Birthright Chapter Nine

[Varrus the Ethical]

LOFTON, ROALD.

Roald draws his sword, thinking Are we really just about to save Lofton from a monster?

[Lord Skybolt]

Gunnar moves to shelter behind the wagon readying his daggers to throw at the beast . If they prove ineffective he will pull his sword and move into melee range .

[RocEter]

Foerde, Lofton

Foerde will take cover behind the turned over wagon with the others. He says a prayer to the Storm Lord, to guide their blows and give them strength in the battle against the giant beast.

[Varrus the Ethical]

LOFTON, ROALD

Roald takes cover behind the wagon, all the while feeling an overwhelming sense of irony.

Yep, he thinks, We really are about to try and save Lofton.

[ewancummins]

The giant snake streaks forward, lunging at Renn!

Its lightning fast strike with open mouth, fangs dripping, flies wide of the watch-captain; who leaps back.

The monster turns its attention to the wagon where the party members take cover with the embattled watchmen. Its eyes glow green, and in a moment a similar emerald aura washes over the wagon. The wood buckles and twists, shrinking the available cover. Now only a handful of men might be protected by the overturned wagon!
Gunnar finds himself in an exposed position, as does Foerde. Lord Filbert, being so little, and Safana, being slim, manage to squeeze into cover.

[ewancummins]

LOFTON
A brutal, fast moving fight begins.

Gunnar flings his daggers.
The party's stealthier members move to cover and launch sudden strikes against the huge 'worm' with bomb, arrow, and blade. Safana blasts the monster with conjured magical arrows.

The beast strikes Roald with its fanged mouth, knocking him back but not piercing his mail. He defends himself with his war sword, dodging sideway to avoid the foul bite of the serpent.

Foerde continues to pray for help from his patron god.

Safana conjures an entrancing pattern of shifting lights before the serpent, but the creature seems to shake off the sorcery as it continues to strike at Roald.



The Lofton watchmen, seeing Roald standing against the monster, give a great cheer and rush to aid him.
Most of their spear blows turn on the beast's thick scales, but one man gets his point into its underbelly.

The gigantic snake-demon heaves upward, shrieking loud and long, and crashes down to the cobbles. In its final death throes, it vomits green acid onto the cobblestones, dissolving the broken haft of a watchman's dropped spear.


A hush falls over the square.

One of the watchmen, his face burned in spots by acid, staggers over to Roald."Whoever you are-- thanks!"



Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

A tall, handsome man in fine clothes with a long cloak steps out of a nearby alley.

Four guards, not dressed as the watch, step out behind him with naked swords in hand.

The handsome gentleman ceases clapping, now smoothing his mussed hair with both gloved hands.

"Bravo!"

The Lofton watchmen freeze. The one who had just thanked Roald tells the nobleman-

"Lord Riegon! You, ah, well, the Duke will want you come with us I think. My Lord."

[JMaytr]

The Duke and Count Montros-

"Fhylie the Sword..mmmmmmmm,..."

The old nobleman smiles as if at some private joke, and then continues where he left off-

"She's been fighting hard in the north of Alamie. Last I heard she had nearly all of Baron Lynwerd's--ah, the late baron's-- men penned up in their old master's castle-keep. ''

Devlin leans in so the old man can hear.

"I'm pleased she's taken the fight to them. Those fiends did attack her monastery in the north through their allegiance with Five-Peaks Goblins. Once I take that castle in Sorelies I will be able to bring order to a province long ruled by chaos and the banditry of it's former Baron. The righteousness of Haelyn will prosper in that new land, and I hope to help bring His glory to them. Once I've claimed the north of Alamie, I will demand an end to this war.

I will repay your hospitality in kind once the fighting is over, as I shall all of my loyal banner-men. Have you any other news for me? Once this meal is done I am off to see a dirty business finished."

[ewancummins]

The Duke and Count Montros-

"Fhylie the Sword..mmmmmmmm,..."

The old nobleman smiles as if at some private joke, and then continues where he left off-

"She's been fighting hard in the north of Alamie. Last I heard she had nearly all of Baron Lynwerd's--ah, the late baron's-- men penned up in their old master's castle-keep. ''

Devlin leans in so the old man can hear.

"I'm pleased she's taken the fight to them. Those fiends did attack her monastery in the north through their allegiance with Five-Peaks Goblins. Once I take that castle in Sorelies I will be able to bring order to a province long ruled by chaos and the banditry of it's former Baron. The righteousness of Haelyn will prosper in that new land, and I hope to help bring His glory to them. Once I've claimed the north of Alamie, I will demand an end to this war.

