[Game Thread] The Road to Xullhaven - Part 5

[Starflier]

Adelaide Darkdraft Astride her warhorse, Adelaide kept her eyes on the titan even as the assembled travellers rode towards the tavern. It was a terrible sight, one from which she couldn’t seem to pull her focus, even if she wanted to. As Gallindan called out to someone in the tavern, Adelaide turned her horse about to give her a better view of the colossus approaching their position. It was not just the titan that gave her pause, but all the rest of the soldiers trying to bring it down. The whole battle was still far enough away that she couldn’t tell who all the participants were. If the battle finds us, whose side are we on? she wondered as she watched the carnage. Will they even care, or will they just attack us? We’re not supposed to be here. The horse beneath her could sense her unease, or perhaps was simply expressing its own, as it threatened to rear up on its hind legs. ”Best make it quick, or I’ll bust the door down and roust them the hard way.” Adelaide said over her shoulder when she’d calmed the beast. ”We don’t have the luxury of time out here.”

 

Actions Rolls Action: Reaction: Opportunity Attack if Available Bonus: Haste Action: Move: Interaction: Concentration:

Stat Block Adelaide Darkdraft | Lawful Good | Human | Paladin 7 (Oath of the Ancients) Armor Class: 19 | Hit Points: 60/60 | Speed: 30 | Proficiency Bonus +3 Ability Scores: Str 16/+3 | Dex 8/-1 | Con 14/+2 | Int 8/-1 | Wis 12/+1 | Cha 16/+3 With +3 from Aura of ProtectionSaving throws: Str +6 | Dex +2 | Con +5 | Int +2 | Wis +7 | Cha +9 Skills: Athletics +6 | Insight +4 | Intimidation +6 | Nature +2 | Persuasion +6 Passive Perception: 11 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Goblin, Elvish Longsword: +6, 1d8+5 | Javelin: +6, 1d6+5, 30/120 | Splint Armour: AC 17 | Shield: AC +2 | Dagger x 2 Bullseye Lantern (filled and lit) x 2 Steel Mirror x 2 10 foot pole x 2 Hempen Rope (50 feet, coiled) x 2 Sack x 2 2 Mastiffs x 2 Bag of 100 gp x 1 10 gems worth 100 gp each x 2 Portable Ram x 1 10x10x10 pit x 1 Robe of Useful Items | This dart looks like a mundane dart, with a gold band in the center. When thrown, and the command word 'Catch This' is uttered, the dart acts like a level 1 magic missile spell, with all 3 darts hitting the same target. After it is used once, the magic is lost, and it becomes a mundane dart permanently. (This effect may be used as a free action, not requiring an action or bonus action to throw the dart or invoke its magic)Dart of Magic Missile Relevant Skills/Feats: Fighting Style: Dueling | Divine Sense | Divine Health | Divine Smite | Lay on Hands: 35/35 | Channel Divinity: 1/1 | Extra Attack | 10ft radius, +3 to all saving throwsAura of Protection | 10ft radius, resistance to damage from spellsAura of Warding | If you take the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to try to shove a creature within 5 feet of you with your shield. If you aren't incapacitated, you can add your shield's AC bonus to any Dexterity saving throw you make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only you. If you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, interposing your shield between yourself and the source of the effect. Shield Master | Increase your Strength or Dexterity by 1, to a maximum of 20. Once per turn when you hit a creature with an attack that deals slashing damage, you can reduce the speed of the target by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. When you score a critical hit that deals slashing damage to a creature, you grievously wound it. Until the start of your next turn, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls. Slasher Spell Slots: 4/4, 3/3 | Spell Save DC: 14 | Spell Attack Bonus: +6 | Spells Prepared: 6 Oath Spells: Ensnaring Strike, Speak with Animals, Moonbeam, Misty Step Spells: Compelled Duel, Protection from Good and Evil, Thunderous Smite, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Poison, Find Steed

 

Character Sheet

[mountainbound]

Seeing the frightened children inside the tavern, and realizing their peril, Oren remembers a story he read in the magical manual of leadership that he had found years ago. It was a chapter on getting people to do what you wanted them to do. The allegory was that, if there are children inside a burning house, the best thing to do was offer them toys...

