It might never be known by what luck or design the adventurers were met together in one of the vast galleries of Lower Dura, but the first result was that they were present when events were set in motion.

This part of the district is a mixture of different spaces, some for living, some for working, one or two for just passing the time. Most are enclosed, but have a door and a window or two facing the inside of the tower. Some have outer windows two, or other doors or windows internal to the tower. From the windows of one of the locations, smoke has begun to pour out.

A few people raise a cry and a watchman move hesitantly toward the building, ill-equipped and unsure what to do. He doesn't see what the adventurers see: a group of armed and armored figures exiting the location from a side where they would normally be less noticeable. They file out quickly and with military precision, seven humanoids and a wolf-like shape. They are clearly in the process of making a planned escape, only to find a party of adventurers inadvertently in their way.

One, apparently the leader, brings up a crossbow, aimed at the interlopers. "Kill them, for the glory of the Emerald Claw, and the Queen of Death!"

But Sietnyas and Tuur prove to be faster.

---

Emerald Claw Troopers: 18:14, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Emerald Claw Troopers, rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.
Emerald Claw Sergeant: 18:15, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Emerald Claw Sergeant, rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.
Emerald Claw Knights: 18:16, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Emerald Claw Knights, rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
Gravehound: 18:18, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Gravehound, rolled 15 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.

Location: Large gallery inside a tower in Lower Dura. It's fairly open, with high ceilings that are, of course, the floors of other, higher levels, yet the architecture where this is happening is enclosed enough that the soldiers would have to get past the party.
Cover: Partial cover can be obtained fairly easily, from stout columns, which are about 5 from each other, meaning one could move from cover to cover on a turn.
Light: Bright light from magical and mundane light sources.

Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) 10 squares from enemies.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) 10 squares from enemies.
Troopers (4): (1/1; 18/16/13/14; +8, 4) Spaced so that no more than 2 are within 3 squares of each other. 10 squares from party.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) 10 squares from enemies.
Sergeant: (37/37; 16/14/14/14; +7, 1d8+1) 10 squares from party.
Gravehound: (44/44; 13/11/10; +6, 1d6+3+ongoing) 10 squares from party.
Stout knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) 10 squares from party.
Gruff knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) 10 squares from party.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) 10 squares from enemies.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 10 squares from enemies.

Sietnyas scowled and scampered toward a pillar. Such unfriendly folks!  The more dagger-sized holes, he figured, the fewer orders that guy would give. He tossed a dagger the leader's direction, meanwhile drawing a sunrod from a belt pouch. The dagger splashed an arc of blood as it spun past the target, and returned to his hand.



Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind a pillar, 5 squares from enemies.
Tuur: (31/31; 18/13/16/16) 10 squares from enemies.
Troopers (4): (1/1; 18/16/13/14; +8, 4) Spaced so that no more than 2 are within 3 squares of each other. 10 squares from party.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) 10 squares from enemies.
Sergeant: (37/20; 16/14/14/14; +7, 1d8+1) 10 squares from party.
Gravehound: (44/44; 13/11/10; +6, 1d6+3+ongoing) 10 squares from party.
Stout knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) 10 squares from party.
Gruff knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) 10 squares from party.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) 10 squares from enemies.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 10 squares from enemies.

Tuur sprinted to cover behind a pillar, taking note of Sietnyas locaton to align his attack.
Noticing the hound, he bolsters himself with a silvery glow of the great light, making his skin more resilient as a beam of light flicker at the foe, and thrusts it back.
He remains composed and attentive to the scene, knowing that the distance is still just a tad too far to close in on. For now..



Sietnyas: (30/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind a pillar, 5 squares from enemies.
Tuur: (31/31(4 temp); 18/13/16/16) 10 squares from enemies.
Troopers (4): (1/1; 18/16/13/14; +8, 4) Spaced so that no more than 2 are within 3 squares of each other. 10 squares from party.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) 10 squares from enemies.
Sergeant: (37/20; 16/14/14/14; +7, 1d8+1) 10 squares from party.
Gravehound: (32/44; 13/11/10; +6, 1d6+3+ongoing) 10 squares from party.
Stout knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) 10 squares from party.
Gruff knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) 10 squares from party.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) 10 squares from enemies.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 10 squares from enemies.

