Renew the Pact: Undocumented, part 4
Log Info
- Title: Renew the Pact: Undocumented, part 4
- Emitter: Thurid
- Characters: Aryia, Lillianath, Paenitia
- Place: A05: Warehouse District
- Time: Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 2:06 PM
- Summary: The party flees, and is unable to run away fast enough. The take to the back alleys of the warehouses, then split up, attempting to find their way out. The raging barbarian chases after them, barely slowed by barrels and a tanglefoot. Choosing three different directions, the adventurers discover the back alleys are like a maze. Aryia, Paenitia and Ramirez take to creeping along in the dark, while Lillianath attempts to out run, then out climb the barbarian who spotted her. She's able to direct Aryia and Paenitia to safety, ducks an axe, and acrobatically exits the area - even if it requires landing on her bum. The three amigas ride off into the sunset.
=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A05: Warehouse District *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The Tornwawr River cuts along the edge of this section, it's broad expanse creating the district's eastern border, making the river's west banks a series of small docks for the warehouses that crowd up to it. Ships and barges dot the river surface, making deliveries and putting in for repairs. No few bear a nod to Rada, their proud sails bearing Rada's symbol, or three, for luck's sake. They also fly the colours of many nations and city-states, all sending their trade to Alexandria.
After the row of warehouses, the district's street's house small offices dotted with the names of shipping companies and various industries. Tucked in between is the occasional sailor's tavern. Beyond that, simple townhouses in tight rows provide homes for the area's workers. The area is bustling, especially with some working the night shifts, but the rowdiness is low. There's hard work to be done, and that requires a good night's, or good day's, sleep and the warehousing is loud enough without any roughhousing, thank you kindly.
South, the Great Sea wall and the Port of Alexandria are visible.
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery. Aryia 4'8" 110 Lb Shadow Elf Female A heavily scarred mul with a lost look about her. Lillianath 5'0" 117 Lb Dawn Elf Female Perpetually worried-looking elf woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thurid 7'1" 249 Lb Giantborn Female Bright-eyed, muscular, blond Giantborn woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Taking flight after their close encounter of the greataxe kind, the adventurers have fled to the crossroads of the junction- while one road leads back toards the main thoroughfare, the wild-woman chasing them has at least one ally and perhaps more who came from that direction, so it is a gamble to make their way back that way. The other option is to head deeper into the rats nest of alleyways that make up the spaces between the waterfront and the main street a little ways distant. Aryia has peeked around the corner, and spotted that the alleyway continues for some time before turning. There are also a stack of barrels up against the wall of a building nestled back here.
Paenitia and Lil, astride Ramirez's back, are hot on Aryia's heels- their pursuer is not far behind, and she lets out another manic laugh as she hefts her axe high into the air and swings it in wide arcs overhead as she bounds down the alley after them.
Paenitia's weapons are already nicely attached to her saddle, so picking out her bow is her only task. She pats at the peacock-andalusian's neck, "Ramirez my love. Follow the dark one."
It will be a bit of a squeeze with Lillianath sharing the saddle, and the little Lucht sitting in front. She grips with her thighs, leans and snaps a quick shot at their pursuer.
"Enjoy running to your death, for that is what you do." She calls out happily, and aims for that big mouth.
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon1-6: (6)+8+-6: 8
The arrows flies wide, very wide.
GAME: Lillianath rolls ranged: (11)+5: 16 <OOC> Thurid says, "That'll be a +2 for Pae's next ranged attack. Go ahead and pose it."
Seeing the knight select a bow from the menagerie of weapons strapped to the hippo-peacock's body, Lilli flattens herself in the saddle as far as she can manage. "If you need to use me to steady yourself," she notes, voice slightly muffled against rustleing feathers and oiled leather, "don't hesitate. And tell me how else I might help."
Aryia runs forward, feet pounding against the stone alley. She spots a stack of barrels, boots skid against the ground as she grips the edge of them. Towards the party, she makes a frantic beckoning motion.
