Celeste sat down, her eyes always moving with the people coming in. As the robed men came in, the half orc groaned. "Ahh...damnit." she whispered to herself. She stood as others did, reaching for a dagger at her hip. "HEY.....Assholes Ye think it will be that easy, you got another thing coming."

 She grimaced, but stood there, dagger in hand. "SAR....Back here!" she called. She stepped up beside Jarsail, glaring at the enemy

---

<OOC: Celeste rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  Iniative.

....when the time comes>

While usually pretty quick on the uptake, Elinor took a long while to even notice that something was going on, much less that it was actually dangerous and quite personal.

So of course... She froze, eyes wide and her sword forgotten.

Sure, she knew how to fight, she even had quite a few techniques entirely dedicated to that very activity, but she had never needed to, or at least never with her life on the line, and it showed.

---

00:49, Today: Elinor Moonshard rolled 7 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

The various armed travelers break into groups of three, three, and four. The group of four rush Gorstag, while the remaining two groups begin to strike at inn patrons seemingly at random, though they appear to be looking before striking each one. The five robed figures glare around the room, though the middle one moves slightly as the arrow imbeds itself into the door. Hissing, it raises a blue scaled, clawed hand to grip the arrow, and throws it back at Sariel, blue lightning crackling along its shaft as it hits the Elven archer.

"Your authority is not recognized by our higher power, worm!" It replies to Armat's statement. The other four robed figures each point at various points in the room, causing flames to sprout and begin to burn the building.

Gorstag swings his battleaxe at one of the approaching cultists, cutting deep into the man's torso, while swinging the axe around and sinking it into the skull of another. "Get out of here while ye can! Save me daughter!" He roared in defiance at the figures. One of the travelers sinks a short sword into the side of Gorstag while the others fail to hit him.

Around the room, the other travelers bash and slash their way through patrons, making their way towards the back of the building searching each potential victim's face before ending their life.

In the distance, you can just barely hear shouts of panic and the blare of horns along the city's newly built walls.

"OOC: 8 Damage to Sariel (piercing).

New Round.

Initiative Order-
Celeste 20
Sariel 14
Robed Figures and Travelers and Gorstag 14
Armat 12
Elinor 7
Jarsali 6
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:50, Sat 09 July 2022.

Celeste grimaces as she see's both Gorstag, a man who had fed her when no one else did, and Sariel, her friend. Her amber eyes flair for a moment, then seemed to split into two irises in each eye. Runes flaired on her cheeks in a purple arcane tracing, and four linen bandages seemed to unfurl and waved behind her, like a cloak billowing in the wind.

She spoke with her own voice, but it almost sounded like it had an echo to it, like someone was repeating it as she spoke, but a deeper, older voice. "You think you can stop US so easily....you think us worms? Your nothing but dust!"

Her hand shot out as a dagger flew from her hand, hitting the one who spoke.

---

<OOC: Action - Attack using dagger

Celeste rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Attack - Dagger

Celeste rolled 6 using 1d4+3.  damage - Dagger.
Celeste rolled 1 using 1d6.  sneak attack .

Bonus Action - Activate form of dread

Celeste rolled 2 using 1d10.  temp hit points.

Gain 3 temp HP

Attacked person needs to make a DC 12 wis. If failed, they are frightened until the end of next round. Immune to frightened.>

Sariel sees the scales of his blue hand. The flitter and crackle of lightning as her arrow is return, flung back with considerable force for lack of a bow. Added to the fire bursting at the command of their commander's tight escort. She knew to exhale just as it struck. Take the hit but lessen the blow. Her gaze narrowed.

Yes, Sariel knew this tune and her keen ears heard the distant change of tempo. Her eyes swept once across the inn's tavern in a blink to track everything in motion. Count the threats, mark the exits, number your assets. Her gifts had dulled but they came back to her swiftly. A heartbeat was all needed to know how this must play out. How she loathed having such decisions thrust upon her again.

It was not her wish to lead, but the only other likely to take charge was the guardsmen. Were all things right and fair, she would stand by and let him. This was not a symphony played to his experience as she knew it. The necessary decisions also cast against his character. That left her. So some shadow of the Phantom Arrow must fly.

