Coronus draws his sword and says in a impossibly loud, booming voice, The centaur closes to the shield wall and attacks a spearman in the middle of the shield wall.
Coronus draws his sword and says in a impossibly loud, booming voice, The centaur closes to the shield wall and attacks a spearman in the middle of the shield wall.
[dice=longsword]1d20+5;1d8+3
[dice=Bonus action War Priest]1d20+5;1d8+3
@Coronus>> You only had a move left this round. Casting Thaumaturgy was your action.
@Aristeides>>: His mouth drops open in horror at the confusing battlefield before him. He is however able to jump aside as one of the spear wielding soldiers pokes at him from beyond his shield.
@Coronus>>: The Centaur continues to bellow and threaten, as he tries to close ranks with Lysander to attack the enemy soldiers, but finds himself hemmed in by soldiers in the front and to his right flank, and Aristiedes penned in on his left flank. He senses Kaia behind him as she just loosed another arrow.
@Braeca & Proteus>>: The elder acolyte, and the leader of the forces of Sydon, begin to tussle over a dagger drawn forth by the Sydon worshiper.
Braeca STR Check
Proteus STR Check.
And defending his temple seem to give the Acolyte of Versi a boost, as he is able to slam his enemies arm on the bronze bier, breaking his grasp on the dagger which clatters to the floor.
@Novyn>> The crossbow twangs ad Novyn releases a bolt at one of the soldiers she can see, but the bolt goes wide as she tries to keep from hitting Mateo who is surrounded by three soldiers, perhaps boosted by their numbers. She then ducks around the door frame, removing herself from sight of any enemies, except for the one gently snoring a few feet away.
@Lysander>> Lysander waits and bellows forth commands, as the soldiers in front of him form a shield wall, much as he has been taught, however they don't seem to be well practiced. He teaches one of them (7) a lesson about advancing a bit to far, by scoring a deep wound on his side.
Kaia and Mateo up.
Kaia fires to help clear up Mateo.
Mateo enters into the fight eagerly, his blade catching one of the soldiers off-guard. However, the soldiers begin to work together and with multiple strikes, a blow catches along his shoulder drawing a small stream of red.
"A lucky blow...but it is not here that I die yet! Now...if you excuse me." The Odyssean moves with incredible grace, dodging and maintaining his offensive as he extricates himself from against the wall and rejoins alongside his comrades.
After repositioning himself beside his good friend Lysander and in front of the skilled archer, the tricky man lunges at the distracted soldier of Sydon and uses his mixed attention to try and strike a deep wound.
@Kaia>> Kaia notches and fires another of her deadly arrows at one of the Soldiers that have Mateo hemmed in, but he moves about the same time, and to keep from putting him in the line of fire, her aim is distractied, and the arrow misses any soft landing.
@Mateo>> Somehow with a series of feints, jukes, and athletic rolls, Mateo emerges from the know of soldiers, without taking so much as an attack. He plants himself next to Lysandes, and strikes out with his blade, but the enemy soldiers shield comes up in time to deflect the bow.
Soldiers of Sydon (Swordsmen 1-3): Soldiers 2&3 embarrassed at letting their quarry escape follow him with swords drawn. "You were supposed to hit him! No you were! No Albertus was"!
Shortsword(2) attack on Mateo
Attempted Harm
Inflicting another wound on the soldiers thigh
Shortsword(3) attack on Mateo
Attempted Harm
Soldier 1 goes to attempt to help Braeca with Proteus, shoving at the older man with his shield.
Shield Push pushing the older man into their leader off balance, where both he and Braeca attempt to constrain him.
Pushing down damage
Proteus STR Check.
The remaining better trained soldiers keep their shield wall intact, and strike out at the characters.
(5) Attack on Aristiedes
Longspear with Martial Advantage
A slight wound is inflicted on the unarmored mage
(6) Attack on Coronus
Longspear with Martial Advantage
Unsure where to strike on the armored Centaur, the attack turns out to be harmless.
(7) Attack on Lysander
Longspear with Martial Advantage
As Lysander turns to form a shield wall with the approaching Mateo, his attention is distracted for must a second, but long enough for the spearman to drive a terrible wound into his side.
Caught between an enemy and a statue, Aristeides can't do much, other than defending and trying to cast something. He moves his hand and three missiles made of pure energy sprout from his fingers, flying and striking the soldier who just got him with a spear.
