Before starting/continuing a storyline here describe the part of Garic you are in.
The residences of Gamis and Mirielle and Kywyn and NaShae are presently posted to via this thread.
For situations outside the city, refer to the Beyond the Walls - Countryside thread.
[The (2) in the title refers to this thread's status as the second Elsewhere thread on this board. To review the previous thread, go here.]
.oO(Nige.. definately no, Tyros... doubt it he's more the woodsman I think. That Joseph fellow... maybe.. but even if I knew where he was I wouldn't work with him.)
Off the top of my head, no.. I don't know anyone.
Brand makes his way over to a wall and braces himself against it and twists his back a bit until he hears a satisfying series of pops.
.oO( Oooooooh.... much better)
He wipes the dust off his hands onto his pants.
To think some one used to live here... I wonder who.... Brand says in a low voice.
Standing in the corner Dravenous looks around the room noting the broken furniture as he sees them. "Maybe they have found a better place to live, hopefully."
Dravenous shakes off the sad feelings that come with this building and returns it to his job. "Do you know if the thief had any partners that knew where he left the stolen goods?"
.oO(what was it Marroc said..)
I think Marroc mentioned this mugger used to have a pair of brothers, but I think they were caught or killed Im not sure.
Might want to ask the owner of the halfling bath house... after all they did have a tunnel to the place.
Heh yeah i can take you there now if you liek it isnt too far actually.
Brand steps out of the old house into the dirty streets of the slums and makes his way to an alley just south of Nobody's Inn
This way.
He says as he vaults himself up and over the fence.
Once on the other side he waits for Dravenous to make it over.
It that door right there.. be careful and knock fisrt or you may get drenched with water. he says pointing to the door to the bath house after Dravenous makes it over the fence behind him.
"Ow." Not seriously hurt by the fall Dravenous gets up and begins to walk to the door Brand points to.
"Alright that sounds fine." As he knocks on the door though he hopes that he won't get soaked.
"We've been meaning to talk to you about that. We've recently discovered it."
"That man there..." she ppoints at Brand, "used it to spy on our customers."
"We'd like to press charges."
Is that so. So why was it when i threatened to tell the city guard about hte tunnel your two guards tried to beat me into submission? .. I'll have you note I tried my best to not fight back... they have seen what I can do, they should both realise I didnt want them hurt.
Why is it every lead on that halftuck mugger led here? Even his secret tunnels led to your bath house. I think you had better answer this mans questions.
Matter of fact I think he should also talk to your two guards. Brand says nearly as rapid fire as he can in a rather harsh tone of voice.
.oO(I am so sick of this place.)
"And as for secret tunnels, I'm afraid you are the only one that can answer that. You're the only one we've seen use them."
"They were here when this place was built. If you think some halftuck could have dug those out then you don't know anything about halfltucks."
"Or engineering."
The guards didnt even threaten violence until I mentioned telling the guard about the tunnels. Which seemed to be the adverse reaction, if they wanted the tunnels closed they should have been happy when I said I would tell the guard about them. Close down the whole system.
I even explained I was looking for the halftuck and ACCIDENTALLY opend the door into the wall of your bathhouse. I didnt know it led there there werent any signs down there you know. I IMMEDIATELY shut the door when I discoverd it led to your bathhouse.
If the tunnels where here when this place was built, and you knew about it, how did you recently discover them?
Since obviously you already knew they were here.
Brand says gruffly.
Just to try to give some confirmation... I turned the body of the mugger I found in those tunnels in to the guards . Brand says tilting his head over to Dravenous.
.oO(I hate it when this happens.. heh bounty hunting.. dirty job.. but some one has to do it..)
Brand tears his eyes off the little woman and paces back and forth a bit.
"That mask of yours stands out in the memory."
The woman shrugs.
"We recently discovered some one was using them."
"Of course we knew they were there before. We' even used them once to escape from a robbers. Having an escape route is good sense don't you think officer?"
.oO( Dont let her get to you, she's probably had practice twisting words.)
Have at Dravenous. He says waving his hand at the woman ignoring anything else she says to or about him.
Opening his mouth as if to try to say something he quickly closes it again.
.oO(Now is not the time to think about the actions of my partner.) After taking a moment to try and regain his composure Dravenous finally says, "I am very sorry for all of the trouble you have been put through and your complaint about this man will be addressed soon."
"Right now he is assisting in the investigation of a robber that has been using the tunnel system that is attached to your establishment. I believed that you might have helped this criminal, and so did he I think, because of the connection to them."
"If that is not the case, I apoligize right now for even thinking that you would do such a thing. If you wish to press charges I will not argue with you, but since the case he is helping with is very important I will have to delay it for no more than a week. Until he is taken in though I will keep a watch over him and make sure he doesn't bother you again."
"Again, right now, the primary goal is to find out more about the theif and the tunnels. Your claim is as important as my current case and I will give both all of my strength to deal with both."
"Now, I think I might have heard you wrong, but you said before that you only recently discovered the tunnels and just now you said that you have known that they have been there for a while. Exactly how long have you known about them?"
"We've known about the tunnel for decades. I was told it was part of the reason the bathhouse was built here. As an escape tunnel."
"We had to use it as such a few years ago."
She looks the guardsman in the face.
"This shouldn't be an issue. A lot of the places in this city have secret tunnels."
"I heard the Last Lich has one. And I'm sure they've had more then a few robbers pass through there. Are you investigating them as well? What about Nobody's Inn? You'd have to be blind not to know somethings going on there."
"If a robber did go through our place of buisness using those tunnels, we knew nothing about it."
Dravinous gets the impression she isn't exactly lying, but that she isn't telling the whole truth either.
Still he is ready to press her for the information she holds if she becomes uncooperative.
"Unfortunatly the robber we are investigating used this tunnel and I am not aware of him using ones connected the Inns."
"I don't think that being connected to a tunnel would get you into trouble, other than anyone who happens to find it by accident."
"Especially if it helps to protect you." Carefully trying to draw the information out of her, Dravenous asks, "Can you tell me more about the time when you were forced to use those tunnels?"
"The guards at the time were able to distract them long enough for him to make his escape and to gather some people to help get rid of the robbers."
"Sorry about not having more details, but like I said I wasn't here at the time."
A few streets down from the boarding house, Esmet hesitates. Glancing up and down streets, eventually she turns to Codrian, confusion apparent on her face.
Ah... to that direction, Ms Corelli.
Heading to that direction, they continue their conversation. Mentions that he hasn't seen Ms Rybel at church before even while he goes there quite often. Then ponders if it is because of the fact that he spends most of his time in the library or in the gardens.
"They were turned over to the authorities and that's the last that was heard of them."
"At least around here."
"It would make sense if a good portion of the guards were as well."
"Of course. Do you know anything of the tunnels construction or history?"
"Smugglers perhaps, or escape routes in case the city was ever under seige. I don't know. "
"No one working here knows. I doubt there is more then a few dozen people in the city that do."
"And I doubt most of them will be willing to tell you."
"Now if you will excuse me, I need to go fold soe towels."
"If you have any more questions about the tunnels, ask your friend there. He's spent more time in them then I have."
"And the only thing our bouncers have seen in there is him."
She points at Brand.
"Now excuse me, I have work to do. I think I've been more then patient with you here."
"If you really want to know about those tunnels, ask him. He's the one whose been spending time in there."
"I know you are just trying to do your job officer. But we had nothing to do with those robberies. "
Originally posted by Codrian
Heading to that direction, they continue their conversation. Mentions that he hasn't seen Ms Rybel at church before even while he goes there quite often. Then ponders if it is because of the fact that he spends most of his time in the library or in the gardens.
"Maybe you'll get the pleasure of meeting her tonight, then," says Esmet with a smile.
The two half-elves continue to the church.
"Then I suppose you're almost my age, and I had no business calling you young!" she teases gently as they make their way through the streets.
Well, I don't know actually what year I was born. More over, I've never known my real parents. So, it's "about forty" based on how old my adoptive father estimated me to be when he found me.
She walks on quietly.
You don't know your parents either? A coincidence indeed.
"That would give me seniority in any case. Do you respond well, sir, to orders from an older sister? Hmm?" she asks with a raised brow.
As they continue their walk, the boarding house appears in sight. Candlelight flickers in a few windows, then wink out as bedtime approaches.
Originally posted by kneyejailb
The halfling woman nods and starts to shut the door. Before it is completely closed she adds one more comment.
"I know you are just trying to do your job officer. But we had nothing to do with those robberies. "
Watching the door close Dravenous responds, "I don't believe you did. Just please tell me anything that you think might help that you remember. Goodbye."
Dear lady, if you'd be my sister, I fear that I wouldn't be too good brother for you as I take orders only from one person... well, maybe two as no one does well to cross one's landlord.
"Too bad. I would have let you carry my sword, too."
To Weatherby Boarding House
Tyros keeps talking to Allerya as he makes his way through the streets behind the Hightower. After walking for about half an hour, he decides to ask someone. A chubby woman seems to be a nice person.
Excuse me, lady? Could you tell me where... 16 wildrose is?
The woman looks at the elf, trying to discern if he is a burgler or just a tourist.
This is the Wildrose street and that house over there is Lady Mirielle's home.
After thanking her, Tyros looks at the modest looking house before he goes over and knocks on the door.
The second time was when I came through the door in the tunnel. Brand says as he leans aginst the fence.
"They're not home right now. I'm Mitch. I look after their house when they're away. Need to leave 'em a message?"
*Walking the streets much in teh same way as Silmarwen, Tensek passes by building after building as he wanders heading to some unknown destination. As he begins to turn a corner Kiara let's out a playful bark and bounds towards Silmarwen. Spinning hastily he moves towards his dog and her new focus of attention.*
Kiara heel!
*Kneeling down he pats the dog on the head and apologises to Silmarwen.*
You have my most sincerest apologies. She likes to meet new people.
Silmarwen reaches down pets the dog, and gives the young man a friendly smile.
"Sorry to be lost in my thoughts, I should have been paying more attention."
I think I may need to pick up a leash for her, for when we're in town. I think she's gotten use to being in the wilds more where she's free to roam further.
Silmarwen stands back up and turns to focus on Tensek more.
"I am Silmarwen, and it is a pleasure to make your aquaintence...."
Pausing trying to remember if the young man gave his name.
*Tensek pauses and chews on the side of his cheek in thought for a moment before remarking.*
How is it you know so much of the laws in the city?
She moves closer to his side to give a passerby with a large package more room to get by them.
I think I've been here about a month. Or I would think I haven't spent alot of time in the city as it would stand.
*He shrugs, and steps back a pace to give Silmarwen more room.*
I'm not much for keeping track of things like how long I've been somewhere.
*He shrugs again, and flashes an apologetic grin.*
You have to make a living somehow.
[color=green]Um... Yes, I would like to leave a message. I was told at the Hightower that Lady Mirielle would become my wizard mentor. Do you know when she will be coming back?
If you want to write Miss Miri a note, you could leave that with me, let her know where she can find you when she gets back."
Finally, he decided on someone to ask. And there was only one place he thought of to go.
As for making a living, I make mine as a teacher and an advisor. The rewards are not always monetary, but seeing someone understand the concepts and ideas in order to form their own point of view and opinions is unique."
What do you teach?
"I have taught many things as a priestess for the bright son. The art of healing for instance is one that takes someone with steady hands, and a clear head. Inaccurate treatment can make the patient worse instead of better.
With a scorpion sting, a blue moss is needed to neutralize the venom from the stinger. However with a green moss it will actually speed the spread of the venom and can threaten the patients life."
A priest of Thalos?
I take it your not one of those crusading types.
"I would certainly hope not. They usually seem rigid and humorless. Rarely do they have anything to do with others outside of their order. It makes me wonder how they keep going with everyone they seem to alienate, even those who serve Thalos as well.
The closest thing you could ever say I crusade about is the elimination of undead. It is a disgusting reflection of life that should be treated as an abomination. There are some that can drain the life from the living and change them into creatures like themselves. It is an unpleasent way to end one's life for certain.
Her face draws taunt as a memory comes to mind.
I've heard only tales of such vile atrocities. Thankfully I have never come to meet one,and I think the gods every time I don't. I take it by your unsavory look you've met a few on an adventure or two?
"More than most have or will ever see. As a young woman on a training mission with to call on great power of Thalos to obliterate the undead we encountered wights.
We were able to keep them at bay with the grace of Thalos, but we were suprised when a small group had snuck around our position and attacked a young man guarding our rear position. He quickly fell to the onslaught, but to our horror he soon stood back up no longer living and in the thrall of those vile abominations.
That was the first time that I called upon the holy might of Thalos and vaporized the young man. The others were destroyed or driven off. That day we learned the perils of dealing with creatures of that sort. A new ability and a bitter lesson taught within the same day."
At least you can deal with such things easily than most.
I was taught by the two woodsmen who took me in and raised me. Oddly enough a Dwarf and an Orc. THey seemed to be united against some common foe. They'd often go out to hunt some strange beast and left me alone to fend for myself. They never did return triumphant but they refused to tell me of the thing they were hunting. But they taught me the ways of the bow and hunting and the wilderness.
*Tensek smiles.*
Well not when it comes to people you can meet.
"I don't think that the woman lied, but I do think that she wasn't telling us everything that she knew."
"Did anything else happen around the bathhouse?"
"Every day? You haven't any sort of employment? What are you?"
We never found out how he escaped, but Joseph I think got the impression the bathhouse lady wasnt being as honest as she could have been.
We didnt press the issue since I had broken a door...which was paid for by the way.
"I really think that we need to find where that blocked tunnel leads. Maybe we could find how long the tunnel and in what direction it goes. Then we could try to move the same path above ground."
But if she said she would be gone only for a week then I'm sure that I can catch her sometime soon. Thank you for your help, sir. May I know your name?"Also I think that it would be hard to find anyone who knew much about this tunnel." Dravenous looks back at the bathhouse door as he adds, "and I it would be even more difficult to get them to say anything about them."
Originally posted by Silmarwen
"Interesting perspective that you have there Tensek. Perhaps you understand their motivations for the choices they make, but there reasoning for doing so is confusing."
*Tensek shrugs.*
Sometimes it seems so much easier to just wash my hands of everything. But I suppose a person's motivations are easier to see than the reason or even what ends their actions will meet.
Tap-ta-Tap.
.oO(I really should get to a church to speak to some one about what happened, but this should be finished first I suppose.)
Alright, lets get started.
Brand says as he hops the fence into the alley.
While getting up, Dravenous says, "Hopefully we won't have to jump any more fences today."
Dravenous leads the way into the abandoned house and looks at the tunnel entrance. In his memory he tries to remember the movements and turns the tunnel took. He then turns around to say, "Hopefully my memory of the tunnel was as good as I hope it is."
The tracker then looks out the door and examines the position of the sun and other factors around him, he uses these to find the cardinal direction points and where the tunnel will lead.
Finally Dravenous starts to follow the path of the tunnel above ground. Then he pauses and looks back at Brand, "I would like to say I am sorry if all this does is waste your time."
Eh. If it does it does, if it doesnt.. oh well.
After walking for a bit Dravenous notices that the tunnel goes beyond the city walls. Looking around for a moment Dravenous thinks they are southwest of Nobody's.
Walking toward the closest city gate and trying to keep his mind focused on the tunnel Dravenous says, "The tunnels path takes it out of the city, and it doesn't seem to come back into the city."
Well I hope you are right about this, because if you are I think we may have just caught a break. Brand says following Dravenous.
"Do you need to get anything now that we are leaving the city?"
.oO(water skin, rations, whet stone, oil, rags.. manacles...)
Nope, I've got everything i need right here.
"Ordemetrex watch over us as we pass through your wonderous landscape."
[To Beyond The Walls]
Originally posted by Tyros Elessar
Employment? Yes. I'm a hunter. But I can always pass here after my hunts are over.
"Mitch... I'm Mitch."
He points across the street.
"I live right over there if you need anything. Dame Dyer's parents live in the northeast part of the city. They look after her little 'prentice when she's away."
An hour later, she returns her arrows to the quiver on her shoulder and returns herself to the Weatherby Boarding House.
Originally posted by Tensek Vicar
Sometimes it seems so much easier to just wash my hands of everything. But I suppose a person's motivations are easier to see than the reason or even what ends their actions will meet.
"Sometimes I doubt the amount of thought that is put into thinking through to the potential consequences of the actions. That is my main focus of some of my teachings, is to try and think about what may come about from your decisions. When I can get people to think like that their decisions may or may not change, but they find that they are better prepared for consequences and other peoples reactions."
*Tensek bows.*
But I must argue that your mind is far sharper than mine.
Over half of my life has been dedicated to these pursuits, and one can only hope with the ammount of time that I have put into it that something good would have come about."
'People can suprise you, Silmarwen.' she said 'Do not be afraid to share what you know because perhaps they might teach you as well.'"
Your teacher was a wise person.
The midday sun shines down on Maelut as he wanders the streets. Several small children run down the alleys, gleefully throwing a ball at each other, playing some kind of game whose rules are as unclear to Maelut as they are to the participants themselves. For several minutes, the cook leans against a wall, smiling to himself as he watches the youngsters enjoy their sport.
A few minutes pass, and the cook gathers himself to get back to his walk. Turning his feet away from the slums, Maelut finds himself heading towards the more respectable parts of the city. For the first time in a long while, he finds himself passing by the more well-regarded boarding houses. With a shrug, he turns down onto the street.
[Exit to Weatherby's]
Originally posted by Silmarwen
"You would be suprised, she has gotten shopkeepers, and guardsmen to donate time and effort. She has argued that if these children can have someone be a positive influence and show them they care, then they are less likely to become thugs, vandals, and ruffians. The arguement is would you rather spend time with them now or later when they are causing trouble?"
*Tensek frowns.*
Life outside the cities are just so much easier. You don't need to worry about children turning out wrong because they aren't being goverened by a body of democrats, or a lord who sets the laws. You just have nature's laws and those are much simpler to follow.
Giving exact directions, he wishes Tyros luck, and returns to his own house.
After a moment, lays down on the bench and closes his eyes.
Originally posted by Tensek Vicar
*Tensek frowns.*
Life outside the cities are just so much easier. You don't need to worry about children turning out wrong because they aren't being goverened by a body of democrats, or a lord who sets the laws. You just have nature's laws and those are much simpler to follow.
"Are you talking about survival of the strongest?"
After departing the hustle and bustle of the open market, walks on the streets of somewhat quieter district housing most of stores of the city. Few minutes later spots his sought object and ascends few steps to the door of the shop. A worn wooden sign hangs above the door from a short rod and tells to a keen eyed customer that he really is entering "The Strap and Sole" and not something else.
.oO(I guess you have to know this place to find it... though the smell do tell that someone working with leather has a shop somewhere around here.)
Enters the shop, accompanied by jingle of three small bells hanging by the door side. The medium sized store room has racks lining the walls and few trestle tables occupying the floor. A doorway blocked by a curtain leads to other parts of the house. Racks and tables are crowded to extreme by all kinds of leather goods, mainly footwear on the tables and bags and such on the wall racks.
As he can't see anyone in the shoproom, wanders over to look an assortment of shoes on one table while waits for someone to come out from the backroom. Steady tapping of a hammer (or something of like) stops in the back after a minute or so and Codrian hears a sound of a chair scraping on the floor. Few moments later a brown skinned dwarf with neatly trimmed dark beard and hair pushes the curtain aside and walks to the shoproom.
Dwarf: "'Noon. Lookin' fer new boots, sah?"
Afternoon, master. Actually, not at this time, though maybe later. Now, I heard that you might help with one other thing.
Pulls out the new notebook he purchased about half an hour ago.
I would like to get this front cover both initialed and printed with an appropriate symbol of my choosing.
Dwarf: "Aye. Show me th' book, an' I'll tell ye if it can be done."
Passes the notebook to the dwarf who inspects it for a moment before nodding.
Dwarf: "And, aye. It can be done. What did ye have in mind?"
For initials, two more artistic letters, C and E. And as a symbol, a sun of some sorts.
Dwarf: "'Thalos' symbol? Aye, I think that can be done. Wait a moment, an' I'll get the models."
The dwarf disappears into the backroom and returns a minute later with a wooden tray. On the tray are various metal pieces, few of them letters and few of them symbol-like things. The dwarf lowers the tray on one of the tables.
Dwarf: "Here. Take a look."
Spends a couple of minutes to pick suitably styled letters and one of symbols. Points them to the dwarf.
Those, please.
Dwarf: "Alrigh'. Few moments more an' it'll be done."
Taking the tray and the notebok with him, the dwarf returns to the backroom. Codrian can hear some muttering and couple louder clangs from there, and after a moment smell of burnt leather wafts to his nose. Then, the shopkeep return with the notebook.
Dwarf: "Here ye go. Sat'sfied wi' it?"
Takes a look at the cover, and nods after a moment.
Yes, it's good. Thanks, master. How much do I owe you for this?
Dwarf: "One gold, an' we're even. Fine?"
One gold it is. Here.
Digs out a coin and hands it to the dwarf.
Thanks.
Dwarf: "Fine doing business wi' ye. Think about those boots."
Goodbye.
The dwarf grunts as reply and turns to return to the back room. Codrian pockets the notebook and leaves the shop.
Originally posted by Tensek Vicar
To them civilised. To me and most of my bretheren, savages in our own rights, in fact ignorant, disillusioned and savage. No where have I been outside any city, or settlement did I find that the needless taking of a life to be common or in some places acceptable.
"Yes murder is a horrible thing. I can hope that the actions of a few will not influence your view of the whole too much.
Originally posted by Silmarwen
"Yes murder is a horrible thing. I can hope that the actions of a few will not influence your view of the whole too much.
It's hard not to judge the whole on the act of most men you have seen. Bandits, robbers, cut-throats, even out in the wild I see civilisation spilling into the woods beyond the city walls. I do what I can to protect the natural world that I have grown to love, but I fear I can only do so much against the tide of modernisation.
*Tensek shakes his head.*
It's really sad when you think about it, a couple hundred years ago we all lived in caves, and now man builds fortresses to protect himself from the threats outside. But they seem to have just imprisoned new and possibly equally dangerous threats in with them.
Tyros bows in good bye to Mitch and starts heading to the pinpointed location. He has only walked a few steps when a thought runs through his mind, making him pause his movement.
.oO(What if they don't like to see me right now? It is getting dark... I still have to go to the SSAG and see how everone is going on there. And possibly turn in my long bow. I think I need a smaller one.
Tyros turns on his heels and starts going down the street, and then across the market square to finnaly arrive at the SSAG.
.oO(Its hard to believe that it has been this long since I've seen me family....)
*Without even realizing it Aramil ended up in the part of Garics that has all of the docks, so he turns and heads deeper into the docks. As he gets deeper he hears a dwarven voice yelling at the top of his lungs at other dwarves and some gnomes too, telling them to unload the boxes as fast as possible. Aramil goes over to the ship to investigate.
.oO(Sounds like Flink is still doin' good.)
*But when Aramil actually arrives near the ship he sees that it is not Flink at all, it is someone else, but looks a good deal like Flink. So Aramil eager to meat a new dwarf in town goes up on the ship and begins to help the other dwarves unload the boxes and crates. The other dwarves just nod there head in a silent thanks for the much needed help. After all the crates are unloaded Aramil heads up to speak to the captain of the ship. He goes up to him and bows to him then speaks to him.
"Hello ter ye, I recognize the name on this ship, but you weren't the person I'd expected commanding the ship, I was wonderin' if ye knew where Flink McKnuckles is? I met him a while ago and I was hopin' I could talk ter him again."
*The dwarf eyes him up and down then gives a nod to a dwarf that was standing near him to tell him to leave. Then he replies to Aramil in a thick dwarven voice, one that Aramil has not heard in a long time.
"Aye, I know where Flink is, he went ter teh closest dwarven settlement near here. He had decided that he's seen enough of teh sea for his time and decided to retire to a nice kingdom and freshin up on his crafting. I thank ye fer yer help but it would be nice ter know the name of someone who knows me brudder."
*Aramil's eyes widen at the annoucement that this dwarf made. He bows as he says his name.
"Aramil Dunskar at yer service. When I met yer brudder I was helpin' him unload crates much like terday, he hurt his leg on a skirmish a while ago so I decided ter help him. Well now that I know how ye came ter command this ship, may I enquire to yer name?"
*The dwarf eyes Aramil up and down, but then something happens as he notices his belt and his eyes widen then he bows to Aramil.
"So here is the Aramil Dunskar, I've heard about ye, yer the one who passed the Ungart test, and yes I was there on the day that ye helped me brudder. Orin McKnuckles at yer service."
*Aramil chuckles at Orin's proclaims.
"Please ye don't need ter say that, I'm just here ter help our kin whenever I can. Now hows about I buy ye a drink and we can talk about yer brudder and yer adventures as a captain of the ship?"
*Orin smiles to Aramil and nods his head in agreement.
"Thank ye, I'd like that. So where do ye want ter go? I'm not to familiar with this city yet."
"Heh, I remember the time I was just like that, it takes a while ter get used ter, but as ye come back here more and more, ye get used ter it. Anyways, lets go, its a place called the Hungry Pelican, I've got some friends there also, I'm sure they'll like ter meet ye also."
*With a bow of his head, Aramil leads Orin to the Hungry Pelican, where he meets up with Hegnus, Filli, and Killi, they sit down at a table and order a round of ale for the group and then they talk with Orin as he introduces himself and tells the group about his bothers adventures and adventures he's had himself.
*When it gets late into the night Aramil decides that it is time for him to get some sleep, so he bids the dwarves a good night and then exits out of the Hungry Pelican and heads to the SSAG.
) "You speak metaphorically of course that through the passage of time man has not learned to control his base desires. But in speaking the way you do others might mistake your true intentions. Are you not worried that you will be alone because of it?"
Perhaps alone and perhaps not. How do you define loneliness? For me I am never truly alone I have the natural world around me at all times, as well as Kiara.
*Tensek says as he pets the rottweiler's head fondly.*
I am able to be in teh company of other people as well. As well is a person's company worth the trouble if they are so short sighted as to see any contemplation as your opinion in general?
Silmarwen considers Tensek's word thoughtfully before responding. It takes her a few moments before she can formalize her thoughts into words.
Yes it is easier not to avoid lonlieness when you are in comfortable surroundings. Companions like Kiara never question motives or actions. The question is do you enjoy friends that do the same or ones who challenge what you do and hold you accountable for your actions?
You can be surrounded by people who make you feel comfortable, but do nothing for you as a person, and not be lonely. Then you could be around those that constantly challenge you to grow and deepen your roots, and become a better person. Both ways you may not be lonely, but it depends on the type of person that you are. My only question is what kind of person do you see yourself as Tensek?
*Furrowing his brow Tensek pauses to think a moment before speaking.*
The accounts of my actions are mine and the god's to worry over. I have never been one to rely on the input of others. I am the product of years of training, and I am challenged by my surroundings to grow better. I do not see how another person could aid in my growth.
"It seems that I have offened you Tensek without meaning too."
brings her hands together and the rolls them forward palms up
"I ask for your forgiveness over a simple misunderstanding. What I meant is that others can challenge your limits and perceptions. Whether they are a positive or negative influence is up to the person to interept.
Supposed that you met another in the wilderness that could do something new that you had not seen. In order to accomplish this skill or ability it required an increase in strength or a different view on what you already know so well? Any decision that you take on this information has been partially influenced on what they have showed you."
You have not offended me. Perhaps others are able to challenge you to go beyond your best, but I fail to see how they can affect lonlieness any more than any ordinary person.
"They would be like a mentor, a teacher, or a close friend. Someone that you would want to be around more than the average person you would pass in the streets. They would have higher value in your eyes."
I suppose you are correct. But as far as I can see I don't have need of such a person. But than in terms of elven years my life is still young, and I never claim to perceive what will happen on the next day, or even within the next hour.
"That is true indeed, but today I would like to think we have begun a friendship here based on the sharing of ideas. Thanks to Kiara for being friendly and causing us to stop and talk."
Yes I agree, a very interesting friendship at that. It would seem Kiara even wishes for me to better myself through the meeting of others.
"I have heard it said that animals can sense feelings well and respond to them. Perhaps she was keen on a desire for you to express yourself."
Perhaps you are right. Kiara has taken to the unique ability of trying to meet people all the time.
*The ranger says as he kneels down and ruffles his companion's ears.*
Just a few weeks ago she was the direct reason for me meeting with an odd little artist.
Odd little artist? Was is a gnome or a halfling???is confused
Actually he was a human, he seemed rather stoic, and comprised. He was drawing a picture of a bird for a little girl I believe...
"That sounds similar to someone I know, but I do not recall if he is an artist. I met the young man when they were visiting his lifemate's parents."
Kywyn was his name I believe.
"Kywyn, yes that is the young man I know. Strange I did not know he was an artist."
No he does not have the look of an artist.
"I am not sure what an artist is supposed to look like. Oh.... we have been standing here talking for quiet sometime, and you said you were working on training Kiara, I am not delaying you from that are I?"
No, no you're not. Actually I haven't had such an interesting in ages.
"Just making certain."
Looking up Silmarwen sees that the sun has almost disappeared behind the city walls, and the shadows in the street grow longer.
"Perhaps we should head inside to continue this conversation. Have you ever played darts, the game is easy to play and we can continue talking."
I have indeed played darts. Although I migth be a bit rusty at it. I haven't seen a dart board in years. Perhaps you would like to pick the establishment I don't frequent bars very often.
"I have been to the Last Lich before and noticed the dart board there. It seems like a reasonable place to me."
Alright please by all means lead the way.
[to the LLI]
"It seems to be a lull before the storm..... I can smell rain in the distance, hopefully it will be hotter later because of the humidity."
.oO(Not sure if they can be able to get in and out of a place and they take the cook. Oh yeah trap-expert, cook whats the difference? He could always spice the locks open.)
Boirin sighs as his thoughts wander.
.oO(I guess I could expect to be regected at some point, I just thought it would make more sense. I need a drink...)
Boirin looks around and sees hes in front of Nobody's. Sighing he heads on inside the inn.
Who else's gonna be there hunting rats?
The horde passes through the slums and arive in the shanty town close to the middens.
Nige takes Tyros hand and squeezes it. "We'll want ta be careful around 'ere. Theres a lot o people 'ere that'll troi ta ug ya fer yer weapons so they cin use those ta kill ya fer yer gold."
"Once we gets past this area an inta the middens all wese has ta worry about is monsters an stuff."
Shockingly, I don't find that reassuring. He says with an hint of sarcasm.
"Don't worry though. We'll protect ya. From everything."
After a few more minutes of walking, the poorly built shelters start to become scare, and they are replaced by piles of refuse. The smell in the area is over powering, but the horde pays it little mind. Nige notices Tyros discomfort, and comments on it. "Yall get use ta the smiall. Its not as bad as the bunkroom is once Vivvo takes off 'is socks."
Nige hands Tyros a few rocks from his pocket, and then points. "Keep yer eyes open, 'ooever kills the least rats is a rotten egg."
Can't I just continue my life as an elf? I find it quite pleasing...
Tyros keeps his eyes open for any signs of rats, and redies himself to throw a stone should he see one.
"Ya still gets ta be an elf."
"Besides, you an me or gunna get the most rats."
Nige stops and points at a pile of discarded wood and cloth. He raises his arm and brings it back to throw. "Thars one there!"
"Oi'll let ya throw first."
A large black rat scurries out of the pile, and starts running away.
Nige claps his hands. "Ya gots one! Ya gots one!"
"Lets go finds anoither!"
Nige scampers ahead, stops and tosses his rock. Another rat stops running. Nige points again. "Look, three of them!"
Let's see how good you guys are.
"Looks loike ya want be the rotten egg this toime Nige!"
Nige sticks out his tongue at the others and sends a rock flying at oner of the rats. "We'll show ya 'oo the rotten egg is. "
His rock killing another, he grabs Tyros hand. "Coime on, Oi know where thars a whole bunch a big ones."
Nige lstarts heading away from the rest of the group. "A whole bunch o'them rats live in a 'ouse over this way. Oi aint never killed them before though cause the door is usually locked after they go in. But yer big enough ta break it down."
.oO(Hmm, I guess I'll go to this boarding house first and see if I can't track down this Tensek Vicar. Someone will probably know him there.)
Boirin sets off at a quick stroll, moving a little faster than is usuall, but it doesn't seem to bother him. After a few blocks he realises he doesn't know where he is going. Stopping a carpenter he quickly gets directions to the boarding house.
[to WBH]
Well, you're the rotten egg of a gradon!
He nods and follows Nige closely to the house he mentioned.
I'm hardly any good at breaking anything...
Nige leads the elf down a muddy (hopefully) path to a small run down shack that appears to be made of discarded objects.
"Thats tha place. Oi've seen several big rats go in there a couple o'toimes, but Oi never 'ad any rocks left boi then."
"Lets go see if they oar 'ome."
Tyros readies a few rocks just in case he sees any rat go by.
Nige strides up to the door and starts pounding on it. ""ey! Coime out 'ere ya dirty rats!"
A voice calls out from the other side of the dollar. "Hallo? Who id dat out there?"
Nige screams and runs back towards Tyros. Ahhh! A toikin rat!"
"It must be one o' them weirdrats that 'Ermy fought."
"They turned Aric inta a rat too! But 'e got better."
Don't worry, noone will turn us into weirdrats. Who is talking? Tyros shouts into the air, to get a response.
.oO(Always bite the wolf when bites you...)
I'm me too. Do you have a name?
I see... Well, I'm Tyros Elessar. Can I see who I'm talkin to?
He winks at Nige, as if saying "Everything's alright, now."
So? Can't I want to see you for other reasons? Me and my friend were just looking for rats to throw stones at. My friend thought you could be a weirdrat.
Tyros puts his bow in standby position, at his side.
And it's nicer to see a person when we're talking to it.
The door to the shack opens slightly, and a half orc pokes his head out.
.oO(Another one like Tharokke? The mother must be trying to punish me for something I did...)
They're your friends?
Tyros nudges Nige to help him answer the first question.
"rAt, RaT, Rat, raT, an rat are my fwiends."
Nige looks up at Tyros and shrugs before yelling out. "Oar ya sure ya aint a wererat!"
The half orc looks at him. "Of corse Im not. Im Lowlife."
"Then why do them rats live in yer 'ouse?"
"Theyr my fwiends."
For fun? It's not normal for someone to make friends with mice...
"They treaff me better thin people do. They donna throw things at me, or call me names Teys nice to me."
"Wots fun about throwing rocks at nice thinffs?"
"Nobody comes here. Not to be friends at least."
.oO(Always the same phrases.... It is a wonder that they are able to sell anything with the same prattle that they rattle off.)
