TriciaOso
 Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in 
  OOC  
   
Wintertide morning. The sun rises over Coldwater, The Shield of the North, and finds a city already hard at work. It's the shortest day of the year, and much to be done; no good waiting for the sun. In the temples to the Sun King the prayers go up for a good Wintertide, but in the temples of the Maiden the priests know the best thing for a good Wintertide is a sharp sword and a strong bell, and they do not turn from their work.

(Coldwater is a cold city, a tall city of stone, buildings close-set like fine strong teeth. But there are plaza and courtyards throughout the city, spaced and placed carefully according to arcane logic, and in those plazas are the Iron Carillions, the arrays of bells which will ring out through the longest night, binding and commanding and rebuking the dead. The maintenance of the carillions is always of high importance, cracked bells replaced, clappers inspected, yokes repaired. But this is the last chance to make certain. Dead certain.)

(The sharpening of swords needs no explanation. The Temples of the Maiden are armories, today.)

The gates of the city are busy, as peasants and travellers stream in to seek shelter for the night. Precious little shelter there is to find; wiser folks made their way here days ago, and the inns and spare rooms and stables are crammed to the rafters. Gate guards must turn away horses, sheep, cattle; it's too late, and space is too precious. Only human lives can still claim sanctuary on the last day of the year. (And halfling, dwarf, elf and goliath; all the speaking races of Daesic are welcome.)

(Across Solus, most communities mark the new year by the wedding of the May Queen, three months hence. But here in Coldwater there's only one day out of the long year that counts; the start and end of all hopes.)

And the walls are busy. High walls, mortared with the ashes of the consecrated dead; manned by soldiers of the city, solemn and watchful, and by the Wintertide Militia, nervous and pale. Not every able-bodied citizen picks up arms on the Day of the Dead; service is voluntary, and it is in fact forbidden to desert a family that requires your support. But most of them are here, if they are still old enough or young enough, strong enough, wise enough to hold a pike or lock shields with their neighbors.

Among them also are travellers; those caught here who see the sense, or pilgrims on the Maiden's Road from Domari to Coldwater who came here for this, to pay their penance for every night the Maiden passed them by.

(Every one of us must dance with the Maiden, sooner or later, and a beautiful dance it will be. But pray your name is not on her dance card tonight. Pray, and sharpen your sword.)

Most of the militia are untrained; wise enough to hold a pike or lock shields with their neighbor, but not much else. If you're better than that, stronger than that, and you happen to be in the city tonight, you may have been called upon to come to the keep.


 


The Keep of the Ci Gît family is different from other keeps, in that it faces the water and the north, the direction of greatest danger. The Dukes of Coldwater came from the north, from over the water, and they know what evil they left behind there. They know it will come after, on this longest night, and they know their place is here, between their people and their loathsome cousins over the water. Here, speaking to a small knot of clerics, is Mason Ci Gît, a son of the Duke. Here is the Duke's daughter, the Dauphin, the heir of the city, Domane Ci Gît, speaking confidentially to the strongest citizens, travelers and adventurers.

And over  here  is a cluster of first-level heroes; strong enough to be plucked from the rank-and-file of the militia, not yet strong enough to be that important. Nobody is talking to them yet, and they are all talking to each other. As the sun falls over the courtyard -- last sun of the old year, last sun some of you will ever see -- what are you doing?
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 10/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Aupti looks around, his jaw slightly slack.  This keep is the tallest building he's ever seen, and the sturdiest. The rocks themselves nearly shout resolve and determination.  He's been in the city three days now.  The courtyard actually seems relatively quiet, but still loud with voices and manners and stations in high society.  He's still getting used to all the new sounds and smells, and feels very out of place.
At least, he thinks, he knows how to bow, how to greet superiors politely, and how to eat a meal presented with more than one fork or spoon.  He understands the basic rules.
 (at least, he thinks so) 

He waits patiently, without movement except for that of his neck and eyes.  One does not find food by rushing or becoming jittery when waiting for an animal to come close enough.
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad ground her teeth in frustration, shivering occasionally in the cold...and the quiet fear sitting uncomfortably in her stomach.  Gods but it was cold here, and despite the throng of the citizenry and refugees, somehow desolate, and yet...

alive?

It felt strange to think of the disciplined focus of these peasant folk in their quiet dread and anticipation of the violence to come as a type of life.  But somehow it felt more  real  than any dignified and cultured festivities that Croplan's high society could offer.  This heavy sense of responsibility was somehow palpable in the frozen early morning air, permeating the ground itself, soaked in like the blood of the wardens who had long defended this proud city from the darkness.

So what the **** was  she  doing here?  She didn't care about Coldwater, or defending the world from evil.  She'd been shoved into the militia volunteering line by her parents' hamfisted thugs, made a comment on their parentage and how much she didn't want to be here, some ******* called her a coward (an ******* who, she noted smugly, still sported a black eye and a finger splint for his troubles as he stood waiting for his orders), and then some gorgeous elf lady assigned her for service in one of her squads.  Damn her slow wit and the curve of that tight jawline...those deep, serious eyes, like pools of midnight...

Shad reddened and gritted her teeth as she forced herself to stop staring at Beatrice, the captain of her little unit.  She just needed to focus up, survive the night, and find a way to get back home to Jenny...somehow...how, exactly?  No money, no influence, no family, and gods, poor Jenny, didn't even know Shad's real name, has no idea what kind of danger she could still be in...

Gods this was all so ****ed!

   ****!  Was someone just saying something I was supposed to hear??  ****!   
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek has been in the area for a little less then a year. He's been coming and going almost freely trying not to draw too much attention to himself for if these people were anything like his former clan he'd be in some serious trouble. He enters through the second story and descends some stairs. This dwarf could very well be mistaken for a deep dwarf of the underdark. Hasgraek is nervous at the moment since this is the longest He's been in town. There's a few notable people he can recall some interaction with such as a woman he'd grappled with in an arena or the druid that he'd stolen some food from and a boy or perhaps a man that tried to greet him in a bar... what was that bar called? He hopes that if he performs well here he might be accepted and it would be his first step to righting what he's done while appeasing his savior the maiden of the long dark.

He looks around and he can't help but think that time could better be spent elsewhere.
TriciaOso
The group captains begin to emerge from the keep and pull off small units of the larger group, no more than three to five people at a time. Among them you can see an orc cleric in a piece of arcano-tech, a flying wheelchair; a blond paladin wearing a sash of pilgrimage; and your own captain, a lean and pale shadar-kai woman with a scar on the left side of her face

 
Beatrice Prochaine waves the four of you into a huddle. 'Lean and pale' are the words of someone who is drawn to that sort of thing; a less generous narrator might call her cadaverous. The Prochaines, cousins of the Dukes, are uniformly less human-looking, their shadowfey heritage clearer. Her good eye is a striking grey on black.

 "Welcome, and good Wintertide,"  she says.  "I'm not here to puff you up and make you feel good about tonight. The Duke is better at that than I am and he'll be here in a moment. I'm here to talk tactics." 
 "The four of you are assigned to the Porte Aguille, the Gate of the Needle."  She nods at Connor.  "The lad knows the neighborhood well. Lean on him." 
 
You know it indeed. The Rue Desmontaignes, a minor road leading to the western mountains, enters the city there through a narrow gate and crosses half of Coldwater. South of it is the tall stone city center, the Mountain District. The wealthy don't like to live  too  close to the Keep. North of it, closer to the dangers of the docks and the Keep itself, are the humbler neighborhoods where you grew up.

 "The Needle is a small gate, not often used, and it doesn't usually draw a lot of attention at Wintertide, either. This land is sacred, and the dead don't belong here. That's not propaganda -- they don't belong in the land of the living, and Coldwater in particular is consecrated against them. Every step south costs them strength and will. The Needle is far enough north that you don't get the worst of the mindless hordes, but south enough that intelligent troops would rather go straight for the Keep or the Carillions." 
 "Nonetheless, you  will  catch strays and the occasional genius who wants to sneak up from the rear. You drew the first shift, before it gets really bad, but you'll see action tonight. Militiamen will be on the wall. You may see them fighting; you may see them die; but unless and until something gets over that wall, you let them fight their own battle. Sooner or later, something will get to you, so be patient."

"If by some ill-chance the gate falls, you fall back to the Avenue leading to the Keep and defend it with the troops stationed there. And whatever you do -- if you hear your own sainted mother out there -- don't you open that godsdamned gate. I'll be on the rampart there and I'll kill anyone who goes for it, I swear by the Maiden." 

She looks at Connor again.  "I know The Boss is nearby to there. Your station is defending the gate, not your father's pub. It's hard to fear for your family, and I wouldn't station you so close if I didn't have faith you know your duty." 

Returning to the whole group:  "You have first shift: meaning, you  will not  last the night. Hold the station as long as you can; when you're spent, signal me and we'll bring in the next shift. It's the only way this works. There are barracks prepared here for you." 
Dirty
Connor stood and waited around like the others. Not very talkative, very much in suspense by fact of being in a situation completely new to him. He recognized some people from a distance not in his general vicinity, but didn't know them well enough at all to go up and talk. It wasn't a time for socializing anyway.

It was a time to take notice.

He studied the area, the people. Made note of the weather and the general feeling around him.
He tried to take in the people directly around him, but didn't want to be too obvious about it. He made an effort not to stare at Aupti, and Hasgreak. When his eyes met Shad he smiled in that universal 'I know right, waiting.. am I right?' way but refrained from talking since she didn't seem particularly in the mood.

He tugged at the leather straps of his armour, and shifted the weight of his backpack and weapons. Connor was no warrior and although he had a familiarity with the things on him, this wasn't an everyday occurrence, to be wearing it all and mean it. Especially his sword weighed on him. It wasn't the blade, but the meaning behind it. Someone else should be holding this now, he thought. But he's gone, lost to the night. Now it was his turn, to keep this city standing and help rebuke the tide. Connor looked forward to it in a way. It had felt wrong to be left behind while his uncles and brothers were off to the walls.

Now he'd get to know what the songs, and silences, at the Boss were really about.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Beatrice came over he straightened and listened intently to what she had to say. When she mentioned him he nodded once. He knew exactly the area she was talking about. When she mentioned leaving men to fight their own fight and wait for their own action, Connors gaze trailed off over the streets. He started to think about how it would make him feel to leave militiamen, his people, to their own devices.

But when she mentioned his fathers pub he looked her straight in the eye. The curt nod and confident sounding "I understand" came from deep, but he meant them.

He almost didn't catch the last part of what she said. His mind was at the Boss. Where his father would be done boarding up by now, having taken in more people than the place could handle.

Crazy Gail, Marchel and Joyce they'd be helping him out pepping the folks there, women and kids mostly, up with the stories about what they'd do if any of the walking bags of bones dared step foot in the place. The place they had long ago declared their own sacred piece of dirt. They'd anointed the hardwood floor of the Boss with their own offerings of wine, blood and tears more times than the priests prayed in the cathedrals.

They might have been deemed unfit to man the walls, with their missing eyes and fingers. Their impossible attitudes. Their psychological defects making them more likely to steal from the guards than man the wall for even an hour, or worse to try to host a party while waiting. Drunks, thieves and outcasts. They were so incompetent outside of those walls and yet, there wasn't a chance in hell they'd let the Boss fall. Connor felt confident in that, no matter what, the place would be in good hands with that gang of degenerates.
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 10/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
 "Yes ma'am your grace."   Aupti responds.  He'd been hoping to have more space to work with... room to move, and maybe some nice trees around to climb and fight from in safety, but this is is a sacred duty.

He doesn't feel ready.
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad rubbed her hands together, trying to make sure they kept their feeling.  Fighting with numb hands was significantly more difficult after all.  She looked around nervously, almost frantically, as Beatrice finished giving them orders.

  "Connor!"   she whispered urgently,   "I only caught the last half of what she said...  We're gonna be close to your tavern?
 I'm just going to follow along behind you, okay?"  

She hefted her halberd and absentmindedly adjusted the straps on her leather underarmor, falling into step with the others.  For just a brief moment she caught Beatrice's eye again, thinking,   gods  damn  those eyes are something!    But she turned away, her cheeks red as she smacked her helmet to put her mind back into focus.
zylodrizzt
 Understood lass....just a bit of concern... has the area been prepared for breach or maybe suppliea nearby for such?  he asks a bit unsure and hoping his manner of speech as well as his beard cover his fangs. He sure is glad deep dwarves are welcome here at least.


Once they are on the way the ashen dwarf seems to be trying to keep his pace slower and not even breathing hard with the weather the way it is in fact you don't even notice the little puffs of visible breathe from him. His manner of dress is a bit unusual for a dwarf who unusually favor heavier armor but his is light covering only the most vital bits his arms completely uncovered.

To shad along the way  Lass i think i sparred with you before in the arena here. Youd make any dwarven father proud  he says and after a moment a barest frown obscured from the thick beard as he thinks about the family he could have had.

To conner taking a look around spotting a place he recognized  Conner was it? That place there is called the boss? Your tavern? Think i visited once and i think you once tried to engage in conversation with me. I wish to apologize for that.... things hadnt been going well for me and id not like to take it out on someone undeserving. Thats why i fight in that arena bwahahaha  he says obscuring the truth of it (not a total lie) but the laugh was genuine.

To aupti  Yer from outside this city right? Course you can tell i am. I may have stolen some food from you on my way to this city some months back and i intend to pay it back. When this is all done perhaps you let me get you something? 
Breitheamh
 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
 [COLOR="#800080"]To shad along the way  Lass i think i sparred with you before in the arena here. Youd make any dwarven father proud  he says and after a moment a barest frown obscured from the thick beard as he thinks about the family he could have had. 
 

 "Oh!  Um, no, I don't think that was me, sorry..."  Shad replies sheepishly, though it's fairly plain to see she's embarrassed or nervous about something.    Wait... was that fighting pit not illegal?  Do people just openly admit to being brawlers around here?  
zylodrizzt
 My mistake lass must have a twin out there bwahaha. Anyways since we will be working together im hasgraek icegrasp.  if anyone is familiar with dwarves of the region usually they will name thier clan as well.
TriciaOso
  Understood lass....just a bit of concern... has the area been prepared for breach or maybe suppliea nearby for such?  he asks a bit unsure and hoping his manner of speech as well as his beard cover his fangs. He sure is glad deep dwarves are welcome here at least. 

 "If anything makes it over the wall,"  Beatrice says,  "you kill it. If the gate is truly breached, fall back to the Avenue and the Keep. We'll try to bring it down." 

Before you leave the courtyard, the Duke himself appears from the keep to address the crowd of adventurers and others a cut above the common militiamen.

 

Pierre Ci Gît was a warrior in his day, and a mighty one, but now he is old. Much of the defense and running of the city has passed to his heir and daughter. But for the men and women of Coldwater, it's still moving to see him girted in his armor and carrying (perhaps leaning on...) his partisan. He turns his lined face to the crowd and speaks in a voice that is still deep and strong.

 
 Spoiler: He gives an inspiring speech. 

 "Greetings on this fair Wintertide to you all. I look out over this crowd and I see many faces I know... citizens of our city and old friends, come to our aid once more. To you I have nothing new to say, only my deepest thanks and love to you, who rise once more to the challenge. But many of you are new to me, and new to these walls. I speak to you, now."

"Anyone who lives in Solus must know that the dead go north. Even children learn it, when they face their first lessons in loss and grief. But we of Coldwater know it to be true in a way that others don't. Over the Straits of Ice and beyond the terrors of Blackreach is a hell of ice and darkness. That place belongs to the dead, and the dead keep it. This land belongs to the living, and the dead covet it... the necromancers of Blackreach desire it... the devils seek it... but it is ours, and we keep it. We pledge our lives, and many of us pledge our deaths. The Maiden awaits me, friends, she grows impatient for her dance, and soon I must take her hand. But when I go, I will join the Diet of the Still, the spirits pledged to keep this place."

"Every year, by blood and ashes and the ringing of bells, we consecrate this city anew to Life. And while this city stands, the continent of Solus, this whole living world, will stand as well. If the world of the living falls, it will fall here first. And it  must. NOT.  FALL.  "

"By our lives and deaths we rebuke the forces of undeath and we buy, at greatest cost, another year. We are the keystone... we are the shield of the North!  Fais sonner les cloches qui peuvent encore sonner! " 
 


At his command, the Iron Carillons begun to ring, for the first time today but not the last. In the stones of the Keep and in the walls around the city, spirit guardians stir and stand, spectral, beside the living guards. In the harbor, a net of copper and silver is raised across the bay, held up by tall towers. The soldiers of Coldwater clash their swords on their shields, a vast ringing that echoes the bells and fills the city.

Beatrice looks at the four of you.  "You have the rest of the day to prepare. Sleep if you can. Sunset, at the Porte Aguille." 
Breitheamh
 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
  My mistake lass must have a twin out there bwahaha. Anyways since we will be working together im hasgraek icegrasp.  if anyone is familiar with dwarves of the region usually they will name thier clan as well. 
 

 "Right..."  she replies uncertainly,  "Um, I'm Cha---Shad...  Just Shad."   A forlorn look crosses her face for a moment, but she quickly changes the subject.   "A fitting name for you, then!"  she continues jovially,  "I could barely get out of that grip of yours!"   Then her face suddenly drains,  "Uhh, um, that is, I mean your handshake." 

She pauses awkwardly, looking anywhere but the dwarf's eyes, then abruptly turns and walks very quickly over to Connor and pretends to be listening to something he's saying.


 
 Originally Posted by TriciaOso 
 Before you leave the courtyard, the Duke himself appears from the keep to address the crowd of adventurers and others a cut above the common militiamen.

 

Pierre Ci Gît was a warrior in his day, and a mighty one, but now he is old. Much of the defense and running of the city has passed to his heir and daughter. But for the men and women of Coldwater, it's still moving to see him girted in his armor and carrying (perhaps leaning on...) his partisan. He turns his lined face to the crowd and speaks in a voice that is still deep and strong.

 
 Spoiler: He gives an inspiring speech. 

 "Greetings on this fair Wintertide to you all. I look out over this crowd and I see many faces I know... citizens of our city and old friends, come to our aid once more. To you I have nothing new to say, only my deepest thanks and love to you, who rise once more to the challenge. But many of you are new to me, and new to these walls. I speak to you, now."

"Anyone who lives in Solus must know that the dead go north. Even children learn it, when they face their first lessons in loss and grief. But we of Coldwater know it to be true in a way that others don't. Over the Straits of Ice and beyond the terrors of Blackreach is a hell of ice and darkness. That place belongs to the dead, and the dead keep it. This land belongs to the living, and the dead covet it... the necromancers of Blackreach desire it... the devils seek it... but it is ours, and we keep it. We pledge our lives, and many of us pledge our deaths. The Maiden awaits me, friends, she grows impatient for her dance, and soon I must take her hand. But when I go, I will join the Diet of the Still, the spirits pledged to keep this place."

"Every year, by blood and ashes and the ringing of bells, we consecrate this city anew to Life. And while this city stands, the continent of Solus, this whole living world, will stand as well. If the world of the living falls, it will fall here first. And it  must. NOT.  FALL.  "

"By our lives and deaths we rebuke the forces of undeath and we buy, at greatest cost, another year. We are the keystone... we are the shield of the North!  Fais sonner les cloches qui peuvent encore sonner! " 
 


At his command, the Iron Carillons begun to ring, for the first time today but not the last. In the stones of the Keep and in the walls around the city, spirit guardians stir and stand, spectral, beside the living guards. In the harbor, a net of copper and silver is raised across the bay, held up by tall towers. The soldiers of Coldwater clash their swords on their shields, a vast ringing that echoes the bells and fills the city.

Beatrice looks at the four of you.  "You have the rest of the day to prepare. Sleep if you can. Sunset, at the Porte Aguille."  
 

Shad feels the stirring in her heart almost unbidden as the duke rallies the soldiers and citizenry with his speech.    Whoa... okay this is serious now...    She looks around at those lifting their voices to the rousing battlecry, and almost instinctually joins in, her shriek matching what she let loose whenever she managed to finish a flawless joint-lock or pin a man bigger than her through sheer willpower.  It was the primal scream of a warrior's spirit joining chorus with its fellows... and it felt  good. 

Of course Charity knew where the spirits of the dead go, and she had heard the stories of Coldwater standing alone against the forces of darkness that sought a foothold in Solus, but it was always distant.  They were mere fairy tales to her and her brothers, no one she'd grown up with had any true understanding of what it really meant that there was a  SHIELD  in the north.  But now Shad was here, and though not truly of her own accord, with the Duke's speech echoing through the toll of the bells and ringing in her heart she began to understand...  If Coldwater fell, so would Croplan...so would Jenny... so would everything she had ever held dear.

Shad gripped her halberd a bit tighter and cracked her knuckles, her mouth curling up in a wolfish sneer.    I'm here now, Blackreach, and you've never seen the likes of me before.  So bring me your monsters of nightmare, and go **** yourself while I strangle them with my bare hands.  
J-H
 Aupti 
 "Sleep?  Sleep?"  he whispers.  Aupti has trouble sleeping before a hunt or when the next day is going to be big and exciting.  Sleeping before he dies?   "Hey Connor, where can I get some apple pie?"   Made with imported sugar, it's a luxury item, but one worth eating.
zylodrizzt
 Let me get that for you...  checking his pockets  Well... maybe if i ask real nice like.  he says as he feels only a single coin. He didn't have many needs anymore so rarely kept track til he needed more cash. He managed still tho somehow by the kindness of strangers.

 conner do you suppose your kin might lend some supplies so we can set up maybe some bottleneck or traps? Think ill ask around that area im sure folks would be willing to donate to the cause so long as thier safe and can get thier stuff back.  he says mainly to conner but thinking others might chime in.

After the directions and some instruction hasgraek goes to inspect the site seeing if there is anything useful to perhaps bottle neck combatants or slow thier progress (like setting up trap). He takes note about normal routes up to the top of the wall but also takes note on how tall buildings and the wall is. Notes how his ammunition is rather light and he lacks as many daggers as he'd want so once he's satisfied with his scouting he decides to help others in the hopes that they'd want to help him back.
Dirty
 
 Originally Posted by Breitheamh 
   "Connor!"   she whispered urgently,   "I only caught the last half of what she said...  We're gonna be close to your tavern?
 I'm just going to follow along behind you, okay?"   
 

Connor nodded and smiled. "Safest place in Coldwater." He confidently lied. "Ofcourse, I gotcha. You're one of us now." He said warmly as he pointed out landmarks and showed the shortest way from the spot they were going to protect to the Boss. He tried to avoid weaving through alleys and shortcuts, instead opting for the easier to remember route.



 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
 [COLOR="#800080"]

To conner taking a look around spotting a place he recognized  Conner was it? That place there is called the boss? Your tavern? Think i visited once and i think you once tried to engage in conversation with me. I wish to apologize for that.... things hadnt been going well for me and id not like to take it out on someone undeserving. Thats why i fight in that arena bwahahaha  he says obscuring the truth of it (not a total lie) but the laugh was genuine. 
 

"My dad's bar actually. It's as old as Coldwater, though it used to be a pigfarm way back when, before even these walls had been built." He remembered trying to strike up a conversation with the peculiar dwarf, but hadn't given it much thought since a lot of his thinking was preoccupied with the nights happenings. "No worries, I understand." He replied to Hasgreak. "I'm sure we'll get to know each other."


 During Duke Ci Gits speech 


 
 Originally Posted by J-H 
  Aupti 
 "Sleep?  Sleep?"  he whispers.  Aupti has trouble sleeping before a hunt or when the next day is going to be big and exciting.  Sleeping before he dies?   "Hey Connor, where can I get some apple pie?"   Made with imported sugar, it's a luxury item, but one worth eating. 
 

"Millie's bakery has everything worth tasting." Connor said proudly. He wasn't sure if she sold applepie with imported sugar, but Connor would gladly go out of his way to check. Truth be told Connor fancied Saga, Millies daughter and she occasionally worked the counter. "I'm sure they have apple pie. Let's see if they're still hawking pastries, it's possible they've boarded up already but we might be lucky."


 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
  conner do you suppose your kin might lend some supplies so we can set up maybe some bottleneck or traps? Think ill ask around that area im sure folks would be willing to donate to the cause so long as thier safe and can get thier stuff back.  he says mainly to conner but thinking others might chime in.

After the directions and some instruction hasgraek goes to inspect the site seeing if there is anything useful to perhaps bottle neck combatants or slow thier progress (like setting up trap). He takes note about normal routes up to the top of the wall but also takes note on how tall buildings and the wall is. Notes how his ammunition is rather light and he lacks as many daggers as he'd want so once he's satisfied with his scouting he decides to help others in the hopes that they'd want to help him back. 
 

"Ask Marchel at the Boss. He's a retired bouncer and doesn't look too friendly but if he knows I sent you he might be able to help." Connor said.

He was fast enjoying showing the group around. It gave him something to do and take his mind off of the coming battle. It also filled him with a pride and confidence for knowing this place so well. And most importantly, he was learning all about these new folks. He took his time to note Shads mannerisms, Hasgreaks gruff directness and Auptis disconnected way of seeing and talking. Who in their right mind would go for apple pie at a time like this? But then again, this is the perfect time for apple pie if that's your thing. It was a treat to meet these newcomers and their company was more than welcome.
He showed them the way to the Boss, to the bakery and to the gate, tried to explain as much as he could and help fullfill any request they had. Anything really, to keep the spirits up and the thoughts of death at a comfortable distance.
J-H
Aupti enjoys the apple pie.  It's not cheap, but it is quite good, and he shares a few pieces with his compatriots.   "If tonight is as dangerous as they say... better to not face it with a stomach full of porridge." 

As the day draws to a close, they reach their post.  Aupti takes an old bear trap out of his pack and finds a likely spot to chain it at, then covers it with some snow after making sure everyone knows where it is...
Dirty
As Aupti was setting his traps, Connor had his piece of pie still untouched, wrapped up in the beeswaxed cloth beside him. He had taken out his flute as he sat on a crate, slumped down in a half lying down way he still had a good view of the spot they were protecting and of some of the people on the wall. He played some quick tunes, tried his fingers and some different cadence here and there as he was trying to find the right melodie for today. A day of suspense, a dreaded day. But one met with resolve. He looked at the people on the wall again. A known day, a named day. There was clarity here. Do or die. He looked at the strangers he'd only just met. There'd been surprises too, unexpected gems throughout the day. People helping others, taking in and care of each other.

He started playing a suspenseful tune. He weaved in the melodie they used to grab the spirits attention before lighting the pyre. He wanted to let the people on the wall know that today was for them, and the ones before them.

He started playing slow but sped up at some point and the music changed from a sad suspenseful tune to one of a clear and beautiful song that tried to invoke bravery and pride. He played with the rhythm to add some body to it. When he found his groove he soon gave it four different chapters, and took his time to weave the form and tonality together organically.

The first was for Coldwater, recognisable and respectful both to the dead and the living.
The second was for a gentle soul, the type to stop and smell the flowers. The type to remember to get some apple pie before the eve of battle.
The third was for a wild and untamed soul, full of anger and anxiety just looking for acceptance
The fourth was for someone with strong hands, a gruff demeanor but with a heart of gold.

 
 Spoiler 
Performce roll: 24
 
TriciaOso
 
 Originally Posted by J-H 
 Aupti enjoys the apple pie.  It's not cheap, but it is quite good, and he shares a few pieces with his compatriots.   "If tonight is as dangerous as they say... better to not face it with a stomach full of porridge." 

As the day draws to a close, they reach their post.  Aupti takes an old bear trap out of his pack and finds a likely spot to chain it at, then covers it with some snow after making sure everyone knows where it is... 
 


 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
 After the directions and some instruction hasgraek goes to inspect the site seeing if there is anything useful to perhaps bottle neck combatants or slow thier progress (like setting up trap). He takes note about normal routes up to the top of the wall but also takes note on how tall buildings and the wall is. Notes how his ammunition is rather light and he lacks as many daggers as he'd want so once he's satisfied with his scouting he decides to help others in the hopes that they'd want to help him back. 
 

At the gate you encounter other adventurers with the same idea, the group that will take the late night shift after you leave the field. They are all women; a gnome, a half-elf, a wood elf and an eladrin. They call themselves the  Devise sisters , and despite their diverse backgrounds do seem to share the same huge amethyst eyes. A gangling firbolg fellow working with a hammer to reinforce the gate seems to be affiliated with them as well. They are friendly enough, if understandably grim, and explain that they are standing the vigil because they owe a favor to a grave cleric.

Their ranger, Niala, works with you to place and set up traps, and Hasgraek is able to use his thieves' tools to repair one. The gnome rogue shares a few daggers (four). She seems to have an unlimited supply from a magic bracer she acquired recently and doesn't need these anymore.


 
 Originally Posted by Dirty 
 As Aupti was setting his traps, Connor had his piece of pie still untouched, wrapped up in the beeswaxed cloth beside him. He had taken out his flute as he sat on a crate, slumped down in a half lying down way he still had a good view of the spot they were protecting and of some of the people on the wall. He played some quick tunes, tried his fingers and some different cadence here and there as he was trying to find the right melodie for today. A day of suspense, a dreaded day. But one met with resolve. He looked at the people on the wall again. A known day, a named day. There was clarity here. Do or die. He looked at the strangers he'd only just met. There'd been surprises too, unexpected gems throughout the day. People helping others, taking in and care of each other.

He started playing a suspenseful tune. He weaved in the melodie they used to grab the spirits attention before lighting the pyre. He wanted to let the people on the wall know that today was for them, and the ones before them.

He started playing slow but sped up at some point and the music changed from a sad suspenseful tune to one of a clear and beautiful song that tried to invoke bravery and pride. He played with the rhythm to add some body to it. When he found his groove he soon gave it four different chapters, and took his time to weave the form and tonality together organically.

The first was for Coldwater, recognisable and respectful both to the dead and the living.
The second was for a gentle soul, the type to stop and smell the flowers. The type to remember to get some apple pie before the eve of battle.
The third was for a wild and untamed soul, full of anger and anxiety just looking for acceptance
The fourth was for someone with strong hands, a gruff demeanor but with a heart of gold.

 
 Spoiler 
Performce roll: 24
 
 
 

The shortest day of the year runs away fast between your fingers, with the Iron Carillons chiming away. The two biggest batteries, facing the bay, aren't not far from here, and several smaller towers in courtyards around the keep accompany them. The bells ring lightly on the quarter hours, but as the sun begins set in the West, a heavy tolling goes out over the whole city, warning that night is here. From your position you have an extraordinary view of the sun slipping behind the Touchsky Peaks. Huge torches are lit on either side of the gate and down the Rue Desmontaignes.

It's not long after that that the warning toll sounds again; necromancer ships seen in the bay, their pennants of red and black and bronze, figured with skulls and swords and chains. From the ramparts, Beatrice shouts down what is unfolding on the shore west of the city.

 "First landing! It's the Onager clan, be prepared for seige equipment."
 
...

 "The encampment around the Keep is filling up, the seige is spilling down the wall. Brace yourselves..." 

...

And soon you don't need her warning that troops are gathered on the other side of the gate; the stamp of dead feet and the clank of steel on steel (and the dull noise of steel on bone) is audible to all. And then the drums begin; the necromancers of Blackreach have their own counterpoint to the bells.

 "Shrouds, shadows, and other intangibles moving in. Most of this lot aren't strong enough to pass the wall, but standby for survivors." 

A tide of whispers and moans moves over the battle field, rising to fierce, desperate shrieks that die away in a sizzling hiss as they collide with the consecration of the walls. Most aren't strong enough to pass the wall, but a handful of shades escape from the stones on this side of the gate and glide towards you, hungry for life.

 

One of the four is taller, darker and more sinister than the others.

 
 
 Spoiler: Summary 

The three shrouds and the shadow enter on init 17 and use their action and movement to move closer.

INITIATIVE
20 - Aupti
17 - Shrouds &amp; Shadow
10 - Connor, Shad, Hasgraek
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 10/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: Faerie Fire  
 
  

Aupti looks at the unnatural creatures... they do indeed look like they want to suck the life out of him.  He casts a spell, causing the dust they disturb to glow green and stick to them.
 
 Spoiler 

Each object in a 20-foot cube within range is outlined in blue, green, or violet light (your choice). Any creature in the area when the spell is cast is also outlined in light if it fails a Dexterity saving throw. For the duration, objects and affected creatures shed dim light in a 10-foot radius.

Any attack roll against an affected creature or object has advantage if the attacker can see it, and the affected creature or object can't benefit from being invisible.
Hit Shadow and the two easternmost Shrouds.  DC 13 
Shadow Dex  (1d20)[ 9 ] +?
Shroud 2 Dex  (1d20)[ 18 ] +?
Shroud 3 Dex  (1d20)[ 15 ] +?
 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek comments on the music. Not a criticism just an observation  Fore a battle in me clan on the front lines with shields and axe me clan would stomp and strike thier shields psyching themselves up. Yer flute be heavenly but thinkin ye need some bass... some growl.  as he finishes on the trap.  I dont have the right stuff or even the right rythm but somethin like this...  he takes two daggers and begins beating them on something wooden nearby with the blunt ends and gives a mighty yell.  Thatll bring them bastards to us bwahaha . He finishes preparations by burying some traps in the snow. He thanks the naila for the daggers and offers to give them back if she wants them.

Once battle is joined he sees the one light up with ghostly fire he picks it out and fires at it with his short bow. Tho its barely perceptable hasgraek pricked his finger on his arrow and left some blood on it. When it struck the blood lanced in deeper. The blood crusted over hasgraek finger quite quickly  Imagine that shadow dont like light bwahaha  he says before he begins his climb to the roof. Surpising how he climbs so easily with his bulk. Pick em off cleaner up here! COME GET ME YOU BASTARDS! 
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

After the Duke's rousing speech, and the cheerful and kindly way that Connor showed their little group around, Shad almost seemed to be starting to smile a bit.  She graciously accepted a slice of apple pie, and observed Aupti's odd, unrefined manner again, this time starting to pick up that he was genuinely actually trying to be polite.  As they eat, she somewhat intentionally gets a mess of crumbs on her face and wipes them off with the back of her sleeve, commenting as she chews the massive bite,  "Y'know, mmfgh, manners are pretty overrated, 'specially when there's a bigger crop to mill."   She gives Aupti an attempt at an encouraging smile.

