5th Day of Tarsakh in the Year of the Sudden Journey Leaving the perils of the Stonemarch behind them, the group head east and north to meet up with
Altair's Talons at the northern range of the Cairngorm mountains. A lone peak with a
shattered outcrop awaits them for the meeting point; before they attempt to cross the mountains
through the orc-guarded pass and finally reach the Nentir Vale. Finding a magic circle within the foothills they start a chain of events with the music of the wind
that ends in a blast of lightning and thunder. Reeling from the shock they recover to see an insurgence
of goblinkind that ends in a battle that they just about win. From the blast is born a female dwarf and
the group take her under their wing before travelling north in the mountainous foothills to find the
meeting place with the Talons. There they find the Talons under siege and combat the orcs that harass them, but not before one of the
ogres in the foes' group collapses the cave entrance that many of the Talons may be sheltering
in. After defeating the orcs and ogres and rescuing the Talons from the cave, the group march onwards,
finding the gatehouse to the mountain pass. They now execute their plotted siege.
This scene started on Sunday 10th October 2021 and was completed by the end of Friday 10th December 2021.
Combat Initiative Block
I
Khalin – Combat Leader: When rolling initiative, you, plus any allies within 50ft of you
that can both hear and see you, gain a +2 bonus to the initiative roll.
Rhasgar – Aura of Protection: While Rhasgar is conscious, he grants all friendly creatures
(including himself) within 10ft a +4 bonus to all saving throws.
Illumination: Darkness (moonlight); with torches providing illumination (bright and dim light) as
depicted upon the map. Buildings will block lighting.
River: For those not at least half-proficient in Athletics, the river is Difficult Terrain.
Buildings: Those closest the river are single-storey (10ft high). The ones nearest the gatehouse
entrance are two-storey (20ft high).
Scaffolding: Scaffolds between buildings are made of wood and rope and are considered Difficult
Terrain for those not at least half-proficient in Acrobatics.
For a moment there was stillness across the whole area. It was dark. Peaceful. Whether the orcs were bored
of the same thing day and night was hard to tell.
Also hard to tell was the movement from the northern side of the bridge.
[Tradden: Dash: N, NE, E, E, SE, SE]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+3: 8] – failure!
A figure slipped out of the undergrowth, around the nearest, abandoned building and slid into the water.
It was not the silent entry that Tradden wanted. His footing was unsure, and almost immediately it became
clear the water was a bit deeper than he expected. Rather than being knee high it was more like waist high
and the torrent was difficult to wade against without getting pushed downstream and towards the waterfall.
[Tradden: Athletics Check: 1d20+7: 26] – success!
Well, there was no going back now. Slowly and carefully he waded across the water, trying to keep low and
quiet.
[Tradden: Move: SE, SE, E, E, E, E]
If any of the orcs had seen, or indeed heard him against the rush of water, it was not apparent.
Stopping for a moment he twisted back and gestured with his head for Zero to follow him. He then brought
one hand up to where the water was, making a discrete gesture that hopefully Khalin or Kireth might
understand — that the water came up to here on him. For a moment his blood ran cold at
the thought of Rangrim doing exactly the same as him. Hey, maybe the water was indeed shallower the other
side of the bridge?
Oblivious to Tradden's hand signals behind the outbuilding, Rangrim nodded at Sorrow and took the lead
on the southern fork of Tradden's plan. He quickly moved out, around the side of the building and
headed for the river.
[Rangrim: Dash: S, SE, E, E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+9: 21] – success!
With silence he scampered over the rock to the edge of the water.
[Rangrim: Cunning Action]
[Dash: E, E, NE, E, E]
There he paused for a split second, judging the depth of the water before slipping in as quiet as he could
and making his way across.
[Rangrim: Move: E, E, NE, NE, E]
The water was not quite as deep as it was beyond the bridge, just coming up to the dwarf's crotch,
causing a scowl to cross his face as the icy cold gripped him for a moment. He continued to wade with ease.
Near the middle of the river, however, the current grew stronger and Rangrim had to brace himself against
the force of the water.
Taking heart in seeing two of his companions make it half way across the inky river without being swept away,
Zero rolled up his trouser legs and took off his boots. After stashing them in his pack, he picked his way
around the dilapidated building, cursing at every sharp stone that jabbed his soles.
[Zero: Dash: S, S, S, SE, E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+9: 14] – success!
He kept moving, past the slumbering orc, and to the edge of the water. It reminded him of the holidays his
parents used to take him on to northern coast of The Islands. That beach was mostly pebbles too. They loved
it, but then they spent most of their time in the inn's bar. All he remembered was grey skies, the
smell of seaweed and being stuck inside with his nanny as the rain drummed on the roof. Gods forbid they
should have taken him someplace warm.
[Zero: Cunning Action]
[Zero can take a Bonus Action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action]
[Dash: E, E, E, E, E²]
He reached the water's edge, braced himself and dipped a toe in.
‘Ohhhhhhh, that is not pleasant,’ he whispered to himself.
Grimacing and resolving to get Tradden back for this, he wilfully waded in.
The current was surprisingly powerful, pushing against him, and he couldn't brace himself. To his
horror he felt himself slipping and he was pushed purther and further downstream and towards the waterfall.
[River Current]
[Zero is Pushed N, N]
Fortunately, a large rock presented itself to give him something to cling onto, and then he finally managed
to make it to his friend who sheltered behind a rock, observing the silent, cubic guard tower atop the bank
ahead like a hawk.
[Zero: Move: E², E², E²]
‘I can't feel anything below the knees,’ he informed Tradden, as he came up alongside the
young fighter. ‘And it's a long way down there,’ he meekly followed, looking at the twenty
or thirty foot drop near his feet. ‘Are you sure this was a good idea?’
Brünhilde looked at the space before her, the bridge and the courtyard beyond. A lot of open space. She did
not like the idea of waiting till the scouts made contact and then having to run all that way to get into
the fight. She pondered animals for a second, and then the correct form came to her. She smiled and dashed
forward, angling slightly to the north towards the building.
[Brünhilde: Move: NE, NE, NE, NE, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+1: 14] – success!
As she got to the wall, her form started to shrink again.
[Brünhilde: Wild Shape]
[Brünhilde takes the form of a Wild Cat]
Soon a small wild-cat stood where a dwarf had a moment before. Small, nimble, and able to stick to the
shadows, she would ensure Tradden and Zero had support when they needed it.
The lumbering form of the goliath followed Brünhilde swiftly, aiming for the bridge. His strides were
longer than the dwarf and he was quickly onto the beginning of the bridge, rounding the sleeping orc with
care.
[Aukan: Move: E, E, E, E, E, E, E, NE]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+0: 19] – success!
Quiet for his size, he padded across the bridge slowly, pausing at the crack in the surface and peering
down at the water below, before silently leaping across.
