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Post by Daos on Sept 30, 2020 15:40:19 GMT -8
Curious and concerned, the party follows after Escobert, joining him and Nighthill up on the parapets, overseeing the front of the keep, outside of the gate. The keep is still surrounded, and a larger contingent of troops is approaching the gate, shields up. When they are about eight feet from the gate, they stop. The knights part, revealing two individuals. The first individual is a human woman with short black hair, dressed as a Knight of the Skull. Caelin, even from this distance, easily recognizes her as Frumlam Mondath, as he still often sees her face, twisted into a feral grin, in his nightmares. But here, she looks calm, perhaps even a bit bored or annoyed. The other one is shaped roughly like a human, but is at least seven feet tall, its skin covered in blue scales, its fingers bearing wicked claws and its face with a muzzle and reptilian eyes of a dragon. Small bits of electricity cackle over its body as it moves. Again, Caelin would recognize him as a blue dragonspawn named Langdedrosa Cyanwrath, Frulam's second and a brutal and vicious warrior who enjoys fighting as much as toying with his prey. The woman remains quiet, but the dragonspawn speaks up. He shouts, "I would speak with the one in charge! Will you parley?" The guards keep their crossbows trained on the two, but do not fire without the governor's command. The nearest guard the party recognizes as Sergeant Markguth, the man from the tavern last night and who became agitated when Zakkoth first appeared in the keep. He seems to have forgotten that grudge now, as he instead remains steadfastly focused on the events playing out before him, his crossbow at the ready. Noticing the party approach, Nighthill waves them over. "I don't suppose any of you know anything about these two that might prove helpful?" he asks them. "I suspect they are playing some angle, although I cannot guess at what."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 30, 2020 22:02:48 GMT -8
"I'm afraid I don't know them," Eliana says, but dhe looks to Caelin. He knew 5hem, from what little she knows of his past now.
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Post by Igordragonian on Sept 30, 2020 22:25:34 GMT -8
Zakkoth gasp at amaze, as the elven woman has managed to scare the dragon off. "...You most certainly has gained the right to brag about this, Ravarie." He say with respect toward her achievment. He kneel next to the scar that Iro has left. "I didn't knew you for long, old elf. But you died with dignity. Your heart was whole. Rest in peace."
(Is Kheloris a name or word he would know?) -----
He accept the healing potion from Ravarie with a grunt of 'Thank you"
Zakkoth stare at the dragonspawn. "It isn't a draconian. Is it, Caelin?"
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Post by Zero Prime on Oct 1, 2020 1:24:37 GMT -8
Caelin Valaerys, pariah of TarkhisisHP: 16 of 18 | AC: 15 | Perception: 15 | Insight: 17 | Inspiration: 0 Conditions: None.THe image of Mistress Mondath and the dragonspawn, Cyanwrath, cut through the fog of loss, despair, and exhaustion like a knife. Caelin stumbled back from the ramparts, sitting heavily on the ground, concealed from their sight for the time being. His heart hammered in his chest, and for a moment, he foolishly felt as though the sound of it would reveal his presence. He lowered his head to his hands, took a deep, steadying breath, and answered Nighthill's question. "Frumlam Mondath, a Knight of the Skull, she is responsible for Takhasis' Children. Molding slaves and captives into spies and assassins. Do not believe a word she says, she is well versed in the arts of cruelty and betrayal, her reasons for parlay, I could not guess. Perhaps you have another device like the one Eliana deciphered, that she believes may assist her in Takhasis' return."
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Post by Daos on Oct 1, 2020 12:51:27 GMT -8
Nighthill nods, then steps forward. Despite his advanced age, he's able to project his voice quite well. "I am Governor Tarbaw Nighthill, Knight of the Rose! I speak for the people of Greenest!"
