As he told Brax he would, Navarre steps into the alley and launches his magic at the dragon-dog-thing.
Arianna curses, lacking a ranged weapon, and advances on the foes. Navarre rounds the corner and lobs a handful of powerful magic over Brax's shoulder at the nearest dragon dog. The blast ignites the dog's back and the creature scurries about frantically trying to put it out.. moments later, all that's left is a smoldering corpse.
Linan rushes around the corner, and aims her crossbow, but her hand slips and the bolt falls out. The remaining dragon dog snaps its jaws at Arianna's ankle, but the elf easily hops over the attack.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Arianna wastes no time in retaliating with her own attack and drives the point of her sword straight down the beast's gullet.
The dragon dog chokes on blood as Arianna pulls her sword out of its body, and it slumps over, dead.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Orion had turned around to see what that heavy-armor-clanking sound was, but then he was at the end of the ally and he tried to un-not-de-turn back around, and he almost tried on his cloak and only managed to get re-combobulated in time to see both liz-dogs dispatched handily.
Stealthily advancing to the street to make sure that no one is responding to the fight, he says, "Okay, no more weird plans. Let's just advance and kill everything in our path," before taking point and waiting for everyone to gather again before continuing their journey.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"It wasn't a weird plan. It was a perfectly good one," Arianna grouses as she flicks the blood from her sword. "The weird ones need a pumpkin, some skimpy outfits, and a turtle."
Before the others can question her, Arianna once again takes up her position as a scout.
Raakuzedu’lon’ros watches as the last dragon dog drops he nods at Orion's comment and then raises his eyebrow at the elf's odd reference before she heads off scouting.
He then heads off after the elf unconcerned with the noise he might be making as his feet drag across the dirt road.
'Gold dragons do not skulk.' a certain amount of disgust seeps into his mind more so at the control he had over his body rather then the elf's plan to hide them in the shadows.
"Sorry, I've never really used one of these before," Linan examines the crossbow Raakuze let her borrow as if it were an otherworldly object. "I far prefer hand-to-hand combat anyway," she shrugs, taking out her sword again.
The keep isn't far off now, the spires of the gates peeking above the homes to the west, and Arianna and Orion continue down the street to scout. As they advance, a thick, rolling blue cloud seeps between homes and fills the air above. The cloud is noxious, and the fumes fill Linan's lungs, burning them. She begins choking, but Cuth quickly holds his breath as the first scent of it, as do his kids. Perhaps all those fire drills paid off!
Navarre shakes his head but does not comment. it seemed like only the dwarf Brax shared his concerns.
We've gotten lucky so far, and only come across small numbers at once... but the more ruckus we cause the more likely we will attract larger numbers and potentially much more dangerous foes.
He glances up at the dragon flying above.
At least that one doesn't seem interested in coming after us small-fry. Though Raakuze... whatever his name is... might be pleased if it did so. From what I've seen though he would be well more than over-matched by it. Not that I would likely fare any better.
He takes a deep breath and covers his face in time to avoid the worst of the smoke, and keeps an eye out to see if the coughing drew any unwanted attention.
Raakuzedu’lon’ros breathes in the burnt, acrid air. Tasting it fuels his anger even more.
ऒएटठछचउऌतगऊ चऒऐइघङच
Momentarily it looks as if Raakuzedu’lon’ros jumps into the air as one would do if he could fly. He shakes his head as if coming to the realization of something. "Let...US...hurry."
Eska covers her face when the smoke clouds rolls over the group. Though uncomfortable she remains unharmed.
She keeps pace with the rest of the group aiming to keep moving lest her fear catch up to her.
Arianna wraps a scarf around her nose and mouth as she spots the cloud, then shakes her head at Raakuze's actions.
"Because our armor clad friend is apparently in need of drink or sobering up. I'm not sure which," she mutters to Orion as Raakuze tells them to hurry. She moves ahead with more cautious steps.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Unnnnggggg!" Brax exclaims as the pungent, noxious fumes assail his nostrils. "Did the dragun cut th' cheese?" he asks rhetorically.