A deep breath and Sariel pushed her wound out of mind. As if it were nothing she took the arrow lodged in her breast and snaps it clean mid-shaft, leaving the head and two inches in to be dealt with later and discarding the rest without blinking. The melody afforded her no time for pain or proper removal, so it was tended just enough it would not be in the way.

"Patrons, fall back behind the bar. Flee and exit the rear. We shall cover you as best we can," she called out.

This was not the voice of the kind and playfully wise Sariel some present had come to know. Her tone was sharp and commanding. It brooked no question. Sariel spoke and was to be obeyed. There was a hardness none present had ever heard either. In an instant it became clear, this was not new to her. Sariel knew violence and death.

Another arrow nocked and fired, this time accuracy considered although still fired in haste with her mind racing through so many variables. She knows their kind and intimidation rarely dissuades. The fever tempo raised from afar further made the threat of her bow pointless. With luck dropping or at least wounding further their commander would lessen their advantage.

"Guardsmen, aid is not coming. Jarsali, join the guarsman and form a wall the patrons may retreat behind. Elinor, take up to guard their flank and I shall guard the other. Celeste, behind the bar and let that steel continue to fly," further commands without hesitation.

The inn was lost. Many of the patrons would be lost with it. They might save a small number if everyone heeded her orders, though. Retreat was their only option. Retreat and leaving those they cannot save. Though one they might, her eyes swiftly scan again for Gorstag's daughter. She knows the girl. Had seen her on multiple occasions. From Gorstag's reactions it struck her the girl might have some significance in this. She also slung her bow across her back. Her instinct was to roll herself across and behind the bar to continue to fire from a position of cover. The quarters were too close and the enemies too numerous though. They would need another capable blade to guard the flank.

OOC: attack action to attack the leader, bonus action to use second wind, move action to stow her bow properly on her person.
02:52, Today: Sariel Iilphelkiir rolled 10 using 1d10+1.  second wind.
03:07, Today: Sariel Iilphelkiir rolled 16 using 1d20+8.  attack vs leader.
03:08, Today: Sariel Iilphelkiir rolled 7 using 1d8+4.  damage.
03:08, Today: Sariel Iilphelkiir rolled 6 using 1d6.  sneak attack.

The leader's hood falls back as Celeste's dagger strikes it in the shoulder. The blue dragonborn recoils in horror by the presence revealed by Celeste, gesturing towards his companions. "Kill it! Burn the inn down but kill it! It can ruin the Masters' plans!" It hissed, pointing at the half-orc possessed. As it shivers from the attack, Sariel's second arrow hits the same spot as the dagger, burying itself into the shoulder. It howls in pain, narrowing its gaze upon the two beings who had struck it.

Taking a deep breath, the blue dragonborn unleashes a line of lightning across the bar, striking patrons, travelers, and Sariel and Celeste. Four patrons and one traveler get scorched by the line, badly, while one traveler narrowly avoids the brunt of the blast.

The four robed figures turn their attention on Celeste, one launches a sickly green ray of energy at her, but it misses, hitting a wall behind her. Another launches a knife made of ice, which just misses the possessed thief, though it shatters around her. The third launches three motes of energy at the group, each one striking a different member. The final one pulls out a burnt twig and points it at the possessed half orc, an arc of lightning strikes Celeste, connecting the two in an arcane battle.

The two groups of travelers continue to kill patrons as they make their way towards the group, the majority of patrons have either fled or fallen from the weapons of the travelers. Gorstag continues to swing his axe against his own foes, cutting two in half, leaving one left upon him. He looks pissed and is considering the figures on the other side of the room. "I can handle the bastards here, but I can't be in two places at once! Protect Shan and get your arses out of here!" He shouts, roaring as he moves towards the robed figures to engage them.

OOC: Celeste and Sariel, Dexterity save dc 14 for 6 lightning damage, half on a successful save. Celeste and Elinor, Dexterity save dc 12 for 9 cold damage, half on a successful save. Celeste 4 points of force damage, Jarsali 5 points of force damage, Elinor 4 points of force damage. Celeste, 9 points of lightning damage, and you are connected to the lightning caster unless you can break contact between the two of you.

