Constitution Save: 9

The ire and tension where too much and his eager attack was easier to read. Too easy for the chain wielder, that nimble like the wind evade each and every one of the strikes. Maybe if I had attacked in silence. The voice of his mind echoed inside of the beast. He didn’t think of engaging another enemy when he roared before, but that was certainly enough to betray any chance he could have to sneak upon the Shadovar.

Then Llwyd had to choose carefully between insisting on his offensive or abandoning the wild shape to deploy his recovery abilities. Not preparing Healing Spirit had proven to be a mistake and the longer he though as a creature so easy to hit, such was the brown bear, the more he would miss Barkskin.  Before he could come to a decision, the shadows came and taking the form of tendrils they grasped the knife wielder. The scream was a thing most terrible. It seemed to reach the very soul of everyone close enough to hear. For the druid it was a searing pain, like stakes of hot iron hammered through his head, impaling his brains and gauging his eyes. He tried to scream, but no voice came out of his mouth. His mouth, he noticed, starting to feel his body heavy, tired, exhausted. Rising his head, forced back into his satyr form, he saw the enemy dead and Kris unconscious.

“This is no time to sleep, princess.” He said approaching her and put a hand over her face. “Take cure!” His eyes flash emerald as the mystic forces of nature itself flow through his body, bringing the dexterous fight back to her senses.

Notes: Llwyd reverts to his Satyr form, moves close enough for Kris to be in touch range and cast Cure Wounds on her.

Recovered HP for Kris: 7

Llwyd puts his hands on the poor girl. Her jaw, locked open in a scream of terror seems to relax...the muscles softening, and her eyes flutter open to see clouds of smoke broiling overhead.

The elf places a quick hand on Llwyd, "Good man......help her....we must leave" and then he hefts the lifeless body that the chain master had first struck down and begins dragging the body towards the front door leaving a trail of blood.  The half orc meanwhile looks to the fallen Tanner who had shaken him out of his stupor, and picks him up, tossing him over one shoulder.  He makes his way towards the front door as well. The hulk with the huge axe grabs the body laying on the floor who'd been drained of life, and threw them over his shoulder, and began hoofing it towards the doors. A few other stragglers also rushed towards the front door, some of them leaping over fallen bodies in their rush to leave. One person comes staggering out of the smoke, coughing and squinting their smoke filled eyes. Charlie has rushed from hiding, now that the coast is clear, and leans next to Irmiel.  Irmiel hears a voice, like a far away child singing in a distant building....and opens her eyes to find Charlie standing over her.  21 hp's gained. 

The crackling of the flames and the roiling smoke fills the back half of the building. Meanwhile, the screams heard outside rival those of the horns being blown. Sounds of fighting and the crackle of magic echoes in the windows from the streets. 

While Irmiel regains her senses, Charlie pulls her to her feet, trying to urge her towards the front doors. 

As the smoke and fire roils around the room, Irmiel and Kris regain their senses after both getting magical healing, while Sistri is being dragged away. 

Llwyd, and Sistri, you get another turn now.

Initiative order:  Round 4:  Irmiel(recovering) : 18 | Sistri(c. shield of faith): 16 | Shadovar: 12 | Kris(recovering): 9 | Llwyd: 5 | Others: 2

Still not sure what happened, Sistri feels fortunate despite the pain. She had seen herself overcome by the blast but had somehow chosen to step onto a different path.  The half-elf with the pink hair, same that had touched her and given her dragon-like ability, had somehow saved her.  Saved her when she had not even saved herself.  Sistri was quite relieved to see that Charlie was already helping to heal that woman and get her out.  Seeing no other stragglers, she moved to the woman's other side and helped Charlie get her out.  

He was so concentrated on healing Kris that he didn’t even notice when the elf approached. The hand of the man was almost enough to make the satyr jump alarmed. A wave of relief took hold of his body when he noticed it was not an enemy. He couched a little because of the smoke, the metallic taste of his blood still fresh in his mouth. Others need healing, there was no doubt, but the fire wouldn’t wait for them. The only option was to leave the building and hope those fallen but alive would be helped but other hands.