.oO(What should I call this man I have created from nothing. Well I could do a play on names like Thorn. Shadowood..... what is assiociated with shadows, blackness obviously, so Blackwood. Not really orginal or overtly clever, but who would suspect it.)
Barking dogs jumping at a fence and deep growling distract him momentarily. It takes Darkar a moment to realize where he is, and the minor details come flooding back.
.oO(I chased a famous halfing around a great part of the city before he lead me here, and let these dogs loose on Ivan and myself.)
Looking at the dogs he can still see the scars that he gave the one dog, and feels pangs of guilt of causing injury to the animal. The dogs obviously remember him as they bark and jump trying to get at the elf. Darkar quickly hurries on before the noise garners too much attention.
"... leave, but when?"
"Brianna, soon, but the timing is not quiet...."
The man and woman quickly pass by the mouth of the alley oblvious to Darkar. Not stopping to wonder about the conversation he hurries knowing that the Inn is close by.
Gamis and Mirielle, accompanied by Gray Master, arrive at the cottage.
We'll drop off our gear, sir, and then take our mounts to the Silver Sword.
Mirielle stretches, and says, I'll get our spare key from Mitch, and find out what the gossip is while you're doing that.
Sounds good, Gamis says, dropping a kiss on her forehead. Should I stop in the Market on the way back?
Please. I'll fry some ham for supper, but we need fresh bread and vegetables. If you'd swing by and pick up Perry, that would be a big help, too.
Ixchal dashes into the house, alert for verminous invaders.
Certainly, dear. Gamis drops the bags and packs in the front room, and he and Gray Master head off to run the errands.
So... what do they come here to do? We can be your friends, too.
"Thar nice rats."
"Ya should putt down yar rocks first."
Nige looks at Tyros and shrugs. He drops the rock in his hand. "Oi aint never petted a rat before."
Tyros puts his rocks down and drops to one knee, to get a better look at the rats. He extends one hand in sign of friendship and waits to see if any of them will come to him.
The two rats move cautiously towards Tyros, stopping a few feet short of him to sniff the air around him before continuing. They approach the ranger and sniff his fingers..
Nige claps his hands. "They is friendily. 'oo woullda thunk it."
The rats twitch at the sound of the hands being struck together, but owlifes voice seems to calm them. "Dunn worry. They wonf hurt you."
The half orc starts to walk closer, the other four rats coming out of his robes to go meet the ranger and the halfling.
"Thaff's Rat. An that ones rAt, an those are RAt an raT. The one with the smile is rAT. An thaffs RaT. Hes kinda shy."
Tyros looks puzzled at the Half-orc as he names his rats with slightly different tones on the pronnounciation (sp?). He then looks down at the two rats sniffing at him and his face crack open in a warm smile.
Hello. You must rAt. A pleasure to meet you.
Tyros bows at the small mammal in front of him and tries to rub him behind his ears, just like he does with Durien.
Lowlife walks up next to his rats. "See theff ur friendily."
"Why wuld ya wanff ta throw rocks at them."
Yes, I guess you're right... I guess there is always that thought that rats are fierce and can bite you and cause disease. But they're cute little fellows.
Tyros keeps petting them as he asks a more direct question at the half-orc.
How did you end up in this place?
"Not unless they try dunin someffin ta ya first."
Lowlife bends down and scoops up a rat, and starts rubbing its belly.
"I came here after the nice man whoff trained me left."
"I came ta the city cause I thought most people who'd be like him. But they werenf."
"They thought all half orcs was bad."
He puts the rat down and picks up another.
"I came here ta avoid gettin picked on. An I found my friends here."
"An a way ta makes a living."
"People frow away a lit of stuff that cin be fixed an sold back."
.oO(Another apprentice? I wonder if he has any talent at all, or if he's one of those that thinks he can learn to say 'abracadabra' and do anything he imagines...)
.oO(Isn't that a stupid thing to learn... Just a few months ago I would be one of those persons. Now I've already met two half-orcs: one of them showed me the ways of the mother and the other one doesn't seem bad at all.)
So what was the man who trained you like?
Tyros sits as if preparing to hear a story and picks up a rat to pet.
"Peoples thinks Oim a troble maker cause Oi break things, an makes a lot o'noise an stuff loike that."
"Oi dunna troi ta makes trouble, it jus 'appens."
The rats ears perk up, and they all start chittering and scrambling up Lowlifes robes. He looks around. "Sumeones cummin."
Nige tilts his head and cups a hand to his ear. "That sounds loike Mick. 'es one of moi friends."
"Ya moights wanna goes 'ide. 'e aint as smort as Oi is. 'e 'll troi ta throw rocks at the rats an then asks if theys friendly once theys dead."
Lowlife backs away and retreats into his shack, just as the rest of the horde rounds the corner. Mick points at Nige and Tyros.
"It dunna loike loike ya got any more! Oi guess we know 'oo the rotten eggs are!"
The rest of the horde starts chanting "Rotten Egg" at the halfling and the elf. Nige whispers to Tyros. "Oi'd rather be a rotte egg then soimone 'oo kills nice rats."
As the rest of the horde surrounds them, Davvo announces. "Its toime ta go 'ome. We killeds enough fer taday! The city is safe!"
The horde starts heading back towards the guild. Nige waits with Tyros to be the end of the group and looks back at the shack as they leave. He gives a brief wave to the figure he sees peeking out of a crack in the door.
"Ya know wot Tyros. Oi don't think Oi'm gunna come rat 'untin no more."
He moves to catch up with the others.
Once they clear they reach Wildrose Road and make the turn to head towards the guild, Nige waves to Tyros. "Oi think wese goina 'ave ta take baths tonoight. Ya should probably do the same."
"Them guys all smell loike rottenb eggs ifen ya asks me. We smells loikes good guys."
"Stinky good guys. But still good guys."
Nige heads out of sight with the rest of his companians, leaving Tyros to head home bby himself.
.oO(She could've returned by now... Won't hurt to try.
Tyros starts walking down the street before stopping at the door of the 16th house. He knocks lightly on the wooden door.
Yes? she asks cautiously, wondering at the scruffy person on her doorstep.
Ixchal bounds up, sniffing alertly.
[swm]Rats! He smells like rats! Where he hiding the rats?[/swm]
Lady Mirielle Dyer? The Hightower sent me.
He looks at the small weasel sniffing insanely and wonders if it suspects something.
.oO(He doesn't look like any of the servants or apprentices...)
Well, I asked the funny man at the desk how I could learn more and he said I could do so with a tutor. He mentioned your name as my tutor, for learning what people call magic, amongst other things.
.oO('What people call magic'? ...what am I in for, here?)
She swallows a groan, and asks You haven't mentioned your own name...
Tyros bows and then stands straight up, his head slightly tilted to the right, looking at the small weasel.
And what's its name?
Mirielle smiles faintly.
I would invite you in, but I've just today returned from a long trip, and besides, Ix would have trouble restraining herself from tasting you, considering the rat smell.
Perhaps you could come back in the morning, and we can discuss the training you're interested in?
I'm not hiding any rats. I've just been with an Half-Orc named Lowlife that has several rats as friends. And I became friends with them, as well. Me and Nige, that is.
Certainly. I will be coming back in the morning, then. Until then, have a good day's rest.
TYros bows respectfully once at Mirielle and once again for Ixchal. He's about to turn to go home when he remembers to ask something.
Lady Dyer, if you don't mind me asking now, what is a familiar?
A familiar is a wizard's animal companion. Through a special ritual the wizard calls a creature that becomes... enhanced, if you will. It is bonded to the wizard for life, and is quite helpful and intelligent.
Tyros bows once again and moves along the street, down to the Hightower and then to the market place. He then follows the already familiar road which leads to the Boarding house.
[from SSAG]
On her way out of town, Brodda takes a small detour and purchases a small cart for the purposes of carrying a certain precious cargo. Once the purchase is made, she returns to Nobody's to pick up that cargo.
Much to her relief and comfort, Marroc doesn't seem to be around, likely in his office. She speaks to Wealdy for a moment, who helps get her present into the cart. She gives him a hug and a brief goodbye, then heads off toward the eastern gate, singing softly.
Mistress? Who's that at our house? Is it a bandit? Are you going to throw a fireball at him? he asks eagerly.
Mirielle's eyes widen, and she looks down at her young apprentice.
Perry! A mage should always match the action to the need! If I did need to kill that young man, a fireball would be quite excessive.
Also, it would damage our house. I'd rather not have to re-thatch so soon!
Nearing the house, she adds in a softer voice, He is applying to be my apprentice, but don't worry, he won't be living here. Just studying.
Perry nods sullenly, and Mirielle calls out a greeting to Tyros.
Hello, Lady Dyer.
Am I too early? He bows slightly at the wizard.I hope you haven't been waiting long. Come in...
Mr. Elessar, this is my apprentice, Perry. Perry, this is Tyros.
Perry glances from Mirielle to Tyros, then sticks out his hand to shake, muttering a greeting.
No, I haven't been waiting long. I just knocked, like Mrs. Weatherby tells me to do.
Hello, Perry
Tyros lets both of them enter the house first and follows in after that. He takes a big look around.
Seems confortable...
Gesturing Tyros to a chair, Mirielle sits down on the couch.
So, tell me, what is your magical background? What do you know already?
With a small sigh, Dravenous patrols the streets looking for thieves, miscreants, and those in peril. After spending several weeks patrolling the streets everything Dravenous experiences a little of boredom wandering around and keeping an eye out.
Although he still knows that he should be energetic and ready at all times since anything can happen at any moment, those moments seem to be far too few and too far apart to matter much.
He continues to move forward along the street while still watching for one of many things that require his attention.
His bundle and manner seem odd, paired with his very ordinary clothing. He seems to be rather nervous.
Following at a distance, Dravenous sees him go to the side door of a run-down warehouse. Someone lets him in, then steps outside and scans the street before following the bundle-carrier inside.
He stops a few inches from the door and stops to listen if the person watching the door is still there.
"...sneaking this stuff out is getting harder..."
"We have a deal, do what you have to."
"But the sarge is catching on! I might get caught."
"You might get on my bad side, too."
Dravenous slowly backs away from the door and then starts to search the perimeter of the building, hoping to find a open window, a door, or any other another way into the building.
He hears other voices inside, though. Although it could possibly be the two men he heard talking before, it could also be other people entirely.
Musing on the glimpse he got of the bundle-toter, Dravenous cannot recall ever seeing him around the Guardhouse.
Looking quickly around to get his bearings Dravenous slowly moves down the street back toward the chapterhouse. Once the warehouse is about few hundred feet away he speeds his pace up to a jog, trying to get back as soon as possible.
.oO(Magical background? What magical background? I only came across magic a few days ago... Oh!!! I know something!)
:D
I can read books. And I know about gradons. :D
He grins excitedly.
She blinks, trying to maintain an expression of polite calm.
...gradons?
Once the building is in sight the guardsman slows his step as he catches his breath. He attempts to move quietly into a position from which he can see the side door, but also trying to stay far enough away to not be seen by the men if they are standing by the door.
Following him is a difficult and nerve-wracking process, but eventually Dravenous watches him enter a side door to the palace complex.
As the door closes, Dravenous hears footsteps, and a guard walks around the corner.
He sees Dravenous in the shadows, and calls out, "Move along. No loitering allowed 'round here."
"I was just following a man who had been acting suspicious from an abandoned wherehouse to here, where he enter though that door."
"Oh! You're with the City Guard, are you? Well, what was so suspicious, then?"
Glancing back at the door the expert asks, "Can you tell me who is able to open that door right there?"
"He was dragging a bag through the streets while acting nervous. He dropped the bag off at a run-down warehouse where a second man was waiting. I heard him say that he was having trouble sneaking things 'out' without a 'Sarge' finding out."
Glancing back at the door the expert asks, "Can you tell me who is able to open that door right there?"
"Anyone who works here, really... Well, I can pass word along that you were here, and what you saw. What's your name?"
Not all dragons breathe fire, though. They tend to be quite large, and often rather intelligent, so they are formidable opponents.
Mirielle considers Tyros' question thoughtfully.
You'll learn about the elements, the Planes, the uses of many diverse substances. You'll study the writings of obscure mages and alchemists.
And then, when I feel you have a grounding in the principia, I will begin to teach you the simplest manipulations of magical energies.
"What is your name?"
He nods politely to Dravenous, apparently expecting the City Guardsman to move along.
Then he turns around and begins to walk back toward the chapterhouse.
"And ask her to start organizing a welcome home party for him tomorrow? Don't worry about the short notice. She won't. We halflings are very good at throwing parties."
The bard enters the guild to let Volos know that they have returned. .o0(Brodda would have loved to have helped deliver this news. Hopefully she'll be getting a homecoming just as good though.)
"Home sweet home."
The Fox
Looking down the streets for people guarding the warehouse, Dravenous says, "I am still not sure if the warehouse is empty. The only person I saw leave was the man who had brought the bag in."
He looks up to his apartment window and sees the round face of his son Dakarai. Kywyn waves to Dak and jumps up. Through the doors and up the stairs in a blur, Kywyn enters the apartment to kneel down and hug Dakarai.
"Been good the last few days?"
Dak nods and runs through some of the things which have occupied his time.
Kywyn picks him up and set him down on a chair. The pale clad man greets the invisible Mon'Qui and moves to the kitchen to set Hex down with a glass of water. Kywyn turns around to find NaShae standing there. Eyes locked, they need no words as they embrace. Kywyn recounts some of what happened through their link, but it doesn't seem as important now that they were reunited.
---
Later in the night, Kywyn sits at the desk sketching out some ideas. He is growing tired but just wanted to get a few things out of his head. His black lines arc and join to form the image of one of the dogs that was lost in the fight with the crab-demon-things. Might be something nice for Hermy or his students, Kywyn figures.
He needs no light to see the black and white of the paper, but in the dark, Kywyn begins to grow drowsy. There is some weak light straining through the window from outside, and it casts vague shadows into the room. One such shadow falls from Kywyn's hand to the image of the dog, though Kywyn eventually notices this particular shadow seems out of place, as if it were sinking the wrong way.
Continuing with his sketch, an odd thing happens: as the shadow from his hand shades the paper, Kywyn could swear the dog's tail wags and its head turns slightly. Kywyn stops and reexamines the paper.
It looks the same, but he couldn't be sure. He spoke to the lines, he has done it before to alter the way symbols read. Maybe this was another bit of inspiration.
[color=olive]"Neat trick,"[/color] a chirp comments from two glowing, gold pinpoints of light.
"You saw it too?"
Hex the frog moves from one shadow to another, [color=olive]"Make a horse next. No, wait. Make a dragon. No, wait! A half-horse, half-dragon! No-"[/color]
"I think I'll go to bed now." Kywyn answers.
Hex shrugs, a natural motion from a frog, and hops to find his glass of water.
When the building gets in sight Dravenous nudges Darkar and moves his gaze toward the building.
. o O (Theres not a For Sale sign for miles...)
Walks in the direction of Nobody's Inn.
Stops
Wonders which direction Nobody's Inn is in.
Looks about the street and catches the eye of a stocky man. Hustles over to the fellow and looks up.
"Which direction is Nobody's Inn?"
The man squats down next to Treetrip, and points south. "Head down this road, three cross roads down take a left, and then the third right. It'll be the big building without windows on the ground floor. You can't miss it."
Treetrip can't miss the man's non pointing hand reaching towards the gnomes purse either.
"So, wait. How many roads down?"
Holds up his fingers, showing four of them.
"This many?"
He smiles and his hand snakes towards the gnomes money again.
"And I right at the third crossroad?"
"Take a left."
Shaking his head in frustration, the man stands up. After the third road take a left. And then the third right."
He starts walking away.
"Okay! Thanks a bunch sir!"
Checks his money pouch.
. o O (Wow, sheriffing must be pretty easy if thieves are that bad.)
Nothing missing, heads down the listed directions as best he can.
Turning around, Treetrip sees the helpful man, and a smaller less friendily looking man smiling at him. The bigger man smilews. "I made a mistake."
"It was a right first. And then a left."
"Sorry about that."
The less friendily looking man scowls. "Why don't you just hand over that purse of yours and we can all get along with our buisness."
"And I'm a sheriff. You don't want to get taken in do you?"
[Diplomacy +6]
. o O (Sheriffing just got alot harder.)
The smaller man seems unpulsed. "There isn't a sherriff in this town."
"And there won't be any trouble if you hand over those copper coins."
The bigger man looks around. "I don't know about this. Maybe gnomes police their own here. I haven't met many gnomes."
The smaller man groans. "Theres only one gnome, and two of us. Stop worrying."
"Now then gnome... Is there going to be problems or not?"
"Try to talk some sense into your friend. Why else would a well-armed gnome be walking around in the middle of the city. Wouldn't a non-sheriff already of handed over the money?"
Taps Danglethwack so that the rings jingle.
"You don't want to go to jail because he threatened a sheriff do you? You are am accomplice if you don't intervene..."
The other man, Paul looks at the gnome and shakes his head. "You with the Silver Sword gnome?"
Jingles Danglethwack again.
"If it was any of your business."
The smaller man looks at his partner, then at the gnome and his weapon. He shakes his head. "Your lucky my partner is a coward gnome."
He starts backing away to join the other man.
"And remember to respect the law in the future."
Wipes his head of sweat when they're gone and starts heading for Nobody's Inn.
”Check in…” the thought comes almost like a directive.
Pushing off the wooden crate with a hop, Kywyn heads down the alley deeper into town. He walks onto the old familiar soil of the cemetery and continues into the deeper area. His light, loose clothing contrasts with the dull tones of the stones. With a flutter of his sleeve, Kywyn turns past a statue and disappears from sight.
---
[To Avowed]
Drawing the sky can be the easiest or hardest thing to do depending on one’s approach. If you see the sky as empty space, then you don’t really need to do much. Just by defining the other elements in an image, the negative space above the horizon becomes sky by default. Trying to capture particulars such as the sun, stars, moon, or clouds, and the way light reacts from and to these celestial bodies makes it more complicated.
Kywyn sidesteps a short man in the street and continues walking and depicting thoughts on a piece of scrap paper in his book. He delineates the outline of a cloud and plays with the light sources for shading. You could never hope to capture exactly what is seen, he decides, the point is to find the right illusion to convey the thought.
In his reverie of visualization, a faint crepuscular light extends from his wrist. The shadow tentacle form enshrouds Kywyn’s drawing hand as it moves. He finds himself speaking to the lines in part-lucid words.
A shadowy fog, seeming half-imagined, billows out from an alley behind Kywyn, mimicking his sketch. The vapor lingers in the air as Kywyn walks through it.
Kywyn’s marks turn into sharp lines and small shapes to add falling snow to the page. It would make more sense with inverted greyscale, he ruminates, he has tried the effect with white paint or chalk over black paper to ink for a more realistic effect.
Kywyn notices the first drop of frozen rain on his page and pulls the paper close to his chest. Snowflakes and sleet start to fall around him as he meanders, and Kywyn seeks shelter under an overhang to watch the odd weather. Nearby, a pair of stray cats cease their affray to meow piercingly and dash away from the precipitation. The freak storm subsides within a minute, and Kywyn looks down at his page while the slush melts away on the street.
”I’ve blown away again the lies that make me sane,” Kywyn thinks, recognizing what is happening, and yet not certain of it.
What if he could touch his pencil to parchment and let the line run on and on, a sempiternal path of spirals, curves, and straight-aways that could define his visions.
Kywyn’s line becomes a snake. The outline of the snake on the page is doubled and a circle is drawn around the symbol. Kywyn stops short of finishing the ring.
Hex hops to the raven-haired man's collar and ribbits, ”Dangerous sign…serpent. I wouldn’t…”
"I thought you didn't believe in symbols," Kywyn counters.
"Snake is an older thing. Maybe I don't... but might be enough that you do..." Hex sounds more coherent.
Kywyn starts walking again.
Art without soul is vanity. The result is good or bad depending on the view, but the process is the key.
Mostly unaware of his altered environment, Kywyn walks onward, not meeting the gaze of any passersby. Eventually, he reaches a street intersection and looks up and around.
After further discussion, Mirielle asks Tyros to wait, and goes and gets a sheaf of papers.
I wrote this during my apprenticeship to Devon the Red. It's a decent enough introduction to the concept of working magic. Please bring it back when you've studied it, and we'll talk further.
She walks Tyros to the door, and shakes his hand.
I'm sure you'll do fine when you have a bit more grounding in the basics.
When Tyros has taken his leave, Mirielle sets Perry to grinding dry resin to a fine powder while she sits down with her papers, studying the notes she took while at the Hightower the night before.
---
[To Market Square]
A bell gently chimes as he enters the shop and an eager-looking gnome sporting a dark green cap bustles forward, introduces himself as Fonkin Nackle IV and asks if he can be of assistance. Ran explains the purpose of his visit and shows one of the statues. Fonkin takes a long look at the item, comments on the excellent craftsmanship but decides his grandfather is the one for a case like this. Fonkin Nackle II turns out to be a gnome of advanced age, but as shrewd as he's old and twice as commanding of presence. A remark on the frailty of the elderly and the inconsideration of youth sends his grandson scurrying for a chair and a pillow, from the comfort of which master Nackle inspects the statues, stroking his silver sideburns.
"Ahem. Rather nice these, I say. Solid gold, two matching pieces, about three quarters of a century old, fashioned by master craftsman Giovanni da Gandova - or one of his more acomplished students. Not quite timeless masterpieces, but rather well done nonetheless. And you have both: that's a bonus. Why don't you tell me how these came to be in your possession, hm, young man?"
The gnome sits back in his chair, eyes intent on Ran from beneath bushy eyebrows. The monk explains about the trip and the encounter with the crab-like creatures and how they found the statues in their nest. Fonkin IV makes some dubious noises as the story progresses, obviously not convinced of its veracity, but accepts it without further questions anyway.
"I expect you'll be wanting to unburden yourself of these then, hrm? Have any offers yet, do you?"
Ran admits this is the first address he's tried, but mentions he's here as a representative of the Silver Sword and was sent by Volos, based on master Fonkin's good name. The gnome harrumphs a few times, but mentioning Volos seems to have a positive effect. He makes an offer that seems sincere to Ran, and after a bit of negotiating they strike a deal at 2200 golds for the set. The younger Fonkin is told to write up a contract and a promise is made for the money to be delivered at the guild in three days.
Ran thanks both Fonkins for their help in the matter, wishes them well with their purchase and returns to the guild so Volos can add the promise to the guild paperwork.
.oO(He enjoys quite a reputation in the city, Volos. The guild is very lucky to have someone like him to take care of its affairs.)
Entering the room, he calls to Dak that he brought back fresh bread for lunch. While eating, he exchanges thoughts with NaShae through their link by placing a hand over hers. Ideas and concerns are passed back and forth wordlessly.
Kywyn spends some time with Dakarai, Shae, Hex, Palasha, and Mon’Qui in the afternoon. At times he forgets how many souls are linked here.
When the sky darkens, Kywyn heads off for his appointment.
---
[To LLI]
.oO(They'd just fight over it, why bother?)
[BtW]
.oO(This is what I should be doing.)
[Listen +10+2 vs humans, Spot +10+2 vs humans, Move Silently +12, Hide +12]
A stray glint of light hints that the man sees Tensek, in turn.
[MS +12, Hide +12]
.oO(That's right keep looking.)
[MS +12, Hide +12]
[ms +12, hide +12]
What are you guarding?
"Sorry to disturb you sir. I know it's late."
"I don't know if we've met before, allow me to introduce myself. Minto Newberry , Bard Extroidinaire, personal minstrel to Sir Hermy Woodhome."
"I understand he is a cousin of yours. And I just thought you might like to know that his father, Hermy WoodHome Sr. has finally come home."
"He'll need a few days to readjust, but that just gives us a few more days to plan a welcome back party right?"
Minto smiles at him, and Liam smiles back. An offer of tea is extended and the two begin plotting for the party. A younger nephew is sent to gather a few others in the quarter who knew Hermy Woodhome Sr,. before he was sent away.
*Keeping the blade to the guards throat Tensek begins questioning him.*
What are you guarding?
"Huh," chokes the man, "I'm just guarding a warehouse!"
"Huh... So caterpillars become butterflies through this?" he asks.
A glob of shadow crawls up Kywyn’s arm to his shoulder.
"It’s a stage in a cycle," Hex communicates.
"I’ve heard the expressions before, but we didn’t have these where I’m from. You know of them? But you’re... new..."
The similarity between the colors of the cocoon and Kywyn’s current choice of clothing is not lost on the man.
"Not everything new is new," Hex chirps nonsensically.
"People must get confused when I speak that way," Kywyn admits to himself that sometimes that’s intentional, "But I guess memories extend beyond what you remember, that’s how you remember in the first place, you pull out things you’ve forgotten."
"Inside the covering, the thing is broken down and reformed," the frog seems insightful, "And when it breaks out, it has to struggle, and the struggle makes it strong enough to fly."
Kywyn nods ever so slightly and breaths a sigh.
"Good luck," he says to the hanging cocoon before he continues on his way home.
Reaching the Toadfoot Apartment, he takes one more glance at the bright moon and heads inside.
The lean figure draped in off-white sinks into a bent stance. His legs shift out in coordination with his arms when his center twists. Crisscrossing steps to the side follow as his limbs act as whips: hip, knee, and ankle – shoulder, elbow, and wrist. Kywyn presses forward with both hands before rotating to the side and pushing out again. He rears back to one leg and presses forward once again, and then once more. His rear foot stamps the earth with each push, borrowing stability from the earth.
Kywyn’s grey, light boot draws a semi-circle along the ground to spin Kywyn around. He shifts paradigms, and his fists become like stones at the end of ropes. His punches snap out in pairs. Leaving the ground in a leap, Kywyn spins a leg around in the air and lands for a set of crescent-like kicks.
Spinning with the last kick, the black-haired man resolves back into the slower form. His arms curve around, forming a rounded hook and an open palm. His pose descends to a low stance before rising smoothly again. He ends by bringing one upward facing fist into a flat palm while his right foot stamps heavily yet without strain. Both hands become palms as they rotate down to his side.
Kywyn walks over to the outside bench to grab a cloth from his bag to dry his face. An idea comes to him then. Pulling out a scrap of paper and a pencil, he sketches at a rough scene showing a cloud with snowflakes. He adds a snowman in the background like the ones he used to build as a child.
His voice carries into the illustration, coercing the shadow tentacle from his wrist to transmute into a shade around his hand and then his pencil. The snow seems to fall in the drawing and soon sleet appears to fall in the yard. The wet snow coats the smooth tiles and grass and dirt areas of the enclosure.
Kywyn can see his breath in the air as the white falls around him.
"Feels like home," he muses.
The black frog at the bench takes in the moisture, the cold not bothering him as the species he resembles is a northern strain resilient to the ice.
Placing the paper and pencil away and closing his bag to avoid the wetness, Kywyn steps onto the slippery ice surface and goes through some Downward Spiral movements. His feet have to stagger and compensate for the slipping and sliding at times, but for the most part, Kywyn holds his balance as he shifts from stance to hand strike. Leg movements would be especially hazardous on uncertain footing, but he manages to rise to a one-legged, defensive stance quickly.
Attempting a sidekick, Kywyn keeps his footing. Assaying a hopping knee strike, he slips and falls hard on his side. He grimaces in pain and rocks back and forth until the throbbing impact fades.
"Ow… Not too smart."
Dak shows up at the door, looking over his shoulder to his invisible guardian Mon’Qui.
“Papa, where’d that come from?” the child’s eyes light up.
“Come on, kid,” Kywyn deflects, “We're going skating for a bit.”
"What's skating?"
"It's what you can do on ice,” Kywyn answers, “Got to make sure it’s safe though."
Kywyn walks over to renew his conjuration on paper and then leads Dakarai onto the ice. They skate on their boots, with Kywyn holding tight to Dak’s hand. Seeing his young son smile lightens Kywyn’s mood. When the spell ends and the sleet melts, he picks up Dak and takes him to the door.
“Fun?” Kywyn asks.
“Yah!”
“We’ll have to do it again. It’ll be better when winter is actually here.”
Kywyn directs Mon’Qui to take Dak in first. The flutter of the pixie’s wings accompany his nod. Kywyn walks over to pick up his pack and Hex and chases after Dakarai to go see NaShae.
"Huh," chokes the man, "I'm just guarding a warehouse!"
Who are you and who do you work for?
*The ranger asks as he impresses upon the guard the direness of the situation with his blade.*
"Ease up with that knife, guy!"
Ixchal? Ixchal, come on, I want to try something. Ix? Oh for goodness... I won't hurt you!
She gets down on her hands and knees, peering under the bed.
It won't be permanent, anyways.
Ix? Where are you?
So that's where his spare leg got to...
She sets the greave by the armor stand and thuds down the stairs.
Ix!
Perry, did you see her?
Yes'm, she went under the sofa...
Perry runs over, and tries to help Miri find the weasel. As Mirielle crawls on the floor, looking under the sofa, Ixchal darts from behind the woodbox and scampers up the stairs.
DO NOT YELL.
*Loosening the blade Tensek again asks the guard.*
What does your employer sell Joe?
.oO( The shadows have seemed quite cold lately...)
A path through the crowds seem to open for the elf as he moves down different streets, unaware of his current loaction. Every so often, he looks up to catch strangers either shying away from him or looking at him with accusing eyes.
.oO( Thats right...stay away from me...I don't need anybody.)
The elf bares his teeth from under the mask as he returns his gaze back unto the ground. Slowly, he moves along the throng of people going along their daily routine. The screams of street vendors and the clatter of boots scrapping along the street echo in his mind.
.oO( Its always the same.)
*Tensek hisses back.*
DO NOT YELL.
*Loosening the blade Tensek again asks the guard.*
What does your employer sell Joe?
"HowshouldIknow? I'm just a guard..." he hisses in return.
Gack. The IS guy mucked up my computer, so I lost my 'favorites' list, so I don't have the link to my notes until I get home.
Kywyn kneels in front of a medium-sized aspen tree in a corner of the backyard. Its trunk is narrow and straight, and its multitude of leaves rest in the upper reaches of the tree. Kywyn stands with a wooden disk and a length of cord in his hand. The disk is a discarded old wheel from some cart that Kywyn found in the yard. There are no spokes, simply a rough plate with a hole in the center.
Kywyn had seen it done before when he was younger. He watched an unarmed gladiator and how the man had honed a certain kick technique to a remarkable level.
Kywyn jumps to catch the lowest branch. It takes him two tries, but he manages to pull himself up by wrapping his legs up around the bough. Securing the cord around the wooden limb and letting the wheel dangle down, Kywyn makes his knots tight. Sliding down to hang on the branch, he lets go and lands in a crouch below.
Turning and hopping back for some distance, Kywyn lowers his stance in preparation. He taps his forward foot lightly to ready a rhythm. Then, he takes a front step, followed by a shuffle of his rear foot turning into a skip. With his front knee raised in mid-motion, Kywyn sees the high target and concentrates hard. When he starts to feel the target there, he begins to turn his upper body away from the disk. A wooden bang is heard as his leg hooks out and his heel contacts sideways with the target as Kywyn's torso extends the opposite way. Pallid clothes blurring, Kywyn completes his golden dragon swings its tail maneuver as the wheel swings wildly from the cord. It is a beautiful kick.
The idea to keep the mind centered is to keep interested in the here and now. Thus centered for the moment, there is no need for forethought or memory; one could glean inspiration on what forces cause change and movement in everything around. If the physical action could be paired with the state of no-mind, much is made possible. The body is fully extended and the mind is stretched in all directions at once. There is no tidy ending, no solution to change and conflict, but there can still be something beautiful in between. Even if nothing else in the world makes sense, this artistic and martial movement, from launch to contact to follow through, could be something worth being a part of, a single ink stroke on virgin canvas. The kick might be performed while Kywyn trained alone in the yard, it might be displayed as part of an exhibition form, or it might be attempted to cause actual harm in anger or desperation. No matter where, it would be something to see.
Kywyn kicks the hanging wheel once more before leaving the yard.
She snuck upstairs and went to sleep while I was searching everywhere for her!
Sorry about the couch...
If she has been taking lessons from Hermy, he's even stealthier than I remember, because I don't think he's been over here.
Does he know where we live? No, he couldn't or there wouldn't be any apple pie left...
That's true... Well, good thing my pastry isn't very good, then.
And a good thing I started a stew before I got too deep into my research...
Uh oh.
Mirielle looks up with an expression of consternation.
Um, maybe if we add some more water...
Miri smiles gratefully at Gamis, and pries some stew away from the side of the pot, mixing it with the added water.
It's only a little scorched, I think...
"What did you want Ix for, anyway? Just checking on her?"
It should make her about this long, she says, holding her hands about three feet apart.
She grabs a bowl and spoons stew into it.
If she'll cooperate.
It isn't permanent, of course.
She'll be bigger and stronger for a few minutes, and a bit more resilient. Then, she'll be back to normal.
Perry listens avidly, and eats quickly, washing the taste down with a mug of buttermilk.
Miri nods, smiling.
.oO(So many people here, living, dreaming... I wonder what its like...)
I suppose I will never escape the shadows...
His low muffled voice cutting off as he becomes aware of somebody standing in the middle of the street looking up into the windows of various buildings. He curses to himself when he looks up to find the stranger just a few feet from him. Without moving he watches her, his face and figure hidden behind the black hooded-cloak, scarf, and finally the metallic mask. A cold winds stirs through the streets, him being the anchor as his tattered cloak and scarf dances in the air.
"What is a shadow but something near the light?"
The only essence which truly defines my being...the only place I can exist.
.oO( Or maybe that is what I really am...just a shadow)
The elf grasps ahold of himself before looking back up at Fern. For a moment, he watchers her, noticing things about her he missed before opening his mouth.
You look as if you too walk the same path...ofcourse looks can be decieving.
"Shadow is never without light... that doesn't mean light is a pleasant thing, or that shadow is necesarrily a curse. It is so much easier to let others drive what we do... to let them be the light to our shadow ... sometimes ..."
She shakes her head, cutting herself off.
"Perhaps. Though I think I've lost whatever light I had..."
Everyone loses something precious to them...happiness will always be a temporary emotion which blinds those to reality. In time, those who live in the light will lose their blindfolds...they all do.
The sky begins to darken as the elf looks up into the sky.
We who walk in the darkness have lost our blindfolds and see the world as it truly is...
After another cool breeze passes the two, Kai's cold gaze drops back down to Fern.
Now tell me...do you truly regret losing the light which hid the thruth from your eyes?
"I've already mourned the girl I was, along with more than a few others. It would be pointless to wish for things to have happened differently."
She lets her cloak loose to flap in the wind.
