2018-06-02: Besieged
- Log: Besieged
- Cast: Ambrosius, Bethany Liston
- Where: Lastonbell - Church District
- Date: 2/06/2018
- Summary: A veruni and a doctor are trapped in the Siege of Lastonbell.
=======================<* Lastonbell - Church District *>======================= The Church of Althena has a sizeable church located in the western half of Lastonbell. This provides a place of sanctuary, as the walls around the church make a place for the city's government and residents to meet. This part of Lastonbell is calmer than the rest, too. Homes are more common than shops, and the lack of inns mean most foreign merchants don't linger here. Still, the main street leads to the western gates and Pearloats Pasture beyond, and one can rarely escape how busy Lastonbell is most times of the year. The church itself is of simpler construction, built in the ages before Althena returned. The priesthood here, however, has bought into the new doctrines since the Goddess's return and follows in the footsteps of Cardinal Forton. The interior of the church is decorated in fine gold and gems, donated by the faithful. Lastonbell's church also includes those chosen to care for the city's famous bell tower. BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6Qv2JpBbGo
DG: A party led by Ambrosius is now entering Escape from Lastonbell. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
=========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>========================= =====================<* CHALLENGE - Collapsed Building *>===================== |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- When the wall comes down, a few huge stones are sent flying into the city. One slams into the building that you happened to be inside when the wall came down. The ceiling collapses, a hole gaping out into the smoke-filled night air. Screams can be heard -- and then worse, as the walls of the building begin to collapse around you! To escape the city, you will need to blast and break your way out of a building that is turning into so much rubble. =Dungeon Conditions: Tire, Weaken=============================================
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
They knew it would happen eventually.
Once the army of Hyland began to close in, Lastonbell's fate was sealed - it was only a matter of how much time they might be able to buy. All things come to an end, and now...
The end comes for Lastonbell.
It was perhaps a cruel twist of fate that Ambrosius happened to be here when it happened. He was observing the situation, when suddenly, outside, a bomb goes off.
A portion of the wall collapses, exploding with red fire and green energy. He can see it quite clearly.
...Ambrosius's eyes narrow. That can only mean one thing. He gets to his feet...but before he gets far the building rocks as debris strikes it. A critical support beam is struck, and it starts to cave in upon itself.
Ambrosius looks up...and with only the slightest motion, water pools nearby before shooting up in a torrent, to blast away debris before it can even hit him.
There's a rush for the door as a crowd of people, already on edge, shriek and run in hopes of escape.
...Ambrosius takes his time. With that leisurely pace of his, you wouldn't expect that he was trying to leave a collapsing building.
DG: Ambrosius has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Collapsed Building.
<Pose Tracker> Bethany Liston has posed.
It turns out that it had been a real bad idea to stop in Lastonbell to restock. Not that Bethany could have called that the day before she got caught up in a siege. The doctor lay on an inn bed, wondering how much longer she'd be able to manage this situation before either running out of funds, or running afoul of someone desperate. She'd have to do something soon, even if-
Her train of thought is interrupted by the sudden explosion, and the roof and wall of her room is devastated by the shrapnel of the attack. In a second, she is up and moving, shotgun in hand, as the building starts to come down.
Her attention initially goes to those caught in the attack as she bursts out of her room, looking through the crowd for those who are injured or just in pain. Her shotgun goes away and her medicine bag is opened up. Those she can get up and moving are given painkillers to try and help get them out of the way. The more people rushing means more people making for the door, but it also means there's more people there to move rubble and clear the way, something Bethany looks to assist with.
It's during this attempt that she sees a man she had gone dungeon diving with moving around like the calmest person in the world. She only gives a few seconds to staring before focusing back on the people trying to clear space. "Don't rush it, you'll just get people trampled!" She yells to the crowd.
DG: Bethany Liston has used her Tool Painkillers toward her party's challenge, Collapsed Building.
=========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>========================= =====================<* CHALLENGE - Collapsed Building *>===================== |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- When the wall comes down, a few huge stones are sent flying into the city. One slams into the building that you happened to be inside when the wall came down. The ceiling collapses, a hole gaping out into the smoke-filled night air. Screams can be heard -- and then worse, as the walls of the building begin to collapse around you! To escape the city, you will need to blast and break your way out of a building that is turning into so much rubble. =Dungeon Conditions: Tire, Weaken=============================================
====================<* Escape from Lastonbell - Round 1 *>==================== =======================< Results - Collapsed Building >======================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ambrosius 0 --(23)--> 23 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bethany Liston 0 --(18)--> 18 Pass Painkillers 2 Brute Effects: Resilient ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Ambrosius 0 --(10)--> 10 Fail Conditions: Tire(2)|Weaken(2) Effects: Resilient(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Ambrosius has failed this challenge! The party gained 10 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Bethany Liston has drawn a new Challenge.
