His intestines pour onto the ground, flowing from his stomach like a waterfall. Adwnous's axe cuts open the wound (15a), opening a gap in the enemy half-orc's body (4d). Dwalin swings his own axe into the creature's back (22a), creating a resounding thud as it strikes (5d). The dwarf is deeply satisfied at the sound. The half-orc howls in rage and swings recklessly at Adwnous, his mind consumed by anger beneath the pain. Adwnous leaps to the side, his body landing hard against the edge of a table, but at least he's unhurt. The half-orc cackles madly as he looks down upon Adwonus, lost to bloodthirst. He raises his axe, preparing to heave down upon Adwonus. Suddenly, a sword pierces (12a) through the half-orc's skull from behind, protruding from his mouth (6d). An expression of shock arises on its face before collapsing to the ground. The dead half-orc's eyes stare into the abyss before Adwonus, frozen open forever. Well, at least until he becomes ash. Adwonus looks upward and sees Marcus standing above him, "Looked like you needed some help," says Marcus as he offers a hand. Adwnous swats it aside as he helps himself up. "I'm fine," he grunts. "Who's the girl?" he glares at the white-haired woman gripping Marcus's arm. Marcus simply responds, "Innocent. Come, we must leave." At that, the party makes for the back door...

[Private to Herr Johannes; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: An arrow whistles above the head of Herr Johannes, but it disappears down the hall, missing its target (7a). Lady Jacqueline mutters curses beneath her breath. Herr Johannes lifts his own sword, chanting a continuous stream of scripture, and strikes vehemently at the dwarf (11a). The dwarf lifts his mace and deflects away the blow. You think the dwarf may be smiling with satisfaction, but it's difficult to tell beneath his filthy beard. The dwarf swings his mace in reply but misses (7a) as well. Scowling, he attempts to deftly fall back behind his ally but stumbles in the process (Provokes AoO). Herr Johannes sees the miss-step and immediately strikes, slashing at the dwarf (19a)! The sword lands squarely upon the dwarf's thigh and severs the leg from his body (11d); shouting incoherently, the dwarf falls into a pool of blood on the ground. The man steps in place of the dwarf; he's slowed by his wounds but is still strong. He shouts, "Get out of our way scum! You don't know who your messing with." Herr Johannes doesn't budge an inch. The man grows angry and continues, "Die fool!" and lunges his blade into Herr Johannes's chest (22a)... Lady Jacqueline gasps, for this time, she sees the blade emerge from Herr Johannes's back through his body (Critical: 9d)...]

[Private to Herr Johannes: "You were raised to be a king you know. Do you know what kind of king you want to be?" The boy replies, "A strong one?" His father smiles and says, "There are different kinds of strength my son. Strength in arms is one thing, but strength in wisdom, that's another. And there are others still." "I see..." the boy says. He was actually a little confused, something his father could see well. "In time you will see," he smiles and continues to say, "In time..." Your mind snaps back to reality, having just been somewhere else entirely. The blade in your chest sears with unbelievable pain.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:41, Thu 24 July 2014.

Lady Jacqueline sustains a bloodcurdling scream, in shock, fear, and rage.

[Private to Herr Johannes: She steps out, pulls her bow tight with an arrow that's aiming directly for the spot between the hostile's eyes, and shouts, "No, YOU DIE, FIEND!" The arrow swiftly whistles foward. Her jaw tightens as she awaits the fate of her foe. Her heart audibly pumps in her ears, fearful of the life in danger at the mercy of the rapier sword. I must protect you, Johannes, a voice within her resonated with her being. I must.

10:35, Today: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 22 using 1d20+4. Hit Check.
10:35, Today: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 9 using 2d6+2.]

Trapper gets himself off the ground, clearly unsatisfied he never got the chance to sink his axe in. He looks around. The door is in view. He turns to the others, observing the flames building up around them."Keep your eyes open for the Mace man. If we see him outside the building, break his knees. I got questions for 'im!" There is no rage in the half-orcs eyes, only focus, and disappointment as he makes his way rapidly to the door.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:44, Fri 25 July 2014.

Up stairs content... I fight with fury...

[Private to Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: I begin to awake from my memory to a scream, and a searing pain. Still somewhat in a daze, as these many thoughts occur in only a small moment in time, I suddenly realize once again the immediacy of combat, 'wait that scream, what is going on? ... THE SIGNAL!' I almost instinctively grab the blade in my chest with my gauntleted hand pulling my opponents arm to cause imbalance as I kneel to the floor, ducking below a well placed shot. He is exposed for a moment as Lady Jacqueline sends her arrow sailing on its journey to its new destination. Before taking note of the result I feel the sword pulled from my body, in the heat of adrenaline I ignore the pain as best I can and swing my sword upward as I stand from kneeling. I use the momentum of the pulled blade to aide my attack as I aim to hit my enemy in the groin and the face, whatever is in the path of my fury. My father's words still resonate in my mind, emotions other than anger begin to brew deep in my soul.

"HE TEACHETH MINE HANDS TO WAAAAAARRRRRRR! AAAHHHHHH!" My sword flows upward like an erupting volcano, filled with furious wrath.

