Present: Bharkel

Bharkel decided to stay back in Phandalin watching over Gundren and Don-Jon in case the red cloak-wearing Thayans decided to start any trouble.

OOC: Unless Akyra decides to hang back as well, this will be a solo thread just for you.

Her comrades didn't seem to appreciate Bharkel's sense of humor. It wouldn't be the first or the last time that happened, and she was largely okay with that.

Behind the joke was a kernal of truth; that they couldn't be the target of these alleged transgressions if no one knew they existed. Still, she recognized that hiding out like outright refugees may not be entirely necessary, and looked for some venue in the town where she may be able to bathe. Unlike most elves, she wasn't afraid of dirt, grime, or even blood, but having the bile and gore of that....thing, all over her was still unpleasant, and would certainly make her unpleasant company to be around if she didn't do something about it soon.

The Stonehill Inn itself was in possession of such a bath, thankfully. She had the option of handling everything herself, or asking for one of the maids to assist. Options for hot or cold water both existed, per your preference.

There were even some herbs and some fruit slices from a local orchard, that could be added to the water for additional scent.

Bharkel chuckled inwardly at the sight of the fruit slices, being reminded by the conversation in the cave. She  did in fact opt for the fruit slices, but as a snack, rather than as a fragrance. Selecting  for a fast and cold bath, it more closely resembled the baths of home, relying on the water from the river, nearest to the waterfall, where it was most easily obtained regardless of season, and where it was most clean.

Concerned about those in her protection, she decided to leave as quickly as she could, meaning she would let her hair go unbraided and unstyled, drying in the open air. To get it the way she wanted, she would probably need to wet it again at some point, but she wasn't going to risk safety for something so trivial. Even being as efficient as she could, there was still the chance something could have happened, especially if Gundren buggered off and drew attention to himself.

She hoped against hope, that this was one of the rare quiet dwarves...

Returning to the common room, you see Gundren still sitting in the same spot. Don-Jon seems to have wandered off elsewhere, but Gundren looks content to stay where he is. Seeing that you've finished with your bath, he motions you over to join him again. "It's been a few months since I was last in your part of the woods. How were things back home, before you answered my letter?"

"A mixed bag of nuts, as the humans say" She said as she sat down in her chair. "Our Elvin cousins are slowly learning to treat us less like savage heretics. A large family even left their home and their old way of life to live among us. So, there is hope that we can one day inspire the rest of the Elves to at least respect the old ways, even if they choose not to abide them.

"On the other hand, we had a dispute with the humans nearby. They kept enroaching into our forests, going on trophy hunts for Golden Elk. Eventually they learned that if they continued their behavior, the hunters would  quickly become the hunted."

Gundren nodded his head at your words, "Elves do tend toward taking a long time to come around. When you live that long, you're rarely in a rush to make changes, I suppose. You know that I am one who values all things old, everything from treasures to traditions. There is value in change, in adaptation, but much of that value is lost if you forget where you were before. Even if they choose not to follow old ways, the knowledge alone is invaluable for your future. As for the humans..." He shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head to the side, "men are men, I'm afraid. I wish you luck on that front. Dealing with humans is always a 'bag of mixed fruit', as they say; you might find one you like, you might not, you may reach in and find they're already rotten and molding."

"I'm not ready to grab any of them and test their ripeness." She remarked, looking off to the distance for a while "The days of me being courted are behind me, or too far ahead of me to see."

"I am curious about something Dwarf, if you don't mind a change of subject. Of all the people you chose to send a letter to, why me? Certainly wasn't for my disposition."

Gundren smiled at the question, "As I said, I am interested in all things old. I don't know if you've touched them yet yourself, but the spirits of your ancestors hang thick around you. I don't see them, but I can feel them. You have a connection that goes beyond that of others. I don't know how or why, only that it is so."

"When such a thing happens among the dwarfs, for those few that I have seen, they come to embrace their ancestors so fully that their spirits are rejoined with the material plane, bringing a powerful protection to those around them. Your ancestors are stronger now, even than they were those few nights ago when we met in Neverwinter."

She gave a curious smile, unsure of what to make of that "You make me sound like an infernal witch, or cursed by one."

Her smile faded quickly, as her eyes squinted, pondering the literalness of the Dwarf's words

"Gundren, are you saying that you can see ghosts?"

Gundren looked confused by the comment and then doubly confused by the question, "Lass, I just told you cannot see them. Do you not know the stories of your own people? Surely you did not avoid listening to the stories of your elders all these years."

"Sorry. Lost in thought for a moment." Bharkel shook her head in slight embarrassment. "I heard the old tales, to be certain. Was fascinated by them when I was young, the same time I would scurry the forests floor to look for the fearsome Jackalope..." She had a slight laugh at her own expense.