==========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>========================== =========================<* CHALLENGE - Secret Doors *>========================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The wealthier portion of Lastonbell has manor houses behind protective walls. There are, however, a few secret boltholes and doors that lead to small stairwells and ladders. This would let you gain access to the upper level of the city -- and then bypass, perhaps, a portion of the soldiers. However, knowing where to find these doors is difficult -- they are deliberately hidden in the stonework of buildings, and meant to be hard to find just through sight. =Dungeon Conditions: Weaken, Secret===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
Ambrosius's water torrent only forestalls the inevitable. The building starts to fall, but as it does so, Bethany emerges. The painkillers she dispenses do, at least, see that many of the people here in this building who would not have escaped otherwise are able to leave.
But, the building continues to collapse.
A support beam falls, bringing with it the rest of the ceiling...and Ambrosius catches it with a grunt. He locks eyes with Bethany.
"Move. Quickly." He states. It's like a command, more than anything. One can only imagine how much longer he'll be able to hold that beam up.
...Frankly, it's surprising he's able to do even that.
Still, there's an opportunity. Every little bit counts, when there's no telling when Hyland will move in to secure the city.
<Pose Tracker> Bethany Liston has posed.
That's... unexpected. To say the least. "R-right." Bethany responds, pushing forward out of the building and out of the way of the collapsing beam. Still, when she gets outside she looks around with a lack of familiarity. Tsk.
As she waits for Ambrosius to follow (hopefully), Bethany pulls out her notebook. She's been treating people- including people with less than legel professions- in this area that someone must have let slip something about getting around this mess of a town in a hurry. She looks for any hint of a comment about back alleys, or doors left unattended, or anything else in her notebook that might tip towards people getting out of here.
Either way, with the way the crowd is moving, she's going to have to make a decision about where to go next soon, or risk getting swept away. Not to mention the risk of soldiers deciding to get in the way. Ultimately, Bethany closes the notebook with a grimace, and, when Ambrosius emerges, beckons him to follow her towards a half remembered hunch.
DG: Bethany Liston has used her Tool Patient Notes toward her party's challenge, Secret Doors.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
Ambrosius waits until everyone is safely out. Sure, he could drop it - what does he care about a bunch of humans? - but he doesn't. And then, once it's clear...he pushes up and moves out, and the building crashes down behind them.
Before long, Ambrosius emerges behind Bethany, and when she beckons him to follow her, he nods. He does so quietly, though not necessarily quickly...but on the bright side, he seems fully willing to remove any obstructions that get between the two of them and safety, so that'll surely help.
DG: Ambrosius has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Secret Doors.
==========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>========================== =========================<* CHALLENGE - Secret Doors *>========================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 3 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The wealthier portion of Lastonbell has manor houses behind protective walls. There are, however, a few secret boltholes and doors that lead to small stairwells and ladders. This would let you gain access to the upper level of the city -- and then bypass, perhaps, a portion of the soldiers. However, knowing where to find these doors is difficult -- they are deliberately hidden in the stonework of buildings, and meant to be hard to find just through sight. =Dungeon Conditions: Weaken, Secret===========================================
=====================<* Escape from Lastonbell - Round 2 *>===================== ===========================< Results - Secret Doors >=========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ambrosius 23 --(5)--> 28 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bethany Liston 18 --(5)--> 23 Pass Patient Notes 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Ambrosius 10 --(20)--> 30 Pass Conditions: Secret(2)|Tire(1)|Weaken(2) Effects: Cleanse ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Ambrosius has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Bethany Liston has posed.
The 'hunch' pays off, and thanks to a patient who was in for guard dog bites, an old disused entrance to the upper part of Lastonbell is discovered. The old locks on it aren't able to stand up to Ambrosius deciding to remove obstacles in their path.
With a little breathing room afforded to them, Bethany does take the opportunity to catch her breath. "Thanks for that." She says, if a little understatedly for catching a support beam out of the air. "Do I want to know how you did that, or should I just focus on the 'being thankful I'm alive' part?" She asks, possibly ill advisedly.