In seconds the inn had turned to pandemonium. Patrons fell left and right. The guard was alarmed, but by all accounts it would seem it would be too late. But Armat pressed such thoughts from his mind. The people needed him. He was a Watcher of Helm. He would be the last to leave this room in order to protect all others. Gorstag wanted him to leave to save his daughter. But he could not. People here needed him too. To abandon them would be a betrayal for all he stood for. He rushed forward, interposing himself between Celeste and the group of magi, catching the lightning arc on his shield even if it meant he had to bear the brunt of the assault, and in passing placed his hand on her to give the cold healing hand of Helm to her so her watch might continue. It passed through her like iron, taking away the searing pain. Then his warhammer was in his hand, and he struck at their attackers, plowing forward to take away the attention from the fleeing patrons.

"I AM THE SHIELD AGAINST THE DARKNESS! HELM! GRANT ME STRENGTH!"

---

Armat is unable to retreat due to his Bond: "I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves."

Bonus: Healing Word on Celeste heals 7 hp.
Move: forward to melee range, placing himself as much as possible between the attackers and the patrons.
Standard: Attack. To hit: 13, Damage: 13.

16:02, Today: Armat Aelendil rolled 7 using 1d4+3.  Healing Word
16:03, Today: Armat Aelendil rolled 12 using 1d20+6.  Attack (Warhammer).
16:03, Today: Armat Aelendil rolled 13 using 1d8+6.  Damage.
16:06, Today: Armat Aelendil rolled 1 using 1d4.  To hit Bless bonus.

Spell slots remaining:
1st: 1/2

16:02, Today: Armat Aelendil rolled 7 using 1d4+3.  Healing Word.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:07, Tue 12 July 2022.

As she saw attacks fly in all directions, and even more so in her general direction, Elinor yelped and threw a shield up...then closed her eyes for a second, her head in her shoulders. She yelped once more when the cold from the shattered dagger still managed to impact her despite managing to avoid most of it. More by pure chance than because she had managed to really get out of the way, but, well...

After a brief pause, the young elf glanced at Sariel, then at Gorstag, and decided she was going to follow his instructions. Granted, 'follow' might be insinuating she was thinking more than reacting whereas at that point, she was probably latching on the first thing that might allow her to get out of the way. Which she very gladly did. Not that she would run away afterwards, she fully intended to go find Shan, but she had no intention of staying around when it was obvious she was way out of her depths.

Not losing time, she scrambled to her feet while keeping low - thankfully, she really wasn't tall - and rushed towards the exit. On the way, she tightly gripped her sword in one hand and an orb in the other and mumbled a few words. As she did the frost that had still been clinging to her seemed to detach from her skin and spread all around her.

---

18:37, Today: Elinor Moonshard rolled 12 using 1d20+1d4+3.  Reflex Save.
Uh... Well, without the Bless that would have been failed, thanks Jarsali...
So with that and the Shield, that's 4 HP lost.

The spell cast is Armor of Agathys for +5 temp HP.

Elinor's shield winks into existence for the briefest of moments, absorbing the magic missiles before shatter into arcane energy around the group as more spells pound into it. The ice dagger's explosion gets partially reflected back upon its point of origin, and the lightning from the robed figures burnt twig barely passes through to connect to Celeste.

Elinor invokes her blade magic to create a barrier around her form, of the thinnest of ice.

The guardsman Armat steps forward, breaking the connection between robed caster and Celeste, the divine energy of Helm flowing from his voice as it heals Celeste in her time of need, keeping her from falling from the damage. He swings with his mighty warhammer, smashing the head in of the nearest traveler to the group, felling the fool who thought to challenge the Law!

OOC: No Magic Missile Damage for that round, so no damage. Ice Shard Damage is Halved (5 on failed, 2 on successful save)  as is Witch Bolt's damage (4). Celeste is now at 3 HPs after damages and saves and current healing.

As the situation rapidly escalates Jarsali takes in what she can of the mayhem and what resonates most is Gorstag's pleas to get out with his daughter.

Elinor had cleared most of the danger so that was one fewer person to worry about...

