[IC] D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

[Gordian Nought]

His stride emboldened with dignity and grandeur as he departed from Chauntea’s holy disciple, differing from the majestic solemnity and reckless hysteria that encountered Falconmoon moments earlier. Torus gripped the Tethyrian fang, adhering and suffusing his command over the staff, projecting an air of authority and stateliness. The syllabic rhythm of his footsteps did not intimate any warning of limp or frailty as he sought Kyra, who undoubtedly would risk her longevity to save another friend or capture an intelligent foe, so as to provide the necessary intel to the Governor himself. A human sympathizer or a sell-sword perhaps? Kobolds, in the druid’s experience, were savage and instinctively would provide whatever ears would engender, oft insinuating incongruity and misinformation among the ranks, misleading the authenticity of their reveal.

As the elder vigorously descended the stairs to speak with Mr. Lake about planar travel or the pink-haired cleric about the gods, he overhead the party converse with Escobert as they scampered down the lower flight.

”I'll talk to them. But while we are going, I could share the newest information we have from out there. We don't really know where there might be people to save, if anywhere since most seem to be here. But I can tell that they've showed a worrying interest in our mill. You, if anyone, know how important it is they won't take or destroy all our food reserves. So that's all I can point you to. Or if you are out there for a shorter while, you might just run into some patrol and bring one back from there. Do what you will.”

The draconic force was seemingly more organized, now seeking to destroy any and all reserves, to starve the citadel and its people into submission. A few days would beget suffering, wails and gnashing of teeth from the wounded and children, until ascertained appeasement either by food or by victory. Time was ever more of the essence, ticking valuable moments away.

Once in the basement, the pirate fluttered his hood over his visage, the sparing shadows dancing as a yin-yang jester contrasted against his pale face. With the germination of an exasperated yawn, Torus’ feathered scout arose and escaped once again from the bellows of his mandibular estuary, bolting effortless past the stained gates behind his eclabium through the tunnel past Kyra, Orchid, and Parum. Trailing the troupe as the ingress sealed its reedy door, the briny elder offered again aid to the defenders of Greenest.

“Allow my scout to farm the night. Lest we ache over an unexpected harvest and be surprisingly interrupted.”

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

"Your friends seem to be off again," An unfamiliar voice came, "The castellan mentioned something about the attackers and our mill, the sort of thing that might interest a mercenary sort like you. None of it happens to be my business though."

Brannor awoke not from sleep so much as he was roused from his dreaming twilight, somewhere between the place of wakening and rest. He immediately set eyes upon a guardsman who, with shield affixed to his arm and truncheon at his hip, filled a mug of ale from the keep's stocks. The tapping of the old kegs was likely something the men were granted as reward for their defense against the dragon as it wasn't as though there would be much coin to offer them now or even soon. The hunter could only think that now, with the town so tainted, the last thing anyone desired from outside the keep was water. Regardless of whatever ethics these people had he then watched the guardsman put the pewter tankard to his mustached lips and nod.

"I'm sure by now you've noticed we're short on everything at this point." The man spoke again and shrugged when he finished, filling the container once more with drink and starting his way up the halls, step after step.

It certainly was no lie, the guard's words, as these people had lost just about everything in spite of what little that was to begin, no less to an attack launched by kobolds; overgrown, scaly vermin. A dragon's company aside of course, but whatever business that beast had was likely its own.

Shouldering the tremendous sword across his back, Brannor returned his gauntlets to his hands, tightening the fitted, supple leather that sheathed them. His bow and quiver were not far from rejoining him either and as soon as he armed himself again, he followed the route the rest had taken before with exceptional ease; people, unlike animals, were easy to track for any number of reasons, even in their environment. It was not long until he rejoined them, the sound of his chain and hide moving with each footstep through the closed, constructed caverns.

At first they might not have noticed, but just as they thought the door shut behind them, a familiar and tremendous silhouette followed.

"Either the all of you are exceptionally brave or particularly foolhardy..." He said with his low, reverberating tone, "... or you just simply forgot we are outnumbered."

It was plain as the bright moon between the ash laden clouds what the imposing man meant; they hadn't the luxury to work with fewer numbers and whatever it was they were up to now was already insane. They had hewed through a number of the enemy, enough that their foes would notice whenever they took account of their standing army, but this was bordering the same sort of madness the old druid seemed partial to. How many more times would they venture out into the desolate streets, only to skirmish with a far larger force?

"It doesn't matter - whatever this is, I trust it to be important somehow."

