Stuck in the Middle With You

[Brian]

<Brian> The gates are cranked open, to give everyone enough time to troop out and assume formations before the enemy crosses the field.
<Brian> You can't see across the earthworks to sight the Dreadmarch, as Devin made it about three meters high.  But you can hear the Dreadmarch approaching, and see the arrows zipping overhead.
Bjorn glances up and down the lines, to see if the shield-wall is up.
Dracos stands ready with his shield, sticking near Rez and Bjorn.
<Brian> It takes everyone about a minute to get into formation before the earthworks, which are right at the only gap in the moats.
<Brian> But they do get into formation.
Rez gets ready with his shield - assumes Alec is probably also around somewhere?
<Brian> Alec is the footman right behind you, actually.
Bjorn does not have a shield of his own, as he is too small to stand effectively by the storm-riders. Instead, he stands behind Phil and Nathan, both of Breke's blades out and at the ready.
Rez nods.
Rez drops all three of his +1s into DCV.
<Brian> Judging by the general flight-path of arrows overhead (and about 20,000 are being fired every dozen seconds), the Dreadmarch is funneled into the earthworks.  It's at this point that the Trebuchets begin firing, hurling rocks, and small packages which cause flashes of fire to burst up over the earthworks.
Dracos does the same!
Bjorn has all 6 points in DCV for the moment.
<Bjorn> Quickly, Bjorn glances at the men around him, trying to judge their condition and spirits.
<Brian> They're grim, but confident.
<Brian> Ginrai: You see that the trebuchets are flinging boulders and canisters of pitch across the enemy, trying to slow their advance.  The Jotun take to the field just as the rest of the Dreadmarch reaches the earthworks.
<Brian> Twenty of them are charging together.
<Brian> Ginrai: Serril begins chanting in his circle, flinging meter-wide orbs of fire across the gap between himself and the earthworks, flooding some of the passages with fire before turning his attention to the Jotun.
<Brian> And here is where we encounter a problem -- you've got an opportunity to clear the earthworks with a well-placed blast of chain-lightning.  But all twenty Jotun (and only three of them are being trapped in ice) are rearing back to throw massive boulders towards the keep.
Ginrai aims the Chain Lightning attack towards the Jotun
<Brian> The most you're going to get is five at once.  But make your attack roll!
<Ginrai> roll 3d6 to see if this'll have any effect
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Ginrai ... : 3d6 to see if this'll have any effect --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> You hit!
<Brian> Now, roll your damage.
<Ginrai> roll 3d6 to see how much pain I can inflict on the Jotun
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Ginrai ... : 3d6 to see how much pain I can inflict on the Jotun --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Er.  Okay.  The electricity seems to stagger, but not stop the five Jotun, though the orcs around them drop to the ground.
<Brian> All twenty Jotun fling their rocks.
<Brian> roll 10#3d6
<Brian> roll 10#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 10#3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}, [ 3d6=9 ]{9}, [ 3d6=14 ]{14}, [ 3d6=7 ]{7}, [ 3d6=10 ]{10}, [ 3d6=14 ]{14}, [ 3d6=5 ]{5}, [ 3d6=8 ]{8}, [ 3d6=14 ]{14}, [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 10#3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}, [ 3d6=9 ]{9}, [ 3d6=7 ]{7}, [ 3d6=8 ]{8}, [ 3d6=11 ]{11}, [ 3d6=13 ]{13}, [ 3d6=10 ]{10}, [ 3d6=8 ]{8}, [ 3d6=14 ]{14}, [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> The three freezing Jotun only drop their rocks.  About one half of the rocks slam into the walls of the keep, which resonate like a struck bell, causing the archers to loose their rhythm.
<Brian> One of the rocks slams into Devin's tower, which lurches unsteadily, but rights itself.
<Brian> Another three plow into the battlements, sending dozens of Storm-rider and keep archers flying -- their screams are heard from the battlefield below.  Another crashes into one of the waiting troupes of footmen before the keep gates.
<Brian> On the ground.
Ginrai curses in disgust
<Brian> A boulder heaves out of nowhere from the other side of the earthworks, slamming into the force that Lord Rogers was commanding.  A good dozen men go down.
<Rez> Wait, that one came from closer?