DG: Ambrosius has drawn a new Challenge.
=========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>========================= =======================<* CHALLENGE - Catapult Shot *>======================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- As you run down the street, you hear a terrible whistling sound cut through the air. The source of it is a catapult shot, lobbed by a panicked soul who hasn't thought of the damage it might cause. The boulder comes crashing down -- smashing through the roof of a nearby building, before it falls straight at you. =Dungeon Conditions: Suffer===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
Ambrosius is quiet the entire time. He often doesn't need to be asked - if he sees something in their way, he removes it. Eventually, they reach what seems to be something of a safe spot.
Ambrosius doesn't even seem to be tired, though he does politely wait for Bethany to catch her breath. She had gotten them here, after all - if left up to him, he would've taken a more direct path that would have undoubtedly gotten him spotted. He owed her that much.
"...Indeed." He replies, then studies her quietly as she asks that question.
It was a good question to ask, all things considered. It was beyond what a human should be capable of - a doctor would know that well.
He considers an answer, but is saved from having to give it by a rather sudden occurrence.
A catapult has been fired and, in a rather incovenient turn of events...happens to be aimed right toward where they're hiding.
He turns quickly as it whistles through the air.
"Move." He repeats, dodging quickly to the side. If she doesn't move of her own volition he'll grab her, but either way the boulder will come crashing down where they were not a moment later.
This will prove unpleasant for the foundation of the building. They might need to move quickly before he has to demonstrate his beam-holding powers.
DG: Ambrosius has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Catapult Shot.
<Pose Tracker> Bethany Liston has posed.
The incoming catapult shot does rather do a lot to change Bethany's priorities. When Ambrosius shouts, she's already making a dive for it. She's not as fast as Ambrosius, admittedly, but the doctor still understands a simple concept like 'get the hell out of the way.'
Bethany's movements are not dignified or elegant, and there's no guarantee they'll get her clear in time, but hopefully the warning Ambrosius gives is enough time to avoid any crushed limbs.
DG: Bethany Liston has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Catapult Shot.
=========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>========================= =======================<* CHALLENGE - Catapult Shot *>======================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- As you run down the street, you hear a terrible whistling sound cut through the air. The source of it is a catapult shot, lobbed by a panicked soul who hasn't thought of the damage it might cause. The boulder comes crashing down -- smashing through the roof of a nearby building, before it falls straight at you. =Dungeon Conditions: Suffer===================================================
====================<* Escape from Lastonbell - Round 3 *>==================== =========================< Results - Catapult Shot >========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ambrosius 28 --(30)--> 58 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bethany Liston 23 --(30)--> 53 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Ambrosius 30 --(10)--> 40 Fail Conditions: Secret(1)|Suffer(1) Effects: ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Ambrosius has failed this challenge! The party gained 10 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of debris. Ambrosius can move quickly if he has an idea of where he needs to go, but with it all around him, the only way to is out...and that rapidly becomes impossible, as their once-safe hiding spot collapses around them.
Rubble rains down on them, and while no limbs get crushed, it is definitely something one will be feeling for quite some time.
As severe as the damage to the place was, however, there is one bright spot in this - the building collapses on itself in such a way that the beams collide into each other. If they're quick about it, they'll be able to get out before they find themselves trapped...
...Again.
Ambrosius grunts. He was not pleased with this.
"Can you move?" He asks, stepping through the temporary exit and brushing some dust off his poncho, for all the good that'll do him.
DG: Bethany Liston has drawn a new Challenge.
==========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>========================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - Distracting the Army *>===================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- When you round the corner, you have to duck behind it again quickly. It seems nearly a hundred Hyland soldiers have occupied the avenue ahead. They have not, yet, formed a perimeter and spread out. Instead, it seems they are debating whether to keep moving or go elsewhere. If you provide a suitable distraction, you may be able to get this most inconvenient (but deadly) roadblock to chase something besides you. =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
<Pose Tracker> Bethany Liston has posed.
Really, there's no getting away from it. You can only dodge so much. Shrapnel smashes into Bethany's leg, which hurts like a bastard, but at least she avoids the worst of it. Still, it's enough to make the rest of the escape difficult.