"Until ye've had a whiff of a man tha canna control his drink and crapped his breeches, this lizard fart is nuthin'."
Everyone manages to hold their breath, and the party quickly scrambles forth out of the cloud, which continues to disperse.
Finally, the destination is in sight: Before long, the party notices a rush of townspeople scramble into the gates of the keep as two guards standing by start closing them.
Before the party lies a modestly-sized keep. Four strong, square towers have been built on various tactical spots and are connected by fortified, thick walls made of stone. Simple windows are scattered thinly across the walls in an asymmetric pattern, along with crenelations for archers.
"C'mon, get yer asses in here!" The ironclad dwarf shouts as he pulls one side of the gate closed. "We're shuttin' it down! Gotta get the walls up and regroup inside. Come on, COME ON! You with the wagon, I've seen snails move faster!" He yells, and for good reason. A look behind the party reveals more kobold and cultist raiders advancing through the streets.
"Form a chain, children! Quickly!" The kids all link arms and follow Cuth beyond the gates. Linan tarries a little, looking at the rest of the party to move first.
Brax looks around at everyone. "e've made it. C'mon, let's na tarry 'round. In 'ere, we kin patch up ya wounds. Mebbe find out wha' th' 'ells goin on round 'ere," he says.
Thank th' gods we're 'ere. Longer we be out 'ere, th' more we be apt ta draw that dragun's ire.
"Hyah! Hyah!" Brax snaps the reins and guides the horse and wagon toward the keep's gates.
Raakuzedu’lon’ros turns to face the enemy. He moves to the rear making sure his charges have cleared the front gate.
He knew the keep could not stand a full assault from the flame wyrm and minions.
'A death here would hold little weight with my Platinum Lord if the flame wyrm were to live while everyone else perished.'
"Hurry...FIND...sanctuary!" slowly Raakuzedu’lon’ros backs up inch by inch ensuring he is last to enter.
Turning his attention to the sky he looks upward.
|
|
Orion grins wryly and nods back at Arianna. "My guess is usually to err on the side of _more_ drinking. 'Tis more fun that way. Perhaps when we get a breather we can share a bottle?"
Any more that Orion meant to say is cut short by the calling of the guard and the general mulling of the masses.
Orion follows everyone in, helping to haul the massive gates closed before the enemy can gain a foothold.
Once that is done he asks the guard, "What is the quickest way up the walls? I can slay many of them if I can get to a high place."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Sure, so long as it's a good drink," Arianna replies
===
Arianna is one of the last ones in, helping the stragglers reach the gates before they close. She's none to gentle with Raakuze, grabbing the man's belt and putting all of her weight into dragging him into the keep before they were both locked outside.
Navarre slips in the gates, gently pushing Linan in as well.
"Your concern for us is appreciated, but your children need you more than we do."
He smiles, then follows Orion up to the top of the walls.
With everyone inside, Orion and the guard shut and bar the gate. The two guards turn and rush towards the interior of the keep. "You gotta be crazy if yer gonna climb up there. You've seen the -" The blue dragon dives down and across the edge of the west wall of the keep, its wing tossing a gust of ember-filled wind across area. ".. Dragon, right?!" He shakes his hand as the embers burn out, and the dragon rises up again and continues circling the area rather than breathing fire.
"The horse and wagon will have to stay here," the red-haired dwarf says to Brax. "Won't quite fit inside." He leads the party into the courtyard, where hundreds of villagers have gathered in groups. Town guards and militia arm themselves with weapons, some more realistic than others. Pitchforks are passed around as a last resort.
The dwarf ruses to the center of the courtyard, where you find Linan standing with a very loud man. Orion knows this is Greenest's Governor Nighthill, and his right arm is broken. The thinness of his silvery hair is made up for by his lengthy beard and full 'stache. Lines of dried blood decorate his wizened skin.
"Governor, the gates are closed as of 10 o' clock. The keep is secured," the dwarf reports.