“Got it!” He shouts to the elf, after offering his hand to the now awaken Kris. “We’re getting out of here. Now.”

In the fleeting moment Llwyd helps the dexterous warrior to her feet his mind wanders about the fight. What in the holy name of Silvanus were those black tendrils? And the bead with the exploding box? Who were the Shadovar? The sound of horns and screams echoed on the outside, bringing him back to the present. Maybe the whole city was under attack, he realized. At the very least, he thought, it can’t be as bad as a burning building. As soon as possible he started darting with Kris to the exit, paying attention to offer a shoulder if necessary.

Notes: Llwyd helps Kris stand (hopefully diminishing the movement/action required for her to do so) and darts with her towards the exit.

From an active fight straight into the full unconsciousness - and right back! Irmiel blinked a couple of times recalling last events... She was running after the girl that she gave the breath of the dragon, felt an attack on her and used the counter-measure, confident that she, herself was out of the effect's radius. Yes, a clear case of miscalculation. Did she at least help the girl? She did! "Thank you!" Irmiel's tone was full of genuine gratitude - to Charlie for healing (she felt great! better than great even!) and to the girl for staying alive. The only thing spoiling her renewed enthusiasm was the smoke accumulating too fast and too viciously. Irmiel coughed and without any objection followed Charlie and the girl out. The screams were loud enough evidence that the assault was not over and her bubbling energy can still be of use. 

With a few stragglers running past, and a couple big guys hauling bodies, the building is quickly evacuated.  Glancing behind you, there are at least three bodies left laying on the floor bleeding out or otherwise dying, but there are too many people, too few hands, and some of the folks left inside are locked in selfish survival mode and just bolt past.  The flames rapidly crawling along the ceiling towards the front, with the smoke swirling about to consume all the air are large in your thoughts.  You hear someone coughing back in there somewhere.  Thoughts of perhaps going back for the fallen, or whoever is still within the smoke are on people's minds as you emerge from the bureaucratic building and are greeted with the scene outside. 

The normally hectic streets of Suzail are a battle ground. Bodies litter the street, trickles of red creep through the gaps in the flagstone streets to pool in the gutters. There are people running every which way and it seems a couple other buildings are also aflame. The pale Shadovar in their dark leather armor and with wicked weapons can be spotted all over...though they seem to be generally in withdrawal towards a nearby city square. The center, perhaps two hundred feet from you, beneath a large statue of several soldiers frozen in victory, stands the spell caster with the spear that you'd previously encountered. He stands next to a wide magical gateway that crackles with energy, through which you see only the dark shadows of some other scene cast mostly in darkness. The light coming through from this side is only enough to illuminate what appears to be a city street, but one that is at an odd angle. 

The scene is interrupted as the shadow dagger wielding enemy steps between you and your view of the portal, along with six warriors with spiked chains.  They are perhaps sixty feet from you and the knife wielder has a wicked grin.  The echo from his horrific mental lashing is still bouncing around your minds. 

Then there is a sharp, high pitched cry in the air, an inhuman shriek that you have trouble places in the moment...what could make that noise. But your thought is answered only a moment later as a griffon, with a knight mounted on it's back, SLAMS into the ground, crushing the dagger wielder beneath its mass and sending the chain warriors flying and toppling across the street. The knight rolls off, smashes into the ground at what seems like terminal velocity, only to bounce and roll to his feet in a smooth motion....completely unharmed. Magic is the only explanation. The griffon likewise, pushes away from the mangled body, and though it shakes its head a bit stunned, it's also not dead, and in fact barely injured.  The griffon's cry is echoed a dozen times as warriors begin descending into the battle...though none quite as dramatically as the knight. Those of you from Cormyr suspect you know that this warrior must be captain Steven Obarskyr, third from the throne and leader of Cormyr's legendary griffon riding legions.  He is quick to act, laying into the chain warriors with a two handed blade.

And just like that, the Shadovar throughout the city are in full retreat, rushing towards the portal.  The area around for a hundred feet around the portal suddenly grows hazy and indistinct, as some magic seems to appear to cover the retreat of the Shadovar. 

