Kyros handily resists Talien's attempt at pulling him away.

Archibald saw Talien turn around and start heading back up the tower. He started to follow but quickly hesitated, remembering the sight of the dragon that awaited at the top of the tower.

Wisdom: 18

Swallowing his fears, Archibald hurried to catch up to Talien. When he reached the top of the tower he saw Talien desperately trying to no avail to pull Kyros away. Realizing that force would never work, Archibald quickly came up with another plan.

"Kyros, don't throw your life away here." he shouted "There are still people below who need your help. Another cadre has breached the gate below, and the guards are dropping like flies. We need you there, or they'll surely reach the citizens!"

Deception: 23 

 Lias, seeing her compatriots group together to move Kyros, moves from the safety of the doorway. As she joins Talien to wrestle Kyros back to the doorway , she calls again to the guards. "Save yourselves first! Only then can we save the city!"

Persuasion: 12

Archibald, you managed to steel yourself and charge back toward the fray, no longer afraid of the mighty blue dragon. You're a rogue! You've faced danger before! To the Hells with him!

The guards hear Lias' shouts and her half-hearted attempts to wrest Kyros away from the wall and shout back, "Maybe so, but he's the biggest threat! Maybe with our combined shots we can drive him off! You heard the Dragonborn! Fight to our last!" Which sends the guards into a hurrah and flurry of twangs and thunks as they loose more crossbow bolts into the dragon.

Kyros... this chaos around you is only multiplied by the fact that your poor friends think you can't handle facing this pompous lizard before you... Shouts abound and people scattering every which way spins your head a bit, your heart going out to your companions as they see the need to flee. Azrial seems to have the right of things! Though a bit goofy he stares solemnly from the doorway atop the tower, his muscled, miniature beast rearing as a flash of lightning illuminates the already pale face. This is your time. This was why you came to Greenest. But... what's this? Archibald has heard of more of these knaves breaching the gate?! It cannot be! -- Please make an insight check on Archibald, failing on anything less than his 23. If you fail, please make a wisdom saving throw.

The dragon rears back its head and snarls, then flies further away from the crossbow bolts as some of them pierce his wings and others lodge into his hind legs. A deafening roar from his pain fades slightly as he turns away from the keep and flies to about 65' away, though now level with the tower roof.

There was so much going on. Too much to track honestly, but over the din and chaos, Kyros heard Archibald's rally that the gates had been breached once more. 

Insight : 11

The guard remaining on the roof seemed to have found their courage in the thick of battle, a testament to their own training and resolve. And the dragon had retreated further still beyond the reach of his javelin.

Kyros was torn. He relaxed slightly as Lias and Talien strained to pull him away from the parapet. If people down in the courtyard needed them, perhaps these stalwart soldiers could hold against the dragon a few more minutes..

Wisdom Save : 6

Kyros, you succumb to your friends' pleas and decide the courtyard will be your best bet right now. This great annoyance, though huge and menacing, is actually less of a threat to the greater number of people right now due to the archers and his focus on the tower. You allow yourself to be torn away.

Yes! People in immediate danger needed his help more right now. But Kyros shouted once more the archers as he turned and stowed the javelin, coldly shrugging off both Lias and Talien.

"Soldiers! The brigands have stolen through a gate below once again while the dragon had our attention. Keep up the pressure here where you can, but if that beast returns, take cover and watch each others backs. My friends and I will see to the attackers below, and will return to support you at the first opportunity. Hold until then! Your families and friends, and all of Greenest, are relying on you in this! Show that dragon who this city actually belongs to."

Persuasion : 6

With that said and one last look at the terror hovering in the distance, Kyros drew his greatsword and followed Archibald into the tower with an expectant stare. "Lead the way, Archibald! We have civilians to defend!"

The guards shout their enthusiastic hurrahs as you turn to head down to the gate.

“Yick, that dragon gets uglier the closer you get to it... I suggest we leave this tower lickety-split! I shall lead the way on this ever so valiant of steeds!” Azrial exclaimed and started down the tower steps. While descending the stairs he leans in to confide in his donkey, “I am going to do my best to get you knighted after all of this is over. Sir Ass; it has a nice ring to it!” 

Persuasion: 20

As the donkey trots back down the stairs, his head is held higher than before... he seems... more valiant. 

Astounded with the news Archibald brought, Talien looks at him quizzically (Insight: 9)

Seeing the coldness in his eyes, Talien raised his eyebrows; "Then we must secure the breach. We can't hold the Dragon on this front, let alone hold a second."

With this, Talien follows Azrial and his...is that a donkey?...his...steed...back down into the keep. (OOC: I'd like to Dash and double my movement to get as far away from that dragon as I can in one round)

Sprinting down the tower, Talien is able to keep just ahead of the donkey, who is strutting down the stairs. You're able to make it most of the way down in one turn, and feel as though Archibald must have a level head for making that quick decision to help the gate rather than fight the dragon.

"Come on, this way!" Archibald shouted towards Kyros, before taking off down the tower.

(OOC: I would also like to Dash to the fullest extent) 

Archibald also makes his way down most of the tower, rushing with Talien toward the main yard. 

