Chapter Two

Custer heard the Osvald's cry above the clatter of battle, Lord Hale!  Cuss straightened his legs in front of him to stop, his heels skipping on the cobble streets.  He reached behind him and grasped an arrow, nocking it in his bow as he pivoted and dropped to a knee to draw and loose.  He let the arrow fly at the only target he could clearly see, Abbas, who was danging away from Erlen's greatsword and counter trusting with his own longsword past the guard's defenses.  

[Rolling sneak attack verse Abbas +5]
13 Miss!

Cuss follows the flight of the arrow, only to see it drop too fast and embed into the cobblestone several feet short.  He rises, calling out, "Mind the archers in the gatehouse!  We need to push and take cover in the crossing alleyway!" and then lunges for the wall of the building to his left, landing his back against it as he tries to take cover.

[Double posting to roll hide +7.]
19

Erlen has no time to react to his wounds, as the fray of screaming steel reverberates off the walls around him.  He sucks in his breath as he levels his great sword, point facing Abbas, and steps forward, leaning hard into his thrust as he ex'hale's.

[Engaging Ardur with greatsword +5, will edit post to attack Abbas instead if Custer is unable to fell him with his shot.]
7 Miss!

He is far too slow, and Abbas easily steps aside, laughing as flames start to lick out from behind him.

Saavus did not expect Stout to get past his shield, and though he could barely feel it when the blade hits him, his brief break in concentration allows Sugard opportunity to cut deep into his scales.  Saavus grunts with pain, and then spits blood in Sugards face as he screams, "Myrkul awaits you, Curr!"  He thrust up, aiming for the soft flesh on the bottom of the Orcs chin with the tip of his rapier.

[Attacking Sugard +4]
7 Miss!

He finds only open air as Sugard tilts his head and throws it back.  Avoreen, I've failed you.  Saavus brings the rapier back down in hopes to knock away Sugard's riposte, but finds himself briefly shielding his eyes on the way down as a bright flash of flame erupts from his left.

Sorry new post message stripped my rolls.

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 5, 8

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#2 'D20' : 2

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#3 'D20' : 3

Rolling hide

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 12

The unclean assailant looms over Osvald, embers raining down upon him from the burning roof of a warehouse above.

He spits on the woodsman, hefting his sword above his head to finish the job…

Suddenly, a deafening blast is heard...

[Shorjahl’s attack results]
[Enemies did not save]

The blast of energy streaks across the alleyway, tearing mortar and brick from the walls and stirring the fiery ash through the air.

The assailants are battered with force, crushing armor and breaking bones.

Erlen watches as his opponent falls to the ground, his helmet bent into the back of his skull.
[Abbas dies.]

As Saavus raises his sword and parries his enemies, the blast pulls Sugard backward, the fighter crashing into brick, bones crushing.

The life fades from his face.

[Sugard dies.]

[…]

The four remaining soldiers back up, watching as their orc commander falls to the ground, and their allies dwindle in number.

The unclean fighter who felled Osvald stumbles backward, covering his face as Shorjahl’s spell comes to its conclusion.

He takes a quick look around, and shouts;

“Fall back!”

[Regar, Sydul and Sout use Disengage]

The fighters cast you off, turning and retreating in tandem.

[Adur uses Dash (ruling that he is not engaged, because he defeated Osvald)]

[All assailants use their move action]

They begin their retreat hastily, sailing through the alley.

200 feet, up ahead, atop the gatehouse, you can see six archers begin to line the ramparts and draw their bows as their allies flee past the first junction.

[…]

Suddenly, from the junction ahead, you see two horses dash into the alleyway. Behind them, a four-wheeled flaming carriage is being pulled.

In a split second, they crash into the path of the last two fleeing soldiers, trampling them into the ground in a mist of blood and gore, and the sickening sound of bones snapping.

[Regar and Sydul are killed]

The horses collide into the wall with a miserable, haunting whinny. They are maddened, and you can see their eyes wide with fear.

The inertia of the flaming wagon behind them drives it forward into the pitiful beasts, crushing the horses into a twisted, broken mass.

They are killed instantly beneath the fiery wagon.

[…]

From atop the gatehouse, a volley of arrows is fired.

Through the haze of the burning wagon, you can see the remaining two foot soldiers sprinting for the gatehouse, and a hail of arrows raining down upon you….

[Ranged attacks, made at Disadvantage due to Long Range (over 150 feet)]

[ATK1 vs. Kellar: MISS]
[ATK2 vs. Kellar: MISS]
[ATK3 vs. Shorjahl: MISS]
[ATK4 vs. Andrianna: MISS]
[ATK5 vs. Andrianna: MISS]
[ATK6 vs. Erlen: MISS]

The arrows clatter off shields and the cobbles, as the archers prepare for another volley…

====================

OK guys,

In the alley, about 20 feet ahead of you, is where the wagon crashed in from the western junction and smashed into the eastern wall, killing the horses.

Now it sits there, aflame. The horses are crushed underneath it

It also killed two of the fleeing soldiers.

There are still two soldiers fleeing away from you.

4 Adur: 8/24 Fleeing (60 feet from you, 140 feet from the gatehouse)
5 Sout: 2/18 Fleeing (30 feet from you, 170 feet from the gatehouse)

If you pursue, be aware that at 150 feet you’re within range of the longbows.

EXP: +20 ea.

The haunting, dark face of the wizard flashes again as he sees two of his enemy perish under the fury of his blast. He feels the triumphant valor coursing through his veins, the sadistic need for victory. The sound of drums, the death rattles, the crackling embers of the fires of war, fill his mind. And all the while, the shadowcant text whispers into the wizard's open and infuriated mind.

"Aaaaayaah!" Shorjahl shouts, taking several steps forward and lashing his bracered hand out, as if to throw a stone at the two fleeing assailants. Dense packets of pure, hot energy shred through the smoke and ash, streaking with a high-pitched chime toward their fleeing targets.