"Yeah." Bethany responds, following after Ambrosius with a slight limp. The fact that a building collapses behind them- again- is a good motivator to keep moving. Unfortunately, haste is also going to get them in trouble, Bethany holding a hand up. "Hold up a second." She whispers.
Ahead, a force of a hundred Hyland soldiers have taken control of the only path forward. They're not in search mode yet, but there's no easy going through them. "...Don't suppose you've got a trick for getting past a whole bunch of invading soldiers?" Beth asks, hopefully, as she looks around for any viable alternative.
With no alternative coming to mind, Beth pulls out her shotgun, and loads a birdshot cartridge into it. "I reckon I could get a decent ballistic arc, make 'em think they're getting attacked from a different angle." She mutters, thinking back to to the comments of a Filgaian bank robber she once had the displeasure of treating. "Can't guarantee it'll work, but I don't see a lot of options, do you?"
While she waits for an alternative, if nothing else pops up she will creep up a side alley, fire, and then get ready to bolt as guards doubtless come running towards the noise and, hopefully, the angle the pellets of shot come from. With any luck, she can trick the guards into thinking someone's shooting from a second story window.
DG: Bethany Liston has used her Tool Patient Notes toward her party's challenge, Distracting the Army.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
Ambrosius moves forward with renewed urgency, but when Bethany holds up a hand, he stops. He looks toward her for a moment, then looks in the direction that she indicated.
Soldiers.
Ambrosius's eyes narrow.
In this situation, his 'trick' for getting past a bunch of invading soldiers would be to, well...eliminate them. But there are a lot of them, and there was no guarantee he would able to escape without being wounded, or without Bethany being killed or captured.
Fortunately, Bethany has a plan. A distraction...hm. He couldn't find any flaw in that.
"...Proceed." He confirms with a nod. As soon as she moves, he does, but with one addition - if it appears that the soldiers are drawing too close to them, then with a gesture of his hand he will create a wall of water in between them, to give them extra time to escape.
DG: Ambrosius has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Distracting the Army.
==========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>========================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - Distracting the Army *>===================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- When you round the corner, you have to duck behind it again quickly. It seems nearly a hundred Hyland soldiers have occupied the avenue ahead. They have not, yet, formed a perimeter and spread out. Instead, it seems they are debating whether to keep moving or go elsewhere. If you provide a suitable distraction, you may be able to get this most inconvenient (but deadly) roadblock to chase something besides you. =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
=====================<* Escape from Lastonbell - Round 4 *>===================== =======================< Results - Distracting the Army >======================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ambrosius 58 --(20)--> 78 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bethany Liston 53 --(20)--> 73 Fail Patient Notes 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Ambrosius 40 --(10)--> 50 Fail Conditions: Stupify(2) Effects: Cleanse ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Ambrosius has failed this challenge! The party gained 10 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Bethany Liston has posed.
The attempted shot goes over the roof of the building Bethany has located herself behind, and the bullets slam into the ground near some soldiers feet. Some respond, but not enough. As Bethany starts to make her move to escape down the avenue, the remaining soldiers spot her. Ambrosius' wall of water creates a momentary distraction, but not enough to stop the soldiers. Either way, there's no getting past the roadblock, and the duo are forced to fall back the way they came, further in the besieged city, this time with soldiers on their heels.
"Hells bells!" Bethany yells, firing behind her as she runs, still hampered by the shrapnel to the leg. The spread of her shotgun gives the soldiers reason to pause, especially as shot pierces armour on some of the soldiers, but it's not going to keep them away forever. "Do you see any way out?" She shouts to Ambrosius, when the opportunity for cover behind a collapsed building emerges.
DG: Ambrosius has drawn a new Challenge.
=========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>========================= =======================<* CHALLENGE - Arrow Volleys *>======================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- Rolance's garrison is doing its best to fend off the surging Hyland military. However, its forces have been fragmented, and that has led to some confusion. In this case, as you run down a street, you see the smoky sky darken -- as a volley of arrows is loosed. It comes careening over the nearby buildings, and then arrows rain down in your midst! =Dungeon Conditions: Wound, Injure============================================
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
Things don't go quite the way they hoped. The distraction helps...but not nearly enough. And then, of course, as happens in times of war...
Things get worse.
The contingent of Hyland soldiers that was following them is spotted by archers of Rolance. They take aim and fire, unleashing a volley down upon them. Unfortunately for Ambrosius and Bethany, however, they are caught directly in the middle of the crossfire.