{My actions: (beyond the art)
I fall to kneeling (Free action)
I stand from kneeling (Move action (some say it is free, but I will take a move)
I attack the man in front of me. (Standard action)}

{AR = 1d20 +2 +2 -2 = 1d20 + 2
 Str + BA - PWR Attack}
{DMG = 1d8 +3 +4 = 1d8 + 7
 Str + PWR Attack}


{00:13, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 14 using 1d20+2. AR against Vested Man.}
{00:44, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 10 using 1d8+7. DMG against Vested Man. }

{Lady Jacqueline's Actions:
Moves from cover to behind me? or just leans out?
Hide and Move silently check needed??
Fires arrow while I am kneeling for a sneak attack.}

I shake with adrenaline my eyes as flames, my anger boiling, working with my adrenaline to ignore the pain. My mind races with passions, thought of prior pain, not pain of the body, pain of the soul. "I will not let myself be harmed again..."]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:45, Fri 25 July 2014.

"Move!" Dwalin's low voice thunders behind the party; they run for it. Stepping over corpses, they sprint along the edge of the blaze, the shadow of flames reflecting on their left side. They feel the intense heat on their skin. Nearly at the bar, Adwonus stops the party. "What are you doing? We need to get out of here!" shouts Marcus. "Look," Adwonus points down at a corpse, the body of Biff's killer, his mace held tight by dead fingers. Marcus says, "He's dead. Let's go." "Why?" interjects Adwonus, rooted in place as he stares down at the body. Marcus responds, "What do you mean?" "I mean WHY did he die. He must've known he was going to die; there's no way he could expect to escape from that assassination – it was a suicide mission. So...why?" Adwonus states calmly, despite the dire circumstances. The flames reach the assassin's body, and in only a few moments, consumes it. "I don't know," says Marcus, "But now is not the time nor place." Adwonus's eyes linger upon the burning body a few moments longer before nodding at the others. At that, the party leaves.

Adwonus breaks open the back door; fragments of wood fall into the alley. Taisiya follows Marcus out, still gripping his arm as she coughs from the smoke. Dwalin is the last, breathing heavily. They stand outside the tavern and watch the sky: a pillar of smoke rises and blocks out the stars. Fire has traveled high along the east wall, the glow brightens the streets. Before too long, this tavern will be ashes. Marcus speaks rather quietly, "I hope Herr Johannes and Lady Jacqueline made it out alright." Dwalin gives Marcus a silent pat on the back. Finally after a few moments, he mutters, "Don't hope too much." The party the walks out from the alley into the City of Herrod together, triumphant... and alive.

[Combat Rounds for Downstairs Party: Disabled]

[Private to Herr Johannes; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: "I must protect you." To the world this voice was silent, but to Lady Jacqueline, it rang clear as day. She releases the arrow between her fingers and watches the wood sail through the air pushing aside swirls of smoke. The iron tip pierces her target's chest. Her foe gazes down at the arrow within him, stunned at the sight. Lady Jacqueline stares into his eyes, and she sees the look, where he knows it's all over: death. The man, vest stained with his own blood, stumbles backward and pulls the rapier out from Herr Johannes's chest. Herr Johannes's, freed from the pain, stands up with a vicious speed. In one motion, his sword flows upward like an erupting volcano, fillied with furious wrath. The edge splits the man's face, cutting through his chin to the forehead. Unrecognizable, the man collapses onto the ground next to his companion, dead. The two bodies lie motionless, the walls well-painted with red. Victory.

Suddenly, the floors start to groan, and smokes seeps through the cracks: it's going to collapse soon! Lady Jacqueline glances at the smoke on the ceiling which has grown immensely, "This place is going to burn, we've got to get out!" she pleas. The heat becomes intense.]

The smell of smoked wood rises and fills the air with heat around them.

[Private to Herr Johannes: Lady Jacqueline quickly pulls out her dagger, and walks over to the body with  leather armor, and presses it to the throat of the body lying there. Alive or barely dead, she takes no chances. {She quickly retrieves the envelope and anything else of value (search check 14) from his tunic and tucks it into her arm bracer. (IF the check succeeds.)} With the door already kicked open to this room, she looks inside for a window as a means of escape. Looking to Herr Johannes, she starts suddenly. "We may have more time NOT directly over the fire from below. Our LIVES are most important right now. We must escape via our room and," she swallows hard, staring at his wound, "tend to that wound." She looks back up to him, eyes now itching from smoke and pain from seeing her comrade wounded.

((Karissa to Ryan: What do we see in Biff's room? Can we tell if the dwarf is alive? Cody is curious if the steps forward are a move action, or can we do it for arts-sake? If that were the case, I'll switch to the man, and Cody would hold his sword up to the dwarf's throat. Does standing from kneeling require a move action? Cody looked up standing-from-kneeling and RAW doesn't specify what kind of action it is, and SAGA has it as a move action which does not provoke an AoO.

How exactly does move action work here? How far and detailed can we go in our posts? Cody's also told me to calm down on my rolling, hahaha. Woops. Still new here.))]

