As it wasn't often Zashier focused so much on breathing through his nose, there are few times the strain of lifting left him reflexively trying to draw breath as usual; only to catch a good lungful of smoke. Only by sheer force of will and through Agrit's help does he maintain grip long enough to recover and reaffirm the hold. "Just... one more... we can do this." He strains to sputter out past the urge to cough.
"Hang in there, gals." He adds, uncertain of which women if not all our just in bad a state as he, before then marshaling almost every bit of strength left to move the beam. As soon as Thistle gave the signal of having Sara free, Zashier held on for a few added seconds just in case. After which, he only just barely sputter out words encouraging everyone to flee the building with him trailing somewhat behind. If it looked to be needed, he would pick up Sara wholesale in a fireman's carry to ensure everyone got out swiftly to whatever else awaited outside!
Action: Zashier totally lifts, bro.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Yokini screams a colorful word describing the predicament she's found herself in as she falls through space previously occupied by her mount and lands on the hard earth. She rolls backward, still mumbling expletives. Getting to her small feet, she growls, "I'm a doctor, not an adventurer." She steps back five feet while the fingers of her ungloved hand flip a switch on her gadget glove. A cloud of phosphorescent blue embers are expelled toward the orcs, attempting to cling to the creatures. Without waiting to see if her trick worked, she steps back another five feet and yells through the doorway, "We need some help out here!"
Faerie fire in a 20-foot cube to catch all but the far right orc (four total), DC14 DEX save.
Lem also barely keeps his feet as he falls through a vacuum, grimacing at the sound of Yokini dropping like a sack of potatoes. He smiles a bit when she scoots out of the way and the cloud flies through the air toward the orcs.
"Not sure if any of you lot remember the 6th mage cadre, but if not, this might jog your memory"he says through gritted teeth, stepping forward five feet to the west, closer to the orcs. He tries to get within 15 feet of the orcs, and 15 feet away from Yokini...
He opens the palm of his mechanical hand, raises it in an arc down to the ground and it slams, hard, into the dirt, releasing a percussive spherical blast of thunder that radiates out from the small wizard.
thunderwave for 13 thunder damage on a failed CON 15 save, and is pushed 10 feet away (half damage on a success and no push).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Round 2
Back inside the house
Zashier, through sheer force of will and his brute strength, along with Agrit, whose strength could only have come from true love, manage to hoist the beam up high enough for Thistle to pull Sara out from under the beam, her limp form offering very little resistance.
Zashier, seeing the unconscious Sara, hoists her up into a firemans carry (both of your hands are now full) and makes a dash for the exit, with Thistle helping Agrit out of the house.
The three of you stand there, just outside the door, gasping for breath...and its then that you notice the 5 orcs, three of whom are on fire.
Speaking of fire, that magical fire deals another 5 fire damage to each of those orcs.
Yokini, you remember that this was an alchemical creation of that kobold (Alche-bold?) and was intended for you. You now see just how much damage it could have done to you and your friends.
Those three orcs, realizing that the fire is not normal and will only get worse, spend their action putting the fire out - patting themselves, and then each other, trying to extinguish this magical flame.
The other two move to attack, one against Lem, the other against Yokini.
Against Yokini: 23
Against Lem: 14
Yokini, the orc with the glaive connects with you as you are standing up, slicing at you for 4 Slashing damage. You cast fairie fire, trying to get as many orcs as possible in the affected area.
DEX save, DC 14 - 9131514
Three of the orcs, including the one who just attacked you, take on this bright glow (Yokini, what color would you prefer it to take?)
Lem, the orc in front of you swings down with a powerful blow from his greatsword for 5 slashing damage. Feeling his slash, and seeing the other attack your friend, you raise your arms high and smash them into the ground (not spherical, per our discussion on Discord) causing a massive thunderwave to sweep through your opponents in front of you. (I think no matter where you position yourself, a 15 foot cube would only hit three orcs. I will say it is the ones closest to you. If you intended something else, let me know.)
