BBG: Chapter 32

Almost immediately on the heels of the door exploding inwards came a group of marauding Northmen in mail and leather, wielding various weapons. Some bore weapons that were clearly magical, though they were magical based on a number of Runes etched into them. The fact that I both recognized the Runes but also couldn't tell what enchantments they conferred meant only one thing. Somewhere in this mass of Northlanders was a Runecaster. Only the Runecasters could confuse my spellcheck like that with obscure runes, as they guarded their secrets jealously enough that only fragmentary information of their runes made it out of their Circles. As the lines closed, I thought I saw a flash of light through the doorway from out in the courtyard, maybe the Runecaster buffing the second wave of attackers? I couldn't be sure and quickly found my attention taken up by fighting anyway.

Almost the second the first four Northmen entered, Janessa flung a bolt of lightning in their direction, frying them in a blast of electric power. Unfortunately, they weren't alone, and the rest of the Northmen piled in after their slain foes. I rushed to meet them, alongside Shavariel, Lieutenant Devora, and the front rank of Militiamen, cutting down two with a pair of quick thrusts of the Discordant Note, even as Lieutenant Devora took two out with her pilfered Corsair Blade and Shavariel did the same, plunging the tines of her trident through the mail links of a Northman's Chain Shirt before smashing the skull of a second Northman open with a swing of her Trident's Haft. Suddenly, however, a shadow fell over me, and I looked up to see a hulking opponent bearing down on me.

The opponent I found myself facing off against was one with the powerful build and prominent brow of a Northman Warrior with Fir-Bolg Ancestry, as his axe, the head of which was inscribed with glowing runes, came down at me from above. I parried it off to the side in a textbook Swordplay Deflection, only for the Giantblooded Warrior to spin about and batter me with his shield, a massive slab of wood and steel with a spiked boss that was painted with runic sigils that glowed with the same intense power as the ones on his axe. The spike punched into my shoulder through the gaps in my armor, even as I found my head rocked back by the bludgeoning effect of the shield bash. The Giantblooded Northman grinned at me as I spat the taste of blood out of my mouth.

"Well struck. Shall I go now?" I questioned, hauntingly.

"If you believe you can gut me with that pigsticker of yours, by all means." Sneered the Giantblooded Northman.

"Very well, when you find yourself meeting your ancestors, you can tell them it was Robar the Red of Ruathrym that sent you to them." I intoned.

"Aye, and when you find yourself in the ranks of the honored dead, you can say that you were one of the many felled by Bragi Jotunblot of Follebu." Smirked the Giantblooded Northman, Bragi Jotunblot.

And with that, I tapped the Discordant Note against the rim of Aremeg's Fury and took up a Swordplay Stance. Bragi came in at me with a cut of his axe once again, chopping down at me from on high and forcing me to sidestep the deadly Rune-Scribed Darksteel Dwarven Waraxe. Once again, in came the shield in an attempt to shield bash me, but I was able to avoid it this time, backing off a few steps before coming back in with a Lunge of the Discordant Note that punched into his meaty, tree-trunk-sized thigh beneath the tassets of his rune-scribed, Mithral Breastplate. A keening shriek briefly rang out as the Discordant Note tasted blood, hobbling Bragi, but I was quickly forced to withdraw and parry an incoming sideways chop of his Waraxe with a Swordplay Deflection.

Bragi tried to bowl me over by main strength, keeping the haft of his Waraxe in contact with the blade of the Discordant Note in a Clinch, attempting to bull rush me into the wall. However, even his Giant Ancestry didn't give him the necessary extra power to do more than back me up against the wall, smacking the back of my head into the stonework for minor damage, thanks to my greater experience and magical items. When crushing to death against the wall failed, he switched to trying to disarm me, using the crook under the beard of his Waraxe like a hook in the attempt. In response, I channeled mystic power into a Sonic Scream Spell, letting out a face-melting Metal Scream that would have been right at home on an Iron Maiden Album right into his face, causing Bragi to start bleeding out of his nose and ears.

