The adventurers are startled awake several hours after adjourning to their chambers by insistent knocks on their doors. Anxious voices outside their doors accompany the banging, urging the heroes to come quickly. It is now near midnight, but the light of the stars and a full moon provide some visibility.

Outside, the party hears the sound of massive dragonbone horns pealing through the air, accompanied by a rising and thunderous roar. This heralds the event Brindol has come to fear--The Red Hand is on the march!

Defenders throughout the city are racing to the battle stations, the city walls now teeming with Brindol's army. The sound of stone smashing stone now accompanies the thunderous roar. It soon becomes clear the source of this sound--great boulders are raining down from the sky straight into the city walls! Defenders positioned along the walls can't see any siege engines in the distance, but do see several large giants atop a low hill about 500 feet south of the southern gate. The giants are outside of bow range, but close enough to continue pummeling the walls with thrown boulders. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before the walls begin to fall!

Lord Jarmaath contacts the party and tells them two groups of hill giants are bombarding different sections of the city wall. He has already ordered one sortie to take out one group but cannot afford to divert a second group from the main battle.

"Defeat these foes!" he implores

Eoni was nonplussed at her rude awakening.  Couldn't they have waited until dawn as she'd planned?

Finding the others stumbling from their own rooms, she pulled on her padded coat and helped the others tighten the straps on their armors.

"There are giants bombarding the city from the south," she informed them.  "We've been assigned to take out one of the two groups.  They're a good ways out so we'll grab some horses from the stable to get in fast."

She really wished Aldara were here.  They could really use her sorcery about now.

After donning her leather armor, Sarah covers her ears to help muffle the sound of the boulder-missiles crashing into the City's walls.  But as the others who have more to prepare get closer to being ready, she scoops up her remaining belongings and prepares to leave.

The last thing she does is pull her new leather cap over her head.  Between that and the crossbow, she looks a little ridiculous.

Vaxfar dons his banded mail and puts the bastard sword on his back.  “I am ready.  What is our plan of attack?”  [Private to DM Pawn: I have memorized the Web spell in place of ESP during our rest. ]

Valthur gathers his weapons and dons his magic chainmail and his helmet. With axe in hand, he bows his head and takes a deep breath to collect his thoughts. Moradin guide this axe. Let its strikes be true tonight... And give us all the strength to stand against these Red Hand scum bags.


He joins the others in time to hear Eoni direct them to the stables. "Horses?" He complains. "Ugh. They're not designed with dwarves in mind... but I guess it's better than riding an owl. At least if I fall off, I won't plummet to my death." Having spoken his piece, he starts for the stable.

Taerix makes sure he has everything he needs, including his new potions. Then he heads with the others to the stables.

"Can I ride with one of you? Horses were never my size...."

"You can ride with me," Eoni replied to Taerix as they made their way toward the stables.  She tried touching the halfling with her staff to see if it had recharged in the little time since it was last used on him.

"We may need to drink some of that healing before we ride," she said, realizing how poorly she still felt herself.

The adventures gather their gear and depart from their chambers. They race down to the stables and gather horses to carry them with great speed to where they are needed most--a low hill about 500 feet south of the southern city gate. There, a group of hill giants is posted and are throwing a seemingly endless barrage of boulders at the city's south walls. Outside of range of even the most capable archer, the giants are free to do as they wish.

The adventurers charge out of the stables, mounted now on sturdy riding horses, bound presumably toward the south gate. Arriving at the south gate, they can readily hear the sound of stone crashing into stone, with the defenders atop the wall seemingly in a panic. The gates are presently closed and a group of soldiers is hastily doing what they can to reinforce the gate with sturdy planks, but it will all be for nothing if something isn't done, and soon!

As the adventures gallop forward, one of the soldiers calls out, "There's nothing we can do! Those damn giants are too far away!"

"I've got a giant strength potion now! I should just throw the rocks back!"

"Just get us out there!" Eoni shouted at the soldiers reinforcing the gate.  "Open these gates or those giants will open them for us!  We'll take care of the giants!

"Open those gates!"

She turned to the scout and said with less volume, "With only one of you and a dozen of them, they'll pound you into paste.  If we have to charge on foot from here, we'll be pounded to paste well before we reach them.  We need to find a way out.

"Once we're out, don't run straight at them.  Spread out and zigzag to make it harder for them to hit us."

She looks around for anyone injured to use the staff on while they wait for the gates to be opened.  She wasn't wearing her tiara and depended on the light around the gate.  She didn't want to be a beacon outside for the giants to target.

Vaxfar readies for battle and is deep in thought as he awaits the opening  gates.  [Private to DM Pawn: How far away are the giants?  Is there a clear view of them? Are they clustered?  I am considering my fireball spell to start, but I need to know if they are within 240’]

The guards open the gates, per Eoni's command. Once the adventurers have filed through, they quickly close the gates and return to their stations.

The low hills the ogres have takenup position on is about 500 feet distant. A cobblestone road leads in that general direction, the remainder of the surrounding countryside occupied by now abandoned cottages, orchards, and farmland.

At this distance, only keen-eyed party members can even see the rough silhouettes of what they presume to be hill giants atop the low hill. Despite the fact there is moonlight, it is still much too far to get a good view of their numbers and position atop the hill.

Eager to engage the enemy, Vaxfar whispers to Eoni “I can scout ahead invisibly and get a better picture of what we are facing.”

"We need to get out there fast," Eoni replied to the elf.  "Spread out and try not to get hit."  She spurred her horse down the cobblestone at a gallop.  Once clear of the houses, she hoped to cut across fields and close in without giving them a good shot at her.

"Agreed" Vaxfar replied as he fanned out to the left. [Private to DM Pawn: I cast the invisibility spell.  I then ride until I am about 250' away and use an abandoned house or orchard as cover and a place to dismount and tie up my horse. What do I see?]

In reply to Vaxfar (msg # 15):

Anyone watching closely sees Vaxfar disappear off his horse as he gallops off.

Sarah coaxes her horse to accelerate, and tries to get it to mimic the movements she would employ if she were running from a foe trying to aim for her.  That is, changing directions at irregular times.

OOC: As in, not like Rickon Stark.

Valthur urges his horse forward and hangs on with what little dignity he still has, hoping not to fall off. In rare moments when he isn't more than half way out of the saddle, he scans for possible cover that would block him from being seen by the giants once he gets closer.

But mostly he just tries to stay on his horse.

The adventurers ride toward the distant hill, all the while, the hill giants continue to bombard the city walls with huge boulders. Vaxfar scouts a little ahead of the adventurers, eventually drawing to within 250 feet of the hill. Even though it is night, the light of the moon and the stars allows the elf to observe four hill giants atop the low rise. They are scattered across the hill and not clustered in any one location. Beside each, a large pile of stones stands at the ready, from which they continue their barrage. The giants laugh and cackle as each stone smashes into the distant wall.

OOC: The giants are each about 20 feet from the next, located along a line atop the summit.

Vaxfar relays the information to the group.  “Wait here” he whispers.  “I will sneak close enough to cast a web spell on at least one pile of rocks.” [Private to DM Pawn: I will sneak close enough while invisible to cast the web spell.  I should stay invisible as long as I am casting spells on inanimate objects.  It doesn’t say how big the web is.  If I can I would cast it from one rock pile to another.  If I can’t do that, I will cover one rock pile before a giant reaches for a rock.]. “Once the web is cast, I will come back here and then cast a fireball that can hit some giants and set the web on fire, so stand back until then.” [Private to DM Pawn: If successful with the web, I will sneak back to within 200 yards and cast a fireball that should be between giants but within 10’ of the giant closest to the web.  Before casting the fireball, I will wait to see if the web causes any confusion and causes the giants to come closer together.  My intent is to cast the fireball to hit as many giiants and especially one who might be caught in the web]

"We don't have time for that!" Eoni whispered harshly back at the elf.  "Every stone could be killing defenders on the wall.

"Just get in there and take them out one by one."

Eoni spurred her horse forward to sweep around on the closest as they hadn't seemed to be spotted yet.

"Taerix," she whispered over her shoulder, "I'll drop you off and try to distract it."

Valthur follows Eoni's lead, charging his horse toward the giants, but making a special point of staying at least one boulder's width away from Eoni and Tearix.

OOC: If he can manage it (not sure of the lay of the land), Valthur will try to approach the giants from the side as opposed to straight in front of them.

Taerix drops from the horse, staying low to the ground as he nears the closest giant.

Heedless of Eoni's admonishment, Vaxfar urges his horse forward at a steady gallop toward the distant hill. The rest of the party follows shortly behind, spreading out as they converge on the low hills southeast of the city.

The hill giants continue their barrage of the city, either unconcerned or unaware of the adventurers approach. The city walls take a pummeling as large sections of wall are pummeled by large stones.

Once he gets closer, Vaxfar can see he will only be able to catch at most, one giant with his web spell and at best, two hill giants with a fireball. The giants are spread out atop the hill and not located close enough to one another to catch any great number of them in either spell's area of effect. Furthermore, the elf can only see the giant's upper torsos at the moment, as they are atop the hill and the rest of the party is not on top of the hill yet.

OOC: Assume Vaxfar is now 100 feet distant from the giants and the rest of the party is 150 feet distant from the giants.

Eoni continued to sweep around, hoping to avoid being noticed until she's on top of the one on the end.

Sarah follows Eoni's general direction and intent, but does not stay so close that they represent a single target for the giant's stony missiles.

Valthur's main objective is to not fall off his horse (a legitimate challenge for him), but he does what he can to identify a path to the giants that might afford him an attack by surprise.

Vaxfar proceeds 50 yards closer and dismounts.  All that can be seen is a horse stopping  as he is stil invisible. [Private to DM Pawn: If there is a place to tie up the horse, I will do that and then proceed on foot quietly until I am about 20 yards away.  I would then cast the web spell on a pile of rocks in front of the nearest giant.  I would take care to cast the spell before he reaches the rock so as to maintain my invisibility. ]

The party draws nearer while the hill giants continue to pummel the city walls with boulder after boulder. Eventually, Vaxfar sneaks up close enough to chant the magic words of his web spell, the rest of the party right on his heels as they ascend the low hill.

The invisible elf sends a mass of sticky webs at the nearest hill giant, specifically, the pile of rocks so as to catch the giant in its area of effect without directly targeting the hill giant in his spell. This tactic, of course, to prolong his invisibility spell. The ploy seems to work, the hill giant is momentarily trapped in the web. The giant fights against the bonds and alerts the others to his predicament.

The three other giants begin scanning the area for interlopers. For the moment, the rest of the party is positioned behind nearby cover, but the hill giants are quite alert, looking this way and that for something to smash into a pulp with the large boulderes presently in their hand.

OOC: Let's assume the party is now 50 feet from the hill giants. The giants are spaced about 20 feet apart from eachother, atop the hill.

Hill Giants:
AC: 4
HP: 40/40 (webbed, round 1), 40/40, 40/40, 40/40


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8  28/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  26/26   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  33/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14


PCs are UP!]

"Concentrate on one at a time and leave the one that's stuck for last," Eoni said to the others.  "I'll try to create a distraction so they don't see you coming.

"May Avandra bless us all."

Saying that, she ran away from the giants toward the nearest building.  As she ran, she pulled the blazing tiara from her jacket.  She hoped the moving light would distract them enough for the others to engage them one at a time while the rest hurled their deadly boulders at her.

Valthur dismounts behind one of the giants, draws his axe, and charges in as silently as he can.

OOC: Don't think I can make it 50' in this round and still attack, so will withhold from rolling until I get the green light from the DM.

Sarah hasn't decided whether she's going to contribute with missile fire or melee weapons, so she takes advantage of her invisibility and her own skills to try to move closer and behind the giants.

Seeing the others moving, Taerix lined up a bow shot and scored a direct hit. Unfortunately it was probably little more than a mosquito bite to the giant, but at least it might serve as a distraction.


15:28, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  damage.

15:27, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 19 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 15.  Bow shot.

Vaxfar casts another spell.  He is about 20' away from the webbed giant.  For those looking in his direction, they can see a glowing, pea-sized bead streaking from his index finger of his right hand  (being invisible, it appears out of thin air).  A flame blossoms from that point and streaks to a point between the two closest non-webbed giants  and 10' behind them, chest high.

17:09, Today: Vaxfar rolled 15 using 5d6 with rolls of 2,5,1,3,4.  Fireball Spell.

A burst of fire erupts atop the hill, catching two hill giants at ground zero of Vaxfar's spell. The giants emerge from the inferno scorched and dazed, but still alive and quite dangerous.

The giants begin cursing in their native tongue as three of the brutes wheel around trying to determine the source of the attack. One eventually spots Vaxfar, a short distance away, and reaches for a large stone to hurl at the elf.

Meanwhile, the giant within the web struggles to break free while ripping itself from its sticky bonds.

OOC: Let's assume Vaxfar and Valthur are close enough to engage the hill giants in melee, if they wish. The rest of the party is within range to use missile weapons and the like. The giants are spaced about 20 feet apart from eachother, atop the hill.

Hill Giants:
AC: 4
HP: 40/40 (webbed, round 2), 25/40, 25/40, 40/40


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8  28/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  26/26   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  33/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14


PCs are UP!]

Vaxfar reads a scroll and 2 more images of him appear.

Today: Vaxfar rolled 2 using 1d4 with rolls of 2.  Mirror image .

Taerix shoots again, targeting the one who just spotted Vaxfar. This time the giant should feel it.


21:25, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.  arrow damage.

21:25, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Bow shot.

