[IC] Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia easily spotted the green brown smudge on Buddy after receiving the blow from the javelin. She muttered to Buddy, "Buddy, if you get too wounded, don't hesitate to fall back," She turned her attention back to the trogs as they threw their javelins and some more are preparing to swarm. She answered Pylia, "Hang in there, Pylia. We want to get as much of them as we can," Now wasn't quite right. She hoped to get as many of the trogs as possible and give them a false sense of security. Now was not the time to give the signal.

She quickly stood up and fired another Sun Bolt at the most wounded looking troglodyte before ducking back down for cover. She was going to save her energy to deflect any javelins that manage to reach her despite the cover she was taking.

Sylvia's turn

Stand up. Fire Sun Bolt. Duck back down.
Sun Bolt: 16
Damage: 7

[Lucius Cypher]

More screams from the trogs as your sun bolt blasted one of the trogs onto the ground, writhing in pain. The others didn't seem too perturbed however as they threw their javelins en mass once more. None managed to break through your cover though with all of the spears sticking out, it's doubtful that your barricades could withstand another barrage. And to make matters worse, the first wave ran out of spears, and then they began to charge, swarming your position. They roared and shouted as they where upon the party, four against you and Pylia, and another four against Shortfang and Buddy.

Upon seeing the trogs overrun his position, Shortfang dropped his crossbow and took out his shortsword, piercing one trog in the knee before stabbing the crossbow bolt in his hand into the trog's ribcage, breaking it in half while it was still in the trog. Buddy took a swing at one of the trogs who leapt back to avoid the attack, but took the opportunity to plunge the spiked end of his urgrosh into the back of the trog that Shortfang was fighting, slaying it. Meanwhile Pylia got back onto her feet and spoke a word of prayer as her eyes lite up once more and blinded some of the trogs with radiant light, causing a few to even start burning from the brightness. However things weren't looking any better as more trogs just arrived, pulling javelins out from their bags and getting ready to throw. It didn't seem to concern them that their own warriors were in the melee; if you don't act now, a lot of attacks were going to head in your direction.

"Boss! Now!?"

Rolls and info

Trog 1 (A Dead) (B Dead) (C 13/13) (D 13/13) (E 13/13) (F 13/13) (G 13/13) (H 13/13) (I 13/13) (J Dead) = 20
Shortfang (28/28) | Syfr (1/1) = 19
Buddy (27/31) = 17
Pylia (24/24) = 12
Sylvia (21/21) = 6

Trog 1C javelin vs Sylvia = 17
Trog 1D javelin vs Sylvia = 6
Trog 1E javelin vs Pylia = 18
Trog 1F javelin vs Pylia = 16
Trog 1G javelin vs Buddy = 13
Trog 1H javelin vs Buddy = 14
Trog 1I javelin vs Buddy = 17
Trog 1J javelin vs Buddy = 15

Shortfang's Shortsword vs Trog 1J = 14/11
Shortsword Damage = 7
Shortfang's Bolt Dagger vs Trob 1J = 18/12
Bolt Damage = 2

Buddy's Urgrosh vs Trog 1I = 8
BUddy's Urgrosh Stab vs Trog IJ = 15
Stab Damage = 4

Trog 1C Con Save vs Pylia's Word of Radiance = 20
Trog 1D Con Save vs Pylia's Word of Radiance = 14
Trog 1E Con Save vs Pylia's Word of Radiance = 8
Trog 1F Con Save vs Pylia's Word of Radiance = 8
Radiant Damage = 3

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia was now nervous. With the state of the barricades now extremely weakened, and the fact that four had swarmed her and Pylia and another four had swarmed Buddy and Shortfang while another wave was coming. She felt that now might be the best time to send that signal. She also had an idea for one more gambit. If this didn't get Venomfang in the path of the water to wash him away with the rest of the tribe, then she would still have the sunlight idea and most of his tribe would be washed away...

She answered Shortfang "Now!" She then attacked one of the troglodytes with her tonfa and another strong kick. She then put her idea into action, after letting Syfr give the signal,

"HEY! VENOMFANG! I THOUGHT YOU WERE THE LEADER! THE STRONGEST OF THIS TRIBE! WHY DON'T YOU PROVE IT INSTEAD OF HAVING THE WEAKLINGS TAKE YOUR SPOTLIGHT?! OR ARE YOU TOO SCARED TO FACE A PUNY HUMAN?!"

