Sajaa attempts to step to one side to block Runt's advance.

"No, Little One! Its too dangerous!"

OOC: Sajaa will try to block Runt from continuing.

Rolf breathes heavily.  His eyes flutter and he emits soft noises from his comatose slumber, but he does not stir to rise.  The fight to free the slaves is done for him, at least for now.

In reply to Sajaa al-Kassem (msg # 584):

"Is not!"

"Somebody got to go an talk to them.  They be stuck down there.  If there be a way out they would already be gone.  I be the only one they not be afraid of when they see 'em.
 They got all the prisoners and if you go and charge down there to fight them then they probably kill a bunch of them.  I won't get close 'nuf for them to grab me.  'Sides, I could see how many of them there be.  An if they do grab me, I burn 'em good an you can run down and rescue me."

Sajaa looks down at the boy's dirt-smudged, yet earnest face. It is hard for her not to smile.

Her maternal instinct to protect the child wills her to order Runt to stay put -- but the boy certainly has proven himself time and again to be resourceful and cunning.

"I am not your Mother, nor your Keeper, child, so I cannot make you stay, but I think you would be safer if you did.  But if you are to go -- and Magnus and the other Warriors allow it -- go as silently as the little shadow that you are -- and look, but do not engage.  Then come back in haste and tell us what you saw!"

Runt looked over to Magnus and Gustav hoping to get their agreement with his scheme.

Clear now that Terri and the other prisoners are down the right fork, Magnus pushes ahead to the corner where he glances around the corner before looking on.

Runt too charges ahead, his idea to talk the bandits down before more violence begins, and there is likely something to be said for the little pint sized diplomat's plan, though before he can even seem to get started, things seem to devolve...

"They're fighting!"

The shout comes as Magnus turns his head around the corner and sees the man with the crossbow at the end of a ten yard corridor.  He has his crossbow raised to the left side, where it seems the tunnel opens again due to the light spilling out from that direction.

"No!"  Terri shrieks...  She's clearly close, perhaps just around that corner ahead.

Twang!

Magnus watches in horror as the guard expends his crossbow, and Terri's pained scream responds a moment later!

The man with the crossbow turns his head down the hallway and catches sight of Magnus and Runt in the hall, dropping his crossbow downward with one hand and pulling back furiously at the string.

"Shit!  They're coming!"  The man shouts as he turns his full attention towards the fighters bearing down on him.  "Stop right there or we kill them all!"

OOC:  Sorry for the odd timing of the post.  We're still sort of in between combat and normal 1 minute turns, so it's my fault that player actions aren't really playing out the way you all intended.  Again, I don't think there is any real benefit or penalty to the added/mismatched time, so no need to edit previous posts.

Giles and Gustav have managed to get Rolf over to a chair and set him down and can act normally without fear of him falling.

I opted for Runt to not grab the torch.  There's enough light ahead, and now that you've turned the corner it's pretty clear you shouldn't need it.  There's also the issue that you're about 3 feet tall and you can't reach the sconces without pulling a table over and standing on it.  My way seemed more likely to me.  Remember, Sajaa still has the lighted stick too (in her shield-arm hand).  That also made it so he could jump the Gun on Sajaa and get ahead of her before she realized what he was doing.

Going forward we are going in combat timing.  Give 2 seconds worth of actions to hopefully get us back in some semblance of order.

Terri’s scream spurs Sajaa on to action…

”ei… ei… Ei … Ei … EIIIII!!!” She wails, even as she is shouldering past Magnus and dashing into the room…

”KUNT MAYITAN LIDHALIK!” She shrieks at the top of her lungs, jabbing her sword to indicate the bandit across the room.  And then, like some blood-thirsty demoness, she charges straight for him.  As she goes, she tosses back her helmed head and lets out a weird, high-pitched, ululating battle cry that pierces the ears…

https://web.archive.org/web/20...4/langlois/1yuyu.wav

Sajaa Al-Kassem does NOT negotiate with terrorists!

OOC: Turn One: with shield held to increase her defense, and sword in her other hand, she will make full moves to engage the only visible bandit.  She will rush forward but scan the floor for any sign of traps, etc., and if she sees one, will attempt a running jump over same. If she makes it to bandit for Turn Two: Her attack will be Deceptive -4/-2 to defense cutting attack for random body part.  She will NO LONGER take Extra Effort in her defense. Her defense against melee will be retreating fencing parry enhanced by shield’s DR (2?). Her defense against missile will be Diving Dodge enhanced by DR of shield.
[Language unknown: "n... be.... E....LARTERUGH!!!!  Ndre mi OUNSTRBUT UNNE!"]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:36, Wed 25 May 2022.