Lias follows her friends down the stairs, keeping half an eye on the dragon until they all move safely into the stairwell. When they all reach the bottom, she will continue to watch the sky. 

Lias, not sprinting like the others, lags behind a bit. 

Well it was fun seeing everyone and getting to play in person! Here's a bit of a recap of what happened:

Upon arriving at the bottom of the tower Kyros discovered that his teammate had led him astray! He and Talien then ventured back up the tower to try and fend off the dragon, who had killed all of the guards. The rest of the party made their way to the Temple, where a mass of enemies nearly felled the entire party! Talien and Kyros, however, faired ok until they too reached the temple. Talien was able to meet up with the large group and helped bring them back to their feet and turn the tide of battle. They then rescued the townsfolk from the sanctuary with the help of Eadyen Falconmoon, but Kyros did not fare nearly as well. He met up with the dragon kin trying to bash down the front door, taunted them, and then lost the fight. He did die in combat... but was revived with some divine intervention and gladiatorial fighting! He managed to make his way back to the group and they escorted the townsfolk back into the keep just in time to accept a challenge from Langdedrosa Cyanwrath. Kyros, obviously, accepted and was once again knocked out of commission. Satisfied, the cult left the town, but not before menacing the area. Governor Nighthill thanked you all profusely and left you to rest. The party reached level 2 and awoke feeling stronger, yet somber. The events of the nights left their mark... some more than others... and you proceeded out to try and track down the cult to discover their motives, retrieve some goods for the townsfolk, and sabotage anything you could. Not to mention rescue a certain monk, Leosin Erlanthar, who had either infiltrated the cult or was captured in the night.

Before leaving town you checked some of the areas and were able to procure a meager amount of weapons, laid some folks to rest properly at the mill, and ensured the towns crops were unharmed. Along the way Lias was drawn to a certain home at the northern edge of town... which led you all to search it, find it was oddly untouched, and left with a ring of protection (+1), and a scroll that has yet to be identified. Archibald also discovered a curious crystal water set, but decided it was best left alone upstairs. Azrial felt at peace as he left, feeling that there was some sort of spiritual or comforting presence, and smiled and waved to the house as he walked away. Back at the keep you then discovered this home, belonging to the the gnome family of 'Willinghams' had burnt down "ages ago" according to Governor Nighthill. Curious, but in a hurry to track the cult, you said your farewells to the Governor, Escobert, and Gus (Azrial's new friend donkey), and headed south. The monks had sent word to Berdusk, to the north, about the cult and Leosin's status in aims of helping in any way they could.

You were able to track the cult quite easily with Talien's aid, who also saved the party from bloodshed with a small wolf pack. You then came across some stragglers of the cult, ambushed them, and killed all but a few. Some kobolds Archibald had seen (3) were unaccounted for at the end of the battle, and you spared one cultist to question him. Discovering that he was a new recruit, this half-orc Teddy (now Ted), told you there would be a rear guard about a mile south, but he doesn't know much more than that. He didn't have too much information about the cult, but knew he followed the local "Wearer of Purple - Frulam" and she answered to Rezmir, a Wyrmspeaker. Their goal is to create a great horde for the evil dragon goddess, Tiamat, to release her from the Nine Hells.

After some discussion it was decided that Ted should go back to Greenest with a hand-written note from the party and the governor's signature (which had been given to you to procure supplies) that he should be put to work as he didn't have much interest in rejoining the cult. You instructed him not to wear his mask and to seek out Governor Nighthill himself to apologize, reconcile, and work to rebuild the town. The party then decided to take a short rest to take advantage of the small cooking fire, couple of guinea hens that had been roasting, and the reprise from battle before setting off to find the rear guard, avoid it, or otherwise infiltrate the nearby cult camp.

There is currently no initiative order, and you are all taking a short rest to decide your next plan of action!

As Ted leaves the makeshift encampment, Talien looks at the mask left on the ground. "Let's take a moment to catch our breath before we pursue the Rear Guard. Teddy said they were only a mile from here, and we can only hope they've also stopped to make camp. With any luck, we'll be able to catch them by surprise; hopefully their Kobold friends that Archibald saw didn't rush ahead to warn them of our presence." 

With this, Talien sits by the remainder of the fire, keeping an eye on the southern camp exit, and reflects on their conversation with Teddy. "I hope he stays true to his word. I can't imagine Governor Nighthill will take too kindly to him at first; not after all he's done..."

(OOC: I rolled a short rest hit die before we left Dave's place and am back up to max HP. Otherwise, I have 2 spell slots left after using Speak with Animals and I have my Wild Shape back on short rest).

"Agreed," Lias said. "We should use caution tomorrow, in case they're prepared for us." She picked up the mask and put it in her pack. "Maybe this could come in handy. Who wants first watch?"

Archibald tried to take this moment of peace to calm his mind and prepare for the things to come. However his mind reeled with thoughts of the half orc they had just released. He couldn't help but think of his father, and the mistakes he had made in service of trying to do the right thing. Archibald hoped they had not just made a mistake of their own.