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon1-4: (10)+8+-4: 14 GAME: Aryia rolls strength: (15)+2: 17 <OOC> Thurid says, "That works, the barrels begin to tip over. Reflex save to avoid getting hit as they come down." GAME: Aryia rolls reflex: (11)+6: 17
Ramirez has keen eyes, sharp darksight. He does not see far, but he sees enough to follow Aryia, and does so. His back undulates in a smooth motion as he gallops, slap-slap, clop-clop, as fore talons and hind hooves strike.
"Thank you my friend," Paenitia says, as she braces her arm on Lillianth's back. She draws the bow, looses!
A miss.
But getting closer.
"The Mad Dog armory does not have ranged weapons. If you need a pole-arm, they are small but will serve. You help greatly with the steadying. I try to think of better things to aid with."
The Barbarian chasing them bounds along the passage behind the warehouse they so recently vacated, still swinging her axe overhad, "Run! Run for your lives!" she bellows after them, heedless of the arrows that come flying her way. One misses her ear by scant inches, and she does not even flinch.
As the group reaches the enxt bend in the path, they see that it splits off in several directions- to the east, a narrow passage, sandwiched between two buildings, barely wide enough for them to walk single file, and not wide enough for Ramirez at all. To the west, a slightly wider passage, though still claustrophobic thanks to the overhanging eeves of the buildings above. A double door, with a rusty padlock, barrs entrance to a squat square storehouse bordering the northern side of this passage. At its end, it seems to split again- once more into a narrow side passage and a wider main passage.
As the barrels come tumbling down, they make a mighty ruckus, some shattering against the cobbles spilling red wine which stains the ground. Others remain intact, bouncing and rolling against the walls. Some split or crack but retain their shape by and large. When they settle, they form a rather substantial barrier for passage- not quite a wall, but certainly enough to slow pursuit somewhat.
As their options for escape grow slimmer, Lilli raises her head, and taps Paenitia's shoulder. "I've found a better way to help," she says quietly, and slides off Ramirez's back, pressing herself against the wall of the alleyway. "The scrolls are the top priority, here, and I can try to slow her down."
Out of another hip pouch, a losely-stitched canvas bag is produced and held up. "Go, and Bright Moon willing I shall find a way to meet back up with the both of you."
The north path continues for 20 feet before turning west. The south splits after just a few feet and goes east and west.
GAME: Aryia rolls stealth: (20)+7: 27
Aryia sprints down to the end of the alley, looking one way and another before giving a sharp whistle to the party. She points to the wider alley, opens her arms wide to show how big it is and points to Ramierez before turning to the south alley and shoving her back against the wall. The shade hitting perfectly to where the mul melded into it.
At either end of the narrow passage, it turns back towards the south.
GAME: Paenitia rolls knowledge/local: (17)+8: 25 GAME: Paenitia rolls stealth: (9)+8: 17 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16 (Ramirez Stealth) <OOC> Thurid says, "Alright, 16 for Ramirez, 21 for paenitia"
There is a main thoroughfare somewhere to the south - it's well guarded and busy enough that the pursuer is not likely to risk pursuit if it is reached.
"To the south, busy thoroughfare. She may not follow." Paenitia says as Lillianath slides from the saddle and Aryia speeds away from her. She catches the Mul'niessa's gesture, northwards at the west end it's still wide. She coaxes Ramirez on.
The giant white peacock-andalusian runs to the end of the alley, then turns and carefully creeps northwards around the corner. It's surprising how quiet he suddenly becomes.
Paenitia sets her bow away and picks up her shield. Flight is the goal, but fight will be necessary if that fails.