I will repay your hospitality in kind once the fighting is over, as I shall all of my loyal banner-men. Have you any other news for me? Once this meal is done I am off to see a dirty business finished."

''That all seems wise, Your Grace. Of course a negotiated end to this war would be better than both duchies fighting to the death. But why not negotiate from a position of strength, heh? Seize the northlands of Alamie and then agree to talks, yes, good thinking."

[JMaytr]

Devlin-

The duke finishes his meal and then instructs Count Montros to fortify his position in the castle with his men and to be on alert for any Alamien activity while he marches north.

"Send a rider or a bird to meet me in Sorelies in 2 days time. Send whatever news you can of events while I am away and I will send word back for you. I want the war to end, but I'm not letting Carilon walk away from this. He must face justice for the murder of my parents."

Devlin marches out, gives the command to the rest of the men, and once they are assembled, he goes to Montros once again.

"I have need of your finest bard, the best singer. and I need them now."

[ewancummins]

Devlin-

The duke finishes his meal and then instructs Count Montros to fortify his position in the castle with his men and to be on alert for any Alamien activity while he marches north.

"Send a rider or a bird to meet me in Sorelies in 2 days time. Send whatever news you can of events while I am away and I will send word back for you. I want the war to end, but I'm not letting Carilon walk away from this. He must face justice for the murder of my parents."

Devlin marches out, gives the command to the rest of the men, and once they are assembled, he goes to Montros once again.

"I have need of your finest bard, the best singer. and I need them now."

"Of course, my liege."

The old man summons a musician; a beautiful young blonde dressed in a simple green gown with yellow leather slippers. The young woman carries a varnished harp in a sling case.

She curtseys before the Duke.

Count Montros whispers to Duke Devlin "I suggest that that Your Grace take some precautions in order to protect her virtue from the soldiers. Aleena, despite her delicate appearance, is no stranger to travelling the back roads and countryside. Still, so many lusty men in one place-- you know the dangers."

[JMaytr]

Devlin-


"She will be under my personal protection."

Devlin walks up to the woman.

"I have given the Count my word that my ruffian soldiers here will not threaten your virtue in any way as you travel with us. Truth be told milady, I would have made sure of that regardless of his request. That aside, the men will need good traveling songs to keep our spirits high during the long march ahead. I trust you know some good ones. When the time comes for battle, I will make sure you are protected and away from such a sight."

[ewancummins]

Devlin-


"She will be under my personal protection."

Devlin walks up to the woman.

"I have given the Count my word that my ruffian soldiers here will not threaten your virtue in any way as you travel with us. Truth be told milady, I would have made sure of that regardless of his request. That aside, the men will need good traveling songs to keep our spirits high during the long march ahead. I trust you know some good ones. When the time comes for battle, I will make sure you are protected and away from such a sight."

She curtseys again.

"I thank Your Grace for the honor of accompanying this host. It is my very great pleasure to provide songs and music to encourage the defenders of my homeland."

[kintire]

Safana steps forward and curtseys before the strange nobleman, ignoring the city guard for the moment.

"It was my honour for myself and my guards to assist in defending the city from this..."

She pauses for just a moment, as she has no idea what the things is! She settles for...

"Monster. I have no doubt that the gallant guards would have brought the thing down shortly, but if we have reduced the damage caused and made some service to the city we are most honoured, my Lord"

She pauses with the air of someone anticipating some sort of reward...

[ewancummins]

LOFTON, THE SQUARE


The more alert members of the party may hear muffled footfalls from the shadows or catch glimpses of several armed men moving up the alleys and over the rooftops behind Lord Riegon, taking up positions to cover the square and several possible escape routes.

Safana notices this stealthy movement, just as Riegon lunges for her, hands outstretched!

[Varrus the Ethical]

LOFTON

One of the watchmen, his face burned in spots by acid, staggers over to Roald."Whoever you are-- thanks!

"Uh, you're welcome." Roald says, not sure what to think of what just happened.

He turns to see the well dress man clapping. When he hears the guard call him Riegon, his eyes narrow and he tightens the grip on his blade.

When Safana steps forward to speak to Riegon, he walks up beside her to assume the roll of bodyguard.

When Riegon moves to grab her, she attempt to intercept.