Sigil

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Fog yet loomed thick and heavy over the makeshift arena which held the party and the deathly antagonists. To all perception it had gotten even thicker and heavier in the moments since their arrival, though this was as likely due to the spread of broader light and contrasting shadow giving an isolating effect in the night's gloom. And those fires had indeed gotten broader. Even aside from the most recent spillage, the existing dense, syrupy pitch had been spreading, bringing its fire to cover more area.

The tree closest to the blaze near the leftmost cage abruptly caught fire, its remaining autumn leaves going up like kindling. The smoke of it, and the pitch on the ground kept moving more or less upward, even if that which remained below was beginning to become cumbersome for those who desired to continue pulling untainted air into their lungs. Yet the smoke's presence had not yet interfered with ones visibility enough to make a difference in the ongoing fight - for either side.

With the downing of one of these Rat Abominations, Cavendish could be seen with a less obstructive view than ever, and from more angles. This too was a double-edged sword, as he had already set sights on targets and had proven his proficiency in ranged attack magic. What was more, even though the creature was down and its corpse burning up in the sticky, burning hell around him, the Wererat Constable was yet surrounded by swarms and swarms of what appeared to be common rats - many living and milling around, but just as many deceased and still, their bodies in various states of disrepair.

In the cage to the right, Lea had been able to use the shortsword to pry and hack away one of the damaged wooden slats. The cook from Neil & Bob's, the Halfling lady, Daisy, was pushed through the aperture (as she was the only one who could fit at this time) with the sword, that she might hack at their enclosure from the outside with a less restricted swinging arc.

In a similar showing of community members helping one another, the fisherman had moved his own chunk of damaged wood far enough to one side by levering his stout fishing rod, and with Cecily's assistance they were able to get the young woman employed by the Honey Barn to slip through. She immediately grabbed hold of the weakened bar and tried her best to yank back on it, to Madame L'Rose's immediate objection. "No! You run! You keep running!" she ordered, voice cracking with emotion. She didn't wait to see if the burlesque dancer heeded her words, instead moving to help another captive stand. This one was an older fellow who, were this a fair and just world, should have been at the talent show in the Farmers' Market, displaying his uncanny ability to cry upon command. It was unmistakably Beppo.

"Mornin'!" the fisherman insisted to the young lady who had just slipped through, jerking his head in a direction away from the fighting. He had stopped trying to lever the wood away, instead holding the rod like a quarterstaff and planting his feet about shoulder-width apart inside of his cage. He steadied his breathing and rolled his shoulders, assumed a low, combative stance, and brought surprising force to bear against their enclosure with a lateral thrust of his favored tool with a mighty, "Huah Hah!"

New Round

@Arty Fox Baronfjørd - You have been granted your one day extension. You are first up, at your leisure, sir.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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X2

Location: E10

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The creature didn't appear outwardly to be capable of processing thought nor emotion; nevertheless it might be inferred that it was not exactly pleased about its evening so far. One might especially have this feeling when it was very rudely shoved into a brilliantly burning barrel of mildly refined tree sap. Certain individuals possessing exemplary sensitivity might actually have sympathized when the barrel split open, partially engulfing the creature in sticky, liquid fire.

As a direct result of this, the flaming pitch spread out in a more or less circular pattern from its dumping point, meeting the nearby spillage from the other overturned barrel. _{(Will update the map at the top of next round.)}

The Rat Abomination, now fully aflame, showed the barest twinge of self-preservation as it awkwardly rose, shaking its limbs in an ungainly fashion before hurling itself, possibly foolishly, into the melee as it strove to fulfill its orders. Instead of specifically targeting the Tiefling, it contented itself to strike out at the closest living thing to it. As it stepped forward, the nearest living creature - was Victoria.

In its present state of disrepair, instead of attacking with closed, ham-sized fists, it opened its crudely reformed hands to reveal vicious talons at the end of its brutish phalanges. The fire it was engulfed within gave it difficulty with its aim but not its ferocity as it launched a wild, arcing swipe at the Bard's face. Victoria was able to easily twirl out of its way. The second attack was a little more successful, scoring a deep slash across her leathers but not penetrating the flesh below.

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Cavendish

Location: A10

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The Infernal utterances which issued from the Constable's rodent-like features continued right up until the point that the currently burning Rat Abomination launched a rather successful attack against him, followed by a very unexpected jolt of sideways lightning. This gave him a tiny delay. Then his annoyance could be readily measured, inhuman face or not. "Outlived your usefulness," he hissed suddenly.

