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[h2][color=598527][i][b]Kathryn Pyke[/b][/i][/color][/h2][i][b][color=598527]Human, Battle Master, Level 03[/color][/b][/i]
[color=598527][i][b]HP:[/b][/i][/color] 31 / 31	[color=598527][i][b]Armor Class:[/b][/i][/color] 19 [color=598527][i][b]Conditions:N/A[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=598527][i][b]Location:[/b][/i][/color] The Public House —> Avonshire streets, outside of “camp”
[color=598527][i][b]Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=598527][i][b]Bonus Action:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=598527][i][b]Reaction:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
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[right][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/7884b36a-e3f0-48fb-9689-1a8fd4af7f5a.png[/img][/right]
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[hider=Some Years Back]
	Ser Arthur Codswealth was having a rather spectacular day all things considering. The youngest of three brothers his father mostly only took note of him when he fucked up. Couldn't beat the dueling instructor? Ass got reamed out. Seduced one of his friend's daughters, reamed out. Call your older brother a silver spoon fed twat? Reamed out, and the master of arms got permission to have his way with him. But tonight? He had been tasked with several very important jobs for his father, and he had gotten all but two of them done. Being the youngest, and the least noted by most lords his father visited, no one had noticed when he had crept away from dinner. Well, except the guards who had gotten in his way as he opened the gate. First job, done. Open the gate. Next, section off the fortress so that the guards within couldn't coordinate together and retake the keep. Also check. He had failed to take out the dying old man his father feared so much, but after meeting "The Titan of the Northern mountains" he was unimpressed. Sure, the man was huge by any human standards, well over 7 foot. But he also walked with a gimp leg, was slower then a cripple, and was always coughing and running out of breath. Sure in his prime he may have been a formidable threat, but now he was little more then a dying old man, so huge he would be that much easier to strike once he was found. He had also killed a large percentage of the guards himself while the fighting continued in the dining hall, and had let in enough reinforcements that those who were left stood no chance at retaking anything of note. It was mostly a mop up now to make sure that no credible witnesses got away. But with the fortress's household staff dead, the few knights who were within the walls butchered, and by now those not worth keeping alive of the local family dead, who would believe the few scattered maidens, footmen, and cooks who still remained. Assuming any of them made it out. He had also failed to find the eldest daughter. Though at this stage, she was only useful to be married off to one of his brother's to grant them legitimacy once they wrapped up. But something could be figured out if she didn't last the night. His father had said as much when he was given his tasks. 

	He had also assembled a group of mostly archers and crossbow men to hold the gate to prevent reinforcements from getting in, and to prevent those who wanted to escape from getting out. After tonight, his father would be proud of him. He may even grant this run down fortress to Arthur himself should his older brother William fuck up. And he hoped he did. His job was considerably harder. Help father and his oldest brother Icarus deal with the knights and guards in the feasting hall. Hell, if he died even Arthur would be a shoe in for this keep. Which though a rather ugly thing, possessed a lot of land, and an army attacking from the outside would have a bloody hell of a time trying to take it. And it was more then he was destined to get otherwise. Arthur Codswealth then yanked his long sword out of the back of the poor twat who had tried to get the gate open again. Some peasant lad clad in mail armed with a rather cheap quality sword felt rather confident in his ability to fight his way to the gate. Not that they were expecting any real trouble from outside. At most a local militia may be raised to help retake the fort before the defenses could be manned. But even then, they had scouts own the road to slow them own and give fair warning. 

