Session #6 - Attack on Phandalin
Jan. 14th, 2024 07:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
istainion Once my prayer came to an end, I looked around in the environment to find where Hemlock went to, but when I made it past the gold mine to the entrance, no one, including the golden bell we hid, was visible. On my way there, I did discover some footprints of wererats leading to the north, away from the mine. These, along with other prints that resemble that of our companions. With nervosity getting to me, I rushed inside the mine to find the others, but the only one who was left is Sidah. He was guarding the door to where the miners were hidden.
The small kobold looked at me with a questioning gaze when I got in reach to share him the message and question. He could confirm to me that no one has died inside the mine, confirming that they might have left without us. With our gaze aimed at the helpless miners inside the room, we decided to let them out, now that we had the mine cleared of threats. As soon as they made it outside, they decided to celebrate their freedom and drink away the pain of their recently deceased companions. It must have been rough on them, being stuck inside there for several days while the wererats made the mine their home.
With the miners becoming incapable of protecting themselves once again, Sidah and I couldn't look after the others. I hadn't expected them to leave without us! They would at least have notified us that they are going elsewhere, right? Then why didn't they? What if something has happened to them? I just couldn't get any rest, leaving the immediate surveying to Sidah as I remained in reach to seek for the others and keep watch over the immediate surroundings. Hoping for Torm to watch over them.
After a long time, I saw a group heading our way, the distant figure of them looked odd, but once they came closer, I recognized why it was, that it looked strange. Sister Yolantha and Hemlock were carrying an unconscious body of the young Kyndel, everyone was in a poor condition and our client was carrying the bell. Once they got in reach, I made haste to heal the boy from his wounds as much as I was capable. I didn't understand why, but they advised me not to, which I thought was odd, but it is my duty to help those in need. Luckily, the healing was enough for the boy to regain consciousness. Immediately, he sat up and yelled something about the location of the bell which was in Don-Jon's possession at the time.
At this point it got confirmed that they had left us to retrieve the bell that was taken by two wererats who were equally obsessed with the value of it. Truly, did his life nearly come to an end, merely for the sake of earning a lot of gold? It was beyond me. I was a little disappointed in them, I had hoped that we'd travel together, then things may have looked a little brighter. I am glad, however, that they arrived safely and that I could do something to help. We regrouped with Sidah and the drunk dwarves who were singing songs and offering everyone a drink. I refused, but neither Don-Jon nor Hemlock could withstand the temptation of celebration.
I positioned myself to the side, a little away from the group to recover from the stress. I really thought I lost them and it took quite a long time for them to come back.
Kyndel took a position behind me, muttering some strange words after he obtained something from the mine. He was summoning something, so I kept an eye on him for a little, until he suddenly disappeared when the smell of smoke reached my nose. I've never smelled anything this intense before! When I rushed to where he previously was and he was nowhere to be found, I alerted the others as I continued to seek for the source of fire when the trail of smell guided me to where the boy was. The amulet of the dwarven deity was away from him and the boy was unconscious on the ground again, close to his raccoon that looked equally concerned.
I rushed toward him, feeding him my last position to get him back on his feet. He looked at me, telling me to destroy the amulet as he casted his magic to toss a bolt of fire at it. I didn't understand, but when I looked back, I saw blood dripping from his ear, when he again fell. Sister Yolantha came to us and took the boy with her after stabilizing him, but in the distance, the fire started to spread and reached the dry grass, bushes and soon made it to the trees. I got in position, reaching for my waterskin. It wasn't enough. The fire got too big to control with the amount of water I had in my possession.
I reached for my shovel and did my best to control it with dirt instead, using the dirt that got in touch with the water I spilled, soon to be supported by Sidah. Together, we managed to control the fire, while the others made their way back inside the mine. It was exhausting ... But I am glad the fire was under our control. Our gaze met the amulet that was on the grass. It was partially melted, damaged, but it just wasn't enough to be considered broken.
I recalled Kyndel's request, but I fear what will happen to the boy if we will, indeed, destroy it. I told Sidah about the amulet, but the kobold wasn't hesitating about breaking it and tossed it in the river. I knew that I had to check on the boy, and I quickly rushed inside to see Sister Yolantha feed him her potion as well. He bled more from his ears, it wasn't pleasant to see, but once he regained himself, we told him what happened to the amulet. He seemed relieved and said some strange things, like how his part of the gold can be given to charity, until he suddenly took his words back again. He said something about being free from something, but it was odd. Why would he say such things? He really confuses me at times.