CON save, DC 15 - 1568
The one directly in front of you manages to maintain his footing (and only take half damage) but the two in the middle - their legs give way, and they crumple to the ground in a heap. They dont look like they are moving or breathing...that thunderwave was just enough to bring them down...and push their corpses 10 feet away.
End of round 2, begin round 3
Zashier (arms are full, still suffering from one level of exhaustion until this fight is over) Thistle (suffering from one level of exhaustion until this fight is over) Yokini Lem
Three orcs left....if you attack the two that are lit up, you will have advantage
As the scene unfolds before him, a torn Zashier spends the first few moments looking back and forth between the combat and Sara, before finally nodding in silent acceptance of a course. Elephantine hand glows faintly as Sarah is lowered carefully to the ground at the base of the building to the south, restoring at least some of her vitality. If that's not enough to rouse her to reality, he adds to Agrit, "I've done all I can, sorry to say. Rest is up to you.."
Without waiting long for a response, he then made his way over next to Lem, giving the Orc the most sternest of stare downs along the way.
Action: Lay on Hands, 5 hp to Sara.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
On the last turn, Lem uses his reaction to cast shield, causing the greataxe to deflect against a momentary pulse of energy.
Lem scrambles to his feet, looks up, and points at the (I presume damaged?) orc in front of him, and a ringing sound suddenly vibrates around its head.
Action: cast toll the dead for 2 necrotic damage on a failed WIS 15 saving throw.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zashier moves to the southern building, and gently lays Sara down, imparting some healing on her, though it is not enough to wake her up. Agrit moves with him, and stays with Sara. As Zashier moves to stand next to Lem, offering his menacing presence, he hears the Agrit calling out thanks to Zashier for saving Sara, and also calling on the name of Pelor to grant life and show mercy.
The furthest away orc, seeing his friends engaged in combat, and now seeing new foes enter the fray, will drop his weapon and grab a javolin off his back, and heaves at at Thistle. (to hit - 18) The javolin flies over Yokinis head, and hits Thistle in the shoulder for 8 damage.
The orc next to Lem and Zashier raises his sword to swing at Lem, but as he gets his sword over his head, he drops his sword and grabs his ears as the sound of bells erupt inside his head. He holds his ears, which are now bleeding profusely, as he drops to his knees, and falls over, dead (he had exactly 10 hp left. Nice rolling!).
Thisle, more annoyed than hurt at the javolin's glancing blow fires an arrow back at the javolin weilding orc (going to shift your attack since Lem killed his assailant). Your arrow strikes true, hitting the orc in the face, and bringing him down as well.
The other orc, in melee with Yokini, swings his glaive yet again (17), but Yokini dodges his attack, blows her hair out of her face, then swings her dagger at the orc, in a life-ending way, and the orc goes down in a heap.
Out of combat, You are victorious. 5 dead orcs, and you saved Agrit and Sara.
Zashier and Thistle, you are no longer suffering from exhaustion, and you can breathe easier.
As you all catch your breath, the house collapses in flame and rubble.
Turning from the scene, you see hellfire and stone, and you hear the sound of beating war drums, and way off in the distance you see the shape of a creature you dont think you have ever seen before.
Putting her bow away, and wincing from the javelin, Thistle approaches Zashier, looking at the approaching shape in the dark and smoke. "Light the last beacon, or tackle that thing? Can we do both?" she asks of the paladin.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Lem catches his breath, nods at Sara and Agrit, and says, "should they ride this beast back to the healers?" His eyes look to the large figure in the distance, and where he assumes the beacon to be, trying to calculate pathways forward. Wondering if Fallcrest can be saved. Has he heard other melee around him from other orcs? Are the raiders seemingly small in number, relying on surprise and shock and perhaps one or two large siege engine type creatures? Or does this feel like an army sacking and taking a city...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zashier balled his hand into a fist seeing the unknown creature in the distance. Just as before, it looked as if any moment the elephantine man might charge off after the bigger target. And yet...