He whispers a few words to Kerwin, who nods and gives a wry smile. Then Oren shouts, "Come one, come all to the greatest display of Curiosities and Magic on this side of Zarahen! With the aid of my lovely assistant, I shall give you just a taste!" With that he tosses his dragonscale cloak to Daybreak, who lays it out on the ground with a flourish before him like a picnic blanket. The two were in telepathic communication, clearly, as the dryad-turned-tiefling conceals a smile at something Oren had silently said.

Then he takes something from his pack, concealing it under his arm as he announces in his best showman's voice, "Come and see the highly magical Key of Opening, stolen from the Palace of Beholders, able to unlock any door or safe, magical or mundane! Imagine that!" He lets the key go and with Kerwin's clandestine help, the ordinary key begins to glow slightly as it floats over the blanket. "Yes indeed, everything we have here is real and authentic! Come and see! Next up, the Holy Hammer of Mountainbound, with magical properties so rare, it must be shunted away in another dimension for safe keeping." The warlock raises his hand and in the air above him his hammer begins to materialize.

"And this is just the beginning! Come and see for yourself!" he shouts, hoping the children's insatiable curiosity will win out so they can avoid using force.

OOC Persuade   Dice Roll: 1d20+7 (6)+7 Total = 13

[Admin Bhelogan]

Between the appeal to safety and the offering of a 'magic' show, some of the kids cautiously make their way towards the door of the tavern.

The first to emerge was a wiry boy with tousled hair and wide eyes filled with a mix of fear and excitement. "Magic tricks? Pretty Ladies?" he asked, stepping out cautiously. he asked, stepping out cautiously. Following him was a shy girl, clutching a tattered doll to her chest as she looked around nervously.

A braver child, a girl with pigtails and a defiant stance, marched out next, her chin held high. "You better have some good tricks, mister," she said, trying to mask her fear with bravado. Behind her, a small boy with a smudge of dirt on his cheek trailed, his thumb in his mouth, drawn more by the promise of food than the magic show.

However, not all the orphans were convinced. A stubborn boy with a mop of curly hair stood defiantly, peering out the 2nd story window, arms crossed over his chest. "We don't need your help," he declared, his eyes flashing with mistrust.

Beside him, a cautious girl with a braid nodded in agreement, her expression wary. "We've survived this long without anyone," she added, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"Get back in here!" the boy demanded. "Come on, Finn! You too Mara. Jax, Tessa, don't stay there either!"

The young boy, presumably Jax, pulled his thumb out of his mouth to explain. "Rolf says the tavern is the best place to hide from monsters."

OODM Pretty good successes for the rolls we had, but not everyone is out of the tavern yet. One more round, trying to either convince the two inside to come out, or keep ahold of the kids who did. Also, include a perception check this round on top of any other actions taken.

[mountainbound]

Oren watches with some amusement as the children pile out one by one. He had never had kids, but he was still young, and some day thought it might be nice. Would they have horns? he wonders absently.

The warlock nods and says, "Well done to you, to all of you! You survived this long, in the middle of a war, and that is no small thing. But my friends and I have seen the terror that is on its way, and we have the answer you need. This!"

From his pouch he withdraws one of the opalescent black dragon scales. "This is more than help... this scale is a genuine scale from the underbelly of a black wyrm. I should know, since it killed it myself." He let's that sink in, and before the skeptical comments follow, Oren continues on brusquely. "Shortly after the dragon died, I had a cloak created, enchanted every single scale to protect me from fire," he makes an explosion sound, eyes wide. "From poison," he gags, rolling about and almost falling over from his feigned toxicity... and getting at least a few chuckles out of his audience. "From... from the walking dead," he pantomimes a zombie with outstretched arms, "and even from otherworldly terrors... like what's coming."

