Noctus saw the bugbear before him fall, pierced by arrows. "Many thanks!" Noctus called out as he gave a bow. Then he noticed Peter laying on the ground apperaing rather helpless before a bugbear. Not sure what else to do that would keep the brute from finishing the job, Noctus attempted to cast his cloak over the monsters head hoping to blindfold it or at least distract it for a moment to allow Peter to scramble to safety. Then it was time to attack.

Peter was down, but she had faith that when someone was down like that the others would swarm in and take their assailant off them quickly enough. When that happened usually the assailant would be covered like a pot honey with ants in the height of summer. There would be no sense in her attempting to weasle an arrow in through all that.

Instead she turned her attentions on the creature attacked Brandr. He already looked wounded and Brandr could use some help.

She pulled an arrow into her bow and steadied her arm as she followed the creature with the point of the arrow, waiting for just the right opportunity and then let the sliver of death fly through the air.

Derry watched with satisfaction as the bugbear in front of Noctus collapsed to the ground. Two down!

His satisfaction was extremely short lived, however as he turned and saw Peter on the ground with a large bugbear ready to finish him off. He was torn - he could not let his companion fall, but he also needed to be careful about burning all of his mana before even entering the building.

Thankfully he knew he had more than one good teammate. He readied a magic missile spell, knowing the missiles would pose no risk to any friends that went to peter's aid. But he didn't cast right away. He held back, hoping his friends could do the job. If the bugbear appeared about to deliver the final blow he would cast. Perhaps a well timed missile would knock thock the bugbears blow off target? But if the others could handle the situation without his magic, so much the better. But if needed, the spell was at the ready.

The thrill of battle made Brandr feel really alive. The possibility of death made him move without a thought. Blocking a blow from the left with his axe, he grinned evilly at the enemy. A quick side step to the right bending his knees brought the ranger under the bugbear's left arm and gave his slim sword an opening. The strike lacked the momentum to fully penetrate the ugly humanoid's thick skin, but still left a nasty bleeding wound on its side.

As the bugbear tried to pull itself away from the biting sword it made the mistake of turning its back on Brandr's axe - a mistake it had to pay for in blood. Unfortunately for the northerner, the monster's armor caught the tip of the axe and the blade didn't sink in very deep. Though the creature was getting worse with every blow, it was made of stronger stuff than anything the ranger had come upon before. But Brandr wasn't worried. Yet.

The beast shook away the pain and bellowed a curse in its own language at the somewhat smaller man. A wave of terribly bad smelling breath hit Brandr's face and almost made him throw up. Thinking of what had just made its way down the bugbear's throat made him sick… and it nearly cost him his life. The heartbeat's hesitation gave his ugly opponent an opening and it immediately made good of it. The huge creature took a step back and swung it's equally large axe at the ranger. On the last possible moment, Brandr saw the strike coming and tried to jump back to avoid it. And he almost did. Almost.

Though he'd been cut and bruised more than a few times in his life, the familiar wave of agony still put Brandr into a slight shock. Had he had more time to think about it, he would've found out that he couldn't really breath for a few moments. Fortunately the bugbear's axe hadn't broken any of his ribs or pierced his lungs, but despite all the action the blonde warrior could feel his hot blood running down on the skin of his belly.

To survive the fight Brandr really had put every bit of his concentration into it. He was oblivious to what was going on around him and his opponent and could only hope his companions were faring better. Taking a more defensive stance, Brandr blocked another (gladly a bit weaker this time) blow from the bugbear's axe with his own and brought his longsword down hard at the creature's less armored legs.

Brandr dodged a blow aimed to take his head off and struck a back hand with his axe, deep into the bugbear’s leg. It roared with pain and bloodlust, guttural curses pouring from its mouth like water from a rain trough.

Ela moved and fired her bow. The first arrow shot wide but the second two embedded themselves in the back of the bugbear as it screamed. Remarkably, it still moved, hobbling on one good leg and bleeding profusely through its wounds.

Without a pause, the Ranger brushed aside the attack with his sword and then ended the creature’s life with a swift thrust through the side and up the torso. It fell to the ground and laid still finally, its cake encrusted face looking blindly to the sky.

The bugbear was intend on murder when suddenly the lights when out. Noctus moved across the field, to flank the creature and protect his fallen comrade while it struggled to remove the cloak from its head. When it did, it attacked at Noctus with a fierce chopping blow that would have disembowel the Swashbuckler had he been slower but as it was the Syl barely dance out of the way in time to strike with the rapier a glancing blow.

Crow saw his opportunity and seized it as the blinded bugbear turned its back on him. From the terrace he leapt into the air and hit the ground to tumble and spin into backstab attack. The two short swords plunged deep through unprotected areas under the arms and sides. The bugbear tried to throw him off but Crow held tight until the vitals of the creature were severed and he rode the beast to the ground.

The battle was over and all was calm again. It was time to attend to wounded team mates and see what the sleeping prisoner might have to tell you.