[Aukan: Dash: E, E, E, E, E, E, E]
[Athletics Check: 1d20+7: 21] – success!
He only moved a step or two further forwards before crouching down and awaiting Tradden's signal.
At the western end of the bridge, the two orcs were motionless except for the slow rise and fall of their
chests and a brief, yet thankfully quiet snort every now and then.
Khalin surveyed the theatre of battle, still quiet before the melee would begin. As he regarded Brünhilde
and Aukan's stealthy approach across the bridge he hoped he could maintain the relative silence.
Strategy, tactics, speeches, crafting a fine hammer, he could all do, and rather well if he did think so
himself. Stealthily creeping up to the enemy… well that was not so much his forte. He quickly
checked the strappings on his armour were tight, to minimise any clatter, then padded out after Aukan as
carefully as he could
[Khalin: Move: E, E, E, E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+1: 14] – success!
As the marshal headed out onto the bridge he glanced down to his left, making out the huddled shapes of
Tradden and Zero, waiting rather precariously by a rock in the stream.
[Khalin: Dash: E, SE, NE, E, E]
He quietly readied his craghammer, and took a moment to whisper a silent prayer to Moradin as he waited for
the others to complete the pincer movement and spring the trap.
Following Rangrim, Sorrow lithely skirted the building, keeping to the shadows with her back to the walls
of the ramshackle hut.
[Sorrow: Dash: SE, E, E, E, E, NE]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+3: 15] – success!
From there, convinced she was being as quiet as a mouse, she headed for the water's edge.
[Sorrow: Move: NE, E, E, E, E, NE]
Dipping into it quickly she let out a gasping breath as the cold took hold before wading across, trying to
keep up with the dwarf in front of her that seemed to be able to cover more ground than his squat figure
would suggest.
[Sorrow: Athletics Check: 1d20+1: 13] – success!
The water tugged and pushed and grabbed at her legs, but she managed to keep her footing.
Rhasgar strode forwards purposefully, past Kireth and to the start of the bridge,
[Rhasgar: Move: NE, E, E, E, E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+0: 8] – failure!
His armour made noise as he covered the ground, the plates clanking together softly, and he hoped that the
orcs in the courtyard were as oblivious to the noise as the orc on the floor fast asleep near his feet.
He slowed his pace a little and headed onto the bridge, carefully striding across the gaps in the paving.
[Rhasgar: Dash: E, E, E, E, E, E]
[Athletics Check: 1d20+4: 13] – success!
He came to a stop just before the larger hole, readying himself for the short leap.
Kireth walked forwards quickly, his pace picking up as he neared the bridge.
[Kireth: Move: E, E, E, E, E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+3: 16] – success!
He looked down at one of the orcs as he passed, wondering why no-one had put them out of their misery. He
contemplated the action for a moment, but it was beneath him. One of the others could do it. If they
remembered. With a sniff, he walked on, onto the bridge.
[Kireth: Dash: NE, E, NE, E, E]
[Athletics Check: 1d20+0: 12] – success!
With a graceful leap he cleared the gap and nestled himself behind Aukan. Just in case those archers
decided they might like to take aim and fire.
Tradden glanced around. The problem here was that it was just as hard for him to see in the dark as,
hopefully, it would be for the orcs. There had been a little noise from the direction of the bridge but
with luck the orcs in the courtyard had not heard, or wouldn't think it was anything of note.
The fighter looked at Zero and nodded his head towards the nearby building, suggesting that the rogue should
follow and let go of the rock.
[Tradden: Athletics Check: 1d20+7: 23] – success!
Steadying himself against the current he pushed on, carefully making his way through the rest of the water
and trying his best to stay undetected.
[Tradden: Move: NE, E, E, E, E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+3: 20] – critical success!
Watching from behind Zero could not help but be impressed by the way Tradden ghosted into the semi-light
and like a shadow of a shadow took a position under the walkway. Had he not known he was there, Zero
wouldn't have seen him.
[Tradden: Dash: E]
‘Meh…’ came the mutter from under his cloak, as Zero started to move forwards also.
Zero hated the cold of the water and the realisation that it might take hours to get warm. At least his
boots would be dry. As Tradden moved forwards he gave a sigh and then took his hand away from the rock to
his right and ploughed on.
[Zero: Strength Check: 1d20+1: 3] – failure!
As he let go of the rock he knew it was a mistake straight away. Tradden's legs were spindly, the
thought ran through his mind, long and lanky and the water must just sweep on by. Zero's legs were
hardy and powerful, toned to a widow's delight through all this damn marching. They were a jealous
target for the incessant waters. He tensed his limbs, trying to refute the water's hold.
[River Current]
[Zero is Pushed N, N]
[Zero falls 10ft and takes 1d10: 5 damage and is Prone]
His legs, perhaps not quite as toned or powerful as he pictured, gave way beneath him and he slipped into
the current in an instant. Swiftly it bore him over the edge and he gasped as his life flashed before him.
The fall was quick, fortunately, as he splashed into a pool just beneath the edge, with the waterfall
cascading upon him in a torrent. Gulping for air he rolled and paddle to the side and found himself
looking down the full height of the cliff with a sense of vertigo.
[Zero: Move: Stand]
Fortunately the pool wasn't too deep and he managed to stand, trying to get his bearings in the dark.
He could see the side of the waterfall above him and where he could get back up and tried to move across
to see if it was climbable.
[Zero: Strength Check: 1d20+1: 18] – success!
This time he managed to get a good footing in the pool and with a sidelong glance at the drop to his left,
he headed for the wall.
[Zero: Move: E²]
The fall had taken the wind out of him and getting up and out of the water had sapped his strength, moving
was slow and painful. He gritted his teeth and carried on.
[Zero: Cunning Action]
[Zero can take a Bonus Action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action]
[Dash: E², E², E²]
He was close to the edge of the pool now, and the ten feet of cliff to the top looked like twenty, or
thirty. It did look as though there were a number of handholds, though, which was at least a little bit of
luck. He moved in and started to climb.
[Zero: Dash: E, Up, Up, SW, S, E]
[Athletics Check: 1d20+1: 16] – success!
The climb wasn't too bad and he popped his head above the ledge and quickly brought it down again to
avoid being spotted in the light.
[Zero: Stealth Check: 1d20+9: 14] – success!
He waited for a moment, hanging by his arms, but didn't hear any shouts or orcish cries. Breathing out
he moved hand-over-hand along the cliff edge, before climbing up and over in the dim light at quiet as he
could, spotting Tradden near the walkway.
Exhausted, cold and soaked to the bone, Zero squelched out of the darkness to Tradden.
The swordsman looked at him with concern. ‘Where have you been, Z?’ he whispered. ‘I was
starting to…’
The rogue, deliberately avoiding his gaze, pointed a finger sternly at him. ‘Don't talk to
me,’ he hissed.