Bolstered somewhat by the sight of the elf's magical help, Valthur charges in with his axe, striking the nearest giant somewhere in the leg.

23:52, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 16 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 13.  Axe vs. nearest giant.
23:53, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 5 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 2.  Damage.

Blazing tiara settled firmly upon her head, Eoni continued to dash across between the giants and the city in her attempt to distract them.

Sarah remains unseen . . .

[Private to DM Pawn: OOC: Continue getting in range and position for a backstab on an injured giant.]

One of the hill giant hurls a massive boulder at one of three Vaxfar's. The stone slams into the mirror image, and then the ground, with a heavy thud. After the dust settles, only two Vaxfars remain.

A second giant slams its meaty fists into Valthur, hitting the dwarf with a heavy blow.

The third hill giant hurls a giant stone at Eoni. The stone hits the cleric and almost knocks her to the ground, but somehow, she manages to stay on her feet.

The webbed giant continues to try to extract itself from the sticky webs and is beginning to make good progress on that front.

Meanwhile, Sarah stalks into position for a backstab attempt...

OOC: One mirror image gone. Valthur takes 9 points of damage. Eoni takes 12 damage.


Hill Giants:
AC: 4
HP: 40/40 (webbed, round 2), 17/40, 25/40, 40/40


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8  16/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  24/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  33/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14


PCs are UP!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:53, Mon 13 May 2019.

Scrambling to maintain her footing after the blow, the Sister ran for the nearest cover.  She'd be hard pressed to sustain another blow like that.  It was up to the others now.

Vaxfar casts Magic missile and directs all three at the most wounded giant causing 11 more points of damage.

22:05, Today: Vaxfar rolled 5,3,3 using 1d6+1,1d6+1,1d6+1 with rolls of 4,2,2.  Magic missile .

Valthur clenches his teeth and charges again at the giant in front of him. "You hit hard. Let's see how hard you hit after this!"

21:59, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 22 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 19.  Axe vs. nearest giant.
21:59, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 5 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 2.  Damage.


Also OOC: Way back in March, Valthur scored an additional 7 hp when he reached 6th level, putting him at 33 by my calculations... which could be wrong but I hope not because he's probably gonna' need all 33 of 'em!!!
23:56, Mon 18 Mar: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 7 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 6.  Level 6 hit points.

Taerix shoots again, at the one he sees just got hit by Magic Missiles. He doesn't add much damage, though.


23:45, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  arrow damage.

23:45, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 15 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 11.  Bow shot.

Somewhat nervously (not that anyone can tell), Sarah readies herself to attack one of the giants from behind and thereby reveal herself.  Closing her eyes one last time she opens them and swiftly sidles in.

Her strike could not have been better.  The blade slips through the giant's back, between the ribs, and into vital organs within.  (Likely the spleen; it's always the spleen.)

She stifles a cry as she tries to wrench the blade out.


08:14, Today: Sarah rolled 22,8 using d20+4,d8 with rolls of 18,8.

Doubled for backstab makes that 16!

Eoni runs for the nearest tree while her companions get down to the business of taking down the hill giants.

The darkened sky is illuminated by three glowing bolts, all of which pound into one of the giants. Taerix sends another arrow into the staggering foe and Sarah comes up behind it and runs her sword through its spleen. The giant stumbles to the ground and plops down to unceremoniously bleed out, eventually fading to black.

Valthur squares off against one of the giants all by himself, trading blows with the huge enemy. Unfortunately, the giant gets the better of this proposition and slams the dwarf with a weighty fist that rattles Valthur's skull.

Another giant hurls another stone at the tricksy elf. The stone smashes into another illusion. "Ha! Next time, smash you good!" it bellows in crude common.

Meanwhile, the third giant has just about worked itself free of the webs...

OOC: Vaxfar's Mirror images are now gone. Valthur takes 12 points of damage.

Hill Giants:
AC: 4
HP: 40/40 (webbed, round 3, 0/40, 20/40, 40/40


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8  16/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  12/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  33/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14


PCs are UP!]

You should fear me stupid creature! Vaxfar shouts as he points his wand of fear at the Giant throwing stones at him.  He moves to have 3 giants in a line.  Then he points the wand at such an angle that the bottom of the cone should hit the giants at shoulder height and above in an effort to avoid affecting his companions.  Then he releases the spell.  A cone 60 ft long and 30 ft wide issues from his wand.

Eoni hugged her tree and prayed Avandra's Grace would shine upon them.

Taerix shoots again, this time at the webbed giant.


19:44, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Arrow damage.

19:43, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Bow shot.

Valthur staggers under the weight of the giant's attack, his helmet cocking sideways upon his head. The dwarf tries to blink away the spots that now cloud his vision. He considers whether he can withstand another hit as hard as the one he just suffered. He realizes the answer is no, yet he staggers forward with a determined growl and swings again, sinking his axe into the giant for a 3rd time.

21:42, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 11 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 8.  Axe vs. nearest giant.
21:42, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 9 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 6.  Damage.

Sarah moves behind the giant fighting Valthur and attacks (regardless of whether she gets a bonus for backstabbing).

10:29, Today: Sarah rolled 16,3 using d20,d8 with rolls of 16,3.  Attack Valthur's Giant.

That hits for 3 regardless; it does 6 if I can backstab.

A wave of magical force sweeps out from the wand's gruesome head, washing the giants in a rush of cloying fear. Terrible visions race through the hill giant's dim-witted minds and moments later, they recoil in abject fear, before breaking out in an all out retreat. The hill giants drop everything and sprint off into the darkness, running quickly away from Vaxfar.

The adventurers manage to take down another giant as it attempts to flee, but two giants, including the one whom had previously been caught in a web, make good on their escape.

The two giants lope off, eager to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the object of their relentless fear.

OOC: Combat over.

Eoni ran back up to watch the giant's retreat.  She tried to use the staff of healing on Valthur to see if enough time had passed.

"They may just come back," the Sister said unhappily.  She looked around to see how the other group was doing against their giants.

Not aware of Vaxfar's timely spell casting, Valthur incorrectly assumes the giants' retreat is the result of his own axemanship.

"Run for your lives you bloody cowards," he taunts to the pair as they escape. "And don't ever come back unless you want more of this axe!"

Sarah says nothing, but she exhales audibly, as if she'd been holding her breath through the entire encounter.

"They won't come back for some time, if they do at all.  The spell should last for some time.  At least we have stopped their attack on the walls and we can now recover from some injuries.  Should we go back to Brindol to see where we would be of best use next?"

The party waits around for a few minutes to see whether the hill giants return to the hill to continue their barrage of the city from afar, but it seems the giants have lost the will for battle after being gripped with fear. It seems the adventurers have claimed victory in their first confrontation...

But any opportunity to celebrate is immediately cut short as Eoni receives word, via telepathic means, that the other group sent to dispatch the second siege have not been so lucky. It seems the second group of hill giants have managed to breach the wall at the western gate!

Lord Jarmaath has ordered his army to fall back to the breach in an attempt to keep the hobgoblin hordes from streaming into the city.

Sarah sighs and starts to collect her horse.

"They've lost the western gate," Eoni informed the others as she dowsed her tiara into a pocket of her jacket.  "Drink a healing if you need one and mount up.  We'll sweep around and see if we can surprise the other giants."

Before mounting with Taerix, she pulled a healing potion and downed its contents.

OOC: oni Daflin rolled 7 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 6.  Healing Potion, Eoni.

"Moradin's beard," Valthur grumbles. "Do we have to do everything ourselves?" The dwarf does his best to speak bravely, but knows he is badly hurt. He pulls his potion of extra healing from his backpack, unstoppers the flask, and downs the contents, nearly gagging on the disgusting liquid as he does.

"Sheesh. That was absolutely wretched! But I must admit I do feel a little better."


23:26, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 16 using 3d6+3 with rolls of 4,5,4.  Potion of extra healing.

Somewhat revived, Valthur returns to his horse and manages, with great effort, to remount it.

Taerix waits for Eoni to arrive, then climbs up behind her again.

The adventurers ride back to Brindol as fast as their horses can carry them. In the distance, they clearly see a massive battle taking place at the west gate, as hordes of hobgoblins begin to stream through the breach into the city. Then, they see a sudden, brilliant blast of fire from the southern section of Brindol.

Seconds after the fiery sight, Eoni receives a panicked telepathic message from Lord Jarmaath,

"A red dragon has descended upon the city!" he relates excitedly.

"Go to the dragon! You must slay it at once! We'll take care the western breach..."

The party sees several more blasts of fire as buildings within the southern section of the city begin to go up in flames. Above the city, they then spot a large red dragon, flying in lazy circles, indsicriminately lighting the city ablaze...

"We need to take down that dragon!" Eoni shouted to the others as she looked for the best way to close the distance.  "Use everything you have!"

"Oh mercy," Valthur grumbles, while taking out another potion of healing. "Now it's a dragon, is it?" he gulps the potion in hopes of gaining whatever edge he can.

23:21, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 2 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 1.  Healing (unless staff of healing from Eoni has me at max hp already).

"Hmmm, was that a potion of healing or just a foul tasting bottle of water?"

"Maybe now is the time for me to hurl rocks with giant strength at that dragon!"

"Aye," Valthur agrees. "No sense taking that potion with us to our graves!"

Valthur picks out the remainder of his magic quarrels for use against the dragon while it's still at range. While he prefers hand-to-hand combat, he considers whether his preference really makes sense against such a formidable foe.

Sarah looks at Eoni in a mix of horror and shock.  She slowly readies her cross bow.  Very slowly, and with a look that suggests she isn't certain that she'll use it.

Coming on the heels of their victory against the hill giants, the adventures veer across the southwestern outskirts toward the West Gate. As they draw nearer to the gate they see several buildings in flames, the red dragon sweeping down indiscriminately setting the city ablaze. Panicked screams punctuate the night air, the city defenders doing everything they can to thwart the dragon's attacks, but sadly unable to do do much against so formidable a foe.

Then the adventurers see the dragon swoop down for another blast. The massive beast dips down out of sight behind a row of buildings, only to emerge with what looks like two soldiers in its outstretched talons, which it promptly deposits from great heights. The adventurers clearly hear the soldiers wails as they plummet straight down into the burning roof of a nearby building. The dragon roars, jets of flame rolling around its great maw.

The adventurers are now about 120 feet from the red dragon, which is flying high above in the sky, ready to swoop down for another assault...


Abithriax the Red Wyrm
AC: -1
HP: ??/??



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  30/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  33/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

"Spread out and get it's attention!" Eoni shouted, putting her tiara back on and shifting her pack around.

"Taerix, take these," she said, handing the halfling a pair of potions from the pack.  "If you can, get it to swallow one of them.

"Good luck!"

"Let's see if this gets its attention." Valthur pulls one of his four remaining magic quarrels from its case and carefully aims at the red terror circling above. His shot is on target! The missile hits the dragon squarely in the chest...

23:16, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 15 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 14.  Crossbow (+1 quarrel) vs. dragon!

...and then bounces off the scaled beast and falls harmlessly to the burning ground below.

Vaxfar draws his wand and waits for the dragon to get in range. [Private to DM Pawn: I will cast the cone of cause fear if the dragon gets within 60’ range]

Sarah fires one of her few remaining enchanted crossbow bolts, but it bounces harmlessly off the dragon's scaly hide.



08:19, Today: Sarah rolled 9,3 using d20+3,d6+1 with rolls of 6,2.  Crossbow on Dragon(!) -- 18 to hit.

Taerix stows the two potions and takes a shot at the dragon, knowing it's a hit, but hoping his arrows can penetrate the dragon's armor.

08:30, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.  arrow damage.

08:30, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Arrow shot.

Taerix manages to score a glancing hit with his arrow, but either the dragon doesn't notice it or chooses to ignore the attack for the moment. The dragon seems to be solely focused on quickly setting as much of the city ablaze as it can with its terrible breath weapon. Several buildings are now in flames and the situation clearly presents a much larger hazard the the dragon by itself. For their part, the soldiers are largely focused on doing their best to put the flames out, but the dragon has started so many conflagrations that they can't possibly hope to contain the flames on their own.

Vaxfar keeps his wand at the ready, hopeful the dragon will come within range, but as of yet, the wyrm has remained just outside of range. Climbing atop one of the buildings might put Vaxfar into range...but this proposition will be tricky, as many of the buildings roofs are now on fire.


Abithriax the Red Wyrm
AC: -1
HP: -3/??



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  30/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  33/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

Leaving the others to handle the dragon, the Sister rode toward the melee with the incoming army.  She was looking for wounded to heal with her staff.  Perhaps they'd set up a triage tent nearby.

The halfling calls out to one of the nearby soldiers at loudly as he can, "Give 's a hand here! I need another set of hands!" He immediately starts drawing back another shot. This time, though, his shot is off the mark.


17:56, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 8 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 4.  Arrow shot.

17:54, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 9 using 1d20 with rolls of 9.  Charisma roll. My Charisma is 10.

Sarah takes aim again, and this time the bolt slides between the plates covering the dragon as if they were not there.  It buries so deeply that only a quarter of it can be seen to signify its presence.


07:58, Today: Sarah rolled 23,6 using d20+3,d6+1 with rolls of 20,5.  Crossbow on Dragon(!) -- 18 to hit (Round 2).

Natural 20, so actual damage is 7.

Vaxfar continues to wait near his friends for the dragon to come into range.

Valthur fires the third of his five magic quarrels. This one sinks into the dragon, although he isn't certain the wyrm even notices. Still, a step in the right direction.

