A cool breeze blows through the hills, momentarily relieving you from the humid temperature common in the summer, and breaking the stillness of the woods that you find yourselves in. Weapons drawn and crouched down, your eyes and ears scan the woods for any dangers and finding none, you relax, if only for a few seconds. You scan your fellow members, whom you have known for no longer than a month, each one of them bearing a unique trait of their ancestry. Your thoughts reflect back…
A month ago…
You remember being recruited for the Mendevian Crusade, each one of you with your own reasons for risking your lives against the demonic forces of the Worldwound. Then oddly, instead of joining the front lines with the majority of soldiers, you were each called to a special meeting and seated in the meeting hall of the Grey Garrison. After a few minutes you heard steps approaching and in entered the aged inquisitor, Lord Hulrun himself, the ruler of Kenabres, clad in shining, resplendent armor. Holrun He was accompanied by a half-orc woman clad in golden colored plate mail adorned with the symbol of Iomedae. Lord Hulrun spoke, eye brows furrowed, in a serious tone, ”Thank you for coming each of you and for joining the war effort. But let me be blunt, the Fourth Crusade has not ended, more like it has petered out. We are in the midst of crippling shortages and record lows in morale among the crusaders, and to be honest, the Mendevian war effort teeters on the brink of collapse. We have heard reports that the demonic occupation of the Worldwound is growing, as is corruption among our ranks. The situation is very dire…but you four may be the spark we need. Your heritages, no secret to anyone with eyes and access to information, may be the solution. I want you four to spark the war effort, boost morale and recruitment efforts, and drive out the corruption. I want you four to be my special military squad, the symbol of Heaven’s Fury on the Worldwound, my Blitzkrieg soldiers, trained and developed to deliver swift victories and terrible losses on our demonic enemies! With heaven at our side, we cannot fail!” The aged human pauses for effect, realizing he was shouting now, and his voice returns to its normal tone, ”Apologies, I think you four can do special things. I plan to announce our new efforts at Armasse, which is fast approaching in a month. Our crusaders need a morale boost. What say ye?”
And you each accepted of course for your own reasons and you were assigned to Irabeth Tirablade, the half-orc paladin, who would be your Master at Arms and who provided you with special missions. Irabeth You four had already escorted a dwarven delegation on its way to Kenabres to negotiate cold iron contracts, a much needed resource, through some dangerous territory. There had been some hiccups in the operation but all in all, it had been a successful mission, with promise for the future.
The present
And so here you were again, in these woods, on the trail of a hobgoblin gang who had been waylaying caravans and crusaders in the region, rumored to be led by a fiendish bugbear named Jozra. They thought attacking at night, where humans could not see without light sources, would prove to be their advantage. They were wrong! You had picked up their trail at the site of a caravan attack a few hours ago and tracked them to these hills. How long had you been waiting? It feels like hours but honestly it was perhaps minutes. You sense movement and a woman with golden hair steps out of the shadows, ”I found their lair…follow and try and be quiet…or as quiet as you can be in your armor.” She eyes the half-orcish looking warrior in scale mail with a mischievous grin. The party follows her for about 5 minutes to an overlook where your scout, Zedna, points to a cave entrance built into the side of a hill, where a lone hobgoblin stands guard some 20 yards away, oblivious to your presence for now. You all feel the rush of adrenaline building, as you plan your attack….
A month ago...
Nick couldn't believe his luck! Credit where credit was due, it was probably because of his patron goddess, and he murmured a quick prayer of thanks to her as he prepared to leave her chapel for the forseeable future. He was finally going to be a Crusader! Farod would be so proud, he thought, and then self-consciously remembered his father, still sitting in prison for petty crimes against the people of Kenabres. He would not be proud of him, he knew. He shook off that feeling of anxiety and doubt, putting off that uncomfortable meeting until someday in the future.
The present
Had it really only been a month? Nick chuckled to himself, remembering. How quickly their little squad had come together! Zedna, the scrappy singer who could punch like a brick; Lotho, the simple and practical paladin of Erastil; the mysteriously tranquil Krayn, who wielded strange arcane powers of fire and the sun; and himself, a humble halfling with a special heirloom weapon trying not to get killed. He looked up at the stars and smiled. This will make a great story, he thought.
Jarred out of his reverie, he brushes himself off and quickly follows Zedna with the others. It was easier for him to be quiet, for he was half the size of everyone else, and he peered over the rise to examine the hobgoblin sentry. "Think we can take him without raising the alarm?" he whispered to the group. "We might catch the other guards inside unawares, which will make the fight a little easier, but I don't think we'll be able to keep Jozra from knowing we're here once we start the melee."
