Streetside skirmish

guards attacking mercenary: 15 5 4, 6 8 6

guards attacking orc:  9 16 7, 5 7 9

Streetside Skirmish

Moving swiftly, Horros heads towards the houses, intent on confronting the goblins lurking within.

With a muttered incantation, the magical sound of a bell tolls across the square, resonating with a deep, ominous timbre. The goblin in the house to the east hears this deathly chime and is instantly seized by an overwhelming terror. It stands frozen, petrified, before collapsing lifelessly to the ground, a victim of Horros's potent spell.

The other goblins, startled by the bell's toll and the sight of their comrade's demise, peer outside. They witness the tide of battle turning—comrades slain or fleeing, Shadowdale's forces rallying with unyielding determination. Overcome with fear, they let out shrill cries and disappear into the labyrinthine alleyways, abandoning their bloody onslaught.

Meanwhile, the guards, seizing this pivotal moment, act with decisive brutality. One caravan guard steps over a fallen comrade to corner the feral orc. Alongside the two militiamen, they advance in a united front, their spears thrusting with lethal force. The orc, trapped and overwhelmed, meets his end against the market stall, overwhelmed by the guards' vengeance.

Another caravan guard joins the fray against the last standing mercenary. Surrounded and realizing the futility of further resistance, the mercenary pleads for mercy. His pleas, however, fall on deaf ears. The spears of the militia and caravan guard deliver a swift and final justice, silencing him forever.

In the wake of the combat, commoners emerge from the houses, their faces etched with shock and horror. They rush towards the safety of the militia, their voices trembling with gratitude and relief. "Thank you, thank you!" they exclaim. "We thought we were lost! The attack was so sudden, so brutal." Their words are a mix of relief and lingering fear, recounting the terror they've just escaped. "We owe you our lives," another adds, their eyes reflecting the horrors they've witnessed.

As Taya, Horros, and the guards stand amidst the aftermath, it's clear that their bravery and leadership have been the linchpin in this hard-fought victory. Shadowdale's streets, once echoing with the sounds of battle, now resonate with the relief of the saved and the mourning of the lost. The battle, indeed, has been won, but its scars will be long remembered.

The combat encounter has ended. You are now in an RP encounter.

Quote from Ravnodaus >>

Cal finds his way around the building and rejoins Bell and Drax on the other side. He is disheveled, singed around the edges, but otherwise in okay condition. Breathing heavy, he says as he approaches "We should put a stop to any attackers still at large, maybe chase down those who were shooting at the well..." Cal looks around in the distance looking to find a place their efforts might be of more use.

 The battle seems to have largely subsided. In the distance, you see what remains of the raiders fleeing into the forests. In town you see commoners with shovels, guarded by others with crude bludgeons, searching the wreckage for survivors. Near the castle, you see troops streaming out of the keep, banner of Shadowdale held high. The wizard tower stands silently to the north, it’s silhouette barely visible against the darkening sky.

((Everyone please check the ooc thread for your xp and details on how well handle the RP encounters))

Horros holsters his mace and slings his shield over his shoulder and takes a deep breath as he says a brief prayer for the fallen. He makes sure the civilians are safe before returning outside, reconvening with the group of protectors, "Ah... the gods do be testing us with this situation.. Goblins, Orcs, mercs, all turned out to be cowards when tides turned,... such senseless destruction. I've got one spell for healing left if anyone needs it, after that I'm tapped out."

He looks around at the structural damage wondering and appraising house long it would take to rebuild the destruction from the flames. He turns to Taya with a smirk, "We have ourselves a frontline commander yeh? Well done lass, truly."

“Yeah, barking and yelling and unceremoniously waving around my sword without actually hitting anyone,” Taya muses in response. “To me you’re the real hero of today. I’m not sure what you did to my armor but this last blow could have been my undoing if you hadn’t reinforced it, my friend.”

Taya hurries to the fallen caravan guard and sees if there is anything she can do to bring him back (Medicine: 19) and she carries him to the caravan leader. 