<OOC> Lillianath says, "So can I dismount into 16,9, and Ready an action to throw a Tanglefoot Bag at the Barb" <OOC> Lillianath says, " it'll be a -4 ranged attack vs. Touch AC." GAME: Lillianath used a Tanglefoot Bag. GAME: Lillianath rolls ranged-4: (17)+5+-4: 18 <OOC> Lillianath says, "If that hits, -2 to attack, -4 to Dexterity, " <OOC> Lillianath says, "*then* she makes a DC 15 Reflex check to avoid being glued tot he spot." GAME: Thurid rolls 4: (14)+4: 18 <OOC> Thurid says, "Not glued to the ground." GAME: Thurid rolls 2d4: (8): 8
Lillianath throws the tanglefoot bag.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Barbarian will rage and sunder the barrwls." GAME: Thurid rolls 13: (5)+13: 18 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d12+12: (7)+12: 19 GAME: Thurid rolls 13: (2)+13: 15 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d12+12: (8)+12: 20
The redhead chasing them skids to a stop as she draws near to the wall of barrels, "Tricky! But not good enough!" she calls after them hefting her axe. Which is about when a tanglefoot bag collids with her, exploding into a mess of sticky goop that clings to her hide armor. Her face becomes as red as her hair, and her teeth grit into a grimace of fury so intense one fears she might split them in two. She swings her axe, and it swings through one barrel, not even slowing as it's reduced to splinters- and another, which shares the same fate. Hunks of split timber and hewn iron bands come blasting out of the alleyway, smashing into the nearby walls.
The shards of that barrel are, very much, a worrying prospect. Not caring about stealth, Lilli turns and pelts down the alleyway, extracting a coil of rop from her pack. While she volunteered to draw their pursuer off by dint of being the one to annoy her... the Seer can't help but wonder if this was truly the *best* possible idea.
But, the scrolls are more important than her comfort.
The shadow elf catches Paenitia's gaze, a guilty look crossing her face as she points to the scrolls on her back. She mouths a sorry, and blends further into the dark, vanishing. Quietly, despite how loud her heart was pounding in her ears, she creeps along the alleyways, trying to find a way out of this nightmare.
Paenitia nods as she catches Aryia's look. Her ever smiling mask seeming to grant approval, especially with the vigorous bob of her nodding action. The Red Knight leans close to her steed's neck, and whispers.
"Slowly. With Quiet. Like we sneak into the contessa's skirts. You remember."
Ramirez remains silent, allowing his rider to listen for the sounds of alarm. Specifically, Lillianath calling for help. There is only the crashing of shattered barrels and the woman's angry roar. Not enough to turn back. The peacock-andalusian turns another corner, silently slipping down the way to end up beside a Privy.
Paenitia ponders her prediliction for passing such places. It must be another joke of Tarien's.
The ill-tempered greataxe wielding woman continues to howl her rage as she chases after Lil- slighted by the sticky goop. She grunts and swings her axe around, occasionall scraping off globs of the goop which have picked up chunks of splintered barrel as she moves, but eventually she reaches the corner Lil disappeared behind. She sticks her head around it, fixing her eyes on the retreating elf, and runs her tongue over her teeth, eyes wide and wild and breathing heavy. She holds out her axe, pointing after Lil, and then prepares to bound after her- as best as she can.
Rounding the corner, the Seer presses herself against the wall, head tilted skyward. Lifting the coil, she breathes a ragged "((Taeth-narn))" over the fiber, and those watching may see the rope shivering, then a ripple running through the entire coil; where the ripple passes, the rope is firmly knotted and the height of simplicity to climb.
Just as Aryia thinks she got away, Lillianath comes bounding down around the corner, the sounds of the raging woman coming behind her. She mutely cureses Taara for giving her such luck, with that and the bolted door. She had to stay silent, and leaving evidence was not going to help.
She snaps her fingrs once, twice at the other elf, only showing a glimpse of herself from the shade before getting to the corner of the building.
GAME: Lillianath rolls perception: (13)+5: 18
A strange sight catches the Dark Lucht's eye as she passes it- one of the stalls in the privy seems to have a ladder coming out of a hole in the ground where the bench used to be. Illicit access to the sewers, no doubt.
