As you make your way down the mountain trail, Hokey guiding the path, you start to notice some things seem off. You don’t hear the laughter and joyful screams of the children. You don’t hear the bickering of tribefolk, you don’t see the tribal guards awaiting your return as you expected them to be.
Up above in the sky, the vultures are circling. They smell death.
Once you get a clear view of the village, you see almost every villager with their sun baked tan skin huddled up in the middle of the village center. Children are in the center of the huddle, with spear wielding warriors - men and women, old and young - lining the outside. All of the spears are pointing in one direction. Pointing towards someone or something you cannot see from this angle.
”There you are!” a small but familiar feminie voice calls out. You soon see Hyacinth running towards you as fast as she can. ”You must come quickly! He’s killing everyone!” She rasps out the words, clearly out of breath from her run up the slopes to find you.
”Who? Who is it? Speak, woman!” Andras demanded of the halfling, his fears edging towards the front of his mind as he already knows the answer before she can speak.
"Who's killing everyone? Hyacinth, are you okay? What about Jimmy and Henry?"
Dread blossoms in the pit of Hokey's chest as she begins to suspect the answer
"Huff... hufff....huff...." she breathes heavily. "I am.. fine.. I.. escaped.. Not.. everyone did." Her words are interrupted by heavy breaths, but she soon gets it under control. When she speaks next, her words are interrupted by thoughts rather than labored breathing, "I.. I don't know who it is. There's an orc with charred black skin. His white eyes look like they glow from the darkest depths. He has a woman with him, pale skin and fair haired. He just appeared out of nowhere. Right in the middle of the village. I ran as soon as I saw them, but I could hear the screams as I ran to find you."
Hokey almost says they should help, they should immediately rally against this dogging nightmare. But then she sees the state she's in and the state of the rest of her group. "No, Hyacinth. We have to leave. We have to regroup and engage him on our terms. I hate to be the cold voice of reason, but the truth is none of us are in any state to be of any actual help right now." We need to rest and recover our magic capabilities, at least. We couldn't fight that thing directly, even in our best conditions.
Andras looks thoughtful, Did he have any demands? Strange to just start killing without any reason. Especially if, as you say, he just appeared...
Hyacinth answered, "He called out for you, Andras. He called for your head."
It's not the white orc. Andras declared, This one might be something we can take on head on. How's his fighting look? Could he take the whole village with their spears, do you reckon?
Hokey couldn't help glancing over at Andras. "We can talk about this after we're safe. Let's go! "
Hyacinth looks exacerbated, "I don't know! Ok! I was scarred! I ran for my life! I came to get you! I'm just a farmer! I don't know these things! You're the big heroes who are supposed to stop this! Isn't that why you came all this way? Isn't that why you dragged us all to this gods forsaken mountain?" She shies back after her outburst, scrunching within herself as she realized what she just said and who she was talking to, "I'm sorry, my lord. I.. I don't know what came over me. Please forgive me."
Andras just waves away her apologies, The woman who was with her, did he say who she was? He describes his sister Isabella. Does any of this match?
Hyacinth looks down at the ground intently, not meeting Andras' eyes, but says, "Yes, I think that was her, my lord."
Hokey walks away, into the surrounding forests while Andras continues to talk. She tries her best to persuade Hydrand and Awful to follow her out of town before anything happens and leaves while doing her best to cover her tracks.
Hokey... that's my sister. You can't just leave her to die, Andras says to the faun. He turns to Hyacinth, Did he how long he'd wait? Or what he'd start to do if he had to wait too long?
"I.. I don't know, my lord. I ran as soon as he showed up," Hyacinth answered, still bowing and staring at the dirt trail.
Did anyone else speak with him? He must be making demands of someone. Pretty useless to just stand in the middle of a village otherwise. Who’s commanding these soldiers for one?
"I don't know, my lord. I ran as soon as he showed up." she repeats.
Erik had remained quiet and stoic as Hyacinth approached them, telling them the worst of everything that had happened. With a frown, his grip tightened along his axe but he had remained quiet nonetheless.
"Are we all without magic?" He asks of Hokey, Hydrand and Awful. "Do we not have any other tricks up our sleeves or skill we can rely upon?" Awful wanted to move, to escape away from this situation and reconvene. It was the tactically sound choice. Yet his limbs felt hesitant to move.
"How many more towns are we going to leave behind us devoid of life, just feasts for the carrion eaters? These men, women, and children will die if we don't act. Are you all okay accepting that?" Erik asks pointedly, shoulder his shield onto his back. He crouches down beside Hyacinth, a hand resting on the halfling's shoulder.
"You did good Hyacinth. Thank you for finding us." Erik says, trying to smile pleasantly before looking at the others. Erik looks at the others and then steps away, leaning against a tree tiredly. This little war that the nobleman has involved himself into has cost so many lives now, how many more would it eat.
