The crisp evening air settles heavy over the docks, the murmur of distant voices and the occasional creak of ships swaying against their moorings filling the space between your tense breaths. A long moment of stillness hangs like a drawn bowstring, creaking and stretching thin as Käinen’s words settle into the air.
For a heartbeat, it seems like the brute is actually thinking it over. His brows knit together, and for the first time, a flicker of hesitation flashes behind those dull eyes.
But then—he snarls, a sound more animal than man. "Enough of this shit!"
He lunges. The sheer weight of his frame surges forward, knuckles cracking mid-swing as his fist sails toward the nearest target. Whether it’s from Teryn’s attempted enchantment, Byldeth’s stumbling lie, or just his own pent-up aggression, the man has reached his limit.
From the doorway, his companion—the one who had hesitated before—winces, eyes darting to the side as if weighing the consequences. There’s a flicker of regret there, but it vanishes quickly as he raises his weapon, already drawn.
Just then—A swift figure moves through the alleys beyond. Ellanise emerges from the distant shadows just in time as the first punch is thrown, her breath still steady from the chase, barely processing the scene before her. Tension crackles in the air like a coming storm.
The fight has begun.
(Everyone please roll initiative)
The large guard out front: 21 The guard posted behind the door: 14
Teryn initiative: 9 ((I would think Teryn is the closest to the big guy, unfortunately))
A quiet sigh escapes the elf's lips, just the faintest breath of irritation before instinct takes over and he reaches for his arcane focus. He never wants violence. It is messy, undignified, unpredictable. But some people, it seems, refuse to be reasoned with. And so be it.
Rowan spots the way the brute's shoulders coil, the same telltale tension he's seen in too many bar brawls and there’s no mistaking that explosive lunge. Letting out a low hiss through clenched teeth, he grips his dagger in a reverse hold, eyes flashing with that barely checked fury he tries so hard to keep under wraps. No sowing seeds or calm talk now; the harvest has come, and it’s likely to be brutal.
The evening air turns thick with tension as the burly guard lunges forward, his massive fist swinging with bone-cracking force. For all his brutish aggression, his attack lacks the finesse of a trained fighter—this is a man who relies on sheer power to overwhelm his enemies.
Käinen, who had been half a breath away from talking the situation down, immediately shifts his stance, muscles coiling like a panther ready to strike. The goliath is already moving, faster than the enforcer expects.
From the open warehouse door, the other guard hesitates, his fingers gripping the handle of a sword at his belt. His eyes flick between his raging companion and the group before him, jaw tightening. There’s caution in his expression—uncertainty. But even that won't stop him from drawing steel.
Rowan’s eyes dart instinctively, taking in the surroundings—where the best cover is, how much space he has to move.
Beyond the fray, Ellanise skids to a halt, arriving just in time to see the moment explode into action. She’s about forty feet away, her chest still rising and falling from her narrow escape in the alleys. The tension in the air is palpable, electric, like the moment just before steel meets steel.
Teryn and Byldeth stand braced, moments away from diving into the fight.
The dockside wind kicks up a swirl of dust and salt, the last light of the sun casting long shadows against the weathered planks of the pier. Nearby, a dockhand who had been watching from a distance quickly vanishes into the night, unwilling to be caught in the middle of whatever’s about to unfold.
The fight has begun.
Initiative Order: Käinen – 23 Large Guard – 21 Rowan – 20 Ellanise – 15 Door Guard – 14 Teryn & Byldeth – 9 (first come first serve)
I'll go ahead and post my turn so that I don't hold up combat ...
Ellanise draws her crossbow, quickly loads a bolt, and fires at the big brute. Dropping her crossbow, the elf dashes at the door guard. "If you run, I'll let you go," she says once she is beside the man.
Attack: 13; damage: 8 piercing damage — If it hits: Slow. If you hit a creature with a Light Crossbow and deal damage to the creature, you can reduce its Speed by 10 ft. until the start of your next turn. If the creature is hit more than once with this property, the Speed reduction doesn’t exceed 10 ft.
