Zyzix staggers as he coughs violently, his eyes streaming tears as he chokes on the acrid smoke. He plants a hand on the countertop nearby, keeping himself standing as darkness encroaches on his vision. He still coughing raggedly, he does his best to keep the area free from smoke and flames with magic. I will not die in some backwater town because I tried to help some cowering idiots who won't leave a burning building, Zyzix defiantly thinks with a growl.
Speaking out loud between coughs, "I can't stay in here longer, gentleman. My constitution will not tolerate continued abuse!"
Bell, too, feels the tug of self-preservation. Should Cal fail in his heroics, the cries of those lost will haunt him… but, it is time to go! Every fiber of his being, is urging him to flee the raging inferno.
Coughing, the scholar follows Drax back outside, shedding the now-smoldering woolen blanket. Grabbing his ruck, he suddenly feels exposed, and looks for cover.
Cal, propelled by a mix of bravery and necessity, plunged deeper into the burning building. With a focused mind, he navigated through the smoke-choked corridors towards the rear of the tavern. His vision, blurred by tears from the smoke, fixated on a wall weakened by the relentless fire. In a moment of inspired resolve, he unleashed his telekinetic might, pushing against the damaged wall while charging forward, aiming to create an escape route for the trapped commoners.
The wall crumbled under his force, collapsing outward with a thunderous crash, opening a passage into the cool embrace of the night. The commoners, their fear momentarily overcome by Cal's daring act, scrambled through the breach, fleeing to safety. Cal, too, made his escape, diving through the gap just as the second floor of the tavern succumbed to the flames, crashing down in a fiery cascade.
From the perspective of Zyzix, disguised as Drax, and Bell, the scene was one of heart-stopping terror. As they witnessed the upper floor collapse, it seemed as though the entire building had caved in onto Cal. The sight was one of apparent catastrophe, leaving them in a momentary shock, fearing the worst for their brave companion.
Zyzix, in his Drax persona, was barely holding onto consciousness, his body wracked by coughs as he leaned heavily against a countertop. Amidst the overwhelming smoke, he fought to keep the area clear of fire with his magic, his thoughts defiant yet tinged with a sense of futility. His voice, ragged and weak, announced his need to retreat from the deadly fumes and heat.
Bell, torn between the urgency of rescue and the instinct of self-preservation, felt the grim weight of the moment. The apparent loss of Cal in the collapse, a haunting prospect, cemented his decision to flee. Coughing violently, he followed Zyzix's lead, discarding his smoldering blanket and hastily grabbing his belongings, his mind racing with thoughts of safety and loss.
Outside, the once pervasive sniper fire had ceased. In its place, five figures bearing the sigil of Shadowdale emerged from the woods. These seasoned warriors, unknown to the heroes as the liberators of the castle siege, joined the fray at the well, bolstering the militias efforts to combat the blaze.
The night air was thick with the smell of smoke, the sounds of crackling flames, and the palpable tension of a tragedy unfolding. For Drax and Bell, the situation was a harrowing blend of despair and urgency, the apparent loss of their comrade casting a long shadow over their heroic efforts.
((making the decision to expedite bc imo it doesn’t make sense that the commoners would see the building crash open and just sit there, the commoners have escaped thanks to your efforts and the snipers have been silenced thanks to Aridoves. You are now in RP mode))
In the thick of the battle, Taya's instincts as a seasoned warrior come to the forefront. She expertly maneuvers around the caravan guard, using her shield to unbalance the mercenary. The muddy ground makes her movement sluggish, but her resolve is unwavering as she positions herself to defend her comrades. With a swift motion, she lashes out with her sword, her blade grazing the mercenary. It's a superficial wound, but it serves to put him off balance, giving Taya the strategic upper hand she needs.
As she positions herself between the guards and the enemy, her voice rings out clear and authoritative, "Try to help the civilians," she advises Horros, knowing the importance of safeguarding those unable to defend themselves. To the guards by her side, she commands, "And you, follow him after we take down this one! We must protect the innocent!" Her leadership is as sharp as her blade, guiding her allies with purpose and clarity.
But battles are unpredictable. The mercenary, seizing a momentary distraction, swings his scimitar in a vicious arc towards Taya. Her reaction is almost instantaneous. She sees the blade coming, an overhead strike aimed with deadly precision. She raises her arm to parry, but it's a fraction of a second too late. The scimitar bites through the rings of her chainmail, slicing into her flesh. Pain sears through her arm, a harsh reminder of the battle's brutality.
Meanwhile, across the street, the cornered orc fights with the desperation of a trapped animal. His great axe swings with barbaric force, striking one of the guards. A horrific scream pierces the air as the blade connects with the guard's shoulder, nearly severing his arm. The sight is gruesome, a stark display of the orc's savage strength.
