The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Silent raises his eyebrows. Seems we're settled then - like I said, I'm happy to come along so long as Magnum is doing so. No threats needed. 

(OOC: Does the halfling seem to be bluffing or making empty threats? In case this calls for an Insight check, 17 ) 

Silent, there are little twitches on the halfing's face when he speaks about the half-elf you met this morning - dislike certainly, possibly fear?  You don't get the sense that he's straight-up lying about anything.

To Magnum: For what it's worth I think we should both go, but it's you he wants so it's your call. 

If I go, he goes. Non negotiable. 

The halfling sighs.  Very well, I am sure we can resolve this when we reach the estate.  He turns his horse round to the direction of Nicodranas.  Come along, then.  Friends.  My name is Solro Aretter, in the service of Lord Nefrayne for fifteen years.  You have made the right choice, I can promise you that.

Silent, with your very high insight check, you have noticed that the two guards accompanying him seem... not nervous exactly, but not relaxed either.  As though they were expecting something.

(OOC: Magnum was ready to fire his magic missiles at their horses' shins.)

On the way back to town, Silent will attempt to engage the guards in conversation. 

With a smile and a light tone, he says I'm guessing you two would be part of the elite "kill-the-half-orc-and-chain-up-the-construct" squad if we took off? No doubt you've got the arms and armour for the job. 

The guard grunts and doesn't respond, though he does look at you for a moment, as if weighing something up in his mind.

7

He shrugs, and continues riding without engaging you.

About ten minutes later, another party on horseback - five individuals - is headed along the road towards you.  You recognise the half-elf from this morning, though he looks less extravagantly dressed and more dressed for battle.  He leads four guards wearing similar clothes and armour as the two accompanying Solro.  The halfling sighs.  Jetzo up to his usual nonsense, or so it seems.  Please wait a moment while I deal with this.

Are you doing anything as the half-elf, apparently named Jetzo, approaches?

Silent is keeping as close an eye on everyone who appears to be armed, but isn't going for any of his weapons and remains quiet. 

Magnum will be ready to defend himself. 

The halfling rides foward, his guards following but lagging behind a little, until within easy talking distance.  

Jetzo, four guards seems excessive.  And costly.  Whatever the reason for your... the halfling begins, but Jetzo interrupts him:

Ah, Solro, I shall be so glad to be without your constant whining and complaint. Jetzo looks at Silent. Go now. Do not involve yourself.  Be thankful that you are not my prey today. Or...watch, if that is more to your tastes.

Understand, Jetzo says to Solro, that our master knows and approves of what I am doing. However, there must be a story to tell the Zhelezo, and the half-orc and his constructs are plausible murderers. This has been a long time coming.

Jetzo nods to one of the guards that has been riding with Solro and you. He draws a short sword and moves his horse closer to the halfling, apparently intent on violence.

You can either walk away, as Jetzo has suggested. Or you can intervene, in which case please roll initiative.

Magnum fires a Magic Missile at Solro's horse. 

12

You will still need to roll initiative first.  Silent and Magnum were both on alert, so there's no surprise in this round.  However, Magnum wouldn't have been able to hold the spell - that only lasts for six seconds and would expend the spell slot.

Initiative - 9

Initiative - 0 

9 7 13 18 

Round One:
Solro
Jetzo
Guards 1 and 2 (with Solro)
Magnum
Guards 3, 4, 5 and 6 (with Jetzo)
Silent

Solro gives a cry of fear and turns his horse east, away from Nicodranas, and takes off at great speed.

Jetzo mutters a curse and then says to you both:  Stay out of this.  He also gives chase.

The guards with Solro, including the one who had been moving towards him, do the same.  Magnum and Silent would each get an Opportunity Attack on them, based on your starting positions, if you choose to take it.

(This map shows positions at the start of combat, to give you a general idea of where we are.  Several characters are in the process of moving.  Let me know if you're taking your opportunity attacks, and then we'll get to your actual turns.)

Not taking the AoO. 

Since the guard looked intent on attacking Solro, Silent will draw his greatsword and aim a strike at him. 

Attack 18 Damage: 13 

You kill the guard with a single sweeping movement of your greatsword; it gets embedded in his torso, though you pull it free with relative ease.  The horse keeps running, taking the corpse with it.

Jetzo is riding off, but calls back:  Kill them.  Then follow.

Guard 1, instead of riding off, turns and drawing a shortsword he stabs at Magnum:

Attack: 18 Damage: 2

You think it's going to miss, but it just hits a vulnerable spot in Magnum's metal shell.

Magnum is up.