Somebody's Watching me
Log Info
- Title: Somebody's watching me
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Seyardu, Merek, Kaz, Aryia, Seldan
- Place: A07: Lower Alexandria Market District
- Time: Saturday, July 17, 2021, 6:50 PM
- Summary: Seyardu is convinced she's being followed, or watched. Merek looks around for invisible people and doesn't find any, but the Silverscale spots the Lancer she saw dead on a slab a few days prior. She moves to confront her, and the Lancer advises she is being followed by two demons, indicates two guards and heads into an abandoned store. Despite whispering this, everyone knows, and Merek drops a dispel magic on the Lancer. Which does nothing, although it cancels the cosmetic magic several others in the crowd have up. Seyardu follows after, and Aryia rushes to aid her friend when they see something inside the building which terrifies them. Merek brings up his Angelic Aspect to approach and protect them. Kaz, who was playing music nearby, follows to stay within the protective circle. Everyone else flees, and the guards come over then call for help. Aryia and Seyardu rush inside, where the Lancer is hiding, and attack. To little effect. Aryia is struck by her blade, which causes more than a normal wound, and the Lancer retreats into a stairwell and closes the door. Kaz opens it, Aryia rushes in and attempts to grab the lancer, and fails, then drops to the ground as she and Seyardu are struck by an Unholy Blight. Seldan hears sounds of commotion and rushes in, standing protectively over Aryia. Merek flies across the store, past everyone and down the stairs to confront the Lancer, who flicks him off and teleports away. Aryia drags herself conscious and staggers into the Alleyway. Seyardu tends to her, then investigates downstairs where something horrible is discovered. Merek casts Blood Biography, which makes it worse, the basement if filled with the sound of tortured cats and bloody imagery on the walls. Barrels are open, revealing cat parts, as well as the bodies of three adventurers. Everyone is shaken, except Merek who seems amused, having endured worse in the Iron Hells. The guards take charge.
-=--=--=--=--=--=<* A07: Lower Alexandria Market District *>-=--=--=--=--=--=-
Just west of the Northern Highbridge and east of the arena, commerce blooms. Noisy and bustling, most anything may be purchased here for a price. Vendors from all cultures sell their wares from exotically colored carts, and the smells of different nations and far-off city-states mix with local ones from Alexandria and its riverbanks.
For all its commerce, visitors are advised to keep hold of their purses. Even the merchants possess a certain, cunning look. Most are positioned at carts or stalls as opposed to a formal storefront, with trade here being mobile, and visiting from all parts of the world.
Though the quality of goods suffers here compared to Upper Alexandria, the options are more diverse. Too, the oversight of the Watch is slightly less, and during times events are held at the Arena, chaos abounds. After dark, the square becomes a hangout for bards and other entrepreneurs whose business is best conducted by night; the shadows at the edges of the square often contain furtive figures engaging in their own brand of business.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-= Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes. Kaz 5'3" 115 Lb Shadow Elf Male Foppish Mul'niessa Aryia 4'8" 110 Lb Shadow Elf Female A heavily scarred mul with a tired look about her. Seldan 5'11" 187 Lb Human Male Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
It's late afternoon in the market. The day has remained hot. The area is full with regular Alexandrians going about their business. Shopping. Groceries, fish, and rare trinkets brought in from ports afar on the ships that arrived today and yesterday.
All recenntly unloaded by the Alexandrian dock workers.
There are birds, seagulls and crows, lining the rooftops and watching. While both the mafia of seagulls and murder of crows are quite turned out, they don't seem to be up to anymore more nefarious than snatching food.
Some pickpockets have successfully robbed a few people at the newsstand, and are vanishing into the crowd.
Two nearby patrollers have not noticed this. A Lancer of Serriel is also present, scowling at the crowd and a silverscale.
Across the market, near a tea-shop, a man in dark clothes stands as a Mul'niessa smiles obsequiously at him and sets up a keyboard, preparing to play.
Busy. Lots of people.