We spent the night at the gold mine in a safe environment, while the dwarves continued to party.
The next day, we took the bell again, promising Don-Jon his part and made it back to where Phandalin was, until we got close to the gate and ordered to stop. The guard captain wanted to see us. He showed up later with a number of guards and a hooded person. The man said that he'd only allow Sidah passage after a lady of Kryptgarden gave him a closer inspection. They seem to have a hunch about what is going on with the kobold, referring to a curse, which may be tied to his amnesia.
They seemed to come in peace, had no reason to fight us, but enough men with them to convince us. Kyndel and I kept our eyes on the process when the lady, named Sade, carved a circle on the ground with unfamiliar druidic symbols. It was big enough for both her and Sidah to position themselves in, which she then requested him to. When they both took their position within the circle, she began to cast some unfamiliar spell on him to inspect Sidah.
She let us know that he wasn't under any curse, so she continued to seek, believing that there must be corruption elsewhere. That was until she placed her hand onto the skull with his consent, her eyes snapped open and she told us that the skull was cursed. That it is tied to the white dragon that we have encountered in the shared, traumatic experience. When the guard captain returned, he was convinced of it and wasn't hesitant about sharing it either. We know as little as Sidah does, where did he obtain that skull from? And why does he not wish to remove it?
While we were occupied, our attention was drawn to the heavens above, when the woman warned us. Above us, there was the dragon who was preparing an attack from above and launched it at us. Most of us ran away while the druid lady prepared a magical defense shield around her and the other guards. It wasn't strong enough to withstand all of its frozen might and the guards were severely wounded to a point where they fell as the battle took place. The dragon landed, focusing on the druid, the guard captain and Sidah. I failed to get in reach, but it was enough for myself to cast a magical barrier around the guard captain, who was taken away to the skies by the dragon. From afar, we could see Phandelin go up in flames and the dragon was making way toward it.
After I got both guards back up their feet, I rushed with the others toward the town. When we got within reach, we could see the guard captain fight the dragon's claws, trying his best to unleash himself which he managed, but they were up high (80 ft) and the fall was severe. We couldn't do anything, but to see it happen and I felt my connection to the shield disappear. It wasn't a good sign! Hemlock rushed inside the building as the fire reached farther and groups of unfamiliar kobolds started to gather around the town, fighting the people, the guards and setting buildings on fire for reasons unknown. The dragon seemed to be in charge of the attack, it appears planned.
The town of Phandalin is so very big, that we couldn't possibly manage the fights that were fought nor the fires that rushed from one building to the next. It was stressful, it was rough, seeing men and women fall, screaming to get themselves into safety but it is too late. When Hemlock exited the building, giving the guard captain the necessary support to flee from the burning building, I helped her to get the man to safety. It was to our luck that the man survived!
Once he was in a secure environment as much as the burning town allowed, I made way to the southern building that was recently put to flames by a group of kobolts to the south. On my way, however, the dragon joined the battle and used his frost breath against us and the town which became a major obstacle, but he remained out of my reach. With no spells to cast on a long distance, nor a weapon to yield that reaches above me, I was rendered utterly helpless in the fight. The other enemies were out of my reach as well, so the least I could do was to fight the fire.
As soon as I reached the building, I could hear the screams from inside, reaching once again for my shovel until the enemy made way for me. Again, I stood eye to eye with him. I grit my teeth when I saw him collect the familiar energy and the cold mist gathered around him. I rushed toward the building, hoping for my shield to protect me and the ice to save those inside the building. If this is how it must end, in exchange for the lives of others, I shut my eyes and hoped for the best. Moments later, the ice struck me, gathering around my skin, causing it to burn severely until I blacked out.
. . .
When I opened up my eyes, I was on the ground, surrounded by a number of soldiers and Hemlock was next to me. I can't believe that she, too, got caught in the attack. This fight, it felt hopeless, but the dragon, he seemed to have retreated, I have heard, with an arrow in his wing. We regrouped with the others. Each of us was severely wounded, but especially myself, Hemlock and Kyndel. With my final strength, I healed the both of them a little. It wasn't much that I could do, but I needed them to survive. They are young and they have so much to look forward to in life. I am glad that even in this chaos, my closest ones are still standing.
We used our remaining strength to help out the citizens while the others discussed a plan of attack. They intend to prepare an attack at Icespire Hold, where the dragon may return to, while he is still weak. If nothing works, the citizens intend to abandon the city, with no weapons to protect the town from any new attacks. Most of the town is turned into ruins. Are they really certain about all this? The people might not be in the position to pick up any weapons in this state.