From her new, low, vantage point, Brünhilde watched the others starting across the bridge. She looked at
the wall of the bridge, which offered a way over without needing to jump.
[Brünhilde: Move: E, E, SE, E, E, E, E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+4: 9] – failure!
She darted forward and leapt up onto the bridge wall, quickly dashed past the others, and over the bridge.
The orcs at the western side of the bridge sleep soundly, barely making a noise. However, the orcs atop the
buildings and around the courtyard had begun to bark at one another in their guttural tones. The archers to
the northwest had turned to the ones playing their dice games behind them and were pointing back towards the
bridge.
Khalin cursed under his breath as he spied movement on top of the towers, and pointed arms in the
companions' direction. It looked like they might have been made. Most of the members of the two pincer
groups were across though. Perhaps what was needed now was a distraction for them. The marshal grimaced as
he gauged the distance. ‘We're not close enough yet,’ he whispered under his breath. With
that he padded forward as quickly as he dared, covering the distance to the edge of the cobbles silently.
[Khalin: Move: E, E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+1: 18] – success!
He stopped for a second at the edge of the gap before moving on towards Kireth and Aukan.
[Khalin: Dash: E, E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+1: 4] – failure!
As he traversed the gap his shield scraped the wall, making a sound that surely must give his position away.
As the dwarf glanced up, there appeared to be confusion on the towers though, the hand signals and gesturing
perhaps miscommunicated? No matter.
The dwarf halted his approach on the very edge of the penumbra of shadow, waiting for Tradden's signal
from beneath the tower to the left.
Rhasgar appeared to take a leaf out of Kahlin's book and moved forward as slow as he could to try to
muffle any sounds.
[Rhasgar: Move: E, E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+0: 11] – success!
Leaping the crack in the bridge and padding forwards he saw the orcs turn back towards the bridge and knelt
down, hoping that they would not see. He heard them shout something out, but there seemed to be no cry back.
[Rhasgar: Dash: E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+0: 15] – success!
He shuffled forwards, as far as he dared, keeping low, as the orcs waited for their reply.
Beltak took one last look at the orcs on the floor behind him and then crept after Rhasgar.
[Beltak: Move: SE, SE, SE]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+0: 13] – success!
He made the gap and then continued on after the dragonborn.
[Beltak: Dash: E, E, E]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+0: 14] – success!
There had still been no reply by the time he got to the end of the bridge, and the orcs had turned back to
those in the courtyard, and were pointing at them, and back towards the bridge.
Kireth crouched and waited. Patiently. The dwarf had nearly given their location away with his clumsy
actions. The orcs were definitely alerted to something, though he was cross that he couldn't make out
what it was. And what was the shout for? Was it for the guards at the end of the bridge to return?
Tradden had shoulders to the wall, looking back, watching the movement of his compatriots. Or at least those
he could see. Or hear — there was more noise than he would have liked. Similarly, there
were also stirrings from the various orcs current behind him — not only from above but
from the courtyard proper.
Well, everyone seemed to have got as far as they were going to. Maybe they could get a little further if
they… No. This was it. Game time. There was the faintest of sounds of leather on leather as he
gripped the pommels of his blades even more tightly through his thin gloves.
Making eye contact with Zero, Tradden pointed at himself and then upwards, towards the top of the building
they were beneath. Then he gestured in an arching motion as if to signal that Zero try and attack the other
orcs in the courtyard. There seemed to be a nod from the rogue, but then again it could have been the
moonlight catching Zero's hooded robes in a certain way.
It was at that point that Tradden glanced down to noticed the small, relatively cute cat. It was stood next
to him, tail up, looking up expectantly. Not one usually lost for words, they nevertheless failed Tradden
at this particular point. With an ever-so-slight breath which equated to “What the…?’,
Tradden, slightly more slowly this time, and in a more half-hearted manner, pointed at himself and then
upwards, towards the top of the building they were beneath. Then he gestured in an arching motion as if to
gesture that the cat should try and attack the other orcs in the courtyard. There seemed to be a nod from
the cat, but then again it could have been the moonlight catching its fur in a certain way.
[Tradden: Move: SW, E, NE]
Now entirely off-balance mentally, Tradden completely forgot to utter any battle cry as he leapt out from
under the walkway and in two bounding strides was up around the edge of the ramp and at the top of the
building, next to the orcs. It was a feat of leaping worthy of a cat. For some reason Tradden felt a pang
of pride and hoped the feline had been watching and was impressed.
Now face to face with the orcs, all Tradden could do was hope that this was enough of a sign to the others
to attack.
[Tradden: Melee Weapon Attack – Frost Longsword]
[Attack vs Orc Archer #02's AC: 1d20+8: 20] – hits!
One orc went down, carved open in an “X” by one blow from a longsword and one from a shorter
sword. The other orc managed a snarl at having avoided any blows only to realise there was an ice-covered
slice across its own chest.
Zero, still dripping, had frowned at Tradden's sign language. It was confusing and clumsy in the dark
and he would be having words with him later about that. Still, there was work to be done.
[Zero: Move: SE, E, N, E, S]
He looked at the cat with a “that's, erm, odd” look on his face then slipped into the
shadows and crept up to the bottom of the walkway. He moved up the slope quickly and vaulted the short wall
next to Tradden and squeezed aside the orc that the young fighter was slashing at, before letting fire at
point blank range.
[Zero: Ranged Weapon Attack – Entrapping Hand Crossbow]
[Attack vs Orc Archer #01's AC: 1d20+7: 26] – hits!
When she set out on the other side of the bridge, Brünhilde had envisioned sneaking quickly and quietly
past the orcs, to attack suddenly, from nowhere, from behind. But things had not panned out quite that way.
But in any case the fight was on, and she was over the bridge.
[Brünhilde: Move: E, E, E, E, E, SE]
Her mind made up, she darted along the wooden walkway before jumping down in the midst of three of the
creatures. There was a smell of… pigs? But there was no time to dwell on that.
[Brünhilde: Wild Shape – Ended]
[Brünhilde ends the form of a Wild Cat]
She was already dropping the form of the cat and rising up, to the surprise and confusion of the orcs.
Whilst they gawped at her, she furnished one with a maul to the face.
With Tradden and Zero appearing on the top of the nearest building to Aukan, and swiftly cutting down the
archers there, the goliath took that it as the signal and rose from his crouch by the bridge wall.
[Aukan: Move: E, E, E, E, E, E, E]
He strode past Khalin, hefting his maul, entering the courtyard and locking onto the orcs in the northern
area. He was surprised a little to see Brünhilde already there, felling one of the beasts.
[Aukan: Move: NE, NE²]
He moved in quickly, scrambling over the rubble and preparing himself to strike.