Upstairs content. [Private to Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: The image of the wreckage of bodies before me brings a new level of realization to my mind of what we have just done... I am stunned for a moment. Mercy beckons in my mind to surface from its recessed location deep in my heart, now covered with pain. Recalling the memory I just had- these men were once children like myself, they too had families and parents and friends. People so often dismiss subjects like philosophy ethics and politics as subjects secondary to the 'truly important' subjects of life. I see clearly just how ignorant all those people are. Here lies a man and a dwarf, dead, their lives extinguished, all because of beliefs- motivations and values they held and thus acted upon. Even if those values were: 'look out for only myself', this conflict of beliefs brought their death today... I had no choice, they threatened to have their wretched way with Lady Jacqueline. If there is one thing pain has taught me, it is do not wait or be weak in defending the innocent. Force and violence must be used against those who seek to harm the innocent. There are some things worth dying for... her honor is one of them. Beyond that, if they escaped that document could have meant the death of hundreds and great setback in the effort of those who seek freedom from this pirate menace and tyranny.
Through a collection of reason I am brought peace in this encounter with death, through hatred I dispel the emotion that would cause me to pause too long... {at the moment I likely did not have all these thought pass through my mind, but I did have the emotion. I consider this later as I reflect on this battle and the lives lost.}...

I feel the emotion of mercy and threat of guilt. I redouble my anger and push away the pain! 'This is not the time to feel! They deserved this for what they threatened Lady Jacqueline with and the destruction they would cause!' I think to myself. Immediately anger begins to flare up like fire in my soul. I remind myself why it had to be this way.

Still breathing hard from the fight, my eyes red with fury and emotion, I begin to notice the increasing heat and smoke around us, and once again the importance of escape is snapped back to the forefront of my mind rapidly. I immediately spring into action. "We have to get out of here now! Grab as much as you can carry! pouches!, weapons!, documents! maps! Put it in my pack if you have not room! Grab the document and any other documents he is carrying! Perhaps they will tell us who these men are... or were... and who they work for!

I shout at the dwarf, though possibly lifeless, I shout anyways. "TELL US WHAT WE WANT TO KNOW AND YOU MIGHT MAKE IT OUT OF HERE ALIVE! WHO DO YOU WORK FOR!" I quickly glance at his chest, does it rise and fall? are his eyes open and lifeless?

I also glance into Biff's old room to spy its contents briefly. "Is their a rope readily available in their?" I ask myself. "I wish we had time to search that room!"] [Private to GM:I think to myself 'I wish Kelden's Lt. was alive so he could have contacted Kelden for me.']

[Private to Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: {If the dwarf responds, I will act differently... otherwise I do as follows}
I quickly kneel next to the slain {if we cannot for arts sake do as Lady Jaqcueline's post suggested, then we each take a 5ft step forward and search the respective body in front of us (I the dwarf, her the man)} with my sword at the dwarfs throat, I kick the weapon away from his hand and take it. I take the rapier from the man. I quickly search the one Lady Jaqueline did not, looking for other weapons, pouches, or documents. I quickly take all that I find and can stuff in my backpack {pouches and documents} and take in my hand {weapons}. {Historically, Some swords have quickly removable sheaths, while others have a sheath attached to a belt. If these types are in frogs, then I can take the sheath too}

I look around quickly at the smoke and down toward the stairs, How much is there? I feel the floor briefly with my hand while I kneel. How hot is it?

I pray aloud in the open as I act, "God help us! Protect us from the fire! Keep us safe! Give us a way out and a safe path to get there! Help us find what we need! We need you now and know that you hear us! In Jesus name!" I start out with a slight tone of anxiety and end with a note of peace, perhaps not expected in a situation such as this. "Lady Jaqueline! He hears us!" I briefly look toward heaven with a smile and then just as briefly look at her in her eyes after I pray this.

{I believe it is only a standard action to search, so I believe I have a move action left. I will use it, I just cannot say what it is until I know the results of the actions and questions I listed so far.

Did you need spot? checks for the Biff's room, the Dwarf's breathing, and looking around the hallway?

Search Check:
00:58, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 11 using 1d20. Search Check on Enemy.
}]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:39, Tue 29 July 2014.

The party looks upon the burning tavern in silence; smoke shadows the moon in the night sky as fire engulfs the building...

[Private to Herr Johannes; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: Black smoke stings Lady Jacqueline's eyes as she steps forward and examines the two bodies beneath her; the wood creaks under her weight, which does nothing to comfort her nerves. 'Perhaps that's for the best,' she thinks, 'I may still need to be on my toes.' She puts a dagger to the dwarf's neck, cold steel pressing against the small part of skin not covered by his beard. Lady Jacqueline merely crouches, not wishing to set her knee down in the blood beneath her; the dwarf's severed leg made a real mess of things. The body doesn't move an inch, the chest still. Herr Johannes uses the end of his sword to position the dwarf's face upward, like how kids poke a dead animal with a stick; the body's eyes are closed, something Lady Jacqueline is secretly thankful for. Herr Johannes starts to shout questions at the corpse, but Lady Jacqueline interrupts him, "It's no use, he's dead." She reaches into the dwarf's armor and pulls out what she was looking for: an envelope, which she then safely places in her own bag. "Come on, let's get out of here." Herr Johannes grabs a pouch off the slain man (don't think he'll miss it) and pockets it, hearing the jingle of coins inside; he also looks longingly at the scattered weapons, but there's no time to get them (Picking one up is a Move Action), the state of the floor becomes more ominous by the second.

