The creature is lost in smoke in at the moment.
Hanako would like to simply carry the creature out the door, but it is concealed by smoke and fire (and probably too hot to handle anyway).
She sinks into her dragon tail stance, hiked skirt revealing a muscular leg.
She dashes toward the creature, leaving the last bench between her and the flames. She stops when centered at the bench.
Hanako gives the bench a powerful shove—
—with the intent of using it to smother air from the flames, slowing the outward spread. She also hopes the bench will bonk the fire-breathing monster! Maybe it will shut its mouth if struck?
True, the bench will burn, but perhaps cutting off the air supply will slow the spreading. The carpet is best, but people need to run on the carpet to get away.
"Please keep moving!" she says in attempt to encourage the crowd. For the benefit of allies, she asks, "Anyone know a quick way to smother flames?"
_____
Hanako swings into the smoke and misses. 5 People hear here and begin to move outside.
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Correction to last post.
Hanako assuming her dragon stance the glow of her ki surrounds her. She leaps across
and kicks a bench over hoping to snuff out the flames. It manages it to clear one square at the moment.
Gareth seeing the fire spreading quickly decides to make extinguishing it his priority. "Quickly, we must put out this fire!" He shouts to the guards.
Jathal tries to spot the creature, bu seems nothing but smoke and haze. It strings her eyes and she feels useless here, she lacks the power Hanako seems to have, but then hears Gareth yell. Buckets! She can do buckets!. she rushes outside "where do you need me?" She yells.
1:Seek >(looking for it hiding in the smoke
2" Move >
3: Whatever I need to do to help get the buckets started.
The would be Heroes manage to get everyone out to include the Councilmen. The bucket brigade lines up and starts the process to putting out the fire. The Mephit flying around decides now it must work harder to burn the building down.
I updated roll20!
Hanako sees all the people are out safely. She looks the flying creature in the eyes.
She says in a dramatic tone, ”Come to me, Little Dragon, for I am a Dragon myself! But what does it mean to be a Dragon?
“Burn everything to the ground with no regard for the life and freedom of others? No. That is a monster.”
Hanako is well aware that her words may not be comprehensible to the creature, but her dramatic poses and tone are all she needs to captivate and incapacitate. The words are for herself. No performance can fascinate unless it has meaning. Feelings. Truth!
”A Dragon wields its destructive power as an angel wields a flaming sword—only out of necessity. For protection, for justice, for love. Otherwise, a True Dragon seeks a peaceful resolution first.
“So land. Land that the brave men and ladies who face you may take you in their gentle arms, remove you from this building—alive and unscathed, as we are. We can take you to your mother. But first you must land. Land... land!”
The Fire Mephit ignores Hanako performance.
"How dare you ignore me! When I say 'land,' I mean—"
Hanako leaps off the bench to grab the creature from its flight.
"—get down here!"
As Warbal makes it safely outside Mob yanks her very big maul from her back and charges towards the mephit screaming
Jathal will move just close enough to reach the creature with her arcane powers. She calls upon her gift, feeling it tingle in her skin and weaves a tapestry of power, more though instinct than training, and with a few hissed words, more nonsense than actual words, she puts her inborn power against the mind of her foe.
1:> Move to get in range
2:>> Cast sleep ( Will save DC 17) at the Critter.
Seeing how Mob is in front. The Mephit will strike at goblin with its jaws attempting to bit. Mob gets bit on the arm by the fire mephit and tiny flames appear right after the bite. Next the Mephit will try to silence the young monk. The Mephit begins to mumble in Ingan
Hanako so committed to the role of hero shrug it off.
Hanako says to the creature, "Mob is my friend! Even if she hates me, you do not have the privilege to light her arm on fire!"
With that, Hanako gracefully steps across the bench...
...and she spins her left leg around in a wheeling motion, heel striking the mephit as it is attacking the goblin girl.
"Ya!"
Her deadly dance continues with a right-leg crescent kick!
"Chaii!"
Hanako leaves her right leg raised overhead, ready to drop the heel in a mighty axe kick. The Executioner's Axe!