"Yes, if you stick with my friends and I, just for a few days, here's what you'll get. You'll get food: fresh, hot and tasty food with clean water. And you'll each get one magic dragon scale. Yes! Years from now when you're all grown up, you can look at that scale and remember the time you used it to escape the great titan! Because each scale, when near my cloak, carries the same enchantment. So I'm offering you the chance to get out of that tavern, get far away from this war, and get a very rare, genuine black dragon scale of your very own to keep in the process."

"And what do I get, you may ask? Well, let's just say I always wanted an audience for my magic show, and I have plenty more stories to tell, just ask him." At that moment, Lux appears in a flash of smoke tumbling over the ground to land near the cloak with a flourish. "Unless you're afraid of traveling with an imp?" he adds, raising an eyebrow at Rolf.

OOC Persuasion   Dice Roll: 1d20+7 (18)+7 Total = 25 Perception   Dice Roll: 1d20+5 (5)+5 Total = 10

[Starflier]

Adelaide Darkdraft The young paladin kept her distance from Oren as he performed, not wanting her mount to trample any of the kids, or scare them off. They didn't have time to waste herding cats if they scattered back into the building or the 'town, such as it was. She could just barely remember a time when such a building would have felt like a fortress, but she had seen far too much since then to even consider hiding from such a threat. They could run, or they could join the fight, but trying to hide in the only standing structures for miles was not going to accomplish anything. These kids needed to know the stakes, even if it was going to ruin the way they saw the world, but an end to childhood was better than an end to living. ”That place isn’t going to save you from that thing,” Adelaide said during a pause in Oren’s show, seeing some of them resisting this newcomer and his performance, and hoping to appeal to reason with some of the older kids. She pointed back over her right shoulder, towards the approaching titan and all that came with it, while leaning forward on her horse, ”It’ll crush this place flat without effort or thought. Come with us, or don’t, but you can’t stay here.”

OOC Perception Dice Perception: 1d20+1 (9)+1 Total = 10 (10) Persuasion Dice Persuasion: 1d20+6 (18)+6 Total = 24 (24)

 

Actions Rolls Action: Reaction: Opportunity Attack if Available Bonus: Haste Action: Move: Interaction: Concentration:

Stat Block Adelaide Darkdraft | Lawful Good | Human | Paladin 7 (Oath of the Ancients) Armor Class: 19 | Hit Points: 60/60 | Speed: 30 | Proficiency Bonus +3 Ability Scores: Str 16/+3 | Dex 8/-1 | Con 14/+2 | Int 8/-1 | Wis 12/+1 | Cha 16/+3 With +3 from Aura of ProtectionSaving throws: Str +6 | Dex +2 | Con +5 | Int +2 | Wis +7 | Cha +9 Skills: Athletics +6 | Insight +4 | Intimidation +6 | Nature +2 | Persuasion +6 Passive Perception: 11 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Goblin, Elvish Longsword: +6, 1d8+5 | Javelin: +6, 1d6+5, 30/120 | Splint Armour: AC 17 | Shield: AC +2 | Dagger x 2 Bullseye Lantern (filled and lit) x 2 Steel Mirror x 2 10 foot pole x 2 Hempen Rope (50 feet, coiled) x 2 Sack x 2 2 Mastiffs x 2 Bag of 100 gp x 1 10 gems worth 100 gp each x 2 Portable Ram x 1 10x10x10 pit x 1 Robe of Useful Items | This dart looks like a mundane dart, with a gold band in the center. When thrown, and the command word 'Catch This' is uttered, the dart acts like a level 1 magic missile spell, with all 3 darts hitting the same target. After it is used once, the magic is lost, and it becomes a mundane dart permanently. (This effect may be used as a free action, not requiring an action or bonus action to throw the dart or invoke its magic)Dart of Magic Missile Relevant Skills/Feats: Fighting Style: Dueling | Divine Sense | Divine Health | Divine Smite | Lay on Hands: 35/35 | Channel Divinity: 1/1 | Extra Attack | 10ft radius, +3 to all saving throwsAura of Protection | 10ft radius, resistance to damage from spellsAura of Warding | If you take the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to try to shove a creature within 5 feet of you with your shield. If you aren't incapacitated, you can add your shield's AC bonus to any Dexterity saving throw you make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only you. If you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, interposing your shield between yourself and the source of the effect. Shield Master | Increase your Strength or Dexterity by 1, to a maximum of 20. Once per turn when you hit a creature with an attack that deals slashing damage, you can reduce the speed of the target by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. When you score a critical hit that deals slashing damage to a creature, you grievously wound it. Until the start of your next turn, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls. Slasher Spell Slots: 4/4, 3/3 | Spell Save DC: 14 | Spell Attack Bonus: +6 | Spells Prepared: 6 Oath Spells: Ensnaring Strike, Speak with Animals, Moonbeam, Misty Step Spells: Compelled Duel, Protection from Good and Evil, Thunderous Smite, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Poison, Find Steed