	He soon saw his father and his brother William walking up to the gatehouse to check up on his progress. William looked like a bloody mess, and his father being the old hack he was didn't have but a mark on him. Likely leaving the fighting to his brothers and his other footmen. Stepping down the stairs to meet them he put away his bloody sword and gave a huge smile arms out. "[b]So you made it! As you can see, I've done my duty. The gate is secure, the remaining guards scattered and trapped, and my men are cleaning up the pockets as we speak. Sent some lads after the girl and the Lambert Boy. We'll have them soon enough dead or alive.[/b]" Arthur spoke in a rather confident tone. His father though waited expectantly leaning in on his cane. Arthur stood silent for a moment. He had hoped not bringing up the old man would mean his father would too forget about him. Clearly, he was wrong. "[i]And Lord John?[/i]" His father asked in a sharp already annoyed tone. Knowing full well the answer. "[b]Wasn't in his chambers. But we have the fort locked down, and the gate sealed. He'll come up dead or alive soon enough just like the kids.[/b]" His father already looked ready to rip him a new one. Turning red with anger clearly not seeing all the great work he had already done! He had single handedly taking out the gate house! Opened the gates for reinforcements to join! Killed a knight of the keep, and held the gate preventing anyone from retaking it! But the crazy old man held a grudge far stronger then his love for his sons. "[i]Can you not do anything right Boy. You let the most dangerous man of the keep escape, and I'll be damned if he gets the chance to kill me first. Come on William, we need to finish what your incompetent younger brother failed to do. If we're lucky the old man is already dead.[/i]" He said before spitting in Arthur's direction.

	Arthur about raised his voice to protest. Only to be stopped by one of his men shouting "RIDER! One of ours!" Fine. His father felt so confident, maybe he could hold the gatehouse himself. When he turned to see the rider he was shocked to see one of his best men riding nearly dead on his horse as the gate closed behind him. His armor had been mangled like cheap bronze against a hammer, his arm held on by nothing but the bone, and more then enough blood on him for two full men. He had no idea how much of the blood was his man's, or how much belonged to someone else. Arthur's father and William must have had a similar expression as they had stopped to investigate the rider as well. William had walked up to the rider, and the rider had lived long enough to utter a single word. "...titan..." He spoke in a hushed tone  before blood poured from his mouth, and he collapsed off his mount. "[i]Fucking Hell![/i]" His father shouted before he began to storm off, his face going from red to white. The old man was scared of another old man. Aye, the man he feared still had some bite to him, but all men could die. It was the one thing all men were good at. "[i]Recall all them back here. Right Fuuucking now.[/i]" His father barked at everyone in earshot. "[i]We're not letting that bastard inside these fuuucking walls. You fucking hear me? He's not getting back in these fuuucking walls![/i]" His father had began to become irrational. Arthur had more then two dozen man at this gate, most of them expert bowman and crossbow men. Sure, maybe he was good with his weapon of choice, but he'd like to see how well the old man would stand up to nearly fifty bolts and arrows in his body. 

	"[b]Father, you over react to old myths, and old fears. If this dying old man scares you so much, I'll deal with him myself and show you who you should really have been focusing your love on.[/b]" Arthur spoke in a frustrated yet confident tone. Spiteful for the years of being a second rate son. Spiteful for having no prospects in life other then to be his brother's lackey. After tonight, that will change. "[b]Give me the fortress, and you'll have the head of this titan mounted on the gate by morning.[/b]" He spoke confidently. William, who was supposed to receive the castle was visibly pissed that his younger brother dare had the audacity to declare for something he had no rights too. He began to speak up, only to be cut off by their father, who's tone had gone from righteous anger and fear, towards a cold expressionless face. Though his face was still white, the fear and anger appeared to have left. "[i]Fine. Kill the titan. Should you survive by our return Stonehold is yours.[/i]" William opened his mouth to protest, stopping when their father raised his hand in a fist. "[i]We'll gather the rest of the troops. Do not, disappoint me.[/i]" And his father turned. Arthur had gotten his big break, and was now going to get what he was rightfully owed. A seat of power, and his father's respect. Unknowing to him though, his father expected to not see his youngest son alive upon his return. 

