Round 1.
Aha! See! They are quite obviously liars since their clothes have burst into flame!
Icabhod rushes over to aid his ally, being careful not to over extend himself.
"Corrupt law is no law at all!"
As all hell breaks loose, Tychus tries to calm his breath and focus on the task at hand.
Tychus fires at the stunned senechel. Despite being senseless, an invisible shield deflects two of the shots. Still, one breaks through and pierces flesh.
Xallis casts haste, which everyone is still close enough together to receive. Then Navia moves forward and slashes with her claw and the first soldier she reaches.
The soldier closest to the stream ironically is stunned and unable to even attempt to put out the fire burning him.
The next soldier turns and leaps into the water and douses the flames.
The next soldier, with two enemies before him, is forced to fight. He takes a step back and fires his crossbow at Henrika.
Shaken and with an unsteady hand, even from close range, the soldier’s bolt misses Henrika. Then he drops with crossbow and draws a halberd instead. The fire engulfing him continues to burn.
The next soldier drops to the ground and rolls in the dirt to put out his burning clothes. Once extinguished, he stands back up.
The soldier behind him tries the same but is unable to put his fire out. He screams and remains prone on the ground.
The last soldier fires at Icabhod as he approaches. Among the chaos of his screaming and flailing comrades, he loses focus and shoots wide. He reloads his crossbow for another shot.
Then Trevor rushes up and impales the soldier who just put out his flames as he is standing. He looks up at Trevor in shock.
Round 2
Initiative
23 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
18 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
18 – Navia (32/32 hp)
13 – Icabhod (47/47 hp)
13 – Henrika (51/51 hp)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Red) (Shaken 2 rd., Stunned 2 rd., Blinded 1 rd., on fire) (10 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Blue) (Shaken 2 rd., Cover +4 AC) (8 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Yellow) (Shaken 2 rd., on fire) (16 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Orange) (Shaken 2 rd.) (13 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Purple) (Shaken 2 rd., on fire, prone) (17 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Black) (Shaken 2 rd.) (4 damage)
12 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
08 – Gul Gusairne (Shaken 2 rd., on fire) (32 damage)
Active Spells
Henrika: ▲Haste (6 rd)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin +3 (50 min), ▲Haste (6 rd)
Trevor: ▲Haste (6 rd)
Tychus: ▲Haste (6 rd)
Xallis: ▲Haste (6 rd)
Navia: ▲Haste (6 rd)
Attackers receive a +4 bonus on attack rolls to perform combat maneuvers against a stunned opponent.
Henrika mentally twists the knife when Tychus strikes Gul with a crossbow bolt.
She moves forward past her flaming enemies and positions herself next to the half-elf inquisitor, leaving a clear shot for Tychus. She swings her magical longsword at the man's neck, pronouncing her own sort of judgment.
Xallis gestures with his hands and conjures a burst of light and powder over his enemies. "Take Sir Gul Gusairne alive if you can! I have questions for him. As for the rest? I leave it to your discretion."
Navia steps forward, slashing wildly at her target.
Round 2.
Surrender!
Icabhod steps up and thwacks the solider with the pommel of his sword.
Xallis gestures with his hands and conjures a burst of light and powder over his enemies. "Take Sir Gul Gusairne alive if you can! I have questions for him. As for the rest? I leave it to your discretion."
Cursing, but ultimately agreeing, for the need to apply non-lethal damage on Gul Gusairne, Tychus fires off his last shot into one of the henchmen before barrelling into the melee, handaxe by his side.
Round 2
Tychus hits the soldier with hit bolt which pierces through the chain armor with ease.
Some of Navia’s attacks are a little too wild but she still manages to hit the soldier twice and take him out of his misery. He falls to the ground; his corpse still burning.
Icabhod pierces the standing soldier with a second rapier through his body. The soldier rolls his eyes and curses his bad luck.
Henrika swings at Gul’s neck and leaves a long gash. Gul grasps the wound with his hand to try to staunch the flow of blood. His flesh pales and looks like he can barely stand.
From the water, the soldier takes a pot-shot at Xallis. Fortunately, Xallis sees it coming and ducks out of the way.
The next soldier takes a step back from the two men with rapiers. His fingers fumble with the crossbow trigger and he fires into the ground. He drops with weapon and switches to his halberd expecting the two attacks to follow after him.
The soldier on the ground continues to scream and roll in the dirt. The persistent fire refuses to go out.
The last soldier takes a step away from Henrika to shoot at Navia unthreatened.
He scores a lucky shot that pierces particularly deep.