 

Character Sheet

[zebedee]

Gallindan The eladrin considered the persuasive arguments made by his friends. He wasn't going to be able to do better than that. So he instead committed to keeping the attention of some of the children who had already left the inn. "Come here, children. I have some food here. And you can pet my elk if you like." He beckoned Celebangolad forward into the light, where all could see the silver in his antlers, the green twisted in his fur. "He likes children, and we don't often meet many. Come and cheer him up!"

OOC: Dice persuasion from G: 1d20+6 (6)+6 Total = 12 Dice perception from G: 1d20+4 (13)+4 Total = 17 Dice Perception from C: 1d20 11

[Admin Bhelogan]

Oren and Adelaide did a decent job in convincing the children to come out of hiding from the Tavern, at risk of being demolished, and join them out front. All except for Rofl, who defiantly stayed in the building. Lux had returned from his scouting trip, and reported from Oren, before turning his attention to the audience.

"The road is mostly clear. A couple of Zarahenian mooks are stationed at a makeshift bridge, watching the same thing we are. They shouldn't cause us any problems. But uh, the wagon won't fit over it. Just the horses." He then turned to the kids, who were expecting a show. Surprisingly, the sight of the small imp didn't seem to bother them much. Not compared to what these youngsters had been dealing with over the last few weeks.


Gallindan offered the children to pet Celebangolad, and have some food. The large Elk, however, was more something that did frighten the kids a bit, and they didn't dare go near it. Gallindan didn't have long to worry about that though, as he noticed a shift in the Titan's direction and speed. It was now directed in a sprint, directly towards the Tavern. The traveling crew would need to leave now to avoid being caught in its path, or that of the soldiers from both armies, flaking the giant, fighting it out.

Aaric also noted the danger. "We should get the kids on the wagon, and move, NOW! We don't have time to chase that last kid out of the tavern."

Isabella and Daybreak both gave horrified looks at Aaric, and his willingness to abandon a child. They couldn't ignore the danger of staying though, and the rest of the kids did seem eager to leave, now that the danger was getting very close.

[mountainbound]

"Get the kids on the wagon then, and get moving. We'll see what options we have at the bridge when we get there." Oren looks at Aaric, "We're not leaving him behind. I'll go in. Perhaps someone else might come with me. The rest should get moving."

"Rolf!" He presumes that was the boy's name. "I'm coming in and not leaving without you. Please don't make this harder than it has to be. The titan is on its way and if you delay any longer, we will all die. Do you want your friends to die?" He points to the rest of the kids getting loaded on the wagon. "We're all depending on you. I'm coming in now. I hope you'll see the sense in us all leaving together."

[Starflier]

Adelaide Darkdraft ”Rolf, dear,” Adelaide called out in a sweet tone as she turned the warhorse towards the door of the inn, a tone that didn’t last long. Being nice only got you so far, and it didn’t seem like it was going to work with this tough guy. ”If you don’t get out here before I count to three, I’m going to get down off this horse and drag you out of there in front of everybody.” ”One…” she said, sitting and waiting. ”Two…” she said, shifting her weight in the saddle as she prepared to climb down just as she’d threatened.

