Sigil

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Guard 3

Location: D12

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His orders were simple, and simply put. There were only a few things that could hurt them now, and magic was one of them. The crossbow wielding Guards were there purely as a deterrent should the unlikely event of the odd magic user be present. It looked like there was more than one. At this point, he couldn't be sure how many of them there were, or even if they all were. So he had to make his decision on who to shoot at based upon which of these people were actively showing magical effects.

The first, and most obvious one was the reptilian fellow missing an arm (in the traditional sense). Big, glowy arms were a dead giveaway, even if he didn't seem to be using magic in a traditional sense. There was a woman who didn't seem to be doing anything obvious in the way of sorcery, but looked suspicious. Then another who was, for whatever moronic reason, playing a damned violin in the middle of a fight. But nothing obvious from her except for apparent foolishness. But there was one who was out in the open and cast a spell with which this person was quite familiar.

The two Guards in their elevated locations glanced to one another, with the same thought in mind. But the one who took aim was the only one who spoke:

"Tiefling." the crossbow twanged once, propelling a bolt in Kosara's direction. It scored a respectable enough hit before he ducked back to reload.


@rivaan Kosara has taken 5 points of piercing damage.

@Dragoknighte Your turn. Huzzah!

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Guard 1

Location: J12

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The Guard was obstinate. He had no intention of dying on this rainy autumn day, though he had to admit that getting knocked around by magic - magic, of all things - frigging hurt. This most recent attack slammed into him with less force than before, but still, OUCH. This was not his favorite way to spend an afternoon, and to be quite frank, those attacks were piling up to a very negative outcome.

This was rural living; the only practitioners of the arcane were supposed to be the occasional Cleric (and there really wasn't much of a religious presence in this town) or a hedge magician of some kind who stumbled onto a useful trick or two. Hells, the last person of any magical ability who lived here left this place a while ago for bigger and better things. Now there were a group of them and one in particular was giving him a hard time. Well, no matter. She had sealed her fate the moment she openly cast an attacking spell in front of the crossbowmen. Then blatantly taunted them. Then didn't bother moving or taking cover. All he had to do was hold on for a liiiittle longer.

But first! He really, really wanted to stab her. His spear was still in hand and he intended to use it. Teeth were bared, slightly elongated incisors in view and lisping out a hiss of aggression as he spiraled the weapon in his hands, looking for an opening. It was an easy find, as it turned out. The tip of the weapon pressed against Kosara's flesh. It met unexpected resistance at first as the woman's mage Armor held, but a concentrated shove helped to get past it, barely. Blood was drawn. It was a minor victory at best. He wrenched the spear free and made for the same spot again, hoping that he had found a weak point in her defense, only to pass his spear through empty air. Full miss.

@rivaan Kosara has taken 5 points of piercing damage.

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Guard 2

Location: K12

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Guard 2 had a decision to make. None of his options were particularly great at this time and it looked like the two opposing forces were more or less evenly matched if his allies in more elevated positions got a couple hits in. But this was all wrong. This was supposed to be an easy, overwhelming win for them. There weren't supposed to be this many people capable of using magic. There weren't supposed to be this many people here at all. And the Constable? Either he was the one being overwhelmed, or he was holding back for some purpose unknown to him. This was not exactly going to the battle plan. But they could still pull out a victory. This was far from lost.

Between himself and the other Guard next to him, they could probably both gang up on the slender Tiefling and fill her full of holes before she could compensate for the rush. But this would place his back to the strange Dragonborn with three arms, two of which were ...interesting... at best. And painful. The Guard to his side was damaged but not down yet. No, he would go by the ancient and well-polished art of looking after his own skin. Be it that their orders were to concentrate on the tall woman, they had to get by these two to get to her.

Baronfjord it was, then. This was an unusual opponent, and he hadn't his spear on his person. Maybe if he could dip low and snatch it up, he could attack under the magic appendages and hit the scaly flesh behind them. If he was able to strike a final blow, he might even claim the unorthodox combatant's shortsword for his own. Yeah, they would turn this fight in their favor, and this azure outsider would go down first. The crossbow bolt had already done an remarkable job, all he had to do was finish it. The Guard made his move.