The one on the right, who already limps and gasps for air due to his egregious wounds, cries out in pain and fear as the missile bursts through his spine and stomach, his viscera pouring out from the cannon-sized hole the arcanist wrent. He splats on the cobblestone street, twitching, and then exhales in death.

The other, filled with greater vigor and vitality, takes two of the bolts from the arcanist's frenzy, scorching bleeding holes in the man's flesh, but he carries on.

Shorjahl falls to a knee, gasping for air out of exhaustion. Clarity returns to his eyes as arrows bounce around him on the street, and one pings off of his arcane bubble of energy that surrounds him. He scrambles forward to Osvald, and drags him to the nearest awning for cover. "We need to get inside or move to those archers!" He coughs violently, and the color has drained quickly from his face. He looks incredibly faint, and almost delirious.

----------

5 Damage on guy with 8
3 damage on guy with 2
Out of 1st level spells, only have 1 second level left.

The member 'Shorjahl' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D4' : 2, 1

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#2 'D4' : 2

Kellar sees Shorjahl fire bolts of energy from his hands. He could feel the heat as they flew from his hands and they scorched a trail through the air to the intended targets!

Now is my chance!

Kellar stows his lance and links a third chain to his javelin and bursts forward into the air 15 feet!

Be true! he beckoned as he javelin flew from his hand...

The javelin found its target and mimicked the path set by Shorjahl, only to be a few feet short of hitting the remaining fighter in the back!

Attack Roll= 12+3= 15; failure!

CURSE YOUR LUCK, Kellar hollered as he landed and yanked the javelin back to his hand and returned near Osvald.

How is he, he questioned.

Actions:

Kellar rolled with disadvantage on a ranged attack, then went back to see about Osvald.

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 12, 15

Saavus turns towards Sout, rotating his shield a quarter turn to rest his rapier along a jagged cut.  He feigns a lunge at beast, hoping it was dumb enough to open its defenses for his next strike, but instead Sout disengaged fully at the command of a human thug to Saavus's left.  Saavus steps after him, the lust of battle still flowing through him, but...

Custer expected Shorjahl's powerful attack, and did not let it distract his eyes away from the gatehouse where he though he spotted movement among the ramparts.  Cac!  Too late.  Cuss cupped his free hand over his mouth, "Archers!  Cover!  Take cover, NOW!"

Saavus could just hear Custer's call for cover over the roar of hooves rumbling down the alley.  He quickly drops to a knee and brings his shield up over his head.  Smiling from underneath it, he observes the horses trample two of his foes.  Only by your glory, Avoreen!  As if an answer to his compliment, an arrow whistles and thumps hard into the wood of his shield.

Erlen briefly rest his sword upon the ground and leans on it while blood gurgles from Abbas's ears.  Between his long hard breaths, he hears Adur call for the retreat, and watches as the thug turns and runs for the gatehouse.  Abbas returns the sword to his back, and retrieves his longbow from the street behind him.  He nocks an arrow as he turns to observe the last moments of two mad horses.  He draws, as he observes pockets of arcane energy eviscerate the limping bandit.  He holds his breath, and looses his arrow.  It flies in a cloud of ash, only to find another arrow in the air, striking both harmlessly off course.  Erlen looks up into the smoke, What have I done to deserve such luck, Waukeen?

[Rolling ranged longbow attack on Adur +3]
8

Custer dashes forward, calling out, "Saavus!  Shield us!" Then drops into a sliding stop between Kellar and Osvald.  He reaches into his belt pouch, pulling two vials of glowing blue liquid from within.  He rips the corks loose.  He places on in his mouth and bites down slightly to hold it so that both hands are free.  The other he feeds to Osvald as he hold's the ranger's mouth open, while also throwing back his head to chug his own.

[Cuss healing potion 1d8+2]
6 healed

[Osvald healing potion 1d8+2]
6 healed

Saavus jogs over to Custer.  He tries to position himself over the prone lords while holding his shield high for cover.  "Get up, me Lord.  I hardly make for fine cover."  Seeing Cuss using the potions, he feels the pain of his wounds for the first time, sheaths his rapier, and reaches for one of his own.

[Saavus healing potion 1d8+2]
4 healed


Cuss spits the empty bottle from his mouth into his empty hand.  As he returns the empty bottles to his belt and begins to stand, he says, "Kellar, how do we go about this?  Can we get inside to get closer?"  Are all of em burning?

====

If one of the warhouses/buildings are not burning down, Cuss would like to get inside one however possible to use the cover to get closer to the archers, or possibly make for the roof with Erlen and Osvald to cover Saavus and Kellar's charge for the gatehouse entrance.

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 5

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#2 'D8' : 4, 4, 2

The storehouse to the west is burning on the rooftop, but the ground floor has not yet felt it's fire. There's a locked wooden door leading inside, but will require a DC 18 STR check to break open. Advantage given if assisted by a Pc of at least 13 STR

Osvalds body convulsed once and his eyes snapped open, he stared blankly at Cuss and glanced around at the worried faces of his party members for a moment before recognition set in, and he looks back to the halfling.

"Argh, back from the brink. I owe you, Cuss..." Testing his left arm, He stands wearily, color drained from his face. The healing drink had restored the worst of his wounds but he was still a battered, near broken man.

"...Tell me, didja get the bastard?"

As arrows clatter to the cobbles around then, Osvald  shoots a glance to the gatehouse, then back to Cuss, a familiar broad grin again flashing on the Woodsmans face;

"Actually, tell me later--Let's get to cover!" Coughing against the smoke, the ranger calls out: "Kellar, can ye make us a door?"

====

Standing and ready to move into cover, will assist Kellar to batter down a door (STR 14) but recommend moving to an alley if possible to avoid collapsing roofs made of fire.