Black, crackling energy corrupted Cavendish's eyes and spread across his face, leaving streaks of necrosis where it touched. As quickly as it formed, it retreated, seemingly gathering in a mass of ebon plasma in his free hand. Even this close to his attacker, the Constable possessed the fullest of confidence in his ability to strike with something ordinarily reserved for a much longer range. The energy traveled a tight arc from his raised hand, forking into two distinct plumes of arcane power before it slammed into the beast in front of him.

The thing, pieced together of anthropomorphized rodent parts, gave a hideous, inhuman wail and sank to its knees. Cavendish plunged his vicious looking shortsword into the creature's flesh, cutting off its cry into a dry, raspy scream, just before kicking it into the puddle of flame before him.

Cavendish's voice boomed with annoyed authority, "I'm through playing. Give the tall one a hug, and drag her into the fire! We're finishing this now." He looked from Kosara to Baronfjord and back again, plotting his strategy for the upcoming moments.

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X1

Location: B10

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If a thought was to be had in its final moments, it might have been anything. Cursing its nature, relief, freedom, fear; this was one of the great unknowable properties about a heretofore unencountered entity. What might be said with certainty was that the last thing to pass through its brain before expiring was the heat licking up from the sticky fire it was kicked into.


- Several rats are dead and/or on fire, and the area to the north that is not aflame is still considered Difficult Terrain, with appropriate movement penalties.

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Guard 2

Location: ?

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Guard 2 remains out of sight. Maybe he's just behind the nearest tree. Maybe he's far away, packing his stuff and getting out of town while he still can. Maaaaybe he's right behind you. However would you be able to tell?

Spooky, isn't it? Doesn't this build dramatic tension? Doesn't the notable absence beg for attention so hard you want to swat it in the face with a rolled-up newspaper? Hmm?



@rivaan Kosara, please end our round and tag me for the top of the next. 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: H9 -> I11 -> F11 Action: Object Interaction (recovering violin), Attack (X2 with rapier) Bonus Action: Reaction: N/A

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A dark sort of glee twinkled in Victoria's eyes. This dance of fire, magic, and steel started as a chaotic swarming of her party around creatures that proved to be far too powerful for any one of them to handle alone. Now they were displaying coordinated attacks to a specific end, and it looked like it was working. At first.

It was a grand idea, well reasoned and cleverly executed. The bravery of her team was obvious and well noted, the roles necessary were filled. It was a little clumsy, but effective. How were they to know that a lightning based attack was going to give them a second wind? The optimistic bent to her face left. She could not see past the flaring blaze in front of them to determine whether Cavendish and the other Abomination were likewise affected, but one could surmise.

The Bard herself generally saw her actions as best in a supporting role rather than as a primary protagonist, unless social functions were at the fore. As there was zero desire to engage in conversation with, or impress, the creatures in front of them, this aspect of her usefulness was moot. Her capacity for casting spells was her best contribution now, even if the well of her capacity to channel magic was running low. To that end, greatly desired to reclaim her preferred musical instrument and magical focus. So, while the others drew closer around their target, Victoria broke off and retraced her steps back to the fountain, dancing with practiced, twirling steps. She paused just long enough to snatch up her violin and bow with her free hand. A mote of attention was spent to attempt reestablishing contact with her animated companion, Morty, but sadly the poor, undead thing was beyond her ability to command. There was only one thing left to do.

She wielded her slim, silvered sword in the hand opposite the one which held her instrument, and it led the way as her dance-like steps drew her closer to the beast. Perhaps her blade, inlayed with the precious metal as it was, could bite where iron could not. The sword turned perpendicular to the cobblestone ground, before her face in quick salute before it plunged forward, its razor edge and deadly point seeking to impale flesh where it might matter. Unfortunately, no matter what performative efforts went into the attack, she was not the hardened warrior that always landed the telling blow. Her deft movements were not timed well enough to pierce the creature, who was still flailing to recover balance from being deposited roughly, almost atop the fire barrel. Whispers of the Grey Requiem were on her lips, ready to infuse her intended target with motes of necrosis. These fell silent with the unsuccessful attack.

"Next time," she swore to herself. "If I survive that long."

@Remipa Awesome Kathryn is up.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Guard 1

Location: ??

