In reply to DM Ryan (msg # 22):

Trapper unsheathed his weapon and spoke breifly. "Pyrra. Zin. I say we charge that archer, and retreat down his ally.There should be cover in there, and we can bottle neck the other bastards. If it gets too rough, we'll just keep running."
With that, Trapper charged the archer. Slashing at him with both hands on one end of his double axe.
14:13, Fri 20 Mar 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 13 using 1d20+9 ((4)).
(Hope that hits....)
if it does....

14:15, Fri 20 Mar 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 7 using 1d8+5 ((2)).
I am now at (4h/3h) engaged in combat with the archer.

“Charge the archer! Make for that alley!” Adwonus shouted as cloaked men ran toward them. Next to him, Pyrra pulled out the bow from her back with a grace only an elf could muster, and before Adwonus could blink, she’d armed it with an arrow. In reply to the archer’s shot, she delivered an immediate response. Her arrow whistled through the air and sailed into the chest of the assailant {Pyrra hits Enemy #1; 18 Dmg ~ Critical}. The archer’s head whipped backward at the impact, and his hood fell. As Adwonus had suspected, it was a man, a human, but it was someone he’d never seen before. With slanted eyes characteristic of the Shan-tai people, he was fairly aged, for streaks of gray patterned his otherwise black hair which was tied in a short ponytail. He appeared wounded now.

Adwonus charged, sprinting across the cobbled stone street. He took a large swing with his double axe. Despite his injuries, the archer still had the wherewithal to escape the blow, ducking beneath it. The axe missed and struck the corner of a building instead, tearing away some splinters of wood {Adwonus misses Enemy #1}.

Pyrra and Zinvaris caught up with him. While Pyrra took repositioned herself on the far side of the incoming enemies, Zinvaris entered fray. Highly enjoying himself, he laughed in the midst of combat. “Lovely day for this isn’t it?” He lunged with his rapier at the archer and missed, but he didn’t seem concerned, keeping one eye on the enemies approaching behind them {Zinvaris misses Enemy #1; Combat Expertise}.

The archer hastily took a step backward. Wasting no time, he loaded his bow with two arrows and fired them simultaneously. Adwonus eclipsed the entrance to the alley, standing only a short distance away; although he saw them coming, there was little he could do as both arrows shot into his stomach {Enemy #1 hits Adwonus; 3 & 8 Dmg}. Pyrra looked at the protruding arrows with terror.

Their enemies behind reached them. Carrying a lengthy shafted weapon with a bladed end, a halberd, one dashed toward Zinvaris and swept the polearm at his legs. With superb nimbleness, Zinvaris gleefully hopped over the blade as though he were a child playing jumprope {Enemy #2 misses Zinvaris}. “Is that all you got?” he provokingly retorted. Following behind his companion, the second foe charged into the middle of the group; the sound of metal links clanked beneath his cloak. He uncovered a thick knobbed club from his side and with both hands swung toward Adwonus. To Adwonus’ relief, the attack was clumsy and slow and he side-stepped it easily, even with arrows in his gut {Enemy #3 misses Adwonus}.

Past the enemies at their back, he saw a glimpse of the fourth person leaving the nearby house  and running across the street {Enemy #4}. At first Adwonus thought it was a child, for the figure was not even four feet tall, but he soon noticed the stocky physique - the sign of a halfling. Holding a crossbow, the halfling positioned himself on the other side of the road.

Adwonus began to sweat.

In reply to DM Ryan (msg # 24):

Trapper checks his surroundings, and swings his axe, the first blade at the adjacent foe,

22:34, Tue 24 Mar 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 8 using 1d20+5 ((3)).


22:33, Tue 24 Mar 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 11 using 1d8+5 ((6)).
his attack misses,


He then takes a five foot step and swings at the archer with his other blade.

attack(critical)22:30, Tue 24 Mar 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 25 using 1d20+5 ((20)).