OOC Dice Intimidation: 1d20+6 (13)+6 Total = 19

 

Actions Rolls Action: Reaction: Opportunity Attack if Available Bonus: Haste Action: Move: Interaction: Concentration:

Stat Block Adelaide Darkdraft | Lawful Good | Human | Paladin 7 (Oath of the Ancients) Armor Class: 19 | Hit Points: 60/60 | Speed: 30 | Proficiency Bonus +3 Ability Scores: Str 16/+3 | Dex 8/-1 | Con 14/+2 | Int 8/-1 | Wis 12/+1 | Cha 16/+3 With +3 from Aura of ProtectionSaving throws: Str +6 | Dex +2 | Con +5 | Int +2 | Wis +7 | Cha +9 Skills: Athletics +6 | Insight +4 | Intimidation +6 | Nature +2 | Persuasion +6 Passive Perception: 11 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Goblin, Elvish Longsword: +6, 1d8+5 | Javelin: +6, 1d6+5, 30/120 | Splint Armour: AC 17 | Shield: AC +2 | Dagger x 2 Bullseye Lantern (filled and lit) x 2 Steel Mirror x 2 10 foot pole x 2 Hempen Rope (50 feet, coiled) x 2 Sack x 2 2 Mastiffs x 2 Bag of 100 gp x 1 10 gems worth 100 gp each x 2 Portable Ram x 1 10x10x10 pit x 1 Robe of Useful Items | This dart looks like a mundane dart, with a gold band in the center. When thrown, and the command word 'Catch This' is uttered, the dart acts like a level 1 magic missile spell, with all 3 darts hitting the same target. After it is used once, the magic is lost, and it becomes a mundane dart permanently. (This effect may be used as a free action, not requiring an action or bonus action to throw the dart or invoke its magic)Dart of Magic Missile Relevant Skills/Feats: Fighting Style: Dueling | Divine Sense | Divine Health | Divine Smite | Lay on Hands: 35/35 | Channel Divinity: 1/1 | Extra Attack | 10ft radius, +3 to all saving throwsAura of Protection | 10ft radius, resistance to damage from spellsAura of Warding | If you take the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to try to shove a creature within 5 feet of you with your shield. If you aren't incapacitated, you can add your shield's AC bonus to any Dexterity saving throw you make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only you. If you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, interposing your shield between yourself and the source of the effect. Shield Master | Increase your Strength or Dexterity by 1, to a maximum of 20. Once per turn when you hit a creature with an attack that deals slashing damage, you can reduce the speed of the target by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. When you score a critical hit that deals slashing damage to a creature, you grievously wound it. Until the start of your next turn, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls. Slasher Spell Slots: 4/4, 3/3 | Spell Save DC: 14 | Spell Attack Bonus: +6 | Spells Prepared: 6 Oath Spells: Ensnaring Strike, Speak with Animals, Moonbeam, Misty Step Spells: Compelled Duel, Protection from Good and Evil, Thunderous Smite, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Poison, Find Steed

 

Character Sheet

[zebedee]

Gallindan Gallindan is uncomfortable with the idea of using physical force on the child... but on the other hand, he will surely die if he doesn't leave. And NOW. He catches Adelaide's eye as she hesitates. Gallindan nods his approval of her approach, and prepares to deal with the consequences.

[Admin Bhelogan]

Rolf was scared. He had learned to live by reading people, and Adelaide was serious. The young boy disappeared from the window and burst down the stairs. A moment later he burst out the door onto the bridge, which crossed the river, and upon which the tavern was built. Rather than run towards Adelaide though, he ran in the opposite direction, towards the oncoming danger.

On the wagon, Kerwin, Isabella, and Aaric loaded up the kids, then took off north to avoid the danger. That left Oren, Gallindan, Adelaide, and Daybreak outside the Tavern. Before any decision could be made about chasing Rolf, a couple of mercenaries rode horses over the bridge towards the group. Their signal marked them as members of the Ironclad Vanguard. Rolf had managed to evade them without being detected.

One of the riders took his horse a few steps forward and called out to the small assembly of travelers, "This tavern has been cleared. No rest here, it might not even be standing by the morning." He paused for a brief moment, taking in who it was he was talking to. The mercenary realized that these travelers were well-armed, had mounts, and outnumbered them 2 to 1. He became very cautious, unsure of which side of this conflict the group was on. Although neither drew weapons, both mercenaries put their hands on hilts. "You wear no insignia, but you are no merchants. Which officer do you report to?"