As the Krakens and Talons swiftly entered from the darkness the orcs around the courtyard began
to shout and scuttle to their weapons, although some of them were already too late.
The pair on the bridge still slept soundly, though, oblivious to the unfurling plan.
As Aukan broke for the cluster of orcs on the north side of the courtyard, Khalin angled towards the group
to the south. The marshal hugged the shadows as he rushed forward, clinging to any cover they might still
provide.
[Khalin: Move: S, SE, SE, SE, E]
The dwarf broke into the cone of light from the torch up ahead and raised his craghammer aloft, signalling
across the courtyard to Zero on the tower opposite.
[Khalin: Battlefield Tactics – Direct the Strike]
[Khalin forgoes a weapon attack and Zero may make an attack as a Reaction]
He pointed at the cluster of orcs who awaited Aecris' kiss and hoped covering fire from the rogue
would provide a deadly distraction.
The rogue, still crouched atop the building, took the cue and fired at the nearest orc in the group.
[Zero: Ranged Weapon Attack – Entrapping Hand Crossbow]
[Attack vs Orc #07's AC: 1d20+7: 23] – hits!
[Damage: 1d6+4: 5] and [4d6: 14 sneak attack damage] and [1d8: 2 battlefield tactics damage] and [Dead]
The hit was clean and deadly, the orc taking the bolt in the back and slumping forwards onto the courtyard
floor.
The two orcs now beset by Brünhilde and Aukan looked shocked at the entrance of their assailants, more so
at the dead body of the comrade on the floor. They were too stunned to retaliate.
Kireth ignored the attackers jumping onto buildings and fanning out into the courtyard and simply strode
forwards out of the darkness.
[Kireth: Move: E, E, E, E, E, E]
He passed the building without looking as Tradden and Zero cut down the archers and kept his path straight.
[Kireth: Dash: E, E, E, E, E²]
He finished by taking the last few steps onto the rubble, raising his height and gaining a good view of the
whole courtyard, before turning to the north to watch Brünhilde swing at the orcs there.
With the archers neatly dispatched and the ones below now being tied up, Tradden's gaze fell once again
on the gatehouse itself, and in particular the dark entrance way. That was the goal. The prize.
Without hesitation, Tradden ran forward.
[Tradden: Move: NE, E, E, E, E, E]
Navigating the rickety, downright wonky wooden planking that was the raised platform with consummate ease
despite the disorientating swinging motion, the melee below was bypassed.
[Tradden: Dash: E, SE, SE, E, SE]
With a few more strides Tradden found himself up on the roof of the second building. Closer to the
gatehouse, from this vantage point the fighter was able to pick out more detail.
On what appeared to be the third floor there were only two small windows — archer slits,
perhaps — and he could just about sense movement and noise and perhaps something starting
to be poked out of the gaps. There was a soft glow from all of the windows, which was no surprise
really — it made sense that there were people “home”.
Then the smell hit him, immediately bringing home long forgotten memories of being downstream of the pig
farms on the northern banks of the Silver River back at home here. That was really… quite potent.
And odd. Pigs? Here?
Trying to put that out of his mind, Tradden focused again on the gate area itself. Frustratingly, the view
from here was no better, the arch was still shrouded in darkness. There was no real option now, he had to
keep going. The ground below him was about twenty feet, although it looked smooth and stable enough. Not
without danger, but needs must… Now, Aversward, nothing too flashy…
[Tradden: Action Surge]
[Tradden gains an extra Action]
With a gentle crouch he swung down, using his hands as best he could to “drop” to the courtyard
below, using his long frame to his advantage as best he could.
[Tradden: Athletics Check: 1d20+7: 14] – success!
[Tradden negates damage from fall]
It wasn't particularly graceful, but it was effective.
It was still a heavy landing, but he used his training to have his legs absorb as much as the impact as
possible and “stick” the landing.
Not the best, but not the worst. ‘Seven and a half out of ten…‘ he mumbled to himself.
It did at least allow him to be standing and facing the right way. Now, let's see what this archway
was all about…
Rangrim saw the fire bolt from Sorrow from over his shoulder and smiled at the orc before him. These two
would fall quickly. He continued his assault on the one before him.
[Rangrim: Melee Weapon Attack – Handaxe +1]
[Attack vs Orc Archer #03's AC: 1d20+7: 15] – hits!
He chopped the axe down into the orc's shoulder, biting deep. As he drew it out the orc fell and he
was on to the other orc within moments.
[Rangrim: Melee Weapon Attack – Handaxe]
[Attack vs Orc Archer #04's AC: 1d20+6: 16] – hits!
[Damage: 1d6: 1] and [3d6: 9 sneak attack damage] and [Dead]
With Sorrow in close proximity the orc's attention was on the bard, and Rangrim took the opportunity
to hack at the beast's leg with a swift strike that sent it tumbling over the edge of the building.
Without waiting for it to hit the ground he span and took off.
[Rangrim: Move: E, S, E, NE, NE]
Quick for his size, he was at the side of on of the other orcs in seconds.
Zero was left alone on the top of the building as Tradden sped away, but had a good view of the courtyard.
[Zero: Move: E]
He crept eastwards to the parapet and took a look at the action below. It seemed that Brünhilde and Aukan
had their hands full with the orcs in front of him, but the dwarf had taken one of them down already. Zero
could make their lives even easier.
[Zero: Ranged Weapon Attack – Entrapping Hand Crossbow]
[Attack vs Orc #05's AC: 1d20+7: 25] – hits!
[Damage: 1d6+4: 6] and [4d6: 16 sneak attack damage] and [Dead]
The orc was only just turning around to face Brünhilde when the bolt slammed into its shoulder. It staggered
forwards for a moment before dropping to the floor.
With the strength of the orcs seemingly depleting rapidly it took Tradden by surprise when a beast burst
through the doors of the building right next to him, with an orc warrior atop it.
[Mounted Orc on Great Boar: Ride: S]
The beast was enormous, far bigger than the young fighter had ever seen in the forests of the Islands. It
stood as tall as Tradden at the shoulder and was a dozen feet from snout to tail. Its head alone was the
entire length of his sword. The whole thing was covered in shaggy brown and black fur, with a mane of dark
hair arcing along its back from head to its tail. Its tusks jutted out prominently and it breathed out a
cloud of steam. Its breath, this close, stank. A smell of pigs, rotting vegetables and worse.
It had a simple leather pad on its back where an orc warrior sat, large and menacing, a shaft of a lance
held in the warrior's mailed arm and a morningstar at its side. The warrior looked down at Tradden.
The orc shouted something and squeezed its knees and the boar set off, barrelling into Tradden, the tusks
white and glinting in the torchlight.
[Great Boar: Melee Weapon Attack – Tusks]
[Attack: 1d20+5: 25 vs Tradden's AC (19)] – critical hit!
