Kirari cheers on Travis as he's proven an fierce ally.  "You've nearly got'em!"  Tempted to point this out to his followers in their own language, but unsure of their reaction she holds her tongue.  

Travis stays focused, dimly aware of the cheers of encouragement. He takes a short step back to avoid the first swing, quickly realizes a backhand will be coming and fends it off with his shield. He moves forward, closing the distance once more and drives his sword at the dragonborn.

Longsword Attack: 14 Damage: 8

“The Dragonborn is getting tired, he’s using up everything he has to turn the tide but the shield is proving too difficult to get around. Come on Travis keep it up and you have it!” The professor continues looking at the match and going back to writing furiously in his book. 

Travis's attack glances off of the dragonborn's armor, and it attacks again with a multi-attack!

Attack: 11 Damage: 6

Attack: 12 Damage: 10

Thanks to Travis's skill and the help from the party, he is able to avoid both attacks.

"There you go!  He doesn't stand a chance Travis!" Kirari cheers as the Fighter fends him off.  "You'll have to teach me some of those moves!"  Kirari initial concern at how the battle would go turns to complete confidence that Travis would come out victorious.  

Travis's sword and shield once again fend off two potentially deadly blows from the dragonborn. The mercenary long ago felt abandoned by the gods, but wonders for a moment if they are on his side today. 

Buoyed by the cheers of his comrades, he presses the attack, stepping still closer and delivering a hard slash with his blade.

Attack 22, Damage 11 (see campaign dice roll log or let me know if I should reroll).

With this hit, the dragonborn gasps from another shot to the ribs and goes to one knee. "I see Greenest has true and honorable warriors protecting it. We have gathered what we need for our Dark Queen, and as you fought true, I shall keep my word." He motions to the kobolds, and they release Lillian and her husband, who both rush to the door of the keep.

(Since the dragonborn is disengaging, Travis could have an attack of opportunity here)

One of the kobolds shouts, "The boss has had exercise time... all done! Time to go to camp!" Another kobold blows a horn, and the raiding party starts to move for the south, though there are a few in the rear guard with weapons drawn in case the townspeople, guards, or heroes try anything funny.

Travis raises his shield and sword, ready to fend off the next attack and deliver another strike, when the dragonborn suddenly stops fighting. For a long moment, he doesn't change his stance and remains ready to fight. Then his opponent speaks, and a moment later the captives are freed. Travis takes a few steps back--he is a warrior, but he is no executiioner.  He takes a moment to gather himself and catch his breath before speaking.

"We stand against you, your Dark Queen, and your foul machinations," he says in a voice loud and clear, again using somewhat flowery language that does not fit his grim, battle-worn appearance and demeanor. "But I will not strike down a kneeling foe I have bested in fair combat. Go now and leave these people and this place be. Do not return, for this is the last and only mercy you shall receive."

Travis stands still as stone, sword and shield in hand, looking forward, making sure the dragonborn and his henchkobolds pull no tricks themselves as they begin their withdrawal. 

Kirari moves close to the door, happy to see the battle over and the prisoners released.  Waiting for Lillian and her husband to come through so that she can check them for injuries.  She turns to Escobert, "Are the children all together?  They will want to see them."

The dragonborn collects himself and departs to the south with the kobolds and other mercenaries. Not before too long, the torches and wagons full of their stolen goods are dots on the horizon.

Speaking of the horizon, dawn is starting to break, and you see the sky lighten in the east.

Escobert motions to a guard, the children's uncle from the meeting with Nighthill, and he brings the children over for a tearful reunion with their parents. Lillian turns to Kiari and says, "I have no idea how to thank you. If you and your friends are ever in Greenest, you all have a seat of honor at my small table." 

As the sun rises, chapter one of our adventure comes to a close. Get ready for chapter two, and due to the milestone system, you are all at level two! Go ahead and level up and be ready for the next chapter tomorrow :)

“Well done young man!” The professor shouts at Travis through the gate.

Kirari smiles at Lillian, "Thank your fine young son Tommy.  We wouldn't have known where to find you if it hadn't been for him.  The hammer I gave him is his to keep should you allow it.  And their uncle," She says looking to the young man standing beside them.  "He offered himself as champion first.  But Travis here was eager for the challenge.  You have a fine family, and I will take you up on your hospitality someday.  Until then take care."  

A little later to Escobert so Lillian does not feel obligated, "Is there a place we might rest and eat?  I would be happy to assist in any way further but we arrived weary and hungry earlier this evening and Travis is injured.  My healing is drained so he should rest as soon as possible."

With the enemy turning away, Travis stands down. Still standing on the field of battle, he sheathes his sword and stows his shield on his back. He turns to walk back to the keep. At Thaddeus's words of congratulations, he gives a nod and a pseudo-salute, hand to helmet. There even appears to be a slight smile on his face, the first such expression anyone here has seen from the armored fighting man. 

