Hell Breaketh Looseth, Map
Subject: Re: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
"We must raise the alarm. The disorder in this town gives a raiding party an opportunity to strike."
"Someone must help the halfling."
"Someone must see what's causing that racket."
There's three of us. I will deal with the one in the temple."
A strange hissing sound issues from Holn's throat as he traces patterns through the ether, and giving the mana to Fanchek Fa (shocking grasp--familiar will deliver touch spell). He whispers "get him" to Fa, who hops off of Holn's shoulder and slips into the shadows of the temple (Move Silently).
OOC: If I have this right the cat is AC 20 (AC 16 + 4 for Mage Armor). It has low light vision, scent, and a 4d6 electrical touch attack. :D
Matt:
(Okay. Holn, Telwyn and Erk hear the crash as the man breaks through the window into the street. Kayla does not. Buchek hears the guards launch into a confused bit of shouting and grabbing weapons, and thinks he hears several leave quickly through the main door.)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
Actually, once Fancek Fa moves more than 5 feet from you, he loses the effects of Mage Armor. So his AC would be 16. But yes, he can deliver the spell, provided you don't cast another spell between now and the time when he delivers it (which won't be a problem).
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
Erk replies, "Kayla is in the alley. I will go to her."
He then runs over to the alley next to the church to bring Kayla back to the party. If Holn has trouble with the guy in the church, Erk and Kayla can go help him out.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
Buchek peers contemplatively at the hole for a moment. Fifteen feet isn't too much of a drop, assuming that there aren't jagged rocks waiting for him at the bottom. In any case, he could lower himself and reduce that by quite a bit, if he wasn't able to brace himself against the walls of the hole and climb down.
Hearing the guards' commotion, Buchek stands up, peering out the cell's window.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Invasion 1; Thieves in the Night
Telwyn ignores the loud crash from the street behind him. One thing at a time. He continues on toward the bridge to see what he can see.
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth
Buchek can't see much through the bars of his cell, but he can tell that most of the guards who brought him have left. Only the guard for his cell remains, and he hesitates, looking at Buchek and then at the door.
Something must be happening outside - the raiders, perhaps? He starts to grow angry, trapped in a cage like some wild animal. He wishes he could see what is going on!
...
Kayla meets up with Erk at the end of the alley, squinting in the light of his glowing shield. Behind him, she sees Holn cautiously approaching the temple door. The sorcerer whispers something to his cat, and the animal jumps down from his shoulder and slips quietly into the temple [Move Silently roll 10 vs. raider Listen check 14, fail].
(As Fancek Fa enters the temple, it spooks a mouse near the door that squeals and runs for the cupboard holding food rations for travelers. The raider spins around, seeing the cat heading right for him. (initiative rolled. Fancek 16+2=18. Raider 15+3=18. Tie, higher dex wins. Order: Raider, Fancek.) Holding one of the tall silver chimes in his hand, the raider watches the cat make a beeline for him from the doorway, crouching low and keeping its stomach pressed against the ground. As it makes to brush up against his leg, the raider kicks at its head with his boot. Fancek sidesteps the kick (Raider attack roll 5+4=9, vs. AC 16, miss) and throws himself bodily against the raider's other leg, causing the raider to scream in pain and fall into the chimes with a loud crash of dissonant clanging. (Cat touch attack 8+2+3 for metal chime=13, vs. touch AC of 13, hit, damage 6+5+5+2=18)
Holn, Erk and Kayla would all hear the scream and the crash, but Holn would get a mixed empathic communication from Fancek - happiness, but still apprehension.
...
Telwyn moves quickly and quietly toward the bridge opening, keeping close to the walls of buildings. Checking the opening to the bridge, he sees no one - just faint torchlight on a totally empty crossing (Spot check 1+4=5 v. Hide 20, fail). Taking a step beyond the wall toward the guard tower and the rope leading to the brass bell, he staggers forward in pain as a blunt force slams into his back between his shoulderblades (suprise round, raider attack 16+5=21 v. AC 16, hit, damage 4).