Awful was silent, deep in thought as the others talked.
"I've got nothing left... That's got to be the same guy. That's the white orc, Andras, he's just pissed off now. We left him in the middle of a forest set on fire. That charred black skin... We did that."
He grips the hilt of his new pet, but his arm trembles.
"We can't fight like this. We need to be at full strength, use every trick we have, you saw what he's capable of. This village's fate was sealed the moment we step foot in it. I'm sure they can hold him off long enough to give us a head start though... Better than the last one we had even."
Hydrand noted the bad signs on the way into town, but wasn't wholly convinced that there weren't vultures there before.
Maybe there was a gathering in town, and that's why the kids aren't around?
When they arrived in town, he stayed on the periphery of the group, listening in as Hyacinth passed on what she knew.
Doubtless it's him... That Orc. Andras' sister, though? Seems convenient, might be a changeling...
However, the tension crept into Hydrand's mind more and more by the moment. He didn't want to die, and that was almost certainly what would happen if he confronted the Orc now, or at all for that matter.
I want to protect these people, but... I guess they weren't the kindest to us, and I'd rather prioritize the safety of my friends...
He glances towards where Jimmy's place was, wondering if he might be willing to help.
Andras sees Hydrand look towards Jimmy’s brick house.
Jimmy’s a mage of the tower. Even the lowliest amongst them have power beyond imagination. The villagers are armed. If he’s so charred as to mean his whole skin turned from white to black, then he must be seriously hurt. Burns like that don’t heal overnight. We have a chance.
He stretches his aching muscles.
I have some strength left. Awful, you managed to help us fight off twenty Beastmen with nothing but a knife. You have nary a scratch on you, plus you have the fabled knife that Huberic said could kill this guy. You’re looking at it as if possessed...! I’m sure you’d like to use it.
If we can rally the villagers, we would have a chance. I can’t risk anything happening to my sister.
Hokey stops as Hydrand and Awful are stopped by Andras's pleading. She looks annoyed, but takes a deep breath and looks sharply over at Andras.
"The problem with your request is the same as the one I pointed out to the girl from before: you've got a problem, but how does it benefit me? I'm not even unwilling to help, but I'm tired and wounded, Andras. I'm a wrong glance away from death; we're all spent in our own ways after that trip into the mountain."
Hokey sighs after seeing her point fail to register with Andras, as his concern for his sister engulfs him.
"Fine. You want my help right now? I'll help right now, but since you have conditions, you'll listen to mine: you also convince Hydrand and Awful to help you right now, while we're still exhausted and spent. I'll always back Hydrand up."
Hokey looks over at the two she mentions and very slightly nods to herself.
"If you can't, I'm going to tell you what I told the girl: I'm going to stick with what I know works for me. Feel free to disagree and do something different."
Andras looks around at the faces of the group.
I think Hokey is right, let's get off the mountain and somewhere sheltered.
One of us should go and scout ahead. See the situation for ourselves. Hokey's in no state to do so. Erik and Hydrand, well. Aren't the most subtle. Bertram would have been ideal... but...
He glances pointedly at Awful.
Hokey also glances at Awful.
"You should tag along with your friend, just as an in-between. You know, watch his back in case something happens to Andras. From afar."
Awful scowls at Hokey and turns back to Andras.
"That's a great idea Sire, and what a noble thing you are doing by volunteering your guile to discover the fate of your very own sister!"
He slowly turns his stink-eye back on Hokey.
"And I guess I can tag along. If only so someone can bring back the news whe-... if twinkle-toes happens to end up with his insides on the outside..."
Hokey looks a bit taken aback at the straightforward acceptance from Awful. She tilts her head in wonder before she nods a half-an-awkward-beat later.
"...Well, that...Sounds good. We'll owe you if you come through, either way."
Awful, your bravery knows no limits... and I guess if I get caught then both your problems solve themselves.
Andras sighs.
I will just stick to the edge of the village. I’ll try to work out what’s going on. What the situation is...
"Don't remind me........."
Awful says in a flat tone. He waits expectantly for one of the two to start moving, not looking at anyone in particular.
Hokey nods.
"Both of you be safe. Remember that we can't help anyone if we're first to die. I'll work on identifying and divvying up some of the useful scrolls we found, while you guys are gone."
As Andras sneaks closer to the town edge, he gets a clearer picture of what is going on. The streets are not littered with bodies in pools of blood like Hyacinth had told. Her stories were an over exaggeration, likely built on fear and an overactive imagination. There's two dead in the center, and the warriors of the village seem to be at a standstill with the charbroiled orc.