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He is the wind, blowing about with no more than a whisper upon the trees surrounding them. That, or squatting like a toad on a stump, trying hard not to ribbit too loudly and alert others to his presence. OOH! Like a cabbage! A steamy, boiled cabbage that was left on a picnic blanket after the rain ruined their little get-together! Yes, Guard 1 is definitely somewhere, doing something, and boy-oh-boy is it ...ongoing.

Yeah, this guy is out of sight and not making himself known.

@Dragoknighte Marita is ready to roll. You're up.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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The state of illumination and fog was such now that Cavendish could not hide in the gloom any longer. He maintained the effects of soft cover from most angles, thanks to the roaring flame coming from the pitch barrels to the north and the semi-gelatinous burning hell which sloshed about on the fitted stone of the town square, this factor thanks to the involuntary impact of one of the fleshcrafted monsters just earlier. The fog which stood more than a few meters away from the flames remained as oppressive as ever, seeming to seal everyone into their own little world of fire and blood about the size of Avonshire's square.

The Constable's personal attack monster was living up to its name, pressing vicious attacks against its master with confused, unbridled rage even as swarms and swarms of rats milled about around them both. But speaking of rats; there seemed to be almost as many dead ones as live, thanks to the earlier attentions of the Abomination and the spilled, burning pitch. The area is still counted as Difficult Terrain. Flaming barrels which still stood continued to give Cavendish soft cover from several angles.

The rightmost cage, now relieved of its previous assault, stirred with a different sort of activity. The barmaid of Neil & Bob's Public House, Lea, had taken up the shortsword and began working at widening the hole that the monster had started, be it with inexpert strikes. The lefthand cage (and the one with the best, most horrifying view of the action this round) is making a little more noise. The damaged section of the cage here has a stout fishing rod placed into it, the other end held by the fisherman and Cecily. "If you can squeeze out, you keep running. Okay, miss?" she said to a young woman recognizable to those who have attended Madame Marcie's Honey Barn.

"Nice day for fishin'," stated the fisherman with an urgent, imperative tone, the muscles of his arms straining hard against the wood of their enclosure.

New Round

@Arty Fox Baronfjørd's moment to shine.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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X2

Location: G14 -> G8

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Under the Command of Marita, the sewn-together monstrosity plodded directly to her as she moved. Kathryn's attempt to grapple and move the beast failed, even with Victoria's help, and the magic which compelled its movement also prevented initiation of further action for the time being. Some may call it a blessing, others may make not that it now has a variety of targets available in melee range.

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Cavendish

Location: A10

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The intonations in the language of the Infernal continued, alternating between stern and condescending in tone, even if one did not understand the language. For those who could speak Infernal, Cavendish was addressing the monster as one might an unruly servant, with just enough reassurance and understanding necessary to attempt a correction of action yet completely devoid of compassion or most indications of respect. Now, it could be stated that the Constable was a man with force of personality; just the thing needed to reassert control. And so the creature slowed its assault on the rats nearby.

A broad smile took over Cavendish's features as he loudly commanded (in the Common tongue, this time), "The Devilspawn that burned me - KILL HER. Bring me the horns from her corpse."

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X1

Location: E9 -> B10

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A glimmer of understanding came over the great and terrible mishmash of anthropomorphized giant rodent parts; likely as response to the words of the Constable. Red eyes reflected firelight as it stood there, looking about absently. It seemed to listen to the words that its master spoke, and was compelled to act. Within the confines of this action, anything resembling the barest twinkle of cognitive thought or capacity to listen halted instantly, like a cookfire doused by a great bucket of water. It ceased its senseless attack upon the swarms of rats milling about around it, and turned toward its target with readied pause.

It turned toward Cavendish. The abomination's apathy shattered once again into mindless, bloodthirsty rage as it charged toward the master wererat, disregarding and almost slipping over the squirming mass of rodent bodies in its seeming urgency to cause damage. It stumbled close enough to make a first, wild swing, which the Constable avoided in a striking display of coordination. Once its footing was better established, it struck out again, this time delivering a hefty package of impact. Cavendish reeled back with the sudden involuntary acceptance of that much physical energy all at once, and brandished his wicked looking shortsword with a new target in mind.


- Several rats are dead and/or on fire, and the area to the north that is not aflame is still considered Difficult Terrain, with appropriate movement penalties.

- Concentration on the Hex spell currently afflicting Kathryn has been broken.

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Guard 2

Location: ?