	"TO THE GATE! THEY'RE HERE!" One of his men shouted from the walls. most of his men ran for the top of the walls, firing down outside, taking some bolts and arrows back. So he had some fighters of his own, no matter. They'd be dead soon enough. He began to walk his way up to the wall, to be stopped when the gate that had been splintered open mere hours ago, then boarded shut, had jerked. [b]BOOM![/b] the hastily repaired gate screamed. So they had a ram. Fucking hell how many men did he round up? And how did they get a ram so fast? [i]BOOM![/i] The gate screamed again. "Bring him down! Bring him down!" He heard one of his sergeants command. That would at least be one problem dealt with. The titan would be dead, then he'd just have to deal with the hastily put together forces he mustered. [b]BOOM! CRACK![/b] The gate wouldn't hold long. He may have been a little too aggressive in shattering the hinges. But who could have predicted they'd have a ram? Looking back, he could see his father and brother were already gone from the courtyard. Looking back to the gate a couple of his men were beginning to break. He drew his longbow and stepped in their path. "[b]You'll be dead before you see the sun rise if you run. Draw your weapons and prepare for them to breach or I'll have you run through like the cowards you are![/b]" He screamed, and even with the arrow pointed at the head of the first man who ran, he looked back and still debated if he would rather face Arthur or the army on the other side. Before he could protest, he sent the glowing beam from his bow into the man's head before lowering the bow. "[b]HOLD THE GATE![/b]" Those who had tried to run figured they'd then have a better chance at holding the gate, then disappointing their lord. [b]BOOM![/b] the gate flexed inward this time, not bouncing back. One or two more good hits and it would be down. He then heard the deep, guttural grown of a massive creature catching it's breath. Then he saw something that horrified him.

	A steel clad hand, the size of a human torso burst through a newly created hole in the gate. It reached down grabbing the wooden crossbar holding the broken gate closed and began to try to remove it. The Titan he could take, an armored ogre or troll? He had too few men for that and for any other troops that may have been collected. It could not be allowed to enter. Drawing back another bolt of radiant energy, he took aim and fired at the steel clad hand. It flinched, and withdrew. Then immediately slammed downwards against the cross board cracking it nearly in half. Arthur fired another bolt of radiant energy at the hand, but in his panic missed hitting the ever weakening gate. The steel clad hand then retreated into the hole it had made. He prepared to fire again, and prepared to stop his remaining men from running and bolts and arrows passed over the wall, when a voice called out to him. "[color=598527]SER ARTHUR OF HOUSE CODSWEALTH.[/color]" He paused, his panic and fear lost to confusion. He turned to see a young girl, maybe 14, or 15. in her hands, a sword that was comically large in her hands. And looked like it should be an antique decorative piece more then a weapon of war. He then frowned, recognizing the girl as the daughter. She was bigger then he thought she would be. [b]BOOM! Crunch![/b] the breaking gate snapped him out of it. The girl was little more then an annoying distraction. But something about her... it held his attention. "[color=598527]You and your kinsmen have committed the heinous, monsters act of Regicide! And broke the bond of Guest Right! In the name of King Bizmark, the kingdom of Arcanaple, and as the sole surviving heir of house VanEmbar, I sentence you and your kinsmen to death![/color]" She spoke with a lot of rehearsed confidence. As if much of what she was saying was little more then repeating what she had already heard, changing it to fit the current situation. Had things not been so pressing, he would have laughed out loud. He almost did as he drew his bow to meet her gaze. She froze, fear gripping her as she saw death about to meet her. "[b]Kathryn, that was the name![/b]" He said in remembrance as he prepared to fire on the young girl. Despite the situation, he still spoke with his booming confident tone. "[b]You don't look Nine years old if it's any reassurance. I'm sure you would have made a great wife to William. But alas, I think you're more trouble then it's wor-[/b]" was all he was able to get out before the gate was struck again, this time one of the doors crashing off it's hinges, and the other splintering to pieces as it struck against the stone walls of the castle.