"... The beacon."He says softly, relaxing his hand. "We have to keep for the beacon. Make sure all are truly rallied, as much as it pains us, which I'm sure it does. If Romero was here... he'd speak the same." He draws the healer's sword, and squeezing his eyes shut trying to remember Lem's attempt at instruction, only to remember the dwarf's attempt at knighting himself instead, he motions Agrit aside to do the motion over Sara's shoulder with hope in his heart. "It must come first, what with the all ensuing darkness 'n all that. Plus, if they wish to keep us confused, more than likely they'll come to those." He added.
Though even as he spoke, he held on to hope there may have been something to Lem's words about it being made for him. Granted, he still hadn't order such a sword, and it had been there for a while. And he wasn't so devout as to believe himself to be all that special, but...he held onto the sword did its magic. And if it worked on Sara and hopefully helped her come around, he'd do the same for Yokini once she was done searching bodies. "That way-..." he directs with the sword. "Are the barricades. Might be hard going, as you probably figured, but I trust you two can make your way there now if'n your careful. As for the rest-..."He turns to the group, sheathing the sword in favor of the glowing axe. Let's get to that beacon. Together." Zashier then sets the pace for their rush to the next destination.
---> Healer's Sword for Sara: 4 HP restored. --->Healer's Sword for Yokini: 7 HP restored. (4 of 6 charges remaining)
ALTHOUGH, if the war drumming happened to be coming from the SAME direction as the beacon is supposed to be, then Zashier would have less qualms making that slight detour along the way.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The sounds of war are all around you, and they ebb and flow, rise and fall with the tide of war. The drums are beating and echoing off the houses. More flaming projectiles are still flying into the city at odd intervals. You are not sure, but you havent seen a flood of orcs into the city, so the townsfolk and the city watch must be keeping them at bay at the walls. Some orcs are getting through, you know that based on those you just faught, but you dont know how many more await you in the city as you make your way through the buildings and alleys. You dont know how long the town can hold; darkness continues to fall on Fallcrest, and night is coming. That last beacon needs to be lit.
Zashier heals Sara and Yokini with his healing sword, and sends Sara and Agrit off to the barricade for help before getting ready to move further into the city, towards the beacon and the unknown terror that awaits.
The stench of death hangs over this small square in Fallcrest's lower quarter. Bodies of all kinds—orcs and humans, men and women, children and the elderly—lie scattered across the cobblestones where they fell. Veins of watery blood crawl from the base of the well in the center of the square, spreading from the limp body of a slain Fallcrestian guard draped over the side of the well. A rare moment of silence on the battlefield accentuates the sounds of crackling flames in the distance and the steady, hollow drip of blood into the well.
As you move through lower Fallcrest, you see up ahead (about 60 feet away) a cluster of homes, and out front is a crude cart. Not all that unusual, but Thistle you notice something:
For Thistle:
With your keep perception, you can see orcs in the houses, looting them, scavenging these buildings.
Closer to you, you see a tavern, called The Killing Ground, and out front is a staggering orc, pulling his pants up as if he just relieved himself in front ofthe bar. (about 25 feet away). He sees the four of you, and calls out "You. Look at you! You useless F***s! Good luck saving your s****y town! ahhhh hahaha" his words are slurring together, as if he has already helped himself to the drinks that were behind the counter.
As it wasn't often Zashier focused so much on breathing through his nose, there are few times the strain of lifting left him reflexively trying to draw breath as usual; only to catch a good lungful of smoke. Only by sheer force of will and through Agrit's help does he maintain grip long enough to recover and reaffirm the hold. "Just... one more... we can do this." He strains to sputter out past the urge to cough.
"Hang in there, gals." He adds, uncertain of which women if not all our just in bad a state as he, before then marshaling almost every bit of strength left to move the beam. As soon as Thistle gave the signal of having Sara free, Zashier held on for a few added seconds just in case. After which, he only just barely sputter out words encouraging everyone to flee the building with him trailing somewhat behind. If it looked to be needed, he would pick up Sara wholesale in a fireman's carry to ensure everyone got out swiftly to whatever else awaited outside!