In the town square, the majority of those still in the town are huddled behind spear wielders; their muscle bound warriors seem very capable. Since you first saw the warriors forming a spear wall to protect the rest of their people, they've been at an impasse with the Orc. One would step in to strike, and the orc would deflect it or dodge the attack. But his counter attacks seem minimal to non-existent. With the exception of the two dead bodies, the orc hasn't killed anyone else.
By the time you creep up to the edge, you can hear them talking.
Why should we trust you? one of the warriors asks. He is an older gentleman with mud caked hair, but he seems to hold his spear with confidence.
Because I am not here for you. Give me what I came for. Give me Andras and I will leave your pathetic hovel alone.
Next to the orc is Andras' sister. The orc keeps ahold of her with one massive hand around the back of her neck.
The orc suddenly calls out in a loud voice, addressing the world, Andrasss!!! I know you're out there! I sacrificed your Mother to learn you were here! Your sister is next!
Hearing the orc's taunts just makes Andras more wary.
He's deranged... regardless of whether it's true or not. And I doubt he's going to throw away his bargaining chip.
He sneaks closer to the village, trying to stay quiet and out of sight.
I'm glad not many of these people died for my sake. But I'm also wary that they might just throw me to the wolves.
Looking at the stern men and women in the shield wall, he feels a little reassured at the competency they display.
Not all inbred dirt-eaters after all. Good. Might come in handy in a pinch. I'm sure they would all like to know what the orc did in Last Hope.
Andras creeps around the edge of the houses, trying to keep an eye out for anything that could grant them some advantage. He's also trying to spot if Jimmy's house is still there, and if it is, he will head towards it.
The group gets some more distance from the village. After they figure out their next steps, Andras begins to head out with Awful to scout around. Hokey stops them briefly, in order to better prepare them for the task.
"Wait, you two. Geraldd, could you give me the scroll case? I think I saw a couple of useful scrolls in there."
Geraldd nods and gives Hokey the scroll case he picked up. She quickly looks through the scrolls before pulling some out of the case.
"You're the primary target, Andras, so you should have some protection. Take this scroll. It looks like it'll invoke the powers of a fabled Dwarven lord into your body."
Hokey turns to Awful and also gives him a scroll.
"This should help keep both of you safe, for a bit. It should imprison someone for a day. I don't know if Smiley's hostage will get caught up in it, or not, so try to use it when he's alone."
Hokey will also offer to trade scrolls with Erik. She will offer a scroll that temporarily allows the user to harm spirits and ghosts in their incorporeal form in exchange for one of the lightning scrolls Cap got for Erik.
Andras moves around the edge of the town, trying to get some better views.
As Andras moves around the village edge, quickly passing from one mud hut to the next, he manages to get into a position where he can still see Jimmy's temporary home. Jimmy's home is magical, and would provide a good place of respite if you can manage to get in. But you're not necessarily on the best terms with Jimmy; only Hydrand is on good terms.
You also pass by an apothecary; a place where a local herbalist or witch or alchemist might have potions. Inside the place you can see different types of glassware, pots with boiling liquids, and a small number of vials and pouches. Most likely things needed for the week to week workings of the locals.
Erik trades the incantation with Hokey, understanding her injuries mean that she'll fight best from a distance. Who knows, maybe being able to hurt a ghost would be useful soon.
While Awful and Andras scout ahead, Erik paces back and forth with a frown on his face. He hated the waiting. It was the worst part of violence.
Andras tries to keep to the shadows, skirting around the houses of the hamlet. Unfortunately, the villagers are jumpy, and on guard. A few of them look around and spot him. He raises a finger to his lips, hoping they don’t immediately realise who he is.
Knowing it’s only a matter of time now before he’s caught, he makes his way to Jimmy’s magical house, hoping to invoke Hydrand’s name for some help.
Hokey continues to distribute equipment around in order to ensure everyone will be prepared to run, fight, or go to town and fight there.
"Here, you can use my shield and dagger, Geraldd. Maybe the shield will come in handy for a brief moment."
Hokey also tries to calm Hyacinth down and convince her to join the fray. She gives some of her leftover jerky and water to Hyacinth as she talks to her.
"Look, Hyacinth, I'll be honest with you. We might be engaging an incredibly dangerous foe, but we could use all the help we can get. Even if it's something as simple as watching out for us from behind. This burnt monstrosity we've been calling Smiley is very crafty, and has worked with others in the past. We could use your help in keeping an eye out for trouble, at the very least."
Hokey separates a bit from the group and begins to attune to the dragon scale she picked up.
Please help us. This is a foe we must overcome in order to live our lives.
Hokey desperately prays to any residual feelings of the dragon that might be left in the scale.
Andras darts from hut to hit making his way around the outskirts and towards Jimmy's house. As he runs, a few of the children see him. They watch him as he runs instead of paying attention to the argument between the adults and The Orc.
