Persuasion: 6

The guards in the ready room hear Talien and shout back, "We're better off ganging up on it in here! That's what your friend was trying to do, honor him!"

"KYROS!" Lias yelled, charging forward. She stopped short of blocking the door and balanced her rapier in her hand. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled and released the blade, spinning it towards the lizard.

Dexterity: 11

Damage: 6

As the lizard attacked once more, jaws snapping closed around his leg, Kyros felt an explosion of pain. The great beast's teeth found purchase in the grooves of his armor, and as they punctured his scales, he felt unconsciousness claim him.

He found himself again on stage, his grim foe standing before him. The dark cowl was now lowered, and the draconian skull glared with hunger. This time though, he was unarmed, left only his wit and reflexes to save him from his opponent's greatsword. His opponent menaced his blade forward in a forceful cleave.

Death Saving Throw : 12

1 Success!!

As the blade arced forward, Kyros read its trajectory and dodged with ease. The greatsword harmlessly sliced through the air adjacent. The grim's eyes glared with hatred, but Kyros knew he still had a chance to get away.

As Lias slings her rapier into the ready room the beast is confused as it pings off its hide. Looking at its side where the blade connected, but did not pierce, it slowly turns toward the Half-orc, tongue flicking in and out of its maw.

"Does anyone have an idea what to do about the monstrous lizard situation we find ourselves in?" Archibald spoke hurriedly "If we aim to fell the beast, it seems we might have to rely on magics, our steel and arrows hardly seem to scratch it." He took aim at one of the remaining kobolds, attempting to thin their numbers.

Attack: 20 Damage: 5

The kobold to the south of the lizard looks shocked as an arrow bursts into its hip while it is fighting a guard. It looks seriously injured, but is still able to fight.

After hearing Archibald's reasoning Azrial decided to cast Sacred Flame at the Lizard again. As he cast the spell he did a sort of odd jig while spinning in a circle with his hands swirling above him. He knew this wouldn't help his spell casting but it at least lightened his mood!

Damage: 4 

As you look into the room, sending spells and arrows and flying swords in to battle the oncoming foes the guards begin shouting behind you. Escobert arrives with another troupe of crossbow-wielding guards to help seal the entry and defend the yard. Shouting and gesturing he moves the crossbowmen into a semicircle position in line with Talien, adding to be careful that Lias, Azrial, and Archibald are not to be harmed by stray shots. The guards within the ready room exit quickly from the shouting of their Castellan and one takes a kobold dagger to the back as he runs from the room. He staggers, but is still upright, advising Azrial and Lias to duck from where they are.

Two kobolds and the lizard remain in the room, as well as the bodies of the acolyte, a third kobold, and your companion, Kyros. One of the remaining kobolds is barely clinging to life, and the lizard, now wreathed in fire, appears to be effected by the spell and snarls menacingly. As the crossbow bolts thud out from the troupe of about 15 guards the two kobolds fall, peppered with bolts, and the lizard writhes and snarls as it now resembles a giant, scaled porcupine. Reloading, the group of guards and Escobert glance from where they stand to survey the damage.

The ready room is now a spiked chamber of crossbow bolts, singe marks from various fire spells, and the floor is well bloodied from various bodies. The giant lizard lashes around with its tail, now the only creature in the room, and looking quite heavily defeated, to begin making its way into the yard. The clouds above cover the stars and the dragon's roar can be heard through the din, still bellowing into the night, though now it has become almost background noise as most of the town is used to it. Your crew is in the center of the yard, mostly, with Talien and Archibald about 40' from the entry to the ready room, Lias slightly closer at about 25', and Azrial just south of the door. He is within view of the lizard, but is not in the line of fire of the guard. The Governor is now nowhere to be seen, and Escobert is barking orders around the yard, organizing the mayhem.

Hearing the barked orders from Escobert and seeing the volley of bolts rain down upon the ready room bolsters hope in Talien once again. We've got this, he thinks to himself, nocking another arrow and crouching to take a steady aim at the beast once more. Selûne , though your eye and stars are clouded this night, guide my hand and help me fell this foul reptile. Eyes now green with nature's fury, his pendant glowing about his neck, Talien draws his longbow to its full length and releases a missile at the giant lizard's maw. I will not let more of my allies fall this day. This is for Kyros...

Attack: 12

Damage: 6

Unfortunately, despite Talien's unspoken prayer to Selûne, the shot clacks off the beast's hide and does not damage it. Talien's eyes blaze with a natural green and glow brighter seeing that he still has yet to pierce this monstrosity's thick natural armor. It snarls in response, homing in on the green glow.

Reaching to the limits of her reserves, Lias barks another Vicious Mockery at the giant lizard. Her honk startles the reinforcements closest to her, but they hold their ground.

Damage: 5

Death Saving Throw : 6

2 Successes!

As the Grim swung once more, a sweeping blow at his neck, Kyros ducked, rolling backwards beyond the blade's reach. If anything the Grim only seemed more furious than before, though the whole scene remained deathly silent.