Bonus: dash
Movement up to 60 feet to get within melee of the door guard
For a moment, a brief moment, he thought things were solved. The three of them would get out of sight, Byleth, taken by a soldier would be able to get away leaving a stern warn to avoid unnecessary fights. They would meet then be met by Ellanise. The runaway was the clue to follow. All hope disappeared when the brute shouted. His body moved into fighting position with the speed of his reflexes and from a proper base he moved forward. One, two steps. Large, pushing against the ground, launching him before the enemy in less than a second. A speed few would expect of someone his size.
At the end of the second he pivoted on the feet, turning hips and shoulders toward the human. He brought his back knee up in front of his body and extended the right leg but not towards the enemy. Rather, Käinen aimed for besides the head and tried hooking the back of his leg on the man’s neck. Tried to pull him dawn in a grapple.
His hand weren’t idle either – they pulled a chain. If everything went right the brute would be tied and they would be able to make short work of the man with the crossbow. Better yet, they would have two prisoners to interrogate.
Notes: Thanks to his Martial Arts monk class feature, Käinen spends his bonus action to make an Unarmed Strike with the grapple option, using his Dexterity modifier instead of strength to determine the grapple DC (as per Dexterous Attaks sub-feature). The brute needs to make a Dexterity or Strenght (his choice) saving throw DC 15 (8 + 5 from Käinen's Dex mod + 2 from Kainën's Proficiency Bonus) or be grappled. Käinen use of his action will depends on the result of the save.
Käinen strikes like a coiled viper, his movements a blur of trained efficiency. His leg whips around, aiming to lock around the enforcer’s thick neck and twist him off balance, setting him up for the next strike. The moment hangs for a split second—Then the brute shifts his stance, sheer brute strength overpowering technique.
(The large guard rolls a 19 Strength Saving Throw)
With a snarl, he rips free from the attempted hold, jerking his head away with force enough to break lesser men. Käinen’s grip slips. His balance remains perfect, but the larger man is now fully aware that he is the immediate threat. The big man’s fists tighten, and his teeth bare in an ugly sneer. His focus, once divided, now hones in entirely on Käinen.
"Oh, you wanna dance?" he growls, the veins in his neck pulsing with the rush of aggression. "Fine. Let’s dance."
His stance shifts, no longer just throwing reckless punches—he’s taking Käinen seriously now.
His face was a mask of blood and flesh, frozen in a neutral expression as his eyes carried nothing but focus. His first answer to the brute’s provocation was silence. Spellcasters rarely made for sturdy warriors, his masters had taught him, so the simple fact that Teryn was no longer in focus felt akin to a small victory. While moving, Käinen had also noticed Ellanise’s arrival. It was almost like his lie, that guards laid hidden and ready to ambush, was becoming true.
Hoping the others would focus on the man with the crossbow he contract his leg and standing in a single feet, as if it was the easiest thing to do, in a fraction of a second, he released another kick. Part of him was tempted to make it a normal attack. If the enemy was to hard to grapple then knocking him out was the next best thing. Unless they wanted to resort to murder. Given the context it was highly unlikely any of the guards were decent men but the same could be said of the goliath. He was given a second chance, they should too. And so he tried pulling the neck of his opened in another grapple. Someone else could take the chain from his hand and use it to tie the human. If things go right.
Notes: Käinen spends his action to make an unarmed attack with the grappling option. Strenght save DC 15.
The enforcer is still riding the high of breaking free from Käinen’s first attempt, his focus narrowed into pure aggression. His stance is solid, his shoulders squared—he’s ready to pummel the goliath into the planks of the pier, but he’s not ready for what happens next.
Käinen moves with the fluidity of a practiced fighter, shifting his weight onto one foot as if gravity barely holds claim to him. His leg whips out, in a sudden, precise hook—latching onto the brute’s thick neck like a coiled snake. The shift happens too fast for the man to adjust. One second, he’s gearing up for a devastating swing—the next, his entire world flips.
His arms flail, the sheer size of him working against him now. He overcorrects trying to keep his balance, his boots slipping against the uneven wooden planks of the dock. For a moment, it’s almost comical—like watching a bull attempt to walk on ice. Then, his knees buckle as he topples backward with an ungainly THUD, crashing hard onto the dock. A few onlookers actually flinch at the sound, as if the sheer impact of his back meeting the boards knocked the wind out of them, too. A puff of dust kicks up from the old wood beneath him. His head bounces slightly, his skull connecting with the pier with a dull crack.
