Rescue at Rivenroar (Game Thread B) [Split Party]

[Melblen_Cairn]

The last hobgoblin lets out a dying scream from the receiving end of an electric jolting from the halfling sorcerer. Arathiel turns her head to where your two companions have already fallen and says to Thespias with tears in her eyes, "Alas, my good friend......" but a sharp whistle in the air ends her thought permanently at the point of a crossbow bolt which now protrudes from her head. She collapses to the feet of Thespias.

Not far from her body lays, her last lover, Jacopo. The elf's corpse hewn from shoulder to hip by a sword strike meant for Dunor. The pool of blood staining the ground in an ever expanding dark red.

Rothgar is not far from that, felled by no less that 5 hobgoblins as he valiantly defended a pair elderly townsfolk from the oncoming hoard. A testament to his faith in Torm he never wavered even after being repeatedly struck. Those same five that mortally wounded him lay strewn around his corpse.

The groups survivors look on, panting heavily from the rugged encounter in the streets. Smoke filling your lungs from nearby flames. The smell of spilled blood and burning flesh assaulting your senses. In the distance, a roar, not unlike that of a dragon, can be heard in the night.

[VennDygrem]

Dunor falls to his knees by Jacopo's side, his warhammer still in-hand. "Jacopo! My friend... You deserved a better death than this! The Wizard and Paladin, too, all of them! Falling in battle reclaims their souls, but to be felled by these savage creatures... I swear I shall avenge thee! May you prosper in the warrior's halls of the afterlife!"

The muscular, red-haired warrior hefts himself up onto his feet. Looking around the village, he notices that his work is not yet done. He turns to the elderly townsfolk and asks, "If we do not return, will you please arrange for these three to receive a proper burial? We may be occupied for quite some time."

Gazing into the burning distance, the normally-jovial Dunor is now stern-faced. "Dalanath, Theo, say your goodbyes quickly. We have work yet to do."

[Nanshork]

Dalanath crouches next to his brother, looking down at his bloodied face.  "Damn you," he mutters softly, "Damn you for leaving me like this, throwing your life away for these people..."   Sadness and anger war across his face as a few tears stream down his cheeks. 

He nods in response to Dunor, then digs a hand in Rothgar's belt pouch and pulls out a small wooden carving and grips it tightly.  He turns to look at the ones his brother died for.  "He died for you, remember that."  Dalanath then moves to stand next to Dunor without saying another word.

[Melblen_Cairn]

The elderly couple are both in shock from the nights ordeal, but the woman is coherent enough to offer, "We will carry his sacrifice with us, until the end of our days." and nods at Dunor's request. "We'll offer prayers to Selune that you return safely here this night."

[Shadowhunter]

Thespias stares for what feels like an eternity, but in reality just a moment, before he matches the distant roar with one of his own. Small gusts of wind starts whipping his dreadlocks and the air crack with built up electricity.

"No. NO. NOOooOoooO! You thrice-damned hobbos, you vilest, most wretched of all despicable creatures to ever defile the face of the world, I'll kill you all! Curse you all to hell, fuck, curse you through hell! I'll drag everyone of you through both the Abyss and Hell and once I'm done with you there, I'll get seriously nasty!".

The hobgoblin corpse, still twitching from the electrocution that Theo administered comes under a constant barrage of lightning as the wrath-stricken Halfling descends upon what he sees as the source of all his problems. Walking slowly towards the deceased goblinoid, Theo keeps up a constant stream of lightning that in short order transform the hobgoblin to something not even remotely recognizable as something that once lived.

Only registering Dunors comment after a good ten seconds, Thespias turns to him, his anger visibly crackling around his eyes. A very grim smile sets on his face.
"OH, trust me dear Dunor, I'll take care of buisness. I'll take care of it-", a rumbling stroke of thunder crash out from him to emphasize his point, "-real good."

[Melblen_Cairn]

"We will find some help to get them to Selune's temple. When you return, the acolyte there will see to them. Jalissa is her name." adds the old man.

Down the street several figures jog down the road, you can hear the clink of chainmail and one shouts over the nights ambient noise, "This way to the gate men."

[VennDygrem]

A deranged fierceness spreads across Dunor's face. The warden adjusts the grip he has on his hammer, then thrusts it into the air in the direction of the roar.  He moves onward and shouts, "Storm Wolves, move out!"

