The adventuring party, after seeing the fanatical gleam (and consequent stabbing/vanishing of) Rosette was split. Henry was gone, traveling unbeknownst to them on the back of a large flying tiger.
And the battle commenced.
Eight enemies charged up the stairs to the top of the tower where the party was. Which...was a poor choice for them. Between Theamen's green flame blade, Thok's Mr. Pointy, and Menelwen's Thunderwave they were easy to take care of. (So many crit fails on their side...entailing several stabs into their allies). Four riders on vultures joined, circling in the air.
Vega Earth Bound a vulture with his rider. (I'm watching you)
Menelwen knocked two off the tower only to fall to Ray of Frost. Theamen used Cure Wounds and brought her back up to fight. They fight as a unit. Once up, she knocked three more off the tower. He looked back at her in surprise. "You may be squishy, but you hit hard."
She grinned a bit. "Thanks for saving me <3"
He turned, making her duck. He used Burning hands on a vulture and rider. They turned into a crisp.
Vega heals up the party real quick.
(Our Druid Vega got called away during the fight unfortunately. Our story for his absence is that in midst of transforming into something more threatening...he turned into a mole.Which triggered Thok's reaction to punch a mole....off the tower.)
Henry got there to join the fight finally and aimed/missed a vulture mounted knight. Another was knocked from the mount and fled presumably to get help.
Thok was very much enjoying fighting the enemies. "Bad guy, meet Mr. Pointy." Cuts him down. "Maybe we can finally come to an understanding."
Henry tried to shoot at a retreating (gliding) knight but ended up hitting Luka instead. ("Really bitch?" "I'm stressed out! Have you seen what my day has been like?"
Thok noticed the one retreating and aimed down. The knight behind him was attacking him. "Hold on! I will deal with you in a minute!" After missing the one flying down, he turned his attention to the knight attacking him. With a swift (This is Sparta!) kick, he sent the man off the roof. Unfortunately...he lost grip on Mr. Pointy. Mr. Pointy fell down into the abyss (it is rumored that it speared a gnoll at the base of the tower eating). Thok pulled out a second blade, Mrs. Pointy.
Henry reacted to the retreating man. Luka tucked his wings in and dove. Henry's legs flew out as he clung to the tiger's back. ("I know this is paybaaaaack" "Damn straight bitch") The man threw open the doors of the stable to get help in time for....
Luka flared his wings, smashing the guy into the floor of the stable.Everyone in the stable was shocked. Savra burst into the stable. "Intruder-" A little too late.
Henry, as a reflex used Burning Hands. Unfortunately...there has been a drought and a lot of hay around. Henry's magic set the barn on fire. The knights freed their mounts, cutting their army in half. Thank goodness. He backpedals, escaping to reconnect with the rest of the group. When he gets back to the top, he himself is a little shell shocked.
Thok: So! How'd it go?
Henry: Do you mean stabbing my sister, setting the barn on fire or-
Luka: *shoots him a look*
Henry: Shooting my tiger.
Wave two of the battle begins, the enemies flying up to where the party still stands.
Savra, leading the knights flew upwards on her hippogriff until it was struck out from underneath her. With an amazing Dexterity save, she managed to fly herself onto the back of a fellow knights' hippogriff until she reached the top of the tower.
Thok threw a molotov cocktail (made from the explosive brandy taken from the monks at the Sacred Stone Monastery) at Savra. She caught on fire.
Theamen created a fireball that took out three of the fliers to help keep the party safe-ish.
Seeing that she was going to die, Savra threw her weapon down and charged at Theamen. She dragged him off the roof.
Panic. Menelwen saw him fall and frantically didn't know what else to do. She wouldn't reach them in time to cast Levitate- if that would even work. So she casted Thunderwave again as Henry dove with Luka to save him. She managed to kill one, but the other knight struck her down.
Henry dove and found...Theamen, sans Savra, climbing the wall. "Spider climb." He sheepishly shrugged. Henry rolled his eyes at that.
(Vega returned) Theamen spied a mole climbing up the wall. "Vega?" Holding the mole close, he climbed the rest of the way up. Upon seeing Menelwen down and out for the count, Theamen rushed over and scooped her into his arms. Using Lay on Hands, he brought her back.
"Am I...dead?" She asked, seeing Theamen's face glowing.
He smiled. "We've got to quit meeting like this."
Thok meanwhile, killed the last enemy, ending the fight. Between Vega and Theamen, they heal the party before moving downstairs to loot.
After the battle
The party spends time exploring and looting the now vacant tower. The hall still had food. So they start speaking over dinner.
We found out that Vega is interested in the the Circle of the Scarlet Moon. Theamen had overheard a conversation about Elizar Dryflaggon and a ritual to rejuvenate the Earth/restore balance. There is a Rite of the Wicker Giant that was speculated to be by a fire cult. The next plans are to possibly follow up on this.
Thok shared a bit about himself- that he is a scout for a special order called the Wardens. The Wardens tend to show up in times of great evil- apocalyptic in nature. They tend to be well respected. Almost like a superhero, a scout for the Wardens.
The conversation shifts, Henry not wanting to be lied or betrayed again. He confronts Menelwen. "Are you pregnant?"
Out of nowhere. She stares at him. "Seriously?? With what time?!"
"Elf gestation is half the time of a human's. So some kid told me."
"No!"
Theamen to his credit, blushed. She noticed his star of Mystra...is tarnished. When he got up, she followed. Vega threw a hand over Henry's mouth to prevent him from saying something stupid.
~*~
Up on the roof, Theamen looks through the telescope. Menelwen put a hand on his shoulder.
She thanks him for saving her life twice, and was relieved that he was okay. He was relieved as well. Then she shared with him concern that his symbol was tarnished.
"And I'm afraid it will stay tarnished."
"Why?"
"Because I took an oath...and I broke it."
"Is there no way you can repair your relationship with Mystra?" She asked.
"If I did, I would be giving up my magic, this path...you." He paused and she blushed slightly. "I can't just stand by in a temple praying while the world is in danger. If a Warden is here...there is a lot of danger." He also raised the point about how Henry could not stand with another betrayal. Not after what he's been through that day.
She agreed,knowing that magic was his choice. It's what he enjoys and prefers. She gives him a hug. Which he gladly returned. "Next time, stay behind Thok or I."
"I try to."
"Not that I mind healing you, I would prefer doing it less. It's a shame to see you cut up." This succeeded in flustering her.
"...I'm glad you're okay."
"I'm glad you are as well."
They sit together on the roof, under the stars...
~To be continued~
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