For a single, stunned moment, he just lies there, his massive limbs sprawled out, blinking at the sky like his own body just betrayed him. It takes him a few seconds to process that he’s been thoroughly manhandled.
The Large Guard's save for the second grapple: 5
A guttural growl rumbles from the enforcer’s throat as he thrashes against Käinen’s hold, muscles straining beneath the goliath’s grip. His boots scuff against the dock, grinding against the wood as he plants himself and tries to wrench free. For a brief moment, it almost looks like he might force Käinen’s hold apart.
But then—the leverage isn’t there. Käinen’s grip holds firm, unyielding.
The big man snarls in frustration, breath heaving as he shifts his stance, planting his feet just enough to force himself upright, but he remains locked in Käinen’s grip. "Ghhn—Let go of me, you godsdamned—!" He cuts himself off, jaw clenched so tight it looks like his teeth might crack under the pressure. His body tenses again, preparing to try and break free on the next opening, but for now, he’s still locked down.
The tide of battle continues to shift in your favor. The other guard at the door visibly appears to be reconsidering his choices. His hand lingers near his weapon, but his stance is more defensive than aggressive.
Rowan springs into action, darting over to Käinen’s side and grabbing hold of the dangling chain. “Alright, big fella—let’s keep you from toppin’ the cart again,” he mutters under his breath, wrapping it around the brute’s broad wrists with firm, practiced movements. Satisfied the man’s pinned, Rowan straightens, dagger in hand as he turns toward the crossbowman, who’s still lingering in the doorway. “Look, friend,” he begins, lifting the blade just enough to show he means business, “we only came to harvest a few answers here, not burn the whole field. No need for thumbs to go flyin’, if you catch my drift. How ’bout we all just sit down a spell and talk this over? Nobody’s gotta lose their head—or their patience.” He tilts the dagger, a half-warning, half-invitation. “You mind droppin’ that bow so we can swap a few words without paintin’ the docks red? Then we'll be gone and you might just as well never hear from us again.”
Action: bind the brute with Käinen's chain Move: to the brute first, then approach the crossbowmen Free: flashily draw a dagger
The clank of iron links fills the air as Rowan deftly loops the chain around the enforcer’s thick wrists, tightening the bind with practiced ease. The big man thrashes, but Käinen’s hold keeps him locked down, and Rowan’s knots hold firm. The enforcer lets out a furious growl, muscles straining, but the cold bite of steel against his skin tells him the fight is slipping from his hands. He tries to yank free, but the combined force of Käinen’s grip and Rowan’s binding holds him tight.
Satisfied with the restraint, Rowan straightens, flipping his dagger into a ready grip, his sharp eyes settling on the crossbowman in the doorway. The leaner guard’s jaw tightens, his grip still hovering near his weapon. His eyes flick between Rowan, the chained enforcer, and the rapidly deteriorating situation.
The crossbowman swallows hard but doesn’t lower his weapon yet. His fingers twitch, but Rowan keeps pressing. There’s hesitation now, a moment of indecision. The door guard’s posture tightens, but something in Rowan’s easy drawl makes him reconsider his odds.
From the alley’s edge, Ellanise emerges at a full sprint. Her crossbow snaps up in a blur of movement, the bolt whistling through the air—THUNK. It clatters harmlessly off the warehouse wall beside the brute’s shoulder, missing him by inches. Without missing a beat, Ellanise ditches the crossbow, her boots pounding against the wooden dock as she closes the gap between herself and the door guard in a flash of motion. The door guard stiffens.
His fingers twitch over his crossbow. He looks at the massive, bound enforcer struggling against the chains, he looks at Rowan’s dagger, poised but unhurried, looks at Ellanise, who just sprinted up to him with the confidence of someone who fully expects to chase him down if he tries anything.
The color drains slightly from his face.
The doorman’s breath is shallow, his eyes flickering between Rowan’s dagger, Ellanise’s poised stance, and the bound enforcer still straining against the chains. His grip tightens around his crossbow, knuckles whitening, sweat beading at his temple. For a heartbeat, it looks like he might make a last stand. Then, with a sharp exhale through his nose, he releases his grip on the crossbow and lets it drop. The weapon clatters against the dock with a dull, hollow sound.