<Bjorn> "Stand your ground!"  Bjorn barks at the top of his lungs.  "Get the injured back, and fill the gaps!"
<Brian> Oh yes.  From the keep walls, there's a bright pulse of light, and you can hear the Dreadmarch forces shrieking -- while that happens, the earthworks melt, taking all the orcs in them beneath the ground, and clearing a path for the next general -- this one looks like one of those lizard-creatures, again wearing what appears to be dwarven armor and a long dwarven sword.
<Brian> It's phase 6, though everyone has a held action (except for the medics, which are tending the injured, and Ginrai).  The Dreadmarch lurches unsteadily into the gap, the General rushing forward much more quickly than the rest -- he wasn't as blinded, apparently.
<Bjorn> "FORWARD!" Bjorn roars.  "Drop shields and charge!"  Suiting action to words, he slides through the shield-wall, running straight at the general, roaring out a challenge.
<Bjorn> (Battlecry!)
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=16 ]{16}
<Brian> So you did, but make your presence attack anyway; you get a +3 die situation bonus.
Dracos drops his shield, drawing his sword and charging ahead towards the general. "CRUSH HIM!"
<Bjorn> roll 5d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 5d6 --> [ 5d6=17 ]{17}
Rez pulls his sword out, drops his shield forward and flat, and charges forward over it after Bjorn and Dracos.
<Brian> The blinded orcs fall into defensive postures, standing their ground -- the general now beelines straight for Bjorn.
<Brian> The three of you (and Alec) are now rushing towards the General.
<Brian> roll 3#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}, [ 3d6=9 ]{9}, [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> roll 3#1d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#1d6+1d3 --> [ 1d6=6 1d3=2 ]{8}, [ 1d6=5 1d3=1 ]{6}, [ 1d6=3 1d3=3 ]{6}
<Brian> roll 3#1d5 stun multiplier
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#1d5 stun multiplier --> [ 1d5=3 ]{3}, [ 1d5=3 ]{3}, [ 1d5=4 ]{4}
<Brian> Ginrai, you take eight body, and 24 stun from the arrow that appears from nowhere and sinks into your upper thigh.
<Brian> Serril and Astryd are also hit -- all of them (and yourself) drop.
<Ginrai> "Shit!"
<Ginrai> "Any of you know where that's coming from?"
Ginrai calls his force wall
<Brian> Silver-shafted arrows.  Serril is currently seizing, and Astryd looks stunned.  You think you're going into shock yourself, and can't focus enough to summon the force wall.
<Ginrai> "Fuck...."
Ginrai pulls out the arrow if he can
<Brian> roll 1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 1d3 --> [ 1d3=3 ]{3}
<Brian> That hurt.  That hurt almost as bad as being shot in the first place.
<Ginrai> "Ah, damn, this isn't my lucky day."
<Brian> Phase 12, everyone acts.  Bjorn, Dracos, Rez, all of you are in melee range of the general.
<Rez> "I fought one of these before!" Rez yells as the group charges forward, "They regenerate! Coordinate our attacks and hit him as one!"
Ginrai looks at the other two... is there anyone else with him on the tower?
<Brian> No one else.
<Ginrai> Where were they hit?
Bjorn grunts at Nathan's words. "I'll take him head on," he says, grimly, "and try to hold his attention. You two circle and try to hit him from behind!"
<Brian> The general stops about five meters away from you, and glares around menacingly.  In an oddly gentle voice, he says, "Embrace your deaths."
<Brian> Alec stops stock-still, and shudders in place, a wild look about his eyes.
<Bjorn> "I've died already," Bjorn whispers in a calm, almost gleeful voice, as he moves in to the attack.
<Dracos> "You gotcha.  And gladly, Lizard-breath!"  Dracos circles around him, moving as fast as his feet will carry him while not stopping facing towards the lizard.  As soon as he gets somewhere towards it's side, he slashes forward at the lizard.
<Brian> He's got a held action, so the lizard goes first.
<Brian> He slashes at you with the sword of stabbination.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
Dracos aborts to block, putting his bonus points to OCV, bringing his blade around to try and knock the lizard's astray.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 to block and luck be with me!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 to block and luck be with me! --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> He's not strong ... but he sure is fast.  You barely manage to deflect his blade.