GAME: Merek rolls perception: (20)+25: 45
It's incredibly unlikely there are any invisible folk around, but the Seer is going around looking.
"I will, then." She nods to Cryosanthia, and then to Merek. Seems she had relaxed some more, or at the very least had some time to collect herself. "Peace on your nests, Cryosanthia, Lily. And thank you, Merek. I know I was hesitant to accept aid, but I will think about it, and likely accept. I still need to be around in case Aryia needs assistance."
Kaz is stepping out of the pub, eyes squinting in the evening light. To help them adjust, he carries in one hand a paper parasol, while the other holds a fine-stemmed cigarette holder. His clothes are tailored, and made of fine material, wearing a dark frock coat with a whisky scarf at his neck held in place with a pin in the shape of some cave moth.
Merek looks about to notice that Kaz would be about, nodding to him while he then will look to Seyardu, "Of course, from what I can see, there's nothing about that you need to worry about. Although, always keep on the watch if you can as well," the man notes.
There are no invisible people, not on the grownd. The Market is crowded enough one would have to be an expert acrobat to avoid being run into every moment. People, carts, children, are moving all over in random ways.
An invisible person could be higher up, on a balcony, or a rooftop, watching. There are some birds, seagulls and crows, watching for dropped food and unattended tables. One of those could be a familiar, a spy. It's difficult to sense avian intent, flighty as they are, though their behaviour is not out of the ordinary for scavengers.
The guards are moving, some pickpockets are setting up a distraction at a nearby merchant. A Serrielite Lancer is hanging around, watching the crowd.
There are a lot of people.
With Cryosanthia departing, Seyardu watched for a moment, until they turned a corner and were gone. She sighs, taking a look around before she planned on leaving on her own way.
But she froze again, focusing on a guard that was hanging around the market. She nudged Merek, perhaps a bit roughly.
"Merek, this one has seen that Lancer before. And most recently, saw their corpse, dismembered in the temple of daeus. This one will speak to them, but if they were not revived, then I fear the worst." She speaks quickly, and quietly to him.
Kaz doesn't seem to care a whit about avian familiar spies nor undead lancers. He takes a drag from the stem of his cigarette holder, holding it in his mouth a moment so he can wave at a vaguely familiar figure. Seyardu. His nails are painted dark, and manicured neatly into stilettos. "Good evening, Ms. Cleric," he greets with a simpering smile, once the cigarette is back in his hand.
Merek looks to the Lancer, then it's back to Seyardu, while he nods a bit to the woman. "If you want at any point, give me the signal, and I'll bring you magical assistance. Best not to do it right away, it would give ya away," he then nods along to Kaz when he notes that he's greeting Sey, though he doesn't really offer a lot in word.
"Peace on your nest, sir." The sith-makar replies to the man as they were smoking. "Apologies, but there is something I must see to."
And with a nod to Merek, They departed, taking a walk to where the familiar Lancer was stationed. "Peace on your nest!" She greets with a smile to the Lancer. "It has been some time, since we last met. How are you doing?" The ask as they continue. Kaz doesn't interfere with whatever it was the cleric was doing. Though he does tilt his head, his pointy ears twitching, and another drag taken from his cigarette. There's an inquisitive glance given to the silent man he's momentarily left with.
Merek looks then to Kaz, though he does watch Seyardu. "Be ready, in case anything might happen," he will note to the mul'neissa. He shifts upon the foot while he will keep in mind all of the things, from the crowd to any escape routes. All that, while the woman will talk to that Lancer.
The Lancer is definitely watching them. She watches as Seyardu approaches, her expression severe, almost angry. She nods abruptly, "You're in danger."
Her hand flicks towards the two patrollers, "Those are two devils in disguise. They're following him." A handflick towards Merek that is almost a rude gesture.
"Come with me." She heads into the building behind her.
In a surprising show of what might amount to competence, Kaz gives a nod to Merek, drops the cigarette and snuffs it out under the heel of his shiny boot, then puts the carved holder behind his ear. Then he slides the keyboard from the strap on his back, idly plays a few chords in preparation, manicured hands running over the ivory of the spinet. His simpering smile never leaves him.
