Judith
What could be said about Zrembeth Vrardru that hasn't already been said by the many citizens of Lazaroth blessed to not fall under her jurisdiction?

She goes by many names. The Mad Butcher. The Kin-Slayer. Lazaroth's Monster. Though out of all these names there is one that has followed her since her ascension to her title that all of Lazaroth regails her with in both hatred and admiration.

The Dragon of Blythwim.

The daughter of an esteemed Lazarothi war hero during the Sea of Plenty, she had only been Countess for 5 years now. But those years began in blood after slaying her own sister in a duel after she returned from exile and claiming the title for herself. And during this time she has ruled the town of Blythwim viciously. Her terrifying presence looming over the town like the shadow of a dragons wings. She trained and drilled her knights until all that remained were the most fiercely loyal and devoted women in the lands. Ready to die and kill in the name of their nation and in the name of their beloved queen, Dhakashira Ravina Runacri. 

And by Zrembeth's right as ruler, blood would flow for her queens honor.

It was those knights who have descended upon Blythwim like a swarm. Rounding up any citizen who they find guilty of a crime no matter how small. And there would be no crime that the Dragon saw as negligible. All were signs of dissent and disloyalty to the queen. Drunken brawling? Guilty of insisting unrest. Complaining about the state of things? Guilty of open disloyalty against the queen. Pleading with the countess to cease this madness and let the people languishing in chains free? Guilty of Rebellion. And for all these crimes there was only one punishment worthy for those who would insult her rule. Insult her queen. Insult Lazaroth itself.

*Death*

The town square of Blythwim is now known as The Slayers Square. A place where Zrembeth herself oversaw hundreds of executions. One beheading after another until the blood seeped into the cracks of the cobblestone and the town was put in its place.

Those that remain in Blythwim are either the fiercly loyal children of Lazaroth. Or, more commonly, those who are unable to find the means to move without being hunted down before being accused of "Desertion" Knowing none would defend them.

Though, these executions would not go unnoticed. The Lawmaster. The fair and just Lord Lysanthir Tauriel Olagwyen, had requested The Dragon's presence. To answer for the bloodshed she had caused. And so, she has taken three of her most loyal knights to travel to his castle. To explain her actions. To defend her right as Lazaroth's protector. As Lazaroth's Savior. As Lazaroth's Monster, to act as she has.

But for now, Castle Blythwim is now occupied by several dozen of Zrembeth's knights. Warrior women and the most firecly loyal daughters of Lazaroth. Clad in armor and defending this castle with their lives. Somewhere within, the next batch of poor souls guilty of some manner of crime destined to head straight for the Slayer's Square. 

But perhaps, that fate can be avoided. As night descends upon Blythwim and its people breath a sigh of relief that the Dragon as left its roost. A band of free men and women, determined to see these people freed gather. 

The castle itself sits upon a hill top. A clear pathway in the front, while its back is made up of jagged cliffs and sharp rock. A defensible spot that lets it view over the town itself as sovereign. Knights patrol the battlements but struggle to see past the darkness. Holding torches aloft to ensure nothing befalls this place whilst their lord is away. 

Though they have no way of knowing what was to befall them. No way of knowing that it was time for them to be the ones who must defend themselves.
Josephine
*Magnus inhaled deeply as he looked up at the castle from the forest below. He looked up towards the imposing fortress through his spyglass, examining the guards atop the walls with the cliffs. He took note of their patrol routes, seeing each guard with their torch in hand. He took note of how often they would come by any particular stretch of wall. One spot in particular he noticed seemed like he could climb it. Wouldn't be easy, but so long as those rocks weren't looser then they looked*

"Alright." *He turned back around to where the group was hiding in the darkened bushes as he whispered.* "The guard's tight, as I assume it always is. As we thought the front gate is a no go, but with effort scaling the cliff should be doable once we get the fog cover going." *He crept back the few yards between him and where the others were hiding, as it was less visable. After making sure he was decently hidden from any unwanted eyes, he dug in his backpack, pulling out a length of rope that would make the accent easier for the others once he had secured it to the battlements* "Alright, once I get the fog going we'll have to be quick. While I can fool them for a while any magically inclined among them will figure it out sooner or later."

*He then sat down and focused for a bit, breathing slowly and steadily. He focused on the air in the region. Thankfully it was fairly humid already, so he had a fair bit already to work with. He felt the power his heritige gave him go out into the air, and after a couple minutes a chill began to set in, and fog began to cover the landscape. When the fog was thick enough to make it hard to see anything beyond a few feet, he stood up, ready to go.*

"Alright, I'm ready whenever you all are."
Yvonne
In a century, Ehkan had done many foolish things. 

 He had gone against creatures that would frighten the most trained of hunters, swam through a typhoon, earned his title in the corrupt streets of Khisfire, and many other feats that he hoped would be sung about him for many years to come. 

 And yet, of all the absurd things he had done, this desperate rescue attempt would definitely top it all. 

 When they had told him what happened and their plan to save his friend, Ehkan cursed till his ears couldn't take it any longer before he decided he needed to be a part of this madness. He knew his skills as a ranger and fighter were essential to their team, and he knew his soul wouldn't rest so long as she remained behind the bars of this cruel tyrant. 

 So here he was. He had abandoned his spear and opted for his short sword, his bow strapped to his back, and his shield still folded in its gauntlet form. He listened to Magnus explain their plan of approach, and as he started up the fog, Ehkan flicked his wrist and summoned his falcon familiar into existence. 

