In the middle of a trio of houses a gathering of was taking place. A mixed group of six men and women in dark robes could been seen. Their attention was on a group of villagers in their center. Their outfits were simple but each of them carried a torch and a curved blade at the ready. The group of villagers were huddled together looking fearful at the drawn blades. They were not trying to draw any additional attention from their captors.
Another crash of lighting split the sky and a few of the villagers cried out, overcome by the [Dragon Fear]. The robed ones just laughed at their plight and a few of them could be seen next to a pile of packs that appeared to be almost full to bursting.
“Where are those blasted Kobolds!” One of the men grumbled, not caring who heard him. “Those little fuckers better get back here soon.” he spat. “I’m not going to carry those.” He gestured towards the bags on the ground.
From the darkness three sets of eyes were on the group. Hidden in the darkness they slowly got into position.
Retiarius was considering his next opponents. He appeared to be lost in thought about which weapon to use next, when Sir Stubbs turned and looked at him. “How strong are you?” he asked bluntly.
Retiarius thought about it for only a second before responding. “Very.” He was sure that he could best almost any man or monster in a contest of strength. He knew from his previous experience that only something like a giant or ogre could give him pause. He had been pitted against many beasts in the past. It was not that long ago that he was a slave, fighting in the arena. There, only the victors lived, and he had come out on top.
“Good, I want you to throw me at them.” Sir Stubbs broke Retiarius’s line of thought while removing his shield from his back.
Tec spoke before Retiarius could gather his own words. “Do you think that is wise?” The small Paladin shrugged. “Why not? A surprise attack is the best attack and besides, you’ll be right behind me.”
For the first time the team could remember, Retiarius smiled. The plan was insane, but sometimes, it was that insanity that could bring you glory.
Gingerly, Retiarius picked up Sir Fluffington. The small animal was about 135lb, fully armored and geared. The weight was nothing to Retiarius as he took careful aim with the Corgi. Somehow managing a solid grip, he reeled back and without preamble, launched the beast.
The robed group was unprepared as an armored Fae Corgi came hurtling out of the darkness, his shield was raised as he collided with one Man? Woman?... Paste. They were now paste.
You deal 28 bludgeoning damage.
You receive 2 bludgeoning damage.
With grace only befitting the Fae, the Paladin landed upright on his hind legs, shield bloody, but poised and ready for combat.
“W-What the fuck?!” Exclaimed a robed woman staring dumbfoundedly at Sir Stubbs
Retiarius took this moment and charged forward, bringing his axe down on another robed individual. Cleaving the poor bastard in half. As two halves of a whole fell to the ground with a wet, meaty thud.
You deal 16 slashing damage. (Critical hit)
Your god favors your brutality.
“WHAT THE FUCK!!!” The woman shouted again. Only this time springing into action. She stepped forward and slashed at Sir Stubbs, only catching air on the blade.
Sir Stubbs then turned his attention to her, with a swift stroke he brought his weapon to the back of her knee. Collapsing with a cry she only had a moment before Sir Stubbs bashed her face with his shield, knocking her unconscious.
You deal 4 bludgeoning damage.
You deal 2 bludgeoning damage.
“Retiarius! Behind!” Sir Stubbs barked before deflecting an incoming strike off his shield.
The two remaining robed figures had flanked the large man and were in the process of trying to stick him with the point of their blades. A glancing blow caught Retiarius on his arm while he tried to fend off his attackers.
You have taken 4 slashing damage.
Tec decided to declare his presence by throwing his weapon at one of Retiarius’s attackers, catching them unaware as her chest bloomed with the tip of a bone spear,
You deal 5 piercing damage.
The last remaining robed man was late in noticing his companions’ demise as Sir Stubbs came upon him from behind, again striking at the legs.
You deal 4 bludgeoning damage.
The man buckled to the ground with a grunt before Retiarius gave him a solid kick, compacting the man’s chest.
You deal 3 bludgeoning damage.