GAME: Thurid rolls 11: (14)+11: 25 (Redhead Perception)
Ramirez continues his careful creep-creep down the wide alleyway. His feathers muffing the noises, on tippy-talons and hoof-tips, he sneaks like a gigantic ghost past the buildings.
Truly, the Contessa's skirts were a dangerous place to be caught.
Paenitia silently pulls her lance from the stirrup-scabbard, and continues to gaze around. A strange sight catches her eye, one that could be useful for the others. If she encounters them again, she will let them know. The Red Knight however remains hopeful that her chosen route will open onto that guarded roadway she remembers, and that her companions have already made it.
Another roar of rage follows Lil as she darts around the corner and the passage opens back p into a broader alleyway. Behind her, the sound of heavy footfalls and heavy breathing through gritted teeth remind her that despite the disadvantage granted by her slimy limbs, her pursuer is not far behind her. The axe appears first, slamming into the corner of the wall and shattering several bricks, before a hand grips it as though she drags herself around to stare down at Lil once more.
<OOC> Thurid says, "DC15" <OOC> Thurid says, "it's 20' tall" <OOC> Thurid says, "If you take a -5 penalty to your roll to climb fast, you could make it in one and pull the rope up." <OOC> Lillianath says, "Is that DC 15 the base difficulty?" <OOC> Thurid says, "It's the base difficulty to climb an unknotted rope. A knotted rope is 5, unless it's wet or something." GAME: Lillianath rolls athletics: (19)+-1-5: 13
Just before their pursuit rounds the corner, Lilli hears the snap of the fingers. Nodding, as if to herself, she tosses the rope to the top of the wall, and whistles sharply once the barbarian rounds the corner. Grinning in the face of the redhead's purple-faced fury, Lilli swarms up the rope, hooking her foot around it to pull it up behind her.
"Do charging bulls jump, I wonder?"
Aryia's blood runs cold as she meets eyes with the red haired fury. But no recognition flashes across their face as they look up at the fellow elf climbing up. She sighs in relief, Lillianath was basically safe.
The pugilist continues to creep down along a different alley, hoping that their adversary would take a different path and rage off in the wrong direction.
GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (5)+4: 9 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (4)+5: 9 (Ramirez Perception)
In a similar vein, Paenitia and Ramirez are quietly stalking and hoping to find a way out. They progress all the way to the south end of the alley, where it turns east. The peacock-andalusian makes the turn, his feathers sliding against the wall.
Aryia is directly in front of him, but neither he nor his mistress spot the Mul'niessa. She's so well hidden it's only by bumping into her does the hippogryph realize she is there.
Paenitia leans, staring over his shoulder. Her eyes widen. She tugs on the reins for Ramirez to back up, and listens harder. She whispers, "There is an escape to the sewers in a privy. This may be an option."
<OOC> Thurid says, "Taking a -5 to climb fast, but still at quarter speed because of tanglefoot." GAME: Thurid rolls 10-5: (10)+10+-5: 15 <OOC> Thurid says, "She makes it a third of the way up the wall this round."
The barbarian watches Lil climbing with wide, angry eyes, and she shreaks her fury after her in retort to the taunt. She slings her greataxe back over her shoulder, slipping it into frogs on the back of her armor, and then she reaches up and grips the wall. Meaty fingertips grinding their way into the gaps between the bricks, loosening a dusting of powdery mortar dust that tumbles down onto her as she begins to climb after her quarry- undeterred.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Acrobatics check, DC5" <OOC> Lillianath says, "DC 5 Athletics check for a 5' long jump." GAME: Lillianath rolls Acrobatic: (7)+-2: 5
"*Well /done!/*" Lilli cheers as the barbarian begins to -- ever so slowly -- fury her way up the side of the wall with her bare hands. "But tell me, charging bull! Can you do this?"
