Back to Basics Chapter 1: Where are we ?

[ewancummins]

Dalorna continues to hustle towards the village, keeping a close eye on the children so that none become lost.

[Lord Skybolt]

As the group hustles the children back to there village . Having put 4 of the small children on the mule . They hear the approaching sounds of screeching "monkey men" hot on their trail .

After about 2 minutes of travel with the children they hear screeching to their rear about 80 yards behind them .

[kintire]

As it becomes clear that the "monkey men" have found us, Alia slows a little, lifting her crossbow and levelling it at the noise, ready to loose at the first clear view. As she does so, she begins to sing a ballad, loud enough to spread throuhgout the group. The song is in Calishite, but fills the hearers with courage (for +1 attack, +1 damage)

[ewancummins]

Hearing the monkey-men's shrieks, Dalorna seeks cover and concealment behind the nearest big and broad tree.

To the others-

''I don't know how many of them there are, but they are coming on fast and we've got to slow them down or shake them off our trail. Set up an ambush- then withdraw if there are too many for us to take. ''

She draws her steel dagger in her right hand and presses close to the tree.

To Hobb (her raven)-

''Go up to the top of this tree and watch the trail for our pursuers. When the monkey-men get close, let me know. Stay hidden in the leaves and branches so that you are safe, okay?''

[BigBadQDaddy]

The Professor takes a cue from the others and ducks behind a tree. He appears visibly shaken by the events and does his best to direct the children to cover and safer positions.

[Roofdrak]

Isidar is the closest to the monkey man noises. She ducks behind a large tree and puts her warhammer down, but she still holds her shield up.

[steveflam]

Arnulf looks at the children then the oldest ones "RUN! RUN BACK TO THE TOWN NOW! WE WILL BE WITH YOU SHORTLY, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN. GO!GO!GO!"

Arnulf urges the children back towards the way they came and once satisfied they are in fact running unsheathes his weapon and dagger and waits in his hiding place.

[Lord Skybolt]

As the group waits for the "Monkey men" to come after the children suddenly out of the forest comes 6 of them . Right on the heels of that group they hear more coming .

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Isidar from her hiding place puts both of her hands together to produce a cone of flame that reaches out to engulf 4 of the first group that comes out the forest .
The flames send all but 3 to their flaming deaths as they scream out their last breaths . The survivor that is slightly larger than his fellows bellows in anger in as the flames sear his flesh .

[kintire]

Alia jumps as the flames suddenly explode outward. In her shock, she nudges the trigger and the bolt whistles in the vague direction of the monkeymen, missing all of them and vanishing into the forest. She immediately begins to reload

[steveflam]

Arnulf is startled by the flames, but quickly gathers his wits. Gritting his teeth and yelling at the top of his lungs he jumps out at the huge monkey man and attacks him with both his weapons.

[VAN]

From her cover Sara sees the 3 of the 4 moneky men die from the flames and Arnulf attack the bigger one. Without hessitate Sara fires with one of her guns aiming at one of the 2 remaining monkey men.

[ewancummins]

From her hiding spot to the rear and center of the party's line, Dalorna watches and waits.

I only have a few spells for battle. Hmmmmm...I had better make them count. No sense in giving away my position just yet. I think Arnulf and Sara can handle that big one. Let's see who else is coming out to play.

[BigBadQDaddy]

The Professor tries to organize the children as they are ordered to flee back to town. The last thing he wants is any of them getting split up. He also does his best to remain in between the fleeing children and the pursuing monkey men.

[ewancummins]

From her central position behind the big tree, Dalorna calls to her friends-

''Attack and then fall back! Keep the trees between you and the monkey-men. We'll cover the children's escape in a fighting withdrawal.''

She does her best to sound calm and confident, trying to hide any hint of doubt or fear. Maybe she even convinces herself that she isn't too scared.

[kintire]

Alia reloads, looking excited