Confirm crit(fail)22:31, Tue 24 Mar 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 6 using 1d20+5 ((1)).
Damage(22:32, Tue 24 Mar 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 9 using 1d8+5 ((4)))
He yells to the others, watch the halfling! Keep moving, he can't fire into a melee with ease!

"Adwonus, duck!" Pyrra fires an arrow into the alley. Crouching, Adwonus hears it whistling through the air above his head.

She falls back to the nearby alley, taking cover behind the corner.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:42, Thu 26 Mar 2015.

Sword blazing, parrying everything that came his way, Zinvaris put his back to Adwonus'. "I've got you covered. I can hold these three for a little while, but seriously, don't take your time!"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 11:40, Thu 26 Mar 2015.

Adwonus smiled at the blood on his weapon. This was a first for his new double-headed axe, a proud moment. Across the archer’s leg, the blade had left a red streak; steadily, the stain began to grow and visibly soak into his cloak {Adwonus hits Enemy #1; 9 Dmg}. Adwonus was worried when he’d missed the first swing on his other foe, but a fast change of targets made it all worth it {Adwonus misses Enemy #3}. At least he hoped it would in the end.

Suddenly he heard a cry from behind, “Adwonus, duck!” Adwonus hastily crouched and heard the arrow sailing above him. But apparently the archer heard as well, for he ducked simultaneous with Adwonus. Even as they crouched, their eyes remained locked in a deadly glare, scarcely blinking. Both had made slaying the other their goal, the task at hand. Adwonus could see the intensive focus in those brown eyes; he imagined his own blue stare was not very different. Pyrra’s arrow sailed overhead and disappeared down the alleyway, missing them both {Pyrra misses Enemy#1}. With zero hesitation, Adwonus and his foe resumed their combat stances.

Adwonus then felt someone touching his back. Alarmed at first, he glanced over his shoulder but saw only Zinvaris, pressing his back against his and covering his flank. Parrying like the wind, Zinvaris’ sword was a blur. Adwonus could scarcely see it as the thin blade scratched one of their enemies {Zinvaris hits Enemy #3; 5 Dmg}. What happened next impressed Adwonus even more. A crossbow bolt shot across the street from the halfling; although it darted through the air faster than a hummingbird, Zinvaris struck it from the air with his sword, knocking it to the ground {Enemy #4 misses Zinvaris}. One of their enemies swung a knobbed greatclub, but Zinvaris parried this as well {Enemy #3 misses Zinvaris}; This was instantly followed by the halberd, hoping to catch Zinvaris distracted, but to no avail. Somehow, Zinvaris parried this too {Enemy #2 misses Zinvaris}. His thin rapier seemed to dance effortlessly around the bulkier weapons, guiding them astray. Adwonus was indeed impressed. Zinvaris glanced over his shoulder, Adwonus only inches away, and smirked, “I’ve got your back man. Just don’t take too long.” Adwonus nodded in reply. Things relied on him now.

He returned his attention to the archer who’d taken another step back. Predictably, he’d reloaded his bow with another two arrows. Adwonus looked right and left, but the alley walls towered on both sides - there was nowhere to hide. “Shit,” he muttered to himself, “This is gonna hurt.” The archer released both arrows and they shot straight into Adwonus’ stomach, joining the others already there {Enemy#1 hits Adwonus; 5 Dmg, 5 Dmg}. Adwonus briefly stared at the four arrows now protruding from his gut. His thoughts had become a blur, and he felt hot, much too hot. Things were becoming dangerous. And bloody.

In reply to DM Ryan (msg # 28):

Trapper spoke to zin. "I'm stepping forwad. Keep at my back, funnel them in, it will take pressure off of both of us!"
The half orc leapt forwards, swinging both hisblades towards the archer, intent on killing him.

15:11, Fri 27 Mar 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 8 using 1d20+5 ((3)).
MISS

15:12, Fri 27 Mar 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 10 using 1d20+5 ((5)).
miss.