(Initiative for next round: Raider 9+2=11, Telwyn 8+7=15. Order: Telwyn, Raider)
...
Elotai skirts around the action unnoticed and reaches the bleeding young man. Quite a bit of blood has come out of his nose, and it has started to thicken on the chest of his armor.
"He.. he hit me..."
"We should really get you out of here," Elotai tries to pull the man toward the door.
"But.. he.. hit me... why would he do that?" The boy is clearly stunned, and Elotai wonders if this is the first time he's ever seen his own blood.
"I don't know..." He tries to pull toward the door again.
"I.. I should do something. He can't do that to me! M.. my father's the captain of the guard! I... I'm leading an expedition into the Tall Grass!"
The man pulls against Elotai, and tries to join the fight. The commander of the Caro guard has managed to break most of the fight up. On his way to the two primary fighters, his presence in the fray alone made the others back off. It is Elotais' guess that the young man doesn't notice this, and if he did wouldn't care.
From: Matt
Subject: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
(Damnit, I keep forgetting things).
Just after the crash, Erk, Holn, and Kayla see several flaming arrows arc over their heads into the settlment. Some hit wooden structures and stick, while others simply impact into the dirt.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
Erk smiles with relief when he sees the small bard. He starts to speak, but is interrupted by the crashing sounds inside the church. ?Come with me. Holn is just around the corner. We three should stay together if we can.?
He starts to lead Kayla back down the alley, his shield lighting the way ahead of them. ?I wonder if we are?? he never gets to say under attack, because the rain of flaming arrows removes all doubt.
From: Clara
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
Kayla follows Erk out of the alley and replies, "Stay t'gether? Under this bright beacon! Where'd Telwyn go? Buchek? Bermid? We've gotta alert the guards. They might'nt know," and points to a dead guard, slumped against the alley wall. "Fires take a while to burn bright, and then they're too far gone. I say, send someone to the Inn and tower, while the others hold ground here."
Kayla is bewildered at the idea of staying in the middle of a courtyard in a ball of light, while raiders are sneaking in from the edges.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
Erk says, "The guard will no quickly enough, though I agree that collecting Bermid is a priority. We need to regroup and then we can counter any threat in force, rather than be picked apart one at a time. We should collect Holn here, then go free Buchek. Then we can come back for Bermid, who is probably in the least danger since he is in the Inn surrounded by guardsmen."
"Leave us to stay in the shadows if you wish, but remember shadows hide both sides. I fear you may find a dagger in your own back. At least those that attack us in the light must show themselves first."
From: Matt
Subject: Map
I hope you all get this map.
The red feet are you guys. The building with the white cross is the temple. I think everything else should be pretty obvious.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Map
Once we grab Holn, we can just scoot through that big open area to the jail and grab buchek, then slide over to the inn for Bermid. How does that sound to you guys, Holn and Kayla?
From: Clara
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
Kayla muses over the relative safety of being next to Erk versus hiding along the walls. She hasn't made up her mind, yet, and will remain near Erk for the time being.
"What of Telwyn?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
"Yes, I fear for him as well, though he left us to go search out the gate. I fear more for the man locked in a cage that may well be on fire soon. Buchek is in greatest need of our aid if the city burns."
From: Clara
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
"You might need me to get 'im out, but I'm not a fast one. Does it make sense for Holn, you and me to get Buchek if Telwyn has no clue where we are and will be?"
"I say you and I head to Buchek, and Holn finds Telwyn. We can decide where to meet. Gives us more luck fer Telwyn finding us."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Caro 2; Hell Breaketh Looseth (addendum)
"If that is what Holn wishes to do, then I say we meet at the inn where we can collect Bermid as well. I'm glad you come with me, songbird, since your skill with locks may come in handy. Let's go quickly."