"Ok, let's get out of here," says Herr Johannes. He kicks open the door to his right from which the two men came; the door barely hangs on its hinges, clearly the subject of much abuse lately. Herr Johannes takes a step inside, and Lady Jacqueline immediately grabs him by the collar; her panic is renewed as they stare into a pit of fire in the middle of the room, Herr Johannes a mere step from falling into it, the wooden floor having burned away. Flames pour up from it, flickering on the ceiling; most of the room has been charred black, anything made of cloth turned to ashes. "Thanks," gasps Herr Johannes. The two look through the flames and clearly see an open window on the other side. Lady Jacqueline's mind quickly goes to work, surveying a path along the edge of the room; if they hugged the wall, they could step around this pillar of fire, and be free, right here and now (easier said than done probably). On the other hand, they could head to the opposite side of the tavern and try their luck there, praying it's not worse. Both options seem dangerous. Lady Jacqueline manages to sigh, "These things are never easy..."

{Extraneous items in the room have either fallen into the fire or have been destroyed; only charred furniture remains.
Beyond their equipped items and the ones you picked up, the two bodies appear to have no more items. It would require a Move Action to pick up a single weapon; Full Round Action to remove armor and pick up.
It'd take 'One' Move Action to cross the side of the room by hugging the wall; this would require a balance check.}]

Dwalin breathes heavily. They say dwarves are natural sprinters, but Dwalin would sincerely disagree then; his hand rests on the opposite wall of the ally, trying to catch his breath. Cries can still  be heard from the front of the tavern as chaos overflows into the street. Fire has climbed up the west side of the tavern now, engulfing the entire wall; spires of flame writhe above the two-story tavern into the night sky. The ground floor must be completely ablaze, for an immense amount of smoke bellows out the broken backdoor. It certainly didn't help that every table in that damned tavern was stained with alcohol. All this, and still no sign of Lady Jacqueline or Herr Johannes. How could it get worse?

The party's growing concern is interrupted by a woman nearby who bursts into tears; she crouches against a wall just a few paces from Dwalin, and a man standing next to her rests his hand on her shoulder. Staring at the ground, she speaks through the sobbing, "I knew him. I can't believe... How did that even happen?" The inflamed tavern reflects off red hair carelessly let down her face. The man responds, "I don't know Elora. But we'll get them back for this; the Larlbens will pay." Her sobbing quiets and she replies, "I... I don't think it was the Larlbens." "Who else?' the man replies, 'Who else could've done this?" She says, "Biff, he's been hunting that man ever since the escape; Alldyde. And he told me he had just found something, something important. I think the Pirates did this... I'm sure of it Darus." The man is quiet for a few moments, "I don't know I guess," he takes notice of the party in listening distance of their conversation, "Come on, let's go." The man pulls the woman off the ground by her arm, his curly blonde hair hiding his face for a moment; she stands up readily, despite the tears, and they run down the ally away from the party, disappearing into the night...
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:46, Wed 30 July 2014.

[Private to Herr Johannes: Lady Jacqueline blinks, taking cover over her mouth and coughing a bit from lack of oxygen in this room. "Look, Johannes. Clever, but if we lose our step or our breath, we'll be cast into the abyss below." She coughs again, blinking more. "What should we do? It's too dangerous here." She pulls his shoulder to face him directly. "What do you think?"]

P.M.

Upstairs content: [Private to Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: My eyes widen as I realize the pit below me, heat and ash blasts across my face as the door falls onto the charred ledge. I hold my leather plated arm up reflexively as the heat blasts up. my momentum is still forward however, I go to stop and the floor edge begins to creak. I breath in quickly involuntarily to yell, when suddenly I feel myself jerked back by Lady Jacqueline's hand on the collar of my armor! "Thank God!" I speak, almost breathless from the sight of the pit of fire that was once walked by Biff (presumably). Lady Jacqueline points out the route across the edge to the window. I quickly shake my head and shout, competing with the intense noise of the fire, "That is far too dangerous! The floor is weakened by the fire likely and the heat is too intense! We must go to our room! I was trying to get there all this time when we ran into these scum!" I growl out the last word over the roar of the fire.

Lady Jacqueline immediately acts and turns me around dragging me from the fiery pit by my hand, telling me "Come on! Lets get out of here!" {see previous posts} I yell, "Wait! take his rapier, we will need it to break out a window!" I reach down at the same time and take the mace once used by the dwarf. "Now quickly! to our room!" I yell desperately, feeling the heat and smoke. We make our way over the fallen corpses to our room and freedom, and as we do I recite scripture loudly, finishing the passage from earlier, "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone!" We crouch as we run, trying to avoid the smoke. As we move I wipe off my sword and return it to its sheath on my hip freeing my hand to hold Lady Jacqueline's once again. "Sheath your bow to free your hand Lady Jacqueline!"