Runt had hoped to try and talk the bandits into giving up, but his scheme went completely out the window when the crossbowman caught sight of them.  Seeing the bandit trying to reload, he did the only thing he thought could help - CHARGE!  He took off at a full sprint, shouting as loud as he could, sure he could get there much faster than the wounded bullman knight.

OOC - At a full sprint he should be able to get there.  His intent is just to just run into the guy and possibly tangle up with the guy's legs.  Determined Attack.  You do the rolling against whatever.

Runt was not really thinking of lighting with the torch, but rather having it as a deterrent or a weapon.  I was really looking forward to trying to parley with the bandits.  I actually had a whole spiel ready (with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one, LOL).  But, hey, it wasn't meant to be.  ;-)   
This message was last edited by the player at 18:51, Wed 25 May 2022.

Gustav hears Terri's scream and bolts for the Hallway [full move for two seconds], Black sword in his right hand and drawing his main gauche again for his left.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:56, Wed 25 May 2022.

Giles exclaimed "Fuck this" and then retrieved his statue, he then summoned the wolves.

"Go, my brethren and kill those that hurt our pack..." he said, feeling that the weight of the words invocation of the pack could bring their might to bear in a great way.

He locked his mind and vision on the man that had fired the bow and set the wolves upon him. Get him. They would be on him before he could reload anything.


At the same time, Sajaa's scream echoed in the stone-walled champers and Giles was impressed with her impetus for a fight. In truth he'd never known another woman to so easily wade into battle, and some part of him was impressed. It made him understand why there had been such problems with Wazifi over the years.

Magnus was following, and he took refinement and covered it in the fuzz of brutishness, enemies always thought twice about engaging with someone so physically imposing. A fact that Giles had been acutely aware of growing up, around Helios, his brother.



I assume Giles can see the person - and that this action is actually doable - if it's not please just strikethrough the post and i'll re-write it.

Actions:
"Release the hounds Mr Smithers"



This message was last edited by the player at 05:57, Thu 26 May 2022.

Magnus had not really had time to consider the alternatives.

The firing of the crossbow, Terri's scream, Sajaa's charge, Runt running around, Giles and his wolves. It all blended together into a sort of nightmarish chaos.

They needed to save Terri, that much was clear, and all the others, but the risk of so much, so soon after their last fight, and his own wound galling him robbed the zeal from the moment

He waded into the fight, not a blood thirsty charge, but a sort of inexorable jog.

With his right arm he brought up the javelin mid stride, hefted it with a little readjustments in his grip, then cocked back and hurled it towards the Crossbowman with shocking force and speed, the shaft streaking through the air in a blur.

The threat of murder looms large upon the room, though for all the small party can see, a single man, with a spent crossbow had little ability to carry out any of his plans.  Almost in unison Runt, Sajaa and Gustav charge, Magnus hurls his lance, and Giles reaches for his magical statue, unleashing everything they have left in a single moment.

Magnus's lance tears down the short distance of the corridor, streaking in a deadly line towards the man with the crossbow, though at the last moment the man turns his body and the javelin hits the stone wall behind him, snapping the narrow wooden shaft with the force of the blow.

Sajaa's shriek pierces the momentary silence, and the man with the crossbow feverishly reaches into his quiver for a bolt to reset himself for another shot.

But Runt is too quick, darting down the corridor he hurls himself forward, diving low and wrapping his arms around the man's legs even as he tries to settle his bolt within the channel.

"Terri's in here! Hurry!! She's dying!"  A woman's voice calls from within the cell to the left.

Within a moment, Sajaa is upon the man with the crossbow, slashing her saber at his face before he has a chance to ready his weapon, the man barely avoiding her attack as his legs stagger to keep his balance with Runt hanging on to his shins.

Then, all of a sudden, the baying of wolves echoes in response to Giles's command, and four of the beasts rush down the hallway, two past Sajaa and into the cell with the others leaping into the man with the crossbow, knocking him back into the wall and forcing him to drop his crossbow and reach for his club.

"I yield!"  He shrieks even as he tries to bring the club to bear against his varied assailants.

Lisa Rufbin joins the thread

OOC:  Ok, probably not what everyone expected as a sum up here, and sorry there isn't a map, but frankly this combat is so lopsided that it simply isn't worth the time.  The main question posed to all of you, is how dead do you want these guys?

Lisa's thread is now open to everyone and provides more insight as to what is happening in the cell.  The two wolves, as well as all the prisoners should be able to make quick work of the man with the axe, though it's possible he'll be able to take some collateral damage with him.

The crossbowman is completely overcome - is grappled by Runt and engaged by Gustav, Sajaa, and two wolves and it's doubtful he'll be able to do anything to defend himself.