Weariness crept over him. The loss of blood had made everything seem distant, and he strenuously fought to keep his mind. Exhausted, Adwonus swung his axe, but neither axehead landed anywhere near his opponent {Adwonus misses Enemy#1; Adwonus misses Enemy#1}. His elbow touched one of the arrows protruding from his gut and a twinge of pain flared through him. “Damn these bastards,” Adwonus spitefully muttered. Facing him, the archer was on the verge of reloading his bow. This might’ve been Adwonus' last moment alive if it wasn’t for a welcome interruption. Behind the archer, Pyrra suddenly leaned around the corner with her bow! She released an arrow straight into the archer’s back who shouted at the pain {Pyrra hits Enemy#1; 6 Dmg}. The foe who wielded a halberd yelled to his companion, “Takki, fall back!” The archer heard. Wasting no time, he withdrew. Able to do nothing, Pyrra bitterly watched him turn the corner opposite her and disappear down the alley and into the street.

Behind Adwonus, Zinvaris was continuing to parry with great skill. Despite focusing on defense, he added yet another cut to his previous one (mostly for style) before falling back into the alley {Zinvaris hits Enemy#3; 3 Dmg}. Perhaps giving up, the enemy suddenly sprinted to the east and out of view. Now with a clear shot, the halfling across the street fired bolt into the alleyway and this time hitting Zinvaris in knee {Enemy#4 hits Zinvaris; 4 Dmg}. Zinvaris briefly gasped through his teeth. “You ok?” Adwonus asked. Zinvaris glanced at the arrows in Adwonus’ stomach and dryly chuckled, “Better than you!” That was all Adwonus needed to hear. Zinvaris returned his attention to the matters at hand just in time to parry the incoming halberd, deflecting it to the side {Enemy#2 misses Zinvaris}. Zinvaris continued speaking to Adwonus, “You know, I’m starting to think we might not have the strength to finish this fight. We might want to consider some alternate plans. Then again, we could risk it - I’m behind you either way.” “Pyrra’s over here, so we could-” Adwonus was cut short by a cry from Pyrra. Her elven face peaked over the corner, "The other one. He’s coming up behind me!” This was becoming a close-quarters fight. . .

Trapper looked down at the arrows in his armor, then at the ensuing chaos. "Zin. With me, were' going to withdraw down the alley and take Pyyra with us. We need to find better ground. Pyra! Withdraw! We'll deal with these bastards in a bit!"

We fully withdraw down the alley and duck into a random building(if possible if not, we keep moving into a zone with more inhabitants(IE a market))

“Let’s go!” Adwonus harshly shouted. The clang of swords abruptly ceased as Zinvaris turned and followed him. They both rushed down the alley, bolting at full speed. As they passed Pyrra, she escaped a final swing from her opponent and dashed away, sprinting close behind Zinvaris. They took sharp and random turns through the alleyways. Before long, they exited out the alleys and stepped into a street on the other side, parallel to the main road. A passing merchant with his wagon gave them an alarmed look, thinking for a moment he was about to be mugged, but was relieved when all they did was rest and pant heavily, out of breath. The merchant hastened away.

Pyrra glanced back into the alleys, “I think they’ve disengaged. Perhaps to take care of their wounded. Perhaps because they want to catch us on their own terms. I’m not sure.” Zinvaris warily touched the cut on his leg, assessing the damage. “Who the hell were those guys?” he asked. Pyrra frowned and replied, “I’m not sure of that either. But I know where we could find out. However- . . . Adwonus?”

Adwonus leaned on the wall. His heavy breathing had a sickening rasp to it. He suddenly vomited on the ground - there was blood. “Oh no,” Pyrra gasped, rushing to his side. She lightly touched his stomach. “These arrows are in there pretty deep. You’re hurt bad. We need to get you someplace where you can rest.” Adwonus glanced at her and stubbornly said, ”No, I’m fine. Let’s-” He vomited again. The concern on Pyrra’s face deepened, “There’s a place we can rest. I know the owner. Come on.” She placed her head beneath Adwonus’ shoulder to help him walk, her arm supporting his back. “Trust me,” she said in response to Adwonus’ scowl at being helped. She continued, “Be as prideful as you want. But you don’t help anyone by dying, and I have no plans to let that happen. . .” As hastily as they could, they disappeared down the street, staying close to the shadows. And for the time being, they had lost their attackers. Adwonus hated the thought of being prey.