00:06, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 16 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 15.  Crossbow (+1 quarrel) vs. dragon!
00:06, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 7 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 6.  Damage.


Encouraged by his own success, the dwarf hollers advice to his halfling friend. "Taerix, if you still have that potion, I'd drink it now and start throwing stones at this thing!"

Most of the party continues pepper the red dragon with arrows in hopes of either scoring a lucky shot in a vulnerable location and/or stopping it from setting the entire city on fire with its powerful breath weapon. Meanwhile, Vaxfar stands with his magic wand at the ready, waiting to use it against the dragon as soon as the creatures comes within range. Eoni rides off elsewhere in the city to administer healing to the wounded.

Taerix attempts to coax a few soldiers to lend aid against the dragon, but the soldiers are either too fear-struck or focused on attempting to prevent the entire city from going up in smoke.

In any event, Sarah and Valthur score two biting hits that definitely get the dragon's attention. The dragon wings around while craning its sinuous neck to get a better look at the puny beings that just put it in a spot of bother. Seeing the party gathered in a small market square, the dragon veers off to its left then swings back toward the adventurers, diving rapidly, its wings pinned back for maximum velocity. The dragon grows larger as it approaches. Presumbaly, the adventurers seek cover behind overturned carts or the like, but moments later, the dragon exhales a fiery blast that billows through the air, straight for the party!

OOC: Everyone except Eoni needs to make a Save vs Dragon Breath. Those who make the save will take 16 points of damage. Those who fail will take 33 points of damage.

The dragon will be within 60 feet next round.


Abithriax the Red Wyrm
AC: -1
HP: -17/??



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  30/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  33/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

This message was last edited by the GM at 09:07, Thu 23 May 2019.

From far away, it is difficult to accurately gauge the speed of a fire-bombing dragon.  Particularly if you've never seen a dragon.  And Sarah has never seen a dragon.

Unfortunately, Sarah is also slow to recognize that she has miscalculated the dragon's speed.  Too long she watches, and even as the reality dawns in her she continues watching -- like a rodent confronting a snake, she is paralyzed with fear.  At the last minute she turns in a desparate attempt to roll away from the fiery blast, only to catch her foot on the wagon she had chosen for cover.  She sprawls on the ground, face first in the dirt.

Which, in a perverse way, is a blessing, because she does not see the flames engulf her body . . .



08:56, Today: Sarah rolled 3 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 1.  Save vs. Dragon Breath (14).

As the soldiers ignore him, Taerix ducks instinctively when the dragon breathes. It might be the one action that saves his life. He still screams out in pain when the flames hit him, but he survives the blast of flames.

09:59, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13.  Save v. Breath (10).

Realizing his folly too late, Vaxfar wonders why he didn’t follow Eoni, which would have been more to his sensibility. In a split second he is engulfed in flame and goes down.

Vaxfar rolled 9 using 1d20 with rolls of 9.  Saving throw v breath (13)

Eoni felt the wave of heat following the audible blast of flame behind her.  She turned to see her friends engulfed in flames, still grouped where she'd left them.  Only the agile halfling seemed to be stirring.  The others lay horribly still.

Without thinking, she wheeled her horse back around and charged back in their direction.

Valthur's moment of smug satisfaction at getting the dragon's attention is quickly replaced by the dread of realizing it is coming straight for him.

"If I could just get one swing with my axe," he considers to himself. "Maybe I could-"

His thought is interrupted by an eruption of fire all around him. A moment of bright light, excruciating pain, and then darkness. He falls to the ground with a thud amid the flames.

00:43, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 0 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 1.

OOC: Fumbled my saving throw. Ouch!

Taerix thought, "Please let me hit this thing now...." He scrambled to open the poison potion Eoni had given him, dipping in an arrow as fast as he could, then stoppering the bottle again.

The halfling shoots his bow again, and thankfully, the arrow hits! Taerix prays that the poison can work on something as big as a dragon....

10:00, Yesterday: Kane Taerix rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.

10:00, Yesterday: Kane Taerix rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.

Taerix emerges from behind the smouldering remains of an overturned cart, scorched but still alive. The same cannot be said of his companions, all of which (save for Eoni), now lay burned and at knocking on death's door in a wide, smoking circle around him.

The brave halfling shoots an arrow at the approaching dragon hopeful the poison will quickly kill the massive beast. The arrow strikes true, but dragons are hearty foes, and the red wyrm is unaffected by the poison!

The dragon roars as its soars down to take two swipes at the puny halfling. Taerix ducks just in time and the dragon lands in the open marketplace causing cries of terror to ring out in the nearby streets. The red dragon then swipes its tail at Taerix, but the halfling manages to avoid this attack as well.

The red dragon roars in rage as it turns to regard the halfling more closely.

At this moment, Eoni rides into the fray...

OOC: The dragon is now in melee with Taerix. Eoni is also close enough to engage in melee if she wishes.

Sarah, Valthur Vaxfar need to make their first Death Ray saving throw.



Abithriax the Red Wyrm
AC: -1
HP: -18/??



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4 -12/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20   Death Saves: 1 Failure
Taerix     1   8/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  -3/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2   0/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19   Death Saves: 1 Failure
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:01, Fri 24 May 2019.

Sarah is utterly still.

10:56, Today: Sarah rolled 11 using 1d20 with rolls of 11.  Saving Throw #1 (12?).

I assume it's the save for "Death Ray" as I didn't see one that was merely "Death."

Vaxfar is smoldering on the ground with the stunned look frozen on his face.

Vaxfar rolled 8 using 1d20 with rolls of 8.  death ray (10)

Eoni leapt down from her horse beside Sarah and tilted her only potion of extra healing into the limp girl.

"Come on Sarah," the Sister coaxed, ignoring the looming dragon above them.  "We still have a lot more to do."

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 10 using 3d6+3 with rolls of 3,1,3.

Taerix drops his bow and reaches for his extra-healing potion. Uncorking it quickly, he chugs the contents and feels much more like himself.


20:05, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 15 using 3d6+3 with rolls of 2,5,5.  Potion of Extra-Healing.

Valthur's spirit begins to fade into darkness, even as the flames continue to lap around the edges of his body.

20:32, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 8 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 9.  Save vs. Death Ray (6).

Success!!!

Eoni rushes to Sarah's side, quickly dismounts, and immediately administers a healing potion. The, a rush of life returns to the young girl as her eyes flutter open.

Meanwhile, Taerix quaffs his own potion and regains some vigor moments before the dragon presses the attack. The huge wyrm swats at the halfling twice, one of which slams into Taerix. Then, with a practiced flick, the dragon whips its tail at Eoni, slamming powerfully into the cleric.

OOC: The dragon is now in melee with Taerix, Eoni, and Sarah.

Valthur and Vaxfar need to continue making Death Ray saving throws.

Taerix takes 4 damage and Eoni takes 20.



Abithriax the Red Wyrm
AC: -1
HP: -18/??



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8   3/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  10/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  19/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  -3/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18   Death Save: 1 Success, 1 Failure
Vaxfar     2   0/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19   Death Saves: 1 Success, 1 Failure
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

This message was last edited by the GM at 09:05, Sat 25 May 2019.

"Throw the potions!" Eoni shouted at Taerix as she tried to drag Sarah toward cover with what little strength she had left.

Vaxfar rolled 16 using 1d20 with rolls of 16.  Death ray (10).  Success
 Barely breathing, Vaxfar lies still.

"Right!" Taerix shouts back. He uncorks the poison again and heaves it toward the dragon's maw. It heads right for the dragon's head, but then he loses sight of it as he reaches for yet another potion....


22:55, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Throw the poison.

The darkness thickens over Valthur. In the distance, he can hear the drumbeats from the afterlife. The journey to join his father and his father's father begins.

23:29, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 5 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 6. Save vs. Death Ray (6).
Failure!!!

Sarah lies still for a moment after Eoni's ministrations.  Slowly her eyes flutter open, but still she lies there.

After a few seconds, the girl's brain finally begins processing.  She doesn't know exactly what happened, nor does she care.  All she knows is that she is in tremendous pain, she is smoldering, and everything around her is burning.


She also has a vague sense of what she had  been doing, and it is consistent with her instinct now.


She scrabbles to her feet and runs.


[Private to DM Pawn: Run away from the area threatened by the dragon and find a place to hide.  Sarah's a young, frightened girl; no way she'd stick around with a dragon on the ground.
]

After coming to, Sarah first crawls then runs off to the nearest shelter, eager to get away from the fire-breathing dragon as quickly as her legs will carry her. Meanwhile, Valthur and Vaxfar cling desperately to life, both unconscious and charred. Eoni urges Taerix to try the poison yet again, and the halfling complies. Uncorking another potion, he tosses it hard, aiming for the red dragon's open mouth.

The dragon growls, rolls of flame issuing from its open mouth, then in a show of over-confidence in its superiority, snaps at the vial as it streams toward its face. The vial of poison flies straight intot he dragon's mouth!

Moments later, the red dragon's eyes go wide as it realizes, too late, what it has just done. The dragon begins retching, tossing up little in the effort. Then it begisn thrashing around wildly as it attempts to ward off the toxins now racing through its gullet and into its infernal blood-stream. The dragon screeches in agony, then collapses, its breathing irregular as it succumbs to the poison's effect.

A few earth-shaking spasms later, the dragon stirs no more. Abithrax is slain!

However, there is little time for celebration, the surrounding buildings are all on fire and threaten to consume nearby buildings and Valthur and Vaxfar are still dangerously close to the death's door...


OOC: Death Saves still needed from Vaxfar and Valthur.



Abithriax the Red Wyrm
AC: -1
HP: slain



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8   3/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  10/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  19/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  10/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18   Death Save: 1 Success, 1 Failure
Vaxfar     2   0/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19   Death Saves: 1 Success, 1 Failure
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:37, Wed 29 May 2019.

Dashing out from cover, Eoni sprinted for the dwarf as she fumbled a healing potion from her haversack.  Sliding through the ash to his side, she splashed half of it onto his face before getting the rest into his mouth.

OOC:  Eoni Daflin rolled 3 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 2.  Healing Potion, Valthur.

Still down but maybe a glimmer of life still there in Vaxfar.
13:58, Today: Vaxfar rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15.  Death ray (10). Success!

Valthur regains consciousness as soon as Eoni splashes the healing potion into his mouth, leaving just Vaxfar as the sole party member still unconscious and needing assistance. The nearby buildings continue to burn as the soldiers struggle to keep the entire city from going up in flames.

Valthur opens his eyes and, consumed by pain and surrounded by flames, presumes he has somehow arrived in hell. He had hoped that his handful of heroic feats in life would've delivered him instead to some great dwarven hall in the presence of his forefathers. Instead this - pain and flames. But if that is the case, he wonders what Eoni is doing here? Certainly if she is dead, Avandra would've granted her passage somewhere more pleasant than this.

"Eoni?" He finally sputters. "What are you doing here in hell?"

Sarah has no means of putting out the fire(s).  Shaking her head, she runs back to the group and administers a healing potion to Vaxfar as she says, "Let's get out of here!  Please?!?"

Taerix rejoins the group, too, amazed that that poison vial actually killed the dragon.

Valthur administers a potion to Vaxfar and revives the elf. Though they were victorious in defeating the red dragon, its fire have now done an incredible amount of damage to this section of the city. The soldiers, despite their best efforts, are unable to contain the fire.

But the fires are the least of the party's concerns for the moment. Lord Jarmaath sends his next missive to Eoni.

"Our troops have been pushed back! The enemy is now beyond the walls, streaming through the city! I have ordered what's left of our forces to relocate and regroup, via fighting retreats along the Dawn Way. You must come quickly!"

He further explains their next mission as the adventurers race from one section of town to the next. The party is to support a group of soldiers stationed on the Dawn Way, just west of the marketplace. This small detachment of soldiers' mission is to defend all approaches to the central hill where all the city's strategic buildings are located, among them Brindol Academy, Kaal Manor, The Cathedral of Erathis, and Brindol Keep.

"You must prevail in this task," Lord Jarmaath implores.

OOC: Sarah...Please roll to determine how much healing Vaxfar received from the healing potion.

After administering to Vaxfur, Sarah imbibes one of her potions.  And not feeling fully well after that, she drinks another


20:05, Today: Sarah rolled 3 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 2.  Heal Vaxfur

20:05, Today: Sarah rolled 3 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 2.  Heal Sarah.

20:05, Today: Sarah rolled 2 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 1.  Heal Sarah Again.

"We're headed for the marketplace!" Eoni shouted to the others.  "They've broken through the walls and we're making a fighting retreat."

As she mounted back up to leave, she took one last look at the dragon's carcass and thought Aldara's handwriting was atrocious.  She swore she'd handed Taerix the potions labeled as Love potions and not the poison.  The Sister would have to go through and rewrite each of the remaining labels in a more legible script if they survived this test of faith.

"I have four healing potions left if anyone needs a replacement," she said to the her crisped comrades.

Amazed that he survived the dragon fire, Vaxfar gingerly rises. ses.  “Thank you Sarah for helping me!.  Where is the dragon? “  he exclaims as he takes a swig of the healing potions to make hiim feel better.  He hears Eoni’s offer and responds “I could use another.”

Vaxfar rolled 14 using 3d6+3 with rolls of 1,4,6.  Extra Healing.
Vaxfar rolled 3 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 2.

Taerix, seeing the others drinking Healing Potions, realizes that he still has two of those in his pack. Time for one for himself.... Not feeling much better, he makes it two.