His attempt to disarm me failed, and with a snarl, Bragi struck at me with his axe in an attempt to cleave me in half. I ducked under the blow, tumbling past him as his axe struck sparks off the stone wall. With a snarl, he whirled about and smashed a bone-jarring kick into my tailbone that caused me to stumble mid-tumble and collapse to one knee. I parried an incoming axe strike with a sworplay deflection while on my knees and struck out with a blow of the Discordant Note that cut across Bragi's arm as he retracted his Waraxe, a piercing screech echoing out as I carved a chunk out of Bragi's Bicep. In response, he slammed his Shield full into my face, the steel rim smashing into my mouth and knocking out a tooth in the process. I was forced to turn my collapse into a backward tumble to avoid the follow-on axe strike.

As I stood up, I realized that I was going blow for blow with this guy and that wasn't something that I would win by doing. Not with another wave waiting outside in the Courtyard along with the Runecaster. I could hear the Runecaster psyching his men up out in the Courtyard, and I knew that I would lose that fight if I didn't start to play things smart in this one. I spat more blood and bits of broken tooth out of my mouth, wincing. I could only hope that Selima could fix that after we were done here. I tapped the Discordant Note against Aremeg's Fury, backing away as I did so. This caused Bragi to roar out and chase after me, just as I'd intended. As he raced to catch up with me, I lashed out with the Discordant Note in a feinting overhead cut that he moved to parry, only to flick my wrist and bring my blade around the expected parry for a thrust at Bragi's throat. To his credit, he janked his head to the side to try and avoid the thrust, but that just succeeded in the Discordant Note nicking his Jugular.

There was a spray of arterial crimson blood as Bragi Jotunblot stumbled to the floor, hand desperately trying to stem the crimson tide. It wasn't to be, however, and he soon found himself dying in the middle of the Entry Hall of the Guildhall of Brewers, Whitesmiths, and Coopers. As that happened, a cheer went up from the assembled Militiamen, gaining a Morale boost from seeing the enemy Commander slain. I turned to look and see what the progress of everyone else was, and while Shavariel had some wounds, there was a trail of corpses in her wake. Lieutenant Devora seemed to have been hit only once, by a Northman with some sort of blunt weapon, a hammer or mace, most likely, judging by her stiff walk, indicating hurt ribs. Janessa hadn't even been touched, hanging back with the few Militia that had ranged weapons of some kind.

Speaking of the Militia, we had a few wounded, but only two dead. Selima was busy healing the wounded so they could return to the fight. Recognizing the need for something to keep morale up and energize the Militia for the next round of fighting, I unslung my Bandore and began to play a Jaunty Tune, singing through bloodstained teeth as I did so. After all, two could play the Sea Shanty as a morale tool game, and mine were backed by Bardic Magic as I began to inspire Courage.

"In Waterdeep there lived a maid, Mark well what I do say. In Waterdeep there lived a maid, and she was mistress of her trade. I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid. A-roving, a-roving, since roving's been my ru-I-in, I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid." I sang out.

As I played my Bandore, Sang the Lyrics, and infused them with Bardic Magic, I could see the fear leave the Militia as the funny little tune broke through the dread of waiting for the next phase of battle to start, stiffening their spines and fortifying morale with humor. As I continued to sing, Selima finished patching up the wounded and moved to begin buffing the best fighters among the Militia with Spells like Bear's Endurance and Tyche's Touch, while also casting Bless, Legion's Aid, and Blessing of the Righteous to buff everyone. I continued to sing to firm up morale.

"I asked this maid out for a walk, Mark well what I do say. I asked this maid out for a walk. That we might have some private talk. I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid. A-roving, a-roving, since roving's been my ru-I-in, I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid." I continued singing.