The warrior with the huge axe drops his injured package, thrusts his axe into the air and screams, "RRRWWAAARR!!!" and rushes the battle.  Likewise, the half-orc drops Tanner, none-too-gently, and pulls out a two longswords and charges into the fray with a "GRUUMSH COMMANDS BLOOD!!!"

There are four bodies on the ground at your feet, all of them potentially dead or dying.   

 Everyone's can take a turn now. 

Sistri takes in the scene, relieved at the arrival of the griffon riders.  "You are welcome," she says in reply to the pink-haired woman's comment.  "Let's see if we can help some others. The fighting seems to be safely in others' hands at the moment."  She is of course tempted to join the fray.  Fighting alongside Captain Obarskyr and the other griffon riders would be an honor.  But her healing skills might be more useful here. 

She quickly tries to determine which among the bodies near at hand might be able to be saved.  But she is more interested in a quick decision than a right decision. (Medicine Check, if needed: 5) Kneeling near the one that seems most appropriate, she uses her Lay on Hands to heal them before moving on to the next. (Healing 1 hp just to stabilize the person.) 

Irmiel was not cormirian but even she felt deeply insulted by this attack. The shadovar just walked in, in the broad daylight, in the middle of the capital, for all gods' sake! The arrival of the winged cavalry froze Irmiel in place for all possible and impossible reasons - admiration (she only heard about the griffon riders, never saw one in flesh and it was very impressive!), relief (the army was here after all), the excitement of the battle, even the simple sporting feeling (you show them!). She was close to yelling all that and running into the battle with the screaming half-orc when the red-haired woman reminded her of the wounded. The only problem was, Irmiel knew next to nothing about healing - a serious hole in her education, she could admit it, but one has to focus on something or end up good at nothing!

"We need to catch at least one!" She wanted to scream in frustration but the redhaired girl was right - there were many fighters and far fewer healers. Ok, what does she know about healing? Irmiel kneeled near the palest of the wounded, that no one helped yet.

Medicine: 16

Kris clutches Llwyd's arm as he leads her outside.  Her head is still spinning, and not much is making sense.  Vaguely she can hear people screaming, smell the smoke and burning wood.  "Thanks the gods you were there," she murmurs to Llwyd.  "Otherwise I'd be one of the dead.  Satyrs really are magic."

Speaking of magic, once outside it's easy to spot the strange portal and the mage who controls it.  "What is tha--"  Kris's question is interrupted by the gryphon riders. "Steven Obarskyr!  And the rest of the company.  Wow!"  That's really all that Kris can manage, given the blood loss and the shock of it all.  

"How dare they invade our city this way!  Now this is the kind of fight I'm interested in."  She grips her sword and takes a step forward, but immediately regrets it.  Unstable on her feet, she nearly falls again.  Regaining her balance, she frowns back at Llwyd.  "I don't think I'm in much shape to take on another Shadovar."

It's then she notices Sistri and and Irmiel.  "How can I help?" She asks.  Medicine: 13

 The world outside the building was sweat, blood and screams. Smoke from the building filled the air, and the heat of the arson only made things worse. The Hells looked like that, he imagined. Or at least some part of them. If tale and song are to be believed there are cities Baator, some of which reside under red skies and surrounded by brimstone. The dark armored Shadovar could very well pass by devils, especially considering the screaming shadow one of them had conjured.

Kris’ words bring him back to reality. A gentle thanks, if not too flattering for his taste. Normally Satyrs are fighters and barbarians, he remembered Coch saying. One in each tribe is a bard, although there are fighters and barbarians capable to use magic. The dexterous warrior was herself an example, going by the abilities she demonstrated inside the buildings. In the end he decided to keep those thoughts to himself. It was not the time to analyze the traditions of folk that rarely existed in their Plan, let alone cities under attack.

“I just had a good professor.” He answered her thanks, just as the knights appeared. The only idea he had about who they were came from her comments. Before he could answer she moved towards two other women. They were standing in front of fallen bodies. There I can help, he decides approaching. “Check their pulses and breathing. Look for their major wound and try to stop any bleeding. Tell me if stabilizes their condition. If it doesn’t, I will heal them with magic.”