One month ago ...
Lotho feels pride at being selected, taken aback that his heritage would be a reason, so used to feeling an outsider because of his orc lineage. He works hard to prove himself worthy with the others, constantly striving to contribute. Erastil is the god of family, after all, and these people are now, in a real sense, his family. His warrior family. He smiles faintly when he thinks that, suspecting that Erastil would approve.
The present ...
Lotho's heart pounds in his ears. He longs to run up and strike at these evil-doers in direct combat, but he takes a slow inhale of air to steady his nerves. There is wisdom in Nick's words. He holds up his longbow. "I can strike him from here, and hope it's a killing blow ... But if I get any closer, he'll hear me." He gestures vaguely toward his armor. "I can wait until you quieter folk get into position ..." He glances around, hesitant in presenting a plan, still trying to feel out the abilities of his companions.
Krayn closes his eyes in meditation for a moment. As much as they had been following the assaulters' trail overnight, the sorcerer could almost feel the sun on his skin. Hopefully some more hours and it would be here.
He opens his eyes to his new companions. The things on the last month had been quite hectic - a lot different than what he thought - and the life of an adventurer was far from romantic: a lot of waiting, a lot of sleeping badly, and a handful of true moments of glory.
His wings enveloped him for a moment. He felt their light touching his arms and if a warm embrace. In the dark, they weren't bright enough to work as light - but his eyes, as well as his companions', could see the shapes with perfection, despite colorless. And now, there was the scout.
I could try to reason with them. Ask them to surrender... Offer them a chance to do so. - he took a deep breath - Although I don't honestly bare much faith on it working. Still, it feels more humane. Or maybe one of us could sneak there and try to put him down non lethally?
As he finished speaking, his eyes looked white for a moment, as his mouth pronounced words in celestial - and immediately his body appeared to be surrounded by some sort of vibration force, that quickly showed invisible to the eyes.
Zedna shifts from heel to toe as the man in the perfect armor talks to them. Lord Hulron, lord of the armies of good, fighting all the worst evil trying to spill out into the world. And in the shiniest armor that Zedna had ever seen. The blonde woman looks down at her own garments as the important man talks. Frayed thick cotton skirt and tunic with a patched to heck and back steel chain. Oh, and a bloodstain on the hem.
As his voice booms, her blue eyes dart back up in a bit of worry he caught her nodding off, but no just getting into the whole speech. Nice one though.
Looking to the left and right, to the giant other members of Blitzkrieg, she sees what he means about inspiring. Then an arched brow at the last member, a halfling. Imagine that. Looked like he could kill a demon or two despite being the only thing in this army shorter than her.
Silence makes her notice again “Oh... um.. Yes sir. I'd like to fight demons.”
Zedna smiles at her unit as she gets back with them. First real thing they've done since they started. They are HELPING now, she mentally screamed as she stuffed her glowing hair back into her fitted hood. Pretty but not great for stealth.
As she huddled with the others looking at the lookout she looks over at the winged wizard in shock, "Reason with them? Kryan, they killed people, for what... stuff? Supplies and useless crap."
"I know I am... usually eager for a fight, most fights, but this one is a good one. Take out the bad guys so normal people can live their lives. Nick and I can get close, then you and Lot start it, and we mop up if needed. " looking around "Is that an okay plan?"
"Sounds good to me, Z," Nick drawls, pulling his cloak a little tighter around him to hide the glow of the stars reflecting off of his skin. He had somewhat self-consciously begun referring to the others in the Blitzkreig unit by nicknames, in an effort to feel closer to his comrades-in-arms. Not for the first time, he reflects on how different they all were, even though they all had an inexplicably celestial background. The heavens move in mysterious ways, he thinks. But that's what makes it fun, right!
Zedna gives Nick a lopsided grin of thanks. Sliding off her pack, she sets the heavy brown leather to the ground to be as quiet as she can and then wraps her hand around the shaft of her polearm. Looking once more to the other members of her team she waits to see if they disagree.
Lotho establishes a hand signal with Nick. "I'll fire when you do that ..." He gets himself into position to strike with his bow, waiting on the others to get into position.
Very well. - says the sorcerer - Jozra and gang had been evil. They had been on the wrong side of things, but still we have to believe anyone is redeemable. Regardless, some of them made the choice, others were forced into it. As soldiers in a war, some will fall despite not to be blamed by the orders they received.
He blinked for a long time.
