~~I wonder what that's all about?~~

Mekkar glanced about, looking for the source of the scream -- in this instance, he wanted to see who was doing the yelling, and if possible, the reason for it.

~~Most likely one of the smash-and-grab lads has made his play, and made someone very unhappy in the process.~~

She had been about to join in the merrymaking when a scream ripped though to crowd.  Melody's first instinct was to see if anyone was pointing at her and her "looks".  But given Alleycat's previous declaration of troublemakers afoot, she quickly switched to looking for that kind of trouble.

Bross' experience said that you don't get 'told' that sort of thing, twice- you had to see what it was, and you had to go now.

So, he simply breaks his conversation with Catrina off, without a word, and heads toward the source of that scream, to see if there's something he can do.

Catrina was surprised of the appearance of an announcer who gives the dwarf she was speaking to a prize,"Ah, so your Hargrin. Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to have a pint myself." she says, but suddenly something else interrupted their conversation. She sighs as she hears a scream and sees Bross running off,"Err, guess I gotta help out. Save that drink for me when I come back Mr. Bitterfood." she says as she chomps a sausage on a stick, finishing it in one bite as she follows Bross with a staff in hand.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:45, Fri 31 Dec 2021.

Sora's comments on getting a drink were short lived as the scream pierced the festive aire. her smile faded as she took a look of seriousness. She looked around for the source

A fiddler that was sitting on the center stage, facing north is the source of the scream. She stands pointing over the town. Before you can even turn to look, a gigantic form whooshes over your heads.

You hear a deafening roar...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79NxCXrO1nU

A blast of lightning erupts from the creature and the giant bon fire expodes sending burning logs flying in all directions. The dragon soars southward after discharging his breath weapon the circles back high over the fairgrouds well out of range of archers and spell casters.

The festival turns into a mass panic with people running in all directions, screaming in terror.

Then you hear the horns.

OOC: all of you failed your save against the dragon's frightful presence. You can not move in the direction of the dragon. All attack rolls and saves are at disadvantage for one minute.

The dragon soars through the air admiring the mayhem beneath him.

Bross doesn't scream. He does stare up in silent shock at the largest living thing he's ever laid eyes upon.

The crush of people fleeing is what keeps him from freezing entirely- he's big and heavy enough to not be knocked over or trampled, but he knows so many aren't.

[OOC: He can't see a way to do anything about the dragon yet, from here, so his next action (after unfreezing from horror) would be to help people get away without hurting eachother in their panic.]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:44, Sun 02 Jan 2022.

The air is filled with smoke. Small fires burn everywhere. Visibility is limited. The sound of horns seems closer. Masked thugs appear near Hargrin's stall. They attack the Chamberlain knocking him unconcious. Two of the thugs start dragging him away while blowing a single sharp note on their whistles. Others converge in the area looking for signs of resistence.

You hear a call through the smoke. "To the Keep! Help them to the keep!".
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:58, Sun 02 Jan 2022.

In reply to Mike (msg # 10):

~~A Dragon!! A real, live, Dragon!!~~

Mekkar gazed upwards at the mighty creature soaring high above him, looking both majestic and fearsome. Well, mostly fearsome at the moment. Definitely mostly fearsome.

Alleycat had heard tavern tales about Dragons, of course. He would be a rich man if he had a golder for every besotted drunkard who offered to tell him the story about the time that he -- the drunk, that is -- had come face to face with a mighty Dragon, and yet lived to tell the tale.

But now that he had seen one with his own eyes, all that the Waterdehavian could do was stand and quake in his boots. ~~Where to flee? Does it really matter? Flying up high as that Dragon is, he can slay all of us on a whim, just by turning his head to one side or the other and loosing his lightning.~~

Alleycat heard someone shouting above all the noise and commotion. Well, truth be told, he could hear lots of shouting and screaming. But whoever this person was, he or she seemed to have kept a clear head, because they were saying something about getting people to the keep. That made sense to Mekkar -- he thought it likely that the keep was the only thing hereabouts that even had a chance to stand against a Dragon's attack.