	Ser Arthur Codswealth turned to see a beast standing at a height of nearly 30 feet, clad in castle forged steel, and with a face of rage that he had seen once before. The face his father had tried to warn him about, and was now punishing him for his defiance, his ignorance. As Lord John, Titan of the Northern Mountains stepped through, and brought his gaze of violence and revenge down upon Ser Arthur Codswealth. Though his resolve was shaken, beaten, and close to breaking, The Titan was still a man. A big one, but a man non the less. Men bled, men died. It was the one thing all men were good at. He released the bolt of radiant energy towards the Titan's head and cut through his massive shield. The giant stumbled briefly as the remaining archers unloaded into him from all angles. The top of the wall behind him, the ground in front of him, and javelins and throwing weapons from anyone else who could muster the courage to still fight. He hadn't noticed the horde of warriors who ran in past The Titan until they were already butchering his men. He turned his bow to fire on the new threat, only stopping once he saw the titan steady himself again and see where the bolt had impacted his target. Little more then a scuff against his helmet. No blood, no injuries, The arrows fired having little effect, and most of his men laid dead or fled while they still had the chance. He turned to do the same only to be met by the big girl, her comically large sword blocking his path as he tried to flee, forcing him to stop long enough for her uncle's massive blunt weapon to send him flying against the stone walls. 

[/hider]

	Kathryn was glad to see that the party, Blackberry included with in were ready to finish this. People were in danger, and without the help of local law it left few who may be able to solve this. Solve and fix it. Blackberry joining along would be more help for their party as she worried that no matter how much she tried, they would be facing a rather difficult conflict of force. To what extent, she was unsure. But the help was appreciated. It seemed the others were also in favor of following up with the Municipal building. Should their rather antagonistic men in uniform be connected to everything going on, they needed to know for sure before anything could be done. That being sharing those details, or dealing with it themselves. Kathryn gave Blackberry a reassuring smile as he spoke up about how far it may be. "[color=598527]It's not far at all, don't ya worry. And the supplies are safe.[/color]" She wasn't sure how the rest of the party would feel about taking the dragonborn to the hideout, but she hoped they wouldn't mind. Kathryn did find Victoria's urge for exciting danger rather intriguing. She implied great dangers, and they were legitimate concerns. But they seemed not to worry her. She smiled as Victoria met up at the door with her and gave her nod at her wink. "[color=598527]I'm sure it'll serve us very well. A weapon's only a tool in the right hands.[/color]" She heard of stories of things bards could do with their abilities and magical tools. She had no idea how many were true, or how many of the other stories about bards were true, but she was glad to have the bard by her side. "[color=598527]I'll make sure you don't get shot this time.[/color]" Kathryn said in a tone mixed between teasing, and apologetic. 

	To also protect herself from the rain, Kathryn brought her helmet back on, though this time when she put the buckle together it wasn't fully latched. If she expected a fight she could buckle it back up to make sure it stayed in place to be fully effective. Stepping outside though the battered bucket she called a helm made it difficult to look about, the rain making it worse. She hoped that they weren't followed, and that no one was waiting for them. Despite Kosara being prepared with all she needed, she was first out the door to return to camp. The tiefling woman did mention shopping, which anything that didn't involve the tension of everything with this quest sounded wonderful. A good meal without the concern of being jumped, a nice shopping spree, a chance to properly work out would also be nice if she had the gear for that. A chance to get to know her new partners without the pressure that every stop they took risked more people missing. But they were getting close, she could feel it! She just hoped it was for the better.

	She noticed Kosara looking about, and if she saw something she didn't say anything. Kathryn debated going around the block to throw off anyone waiting for them. But it was just as likely for someone who was looking for them to spot them if they left the area. "[color=598527]Let's get going. We will wanna be fast, and be out even faster.[/color]" Kathryn walked for a bit, stopping a little ways past the barn but not entering. Stopping to look around again as if trying to spot something. But was instead keeping watch with intentions of being the last to enter, to make sure that everyone else got in safely before she decided to follow in.