GAME: Seyardu rolls Sense motive: (12)+3: 15 GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (18)+3: 21
The Lancer is acting like a regular uptight paladin, all angry business, so it's hard to tell. The building though, it's a store, it's dark, has some paper over the windows. Doesn't look like an active business.
Kachunk. Last crate. Aryia stands up from her last bit of shipment, her wiping off her brow and sighing. The low hanging sun catches a glint of silver from across the street. She perks up, spotting her friend across the way. The scarred elf dusts her hands off and slips through the crowd towards the group.
Seyardu hesitated as the Lancer was trying to guide her into the building If Merek was watching, she turned to look back to the two patrolman that were mentioned for a moment. "Are you not going to speak a word about what happened?" She asks, not moving yet. "I understand I am in danger most likely. But why go in here? If you know they are devils, why not deal with them?"
It was clear she did not trust the Lancer that moment. "You should have a way of contacting others, do you not?"
Merek looks then to Seyardu and will notice that it looks like the Lancer is trying to draw her away. He won't let them do it, not to mention he doesn't know if the two patrolmen actually are demons. The man casts a 20-foot area of effect dispel that is placed upon that Lancer, while he weaves the magic.
GAME: Merek casts Greater Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 15 DC: 20 GAME: Merek rolls 1d20+15: (16)+15: 31
There is a burst of magic, centred on the Lancer, which spreads out in a dome dismissing magic.
Several appearance enhancing glamours are dropped, ruining lives, gnomes' mostly. The immediately suspicious patrollers, identified as devils in a conversation no one could possibly have overheard, spring into action with authoritative demands, "Hey!" and "Wot's all this then?"
They draw clubs. The pickpockets vanish more, several of the crowd produce knives and saps, looking around. Those Mul'niessa could be up to anything. Aryia and Kaz get some strong looks.
The Lancer seems unaffected, a result that appears to shock even her. "No time for pleasantries," she says, slamming the door in Seyardu's face.
GAME: Merek rolls bluff: (17)+8: 25
Merek looks to the people in the market. He would've known it would get people on edge, all the same it was important. The man looks to Seyardu, and nods a bit. If she wants to chase the Lancer she can, he does seem to notice that they were surprised it didn't work on them, which means something might be up. Either way, that was to draw attention from any demons, not just if the Lancer was one. "A performance! For the ages! The theatre!" This is not the theatre district.
GAME: Aryia rolls perception: (15)+12: 27
The silverscale was talking to someone. Oh. Lancer Taffy, whose body you saw yesterday. The spell didn't seem to do anything, the Lancer went inside, the crowd, off shopping, are all confused? Since no one said anything and they saw notoriously dangerous caster, Merek, casting
"No on told me there was a performance today. I would have bought tickets."
"Tickets! Tickets for Today's performance for sale! Get a program, know who the actors are! Tickets for sale!"
"My makeup! RUINED! Why was this not warned."
Theater-goers.
Aryia's frame tenses up as a wave of magic hits her. Some of her items falter for a brief moment, her heart doubling in rate. She shoves past the crowd, showing her face to the party. "What in the actual fuck?" she curses in rude gestures. <Handspeech>
There was chaos starting to erupt in the market. And rather unceremoniously, the door was slammed. so she pulled the shield off of her back, strapping it on quickly. "If you can, leave the markets for now! Find the guards, and alert them to potential danger in the area." She shouts back to Merek and those who would listen, before she pulls open the door.
"I do not need pleasantries, but answers. Explain yourself, quickly." She half shouts into the building.
GAME: Seyardu rolls will: (8)+7: 15 GAME: Aryia rolls will: (7)+5: 12
The door is thrown open. Inside, it's dark. Difficult to see at a distance what the silverscale sees.
Yet there is something, which grips her with an unholy fear, and a desire to flee.
The crowd near her, also panick, dropping everything they're carrying. Groceries, money, children. Children leave also.
GAME: Kaz spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.