{Technical Actions:

Myself:
I take a move action out of the room down the hall toward our room. I end in the square previously marked by "J" on the map. As we move, I pick up the mace (2nd Move action) and sheath my sword (free action because it is while I move and I have +1 or higher BA).

Ryan- questions: (thus I still have an extra move action. Can I still save it for later? Can I ready an action to grab Lady Jacqueline and something still on the second floor if it collapses? or will that use up the action to ready it?

Lady Jacqueline:
She also moves out the door on our same path one square ahead of me and stops (for this round due to end of move action) at the "H" in the previous map. She picks up the rapier on her way (2nd move action) and sheathes/slings her bow on her back. (free action because it is while she moves and she has +1 or higher BA).
}]

Upstairs Content [Private to Herr Johannes; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: It's hot in here. Lady Jacqueline wipes the sweat off her forehead; she looks at her damp sleeve and sees a black smear as well. Their faces are dirtied with ash carried by the smoke. Lady Jacqueline makes a mental note to take a bath first thing when they get back, not that she'll likely remember it. In reality, she doesn't care what her face looks like right now, but it makes for a good distraction, something to take her mind away from a dangerous predicament, even if it's just for a few seconds. Her attention snaps back as Herr Johannes grips her arm with considerable force, and pulls her down the hall. The horrifying world comes back, that and the seriousness of the situation; she doesn't blame her mind for wanting to leave...

"Come on, let's get out of here!" Lady Jacqueline cries, her voice on the edge of panic. Herr Johannes reaches down and picks up his slain foe's fallen weapon; 'this is valuable,' he thinks to himself, 'we can't leave here with nothing.' A voice seems to respond to him in his thoughts, 'You aren't leaving with nothing. Your lives aren't nothing.' Shoving his weapon in his sheathe, Herr Johannes follows Lady Jacqueline down the hall. Each step on the floorboards responds with an ominous groan while smoke trails up through the cracks in the wood; they feel far too light, like the branches of a tree long dead. Herr Johannes nearly pushes Lady Jacqueline into the lobby-room and sighs with some relief as he joins her, "We're gonna make it." The groan from the floor behind becomes an ear-shattering crack; fragments of wood and dust are thrown forcefully into the air as floorboards are ripped out from where Herr Johannes stood moments ago. Something structurally collapses on the lower level, and the hall floor is torn away with it. The hall is replaced with a pit of sharp wood and fire, and smoke pours explosively into the upper floor. Herr Johannes looks back in terror, 'That could have been me!' he thinks to himself; a heartbeat thunders (he's not convinced it's his), echoing in his ears. 'That could have been me...']

[Private to Herr Johannes: Another ending flashes before his eyes... The groan from the floor becomes an ear-shattering crack; fragments of wood and dust are thrown forcefully into the air as floorboards are ripped out from beneath Herr Johannes. Herr Johannes's comforting smile twists into dread at the floor disappears under his feet, and  he <i>falls into a newly formed pit of sharp wood and fire. Lady Jacqueline screams, "HERR JOHANNES!" her voice fails at every letter, and it comes out as little more than a choked gasp.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:57, Thu 31 July 2014.

P.M.

[Private to Herr Johannes: Lady Jacqueline's fingers barely gripped the nape of his tunic underneath his armor. It was a slow-motion reflex to have pulled him back from a fiery claw that crackled down into the golden embers below. Reds, oranges, yellows, and ash spewed at them as they stood there gaping at the gap below in Biff's room.

Sweeping ash and sweat from her face, Jacqueline grimaces at the new color on her sleeve. She presses on, "Let's get out of here," making a small note in the back of her mind how she'd fix up her dress-- and herself-- later. After picking up the rapier in one hand, she pulls Johannes forward with the other hand to their room through the smokey hallway. "These things are never easy..." A sudden sound catches her attention and she merely pauses a moment to look behind to check on Johannes' wound and to see if he was okay.

Again, in slow-motion, he kept up the pace and merely drew her forward as she stared behind him. Where once there was a floor, there was a huge fiery mouth awaiting its food, angrily and yet lazily pushing up through the floor. She whimpers, covering her eyes from the heat of the sight, being brought back into the present by running with Johannes the rest of the way to the room. A thought crosses her mind as they reach it. "Isn't it locked??" she calls out. Would it be flimsy from the fire? They only needed a small moment to get through to the other side.

Their window was their only hope of escape.]

Upstairs content...
[Private to DM Ryan; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde:

Upon a great thunder of tearing wood and cracking boards behind myself, I look only to find myself suddenly ahead of Lady Jacqueline. How did I get here with such speed? I look behind into the pit of flames, after the blast of hot air, acrid thick smoke, and ash blast past us as the floor we just stood on fell into the inferno. I catch sight of the bodies that were of our fallen foes, broken and pierced, they are consumed in the fire. In a flash a vision passes before my eyes, it seems to be instantly communicated to me, even though it seemed to take time to see.