[Damage: 4d6+3: 17]
It would have knocked most people over, but Tradden had some tricks up his sleeve despite the tiny reaction
time that he had. He span and leapt, bringing his blades to bear in an attempt to parry the main thrust.
[Tradden: Combat Manoeuvre – Parry]
[Tradden expends one Superiority Die: 1d8+3: 5]
[Damage is reduced to 12]
He almost leapt up onto the creature itself but was content with turning some of the blow.
The boar let out a bellow as it kept on moving past the young fighter and into the courtyard.
[Mounted Orc on Great Boar: Ride: S, SW, W, W, NW, W²]
As it started to charge to the west the orc lowered its lance, the point cased in steel that arrowed towards
Kireth's flank.
[Guard Captain: Melee Weapon Attack – Lance]
[Attack: 1d20+5-5: 13 vs Kireth's AC (12)] – hits!
[Damage: 2d12+3+10: 27] and [Pushed W, W] and [Prone]
The charge took the half-elf by surprise, cutting through his cloak and knocking the mage off the rubble
and down on to the floor.
Brünhilde looked up as the great war-boar charged Kireth, smashing him to the floor as the orc rider lanced
him. She was not sure what to make of the half-elf. He was aloof and sardonic. Clearly, his mother had not
given him enough hugs as a child. But he was one of the group, so he needed help.
[Brünhilde: Move: SE, S]
Ignoring the remaining orc she started to sprint at the flank of the boar, picking up speed rapidly. As she
reached it she brought the head of Balunâzduun down on its hind quarters.
[Brünhilde: Melee Weapon Attack – Balunâzduun]
[Attack vs Great Boar's AC: 1d20+7: 18] – hits!
[Damage: 2d6r2+4: 13]
It landed with a satisfyingly solid connection. She wanted to keep it from moving to further attack the
mage.
Uttering a word, one of the runes on the head of the maul glowed with yellow-white light, and the ground
around the beast erupted. Fingers of rock rose to try and seize the boar, as if the ground itself was
grasping at it.
But, the beast managed to avoid being caught, although not before it was partly crushed. Grunting, Brünhilde
brought the maul around again.
Aukan also spied the boar's entrance but as Brünhilde moved to intercept, he decided to stay and get
rid of the orc in front of him. He brought his maul round in a wide arc.
[Aukan: Melee Weapon Attack – Maul]
[Attack vs Orc #04's AC: 1d20+7: 10] – misses!
The orc ducked underneath the swing and it nearly took Aukan off balance. The goliath braced himself, though,
and brought the maul back at the orc.
The noise from above Tradden, somewhere within the arrow slits of the gatehouse, grew. Something was poking
out, something pointy. There was a sharp bark of a command from above and a crash of a sound, then
something whistled in the air far above the young fighter, accompanied by the rattling of a chain.
A massive barbed bolt flew over his head and down towards the courtyard, trailed by a metal chain.
It skimmed the head of the orc atop the great boar and spiralled down towards the mage. The bolt speared
Kireth through his shoulder and he let out an anguished cry. The barbs caught under his flesh and the bolt
remained stuck.
There was a grating of steel and then chain was brought taught, pulling at Kireth's body on the floor.
‘Rust and ruin,’ grumbled Khalin under his breath as he watched Kireth unwittingly draw fire,
hooves, and Moradin-knew what else was still to be unleashed. What in blazes was the blasted half-elf
thinking, poncing about on a pedestal of rocks? Well, he was nothing if not consistent, and a dwarf could
appreciate that, at least.
Seeing that Rangrim and Rhasgar had the enemy on the right flank in hand, with Beltak backing them up, the
marshal scurried across the courtyard towards the stricken mage.
[Khalin: Move: NE, NE, NE]
Quickly assessing the situation, he looked at Kireth earnestly. ‘This is going to hurt, but the touch
of Moradin should salve the pain. Roll with the blow!’ There was genuine concern in the dwarf's
voice as he stared at Kireth to punctuate the final point.
The dwarf raised Aecris high in the practiced fashion of the master smith he was back on The Islands.
Kireth's eyes widened as the half-elf squirmed to try move with the chain as the marshal had indicated,
before the dwarf's craghammer came crashing down on the chain.
[Khalin: Melee Weapon Attack – Aecris]
[Attack vs Ballista #01 Chain's AC: 1d20+9: 28] – hits!
[Damage: 1d8+6: 12]
[Khalin: Battlefield Tactics – Inspiring Word]
[Kireth gains 1d8+4: 5 temporary hit points]
Kireth squirmed towards the east and Khalin struck down as the chain loosened and touched the ground. There
was a screech as metal hit metal, but the power of Khalin's blow and the mastery of the ancient weapon
won out and the links shattered. The bolt remained embedded in the mage's shoulder, but at least he was
not being pulled across the courtyard.
With Kireth freed, Khalin turned towards the mighty boar, still snorting angrily a few yards away.
[Khalin: Move: E, E]
Taking a leaping stride the marshal smashed Aecris into its snout
[Khalin: Melee Weapon Attack – Aecris]
[Attack vs Great Boar's AC: 1d20+9: 15] – hits!
[Damage: 1d8+6: 11]
The blow landed squarely against the boar's foreleg and nearly unsettled the rider.
The ball of flame struck the orc on its shoulder and soon it was covered in flame. It swayed for a moment,
before succumbing to the heat, and dropped to the courtyard floor.
With Kireth still sprawled prone she directed her voice at Beltak, a sharp yet resonant song on her lips.
The orc at the northern part of the courtyard was on its own now, with its comrades lying in the dirt at
its feet. It seemed to be panicking, despite the close proximity of the larger orc on the boar.
It planted its feet and struck out at the goliath in front of it as its only option.
[Orc #04: Melee Weapon Attack – Greataxe]
[Attack: 1d20+5: 14 vs Aukan's AC (13)] – hits!
[Damage: 1d12+3: 13]
The blade of its axe bit deep into the goliath, but Aukan barely seemed to flinch.
Beltak nodded at Sorrow before whirling about and heading over towards Kireth's side.
[Beltak: Move: NW, NW, W, NW, N]
The scribe could see tha the mage was in bad shape as he knelt down next to him, the bolt lodged firmly in
the mage's shoulder and blood caking Kireth's robes.
Quickly, Beltak laid a hand on Kireth's shoulder and uttered a prayer to Pelor.
[Beltak: Cure Wounds]
[Kireth regains 2d8+4: 16 hit points] and [1d6: 4 Bardic Inspiration hit points] and [No longer Bloodied]
The gift of healing flowed through Beltak's fingers, buoyed by the song from Sorrow still in the
scribe's memory.
The bolt, and the loose end of the broken chain, remained firmly fastened to the mage, however.