"As for the truth... the truth is what we believe. I would not assume that this is more real than anything else"
A song is whispering to her, somewhere in the darkness. Remembering and forgetting, seeing and blinding... Fern looks into Kai's chill eyes and the words spring to her lips.
[Elven]"I am nothing / Close your eyes and see me" [Invisibility]
She takes a few steps away, walking quietly. [Move Silently +11]
"So, what do you see... what is the truth?"
"HowshouldIknow? I'm just a guard..." he hisses in return.
Than what were you doing leaving your post?
*The ranger hisses back.*
What happens in your warehouse?
The deep green color of his eyes seem to drain of life, just as they do when thoughts of using his sword to kill enters his thoughts. Besides the dangerous look in his eyes, nothing else about the elf changes. His gaze is kept in the same place as if he where talking to an imaginary friend.
I found my truth when those I trusted betrayed me...
"And perhaps you will find another truth when they are dead. And again after that."
She shakes her head.
"I do not mean that what you believe is wrong; I do not know more than a hint of it, and it is hardly my place to judge even if I did. I am just saying that what seems so absolute now will continue changing for you until you are dead and gone."
She reaches a hand up to brush her ragged hair away from her face, and looks into Kai's lifeless eyes.
"I don't know what you're looking for, but vengeance is never where these things end. It's just the begining. Who will you be when those who betrayed you have been repayed?"
It does not matter who or what I become, a shadow is nothing more then a shadow. But even so...I am a shadow with a task I promise to fulfill...what can you say about yourself? Do you even serve a purpose in this world, or are you still searching for it?
She lets the spell go, appearing a few feet from where she previously stood. Without taking her gaze from Kai she draws a dagger and rests the point against her palm. When she speaks again it is half to herself and half to Kai.
"I have fulfilled my promises, sometimes the ghosts still haunt me, but they are only in my mind... he does not come to me from beyond the grave anymore, speaking of things yet to be finished."
Her eyes focus on the world around her again and her voice is almost surprised, and sad.
"My task is done... my enemies are dead, along with more than a few that I might have called friends in other time and place. I've kept my promises, but one."
She looks Kai over once again.
"May I ask your name?"
Slowly he reaches up towards his face and pulls the scarf down from his face revealing the mask. Its contours resemble the lower half of a skull with a wolfish grin, adding more of a death like effect to the already terrifying mask.
One more promise and your freed...what then? I haven't thought that far ahead...but maybe you should. Or will you wander this world aimlessly? If so, then maybe I should do you a favor by killing you now.
Bring his hand back up, Kai lightly runs his fingers along the sharp contors of the mask.
I too was offered the same by a man not too long ago, but I have the feeling we will be enemies someday. I can't say I am disappointed, a true fight with him may not be a bad way to end.
.oO( As with you too Gamis, I can only hope you suffer a great pain before I pass from this world.)
The elf returns attention back onto Fern.
Well...
Fern studies the sky overhead.
"I will find more promises worth making."
Her fingers run idly over the blade of her dagger and she turns her gaze back to Kai's face, his mask. She studies the mask without really looking at it, wondering what it hides; what it shows is obvious enough.
"Perhaps I am afraid of dying; perhaps I no longer feel the need to close my eyes to the world. I cannot honestly say."
Kai shrugs before looking into Fern's eyes, knowing what it is she's thinking.
Keep on making your promises and they to will become empty after time.
She smiles sadly.
"If that was the case I would have already passed into nothingness ... I doubt even death is empty."
---
[To Market]
The air is thick with some scent today. Kywyn cannot pin it down, but it seems to be either something burning or possibly cooking.
"C'mon, Papa," Dak call as he struggles to pull the entrance door.
Kywyn opens it for him, and Dak dashes upstairs to show his mother his new colored chalk piece.
His muffled voice cuts through the night air as the two stand in the middle of the quiet street.
This conversation tires me, I don't even speak to my associates this much.
Kai slowly starts forward towards Fern, his cloak whipping behind him, showing his athletic build kept under the dark leather shirt. At his left hip, a long sword sways back and forth like is has always been a part of him and a short sword kept a little around his right hip.
Than what were you doing leaving your post?
*The ranger hisses back.*
What happens in your warehouse?
"Whaddaya think happens in a warehouse? We store stuff!"
You are not in the position to be getting smart boy so you best not try my patience.
*Tensek pulls the blade away from the man a bit.*
What is being stored in the warehouse.
*Pausing for a moment Tensek adds.*
Answer me truthfully and I will make it worth your while.
Tensek doesn't find this very believable.
You can either tell me the truth and benefit or not and die. It's of no consequence to me.
Initiative:
Guard
Tensek
Lets hope your wrong...Death should be empty, if death itself isn't empty, then where will I ever find true solitude.
His muffled voice cuts through the night air as the two stand in the middle of the quiet street.
This conversation tires me, I don't even speak to my associates this much.
Kai slowly starts forward towards Fern, his cloak whipping behind him, showing his athletic build kept under the dark leather shirt. At his left hip, a long sword sways back and forth like is has always been a part of him and a short sword kept a little around his right hip.
"Best of luck then, Kai."
She watches him as he turns away, taking in his weapons and demeanor without surprise.
"I'm sure your associates are a pleasant lot, but they've always struck me as rather ineffectual. To wrapped up in their business, perhaps... anyway, it's been nice talking with you; perhaps we'll meet again."
"Heck with this," he mutters, drawing a dagger and slashing backwards with it. His attempt to strike fails.
A very unwise choice.
*Tensek growls as he grabs the hand holding the dagger and slams it into the wall behind them.*
(disarm check +2)
"Help! Intruder! Intruder!"
.oO(Dammit!)
"Guards! Guards! I've been robbed!"
(Jump +0, Climb +8)
The guards cries can still be heard behind him.
The guard seems to have stopped yelling.
(listen +11)
(Listen +11 +2 vs humans, Spot +11 +2 vs humans)
*Finding no sign of his pursuers Tensek moves towards the opposite edge of teh roof making his way back towards the warehouse in suspect.*
Kywyn is dressed only in off-white, slack pants. Even his omnipresent gauntlets rest by the chair. After struggling to avoid using any muscle movements for long enough, Kywyn moves to sit cross-legged on the floor. His frog hops to perch atop his gauntlets.
[color=olive]Do you remember when I came to you?[/color]
The Avowed trial. The moment I was... changed... activated... I'm not sure of the right word. It was the moment I understood the system for a flash.
[color=olive]Do you remember what you saw?[/color]
Bits and pieces, just some fragments of many things, but it all seemed hazy. Where were you before?
[color=olive]I was here, in some part of your thoughts. The shadow gave me form and I awoke.[/color]
Eyes still closed, Kywyn raises a hand to feel the mementos of the recent encounter with the crab-demons while retrieving Hermy's father. A few healed cuts on his chest from the creature's claw would soon be nothing but faded scars. Seeing a wound heal is an amazing thing. It speaks something of hope.
Kywyn relives the chuul battle scene in his mind. He was caught in the giant pincer and couldn't struggle free.
He makes some changes and visualizes what other actions he could have taken.
He holds his left hand in front of himself, supported by his right. His forward hand contorts into a claw as if gripping and turning some invisible doorknob. Kywyn's face grimaces and bares his teeth in a show of exertion.
"Falling a step behind..."
A translucent blossom of inky ectoplasm bursts through his gauntlet at the wrist. The tentacle snakes toward the demonic crab-thing and forms a tangle in between it and Kywyn.
Hex Tongue...
The black coils and tangles continue to grow until Kywyn can see nothing else. He is struggling with his own tentacles, fighting for breath.
Same as with the body, struggle in the mind with blind force and nothing can be connected.
Kywyn rouses his training in unarmed grappling techniques he picked up from time to time in the past. Best use of energy, maximize force with minimum effort, holds and locks that used the geometry of the human body against itself are in his thoughts. But still he fights impotently with the phantom serpents that entwine his limbs.
[color=olive]You can do better.[/color]
Show me.
"What song was that suppose to be? It almost sounded like something a heard a gnome singing once."
"Though the gnome hit the right notes."
Davvo rolls his eyes. "It was a traditional song back 'ome. Ya moight want ta troi playin sumethin you didna make up soimetoime."
Minto shrugs. "Why? I try to give the people what they want."
"And generally they want me. Not some years dead old man who couldn't think of a rhyme for orange."
"It dunna count when ya make up he wird yerself."
"Why not? Gorange makes a better word then some of the nonsense I've heard coming out of your mouth."
"Oui dunna new wot yer toikin aboot."
Minto grins. "Oi wonna think ya wood."
The two stop at a corner near the two main streets in the quarter and Minto unslings his lute and starts tuning it.
"I'd better let you sing first. It would be very unfair of me to expect you to follow after one of my performances."
Davvo rolls his eyes again. "Ya probibly jus wonna still moi song fer yer performance."
Minto laughs. "If it's good enough, of course I will."
"Maybe ya should 'and yer lute over ta someone else so ya cin take notes on 'ow a real singer does it."
"Maybe I will. You don't really need any musical backing do you? Attract the girls just on your own strengths and that kind of thing."
Davvo looks at him and sighs. "Just play soime simple chords until ya figer out the tune."
Minto winks. "Did you say chords? Did you mean to just say a chord until I figure it out? It's hard to understand you with that accent of yours."
Davvo shakes his head. "Jus troi ta 'it the roight notes old man"
"I'll do my best, ya young whippersnapper."
Minto starts strumming a few simple chords. Davvo watches him and when he fills the timing is right starts singing.
"Oh, Oim jusa young man froim
Ole' Brannon's Run.
A vibrant, handsome lad 'oose jusa
Loikin fer soime fun.
Oim jusa lookin fer a lass '
Oo'se lookin fer a man.
Because as ya cin tell, that's
Wot Oi am.
Minto tries to keep a straight face as Davvo continues singing.
"Oi 'ad ta leave 'ome
When Oi was quite young
It's 'ard ta stay humble
With oll the songs of me there sung."
Davvo goes on for sometime singing about his strengths, virtues, good looks and manners. A small crowd even gathers around.
The younger girls in the crowd seem to hang on every word, while the older members of the crowd seem fascinated by Minto's fingerwork on his lute.
"Best of luck then, Kai."
She watches him as he turns away, taking in his weapons and demeanor without surprise.
"I'm sure your associates are a pleasant lot, but they've always struck me as rather ineffectual. To wrapped up in their business, perhaps... anyway, it's been nice talking with you; perhaps we'll meet again."
The elf stops for a moment and slightly turns his head.
They have their uses...
He shakes his head then looks back at Fern.
You may find me at a pond south of the city walls, just half a mile into the forest. Stop by if you decide to take me up on my offer...or if you need assistance with something that might be interesting. The days have been a boring lately...
With that, the elf spins back around and slowly walks down the dark city street. A block or so he turns into an alley, disappearing into the shadows once again.
[to Fox Boarding House]
Kywyn leans against the brick wall behind him and listens for a while.
.oO(Well it's a start anyway...)
She sheathes her dagger and walks away.
*Mentally sighing with releif Tensek rolls away from the edge of the roof a bit further and rises into a crouch. Sheathing his Kukri The ranger unshoulders his bow and pulls an arrow from his quiver. Continuing to listen teh ranger quickly scans the roof before he advances.*
(Listen +11 +2 vs humans, Spot +11 +2 vs humans)
*Finding no sign of his pursuers Tensek moves towards the opposite edge of teh roof making his way back towards the warehouse in suspect.*
Arriving at the warehouse, there is no sign of the guard. The door is tightly shut, no light showing from door or windows.
"I've alway's heard it's best to start a speech with a joke."
"Now that that's out of the way..." He winks at the crowd and then rubs the top of Davvo's head. " I'm kidding of course. Wonderful job Davvo."
"How about a nice round of applause for Davvo Sandoven. One of the future bright spots of the Silver Sword Guild."
A smattering of applause and a few high pitched screams sound off, and Davvo gives a bow. Minto waits until the adoring girls quiet down and speaks again.
"Speaking of bright spots, and the Silver Sword..." He pauses. "I'm sure you've all heard that Hermy Woodhome Sr. father of the famed Sir Hermy Woodhome, has finally returned home after a twenty year abscence."
"And unless I severly overestimated Mrs. Toadfoot, you've already started making your party plans."
A murmer of agreement comes from the crowd. Minto waits for it to die down.
"And I'd just like to thank you all in advance, for making this, or more acurately that night, a night to be remembered in song and in the hearts of the Woodhome family."
"A small favor though, if you don't mind."
Minto again pauses dramatically.
"Two actually. First,off, please don't forget to invite non'halflings."
"I know both Hermy's are one of us, but they have also both spent a good portion of their lives with the big folk. They are confortable around them. And hopefully we can make any that come to the party equally as comfortable with us"
"I'm sure I don't need to worry about that though do I. We've been very welcoming to other races in our midst before."
He gives an overly wide wave to Kywyn again.
"A secondly... This one might be asking too much I know. He was a disgrace to all of us. Halfling and big folk alike."
"But Hermy Sr. doesn't need to hear about his other son just yet. I know he suspects what a scum his eldest son was. But now isn't the time to tell him."
"I can't expect you to lie to him if he asks, but please, don't bring the subject up otherwise."
Minto strikes a chord on his lute. "Now, I'm sure some of you are wondering why you should do anything I ask. I'm just a Brannon's Runner after all, and not a Garics halfling."
"I don't even live in the quarter. What right do I have to ask you to do anything. And the answer is... I don't have any."
"But I'm not asking for me, I'm asking for the Woodhomes."
Minto starts to play THE SAGA OF THE NIGHT OF THE SHADOWS AND HOW HERMY SAVED THE DAY
Undead forces had began to assemble
To ravage the city and make it tremble
Wraiths, shadows and armored horrors
Marched across Garic citys borders
The undead army, hidden by foul mists
Sent people running, afraid to resist.
Silence was shattered by the sounds of crying,
As many kind people lay down dieing.
There were few who dared oppose this horde,
Few brave enough to raise a sword.
But there was one man who knew no fear,
Standing against them was Mr. Hilldeer.
Brave Hilldeer issued a challenge to duel,
He had to buy time, he was no fool.
But he was overwhelmed, it was taking a toll
Those shadows had began to eating his soul.
But Mr. Hilldeer gave up not , he gave his all.
But soon he was weary and not long to fall.
But Lo! He appeared the Great Halfling!
Hermy the Hero, of whom all the bards sing!
Hermy stepped in to battle the wraith,
He knew he must keep his friend Hilldeer safe.
He handly handed his foe a defeat
And sent the evil horde into a retreat.
Many brave folk gathered and rallied round.
Around the Greatest Hero To Ever Be Found.
The Best of the Best, The Mighty Hin!
All rallied round knowing Hermy would win!
Hermy and those other guys battled all night.
The undead learned to fear Hermys might.
The wraiths trembled with fear at their mighty foe.
Hermy the Great. Greatest of Heroes.
Before dawn the undead were deep in a rout
Hermy hunted them down and chased them out.
He slew all there were, showing no pity.
For the evil they had done to Hermys city.
The people were saved, and let out a cheer.
For Hermy, his friends, and Mr. Hilldeer,
As the sun rose up high into the sky,
The saviors of the city, savored some pie.
"A gathering for Hermy and his father... should be good to see," Kywyn thinks.
He walks around the crowd to get a closer look, careful not to push any halflings out of the way. Kywyn crouches down so as not to block anyone's view.
"Here I am doing time
Working in a salt mine,
Paying for my crime,
One day out of this pit I will climb,
But for now, Its...
Pick into rock, hammer into stone
We've got to mine the salt.
Until our sentance is over
We'll work and never halt.
Daytime, nightime, it's all the same
When your hundreds of feet under ground.
Working the hammer and pick
Keeping the beat while we pound...
Pick into rock, hammer into stone
We've got to mine the salt.
Until our sentance is over
We'll work and never halt.
The work is hard, but not as hard as me
I'll mine more salt then there is in the sea.
I'lve got plenty of time.
It's better to let the boss beat you,
Then to let the foreman eat you.
When you're working in the mine.
With his little arms
He can't do much harm
It'll hurt less then a fine...."
Minto whispers to Davvo as the crowd claps, and the younger halfling breaks into a song. While the crowd listens to Davvo's singing, Minto continues with the musical accompaniment, but leaves center stage to his protege.
He wanders over to where Kywyn squats. "You are coming to the party right? The wife and kids as well?"
"Are you organizing it?"
"She knows every halfling in the city."
Minto starts playing the next song Davvo sings.
"I'm from Brannons Run not Garics. I've got a few relatives that I've never met here in the quarter, and am some how related to Marroc and a few of the students. But I'm more or less an outsider here."
"Not that any halfling is a complete outsider. We are somehow all related somehow. Or at least try to act like we are."
"Mrs. Toadfoot knows all the Woodhome realatives, and no one says no to her."
"Not that any would in this case."
"Sounds like it will be a large gathering too. Hopefully won't have any troublemakers that seem to pop up around big crowds."
"He's pretty good," Kywyn says of Davvo.
"But don't tell him that. His head is almost as big as mine already."
Minto strums a few chords.
"I'm sure they'll be troublemakerts of some sort or another."
"Hopefully nothing more serios then some one spiking the fruit juice, but just in case, I'm going to have Hermy put his followers on watch for pick pockets and such."
When the song is done, Kywyn nods to Minto and stands.
"I got a few things to take care of, but I'll see you soon."
The dark-haired man goes on his way toward the market.
"There no running away from Mothers love! Therokke will catch you and you will accept Mothers love or die trying!"
Ahead of him, running as if it were the gods themselves after him, a much smaller half orc tries to escape.
Hermy rolls with the charge tripping the second half orc up, as he tries to get out of the way. Both end up sprawled on the ground. Hermy unfortanetly on the bottom.
He hurridily crawls out from under before the half orc can get up.
"Hey! What do you think youse doing! Ya coulds have hurted someone runnin like that an not watchin where youse goin!"
Hermy tries to wipe off the strange coating of oil that has smeared on him.
"Therokke doing the Mothers work. Therokke no need to watch where he goes, Mother watches for Therokke."
He raises an eyebrow.
"Little Redpants Man should watch where goes. Not good to get in the way of Mothers work."
"Now heathen get away."
Therokke stretches and then tugs on his loin cloth.
"I knows the Mother don'ts particularily likes people gettin hurt fer no reason."
The Big Half orc stares down at the halfling and scowls. "You not try to stop Therokke from doing Mothers work are you?"
"No. Ise trying to get home to see my dad."
"Dad? No. No Dad. Only Mother."
"Father Hogan never told Therokke there was Dad."
Therokke bends over to grab Hermy.
"Therokke take you to Temple to learn about Mother."
"An I already knows about the Mother."
"Ise talked to her before."
Hermy pauses.
"Well not her exactly, but to my dead wife who was talking to her."
"Little Redpants Man has talked to Mother?"
"Therokke no has talked to Mother."
The Big Half Orc gives the little halfling an icey stare.
"Therokke wish to talk to Mother too. Where Little Redpants Man find dead wife?"
"Dead."
"Did you mis that part? My wife was dead. She was killed trying ta saves one of the Mother's kids"
"Therokke needs to find him lucky lady so Therokke can talk to Mother too."
He flexes his arms and contracts his pectoral muscles.
"Not be too hard to do."
"Youse might wants ta watch what youse saying."
"Some people don'ts takes too kindly ta hasing their loved ones joked about likes that."
"About himself. Nothing funny about Therokke."
"Therokke take Therokke very serious."
"And Mother too."
"Therokke lives to do Mothers work."
He turns around and starts walking away.
Picking up his backpack, he continues on his way inside. Once back home, he hangs up his things and goes to spend time with Shae and Dak. He shows NaShae the new plates he bought for their use and helps set up for a snack for all of them. Afterwards, he takes Dak and reads to him for a while from one of the books they have.
. o O (This is really very much larger than my village. I wonder where it all goes.)
Walks in the direction most people are walking until it gets crowded.
. o O (What a vibrant place. Oh! I hope nobody steps on me.)
Gets jostled around for a little bit before finding himself is the marketplace.
. o O (Well will ya lookit that.)
Grins broadly and begins walking about listening to people run through their everyday work.
Kywyn slings on his satchel and collects Hex before heading down the stairs and out into the street. He greets Mrs. Toadfoot as he passes the halfling woman in the hall.
---
[To Nobody's]
Boirin finds the directions to the warehouse easy enough to follow, and lurks in the shadows across the street from it, getting a feel for the guards patroling schedule.
The ranger, Tenseks, report of only seeing one guard is no longer acurate. Two armed men circle the outside of the building.
Boirin watches, and waits, until both are out of sight and dashes across the street, lock pick kit in hand. He squats down next to the door and proceeds to work on the lock, Before he can get it open, he hears one of the guards returning and is forced to retreat back to the shadows.
Once the coast is clear again, the rogue sets to work popping the lock again. He hears a quiet click as the tumblers move, and he cautiously opens the door.
He is greeted by the barks of what sounds like a rather large dog. A voice calls out from somewhere inside. "Shut that mutt up! "
Boirin is able to glance at the inside for a few second before a man holding the leash of a large dog can be seen moving towards the door.. Crates and barrells seem to occuppy most of what he can see.
Boirin closes the door as silently as he can, and starts to work on relocking it. He doesn't get the job done soon enough, the handle to the door starts to turn, and Boirin is forced to flee across the street again.
The door opens behind him, and a barking dog growls in his direction. Boirin sneaks back down the strret to where his companians are suppose to be waiting.
.oO( Do not lose yourself Kai...)
"Frank aint gunna like that."
"He's nervous about all the attention we've been getting lately."
This is madness he should have more men.
After exiting the Fox, he turns around and waits for his companion just beside the door.
.oO( Do not lose yourself Kai...)
Lucian follows Kai out the door quietly, leaning on his walking stick with each step.
.oO (He seems to becoming more warm.... I wonder what caused this thaw?)
Opening the door, Lucian follows his companion into Nobodies.
*Tensek grunts as he watches Darkar go in, an arrow pulled taught against his bowstring.*
This is madness he should have more men.
Rilla shrugs and squeezes her grip on her club. "Well we don't, so we'll just have to make do."
"It's what heroes do."
The Tealeaf boys nod in agreement.
Heroes only exist in books.
"Hermy exists."
Phil nods. "And he'll be in books one day too. His dad will write one."
*Tensek pauses and glances over to the twins and Rilla.*
Who is he a hero to?
Will nods. "Several times."
Rilla adds in her two copper. "You haven't heard of him? What cave have you been living in?"
"He's famous all the way to Dane."
"Who is going in?"
"And when? We should probably give him some time before we go charging in."
*Tensek pauses again to let his words sink in. Than speaks again.*
So he's a hero to the city? Or it's rulers? You still haven't told me what defines a hero. How does your Hermy solve problems? Does he just kill his foes? What has he done that's so heroic? Has he risked his life to save a child from a burnng home? Killing Dragons and giants and rescuing princesses is all well and good but what does your hero do with his earnings? Does he use it to help the people in the slums? Or does he use it for his own means? I suppose you strive to be like this Hermy. Risking your lives chasing some treasure and fighting off evil at all turns.
*Tensek turns his focus back to the warehouse.*
Adventurers aren't heroes they're ideals. A hero is a person who risks his or her life everyday simply to make a difference in the world. Teachers, guards, your parents, mentors, preists, those are the real heroes. Everythignm else is just static...
"Okay, there are two guards patroling now, inside I saw at least a guard dog and at least one guard. I'm not sure exacltly how many there are..."
"I wasn't able to relock the door, so we better move quick before an alarm is sounded and we all get routed, okay. Any suggestions as to what we do?"
Will continues his brothers statement. "And our guard."
Rilla nods. "And he's sorta a parent to some of his students. He is a hero."
The Tealeafs nod.
"Hermy's saved a lot of children. That's what he was doing in Brannons Run when he first started training his students. He nots only saved a child, he helped one be born."
"Hermy solves problems how ever they need to be solved. If he has to slay a few dragons to do that he does."
"He even helps old ladies across the street when there aint nothing more threatening happening."
"Sometimes nine or ten times if the lady can't remember where she's going."
"Unless they are very stupid they know something up."
He teaches you to throw your lives away chasing a silly ideal? Brannon's run is a community of halflings. Does he help just his own people? And elderly? What about the people in the slums? Does he try to help them? Or does he just dismiss them? Tell me what has he taught you to do when you meet a goblin? Is his answer to simply kill it? Has he ever shown you that goblins aren't all blood thirsty and evil? What about the guards who revere Demmion? Are they evil because they pray to a god who embodies war? Anyone can help deliver a child. It takes a special person to take that child in and care for it as your own. Helping old women cross streets isn't heroic it's polite...
*Tensek cuts himself off.
Enough of this idle chatter if you believe in him than you believe in him. Just don't throw your lives away for something as idealic as heroism. Killing monsters doesn't make you a hero, it will just make you a monster as well. I should knwo I am one.
*Looking to Boirin Tensek nods than looks back to the warehous.*
It doesn't matter if they're prepared or not, we have to advance now. We'll take the two guards outside down first. Rilla you and Borin go around the back to watch the back door take the net with you and set it up so you can easily capture anyone who leaves through that way. Phil, Will, and you the guard you take up the main entrance. I'll go around the back with Rilla and Boirin. Just like we went over in the guild house. Remeber silent and swift. If they alert the men inside we've failed.
(hide +13, Move Silently +13, Listen +13, Spot +13)
One of the guards rounds the corner, oblivious to the three waiting for him at first, but then Rilla shifts her foot to get ready to charge.
The guard's eyes lock in on her position. "Hey! You there! Come out where I can see you!"
(Using Rapid shot, +11/+6/+11, damage :1d8+2, 1d8+2. 1d8+2 crit x2)
Will grins. "Then we shouldn't have no problems with one simple guard."
Both halflings raise their clubs, and wait for their signal to charge into battle.
[ooc: move to flank, tumble +13 to avoid aoo, attack if possiblie, dodge vs. guard]
Darkar/Nestor bows his head embarassed, but does not say much as he follows the guard inside.
That man starts towards the elf, "And he's late."
As Darkar looks around the warehouse, he sees several more people. Half a dozen men in workmans garb, busy stacking crates, another man with an ink quill and parchment moviing between the laborers jotting down notes, and another man holding the leash of a guard dog at the other end of the warehouse.
What he doesn't spot are the stolen weapons. They might be under a tarp in the corner but it's hard to say what is under that tarp.
"This is going to be the last one. Someones on to us."
"Quit while we are ahead and all that."
He watches as the bag is taken to the corner and slid under the tarp.
"You might want to consider heading out of town. Once those weapons show up in circulation, they will know it was an inside job."
"I already knew that, but I wanted to get all of you as well. So if you do not want to get hurt I suggest that you surrender and come quietly to jail, this building is completly surrounded."
The two men with the dogs let go of their leashes, with commands of "Kill" issued at them.
The dogs charge towards the elf, snarling, growling and with bared teeth. They weave through the rows of crates, and are almost upon him.
The workman all make a break for the front door, dropping whatever they were holding. The note taker ducks down out of sight behind some barrels.
The two men that had been holding the dogs at bay duck for cover, drawing hand crossbows as they slide behind some crates.
Darkar notices a door to an office near the tarp opening and a man in half plate steps out from iit, a heavy crossbow in hand.
Iniative:
Dogs 22
Well dressed man 19
Darkar 18
Thugs 13
Armored Man 10
Workers 10
Foreman 5
Dravenous makes sure his guards uniform is plainly visable to the man.
"We've had some reports of suspicious activity in this area. Can I ask you a few questions?"
The man patroling stops and shrugs. "Sure. Always glad to help out the city guard. What do you need to..."
The sounds of dogs barking fills the night air as the door to the warehouse is thrown open, and a man comes running out. Dravenous points at him. "Stop him!"
Will and Phil move after the man.
"So you wish to add further crimes to your list by attacking me?" he shouts above the growing din.
"That is a more severe penalty than stealing the weapons, there is no escape, but there is mercy for those that surrender peacefully. Aggressors will not be tolerated."
Looking around, he doesn't see a back door in, though there is a blacked out window about four feet off the ground.
The man in the half plate thrusts his hand out, and bellows out a comand. "THE WRATH OF kAKODEMMION TAKE YOU!"
Darkar feels a wave of energy wash over him, but shakes away the feeling of doom that threatened to overtake him.
The remaing workers make it out the front door, and the foreman is nowhere to be seen.
The two dogs slam into Darkar from oppisite directions. Darkars blade cuts deeply into one, causing it to yelp and hesitate with its bite, but the other rips into the elfs leg tearing it open.
The welldressed man fires a hasty shot at Darkar before ducking behind his own cover. "You'll never take me alive!"
Darkat takes 4 and 1 non lethal points of damage
"Your choice has been made then, I was only concerned with the recovery of the weapons and the apprehension of the thieves, but if you wish violence that is your folly."
The Tealeaf boys split up and both start chasing fleeing men. "Get back here! You are inder arrest!"
"Hey! Stop running!"
Dravenous swallows a lump in his throat and raises his quarter staff. "I can't do that."
"Your problem, not mine."
The short sword flashes but is blocked by a well placed thrust of the staff, Dravenous counters and slams the end of his weapon into the warehouse guards gut.
The second dog darts under the rapier thrust, and nips at Darkars legs, failing to reach flesh.
Three more bolts sail past the elf, none close.
The armored man points at Darkar again. "THE WRATH OF kAKODEMMION TAKE YOU!" A dark cloud of doubt engulfs Darkars mind. He can't hope to survive this assualt for much longer.
Phil continues chasing after one of the fleeing workers. "I said you were under arrest! Are you deaf!"
Will having lost his intended target turns to go help Dravenous. A large bloody dog jumps out of the doorway to the warehouse and growls at him.
Dravenous takes 4 and 1 non lethal points of damage
The armored man fires his crossbow, the bolt glances off Darkars ribs.
Out of the corner of his eye, Darkar sees the well dressed man lifting a vial to his lips, and then the man dissapears.
Darkar takes three and one subdual points of damage.
The thugs both take unsuccesful shots before running towards the armored man, reloading as they run.
Phil finally gives up the chase and turns around just in time to see Will falling under the bite of a very large and very bloody dog. Will screams in pain.
A second, equally bloody dog slinks out of the warehouse, moving to his companians side. Will's screams stop.
*Tensek issues his companion the command as he lifts up the window above them and peeks through.*
(spot +13)
Nor does it open to Tenseks tugging.
Can you deal with this?
"It sounds like one of the boys!"
The gnome starts running towards the front of the building.
*The ranger curses inwardly to himself as he launches an arrow at each dog.*
[+11/+6 1d8/1d8]
The warehouse guard over extends on a thrust, and dravenous takes advatage of it and thwacks him on the back of the skull with the end of his staff. He crumples in a heap.
The dog that was missed gives it's fallen companian a quick glance and then savages the form at its feet again.
Phil cries out as he rushes towards his brother. "Will!"
Rounding the corner, Rilla echoes the words, and rushes towards the the dog,club held high and ready.
[+11, 1d8]
Dravenous drops his staff and sprints to the fallen halflings side, wiping awat the dogs blood and the halflings to get a good look at the wounds. He starts putting pressure on the most serious injury.
"You.. Phil? Run and fetch the healer Natala. Tell her it's an emergancy."
"Rilla start ripping me some bandages from his ... whats left of his shirt."
He casts a glance at the ranger. "You! Get in there and help Sir Shadowood!"
The bleeding doesn't seem to be slowing.
[+11/+6/+11, 1d8+2/1d8+2/1d8+2, x2]
Dravenous finally gets the major wound under control and Rilla starts wrapping up the smaller cuts. Phil hesitates for a second and then takes off running.
After a quick inspection of the window, Boirin figures out the simplest way to get it open. Wedging his blade under the bottom of it, he snaps the latch and then pulls the window up. Looking inside he sees a man on the ground crawling towards the window. The man gasps in shock. "What the... Who..."
"Hush, girl, hush," he says, raising the blowdart to his lips.
A moment later, Kiara feels a sting in her chest. Paralysis radiates out from the dart, and she topples to the ground, conscious but immobilized. The man's canvas apron rustles as he shuffles over and hunkers down next to the dog.
"Very nice, very nice, you'll do just fine."
He hefts her in his arms and takes her downstairs to a stone-flagged basement, then places her on a stone slab table.
"Yes, you'll be a lovely trophy."
The dog's range of vision allows her to see some of the stuffed animals and monsters lining the walls. She can't move her eyes, but the paralysis does not hide the pain when the cutting begins.
"Shut the door, there is an invisible man trying to escape!"
Quickly he rolls towards the half-plate man trying make it difficult to be flanked by the other thugs. However when he finds his feet again he favors his ribs where the bolt hit earlier, but he is trying to set half-plate up for a taste of true fear. (tumble+12 bluff+7)
[+11/+6/+11, 1d8+2, 1d8+2, 1d8+2]
The two thugs each fire a bolt at Darkar and then continue running, dropping the spent crossbows and drawing shortswords as they reach the jackal Knight, One of the bolts scitters off into the wall but the other catches Darkar in the back.
One of the thugs drops before his sword clears leather, three of Tenseks arrows sticking up out of his back.
"Wrath or not I will not fall because of you."
[+11/+6/+11, 1d8+2, 1d8+2, 1d8+2]
The remaing thug takes advantage of the seconds of shock going through the elf and slips behind him, and slides his blade into the Jackals ribcage. Before he can twist it too much, he is knocked away by a pair of arrows from the rangers bow.
The thug gives the ranger a scowl, and retrieves his sword.
Forgot to list the bolt dmage to Darkar last round. 3 and 1.
He wasn't so lucky this time. 9 and 1 from the mace. 7 and 1 from the sword hit
Total so far 26 and five out of 57
"Care to try that one again? I still have plenty of blood in my body, but I think your throat can not take much more."
[+11/+6/+11, 1d8+2/1d8+2/1d8+2 crit: x2]
*Aramil eventually makes his way to Mirri's house after a speedy exit from the SSAG. He takes some time to calm himself down and catch his breath. He inspects his fine craftsmanship one last time before he'll hand it over to Mirri. Then he knocks on the door and waits for an answer.
Perry peeks out the window, then opens the door.
Hello Mr. Dunskar! Come in please, he says breathlessly, then belatedly sketches a bow.
Mirielle comes down the stairs, smiling broadly when she sees that Aramil has a bundle in his arms.
Aramil, hello, so good to see you! Are you enjoying your axe?
The knight almost casually runs him through, and then spins around and with two quick arcs of his swords, drops the thug as well.
Tensek the ranger finds himself without a standing target.
"Tensek guard the door, and let no one in until I say that it is alright."