Kazs makeup is not ruined. That gorgeous goat-face is all his, baby! Frankly, he agrees with the guards' and Aryia's sentiment, and that's clear in his expression, but whatever. He just goes with the direction given, telling the guards that are fortunately right in front of he and Merek (he knows nothing whatsoever of their possible infernal allegiances), "This is -not- theatre, officer. If the dear cleric," he nods toward Seyardu, "warns of danger, I would evacuate this street-- what of it that's not already leaving -- and call for backup." Despite his words, he's still playing a melody on his spinet.
GAME: Merek casts Greater Angelic Aspect. Caster Level: 15 DC: 22 GAME: Seyardu rolls will: (16)+7+2: 23 GAME: Aryia rolls will: (13)+5+2: 18
Merek will begin to try to move through the crowds while he comes upon Seyardu and Aryia, the man taking a look to the ground while he begins to lift up both hands, "No longer! Will you be allowed to control this place!" Even among all the crowds fleeing, the man begins to change. Two wings arc above him, golden-black while he seems to take on a light sheen that glows, eyes glowing in that golden way while he draws what looks like a forge hammer from the pack with him. He stands as a beacon of light, and it's clear he's become quite powerful.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (8)+16: 24 (Lancer Stealth) GAME: Aryia rolls perception: (15)+12: 27 GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (15)+3: 18
Ahead of the Silverscale and the Mul'niessa is an empty store. Wait... not completely empty.
GAME: Aryia spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST. (DC15 Fort) GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0+1: (15)+8+1: 24 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (20)+12: 32 (Lancer Fort) GAME: Aryia rolls damage0+1: aliased to 1d8+2+1: (1)+2+1: 4
Something gripped Aryia's heart and screamed at her to run. She turns to do so, but sees another other worldly being approaching. Something must have flipped in her brain, because she stops in her tracks and looks back into the shop.
Her milky eyes squint. Then widen. "COWARD!" she gestures sharply, pointing within before blitzing inside. She jumps over a table, brings her feet in. And crashes her boots into the lancer's torso. Aryia tumbles off a counter and bounces on her feet, fists up.
The Lancer looks like they took absolutely nothing. The elf's gut drops, and her grey skin turns ash.
GAME: Seyardu rolls weapon6: (20)+5+1: 26 (THREAT) GAME: Seyardu rolls weapon6: (1)+5+1: 7 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Seyardu rolls damage6: aliased to 1d8+2: (5)+2: 7
Inside the shop, was something. Something that made the normally stoic Sith-makar turn and flee. Several boots, the sound of hooves on the ground. Before they could even process it, they were running, and not looking back.
How did horses even get inside the shop?
And they turned around, just in time to see Aryia sprint into the shop. They chased after her, pulling out their warhammer. They knew what aryia looked like, and what was not her. And as she charged in, before they could react, the weapon was swung right into the other figures side.
"Run! Leave the square!" The first guard shouts. The second is blowing a whistle to summon assistance. They're wading through the crowd, which is evacuating past them.
The protective circle against evil is comforting to the citizens which pass through it, but all of them decide it's better to be far away. Trust their instincts, especially the flee one.
A spreading zone of emptiness surrounds the abandoned shop-front, as two adventurers rush inside and an angel follows them.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "She's attacking Aryia, 5' step back, move action close the door." GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (3)+16: 19 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+9: (6)+9: 15 GAME: Lancer damaged Aryia for 15 points. 21 HP remaining. GAME: Aryia rolls will: (9)+5: 14 (vs Unholy Blight DC19) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 4d8: (17): 17 GAME: Unholy Blight damaged Aryia for 9 points. 12 HP remaining.
The shop is dark, full of dust and shadows.
And a Lancer with ashen wings. It is eerie to be fighting the woman that was seen on the slab a few days ago, with her face full and unblemished, her skin free of injuries. Not that much is visible, she wears the tabard of a Serrielite, although the keen eye would notice the symbol is not quite right.
Corrupted, twisted, missing a piece.