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Making up a name for our "adventuring company" though if you guys want, we can say that this was never actually decided upon, and Dunor just doesn't stop calling the group that. Each of us could have a different name that we use. This would help when we consolidate the main group with our's so there's no official conflict. Unless you guys like 'the Storm Wolves' enough.

[Nanshork]

Dalanath follows right behind Dunor, dagger in hand.

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I'm A-OK with Storm Wolves.

[Melblen_Cairn]

Closely following the contingent of Loudwater's Patrol you approach the gate not very far away and the sound of raucous laughter as a group saunters in your direction. A Tiefling at the head of the group, encouraging the merriment further, "The nerve of them...thinking themselves our betters? After we just handled half of the invading force at the bridge. By the time we're through, Lady Moonfire will be opening more than her front gate for me."

As they are passing you three, "I thought we were just wantin' her money?" the half orc in the group says and the tiefling sighs and he replies in a lower tone with a mischievous grin, "Yes my dull friend. I was referring to her full coffers.....and to her legs." to which the group continues their laughter.

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Nice name for the group.

[VennDygrem]

Dunor calls out to the group. "Excuse me, but do you seem to have aided in battle against the recent attack. Are there more cowardly goblins that escaped from the battle, or have we managed to strike them all down? We seek vengeance for our fallen comrades."

Dunor thinks for a moment, then says, "Though if you know more about the source of the monstrous roar not long ago, we would appreciate what you can tell us. Surely there is no coincidence here."

[Melblen_Cairn]

"That would have been me." this from a dragonborn amongst the group. She wears the trappings of a magicuser. A tightly bandaged shoulder indicates she was injured in a fight. "My last spell sent them scattering, but one of the cowardly bastards shot me as he ran off.

The tiefling also turns and returns to where you stand, "Aided? my good man, we won the night for this town. Yes, if not for Blood's Brotherhood, you'd all be have been overrun. We left a few scampering off into the darkness." he rounds on his heal and heads back to his group calling over his shoulder, "If it's vengeance you seek, feel free to go run them down, though you may want to carry your little one there if you hope to catch them."

As he passes the dragonborn, he slaps her rump playfully, "Come Sora, first round is on me." which is cheered by the rest of the group. Upon his rejoining. "Let us see if we can't find a bar wench willing to share a bed with Gellan here." patting the shoulder of a dull looking half-orc carrying a gore covered mace who nods his head stupidly.

[Shadowhunter]

Little one? Carrying me? Oh now he's just begging for it..

Thespias raises his voice and calls out in a challenging tone dripping of disdain as the Tiefling and his companions pass them.

"My good man, you must surely mistake me for some dim-witted horny mongrel of a braggart. I might be shorter than you, but I'm fairly certain I'm twice your size where it really counts, you pox-faced piece of refuse. While I have no need for my friends here to be able to keep up with the best of them,  I can definitely understand how you would get the idea to get someone to carry your little one. Tell me, does your lumbering ox of a companions here help to lift up the withered little thing for you?
Because I'm sure he helps you carry all your valuables, regardless of weight, size or worth. As a true friend would, naturally. I'm sure it's nice to be around people who don't judge you, with all the obvious flaws you exhibit physically. Not to mention the mind-boggling dung heap that must be your mind."

He sneers at the Tiefling in contempt.

"Now run along like a good little boy and see whatever glimpse of heaven your gold can buy you, 'cause as sure as there's Demons scheming, I'm certain there's no female on two legs and breathing who would accept you otherwise. I'm sure you are used to the inescapable vomit they're retch up on you after you've touched them so I suppose my advice to keep a towel handy is unnecessary. I'm sure you need a towel for your needs most of the time anyway.

Tespias draws a new breath.

"Fear not my eye-goungingly ugly man, I'm sure you can stick your flag in less picky soil if you really take the time to whisper sweet nothings into the ear of your loved one. Remember to cover your mouth though, I can feel your breath all the way over here and the smell would have even an Otyugh go "Not even I would go there". If you follow my advice I'm sure you'll eventually find a female to accept you for the 5 seconds it takes you to finish. I'm thinking probably something. . . bovine."

The halflings speech grows more acidic by the second.

"I've also been told by a exceptionally repugnant individual, do not fear he looks much better than you, that the air escaping the lungs from the recently deceased sounds much like "yeeess" when you push down on them. Though I'm sure you already know all about these things being such a charming. . . man."

