Einar is once again just being beat down and cut up by a number of enemies thankfully he's built tough. Even when the blade catches him in the back of the neck he refuses to go down though at this point he's covered in blood most of it his own as he turns nad growls at the man. He throws a wild swing at him bringing up his shield as he's focused entirly on survivng even talking has been escaping him as he gets beat again and again.


I doubt it but a 10 to hit for 5 damage

Oraphina crouches for a second, looking between the legs of one of the raiders to see what Hope was yelling about.  "Oh no," she whispered, dodging a sword swipe.   "Stabilize him!  I'll be there as soon as I can!"  She lashed out again at the raider behind Einar, trying to free the two of them from the crowd they found themselves in right now, and continued her efforts to, at the very least, keep this comrade upright.

---

15:09, Today: Oraphina Weatherbee rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Attack r below Einar.
15:10, Today: Oraphina Weatherbee rolled 9 using 1d8+2.  Damage (hits AC 12).

Note: Still using Protection as a combat style.

Einar - 5
Korym - 13
Grune - 11
Raider - 21
Hope - 10
Oraphina - 3



Korym's icy blast ends the life of the raider who brought Grune down. As the raider falls to the round with snowflakes gently floating in the air around him, Hope turns, and in one fluid motion chucks her dagger right in the back of the raider in front of Einar.

Orpahina thrusts out with her rapier and runs the raider behind Einar through, dropping him.

End round 5 ----
Begin Round 6 ----

(O.O.C. Grune you will need a death saving throw.)

Their numbers now greatly diminished, the remaining two raiders continue their attacks, the one in front of Oraphina once more raking his scimitar across her shield, while the one on Einar telegraphs his swing from a mile away, and Einar is able to easily dodge the attack.

R=Raider (R) = Frozen raider r = Injured Raider (G) = Dying Grune H = Hope E = Einar O = Oraphina
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:39, Mon 28 June 2021.

OOC: Grune Darkhammer rolled 6 using 1d20.  Death saving throw

Korym watches in relief as the raider drops. He hurries to Grune's side, and desperately tries to remember how to staunch bleeding properly from the book he had read several years ago.

---

Korym Nightstar rolled 17 for Medicine check to stabilise Grune.  Success!

Hope had a look of horror as she glanced at the dwarf....she knew nothing of stabising a wound. She was relieved when Korym came and saw to him. She stepped quickly, crouching and  pulling her thrown dagger with a spurt of blood, while standing and attacking one of tbe raiders.

<OOC: Me...heal! I make holes in people, not plug them up!

Movement: Move to bandit
Action: Attack

'Hope' rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  attack - dagger.
'Hope' rolled 6 using 1d4+3.  damage - dagger.
'Hope' rolled 4 using 1d6.  Sneak attack - dagger.

Bonus action: retrieve thrown dagger>

Oraphina allowed herself a breath of relief as she noticed Korym tending to Grune's injuries, then refocused on the raider before her.  She nimbly ducked under a wild swing of his sword, then raked her blade up his ribcage in an attempt to end the threat so she could better help her fallen teammate.

---

01:59, Today: Oraphina Weatherbee rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  Attack the raider!
01:59, Today: Oraphina Weatherbee rolled 4 using 1d8+2.  Damage (hits AC19).

If this drops the last raider (factoring in Hope's stabbyness), Fina will then move 25' to D4.  Can't cast Cure Wounds yet this turn, but it'll at least put her in position.  Also, where's the giant demon ogre critter?

Both raiders drop to the ground, Hope having driven her dagger into the back of one, and Oraphina running through the other, as she draws her blade from his gut, she quickly darts around his corpse on her way to Grune.

One of their own on death's door Korym drops to his knees next to Grune, doing everything he can think of to staunch the bleeding, not realizing, until he had managed to stop the bleeding, that not only is he now covered in his ally's blood, but he is kneeling in a pool of Grune's blood as it begins to mingle with that of the dead raiders near him.

Beyond their immediate surroundings the siege of the keep continues to rage; defenders have managed to form a defensive line in the yard, keeping the raiders from encircling them; man piles against man, those in the back unable to reach an enemy press into those in front of them in an attempt to force the defenders line forward and prevent any forward momentum from being gained by the raiders.

Above the broken portcullis, boiling oil begins to pour out from killing holes in the roof of the gate house onto the heads of raiding men and women who's screams are louder than all the carnage around, but only for the briefest of moments, all while half of the archers fire into the enemy within the gate, and the other half fires out at the enemy still without.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:33, Wed 30 June 2021.