Haj sits a little while, recovering his strength and watching the aftermath of the attack as locals emerge from hiding and start checking for enemy stragglers.
He turns to Galdric "We have done a good thing today, and I believe it has strengthened me in some small way"
"Maybe next time my healing may actually work, although I'd prefer not to have to test it."

"I guess we should head back to the caravan and see how the others have fared"

He stands and tests how his leg is holding up. "But first, I have to see a man about a shirt".

Galdric turns to Haj and says, 

“I’ll join you in a bit. I left those two infants from the Arcane Brotherhood alone in this mess. I am going to find them and make sure they didn’t get themselves killed and see if they have any last minute insights into all this before I leave.”

Galdric then heads off to search for the two acolytes.

Quote from cyreon >>

“Yeah, barking and yelling and unceremoniously waving around my sword without actually hitting anyone,” Taya muses in response. “To me you’re the real hero of today. I’m not sure what you did to my armor but this last blow could have been my undoing if you hadn’t reinforced it, my friend.”

Taya hurries to the fallen caravan guard and sees if there is anything she can do to bring him back (Medicine: 19) and she carries him to the caravan leader. 

 Horros puts his hand on your shoulder “all you can do is do what you can lass, your orders were clear. Losses can’t always be prevented, just limit them when possible. As for heroics, I just do what a forge master’s meant to hehehe.” He continues to pray over the fallen. If there’s someone he can save with his final healing word he’ll use it. 

Cal searches the rubble a little while, not sure what he is looking for. But he isn't certain why they attacked this building in particular and it makes him feel like he's missing something. Was someone specific here? Does this place hold some significance? Or was is a distraction? He ponders the possibilities as he shifts through rubble, uncertain what if anything he will find.

He thinks to Zyxix "This is such a tragedy..." and then whispers a message to Bell a good distance across the rubble "Did you see where our fellow caravan guard all went? Are we reconvening yet?"

Quote from nightbird1219 >>

Galdric turns to Haj and says, 

“I’ll join you in a bit. I left those two infants from the Arcane Brotherhood alone in this mess. I am going to find them and make sure they didn’t get themselves killed and see if they have any last minute insights into all this before I leave.”

Galdric then heads off to search for the two acolytes.

As Galdric weaves through the recovering town, he inquires about the whereabouts of the two acolytes from the Arcane Brotherhood. The townsfolk, still in a state of alertness, provide bits and pieces of information. One woman, tending to a small fire outside her home, speaks up. "Oh, the ones in odd robes? They were escorting townsfolk back to the castle. Seemed a bit out of place, but they're safe."

Another townsperson, a burly blacksmith, chimes in. "Yeah, I saw them too. Quite the pair, those two. They were talking non-stop about magical theories as they went. Headed straight for the inner sanctum, I heard."

Quote from Ravnodaus >>

Cal searches the rubble a little while, not sure what he is looking for. But he isn't certain why they attacked this building in particular and it makes him feel like he's missing something. Was someone specific here? Does this place hold some significance? Or was is a distraction? He ponders the possibilities as he shifts through rubble, uncertain what if anything he will find.

He thinks to Zyxix "This is such a tragedy..." and then whispers a message to Bell a good distance across the rubble "Did you see where our fellow caravan guard all went? Are we reconvening yet?"

The ruins whispered tales of tragedy and untold stories, and amongst these whispers, the innkeeper's voice resonated with a haunting timbre.

The innkeeper, surrounded by his family, sat amidst the rubble of what once was a cornerstone of his life. His words, tinged with disbelief and sorrow, carried through the air to Cal's ears. "Gort... he was just a guest, stayed for a few nights. Left a week ago, didn't seem like trouble," he mused, more to himself than anyone else. "Why would they tear our life apart for a man who's long gone? What did he bring here?"

His wife, holding a small, trembling child, added softly, "He was so quiet, kept to himself... We never thought... Who was he really?" The fear and confusion in her voice mirrored the innkeeper's own.

Quote from Vedar >>

Haj sits a little while, recovering his strength and watching the aftermath of the attack as locals emerge from hiding and start checking for enemy stragglers.
He turns to Galdric "We have done a good thing today, and I believe it has strengthened me in some small way"
"Maybe next time my healing may actually work, although I'd prefer not to have to test it."