"Tch. This ain’t worth dyin’ over."
He takes one step back. Then another. His body remains coiled, his expression hard with frustration, but his instincts tell him the fight is lost. His eyes linger on the bound enforcer. There’s a flicker of something there—resentment? Relief? A mix of both?
He mutters something under his breathe, "I don’t know what you lot want, but I sure as hell don’t get paid enough to die over it."
With that, he turns on his heel and bolts. Boots pounding against the wooden dock, he makes a break for the alley, slipping into the growing darkness.
(The Door Guard drops their weapon, takes the Dash action, and sprints 60ft in the opposite direction. If Rowan or Ellanise would care to make an Attack of Opportunity, you are free to do so, it is up to you if you want to or not.)
Rowan sees the door guard spin to bolt. “Whoa now,” he mutters, stepping in swiftly and reaching out to snatch the man’s sleeve before he can vanish into the gloom. With his dagger clenched in the other hand, Rowan aims to anchor the guard in place, desperate to keep one of their best leads from slipping through his fingers.
Reaction: Attack of Opportunity, Unarmed Strike with grapple option. The door guard needs a DC 14 Str/Dex save or be grappled by Rowan.
Teryn mists out of existence for a moment before reappearing between the chained up thug and the one who'd attempted to flee. The teleport is needless, but bolstering in case they run into more trouble. He hums a little melody as he tries casting sleep on both guards. If successful, he turns to the others and motions to them to drag the two into the warehouse to question them out of sight.
Bonus Action: Misty Step, Refreshing Step Subclass Feature on self for +8 temp HP
The door guard barely makes it three steps before Rowan’s grip snatches the sleeve of his coat. The movement is quick, precise, practiced. The guard jerks instinctively, trying to yank free, but Rowan’s hold is ironclad. His fingers tighten, planting the man in place like a deep-rooted oak.
The guard curses under his breath, twisting in Rowan’s grip, but his momentum is gone, his escape cut short.
A breath later, the air around them shimmers. Teryn’s form distorts, his body momentarily dissolving into wisps of dark mist before reforming between the restrained brute and the struggling guard. He isn’t rushed—only controlled, almost languid, as if he’s already confident in how this ends. A lilting melody escapes his lips, too soft to be a true song, too rhythmic to be ordinary speech. Magic weaves through the air.
The large enforcer’s struggles falter. His body slackens, breath hitching once, twice—then stills. The tension in his massive shoulders drains away, and with a heavy exhale, he slumps forward, his chin hitting his chest, slumping into the chains with a heavy thud. Asleep.
Teryn barely spares him a glance before turning to the others, one silver eye flicking toward the warehouse door.
"No fair! You got all the hard parts and left the easiest for me!" The dwarf huffed, rushing towards the remaining guard and Punching him ( 17 to hit) Dealing 5 dmg. He did not want to actually harm the guard, as he lacked a proper weapon to deal non-lethal attacks, seeing that he was just doing his job, so he wished the punch would be enough to drop him unconscious. "Stop squirming!
Ellanise can't help but chuckle. These four gentlemen are funny. As the dwarf steps up to clock the door guard, the female elf walks back to pick up her crossbow. Walking back, she says with a smile, "Tell me you at least got some information out of these guys before you started punching."
Teryn gives Ellanise and the others an apologetic smile, running a hand through his long blond hair as if smoothing away the last remnants of his miscalculation. “Ah...well, you see, I may have attempted to expedite matters with a spell,”he admits, his tone light despite the lingering tension in the air. “Turns out our dear friend here has a stronger will than I anticipated. He wasn’t too pleased about it.” He gestures vaguely toward the downed brute before glancing at the others with a sheepish shrug.
The crisp evening air settles heavy over the docks, the murmur of distant voices and the occasional creak of ships swaying against their moorings filling the space between your tense breaths. A long moment of stillness hangs like a drawn bowstring, creaking and stretching thin as Käinen’s words settle into the air.
For a heartbeat, it seems like the brute is actually thinking it over. His brows knit together, and for the first time, a flicker of hesitation flashes behind those dull eyes.
But then—he snarls, a sound more animal than man. "Enough of this shit!"