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Unseen, unnoticed, and/or elsewhere, Guard 2 remains. Place whatever bets you need upon when he might show up next and what he might be doing at the moment.



@rivaan Kosara ends the round for us. Once again, please tag me so that I may get us set up for the new round.

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: I11 -> H9 Action: Help Action (Kathryn, manhandling X2) Bonus Action: Reaction: N/A

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"I must be crazy," whispered Victoria. "This is NOT what I do." Sure enough, it most certainly was not. The actions she had already taken during this scuffle were not subject to her scrutiny as they all seemed fitting. Unfortunately, the one she was already tensing up to perform was subject to second, third, and fourth thoughts, which she might have heeded were she to allocate any time for consideration. Rational thought was the enemy here, if her survival was top priority. In fairness, it usually was.

A tiny glance was spared behind her, to see the retreating form of Morty (who was subject to the full blast of a Clerical Turning). If the beast was even in range to receive mental commands from her, it might not even respond. Her smoky, porcine bodyguard would not be available to assist in their struggle, and there wasn't a dead thing close enough for her to animate temporarily to take its place. So when she began to mentally put together the overall plan and the approximate reaction times of all parties on the blood-soaked chessboard that was the fountained square, the realization slammed into her that she was the optimal piece to make the move. Not an undead stand-in, as she might have utilized otherwise.

Victoria had to be foolish, and close into melee with the meaty juggernaut as Marita drew it close. Goblins were one thing - small creatures not prone to organization, the last group of them drunk beyond rational thought - but these creatures were another thing altogether. It was the height of personal stupidity and bad execution of her talents to move that near. Yet, as she heard the screams of the prisoners and remembered the mockery of the Constable, saw the faces of the people in trouble, the plum-hued Bard already felt her feet moving.

The newly silvered rapier leapt from its sheath, fitting comfortably in her hand as she surged forward into melee, following close behind the compelled movements of the Rat Abomination. Victoria met Kathryn's glance, nodding as she did to convey the unspoken message of her coming assistance, however minor it may have been considering the disparity in power and mass between the two women. Perhaps she could give just enough oomph to affect the success of her maneuver. Whatever she could do - grab a leg, tackle into the creature's side, flash her cloak in front of its eyes - she would do. More than likely slam into the thing at a critical moment. "I hope the Lady of Ravens is merciful. Or at least finds my life interesting." The latter was a more likely possibility.

@Remipa Awesome Kathryn has been given Advantage to her next grapple attempt, negating the Disadvantage of the Hex spell in this instance.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Guard 1

Location: ??

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For lack of a better way of putting it, Guard 1 is beyond the perception of the party. Hiding, possibly. Biding time, if you will. Regardless, no action nor discernible movement on the Wererat Guard's part has been noticed; no overt hostilities extended as of yet.

@Dragoknighte Marita is good to go. Best of luck.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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The overturned pitch barrel made the area to the north more hazardous, but provided needed illumination to offset the obscuring balance of light and dark; even the massive flare-up caused by Cavendish's magical enhancements was offset to a good degree. What it revealed to the north was a little disturbing to your average observer. For starters, rats. Lots and lots of rats, filling the ground and making the area hazardous. Thanks to the efforts of the berserk monster and the flaming pitch, many of those were already dead. The effect remained the same, living or not, as the area now counted as Difficult Terrain. The flaming barrels which still stood continued to give Cavendish soft cover from several angles.

As for the Constable's accompaniment, so far as the Guards are concerned, they were nowhere to be seen. Hiding nearby or run to save their own skins when the opportunity presented itself, only they could say for certain. Aside from the party, there were but two hulking abominations and one put out wererat Constable. Oh, and the many swarms of rats. Lest we forget.

The scuffle of feet and movement of bodies near to the leftmost cage did well to nudge the fisherman's pole a little closer to him, allowing his calloused fingertips to grasp the very end. He finally pulled it closer and got it into the cage with him. "G'mornin'!" he said with grim determination. If asked, he might well confirm that this is indeed a nice day for fishing.

New Round

@Arty Fox Baronfjørd may now lead us into the new round.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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X2

Location: G14

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The ineffectual attack from the Dragonborn's shortsword was seemingly quite forgotten, were it given notice at all in the first place, allowed the collection of giant, anthropomorphized rat parts given locomotion all of the necessary opportunity to heap a punishing strike upon the prisoner's enclosure once again. The damaged beam splintered inward, showering shards of inexpertly crafted wood upon the occupants therein. A sizeable hole had been opened which one might have been able to wriggle a human-sized torso through, which might have been advantageous were it not loomed over by a grotesque abomination bent on murder. Lea screamed in utter terror while Daisy and the girls from the Honey Barn shrunk back as far as they could from the crude opening, pulling the inconsolable barmaid with them.