As for myself, I am in no position to fight yet. I am glad to have even survived such an attack again. It really doesn't get any better with repetition. Not ... At all.
The small kobold looked at me with a questioning gaze when I got in reach to share him the message and question. He could confirm to me that no one has died inside the mine, confirming that they might have left without us. With our gaze aimed at the helpless miners inside the room, we decided to let them out, now that we had the mine cleared of threats. As soon as they made it outside, they decided to celebrate their freedom and drink away the pain of their recently deceased companions. It must have been rough on them, being stuck inside there for several days while the wererats made the mine their home.
With the miners becoming incapable of protecting themselves once again, Sidah and I couldn't look after the others. I hadn't expected them to leave without us! They would at least have notified us that they are going elsewhere, right? Then why didn't they? What if something has happened to them? I just couldn't get any rest, leaving the immediate surveying to Sidah as I remained in reach to seek for the others and keep watch over the immediate surroundings. Hoping for Torm to watch over them.
After a long time, I saw a group heading our way, the distant figure of them looked odd, but once they came closer, I recognized why it was, that it looked strange. Sister Yolantha and Hemlock were carrying an unconscious body of the young Kyndel, everyone was in a poor condition and our client was carrying the bell. Once they got in reach, I made haste to heal the boy from his wounds as much as I was capable. I didn't understand why, but they advised me not to, which I thought was odd, but it is my duty to help those in need. Luckily, the healing was enough for the boy to regain consciousness. Immediately, he sat up and yelled something about the location of the bell which was in Don-Jon's possession at the time.
At this point it got confirmed that they had left us to retrieve the bell that was taken by two wererats who were equally obsessed with the value of it. Truly, did his life nearly come to an end, merely for the sake of earning a lot of gold? It was beyond me. I was a little disappointed in them, I had hoped that we'd travel together, then things may have looked a little brighter. I am glad, however, that they arrived safely and that I could do something to help. We regrouped with Sidah and the drunk dwarves who were singing songs and offering everyone a drink. I refused, but neither Don-Jon nor Hemlock could withstand the temptation of celebration.
I positioned myself to the side, a little away from the group to recover from the stress. I really thought I lost them and it took quite a long time for them to come back.
Kyndel took a position behind me, muttering some strange words after he obtained something from the mine. He was summoning something, so I kept an eye on him for a little, until he suddenly disappeared when the smell of smoke reached my nose. I've never smelled anything this intense before! When I rushed to where he previously was and he was nowhere to be found, I alerted the others as I continued to seek for the source of fire when the trail of smell guided me to where the boy was. The amulet of the dwarven deity was away from him and the boy was unconscious on the ground again, close to his raccoon that looked equally concerned.
I rushed toward him, feeding him my last position to get him back on his feet. He looked at me, telling me to destroy the amulet as he casted his magic to toss a bolt of fire at it. I didn't understand, but when I looked back, I saw blood dripping from his ear, when he again fell. Sister Yolantha came to us and took the boy with her after stabilizing him, but in the distance, the fire started to spread and reached the dry grass, bushes and soon made it to the trees. I got in position, reaching for my waterskin. It wasn't enough. The fire got too big to control with the amount of water I had in my possession.
I reached for my shovel and did my best to control it with dirt instead, using the dirt that got in touch with the water I spilled, soon to be supported by Sidah. Together, we managed to control the fire, while the others made their way back inside the mine. It was exhausting ... But I am glad the fire was under our control. Our gaze met the amulet that was on the grass. It was partially melted, damaged, but it just wasn't enough to be considered broken.
I recalled Kyndel's request, but I fear what will happen to the boy if we will, indeed, destroy it. I told Sidah about the amulet, but the kobold wasn't hesitating about breaking it and tossed it in the river. I knew that I had to check on the boy, and I quickly rushed inside to see Sister Yolantha feed him her potion as well. He bled more from his ears, it wasn't pleasant to see, but once he regained himself, we told him what happened to the amulet. He seemed relieved and said some strange things, like how his part of the gold can be given to charity, until he suddenly took his words back again. He said something about being free from something, but it was odd. Why would he say such things? He really confuses me at times.
We spent the night at the gold mine in a safe environment, while the dwarves continued to party.
