Barty's "Tyranny In Phlan" (DDEX1-10)

Mirroring Ector's maneuver, Hildigrim drops his bow and runs forward. His hands draw his rapier, and he aims for their attacker, his face narrowing in concentration. His tiny feet make almost imperceptible splashes as he run through the spillway. As he nears, he draws back his elbow. Once in range, he prepares to leap at her and thrust his weapon forward. Unfortunately, his steps may have been louder than he thought ...

Attack: 9

As his attack is parried expertly, he calls over his shoulder, "Carl, hit her now and hit her hard! The Lord Regent needs you!"

Help action to Carl if he attacks Ixusaxa.

Carl nods to Hildigrim and targets the wyvern, striking initially but not with as much force as he would like.  "I'm tryin, I'm tryin!"

Eldritch blast beam 1, at adv : 24 to hit, for 6 points of force damage to Ixusaxa.  

Eldritch blast beam 2 : (Nat 1) : 8 to hit... 

DM Screen:

Ixusaxa Terrorsong stands confidently, the bottom of her purple robes floating in the still waters of the spillway as she watches Auriel's furious approach with her cocky smile still etched on her face. Her hand comes up to meet the Eladrin's halberd mid-swing, and a somatic should brings another glowing, arcane shield around her like a protective globe - until the force of the halberd shatters it amid a burst of sparks. Auriel sees the look on her face changing as he pulls the halberd to the side, replaced by a look of pure instinct as the mage finds herself suddenly on the defensive, gasping as the blade digs into her hand. What's left of her arcane shield deflects a pair of arrows from Hex and Hildigrim's blade, but one of Carlthuzad's blasts punches its way through, sending her spinning in the air to land on her side on the water's edge.

"Grrrrahhh!!" she pushes herself to her knees, her hair now wet and stuck to her face as she offers a visceral stare. "This changes nothing! You've lost!" she shouts, before dissipating into a fine mist with another arcane shout.

There are tense moments that follow, as you scan for any sign of the mage's return. The Lord Regent collapses to a knee, his breathing labored from the extent of the wounds caused by Ixusaxa's magic missiles.

OOC: Each character has received 1,150 XP for turning away Ixusaxa Terrorsong and defeating her wyvern!

Hildigrim sheathes his rapier and hurries to retrieve his bow. "We must hurry," he says in a loud whisper. "Before someone or something else arrives."

The halfling turns toward the tunnel, intent on reassuring those who had retreated into its darkness.

"Hex, Auriel," he calls over his shoulder, "help the Lord Reg—" The words die in his throat. His eyes finally settle on Auriel. "Hainard's hairy toes."

Abandoning his course, Hildigrim splashes back through the water to the elf's side. He fumbles a small vial from his belt and thrusts it toward him. "Drink this." The command is sharper than usual. "We need you standing. Then help the Lord Regent. I'll gather the others."

He waits only long enough to place the potion into Auriel's hand before turning away once more. The refugees come first.

High-stepping through the shallow water, Hildigrim hurries back toward the tunnel entrance. "It's clear!" he calls into the darkness. "The rider is dead! Keep moving — we don't know how long we have."

Carl looks to the others quickly, “Should I take to the air quickly to find him?  To end him?  Don’t know if I can spot him… guess we’ve got to get moving.  He just vanished into thin air, he’s gotta be somewhere nearby..”. 

"...No, we haven't," Auriel mutters in reply to the now-absent Ixusaxa Terrorsong.

With the mage gone and the Lord Regent alive, a wave of exhaustion threatens to overwhelm the paladin. He has to lean on his halberd, its butt planted firmly in the ground, just to remain standing.

When Hildigrim offers him the small vial Auriel gave him not that long ago, the paladin smiles slightly and raises a hand toward it. For a moment, it seems he is about to accept it, but in the end he changes his mind and gently pushes the offering back.

"Keep it. We have few resources left, and we may need it later."

He gives the halfling a tired nod of appreciation before making his way over to Ector Brahms.

"If I may," he says politely, though he does not truly wait for an answer before placing a hand on the Lord Regent's shoulder. A spark of divine light follows, mending some of the man's wounds. Not all that healing he needs, but enough to help him remain on his feet until he can finally rest. (OOC: 5 points of Lay on Hands on Ector Brahms.)

With that done, Auriel steps aside and repeats the gesture on himself, pressing a hand to his chest. He is still badly injured, but the pain eases slightly, and the warmth of Tyr's blessing will help him move forward. (ooc: 2 points of Lay on Hands on himself.)

When Carl asks whether they should pursue Ixusaxa, Auriel does not immediately answer. Perhaps it is for the best that the mage has fled. Perhaps they will have to face her again in the future. Whatever Carl decides, Auriel remains alert, watching for any sign of the Wearer of Purple.