Action: Zashier totally lifts, bro.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Coughing from the smoke, Thistle drags Sara free of the beam (with Agrit’s help) and tries to get her to stand, moving towards the entrance.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
The first image is just to give scale and scope, second is zoomed in to your area. No tokens for Sara and Agrit yet. I will add them after this round.
Keep in mind, it is dark. I didnt make the map dark, because then you couldnt see anything...but it is dark, and everything is glowing by firelight.
Yokini screams a colorful word describing the predicament she's found herself in as she falls through space previously occupied by her mount and lands on the hard earth. She rolls backward, still mumbling expletives. Getting to her small feet, she growls, "I'm a doctor, not an adventurer." She steps back five feet while the fingers of her ungloved hand flip a switch on her gadget glove. A cloud of phosphorescent blue embers are expelled toward the orcs, attempting to cling to the creatures. Without waiting to see if her trick worked, she steps back another five feet and yells through the doorway, "We need some help out here!"
Faerie fire in a 20-foot cube to catch all but the far right orc (four total), DC14 DEX save.
Lem also barely keeps his feet as he falls through a vacuum, grimacing at the sound of Yokini dropping like a sack of potatoes. He smiles a bit when she scoots out of the way and the cloud flies through the air toward the orcs.
"Not sure if any of you lot remember the 6th mage cadre, but if not, this might jog your memory" he says through gritted teeth, stepping forward five feet to the west, closer to the orcs. He tries to get within 15 feet of the orcs, and 15 feet away from Yokini...
He opens the palm of his mechanical hand, raises it in an arc down to the ground and it slams, hard, into the dirt, releasing a percussive spherical blast of thunder that radiates out from the small wizard.
thunderwave for 13 thunder damage on a failed CON 15 save, and is pushed 10 feet away (half damage on a success and no push).
Round 2
Back inside the house
Zashier, through sheer force of will and his brute strength, along with Agrit, whose strength could only have come from true love, manage to hoist the beam up high enough for Thistle to pull Sara out from under the beam, her limp form offering very little resistance.
Zashier, seeing the unconscious Sara, hoists her up into a firemans carry (both of your hands are now full) and makes a dash for the exit, with Thistle helping Agrit out of the house.
The three of you stand there, just outside the door, gasping for breath...and its then that you notice the 5 orcs, three of whom are on fire.
Speaking of fire, that magical fire deals another 5 fire damage to each of those orcs.
Yokini, you remember that this was an alchemical creation of that kobold (Alche-bold?) and was intended for you. You now see just how much damage it could have done to you and your friends.
Those three orcs, realizing that the fire is not normal and will only get worse, spend their action putting the fire out - patting themselves, and then each other, trying to extinguish this magical flame.
The other two move to attack, one against Lem, the other against Yokini.
Against Yokini: 23
Against Lem: 14
Yokini, the orc with the glaive connects with you as you are standing up, slicing at you for 4 Slashing damage. You cast fairie fire, trying to get as many orcs as possible in the affected area.
DEX save, DC 14 - 9 13 15 14
Three of the orcs, including the one who just attacked you, take on this bright glow (Yokini, what color would you prefer it to take?)
Lem, the orc in front of you swings down with a powerful blow from his greatsword for 5 slashing damage. Feeling his slash, and seeing the other attack your friend, you raise your arms high and smash them into the ground (not spherical, per our discussion on Discord) causing a massive thunderwave to sweep through your opponents in front of you. (I think no matter where you position yourself, a 15 foot cube would only hit three orcs. I will say it is the ones closest to you. If you intended something else, let me know.)
CON save, DC 15 - 15 6 8
The one directly in front of you manages to maintain his footing (and only take half damage) but the two in the middle - their legs give way, and they crumple to the ground in a heap. They dont look like they are moving or breathing...that thunderwave was just enough to bring them down...and push their corpses 10 feet away.