Round 2
Initiative
23 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
18 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
18 – Navia (22/32 hp)
13 – Icabhod (47/47 hp)
13 – Henrika (51/51 hp)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Red) (Blinded 5 rd., Shaken 1 rd., Stunned 1 rd., on fire) (11 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Blue) (Shaken 1 rd., Cover +4 AC) (8 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Orange) (Shaken 1 rd.) (22 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Purple) (Shaken 1 rd., on fire, prone) (20 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Black) (Shaken 1 rd.) (4 damage)
12 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
08 – Gul Gusairne (Blinded 6 rd., Shaken 2 rd., on fire, hypnotic stare) (57 damage)
Active Spells
Henrika: ▲Haste (5 rd)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin +3 (50 min), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Trevor: ▲Haste (6 rd)
Tychus: ▲Haste (5 rd)
Xallis: ▲Haste (5 rd)
Navia: ▲Mage Armor (6 hr), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Soldier (Red): ▼Glitterdust (6 rd, Will 17)
Gul Gusairne: ▼Glitterdust (6 rd, Will 17)
Attackers receive a +4 bonus on attack rolls to perform combat maneuvers against a stunned opponent.
Round 2 The caydenite presses his advantage and engages with the fumbling (orange) soldier, the familiar haste spell washing over him.
Round 2
Trevor steps up and hits the same soldier again.
The fires around Gul go out but the glitterdust still blinds him. Although he cannot see Henrika, he stumbles backwards a step away from the direction of her attack. Finally able to act, he declares judgement upon all of you, granting him sacred protection from his god, Abadar. Then he channels a spell through his hand to cure some of his wounds.
Round 3
Initiative
23 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
18 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
18 – Navia (22/32 hp)
13 – Icabhod (47/47 hp)
13 – Henrika (51/51 hp)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Red) (Blinded 5 rd., Shaken 1 rd., Stunned 1 rd., on fire) (11 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Blue) (Shaken 1 rd., Cover +4 AC) (8 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Orange) (Shaken 1 rd.) (29 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Purple) (Shaken 1 rd., on fire, prone) (20 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Black) (Shaken 1 rd.) (4 damage)
12 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
08 – Gul Gusairne (Blinded 5 rd., Shaken 1 rd., hypnotic stare) (42 damage)
Active Spells
Henrika: ▲Haste (5 rd)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin +3 (50 min), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Trevor: ▲Haste (5 rd)
Tychus: ▲Haste (5 rd)
Xallis: ▲Haste (5 rd)
Navia: ▲Mage Armor (6 hr), ▲Haste (5 rd)
Soldier (Red): ▼Glitterdust (5 rd, Will 17)
Gul Gusairne: ▲Judgement of Protection +2, ▼Glitterdust (5 rd, Will 17)
Attackers receive a +4 bonus on attack rolls to perform combat maneuvers against a stunned opponent.
Xallis glances towards the enemies and notices a straggler. He takes aim and shoots, then reloads.
Following up, Navia dashes for the same target, cackling and slashing with a blood stained claw.
Seeing the Seneschal beseeching Abadar for aid causes Tychus to momentarily falter.
"In another life, we could have been brothers in faith..."
Duty demanded his defeat, so he nonetheless raises his axe, ready to strike.
Henrika frowns, but in the spirit of camaraderie swings at Gul with the flat of her blade rather than the edge. She steps forward and tries to force him down with a series of attacks that he cannot see coming.
Round 2
Icabhod steps up and attempts to clonk a soldier with his pommel again
Round 3
Unable to see Tychus’ approach, Gul shouts in alarm as he is whacked over the head twice by Tychus’ axe.
Xallis' crossbow vs Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Xallis’ bolt pierces directly into the soldier in the water’s chest and knocks the wind out of him. Then Navia nearly tears his face off with a powerful claw slash.
Icabhod tries to knock out the soldier he is fighting but the soldier manages to block the attack with the shaft of his now-drawn halberd.
Henrika pounds on Gul with the flat of her weapon. The first strike is deflected by Abadar’s protective aura but the second strike breaks through. The blade hits him square in the forehead and he crumples to the ground, unconscious.
The stunned soldier continues to burn on his feet.
The soldier in the water fires his crossbow point-blank at Navia. With supernatural speed, she dodges the bolt. Navia retaliates but the soldier also shifts and she kicks up a splash of water. Then the soldier tosses aside his crossbow and draws his halberd. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t counting on Navia’s quick reflexes and she strikes again. This time with a killing blow. The body floats in the water, blood slowly spreading in the stream around it.
The soldier harried by Trevor and Icabhod swings at Trevor with his weapon. The attack would have hit if not for still being shaken. Then he takes another step back in a slow retreat.
The soldier on the ground continues to try to put on the fire without success.
The last soldier fires a bolt at Henrika but doesn’t even come close. He reloads to try again.