Llwyd spoke checking the fourth unconscious body. Truth be told, he wanted to heal them from start, but his ability was limited. He needed to conserve his spells as much as possible, in case someone in worse state were to appear.

Notes: Llwyd tries to stabilize the body not being attended by the others.

Medicine Check: 26

As one, the group watches the warriors charge off into battle and turn their attention to the fallen.  Sistri touches one of them briefly and they groan in pain as their eyes flutter. Meanwhile, the other group members manage to stabilize two of the other people dragged out of the building. The last though,  a women courier, appears to have succumbed to the magic that drained her life from her. 

The Shadovar are high tailing it to the large obscured area, rushing through....and you notice at least two dozen of them rushing into the dark fog. The knights focus on the ones outside of the obscured area, preventing some from fleeing. You see at least one knight use the side of his blade to strike down a Shadovar, leaving them unconscious. 

Then there is a twisting warp of reality and six men dressed in a mix of armor and simple fine clothing all appear on the street. They are facing the statue. Two of them begin casting spells and a moment later the obscured area shimmers and vanishes. Two more begin casting spells but a couple of the Shadovar spot them and react. A brief exchange of magic occurs as the recently arrived wizards spread out.....but with the last couple Shadovar leaping through their gateway....the thing vanishes with a crackling pop leaving behind only the sound of the wounded, and the roaring sound of fire. 

Everyone in the city of able body turns their attentions to extinguishing the flame.....

It seems clear that with the wizards, and others that begin showing up, that your help fighting fire is not needed and you all walk away from the burning structures to get away from the heat and smoke and get to some semblance of safety, helping to pull the wounded away.  Sistri moves about the street helping random people who'd been attacked, as do the others. 

A short time later, the four of you find yourselves sitting on a curb, with ash and blood covered hands and dirty blood splattered clothes, taking a welcome drink from a waterskin and just taking a few breaths to yourself.  Smoke still rises from several buildings but the fires are out. Church priests have moved through the streets doing what they can. Order seems restored, though the city is shell shocked. It is then that Charlie, whom had gotten a bit lost in the shuffle, approaches you.  

He looks at the four of you and says with heartfelt appreciation, "I wanted to say thank you. Today was terrifying, and...you all showed so much heart, and caring for strangers, and no fear, wether you felt it or not. Thank you all. We would have surely perished in that building were it not for you. I....I just wanted to say that someday I hope that I have heroic souls such as you as part of my company. It would be an honor."   Humbly he pulls out a cloth and hands it to Sistri, "You've got blood on your hands...you can use this to clean it." 

(Everyone receives 1587 xp). 

Kris chokes on a swig of water, coughing and spraying the cobblestones with water, snot, blood, and a little ash.  Etiquette compels an immediate apology, but she's beyond caring right now.  Her mother would be cross.  Mother.  "Did the attack reach the Royal Gardens??" She asks to anyone in ear shot.  "I do hope Mother and Father are alright!"

The shock of everything begins to wane, and Kris can't help but weep a little.  There is so much destruction, so much death.  It hardly seems real.  And the Shadovar who attacked them so savagely.  In all her young, privileged life she hasn't experienced that kind of cruelty. Again she hugs Llwyd, sobbing gently into his shoulder.  She hardly knows him, but at the same time it feels like she's known him forever.  "Oh, I"m so sorry!" she sniffs, looking at Sistri and Irmiel.  "They were just so, so mean!  Who were they, and why would they do such a thing?  And that owl--did you see?"  She can't help but ramble on a bit until, after several minutes, she calms down again.  "Anyway, you were all really, really brave!  I'm Kristafelle, Kristafelle Truesilver." she pauses a moment to let the noble name sink in, as is customary.  It's convenient because her nose is still running, and she tries to discreetly wipe it on her sleeve.  "But you can call me Kris.  It's a pleasure to meet you."  Another sniffle. 