She shouted that so that Venomfang would hear her from all the way back behind all of his troops. She hoped that damaging his pride a bit might help lure him into the path of the water. After that, she channeled her ki to help strengthen her defenses. Because she was sure that she didn't just catch Venomfang's attention.

Sylvia's turn

Striking one of the trogs with a tonfa and unarmed strike, using a bonus action to use a Ki point for Patient Defense.

Tonfa to hit: 23
Damage: 8

Unarmed Strike: 15
Damage: 5

[Lucius Cypher]

Many things happened in the following few seconds. As soon as your tonfa struck square into the chest of one of the troglodytes, you heard an owl's screech in the distance. Followed by a loud crashing noise as the second wave of Troglodtyes arrived, pulling out javelins and throwing them. However only a few were thrown, and not even very far, as suddenly a deafening deluge of water crashed through the area, knocking the trogs on the bridge off and into the briny waters below. Other trogs near the fortifications were smashed into the walls or ground, many dying and getting swept up in the waters, though there were a few that survived, albeit barely. The trogs didn't even fully register that they lost more than half of their forces in one attack, and simply continued their assault onto you and your friends. Out of the corner of your eye, you also spotted three small sparks. Almost on instinct, you deftly dodge the first shot, while two more rays you were able to block with your tonfas. They felt insanely hot, but fortunately because they were bone and not wood, they were merely scorched. From the darkness a purple Troglodyte armed with a large sword arrived, with four more troglodtyes each armed with totem-like spears. The purple trog, Venomfang, shouted something in a language similar to what Pylia and Shortfang spoke to each other in. Unfortunately Pylia had no time to translate as the trogs attacked the party.

One pounced at you, blood seeping from his jaw due to being smashed against the ground, his claws failing to bypass your defense. You've been fighting these trogs quite frequently, and despite their ferocity their fighting style lacks any precision or technique, relying entirely on their sheer strength. This made them easily predictable as you blocked, parried, and dodged their attacks. Pylia as well seemed to be getting the hang of fighting these beasts, though it helps that all she needed to do was block with her shield. Indeed despite their madden attacks, your allies are able to fend for themselves easily enough, and kill the weakened troglodytes with ease. This only left Venomfang and his entourage, who don't seem particularly perturbed at how many of their warriors they just lost. He roared something at you which Pylia translated, looking far more confident now that the numbers have been heavily culled.

"He says that all we've done is kill the weak, and now we're facing him and his elite warriors. Let's show him the errors of his thinking."

Rolls and Info

Trog 1 (A Dead) (B Dead) (C Dead) (D Dead) (E Dead) (F Dead) (G Dead) (H Dead) (I Dead) (J Dead) = 20
Shortfang (28/28) | Syfr (1/1) = 19
Buddy (27/31) = 17
Pylia (24/24) = 12
Sylvia (21/21) = 6
Venomfang (39/39) = 4
Trog 3 (A 18/18) (B 18/18) (C 18/18) (D 18/18) = 4

Venomfang Scorching Ray vs Sylvia = 9/21
Venomfang Scorching Ray vs Sylvia = 17/16
Venomfang Scorching Ray vs Sylvia = 16/6

Trog 1C Strength save vs Tidal Wave = 7
Trog 1D Strength save vs Tidal Wave = 19
Trog 1E Strength save vs Tidal Wave = 15
Trog 1F Strength save vs Tidal Wave = 21
Trog 1G Strength save vs Tidal Wave = 19
Trog 1H Strength save vs Tidal Wave = 5
Trog 1I Strength save vs Tidal Wave = 21

Trog 1E Bite vs Sylvia = 16/7
Trog 1E Claw vs Sylvia = 11/19
Trog 1E Claw vs Sylvia = 13/14

Trog 1F Bite vs Pylia = 6
Trog 1F Claw vs Pylia = 10
Trog 1F Claw vs Pylia = 14

Trog 1G Bite vs Shortfang = 14
Trog 1G Claw vs Shortfang = 14
Trog 1G Claw vs Shortfang = 12

Trog 1I Bite vs Buddy = 8
Trog 1I Claw vs Buddy = 9
Trog 1I Claw vs Buddy = 17

Shortfang's Shortsword vs Trog 1I = 22/16
Shortsword Damage = 8

Buddy's Urgrosh vs Trog 1G = 16
Urgrosh Damage = 10
Buddy's Urgrosh stab vs Trog 1F = 19
Stab Damage = 5

Trog 1E Con Save vs Word of Radiance = 11
Radiant Damage = 4

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia watched as the events in this battle unfolded. The deluge of water came quicker than she anticipated, which was good! It got rid of all of the weaker troglodytes so that they didn't have to worry about them. However, it meant that only Venomfang and his elite trogs were still standing. She had just barely managed to block the fire with the bone tonfa in her hands. She could feel the sweat at her brow.