"Armat, it is time to fall back, a dead man protects no one!" she calls out to the Helmite whilst reaching out with her mind to yank him back and out of reach of his foe's weapons.

With a nod to Celeste beside her she ducks and weaves through the fray, following after Elinor towards the door in a fighting retreat.

---

OOC: Bonus Action to Telekenetic Shove Armat (pulls 5 feet towards me on a failed DC14 STR save, you can choose to fail this save or add the 1d4 Bless bonus if you want to fight it). The idea is to pull him out of range of opportunity attacks so we can retreat.
Action to Disengage if she is threatened with Opportunity Attacks otherwise Dodge
Move up to 30 feet (15 due to difficult terrain) towards the exit, keeping herself physically between the enemy and Elinor
Jarsali is still concentrating on Bless and has 1 spell slot left.

Celeste felt the hits solidly, and was burnt and bleeding from various wounds. The half orc stumbled as she was injured and watched the guard intervene between herself and the Dragonborn. She frowned, but in her mind, she was thankful for the help. Gorsarg fought well, and as much as she liked him, in her condition, she couldn’t take another hit.

Seeing the other two woman make for the exit, she nodded, and stumbled towards the exit herself, sparing a glare at the Dragonborn. “We’re not finished yet lizard.” She muttered as she stood at the door. “ARMAT….MOVE IT!” She yelled

Magic continued to fly about the place. Lightning lanced out and caught her square on. She felt the searing tingle run down her frame as Sariel gritted teeth but cast her eyes as the battle unfolded. They needed coordination to extract themselves from the fire and not all assets were working to the melody.

Elinor had taken a brunt of the magics cast. Diverted her focus towards the exit while doing what she could to defend. Sariel couldn't fault her for that, though the open flank might cost seconds for some poor patron. It had been much to ask of the girl and kind words would follow should they find time, but for now the symphony was playing and crescendo rising.

Jarsali, reliable Jarsali, had the right of things. Do what you could. Guard others as they fled. Also withdrew to make an escape. There was one asset Sariel could rely on without question or thought. No wall could be formed but the intent of her order was heeded in the heat of things. She was sharp for battle and didn't need direction to see the way this symphony flowed.

Celeste took a lion's share of attention as well. Without the intervention of others it might have been rather ugly. There was no fault to lay in her seeking the exit more swiftly. She could do no one any good as a target bleeding out on the floor if they continued to focus her so.

That left the guardsman. Sariel understood his quandary. He had oaths not only as a guardsman but to his faith. There was noble sacrifice and there was damn foolishness, though. Too many of his type threw their lives short for failure to see the difference.

"Armat! You save no one dead! The inn is lost and the whole blasted city is under siege! WITHDRAW! This is not the fight to give your life for!" Sariel called sharply to the man, pleading him listen.

For herself, Sariel drew steel and shield. She moved to guard the retreat of those still able to flee that rear exit. Her curved blade struck out swift but wild as she tried to ward away the robed travelers so that perhaps at least one or two more innocents may yet escape. She was close enough she could make the exit herself in a rush the moment Celeste and the others were through.

OOC: attack nearest robed traveler
19:03, Today: Sariel Iilphelkiir rolled 13 using 1d20+6.  attack vs nearest enemy.
19:04, Today: Sariel Iilphelkiir rolled 6 using 1d6+4.  damage.
19:04, Today: Sariel Iilphelkiir rolled 1 using 1d6.  sneak attack.

Celeste flees to the doorway to the kitchen, promising revenge upon the dragonborn.

Sariel flicks her blade, cutting down the traveler who was burned by lightning as she makes her way to the doorway as well.

Elinor as well as Jarsali made their way to the exit, moving as swiftly as they could to avoid their closest foes.

Gorstag engages the robed figures, swinging his battleaxe to cut down the casters. With two swings he brings down the closest robed figure. The robed figures ignore their previous order, turning their spells upon the warrior before them. Prismatic orbs strike the warrior, burning, chilling, and shocking the old warrior, weakening him greatly. The leader shakes off the supernatural fear, and reaches forward, grabbing Gorstag by the throat. "We will have use for you, old man, one way or another." It hissed, its hand glowing a sickly green. Gorstag's eyes widens as his face goes slack, his battleaxe dropping to the ground. "Finish off the scum and let the inn burn to the ground, we will have the girl for the Masters!" It laughed slightly, exiting the main door and dragging Gorstag by the throat with the three robed figures.