"Ah, a knight!" Cyanwrath says, giving a laugh. "I shouldn't be surprised! Well, that should make things interesting!" He makes a gesture, and a group of kobolds approach. They drag four humans with them and bring them forward. The party can make out a woman, a teenage boy in a blood-soaked tunic, and two children. "This has been a successful night, and I'm feeling generous!" Cyanwrath explains. "Do you see these four pitiful, useless prisoners? We have no need for them, so I will trade them back to you. Send out your best warrior to fight me, and you can have these four in exchange!"
"No!" Sergeant Markguth steps forward, aghast. "My sister and her children!"
"Well?!" demands Cyanwrath. "Is there no one in that keep brave enough to face me?!"
Nighthill says nothing at first, as if deep in thought. Finally, he slowly draws his sword and turns to Escobert. "Have them lower the gate."
"My lord, you cannot!" Escobert protests. "You are too--"
"Old?" Nighthill asks, raising a brow.
Escobert sighs. "Important, my lord. The town needs you, especially now."
"I will not send someone else," Nighthill insists. "And my life is not more important than their own. They are innocents. If I can save them, I will."
"My lord!" Conard says, stepping forward. "I will go."
"I cannot ask you to do that," Nighthill argues.
"You do not need to ask, my lord. I volunteer. Est Solarus oth Mithas," Conard says. "Your steward is right. This town needs you, especially in the rebuilding effort to come. I will face him. What's more, I will defeat him."
Perceval places a hand on the squire's shoulder, and heals his injuries. "Fight well."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 1, 2020 20:06:04 GMT -8
Eliana stares at Conard, and shakes her head. He had to be insane to do this. There was no way that Conard could defeat this...dragonspawn. She walks up to Conard, and places her hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
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Post by Daos on Oct 1, 2020 21:57:23 GMT -8
"I am sure, my lady," Conard says. "Have faith. I can do this."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 1, 2020 22:07:08 GMT -8
Eliana lets out a sigh, but steps back from Conard to let him do what he feels he needs to do.
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Post by Zero Prime on Oct 2, 2020 2:43:05 GMT -8
Caelin Valaerys, pariah of TarkhisisHP: 18 of 18 | AC: 15 | Perception: 15 | Insight: 17 | Inspiration: 0 Conditions: None.Caelin didn't like this, at all, Conard was a competent fighter, skilled with sword and shield, but Cyanwrath was the spawn of dragons. A single blow from the massive great sword he carried would likely shatter Conard's shield, and the arm the held it. He shook his head, Escobert talked Nighthill down from a ledge, explaining that people needed him, that he had a responsibility. The same was true of Conard, he was a knight-aspirant, he was a hero, and Takhisis take him, he wasn't about to let him sacrifice himself. Caelin walked up to Conard and called to him, "Ser Knight!" A smile that belied the inner turmoil, he held out his hand and pulled his companion close. "You don't stand a chance, I've SEEN the Dragonspawn in battle, so do me a favor." He paused, "Kill that mother loving bastard when you cross paths with him next." He looked to Eliana over the Knight's shoulder, tried to hold her eyes, something like an apology written on his face. If that old fool Zakkoth could do it, could he do anything less. With that he shoved the Knight backwards and sprinted towards the gate. "MONDATH!!" He screamed, "YOU HEARTLESS BITCH! I'LL FACE YOUR PET!" He drew the potion from his pouch, belted it back and threw it against the cold hard stones. "YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!" Tears were streaming down his face now, "EVERYTHING!"He began circling the dragonspawn, "You want the aspirant who made you look like a fool you scaled sumofabitch, you let the villagers go, let them walk back through the gates. Those gates close, and you get me. The one who got away. Every scaley throat I slit tonight, it was your face I saw," he pointed to his Mistress, "HER FACE!""I'm just a gutter born urchin," he thumbed towards the wall, "Nighthill doesn't give a damn about me, this isn't a trick, let them go." He nodded towards Escobar's family, "It's me you want, it's me who you'll make an example of." A pause, "LET." He advanced on the Dragonspawn, "THEM." Another step, "GO!"He stood there, waiting, his chest heaving, his throat raw and hoarse, a dagger in each hand. His legs spread wide, standing on the balls of his feet so he could move in either direction when the massive dargonspawn advanced on him. {Out of Character}OOC: A healing potion is 2d4+2, so I assume it'll bring Caelin up from 16 to 18. And he's got a dagger in each hand. As much as he teased Conard, it's because he admired him, he respected him. Right now, confronted by his tormenters, he doesn't want to let Conard sacrifice himself, because, inherently, he feels that Conard's life has more value than his own. Zakkoth's foolishness has rubbed off on him!