"You said your name is Charlie, is that correct?"  Kris beams a little.  "That is so sweet, Charlie.  You said you have a company?  As in, you already have a charter for an adventuring crew?"  Kris remembers the hefty fee, and her woefully empty coin purse.  "As it happens... um... I happen to be between adventuring crews at the moment.  I would be happy to offer my services."  And now she feels terribly embarrassed, all but sobbing like a child in front of a potential company sponsor.  Bucking up, she hops to her feet.  Sore, bruised, and burnt, she still manages to make a good show of it, bowing to Charlie enthusiastically, as would a man.  It just feels wrong to curtsey in leather armor.  Then she remembers herself.  "Kris Truesilver at your service!  I've got to check on Mother and Father first, of course, before I'm free to go a'venturing."

"Irmiel. Irmiel Nerien." Once the group settled on a curb she busied herself by cleaning up first herself and her clothes (thank goodness glasses survived the ordeal!), then anyone wishing to use magic. For Irmiel it was a way to focus thoughts a bit, because the bizarre event sure left them all scattered. "I still can not believe they were Shadovar... " She whipped a tear from her eye. "Poor Osrik... It was my owl," explained she to Kris. "He is not truly an owl, and not dead either, but very-very hurt. Morally. I think I will use another form for him next time. He never liked to be an owl anyway." She sighed. Random talk on the relatively unrelated topics was also a reaction to the shock, she knew it and tried again to focus on the problems at hand. Did Charlie just offer them to join his company? She was preparing the long speech to convince the man, and of course, would not turn down the chance to join just like that!

"I will gladly join." That quest was probably forfeit and who knows when they even re-open the registrations, but for the future, she seemed to be happily settled. "I am in your debts for saving me too." Her smile was full of genuine gratitude (to the mysterious fate that lead to this moment but "gratitude" was that matter here).

"Do you believe... they will continue to work today?" Irmiel waved toward the still smoking building of the Bureau of Procurement.

"Thank you,"  Sistri says to Charlie, almost as a reflexive action.  Only after she takes the cloth does she even look at it. Studying it for just a moment, she then wipes any blood from her hands.  Tentatively, not sure if he wants it back now, she holds out the cloth to return it to the man. 

She now looks at him a bit more closely. "I do sincerely thank you, for your help and your offer. I am Sistri Runeswallow."  She pauses, not for the reason Kristafelle had done, but rather out of curiosity whether such a minor family's name would even register.  She had certainly recognized the Truesilver name and cast a quick glance over at the blonde-haired woman. 

"I would be honored to join your company, Charlie. That is, provided we agree to terms, of course," she says. It seems this Kris would join and perhaps that meant her friend, whose shoulder she was crying on, would join as well.

She looks over to the pink-haired woman.  "And I would be very pleased to have you at my side Irmiel."   She had after all already demonstrated remarkable selflessness in saving her from that terrible scream in her mind.  It still pained her, yes, but she was amazed at this stranger who kept her from totally succumbing to that attack. She would be very happy to have her along on any adventures to come. 

Frustration took hold of his spirits as he watched the body of the woman whose life had been drained by the Shadovar spellcaster. If only he second attack had connected. If only he had put the man down. This no time for regret, he noticed, rising to his feet. There would be more wounded, and he could heal. Lament not the life that ended, the druids had taught him. Celebrate the life that it is and will be.

Before he could offer his help, the city authorities approached, priests amongst them, and before long the druid found himself by a curb with two more strange women. It sounded like a joke, a satyr finding female company even as the world burns. Kris’ hug get him completely by surprise and he hugs her back while patting her head, trying his best to emulate what his foster parents did to calm his cries as a child. The taps may had been a little bit too strong.

“It’s alright. It’s going to be alright.” He says in a comprehensive tone and watches as the group star conversation. “We can go check on there if you want.”

Llwyd had no idea where the Royal Gardens stood, but he could understand the feeling of worry about one’s family. Before she could answer the other two adventurers, at least he supposed they were adventurers, since they had fought the Shadovar.

“I’m Llwyd. No surname.” He says as everyone introduce themselves. The druid notices the Irmiel seemed to be familiar with the group name used by the dark clothed figures. He was about to ask about that when another stranger appeared. “I think you overestimate me, Charlie, but I was looking for adventuring work. Is your company big? After being approached a recruiter of the Flaming First I started to think that I would fit better in a smaller team.”