---

While the others set up the traps and Connor plays his moving tune, Shad can't help but keep throwing glances at the half-elf woman who had introduced herself as Calandra Devise.  She tries an attempt at confidence and approaches her,  "So, you've got the shift after us, huh?  You, umm... ever tried apple pie?  There's a great bakery just over there, you should try some..."  she reddens noticeably.    She LIVES here, stupid!  She probably already knows about the place, and who HASN'T had apple pie?!  
 "Um, right, yeah, I'm Shad... have a great night!"  and she turns away before she can make it any worse.   Have a great night?!?  What is wrong with you??  We're going into battle, not out dancing!  

---

Shad keeps her grip tight on the halberd at her side as Beatrice describes the unfolding battle scene, her heart beating harder and faster as the sounds of drums and feet beating out their discordant rhythm sweep into their position.

The approach, the sounds of battle, and the wailing and moaning of spirits and undead fill her with adrenaline, anxiety, something akin to fear.    I'm no coward,   she thinks as she prepares herself to witness the first of these unholy abominations to make it past the outer wall...

And then...

They appear, like something out of ghost stories her governess used to tell her, or the exaggerated tales told for evening's entertainment in the local pubs... except, she realizes with a sudden, stark, blood-draining feeling of dread,   they're not exaggerated...these are real....

Oh, ****, oh ****, holy Sun King's ****, ****ing what the **** is happening?!  

She tries to shove down the horror of realization and sudden increase in understanding of the attitudes and culture of Coldwater, and forces out a battle cry that comes out more like a shrill scream, and does the only ****ing thing she's any good at, swinging her halberd at the nearest wailing spirit creature, hardly bothering to wonder if she can even hurt creature that she just witnesses phase through solid matter.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Attack the shroud that is within 10 ft of my current position with a halberd:
Attack  (1d20+5)[ 17 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 6 ]   (if crit + (1d10)[ 5 ] ) 
 
Dirty
Connor laughed at Hasgreaks performance and took the remarks in good stride. "We'll do a duet back at the Boss someday soon." He chuckled thinking about it.

When the spirits appeared, no trace of a smile was left on Connors face. This was it.

Connor ran up next to Shad and charged the apparition with his shortsword and his dagger drawn. For Coldwater! Magennis!! He shouted from the top of his lungs as he started stabbing wildly.

 
 Spoiler 


Actions: Attacks with shortsword:
To Hit: 1d20 (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d6 (5) + 3 = 8
Bonus action: Attacks with dagger:'
To Hit: 1d20 (6) + 5 = 11
Damage: 4
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 10/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: Faerie Fire  
 
  

Aupti focuses, and the energy of the world concentrates slightly.  Vibrations grow in his hand until the air heats, forming a glowing ball of flame, which he hurls at the shadow wreathed in glowing light.  The flames smack it right in the face and stick to it for a moment before dissipating.
 
 Spoiler 

Produce Flame, with advantage  (1d20+5)[ 25 ]  or   (1d20+5)[ 14 ]  for  (1d8)[ 2 ]  fire damage  crit +8 = 10 
 
TriciaOso
The shroud wails and melts into vapor with Connor's first strike. In retaliation, the injured shadow lunges for the young bard -- but before it can close, Aupti's flame strikes it. Fire kindles in the tangle of smoke that is its chest, and for a moment it blazes like one of the torches flanking the gate. Then the smoke drifts  away.

The other spirits also move forward swiftly, pawing at Connor, but the attacks cannot penetrate his armor; frost forms on the leather, but he takes no harm.

 
 
 Spoiler: Passive Perception 10+ 
Up on the wall, shrouds that cannot make it all the way through the wall begin bursting up from the parapet and attacking the militiamen. Most of them repel the attacks successfully, but you see at least one militaman fall, the shroud growing taller, stronger, darker as it absorbs his life force.

Beatrice blasts it dust and calls for an orderly to drag the body away. Priests are waiting in the towers to consecrate the body so it doesn't rise as another shroud.
 

 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS: Shroud 2 is killed by Connor's attack. Shadow is killed by Aupti's Produce Flame. The two remaining shrouds attack Connor; both miss.

DAMAGE:
Shadow - destroyed
Shroud 2 - destroyed

INITIATIVE:
20 - Aupti
17 - Shrouds &amp; Shadow
10 - Connor, Shad, Hasgraek
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 10/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

"That worked!" Aupti mutters in surprise.  He's supposed to stay quiet when fighting or hunting, so as to not draw attention.  Oops.  He flings flame again.
 
 Spoiler 

Targeting whichever is most damaged by the time his turn comes up.
Produce Flame  (1d20+5)[ 20 ]  for  (1d8)[ 5 ]  fire damage
 
Dirty
Connor had no time to mourn his fallen countrymen. He'd soon learn the name of the poor soul on the wall and he wasn't soon to forget them. But now was not a time to lament. He stabbed and slashed with abandon. A gritty look on his face.

 
 Spoiler 
Actions:

Attack action;
To Hit: 1d20 (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d6 (2) + 3 = 5

Bonus action, dagger attack;
To Hit: 1d20 (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 4
 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek considers for a moment to go to the wall but quickly realizes that it is well handled right now. His finger he pricked bleeds once more onto the arrow head and forms a much larger head for a much larger hole. Upon striking the blood detonated inside the shadow.  BWAHAHA! he laughs as his finger once more covers itself in dried blood.
TriciaOso
Hasgraek's arrow takes down the last shroud, and for a moment you all have room and time to breath. The fighting on the wall continues, and the urge to lend your aid is strong, but your role is to stop anything that gets past the wall; if you join them on the wall and anything gets past  you , it will run through the city unopposed.

 "Ladders,"  shouts out Beatrice, as scaffolds made of bone and sinew propel themselves up the walls. Now the militia must tear themselves away from the shrouds to push down the ladders and stop the large group of skeletons trying to make it over the wall.  "Hell's bells!"  she yells.  "They're birdfolk!  Hold the gate! "   The last is shouted down to the four of you.

 
 Spoiler: Religion 15+, Connor has adv 
Birdfolk skeletons are lightweight and less durable than human skeletons, but because of their weight and their talons are better at climbing walls. While their leathery scraps of wing don't let them fly, they can glide to the ground from a height. The necromancers must have raided the aarakocra and other birdfolk encampments in the Skytouch Peaks to build this army.
 


The tide of birdfolk skeletons attempt to rush past the militia and hurl themselves over the wall; while their leathery scraps of wing don't let them fly, they can glide to the ground from a height. At the same time the shrouds hector the militia mercilessly. Six skeletons make it to the edge and drop into the courtyard before the gate.

Two of the skeletons land on your traps when they come over the wall. They ignore you and shamble towards the gate itself, where a third steps on the trap placed there. The others keep moving, heading towards the mechanisms of the gate.

   
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS: Six Birdfolk Skeletons come over the wall. Three trigger the traps you placed and are stuck in place, taking minor damage. The other three approach the gate.

DAMAGE:
Birdfolk Skeleton 1 - 2 dmg
Birdfolk Skeleton 2 - 1 dmg
Birdfolk Skeleton 3 - 0 dmg
Birdfolk Skeleton 4 - 0 dmg
Birdfolk Skeleton 5 - 0 dmg
Birdfolk Skeleton 6 - 2 dmg

INITIATIVE:
20 - Aupti
10 - Birdfolk Skeletons, Connor, Shad, Hasgraek
 
Breitheamh
       
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad watches in horrified shock as more monsters from out of nightmare come flooding toward and over the wall.  Her companions quickly dispatch the few that had reached their group, but more were still coming... and coming... and more and more were still coming.

The traps did their job effectively, and she steeled herself to gather some courage to charge for the ones the traps didn't stop.  She was inexperienced in battle, but the primal fear of being overrun by the undead if those gates were opened up spurred her into action.  And as for restraining and pulling people, she knew THAT was something she was good at.

She rushes in toward the skeletons and places herself in a position where she can reach a few at once, and grabs for one of them, focusing her attention to lock down one before it can reach the gate's mechanisms, and calling out,  "I'm gonna need some help keeping away from the gate!" 
 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Moving to the spot where I'm within 5 ft of #4 and #5.
 Grapple attempt against #5
Athletics:  (1d20+7)[ 11 ] 

And Athletics roll in response to it's attempt to escape on its turn (I assume that's what it will do):  (1d20+7)[ 14 ] 
 
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 10/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: Entangle  
 
  
Seeds, pollen, and spores are everywhere.  With the right magic... mushrooms, vines, and unnaturally large blades of grass rise from the stone to wrap around the birdman skeletons.

 
 Spoiler 

Entangle, Targeted basically at the gate so I hit all 4, but so that someone who wants to melee can reach the top and bottom ones.
Str DC 13
2  (1d20)[ 12 ] +?
3  (1d20)[ 8 ] +?
4  (1d20)[ 11 ] +?
5  (1d20)[ 3 ] +?

Grasping weeds and vines sprout from the ground in a 20-foot square starting from a point within range. For the duration, these plants turn the ground in the area into difficult terrain.

A creature in the area when you cast the spell must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be restrained by the entangling plants until the spell ends. A creature restrained by the plants can use its action to make a Strength check against your spell save DC. On a success, it frees itself.

When the spell ends, the conjured plants wilt away.
 
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad watches in horrified shock as more monsters from out of nightmare come flooding toward and over the wall. Her companions quickly dispatch the few that had reached their group, but more were still coming... and coming... and more and more were still coming.

The traps did their job effectively, and she steeled herself to gather some courage to charge for the ones the traps didn't stop. She was inexperienced in battle, but the primal fear of being overrun by the undead if those gates were opened up spurred her into action. And as for restraining and pulling people, she knew THAT was something she was good at.

Fortunately, in this moment she didn't have to, as right before she was able to reach the skeletons thorny brambles suddenly sprang from the ground, entangling them and holding

She takes the opportunity afforded by Aupti's impressive display of magic to get in an easy strike with her halberd, swinging with emphasis at the skeleton who seem closest to the gate.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Move to the spot where I am within 10 ft of #4 and #5 as before.
Attack #5 with halberd at advantage due to restrained skeletons
Attack  (1d20+5)[ 12 ]  or  (1d20+5)[ 24 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 7 ] 
 
Dirty
Connor charged at the undead crowding at the gate.

He made sure not to stray too far from Shad. He was terrified but the people at his side made it better. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to even move if he'd been all by himself.

"Hasgreak, rain he'll down upon them!" He screamed as he hacked at the boney creatures.

 
 Spoiler 


Action: Attack action
13 to hit, 9 damage
Bonus action, bardic inspiration: Hasgreak
 
zylodrizzt
 I got you lad!  Hasgraek fires his bow once again adding a bit of blood to it as well for some added omph. (I'll edit but feel like 11 damage is enough to kill). The arrow smashes into the skull of the bird with the force of a hammer shattering it into so many pieces and bone dust.
TriciaOso
The group takes out two of the skeletons.

The one nearest Shad rips itself free of the entangling vines  and  and the bear trap, leaving behind one of its limbs, and stagger-hops closer to attack the fighter. Its attack fails, however, talons snagging the rings of her mail.

The two other skeletons caught in the traps do the same, ripping free heedless of the bones they leave behind. Their movement is slow and erratic, but they seem to hopping determinedly towards the heroes fighting in the courtyard. And even as the fight rages on, four more skeletons spill over the top of the wall. The ones nearest the gate overextend their ragged glide to avoid the entangling vines, and land prone in the courtyard.

   
Beatrice fires up a magical flare from the wall; from the keep, siege weapons and magical batteries that were aimed into the bay or at the unloading ships turn their fire to the field before the gate, shattering the ranks of skeletons.

 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS: Skeletons 4 and 5 are destroyed by your attacks. Skeleton 2 makes the save to escape Entangle; Skeleton 3 does not. Skeletons 1, 2, and 6 lose half their HP to escape the bear traps and move. Skeleton 2 attacks Shad and misses with a 9.

Four more skeletons come over the wall. Skeleton 7 lands fine. Skeletons 8, 9 and 10 overextend their glide to miss the Entangle and fall prone.

You have advantage on 3 (still entangled), 8, 9 and 10 (prone). 1, 2 and 6 are badly damaged.

DAMAGE:
Birdfolk Skeleton 1 - 7 dmg, hobbled
Birdfolk Skeleton 2 - 6 dmg, hobbled
Birdfolk Skeleton 3 - 0 dmg, entangled
 Birdfolk Skeleton 4 - destroyed
Birdfolk Skeleton 5 - destroyed 
Birdfolk Skeleton 6 - 7 dmg, hobbled
Birdfolk Skeleton 7 - 0dmg
Birdfolk Skeleton 8 - 0 dmg, prone
Birdfolk Skeleton 9 - 0 dmg prone
Birdfolk Skeleton 10 - 0 dmg prone

INITIATIVE:
20 - Aupti
10 - Birdfolk Skeletons, Connor, Shad, Hasgraek
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 10/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: Entangle  
 
  

Aupti hurls more flame from his right hand at the entangled skeleton.
 
 Spoiler 

Attack  (1d20+5)[ 15 ]  or   (1d20+5)[ 6 ]  for  (1d8)[ 4 ]  fire damage
 
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad begins to pick up into a rhythm, feeling the flow of battle, the ebbs and tides of enemies and allies.  She was beginning to realize she was kind of a natural at this.

With the quick mind of a natural tactician, she realized that her best place to strike would be at the one just at the edge of her reach, where there was the most danger of it escaping and reaching the gate's mechanisms.  THAT could not be allowed.  Shad focuses her muscles into a massive arcing strike with a primal battlecry and crushing intent.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Don't move
Attack #10 with halberd
Attack with advantage  (1d20+5)[ 25 ]  or  (1d20+5)[ 7 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 10 ]  +  10  for crit =  20 
 
zylodrizzt
      
      Hasgraek    
 AC:13  HP: 10/10 
 PPer:13  PInv:14  PIst:9  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
 Well done lass!  hasgraek says firing off another bloody bolt. He aims at just where the hips meet and wills his blood to expand just enough to break apart the rest of the skeleton as if ice were splitting stone. It's subtle but a hint of red can be seen in the hollow bones.
Dirty
Next to Shad, Connor is having a decidedly harder time with the flow of the battle. He's tripping over vines, getting bumped from left to right and can hardly see what he's doing. He waves his sword around like a half blind drunkard. Flailing around with the dagger in his other hand he nicks an enemy, but Connor is looking like he's having a rough time.
'
 
 Spoiler 

Attack action:
To Hit: 1d20 (1) + 5 = fail
Damage: Waiting for roll...

Bonus action:
To Hit: 1d20 (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 3
 
TriciaOso
Two skeletons stagger towards the stable where Hasgraek has made his perch. They climb with surprising speed, using their talons and wings, and soon are flanking him. Another badly-damaged skeleton wobbles towards Aupti, moving slowly.

The two prone skeletons jackknife upright and converge on Shad and Connor, as well as the skeleton who left half its bones behind in the trap and the thorns. Connor dodges out of the way, but Shad is less lucky, both skeletons raking their talons over her.

Up on the wall, the press is slackening as the siege engines turn on the field. Beatrice spares a couple of eldritch blasts for you, destroying two of the already-damaged skeletons.

 
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS: Skeletons 3 and 10 are destroyed by your attacks. Connor does 3 dmg to Skeleton 9.

Skeletons 1 moves 15 feet towards Aupti, his movement halved, and then moves another 15 feet with his action.

Skeleton 6 moves 15 feet towards towards Hasgraek, his movement halved. He uses his action to climb up the side of the building; his climb speed is not halved because he uses his talons instead of his feet. Skeleton 7 moves 30 feet towards Hasgraek. He uses his action to climb up the side of the building.

Skeletons 8 and 9 stand up from prone. Skeletons 2 and 8 use their action to attack Shad; both hit (16 and 18) doing 9 dmg. Skeleton 9 uses its action to attack Connor and misses.

Beatrice fires an eldritch blast at Skeleton 2 and Skeleton 6 and hits both (13, 15), destroying them.

DAMAGE:
Shad - 9 dmg

Birdfolk Skeleton 1 - 7 dmg, hobbled
 Birdfolk Skeleton 2 - destroyed
Birdfolk Skeleton 3 - destroyed
Birdfolk Skeleton 4 - destroyed
Birdfolk Skeleton 5 - destroyed
Birdfolk Skeleton 6 - destroyed 
Birdfolk Skeleton 7 - 0 dmg
Birdfolk Skeleton 8 - 0 dmg
Birdfolk Skeleton 9 - 3 dmg
Birdfolk Skeleton 10 - destroyed

INITIATIVE:
20 - Aupti
10 - Birdfolk Skeletons, Connor, Shad, Hasgraek
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 10/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: Entangle  
 
  
Aupti moves slightly closer to the skeleton coming for him.  It hasn't spotted the trap in front of him, and he wants to make sure it'll walk into it, if his conjured flames don't do it in....which they don't.
 
 Spoiler 

Produce Flame  (1d20+5)[ 6 ]  for  (1d8)[ 7 ]  fire
Move 5' southwest
 
zylodrizzt
      
      Hasgraek    
 AC:13  HP: 10/10 
 PPer:13  PInv:14  PIst:9  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

He passes a nod to beatrice in thanks before the other bones met him in melee. Surprised by the speed the bones managed to reach him hasgraek hastily dropped his bow which caused it to land on the ground below. Not worrying about that however he grabs his smaller lighter war pick and one of his daggers. The warpick he jams into the bones ribs and pulls hard taking some rib with it. As the bones pull forward normally he would jam his dagger into the ribs as well but instead he stabs his dagger into its head. It falls to a pile of bones that hasgraek kicks from the roof. He drops his dagger where the bow lay and climbs down to try and retrieve it soon and perhaps join the melee.  Im coming ta help. 
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad recoils at the slashing strikes of the undead birdfolk, feeling the warmth of her blood wet her clothes and then immediately begin freeze the fabric to her skin, seeing droplets of her own blood fleck scarlet on the snowed ground.  It was terrifying....

But she was still standing!!

She switches up the grip on her polearm for a better shot at the enemies in close and calls out,   ****!  YOU!!   swinging with vigor at the nearest skeleton.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Use Second Wind as a Bonus Action to regain  (1d10+1)[ 3 ]  hitpoints
Attack skeleton 8  (1d20+5)[ 16 ] 
Damage [1d10+3[/roll]
 
Dirty
Connor glanced over just in time to see Shad get hurt. He slashed at the expressionless skull  and pushed the skeleton that was harrying him aside before spinning around and focussing a quick prayer on the fighter beside him.

Connor knew that the songs and prayers held power this night most of all, he focussed and beseeched the very city of Coldwater itself. Speaking to the stones and dirt they were standing on.


'In shadows of Coldwater dire,
Where dread inspires,

Beneath the toll of bells that pierce the night,
We bow in prayer, seek healing light.'

'Oh, Guardian, I beseech thee now,
With thy grace, let healing flow.

In this city of gloom, where shadows creep,
Grant us strength, dispel the deep.'

'In Coldwater's embrace, where darkness thrives,
Let your healing presence shine and revive.
As the bells ring out their protective chime,
May the living reign for all time.'

If a city could breathe, it exhaled from below an energy and Shad's wounds partly closed.

 
 Spoiler 


Attack action:
To Hit: 1d20 (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d6 (2) + 3 = 5

Bonus action:
Healing word: Shad, 4 hp
 
TriciaOso
Shad smashes another skeleton to the ground, and Connor badly damages another before singing his healing verse. It claws at him, trying to stop the holy words, but can't make contact against the nimble bard.

The final remaining skeleton, badly mangled escaping a trap, lurches closer to Aupti. It staggers towards another trap... but by sheer luck manages to hop right over it, coming face to face with him. It swipes at him, but the lack of a leg causes it to over balance and tangle in the druid's furs.

   
Beatrice glances over the wall at you, but seeing you seem to have things well in hand, helps the militamen finish clearing the shrouds and skeletons on the parapet. The surge of skeletons has stopped in the face of the bombardment from the keep.  "Come on up here when you're done with that lot,"  she calls.  "Something you should see." 

You know there are stairs within the tower up to where she is.

 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS:
Skeleton 7 is destroyed by Hasgraek. Skeleton 9 is destroyed by Shad. Skeleton 8 takes 5 damage from Connor.

Skeleton 1 moves towards Aupti. It crosses over a trap but makes the DEX Save with a 15. It attacks Aupti and misses with a 9.

Skeleton 8 attacks Connor and misses with an 8.

DAMAGE:
Shad - 2 dmg

Birdfolk Skeleton 1 - 7 dmg, hobbled
 Birdfolk Skeleton 2 - destroyed
Birdfolk Skeleton 3 - destroyed
Birdfolk Skeleton 4 - destroyed
Birdfolk Skeleton 5 - destroyed
Birdfolk Skeleton 6 - destroyed
Birdfolk Skeleton 7 - destroyed 
Birdfolk Skeleton 8 - 5 dmg
 Birdfolk Skeleton 9 - destroyed
Birdfolk Skeleton 10 - destroyed 

INITIATIVE:
20 - Aupti
10 - Birdfolk Skeletons, Connor, Shad, Hasgraek
 
zylodrizzt
      
      Hasgraek    
 AC:13  HP: 10/10 
 PPer:13  PInv:14  PIst:9  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Hasgraek picks up his dagger. He takes a few steps toward the bird in the north sensing that the magic animating it wouldn't last much longer he launches his dagger and it dislodges a bone in the spine and it lands in a pile in front of aupti. He then heads south toward the last bone bird pickaxe leading slipping it up underneath its shoulder blades hooking it. He lifts it up into the air and slams it back down over his shoulder on the other side of himself away from the other two its bones splintering and scattering away.  Is everyone ok?  he says just before noticing the bleeding of Chad and instantly looks away.  Clean yerself up lass dont want to attract any blood suckers.  he goes and collects his things.  Lets get up there.  he puts distance between himself and Chad not looking at her attempting not to sense the blood. You don't heat any carefree belly laugh escape his lips at least for the time being.
J-H
 Aupti 

Aupti hops back a little late, but the skeleton collapses as Hasgraek takes care of it.   "Thank you.  That one was a bit close." 

He goes up the stairs with the others, considering what wonder or horror they might see next.
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad snarls as the last of the skeletons is dispatched, looking around wildly for a moment to find any other enemies to kill.  But seeing none, she puffs out a heavy breath and hefts her halberd, intending to head up to the top where Beatrice had called them.

She gives Hasgraek a rude gesture at his suggestion to clean herself up, but pulls out a sweatrag from her belt pouch and starts to wrap it around the lightly bleeding wound on her arm.  Partway through the process, it seems to hit her what Hasgraek meant about attracting bloodsuckers; that's not just an idle comment between fellow fighters here, there could actually be undead creatures attracted to blood.

  Oh, ****!   she thinks as she quickly finishes up wrapping her wound, perhaps slightly tighter than really necessary, and scrambles up the ladder to the top of the wall, fumbling slightly with her halberd as she goes.
TriciaOso
When all of you have joined her on the gate tower, Beatrice points out some key features of the western front of the battle.

 

The keep faces the bay and the west; for now, the bay is protected by a net of iron and silver and the naval forces of Coldwater, and you can see the battle happening out over the water and around the tower that anchors the net. It seems impossible that the net won't fall, but while it lasts the bay will stand fast. Things will get worse after that.

A large section of undead forces are assembled before the Aguille Gate and the Keep; a lot of them are pushing south, although you see skeletons and wights disintegrating constantly as they push against the consecration of the land. More are attacking the walls, repulsed by militia and the siege engines of the Keep. You see the many flags of the  tribu  of Blackwater among them.

Beatrice points to a specific flag, bronze with a skull and a gear. It flies from a large group of ships anchored along the western coast.

 
 "The Onager are leading the assault this year. Artificer necromancers, mechanics. The Keep has been stopping them from unloading their equipment, but the assault on the gate got too heavy and we had to retarget our own siege engines." 

You can see huge, shambling shapes moving around the ships, unloading and assembling equipment... undead giants. They've already erected a hasty giant-scaled shield wall to protect the ships and the half-constructed seige engines. You see catapults, trebuchets, ballistas... and the repulsive siege engines of the undead giants themselves, each one piloted by a necromancer.

 
 "There will be a short lull while their  gayants  finish assembly, and then bombardment will begin. They'll target the Keep primarily... you'll only need to worry about strays. Not much you can do about a flaming ball of tar or a ballista bolt, but they've been known to fire worse things."

"Just stay ready... infantry may break through, or a stray catapult shot may start a fire, or Maiden knows what other devilry. But it's going to be quiet before it gets loud, so stay ready." 
J-H
 Aupti 
Aupti studies everything to the best of his ability, although he doesn't know much about sieges and armies.  Still, the rocks of the walls seem quite solid and sturdy.
zylodrizzt
      
      Hasgraek    
 AC:13  HP: 10/10 
 PPer:13  PInv:14  PIst:9  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Staring out to the battlefield hasgraek scans for a sign of his wife while touching the rings on the string around his neck. (If he doesn't spot her) he turns to beatrice  Yer defenses be mighty fer sure but ifn yer fer knowing what them bastards be bringing it seems to me better surprises be waiting fer them. Been hearing them bells but what else? Them bigguns out there... got anything fer them? 

After any conversation hasgraek says to Chad as best he can without looking at her  Lass catch yer breath for a while. In fact anyone here na used ta the fight should take a breather. Ill be resetting the traps an seeking some more tricks fer them deados.  he says before heading back down to do some work. Still no belly laughs as he had before.
Dirty
Connor took in the sight of the waterfront with a dumbstruck awe. He'd heard the stories, so many times. To see it himself felt like climbing inside of a book he'd read and now finally experiencing every detail, smell and sound and it just changed everything. He knew Coldwater, he believed in her, but seeing the enemy massed like this even his faith was starting to tremble. He shook off the feeling as soon as it came and the bells rang him into the present again.

Hasgreak was right.

This was not a time to think about the city falling. This was a time for action.

"Wait up, I'll help!" He shouted as he ran after the peculiar Dwarf.
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad stares out at the battle arrayed out in the harbor and the plains around Coldwater, shivering not just from the cold.  The reality of the world she apparently lived in just kept punching her in the mouth.  As her heartbeat began to betray her, the world shifting and turning as if before her very eyes, she swallows, the dryness of her mouth and the effort she'd been exuding leaving a coppery taste behind.

She squeezes her eyes shut for a moment, and takes a breath, begging herself not to cry.    You're a fighter, dammit.  You can't make 'em hit you somewhere else, you just put your hands up, and rock with the blows.  
 "I'm gonna see if someone can wrap this a little better,"  she says gesturing to her bandaged arm, her face pale with the fear she was keeping shoved down to avoid panicking while the battle still raged.   "Then maybe get some water or something..." 
TriciaOso
 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
 Staring out to the battlefield hasgraek scans for a sign of his wife while touching the rings on the string around his neck. (If he doesn't spot her) he turns to beatrice  Yer defenses be mighty fer sure but ifn yer fer knowing what them bastards be bringing it seems to me better surprises be waiting fer them. Been hearing them bells but what else? Them bigguns out there... got anything fer them?  
 

 "Volunteering?"  Beatrice asks.  "My genuine advice, Mr. Icegrip... don't try and prosecute the war from the Aguille Gate. Fight your own battle and trust the Duke. There are other pieces than you moving on this chessboard." 

 
 Originally Posted by Breitheamh 
 Shad stares out at the battle arrayed out in the harbor and the plains around Coldwater, shivering not just from the cold.  The reality of the world she apparently lived in just kept punching her in the mouth.  As her heartbeat began to betray her, the world shifting and turning as if before her very eyes, she swallows, the dryness of her mouth and the effort she'd been exuding leaving a coppery taste behind.

She squeezes her eyes shut for a moment, and takes a breath, begging herself not to cry.    You're a fighter, dammit.  You can't make 'em hit you somewhere else, you just put your hands up, and rock with the blows.  
 "I'm gonna see if someone can wrap this a little better,"  she says gesturing to her bandaged arm, her face pale with the fear she was keeping shoved down to avoid panicking while the battle still raged.   "Then maybe get some water or something..."  
 

There are relief stations for the militia along the battlements, tucked into small alcoves and manned by non-combatants brave enough to stand this close to the fight and smart enough to hide under a table when things get thick. An ice genasi girl, looking far too young to be here, offers you dipperful of water from a barrel. She taps a finger on the tin dipper, and the water is so cold and fresh that it tastes like wine, right now. She will also help with first aid, if you want, but--fair warning--her hands are remarkably cold.

 
 
 Spoiler: Persuasion 10+ 
She looks astonishingly calm in the face of what's happened so far, but of course she's local; this isn't her first seige, or even her first night on the battlements, perhaps. Her elemental heritage is less obvious than some of the ice genasi you've seen in this city, but there are tells. Her breath doesn't make puffs of cloud like yours does, and while you've met women with ice-white hair, you've never been able to see dimly through it. Her name is Verglas.
 


 


Once you've reset the traps and ranged yourself around the courtyard in your preferred locations, the strange paradox of combat sets in. The bells chime off the hours, and for a while nothing happens. Not  nothing  -- there are skirmishes along the battlements, work for the archers, and you can see the siege engines hammering at the Keep from here, and the wizards and weapons of the keep striking back. You know that forces have encircled the city and are hammering from all directions, seeking a weak point. But as Beatrice told you, this gate is small enough and close enough to the Keep to be a lower priority, and for some time the militia are able to hold enough anything from getting to the four of you.

But, as Beatrice did warn, sometimes catapults and trebuchets go astray, and you  are  in prime location for that. The first time it happens is about two hours later. A huge spiked ball smashes into a battlement of the Keep and richochets, crashing into the courtyard. By sheer luck, it drops squarely into the little sheltered circle of carts Aupti has been using for cover all night. The druid is able to dive out of the way, but shrapnel and smashed wood go flying. Both he and Connor have some minor scrapes as a result.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Rolled a 2 on a d4, which means the misfire is a spiked ball. Rolled a 10 and 1 on 2d10 for the upper right section of the map, where Aupti has been. Aupti made his DEX saving throw, taking none of the bludgeoning damage from the cannonball and halving the shrapnel damage (5). Everyone else rolls a DEX saving throw for half the shrapnel damage; Shad saves (15), Hasgraek saves (21), Connor fails (13).

Connor and Aupti both take 2 damage.
 


 


More time passes. More bells, chiming out the hour. And then -- another misfire, and another grim package headed your way.

This time it crashes just inside the gate, not close enough to any of you to put you in direct danger. It lands with an ugly splatting noise, and for good reason... the Onager seem to have fired a corpse or corpses over the wall, and it clearly did not survive the impact. It lies there, an ugly pile of viscera and scattered limbs.

   
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 11/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

At the relief station, Shad gratefully drinks a few ladlefuls of water, swishing the ice cold refreshment around and sighing contentedly.  She smiles weakly at the woman running the station, gesturing toward her bandage, and finding herself somehow too tired to even attempt to flirt, not that she was any good at it anyway.   "Could I get some help with this, maybe?"  she says, and then begins wincing moments later when the ice cold hands of the nurse redress the wound.

As she leaves, feeling a little bit better, she tosses a quick and quiet,  "Uh, I'm Shad by the way, okay thanks,"  a toward the rather attractive ice genasi, but feels her face flushing and decides to get back to the wall before she can embarrass herself further.

---

The waiting was maddening... The sounds of the besiegement were terrifying, but they were distant, and even if there hadn't been a dread knowledge that eventually something horrible and violent would happen here, Shad could never keep still for too long anyway.  She starts pacing back and forth as she waits, doing a little shadowboxing to keep herself focused on something other than the very real knowledge that tonight may very well be her last night alive.

And it must have been pure luck, because her incessant pacing brought her just far enough away from the first stray shot that she could easily dodge out of the way, her heart pounding in her ears at the explosive sound.  The time between  "INCOMING!!"  and  CRASH!!  were frighteningly short, and it took a few minutes for her heartrate to subside to a more reasonable degree.  Everyone near her was alive, but it had been close for Aupti, the other one who seemed to be as awkward as she was, and Connor, the closest thing to a friend she had in this city so far.

More waiting ensued, more maddening restlessness and attempts to ignore the very rational part of her screaming to run away and hide.  And then the next stray shot...

It wasn't something from a nightmare this time...somehow it was something worse.  Her face immediately drained as she forced down her gag reflex at the horrifying stench and the unimaginably gruesome sight.  Choking out through the bile insistently trickling into her mouth, she says,  "What, the ****?" 
J-H
Aupti is grateful he dodged!  It wasn't too bad of a hit, not worse than a tree exploding when struck by lightning.  He repositions farther south.  Contrary to the old adage, lightning  does  in fact strike the same place multiple times.  He's not going to risk it.

 "That was close." 

He waits.  Hunting and working with animals requires lots of patience.

He waits some more.  Maybe they won't get attacked again?

 "What is that..."   He stares at the pile of gore.   "Should we burn it?  In case..."   Flames light in his hand.
 
 Spoiler 

Not sure what kind of check to see if it's anything other than just dead flesh.  Also casting Produce Flame.
 (1d20)[ 12 ] 
Modifiers...
Nature +2
Medicine +3
Perception +5
Religion +0
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 8/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
As he sees movement among the pile, Aupti throws living flame at it.
 
 Spoiler 

Attack  (1d20+5)[ 10 ]  for  (1d8)[ 6 ] 
 
zylodrizzt
After setting up the traps just as Chad comes back to the group.  Thats a good lass.  he says Once again looking at the young human woman.

When the projectiles hit hasgraek has but barely a moment to react with a warning. Had he not perhaps conner and aupti would have been more injured.   DOWN!   he bellows much as he would have had he been in a battle with his clan by his side. He didn't know if it actually helped but once he looked up from being prone he knew he'd have to look away. They weren't severely bleeding but there was enough to rile his insides up. Still looking away  Are you lads ok?  showing concern for the 2 lads. He stood up and looked at the blob that landed aways away. No way whatever they were trying to do with that survived the impact... had it even been more then just a dead body that is. In order to distract himself from the blood he busied himself setting up the area with the new rubble that had formed. He says to Chad  ay lass sometimes in sieges the enemy just wants you sick and scared. Remember why you fighting no matter the reason. It will steel yer nerves.  just before the mass has begun moving....of course... undead.
Dirty
Wiping some blood from his forehead Connor got quiet during the waiting period. He took out his notebook and made some sketches, wrote down some things just to take his mind off of the wait.