DM Ryan - Censored

A wave of emotion sweeps over me, tears come to my eyes, the familiar feeling in my heart of being saved by the hand of God. I think to myself, so intensely that I speak, "God answered my prayer, God heard me, God saved me. That could have been me, but his mighty hand saved me." I recall the verse, 'lest I dash my foot against a stone... only with your eyes will you behold the reward of the wicked.' I press on with renewed vigor and hope. I do not notice, but the pain in my chest begins to lessen. I pull Lady Jacqueline to look at me, pulling her eyes away from the horror. "Lady Jacqueline, we are protected by the most high himself." A tear streams down my face as I look her in the eye. I hear a soft voice in my heart "run." I respond accordingly and speak to Lady Jacqueline, "Now we run! To our room with expedition!" As we run I shift my weapon to my hand holding Lady Jacqueline's. "Sheath that rapier and draw your dagger. Hold on to my wrist tightly, Meine Lieber." I look at her with a smile and eyes revealing depth in my soul. I draw my key to the room as we run and go to unlock the door immediately as we arrive.

{Technical Actions:
     I take a double move and move 10 squares to infront of our room door. I bring Lady Jacqueline with me, never letting go of her hand the whole way, and mid way switching to her holding my wrist. I draw the key from my front pouch or belt (the presence of a lanyard was never specified) while walking. I assumed it to be the same as drawing a weapon and considered it a free action while walking. I still have 2 squares to move, if allowed within my current move I will unlock and open the door and keep moving inside the room to the north window by my bed. (Assuming our room is not on fire, which I do not expect, being the fire started on the opposite side of the inn.

summary: double move to door (-2 squares)
         draw key
         unlock door
         open door...

     Lady Jacqueline, you may keep out the rapier while you walk of put it in a loop on your belt if you feel it too cumbersome. You may want to draw your dagger, because you can stab it into the wall if you need to to provide a hand hold in the event of needing it.

She takes a double move with me
keeps holding my hand wrist the whole time.
'sheaths sword'
draws dagger
} ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:26, Fri 01 Aug 2014.

Upstairs Content [Private to Herr Johannes; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: "Run!" Herr Johannes shouts, gripping Lady Jacqueline by the wrist. The two sprint down the hall as fast they can, death at their heels. Herr Johannes turns the corner of the hall hard, his shoulder bashing against the wall with a thud; he doesn't slow for a moment though, as they reach the door to their room. The hallway is filled with smoke; breathing becomes difficult as each inhale seems to use every ounce of energy. Herr Johannes shoves a hand in his pouch, "Come on, come on. Where's that damn key?!" He frantically pulls out the key and opens the door, trying keep his hands from shaking. Shoving the door open, the two step just inside the familiar room and see all their things exactly where they left them, as well as a couple windows on the other side. Most importantly, they both silently think, nothing's on fire!

"Oh thank goodness," Lady Jacqueline heaves with a sigh, "Let's get what we need and get ou-" She's interrupted by a loud groan, almost like the call of a whale, that echoes from an unknown direction. A vibration follows it which travels through the soles of their feet. Suddenly, the ground itself lurches out from under them, not far – only a couple inches, but enough to drive the point home: something important in this building's foundation is no longer there. The old tavern starts to shake, dust floating down from the ceiling like a casual snowfall; Lady Jacqueline steadies herself with the edge of a bed to help keep on her feet. "The building's coming down!" she yells over the tremors. Herr Johannes replies, "I think your right! Let's not be here when it does!"


]

The structure of the building starts to collapse with a loud, angry, and hungry groan into the embers at its base.

[Private to Herr Johannes: Lady Jacqueline's eyes widen at the sudden groan of the angry beast of fire below them, behind them. She only could glance over her shoulder via peripherals to see the structure suddenly collapse and swallow up any evidence of the bodies they'd left behind. "The building's coming down!" she belts over the noise as best as she could.

"I think you're right! Let's not be here when it does!"

She nods, and quickly sheaths the rapier in her belt loop, not caring whether to wipe it. She darts over to grab Johannes' hand and take the dagger back out at his command. I must protect him, tears brim her eyes as she is reminded of his wound. I must. She calls out frantically, "Come on, our last shot is that window!" She pulls him just past his shield propped up against his bed in case he wanted to grab it.

((Karissa to Ryan: Does there need to be a check to open/smash the window? DM Ryan - No check needed here. Also, is there time to climb down, or do we have to jump at this point? DM Ryan - Jump. If you try to climb down, it may come down while you're still on it!))]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:05, Fri 01 Aug 2014.

Upstairs Content [Private to Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: I grab my shield quickly, being it is right next to me on my bed. It was closer than Lady Jacqueline thought. I take a 5 ft step forward and open the window. I look at Lady Jacqueline reassuringly and nod. "Everything will be fine, God brought us this far. Do likewise m'lady." I motion to her window. After seeing that she is successful opening it and climbing through the window. I climb through the window. After checking there is a clear space to land in, I look at Lady Jacqueline in the adjacent window so our eyes meet, take a deep breath and leap. {Jump Check in Dice Log}]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:52, Sat 02 Aug 2014.

