Reign of Winter: The Snows of Summer [Part 2]

[lostsole31]

R3T20: Moorgram lets out a deep breath and let's his emotions calm, but he finds that even though his adrenaline spiked for a few seconds, he finds himself winded. He then moves to examine the man he commanded to sleep. It seems that guard is simply sleeping, but will wake up in seconds for sure!

R3T18: The man beneath Moorgram takes 5 to the head from something blunt, just as a tiny creature holding a club appears, shrieking and with ugly tears, "That's for killing Thora, you bastards!"

Of course, an attempted CDG from so small a creature was sure to fail, and the man - though still prone with his sword on the floor - awakens.

R3T15: Ten-Penny fires down another magic missile at the stirring guard for 5 force.

R3T13: Lady Argentea approaches, astride a fallen guardsman. He squirms to not be hit and she lances him in his left knee for 15, powerfully enough for him to stop moving.

Moorgram, do you have any issues with those present CDG-ing the remaining guards?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram looks at the little creature. "Let him have his vengeance." He steps back to survey the surroundings for any other guards who may still stir.

[lostsole31]

Moorgram

The little creature finishes off the formerly sleeping-guard, as Darkhelm, Moorgram, and Lady Argentea make sure the remaining Pale Guards are dead, and rendezvous with Arthog outside, but Windrunner is nowhere to be seen.

What do you do?

---

Windrunner

While you have a good general sense of direction, and you have a vague memory of certain routes that Lady Argentea would ride in the Prefecture of Zimar in Taldor, yet you don't know in which direction the Pale Tower might be, and you don't sense any other lurking forces while you're on the wing.

What do you do?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram looks to Nadya and the little creature. "A friend of yours?" He looks about. "Are there any others about?"

[lostsole31]

The little guy breaks down sobbing.

"I have no idea what you are referring to," says Nadya, with the fey bawling a few feet from her, pointedly not looking at the fey. "But if you see something magical, just accept there is magic in the world that can be good, and go about your day. Otherwise, acknowledging good magic might make one entitled."

Ten-Penny flies down - a tiny fey herself now - to put her arms around the white-haired, tiny gnome-like creature. And she'll comfort him with whispers. She looks up to Moorgram, who surely is looking down at them. She does the double-eye poke gesture to her eyes, then points to you, then points randomly in another direction.

[Ostoril]

Moorgram rubs his eyes. "Must be something with my eyes again." He looks back at Nadya. "They got here fast. Should we get out of your hair before more show up? Do you think you'll be safe if we leave?" He feels his blood boiling at the thought of more guards showing up.

[lostsole31]

"The Pale Tower is a bit aways, no," says Nadya as she shuts the door to keep out the cold. "Right now, there is probably a patrol leader and more soldiers at the White Weasel, waiting for these guards to check in. That may be expected for the Goltiaeva's, and who cares to them, but if these men don't check in, that patrol leader might cause trouble for my neighbors. I think we should actually go the White Weasel and take them out. Doing so will further dent the Pale Tower's total number of guards."

[Kvard51]

Unable to remember which direction Nadya had pointed when telling them about the Pale Tower, Windrunner settles for flying a full circuit of the village before landing close to his starting point. He circles around to the dining room window, "No watchers outside of town, no ravens flitting about, ready to do mischief," he says, striding across the packed ground toward Lady Argentea and the others.

[Ostoril]

"You know this witch better than I." He says to Nadya. "Now that we are gathered again let us go avenge this intrusion and silence this evenings disruption." He hefts his axe and begins to make for the White Weasel.

[lostsole31]

"Friends, can you give me a moment, please?" asks Nadya before Moorgram is out the door (but that doesn't necessarily stop him, either). "I need to do something here first."

Moorgram, do you halt and wait or leave Nadya to do what ever she needs to do alone?

Windrunner, how about you?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram stops and waits.

[Kvard51]

Windrunner follows Moorgram's lead and nods his assent to Nadya.

[lostsole31]

Nadya looks to Ten-Penny and gestures. Ten-Penny comforts the little wizened little fey.

Finally, Ten-Penny comes forward to gather folk. "His name is Hatch, he's the domovoi - house spirit - of the Petska house. She loved little Thora, and heard about her death while eavesdropping and now he is beside himself with spent wrath for a creature that is not usually for violence. It seems that is why the house's cleaning ... looks like it does. He passes along his thanks to you big hero types for being willing to strike back at the Pale Witch and her minions. He will take another day or two, Nadya, and he will return to cleaning. You need not seek to comfort, acknowledge, gift, or bribe him."

Nod-ya nads, er, Nadya nods, "I understand. Thank you, Ms. Tacey. Okay, I am ready."

Lady Argentea fully saddles up Windrunner (because that takes a few minutes), and then everyone is ready to go.