But something drew Alleycat's gaze to the scene that was playing out over near to the stall that he had marked as belonging to Hargrin. Two masked people were attempting to drag away the well-dressed fellow who had, only a few moments ago, been announcing Hargrin's gold medal in this year's brewing competition. Mekkar didn't know who the unconscious man was, but it seemed likely that he was someone of importance, locally.

~~The Dragon, I can do nothing about. Those two bully-boys are a different matter, however.~~

Mekkar turned and began loping towards Hargrin's stall . . .

---

OOC: This assumes that the Dragon's Frightful Presence will allow AC to move in his intended direction. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Sun 02 Jan 2022.

The Chamberlain's two children recognize Ned, they run to him and cling to his legs, begging for protection. Four masked thugs armed with staves now stand amoung the group who had gathered at Hargrin's as the Chamberlain is dragged away, hidden from view by the smoke. The thugs blow their whistles as Ned and Alleycat move to intervene. Three winged kobalds land and draw thier scimitars. The horns are very close.

OOC With the dragon circling overhead, you must time your movements so that you do not approach it, reducing movement to half for the first minute. please make initiative rolls for those who wish to engage the thugs
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:08, Sun 02 Jan 2022.

In reply to Mike (msg # 12):

OOC:

As requested:

15:20, Today: Alleycat rolled 11 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 8.  Initiative vs. Thugs.

Antru stood frozen at the sight of the dragon. His mind clouded with fear. A dragon...what's going on? Dear gods help. Taking several deep breaths he focuses his self to what's around him, though he is still clearly shaken. Thugs? Are they the same ones? Move...MOVE....MOVE! With those though Antru finally is able to draw his scimitar, though his hand isn't as steady as he would like. "I I I think we have some audience members that didn't enjoy the show." His voice carried the note of fear he felt. The small joke seemed to help settle him slightly.


Lets get it on.
12:29, Today: Antru Mistseeker rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  initiative.

Catrina stop herself when she met with the problem, it was a dragon. Cat couldn't move at the sight of such a creature, for she was afraid and uncertain tht she can even handle a daunting challenge like this. Her hands tremble at even facing this beast head on, but Cat stops her hand from shaking, refusing to accept that she's afraid. That's when she heard two children begging, Cat turned and saw that they were now surrounded by masked strangers other than herself,"Hmph, so you wish to disrupt everyone's fun, huh. Well, I think it's high time for you strangers to leave, and I'll be the one to personally do it." she says with regaining confidence, and with a twirl of her staff, she enters to a battle stance.

05:56, Today: Catrina GreySky rolled 15 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.

Melody was scared stiff until she heard calls to get people get to the keep.  That galvanized her into action.  There was NO WAY she was going after the dragon.  But the thugs and the kobolds were fair game in her mind.

She set her sights on the kobolds and with a slide of her bow across the violin strings, she cast a spell at them; moving to thirty feet away from them if she had to.

OOC:
16:28, Today: Melody rolled 8 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

She casts Bane at the 3 kobolds; Chr save vs a 13; conc. up to 1 min. Whenever a target that fails this saving throw makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled from the attack roll or saving throw.

Sore saw the sight of the dragon and all pretences of her presence left. Gone was the strong demeanor, the cold walls. All that was present was a scared half elf woman. She stood on fear, eyes wide, her hand trembling as she stood there. A dragon? She thought to herself. ….really!

The attack of Hargrin brought her senses back, and the fear left her face, replaced with cold anger. These people were using this to their advantage. She heard Antru at her side, even vaguely heard the musical tones of a violin. She wanted to help, but didn’t know how.

Use the power…the power I’ve gifted you. Show them our wrath!

She heard the voice in her head, giving her focus, and she acted almost on instinct. She stepped forward, looking  at the men. “You leave him ALONE!” As she screamed the last word, her eyes changed from the dark green, to pools of onyx black. The pink crystal on her necklace glowed as she gained a slightly pink aura. The energy flowed from all over to her hand, outstretched, as an eldrich blast of magical energy, purplish pink in color, flew from her hand, striking one of the men taking Hargrin

---

<OOC: Sora rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  Iniative.

Action - casts eldrich blast at one of the men in front of Hargrin’s stall

Sora rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Attack - Eldrich blast .
Sora rolled 4 using 1d10.  Damage - eldrich blast.