One of the mothers notices that the kids are distracted and she looks to see what the fuss is about. And then another watches as Andras run.
Curious, The Orc looks to see what they're paying attention to. He smiles his oddly shaped smile when he spots the nobleman. Andras, he says.
His sister also noticed and she sees her brother. ANDRAS! she screams. Andras! Run!
---------------
At that same moment, Andras reaches the door to Jimmy's. He pounds on the door with his fists, repeatedly. Joint opens the door, seemingly oblivious to everything going on outside.
Andras, my lad, what has you in a tither?
Andras tries his best to get the words out, in between deep, gasping breaths.
Jimmy, I know it’s not something that is of import to a powerful wizard such as yourself, but this crazy orc is about to kill me, my friends, and the whole village. I think together we stand a chance.
He takes a deep breath, aware he only has a few moments.
Please, for Hydrand’s sake, if not mine, help us. That clockwork will stick his shield in front of me, even if it means his destruction. I shall be in your debt. My family still has some clout. A year of service would be nothing compared to losing all the rest of my years.
He waits for Jimmy’s response, coiled and ready to spring into action.
Seeing an opening Awful dashes to the Shaman's hut and bounds through the open window.
His lithe frame allows him to land without making a sound. He starts to grab at everything as efficiently as possible.
He stuffs the items into his pack except for the last thing, he's careful with that one.
Awful leaps into the apothecary's, somehow managing not to knock over the delicate glassware inside.
2d3:
2: Mysterious Vial
3: Antitoxin
4: Healers Kit
5: Healing Potion
6: Healing Syringe
------------
A year of service and a family obligation? Jimmy ponders to himself. I agree, young nobleman. I shall help you for a favor from the Cousland estate and a year of service from you.
Awful spends approximately 30 seconds pulling vials and supplies off the shelves before he bounds back out of the window and begins sprinting in the direction the group broke camp.
And I shall be your most devoted servant, just keep me alive.
Andras looks back at the town.
I think our best chance is to rally the villagers. My friends will be here shortly. Let's buy some time.
He turns to the Orc, and yells, making sure that the townsfolk hear him.
Did you say you'd spare the people of Last Hope if they helped, too? Did you say you'd spare Hartwick if he told you where I was? Their burned, mutilated corpses say otherwise. What do you want with me anyway? I'd never seen you before that night.
The Orcs twisted smile, made all the more horrific due to his chatted skin, broadens. Andras! he says, his voice like gravel. At last you stop cowering. Come, face me like a man. Prove you are worthy of the Cousland name.
The White Orc, now the burnt black orc, stood in the middle of the village, with your sister standing next to him. His giant paw of a hand was resting on the back of her neck.
Your sister here, well, half sister, she was not worthy. You hear a sudden crack as The Orc squeezes his hand on the back of her neck. She falls limp to the ground. Mummy! a boy cries out. Previously hidden behind her, a five year old boy rushes to his mother.
But your father still thinks you have it in you to be worthy of the Cousland name. To be worthy to represent the family. Not after that debacle in Last Hope. You made a mess of that place. And don't think that was me who did it. I had nothing to do with it. That was you. And your father knows it.
So now, what will it be? Will you disgrace your family name again, or will you prove your a Cousland?
Andras winces as he sees his sister fall limply to the ground.
Revenge is best served cold. That bastard will pay. He’s trying to bait me...
I don’t recall killing an inkeeper, breaking a scribe’s fingers or throwing a knight off the roof. Though that could just be my memory playing tricks on me.
He turns to Jimmy, gauging the wizard’s reaction to the situation, before turning back to the orc.
What are you gonna do? Kill me? I’m not stupid enough to fight you man to man. You’re an orc, a seasoned killer. I’m barely eighteen. Everyone here can see that would be suicide for me.
I don’t like him mentioning my father. I don’t think my father would KILL my sister. And if he did, then he’s not the man I think he is...
They're just peasants, Andras. They do not matter. They were weak. The strong can do anything they want to the weak. Now, stop delaying. Let's find out what kind of man you are. The Orc takes a step forward.
Andras yells out to the spear wielding peasants, also taking a glance at Jimmy.
We can take him out if we work together. Don't let him destroy your village like he did Last Hope...
He lowers his voice, speaking to Jimmy.
Do you have a plan? I sure as hell don't...
Andras holds his ground, ready to run at a second's notice, letting the orc come towards him, and luring him so that his back is to the line of spears.
I know what kind of man you are, someone who kills innocent women and burns villages to the ground. All to fight me? You gonna kill me?
He scans the tree-line for any sign of Erik, Hokey, Hydrand, and Awful.
Hydrand watches with a reasonable facsimile of vicarious terror as the Orc approaches Andras at Jimmy's hut.
Well, I can run now and be safe, or I can engage now and die...
He thought for a moment, watching the Orc pace toward Andras.