The party gets up to the front of the White Weasel. Lady Argentea dismounts Windrunner and says, "Two guards inside at least. One was at this window, but moved away. No surprise."

[Ostoril]

"They are likely waiting for us. Let us not be rude and disappoint them." Moorgram says as he moves up to the side of the door. Hefting his axe in one hand he makes ready to open the door, standing to the side in case they decide to fire crossbows his way. He looks back to make sure everyone is ready before opening the door.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move 2 squares North West to be 1 to the side of the door instead of in front (unless I cannot open from not directly in front, then i move there.)
Hold Great Axe in 1 hand.
Wait until people give a sign to open the door.

[lostsole31]

Lady Argentea gets astride Windrunner and is right at the door, ready to move in while mounted. Darkhelm is on the other door from Moorgram. Nadya and Ten-Penny are back a rank, with Arthog off to the side.

Lady Argentea nods to the two door openers, who then open the door.

Begin Round One ...

R1T27: Arthog passes everyone right off, and using a combination of ground movement and short duration, low altitude flight goes to the far northeast of the White Weasel's common room to gore a soldier in the belly for 27, dropping him instantly. Arthog continues past and around that wall to hook south and west to get closer to another guard.

R1T20: From within, steel-vs.-horn is heard clashing.

R1T19: Lady Argentea adjusts her shield and spurs Windrunner forward in a charge. Her spear is deflected by a shield, but Windrunner successfully overbears the man to the ground while the rider keeps him moving north a little more before turning to regard a seated soldier who has some manner of insignia.

R1T18: Moorgram, what do you do?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram looks through the doorway at the guard ready to ambush. "Sleep you fool and stay out of this fight." he says as he gives the man an angry look before striding inside with his axe ready.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Cast slumber hex on the soldier I can see.
Move East, North East, East to be adjacent to soldier who is hopefully asleep now.

Edit: Forgot to bold and color text.

[lostsole31]

R1T18: Moorgram looks through the doorway at the guard ready to ambush. "Sleep you fool and stay out of this fight," he says as he gives the man an angry look before striding inside with his axe ready. The guard slumps against the corner, slides down, and begins to softly snore.

R1T17: Ten-Penny zooms in and lands on the floor right next to the guard that Argentrunner bowled over. She touches the guard, who begins to laugh hysterically.

R1T16: Darkhelm moves in while drawing her short sword and stabs Green in the back for 8. She holds her head briefly though, as if dealing with a headache.

R1T15: Blue laughs fully, but still tries to stand. In doing so, Lady Argentea stabs him in the chest for 11 as Windrunner thrusts his beak into his entrails for 10, dropping him.

R1T13: The officer at the fire spins around out of his chair and readies his sword and shield.

R1T8: Nadya moves in and fires off her newly discovered power, but misses.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T27: Arthog gores Green in the right knee for 30, killing him outright from shock. Arthog then makes his way across the entrance from Moorgram.

R2T19: Lady Argentea fails to stab the officer with her spear.

R2T19+: Windrunner, there is no guidance to move or control you this round. What do you do?

Moorgram on deck, Ten-Penny on deck ...

[Kvard51]

Windrunner steps to the side of Yellow and unleashes his full might on the soldier, looking to end the battle quickly.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

5' step to the NE.
FRA: Claw (Risky Strike)- (1d20+11)[13] for (1d4+8)[10] Slashing Damage
Claw (Risky Strike)- (1d20+11)[30] for (1d4+8)[10] Slashing Damage
Bite (Risky Strike)- (1d20+11)[27] for (1d6+13)[17] Slashing Damage

[lostsole31]

R2T19+: Windrunner tries to step to the side of Yellow, but a large bar is in the way. He unleashes his full might on the soldier, looking to end the battle quickly. The man ducks the first claw, but exposes his shield arm and Windrunner gashes his shield hand for 10 with the other claw before following up with a beak to the left knee for 17.

R2T18: Moorgram, what do you do?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram looks down at the man at his feet and lifts his axe up high and brings it down with all his might on the slumbering guard, granting him an eternal rest.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Coup de grace the sleeping guard.

[lostsole31]

R2T18: Moorgram looks down at the man at his feet and lifts his axe up high and brings it down with all his might on the slumbering guard, granting him an eternal rest.

R2T17: Ten-Penny likewise CDG's Blue, to put him out of his misery.

R2T16: Something is happening with Darkhelm, like she is concentrating on something that takes both time and effort ...

R2T13: The officer (Yellow) realizes the battle has turned against him. He switches his sword to his shield hand, and focuses his shield on defense, steps between the chair and the fireplace to give him some cover, and with his now free hand he takes out what appears to be a hand vanity mirror. Looking into the mirror he says, "Radosek! My patrol is overrun in Waldsby. Black Rider not located, but southerners with strange powers have attacked. I am lost. Make the preparations."

