The Inn of the Clowns in Bloodstone City had been demolished, attacked, burned down and rebuilt more times than Aethia could remember. Still with each new incarnation and each new owner the Inn always offered the same services. Cheap but hearty food, terrible ale, worse beds and a list of bounties for the region. Years passed these bounties paid well and were plentiful but with the flock of adventurers seeking glory and coin over the past two score of years business eventually ran dry. The tourists left, seeking their fortunes elsewhere and left the natives of the frozen wastes without work or reason to seek bounties. There was no coin offered for goblins anymore and no one seemed to care about a stray pack of mangy kobolds out in the woods.

Which left the more urban bounties, thief catching and hunting down criminals on the run. There were enough of them in Damara; it seemed a popular area for those wanted by the law in other nations to come and hide but those were not the criminals which paid. Crimes against the law of Bloodstone were the paying bounties, good gold offered for the capture and return of wanted criminals. It was hardly exciting work, but it kept the gold coming in and the only worry was becoming too used to the comfort of the city. Always on the move in the frozen wastes, chasing the next bounty and purse of coin that was not something that a person in Aethia's profession could afford. Comfort didn't pay.

This evening Aethia was seeking information on one slippery halfling known as 'Shortstuff'.  The bounty was only posted recently, and the coin was fair for what seemed an evening’s work stalking through the icy backstreets of Bloodstone City. The notice advised to speak to Kana Wrathfire, the half-orcish current owner of the Inn of Clowns. Aethia stood within the common room, a minstrel sang in one corner and multiple hearths were lit to provide warmth to the room, too much warmth. The common room was half full, humans, dwarves and halflings drank and joked at the tables. Coin flashed as card games were won and lost. Kana stood behind the bar, serving ale and laughing loudly with a pair of humans who had already clearly had too much, she was the woman to see about more information on bounties posted.

For a while now Aethia Longbow had sat and drank, caught up on some gossip and mostly drank cheap ale. Now, boots on the table, she watched the room and simmered. She was angry. Of late she often was, working herself up over nothing. It could be her clothes sticking with old sweat, it could be the sight of some freak. It could be her boot not slipping on fast enough. Aethia was angry. Most of it had to do with the mess the milksops had made of the place. The bloody tourists taking up her bounties had driven all business away. Not a proper monster or beastie to kill for coin was left. When the little shits were done, having had their adventure, they up and left again back to mommy's skirt for the most part, with the most obnoxious ones sticking around to polish their giant egos over things she had done for a living ever since she was old enough to hold a crossbow.

And now Aethia, once respected monster hunter, had been reduced to hunting mere criminals. She really resisted to the last on that. At least she had something to take out her anger onto, although her marks wouldn't thank her for it. Couldn't even kill most of them. Wanted alive, the whoresons. No, this was a rotten life. She wanted to be out there! Sticking something pointy into some monster that howls its rage at her in its dying breath. That's what she was made for. Not... this.

A burning halfling. If she got the little toelicker it would be howling too, that was for sure.

With resentment showing she got up and took her mug to the bar. She slammed it down with more force then necessary and looked over.
"Ey. Over here!"

It was the barkeep she wanted the attention of. The one called Kana. She didn't like the new owner of course. Who could like a halfblood orc? But Aethia had enough sense to keep her opinions to herself, especially when business was on the line. She waited for the woman to come over to refill her mug. As she had her attention she asked what needed asking.
"I'm looking fer bounties. Tell me ya got some beastie to kill or lost caravan to find. And if not, tell me where I can find a little shit called Shortstuff."

The common room was getting crowded as the evening rush started and although the other patrons passed her table most gave her wide berth as if simply a look at Aethia was enough to give them pause. None of course offered to share her table. However, when she rose and approached the bar it was not long before her table was claimed by others who gave cautious glances in her direction as if to make sure she had really left.

Kana had poured another drink for one of the humans by the bar when Aethia slammed her mug down. The half-orc looked over to Aethia as she called out but poured one more drink, perhaps deliberately slower than usual, and passed it to the second human before she tossed a bar cloth over a shoulder and walked down to Aethia. She stood across the bar and poured a drink, looking up to the huntress as she made enquiries about the most recent bounty and the possibility of more.