Awful went. I don't see him now, but he went into this situation... If he's in, who would I be if I balked now?
He glances around at any nearby compatriots.
"I'm going. Living with the guilt of running from my friends for however long my unnatural life will be doesn't sound attractive to me at all. And besides, y'all really gonna let Awful show you up on heroics? Pshuh!"
And with that, he began to move towards the hut.
Erik had been pacing back and forth, over and over again, unsettled by how long Awful and Andras were taking. When Hydrand spoke up though, a sigh of relief finally left him.
"At last, someone else spoke up. I'll join you." Erik murmurs, moving beside the clockwork and patting him on the back. "I'll join you. We have incantations and should be able to turn the tide with that enough."
Hokey sighs at what Hydrand started to say, then frowns and nods at his rhetorical question.
"Fine, I might as well come with. ...And you might have a point about Awful."
Hokey gathers her belongs as she gets up to go with everyone. She ensures she has the lightning incantation ready to at a moment's notice.
"Everyone got something to fight with? I'm sure the opening salvo is going to determine how ugly this gets."
Andras steels himself for what is about to come.
Courage... patience.
He remembers Hokey's gift to him, and pulls the scroll out of his pocket almost absent-mindedly. The words on the parchment seem to leap from the page into his mouth, and he chants arcane words, without truly knowing the meaning behind them. The power flows from the paper into him, imbuing him with the power of a dwarven lord. His body changes, becoming more stocky, and a stone beard erupts from his chin.
Imbued with the courage of this fabled figure, he begins to speak, in a deep, booming voice that is not quite his own.
My good countrymen! This monster already put one village to the torch. A village in which I spent many a happy year, labouring under the careful watch of the local scribe. I am not just a noble with a plummy accent ordering you to help me. I, too, know the power of hard work. How you good folk work, day in, day out, in order to provide for your families! It would break my heart to see another village destroyed by this orc. And truth be told, the empire is built on towns like Last Hope, and towns like yours! Brought to greatness by the sweat of your brow, and the blood of your veins. And I am not going to lie. Today, I shall ask of you for both.
Andras pauses, waiting for his words to sink in.
This creature will destroy the village, regardless of what he does with me. He is a sadist, a monster. You can either die protecting your village, or be slaughtered for his amusement. I know which one I prefer. I have my sworn companions on their way as we speak, powerful warriors all, trained in magic by the Tower Arcane, and proven in battle. They will help you. Help US, defeat this thing. You saw him kill that innocent woman, my sister. Imagine what he will do to your wives, your daughters, your sisters, your mothers... Fight now, my friends, and we shall drive this thing out, that he does not destroy another innocent village.
I hope Astrid forgives me for this next part, blasphemy though it may be...
Even the New God is on our side! My companions and I visited Valderhalen Hollow. And unlike the unworthy travelers before us, The Beast judged us pure of heart, and noble. He granted my lifelong friend, and companion, the use of the Savage Ornament - to bring peace and justice to the world! The world that is so full of horrors, and evils. He saw the pure, good heart of my friend, and bestowed this gift! And revealed that the Beast is but another aspect of the New God!
Andras desperately tries to keep a straight face at describing Awful as 'pure-hearted'.
After bestowing this gift - and you shall see it firsthand very shortly - he disappeared into the heavens, from whence he came! Leaving only rocks and rubble. It is fresh from this adventure that we return.
Andras concludes his speech, trying to stir the villagers into action.
Remember the tale of Sir Haldor! How he defeated the minotaur that was ravaging the town, in single combat! How he too was broken, defeated, afraid, when he spotted the beast's weakness! The Minotaur's horn, half broken. How he bravely faced the creature, once again picked up his sword, and cleaved the horn in twain! And how, as it had its back to him after charging past him, he picked up the minotaur's horn, and impaled its dark, wicked heart. You have your very own minotaur horns in the form of those spears, we have our very own minotaur in the form of this orc! Fight with me, my brothers and sisters, and we too shall drive our beast out, like Sir Haldor did all those years ago.
He points to a villager.
You there! Perhaps your children and grandchildren will sing of YOU as the one who vanquished the Black Orc!
He points to another one.
Or you! Any one of you fine folk could be a hero of fable after this night! FORWARD!
He pauses for effect, raising his sword and hoping that his speech has the required impact.
Hydrand announces his impatience and starts to head towards the village to see what's going on. Others announce their agreement and follow.
---------
For this battle, everyone will get to choose one NPC you can control.