Let's go to general intent to finish up the combat and I'll fast forward through it (unless something crazy happens)

Hastilly refastening her clothing Lisa encourages, "That's it,boys, tear the murdering s*** a new one!"  As she scuttles across to see to her friend Lisa adds, "I'm Terri's friend too. Can anyone do first aid?" She does what she can with Terri's latest wound but that's precious little.

GM repost for timeline sake

Magnus heard the snap and clatter of the javelin impacting the wall, and was just getting a handle on his mace and rounding into the room when the lone bandit surrendered.

Any relief at their unexpectedly swift victory was dashed when it became known that Terri was injured, perhaps even dying.

Magnus limped openly now, the risk of being attacked somewhat mitigated, and took in the room with one sweep of his broad shaggy head. "Tie him up!" he snapped and jabbed in the general direction of the bandit with his mace as he limped over nearer to where he believed Terri should be. "Where is she?" he demanded, barely concealed concern and worry in his deep voice as his eyes searched the shadows of the little prison.

Seeing the Mob on the crossbowman and hearing the Pleading for Help with Terri, Gustav changes direction, and enters the cell, if the axe weilder isn't done for, Gustav will change that.

12:49, Today: Gustav Du Meseries rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,6,2.  Broadsword thrust.
12:50, Today: Gustav Du Meseries rolled 8 using 2d6 with rolls of 6,2.  Sword thrust Damage.

He then moves to Terri, Hey kid, you need to keep better company... let's look at the wound, he sheathes the sword and his knife clears any clothing from the immediate wound area, he then gets out his bandages, Rolf needs time to recover, but we'll stop the bleeding and get you out to the main room.

Once she is bandaged, Gustav will position himself to lift her without bumping the bolt, and try to pick her up and take her out to the table in the otherroom and put her on it gently, but he can't quite manage it. He tries again, and finally manages to pick her up and carefully move toward the hallway to the other room.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Tue 31 May 2022.

Runt held onto the bandit's legs, happy that he was interfering with the man's attempted reload.  He held on as best he could, and bit down hard on the man's leg.  It might noy do much good, but maybe it would add to the distraction.  He just hoped that anyone else would swing high and not hit him.

OOC - 15:09, Today: Runt rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,4,6.  Bite (brawling I think) - All Out Attack - Strong - other modifiers ?  Probably not successful.

Lisa fetches the keys and then shadows Terri. "Stay with us, girl!"

She's looks at their rescuers, "Hi! I'm Lisa."

A half-second after little Runt makes a diving tackle for the crossbowman's legs, Giles's vicious enchanted canines, then Gustav and Sajaa converge upon the man...

Through the tangle of slashing fangs, fur, limbs and steel, Sajaa catches a glimpse of the bandit's face, and she draws back her sword arm, preparing a killing thrust...

But then, behind her she hears Magnus's booming command:

"Tie him up!"

Desperately does Sajaa desire to skewer the cowardly dog who is the source of Terri's pain. She has already witnessed her comrades' form of vigilante justice, carried out shortly ago in the execution of Hamish.  Why, then, should we spare this one, only to hang or behead him, anyway?

But Sajaa stays her hand and steps out of the fray.  She is exhausted and sore from an earlier glancing blow that she had barely felt when it struck, but now it has returned in the form of a dull ache.

She lifts the visor of her helm to get a better look at the raven-haired beauty who appears to be one of the prisoners -- both to get a better look at her -- and to show her that Sajaa, too, is a woman.  Sajaa is struck by the woman's astonishingly chipper tone despite such grim circumstances.

"Mrhban... er ... Greetings." Sajaa says to the woman, offering her a nod and a smile.  "I am Sajaa al-Kassem. Assalaam 'alaikum. Are you hurt?" She looks the woman over for signs of injury.

OOC: v, 18:14, Today: Sajaa al-Kassem rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,2,5.  Willpower (11) roll to restrain desire to slay bandit: Sajaa resisted her bloodlust so will leave any killing of the Bandit to the others. She will step away, greet Lisa, look her over for injuries and, if there are none or if she sees Terri nearby and no one is yet tending to her, she will hurry to Terri and attempt to stop the bleeding and wait for better medical assistance (ie, Rolf) to arrive.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:37, Tue 31 May 2022.

"Please see to Terri first"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Wed 01 June 2022.

Lisa says, "A lad over there is badly hurt." She doesn't mention her own hurt, just tries to stay near Lisa.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Wed 01 June 2022.

Sajaa cocks a brow, confused.

"Lad?! Do you mean ... the boy?  Runt?" She asks, alarmed. Wheeling away, she searches for her little street urchin amidst the heap of beast and humans apprehending the bandit.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:53, Wed 01 June 2022.

"One of the other prisoners," Lisa replies and goes to show where.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Wed 01 June 2022.

Sajaa looks over to her comrades to make sure they are heading over to lend aid to Terri, and then falls in after Lisa.  As she follows, she sheaths her sword and removes her shield.