((Two heavy blows, taya can choose whether to save the guards life or spare herself the blow and I will edit the post to reflect what you tell me))
Galdric lies grievously wounded, coughing up blood, his condition deteriorating rapidly. Amidst his own pain, Haj, with a marksman's precision, fires back at the mercenary who had injured him. The arrow flies true, striking the mercenary squarely in the head, dropping him instantly. The goblin archer, witnessing this, lets out a shrill shriek of terror and flees the scene.
To the north, the battle continues unabated. The mercenary's bolt misses its target, but a guard is less fortunate, crying out in agony as a barbed arrow from the goblin archer embeds itself deeply. The guard is badly hurt but clings to life.
A twist of fate unfolds atop the town crier's platform, where one of the guards and the priest, bound and held captive, manage to free themselves from their restraints, a glimmer of hope amidst the despair.
The guards, sensing a shift in the tide, rally to their fallen comrades. One guard, witnessing the figure gloating over a fallen Galdric, is consumed by a righteous rage. He lunges forward, delivering a staggering blow that catches the figure off guard. "Loric, we owe that man our lives, get him out of harm's way!" he bellows, referring to Galdric. Loric, another guard, rushes through the melee, shoving Galdric's body under the safety of the elevated town crier's platform, though he finds himself dangerously surrounded by orcs.
Two more guards advance towards the orcs near the figure, their spears thrusting in a deadly dance. The orcs parry, momentarily distracted, failing to notice Loric's brave act. The orcs behind them, however, remain undeterred.
The figure, still reeling from the unexpected blow, lashes out at the guards but his attacks are clumsy and off-balance. The orcs beside him are more successful, grievously wounding a northern guard. The orcs next to Loric cackle ominously as they brutally dismember him with their axes.
Meanwhile, to the east, five figures emerge from a side street, their appearance and bearing that of battle-hardened warriors, emblazoned with the sigil of Shadowdale. Unbeknownst to the heroes, these are the veterans who had previously broken the siege of the castle. The mysterious figure, realizing the tide is turning, curses. "It appears that our time to depart has come," he grudgingly admits. He and his orcish companions begin their retreat. In the chaos, the figure takes a spear to the shoulder, while one of the orcs receives a punishing blow from the butt of a spear.
As the enemies pull back, the town square, still reverberating with the echoes of battle, stands on the precipice of a hard-won reprieve. The guards and newcomers brace themselves, ready to defend Shadowdale to their last breath.
Galdric must make a death saving throw
It is Haj's turn. If Haj individually can somehow get a medicine check on Galdric, that will apply before Galdric's save.
As the dust of battle settled and the echoes of clashing steel faded, a new movement caught the attention of those on the battlefield. Groups of villagers emerged from the burning town, their faces etched with the weariness and fear. Among them were two young men, their robes marking them as members of the Arcane Brotherhood. Despite their youth, they moved with purpose, guiding the villagers with a sense of urgency and determination.
The villagers, carrying what few possessions they had managed to salvage, trudged up the hill towards the castle. They were a mix of the old and young, their eyes wide with the sights they had witnessed. The children clung to their parents, while the elders leaned on makeshift walking sticks, all moving as one towards the promise of safety.
Sir Gavain Ironheart, still in the company of Aridove and the gathered soldiers, watched this procession with a somber expression. As the two young mages leading the villagers passed him, he gave them a nod of acknowledgment and respect. It was a silent commendation of their bravery and their role in safeguarding the people of Shadowdale.
Haj stumbles, his leg damaged to the point of uselessness. He watches in horror as Galdric falls to the ground surrounded by foes.
He offers a prayer to Selûne and as his vision begins to fade sends one more arrow into the group of orcs and mercs.
Attack: 18 Damage: 6
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Portia Thornleaf - Halfling Rogue
Death Save: 7
Kaelan Thornfell - Wildhunt Shifter Beast Barbarian - Horde of the Dragon Queen
Gustuck "Grumpy Gus" Clayshaper - Deep Gnome Astral Self Monk - Malady of Minarrh
Shelmo Sherrinford - Fairy Inquisitive Rogue - Vae Victus
Solstice Nightchill - Winter Eladrin Hunter Ranger - The Yawning Portal
Captain Duskstar - Human Hex "Gun" Warlock - Airships and Whiskey
Town Square
Mercenary/goblin morale check:
15 16 10
Town Square
Mercenary and goblin shooting at guards: 16 15, 5 2
Prisoner strength checks
Guard 15
Guard 9
Priest 16
priest initiative 5
Tavern Rolls
Complication: 5
Cal con save (will roll for others depending on what actions they take): 24
3-in-6 chance of telekinetic shove opening wall (1-3 is success): 2
Cal strength check for bursting through the wall if necessary (adv bc wall is weakened): 8
Commoner wisdom checks
11
9
19
16
Zyzix staggers as he coughs violently, his eyes streaming tears as he chokes on the acrid smoke. He plants a hand on the countertop nearby, keeping himself standing as darkness encroaches on his vision. He still coughing raggedly, he does his best to keep the area free from smoke and flames with magic. I will not die in some backwater town because I tried to help some cowering idiots who won't leave a burning building, Zyzix defiantly thinks with a growl.