The fire begins to really rage within the inn, the two groups of travelers begin to move forward to search the back through the group if they have to. Surrounding the cleric of helm, two of them strike the priest, cutting with shortsword and smashing with a club.

OOC: 11 points of damage, mixture of slashing and bludgeoning. The fires are spreading through the inn, and if the group does not leave soon, you may soon begin to suffer fire damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:43, Fri 15 July 2022.

As soon as she got out, Elinor sent Pixie to find Shandril, Gorstag's daughter while she protected herself a bit more thoroughly by casting yet another spell.

While she hadn't fled the inn even a moment too soon, she didn't intend to keep running forever. She was in fact feeling a bit...maybe not quite ashamed, but... it certainly didn't leave a good taste in her mouth, even though she didn't exactly know hat was happening inside or that if she paused to think about it for a minute, she would agree there was nothing she could have done.

None of that however changed how she felt...or how she intended to at least do something.

---

Elinor casts Mage Armour on herself and sends her familiar to go look for Snadril.

"Gorstag!" Armat bellowed as he got pummeled from all sides. His indignation at being unable to stop the attackers from escaping infuriated him and gave him strength to carry on. But he kept a cool head. Helm guided him. He knew he had done what he could, the patrons who could escape had done so and the flames rapidly spreading. Thus he raised his shield and swung hard as he began his fighting retreat.

---

Armat uses second wind, attacks one of his attackers and begins his retreat.

Bonus: Second Wind heals for 10 hp. Current hp: 11/12
Standard: Attack. To hit: 24, damage 11.
Move: Slowly backwards, not provoking.

23:45, Today: Armat Aelendil rolled 10 using 1d10+1.  Second Wind.
23:48, Today: Armat Aelendil rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Attack (Warhammer).
23:49, Today: Armat Aelendil rolled 11 using 1d8+6.  Damage.

Celeste, sorely wounded stumbled out of the inn beside Elinor, an unusual look on her face. In her anger she let the power control her and though it’s power felt good, it scared her too. She looked at Elinor. “We gotta find that girl and get her to safety.”

Seeing that Armat is now making his own fighting retreat, Jarsali once again reaches out with her telekinetic power to pull him back towards her and out of reach of some of the short blades and clubs that are swung at him.

She finally brings up her shield and retreats into position beside Sariel to cover the final escape from the room.
"Sariel, I need to keep eyes on the Guardsman to heal him if he falls. Go after the others, we will be right behind you."

OOC: Bonus Action to Telekinetic Shove Armat and pull him 5 ft towards me, this does not provoke OAs and Armat can choose to fail the save WIS DC 14 or still has the +1d4 to saves from Bless if not. The aim is to help him retreat without being cut down.
Action: Equip shield, AC is now 17
Move up to 30 ft (15ft difficult terrain) to end up beside Sariel guarding the door with the intent to go through after Armat reaches it.
Still concentrating on Bless
HP is still at 12/12 and Jarsali has 1 spell slot remaining
This message was last edited by the player at 22:46, Sun 17 July 2022.

The man seemed to listen this time, beginning to pull himself from the skirmish. Not as swiftly as she might like but they were all in retreat now. Two out with anyone who was able to manage, one fighting their way free with one more holding the door for them. She hesitated for but a heartbeat. If it had been anyone else she might have thought to hold a moment longer herself. But...

"Do not make me come back for you, Jarsali," she gave the woman a knowing nod.

She would trust her friend to guard the rear, but she wouldn't leave her to her fate if the pair of them didn't come along behind them quickly. For that instant though, she slipped past and beyond to join Elinor and Celeste. Her mind still raced, covering all that had and was still transpiring. So much at play and only a sliver within their view. What was so important about Gorstag and his daughter.

"They're right behind us or I'll go back for them. Have you any sign of Shan?" she asked Elinor and Celeste.