As Mateo approaches, old habits fall into place, and Lysander extends his shield to protect his companion as years of practice had implied. But when the soldier Mateo had been facing followed up, it was Lysander that pushed a spear at the brave, but foolhardy foe.
Unfortunately, this attack left his side open to a vicious attack from his own foe.
Coronus draws his sword and says in a impossibly loud, booming voice, The centaur counter-attacks a spearman in the middle of the shield wall.
Staring in shock at the quickness with which Lysander struck out Soldier(2) takes a deep wound to his upper shoulder, and cries out in pain.
@Aristeides>> Cringing in horror at the pain of the fresh wound, Aristeides decides it's time to take the offensive, and sends three bolts into the torso of the man in front of him (5) For some reason his magic seems weak, and though the darts fly true they do not take the man down.
@Coronus>> Roaring in rage... loudly I might add. The Centaur takes a mighty swing at the linchpin of the shield wall (6), and the man crumples to the ground under his mighty blow. His follow up blow would have perhaps decapitated him if the man wasn't already falling, and instead whistled in air.
DM Rolls
Proteus
Braeca
Proteus was beginning to mumble some divine words but being knocked off balance by the Soldier (1), and Braeca being a bit quicker, let to him being restrained by the leader of the men, who held a knive at his throat. "Protect me"! he yelled at the Soldier nearest him.
Soldiers 4,6 are down. Soldiers 2,3,7 are injured, Soldier 1 is unhurt. Soldier 8 is asleep outside. Braeca holds Proteus from behind, with a knife at his throat. The three young acolytes are watching with horror.
[dice=Attack Braeca]1d20+7
[dice=Attack Braeca, adv]1d20+7
[dice=Dmg]1d8+3+1d6Novyn turned the corner and in that split second sighted Braeca down with her gastraphetes...
...before turning the corner again to reload.
[dice=Bonus Hide]1d20+7
@Novyn>> Novyn is indeed one of the chosen, as she darts around the open doorway, aims and shoots her crossbow. Kaia turns to see what the noise at the door is, and as she turns the bolt whizzes just past her nose, Coronus's follow through takes his head around, and the bolt parts his mane as he turns, displacing one single hair. Soldier 1 reaches down to adjust his armor, and the bolt tears through the air where he was standing, and Proteus lowers his head for a quick prayer. Imagine Braeca's surprise when from out of nowhere a single well aimed crossbow bolt transfixes his forehead right between his eyes. He crumples to the ground rethinking his allegiances before darkness overcomes him and he thinks no more.
Lysander barks out a "Good shot, Novyn! before thrusting his spear at the soldier that hurt him .
@Lysander>>: The warrior seems to be only inspired by the wound which would have killed a normal man. His spear reaching out like an angered adder he first ends the life of his tormentor(7), then with a surge of adrenaline also sends one of Mateo's attackers (2) to the afterlife.
The shield wall is broken, and you can see panic set into the eyes of the soldiers...however the idea of answering to the forces of Sydon keep them engaged.
Kaia and Mateo up.
"Always making me look bad!" Mateo shouts out to his comrade while gritting his teeth. The wounds upon his form were small but painful, slowing his speed just a bit. Any slower and he risked an actual striking blow from one of these followers of Sydon. With his xiphos in hand, Mateo struck with a series of blows at the man to his right, hoping to strike him down and clear the way to the acolytes beyond.
Mateo strikes true, and another of the soldiers crumples to the ground.
Kaia up!
With a quick cut to the man's knee, the xiphos followed through cleanly into the warrior's neck. A quick and nearly painless ending, Mateo moved through the right side of the room to engage the soldier nearby the acolytes.
"Just isn't your lucky day friend..." Matteo murmurs, readying to fight once more.
Kaia takes aim on the invader halfway hidden behind the pillar and fires.
Kaia takes aim on the invader halfway hidden behind the pillar and fires.
[dice=Attack Roll]1d20+8
[dice=Damage Roll]1d8+4
@Kaia>> Kaia takes another shot with her deadly bow, but this time she slips a bit in a rivulet of blood, and her shot flies astray.
@Mateo>> After killing the soldier who dared to attack him, Mateo with a mighty leap moves to engage the soldier behind the bier.
Soldier 1 Had turned to look in dismay at the shot that took down his leader, and at the sound of movement beside him turned at the last second to attack this new threat. Ahhhhh! But Mateo'sarmor turns aside his feeble attempt. He takes off running towards the huddled acolytes
Shortsword Attack
Attempted Damage
Soldier 5 Turns his attention to the visiage of the rampaging Centaur. "You are a traitor to your own kind". And is able to stab deeply into his exposed flank.