Kana may not have liked Aethia but it seemed she respected her, enough at least to now offer an interesting tip. "Alright Hardass, I got somethin' for ye tonight." She grinned, "Take care'a Shortstuff and I'll give ye the finer details." She leaned forward on her elbows and lowered her voice, "I've heard rumor a bounty's goin' up for a band of goblins terrorisin' one of the frontier towns. Not yer usual band o' scamps neither. They're organised like. Somethin' smart leadin' 'em." She leaned back and chuckled a deep laugh, "Though ye gonna need friends for this one. Job is big enough had to get the King's approval. I should have the job on the morn tomorrow."

She started wiping down the counter, "You take care o' Shortstuff for me and I'll make sure ye get first call on the new bounty and all the info ye need tomorrow."

"As for where the 'little shit' is, he likes to hang aroun' the guilds up in the north of the city." Aethia was familiar with the area, higher than the rest of the city by two flights of steps the area was carved out of the side of a mountain. It was slightly upper class as far as Bloodstone goes with actual cobblestone paved streets, the cleanest area in the whole city. "As for who he is. Well, slippery as he is ye can't miss him. Shortstuff's got a peg leg."

A real bounty? Killing goblins and whatever was whipping them around? That lit her face up. Gods, it had been too long. Hells, she was just about ready to head off now. Aethia could guess what region to look in, and then the stories would lead her there. But she wasn't leaving tonight, so why not pick up the little blighter and do this proper? A halfling on a peg leg. That should be easy enough to find. Aethia sniffed and rubbed her nose, then leaned on the bar.
"Alright, ya got my attention. Ya want the little licker alive I bet? Where do I dump him? Off at the dungeons?"

Kana grinned, "Alive, yes." She shrugged, "You can pass 'im off to any guard for all I care but the dungeons are probably best."

She continued, "Last I heard he was doin' his deals around the back of the guildhalls. He's roped in a couple others too, so don't expect him to be alone. I'm sure a few halflings won't be much trouble for a woman like you though."

She nodded to the mug, "Ale's free until you leave. It'll be good to not see the damn crook for a few years. Sick of 'im hangin' around to be honest." She picked up a jug from under the counter, "If you need anythin' else let me know."

She left to fill up the mugs of a few patrons waiting by the bar.

It really shouldn't be hard. That's what Aethia thought while she drained her mug with some haste. The ale wasn't good but it sure was better then what she got out on the road so she wasn't about to let it go to waste. Then she went up to her room. She had stayed at the inn for a bit, mostly because this was one she knew well enough despite its regular redecoration. The rooms were cramped and cheap which was good enough for her. Usually by the time she went to sleep she was drunk enough not to care. But now she entered the room and retrieved her halberd and crossbow. Her sword she had left on, you never knew when trouble decided to show its ugly mutt, but sitting in a common room with a halberd and crossbow in addition to that was just too much. Such an overkill in weapons would however make a suitable impression on any witless halfling cornered by her. And double so did her helmet. It was really a rather plain helmet, but over it was draped the hide of of a fierce white mountain lion. The creature's head rested on top of her own, and its furry paws draped over her shoulders. It really tended to scare the shit out of some goblins, which was always good fun and made the killing easier.

Slinging the crossbow on her back by the strap, she took up the heavy halberd. It had been hers for quite a few years now and it had been her weapon of choice when dealing with anything seriously dangerous. It had a long reach, and a good swing of the weapon could piece even plate armor let alone a beast's hide. It was a weapon made to kill in one blow and that was good, since some of the critters out there could do the same to her. Kill before yer killed, as dear old dad always says. Resting it on top of the paw draped over her right shoulder, the weight was second nature to her from carrying it for all the time she has owned it.

Then she was ready to head out. Eyes followed her as she passed through the common room. Goblins weren't the only things that caught a fright when they saw her ready for a fight. Aethia liked it. Made folk remember their place, and hers. Not like those little cockroaches who stole her trade and bragged all night long. She was the real thing, and she wanted folk to know it without her saying a word.

