"Then we have your answer." Gregor says with a bitter scowl, "As is our practice we offer mercy to those that surrender. Make sure your men know this." He offers Alden a short salute and turns.
Canith nods to the group. "He was truthful when he spoke of mercy." the man said, "Our lady teaches to be merciful even to those who choose to be our enemies." The two clergy members turn and follow him. The halfling priestess stepping cautiously and casting a worried look back to Kevan.
"Do you believe in trial by combat?" Kevan asks as the other side begins to depart. "Each side choose a champion. That will save the loss of life of the innocents," Kevan says and smiles at the halfling cleric. "And it will keep us from ruining all of your nice armor."
"Are slaughter, conquest and slavery the defining characteristics of mercy, according to Your Lady, Sister?" Alden says clearly to the retreating halfling woman. "Tell your people the truth, that we were willing to share what we have, and live in peaceful community with them. Ask them if they would rather join us voluntarily, instead of watering these fields with the blood of our children. Listen to their answers, and then ask yourself, who is the Enemy?"
When Kevan offers trial by combat, he pauses a moment and says, "If my plea does no sway you or your Master," he adds, putting sufficient emphasis and invective to the word to clearly indicate reference to the masked priest. "We will honor the results of a trial by combat, if your Master will agree to it."
Assuming there is no response from the Cultists, Alden turns to Tel Bays and Kevan and says, "Let us deliver the ill news to our friends and neighbors, and prepare for war."
With that he moves back to the other companions and gathered townsfolk.
Lars saw that the parlay had gone poorly. He truly hoped that this could be solved in a trial by combat, as the last thing he wanted was for more of the community to fall. But these fanatics were forcing their hand.
With only a small amount of time to prepare, he decided to round up every hunter and trapper that he could find. In Erastril's name, their skills would be needed to defend their community. These zealots of the Goddess of flame were treating this like a war between nations, with heavy infantry and battle lines. To defeat them, they would need to force the fight to be on their terms.
"Friends," Alden says to the gathered throng of townsfolk. "The Dawnflower Cultists have issued an ultimatum of surrender to them or be forcibly conquered. They have also indicated that no mercy will be granted to those who resist. If any of you individually, or on behalf of your families wish to surrender to these invaders, I will not stop you, and I understand your motivations. We have no assurances that they will treat you fairly, or allow you to keep your homes. They have made no such guarantee. What I do want you to know is, I will not surrender. I intend to stand in the defense of our community, and will likely pay a price in blood for it. I will not demand anyone stand with me, but will welcome anyone who freely chooses to do so. If you intend to surrender, gather what possessions you can carry, and approach their lines unarmed, with your hands up. If you intend to fight, gather what weapons and armor you can as quickly as possible, and return here. If you cannot fight, but wish to remain, either find shelter and remain hidden, or gather provisions for those who will be in battle."
Jaxom checks his hand wraps and axe-gauntlet. They are ready as usual. "Everybody knows my thoughts already. Maybe a shocking enchantment on my axe wouldn't have been a bad idea. Maybe. But let's try not to break their shields and armor too much. That looks like good steel. Easier to repair than to make it new."
Initiative Order:
Tel Beys, Bowmen
Canith, Plate Soldiers
Milton, Gregor, Alden, Jaxom, Kevan, Guards, Xbows, Lars Current Turn
Tymos, Lanril
Kevan misses his chance to perhaps ask for trial by combat. His words falling on deaf ears as their opponents march away from the parley. When the group returns and Alden relays what the situation is the soldiers and militia look at each other.
Then Tymos spits in the dirt. "They can choke on their mercy." the man says with disdain, "I will run through any man who raises a sword to me." He raises his longsword in defiance and shouts out at the opposing force. Several of his men follow suite. The militia give a chuckle or two.
Timalt was shaking his head. "Leave it to the marshal to make things plain." the leader of the militia commented. The men formed up as the opposing force readied to march. Once Gregor signaled the advance everything started to happen at once.
Tel Beys raises her spear high and shouts out a battle cry. One that is followed by Tymos and the rest of the soldiers.
The dwarves running the ballista didn't miss their cue.