Longspear
Attempted stabby
Coronus grits his teeth at the stab and replies in an impossibly loud, booming voice (because he can),
The centaur counter-attacks the spearman but cannot draw blood.
Aristeides calms down a bit, seeing there's only a pair of enemies left. "Listen, why don't you just drop your weapon and live? We all you some questions and you can see your children..."
"Better to die serving Sydon, than to live and face his wrath at our failure".
@Proteus "No! You shall not harm the Acolytes"! Proteus pulls forth a holy symbol, and mutters a prayer. A flame-like sheet of Radiance falls upon the man threatening the children.
DEX Save
Radiant Damage
The man withers in pain, but keeps stumbling forward towards the young acolytes.
The man near him turns and runs towards the young acolytes, who huddle in fear. Mateo lashes out with blade, desperate to end the soldier's life before anymore innocents are lost.
Mateo struck out at the retreating soldier, missing at first, but then as radiant flames consume the man his blow strikes true, sending him on to spend eternity serving Sydon.
Only Soldier (3) is up directly in front of Aristiedes, and diagonal to Coronus. He is lightly injured.
Novyn sneaks in behind the rest of the party, and sends a crossbow bolt deep into the remaining soldiers armor, under his arm... but somehow he stubbornly clings to life. "For Sydon"! His now week and rasping cry bursts forth.
Lysander cooly sidles past his centaur companion to the ailing soldier ignoring the deep gash in his side. "Sydon be damned." he spits as he brings his spear down on the soldier's form.
Just as the last remaining scion of Sydon reaches for the nearly fatal wound on the side... courtesy of Novyn's bolt, Lysander, bleeding from his own wound, calmly steps forward, and rewards the man's loyalty to his patron, helping him to release his soul to Sydon's embrace. The room goes quiet but for the ragged breathing that follows combat.As the last soldier falls you hear an angry rumble of thunder from outside the temple then silence. The silence is then pierced by a high-pitched but strong voice.
@Proteus>>> "Ho Strangers. I'm not sure why you have invaded the house of the Oracle with weapons, and magic, but at this time I'm glad you arrived when you did. Hopefully I haven't exchanged one threat for another however. State your purpose". The man then moves protectively to his acolytes, imploring them to rise and prepare to flee."This temple has seen too much bloodshed, pray-tel you don't intend to bring more".
@Kyrah>>> Suddenly Kyrah emerges from the doorway where she had been observing the battle, and quietly cheering on the participants. "Fear not Proteus. I have brought the Heroes of Thylea here to learn their destiny... it looks like just in time. Where is Versi? Is she harmed"? A worried expression comes over the goddesses face and she peers at the double doors at each side of the temple. "And so many dead".
@Proteus>>> "Thank the gods. Your arrival was indeed timely, but your quest is not yet fulfilled. Two weeks ago the soldiers you just dispatched arrived here accompanied by a Sea Hag named Heleka. So far she hasn't harmed Versi... as far as I know... but daily she orders the soldiers to slay and torture my acolytes just to torture Versi. Please you must stop her. I have not been allowed beyond this chamber, and know not what awaits you beyond".
@Kyrah>>> "That is indeed dire news Proteus. We must find and ensure the safety of The Oracle. Perhaps you and the remaining acolytes can begin to clear up the mess here, and I'll accompany the others to the Grotto".
Looking around the room you find Double doors on both sides of the imposing Statue of Sydon. I front of the statue (Where the acolytes were cowering) is a shallow reflective pool, reflecting the light of the room. There is a Sacrificla Bronze bier in the room where the priests make sacrifices to the gods. Searching through the ash you find animal bones scattered about.
Searching the soldiers Each have breastplate & shield, Longspears, Javelins (3ea), and shortswords. Braeca carries a bronze symbol of Sydon, which reflects the Wrathful visage of the Lord of Storms. Between all the soldiers and Braeca you find 25 gp, and 100sp.
@Proteus>>> "the attendants chambers are through the double doors on the left of the statue facing it. There you can find the key to the door that leads to the stairway down to the grotto which is at the other end of the hallway".
The battle is over but Mateo's wounds ache, a dull and throbbing pain that slows his speed and leaves him vulnerable to the clutches of his fate.