<Brian> Now we proceed in Dex order.
<Brian> Dex 18s: Rez, you'll be acting at the same time as Alec.
Rez skids to a half, and lets Alec move first.
<Brian> Alec lashes out with his axe.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> The lizard-thing steps casually out of the way.
<Brian> Rez, it's your action.
Rez drops his points into OCV and steps around Alec behind the lizard, waiting for Bjorn to move in so they strike at about the same time.
<Brian> Dex 14s: Dracos, you recover your action.
<Brian> Okay.  Dex 12 -- Bjorn, Rez, both roll to coordinate.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Int Roll Of Doom
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Int Roll Of Doom --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> Now both of you roll to attack.
<Bjorn> All bonuses to OCV.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Strike! Strike! Strike!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Strike! Strike! Strike! --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Bjorn> (So, total OCV 16)
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Rez> My total OCV is 13.
<Brian> Both of you hit.
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your damages.
<Rez> roll 2d6+1
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2d6+1 --> [ 2d6=10 ]{11}
<Bjorn> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> Rez, your sword bites into the armor, and comes out with some troll ichor on it.
<Brian> Roll your transfer.
<Rez> roll 4d6 for Transference
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 4d6 for Transference --> [ 4d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> Rez's sword begins to glow and hum, and the general's armor collapses in pieces around him.  His reptilian eyes blink, and he turns to look at Nathan in befuddlement.
<Rez> "Your vaunted allies can't save you from ME."
<Brian> Then, while he's bemused, Bjorn's strike slashes across his back.  So much for coordination, but at least it did some damage.
<Bjorn> Once again, Bjorn roars his defiance at the lizard-thing, trying to draw its attention to him.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your roll for a presence attack.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6 for battle-cry activation
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 for battle-cry activation --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Bjorn> roll 6d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 6d6 --> [ 6d6=24 ]{24}
<Brian> The lizard-thing's head whips around from Rez (the armor destroyer) to he who profaned its beliefs.
<Brian> Segment 2, speed 6s act.
<Brian> The lizard thing attempts to strike at Bjorn.
<Bjorn> Abort to block.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your block roll.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> roll 3d6 to attack
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 to attack --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Bjorn> OCV of 18.
<Brian> You block easily.
<Brian> Your swords are now humming in your hands (you've picked up 9 DCs).
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> Bjorn, you note that the sword is coated with a very fine sheen of slimy green stuff.
<Brian> Segment 3, speed 4s can act.
Bjorn slides in through the gap created by the lizard-thing's miss, putting all his skill into the blade, concentrating on trying to cut through the scaly hide as if it were not there.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your attack roll.
<Bjorn> Still got everything in OCV, so still have 18 OCV.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> This is a hit, with OCV 18.
<Bjorn> ER, sorry.  OCV 16, this is Martial Strike.
<Brian> That's still a hit.
<Brian> The general does not try to dodge or block.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Bjorn> roll 1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 1d6 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{3}
<Bjorn> Er.
<Bjorn> roll 1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 1d3 --> [ 1d3=1 ]{1}
<Brian> There we go.
<Brian> Segment 4, speed 6s act.
<Brian> Your sword blazes into solid, piercing light, and slashes through the thing's hide like it's not even there.  The scent of something foul scorching fills the air.
<Brian> If it was pissed at you before, it's REALLY angry, now!
<Brian> It's certainly hurt.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for stun multiplier