The large ballista bolt thumped into the ground short of the advancing men. Meanwhile the militia archers took aim and loosed.
One arrow deflects off plate, and the other is intercepted by the raised shield of the marching enemy.
Gregor and the line of plate wearing soldiers advance as the crossbowmen linger behind on the flanks.
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"Dead-Eye protect us from those who would destroy our home," Alden intones, drawing his sword. The divine power of Erastil bursts forth from his holy symbol bathing the area around him in a soft, pure radiance.
"Those who are entering the melee, follow me, and stay within the light!" he calls out to the the assembled defenders, then moves steadily forward.
Lars lay hidden, using whatever cover was available. The enemy were fighting in formations, with heavily armored crossbowmen on the flanks. He was ready to charge into them, but only when the plan had gone off. Once the magic was flying, and the men started dying, that is when he planned to charge forth. That is, unless the melee required his attention. Alden was leading the militia into battle, and he knew that his presence in the flank or rear could turn the tide. So he watched and waited, looking to see where his presence was needed the most.
Yes, double move of 20'. Also, once again, not really much room for hiding in the open field of grass.
Kevan keeps up with Alden and the others and chucks his first bomb across the opening between them and the enemy (30' throw). His target, Gregor he believed the man's name was. "I'll see you dead you vile villain who besmirches the name of such a noble immortal!"
touch attack
splash dmg 3, REF save DC 15 for half
Jaxom strolls along with Alden. "Don't close before the fireball hits...." Then he throws his Javelin, targeting one of the lighter armored people.
Milton stands his ground and says a few arcane words and points at a spot and a small bead of energy launches from his finger to the point and a large ball of electricity booms into existence.
With no place to hide, Lars held his ground next to Jam. He was certain that the religious zealots would take umbrage at his form, but the community knew who he was. And he was certain that the Stag Lord approved of him protecting said community, regardless. When the time came, he would fight. But at the moment? He marveled at Milton's power.
Initiative Order:
Tel Beys, Bowmen
Canith, Plate Soldiers
Milton, Gregor, Alden, Jaxom, Kevan, Guards, Xbows, Lars Current Turn
Tymos, Lanril
The slow start to combat as the line of plate approached seemed uneventful. A few harmless bow shots and a javelin tossed aside. The opening salvo from the ballista had missed. The only noticeable blow had come from Kevan's incendiary striking Gregor dead on and splashing against the armored men beside him. The blazing firebomb across Gregor's chest and collar mad him snarl and smack at it with his shield arm. He glared at the halfling but kept his discipline.
Then, a small blue bead was conjured and flung by Milton. A bead that Gregor clearly recognized as panic struck his features. "Spread Ou-" he tried to command. Far too late.
The small flicker of concentrated mana struck among the ranks of the men, and when it went off arcs of electricity twisted out in a half sphere like ropes of blue white death. They were drawn to the mass of metal armored soldiers, lancing through them and scorching their bodies. Exposed flesh glowed, armor shone like lantern glass, strained moans of pain carried across the field as bodies convulsed still standing.
As the spell ended the three men who had been singed beside Gregor collapsed in charred heaps. The remaining seven men of the front line slumped, gripping their spears and propping themselves up, badly wounded and looking like a stiff breeze would knock them over. Gregor himself had smoke rising from his armor and looked staggered badly.
The wizard's spell had decimated their front line.
The front line of the guard waited for Tymos to lead them forward.
The crossbow groups on either flank stayed were they were. The overly large crossbows were carefully leveled. They took careful aim at Milton, recognizing the wizard. Then, both men fired with frightening precision across the length of the battlefield.
Despite the distance and the bodies between the crossbows and their target, Milton was surprised to find a very thick bolt now stuck between his ribs.
Once the large crossbows had been fired the tower shields in their formations came around to provide complete cover as the other men in the formation reloaded for the snipers.
Lars held his position, not being willing to charge out alone.
Initiative Order:
Tel Beys, Bowmen
Canith, Plate Soldiers (4x Down)
Milton, Gregor, Alden, Jaxom, Kevan, Guards, Xbows, Lars Current Turn
Tymos, Lanril
As Lars watches the havoc that Milton's spell brings to the enemy frontline he notes the halfling cleric hustle forward to the decimated line. Holding her holy symbol she seems to plead with her goddess, and a wave of positive energy rolls out from her.