Speaking out loud between coughs, "I can't stay in here longer, gentleman. My constitution will not tolerate continued abuse!"
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Bell, too, feels the tug of self-preservation. Should Cal fail in his heroics, the cries of those lost will haunt him… but, it is time to go! Every fiber of his being, is urging him to flee the raging inferno.
Coughing, the scholar follows Drax back outside, shedding the now-smoldering woolen blanket. Grabbing his ruck, he suddenly feels exposed, and looks for cover.
The Burning Tavern
Cal, propelled by a mix of bravery and necessity, plunged deeper into the burning building. With a focused mind, he navigated through the smoke-choked corridors towards the rear of the tavern. His vision, blurred by tears from the smoke, fixated on a wall weakened by the relentless fire. In a moment of inspired resolve, he unleashed his telekinetic might, pushing against the damaged wall while charging forward, aiming to create an escape route for the trapped commoners.
The wall crumbled under his force, collapsing outward with a thunderous crash, opening a passage into the cool embrace of the night. The commoners, their fear momentarily overcome by Cal's daring act, scrambled through the breach, fleeing to safety. Cal, too, made his escape, diving through the gap just as the second floor of the tavern succumbed to the flames, crashing down in a fiery cascade.
From the perspective of Zyzix, disguised as Drax, and Bell, the scene was one of heart-stopping terror. As they witnessed the upper floor collapse, it seemed as though the entire building had caved in onto Cal. The sight was one of apparent catastrophe, leaving them in a momentary shock, fearing the worst for their brave companion.
Zyzix, in his Drax persona, was barely holding onto consciousness, his body wracked by coughs as he leaned heavily against a countertop. Amidst the overwhelming smoke, he fought to keep the area clear of fire with his magic, his thoughts defiant yet tinged with a sense of futility. His voice, ragged and weak, announced his need to retreat from the deadly fumes and heat.
Bell, torn between the urgency of rescue and the instinct of self-preservation, felt the grim weight of the moment. The apparent loss of Cal in the collapse, a haunting prospect, cemented his decision to flee. Coughing violently, he followed Zyzix's lead, discarding his smoldering blanket and hastily grabbing his belongings, his mind racing with thoughts of safety and loss.
Outside, the once pervasive sniper fire had ceased. In its place, five figures bearing the sigil of Shadowdale emerged from the woods. These seasoned warriors, unknown to the heroes as the liberators of the castle siege, joined the fray at the well, bolstering the militias efforts to combat the blaze.
The night air was thick with the smell of smoke, the sounds of crackling flames, and the palpable tension of a tragedy unfolding. For Drax and Bell, the situation was a harrowing blend of despair and urgency, the apparent loss of their comrade casting a long shadow over their heroic efforts.
((making the decision to expedite bc imo it doesn’t make sense that the commoners would see the building crash open and just sit there, the commoners have escaped thanks to your efforts and the snipers have been silenced thanks to Aridoves. You are now in RP mode))
Shadowdale streets:
Orc attacks guard: Attack: 15 Damage: 15
Bandit attacks Taya:
Streetside Skirmish
In the thick of the battle, Taya's instincts as a seasoned warrior come to the forefront. She expertly maneuvers around the caravan guard, using her shield to unbalance the mercenary. The muddy ground makes her movement sluggish, but her resolve is unwavering as she positions herself to defend her comrades. With a swift motion, she lashes out with her sword, her blade grazing the mercenary. It's a superficial wound, but it serves to put him off balance, giving Taya the strategic upper hand she needs.
As she positions herself between the guards and the enemy, her voice rings out clear and authoritative, "Try to help the civilians," she advises Horros, knowing the importance of safeguarding those unable to defend themselves. To the guards by her side, she commands, "And you, follow him after we take down this one! We must protect the innocent!" Her leadership is as sharp as her blade, guiding her allies with purpose and clarity.
But battles are unpredictable. The mercenary, seizing a momentary distraction, swings his scimitar in a vicious arc towards Taya. Her reaction is almost instantaneous. She sees the blade coming, an overhead strike aimed with deadly precision. She raises her arm to parry, but it's a fraction of a second too late. The scimitar bites through the rings of her chainmail, slicing into her flesh. Pain sears through her arm, a harsh reminder of the battle's brutality.