When the ball of corpses hit, he stood up and looked at it. He was still quite lost in thought, and even though he might have known something could be up, the unnatural pattern of remains caught his gaze and he was staring into it like some people could do when they were looking at a fire.

It was only when the actual fire Aupti hurled at the moving bodyparts hit the splatted jumble of limbs that Connor snapped out of it.

He ran a bit closer to the pile and pulled out a simple wooden flute, started playing a peculiar tune harnessing magic. Readying it to blast whatever would come out of that ungodly pile.

 
 Spoiler 


Readied action: Thunderwave

A wave of thunderous force sweeps out from you. Each creature in a 15-foot cube originating from you must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 2d8 thunder damage and is pushed 10 feet away from you. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn't pushed.

In addition, unsecured objects that are completely within the area of effect are automatically pushed 10 feet away from you by the spell's effect, and the spell emits a thunderous boom audible out to 300 feet.
 
TriciaOso
Struck by Aupti's spell, the necromantic construct leaps forward in the direction of the flame. It is a haphazard collection of severed limbs, animated by a diffuse cloud of magic, and staggers around quickly but erratically; as if always on the verge of collapsing, but turning that collapse into a roll of forward motions. It leaves behind the torso and other miscellaneous bits of a fallen zombie.

   
Connor's Thunderwave spell blasts the jumble of limbs backwards in a chaotic spray, but they rapidly bundle themselves together again and lunge for him. Or -- most of them do. The construct seems to be shedding limbs as they become too damaged to function, and has already half of its size. The limbs engulf Connor and snatch at him, slapping and kicking. They successfully strike him, but the floating hands fail to get a grip on his throat.

As you stare in horror at the limbs, the rest of the zombie's remains begin to ooze forward independently. It is too shattered from the catapult to move like anything other than a slime or ooze, and creeps forward very... very... slowly...

  
 
 
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS:
The Swarm of Zombie Limbs moves forward 25 feet to engulf and attack Connor. The Undead Mass attack hits with a 17, doing 5 damage. The Grasping Limbs attack fails, and he is not restrained or damaged further.

DAMAGE:
Shad - 2 dmg
Aupti - 2 dmg
Connor - 7 dmg

Swarm of Zombie Limbs - 11 dmg
Boneless - 3 dmg

INITIATIVE
20 - Aupti, Beatrice
13 - Swarm of Zombie Limbs, Boneless
10 - Connor, Hasgraek, Shad
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 8/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
Aupti flings more flame at the ball of... parts.
 
 Spoiler 

Attack  (1d20+5)[ 21 ]  for  (1d8)[ 5 ] , ignoring any cover bonus it has.
 
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 11/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad stares in horror and shock at the mass of writhing limbs and boneless skin and muscle before her, as it oozes forward, somehow slow and yet far too quick as well.  She snaps herself together as the limbs begin to surround Connor, and she calls out  "NO!!  ****ing  NO!  Connor get out of there!" 

She swings with all her might, the fear and adrenaline pumping into her muscles, filling them with heat as she brings her halberd to bear against the nightmarish tangle of arms grasping desperately at Connor.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Attack the swarm of limbs
 (1d20+5)[ 21 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 5 ] 
 
zylodrizzt
      
      Hasgraek    
 AC:13  HP: 10/10 
 PPer:13  PInv:14  PIst:9  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

The lad being snatched up instinctually hasgraek grabbed his pickaxe and dagger rushing to his aid but the blood was overwhelming his senses making him miss with both attacks.
Dirty
The satisfaction from blowing the crawling clawing mass of limbs away was short lived and Connor was panicking, swatting around himself with his weapons. He wanted to scream help, or get them off.. but couldn't produce more than a Ack and a Hgaah!

He was chopping faster than Master Boreah cutting up his vedgetables on sunday mornings and tried to break away from the terrifying ordeal.

 
 Spoiler 


Action: attack
To Hit: 1d20 (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d6 (4) + 3 = 7

Bonus action: attack
To Hit: 1d20 (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 4

Move action:

Run away as far and fast as possible, opportunity attacks be damned.
 
TriciaOso
Although Hasgreak misses, between them Shad and Connor take down the horrifying swarm, and all three of you are able to put more distance between you and the awful but slow advance of the Boneless. Aupti is able to strike it with another flame as it very gradually pursues. Once again, it creeps forward only fifteen feet and then lies there, a quivering mass.

 
 Spoiler: Insight 14+ 
You realize that since it can't move very quickly, it is readying an attack on anyone that gets close.
 

   
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS:
The Boneless moves fifteen feet.

DAMAGE:
Shad - 2 dmg
Aupti - 2 dmg
Connor - 7 dmg

Swarm of Zombie Limbs - destroyed
Boneless - 8 dmg

INITIATIVE
20 - Aupti, Beatrice
13 - Boneless
10 - Connor, Hasgraek, Shad
 
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 11/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Relief floods across Shad's mind as the swarm of limbs is cut off and burned away into uselessness, allowing Connor to scramble out of its horrid mass.  But she reminds herself to stay vigilant, and turns her polearm on the oozing mass of undead flesh squelching toward them.

Her hesitance to move any closer for fear of vomiting or being engulfed in this thing like Connor was actually gives her a moment to study it, and she realizes something...

 "Stay at a distance,"  she says to the others, her voice a little shaky with nerves.   "I don't think it moves all that fast, so just keep out of its reach while you hit it." 

And with that, she demonstrates her point by swinging her poleaxe at the creature from ten feet away, then backs up a little further.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack the ooze thing, then move 15 ft away from it.
 (1d20+5)[ 11 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 4 ] 
 
zylodrizzt
      
      Hasgraek    
 AC:13  HP: 10/10 
 PPer:13  PInv:14  PIst:9  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

A tad shaken he drops his pickaxe drawing a dagger to thow  ...yeah... distance is good...  just after he tosses and backs up
Dirty
Connor was more than happy to oblige Shad's recommendation to steer clear of the blubbery mass. He ran even further back and fell to one knee, hastily cutting off one of the straps of his backpack. The piece of leather, about the length of his forearm got two holes punctured at the ends and he proceeded to tie a piece of rope through both ends. It wasn't pretty, but he could swing it around pretty fast.

He proceeded to crawl over the ground looking for rocks that fit quite nice in the palm of his hand.
J-H
If it works... keep doing it.  Aupti throws another piece of flame at the abomination.
 
 Spoiler 

Attack  (1d20+5)[ 19 ]  for  (1d8)[ 5 ]  fire
 
TriciaOso
Shad's attack misses, but both daggers and the ball of flame go home, and the Boneless is badly injured. It slithers forward -- then lurches to the left, towards the building to the south of the road. It oozes under the door and into the stable. Alarmed cries from the horses go up... and one human scream, quickly stifled.

   
Every shelter in Coldwater is packed tonight...

 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS:
The Boneless moves fifteen feet, then uses its action to move another fifteen.

If you attempt to open the door, it is barricaded from within. It's a DC 14 Athletics check to break in.

DAMAGE:
Shad - 2 dmg
Aupti - 2 dmg
Connor - 7 dmg

Swarm of Zombie Limbs - destroyed
Boneless - 20 dmg

INITIATIVE:
20 - Aupti, Beatrice
13 - Boneless
10 - Connor, Hasgraek, Shad
 
zylodrizzt
      
      Hasgraek    
 AC:13  HP: 10/10 
 PPer:13  PInv:14  PIst:9  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Not wasting any time hasgraek rushes the door shouldering it open hoping he wouldn't find a gruesome sight and not worrying about the property damage. It slams in hard and hasgraek steps back letting the rest of the group take turns on the thing
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 8/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

If it's not already dead, Aupti shoots his hand forward, holding a tiny seed that explodes into a thorn-covered vine, which whips out and grabs the undead before contracting and pulling it towards him.  Its life-force expended, the vine withers to dust in a moment.
 
 Spoiler 

Thorn Whip!   (1d20+5)[ 17 ]  for  (1d6)[ 3 ]  piercing and a 10' pull. No save on the pull.
 
TriciaOso
Within the stable, Hasgraek can see several horses and, crouched in the back corner, a small family trying to hide in the hay. But all of that is on the other side of the Boneless, which deals the dwarf a crushing blow. Hasgraek staggers back from the doorway.

   
A moment later, Aupti's vine whips out and drags the Boneless out of the stable, and it flops to the ground, suddenly deflated.

Once again, you are out of combat. You have the next little while to catch your breath. The father of the family taking refuge in the stable thanks you profusely, and begins trying to put the door back on its hinges.
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 10/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
Aupti picks the splinters out of his minor injuries (Short rest, regain 2hp).

While they wait, and while someone tries to fix the stable door, Aupti helps move the big spiky ball over to the gate capstan, blocking easy access to it.  A couple of the spikes are positioned between the handles to keep it from turning as easily.   "I hope nobody needs to make a speedy charge out of the gates,"  he comments.

He then takes some water and guides it to form a couple of icy patches about 15' inside the wall, perhaps where the bird-skeletons landed before.
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek starting to feel overcome by instinct and thirst looks at the horse almost going for its throat before turning away. He gets busy helping with the preparation like scattering rubble and helping move the big spikey ammunition  This gate hasnt kept anything out yet but never can be too careful  he says to aupti. Hasgraek tries to move some rubble to someplace to make some cover but between the bruise thirst and all around getting tired he fails to locate or move a piece of rubble big enough.  The boss os over here right conner?  conner directs him and takes his advice to mention his name and ask for supplies. He asks for some used grease/frying oil and some empty bottles filling enough for 2 flasks. He then calms himself down and rests regaining control of his hunger and instinct.

To conner he asks  Lad you seem a a good soul why choose to sully that with battle? Could be home with your kin keeping them spirits high with that whistler or song or story 

To aupti  Seems yer for the wilds so why do you man the front line? There something inside these walls fer ya?  

To shad  Lass... Im not from here and im fer guessing yer not niether. Where might you be from? Remember i said earlier knowing what yer fighting fer will keep yer nerves about ya? Whats keeping yer nerves right now? 
J-H
 Aupti 
Aupti shrugs matter-of-factly.   "Either the dead are stopped here, or they will overrun everything beyond the city eventually.  The bells ring and everyone who can helps hold the line, every year.  We don't have any books or teachers back home - at least not  school  type teachers, but we still know the songs.

How about you?" 
zylodrizzt
A flash of sadness crosses his face  Aye thats true enough. The dead seem to spill over ta other lands a bit. Thats why i came here. Vampire spilled over... attacked me.... when i woke up my wife was dead... came to make the deado pay for what they did. 
 
 Spoiler: deception 
ill oppose rolls if anyone wants to get a sense of this
 
J-H
 Aupti 
 "Wow, I guess you're lucky to be alive.  We haven't had any undead back home.  Just the usual bears, snakes, and sicknesses." 
zylodrizzt
 Yeah lucky tho dont much feel like it. Maiden of the long dark brought me back personal like. Not sure why but this is as good as anywhere else to figure out why. This town be dedicated to her more less right?  he says changing the subject some.
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 11/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

As Hasgraek and Aupti are able to finish off the boneless undead mess, Shad falls back on her heels and finds herself looking for a place to sit before she keels over.  She was mentally and emotionally exhausted, and it didn't even seem like their shift was close to over yet.  She wasn't built like these people.  Hasgraek seemed to just have no end of focus and energy, Connor somehow was keeping his spirits high, and even Aupti was still contributing to the preparation.

But she can't sit here feeling sorry for herself for long.  She was stronger than this.  She had to be.  There was no time to wallow.  The bars would be open after the fight was over.  Now was the time to keep going.

She brushed herself off and settled in lending her strength to the others to set up defenses and traps.


 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
 To shad  Lass... Im not from here and im fer guessing yer not niether. Where might you be from? Remember i said earlier knowing what yer fighting fer will keep yer nerves about ya? Whats keeping yer nerves right now?  
 

Shad stiffens with the dwarf's question.   "Far away from here,"  she responds somewhat softly.   "You don't have to worry about my nerves,"  she continues, clearly barely mustering a smirk,  "they're made of steel.  Shatter your heart if you're not careful, Icegrip."   She finishes the last with a wink at Hasgraek and continues working beside him.
zylodrizzt
Not sure what to do with that wink and safer not to do anything and no longer worried for blood hasgraek jokes around. Bwahaha aye nerves as strong as steel and hair washed and dyed in blood. True warrior ye be huh bwahaha. I tell you tho the thing that shatters me heart is that you youngins keep getting hurt.   he may be a bit dense as well.
TriciaOso
Connor, having taken a serious injury from the swarm of limbs, goes up to the relief alcove to have a drink of water and recover.

As you wait, the evening grinds on towards midnight, and the fighting on the wall and the noise from the keep intensifies. The bells chime out the hour... and then there is a horrible rending noise and clangor from the docks. A cry goes up from the wall. One of the two great bells of the docks has fallen; the skies over the city is no longer safe. The knights riding on nightgaunts launch from the keep, with  Domane Ci Git  at their head.

   
There isn't much you can do in the aerial battle but watch. You see the Duke's daughter dueling a necromancer mounted on a horrible skin bat and swarmed by Screaming Devilkin, flying fear demons; she unleashes a devastating Steel Wind Strike, combining magic and martial skill, and decimates her enemies.

 

Three of the Devilkin, their wings shredded by the strike, spiral down into the courtyard, still fighting for height. As they come closer, their hideous shrieking becomes a serious problem.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 Agile Flier.  Opportunity attacks against the screaming devilkin have disadvantage while it is flying.

 Ceaseless Screaming.  Any creature other than a screaming devilkin that starts its turn within 30 feet of one or more screaming devilkins and can hear it must make a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure the creature is incapacitated until the start of its next turn. On a success, the creature suffers no effect.

 Stunted Legs.  The screaming devilkin has disadvantage on attack rolls and all attack rolls made against it gain advantage while the devilkin isn’t flying.
 

   
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad claps her hands over her ears and resists the urge to squeeze her eyes shut at the horrid screaming coming from the creatures as they fell out of the sky.  She shakes off the panic that was threatening to freeze her in place and times a strike with her halberd directly onto one of the devilkin as it plummets to the ground right in front of her.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Attack number 2 with halberd with advantage as it hits the ground
 (1d20+5)[ 11 ]  or  (1d20+5)[ 18 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 10 ] 

If that kills it I'll move to number 1 so that if it tries to move toward Aupti I'll get an opportunity attack.
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 10/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Aupti claps his hands over his ears.  These things are far louder and more disturbing than a herd of hungry or upset pigs!

 
 Spoiler 

Wis save  (1d20+5)[ 6 ]   fail/incapacitated 

Targeting #3.
Thorn Whip  (1d20+5)[ 6 ]  for  (1d6)[ 5 ]  piercing damage, and drag it 10' closer, which hopefully puts it on the ground.
 
TriciaOso
Shad strikes down one of the screaming devilkin, but the other two members of the group are incapacitated, and the remaining monsters move to attack them. They leap into the air and glide towards their prey on ragged wings.

One of them crashes into Hasgraek and strikes him with a barbed tail. The other leaps at Aupti but has to pass Shad's halberd to do it; it corkscrews through the air to avoid her, but cannot achieve true lift-off.

The horrible shrieking is almost unbearable. Hasgraek's ears begin to bleed, and Shad's resolve wavers. Aupti just barely pulls himself together.

On the wall, many of the militia fall to their knees holding their ears as well, but enough of them stand true to hold off the mindless undead mobbing the walls.

 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS: #3 attacks Hasgraek and hits with an 18, for 4 dmg. #1 attacks Aupti and hits with a 24 for 7 damage -- however, Shad gets an opportunity attack on it (at disadvantage). If she kills it that attack won't happen.

Ceaseless Screaming incapacitates Shad, and Hasgraek fails again. Failing twice in a row, Hasgraek is deaf until a short rest and takes 3 more damage, but is not incapacitated any more and can no longer hear the shrieking. Aupti saves.
 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek trying still comprehend that wink guard was down as the little demons descended on them. Screaming in his ear lets his guard down more. Distracted...Hurt... deaf.... blood... is all he can sense and he is unable to suppress his thirst any longer... he sees nothing but red. Luckily one of the little demons were near enough for him to snatch up. With a beastie growl he grabs the pitiful creature by its head and pins its arm to its side nearly breaking the demons neck as he stretches it out for himself. He buries his teeth in its neck ripping it clear to the bone in fact some comes with it. It screams til it cant no more and hasgraek tears the neck the rest of the way tossing it and growls yet again at the final demon.
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 3/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
Aupti lashes out with his whip, hoping to ground the fiend.
 
 Spoiler 

Thorn Whip is a melee spell attack, so no disadvantage.
 (1d20+5)[ 22 ]  for  (1d6)[ 5 ]  piercing and pull it up to 10' closer, which would be yanking it down.
 
TriciaOso
Aupti's vine whip successfully drags the devilkin to the ground, but its digs its claws into him and drags him down with it, wailing continuously all the while. The druid falls unconscious.

Shad, you fight through the overwhelming panic induced by the scream and master yourself again; Hasgraek can't even hear it.

On the wall, the continuous shrieks of the airborne devilkin finally wear down the militia, and two skeletons tumble over the wall into the courtyard. They land squarely in the hazards you have sown for them. One sets off a trap, but dodges the teeth and stumbles towards you. The other lands in the rubble you have sown around the gate, staggers forward, hits a patch of ice and goes down in a heap of bones.

   
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
Shad and Aupti pass their saving throws against the screaming. The last devilkin attacks Aupti and hits with a 23; 4 damage sends him unconscious.

Two skeletons make it over the wall. One moves through difficult terrain 10 feet and then another 10 feet onto an ice patch. He fails his dex save and falls prone. The other triggers a bear trap but makes his save. He moves 30 feet towards the party.
 
TriciaOso
 
 Spoiler: Aupti 
Domari is far from here; even now, in the heart of winter, it is warm. A port city, a city of bridges and streams, a city built over and among the steams and verdure of cypress swamps and pine stands. Carnivale is celebrated there every spring, three months hence. It celebrates the marriage of the Muse, the May Queen, but it has become a celebration of something else. Because once long ago, a princess of a drowned land ran away to dance, for one night, and the world never forgot.

   
As gay and bright as Coldwater is grim, Domari is a dizzying whirl. In a courtyard that is strangely familiar, Aupti stands alone among whirling, brightly colored dancers, and across the courtyard, a beautiful girl takes one step closer to him. The arc of her smile is subtle and sharp as a sickle; her eyes are huge and dark and full of icebergs.
 
zylodrizzt
Once he has quenched the thirst blood dripping from his beard and his vision clears hasgraek sees aupti on the ground right next to another demon. He draws his dagger and pickaxe swinging them toward the vile creature but his hands are slick with blood his weapons miss thier marks.
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad swung wildly at the screaming devilkin as it passed out of her range, trying desperately to hold onto her right mind, and finally she succumbs to the panic and loses her will to act, crying out as she shakes her head wildly, her vision blurring as she presses her fingers into her ears.

She blinks through the tears and feels helpless unable to do anything as the creature pounces on Aupti, knocking him into unconsciousness as blood from his wounds begins to pool on the ground.

In desperation to prevent the tragedy she sees unfolding before her, Shad grits her teeth and screams defiance at the noise, calling out,  "AUPTI, DON'T YOU ****ING DIE ON ME!!"  and swings her halberd at the creature that still threatened the druid.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Attack the devilkin 1 with halberd (not sure if advantage or disadvatange, so if neither just take the first roll)
 (1d20+5)[ 25 ]  or [/roll]1d20+5[/roll]
Damage:  (1d10+3)[ 11 ]  (+ 10  if crit!)

Edit: I'll roll the second d20 in the OOC since I did that wrong, but hopefully I can just keep that crit lol
 
TriciaOso
Another wave of skeletons hits the wall, where the militia are still reeling from the shrieks that fill the air. One slips over the gate and drops into the wreckage piled there.

Shad cuts the last grounded devilkin in two, as in the air, the Dauphin and the other aerial cavalry finish off the flying necromancer and the last of his devilkin escorts. The horrible shrieking finally stops, and the militia are able to close ranks and throw down the ladders of bone and tendon once again.

The three skeletons who made it over the wall stagger closer, drawn by the smell of blood and the fallen body of Aupti.

   
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
 "Get away from him!!"  Shad screams at the skeletons as she stands in guard over Aupti's unconscious form and tries to smash through the undead creatures.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Attack skeleton 1 with halberd
 (1d20+5)[ 22 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 9 ] 
 
zylodrizzt
      
      Hasgraek    
 AC:13  HP: 10/10 
 PPer:13  PInv:14  PIst:9  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Hasgraek ears still ringing takes his pickaxe piercing clear through the skull of the closer skeleton and flicks a dagger at the one next to shad trying to fend them off of aupti. Even if he was marked as an enemy now he'd at least try to save that ones life. He then moves in the way of the last skeleton so it can't reach the mechanism to lift the gate. Maybe he'd be killed here and he wouldn't have to worry about being marked an enemy.
TriciaOso
Aupti, for a moment, your vision clears, and instead of the Domari Maid you see two skeletons looming above you. Shad smashes one with her halberd and Hasgraek finishes it off, then nearly destroys the other before dashing away to defend the gate. The remaining skeleton makes a feeble attempt to harm Shad, but it can barely hold itself up. A blast of light comes from the wall and finishes it off, as Beatrice finally has breathing room to check on you.

 "Hold on, lad! I'm coming!"  She vanishes from the wall and reappears in the courtyard, dropping a dozen feet to land in a runner's crouch. She beelines towards Aupti -- but not quick enough...

   
The last remaining skeleton turns to Hasgraek as the dwarf puts himself in the way and slashes him bitterly with his shortsword.

 
 Spoiler: Summary 
Skeleton 1 is destroyed; Skeleton 2 takes 11 damage. Skeleton 2 attacks Shad but rolls a natural 1 and misses. Skeleton 3 moves slightly to attack Hasgraek and hits with an 18, doing 4 damage.

Beatrice uses the blessing of the Raven Queen to teleport 30 feet as a bonus action and enters the courtyard, then uses her movement to move to Aupti, but cannot reach him before his next death saving throw. She uses her action to fire two eldritch blasts at Skeleton 2; one misses, but the second one hits and destroys it.
 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek takes the hit with a growl before bringing his pickaxe down into the skeletons collar bone and dagger into its sternum
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 13/13 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

See Beatrice come to offer aid for Aupti, Shad slams the butt of her halberd on the ground to pump herself and sprints for the last skeleton, leaping with reckless abandon and slamming the halberd down at the enemy.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Move 30 ft gets me just close enough to hit it with reach.
Attack skeleton 3  (1d20+5)[ 10 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 4 ] 
 
TriciaOso
The skeleton stabs at Hausgraek, but is too damaged to do more than drag the blade carelessly over his armor.

Beatrice kneels beside Aupti and carefully allows just a tiny scrap of life force to flow into him; her pool of healing energy is limited, and has to last for hours yet. Seeing color and focus return to his face, she nods briskly and strides back towards the wall.
J-H
Aupti pulls himself up off the ground, groaning.   "Did you get the name of the horse that kicked me?" 
J-H
The druid summons a small flame and flings it at the skeleton, retreating 15'.  The fire arcs through the air and burrows into the base of the skeleton's skull, causing it to fall off.
 
 Spoiler 

Produce flame  (1d20+5)[ 25 ]  for  (1d8)[ 6 ] 
 
TriciaOso
As the last skeleton collapses into a pyre, Beatrice exhales.

 "All right. You've done well, but that's enough for one night, especially with one man down. Connor was sent ahead to the barracks to recover, and it's time the three of you joined him. It will be the Devise Sister's job to see us to morning."

"Good work, and the city thanks you." 
J-H
 Aupti 
 "Thank you, your..."  Aupti pauses for a moment.   "Grace."   He adds, slightly uncertainly.   "Right now I'm glad to be alive.  I guess we'll be called if the others aren't enough?" 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek doesn't hear a word of that and readies to dash if anyone seems like they could potentially be hostile to him. He keeps his weapons drawn defensively as if warding everyone away    WHAT!?    he yells still unsure if they are treating him as friend or foe
Breitheamh
Shad looks around wildly as the last skeleton is finished off, the adrenaline still surging through her veins.  She barely registers that Beatrice is talking, and stares wide-eyed at the pale elven woman.  But the thinking part of her brain begins to force itself back to the forefront, and she understands... it's over...

Tonight is over... she could rest now.  She had defended this post, this city, with all of her might, and even though she knew she could keep going if she was needed, it was time to rest.  A dull thud sounds as her halberd hits the ground, slipping through slackening fingers.  She smiles weakly as she goes to pick it up.    Maybe they'll need help at the relief station,   she thinks to herself, then suddenly feels a lurch in her stomach, and nearly doubles over.  She doesn't throw up, though it feels like she might, and she doesn't cry, though there is a significant portion of her that wants nothing more.  Just a wave of every imaginable emotion overcoming her at once.  The homesickness and betrayal of her family, the fear and panic of being a soldier on the frontlines of war, the relief of being alive, the joy of knowing she had kept everyone she cared about safe, the rage that people had died, the worry for Connor and Aupti, the pain of her own injuries... everything hits her at once, and forces her to a knee.

She puts a fist on the ground, gripping her halberd in the other, and takes a deep breath, and commands her legs to push her up and hold her there.  She nods to Beatrice and salutes, blinking back a tear.   "Glad I could help, ma'am,"  she says, somewhat surprised to realize that she actually meant it.

Then Hasgraek's    "WHAT!?"    sends a jolt through her, and she shakes her head in surprise, and starts to laugh.   "It's over, Hasgraek!"  she yells to him, not realizing yet that he can't hear her.   "We're through for the night!  Haha!  It's done!  And we're alive!"   Her laugh rings out clear in the winter air, a pure sound of positivity shining through the gloom if for a brief moment.
TriciaOso
Beatrice nods, and crouches so Hasgraek can see her lips move. " Well done. You can rest now."  She pats him reassuringly on the shoulder.

The bells of the Iron Carillions begin to chime midnight. Verglas from the relief station finishes her shift and joins you for the the walk up the Rue Desmontaignes to the Avenue of the Keep.

Coming down the Avenue from the barracks, you pass the Devise Sisters, who salute you. The cots in the barracks are impersonal, warm with other people's body heat, and spartan; through the stones of the keep you can hear the bells ring, the crash of siege weapons and the shouts of aerial combat. Somehow, however, you manage to sleep.

   
You wake to a new year. The sun shines down on a city shaken but not shattered by the long siege, and people are already in the street repairing damage from the night.
Breitheamh
Exhausted from the battles behind her, Shad all but collapses on a cot, largely oblivious to most of the sounds of danger around her and the general uncomfortability of the barracks itself.  Just so grateful to be horizontal and not in immediate danger.

She's able to pull herself together enough to properly strip her armor and clean her equipment.  She asks Verglas if there's somewhere to bathe, but then fumbles her way out of the obvious awkwardness of such a question.   "Uh, um, that is, I mean, y'know, like a water trough so I can get a drink and wash my sweaty bits... alone." 
  Nope, that's worse... SO much worse...   she thinks as the color drains from her face.

She just kind of walks away without saying anything after that and finds a wash basin that she uses to splash water on her face, then returns to her cot and lays down for the night.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Not sure how Verglas would respond to that, or anyone for that matter.
 


In the morning, she makes sure to find the others she'd fought beside.  She gives them an honest salute, and says,  "I'm really glad to have been with all of you last night,"  then cringes,  "I mean, y'know, fighting.  Aah!  Why am I so bad with words?!  Just, thank you that none of us died, I guess....

You guys wanna get some more pie??" 
J-H
 Aupti 
Aupti is tired, but doesn't sleep well.  It's noisy, the bells are ringing, and he almost died!  He staggers awake the next morning, luckily used to sleeping without a bath or shower - after a while, your nose gets extra-sensitive, and people don't really smell that bad most of the time.

Still, the sun is up.  The city has survived.

 "Pie?  Maybe later.  Too much of it imbalances the humors of the body.  Or, as I was told before all this fancy learning stuff, it's bad for your energy levels later when the sweetness wears off." 
zylodrizzt
He still wasn't used to how he slept since that day. No snoring. Still mostly aware almost like being paralyzed. Never felt as tho he slept but somehow felt rested. Guess the blood and the magic did that to him. He hoped he could find someone soon to teach him about his transformation.  He of course washed up before bed. His wounds would be barely showing in the morning....

 Me pleasure lass me pleasure. Uh... speaking of the fighting... did you happen to notice anythin strange during the fight with them wee demons?  he really hopes they hadn't and begins thinking up a lie he could tell. He's still a bit on edge about that thinking at any moment he may have to flee.

 As fer the pie tho...  checks his pockets  still fresh out of cash... sorry tho id really love to. 
TriciaOso
As you make your way out of the Keep, a weary Beatrice Prochaine approaches you.

 "Good morning, all of you. Well done last night."

"We've made it through another year, and the city owes you a debt." 

She gives each of you a  coin or a medallion , minted with the name of the year and the crest of the city; bell, book and candle. The coin is steel.  "This will find you goodwill in this city, and anywhere people honor our sacrifice. If you return next year, you can present it at the armory to be outfitted."

"Folks who go through this kind of trial come out the other side stronger. You'll be capable of more than you were. If you return to test your strength again... we'll be glad to have you. If you never come this way again, you'll still carry our gratitude. Gods be with you."  
   
Around the courtyard, you can see similar half-solemn, half-exhausted presentations happening with other groups.

Beatrice takes Hasgraek aside for a moment.

 
 Spoiler: Hasgraek 
 "I know what you are, friend. Takes one to know one, eh?"  For a moment there is a flash of something, a face behind her face, dreadful to behold. Not a vampire, but... something.  "Strength is strength. Walk the straight and narrow, bend your curse to the fight against evil, and you'll always be welcome here. Slip from the path..."  She lays her hand on her rapier.

 "Are we clear?" 
 
Breitheamh
 
 Originally Posted by J-H 
  Aupti  "Pie?  Maybe later.  Too much of it imbalances the humors of the body.  Or, as I was told before all this fancy learning stuff, it's bad for your energy levels later when the sweetness wears off."  
 

 "Well, yeah!  I mean, that's kinda the point of an indulgent celebration after victory, isn't it?!"   Shad gives Aupti a genuine smile and a clap on the back.   "At least come get some kinda breakfast with us, yeah?" 

 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
  Me pleasure lass me pleasure. Uh... speaking of the fighting... did you happen to notice anythin strange during the fight with them wee demons?  he really hopes they hadn't and begins thinking up a lie he could tell. He's still a bit on edge about that thinking at any moment he may have to flee. 
 

 "Strange??  Oh!  You mean BESIDES the screaming monsters of nightmare and Aupti nearly dying?  No, can't say anything particular strange about any of that!"  Shad gives sort of a sideways look at Hasgraek, the kind that says, "what are you talkin' about?"


 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
  As fer the pie tho...  checks his pockets  still fresh out of cash... sorry tho id really love to.  
 

 "I'll buy it for you then!  I've got..."  she gets sort of distant for a moment as her face falls and she frowns slightly,  "Well, at least I can buy a couple slices of pie." 

 
 Originally Posted by TriciaOso 
 As you make your way out of the Keep, a weary Beatrice Prochaine approaches you.

 "Good morning, all of you. Well done last night."

"We've made it through another year, and the city owes you a debt." 

She gives each of you a  coin or a medallion , minted with the name of the year and the crest of the city; bell, book and candle. The coin is steel.  "This will find you goodwill in this city, and anywhere people honor our sacrifice. If you return next year, you can present it at the armory to be outfitted."

"Folks who go through this kind of trial come out the other side stronger. You'll be capable of more than you were. If you return to test your strength again... we'll be glad to have you. If you never come this way again, you'll still carry our gratitude. Gods be with you."  
   
Around the courtyard, you can see similar half-solemn, half-exhausted presentations happening with other groups. 
 

Shad tries to catch the Devises and Verglas before they leave and invite them out for pie and breakfast as well, continuing to awkwardly fumble her way through polite conversation and constantly feel like she is shoving her foot in her mouth.

As Beatrice presents them with their medallions, she examines the marker closely.  Steel felt right for something like this.  Gold or silver was what the nobility give each other to inflate their egos.  Steel was a soldier's honor; earned, unbroken, modest, and direct.  She rubs her thumb over the engraved year's name, and realizes, this coin now marks everything for her...

She cannot stop herself this time, and begins to weep, desperately holding back the sounds clumping in the back of her throat as tears stream down her face.  She tries to excuse herself, but the sound is choked in her mouth, and as she turns to leave she stumbles slightly and ends up sitting hard on the cold ground, curling up with her arms around her knees, and just rocks for several minutes.  She tries and tries to stop herself, taking deep breaths, like her wetnurses and governess' had taught her.  Noble women don't cry, but she wasn't even a noble woman anymore.  Soldiers don't cry though, right?  Wasn't she a soldier now?  No!  She was just... what the hell was she now?
zylodrizzt
 
 Spoiler: beatrice 
 Aye captian we are clear... least as clear as 'dont be something i gotta kill' thing is... I know nothing bout any of this since you do... maybe we can speak on it in private sometime or perhaps you can direct me to someone who can help me learn. Guess me secret is out... do i need to worry bout others that maybe not so understandin? The long dark kinda sorta helped me with this before... perhaps i should speak to the priest of the maiden... thats what you know er by right? By the way thank you for the coin in me homeland if you didnt have this on hand someone that found out either made you buy them a drink or make you drink a shot. Lots of variations ta the game. Same here? 
 



To aupti  ah come on lad are ya trying to watch yer figure bwahaha. The lass offered so it be rude to turn er down right? Shad id be glad to eat with you once more. 

When he notices shad fall to the ground he doesn't really get it but does his best to console her. If she let's him he picks her up and puts her in some seat somewhere private to calm down.  Aye lass let it out all steel bends and breaks sometime. Or are ye sick? I dont know what ta say but i be here if you need me  he continues to hang around with her as long as he needs to.
J-H
 Aupti 

Aupti awkwardly pats Shad's shoulder, trying to comfort her.  Maybe someone else will help?

...
 Later, over the next year 

Aupti returns to his tiny nameless hamlet.  He tells his parents that the fighting over the winter solstice was exciting, safe, and relatively uneventful.   "We stayed behind the walls and dealt with enemies that slipped through the rest.  I felt pretty safe the entire time."   They are relieved to hear this, and aren't opposed to him going back the next year.