"I guess we should head back to the caravan and see how the others have fared"

He stands and tests how his leg is holding up. "But first, I have to see a man about a shirt".

The guard who offered the shirt, overhearing this, approaches Haj. "If you need assistance, I can escort you to the castle," he offers. "Captain Relnor should know about your efforts here. He'd want to thank you personally."

Grateful, Haj accepts her offer, and together they make their way to the castle. As they enter, the sight of a shirtless Haj alongside the guard turns a few heads. They find Captain Relnor in the midst of coordinating the town's recovery efforts.

The guard clears her throat to catch the captain's attention. "Captain Relnor, sir," she begins, "I bring Haj, one of the defenders from the town square. He played a crucial role in repelling the attackers."

Captain Relnor, a stern man with a gaze that's seen many battles, looks up and raises an eyebrow at the sight of Haj's shirtless state. "Well, this is certainly not how I expected to meet one of our town's saviors," he remarks with a hint of amusement. "But your bravery is the talk of Shadowdale. We owe you a debt of gratitude. And, it seems, a shirt."

Relnor walks over to a nearby supply closet and withdraws a finely woven cotton shirt bearing the sigil of shadowdale. He hands it to Haj.

Horros and Taya, with combined effort, manage to stabilize the wounded caravan guard. The guard, wincing with pain, leans heavily on Taya and Horros as they assist him in the painstaking walk back to the caravan.

Upon their arrival, Harben, the caravan master, stands in wait, an unmistakable air of irritation surrounding him. His arms are firmly crossed, his brow furrowed in disapproval. The caravan itself is a scene of recent chaos: guards nursing injuries, evidence of a fierce skirmish. Nearby, a somber activity unfolds as several guards are engaged in the grim task of burying two goblins, a fallen mercenary, and one of their own.

Harben's voice breaks the tense silence as he addresses Taya with barely concealed scorn. "Ah, our brave hero returns," he mocks, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Decided to grace us with your presence after your little detour? You were hired to protect THIS caravan, not play the savior of towns. While you were off playing hero, we paid the price here. Remember that the next time you decide where your loyalties lie."

Quote from ArlingLongsword >>

Quote from nightbird1219 >>

Galdric turns to Haj and says, 

“I’ll join you in a bit. I left those two infants from the Arcane Brotherhood alone in this mess. I am going to find them and make sure they didn’t get themselves killed and see if they have any last minute insights into all this before I leave.”

Galdric then heads off to search for the two acolytes.

 Asking around town, you hear several townsfolk mention that they were led back to the castle by a pair of eccentrics in strange robes. They mention that the pair was led into the inner sanctum to meet with the local lord.

 Galdric is going to approach the castle and speak to the guards, explaining his desire to speak with those meeting with the lord and politely asks if he can wait for the meeting to finish. Galdric keeps hearing about all the strange goings-on in the  Anauroch and can’t help but feel pulled in that direction. Is this the goddess’s will? He needs to know more. Perhaps his two new allies can shed some light…

Quote from ArlingLongsword >>

Horros and Taya, with combined effort, manage to stabilize the wounded caravan guard. The guard, wincing with pain, leans heavily on Taya and Horros as they assist him in the painstaking walk back to the caravan.

Upon their arrival, Harben, the caravan master, stands in wait, an unmistakable air of irritation surrounding him. His arms are firmly crossed, his brow furrowed in disapproval. The caravan itself is a scene of recent chaos: guards nursing injuries, evidence of a fierce skirmish. Nearby, a somber activity unfolds as several guards are engaged in the grim task of burying two goblins, a fallen mercenary, and one of their own.

Harben's voice breaks the tense silence as he addresses Taya with barely concealed scorn. "Ah, our brave hero returns," he mocks, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Decided to grace us with your presence after your little detour? You were hired to protect THIS caravan, not play the savior of towns. While you were off playing hero, we paid the price here. Remember that the next time you decide where your loyalties lie."