23:48, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 14 using 3d6+3 with rolls of 4,4,3.  extra healing potion.

23:47, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 2 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 1.  healing potion.

Sarah quietly accepts another potion and drinks it quickly.

08:37, Today: Sarah rolled 2 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 1.  Potion of Healing.

1.  What is with this rolls of mine?

2.  My HP total was correct before this potion.

Slowly, Valthur pieces together his surroundings. In time, he concludes he is, in fact, not dead. While this buoys his spirits somewhat, the burns across his body provide a painful reminder of how unpleasant life can be.

Furthermore, he realizes the dragon fire has literally melted his prized helmet to his head. He tries, but cannot remove it. Normally, this would be of greater concern, but considering his life is unlikely to last until the next sunrise anyway, he pays it no more than a moment's attention.

At Eoni's offer of healing, he struggles to his feet and accepts a potion. "Many thanks, Sister." He swallows the liquid and the pain subsides a little bit. "That's better, but I may need another before we are through here."

23:03, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 7 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 6. Healing potion.

The Sister tried once more to use the staff, tapping the dwarf on the shoulder with a prayer of healing.  She wasn't sure how long between uses they would have to wait for it to work again, but they wouldn't know unless she kept trying.

Feeling the staff imbuing the dwarf with it's energy, the Sister quickly turned it on the rest of the injured and herself before they sped off to the market.  Avandra watched over them.

OOC:
Eoni Daflin rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Valthur.
Eoni Daflin rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Sarah.
Eoni Daflin rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Vaxfar.
Eoni Daflin rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Eoni.

Valthur smiles at the good sister. "Thanks to you, Eoni, I might still make it another day."

“Thanks as well. “ Vaxfar says awkwardly.  He didn’t know what to think of surviving the dragon.  He wasn’t sure he could get more scarred than he Was already, but the burns deformed him even more ... if that was possible.

On the heels of their victory over the red dragon, the adventurers have scant few moments to catch their breaths before they are contacted once again by Lord Jarmaath and asked to help with their next mission. With one gate now breached, fighting has moved into the city streets and the defenders need help slowing the horde's advance into Brindol. Apparently, they have had some success on the secondary streets, but are now have quite a rough time along the much larger Dawn Way just west of the city marketplace. A stream of fairly disciplined hobgoblins now flows down that throughfare and without the adventurers aid, Lord Jarmaath fears they will soon be overwhelmed.

Taking advantage of their brief respite, the party administers healing, before heading off toward their next mission. Behind them, scores of buildings now burn out of control and the score or so soldiers who remain behind begin setting fire to entire blocks of city to create a firebreak to hopefully contain the raging conflagration to a manageable section of the formerly bustling town. Who knows? It may be all for nothing before the break of dawn, as victory against the horde is still anything but a certainty...

The adventurers soon arrive at their next post, a broad street flanked by buildings on either side. A 10-foot wide barricade extends across the street. The soldiers stationed at this post consist of one Lion of Brindol and 10 town guards, all of which seem quite relieved to have the aid of powerful adventurers.

The barricade across the road is composed of rubble and lumber, hastily erected by the soldiers to provide some cover and to slow the advance of the horde, whom are now streaming through the breach and advancing steadily toward the adventurers' position. The marketplace is located about 60 feet behind the defenders' side of the barricade.

After brief greetings are exchange, the smoot-faced Lion calls out, "We gotta keep them from getting through this barricade. By the Gods, we must!" He adds in steely-eyed determination.

Then, he points a gauntleted finger toward a stock of provisions near the barricade and says, "Some of you look pretty rough. Take what you need. We haven't much time before they're upon us..."

Inside the cache, the party sees 10 potions of healing, several score of bolts and arrows, and a pile of discarded and blood and gore-streaked weapons, presumably from defenders who lost their lives at this very post.




PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8   9/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  20/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  25/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  31/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Lion       4  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

This message was last edited by the GM at 12:55, Mon 03 June 2019.

Sarah grabs two of the potions and then looks for high ground from which she can fire her crossbow.

If none exists, she looks for a suitable place of cover to do the same.

Following Sarah's lead, Vaxfar takes 2 potions as well.  Not certain that it will be of any help, he glances quickly at the weapons to see if any would be of help and then moves forward to ready himself for the next attack, wand in hand.[Private to DM Pawn: It seemed that I had 6 more HP from the latest Eoni assistance, but I could be wrong.]

Taerix re-stocks his arrows and makes sure his new Flame Tongue sword is at hand. Then he, too, looks for a vantage point to shoot from.

Eoni took cover in a place to support the guards.  Her staff would work for them just as well.

Valthur unstoppers a potion of healing and guzzles it on the spot. Still stinging from the dragon's firey attack, he downs a second potion and stashes a third in his backpack, just in case.

22:34, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 2 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 1.  Healing potion.
22:34, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 7 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 6.  Healing potion #2.

He then restocks his quarrels and searches for a good position from which to shoot. Hopefully they can thin the advancing hoard somewhat before melee begins.

The Lion of Brindol, chisel-chinned man named Sir Greggor, orders his men to positions along the barricade with their crossbows at the ready. "When the horde begins to close ranks," his tone is certain on this point, "switch to long spears. Take up swords once they have broke that. Now would be the time to pray to whatever Gods you hold dearest."

"Hell," he swears, a trait fairly uncommon in Lions among lesser soldiers, "say an oath to them all..."

A look of grim reckoning settles over the soldiers. They would lose many dear friends tonight, but perhaps, some may live to see this thing through.

Most of the adventurers take up position within boarded up shops along either side and just behind the the barricade. There is a fairly unobstructed view down the wide street and it should afford them an opportunity to get a couple shots off before the horde closes ranks.

Several tense moments follow, the war drums heralding the enemies approach. The incessant drumming grows louder with each passing moment, the hordes' steel-boots stamping in time with the drums. Every now and then they hear the hobgoblin hordes' war chants cut through their percussive advance.

And then, the enemy appears. A column of eight hobgoblins and pair of winged lion beasts with spiked tails--manticores. A hobgoblin sergeant sees the barricade and orders his forces to charge...[Language unknown: Artillsti! Paneei! Ilwh is atiruthat m ourca andhatoerlatany!]

And moments later, the hobgoblins break out in war chants as they make their orderly approach down the street. The manticores roar and take flight!

OOC:

Hobgoblin Sergeants, 2
AC: 4
HP: 12/12, 12/12

Hobgoblin Regulars, 6
AC: 6
HP: 6/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6, 6/6

Manticores, 2
AC: 4
HP: 31/31, 31/31



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8   9/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  20/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  25/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  31/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Lion       4  24/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Taerix tries to put an arrow right into one of the manticores' heads. Succeeding, the halfling allows himself a small smirk before reaching for another arrow. If he had anything to say about it, those manticores were coming down.


08:26, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.  arrow damage.

08:26, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 18 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 14.  Bow shot.

"Concentrate on the fliers!" Eoni shouted, trying to direct their fire.  They were by far the most dangerous of the troop.

When in range, Vaxfar aims his wand of fear at the sargeants hoping to catch as many of the enemy in the cone.  [Private to DM Pawn: If they’re within 60’, cast fear cone from wand ]

Valthur loads one of his remaining two magic quarrels into his crossbow and fires at one of the fearsome manticores. He sees it sink into its intended target. The fact that the lion-headed beast doesn't drop to the ground, however, gives the dwarf pause.

"Moradin help us," he mumbles to himself.

22:59, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 16 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 15.  Magic quarrel vs. manticore.
22:59, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 7 using 1d8+1 with rolls of 6.  Damage.

Sarah loads her last magic quarrel, then wavers between firing at the manticore or at a target below.  With a pained look on her face she finally fires at the flying target. The missile sinks in near he point where the wing attaches to the body -- a good shot, but not a fatal one.



13:55, Today: Sarah rolled 19,5 using d20+3,d6+1 with rolls of 16,4.  Manticore (13 to hit).

The party directs all their attacks against the manticores and manage to wound one of the flying monstrosities, but not enough to take it out of the sky.

With the adventurers focusing their efforts on the manticores, the soldiers fire their crossbows at the column of hobgoblins marching down the street. They manage to take down two regulars and wound another three.

The hobgoblin sergeants berate those who would deign to be felled by human arrows and urge their charges forward with increased vigor. [Language unknown: "Resarteve! Ivstr seelto it menousall! Ural ut Larareman!!!"]

The manticores whip their barbed tails with rapid flicks, sending a volley of their own that spreads out across the streets with deadly precision. In the end, two soldiers succumbs to their wounds, four more are wounded, among these, the Lion of Brindol. Finally, Valthur and Vaxfar are also targeted and suffer minor wounds as a razor-sharp barb penetrates their armor.

Seeing the soldiers begin to fall, the remaining hobgoblins increase the intensity of their war chants as they race forward...



OOC: The hobgoblins will close to within melee range next round. They will be also within range of Vaxfar's wand next round.

Valthur takes 1 point of damage and Vaxfar takes 5.

Hobgoblin Sergeants, 2
AC: 4
HP: 12/12, 12/12

Hobgoblin Regulars, 6
AC: 6
HP: 1/6, 0/6, 0/6, 3/6, 2/6, 6/6

Manticores, 2
AC: 4
HP: 16/31, 31/31



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8   9/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  20/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  24/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  26/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Lion       4  20/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   2/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   1/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

The Sister moved quickly to the closest injured guard and touched him with the staff and a prayer to Avandra.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Guard 10.

Taerix shoots again, at the same manticore he hit before. This time though, the beast veers as he releases his arrow and the shot sails far past his intended target.

21:22, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 8 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 4.  Bow shot.

With the horde closing in, Valthur pulls his final magic quarrel for what he figures will be his final shot before he needs to draw his axe. To his disappointment, his shot flies end over end from the crossbow, landing harmlessly on the ground nowhere near its intended target.


22:05, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 3 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 2.  Magic quarrel vs. manticore.

“Curse those foul creatures” Vaxfar cries as he is scraped by the manticore.  He sticks to his plan to turn away the leaders and anyone else caught in the cone.  [Private to DM Pawn: Cast fear spell from wand. ]

Buoyed by the fact that she was not shot at, Sarah files a normal bolt at the manticore . . . with positive results.


14:15, Today: Sarah rolled 17,4 using d20+2,d6 with rolls of 15,4.  Manticore (13 to hit).

Most of the party continues to direct attacks against the soaring manticores, but only Sarah manages to score a hit against one of the foes. The other arrows either fail to puncture the manticore's thick hide or miss altogether. Eoni rushes in with her magic staff to administer healing to one of the wounded soldiers.

The hobgoblins charge forward, urged on by total conviction of their cause, eager to whet their blades with the blood of their enemies. The hobgoblins move to engage, belting out fierce war cries as they close. Then, Vaxfar unleashes another sickening wave of fear from his magic wand. The hobgoblins struggle to block out the terrifying visions that begin to flood their minds, but are unable to do so, and lose their mettle. The hobgoblins halt, full-stop, clutching at their heads, and then turn tail and scatter to adjoining buildings. Some kick down doors, others leap through windows, but all are turned away from the fray!

Meawnhile, the remaining soldiers, free of the threat of an impending charge, turn their crossbows skyward and take shots at the flying manticores. They score several hits against one of the manticores and the monstrosity comes crashing down into a nearby building, causing a shower of tile, plaster and timbers to fall down onto the street. The other manticore growls in protest of its injuries, and perhaps the loss of its companion. Then, it flicks its tail and sends another volley of spikes at the soldiers behind the barricade. Two soldiers fall and two are seriously wounded. The manticore, now behind enemy lines, completes a tight turn and begins to soar back down for another volley.

But that's not all, the party can now hear the approach of another wave, just at the edge of their vision and only visible as a large group of broad, shambly, shadowy humanoids charging down the street toward the barricade...


OOC: The hobgoblins have fled. The manticore is still in the air.

Hobgoblin Sergeants, 2
AC: 4
HP: 12/12, 12/12 (both fled from battle)

Hobgoblin Regulars, 6
AC: 6
HP: 1/6, 0/6, 0/6, 3/6, 2/6, 6/6 (all have fled from battle)

Manticores, 2
AC: 4
HP: 0/31, 25/31



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8   9/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  20/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  24/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  26/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Lion       4  20/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   2/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   3/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Almost overwhelmed as guards fell around her, the Sister tapped the nearest injured guard.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 7 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Guard 1.

Seeing the enemy fleeing, Vaxfar turns his attention to the remaining Manticore hoping to help with his last memorized spell.
Vaxfar rolled 9 using 3d6+3 with rolls of 2,3,1.  Magic Missile at Manticore

Taerix shoots at the other manticore now, but rushes his shot, and watches the arrow sail low.

21:23, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 7 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 3.

"Well done Vaxfar!" Although it pains him to give credit to an elf, Valthur can't deny his own relief as he sees the first wave of hobgoblins scatter under the influence of Vaxfar's wand.

The time purchased by Vaxfar's wand allows Valthur a chance to reload his crossbow and fire at the 2nd manticore. His aim is true this time and his quarrel sinks into the torso of the winged monster as it flies overhead. "Join your friend in hell!"

23:36, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 14 using 1d20 with rolls of 14.  Crossbow vs. 2nd manticore.
23:37, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 7 using 1d8 with rolls of 7.  Damage.

Sarah fires at the surviving manticore, but her effort goes terribly wrong.

At the moment that she fires the projectile snaps in half, exploding upwards and into Sarah's face.  Splinters fly everywhere.  Unfortunately, a sliver gets in her eye; she cries out in pain as she tries to remove the foreign object.