"I will create one." Ambrosius replies. He holds his hand out - a swirling barrier of water forms overhead. It will provide them some cover, but not enough - they will need to move quickly.
And he does, moving to the side of the nearest building and putting a fist right through it. They were targets if they stayed here, so anything they might find beyond it was better than staying here, as arrows fall all around them.
Or, at least, that was the bet he was willing to make...
<Pose Tracker> Bethany Liston has posed.
Of all the luck... Bethany dives to one side as the arrows start coming, but she can't avoid the flurry of arrows forever. As Ambrosius decides to punch a hole in the wall, Beth is forced to just stick to what cover she can and wait. The shield of water helps, but even Bethany can tell a temporary measure.
When the path 'forward' is opened, Bethany makes another reckless dive from cover to the building, putting all her hopes on Ambrosius' idea to survive. Here goes nothing...
DG: Bethany Liston has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Arrow Volleys. DG: Ambrosius has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Arrow Volleys.
=========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>========================= =======================<* CHALLENGE - Arrow Volleys *>======================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- Rolance's garrison is doing its best to fend off the surging Hyland military. However, its forces have been fragmented, and that has led to some confusion. In this case, as you run down a street, you see the smoky sky darken -- as a volley of arrows is loosed. It comes careening over the nearby buildings, and then arrows rain down in your midst! =Dungeon Conditions: Wound, Injure============================================
====================<* Escape from Lastonbell - Round 5 *>==================== =========================< Results - Arrow Volleys >========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ambrosius 78 --(25)--> 103 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bethany Liston 73 --(25)--> 98 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Ambrosius 50 --(10)--> 60 Fail Conditions: Injure(2)|Wound(2) Effects: ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: Ambrosius is too exhausted to continue! DG: The party led by Ambrosius has failed this challenge! The party gained 10 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
Arrows fall all around them. Ambrosius's water barrier deters quite a few of them, but not enough - not nearly enough. And yet, even as arrows pierce into him, he keeps going.
Before long, the way forward is clear. Ambrosius stumbles into the building...and then falls to one knee. It was a lot of work - it proved sturdier than he expected it to.
"Primitive weaponry..." He hisses, mainly to himself, and then with a grunt forces himself to a stand. He's been pierced by quite a few arrows - too many.
He probably shouldn't even be alive, much less up and moving around.
"...If you are still alive, answer me." He replies, looking back to see if she's followed him. If she hadn't, that'll be problematic for him - even as frighteningly durable as he was proving to be, he wasn't in much of a state to contribute more than he already had.
DG: Bethany Liston has drawn a new Challenge.
==========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>==========================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Here Come the Cavalry *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
When you round the corner of the next street, you enter one of the main
avenues of Lastonbell. A quartet of Hyland heavy cavalry is here: four
mounted horsemen, clad in plate, and carrying lances. When they spot you,
they mistake you as combatants for Rolance -- and come charging, lances
pointed down for you.
Of course, their mounts could prove useful... if you can bring them down!
=Dungeon Conditions: Injure, Treasure=========================================
<Pose Tracker> Bethany Liston has posed.
Bethany was nowhere near as durable as Ambrosius, and the arrows that bury themselves into her shoulder make her scream in pain. It takes her a few moments to respond. "Y-Yeah. I'm alive." She pulls herself slowly to her feet, before seeing the state Ambrosius is in, and gasping. "Bloody hell, don't move." Bethany pulls herself toward Ambrosius to look at his wounds. Shit. He should not be standing at this point.
Unfortunately, Bethany isn't left with much time as the sound of hoofbeats barrel down the street, and the two injured parties are face to face with four members of Hyland Heavy Cavalry, bearing down towards them, lances drawn. Bethany looks down at the ARM in her hand, and swears under her breath. No way to convince them they're not enemy combatants now. And Ambrosius is in no condition to fight, but...
She might be able to dissuade them from charging, at least. The shotgun is raised. A ka-chk sound comes from the arm as the lever is pulled and the last shell ejected. Buckshot takes it's place, and Bethany makes one command. "Stand down! You've got one warning!"
The warning is not taken. The charge continues. No more time to bluff. Fine.
At the last second, the sound of a gunsmoke ARM firing is lost in the sound of the siege, one more explosion in the night, in a hopeless shot against an attacking enemy.