@Hekazu@Ryonara@Lucius Cypher@Gordian Nought@Norschtalen

[Lucius Cypher]

Orchid agreed with Kyra; this was stupid. Why couldn't they just go outside and busts some heads? He could understand if maybe they stop Kyra since she was a healer and villager, but she seemed the most adamant to head out and slay their enemies. Fortunately they cleared up the misunderstanding with the guards thanks to the Escobert. "Good. Done waiting." Cracking his knuckles Orchid followed Kyra and Parum back down to the tunnels and got ready for the fight. They were met with Torag and Brannor, and the orc just smiled. he didn't care how large the group was; if they were here to help then they would be welcomed. Sure Kyra wanted them to capture a prisoner, but not it also sounded like they had some building to save too. They'll need all the help they can get for that.

"We go to mill? That food place, yeah?" Orchid only recognized a mill because, during his travels, he noticed a large windmill and was curious about what it was. Someone called it a mill and said that was where wheat was turned into grain to make bread, which Orchid translated as "The place they make bread". Presumably, they kept bread there too. "Good. Orchid hungry. Mill have meat, yeah?" Orchid still didn't quite grasp that a mill generally dealt with only bread, as he just associates bread with food and his favorite food was roasted wild game. And mushrooms.

Info/Rolls

Health: 14/14
Armor Class: 16
Rage: 0/2
Status: Ready for a fight

[Norschtalen]

Kyra tried not to let her temper get the best of her and yell at Escobert. She needed to reserve her fury on the enemy, not her allies. Even if they were fools. On the bright side, Escobert also mentioned that there was a good chance that everyone that could be saved was already in the keep. That meant Kyra could focus on eliminating these raiders and perhaps capturing one of them. She strung up her bow and made sure her quiver still had plenty of arrows. Her sword was sharp, and while her magic was drained she could still rely on a few low level spells. Torag caught up to the group and mentioned that they would need his scouting abilities, which Kyra nodded her head to. "That'll be appreciated. If they're at the mill to take any of our supplies, they may have a wagon or something nearby to carry them. If we can find it, we can stop them before they get too far."

Orchid mentioned getting food at the mill, which Kyra spoke up about. "Focus, Orchid. First we have to fight and talk to one of the bandits. Let's not waste time or risk ourselves trying to get something to eat." Kyra looked down and her voice grew low. "If we survive all of this, I'd love to treat you all to a feast..." Sighing Kyra looked back up, determination in her eyes. The fire in her heart flared. "But let's go save the mill first. It's by the river to the southwest. There's a forest near it that we can use as cover as we sneak in. Assuming they're using a wagon or cart, they only have one road to take. That should make it easy for us to intercept them." Once everyone was ready and Kyra had her gear checked, she started marching towards the south.

"Let's go."

[Ryonara]

Truth be told, she was actually somewhat glad that the guards didn't allow Kyra and Orchid to leave. She hated to admit it but Parum was scared. She understood Kyra's fury but that blind anger was just going to end up getting her killed. If she can't realize that, than Parum needed to save her. The halfling wasn't even sure what Kyra hoped to accomplish even if they do kill some bandits or get one of them as a prisoner. They had a dragon. They'd be lucky if the dragon gets bored and leaves. Sure these people must be led by a relatively more mortal person, but chances are they were also with the dragon. Just the idea that they had to fight such a terrible enemy made Parum quiver in fear.

Which was all the more reason she felt more uneasy when Kyra left to find Escobert and get clearance through the tunnel. Parum had a lot of mixed feelings: she wanted to help but also not wanting anyone to die, as well as wanting to help Kyra save her village but also cease her bloodlust. Not helped by the others who seem all too eager to support Kyra's crusade against these raiders. Orchid was a bloodthirsty barbarian, Brannor seemed like an honorable knight, and Torag... Parum wasn't sure about Torag but he didn't exactly do anything to dissuade Kyra either. Either he supported Kyra's rampage or believes that their enemies were one they could defeat. Parum had her doubts. But she had to steel herself regardless. She has already come to terms that like it or not, she will be fighting for her life. And as scary as it was she couldn't back out now.

Once they had permission to leave Escobert said something that caught Parum's ears. Apparently the raiders had a lot of interests in the mill in the village. Kyra seemed to describe it as a water mill which for some reason made Parum feel extra paranoid. She couldn't place her finger on why though. She didn't want to speak up in fear of coming off as a coward, especially after she told herself that she was going to fight. But something didn't feel right. Parum thought about it more and more but just couldn't shake the feeling she had. She thought maybe it was just the fear of the dragon still lingering within her, but something else worried her.