Quickly Darkar scans the warehouse for others, I know there was the man with the books. The well dressed man disappeared over there, but where could he get out besides the front door?
(If Darkar sees Boirin or the foreman he asks the foreman to surrender and wait by Tensek. If he does not Darkar attempts to render him unconcious. Boirin he asks to shut the window and assist him in searching the warehouse for the well dressed man or another way out.)
[spot +13]
Perry peeks out the window, then opens the door.
Hello Mr. Dunskar! Come in please, he says breathlessly, then belatedly sketches a bow.
Mirielle comes down the stairs, smiling broadly when she sees that Aramil has a bundle in his arms.
Aramil, hello, so good to see you! Are you enjoying your axe?
*Aramil bows low to both Perry and Mirrelle as she comes down the stairs. He smiles to her question and taps his axe handle as he reply's.
"Good day ter ye Mirri, oh and yes I do thank ye fer askin, though I haven't had much time ter use it, when I did though it worked out splendidly. You have a lot of talent for makin me weapon more powerful. But enough of that. Well I finally finished it. Here is your Mithril Shirt.
*With that Aramil unwraps the chain shirt and holds it up to Mirrelle for her to take and inspect it.
It hardly weighs a thing, compared to Gamis' armor...
She turns the chain over in her hands, inspecting the workmanship.
It's absolutely lovely, Aramil. It'll do just fine at taking a magical enhancement, too.
She grins happily at the dwarf.
Would you like some cookies? They're a little scorched, I'm afraid...
Turning he wipes the blade of his short sword as he sheaths it. Looking more closely at the door he sees that it is Tensek. His technique with the bow reminds me of A'maelhin, Darkar thinks to himself.
"Tensek guard the door, and let no one in until I say that it is alright."
Quickly Darkar scans the warehouse for others, I know there was the man with the books. The well dressed man disappeared over there, but where could he get out besides the front door?
Darkar too can see Boirin at the window, and he appears to be looking at something on the ground. What that something is is blocked from his line of sight by the crates between them.
He can not see the invisable man.
Boirin realises that he doesn't have a target, but loads the light crossbow anyway standing up and peering around for another target.
Boirin spies a man crawling towards the window. A few rolled parchments cluthched in his hands.
*Tensek plucks two arrows from his quiver and splitting the arrows between his fingers he nocks them against his bow and looks around teh room.*
Tensek sees the varios crates and barrels in the warehouse, and Lucien at the far end of it, looking through the window.[/i]
Ooohhh, Mirielle sighs happily, taking the chain shirt in her hands.
It hardly weighs a thing, compared to Gamis' armor...
She turns the chain over in her hands, inspecting the workmanship.
It's absolutely lovely, Aramil. It'll do just fine at taking a magical enhancement, too.
She grins happily at the dwarf.
Would you like some cookies? They're a little scorched, I'm afraid...
*Aramil smile spreads across his face from ear to ear as he hears what Mirrelle has to say about his chain shirt. He bows low again and replys to her:
"Thank ye, I'd hoped you would like it. And i'm afraid that I'll need to take a rain check on those cookies. I would like to catch up on some things back at the guild. Thank ye fer the offer though. Good bye."
*With that Aramil takes one last bow to Mirrelle and then leaves her house and makes his way back to the guild. He takes his time though as he walks seeing as how he had to practically run here.
.oO(Well now that that is over with, I can start earnin me money now :D )
Moving the tarp firther up or lowering it back towards the ground only cause more clicks to come from the direction the wire leads.
Darkar moves to the tarp, and starts to lift it up when his ears here a very quiet clicking sound. He notices a small wire attached to the bottom of the tarp that leads underneath it towards the wall.
Moving the tarp firther up or lowering it back towards the ground only cause more clicks to come from the direction the wire leads.
Pausing from heading over to Boirin his eyes go wide and wonders it this a trap or some other secret? Setting the tarp back down the elf carefully moves to investigate where the wire goes to the wall trying to see if it is a trap or some other secret. Also he struggles to remember if he saw the tarp move anytime durning the battle that would indicate the invisible man heading this way.
Darkar is able to spin out of the way of one of the spears that soar through the tarp at him, but not out of the way of the other two. One grazes his arm, but the other catches him in the knee nearly breaking it.
Darkar takes 16 and 3 points of damage, total so far is 42 and 8
The pain in his knee is intense and causes him to fall. Reeling around onto the knee that is not sore Darkar braces himself staring in disbelief at the trap.
How did they put the bag under there in the first place without triggering the trap?
Moving closer he tries to see if there is any further danger before he attempts to lift the tarp again. (Starting at the wall and moving backwards along the edge of the tarp.
There does not appear to be anything else suspicious.
In the desk drawer are a few small bags of gold. Each if the ten bags holds thirty gold coins.
Did you want to find your invisible man anytime this evening?
She's my companion. An able bodied tracker that would rival some of your bets men.
"How long would it take you to get Kiara?"
She's by the back window.
"Good, I will wait by the door while you go get her. Between the two of you the man should be found soon if he is still in the building. Careful though he is armed, but I think we need him alive."
*With a nod Tensek leaves Darkar guarding the door and jogs around to the back to where Kiara is kneeling down he pats his companion on the head with a smile.*
Come on girl you've got work to do.
*Bounding after him as Tensek makes his way back to the front door. As he reaches it he raises his hand and knocks to let Darkar know he's back.*
Opening the door greets Darkar with a shock, Kiara it seems is a dog.
"Kiara?"
*Tensek allows himself a small smirk.*
Of course what did you expect?
Darkar Shrugs, "I last saw the well dressed man over there before he disappeared." He points in the general area. "I will guard the door while you search."
*Tensek and Kiara move towards the spot Darkar pointed out, crouching down Tensek allows Kiara to sniff around as he inspects the area.*
Do your thing girl.
[Kiara: Listen +5, Spot +5, Survival +7.]
[Tensek: Listen +13, Spot +13, Survival +13]
She growls and bares her teeth at the foreman.
"Okay, stand up, slowly, drop the scrolls and put your hands on your head. If you don't I will shoot you here and now."
Good girl.
*Tensek strolls over to where the and Boirin foreman are.*
Where are the others?
She stares at Will's face. "Is Will going to be allright?"
Unless he's severly mistaken, it appears to Dravenous that the halflings life threatening wounds have been taken care of.
"I just work here. I don't know what others you are talking about."
"My crew? They all ran when the Jackal started threatening us."
"Mister Dobbs? I don't know where he went either. I suspect he ran too."
Darkar can't find anything to indicate the well dressed man left. But he can't find anything to indicate he didn't either.
"Did you the invisible man?"
"Answer all his questions or you'll wish the watch was here to keep you in a cell."
"But it's not much.."
Rilla shakes her head. "I'm fine. Not even a scratch."
She stares at Will's face. "Is Will going to be allright?"
Unless he's severly mistaken, it appears to Dravenous that the halflings life threatening wounds have been taken care of.
"He is going to be fine. He just needs some rest and a little more care before he regains his strength," says the guardsman as he finishes his treatment.
He this looks at all the bodies lying around to make sure that they are not going anywhere.
Here's one of them I suspect he isn't what you're looking for.
*Calmly Tensek asks Darkar.*
Is there anything here that I could use for this invisible man's scent?
If he dropped the bottle that he drunk the potion out of you could try that. The only other thing would be look for his hand crossbow or some of the bolts that he fired. He shot at me at least twice and missed they should be near some of the crates over there.
He points to the spots he was using for cover.
[Search +2]
The dog merely sniffs at the bolts and wags its tail, and there is no sign of the vial.
"Boirin you go around the walls working inward in straight lines, and Tensek you start as close as you can to the center of the warehouse and do a spiral search outward to the walls with Kiara. Take as long as nessacary I need to know if the well dressed man is still here or not.
Also listen carefully he might give himself away if you force him to move and then you can hopefully drive him to a corner. Commincate with each other with hand signals so it is quiet as possible. Leave the foreman with me and we will try and be very quiet so as not as to disturb you."
(Telling Boirin and Tensek to take 20 searching the warehouse)
The foreman stands as still as possible, and tries to avoid looking anyone in the eyes.
Check those three to see if any are still alive. If they are we will have questions for them as well. Remove armor and weapons from them to a seperate pile from the weapons. There are some bags of gold in the office, and count them up. If they are not from the sale of the stolen weapons I will be dividing that up among you as part of your reward."
"Did something happen to Will or Phil?
Dravenous is kind enough to explain that the dogs caught Will when he came back from chasing one of the men escaping. Tensek, Boirin, and Rilla came to their aid and got the dogs off in time so Will still has a good chance to make it. Dravenous sent Phil to get Natala to come and help hopefully she should be here soon. Darkar looks about and realizes Kiara might be able to track the well dressed man from outside better.
"Dravenous go in the warehouse get Tensek and his dog to help see if you can track down the well dressed man Mr. Dobbs. I will wait here with Rilla for Natala, and then we will go get some more help from the Jackals in retrieving the weapons."
Dravenous then continues into the warehouse and then toward Tensek. He informs him that he was told to get him and Kiara to help with finding Mr. Dobbs.
Rilla starts to head off with them.
Let's go than.
"What shall I do?"
Check those three to see if any are still alive. If they are we will have questions for them as well. Remove armor and weapons from them to a seperate pile from the weapons. There are some bags of gold in the office, and count them up. If they are not from the sale of the stolen weapons I will be dividing that up among you as part of your reward."
Turining back to Rilla
"Rilla if you still wanted to I could use your help as well.
[ooc:seach +11]
[occ Survival: +10, +12 if human]
*****************************************************
None of those that raised arms against the Darkar and company are still breathing. Boirins search nets him two sets of studded leather, a heavy shield and a suit of very intricate half plate as well as two light crossbows and a heavy one. There are also two short swords and a mace that do not have the Jackal's emblem on them. The 12 bolts on the armored man seem well made.
He also finds five vials of some sorts of liquid, two scrolls and a wand. Three bags of a sticky substance and two flasks of alchemist fire. There is also a strange rock, two sunrods, and two sets of very well crafted picks and locks on the three corpses.
The ten bags of thirty gold each that Boirin finds in the office have no markings on them, and if there was any clue what the money was for it was burned along with the rest of the paoperwork in the office. There is around 80 gold, 200 silver, and three jeweled rings on the bodies of the two thugs.
*******************************************************
Draevenous and tensek find several sets of human tracks leading away from the warehouse, but there is one set Kiara seems more interested in. /the dog takes off foloowing a trail that heads south. Both the men can see the occasional track of a soft souled boot as they follow after.
Plus there is the matter of what we will be giving to everyone in appreciation of their assistance. Since Will and Phil are heading back to the Silver Sword, I thought you could represent them when everything is divied up."
"I just stood around and watched mostly."
Finally see starts barking at a man in nice clothes at the end of the street. The man gives the group one look and then starts running.
"You kept watch over the guard while he was tending Will right? He was at a serious disadvantage, and your watching and protecting probably helped Will as well. I would not call that nothing. Rilla you may have not of had a major role to play, but without you doing what you did things could have turned out different."
Rilla shrugs, and then smiles. "I suppose so."
"I'd be much happier if I could have done something more heroic though. I doubt Minto will write a song about standing watch."
She follows Darkar back to the compound.
OOC: Spilled a drink on the password I wrote down :embarrass
*Tensek says as he stops and pulls back on his bow drawing a bead on the well dressed man's leg the ranger fires at the running man.*
[+13 to hit, 1d8+2 x2]
[20 ft, x4 Run]
"Join me?" the frog peeps from the water.
"No, thanks," Kywyn returns, "Never did learn how to swim very well."
After a long moment in the cool breeze, Kywyn stands and Hex climbs out of the pool. The familiar makes a prodigious leap all the way to Kywyn's arm and sticks there, glossy black skin standing out against Kywyn's near-white sleeve.
The two finish their circuit home and arrive at the Toadfoot Apartment within minutes. Kywyn brings out his new brushes and colors to show Dak and Mon'Qui, explaining how the basic colors could be mixed to make basically any color in the rainbow. Sounds like magic to Dakarai, and Kywyn guesses it is in a special way.
How far away is he?
---
[To Temple of Ordemet]
[ooc: 5 ft. step back; ready to throw javelin if he runs]
. o O (I've never been here before.)
Walks past the south gate and looks beyond it.
. o O (Wow...)
"This place isn't all glitzy and glittered."
"I bet these people could use some cheering up!"Trots down into the slums. Ten feet in finds a man, lying against a wooden box.
"Hi there!"
Man: "SOD OFF!"
Treetrip: Jerks in suprise. "But I just meant its a good da..."
Man: "Shut up and Sod. OFF! Godamn fat-nose gnome."
Treetrip: "Slowly turns and walks back through the south gate."
. o O (Sweet Ordemet. He's vicious. I bet he's just had a bad day. Any other day he'd have been a great guy.)
Faith resumed trots off to another part of town.
"My word, Aramil ye must tell us who yer friend is. He looks an a lot like ye, if I had ter say it I would say he's yer twin."
*The other dwarves nod their heads in agreement. Aramil and Oskar look at each other and burst out laughing, only causing confusion to the other dwarves, and getting some odd stairs from the dwarves in the Hungry Pelican. Aramil calms down and shakes his head.
"He ain't me twin, far from it. He's me older brother Oskar, he came down ter visit me fer a while. So I brought him here ter meet ye guys."
*The other dwarves shake their heads and Thangel speaks up again.
"Sorry about my comment to the both of ye. It's just that ye two look so durned alike."
*This draws another short outburst of laughing from the Dunskar brothers then Oskar speaks up.
"Oh don't ye worry about it, if ye knew us then ye know that we are brothers, but only by birth and looks, other then that we do nothing alike. Which has caused a number of fights between us."
*Aramil smiles at this comment and replys.
"Oh but ye know its just fer fun. Anyways let me introduce ye to the table."
*With that Aramil beings to introduce the entire table to Oskar, and one by one as Aramil calls their names, the individual dwarf stands up and bows to Oskar, who nods his head in return.
"So Oskar now that ye know everyone, how about a game of dwarven bowlin? Or are ye two scared that I'll beat ye like I always do?"
*Oskar looks at Aramil with a cold stare then laughs in Aramil's face.
"Of course I'll play, and I'm going ter beat ye bad."
*With that Aramil and Oskar lead the other dwarves to the back where they play a rousing game of Dwarven Bowling. And when they are done they come back into the bar to talk.
"Arg... that can't be, how can we tie? I was sure that I beat yer stickin butt."
"Oh quite yer blabbering. Ye know that I beat ye fair and square, but the score says that we tied, so we tied. Now there are other ways that we can settle this score....."
*Oskar trails off leaving Aramil to think of what they can do to see how is the winner.
"Ye don't mean what I think ye mean? A drinking contest?"
"Exactly."
"Then bring it on and don't hold back cause I want ter win fair and square."
"Oh don't ye worry."
*And then it began, the two brothers began their drinking contest until the point where they both fell unconsious at the same time, still not settling who won. They both woke up drowzy and their heads where spinning. Aramil smiles since he hasn't been this drunk in a long time. He pays the bartender for their drinks then leads Oskar back to the SSAG so each of them can get some sleep.
The dagger bites in deeply.
Dravenous takes 3 and 1 damage. He had previosly taken 6. So his current total is 7/17 with 1 non lethal.
[ooc: ready attack for when he comes into melee range, combat expertise -2 on the attack, +1 dagger 1d4]
The man wobbles a bit and then crumbles, bleeding profusly from his neck.
Moving him is no an option though.
Think you'll be able to protect him while I go back to fetch that healer from the warehouse?
"It was just a dream..." ([i]=elven)
.oO(Who am I trying to convince?)
*looks down at her shaking fists, staring at them blindly*
"Talleran would have come to me... told me there was more to do. Gods damn! I didn't forget him!"
.oO(Oh? I did a good job of dropping everything and hiding by my book.)
"Shut up! I had to. Besides, how am I supposed to go looking for a ghost?!"
Fern's monologue is interrupted by a nearby window slamming open; a burly man leans out and yells at her.
"Oy! You! Shut the 'ell up! Some of us is trying' to get a decent nights sleep!"
.oO(Had to? Please! I didn't have to do anything. There were so many things that I could have done differently, but no...)
*slams her fist into a nearby wall*
"SILENCE!"
.oO(Listen to yourself. Good advice that.)
"Where in Demmion's name are you when things go wrong!?"
.oO(Right here, where I always am. You're just to bloody stupid to listen when your precious skin is on the line.)
The man retreats from his window, though by the sound of his voice it isn't because of Fern.
"No dear, put the crossbow away, I'll deal with it ... I didn't mean ... No I don't think that ... Dear, if you shoot her the guards will have to investigate ... Yes, I'll shut her up, just give me a minute."
A moment later a door opens and the man walks out in his night-shirt. He hefts a club and glances up and down the now empty street before trudging back inside and slamming his door behind him.
"Bloody vagabonds."
Before casting a minor healing spell she examines the emergancy measures taken by Dravenous and gives him a nod of approval. "It seems you've saved two lives today Mister Dravenous. They were lucky to have a skilled healer close by."
"At least the first one. I suspect this man might have been better off if you hadn't been around at all'
[Use Rope +7]
"We both have our jobs to do Mister Dravenous. I just did mine, like you were doing yours."
She turns to lieave. "He should be in good enough condition to be taken back to the chapterhouse. He should regain conciousness in a few minutes so you won't need to carry him."
"If he co-operates that is."
Natala heads back towards her shop.
"I should learn more about this power, and it's a good use," Kywyn replies.
With a scrap of paper in his palm, Kywyn starts scratching out an image with a shard of blacklead. He is dressed for exercise, wearing loose, off-white pants and a short sleeved shirt.
The lines on the paper take on a life and, with a blinking, come to a sort of life.
The form is of a diabolic looking snake, a large constrictor like those found in warmer climes. Kywyn had never seen one in person; perhaps that is why the creature before him appears distorted in ways. The scales are onyx chips and its eyes are motes of fire.
Hex leaps away to hide in Kywyn's satchel. In the form of a frog, the familiar does not trust serpents.
Kywyn, however, can see it for what it is, just a shadow, a moving diagram of the thing it represents. Knowing this, the counterfeit snake's power is limited against him.
"Come," Kywyn commands, but the image does not respond.
Kywyn motions for it to approach while talking. It almost seems to comprehend but does not make any forward movement.
Kywyn makes the first move, stepping into the serpent's space, getting it to coil around his legs. The dark-haired man starts wrestling with the shadow snake.
"Restrain me," the man thinks to himself, "Like the chuul did."
He closes his eyes as the snake catches hold of him in its coils. He thinks back to the visions he saw of being held by black tentacles and wriggling free.
"The trick is not one of confrontation, it is one of assimilation," Kywyn recalls debating with Hex about the principle of motion.
"Strong where they are weak, welcoming where they are forceful, surprising where they are complacent..."
The fiendish constrictor takes Kywyn down to the tiled ground of the yard, wrapping around his arms and head. It is stronger, faster, and infinitely more flexible than Kywyn is, so Kywyn tries his best not to fight it. The man tucks his chin to his chest to protect his neck and twists to his side to relieve the steady pressure on his chest. Sensing a lapse in tenseness, Kywyn hooks his legs up and around one of the snake's coils. With his hips, he gains a measure of control on which way he is turned.
A grating hiss comes from the snake. It doubles back on its track and renews its grasp in Kywyn's stomach and then shifts up to Kywyn's head. Suffocating and almost blacking out, Kywyn wriggles to get his face free and utters a word of termination.
The thing dissolves and Kywyn is left breathing heavily on the ground. His frog hops over in two graceful bounds.
"Told you."
"..."
He would try again... just not right now.
"Oi dunna see wots so excitin about them buildin a few targets. Even if they oar on wheels."
Minto shrugs. "Dirkko just likes to see how things work. He's probabaly going to pester them about why they deceided to go with wheels to move the targets back instead of just skids or something like that."
Davvo nods. "Yeah. 'e's foinny loike that."
Minto and Davvo continue down the road, stopping occasionally for idle chit-chat.
Dravenous get's the ropes as tight as he can without reinjuring the man, Natala nods her approval and then brushes the dirt off her skirt.
"We both have our jobs to do Mister Dravenous. I just did mine, like you were doing yours."
She turns to lieave. "He should be in good enough condition to be taken back to the chapterhouse. He should regain conciousness in a few minutes so you won't need to carry him."
"If he co-operates that is."
Natala heads back towards her shop.
After thanking the healer as she walks away Dravenous turns back toward the prisoner to quickly search for any additional weapons he may have been carrying.
Search +4
At the same time the guardsman asks Tensek, "He isn't going to just walk with us. We are going to have to carry him back. And I am afraid that I won't be of much help holding him up."
He starts to come too, but appears to be a bit groggy.
Minto shakes his head vigourously. "Heavens no. I don't have a brother. A few sisters but I'm the only son."
"Really? He acts just like you."
"I've trained him a bit, but I assure you, other then a passing resemblance in stylish wardrobe we are worlds apart."
"I can not only dress well, and sing like an angel, I'can play a musical instrument with the best of them. Davvo can only sing."
"Has he tried? Have you tried to let him play your lute?"
Minto takes a step back. "Let. Him. Play. My. Lute?"
Minto shakes his head. "No, no, no, no, and another no."
"You just don't go around letting people touch your instrument. Especially someone who is more then likely to have jelly on his fingers."
"Sure, Davvo is cleaner then the other students. He actually knows that a towel is for drying off with, not a weapon, but he's still far to young to be trusted with my lute."
"Perhaps I could get him one of his own. Or maybe some other instrument. But not My lute."
Minto looks over at Davvo flirting with the girls. "Maybe a mandolin. The younger girls like mandolins don't they?"
The woman shrugs. "I've always been partial to harps myself."
Minto shakes his head. "Too hard to keep tuned. He's definetly not ready for that type of responsability."
The man hurumphs. "You can say that again. I hear those students of Sir Hermy's have even corrupted the Tealeaf boys. And they used to be fine upstanding lads."
"They still are."
"Brave ones too. Just last night they helped stop a major smuggling opperation."
The man snorts again. "What's wrong with following in their fathers footsteps and becoming respectable haberdashers?"
Minto reaches up and takes off his hat. "While their is certainly a lot of honor to be had in creating a well made hat, it's not for everyone."
"And it's not for Will or Phill. I'm aftaid they lack the proper sense of fashion to excel at that profession."
"But they will make fine adventurers. Or city guardsman. Possibily even heroes."
The man spits on the ground. "Nonesense. Basic hand eye cooordination is all they need to make a respectable living. And there isn't a halfling alive who aint got that."
Minto shakes his head. "If you want all the hats to look like yours that's true.' Minto tilts his head towards the ragged felt hat on the mans head. "But I refuse to contribute to that type of abomination, and I'll do my damnedest to save others from that fate as well."
With a flourish, Minto dons his hat, straightens the feather and gives the woman a small bow and then goes off to retrieve Dirkko.
Dravenous gathers vials and weapons from the man as well as the bag and purse, leaving the torch and his clothes on him.
Up and at 'em, time for a walk.
The alley behind the Toadfoot Apartment is empty when Kywyn heads out into it. The breeze blows through, channeled by the surrounding structures. The sky is clear for now as the light-clad man moves through the alternating shadow and light.
---
[To Market]
It is NOT funny to chase my apprentice!
She scoops up the oversized weasel, giving her an admonitory tap.
I'm sorry, Perry... Her sense of humor is lacking, at times.
Perry sniffles, wipes his nose on his sleeve, and replies She's bloodthirsty!
Er... well, she is a weasel...
Mirielle adjusts her grip in a frantic motion as the spell fades and Ixchal returns to her normal size. She chirps disappointedly, and Miri shakes her head.
No, Ix, I'm not casting the spell again until it's needed. Perry is NOT a toy, he's a person!
As Minto approaches where the targets are being set up, he spies Dirkko talking to several older halfling men. Minto steps up next to the boy.
"Dirkko isn't getting in the way is he?"
The men all indicate that he isn't. Most of them continue working, one smies and puts a hand on Dirkko's shoulder. "On the contrary your boy here has a few good ideas."
"Not for this contest mind you, but perhaps for one in the future sometime. We want this one to be a bit straight forward. It's not just going to be rock throwing. Or us halflings."
"It's not?"
The other halfling shakes his head. "Sir Hermy has a lot of friends among the bigger folk. We figured we should do something they might have a chance in."
"So there will be an archery tournement as well."
Minto nods. "Sounds reasonable."
"Ya wouldn't happen to know if Sir Hermy has anything he'd be willing to put up as a prize for the winner, would you?"
"Providing he don't win it of course."
"If it were just us halflings I'm sure one of Iris Toadfoots pies would do, but the bigger folk don't seem to show the proper appreciation for pastry."
"No, as a general rule they don't." Minto sighs. "I don't think Hermy will be able to help with the prize though."
"I know he would like too, but... well he just doesn't have anything he could give. Everything he owns, well it tends to fit in his pockets or he wears it. Heroing hasn't been as profitable as you would think."
"I can make more in a week singing then he's made in the last few years."
"I know I'm good and all, but..."
The other halfling shrugs. "I'm sure we can come up with something anyhow. More incentive for Sir Hermy to win anyhow."
Minto exhales. "I can always compose a song for the winner."
"Immortality isan't too bad of a prize."
The halfling laughs. "And I'm sure you'll find away to slip Sir Hermy's name into it a few dozen times as well."
Minto grins. "Of course."
To the Jackals
"When the weapons are returned here I need a small group of guards to come and lock this warehouse down. If the well dressed man or the owner shows up I want them brought in for questioning. We should be finding out soon who owns the warehouse. If they are responsible for the theft as well Lord Malifaeyr might become the owner of this warehouse. Also call someone from the Church of Ordemet to assist with the bodies. Perhaps they will be able to preform some rites for them. The one man was a Demmonite I believe."
To Rilla and Boirin
"Lets head back to the chapterhouse to wait for Tensek and Dravenous. Then we can decide what to do with everything. Hopefully they found the well dressed man, but if he got away there is not much we can do about that."
Is the last one to leave and shuts the door to the warehouse.
Where did they go now...
The sum of the safety gear provides little significant protection to his overall form, but Kywyn has grown accustomed to wearing the gear. Especially the gauntlets, which at one time were his only barrier between the dark touch and those around him. He needed the separation in more ways than one. The young man wanted to meet an imagined destiny but didn't realize you can't see your own in isolation. You need the world just as the world needs you. The stone skipped across a pond doesn't see the ripples it causes.
Stepping outside into the yard, he raises his hand to shade his eyes from the sun. Hex clings to his shoulder and moves to a more comfortable position.
"Try again?"
"Yeah. I'll keep trying. It was too big last time. I'll start small."
Kywyn spends some time warming up: stretches for every ligament, repeated jumps of various configurations, and a period of static stances to center himself. He moves on to a shortened unarmed form, with a mixture of fluid motions and sudden shifts and strikes. From a lowered horse-riding stance, both arms to his left side, Kywyn shifts forward to swipe his hands out in a series of knife-hand strikes and palm pushes. Hopping onto one foot and then the other, he skips to the opposite facing and steps in a criss-crossing fashion, finally ending with a strong, circular kick. He stays in the one-legged stance for a moment, palms outstretched before him.
Picking up a stick from the grass and soil section of the yard, Kywyn crouches down and starts drawing in the earth. He mutters and voices an appeal to this lines as a shadow haze flows from his wrist down through his drawing tool.
The image is of an ape-like creature, something Kywyn figures would be a good grappler. He is determined to renovate his technique so as not to get caught as easily as he did on his last jaunt outside the city.
"Hmm... too big..." the raven-haired man thinks while looking at the size of the rendering's arms.
He rubs away some of the lines and redraws a thinner creature.
The lines flicker and a likeness of a light grey primate materializes in front of Kywyn. However, Kywyn may have overcompensated his drawing as the shadow animal is just a small monkey.
"Meh," Kywyn shrugs to himself, "Have to start somewhere."
And with a leap, Kywyn is upon the monkey which chatters and dashes away. Kywyn just manages to snatch ahold of an ankle. The monkey struggles in a volatile manner, and Kywyn must keep switching grips to keep it in control.
Eventually, Kywyn slaps on a bent arm lock, gripping his own forearm in a figure four hold to arm secure the creature's smaller arm in place.
"Gotcha," the man catches his breath.
The idea of the lock, of using the geometry of the physical body against itself, is an intriguing concept to Kywyn. Since he is of slight build and no taller than average, the lock provides a method to apply leverage with minimal reliance on strength once the hold is applied.
Kywyn looks up to see Dak staring at him from the apartment's back doorway. The little half-elf is widen-eyed and agape, mouth open in an O.
"Papa... why are your wrestling that monkey?" Dak asks.
"Just practicing, kid," Kywyn stands, holding the monkey by its wrist, "It's not really quite a real monkey... just a trick Papa knows."
While distracted in his talking, Kywyn doesn't see the monkey reach up with its free hand. The primate pulls itself up and bites Kywyn's gloved finger. The teeth still pinch Kywyn's flesh.
"Ow!" Kywyn releases the monkey and flings his fingers until the pain subsides.
He utters a sound and the monkey dematerializes as it runs on all fours into the shade.
"Okay, Papa?" Dak rushes to his father's side.
"Yeah, okay, Dak."
"Mama says it's time to eat."
Kywyn picks up the child, "Let's go, then."
Hex hops to join them, leaping up to be caught by Dak. The frog chirps once.
"Can I learn to call the monkey?" Dakarai looks up to Kywyn.
"Maybe someday. But you've already found your own monkey friend, right?"
Dak nods and they both hear the flutter of the invisible Mon'Qui nearby on the way inside.
In pale, loose clothes, Kywyn's form appears rather serene as he sits in the calm surroundings, listening to the wind blow through the trees. The leaves rustle in waves, a chaotic and formless vibration that helped Kywyn empty his thoughts.
"Aal."
The sound comes from a rock near the stairs. Kywyn looks around again but sees nothing.
Keeping his sight on the rock from which he swears the noise originated, Kywyn eventually catches the tuff of brown hair bobbing up. It is one of the smallfolk, a gnome Kywyn guesses. The diminutive figure is dressed in earth tones that match his colored skin, blending in seamlessly with the rocky hiding place.
"Hello?" the man asks softly.
The gnome props himself up and nods. He climbs atop the rock to sit facing the human.
"Aalreet, gadgie, can Aa've a mow of yer time?"
Kywyn struggles to filter through the accent as he nods.
"Hi, me nyame is Jackorjontal Dapplestarskin," the gnomes says, holding a brown cap in his hands, "Me an me brothers ahve seen yee in the market drawing fre fowk fowk a couple of times."
Kywyn doesn't like the idea of being watched in secret but accepts that he does not notice everything. And small gnomes like this could have been anywhere, like in the children's tales about such beings.
"Yes, that was probably me... Can I call you Jack?"
"Aye, Jackie is canny good. Well, wi were wondering if wi could commission yee te dee a bit of worrk. Yee see, weh Dapplestarskins are trying te stort up a business," Jacks says.
Kywyn looks at the gnome, trying to read any other motives, "What kind of business, Jack?"
"I think I could help you with that," Kywyn contemplates, "Something in ink. Probably a simpler design to be used. Shouldn't be too hard, just takes some brainstorming."
"Aye! Sounds geet. Wi eed summat tha says "Cookie!" an also "Delicious an Exotic"," Jack claps.
"One problem, wi canna really pay yee normally reet noo, aal wor money is tied up in getting a space an aal the papers. But wi can pay yee in cookies."
"Cookies?"
"Aye, cookies."
"We'll have to keep Dak away from eating too many," Kywyn thinks to himself.
"How many cookies are we talking about?" Kywyn asks skeptically.
"Aah, a fresh batch or two if yee leik, they are surprisingly filling. An a free sample when yee can stop bi," the brown-haired gnome grins.
If living near the halflings has taught Kywyn anything, it is that good food and simple pleasures are integral foundations for life and great things. He picked out the saying, "Truths are first clouds; then rain, then harvest and food," from some passing individual's banter, sounded like a halfling proverb to Kywyn.
"Alright, I'll see what I can do. I'm at a shop called Caitlynn's Crafts in the market from time to time. If you leave a note there, I'll get it. And if I finish, I'll leave a note for you there too. You alright with giving the store a batch of cookies as well?"
"Why, sure!" Jack stands atop the rock, "Wi won't forget yee once the store takes off. Might be a while though."
"It's hard to start," Kywyn agrees, "Good luck."
Jackorjontal Dapplestarskin dons his ruffled cap and jumps down from his rock. The gnome whistles to himself as he heads away toward the market.
"Guo-guo, little rock man is funny," a glossy black frog climbs out of the shadow to sit next to Kywyn on the step.
"I know, Hex. Seems nice enough though."
Kywyn returns to listening to the sound of the wind through the leaves.
"Won't be much of a party withouit the guests of honor, now then will it?"
The two heroes-to-be nod in approval, and after Davvo hands out a few good-bye kisses they head back towards the Silver Sword.
---
[To Market]
Sorry! I forgot... Is Miss Miri upstairs?
Ix moves aside, and Perry thunders up the stairs.
Miss Miri! There's going to be a big party in the halfling quarter!
Yes, Miss Miri! A big party, the whole neighborhood! Some lost guy showed back up... Woodstone, Woodbone, Woodthrone? Something like that.
Chuckling, she turns back to her papers, then stops.
.oO(Woodstone? Maybe... Woodhome? Gamis said he was going after his long-lost father...)
Perhaps we should go to the party, then...
Further down at the end of the street, a game of rock throwing starts. A few dozen halfling men take turns tossing rocks at a target that is moved back ten feet after everyone has thrown. A few observerrs cheer and jeer as the competition continues.
A few minstrels park themselves at unoccupied corners and start singing and playing. Circles of dancers soon surround them.
A large scowling half orc drives a cart filled with kegs of ale to the center of the area, and a middle aged halfling with a thick accent taps the first one and hands out drinks to the rapidily gathering partygoers. ""No pushin! Thar's enough fer everyone me boyos!"
An old human male matches Grack's scowl. "There hads better be. I didn'ts come into this pit just ta show you all up in the archery contest." He pushes a very large mug at Marroc for a refill.
Children rush around, tossing balls and spinning hoops. Groups of gossipers gather, trying to be the first to spread the news that the guest of honor have arrived.
The light-clad man passes a grated catchbasin, a dark hole into the sewers and middens. He wonders how those old passages and tunnels were constructed. He has only been underneath once, not out of curiosity but out of necessity the one time the Avowed compound was breached. Kywyn has seen many towns that did not even have such a disposal system, definitely not in the rural areas. The sewers were the trademark of a real city. They were dirty, nasty, and taken for granted, no one cares about them unless they are not functioning. Could the cold wizard's information be correct? Could there be bad things lurking beneath the city streets?