The low assault of a matter of a couple of feet was executed flawlessly as his boots shuffled in exactly the right balance of speed and coordination. No jerky movements were these, but the practiced steps of a men intent on skewering his prey like one might a charging boar. His lithe, strong fingers wrapped around the haft of his dropped spear and his other hand touched the ground briefly, giving him the exact balance necessary to insert the point of his weapon between the ribs of his enemy. His thrust was executed without tangible flaw to his martial technique, and he was in the exact position to put this person down.

Then he missed. Utterly. TWICE.

Looking very foolish, the Guard righted himself and stepped back, sighing as his own ineptitude, and breathed out a quiet, "...well, shit."

@Arty Fox Your turn!

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

@Dragoknighte@rivaan@Remipa Awesome@Sigil@Arty Fox

And we have our newly updated "Initiative Order:"

Cavendish
Victoria
Kosara
Guard 1
Guard 2
Baronfjord
Guard 3
Marita
Kathryn
Guard 4

In the previous round, the two hidden Guards were given an end-of-round action because of circumstances. Now that they are active and in play, they join in in the proper Initiative, which admittedly looks a whole lot like the way it panned out this time, except that Guard 3 got just a little luckier than Marita and Kat.

Anyway, I would like to bring up some header issues - make sure you are updating this. This includes Location, including the format for movement on the map. Don't put unnecessary things into it unless previously approved. These things make my job tracking stuff easier.

And as always, please remember to tag the next person in Initiative order. Thanks!

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Victoria Belmont Half-Elf, Bard, Level 3 HP: 23 / 23 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: P17 -> M15 Action: Casting Healing Word for Kathryn Bonus Action: Bardic Inspiration on Kosara Reaction: N/A

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This was not going exactly as hoped. But when blood began to flow, can it really be said that things were precisely hitting the plan? Unless one was the aggressor, probably not. The thought of being the aggressor wasn't far-fetched, in Victoria's mind, though she took some satisfaction in the knowledge that they were defending someone from the onslaught of villainy. Especially since the object of their defense was fixing up her sword for her (for five gold coins she rightly pocketed earlier), though such materialism was not completely the issue. Either way, Victoria was who she was, and today she was on the side of righteousness.

The purple-clad Bard took her first steps out into the open of this brouhaha, violin in hand. It was time to fulfill her established role in this, or really any adventuring group, rather than act in substitute to another. So she lifted bow to strings ans started playing. It was spirited and demonstrated talent; likely also a lot of chutzpah to play a song in the middle of a mortal struggle. But as notes filled the air, the effect of it was palpable.

To start, Victoria looked to Kathryn and softly vocalized a note. A single, melodic syllable escaped her lips, washing over the stalwart warrior with a minor amount of soothing, healing energy. Secondly, the song from her violin became recognizable to those who had heard it previously. This played in The Infamous Pear back in Darenby, when she and Kosara put on a performance for the people gathered. The message passed along was a supportive, "You've got this," at that time, and the song's meaning carried through on this occasion as well. Kosara looked like she was ready to perform some manner of combative action and Victoria wanted to give an advantage, considering she was out in the wide open, more exposed than most in this fight.

@Remipa Awesome Kathryn gets 6 points of heals.

@rivaan Kosara is now Inspired, 1d6 that can be added to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw. Additionally, it can also be added to a spell that restores hit points or deals damage. ALSO - TAG, you're up next!

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Battle Map

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Cavendish

Location: L16

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This was unexpected. Damn these people and damn his cousin Gregory for sending them. By no means was this the end of the discussion. If Cavendish had his way, they would set fire to the silversmith's after every one of these people were tied up inside. Including that fly-in-the-ointment Jacques Mallard. Needless to say, he had to turn this fight around, and quickly.

Cavendish righted himself with a remarkable demonstration of dexterity. It still cost him a precious moment, but this was not his place to fall and people would know it. As he rose, the Constable's fingers closed around the hilt of a vicious-looking shortsword at his belt. He kept low, and set himself to the utilitarian labor of a simple and unrelenting series of motions designed to aerate someone's midsection. He was aiming to cripple and set an example of this tall, critically annoying woman.

