Forgotten IC

[NeoSeraphi]

The man steps back in surprise and raises his rifle to fire.

Spoiler

Show

(1d20+10)[28]/(1d20+10)[19]
(1d12+4)[10]/(4d12+16)[33]

The others get into position, with Taylor closing the gap on one of the pistol users while Laura draws her bow.

[Diachronos]

Marcy steps up, continuing to assault the rifle-wielding soldier.

Spoiler: Attacks

Show

Power Attack
Hit 1: (1d20+13)[22]/(1d20+13)[18]
Damage: (1d10+15)[18]/(3d10+45)[61]
Flaming: (1d6)[5]

Hit 2: (1d20+6)[25]/(1d20+6)[8]
Damage: (1d10+15)[23]/(3d10+45)[63]
Flaming: (1d6)[5]

[NeoSeraphi]

The flames of her halberd burn hotly and the soldier fires once more.

Aaron channels holy power and protects Marcy.

Spoiler

Show

(1d20+10)[23]/(1d20+10)[24]
(1d12+4)[16]/(4d12+16)[54]

Because of Aaron's spell, Marcy only takes half damage.

Taylor delivers a pounding blow to one of the pistol wielders, who responds by grabbing his heavy armor and shoving him to the ground. Taylor falls, clearly not used to fighting in these restrictive clothes.

Laura gets angry and fires an arrow at the guard, but the other soldier shoots it out of the air and moves to step behind Marcy, surrounding her.

[Diachronos]

Marcy roars and makes a wide swing, aiming to get both soldiers at once.

Spoiler: Attack

Show

Cleave, Power Attack
Hit vs rifle: (1d20+13)[33]/(1d20+13)[29]
Damage: (1d10+15)[21]/(3d10+45)[58]
Flaming: (1d6)[2]

Hit 1: (1d20+11)[14]/(1d20+11)[15]
Damage: (1d10+15)[20]/(3d10+45)[65]
Flaming: (1d6)[2]

[NeoSeraphi]

The leader collapses and falls to the ground, dead.

Once again, Taylor is stunned at Marcy's brutality. And he isn't the only one. The other two soldiers drop their weapons immediately and run away at the sight of that.

Laura looks between her son and the girl, before clearing her throat. "Hurry! Let's go!"

They dash into the trees and out of the city, leaving the soldier's bloody and burned corpse behind.

[Diachronos]

Marcy turns to Raven as they run. "Where's this tunnel you were talking about?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"It's a couple of miles away...shouldn't take longer than an hour to find it..."

[Diachronos]

"We'd better get searching, then."

[NeoSeraphi]

The group moves on farther and starts to spread out and search.

Spoiler

Show

Perception/Survival

[Diachronos]

Spoiler

Show

Perception: (1d20+11)[20]
Survival: (1d20+8)[16]

[NeoSeraphi]

Marcy knocks over a few rocks and manages to find a big trap door in the middle of the woods. When she lifts it up, it reveals a deep, manmade tunnel.

[Diachronos]

"Guys, I think I found it!"

[NeoSeraphi]

The group gathers eagerly around the tunnel and peers down into it.

"(Orcish) Do you have a light source?"

[Diachronos]

"Um... Maybe?" She ignites the tip of her halberd to see if it gives off enough light for them to see. "Aaron, Kerry, Laura, can any of you create light?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Her halberd doesn't stay lit for long enough to help.

Aaron reaches forward and touches Marcy's weapon. It starts to emit a soft glow.

[Diachronos]

Marcy nods in thanks and leads the way down into the tunnel. She stops to let the others pass, before going back to make sure that the tunnel's entrance is closed and hidden.

[NeoSeraphi]

Inside, Marcy can feel the air getting thinner. There is dirt falling from the ceiling, and the musk is thick and suffocating. But it seems mostly safe, she can bet there are no imperials down here. For now, she has some time to think and talk.

[Diachronos]

Marcy turns to Aaron. "I take it you've been saving other Anoiran soldiers for quite a while?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Aaron nods and picks up his speed a bit so he can walk next to her. "Yes. My town wasn't particularly close to the border, so I didn't see many patients in my hospital directly, but that also meant none of the imperials harassed me, so I was a good source of supplies. Raven and her friends often came by and bought medical supplies from me to run them up to the front lines."

[Diachronos]

Marcy nods. "It's going to get dangerous from here on out..."

[NeoSeraphi]

Aaron smiles. "Are you worried about me? I suppose you have every reason to be. But I promise you, I'll be careful. I'll do what I can to support you and Taylor just like Kerry does."

[Diachronos]

"I just want to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into before you agree to stick with us."

[NeoSeraphi]

Aaron nods seriously. "It's a little scary, I admit. But...if Timaeus found out that I left his little sister out here by herself, he'd never let me live it down. Gotta do all I can to support my friend, and that means supporting his family too."

So he does know Timaeus...

[Diachronos]

"...Just how well do you and my brother know each other?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Aaron looks surprised. ". . .Oh. I guess he never told you. Timaeus was stationed in my town for a few weeks before he went out to the front lines. He came by my house often and we kind of relaxed and spent time together after his workouts."

[Diachronos]

Marcy shakes her head. "No, he never really told me anything about what he was doing in the military. I'm glad he has a friend like you he can rely on, though."

[NeoSeraphi]

Aaron frowns as he looks around. "I'm glad to have met him, too. But now I can see what he meant when he said he was worried about leaving you behind..."

[Diachronos]

Marcy frowns. "What's that supposed to mean?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Aaron smiles sadly. "Look around you. Haven't you noticed all these people you're leaving behind? People in towns, people in shops, people in cities. They're staying, despite the empire taking over. There are only a few stragglers who are following you. And that's because you are not content to stand by and let them win. You won't admit defeat, even when the defeat is resounding."

[Diachronos]

"...So he had a feeling I'd commit myself to a losing battle, then..."