OOC: Annnnd we're back. Hope you guys aren't sick o' me yet, you're stuck with Oz now! Haha

The last remaining assailant charges towards the gatehouse, Osvalds blood still dripping from his sword.

He looks back, a caustic glance upon his marred face. Suddenly, he dashes in to the westward alley between yourselves and gatehouse, disappearing from view.

[Adur uses dash, moves another 60 feet]

The alley is becoming increasingly smoky, and you can see flames licking even higher into the sky.

From the market square to the west, you can hear the din of fighting. Shouts - desperate ones - echo over the burning trade houses. Militiamen trying to rally, no doubt. But it is a different voice that cries out each time...

And through the fire and flame, another volley of arrows rains down. Black, sailing arrows cracking off of the stones and plunking into the burning wagon.

[disadvantage due to range]
[ATK1 vs. Osvald: MISS]
[ATK2 vs. Kellar: MISS]
[ATK3 vs. Geld: Hit : 6 dmg]
[ATK4 vs. Andrianna: MISS]
[ATK5 vs. Saavus: MISS]
[ATK6 vs. Erlen: MISS]

Geld cries out as an arrow grazes his shoulder.

"Come on! We need to find cover!"

=================

Ok guys

Adur has run 120 feet away from you, ducking in to the alley between you and the gatehouse (not the junction just ahead of you, the one beyond it)

The junction is only 20 feet ahead of you, though it runs between the alley and the market square, so there's a possibility you could expose yourself to any trouble from that area if you move into it.

Any side alley to the west, or means of retreat southward, leads in to the market square.

Ahead, about 80 feet, there is an eastern alley that moves the opposite direction of the market square... But until you arrive you won't know where. And, that will expose you to another round of archer fire, this time not at a disadvantage (only 70 feet from the gatehouse).

There is still the burning warehouse you can break into with your STR check, but be aware that it will take your whole turn to try and break it down, so if you fail whoever is doing the breaking / assisting with be standing in the way of another volley.

Also, it's evident that things are becoming more furious in the market square by the sounds you're hearing. Time might be of the essence.

Exp: +20 to all

Lord Hale shifted lazily to the heavy door and asked for Kellar's help.

Let's get off the streets, Kellar said as he crouched low and burst toward the door that Hale was already pressing against. Hale was nearest the inside of the door by the hinges, giving way to the weaker point in the door at the latching mechanism.

With Osvald's weight against the door, Kellar's lunge at the open end splintered the frame and bar that kept the door locked!
Strength Check=20+4= 24; success!

Everyone get in here, Kellar beckoned!

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 9, 20

Cuss rolls over onto his knees and palms, rises, and kneels behind Saavus as arrows rain down, thumping into the building and bouncing off the cobblestone around the party.  As Geld cries out, Cuss whips his head around to look at the gnome.  Oiy, ya'll survive that one.  Cuss uses his free hand to tap Saavus on the back, "Forward. I'm with ya, friend."

Saavus walks toward the door, shield still held cautiously high.  "The Gods are with us, me Lord."  He stops just past the door, making sure to cover those entering the burning building behind him.  Once they are all through, he will pivot a quarter turn as he backs up into the building.

When they make the door, Cuss darts through the darkness for the other side, looking for any exits.  He pulls his black scarf up to cover his mouth and nose, protection against the billowing smoke and ash.

Erlen strides forward, bending to grab and arrow from the ground as he passes.  He nocks it, aims high, and looses another shot for the top of the gatehouse.  He does not watch, expecting his shot to fall far short.  He ducks in the building behind the rest, grabbing at Saavus's belt to pull him in behind him.  

[Rolling ranged at disadvantage. +3]
4

===

Saavus covers the team entering the building.  Erlen fires a shot then enters behind the PCs and assist Saavus through the door behind him.  Cuss enters and dashes for the other side of the building, looking for an exit.

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 1, 15

Shorjahl waits for the others to move inside after the door is bashed in, then quickly follows suit. The invisible bubble of arcane energy protecting him faded away - he simply couldn't hold onto it any longer. He coughed a few times, his skin turning ashen like the timbers around him within the city. He was approaching his limit, and needed to rest if he were to be combat effective.

Looking down in exhaustion and shame, he coughs once more and clears his throat. "I've very nearly tapped my magical well dry. I'll need a few moments to concentrate and restore some latent energies, but if we need to move, do not expect me to be able to produce anything noteworthy." He looks up at his companions, that haunted expression coming back into his azure eyes. Part of him is afraid, afraid that they will find them here, and that they will take the book. He knows that it is important to them, and that it is essential for these attackers' dark ritual to be completed.

He'll reserve one final spell, to destroy himself and the book if necessary...

--------------------------

If we can get a "short rest," I restore some spells. If not, I follow the others, but am down to one spell.

The interior of the warehouse reeks of mildew and smoke. Ashes and dust rain down from the floor above, and you can see the beam-roof beginning to blacken as the flames work through the tar and shingles.

However, the roof has not burned through yet.

Crates are piled high, barrels laying on their sides. Ropes and pulleys hang dried sheepskins, and you can see fine carpets and dressings about the storeroom.

Custer looks around as the others catch their breath. The halfling sees a double set of doors on the western wall, likely leading out into the market square.

He espies a ladder leading up into the rafters, where there are more storage quarters. Custer also sees what appears to be a doorway, up in the rafters... Perhaps leading to an adjacent warehouse? Or, just the rooftop...

==================


Ok guys, there is a moment to catch your breath. How long is a short rest again? 1 hour? So it's doubtful that you'll be restoring any spells or expending HD to regen here... Might just be a moment to reassess your strategy... Time ticks by as the northeastern gate/ market square falls...

Exp: +20

Cuss sprints just far enough up the ladder to determine the layout of the loft above. His head twist left and right, then he hooks his feet on the outside of the ladder and slides back down to the floor below. He kicks off it to sprint back over to his coughing and spitting comrades to report and offer ideas as to their next move.