The cold night air met her like an old friend. With confident step she turned north and headed for the back of the guildhalls..
This message was last edited by the player at 00:52, Mon 14 June 2021.

Uneasy eyes followed Aethia was she walked through the common room, glances were mixed between the lionhead pelt over her shoulders and the large halberd by her side. Conversation quietened as she walked by but it wasn't long after she had passed that the patrons returned to their usual cheer.

Most of Bloodstone City was still a village, even all these years later since King Dragonsbane had taken residence. The buildings of the village were mostly single floor log structures with peaked roofs and wooden shuttered windows. It had a definite frontier feel to it; at least the lower, older part of the City did. Streets were mud and snow and only the area around the markets and traders had long wooden boards down to reduce the slush from passing wagons. All in all it was much like any other village or town in Damara.

Most of the King's investment had been in expanding the village into the mountains behind the city, to the north. Two tiers had been built so far, each about thirty foot above the the previous level and joined by a multitude of stairways which curved up to the higher tier. The first tier was mostly guild halls and homes of some of the more wealthy merchants and adventurous nobles who took residence since the King started on his palace halls. This tier was known as Makers Terrace as all the smithing, tool work and armor crafting took place among the guilds and merchant halls. Makers Terrace was as large as the village below and was under constant expansion excavating into and around the mountain to create space for the growing wealthy populace trying to escape the village below. The second tier was the King's Palace, a tier which shared the same name as it's purpose. It was much smaller than Makers Terrace and guards kept anyone from climbing the stairs unless they had a purpose at the Palace. King Dragonbane, his family, retainers, staff and the nobles on the Council had their homes in the Palace; strictly no business was to be conducted on this level.

The back of the guildhalls was a mazelike network of tunnels and dead-ends known as the Warrens. Some led to half-finished and long abandoned buildings with excavation forgotten; others led to current and ongoing construction. The guards patrolled constantly to try and keep the undesirables off the Makers Terrace but the tunnels were warm, quiet and dark; the perfect place for vagrants and criminals to hideaway or do business. The guards were very lackadaisical in their patrols however, and didn't seem to take clearing the Warrens too seriously.

Two guards stood with torches in their hand beside the 'Meticulous Mall of Woodcrafters and Staffiers'. It was just one of the many ways into the Warrens, both east and west had options to go deeper north. East held more of the guildhalls while west were the noble houses and merchants.

The irony of the scum hiding in dark tunnels was not lost on Aethia. It was just like a goblin warren. Somehow every burning blighter wanted to crawl somewhere dark. Perhaps because the guards had no stomach to follow them there? Big strong guardsmen, afraid of a few shadows. Typical. But more likely the guards had figured out they weren't getting paid more if they went through the effort. Why bother then?

With confidence sauntered up to the pair so bravely making a show of guarding the entrance to one of the hidey-holes. She relaxed a little, these weren't the ones she wanted a fight with. They might even know where to find Shortstuff..

"Ey. You seen a halfling with a peg leg here? E's a wanted one and I'm here ta fetch the little toelicker."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:06, Tue 15 June 2021.

The guards turned to Aethia as she approached. While not concerned about her they did straighten up and puff out their chests slightly. One rested his hand on the pommel of his sword.

Waving the torch in her face the second squinted at Aethia, "Halfling huh?" He looked to the other guard and back, "Pegleg? You seekin' that bounty?" He looked back to the other guard with a smirk, "Girl's got balls headin' into the Warrens."

The first guard barked a laugh and stepped forward. "Rich bounty on that one."

The second nodded, "Haven't seen 'im tonight but he usually hangs around behind the guilds" He points to the east. "Check around the Hall of Frosted Tools and the Luxurious Leather Lingerie Fitters.”

Girl? Seems this was another of those idiots. No matter. She'd soon have something to take out her anger onto. Aethia looked over to the indicated buildings. She had noted that the guard knew about the bounty and decided not to pick it up. Odd. Perhaps they couldn't collect it themselves? Still, a smart man would find a way around that. Guess these guys weren't smart.