08:51, Today: Sarah rolled 3,5 using d20+2,d6 with rolls of 1,5.  Manticore (13 to hit).

Magic bolts streak out from Vaxfar's outstretched fingers and fly straight into the manticore, causing the monster to veer slightly off course. Valthur manages to score another hit, but it's not enough to shoot the monster out of the sky. For their part, the soldiers fire another volley of bolts, but none manage to wound the manticore and most fly well off their marks.

The manticore assesses the adventurers atop the adjoining buildings as it greatest threat and exclusively targets them with its next salvo. One tail barb strikes Vaxfar, one strikes Valthur and another strikes Sarah.

Meanwhile, up the street, the advancing figures emerge from the shadows and come into better view. Eight bugbears charge the defensive barricade to enjoin battle with the soldiers stationed at the barricade. The bugbears chant wildly and throw themselves into a terrifying, mindless, blood-thirsty rage as the barrel towards the defenders...


OOC: The manticore is still in the air. Vaxfar is hit for 6. Valthur for 1. Sarah for 4.

The bugbears will be in melee range of the barricade next round.

Bubgear Berserkers, 8
AC: 5
HP: 15/15, 15, 15/15, 15, 15/15, 15, 15/15, 15,

Manticores, 2
AC: 4
HP: 0/31, 9/31



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8   9/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  17/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  23/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  20/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Lion       4  20/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   2/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   3/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

About to thank the dwarf, Vaxfar cries out in pain as he is struck by the manticore.  Refusing to be distracted and knowing he can do no more to that creature, he casts another spell of fear towards the incoming enemy bugbears.  [Private to DM Pawn: Cast cone of fear, assuming they are in range]

Taerix finally draws a bead on this second manticore, striking it with an arrow and glad he has avoided the manticore's spikes so far.

20:01, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  arrow damage.

20:00, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 12 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 8.  Bow shot.

The Sister tapped the next injured guard with her staff and the Blessings of Avandra.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 7 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Guard 2.

Sarah spends the round removing pieces of the shattered bolt from her eyes and clearing her vision.

Valthur fires his crossbow again, his quarrel strikes the manticore squarely in the chest. He hopes it's enough to bring the winged horror down from the sky.

01:12, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18.  Crossbow vs. 2nd manticore.
01:12, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 6 using 1d8 with rolls of 6.  Damage.

Taerix and Valthur release a pair of shots that manage to deliver the finishing blows to the soaring manticore. The great beast falls down to the street and lands with an earth-shuddering thud. The threat of death from above is no more. For now.

Meanwhile, Eoni heals another soldier as the detachment sends a volley of crossbow bolts at the approaching bugbear beserkers. Several soldiers score hits, but none do much to slow their advance. Vaxfar waits until the group comes to within range and releases another magic salvo from his wand. In their berserked state, three manage to shake off the magical fear and continue their advance; however five lose heart and turn to flee from the battlefield!

Three bugbears leap over the barricade and begin fighting amongst the soldiers's ranks. The bugbears viciously hack and slash with their crude axes. In the end, one more soldier falls as chaos erupts within their ranks. The men and women of the beleagured detachment drop their crossbows and draw swords to enjoin battle.

The Lion of Brindol exhorts his men and women, "Fight on! For Brindol! For the vale!"


OOC: 5 bugbears fled. 3 are in melee with the soldiers.

Bubgear Berserkers, 8
AC: 5
HP: 15/15, 15/15, 15/15



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8   9/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  17/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  23/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  20/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Lion       4  20/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   1/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Eoni tried to stay back from the fray as she looked down the avenue to see what else might be coming.

Taerix holds off from foolishly shooting into the fray and watches the skies above the avenue for more aerial threats.

"We've finally come to melee," Valthur concludes, setting his crossbow down and drawing his axe. "Let me introduce you to my axe, you cursed bugbears."

Valthur descends into the fray from the atop the barricade, swinging his axe wildly as he does. He first attack finds no target, however, as the bugbears prove to be a little more fleet of foot than the dwarf suspected.

22:12, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 5 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 3. Axe vs. bugbear.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:03, Thu 20 June 2019.

Vaxfar casts another spell, this time reading from a scroll.  [Private to DM Pawn: Read protection from evil scroll. (This was from the treasure divided, not sure if it is area affect or just for me.  Also, I assume that I am out of memorized spells until I get 8 hours of rest)]

Having cleared the debris from her eyes, Sarah is not interested in leaving her perch of relative safety.  She fires at the first bugbear and buries a shot in its brain.

Sadly, for berserk bugbears, this is not necessarily fatal -- but it still inflicts a lot of damage.

08:58, Today: Sarah rolled 22,3 using d20+2,d6 with rolls of 20,3.  Crossbow on Bugbear #1 (12 to hit).

Increased to 6 due to natural 20

Spurred into close combat by the bubgears crashing the barricade, the soldiers fight valiantly and three land brutal blows against the bugbears. Blood and gore sprays the battlefield as the bugbears throw themselves into a crazed frenzy, returning blows against the soldiers. Two more soldiers fall as the bugbears wade into the fray, slashing savagely at the defenders.

Eoni does not spot any new arrivals to the battlefield. Perhaps these bugbears are the last remnants of this assault?

In any event, there are still three bugbears to contend with and they show now sign of losing their nerve for the task at hand...



OOC: 3 soldiers scored critical hits; however 2 were slain this round.

Bubgear Berserkers, 8
AC: 5
HP: 1/15, 7/15, 7/15



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8   9/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  17/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  23/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  20/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

Lion       4  20/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Vaxfar draws the bastard sword he picked up from the armory and takes a swing at a bugbear.  Still getting used to the new sword he misses badly.


23:02, Today: Vaxfar rolled 5 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 4.  Bastard sword on bugbear to hit.

Taerix draws a bead on a bugbear and shoots. He hears a satisfying *thwack* and reaches for another arrow with a smile.

23:22, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.  Damage to bugbear.

23:22, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 20 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 16.  Arrow to bugbear.

Eoni was dismayed to see the guards fall, but could do little more than heal them once struck.  She tried not to draw the attention of the marauders and readied to dart in and steady anyone injured.

Seeing Kane finish the first bugbear, Sarah draws a bead on the second.  However, her shot goes between the beast's arm and body without drawing any contact.

08:52, Today: Sarah rolled 11,1 using d20+2,d6 with rolls of 9,1.  Crossbow on Bugbear #2 (12 to hit).

Now in the midst of the fray, Valthur weaves between the crazed bugbears. Biding his time in the chaos, he finally finds his opportunity to attack and lands a decisive blow against one of the remaining foes. His axe bites deeply into his target. "Save room in hell for your friends, they'll be joining you shortly!"

21:05, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 22 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 20.  Axe vs. bugbear.
Critical hit! 11 hp damage!!!

OOC: I'm an idiot - I should be rolling a 1d20 +3 for my battle axe (+2 for STR, +1 for magical-ness)! At least I remembered before calculating damage.

The tide of battle begins to swing in the defenders favor, with Taerix and Valthur delivering the finishing blows to two bugbears and the Brindol Lion managing to take down the third.

But there is not much cause to celebrate. Six soldiers were slain in battle, their wounds too grievous for all but the most potent of divine magic. Furthermore, the defenders have precious few moments to catch their breaths before being alerted to the latest threat.

Their first indication of the impending threat are a chorus of terrifying screeches heard in the distance, these reminiscent of sounds they first heard while trekking through the Blackfens, specifically, Lake Rhest.

Moments later, six giant cobalt-scaled lizards, mounted by armored goblin riders, come tearing and thundering around a corner at an alarming pace. The air crackles with electricity as the lizards approach, their goblin riders shouting battle cries. Then, the sky erupts in a flurry of arced lightning, this emanating from the open lizards' mouths, bathing the defensive fortification in a blur of bright light!

OOC: Saving Throws vs Dragon Breath from all PCs, please...

Bluespawn Thunderlizards
AC: 5
HP: 22/22, 22/22, 22/22, 22/22, 22/22, 22/22

Goblin Riders
AC: 6
HP: 8/8, 8/8, 8/8, 8/8, 8/8, 8/8

<orange>
OOC:


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -3
Eoni       8   9/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  17/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  23/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  20/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

Lion       4  20/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   6/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

17:45, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 3 using 1d20 with rolls of 3.  Save v. Dragon Breath.

Eoni didn't even have a chance to move as the lightning arced down.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 1 using 1d20.  Lizard Breath (14).

Valthur is unprepared for the lightning attack and suffers as a result. It is all he can do to keep hold of his battle axe.

22:37, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 7 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 8. Save vs. dragon breath (10).

Sarah winces as the electricity singes her.


08:29, Today: Sarah rolled 12 using 1d20 with rolls of 12.  Save vs. Dragon Breath (14).
I save if the Dex bonus applies; I fail if it does not.  I'll leave it to DM Pawn to let me know when he posts my hit points for next round. :)

Sarah believes there's a chance that the lizards will wander aimlessly or at least stop attacking if they are riderless.  Plus, the goblins appear easier to hit (and kill) than their mounts.  So, she decides that it is better to target the goblins.

But all of this figuring is irrelevant as her shot goes astray.

08:34, Today: Sarah rolled 4,6 using d20+2,d6 with rolls of 2,6.  Crossbow vs. Goblin  (9 to hit).

Knocked to her knees by the lightning blast from the skies, the Sister struggled to focus and pull a healing potion from her pack.  With trembling hands, she downed it's bitter contents and prayed for it to be the last of the lightning.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 2 using 1d6+1.  Potion of Healing, Eoni.

Taerix hopes the lizards can't breathe again soon, and shoots at one of the riders. The lightning may have erased his smile, but fortunately it didn't affect his aim.

17:27, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 6 using 1d6 with rolls of 6.  Arrow damage.

17:26, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Arrow at rider.

18:53, Today: Vaxfar rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18.  Saving throw dragon breath (13).

Vaxfar sees the Lizards breath and leaps to the side managing to avoid the brunt of the blast.  Seeing the damage to the guards, he is spurred on with rage.   “Be gone evil creatures!  Run in fear!” He yells as he draws his wand and casts another fear spell.[Private to DM Pawn: Cast fear from wand.  Direct cone at as many of the lizards and goblin riders as possible]

With the lizards closing fast, and no time to draw his heavy crossbow, Valthur opts for one of the hand axes on his belt instead. He flings the ax at one of the approaching riders and his attack lands squarely in the target's chest.

00:11, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 11 using 1d20 with rolls of 11.  Thrown hand ax vs. goblin.
00:18, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 6 using 1d6 with rolls of 6.  Damage.

The barricaded street lights up with pulses of crackling white-hot energy, leaping from one person to the next. In the end, two soldiers are struck dead in the battle and the area smells of burnt flesh and the entire area ripples with remnants of electrical energy for several moments after the lightning has ceased. For their part, the adventurers are all still conscious after the attack, but Eoni is quite debilitated when the smoke clears.

Vaxfar releases another wave of fear-inducing energy from his magic wand. In these tight confines, it washes over the entire approaching pack and causes three thunderlizards to go into fits of panic. The great beasts pull up from their charge, crashing into their allies and causing general panedemonium in the street. Thunderlizard and goblins crash this way and that...in the end, two riderless thunderlizards pull themselves free of the scrum and snarl evilly in the direction of the barricade, three bolt back the way they came without their riders, and one thunderlizard breaks through the carnage and throws itself into battle, its goblin rider chanting wildly.

The thunderlizard leaps over the barricade and throws itself at the Lion of Brindol. The Lion attempts to defend itself, but the lizard bites down on the soldier's shield arm. When the lizard lands, the goblin rider follows up with a slash of its scimitar at the same soldier, also striking the man.



OOC: One lizard and goblin is behind the barricade, in melee combat with the Lion of Brindol. The other two spent their round pulling themselves free of the wreckage caused by Vaxfar's fear and will join melee next round. Assume they are about 30 feet from the barricade.

Bluespawn Thunderlizards
AC: 5
HP: 22/22 (w/rider), 22/22, 22/22

Goblin Riders (all but one have fled)
AC: 6
HP: 8/8

<orange>
OOC:


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8   3/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4   9/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  16/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  15/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  16/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

Lion       4   7/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   2/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:02, Sun 23 June 2019.

"Valthur!" the Sister shouted, seeing the Lion of Brindol in peril.  She reached in to touch the Lion with her staff, renewing his strength to fight on.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Lion of Brindol.

Valthur races to the aid of the Lion, but his axe is unable to penetrate the skin of the bluespawn thunderlizard.

18:27, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 5 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 2.  Axe vs. thunderlizard.

Seeing it work on some of the Lizards, Vaxfar unleashes a charge on the two remaining lizards and goblin.[Private to GM: Another spell from wand of fear.  I would have 6 remaining after this one. ]

Taerix looses another arrow, this time at the lizard attacking the Lion.

23:19, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3.  Arrow damage.

23:19, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 16 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 12.  Arrow at lizard.

Sarah pauses and drinks a healing potion.  Once it is emptied, she looks at the bottle with disappointment and chucks it in the general direction of the melee.

08:16, Today: Sarah rolled 3 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 2.  Healing Potion.

The thunderlizards crash into the barricade and send timbers, barrels, and crates scattering amongst the fray. The Lion of Brindol and the sole remaining soldier fight valiantly against their foes, but the soldier loses morale when he is caught in Vaxfar's area of effect from the wand attack. The Lion of Brindol shakes off the urge to flee and Valthur and Eoni are likewise caught in the attack.