Kywyn shakes his head. Is he crazy for even considering Ulerian's request? What could he hope to gain by risking himself down there. Who knows what types of dangers and diseases lie in wait?
Kywyn keeps walking but turns back to the sewer grate. He hears a whisper from below.
"I'min..."
[color=olive]"You really want to go down there?"[/color]
"I don't know. It's stupid, it's not fair to NaShae and Dak to go around endangering myself like that."
A flash of vision makes Kywyn blink. He thinks he saw something looking up from the sewer grate.
"Though... it seems like something interesting, something the Avowed might be interested in, something that should be investigated... children play in streets all the time. Something... I don't know, something I would do if I had a purpose..."
[color=olive]"Go with the flow."[/color]
"Nice choice of words. If I do go, it'll have to be with all the preparations possible. I should see what information I can gather," Kywyn shakes his head as he stands to continue home.
[color=olive]"Guo-guo, go or no go, fate doesn't care."[/color]
A man chooses his own fate. That's the saying, isn't it? Kywyn smirks internally at the melodrama he puts himself through. Even when you choose, can you really say it could have been different if you had chosen differently? A man goes with the flow, that's all man ever really does. The frog on his shoulder shows him the view of an outsider.
Kywyn reaches the Toadfoot Apartment and disappears into the building.
"Should get this done for Jack."
---
[To Market Square]
*Moving slowly through the darkened streets Tensek makes his way down the very alley he saw Kiara bound through in his dream earlier that night.*
(Listen +11, Spot +11, Move Silently +13, Hide +13, Survival +11, Add +2 to Listen, Spot, and Survival against humans.)
. o O (I'm in for great things if I keep living here, 'cause theres so many great things here!)
A bird flutters down and lands. It turns around, hops over and searches the ground. Finding the lack of bread bits unsatsifactory it stares up at him and waits.
"'lo there birdy. What are you doing. Is it something great?"
Black, avian eyes stare back, expectantly.
"My names Treetrip."
Black, avian eyes stare back, still expectantly.
"Okay then."
. o O (Lets see. Thats a pidgeon... I think at least.)
"You are a pidgeon, right?"
Black, avian eyes stare back, mildly expectantly.
"Not a talker, are you."
The bird hops forward again and searches the ground for the unsuprising lack of bread crumbs again and flitters off.
"Well, that was fun."
Absent mindedly begins to clean the ridge of his nose and suddenly realizes that he's, 'caught a big one.'
. o O (Gah! I can't let people catch me with my thumb up m'nose!)
Curls the rest of his fingers up and pretends to be itching his nose. With shifty eyes slides the object from his nose and drops his hand, slightly curled, but not curled enough to touch it, down to rest on his between his knees. Calmly looks right, then left and reachs under the bench, where he plants the offending object.
. o O (Ahh, not a single witne...)
Notices a little human girl, about the same size as him staring quite directly at the guilty hand. She droops her head and shakes it back and forth very seriously, like a mother.
Treetrip turns red.
Slips off the bench and stuffs his hands in his pockets. Turns away from the girl and walks resolutely forward.
"Oh. My. God."
Kywyn closes his eyes. In his loose-fitting, muted beige clothes, he is ready for another practice session. He keeps thinking about his hometown. He didn’t really miss the people. He had made peace with his family upon parting; he knew he needed space to grow, and he doubts he could go back. But the environment, the stark and cold setting, is something he longs for from time to time. It is part of him.
Kywyn kneels down and starts scratching out an image in the grass and dirt area of the yard. He draws clouds and naked winter trees. The horizon line is unblemished and circles of snow quickly fill the sky. The small earthen sketch takes him but a moment, and he utters some syllables of power as the darkness from his hand flows into the lines.
Illogically, snow begins to fall in an isolated section of the yard. Phantom clouds drop sleet down rapidly to cover the grass in white. Kywyn breaths deeply, expelling a visible stream of moisture.
In a land where sub-arctic temperatures are the norm in winter, there are some tactics that work better than others. A stern grappling style was the indigenous martial art and sport to the area of Fortitude Pass where Kywyn grew up. In the deep cold, a flashy, long range style of movement costs energy one cannot always afford. The systems that Kywyn picked up and started with were imported. From family friends, he found different tutors to train him in the branches focused on athleticism and internal fluidity. Kywyn learned some grappling but not enough, he thinks. Not when one has to travel in areas inhabited by dangerous beasts and has a perilous penchant for hand-to-hand combat. Kywyn relied on his dark touch and aura magics, but he has discovered that he could not always count on those abilities. He had to practice escapes and grappling defense.
Submission wrestling and ground grappling helps to conserve energy, using leverage to maximize the energy ones does spend while possibly giving an opening to rest while the opponent struggles. Kywyn touches the sleet on the ground. The snow could act as a cushion for falls sometimes as well, making some sacrifice moves involving a deliberate fall more viable.
In the snow, Kywyn draws with his gloved finger. He outlines the basic shape of a man but changes the proportions to something more primate-like. Voicing more sounds, the shadow tentacle again seeps into the lines. With a wavering, the image comes to life as the snow falls. A shadow image of an ape steps through the flurry.
The remote sleet storm might give Kywyn an advantage in terms of balance, but the ground would be a safer place to fight against the larger training partner. The nasty-looking ape simply drags its knuckles in the snow, as if awaiting an action.
“Alright,” Kywyn tells himself.
Kywyn risks a dash, almost slipping on the first step, but recovering in time to close in on the pretend primate. Kywyn jumps as the ape turns. The lithe man hooks his arm around the ape’s thick neck in midair and comes down on the creature’s back, locking in a sleeper neck hold. The ape growls and reaches back to get Kywyn off, but cannot quite find a grip. The ape falls to its back, crushing Kywyn underneath its weight.
Kywyn has the wind knocked out of him, but weakly keeps the hold locked. He scissors his legs around the ape’s torso in a grapevine hold.
”How can a shadow weigh so much?”
The ape starts rolling around, running Kywyn into the snowy ground each rotation. Finally Kywyn lets go before getting crushed any more. The ape turns and throws its massive arms around the dark-haired man in a bear hug.
Kywyn slips his an arm by his side before the hug is tightened, allowing him a small buffer space. With the other arm, Kywyn presses his forearm into the ape’s neck. However, when the ape lifts Kywyn off the ground, he finds he has no leverage at all to attempt a choke. He also has little chance of powering out.
He bends his trapped arm under the ape’s elbow and shoehorns himself, slipping downward from the grip. This maneuver buys Kywyn enough time to touch his feet to the ground and shift to the beast’s flank in a crouch. The ape twists and start leaning over to pick Kywyn up. Not willing to get snatched again, Kywyn falls back to his rear as the ape’s arm comes in. Kywyn grasps the large hand and wrist while throwing his legs around the upper arm of the ape. Leaning back, Kywyn finds a workable armbar position.
Too much strength, Kywyn realizes too late. The ape lifts its own arm with Kywyn trying to lock it. The adversary then slams Kywyn down, breaking the hold. Finding another bear hug, this time on the ground, the ape squeezes Kywyn securely. With both his arms free of the belt-like hold, Kywyn pushes off on the ape’s shoulders. Coiling himself against the creature’s chest and then kicking off to freedom, sliding some distance through the snow.
With this last burst of energy, Kywyn’s stamina is spent. The deadly embraces took away his breath. As the ape leaps toward Kywyn again with an almost playful look on its face, the sorcerer speaks the word of undoing and the shadow vanishes. About this time, the snow also melts away, returning the yard to its previous state.
”Better…” Kywyn rasps from the ground.
Mirielle carefully packed the packets of powdered herbs, minerals and compounds into her spell component pouch, the fastened it to her belt.
Don't look so dour, Perry. It's no picnic I'm going on, to tell an elderly couple that their only daughter is dead. I'm sure you'll have a good time spending the whole day with Gamis!
Perry shrugged, poking at the floor with his toe.
Suppressing a sympathetic grin, she ruffled his hair and went down the stairs, carrying the carefully wrapped ebony harp, relic of her late friend, the bard Ashina Warrich. Nodding to Gamis' enquiring look, she donned her cloak and walked outside. Gamis followed with her saddlebags and waited while she cast the spell creating a horse.
As the horse snorted and looked around, Gamis fastened the bags to the saddle, then turned to his fiancee. An embrace, a cautionary word, assurances that care would be taken, and she mounted and rode to the city gate.
. o O (Ohh, now that smells good...)
Veers towards the tavern, slipping his hand down to his coin purse.
. o O (Wow, thats gotten lighter since I arrived. I need to bring in come money somehow.)
Turns away from the tavern.
"I guess its time to start cooking normally. I wonder if theres a bakery nearby."
Meanders towards the smells of food.
Wearing his light-shaded, desert-style shirt over faded gray pants, Kywyn lifts a black frog onto his knee.
"See anything?"
[color=olive]"Guo-guo,"[/color] the frog replies simply.
. o O (Mmm? No, there wouldn't be a frog in a city silly.)
Walks on.
Hex ribbits again, [color=olive]"That one seems odd."[/color]
"You think that about almost everyone."
"Not that you're wrong..."
She smiles at the sound of festiveness and head towards the market to investigate
.oO(Did he change while I was gone or was he never as sinister as I made him out to be? Maybe having a child has changed him, I've heard it can. Or maybe it's been NaShae, love certainly does funny things to a person.) he wonders as he crosses between a row of tall houses.
*He sighs and decides to head back to Weatherby's and get some rest.*
I will stay with you two for a bit longer.
Once he tosses the last length of scarf over his shoulder he rests both of his hands onto the pommel of his blades.
Well...do either of you have an inn you prefer to stay at.
"And its some good food to not the dried salted meat that I have been feeding you. You are welcome to sleep in my room to if you wish Kai, but I figured you have some where to sleep. If you don't want to come along, we can meet at the gates tomorrow, say ten O’clock."
*Turns to go.*
"Oh yes, we can split the loot right now so we don't have to worry about it later.
*Carrying his half and leads off the peasant to Ms. Weathrby's.*
"You may keep that spear, so you can remember this and tell your grandchildren of your adventure in the woods."
*When Kai shows up Jace gives him his greetings and sets off in the direction the peasant indicates.*
[Beyond the walls
Once Jace and the peasent set off for the night, Kai moves down the street. With just enough light left, he goes to the closest smithy and purchases a heavy mace.
.oO(I'll be ready the next time...)
With his new mace in hand he returns to the Fox to get some rest. Just before sunrise, he meets up with Jace and leaves the city.
A white owl comes flying from the sky as he's knocking, landing on his shoulder and biting his ear playfully, carefull not to hurt him... too much.
Ouch!
oh, it's you Where have you been? Didn't see you leave last night. You're not seeing that hawk you met the other day, have you?The owl squaked eerfully and bit Tyros once more, on the same spot.
Very well, very well. No need to get angry. I was just asking. That never hurt anyone.
...
Quite an interesting hawk, though...
The owl flapped its wings in protest and Tyros hunched in reaction, laughing loudly.
Hi Tyros! You're late. Perry grins triumphantly. That means you have to scrub the cauldron!
Late? What do you mean? Lady Dyer is still going to be alive for many years. How can I be late? Perry points to the kitchen, and goes back to polishing a stack of thin, smooth sticks.
Did someone sneeze into this?
Uh, no, no-one sneezed in it... Mistress Mirielle uses that for making potions an' stuff.Perry wanders over and looks in the cauldron.
You have to get it totally, totally clean. If there's any 'residue' it ruins the potion -- could make someone really sick. 'Residue' is a fancy wizard word for goop.
.oO(It looks...cozy. Not somewhere I thought a powerful wizard would live.)
*Jace walks up and knocks on the door and feels a little uncomfortable.*
Good morning, sir. May I help you?
The weasel chitters softly.
.oO(I have always loved weasels)
*When the door opens, Jace only has to look down a little ways to look the young boy in eyes. He smiles pleasently.*
"Hello. I am looking for Lady Mirielle. I need help with something."
You're a Silver Sword?
The weasel chitters again, and dashes upstairs.
Mistress Mirielle will be down in a minute or so. Er...
After a moment's thought, he smiles.
Oh yeah! Have a seat, please.
"Yes I am a Silver Sword. Thank you."
*Jace sits.*
Good day to you, Mr... ?
.oO(Wow. She is very young. I was expecting someone older. I am much older then her. Very surpizing)
*Jace shifts his weight and draws one of the vials out of his side pouch.*
"Found eight of them in a chest, packed very gingerly."
A group of bandits have been preying on merchants near the city. They have the ability to have undead aid them. Also they can use plant life to tie up their victims. I am interested in aquiring your services in helping resolve the matter. If you can contact as soon as possible in the next few days at the Jackal compound.
Darkar
Mirielle takes the container from him, turning it in her fingers.
Not the usual sort of container for a magical potion, but you never know...
She gestures while intoning a brief phrase, narrowing her eyes at the flask. After a moment she sighs softly and shakes her head.
It's not magical. I can probably identify it, still, and it'll only cost you a couple of gold, most likely. Depending on how much I use up in materials. Frankly, if you weren't a Silver Sword, I wouldn't do it. It isn't cost-effective for the amount of time I spend. But since it's for a guildmember, I will.
I'll have it for you tomorrow morning.
"...Well not magical hu....I was hoping it woud be a healing potion of sorts. But I guess not. Thank you for helping me out though. I will be leaving in a few days with Sir Darkar, and several othes to stop some more raids. I think I will be back here that morning. Again thank you Lady Mirielle. Good day to evening to you."
*Jace bows and lets his self out of the door.*
Tyros...
When he has approached, she holds up the vial.
Quite often a wizard's work is in the identification of items, and the first step is to determine whether or not said item is in fact 'magical.' The detection of magic is, naturally, fundamental to a wizard's art. Now, this is how we do it...
Mirielle spends most of the rest of the day lecturing the boys on how one detects magic, and coaching Tyros through the correct pronunciation of the activating words.
She sets out her equipment, and proceeds to examine Jace's vial. An hour of labor passed, she nods, jots a note, and packs away her things.
Perry, this is my friend, Allerya. She likes mice.
Coming upon the small building, Screech lands on a light pole nearby as she enters the shop
To Natala's
His head pounding with the newly learned knowledge, Tyros leaves the wizard's house with a grin on his face, remembering everything Lady Dyer had taught him that day. His white owl, Allerya, who had been waiting outside, was a bit unpleased with Tyros, since he had kept her waiting for so long.
Perry, this is my friend, Allerya. She likes mice.
She's pretty! Ix likes mice too. She likes it when I take the garbage out, 'cos sometimes there'll be a mouse hanging around. Is your owl going to be your familiar?
Perry gazes admiringly at the bird.
)OH! Familiar, well... I, don't really know. Takes a good look at the bird of prey, admiring her beauty once more.
I might. If she wants to.
What's your familiar like?Screech flies over head and disappears for a second before returning with a freshly killed mouse in his beak, and perches himself on a nearby branch.
I see you have found your lunch, friend.She says with a smile
Her stomach begins to grumble and notices that she hasn't eaten much since the party and even before that she was living off of rations
I guess you aren't the only one that needs something more than just seeds and berries.
She remembers what Darkar said about the Jackals and how there hasn't been much activity
.oO(I wonder if he wouldn't mind a lunch date, plus I am sure some stew from the LLI would be more filling than the food at the Jackals anyway)
Deciding on what she is doing she heads to the LLI
.oO(I wonder if Ms. Mirrielle knows what those vials are.)
Hello, again.
"Hello. I am here to see Ms Mirrielle. She was helping me with a potion."
Perry stands back to allow Jace to enter.
Mistress Mirielle spent most of the afternoon making us learn about the steps in identifying stuff... I don't really remember much of what she said. She uses a lot of big words.
Summoned by the chittering weasel, Mirielle enters the room, smiling at Perry's last words.
You won't learn the words if you never hear them, Perry. Good morning, Mr. Cornwall.
She hands him the flask. Acid, Mr. Cornwall. Be careful, it's still dangerous even though it is non-magical.
What's an acid, Lady Dyer?
She turns back to Jace.
If you try to use this as a weapon, be sure you throw it at least five feet away from yourself, or you might be splashed by it. Oh, and I only used up a gold piece worth of materials.
Lady Dyer? When you are not busy, could you please tell me more about Dragons? Your notebook didn't talk much about them but it let me intrigued on their race.
My notebooks don't say much about dragons, because I didn't learn anything about them until recently.
I learned their language, as an essential to progressing as a wizard. As an apprentice, I'd no need of learning about dragons. I'd quite enough on my plate, thank you!
.oO(Acid....Mmmm, it could be rather useful. I wonder how much damage it would do.)
"Lady Mirrelle...or Lady Dyer. Which would you rather be called.... Any how. How much harm would this cause to a creature.....would it hurt more then a blow from my weapon."
*Jace indicates his bastard sword across his shoulder.*
"Normaly bigger wepons hurt more then small ones, but I have a feeling that this stuff would do more then its size indicates."
*Jace gives her a frienely smile, and pulls out a gold piece, and hands it over.*
I suppose... if you hit someone solidly with it... oh, about as much damage as a blow from an average sword.
With a slight frown, she turns to Tyros.
I believe I noted in that folio, Tyros, that most arcane writings are in the Draconic language.
"Thank you Ms Mirrielle."
.oO(She didn't tell me what she prefered to be called. Oh well it would be rude to ask again.)
*Jace bows his self out and leaves for the SSAG*
Now, have you memorized the list of elements and sub-elements?
Mirielle settles herself on a chair, and quizzes Tyros on his understanding of various topics.
... and a toad's entrains can be used to cure itches. Tyros finishes his take on what animals could be useful when healing minor diseases and nuisances. Am I right?
I'd like you to work on a practical exercise, now. When you're in the dark, or under attack, you can't be taking time to fumble around for the proper spell components.
This will be your component pouch, and you are to stand over there and practice taking out different items without looking. For now, you'll be practicing on a bit of cloth, a bit of wool, and a bit of copper wire.
.oO(Well thought...)
Very well. Let's try this, then.
Tyros stands up and takes the component pouch, straping it to his side. He looks forward and puts on a determined look on his face.
Let it be the copper wire.
He keeps looking forward and places his hand on the pouch, immedietly feeling the piece of copper. He takes it out and raises his hand quickly, as if to show it to everyone. But then the copper piece evades his hand, flying against the wall.
Ermm... Well, I'm good with my hands, part of being an archer. But I'm a bit clumsy, still. :P
Tyros continues trying to take out the other components, getting most of them right.
Keep in mind that your life could depend on it one day. I'll let you know when you can stop for the day.
Miri goes upstairs to her study, leaving Tyros to practice for an hour.
"Kai.... Thanks for your help back there. I really appreciate it."
The theif looks over at the masked elf.
We should prepare ourselves...I need to return to the Fox first to get my share of the gold.
Looks like we'll be going on another adventure old friend, are you up to it?
The owl hoots and she smiles, petting his soft chest feathers. She kisses the bird on the beak and juts her arm up for his take off and they both head to the SSAG
What's wrong? The ranger asks the owl as it lands in his shoulder.
She starts biting and nibling at the elf, who shrugs in protection.
Ow!! Okay, okay, I'll follow! Lead on.
The owl flies off with the ranger running after it, as fast as he can.
"Me too. Let's see if Mundavi has access to horses as well."
[Fox]
"Caw I don't like the look on your face youngling, we're off on an adventure aren't we......Figures, just when I hook up with a pretty little raven you come around smiling like a dog that found his chewtoy and drags me away on some stupid adventure."
oO(it's way past time for me to go back there and face my "demons")
He climbs the stairs of Mrs. Toadfoots home, arriving at the apartment NaShae and Kywyn share with their son. He knocks quietly on the door, and then a bit louder, calling out as he does.
"NaShae? Are ya home?"
"Its me Hermy."
"Hermy Woodhome."
"Junior."
"I needs ta asks you somethin very important."
Dingy from his venture into the city sewers, Kywyn approaches from the alley. Dak’s eyes light up at seeing his father but the smell surprises him.
“Oo, papa,” the half-elf child holds his nose, “You stink.”
“Yes, Dak,” Kywyn replies, “Yes, I do.”
“Could you ask you mother to bring out a bucket of water so I could clean off some of my stuff before coming in?”
“Oh, yah, she was just went in to get something,” Dakarai stands and runs in.
Kywyn gives a small wave in the general direction where he assumes the guardian pixie flutters.
“Ugh,” Kywyn drops his satchel and stretches his arms.
He walks and lines himself up with the hanging wheel he had set up for a target. Sinking to a lower stance, he hops forward with a swinging side kick to knock the target back.
---
Quite a while later, Kywyn is in cleaner shape. The old clothes would have to be thrown out, but he keeps them for one more jaunt into the sewers tomorrow. The muck comes off more readily from the hard surfaces of his boots and gauntlets, though the stench might take longer to fade.
The man spends the rest of the evening in the company of his family, pushing aside thoughts of returning into the tunnels for now. He does, however, take time to redraw into his sketchbook the serpent rune which preserved Aramil. Maybe luck is the residue of preparation, maybe not, but it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared in case circumstances repeat themselves.
Uttering into the page to invoke the forces into his ink lines, Kywyn restores some of his backup plans
“Three days,” the man thinks
---
[shadow conjuration (sepia snake sigil) into sketchbook]
Some time later, Kywyn returns in time for lunch with NaShae and Dakarai. The afternoon passes by quickly running errands and other little things with the family.
---
At daybreak the following morning, Kywyn is in the yard of the Toadfoot Apartment training. Sleeping in is something he finds very agreeable, but the light-clad man feels the need to keep developing and practicing his martial arts. Dangerous things awaited still.
The lithe, black-haired man almost seems to be dancing with the shadow form with which he grapples. Other summoned shadows of different shapes and sizes stand around, awaiting the command to jump in. Kywyn finds he can best the smaller creatures fairly easily, but anything bigger than himself presents a stiff challenge. He concentrates on ways to twist and escape and intuitively reverse the close-quarters situations.
Kywyn searches for that cold and still spot deep in his center, where the world seems to be a swirling mass around him. His body sways and rolls as if on strings as the shapes pitch him about.
When a shadow diminishes, Kywyn pauses to trace a likeness with his finger and conjure a new one, or several – vipers, wolves, small bears, whatever beasts he could produce to test himself.
When the sun finds its way into the yard, the shades become more pronounced. Straining for breath, Kywyn lays on the grass while the silhouettes start vanishing. He does not renew them this time but listens to their whispers as they go. Ideas, tactics, even philosophy, Kywyn takes note of whatever they say.
Though, since they are merely virtual things, it is more likely Kywyn is just listening to himself.
The rest of the day is spent all with family, trying to take a step back to value what they have.
---
In the morning, Kywyn finds the note left for him by Darkar. Though Kywyn would like to see what the elf needs, there would be little time today.
“More undead?... Nothing seems to stay buried.”
He pulls on his dingy, fitted grey shirt and pants.
“I’ll need to catch him later… hope he understands,” Kywyn goes about preparing his soiled gear for another round.
“If it’s serious, and he hasn’t found anyone else, he’ll stop by again.”
In sequence, Kywyn grabs an older shoulder bag and places the items he thinks he’ll need within.
When all is ready, he takes a quiet moment to himself to sit cross-legged by the window meditating and refreshing his mind for the obstacles ahead.
Before leaving, he says farewell to NaShae and Dakarai and means the part about loving them and wishing them a good day. It shouldn’t be a long trip, but there are bad things below.
---
[To Nobody's Inn]
Miri frowns, turns the page back, and mutters to herself.
The caster must ensure that the dried ox blood comes from a virgin animal of at least twelve, yet not more than six-and-thirty, moons, and the substance being well-ground with pure chalcedony... A virgin ox?! How am I supposed to know about the ox's personal life?!
"I doubt my situation is unique, everyone has problems relating to someone at one time or another. I would imagine that you would have had difficulty at one time or another."
Not... quite.
She walks carefully around the edges, adjusting lines and the tiny glass oilpots with their candlewicks.
What is it... what am I not seeing? she murmurs, before finally sighing and cleaning it all up.
.oO(Save it for tomorrow, Gamis will be home and wanting his supper.)
"Now which way is that inn?"
Okay, so he is lost! But Nanashi is not afraid! He knows the secret for finding his way again!
"Oh ho ho! Human boy! Nanashi has a question for you!"
Asking for directions works every time! Oh ho ho!
"Yes, you, human boy! How do I find Nobody's Inn?"
"Gimme a silver first."
"How does that help?"
"You give me a silver coin and I tell you how to get there."
"Oh ho ho! Clever boy, but Nanashi does not think so. Instead, I will give you one of these copper coins to take me there and another when we find it! That way, you do not try to cheat Nanashi, which would go very bad for you! A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys! Oh ho ho!"
"You're weird, mister."
"Maybe so, but I still have my two copper pieces! Are you going to show me the way or not?"
"As long as you're paying."
"Then Nanashi is paying! Off we go!"
"I am intrigued by your gift, Nanashi. If you don't mind my asking, when did you realize you had it?"
A practical gnome is our Nanashi. He does not waste time walking to the edge of the road for such a menial task! Not for him! The middle of the road is closer and offers him many places to sit. See how effortlessly he removes the offending article, giving it a good shake. The boot knows who is boss now! Oh ho ho!
Satisfied that his great labor has been successful completed, he turns to consider Esmet's riddle.
"I have had it since it was given to me."
What a remarkable answer! One never knows what to expect from Nanashi!
"When it was given to you, did you feel differently than you did before, or do you suppose it was given to you at birth?"
.oO(Is it that I have yet to find my gift, or do I already have a gift, hidden within me?)
But on that day, Nanashi was weak and thirsty. On that day, Nanashi knew nothing of the tricks the sun could play on him. If the Dragon had not shown him how to keep the fire inside, he'd have died on that day!"
"'The Dragon'?"
"That's right. The dragon found me lying on the rocks, too weak to move. I thought he was going to eat me, but he told me I was too small to make a good meal. Instead, he loaned me some of his strength, making me promise that I would one day return it and more."
He puts boot back on. Then he stands with his hands on his hips in a defiant gesture.
"Nanashi must be ready for that day! Oh ho ho"
"That sounds like good motivation to better yourself, Sir Nanashi."
.oO(I, on the other hand, seem completely devoid of purpose. The past several weeks have been particularly meaningless.)
"I trust you will be well prepared for that day. What do you suppose the dragon meant when he asked for repayment?"
.oO(There ought to be more to life than work, eat, and sleep, something that imparts substance.)
.oO(I don't know.)
Look at how Nanashi puffs now. Is it because he has a hard time keeping up with the big person? Oh ho ho! You are a funny person. Obviously these are just breathing exercises Nanashi does to become stronger.
"Nanashi wonders if we are almost there."
Mindful of the gnome's labored breath, Esmet slows slightly to better keep pace, then returns her gaze to the sky.
"Nearly there," she murmurs.
As they continue on their way to the Hightower, she occasionally interrupts her thoughts to offer responses to the gnome's ramblings. Once or twice, she pauses at an intersection to survey their surroundings, but otherwise she keeps her eyes on the stars that glitter beyond her reach.
To the Hightower
Burdened with baskets, Mirielle strolls from the market.
.oO(I hope I can cook this fish without burning it! Those fresh herbs smell so good, and so do these flowers. I always forget about nice smells after a day in the necromancy labs.)
An urgent chitter interrupts her musings, and she stops to look down at Ixchal.
[swf]What is it? The dogs?[/swf]
Her ruff up, the weasel dances urgently on her front paws. [swm]Yes! Those evil brutes are in their yard! Make me big, Miri, hurry![/swm]
She groans.
[swf]Ixchal... We've been over this before. You and I would both get in trouble if I made you big so you could terrorize those dogs. They're in their own yard. They aren't wild.[/swf]
Ixchal continues to plead her case, but Mirielle steadfastly refuses to cast the growth spell on the weasel. Finally -- none too soon, in Miri's opinion -- they reach their home.
.oO(I hope Gamis will be home tonight, he's been working so hard, I rarely even see him...)
Holding the door for Natala continues the conversation.
"I doubt my situation is unique, everyone has problems relating to someone at one time or another. I would imagine that you would have had difficulty at one time or another."
Natala smiles her thanks as she walks clear of the door, and answers as they walk away.
"That is true, of course; I myself often have trouble relating to fanatics. Some would find that strange, since they would think I am one."
She flashes a brief smile, as though slightly embarrassed, somehow, by what she has said.
"But I try to make it my business to help people with what they need help with, not with trying to define the nature of fanaticism."
"Why would anyone consider you a fanatic? You do not seem to fit the description of one. It seems absurd that anyone would consider you fanatical."
.oO(He's going to be late again, I can tell.)
She grits her teeth, then suddenly whirls and marches up the stairs in silence.
Perry watches her go, nervously.
"My... faith, though I don't like to use a word that is so inaccurate. It encompasses everything else in my life; which is enough, for some. And it is not faith in myself — I know my own failings too well for that — but in Another."
She thinks for a moment.
"What of you, then? Where do you place your faith? You seem, to me, to be one with faith in his own abilities, and perhaps in those of others around him; yet you have a close companion whose faith lies elsewhere."
Natala smiles, oddly pleased by Darkar's assessment.
"My... faith, though I don't like to use a word that is so inaccurate. It encompasses everything else in my life; which is enough, for some. And it is not faith in myself — I know my own failings too well for that — but in Another."
She thinks for a moment.
"What of you, then? Where do you place your faith? You seem, to me, to be one with faith in his own abilities, and perhaps in those of others around him; yet you have a close companion whose faith lies elsewhere."
"Faith was one of the things as a child I did not have the patience to try and understand, and thus I rebeled from embracing anything I could not measure against a standard.
My father thinking now, that I am older I might have the patience to learn and understand some of the things that I refused to try as a child. That is why he asked Silmarwen to come to Garic's City as teacher and advisor.
The lessons are difficult to understand, since it is beyond my comprehension on how to quantify or measure. Though I can see the results of faith, explanation of the why and how still bother me."
Mirielle slowly descends the stairs. She pauses on the bottom step.
Hello...
Her lips compressed, a spark flashes in her eyes. Just a bit surprised to see you home before dinner was completely ruined. Since you haven't been bothering to get home much at all lately!
Well they can damn well need a little less!
You should have someone who can take over by now, and your family needs you! The Silver Sword needs you! The Church needs you!
She takes a deep breath.
You've made other promises too. What about our wedding? What about Janis, and the monsters?
"But I've been neglectful. You're absolutely right, I have. I'm doing my damndest not to be, and it still hasn't been good enough. I'm sorry."
He sighs softly. "Soon, though. I promise. We're screening them for good officers and trainers. Soon, Miri... And I'll be able to."
She storms past the paladin, and begins slamming dinner plates onto the table.
Gamis stays out of her way, hoping she doesn't break anything in her anger.
I'm going to summon a creature to scout the fort.
She stabs murderously at the fish on her plate.
Something that could be easily overlooked while scouting.
She nibbles at a bite of fish, without great appetite.
The paladin eats his fish, and makes a tentative but honest venture. "It's good," he tells her.
...thank you...
I guess I'll let you know how it goes, then. When I finish getting the spell set up and all...
I have to finish getting things together for it. Once it's written into my spellbook, I won't need components, but right now I do.
"That would probably be good; a repeat scouting when we're moving in would be useful, a little further down the road."
The summoned beings have been known to fight back, sometimes with fatal results.
Miri bites her lower lip, and glances up at Gamis with a worried expression.
"I thought this spell sounded strange... I didn't remember those fish you summoned back in the pond as giving you any trouble at all."
He frowns. "Are you sure about this?"
No, no... This is a new spell. It... well, it pulls a powerful creature into a sort of trap. Then I have to coerce the creature into agreeing to my demands in exchange for its freedoom.
It's the best thing I could find for our needs.
She looks at her plate, and prods a bean with her fork.
Yes... I did have another idea... I could teleport to the fort, and look around myself.
Taking Hermy along means listening to him talk... and talk... and talk... And claim all the credit for every success.
She sighs.
Still, he's good at what he does.
"Maybe if you make it quick--teleport over there, where neither of you can talk in the interest of stealth, and teleport back--you'll minimize it." He makes a small grin, hopefully encouraging.
Especially if we can find a way to stop Minto from singing any of those outrageously inaccurate songs...
"I can almost see him pacing outside the door, put out that he's not the first to know."
Now, can Minto make us invisible before I teleport, or do I have to carry him along to do that after we arrive...
Nanashi may be looking for a long time.
They pass by a squat house with shingles suggesting weather inside being at the whim of that without. The sounds from inside can be heard, telling of a large family having fun despite their apparent disposition. As they continue, Tynk shakes his head.
“How can a family so noble to share such joy be let to live thus?”
The question is obviously rhetorical, and there is a short silence before the boy speaks up again.
“So these are the slums?” He says, unaware they are a mile from the fringe of the actual ‘slums’.
Continues walking along expectantly.
They continue until the houses around them make the previous ones look like resides of nobles. These are made from whichever material becomes availible, and often enough by seemingly untrained hands. Some are plain old regular buildings only in need of repair.
Tynk says no more, a serious and calm expression as he glances about to witness the envirnment. His eyes lock with that of a dirty old man, who stares back silently. A few kids run by with sticks as swords waving about with their playful screams, but to Tynk this is empty. They are ridden in filth and begging of desease, lucky to be of good health even now. The youth feels ashamed at his own high-class upbringing.
. o O(At least they know how to be happy) he thinks to himself. This does little to comfort him.
"Had I known the condition of the slums sooner I would have become involved. The conditions here are unexceptable."
Hey isn't that the human from Natala's store? Is he looking for a place to sleep too? Nanashi will ask him!
"Hello! Do you work at Natala's store? And do you know a good place to sleep around here? Nanashi is looking to stay high and dry! Oh ho ho!"
"My name is Tynk, Nanashi. I do work there."
"Sorry, but we are touring the local area to become familiar. As of yet I have not seen any Inns worth mentioning. The districts north of here offer better quality arragments and aren't all that expensive, I am sure."
"You can join us to search though, if you please. You can tell me what skills you may posses that Natala may find useful and I can mention about them."
. o O (Unkempt hair, wild eyes... No child of civilization this.)
. o O (On a wall, under a tree? He must be desperate for employment. It is certainly a day for strange and unique gnomes.)
Wait! Nanashi has figured it out! This human, Tynk, was sent by Natala to assist Nanashi! This is good! Already word of his greatness is bringing results! Oh ho ho!
"Nanashi will accept Tynk's offer! How does Tynk intend to go about finding a sleeping spot for Nanashi?"