The first such blow landed in what might have been a critical spot, were it not covered with stout (enough) armor. The shortsword clanged and turned, incapable this time of penetrating Kathryn's physical defenses. He was so flustered by what had transpired that his second attack was even more poorly executed. Even if Kat were wearing no protection at all, this wouldn't have been effective.

Such failure was unacceptable. Perhaps it was nearing time for other methods to be implemented.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

"...MAGIC!"

The cry went up mere seconds prior and a lot seemed to happen in that time. From the direction which Cavendish had been looking before this meeting turned to violence (and by extension the same direction the guard yelled his proclamation after Kosara cast her very painful cantrip), a quick flutter of movement could be seen. Across the street from the silversmith's shop stood a building with a double-peaked roof, each peak bearing an attic window, and each shutter attached to these attic windows suddenly flung open. Others under the command of the Constable knelt behind these windows bearing crossbows, keyed into the threat of magic users. And so the conflict continued.

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Guard 3

Location: D12

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The utterance of that word, "Magic", in a loud voice was all the prompting necessary to put these Guards into their pre-decided roles for the conflict. But when shutters opened and the time to drill someone to death with a crossbow bolt from afar, no one was actively priming a spell. Sure, there were two people who were mostly unarmed which were visible, but only one with big, nigh spectral arms floating around themself. He took aim at the Dragonborn with a simple and effectively crafted light crossbow and depressed the trigger mechanism.

The bolt flew unerringly, nigh perfectly with just enough of a spiral, riding the wind like a leaf upon the surface of a river. It was almost poetic in its travel across the thoroughfare. A critical success, one might say. The bolt found a new home with Baronfjord. One might suspect that it was an unwelcome tenant.

@Arty Fox Baronfjord has taken 10 points of piercing damage.

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Guard 4

Location: D17

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Emboldened by his colleague on the other side of the attic, Guard 4 let out a mighty "AHA!" and took aim for himself. Yes, the blue lizard-fellow was going down, and he would be the one to take its skin for a charming belt and boot combo. Maybe some gloves if there was enough left over. Or a vest. Definitely a vest over the other selections. Okay, vest if nothing else. Ah, the plans he had.

His crossbow twanged with fury and the utmost of stabbiness, releasing its payload into the air. If intent could be weaponized, this fine device would be throwing boulders as the stoniest of giants might. Yes, this was going to hurt.

Unfortunately, the bolt flew so wide as to be laughable, causing the ranged antagonist to facepalm. This was an almost utter failure.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Guard 1

Location: I12 -> J12

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He was ordered to "pincushion" the woman on the ground in front of him, and damnit, he was going to. There was a momentary distraction as Constable Cavendish came practically tumbling back out of the building in obvious distress, but he'd be plucked like a supper chicken if the man's last order was ignored. The Guard raised his spear in a two-handed grip and prepared to bring it down. He didn't foresee being blindsided by magic.

The searing pain of that accursed devil-spawn's attack very near put Mr. Guard to a knee. He certainly wasn't expecting to be physically hurt by these outsiders. But if one was going to, it was going to be with magic. Unlike the storybooks, spellcasting types didn't walk around wearing robes and scholarly hats all the time, he was finding out. No matter, he had orders from a man that he did not want to cross, and a fresh sear of pain to vent. He glared at Kosara, letting his mask slip a little, but brought the weapon to bear on Kathryn. Some of it was out of spite.

The spearhead slams down upon the prone form of Kathryn, unable to penetrate the thick armor at first. Again it comes down, this time widening a gap and finding the softer flesh beneath. The Guard sneers maliciously, but not at his target. His eyes found the Tiefling who hurt him instead.

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Guard 2

Location: J11 -> K12

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The other Guard in Cavendish's entourage heard the order given as well, and readied himself to move on it with expedient precision. He too had noticed the effect upon the Constable and now something more blatantly painful happen to his fellow Guard, and stuck to his orders like a professional. But in this instance, they had overriding orders in the event of certain circumstances coming into the skirmish. He glanced up in the same direction that Cavendish had twice or three times earlier, to the upper windows of the building across the street, placed a hand to the side of his mouth, and yelled, "MAGIC!" as if to signal something to come.