Round 3
Initiative
12 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
08 – Gul Gusairne (Unconscious, Blinded 5 rd., Shaken 1 rd., hypnotic stare) (42 damage, 28 non-lethal damage)
Round 4
Initiative
23 – Tychus (51/51 hp)
18 – Xallis (51/51 hp)
18 – Navia (22/32 hp)
13 – Icabhod (47/47 hp)
13 – Henrika (51/51 hp)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Red) (Blinded 4 rd., on fire) (14 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Orange) (29 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Purple) (on fire, prone) (22 damage)
13 – Lotheed Soldier (Black) (4 damage)
12 – Trevor (47/47 hp)
08 – Gul Gusairne (Unconscious, Blinded 4 rd., hypnotic stare) (42 damage, 28 non-lethal damage)
Active Spells
Henrika: ▲Haste (4 rd)
Icabhod: ▲Barkskin +3 (50 min), ▲Haste (4 rd)
Trevor: ▲Haste (5 rd)
Tychus: ▲Haste (4 rd)
Xallis: ▲Haste (4 rd)
Navia: ▲Mage Armor (6 hr), ▲Haste (54 rd)
Soldier (Red): ▼Glitterdust (4 rd, Will 17)
Gul Gusairne: ▼Glitterdust (4 rd, Will 17)
Round 3
The caydenite can see clarity appear in the soldier's eyes as he back up. Trevor keeps the pressure on the (orange) soldier, this time to incapacitate than kill.
Round 4
Henrika steps toward the furthest soldier and fixes him with her hypnotic stare. "I have advised you to yield. Upon your own skin be this!" she says coldly. She swings her sword twice at his head.
Stepping forward, Navia moves in a whirlwind of blood-stained claws.
Moving forward with a magically acellerated stride, Xallis moves to Ichabod's side and gives him a tap on the arm with a glowing finger.
Round 4
Icabhod takes a step west and tries thwacking the soldier again.
Round 4
Seeing their primary target hit the ground, Tychus pivots and lunges for the guard fighting with Icabhod.
Round 3
Trevor keeps the pressure on the soldier he is fighting, forcing him to block multiple blows.
Round 4
Tychus catches the soldier off-guard, attacking him from another angle. Unable to defend from three directions at once, the soldier takes mortal wounds and goes down.
Still blinded, the soldier attacked by Navia literally doesn’t see her coming and is completely eviscerated by her claws.
Icabhod smacks the soldier on the ground with his weapon. The soldier is too busy trying to put out the fire to even defend.
The last thought that the soldier with the crossbow has is that he should have stepped further away from the woman with the sword when Henrika turns on him and cleaves through his skull.
The only remaining soldier is rolling around on the ground on fire, unable to put the flames out. He begs you, ”Please! Put the fire out. I surrender!”
The cleric quickly casts create water over the burning soldier to douse the fire.
Looking around, Trevor remarks, "Man, oh man. Cayden is gonna get an earful from Abadar, for sure!"
Henrika retrieves the wand of color spray and collects two pairs of manacles to restrain Gul and the remaining soldier. She also ensures that Gul is blindfolded, since she knows he is a spellcaster, and stays on guard beside them while Xallis decides what he wants to do with them.
The cleric quickly casts create water over the burning soldier to douse the fire.
Looking around, Trevor remarks, "Man, oh man. Cayden is gonna get an earful from Abadar, for sure!"
"The Coinfather will understand... I hope. We were the ones carrying out true justice. Their misuse of the law could not be abided."
"Tychus. I forget: did we build a jail where we could possible put these guys in until everything is resolved?" The cleric asked the crossbowman.
Henrika makes a soft tsk-ing sound. "It seems unlikely to me that we will have much time to prepare for battle against the Lotheeds. Surely their lord is waiting for a report, having sent his seneschal and soldiers to arrest us? How long can we keep quiet what has happened here, do you think? I do not imagine it will be more than a few hours before word spreads. Possibly sooner, with the magic that he seemed to have at his disposal."
We best get a wagon for the rest of the bodies.
Henrika makes a soft tsk-ing sound. "It seems unlikely to me that we will have much time to prepare for battle against the Lotheeds. Surely their lord is waiting for a report, having sent his seneschal and soldiers to arrest us? How long can we keep quiet what has happened here, do you think? I do not imagine it will be more than a few hours before word spreads. Possibly sooner, with the magic that he seemed to have at his disposal."
"If this is what he sent to detain us after seeing what we're capable of, I doubt he's worth that kind of effort."
Xallis picks up the wand of curing and examines it, and then he kneels before the soldier. "You seem like a man who was just doing his job. No need to leave you looking like overcooked street meat."
Then, he turns to Gul. He gives him a mere tap with the wand, but without any magical incantations.
"I'm not one for intimidation or threats, and your master has all the subtlety and tactical prowess of a flatulent goat, so there's little point to drilling you for information." He gestures back towards Tychus. "I wanted to spare my companion the moral dilemma of having the blood of the faithful on his hands. Thank Abadar that he has chosen him, as it's the reason you yet breathe."
