Morgan tosses her hair behind her shoulder. "Another fight? Bring it on. The sooner we get rid of these red bastards, the better. Are you sure you don't want to stop by that Luck Sister's temple first?"

I agree, let's show them their boss is dead and we are not afraid of them Talin looks tired and looking forward to a warm meal and comfy bed

Maric, the voice of reason.

"Look, it was a good run for us, but I'd just as soon not have our throats slit in the dead of night because we showed out. If none of us gets full value for the staff, I say let's sell it at a discount to 'Our Lady of Luck.' If she won't take it, we'll hold onto it until we can find a fair buyer."

Betty grimaced. It wasn't like she was exactly itching for another fight. But ... well ... she was itchy... Healing magic had strange after effects, it seemed.

She growled. "Rrrr... Maric may be right, I suppose. Betty would certainly like to heal up and get her clothing repaired before taking on the rest of these bastards. Let's stop by the temple. Maybe they can help with one, if not both. And maybe give us some direction for what steps to take, next, I suppose."

As the group strolls into town, heading for the temple, the streets seem fairly empty. A good sign, considering some of our heroes were still rather battered and bruised from their previous encounter. Alas, it was a false relief as just moments later a group of five Redbrands rounded a corner from a building ahead. They looked to be in good spirits, likely having just roughed someone up or the like, when suddenly the one in the middle stopped and called the others to do the same with his outstretched hands. His face was a mix of shock and perhaps anger. The others caught on after a moment, with a mix of emotions ranging from similar to the first's down to fear.

One of the smaller men turned and ran back the way they'd come, while the other four approached with caution, "Oy! You know Glasstaff ain't gonna take too kindly to some little shits stealing his staff. How about you hand that over, and we won't turn your intrails into your extrails."

Now that it's too late to hide, Morgan finally has a useful thought. "Should have covered that staff with a cloak or something."

She draws her sword, raises her shield, and is prepared to fight. To the brigands, she calls back, "Spoils of war belong to the victors. That's us. Think you can take it from us? You're welcome to try. But I just got all of Glasstaff's blood cleaned off my sword. It'd be a shame if I had to get it all bloody again."

OOC: Trying to intimidate them into backing off. Not so good.
10:27, Today: Morgan Ironwolf rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  Intimidation.

Also, just in case...and crap

10:26, Today: Morgan Ironwolf rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

"Hmph!" Betty declares at the offending Redbrand. Little shits!?!

"Judge Betty by her size, do you?" She plucks the staff from where it's been stored protruding from Maric's backpack. It is, of course, taller than she is, so it's a bit unwieldy for her, but she manages with the proficiency of one skilled in handling weapons. She marches up to the Redbrand leader, and, true-to-her-word, looks up at him, staring him dead in the eye and speaks. "I'm the captain, now."

[OOC: Today: Beatrice Thornhall rolled 21 using 1d20+3 - Intimidation (Hell yeah!)

And, to follow Morgan's lead, just in case: Today: Beatrice Thornhall rolled 13 using 1d20+3 - Initiative]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:15, Thu 18 Feb 2021.

Maric offers a quiet sigh to the Lords of Nature, then casts Thunderwave at the four Red Brands, careful to steer clear of his companions.

The mercenaries seemed to be considering the words of Morgan and Beatrice, when suddenly the earth shook and a thunderous, rolling BOOM! burst forth from Maric. Windows and doors rattled in nearby buildings, and one window in the building directly behind the Redbrands shattered as shards flew inward from the impact.

And with that, it's time for the rest of you to roll initiative as well.

Maric, roll your Thunderwave damage. Three of them passed their saves, one failed

15' cube.

I did not declare that I was using another spell slot. Stupid me.

Damage to the Red Brand that failed his saving through: 11pts of damage. The other Redbrands that saved are half that (5pts dmg).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sorry for the confusion. Tired. Work a bit much this week.

Maric's surprising spell gave Beatrice and Talin an opportunity to react before the Redbrands recovered. Morgan, was equally surprised and slow to react.