End of round 2, begin round 3
Zashier (arms are full, still suffering from one level of exhaustion until this fight is over)
Thistle (suffering from one level of exhaustion until this fight is over)
Yokini
Lem
Three orcs left....if you attack the two that are lit up, you will have advantage
Map coming soon.
Thistle will let Agrit take Sara’s full weight, and in one swift, practiced move, she unlimbers her strung shortbow and nocks an arrow.
Note: shieldless AC is 17. Also sneak attack is normal rogue since orc is engaged with Lem within 5’
Action: attack Lem’s orc with shortbow and sneak dmg added! 24 to hit, for 13
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
They're blue!
Yokini blows her hair out of her face as she draws her dagger, looking angry. She swings her blade at the glowing orc before her.
Attack: 7+1 Damage: 4
(Da-ba-de-dab-bi-de~)
As the scene unfolds before him, a torn Zashier spends the first few moments looking back and forth between the combat and Sara, before finally nodding in silent acceptance of a course. Elephantine hand glows faintly as Sarah is lowered carefully to the ground at the base of the building to the south, restoring at least some of her vitality. If that's not enough to rouse her to reality, he adds to Agrit, "I've done all I can, sorry to say. Rest is up to you.."
Without waiting long for a response, he then made his way over next to Lem, giving the Orc the most sternest of stare downs along the way.
Action: Lay on Hands, 5 hp to Sara.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
On the last turn, Lem uses his reaction to cast shield, causing the greataxe to deflect against a momentary pulse of energy.
Lem scrambles to his feet, looks up, and points at the (I presume damaged?) orc in front of him, and a ringing sound suddenly vibrates around its head.
Action: cast toll the dead for 2 necrotic damage on a failed WIS 15 saving throw.
Zashier moves to the southern building, and gently lays Sara down, imparting some healing on her, though it is not enough to wake her up. Agrit moves with him, and stays with Sara. As Zashier moves to stand next to Lem, offering his menacing presence, he hears the Agrit calling out thanks to Zashier for saving Sara, and also calling on the name of Pelor to grant life and show mercy.
The furthest away orc, seeing his friends engaged in combat, and now seeing new foes enter the fray, will drop his weapon and grab a javolin off his back, and heaves at at Thistle. (to hit - 18) The javolin flies over Yokinis head, and hits Thistle in the shoulder for 8 damage.
The orc next to Lem and Zashier raises his sword to swing at Lem, but as he gets his sword over his head, he drops his sword and grabs his ears as the sound of bells erupt inside his head. He holds his ears, which are now bleeding profusely, as he drops to his knees, and falls over, dead (he had exactly 10 hp left. Nice rolling!).
Thisle, more annoyed than hurt at the javolin's glancing blow fires an arrow back at the javolin weilding orc (going to shift your attack since Lem killed his assailant). Your arrow strikes true, hitting the orc in the face, and bringing him down as well.
The other orc, in melee with Yokini, swings his glaive yet again (17), but Yokini dodges his attack, blows her hair out of her face, then swings her dagger at the orc, in a life-ending way, and the orc goes down in a heap.
Out of combat, You are victorious. 5 dead orcs, and you saved Agrit and Sara.
Zashier and Thistle, you are no longer suffering from exhaustion, and you can breathe easier.
As you all catch your breath, the house collapses in flame and rubble.
Turning from the scene, you see hellfire and stone, and you hear the sound of beating war drums, and way off in the distance you see the shape of a creature you dont think you have ever seen before.
Just in case, Yokini quickly searches the orc bodies for any alchemical treasure as her potion of boldness wears off.
Putting her bow away, and wincing from the javelin, Thistle approaches Zashier, looking at the approaching shape in the dark and smoke. "Light the last beacon, or tackle that thing? Can we do both?" she asks of the paladin.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Lem catches his breath, nods at Sara and Agrit, and says, "should they ride this beast back to the healers?" His eyes look to the large figure in the distance, and where he assumes the beacon to be, trying to calculate pathways forward. Wondering if Fallcrest can be saved. Has he heard other melee around him from other orcs? Are the raiders seemingly small in number, relying on surprise and shock and perhaps one or two large siege engine type creatures? Or does this feel like an army sacking and taking a city...