[Starflier]

Adelaide Darkdraft ”Dammit,” Adelaide sighed as she watched Rolf disappearing down the road. That disappointment turned to concern as she watched two men approaching, turning her horse to meet them before they neared the wagon full of kids. Before long they announced themselves, and she called back, ”Cleared? I suppose I am just imagining all these children here?” She turned to the young woman accompanying them, thinking that perhaps she would be better suited to retrieving the wayward boy. ”Isabella, be a dear and go after Rolf, but don’t go too far. I’m guessing he’s hiding, waiting for us to leave before coming back.” Turning back to the mounted mercenaries, she spoke up again, interceding on behalf of her companions, her tone considerably less sweet than she had used with Isabella, ”Captain Garrick Stonehelm of The Ironclad Vanguard, was the fellow we spoke to. What’s it to you?”

 

Actions Rolls Action: Reaction: Opportunity Attack if Available Bonus: Haste Action: Move: Interaction: Concentration:

Stat Block Adelaide Darkdraft | Lawful Good | Human | Paladin 7 (Oath of the Ancients) Armor Class: 19 | Hit Points: 60/60 | Speed: 30 | Proficiency Bonus +3 Ability Scores: Str 16/+3 | Dex 8/-1 | Con 14/+2 | Int 8/-1 | Wis 12/+1 | Cha 16/+3 With +3 from Aura of ProtectionSaving throws: Str +6 | Dex +2 | Con +5 | Int +2 | Wis +7 | Cha +9 Skills: Athletics +6 | Insight +4 | Intimidation +6 | Nature +2 | Persuasion +6 Passive Perception: 11 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Goblin, Elvish Longsword: +6, 1d8+5 | Javelin: +6, 1d6+5, 30/120 | Splint Armour: AC 17 | Shield: AC +2 | Dagger x 2 Bullseye Lantern (filled and lit) x 2 Steel Mirror x 2 10 foot pole x 2 Hempen Rope (50 feet, coiled) x 2 Sack x 2 2 Mastiffs x 2 Bag of 100 gp x 1 10 gems worth 100 gp each x 2 Portable Ram x 1 10x10x10 pit x 1 Robe of Useful Items | This dart looks like a mundane dart, with a gold band in the center. When thrown, and the command word 'Catch This' is uttered, the dart acts like a level 1 magic missile spell, with all 3 darts hitting the same target. After it is used once, the magic is lost, and it becomes a mundane dart permanently. (This effect may be used as a free action, not requiring an action or bonus action to throw the dart or invoke its magic)Dart of Magic Missile Relevant Skills/Feats: Fighting Style: Dueling | Divine Sense | Divine Health | Divine Smite | Lay on Hands: 35/35 | Channel Divinity: 1/1 | Extra Attack | 10ft radius, +3 to all saving throwsAura of Protection | 10ft radius, resistance to damage from spellsAura of Warding | If you take the Attack action on your turn, you can use a bonus action to try to shove a creature within 5 feet of you with your shield. If you aren't incapacitated, you can add your shield's AC bonus to any Dexterity saving throw you make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only you. If you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, interposing your shield between yourself and the source of the effect. Shield Master | Increase your Strength or Dexterity by 1, to a maximum of 20. Once per turn when you hit a creature with an attack that deals slashing damage, you can reduce the speed of the target by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. When you score a critical hit that deals slashing damage to a creature, you grievously wound it. Until the start of your next turn, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls. Slasher Spell Slots: 4/4, 3/3 | Spell Save DC: 14 | Spell Attack Bonus: +6 | Spells Prepared: 6 Oath Spells: Ensnaring Strike, Speak with Animals, Moonbeam, Misty Step Spells: Compelled Duel, Protection from Good and Evil, Thunderous Smite, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Poison, Find Steed

 

Character Sheet

[mountainbound]

Oren Kyre Oren makes mental note of the direction Rolf was headed in. Telepathically he calls to Lux, who was sitting hidden on the roof of the tavern. The warlock's eyes could see his familiar as a slight shimmer when he looked in his direction. Lux, go and help Isabella keep an eye on the boy. Scare him back this way if you have to. We'll be by to gather them shortly.

