The Heroes Strike Back

The Night Lord sees Skeetz and the stranger being escorted in by Schneider. He abruptly stops his song, rises, and angrily tosses his mask onto the seat.

"What is the meaning of this? I told you: no interruptions tonight, Schneider."

Ryvid wastes no time and pushes past Kit and Schneider, walking to the Night Lord. Reaching the throne, he tosses the tower of Night Blade cloaks to the floor, in front of the Night Lord and stares at him. He takes a sip from his tankard "You the Night Lord?"

Too fucking right it's creepy! Kit says in Skeetz's voice. Where'd all these vines come from? And why's it so fucking hot?

The four Night Blades immediately take up formation around the Night Lord, hands on their weapons. Kit recognizes that two are wearing the Cloaks of Protection that belonged to Barendd and Aegar. A third wields Iman's terrible glaive. The fourth wields Raishe's warhammer.

The Night Lord's eyes narrow.

"I'm not in the mood for jokes Shepherd. You have one chance to explain yourself, and it had better be good," the Night Lord snaps, a sharp contrast to the casual song he was performing a moment ago. He looks to Schnieder and Skeetz as well, as if the consequences of that threat will apply to them as well.

Ok my sssmall throwable friend, niccceee and easssy...

Sulprax tosses the Halfling ever-so-gently to the top of the wall, with just the right amount of force. Ander carries the rope on his way, and easily sticks the landing.

At a glance, Ander estimates that the wall itself is about 10 feet thick and 200 ft. long, forming a square with the other four walls. Below is a courtyard, and within that is the main keep.

From up here, you can see the cages are indeed suspended by chains, which are slotted into metal rings set the stone parapet. A long pin secures the chain at its current height, and a long line of slack chain is coiled on the ground. It looks easy enough to low the cages to the ground, which is likely how they were loaded in the first place.

Before you can get a better look at things, you realize there are four post guards at the four corners of the castle wall, each armed with crossbows.

Pageflap looks to Sulprax and then to Ander, mentally whistling to himself. He didn't know one could throw someone somewhere that high with that finesse. He resolves to learn more about his new comrades after the whole NightBlade situation has blown over.

Ander flips over four times as he sails through the air and looks as though he's going to slam down, but comes out of the controlled spin moments before landing and makes barely a sound.

Ander lands with a soft thud. He sees that the guards don't seem to notice him. In fact they seem to be looking inward, into the castle courtyard, instead of outward. The closest guards to your east and west are each 100 feet away in opposite directions, and the other two are on the far corners of the square castle wall, another 200 north.

"Do I look the type to make jokes?" Ryvid responds his face unflinching, deadpan. "One chance... Well, to put it simply," He gestures to the cloaks he threw to the floor "I grew bored of killing your men; too one sided, you know. I figured, what is the point of killing and killing and killing your men when I can just skip to their leader. Instead of killing you though, I propose something that is beneficial to the both of us; a drinking contest. I win, you leave this town with your men; no more cloaks piled up at your feet. You win, I pledge my loyalty to you and with me, my power; I'll leave you to be the judge of it."

Odric swallows hard as he watches you all ascend the rope.

If it's all the same with you, we'll wait here for you to open the gate. We will definitely break our necks if we try that.

Ralavaz nods in agreement.

"Maybe 10 years ago I could do that, but I'll be wheezing so hard by the time I get to the top that every Night Blade in town will know we're coming."

KIT AND RYVID

---

The other Night Blades shift uncomfortably at Ryvid's story, gripping their weapons tighter. But the Night Lord begins shaking slightly, and so badly burned is his face that it takes a moment before you realize he is laughing. The unstable laughter grows near-hysterical, echoing through the hall. When he regains his composure,

"Skeetz, did you witness these feats? I assume that is why the mighty shepherd has spared you. Speak up!"

ANDER, PAGEFLAP, SULPRAX & TORDEN

---

Those of you at or near the top of the wall hear a loud, insane cackling rolling out of the Keep. One of the guards from the far side of the wall signals to the others and makes for the stairs down to the courtyard to see what's up.

Pageflap rubs his hands together and then attempts his own climb.