Between the effects of my song and the effects of Selima's Spells, I figured that we could just about cancel out any Buffs that the Runecaster had given out to his Northmen. As I continued to sing, maintaining my performance, I kept the song purely vocal, putting my Bandore away and drawing the Doscordant Note and Aremeg's Fury once again as I took my place in the front rank of Militiamen. Just before combat resumed, Selima hit me with a Cure Serious Wounds Spell, which, while it didn't heal all my wounds, healed most of them. She slunk to the rear echelon of the formation just in time for the next group of Northlander Pirate Warriors to enter the Entry Hall. Alongside them was an Old Man whose blonde hair and beard were fading to white, bedecked in Rune-scribed Leather Armor and Amulets. He carried a Hooked, Sickle-Like Dagger at his belt, likewise scribed with runes, but his primary weapon appeared to be a Rune-Scribed Shortspear with a Darksteel Head.

As he entered the Entry Hall, however, Janessa targeted him as a Priority, pulling a handful of copper and iron pellets out of her component satchel and incanting in an Arcane tongue as she thrust her hand out at the Runecaster. A beach-ball-sized sphere of crackling electricity shot forth at the Runecaster, surging into him with a sizzling noise as his long white beard and braided white hair poofed out with electric energy. However, once the Ball of Lightning had passed through the Runecaster, coming out the other end, he was still standing.

"Umberlee, grant me the power to smite these Heathens in your name!" Called out the Runecaster.

As he did so, the air near Janessa and the Ranged Militiamen suddenly flash-heated as Umberlee granted him the power of a Sirocco of the kind that sometimes sprang up near the Calimshite Coast to boil a sailor alive in his own body. Immediately, the four Ranged Militiamen in their heavy leathers keeled over, brains boiling in their skulls, which were themselves covered by thick leather skullcaps. Janessa managed to seemingly avoid the worst of the attack, just barely, though she was still clearly wounded from it pretty badly.

"Kill them all and loot this Hall to the bedrock. We're leaving soon, and Umberlee will have her due!" Commanded the Runecaster.

And with that, the front ranks of Northlander Pirates charged the Front Rank of Militiamen, and all that was left to do was fight for our lives. . .

XXXX

Meanwhile, at the Gate to the Underhill District, another scene of battle was playing out. The Guard of Heartharbor had been hammered under constant attacks from Pirates, Corsairs, and Raiders, but they had the benefits of fortifications, preparation, and the Council of Seahearth, several of whom were quite experienced Casters and Warriors. Armand Fuerza, Captain of the Forceful Flame, alongside his First Mate, Hressman Rickard, and Ship's Mage, Blanchet Noir, had taken the majority of the Forceful Flame's Complement deep into the Hearth of Hearthharbor. He'd linked up with a Party under Ali Al-Hosni, Ship's Mage of the Tiderunner, and the Diplomatic Party under Thurgrim Wavedelver in an attempt to besiege the Underhill District.

It wasn't going as well as he'd hoped. Blanchet and Ali were seemingly having their spells countered at every turn by Corbin and Wilmin Islandwarden, and while they had the advantage in numbers, the pile of dead around the entrance to the Underhill District showed exactly how bad of a metric numbers were once you reached a certain point. It was almost enough to tempt Armand to cut his losses then and there and bring his Corsairs back to Skaug. The only thing stopping him from doing so was the threat of Retribution for going against orders if he tried.

See, the Umberlants had paid Portmaster Burlor good coin for their Services, and you did not cross the Portmaster of Skaug if you could help it. He got his position by having the ruthlessness necessary to squash all rivals, and the coin to hire expertise he didn't have himself. Armand wanted neither that ruthlessness, nor any hired expertise pointed in his direction. Therefore, he wouldn't abandon the fight just yet. Not if he couldn't figure out a way to cover his arse with the Portmaster, at any rate.

"This is a losing effort, Capitan! We have to retreat!" Insisted Hressman as he parried a sword strike from one of the Halfling Guards and ran the poor bastard through with his blade.

"I agree, but where is Blachet?" Queried Armand, lopping the head off a Halfling trying to run him through with a spear.

"Still with the Zakharan trying to give that Fool Thurgim his opening!" Answered Hressman, ducking a crossbow bolt.

"Still?" Asked Armand, cutting down a Pair of Halfling Guards.