"Let us help move the bodies. It'll give us a chance to rest and prepare for what will come after." A villainous hag awaited them deeper into the temple, the thought of which brought a scowl to his face. What was the Order of Sydon's plan here? What were they going to accomplish.
"What do you know of this hag, Proteus? What is their goal? Mateo asked while drinking from his waterskin, waiting for the cuts to grow jnto dull aches.
Coronus wipes his bloodied, bronze sword on the tunic of a dead Sydonite and sheathes it. He then shoulders his shield, so he can help Mateo with the bodies. He is silent in his work while reflecting on what has happened and waiting for the answers from Proteus.
Kaia sat down with her back to the wall and let her bow fall to the ground.
Aristeides helps Mateo a bit, then relaxes and sits on the floor.
"Proteus, how many men are there with the hag?"
@Novyn>>: The acolytes are all in their early teens. Two boys and one girl, and have nothing on them but the clothes on their back. Proteus as well has only his garments, and the silver headband mark of station.
There are four other acolytes bodies in this room. They have no possessions, and have been foully treated, tortured, and abused
@Proteus>>> "I'll tell you what I know. About two weeks ago a troop of Soldiers of Sydon arrived with that servant of Sydon, Braeca heading them up. They were escorting what at first I thought was an ugly woman, but it turns out that she took her true form... The Sea Hag Heleka. They quickly moved throughout the temple killing all who resisted. As far as how Versi is faring I know not, for they will not allow me beyond yon doors". The old man nods his heads at the pair of double doors to the right of the Statue.
"They took several of the acolytes back with them, and left the rest with me. I fear for their lives". He looks sadly at the corpses of the children of Versi.
He then turns to look at Aristeides. "All I saw were the original seven soldiers, the acolyte, and Heleka. After an attempted escape she came up and summoned some creatures made of steam... I believe she called them mephits to guard the canyon, and we have had no others visit save yourselves since that deed".
He then turns his attention to Mateo. "As far as motivations... who knows knows the will and motivation of gods and titans". He glances at Kyrah for a moment. "It is well known that the Oracle is the daughter of Sydon, but has always been in his disfavor, as she supports the common man. Because of the treaty he cannot cause her direct harm... however he can certainly have his minions terrorize her. He again looks at the bodies of the fallen acolytes. "There were another 5 acolytes in addition to the three here, and the four foully murdered".
@Kyrah>>> "Enough rest. What is our plan to liberate Versi, so that you can learn your fate"?
"You know my thoughts, a direct approach." The big man looks to Proteus. "We'll do what we can. Is there somewhere you and the acolyte can get to?"
"Well, if the only way in there is through that door, then I guess the plan is set" Aristeides shrugs, getting ready for whatever they might find inside.
Once again. There are double doors on each side of the statue. proteus said the left door led to the acolyte chamber where the key is kept, and the right doors lead to the grotto door, which is usually locked.
Novyn moves to the set of double doors to the right of the statue. She reaches down to unlock the doors, but finds they are not locked. She opens the doors and finds a single door right in front of her. The hallway stretches to her left between the two sets of doors, seemingly the width of the temple.
As she works the complicated lock she hears a click as she successfully bypasses the need for a key.
Aristiedes steps behind her, watching from behind the first set of double doors as she bends to her task.
The others rest in the chamber, binding wounds, drinking water, and preparing to move on.
What is everyone else doing?
@Lysander>>: Proteus replies. "This is our home. We will retire to our chambers, and begin the plans to restore the temple to some semblance of order. Hopefully you will find the others, and release Versi from her captivity. I believe you have eliminated the immediate threat to us".
As soon as the ache of his wounds become a dull throb and the speed of his movements return, Mateo rises up from the wall and stretches. Battles were always like this; long bouts of boredom, quiet, and introspection punctuated with sudden moments of incredible violence. Cleaning his bronze blade of blood, he turns towards Novyn who had just deftly undid the lock to the rest of the temple.
"I feel that the figures I saw in the mists weren't the soldiers. These mephits...they likely spotted Novyn and I on our approach. This hag likely knows we're coming and we should move forward with that expectation." Matteo said while rubbing his chin, thinking out loud. "Novyn and I will take the lead, scout ahead if needed. You all follow behind in whatever way works best for the terrain?
Once things were decided and the party was ready to move, Mateo would move beside the skilled thief with a nod. Past the massive statue, the hallway went to both the left and right. Nodding towards the right, Mateo would follow close behind with the xiphos ready in his hand.