‘Look out!’ shouted Sorrow across the battlefield as another bolt poked from the slits of the
gatehouse, this time further south across its battlements. It didn't seem to be able to target those
below it too well, the angle too steep, but the others across the courtyard, in the far northern area, were
easier to target.
Again, there was the harsh sound of an order and then a crash of sound, followed by the whistle as another
bolt skimmed through the air trailing its chain.
The bolt hunted down the marshal, the one that had just helped the mage. It punctured the dwarf's
leg, cutting all of the way through, the barbs fully exposed at his thigh. Then the chain started to
tighten, as it was winched back, almost pulling him off his feet.
Somehow, slowly and awkwardly, the mage rose to his feet using his staff with his good right arm.
[Kireth: Move: Stand]
He looked at the bolt in his left shoulder and held back a grimace, though did not offer any thanks to
either Khalin or Beltak.
The orcs had thinned out now, just a couple remained alongside the big one atop the boar. He pointed his
staff at one of them, and then the other, and uttered a simple word. Out shot three bright darts.
The two orcs were instantly felled and the half-elf growled under his breath, seemingly more at the rest of
the Krakens and the Talons than the remaining orc.
[Kireth: Move: W, W, NW]
With that, he slowly retreated, aiming for some cover near the small building.
Tradden had been trying to study the gateway in the few seconds available to him. The entrance was pretty
big, almost the full storey high — maybe twelve feet and easily wide enough for their
cart. It was still frustratingly dark inside, but he was now close enough to see a raised portcullis about
five to ten feet inside the corridor. It was open then. Good. Then there was darkness for quite a way, maybe
another forty feet. Just temptingly out of eyesight there was… something. Maybe a lowered portcullis?
Less good.
It was at that point that there was loud, familiar “thunk” and a howl of pain. The fighter
turned to see another length of chain, this time ominously stretched out so as to clearly be attached to
Khalin. The boar and its rider were also still causing havoc, nearby, although he couldn't see any
other orcs.
Clenching his jaw, Tradden weighed up the options, and what they meant. Then he made a decision. He could
be back into the melee with the boar and helping Khalin in seconds… but something in the back of his
brain told him that having made it this far forward, he had to keep moving.
[Tradden: Move: S]
Striding forward, he sheathed his swords on his back, looking up and down the first set of chain, which was
hanging limply whilst slowly disappearing upward as it was reeled in.
It was a chain. Strong, sturdy, good for grabbing a hold of. He did so.
[Tradden: Move: Up, Up, Up]
[Athletics Check: 1d20+7: 10] – success!
With that, he started pulling himself up, his sinewy yet muscled arms allowing him to make good progress
despite his own weight. He felt like he was about to lose his grip a couple of times, but he managed, just,
to get a rhythm going.
Presently, he was able to put two feet against the wall of the keep, and almost hand over hand actually
walk up the wall. Before long he was coming level with one of the slit-shaped windows on the first level.
It was just about big enough to get through, he thought. Just. A squeeze… and not up where the
ballistae were firing, but… nothing ventured.
Tradden reached out, found a handhold on the stonework and pulled himself through… ⇛
Back in the courtyard, Rangrim grunted as another orc fell. There were none left around him now and a quick
look around told him that only the large one on the boar remained. Well, except those ones asleep on the
bridge.
The dwarf Khalin seemed to have been speared and the rogue chuckled. Might stop him running away. But then
his professionalism kicked in and he headed over to help.
[Rangrim: Move: N, N, N, N, N]
He sped under the chain that held the warlord and stopped at the rear of the boar.
He waited only a single moment before he struck.
[Rangrim: Melee Weapon Attack – Handaxe +1]
[Attack vs Great Boar's AC: 1d20+7: 21] – hits!
[Damage: 1d6+4: 7] and [3d6: 8 sneak attack damage] and [Dead]
He slashed across the hamstrings of the boar, drawing a deep gash. The thing squealed and tried to turn,
but its legs wouldn't respond. The orc dropped his lance to grab onto the boar's mane, trying to
keep some semblance of balance but ended up tumbling forwards as the boar went down.
The orc managed to land on his feet, but the orc laid dead beside him.
Rangrim was about to step forwards and finish the job, but a loud grating from behind caught his ear and he
swirled around to see the portcullis of the gatehouse start to fall. It dropped half a dozen feet or so
before stopping abruptly with a screech. It then fell another foot before stopping once more.
Things seemed to be going quite well, Zero thought. He was going to shoot the piggie, but it was bacon now.
His stomach rumbled. With all of the orcs defeated except one, the element of surprise had surely worked.
He trained his lethal sights on the Guard Captain and let one fly.
[Zero: Ranged Weapon Attack – Entrapping Hand Crossbow]
[Attack vs Orc Guard Captain's AC: 1d20+7: 21] – hits!
[Damage: 1d6+4: 7] and [4d6: 12 sneak attack damage]
The bolt hit the guard captain at the rear, sticking in its armour.
With the boar down and the other orcs dealt with, it just left the rider. Given he was totally outnumbered,
Brünhilde did not expect him to last long. With that thought, she got to work, swinging Balunâzduun.
[Brünhilde: Melee Weapon Attack – Balunâzduun]
[Attack vs Orc Guard Captain's AC: 1d20+7: 18] – hits!
[Damage: 2d6r2+4: 13]
The first blow landed solidly, squarely in the middle of the orc's back. Attacking directly from behind
felt slightly unfair, but she knew the orcs would offer no quarter.
Her second blow smashed into its shoulder. He was tough, but if he stood and fought, he was going down.
She spared a glance back over the bridge. The two orcs of the far side were still sleeping soundly. They
would need to be dealt with as well. If they awoke, they would likely head off after the company of
hobgoblins that had left the tower. That could not be allowed to happen.
Aukan too managed to land a devastating blow, rounding his maul against the orc's kneecaps, smashing
one of them instantly and knocking the orc of its feet. It lay still atop the rubble.
From atop the gatehouse there was a clanking and the chain, now severed from it bolt that was still
stuck in Kireth's shoulder, fell through the arrow slit and landed in a crashing heap on the ground
in front of the gatehouse.
There was an ominous whine of a mechanism being drawn back, followed by a resounding click.
Khalin growled against the excruciating pain in his thigh. A quick glance confirmed the wound was a vicious
one indeed. The marshal steeled himself moving forwards to get some slack on his bonds.
[Khalin: Move: SE, SE]
He made sure that the chain was loose on the ground before calling to Rhasgar beside him.
‘Smash the chain!’ the dwarf shouted, mounting alarm creeping through the pain in his voice.
[Khalin: Battlefield Tactics – Direct the Strike]
[Khalin forgoes a weapon attack and Rhasgar may make an attack as a Reaction]
The dragonborn nodded and heaved down on the chain.
