Seamus dodges the guy's attack
vs 12
and then goes for another strike
vs 14
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Lukas hits one of the flying creatures opening a wound in its flesh and making it scream!
Akkramar fires an arrow that strikes thru the creature to the North, puncturing his belly!
Duncan fails to dodge his opponent's attack but his armor absorbed the attack.
Seamus dodges his attacker and responds with a mighty blow slicing him in half, killing him on the spot!
Z'orto charges towards the remaining human.
The creatures keep attacking:
Lukas is attacked by one of the flying creatures and it's a possible hit.
Akkramar is attacked by the flying creature he has hit and it's a possible hit.
Duncan is attacked by the human and it's a possible hit.
Seamus is attacked by the flying creature he has hit and it's a possible hit.
Akkramar avoids the attack.
Seamus also tries to dodge
vs 12
Lukas blocks the arrow and presses the attack
Looking around, Akkramar attempts to target another one of their flying opponents.
Seamus moves towards the guy on the south side of the intersection.
If he can, he attacks but as I don't think he can he casts telekinesis to trip him.
vs 13
Edit on the previous post:
Seamus tries to knock the creature to the ground using a well placed blow to the head, using telekinesis:
vs 13
Lets finish with this one Z'orto, then you go help the familiy while I take care of the flying one
Well fought friends! I'll go check for more skirmishes
He closes his eyes and starts levitating up
Duncan moves toward the family and sees if they are ok, and if they are rally them to continue moving.
While Lukas scouts, Akkramar keeps watch, in case any other creatures approach.
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The family is OK even with all the commotion.
Akkramar you hear the sounds of fire as multiple buildings are burning around you. You also hear shouts all around you some closer, some further away.
Lukas as you rise above ground you see multiple fires and columns of smoke rising from the fires. The city is being raised and for sure there's no lack of places you can go if you are looking for skirmishes.
The man talks with Duncan and whoever is close by can easily hear.
I sure am glad you were here, we would never have made it past them!
We should hurry to the Keep we are close.
"Lukas! We are leaving! Let's go!" - Akkramar shouts at his companion, as soon as he hears the words from the man, hinting they should try and make it to the keep.
The situation seems desperate indeed, the city is lost.
Seamus wonders what's the point in getting this one family to the keep when so many other families are probably being slaughtered right now...
If only we could strike at the root of this evil. The dragon? Probably not, he's likely just a weapon in the hands of a higher power.
The hooded men? Probably the same...
To hell with it. Seamus decides to keep focused on the task at hand, and hope they'll have some more information at the keep.
Let's go! Which way sir? I'll take point!
Lukas floats down with a concerned look
Let's escort them, yes. But then we should come back out, there are still lots of people needing our help. We should try to bring to safety as many as we can
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The keep is visible from most of the city.
You move along between skirmishes and manage to reach the entrance of the keep with no more incidents, with Linan (the woman), and her husband Cuth by your side the guards open the doors and let you pass quickly. You are the last group in after you the guard's lock and barred the gates.
Inside the keep you see soldiers manning the walls as well as commoners that, like you, have sought refuge in the keep.
Linan and Cuth thank you deeply: Thank you, without you for sure my family would either be dead or captured. We are forever in your debt.
Unless you have something specific to say or ask they then devote themselves to taking care of their wounds and comfort their kids.
Farewell Cuth and Linan, kids... stay safe.
Can I tell where the command center is? Like the main tower, or the garrison headquarters, something like that?
If not, I ask a guard to point us to whoever's in charge of the city's defence.
Looking around, and seeing no particular station to treat the wounded, Akkramar approaches Linan and Cuth - "I can bandage your wounds, if you would like"
We only did what we should. Akkramar will help with those wounds. Linan, Cuth stay safe guys.
After leaving the family in hands of Akkramar Duncan joins Seamus looking for whomever's in charge of the defenses.
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Linan and Cuth are exhausted and more than welcome any help they can get.
As you inquire about who's in charge you easily discover that it's Governor Nighthill.
You are directed to Tarbaw Nighthill, he is pacing atop the parapet of the keep. He's a human male with more or less sixty years.
As you reach the parapet and approach Nighthill, he welcomes you Wellcome, you are the mercenaries that were after the bounty and also helped Linan and Cuth reach the keep are you not?!
Let me start by welcoming you to the city although the timing is not the best one.
Let me take the opportunity to present to you Greenest! From here we have the best view of Greenest!
You notice that the right side of Nighthill’s face and head are bandaged, his right arm hangs in a sling, and his light blue tunic is stained with his own blood.
"Thank you for the welcome" - Akkramar approaches, after assisting Linan and Cuth as best as he can.
"We assisted as we could, but our role seems small in such a brutal attack" - the half-orc adds - "I am Akkramar"
Lukas examines the city, looking for signs of struggle
Is everybody here? We should go and look for more stragglers
He then looks inside the keep trying to make a quick head count
How many are still alive for defense, should we abandon the city?
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Governor Nighthill: Nice to meet you Akkramar and ...?
Indeed this is a brutal attack! This is the first time Greenest is attacked and we are still at a loss as to why we are being victims of this brutal attack!
Right now, the raiders have isolated the keep from the town with encircling groups of guards, the circle is not perfect and they haven’t organized an attack to the keep.
I think the raiders don’t intend to attack the keep; they seem interested only in loot. The real danger is to the town and to those people who didn’t make it into the keep before it was cut off.