With a grunt she turned east, to go look behind the indicated guildhalls. She wondered a moment what frosted tools were. Some dumb city nonsense no doubt. Along with lingerie. Granted, most women would find her armor more uncomfortable to wear than that, but for Aethia it was the other way around. Besides, the life of a hunter wasn't kind on the body's appearances. Constant frost, scars, endless marching and a decade of wearing heavy armor and weapons changed one's build considerably. She looked nothing like her sisters now. Not that it mattered. She wasn't looking for a man any time soon. Not one for keeping, anyway.

As she wandered down the alley between the buildings she became more alert and pressed down wayward thought. It was time to hunt, and while a one-legged halfling was hardly dangerous, getting complacent was. And so she let her eyes wander across her surroundings, watching for trouble. If this was a warren like the ones goblins tend to have there might be traps or alarms, maybe some sort of guards. But they probably weren't expecting a hunter to come knocking either..

The guards did not move as Aethia walked off towards the alley and just resumed their quiet discussion. Walking the alley between the two buildings Aethia reached the end after around 80ft. The Leather Lingerie building was closed and dark, however a series of short explosive sounds came from the Frosted Tools which was lit up from within. The alley split into a T with it continuing around the back of either building. To the left was a dark alley which opened into three other dark passages heading north, to the right a single passage stretched across the back of the Hall of Frosted Tools and then headed north.

Perhaps it was the explosions from the Hall of Frosted Tools or perhaps the halfing guard was just falling asleep but Aethia spotted him sitting on the ground against the building before he noticed her heavily armored form. The explosions were accompanied by a flash of light which lit the dark back alley through open windows, dim light was thrown over the halfling which showed that he was idly picking at his fingernails with a dagger. He was currently unaware of Aethia and was about 30ft away.

As expected. Aethia wasted no time and took a few hasty steps forward and swung her halberd. She could've taken the halfling's head clean off with that swipe, but it stopped short a few inches. No one would weep for another piece of dung down the drain, except maybe the dung's family, the little tykes liked to breed after all. But it was best not murder half the warren population to get her mark. Folk who actually mattered might get upset..

Not that she was going soft and all that. Her voice was icy and the hopelessly outmatched halfling had only a moment to appreciate the half-moon blade that had come so close to putting an end to his miserable life.
"Drop the knife ya little shit. Quietly. One wrong pip outta ya and yer another foot shorter.."

While surprised the halfling looked at the blade by his neck and turned his head slowly. He looked up to Aethia and raised both his hands, dagger in one. He made a move to drop the dagger but quickly pushed back against the wall before trying to roll away.

He barely got a shout out before Aethia acted. "THERE..."

Stupid little shite! Did that idiot really want to die so badly to warn his pals? Aethia took a step forward to follow the halfling's move and whipped the iron pommel of her halberd around to smash the halfling in the teeth.

The halfling moved to stand, looking to flee from Aethia however the woman was too quick with her weapon. Smashing the butt of the shaft into the halfling's jaw there was a crack of bone and a few white teeth fell over the cobblestone street.

The halfling raised his hand to his mouth and looked up in horror, "My teef." He mumbled through bloody fingers as he covered his mouth.

He did remain still, lying on the ground with his back against the wall. "Why? Wha' you wan'."

Without pity Aethia stepped forward, moved her halberd to her left hand and grabbed hold of the halfling's hair. She yanked back his head and looked down on his bloody face, and all he saw was her pitiless eyes.

"Where's Shortstuff?" She hissed angrily.

The halfling looked up with genuine fear in his eyes, his attempt as escape having been so thoroughly foiled. "Wha..a..ah?" He stammered through his fingers. "Ah, Sh.. Shor-thuff..." He cast a panicked gaze further down the alley running deeper east into the Warrens.

Taking his hands away from his mouth he muttered in a language Aethia did not recognise. He sighed and visibly sagged, "Fine. Le' me go yeah?"  He pointed further down the alley, "Down fere. Fen go lef'. Affer a bi' he'll be in a building on fe right."

He raised his hands, he had stopped bleeding but a few of his front teeth were broken and one missing. "I can go?"

For a few long moments Aethia weighed the garbled words the halfling managed to sputter for truth as she held on to him.

"If you cause trouble for me.." She left the threat hanging, her intent clear, then she brusquely let go.