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for stun multiplier --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> He's reeling very angrily.
<Brian> Phase 4, speeds 3 and 6.
<Brian> The lizard recovers from being dazed.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Still phase 3, so Rez gets to act.
<Brian> What's your action?
Rez takes one step to the side, while the general is firmly distracted, and attempts to push his strength and deliver a haymaker.
<Brian> He shakes his head and recovers from being dazed.
<Brian> Phase 5, speed 5s and Rez get to act.
<Brian> Since there are no speed 5s on the field, Rez goes.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Egoboost
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Egoboost --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Your strength is +5 for an extra +5 END this phase.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Strike for great vengeance!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Strike for great vengeance! --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Rez> OCV 13.
<Brian> You miss.
<Brian> Barely.
<Brian> Now....
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Segment 6, speeds 6, 4, and 2 act.
<Brian> Dex order, Lizard-thing first.
<Brian> He's going to attempt a sweep against Bjorn and Rez.
<Bjorn> Aborting to block!
Rez aborts to block!
<Brian> Okay.
<Brian> roll 2#3d6+2
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2#3d6+2 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{13}, [ 3d6=9 ]{11}
<Brian> Make your rolls.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Block-fu!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Block-fu! --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Bjorn> OCV 18.
<Rez> OCV 13.
<Brian> Both of your blocks are good.
<Brian> Rez, roll your Transfer.
<Rez> roll 4d6 transference
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 4d6 transference --> [ 4d6=17 ]{17}
Rez notes: Armour Piercing.
<Brian> A thin splash of slime falls from where the sword was -- the fragments rain down like glass.
<Brian> Next in Dex order.
<Brian> Alec.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> He misses.
<Brian> Dracos, your turn.
<Brian> Your opponent has a -2 DCV penalty for you being the second successive attacker.
<Dracos> "Not your day, Slimey Lizard!" Dracos takes advantage of the fact that since they moved to circle the lizard, he must have a shot at the lizards back or side since the lizard is facing the other two, bringing his blade around in a hard slash.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your attack roll.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 for attack!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for attack! --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> This is a hit.
<Brian> Too late to push your strength, but roll your damage.
<Dracos> roll 2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=10 1d3=2 ]{12}
<Brian> A solid hit!  You draw some blood from the unarmed, naked lizard-thing.
<Brian> Segment 7, speed 1s act.
<Brian> Segment 8, speeds 3 and 6 act.
<Brian> Dex order, lizard thing first.
<Brian> He turns to Rez, and attempts to take the sword.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for grab
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for grab --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> He can't get a grip on it, and even recovering from blocking, Rez can shrug him off.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> Rez, you recover your action.
<Brian> Segment 9, speed 4s.
<Brian> Bjorn, you have an action.
Bjorn remembers the searing energy, and focusing his thoughts on that, steps in to slash across at the lizard thing.
<Bjorn> Martial strike, Holy NND, all to OCV, total OCV 16.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Hit.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6+1d3 --> [ 3d6=11 1d3=1 ]{12}
<Brian> roll 1d6 stun multiplier
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 1d6 stun multiplier --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> The lizard thing blinks a bit, and falls to the ground.
<Brian> Not dead.  Badly burned.  Ugly.  But not dead.
<Brian> Segment 10, speed 6s act.
<Brian> The lizard twitches a bit.  Some of the wounds seem SLIGHTLY less severe ... but he's still down.
<Brian> Segment 12, everyone gets to act.