Bonus action - None>

In reply to Sora (msg # 17):

The smoke clears enough for Sora to briefly see the two thugs dragging the Chamberlain eastward along the edge of the fairgrounds. Her purple blast of energy strikes one of the thugs in the chest. He staggers from the blow but continues with his task. The smoke intervenes again and the two thugs drag the man from view.

Antru was about to push Sora behind in as a means of protection when se let off a blast of energy. With that action it brought Antru's focus fully around. At least while the smoke covered him. As soon as it opened up and showed the dragon he'd freeze up slightly. [Language unknown: An ec ureoulere nele stst olseio stipa llma toove.] Antru says to Sora. What he said was more of a reflex due to the training he had at home. Not so much from experience. Stepping forward a bit Antru takes a swipe at one of the Kobold's near them.


Batter UP!
16:12, Today: Antru Mistseeker rolled 13 using 1d20+7.  Scimitar Attack.

And if that hits
16:13, Today: Antru Mistseeker rolled 8 using 1d6+5.  Scimitar Damage.

The clown in pink armor steps forward and cuts down the first winged kobald foolish enough to threaten him.

OOC 4 thugs, two winged kobalds in your immediate vicinity.

Ned's eyes flash with a hate filled rage as he shouts a challenge. "I KILL YOU NOW!"

The two remaining kobalds attack Ned simultaniously. One of them hits the swineherd and draws blood. Ned roars with rage.

He crushes the skull of the kobald who hit him with a downward swing of his staff. Howling in fury the swineherd whips the opposite end of his staff arround and sends the second kobald flying. It smashes into a smouldering wagon wheel and slumps to the ground unmoving.

The thugs start blowing their whistles with a sense of urgency. Four more make their way toward the group. Three kobalds arrive on foot.

For those still looking up, the dragon flies away.

Melody sees the kobalds fall and directs her spell at the thugs instead. Two of them wince and seem stricken.

There are now eight thugs and three regular kobalds within your view and closing on the resistence. Ned is bleeding from a wound on his left arm.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:02, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

The guards are still calling out "To the Keep!" They are forming a skirmish line trying to protect and direct people to the bridge into town and eventually, the keep.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:51, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

Hargrin roars dwarvish curses. Finally won the contest and these bastards have to ruin his damn day! The dwarf clutches his amulet of Chauntea and dips his fingers into a flask of holy water at his belt, flicking drops in the direction of Ned, Taria, and Alleycat as he asks his Lady's blessing upon they who seek to guard things growing well in their own way from those who would reap their harvest out of season and far too soon.

Then the priest swings into the action, grabbing up his quarterstaff as charges toward the nearest Kobold. "Run for the Keep!" He yells to the townsfolk, fairly well informed of local protocols for attacks. He points the proper direction with his staff before setting up his next attack.


20:42, Today: Hargrin Bitterbrew rolled 11 using 1d20-1.  Initiative.

Action: Bless on Taria, Ned, and Alleycat. You get a d4 to add to any attack or saving throw in the next minute.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:16, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

~~Whew! That's better!~~ Alleycat thought to himself as he glimpsed the Dragon turning and flying away. He felt a sense of relief, as if a shadow had been removed from his heart. It also allowed him to focus on the scene directly in front of him, instead of having to divide his attention between the ground and the sky.

He had seen a flash of colored magicks streak out from the blonde-haired woman who had given her name as Sora, and slam into one of the attackers. He also noted two ruffians who were moving quickly to close with her. ~~That won't do,~~ Mekkar thought to himself. ~~She is a magicker, and does not appear to be armored. Unless she has had a chance to erect a magical ward to protect herself, she will be quite vulnerable.~~

He moved to step between the two ruffians and Sora, drawing his two rapiers as he did so. He stabbed at the nearest man twice -- once with each of his blades.

---

OOC:

Move: Alleycat will move to step between the two attackers and Sora.

Object Interaction: Alleycat will draw his two rapiers as he moves forward.

Attack: 20:48, Today: Alleycat rolled 23 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 18.  Melee Attack vs. Thug. Hit!

20:49, Today: Alleycat rolled 4 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 1.  Damage (Primary Attack).