He continues learning more nature magic and book learning from Yupik.  She seems bothered by his more accurate recounting of the fighting, but refuses to say why.  Aupti's not able to figure out what is bugging her.  He spends about two weeks a month traveling in the woods, hunting, gathering, and generally supporting himself and finding valuable herbs and mushrooms to sell.  It's not what most people from the city would go for, but he's always known it and doesn't mind sleeping rough.

He has another reason to be out in the woods, though.  Out of his little hamlet and the ones around, he's the only one to have participated in the defense against the undead, and just about the only one to have been to Coldwater.  He is now a young man who is battle-tested, relatively well-traveled, and who seems to have a future in front of him.  At the very least, he'll probably be a regionally respected druid.  This makes him stand out from all the other young men, and more than a few parents are subtly or unsubtly steering their daughters his way.  At feasts and holiday gatherings, he has a full half-dozen of them or more each wanting him to try the food or dessert they've made... twirling fingers in their hair... happening to be around him.  Dropping things in front of him by accident.  It's exciting and interesting but also a lot more attention than he's used to.

Not everything with his new status goes quite so well, though.  A day or two to the north, Fridrik, the local knight, has his herd of horses escape.  Aupti is able to help find them and calm, leading them back to the stables.  He is paid for this, but when Fridrik invites him to dinner and quizzes him about the fight in Coldwater, Aupti forgets some of the manners he's been taught, and also makes some unfiltered comments about Fridrik's horsemanship and how horses are a luxury item, not a necessity for growing food like oxen, and how they're mostly good for riding down bandits, not defending the walls.  Although objectively true, this bluntness also means that Fridrik is cold to him by the end of the meal, and he is not invited back.

Aupti continues to learn more and deepen his connection to the natural world.  In late fall, a young adult owlbear moves into the region, killing livestock and mauling a fellow hunter who barely manages to climb to the tip-top of a tree to get away from it.  Owlbears can climb, but they're heavy, and smart enough to not climb so high that they cause a tree to break.  He goes after it - with his brother and sister each carrying a bow as well - and they are able to down it.  Owlbear fur is a bit tough for use in regular clothing or blankets, but he has another purpose in mind.  Aupti skins it, and over the next two weeks, he gets some help sewing the pieces of hide together, ultimately resulting in a striking set of fur-covered grey hide armor that is slightly magical, somewhat warmer, and also more difficult to clean.  The worst part of the process is that there are  three  young women who all offer to help, and they bicker almost incessantly, trying to one-up each other around him.  He has no idea how to stop it.

The winter arrives, and although he can create magical fire to stay warm at will, that's not the source of the chill, or the dreams that come.  It's almost time to return to Coldwater again...
TriciaOso
 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
  Aye captian we are clear... least as clear as 'dont be something i gotta kill' thing is... I know nothing bout any of this since you do... maybe we can speak on it in private sometime or perhaps you can direct me to someone who can help me learn. Guess me secret is out... do i need to worry bout others that maybe not so understandin? The long dark kinda sorta helped me with this before... perhaps i should speak to the priest of the maiden... thats what you know er by right?  
 

Not everyone will be as forgiving, in a city where everyone has lost someone to the dead. It's good to be discreet.

Beatrice provides you with the name of a priest of the Maiden, Father John Tete, who can perhaps help you in both ways. Father Tete was turned by a vampire while fighting in the militia and joined the clergy to learn self-control and self-denial. Now he ministers especially to those who have been grave-touched or otherwise marked by the undead, helping them control themselves and their abilities and stay... discreet.
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek first stop is John tete. John is already aware of what has happened. He offers advice but little more then that about managing the hunger like hunting since he doesnt neasarily need the meat as much. He mentions that he will keep an eye on him and teach him more should he prove capable of managing his hunger otherwise he will be forced to sick beatrice on him. He'd rather hasgraek not associate to much with him at this time in fear of blowing his secret.

With that out of the way hasgraek remembers his wifes (Mendina) sister (Dilva) lives in cold water. He explains that he is blamed for the murder of Mendina but it was a vampire and he is looking for her to maybe restore her or anything. He questions if Dilva has seen her and of course the answer is no. She offers to house him as long as he can pull his weight and so he does with suggestions from father John.

Most days he sets out earlier then most or perhaps later than most and enters the bay to search the ships that sank and sell their plunder since it's easy for him to search not needing to breathe. One such excursion he came across an unusual jug that caught his attention. He gets it on land and attempts to poor it only to find it pours out a creature made of oil. He hangs on to the item thinking on all the useful applications of such an item like selling what he can pour out. He might even figure out how to pour blood from it.

He tries his hand at hunting which he finds he not great at sneaking up on them tho he does grasp the concept later in the year but he finds his supernatural speed and endurance is an asset for this often times dropping from trees before wrestling the creature to death. He drains his hunts of blood before selling the meat to butchers.

During the year he tries to keep tabs on shad help her where he can but generally he's preoccupied with just surviving and keeping a low profile. He catches her at the pit now and again which he visits often as much to train as to get money and sometimes some stray blood manages its way into his mouth. He finds he can react quickly to threats again with his superior and surprising speed in which he takes advantage of by keeping a good distance when he wants to strike with a thrown dagger.
Breitheamh
Though Aupti and Hasgraek seemed uncomfortable with Shad’s outburst of emotion, and frankly she did as well, their simple fellowship helped to soothe the intensity of what she was feeling, and after a little while she was able to compose herself as a woman of her station should.  And with that thought, she almost broke again, but closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and pushed herself through the pain in her chest.  She maintained her intentional breathing as she walked to breakfast with the others, and by the time they found somewhere to eat and she had paid for all their meals, she was jocular and smiling, and just as awkward as ever.

For some reason, Verglas actually seemed to take a bit of a liking to her, and Shad asked her if she might know anywhere to get permanent lodging, since she was new in the city and had been just paying nightly wherever an inn had a room.  Verglas showed her around to a few places, all the while asking questions about where she was coming from, how long she was planning to live here, the normal sorts of questions you might ask while trying to get to know someone a bit better.  And of course Shad effortlessly dodged answering the questions with her masterful strategy of fumbling helplessly and awkwardly through conversation, abruptly changing the subject often and making terrible jokes at inopportune moments.  Verglas seemed not to mind too much, and eventually allowed the space.  So of course like any master of charm and subterfuge would, Shad asked an incredibly personal question about Verglas’ family, which brought the conversation to a grinding halt.

Her hopes for any kind of relationship fairly well dashed, but the possibility of finding a nice apartment alive, Shad was able to make a handshake agreement for a month of lodging in a decent location, and turned to the endeavor of training for the pits.  She’d already fought a few bouts under the Maiden’s Head, so she felt confident about the lay of the land, and figured she’d have opportunity to run the table and start challenging the big names soon enough.  She went there every night, looking for her next bout, and began to notice that there was one person who was given utmost respect at all times, whose presence even the most dangerous and cutthroat of fighters and patrons acknowledged with gentle behavior.  A Goliath woman, massive by dint of being a Goliath, but no larger than the average of their race.  All of her visible skin was tattooed with symbols that Shad had never seen before…. No… that wasn’t true, where had she seen that marking before?  With some thought she realized that the marks on the Goliath woman’s knuckles were the same that she had seen on just a couple of the more burly patron’s of the Maiden’s Head, which seemed to grant them free drinks.  So she was a fighter then?  Certainly carried herself like a fighter, but not a pit-fighter… more like how Beatrice carried herself; with the kind of confidence and focus that only experience in real battle can build.

It soon became Shad’s custom to look for the Goliath woman after her bouts, hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of her reaction.  She somehow knew that she could become a better fighter just by watching the Goliath woman’s every move.  Finally after two months, and another handshake agreement for her apartment lease, her chance came for a bout with the first of the ranked opponents, a low-level professional in the fighting rings.  Finally a chance to make some real headway toward glory and maybe get some real cash to commit to that contracted lease her landlord had offered if she could get together enough money.  She confidently entered the ring, and found herself face-to-face with a massive man she recognized as Baresh Duhamel, who probably outweighed her by 75 pounds, and Shad was no slouch herself.  She took her breaths and rubbed some dirt into the wraps around her arms and hands, clapping dust clouds into the air in front of her face… and considered…

She knew there was no way to beat him purely on strength, so she had to be smart about this.  Of course, he was a trained fighter, with more experience than her; he wouldn’t be fooled by the usual tricks, and if she let her guard down for even a second he would know how to take advantage of it.  No, this would mean patience.  She had watched Baresh in a few fights after she’d had her own bouts, and she felt she had a pretty good idea of how he liked to move his feet and what his patterns were, but she knew that if he had a sense for her as well, this would be over quickly.  So as she took her stance across the ring, she put forward her right leg, adopting a southpaw stance that she had trained but rarely used in the ring, and shifted her weight ever so slightly, to allow for an opening on one side, which she hoped Baresh would try to exploit.  Sure enough, as they circled, Baresh took the bait, and went for the opening.  Shad was able to quickly move to defense and keep him at a distance, but used some quick footwork to make herself feel a little off-balance.  She remembered watching a drunken master duel once back home, and she adopted just a slight sway into her movements to bait Baresh into pressing the attack.  Once again, it worked exactly as she’d hoped, and as he pressed forward, she managed to deftly and suddenly twist out of his attempted grab and unleash a quick combination of strikes to his ribs and back.  She saw him wince from the hits, and decided to see if she could end this quickly, ducking behind him and slipping her leg between his into position to buckle his knees while her arms reached up for his shoulder.  It was a basic throw that she’d practiced a thousand times, and with Baresh off-balance it should have been an easy takedown.

Of course Baresh was not off-balance.  He was exactly where he wanted to be, as he ducked away from Shad’s grip and pulled her moving leg further along its path, bringing the rest of Shad down with it, and settled in for a leg-lock.  Shad knew she was in trouble, but had no time to berate herself for being careless, and instead opted to roll with Baresh’s takedown instead of fight against it.  She managed to reach the ground before Baresh could pin her leg, and hard rolled out from underneath the big man and got to her feet, facing him again.  He smirked and gave her the “come at me” gesture, and Shad chose to do something both incredibly reckless and incredibly clever.  She did exactly that, moving straight at Baresh as he baited her, shooting low for one-leg takedown.  It was not her usual pattern, and that was precisely what she was trying to be tonight.  Oddly, the aggression did seem to put her opponent off for a second, but he recovered and splayed out from her attack, locking up her shoulder and neck and bulldogging her down to his right, trying to tighten the grip on her neck and force her to submit.  Except that Shad had already planned for this, and as soon as Baresh went for his usual technique of locking shoulder and neck, she pushed with every ounce of strength in her right leg and threw herself to the side she knew Baresh would try to bring her.  It was enough to loosen his grip and yank him into free fall with her, and as he fell she brought her left knee up as high as she could, smashing it into Baresh’s unsuspecting jaw as he stumbled on top of her.  The *crack* sounded around the arena, and not waiting to see if it had knocked him out, Shad quickly wrapped her leg around Baresh’s loosened right arm and pulled him into a submission hold.  When Baresh didn’t seem to struggle against it, Shad heard the roar of the crowd and the announcement:  “WINNER! SHATTERHEART!!”   Shad immediately looked for the Goliath woman, and saw a satisfied smile touching her lips.

After the fight, she shared a drink in celebration with Hasgraek, with whom she’d keep in touch and would continue to do so over the year.  They were fast becoming true friends, and helped each other out of a few financial scrapes.

After the rest of the evening’s entertainment, while Shad was icing her bruises, the Goliath woman approached her, and gave her a bag of coins.  “Winner’s purse for earning your place on the rankings.  That was cleverly done,” she tells Shad with an earnest look of pride, and holds out her hand.  “I am Thuma Giantwright Arkasheloffica, but most just call me Thuma.”

Shad’s face turns bright red, but she smiles back and says,  “Charity Humboldt,”  and then immediately flushes, cursing the ingraining of her upbringing to give her full name upon meeting someone of higher station.   “Uh, um, I mean, just please call me Shad, or Shatterheart…. I’m sorry, it’s a long story.” 

“How about writing a new one then?” Thuma responds, locking her eyes on Shad’s, with a look of seriousness, but also something like affection.

It somehow put Shad at ease, but did nothing to cure her awkwardness, and all she could say in response was  “Um, okay…” 

——

Despite their rather awkward end to their first day, Shad had kept up with Verglas, and Verglas had kept up with Shad, and maybe they were a little more than friends?  Shad was always terrible with these things, and after about five months of uncertainty, Shad decided she really needed to be honest… with Jenny.  Not that Verglas didn’t deserve the truth, but Shad just wasn’t quite ready for her to know who she really was just yet.  Maybe we’ll see how Jenny responds first and go from there.  She set out to write a letter, filled with all the passion she had felt when they were together, but gods was she bad at writing.  What was supposed to be a bittersweet letter of openness and a promise that they were both better off this way, became:

“Dear Jenny,

I think I love you, but I have been lying to you.  I am not really Shatterheart.  Well I am, but I am also Charity Humboldt.  And I am not dead, but my family disowned me and I live in Coldwater now.  I really do  care about  love  care for  want to be with  think I probably loved you.  But we are better off apart.  You should forget about me,  if you have not already 
 Shad 
 Chari 
 Shatter 
 Sh 
 Charity Humboldt 
Shatterheart”

In frustration, after multiple rewrites, she decided this was the best she was going to be able to do, and sent the letter with instructions to wait for a reply if one would come.  The messenger looked at her funny and asked how much extra he was getting paid to wait for a response, and in confusion, Shad gave him an extra ten gold.  She’d never had to pay a messenger herself before.

A couple weeks later, she did in fact receive a response:

“Shad

I am glad to know you are alright.  Thank you for finally being honest with me.  I agree that we are better off apart.  But I will never forget you.

Jenny”

The correspondence comes in a time of more romantic inclinations for Verglas and Shad, and feeling alright about how things ended with Jenny, Shad tries to let Verglas know that she feels a connection, and wants to be something more than friends.  But Verglas’ response was the dread of all who open their hearts in hope of love:

“I think we should stay friends…”

Friend zoned… rejected… Shad knew she deserved it, but still, it hurts every time

“I know you’re hiding something from me, and I can’t have a girlfriend who hides her life from me.  So when you’re ready to be honest, completely, then I’ll be honest with you, and we can talk about it then.”

Wait… NOT rejected?  Maybe worse?

Their relationship definitely felt a little weird for a while after that, but Verglas and Shad did manage to remain fairly close friends as the spring turned to summer and summer to autumn

——

As the year rolled on, Shad was able to have some real success in the fighting ring, and signed a year-long lease for her apartment.  But after only a few months, despite her success, she realized that she could not afford rent, and had no idea what she was supposed to do.  She started looking around for day work, wondering how people lived in this city if they were always constantly threatened with losing their homes.  She found work on the docks, and while she appreciated the physical labor that kept her strong, she would come home completely wiped most nights, after full days of work moving cargo and then late nights fighting bouts or studying future opponents in the ring.

And still it was not enough.  She was always somehow short on money despite all of her success and hours of work.  Some of her coworkers on the docks suggested a few merchants who hired private security for their booths, stores, and shipments, and Shad took on as much of this extra work as she could, adding yet more to her already hectic and exhausting schedule.

On a happier note, it became a bit of a ritual that once every week, Shad would come to the Maiden’s Head early for the evening and train, and Thuma would often spar a little with her.  It was a source of comfort, though also of consternation.  Shad knew she was becoming stronger and far more formidable testing herself against Thuma and getting some feedback and tips, but she knew there was something about Thuma’s style that she could not figure out.  She could not for the life of her figure out how Thuma was so good, supernaturally so.  It didn’t seem like any magic she’d ever seen; none of the flashy blasts and explosions, but something was giving Thuma strength that Shad could not figure out.

She would ask Thuma about it often, but never received a straight answer, the Goliath always only offering cryptic advice that made less sense the more Shad thought about it.  But in the course of these conversations, Shad did confide about her financial woes, and Thuma for once gave her some real advice.  She offered some suggestions on where to buy food that was more nutrition for your money than what Shad was used to, what kinds of places can sell necessities at lower prices, and just some various basics on how to budget.  They were the kinds of suggestions that should have been obvious to someone who needed to worry about money, but for Shad, who had never been in charge of any monetary concerns until now, it was life-saving advice.  She took it to heart, and as she began the process of stabilizing herself financially, she realized that maybe if the fighting pits could become a more respected, more legitimized endeavor, then those who chose it as their profession could actually survive on their earnings.  Thuma smirked at the suggestion, but did nothing to discourage Shad, who began the process of trying to build connections.

It was the first time she had ever cared about putting into practice the diplomatic skills her upbringing had taught her for something that actually mattered to her.  And it went about as well as everything else she had learned from her family: she was not good at it.  And as the year rolled on and winter approached once again, she realized she would need to set this aside for now; something more important was coming up.
TriciaOso
 Here comes a candle
To light you to bed
And here comes a chopper
To chop off your head 

As the year rolls on towards Wintertide, the migrations begin. The people who fly away south, to Three Sisters and beyond, they call Geese or Snowbirds or simply cowards. As the Geese depart, the Peregrines roll in, the pilgrims on the southern road from Domari. Not all of them will fight; some will simply offer their prayers to the consecration of the bells, and light a candle to the Maiden.

And from the east along the Pont Glace road the farmers and peasants for the North Fields roll in. Some of the wealthiest land owners have their own fortresses and gather in their vassals, but independent farmers, both rich and poor, and those who put their trust in the bells over their landlords, file into the city through the Porte Champs. These are the Sparrows.

(The folk of Coldwater who never left and didn't need to come home... well, they're the ones who come up with the nicknames. They don't call themselves anything special, they just crowd up and make room and finish repairs while the days draw shorter. Sometimes they call the wealthiest of their neighbors, who don't need to fight or dirty their hands building barricade,  les poulets , fat little chickens huddled in their roosts. But not to their faces.)

And from every gate and every road come the Hawks, the warriors drawn by duty or obligation or the love of battle. Grim goliaths and jumpy bird-folk from the Touchsky Peaks; broad-shouldered dwarves out of the hills; merry wood elves from the Kingswold; and humans and halflings from every corner of Solus. They gather once again or for the first time in the courtyard of the Keep of the Ci Gîts.

It's the second time you've all been a part of this crowd, and already you feel a sense of distance from the gawking, anxious clusters of first-level heroes. You recognize the family of the duke, and you know some of the Captains of the militia by name now. Jana Brokenback, the orc grave cleric in her flying chair; Chase Thorndike, the blonde paladin, who has the face of a wealthy playboy but carries himself with a grief and grimness that doesn't fit; Soren, a student wizard out of Least Weyr, who looks mostly human but can't hide the sssibilance of his forked tongue. And one-eyed Beatrice Prochain, fey and deadly as ever.

The time has come again.
J-H
 Aupti 
Aupti greets his fellows.  "We're all back.  Last time wasn't too bad, was it?  At least, that what I told my mom and dad.  How were your years?  Mine was, um, a bit busier than I expected.  I got lots of help sewing and my brothers helped kill and owlbear and get some nice warm armor though!"
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek joins aupti and the others  I prefer me caves crags and caverns but werent too bad bwahaha. Me wifes sister offered me a room ta lay me head an i took her up on that. An i found that i take to the water well. Been finding lots a treassures in tha bottom of the bay like some sorta piture that never needs refilling. No one was too keen ta buy that one but when beer is scarce it serves well bwahaha. Been course training and such for this day hoping you did too aupti you bout didnt go home last time. An owlbear you say!? My what a beast. Looks good on ya lad. 
Breitheamh
As the Wintertide day drew closer, Shad reflected on her year in her new... home?  She tenderly traced her fingers along the now only slightly raised skin along her shoulders and neck, where Thuma had etched a series of runes into a tattoo.

*2 weeks earlier*

Shad winced from the pain, but kept her body still under Thuma's needle.   "Almost done back there?" 

"Patience, Shad.  Endurance.  These were the first runes I learned from my teacher; I am well used to their shape.  I will not miss."

 "Still doesn't feel great though." 

"No, but pain endured leads to greater strength.  And these runes carry their own strength as well."

*Present*

Shad could feel the low thrum of the power coursing through her tattoo, grateful to Thuma for her help.  She reminded Shad of her old governess, Ms. Trenter.  Even though Shad had been terrible at everything she tried to teach, she could feel that Ms. Trenter cared for her.  Except that Thuma hadn't really taught her anything, or at least not anything she could figure out yet.

Shad splashed some water in her face from the washbowl at her bedside and finished dressing for the battle ahead, settling her chainmail over the leather underarmor and hefting her halberd.  Then she headed out to the street and joined the streaming crowds, seeing many others like her prepped and heading toward the keep for assignment.

It felt right to do this again.  The first time had been largely involuntary, and most likely an actual attempt by her family to leave her for dead.  But now?  Now this was something like home, and even if she felt nothing for Coldwater, she had seen the horrors the world would face if someone did not stop them here.  So she would do her part.

She calls out to the others as she spots her battle brothers from last year among the crowd.
  "Hasgraek!  Good to see you again!  Anything new from the harbor lately?
 And Aupti!  Glad to see you're alright.  You said an owlbear???" 
TriciaOso
Unlike last year, Beatrice heads towards you almost immediately. You realize, perhaps, that there is a group of wide-eyed newbies waiting now for her to finish up with you and give them one of her dubious pep talks.

The three of you, she gives simply a curt nod, taking in any changes from the last year.

 "You're all back. Good. Connor will not be able to join you this year. His father had a heart attack recently, and he's got his hands full, taking care of his family and the Boss."  Her expression is impassive; not clear what she thinks about these priorities.  "A fourth will be assigned to your group... a cleric who is the only one of her squad from last year returning. She should be here momentarily." 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  16/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune had barely returned from Kingseat, yet the day had already arrived - the beginning of her second Wintertide.
Surprisingly, the trip home and the few months she spent in Kingseat had proven to be pleasant. On the night before her departure, the Nyxes had thrown a ball to celebrate the so-called exploits of their daughter in the last Wintertide and the one to come. Of course, it was mostly an excuse for them to show off to other noble houses and strengthen their relationship with the church, but Lune wasn't used to getting so much attention and she felt flattered. Having lived in the shadow of her three older brothers all her life meant that her parents had never particularly cared about her. In fact, it had been made clear for Lune quite early in life that her purpose had always been to be married off to some other house to strengthen alliances - a destiny she had all but refused by joining the clergy of the Celestial Court...

... And that decision, which had initially caused some turmoil in her family, had allowed her to be here, now, walking into the courtyard of the Keep of the Ci Gîts. It had even allowed her family to finally aknowledge her worth.

''Welcome, one and all, the Lady Lune of house Nyx, She Who Curries Favor With the Counselor.''

Lune blushes slightly as her messenger and herald, Ogham, cries her arrival. She pulls her heavy winter cloak tighter around her shoulders, shying away from the attention... Just as Ogham pulls out a trumpet to make even more pomp. Although Lune had been against it, her parents had insisted that she bring her retainers to Coldwater. Flit, her young servant, had stayed behind, preferring the comfort of the inn where they had been lodging, but Ogham and Ezrim, an advisor supplied by the church of the Court, had insisted upon coming to see her off. And according to Ogham, it would be unfit of a Lady to step onto the property of another noble - a duke no less! - without proper pageantry.

Ogham was adamant about this, so Lune had finally accepted to play the part even though she knew it would embarrass her. She did her best to appear presentable while also being practical - she was, after all, about to step onto a battlefield. Over her well polished armor she was wearing a heavy cloak lined with wool. It was a deep shade of purple with gold trim - the colors of her house. The clasp of her cloak bore the symbol of Nyx: A purple crescent moon and a star on a golden disc. Thanks to Flit, her usually messy short hair was skillfully braided. Finally, she carried the staff that had been offered to her in Kingseat during the ball held in her honor: crafted from a very light metal, the staff was tipped with the symbol of Lukas the counselor - an open hand wreathed in flame.

Some people turned to look at her - some seemed impressed, some seemed annoyed, and others didn't seem to care at all. She looked around, hoping to see a friendly face to put an end to this awkward moment. Of her companions from last year, only Graek Tarr had survived... but it appeared as though he decided not to participate in a second Wintertide for he was no where to be found. She couldn't blame him - their group had suffered heavy casualties and had barely survived the battle... Remembering some of the horrors from last year's Wintertide, Lune started wondering why she hadn't just stayed in Kingseat, when all of a sudden the croaking voice of Ezrim pulled her from her thoughts: ''My Lady, the blonde man over there. He seems to match the description of Chase Thorndike, yes? He was the captain in charge of your, uh, merry band, I believe? Perhaps you should go and greet him?''
''  A sound idea Ezrim. Thank you. Well. Goodbye then. ''  She was all too eager to get away from her retainers and blend in with the crowd. ''  Take care of Og and Flit while I'm away, will you?  '' She hands the old man a pouch containing a decent amounf of gold: ''  Take this. At least if I don't return you should have enough to get back to Kingseat.  ''
''Hogwash, My Lady'' spouts the old man, ''I have no doubt that your return shall be prompt.'' He smiles weakly. ''  Of course,  '' the woman replies. She returns his smile, but they can both read in each others' eyes that they are not so convinced of Lune's return... Ogham and Ezrim bow deeply and exit the courtyard. Lune walks towards Thorndike, waving her hand in his direction...


 
 Spoiler: PS 
ignore the elven ears on Lune's portrait she is human. :D
 

 
 
  
TriciaOso
Chase Thorndike strides closer. He's a young man, and of noble birth himself, technically outranking the Nyx family, because his father was Prince of Thorndike in Three Sisters. But then, Three Sisters is a frontier principality; it's debatable if it's better to be a Lord in Old Solus than a Prince in the frontier. And anyway, he renounced the throne and passed it to his younger brother, to station himself here.

 

His manner is as far from Beatrice's as you could imagine.   "My dear Lune. I am pleased to see you again."   He takes your hand.   "I'm afraid you're the only one of your unit from last year to return, as you must suspect."   He gestures towards the gaunt, pale Beatrice Prochaine and the motley crew she is meeting with.
  
"There is another unit of warriors, with similar experience to yourself, who need the aid of a healer. Beatrice will explain the mission, but in brief, you'll be with Mason on the southern wall."   He speaks familiarly, here, of Mason Ci Git, the eldest son and second heir of the Duke, himself a cleric.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  16/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

''  It will be my honor to serve in the name of the Celestial Court,  '' she simply says, trying not to look too pained at the mention of her previous unit. A short awkward silence falls between them while Lune gathers her wits to ask: ''  Would you mind introducing me to Beatrice and the others, my dear Chase? They seem, uh, a little rough...''   While finishing her sentence she stares at her feet, visibly embarrassed - she knew she should be more confident, but she couldn't help it. Even though this was her second Wintertide, she still felt so overwhelmed by the whole situation - she was still not used to being a warrior. And although she was primarily appointed as a healer, she knew from experience that in the coming days she would need to fight...
 
 
  
TriciaOso
He inclines his head.   "Of course."  

He cross the courtyard and brings you to the small group.   "Beatrice. This is the Lady Lune Nyx, of Kingseat, of whom we've spoken. Lune, this is Vicomte Beatrice Prochaine, Captain of the militia, and the unit of experienced heroes of which she has the charge."  

He bows slightly.

  "Lune, I leave you in very good hands. There are new adventurers waiting for me. Good luck to all of you, and may we all survive to feel the sun's embrace once more."   The sun, right now, is a dim and dirty coin half-hidden by clouds, doing its feeble best to warm you and melt the snow on the rooftops. Winter in Coldwater makes it easy to see how the Sun King has not prospered here.

Beatrice nods to him, and to her new charge. She clears her throat.  "Right. You folks have the day to get acquainted. Since you each hold a steel coin, you'll be on the second shift tonight, from midnight to dawn. If the new folk fail, you may be called on sooner. You have no relief -- you hold until dawn, or there is no special squad on assignment. Don't let that make you foolhardy; when your resources are exhausted, you have to call it, and damn your pride."

"Damn few people return for a second year, and those who do tend to return for a third, and a fourth. If they don't get themselves killed. So don't be foolish."

"When you are called, you will make your way to the southern wall, between the Porte Fleche and the Porte Cadette. Don't get distracted by anything else going on in the city... everyone is fighting their own war, and you must fight yours."

   
"Now, it's hard for dead forces to get there, that far south, and hard for them to hold it. They besiege it anyway, to force us to spread ourselves thin. Most of the forces there will be mindless and weak, easy prey for the ordinary militia."

"Typically, our biggest concern down there is the handful of more powerful and intelligent dead who will have founding hiding spots in the neighborhood outside the walls, the Arrowhead. That warren gives them shelter and cover, and those who survive sometimes hole up there. Mostly they lie in wait for the days after Wintertide. The strategic value is questionable... they just love to kill. But unlike the other settlements beyond the walls, the Arrowhead is large enough for them to possibly be up to some greater mischief -- summoning fiends, or opening gateways to suddenly put a powerful foe where we least expect it. It's happened before, and so it can't be left until morning like the other  banlieue ."

"So if the night has gone well, you'll be going door to door, clearing the Arrowhead for the citizens who live there and will return tomorrow. If the night hasn't gone well... there will be plenty to do." 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek understand the mission and confirms such with a nod. He looks lune up and down and recalls her entrance. Hopin ya can be more descreet lass. Dont be needing a parade in each building we clear bwahahaha. But sorry ta hear bout yer bad luck last year. We bout lost aupti last year and lost me hearing but both came back strong as ever bwahaha. Wont be like that this year tho dont ye doubt shad wont let nothin happen to ya. Welcome to the gang good ta have ya fer sure.Cant belive conners da whats say after this is over we pay the boss a visit and show our support with a grand party. Yer parading will be much more suited for that me thinks lady lune bwahaha.  he says tapping aupti on the shoulder when he mentions him. He winks just before every belly laugh. He pokes his thumb toward shad confidently when mentioning her.

 O where be me manners im hasgraek icegrip  if lune takes a moment she sees a grayish dwarf with dark beard and hair. Red eyes. He's wearing dark studded leather where the studs seem sharper then usual. The armor has no sleeves.
J-H
 Aupti 
 "It's too bad people build outside the walls... but the city would have constraints on its growth, too."   Aupti thinks of plants that grow beyond the bounds of where they should... always seeking growth.

 "This will be harder than last year, but we can do it." 
Breitheamh
 Shad 
 "Good to meet you, Lune,"  Shad nods politely and smiles a little sheepishly as Hasgraek extolls her ability to prevent harm to others.   "I'm Shad.  Not sure how much help I'll be in making sure you don't get hurt, but I don't think any of us would have signed up for this a second time if we were all that afraid." 

Shad stands with a certain strength and poise about her that even Aupti and Hasgraek might notice.  This is not the same girl as last year, just desperately trying to stay alive; she is planted, armor well-fitted, grip relaxed on her poleaxe and an unadorned helm under her left arm.  Her freckled face and green eyes framed by an orange bobcut held back in a cloth band around her forehead, the young woman regards Lune with a look of social uncertainty, but mental fortitude.

 "Yeah, it might be harder than last year, Aupti, but then again so are we.

Glad to have you with us, Lune.  And I'm sorry to hear about your unit from last year.  We were pretty lucky ourselves, all things considered." 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  16/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune smiles, bows, nods, or waves her hand at each of the introductions. "  Well met!  " She says, addressing the whole group. "  As for preventing harm and keeping others safe... Well I can definitely help with that! I am a priestess of the Celestial Court. My holy healing flames can help mend your broken bodies  ." A pause, then: "  Not that I expect any of your bodies to be broken, I, uh-, well, you never know, right? It's always good to have a healer around, I guess!  " She could feel heat rising to her cheeks. She was used to addressing nobility, but she always felt a little bit off when addressing commoners... Was she being too formal? Too informal? And how could she tell..? It was all so complicated. "  Truth be told, I'm not so used to violence... But since the Counselor has put me on your path, I'll make sure to pull my weight.  "
 
 
  
TriciaOso
As you make your introduction, Beatrice hurries away to speak to other members of the militia. You are free until midnight -- but there is still the matter of the Duke's speech, if you choose to remain to hear it.

 
 Spoiler: The Duke's Speech 
Once again, the ancient Duke of Coldwater mounts the dais to address the courtyard.

 

It follows many of the same lines as last year's, but Pierre Ci Git seems much more than one year older. He stammers and searches for words. He speaks more about his family, and their heroism in defending the city, calling them each by name; Domane, his daughter and heir, the bladesinger who already commands so much of the city's defenses. Mason, his eldest son, a cleric of the Maiden. Cassien, the youngest and least-touched by his shadar-kai heritage, at least visibly, handsome and charismatic. And he speaks again of the Diet of the Still, the undying spirits bound to the defense of the city while the walls stand.

 
 Spoiler: Insight 8+ 
It is, very clearly, a goodbye.
 


He ends the same way he did last year; the same way he must have ended dozens of these speeches:

  "By our lives and deaths we rebuke the forces of undeath and we buy, at greatest cost, another year. We are the keystone... we are the shield of the North!  Fais sonner les cloches qui peuvent encore sonner! "   By now most of you have picked up enough of the local language to know what that battlecry means;  ring out the bells that still can ring. 

The old man exhales as his words call up the power of the city once again, and seems suddenly, visibly, even older. He staggers, and Domane Ci Git puts a discreet hand on his elbow.
 


At his command, the Iron Carillons begun to ring, for the first time today but not the last. In the stones of the Keep and in the walls around the city, spirit guardians stir and stand, spectral, beside the living guards. In the harbor, a net of copper and silver is raised across the bay, held up by tall towers. The soldiers of Coldwater clash their swords on their shields, a vast ringing that echoes the bells and fills the city.

 
 Spoiler: Perception 15+ 
Those close enough to the Duke, or listening closely enough, hear him mutter a few other words in the Shadar-kai language.

  "...une chandelle pour m'éclairer au lit..."  

(...a candle, to light me to bed...)
 
J-H
 Aupti 
Aupti picks up on the mutter.   "He's been ruling longer than I've been alive.  Someone else may give that speech next year,"  he mutters quietly.   "Just have to live through it." 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek gives a dwarven warriors war call/cheer at the end of the speech in respect.

 Aye. Lift a glass ta the man we should. I told ya I'd pay yall back and for this I shall! To the Boss I say! Come along too lass I've got coin enough fer ya as well!   he says urging them to the boss.
Breitheamh
 Shad 

It hadn't occurred to Shad just how old the Duke was at this point, but Aupti's point rang true, especially with his softly spoken melancholy words at the end.