"It's different hearing them as an adult, and especially when the stories are you now." Her eyes darted for a few seconds "The characters in those stories, with the ancestor spirits and so on, usually involved a brave hero trying to protect the whole of reality, or outwitting some great monster.  If all of those were real, and not just some parable to teach lessons, than things are about to spiral out control, very quickly, and it would probably be best for others to not be around me."

Gundren smiled as you explained away the stories of your youth. He grew concerned at the rest of it, though, "Those stories were never about the individual, Bharkel. The spirits don't cause the troubles of the stories, they come to help those who need protecting. Fleeing from the presence of others means denying them the very protection the spirits come to provide."

Just then, shouts arose outside the inn, both of panic and of anger.

Bharkel felt her body flare up in heat in a matter of seconds, as her head snapped to the sound. She couldn't abide the crimes that were alleged here, if true, but self-preservation kicked in as well. Seeing actions play out in her mind, she could have the entire force of these red wizards on her in the matter of minutes, and no amount of righteous indignation or ancestral spirits would help her than.

She slowly stood up, her favored hand near one of her hand axes "Come on. I'll likely need you to pull me back."

Going at to investigate the source of the sound, you find far fewer people out on the streets right now compared to when you first arrived in town. Some others are coming to doors or windows at the sounds, much like yourself, but you see only two men wearing the red cloaks right now, standing over a wood elf male. Both of the red cloaks have their swords drawn, the first is red from having recently stabbed the elf, the other's is still piercing the elf's body.

The screams apparently came from what looks to be the man's wife and their two children, not far away. The other townsfolk seem a mix of anger and fear, but these are all common folk who likely would not stand up to the likes of two mercenaries.

One of the Thayans looked over at the man's family, the other withdrew his sword from the elf's body and looked up to lock eyes with you, a cruel smile appearing on his face.

She was spotted, there was no turning back now. They were clearly the monsters they were  accused of, and while Bharkel's heart ached to see a fellow elf killed so mercilessly, and an entire elven family devestated, she knew at her heart that this didn't really matter. It had to stop, no matter who the victims were.

"Gundren" She said  slowly, over emphasizing her syllables as she stared back "I want you to go and get my big axe, and bring it to me, as quickly as you can. Do you understand?"

Before she could get the answer, she grabbed the handaxes holstered on either leg, as she made her way out the door. No attempt at subterfuge or deception. A solitary, brazen act of defiance.

"Aye," he replied and then rushed off to do just that.

Just as you started to walk forward, the one who had looked at you glanced back over at the man's wife, but his instincts told him your walking out was more than just surprise and he turned back toward you.

Yes, one of them is 30 ft from you, the other is 40. You don't need to bother with initiative, you'll win that automatically with your actions. The one that's nearer to you has his back turned to you right now, so you have Advantage on attacks against him this turn as well.

23:09, Today: Bharkel rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  Damage.
23:08, Today: Bharkel rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Thrown attack. Handaxe (advantage).

This wasn't the time for words, but for action. She stretched her arms out in a dramatic fashion before she held the axes crossed in front of her. She dropped both arms before raising her preferred arm, throwing the handaxe at the one foolish enough to turn his back on her.

The temptation was to attack the other one, menacing the woman and child, but she still needed something in her hands, at least until Gundren arrived with her proper battle axe.

The handaxe cut through the man's leather armor and into his right shoulder. He shouted and reached up to grab it and pull it free. The head had cut into it, but did not manage to sink into bone, allowing it to be withdrawn with relative ease (despite being painful). (Thayan 1 takes 3 damage)

Both of the Thayans rushed forward to retaliate. The one you'd hit was near enough to make an attack right away, but the other had to spend more time to close the extra distance, giving you an opportunity to respond before his shortswords could make contact.

Thayan 1 took a stab with his shortsword, but you were easily able to knock the blade aside. That seemed to upset him almost as much as the axe to the back had, and he drew out a second shortsword. (miss)
23:06, Today: Thayan Mercenary rolled 8,6 using d20+4,d6+2.  Thayan Shortsword.

Thayan 2 had already been wielding one sword when he attacked the man previously, but he had also drawn a second blade while making his way over to you.

Round 2 - now that they are both wielding two weapons, there are 4 attacks coming at you each round.

That many blades flying around was dangerous, clearly. Too many to dodge and deflect consistently. Seemingly stationary for a moment, Bharkel moved to the side to try to get her enemies to be standing infront of each other, rather than side by side. As she went, she took a wide, sweeping strike at the man in front, whom she had already injured. The blade of the axe connected just below the Thayans ribcage.


08:56, Today: Bharkel rolled 5 using 1d6+1.