Beatrice, go ahead and give me an action now.

Everyone else, just hold off until I recap the results of Beatrice, then you'll all be able to post together again.

Beatrice lashes out with her rapier, attempting to strike the mouthy Redbrand. Unfortunately, the unwieldy nature of the Staff in her off-hand, coupled with the thunderous wave of sound from Maric, throws off her aim and she just misses her target.

[OOC: Today: Beatrice Thornhall rolled 12,12 using 1d20+5,1d8+4 - Attack, Damage

Damnit, only just. Unless I get advantage or some sort of bonus to the roll due to him being staggered or stunned? -Ken]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:30, Thu 25 Feb 2021.

Beatrice takes a wild stab at the lead Redbrand, but thrown off by the large staff, her aim fails her. (miss)

Moments later a blast of eldritch energy flies over her head toward the mercenary, but it gets not nearer to hitting him than Betty's blade. (miss)

The Redbrand retaliates against Beatrice, and sinks his shortsword into Betty's shoulder. (Betty takes a crit, but only for 5 damage)
23:53, Today: Psynister rolled 2 using 1d6.  Crit Damage.
23:53, Today: Psynister rolled 24,3 using d20+4,d6+2.  Redbrand attack.

The second Redbrand attacks her as well, and he too finds purchase with the blade. (Betty takes another 8 damage)
23:53, Today: Psynister rolled 18,8 using d20+4,d6+2.  Redbrand attack.

Redbrand 3 also takes on the little bundle of fury, but his blade is turned aside by a quick parry. (miss)
23:53, Today: Psynister rolled 11,6 using d20+4,d6+2.

The final redbrand rushes over to engage Morgan, landing a solid blow on the warrior. (Morgan takes 5 damage)
23:53, Today: Psynister rolled 20,5 using d20+4,d6+2.

And now everyone gets to take a turn



This message was last edited by the GM at 18:32, Sat 27 Feb 2021.

Initiative: 13 Initiative

Maric uses a free action to turn into a brown bear and attack the nearest RedBrand.

Rolled attack: 17 & 25

Rolled Damage: 5 & 12

ooc: it occurs to me after the fact that I haven't gotten my short rest in. If that's the case, then I need to reroll using my spear.

Let me know what you want me to do. Sorry for my continued confusion.

:(

Had a bit of internet connection trouble (hiccup) while die rolling. The label got cut off for my Superiority die roll. Using my disarming strike, but I think RB4 will be dead so no need to roll to save.

Morgan growls in anger as the redbrand's sword gets through a chink in her armor. She batters the man's sword with her own, following it up with a strike to the man's torso.

Action: Attack Redbrand 4, using 1 Superiority Die for a Disarming Strike.
Hits for 10 damage total. DC 13 Strength save to avoid being disarmed, if he's not dead.

06:57, Today: Morgan Ironwolf rolled 3 using 1d8.  Superiority .

06:57, Today: Morgan Ironwolf rolled 7 using 1d8+5.  damage.

06:56, Today: Morgan Ironwolf rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  attack redbrand.

Taking two slashes to her already ruined dress (and newly less-ruined body), and narrowly missing a third, the crimson Rage glows quickly in Betty's eyes. This time, the bright red color almost glows as an unnatural Frenzy also seems to grip her body and mind. The new sensation overwhelms her, driving her towards Reckless attacks against her foes. A guttural scream is torn from her throat as she lashes out. She drops the staff to the ground with a clatter, allowing her to more effectively fight and defend herself - though the latter two benefits barely register in her clouded mind.

Her first strike sees the moonbeam thin rapier lash out, killing the First Redbrand as it pierces cleanly through his eye and into what passed for his brain. Without missing a step, she spins and turns to slash at the Third Redbrand. The animal brain that is in charge, currently, manages to suss out that he's the weaker of her two remaining targets. However, her ferocity seems to take her by surprise - the speed at which she attacks is new to her, and her follow up misses wildly.

[OOC: Rage (which should have been dealing +2 add'l damage all along). Frenzy. Reckless Attack. Rage should have triggered end of last round after her attack as that round's Bonus Action, but I didn't realize it took a Bonus Action.