In reply to DM Ryan (msg # 32):

"Allright," he barked. "Let's get to a safe place. Pyrra, lead the way."

Pyrra spoke with a frail, old man while Zinvaris helped Adwonus up stairs to the bedroom. After laying down a sheet, Zinvaris eased him onto the bed. It hadn’t taken them long to reach the northern edge of the Slums, being close to where they were, but each step was torture for Adwonus. Pyrra entered the room, “I finished talking with my old friend. He said we could use this room for the evening.” “Old friend?” Zinvaris inquired. Pyrra set down her things and moved next to Adwonus. She spoke as she pulled out some tools and bandages, “Yes. I had a mission to investigate a gang of criminals in this area a couple years back. By pure coincidence, I found them just as they were about to kill that old man, and stopped them. He’s provided me with information and occasional help ever since.”

Zinvaris nodded as he grabbed a few wash clothes and soaked them in water. Wringing them so they were damp, he crouched next to Adwonus. “These arrows have to come out you know.” “I know,” Adwonus muttered. Pyrra added, “After that you should get some rest. It’s not even the evening yet; if you get sleep now, we’ll still be able to continue our mission in the dead of night, which perhaps would be better anyway.” Adwonus silently nodded. “If you have Clay Tokens, I could get some Elven Medicine for you. There’s a dealer close by.” “But first let’s get these arrows,” said Zinvaris. While he readied the wash clothes and some bandages, Pyrra stood over Adwonus and gulped. “This is going to hurt,” she said. Carefully, she grabbed the first arrow. Adwonus wasn’t sure when he blacked out, but after that moment, everything was a blur. . .

In reply to DM Ryan (msg # 34):

Trapper sat up in the bed, wincing a bit. He looked around the room, at Pyyra, at Zin. "We have a problem. Those boys in the ally were no thugs. They meant to kill. We got assassins on our hands... We're going to have to move even quieter to keep this mission from getting complicated..."

"Agreed," said Zinvaris as he cleaned his blade in the corner. "We could move tonight. I doubt they know where we are. My guess is they're tending to their own wounds. Meanwhile, we could go complete our mission. Then afterwards set our sights on retribution."

In reply to Zinvaris Artian (msg # 36):

THe half orc looked to zin and nodded. "Retribution does sound nice. But I want one alive. I want to know who's trying to kill us, but I do have my ideas."

Adwonus shot up from his bed in a cold sweat. Pyrra was touching his shoulder, her purple eyes shining in the dark. She’d woken him, but his reaction caused her some worry. “It’s the middle of the night. We’d best get going.” Adwonus breathed heavily for a few moments before nodding, then, easing himself off the bed. He could walk on his feet now, stand, move like he used to, as long as the bandage held in place anyway. It shifted as he reached down and picked his weapons off the floor, sending a jolt of pain and weakness through him. He endured it.

Zinvaris was rubbing his eyes, having just woken himself, “Time to get this party started?” “Now or never,” said Pyrra with a wavering in her voice. Zinvaris shot a glance at Adwonus looking for a final say. He grunted in reply, wanting to show no weakness. And together, they departed the old man's wooden house that had been their hiding place and re-entered the streets. The moon shined brightly in the night sky.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:55, Sat 11 Apr 2015.

In reply to DM Ryan (msg # 38):

trapper got up from the bed, checking his wounds(did I heal at all?)"Let's get moving then."

Moonlight illuminated the city streets. Most citizens of Herrod slept in their beds at this hour, dreaming pleasant dreams, unaware of the great events to come. But the streets were not entirely empty, for Adwonus and his party walked them, footsteps echoing lightly on the cobbled stone. Zinvaris gazed upward at the pale stars, confident of his feet in the dim glow. He walked beside Adwonus. “Lovely night.” Adwonus couldn’t help but agree. Many of the constellations overhead were familiar to him. He didn’t know their proper names, only the names he himself had given them; he’d spent many nights in his youth, on the island, watching the heavens.

