It was as fine of a distraction as they were going to have. Brock rose from his hidden spot, took the few steps towards the nearest of the gang, pulled his short sword on the move, and slashed out. Taking his cue from Garrett, he went after the same person, hoping to put at least one of them down in a hurry

OOC:

Hurray, I probably hit, but only managed 8 points.

17:21, Today: Brock Fineanvil rolled 8 using 2d6+2.
17:21, Today: Brock Fineanvil rolled 20 using 1d20+4.  Short Sword Attack.

"Just looking for directions hu?" The red head says with a smirk. Before she can open her mouth to say another word the trap is sprung.

Sefira charges out of the grass with a speed like that of a predatory animal charging down surprised prey. Jabbing at the scrawny man and missing, however her momentum is not lost as she pivots on her heel into a sweeping roundhouse kick to the man's face shattering his nose, and sending blood and teeth flying.

The fat man at the wagon spouts out, "SHIT IT'S AN AMBUSH!" At the same time Gregar rises from the grass making a shot that is unfortunately aimed poorly.

Garret seizing Sefira's initiative races up and runs Sefira's target through his neck, sending him to the ground in a small fountain of blood and gurgling noises before he quickly expires.

With a reserve of violence and skill well hidden most times by the dwarven tinker, Brock expertly maneuvers to his target, the man who slew the rabbit and deftly lands a deep slashing wound in his side.

<O.O.C. Yes Nash was aware of the hidden locations of his team mates. Also end of surprise round. I will now post Sefira and the cultist's actions below for the first round of real combat. Nash if you wish to take a move or attack or bonus action for the surprise round let me know, I will work it in retroactively. Doing it this way so that combat wont be as slow as it could otherwise be.>

The Surprise, however, quickly wares off as the Cultists now down one rally and begin to fight back.

Reyshanel seeing three enemies surrounding her two on one side and one on the other, chooses to move to a flanking position against the singular enemy, Brock. Using her ally he injured to keep his attention she attacks a tactic the inexperienced tinker falls for as she manages to slice him across the back of his neck (Crit for 7 dmg to Brock) The Bunny slayer seeking to capitalize on the flank strikes as well now that the dwarf's attention is split, (Crit for 4 more dmg to Brock) Catching him across the face.

The man at the wagon rises and draws his scimitar then moves to attack Sefira. "Little Bitch!" He cries as he swipes his sword, missing the agile young woman, who expertly bends almost over backwards to avoid the swipe.

Seeing Sefira engaged by the man who was working on the wagon the fat man missing an eye moves to engage Garrett, he swings wildly his almost untrained erratic behavior throwing Garrett's parries off and allows for a blow to fall through his defense (5 dmg to Garrett.)

Finally the man who up this point had been silent looks to Gregar, and says: "Your mine asshole." Moving his way to the cleric and at the last moment tripping over a large stone hidden in the grass causing his attack to swing wide and miss.

Sefira shouts to Nash "Help Brock, we can handle these goons over here", she says looking to Garrett and then returning her attention to the man she is fighting who unlike the others seems to be a rather well trained fighter.

Garrett gave a satisfied nod and grunt when his blade struck home. He opened his mouth to possibly something witty, or maybe just tell the rest to surrender, when he felt the scimitar slice in to him. "Ahh!" He grimaced. "Your best chance would've been to run or surrender." He stabbed out with his rapier once again, his aim still getting used to the erratic movements of his opponent.

23:20, Today: Garrett rolled 13,7 using d20+5,d8+3.  Rapier vs Cultist.

 <OOC>Alright then. As soon as he sees that the trap is sprung, Nashford will draw his shortsword and move up. That'll do for the surprise round.

 Nashford then moves in to flank with the guy that brock struck previously and proceeds to try earn a little payback for the circus folk. <OOC>22 to hit and nine damage if I do.

 He then quips to Brock to raise his spirits. " Come on mister Fineanvil ,it's time to show these murderthieves that a properly motivated citizenry can be even more terrifying than anything they could possibly accomplish with a sad night raid. <OOC>I'll throw Brock an inspiration die. I don't remember where you are in initiative so go ahead and apply it when applicable.