"Great stinking balls of Tempus! Escobert, it took you long enough! Is everyone safe?!" Nighthill bellows. "There's gotta still be others out there! Find them!" He demands. "Use the cellar to access the tunnels to the river. ... Oh, You six," He sizes up the party. "You look well-bodied, and you're armed. But I don't recognize most of you. What brings you here?"
___
"It would seem to be fate," Allysen says, "We were on our way into town when we saw the smoke. We've been working our way here since then to try and get those we found to safety. If there's others outside of keep, then I think we need to get back out as soon as we can."
|
|
Orion ducks with the rest of them as the dragon throws some attention. "Like down here is any safer? At least in a 'nest I can get off a good shot."
He's about to peel off and go on his own when the governor shows up and Orion sees that it will go easier if he stays to vouch for the bravery of theses people before taking on the dragon.
Rolling his eyes only slightly (for he sees all political figures as leeches on the backs of the people who actually do things, and the more high they rise, the more they must've drained) Orion states to the group, "The personage you see before you is Greenest's Governor Nighthill, he states, letting the others introduce themselves as they may.
[b]"Although, aye, now that the friends we came with are safe, we're raring to get back out an' do what damage we can to those loonies that are in my town--
Although, if you've a few potions of healing not currently getting drunk, they'd not be amiss. We've already took a few stabs just on the way here."
"I wouldn't want to be the only one on the battlements, to be sure... if there is a coordinated effort to defend them, I would certainly participate, however."
Navarre sighs, the matter clearly weighing on his heart.
"I came looking for an old friend. I had heard that she was kidnapped by the Cult of the Dragon somewhere around here..."
I should probably leave out that she was raised as a part of it for now.
"Now I see cultists and a dragon attacking, I can't help but wonder if - and how - it is related."
He looks around at the guards' equipment.
"I was intending to be part of any further rescue missions, but I know some of us were running short of ammunition, and if you have any other equipment to spare..."
He fingers his light leather armor.
"...it could make the difference between successful rescues and suicide missions."
Eska turns to Navarre as he mentions the woes of his lost friend. "My informants mentioned that Greenest would be the next target but I could never have imagined all this and so soon. This is no random attack and there will be leaders coordinating events, we find them and we have a shot at rescuing your friend."
The strangely well-informed half-elf addresses the mayor "Do the names Frulam Mondath, Bog Luck, or Rezmir mean anything to you?"
Arianna is reminded of her need of a bow wehn Naverre mentions ammunition and equipment, but decides it might be better to give the man a chance to get a word in edgewise.
Eska's words, however, leave Arianna feeling uneasy.
How did she and her friends know an attack was coming? For that matter, who are these people she's asking about? Friends of hers?
Brax steps forward toward Governor Nighthill. When he reaches a distance of no greater than five steps away, he stops and squares up as if standing in a military company formation awaiting inspection.
"Brax Dougan of Clan Dougan, of the hill people. At yer service, me laird," he states. "Ah good friend ah mine sent me 'ere to yer town. 'e seemed ta be concerned with dragun activahteh 'round 'ese parts. Aftah what we've seen, 'is fears are warranted," he said, giving Governor Nighthill a firm, piercing look.
"Me laird, with all due respect, wha' th' 'ell have th' six 'ah us walked into 'ere in your town? Why is Greenest unda attack?"
Although, if you've a few potions of healing not currently getting drunk, they'd not be amiss. We've already took a few stabs just on the way here."
"Healing potions?" Nighthill balks. "We're fresh out, and many are still wounded even here. Clerics are working with them, healing as they can, but spells aren't unlimited. We've got a temple here in Greenest, and I know I've seen more clerics than are currently here in the keep..."
"I was intending to be part of any further rescue missions, but I know some of us were running short of ammunition, and if you have any other equipment to spare... it could make the difference between successful rescues and suicide missions."
Nighthill raises an eyebrow at Navarre. "Does that mean you're gonna help us? Escobert, it sounds like he's gonna help us."