"I don't want to see you again. Sod off."
With those parting words she once again took hold of her halberd and left for the indicated building.

The halfling scampered off down the alley that Aethia had just arrived from, heading back into the town. Aethia turned and headed towards the direction indicated by the halfling and she was almost near to entering the northern tunnel when the alleyway behind her was filled with light as a door opened and a hesitant, feminine voice asked, "Hello?"

Say of kobolds and goblins what you want, at least they have the decency not to nag to a hunter about her job. Aethia was hardly in a mood to talk to some woman who had to stick her nose in her business. Still, she could raise the alarm and that meant another headache. So she turned around, the glass eye of the lion's head reflecting the light before Aethia's own did. She held her halberd, scanning alleys and rooftops as she turned, watchful for another trap.

"Best you stay out of my business, woman. Go inside."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Thu 24 June 2021.

The woman seemed to listen to Aethia and wordlessly closed the door behind her as she stepped back into the building. No other movement was within the alley.

Following the alley east along the back of the guild hall Aethia looked to the north as the halfling directed. Aethia noticed the alleyway turned into a tunnel carved out of the mountain, one of the proper entrances to the Warrens. The tunnel disappeared into darkness almost immediately. A faint light could be seen coming from an opening on the right about 60ft ahead.

Seeing the light, Aethia guessed that was where she was supposed to be. The darkness didn't bother her too much even though it posed its own risks. But the light gave her something to aim for, so she took a firm hold of her halberd and slowly paced forward to avoid raising the alarm.

Aethia crept down the tunnel, aware of every clink and rattle her chain armor made as she moved into the darkness. The tunnel floor was uneven and she had to carefully watch her step but managed to navigate deeper into the tunnel. As she approached the light voices could be heard.

".. stabbed him and he ran."

A female voice laughed roughly, "Served 'im right. Scum shoulda died."

Aethia reached the corner and with one eye carefully looked around and into the light. The room was 20ft x 20ft and roughly hewn from the stone, it looked as though construction of whatever building was to be placed here was abandoned halfway through. The room was sparse except for rubble in the corners and a few stone blocks lying around, the largest of which was about 3ft tall. A campfire was near the back wall of the room and three figures sat around it.

Three halflings; one a woman, one a plump man in a robe and the last a skinny bald one with a peg leg were seated around a campfire drinking and talking amongst themselves. They had not seemed to noticed Aethia and were carousing loudly without any care of being heard or found.

Studying the group closer Aethia could make out their finer details. The woman stood against the back wall and faced the entrance, she had two shortswords sheathed over her back and beneath a loose fitting tunic wore studded leather armor, a light crossbow was on the ground beside her. The fatter halfling in a robe sat beside the fire on the left and looked between the others, he had a staff resting against a block of stone beside him, a small white lizard sat on his shoulder and occasionally flicked a tongue into the air. Shortstuff himself was sitting by the left of the fire, he was dressed in a dark tunic and pants but was armored in chain mail similarly to Aethia, a longsword was sheathed at his hip and a shield was resting against his stool. While still unaware of Aethia the group looked well prepared and well armed.

What a mess. The fat one with the lizard probably was a mage of some sort, and that made him unpredictable as hell in a fight. The other two had equipment pricey enough to suggest they knew what they were doing, whatever that was. Most gangs didn't run about in chain armor.

She retreated to load up her crossbow and think on her next steps. She decided to wait a little. Perhaps one would step out to take a piss from all the drinking. Them filling up on booze could also only work in her favor. Perhaps they would even go to sleep at some point. Yeah, she decided to use the darkness of the alley to hide, and keep tabs on what was happening. They had no other exits. This was a good spot for now..

The night dragged on as Aethia sat outside the abandoned building and listened to the three halflings talk tales of old glory, kills and thefts. There was no story in particular that she was familiar with and it seemed that the thee were very well acquainted with each other. As they spoke to each other the names of the three were mentioned numerous times, Shortstuff the others mentioned by name or simply 'Shorty', the woman with the two swords was referred to as 'Sparrow' and the fat mage was called Kaynon. From their discussions Aeitha did gather some information about their operation; they seemed to operate strictly within the city, streets buildings and addresses were mentioned throughout their reminising. They were primarily involved in shaking down merchants and the occasional banditry and theft from new travellers into the city. By the mentions of the amount of jobs and number of members required their crew totalled over thirty and the three of them were the leaders.