The leader of the group regains his footing following Sietnyas's strike, and directs the others to attack. This they do with gusto. Four of them seem less well-trained than the others, but more eager as they leap into the fray. Two circle the rogue's pillar and charging in at him in a pincer maneuver. One whips his flail with painful effectiveness, the other with painful ineffectiveness.

Another of the brash troopers moves out between the two groups. The fourth, apparently following some pre-set orders, stands in front of the commander, offering some cover.

What does Froodle make of all this?

---

Trooper 1:
Move: Move to charge Sietnyas (with flank).
Standard: Charge Sietnyas with flail. 17:03, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Trooper 1, rolled 23 using 1d20+9.  Flail (with charge) +9 vs. AC 17 of Sietnyas. Hit. 4 damage.

Trooper 2:
Move: Move to charge Sietnyas (with flank).
Standard: Charge (into flanking) Sietnyas with flail. 17:05, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Trooper 2, rolled 12 using 1d20+11.  Flail (with charge and CA) +11 vs. AC 17 of Sietnyas. Miss.

Trooper 3:
Move: Walk to halfway between two groups.

Trooper 4:
Move: Stand in front of sergeant offering partial cover.

Sietnyas: (26/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind a pillar, 5 squares from sergeant. Flanked by #1 and #2.
Tuur: (31/31(4 temp); 18/13/16/16) 10 squares from sergeant.
Troopers (4): (1/1; 18/16/13/14; +8, 4) #1 and #2 flanking Sietnyas. #3 between the two starting positions, 5 from each. #4 in front of sergeant.
Froodle: (40/40; 21/17/15/12) 10 squares from sergeant.
Sergeant: (20/37; 16/14/14/14; +7, 1d8+1) 10 squares from party. Partial cover from #4.
Gravehound: (32/44; 13/11/10; +6, 1d6+3+ongoing) 10 squares from party. Near sergeant.
Stout knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) 10 squares from party. Near sergeant.
Gruff knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) 10 squares from party. Near sergeant.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) 10 squares from sergeant.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 10 squares from sergeant.

Froodle surveys the scene. At last, an opportunity to see how sharp his new razor armour actually is, by getting in amongst the fighting.

He sees the troopers move in on Sietnyas. Determined not to let his new friend be brought down by these mere soldiers he moves up to one, swinging his battleaxe while the foe is concentrating on the rogue. He connects well but discovers that the dying trooper still has a flail swing in him. Fortunately the fall to the ground, and death put him off balance and the flail swings harmlessly through the air. Undeterred he passes through alongside the Rogue to swing at the second soldier. Again his swing is true. As the soldier goes down, he too swings the flail in Froodle’s direction, this one however connects and bruises Froodle's arm on the way down.

Froodle is impressed. Mere soldiers they may be, but they fight on as death grips them. He respects that.

Move: Move forward adjacent to Trooper 1 and Sientnyas.

Standard: Froodle rolled 25 using d20+8 with a passing attack vs AC18  HIT!
Froodle rolled 9 for damage using d10+4 killing the trooper

Emerald claw warrior 1 reduced to 0 HP lashes out at Froodle with a flail basic attack rolling 17 on d20+8 vs AC21 MISS!

Froodle shifts alongside Sietnyas for secondary attack on Trooper 2
Froodle rolled 23 using d20+10 vs AC 18  HIT!
Froodle rolled 8 for damage using d10+4 killing the trooper

Emerald claw warrior 2 reduced to 0 HP lashes out at Froodle with a flail basic attack rolling 26 using d20+8 vs AC21 HIT!
Froodle takes 4 damage


Sietnyas: (26/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind a pillar, 5 squares from sergeant.
Tuur: (31/31(4 temp); 18/13/16/16) 10 squares from sergeant.
Troopers (4): (1/1; 18/16/13/14; +8, 4) #1 and #2 DEAD next to Sietnyas and Froodle. #3 between the two starting positions, 5 from each. #4 in front of sergeant.
Froodle: (36/40; 21/17/15/12) adjacent to Sietnyas
Sergeant: (20/37; 16/14/14/14; +7, 1d8+1) 10 squares from party. Partial cover from #4.
Gravehound: (32/44; 13/11/10; +6, 1d6+3+ongoing) 10 squares from party. Near sergeant.
Stout knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) 10 squares from party. Near sergeant.
Gruff knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) 10 squares from party. Near sergeant.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) 10 squares from sergeant.
Frug: (27/27; 16/12/14/14) 10 squares from sergeant.