Charlie glances about at the group, he almost looks embarrassed, "Well...well, that's fantastic. I'd thought you were part of an organization, already (directed at Sistri) but...i suppose if their license had expired and you're short on funds.  It seems like today really belonged to the early worm...or...rather...the lucky birds, who were early, getting the unlucky early worms..so to speak.  I think less than a dozen contracts were successfully handed out. They undoubtedly require the full package to confirm licenses, but, the lady behind the desk, she was just so nice, she gave me the info I wanted, but, she was just a doll, she put me down for a contract. Gave me the full set of papers."  He holds onto a full bundle of documents.  "So...for the time being, we may be one of a few groups to maybe get a head start on things.  But, your family. That must come first my dear.  Um. Yes, if you wish to check on your family, you should do that immediately.  I uh...hope your mom and dad are alright. I'm sure the rest of you have business to attend to as well, or at least take some time to...ahhh recover from this ordeal. If you'd like to, please come meet me. My place of business is at #8 - Griffon loop.  My shop is Charlie's store. I sell books.  Or rather, I used to sell books.  Perhaps now, we'll all be adventurers!  Or..you will, and I will....well...let us talk about that later!  The sign above the door is of a woman with feathery wings. From one of my favorite stories. The Risen about this woman who sacrifices herself to save her family, and then returns as an angel ....well....i'm sorry, look at me blather on.  Yes, yes, we'll see you all tomorrow morning with any luck.  Yes.  I look forward to it."  Nodding to himself he makes to quickly wander away with too quick, too short steps to be comfortable.  

His departure and lack of awkward chatter leaves you all with a bit of an awkward silence. Llywd looks around with a smile, and pats Kris several more times on her head, slightly too hard, with an audible "thwack thwack thwack".  

Sistri starts to reply to Charlie. "Yes, the license had expired and..." She stopped as Charlie continued on, and she quietly listened. 

After Charlie goes, she looks around at the others. Her attention is drawn to Llywd and Kris and she gives the two a curious look as he vigorously pats the woman's head. She presumes they must be close acquaintances, so perhaps this is normal? "Ahem, well, will you two be going to check on Kris' parents then?" Her voice is hesitant as she attempts to break the awkward silence.  

Kris winces as Llwyd knocks her on the head. Fixing her hair and trying to cling to dignity, she smiles.  She could hardly comment, having literally just cried on his shoulder.  "Thank you, Llwyd.  You have a very comforting, um, presence."

"8 Griffon Loop," Kris repeats to Charlie.  "Yes, I am familiar with the area.  I'll look for the angel over the door!  I'll be as fast as I can!"

She speaks to Llwyd, Irmiel, and Sistri. "You're certainly all welcome to join me.  I just want to make sure they're alright.  I'm, uh, in a bit of a coarse spot with them at the moment.  You see, I am technically not supposed to be out of the house, and there is the minor matter of my governess, Ms. Ablethorn, being gagged and tied to her rocking chair...  Though I am sure she was freed immediately upon being discovered.  And in this commotion, no doubt my chambers would have been visited.  I'll just peep in from across the street.  Maybe leave a note.  No need to worry them further."  She sighs and smiles, looking as though all this sounds perfectly normal.

Charlie doesn’t directly answer the druid’s questions but said enough to confirm. The company carried his name, yet he took recruitment on himself and made it timidly, clearly with hope more than experience. A small company, easy to leave and headed by a good person. It was so perfect that put the semblance of a smile on his face while he tapped Kris’ head once again, starting to believe that he was being as comforting as a parent.

“If just looking from far away doesn’t work then I have an idea, although it does not depend on my abilities.” He says moving his eyes from Sistri and Kris to Imriel. “Some casters can use a spell capable of changing one’s appearance. Maybe Imriel can disguise you and we can approach saying that we were sent by you to check on your family. And the governess.”

Maybe the woman needed some healing, Llwyd thought. He had no idea if it was normal amongst humans to tie gag and tie governesses, but either way he decided it was better to avoid rocking chairs.

“Oh, and if it is not too much to ask, could you lend me your cleaning magic?” He spoke to the wizard, arms opened as if to show the ash and blood covering his cloth and armor.