusing on the wounded one.
"Amkarang, try to trip!" Benedict shouts, gesturing to the uninjured one next to Amkarang.
Amkarang moves in, trying twice to lash the chains of his meteor hammer around the legs of the uninjured minotaur.
As he hustles toward the gate, Aerel stops just out of sight to grab an oil from his pouch and rub it onto the bow.
Targeting the same minotaur as William.
The devastating barrage of arrows from Aerel bring down one of the minotaurs, but Amkarang's chains fail to trip up his target and the beast-man stays on his feet.
Benedict, seeing that the arrows dropped his original target, strikes the other minotaur next to him.
The minotaurs bellow and start swinging their heavy warhammers and goring with their sharpened tusks!
William continues with his arrows at the next minotaur and again steps up five feet.
Aerel steps 5' closer to the gate, but keeps putting as many arrows in the air as possible.
Targeting Grum's minotaur.
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Grum's exuberance was short lived. As it turned out, his once gleaming suit of deurgar-forged plate armor didn't hold up well against the strength of a minotaur. His momentum worked against him as a hammer buffeted him and horns gored him. A lessor warrior would have been felled, but the half-orc managed to hold his position, even if he did not give back nearly as good as he received.
It seems a reasonable guess that William's target is dead? Benedict hit them at AC 21, so even with the -4 for cover William did 88 damage on top of the 28 that Benedict did earlier.
If that is the case, Benedict will move to the one Grum is fighting (I think I can move so I have cover and therefore don't provoke an AOO) and strike once.
It's a wild swing.
William's arrows are precise and deadly, catching the minotaur in the back of his throat when it opened its mouth to bellow. Its lifeless body slumps to the ground.
The other one cannot stand up to the savage attacks of Grum, who finishes it off after a pair of arrows from Aerel wounds it.
The gate's defenders rally to repel the encroaching hobgoblin army that was getting ready to surge through the gate once it was broken from the inside.
The army falls back as it becomes evident that their Warmaze Masters were unsuccessful, but they renew their long seige.
No doubt, Longshadow's defenses will continue to be tested.