The sergeant snarls at the loss of two of the troopers and, displaying the cruelty for which the Emerald Claw is known, looses a bolt at the most vulnerable member of the adventuring party: Frug. Successful at this, he barks a laugh, then moves to a column of his own as he reloads.

The undead canine needs no orders or encouragement to attack the one who attacked it. With surprising speed, it dashes toward Tuur, barrelling into him, jaws wide, and slightly disjointed. The jaws clamp shut, and Tuur is dragged down to the stone floor. He feels the numbness of irrevocable death seep into his body. The zombie throws back its head as if to howl, but only a gurgling wheeze comes out.

Meanwhile, the two knights, not to be outdone by mere footsoldiers, try a pincer move of their own. The first, a stout fellow who probably saw some action during the Last War, charges Froodle, flail blurring as it spins. Froodle gets his shield up, though, and the weapon glances off it.

That move, however unsuccessful, has set up the other knight, who seems rather gruff, to flank Sietnyas with his charge. He has a terrible leer on his face as he does so, as if he's deeply enjoying this. All in all, the injured Sietnyas finds his attack options somewhat constrained.

Drake has finally gotten his impressively armored bulk underway. What will he do?

---

Sergeant:
Standard: 07:53, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Sergeant, rolled 19 using 1d20+7.  Crossbow +7 vs. AC 16 of Frug. Hit.
07:54, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Sergeant, rolled 5 using 1d8+1.  Crossbow damage 1d8+1. 5 damage.
Move: Walk to partial cover of pillar.
Minor: Reload crossbow.

Gravehound:
Move: Move to charge Tuur.
Standard: Charge Tuur. 08:00, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Gravehound, rolled 21 using 1d20+7.  Bite (with charge) +7 VS. AC 18 of Tuur. Hit.
08:01, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Gravehound, rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  Bite damage, 1d6+3. 8 damage. Tuur takes ongoing 5 necrotic damage (save ends) and is knocked prone.

Stout knight:
Move: Move to charge Froodle.
Standard: Charge Froodle (ending adjacent to Sietnyas as well). 08:09, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Stout knight, rolled 20 using 1d10+10.  Flail (with charge) +10 vs. AC 21 of Froodle. Miss.

Gruff knight:
Move: Move to charge into flanking Sietnyas with stout knight.
Standard: Charge into flanking Sietnyas with stout knight.
08:13, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Gruff knight, rolled 18 using 1d10+12.  Flail (with charge and CA) +12 vs. AC 17 of Sietnyas. Hit.
08:16, Today: DM Paul, for the NPC Gruff knight, rolled 13 using 1d10+4.  Flail damage, 1d10+4. 13 damage. Sietnyas is marked by gruff knight until the gruff knight's next end.

Sietnyas: (13/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind a pillar, flanked by knights. Marked by gruff knight. BLOODIED
Tuur: (27/31; 18/13/16/16) Engaged with gravehound. Prone. Ongoing 5 necrotic (save ends).
Troopers (2): (1/1; 18/16/13/14; +8, 4) #3 between the two starting positions, 5 from each. #4 10 squares from party start.
Froodle: (36/40; 21/17/15/12) adjacent to Sietnyas
Sergeant: (20/37; 16/14/14/14; +7, 1d8+1) 10 squares from party. Partial cover from pillar.
Gravehound: (32/44; 13/11/10; +6, 1d6+3+ongoing) Engaged with Tuur.
Stout knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) Engaged with Froodle, flanking Sietnyas.
Gruff knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) Flanking Sietnyas. Marking Sietnyas.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) 10 squares from sergeant.
Frug: (22/27; 16/12/14/14) 10 squares from sergeant.