The three downed soldiers do not rise, either because their wounds were too great or they were dead. The others showed some relief, but were still by and large wounded terribly.
Tymos then begins to march forward, and the line marches with him. There is no angry charge. Just disciplined stamping of feet through the grass. It's almost intimidating.
Tel Beys calls out for another volley, and the bowmen and ballista deliver.
One of the bowmen deflects off heavy armor, but the other places the shaft of an arrow into the exposed collar of a shocked soldier, dropping him. The ballista however, picks a softer target. The portly cleric, Canith, looked like he was also going to move forward to help the front line. Instead, he took a ballista bolt through his belly. The man's form folded as the bolt pierced through his middle and planted him in a heap to the ground.
The well armored soldiers, despite their grievous wounds, closed the distance and made to strike.
The line was ready, disciplined, and most of the pointed spears caught armor or shield. Alden and one of Tymos guardsman each took a stabbing wound. The guardsman because his guard was found wanting. Alden, because he only had one shield.
Seeing how the battle is going, Jaxom charges at what he sees as an important, strong enemy.
Sprinting to attack one of the crossbowmen. He yells at him as he runs, "Surrender or die. Your choice!"
Alden calls out above the clash, doing his best not to let the fresh stab wound break his resolve.
With the lines having met, Lars decided that it was finally time to get to work. Being on the flank, he moved to engage. As usual he chose a single target, focusing on one prey at a time. His eyes narrowed, as he eyed up the target. Pulling the shield down with one hand, he reached out with his other. His claws slide under the pauldron and the shoulder, slipping through the armor. The man recoiled, exposing his neck. And from there all he had to do was reach out and get through the gorget…
Kevan hustles to the side of the line and around to the rear. (double move, 60'; picking the side that Jaxom went on.)
Initiative Order:
Tel Beys, Bowmen
Canith (Dead), Plate Soldiers (6x Down)
Milton, Gregor, Alden, Jaxom, Kevan, Guards, Xbows, Lars Current Turn
Tymos, Lanril
Jaxom and Kevan dart around the sides of the main melee. Jaxom closing as much distance with the crossbow formation as he can. Kevan working around the back of the front line.
Meanwhile, the melee was on in full. Alden cuts through the open guard of the same soldier who speared him, pushing forward and chopping down between the pauldron and gorget enough to hit the flesh below. The man's collarbone being cleaved through was enough to down him. On the flank of that line the corner man found himself desperate not to attack anymore, but to defend himself from a werewolf. He screamed and struggled as Lars peeled away his defense and dug his claws through the space between plates. Finding tender flesh within and curling those fingers into the man's torso until he buckled and fell.
The crossbow formation moves in coordination. As Jaxom approached one flank backed off slowly. The crossbow team moving away to fire and reload, and the tower shields falling in after and throwing down their cover. The other flank hesitated but a moment, and then took aim the wizard again since the ballista crew had good cover and were at a longer distance than was practical.
Both shots missed badly, perhaps a cold fear running through the crossbowmen to get the bolts out before a dangerous looking man closer on them, and an obviously lethal wizard decided to target them next.
Gregor meanwhile, despite being staggered, singled out Alden in the melee. He did not raise his spear high and try to impale Alden from collar to backside. Instead he made a ferocious and disciplined thrust that belied both his training and skill.
Instead Gregor's plant foot slid in the gore of Alden's last enemy.
Milton says a few arcane words after the bolts fly by and suddenly there are several of him to aim at.
Initiative Order:
Tel Beys, Bowmen
Canith (Dead), Plate Soldiers (9x Down)
Milton, Gregor, Alden, Jaxom, Kevan, Guards, Xbows, Lars Current Turn
Tymos, Lanril
Milton works his magic, opting for a more defensive posture. Three fractal images shudder and rotate around and through him like shuffled cards of illusion. When they take proper form it is no longer clear exactly where in the space the wizard was, each perfect copy replicating the movements of their caster.
Tymos and his soldiers reach the frontline. While it was only a few moments behind the rest of the party closing in melee it somehow felt like forever. Now though, they crashed into the enemy all around the party and made themselves known.