Hope, no use tin the healing, searched the bodies for anything useful

"Oh no.  Oh no oh no ohnoohnoohno."  Fina took off at a sprint as the last raider fell, sliding to her knees next to Grune and dropping her shield to the floor.  She looked over his wounds to see where the damage lay, particularly where Korym had staunched his bleeding, and a smile of pure relief spread across her face as she turned to him.  "Gods above, you did it.  You did it!"  She flung her arms around the elf's neck, gave him a quick smooch on the cheek, and just as quickly returned her attention to the fallen dwarf.

"You've got waaaaaay too much of this blood outside of you.  That won't do at all," she whispered, her hands already glowing with healing magic.  There was a whiff of blackberries that momentarily overpowered the stench of battle around them, and the slashes that criss-crossed Grune's body began to stitch themselves up while the color returned to his cheeks.

---

08:33, Today: Oraphina Weatherbee rolled 10 using 1d8+2.  Cure Wounds on Grune.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 13:57, Wed 30 June 2021.

Grune took in a deep breath and bolted upright.

"Uh, er-huh?" Grune looked around and as the battle frenzy drain from his eyes he smiled at Oraphina.

"Oh whatta blessing you are lass." Grune said as she took Oraphina 's hand.

"Wait, is that blueberries?"

Once combat is done he watches to make sure Grune makes it and once he bolts upright Einar just flops down in to a seated position on the ground. He looke like a man that is outta steam, blood, and anything else you can imagine. "Fuck I want a god damn good night's rest."

He sighs and checks over his equipment, blood some how still manages to seep from his wounds but really at this point there isn't much left to bleed. He's been moving on sheer will power and determination."What's next, cause I doubt this is gonna end doesn't feel like it will but at least we have a moment."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Wed 30 June 2021.

Not until the halfling's words break his concentration does Korym realise that he has managed to keep Grune from bleeding out.

He fall off his knees onto his backside, sitting in the dirt and blood as he watches the paladin cast a spell, that brings the dwarf back from the brink of death in an instant.

Korym lets out a huge sigh of relief as the dwarf blusters back to full consciousness.

"Well done, Oraphina...well done indeed!"

The elf stands, and offers a hand up, first to the small paladin, and then to much heavier dwarf. "Very glad to see you are still with us, Grune!" Realising that he is covered in blood, the elf wipes his hand above his soiled clothing, "Purifico," and the stains disappear.


"You speak the truth, Einar...but..." the elf points to the battle raging at the nearby gate.

Speaking quietly,Korym says to Grune and Oraphina, "Einar needs to be healed if you can."

He then takes his bow from his shoulder, and looks to join the archers repelling the raiders.

---

Cast Prestidigitation to clean clothing.
Korym has 16 arrows left to shoot, unless Governor Nighthill comes up with something else for the group to do!

The fighting in the courtyard is fierce, only small pockets of raiders get through the defenders and they are quickly cut down. After what feels like an eternity the raiding force breaks and retreats through the entrance.

Once the portcullis is secured Governor Nighthill shouts. "Any who can cast mending, to the gate now!" Soon a group locals come running forward and work in tandem to mend the broken defense.


With the keep once more secured, the difficult task of tending to the results of the chaos began. And just when things were getting back to a new normal, there comes a shout from the ramparts. "Governor Nighthill! One of the raiders wishes to speak to you!"

Nighthill looks to the heroes, "If you wish, join me and the commander on the wall. You know these raiders more than any here, and your insights might be invaluable." He says as he is joined by Commander Escobert as they both make their way up and to where they could see over the wall.

Over the wall the smoldering ruins of the city can be seen. Stepping into the, dim smoke filled, light of the dying fires near the keep, a creature strides into view, a human woman held close to him almost as a shield, her clothes shredded and in tatters, dried tears upon her face.

Although the creature is shaped roughly like a human, it is at least seven feet tall, its skin is covered in blue scales, its fingers bare wicked claws, and it's face has the muzzle and reptilian eyes of a dragon. The creature stops about eighty yards from the main gate of the keep and scans the walls. A line of kobolds fan out behind it. With their spears, they prod three human prisoners into the dim light. You can make out a teenage boy, who's tunic is torn and covered in dried blood, his face beaten and swollen; and two smaller boys no older than six, who also have tear stained faces.

One of the men on the wall shouts out "Kala!" and begins to draw his bow, before commander Escobert and another defender restrain him. "That's my sister and her family commander! I have to do something!" The man pleads. "Give us a minute lad." The commander says reassuringly.

The creature hails the keep "DEFENDERS OF GREENEST! DESPITE WHAT YOU MIGHT THINK AFTER REPELLING OUR BREACH, THIS HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL NIGHT! DO YOU SEE THIS WOMAN AND THESE THREE CHILDREN? I HAD CONSIDERED ADDING THIS WOMAN TO MY HAREM!" The beast says groping her breast roughly as he speaks. "AND SLAUGHTERING HER CHILDREN, AS WE HAVE NO NEED OF THEM! BUT I AM FEELING GENEROUS TONIGHT! I OFFER A TRADE; THESE FOUR PITIFUL RODENTS FREEDOM IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR GREATEST WARRIOR!"