"And now to—"
Her leg whiffs by the wiry little beast.
"—er, let you off with a warning. Scram."
Recap
So the party got councilmen and audience out of the chambers. Between Gareth, Zano, and Jathal a bucket brigade was started to put out the fire. The fire had been set by a Fire Mephit which was flying around Hanako was trying to deal with it by "acting" at it. Mob grabbing Warbal gets her out of the building. Once cleared of the townsfolk the Heroes started dealing with Fire Mephit. Hanako attempted to grab the flying bestie but it was to far out from where she was. Mob comes back into the Chamber, pushing past the benches and begins to rage. Jathal moves close enough to release her arcane spell but the Mephit is able to shrug it off. The Mephit bites Mob on the arm causing it to bleed and burn some. The Mephit then turns his attention to Hanako and tries put her in spell but fails. At that point Zano moving with speed of killer catches the Mephit with bastard sword swinging and cutting into harming it badly. Hanako then releases a powerful kick which snaps the next of the Mephit in her first kick, the second kick catches the now dead Mephit and flings body against the wall with a sicking thud. Hanako still super excited does a third kick in the air while shouting at the now did Mephit.
The five of you walk outside the Chamber just in the moment, the soot-stained councilors emerge from the crowd, and Greta Gardania whistles loudly to get the scared crowd’s attention. Greta Gardania looks around, hugging some of the townspeople next to her, while others wearily clap her on the back in thanks for their lives. “What manner of madness just happened?” This can be no accident! Did anyone see anything?”
One of the guards who was stationed outside before the fire began raises his hand, then his voice. “Aye,” says the wearied, uniformed man. “The
clerks saw everything—it was Calmont, that cad of a bookseller’s apprentice. He lit the fires in the halls next to the chamber. He also set that fire monster loose on the crowd!”
The second guard shouts in assent. “Indeed!” says the grave but steely woman. “And witnesses outside the building saw him run toward Hellknight Hill!”
A surprised and worried wave ripples through the crowd at this information, including Warbal’s distinct voice: “The citadel! My Bumblebrashers!” Greta raises her hand authoritatively, and the crowd begins to calm. “Friends, we’ll get to the bottom of this,” she assures them. “But we can’t do it alone. Who are the heroes in attendance today? Heroes, are you willing to investigate Hellknight Hill?”
At this point the crowd turns to look at you five. Greta then says Without your help today we surly would of died in that in fire. Who are you? Please introduce yoursselves!
Hanako sees that she kicked the creature so hard, it will never get up again.
She bows to the corpse and says in Tien, 安らかに眠る。
She then looks back at Mob and Big Sword Guy, doing all in her power to not explode into giddy giggles. "Oh-my-goddess, oh-my-goddess, oh-my-goddess! We really just did that, right?"
She makes sure to regain her composure when she exits, carrying the dead creature by the tail. She drops it outside as if it is nothing (though, truthfully, her first-ever real fight with a real monster is incredibly significant to her). She then bows, to those who asked for an introduction.
"I am Sister Kojima Hanako, Nun of Shelyn whom I serve as both artist and protector. My service to Her means I serve all innocents in need of protection, as best as I am able.
"I believe I have proven my worth as a Dragon Tail style martial artist, and it would be an honor to serve my goddess by protecting the lost Bramblebrashers."
Letting the well spoken monk finish Gareth chimes in. "The name's Gareth Blackmore, if an adventurer is what you're looking for I'm your man."
Greta fights the urge to roll here eyes at Hanako. She smiles at Gareth who in her opinion looks more like an adventurer. She then turns to the others.
Well that was a complete and total failure! Jathal thinks to herself, standing there, soot covered and embarrassed. But no one seems to notice, so she pastes on a smile like she is dealing with a roomful of drunks.[i] Maybe I can salvage this[/b]
"Jathal duskwalker, as Gareth says, we would be happy to deal with this bookseller. and check on the goblins of course.'
Disappointed at the missed opportunity to hit something as getting Warbal out took too much time, Mob's frown only deepens as the guard's explain where the fire starter fled to. As the others speak up Mob joins in.