Gregar dropped his crossbow and pulled out his shield and yklwa short spear. He stabbed out at the man threatening him, hoping to send his soul to whatever gods he prayed to.

OOC: 18:32, Today: Gregar Gergundi rolled 4 using 1d8+1.  Damagr.
18:31, Today: Gregar Gergundi rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  Attack roll.

Not sure if a 13 hits or not

Brock was not doing well.

It wasn't like he was unfamiliar with injury. Anyone who works with their hands manages to get hurt. It was almost a point of pride thing. Never trust an artisan with hands free of scars. And you don't learn to use the weapons and equipment of your people without picking up the bumps and bruises of training.

But this was entirely different.

"I cannot believe that you choose all of this over your own home and people." In the heat of it, he attacked the woman who had already come close to sending him to meet his ancestors.

He struck her with a slash, clearly not enough to put her down he was sure, but he had friends nearby.


Rolled an 18 to hit, so that probably hit.
Did 4 points of Normal Damage
Did 1 point of 'Sneak' damage, not sure if there's a companion near by enough to trigger it. And clearly that is not the difference between life and death for me here.

However, I should announce I've taken 11 out of 12 HP in damage. Ah it is challenging being 1st level

In reply to Brock Fineanvil (msg # 153):

To be fair you did take two crits in a row. Also if you think this is rough try the module as written, it's brutal. I killed a pc in the first round of combat which was the first five minutes of game time when run as written. Remember I have changed some stuff, to make things a little more fair on the PCs and to flesh out the antagonists more. In the book they are little more than RAWR I'm bad, I want to add a little nuance to it.

On a different note, I will get my post up later today, got some errands to run first.

Nashford's blow strikes true dropping the man who had slain the rabbit killer and grievously injured Brock.

As Brock's sword lands it's mark Reyshanel grimaces and grips her wound. "Betray my home and people? You speak like we know each other dwarf. But if you must know I regret nothing, Greenest is the worst, everyone so disingenuous and weak... it deserves it's fate. And when our boys are done with it tonight there wont be a soul left alive or building left standing. And when we are done killing you lot I plan to go back and get my rewards, power..." She says as she steps forward with a feint and slash, her strike finding a home in the flesh of the tinker (3dmg), Her gaze then turned to Nashford a wicked and perverse smile crossing her face.

The man who had been working on the wagon continues his assault against Sefira trying to hit the agile young woman, growing more and more frustrated that his attacks missed. "What are you made of girl? Air?" In response to his inquiry Sefira leaps into a back-flip her heel barely missing the man. "Almost girl bu--" He begins but is cut off as she then front flips back to her previous position and driving her short spear into the man's neck. With a spray of blood and a choking sound the man is down.

As the foe engaging Gregar stumbles, he is caught by the priest's blow. "Damn it!" He shouts as he once again tries for the holy man, his swing clanging into Gregar's shield.

The foe assaulting Garrett continues with a frantic almost crazed assault, the blow he suffered only serving to cause him to become more frantic swinging with abandon and leaving him self open often but his untrained swings make exploiting any opening a tricky proposition and while attempting to parry a blow the scimitar slips down Garrett's weapon and slicing deep into his forearm (3dmg).

End of cultist and Sefira's turn you are free to take your turns.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:12, Fri 07 Aug 2020.

Gregar strikes again with his yklwa, aiming to down the man after seeing Reyshanel take out Brock.

”You’re going to lose, Reyshanel. Your faith is in the wrong deity.” He laughs as if he just told a funny joke.

1:37, Today: Gregar Gergundi rolled 7 using 1d8+1.  Damagr.
21:37, Today: Gregar Gergundi rolled 9 using 1d20+3.  Attack.

Almost positive that misses.

Brock went down in a heap. That last slash for Reyshanel didn't have a lot behind it but the other attacks from her certainly did.

Brought down by a neighbor, by a girl he'd seen grow up in their ideal little town that she for some reason hated.