Attack 1: Beatrice Thornhall rolled 18,5,8 using d20+4,d20+4,1d8+7 - Attack w/ advantage, damage.

Bonus Attack: Beatrice Thornhall rolled 10,8,8 using d20+4,d20+4,1d8+7.  Attack w/ Advantage, Damage. (Crap.)

I realized my math was off on the damage after rolling, but Redbrand 1 should still be dead. ]

You have lovely prose, dear. I, on the other hand, write with a certain amount of economy. I wonder, would it be more fun to write as if I were Hemingway? There'd probably be a fifth of Jack in it for me, anyway.

LoL

If my dice rolling were only as good as my prose!

-Ken

Morgan growled in response to the man's blade biting into her flesh. She knocked his blade aside and countered with a strike to the man's torso. The leather armor he would did not protect him well enough to stop his stomach from opening and he fell along with the its contents. (R4 is dead)

Meric is so eager to enter the fray that he can bearly contain himself. His body erupts in a burst of muscle and fur, leaving behind a brown bear who rears up to strike with a swiping paw. The swipe turns him off center, allowing the bite to land on the neck and shoulder. The mercenary still lives, but only just, as blood covers his neck and shoulder, soaking into the surrounding clothing. (17 damage to R2)

Beatrice becomes a stabby flurry of fury, a glint of light striking forward at multiple opponents. It's hard to track the precise movements or exactly what just happened, until you see the first Redbrand crumble, his right eye missing from its socket. Beatrice pauses for a moment, looking at the remaining targets. The missing eye sat on the tip of her rapier, until with a blurred flick of the blade, it was sent flying off to the side of the square. (R1 is dead)

Talin connects with his eldritch blast this time, finishing off Meric's bloodied opponent. (R2 is dead))
13:18, Today: Psynister, on behalf of Talin, rolled 24,5 using d20+5,d10+3.  Eldritch Blast.

R1 is dead.

R2 is dead.

The final Redbrand in the group drops his weapon and holds up his hands in surrender.

R4 is dead.

Combat is over for the time being. You can choose what happens to R3

"Is there a constable in this town, or are we the law now? I'm not squeamish, but nor would I kill in cold blood."

I think we can let him & spread they word that Redbrands are no more

Morgan pats down the surrendering Redbrand, to make sure he doesn't have any concealed weapons. "Alright, you, come with us."

As Morgan pats down the remaining Redbrand and the group decides on his fate, a commotion is heard behind you to the east. As the group turns to take in the sight, you see the fifth Redbrand, the younger one who ran upon seeing you to start with, has returned with seven more of the mercenaries. From the way they're clustered together, you get the idea that this is probably all of the rest of them.

The one who went to get the rest seemed to be urging the group to attack, speaking mostly to one man in particular; a human male with shoulder length brown hair and slightly better armor than the rest. This man backhanded the younger one, which only caused the young one to protest more and turn his appeal to the rest of the group. As he did, the long haired man pivoted and landed a right hook against the other's face, knocking him out. There seemed to be no objections to that even from the rest of the group.

The man then walked toward your group, removing his chain gauntlets and tucking them into his belt as he drew near. "Please excuse that incident; the young ones are always a bit fiery, and rarely any good at using their heads." As he gets about 20 feet away, he gets a clear sight of the glass staff lying at Betty's feet. "At least he was telling the truth, it seems. You did kill the wizard, I assume?"

Maric said, "We need to get our more excitable folk under control. Retreat some 20 paces until I get things settled. Then just you and I can talk."

The druid approaches Morgan and Betty, speaking softly. "Time to wind down, ladies. It's over.

As the two warrior women let go of their ferocity, Maric suggested to Talin, "Keep them occupied, if you would while I talk this fellow, please. Oh, and stay alert."

Once things are settled a bit, Maric approaches the apparent leader and said, "What do you have to say?"

Morgan assents to Maric's wise words. She keeps her blade and shield in hand, but does retreat as asked.