It was just past midnight as the woman with the two swords looked towards the entrance, "Where in the hells is Sal?"

The two others looked towards the entrance before looking back, Shortstuff spoke. "Hmm. You're right."

An older voice spoke, the mage. "I'll see."

Arcane chanting started in a language unfamiliar to Aethia.

Aethia listened dispassionately to the three little scumbags. They were real pieces of work and sure deserved to be hung up by their freak toes. But they were no worse then goblins. Nah, goblins would up the ante on these three. And so she kept listening and waiting for her chance.

It was then that they became aware of their missing man and the mage was going to do something about it. Into the blazing hells with mages and their magic. What was that fat little licker trying to do? Was it a spell that gave him view of their missing guard? Or the whole alley? Either way they'd be on the alert once they figured out their guy was missing.

It was a good thing then that these little bastards were criminals, and no one was going to miss the other two. Aethia got up, crossbow in her right hand, halberd in the left, stepped up to the doorway and fired at the distracted wizard. She hardly waited to see what happened as she dropped the crossbow and grasped her halberd to make short work of the woman.

---

OOC: Do you want to run this as combat?

The crossbow bolt silently flew through the air and hit Kaynon just under the ribs on his right side. Whatever spell he was casting was lost to him as he recoiled in pain with a yell of pain, putting his hand to the wound he exclaims, "I've been shot!"

Sparrow snarls, "Shit, Sal must be dead."

"Take cover!" Shortstuff yells to the others.

Roll for initiative.
Over 19 Aethia acts first.

The little bastard didn't go down, so Aethia stepped in to correct that. She suddenly filled the room, the white lion on her head the first thing to be revealed in the light of the fire before she swung her halberd horizontally though the flames, impacting the mage. She then stood ready to swipe at the other two, assuming the mage was finished.

"Give up now and live."  She hissed menacingly.

---

Aethia moves just inside the room (10ft from Kanyon) and attacks.
Initiative: 21 (dangit, my pretty reaction!)
Attack Kanyon: 17
Damage Kanyon: 5 (after reroll)
Polearm Master Reaction Attack: 11
Polearm Master Reaction Damage: 6
Intimidation: 12

13:17, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 21 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.
13:18, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Attack Kanyon.
13:18, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 5 using 1d10+3.  Damage.
13:19, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 5 using 1d10+3.  reroll damage (great weapon fighting).
13:21, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Polearm Master reaction attack.
13:22, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 6 using 1d10+3.  Polearm Master reaction damage.
13:28, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 12 using 1d20+1.  Intimidation.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:29, Wed 30 June 2021.

Before any of the three halflings had a chance to say more than a few words Aethia stepped into the room, her halberd slashing through the flames and cutting into Kaynon. The halfling mage fell back off the rubble he was seated on, passing out from the wounds inflicted by Aethia's attacks.

Shortstuff and Sparrow looked between themselves and Shortstuff stood up first. Leaving his shield by the side of the stool he was sitting on Shortstuff drew his longsword and approached Aethia. He moved slower as the pegleg tapped on the ground but managed to parry her strike as he walked up beside her. "And who in the hells are you?" Her attempt at intimidation was ignored by the halfling.

Wielding the blade in two hands he lunged forward with a thrust as Aethia withdrew from her attack. Frighteningly accurate the sword pierced the chain of Aethia's armor, a wicked blow which sank four inches of steel into her stomach. He twisted the blade in the wound before withdrawing it. "Doesn't matter." He smirked up to Aethia.

Dizzy from the pain Aethia barely managed to track Sparrow as the halfling picked up the light crossbow by her feet and moved into the corner of the room behind the fire. She raised the weapon and fired at Aethia. Shaken by Aethia's threatening words or simply by Kaynon bleeding out in front of her Sparrow loosed the bolt but the shot went wide, hitting the wall of the tunnel behind Aethia. She cursed in a language unfamiliar to the bounty hunter.