The Guard promptly set to likewise "pincushion" the downed Kathryn. He advanced menacingly, slamming his spearhead down in something close to frenzy, multiple times to find an opening in the armor and inflict as much damage as possible, like a message needing to be punctuated in hot, arterial red. Unfortunately for his side, he couldn't find a solitary point of penetration, leaving a series of spots that would yield nothing but roundish bruises if left to their own devices.

@Remipa Awesome Kathryn has taken 9 points of piercing damage.

@Arty Fox TAG - you're it.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Victoria Belmont Half-Elf, Bard, Level 3 HP: 23 / 23 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Silversmith's Shop, P17 Action: Casting Dissonant Whispers Bonus Action: Morty Reaction: N/A

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This was not a fight that they needed right now. They weren't ready. Ill-equipped, if what they suspected was correct, if even the Constable was involved. but none of that mattered in the face of what had become a direct attack. Victoria didn't have a lot on information on what was going on at first, but just as soon as the door came open, things became obvious. The Bard had just earlier opted to slide her violin off of her back, with the idea being to use it as a casting focus if the worst was coming to pass as her dagger, however utilitarian and useful it might be, was simply not the tool for this job.

Even braced for an inevitable fight, Victoria was startled when Cavendish readily got through the door. He hadn't quite entered yet when Victoria drew her bow over the strings of her preferred instrument. It was a single note held solidly for half of its span, growing ragged around its apex and fading into quiet discord. As the sound of the violin abated, it was replaced with a whispered chant from Victoria's lips, her melodic voice both beautiful and eerily unsettling. Simultaneously, Cavendish began to look around himself fearfully, trying desperately to cover his ears without dropping his hammer, regardless of the fact that stifling his hearing did nothing to help the whispers echoing inside of his head, bouncing about and doing harm to his psyche. He stumbled back down the short few steps in front of the door, grunting and hunched over in reaction to the unwelcome presence of what sounded like lost souls hissed promises of death and madness eternal within the confines of his mind.

More keenly aware of what was going on outside now, Victoria issued a mental command to Morty, still outside, altering his standing orders. To the observer on the street, nothing changed with the preternaturally still, burlap wrapped beast. The poor, dead bastard was merely waiting for its trigger before it would leap into action.

NOTE: Cavendish is now at L16.

@rivaan - Kosara is up next. Huzzah!

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Battle Map

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Cavendish

Location: J12 -> M15

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One might swear that a glint of red swelled in the edges of the Constable's eyes as his lips curled into a satisfied smile. He had to look up to lock eyes with Kathryn, the tall and powerful warrior who stood before him, though if her stature was a concern for him he showed nothing of it. No words, nor posturing were wasted at this time. She stood in his way. If he had his druthers on the matter, soon she would not.

With blinding speed that one wouldn't imagine from a man of his stature, Cavendish suddenly reversed his grip on his hammer and darted forward. The shaft of his hammer lay across his forearm, its well-crafted head providing just a little extra oomph when connection was made. Cavendish had only a couple of feet; nevertheless enough room to build up sufficient momentum to knock the woman prone. He casually stepped over Kathryn's fallen form and nonchalantly ordered to his guards behind him, "Pincushion that bitch and anyone else who tries to stop us."

The Constable strode to the front door of the Mr. Mallard's shop and gave the door a stout kick. The door, presently latched but not barred, shuddered and swung open. A look of surprised amusement came over his face. The women he had earlier referred to as "The Barmaid" and "The Pretty One" stood between him and the silversmith.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

@Dragoknighte@rivaan@Remipa Awesome@Sigil@Arty Fox

And we have our "Initiative Order:"

Cavendish (because of course the dice like him)
Victoria
Kosara
Guard 1
Guard 2
Baronfjord
Marita
Kathryn

This means that I will be taking the first two passes at this and will tag Rivaan at the end of my post(s). Please make sure you tag the next person in the rotation.

UPDATE: There will be a bit of a delay as I have called for an opposed roll. If you haven't gotten a DM in Discord about this, it's not about your character. Once the roll is resolved, I will begin the post.