The experienced lines slam into each other. The soldiers in plate had an advantage of better armor and reach, so they managed to defend most of the blows. Two fall though, one cut into by one of the soldiers, and one by Tymos himself. The warden's blade sweeps in, pushing his enemies spear arm far enough aside that it threw off the man's balance. Then, with the guard out wide and shield jarred he plowed the blade through the man's armor like a spike to end him.
"Filth!" Tymos barks.
The halfling priestess sees the ensuing melee and desperately calls on her goddess. Even as the soldiers in front of her start to fall she risks herself to channel healing into them.
She seemed on the verge of weeping, most of the soldiers were down at this point. Only four and Gregor remained standing. Yet many of those who were down rasped out breath even if they did not rise.
Tel Beys had to struggle with her bad leg to make the frontline, but she calls out for another volley as she does.
One of the remaining soldiers took a ballista bolt to the chest and was tossed back to fall and not rise. Another soldier took an arrow in his neck, clutching at it and falling to a knee. He was not dead, maybe not dying, but he did not push through the pain to resist any further.
Only one soldier still fought on the front line of the clash, and he stabbed back at Tymos.
A blow that the experianced Tymos saw coming, heaving his shield up to send the thrust of the spear sailing high. "Filth!" he shouted again.
Alden squares off against Gregor. "I would have preferred peaceful cooperation between your community and ours, but instead you brought war! If this is the only way to end this, so be it!"
Initiative Order:
Tel Beys, Bowmen
Canith (Dead), Plate Soldiers (9x Down)
Milton, Gregor, Alden, Jaxom, Kevan, Guards, Xbows, Lars Current Turn
Tymos, Lanril
Gregor lifts his shield arm, not to try and block the strike with his shield, it was far to late for that. No, he did it to raise his pauldron just enough to deflect the cut of Alden's sword from finding his neck.
"We bring the light!" he snarls back, "To those who know lesser gods."
Jaxom shakes his head as he charges the crossbowman. "I offered you the chance to surrender."
It appeared that Alden was dueling the leader of the Sarenrae Zealots. As much as Lars would have liked to support the paladin, he knew that they were not alone. Still, soldiers stood with Gregor, a fact which Lars wished to change. Already done with the first man who stood against him, he stepped towards the rest, his muzzle and chest covered in red. Growling out an unintelligible prayer to Erastril, he stepped forward, claws outstretched.
Shield and plate was all well and good, but there were limits to its protection. A claw slipped under cauldron. A visor forced open so that a maw might be forced through. There were ways to overcome such protection, much to the detriment of the men he faced.
Milton moves forward and conjures forth a bolt of lightning at her.
Kevan throws a bomb into the crossbowmen so as to avoid Jaxom but maximize the number hit by the splash.
”Incoming! Feel free to run at any time.” Kevan calls out
Splash dmg is 3, REF DC 15for half on splash.
Even though it missed it will still splash
Initiative Order:
Tel Beys, Bowmen
Canith (Dead), Plate Soldiers (Dead)
Milton, Gregor (Grappled), Alden, Jaxom, Kevan, Guards, Xbows, Lars Current Turn
Tymos, Lanril
Lars tears through the last standing frontliner other than Gregor himself, and Milton moves up to hit the halfling cleric with a burning bolt of lightning. It strikes the unarmored healer in the collar, and she shrieks in agony before falling to the ground.
Meanwhile, on the flanks, Jaxom crashes into the prepared defense of the tower shields, unable to get to the crossbowmen beyond. There is movement behind the defense as they prepare their next action. Kevan's bomb falls short of the other group, and his alchemical fire splashes against the cover of the heavy shields. He cannot see what damage he might have done beyond that.
Tymos and his militia move forward over the downed frontlines. The men mob Gregor, grabbing at him and trying to restrain him. "Shields advance. Tymos calls to those of their own with tower shields protecting the militia archers.
Lanril lays still in a smoking heap, her tiny form unmoving.
Tel Beys makes it to the front line with the shield bearers coming up behind her.