DG: Bethany Liston has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Here Come the Cavalry.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
"It is alright." Ambrosius replies, shaking his head. There were more important things to do than tending to his wounds. That could wait until they've escaped.
Unfortunately, before they can even begin to move, the sound of horses thundering toward them becomes clear. Four of them, each bearing lances. ...And Ambrosius's red poncho is fully visible, even beneath the dust of rubble. The red of Rolance, or at least, that's what it seems.
This is not the environment for second-guessing oneself.
Bethany tries to dissuade them from charging...but they don't. They push forward.
Ambrosius grimaces. This would not end well.
He might have to...
==========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>==========================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Here Come the Cavalry *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
When you round the corner of the next street, you enter one of the main
avenues of Lastonbell. A quartet of Hyland heavy cavalry is here: four
mounted horsemen, clad in plate, and carrying lances. When they spot you,
they mistake you as combatants for Rolance -- and come charging, lances
pointed down for you.
Of course, their mounts could prove useful... if you can bring them down!
=Dungeon Conditions: Injure, Treasure=========================================
=====================<* Escape from Lastonbell - Round 6 *>=====================
======================< Results - Here Come the Cavalry >=======================
Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ambrosius 103 --(X)--> X
Effects:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bethany Liston 98 --(25)--> 123 Fail
Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Ambrosius 60 --(10)--> 70 Fail
Conditions: Injure(2)|Treasure(1)|Wound(1)
Effects:
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: Bethany Liston is too exhausted to continue! DG: The party has failed this challenge! All party members are now Exhausted. This attempt is over. DG: The party led by Ambrosius has been fully Exhausted by Escape from Lastonbell! DG: The party will now draw a conclusion.
==========================<* Escape from Lastonbell *>========================== ====================<* CHALLENGE - Bloodied and Desperate *>==================== |Type: Escape |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- You have escaped Lastonbell, but at great cost. Slipping through the lines of Hyland's soldiers, getting out of the city, and not falling prey to desperate citizens and opportunists proves hard. You are hurt, exhausted, and lost both silver and valuables to escape Lastonbell. You have a long, hard walk ahead of you. =Dungeon Conditions: Bad Luck=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Bethany Liston has posed.
The gunfire does nothing to dissuade the charge, and then Bethany catches a lance to chest, sending her flying back and slamming into a wall. Ambrosius doesn't fare much better, as the cavalry bears down on him.
Bethany, for her part, is bleeding profusely and not moving. The cavalry don't bother to confirm the kill, moving on to deal with a shout for aid from their fellows. The battle proceeds around them.
Then the panicked looters come, grabbing silver, goods, whatever they could carry. Bethany's medicine bag is gone by the time she comes to, and her ARM is only still hers by dint of luck.
But she does, at least, come around again. When she finally speaks, her voice is hoarse. "H-hey. You still alive?" She manages to whisper toward Ambrosius, still not moving from the wall.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
Ambrosius is practically skewered through by the lance...or at least that's the way it seems. There's a metallic sound as it makes contact with his chest, but he reacts as if he was struck and collapses, immobile.
Predictably, they leave.
Seeing what appears to be bodies, looters come in. Ambrosius does not move. He does not speak. For all intents and purposes, he appears to be a corpse.
...At least until one of them tries to go for him. His eyes snap open, and he grabs the man's hand. He panics and tries to pull away, but even wounded as Ambrosius is, he is strong enough to overpower someone in that state. The man finds himself hurled violently into his nearest compatriot as Ambrosius hauls himself to his feet, his expression cold.
"...The next human that lays a hand upon me will not live to see morning." He states, directly and impassively. "Leave us."
...They give them a wide berth after that, and he glances toward Bethany.
"...I am." He replies, the glances off into the distance. "...Come. I believe the fighting has died down in this direction. We should be able to slip through with little difficulty."
He begins to move.
...Just what was this man made of...?
<Pose Tracker> Bethany Liston has posed.
Bethany just sort of stares as Ambrosius starts moving. He had taken much more punishment than she had, how the hell is he up. Still, Bethany slowly manages to pull herself of the ground, grimacing as she does so. These wounds aren't going to heal quickly, she can tell that much already. And she has nothing to treat it with. Damnit.
"R-right..." That's about all Bethany can muster, as she starts to follow Ambrosius, limping slowly. Hopefully the fighting will keep in a direction away from them, since Bethany is in no position to fight any further. Hell, she's barely in a position to walk. But she makes it out. Somehow.