The dwarf - Escobert - digs his hand into his pocket frantically and pulls out something small enough that it can't be seen. But he raises his hand to his eye and drops a few grains of a roseate substance in, causing his irises to shine bright red. "Aahhhh.. Thaaass right.." He slurs. "I guess I can lend ya a spear. Not sure about tha' chain shuurt you're askin' about.. Kinda hard ta come by right now.."
Do the names Frulam Mondath, Bog Luck, or Rezmir mean anything to you?
"Afraid I've never heard of them before," the Governor shrugs. Escobert shakes his head.
"Me laird, with all due respect, wha' th' 'ell have th' six 'ah us walked into 'ere in your town? Why is Greenest unda attack?"
Now, Governor Nighthill speaks calmly. "Come, follow me to the parapet while the dragon isn't near."
He leads the party up a set of stairs that emerge onto the wall. Up here, the party can see a three-sixty view of Greenest. Defenders line the walls with bows drawn. The situation is grim, with increasing numbers of raiders encircling the keep. Many of the barns are on fire, but fewer of the homes and shops are.
Nighthill spreads his arms to indicate the surroundings. "They have managed to isolate the keep from the rest of town, yet none attempted to attack or get into the keep." He drops his arms. "They aren't interested in attacking us in here. The plan was to cut us off. They want loot. Treasure. Lots of it. The real danger here is to the town, and to the people who didn't make it to the keep before it was cut off."
"We need your help. Desperately. If you've brought Linan and her family and friends here safely, it is obvious you know you way around a fight. And how to get through a city on fire. Escobert recommends using the tunnel underneath the keep to slip out and find more villagers. If the tunnel is secured, we can start smuggling people in without the raiders knowing."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Eska sighs annoyed of course no official could help her with her task. "Alright to the tunnels then. No use sitting on our hands mhmm? There's hunting to be done." Eska says with a mixture of fear and excitement at the prospect of heading out into the chaos of the city.
"Um, before we go, could you spare a bow and a quiver or two? I kinda forgot to grab one when I left on my travels," Arianna asks with more haste than grace.
|
|
Orion looks over the parapet, all but obviously drooling at the thronging hordes of obvious and vulnerable targets. "Had I a barrel of bolts and an hour's time, I've had no doubt I could feather enough corpses to force them to take to their heals...or at least start showing caution in their movements.
But, alas, I've neither.
Aye, Eska, aye, you've a solid point sure.
Let's be at it."
His ears follow Arianna's question; Despite his current ample supply, yet another full quiver or two would see him through even a pitched battle.
Brax looks off into the distance at the dragon winging about over the town. "'ey mayna hafta worry 'bout tryin' to take th' keep as long as 'ey got that uglah salumandah," he says, gesturing toward the flying wyrm. "Still betta th' chances 'ere 'n out theah," he mulls.
"C'mon, lads 'n lasses," he says as he prepares to descend the stairs. "We've got folk ta help out 'ere. Let's be securin' th' tunnel ta give 'em 'n avenue to safteh."
Raakuzedu’lon’ros remains quiet in the whole exchange. He nods his head slowly when the one known as Governor Nighthill asks them to find more survivors.
Turning to Arianna he makes no qualms when he says, "Let...US...hope they...STILL...live." With that he walks down the stairs awkwardly but with definite purpose.
You recall one particularly dingy and seedy bar in the south of Greenest, The Disarmed Ant, known to be a front for a band of drow thieves.
Nighthill nods firmly at Arianna, then cocks his head at Escobert. "What are our supplies like, Esco? Gotta be at least a couple bows left, no? Give 'em some arrows too, will you?"
The dwarf trundles back down from the parapet and soon returns with three shortbows and a leather quiver containing 15 arrows. "This is about all we got left, I'm afraid. Th' defenders 'ave the rest."
"If yer ready, I'll take ya to the tunnel." The red-eyed dwarf waves for you to follow him.
Eska disappointment is quickly replaced by a stroke of inspiration as she remembers a local hideaway. She just hopes the ramshackle den is still standing. "Alright Arianna-Twice-Quick and the rest of you lot, looks like we're ready to go. And I've got an idea of where we can find some friends of mine while we're out playing hero."