Cap (Available to Erik)
Geraldd (Available to anyone)
Hyacinth (Available to anyone)
Tribal Spear Warrior (More than one available, Available to anyone)
Perception 9 (–1)
Defense 17; Health 32
Strength 13 (+3), Agility 10 (+0), Intellect 9 (–1), Will 11 (+1)
Speed 10
ATTACK OPTIONS
Spear (melee) +3 with 1 boon (3d6 + 2)
Tribal Bow Warrior (More than one available, Available to anyone)
Perception 9 (–1)
Defense 13; Health 22
Strength 10 (+0), Agility 12 (+2), Intellect 9 (–1), Will 11 (+1)
Speed 10
ATTACK OPTIONS
Longbow (long range) +2 with 2 boons (2d6 + 1)
Tribal Shaman (only one, available to anyone)
Perception 13 (+3)
Defense 11; Health 15
Strength 9 (–1), Agility 11 (+1), Intellect 13 (+3), Will 10 (+0)
Speed 10
ATTACK OPTIONS
Staff (melee) +1 (1d6 + 1)
MAGIC
Power 2.
Curse: hex (3)
Divination: eavesdrop (3), augur (2)
Life: minor healing (3), fount of life (2), light healing (2), vitality burst (1)
Equipment: 2 healing potions.
Jimmy the Aubergine Wizard (Only one, Available to Hydrand)
Defense 13 (staff of magic); Health 34;
Insanity 6; Corruption 0
Strength 10 (+0), Agility 12 (+2), Intellect 15 (+5), Will 14 (+4)
Speed 10
Spell Mastery: The Tower wizard has 6 spell points. When the wizard casts a spell, he or she can spend a number of spell points equal to the spell’s rank (minimum 1 point) to cast the spell without expending a casting, or to cast a spell for which the wizard has no castings remaining. The wizard replenishes all spent spell points when he or she completes a rest. Staff of Power: The wizard’s staff of magic grants 1 boon on attack rolls the wizard makes when casting an attack spell and imposes 1 bane on challenge rolls made to resist that spell.
ATTACK OPTIONS
Staff (melee) +2 with 1 boon (2d6)
SPECIAL ACTIONS
Spell Recovery: The Tower wizard can use an action to heal 8 damage and regain two castings of spells he or she cast. Once the Tower wizard uses this talent, he or she cannot use it again until he or she completes a rest.
Counterspell: When a creature the Tower wizard can see attacks him or her with a spell, the Tower wizard can use a triggered action to counter it. The triggering creature makes the attack roll with 1 bane and the Tower wizard makes the challenge roll to resist the spell with 1 boon.
MAGIC
Power 6.
Arcana: arcane armor (8), magic dart (8), arcane shield (4), empowered magic (2), arcane lightning (2), arcane retribution (5)
Conjuration: conjure useful item (8), direct conjuration (8), conjure small monster (4)
Illusion clamor (8), disguise (8), thimblerig (4), phantasm (2)
Magician sense magic (8)
Teleportation dismiss (8), fetch (8), boundless step (2), portals (2), travel (1)
Erik and Hydrand get impatient while waiting for the update on the village to come. Hokey was quickly left behind by the injured, but otherwise able-bodied, Erik and the slow, but indefatigable, Hydrand. She forges on by herself as her own body threatens to fail her.
I have to get there. I must see an end to this dogged nightmare that's been crossing my path ever since the start.
"Wait u- oh nevermind." Hokey mumbles to herself.
Wounds reopen and sting as sweat and dirt seep in under the patchwork of rags holding Hokey together. She struggles with the splints on her left arm and leg and clutches the scroll in her right hand tighter.
After this, I'll finally be free to do what I want. It'll be a fresh start to my life. I just need to survive this and see it to the end.
As he began marching, he knew his relatively slow rate of ambulation would cause him some grief in getting to the battle; but on he marched. Grim determination marked his every step, and as he saw the others taking off in the direction of the impending battle, his only regret was that he couldn't offer them some protection before he arrived himself. He let the thought drive him as he weighed and measured his path to the village in the hopes that he wouldn't arrive too late.
Awful kneels against a hut and grips it tightly, it was the only thing that stood between him and death now. His quick, laboured breathing is starting to make him feel light-headed.
Relax, you're not even the target here. You've got the element of surprise. You have... The Savage Ornament...
He looks at the brutal knife, his grip on it is almost painfully tight. He wants to shake it and yell for it to do something, but that would be crazy. It's just a sword, right? Just a magical sword thing. Cursed? Doesn't matter, it's his now, and he's going to plunge it into the heart death himself. How...
dare he destroy my town. Kill my people. That sorry excuse for a living weapon, you'll regret the day you first laid your eyes on this devil incarnate!!!
The villagers, having just been roused by Andras' passionate, albeit questionable, speech shouted in unison. Some raised their weapons to the sky some, others priming to attack, one archer loosed an arrow at the beast with a guttural war-cry.
Darkness. Darkness surrounded him. He tried to open his eyes, but nothing happened. Or maybe it didn't make a difference. The shadows pressed down on him like a weight. It was smothering him against the cold earth.