 "I think the Boss is a good choice before we get to our post.  It'll be nice to see Connor, and drink the health of his dad and the Duke." 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  16/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Although Lune was slightly caught off-guard by the invitation, she also couldn't help herself being slightly touched by the gentle, trusting naiveté of the dwarf. He was offering to pay for her drink even though they'd met less than a minute ago, and the invitation felt completely harmless and disinterested. '' I've spent too much time with my family in the last few months '' she thought to herself.  She smiled shyly and answered: ''  It would be my pleasure to join you all for drinks. Actually, I've rarely had the chance to visit any pubs in my life. My family usually preferred to hold festivities at Nyx manor rather than mingle with the, uh, common folk.  ''
 
 
  
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 22/22 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad raised an eyebrow at Lune.  She was a noblewoman then...  She probably should have put that together from the somewhat stiff manners.  But what was she doing fighting at Wintertide for then?

As they head toward the Boss, Shad ponders how to ask that question...   "So, um, Lune..."  she finally decides to give it a shot.   "Your family considers themselves above the commoners, then?" 

Her face immediately turns bright red.  She heard it as soon as she'd said it.

 "Or, I mean, um, like, you haven't had much chance to spend with those beneath-- I mean, um...

"What's your family like?" 

Shad begins studying the ground at her feet very intently hoping that maybe Lune will not hate her for how offensive she must have just been.  THERE was the Shad she'd thought she'd grown out of.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  16/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune can't help but laugh at Shad's reaction, though the laugh is not malicious or mocking in the least. When the red-headed woman first introduced herself, Lune thought she had picked up a trace of eastern accent, but she wasn't quite sure. Now, it hit her: Shad had to be from one of the principalities of Croplan (something about the way she pronounced certain vowels). And, although the woman seemed intent on hiding it, Lune thought she might even be of noble birth.
The other woman seemed embarrassed, but Lune was actually slightly put at ease by Shad's  faux pas.  She could certainly relate, and was eager to learn more about her new companion now.
''  My family are... good people. At heart, at least. But after joining the church and exploring parts of the world in the past few years I've come to the realization that their privilege has blinded them to many things. Important things. If you will, we could continue this conversation at the pub! I'm excited to see it.  '' As she says this last sentence, she claps her hands together excitedly.
Now, Lune was quite curious about Shad, but she thought it might be better to question her about her heritage during a private conversation at the pub - she did not know if the woman was trying to hide her descent or if her companions knew anything about it and she did not wish to put Shad on the spot.
 
 
  
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 22/22 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad blinked a couple of times at Lune's warm and genuine response.  That was weird; usually her stupidity elicited a response of icy demands for her punishment and shame in her family.  I mean, they weren't here now, but still... was Lune just that good at keeping her motives hidden until the right moment?

 "Um... sure,"  she says in surprise and continues with the others to the pub.

Once they get there and have their drinks, Shad takes a deep breath and says,  "Look, Lune, I really am sorry about what I said.  It was...not polite." 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  16/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune puts a hand on Shad's hand: ''  Where we   (Lune puts a certain emphasis on ''we'')   are from that might be true, but out here I would think it matters very little. In fact, if anything, politeness is the poison of collaboration.  '' Lune smiles before adding: ''  Gods! If my mother heard me saying that, she would have me flayed... But the point is that we are here as comrades-in-arms, are we not? Plus, you've not offended me in the slighest. In fact, I am glad to meet another highborn woman who is willing to put herself on the line for the Light. Or for whatever other reason, really. In fact, what brought you here?  ''   
 
  
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 22/22 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
 ”What?! No, no, I’m not highborn, haha,”  Shad replies nervously.  “What would make you think that? No, I’m just Shad! Hah!” 
  Smooth, Shad. She definitely bought that…  

She abruptly cuts herself off and takes huge gulp from her mug.

 “Connor!! How about a rousing song before the night gets dark!”  she calls to the other end of the busy pub, then thumps her elbow onto the table in front of Hasgraek.  “Arm wrestle round 5, Icegrip?? Aupti! Count it off!” 
zylodrizzt
 Aye lass be there ta beat ya quicker then ye can say ouch bwahaha.  he was clear across the pub near aupti trying to convince him to play darts. His voice seeming raising volume as if he were approaching before you realize he was already there. Quickly and somewhat carefully he clears a table nearby enough to get between them.  Round 5 eh how bout another 5 after bwahaha 

If aupti declines the count he gets someone else nearby attention  Hey there friend how bouts ye give us a fair count. 

After a few moments of not gaining or losing aye lass good on ya  he says before shad even realizes he had already let go and had a tankard in the same hand chugging.

(So I wrote this under the impression that lune and shad were at least private from hasgraek)
J-H
 Aupti 

Aupti does the countdown as requested for the arm-wrestling match.  Women are weird, especially when they're feeling each other out and maybe jockeying for social status.  It's kind of interesting to watch, and he feels like he's starting to understand how most of it works.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  16/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune saw how flustered Shad became at the mention of her origins, so she decided it might be better to let it go for now. She filled her wine glass and cheered for the arm-wrestling match instead. She noticed the man named Aupti staring at her every now and again... she wondered what he might be thinking, but didn't make too much of it since she was enjoying the rowdy fun in the pub.
 
 
  
TriciaOso
If it was a long wait getting through the day last year, waiting to be called at midnight is somehow more than twice a long. The bells ring out throughout the night as the battle rages on with you.

You know you could be called early if the less-seasoned adventurers on the first shift have to tap out; but you make it all the way to midnight until they file in, looking shell-shocked and much the worse for wear, but all somehow still there. They are a flock of birdfolk warriors from the Touchskies, and their feathers are bloodstained and bedraggled. The owlin wizard looks barely conscious, and his fellows steer him into a cot you recently vacated.

As soon as you leave the barracks, the siege is alive around you. As with last year, now that midnight has passed, the battle for the skies has begun, necromancers on skin-bats and broomsticks engaged by the aerial cavalry. A necromancer swoops at you, but is intercepted almost immediately by a knight of the Keep on a nightgaunt.

Your orders bring you to the southern wall, between the Gate of the Arrow and the Cadette Gate. The Gate of the Arrow is a huge one, one of the primary gates of the city, looking down the broad Rue Desouers that runs from here to Three Sisters. The road forks south of the city, throwing off a spur that runs to the much smaller Cadette Gate and creating the deep V of territory known as the Arrowhead.

  
 
 
 Spoiler: The Arrowhead 
Small communities exist outside the walls near each gate, home to the poorest citizens who cannot afford property in the city proper. They are usually named after the closest gate.  During Wintertide they huddle inside the walls and wait to see how much survives the seige.

The Arrowhead is the largest of the communities outside the walls. The southern walls are less targeted than the northern, but nonetheless, nothing in the Arrowhead is permanent.

It is the center for most illegal or quasi-legal activities in Coldwater, including the illicit trade in the illithid drug ink and amateur combat sports. The oldest continuously occupied structure in the Arrowhead is the tavern with the quasi-blasphemous name of The Maiden's Head; it serves bad beer to a rough clientele, and the main attraction is the fighting pit in the basement.
 


You find Beatrice on the wall between the gates, next to the tall man most of you recognize as Mason Ci Git--the eldest son of the Duke and a cleric of the Maiden. He is pale and thin, like all the Ci Gits, but next to Beatrice his trace of shadar-kai blood is almost unnoticeable. They are looking out over the Arrowhead -- which shockingly, is clear of all visible undead.

You can see remnants of an army of zombie and skeletons lurching outside the roads that define the Arrowhead, but the little wedge of buildings itself is clear of undead. The streets are littered with fallen Hachoir standards, bits of armor and rusty weapons; you can see that a lot of damage has befallen the little unofficial district. But nothing moves.

   
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 13 HP: 10/10 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Aupti studies the area, his hunter's eyes noting the lack of motion.   "The first group must have been very successful your g...uh, sir and ma'am." 
TriciaOso
Beatrice snorts, not unkindly, but the Marquis Ci Git only says quite seriously,  "The Exaltation acquitted themselves respectably, but, no. The ground between the roads is consecrated, but being outside the wall the reach of our power is limited. I have been able to clear the Arrowhead multiple times tonight, channeling the power of the St. Epony bell." 

You passed the black iron carillon just north of the wall on your way here.

 "At midnight, I was able to make one last push to destroy the undead forces, and the militia have been able to destroy everything that remained standing in plain view. The consecration of the area between the roads is renewed, and the siege, we may hope, is ended between these gates for tonight."  He looks quite weary.

 

Beatrice steps in.  "But in the time that the Hachoir held this ground, fiends or undead may have hidden themselves within the buildings. Either waiting for morning to cause some last mischief, or with something more dire planned from behind cover."

"There shouldn't be any civilians in there. Shouldn't be, and if there were it's damn unlikely they're still alive. But you never know with the  banlieue . If it were up to me we'd burn them to the ground." 
 "Cousin,"  says the Maquis, mildly. This has the ring of an argument argued to the point where it can be played out almost without words. Beatrice shakes her head.

 "Anyway, that's your mission. You're going house to house. It'll be harder for me to provide support while you're in cover, but I have ways to move. Anybody got a cantrip that can send up a flare?" 

If not, she will provide you with a wand of fireworks to use.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  16/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

''  I can provide us with something akin to a flare.  '' Lune says. ''  A lance of piercing light should be easy enough to notice in the darkness.  ''

Once the crew is down from the wall and onto the streets, Lune clangs her staff against the ground. The ringing of the metal echoes faintly around the party as the open hand atop the staff lights up, providing better visibility. She sticks close to the others, visibly nervous. Even though she'd done this once before, the eerie calm of the streets in the darkness of the night made her skin crawl...

Once the party begins their search, she will impart the wisdom of the Counselor upon Shad: ''  May the Light guide you.  '' she whispers.

 
 Spoiler: spells 
flare cantrip will be lambent lance if we ever need it. she casts light on her staff and guidance on shad to help her find stuff
 

 
 
  
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 22/22 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

As they look out over the urban battlefield that would be their assignment, Shad ponders the strangeness of the pall hanging over it.  She'd never before seen the Arrowhead look and feel anything but alive, and now she could not help but feel this would be the fate of all the world if Coldwater ever fell.

She nods gravely at Beatrice and Mason and leads the way down to ground level, mentally reviewing what she knew of the streets and alleys of one of her more regular haunts.   "Thanks,"  she whispers to Lune and keeps her eyes as sharp as she can.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Roll Perception?  Or Investigation?

Perception  (1d20+2)[ 5 ]  + Guidance  (1d4)[ 4 ] 

Investigation  (1d20-1)[ 9 ]  + Guidance  (1d4)[ 2 ] 
 
J-H
     
 
      Aupti

    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 17/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
 "We're to turn over rocks and stomp on the snakes that crawl out, then.  I can throw a flame up in the air if needed." 

As they go forth, Aupti summons a torch in his palm ( Produce Flame ).   "Hopefully there's nothing tougher than an Owlbear." 
 Perception or Survival (same mod): 11 
TriciaOso
The first hour passes tediously.

The Arrowhead--especially near the wall--is a typical  banlieu , only larger. Anchored by some useful out-building, surrounded by a corona of poverty. The anchor of this one is the tavern with the semi-blasphemous name of the Maiden's Head, planted in the wedge where the road from Three Sisters splits to run an off-shoot to the Cadette Gate. The oldest building in the Arrowhead, it has endured because sometimes travellers need a cheap place to stay and locals need somewhere off-the-map to go.

Perhaps a better search strategy would've started at that end and worked towards the wall. In your eagerness, however, you are working from the wall southward; and the area immediately near the wall is a packed warren, lots of little buildings, thrown up quickly and without permission, with jagged dogleg paths between them. The oldest of them is less than ten years old, and many of them aren't even designed to last a season. The worst have flat roofs and no windows, more like vertical coffins for day laborers to fall over inside. You can't check under the beds for monsters because the beds are straw pallets. The best are simple two room hovels.

The first hour passes tediously and most of the second. You are closing in on two in the morning when you hear the sound of a faint scuffle, and the terrified, distressed scream of a dying horse. It takes a few moments to hone in on it, but you follow the noises to a lop-sided stable on the other side of the Rue Cadet. A very badly-painted sign on the outside indicates that the inhabitant has a horse for rent; perhaps several small inhabitants who squabbled over the paintbrush and couldn't spell very well.


   HONEST JOE  GOT A HORSE  

KNEW IN TOWN  OR VISIT 
U NEED HORSE!
 WE   i  GOT HORSE!
5 depasit  SILVER 
 BRING BACK THE HORSE!! 
WE KEEP 1
  

The stable looks old and decrepit, but has recently been renovated by the same many, small and careless hands that painted the sign.

The door to the stable stands ajar; at the moment, it seems silent inside.
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 17/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Aupti circles around the door at a distance of about 20', trying to see as much of the inside he can in the light of the flame burning on his hand.
TriciaOso
Through the door you can make out three fallen kobolds, unmoving,  and the back legs of a horse,  twitching. A faint growling and lapping sound comes from the unseen part of the room.
Breitheamh
Shad puts a finger to her lips to signal for quiet, and attempts to very gently open the door as noiselessly as possible.
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek takes up his 2 daggers and leans on the wall next to the door attempting to mask his presence. He nods ready to spring when signaled.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  16/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune remains behind her allies, ready to cast a blessing onto her allies if need be. She points her staff in the direction of the growl to help illuminate the insides of the house... She can feel her heart thumping loudly in her temples as she does so. 
 
  
TriciaOso
As Shad leans into the building, in addition to the three kobolds on the ground (throats bitten, arms clawed, glassy-eyed and ashen), there is a fourth stooped over the stilling body of a horse, drinking blood from its neck. It also seems to have been scratched and claws and bitten in the throat, although those wounds are healing visibly as you watch; its eyes glow red. Hasgraek, you sense a visceral kinship to this creature, and a rumbling hunger for the blood spilling out of the emaciated-looking horse, but you restrain yourself.

   
You do not manage to be especially stealthy as you enter, but four of the room's occupants are dead and one is very, very distracted with his meal.

 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS

Wisdom save for Hasgraek against bloodthirst is a nat 20; you are not tempted by this horse any further. The Kobold Vampire uses his action to continue feeding on the dying horse.

INITIATIVE
20 - Kobold
18 - Aupti
16 - Shad
7 - Hasgraek
6 - Lune
 
J-H
     
 
      Aupti

    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 17/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Aupti throws a chunk of flame at the vampire, stepping into the corner.
 
 Spoiler 

Move to SW corner so the room is still lit.
Produce Flame  (1d20+5)[ 18 ]  for  (1d8)[ 7 ]  fire damage
 
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 22/22 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad comes into the room after Aupti, maneuvering her halberd as best she can and trying to pin the apparently undead kobold against the wall with the spike at the end.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Attack  (1d20+5)[ 17 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 11 ] 

Move to the spot directly 10 feet south of it for this attack.
 
zylodrizzt
      
      Hasgraek    
 AC:14  HP: 17/17 
 PPer:13  PInv:14  PIst:9  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Hasgraek moves before anyone gets the chance to react. He won't let this kobold get a chance to infect anyone else. More speed then stealth he moves from where he was at slipping past shad and tossing a dagger at the reptilian vampire before it could react then retreats back outside the shack in nearly an instant.

 Careful everyone... that be a blood sucker 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  16/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune steps inside, moving close to Aupti to put some distance between her and the beast:   "A light in the dark to smite my foes,"   she chants in Celestial. The light at the tip of her staff coalesces into a radiant beem that zips towards the undead... But Lune's aim is completely off. 
 
  
TriciaOso
Suddenly bombarded by attacks, the kobold vampire jerks its head up from its feed and lunges forward at Shad, but is easily fended off with the halberd. However, you see that it is already healing from the wounds you inflicted.

Then, suddenly, the apparently-dead kobolds lurch to their feet. They open their jaws to reveal vampiric fangs, but they look different from the one who has fed on the horse -- pale and wizened, their eyes black hole rather than red flames. They leap at everyone within the stable and sink their fangs into you. Although the damage they do is minor, it carries a sickening tingle of necrotic magic. Aupti is savaged the worst, the kobold sinking its fangs into his wrist and eagerly gulping down blood.

   
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS
Kobold Vampire Spawn takes 28 damage. He heals 10 at the start of his turn. He attacks Shad, and fails with an 8.

The Blood-Starved Kobold Vampires rise and attack Shad (16), Aupti (26, critical hit), and Lune (21). All hit. Shad, and Lune each take 1 piercing damage and 1 necrotic damage. Aupti takes 2 piercing and 2 necrotic.

DAMAGE
Shad - 4 dmg
Lune - 2 dmg
Aupti - 2 dmg

Kobold Vampire Spawn - 18 dmg

INITIATIVE
20 - Kobold
18 - Aupti
16 - Shad
7 - Hasgraek
6 - Lune
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Aupti leaps back in surprise while uttering a curse.  He sends out a whip of thorns to yank one of the kobolds into the corner.   "Lune, don't get surrounded!" 
 
 Spoiler 

5' step north, not leaving threatened areas and provoking any OAs.
Thorn Whip  (1d20+5)[ 21 ]  melee spell attack against #3
If it hits,  (1d6)[ 5 ]  damage and pull 5' closer. Can I use that to move him one square west?
 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek pricks his finger before moving.  Get back lass!  hasgraek says getting between 2 of the bloodsuckers. He pulls out his pickaxe jambing it into its shoulder pulling it close. He stabs aims for its chest with his dagger as it enters he wills the drop of blood to spike out digging itself into the bloodsucker making a weapon out of the vampires strength hoping it doesn't feed its hunger.
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 20/22 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Seeing the kobold's wounds quickly knitting themselves back together, Shad grunts and tries another swing for its neck, calling out  "How do we stop it healing itself??" 
 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Attack the same kobold as before
 (1d20+5)[ 12 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 11 ] 
 
TriciaOso
Hasgraek's attacks drop two of the blood-starved vampires immediately; they are too weak to take much damage at all. You suspect unless they are dealt with in a more final manner they will try to rise again, however.
 
  
The more well-fed vampire dodges out of the way of Shad's attack.

 
 Spoiler: DC 12 Religion Check; Hasgraek has advantage 
You recall your rudimentary training in dealing with vampires and their spawn. Specifically, a vampire regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point and isn’t in sunlight or running water. If the vampire takes radiant damage or damage from holy water, this trait doesn’t function at the start of its next turn. A vampire is only finally destroyed by certain means -- if a piercing weapon made of wood is driven into its heart, if its head is separated from its body, if its remains are consumed in fire or placed in daylight or running water.
 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  15/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

This year, Lune decided she needed to be ready for the Wintertide. As such, on her way back to Coldwater, the young cleric had read as much as she could about the undead. While facing these bloodsucking creatures, she remembers a chapter about vampires from  Libris Mortis, abridged.  Without hesitating, she moves to the left corner, swirling her staff. The metal makes a low hissing sound, as though it was being heated by some invisibile flame: ''  Counselor, lend me your flame to banish these creatures from our plane,  '' she chants. A roiling sheet of flame erupts from her staff with a bang, spilling over all three unholy creatures. Lune is surprised by the power of her own spell and the superheated air from the explosion singes her hands. Shaken, she retreats back to her initial position, unsure if this was a good or a bad omen from her God...

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Move two squares west, cast burning hand, then move back to my first position
 
 
 
  
TriciaOso
The jet of flame ignites the two fallen vampires; they screech and writhe, burning with improbable haste. Vampires are dry. Lune has to dodge out of the flames of the fallen kobold at her feet and takes a minor burn.

It rolls over the blood-starved vampire still on his feet, but he ducks low beneath it and despite a scorching is still up. He and the better-fed vampire unite to attack Shad. The vampire spawn is now completely healed, and gulps down Shad's blood eagerly. The starved vampire laps up scraps.

The flame burns the horse's tail as well, filling the stable with an unpleasant smell. Surprisingly, the horse screams and bucks, rolling to its feet, stung by the flame. It whinnies, revealing fangs, and lunges at Lune, biting her shoulder.

   
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS
The two downed Blood-Starved Kobold Vampire Spawn are incapacitated and flames. They will be destroyed in one round. Passing through their squares requires a DEX save to avoid 1d8 damage. Lune fails and takes 2 damage. The remaining Blood-Starved Kobold Vampire Spawn saves against Burning Hands and does not take enough damage to drop.

The Kobold Vampire Spawn heals its remaining damage.

The Kobold Vampire Spawn and the remaining Blood-Starved Kobold Vampire Spawn attack Shad with pack tactics. Both hit, doing 7 piercing damage and 6 necrotic. Her hit point maximum is reduced by 6.

The Blood-Starved Horse Vampire Spawn saves against the Burning Hands and rises to attack Lune. It hits and does 2 piercing damage and 1 necrotic.

DAMAGE
Shad - 17 dmg (includes max HP reduced by 6)
Lune - 7 dmg
Aupti - 2 dmg

INITIATIVE
20 - Kobolds &amp; Horse
18 - Aupti
16 - Shad
7 - Hasgraek
6 - Lune
 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  7/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune lets out a surprised gasp as the horse bites down on her shoulder, but she quickly composes herself. Circling around the horse-vampire, she steps through her flames, moving to an advantageous position. She utters a single word in Celestial, unleashing a burning radiance, hoping to hit all three of her foes.

 
 Spoiler: Action 
Lune casts word of radiance
 

 
 
  
TriciaOso
The blaze of celestial light vaporizes the final blood-starved kobold, and the other vampiric creatures rear back from the radiance; although they are not injured, it frightens and abjures them.

   
J-H
    [img]

https://www.dndbeyond.com/avatars/12746/320/637357518239240098.jpeg[/img] 
 
   
 Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Aupti changes tactics, throwing some flames under the most powerful of the vampires.  It'll have to move away from Shad or risk getting burned.
 
 Spoiler 

Create Bonfire under the one that's fed,  (1d8)[ 5 ]  fire damage, Dex DC 13
Save  (1d20)[ 5 ] 
 
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 7/16 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad grimaces as she feels her life force being pulled into the vampiric kobold in front of her, struggling to keep her panic down and her head in the fight.  There will be time to worry about her health later, now there were undead to kill.

 "Fire, huh??   That  I can work with,"  she says as she sees Aupti set a fire underneath the vampire.  She drops her halberd and goes to her bread and butter, crunching her gauntlets to flex her fingers as she scoops in low to the kobold and tries to pull it into a lock, then slam it down on the ground, directly into the fire Aupti had set.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Drop halberd
Athletics check to Grapple the kobold vampire  (1d20+7)[ 15 ] 
Action surge and then Athletics check to Shove prone if grapple was successful, or grapple try again if it wasn't  (1d20+7)[ 17 ] 
 
TriciaOso
The kobold hisses and wriggles away, but is ultimately wrapped up by Shad and held in the fire, squealing and squawking.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
15 on the first Acrobatics check to resist, 15 on the second.
 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek had been saving this stake for his wife if he found her again but it would prove just as useful now he thought. He dropped his knife and quickly drew the stake as he swung his pickaxe just up under the ribs so the horse couldn't buck him away. He out just a drop if his own blood on the tip for extra effect seeing how effective his blood had been before. He then rolls around the horse to avoid the fire joining in the melee just south of lune.  You ok lassies? 
TriciaOso
The fire withers the flesh of the vampire kobold with unnatural speed. It shrieks and fights against Shad, desperate to get out of the flames. With a mighty heave it tears itself free and scurries to the back corner of the stable, heedless of opportunity attacks.

   
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS
Kobold Vampire Spawn takes double damage from the fire (10 dmg). It does not heal because of the Word of Radiance. It rolls a 17 on Acrobatics against a 14 Athletics from Shad and retreats, inviting opportunity attacks from Hasgraek, Lune and Shad.

DAMAGE
Shad - 17 dmg (includes max HP reduced by 6)
Lune - 9 dmg
Aupti - 2 dmg

Kobold Vampire Spawn - 10 dmg

INITIATIVE
 20 - Kobold 
18 - Aupti
16 - Shad
7 - Hasgraek
6 - Lune
 
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 7/16 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Frustrated with the weakness she was already feeling from these injuries, Shad is unable to hold her grasp on the slippery little reptilian.  She sneers as the creature wriggles away and aims a swift backhand as the kobold tries to escape her reach.   "You little ****!"  she calls out to it.

Then she picks up her halberd again and gets into position to swing from reach, avoiding the bonfire as she steps.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Opportunity Attack Unarmed Strike  (1d20+6)[ 15 ] 
Damage  (1d8+4)[ 7 ] 

For my turn use free object interaction to pick up my halberd, then move into a position around the fire to strike at the kobold.
Attack  (1d20+5)[ 7 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 11 ] 
 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  7/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

As the kobold scurries past her, Lune tries to whack it with her staff, but physical combat was never her forte and she fails miserably. The feeling of the cold metal against her burned hands makes her whince, but is also reassuring, in a sense, allowing her to feel closer to her God. With a twirl of her staff, she conjures another lance of searing light: ''  A light in the dark to smite my foes,  '' she recites once again in Celestial, this time with a little more assuredness. Her spell strikes true and the kobold suddenly sheds a soft golden halo of light.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Lune uses her reaction for an AoO which fails, then she casts lambent lance for three radiant damage and the kobold shed light to 10ft/dim light to another 10ft for a round
 

 
 
  
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: Bonfire  
 
  
Aupti sends out another thorny vine that wraps around the kobold vampire, seeking to yank it towards the flames of his bonfire.
 
 Spoiler 

Attack  (1d20+5)[ 23 ]  for  (1d6)[ 4 ]  magic piercing and 10' pull
It may end up above Luna or to her right, preferably above.  Not room for a 10' straight line pull, so maybe it only comes 5'.
 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek trying to end this fight before anyone else got hurt quickly closed with the kobold piercing the kobolds thigh and stabbing hard for its heart. As before his blood entered into the vampires body and he willed it to coagulate inside attempting to stop the blood from fueling the kobolds body.
TriciaOso
The vampire is dragged out of the corner and back toward the fire; as Shad's halberd lashes out from beyond the flames, it dodges out of the way, but this distracts it enough for Hasgraek to slip behind it and skewer it twice. But it doesn't really begin to panic until Lune's lance of light stops it from healing once again. It drops to all fours and, scurrying between Hasgraek and Lune, scrambles out of the stables altogether.

   
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS
The Kobold Vampire Spawn is near death. It uses its action to disengage and flees thirty feet.

DAMAGE
Shad - 17 dmg (includes max HP reduced by 6)
Lune - 9 dmg
Aupti - 2 dmg

Kobold Vampire Spawn - 32 dmg

INITIATIVE
20 - Kobold
18 - Aupti
16 - Shad
7 - Hasgraek
6 - Lune
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
Aupti follows it outside and prepares another thorny vine.
 
 Spoiler 

Move 10' west, doesn't provoke an OA from it.
Readied Thorn Whip  (1d20+5)[ 22 ]  for  (1d6)[ 1 ]  and 10' pull back whenever the kobold vampire gets more than 20' away from him.
 
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 16 HP: 7/16 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad reaches out a hand to grab the kobold as it runs by, hoping to pull it back into the stable and hold its feet to the fire.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Athletics check to grapple  (1d20+7)[ 18 ] 
If successful, use movement to pull kobold back in and hold it over the fire.
 
zylodrizzt
Knowing that if this thing lives and gets away there will be a much worse problem later hasgraek furiously stabs down on the kobold bellowing over and over again even after it stops moving.  Slice thier heads off throw it outside! Burn them all and let the sun do it again!  he yells as he begins to do so. There is no belly laugh. There is only fury on his face.

There's no way to know but this could have been his wife's doing.
TriciaOso
Hasgraek's assault finally brings down the kobold, and it begins to burn immediately.

You have a moment to catch your breath in the ruined stable.

 
 Spoiler: Investigation/Perception 12+ 
It looks like the stable was in pretty shoddy condition even before the battle. A brief poke around the wreckage shows signs of four kobolds living here, and a large trenchcoat hanging from the back of the door.

 
 Spoiler: Investigation/Perception 15+ 
You realize the trenchcoat is a faintly magical item, giving advantage to disguise checks. One of these kobolds must have been an artificer of sorts.

Under a loose the floorboards, you find a seachest; words are written on it in Draconic.

 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
Property of the LSS Cold Rain
 


It contains their meager savings: 4 gp, 1 sp, and 4 cp. It also contains a dragonscale, wrapped carefully in the remains of a uniform. Like the kobolds themselves, the scale is red.
 

 
J-H
Aupti lets his magical fire lapse, then grabs whatever blankets are around to put out fires on anything that's not a vampire.   "Let's not make more problems for ourselves by catching this block on fire." 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  7/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

''  A sound idea, Aupti. Umm... perhaps a short rest would do us some good?  '' She was a little shy to ask since the night had only just begun, but she felt spent. ' To think this was the first fight of many ' she thinks to herself with horror. Since no one was taking the trench coat, she folds it neatly and puts it away in her bag: ''  It's a little dirty, but I'm sure Flit can take a look at it later. If any of you want it, we can have it cleaned and fitted.  '' She finds a stack of hay to sit upon and stares at her burned hands in silence.

 
 
  
Breitheamh
Shad takes a shuddering breath as the fire burns away the vampiric remains and looks to Aupti.   "I'm going to need a break too, but what do we need to do for the fire?  Is there water somewhere?" 
J-H
 Aupti 
"Yes, it's just frozen right now."  Aupti slowly commands some of the snow and ice to roll itself up into a ball, then move inside and douse the flames where needed.  (Control Water) 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  7/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8+4
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune suddenly comes out of her contemplation: ''  You were all very brave. And your combat abilities are impressive. I feel safe around you.  '' She laughs: ''  Well, as safe as one can feel beyond the walls of Coldwater during Wintertide.  '' A short pause, then: ''  Where should we head next? Any ideas, or do we just keep patrolling and see what happens?  ''

 
 
  
zylodrizzt
After the work is done hasgraek takes some time to calm down and regaining his composure. He keeps a watch as everyone catches thier breathe scanning the area keeping special attention for any further bloodsuckers. Good chance there are more since they just destroyed 5 of them.  aye lass... thank you... I really hate bloodsuckers. Not fer sure but thinkin we keep clearing the shacks. Maybe i should scout some so we arent as surprised next time. 
Breitheamh
Shad pulls a clean rag out of her pockets, a preparation she had decided would be quite useful this year, and wraps the wounds she can.

 "Having a scout's eyes might be helpful, but stay within quick running distance, Hasgraek,"  she says, wincing and trying to massage some feeling back into the muscles where the vamp had bit her.  She knew she wasn't at full strength anymore, and really needed some more time to fully recover, maybe even a day or two, but there was nothing to be done for that now.

 "We can't split up too far, or they can swarm us and pick us off.  We do this together or we die."   She nods grimly and hefts her halberd to indicate she's ready.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
I'm going to use Second Wind before the short rest starts.
 (1d10+2)[ 10 ] 
So that's back up to as full as my health can be at the moment.
 
zylodrizzt
A brief nod and hasgraek is lost to sight and up on roofs peering through them bow drawn just in case

(15 stealth peeking in roofs)
TriciaOso
After a short rest, you move out into the Arrowhead once more, continuing down along the Rue Cadette.

Aupti, you pick up a trail of small footprints leading through the dust of the street and follow them to a general store. Your group looks over the building. It is boarded up and secured against the seige, and has not been terribly despoiled, unlike some you have seen.

   
You step up on the porch and peer through a window at the interior.

   
The goods laid out on display... that feels wrong. Why would they board up the shop and leave their merchandise out and visible? Peering into through the windows, you feel like you can see dim movement in the shadows -- hard to define, tiny, but definitely movement. Aupti, you see it too.  Something  is going on in there.
J-H
 Aupti 
Aupti makes motions with his hands.  Perhaps they should split up, and enter the store from two directions at once?  It's reasonable to assume that anything inside is hostile.
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek points to aupti then to himself then around the other side. He then points to lune and shad then to the front. He then whispers  You two wait til you see us come in 
TriciaOso
There are no windows in the back room of the general store, which juts out in a slightly awkward way. The door is secured in a cursory way, but you could enter without any great effort. Listening at the door you can hear a muttering grumble from within.

 
 Spoiler: If you open the door and enter... 
This small backroom appears to be used for storage. Right now it is storing a small fiendish entity at work painting an arcane sigil of the floor of the room. The ink he uses reeks of blood. For the second time tonight, Hasgraek, your composure is tested, and the urge to slurp it up off the floor or to bite into someone or something is overwhelming.

It seems truly astonished to see you.

   
 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek growls loudly and charges the fiend swinging his pickaxe to pierce its neck before retracting and then biting the same hole he just made.
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

A viney whip lashes out at the creature, but misses, thunking against the far wall instead before falling apart.
 
 Spoiler 

Thorn whip  (1d20+5)[ 7 ]  for  (1d6)[ 1 ]  piercing and 10' pull
 
TriciaOso
The ink devil shrieks. Lune and Shad, through the window you see the flitting shadows speed towards the door in the back of the room. You can see them a little better now; tiny little winged gremlins with oversized wings and mouths.

  
  
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  14/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Between the loud growl and the high pitched shriek she could hear from across the shop, Lune was worried about Aupti and Hasgraek. And now the 5 winged forms were zipping towards them, too...
Lune was not usually one to act without thinking, but she remembered how her hesitating had cost Everett his life last Wintertide. "   Not this time   ." She muttered under her breathe.   "Shad, I'm going in! Cover me."   

Lune enters and walks forward, sliding quickly over the counter. She recites:   "By the sacred Light of the Celestial Court, illuminate my path and smite the shadows. In your names I stand as a beacon of your eternal grace."   Lune's voice swells as she recites the prayer and, when the last words are spoken she is glowing like a small sun. A blinding, burning flash erupts from her, reminiscent of a solar flare.
 
 Spoiler: actions  

She uses all her movements to get into the shop and uses channel divinity. Con save 13 for the baddies.
 

 
 
  
TriciaOso
   
The flare of light incinerates three of the five tiny gremlins, blasting them back to their plane. The two remaining devils are scorched and barely clinging to their embodiments.

   
TriciaOso
Shad rushes into the room on Lune's heels and towards the door to the back room, pausing to hew one of the remaining grilp in two on the way. The remaining gremlin swoops after her, just beating her into the back room. It hovers between her and Hasgraek, attempting to come to the aid of the ink devil without leaving her threatened area, and snaps its oversized jaws at Hasgraek without success.