"I am no Medicus, Lisa.  Nor a Healing Mage, but I will do what I can. Lead on."

OOC: Sajaa will let Lisa lead her to the injured "lad" and attempt to stabilize him.  And at this point, let's hold off until everyone else catches up and the timelines are aligned.

The last few moments of battle ebb away as the fog of the situation lifts.  The one foe in the hallway having given up, Gustav races into the cell, taking in as much as he can in the moment.

Terri lies huddled near the center of the cell, gripping her leg which boasts a crossbow bolt sunk nearly half way submerged through the shell of her leathers.  She's alive though and awake, which for the moment is enough for Gustav to move on to the rest of his environs.

At the edges of the cell, some dozen men are in various states of distress.  Some lay unconscious, clearly nursing injuries.  Others sit, pressed back against the wall in shock.  Gustav recognizes Rudyard, who has risen to a knee, though he too seems hesitant to leave his relative sanctuary at the edge of the cell.

For a few steps away, what seems to be the last of the bandits, armed with a torch in one hand and an axe in the other, is fighting two of Giles's wolves.  One of the beasts is latched on to the bandit's ankle while the other is a few steps away, lurching forward for a strike.

The guard with the axe moves in frantic delirium.  His swings are wide and barely controlled as if he isn't trying to much to hit his attackers as he is to cut them in half.  As Gustav races forward, one of the swings hits, causing a wolf to yowl in pain as it staggers backwards.  Gustav closes the last of the gap as the other wolf dives forwards, sinking its teeth into the bandit's calf just as the axe falls one last fatal time.

With the man's back turned, Gustav lances his sword into the man's side, piercing through his leathers without any effort at all.  Blood spits in wild flecks from the impact and the man's body goes rigid in an instant, the beginnings of a shout dying on his lips as instead he sags to the floor with a groan.  Gustav's heart hammers up through his throat, his slicked blade humming with joy in his hand from the kill.

Meanwhile, outside, not everyone seems to have gotten the hint of Magnus's order.  Instead, both the wolves and Runt seem to be keen to continue the fight.  Runt opens his jaws as wide as he can and bites down hard, just above the boot line.  It seems to be of much less effect than the wolves though, who seem to take advantage of Runt's stranglehold on the guard's leg to have their way.  Within only a few moments, the man has been knocked to the ground and cowers, his arms raised protectively over his head as the twin beasts gnash their teeth at his face and neck.

"Stop, stop!"  Giles shouts, staggering forward with a limp and recognizing only late that his wolves continued to fight well beyond the man's resignation.

But the dust clears, and this man at least is alive and awake, even if the teethmarks would scar him for the rest of his life.

The next several moments pass quickly.  Magnus ties the last of the bandits where he lays, kicking the club and the crossbow well out of reach.

Sajaa and Gusatv meanwhile, take to the cell to check on what prisoners there remain.  Terri takes a panicked moment to shout that Hamish is a traitor, though she calms quickly when Gustav assures her that they've taken care him.  Sajaa takes a moment to step over to what appears to be the worst of the injured, a muscled youth who's clothes are rent open, displaying a wide gash across his chest.  From what Sajaa can tell, the wound is freshly scabbed over with a wet, sticky red.  Though there is no doubt the cut is bad as it appears inflamed and angry all across its length, it isn't actively bleeding and Sajaa doesn't know how much she can do for the man.

"His names Erwin."  Rudyard comes to stand behind Sajaa.  "Took that when we got ambushed yesterday.  He had to be carried up here and hasn't moved much since."

Gustav meanwhile goes to check on Terri.

"I'll be ok I think."  Terri gasps as she uncurls slightly to lay on her back.  Gustav notes that her face and jaw are swollen and purple on the right side in addition to the bolt stuck in her leg.  "I just need this damn thing out of my leg."

Back in the other room, Rolf's eyes flutter awake...

OOC:  Ok, in the last few rounds of combat, one of Giles's wolves died, and the others would have killed the last conscious prisoner in a few moments.  I think the PC probably would have stopped them, so I opted to do that when he realized they were still attacking.

You have one conscious prisoner (bad guy) who is alive.  The captives that you've found are in varying states of usefulness, from completely incapacitated to entirely uninjured.  Go ahead and move on to normal posts.  If anyone wants to attempt first aid for Terri or Erwin, feel free to make a roll.  Gustav has bandages still for 1 wound, though I think the only first aid kit is still out with the horses.

Rolf is also awake and at 1FP.

Gustav will give the last bandages for the wound young man than, but he'll still attempt to lift and carry Terri out to the room near Rolf. Once he recovers, he will be able to help you more that I can, and it hurts I know, but is not bleeding nor a danger to you until he recovers.