"Our enemies... Aren't just raiders. There are kobolds too, being led by a dragon. A dragon always seeks treasure for it's horde so... So why a mill? Was it looking for food for it's minions? Would a dragon care? Or perhaps it's just the bandits looking for supplies for their army? And kobolds are cowardly but cunning. But not once have we run into any of their traps, which they're infamous for. And it's been some time too since we left the church, and no doubt they found the people we've killed at the back of the church. Surely they must know now that we're actively fighting against them from outside the keep. Falconmoon and the others were mostly just children and women, and none of them looked like warriors of any sort. They couldn't have escaped on their own, and surely the bandits know that. Not to mention that when the dragon had attacked the keep, it was only us that fought back. Even I insulted the dragon. So surely the dragon itself could recognize us, if not as a threat, then as people he would want dead."

Parum stopped in her steps shortly after leaving the keep. She looked around to the others. In her mind they were brave heroes. They were the exact type of people that are written into legends. Devout and stalwart, courageous and mighty. Even in the face of impossible odds they will continue to fight the good fight. And then there was her. The halfling who, despite their reputation for courage, wanted desperately to not fight. She wasn't a hero. She was a damsel in distress. She hated it but she knew it described her perfectly and guided her thoughts. Parum didn't take a step forward as she looked towards the others and spoke out, meek at first, but eventually loud enough for them to hear her.

"W-wait... So what if... What if this is a trap?"

[Gordian Nought]

“… or you just simply forgot we are outnumbered."

Leaning over the Hin, the druid prophetically spoke concomitant words of encouragement and warning.

“’Tis true, lad. Greenest has flourished into a dark labyrinth, riddled full of grim secrets and subtle traps. But we have a guide from the Gods.”

A plumed helper zoomed into the harvested morning still bearing stars and dusk, fleeting out its existence, and wading before the Faerun sun bellowed its berth. The wings pulsated unwavering, rhythmically matching the bard’s vexed tachycardia. Parum's premonitions echoed foreboding; her verbal omens built off the anxiety and vicious dread of a vain, but insulted dragon ever near.

“It will command us through the blackness." His gaze welcomed the violinist's. "Like ghosts, tether to Kyra and keep within the fray.”

The quintet assembled beneath the guise of whispered branches and fettered leaves. Stepping over roots who served humbly the verdant roof above, the stench of dripping dew thundered salted meat, admonishing the heroic cast of a potential fiery disaster swiftly approaching. The great oaks and lush maples hissed ghoulish growth, requiring the occasional twisting of a blade and the fracturing of a twig. Each lush bounty toiled against their partners, thorns contrary to roses. The bitter pollen infested the ambiance, stinging the tone of secrecy with heavy breath and apprehensive pant.

The druid raised his fang, hinting a halt.

The raven’s eyes entwined with its owner’s, scavenging the twisted landscape, frightful daybreak would divulge their position with its fresh sunlight. A foraged canopy betrayed little trace of the rummaging company amongst the gardens. The murky fowl’s tucked talons skimmed the tops of timber as the sieged mill came into full, brilliant view. It circled the venue, skating a graveyard spiral over its objective.

“Stray not from the orchard. Time will give us fruit soon enough.”

Mechanics:

The familiar’s perception is 18.

[Norschtalen]

Letting out an annoyed breath, Kyra turned to look at Parum. Her tolerance for outsiders, cowards, and fools were at an all time low. However because Parum at least tried to convince the guards to let them through earlier, Kyra didn't immediately tell the halfling to leave. But she wasn't going to stand around to debate their course of action for long. Even Brannor, who arrived to help, seem to question or at least wonder what was going through their minds when they decided to leave the keep to hunt down more cultists. Kyra kept it simple. "Even if we're outnumbered, and even if this is a trap, I don't intend to leave these bandits free to destroy my village. It'll take years for us to rebuild. Longer to heal from everything we lost today. If you're scared or worried about your life you're free to stay in the keep. I'm going ahead." Kyra then looked to Brannor, who would probably be willing to fight if there was a good reason beyond killing as many bandits as they could. "And we still need to capture a prisoner. Chances are if they're going to attack the mill, they'll be lead by someone who may know more about this attack. Something about the dragon, or whoever their leader is. Or how long they intend to besiege my home."

After explaining her motives to the two, Kyra turned towards Torag who seemed to be doing some sort of magic ritual. Or just sending his bird out to scout, which may as well be magic to Kyra. She wasn't sure what Torus could see through the bird, if he could at all, but any information they had on the enemy was better than none. "If you're so worried that this might be a trap, Parum, then you should focus your efforts into figuring out their plan. The mill is a fair bit away from the keep with only one road leading to it. I suppose if the raiders intend to ambush us there, we'll be too far from the keep to try to make a run for it or to get backup." But if this was a trap, then all the better. It meant that their efforts were having some effect against the invaders. They'll have to be extra careful, but that wasn't going to stop Kyra.

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

The return from the damp corridors to the fresh air was a revitalizing experience, not to mention the boon of even an hour's rest.