Truly, there was little else to do during that solitary time of his life. Days and nights passed without uttering a word. Who was there to speak to? So he’d lay on the rocky bluffs, eyes open, waiting for sleep to come of its own accord. One constellation, three bright stars in alignment, he’d named the spear, and crafted a story for it so that he might remember its shape. This spear belonged to an amazonian woman, or so he imagined. Strong and fierce, she fought back the others stars, enemies all around. And indeed the line of stars rotated throughout the night as it traveled from one horizon to the other, like a clock, eventually facing all directions. This amazon was surrounded, but she faced her foes one by one, always triumphant, for the next night she was always there and the fight began once more. If only his mother had be so strong.

Adwonus abruptly ceased his fanciful stargazing and set his eyes on the road where they belonged. Pushing out whatever thoughts he’d been thinking, he directed them, forcefully, onto the task at hand. Yet they were stubborn. His mind wandered onto Pyrra walking ahead of them whose elven eyes and ears led the way. She was strong. And in a way, she was also motherly. Fierce on the outside but tender and gentle within, when the world permitted it. Her life had been far from easy. Adwonus had always considered his own to be a difficult one, always him against the world, but it seemed much less so next to Pyrra’s, who lost not only her family but her entire people. Adwonus never really had a people, for which he was grateful. You can’t lose what you don’t have.

The Bazaar drew near. The entire market district was surrounded by a wall, sectioning it off from the rest of the city. This city was full of walls. It normally took an hour to walk from one side of the Bazaar to the other, but at night when the streets were barren, it’d take perhaps twenty minutes - not that he was concerned about time. Dawn was many hours away. Time was on his side for once. . .

In reply to DM Ryan (msg # 40):

Trapper kept himself focused the best he could. THe wounds hurt with movement, but pain was a part of his life. He pushed on towards the objective, moving with his companions as inconspicuously as he could...

It felt different walking through the Bazaar at night. The streets were empty and silent, and the air was cooled by the nearby ocean. Familiar with the market streets, Adwonus and his companions swiftly traversed the roads leading the warehouse, which was to be found in the southeastern corner of the Bazaar. Before long, cutting through the various side roads, they reached their destination. It was exactly where it was supposed to be. Beneath the stars and moonlit sky, they gazed upon a large wooden warehouse built near the towering stone wall that enclosed the market district. Thirty feet high with a sloped roof, the warehouse appeared worn and derelict, like a barn decades old. Adwonus would have presumed it to be abandoned if it wasn’t for the two fifteen foot high doors propped wide open with torchlight and voices emanating from inside. . .

“We’re here,” said Pyrra. “Now, we need a plan.” As they began discussion, something suddenly caught the attention of both Pyrra and Adwonus. Ahead, just around the corner of a building opposite the warehouse, they caught sight of a group of people lingering on the pier. Largely out of sight, they stood conversing quietly. “I count five,” Pyrra whispered tersely. “Same,” Adwonus replied. Zinvaris asked, “Is it a gang of pirates?” “I’m not sure,” Pyrra answered. “But I’m sure we’ll find out.”


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:20, Wed 22 Apr 2015.

“Let’s try to slip in and out before anything goes down,” Pyrra whispered. “I see a backdoor just over there, in that crevice. Quick.” Following closely, Pyrra led them into the narrow space where there was indeed a backdoor and opened it silently. To their relief, a wall of crates blocked view from the rest of the warehouse leaving a small walkway between it and the wall - something to hide behind. As quietly as they could, they slipped into the warehouse. . .


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:52, Mon 27 Apr 2015.