She nodded to Pylia in response and she answered "Yeah. Let's finish this!" She then fired a Sun Bolt at the closest troglodyte, and channeled her ki to fire two more bolts in an attempt to take one of those trogs out and make the battle easier, but one of them might have missed the mark...

Sylvia's turn

Firing Sun Bolt and spending a ki point to fire two more bolts at closest troglodyte.

Sun Bolt 1: 18
Damage: 5
Sun Bolt 2: 9
Sun Bolt 3: 24
Damage: 7

[Lucius Cypher]

Your radiant bolts careen towards one of the elite warriors, the first burning his arm whilst the second shattered his spear and struck his chest. The last one blasted the trog’s head as he was knocked back, killing him. In response Venomfang fires more Scorching Rays right at you, however you easily dodge them as you see them coming. He roared something in his language, which caused the other trogs to charge at your group, two going to you while two went after Buddy.

The two going after you attacked with a flurry of spear thrusts, which you were able to avoid thanks to your quick maneuvered. However these trogs were the strange ones with stretchy necks, allowing them to surprise you as they sank their teeth into your flesh. You could feel a foul venom seep from their fangs into your wounds, though Pylia’s antitoxin was helping you resist the infection.

Things didn’t look good for Buddy though. He was impaled right through the stomach by the trog’s spear as it by down o to his neck. His eyes flickered as the life was draining from his body. However Shortfang wasn’t about to let this happen as he shot the Trog in the face, causing him to step back in pain and give Buddy the opportunity to hack the Trog in half with his axe. He was barely alive, but he wasn’t out just yet. He charged the other two trogs attacking you, trying to get a stab at one however the wound on his body made it increasingly difficult for him to maneuver.

Pylia looked up as she Raised her Warclub into the air.. “It is time. Let there be light!” Aiming for the crack in the ceiling Pylia summoned holy fire, causing the stones to crack further until they broke open and revealed bright, glaring sunlight from the surface, this caused the troglodytes as well as Shortfang to flinch and reel back. “Ow! Too bright!” Shortfang said through squinted eyes as he tried to get a bead on the trogs. In this moment Pylia dashed forward towards Vemonfang, the other two warriors tried to cut off her path but due to the blinding light they failed to stop her as she reach melee. “Let’s finish them off Sylvia!”

Rolls and Info

Shortfang (28/28) | Syfr (1/1) = 19
Buddy (1/31) = 17
Pylia (24/24) = 12
Sylvia (21/21) = 6
Venomfang (39/39) = 4
Trog 3 (A Dead) (B 18/18) (C 18/18) (D Dead) = 4

Trog 3A is defeated!

Venomfang Scorching Ray vs Sylvia = 8
Venomfang Scorching Ray vs Sylvia = 10
Venomfang Scorching Ray vs Sylvia = 5

Trog 3B Bite vs Sylvia = 18
Bite Damage = 5
Need a Con Save DC 10 against poison!
Trog 3B Spear vs Sylvia = 9
Trog 3B Spear vs Sylvia = 9

Trog 3C Bite ca Sylvia = 20
Bite Damage = 5
Need a Con Save DC 10 against poison!
Trog 3C Spear vs Sylvia = 7
Trog 3C Spear vs Sylvia = 13

Trog 3D Bite vs Buddy = 22
Bite Damage = 5
Buddy’s Con Save vs Poison = 19/22
Trog 3D Spear vs Buddy = Nat 20
Crit Spear = 13
Trog 3D Spear vs Buddy = 23
Spear Damage = 8

Shortfang Light Crossbow vs Trog 3D = 10/26
Crossbow Damage = 11

Buddy’s Urgrosh vs Trog 3D = 15
Urgrosh Damage = 7
Urgrosh Stab vs Trog 3C = 8

Trog 3D is defeated!