As you can imagine the forces that we have in the keep are either organizing defenses in the keep or keeping guard and defending the walls.
You seem to be an able group and if you are interested I could use a stealthy group that can help the people that have been cut off.
If you look this way, you can see the temple, as far as I know, dozens of townsfolk have barricaded themselves inside, but raiders have it surrounded.
Would you consider going to them and help them escape?
"Assuming we do..." - the archer looks back at his companions, then studies the temple from their position - "Would there be any other less obvious path to approach the temple?" - he comments - "Otherwise we risk only being caught inside with the other townsfolk... Are there underground tunnels, for example?"
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So I assume you are willing to help?
I'm glad you ask that, the keep has a secret tunnel. The tunnel’s main function was as a secret means of collecting water from the stream during a siege but it can double as a sally port. Since the keep has never been besieged, the old tunnel has never been used.
Regarding the temple, it has a back entrance, they are focused on the main entrance and maybe you can help the people exiting the temple unnoticed.
Of course we'll help - Lukas bows and grins as he stands back up - We still have our bounty to collect and I imagine you can't pay if... well if you don't have a city
He then adds as a side-note Also, we might have some information regarding this attack. Not much, but a little
"Any reason why we would not have the people escape through the tunnel also?" - Akkramar adds - "And would you have any resources to assist us, in the form of weapons or magic?"
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Talking to Lukas:I see your mind is a very pragmatic one.
Indeed the city will honor the bounty, but you are right, we do need to have a city for that.
Information? I’d give anything to know what we’re up against, and why. Can your information help in that regard?
Talking to Akkramar: The tunnel only goes to the stream, which may or may not be guarded. It's a good alternative for a small group to path unnoticed, but if we try to move everyone we would get caught for sure.
And even if they don't see us right away, we would have to walk to the next town and they would probably catch us in the road.
About equipment, if you require any weapon or arrows to replace yours, or any other common equipment that you need to the mission I will see what we have in the keep.
About magic, we have already used some potions and are saving most of our magic resources for the combat with the dragon. He hasn't attacked the keep yet but we believe it's only a matter of time.
"Fine by me, but if we die trying to save those people they will most likely follow" - Akkramar points out with a shrug - "Better resources improve the odds. Just a fact"
Sorry to press the issue Governor Nighthill, but Akkramar's question about leading the refugees through the tunnel is relevant.
When we go in through the tunnel we will know if there are any guards along the path, will we not?
Compared to the alternative of leading them through a back door into open ground, the tunnel seems much better.
What am I missing Sir?
Erm I'm in, obviously. Let's get them outta there!
Lukas presents the letters he got from the body Like I said it's not much but it clearly shows that this is a long and twisted plan, long in the making
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Nighthill reads the letters.
Nighthill Let me start by thank you for showing me these letters.
So whoever is doing this is interested in money. This probably means that they are only interested in looting Greenest.
Nevertheless, while they plunder people are dying!
This "S" signature, doesn't ring a bell, but I'll ask around to see if anyone can remember something.
I’d love to know what we’re up against, and why. For that, we need prisoners! A commander, even a low-ranking one, is best.
If you are able to capture some of the bandits that would be great.
Akkramar waits until after the conversation, and speaks privately to his companions - "I am inclined to forget all about this endeavor friends - I do not trust this Nighthill fellow" - he grunts - "He does not seem at all invested in providing resources to help us saving his own townsfolk, or even reward us for risking our lives" - the half-orc continues with a shrug - "I say we do the best we can for those who are trapped, but that is it. I do not believe we should risk ourselves in capturing an enemy commander"
Lukas nods I agree, we save these people but keep out of the politics for now. If the opportunity presents itself, fine. But we won't risk our necks for it
Akkramar nods at Lukas, and looks around at his companions, waiting for any other input - if none is forthcoming, he continues - "Then I guess we are settled. Let us go and try to help those people"
I think the man is giving us all he can. I'm in of course. I agree with Lucas, save the people and and if the opportunity presents itself then we'll capture someone. I'm just gonna tell Nighthill that the dragon, as far as I could get it, is beeing ordered by the robbed figures outside the city. Then I'm good to go!
I tell it to Nighthill then I go to the tunnels
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Nighthill: Thank you for your help!
He then calls a dwarf with knotted, tangled, bright red hair that approaches promptly.
Let me present Castellan Escobert the Red. Escobert is the master of the keep, Escobert is in charge of its defense and is the best source of information on the tunnel if you have any further questions.
Escobert, please give them the key to the tunnel's grate.
Escobert promptly removes one key from an enormous ring of iron and brass keys.
Escobert: This key will open the grate you will find at the end of the tunnel. I'll accompany you to the entrance of the cellar when you are ready.
"Well met Escobert" - Akkramar nods - "I will let the others speak for themselves, but I am ready. One question - does the tunnel have illumination? As in openings to the street through which the light can filter in?" - he adds - "Or is it too deep for that?"
Lukas is ready to leave and doesn't add anything, he seems absorbed in a conversation with himself
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Escobert: The castle ground is elevated in relation to the river, you will be walking thru a small stream that ends in the river.
To answer your question, the tunnel ends in a grate that lets the light in, but in the beginning, the tunnel is almost pitch black and as you approach the grate it will get less dark.
We can light torches in the cellar that will provide some additional light in the beginning, nevertheless, you will always be able to see the walls.