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 2, 2020 13:15:26 GMT -8
Eliana took a few steps forward to try to stop Caelin, but there wasn't anything she could do. "He's going to get himself killed!" she says as she looks to the others.
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Post by Daos on Oct 2, 2020 15:29:52 GMT -8
Zakkoth shuffles over to Conard in preparation to subtlety cast a spell on the squire. However, Conard is shoved backward by Caelin, stumbling into Eliana, who manages to catch him. By the time the squire has recovered, Caelin has already made it to the gate. "That fool! What does he think he's doing?!"
Conard attempts to go after him, but Brina stops him. "No, if two people go out there, they might kill the hostages," she warns. Conard deflates, his chance at obtaining honor and proving himself having been stolen from him.
Mondath, who until this point had almost looked bored with this whole scene, widens her eyes in surprise when Caelin starts screaming at her. She stares at him for a few moments, until recognition kicks in. "Ah, now I remember you. So you were the one behind the church, the mill, even the dragon? I should have known. Only one trained by myself would have been so effective against us." Then, she suddenly laughs. Not a laugh of mirth or joy; it's cold and tinged with derisiveness. "And now you are just going to throw your life away? For what? A bunch of peasants? I thought I trained you better than that. I guess you've been hanging around Solamnics too long. Their weakness has infected you, and it has become your undoing." She shakes her head. "Pray that Cyanwrath kills you quick. It's more of a mercy than I would grant you." She nods to the dragonspawn.
Cyanwrath, for his part, scowls down at Caelin. "What is this, a child throwing a tantrum? I had hoped for a challenge! I wanted some fun. I doubt you'll last half a minute. Tch. Fine. I made a promise, and I am bound to it." He looks to the kobolds. "The children can go. But keep the woman. If anyone tries to interfere, gut her. Otherwise once the duel is complete, release her, no matter the outcome. That's an order."
The kobolds release the children and the teenage boy. They hesitate, as if not sure if this is some kind of elaborate trick. But they start to slowly move away. The further away they get, the faster they move, until they have reached the gate. They hesitate again here, looking back to their mother. But she shakes her head at them, and mouths the word, "Go!", so they continue through the gate to safety. Sergeant Markguth is there to greet them, and quickly leads them inside the keep's courtyard.
Cyanwrath then steps forward, toward Caelin. The top of Caelin's head just comes up to the dragonspawn's massive shoulders. If Conard didn't stand a chance against him, then what chance did Caelin have? But it was too late for regrets now. Slowly, Cyanwrath draws his great sword from his back. The weapon is nearly as big as Caelin himself. "Try not to die too quickly, welp." Small bolts of electricity cackle all over the creature's body, as if he were positively charged with energy.
The party, meanwhile, is left to watch up on the parapets with Nighthill and Escobert. The governor's face remains stoic. Escobert looks saddened, as if having already accepted the lad's death. Brina brings her hands to her face, covering her mouth in worry. Perceval just shakes his head, but watches quietly. Conard appears sullen, but never takes his eyes from the duel.
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(OOC: Welp, I guess this is happening now. Roll for initiative and state actions for Round 1.)
Initiative Langdedrosa Cyanwrath: 4xT8gzOv1d20+1 1d20+1
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Post by HorizonsDream on Oct 2, 2020 20:50:25 GMT -8
Eliana tries to think of a way to help Caelin, but unfortunately she is coming up blank. These two people would know if she casts a spell, especially since everyone is watching. She looks to Nighthill, and frowns slightly. Somehow, she finds this whole situation to be wrong. She understands why Conard volunteered. She even understands why Caelin stupidly rushed in there, but Nighthill could have put a stop to all of it.