Surprisingly the lizard which was sitting on Kaynon's shoulder crawled forward and bit towards Aethia, it's teeth pierced her trousers and tore into her leg.

Shortstuff deals 12 damage to Aethia.
Sparrow misses.
Lizard deals 1 damage to Aethia.
Kaynon is unconscious.

It is Aethia's turn.


This message was last edited by the GM at 12:07, Wed 30 June 2021.

The viciousness of the halfling's attack took Aethia by surprise, as did the ease at which his sword pierced her armor. She felt cold steel piece her and twist even as she pulled back. Pain and adrenaline flooded her and wide-eyed she snarled. She had stood in hot fires before, and every time she knew that to give up was to die. So she rode her survival instinct to the fullest and rose, lashing out fast and viciously with her halberd at Shortstuff's legs, aiming to get the halfling down on the ground. Then she could deal with the cunt with the crossbow. The lizard was a pain in the ass, but hardly the biggest threat here.

---

Bonus: Action Surge - Heal 11 hp.
Attack Shortstuff: 14
Attack Shortstuff Damage: 12

Depending on whether Shortstuff is down or not she will attack him again using Action Surge, if he is she attacks Sparrow instead.
Action Surge Attack: 24
Action Surge Attack Damage: 12

HP: 20/22

16:23, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 11 using 1d10+2.  Second Wind.
16:26, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  Attack Shortstuff.
16:27, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 5 using 1d10+3.  Attack Shortstuff Damage.
16:27, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 12 using 1d10+3.  Attack Shortstuff Damage Reroll.
16:27, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  Action Surge Attack.
16:27, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 12 using 1d10+3.  Action Surge Attack Damage.

Pushing through the pain Aethia swung towards Shortstuff with her first attack and, surprisingly nimble for a one legged halfling, he hopped back and out of the arc of the blade. What he was not expecting was the surge of energy which accompanied the second swing which struck his pegleg, shattering it and biting into his other leg.

Shortstuff hopped with one leg and moved into Aethia, deftly pushing himself off the cavern wall he slid beside her and stood behind her. Hopping on one leg he shouted out in a language unfamiliar to Aethia and took a defensive position.

Sparrow moves forward to pick up Kaynon, provoking a possible attack from Aethia, and drags him back into the corner of the room.

The lizard again strikes towards Aethia but expecting the creatures attack she steps out of the way.


Shortstuff takes the Dodge Action. (Attacks against him are at a disadvantage.)
Sparrow drags Kaynon out of reach of Aethia.
Lizard misses.
Kaynon is unconscious.

It is Aethia's turn.

Aethia  was no fool. She knew what Shortstuff was planning by having her expose her back. So she spun her halberd and stepped away from him as he wormed past her, hurrying to the corner whilst swinging at Sparrow, who would have had a perfect shot at her back had she gone along with his plan, ignoring the persistent lizard and awaiting the return of the swordsman.

---

Aethia moves to the bottom right corner of the room and attacks Sparrow. She prepares a reaction against Shortstuff to disable. If he does not close she uses it on the lizard instead as lethal (matching initiative order).


Attack against Sparrow misses. (6)
Polearm Master reaction attack: 20
Polearm Master reaction damage: 10


18:55, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 6 using 1d20+5 ((1)).
18:55, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Polarm Master reaction attack.
18:56, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 10 using 1d10+3.  Polarm Master reaction damage.

Aethia strikes out at Sparrow as she picks up Kaynon, striking the halfling deep in the side. It is a serious wound and blood covers the ground as Aethis withdraws the blade.

Shortstuff thrusts out towards Aethia as she moves away from him but the blow goes wide and misses.

As Aethia repositions herself the two halflings share a look and with a nod from Sparrow Shortstuff disappears around the corner, heading deeper into the Warrens.

The halfling woman holds her ground, casting a brief glance back to Kaynon behind her who remained unconscious. Looking back to Aethia she drops her crossbow and draws a shortsword, "C'mon ya lion-headed bitch. Can't take us all down."

The lizard follows Aethia and attempts to bite her again but misses.