Bouncing on the toes of her feet, the cleric hops her way to another part of the roof... And then takes a running jump, just *barely* lenging solidly on the building *behind* the barbarian.
"Follow, follow, little bull!"
<OOC> Lillianath says, "Pure-charisma Bluff check to make the taunts land a little harder." GAME: Lillianath rolls bluff: (14)+2: 16
Aryia thwacks the side of Paenitia's leg just before getting stepped on. Her breath is shakey as she nod quickly. She holds both hands up before making a shooing gesture. The dark elf jabs a thumb over her shoulder and makes a chopping motion. Without much else to say (or mime), she slips under Rameriez, moving slowy. A way out. A way out. Even though her muscles screamed at her to break into a sprint towards the way out, she couldn't endanger the others that helped her out in the warehouse.
She just hopes she gets to see them again after this.
GAME: Thurid rolls 11: (3)+11: 14 (Redhead Perception)
The Red Knight and her Ivory Steed keep sneaking down the wide alleyway. Hopefully it will take them to an exit. It goes east a little, then north, backtracking. As they creep around the corner they see the raging barbarian struggling with the wall.
The woman does not see them.
As Paenitia is contemplating whether shooting an arrow to try and knock her off would be a good idea, she falls all on her own. The Dark Lucht feels a little sympathy, she and her mount struggle with walls too. Still, not much sympathy, and now they must wait. Depending how she goes, their options will open up or close.
GAME: Thurid rolls 10-5: (4)+10+-5: 9
The Barbarian looses her grip on the brickwork- climbing a brick wall while covered in sticky goop and seeing red with anger is a recipe for disaster. She falls back down to the cobbles below, and she reaches over her back to pull her axe free again, breathing heavily. She seems entirely oblivious to the others who are at present sneaking away, so fixated is she in her rage on her elven prey. She hefts the axe abover her head with both hands, she brings it back, and closes one eye, pinching her tongue between her teeth. Surely she doesn't mean to-
<OOC> Lillianath says, "Do I see Pae and Ramirez?" GAME: Lillianath rolls perception: (20)+5: 25 GAME: Lillianath rolls perception: (16)+5: 21
Attention *secured* on her, Lilli takes a step back, casting her shrouded gaze over the warren... and heaves a sigh of relief upon spotting Parnitia and Ramirez. With the pursuer's line of sight broken, the Seer frantically waves her arms, stabbing a pointing finger at the southern alleyway, then signals that *that way is how to get out.*
Signal delivered, she slips to the roof edge to one side of the barbarian, and whistles sharply, hoping to direct murderous attention back the way she'd come. "Oi! Bull! Do you not know that bulls can't throw? What kind of bull even are you?"
Aryia continues to keep creep forward, head whipping left and right. Where is that sewer entrance. Where is it...?
Paenitia carefully examines the situation, spotting Lillianath and catching her gesture. The way out! Excellent! She peers into the darkness where the redhead rages. Creeping along will be too dangerous, she might spot them and charge, even though the Seer stung her with a magnificent taunt.
Speed will have to suffice. "Quickly, quickly," the Red Knight tells her mount.
Ramirez surges forward, rushing eastwards, digging his talons in to hard turn to the south, then wend his way east again, then south. The pair burst out of the alleyway onto the main street where there is traffic, guards, many witnesses.
Two steps beyond the entrance, they stop their run. Ramirez switches to a proud, attention getting gait, with high steps. He even calls, 'Ruaaah!' Notice me.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Moes 10' north, and then throws her axe. -4 for range increments. -4 for dex penalty. -2 to tanglefoot." <OOC> Thurid says, "And sure, +2 AC to you for cover." GAME: Thurid rolls 7+2+1-2-2-4: (14)+7+2+1+-2+-2+-4: 16 <OOC> Lillianath says, "16 does not his a 20 AC. :D"
"HHUUUAAARGH!" the redhead bellows as Lil darts out of her sight. She runs up to the spot where the elf appears again, and wastes no time this time. Her shoulders flex as she heaves the massive axe. It spins haft over head through the air, runes on the blade glimmering wickedly, before it crashes into the eave of the roof, smashing brickwork and shattering tiles, and piercing through a beam. It falls through into the building itself, having torn a rent in the roof- but misses Lillianath just barely.