Brannor was partial to sleep in the light of day and stalk the night, as any good hunter would; prey animals, be them men or deer, were at such tremendous disadvantage that anyone accustomed to the darkness that came with each day's passing had the odds swung far into their favor. It was why the beasts of the land were so feared by common folk, even if more mysterious and magical beings prowled the day. The great unknown, surrounding them, confounding them, it filled both eye and heart with unsettling and ambient terror. Most had enough difficulty with fending off lesser threats they could see, even a motley band of raiding goblins or kobolds.

But that was not the case for those present, at least not in majority. Darkness was an ally, one the enemy had turned against themselves by wandering through the dying fires of the streets or in one case, soaring against the backdrop of the stars and moon. Clearly they were uneducated in the forces they were attempting to exploit; all the more reason to turn the aggressors into the feeble targets they really were without their leaders.

"You are right that it might be a trap," The huntsman's voice growled softly from behind them as the raven's master guided the avian figure through the sky above, "But if so, it is only an opportunity to prove our own cunning."

The hunter conceded the halfling's fears might have been well placed, but what brashness had they undertaken tonight? Short of the dragon which they had no option but to fend off lest it raze the keep, they had been cautious, watchful to act on opportunity rather than rush headlong in first. Even the half orc and his crazed demeanor had enough decency to seemingly plan out his insanity, even if the path he chose for himself was still one of great and wild danger.

No less, the enemy did not appear particularly... successful? The man was still uncertain as to what they were even after, ignoring the why, let alone why this mill was so vitally important. It was crucial to their food stores, that much he understood, but there were greater concerns on his mind.

"So make yourself watchful like the bird above on wing."

He shifted about with little more than the soft stirring of a few leaves, turning to stare down the path they had come. Being followed was his first worry, leaving the rest, for the moment, to preoccupy themselves with surveying the road beyond the orchard and its camouflaging trees as well as the notions of just why the attackers were doing what it was they did. With all the honesty he carried himself with, he addressed the cleric's response with as cut and dry an answer as expected of a born hunter.

"As for capture, I am more partial to killing my quarry, but we will see if your efforts have any result, priest. I have no high hopes that these things wish to do anything other than see your home destroyed." The man added, falling silent thereafter once addressing Shepard.

Rolls

Brannor rolls an 8 for a Wisdom (Perception) check to see if the enemy has attempted to follow them or if they are near the keep's underground entrance. If he could better hear or smell them, he has advantage on this check and rolls a .

@Hekazu@Ryonara@Lucius Cypher@Gordian Nought@Norschtalen

[Ryonara]

Parum stumbled when Kyra turned towards her. While she didn't lash at her, Parum knew that her words didn't make Kyra happy. She could guess that she couldn't talk Kyra out of going to the mill, and it seemed like everyone else was pretty intent on going regardless if it was a trap or not. Her hands balled into fists feeling frustrated, but she wasn't going to give up. If these people were going to do this, than Parum was going to make sure they at least didn't die. "If you're going to keep going, fine, but don't just walk into a trap!" Parum shouted just a little. She didn't mean to be loud, but she wanted to be heard. She walked alongside the others and tried to think of some sort of plan.

"If this is an ambush, they may try to lure us inside the mill. They might try to pretend to be a villager, but if what Escobert said is true, than there shouldn't be anyone left in the village that needs saving. If they're already there they likely have already sealed any exits for us and set up traps to kill us. I know that grain can be highly flammable, doubly so if this mill is made mostly of wood. You mentioned there's a forest nearby; some of our enemies may be hiding in the woods as well, if they aren't hidden between the buildings or in the buildings themselves. They probably used a lot of kobolds so we'll definitely be outnumbered."

With this information in mind, Parum thought about possible strategies they could use to circumvent their foes. First they had to verify if this really was an ambush and not just the bandits stealing grain. Kyra said that there was only one road to the mill and that it was a fair bit away from the keep; unless they intended to carry bags of grain on their backs, they'll need carts and beasts to pull them. Parum wasn't sure how well drakes served as pack animals, so chances are they'll be horses or mules. Second would be activity; these bandits might be aware that there is a group actively working against them outside of the keep, but if they were really trying to raid the mill they'd just post guards and continue with their sacking. But if they were going to try and ambush them, they'll be quieter, or at least be in a force too small to take all the grain in the building. And last but not least, the forces themselves. A large number of kobolds stealing from the mill would make sense and they'll be a threat thanks to numbers alone. But if there's only a small handful or more humanoid raiders instead of kobolds around, than surely it's a trap. If the trap in the mill doesn't take out the party, than surely a gang of fresh, healthy bandits could.