He lunges. The sheer weight of his frame surges forward, knuckles cracking mid-swing as his fist sails toward the nearest target. Whether it’s from Teryn’s attempted enchantment, Byldeth’s stumbling lie, or just his own pent-up aggression, the man has reached his limit.
From the doorway, his companion—the one who had hesitated before—winces, eyes darting to the side as if weighing the consequences. There’s a flicker of regret there, but it vanishes quickly as he raises his weapon, already drawn.
Just then—A swift figure moves through the alleys beyond. Ellanise emerges from the distant shadows just in time as the first punch is thrown, her breath still steady from the chase, barely processing the scene before her. Tension crackles in the air like a coming storm.
The fight has begun.
(Everyone please roll initiative)
The large guard out front: 21
The guard posted behind the door: 14
DM : The Shade Over Runewarren | Vaelen Gravesong : Shadow of Eternal Night
"Fear is the weight we carry, love is the treasure we bury."
Teryn initiative: 9 ((I would think Teryn is the closest to the big guy, unfortunately))
A quiet sigh escapes the elf's lips, just the faintest breath of irritation before instinct takes over and he reaches for his arcane focus. He never wants violence. It is messy, undignified, unpredictable. But some people, it seems, refuse to be reasoned with. And so be it.
Rowan initiative 20
Rowan spots the way the brute's shoulders coil, the same telltale tension he's seen in too many bar brawls and there’s no mistaking that explosive lunge. Letting out a low hiss through clenched teeth, he grips his dagger in a reverse hold, eyes flashing with that barely checked fury he tries so hard to keep under wraps. No sowing seeds or calm talk now; the harvest has come, and it’s likely to be brutal.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Byldeth init: 9
The dwarf will quickly prepare his shield and longsword, ready to block the brute's blow. "You will rerget this!"
Initiative: 15
Ellanise thinks, 'It seems I'm not the only one getting into trouble tonight.'
Initiative (rolled on campaign log): 23
The evening air turns thick with tension as the burly guard lunges forward, his massive fist swinging with bone-cracking force. For all his brutish aggression, his attack lacks the finesse of a trained fighter—this is a man who relies on sheer power to overwhelm his enemies.
Käinen, who had been half a breath away from talking the situation down, immediately shifts his stance, muscles coiling like a panther ready to strike. The goliath is already moving, faster than the enforcer expects.
From the open warehouse door, the other guard hesitates, his fingers gripping the handle of a sword at his belt. His eyes flick between his raging companion and the group before him, jaw tightening. There’s caution in his expression—uncertainty. But even that won't stop him from drawing steel.
Rowan’s eyes dart instinctively, taking in the surroundings—where the best cover is, how much space he has to move.
Beyond the fray, Ellanise skids to a halt, arriving just in time to see the moment explode into action. She’s about forty feet away, her chest still rising and falling from her narrow escape in the alleys. The tension in the air is palpable, electric, like the moment just before steel meets steel.
Teryn and Byldeth stand braced, moments away from diving into the fight.
The dockside wind kicks up a swirl of dust and salt, the last light of the sun casting long shadows against the weathered planks of the pier. Nearby, a dockhand who had been watching from a distance quickly vanishes into the night, unwilling to be caught in the middle of whatever’s about to unfold.
The fight has begun.
Initiative Order:
Käinen – 23
Large Guard – 21
Rowan – 20
Ellanise – 15
Door Guard – 14
Teryn & Byldeth – 9 (first come first serve)
DM : The Shade Over Runewarren | Vaelen Gravesong : Shadow of Eternal Night
"Fear is the weight we carry, love is the treasure we bury."
I'll go ahead and post my turn so that I don't hold up combat ...
Ellanise draws her crossbow, quickly loads a bolt, and fires at the big brute. Dropping her crossbow, the elf dashes at the door guard. "If you run, I'll let you go," she says once she is beside the man.
Attack: 13; damage: 8 piercing damage — If it hits: Slow. If you hit a creature with a Light Crossbow and deal damage to the creature, you can reduce its Speed by 10 ft. until the start of your next turn. If the creature is hit more than once with this property, the Speed reduction doesn’t exceed 10 ft.