Resting his left hand on one of his bent knees, and pulling his scarf down with his right, he says relays what he saw upstairs along with, "Or there is the double doors leading back into the heart of the battle. Might be Kellar could hack a hole in the side of the building, but me thinks the archers would see and would have easy shots on any of us diving through it. Mayhaps we could use these crates for cover. Me thinks we could split off a square side for every other man to hold, and then lay a couple of the carpets over the top, making a line of sorts. Much like those paper dragons folks from Kara-Tur like to use at the festivals, ya? We need to be quick about it. That smelly bastard's probably already bringing reinforcements to the gatehouse."

Cuss pauses and scratches the side of his head. "Truth be told, though. If the battle for the square is already lost, taking the gatehouse may only make for our tomb. We ought to have taken command and pushed with the militia. Might be our best option now is to rally what's left, and make for the hill." He then returns the scarf to his face and walks to the side of the building while listening to his friends discuss options. He squints, trying to get a view of the square from any gaps in the boards or knot holes that have been bored through.

Erlen sits atop a barrel, resting, and waiting for orders.

Saavus shifts his weight from his left foot to his right, anxious to be doing anything other than standing here while a battle rages on just outside.

We don't have much time. Crates for makeshift shields isn't a bad idea, Keller said.

There's enough rope here to make a turtle shell for each person. I don't want anyone getting shot in the back while we fall back, he continued.

Kellar peeks outside the double door to see what is happening to the militia. Perception Roll= 11+4= 15

He closes the door and turns back and stows his lance and draws his Axe and removes his shield from his carrier. He moves to split the crates into squares of crude protection.

Little one, take some of the rope and make one loop for each side of crate. It just needs to hold it in place on the wearer but should be easy to remove, Kellar said.

Actions:

Kellar will make crude arrow shields to turtle on people's backs for a retreat.

Kellar, dependent on what he observes will rally the militia to fall back.

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 11

Shorjahl, clearly exhausted and drained of any vitality, simply quietly nods while breathing heavily. As soon as there's work to be done, he resummons his fortitude and begins breaking and hacking apart the crates and tethers he needs to help create a viable shield. He'll use his logic and tradeskill - spending his young life working in the shop of an artificer - to work here preparing something that will survive more than a volley or two.

"I think we need to reconsolidate the troops. There's only so much we can do on our own, but at the forefront of the militia, we might be able to make a greater impact." He looks to the others, then continues building the shields. As far as he's concerned, his mind is too strained and exhausted to be of much use for strategy.

----------------------------

Logic roll for the shields yo: 9, lol

The member 'Shorjahl' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 4

Dust rains down upon you as you begin hacking away at the crates. The roof spits ash and ember downward, tiny flecks of burning tar landing on your cloaks.

Kellar peers out into the market square, and indeed the situation seems grim.

Through the warehouse doors, not 50 feet away, you can see a vicious melee underway. The rallying efforts of the militia are being dashed by wave upon wave of assailants pouring through the northeastern gate. The flames seem higher and mightier than they were before, razing wagons, homes, and tradestalls as an army of filty humans and bloodthirsty orcs pours through.

There can't be more than 50 militiamen deigning to contain the onslaught. In the face of nearly four times as many assailants, bottlenecked at the gate.

A war-wagon stands behind the militia lines, manned by two Esmelteranian guardsmen. A bolt-thrower is mounted on the back of the wagon, which is hitched to two dead mules. The two guardsmen fire bolts into the onslaught of assailants, shouting rallying cries from their vantage point.

They are holding the line momentarily. But it will not be for long, if the portcullis is not closed.

=======================

Ok guys,

You can create 1 shield each every 5 minutes. You tell me how many of those shields you want to create, keeping in mind that time is ticking on. Also, the roof is starting to burn through, so unless you want to be beneath a torrent of flame in a moment, you'd best be moving on.

In terms of the 'frontlines', there are easily too many assailants to do anything productive, unless that gate is closed. Some of the militiamen being pushed hard will likely turn tail and run shortly, because its apparent that they're on the losing end of things.

To streamline things, from my perspective you either approach the gatehouse in some way, or attempt to fall back to some destination. These "crate shields" can offer you half-cover (+2 AC) from the archers that are firing down upon you, but be aware that you need to wield them two-handed and so you cannot attack unless you drop the shield.

You can also try and help on the front lines, I suppose, but it's very likely that your side will be routed shortly, unless some sort of miracle happens (and I think you might be out of miracles, until at least a short rest )

Let me know how you want to proceed.

+20 XP to shorj, cuss and kell

Erlen rises from his barrel and busies himself assisting Kellar with fashioning shields. He wraps a wooden plank with a carpet, and uses rope cut from the pulleys to hold it in place. He then loops the rope on two corners as Kellar has suggested, and moves to work on another plank.

Saavus marches over to Cuss peering out the crack in the door, "Me Lord, all due respect, but we've nay the time for this." He swats at floating ash and tar as he speaks.

Cuss turns to look up at Saavus, "Aye, me thinks ya right." He leads Saavus back over to the group. "Kellar's right, mayhaps we should..." Cuss's voice trails off to silence as his jaw falls slack while he watches Shorjahl...

Shorjahl grits his teeth and furrows his brow. The look of darkness has completely consumed him, and he gazes grimly at his companions. "I'll see what I can do in the square. You must get that gatehouse closed. If I don't see you after..." he reaches forward and clasps each of their hands in turn. "It's been an honor."

He looks distantly at the ground, summoning up a measure of courage - or insanity - to help rally the men. He quickly opens the door toward the market square, slipping out and hunkering down low. He sprints as quickly as possible, weaving in and out of any obstacles and combatants, until he gets to an optimal launching point.

The arcanist leaps atop a crate, the fire of the burning city all around him, rivulets of blood running down the ashen street. He pushes his wrist forward, clenching it with his other hand, standing with a wide stance, and pushes forward. As before, a small packet of dense, turbulent air emits from his bracer with a high pitched ringing, causing the entire battle scene to muffle in the ringing pain.

