Targos

Ulbrex lets out a deafening roar as the attacks enter HIS city. Seeing his people flee and the last remaining members of his army scatter for better defenses, Ulbrex goes on rampage mode. With his massive head and tail he stomps and knocks over buildings to strategically block off an endefended path to his people. He continues this strategy, while trying to crush and kill any enemies in his path.

The monstrous army is wary of the dragon, but large groups of foolish creatures should never be underestimated. When the defenders break and run for the town, the army howls and charges forward.

Where they might have expected an easy time pillaging the town, instead they find the place cunningly guarded. Though the defenders are few, they are mighty and resilient.

Under Zenithral's direction, they focus their efforts on drawing the enemy along the northern edge of Targos, along the bank of Maer Dualdon - a masterful ploy that not only confines the enemy to close quarters among the homes and warehouses there, but also cuts off the army's escape and allows the Targos townsfolk a clear path south to Bryn Shander. As the mayor dinosaur works to cut off the streets behind them, the army finds itself mired in guerilla warfare, trapped up against the body of the lake.

The fighting in the streets is brutal and heavy, but only for brief moments at a time as the defenders hit hard and then continue their retreat. At one point a group lingers too long in one place and is nearly surrounded, but Aeri and Ras arrive just in time to buy them some time with a storm of icicles from the silver dragon's mouth.

The town itself suffers from the harsh battle as buildings collapse - both by strategic purpose and on accident - but things go relatively well until disaster strikes. A group of ogres makes it past Ug's position and wanders into other areas, blundering into other defenders' well-laid plans.

Everyone except Vince takes 10 dmg. Ug takes only 5.

Round 2 Player Phase!!

Long will this battle be remembered in the Ten Towns, as well as the heroes who fought on the side of Targos.

Ug, slayer of giants and outhouses, the mighty barbarian who worked himself nearly to death in defense of the town.

Alalla, the militia soldier returned with a blazing sword and a determination to match, who slew the orc chieftain herself in single combat. There are some dark rumors that muddy her name, however...

Zenithral, the arcane archer whose tactics and leadership are just as fine as his bowmanship.

Though few know his name, many townsfolk tip their glasses to that shadowed stranger who stood in their defense. Some say he wielded a bow, others a sword. Yet more tales say he killed orcs with his bare hands. One militia soldier claims to have seen the stranger rip the souls of his enemies free and turn them on their fellows - and not a one who saw the man fight can truly say they don't believe him capable of such a thing.

Of Ras they say little. While all acknowledge the fantastic magics that flew from the gnome's hands that night, the townsfolk always bow their heads in sorrow for the small hero, and for whatever unspoken reason it was that the druid seemed so heartbroken. "The fellow must have lost much," they say.

There are other tales, too, of a frightful creature of horns and fire that stood before the heroes, but even the militia soldiers who were there remain unsure of who or what it was. Given that there was a dragon present in the battle, and also the mayor's own magical transformation to giant beast, most folks chalk it up to confusion in the heat of battle.

Another rumor sometimes tickles the ears of some tavern patrons in the North, but in every instance it is immediately shut down, for who would believe such a tale? Zenithral, however, witnessed the truth of that moment...

When the ice covering the surface of Maer Dualdon breaks beneath the feet of monstrous soldiers, it is not only the cold waters that claim the lives of the enemy. Spears wielded by webbed hands stab up from the black depths of the lake, impaling orcs and goblins and pulling them down to the lake's embrace.

As one ogre struggles to pull itself up onto the ice, a wet figure breaks from the water to wrap a green arm around the ogre's neck. A glint of reflected light reaches Zenithral's keen eyes, and then the ogre suddenly sinks beneath the water, clutching at its torn throat. There is no further sign of the figure.

Had those been an elf's ears beneath a mop of wet hair? Zenithral finds himself remembering a certain sea elf by the name of Elisia. But that figure was not her, and she had been on the shores of Lac Dinneshere. Might there be more elves of her kind, spread out through the lakes of Icewind Dale? If so, they have kept their presence very secret for a very long time...

By the time the sun has fully risen above the Spine of the World, the monstrous army is finished. Surely there are some who deserted the army at some point during the long night and escaped into the Dale, but the bulk of the enemy forces will feed crows and vermin for months if the corpses are not taken care of. Additionally, there are some four-score prisoners taken - all of them orcs who when pressed threw down their weapons and surrendered, asking for the 'Daughter of Gruumsh'.

'Daughter of Gruumsh'... It is an unnerving title to bear in a human town, even for a hero. Though nobody dares openly accuse Alalla Blacksheaf of anything, the rumors flow freely through Targos.

With bodies, rubble, prisoners, and deserters to handle, there is much for the companions to do. However, Lord Ulbrec - properly restored to his human form - has made clear that he expects the heroes to meet with him as soon as possible for a debriefing. With his home and office destroyed, the mayor has taken a room at the Weeping Widow Inn, and there awaits the companions.