Two thunderlizards turn and bolt away from the melee as fear overcomes them, but the goblin-mounted lizard overcomes the urge to flee, as does its mount. The lizard bites at the Lion of Brindol, but he manages to rebuff the attack with a timely shield block. Atop the lizard, the goblin swings a curved blade at Valthur and strikes the dwarf.


OOC: The lizard and its rider are in melee with Valthur, the Lion, and Eoni is also in melee.

Valthur and Eoni need to make Saves vs Magic Wands, as they are in the area of effect of Vaxfar's wand of fear. If they fail this save, they will be forced to flee the battlefield.

Valthur was hit for 5.

Bluespawn Thunderlizard
AC: 5
HP: 14/22 (w/rider)

Goblin Rider
AC: 6
HP: 8/8

<orange>
OOC:


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8   3/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  12/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  16/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  16/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  16/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

Lion       4   7/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   2/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Calling upon her faith in Avandra, the Sister shook off the errant effects of the wand and downed the last potion of healing in her pack.  This one tasted better than the last she'd quaffed.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Potion of Healing.

Valthur staggers back a step from the sting of the goblin's attack, but readies himself to retaliate. "Stand still, you little buggar, and face the wrath of-"

Mid-sentence he freezes as a wave of fear washes over him. Suddenly the lizard-riding goblin looks more like an ogre riding atop a giant blue dragon. "No no no no no," he stammers, dropping his axe and backpedaling from the goblin. "Noooooooo-".

His fearful cry is interrupted momentarily as he stumbles to the ground, throws up, then scrambles back to his feet clumsily and continues to flee.

22:40, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 0 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 1.  Save vs. magic wand (7).

OOC: Gah! What a terrible roll!
I hate to leave my +1 axe at the feet of that lousy goblin, but when you fail a saving throw that miserably, you have to do something more pathetic than just turn and run!

Unsure why Valthur has lost his nerve, Taerix resolves to bring the lizard down. However, in his haste to avoid Eoni and the Lion of Brindol, he misses well high.

23:17, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 7 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 3.  Arrow at lizard.

Sarah returns to her plan of targeting the rider.  This time, she plinks him in the forearm.

10:07, Today: Sarah rolled 11,2 using d20+2,d6 with rolls of 9,2.  Crossbow vs. Goblin  (9 to hit).

18:46, Today: Vaxfar rolled 10,6 using 1d20+1,2d4+1 with rolls of 9,4,1.  Bastard sword v lizard.

Unaware of his mistake, Vaxfar wonders why Valthur dropped his sword, but moves to help. He takes a swing with the bastard sword.  This time it feels better than the first time as he seems to be getting used to it.  His swing was good, but the lizard just manages to move his head aside at the last second causing V to miss.

The bodies have now piled high upon the bloody streets of Brindol, with just one thunderlizard and goblin now facing off against the defenders. A desperate struggle ensues as the giant lizard attempts to smash its jaws down on the closest foe, in this case, Vaxfar. Vaxfar darts aside just in time, taking cover behind a pile of debris. The sole surviving soldier slashes the lizard's rear leg with his sword, striking the monster, but not with enough force to bring the thing down.

The goblin rider swings his curved sword with wild abandon at the soldier but doesn't find purchase through the goblin's leg greaves.


OOC:

Bluespawn Thunderlizard
AC: 5
HP: 13/22 (w/rider)

Goblin Rider
AC: 6
HP: 6/8

<orange>
OOC:


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8   8/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  12/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  16/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  16/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  16/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

Lion       4  13/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   2/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

15:13, Today: Vaxfar rolled 9,4 using 1d20+1,2d4+1 with rolls of 8,2,1.  Bastard Sword v. Lizard.

Still not used to the sword he acquired and off balance from the lunging lizard, V’s swing misses again.

Sarah takes careful aim, hoping that a well-placed shot in the neck will finish off the rider.  Her shot is very good and inflicts significant damage -- but it's not quite enough.


08:24, Today: Sarah rolled 21,4 using d20+2,d6 with rolls of 19,4.  Crossbow vs. Goblin  (9 to hit).

Taerix keeps shooting at the thunderlizard, hoping to keep it from breathing before he and the others bring it down.

10:17, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Arrow damage.

10:16, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 12 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 8.  Arrow at lizard.

"Valthur!" the Sister shouted after the fleeing dwarf.  "Drink your potion!"

She wasn't sure if a healing potion would turn him around or if he even had one, but they needed the dwarf back.  Avoiding the immediate fray, she moved carefully to take two potions from their cache in case he returned.

OOC: 2 potions left in the cache after she takes 2.

"ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod" Valthur continues to stumble away from the battle. He hears Eoni yell something about a potion, but in his current state, he can't decipher her exact meaning.

OOC: Not sure how long the fear effect lasts, but I'll assume I'm still fearing until I hear otherwise.

The skirmish continues along the barricade as the defenders coordinate their attacks against the giant lizard and its mounted goblin master. The goblin manages to land a slashing blow against the Lion of Brindol. Faced now with the prospect of overcoming overwhelming odds, the goblin comes to the realization its mission will fail--the defenders will hold the line.

The goblin attempts to spur the giant lizard away from the fray, perhaps to regroup with others elsewhere in the city, but the adventurers offer no quarter and quickly strike both down as the goblin and thunderlizard to flee. The third wave has been rebuffed, the adventurers victorious!

Elsewhere in the city, desperate battles still ensue, the cries of the sieged and besieged carrying on the war-stained air.

Valthur eventually regains his composure, having fled some distance away but still within sight of the sundered barricade.

For the moment, the adventurers have a chance to catch their breaths, but the battle is far from over...


OOC:



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8   8/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  12/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  16/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  16/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  16/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

Lion       4   9/24   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20
Guard 1    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 2    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 3    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 4    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 5    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 6    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 7    6   2/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 8    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 9    6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
Guard 10   6   0/6   10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 20
[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

Vaxfar takes a quick swing of a healing potion and recovers Valthur’s weapon having seen where he dropped it and realizing that he might have been affected by his fear spell.

“Here is your axe my friend.  You may have been affected by my spell accidentally.  Eoni , where are we needed?”

10:59, Today: Vaxfar rolled 7 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 6.  Potion of healing.

"No new orders," Eoni replied to Vaxfar as she eyed the roadway beyond their barrier.  Absently, she handed a potion of healing to the Lion of Brindol.

"We may survive one more wave," she admitted to no one in particualar.  "Not two."

From her perch, Sarah drinks two healing potions.



07:17, Today: Sarah rolled 5 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 4.  Healing Potion.
07:17, Today: Sarah rolled 6 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 5.  Healing Potion.

Confused, and somewhat embarrassed, Valthur returns to the scene of the battle. He accepts his axe from Vaxfar. While upset that he'd been carelessly engulfed in the fear effect intended for their enemies, the dwarf is mostly relieved to find that his departure was the result of magic and not his own cowardice. "That wand packs a punch. Next time I'll be ready for it."

He nods to the elf, then digs his final potion of healing from his backpack, gulping it down. "I don't suppose anyone's got any more of these beauties. I've been going through them like water in the desert."

22:44, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 4 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 3.  Healing potion.

“You can have my last one.” says V.  He was more likely to look out for himself, but this seemed the logical choice as having the dwarf’s strength, from what he had seen, had been very valuable in staying alive.  He hands Valthur a 1d6+1 healing potion.

Taerix takes a couple of deep breaths and tries to will his heartbeat to slow down... he's going to need his bow accuracy now more than ever if he is to survive this....

"I've known you only a short while, elf, but you've already proven a worthy ally. First my axe, and now your last potion. I shall not forget your generosity."

Valthur gulps down Vaxfar's potion. He finds the awful taste is actually starting to grow on him.

00:48, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 6 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 5.  Healing potion from Vaxfar.
I must've double-clutched on the dice roller for this roll because I got two results with the same time stamp... I took the first one.

The party has a few minutes to catch their breath, assess damage, and dress wounds following their dispatch of the last goblin and thunderlizard. Unfortunately, the battle for Brindol is far from over and their respite is short-lived. The group receives grim news from Captain Ulverth. A powerful group of enemies has broken into the city and is rapidly converging on the Cathedral of Erathis, intent on destroying this beacon of hope and removing critical clerical support from Brindol's defenders!

Presumably, the party races from their current position to the cathedral. Marching through the city toward their destination, the party passes dozens of bleeding but brave soldiers that have formed ranks in the square before the cathedral. The beleagured defenders have taken up northward-facing positions hoping to block the hordes' advance up the road leading to the cathedral. Burned-out and damaged buildings line the square, with roads leading north and northeast of catehdral.

Captain Ulverth shouts orders and encouragement to his battered men as the party approaches. The Captain is gladdened at their arrival and relays the latest news:

"Good to have you in our ranks," he says in greeting. "Reports from scouts claim a Wyrmlord is slashing his way through the city even now, with a half-dozen giants in his stead. Prepare yourself. The worse is yet to come!"

A priest in blood-stained robes moves through the group and provides magical healing to each member in need before quickly departing to do similar acts amongst the ranks.

The advancing horde is heard minutes before it is seen. Horrifying howls, guttural roars, and dragonbone horns announce their arrival. When the wyrmlord's army arrives, it does so from several angles at once out of the darkened shadows of rubble-strewn streets. The soldiers brace for the impact, and a few moments later the open grassy area before the cathedral is pitched into battle as hill giants and ogres charge into the fray!

Leading the charge, a powerful Wyrmlord strides out into the chaos, his pathway cleared by hill giants and ogres that casually fling aside defenders with great sweeps of their weaponry. The wyrmlord is an imposing hobgoblin standing nearly 7 feet tall. Clad in full plate armor made from the scales of a red dragon and wielding a blood-slick greatsword, the wyrmlord calls out a challenge to the defenders, his voice hoarse with rage.

"Surrender now and you may be shown a merciful end. But end you WILL!"


OOC: PCs are up!

Wyrmlord
AC: 0
HP: 45/45

Hill Giants, 2
AC: 4
HP: 40/40, 40/40

Ogres, 4
AC: 6
HP: 21/21, 21/21



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  28/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  33/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  33/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Stepping up onto an overturned wagon, Eoni shouted back at the Wyrmlord with her staff overhead, "We'll never surrender to you Ulwai Stormcaller!"

"Taerix," the Sister said quickly turning back to the halfling, "if you're not planning on using that sword, give it to Sarah with the giant potion!"

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,5,1.  Male ego damage!

“You should fear us.” Vaxfar shouts as he releases another charge from his wand. [Private to GM: Given how tall the enemies are, I take care to aim the cone above the allies and towards the upper parts of the wyrm, giants and ogres.  Center of charge on the wyrm, hopefully getting giants and ogres within 30’ either side of the Wyrm.]

Sarah is dazed by the array of enemies closing in, but snaps out of it with a start when she hears her name.  Turning slowly, she waits to see how Taerix responds.

Taerix realizes that peppering these enemies with arrows would take too long. He quickly downs the giant strength potion  and draws his magic sword.

Sarah shrugs and readies her crossbow.

Buoyed by the confidence of his newly healed body, Valthur loads his crossbow and aims at the Wyrmlord. "Here's my answer to you, hobgoblin scumlord!"

21:13, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 1 using 1d20 with rolls of 1. Crossbow vs. Wyrmlord.

His quarrel snaps in half while loaded, twirling backward toward his face. Luckily for the dwarf, the stray missile only cuts lightly under his eye. While otherwise unharmed, he suspects his display of defiance did little to threaten the enormous hobgoblin.

The ogres and hill giants stream into the open field spread out in front of the catehdral, tossing aside wide swaths of soldiers with great cleaves of their massive axes and clubs. Once again, total chaos erupts on the battlefield as the the enemies approach from all points northwest to east. Like a giant wave crushing down on a sandcastle on the shore, the lines break here and there.

Vaxfar aims his wand trying to catch as many foes in its swath as possible, unfortunately, he is only able to target the armored wyrmlord and a single hill giant with a single charge. But in this area of effect are also several soldiers that are now being overrun. The wyrmlord and hill giant fight off the welling fear and continue to fight. The same cannot be said of several soldiers. These break ranks and begin fleeing from the battlefield with all haste.

One hill giant breaks through the lines and charges up the hill leading to the catehdral, directly at Valthur and Taerix. The hill giant brings a massive maul slamming down into Valthur!

The ogres get bogged down fighting through ranks of soldiers on either side of the field, but for the moment, they are getting the better of the battle and are steadily moving their way toward the catehdral.

The Wyrmlord strides confidents into the middle of the field, leveling its eyes with Vaxfar. With a well-practiced swing it lops off a nearby soldiers head with great precision. "Challenge accepted. KILL THEM ALL!!" the Wyrmlord roars.

The hill giant nearest the wyrmlord picks up a soldier and tosses the man into the side of a nearby building with a sickening thud. The soldier falls to the ground and stirs no more.

For their part, the valiant defenders rally behind their Captain and do their best to thwart the enemies' advance, but all around, soldiers are losing morale or succumbing to their wounds...


OOC: Valthur took 12 points of damage.

Wyrmlord
AC: 0
HP: 45/45

Hill Giants, 2
AC: 4
HP: 35/40, 35/40

Ogres, 4
AC: 6
HP: 16/21, 16/21



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  28/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  21/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  33/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Running over to help the soldiers fighting the ogres, Eoni throws a potion and shouts, "Healing potion!"