. o O (Unless you consider hightower studies and chores to be free-rent.)
Begins to continue walking.
"However, Tynk's...er...my invitation would allow you our company as you look for one youself."
"This is my friend Nanashi, Treetrip."
. o O (Best not to give full names to strangers...especially one as strange as this.
)"Oh ho ho! Tynk has brought another gnome to find a proper place for me! Good work! Lead the way, Treetrip! Nanashi will find his sleep yet!"
"Treetrip, say? Should we consider a high priority to repairing these houses? If what little I know about the city is true and things continue like this all the way...it is a large area and will take days to cover enough for us to be familiar.
"What little I also know about building repairs is out of books of these efforts. Styles used, reading and drawing scimatics, these are only related to the amount of manpower necessary for a given amount of work. Still, I cannot shake the feeling that it would require a rather large effort to accomplish such a task in a time-efficient matter."
Something tugs at his mind, but he is not quite certain.
"How about there, Nanashi?" points to a more recently abandoned house with foliage suggesting being miskept from well before its desertion.
"Looks intact..."
. o O (If we... and then we... follow that with... and then... hmm... I need to stop thinking in...)
"That could be phenominal Mr Tynk!"
Tries to contain his enthusiasm.
Fails.
"Soifwehaveoneortwotrainedhouserepairerersandalotofunskilledlaborersthetrainedpeoplecaneasilytraintheuntrainedpeopletorepairhousesandontopofthatwe'dhaveabusinessfortheotherpeoplefromtheslums!
Wow! Do you know how to repair buildings Mr. Tynk? I don't know much about architecture or engineering. Or house repairering."
Looks up at Tynk.
"Although I guess I know how to find people that do!" :D
Listens to Nanashi.
"If you just want to sleep theres rooms at Nobody's and they don't cost much.... And theres a cute gnome waitress there to-" :
:embarrass Clamps his mouth shut.
"I mean... she serves realy good food."
"Nobody's is a great idea. We should find our way there along the way, no?"
A moments thought and he continues, a little faster knowing the gnomes can keep up.
"My father wanted me to become an architecture growing up. He even had me in a private school to learn from books the art; read and draw design schemes, recognize building styles, and the various methods of how a given construction is accomplished."
Shakes his head slowly, both about many things within what he speaks and of an increased number of children in the area. He notes the latter among the greater priorities, spotting a girl he would see even a pair of burlap sacks to protect her feet. Still, she plays in a circle with a few friends dancing about. Tynk thinks of his own father a moment.
"Unfortunately, I know little of how to actually implement the methods of engineering and therefore cannot teach people to do it themselves.
"I have read many books on the matter since though, and have a vast knowlege of these methods and structures of all types. The houses we walk by now are obviously suffering from their quick constructions, having been made to last many years but not given effort to last much after. They were built in the earlier days of garics...
"They decay slowly now, and will require constant repairs and recomendably preventative maintenance to combat further damages. Teaching a workforce of willing people is a worthwhile idea. So that is our first plan Treetrip? I believe I can be of some assistance."
"Nanashi stayed there for awhile. Marroc knows his food! But Nanashi needs... a change of scenery for a few nights. He wishes to look at the stars before he sleeps."
This human has unusual ideas! Nanashi does not know what to think of them just yet. He will listen more before he asks questions.
The voice in his head compels the light-clad man.
With his hand out, Kywyn lets the shadow tentacle start converging in his right wrist.
Away from the noise of the street, Kywyn has time to think. It’s one of those afternoons that you won’t forget but can never quite remember fully – a seemingly random moment that keeps coming back when the chance presents itself.
“These stars are fading out…”
The Hex Tongue twists out from Kywyn’s hand and thrashes about violently, lapping at the empty air in the yard. Kywyn clenches his jaw as he holds on. It’s like trying to control a giant flow of water escaping from a small opening.
With a tightening of his fingers, the tendril retracts as quickly as it came, leaving Kywyn in silence.
The further he goes, the more he’s certain there is something there... and yet, it is all shadows. He walks in two worlds: one foot in the sunlight with heroic friends and fine art, and one foot in the realm of darkness, secret societies, and demons. The sense of the real Kywyn finds with his beloved and their child keeps him grounded in the space between night and day. The dawn and dusk are when the borders between worlds are thinnest - times of opportunity, and change. It is where he needs to be to find things.
He wonders if he can hold on to what he has. Can it stay until we know ourselves? Or is the lesson that nothing stays yet nothing is lost? Something about evolution struggles to poke through in his mind.
“From the earliest days, we were dancing in the shadows.”
Kywyn crouches down to the small piece of darkness at his feet. The black frog leaps up to Kywyn’s lowered hand. He has heard Hex say that before. It seems to mean something, but neither of them is quite sure. Just a memory that comes and goes, like this afternoon in the quiet yard behind the Toadfoot Apartment that would visit Kywyn’s thoughts from time to time in the future.
The man’s martial art training has become part of his routine, part of who he is, for almost as long as he could remember. The shadow conjurations he has discovered have helped Kywyn in his lack of training partners.
The shadow creature rises, looking like an ape or burly man in shape. Kywyn sees through the apparition as the replica that it is. He imagines what if the shadow has a mind has a soul… what would it ask of its creator?
Why was I created? What is my purpose?
“Maybe you make your own purpose,” Kywyn envisions replying, and the drama plays out in his mind.
“That’s not good enough,” the shadow ape-monster states while assuming a fighting stance, “Logic won’t allow it.”
“Logic…” Kywyn repeats in a whisper of disdain.
He takes his own stance with a sigh, legs spread apart, hands low in open palms.
The shadow comes at Kywyn surprisingly fast for its size. The man parries a circular kick at his ribs with a sweeping forearm. He then feints a low kick and executes a pushing palm strike to the shadow figure’s stomach. Surprisingly, it takes the blow, grabs Kywyn’s wrist and attempts to wrench it into an arm bar hold.
Kywyn quickly somersaults forward to relieve the pressure on his shoulder, but the ape-man is strong and maintains the hold. Before it can do any more damage, Kywyn ducks under his own arm, twisting his torso and rotating his wrist to escape the grasp.
The shaped shadow is relentless and charges Kywyn, clasping on to his shoulders. It nimbly jumps, thrusting both its heels into Kywyn’s stomach. Still holding on to the shoulders, the ape rolls onto its back and hefts Kywyn up, over, and behind. In response, Kywyn manages to retrieve his balance in midair. Planting his hands on the ground, he turns into a cartwheel and lands on his feet. Kywyn turns as the shadow kicks its legs into a kippup to return to its feet.
Kywyn breathes deliberately to regain his focus. In through the nose… slowly out through the mouth. Before the shadow can attack again, Kywyn takes to the air. Twisting his body and shooting his feet out in mid-leap, Kywyn delivers a spinning jump kick. His heel connects with the side of the shadow’s neck, sending it crashing to the ground.
“The shadow art has made you strong…” Kywyn remarks, “But the darkness… it gave me its touch…”
As the shadow falls silent and disintegrates, Kywyn sighs again, “It cursed me with it…”
“That’s probably not how it would go,” Kywyn considers, “It wouldn’t move like that. And I should’ve said something different.”
But, then again, this is all in his head.
Kywyn brings his eyes back into focus and sees the shadow image standing still in front of him, awaiting its first command. The battle fought in Kywyn’s psyche has left his heart beating rapidly.
The shadow starts to fade away, and Kywyn lets it go. Is he that scared to wrestle with the image of the ape? This might take some work still. Kywyn sits down to contemplate.
The man pushes back his short dark hair as he watches the small child run from the black frog. The game of tag has been running for several minutes already.
“Okay, you want to go in?” Kywyn rises from his seat to help Dak up after the boy falls to the grass, Hex sticking to his back.
He takes his son inside for a drink of water and a rest.
After talking with NaShae and Dakarai, Kywyn sets out for the art shop in the market but decides to stop by the graveyard for a walk.
---
[To Avowed]
.oO(I think I'll have to get a block put into the toe, that way it might have the same sort of balance as toes...)
In some amount of time he gets towards Nobody's.
[to Nobody's]
So this gnome has been to Marroc's place too! It sounds like he also has a reason to go back! Oh ho ho!
"Nanashi stayed there for awhile. Marroc knows his food! But Nanashi needs... a change of scenery for a few nights. He wishes to look at the stars before he sleeps."
This human has unusual ideas! Nanashi does not know what to think of them just yet. He will listen more before he asks questions.
. o O (Wait a minute...)
]Notices Nanashi hesitate.
. o O (One... two... three... four... five! He's lying! But, why would he want to lie about why he's sleeping outside? Oh, I bet something embarassing happened and he got kicked out of his home. But he deserves his dignity, I won't pry.)
"I guess its getting kind of late, we could head back now... Even though we haven't been mugged yet. Or ate our sandwiches."
Digs through the lunch basket.
Of course Gnomes like to sit on roofs and watch stars, and often seek to do so in such matters, and at such places. ;)
But the last comment has the boy wondering if he should answer the question the gnome will ask after they have eaten. This leads to his next thought of what he would even answer to such a question.
"Theeen Nobody's inn it is."
. o O (Gnomes...)
To Nobody's Inn
Nanashi will not be sleeping on a roof after all! That may be for the best. What would happen if he rolled off in the night? He waves good by to the others and continues his search alone.
Accepts a sandwich with a thank-you to treetrip and takes a bite. He looks around for a place to sit and enjoy the sandwiches, unfortunately finding none.
"Nanashi, this house is kinda old, are you certain you wish to be on its rooftop? You may fall through and what then?"
But someone does.
From out of a nearby alley, a child begins crying.
"Mommy!"
Drops his sandwhich (which pleasantly enough, falls into the basket) and leaps to his feet and charges into the alleyway, looking for whoever is in trouble.
. o O (I wonder if she's fallen and broken her hip? Or if she's trapped under a pile of heavy barrels or wood? Maybe someone's lost their cat named Mommy! I'll save you mommy cat!)
Nanashi sees it will have to wait. How are they so quick to run toward danger? Nanashi does not understand but he should follow them. He might even gain something from this! But first he will gather up their sandwiches. He wouldn't want anyone stealing them! Oh ho ho! How lucky Tynk and Treetrip are to have Nanashi watching out for them! And if something should happen to them, Nanashi will make sure that their meal does not go to waste!
"The boogey man! He's in there! He took Socks!"
All three brave heroes hear the sound of something crashing in the alley. The gnomes are able to penetrate the dark shadows of it with their dark sensitive eyes.
A large, hairy figure is running deeper into the allley, knocking down disgarded boxes, barrells, and crats to block the path towards it.
The spell he casts is like a reflex as the lizard bounces up next to him, looking up as if to question.
. o O (Chase. Stay safe. Don't loose.)
He sends her the message as he casts the spell. She waits for the protective bestowal and bounces after the clattering abductor.
. o O (What sort of..?)
Casts Mage Armor
Kywyn watches a mosquito bang its head against the glass window, trying to get outside. It is beyond the insect to grasp the true nature or bigger picture of its situation, so it just continues to fly against the invisible barrier.
Kywyn opens window to let it out.
He wonders if someone could open the window for him, would he even be able to understand.
There is still the matter of the sewer exploration to think about the next day. Kywyn tries to direct his attentions on that for now rather than any recurring melancholy that might haunt his thoughts.
. o O (See, theres been a mugging. Now we're in the slums!)
Runs as fast as his poor little legs can carry him after the sock bandit.
"You! You there! Stop it right now."
Sees the man indeed not stop.
"You're only making this harder one yourself!
Thinks hard, summoning up confidence and flings his hand forward.
"HALT!"
[Casts Daze]
The boogeyman is 30 feet away from Zap. 50 from Treetrip.
The alley is 10 feet wide, and ends at a fence.
. o O (He must stop, immediately. But how...)
Swells with confidence again.
. o O (You're going to hear what I have to say and do it!)
"You! Stop that right now. Get your hand off of that fence. I am Treetrip Dangleroot, sheriff of Gullyban. I don't want to hear a peep out of you, because you've got alot to answer for right now Mister. This is perfectly shameful behavior and you should be..."
Continues to scold the sock theif.
[Fascinate, Perform +8, 3 rounds on success).
"Do not be frightened! No one will be stealing any more socks now that Nanashi is here! Oh ho ho!"
That Treetrip sure can talk! Nanashi hopes that the little lizard with him doesn't eat socks too or there will be more trouble. Nanashi would not mind if there was something to gain from it but he does not think people would pay that much for socks. Now boots are a different story! When Nanashi is working again, he will have a pair of boots with bronze toes made for him! He will buy other things to go with the boots too but right now he is guarding this girl! No girl in the city is quite so well guarded as her because she is with Nanashi and Nanashi is the best guard there is! Oh ho ho! He should get her to stop crying too. Why is she crying over socks? Did her grandmother knit them for her special? That must be it. Grandmother socks are always special!
"There is no need to cry! We will soon have your socks again! You can tell everyone how Tynk the half-elf and Treetrip the other gnome were able to capture the boogeyman thanks to the guidance and support of Nanashi! And when Nanashi tells the tale he would like to be able to use your name in it as the child who called out for heroes and was rewarded with Nanashi's aid. Do humans name their children, human child? Nanashi hopes so, for it would be hard for him to give you a name you do not have."
A loud snap from the alley tells him the prey is climbing a wall he knows not is a fence, another informs him it is a larger prey. He response in a similar sound.
"Don't shock, not yet. Jump after?"
The spells effect of weightlessness spills over him.
"Follow if you can and don't be hurt."
Casts Fly
Between sobs, the girl answers Nanashi. "My name is Aubrey, an I want my mommy!"
Zap and Tynk are at the sewer entrance.
Stubby gnome legs carry Treetrip as fast as possible to the fence, and short gnome arms do their best to leverage him over it and sprint to the sewer entrance.
. o O (Whats going on? Who steals socks. Thats just really, really low. When I'm sheriff there'll be extra penalty for theft of socks.)
A little ping hits him.
. o O (I better do well enough to become Sheriff first.)
What's worse is he has no idea if "socks" is worth the risk, or what socks even is. Zap peers her head upside down into the manhole to see what she can.
"See what direction it goes but wait. I'll be right back."
Using the speed of the flight spell he is over the wall and comes to land behind the girl as to not alarm her.
"Little one, can you tell me what socks is...your cat?" he asks calmly and sympatheticly.
Nanashi pats Aubrey's back. He does not get the feeling that this will work. He could really use some help here! Where are Tynk and the other gnome! Why did they leave him with the harder task? Why did they not ask him to scare the boogey man? Nanashi can be very scary! Now if he could only be the opposite of scary and make Aubrey stop crying! Tynk, come back!
Oh, good! Tynk is coming back! Behold the power of Nanashi's mind, allowing him to command others without so much as a word! Oh ho ho! Maybe this will distract her!
"Look, Aubrey! Is it a bird? No, it is a man who can fly! That is something even Nanashi does not see every day! He should have no trouble getting your socks back!"
What is Tynk saying? Aubrey's socks were made from cat? The socks belong to her cat? Oh ho ho! That must be it! The boogey man stole her cat's socks and now Aubrey has been scratched because the cat did not have its claws covered! This boogey man is more cunning than Nanashi first thought! Who knows what kind of evil deeds a mind like that could do? Nanashi will have to find out, for in that too is strength! If only he could get Aubrey stop crying!
Kywyn Liew the artisan looks up from his drawing tablet to see the russet-haired halfling girl who has asked the question.
"Whale says that you were tha Grey Ghost who used ta sit in tha market. An' which eva kid that could spot you an' get a drawing would be lucky for a whole day?"
"Whale?" Kywyn inquires evenly.
"Yah, the fat kid over there," the young girl points, "We call him Whale."
"I'm not fat!" the chubby human boy shouts from the area a group of human and halfling kids are using for a game of Blind Man's Bluff.
Kywyn looks back to his paper with a lethargic gaze. Wearing a loose-fitting, woven outfit of off-white, the lithe man runs a gauntleted hand through the bangs of his shortish, raven hair as he draws. This motion attracts the girl's attention. Even while he sketches pictures for passing patrons, Kywyn keeps his metal-plated gloves on out of habit.
While the gauntlets certainly limited the amount of fine dexterity one could achieve with a pen, Kywyn found that they also encouraged a brevity of line and encouraged him to cut to the heart of the sketch rather beat around the bushes as he often did. While working for coins from passers-by, these attributes were a bonus.
"Well?" the girl's hands rest on her tiny hips.
"The drawing part anyway… not sure about the rest," the voice is a ripple on a pond, concealing a greater depth.
The petite girl smoothes out her tan breeches and sits next to Kywyn on the bench.
"What do they call you?" Kywyn questions sedately.
The girl replies sweetly, "Lori."
"Kywyn," the artisan replies simply, pointing a thumb to his chest while holding his pencil.
They both watch the children's game being performed on the cobbled road. One taller girl has a sack over her head as a blindfold and is spinning around as the other six children chant with increasing fervor:
"Jackal Knight, Jackal Knight, turn around.
Jackal Knight, Jackal Knight, touch the ground.
Jackal Knight, Jackal Knight, goblin chase.
Jackal Knight, Jackal Knight, homeward race.
Jackal Knight, Jackal Knight, go upstairs.
Jackal Knight, Jackal Knight, say your prayers.
Jackal Knight, Jackal Knight, snuff the light.
Jackal Knight, Jackal Knight, say "Goodnight!"
The high-pitched voices echo in the side street. Kywyn continues to watch the game, having never played it before himself. He does recognize it as some sort of role-play involving the city's knightly order – The Jackals.
As far as he can tell, the blindfolded child tries to tag one of the other kids dashing madly around the defined area and identify them without the aid of sight. If successful, the blindfold passes to the tagged child, and the game starts over.
"A frog!" Lori exclaims as she tries to touch the amphibian.
"He's my friend," Kywyn says in a reserved fashion without turning his head, "Name is Hex."
Hex evades the girl's minute hand and chirps. The little glob of darkness clings to Kywyn with twiggy limbs.
"That's neat," the halfling youngster beams.
After a minute of stillness, Lori breaks her reticence.
"Do you think you could draw me something?"
Kywyn turns to the little girl while he sharpens his blacklead pencil with a small blade, "I think I could manage that. Are you looking for some luck?"
The girl stays quiet.
With a half-sheet of paper in hand, Kywyn looks to her questioningly.
"Mmm... how about a mouse? With big eyes!" Lori returns.
With simple black lines, Kywyn completes the quick sketch of an exaggerated rodent.
"She seems to have something on her mind," the pallid-dressed man considers as he regards the girl fidgeting with her fingers, rubbing at her thumbnail.
He passes her the image, and she seems grateful that it gives her hands something to do.
"Oh! It's cute," Lori holds the picture to her chest.
The moment of joy fades like a star in the morning light.
The brown-haired girl sighs as a tiny frown crosses her face, "Better get home."
"You alright?" Kywyn asks.
"Ya..." the girl stands, "Thank you for tha picture."
She runs off.
There is probably something wrong in her life, Kywyn estimates. But he could do little. He gazes at the children playing again. So many probably have troubles they shouldn't.
That thought leaves a bad taste. Kywyn rises to head back inside the apartment.
Later, Kywyn finds himself in their bedroom, putting away a few things. He could not stop thinking about the tiny girl though. It gives him a headache. It reminds him of the school in the Temple of Ordemet where the kids are lucky to get what little they have. It makes him feel like... there was a void.
He couldn't hear them, he couldn't see them, he couldn't reach them.
We're all reaching in the dark, reality just a guess cobbled together by our senses.
The room takes on an odd angle and Kywyn stumbles to the wall.
We are all searching for something to make sense, to pass along the burden, to know we are not alone.
Something speaks to him. It says, "Kywyn... I'min... Seeker... Ghost... What is your name?"
And some people believe they are pulling the strings of the shadow play, while others trust they are being pulled. The assumption is that we can tell the difference. With the blind over your eyes, you reach out not only to find, but also to be found.
Kywyn looks to the closet. It's coming from there, isn't it?
It is a Blind Man's Bluff. And then it hits me; it's a game I've been playing my whole life. In some way or another, we all have.
Throwing the closet door open, Kywyn is greeted by nothing but clothing.
He had to get some fresh air. He looks at his collection of black outfits.
"Why not?" he thinks as he begins to don one.
---
[To Avowed]
Something is buzzing inside him, and he finds it hard empty his thoughts. Kywyn walks over to the tree-hung target and kicks at it for a time to work out the headache. An inside crescent kick sends the wooden wheel spinning on its leash, and a shuffling side kick knocks it back the other way. A yielding palm push returns the target to rest.
What is wrong with him? Is it just one of those blue days?
Kywyn slouches back against the tree. His black frog hops up to his shoulder. The man did not want to go in just yet, didn't want to pass along this down feeling to NaShae or Dakarai.
Reaching back over his shoulder, Kywyn begins a blind contour drawing on the bark with his finger. Stop drawing what you think you see and draw what you see, he was instructed before by some artist he watched.
Before he knows what he is thinking, the path of his index finger defines a lupine shape. Kywyn adds his voice to the image and a shadow flows into the bark to animate the wolf.
They had wolves back north. Kywyn saw more than a few in his childhood. This one is exaggerated in extreme ways, however, longer legs and coarse, spiky hair around a massive maw.
Kywyn pushes up into a back bridge off the tree to get to his feet. The dark-clad man and the shadow wolf circle each other. Kywyn observes the way it moves, trying to imitate some of its animal grace.
Scent is important to them, the real ones anyway. Kywyn heard that is how they identify each other. Even from a great distance, their senses probably alert them of something before they realize it. It is like that for many animals, Kywyn guesses.
Hex stares at the shade from the front of Kywyn's shoulder.
Is it just that man has learned to block it out? Kywyn closes his eyes, letting the diagram of a wolf dissolve.
The graveyard. He didn't need to know why. He could smell it.
---
[To Graveyard]
Aubrey turns around to watch the mage flying by as Nanashi suggests, sniffling.
She responds to Tynks question. "Yes, he's my kitten. I got him for my birthday when I was little last year."
"We were just playing when the boogeyman reached out of the dark and grabbed him."
"Did you save him?"
She wipes her nose on her sleeve, her eyes pleading for an affirmyive answer.
:raincloud
Tynk wishes he knew how to explain, but he begins to see none will bring happiness to her as he lets a sincere expression of sympathy for her present loss that he does not hide and he hesitates.
"He went into the sewers with your cat. I don't know why, but I am going to find out. We will organize and investigate, and do our best to bring back socks. Where do you live? Run home and I will come with news, and hope for the best."
. o O (I must find out the motivation behind committing such an act...and me with no sense of direction underground. It better not be plant zombies! :headexplo )
The last thought fuels him into action, and little option is left. If they were going to catch the thing they must make immediate pursuit. He digs a coin out and holds it out to Nanashi...not caring it happened to be a gold one.
"A token of my grattitude if you see her safely home. I will buy you lunch when you come tell me where she lives. You know where to find me."
With that he is off into the air and back to the manhole.
"Treetrip, what do you think?" He asks openly, peering down the manhole.
"What are we chasing here?"
Normal voice "I don't know, it had a dog head. But what do people with dog heads want with a little girl's socks?"
The last bit is strained as Treetrip begins to climb down into the sewer.
. o O (This place reaks!)
Covers his poor, hopefully undamaged nose to protect it from the fumes.
"Oh ho ho! Nanashi likes Tynk's idea! He will see Aubrey home and then come back to wait here for you. He will be in the stables at Nobody's Inn if you are more than a few hours. Aubrey, let's get you home now so these two can find your kitten."
Why did Aubrey name her cat? Names only make it harder to eat them when they are old enough. The boogey man must be very hungry to steal a cat before it is ripe!
When the sun rises, he dons the worn, old clothing marked for the sewers and heads out after saying his goodbyes for the morning.
---
[To Nobody's Inn]
"They are Sir Hermy's men."
The girl leads Nanashi down the street, doing her best to keep from breaking back into tears.
Tynk flies back to the other gnome, and it dawns on him what the beast he saw was. He's read about those in his studies. A gnoll. Though they are not usually found near civilization, let alone in the middle of a city.
Treetrip finds other then the top of the hole there is nothing to hold on too. Climbing down is not an option, but dropping is. It appears to be only ten or so feet to the sludge covered floor below.
. o O (This isn't what a sheriff is supposed to do. A sheriff just makes people obey the law. Which is what I'm trying to make a dog person do. I guess this is what sheriffs do.)
. o O (But its still ucky)
Uses his keen gnomish vision to look about him, in hopes of finding someone or something near enough that he can be gone quickly, but far enough away that he isn't in immediate danger.
. o O (I'd better hurry though. That thing moved fast!)
Unslings Danglethwack from his back.
. o O (I hope he doesn't make me use this.)
Jingle jingle jingle.
"I made quite a few sunrods recently and you would think I would have brought one..."
Zap pokes about and Tynk pays attention to her senses, looking for signs of the direction the prey went. He is aware of the lizard's greatly superior vision in the dark.
"Tynk flies very fast. Even Nanashi would have to work a little to escape from him! Oh ho ho! Does Aubrey know if it is the pin that lets him fly?"
Nanashi will have to get one if it is! But right now he has to take care of other things. He needs to keep Aubrey too busy to cry. He does not want her attracting more boogey men to steal their socks! Nanashi could beat a hundred boogey men no problem but he does not want to go to sleep all sweaty! Do you see why Nanashi is no babysitter? Never mind! Let there be less questions for Nanashi and more for Aubrey!
"Does Aubrey have any brothers or sisters? Nanashi had three brothers and a sister. You could call them Badger, Belfry, Barker and Birdie. You could also call them Digger, Duckhopper, Dribblelip and Dormouse. Sometimes people called Badger Fuzzychops and mistook Belfry for Dripplelip but Birdie was always Birdie except when it rained and she was Dormouse. But Nanashi was always Nanashi! Is it the same for Aubrey and her family? Nanashi finds humans so confusing! It must be because they grow so much and so quickly. Even Nanashi might get lost in his own head if it went floating in the clouds at such a young age. Do Aubrey know anything about this? Nanashi would like to hear it if she does for in that too is strength."
Oh ho ho! Nanashi can be very distracting!
*******************************
Aubrey laughs. "Yer funny."
She points at a rundown house. "I live there with my dad. I used ta have a brother but he went away."
"Nanashi went away too. It left more room for the other ones. More food too now that Nanashi is big enough to find his own meals. Nanashi will knock on the door so your father can let us in. He might be upset if Nanashi walked into his house uninvited."
And that would mean he was a smart man! Nanashi can be very frightening! Oh ho ho!
Perhaps her father is not home.
"I could turn into a wolf, and try to smell for the beast. Although I do not know what good a wolves nose would be with this smell about."
Shakes his head.
"This may be a bad idea. Garics sewers are known for their harboring of evil things in them. Why, Hermy told me he lost his finger and his dog to a witch he tracked down these tunnels."
"And unless we have a tracker or divination we can only guess. I fear this will have to wait until we can prepare."
"I am certain the palace will be interested in a gnoll about the city..." he says as an afterthought."Although one stealing pets may seem obscure enough."
. o O (
)"I don't want to just abandon the kitty."
Moves a little down stream looking around with his lower light vision for any signs of the gnoll thief.
"Zap can see well though. Let's give a shot, I have an idea."
He makes a few sounds in immitation to the snapping shock the lizard makes, and she snaps once looking up from his side with her head cocked.
"A moment please."
With a sprinkle of cat hair into the air and some words a spell is cast as if again out of nature, all too familiar to the youth. Next it is fox hairs with more obscure words, and even still following he continues motion and practiced intonations. Zap bounds off at a speed unheard of and a goal in mind.
"This should give us some ground, we can explore the other direction and come back. You will have to lead unless you carry a torch."
Casts Cat's Grace, Fox's Cunning, Expeditious Retreat on himself and Zap. Zap searches one random direction with instructions to search for the gnoll and come back.
"Maybe it is okay for Nanashi to just walk in since Aubrey is with him. He would like Aubrey to wait outside so Tynk and Treetrip will know where he is gone. Can Aubrey do that for Nanashi? Badger would do it if he were here but he is not here so Nanashi must ask Aubrey to do this for him."
Oh ho ho! What a clever ruse! Aubrey will never see through that!
**********************************************
Zap goes speading off heading north. Treetrip looking the other direction can see little other then the ever present filth of the sewer.
The lizard spots some movement, but it turns out to be nothing more then a rat. A large one.
"Nanashi will not leave Aubrey then! We will go inside together and find the others later! Here we go! Nanashi will open the door for you now!"
Nanashi pushes the door first but he is ready to pull it if that does not work! Oh ho ho! Nanashi knows how tricky doors can be!
Aubrey frowns. "My dads been busy working so he hasn't had much time to clean."
Tries to keep pace with Tynk, finding the point where the slug is lowest and chasing the young wizard, trying to keep his stomach above the filth.
Jingle jingle jingle.
. o O (I wish I could close my nose.)
. o O (I wonder if anything can live under this gunk. It'd be a pretty weird fish to manage that. It'd be a pretty weird anything. I bet it would look pretty neat though...)
. o O (If something comes rushing out at us, I oughta be prepared.)
Unslings Danglethwack from his shoulders.
First a babysitter and now a housekeeper? This will not do!
"But that is not why we are here! We are here to save your d- your socks! Where is your dad hiding?"
(OoC: Nanashi assumes that the smell and mess were not caused by a fight. He will look around for a body either way. Even under furniture or in piles of clothing.)
The rest of the house follows a similar theme. A pile of unwashed clothes sits in a corner of the kitchen, the few dishes the house has are all stacked on the floor next to a tub of stagnant water.
Aubrey sniffles. "My dads been working a lot to pay for mommys stay at the church."
"She's got a... some word I can't pronounce. She has to stay there for a few more days."
It could be long gone by now.
. o O (Zap, meet us.)
The young mage shakes his head as he realizes the lack of progress.
"We'll discuss this matter later, let us return. We have bad news of a lost kitten to bare, and little comfort in hope even if we can find the beast."
Turns to go back the way they came.
"I could try to lift you above this muck, how are you holding up?"
"Horribley! The stench is horrendous!"
. o O (And we lost the kitty,
)Sighs.
"Yes, please lift me out of here, I'll need to spend weeks cleaning my nose out just to be safe."
Slumps his shoulder.
. o O (I guess I botched that one all up. If only I'd been more persuasive while we were above ground.)
"The boogey man is not here! Aubrey will stay here where it is safe and Nanashi will track him down!"
Nanashi will do that tomorrow. He has put off his sleep long enough! He can even afford Marroc's stables again! Oh ho ho!
And good night, Nanashi! To Marroc's stables!
Neb stepped onto the cobble stones and looked around.
Few days growth... so is that one hand for humans... or seven? Neb thought as she turned left.
Child Rybel followed the traders quarter south. Neb pasted the Palace's backwall, and the Temple of Ordometrix.
I think it is this way... After a short detour, Neb got back on track and found her way to Had Thanson's home.
"I guess that leaves only one thing to do..." she said quietly to herself.
*knock knock* Neb rapped on the door of the Church's Agent.
"I will get that, Aubrey!"
Nanashi the Great is not a doorkeeper either! He was going to use the door anyway so it it does not count this time! Opening the door now...
This is not the boogey man. Nanashi remembers him as taller. This looks a lot like a dwarf. Why is she here? Nanashi will have to ask.
"Have you come about the boogey man? He is not here! Nanashi has scared him away for you! Oh ho ho!"
Blonde hair... blue eyes. Blue and green are close... Wait... not a human.
"So I guess it is a safe guess that you aren't Had Thanson."
She paused.
"Boogey man? No. I'm Neb Rybel. Am I at the right house?"
"Aubrey, is it? I was sent by a priest at the church of Agathalos. Do you know where can I find your father?"
"Maybe Neb passed Had on the way here. Neb has never seen him before so she might not have noticed. Had is probably there now. Neb and Aubrey could go back and find out."
Then Nanashi can finally go to sleep! Oh ho ho!
"Treetrip, it was good to meet you. I look forward to working with you on cleaning these slums. Hopefuly I don't drag you through any muck next time."
Standing near the hole as the Gnome departs Tynk looks toward the old house in hesitation. He goes by foot with Zap near him, heading directly north. He is not going to draw attention to himself flying about anymore than necessary.
Zap:"Why for I not zap him?" She snaps
"Because the prey carried a small friend we wanted to save. I didn't want the captured to be hurt."
Zap:"But my shock doesn't kill."
She was right. He had spared a kitten harmless pain in exchange for the gnolls escape. He shakes his head to himself.
Tynk ponders this in silence and it isn't long till the tower comes to view and his thoughts turn to matters at hand. There is a gnoll of strange behavior lurking in Garics, and so far he and treetrip are of the few who know.
To Hightower
"How long ago did your father leave?"
Neb paused.
"Master Gnome, do you or Nanashi know the way to the inn near here?"
(OoC: I know that the Gnome and Nanashi are one and the same)
"Oh ho ho! Nanashi knows of two inns! One has a stage and the other has a halfling running it! Which one sounds better to you?"
Why does Neb need to know this? Does she think Had can not tell a church from an inn? Maybe she will explain when she answers his question. Nanashi is so clever to have asked it. Oh ho ho!
"Nobody's Inn? Does that sound familiar? As I understand, he was supposed to deliver a message to there."
"My dad should be back soon, right?"
After a moment's pause.
"Would you feel better coming with us to find your father?"
"But I've never talked to one before."
Thje young girl takes Nanashi's hand, and steps out the door.
Tynk even pulls out his wooden symbol of the Wise, which few have seen him bare.
[size=1]To Church of Agathalos[/size]
Kywyn moves on to some unarmed forms afterward, ones that shift from slow to fast in an instant and demonstrate a flow of energy and concentration.
"Channel all your emotion you keep bottled up, focus your depression, rage, loneliness, fear, into training," his shadow self in the form of a frog states, [i]"That’s your technique, isn’t it?"[/i]
"Yes," is Kywyn’s reply.
Anger… but nothing, no stage in your life, really makes sense until you are past it and can look back. We walk with our shadows until we can see what is casting them. It’s a choice when you look ahead, and destiny when you look back, but really, it’s all shadow.
Walking over, Kywyn picks up a thin brush from his pack sitting on a side bench. With a small vial of black ink, Kywyn draws a few shapes on a scrap of white paper. When using colors, one has to be careful with black. While it is what you see in the absence of light, in pigments, it is the combination of everything. It absorbs the light, draws the eyes, and deadens any other colors around it. Often, painters wisely make a sort of semi-black out of other shades to better emulate real light.
Now, however, Kywyn is using the black on its own, for its own effect. He lets the ink droplets fall somewhat randomly and smoothes out the shapes into figures. The ink blots portray deformed figures, bent men with bloated stomachs and exaggerated limbs.