Party Peter – Critical Wounds
Brandr – Serious Wounds
Derry – No damage
Ela- No damage
Noctus – Will have to wash his cloak
Crow – No damage

As the last of the bugbears fell with Crow's blades in his back, Derry felt the elation of another battle won! He had chosen, or been chosen by, some very good allies. But this time there were injuries. He hated it when the bad guys got in some good blows.

Stepping up to where the others were standing near the last two fallen bugbears, Derry was extremely pleased to see that while Brandr and Peter were injured they were still alive.

"Brandr, can you heal these wounds? I have the mages two healing potions, but it might be wise to hold those until we are out of healing spells. But they belong to all, so let me know if they are needed. We can't go on without some healing."

Turning to the groups swashbuckler, he added, "Noctus, you seem healthy yet. While some of these others heal, care to help me find out who was being held captive? And there is a bugbear up there as well. Anybody want to cover us while we free the unfortunate victim?"

As the last of the bugbears fell, Noctus retrieved his cloak. A quick sniff test revealed a not very agreeable odor. "Alas 'twas a fine cloak and now it smells of vermin. Anyone know a good method to remove bugbear stick?" Noctus had just finished hanging his cloak over the bansiter to air a bit and was about to check the bugbears for useful items when he was asked to check on the prisoner. "Ahh yes, the prisoner. I do believe I heard it may be a 'she'. Perhaps my particular talents would be useful. Let me check." Noctus moved to the sleeping individual and made a check to see if it was indeed female.

Looking into the bag he saw a woman no longer in her prime but who obviously had been very attractive in her youth and still retianed an attractive figure. "Ahh mi'lady. Doest thou slumber in sweet repose alight with pleasent dreams or do vile creatures torment you and fill your mind with nightmares?" Noctus lightly brushed her cheek and looked for any response.

"Brandr, can you heal these wounds? I have the mages two healing potions, but it might be wise to hold those until we are out of healing spells. But they belong to all, so let me know if they are needed. We can't go on without some healing."

Peter shook his head in annoyance at Derry’s question to Brandr, then regretted the move when it caused nausea to roil his stomach. Guess I got my bell rung…it’s all rather foggy…
“Hold on, Derry, I’m dazed, not unconscious,” Peter called out as he struggled to his feet, armour trying to drag him down again,” Save those potions for another time.” Reaching his full stature, the world greyed out for a moment and he would have swayed if he weren’t so stubborn (and more than a little vain). Instead, he gritted his teeth and began to move about the group, checking each for injuries while ignoring his own.

“Crow, Ela, Noctus...hmm, the reputation of Syls for speed and craftiness remains intact, I see…not a scratch on the lot of you. Nor you, Derry, there’s some good luck there or handy dodging on your part. Brandr, big fellow, you appear to have the worst of it, let me have a look at that.”

OOC: If Brandr allows, Peter will clean the wound with wine and bandage it roughly with cloth torn from his sleeve (what can you expect, he’s a cleric of the god of war, not Florence Nightingale. Beside, no healer’s kit on the equipment list, hmmph!), then use cleric spells to heal Brandr. Only then will he clean his own wounds, ask for someone to bandage him, then spare a spell for himself, if any is left.

OOC to fellow players: Pardon the personality shift….going on how the character was written up, and may take me a while to get a feel for the character.

Crow held tight until the vitals of the creature were severed and he rode the beast to the ground.
With a light leap before the dead Bugbear hit he was up and ready for any other hostiles but saw that all the other creatures were down and dead but the one asleep from Derry’s spell. Moving towards it he heard Derry be the first to speak.

"Brandr, can you heal these wounds? I have the mages two healing potions, but it might be wise to hold those until we are out of healing spells. But they belong to all, so let me know if they are needed. We can't go on without some healing. Noctus, you seem healthy yet. While some of these others heal, care to help me find out who was being held captive? And there is a bugbear up there as well. Anybody want to cover us while we free the unfortunate victim?"

Already on his way towards said Bugbear, Crow turned and caught the Mage’s attention.

“I’ll see to the sleeping one, I need no healing”

Gaining the creatures side, Crow quickly and with no hesitation, slit the Bugbears throat.
Afterwards he searched the body for anything of worth or for anything to tell him more about where the Bugbears had come from, markings, tattoo’s or some other type of affiliation common to Bugbear tribes………..

(OOC: Unless someone stops him he will do the same to all the dead Bugbear bodies.)

Derry moved with Noctus to examine the prisoner. Derry kept his eyes and ears alert for any sign of further attack. The enemy clearly knew they were out here and he had no desire to be caught flat footed.

He noticed along with Noctus that the prisoner was female. Noctus, of course, proceeded to do what Noctus always did - flirt.

"Ah, Noctus, the fine lady might be more able to respond to your eloquent overtures if we released her from the rug in which she is trapped." With that Desiderius moved forward and took ahold of one end of the rug, clearly indicating that Noctus ought to do the same with the other end so that they could free the woman.