"Torag, see if your familiar can find any signs of carts or horses. They have to have something to bring all that grain out. Also see if there's many kobolds or not. I suspect that kobolds make up a bulk of our enemies, but if they want to ambush us they'll either use a lot of kobolds, or have a couple of bigger humanoids and drakes. We also need to know if they're actually trying to steal from the mill or just trying to lure us in. Which brings me to one more thing..." Parum quickened her step and catch up to Kyra and stood in front of her. This might be risky for Parum to do, but she couldn't keep this to herself any further. "Kyra, you need to put aside your hatred for just a moment. I know how much it must hurt you to see this happen to your hometown, to the people you know and love. But if you let your anger control you, you'll walk right into their trap. They're expecting you to be reckless and try to stop them so you'll be right where they want you. If this is a trap, if they know that someone is after them, they'll do everything they can to make sure that you do something stupid. And once you do that'll be it. No amount of fury or prayers can save you. So please... Please! Don't let your hate get the better of you! If you want revenge, you need to live! Not die fighting."

[Lucius Cypher]

This was more talking then Orchid was used to. Sure, the elders back at home says that communication was key to victory, but right now it sounded like a whole lot of jibba-jabba. Parum being scared, Kyra being angry, Brannor being mysterious, and Torag being old. The only thing that really mattered to Orchid was that they were suppose to capture some sort of a prisoner and that this might be a trap.

Okay so that second part is actually rather important. But so what? Traps meant ambushes and they needed to find someone to capture anyways. Now they know for certain where to find someone. Everything else was unnecessary. Orchid didn't have much to say but an idea to scare the weaker willed enemies away. ”Orchid say blow all to zog. They cowards, need to ambush us. Make big boom, then loud noise and death. Shock and awe.”

Much like the green man himself, tactics and subtly only served to make the surprises even more effective. If they were going to try to counter ambush these raiders, then they'll need to put on a big scare in order to keep the enemy in disarray. Lights, sounds, and mayhem abound. Basically, cause an explosion of hysteria amount the enemy. Not that Orchid really knew how since cutting down the enemy one-by-one was really the only method he's got, but he was sure the other party members knows something.

Info/Rolls

Health: 14/14
Armor Class: 16
Rage: 0/2
Status: Slightly annoyed

[Norschtalen]

All this talking was starting to get on Kyra's nerves. If they were going to talk, they should have done that before they left the keep. But for the sake of moving things along, Kyra could accept that maybe, just maybe, this was a trap and that they should be careful. Parum's comment about Kyra's current attitude ticked her off though, and Kyra couldn't let Parum get the last say about it. "Noted. Now when you're done preaching to the cleric, shut up and follow me. We're getting close to the grain mill." As she walks forward she also turned to Brannor to give him a quip. "And my name is Kyra, not priestess." Who knows who might've been spying on them while Parum rambled on, so Kyra wanted to move fast. She knew she still had to wait for Torus's familiar to come back with intel, but they could still reach the forest and hide in there. Certainly better than sitting in the middle of the village. Kyra utilized both her natural skills as well as her knowledge of the village to allow her to easily navigate through the village quietly. Kyra also tried to keep her senses open for any patrols, but her mind was distracted with thoughts of vengeance as well as Parum's words.

She knew this was no time for reflection, but thinking on it, Parum wasn't wrong. And even though Kyra never really took to learning all the lore and history the church provided her, she still knows many of their tales and stories she was told as a child. Tale of cunning heroes utilizing the rage and aggression of their enemies, or tragic tales of holy warriors who fell because they let their fury break their codes. Kyra thought to herself, "That won't happen to me. There's no one among these scum who deserve my pity." But then, Kyra did remember one dark thought she had almost forgotten. Before, she intended to leave the keep just herself and Orchid. And if needed, she was going to return by herself, leaving Orchid to whatever fate he may encounter. She tried to justify it with thoughts of sacrifice and honor, but those were things she hoped Orchid would do himself. And in none of her thoughts did she ever consider trying to save Orchid.

In her mind Kyra knew that it doesn't matter if Orchid was willing to sacrifice himself or not for Kyra's behalf; the fact that she was already willing to accept it before even asking him was all she needed to realize that maybe she might have become overzealous. She had wanted nothing more than to save her village that she was willing to not only fight an entire army of bandits, but also sacrifice the lives of strangers who have done nothing but offer their help and put their lives on the line for her. But Kyra can't let these thoughts distract her now. She'll speak to Falconmoon about it when she returns to the keep. Regardless of whatever sin she may have almost done, she knew that she had a righteous duty to fulfill right now. She can't let herself be distracted by doubts.

Rolls

Stealth = 22

Perception = 6

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

"And my name is Kyra, not priestess."

The man retorted, caring not if she heard him and the low way he spoke.