"Thank you. If anyone's out there and still alive, we'll bring them back here," Arianna says as she takes the bows and the quiver to divvy up while they move. She grins at the news Eska gives as they start heading to the tunnel.
"Playing? Not to make me out as an egomaniac, but I'm planning on being one. C'mon, we've got people to save," she says as she takes the lead.
|
|
Orion's eyes take a covetous gaze over Eska's unloved crossbow and the full quiver of bolts riding quietly and peaceably next to it. As her knowing gaze follows his and wordlessly passes over the material objects in favor of her un-ending supply of mana-driven death, he nods in thanks and honor, at lat feeling that he can lay down a field of death for as long as this will take.
Now adequately armed, Orion strides next to the dwarf, and nods his readiness.
I'd love to take an hour an get my spell back, but anyone out there may not have an hour to wait.
Navarre steps up, indicating his readiness.
"What 'ere we waitin' fer?" Brax asks. "We got people ta save an' a tunnel ta secure!"
With that, the dwarf unslings his battleaxe and steps forward, ready to venture forth and rescue as many of those who are stranded outside the keep the group are able to rescue.
"Thank you," Nighthill regards the party. "For coming to Greenest's aid during this time of need." He rushes back down from the parapet to deal with ensuring the guards are well armed, the injured are taken care of, and the keep is kept secured.
Escobert leads the party towards the back of the keep and into the walls and stops at a point where barrels and crates look purposely piled up.
"Gimme a hand, will ya?" The dwarf starts hauling boxes away, revealing an iron door that looks more like a sewer outlet. "Th' tunnel was meant to be used to collect water from th' stream during a siege, but I suppose it kin also be used as a sally port. Thing is, we've never had a siege in Greenest, so the place is prolly pretty nasty inside."
Afterwards, Escobert pulls a key ring from his belt and unlocks the door. It opens with a horrible screech, and complete darkness beyond the first few feet. What the party can see reveals the tunnel is absolutely choked in webs. The tunnel looks wide enough to move only in single file.
The dwarf smiles sorrowfully. "Welp, there ya go. Come 'n let me know if ya find any more survivors."
Arianna nods and gives the dwarf a hand in clearing the the piles of barrels and crates. Once the tunnel is open, she takes a look and grimaces.
"I see you were not jesting about how nasty it is," she says before giving Escobert a smile. "We'll find them, and you'll be the first to know."
She draws her sword, wary even here, and leads the way into the tunnel.
"Hold up, lass," Brax cautions as Arianna starts forward. "I not be 'avin a problem steppin' in 'ere, but some ahv us might be needin' a light ta see by," he advises, looking back at the rest of the group. "Might wanna lemme go first, too."
"Er, right! Sorry." Arianna splutters as she looks away to hide the flush of color to her cheeks.
I can't believe I forgot about that. Good thing it's dark, otherwise everyone would see me blush.
"I have more often been called a 'light bringer'."
He says with a smirk as he taps the boss of Brax's shield, which starts glowing brightly.
"Oh, hang on. Yer gonna need this." Escobert flips through his key ring, and tears an old key off, handing it to Orion. "Fer the grate on the other side." Then the dwarf walks off.
Brax's shield illuminates as if it were a lantern, and light fills the tunnel up to 20 feet ahead, and less so 20 feet after that, not yet revealing an exit. The smell inside is moldy and earthy. Thick strands of webbing lining the walls make passage through the narrow tunnel uncomfortable and slow, and the party feels movement around their boots as rats scurry by.
Walking through the dark tunnels Raakuzedu’lon’ros is appreciative for the light. He walks with his long blade in one hand and his shield in the other. Hard as it may be he does try to remain as quiet as posdible but given the weight and make up of his armour he doubts any of the flame wyrm's minions will have a difficult time hearing him.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Arianna once again takes the lead, hoping to find any trouble before it finds the others or hears Raakuze.