Whatever spell Lucky Edlin cast seemed to have worked for the moment, but Karastro isn't taking any chances. He steps back, loads his crossbow with a pull and smiles as it clicks into place.
It is one thing to work within the city's laws and put the wicked in prison or to death. It is another to bring justice with my own hands. "Drop your weapons and surrender before I bring the full force of Law upon you!" he yells his voice still strong and loud over the chaos of combat and the sounds of frightened children. The vacantly staring half-orc makes no indication that he has even heard Karastro's warning, so the warlock watches the doors and waits with his loaded crossbow for more enemies.
Gadeann leaps up the stairs, past Coldan, and reaches past Orman with his longaxe, striking at the half-orc before he can recover. Unfortunately, with Orman in the way, the Shoanti cannot get a good, clean strike. The axe-blade misses the mark.
Coldan growls low, his target blocked.
"End him," he waves to the Shoanti. Leaping over the balcony, he moves past the barister and starts up the other stair... ready for trouble.
Taking advantage of the half-orc's stupefied condition, Orman ducks a shoulder and slams into the for, attempting to shove him off the side into the vat. But, the bulkier enemy, despite being dazed, is still not helpless. He shifts his weight back toward Orman with a grunt and a giggle, managing to keep his feet.
Edlin grunts in surprise that his spell actually worked.
"It won't last but a few seconds," he calls out to Orman.
"Knock him in the vat!" Hearing the shouts from other defenders, Lucky Edlin decides to manuevre to a better position. But unsure of where they will come from, he waits instead for the opportunity to maximise the effect of his only real offensive spell.
Girri starts in alarm at the sound of an angry voice resounding from the fishery's upper story. Gadaenn's bite wound healed to her satisfaction, Girri nods then sucks in a sharp breath at the sight of so many huddling and frightened children. Forgetting battle, Girri quickly crosses over to the Lamms and motions for them to gather round. In a discrete tone meant to convey aunt-like sympathy, Girri addresses the little ones.
"There's about to be a big fight in here. You're not safe." Girri picks out one of the older-looking children to appeal to.
"You lot've seen quite a bit of unpleasantness. I'm headed outside that door there, right now." Girri points.
"Any takers for a bit of freedom? Follow me, this way." A boy with dark, shaggy hair who seems to be the de facto leader of the orphans stares at Girri with narrow eyes, then his gaze flickers up to where the half-orc stands on the catwalk.
"You crazy, lady? They'll kill us!" He shakes his head no, and the other children whimper and murmur, "Kester's right. We have to stay." Clearly, they are yet too frightened to take up Girri on her promises of escape.
The half-orc gives a shake of his head, and growls at Orman between giggles,
"Hee, whatcha doin'? I can't swim! Hee hee!" He brings his flail about with great force, aiming for the nobleman's head, but Orman ducks.
Just then, the central door at the top of the western wall slams open, and two more people emerge. The first is a sour-faced man with short blonde hair. He carries a long wand of dark wood, and he yells out,
"What's going on here?! Who are you people?" Right on his heels is a gnome with dishevelled dark hair. He almost looks as if he could pass for one of the orphans, save for the kukri in his hand. Both newcomers have donned armor over nightshirts, and it is clear they have been roused from slumber by all the commotion.
Karastro reacts to their arrival first, loosing his crossbow bolt at the blonde man. The bolt barely misses the man, sailing past and embedding itself into a wall.
Edlin responds next, with his prepared spell. A blinding cone of color shoots forth from the gambler's outstretched fingertips cascading around the two enemies on the catwalk. Edlin can't help but feel the flush of a winning streak as both of the thugs collapse unconscious on the catwalk, their senses reeling from the colorful onslaught.
[sblock=Crunch]
Karastro: 5' Step, Loads Crossbow, Readies attack with Crossbow.
Gadeann: Move 10', Attack Half-Orc with Poleaxe (Reach, Half-Orc has cover from Orman). Attack total 7, misses.
Coldan: Double move across room.
Orman: Tries to shoulder half-orc off catwalk into vat (a modified grapple move, as I see it.) Melee touch attack: 21. Hits. Opposed grapple check is won by the half-orc.
Edlin: Delays
Girri: Move 30', Diplomacy Check: Result 12, Fails.
Half-Orc attacks Orman with Flail, misses.
Two new defenders arrive.
Karastro attacks blonde man with readied action (Opponent has cover from catwalk railing). Result is 10, misses.
Edlin, delayed action, moves 15', casts Color Spray at two new combatants. Both fail Will saves, fall unconscious.[/sblock]
INITIATIVE ROUND 4
15: Gadeann
14: Coldan (+1 Fighting Challenge vs. Half-Orc)
10: Orman
10: Girri
8: Scarred Half-Orc
8: Karastro
8: Edlin (Mage Armor, +4 AC)
XX: Sneering Human (unconscious)
XX: Dishevelled Gnome (unconscious)
OOC: Actions for Round 4 please?
Please post combat actions for round 3.
), I'll drop to square with K in it, then move up the other stairs for the rest of both moves.