None of it made any sense but it didn't matter right now either.

 Nashford smiles as he.makes his way to Reyshanel. "Shamalam. Get up Brock we still have work to do. <OOC>Healing word to Brock 4 hp. Minimum roll, sorry.

 He then looks Reyshanel in the eyes as he sizes her up for his attack. "It's sad that you had to say that about your own people. But we promised your father we'd bring you back alive. I guess we didn't say anything about whether or not it would be as a prisoner. " Gratuitous Sword noises.

 <OOC>25 to hit, nat  twenty. 9 damage, max damage for a normal attack. Not the worst crit. All my attacks against Reyshanel will be committed with the intent to knock her out.

Garrett let out another grunt as his foe continued to shred away at him. The pain was starting to get to him as well, he could tell, as his attacks were starting to be a bit slower, not quite as well aimed either. His breath was heavy in his chest and he wondered if this might finally be it for him.

11:21, Today: Garrett rolled 11,8 using d20+5,d8+3.  Rapier vs Cultist.

The sensation was strange. He wasn't free of pain. But he was no longer about to simply move on to the great Workshop either. The woman, the neighbor who had brought him down, was right there still on her feet, surrounded by his new friends.

It took some effort to get up. His sword was on the ground, somewhere. It was all very confusing. But he knew where to find a knife. So as he rose up he drew a knife and attacked Rayshanel.

Apparently being nearly dead ruined his aim.

OOC: I cannot imagine that a 12 hits her
I'll put in the damage any how just for kicks
5 Damage total

15:58, Today: Brock Fineanvil rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Dagger Attack
16:01, Today: Brock Fineanvil rolled 1 using 1d6.  Sneak Attack Damage.
16:01, Today: Brock Fineanvil rolled 4 using 1d4+2.  Dagger Damage.

 

Nashford puts on one hell of a dervish dance with his sword, noticing an opportunity he begins forcing Reyshanel back until she trips and almost falls backwards over a stone he had been pushing her toward. Instinctively she leans forward to arrest her backward fall. A mistake Nash exploits driving the pommel of his sword right between the eyes, with a satisfying crack, as her nose breaks. And, without a word she falls unconcious face down in the dirt.

At the sight of Reyshanel falling the other two men redouble their efforts to take down their foes panic and the realization of their situation setting in; unfortunately for them Garrett's skills prove too good to be taken down so easily, and Gregar's shield once again pays for it's self.

Sefira moves to a flanking position with Garrett and lashes out with her short spear it finding purchase in Garrett's assailant's back. He stiffens dropping his scimitar and then relaxes as his eyes roll back in his head and he slumps to the ground dead.

Only one foe now remains.

Gregar attacks, hoping to end this scenario. His blade strikes true.

Today: Gregar Gergundi rolled 6 using 1d8+1.  Damage.
20:57, Today: Gregar Gergundi rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Attack .

Still on his feet but not particularly steady, Brock takes the example from Gregar and moves around the one remaining enemy. The dagger in his hand has probably been used more often as a prybar or a carving tool than as something to stab into a person.

If his own neighbor was any indication, these folks were not just going to learn their lesson and go back to a more simple life.

And so he joined in the attack against this one person. Clearly his heart was not in it. But he felt lifted up by the earlier encouragement by one of his companions.

15:39, Today: Brock Fineanvil rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Dagger Attack.
You know I last moment remember that inspiration die. Of course it came up a 1. I doubt that a 13 hits either. Ah well.

As the dice roller continues to hate me. Really, a 12 to hit again.
05:32, Today: Brock Fineanvil rolled 1 using 1d6.  Inspiration from Bard to Hit.

This message was last edited by the player at 09:33, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

Garrett gave a nod of thanks and a smile to Sefira as she helped drop the one who had turned out to be a little problematic for him. He wasn't embarrassed, per se, but definitely felt a bit out of practice. Maybe he was getting too old for this stuff?

He turned to face the last remaining cultist. He didn't waste breath on words, just stepped forward and stabbed out.