I'm Mob! And I'm going home now anyways, since you're all wanting to follow this guy back there, you can come with me."
Already starting to walk towards her home Mob stops for a moment by Warbal.
|
I am Zano Turok. And everyone should learn fire safety, they should teach it in school. If they don't, I propose that they do. Whether fires happen on purpose or on accident, everyone should know what do do in case of a fire. Even with fire safety, it can be hard to get out and you can still be burnt, and you are welcome.
Now knowing the names of the two men, Hanako respectfully says, "Mister Blackmore, Mister Turok. Pleasure to meet you."
She leaves it at that, as she expects Miss Gardania is about to address the five Heroes. And I am one of them! Oh, this is too exciting! Oh. Oh! Stay in-character like Princess May-May. Decorum. Poise. Do not look over-eager.
Hanako tries to look like she's calm and poised and unsurprised by her performance in combat, which was awesome, she keeps telling herself. It was, after all, her first real fight outside of the dojo. All her training as an actress cannot help her conceal her ear-to-ear grin.
Greta looks over at the heroes Thank you for the fire tip. She says sarcastically to Zano. There is a slight pause as Greta ready to speak when Hanako farts a little before speaking Hanako speaks her piece.
Greta looks over and then says We will pay you 150 gp for live return of the Calmont so we can question him. We will also provide each you with 2 minor healing tonics(potions). Please make all haste to Hellknight Hill.
As the party makes its way to the hill, Hanako first of all calms down a bit so she won't emit another excited toot. She then informs the others, "I am trained to strike with nonlethal force."
Gareth turns to Hanako and says with a chuckle. "Well I can appreciate the sentiment, but remember not everything out there will feel the same about you."
Hanako says, "I do not expect this Calmont the Cad will feel favorable toward my well-being when I kick him in the face. But I do care about his life. How about yourself, Mister Blackmore? We get paid one hundred fifty gold if we bring him back to Miss Gardania alive."
She gives Gareth a mischievous smile.
"I may be a nun, Mister Blackmore, but I did not take a vow of poverty."
Jathal walks with the others, giddy at the idea of an adventure and getting paid to do it. 30 gp just to fetch this guy, seemed like a good deal
" So, it seems we are in this as a group, what does everyone do? I am know some charms, like Hanako mostly non lethal ones. They may help in bringing someone back in alive or might not" She says with a shrug.
With all her gear already packed Mob is wasting no time in setting off home. Any patience she summoned for Warbal's presentation to the Council is clearly long gone.
"Just Gareth is fine, and yes you're right about the reward of course." He laughs before turning to Jathal. "Let's just say I have a knack for getting in to places I don't belong, without anyone noticing."
"Oh, this is wonderful, Gareth!" Hanako says rather excitedly, "Because my knack happens to be drawing attention to myself and going exactly where I belong!"
It may be clear that Hanako is not trying to be amusing or ironic.
She clarifies, "I am an actress—which I suppose might explain my attire, but do not let my occupation concern you. My Dragon Tail style is true martial arts with emphasis on powerful kicks and mobility, making it both the strongest known unarmed striking style in Tian Xia and the most fabulous-looking for onstage choreographed fight scenes.
"That latter is an opinion," she sheepishly admits.
I look forward to getting know each you better Greta says while looking at each of you. Warbal comes to the group and says Please hurry my Brumblebrashers are in trouble. As long as you see the smoke that is the sign of disaster. She says to the group while eyeballing Mob.
Rising from the hilltop above is a looming structure of crumbling stone and still-imposing battlements, though verdant nature is reclaiming the site. Plumes of red
smoke—which ambassador Warbal believes to be distress signals from the Bumblebrasher goblins—rise from the roof of the keep’s central tower. This place can only be Citadel Altaerein, the infamous former home of the Order of the Nail Hellknights, now fallen into ruin. The gate-like doors in the center of the keep hang ajar—not surprising, since no one has maintained this facility in years. ]
You each make it to the front of the Citadel, you know from knowledge that only way to access the keep is by entering it. The front of the keep is ajar thanks to years of monsters and other creatures coming in and out the Citadel. As you approach the front you see the following.