Even so, Derry had heard many stories of prisoners who were not what they seemed. Alert for outside dangers before, he focused his attention on the prisoner as they prepared to release her.

"Why Derry my lad, have you not heard that some ladies enjoy being bound? You must try it sometime. Ahh the excitment generated when one cannot see what will be done next nor move from it is.... Well perhaps that is a story for another time. Lets unwrap her." Noctus helped Derry unwrap the former prisoner.

Suddenly the fight was all over. All of the bugbears were lying dead on the ground with none of Brandr's group sharing their faith. The ranger wiped his opponent's blood from his long blade on the red hued grass beside the corpse. As he stoop back up, Brandr could feel a sharp pain in his abdomen where the monster's axe had bitten through his armor and cut his flesh. Every shallow breath he took turned into a wave of agony running through his body. Though not a healer himself, Brandr knew he'd lost a lot of blood and was in serious need of help.

He could only admire the skill of his sylvari companions. Not one of them had received even the slightest of cuts during the fight even though each of the bugbears probably easily weighted more than two syls together. Not feeling too well and certainly not in the shape to fight any more, Brandr slowly moved to where Peter was getting back on his feet. The priest looked like he'd been run over by a bull the size of a wagon. His plate armor was no longer shining, but boasted a couple of new dents and a lot of blood instead.

"… Brandr, big fellow, you appear to have the worst of it, let me have a look at that.", the lad said with a new found seriousness he had seemed to lack in the morning. Like a good healer, the priest was now more concerned for the well being of his companions rather than the shape of his armor. The tall northerner waved Peter's comment away. "You're no good to us if you black out after healing me, Peter. Take care of yourself first and only worry about me after you're done. I'll keep D'hurgen at bay till then."

With a grunt, Brandr sat down on the edge of the terrace and took as deep a breath as he dared. They were not even inside the manor yet and already two of their number were badly hurt. Shaking his blonde head sadly, the ranger wondered what was in store for them next.

As soon as you have taken a moment to recover your breath, the bugbears start to dissolve away just as the kobolds had before, leaving behind only greasy stains where the once ugly creatures laid. Crow is robbed of his chances to loot the bodies or fine some tell-tale symbols of their origins.

Peter recovers enough to push aside any aid offer and attends to Brandr’s wounds. Once he has cleaned the wound he applies himself to prayer and dras upon the power of his god to heal. Brandr’s wound close easily and he is filled with the healing magic that both soothes him and makes him a bit drowsy.

When Peter asks for assistance, Brandr aids him with the knowledge of wounds that a warrior gains over time. He helps the cleric clean the wounds and bind them, after which Peter applies the healing magic to himself.

Derry and Noctus work upon freeing the prisoner from her confines. She is a human lady, in her forties you would guess with fading blonde hair and an attractive face. Judging by her uniform, you would guess she is part of the serving staff, most likely someone in charge. You remember that the townsfolk had told you that the head of staff was named Rachel.

"Ahh, milady. Doest thou slumber in sweet repose alight with pleasant dreams or do vile creatures torment you and fill your mind with nightmares?" Noctus lightly brushed her cheek and looked for any response.

Her eyes flutter open and she looks around in wonder. Her blue eyes seem to be unfocused and she blinks a great deal before pulling herself into a sitting position.

(assuming some sort of reassuring statement)

Suddenly, she leaps from the table she was sitting at and starts to twirl around as if dancing. All the while she sings loudly “I’M A LITTLE TEAPOT, SHORT AND STOUT. HERE IS MY HANDLE, HERE IS MY SPOUT.”

She doesn’t seem to understand where she is or her surrounding as she bumps into tables and trips over objects in her view. Clearly she is a danger to herself and if you try to bring her with you, a danger to you as well.

Seeing the lady's irrational behavior and hearing, all to well, her singing Noctues turns to Derry. "Well I think I know why the Bugbears put her in the sack. Perhaps t'would be best for us to bind, gag and return her to her previous abode."

With the Bugbears all dead or something, their bodies like the Kobolds before them disappearing into nothing, Crow came up empty in his search for any clues. As he was attempting to scan the dead Bugbear in front of him before its disappearance, Derry along with Noctus had freed the women and woken her up.

The Elf thief had to admit that he himself was caught off guard as the women suddenly leaped from the table she was sitting at and started to twirl around as if dancing. All the while singing loudly “I’M A LITTLE TEAPOT, SHORT AND STOUT. HERE IS MY HANDLE, HERE IS MY SPOUT.”

Overhearing Noctus turn to Derry and speak, Crow gathered himself and began to move quietly towards the nearest shadows with a view of the main house, pausing only to speak to his two fellow teammates.

“Whatever you do, do it fast if there are more of these real/unreal creatures around she will draw them to us all too quickly.”

With that said and a quick glance at Ela to follow him, he moved back out into the darkness of the night.........