The ink devil hisses and throws the contents of its pot of ink all over Aupti. The poisonous brew sinks into his skin, marking him with a sizzling arcane brand and flooding his blood with toxins. He drops to the ground,

 
 Spoiler: marked with a small, fiendish tattoo. 
For 24 hours, Devils have advantage on attack rolls against the marked target, and the target has disadvantage on saving throws against the spells and abilities of devils.
 


Sniggering to itself, it darts towards the doorway and scampers away down the alley. He risks attacks of opportunity -- Hasgraek is struggling with other forces. The dhampir swings at the devil, but it is feeble and distracted. Aupti is clinging to life and reeks of blood...  blood ...

 
 Spoiler: blood...  
Hasgraek is not required to attack Aupti, but is struggling with the compulsion. He cannot move further from Aupti's body and has disadvantage on any checks other than feeding.
 

   
 
 Spoiler: Summary 

Shad attacks a grilp and hits with a 14, killing it instantly (13 dmg) and moving across the room.

The remaining grilp moves and attacks Hasgraek unsuccessfully (12).

The ink devil uses Devil's Ink to attack Aupti (23) and does 13 damage. Aupti fails the DEX save (12 against the 13 DC) and is marked with a small fiendish tattoo. He is unconscious.

Hasgraek makes a wisdom save against the smell of blood on the druid and fails (11 against the 13 DC). The ink devil moves, and Hasgraek has disadvantage on his opportunity attack, missing with a natural 1.

DAMAGE
Aupti - 17 dmg
Lune - 2 dmg
Shad - 0 dmg (-6 to max HP)

Grilp - 7 dmg
Ink Devil - 11 dmg

INITIATIVE
22 - Devils
18 - Aupti
16 - Shad
7 - Hasgraek
6 - Lune
 
Breitheamh
Shad quickly attempts to dispatch the remaining grilp while calling out,  "Good work Lune!  Do you have anything that can stop that one that just ran out??" 
 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Attack the last little baddie
 (1d20+5)[ 24 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 6 ] 
 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  14/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune heads outside, hot on Shad's heels. She concentrates on her connexion with the Celestial Court, ready to fire a spell if she sees anything hostile...
 
 Spoiler: actions  

Lune heads back outside and prepares an action to cast a spell if she sees the devil come out of the alley
 

 
 
  
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek in a blood frenzy not wishing to harm aupti bites futility at the winged creature that easily dodges out of the way.  Aupti *growls* is down! 
TriciaOso
The ink devil scurries down the alley, but as he comes around the corner is confront by both Shad and Lune; Lune wings a spell at him. He gibbers and pivots, running back the way he came, but the guiding bolt hits dead center and surrounds him with a faint glow. Hasgraek, you can see him run past the door, hopping over Aupti's fallen form.

   
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek shakes off his blood craze and charges after the fleeing form weapons drawn. He bares down with both weapons at once ending the thing. He then licks the blood off his dagger and calls to the others  Quick now! Over here! Aupti needs help! Little creep got him good! 
Breitheamh
Shad sprints back to Aupti, throwing her halberd down and sliding to Aupti's side.   "Um, I don't really know what I'm doing...  Lune! You're a healer, right??"  she starts saying a little frantically as she tries to put into practice what little battlefield first-aid she knows from bandaging her own wounds after pit fights.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Medicine check  (1d20+0)[ 20 ] 
 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  14/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 
  "You seem to be doing just fine  ," Lune replies with a smile, coming up behind Shad. "  Let's rest quickly while we can, and Aupti'll be back on his feet in no time. If anything engages while he is still unconscious, I'll simply heal him with a prayer. But for now I believe it might be better to spare some spells for later... The night has only just begun."
  
 
 
  
J-H
Aupti wakes up.   "Uh, thanks.  That hurt!  I thought my owlbear armor would help, but I guess I need a shield and maybe a helmet." 

He spends about half of the next hour putting pressure on the wound and coating it with a combination of different crushed herbs and leaves.  Soon enough, he's able to walk around, although he's still bleeding a bit... and the magical tattoo won't seem to come off.
TriciaOso
You are able to rest in the little shop. The merchandise is scattered around on the counters, apparently dragged out by the grilp.

Although nothing remains of the grilp, the ink devil has left behind a couple of his belongings... a paintbrush carved from a bone, and an ink bottle of blood. Curiously, the blood has been magically prevented from coagulating. It does not generate its own blood, but it does seem to preserve blood put into it.

The unfinished sigil painted in blood also remains; you saw the foot prints of the ink devil leading here from other locations, so there may be others scattered through the Arrowhead.

In the streets around the shop, you find some ghostiron objects left behind here when the dead forces here were rebuked and destroyed. They will not survive daylight, but they are here now. You find only a small knife and a battered helmet, but it does make you think there may be more to be found.
J-H
 Aupti 
 "We should see if we can follow the ink devil's tracks... find whatever it's drawn and destroy it before it does any harm." 

Survival  (1d20+5)[ 15 ] 
zylodrizzt
When aupti regains consciousness hasgraek tenses up expecting the worst. He'd seen him freak our and might tell the others... he hoped not tho. Perhaps he didn't notice? That's unlikely.

He responds  aye the bloody demons be leaving tricks about. Lemme hold on ta the ink... just in case its harmful to hold onto... ive not had a scratch yet tho the night be young 
Breitheamh
Shad nods in agreement with Aupti's suggestion, as she patches up her own wounds for the moment.   "Yeah, I can't imagine whatever it was doing is going to be any good for the people trying to come back and live here." 
 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Second Wind before short rest  (1d10+2)[ 11 ] 
Use a hit die during short rest  (1d10+3)[ 9 ] 
 
TriciaOso
You take some time to scrub the floor in the back room as you rest here. It's possible you get carried away and use the cleaning as an outlet for the stress of the evening; Hasgraek fetching buckets of water from the well to stay well clear of the blood and Shad getting down on her knees with a scrubbrush and soap to attack the sigil directly.

By the time you are done, the floor is clean enough to eat off. Lune concludes the clean-up with a brief consecration ritual to drive out any evil influence left from the sigil; as she lights a candle to the Counselor, the flame spikes up like a spear, and you all can feel the cleansing influence seeking the sigils connected to this one. Using the footprints you found, Aupti, you are able to direct it back along the path the devil followed through the Arrowhead, and for a moment you all see a brief vision of the sigils in multiple location bursting into flames and burning away without a trace.

Your zeal for cleanliness has spared you a wearisome hunt for the devil's handiwork; now it's time to get back to work.
TriciaOso
Setting out refreshed into the devastated  banlieu , you all keep your eyes open wide for the next lingering monster--with the exception of Shad, distracted by the weary heaviness of her blood loss. She concentrates on keeping an eye out for ambient threats and protecting the group as you peer in windows, under porches and down wells.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

"Shad" aka Charity "Shatterheart" Humboldt: Perception: Check: 1d20 (8) + 2
Total: 10

Aupti: Perception: Check: 1d20 (17) + 5
Total: 22

Hasgraek Icegrip: Perception: Check: 1d20 (15) + 3
Total: 18

Lune Nyx: Insight: Check: 1d20 (13) + 5
Total: 18
 


Less than an hour into searching, Aupti, you come across a ghostiron shield jammed down a well, blocking the opening. As you try to figure out how to unwedge it, you realize you can hear something scuttling inside the well on the other side of the shield....

   
J-H
    [img]
https://www.dndbeyond.com/avatars/12746/320/637357518239240098.jpeg[/img] 
    
 Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 15/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
 "There's something down the well, below the shield,"  Aupti whispers.   "Day comes, sunlight hits the shield, it vanishes, and poof, whatever's in there gets out in the middle of the day when everyone's asleep." 

It takes a minute to set up, but Aupti lowers a loop of rope down, swinging it to pass under the point of the shield where he can catch it with the end of his staff, and pull the rope back up.   "I'll start a fire, then one of you pull..." 

If nobody puts forth a better plan, he'll cast  Create Bonfire  (1d8 fire damage, DC 13 negates) below the shield, then have someone pull on the rope to unseat the shield, so that it opens "up" like a hatch.
Breitheamh
Shad nods to Aupti and raises her halberd in a high guard position, preparing herself to unleash a massive strike against whatever comes scuttling out of the well once the fire starts.
zylodrizzt
Once everyone is set hasgraek yanks on the rope.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  14/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune stands by, ready to cast a spell if need be...
 
 
  
TriciaOso
The shield grates and flips up out of the well, followed a moment later by a gush of water that smothers Aupti's bonfire.

As more and more water erupts from the well, it takes an indistinctly humanoid form. You can see suspended in it in loosely the bones of a human skeleton, and it wields a Hachoir chopper that is dwarfed in its powerful watery fist.

Shad's attack sluices through the water harmlessly and rings off the stone lip of the well; Lune's Lambent Lance strikes the skull suspended in the watery torso of the wight, knocking a tooth loose. The wight retaliates, crashing over the cleric like a wave and coiling around her like a serpent, attempting to drown her in its substance. A flare of divine flame flashes out to protect her, but the wight quenches that, too.

   
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
The water wight emerges from the well, immediately triggering readied actions from Shad and Lune. Lune's Lambent Lance hits with a 16 and does 1 damage. Shad misses with a natural 1.

The water wight attacks Lune; she uses a warding flare to give it disadvantage. With a 19 it still hits, doing 12 dmg. Lune is restrained (escape DC 13).

DAMAGE
Aupti - 3 dmg
Lune - 14 dmg
Shad - 0 dmg (-6 to max HP)

Water Wight - 1 dmg

INITIATIVE
22 - Water Wight
18 - Aupti
16 - Shad
7 - Hasgraek
6 - Lune
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Aupti attempts to twist the water under the command of the undead, peeling it off Lune and flinging it to the side.  Apparently the malignant creature's command of magic is greater than his own, as the water flowing about it doesn't so much as make a visible ripple.
 
 Spoiler 

Shape Water to free her.
Survival  (1d20+5)[ 6 ]  vs DC 13  fail 
If this moves the creature far enough away to move without provoking an OA, Aupti will retreat 30' NE.
 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek also tries to drag lune out but she is too slick so he disengages while drawing his bow
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  2/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  restrained, drowning 

Lune is drowning. Barely conscious after the vicious blow she just took. She sees her allies through the refraction of the water engulfing her - they are trying to free her, but the undead is just too strong. For a second she starts to panic. This is it. Her parents were right... she should have stayed home. Why did she have to come back to fight the Wintertide?
To try to calm herself she closes her eyes... ''If this is it, so be it.'' She thinks. She starts reciting a prayer of consecration in her mind - at least her soul will be ready to meet Lukas and the rest of the Court.
A warm presence suddenly envelops her. She feels more than she hears a second voice reciting the words to her prayer alongside her own inner voice inside of her head. Suddenly, a soft halo of light emanates from around her...

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
She uses turn undead
 

 
 
  
TriciaOso
Light flares within the watery grip of the water wraith, an unquenchable flame, and drives the spirit and its skeletal remains out of the conjured body. The form collapses, drenching the well and the ground around it and all of you.

   
A tattered wraith, made of smoke and skeletal fragments, staggers away from the well, clinging to its ghoststeel axe.
Breitheamh
Preparing herself to attempt to tackle Lune out of the elemental engulfing her, Shad is just a moment too late, as Lune frees herself, the light bursting through the undead creature.

But with the wraith now standing in front of them, Shad sneers intently and rushes forward to bring her halberd crashing down upon it.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
attack the wraith creature
 (1d20+5)[ 14 ] 
Damage  (1d10+3)[ 9 ] 
 
TriciaOso
Stripped of its elemental armor and already having barely survived the earlier consecration of the Arrowhead, the tattered wraith turns and flees, sixty feet straight away from Lune down the road.
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
 "Don't let it get away!"   Aupti moves after it, sending a thorny vine to wrap around it.
 
 Spoiler 

60' Thorn Whip,  (1d20+5)[ 13 ]  for  (1d6)[ 5 ]  piercing and 10' yank back towards us.
 
zylodrizzt
In the creatures retreat hasgraek dives for cover behind the well seemingly supernaturally quickly. He pricks his finger on an arrow before notching and firing into the creature his blood adding extra weight and impact to the blow.

(Probably no longer hidden but probably have a cover bonus. Hit ac 16 for 7 damage)
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  2/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Sopping wet, but far from disheartened, Lune aims a lambent lance at the undead, reciting her usual prayer in Celestial.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Lambent Lance
 

 
 
  
Breitheamh
Shad bolts for the fleeing creature, putting in every surge of adrenaline she could muster, desperately hoping to hold it here.  She sprints full tilt and tries to tackle the wraith in a bear hug, hoping against hope that they do not let this dangerous monster live to fight another day.

 "Not today!"  she yells, and surges forward to pull it in close.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Move 30 feet
ACtion surge dash move another 30 feet
Attempt to grapple it and thus prevent it from leaving  (1d20+7)[ 11 ] 
 
TriciaOso
The wight is very ragged and reduced by first the initial consecration of the Arrowhead, and now by the barrage of attacks on it; but it is no longer compelled to flee by Lune's turning, and so it turns and vents its rage on Shad, enveloping the fighter in an icy cloud of necrotic energy and replenishing its life force somewhat. It battens onto her, determined to consume her life.

 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS
The wight attacks Shad and crits, doing 12 dmg. It absorbs the hp. It remains engaged with Shad.

DAMAGE
Aupti - 3 dmg
Lune - 14 dmg
Shad - 12 dmg (-6 to max HP)

Wight - 5 dmg

INITIATIVE
22 - Water Wight
18 - Aupti
16 - Shad
7 - Hasgraek
6 - Lune
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Aupti moves 10' closer, then swipes forwards with his staff, which temporarily buds another thorny vine, which whips out and curls about the wight's neck.  He pulls back, hoping to yank the creature past Shad.
 
 Spoiler 

Thorn Whip, Attack  (1d20+5)[ 25 ]  for  (1d6)[ 5 ]  and 10' push.  May be enough that Shad can move away for free if she needs to.  crit! 10? 
 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  2/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

With another short prayer, another spear of light erupts from Lune's staff... And strikes down the creature.
 
 
  
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek slips from behind the well to a corner of a building quickly while the undead is distracted and lets loose another arrow
TriciaOso
The lambent lance burns away the last of the ragged wight, leaving Hasgraek's arrow to go astray.

Once again you're out of combat, victorious but with significant injuries. You have only a couple of hours left until dawn.
J-H
 Aupti 
"You two look pretty torn up."  Aupti approaches Shad and Lune, muttering an incantation for each to heal them.
 
 Spoiler: Healing 

Shad  (1d8+3)[ 5 ] 
Lune  (1d8+3)[ 9 ] 
 
Breitheamh
Shad gratefully sits down, near exhaustion from each engagement, and accepts Aupti's medicine with a weak smile.  She was getting close to her limit, but she knew this wasn't over.  And every bit that she could push herself to do was something no one else had to.

She dusts herself off wearily and rests her poleaxe across her shoulders, using it to stretch her tired arms and try to force some life back into them.

 "Thank you, Aupti.  Now come on... we still have more work to do.  I spend a lotta time in the Arrowhead, and I'd rather not run into any nasty beasties walking home from the pub next week." 
 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Use Second Wind to regain  (1d10+2)[ 5 ]  hp
 
zylodrizzt
 Are ye sure eryone can keep it up?   Hasgraek says from a small distance away not sure if he's welcome or not. Aupti hadn't said anything yet but that turning had him spooked as well.  The lotta ye have takin a beating. Maybe call it a night?  he says out of concern and the desire to not get into any further frenzy. He'd thought he had a handle on it but he clearly needed more help.
J-H
 Aupti 
 "The cursed undead won't decide to stop even if we do.  They don't tire or sleep.  It's one night a year, and this is our solemn duty to... everyone.  We're not even in the most dangerous areas." 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  11/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

The night was slowly coming to an end. Lune was spent, but Aupti's healing touch soothed her somewhat. Interestingly, his magic felt different than hers. Still warm, but in a different kind of way. Like laying near the fire in the hearth after spending a day outside in the cold rather than feeling the invigorating warmth of a ray of sun on your skin. She stood, but gripped her staff with two hands and shifted her weight onto the weapon, catching her breathe. Aupti was right - they did owe it to everyone to keep going through the night. ''  We carry on,  '' she said with a nod. ''  We can rest after our next encounter if need be.  '' She emptied her lungs and took a long, deep breathe.
 
 
  
TriciaOso
You all begin searching through the Arrowhead once more, racking your brains for any new tricks to spot surviving enemies. Aupti keeps an eye on the behavior of the vermin in the streets, while Lune, inspired by the wight, considers the potentially unusual anatomy of the undead and looks in more unlikely places for a lurking boneless or disassembled skeletal warrior.

Reaching the Maiden's Head near the southern tip of the  banlieue , Hasgraek and Shad decide to ascend the facade to get a higher view. Both of you climb out on the sloped roof, but luck is with Shad; she is looking to the east while Hasgraek squints into the west, and so she's the one who sees it.

From up here, you can see the besieging army clear in the moonlight, beating against the wall like a tide. They keep their distance from the V of roads that define the Arrowhead, now that it's been re-consecrated by the Duke's son. In the stretch of trampled snow between their front line and the road, you can see a small figure moving towards the Arrowhead. It seems to be fleeing from a fallen dire bat, shot down by the city's defenses in that no-mans-land.

Is it a necromancer who lost his mount? A captive whose captor was shot down, trying desperately for a safe zone? Something else? Whatever it is, the enemy forces are too focused on attacking the Harvest Gate to notice it yet. The sun is gleaming around that horizon; their window of opportunity is almost over. The figure is about one hundred yards from the boundary of the Ruelle Cadette, but moving slowly, struggling through the mud and slush.

   
Breitheamh
Shad points out the running figure to Hasgraek and calls down to the others,  "There's someone out there running this way.  Don't know if they're friendly, so be ready." 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek is already on his way sneaking from cover to cover to get a closer look. Everyone else was beat up so he hoped to eliminate the threat before anyone else could get hurt
TriciaOso
Leaving the rest of the party behind, Hasgraek crosses the Ruelle Cadette, crossing into the trampled snow fields around the city walls. The movements of the undead army have churned the snow to muddy slush in places, and in others the wind has created natural drifts and heaps of snow. Picking your way through the slush, Hasgraek moves seventy feet through the snowfield and almost reaches the figure fleeing the fallen dire bat.

As Hasgraek gets closer, he can see that the figure is a small girl of nine or ten, weeping and staggering through the snow. Unlike Hasgraek, she has not been picking her course carefully and is mired in a mudpit. Her only thought seems to be to get away from the necromancer that kidnapped her and its hideous mount, although Hasgraek cannot see any sign of pursuit. She is not in nightclothes, but her simple peasant shift and soft shoes are not much better suited to the snow.

 
 Spoiler: Hasgraek 
As you open your mouth to speak, you see a movement from on top of one of the snow piles, and feel a sudden pain in your chest. You look down to see an icy arrow buried in your heart, and up to see a small figure of ice and snow almost invisible in the snowdrift; you can only make out its tiny black eyes. A wave of cold and exhaustion overcomes you and you fall unconscious facedown in the snow.
 


Everyone else sees Hasgraek suddenly collapses, seventy feet away. The girl screams.

   
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
 "A Beli!  Frost sprite.  We'll have to get its attention!" 
Aupti stomps his way through the snow towards Hasgraek, summoning up some flames and hurling that the heat will damage or drive it off.
 
 Spoiler 

Move 3 N and 6 E.
Produce Flame  (1d20+5)[ 16 ]  for  (1d8)[ 3 ]  fire
 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  11/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Although she doesn't spot other enemies, Lune moves cautiously towards the one she can see, taking cover next to a snow dune, and unleashes a lance of light

 
 Spoiler: actions 
move 30ft and lambent lance
 

 
 
  
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek feels the pain explode from the wound in his chest. He peers over to the point of origin then he spins around to maybe glimpse his allies for the last time. They had been so brave and thus far hadn't outed him even tho he could be a danger to them all. He gave a weak smile hoping that they understood that he appreciated them before yanking out the arrow and fell backwards into the snow. He thinks  so this is how it ends. Guess someone cursed as such its best i die now else i hurt someone more then i could have ever helped. I hope they can help that girl... hope aupti keeps them other 2 safe...  before falling unconcious
Breitheamh
Seeing Hasgraek go down, Shad sprints for the spot, screaming and flailing her arms like a madwoman, hoping desperately that she can make herself enough of a target that the creature will leave Hasgraek and the girl alone.
TriciaOso
The beli snarls and chatters noisily, its voice loud in the empty snowfield, then fires its bow at Shad. The arrow goes entirely astray, however.

The little girl manages to climb out of the muddy wallow and runs to Shad's side, weeping.

   
 
 Spoiler: Aupti 
Your keen eyes pick up at least three more Beli burrowing through the snow towards you all.
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
Aupti runs across the snow to Hasgraek before reaching him and flopping down to cast a spell.  Mist swirls around his hand, turning blue and then green, as Hasgraek's bleeding is stopped and his body re-absorbs some of the blood.  The druid looks up.   "Three more are coming, under the snow!  We may be in trouble!" 

Aupti stays low, lying on the snow, so he's a harder target.  His owlbear fur armor keeps him from feeling any of the chill dampness.

 
 Spoiler 

Move 30', Cure Wounds  (1d8+3)[ 6 ] 
 
Breitheamh
Shad darts her eyes around warily, holding her halberd at the ready.   "Just stay behind me, kid,"  she says through her teeth, trying to keep her wits in the escalating danger.

 "Aupti!  Can Hasgraek move?  Can one of you take the girl and run?" 
 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Ready an action to attack the first thing that comes into my reach.
 
zylodrizzt
This would not be like the first time he woke up after he was turned. He would keep himself under control. He woke up unstartled unfazed pure focus. Shad called for the child to be ushered away and so it shall be. In a blink hasgraek scoops up the child and rushes back to somewhere away from danger back the way he had come (if math serves me right then 45ft back I think)
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  11/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune moves forward towards the closest snowdrift. She cannot see the other creatures Aupti mentioned, so she remains on her guard. With another quick prayer in Celestial, she fires a bolt of light towards the Beli, hoping to help cover Hasgraek's retreat

 
 Spoiler: actions 
moves about 20ft and lambent lance
 

 
 
  
TriciaOso
The blast of light destroys the Beli, which explodes in a puff of snow. The fire and brilliant light of Aupti and Lune's spells seem to have been especially hard on these spirits of cold and darkness.

Hasgraek runs towards the street that marks the consecrated border of the Arrowhead with the little girl. The three shapes burrowing through the snow tunnel closer, then burst out, three more Beli. They hiss and aim their bows at Aupti, having scented his druidic magic after the healing.

 

Aupti's prone position is his salvation, all three arrows going astray.
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
Aupti uses his staff to stand, then motions with it, flinging a magical vine at the northernmost Beli to pull it closer.  He then retreats 15' west and drops prone again.
 
 Spoiler 

Thorn Whip  (1d20+5)[ 22 ]  for  (1d6)[ 6 ]  piercing and pull 10' south.
 
Breitheamh
As Aupti pulls the creature, Shad settles her timing, takes a breath, and slams her fists together, runic light glowing dimly from underneath her armor along her shoulders and arms.

As she pulls back her fist for a strike, a nearly invisible force shimmers as it disturbs the cold air around her hand, and as she strikes forward with a wild battle yell, the force extends viciously forward toward the enemy being yanked inside her extended reach.

 
 Spoiler: Mechanics 
Bonus Action activate Eldritch Claw Tattoo
Action attack Beli using new 15 ft. reach with unarmed strike
 (1d20+6)[ 23 ] 
Damage  (1d6+4)[ 6 ]  bludgeoning +  (1d6)[ 3 ]  force.
 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  15  | HP:  11/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune takes a few steps forward so the southern-most beli would be in reach of her spells. Seeing as her radiant weapons seem quite painful to the creatures - and since her magical energy was running low - she casts another lambent lance... but the creature reacted faster than she expected and dodged the spell.
 
 
  
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek whispers to the girl through gritted teeth trying to be as unintimidating as possible after snatching the child up and fighting off his hunger "Get back, stay down, hide." The healing had taken the edge off the hunger but it still stung. Hasgraek heads back out stumbling along. Bow gripped in hand he launches an arrow at... apparently nothing. These creatures were hard to spot from thier surroundings.
TriciaOso
The little girl nods and pelt back across the road into the dubious safety of the Arrowhead, hiding behind a horse trough.

Meanwhile, Shad's attack blasts one of the remaining Beli into ice crystals, but the other two are unscathed. They chitter at each other, and turn their beady black eyes to the dim glow of sunrise beginning to peak over the highlands to the east. Flitting their icy wings they vanish into the wind. The armies of the dead you can see across the plains are beginning to vanish as well, their spirits retreating from the sun into the north; the living necromancers among them mounting their aerial cavalry to escape.
zylodrizzt
 Well... better get the wee lass ta safe ground.  Hasgraek hopes that the child will once again trust him to carry her or at least help her along to somewhere safe. He walks up to her and crouches down.  Ill give ya a ride or at least let us get ya somewhere a tinsy bit dryer an safer. Whats your name lass?  along the way he asks her about herself to keep her calm and comfortable. Afterwards he takes a break to calm his hunger.
TriciaOso
Sniffling, she crawls out from behind the horse trough.

 "Clara,"  she says.  "Mama was right, I shouldn't have gone outside."  Her eyes are huge and traumatized.

   
 
 Spoiler: Passive Perception 10+ 
The doll she was carrying a moment ago is gone.

 
 Spoiler: Passive Perception 15+ 
You hear an eerie giggling coming from somewhere nearby.
 

 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 14/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Aupti looks around.   "Did anyone hear that?  And where did her doll go?"   He motions for the group to cluster together, while summoning a flame in his hand to better illuminate the area (Produce Flame).
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  11/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

''  I-I don't hear anything, no...  '' Lune says with a shiver. ''  But you're right... where did the doll go?  '' She moves closer to Aupti and the others, equipping her shield.
 
 
  
TriciaOso
Clara sniffles.  "She ran away! I thought she was my friend! I crawled out the window to save her an' got caught by the bad guys and then she just ran off and left me!"  She bursts into fresh tears.

At first only the most perceptive of you can hear the scampering of tiny feet and the malicious giggles, but all of you hear the whispered  oof  and the clatter as the doll trips and skids off a roof and lands in the muddy street. Before anyone can react, it raises its porcelain face and lets out an ear-piercing evil cackle.

   
Clara screams as everyone but Hasgraek falls to the ground and begins laughing hysterically along with the doll. She dives back behind the horse trough.

 
 Spoiler: Cackle 
On a failed saving throw, a creature takes 5 psychic damage and is incapacitated for 1 minute as it is overcome by a fit of laughter. At the end of each of its turns, the creature can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success. A creature that succeeds on this saving throw is immune to this doll’s Cackle for 24 hours.
 

 
 Spoiler: Initiative 
INITIATIVE
18 - Aupti
16 - Shad
10 - Clara
7 - Hasgraek
6 - Lune
1 - Doll
 
zylodrizzt
This was bad. No one was fit to fight. Hasgraek was tired and just wanted a beer. He takes out his alchemy jug. He lifts it high and as the first drop falls he says  party  in dwarvish. The thick words of the dwarves sounds very close to the actual command word that would prevent the elemental he now summoned from attacking the person using it and the timing somehow gave him control of the elemental. He takes his sip and quickly turns it around causing a spray of beer to begin spinning around the doll (using water elementals whelm).
TriciaOso
The amber brown beer elemental engulfs the doll and traps it in place; it cannot drown, but it also cannot escape. It struggles and giggles madly to itself, but does not repeat its cackle.
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek pops from behind the horse trough landing a solid hit right in the dolls throat to silence it while the beer thrashes the doll throughly before ducking back to cover Clara. Before they all know it the doll is no longer moving beer logged banged up and with an arrow sprouting from its neck. The beer elemental drops it at hasgraek feet  Uh sorry lass...  as he pulls the arrow from its neck.
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 9/17 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
 "Whatever that is, we can't trust it. And it wasn't your friend, it was mean and trying to trick you into danger."   Aupti pins the doll under his quarterstaff, helping make sure it is held still for someone to destroy it with a bladed weapon.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  11/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

''  We need to exorcise the poor thing but, Lukas forbid, I do not have the energy right now to banish another evil spirit... the water wight was taxing enough.''   She pauses a moment, looks at the young girl, then at the little squirming doll, caught under Aupti's staff, and sighs:   ''I'm sorry Clara. You probably won't like the other solution... we need to burn it. That should release the evil spirit trapped inside.''  .''
 
 
  
J-H
 Aupti 
Aupti wordlessly summons magical flames on the doll.  It may damage his quarterstaff, but he's been considering getting a nice slab of wood to serve as a shield instead, anyway.
 
 Spoiler 

Create Bonfire,  (1d8)[ 4 ]  fire damage, Dex DC 13 save to negate but I don't think the thing is animate currently.  Concentration, will hold it as long as needed.
 
TriciaOso
Clara hides behind Hasgraek while the doll twists and burns in the conjured fire. By the time it's ashes, the sun is well and truly up, and the forces of Blackreach have quit the field. You are met by Mason Ci Git, and are privy to the moment where the dour priest goes from certainty he is retrieving your corpses to relief you are still alive. It's a short moment, but it's there.

 "There you are,"  he says. He glances at the pile of ashes and burnt porcelain.  "Playing with dolls, I see. We've been getting reports all night about such things. This little one is lucky you got her back."  He scoops up Clara, and the little girl embraces the marquis wearily. She can't see the grim expression on his face as he thinks about the children who weren't rescued from the necromancers.

 "Come. There are cots for you in the barracks, and fools eager to return to this benighted place." 

 


When you awaken from your rest, it's late in the afternoon of the first day after the seige. Beatrice awaits you.

 "Another year down. The city thanks you all, and I hope we see you again."  She looks you each over with a keen and practiced eye.  "By next year, I think you'll have grown into something quite formidable. There is a change that comes upon people, when they dedicate their lives to this kind of fight. You've already taken the first steps on that path... but I think you are all on the verge of a greater awakening, and I hope you remember us when the nights grow long once more. Either way, the city will remember your sacrifice." 

She hands each of you a second steel challenge coin, similar to the ones you received last year. On one face is the coat of arms for the city -- bell, book and candle -- and on the back a representation of the name of the year. However, the designs of this one are plated with bronze, making them standout more crisply against the surface. A distinction for your second years of service.

   
J-H
      
    
 Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 14 HP: 24/24 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

The next year is a bit of a mixed bag, as they say, for Aupti.  Mostly good, but with a few sour fruits mixed in.  Aupti has once again survived, and this time without even taking many serious injuries!
He is able to honestly tell his parents that he's getting pretty good at this.  They are mildly encouraging... but take him aside later to indicate how proud of him they are.  They'll only say that in private because they do not want his younger brothers feeling pressured to take up a regular commitment to risking their lives in battle far from home.


He spends a week every month working with Yupik, practicing the use of magic in battle.  They both end up feeling like he's doing pretty well, although there's always room for improvement.  She shares more stories of her own experiences, including one night where they both get fairly drunk and tell about some of the nightmarish things they've seen.  Yupik has worse stories, for now.

Aupti makes some reasonably good decisions when asked to advise on which pigs and sheep should be bred.  Those who take his advice have better than normal outcomes when birthing time comes in late spring, and he's told that he'll have a few animals reserved for him come fall... some to eat, some to butcher and preserve, and some to sell at market.

As always, he also spends time hunting, and finds a nice glade near a stream to the north of town that seems like a great spot to build a home.

Continuing to be successful, he's still a top prospect in the rural marriage market, and spends some of his time figuring out who is worth talking to, and who is looking for a path to an easy life of wealth.   There is a complication, though....

One area of the woods to the south seems to be more magical than in years past.  Cherry trees are blossoming there in unprecedented numbers, and several hunters have reported animals acting with unnatural coordination.  Aupti, as someone who "can fix problems like that" gets three separate requests over the span of a week, and plans a longer trip to the area, taking his shield and his burned staff with him.  He meets a lady of the woods there, with grey-brown skin, slender limbs, and hair that waves back and forth in shades of pink, white, and red.  Aupti finds himself trusting her immediately and spends several days talking to her, recounting his battles and learning more about animals, and how to separate illusion from reality, and find tricks.

At one point, she asks if he finds her beautiful enough to stay with her forever.  He lies.  She laughs.  Yupik comes looking for him a few days later, yelling and threatening, and he has to help calm everyone down.  Before he departs, Cherry gives him a staff with a bit of sunlight captured in it.  Freshly grown straight and strong from a tree, it simply 'falls off' when she touches it.

To take up with one of the fey is folly.  Aupti thinks about folly a lot for the next few months.  The seasons change, and it gets cold.  The busy time of harvest passes, as does butchering time once all the nuts are off the trees and eaten by the pigs.  Soon, he's on the road again, returning to the familiar grounds of Coldwater.  Maybe he should visit it in summer, instead of only when it's the dead of winter.
That'd get him farther from trouble, too, although he still doesn't want to live in such a place.
zylodrizzt
Before the next year.

To aupti.
Hasgraek pulls aupti to the side.  Lad... uh.... I think ye saw of me something that maybe werent so pretty during the fight with that ink demon thingy... Wanna thank ya for not saying nothing an well.... continuing to trust me... saving me life an all. It means a great deal ta me. Could i ask fer ya ta keep that to yerself please? I dont think too many folk like to think thier neighbor might snack on thier throat... tho perhaps some might if ye catch my meaning. Bwahahaha  hasgraek says to try to lighten the seriousness of the conversation.

To shatterheart
Clasping forearms  Another fine fight as always lass! Been a gonner without ye. Fore long won't be able to keep up with ye. Hope to keep seeing ya around here this next year.  

To lune
 ye make yer god proud lass keeping us from the grave. Will ye be staying in coldwater? Dont suppose yer keen on keeping that trench coat are ye? 

To Clara
 Sorry to kill yer dollie lass... what were her name?... Ill get you a new one but if this one begins moving on its own you make sure to get someone ok you shouldnt chase after or anything. 