The next day, we took the bell again, promising Don-Jon his part and made it back to where Phandalin was, until we got close to the gate and ordered to stop. The guard captain wanted to see us. He showed up later with a number of guards and a hooded person. The man said that he'd only allow Sidah passage after a lady of Kryptgarden gave him a closer inspection. They seem to have a hunch about what is going on with the kobold, referring to a curse, which may be tied to his amnesia.
They seemed to come in peace, had no reason to fight us, but enough men with them to convince us. Kyndel and I kept our eyes on the process when the lady, named Sade, carved a circle on the ground with unfamiliar druidic symbols. It was big enough for both her and Sidah to position themselves in, which she then requested him to. When they both took their position within the circle, she began to cast some unfamiliar spell on him to inspect Sidah.
She let us know that he wasn't under any curse, so she continued to seek, believing that there must be corruption elsewhere. That was until she placed her hand onto the skull with his consent, her eyes snapped open and she told us that the skull was cursed. That it is tied to the white dragon that we have encountered in the shared, traumatic experience. When the guard captain returned, he was convinced of it and wasn't hesitant about sharing it either. We know as little as Sidah does, where did he obtain that skull from? And why does he not wish to remove it?
While we were occupied, our attention was drawn to the heavens above, when the woman warned us. Above us, there was the dragon who was preparing an attack from above and launched it at us. Most of us ran away while the druid lady prepared a magical defense shield around her and the other guards. It wasn't strong enough to withstand all of its frozen might and the guards were severely wounded to a point where they fell as the battle took place. The dragon landed, focusing on the druid, the guard captain and Sidah. I failed to get in reach, but it was enough for myself to cast a magical barrier around the guard captain, who was taken away to the skies by the dragon. From afar, we could see Phandelin go up in flames and the dragon was making way toward it.
After I got both guards back up their feet, I rushed with the others toward the town. When we got within reach, we could see the guard captain fight the dragon's claws, trying his best to unleash himself which he managed, but they were up high (80 ft) and the fall was severe. We couldn't do anything, but to see it happen and I felt my connection to the shield disappear. It wasn't a good sign! Hemlock rushed inside the building as the fire reached farther and groups of unfamiliar kobolds started to gather around the town, fighting the people, the guards and setting buildings on fire for reasons unknown. The dragon seemed to be in charge of the attack, it appears planned.
The town of Phandalin is so very big, that we couldn't possibly manage the fights that were fought nor the fires that rushed from one building to the next. It was stressful, it was rough, seeing men and women fall, screaming to get themselves into safety but it is too late. When Hemlock exited the building, giving the guard captain the necessary support to flee from the burning building, I helped her to get the man to safety. It was to our luck that the man survived!
Once he was in a secure environment as much as the burning town allowed, I made way to the southern building that was recently put to flames by a group of kobolts to the south. On my way, however, the dragon joined the battle and used his frost breath against us and the town which became a major obstacle, but he remained out of my reach. With no spells to cast on a long distance, nor a weapon to yield that reaches above me, I was rendered utterly helpless in the fight. The other enemies were out of my reach as well, so the least I could do was to fight the fire.
As soon as I reached the building, I could hear the screams from inside, reaching once again for my shovel until the enemy made way for me. Again, I stood eye to eye with him. I grit my teeth when I saw him collect the familiar energy and the cold mist gathered around him. I rushed toward the building, hoping for my shield to protect me and the ice to save those inside the building. If this is how it must end, in exchange for the lives of others, I shut my eyes and hoped for the best. Moments later, the ice struck me, gathering around my skin, causing it to burn severely until I blacked out.
. . .
When I opened up my eyes, I was on the ground, surrounded by a number of soldiers and Hemlock was next to me. I can't believe that she, too, got caught in the attack. This fight, it felt hopeless, but the dragon, he seemed to have retreated, I have heard, with an arrow in his wing. We regrouped with the others. Each of us was severely wounded, but especially myself, Hemlock and Kyndel. With my final strength, I healed the both of them a little. It wasn't much that I could do, but I needed them to survive. They are young and they have so much to look forward to in life. I am glad that even in this chaos, my closest ones are still standing.
We used our remaining strength to help out the citizens while the others discussed a plan of attack. They intend to prepare an attack at Icespire Hold, where the dragon may return to, while he is still weak. If nothing works, the citizens intend to abandon the city, with no weapons to protect the town from any new attacks. Most of the town is turned into ruins. Are they really certain about all this? The people might not be in the position to pick up any weapons in this state.
As for myself, I am in no position to fight yet. I am glad to have even survived such an attack again. It really doesn't get any better with repetition. Not ... At all.