Her blade, likewise, resembles a holy weapon, although one defiled. It is covered in a slick, greasy substance that seems like decaying, rotted blood. She wields it viciously and effectively, slicing into the Mul'niessa.
More than just the pain of it's wound, the blade brings a feeling of darkness, of despair. One that saps life from the body, bleeding the life force.
As the now-wicked weapon is pulled free, the Lancer steps back and slams the door.
Kaz is outside. Merek is outside. Inside the shop, there's a back door to somewhere. The Lancer closed that door, leaving Aryia and Seyardu in the shop.
<OOC> Kaz says, "I absolutely do not want to get my allies, so instead," <OOC> Kaz says, "Prestidigitation to open the door, in case Merek wants to go after her?"
With the guards actually being helpful, Kaz moves through the crowd to get up a bit closer to the action. He's still a back liner, though, so he stays near Merek, and opens the door to set the ANGEL up for next round-- if its a route that Merek wants to take.
The door swings open with the aid of Kaz's prestidigitation.
GAME: Merek rolls perception: (13)+25: 38 GAME: Merek casts Light. Caster Level: 15 DC: 14
Merek nods a bit along to Kaz, "Thank you," he then lifts up that forge hammer while it begins to bring light to the place, looking about. "Alright, everyone alright?" he asks then to Aryia and to Seyardu. While he can't note where the woman went, he knows those two at least.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (4)+16: 20 GAME: Aryia rolls perception: (16)+12: 28 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "She's moved downstairs" GAME: Aryia rolls cmb+2: (19)+6+2: 27
Aryia gasps as sharp pain floods her, her face draining of color. Her knees wobble, one clacking against the store floor as she clutches her side. Her heart is racing, hands trembling against the floor.
She looks up, shaking, coughing up blood that was not even spilled mere seconds ago. A glance is stolen towards the door, to Seyardu. She wasn't alone. Aryia bursts to her feet, pivots around to the stairwell, and shoots her hand upwards. Fingers grab their throat, and she crushes hard.
There was no short lived victory. As for the moment she found purchase, a hand gripped her head and tossed it against the nearby wall. The pugilist let go to stop it, lest her grey matter become a new coat of paint.
GAME: Seyardu casts Spiritual Weapon. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Bardic inspiration, +1/+1" GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+7: (3)+7: 10
The door was opened, either by the lancer or Aryia, but Aryia launched through it, that was certain. And by the sounds and look of it, Aryia had gotten into combat with them right outside the door. There was nowhere for her to go, but there was enough space around for something. her hand was on her collar for a moment as she focused.
"Foul hellspawn, you dishonor the memory of they whose guise you bear. The celestial mother guide my hand, so you may commit no more atrocities today." <draconic.>
In the darkness, a shimmering shape coalesced above the lancer. A large, two handed macahuitl, which would have impacted their skull with a sickening noise had she not ducked to the side at the last moment.
"In the back! It is cramped, but she is on the north side." She calls back to those who approached. Hopefully, it would give time for Aryia to collect herself, if the lancer felt threatened by reinforcements.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, so she goes down the stairs, that's an AOO for Aryia" GAME: Aryia spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST. (DC 15) GAME: Aryia rolls weapon0+1: (16)+8+1: 25 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (18)+12: 30 (Lancer Fort) GAME: Aryia rolls damage0+1: aliased to 1d8+2+1: (6)+2+1: 9
Aryia sees the fiend getting away, her face breaking out into ferocity as she bounces off the wall and jumps forward, decking the Lancer in the back of the skull.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Will save, DC19" GAME: Aryia rolls will: (13)+5: 18 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 4d8: (27): 27 GAME: Unholy Blight damaged Aryia for 13 points. -1 HP remaining. (DYING) GAME: Seyardu rolls will: (8)+7: 15 GAME: Unholy Blight damaged Seyardu for 27 points. 13 HP remaining. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Name | CHP (T) | HP | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Aryia.........| -1 | 36 | | Kaz...........| 16 | 16 | | Merek.........| 104 | 104 | | Seldan........| 142 | 219 | | Seyardu.......| 13 | 40 | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Lancer retreats down the stairs, taking a punch from Aryia. At the bottom she turns, her hand on the door, glares up at the pair.
