The Battle at the Barricade

You are more than ready to step in front of Pivo, even if it costs you your life—which, in your particular case, would merely force a respawn. Somehow, that makes the whole thing sound considerably less heroic.

But before you can volunteer, Gerald speaks up.

“No problem. Just stay behind me. I can tank a hit easily enough.”

He pounds one gauntleted fist against his metal-plated chest.

“And before they can reload, blast them, Selena.”

The mage smiles darkly.

The three player characters high-five.

For a brief moment, you are tempted to join in. But you are not entirely sure whether they consider you part of the party. If they pulled their hands away and left yours hanging there, that would be unbearably embarrassing.

Gerald marches forward. Pivo follows directly behind him, holding onto his belt. Her small, slender frame almost disappears behind the massive fighter.

He bangs his mace against his shield, deliberately drawing the defenders' attention.

“Hey, you dog-faced creeps! I'm right here!”

The kobolds answer with insults in their own nasty language, which sounds remarkably like angry barking.

They aim the crossbow at him.

But they don't fire.

You realize what they are waiting for. They want him to step into the pit. Once he is down there, he will be easy prey. A single kobold is no serious threat to an adventurer. But when they attack in numbers, swarming a weakened or handicapped opponent, they can become a genuinely deadly encounter.

Your heart pounds as you wait for the critical moment. You wonder if the kobolds are experiencing the same.

Gerald is only a few steps from the edge.

At the last possible moment, Pivo yanks on his belt.

Confused kobold chattering erupts behind the barricade.

“Ha! Didn't expect that, did you?” Gerald taunts them. “Come and get me if you dare!”

Thunk!

Gerald snaps his shield upward. With a grunt, he absorbs the impact of the deadly projectile. The steel tip punches through the hardened wood and stops only a few inches from his face.

“Selena! Now!”

The elf leaps around the corner. Her hands blaze with arcane energy. One final word of power and a golden beam shoots forth, blossoming into a fireball directly above the barricade.

At the same instant, Pivo darts forward and exposes the trap. A narrow ledge runs safely around it.

With a roar, the fighter charges. Before the kobold reinforcements can reload the crossbow, he is already among them.

Pivo slips into the shadows.

You are certain she is going to bypass the enemies and strike them from behind.

Selena provides ranged support, peppering the kobolds with magical projectiles.

You refuse to stand on the sidelines and throw yourself into the melee as well. Gripping your pickaxe with both hands, you deliver devastating blows. Your improved combat skills make an immediately noticeable difference.

The battle is brutal.

And short.

Your tool looks as though it has been dipped in blood. Your clothes are splattered red as well. When you notice Pivo's worried expression, you quickly reassure her that none of it is yours.

A little disturbed, you watch as the fallen enemies are searched for loot. The cold efficiency with which it is done sobers you after the heat of battle.

But this is why players come here.

XP and loot.

You remind yourself of that.

Then a sudden thought occurs to you.

How safe would you actually be from them if they knew how many gemstones you were carrying in your inventory?

You feel very, very cold.