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Post by Daos on Oct 2, 2020 22:10:42 GMT -8
Cyanwrath was much larger and stronger than Caelin, but Caelin did have one advantage. He would be faster. Anything that large can't be very fast. However, to the rogue's surprise, that isn't the case. As fast as the lightning cackling over his body, Cyanwrath leaps forward with a battle cry, swinging his massive blade like it was almost weightless. Caelin, in the nick of time, sidesteps the blow. But the dragonspawn unexpectantly shifts his weight, redirects his momentum, and then slashes Caelin with a second strike, cutting through his armor and into flesh. Caelin backs off, but is already bloodied from that single successful attack.
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Initiative Order Langdedrosa Cyanwrath: 17 Caelin: 13
Round 01!
Langdedrosa Cyanwrath uses multiattack. He swings his great sword at Caelin [AC 15] (1d20+6): 3+6 = 9, miss. He then swings his great sword at Caelin [AC 15] again (1d20+6): 19+6 = 25, hit for (2d6+4): 4,1+4 = 9 slashing damage. Gy9ZS0w31d201d201d61d61d20·1d20·1d6·1d6
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Post by Zero Prime on Oct 3, 2020 1:58:04 GMT -8
Caelin Valaerys, pariah of TarkhisisHP: 17 of 18 | AC: 15 | Perception: 15 | Insight: 17 | Inspiration: 0 Conditions: None.Caelin staggered, dropping to one knee as the massive greatsword staggered him, he looked up with defiance written in his face and surged forward. Springing upwards, he used the creature's bulk to spring him upwards and forwards, landing behind the creature, he turned and attempted to drive his blades into the creature's inner thigh, and a vicious slash across the back of it's ankles, in an attempt to hobble it. Then with blood flowing from between gritted teeth he hissed, "C'MON! You want to bring a GOD back and YOU can't even kill a gutter born bastard?!?" A mocking grin crept across his face. {Out of Character Actions}OOC: Move action: Acrobatics check to vault over Cyanwrath's shoulders and attack from the rear. Acrobatics check, 1d20+6= 19;qBMDKxsr1d20+6. Attack action: Attack with Dual Weapon Fighting. Main Hand Dagger: 1d20+6= 13;1d20+6, with advantage, if applicable: 1d20+6= 14;1d20+6. If attack is successful, 1d4+4= 6;1d4+4. Sneak attack, if applicable: 1d6= 3;1d6. Offhand Dagger: 1d20+6= 8;1d20+6, with advantage, if applicable: 1d20+6= 22;1d20+6. If attack is successful, 1d4= 3;1d4. Bonus Action: Second Wind to heal 1d10+1 HP's= 8;1d10+1.
Of course if a gutter-born bastard can't roll better it's going to be pretty one sided lol. Who has money on a crit for 4d6+4 next round? I do! 1d20+6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d4+4·1d6·1d20+6·1d20+6·1d4·1d10+1
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Post by Daos on Oct 3, 2020 18:53:46 GMT -8
Caelin vaults over the massive dragonspawn's shoulders, coming up behind him. He then thrusts his dagger at his back, but it is deflected off the creature's splint mail, creating a few sparks but not doing any damage. Spinning to face him, Cyanwrath lashes out with his sword twice more, but Caelin is able to dodge both strikes. "I can kill you easily, but I want to play a bit longer," the dragonspawn teases. He doesn't seem the bit unnerved or worried about how this fight will play out.
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Initiative Order Langdedrosa Cyanwrath: 17 Caelin: 13
Round 02!
Langdedrosa Cyanwrath uses multiattack. He swings his great sword at Caelin [AC 15] (1d20+6): 8+6 = 14, miss. He then swings his great sword at Caelin [AC 15] again (1d20+6): 4+6 = 10, miss. PMg9AgQS1d201d20 1d20·1d20
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