Bonus: dash
Movement up to 60 feet to get within melee of the door guard
For a moment, a brief moment, he thought things were solved. The three of them would get out of sight, Byleth, taken by a soldier would be able to get away leaving a stern warn to avoid unnecessary fights. They would meet then be met by Ellanise. The runaway was the clue to follow. All hope disappeared when the brute shouted. His body moved into fighting position with the speed of his reflexes and from a proper base he moved forward. One, two steps. Large, pushing against the ground, launching him before the enemy in less than a second. A speed few would expect of someone his size.
At the end of the second he pivoted on the feet, turning hips and shoulders toward the human. He brought his back knee up in front of his body and extended the right leg but not towards the enemy. Rather, Käinen aimed for besides the head and tried hooking the back of his leg on the man’s neck. Tried to pull him dawn in a grapple.
His hand weren’t idle either – they pulled a chain. If everything went right the brute would be tied and they would be able to make short work of the man with the crossbow. Better yet, they would have two prisoners to interrogate.
Notes: Thanks to his Martial Arts monk class feature, Käinen spends his bonus action to make an Unarmed Strike with the grapple option, using his Dexterity modifier instead of strength to determine the grapple DC (as per Dexterous Attaks sub-feature). The brute needs to make a Dexterity or Strenght (his choice) saving throw DC 15 (8 + 5 from Käinen's Dex mod + 2 from Kainën's Proficiency Bonus) or be grappled. Käinen use of his action will depends on the result of the save.
Käinen strikes like a coiled viper, his movements a blur of trained efficiency. His leg whips around, aiming to lock around the enforcer’s thick neck and twist him off balance, setting him up for the next strike. The moment hangs for a split second—Then the brute shifts his stance, sheer brute strength overpowering technique.
(The large guard rolls a 19 Strength Saving Throw)
With a snarl, he rips free from the attempted hold, jerking his head away with force enough to break lesser men. Käinen’s grip slips. His balance remains perfect, but the larger man is now fully aware that he is the immediate threat. The big man’s fists tighten, and his teeth bare in an ugly sneer. His focus, once divided, now hones in entirely on Käinen.
"Oh, you wanna dance?" he growls, the veins in his neck pulsing with the rush of aggression. "Fine. Let’s dance."
His stance shifts, no longer just throwing reckless punches—he’s taking Käinen seriously now.
DM : The Shade Over Runewarren | Vaelen Gravesong : Shadow of Eternal Night
"Fear is the weight we carry, love is the treasure we bury."
His face was a mask of blood and flesh, frozen in a neutral expression as his eyes carried nothing but focus. His first answer to the brute’s provocation was silence. Spellcasters rarely made for sturdy warriors, his masters had taught him, so the simple fact that Teryn was no longer in focus felt akin to a small victory. While moving, Käinen had also noticed Ellanise’s arrival. It was almost like his lie, that guards laid hidden and ready to ambush, was becoming true.
Hoping the others would focus on the man with the crossbow he contract his leg and standing in a single feet, as if it was the easiest thing to do, in a fraction of a second, he released another kick. Part of him was tempted to make it a normal attack. If the enemy was to hard to grapple then knocking him out was the next best thing. Unless they wanted to resort to murder. Given the context it was highly unlikely any of the guards were decent men but the same could be said of the goliath. He was given a second chance, they should too. And so he tried pulling the neck of his opened in another grapple. Someone else could take the chain from his hand and use it to tie the human. If things go right.
Notes: Käinen spends his action to make an unarmed attack with the grappling option. Strenght save DC 15.
The enforcer is still riding the high of breaking free from Käinen’s first attempt, his focus narrowed into pure aggression. His stance is solid, his shoulders squared—he’s ready to pummel the goliath into the planks of the pier, but he’s not ready for what happens next.
Käinen moves with the fluidity of a practiced fighter, shifting his weight onto one foot as if gravity barely holds claim to him. His leg whips out, in a sudden, precise hook—latching onto the brute’s thick neck like a coiled snake. The shift happens too fast for the man to adjust. One second, he’s gearing up for a devastating swing—the next, his entire world flips.