He could feel that earth beneath him now. It was cold, and that cold seeped into him.
Where am I? Am I really here? Am I alive? Dead?
His mind churns in confusion. Disoriented and unsure if this was real. Then a sound. The scrape of foot on earth, a light skittering of nails on stone. Fear grips his mind now, defenseless in the dark. The next step is closer. Closer still. What stalked him in this dark?
As the shuffling comes to a halt, the ground beneath him writhes. Fingers? Tendrils? Worms? He jerks up into the void above him, away from the now squirming floor.
"You're awake." A raspy voice croaks through the blackness, "Good. Come, you've a promise to fulfill."
Erik ran forward, moving through the path alongside Hydrand until he felt a tiny hand pull hard on his ear. Letting out a surprise yelp of pain, he turned to see Cap tugging hard and shaking his head.
"No! You've done enough! You helped him, you protected them, you don't need to give them anything else!" The tiny pixie shouted, doing his best to stop strong, young warrior. Erik stopped for just a moment, nodding for the others to move ahead as he turned to face the little pixie that had adopted him. For the first few days, he had disliked this clingy, noisy creature that called him Father. Yet that moment in the caverns, seeing the light begin to disappear into the darkness, filled him with such fear and anxiety that he couldn't risk the young fey at all.
"I have to go. I made an oath. I swore I'd protect Andras. I-" The pixie sobbed for a moment, shaking his head quickly before entangling himself into Erik's hair.
"No! No, no no! What about...what about me? You're my father! You saved me! You can't just leave me now!" The little voice cried. Erik realized he had a moment, even if it was stranger than he could ever imagine. Unlike his own father, he had a chance to talk to one who cared about him. Reaching up, his hand cupped the pixie for a moment before he shook his head.
"If you're my son, you have to understand; a Holt keeps their debts as best they can. All we have is our word and the choice to do good where we can. We need to live by that, even if means making hard choices." Erik leaned his head against the pixie's for a moment, a tiny moment of strange familial connection between the fey and the human. "Stay here, be safe. I can't fight my best now if I'm worrying about you."
Cap nodded, wiping miniscule tears from his face as the warrior turned and made his way towards the town. The time he had lost was precious though, a few moments could be life and death when it came to the Burned Orc.
One of the local spearmen looks to have been stirred by Andras' words, and grips his spear with a newfound resolve.
Andras watches the scene with some relief. At least it looks like the villagers are going to help. With the help of the Aubergine wizard of
the Tower Arcane, they have a chance. He hopes.
As soon as Andras finishes his riling speech, one of the archers lets loose an arrow. The stone head of the arrow slices into the flesh of The Orc.
In response, The Orc smiles his lopsided smile with his crooked mouth. The smile is cruel and wanting and feral and happy all at the same time. Good. Let us begin.
Hokey: 216 yards
Hydrand: 48 yards
Erik: 120 yards
Gerraldd: 30 yards
Hyacinth: 120 yards
The orc begins to move forward and the other archer draws back their arrow, aiming for the the burnt monster's chest. The arrow flies through the air, aiming for his chest.
Jimmy sees that the orc is ready to be about his business. He also sees that Andras is sweating bullets and trying not to let it show.
I'd hate to see such a talent go to waste, and this clearly isn't fair...
...and let's be honest, I like him and his friends.
"I'll be back honey, don't wait up for me."
He says to nobody in particular, intending the message for his chinchilla.
He strides forward a couple paces to Andras's side and says, "Well, why don't we hold on just a minute. Mister Orc, sir, I can see you only have eyes for this young gentleman here. Further, this young gentleman is firmly within your grasp, but there's all these innocent folks that he, very nobly I might add, would like to keep unharmed."
He leans down to Andras before saying, "Very beautiful rallying speech, by the way, and effective, too." Not quietly enough that nobody but Andras can hear him, but he does again notably raise his volume before addressing the crowd and the Orc once more. "And that's important, because obviously, Mister Orc would carve through each of you whether you liked it or not! Better to fight than to die fecklessly, naturally. That said, how about nobody dies today? I can whisk us away from here and let you two duel it out without all this, this... Noise" He gestures vaguely at the villagers and the village at large.
"So, I propose we hash out whatever this affair is between you two in the format of a duel. Man to Orc, Orc to Man. I'll take us to where these folks will no longer be involved, and you two get to settle whatever it is you're about. What say you? Andras? Er...?" He leaves an expectant pause to allow the Orc to introduce himself.
He holds his hands out towards Andras and the Orc as if to take them by the hand and lead them elsewhere.
Hydrand marched on, the village huts coming into view between the trees. He began to search the village, looking for the specifics of where everyone was at so he could arrive at the best possible location for his allies (and his own safety).