R2T8: Nadya runs to the bar and leaps up onto the corner, now eye-to-eye with Lady Argentea and Windrunner. She now confidently gathers force energy and shoots it at the dodging sergeant.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T27: Arthog pushes past friend and fallen to the chairs by the fireplace and lances downwards below the man's shield to strike the sergeant in the upper right thigh for 21 to drop the man, his sword and mirror falling from his grasp as he hits the floor.

R3T19: Lady Argentea CDGs the sergeant, which forces Windrunner to stay put.

R3T18: Moorgram, what do you do?

Ten-Penny on deck, Darkhelm in the hole ...

[Ostoril]

Moorgram looks around for any other hostiles. "What was that about? Who is Radosek?" He says taking a defensive stance.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Total defense.

[lostsole31]

R3T18: Moorgram looks around for any other hostiles. "What was that about? Who is Radosek?" He says taking a defensive stance.

R3T17: Ten-Penny flies over to mid-room and casts a gout of acid on the fallen soldier there ... just in case.

R3T16: Darkhelm's concentration ends, and she is now no longer the creepy black-skinned creature she was before. Now, she is a human woman of similar height (5' 9"), but dressed as an attractive, straw-haired Ulfen woman with the same gear she had before. She hustles to the far eastern side of the room.

R3T8: "Radosek is the consort of the local white witch, and reputedly a terrifying magician in his own right," says Nadya before hustling to the east.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T27-19: Arthog, Lady Argentea (and by extension Windrunner) delay, listening to Nadya.

R4T18: Moorgram, what do you do?

Ten-Penny on deck, Darkhelm in the hole ...

[Ostoril]

"Well that doesn't sound good." says Moorgram as he moves to follow the others.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Moving to follow the new Darkhelm. 3 squares north, 2 east, 1 north. From there I am uncertain where she moved to so follow her path from there up to my movement? If I must declare before I can see then it looks like 1 more north and then just continue east?

[lostsole31]

Meanwhile, Ten-Penny and Darkhelm make sure the last guard is dead.

Initiative Ends!

[Ostoril]

"Do you think he is coming here? Or should we rush to meet him?" Moorgram asks, checking the guards for anything of interest. "I suppose we should do something about these bodies to not just be labeled murderers."

[lostsole31]

Nadya shakes her head. "The Goltiaevas made this mess when they informed on you - scared and terrified, mind you. Let them see this here and force them to deal with it as a statement to collaborators. I don't know what Radosek will do."

Lady Argentea says, "Before we go forward or hunker down, I need to know a resource count from each of you - health, fatigue, magic, ammunition. It's late at night, and though Moorgram would foolishly brave the harshest north winds because someone stepped on his pet cookie, we will not follow him to blind death. It's late. It's dark. Even with Nadya we're in unfamiliar territory. With her permission we will go back to her home but station watches and then leave mid-morning.

"We took out more than a dozen soldiers tonight, and now the primary antagonistic belligerent has been warned. They won't come for us tonight. They need to figure out exactly what happened, how, and by whom. They may even need to send out soldiers to seek reinforcement from elsewhere on the morrow. No, I am sure that our job isn't taking the low-hanging fruit they've foolishly offered us, but to pry the mice out of their hole."

She looks around before receiving reports, "Anyone have a problem with that? If not, look for anything useful among the fallen - do NOT take things as heavy and belaboring as trophies, just quick, simple things."

"As for me, I have everything available I would otherwise have," she continues, "it's just that I know that by the time we get to business, I'd start to feel tired, and that's poor for beginning a fight against an entrenched enemy."

Arthog notes he is fine.

Eyes look to the "new" member in the room, the former dark-skinned Darkhelm, now visually an Ulfen woman. "Don't ask. I don't know. I do know it's an illusion, not a polymorph, but not why I did it or why I can do it. I feel unsettled by some changes I've been experiencing, and could use rest."

Nadya is fine.

Ten-Penny needs rest to refresh her magic.

All eyes to Moorgram (though Windrunner has a right to respond as well).

[Ostoril]

Moorgram eyes Lady Argentea with a burning fury at her comments. A tight grip on the haft of his axe and clenched teeth Moorgram speaks, "Say whatever ill founded thoughts you have of me, but don't ever let me catch you speaking ill of my friend again or I will silence that tongue." He turns to leave. "The peace of my home and family was destroyed. Forgive me for not wanting to bring that fate upon the innocent people of this village for my mere presence." He says as he stalks out the door and makes his way back to Nadya's, letting the cold air cool his anger.

[lostsole31]

Everyone else returns to Nadya's as well to get what rest they can.

Does Moorgram or Windrunner do anything before bedding down?

[Ostoril]

Moorgram gets ready for the night, avoiding Lady Argentea as much as he reasonably can in the small home.