Thespias raises his tone at the end of the reply, almost making it sound like a question.

"Actually, speaking of scheming demons, I must say I'm rather disappointed in your manners. Being crude is no way to charm a lady, though I suspect you are doing the best you can with your special flavour of inbred, idiotic heritage. My apologies, I'm sure that's an insult to swines everywhere"

[VennDygrem]

Dunor's face maintains the fierce anger for a moment before cracking up. Bellowing laughter rolls out like thunder.

 " Haw haw haw! Oh, Theo, that is really why I travel with you! The next time we find a tavern, your drinks are on me, friend!"

The towering man smacks his hand on the halfling's shoulder as he continues to chuckle.

[Nanshork]

Dalanath looks at Theo with raised eyebrows as a grin slowly spreads across his face.

[Melblen_Cairn]

The entire company of Blood's Brotherhood stops short and turns. They eye you dangerously with hands ready to draw steel and spell but hold for their tiefling leader's reaction. As Thespias finishes the rant and  the surviving members of the group find mirth in their own ways at the comments, the other group's leader looks on the verge of exploding and unleashing his group on the three of you.

Instead, he suddenly erupts into boisterous laughter, a fit that lasts a while and brings tears to his eyes. The rest visibly relax at this and grin or laugh as well. When he can finally speak. "Brains and backbone, I applaud your wit and your will to use it." he grins with sharp teeth."Join us  please, I will buy the first round. Carron Blood is the name and this bunch is my family," he introduces himself and the rest of his group, "Sora, Gellan, Alain, and Brand." pointing to each in turn. Definitely not a single family resemblance between any of them.

[VennDygrem]

"Hah! I know a sharp crowd when I see one. I am Dunor Stormson. The big man with the little mouth, as I like to put it, is Thespias, and this fellow is Dalanath. We are... regrettably all that remains of the Storm Wolves. You probably have not heard of us, but we are well enough known in certain circles. And speaking on behalf of my friends, we will more than gladly accept your first round!"

With news that this other group drove most of the attacking goblins away, and the offer of a free drink, it seems Dunor has put vengeance on the table for now.

"We will, of course, have to see to the burial of our fallen comrades-in-arms, soon, but I think a drink we can spare time for."

Dunor looks hopefully to his comrades, waiting for their approval to come with the lightening of the mood.

[Nanshork]

Dalanath gives Dunor a look made of part shock and part anger.  "Parts of the city are still on fire, my brother lies dead in the streets, the oath of vengeance that you swore remains unfulfilled, and you want to go get a drink?  What in the nine hells is wrong with you?"

[VennDygrem]

Dunor snaps out of his jovial mood immediately, as though waking  from out of a dream.

"I... I'm sorry. I do not know what came over me. My memory still fades in and out from time to time. Of course you are right. We have more important business than drinking... such as a few more goblin heads that require knocking."

He then turns to the other group and says, "I am sorry, but we must pass off your invitation for another time. Fare thee well, and may the winds of chance be at your backs."

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Did I forget to mention that Dunor has occasional issues with short-term memory ever since he washed up on that shore those years ago?

[Shadowhunter]

"While I care very little of your approval, I will acknowledge that you aren't as dumb as I first thought. I don't have time for pleasantries right now, my friend just got murdered and I'm rather-" sparks once again rolls of Thespias fingers to crackle as he speaks with a growling tone, much like the distant rumble of thunder. "-angry about it. So let us all go our separate ways until I've calmed down."

[Melblen_Cairn]

"Suit yourselves. Until next." the tiefling nods and the rest of his party follows him jovially.

It does not take long to determine where the most help is needed within the town. Fires set throughout the attack have spread rapidly voraciously consuming the heat wave dried buildings and trees alike. Many townsfolk attempt to combat the blazes threatening their livelyhoods.

Many more were injured during the assault. Innocents both young and old make their way to some impromptu stations that have sprung up for treating the wounded. Even woman and children were not spared in the attack. Without assistance many may not see the next dawn.

The remnants of the town's guard restore order and some work with some laborers in shoring up the front gate. It seems many in the town that are able, attempt to help in some ways.

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"Feel free to describe what you are doing for the next few hours. Depending on what group 1 does, I may have you together sooner rather than later."