[Private to Herr Johannes; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: Everything starts to feel more like a dream. Herr Johannes watches the dance of colors before his eyes; things became blurry a little while ago, but he didn't want to tell Lady Jacqueline, "I don't want her to worry," he thought. He touches a spot on his chest and looks down at his fingers: they're red. Being pierced with that sword seems like an eternity ago, so much has happened since then. He can hear Lady Jacqueline shouting about something, but he can't quite make out the words. The features of her face blend in with everything else. Someone grabs his wrist and pulls him (was it Lady Jacqueline's? - he couldn't tell anymore). A voice finally seems to pierce the fog, "I've got your shield," says someone unknown, "Now jump! Jump damn you!" It sounds like the voice is crying – why? Did he know the voice? The world disappears beneath his feet, like walking into nothingness; this must be what flying feels like. For a brief moment, the dance of colors stop, pausing from their choreography to receive an applause, or prepare for a particularly difficult dance. It was a peaceful moment. The world returns to his feet; Herr Johannes lands on the stone and is thrown, gliding against an ash-covered ground like a pebble skipped on the water. The colors begin their dance once more, much grayer than they were, but still just as beautiful. That voice comes back; he recognizes it this time, "Jacqueline?" She's crying again, but this time with a kind of smile, "You're alive...we're alive." The dust settles. (Combat Rounds: Disabled)
{Herr Johannes: 1 Dmg. Taken; Lady Jacqueline: 2 Dmg. Taken}]

The tavern starts to tremble as flame engulfs it. Dust mixes with the smoke above, creating false clouds over the city; if the sun had risen, it'd be doubtful anyone could see it. A part of the tavern wall collapses at one side with an ear-shattering crack, and pillars of wood snap out of place, like a flimsy old chair whose legs break out from under it. "Herr Johannes and Lady Jacqueline are still inside, and that building's going to fall. We need to go after them!" says Dwalin as he takes a step forward. Adwonus grabs his shoulder quickly, "No!" and continues, "If you go in, you'll die too. We don't even know where they are in there, so we just need to -" "LOOK OUT," screams Marcus over a deafening roar.

A wooden beam, as tall as a building, is thrown violently into the party with a hail of broken glass. The entire tavern collapses in a single motion, shattering wood and windows as the two-story structure crashes down; dust and ash are launched into the air like an angry storm. There's no order to it at all as pieces of the building are flung in every direction. Adwonus grabs Taisiya (he's not entirely sure why her) and dives to the side, his shoulder landing brutally against the stone and glass; the building fragment sails overhead, narrowly missing. Taisiya's head lands on Adwonus's chest, better than the ground she supposes. "Thanks," she says in a hushed voice. Adwonus merely grunts, a little confused to to why he helped her at all. After a moment he stands, the fog of debris starting to settle, "Dwalin, Marcus – where are you?" "I'm fine," responds the deep voice of Dwalin. The dwarf walks toward the others clutching his arm; a streak of blood can clearly be seen dripping toward his hand, "Just a scratch," he continues. Adwonus doesn't press the matter; he's well aware of dwarven pride, "And Marcus?" he say. "Agghhhh!" a choked shout comes from the flung debris, and the party hastens to it. "Get it off!" Marcus shouts, nearly panicked as he looks at his right leg, the rest of which disappears beneath that heavy wooden beam; his foot is crushed underneath it. "Help him!" cries another voice, a woman's they almost don't recognize anymore: Lady Jacqueline's! Lady Jacqueline steps toward the party from the building wreckage, holding up Herr Johannes who leans on her shoulder, nearly unconscious: he's in bad shape, bloodied in several places, but one thing at a time. "Hurry!"

Adwonus: Reflex Save – Success
Taisiya: Reflex Save – Success
Dwalin: Reflex Save – Failed: 2 Dmg.
Marcus: Reflex Save – Failed: 5 Dmg: Dmg Reduced to 1 (Happy Birthday).

Lift wooden beam – Strength Check Required.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:36, Sat 02 Aug 2014.

Trapper moves to the beam with some haste, but his mind is heavy with questions and disturbing revelations. His sheathes his axes and and places his green mits upon the large beam, looking to his uninjured party members before barking. Help me lift this damn thing. His foot's crushed. Gonna need healing."


Strength check 15:05, Sun 03 Aug 2014: Adwonus Swillman rolled 14 using 1d20+3 ((11)).
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:23, Mon 04 Aug 2014.

The adrenaline still pumps through my veins as we move further from the building. Things seem a bit foggy and it is hard to see. My eyes, it is hard to see, they sting... must be the smoke. There seems to be this dull ache in my chest and shoulder. "Was ist passiert?" {What happened?} I ask myself, shaking my head a little to try to clear the fog.
     I look at Lady Jacqueline next to me, she is helping me walk. There are tears in her eyes and she is holding me tightly as she helps me walk. 'Oh no!, there seems to be blood on her dress, on her shoulder supporting mine. Is she hurt?' I think to myself through the fog.