GAME: Lillianath rolls acrobatics: (16)+-2: 14 <OOC> Thurid says, "Alrighty, give me an acrobatics check, DC15 to negate the first 10' fallen." GAME: Lillianath rolls acrobatics: (11)+-2: 9 <OOC> Lillianath says, "Nope! Ow." GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6: (5): 5 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6: (3): 3 <OOC> Thurid says, "You're winded and prone, and may have sprained an ankle, but mostly intact."
"And now the bull has no horns!" Lilli giggles. "Perhaps she'll be happier as a milk cow? Goodbye, little cow! May the farmer's hands be soft and warm!" Another running start, and Lilli sails back over the gap, then high on adrenaline and success, hops down the wall.
And that is where the good ideas ended.
It didn't hurt *as* much as it might have if she just fell, but, the shock of landing was enough to send her painfully onto her rear.
Aryia gets to the doorway, her eyes widening at the sight of the entrance. Oh thank-
No. Stop. Don't get too excited yet. Not out. Still stiff limbed, Aryia crouch walks towards the way down and does her best to maintain her near silent escape. The smell was horrid, but it wasn't the first time she'd been in such a putrid place. The second her feet touch the stone floor, she books it. Turning left, right, straight, straight, straight. Running until she's out of breath, and crashes from the withdrawl of adrenaline. The pugilist affords herself a moment to irrationally snicker to herself from the near death it all felt. That was too damn close.
She takes her time to find an exit, and gets back to the Adventurer's Guild.
Picking herself up, the Seer hobbles out into the thoroughfare, head on a swivel for sight of her companions. Spotting Ramirez' fan, the Seer heaves a relieved sigh, picking her way down the street to the knight's side. "Tell me she got out."
"Aryia head towards an entrance to the sewer. I think she is safe, if the Bull woman was near you, she would not find that place in time." Paenitia says, extending a hand to lift Lillianath up behind her. The Red Knight stows her lance to help the Seer get seated, and then they ride.
The thoroughfare is well patrolled, as Paenitia remembered- a pair of mounted guards are making their way down the street when she emerges, about 200 yards hence. It's late in the day, but still fairly busy, and well lit with oil lanterns besides. Certainly safer than the back alleys they had been making their way through. If memory serves, the adventurer's guild is not much further up the road, past the guards.
The barbarian comes pelting out towards the street, having retrieved her axe, a short while later- but she collides with a huge hand of shimmering force which blocks the path. That bald-headed Veyshan man floats down from the sky above infront of her, one hand behind his back and the other held out with an open parlm, a mirror of the interposing hand. "Leave it. It's not worth tangling with the guard." he tells her, forcing her back into the shadows and keeping her there until her rage abates.
As luck would have it, above ground Lilli and Paenitia find a manhole cover not too far down the road, prying it off and a bit of yelling will help guide Aryia back to the surface, that the group can continue together to the adventurer's guild.
"A great escape!" Paenitia laughs behind her mask, once Aryia and Lillianath are mounted up behind her. She sounds wild and a little crazed. Ramirez gallops, putting distance behind them. "It is like the times back home! To the designated point. All will be well, you see."
It may be that the little Lucht is more shaken than she lets on by the close call, but that's why she wears the face of the Smiling Man, so no one can tell.
Combatty
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 7 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
22 Lillianath 1
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>> 15 Aryia 1 <<
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9 Paenitia 1
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6 Redhead Rager 1
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| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
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| Aryia.........| 15 | 19 |
| Lillianath....| 22 | 24 |
| Paenitia......| 28 | 32 |
| (C) Ramirez...| 19 | 19 |
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