"Apparently, Capitan!" Affirmed Hressman, thrusting his blade through the eye of a Halfling Guard coming at him with a mace.

Just as he said that, however, a swiftly-moving crossbow bolt was sent at Hressman's throat, and only the intervention of a returning Blanchet Noir with a shield spell saved Hressman from being impaled through the neck by what seemed to be a Crossbow Bolt coated in deadly Wyvern Poison from the bitter scent. Hressman tossed off a salute at Blanchet, but the Ship's Mage only nodded, choosing to spend his time casting necromantic spells to animate the corpses of the fallen as Arrow Fodder, creating a batch of twenty zombies as Armand and Hressman covered him. When he was finished, Blanchet sent the undead toward the Halfling Lines before turning to Hressman and Armand.

"That was my last Fourth-Circle Spell. I'm now down to Second Circle Spells or less. Furthermore, I believe the Tidereaver will be pulling out soon. We should think about joining them in retreat, no?" Questioned Blanchet.

"Where's the Zakharan?" Queried Armand.

"He stayed behind to fight, to try and give the Little Fool that the Umberlants sent as an envoy the opening he needed to assassinate the Speaker of the Council." Explained Blanchet.

"That's insane! He has to know we can't last out here much longer! Not spread out as we are!" Scoffed Hressman.

"Or maybe he just doesn't want to face failure." Mused Armand.

"You believe that's it, Capitan?" Asked Blanchet.

"I can't imagine the Umberlants going easy on him when he frittered away so much strength like this." Shrugged Armand.

"Either way, we need to make a decision soon, Capitan." Warned Hressman.

"You're right. We shouldn't have even attacked here to begin with. Sound the retreat, any Skaug Corsair still fighting in half an hour will be left behind." Commanded Armand.

"With pleasure, Capitan." Agreed Blanchet, producing a wand of Prestidigitation from his Satchel and firing a single blast of magic into the air. The Magic burst into red sparks as it reached the zenith of its flight, high above Hearthharbor. Red Sparks was the signal to withdraw back to the ships. A follow-on pulse of magic showing green sparks, followed by a third showing red, spelled out the time and the very real danger of being left behind to anyone familiar with the signals used by the Skaug Corsairs.

And with that, the Skaug Corsairs began their withdrawal from Hearthharbor, cutting their losses with the resistance that they had faced this evening. As Armand led the retreat back to the Forceful Flame, however, he noticed something that would make his decision to leave even more pressing. While the Forceful Flame had lost less than a third of its complement in the fighting, it seemed the Tiderunner would not be so lucky. As Ali Al-Hosni made an explosive exit from the Underhill District, running for the Docks, he would be leaving the majority of his landing party behind him.

They would later find out that neither Yasmina Al-Safra, nor her First Mate, the Halfling Corsair Nessa Wanderblade, had survived, nor had their complement of Corsairs raiding the Docks. Ali would be taking the Tiderunner back out to sea with a Skeleton Crew of thirty Corsairs, a third of the normal complement of that ship. Meanwhile, the Tidereaver's situation would be even worse than that. This had been an unmitigated disaster. And that might give Armand the pretext he needed to call the rest of the expedition off and return to Skaug.

He'd had enough of bleeding for the Umberlants. . .

XXXX

It had been a difficult night of battle, but the enemy was retreating. Only a bit further into the fighting, Janessa had wounded the Runecaster with her persistent Ball of Lightning twice more, and I had managed to score a large cut across his leg with the Discordant Note that really put him on the backfoot. Mind you, he'd gotten licks in as well, and I had gotten hit by a particularly nasty invocation of Inflict Critical Wounds, as had Shavariel, but we'd managed to drive him and his Northmen Warriors back out of the Guildhall after a brief engagement followed by a two-minute pursuit. In the end, however, we were at the end of our endurance.

Selima spent the last of her healing spells patching up myself and Janessa, as we were the most heavily wounded. Thankfully, Bern Morgan arrived with healing potions for anyone who needed them, allowing Shavariel and Lieutenant Devora to heal up, along with the wounded Militiamen. All told, the fighting had slain six out of the ten Militiamen that had been backing us up, but the remaining four, along with the remaining Impressed Guildsmen who hadn't been fighting, were not only alive, but would see a substantial reward as loot was divvied up and sold.