Pylia uses her Sacred Flame to illuminate the area!

Trog 3B Attack of Opportunity vs Pylia = 7/8
Trog 3C Attack of Opportunity vs Pylia = 16/21

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia was surprised by the trogs with stretching necks and she asked "What the-?!" before she got bit. Thankfully, she didn't seem to feel a thing, and she was able to keep dodging. Before Sylvia could even think about the sunlight trap, Pylia had already broken the stone before Sylvia thought that the time was right, and she dashed over to Venomfang, right as Buddy needed healing. She called "Wha-?! Pylia, wait!"

She wasn't about to say that Buddy needed healing right now, especially since they were in the middle of fighting enemies who could use that knowledge to their advantage! But Pylia should have noticed him and healed him by now...right?

Regardless, Sylvia let out a somewhat frustrated sigh, before looking to Buddy with a meaningful look, 'Don't die Buddy! Heal yourself man!" before she channeled what was left of her ki to sprint after Pylia and help her fight Venomfang. She wasn't about to leave her alone. She hurried and swung her tonfa at Venomfang himself!

Sylvia's Turn

Constitution Save 1: 18
Constitution Save 2: 20

Sylvia will use her last ki point to use Step of the Wind to disengage from the two trogs and go up to Venomfang with Pylia. Then she will use a tonfa attack on Venomfang.

Tonfa Attack: 23
Damage: 7

[Lucius Cypher]

Though blinded by the sunlight, Venomfang could see you charge right at him and attack. He raised his sword up to block your blow, however due to the light he misjudges your range, giving you more than enough time to redirect your attack and strike him in an opening. Your strike caused Venomfang to grunt in pain however he wasn't about to go down so easily. He growled something that sounded hostile before pointing his hand right into your face, blasting you and Pylia with a huge cone of fire. It was so hot that the air around the flames were scalding, even as you narrowly dodged the point-blank fire blast. Pylia had quickly raised her shield to block as much of the flames as possible but even she was feeling the burn.

One of the trogs who you dashed pass went to chase you, however the other stayed behind to finish off Buddy. Fortunately thanks to being blinded by the sunlight, the trog could hardly hit any sensitive spot on Buddy and his attacks were either blocked or bounced off his armor. He especially didn't see Shortfang shoot a crossbow that landed right into his thigh, causing the trog to screech in pain. It was at that very moment that Syfr also flew onto the scene, going straight after that same troglodyte and flying right into the trog's face. This gave Buddy the opportunity to finish him off, cleaving the troglodyte in half with a single slash of his axe, the light reflecting off the blade as if it was some sort of holy sword as it chopped the warrior in half. Shortly after, Buddy took out one of the healing potions he was given, tossing it whole down his "mouth" as he restored some energy into his glowing core.

The other trog went after you, his attacks largely missing as well, however by mostly luck his last flurry managed to get you right in the ribcage. Pylia saw this and turned towards the trog, enraged. "Shove off! I'll take this one on!" Pylia shouted as she smashed her warclub right into the squinting face of the trog, shattering teeth and rupturing one of it's eyes as she shouted her battle cries.

Rolls and Info

Shortfang (28/28) | Syfr (1/1) = 19
Buddy (9/31) = 17
Pylia (19/24) = 12
Sylvia (8/21) = 6
Venomfang (32/39) = 4
Trog 3 (A Dead) (B 4/18) (C Dead) (D Dead) = 4

Venomfang's Burning Hands Dex save DC 12 = 11, 5 if you pass.
Pylia's Dex save = 18

Trog 3C Bite attack vs Buddy= 15/20
Trog 3C Spear attack vs Buddy = 13/8
Trog 3C Spear attack vs Buddy = 6/21

Trog 3B Bite vs Sylvia = 16/14
Trog 3B Spear vs Sylvia = 12/7
Trog 3B Spear vs Sylvia = 18/20
Spear Damage = 8

Shortfang's Light Crossbow vs Trog 3C = 25
Crossbow Damage = 4

Buddy's Urgrosh = 7/14
Urgrosh Damage + Lvl 1 Divine Smite = 20
Buddy's Potion of Healing = 8

Pylia's Warclub vs Trog 3B = Nat 20
Crit Warclub = 14

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia gasped as she ducked, just barely dodging out of the fire's path. She still felt the singe and she hissed "Ow ow ow!" That was the first time fire had been shot at her, and it scared her. She then noticed one of the trogs chase after her and she dodged to the best of her ability, only to have one blow manage to hit her. That hurt...! She glimpsed towards Buddy and she saw that he had managed to take out the trog that was attacking him and heal himself with the potion.