To beatrice
Fishing the vial of blood ink out Found this when clearing buildings. Thought maybe you ought ta take a look see. 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  5/16   | HIT DICE:  2d8 (1spent)
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune replies to Hasgraek: ''  I am but a humble servant. I make manifest the will of my Gods, Hasgraek, nothing more. As for your question, I do wish to stay in Coldwater this year, but I very well might need to travel back to visit my parents... We shall see. And no, I wasn't planning on keeping the trench coat, but I was thinking Flit might clean and repair it first. Are you asking because you would have liked to have it? You should come visit us for tea and we could have it fitted, if you'd like?  '' Lune was looking at him as if she had something more to say, but she decided not to and simply waited for the dwarf's reply.
 
 
  
J-H
 Aupti 
(to Hasgraek)
 "Doesn't everyone eat some kind of meat?  Yours just happens to be more liquid sometimes.  It seems natural enough.  It's not your full-time diet - I've seen you eat pie and other foods."   He shrugs.
zylodrizzt
Reply to lune
 Aye lass that be the size of it and sizing it is what youd like to do then aye ill watch ya drink tea an you can watch me drink mead. Bwahaha.   he belly laughs at his silly jokes.

(I assume we do just that. I'll let lune flavor that if she wants. Might rp off that too)

Reply to aupti
 Suppose yer right lad thank you kindly and i allso suppose i wont see much of you before next war but i hope that changes soon. 

The next year
Hasgraek made good on his promise he spent a good deal on a doll he thought looked similar enough to the one that was destroyed but he had it warded properly before he gave it to Clara. He saved this little girls life so he felt a bit responsible for her. So he pestered Clara's parents until they gave in about visiting her and sometimes taking her to do things which he was really training her disguising it as fun. He didn't want to see the girl get hurt. This place was far too dangerous.

Hasgraek moves out of dilvas house and with trenchcoat in hand Hasgraek takes over the small barn taking care of horses and renting them our. Everyone there calls him John and he doesn't bother correcting them tho he does move the proper ownership to himself. While fixing up the place he finds a bag hidden there. He sensed something unusual about this bag so when he goes to dump it out it expels many of the supplies he'd need to get this place going. Must have cost those kobolds all of thier savings to try and save thier supplies in this magic bag. It's a rough year alls told Hasgraek didn't really have a good handle on horses but he had a few small advantages the first coming as a young lass he'd kinda adopted (clara), she somehow knew a thing or two about horses, the next was these horses he had knew he was a predator so minded and the last is that hasgraek had awakened his blood...

Father tete had agreed to train Hasgraek in techniques to control his instincts and hunger when things got tough but it wasn't effective for Hasgraek. It involved forcing calm through meditation and breathing. Some prayer to the maiden. It was honestly all good stuff but it wasn't very effective for Hasgraek. He was more a doer and this seemed too passive to him. He started working with his blood tho late at night in his barn. He had found that he could augment his attacks with his blood and now he wanted to find out what more he could do with his blood. He found he could make many sorts of dangerous weapons out of it like growing spikes everywhere on his body or making a literal hammer fist. He could fire or throw it as he wished. Push it out of his body manipulating it however he wished. All sorts of things. Next he found that he could enhance his various skills he had in a variety of ways. If he wanted some involved manipulating blood in ways but others he found was seemingly awakening true vampire powers like Telepathy. It was more limited but he could establish links with creatures minds like he did with the horses occasionally. He found he could borrow some Expertise in skills by probing memories. This was exciting. It meant he had a new way to investigate his wifes whereabouts as of course he did so. He spent seemingly days on end sending his mind far and wide pushing that Telepathy beyond it's limits for just a small glimpse of where his wife might be or where to go next. Anything at all and just the smallest hint just the tiniest whisper he located her... of course he suspected it all along... the whisper was from black reach. If he was patient he suspected he would run into her again if he remained here and fought the fight. When he came out of this search he was beyond hungry and he almost attacked his horses so hard to resist. He got a thought from them  no dont please  it begged. At that point it seemed as if his mind was thinking clearly but his body was working on its own. He thought of his body at that point more like a machine and his mind was at the controls. He could pull the levers as he seen fit. Force his body to do what he said what he thought and he could do this by manipulating his blood around while still inside his body. His body will do what his mind commanded even under protest. Once he realized this he pulled out the vial he had gotten within the last battle and put it inside him. He had found that he didn't actually have to "drink" the blood all he had to do was touch it and he could will it inside himself. He had found that food began tasting bad but honestly he no longer needed it but in order to look normal he'd add blood secretly to the food or eat barely cooked meat.

He did his best with his little horse business but between all the spoiling of clara and the expenses of the business like switching ownership and repairs he found himself needing to make more money so he continued diving for treasure and he searched for someone who would need a steady supply of acid and he found a few buyers of all sorts. Acid was useful for many things. He found enough buyers to recoup some of the losses he had during the year but he didn't find them soon enough. Next year would be better. He went on to sell a little bit of everything that he could produce with his alchemy jug drawing out whatever he could from it including the being he could summon from there. Not only that but he also stored things for later from it such as acid he hadn't sold yet or oil or beer.

He might be poor might have to budget and make sacrifice but all in all it was a good year. A better year then what he'd been having recently. He looked forward to this year's war. Just like those 3 kobolds that had this barn before he stored what he could and took his horses into the city.
NiKkatsu
@Hasgraek: Lune invites Hasgraek over to the Honeyed Pot, the inn where she was staying in a high end part of town. They sit at a large table near the hearth, where a fire was burning lazily. Ogham brews and pours Lune some tea and offers a bottle of mead to Hasgraek. Flit arrives a few moments later with the trench coat found during Wintertide - it had been cleaned so well that it almost seemed new. Flit asked Hasgraek to stand and started taking measurements. Lune and Hasgraek were in conversation during the whole time, the woman finding the dwarf's heartfelt humor and honest way of speaking quite refreshing when compared to the boring pleasantries exchanged in high society. At one point during the conversations she becomes a bit more serious and asks, straight to the point: ''  Tell me Hasgraek: how did you become... whatever it is that you are? I don't mean a dwarf, of course. The other thing. And please, do not worry - you can speak plainly before Flit and Ogham. If I'm being completely honest, it is a little unorthodox for a priestess of the Celestial Court to ally herself with an undead. I suppose I just want to be absolutely certain that we are on the same side here. Of course, I cannot deny your contribution to protecting Coldwater during Wintertide but, well... I guess I need to hear it from you, is all.  ''

  the 2nd year  
Lune spent the first part of the year trying make a name for herself in Coldwater. She had already survived two Wintertides - which was no small feat, and came with some recognition - and she knew her family's name also held some weight, even as far away from home as Coldwater was. But where to start, she thought? First, she spent a lot of her time wandering the streets, offering advice, blessings or healing to the common folk. Sometimes she would also collect alms, but often times she would simply dispense her help for free, reminding the people to offer a prayer to the Celestial Court in times of need. The townsfolk seemed to appreciate her warm and caring nature and, before long, would start coming to her to request all kinds of help. Back in Kingseat, she had always been looked down upon for her fondness of the smallfolk, but here in Coldwater it was a diffferent story.
Father Rudolph Negentien, the highest ranking priest of the Celestial Court in Coldwater, quickly noticed the young woman's devotion and piety and approached her. He told her that the faith of the Celestial Court was waning in Coldwater and that he had no remaining acolytes, but that he could take Lune as his pupil if she so wished, which she accepted. She had only one condition: that her advisor, Ezrim, who was also a priest of the Celestial Court, be also allowed to work under father Negentien, which he accepted. Together, the three of them started holding masses again in the old church of the Celestial Court, but the building was quite rundown and very few people showed up. As the weeks went by and Lune was starting to curry favor with the townsfolk, more people showed up, but attendance remained quite low... Nonetheless, she felt that her connection to the Court - and Lukas in particular - was growing over the weeks after Wintertide and she decided it might help to attract more people if she could do something about the Church.
She decided to write to her parents, asking them for a considerable stipend that could be used to renovate the Church, and decided to send Ogham to deliver this letter himself. When she told father Rudolph, he was overjoyed with the idea. Since Lune felt she might be staying for quite some time in Coldwater, she thought it would be smart to invest in a small property. She asked Ezrim to find a suitable place while she tried to secure a loan to help with the initial payment. She spent weeks organizing meetings with nobility in Coldwater, but most of them wanted her to marry into their family in exchange for their money, which seemed unacceptable to Lune. Finally, almost by chance, she secured a small loan not from nobility, but from a woman of the merchant class who had recently come into some money after her husband had died called Serra Hull. The woman had heard that Lune was planning to help renovate the Church and she wanted to be sure her carpenter guild would be hired for the job, which Lune accepted.
Meanwhile, Ogham had returned with a reply from the Nyxes - they would not be sending any more money to their daughter until she returned home to Kingseat. The letter was somewhat accusatory, calling her an 'ungrateful child', amongst other things. Lune had a feeling her family simply wanted to parade their little 'hero' around - although they wouldn't admit it, her rapid rise in the ranks of the Church and, now, her successes during Wintertide were quite good for the Nyx name. Reluctantly, she returned to visit her family, accompanied by Flit and Ogham. Ezrim remained in Coldwater to support Father Negentien and finish some of the paperwork related to their new 'estate.' Indeed, estate was a rather polite word for the place, but, apparently, property was not so easy to find in Coldwater. In a sense, it was humbling for Lune - perhaps a more modest way of living wouldn't be such a bad thing if she was to remain in Coldwater (especially if she needed to keep begging her parents for money every year).
Not much happened during her trip to Kingseat. It was mostly the usual platitudes - a feast here, a feast there, visiting some family, being spoken down to by her father and brothers, etc, etc...  She mostly smiled and pretended to be enjoying herself, being as polite as can be. Actually, Lune couldn't wait to return to her new life in Coldwater, but she spent at least three whole months in Kingseat, which was much more than enough... By the time she finally returned to Coldwater, Wintertide was only about 4-5 months away. When she arrived, she spent some more time settling into her new place and then got the repairs on the Church started. Luckily, Ezrim had already mostly taken care of making Lune's new home ready for her arrival, but the man was somewhat austere and that was reflected in his sense of interior decor, so Flit decided she would make the place a little more homely.
While all of this was unfolding, Lune thought she might need to toughen up before the next Wintertide and she decided to contact Shad, whom she knew was a strong fighter. Shad accepted to train Lune. Their sparring sessions were difficult - especially since Lune had almost no experience fighting - but beneficial. The young priestess learned how to use her spells defensively and, after many weeks of training, while she was still far from being able to stand up to Shad in a fight, was at least capable to roll with some of her blows before needing to tap out. It was progress enough.
Now Lune was quite happy with the way her first whole year in Coldwater had unfolded, and she was feeling ready for the coming Wintertide
zylodrizzt
@Lune
Hasgraek sets down his mug.  So you an aupti know... guess i couldnt hide it from a priestess. Cant say i know much bout the specifics. Youd probably know more... the lady of the longdark did something... id have turned fully if not for her. I was told that even tho it is rare and it is accepted in these parts... you know being from this sorta region... that i should still be discreet. I still have a bit to learn about managing the cravings havent been this for very long but im learning. Ive got my reasons to keep fighting the wintertide dont ye doubt that im on this side of the war. Think the lady of the long dark put me here for some sorta reason.  he says arms crossed. It's not hard to tell he didn't really want to talk about this. The jovality lacking in his words.  Doing me best ta make the most of it.  giving one of those half smiles that say 'wish I didn't tho'
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 18 HP: 31/31 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  


Another year gone, another night of exhaustion and terror made slightly less-so by the camaraderie of those Shad had fought and bled with.

She clasps Hasgraek back, gives him a slight smirk, and replies,  “You can’t keep up with me NOW, Icegrip.”   But as the stolid dwarf addresses Clara, the smile fades…. She could not help herself but imagine the fates of the children who didn’t get so lucky, the ones who would never come home, or if they did, only as a body without a soul.

Shad pulled in Aupti for an embrace that almost took herself by surprise.   “I’m really glad you didn’t die back there, Aupti.  I, um…well just thanks, I guess.” 

And finally for Lune,  “Thank you for everything you did tonight…if, um…y’know, you want, keep in touch, alright?” 

As Wintertide came to a close once again, life began its trudge back into normality, but…well, Shad felt a little closer to home now, felt a little more familiar with the place now, the people.  Still, the “normality” of Coldwater is never quite normal.  The dead were consecrated, buried, burned, given honor and respect that few outside of their blood brothers and sisters could understand.  The pall of darkness left its weight on the populace, but light always managed to shine.  Shad rubbed at her new bronze coin with her thumb, compared it to the steel one from last year.  From steel was forged strength, but bronze?  Bronze was weaker than steel…what was the meaning here?

A month into the new year, after her latest bout, , a narrow victory against an opponent that Shad should have bested easily, Thuma invited Shad to her home for the first time.  It was not what Shad had expected, though she really had no idea what she would have expected anyway.  It was a simple home, built sturdy and true, but every wall was covered in beautifully carved runes, swirling, and somehow thrumming with power.  A forge stood just outside the home, and tools for metal and stone working hung neatly along walls, with shelves of notebooks and pinned blueprints just beneath them.  A craftswoman’s home then… Shad absentmindedly began to trace the runes with her fingers, staring at the sketches, her mind wandering off again about the bronze coin. But someone was saying something…

 “Huh?  Oh, sorry Mistr-uh, Thuma.  I um…” 
 “Got distracted?”  Thuma asks, smiling gently, the hint of reproach apparent in her tone.   “That’s been happening a lot lately, hasn’t it?” 
 “Yeah, I um, didn’t realize you were a crafter.”  
 “I am only Thuma,”  the smirk still played against her eyes.  Thuma knew exactly what to expect from Shad next.

 “Right…yeah I still don’t get that.  Do I get an explanation this time?” 

A silent, slow shake of Thuma’s head.

A grunt of exasperation from Shad.

 “You need something…  What do you think it is?”  Thuma proffered.

 “Um, focus?”  Shad looked at Thuma exasperated, like it was obvious.  She knew this; she knew she got distracted in her last fight, obviously she needed to focus better, so why all the gravitas?

 “Eh, yes and no,”  Thuma answered.   “You need to focus on something ELSE right now.  You are right to question the bronze coin, but you need somewhere to do it so that you can still function properly in other contexts.” 
 “Wait, how did you know—?” 
 “I have my ways…. Now, start the forge.” 

Shad looked over at the forge…  “Um, I don’t know how.” 
 “Well, then, focus,”  Thuma said, as she moved into the kitchen and pulled on an apron.   “I’ll prepare us a meal.  You start the forge.” 


And so Shad went to work studying under Thuma.  Thuma refused to spar with her at all during this time, and for a long time Shad questioned what could possibly be gained from this.  Yes, the work was physically draining, but what was she supposed to learn from forging and smithing?  Nevertheless, Thuma was patient with her, as first she learned to bring the fire to temperature.  To feed it and nurture it, to let it breathe and become a life unto itself.  Then she began to learn metal selection, how each metal reacted differently in certain temperatures and could either destroy itself, or another metal, or bring out the best in both.

While Shad struggled to understand what she was learning about combat from Thuma, she made her own practice, pushing herself in the bouts, rising further in the ranks.  Soon others began looking to her for tips and coaching, which she tried to deliver, but never felt like she was really giving any kind of good advice.  As she settled into her rhythm of working, she continued to steadily improve at whatever she set her mind to.  Merchants were starting to ask for her by name and reputation as security.  The foremen at the docks set aside shifts they knew she would excel at.  And with success came comfort, pleasures of the flesh, some amount of arrogance even.

Shad’s relationship with Verglas seemed to progress again, and with her newfound confidence came an honest effort to repair any damage that had been done, to tell her who she really was, and to hopefully see if they could be more than friends.  But Verglas was seeing a different Shad now, a more comfortable, more cocky Shad.  The kind of person that Charity used to be when she was desperately searching for her place in the world and cowering in fear from her parents, presenting the smirking champ to the world while hiding the crying girl inside.  Shad told Verglas everything, true, but that was when the realization hit the rather insightful battlefield medic; Shad was hurting, and looking for some way to dull the pain, and feel belonging, and Verglas… well as much as she liked Shad, and frankly thought Charity was pretty great as well, knew that it was a discovery Shad needed to make on her own.

After Verglas well and truly let her go, Shad threw herself into her studies with Thuma, but despite her efforts to force the understanding into her mind, she could not connect what she was learning with fighting, or really anything.  Until one training session with Lune.  Lune had asked for her help in getting tougher, stronger, more able to endure the punishment that a Wintertide night brings, and Shad obliged.  But today, she had insisted that Lune put everything she had into it, spells and all, so that she could do the same and test her mettle against the more unfamiliar.  It was brutal, pounding, dangerous, a crucible…. Fire and light clashed against mettle and strength, and each of them were becoming stronger because of it…

That evening at Thuma’s she finally got the right mixture for bronze, watching the swirl of light from molten metal, the differing colors that came together to become a stronger whole, the darkness of some against the brilliance of others, and she smelted a dependable ingot of bronze.

Thuma smiled, in pride and assurance.  She held up Shad’s bronze ingot to the light, observing the faint patterns in the material, and showed them to Shad, then pointed to the place on the wall where the same markings were found.   “Now you must learn the runes.  The runes spoke to you, and you listened for the first time.  Now you can start to learn to speak back.” 

The training shifted from there, Thuma teaching the language of the runes, their uses and power, the strength that comes from the ancient, deep magic discovered and crafted by the Giants, and as Shad grew, her arrogance and cockiness began to be forced aside by her curiosity and developing wisdom.  The runes were not a force to be manipulated, but a partner to share in the glory.  Shad was beginning to understand a little more about how Lune talked about her deity and their connection.

She redoubled her efforts to clean up the fighting league, bring some legitimacy to it.  Her connections in the merchant class and among honest workers began to pay off, as she pulled more pubs into the practice of recognizing champions, enlisted donors for proper training facilities and more rich prize pools.  But things wouldn’t just change overnight.  The seedy underbelly of the city demanded that its power stay intact, and knowing that she couldn’t fight them all at once, Shad simply tried to hide their involvement from the authorities as much as possible.  But that kind of money exchange cannot stay in the dark for long, and soon there opened up new avenues of corruption and bribery.  This was still not working, Shad lamented.  How was she supposed to stave off all the predators in the criminal world who wanted a piece of the action?  How do you convince people so comfortable in their power to do the right thing?

You teach them when they’re young, she realized…

Between Clara’s near death, the orphans she saw every day join gangs and become street criminals, the beggars with debilitating injuries who could no longer provide for their children, the endless war to hold back the darkness left scars on the people of this great city.  Though the cause was just and the actions noble, they were never without cost, and a cost that, try as she might, Coldwater could not always pay.  Shad began to talk with her friends and contacts in the city about an idea: a training school for the children of war.  Somewhere that children could be safe from those who would take advantage of them for evil, could learn survival tactics and the basics of self-defense, and would have their needs provided for, to raise up the next generation of heroes ready to push back the darkness and uphold the ideals of the Shield of the North.

It was during the midst of her cataloging and tracing as many of those in need as she could that the preparations for Wintertide began again in earnest.  There was potential here, an excellent starting point with a list of names that she could start with vigor after the battle was over.  But now was to battle.

To that end, as she was perhaps making a tradition, Thuma helped Shad prepare in a way that she would not otherwise have been able to do.  She apprenticed Shad to make a new shining suit of steel plate mail.  It took weeks of hard labor, and intensive training to get used to the new weight distribution, but Shad felt more ready than ever for Wintertide’s war.  Ring forth the bells once more…
TriciaOso
 Sat too long in my silence
Grown too old in my pain
To shed this skin, be born again
It starts with an ending 

Pierre Ci Gît makes it through Wintertide, but does not survive the Spring. Outside of Coldwater, most cities and nations start the new year with the Wedding of the May Queen on the equinox three months later, and the Duke of Coldwater does not live to see the Year of the Fearless Tailor. As he passes, the flame in the Temple of the Maiden gutters and dies with him, and for a brief while the enchantments and protections on the city drift unmoored with no Ci Gît at the center of the spellcraft.

His bier burns in the courtyard of the Keep for hours, and many citizens stand vigil the whole time, shoulder to shoulder with his children. Before the pyre burns out, Domane Ci Gît lights a torch from the flames consuming her father and carries it to the Temple of the Maiden to re-light the flame at the altar. Soldiers of the guard light their own torches from the central flame and bear it forth, to the watchtowers in the walls and lighthouses in the bay.

The most vigilant and loyal standby as the ashes crumbles and cool, until they are gathered up for mortar. Repairs on the walls are still in progress, and there is no need to tear out a stone or build an unnecessary arch as has happened in the past.

Domane Ci Gît is invested as the Duchess of Coldwater in a formal ceremony that is much less significant than lighting the torch. Princes and other city leaders visit from the independent cities of the Free West; her brother Cassien journeys to the capitals of the three great eastern nations to present her regards. Domane will never leave the city again, even beyond her death.

New currency is struck; Her mother was an ice genasi beauty, and Domane's elegant profile on a coin is something to get used to after decades of her father's broken nose and scarred cheek. A scattered few are superstitious about the change and accept only the old 'ugly money.'

The Duchess re-opens discussions about expanding the walls to incorporate the Arrowhead and perhaps one or two of the largest other  banliue . People are superstitious about that, too, fearing that tampering with the walls will make them less potent, stretch the magic too thin. The discussion is tabled for another year.

Crops are sown; grow ripe; are harvested. When the fallow fields are full of snow, the tide of humanity begins to return to the city. Your feet bear you back to this courtyard once again.

 And I don't know what tomorrow brings
It's full of such possibility
But I know that I feel better when I sing
Burdens are lifted from me
That's my voice
rising 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 16 HP: 24/24 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Aupti looks around.  This time, he has a leather strap holding a wooden shield against his back, and a new staff of red cherry wood that he plays with idly.
 "Here we stand, again.  The old Duke is gone, but the new Duchess rules in her place."   He thinks back.  How many centuries has this cycle continued?  As each of his teammates returns, he greets them (or perhaps he did if they met up yesterday).

 "Hasgraek, how was your year?  Any...trouble?" 
 "Shad, that's some nice armor.  Also, you look like you've taken some punches? 
 "Luna, how was your year?" 
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek assumed that he'd be apart of the same group and he'd mainly not been about in thier comings and goings. That was partially due to the business of the year but also had to do with the awkwardness he felt with lune and aupti knowing. He'd been afraid to talk to shad about it but he thought it might be time. He asked shad to come by the stable. He did his best to host. Offered mead and meat. All the pleasantries and really didnt want it to end but he had to say something. These few people were some of the only ones he could trust and he hoped for the best as he began.  Shad... lass.... i gotta tell ya something...  he pauses trying to read her face  im not fer sure you noticed anything yet or not... there been signs i think... lune and aupti know...  he really doesn't know what to say here. He's just searching for words.  Fer crying out loud Im a blood drinker lass! and i hope you dont hate me fer it. I dont mean ta be but i am. I hope we still friends an all that  his face flushed with a slight pleading to it.

When greeted by aupti
Still feeling a bit awkward about him knowing  Not me best year lad. Tho not me worst. Lifes whats happens when ye got other ideas bout it eh bwahaha  he forces a laugh to try to break the awkwardness
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 18 HP: 31/31 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

**The Funeral**

Shad watched in fascination as the ritual moved through its steps.  It was breathtakingly beautiful in a way that probably only made sense to someone who'd experienced Wintertide in Coldwater.  Thuma stood beside her, head and shoulders above much of the crowd, the firelight glinting on her runic tattoos, and freely letting tears flow down her face.  Shad had never seen Thuma cry before, but it somehow felt right to her, not to bottle up emotion, but to experience and express it without letting it control you.  It brought tears to Shad's own eyes, and she took the cues from her mentor.

They are among the last to leave as the ashes are gathered, and Thuma kneels to trace a runic design through the besooted dirt.


**Hasgraek's Confession**

As Hasgraek stumbled through his words, about a thousand different horrifying scenarios raced through her head, most of them utterly ridiculous.  Finally he's able to get the words out, and Shad just stares at him in confusion...

 "..... I mean... gross?  I guess?"   She scrunches up her nose at the news.   "Is that, like a medical thing?  Some kinda weird training regimen?  I'm confused..." 


**The Wintertide Greetings**

Shad smirks at Aupti and retorts,  "Dished out quite a few more though.  Armor's new, yeah!  Me and Thuma made it together." 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  24/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

This year, Lune arrived accompanied by Ezrim as well as a small procession of townsfolk coming to wave her off and asking for a (perhaps final?) blessing before the Wintertide. She wore a coat of dark purple with gold trim, clad in a heavy wool cloak thrown across her shoulders. The clasp represented her family crest: a crescent moon and a star. Her thick, unruly hair had been cut short and she carried her metal staff and a shield.
The townsfolk joined together in prayer as she entered the courtyard, asking for Lukas to bless their priestess for another year. Ezrim said: ''We shall meet again at dawn, milady.'' Lune nodded, but did not speak.

She quickly joined her group: Shad, Hasgraek, Aupti. When Aupti asks about their year, she lets the others answer first before saying: ''  It has been a busy year! And apparently some of the townsfolk have taken quite a liking to me.  '' She laughs: ''  And I have a place of my own now. Oh, it's far from being a palace, but it suits me well for the time being. Perhaps after this Wintertide you could all come visit. We can have drinks and Flit will make us stew. It might warm our bones after the long night ahead."   Her expression becomes more solemn after saying this. She adds: ''  I was sad to learn about the Duke. He died while I was back in Kingseat, but I made it in time for the funeral. It was a beautiful ceremony.  '' Finally, she asks: ''  What about you Aupti? How was your year?  ''

It was both reassuring and strange to have this polite conversation with her friends, knowing all too well the horrors they were about to face...
 
 
  
J-H
 Aupti 
 "It was good, overall.  A bit befuddling at points, but I got out of it all right.  I had someone take a bit too much interest in me as a person, and she's really nice, but also doesn't want what I want.  I'm not sure how I'm going to handle it.  Saying no could be risky.  Still, I learned a lot and have deepened my understanding of magic and the way of the world..." 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  24/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and scratch her chin, surprised at what Aupti just said: ''  Maybe I could help you with your dilemma. Back at the Church in Kingseat, I would often offer couples counsel about their marital problems. I don't exactly know the specifics about your own trouble... but the point is that I'm quite insightful when it comes to relationships. Let's hear it...  '' A pause, then: ''  Um, if you don't mind sharing, that is.  ''
 
 
  
J-H
 Aupti 
 "Well, she's not human like I am, or even as close as, uhhh... another friend of ours is.  Maybe we should wait until tomorrow?"   Aupti doesn't want to be thinking about this sort of thing going into a bunch of battles for his life.
TriciaOso
The conversation is cut short by Beatrice's approach; once again, Mason Ci Git accompanies her, and nods to you all.

 "Greetings,"  she says,  "And welcome back. His Holiness requested your crew specially for a mission this year -- you must have impressed him."  The priest's smile is small and brief.

 "You did the job, in the Arrowhead. Those demonic summoning runes -- a tricky business. Trickier things yet lie ahead."

"As you know, most of our farmers and outdwellers come into the city for protection during Wintertide. However, there are a few large farms and estates that are too big and important to the city to abandoned to the dead. One of those is Hackberry Farms, to the east of the city." 

All of you know Hackberry Farms by now, for their produce, eggs, milk, cheese and meat. The Hackberry family are halflings, one of the most significant families of the little folk in Coldwater.
 
"Consecrations are laid around the farm and they have a bell on the property that can be rung through the night. And the marauders are usually more interested in the city proper thanoutlying regions. Still, they are isolated from the rest of the city and there is significant danger to the family, workers, and livestock each year. We assigned teams to support them each year."

"The team we sent last year did not return. The estate survived, but there was significant damage, and the soil itself was defiled in places. It seems the interest of Blackreach is intensifying, and this year we have promised the Hackberry family stronger protection." 
J-H
 Aupti 

Aupti listens with interest.  He has no interest in running a large market farm, but well understands the fragility of animals, trees, and crops against defilement by magic.  Much better to protect the farm than to try to rebuild it every year.  However, it will be challenging to defend - and they will have little recourse if something goes wrong.
zylodrizzt
Continued conversation with shad
A bit dumbfounded by the response but quickly turns to amusement  Bwahaha good one lass. I suppose closest thing ta this be that im just halfway between a vampire spawn an ah dwarf so... medical ta me best guesses. Been practacin with some stuff tho and keepin me wits bout me dont ye doubt. Lemme tell ye bout how this happened. Im gonna do it in yer head so ye can get the full story  he gives her the quick rundown of him being attacked by a vampire and the vision he said on the verge of death with the lady of the long dark pulling him back. He doesn't mention anything of his wife other then he misses her terribly. He then shows her physically what he had been training with his blood manipulation.


The request
 So there still be people and such at the farm? What sort of things be taking place there in years past? 
TriciaOso
 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
  So there still be people and such at the farm? What sort of things be taking place there in years past?  
 

 "Yes, although the Golden Valor fell in combat, the civilians on the farm were able to hold out the rest of the night, albeit with casualties. Nothing too untoward has happened, but certain fields or areas of the farm seem to have lost their vitality; plants wither when planted there, and they've had animals sicken if kept too close. They've also reported unfamiliar and unwholesome mushrooms growing odd corners ever since." 

Beatrice clears her throat.  "Mushrooms like that, cultivated in the Underdark, point to the Mycete  tribu . But the main detachment of Mycete troops were on the western gate -- and other undead they described afterwards didn't match the Mycete practices." 
 "Beatrice--" 

But she has the bit in her teeth now, and is ready to argue.  "Waves of skeletons, that's Jedar technique, unless there's a secret ossuary under the Hackberry Farm we didn't know about. But Jedar don't field spirits, they deal only in bones, and we found an altar to summon shades in that barn. Whatever happened at Hackberry last year killed a promising young group of adventurers and left no corpses, Mason. That's not just a legion of mindless undead--but none of the Hackberries saw even a glimpse of a necromancer or a banner." 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 16 HP: 24/24 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
Aupti swiftly grasps the implication.   "Last year's attack was by two or three different tribu working together.  We should expect mixed tactics, and something sneaky that the Golden Valor didn't see coming." 
TriciaOso
 
 Originally Posted by J-H 
       
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 16 HP: 24/24 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
Aupti swiftly grasps the implication.   "Last year's attack was by two or three different tribu working together.  We should expect mixed tactics, and something sneaky that the Golden Valor didn't see coming."  
 

Mason inclines his head.  "Yes, precisely.  Particularly ambitious individuals sometimes separate from their clan and ally with other independent necromancers and warriors to form a coterie. We cannot be sure this same coterie will return to Hackberry Farms, but Beatrice's concern is well-founded." 
 "It's just the four of you,"  Beatrice says.  "It's a good long ride to the main compound, but the Farm sent a wain and driver to bring you out.  Try to rest on the way. The farm has beds for you, but you'll be on call you through the night; the whole night."  Sixteen hours, from sundown to sunup.

 
 Spoiler: Insight 14+ 
It's clear Beatrice thinks more forces should have been committed for this, and just as clear she was overruled.
 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  24/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune had always been quick to catch onto what was left unsaid when people spoke - one needed to develop such a skill when growing up amongst nobility - and could tell something wasn't sitting right with Beatrice. She also knew that Beatrice probably would not admit to this openly in front of Mason. So she spoke directly to him instead, sounding as formal and polite as possible: ''  This is a great honor, your Holiness, and I thank you sincerely for it, but why not commit larger numbers to such an important task? Surely, my companions and I are quite capable, but this seems like a task too important to bestow solely upon such a small group as ourselves. We will hardly be able to cover the whole grounds in case of a large scale attack.  ''
 
 
  
TriciaOso
Mason shakes his head.  "If we see a large commitment of forces there, we will have to re-assess, but for now I think the four of you are equal to it." 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  24/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune gives a short, polite bow to Mason. She probably wasn't going to get more out of him than that...
 
 
  
TriciaOso
That seems to be that. There are other groups Beatrice and Mason must speak to, so they peel off. Before long, Domane ascends the platform to address the group.

 
 Spoiler: The Duchess's Speech 
 

Domane's address to the crowd is half-eulogy for her father and all the lost of the previous year and half a heartfelt thanks to those who stand with Coldwater again today. She doesn't have the old Duke's raw charisma and decades of credibility, but it is a thoughtful and courageous speech. She ends with the ritual invocation of Coldwater's defenses:

  "By our lives and deaths we rebuke the forces of undeath and we buy, at greatest cost, another year. We are the keystone... we are the shield of the North!  Fais sonner les cloches qui peuvent encore sonner! "   
 


At her command, the Iron Carillons begun to ring, for the first time today but not the last. In the stones of the Keep and in the walls around the city, spirit guardians stir and stand, spectral, beside the living guards. In the harbor, a net of copper and silver is raised across the bay, held up by tall towers. The soldiers of Coldwater clash their swords on their shields, a vast ringing that echoes the bells and fills the city.

As the noise dies down, a halfling approaches your group; everything about him reads 'stolid, middle-class working man,' from his callous but clean hands to his clothes--a cut above the common laborers, but clearly well-darned and scrubbed to extend their life and keep up appearance.  "'Ello. I'm Paschal Pokeberry. Hear you folks need a ride out to the farm, eh?"  He begins to lead you towards a wagon that probably started its life as a haywagon, but looks as well-maintained and scrubbed as his clothes.
J-H
 Aupti 
As they go, Aupti begins to engage Paschal Pokeberry with a number of questions about the farm, his crops, how he maintains soil fertility, livestock, pests and predators, and the recent corruption that he's dealt with.  As someone planning to start his own large homestead, these are all topics of great interest to Aupti, but probably of little interest to anyone who isn't planning to grow their own food, or at least oversee an estate where animals are raised and crops are grown.
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 18 HP: 31/31 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

**Hasgraek's Explanation**
Shad tries to listen...honestly, she did.  It's just hard to focus on what your friend is saying once you have the image in your head of them sucking blood.   "That does explain some things I guess,"  she offers for the sake of keeping the tension off.   "And I thought  I  had problems, heheh." 

**The Mission**
Shad tries to just follow along with what she was hearing, nodding and affirming the plan laid out for them.  There were apparently some more complicated events that could crop up tonight outside of the usual midnight fare.  She would have to get used to the fact that the leaders of this city understood the enemy on a deep level that helped them strategize.  At the moment, she realized, we are blunt instruments, sent to do what is too unwieldy for a scalpel.

