Iacopo was thrown hard to the ground by the raging dwarf, pierced by the spikes on the warrior’s armor and causing blood to pool beneath him. Though the Half-Orc tried to fight off Federigo, the dwarf’s ferocity and speed seemed to have placed the advantage entirely out of his hands: it was all he could do to force himself back to his feet and realize that this was entirely hopeless. He wasn’t being paid enough to deal with this and wasn’t about to risk his life against mages and Maker knew what else. Iacopo turned his back on Federigo, exposing it, and ran for his life.
Rossa was rushing past the Dwarf, ignoring Federigo and Iacopo entirely to get at the crate. Her blade was sheathed, a crowbar appeared in her hand from some sheathe sewed into her clothing, and she began to pry the top open under orders from Lucien. On the other side of the alley, the battle was still raging.
While the guildsman who charmed Nicolo had watched with a smug hint of satisfaction when the monk lashed out at his allies, that satisfaction turned to fear the moment Nicolo rushed in to strike. The staff cracked hard against the mage’s shoulder, the wizard trying meekly to defend themself and failing to do so. The second after the contact of his weapon with flesh and bone, the haze that had affected the monk suddenly dissipated: Before him was not his mentor, but an enemy of Arcata and therefore himself. The Death Knight he struck was the
Paladina that had pledged to protect Arcata. Something had confused and dulled his senses, had pulled the wool over his eyes, but now Nicolo saw clearly again.
That same Knight swung but the Mage was prepared this time, easily side-stepping the blow and preparing to deal with both of these assailants. His coworker was also as fortunate when the Sailor with the Hammer charged forward. The female spellcaster saw the blow coming from a mile away and easily leapt backwards to ignore the strike, already preparing her next conjuration to deal with these meddlesome pests. The spellwork was growing louder, the incantations and evocations flowing from the wizards in increasingly more vibrato pitches …
Until both suddenly lost their balance and fell upon their backs, reagents in hand skittering through the slickened street and throwing them into utter confusion and panic. Neither could tell where the spell had come from (Though The Magdalena had noticed a spike in arcane talents from just around the corner of the alleyway) but both assumed the absolute worst.
They had been trapped and tricked, not the other way around! Panic spread until they were yelling in Magnanimo that the Witchguard had surely caught onto them, and both uttered a quick word of power … and then vanished from sight. Careful observation could show that their invisible bodies were attempting to navigate the greased cobblestone and run for their lives with all haste.
Their leader, badly injured and seeing that now they stood alone, looked at the unraveling situation and knew that there was no victory here: only capture and questioning with the Ordinators of Arcane Vigilance … or death at the hands of these ruffians. Rather than give them the satisfaction or betraying the masters that wanted Arcata back in the first place, the mage turned their wand to their own chest.
” You’ve made powerful enemies here today. I hope the girl is worth it.”
It was said not with a sneer or venom, but an almost chilly sincerity. A phrase was chanted and the wand illuminated in a flash of light. The next instant, the guild member was down on the ground, the wand rolling out of slender fingers and skittering to a stop on the cobblestone.
| GM: | I can safely state that we are out of combat at this point, but there are still a few things that can be done.
Federigo has an OA against Iacopo, if he so chooses. He can also be pursued through an Athletics Check.
The 2 Mages are fleeing as well, but have cast Invisiblity. While Detect Magic can clearly see that an Illusion Spell was cast, it cannot see through the Invisibility. Either an Investigation Check to track them or a much more difficult Athletics or Acrobatics Check would be needed to try and stop them before they flee entirely. If in pursuit, remember the Grease spell requires a DC13 Dex Save to stay upright, and this counts as Difficult Terrain for 10 Feet.
In case it was not clear, the Leader has taken the Magical Cyanide option here.
Arcata is also still asleep, and would probably enjoy being woken up.
Everyone earns 1 Point of Inspiration for good writing, clever actions, and good flow for the scene. Short, but sweet, well done all of you. |
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