As Lias belches out her vicious mockery at the Lizard it shakes its head and appears dazed. It stumbles into the doorway, heaving, and collapses with a loud, dull, thud, liquid oozing slowly from its nostrils and ear holes. Azrial is the closest to it as it breathes its last, its wet eyes rolling back slowly.

Escobert heaves a sigh of relief behind Talien, and the guards, exhausted, sit where they are as craftsmen begin to head toward patching up the doorway.

Seeing the beast fall Talien rushes to Kyros' side. "Breathe, my friend. The battle is won and you fought bravely." Uncorking a potion of healing and pouring it gently into Kyros' open maw, tongue lolling to one side, Talien held Kyros' head up in one hand so as not to choke the Dragonborn. (Heal: 7)

His vision began to blur, as the Grim before him readied another attack. Kyros blinked once, twice, but could not seem to focus on his opponent. The last thing he saw was the haunting, hateful glare as the Grim swung forward and dissolved into obscurity. Warmth began to suffuse his body, and a distant muffle trespassed unto the soundless void. The measured timbre and soft yet deep tone seemed familiar, though he struggled to place it. 

"...you fought bravely."

Kyros slowly opened his eyes, reborn into the harsh light of the living. A wood elf knelt over him, with an empty flask in hand.

"Talien? What..? Where are we?"

The Fighter strained not only to remember, but also to push himself up from the ground. He recognized the sally port, bustling with soldiers trying to repair the breached gate, littered with pin-cushioned corpses.. and his gaze settled on the monstrous beast that had bested him. His memories flooded back, of Kobolds and cultists, daggers dodged and flames licking at his feet, and finally the jaws of death. He looked again at Talien, nodding at his acknowledgement, and saw Lias standing over the infernal beast near the doorway, retrieving her rapier.

"What on earth was that thing? And how fared the rest of you?" He asked easing himself back to his feet, testing his wounded leg. He ambled toward the monster that had bested him, and though he hobbled a little, the potion seemed to have restored most of his functionality. Time at rest would no doubt finish the process. Still, he moved underterred by his wounds to examine his great foe.

Investigation : 19

His fatigue was a great beast in its own right though, and the Dragonborn had never seen a lizard such as this before.

As the party gathers themselves and takes a moment to survey the situation, Talien and Kyros take a moment to assess the lizard. Between the two of them they can see (with a little thought and analysis) that it was a blue Guard Drake. They are usually employed by lesser dragons as blockades or watch beasts to lairs or hordes. Small (to the dragon) and quite hardy, they are loyal to their chromatic cousins and understand draconic, though they themselves cannot speak.

Escobert comes walking over, purposely stepping on the dead Drake's snout as he surveys the sally port. Nodding slowly and pointing out sections that need extra attention to the guards and repair folk he adds "Aye, this wasn't planned, it seems. Damn beast must have got away from the worthless kobolds and they took advantage of the situation... You folk did well, though I don't know why you would have rushed in here after all you've been through,"  he smirks at Kyros, "But ye deserve a spot of rest. Meet the Governor inside. I'm sure Azrial's brethren could see to you if you'd like. We'll take the next mission or watch to catch you up."

The party makes their way inside and may take a short rest. The clerics can heal additional HP if necessary, just call out what you would like. Mind you this will take about a half hour to an hour and the night will move forward. Just write what your plan is for the short time and make sure to roll your hit dice and add your bonuses that return on short rests. (There's a button for it on your character page.)

Kyros retrieves his greatsword before leaving, and marks well the features of the guard drake. Blue Dragons and their Kin would especially difficult for him to deal with. During the rest, if staff clerics can heal him, he will gratefully accept the offer. 

Current HP : 9/12

As they all rested in the Keep, Kyros sat quietly, checking over his armor and greatword, and making small repairs where he could. Unfortunately, this long night wasn't yet over, and dying did throw his own mortality into sharp relief.

As the party retreated to the Keep after their victory, Talien watched as Kyros visited the Clerics, who were busy tending to other wounds suffered by the townspeople, guards, and those he assumed were brave folk who put up a fight to defend their homes. 

Looking for the other members of his party, Talien hoped to take some time to thank them for their help thus far, and find out what brought them here in the first place. Content with letting others make their own pace for the time, Talien sought out a guard, "Is there any help needed for surveying and recon? I am quite skilled at scoping out incoming threats and would like to lend my services where they would be of the most help. Our new friend, Azrial, mended me and I am not in need of healing or rest. I would like to help prevent another attack if there are scouts posted."

Talien:

Escobert overhears you and starts walking your direction just outside the main hall. Stepping up to you and nodding to the guard you had spoken with, who walks off, he turns and addresses you, "Alright, Wanderer. We've got a scout group on each cardinal wall and one on the main tower roof. Ye could go to any of those while your friends rest. Just know that we expect ye to let us know if there's anything you see, just like any of our guard would. But I respect ye, so I'll find ye if something changes with the rest of your crew first. I won't let them run off gallivanting into the night without ye."

Kyros: The clerics mend you and are able to heal 7 HP before moving on to others.

DM Note: What is everyone else doing? Who needs to see the clerics? Have you all rolled your hit dice for a short rest? Please post your half hour to an hour dealings before I move on.