As you enter the kitchen, you notice the back door wide open, and no one within.

Elinor casts a protective ward around herself, then mentally sends Pixie to search for the missing girl. The white owl with stary eyes flies out the door, searching.

Armat bashes in another traveler's head, felling the man. Taking a deep breath and focusing himself, Armat withdraws from the room into the kitchen warding against foes who would surely follow as the fires grew stronger.

Jarsali covers Armat with her whip, tugging at Armat with her mind to pull him into the kitchen, but not before readying her shield should it come to melee.

Sariel removes herself from the fray, seeking information about Shandril.

The five foot doorway is soon blocked by the mass of travelers, trying to push their way through to remove you and continue their mission. The fires are building up behind them, smoke beginning to pour through into the kitchen.

In the distance, you can hear more horns of the city watch go up, loud explosions, cries of pain and screams of terror fill the night.

“I'm looking.” Answered Elinor to Sariel... Though she very obviously wasn't doing any such things. She was in fact turned towards the door leading to the main room.

After a brief hesitation - and a glance at the exit door - she pointed her sword towards the group of assaillants and uttered a harsh Draconic word accompanied by a small gesture from her left hand.

Following that, a beam of purplish energy lanced from the tip of her sword towards the attackers at the door. Then, not waiting - much - to see the result, she went out the back door, figuring it was going to be everyone's goal anyway.

---

So Elinor casts Eldritch Blast, and her move action is to exit the inn.
0:04, Today: Elinor Moonshard rolled 20,6 using 1d20+5,1d10.  Eldritch Blast (attack, damage).

I'll come up with a proper status next time, but for now she's at 16AC with 6+5 HP.

Seeing the room empty, Jarsali takes a quick look about for something appropriate to jam the door closed with, "Someone get the door closed for me to buy us some time, I will help you."

If she could close off the door even for 10 seconds that would be enough to cover their retreat into the night and perhaps weaken or discourage their foes as the flames lick at their heels and the smoke chokes their lungs.

OOC: Jarsali will look for anything appropriate to jam the door closed for a round or two to cover their escape and use the Help action for anyone closing the door. If there are no suitable objects around she will use and leave behind a piece of her equipment such as her some of her rope, her crowbar, her manacles etc depending on how the door might be secured.

The Watcher stood in the door, swinging his hammer while warding off attacks, using the bottleneck to his advantage so his attackers could not get to him. He could hear the panic outside. An attack? That changed his priorities.

"We can take these! Don't let them loose into the town to kill more people!"

---

Attack: 10, damage 14.

10:53, Today: Armat Aelendil rolled 8 using 1d20+6.  Attack (Warhammer).
10:55, Today: Armat Aelendil rolled 2 using 1d4.  To hit Bless bonus.
10:54, Today: Armat Aelendil rolled 14 using 1d8+6.  Damage.

Elinor's beam of purple energy strikes the traveler in the doorway, blasting him into his comrades, but not bringing the man down.

As Jarsali look for some way to jam the doorway, she notices there is no door, being an impediment for the servers, it looks like it was removed years prior.

Armat becomes a living door, a pile of armor and muscle to defend the others against a rush of enemies. He swings his warhammer to keep the travelers back, barely missing connecting with the one in the doorway.

The travelers begin pushing the one in the front, causing him to rush forward to push Armat out of the way.

OOC: Opposed Athletics check, DC 18 or you get pushed out of the doorway.

Elinor grumbled under her breath.

With no one having followed, Elinor peaks through the door to see what the hold-up was. After a brief hesitation, she decided to send another one of her purplish beams: it might not be enough to take down one of the aggressors - how could they be that tough!? - but maybe it would slow them down a bit.

After that, she focused outside to see what was happening...and make sure no one was about to attack from that side too.

---

23:52, Today: Elinor Moonshard rolled 27,5 using 1d20+1d4+5,1d10.  Eldritch Blast (attack, damage).

Celeste, outside looked around the crowd for the innkeepers daughter, her orcish features a look of work. “C’mon Damnit…where are ya” She muttered to herself as she scanned the crowd.

---

<OOC:  Celeste rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Investigation check. >