<Brian> Dex order.
<Brian> Lizard goes first!
<Brian> And twitches again.
<Brian> Next in Dex order is ... 18.
Rez steps forward and attempts to remove the thing's head at the neck. Since it's barely moving, and all.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your roll.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Decapitation, please.
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Decapitation, please. --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> Roll your damage.
<Rez> roll 2d6+1
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2d6+1 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{10}
<Brian> You hack into his spinal column, which prompts more twitching, but his head's on pretty solidly.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> Alec just sinks his axe into its back.
<Brian> Next in Dex order: Dracos.
Dracos lifts his blade high, putting all his strength behind it as he brings it down in a mighty haymaker on the fallen general.
<Brian> Okay.  You'll roll post-segment 12.
<Brian> Bjorn, your action.
Bjorn simply moves in and cuts at the throat.
<Bjorn> Martial Strike, MA pool to DC.  Total OCV 10.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Bjorn> roll 4d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 4d6+1d3 --> [ 4d6=18 1d3=3 ]{21}
<Bjorn> roll 3d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6+1d3 --> [ 3d6=10 1d3=1 ]{11}
<Brian> Well, that seems to have done it.
<Brian> The body melts in a flash of energy.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> You all take 12 stun from the time compression of the moon shifting, but the Dreadmarch evaporates....
<Brian> Ginrai, you're recovered enough to try and sit up, but you need medical attention, and pretty fast, too.
<Ginrai> And the other two?
Bjorn staggers briefly, but only barely, and looks around to evaluate the status of the defenders about him.
<Brian> Ginrai: Serril's not seizing, but he's not moving, either.  Astryd looks better off than when she was fireballed.
Dracos pulls back to prevent stabbing his blade deep into the ground where the general just was, stumbling a step and blinking in the moonlight.
<Brian> Bjorn: The battlefield has a number of fallen ... not as great as you'd feared, but greater than you'd like.  You probably lost over a hundred men, including the archers on the battlements.
Rez also looks around to see what the state of the defenders is. And make sure Alec is shaking off the rage.
<Brian> Alec looks okay, if very dizzied.
Bjorn shakes his head sadly, and then sheathes the sword, walking over to the nearest wounded and directing the nearby troops to assist in getting them off the field.
Rez does not sheath his sword, knowing what happened last time, and grins at Drac and Alec.
Dracos heads in to help with the wounded, organizing those around to help get them back into the keep.
Dracos smirks at Rez. "Come on, let's get the wounded in."
<Rez> "VICTORY!"
<Brian> Ginrai: What are you doing right now?
Ginrai first calls to see if he can get either of the other two's attention.
<Brian> Serril's not moving, and Astryd just turns to look at you without sitting up.
<Ginrai> Am I in a good enough condition to go get help?
<Brian> You sure hope so.
<Brian> Astryd shakes her head as though to clear it.  "What....  Happened?"
<Ginrai> "Astryd, please look after Serril."  Getting up, Ginrai heads off to find medical help.
<Brian> Okay.  When you stand up, you remember which direction the arrows came from.
<Ginrai> Where?
<Brian> From the west.
<Brian> You also need your staff to stay upright ... this is worse than when you were shot.
<Ginrai> "Oh, shit...."
<Ginrai> Closing in on Astryd, Ginrai whispers, "Can you get up?"
<Brian> "No," she whimpers.
<Brian> When you look to the west, you see a bunch of things happen at once.  First off, Durant is clinging to Dorian's back, and has just viciously drawn his blade across the archer's throat, and Dorian's just shoved Lindsey off of the tower-top.
<Ginrai> "Paul!  He isn't worth it!  If you can't knock him out, take his life now!"
<Ginrai> "Fuck....  I'll try to bring help here as fast as I can.  Dorian shot us."
<Brian> As you watch, Liandral leaps into the air, and throws out a wrist, seeming to shoot up the side of the tower on a wire, and catch Lindsey as she falls -- his entire right hand vanishes in a spray of blood just before he (and she) lands atop a pile of archers.