"A name... a title, they matter no differently. Both are tamed things."

It was true, quite true at that, that both in the outsider's experience were the works of people. He had never met a thing of the woods that cared any about what exactly it was called, just as long as the word had respectful meaning to it. This tamed town, with its sheltered soul, had proven it could not stand up to scaled vermin and bandits who had the audacity to think themselves anything more than armed thugs, so it came as no real surprise the way the young woman reacted as she did. It was clear she had never faced a challenge like this, a trial of faith, but something in her fought fiercely beyond the magic she wielded and what her patron seemed to embody.

Perhaps nature's touch, as with that he felt through her divine spell's blessing, had a deeper hold on her than she knew. Brannor could feel that magic's power, after all the very essence of it was born into him in ways he could not explain; other men hadn't these blessings inborn, at least to his awareness. So it was very possible, or so he thought it now, that when pressured Shepard's learning of the faith changed.

"Perhaps in that too you should embrace ferocity." He continued, said as obscurely and oddly as anything else he had prior in hushed tone.

The beast that was this man knew little other than that after all. It was why he was so partial to the half blood, even if the other man was touched in the head by what he could only imagine was the gods' doing. At least he, in his orcish rages, knew that and what it meant, so there was hope at least for a priestess with familiar magic, one that begged to be unleashed and unchained, to discover it too and free herself from the clouding anger in mind; there was a time and place for fury, both those rampant and cold and cunning, and more importantly a way to wield it.

"There will be time after to explain."

And yet... in spite of the ongoing concerns of the halfling and her pleadings, he did not find her argument grating. Rational, reasonable, respectable, it was all these things and more, but what it lacked was courage. It had not the resolve to turn its own fears into weapons. Assuming it was a trap, which even yet might be questionable, they had the time and opportunity to use that against their enemy now. There were no lives in peril, no city to save; the battle was already lost, the darkness won it, but not the war which they waged here and now. So what concern was there to be?

They had the time, the means and the opportunity to stalk their foes and cut them down in scores of bloodied shreds. Let the enemy lie in wait for their own death.

Rolls

Brannor rolls a 14 for a Dexterity (Stealth) check as they remain slinking through the darkness.

@Hekazu@Ryonara@Lucius Cypher@Gordian Nought@Norschtalen

[Gordian Nought]

The forest was numb.

Insensible to the noxious catastrophe nearby, birds conducted song and courtship without mind. Rabbits rummaged caches hidden a winter prior, relishing their rewards amongst their relatives. Deer frolicked together alongside the whispering heroes, while fish twirled playfully in the adjacent stream. Their scales glimmered from the prancing shadows thrown from nigh house fires.

The pirate knew that Nature was too resourceful to be bothered by this invasion. Programmed to adapt, species always subsisted into overpopulation, checked only by a disaster or predators to regulate their census. Numbers would fall, but the fittest would enjoy the spoils of evolution, acclimating to the circumstances to thrive into throngs with the next generation. Their wrinkled populace, modified phenotypically by hazardous selection pressures, became their strongest visage, while seemingly anesthetized to a comatose civilization. However, the people of Greenest were now awakened by nightmares of unbridled terror, loosed upon them without rhyme or reason.

The druid sensed the paladin harbored this instinctual stratification, ever hungry for the hunt, irrespective of society’s desire for control or refinement. It seemed to Torus that Brannor fed on theses knots of pure wilderness, prized by Nature and her minions. This promised expanse of enterprise, if social order was unwilling to tame its own. These thoughts eddied within the elder’s liberated conscious as vengeance and death no longer regaled as priorities. The raven returned onto his shoulder, chirping its reaped intel, meager samples of a few raiders launching torch at the mill.

Tossing the fowl into the night, once more, the tongue ring spindled again, “Only a handful appear present, lads. Moonlight is fickle. I suggest we approach. Now. Rather than linger.”

Mechanics

Stealth is 19.

Torus sends the raven for one more final swoop, awaiting confirmation and coordination for attack, by screeching on the opposite position, once we pounce to confuse the enemy.

[Hekazu]

After Torus' words, few other words were exchanged. Most agreed with his notion: It was time to act. Even Parum who was not too enthusiastic about this manoeuvre eventually followed, being the last one to approach the mill. They could cross the stream just fine, especially with the water wheel that powered the mill still turning. Why it did so was unclear to most, but Kyra who had been here since the beginning had happened to notice how the mill had been operation later than usual. They just hadn't had the time to shut it down before they had had to run for their lives.

Their formation was hastily built, but in the end Orchid happened to be the spearhead of the strike, sneaking furthest away from Parum who indeed remained at the back. The next one to the front was the priestess of Chauntea, eager to strike at those that had wronged her home town, followed by the Paladin, leaving the Druid to fill in the final remaining spot. They got quite close, but eventually the one slightly further away heard a noise coming from their left.