Zashier balled his hand into a fist seeing the unknown creature in the distance. Just as before, it looked as if any moment the elephantine man might charge off after the bigger target. And yet...
"... The beacon." He says softly, relaxing his hand. "We have to keep for the beacon. Make sure all are truly rallied, as much as it pains us, which I'm sure it does. If Romero was here... he'd speak the same." He draws the healer's sword, and squeezing his eyes shut trying to remember Lem's attempt at instruction, only to remember the dwarf's attempt at knighting himself instead, he motions Agrit aside to do the motion over Sara's shoulder with hope in his heart. "It must come first, what with the all ensuing darkness 'n all that. Plus, if they wish to keep us confused, more than likely they'll come to those." He added.
Though even as he spoke, he held on to hope there may have been something to Lem's words about it being made for him. Granted, he still hadn't order such a sword, and it had been there for a while. And he wasn't so devout as to believe himself to be all that special, but...he held onto the sword did its magic. And if it worked on Sara and hopefully helped her come around, he'd do the same for Yokini once she was done searching bodies. "That way-..." he directs with the sword. "Are the barricades. Might be hard going, as you probably figured, but I trust you two can make your way there now if'n your careful. As for the rest-..." He turns to the group, sheathing the sword in favor of the glowing axe. Let's get to that beacon. Together." Zashier then sets the pace for their rush to the next destination.
---> Healer's Sword for Sara: 4 HP restored.
--->Healer's Sword for Yokini: 7 HP restored.
(4 of 6 charges remaining)
ALTHOUGH, if the war drumming happened to be coming from the SAME direction as the beacon is supposed to be, then Zashier would have less qualms making that slight detour along the way.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Thistle picks up the strider figurine. “This is no good for now, they’ll have to go on foot.”
With a glance at Sara and Agrit, Thistle heads out towards the last beacon. "Beacon first, then whatever that is."
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Yokini, you search the bodies, but do not find any alchemical treasures. You find, in total:
2 greataxes, 2 great swords, 1 glaive, a few sets of padded armor.and just a couple of coins in their pockets. 25 Coppper, 14 silver.
The sounds of war are all around you, and they ebb and flow, rise and fall with the tide of war. The drums are beating and echoing off the houses. More flaming projectiles are still flying into the city at odd intervals. You are not sure, but you havent seen a flood of orcs into the city, so the townsfolk and the city watch must be keeping them at bay at the walls. Some orcs are getting through, you know that based on those you just faught, but you dont know how many more await you in the city as you make your way through the buildings and alleys. You dont know how long the town can hold; darkness continues to fall on Fallcrest, and night is coming. That last beacon needs to be lit.
Zashier heals Sara and Yokini with his healing sword, and sends Sara and Agrit off to the barricade for help before getting ready to move further into the city, towards the beacon and the unknown terror that awaits.
The stench of death hangs over this small square in Fallcrest's lower quarter. Bodies of all kinds—orcs and humans, men and women, children and the elderly—lie scattered across the cobblestones where they fell. Veins of watery blood crawl from the base of the well in the center of the square, spreading from the limp body of a slain Fallcrestian guard draped over the side of the well. A rare moment of silence on the battlefield accentuates the sounds of crackling flames in the distance and the steady, hollow drip of blood into the well.
As you move through lower Fallcrest, you see up ahead (about 60 feet away) a cluster of homes, and out front is a crude cart. Not all that unusual, but Thistle you notice something:
For Thistle:
With your keep perception, you can see orcs in the houses, looting them, scavenging these buildings.
Closer to you, you see a tavern, called The Killing Ground, and out front is a staggering orc, pulling his pants up as if he just relieved himself in front ofthe bar. (about 25 feet away). He sees the four of you, and calls out "You. Look at you! You useless F***s! Good luck saving your s****y town! ahhhh hahaha" his words are slurring together, as if he has already helped himself to the drinks that were behind the counter.