[zebedee]

Gallindan Gallindan bristled at the tone of the soldiers. He grinned at Adelaide's tone, much though it was hardly a "shining light." He hated slinking across this battlefield, unsure of what the war was even about. He wondered how many other innocents - beyond the children they'd just taken out of the doomed tavern - were going to be caught up in this conflict. He also wondered if perhaps this would be a more valuable use of his time and his skills, wandering the countryside to rescue civilians from the ravages of war. But he knew that this was unrealistic. If he were to be challenged at every turn by bureaucratic soldiers such as these, he didn't possess the charisma to talk his way out of each encounter and freely move around the lands. He had to hope that somebody else - or several somebodies! - was already charged with that task. Instead, he was resolved to avoiding conflict with these officious fools. He patted Celebangolad on his huge shoulder and waited to see what the soldiers had to say.

[Admin Bhelogan]

The wagon took off north, Kerwin and Aaric on board, though Isabella jumped off to follow Adelaide's instructions, and chase after Rolf, before it got too far. Seeing the two armed men ridding across, she chose to ford the river using some stones that were near the tavern, and look for the boy. Keeping to the shadows, although she was not an expert at that skill, she managed to avoid the armed men's detection.

Searching for Rolf was a task that would probably have been futile, were it not for the help of a small imp, who prodded Rolf just enough to make him abandon his hiding spot, and run right into the arms of Isabella. She motioned for the boy to be quiet, and both of them took a new hiding spot behind a barn, where they could keep an eye on the armed men and the interaction they were having with Oren, Gillindan, and Adelaide on the other side of the river.

The Ironclad Vanguard men listed to the chiding of Adelaide, about children in the tavern. "Well, you have our thanks then for getting them out of harm's way." Their posturing had softened at the mention of Captain Garrick Stonehelm. "If you spoke with the captain, are you here to help corral that Titan then? Or did he give you some other job? Either way, you need to get moving. This bridge isn't going to be here much longer."

The sounds of hooves and warcries from the other side of the bridge, closer to where Isabella and Rolf were hiding loudly. Mounted soldiers from both sides of the conflict were pushing their direction, both trying to get the other to change course. "Bah, curse the gods," cried out the solder who had remained quiet so far. "Those Zarahenian bastards are having no problems pushing our boys out of the way. Keelen, we have our orders."

Solemnly, the first solder nodded, and the pair turned back to the bridge under the tavern, one on either side. Keelen ran underneath, holding a pack of something strange Kerwin might have been able to identify, then came up a few moments later, without the pack. The other guard used his flint and steel to light a rag on fire, that was wrapped around the tip of a crossbow bolt. "Cover your ears, this is going to be loud!"

Loud was an understatement. The guard fired his firebolt, hitting the pack beneath the bridge, and an explosion larger than a dozen fireballs shot up directly into the air. The blast was much stronger than the pair had thought it might be, or they would have backed further away from the tavern. Now, they found themselves crushed under a pile of rubble and stone. There was little chance they would have survived the blast, and even if they did, it would take a crew many hours to clear out enough of the rubble to find their bodies. The job was done though, where the tavern and bridge once stood, was not an impassible pile of rubble, jagged timbers, and burning debris. This wouldn't stop the Titan from crossing, but it made the whole of the dangerous river now impossible to cross by foot or swimming. The undercurrents of the river would be difficult for any professional swimmer to cross, let alone a man wearing armor.

Oren, Gillindan, and Adelaide were also not spared from the debris, as it blasted in their direction. Now they were stuck on this side of the river. The wagon with Aaric, Kerwin and the orphans was far away enough that they couldn't see it in the dim light of the fading day. On the other side of the river, Isabella and Rolf were hiding, with no clear way of getting to safety before the nearing conflict would reach the river.