The surprise attack was over, and it went remarkably well in Sir Stubb’s opinion. Sir Stubbs then walked up to the Villagers who were still huddled together, and with an expression full of a child innocence. “You’re safe now. Quickly, gather each other. We make our way to the Keep.” They were hesitant to follow before Linan came out from the darkness where her and her family had been hidden. She called familiar names and spoke reassuring words to the very shaken people as they slowly gathered themselves.
While the villagers were taking a moment to sort themselves out. Sir Stubbs went to inspect the wound on Retiarius. Tec recovered his spear while walking over to the unconscious robed woman. He had noticed that Sir Stubbs had not dealt the final blow before assisting Retiarius.
“What should we do with her.” He called out to Sir Stubbs.
Sir Stubbs was enveloped in an outline of soft white light. He had laid his fore paw on Retiarius’s wound and a river of warmth followed between the two, it eased the pain. The injury quickly closed upon itself and the blood that was staining the area around it flaked away, revealing unblemished skin, made whole once again. As the light slowly dimmed and died, Sir Stubbs turned to Tec.
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You have been healed for 4 HP.
“We should ask her what is going on. Why they are here and why they are attacking Greenest.” he paused. “At the very least we should bring her with us.”
Tec nodded before he started fishing out rope from his pack to bind the woman.
“What about these?” Retiarius hefted one of the bags off the ground with one hand. It clanked, clattered and jingled. It seemed to be filled with numerous items just from the sounds alone.
“T-hose be our belongings sir.” said one of the villagers. “They were looting e-everything that was not n-nailed down. They sat us all o-outside while they tore our homes a-apart and shoved everything in those b-bags.” The man was stumbling over his words a bit. His eyes were wide and fearful.
Another thunderous roar broke in the night sky as once again, [Dragon Fear] washed over everyone. The man's eyes went wild as he quickly followed up “K-keep IT! Keeep it! Just save us, a reward! Just save me.” He was starting to become hysterical.
Tec calmly looked over at Sir Stubbs, obviously overcoming the wave of fear. “Why does the dragon not attack?” he asked.
Sir Stubbs did not know but it was Retiarius who spoke up. “The fear makes them cowards” he gestured at the villagers. It seemed a few more of them had broken down and started crying again. More than one of the villagers looked to be strong healthy men and women. People of the land who did all sorts of manual labor. A rather manly man with a thick beard and mustache could be seen in the bosom of his wife or sister, tears and snot running down his face.
Sir Stubbs agreed “We must reach the keep before it decides to attack and not just scare everyone.”
The adventures agreed to move quickly. Retiarius carrying the bags with ease and Tec shepherding villagers, Sir Stubbs lead everyone back to the small river that wound its way through Greenest. The river turned slightly north and they soon could see the keep though the darkness. Light of torches and braziers could be seen atop the ramparts and shouts could be heard in the distance. Sir Stubbs came to a halt as he sniffed the air. He could smell more kobolds, his nose told them that they were… Everywhere. Signaling everyone else to hold back, Sir Stubbs dropped to all fours and moved forward up the hill towards the Keep. Keeping as quiet as he could, Sir Stubbs only traveled part way when he stopped. A large gathering of Kobolds and more robed figures seemed to be camped outside the Keep. Occasionally someone threw a spell or an arrow at the defenders on the walls. They seemed content just sitting there, just out of reach of the Keeps defenses. Sir Stubbs silently turned back and regrouped with the villagers and companions.
“There is a large army in front of the Keep, going in that way is impossible.” Sir Stubbs commented as he explained what he just seen.
A several of the villagers shifted nervously at hearing that there was an army in the middle of their village.
Linan stepped forward. “There should be a sewer tunnel that runs from the Keep to the river, we might be able to get inside through there.” she pointed further upstream.
Nodding, Sir Stubbs resumed leading the way. The group moved as silently as possible up the river until they came across a small grate that was at the base of the hill, under the fort. Pointing at the grate with a claw, Tec asked. “What are we going to do about that?”
Sir Stubbs looked at the grate across the water. “Maybe it’s unlocked?”
Everyone’s expectations were high as they waded across the water. The entrance to the tunnel was only about a meter in diameter. It looked like they were going to have to crawl or hunch over to get inside. Still shivering from the cold, the villagers watched expectantly as Retiarius set down the bags he was carrying and reach out with both hands, giving the metal grate a small tug.