08:56, Today: Bharkel rolled 19 using 1d20+3.

It's a good opportunity to Rage, if you want to?

I'm aware, I was planning on doing that next turn.

Bharkel moved away to reposition the men, drawing an attack from one as she did so and wincing as the blade sank into her shoulder. (Bharkel takes 7 piercing damage) She took a wide, sweeping strike at the man in front, whom she had already injured. The blade of the axe connected just below the Thayans ribcage. (Thayan 1 takes 5 damage)
13:17, Today: Thayan Mercenary rolled 23,7 using d20+4,d6+2.  Opportunity Attack.

Thayan 1 gasped as the axe collided with his ribs, and did his best to counter attack. One short found its mark, but the arm on the side he'd just taken the hit too was not quite as accurate. (Bharkel takes 4 piercing damage)
13:17, Today: Thayan Mercenary rolled 18,4,9,8 using d20+4,d6+2,d20+4,d6+2.  Thayan Shortswords.

Thayan 2 moved around his companion and circled around Bharkel to fine a flanking position. A shortsword stabbed into your back, just above the kidney. It missed vitals, but he hurt. (Bharkel takes 6 piercing damage)
13:23, Today: Thayan Mercenary rolled 19,6,8,3 using d20+4,d6+2,d20+4,d6+2.  Thayan Shortswords.

Gundren arrived with your greataxe, holding it out for you to take it from him. Seeing the situation, he took a swing with it, then held it out again for you to take. The dwarf knew how to use the weapon, but he was still somewhat weak from the beating he'd taken at the hands of King Grol. (Thayan 1 takes 8 damage, halved to 4 for Gundren's weakened condition)
13:31, Today: Gundren Rockseeker rolled 16,8 using d20+4,d10+2.  Greataxe.

Round 3

The rapid strikes unleashed the torrent inside. To think that Bharkel had been holding back up to this point, but she was actually containing the emotion and fury she felt seeing such a violent and cruel death.

Now with her blood pumping, literally, they would suffer the consequences. Bharkel would not be intimidated, and not be defeated.

21:56, Today: Bharkel rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Attack.
21:58, Today: Bharkel rolled 10 using 1d12+3.  Rage Damage (For Real this time).

With the shriek of a banshee, she heaved her greataxe overhead and brought it down square on the enemy before her, slicing his head like a melon.

Bharkel heaved her greataxe overhead and brought it down square on the enemy before her, slicing his head like a melon (Thayan 1 takes 10 damage and is dead)

Thayan 1 is dead.

Thayan 2, "Oh, hell no. You'll pay for that!" He makes the same one-two strikes, and once again lands the first while failing with the second. A gash opens across your right left forearm, but you barely notice it. (Bharkel takes 5 damage, reduced to 2)
21:26, Today: Thayan Mercenary rolled 20,5,6,5 using d20+4,d6+2,d20+4,d6+2.  Thayan Shortswords.

Gundren handed Bharkel her greataxe, then circled around the Thayan to flank him, then started kicking at the back of the man's knees to try to throw off his balance for you. (Help action gives you Advantage on your next attack roll)

Round 4

15:56, Today: Bharkel rolled 4 using 1d12+3.  Rage Damage.

15:55, Today: Bharkel rolled 17 using 1d20+3.

"Try me!" Bharkel shouted in response. It was hardly the greatest comeback, it must be said, and neither was her attack. Her anger had gotten the better of her, for a moment. Another vertical strike came down and grazed across the mercenary's leg.

"Leave my friends alone, or else!" She said as she regained herself from over extended.

Bharkel struck the Thayan a decent blow. (T2 takes 6)

Thayan 2 retaliates with another combination of blows in the same one-two stab, with one stabbing hard against one of your ribs. (Bharkel takes a crit for 6 piercing, reduced to 3)
19:31, Today: Thayan Mercenary rolled 3 using 1d6.  Crit Damage.
19:30, Today: Thayan Mercenary rolled 24,3,5,8 using d20+4,d6+2,d20+4,d6+2.  Thayan Shortswords.

Gundren continues to dance around behind the man, kicking at his knees and trying to interfere with his arms as he stabs at you. (Bharkel has advantage on her next attack)

Round 5



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Bharkel was very thankful for Gundren being able to be such a useful distraction, but she was ashamed and furious that she couldn't end this fight already. She was able to get in a swipe across his chest, but it again was a grazing wound.

The
19:49, Today: Bharkel rolled 6 using 1d12+3.  Rage Damage.
19:49, Today: Bharkel rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Attack (Advantage).

Bharkel landed another grazing wound on the Thayan, but he was now bleeding enough to show his concern. (6 damage to T2) You can tell that if Gundren hadn't also been standing there, the man likely would have ran. Instead, he stood his ground and fought on to avenge his fallen comrade.