Taya breathes heavily under the load of the injured man. She takes in Harben's position as she, together with Horros, finds a place to sit down the guard that was in their care. With a distorted expression, she replies to her employer, "We fought the same enemies as you did. Had this force rallied against us after they finished off the few town guards that were left, this caravan would have been easy pickings for them. We had to act swiftly, decisively and efficiently decimate them while we had the element of surprise and while the town guard was still functioning. You should thank us for saving your caravan and your potential business." Taya shakes her head, "No, you should thank us doubly actually, because of us there is a town now that needs your wares more than ever, instead of a pile of burned out rubble that might have been the grave of all of us."

She casts her eyes down feeling that she spoke out too much, perhaps. But how could they have left the town burn to ashes and then what? Simply walk around on to the next town? Would that have been a possibility even? And then he's not entirely wrong, she was supposed to stay with the caravan and protect it. Her face twitches and she says, "Well, you might want to reconsider your point of view when the town leaders come and ask who was orchestrating this last minute rescue. You can be the one who send HIS guards to safe the town or the one who objected. Decide where your interests lie."

Quote from nightbird1219 >>

Quote from ArlingLongsword >>

Quote from nightbird1219 >>

Galdric turns to Haj and says, 

“I’ll join you in a bit. I left those two infants from the Arcane Brotherhood alone in this mess. I am going to find them and make sure they didn’t get themselves killed and see if they have any last minute insights into all this before I leave.”

Galdric then heads off to search for the two acolytes.

 Asking around town, you hear several townsfolk mention that they were led back to the castle by a pair of eccentrics in strange robes. They mention that the pair was led into the inner sanctum to meet with the local lord.

 Galdric is going to approach the castle and speak to the guards, explaining his desire to speak with those meeting with the lord and politely asks if he can wait for the meeting to finish. Galdric keeps hearing about all the strange goings-on in the  Anauroch and can’t help but feel pulled in that direction. Is this the goddess’s will? He needs to know more. Perhaps his two new allies can shed some light…

 One of the guards, recognizing Galdric from the descriptions of the battle's heroes, nods respectfully. "Yes, they were escorted to the inner sanctum for a meeting with Lord Varden. They seemed to be in a rush, talking about some urgent magical matters."

As Galdric enters the inner sanctum of the castle, he steps into a room that exudes an air of ancient mystique and solemn authority. The chamber is spacious, its high ceilings supported by stone columns that rise up like silent sentinels. The walls are adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes from the town's storied past, each thread weaving a tale of triumphs and tribulations.

At the center of the room, a large, ornate table dominates the space, its surface covered with various maps, scrolls, and arcane instruments. The table is surrounded by high-backed chairs, carved with meticulous detail and bearing the crests of notable families from Shadowdale's history.

Toward the back of the room, a grand fireplace crackles with a welcoming fire, its warmth contrasting the cool air of the stone chamber. Above the mantle, the coat of arms of Shadowdale is displayed prominently, a symbol of the town's resilience and unity.

In one corner of the sanctum, a collection of ancient artifacts and magical relics are meticulously arranged in glass cases, their origins and purposes a testament to the town's rich and mystical heritage. Nearby, shelves lined with dusty tomes and manuscripts stand, containing knowledge gathered over centuries.

Galdric's eyes are drawn to the two acolytes from the Arcane Brotherhood, who are engaged in a fervent discussion with Lord Varden. The lord, a figure of authority and wisdom, listens intently to their discourse. They look to Galdric and Varden asks, calmly but firmly, “Who are you?”

Galdric stiffens. He hates the thought of having to interact with nobility. All the fake courtesy and deference. But here he is, so he puts in his best polite face.

“Forgive me my lord, I had not sought to intrude. I simply wished to speak with those two once you were finished. My name is Galdric Vaxpurr. I was one of several guards of a merchant caravan that arrived as the attack began. I and my fellows bled trying to repel this invasion. I say this not seeking praise or reward, but seeking to learn what happened here and why. I have an unshakable sense that our arrival at this trying time was not solely coincidental. I only wish to understand my role and that of my companions…”

((Persuasion please if you want to do it, otherwise I’ll roll it and respond in like an hour))

Persuasion: 12