After speaking into them in dreamed up tones, the pictures blink into existence as tangible shadows. They would be Kywyn’s training partners for this session. He looks around the circle of three, their fictitious faces staring back at the man in black clothing.
Putting away the pen and ink, Kywyn asks them to attack. The human spins into a lowered stance with his arms curving into complementary arcs around his body. His open hands belie their martial potential.
Suddenly, the first misshapen creature jumps and twists through the air toward Kywyn. The shadow’s leg is held out in a kicking position as its body revolves on a vertical axis. Kywyn hops back and still needs to block a spinning foot with a sweeping palm. The shaded man-thing’s leap is amazing, and Kywyn wonders just what he has created.
The second shadow closes in and crouches low for a second before shooting skyward while launching an uppercut-like strike. Kywyn turns just to catch the hit in the gut. Leaving his feet and springing upward with the creature to lessen the force, Kywyn is knocked even higher and flies backward. The slender man breaks his fall by slapping the ground at his sides at the same instant his back and feet touch the ground, spreading out the impact over as much surface as he can. He coughs, still slightly winded from the drop.
The shadow that hit him spins through the air to land in a stance with both deformed fists ready, one raised at its shoulder, the other closer to the waist. The other shadow moves next to him in a matching pose.
"That can’t be," Kywyn things as he rolls backward to his feet.
He recognizes something in the way they move now. They were just stories he had heard when he was younger, a lethal style of martial art that was all but forgotten, a killer’s fist, an assassin’s fist.
"Ansatsuken…"
The fabled flying hook strike that was said to scar and decapitate, the extraordinary leaps with multiple kicks in the air… Was it?
"How could they know that style?"
"No… Must be reading my mental image of that martial art. It’s not the real thing, just based on my vision of it from what I’ve heard," Kywyn decides while drawing in some deep breaths.
He steadies himself and closes his rear hand into a fist.
It is in his head, the way they move, the way they fight. In reality, they are just moving blobs, but Kywyn plays along with his active imagination.
Kywyn is struck across his chest once and then again in the forearms that he raises into a heavy block. It is not good technique from Kywyn, but he has no option to match the speed of the attack. Twisting his hips, Kywyn finds a circular pattern again and sweeps away a last hard kick, bypassing the point of impact.
The other shade makes a lunge for Kywyn, who spins around in a go-behind movement and hops with a front heel kick that sends one shadow into the other. They both recover and raise their fists again.
Kywyn cannot match them strength for strength, only by building the momentum of the fight could he hope to control it.
The first shadow sweeps in low as the second leaps forward with a heavy kick. Kywyn shifts slowly, subtly, until they are closer. He jumps, rotating just under the high shade and over the low one. With a lotus leaf palm, Kywyn lets his hand run down the dark leg of the airborne shadow until he finds purchase at the knee joint. Pressing down gently, Kywyn lands first while pushing the black form into a spiral. The image seems to stretch unnaturally as the force is applied.
Kywyn is then struck from the side by the other foe but accepts the fist with both hands while sliding backward. Turning suddenly, Kywyn sidesteps the forward traveling form and ends up behind it. Telegraphed with a slight tapping of his forward foot, Kywyn skips out in a swinging thrust kick that crashes into the head of the shadow but fails to beat it back.
He steps in circles now, a shadow on either side. They move in together, and Kywyn slithers back to draw them closer to each other. The man kicks out in a black blur, sending his foot into the first and rebounding to strike the other. The force of the strikes appears inefficient to slow them down. So the dance continues, Kywyn shifting around the forms as they blast out with distended feet, fists, and force.
Yielding to the attacks, Kywyn pushes and pulls them but cannot knock them down.
"Yes," Kywyn seethes between clenched teeth.
"Then you know you can’t win. The scale is unbalanced."
Kywyn is kicked forward by a heel to his back. He stumbles into the other shadow which drops down low to catch Kywyn’s stomach on its shoulder. Rising up, it tosses Kywyn overhead. The agile man breaks his fall with a forward roll into a crouch.
"I tried."
He dashes to a fresh section of the yard, the layer of dirt on the tiles is an untouched canvas. Despite the fact that the shadows are smaller than he is, they were beating Kywyn, and he realizes it.
Now he welcomes them, his open hands rise in front of him as if feeling something in the air. The shadows run in with clubbing blows. Kywyn ducks one while stepping in close to the other. He catches the attacking arm on his shoulder and presses in tight to clasp the head as well. The other shadow reaches out to pry him off its partner. Kywyn spins, sending the captured arm swinging to knock down the second shade. When that shadow rises and kicks outs, Kywyn bows under to catch the moving calf on his shoulder. Turning, the dark heel is redirected toward the other shadow behind them. The two inky forms curve away from Kywyn.
"I tried."
They spring back, jumping at the man. Kywyn jumps as well. He knows he cannot jump as high, so he waits until they are at a reachable elevation. In the air, Kywyn crosses his legs to trap the two shadow kicks underneath. All three of them come down together.
Kywyn hops when they retract their feet, and he grasps their wrists as they raise their fists.
"I can’t balance the scale with force, I can’t balance it with surrender."
Twisting his center and letting the whiplash flow through his body and his foes, Kywyn spins quickly. The two smaller shadows skid around once on their heels.
"The Downward Spiral has one direction of flow. It keeps the dark touch contained it its helix."
And just then, time runs out on their lease on temporary life. The shadows fade back to inkblots, and then vanish into the morning dew.
Kywyn falls to his armor-padded knees in the center of the circle. His gauntleted hands reach for support in front of him.
He sees Hex on the ground at the edge of the dirt symbol.
"Who said it was up to you to balance the scale? Guo-guo."
"I don’t know what you’re talking about anymore", Kywyn regains some composure as he catches his breath, "Which metaphor are we on?"
"Just repeating what we know," the frog croaks.
"So no matter what I do, it balances out in the end."
"In the end, in the long run, I guess. But if you want to make changes while you can still see them, maybe you just need to keep trying," Hex suggests.
"That, I can do," Kywyn stands as the breeze starts to erode the picture in the dust but not from his memory.
Where is Nanashi... Lightbringer don't let him be so short that he can't reach a halfling's door latch, she thought.
Oh ho ho! Nanashi is always full of good news! And he remembered to call Neb by her right name this time!
Leonardo nods to the dwarf.
"Hello ... Neb? Or is it Rybel? My name is Leonardo Dendranth. Nanashi here has convinced me to help out; if you'll allow me to, that is."
"If you two are ready, we can get going."
Neb lifted her axe from the loop on her belt, the familiar feeling of the sweat stained leather in her hand calmed her growing excitement.
Neb pauses as she glances down at Nanashi.
"Something's different about you... or is it just dark?"
She thought about it for a moment before, "Nevermind that now. Marroc said that we should go see an Ol' Jasper. Apparently he spoke with Had just before he disappeared."
How interesting that these two should end up being companions, so different from each other.
Realizing that he would have to learn to coordinate with both of his new aquaintances in order to complete their goal, Leo makes a mental note to learn to adapt to new circumstances. His survival depends on it, in more ways than one.
"Lead on to this Jasper, then."
"So Mister Dendranth, how long have you known Nanashi?"
Neb sees the weights hanging from Leonardo's belt by cord. "What are those?" she asked pointing at the odd weapon.
Neb slips her axe into the crook under her arm as she secures her mane of red braids to her main braid behind her head with a cord.
"So who wants to knock on the door?" Neb looked to Nanashi, whom she suspected was going to leap at the chance to experiment with a door.
"Stand back! Nanashi will take care of this! Oh ho ho!"
Nanashi pounds on the door but he is careful not to break it. He can do that later if he has to. Oh ho ho!
"Nanashi has come for Had Thansen! Aubrey wants her father back!"
A few seconds later, a man in his mid to late thirtys opens the door, loaded crossbow in hand but not raised.
"What's all this ruckus about? He gives all three a quick glance. "And do I know you?"
"He has gone missing, and we were hoping you could set us on the path."
Then again, there exist dangers in the city that Leo is still unfamiliar with, and perhaps openness to neighbors is a liability these people can't take.
What a lot of work to just set aside.
She glances ruefully at her sleeping familiar.
.oO(Nice to be able to sleep all the time. Storing up for future mischief... Well, I guess if matters change, I can take this research up again. But I agreed with Gamis that binding a creature to my will is wrong.)
Standing heavily, she walks to her cabinet and tucks the folio inside.
The sun and the sounds of town stream through the windows, when she's startled awake finally by a small dark-haired boy jumping onto her bed. A bright smile crosses her face and she pulls her son into her arms, holding him as tightly as she did his father the night before. Snuggled into the covers, they talk, Shae finding out about what Dak and Mon'quai have been doing while she's been gone and anything else that she can think to ask about.
Urged to get up by both of their stomachs, Shae scoots Dak out so she can get dressed. A few moments later, she comes out of her room, immediately looking for something to make them for breakfast. Turning to Dak, she stalls her half-hearted search and suggests they go out for breakfast before he goes to his classes at the Temple.
Getting ready to head out for the day, Shae and Dak leave the apartments and head into the market.
[To Market p.27]
His finger leaves the crossbows trigger as he looks at Neb.
"You say you are from the Church eh? Had's been working for you right? A bit to much if you ask me."
"I know he owes you for the help you gave his wife before her death, Mother watch her soul, but he's still got that daughter of his that just lost one parent, she could really use the other right now."
"The mans worn down to the souls of his feet. I doubt he's taken the time recently for a decent nights sleep, let alone the time to spend with his girl."
"Once you find him, how about you tel him to take a break."
"I don't think Lord Agathalos needs repayment that bad."
Neb sighed.
"If you could just point us in the last direction you saw him heading towards, it would be a great help."
"I did not mean to imply that you weren't interested in his well being. The oppisite actually."
"I was hoping you'd tell him to take it easy. He won't listen to his friends."
"But he will listen to a represenetive of Lord Agathalos."
Jasper shrugs.
"Last I saw him he was heading towards Nobody's Inn, but he didn't make it there."
"There are a lot of side alleys on the way there he could have wandered into."
"Or been pulled into."
"Even natives of the slums fall victem to it occasionally. And Had wasn't as observant as usual. Looked like he was sleeping on his feet actually."
Jasper shakes his head.
"Wouldn't surprise me if he was actually."
"He didn't do much more then grunt and tell me he had a job to do at Nobodys."
"And he could find his way there asleep, almost as easily as he could find his way home. Routine you know?"
He nods to Jasper. It is obvious that this man has concern for both Had and Aubrey. It reassures Leo to know that even in the most desperate of living conditions, a sense of community can still exist.
Leo steps back and allows Neb and Nanashi to say their part, if they have any more to say. The ranger is eager to get on the trail before more time is lost.
Even if there was a trail to follow, it has no doubt been trampled by countless pedestrians.
Nanashi needs to know more or they may never find Had Thansen! Aubrey is not yet strong enough for that!
"Also, what was Had Thansen wearing? Was he carrying anything with him? Nanashi needs to know things that might make it easier to find him."
"Hads place is south until you get to Winder, then east on Howgards End."
"You can get to it by taking a lleft on East Dramel, but thats not as direct."
"Of course if ya don't know the area, it won't do you much good anyhow. What signs there ever were here have most likely been used as firewood years ago."
He sighs.
"Look for a red house to know when to turn to get to Nobodys. Its the only one around so you should be able to spot it. Owner spends a fortune keeping it that color."
"You should be able to tell where to turn to get ta Hads by taking your third left after that house, and then the second right after you pass the place with all the dogs. You can't really miss that either. Unless you're deaf."
He scratches his head. "I seem ta recall Had was wearin his goin ta church clothes. Clean white shirt, and boots without much caked on dirt. His green cloak too."
"And he was carrying a bundle wrapped in cloth. About the size of a lunch pail. Doubt it was food in it though."
Nanashi will make sure everyone else understands too! Oh ho ho!
"We follow this road until a red house, then turn left and it will take us to Marroc's Place. We get to Had's place by taking the third left after the red house, and then take the second right after we come to the place of dogs. Does Jasper mean that we get to Had's place by following this road past the red house and then taking the third left or do we turn left at the red house and then take the third left after that?"
The clothing sounds easy to remember. Nanashi will let Neb remember that for him! Oh ho ho!
Boirin looks around, the stink of the sewers still filling his nostrils. Aramil's axe grasped firmly in hand he looks around and limps towards Natala's. Passers-by in the street give him wide berth, first because of the smell then because of the look in his eye.
[to Natala's]
NaShae -- ah, is something wrong?
Holding the door wide, she ushers the distraught elf inside.
Neb looks embarrassed because she didn't think of asking that.
Shaking again, now that she's stopped pacing, her jaw sets, every forced, erratic breath is painful around the lump in her throat.
He went into the sewers? Not alone, I hope! Are you saying he didn't come back out?!
She turns towards the stairs, calling out as she goes, Perry, run tell Master Gamis that I'm going on a rescue into the sewers. He's at the Jackals training yard.
NaShae, I'll be right back, I have to change my clothes and get my things.
Trying to keep calm so she doesn't break down again, Shae looks to the door, "I have to find more help too. There was something there. I don't know what it was, but it...hurt Kywyn. It only hit him one time."
Ah... meet us at the Silver Sword. It's easy to find, and there's the big meeting room, and if we need supplies we can get them there. I'll be there within half an hour.
She calls after Perry, who is tying the lace on his other shoe, Tell Gamis we're at the Silver Sword!
Yes'm! Perry answers, then darts down the street at top speed.
NaShae, if you can get healing potions, strong ones... It would be good.
.oO(If it killed Kywyn so easily...)
.oO(I'll have to throw all of this out, after, but for a friend's life, it's worth it. Or if not his life, the preservation of his soul...)
She pulls her new chain shirt on over the cloth shirt, and takes up her dagger and crossbow. Healing potions in their pouch, wands in her belt, and magic cloak over all.
Level 0 (4): acid splash², detect magic¹, disrupt undead² x2
Level 1 (6): mage armor², magic missile x2, magic weapon, true strike¹ x2
Level 2 (5): Melf's acid arrow² x2, mirror image, protection from arrows, summon swarm²
Level 3 (4): daylight, fireball, greater magic weapon, keen edge
Level 4 (3): enervation², summon monster IV² x2
Level 5 (2): teleport², waves of fatigue²
Divine: Guidance, Create Water, Light, Read Magic
Bless, Detect Undead, Divine Favor
Up in the apartment, she ransacks the drawers and closets, looking for her older clothes, something she can wear into the sewers. Her search is stopped each time she comes across something of Kywyn's, which she takes time to set neatly off to the side. She finds clothes in a dark grey color and quickly changes, leaving the drawers open and her clothes everywhere.
Moving to look through what else they have at the apartment, she grabs any money she finds, throws her weapons in her pack and looks to see if there are any scrolls and potions he left behind, packing anything into her bag.
Rushing to Dak's room, she packs some things for him, not remembering what is still in the compound. As she runs out the door, she barely remembers to lock it, having something to so keeping her from breaking down again.
.oO(Sewers... Better bring smaller weapons, can't swing a cat down there sometimes, better leave surcoat and cloak...)
Entering the bedroom, he finds Miri still getting ready. "Hey, what's going on?" he asks as he tilts back a chest lid to retrieve his mace and its holster.
spells:
1st: cure light wounds x2
2nd: bull's Strength, zone of truth
3rd: dispel magic
Kywyn went into the sewers. With others, I don't know who, but the one that came back out said they ran into 'something bad.' It took Kywyn down with one hit, and... I think he may be dead. NaShae wasn't very coherent about that.
I told her to bring the witness and meet us at the Silver Sword. She's going to try to find more help. Maybe we could take Aramil? He's pretty strong, and doesn't he have that cleric of Agathalos hanging out with him lately? Maybe he could come along too... Dwarves are handy in tunnels.
dagger, +1 light crossbow and bolts (20), mithral chain shirt,
bracers of armor +1, +1 cloak of resistance, scrolls (charm person, protection from arrows), spell component pouch, wand of magic missiles (5th level, 23 charges), wand of magic missile (1st level, 29 charges, 'Tuke' activation word), potions (cure light wounds x3)
"Aramil sounds good. He might be smithing over at the Guild."
.oO(Who else does that leave? Not many people...) "I'll meet you over there shortly." He drops his belt in order to remove his surcoat and toss it over his armor stand. "Should we send Perry to your parents again?"
Giving Gamis a quick kiss on the cheek, she picks up her crossbow and hurries down the stairs.
Perry! Lock up after Master Gamis and run on over to my folks house for a day or two!
With no further ado, she races for the Silver Sword, Ixchal clinging desperately to her shoulder.
It is too bad that Jasper is not an ogre after all but Nanashi may find one yet. Someone has to have stolen Had Thansen. It could still be ogres. What a story it will make from Aubrey if Nanashi saves her father from ogres! He will even leave Leonardo and Neb in the story if they are useful. Oh ho ho! Nanashi is so generous!
"N-Rybel! Leonardo! Let us go find Had Thansen! This way!"
Nanashi takes the lead! Who better than Nanashi? Oh ho ho!
(OoC: Nanashi has no more questions. Walking his normal speed in armor is half of Leonardo's speed. Nanashi is only doing this to make it easier for Leonardo to track Had Thansen. Oh ho ho!)
"That should be fine. But you know that was just an expression when I said, 'A woman's home is her castle,' don't you?" she asks as she walks out the door.
"Oh ho ho! Yes, of course! Esmet expressed it very well to Nanashi."
Esmet is very clever. With Nanashi's help, she has mislead anyone that might try to find her castle. She has not fooled Nanashi but that is only because he is Nanashi! Oh ho ho!
"Okay, Perry, I'm off. Be good for Miri's folks."
"Yes, Sir Pfaebinn. Good luck!"
"Thanks."
With Miri's apprentice turning the key, Gamis heads towards the warehouse district at a brisk lumber.
.oO(Sewers... Those things that choked me? Didn't Miri say something about them being cleared out? What else... Wait... Wasn't Jaeger thinking of going down there after something? His name, his name, damn...)
Apprehension knots the paladin's stomach as the follow's in Miri's footsteps towards the Guild.
[To ToO2 p1]
"Nobody's Inn is the obvious choice, but we just came from that way and didn't see him."
Leonardo puts his hand to his chin in thought. "I have some experience tracking, but in this environment, it may be quite difficult. I'll give it a try, but we may have better luck with some more subtle methods. Try to question the locals as we go along."
Following Nanashi, Leo continues the conversation. "Jasper's description of Had's condition sounded quite dire. What kind of errand could he have been running for your Church?"
His eyes scan the ground as he talks. "Oh, and you said earlier that you had a description of Had. Could you give it to me so we all know what we're looking for?"
[Leo walks half his speed, in step with Nanashi, using his Track feat to search for anything out of the ordinary and try to pick up a trail]
"So which way do you think we should go? To Marroc's or Had's?" she asked.
"Nobody's Inn is the obvious choice, but we just came from that way and didn't see him."
"Nanashi thinks we can figure that out when we get to the red house. Maybe we will find Had Thansen before then now that we know what he looks like."
"We may have missed something we weren't looking for on the way here from Nobody's. But perhaps it would be best to go back to the beginning, start at Had's home, and retrace his steps."
Leonardo puts his hand to his chin in thought. "I have some experience tracking, but in this environment, it may be quite difficult. I'll give it a try, but we may have better luck with some more subtle methods. Try to question the locals as we go along."
"Nanashi thinks it might be best to start from the last place Had Thansen was seen if we can. He was wearing clean boots, in case that makes it easier to follow him. Nanashi thinks we should also watch for any bundles left lying about."
Leonardo offers good advice about the locals, so Nanashi will take it. In that too is strength! Oh ho ho!
"Nanashi greets you, local people! He and Leonardo and Rybel are looking for Had Thansen. You may not know him, so Nanashi will describe him to you! Had Thansen was last seen dressed for church, wearing a clean white shirt, green cloak and clean boots. He was also carrying a wrapped bundle. Does he sound like anyone you have seen today?"
Well, almost no one. Leonardo catches sight of a man slinking down a back alley, his eyes and head twitching at something across the street. Another alley way.
Despite the seemingly vacant street, the priestess looses her shield from her back and confirms her grip on the axe.
"Oh ho ho! Do not be afraid of Nanashi, local people! Do not be afraid for Had Thansen either! His daughter misses him very much and would like him back! You would not want to make little Aubrey cry would you, local people? He will give a silver piece to the first person that can help him and three more if he finds Had Thansen because of that help!"
Good idea, Nanashi! Dragons are not the only ones that get hungry! Oh ho ho!
"There's something going on here," he tells the others. "That man just made a motion towards that alleyway." Leo indicates the alley that the man was motioning towards.
"Could you two investigate that alley? I'll try to find out if that man knows anything."
Leo begins walking swiftly in the direction of the back alley the man is disappearing into. He calls out, "Excuse me, friend. Could I have a few words?"
The man Leonardo addresses shakes his head and heads down the alley.
"Nanashi has made a mistake, local people! He does not have enough silver coins after all! He just has this one! Instead, if he finds Had Thansen because of you he will just have to offer you this gold piece. Oh ho ho! Can you see it from where you are hiding, local people?"
(OoC: Nanashi would investigate the alley, Leonardo, but first he must bargain with the local people. Oh ho ho!)
Leonardo sees that Nanashi is occupied with the bargaining. "I'll be back," he tells the gnome and dwarf.
Leonardo quickens his pace, following the man down the alley.
"Oh yeah, I saw him. An hour or so ago. Heading north. He looked like he was in a hurry."
"Nah! He was headin home from Nobody's. Looked drunk as a skunk. I think I saw him headin' inta an alley ta pass out."
"East. He was heading east. I tried to talk to him, but he brushed me off. Said he didn't have time to chat."
"I'm not sure if it was him or not, but it coulda been. It siounded like his voice. But I heard someone yelling for help earlier."
Nanashi gets a few more stories, and can't tell which, if any of them are right.
********************************************
Leonardo follows the man, who once in the alley stops and puts a finger to his lips to indicate quiet. He whispers. "I hope your friend keeps everyone distracted. If word gets out I've been talking to you, I'm in more trouble then Had is."
He glances about before continueing.
"Had's not for from here. He's at the Old Grandon place. The house on Planters Row with the green shutters."
""A couple of guys there are planning on holding him for ransom."
"Who? And why would they hold Had for ransom? By all accounts, he's a man of simple means. What would make him valuable enough for ransom?"
The ranger keeps an eye out on their surroundings as they speak, to make sure no one notices their conversation.
Boirin walks swiftly out of the Temple, heading towards the Armory. Thoughts bubbling to the surface of his mind, but one seems to come to the surface over and over again.
.oO(What is a lich?)
He shakes his head, knowing he will be told more of this later. He reachs the street with the armory, and heads inside.
[to IWA]
As Boirin walks along the now familiar cobbles on his way to the Silver Sword, a tune comes to mind. It is an anceint dwarven mining tune, sung by those who have a good mastery of the laungage. In fact masters of its many verses never repeat a word once. Well except for the chorus, but the verses don't repeat words. He sings out the tune as he walks along.
[dwarven]"Gold, gold, gold, gold, gold gold gold, gold gold, gold, gold, gold, gold, gold. G-O-L-D!!!"
Oh ho, oh ho, yo ho. G-O-L-D!"[/dwarven]
Well maybe it looses something in translation.
In not very long Boirin finds himself standing in front of the Guild hall. He adjusts his new bandeleer and cracks his neck. Time to tell the story again.
Nanashi does not ask why this person heard a yell for help and did not answer it. They are not Nanashi and do not have his strength! They need to be smart where he just needs to be Nanashi! Oh ho ho! Now Nanashi must give the first person to tell him something the silver coin unless that person was obviously lying to him. Coins are not what Nanashi gives to those who lie to him! Oh ho ho!
Leonardo listens intently as the man has his say.
"Who? And why would they hold Had for ransom? By all accounts, he's a man of simple means. What would make him valuable enough for ransom?"
The ranger keeps an eye out on their surroundings as they speak, to make sure no one notices their conversation.
The man shrugs. "It's no secret he's been doing work for the church. And they have a lot of money."
"As for who, I'd rather not say. I've said too much as is, and you are sure to find out if you go after him, or who ever does go after him will."
Neb tries to interdict herself between the gnome and the mob of commoners in a vain effort to keep Nanashi from being drowned (trampled) by the desperation of the needy.
The dwarf commands a bit of respect from the mob, and they keep their hands (and feet) away from the gnome and his money.
"Oh ho ho! So many stories and so much disagreement! Nanashi would hate to think that people were lying to him for gold. That would make the Dragon very angry. When Rybel talked with Marroc, did he mention Had Thansen being drunk? Jasper did not mention him being drunk and Nanashi thought we were sent to him because Had Thansen never made it to see Marroc. Nanashi could see Had Thansen being in a hurry, so north or east might work. Rybel is Had Thansen's house or Marroc's Place north or east of here? Nanashi knows he could not have gone both ways unless it was at different times. When was he seen going east? Person who tried to talk to him, how well do you know Had Thansen? Nanashi asks the person who saw him going north the same question. Nanashi asks the person who heard someone who might have been Had Thansen yelling for help how well you knew Had Thansen too. Nanashi also wants to know when you heard Had Thansen yell and where you heard him yelling from. Did anyone else hear someone who could have been Had Thansen yelling for help today?"
Nanashi does not ask why this person heard a yell for help and did not answer it. They are not Nanashi and do not have his strength! They need to be smart where he just needs to be Nanashi! Oh ho ho! Now Nanashi must give the first person to tell him something the silver coin unless that person was obviously lying to him. Coins are not what Nanashi gives to those who lie to him! Oh ho ho!
Nanashi gets a few red faced stammerings back.
"Well he looked drunk. On second thought maybe he was just very tired. Yeah, that's got to be it."
"I've met him a few times in passing. My wife and his used to be friends.I think maybe he was going north, it's hard to get your directions right around here. Damn winding roads you know. Yeah, it was north about an hour ago, right Sam?"
The man who mentioned North earlier nods in agreement. The man who mentioned the yell stammers. "Never met him exactually. But, well it could have been him yelling."
The one called Sam shrugs. "Coulda been just someone who got lost and ran into a gang too. Happens fairly regularily. I don't even here the yells much anymore."
If the man has no more to say, Leonardo thanks him and returns to Neb and Nanashi.
"A lot of us here are."
His face reddens. "It's for his daughter I told you what I already have. I... They'll be watching the front of the house closely, but the man watching the rear... he's not the most observant man I know."
"Or the bravest."
"Like I said, he's jus desperate."
She continued in a more preachy tone, "To ignore Evil is to be a party to it!"
Leonardo gives one more nod to the man, then turns and makes his way out of the alley. He views the crowd that has gathered around his companions as he exits onto the street.
What's going on now?
Neb grabbed the one named Sam and opened up with an accusatory tone, "You don't help your fellows when they cry for help!?"
She continued in a more preachy tone, "To ignore Evil is to be a party to it!"
Sam pulls away. "And to get a knife between the ribs for not minding my own buisness is being a party to being dead."
"If I have to choose between the two, well being a bit of a scum, is beter then bein a bit dead."
He spits down on the ground.
"Some of us aint got the benefit of having an entire organization ta watch our backs while we sleep."
"Out here, we got ta watch out for ourselves."
"Thank you. Your help is greatly appreciated. By both me and Aubrey, I'm sure. I won't take up anymore of your time."
Leonardo gives one more nod to the man, then turns and makes his way out of the alley. He views the crowd that has gathered around his companions as he exits onto the street.
What's going on now?
Leanardo spots one of the men in the crowd staring down Nb, and the rest of them starting to back away from the gnome.
"Who knows, maybe if everyone started helping everyone else, you wouldn't have to watch your back."
"Oh, good," sighs Esmet as they walk through the evening streets. "I hope you aren't expecting much. I haven't really decorated my room much, if at all."
.oO(I should get around to that. But then again I don't expect to do much entertaining in my room.)
.oO(Come to think of it, what exactly does Nanashi want to see? A boarding house is a boarding house.)
She glances at the halfling out of the corner of her eye.
"Whose going to protect My family while I'm off protecting someone elses?"
A small murmer goes through the crowd.
"Nanashi does not need much decoration for himself when there is so much to be found in the city around him. Oh ho ho! Lead the way, Esmet, and Nanashi will follow!"
(OoC: Now Nanashi posts for Neb and Leonardo!)
Neb does not understand the ways of these people! If everyone looks after each other someone still needs to decide what is important! They would not be grateful for what they had if they could always count on others to give it to them! Oh ho ho! Better that they know how to look after themselves. Nanashi will not tell Neb that. In knowing when the argument can not be won is strength. Nanashi has a job to do!
"Nanashi thinks we should go look where there was screaming. If that was Had Thansen then he might still need help. If he was going another way and just fell asleep then we have more time to find him or maybe he will wake up and find himself for us. Oh ho ho! What does Rybel think of this idea?"
Nanashi better give his silver coin to someone now! He just has to decide who came to him first.
He turns back to the crowd. "Friends, my companion's infectious generosity has touched me. I also have an offer of a silver coin to whoever can guide me to Planter's Row."
Leo speaks again to Nanashi and Neb. "What do you two think? Did you find any other information? I'm afraid we may be in for a fight if my source is correct. Although, I was told that the kidnappers are not evil men, only desperate. At any rate, I hope to avoid any killing."
She continued, "But, if they are, the Lightbringer will clearly mark them as such, and we will react appropriately."
One of them laughs. "Planter's Row eh? I can lead you there. Cost ya two coins though, but I can gaurantee you won't be seen approaching."
Leonardo then closely examines the man who spoke.
He speaks to him, while raising an eyebrow. "Indeed? And why would I need to approach Planter's Row without being seen? Is there something or someone I should be wary of? You'll have to make it worth my two coins."
"Anyone who steals fathers from Aubrey should be more worried about Nanashi than anyone else. Oh ho ho! Nanashi does not think they are too bright for stealing Had Thansen though. How would Aubrey pay to get him back?"
Cruel One refers to Neutral Evil aspect of Kakodemmion
We need to look this way in case someone went after Had Thansen and did not want money for him!"
Neb raised her eyebrows.
"Leonardo don't worry about the silver pieces, I will cover it. We don't have time to debate if an extra silver is worth it."
Neb began drawing a pair of silvers from her money purse.
"No one knows the slums as well as me. There aint a back alley I don't know. Don't you worry, them guys on Planters Row won't know what hit them."
He looks to Nanashi. "Which is why you make a good point. Perhaps we are taking this information too readily. However, I still think it's our best lead. From what I can tell, the kidnappers are inexperienced; they may not have released any ransom note yet. Will you come investigate Planter's Row with us? If it turns out to be a dead end, we can search for the source of the shouting from earlier. Or, if you really feel that time is a factor, I suppose we could split up, but I don't think that is such a good idea. Besides, I believe time is of the essence in any case. These kidnappers are desperate and amateur, which could potentially be a very dangerous situation for Had."
"... Besides, I believe time is of the essence in any case. These kidnappers are desperate and amateur, which could potentially be a very dangerous situation for Had."
"May the Lightbringer illuminate our path and hasten our feet."
Neb pressed two of the silver pieces--hers and Leonardo's--into the man's hand. "Lead on."
The ranger indicates that he is ready to follow their newly acquired guide.
"This way."
"Hope ya don't mind getting a bit dirty."
The man enters a sidestreet and looks around. After a few seconds he seems satisfied, and moves aside a broken crate, reveiling a small grate in the ground.
"Garic's secret roadway."
"You can get almost anywhere if you know where you are going."
He squats down and starts to pry up the grate.
************************************************
Around Nanashi, the rest of the surounding mob start to drift away.
"Oh ho ho! Here is poor Nanashi, a little gnome without a place to call his own! How helpless he looks! He would be easy pickings for the sort of people that steal other people's fathers off the street! Poor little Nanashi is so tired! He had better check every alley for a good place to sleep! There has to be one somewhere around here that is dark and quiet enough for him! Nanashi will whistle a jaunty tune as he goes! That will make the big people realize he has nothing to fear from them! Oh ho ho!"
Whistling is hard work but Nanashi will make it work! It has to last him until he has finished walking a three block radius. That should be far enough to find a shouter! Oh ho ho!
The ranger squats alongside the man and helps him lift the grate. "By the way, we never caught your name."
"No amount of filth can stain my soul."
Rybel kept watch while the humans worked the grate.
Once the grate is off, the man peers around again.
"If you think you want some light down here, go ahead and light up a torch. This area aint as explosive as some of the others."
He drops into the hole in the ground and a splash soon follows.
"Come on in. The waters warm."
Nanashi just realized that no one told him where the shouting was coming from! Oh ho ho! This will make things harder! It is good that Nanashi has a plan!
"Oh ho ho! Here is poor Nanashi, a little gnome without a place to call his own! How helpless he looks! He would be easy pickings for the sort of people that steal other people's fathers off the street! Poor little Nanashi is so tired! He had better check every alley for a good place to sleep! There has to be one somewhere around here that is dark and quiet enough for him! Nanashi will whistle a jaunty tune as he goes! That will make the big people realize he has nothing to fear from them! Oh ho ho!"
Whistling is hard work but Nanashi will make it work! It has to last him until he has finished walking a three block radius. That should be far enough to find a shouter! Oh ho ho!
Other then one call of "Keep it down.", Nanashi finds no shouters.
Out of the corner of his eye, he does catch sight of people staring at him from doorways and windows. But the roads appear to be empty. And very quiet.
Neb used one of her prepared Light Orisons. Duration 10 minutes.
Neb loosened her shield and placed it on her back. With her axe in hand, she lowered herself down the hole.
All right. If that's the way this is going to work, so be it.
The ranger didn't really expect the man to so readily give his name, but it didn't hurt to try. However, the man's refusal only heightens Leo's suspicions. Climbing down after the others, he unsheathes his flail and sickle.
"If you think you want some light down here, go ahead and light up a torch. This area aint as explosive as some of the others."
"Explosive?" Leo says, with an eyebrow raised and slightly disturbed at how nonchalantly the man says this. Taking a closer look at his surroundings, he is struck by how extensive the city's sewer system is. Suffice to say, it is much more complex than the drainage system back home.
Leonardo also takes more than a passing interest in Neb's spell. While not completely foreign, magic was not common in his village. They might see the occasional magician, and the priests of the village certainly had their own mysticism, but it was not often that one could closely observe a spell being cast.
"A person could get lost down here for days."
"Not much longer then that though."
He chuckles as he trudges through the muck.
****************************************************
Nanashi keeps an eye out for clues, two eyes actually. So intently does he look, that at first he doesn't notice whomever it is behind the club that sweeps over his head.