His arms flail, the sheer size of him working against him now. He overcorrects trying to keep his balance, his boots slipping against the uneven wooden planks of the dock. For a moment, it’s almost comical—like watching a bull attempt to walk on ice. Then, his knees buckle as he topples backward with an ungainly THUD, crashing hard onto the dock. A few onlookers actually flinch at the sound, as if the sheer impact of his back meeting the boards knocked the wind out of them, too. A puff of dust kicks up from the old wood beneath him. His head bounces slightly, his skull connecting with the pier with a dull crack.
For a single, stunned moment, he just lies there, his massive limbs sprawled out, blinking at the sky like his own body just betrayed him. It takes him a few seconds to process that he’s been thoroughly manhandled.
The Large Guard's save for the second grapple: 5
A guttural growl rumbles from the enforcer’s throat as he thrashes against Käinen’s hold, muscles straining beneath the goliath’s grip. His boots scuff against the dock, grinding against the wood as he plants himself and tries to wrench free. For a brief moment, it almost looks like he might force Käinen’s hold apart.
But then—the leverage isn’t there. Käinen’s grip holds firm, unyielding.
The big man snarls in frustration, breath heaving as he shifts his stance, planting his feet just enough to force himself upright, but he remains locked in Käinen’s grip. "Ghhn—Let go of me, you godsdamned—!" He cuts himself off, jaw clenched so tight it looks like his teeth might crack under the pressure. His body tenses again, preparing to try and break free on the next opening, but for now, he’s still locked down.
The tide of battle continues to shift in your favor. The other guard at the door visibly appears to be reconsidering his choices. His hand lingers near his weapon, but his stance is more defensive than aggressive.
DM : The Shade Over Runewarren | Vaelen Gravesong : Shadow of Eternal Night
"Fear is the weight we carry, love is the treasure we bury."
Rowan springs into action, darting over to Käinen’s side and grabbing hold of the dangling chain. “Alright, big fella—let’s keep you from toppin’ the cart again,” he mutters under his breath, wrapping it around the brute’s broad wrists with firm, practiced movements. Satisfied the man’s pinned, Rowan straightens, dagger in hand as he turns toward the crossbowman, who’s still lingering in the doorway. “Look, friend,” he begins, lifting the blade just enough to show he means business, “we only came to harvest a few answers here, not burn the whole field. No need for thumbs to go flyin’, if you catch my drift. How ’bout we all just sit down a spell and talk this over? Nobody’s gotta lose their head—or their patience.” He tilts the dagger, a half-warning, half-invitation. “You mind droppin’ that bow so we can swap a few words without paintin’ the docks red? Then we'll be gone and you might just as well never hear from us again.”
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
The clank of iron links fills the air as Rowan deftly loops the chain around the enforcer’s thick wrists, tightening the bind with practiced ease. The big man thrashes, but Käinen’s hold keeps him locked down, and Rowan’s knots hold firm. The enforcer lets out a furious growl, muscles straining, but the cold bite of steel against his skin tells him the fight is slipping from his hands. He tries to yank free, but the combined force of Käinen’s grip and Rowan’s binding holds him tight.
Satisfied with the restraint, Rowan straightens, flipping his dagger into a ready grip, his sharp eyes settling on the crossbowman in the doorway. The leaner guard’s jaw tightens, his grip still hovering near his weapon. His eyes flick between Rowan, the chained enforcer, and the rapidly deteriorating situation.
The crossbowman swallows hard but doesn’t lower his weapon yet. His fingers twitch, but Rowan keeps pressing. There’s hesitation now, a moment of indecision. The door guard’s posture tightens, but something in Rowan’s easy drawl makes him reconsider his odds.
From the alley’s edge, Ellanise emerges at a full sprint. Her crossbow snaps up in a blur of movement, the bolt whistling through the air—THUNK. It clatters harmlessly off the warehouse wall beside the brute’s shoulder, missing him by inches. Without missing a beat, Ellanise ditches the crossbow, her boots pounding against the wooden dock as she closes the gap between herself and the door guard in a flash of motion. The door guard stiffens.
His fingers twitch over his crossbow. He looks at the massive, bound enforcer struggling against the chains, he looks at Rowan’s dagger, poised but unhurried, looks at Ellanise, who just sprinted up to him with the confidence of someone who fully expects to chase him down if he tries anything.
The color drains slightly from his face.