Taking that as inspiration, she too drank a potion quickly to heal herself, since it was clear that healing was the last thing on Pylia's mind right now. After that, she struck Venomfang again.

Sylvia's turn

Tonfa Attack: 13
Damage: 9

Healing Potion: 7

[Lucius Cypher]

After quickly quaffing the potion you take a swing at Venomfang, however he raises his sword and intercepts the attack. You notice however that your tonfa was not touching his blade; it was floating a few inches over his blade, as if there was some sort of force field helping him block your attack. He opens his mouth and spews forth a spray of poison right into your face, however you were able to avoid getting any on your face or in your eyes or mouth, though he did manage to push you away just a bit. The other trog fighting Pylia continued to struggle against her and the blinding light, though she took a nasty stab in her ribs. But suddenly the body seized up and fell over dead, with one of Shortfang's crossbow bolts embedded into the troglodyte's back.

Popping the last goodberry into his maw, Buddy rushed Venomfang, knocking him to the ground with full body shoulder tackle. Knocked to the ground Pylia leapt right at him, bringing her club towards his head however her blow seemed to deflect off the air due to Venomfang's force field. "He's almost down, let's finish him off before he tries to escape!"

Rolls and Info

Shortfang (28/28) | Syfr (1/1) = 19
Buddy (13/31) = 17
Pylia (11/24) = 12
Sylvia (15/21) = 6
Venomfang (32/39) = 4
Trog 3 (A Dead) (B Dead) (C Dead) (D Dead) = 4

Venomfang's Poison Spray Con Save DC 12 vs Sylvia = 6

Trog 3B Bite vs Pylia = 17/7
Trog 3B Spear vs Pylia = 13/12
Trog 3B Spear vs Pylia = 18/19
Spear Damage = 8

Shortfang's Crossbow vs Trog 3B = 26
Crossbow Damage = 4

Trog 3B is defeated!

Buddy's Shove vs Venomfang = 24
Venomfang resist = Nat 1

Pylia's Warclub vs Venomfang = 10/15

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia watched as Buddy successfully rammed himself into Venomfang, and she praised Buddy, "Way to go, Bud!" After Pylia struck Venomfang, Sylvia took advantage of the openings made, while channeling her ki. She swung her tonfa first, before attempting to stomp on Venomfang, before striking for a nerve with her final unarmed strike. She was hoping to end this fight soon!

Sylvia's turn

Attack with tonfa, spending a ki point for flurry of blows!

Tonfa: 8/20
Damage: 4

Flurry of Blows 1: 18/10
Damage: 4

Flurry of Blows 2: 11/Natural 20
Damage: 11

[Lucius Cypher]

Each flurry from your blows land, breaking through his force field and striking his body. This wasn't a good situation for him due to being alone, surrounded, and knocked to the ground. But before he could expire, his body vanishes. You could hear him stand up but couldn't see where he went, but you could vaguely hear the sounds of footsteps slapping the ground. You felt something brush pass you however so did Buddy and Pylia, making them confused about where Venomfang really went. But then Syfr screeched, flying over an area near the edge of the bridge. This was all Shortfang needed as he shot a crossbow bolt that seemed to hit something midair before vanishing. "He there! Kill em!"

And sure enough Buddy ran over to the spot where Shortfang had shot at, taking a wide wild swing in the hopes of hitting something. And he swung so hard that Venomfang's body came back into view, with half of Buddy's axe embedded into his head. Dragging the body away from the edge, Buddy pulled his axe out and then stabbed Venomfang through the heart, to finish him off. Pylia touched her ribs where the spear had managed to breath through. "Ugh... I need to get some better fitting armor..." Shortfang came over covering his head with a hood due to the bright sunlight. "Venomfang dead? Then we go see mom, figure out what do next!" Buddy picked up Venomfang's sword. Just like the big trog who attacked Green Eyes, this sword looked far too ornate and well made to be of Trog make. More importantly it looked almost exactly like the same sword, but with a bright ruby embedded into the pommel. He was handing it over to you, pointing towards your handy havardsack.