19:26, Today: Garrett rolled 14,6 using d20+5,d8+3.  Rapier vs Cultist (if needed).

Gregar's blow lands true. Now, with Gregar to one side and Brock to another, the man is unable to cover all of his weak spots, a situation Garrett exploits driving his rapier into the man's back. He screams in pain and looks to the pointed blade protruding out his chest. Once the blade is withdrawn, he staggers for a moment and falls face first into the dirt dead.

This ends combat. You are out of initiative.

 Genuinely surprised that he got through the skirmish unharmed, Nashford couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Buha ha ha ha. That was easy. Although I did expect there to be more of them. "

 It took a few seconds for the gears to spin before his eyes widen in panic. "Reyshanel said something about an attack on the town. Do we have the time to continue trying to find raid prisoners and get to town in time to warn them?"

Garrett shot a bit of a glaring look at Nashford. Blood was coming from a couple of wounds on the older fighter. "Easy, he says. Easy!" He shook his head and began muttering under his breath as he started checking the corpses for anything of interest, especially any keys or the like.

"Town is a bit away."

"Easy?" Brock was alive but it was a near thing. "You use words in a strange way friend. Or maybe it is just the shock of the moment."

There were bags that had what seemed like people in them. It was why they'd done this right? "We're going to try and set you free now." He commented nice and loud near the bag-encased captives so that they would maybe struggle less or something. Brock got help from the others to get folks liberated. If they were circus folk, they could be redirected back to their surviving friends

OOC: If I'm wrong about that, and there aren't any captives, just blame Brock being smacked around

"I think we're going to have to do our best to get back to town in a hurry. The wagon here is probably about as fast as we can go. We can get it up and running pretty quick." He walked around checking on the repairs. "Maybe half of an hour or so of work and we'd be on our way."

I should add that in game it is currently 5:30pm

”Agreed. Hooking up the wagon seems the best course of action.” Gregar moves to help release the prisoners and console or tend to any wounds they may have.

Upon looting the bodies Garrett finds:

x6 Scimitar
x6 Leather Armor
x13 silver pieces
x1 Moonstone worth 50gp

As Brock and Gregar approach the wagon, they can both hear a whimpering sobbing coming from the back. And as soon as Brock releases the tie on the burlap sack the cloth falls away to reveal a young human woman, in her teens, maybe early twenties at best. She has a large black eye and a cut above her other eye with now dried blood running down her face. Once the bag has slipped away more completely it becomes clear she was a member of the Circus by her clothing.

Despite Brock's assurances she immediately lunges at him attempting to burst past him and to freedom, but is stopped instantly as her legs give out and she tumbles to the ground out of the wagon. It becomes evident that the girl suffered a much more severe beating than was at first thought. Once on the ground she once again begins sobbing, and begging for you to just let her go.

It takes a little bit to help her up and calm her down, but ultimately she does, she reveals that she is the acrobat named Kila that the Silver Dragonborn said had been kidnapped. And she also reveals that they beat her mercilessly when she tried to escape the first time, when the wagon broke, that was when they threw her in the bag. She claims that they planned to turn her over to someone named Cyanwrath for his harem and that in exchange they would be made cultists in some religion.

The other bags in the wagon are filled with herbs and a few vials of unidentified liquids, as well as rope, and other various nick-nacks one might take on a trip.

After some TLC from our cleric, Kila is made well enough to limp back to the circus with directions on where they are located.

While Gregar fixes up the performer, Brock finishes up the repairs to the wagon, and the group is ready to set out if that is what they choose to do.

Garret took time and loaded up what he'd found on the wagon as it was fixed, but being careful and not getting in the way. He wasn't exactly skilled in the sort of work the wagon fixing entailed, nor tools that would help - aside from maybe untrained manual labor if needed.

He resigned himself to going back to town with the others, as they seemed to have their minds set on. He wasn't sure if they could make it in time, but he knew that there were for sure others that needed their help too. He gave a shrug and sat in the back of the wagon when the group decided to set out.