Drake observes the troopers fall and he is pleased at the outcome following the unnecessary attack on Drake and his friends.

Drake feels that flanking Sietnyas is unfair and he notes that he is in trouble. So it’s time to come to his rescue. He moves towards the knights then charges towards the Gruff Knight using an Ardent Strike but the charge put him off his swing and the attack goes wide.

Drake reaches out and touches Sietnyas passing the healing power of Bahamut onto him. In doing so Bahamut repays Drake by encapsulating him in a thin energy shield.

Move: Move 5 squares towards Gruff Knight

Standard Action: Charge meaning he can use Ardent Strike at the end

1D20+ 10 = 11 V 19 AC = MISS

Minor Action : Lay on Hands Sietnyas gets a healing surge 7 + 4 HP back . This triggers Drakes Feat Virtuous Recovery and so has resist All 2 till start of my next turn
.

Sietnyas: (24/30; 17/14/17/12) Behind a pillar, flanked by knights. Marked by gruff knight.
Tuur: (27/31; 18/13/16/16) Engaged with gravehound. Prone. Ongoing 5 necrotic (save ends).
Troopers (2): (1/1; 18/16/13/14; +8, 4) #3 between the two starting positions, 5 from each. #4 10 squares from party start.
Froodle: (36/40; 21/17/15/12) adjacent to Sietnyas
Sergeant: (20/37; 16/14/14/14; +7, 1d8+1) 10 squares from party. Partial cover from pillar.
Gravehound: (32/44; 13/11/10; +6, 1d6+3+ongoing) Engaged with Tuur.
Stout knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) Engaged with Froodle, flanking Sietnyas.
Gruff knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) Flanking Sietnyas. Marking Sietnyas.
Drake: (32/32; 21/15/14/16) Engaged with Gruff Knight stood next to Sietnyas. Resist AlL  2 till beginning of next turn
Frug: (22/27; 16/12/14/14) 10 squares from sergeant.
</quote>

A crossbow bolt jolts Frug and he makes for a pillar to get some cover. Looking around at the action unfolding he sees an opportunity to invoke the astral blades. Looking at the two knights and his three adventuring companions, he makes five slashing movements with his staff. As Frugs staff leaves small radiant traces from each slash, larger radiant energies appear in the melee battle. The knights both get a radiant blade swipe, but only the stout one takes a hit. Around Sietnyas, Froodle and Drake the radiant slashes form into an armor coating.
Frug continues to survey the scene, as best he can from behind the pillar. Ready to fade away if he is hit again, Frug gets the gears in his staff ready to rumble some thunder in the near future.

Move action: go to the closest pillar to get partial cover, but have line of sight to the melee group.
Standard: Astral Blades of Fire, burst 1 in 10 attacks enemies and +4 to AC of allies.
Frug rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Blades of Astral Fire versus Reflex 14 of Stout Knight.
Frug rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Blades of Astral Fire versus Reflex 14 of Gruff Knight.
Frug rolled 6 using 1d10+5.  Radiant damage on Stout Knight



Sietnyas: (24/30; 17+4/14/17/12) Behind a pillar, flanked by knights. Marked by gruff knight.
Tuur: (27/31; 18/13/16/16) Engaged with gravehound. Prone. Ongoing 5 necrotic (save ends).
Troopers (2): (1/1; 18/16/13/14; +8, 4) #3 between the two starting positions, 5 from each. #4 10 squares from party start.
Froodle: (36/40; 21+4/17/15/12) adjacent to Sietnyas
Sergeant: (20/37; 16/14/14/14; +7, 1d8+1) 10 squares from party. Partial cover from pillar.
Gravehound: (32/44; 13/11/10; +6, 1d6+3+ongoing) Engaged with Tuur.
Stout knight (32/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) Engaged with Froodle, flanking Sietnyas.
Gruff knight (38/38; 19/15/14/13; +9, 1d10+4+mark) Flanking Sietnyas. Marking Sietnyas.
Drake: (32+4/32; 21/15/14/16) Engaged with Gruff Knight stood next to Sietnyas. Resist AlL  2 till beginning of next turn
Frug: (22/27; 16/12/14/14) Far from sergeant. Behind a pillar for partial cover.