The miniscule missile whistles through the air, flying over the heads of the militiamen, streaking with a bright light toward the center of the densest concentration of enemy troops in the square. It pauses right before the face of an especially bloodthirsty orc, who looks at it with a sneering grimace.

A sudden rippling explosion bursts forth from the small light, emitting an ear-shattering chime with a thunderous cacophany that shakes one's bones. The shockwave hits the cluster of packed enemies...

------------------------------

Rolled two Con saves for the enemy, assuming they have Disadvantage because they are distracted and packed in there, and Shorjahl is making a pretty big scene to hopefully slam them away from the line.

13 damage on failed save to all bad guys within an optimized 314 square feet, or 6 if they passed the save. Also, all non magical items take the damage as well, and anything made of stone or crystal is vulnerable to the Shatter spell.

The member 'Shorjahl' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 1, 19

--------------------------------

#2 'D8' : 7, 3, 3

Osvald grunts with pain as he rips a strip of fabric from his cloak, lashing his left arm to his torso and knoting the makeshift sling with his teeth.

Listening grimly, The ranger will not argue when Shorjahl says his piece. The sounds of battle outside were growing ever more desperate, and Osvakd feared the city wild soon be lost... Osvald trades glances with his companions, and senses a silent agreement among them.

When Shorjahl takes his hand, Osvald grips his friends hand firmly and offers a warm, weary smile.

...

"Alright. We do this now or there won't be a city to save. Kellar, Saavus; us big boys up front. Try to keep the shields angled high and guard the others in the rear. Everyone ready?"

====

Osvald is ready to charge the gatehouse. When the reach the door, he will pass the shield back to Cuss/Geld/Erlen/Andrianna to cover them from above while he assists Kellar to bash in the door (if needed), then will draw his longsword and enter.

Cuss watches Shorjahl as he goes out the door, his stare only broken by Osvald's question. Agata, I'm among the heroes of this age. Should you meet one in the coming hours, treat him well. "No, but I'm with ya all the same." Cuss looks to Erlen while he nocks an arrow in his shortbow. "Let's not loose until we be just under them. Best we not give them reason to look should the Lady grant us such luck, no?"

Erlen nods, his face showing a mix of panic and duty. He also nocks an arrow and kneels, ready to charge out back into the alley. Saavus taps his shield with the pommel of his rapier. "Aye, duty guide our blades, and we'll bring Avoreen glory even if it be in our demise." He holds his shield high per Kellar's instruction as he charges out into the alley abreast the blue man, Erlen and Cuss close behind.

As Cuss enters the alley in stride, he thinks, 'Me Lady, thank ya for me luck thus far, but we be needed ya favor now more than ever.'

====

I assume that we have to use dash to attempt to make the distance, so I am not rolling ranged attacks this round. Cuss will use his cunning action to dash along with disengage so that attacks are at a disadvantage against him.

Orbaugh danced lightly around Kellar as he chopped and tore at the crates to make three shields (Saavus, Osvald, Kellar).

Orbaugh, keep on my back, under my shield. If your master falls, seek refuge at Lord Hale's estate.

A dull chitter comes from Orbaugh as he nuzzled Kellar's boot, and Orbaugh shifted slightly and scurried up to Kellar's shoulder.

Kellar looked up from making roughshod shields from crates to meet Shorjahl's hand.

Kellar's grip on on Shorjah's hand is strong, I don't know what you intend to do, but make it hurt.

Kellar drops his hand from Shorjahl's and picks up a crate shield with two hands. Let's rush through the alleyway and take the damn gatehouse, he said to others.

Shields at an angle like Lord Hale said. Vary your speed, hand on the person in front of you to keep close. When we hear Shorjahl's attack, we charge ahead, that may distract the archers enough to gain considerable distance, he said.

When we get there, shields up high while we manage the door to the gatehouse. Once inside, we make our way to the mechanism that closes the gate. No mercy to those that stand before us! he said.

Shorjahl was out the door and headed to the market square...

The sharp whistle could be heard through the walls of the warehouse they were in, that was the signal.

NOW!

Kellar leads the way out the door with Osvald and Saavus, and the others tailing closely behind.

Actions:

Kellar, along with Osvald and Saavus lead the charge down the alleyway, with the hope that the sound of Shorjahl's attack is enough to distract the archers.

Kellar will pass his crate shield to Andrianna when they arrive at the door.

The market square stinks of burning and blood, the vicious melee grinding the militia’s numbers down as the onslaught of mysterious assailants continues through the gaping gate.

Fire burns up high into the sky, and from the safety of an alleyway tucked in behind a smoldering fruit cart, there sits an old beggar.

He watches, a long grey beard cascading down his chest and resting in the mud. In his hands, he clasps a cask of sour wine. But it is momentarily forgotten as he witnesses the brutal clashing of armies.

“Ho-oh. We’ll all burn tonight.” he mutters, drinking deeply from his cask. He smiles a toothy, wine-stained, rotted smile.

But from atop a crate, across the market square, something catches his eye.

The militiamen scream and shout, several reinforcements arriving, shellshocked, from the streets of Esmeltaran. In their midst, a lone figure stands atop a crate.

His robes whirl about him. A faint chime is heard. The square goes silent.

The beggar’s eyes widen. The wine cask slips from his hands, and shatters in the muck. His mouth opens, and he utters…

“…Over nine thousand…”

A blast rips through the assailing army, rending limbs and bloodying the frontline of the marauders.

The militiamen stare, dumbfounded. And then, they push a rallying charge over the fallen corpses.

***[see end of post for Shorjahl’s damage synopsis]***

[…]

Keller leads the charge out in the alleyway.

Osvald and Saavus run behind, and from 180 feet you can see the archers ready their arrows.