The doorman’s breath is shallow, his eyes flickering between Rowan’s dagger, Ellanise’s poised stance, and the bound enforcer still straining against the chains. His grip tightens around his crossbow, knuckles whitening, sweat beading at his temple. For a heartbeat, it looks like he might make a last stand. Then, with a sharp exhale through his nose, he releases his grip on the crossbow and lets it drop. The weapon clatters against the dock with a dull, hollow sound.
"Tch. This ain’t worth dyin’ over."
He takes one step back. Then another. His body remains coiled, his expression hard with frustration, but his instincts tell him the fight is lost. His eyes linger on the bound enforcer. There’s a flicker of something there—resentment? Relief? A mix of both?
He mutters something under his breathe, "I don’t know what you lot want, but I sure as hell don’t get paid enough to die over it."
With that, he turns on his heel and bolts. Boots pounding against the wooden dock, he makes a break for the alley, slipping into the growing darkness.
(The Door Guard drops their weapon, takes the Dash action, and sprints 60ft in the opposite direction. If Rowan or Ellanise would care to make an Attack of Opportunity, you are free to do so, it is up to you if you want to or not.)
DM : The Shade Over Runewarren | Vaelen Gravesong : Shadow of Eternal Night
"Fear is the weight we carry, love is the treasure we bury."
Rowan sees the door guard spin to bolt. “Whoa now,” he mutters, stepping in swiftly and reaching out to snatch the man’s sleeve before he can vanish into the gloom. With his dagger clenched in the other hand, Rowan aims to anchor the guard in place, desperate to keep one of their best leads from slipping through his fingers.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Teryn mists out of existence for a moment before reappearing between the chained up thug and the one who'd attempted to flee. The teleport is needless, but bolstering in case they run into more trouble. He hums a little melody as he tries casting sleep on both guards. If successful, he turns to the others and motions to them to drag the two into the warehouse to question them out of sight.
Bonus Action: Misty Step, Refreshing Step Subclass Feature on self for +8 temp HP
Action: Sleep on guards (DC 15 Wis)
The door guard barely makes it three steps before Rowan’s grip snatches the sleeve of his coat. The movement is quick, precise, practiced. The guard jerks instinctively, trying to yank free, but Rowan’s hold is ironclad. His fingers tighten, planting the man in place like a deep-rooted oak.
The guard curses under his breath, twisting in Rowan’s grip, but his momentum is gone, his escape cut short.
A breath later, the air around them shimmers. Teryn’s form distorts, his body momentarily dissolving into wisps of dark mist before reforming between the restrained brute and the struggling guard. He isn’t rushed—only controlled, almost languid, as if he’s already confident in how this ends. A lilting melody escapes his lips, too soft to be a true song, too rhythmic to be ordinary speech. Magic weaves through the air.
The large enforcer’s struggles falter. His body slackens, breath hitching once, twice—then stills. The tension in his massive shoulders drains away, and with a heavy exhale, he slumps forward, his chin hitting his chest, slumping into the chains with a heavy thud. Asleep.
Teryn barely spares him a glance before turning to the others, one silver eye flicking toward the warehouse door.
DM : The Shade Over Runewarren | Vaelen Gravesong : Shadow of Eternal Night
"Fear is the weight we carry, love is the treasure we bury."
"No fair! You got all the hard parts and left the easiest for me!" The dwarf huffed, rushing towards the remaining guard and Punching him ( 17 to hit) Dealing 5 dmg. He did not want to actually harm the guard, as he lacked a proper weapon to deal non-lethal attacks, seeing that he was just doing his job, so he wished the punch would be enough to drop him unconscious. "Stop squirming!
Ellanise can't help but chuckle. These four gentlemen are funny. As the dwarf steps up to clock the door guard, the female elf walks back to pick up her crossbow. Walking back, she says with a smile, "Tell me you at least got some information out of these guys before you started punching."
Teryn gives Ellanise and the others an apologetic smile, running a hand through his long blond hair as if smoothing away the last remnants of his miscalculation. “Ah...well, you see, I may have attempted to expedite matters with a spell,” he admits, his tone light despite the lingering tension in the air. “Turns out our dear friend here has a stronger will than I anticipated. He wasn’t too pleased about it.” He gestures vaguely toward the downed brute before glancing at the others with a sheepish shrug.