Rolls and Info

Shortfang (28/28) | Syfr (1/1) = 19
Buddy (13/31) = 17
Pylia (11/24) = 12
Sylvia (15/21) = 6
Venomfang (Dead) = 4
Trog 3 (A Dead) (B Dead) (C Dead) (D Dead) = 4

Venomfang cast Invisibility!

Syfr sniffs him out with his Passive Percpetion of 18.
Shortfang's Light Crossbow vs Venomfang = 20
Crossbow Damage = 4

Venomfang Concentration Check = 13

Buddy's Ugrosh vs an Invisible Venomfang = 18/Nat 20
Urgrosh Damage = 7

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Before Sylvia could even think of striking Venomfang again, he suddenly vanished! “Where’d he go?” She asked out loud in surprise. She then heard his movements, and felt something bump into her. She could hear something walking away. Thankfully, Syfr managed to find the trig, and allowed Shortfang and Buddy to finish off Venomfang. She let out a sigh of relief. The Toxin Croak was no longer a threat.

When Shortfang made his suggestion, Sylvia answered, “Sounds good to me. Maybe they’ll know how Shor and his group are doing,” She also figured it would be a good idea and make sure that Skinwalker and her group were okay. Of course she didn’t say that out loud.

She then looked to Buddy as he hefted Venomfang’s sword. When he pointed at the haversack she answered him, “Good idea, Bud. This might also count as evidence,” She then opened the haversack and held it towards Buddy so that he can put the sword in. She knew that she probably wouldn’t be able to lift the sword just from looking at the weapon.

[Lucius Cypher]

Buddy put the sword into your handy havardsack. You couldn't even feel it once he let the weapon go and it just vanished into the bag. Shortfang took his blade out and seemed to extract something from Venomfang's head while Pylia said a silent prayer over the bodies, ensuring they don't later end up undead. Once the party was finished, they moved on, battered and wounded but alive. A few minutes later Skinwalker and her group would arrive. They also seem wounded but alive. Skinwalker sees you and smiles. "Slimes. We okay. You okay?" Shortfang speaks to his mother, showing him the organ he took from Venomfang. She nods and looks over to you. "Go to Underhaven. We rest before battle. You ready? Anything you need?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia closed the haversack once the sword was in, and she was pleasantly surprised to find that the haversack was no heavier with the items inside. She noticed that Shortfang seemed to be carving something out of Venomfang's head, but she wasn't about to ask what. She watched as Pylia prayed and made sure that the trog bodies do not come back as the undead. She made a mental note to ask Pylia a certain question that bugged her, regarding the battle earlier.

Sylvia then saw that Skinwalker returned with her group, hurt as bad as they were. She smiled back at Skinwalker as she answered with a nod, "We're okay," Sylvia really was relieved to see that Skinwalker was okay. After both mother and son spoke with each other, and Skinwalker stated that they should go back to Underhaven. She answered her question, "I think I'm okay, and ready. I just need some time to meditate and rest," She then looked to her friends and asked "How about you guys?"

[Lucius Cypher]

Pylia held her side while Buddy seemed to lean against his axe in a tired manner. Strange how he seems more emotive now that he wad been so close to death. "Shortfang fine, but not safe here. We go!" With no disagreements, your party as well as Skinwalker's scouts would return to Underhaven. It was hard to say how long you've been gone except that by the time you showed up, it looked like the frontlines had been under attack. There were a lot of dead troglodytes as well as a few dead kobolds, however the three sewer dragons were still up and able, and it seemed like the kobolds were getting ready to move out. Many of them were armed with spears, short blades, and bows. No sign of Shor and his team however. None of the scouts sent to investigate seemed to have returned yet either.

The air was thick with tension in Underhaven itself. Many of the women and children seemed to have gathered near the square listening to their shaman say some sort of prayer. The men and a few women kobolds were receiving blessings and getting their weapons maintained. Your party went their separate ways for now. Buddy stayed near the entrance, his arms at his side and his axe near his hand as he often is when he is simply standing around. Shortfang went back to his mother's home. Pylia seemed to have gone to assist healing the wounded. None of the kobolds paid you much mind, not even the guards who were trying to get some last minute training in.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia headed back with her friends. She noticed that the frontlines had been attacked, and the kobolds still had three giant crocodiles. She felt a little more worried now. She seriously needed to rest and recover her ki for the battle to come. She took the time to meditate somewhere quiet. Along the way, she had noticed that there didn't seem to be any sign of Shor and his team. The scouts who had gone to find them hadn't returned either.