She listened with reverence at the new duchess' speech, and rechecked the runes engraved on her gauntlets.
TriciaOso
Paschal is happy to talk about farming, himself. When you are all secure in the wagon he hitches himself into the driver's perch and shakes the reins casually at the oxen, who don't need much prompting to return to their shed. Getting out of Coldwater takes a long time, going against the predominant traffic. When you come to the Porte Moisson, he exchanges waves with the guards, then proceeds through the deserted  banlieu  that lies between the bridge and the gate.

Once you cross the river, the Coldwater itself, the sudden silence is imposing. The road ahead, the Harvest Road that curves south and then back north towards the farms, is less busy than many, but commoners on foot seeking the shelter of the city still cross. Some of them seem to know Paschal as well, calling him Shell familiarly or Master Pokeberry. They are mostly human or halflings,

The road to Pokeberry Farms is long, and the day is short; the dirty coin of the sun makes significant progress across the washed-out sky as you travel. Some of you may doze, or read, or talk further. It's colder out here, without the walls of the city and the press of humanity. Shell Pokeberry whistles tunelessly. Eventually the sporadic traffic reverses itself; these farmers are seeking shelter in the same direction as you, rather than the city. He stops a few times to let folks -- the old, the very young, the pregnant or the lame--add themselves to your wagon, until it's full.

Eventually, you can see the Big House of Pokeberry Farms steadily climbing over the hills ahead.  "Not long now,"  Pokeberry says cheerfully.
J-H
 Aupti 
As they approach, Aupti starts paying attention to the terrain from the perspective of one who will soon fight in it.  Where are sight lines clear?  How deep is the snow?  Are there walls that can be used as shelter?  Places enemies could hide?

Experience is a swift teacher... as someone said to him a couple of years ago.
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek pays attention to the talk about farming when horses are mentioned. He thinks about them sending only 4 people to guard a point. Seemed wrong and he says  Lass you're right... they shoulda sent morin us ta fend off them deados. I be suspectin theres more to it then that. This farm be high priority a lifeline even to the city.   he asks pashal  If'n there be people sheltering there at the farm how many be there able to fight back to them deados? An how well can we be arming them? 
TriciaOso
 
 Originally Posted by J-H 
  Aupti 
As they approach, Aupti starts paying attention to the terrain from the perspective of one who will soon fight in it.  Where are sight lines clear?  How deep is the snow?  Are there walls that can be used as shelter?  Places enemies could hide?

Experience is a swift teacher... as someone said to him a couple of years ago. 
 

The land is mostly flat, but there are some gentle hills, more like ripples in the earth than stark changes in the terrain; and the compound sits at the top of one of these, commanding a view of the west. It's built more like a fortress than a farmhouse, of stone bound together with lime and sand. There are windows on the second and third floors of the square building, but they are already nearly all blinded with boards; you can see the last few being boarded up by workmen, tiny at this distance -- and small at any distance, likely, more halflings.

There's a perimeter fence around the courtyard, giving perhaps a radius of one hundred yards, designed more to keep in beasts than keep out enemies. You can see other workers, halfling and human, bring horses, cows, sheep across to the first floor, which seems to be more barn than home. You see a birdfolk farmhand herding a small group of buttergriffs; it's rare to see the flying cows this far east, although in the foothills of the Touchskies they're common.

In addition to the house, there are a few other structures within the fence; a grain silo, some sheds, a well; none of them built on the same lines, but then they're unlikely to draw the interest of Blackreach. On top of the roof is a consecrated bell like the ones in the city, in a large cupola.


 
 Originally Posted by zylodrizzt 
 Hasgraek pays attention to the talk about farming when horses are mentioned. He thinks about them sending only 4 people to guard a point. Seemed wrong and he says  Lass you're right... they shoulda sent morin us ta fend off them deados. I be suspectin theres more to it then that. This farm be high priority a lifeline even to the city.   he asks pashal  If'n there be people sheltering there at the farm how many be there able to fight back to them deados? An how well can we be arming them?  
 

 "There'll probably be better than a hundred of us -- family, tenants, hired men -- but none of us are soldiers,"  says Shell.  "Never been much trouble this far out, in the past. Spooky noises and crashes through the night, and now and then something big and ugly pounding at the doors. That's mostly what they send folks like you out for, for that now and then. Last year was different."   He looks troubled.

 "Them boys from the Golden Valor were decent and brave, and I'm sorry for what happened to 'em. 'Twas their second year with us, but it was different, and they just got worn down. I reckon maybe they weren't as careful as they might have been, the first couple fights. They thought they knew what to expect; hell, we all did. But it just kept coming, and one by one they got picked off. Got angry and reckless... reckon they never should've tried to recover the bodies in the first place, after half of 'em got away and the other half got got. But they was their friends." 

He shakes his head.  "Half of them came back, and then they went back out to recover the bodies, and then none of them came back. We just barricaded the door and hoped nothing could chop through by dawn, and well, it didn't." 
J-H
 Aupti 
 "Everyone will be here in the house, and you're not worried about the outbuildings or outlying fields until tomorrow?  Unfortunate, but understandable.  Out beyond the defenses it can be...tricky.  Can we get onto the roof from here?" 
zylodrizzt
 Bwahahah lad dont you worry about getting up to anywhere. Dont ye remember when we met on that first battlefield? Climb better n any cave gecko. 
TriciaOso
Shell nods.  "Aye, the roof is accessible by a trapdoor -- we've got to be able to get up there to maintain the bell, or repair the works if aught goes wrong in the night. Not a bad idea."

"They rarely take an interest in the outbuildings, this far from the city... they're looking for living things, and we're about it. If their intent was to bankrupt or ruin us, they could do it easy, but all they want is to kill us,"  he says with wry humor.

The wagon arrives within the fence and Shell hands it over to a farmhand, to be parked out of the way and the oxen safely harbored. He makes hasty introductions to some of the other Pokeberries -- his father Chesswick and a few of his brothers are out into the courtyard directing the flow of beasts and people -- but all of them are busy with preparations and leave you in his hands after brief greetings and claps on the shoulder.

He brings you up a stair to the second floor of the compound, where his mother is doing the same job of directing traffic on a smaller scale. Inside it seems less like a fortress; homey decorations and the smell of cooking from a deeper room. But the windows are boarded and blockaded.

 "Would you go straight to the roof?"  Shell asks.  "Or grab a few hours of rest before it begins?" 
The sun is heading over the mountains, but you have a handful of hours until full dark.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  24/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune had been quiet during most of the trip, deep in either thought, meditation or prayer. She was trying to calm her mind for the trying night ahead. ''  I would like to rest,  '' she told Shell, ''  and meet the others who will be staying the night, perhaps even lend a hand with preparations if that is alright. How is morale? After what happened last year, some people might have apprehensions.  ''
 
 
  
TriciaOso
There are about one hundred people crowded into the compound, but Shell is able to introduce you to some of the major players.

The halflings of the Pokeberry family, like most halflings, all seem to have rather grandiose names that are worn down to teasing nicknames by their friends and family:

 
  Chesswick  (called   Cheese  ) is the patriarch of the Pokeberry family, a sturdy but aging halfling with an iron grip and the most impressive beard you've ever seen on a halfling. His dialect of Common is a bit unfamiliar, once, and he prefers to communicate with his family or foreman in Halfling and let one of them translate. 
  Sallustia  (called   Sauce or Saucy  ) is his wife; while he seems to be the master of the farm and beasts on Pokeberry Farm, she is the empress of everything within the walls of the compound. She is a daughter of the large and prosperous Safflower family, but as round and red-cheeked as a pokeberry herself. When you offer to help with preparations, she puts you to work immediately, making up pallets, moving furniture to blockades, and if anyone dares, contributing to the giant pot of stew in the enormous kitchen. 
 

There are at least a dozen Pokeberry children scurrying about, all of them put to work, but only four are adults:

 
  Monomachus  (called   Mac  ) is the oldest son of the family, and a younger version of his father; taciturn and crusty. In a younger man, it comes off as slightly sour rather than appropriately curmudgeonly. He is in the enormous first floor barn, trying to squeeze in all the animals normally living off the farm who are crowded in with the usual inhabitants. 
  Paschal  (called   Shell  ) you already know. He is gregarious and easy-going in comparison to the other men of his family, eager to play translator and sooth quarrels. 
  Lakapenos  (called   Penny  ) is younger than Mac and Shell but older than the rest of the Pokeberry boys. He is weedy and dreamy-eyed, with a tendency to coast. Mac seems to stalk him waiting for an opportunity to upbraid him for laziness, at which point Shell intervenes. 
  Aurelia  (called   Angel  ) is the only daughter of the Pokeberries. The quintessential farmer's daughter, she is beautiful in an overripe way and flirts habitually and indiscriminately with the farmhands. She seems slightly overawed by you, though. She is installed in the kitchen, along with several other of the wives and daughters of the farmers, and men keep wandering in there drawn equally by the company and the smell of food. 
 

Then there are the Pokeberries by marriage and the miscellaneous:

 
  Eudocia  (called   Doss or Doxy  ) is Mac's wife, a Milkweed prior to marriage. She is responsible for pallets and resting places for everyone, but has also appointed herself to chase the hands out of the kitchen periodically to prevent pile-ups of Angel's admirers. Unlike the Pokeberries, she is skinny and dark-complected. Her hair is firmly pinned up and she looks like she doesn't have a sense of humor. 
  Tzitzak  (called   Grosmammi   by everyone, not just her grandchildren) is Saucy's mother, an incredibly aged and seemingly-fragile halfling woman who putters among the children wiping tears and soothing strained nerves. She is even more incomprehensible than Cheese, but seems gentle, kind and more than a little confused. Still, this happens every year; does it matter if she knows which year it is? 
  Alexander LeBeau  is human, the foreman of the many farmhands and other outworkers. He doesn't know everyone by name, but he knows most of them, and all of them know who he is. He is tall--not just in comparison to the halflings, but to the other humans here (most of who, to be fair, have halflings in their family trees)--and broad and sturdy as the compound itself; he looks like he might have been a smith in another life. 
 

Morale is reasonably good; the farmhands and their families seem to take their cues from the Pokeberries, who are resolute and cheerful, or resolute and cranky, but either way betray no fear. Strain shows itself in some of them by talking and laughing too much, too loudly, and in others by grim silence, which results in a certain amount of friction and an a borderline-deafening volume on the second floor. The third floor is a little calmer, and where you can find a pallet or the trapdoor to the roof.
Breitheamh
      
      Shad    
 Human Grappler Fighter 
 AC: 18 HP: 31/31 
 PPer: 12 PInv: 9 PIst: 12  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  

Shad allows herself to be introduced around amiably, making polite but awkward conversation in her typical fashion.  All the while, however, she is taking stock of the surroundings, the layout of the compound, the possible points of weakness in the defenses, and strategic advantage points.

Finally, she speaks up, asking  "What kind of stuff can we scrounge up for forcing chokepoints?  Funneling some of them into tight spaces where numbers don't help will be important tonight." 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 16 HP: 24/24 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
Aupti is at home with the halfling farmers.  They're people like he'd find back home, if on the prosperous and short side.  , His hat bumps the doorframes more than once.

After a little while, he makes his way up to the roof and looks for something near the peak - a post or a weathervane or a chimney - to tie several knotted ropes to, if there aren't any rope ladders available.  In addition to offering a way up and down, they can be used to keep his teammates from falling off the roof.
TriciaOso
Both ropes and rope ladders are available, and adolescent Pokeberries are sent to fetch them.

   
At the north end of the building is a small cupola where a large bell is mounted; it is a heavy iron bell carved with runes, and the enchantments around it are heavy.
It is a smaller version of the Iron Carillions that protect the city. Hasgraek, you find it both fascinating and a little queasy to look at. Lune, you can feel the divine potency of it, and are aware you could use it to boost your ability to turn the undead as Mason Ci Git once described.

The posts of the cupola are a fine place to tie off ropes. You also note a shed roof that could provide a midpoint to scramble up or down to the roof.

The view from up here is mostly of snowy fallow fields, but on the horizon to the west are the lights of the city, a merry fire against the dark backdrop of the distant Touchsky Peaks; and a thin dark line to the north is the sea, over which even now the ships of Blackreach are coming a-viking. You can't see the ships or the martial preparations of the city up here, though. It is cold and dark and feels utterly alone.

 "Could get some braziers or torches up here,"  Shell volunteers.  "If'n you plan on posting up here. Be cold, though."  
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 16 HP: 24/24 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: --  
 
  
 "We could.  A few blankets might be better, though.  We don't want to be visible from far away."   Thanking the young Pokeberries - who are just barely younger than he is! - Aupti fastens several ropes and rope ladders to the cupolas and chimneys, giving the group routes down to the ground (or up from the ground) to the north, west, and east.  He places them so that a single kick will probably be enough to knock them off the roof and down to ground level, and makes sure that everyone knows where they are.
J-H
Aupti sets his hunting traps in likely blind spots or avenues of approaches.  He also selectively uses his magic to melt and refreeze snow in a number of places, making slick spots and deadfalls, as well as reshaping snowdrifts to provide no cover against someone on the roof.
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek didn't have magic to rely on so he instead focused on where the enemy would likely rush to namely entrances. He set up traps that would drop upon or swing on enemies that may not be paying attention to where the triggers were or hiding the triggers in snow. In other places he put up snares or net traps. He did this with the help of some of the farmhands who not only directed him to supplies but also cut some of the shapes he needed such as simple spikes. He spread nails in areas like makeshift caltrops and in those dead drops Hasgraek put wooden stakes into the ground  at the bottom. He'd have used his oil and acid in some of these traps but he didn't feel he had enough on hand. He'd have to use those with discretion. With these defenses set up thier small force might just survive the night
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  24/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune had no idea how to be of service in setting traps... she had never done such a thing, so instead she used her magic to offer guidance (as per the spell) in hopes of bolstering the results of her friends. She also tended to other tasks around the estate, as required by the halflings. She enjoyed the small folk's  joie de vivre  and, for a moment, almost forgot why they were there in the first place.
As the sun began to set, Lune started reciting prayers to the Celestial Court. She was surprised to discover that some of the halflings knew the words, and even joined her in prayer, a small group forming around her as she recited: «   Blessed be thy Light. As another sun sets upon another day, grant us the strength to stave off the darkness. Out of our devotion, may the holy Light of dawn shine true.   »
 
 
  
TriciaOso
By the time the traps are in place, the sun is swiftly setting, and everyone hurries inside to finish blockading the doors before sitting down to a large meal. Many of the halflings do join in Lune's grace, but afterward, the oldest of them invoke a prayer of their own -- not to the Sun King  or  the Domari Maid, but to the ancient religion of the Earth Mother. She has an uneasy place in the Celestial pantheon, as the mother of the Queen of Heaven, but this prayer is older, invoking her nature as the triple goddess of the wild places and the farms and the soil below.

Like many halflings, they have a special reverence for the trickster figure of  Maneki , the Mother's Cat, and after dinner one of the children recites a long poem about him. It's in Halfling, a language none of you speak, but it's an impressive feat and the rich, rolling language is beautiful.

 
 Spoiler: The Cats Will Know 
Rain will fall again
on your smooth pavement,
a light rain like
a breath or a step.
The breeze and the dawn
will flourish again
when you return,
as if beneath your step.
Between flowers and sills
the cats will know.

There will be other days,
there will be other voices.
You will smile alone.
The cats will know.
You will hear words
old and spent and useless
like costumes left over
from yesterday’s parties.

You too will make gestures.
You’ll answer with words—
face of springtime,
you too will make gestures.

The cats will know,
face of springtime;
and the light rain
and the hyacinth dawn
that wrench the heart of him
who hopes no more for you—
they are the sad smile
you smile by yourself.

There will be other days,
other voices and renewals.
Face of springtime,
we will suffer at daybreak.
 


After dinner, many of the Pokeberries and their dependents go straight to sleep, while others stand watch; Mac takes first shift with his hand on the bell-rope to ring out the hours and keep up the enchantment on the stones of the compound. Shell urges you to get some sleep.  "Twill be hours yet, if the past is still any guide, and the first wave will only test the defenses, belike." 

 


And indeed, that's what happens. The first testing of the defense comes while you sleep, a mob of skeletons who mangle themselves in traps. The remnants are mopped up by Pokeberries with shortbows. It's not until another hour later, the first hour after midnight, that Shell wakes you.

 "'Tis a fine clear night, with a full moon, but there's an unnatural darkness raised over the fields,"  he warns you.  "Still, something is stirring out there. We heard the sound of saws and the movement of many feet. I think it's your time, friends." 

Up on the roof, it's just as he describes. Despite the bright white face of the Queen of Heaven, the fields are cloaked in an oily blackness that runs right up to the fences. With the tolling of the consecrated bell, the edges of it waver and retreat, keeping the clearing around the compound visible. Nothing moves there now, although you can see where undead feet have tramped the snow to mud and mire, and bones litter the ground all around. Arrows, too; the halfling archers have spent virtually all of their ammunition.

On the road from the south, something is moving, although it's vague through the magical darkness. It looks large, almost as wide as the road and a dozen feet long, and flanked on both sides by indistinct figures that move with the familiar shamble of the undead. It's beginning.

   
 
 Spoiler: Initiative 
16 - Halorin Yandres
16 - Aupti
13 - Lune
11 - Hasgraek
10 - Ghouls
10 - Shad
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 16 HP: 24/24 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: Spike Growth  
 
  

Aupti crosses the roof due southeast, moving to get a better view.  Seeing a group coming from a set direction, he invokes the magic of one of his new spells, reshaping the earth under the snow into jagged blades.
 
 Spoiler 

Move 6 squares due SE.
Spike Growth, easily within 150' range.  I'm placing the center point on the intersection 10' north of the front middle of the rectangle (battering ram?) so that 4 of them are automatically on it.

 The ground in a 20-foot radius centered on a point within range twists and sprouts hard spikes and thorns. The area becomes difficult terrain for the duration. When a creature moves into or within the area, it takes 2d4 piercing damage for every 5 feet it travels.

The transformation of the ground is camouflaged to look natural. Any creature that can't see the area at the time the spell is cast must make a Wisdom (Perception) check against your spell save DC to recognize the terrain as hazardous before entering it.
 Spell save DC is 14, not sure if the snow means they can't see it.
 
zylodrizzt
Before taking up position under the overhang hasgraek says  see you folks on the other side bwahaha  he chuckles softly. He goes to the edge of the roof and slips off it. As he does so a tendril if blood latches onto the underside of the roof and swings him into position where he waits quietly for his opportunity to strike


(19 stealth move action into position bonus action hide. Action is to ready a strike once the enemy is in range)
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  24/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune moves towards the South, trying to get a better view of what might be approaching. After having advanced roughly 30ft, she raises a hand above her head and clangs her metal staff against the roof. The metal ring swells as she chants the words of a spell: a ball of molten flame, ressembling a small star, takes form right above her raised palm. It grows to reach almost 5feet in diameter and pearls of sweat appear above Lune's brow, caused by the sheer heat of her flaming sphere. With a flick of her wrist, the sphere soars through the sky and lands in the mud, quickly melting any snow left around it. Lune will's it to roll towards the approaching enemies, it's bright light rebuking the darkness as it progresses.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
move 30ft towards the south edge of the roof, then cast flaming sphere 60ft away and use a bonus action to move it another 30ft
 
 
 
  
TriciaOso
There is a roar of command from behind the hustling group, and they charge forward heedless of spikes or flames. A rough battering ram carried by ghouls bursts through the gate. They scurry with disgusting haste despite the flesh gouged out of them and scorched by the ball of flame, and position the ram in front of the door to the farmhouse.

Following behind them is a tall gaunt man who carries a shield and mace. He is armored like a warrior, and carries himself stiffly. He vaults himself over the spikes in a feat of athleticism and stands by the gate, observing his troops. The shield is pitted black iron, and when the bell atop the farmhouse rings out, rebuking the undead, he strikes his shield with his mace. A counter-peal rolls out, stifling the bell's consecration and bolstering his troops. And even more so, shades materialize out of the air, screening the ghouls and swarming over the rooftop. Several shades cluster around Shad, and she collapses under the necrotic assault.

   
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS
The ghoul pack charges across the spike growth and pass the flaming sphere, taking a total 132 damage. (Their commander uses a legendary action to give them an additional thirty feet of movement.) They are badly injured, but move into position to begin breaking down the door.

Hasgreak's readied action is triggered.

Their commander uses his movement to clear the spikes, and then counters the consecrating bell, summoning a cloud of shades on the roof, affecting all of you. Speed is halved in the area, and when you enter the area for the first time on a turn or start your turn there, you must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, you take 14 necrotic damage (7 on a success). The commander or the ghouls are screened from attacks and spells, giving them resistance to all damage, but the  full  damage (to either) is used to calculate a concentration check to end the effect.

DAMAGE
Ghoul pack - 332 damage

16 - Halorin Yandres
16 - Aupti
13 - Lune
11 - Hasgraek
10 - Ghouls
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 16 HP: 17/24 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: Spike Growth  
 
  

Aupti scrambles away from the shades, which appear to him as distorted animals with hollow faces and rotting claws, or cheerful fey with fanged mouths large enough to engulf his head.  Up on the roof, he gets out of the effect, and materializes a chunk of ice out of humidity in the air; magic catapults it towards the ghouls on the left side of the battering ram.
 
 Spoiler 

Wis DC 14 or take 14 damage; 7 on success.
Wis save (1d20+5)[ 25 ] 
Move 3 squares diagonally down and left on map.

Ice Knife targeting the front-middle ghoul on the battering ram.  They're not quite snapped to grid, but I think if I hit it, the two adjacent ghouls will get tagged.
Spell attack roll  (1d20+6)[ 12 ]  for  (1d10)[ 8 ]  magic piercing damage to the ghoul.
Either way it explodes and the ghoul and the other two next to it take  (2d6)[ 11 ]  cold damage
Dex DC 13 negates the cold damage.
Central  (1d20)[ 6 ] +?
Above  (1d20)[ 2 ] +?
Below  (1d20)[ 17 ] +?
 
zylodrizzt
Hasgreak slips away from the area taking cover once again under the roof using blood adhere himself leaving his hands free. While preparing for this fight hasgreak had sent drops of his blood away from himself and around the field. They slithered and hid around the battlefield like snakes in the grass. Hasgreak had found he can control blood that was in some way his or in contact with his around 60ft so he concentrates on some nearby the seemingly leader/caster of the group. The blood forms a spike and launches itself at the being with the power of a shortbow but hasgreak control isn't as fine at this distance so the blood spike goes astray.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  10/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune carefully makes her way through the angry spirits, weaving and bobbing to avoid taking too many hits, just as Shad had taught her during their training. Once she exits the area of the spell, she sends her flaming sphere crashing against the undead responsible for casting it in the first place. Although her spell sears his flesh, he does not lose his concentration and the spirits remains. Then, with a short prayer in Celestial, she fire a lambent lance at one of the undead holding the battering ram, joining Aupti's efforts to down the creatures, hopefully before they have a chance to force open the door.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
Uses her movement to exit the spirit shroud, bonus to control flaming sphere and then casts lambent lance
 
 
 
  
TriciaOso
The ice knife beheads one ghoul and explodes, shards of ice severing the arm of another, who collapses like a puppet with cut strings. The remaining ghouls, already badly injured, reposition and bash the battering ram into the door for the first time. It thumps solidly, like the knock of a giant, but there is no splintering or scream of hinges. Their injuries prevent them from lining up an effective strike, but they mindlessly prepare to do it again, kicking their fallen comrades out of the way. The fallen ghouls begin to wither into a black sludge underfoot.

Meanwhile, the commander throws up his black iron shield between himself and the flame, himself and the blood knives; what little damage is done seems to heal rapidly. He dashes to the left, getting out of the range of the ball of fire, and shouts a command to the shades on the roof.

They converge on Shad, who screams as they bombard her mind. Then with blank and glassy eyes she moves after Lune taking two swings with her halberd. But both miss -- either poor luck or her lingering resistance.

The undead commander snarls out, "Pathetic," and in response, Shad flings herself off the roof. She lands on the ground like a rag doll, making no attempt to control her fall, and there's a sickening crack as her leg breaks beneath her. The shades swarm out, abandoning her, and mill around angrily.
 
  
As she lies in the slush, a blue-white light erupts above her, and the ghost of an ancient halfling appears, standing over her body. The shades seem to erupt from her body and back away hastily from his spectral pitchfork.   "Away wit' ye, yet,"   it bellows. It bears a strong resemblance to Chesswick, the elderly patriach of the Pokeberries, but it combs its beard differently.

   
 
 Spoiler: Summary 
ACTIONS
Aupti saves against the shades, taking 7 damage; Hasgraek and Lune fail, taking 14. Ice Knife takes out two ghouls on the left side (one saves against the cold damage). Lambent Lance misses. Halorin saves against the Flaming Sphere and takes 4 damage; he keeps concentration on the shades. Soul Knives miss.

The ghouls reposition and attack the door; they have disadvantage because the pack is under half HP. They miss the door's AC of 15 with a 12.

Halorin regains 5 hit points at the start of his turn. As a bonus action, he focuses the shades on Shad, dropping the area of effect but possessing her (she resists, but fails with a 5). He uses his action to move in addition to his movement, moving sixty feet west.

Shad moves east to attack Lune. She misses, action surges, misses again, then Halorin commands her to leap off the roof. She makes one more WIS save to resist, but fails with another 5. She falls thirty feet and is incapacitated.

DAMAGE
Aupti - 7 damage
Hasgraek - 14 damage
Lune - 14 damage

Ghoul pack - 359 damage
Halorin Yandres - 9 damage

16 - Halorin Yandres
16 - Aupti
13 - Lune
11 - Hasgraek
10 - Ghouls
 
J-H
      
      Aupti    
 Human Arctic Druid 
 AC: 16 HP: 17/24 
 PPer: 15 PInv: 10 PIst: 13  
 Conditions: -- 
 Concentrating: Faerie Fire  
 
  

Having served their purpose, Aupti allows the ground to relax into its normal shape, transforming from spikes under the snow into flat soil once again.  The snow shifts and collapses into the voids left behind, its structure already having been broken by the undead feet that churned it up.  Turning his attention to the enemy commander, he calls upon immaterial wispy lights to surround him, drawing attention to his unnatural presence in the living world.

 
 Spoiler 

Drop Spike Growth.
Cast Faerie Fire, Dex DC 13
On a failed save, attacks against him have advantage for up to a minute
Halorin Dex save  (1d20)[ 4 ] +?
 
zylodrizzt
The commander takes off and hasgraek keeps pace. Just ahead of the commander there is a small pool of hasgraek blood. The last attack he threw missed but if the trajectory is indiscriminate then there wouldn't need to be any precise aiming. The ghostly fire seemingly distracted the commander as hasgraek tossed some blood into the pool causing it jump and grow with a second toss filling it to burst as hasgreak willed the shrapnel to harden and sharpen shredding the undead being.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  10/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Bloodied, but still standing, the priestess moves to the edge of the roof, as close as possible to the ghouls below:  I need to take care of these things battering down the door,  she thinks to herself. Seeing as Hagraek and Aupti were busy with the general, she starts by sending her flaming sphere crashing into one of the ghouls and then, holding her staff aloft, she calls down the radiance of the dawn to purge away the undead.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
move as close as I can to the edge without falling off. bonus to move my sphere. then use radiance of the dawn on the ghouls. I think I can hit most of them (is not all?)
 
 
 
  
TriciaOso
Between the flames and the blazing holy light, the ghouls are destroyed, falling into a heap with their battering ram.

The commander looks at the faerie light surrounding him, then turns his dead eyes on Hasgraek.   "Like the Golden Valor before you, you will learn to kneel to Lestheris Soldrei."  

He strikes his shield with his mace once more, recalling his army of shades, and they swarm around him, lifting him over the fence and into the thicket beyond. You can hear him moving away through the trees.

The pile of corpses and wood begins to burn. The blue-white Pokeberry ghost lingers over Shad's fallen body.
J-H
Aupti watches him go, the glow of the Faerie Fire spell highlighting the enemy commander for a little while.   "Do any of you recognize the name Soldrei?  I have a feeling we'll see him again."

"Shad?
Where did Shad go?" 

Aupti lost track of her during the battle.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  10/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

As Haldrin moves away, Lune only has one thing on her mind: Shad. Because of her concern, she hardly catches the name Haldrin mentions:  perhaps a minor  tribu? She thinks as a reply to Aupti's question. Without giving it much more thought, she shouts to her dwarven friend: ''  Hasgraek, quickly! I-I think Shad is hurt... I'm coming to join you.  ''
Having said that, she makes her way from the rooftop to the ground floor and then outside to join the pair.
 
 
  
TriciaOso
Although the shades have retreated, the blue-white Pokeberry ghost remains hovering over Shad. He glides back to let her friends near.

  "M'name is Chalk Pokeberry, once,"   he says, in the same heavy halfling dialect as the Pokeberry patriarch.   "Cheese is me brother."  

Shad is knocked unconscious, but more concerning, her leg is broken.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  10/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune reaches Shad's mangled body and winces when she notices the concerning angle at which her leg was bending: ''  Uh... pleasure to meet you, Chalk. I just wish it was under better circumstances... But thanks for protecting our friend! Now, if you don't mind, I just need to...  '' She kneels next to Shad and places her hand just above the leg: ''  Please, Lukas. Lend me your strength to mend Shad's broken bones.  '' A warm, golden flame envelops Lune's hand, but her serious expression quickly turns to more concern: ''  I-I can't do it. I don't have enough power right now...  '' She takes a second to think before adding: ''  Chalk. Go ask someone to bring me material to splinter Shad's leg, would you? And maybe something to carry her, as well... We'll need to bring her inside.  ''
 
 
  
J-H
Aupti uses a rope to climb down, and helps splint Shad's leg.  Human legs splint about as easily as livestock legs - actually, easier, because humans usually understand what's going on.
TriciaOso
  "T'Grave Order,"   the ghost wheezes.   "Came last year, once. Bad business. Stirrin' up mischief among the haints and sowin' evil to reap later. At it again, yet. Had to bestir m'self."  

At Lune's prompting, the ghost glides away; the best proof of its good intentions is that it can pass into and through the walls of the farmhouse. Perhaps like the old king, Chalk's bones are now part of the foundations of the farm. Pokeberries appear tentatively, and then rapidly hurry out to bring Shad inside, promising to take care of her. Seeing you reduced to three, however, clearly doesn't encourage them, and the ghost of their great-uncle, while apparently on their side, is obviously far from comforting.
J-H
 Aupti 
 "We'll be fine, I think."   Aupti attempts to reassure them.  His "command voice" doesn't work very well, though.
After Shad is dealt with, they return to the roof after Aupti re-freezes any ice slicks that have been damaged.
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek doesn't have time to process any names or do much of anything before he hears the yell for him. He rushes to his companions side and is shocked to find shatterheart leg shattered. He couldn't believe this proud warrior could be downed so easily. He does what he can to care for his dear friend.
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  10/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Now that Shad had been transported inside, Lune tries to relax a bit. She takes a deep breathe and sighs before asking: "  Um, Chalk, was it? You wouldn't know anything about this Lesteris Soldrei that was just mentioned? I can't seem to remember anything useful about the name, but maybe with your age and wisdom, you might?"
   
 
  
TriciaOso
  "Oh aye,"   says the elderly ghost.   "Three they were, necromancers all, but she am the leader, yon Lestheris. The man Yandres was her bodyguard. Right young they all are, and ambition in their eyes. From different clans, I wot, but working together. Mayhap this be how new clans begin among them, young folk splittin' off and makin' a name for themselves."  
  "The Golden Honor last year, they slew the man Yandres, once, and almost reached Lestheris herself, but she got away with his corse and now he's back again, no different for all he's dead. And the Golden Honor themselves, they were slain, and their bodies taken, and now a Horror moves in these fields with t'many eyes and t'many souls."  
J-H
 Aupti 
Aupti grimaces, and then shivers.  The young man is somehow certain that they will face this abomination tonight.  He sighs.   "One thing at a time, and we'll make it through.  Just like farming, it's not about any one moment.  Can you let us know if this thing arrives, or anything else about what to avoid?  Weaknesses in this...Horror?" 

After he's done with the novel experience of talking to a ghost, Aupti will ask if there's any hot coffee or tea they can take back up to the roof to sip.  If nobody else is coming, it's time to warm up, stretch muscles, and bandage injuries.
TriciaOso
As you rest, nothing enters the courtyard around the farmhouse, but you can see patches of fungus beginning to grow and spread from the places where the dead have fallen; scattered splotches from the ones who were destroyed by your traps in the first wave, and a growing ring of green pestilence around the smouldering ashes of the battering ram where the ghouls fell.
J-H
Aupti leaves his blanket behind, wrapped around his warm drink, and begins conjuring up magical  Bonfires  over the necrofungus.  He watches to see if flames have the desired cleansing effect.
TriciaOso
Not all of the clumps of fungus are in reach of the spell, but you do manage to ignite several patches. They seem to wither and blacken satisfactorily in the flames, but a greasy black smoke belches from the burning fungi, like the smog that hangs over the crematoriums of Coldwater's Arrondissement Cadette. It clings to the ground rather than rising, and a few minutes later rings of new fungus surround the ashes.
J-H
 Aupti 
 "Burning doesn't kill it, it just distributes the spores."   Aupti turns to Lune.   "Would you like to try some holy fire?" 
NiKkatsu
      
       Lune Nyx      
  AC:  17  | HP:  10/24   | HIT DICE:  3d8
 Speed:  30ft   | Initiative:  +1
 Passive Insight:  15   | Passive Investigation:  10   | Passive Perception:  13
 Conditions:  --- 

Lune nods at Aupti's remark. She finds her way down from the roof using the rope that was secured by the druid earlier. She then locates a spot somewhere in the middle of the visible patches and kneels. She plants her staff into the ground next to her and clasps her hands together. Closing her eyes, she utters a word in Celestial and a burning radiance emanates from her. Although the radiant aura is small at first, Lune repeats the word, again and again, concentrating on the sphere of light emanating from her. Her brow furrows from the effort, but her trust in her faith gives her strength. In response to her prayer, the sphere of light suddenly expands, engulfing the mushrooms and, hopefully, cleansing them of their vicious taint...
 
 
  
zylodrizzt
Hasgraek steps close to lune for protection tho he is pretty hurt himself.  Dont te worry lass ill get ye back ta that roof quick as a flash if there be any deados comin for ye.  he says as he preps to grab and run with her.