A sudden blast is heard in the market square, beyond the warehouse. Shorjahl’s spell landed…

You trample through the alley, puddles under your feet and shields raised high.

A volley of arrows courses through the air…

-Thunk thunk thunk-

Splinters explode from the makeshift shields as you barrel down the alleyway…

[At a speed of 60 (move+dash), the archers get 3 volleys off on you. The first is at a disadvantage due to range, and for the others you have a +2 bonus to AC for half cover. Custer could theoretically move 90 feet per round, and be there in two rounds. Even though thematically,  he’s following behind the group, I’ll exempt him from one of the volleys…]

1 Dos: 25/25 vs Andrianna
[ATK1: MISS]
[ATK2: MISS]
[ATK3: MISS]

2 Rethar:19/19 vs Saavus
[ATK1: Hit : 5]
[ATK2: Hit : 4]
[ATK3: Hit : 10]
[Saavus takes 19 damage!]

3 Fular: 22/22 vs Kellar
[ATK1: Miss
[ATK2: Hit : 5]
[ATK3: Hit : 6]
[Kellar takes 11 damage]

4 Stein: 17/17 vs Custer
[ATK1: Miss]
[ATK2: Miss]

5 Sangras: 15/15 vs Osvald
[ATK1: Miss]
[ATK2: Hit : 5]
[ATK3: Miss]
[Osvald takes 5 damage]

6 Turlew: 18/18 vs Erlen
[ATK1: Miss]
[ATK2: Miss]
[ATK3: Hit : 11]
[Erlen takes 11 damage]

Arrows tear through your shields, ripping into leather and armor. Blood pours from torn wounds, your heart pounding in your chest as your boots echo off the cobblestones.

You can hear the archers yelling at one another. Hear the combat raging in the market square. A glance to the left, and you can see man tearing into man, swords dancing and corpses falling in rhythmic cadence.

-Thunk thunk thunk-

The last volley of arrows crashes down, and you’re in range of the doorway…

=====================

Ok guys,

You’re 10 feet from the doorway. I need an 18 STR check to crack open the door, which can be assisted for advantage by anyone with STR 13+

You can either hide under your shield, getting that +2 bonus if the door crashing fails for next turn…or you can chance it and fire off a potshot at the archers, at disadvantage (for height) and with the archers having +2 AC for half cover.

If the door is cracked open, you’ll use your remaining move to move inside out of the sight of the archers. If not, you’ll be sitting ducks…

Shorjahl:

You’re standing in the market square, atop the crates. You hit 57 assailants, none of which saved, and 1/4 of which were killed outright. Another 1/4 were gravely injured. The remaining half are now injured (1/2 hp or less)

As a result, a few things open up for you.

Firstly, you’ve bought the party several more rounds before the assailants completely overwhelm the gate (if the portcullis doesn’t come down in time)

Secondly, the line has moved up enough for you to break for the closer alleyway to the gatehouse unmolested…

Which means, if you elect to exit the alley into the laneway and join your fellows at the gatehouse, you only need to run 60 feet…

EXP: +20 to all

Some of you are gravely injured. Some might even be passed out.

Let me know

-Ao

Shorjahl sees the explosion decimate the enemy force as he drops to one knee, blood dripping from his nose, streaming down the corner of his eyes, and oozing out from beneath his fingernails. He coughs up a string of black blood, and wipes his mouth with his bracered hand - the heat from it instantly boiling and steaming the blood as it makes contact.

He looks to see the archers at the gatehouse firing down, but can't see his friends. He stands woozily, steadying himself on anything nearby as he shambles forward. The arcanist hopes he can catch them in time, but isn't sure if he will be of much help. He grabs the stock of his well-worn crossbow, nocking the crank back to slam a quarrel home. He begins sprinting toward the gate house.

-------------------------

Yes I do my move + dash to get over there, drawing my xbow along the way.

Kellar led the charge and held the crate shield above his head at an angle. The arrows rained down and penetrated a couple points and easily entered his flesh. One arrow through the left bicep, and the other arrow penetrated his breastplate.

Argh! Bodkins! he yelled aloud to no one in particular.

As he neared the door, he shifted the arrows from his arm and chest by shucking the crate shield toward Andrianna. He looks briefly at his wounds and sees the blue color leaking from them, but not retracting back into him as it had before.

Orbaugh, stay there, be safe. One more door...

Kellar crouches low and explodes toward the door with one last surge, to get his compatriots through the door!

Actions:
Kellar will burst through the door (three rolls, one for solo, and two for advantage if I get an assist from someone)
With Advantage, I meet the 18 STR check on the door...

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 10

--------------------------------

#2 'D20' : 13, 5

Cuss sees the archers ready their first volley, and calls out, "Here it comes, boys!"  He ducks and twist as arrows whistle and thump around and into the group.  Erlen just ducks the first arrow flight, a slight whimper of fear escaping his lips.  Saavus continues to hustle forward on Kellar's heels, grunting as an arrow thumps into his thigh.  

The crackling of the burning wagon sings to Cuss as he passes it.  'Agony from every corner, on every street...'  He tilts his head, thinking on the words as he watches the archers loose another.  Erlen raises his makeshift shield just in time to catch the flight that would have taken his head.  Saavus, was not so lucky, and another arrow crashes into his shield, impaling the arm behind it.  He cries out, Aarrh! but continues his charge.

Cuss calls out to his men. "Just a few more steps, fellas!  Saavus, charge into the door!"  Saavus turns his head to speak, but just as his mouth opens, another arrow slams through his skull and burst out through his jaw.  Blood flowers as he stiffens, and tumbles forward, dead.  Cuss hears Erlen scream out, and when he darts his eyes to the man, he sees that it was brought forth by pain, not remorse.  Erlen has an arrow buried deep into his chest.  The armor on the back of his right shoulder bulged from where the projectile pushed all the way through his flesh.  Erlen drops his nocked arrow, and begins to stumble just as Osvald meets Kellar at the door to the gatehouse, crashing through into the darkness beyond.  

