Day 8, 16 Wealsun 579

Scenario: The party has come across a tower in the Kron Hills which they suspect is the lair of the bandits. After dispatching two goblins on the roof of the tower, they have made their way down to the lower level, bypassing a sleeping human on the upper level. Three men and two goblins are at a table playing cards, when Xilo brazenly walks over to the centermost man and tries to bluff him into giving up the traitor Chert. The bandit, quite perplexed as to the identity of the newcomers, overturns the table and draws steel!

As combat breaks out Learna looks at the enemy and barks, "Thuranzi." Small tattoos of what look like tiny black dragons spread out on her pale skin.

Nix seizes the advantage and mercilessly leaps at the goblin before him. The halfling connects with both blades; the first a hack to the side with his short sword, the second a life-ending stab with his dagger. The goblin underneath the table tries to wriggle free as he watches his mate's corpse land beside him on the floor.

Xilo dodges around the bandit before him and lowers his shoulder at the easternmost door. The unlocked portal gives way to his momentum and bursts inward. Standing in the middle of the room are five short, black-robed men that seem to blur and fade as they circle one another. Seeing Xilo enter, they all sneer at the paladin and bring their quarterstaves into a defensive position.

Lilly sets bullet to leather and begins whirling her sling. As the whip-wielding menace of a man thought to be Lugwar enters the main chamber, she lets loose with her projectile. Unfortunately, the bullet bounces harmlessly off his bloody leather jerkin.

The man peers balefully at the druid, but steps up to engage young Lubhan. With a swift motion, he cracks the whip and manages to wrap it around the young warrior's leg. With a swift tug, he pulls Lub's leg out from under him and sends him to the floor. The bandit closest to Lub jumps at the opportunity to attack his prone opponent but somehow still manages to miss.

The other two bandits step toward Xilo, the nearest one following him into the room to attack. Xilo manages to block the bandit's attack with his shield, however, as he takes a position keeping all opponents in front of him.

Lub manages to untangle the whip from his leg and quickly returns to his feet, holding his buckler before him in defense.

Watching the battle unfold from the stairway, Learna chants in the arcane tongue as she waves her hands rhythmically. What looks like a small black dragon flies from her outstretched fingers and strikes the huge bandit.

The five black-robed men in the northeastern room chant in unison. Upon the completion of their spell, two bolts of glowing energy shoot forth and strike Xilo, who winces at the pain.

Nix steps up to the pinned goblin and with one swift stroke ends the helpless creature's miserable life.

Suddenly finding himself facing six opponents, with five of them being obvious spellcasters, Xilo shouts for help as he launches himself at the bandit in the doorway, being sure to leave his back to the wall. His blade sinks deep, opening up a grievous wound in the bandit's side. The man stumbles back against the ruined door but manages to retain consciousness.

Seeing no real opening past the enormous Lugwar, Fyen instead engages the man from his side, hoping to slide past next round and check on the chained dwarf. His quarterstaff lands true and the man lets out a gasp of breath, signaling the effect the shaft of wood had on him.

Lilly tucks her sling back into her pouch and gets a firm grip on her quarterstaff. She checks back up the stairs, but doesn't notice any activity.

Lugwar plies his whip again, this time wrapping it around Fyen's leg and pulling the priest to the floor. The nearby bandit dodges around his large companion and stabs at the prone Fyen, again missing, though just barely. He lets out a curse that seems to include the priest's mother.

The barely conscious bandit manages to sneak his short blade past Xilo's defenses, cutting the armorless paladin's thigh. The third bandit stays just outside the doorway in the main room, keeping an eye on both combats, watching for an opening.

Learna stretches forth her right hand and chants a few arcane words. Her hand glows blue for a second and then fades as a blue tattoo of a dragon appears on her palm. The eyes of the dragon blaze as a beam of bright blue light shines forth and strikes the Lugwar, who shivers in pain.

The short, black-robed mages again chant in eery unison as they gesture wildly. A black beam of un-light streaks forward and hits Xilo. The paladin does not seem to be injured, but his shoulders sag and he seems to have some trouble lifting his weapon.

Nix works his way around the overturned table and launches himself at the bandit in the doorway. With great agility, the man sidesteps the halfling's twin blades.

Despite his adverse condition, Xilo launches himself at the central shifting, blurry mage. His longsword strikes true, but to his astonishment, the mage simply disappears.

Fyen regains his feet and attempts to return the favor to Lugwar. He manages to hit the big man on the calf, but Lugwar grabs the staff and simply overpowers Fyen and sends him back to the floor.

Lilly moves into the room being careful to leave the stairs within her line of sight. Finding a spot between Lub and the prone Fyen, she jabs her quarterstaff into Lugwar's ribs, knocking the wind from the big man's lungs. He crumples over into unconsciousness.

The bandit sees Lugwar go down and swings his short sword furiously at Fyen's prone form. He finally manages to draw blood, and Fyen joins the hulking man next to him in unconsciousness.

The bandit on Nix stabs at the halfling but is far off the mark.

Seeing his leader threatened by Xilo, the last bandit ignores the paladin's warning and charges his back. Fortunately, he is too weak from blood loss to land a blow.

Lub attacks the bandit standing over Fyen and manages to bloody him badly, though not enough to drop him.

Learna loads a bolt and prepares to fire at the bandit in the main room when she notices a bandit trying to sneak down the stair. She whirls and fires in one motion, but misses the man badly.

The four remaining mages again chant in the arcane tongue and send two more glowing bolts at Xilo. These prove to be too much for the paladin, and he slumps to the floor.

Nix has much better success this time as he has his bandit pinned against the wall. Both his short sword and dagger connect, and the unwashed criminal falls over dead.

Lilly turns on the bandit in the main room and swings her quarterstaff at him but misses. He seems to take offense at this and swings at Lilly in turn, but also misses.

The mages scream "Get them!" at the badly wounded bandit who charges with a warcry at Nix. Luckily, the halfling sidesteps the charge and the bandit continues on into the main chamber.

Lub attacks bandit three while his attention is turned to Lilly and delivers a fatal stab wound to the man's side.