Governor Nighthill looks over the wall at the creature. "WHAT IS YOUR AIM HERE BEAST!"

The creature snorts a laugh before replying. "YOU HAVE IMPRESSED ME TONIGHT PEOPLE OF GREENEST; FIRST SAVING THE HOPELESSLY TRAPPED FROM A TEMPLE, THEN RETAKING YOUR MILL FROM MY MEN, AND REPELLING OUR ASSAULT ON YOUR KEEP! I SEEK TO FACE YOUR GREATEST WARRIOR IN SINGLE HONORABLE COMBAT, ONE ON ONE! DO THIS AND THESE FOUR GO FREE!"

"HOW CAN WE TRUST YOU WILL KEEP YOUR WORD!" The governor shouts back.

"I AM A WYRM OF MY WORD! MY RAIDERS ARE LEAVING, WE HAVE TAKEN EVERYTHING OF VALUE FROM YOUR PITIFUL TOWN, AND I DO NOT INTEND TO STAY LONG MYSELF, SO I GIVE YOU FIVE MINUTES TO DECIDE OR I DECIDE FOR YOU!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:47, Thu 01 July 2021.

Hope searched the bodies, smiling as she gathered what few valuables they had, gathering their swords. As she approached, word came from the gate, and she groaned. “These stupid orc-kissers are stubborn.” She muttered as she followed, finding a soldier, she handed the scimitars over. “Take these to the armoury…every weapon will help - trust me.”

The woman noted the prisoners, and she cursed in elvish, looking at a soldier. “Get me a shortbow, Damnit.” She saw the reaction of the soldier, and helped restrain him. Looking at Oraphina she had a pleading look in her eyes. “Calm him.”

She turned, watching as the Dragonborn spoke, her hands clenched at her side as he spoke. Before the commander could say anything, she placed a hand on his shoulder, but yelled out. “IF YOUR SO HONORABLE, SHOW US WITH DEEDS, NOT WORDS. SEND US THE CHILDREN WHILE WE DECIDE. WHO SHALL FACE YOU”

She turns to the others. “Honerable or not, that won’t buy us long. We are the most capable here….who’s going out to gut that lizard?”

Fina nodded to Hope and rushed to the man's side.  "Come now, honey," she said, taking his hand in one of hers and patting it gently with the other.  "I'm not saying don't be scared.  This is ugly as ugly gets.  Just don't let THEM see you scared.  Your family needs your bravery right now."

She looked back over her shoulder, allowing her comforting face to wrinkle into a small scowl.  "Honorable combat, indeed.  He waits until we're spent, then throws out a challenge like it'll be a fair fight, all while hiding behind hostages."

The halfling thought for a moment, offered the soldier a comforting smile, and looked back at the governor and the others.  "I'll do it."

The creature laughs. "THIS IS A CHALLENGE, NOT A NEGOTIATION! I HOLD ALL THE CARDS HERE! EITHER YOU WANT THEM ALIVE, OR I LEAVE, THE CHILDREN DIE, AND I BREED THIS BEAUTY MYSELF! YOU NOW HAVE FOUR MINUTES TO DECIDE!"

Grune's grip tightened on his warhammer to such a degree that it would have splintered had it not been of dwarven construction. "Those monsters Grune roared.

"Honor indeed." Grune snarled confident that his enemies knew nothing of the word. When Oraphina volunteered Grune turned. "But, you can't...tis a deception...but-what else can be done..." Grune finished his train of though fueled by the determination he saw in Oraphina's eyes.

The bloody and beated warrior known as Einar stands afixing his shield and checking it before placing a hand on Orapihna's shoulder and shakes his head. "If anyone should go let it be me, I doubt he intends to let his opponent walk away from this combat. And he has the advantage in every way."

Einar looks out at the scaled man a slight look of distain, mixed with a bit of solitude. Einar had the look of a man who'd chosen his final battle. His body was caked and covered in blood old and new, his hair red with it. But besides all of this he stood tall as he moved towards the gate.

"If all else fails, find them and give them hell for me would ya."

Hope tensed as the dragonborn answered, her usually happy face a visage of anger. "This lizard wouldn't know honor if it bit him in the ass" she muttered.

She looked on as Oraphina offered to go out, a flash of pride and fear crossing her face...she was a capable warrior, but she was smaller than him and she didn't trust the dragonborn.

Then Elnar spoke up. Hope had known him a day, but already she knew his character....he would fight for what he believed in, even if it meant death.

Hope smiled at the man. "You go out there and kick his ass, then we can send that scaled lying head back to his people as a warning that we're coming....and by the gods, they're gonna be sorry they met us all!""