They slapped their friend on the shoulder and shouted in common: "Defenders! Many of! Run!" with that, he himself was already following his advice and took off running without even drawing his weapon. The other froze on their tracks for a moment, but did begin stumbling away after their friend. Luckily enough, they didn't get quite far enough to escape Orchid's reach... The rest of them had already been further away and heard the commotion, backing off just as well.

Mechanics&Rolls

Parum has rolled 9 for stealth and 6 for initiative.

The other of the two that had been actively throwing torches spotted the party, taking off into a 60 feet dash when Orchid was about ten feet away from them. The other one clearly was not expecting this and even with the warning only managed to move 15 feet. The remaining two of the group of attackers are, after their Dash action, over one hundred feet away.

It would be @The Harbinger of Ferocity's turn, following the one the enemies had on their count of 20.

And the rest of you should also know, combat has begun. @Gordian Nought@Norschtalen@Lucius Cypher@Ryonara

[The Harbinger of Ferocity]

The men before Brannor and the throng of Greenest's defenders broke with the pace of any coward. They ran, they fled, they yelled, they shrunk; it would not be the first time and it would not be the last.

One hesitated, for one reason or another, and the hunter took his time to act on impulse and opportunity. Despite his size and the weight of his armor, he broke into a run, the surprise up and the chase on. Without a word, nothing but determination, he covering the distance with frightening speed, passing by Orchid and at an angle to help break off the man. Either he would need go past him or the half-orc, toward the other defenders, or off further toward the water. It was as basic a tact as any, the same animals as the wolf were legendary for; make their enemy flee where they want them.

In the same swift motion, his armor rushing and jingling now with wood cloak following in his wide steps, the large man drew his greatsword with one hand from its place of rest upon his back. From there, it met another glove and he menaced the raider well within the sword's reach, hoping Orchid would do the rest as he set up the posture to strike.

While it was an act, Brannor not going to cleave the man into two should he have the opportunity, the threat it was more important; he wanted the man to fear running, all so they could beat him unconscious. Any swipe he would in fact take, he would do so with the flat of his sword.

Effects

Brannor uses the Dash action to move into the hesitating man's threatened area, behind him if at all possible. Because he cannot use his action to attack or shove the man prone, he instead intends to use his reaction to make an opportunity attack. If he can attack, the blow is intended not to be lethal.

@Hekazu@Ryonara@Lucius Cypher@Gordian Nought@Norschtalen

[Gordian Nought]

The familiar flashed upon Torus’s shield-arm once more. Its prior descent, however, vexed the troupe’s expectant ambush, as the horde, now alerted, bellowed verbal alarms.

“Defenders! Many of! Run!”

His fang suddenly gleamed with a furnace’s heat, the staff whispering dim light into the fracas before them. He witnessed the paladin quickly circumscribe the hesitating man, as the other arsonists fled. The druid drew out his axillary net. He beckoned his avian help-meet to lend wing to aid his ropy trap, hoping to not only fish, but web the man. The familiar hovered along the elder’s outstretched hand; talon soon clasped one end of the mesh, mimicking and gripping the frays with its master, issuing a taut lattice of hemp, jute and sisal.

Then, the duo raced.

Yoked, together, by the uncoiled strands of briny fiber, between parrot and pirate, the saline squad convened upon the scoundrel, with Brannor flanking, readying for the next twinkling opportunity. The net was cast upon the quivering gent. The released twined weave dangled through the air, hoping, to land upon the bloke, end this scuffle and subsequently learn quickly the machinations of their dastardly enterprise.

Mechanics:

Since Torus and his familiar are next to each other in the initiative order, they will coordinate their efforts to preserve their action economy.

Torus will cast Shillelagh, as a bonus action.

The familiar will uses its free interact object action to freely grasp the net, making it taut between Torus and itself. They will then move 30 feet in front of the hesitating man, who is within 35 feet, per my calculations. The familiar will then use the HELP action as its main action to provide Advantage to Brannor, before Torus' next turn, alongside Brannor’s position who is also providing Flanking Advantage to Torus this turn, with a non-proficient Net throw at a natural 1 and an 8, to hopefully encapsulate the enemy within 5 feet. If successful, the gent becomes restrained.

Both the familiar and Torus, provide Flanking Advantage to Torus' and Brannor’s likely Attack of Opportunity.