Meanwhile, across the street, the cornered orc fights with the desperation of a trapped animal. His great axe swings with barbaric force, striking one of the guards. A horrific scream pierces the air as the blade connects with the guard's shoulder, nearly severing his arm. The sight is gruesome, a stark display of the orc's savage strength.
((Two heavy blows, taya can choose whether to save the guards life or spare herself the blow and I will edit the post to reflect what you tell me))
It is Horros turn
Town Square
Guards attacking Mysterious Figure
16 5
4 4
Guards attacking orcs
23 8
7 3
Shadowdale Veteran Initiative:
18
Orcs attacking guards
18 4
17 6
8 10
15 14
Mysterious figure attacking guards
20 5
18 6
22 4
Opportunity attacks against the figure:
8 9
14 5
Opportunity attacks against the orcs:
16 2
7 5
Town Square
Galdric lies grievously wounded, coughing up blood, his condition deteriorating rapidly. Amidst his own pain, Haj, with a marksman's precision, fires back at the mercenary who had injured him. The arrow flies true, striking the mercenary squarely in the head, dropping him instantly. The goblin archer, witnessing this, lets out a shrill shriek of terror and flees the scene.
To the north, the battle continues unabated. The mercenary's bolt misses its target, but a guard is less fortunate, crying out in agony as a barbed arrow from the goblin archer embeds itself deeply. The guard is badly hurt but clings to life.
A twist of fate unfolds atop the town crier's platform, where one of the guards and the priest, bound and held captive, manage to free themselves from their restraints, a glimmer of hope amidst the despair.
The guards, sensing a shift in the tide, rally to their fallen comrades. One guard, witnessing the figure gloating over a fallen Galdric, is consumed by a righteous rage. He lunges forward, delivering a staggering blow that catches the figure off guard. "Loric, we owe that man our lives, get him out of harm's way!" he bellows, referring to Galdric. Loric, another guard, rushes through the melee, shoving Galdric's body under the safety of the elevated town crier's platform, though he finds himself dangerously surrounded by orcs.
Two more guards advance towards the orcs near the figure, their spears thrusting in a deadly dance. The orcs parry, momentarily distracted, failing to notice Loric's brave act. The orcs behind them, however, remain undeterred.
The figure, still reeling from the unexpected blow, lashes out at the guards but his attacks are clumsy and off-balance. The orcs beside him are more successful, grievously wounding a northern guard. The orcs next to Loric cackle ominously as they brutally dismember him with their axes.
Meanwhile, to the east, five figures emerge from a side street, their appearance and bearing that of battle-hardened warriors, emblazoned with the sigil of Shadowdale. Unbeknownst to the heroes, these are the veterans who had previously broken the siege of the castle. The mysterious figure, realizing the tide is turning, curses. "It appears that our time to depart has come," he grudgingly admits. He and his orcish companions begin their retreat. In the chaos, the figure takes a spear to the shoulder, while one of the orcs receives a punishing blow from the butt of a spear.
As the enemies pull back, the town square, still reverberating with the echoes of battle, stands on the precipice of a hard-won reprieve. The guards and newcomers brace themselves, ready to defend Shadowdale to their last breath.
Galdric must make a death saving throw
It is Haj's turn. If Haj individually can somehow get a medicine check on Galdric, that will apply before Galdric's save.
Castle Keep
As the dust of battle settled and the echoes of clashing steel faded, a new movement caught the attention of those on the battlefield. Groups of villagers emerged from the burning town, their faces etched with the weariness and fear. Among them were two young men, their robes marking them as members of the Arcane Brotherhood. Despite their youth, they moved with purpose, guiding the villagers with a sense of urgency and determination.
The villagers, carrying what few possessions they had managed to salvage, trudged up the hill towards the castle. They were a mix of the old and young, their eyes wide with the sights they had witnessed. The children clung to their parents, while the elders leaned on makeshift walking sticks, all moving as one towards the promise of safety.
Sir Gavain Ironheart, still in the company of Aridove and the gathered soldiers, watched this procession with a somber expression. As the two young mages leading the villagers passed him, he gave them a nod of acknowledgment and respect. It was a silent commendation of their bravery and their role in safeguarding the people of Shadowdale.
Aridove is still here and in an RP encounter.
Death save #2: 13
Kaelan Thornfell - Wildhunt Shifter Beast Barbarian - Horde of the Dragon Queen
Gustuck "Grumpy Gus" Clayshaper - Deep Gnome Astral Self Monk - Malady of Minarrh
Shelmo Sherrinford - Fairy Inquisitive Rogue - Vae Victus
Solstice Nightchill - Winter Eladrin Hunter Ranger - The Yawning Portal
Captain Duskstar - Human Hex "Gun" Warlock - Airships and Whiskey