Sylvia felt a pit in her stomach...did she...make a mistake in her judgment? Should she have told Shor and his group to go after the Jabrani or the Toxin Croak after all...?

...She was no leader...

She shook her head, shaking off the self-doubt as she continued to meditate. After thirty minutes had passed, she decided to see if Cera had heard of them. From what she recalled, she was at the weapons tent. Hopefully, she'd still be there...

[Lucius Cypher]

Heading over to the weapon’s tent you would actually find Cera wrapping a bandage around Yorik’s head. Everyone from Shor’s team except Shor himself was there, resting and patching up their wounds. Though injured, Yorik sees you and waves you over. “Oh lassie! See dat yet still kickin! Good show eh, how dem Jaberoni gits turn out?” Cera just chuckled as she tighten his bandage, causing him to whince. “Jabrani, Yorik. And stop talking so much, that big mouth of yours is making the bandages lose.” The orc guardsman grumbled an apology as Aisha approaches. “If you’re looking for Shor, he went to the Greyscale house to report our battle with the Blackclaw. How’s your team doing?”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia felt herself let go of a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, as a quiet sigh of relief. Thank goodness! They were here and safe, albeit a little beat up. She smiles as Yorik waved her over. She couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the banter between Cera and Yorik. She answered him, "The Jabrani weren't too much trouble. They're no longer a threat. We also took care of the Toxin Croak, with Skinwalker and her group's help. We even found some evidence of the cult's involvement among those two tribes,"

She was relieved to hear that Shor was with the Greyscales. She answered Aisha, "We're okay. I'm glad to see that you guys are alright,"

She then asked "How did it go with the Black Claw tribe?"

[Lucius Cypher]

Aisha sighed. "We managed to slay their chieftain, and we spotted a hooded man delivering weapons to the trogs. However before we could reach him or secure the weapons, he used some sort of spell to set everything on fire. We weren't able to catch him or take the weapons while the flames were up, so we had to retreat. In the end all there was left was smoldering ash and destroyed steel. The slag left behind couldn't help us identify who made them or what their designs were." Aisha took out a flask from her hip and drank directly from it. She handed it to you as well if you wanted a sip. It smelled like a very strong booze. "Shor is probably trying to convince the chief of Elysium's involvement with the weapons, but we don't have any evidence beyond our own eyes, and I'm sure the Greyscales think we're simply trying to push our own narrative. If you do have some proof, you should head over to the Greyscales and show them what you've found."

Yorik walked up over to you with a slight limp. You could see that his thigh was bandaged and bleeding, requiring a crutch to walk with. "Aye kid, how are ye feelin? All dis fightin ain't scarin ya is it?" Yorik said with a goofy smile, however Cera approached looking much more concerned. "Yorik, don't joke with her. As capable as she is, she's still a civilian..." Yorik just snorted at this statement. "Civvie? Now yer jokin Cera. A civvie wouldn't take on two trog tribes and make it out wifout a casualty. Dat bein said, I can tell she's not doin so hot in the head."

Yorik looked at your somewhat more seriously. He was still smiling, but it was less goofy and more reassuring. "I'm sure yer wanna head over to dem old gits and tell em wot yer got, but da health of yer heart is as important as da health of yer head. C'mon, sit 'ere wif us and let's chat a lil while."

Aisha just chuckled as she went over to a nearby campfire, pulling out some stools for everyone to sit at. "Since when have you learned how to treat ailments of the heart, Yorik?" The orcish warrior just scoffed. "Ain't nuthin to it. Sometimes ya just gotta gab and ya need someone ta listen. Maybe ye oughta learn how ta chat wif yer mates sometimes! Barely know a thing bout ya Aisha, and yer been in da force fer wot, two years?" The dark elf shook her head as she took another swig from her flask. "I've been working as a guard for twenty years, I've simply be working in this team for two years."

Yorik and Aisha cattily chatted with each other while Cera offers you a seat. Her brother was already sitting nearby sharpening his blades in silent. "If you do want to talk, we're here to listen. What's on your mind Sylvia?"