[Brian]

In the courtyard, the medics are running around, normal off-duty soldiers following their orders without complaint.  The priestesses are out in full-force, attending the wounded.  Just as Parthipan and two other (very badly wounded) lorekeepers limp into sight, assisted down the ramps with the aid of medics, Durant and Lindsey are hauled to the center of the courtyard, both of them restrained by a number of guards.

"He was a traitor!" Durant yells.  "He was trying to kill the lorekeepers!"

"He's telling the truth!" Lindsey seconds, a bruise covering most of her face.

Behind them, Liandral is being carried by a quartet of medics, his right hand swathed in bandages.  Dorian Shivershaft is being carried by four grim-faced guards.  His eyes are wide with surprise, and a slash across his throat indicates why.

Kevin is standing nearby, with Lammermore.  Kevin looks aghast, and Lammermore is livid, a pair of medics holding him on the ground from where he looks like he wants to get up and start throwing punches.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn's face almost twitches into a snarl before he regains composure.  Quickly but carefully handing off the wounded solider he was helping to assist down to the courtyard, he strides over to where Durant and Lindsey are being held.  

"What's going on here?" he demands, primarily of the guards.

[Ginrai]

Ginrai grimaces.  "Can someone please bring Priestess Mirallia here?"

[Dracos]

Dracos finishing getting those he was helping over, turns and follows Bjorn, staying silent for the moment.

Dracos

[Rezantis]

Rez grimaces, and follows Drac and Bjorn.

[Brian]

"A priestess?" Lammermore asks, quaking with barely restrained rage.  "A priestess?  I think there will be NO healing for someone who values glory and conquest over the lives of his fellow warriors!" he barks, spittle flying from his lips with the intensity of his emotion.

Kevn glances at Lammermore sharply, who is subdued (barely) by the medics holding him down.  "Sir, you musn't agrivate your wounds," one of them soothes.

"At any rate," Kevin says, glowering at Durant and Lindsey.  "'Master' Durant and 'Mistress' Lindsey have conspired to slay Sir Dorian Shivershaft.  With Breke gone, the last of our heroes is slain.  Does pride fill you, knowing this?" Kevin growls at Durant.

Composing himself (as much as someone being held back by four guards can be composed), Durant says, "Dorien was a traitor.  He was firing arrows at the lorekeepers.  Don't you see their wounds?"  He jerks his head towards Parthipan, Serril, and Astryd.

"And where are the arrows?" Kevin asks, curiously.

[Bjorn]

"Calmly, Sir Lammermore," Bjorn murmurs, resting his hand on the Warden's shoulder.  "Even if he is a fool, he is a weapon, and we need him.  We can discuss failings after this other mattle is settled.

"As for the arrows, my Lord," he continues, in a more normal tone, "the arrows that fell on the second night of battle also vanished without trace. Their absence, unfortunately, proves nothing either way.  And if the claim of these two is correct, Dorian was never a hero to begin with."

Rather than addressing any of the principals directly, Bjorn turns to the medics tending to the three lorekeepers.  "What sort of wounds do these three have?" he asks briskly.

[Brian]

"Puncture wounds," one of them (an average height, average looking woman) says, adjusting her headband to keep her medium-length black hair out of her eyes.  "And the fools took them out, too.  Worsened the bleeding.  Didn't have time to look for 'em about," she says apologetically.

[Ginrai]

Ginrai looks as if he's about to say something but instead bows his head in shame when recalling his foolish act.  Sighing, he waits to hear what else is said of his actions and the consequences it brought.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn turns his attention to the lorekeepers next.  "What can you tell us about your wounds?" he asks, in the same brisk, straightforward tone.

[Brian]

"I was ... shot," Serril gasps out, still clutching the bloodstained portion of his robes -- on his upper torso, just below what one would expect to be the lower edge of his rib-cage.

Astryd nods in agreement.  "The arrows were silver," she manages.

[Ginrai]

"As Astryd said, silver-shafted arrows, which came from our west which was where Dorian was situated.  I was shot in the upper thigh area."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn glances at Dorian's corpse for a second, and then turns back to Serril and Astryd.  About to ask another question, he pauses, and then turns back to Kevin.

"My Lord," he says gravely, "it seems clear to me that there is enough evidence that this matter must be examined more closely.  This, however," he waves a hand, making sure to include the badly injured Lorekeepers, "is not the best time or place to pursue the matter.  We should allow these three to be treated."  He gives all the parties involved an even, expressionless glance -- to Durant, Parthipan, and Lindsey, however, he adds just a little edge, as if to say, Don't complain.  "For their own saftey, of course, they, and Master Durant and Mistress Lindsey, should be taken care of in their own quarters, under careful watch -- until this matter is resolved."

[Brian]

Lammermore grumbles, and shakes his head, but seems calmer.

Kevin looks unconvinced.  "Lindsey and Durant can wait in the cells below the keep," he decides.  "Instead of being executed immediately."  Rounding on Parthipan, he says, "And you had better watch yourself," as Radagast comes jogging up to the group, surprise evident on his face when he hears that statement.