One of the bow shots finds a target past the cover of the shields and a loud cry is heard. "Flee!" comes a call. The crossbowmen on either flank and their loader grab up their banner and run. Those soldiers with the heavy towers shields pull back, not moving as fast but giving a full retreat.
As Tymos and the militia surround Gregor, Alden moves away from him and towards the fallen halfling, Lanril.
He kneels down and places a hand on her crumpled form.
AoO
When the shield bearer turns to run Jaxon attacks him and puts him on the ground....
Seeing the crossbowmen running away Jaxom ignores the shield bearer and runs around the group.
With the enemy front line broken, Lars took off running towards Jaxon, seeking to assist his comrade. While the enemy were retreating, it was an ordered one, and he was at risk of being filled with crossbow bolts unless the foe was given a reason to retreat faster.
"Woohoo, run boys run!" Kevan calls out as he gives a short chase (30' move) and throws another bomb at the retreating shield bearers. "Surrender if you don't want to die!"
splash is 3 dmg, REF DC 15 for half
Milton yells out "Cut down the bowmen and assistants." He then moves forward (30') and yells out to the retreating men, "Surrender now or die in a ball of electricity!" If any turn and come after him he is prepared to cast burning hands at them.
As Alden kneels over the priestess and cast she remains still and unmoving. Then, she sucks in a gasping breath and continues to lay still. Some of the other soldiers potentially still lived, though no one was currently tending to them as Gregor was getting restrained and the line pressed forward.
Jaxom drops one of the shield bearers, the man flopping to the ground like a sack of potatoes as he is tripped. Then he sprints after one of the armored archers and their loader/bannerman, easily able to pace them.
Lars pursues as well, loping after them in his beastial form.
The soldiers, mostly behind their shields, hardly even see the projectile coming from Kevan, and the primary target howls in agony as he goes up like a candle. He drops his shield and weapon, screaming and falling to the ground to roll about. Not dead, but very much out of the fight. The other man also cries out in pain as fire washes over him, and he throws down his arms and kneels by his comrade. One hand up and the other resting on his brother in arms. Patting out some of his flaming livery.
The unmolested pair of loader and crossbowmen make no sign of slowing down at Milton's warning. Either a sense of duty or something else pushing them to keep running.
Tymos calls on the militia and his men to stop pursuit a moment before Gregor is wrestled to the ground and pinned by several men. Tel Beys looks to the ballista, but the dwarves raise their arms and cross them over their heads to indicate they didn't have the range on the fleeing troops.
"Save who you can." she calls out, "Even if they just spend the rest of their lives breaking rocks they're better off alive."
So that leaves two scorched and surrendered shield bearers. One tripped and unmoving shield bearer, and one more who looks around unsure of his situation... before he too throws down his arms. That leave the two teams of crossbowmen and loader on the run. Jaxom and Lars are faster, and can in theory cut of the pair they are pursuing.
Once Lanril shows signs of life, Alden moves among the fallen Dawnflower Cultists and villagers alike, touching any who might still be alive.
Kevan will follow Lars and Jaxom. If the crossbow team ever stops to fire at the pursuit he will attempt another throw. "You can run but you'll only die tired. Surrender and you'll live!"
Hearing what the battle has devolved down to Jaxom tries to pass the couple that he is following, just out of reach. As he passes he yells, "Surrender and live. We are fair to survivors that were just following orders. There's been too much death in this crazy world."
If they stop and surrender he turns around and smiles. "Smart choice. Pick up whatever you dropped and let's walk back."
Keeping pace with Jaxom, Lars did not run down the fleeing men. He saw no reason to shed further blood, not when the battle was won and quarter had been offered. To do otherwise would make him no better than the monster he appeared to be. And while he had to admit that his blood ran hot and the desire to continue ripping and tearing was there, he prayed to the Stag Lord for the discipline to control those passions.
The pair continues to run, though the two chasing them were faster. They showed no intent to stop.
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Joining Jaxom, Lars easily made his way around to cut off the retreating men. Throwing his arms wide, he let out a howl that echoed across the field. He was covered in gore, with bits of metal and flesh hanging from his claws and jaws, what was left of the armored men who had stood against him. Without saying a word he made it clear that to run past him would be a very bad idea.