Cuss crouches to get more leverage underneath his feet, and burst forward into Erlen, shoving him through the opening and collapsing him onto the floor beyond.  Cuss rolls his tumble and comes to a stop on his feet, looking back out of the gatehouse door at the bodies of the bandits, Orcs, and his friend beyond.  A knot catches his throat, and he swallows hard to rid himself of it.  Time enough for that later.  He looks down at Erlen, who had rolled onto his back and used his feet to push himself against a wall.  Erlen is holding the arrow sticking out of his chest, his face contorted with pain and fear.    

Cuss reaches into his belt pouch and pulls his last two vials of liquid out.  Can't drink these, though.  He holds them up in the light, choosing the vial of acid.  "Kellar!  This is acid.  If we just release the portcullis, they could crank it back up, no?  Best we pour this on to weaken chains, and then break them to drop it, ya?"  Cuss looks down at Erlen, and slaps him with an open hand.  "Pull yourself together."  Cuss points to Saavus.  "He's still watching.  Take this acid, pour it on the chains, and then find cover.  Make the city proud, ya?"  Cuss hands Erlen the vial, then grips the arrow in his chest, and breaks it shorter.  He sticks the broken shaft into Erlen's mouth sideways.  Erlen bites down on it, nods, and rises.

Cuss then uncorks the vial of poison and drops the ends of two quarrels into it.  He hands it to Osvald.  "Put the last bit on your first arrow, and don't miss, ya?  Don't give me that look, Lord Hale.  Might be the difference between our loss and our luck, no?"   Cuss sticks one of his quarrels into his bracer, and loads the other into K'Tesh's crossbow.  He sticks the bow into the front of his belt, says "I'll see ya at the top," and then disappears back outside the gatehouse.

====

Cuss is going to attempt to sneak outside now that the archers are expecting them to charge up from inside.  He is going to round the gatehouse for where it meets the wall on the side opposite the square, and attempt to climb the outside of it very quietly in the corner where the two walls come together.

[Rolling stealth +7]
24

[Rolling athletics -1]
4

XP updated to here

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 17

--------------------------------

#2 'D20' : 5

Osvald grunts as an arrow slips through their ramshackle defenses and sinks deep into the meat of his leg.

'Getting really tired of that.' He thinks darkly. Pain shoots up his body but he manages to force out the last few strides, crashing through the door alongside Kellar.

His energy nearly spent, Osvakd collapses against some crates inside the gatehouse.

The Rangers face is sickly pale, his hair slick with blood and sweat, clinging to his face.

"I told you we'd make it." He groans out, coughing flecks of blood through a feeble grin.

He accepts Cuss poison arrow, sheathing the black steeled Orcish sword and nocking the arrow into his bow.

Attempting to stand, he grimaces with searing pain shooting up his leg.

"Kellar, you'll have to take the lead on this one, I'm down to my last here."

=====

Osvald is just about dead, he will stick behind the partying they head upstairs to assault the archers, but he's no good for melee at this point.

Adrianna, up front with me, he said while straining to catch deep breaths.

Hale, you're right, I'll take point, you and Erlen follow behind, we'll clear through them to the mechanism, he said.

We get the portcullis lowered and we fall back, he said as firmly as he could muster.

Adrianna, I know that's not how it's pronounced, he said to her with a slight grin as he drew his Axe and Shield, using one length of chain to help his left arm support the weight of the shield.

Actions:
Kellar is ready to lead along with Adrianna and close the gate with Hale and Erlen.

Shorjahl sprints across the alleyway, boots sloshing through puddles as he cradles his crossbow.

The archers have turned away from you, in anticipation of the rest of the fellowship coming up from the inside of the gatehouse.

Shorjahl arrives at the splintered door, where in the darkness of the gatehouse beyond he can see his companions strewn about...

[…]

The splintered door litters the filthy stone floor of the gatehouse. It is dimly lit by two sputtering torch sconces, and it smells like spilled wine and sweat.

There are five corpses littering the sparse furniture of the gatehouse. All of them are guardsmen, without armor nor weapon. And all of them have been dead long enough for elaborate pools of blood and innards to stained the interior.

There is a large wooden table in the middle of the room, where a cold dinner of bread and half a bird is scattered about. Flagons of wine still drip onto the floor.

On the northern wall, are two enormous iron chains running through a series of gears, pulleys, and cranks. The switch is nowhere to be seen - likely, atop the gatehouse. And, the chains are far too thick and heavy to be affected much by force of man.

These undoubtedly control the portcullis' raising and lowering.

Erlen looks over to Custer, cradling the vial of acid in his hands. It glows with a faint blue tinge. Custer has seen acid like this before. It is Rust Monster spittle, and it eats through any non-organic material like a hot knife through butter.

The warrior looks back through the doorway at Saavus’ body, still warm. And at Osvald, slumped against the wall. Andrianna holds her sword out, but fatigue is even apparent on her face.

Erlen shrugs, turning round and throwing the vial of acid at the chains with explicit aim.

The acid beads and drips down the thick iron.

But nothing happens

[…]

In the northeast corner, there is a heavy oak door with an iron bar standing ajar, the padlock broken open. Beyond is a narrow doorway with a set of stone steps, undoubtedly winding upward to the rooftop.

If you need to ascend it, it is clear that you’ll need to go single-file…

Geld speaks aloud,

“We’ll be skewered. They’ll have six bows trained on the first one through the staircase up top. Even with one of our shields, that many arrows at that range is death, for certain. And even still, if we manage to push atop, those soldiers are prepared and rested, and we are torn asunder. It appears this was for naught…”

The gnome sighs, looking at the group.

“But, if we are to die this evening. At least let it be an arrow in the front, and not the back. Andrianna, will you lead the charge?”

She nods quietly.