Korym follows the governor and the commander onto the battlements.

The devastation of the village looked complete, fire and smoke everywhere. A lump formed in the elf's throat at the thought of the dead, the injured, and the their absolute loss.

When the draconic creature appeared, Korym immediately took notice. He racked his brain for any knowledge of such a creature.


"There is no honour in a creature that does this to a village of innocents..." he starts to say, but realises that everyone is thinking the same thought.


The words were barely out of Einar's mouth but Korym expected them. In this one hellacious evening this man from Greenest had proven his worth many times over.

And without thought, the elf blurted out, "You are a good man Einar...I would be honoured to act as your second."

Korym heard the words as if someone else was speaking them...it was in some history books he had read years ago...~hand him his sword, help him put on his armour, give him a new lance if the one he used broke, retrieve his body if he fell...~

The elf started when the last thought came into his mind.

"Einar," started Oraphina, her voice pleading.  "I've no more healing magics to give you, nor blessings, nor my shield at your side."  She glanced over her shoulder, then unslung her quiver of javelins and held it out to him.  "You know I'll do this, happily.  But if you feel you must... don't let him get close.  Turn him into a pincushion from where he can't hit you back."

She turned to the others, resolutely.  "I say we all go out.  Stand by our man, much like that bastard has his behind him.  Make sure the children come over, try and get their mother as well, instead of making them run across a battlefield alone, and ensure as best we can that Einar is not overwhelmed at the start by dishonorable numbers.  What do you say?"

Einar just looks at his new allies for the time in the seige and nodded at them "Aye I'm gonna do my best to go out there and remove his head but he's got the advantage of rest where as we have been run ragged."

He chuckles a bit and looks at Korym and offers a smile, "I'd say it was an honor to have you as a second but there is little need of it as I'm already equipped. But you all can come to the gate at least, and collect my body should I fall."

Finally he turns back to Oraphina,"You've done plenty, in my opinion at least." With that said he'll push the javalins back towards her with a shake of his head "Keep them they are of little use in a duel like this, but yes come to the gate at least then the family will have a pretty face to see." He offers a grin and a wink to Oraphina before turning and moving to the gate. Guess when you face death a little flirting seems to be the least of his worries.

As Einar begins to leave he passes by the governor, who with his good hand balls it into a fist and places it upon his chest in salute, and simply nods to the brave warrior. Commander Escobert solemnly escorts Einar to the portcullis.

As Einar makes his way down the steps and toward the gate, one by one everyone he passes salutes him in the same way, and upon looking around it becomes clear that everyone is now saluting him, the archers on the wall, the injured men hobbling about, the defenders watching the gate, everyone. When he finally reaches the repaired portcullis, the man who's family he is going out to rescue shouts from above on the wall "May the gods keep you brave warrior!"

Commander Escobert motions for the portcullis to be raised, and turns to Einar. "The Greenfields will remember you, always." He says saluting the man and stepping from his way.


Outside the draconian man shouts once more. "TIME IS UP GREENEST, I WAIT NO LONGER FOR AN ANSWER!" As soon as he finishes his statement the portcullis opens revealing Einar who strides forward, his entourage right behind him.

As Einar approaches, the dragon man flings the woman off to his side as if she weighed nothing, with no more thought than if she was a piece of trash to be discarded. She flies about fifteen feet off the main road, and is quickly set upon by three kobolds who keep her pinned and threaten death with their spears should she try to flee.

One of her smaller children screams out "MOMMY!" and is quickly kicked in the back of the leg to drop him to the dirt, where he begins to sob.

The woman offering no restance shouts back to her son "It's okay Petrok, mommy is fine, please be patient."

As the group nears thirty feet from the dragon being, he speaks up. "Only the champion may proceed further. The rest of you stay where you are, or my kobolds kill them all.

If anyone tries to interfere in any way, they die. This combat will be between me and your champion alone, and once it is over, we will leave, and the woman and her whelps will be yours.

Now step forward champion and state your name. I am Langdedrosa Cyanwrath, Champion of Tiamat, Dragonsoul of this branch of the Cult of The Dragon,  and the one who will end your life." He says his wicked snout contorting into a smile.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 20:21, Fri 02 July 2021.

Hope looked at the dragonborn as she followed the group, stopping when ordered. Her hands tightened as the mother and child were treated badly, but when he uttered his name, she allowed a little smirk. 'Dragonsoul, huh. Sounds important. You mind if i have a brief word with then chosen and my friends...will not take a second....then you can begin ending his life"

She groups them up, and looks at Elnar. "Careful of this one...he has rank. Someone of his station would be clever and skilled. If we can take him, it would be a boon, but could cause more trouble for us."

She seperates the group, and smiles as she taps elnar lightly on the shoulder. "Go tear his head off now."