It didn't budge. A rusted keyhole could be seen on the front of the grate.
One of the villagers watching made an audible groan while others murmured that it was locked. Retiarius did not say anything or remove his hands from the bars. Grunting, his muscles swelled, becoming veiny and strained. Everyone winced as a loud CRACK was heard as the rusted metal hinges snapped under the strain. Retiarius calmly removed the grate from the opening and set it gingerly to the side as not to make any more noise.
Looking into the now open tunnel Retiarius was about to signal for everyone to follow behind him when a slight scratching from within the hole caught Sir Stubb’s attention. His ears were twitching and turning as the noise was quickly becoming louder and louder as more scratching and scritching could be heard.
“We have incoming.” Sir Stubbs said while raising his shield and taking a defensive pose between himself and the villagers.
It was a few moments before Retiarius could also hear the noise from the tunnel. As he peered inside, numerous red eyes could be seen surging forward en mass. Squeaks and shrieks could be heard as a torrent of rats flooded from the opening.
They bit and clawed past Retiarius as he stood at the front of the tunnel. Retiarius tried to swing his arms and kick his feet. Failing to retaliate against the moving mass of rats that were swarming past him. His movements did little to hurt or kill, but it did send them scattering as they were widely dispersed with his grand movements.
After the last of the rats scurried out and away, Retiarius was left standing there with a numerous scratches and a few bite marks. Not too terrible Sir Stubbs thought. If it was him standing there, he would have been carried off by the rodents. Sir Stubb’s moved over to Retiarius. “Let me see what I can do about all that.” He stated as he set a paw on Retiarius’s leg. Retiarius looked down at Sir Stubb’s as a dim light glowed around the Corgi as the bites and scratches faded away.
You have been healed for 5 HP.
As the glow faded from Sir Stubbs, Retiarius nodded to the Paladin “Thanks, I’ll go first in case of that happening again.” Picking up the trampled and scattered bags, Retiarius had to shuffle into almost a crab walk pose to get into the tunnel. Retiarius took a few cautious steps forward as best he could while avoiding the filth and awful that started to steadily flow now that the apparent blockage was gone. After Retiarius was inside the group moved to follow him.
The tunnel was straight for the most part with a minor incline, smaller pipes and holes could be seen as from the ceiling. Only after a minor bend, Retiarius could see light at the other end, behind another grate. Moving up to the opening, muffled noise could be heard above. The room beyond the grate looked to be a storage room, boxes and crates were stacked about and there didn’t seem to be anyone in the room. A small stone staircase could be seen on the far side of the room. This barrier looked to be better maintained than the one previously encountered. Retiarius turned back and looked for Sir Stubbs.
“What would you like for me to do?”
He asked indicating towards the grate that barred their way. He did not bother to keep his voice low. Sir Stubbs pushed his way to the front where Retiarius was. His small figure was able to easily pass the mass of villagers that were in front of him looking at the wrought iron grate, Sir Stubbs considered a moment before he just looked to Retiarius.
“Same as last time.”
Retiarius placed both hands on the grate in a casual movement. The muscles on his arms began to swell again. His strength was too much for even the well-maintained grate and a sharp SNAP of the metal hinges could be heard. It was much louder this time than before as everyone winced, some covering their ears at the ear-splitting sound. Retiarius picked up and moved forward with the grate, side stepping into the room allowing everyone else to begin funneling in. Tec followed the last villager into the basement of the Keep, all while still dragging the bound and unconscious woman. She was now completely covered in mud and filth. Retiarius finished placing the grate back over the opening when a door could be heard being thrown open from the top of the staircase. Several marching footsteps followed as everyone turned to look as several armed and armored men could be seen trotting down the stairs, a mix of swords and spears at the ready. They halted before they reached the bottom, the lead man was bearing a torch and the light was cast around the small room. The men were ready to fend off more attackers and were slightly stunned when they encountered their fellow kin’s men and women, but the shock quickly wore off one of the men turned and shouted up the stairs.
“Call the Castilian! We have refugees down here!”