IC XIV

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Wyzard · #361 Post by **Wyzard** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 9:15 pm

Severi scrambles backwards from the snake, and draws his sword.

thirdkingdom · #362 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 9:29 pm

Atlictoatl · #363 Post by **Atlictoatl** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:34 pm

Tev Meren, Fighter

Tev strides forward, sword and shield ready to slay the serpent.

Wyzard · #364 Post by **Wyzard** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:03 pm

"We are allies! Now please, no further noise!"

thirdkingdom · #365 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:30 pm

Thurgan stumbles backwards as a greyish snake head pops up from inside the chest, releasing a stream of liquid that strikes not the dwarf but Severi! Lucking, the evasive elf is able to turn his head at the last instant, and the venom harmlessly dribbles down the front of his surcoat. Tev boldy steps forward and clefts the snake in twain. The two sections of dead snake twitch lifelessly in the chest, coating the large pile of gold coins within with ichor. The chest contains one thousand gold coins and one hundred silvers.

-------------

One of the militiamen across the river nods, then makes a gesture asking the adventurers to wait. He pulls another sentry aside; the second man quickly takes off for the heart of Threshold.

Wyzard · #366 Post by **Wyzard** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:42 pm

Severi wipes the venom carefully off with a rag, discards the rag, washes his face in the river, then wipes it off again. "A near miss, and I likely would have been struck blind with a little less luck."

thirdkingdom · #367 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:21 am

By the time the adventurers get the loot divided and loaded up, the militia captain has returned to the shore of Fogors Isle; with him are a half dozen well accoutered warriors. A boat is carried from behind the buildings that line the shore, and brought down to the edge of the water. Oars are produced; the six get in and with powerful strokes skim across the water.

They make the journey without being attacked. The boat is beached, and the six get out. Five are dressed in plate armor, and bear swords and shields emblazoned with the sigil of the Church of Karameikos. The sixth is a middle-aged woman, in chain mail and carrying a mace. Vanco recognizes her as Sister Casria, and she greets him in return. "Brother Vanco, it is good that you are alive. We feared the worst when you did not return from tending the flock." She addresses the group as a whole. "Until now Threshold has been able to hold off the besiegers, but I fear we do not have the men to hold off a sustained assault. We have food and water aplenty, for the moment, and given more men could hold out for a substantial length of time. The Baron's Keep, however, is sorely depleted in both manpower and rations, and would likely fall given a direct attack. I have heard of your deeds -- Rhys, at least, is known to me as one of the adventurers who slew the Beast that haunted these woods -- and as the highest ranking member of the Church remaining here I am able to offer a sizable sum in exchange for what aid you can provide."

Wyzard · #368 Post by **Wyzard** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:51 am

Severi Silvertongue, Elf

"If you will join us now, our thought is to go slaughter a score or more of orcs, and then retreat. Even a few extra swords and spears would greatly increase our chances of success. We have killed many already in these past few days, and by doing so we force the enemy to guard yonder causeway and deplete their forces."

"If we could make our strike and then retreat with you back into the city, the enemy would likely be grievously confounded."

#369 Post by **Alethan** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:32 am

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys nods politely at the mention of his name and, with all humility, says,"It was a great effort by many that slew the giant cat, Sister. It is unfortunate none of the others remain, for we have great need of their steel and skill right now."

He shrugs,"But they've all moved on, so we must make do. It sounds like we need to consider an attack that will reduce the forces assaulting the keep. If the keep falls, the effects on morale will surely do in the town soon thereafter."

MonsterMash · #370 Post by **MonsterMash** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 7:02 am

Thurgan, dwarf

"If we keep killing these goblins and orcs on their outer perimeter then it must reduce the fighters they have available for the assault on the keep. If we can clear the island of the fisher folk of the orcs then it will need them to put a new garrison on it or give us a route to surprise them and damage their troops further".

thirdkingdom · #371 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 11:13 am

Casria purses her lips. "Hmmm. Perhaps if we coordinate, we stand a chance of breaking their ranks. If you and your men attack the causeway at a specific time, as openly as possible, it may draw some of the besieging forces away from both the city and the Keep. We can then sally forth, and catch them unawares." She confers with her guards. "Brother Vanco, I hate to see you unarmored and unarmed at times like this. We can either bring you your gear, or you can accompany us back into the city. There is a troll lurking in these waters that we have been unable to dislodge, but it is either sleeping or elsewhere, at the moment."

MonsterMash · #372 Post by **MonsterMash** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 11:36 am

Thurgan, dwarf

"It may be good to briefly visit the town and let Vanco get his equipment, maybe we should also get the freedmen some armour if they will keep accompanying us so that they are safer in the next battles".

Koren n'Rhys · #373 Post by **Koren n'Rhys** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 1:25 pm

Quint Kacie
"If we can coordinate our actions, then we might stand a chance of breaking this siege yet. That seems the most reasonable plan to me," offers the young mage. "If we can do enough damage here, perhaps it would draw off some of the other force from the Baron's Keep and improve their situation was well."

"If we can safely cross to the city, then I feel we should do so. We can resupply and be better prepared for the challenges ahead."

#374 Post by **Alethan** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 1:40 pm

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys agrees with entering the city. He looks forward to a night of rest where he isn't sleeping with one eye open.

"Then, in the morning, better refreshed and supplies restocked, we can discuss our plans. I think we could help with distracting the orcs, allowing a sally from the city and keep to strike them from behind."

Wyzard · #375 Post by **Wyzard** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:45 pm

Severi is loathe to forgo the opportunity to kill orcs immediately, but admits the wisdom of their plan.

thirdkingdom · #376 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 12:59 am

The adventurers are ferried back to the relative safety of Fogors Isle -- and Threshold itself -- without incident.

thirdkingdom · #377 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 9:03 pm

After no small amount of effort, all of the fifteen freed captives are ferried across the river; the adventurers' horses swimming alongside the skiff in pairs. Once within the relative safety of the city, six of the freed captives melt away, unable or unwilling to continue the fight, even as archery support. Nine do agree to follow the adventurers, one going so far as to pledge his blade in loyalty, should the elf desire.

The city is in a controlled panic. No goods have entered or left the city since the besieging army arrived. Prices -- especially for food, weapons and armor -- have skyrocketed.

#378 Post by **Alethan** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 9:13 pm

Rhys the Traveler

However the split ends up happening, Rhys will take his share of the treasure and buy food and walk through the streets, passing it out to people who look hungry. He will do this until he uses up all of his share of treasure for this latest haul.

If there isn't enough food left for sale to conceivably do this, then Rhys will cover the costs of outfitting the hirelings and possible henchman with whatever leather armour is for sale in the city and a good sword and arrows for their bows.

This gives him an idea, though. It seems as though they might have a way of bringing supplies into the besieged city, if they can get someone to bring them to the now abandoned goblin camp. They can be ferried across the river and into the city from there.

phil285 · #379 Post by **phil285** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 10:50 pm

Atlictoatl · #380 Post by **Atlictoatl** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 1:25 am

Tev meren, Fighter

If there's approval from the others, Tev distributes the 9 gp and 90 cp they'd looted in recent days with the nine men and women who decide to stick with them and buys them a hearty meal and beds for the evening. If Thurgan's available, he'll discuss with him portable barricades they could construct to carry onto the bridge with them to narrow the point of attack of the orcs.

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