20:50, Today: Alleycat rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  Sneak Attack Damage (If Applicable).

Bonus Action: 20:48, Today: Alleycat rolled 11 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 6.  Bonus (Off-Hand) Attack vs. Thug.

23:57, Today: Alleycat rolled 3 using 1d4 with rolls of 3.  "Bless" Bonus To Off-Hand Attack.

Total Attack Roll for Off-Hand Attack: 14.

00:08, Today: Alleycat rolled 2 using 1d6.  Damage (Off-Hand Attack): If Applicable.

Comments: The ruffian whom Alleycat attacked will suffer either 4 or 8 points of Damage from his primary Attack, depending upon whether or not the rogue is entitled to Sneak Attack Damage (Mekkar does not have Advantage on his Attack, so there would need to be a foe of the target's within five feet).

After adding the +3 from Hargrin's "Bless" bonus to Alleycat's off-hand Attack, the total for the Attack is raised to 14. Unsure whether that will hit or not. I have rolled Damage for the Off-Hand Attack, in case it is applicable. :)

Alleycat's AC is 16, per the Dual Wielder feat.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:10, Mon 03 Jan 2022.

Catrina charges toward one of the Thugs. She spins her quarterstaff as she runs toward them, and then delivers a downward jab of which the thug easily dodged. But it was a feint, Cat actually planted her staff firmly to the ground and, using it as a pole to grab on, spun around her weapon. This unexpected move, prompted her to deliver a midair kick right on the Thug's face, knocking several of their teeth out,"Heh, want another go, or would you rather want to make a counterattack." she says as she hops out of her spinning, sticking the landing with her staff in hand.


Move: Toward nearest thug
Action: Quarterstaff Attack on thug
10:39, Today: Catrina GreySky rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Quarterstaff Att.
Probably missed

Bonus Action: Unarmed Strike
10:39, Today: Catrina GreySky rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  Unarmed Strike.
10:41, Today: Catrina GreySky rolled 7 using 1d4+3.  Dmg

While watching the dragon, she was awestruck and terrified. Her mind kept running through the dragon's roar. There had been lessons with her Master about the dragons. Some scholars believe that the first Mystra learned of the Weave from the dragons before her ascension to divinity. Others claim that they are Nexus points, conduits to the Weave or expressions. Other scholars believe they were simply some of the first arcane magic users. In any case, their words are expressions of power. She ran the roar through her mind several times, looking for any syllable, sound, or sign of meaning within it. It was entirely possible that it was merely an expression of power, an bestial warning for all around.

Then as chaos was erupting around, she take the time to make magical gestures and a few works of draconic words of power to gird herself with a thin layer of protective force.


10:28, Today: Taria rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
Cast Mage Armor

[OOC: So, here's where I am- I'm not 100% whether I got that Inspiration point from the group, but I do have two of my own to spend, so, I'm spending one to reroll my WIS roll. (My understanding is 'you get two rolls', but the one I blew counted as the first one)
13:59, Today: Bross Tallcut rolled 13 using 1d20.  Advantage Roll?

Now here's my Initiative roll, just in case we need one:
14:01, Today: Bross Tallcut rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.]

Bross' first concern is the people- they need to go to the Keep (and safety), and [as before] he's seen what can happen in a panicky rush- people too small or weak to stay with the group fall or trip, and (since there's a crush people pushing behind them), the others can't stop. So you get tramplings. And on top of that, there's a dragon. (His mind went back to what Father had said about dragons- it amounted to "They're bad news, stay away from them.")

His actions were clear: He bellows (Genuinely bellows) "GREENEST! TO THE KEEP!", and sheepdogs as many people are in front of him along into the guards' skirmish/help line (being sure to lift up anyone knocked down in the rush as he goes- first priority to help the weakest).

Once he reaches the line, he plans to turn and draw his Greataxe, holding to take on any hostiles following him (essentially 'taking point' on the skirmishing line)


14:20, Today: Bross Tallcut rolled 17 using 1d12+5. Axe Swing dmg (Just in case)

14:20, Today: Bross Tallcut rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  Axe attack roll (just in case).
This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Mon 03 Jan 2022.