 "Find a good perch, away from the guards, but good enough to keep an eye on things." She nodded at her orders and took to the sky, crossing the fog before landing on top of a tower. Ehkan closed an eye so he could look through hers and saw that Magnus was not kidding about the intense. 

 "Well, shit," He muttered under his breath, then turned to the others and pointed to the hold. "My falcon isn't close enough to hear anything, but at least while we're inside, I can keep a look on things on the outside. If the mages there don't notice her atleast." He pulled his hood up and lightly patted Domiel's shoulder before taking the rope from Magnus and heading for the cliff.

"Gods guide me," Ehkan prayed as he began the climb. He ensured each hold was firm enough before pulling himself up, and though it was a bit tedious, Ehkan was making good headway. 

 Until he suddenly slipped. 

 The rock beneath his foot went loose just as he stepped on it. He held back a yelp and quickly drove his foot into a small hole beneath him, saving him from the fall. He stayed there for a moment, took a deep breath, continued his ascension, and soon made it to the spot Magnus had taken note of. 

 He waited for any guards to pass by, and when none did, he secured the rope and gave it a good tug to signal the others.
Brenda
Domiel spoke not with her lips but with her eyes, the cool ocean hues warmed by a look that said *Be careful* As Ehkan left them. Guilt gnawed at her, while eternally grateful the task of releasing Rivet should have been hers alone. She could not risk failure, however, not in a place like this. From cover she watched every careful placement of hand and foot. She could sense Magnus nearby, feel the weight of fog and her own nagging worry. 

*A rock gave way.* She muffled a sharp inhale, hand darting from her side to magically assist. His foot found purchase and Domiel's tensed figure relaxed ever so slightly. She kept her focus on their climbing companion, certain that Magnus was watching all else. The wood elf's muscles went taut once more as Ehkan disappeared from view. She carefully shifted her weight to ease the tension, wrapped in a cocoon of fog while awaiting a signal from above. 

*A solid tug on the rope.* Domiel swiveled her braid adorned head to find Magnus, waiting for him to confirm he had discovered no reason to delay her. Should he dip his bearded chin or provide some other indicator of his approval she'd test the rope before beginning her own ascent. Reluctant to waste her energy she did not add to the cover Magnus provided or ease her way up the wall with magic. The task was simple enough with the rope well secured, her muscled physique would not fail her. || Unless we have to roll for climbing and I get a 1 or some shenanigans. ||
Judith
The jagged cliff Castle Blythwim rested against made the climb to the top especially perilous. While the steady rope placed by the leader of this band would aid significantly in that process. Ehkan and Domiel would have to be, at the very least, experienced climbers to make it to the top of these cliffs. The jutting edges becoming more and more pronounced as they ascended to the point where they would be climbing almost upside-down by the time they would get close to the top. But even if it was difficult, it was still certainly possible. And once they reached the top, they would find themselves standing right at the back of Castle Blythwim. Right at its blindspot. Climbing up to the battlements from there should be a far easier task.

The castle itself would soon be shrouded as slow rolling fog would creep in from nowhere to swallow it whole. A welcoming shroud for Ehkan's falcon to glide through the mist to find a perch to rest upon atop one of the buildings. From inside, it would be able to see the confusion on the faces of the women within. Some of which holding their torches higher in a futile attempt to pierce the fog. It wouldn't be long until several servants would begin to provide the guards with better lighting from their magical flames for their torches. At first, it would seem a problem, while not entirely returning sight, it would make much easier to see. But with how brightly the torches now burned, everyone could see each and every guard by the bright light they carried. Even Magnus from below could see through the shroud at the illumination above. This would make tracking their foes much easier.

In the meantime, Ehkan and Domiel continued their climb. The sounds of their boots scrapping against rock as they tried to find proper footing to reach the top was easily muffled by the sounds of confusion from the castle above. Their plan seemed to be going wonderfully. So long as they made it to the top, their next climb up the walls would be far easier. But now, they would have to survive this. 

Yet Ehkan, unfortunately, ran into quite the complication.

As his foot pressed against the rock to try and support himself upwards, he could feel a sudden sensation along his leg. The feeling of scuttling legs crawling against his pantleg. Domiel could clearly see what was happening, as would Ehkan if he chose to look down. A burrowing scorpion, one who seemed to have nested underground within the cliffs, had crawled from an opening within the cliff face onto the Sun Elves leg and was slowly traveling upwards. It didn't sting him, not right now at least. But with both hands occupied with climbing, all he could do now was watch as the insect continued a climb of its own, now resting on his hip.
Benjamin
Mg*Magnus kept a lookout as his companions scaled the cliff, ready to hopefully divert the attention of any wandering guards who happened to manage to see through the fog. He hadn't considered the illuminating effect it would cause on the torches, but he was all the more greatful for it. This was far from his typical course of operation, but he had no objections laying low every now and then.*

*He noticed the hold up with Ekhan stopping. Being to far below to see specifically what the hold up was, he grew somewhat concerned. There was little he could do though, and he just kept his eye on the glowing orbs of light. Hopefully soon the two compatriots from his crew would have infiltrated the town by now, and by whatever method they planned would cause Chaos down below. Magnus had only given them one stipulation. Don't hurt innocents.*

*Hopefully the interruption would get cleared up and his companions would scale to the top. Upon their arrival he himself would wait for any all clear signal before ascending the cliff himself, making plenty of use of his experience up in the rigging of various ships. Not the same, but helpful nonetheless.*
Judith
|| I can't express how sorry I am to void this. I know you all looked forward to it and you didn't deserve to be ghosted by me like this.