This attack out of the way, the creature quickly swiped at Baronfjord, the closest reachable enemy to it. Its body rotated with the strike, committing a staggering blow to the monk while displaying a lack of passion in the whole affair. It remained where it stood, committed to task.

Baronfjord has taken 13 points of bludgeoning damage.

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Cavendish

Location: A10

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The Constable, if that title really applied to him anymore, could finally be spotted from behind the higher blaze to the north. This was thanks to the one toppled barrel, spilling its flaming contents across the thoroughfare and a bit to either side of the overturned mess. The illumination was such that things were better revealed, if perilous. Point of fact, the trunk of a stout tree nearby got splattered with a good amount of the sticky, burning stuff, promising to turn the tree into a great, greenwood torch in short seconds.

While Cavendish could be spotted from certain angles on the battlefield, his Guards could not. Where the might have gone to, none could reliably say in the moment. Instead of crossbow-wielding wererats, there was a multitude of regular sized ones, not unlike the swarms milling about town just out of the radius of light sources, between the Constable and the rest of the battlefield. Not all of them were living; the fire had claimed the lives of several from either direct contact or the inability of some to escape the heat for the presence of others. The great swarm did begin to scatter, though by no means did they yet give unfettered and easy ground to the principle antagonist.

A look of surprise could be seen on the Constable's face, as well. The sort of alarm that came from an unexpected but not wholly unfamiliar factor could be seen from the direction of Kathryn and Kosara, which was swiftly replaced with determination. He saw something working up in the situation that he could try to circumvent, and he was eager to do so. First, he whispered a short incantation and pointed at the woman who caused all of this mess, releasing bargained-for power into her. His eyes darkened briefly during this spellwork, with single points of light emanating from the black in a way that only Kathryn could see. A weary heaviness took over her limbs; a slight slouch as if given a burden.

Secondly, his words went to the burning creature under his control, though his words did not fully align with a master confidently maintaining something that resembled control, more than one attempting to re-assert it. He spoke with an air of firm persuasiveness, though it was impossible to fix the exact words unless one had a grasp of the Infernal tongue. Whatever he was saying, it didn't seem to help matters much.

Kathryn is now affected by a Hex spell which is targeting her Strength.

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X1

Location: G7 -> E9

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The creature had a blow lined up to flatten Kosara where she stood. No evil gleamed in its eyes; no malice or thoughts of revenge, but it was coming. This action was paused for just a moment by the sudden appearance of its master floating before it, giving a gesture that it did not recognize any more than a wooden mallet would know which spoon to stir one's tea with. But for whatever reason, it did pause. This momentary opening was enough to get the Rat Abomination snatched up by Kathryn and shoved into a flaming pitch barrel. It was at this moment that something within the creature snapped.

It rose from its position on the ground, covered in the sticky, burning pitch it was deposited into when the barrel toppled. Hundreds, maybe even thousands of squealing rats scattered but were too late to avoid their incoming doom, but this was not the greatest part of the problem. No, this thing was on fire, and for the first time since it rose from the fountain, it looked ANGRY. Attached and unattached nerves in the being's face attempted to move in howls or sneers, alternatively, and blind rage colored this hellish thing with greater coverage than the fire. A dry, raspy roar slipped from long unused, staled vocal cords, and it set its sights upon the first living creature it saw.

From its vantage, no, it was not the woman who put it there. It was the rats. Heavy double-fists smashed down upon the cobblestones, obliterating the rodents and smashing some into paste. The beast was reckless with fury, uncontrolled by its master despite what was most likely a harrowing but as yet attempt to bring it back to subservience. It is pissed off and beating to death whatever it can get its hands on.

Several rats are dead and/or on fire, and the area to the north that is not aflame is considered Difficult Terrain, with appropriate movement penalties.

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Guard 2

Location: ?

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I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.

The above excerpt from the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow should serve to highlight the location of Guard 2. That is to say; You don't know, and if he knows, he's not sharing. Best of luck with that.





@rivaan Kosara is good to go. Please tag me at the end of your post. Map setup and kicking off the next round, etc.