@Hekazu@The Harbinger of Ferocity@Lucius Cypher@Norschtalen@Ryonara

[Ryonara]

Parum still thought this entire thing was a bad idea, but she was going to at least make sure everyone comes back alive, one way or another. Brannor and Orchid took the lead while she, Kyra, and Torag brought up the rear. They'll go from their hiding spot from the forest, across the river, and to the mill. Hopefully they could at least capture one of these prisoners and get some quick answers from him; Parum would rather not try to do any interrogation out here, and bringing him back to the fort could prove disastrous. She moved as quickly as her small feet could until eventually they were spotted by the raiders. Brannor was quick to cut off the path of the slower raider, and Parum just needed to get within sixty feet before she fired off a spell at him. "Only scum runs from a fight, only to turn their blades on those who can't!"

With viol and rapier in hand, Parum released a sharp note from her instrument as it sent psychic energy directly to the raider's mind. While it'll do full force, Parum did keep in mind that she needed to capture one of them alive; saving the mill was not a priority so much as capturing a prisoner. Kyra can yell at her later, Parum just wanted to get everyone out of here.

Rolls

Vicious Mockery - 4

[Norschtalen]

With a plan of action, Kyra moved out. Her form was naturally masked by the foliage of the dense forest, and everyone else covered the sound of their footsteps thanks to the river next to them. Anger burned in Kyra's eyes more intense than the fires set to the mill. She's never actually been to the mill up till now, despite how long she's lived in Greenest, but she knew of it's importance and how long it would take to rebuild it. What did these brigands even get from burning it down? Just some sick pleasure that they've inconvenienced her people after they've taken everything away from them? If it wasn't for the fact that the mayor needed to information from these people, Kyra would waste no time killing them all. Still... They only need one.

Eventually the party was spotted. It was inevitable really, and a few of the raiders started running. They ran too far for Kyra to shoot down, but one hesitated long enough for Brannor to cut off his path. Kyra dashed across the rocks on the river, literally skipping over the stones to get into range of the lone bandit. Once across the river, Kyra took an arrow out of her quiver and aimed at the bandit's leg. She released her arrow so that it'll land right into his knee, ending his career as a brigand and hopefully crippling him. She didn't want to kill him yet, but if she had to leave him bleeding out, so be it. They had to take this one out quickly before the others arrived. Looking over at the mill, Kyra couldn't help but shed a single tear. She knew she couldn't save it, but she will have her vengeance.

Rolls

Jumping on rocks to cross the river (Acrobatics) = 15

Shortbow Attack = 22

Shortbow Damage = 4

[Lucius Cypher]

Finally, it was time to act. Orchid was getting sick and tired of all this waiting around. If he was going to do that, he'd return to the keep, eat some more potatoes, and rest by a fire. Now then, considering that they are suppose to take at least one of these people alive, Orchid knew that he couldn't just chop them down. So instead of using his sword, Orchid brought out his rope. He was no stranger to wrangling while monsters to the ground, and people weren't too different. With his rope in hand Orchid and Brannor took point and snuck towards the brigands, getting closer by the second. Eventually they spotted him a most of them ran, but one was too slow. Everyone pounced on this one and Orchid was no different. "Waaaargh!" He charged out from his hidden spot and tackled the brigand before he could get too far, his rope ready to tie him up. Once he was secure Orchid would make sure to knock him out, cover his head with his shirt or something, and haul him back to the fortress for questioning.

Info/Rolls

Health: 14/14
Armor Class: 14 (No Shield)
Rage: 0/2
Status: Grappling with the brigand (15), has rope in the other hand to tie him up.

[Hekazu]

The opponent that had not been as quick to react was not very lucky. First the magically infused words attacked their mind, then they got an arrow to their leg and as if to add insult to injury the last thing they saw before they blacked out was the leaping half-orc on unavoidable collision course with them. Luckily enough they didn't have to experience the impact itself as their consciousness drifted away just a moment before that.

The green half naked barbarian collided with the limp person, sending both of them tumbling five feet to the side, ending up with him on top of the non-resisting person, whose hood had been thrown off their head in this turn of events. And, to the possible surprise of many, it was a she. A human woman in perfectly ordinary armour, wearing the same kind of gear as many of the attackers they had seen earlier. Whether he was fazed by this or not, Orchid nevertheless got to work and bound her up, just as he had planned. The rest of the group continued running, still knowing they were outnumbered.

Mechanics&Rolls

The enemy is hit by the arrow and fails their save against Vicious Mockery, taking the 4 damage from each. This causes her to collapse, allowing Orchid to tie them up with the action that would otherwise have been used on the grapple.

The enemy is now Restrained, Unconscious and Unstable.

She has made a single death saving throw, the result of which is not public domain. I trust we can remain in combat until we have found the results of the underlined condition, just so I can track the amount of needed death saves more easily, yes?

@The Harbinger of Ferocity@Gordian Nought@Ryonara@Norschtalen@Lucius Cypher