Presumably, she meant to throw it toward a nearby soldier, but it flies almost directly between the soldiers and ogre.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 11 using 1d20.  Dexterity Check (10) Throw potion.

[Private to GM: She'd been trying to throw it closer to the ogre so he'd grab it as it's NOT a healing potion.  It's a love potion.  If anyone drinks it, she'll try to make sure she's the first person they see.]

Staggered by the hill giant's crushing blow, Valthur swings wildly at his attacker.

21:30, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 8 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 5. Axe vs. hill giant.

Vaxfar draws his sword and jumps to the aid of the dwarf.  Getting more used to the sword from the armory, he hits the giant.

Today: Vaxfar rolled 4 using 2d4+1 with rolls of 2,1.  Damage bastard sword v giant.
23:07, Today: Vaxfar rolled 14 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 13.  Bastard sword v. Giant.(12 to hit)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Wed 17 July 2019.

Sarah fires at something.  The shot is so horrible it's hard to say what she was aiming at.

08:38, Today: Sarah rolled 5,1 using d20+3,d6 with rolls of 2,1.  Crossbow vs. Giant (13 to hit).

Taerix slices his magic sword at the nearby hill giant, and the potion he just drank helps him inflict quite a wound.


16:51, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 12 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 5.  sword damage (x2).

16:48, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 15 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 13.  Sword vs. hill giant.

The battle before the cathedral proves too chaotic for anyone in the front lines to hear Eoni's ruse. All participants are engaged in a desperate struggle for their very life and the shouts and screams of battle drown everything out into a chorus of suffering, pain, and misery. The potion sails through the air and lands on the ground without anyone taking much notice of it.

The soldiers and a handful of acolytes, under command of Captain Lars Ulverth, stage a valiant defense in an effort to not yield ground to the invaders, but take heavy losses along the way.

Taerix and Vaxfar combine attacks against the nearest hill giant, wounding the brute, but not with enough power to slow it down from charging at Valthur. The hill giant towers over the dwarven warrior with huge maul overhead, and brings it down with a heavy double-handed strike. A punishing blow that shocks the dwarf to the core, but doesn't quite topple him.

The second hill giant breaks through a line of soldiers to engage Captain Ulverth. The two trade blows, the giant getting the better of the conflict for the moment.

One of the ogres swings a club at Taerix, but does not manage to score a hit against the slippery halfling. The other ogre fights a group of warriors just beyond Eoni. The line begins to break and it now has a clear path to the cleric.

Finally, the mailed wyrmlord enters charges through the lines at Vaxfar. The wyrmlord scores a glancing blow against the elf.


OOC: Valthur took 7. Vaxfar took 1.
Wyrmlord
AC: 0
HP: 45/45 (Vaxfar/Valthur)

Hill Giants, 2
AC: 4
HP: 14/40 (Valthur/Vaxfar), 31/40

Ogres, 4
AC: 6
HP: 11/21 (Taerix), 11/21 (Eoni)



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  28/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  14/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  32/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

15:47, Today: Vaxfar rolled 3 using 2d4+1 with rolls of 1,1.  Bastard sword v. Giant - damage.
15:45, Today: Vaxfar rolled 15 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 14.  Bastard sword v. Giant (14 to hit).
Ignoring the glancing blow Vaxfar takes another swing at the Giant and nicks him again.

Taerix brings his sword to bear on the nearby ogre. However, he is not successful this time, missing the ogre by several inches.

16:42, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 5 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 3.  Sword vs ogre.

Valthur steps backward after suffering another strike from the hill giant's maul. He staggers, his vision partially blinded by white spots floating in front of him. He considers for a moment the likelihood that he will not see another sunrise. The thought hangs over him, like a dark cloud. But even at this darkest time, he realizes that he still stands. And still holds an enchanted axe.

The dwarf clenches his teeth and strides forward with newfound purpose. "I may not see the morning, you giant pile of trash, but if I don't, I'll see that you don't either!"

With an angry growl, Valthur strikes, hitting the giant solidly!

01:11, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 21 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 18.  Axe vs. hill giant that's been crushing him so far!
01:11, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 11 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 8.  Damage (come on, high number)!

Could talking to the dice roller actually work (see damage roll)? Probably not, but I'm going to keep begging it for high numbers until it doesn't work anymore!!!

Eoni prays to Avandra that she may survive long enough to distract this ogre so that others may survive.

Sarah sees what is coming . . .

In a blur, she stows her bow and draws her sword, while simultaneously slipping forward and through the crowd.  With all combatants focused on the more immediate and obvious threats, she is largely ignored.

This allows her to intercept the ogre bearing on Eoni.  She closes in on the hulking figure and appears to have a chance to slip her blade into his back before he knows she's there.  Alas, at the last moment, the ogre senses the girl's presence . . .

01:24, Today: Sarah rolled 45 using 1d100 with rolls of 45.  Move Silently (43).
DARN!

Undaunted, Sarah continues with her attack, scraping the ogre's ribs and creating a gash that releases a rivulet of blood.


01:30, Today: Sarah rolled 18,4 using d20,d8 with rolls of 18,4.  Attack Ogre (11 to hit).
This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Sun 28 July 2019.

Vaxfar and Valthur strike down one of the hill giants, while the other squares off against Captain Ulverth and delivers another smashing blow that brings the brave veteran momentarily to his knees. The hill giant chuckles cruelly and raises his two-handed maul overhead ready to bring down the killing blow against the battered warrior.

Meanwhile, the armored hobgoblin wyrmlord squares off with Vaxfar and slashes the elf with his heavy sword. Vaxfar's armor absorbs some of the stinging blow, but the hobgoblin seems unphased, perhaps even urged on by the challenge this foe presents.

One of the ogres chases after the fleet-footed halfling, but is unable to land a blow against its nimble opponent. Sarah slips in behind the second ogres and wounds the brute, but not with enough damage to dissuade it from attacking Eoni. The ogre reels around to see what just stabbed it and this distraction causes it to lash out at Eoni with its meaty forearm. The ogre slams into the cleric while turning to regard this new foe--Sarah...


OOC: Vaxfar takes 2 damage. Eoni takes 5.
Wyrmlord
AC: 0
HP: 45/45 (Vaxfar/Valthur)

Hill Giants, 2
AC: 4
HP: 0/40, 31/40 (Captain Ulverth)

Ogres, 4
AC: 6
HP: 11/21 (Taerix), 7/21 (Eoni/Sarah)



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  14/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  30/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Sarah knows she's going to have to be careful to avoid being hit by the ogre.  She thrusts with her sword, mostly in an attempt to keep him at bay.  She strikes the side of its armor, inflicting no damage.


01:56, Today: Sarah rolled 5,6 using d20,d8 with rolls of 5,6.  Attack Ogre (11 to hit).

Ignoring the Wyrm lord  V. Draws a wand with one hand and aims it at the hill giant engaged with captain Ulverth.

“We have easily killed your brother.  Be afraid!” He yells at the remaining Giant

[Private to GM: Release the charge of fear only if I can get an angle on the giant that doesn’t include my allies in the cone.  I don’t mind if it goes through the Wyrm lord.]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:43, Sun 28 July 2019.

The Sister tumbled a short ways across the battlefield from the ogre's blow.  She'd been able to avoid the brunt of the strike, but her shoulder was still numb from where she'd fallen on the stone courtyard.

"Watch out!" she cried to Sarah as she clambered back to her feet and looked around for her staff.  Scooping it up, she dashed for the Captain to see if she could impart some strength to him before the giant's strike fell.

"Avandra give me strength," she prayed as she dashed to the man and touched him with the staff before the blow.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 7 using 1d6+1.  Staff of Healing, Captain Ulverth.

Valthur's confidence builds as he and Vaxfar bring down the first of the giants. As the Wyrmlord approaches them, his clenches his teeth. This is it, he tells himself. One solid strike to him could turn the tide of this entire battle.

Unfortunately for Valthur, his strike is far from solid. It misses the Wyrmlord altogether and the dwarf's momentum causes him to spin wildly, tripping over his own tired feet as he does.


18:21, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 4 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 1.  Axe vs. Wyrmlord. #$%# - should have begged to the dice-roller like I did on my last roll.

Taerix gathers himself and swings again at the ogre. This time he hits, but even with his enhanced strength he thinks a scratch is still not much more than a scratch.


13:12, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 3 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 1.  damage (doubled with potion).

13:12, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 12 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 10.  Sword vs. Ogre.

The hill giant seems unphased by Vaxfar's magic attack and continues to plow through nearby opponents, tossing aside several with one sweep of its mighty thews, relishing in the blood, death, and agony around it. Captain Ulverth manages to get in another hit, but it's not nearly enough to neutralize the giant.

The wyrmlord executes a series of feints and jabs against Vaxfar before finally catching his opponent off-balance to deliver a powerful overhead sweeping strike that scores a hit.

The ogres press their attacks against Sarah and Taerix, but both heroes dodge out of the way moments before either scores a telling blow.

Piles of slain soldiers now litter the blood-soaked grassy fields surrounding the cathedral, each new death giving encouragement to the attackers.


OOC: Vaxfar takes 6 damage.
Wyrmlord
AC: 0
HP: 45/45 (Vaxfar/Valthur)

Hill Giants, 2
AC: 4
HP: 0/40, 26/40 (Captain Ulverth)

Ogres, 4
AC: 6
HP: 5/21 (Taerix), 7/21 (Eoni/Sarah)



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  14/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  24/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Tearix stabs upward again, feeling the sword bite deeply this time. If this thing doesn't fall soon.... Taerix is tiring, and sweat glistens on his face as he continues to fight.


07:14, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 6 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 4.  damage vs ogre (doubled for giant strength).

07:14, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 17 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 15.  Sword vs ogre.

Sarah continues using her sword as a means of warding off the ogre instead of seriously attacking with it.


08:21, Today: Sarah rolled 5,2 using d20,d8 with rolls of 5,2.  Attack Ogre (11 to hit) (please).

With Taerix finishing the one ogre, Eoni shouted for him to help the Captain with the giant.

She scrambled out of the way to use her staff on a nearby soldier knocked aside by the giant's calamitous club.

V tries again, remembering the early success against the giants outside the gate.   Releases another charge of fear against the giant.

Valthur swings again at the Wyrmlord, this time landing his axe against firmly against his opponent's armor, but no deeper than that.

20:28, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 14 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 11.  Axe vs. Wyrmlord (come on, big #).
Drat! Missed AC 0 by 1 point! If only it was a +2 battle axe!

"Valthur!" Eoni shouted at the dwarf as she spotted what he was doing wrong.  "Stop closing your eyes!"

"My eyes are open," Valthur snaps back at the cleric. "But his blasted armor is as hard as a dragon's hide!"

Taerix takes down one of the ogres while the other darts this way and that trying to smash Sarah into a pulp.

Vaxfar releases another charge from his wand, this time targeting the hill giant giving Captain Ulverth a good bashing. The feebleminded brute succumbs to the magic's effect and immediately loses heart and begins to race away from the battlefield as fast as its meaty legs can carry it.

The wyrmlord seethes with rage upon seeing this latest development and spits a string of venmous curses at the elf. "I will take great pleasure in your death, elf!" he says in bravado before executing a hard slash with intent to lop off Vaxfar's head. Vaxfar ducks out of the way just in time, but the hobgoblin presses in for another attack. "You cannot win this day. By Tiamat, I will see victory today! For the horde!"

Elsewhere on the battlefield, teams of men face off against scattered bands of hobgoblins hoping to hold off their advance.


OOC:
Wyrmlord
AC: 0
HP: 45/45 (Vaxfar/Valthur)

Hill Giants, 2
AC: 4
HP: 0/40, 26/40 (fleeing!)

Ogres, 4
AC: 6
HP: 0/21, 7/21 (Eoni/Sarah)



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  14/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  24/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

“Your strategy is curious goblin!  Your men are running away, and you are having trouble with Your weapon.” Vaxfar retorts as he swings at the Wyrmlord, just missing.

21:17, Today: Vaxfar rolled 12 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 11.  Bastard sword v. Wyrmlord to hit.

Sarah grimly continues dodging this way and that.  For all of his power and fury, the ogre is not nimble.

Suddenly, she spies an opening!  Darting forward, she slashes the ogre on his thigh, hoping that will slow him down even more.


09:01, Today: Sarah rolled 15,3 using d20,d8 with rolls of 15,3.  Attack Ogre (11 to hit) (pretty please?).

Eoni reached out her staff to heal another injured soldier, but kept an eye on the dwarf.  "Keep your eyes open, Valthur!" she prayed quietly.

Taerix races for the other ogre, hoping to bring it down as well. Again, the strength potion allows the halfling's sword to bite deeper than he thought possible.


19:39, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 8 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 6.  damage vs. ogre. (doubled for Giant Strength)

19:39, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 17 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 15.  sword vs. ogre.

After another miss, Valthur stands at his breaking point. Not only has his trusty axe been useless against the wyrmlord, but he hasn't even drawn the attention of the hobgoblin. Instead, he's focused his attention on Vaxfar. An elf!

The mere thought of it nearly boils Valthur's blood on the spot. His face reddens as madness overtakes him. "Here's something for your lousy horde!"

21:40, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 18 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 15.  Axe vs. wyrmlord (you can DO it)!
21:40, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 11 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 8.  Take THAT!

Finally, his ax sinks through the wyrmlord's armor and draws blood. Still enraged, he stares the wyrmlord in the eye. [Language unknown: "Sare atant eretedvir oerionure ortes wheivekor k Hisoutest El, ut acpodiou inshe."]