He makes his way into the keep, where he will get out of his armor and seek out food, drink, and rest. 

Escobert leads the party to the barraks for those seeking rest (OOC: You may process a long rest as part of leveling up). He says, "See me as soon as you are ready as Nighthill has a favor for ye."

Inglenook rushes over to Travis.  "Travis!!  I'm so glad that you're still alive!  You fought well from the bits I saw.  The rest I just heard whilst I covered my eyes."  He says hanging his head with a little shame.

"I am very glad that you are safe though.  Mind you, if it takes a good fight like that in order for us to get some rest, and some decent food and ale in our belly then you can be my champion any day!"

Then he smells food and wanders off...

Kirari also follows the scent of food once they are all together.  Watching Travis fight can build an appetite!  "Well fought Travis!" She congratulates as they travel with Escobert to locate where they might sleep then to food.  

The professor walks behind the group replaying the duel in his mind. Travis performed very well but if the Dragonborn had struck more true it could have ended very differently.

He thinks back to the advice he gave Travis… it was correct and it worked, but he can’t help but think of how the Dragonborn could have turned the tide. If he had been less arrogant and brash he could have backed up and kept more space between them. Using the arena space to his advantage would have made a big difference. The first strike was an excellent example of what the greatsword is capable of but once he let Travis get in close he was disadvantaged. The shield and shorter length of the longsword had the advantage in that close quarters fight. 

Clearly the Dragonborn prized honor. He had kept his word and released the prisoners as well as stopped the siege… but why? What were they after anyway? It didn’t seem like a random attack but why abandon it when they were on the verge of total victory? Thaddeus frowns as he mulls this thought over.

In the barracks, Thaddeus sits on the edge of the bunk and suddenly realizes how tired he is. He slowly unstraps his leather armor and packs it into the storage trunk next to the bed. He removes the crossbow and places it in there as well.  And flops down on the bed brooding over the events.

What was he going to do next? These youngsters had more energy than he did. They were fit and strong, at the prime of their lives. He was exhausted… and thrilled at the same time. It was a short adventure… but a real adventure. He wasn’t a swordsman, he didn’t go out to stand toe to toe with kobolds or deranged cultists… but he felt like he was able to help the others. They were a skilled group… young, strong, but cursed with the brash inexperience of youth. 

He speaks out to Travis whenever he comes into the barracks and settles in to rest. “You did well Travis and you show real promise as a fighter. I’ve trained hundreds of soldiers, guards, and fighters over my time but you… you’ve got real talent.” He yawns before continuing, “Real talent, you could be a great fighter in time… but you’ll need to practice and grow to get there. Well done today.” And with that the professor will drift off to sleep.

Cale gives Travis a clap on the shoulder when the knight returns: "Hey, Trav!  That...didn't suck!"

The dark-clad man winks and gives a wide grin, which could be disarmingly charming or incredibly irritating.  Cale does not seem to mind which way it is taken, although the greeting is sincere.

"Well, I need to get these boots off and this head down.  It has definitely been a day"

Looking serious for a moment, he looks at Thaddeus and says "Thanks for the advice today, Prof.  I think I actually learned something"

Travis nods and says a simple "thank you" to each of his comrades for their encouragement during the fight and the congratulations afterward. "As they say, it is better to be lucky than good, but I hope I was a bit of both in the arena," he says. "I am glad that the captives were freed. My opponent proved honorable, but I fear we have not seen the last of him and the rest of those dedicated to their Dark Queen." For having just won the biggest single combats of his life, Travis still seems a bit dour, though he is clearly proud of his accomplishment. 

With that, he strips off his armor and checks it very thoroughly for any quick adjustments that need to be made due to damage sustained in the fight. Once down to his underclothes, he stretches a bit and lies down to go to sleep. He awakes more energized than tired considering the fight he's been through. He is ready to face the next challenge, feeling like a better warrior than he was just the day before. When all are ready, he joins them in finding Escobert. 

Later that evening Kirari spends some time in Prayer and meditation thanking Selune for the grace she'd shown this day and Guidance in the next, refreshes her spells and finds she's been granted more.  Pleased with the blessing and experience, she stands removing the heavier of her gear leaving only clothing and tucks her armor securely behind her preferring a wall bunk if possible.  She then squints at the seemingly still bright room and takes a cloth from her pack wrapping it many times around her head to cover her eyes.  She follows this by searching briefly for her blanket before realizing that she'd passed it to the girl.  She unwraps her cloak from the pile of armor and pulls it over herself, eventually pulling the hood over her head leaving pantleg to stockings barer in consideration for the darkness of sleep.