In reply to DM Ryan (msg # 43):

Trapper ducked into the coridor attempting to move nice and quiet like.(ms
16:30, Sat 25 Apr 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 11 using 1d20+10 ((1)).)
and hide check
(
16:31, Sat 25 Apr 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 12 using 1d20+10 ((2)).
( i have shitty rolls dude. lol)

Adwonus rested his back against the wall of crates which were stacked five layers high, about fifteen feet. Through a small crack between one column, he could catch the slightest glimpse of men moving back and forth, not to mention the constant drum of voices and footsteps as they worked. Pyrra and Zinvaris crept by either side of him, listening. Adwonus felt a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead. This was a dangerous place. If they were caught in a fight, Adwonus thought, they wouldn’t be able win. Pyrra and Zinvaris realized this as well. They took a moment to catch their breath.

And as if fate itself was against them, their ears perked from an even worse sound; they heard another set of footsteps approaching. . . from behind the backdoor! Pyrra and Adwonus glanced at each other with tense and worried faces. Adwonus harshly whispered, “As soon as the door opens, I’ll grab him and keep him quiet. If there’s a clang of swords, the pirate will hear us, and we’ll be overwhelmed. We’ve gotta do this stealthy. Got it?” Pyrra and Zinvaris swiftly nodded and took their positions next to the door. For a brief moment, Adwonus was proud of their competence and professionalism, but now was not the time for praise.

The footsteps drew closer. Adwonus readied himself. The moment the door opened a crack, Pyrra suddenly opened it the rest of the way, undoubtedly surprising the fool on the other side. Only one man, Adwonus grabbed the fellow by the collar and placed a thick, green hand over his mouth. He pulled him inside, ready for a hard struggle. Pyrra closed the backdoor as swiftly and silently as she’d opened it. As he was about the wrestle the oncomer to the ground, Adwonus realized something. He recognized the person in his grip!

“Mikael?”

The elven eyes gazed back at him in equal surprise. Options raced through Adwonus’ mind. Mikael, like himself, clearly didn’t belong here - the elf was trying to sneak in. It was a great risk trying to fight, Adwonus concluded, especially when there might be another way. If there was ever a time that Adwonus needed more men, now was the time.

“Now, I’m going to take my hand off you,” Adwonus whispered in a low growl. “Don’t make a sound, or the pirates will hear us, and kill us. Understand?” Mikael blinked with comprehension. Slowly, Adwonus lifted his hand off the elf’s mouth; Mikael stared back at him still trying to overcome his shock. This was a high stakes game.

In reply to DM Ryan (msg # 45):

Trapper looked at the elf, and whispered. "What are you doing here?"

“Well, uh, goodbye,” said Mikael. “Alright,” Adwonus replied simply. Timidly the elf glanced between the members of Adwonus’ party and proceeded to open the backdoor. He eased himself through. Although it appeared entirely unintentional, the latch handle of the door then slipped from the elf’s grasp, and Adwonus’ blood went hot. The door didn’t slam shut by any means, but it made more sound than he would’ve liked as it fell back into place. He could hear the elf scram on the other side. Filled with trepidation, his senses sharpened and caught a voice within the warehouse.

“Mate, I think I hear somethin’. Go check the backdoor will you?”

Pyrra glanced at Adwonus, “We gotta move, now.” He nodded. Swiftly, they opened the backdoor a second time and scurried out the building. They stepped into the street just in time to catch sight of Mikael crossing the road and entering the adjacent structure. “Let’s go,” said Adwonus.

Adwonus knew what he might find. He didn’t have a full plan yet, but one was forming in his thoughts. As he reached the entrance of the building, he took a moment to examine it beneath the moonlit night. It was old and clearly abandoned, perhaps a storefront during the time it was in use. The frontside faced the pier and the open ocean beyond; dark waves crashed against the stone a mere twenty feet away and rocked ships along the docks. Some rotted boards were nailed over the upper half of the entrance to the abandoned store, with several lower boards apparently having been pried off - recently. The door was open, and Mikael could be clearly seen just inside. Him and others. Adwonus stepped up to the doorframe and peered within.

Five figures returned his gaze, very familiar figures: Johannes, Dwalin, Mikael, Imbellem, and Jacqueline.

He heard Mikael finish saying, “I ran into someone, someone I didn’t expect.” “Yes,” Adwonus uttered, commanding their attention. “Definitely unexpected.”