With the orcs cleared from the battlefield, Sorrow headed quickly towards Rhasgar and the chain.
[Sorrow: Move: N, N, NE, NE]
Khalin was in dire straits, the chain pulling him towards the gatehouse wall. He had managed to get a bit of
slack for Rhasgar to strike at the chain, but it seemed to be made of a strong metal.
She looked up at the gatehouse and towards the window where the chain came from. It was a little clouded in
the strange-coloured smoke that was emanating from the windows of one of the lower floors, but that mystery
could wait for a while. She concentrated on a note and the chain high in the air, With her eyes focused she
held the note steady, her voice growing louder and filling the courtyard. Then the pitch started to rise and
rise.
[Sorrow: Shatter]
[Radius 10ft centred on K32] with [Damage: 3d8: 16]
[Barbed Bolt Chain is automatically hit]
[Damage: 16]
The note hit a sweet spot and the chain shattered in two, the links broken high up to the top of the
gatehouse. The rest of the chain fell to the ground and the tension on Khalin's leg appeased.
High up the gatehouse, above the swirling smoke, there were noises of chains being thrown around and
activity. No further bolts appeared, but it did sound as though something was being made ready.
Kireth continued to stare at the priest until Beltak looked away. He offered no thanks, the scribe had
removed it when he was perfectly capable of dealing with it himself. Always reverting to brute force
methods when intelligence was the superior option. He had expected better of Beltak.
He tried to flex his shoulder but found it too painful and grimaced, making sure Beltak was looking the
other way beforehand. He then looked over to the gatehouse where the bolts had come from.
He thought he could make something out in those top windows, some machinery or contraptions inside. He
pondered what a fireball would do to them, but was cautious about the consequences, especially considering
the smoke already coming from the lower floor. What was that?
Gathering his strength he barked across to Khalin. ‘What now?’
Rangrim did not want to be caught by one of the barbed bolts and quickly moved into a position where he
could not be targeted.
[Rangrim: Move: E, E, E, SE]
‘Where's the lanky one?’ he shouted back towards the middle of the courtyard. ‘The
portcullis is slightly down, but it is open,’ he also cried. ‘What are we waiting for?’
‘Through the gate!’ yelled Khalin through grimaces of pain, as he pointed it at the gap beneath
the portcullis.
It Looked like all of the orcs were dead as far as Zero could see, so he headed off towards the gatehouse.
[Zero: Move: N, N, E², E²]
[Stealth Check: 1d20+9: 22] – success!
He sneaked off the top of the low building and onto the walkway, swaying with the bridge as it led to the
east.
[Zero: Dash: E², E², E²]
Tradden had made it look easy, scampering quickly across, but Zero found it bit harder. When he swayed left
the walkway bridge seemed to swing right and he stumbled more than once, He got to the other side, however,
where the walkway was more sturdy and connected to the second building.
[Zero: Cunning Action]
[Zero can take a Bonus Action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action]
[Dash: E, SE, SE, S]
He kept going, right up until the end, where he stopped and gulped at the drop, almost two dozen feet. He
made a couple of motions to jump, then bottled it.
With the orcs in the courtyard dealt with, Brünhilde was afforded a few moments to think. She glanced
towards the outer portcullis of the fortification. It was partly lowered. Something about that seemed odd to
her, like they were being lured in. Next, she looked back over the bridge to where the two orc guards still
slept. She was still worried they may awake and escape to warn the hobgoblins that had previously left.
She also quickly took stock of who was hurt. Khalin, seemed the most in need, however she decided she would
heal Kireth first. She wanted him to deal with those two orcs.
Her mind made up, she broke into a run towards Khalin and Rasgar, mostly to check on how the young dwarf
looked.
[Brünhilde: Move: SE, SE, SE]
As she ran she glanced back towards Kireth and uttered a word of healing.
[Brünhilde: Healing Word]
[Kireth regains 1d4+3: 6 hit points]
She paused at the dwarf and dragonborn and shouted back.
‘Kireth, I can go back and sort out those guards, but will have to over to them. Can you “keep
them sleeping” from there?’
She did not hear if he responded verbally, but saw him sneer and nod. She did not care if he was sneering,
as long as he got the job done. Khalin was injured and still in the fight. She grunted to herself and set
off for the gate.
[Brünhilde: Move: SE, SE]
Rangrim was stood peering in to the gloom, and looked like he was about to head in. Quickly she looked
inside, paying special attention to the walls and roof.
It took a few moments for her vision to adjust, but then she made them out. Small square holes in the roof,
about halfway through the passageway. Turning to Rangrim she said, ‘There are murder holes. In the
roof. Halfway in. If we mean to pass through, we must be careful.’
Following Brünhilde's lead, Aukan strode over the rubble and past Khalin and Rhasgar with a nod
of his head.
[Aukan: Move: SE², SE, SE, SE, E, E, E]
Swiftly he was by Brünhilde and Rangrim's side, staring into the darkness of the tunnel. Content
that there were no more orcs to be seen in the dim entrance, he turned and headed back almost where
he had come from.
[Aukan: Dash: NW, NW, N]
At the bottom of the walkway he reached out his arms to Zero and motioned for the rogue to hurry up.
As the Krakens and Talons moved in towards the gate they heard the crack from the top of
the gatehouse and another bolt, this time without any chain, flew down and into the courtyard.
For those nearest the building it seemed obvious that whoever was firing it could not get the angle
downwards to hit them, but out in the open Beltak and Kireth were sitting ducks.
[Ballista #01: Ranged Weapon Attack – Bolt]
[Attack: 1d20+6: 20 vs Beltak's AC (16)] – hits!
[Damage: 3d10: 18]
The bolt crashed into Beltak, fortunately not puncturing any organ, but left a bloody wound at his side.
Khalin looked back in anguish as the young scribe was impaled by the latest bolt. He was a tough lad though,
and was still on his feet.
‘Quickly, while they reload!’ he called, beckoning the priest to hurry towards the gate. The
marshal then looked up to Zero on the walkway.
[Khalin: Battlefield Tactics – Direct the Strike]
[Khalin forgoes a weapon attack and Zero may make an attack as a Reaction]
‘Put an arrow in that bloody slot!’ he called, hoping that even if the rogue's shot missed
the mark, the covering fire might be enough for Beltak to reach relative safety.
Zero nodded and looked upwards at the arrow slits. It was a difficult shot, especially at the angle, but he
shrugged and gave it a go.
[Zero: Ranged Weapon Attack – Entrapping Hand Crossbow]
[Attack vs Ballista #02's AC: 1d20+7: 20] – misses!
The bolt caught the edge of the slit and bounced harmlessly back down into the courtyard.
Khalin frowned and set off.