I begin to remember as the adrenaline begins to subside. That is my blood. "Gaah!" my upper chest, there is blood dripping from my armor. My training once again begins to take precedence over free thought. "Setze mich an einem sicheren Ort!" I force out the words. She does not seem to act. 'She seems confused. Oh!, English, of course.' "Set me down in a safe place, help me take of these pauldrons -the shoulder armor- and chest plate if necessary. We must see the wound better." I pray inwardly, 'May the wound not be too bad, Lord.'

I look around as Lady Jacqueline moves to set me down, I see my companions once again! They seem to be crouded around a large beam! Dwalins arm is bleeding! It is hard to see through the darkness and smoke, and ash in my stinging eyes. 'Hopefully worse things have not beset them, hopefully they all still live. Lord, help them too.' I pray inwardly once again.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:10, Mon 04 Aug 2014.

Taisiya grimanced, questioning to herself how much she could actually assist in lifting the beam off of Marcus. She closed her eyes for only a moment before wrapping her fingers below the giant piece of wood to assist. He had helped her, it is only right that she help him as well.


Strength Check 01:05, Mon 04 Aug 2014: Taisiya Northwood rolled 9 using 1d20-1 ((10)).

Marcus winces, trying to pry his leg from under the beam. "Thanks, but I think it looks worse than it actually is. Let's just try and get it off, shall we?"



Strength Check 15:59, Mon 04 Aug 2014: Marcus rolled 18 using 1d20+2.

Lady Jacqueline ignores the scorched look about them. Ash blotted her cheeks beneath beneath small tears from their feat. Softly singing the only German lullaby she knew to Herr Johannes to comfort him, she eases him to sit near the party next to the stairway to a shop across from the former Inn. [Private to Herr Johannes: Please, a voice pleads in her heart, please, be well. I must protect you.] Eagerly, she complies with his commands and starts for the straps that bind the armor to the gambeson underneath. It is stained by blood and sweat, but the armor leaves the gambeson clean where it once was fastened. "You, sir," she whispers partly to herself, "are lucky they didn't aim for the heart." She gently places her palm where his heart is and studies his breathing as best as she can. "Keep me posted with what else might hurt. I know your shoulder and this chest wound cannot be comfortable."

Dwalin puts his axe away and goes to assist sir Johannes."let me have a look, I've seen my fair share of battle wounds, maybe I can help." 10 for heal check
This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Tue 05 Aug 2014.

"Together now... Lift!" {Strength Check - Success} The wooden beam rises a small ways off the ground, and Marcus is pulled out from underneath it to safety. No one could have lifted that on their own, for it weighs far too much; only together, as friends, could it be done. Marcus freed, they dropped the wooden beam down, landing with a heavy thud against the cobbled stone. "Marcus, are you alright?" says Adwonus. "Yes I think so,' he replies, "I guess I got lucky – it's not even sprained." Marcus moves his foot around in the air before setting it on the ground. He walks with a slight limp, but it's not too bad.

The fire consumes the pile of rubble where the tavern once stood, splintered wood fallen on top of each other in a great bonfire. The shouting has stopped; people have either fled to safety, away from all this, or died. All that remains is the fire, burning quietly into the night. For a moment the party stands in silence, hypnotized by the flames as it burns away a frightening memory. Perhaps it's better this building is destroyed; there's been so much death and fear here. People need something new. From the ashes come new beginnings. After a few moments pass, the party turns away from the debris and walks down the ally; they don't look back as the fire and all its memories fade from view, into the night...

"Quickly, set him on the bed!" shouts Dwalin. Herr Johannes leans heavily on Lady Jacqueline and Adwonus; he's been struggling to keep his senses. They close the door of the safe-house behind them, after a difficult walk back to the Bazaar. Lady Jacqueline lays Herr Johannes down on the cot after having removed the more obstructive pieces of armor, but Herr Johannes couldn't restrain a yell. The shirt beneath his armor is stained red with blood. Dwalin quickly kneels beside him and unbuttons the shirt, revealing a dark red wound underneath. "What happened?!" he whispers. Lady Jacqueline speaks with difficulty, her eyes glued to Herr Johannes, "Sword...pierced his chest..." Dwalin wraps a crude bandage around it, {Heal Check - Failed} "There's not much I can do here. Most we can do is just let him get some rest; it'll be a rough night for him. Nothing vital was hit though, he'll recover so long as nothing get's infected." Lady Jacqueline sits on the ground next to Herr Johannes, "I'll watch over him. He'll make it though, he's been strong." Herr Johannes eyes begin to close as he falls into a pain-induced sleep. Adwonus walks over beside Herr Johannes, "Yes, he'll be alright. I suggest everyone get some sleep." The half-orc looks at Taisiya, "I don't know who you are...but I'm tired. We'll discuss things in the morning." Blankets are passed around, and everyone finds a place to rest. Lady Jacqueline insists on staying next to Herr Johannes as she places a blanket on him. Everything is quiet now; it seems so long since there was silence. Nobody thought'd they actually sleep, after all they've seen, but they do...

It was a long night.

{End of Chapter 1: Shadows of Herrod – Part 1}
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 12:19, Tue 05 Aug 2014.