Sarah and Taerix combine attacks against the wounded ogre and, together, knock the hulking brute out of commission. Permanently!

Meanwhile, the wyrmlord has bloodlust in his eyes and continue to fight on, despite the fact his elite guard of giants and ogres has now been dispatched. This is, in his eyes, a decisive moment in the war, and to abandon it to defeat invites certain death at the hands of his general, Azarr Kul.

His undying resolve doesn't do much to prevent Valthur from scoring a telling blow. The wyrmlord howls out in agony as the dwarf's axe bites through his heavy mail. Grimacing from behind his full metal helm, the hobgoblin answers with a powerful blow of his own.

"There is no hope! None can cheat the Red Hand of victory on this day!" he calls out with renewed vigor.

Elsewhere on the battlefield, the rag-tag remnants of either side of the conflict struggle to remain amongst the living, but there is much loss of life, everywhere...


OOC: Valthur is hit for 7 points of damage.

Wyrmlord
AC: 0
HP: 34/45 (Vaxfar/Valthur)

Hill Giants, 2
AC: 4
HP: 0/40, 26/40 (fleeing!)

Ogres, 4
AC: 6
HP: 0/21, 0/21



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4   7/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  24/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

“It is you who should have run in fear like your comrades.  Look around, it will be more than your hand that is red when this is over!”

Vaxfar cries as he swings and lands a solid hit.

19:34, Today: Vaxfar rolled 6 using 2d4+1 with rolls of 2,3.  Bastard sword v Wyrmlord damage.
19:30, Today: Vaxfar rolled 16 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 15.  Bastard sword v Wyrmlord to hit.

Valthur cries aloud as the wyrmlord's attack lands on his tiring body. Around him, he senses the tide of the battle turning, however he suspects that his own destiny may not include seeing the light of the next morning. Resigned now to an almost certain death, he swings again, landing another hit through the wyrmlord's armor.

"There'll be no victory for your red hand today, vile hobgoblin scum!"

20:20, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 20 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 17.  Axe vs. wyrmlord (hit him again!).
20:20, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 4 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 1.  Axe vs. wyrmlord (hit him again!).
20:20, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 6 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 3.  Damage.
Double-clutched AGAIN. How embarrassing! Thank goodness I rolled the 17 before fumbling!

While the others converge on the Wyrmlord, Eoni touches another wounded soldier with her staff and a blessing from Avandra.

Taerix races as fast as he can to Valthur's side, slashing at the Wyrmlord with his magic sword. Unfortunately, the Wyrmlord's armor protects him from the blow.


10:33, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 11 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 9.  Sword vs Wyrmlord.

With so many threatening fighters drawing the Wyrmlord's attention, Sarah tries to maneuver behind him to attack with the element of surprise.

Her effort is quite successful.  Her ensuing attack . . . not so much.


01:25, Today: Sarah rolled 34 using 1d100 with rolls of 34.  Sneak (43).
01:27, Today: Sarah rolled 10 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 6.  Attack Wyrmlord (17 to hit).

Sensing that Valthur is nearly battered into submission, the hobgoblin wyrmlord presses a series of feints and attacks against the dwarf, striking yet again. It's not with enough force to take him out of the fight, but another hit like that will mean one less foe to deal with. Each victory this day will go a long way toward securing Tiamat's treacherous ends.

As soon as he puts the dwarf out for the count, he can focus on shutting up the snotty elf...


OOC: Valthur is hit for 3 points of damage.

Wyrmlord
AC: 0
HP: 22/45 (Vaxfar/Valthur/Sarah/Taerix)



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4   4/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  24/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Taerix sets his feet and focuses on taking out one leg of the Wyrmlord, but unfortunately, this swing is farther off than the last one.


05:45, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 9 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 7.  Sword vs Wyrmlord.

“Eoni, Valthur needs your healing hands” Vaxfar shouts as he takes another swing at the goblin missing as it is parried away this time. “Your time is short, goblin.  Surrender now and perhaps your life might be spared.  It’s the best option for such a worthless excuse for w warrior.”

14:43, Today: Vaxfar rolled 10 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 9.  Bastard sword v Wyrmlord to hit .

[Private to GM: If I can perform another action this round I would yell to Valthur that I have one last potion of healing and hand/toss it to him.  Otherwise I’ll wait to see if Eoni helps or wait till the next turn. ]

"Valthur!" Eoni shouted at the elf's insistence. "Drop back, I have a healing potion!"

She moves to join him while pulling the draught from her backpack.

Sarah despairs of hitting anything with her sword.  She steps back, pulls out and loads her crossbow, and aims high to avoid hitting her comrades.

But too high, as the shot skips off of the top of the wyrmlord's helm.

10:06, Today: Sarah rolled 15,1 using d20+2,d6 with rolls of 13,1.  Crossbow v. Wyrmlord (17 to hit).

Staggered by another hit from the wyrmlord, Valthur stumbles, but stays on his feet.


He hears Eoni's voice, but the stubborn dwarf refuses to retreat from the battle. "Not now. We almost have this little puke finished!"

He directs a defiant swing at the wyrmlord, but his confidence fades when his axe deflects harmlessly off his opponent's armor.

20:58, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 9 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 6.  Axe vs. wyrmlord (too stubborn to leave the battle).
On the plus side, at least I only rolled once this round!

The hobgoblin wyrmlord deftly weaves through superior numbers, dodging and parrying blows with great precision. He is a disciplined warrior, his skill gained through a life of martial pursuit and spilled blood. In fact, he seems to grow more confident as the battle progresses.

Blocking Valthur's attack, he strikes aside the dwarf's axe and comes back with a single sword slash that punches through Valthur's mail. A dark tunnel collapses on the dwarf, the last thing he sees before he hits the ground is the wyrmlord's mailed boots. Then he sees nothing, but hears the fading sound of pitched battle, until that too fades...

Valthur is down.

Bloody sword in hand, the wyrmlord turns to face Vaxfar...


OOC: Valthur is hit for 6 points of damage and must make Death saves.

Wyrmlord
AC: 0
HP: 22/45 (Vaxfar/Valthur/Sarah/Taerix)



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  -2/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18      Unconscious & Dying
Vaxfar     2  24/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

Taerix sees the dwarf fall, and redoubles his efforts to punch his sword through the hobgoblin's armor. But he still can't quite get there.


11:44, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 6 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 4.  Sword vs Wyrmlord.

"Get him away from Valthur!" Eoni shouted as she hovered on the edge of the battle with her readied healing potion.

Valthur falls to the ground with a thud. He realizes he is bleeding steadily from his side where the wyrmlord's last hit struck him, but he does nothing to stop it. Instead, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. The bug infested heat seems cool in his chest now. Almost refreshing.

22:38, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 16 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 17. Death saving throw (if it's against death ray, then needs a 6).
1 success for Valthur!!!

Seeing Valthur go down, Vaxfar dances to the side to draw the goblin away from him.  He draws his wand of fear and discharges another blast of fear angling it up at the goblin in an effort to make sure he is the only one affected by the cone.

“Your strategy is failing.  Run while you still have a chance to save your pathetic life!” 

Figuring her efforts have been of little consequence, Sarah takes advantage of Vaxfar's tactic to dart in and, grabbing Valthur's arms, drags him from the fray.

A pulse of magical energy washes over the wyrmlord, but it seems to have no effect on him. Likewise, the adventures combine forces against the hobgoblin, but he either parries aside their blows with ease or their weapons clang harmlessly off his thick plate mail.

Then, the armored warrior lunges at Vaxfar and drives his sword with great force, injuring the elf.

"Beg for mercy now, and I will make this quick, elf."


OOC: Vaxfar is hit for 6 points of damage. Valthur is still making Death Saves.

Wyrmlord
AC: 0
HP: 22/45 (Vaxfar/Valthur/Sarah/Taerix)



PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4  -2/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18      Unconscious & Dying (S1)
Vaxfar     2  18/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
7+ to 9    3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15
9+ to 11   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14

]

PCs are UP!

"Good job Sarah!" Eoni said as she quickly moved to the dwarf with the healing draught.  Lifting his head, she carefully trickled it into his mouth.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  Potion of Healing, Valthur.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:34, Tue 20 Aug 2019.

Though the Wyrmlord's attention is on Vaxfar, Taerix is starting to get annoyed that he hasn't connected with one blow yet. But this one, finally, gets through its armor.

13:29, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 6 using 1d8+2 with rolls of 4.  damage vs Wyrmlord (doubled by Strength).

13:28, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 16 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 14.  Sword vs Wyrmlord.

Vaxfar puts away the wand and puts that hand back on the bastard sword still in his other hand, taking a mighty swing.   “I gave you a chance to flee but you would rather bleed you stupid creature.  It is not surprising that you have little intelligence to see that. It is hopeless for you.”

Vax connects with a mighty blow slicing through the Goblin’s armour as if it wasn’t there.

<20:02, Today: Vaxfar rolled 8 using 2d4+1 with rolls of 3,4.  Bastard Sword v. Wyrmlord Damage .
20:01, Today: Vaxfar rolled 20 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 19.  Bastard Sword v. Wyrmlord to hit .
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Wed 21 Aug 2019.

Seeing that Eoni is taking over Valthur's care, Sarah quickly decides that there is little to be gained by her trying to fight the Wyrmlord up close.  Plus staying at range has . . . other advantages.

She punctuates her decision by pulling out her crossbow and firing a bolt uselessly somewhere.


10:44, Today: Sarah rolled 4,4 using d20+2,d6 with rolls of 2,4.  Attack Wyrmlord (17 to hit).

Valthur shakes the cobwebs from his head as he regains consciousness. Seeing the grim battle going on around him, he wonders whether dying may have been the better choice. "Well, I suppose that's still a distinct possibility", he tells himself while grabbing his axe and slowly rising to his feet.

"I've lost track of the number of times I've thanked you for bringing me back from death's door, Eoni, but add this to the list."

The dwarf tilts his helmeted head back and forth, cracking a few neck joints as he does. Then with a sigh, he steps back toward the battle.

Taerix and Vaxfar land a pair of devastating blows against the hobgoblin wyrmlord, one of which knocks his helm right off his head! The hobgoblin's eyes are wild as he looks upon his enemies, each slowly in turn. Then, despite the fact he is at what certainly looks to be his upper limit of even being able to keep himself upright anymore, he drops to his knees, grabs two hand-fulls of earth and smiles.

"Yes. Let now be the time of my greatest sacrifice," he says with a broad, proud smile. The hobgoblin goes into a trance-like state and then begin chanting in an ancient, venomous tongue...

"Rhaxfha Idglab Amman Sza Idglak Tiamat!!!"

The ground begins to rumble beneath the Wyrmlord, then radiating outward across the battlefield. The wyrmlord erupts in a bright, blinding flash, the pulse of light washing over the battlefield. When everyones eyesight returns to normal, where the wyrmlord once was, nothing but a pile of ash. Out of that ash, dark shadowy tendrils lick out furtively at first, then span upward straight to sky.

The tendrils coalesce into a whirling vortex and glowing arcane sigils form along its circumference. The wyrmlord's dying chant continues to echo, growing louder with each passing second. The chant merges into a horrific roar and the party catches glimpses of a hellish landscape within the vortex gate. The vision beyond reveals the following:

A charred wasteland of vast ashen plains covered in rubble and the occasional line of foothills and basalt mountains heaped with broken rocks of obsidian and quartz. Everywhere, rocks and boulders, some of which seem to resemble tormented faces and shapes of creatures. A blood-red light suffuses the very air and huge fireballs fly at random through the sky, occasionally impacting and exploding wherever they hit. There seems to be no sun or stars in this plane, but it is lit nonetheless by a reddish glow.

In the distance, the party begins to see a five-headed dragon flying rapidly toward their position...



OOC:


PC         AC   HP    9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1  0 -1 -2 -
Eoni       8  23/28   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Sarah      4  21/21   8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Taerix     1  24/24   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Valthur    4   1/33   6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Vaxfar     2  18/33   7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19      Protection from Evil

[Private to GM:

  HD       9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1   0   -1  -2  -3
Up to 1    10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20  20
1+ to 2    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  20
2+ to 3    8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20
3+ to 4    7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19
4+ to 5    6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18
5+ to 6    5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17
6+ to 7    4   5   6   7   8   9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16
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PCs are UP!

Aghast at hole punched through to another plane, and not a good one, Eoni rushed forward and tried to disrupt the tear with her staff.  She swung left and right through the sigils in an attempt to close the rift.

OOC: Eoni Daflin rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Spells/Staff (12).
This message was last edited by the player at 22:11, Mon 26 Aug 2019.

13:34, Today: Vaxfar rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Potion of Healing.

Bracing himself for what is coming next Vaxfar finds his last potion of healing and drinks it quickly.

Realizing that the gesture may be futile at this point, Taerix switches to his bow and looses a shot at the dragon.

19:28, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Arrow damage?

19:27, Today: Kane Taerix rolled 18 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 14.  Arrow vs dragon.

Valthur squints at the growing vortex, unsure of whether or not it is real. He hopes to himself that what he sees is a hallucination resulting from his many wounds.

Unsure of what to do next, he tries to help Eoni close the rift by swinging at one of the sigils as it passes by. "We've got to close this portal! There's no way we can match up with that five-headed devil!"

21:41, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 15 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 12.  Axe vs. sigil (on the off chance it can be hit).
21:42, Today: Valthur Ironhelm rolled 19 using 1d20-1 with rolls of 20 (in case it's needed).  Save vs. Spells (10 or higher). Crit!