Thayan 2 feinted at a high blow, then followed it up with stabbing both blades into Bharkel's stomach, and both bit into flesh. (two hits, 3 reduced to 1, and 6 reduced to 3, for 4 Piercing damage total)
20:20, Today: Thayan Mercenary rolled 18,3,18,6 using d20+4,d6+2,d20+4,d6+2.  Thayan Shortswords.

Gundren continues to dance around behind the man, kicking at his knees and trying to interfere with his arms as he stabs at you. (Bharkel has advantage on her next attack)

Round 6 - both parties have potentially for a killing blow this round

This was it. the realness and immediacy of what was at risk brought a very sudden and sharp focus to Bharkel's otherwise sloppy fighting. Having taken a small step back, she waited for Gundren to provide the distraction. As the Thayan had his guard down, she moved in quickly, with a lateral swing of her axe right into his midsection. His ribs shattered and his lungs collapsed, leading to a swift death.


21:46, Today: Bharkel rolled 13 using 1d12+3.  Damage (Rage).
21:46, Today: Bharkel rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Attack (Advantage).

And just like that, the fight was over and all was quiet. Well, all but the woman and her children clutching the body of the murdered father, just a short distance down the road.

"Four swords against one axe, and you the one left standing. You've the strength of your ancestors already."

Combat is over.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:56, Wed 25 Aug 2021.

"Not now..." She said quietly but angrily as she came down from her rush, her hands trembling slightly. Without speaking another word, she slowly walked towards the grieving Elven family, afraid.

Bharkel had grown up in a world that she would spend most of it being judged, and often times the harshest of judgements would come from other Elves, for not behaving as they behaving as they believe one should. There were a list of words used for those who belong to the Old Ways.

Idiot.
Heathen.
Primitive.

Savage.

She had hoped, in her childish youth, that she could make a difference, that the judgements would stop. Now, she was resigned to the fact that people almost never changed. With each step, her heart filled with more dread and fear. As she finally approached, she sat on her knees next to the family. Her hair a mess, her tribal and ritual tattoos screaming to all who she was.

At one point, she would have asked them to understand. Now, she would beg them to forgive.

[Language unknown: "Romcomyin" Tinni santo adllca "Elic al onsestess ous Ch ectproiou dinc eini-toev i adtrte omeho..."]

Gundren watched you walk over to the family, and left you to it.

The woman paid you barely any attention whatsoever, too overcome with emotion to focus on the words of a stranger. You could see that she tried though, hoping to compose herself enough to listen. There was no consoling the small daughter at all. The boy had tears streaming down his eyes, but he made south beside breathing and sniffing, his face was as much anger as it was sadness.

After a few more moments, the wife was able to pay you some attention, [Language unknown: "Oneviroul eivor wil elleat atect ushipr lar. Tengll ndsa o hirom ut olday, ngwahialul. E ss com la pocaic, A ivestapre watha ul iltepoth metrer is onri ear ieevla. A a esstr lin redtinear a acpael."]

"You speak, and fight with honor. Their friends will be back looking for revenge, is there somewhere you can go to hide?"

The woman thought for a moment, then nodded. "What are you going to do?"

"I would take you to my clan. These murderous goons would never find you among them, and never succeed in their revenge if they did." Bharkel gulped hard after saying it, than felt her mouth go painfully dry.

"I have places nearby that I can go for safety. They weren't targeting us specifically, they wanted Thel to sell them his family's sword, Talon." You see the husband's sword is in a silver-chased scabbard, with the hilt worked into the shape of a hawk with out-stretched wings. "When he turned down their offer to buy it, they demanded he give it to them instead. Argument turned physical, and they went straight to swords. If there were others who had seen us, they might come for revenge, but I don't think anyway saw. We should probably get away from the scene, though, before someone does come."

If you want to take her out of the town all together, you can try to roll a Persuasion check.

"If you have a place to go, I suggest you go, and go quickly. Please, come join me and my Dwarven friend. We can devise a plan together away from unfriendly eyes or ears."

The woman removed her husband's sword and scabbard, and ushered her children forward to follow you to the inn. As you turned that direction as well, you saw the Gundren was no longer standing there at the door. As you reached the door to the inn, however, you found that Gundren was speaking with the barkeep and a few of the other people that were gathered around.

The inn keeper was the one speaking when you stepped inside. "Yeah, far as I know, they don't have any kind of healer with them, they've taken their wounded to the Shrine of Luck, same as everyone else. If we say they killed one another and the lone survivor bled out before we could get to them to offer help, I think they would buy it. They're all hired muscle, not intelligent officers."