He notices afterwards though.
Iniative:
Nanashi
Thug One
Thug Two
Nanashi will take a few steps away from them first. That way they can see what he is doing better. Oh ho ho! It is time to recite his magic words!
[abyssal]"Master, grant me power that you may feed from my hand! DRAGON FIST IGNITE!"[/abyssal]
Pump your fist, Nanashi! See the fear in your enemies' eyes now that it burns as brightly as a torch! Let it sink in, Nanashi. There is no escape for them now.
(OoC: Nanashi gives up Cure Moderate Wounds for Produce Flame. He will take a five foot step away from both enemies first if he can or just the one who swung the club if he can not get away from them both.)
That man steps in to close the distance Nanashi has just given himself, snarling. "So you're a caster eh?"
"Good. You might be worth something to someone then."
His club's swing is easily sidestepped by Nanashi.
The other man grunts and moves to circle around the gnome, but Nanashi turns sideways to see his club coming in on its downard arc and moves out of it's path.
Remember how the Dragon likes his meals, Nanashi! Well done! Oh ho ho! Roast the talking one first!
(OoC: Nanashi gets +4 on touch attacks and does 1d6+3 fire damage if he hits.)
The other man has no such distraction, and wallops Nanashi with a solid hit from his club.
Nanashi takes 3 points damage and 2 nonlethal.
Nanashi 18/21 plus 2 subdual
Leonardo takes their guide's advice and attempts to keep the group close as he follows with weapons in hand.
"Oh ho ho! Nanashi has fire enough for both of you! Burn!"
(OoC: Nanashi attacks the one that hit him this time.)
Something that smells as vile as it sounds squished under her foot. "How long did it take you to learn these... shortcuts."
"They can be dangerous, but no worse then up on the surface when you're a scrawny bucktoothed boy."
The guide slooshes along, everyonce in awhile touching the sides of the walls.
"At least not most of the time."
It will take more than a club to stop Nanashi!
"Oh ho ho! Nanashi has fire enough for both of you! Burn!"
(OoC: Nanashi attacks the one that hit him this time.)
The other man jumps back from Nanashis touch, sacrificing another good hit too do so.
The first man, slaps out the flames on himself and then lays into the gnome. "Face it! You're outclassed gnome!"
Nanashi takes 2 and 2 non lethal.
Nanashi 16/21 and four subdual.
As a Dwarf, Neb can passively find secret doors in stone. She has a +2 Search Modifier
"So, how close will this path bring us to Planter's Row?"
"Theres two ways onto Planters. One close to where you want to be, the other at the other end of the street."
"We're closer to the second one I mentioned now, if the smells gettin to you."
The other man jumps back from Nanashis touch, sacrificing another good hit too do so.
The first man, slaps out the flames on himself and then lays into the gnome. "Face it! You're outclassed gnome!"
"Not by you! Oh ho ho!"
(OoC: Nanashi will attack the speaker again this round. Will Produce Flame end if he casts another spell?)
The other man swings, but it goes high, and Nanashi is able to duck under it.
Nanashi takes 1 and 2 non lethal.
Nanashi 15/21 and 6 subdual
The spells duration ran out, so no, casting another spell won't end it. It is already ended.
Leonardo pauses. "Wait. How do you know where we want to be? I never told you exactly where on Planter's Row we needed to get to."
The man laughs nervously and his eyes dart down the tunnel. "Well, you and your friend must be going to Gobi's place ain't ya. If anyone took Thanson, it was his gang."
The man laughs nervously and his eyes dart down the tunnel. "Well, you and your friend must be going to Gobi's place ain't ya. If anyone took Thanson, it was his gang."
Neb raised an eyebrow and touched her glowing holy symbol.
"Shadows hide but You can see, share with we the truth that be."
Neb cast Detect Evil and directs the cone on their guide. After which, she will maintain concentration on it. It lasts 10 minutes.
"Oh ho ho! Nanashi gave you a chance! [Abyssal]Feel the breath of the Master upon you![/Abyssal]"
(OoC: Nanashi converts Summon Monster I to Burning Hands for 3d4 hp of fire damage, 14 DC Reflex save for half. If he can get them both after he takes a 5 ft step he will but Nanashi thinks they are flanking him. If Nanashi is right about that he will move enough to get both in the spell effect first. He will draw attacks of opportunity for moving that way but then he might not take an attack of opportunity for casting the spell. Oh ho ho!)
(OoC: Nanashi has another question. Did the light from Produce Flame help him recognize his attacker or was it just because he did not see him earlier? Nanashi knows it is late because he has been trying to go to sleep for over a month now but he was not sure if it was already night. He assumes it is not a clear night if he needs torchlight to see clearly outside with his low light vision. Is he right in thinking it is night and that his enemies have a 20% miss chance now? It makes it easier to decide whether to keep fighting or to try something else if he knows how dark it is.)
"I see. And what can you tell us about Gobi and his gang?"
The ranger slowly begins to circle around the man, attempting to intercept his path down the tunnel he glanced down.
"Well... um, not much really... well... he's just a..." His eyes lock on to Leonardos as the ranger repositions himself.
"To Demmion with this!" He takes off running, trying to knock the ranger out of the way.
Attempting an over run. Attack of oppertunity is called for if desired, as is deceiding wether to move out of the way or trying to block the guide.
The one Nanashi did not recognizes takes it full in the chest, the other man,leaps out of its path receiving only burns across his back. It does seem to be enough though, and he crumbles to the ground.
His companian noting the change in odds, turns tail and runs.
It was because he did not see him earlier. Nanashis spot check indicated he was preoccupied with the road and not the two men sneaking up on him.
It is late evening, but not dark enough for a miss chance yet. The choice to keep fighting is however a bit easier to pick now, isn't it?
If Neb is allowed to make an AoO, she will be using her Waraxe two-handed (her shield is on her back as previously stated). +3 to hit, 1d10+3 slashing damage, 20/x3.
[Leo uses his attack of opportunity to make a trip attempt on the man with his flail. If the attempt fails, Leo will try to block the man.]
Nanashi needs answers but the Dragon wants his dinner! What is Nanashi to do? He can not run as fast as a human! Let us see if he can throw faster than a human runs instead! Oh ho ho!
(OoC: Nanashi understands now and thanks kneyejailb! Oh ho ho! He throws his dart after the one that is running away. He gets +4 on the attack roll -2 for every 20 ft. and 1d3+1 damage.)
The rangers flail catches him around the knee and drops him face first into the sludge. He moans and rolls onto his back.
"I give! I give!"
The downed man moans unconsciously.
"[abyssal]The Master spurns you today, for you have not yet been prepared to his refined tastes![/abyssal] Oh ho ho!"
Nanashi has slapped him! Be glad that you are not on the receiving end of Nanashi's hand! Oh ho ho! Slap him again, Nanashi!
(OoC: Nanashi casts Cure Minor Wounds on the fallen man.)
He looks up at the gnome pummeling him.
Nanashi feels the Dragon's hunger. Food is so close! Not yet, Master! If this one can find Had Thansen, Nanashi is sure there will be others guarding him! More food this way, Master!
"Are you having trouble standing, big man? Should Nanashi do something about that?"
Nanashi must ignore his own bruises for now. His body only thinks it hurts but Nanashi is not fooled! Oh ho ho!
"I give! I give!"[/i]
Neb puts her axe over their evil guide's throat and she looks to Leonardo. "Nice move."
To the guide, "Tell me what you know about Had's disappearance."
Intimidation check. 1d20-2 opposed by defenders level + Wisdom Modifier
He stands watching over the dwarf and the fallen guide, content to allow Neb to carry out the interrogation. The ranger had never been skilled at intimidation; it simply didn't suit him. But this seems like one of those situations that calls for it.
He breathes several deep breaths and then his eyes turn downwards towards his hands.
"I don't know much."
"Gobi just paid me to keep the heat off of him until he could get things in motion."
"He suspected someone would come looking, and leading them around the sewers for a few hours seemed like a good way to keep things calm and bloodless."
"Who? Oh ho ho! Nanashi is who! You will give Had Thansen to him or he will feed you to the Dragon. Thank Nanashi for giving you a choice! Your friend did not get the same! Oh ho ho!"
Nanashi feels the Dragon's hunger. Food is so close! Not yet, Master! If this one can find Had Thansen, Nanashi is sure there will be others guarding him! More food this way, Master!
"Are you having trouble standing, big man? Should Nanashi do something about that?"
Nanashi must ignore his own bruises for now. His body only thinks it hurts but Nanashi is not fooled! Oh ho ho!
The man shakes his head.
"I don't know squat about Had Thanson."
He struggles to his knees and starts to stand.
"I don't see my friends body. You're bluffing."
And why did you try to knock Nanashi out? Nanashi wants to meet people who would pay for his services! Oh ho ho! Do not tell him that, Nanashi!
"Nanashi thinks you should tell him what you were doing. He saved you only so he could find Had Thansen. If you do not know where he is then why should Nanashi let you live any longer? Do you want to see Nanashi's next trick?"
Get ready to cast your spell, Nanashi!
(OoC: Nanashi is going to cast Cure Light Wounds on himself but he is delaying to see what the man will say or do before he actually casts it.)
"He's been kidnapped for ransom."
"Didn't know his place and tried to put on airs like he was better then the rest of us here just because he got ta work for the church."
"We'll see if he really is better then us when they don't pay."
He shifts his weight appearing ready to bolt.
"And we'll see if you are too."
"It aint just me and my friend ya know."
"He suspected someone would come looking, and leading them around the sewers for a few hours seemed like a good way to keep things calm and bloodless."
Neb spoke slowly and clearly, "Now. You will take us to where Gobi is holding Had. You will tell us how many men to expect there waiting for us. And you will make reparations to both the church and this city for the crimes you have committed in aiding Gobi and his band of kidnappers."
"If we aren't there in a reasonable amount of time, and you'll wake up in chains, locked in a jail cell, and awaiting judgement across town," she deliberately neglects to state what constitutes 'reasonable,' but implies that their guide doesn't want to linger.
"He's got a hideout on Planters Row." And at least a half dozen men with him."
"Hard men."
He glances past Neb at Leonardo.
"More then the two of you can handle I'd wager."
"If I take you there I doubt it will be me that finds himself locked up."
He slowly moves a hand towards his face.
"I'll take you there allright."
"If he's telling the truth, he's got a point about the odds. Perhaps we should find Nanashi."
Leo then notices the motion the man is making toward his face. He doesn't know if the guide is trying something, but is not willing to assume he's harmless yet.
"Careful...," he gives a warning to Neb, motioning toward their captive.
Pain relief is good but Nanashi has no time to enjoy it now! He still has Had Thansen to rescue! Get the sling ready, Nanashi, and be sure to sound hard. This man needs to know you mean business.
"Nanashi wants you to take him to the others. Then you will all see what Nanashi can do."
(OoC: Nanashi casts Cure Light Wounds and takes a move action to draw his sling. If the man tries to run away he will load it and attack on his next turn.)
She turned to the guide. "And if you have an itch so bad, you should've told me, I am sure I could relieve it with my axe," Neb said in a threatening tone.
That will probably be my last post before I leave tomorrow.
"I'm not going to be able to lead you out of here if I'm tied up."
"I need my feet to walk, and my hands to read the walls."
He shifts a bit.
"I think it's already been established that I'm not a match for you two."
[abyssal]"What others have done I seek undone!"[/abyssal]
Pain relief is good but Nanashi has no time to enjoy it now! He still has Had Thansen to rescue! Get the sling ready, Nanashi, and be sure to sound hard. This man needs to know you mean business.
"Nanashi wants you to take him to the others. Then you will all see what Nanashi can do."
(OoC: Nanashi casts Cure Light Wounds and takes a move action to draw his sling. If the man tries to run away he will load it and attack on his next turn.)
The man nods. "It's your funeral."
"Easier on me if I don't have to carry you anyhow."
He gets to his feet.
"Just follow me."
He looks to make sure Nanashi isn't going to attack again, and then starts walking.
Nanashi is healed for 9 putting him at 24/28
Nanashi hopes the human will not walk too fast! Nanashi plans to take in the sights along the way! Oh ho ho!
Under Neb's watchful eye, he rolls the man over, and begins tying his hands together behind his back. After he's finished, he lifts the man onto his feet, keeping a firm grip on him.
Use Rope check +3
"I was suppose to keep you busy anyhow. And trying to explain what the marks mean will do that just fine."
"Let's get moving."
He starts to trudge forward.
"Somewhere on the leftside wall you'll find a few scratches."
"Tell me what they say.... Oh, wait, you won't know right?"
"I guess you'll just have to describe them then."
"Nanashi is not the one with one foot in the grave right now! Oh ho ho!"
Nanashi hopes the human will not walk too fast! Nanashi plans to take in the sights along the way! Oh ho ho!
The man matches his pace to the gnomes, his eyes on the gnomes weapon whenever they aren't on the road ahead.
The man leads Nanashi down a street lined with houses in various states on disrepair. The gnome thinks he might be seeing a few eyes looing out of them at him, but whenever he gives a closer look the appear empty.
"Won't be long now."
"Almost there. Last chance to turn back."
"Who puts these marks here? Are they found throughout the entire sewer system?"
He whistles a happy tune and stops to talk to a few people along the way.
"Oh, he's out on adventure. Should be back soon, I'm sure one of Mintos songs will fill you in on all the details."
"Yes, I'll be sure to tell him you said hello."
"I don't think he has time for dating right now, but I'll tell him all about your daughter anyhow."
"Well, since it would just go stale before he gets home, it would be my honor to eat it in his place."
Eventually the well wishers disapear as he reches the warehouse district.
"I'm sure someone else has probably done it somewhere too, but the ones we need to follow are mine."
The guisde tilts his head at a spot on the wall. "There."
"Are there three long scratches and a circle on that wall?"
Searching, Leonardo is able to find some marks in the grime covered wall. They appear to match the guides description.
"We're three openings away from Nobody's Inn."
"It's the best landmark in the area, so I've based most of my marks from it."
"If you run your hand across the wall a few inches lower you'll feel another mark. A straight line with a half circle hanging off the bottom of it."
"Tells me we are west of Nobody's."
The guide staggers forward through the muck.
"Let's keep moving. I want to get untied as soon as possable."
He allows Neb to take the rear of the group, to keep an eye on the bound man. Leo takes position in front, watching for any more marks in the walls.
Leo speaks as they walk in the direction the marks indicate. "Tell me, what did Gobi and his friends offer you in return for keeping us busy?"
Nanashi stands in the middle of the street. He loads his sling while he waits. Oh ho ho! Nanashi better not be kept waiting long!
He walks forward and then yells out.
"I've got a gnome with me that wants to die!"
"Anyone want to help the poor guy out!"
He turns and smiles at Nanashi.
"Like I said. Won't be long now."
If you can convince Neb to untie you, Leonardo thinks, but says nothing.
He allows Neb to take the rear of the group, to keep an eye on the bound man. Leo takes position in front, watching for any more marks in the walls.
Leo speaks as they walk in the direction the marks indicate. "Tell me, what did Gobi and his friends offer you in return for keeping us busy?"
"A bit of coin and a promise to leave me to my own buisness."
"It's bad enough the attention he's already drawn, it would be worse to have some of his guys stumbling around down here as well."
"There! A little higher. What are those markings?"
Leonardo feels four long scratches and a circle.
Leo traces the markings with his fingers. "There are four lines and a circle. Meaning we're four openings from Nobody's?"
Nanashi flings his bullet at the human.
(OoC: +3 to attack with the sling for 1d3+1 damage)
But it might be too late.
Nanashi spots a pair of men exiting a nearby house, armed with crossbows.
"And Had Thansen ... did you know anything about him when you agreed to help Gobi?"
Leo traces the markings with his fingers. "There are four lines and a circle. Meaning we're four openings from Nobody's?"
The guide shrugs. "I knew they had him. But nothing more then that."
"It wasn't any of my buisness to ask anymore."
He nods his head.
"You go up at the next opening then."
"Should bring up right next to Gobis hideout."
The guide shrugs. "I knew they had him. But nothing more then that."
"It wasn't any of my buisness to ask anymore."
Leo sighs. "Yes, that seems to be a common theme running through this area. But I believe that it's the most desperate people who need to look out for eachother the most. For example, I'm sure Had's daughter would have prefered that you had helped rather than hindered us."
He nods his head.
"You go up at the next opening then."
"Should bring up right next to Gobis hideout."
"Is it possible to get to the back of the house unseen from where we come out to the surface?"
"But I really don't see why I should."
"What's in it for me?"
"And don't give me any of that you'll kill me if I don't nonesense. We all know a priestess of Agathalos wouldn't kill a helpless captive."
He stares at Neb.
"I bring you up where they can get you, they'll set me free."
"I bring you up somewhere that will give you a chance then I' go to jail."
"Doesn't sound worth it, does it?"
"Like you said, the worst we will do to you is turn you into the guards for leading us around the sewers. That is only a few weeks or months mining. If you betray us to them, they could do much worse. And if we lose, how can you be sure they won't kill you as well for bringing us here?"
Neb struggled with the ropes to unbind their guide.
"Don't think I have gone soft. I hunt down Evil where ever it dwells. But like you said, I won't let myself be reduced to the level of villian or murderer."
"But you're right."
"They might think I've betrayed them. Or might want to keep me quiet anyways."
"There will be a lot of heat coming down if you get killed. The lss witnesses the better."
The guide exhales. "There will be more time for me to get away if you have a fighting chance."
"It'll take longer for you too kill them then it will for them to kill you."
The guide moves further down the tunnel and then points up.
"There's a grill in the roof of the tunnel there. And some rungs to get up to it."
"When you get up there, you'll be in an abandoned house across the street from Gobi's hideout."
"He'll be watching it."
"He don't know the sewers as well as I do, but he knows the ways into his turf well enough."
The guide smiles.
"What he doesn't know is there is a way out of that house besides the front door."
"A couple of months ago, I found a weak spot in the east wall. Leads into the alley. I blocked it up so it's not easy to spot, but it is easy to take down."
"From that alley, you should be able to reach the house next door."
"He won't be watching that as closely. You might be able to slip from there to his hideout."
The guide turns and starts walking away. "Take your time."
"If he sees you coming, there's no telling what might happen to the hostage."
"Cause I'll be doing my damndest ta keep it that way."
"Good luck."
Leonardo finds the rings on the wall that the guide mentioned, and the grate in the roof of the tunnel easily enough. And it appears to be easy emough to move out of the way.
"Let's get this done."
Leo listens carefully as he holds position under the grate. After giving Neb a warning to get prepared, he then lifts it a short height, remaining alert for any movement or sound in the room it opens to.
Lightbringer, please watch our steps, blind our foes, and guide our hands.
Listening, Leonardo thinks he can hear something, but it seems to be coming from further away then the darkened room the grate leads into.
Shouts can be heard from outside as well. The voice is familiar to both.
"You are almost as brave as Nanashi. He will not insult you and tell you to run away."
He creeps quietly to any window or opening to catch a glimpse of the action on the street. He also searches for the house with the green shutters, Gobi's hideout.
Peering out through a crack in the window boards, Leonardo catches sight of Nanashi standing in the middle of the road. A few feet in front of him lies a prone man. Two other men with crossbows are heading down the road towards him.
They are coming from the direction of a house with green shutters.
Leo points to the house.
"I think they're holding Had in there. How about I help Nanashi, while you go around back and try to find Had? I don't know if the situation's changed, but I was told that the man guarding the back was a coward. It might not take much to scare him off."
Thank you Lightbringer, You've turned their gaze this long. Please distract them just a little longer, the warrior preistess prayed.
For once Nanshi's verbose nature comes in handy.
"Oh ho ho! [abyssal]Feel the Dragon's Merciful Scratch!"[/abyssal]
Poor fools! Their puny weapons can not save them! Onward, Nanashi!
(OoC: Nanashi converts Undetectable Alignment to Inflict Moderate Wounds and heads toward the crossbow men. If he can't close enough to attack one of them with the spell this round he will charge next round and try to hit one then.)
Neb has no problem navigating the dark alley, and finds herself on another road when she comes to it's end.
Both men get a shot off before Nanashi can reach them, one goes over his head, but the other grazes the gnomes arm. Nanashi closes in and unleashes his spell on that one, causing him to gasp in pain.
ooc
Nanashi takes 6, putting him at 18/28.
The alley Leonardo has left puts Nanashi and company 20 feet to his right, the green shuttered house twenty to his left.
The street Neb finds herself on seems to run parrellel to the one Nanashi was on. She can still here his voice.
Nanashi takes 6, putting him at 18/28.
The alley Leonardo has left puts Nanashi and company 20 feet to his right, the green shuttered house twenty to his left.
The street Neb finds herself on seems to run parrellel to the one Nanashi was on. She can still here his voice.
Show
Questions.
1. Would Neb recognize Abyssal?
2. Neb will attempt to identify Nanashi's spell by verbal components (DC 15+Spell level). She has a +4 Modifier to Spellcraft checks.
1. Would Neb recognize Abyssal?
2. Neb will attempt to identify Nanashi's spell by verbal components (DC 15+Spell level). She has a +4 Modifier to Spellcraft checks.
See how Nanashi brandishes his morningstar! Can there be any hope for his enemies now? Only if the hope is for quick death! Oh ho ho!
OoC
This is a neat trick! Oh ho ho! Nanashi gets +4 on his attack roll and does 1d6 + 1 hp of damage with the morningstar.)
[Leo attacks the man NOT affected by Nanashi's spell with his bola to make a ranged trip attack. He then moves into melee range of the, hopefully, prone man, combining his move action with the drawing of both his weapons.]
The other man swings at the gnome, catching him across the shoulder before being struck by Leonardos bola. He avoids being entangled by the swirling balls, and turns to see Leonardo barring down on him.
Further away, Neb can hear Nanashi yelling in an unfamiliar toungue, but is unable to tell what it is. As she moves forward, the priestess spots the green shuttered hiuse up another alley from her. If there is anyone guarding it, she cannot see them.
OOC
Nanashi takes another 5 in damage. 3 lethal, 2 non lethal.
Total damage so far.. 17/28 plus 4 non lethal.
Total damage so far.. 17/28 plus 4 non lethal.
She listens for anything noises coming from inside the house as she searches for a fast way in.
OoC
Can Nanashi see Leonardo coming? Can he tell how long it will take Leonardo to reach him? Nanashi will act once he knows this.
The two thugs currently there split their attentions, one stabbing at, and missing Nanashi, the other grazing Leonardo with a thrust of his sword.
Two more men come rushing out of the green shuttered house, waving shortswords above them as they do.
OOC
Leonardo takes 1 and 1 non lethal.
Leonardo 19/20 plus 1 non lethal.
Nanashi 17/28 plus 4 non lethal.
Neb is still 20 feet from the house.
Leonardo 19/20 plus 1 non lethal.
Nanashi 17/28 plus 4 non lethal.
Neb is still 20 feet from the house.
Got to give Neb some time. Draw the battle out.
Leo takes a slightly more protective stance and eyes his opponent for a moment before striking. He shifts his body lower and sweeps with his sickle, hoping to hook the man's ankles.
Noticing the men coming towards them, Leonardo calls to Nanashi. "We may need to make an escape, Nanashi. Can you give us cover?"
[Leonardo uses Combat Expertise, taking -2 to his attack roll in order to give him a +2 dodge bonus on his AC for the round. He then makes a trip attack with his sickle. If he succeeds, Improved Trip allows him to have an attack, which he will use to strike the man with his flail for non-lethal damage (at a -4 penalty, but I believe that this is nullified with the -4 to the enemy's AC because he is prone). If he doesn't succeed and the enemy makes a trip attempt on Leo, he will drop the sickle to avoid being tripped himself. Sorry that this action was so long and overly complicated. And I believe I've only used my standard action so far. Oh well.]
Have you ever seen anything waved so menacingly as Nanashi's morningstar? Impossible! Witness the doom of all who oppose Nanashi!
OoC
If Nanashi has been flanked he will move around the man who struck him so Leonardo can get a flanking bonus. If he is not flanked he will step to one side of the man and try to set up a flanking bonus next round. He attacks after the move.
Leonardos hooks his sickle around the other mans knee, pulling it out from under him. His flail smashes into the man as he topples, hastening his journey to the ground. He scrambles back to his feet, awkwardly.
The two men from the house charge into battle, but neither hit home with their attacks.
Neb creeps towards the door . It opens from inside, and Neb finds herself staring at the buisness end of a loaded crossbow. "What have we got here? Come to borrow a cup of sugar did we?"
Surprised as she is, the priestess still has enough wits about her to roll to the side when she hears the click of the trigger. The bolt flies over her shoulder. The man curses and tosses the crossbow towards her as he draws a pair of daggers.
OOC
The tripped man provokes an AOO when he stands. And is flanked.
The injured man takes a five foot step back.
Heres a rough attempt at a positioning map.
..............
..3..4.......
...L2N.1....
..............
>>>>>>>>>
The man facing off against Neb is inside the house, blocking the doorway.
The injured man takes a five foot step back.
Heres a rough attempt at a positioning map.
..............
..3..4.......
...L2N.1....
..............
>>>>>>>>>
The man facing off against Neb is inside the house, blocking the doorway.
"Two down, three to go! Oh ho ho!"
OoC
Nanashi stays where he is in case Number 2 tries to stand up. He swings at Number 4 this time.
Neb creeps towards the door . It opens from inside, and Neb finds herself staring at the buisness end of a loaded crossbow. "What have we got here? Come to borrow a cup of sugar did we?"
Surprised as she is, the priestess still has enough wits about her to roll to the side when she hears the click of the trigger. The bolt flies over her shoulder. The man curses and tosses the crossbow towards her as he draws a pair of daggers.
"Keep your sugar, I am here to spread the justice of the Lightbringer," Child Rybel said as she coiled back to launch her axe at the man.
Show
+4 to hit, 1d10+2 slashing damage.
"Run away, Leonardo? Do not joke with Nanashi in front of the dead men and do not hold back. It ends here for them! Goodbye, dead men!"
Even in the midst of battle, Leonardo can't help but smile and roll his eyes at Nanashi's brazen confidence. But despite Nanashi's apparent bloodlust, the ranger will try to keep his own promise and minimize casualties if he can.
His attention shifts back to the man getting to his feet.
"I think you should have stayed down, friend."
Leo's flail swings a circle above the ranger's head before completing an arc towards the man.
Carrying the momentum of this swing, Leo shifts to face the man newly arrived and guides the head of the flail towards him. Spinning his body around, he follows this attack with a backhand swipe of his sickle.
[color=dimgray][Leo takes his attack of opportunity against #2 with his flail. I believe the -2 from the use of Combat expertise is still in effect.
He then uses his action to attack #3 with both his weapons, at his normal attack bonuses (no Combat Expertise).][/color]
Nanasi surprises his foe with the viciousness of his attack. The sounds of bones cracking overpower the mans groan. He barely manages to swing his sword, let alone make contact.
Leonardo's foe fares better. He blocks the mans flail, and only receives a small cut from the sickle. He returns the favor to the rangers arm, drawing blood.
Back out the foes, Nebs man smiles as he weaves out of the way of her axe.
"You'll be spreading something over here. But I don't think it's going to be light." His first knife slashes over her head, the second catches her across the neck. "It'll be blood."
OOC
Leonardo takes 2 and 1 non lethal.
Neb takes 6 and 1 non lethal.
Leonardo 17/20 plus 2 non lethal.
Nanashi 17/28 plus 4 non lethal.
Neb 22/28 and 1 non lethal.
Neb takes 6 and 1 non lethal.
Leonardo 17/20 plus 2 non lethal.
Nanashi 17/28 plus 4 non lethal.
Neb 22/28 and 1 non lethal.
OoC
Nanashi attacks Number 4 and moves 5 feet to stand between him and Number 3.
actions
5-foot step back. Standard Action to convert Bless to Magic Weapon (war domain spell). +5 to hit, 1d10+3 magic slashing damage
[color=dimgray][Leo attacks #3 with both his weapons.][/color]
Leonardo strikes out, but neither of his weapons hits. The man he was attacking ignores him monmentarily, and concentrates on the gnome who stepped up to him. "Big mistake little man."
Nanashi takes another hit to his torso. The first thug having recovered his courage moves back into the fray, standing a top his downed friend as he takes a poke at the ranger. Leonardo slaps it aside.
Back at the house, the knifefighter grins. "Praying isn't going to save you."
He closes the distance between them, blades flashing. One catches Nebs arm.
OOC
Nanashi gets hit twice, the first for 2 and 2 non lethal, the second for 3 and 2 non lethal.
Neb takes 1 and 1 non lethal.
Leonardo 17/20 plus 2 non lethal.
Nanashi 12/28 plus 8 non lethal.
Neb 21/28 and 2 non lethal.
Neb takes 1 and 1 non lethal.
Leonardo 17/20 plus 2 non lethal.
Nanashi 12/28 plus 8 non lethal.
Neb 21/28 and 2 non lethal.
actions
+1 Waraxe, +5 to hit, 1d10+3 magic slashing damage
Look who came back for more! Oh ho ho! Nanashi will not disappoint him!
OOC
Nanashi is borrowing kneyejailb's map to make sure he gets it right. He put Number 3 where he'd be standing next to Nanashi before Nanashi moves this turn. He then put Number 1 where Number 2 was tripped. Nanashi finished by moving himself over to attack Number 1 again, this time with a flanking bonus. No matter what it looks like he is not running away from Number 3. He is just saving him for later. Oh ho ho!
..............
...3.4.......
...L1N.....
..............
>>>>>>>>>
..............
...3.4.......
...L1N.....
..............
>>>>>>>>>
[color=dimgray][Leo makes a trip attempt with his flail on #3. If he succeeds, he uses his attack to strike with his flail. If he fails, he drops the flail to avoid being tripped.][/color]
Leonardo lashes out trying to get hold of his foes leg with his flail. The man snorts as he steps over the chain, and brings his foot down on it, forcing Leonardo to drop it. He snorts again and thrusts out his sword, missing the ranger by mere inches.
The other still breathing thug, steps behind the gnome, blade flashing, but not conecting.
The man at the house laughs at Neb. "The only god I need is my knives. I'll leave the groveling on the ground to you..." His sentance is cut short when Nebs axe cuts across his guts. He spits and strikes back, One knife leaves a ribbon of blood across the priestess face.
OOC
..............
...3.........
...L.N4....
..............
>>>>>>>>>
Neb takes 1 point of damage.
Leonardo 17/20 plus 2 non lethal.
Nanashi 12/28 plus 8 non lethal.
Neb 20/28 and 2 non lethal.
..............
...3.........
...L.N4....
..............
>>>>>>>>>
Neb takes 1 point of damage.
Leonardo 17/20 plus 2 non lethal.
Nanashi 12/28 plus 8 non lethal.
Neb 20/28 and 2 non lethal.
"Oh ho ho! Hold still for Nanashi, human! He will make this quick!"
OOC
Nanashi attacks Number 4.
Good, Allerya, good. I was worrying about you. Did you catch anything tonight? Tyros was grinning at his compannion, petting her in the head.
The ranger placed the owl on his right shoulder and started walking, followed closely by his brown mule, Hunter, which was ready to carry heavy loads. They went towards the city gates, in order to hunt the day's work.
.oO(It's a good day today. I hope to at least catch a deer in the plains outside the walls. The goddess knows I haven't caught anything but hobgoblins lately.)
[To Beyond the walls]
Followed by a physical one with her axe.
[color=dimgray][Leo attacks #3 with his sickle.][/color]
"For now, my services are not needed anymore. I'll take my leave to show little Zeppo what his home will be for the near future. Should you have need for me, I can always be contacted through the Guild.
I regret deeply the deaths of two of our friends, as well as not being able to complete our mission this time around, but find some solace in Sir Allegion's safe return to the Jackals' fold. When next you return to the March, Ser Shadowood, you can count on me to help honour the memory of those who lost their lives for your cause."
With that, the elf rides on to the Silver Sword to report to the guildmasters and stable his mount.
[Draconic]"Just a little longer, little one, and then I'll take you home. Don't worry about all those large and frightening things you see around you, you'll get used to them soon."[/Draconic]
Leonardo fares better. His sickle cuts through the air and into his target. The man makes a feeble attempt at a counterstrike, but Leonardo easily evades it.
The knife fighter facing Neb spits out. "Shut priorities your god seems to have. Wouldn't he have done better by stopping my blades rather then my toungue?"
He sidesteps the priestess attack, and his blades flash, both leaving her bruised and her armor scratched more.
"Or is he more concerned with his name then his servants?"
OOC
Nanashi takes 2 and 2 non lethal, leaving him effectively at 0 hit points.
Neb takes 1 point of damage and 2 non lethal. (The hit taken last round should have been non lethal as well.).
Leonardo 17/20 plus 2 non lethal.
Nanashi 10/28 plus 10 non lethal.
Neb 20/28 and 5 non lethal.
Nanashi takes 2 and 2 non lethal, leaving him effectively at 0 hit points.
Neb takes 1 point of damage and 2 non lethal. (The hit taken last round should have been non lethal as well.).
Leonardo 17/20 plus 2 non lethal.
Nanashi 10/28 plus 10 non lethal.
Neb 20/28 and 5 non lethal.
[color=dimgray][Leo makes a trip attempt with his sickle, attacking with the sickle if he suceeds. If he fails, he will keep hold of the sickle and face the opposed trip attempt if there is one.][/color]
Show this man who he deals with, Nanashi.
[abyssal]"Feel the breath of the Master upon you!"[/abyssal]
OoC
..............
...3.........
...L..4....
....N.........
>>>>>>>>>
Nanashi takes a 5 ft step away from Number 4 before he converts Obscuring Mist to Burning Hands. He directs it at Number 4 for 3d4 hp of fire damage.
..............
...3.........
...L..4....
....N.........
>>>>>>>>>
Nanashi takes a 5 ft step away from Number 4 before he converts Obscuring Mist to Burning Hands. He directs it at Number 4 for 3d4 hp of fire damage.
action
Neb initiates an Overun, which provokes an AoO. The target can't allow Neb to pass through (Improved Overrun). It is an Opposed roll of Neb's Strength Modifier +4 (feat) vs the defender's Dexterity or Strength modifier (similiar bonuses from Improved Overrun don't apply as it is only applicable to attacks). If Neb wins the check, the dagger man is knocked prone. When the dagger man gets up, it provokes an AoO before he gets up (the -4 to AC for being prone applies).
For Neb's AoO (when the guy gets up): Attack Bonus +5 (vs defender's AC -4), 1d10+3 magic slashing
For Neb's AoO (when the guy gets up): Attack Bonus +5 (vs defender's AC -4), 1d10+3 magic slashing