[b] Battered, reinforced doors hang ajar at this main entrance to Citadel Altaerein, once the headquarters of the Hellknight Order of the Nail. Above the doorframe, a tarnished seal depicting a sunburst made of nails stands out in relief on the keep’s stonework. Under the seal runs a worn but clear line of carved text.
“Savagery must be quelled in the land, home, and mind.”
As the group moves to open the door as quietly as possible Mob and Hanako make sounds as the doors opens, Zano gives the doors a good shove. Here is what each of you see.
The large room beyond is a cluttered amalgamation of a formal receiving parlor and a ruined husk. Dented, rusted, and otherwise ruined suits of outdated Hellknight armor line the north and south walls; each display is leaning or entirely tipped over and missing its helmet, gauntlets, boots, or other pieces (these still-functional elements were looted long ago). Broken furniture is scattered about the area, as are what look like the half-chewed carcasses of several small prey animals. A wide but dirty stretch of black carpet leads to two large doors, one to the northwest and one to the southwest
Scuffs on the walls indicate where valuable paintings or framed documents once hung. Prominently displayed on each wall is a seal depicting a sunburst made of nails, carved in relief and identical to the one above the front doors to this area. Toward the ceiling, running the length of each wall, is the same motto, but this time presented in matching lines of Common and Infernal: “Savagery must be quelled in the land, home, and mind.”
There are 3 goblin dogs growling at the group as they see invaders to their home.
Jathal 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Gareth 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Mob 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Zano 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Hanako1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Hanako assumes the goblin dogs to be with the Bumblebrashers, so her instinct is to avoid conflict. She hopes that her acting skills can be used to earn the animals' trust. Her target is the alpha, if apparent.
Hanako assumes a gentle pose and makes a wide-eyes expression. "My, what big teeth you have! The better to guard your Bumblebrashers with, my dear?
"You are a good dog, but do not fear. We are friends. See? There is a Bumblebrasher or two among us, and we will find the way.
"Maybe you can lead us?"
The dogs obviously don't understand Hanako, but she hopes that between her acting ability and the skills of her allies, an unnecessary battle can be prevented.
Mob has been mostly silent on the walk up, but once inside the castle she seems to relax a bit. She grins widely at the sight of the goblin dogs. Mob points at the goblin dogs and orders. "Snasher, Basher, Crasher. Sit!"
The dogs sit and listen to Mob.
Jathal stands there as the dogs seem to obey the commands of Mob, she thinks " friends of yours Mob. Ummm, nice doggies?" she says hopefully.
After moving on beyond the dogs the group sees the two doors which are unlocked. One is to the NE and the other to the SW they both open to a narrow corridor stretches around the octagonal center of the keep, and is divided into segments by doors leading through this level of the towers or into interior rooms. Here and there, a few remaining paintings of dour-faced Hellknights still grace the walls between high, narrow windows that let in limited light.
As the goblin dogs settle back down Mob replies to Jathal "Of course, we're all Bumblebrashers." As she walks further into the castle Mob continues speaking "Just gotta find the rest now, should be down here." Mob points down the left hand hall.
Hanako trusts Mob's instinct on where to go.
The doors are locked with a bolt your group manages to open it up making some noise. This dingy room is littered with toppled bunk beds and broken furniture, and doors to small but more private bedchambers hang open along the western and southern walls. In the room’s center, bed frames are stacked upon each other to form a sort of fort, with filthy and ripped bedding draped over the top to form its ceiling and walls.This area was once a hostel-like barrack for lowranking
Hellknights and recruits—called armigers— with smaller private rooms along the wall to the west for higher-ranking knights, and more plush rooms for leaders in the rooms to the south.
From out of the side wall jumps a bugbear. Mob sees this and....
Coming under attack in her own home Mob reacts quickly, and angrily. Seizing her large maul she swings it at the incoming bugbear.