[Khalin: Move: E, E, E, E, E]
He stopped adjacent to Brünhilde and Rangrim and peered into the gloom of the tunnel.
Sorrow started to head towards the rest of the group, stowing her weapons and picking up a small stone from
the courtyard as she came.
[Sorrow: Move: NE, NE, NE]
As she joined Rangrim she began to hum a tune.
[Sorrow: Light]
[Stone sheds bright light in a 20ft radius and dim light for an additional 20ft]
The stone began to glow with a bright light and she tossed it into the tunnel.
As the group's eyes began to adjust they noticed to their relief that the tunnel was empty. Besides the
slightly-lowered portcullis at the entrance they could see a fully lowered one some sixty feet or so further
on. The walls continued solid, but it looked as though at the end, on the right, there was a large archway.
With the others grouping at the tunnel entrance, Rhasgar turned to Beltak and Kireth at the back.
‘Hurry!’ he shouted. ‘We need to get in the cover and see what else is before us.’
[Rhasgar: Move: E, E, E]
Coming up behind Khalin he asked, ‘What are we waiting for?’
Beltak heard the orders from Khalin and Rhasgar, but hesitated, holding his side where the bolt had struck.
He had been lucky, it had only winged him, a graze along his midriff. A couple of inches to the left and it
might have been fatal.
He quickly looked at Kireth. ‘Are you going to be ok?’ he asked. The mage nodded back, so Beltak
followed the orders.
[Beltak: Move: SE, SE, SE, E, E, E]
He covered the ground swiftly, but with a hint of a limp. As he neared the group he slowed, and came up
behind Brünhilde.
[Beltak: Dash: SE, SE, E, E]
He was puffing by the time he got the the dwarf. ‘He'll be ok, he says,’ Beltak offered.
Despite the short covering fire from the rogue the ballista could be heard to click and after a short whirr
there was a sharp twang and another long bolt shot down into the courtyard.
Even with Kireth close to the building the bolt managed to seek him out. It cut across the top of his leg,
catching his robe and almost pinning him to the wall as the bolt thudded into the wooden stakes of the
walkway behind him. Fortunately, this one did not pierce his leg.
Arcs of fire shot from his staff and cremated the pair where they slept. Kireth did not turn to see if they
survived, he continued his walk towards the group, brazenly picking the most open route.
[Kireth: Move: SE, SE, SE]
As he got closer he stared at Khalin and began to limp, though whether it was an act or out of necessity,
none of them could tell.
Zero hopped down from the walkway with Aukan's help before dashing over towards Rangrim.
[Zero: Move: S², SE, E]
He flattened himself against the wall so the ballista couldn't hit him. He then peeked out into the
gatehouse tunnel to have a looksee at the “murder holes” others had been fretting about. He
could see them clearly in the light from Sorrow's spell — small and square, but there
in the roof, covering the centre of the tunnel and going back a fair way.
‘Okay, I'm here,’ Zero huffed. ‘Now then, what seems to be the problem? Besides that
giant harpoony thing up there, that is.’
The response was intriguing. He heard the comment, but didn't see anyone's mouth move.
‘Careful! I think the tunnel is trapped!’
It was a bit of a rasping voice, though also a little like Tradden, though where the young fighter was Zero
wasn't sure.
It was followed by a ‘Hey, stop messing around. You will hit them better from the inside!’ which
seemed to come from above. It was followed by the end of a rope hitting the rogue on the top of his head.
The group had now moved up to the main building, so the danger from the ballista was lessened, but it had
not gone. If they ran into too much trouble inside, and had to pull back, they would be moving back into
danger. Brünhilde looked up at the arrow slit from where the bolts had been fired.
[Brünhilde: Wild Shape]
[Brünhilde takes the form of a Gecko]
Her mind made up, she started to shift her form again. Once more she started to shrink down to the ground,
and soon where the dwarf had stood, was a small lizard.
[Brünhilde: Move: SE, Up, Up, Up]
No sooner had the transformation completed then she started running straight up the wall towards the arrow
slit. She was confident she could get up to the slit and through before being spotted, then it would just
be a case of returning to her natural form and dealing with whatever enemies presented themselves.
After helping Zero down from the walkway, Aukan looked back at the group. They had all got to the bottom
of the gatehouse near the entrance tunnel. All apart from Kireth. The mage was probably safe from the
ballista's missiles, but he didn't want to take the chance.
[Aukan: Move: W]
He stepped quickly across the gap, putting himself between the ballista and the mage.
Zero contemplated his options: climb a rope or enter a tunnel filled with murder holes. Neither was
particularly attractive. Figuring he'd be better off on higher ground and with Tradden beside him, he
rubbed his palms together and gripped the rope.
After a prudent tug, he leaned back, swung his feet against the wall and began to haul himself up.
[Zero: Move: Up, Up, Up, Up, Up, Up]
Despite his portly frame, the rogue was swift climbing the rope and soon found himself outside the window
from where the rope had been thrown. It looked like a tight fit, but nothing ventured, nothing gained and
he started to squeeze himself through.
From below, Aukan could see Zero start to disappear, but then the rogue appeared to stop, his legs
frantically kicking.
⇛
The tiny feet of the lizard scampered up the wall. Despite the smooth, carved surface of the walls, all four
feet clung with ease and Brünhilde was moving fast.
[Brünhilde: Move: Up, Up, Up, Up]
She passed the windows of the first floor where an acrid smell greeted her, the senses of the lizard almost
overwhelming her for a moment. There was sound, too, the running of feet on wooden floorboards. On her
tongue, now long and thin, she could also taste the scent of blood.
Brünhilde licked her eye, then paused for a second. It was an instinctive action, and yet an alien one at
the same time. Had she more time, she would have dwelt on this further. It was always fascinating to
experience the world as an animal. But she did not have time, and needed to press on. She made a mental note
to try this form again soon.
She pressed on, keeping moving to her plan, and scampered further up. As she passed the second floor and the
long windows there she could see only darkness and could hear no noise.
[Brünhilde: Dash: Up, Up, Up, Up]
As she arrived at the third floor, where the ballista had been, she started to slow, moving in to the arrow
slit and resting for a moment on the ledge where she could see inside.
There was movement and noise, lots of it. There were half a dozen, at least, bodies in there. Probably orcs
at her best guess. They seemed to be getting armed and armoured, and moving the ballista about. The chamber
that she could see was only twenty feet or so deep and maybe fifty feet wide, with sturdy stone walls and a
wooden floor. In the wall opposite her was a simple wooden door, and she thought she could make out a large
metal door to her right.
With Zero looking like he was safe up the rope — though Aukan wasn't completely
convinced the rogue was alright based on his twitching legs — he decided to take off after
Rangrim.
[Aukan: Move: E, E, E, E, NE, E, E]
He strode into the tunnel, being careful to follow Khalin's instructions.