Suddenly, a violent hiss is heard. Your heads whip around to the northern wall, where smoke and steam is rapidly building off of the thick iron chains.

*CHINK!*

A loud booms and echoes through the gatehouse, as flecks of iron begin to sputter off of the iron links.

A groan is heard, as the acid eats through the metal in rapid succession. And suddenly -

*WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP*

The sound of the chains spooling uncontrollably echoes through the gatehouse, and even from here you can hear the deafening sound outside of the portcullis crashing down.

Erlen stares, dumbfounded, and lets out a cry of victory.

========================

Ok lads! You’ve done it! The portcullis is down!

Custer, really great thinking on the acid. When I read that, I was like…no way. That’s not happening. Nope, I’m DM-overriding that one.

But…I had to give it to you. That was great thinking.

All of you get +50 XP for Custer’s acid idea. And, you get +150 XP for closing the portcullis. You also get +50 XP for the shields, which was a great idea. And you get +425 EXP for defeating the orc sergeant and his soldiers in the alleyway, and another +50 XP for Shorjahl’s heroic last stand in the market square.

If I’ve added that up correctly, that’s

+725 XP fellas. Nice work.

You’ve still got the issue of the archers on the rooftop. Custer, I’m giving you the opportunity to -not- try and climb up there, given that I’m not sure if you still want to.

But, if you’re leaving you’ll have to contend with a rain of arrows. And theres also the possibility they’ll charge down after you, though thats unlikely given the bottleneck of the stairs.

Really nice stuff guys. It’s not over yet though! Let me know your plans.

Cuss pumps his left fist into the air, but stops it high as his face starts to lose its color.  Oiy, they'll be coming for us now.  He turns toward Kellar, "Quick!  We've no time afore they're on us!  Everybody help us get this table turned up over the door.  We need the barricade.  Andrianna, come on!"  He sprints the short stride to the table and starts shoving plates and flagons off the top.  

Erlen braces his weight under the edge of the table and lifts, crying out in pain.  He vomits as he struggles, but he does not stop straining against the wood.  

Once the table is in place, Cuss grabs a guard's body by the arms and starts to drag it over to prop up behind the table.  "They'll do us little good just lying about, no?  Help me stack em against the table."  

Erlen leans against the back of the table, and looks from Cuss to the rest of the group, unwilling to use the bodies of dead guards in such a way unless others also begin to move to help.  

====

Cuss wants to barricade the door of the gatehouse with the table and the bodies of the dead.

Kellar listens to Custer go on about stacking the door with the table and dead bodies. I agree, they'll be coming down the stair to come after us, the closing the of the portcullis should cut off their numbers, Kellar said. If it's all the same to you, load a body on the stair and then shut the door, stack the remaining bodies in front of the door. With the blood on the stone stair and the dead weight against the door, it'd be tough to get leverage to open it, he explained to Little One.

We're hurting, that's for sure, we need to escape, move away from the battle and seek refuge somewhere, Kellar said. We lost Saavus, he was brave to the end, his death wasn't for nothing, but it will be if we don't make it out of here, he continued.

Shorjahl, can you leave some magic to make it sound like there's militia coming into the gatehouse? Make it echo up the steps while we make our escape, he asked.

Little One, you know this city better than any of us, aside from Adrianna and Geld, which way should we fall back to, he questioned. He looked at the remaining members of the party for some guidance in this situation.

Tactics covered, but no idea where to retreat to in this city...

Actions:

Kellar offers input about tactics and what the group can do for retreat and confusing the threat from above... (hopefully)
Will roll stealth in the event we leave post-haste. Stealth Roll= 20+3= 23; Like a Boss!

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 20

"Some one'll be coming soon to try and get this gate raised. Without the chain it'll be fruitless, but I don't want to be present when they take out their frustrations. We go up, fight through these archers and make for the wall to escape, or we flee now back through the door and risk a back full of arrows. Either way I don't like our odds. Shorjahl, any chance of distraction lies in your hands."

Blood seeps from his leg, and Osvald continues on;

"If we stay in this room, we die. Barricade or no, there's a few hundred angry men outside that are now trapped in this city, and they will want in this room. We have to make a choice and move. Now."

=====

If Shorjahl can conjure a distraction Osvald will vote avoiding combat and fleeing back down the alley. Otherwise, he'll want to fight through the archers and make for the wall to avoid melee in the streets.

Cuss lets go of the dead man's arms and looks at Osvald, "Ya right, Lord Hale."  His head snaps around looking at both doors and the group.  "Oiy, I don't, I don't know what to do."  Panic and uncertainty begin to set in on Cuss's face.  He stares at Kellar, "Me gear's still at home.  Oiy, mayhaps we can swing by there on the way to the Palace?  I... h... h... how are we going to get out?"  He turns to look at Saavus through a small gap around the table standing on end in front of the main door, and tears start to roll down his pale cheeks.  I'm sorry.

Kellar listens to Little One's words and walks over to him and dusts off his armor and taps on his chest.

If that's still beating, then you're still living. We don't have time for indecision. Your gear can be replaced when this is over, for now, I need you to be Custer Thickett, he said as sternly as he could.

He then checked over the bodies at the door to the stair, to make sure they're in place. At least there's some use after their death.

Shorjahl, can you make fire or sparks? Doesn't have to hurt them, just cause them to panic a bit and lose focus, he said.

Cuss sticks his chest out with renewed boldness, and says to Kellar, "Ya right, I am."  Cuss slides around the table to get a look towards the market square and up at the archers, then around at the alleys close by that they may make use of to get away from the battle and back up to his family manor around it.  

[Advancing my unused stealth roll forward to get a quick scout in.]

[Rolling perception, advantage is for familiarity with the town and layout, so impacting my ability to see a good escape but not so much spotting the archers or troops coming from the square. +1]
12 or 14

Cuss slips back in, and quickly relays what he saw to the group.

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 11, 13