Our weapons are many times the instruments of peace, and from the moment the fiend forces came to us - they chose to feel our wrath. Let’s be swift and merciful. But let’s also remember that there will be ones in the path of for redemption, and we can guide them. Offer them help.
He turned his body and approached Lotho, with his wings of light moving as if they had their own minds.
I’ll stay here with Lotho, and will run to engage once I see the sign. When the enemies fall, however - if they’re still breathing - maybe we can limit ourselves to tie them and take to the proper authorities. Not that we can really control much the might of our wrath!
Zedna listens and waits through the blinking. With her almost bubbling with anxiety and excitement, it is hard, but she manages. "Yes, I won't hit a person down." she places her hand on her heart, eyes focused on him, giving a proper oath "And I'd never ever hit a person surrendering. You should know that by now, Krayn." she gives the sorcerer a grin, then heads out to her spot, ready to get the battle going.
Nick shrugs amiably. He understood the sorcerer's position, and truth be told he had more sympathy than usual for the poor sentry who was not necessarily the instigator of this whole thing. However, he also knew that if they pulled their punches and missed, everyone inside would be alerted to their attack. He pondered this as he stealthily followed Zedna to their position.
The hobgoblin guard seems distracted and bored, confident his darkvision will spot any threats. He has bow in hand and a sword at his side.
Silently, Zedna and Nick reach within 50' of the hobgoblin without being noticed, while the rest of the party watches. But without further cover, what is the plan?
Nick looks at Zedna to make sure she is ready, and once she confirms he gives the signal and runs toward the sentry ready to fight.
" best-laid plans... foiled by lack of boulders she whispers into her friend's ear, then smiles and RUNS.
Lotho fires.
He sighs. "Erastil help me ..."
As Lotho shoots, Krayns take a deep breath and moves forward quickly.
Well, I could have flied and tried to surprise him at that point... - the sorcerer points to the climbing point - ... But we will make it work too.
He stops after completing his move and readies to cast acid splash if the guard moves to within 30 feet of him.
The two scouts step out of hiding rushing toward the hobgoblin! The guard raises his bow to fire and grimaces in pain as an arrow grazes his right shoulder. He gives a brief look but decides to focus on the two enemies bearing down on him. His trained military reflexes fail him, as the bow slips momentarily from his hand, which he catches quickly, but it is enough for the blonde halfling with the iris-colored eyes and the glowing-haired female reach him. He hopes he is able to avoid their blows, while he desperately tries to survive.
Lotho gets up and walks toward the hobgoblin, pulling another arrow and firing as he does so.
He shakes his head as he continues to lumber toward the group.
Krayn moves closer and shoots again a ball of acid against the enemy.
Nick finishes his charge and stabs at the sentry with his starknife. His breath is a little labored, but his eyes are bright and determined.
As quiet as she can, Zedna charges forward and hacks down with her polearm.
The charging aasimars strike, one burying his starknife across the hobgoblin's thigh seconds before the guard can deflect the blow, while the brawler's ranseur skewers his throat, spraying blood in the air! A little acid adds insult to injury and an arrow thwips harmlessly by, as the guard collapses to the ground, gurgling on his own blood, before expiring seconds later, his eyes blankly staring at the night sky and the stars he will never see again... The dead guard lies in a pool of his own blood at the entrance. The entrance of the cave goes forth 20' into the darkness and turns to the west.
A fast and swift death - the best we could grant. Good work, guys. - he starts, turning his body to the dead - Only the widow tears for the soldier that falls in the field. - says the sorcerer, somber, as he uses his prestidigitation to clear out the blood from the entrance as best as possible, letting the others collect the loot. If the body is hidden on nearby bushes, a glance outside wouldn't reveal the combat that happened.
I will stick to the back if you guys don't mind. - Krayn finally completes, once they're ready. He flaps his wings and stays flying, despite not getting far from the ground itself.
"Everyone who takes up a sword on every side takes the risk." Zedna whispers, then rubes her neck with an embarrassed smile "Or at least someone told me that once."
Grasping her polearm tighter, she walks softly forward.
Lotho stows his bow as he hustles over. Grabbing the new equipment he can use and hooking it to his backpack, he pulls free a longspear in his off hand and a javelin in his right throwing hand. He falls into step behind Zedna.
Nick sniffs the air and proceeds inside, eyes alert for traps or other mischief as he matches pace with Zedna.
Lotho proceeds with his weapons at the ready, the tension rising as the group moves along the passageway cautiously, ready for anything to strike.