Navia takes a spare bag and fills it with the seneschal’s badge, ring, 10 rations, and a single piece of gold. Then she holds it up before Gul. "Sir Livara will allow you to return to your master, should you swear to leave peacefully, so you may speak of my Sir's disappointment in this pathetic little stunt. And to tell him that once Xallis has his affairs settled, he's going to march on his estate to personally demand a very public apology. Do you accept?"
Xallis holds the golden holy symbol towards Tychus, allowing him say in whether or not the religious icon should be returned. "And your soldier? He can also leave in peace or stay here on the promise of good behavior. Lotheed seems like the petulant sort of 'shoot the messenger' type."
Gul looks at Xallis incredulously. "You would let me go? You are more of a fool than I thought. Know that I am unwaveringly loyal to Count Bartleby and if you should step foot in Lotheedar, we will meet again as enemies. Your act of mercy is unwarranted and the Lotheeds will not show you the same."
The soldier also responds, "I will not forget you sparing my life but neither will I desert my duty to my lord either. I too will face you again if you set me free."
"Blind Loyalty to Law!" Trevor spat incredulously. "Like talking to a Iomedaen. Or a wall."
The caydenite stomps over to the Gul, holding him by his collar. "Now listen here, you lawful pomace! We just showed you a mercy even goblins don't get, but you got it from a caydenite! This was your chance to save your miserable future, now you still mean to stand in our way?! Then don't expect any Second Chances from when we meet again, Law-Man! Because we're coming with some Elysium heat!! You actively WANT to be our enemies?! Then you'll have to explain that to Abadar when you meet him how stupid a mortal you once were!!"
As you wish, Gul.
Icabhid draws his blade. Trevor, unless you want a gush of blood in the face I suggest you step back.
Trevor flings his arms into the air, and walks away. "Dumbass.."
Henrika frowns again, puts out a hand to gently stop Ichabod, and speaks through her message spell. "Before we execute him for his crimes, I would like to see if we can learn any intelligence about what we will face at the Palace of Birdsong. The seneschal has been intimately involved in the Count's plans and preparations, and could give us a good idea of what we will face when we ultimately arrive to undo him." She looks at the bloodied, beaten, and briefly burned inquisitor. "I agree that he is unlikely to tell us anything of his own will, but we might perhaps be able to purchase the means to interrogate him magically. Sir Xallis, do you know of any spells that would allow us to pluck what we wish to know from the depths of his mind?"
The cleric turns around and walks over to the mesmerist.
"Might I offer a suggestion?"
Xallis holds the golden holy symbol towards Tychus, allowing him say in whether or not the religious icon should be returned.
"We can leave the man his symbol, looks like his time may be up."
"Sir Xallis, do you know of any spells that would allow us to pluck what we wish to know from the depths of his mind?"
"Alas, I do not. Even the menagerie of creatures I'm capable of summoning are lacking in such departments. A shame, really."
The summoner turns his back towards their captives and folds his arms. "Their loyalty is undeserved by the likes of Lotheed, and their willingness to die is proof enough that the nobility should be more responsible with their influence."
He makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. "I offered mercy. But now I tire of this. Do as you will with them. Send them home, execute them, extract any information if you see it worth your time. I tire of this, and we have greater responsibilities on the homestead to tend to."
Henrika nods. "Sir Trevor, if you can magically convince the seneschal to heed your suggestion that he tell us what he knows, that may be sufficient for our purposes. I can make him more susceptible to your spell. If no one objects, I would like to keep the soldier prisoner at our estate until his lord is dealt with. Perhaps he may still demonstrate his worth once he sees that his loyalty to the Lotheeds is fruitless."
Trevor stands before the inquisitor.
"Gul Guisarne, I suggest you tell us everything you know about Lord Lotheedar's intentions toward Betony Estates, Birdsong's defenses, and personel."
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”The Lotheeds have no intentions towards the Betony Estate. They only care about continuing their control of Meratt County. They pay no mind towards the citizens of the county outside of entertaining nobles and ensuring the peasants pay their taxes. Your actions threaten the Lotheeds control so you must be removed. Another replacement will be found or Tribune Piscum can oversee Stachys again. It does not matter as long as they fall in line.”
”The real power of the Lotheeds is Duke Panivar Lotheed, a long-lived and powerful wizard. However, he is not presently within the palace. In his absence, the primary defense is soldiers like the men I brought with me today. However, a number of constructs are also littered throughout the palace for additional support. Living topiaries in the garden. Caryatid columns in the gallery.”
”But what you should really be concerned about is whatever Duke Panivar left behind. The Duke is a powerful conjurer and unholy and frightening things lurk in the restricted private family chambers. At night, something haunts our dreams, and every now and then a servant will mysteriously vanish. Count Bartleby tries to cover it up. But I am too meticulous for it to escape my notice.”