It doesn't seem like anyone is screaming, and surely I'd have heard it by now. That's probably a good sign. Or a very bad one.
Arrows loose as Jimmy tries in vain to convince the mad orc to do a simple Duel.
That does not serve the purpose of this exercise, the orc grunts; his hands are calm at his side, but one foot shifts forward in anticipation.
None
The unassuming archer lets off another arrow! Fear begins to seize him as he stares into the soulless eyes of this terrible monster and he sobs silently while trying to come to terms with his impending death.
The spearmen lower their arms as the Orc puts a foot forward. The leader, Tor, knew an offensive stance when he saw one. This Orc was deadly and no trifle. Fortunately, Tor and his men are practiced hunters as well.
"Exercise? Ain't no exercise but survival. You aren't the first monster we've killed in these mountains." Tor growls. He gives a practiced circular motion with his hand. Two of the spearmen form up in front of the orc, while two others begin to circle around to his flanks. Practiced steps in time with each other hunter. They knew what to do. Distract the filth while their ally steals away the child. They had performed similar diversions against wild game that threatened an injured hunter.
All four in position, the hunters strike in unison. From the orc's right, Clint drives his spear into the orc with all his might. At the same time, Tor's spear flashes and he darts forward with a sweeping arc to knock the beast from his feet. A third spear aims for the chest while the last waits and hopes his allies successfully push the orc away.
"Huff Huff. How are those guys running at all?"
Hokey is exhausted as she keeps forcing herself to move on. She stumbles and favors her left side as she stubbornly moves forward despite the slowly reddening rags binding her fresh wounds.
We already lost Bertram...No.
While the slowly weeping wounds were draining Hokey's mental and physical stamina, she shakes her head and keeps going.
One thing at a time. Don't worry about anything other than slipping out of this noose around your neck.
Hokey subconsciously clutches the scroll tighter in her hand as she keeps moving on.
The Shaman turns to the villagers huddled behind him and the spear men.
"Everyone, step back! Let us handle this. Take shelter and be safe!" the local Shaman says in a commanding tone.
He takes out a potion and hands it to the archer who just fired.
"Good work; take this potion, just in case."
As the Shaman begins to usher commands and divide up resources, a few spear men rush forward and drive the murderous orc away from the child.
"Warrior, please get the child away from the Orc. Take this potion in case you see a need for it."
The Shaman looks grimly over at the couple of bodies that were once people he knew well in this comfortable and quaint hamlet. His face steels as it comes across the likely-orphaned child still begging for his mother to say something.
Following up on the other spearmen, the one that Andras singled out leaps forward, trying to stab the orc as deeply and as painfully as possible.
Andras watches the proceedings carefully. The orc seems to be looking at Jimmy, though he seems to be defensive more than aggressive this time. Perhaps a full blown wizard of the Tower Arcane is more than he bargained for.
Still nervous, he prepares to strike at the orc should he come closer.
Arrows go flying as the town lets loose on the orc under the direction of Andras. At the same moment, three spearmen step forward, harrying the orc. They push him away from the boy and trip him, then the third drives a spear down into him.
A fourth spearman takes the opportunity to grab the boy while he can.
The orc finally takes his eyes off of Jimmy and notices the pesky spearmen. Good, he says, standing up, it's about time someone wanted to tangle.
He sends a punch towards the stabbing spearman, knocking the spear from the man's hands. With a quick swipe he grabs the spear and plants it into the man's head, killing him.
Hokey: 180 yards
Hydrand: 24 yards
Erik: 90 yards
Gerraldd: 0 yards
Hyacinth: 96 yards
Andras winces as one of the Spearmen dies. He realises that his new stone form is radiating an aura of command, and tries to direct it towards one of the local spearmen in the melee.
He waits and bides his time, waiting for the right moment to join the fray. To fight now would be suicide.
Better them than me... Still not sure whether the orc intends to kill me or not. Don't want to find out just yet.
He nervously fiddles with his sword and shield, waiting for an opportunity.
Erik's sides hurt from running but still he pressures onwards, rushing forwards as fast as he absolutely can to try and get to where his charge and the beast were fighting.
The archer curses his inaccuracy, nocking another arrow and firing it off as the Orc brutally ends the man that had been fighting against him. The arrow fires true though, aiming squarely into the orc's burnt chest.
"Damned beast!" Tor curses angrily as the orc swiftly dispatches the fellow hunter. The spear is planted in Brandon's head before he even knows it's been torn from his grasp from his hands.
"Get the boy out of here!" He yells to the other spearman. A chill fills Tor's stomach as he realizes his end is upon him. Still, he grits his teeth and prepares to hold as long as he can. He motions for the remaining spearmen to bring the child to safety and form up to prepare for the Orc's advance.
Attack rolls are designated as Spearman's assigned number.