And there was quite a bit of that. Janessa and I expended the last of our identification spells on identifying Bragi's Axe, Shield, and Armor. It turned out that he was wielding an Axe that had been specially made for him called the Stormhewer. It was a Maiming Darksteel Dwarven Waraxe of Shocking Burst Plus Three that he had paid a Dwarven Smith from Luskan to make for him, only to doublecross the Smith when it had been finished, slaying him with the Waraxe he had just crafted. He'd then had Njord Seachanter, the Runecaster we had just driven away, enchant it with runes.

Apparently, Bragi had achieved his most notable victory with it in hand, slaying the Captain of a Rival Northman Reaving Vessel, Bjorn Irontooth, Captain of the Sharkfeeder, in a Holmgang Duel on an islet near Gundarlun. Bjorn had been known to tangle with Moonshae Naval Vessels in the process of raiding and had a reputation for fearlessness. Bragi slaying him in single combat had been a big deal, and cemented Captain Wulf's status as an influential Northman Raider. Stormhewer would be carried into battle after battle and raid after raid as Bragi climbed the ranks of the Skaug Corsairs, helping him achieve victory until he ran into me.

The other equipment Bragi had on him was far more standard. A Nimble, Buoyant, Mithril Breastplate Plus Three and a Spiked Heavy Shield Plus Three. He also bore a Belt of Incredible Dexterity Plus Four, a Ring of Protection Plus Three, and a Pair of Daredevil's Boots. All of his equipment was added to the pile of equipment that my companions and I had already looted tonight from Yasmina, Wulf, and Yasmina's Halfling First Mate, whose name I still didn't know. It didn't matter at this point that I didn't know her name, though. She was as dead as Yasmina and Wulf were, after all.

That loot wouldn't be everything either, there was an ever-growing pile of equipment from dead Pirates, Corsairs, and Raiders that seemed to keep being added to as the rest of the night progressed. I didn't get an exact count, but by my appraisal, between all the magical gear and the sheer amount of mundane equipment, there were hundreds of thousands of Danter for the taking tonight, once everything had been divvied up and sold off. No doubt some would be taken by the Council, but my group and I would at least get a few more thousand Danter each out of this ill-considered raid.

By the time that dawn was breaking over Hearthharbor, word had come in from the Council. Not only had they managed to capture Thurgrim after he had been left to die by his allies, but they had managed to extract information from him corroborating what we'd learned from Xommyrru's Lair. The Umberlants were seeking to open up a sealed underground temple of Jannath and use it as part of a ritual to incarnate an Avatar of Umberlee in the Archipelago. With confirmation of that, the choice for the Council of Seahearth was clear. The Council voted unanimously to join Jarl Magnus Ullrsson in his counterattack against the Umberlants on Cadfael Island. The fleet would take two days to be organized, but once they were, they would sail for Jannathstaad to rendezvous with the Fleet of Tearheim before moving to attack Cadfael Island.

And when the Fleet did set sail, my companions and I would be sailing with it. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, so here we see the next chapter. The Corsair attack on Hearthharbor is defeated, though much of the docks were pillaged and a lot of people were killed in the process. However, the Skaug Corsairs now have a pretext, thanks to Thurgrim's disastrous judgment call, to call off their support for the Umberlants on Cadfael Island and head back to Skaug to lick their wounds. That means that the Umberlants are on their own, with just those ships and crews loyal to the Church of Umberlee, along with whoever they managed to press into their ranks from Caer Jannath, to defend against the Counterattack.

Speaking of which, the next chapter will include meeting back up with Magnus Ullrsson at Jannathstaad to help plan the counterattack, along with Commodore Islandwarden. Once the Counterattack is launched, we'll effectively be in the final stage of this prequel to BG One. I'll also have some images out before then as well.

Stay tuned. . .