Shortstuff is not visible.
Sparrow takes the Dodge Action. (Attacks against her are at a disadvantage.)
Lizard misses.
Kaynon is unconscious.

It is Aethia's turn.

Shortstuff wasn't going fast on one leg, so Aethia wasn't concerned just yet. She had time to finish these two and their damn lizard.

"Watch me ya little cunt."

The hunter was about to show how a lifetime killing goblins paid off killing halflings..

---

Aethia attacks with her polearm, then uses her bonus action to attack again using Polearm Master. If the first attack downs Sparrow the second attack goes to the lizard.

Attack: 11
Damage: 11
Polearm Master bonus attack: 23
Polearm Master bonus attack damage: 7

17:18, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Attack Sparrow.
17:19, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 11 using 1d10+3.  Attack Sparrow Damage.
17:19, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Polearm master bonus attack.
DMedit:08:32, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  Disadvantage vs Sparrow.
17:20, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 5 using 1d4+3.  Polearm master bonus attack damage.
17:20, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 7 using 1d4+3.  Polearm master bonus attack damage reroll.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:11, Sat 03 July 2021.

Taking a step back from Aethia's intitial blow with the blade of the halberd Sparrow stepped into position again. She seemed to have quickly picked up on Aethia's combat pace as she then stepped over the butt of the weapon as is stuck towards her legs. She was bleeding heavily from the single wound inflicted on her but grimaced as she pushed through the pain.

Sparrow took a step forward and stood alongside Aethia, "I'm watchin', you gonna do anythin'?" Drawing her second shortsword she resumed her defensive stance.

The lizard bit forward and sunk its teeth into Aethia's boot causing no damage.

Shortstuff is not visible.
Sparrow takes the Dodge Action. (Attacks against her are at a disadvantage.)
Lizard misses.
Kaynon is unconscious.

It is Aethia's turn.

Just going on the defensive and buying more time. Was this little shit really so stupid to give up her life for the other one? Aethia kept stabbing and swiping with her halberd as she moved for position. A good swipe at her unconscious friend would probably make her give up this stupid plan.

---

Aethia keeps attacking:
Attack: 9 (miss)
Polearm Mastery attack: 12
Polearm Mastery damage: 7

Aethia moves into the lizard's space, clearly intending to kill Kanyon next.

22:45, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 9 using 2d20+5, dropping the highest dice only.  Attack Sparrow (Disadvantage).
22:45, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 12 using 2d20+5, dropping the highest dice only.  Polearm Master Attack Sparrow (Disadvantage).
22:46, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 7 using 1d4+3.  Polearm Master damage.

With Aethia on the move Sparrow struck forward with both her blades. She grimaced in pain, the wound in her side opening as she thrust her shortswords forward.

The blades flashed with deadly accuracy each one finding its mark. One stabbed into Aethia's hip, driving deep and Aethia could feel something rupture inside her as the blade was twisted and pulled out. As Aethia bowed from the pain the second blade took her in the neck, cutting a deep slice through the flesh but missing her throat.

The lizard again bit towards Aethia but missed then moved away from the fighter.

Shortstuff is not visible.
Sparrow deals 18 damage to Aethia.
Lizard misses.
Kaynon is unconscious.

-18HP/Currently 2 HP

It is Aethia's turn.


This message was last edited by the GM at 12:16, Mon 05 July 2021.

Aethia had not expected the ferocity of the attack. She swung wildly to protect herself, but the halfling was too close. She panicked now, knowing the end drew near..

What a shit way to die.

---

23:40, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  Polearm Master Attack Sparrow.
23:40, Today: Aethia Redbow rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  Attack Sparrow.

Sparrow's blade flashed forward one final time, opening another wound on Aethia's neck.

There was pain and shock. By long practice Aethia wanted to fight on but she found she could not lift her halberd any more. Instead it fell from limp hands. She tried bringing up her hand to the wound as darkness crawled in around her. The halfling's smile filled her vision. Fuck. This was it? After all the things she killed, some back-alley brigand would do her in? She felt blood in her mouth and fill her nose. Yeah, this was it. She tried to look defiant and spit at the toelicker, but instead the darkness got her as she slumped to the ground, and the candle of her anger finally blew out..

---