The shadows grow long, even with the magical light illuminating the landing. Darkness, a sensation of unholiness, despair, that bleeds awareness away. The humidity of the day, the light outside, the light nearby it all fades.
The Mul'niessa drops where she stands. The Silverscale Sith'Makar feels a sensation she's felt before. That time on the riverbank. Unconsciousness calls.
It does not claim her yet.
GAME: Kaz spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.
The sounds of battle and the call of the guards is unmistakable, no matter what else Seldan might be doing. In truth, he had been seeking a shortcut back to the main paths of town when the call went up, and in an instant, the sound echoed through that door he'd been walking past.
He doesn't think twice - bursts in through the back door in hopes of catching whatever thief was robbing the shop - only to see an unconscious Aryia. His eyes widen, and in a flash, his chosen guise of a simple shirt and trousers melts away, the glamor on pearlescent full plate melting away to show its true form. Reunion rasps from its sheath, leather on metal, and he assumes a guard pose over the unconscious mul'niessa, just _waiting_ for anything to dare the stairs and threaten her - or anyone else.
The Seer is still outside the store, fifty five feet from the landing. Kaz and Seyardu in betwixt. The Lancer is not visible, around a corner and down a flight of stairs makes for easy concealment.
"Mhm," the caprine-faced mul says to Merek in return for the thanks, eyes squinting as he doesn't actually appreciate the Light very much. Then hes moving up, closer toward the action, another round of his performance cutting through the air-- spirited, brisk-paced harpsichord music from a small Octave Spinet he carries.
The silverscale did report the Lancer went through the door and down to the north. Whether they're still there or not is another thing"
<OOC> Merek says, "I'm going to use Sacrifice Pool to move my base move to 40'" <OOC> Merek says, "Then I'm going to move as fast as I can possibly go to the devil." GAME: Merek rolls perception: (12)+25: 37 (Success)
Merek will look to the two friends of his when it looks like both will be taken down by the demon. Then it only looks like Aryia does while Seldan will come in to assist the woman. The man nods to Seyardu, "You take care of Aryia with healing. I will take care of the demon." The man begins to take off while he draws both hands about to use up the sacrifice to bring him to speed.
Into the store he bolts, past Kaz, past Seyardu, through a door, flying around a corner, leaping over Aryia, past Seldan without interrupting his battle stance to fly further down the stairs.
He does seem to need to make it by a few people with the wings, shifting them and will nod along to Seldan, "Right, not as easy in a store!" Then he finds the stairs, moving along it to the demon, "You!"
GAME: Aryia rolls constitution-1: (18)+2+-1: 19 (DC 11) <OOC> Aryia says, "spending a ki to heal 1d6" GAME: Aryia spends ONE point of KI POOL. GAME: Aryia rolls 1d6: (4): 4 GAME: Aryia damaged Aryia for -4 points. 3 HP remaining.
Aryia falls to the ground and tumbles down the stairs a few steps, blood dripping down the well. She's limp, frail, and vulnerable.
"I'm tired of this," she thinks to herself, in fading consciousness. Tired of being useless in situations like this. Even when she does her best, everything slips free of her grasp. The fading form goes down the stairs, just as she starts to black out.
- Tired of running.
- Tired of failing.
- Tired of being a hindrance.
Seldan stood over her. No. Don't help. She doesn't want help again. Don't help her. Don't help her.
Though unconsciousness. "D-n't. -lp." A wet slap pushes against the stairs, Aryia trembling as she pulls herself to her knees. Everything was spinning. "D-n't. -lp." She staggers about, from wall to wall, smearing blood as she drags herself out of of the narrow stairs and into the outside. She falls forard, and catches herself on the wall of the ally.
"N-t. D-d. -t..." she wheezes, furious.
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12 (Spiritual Weapon bop) <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "that... mises. Roll the channel?" GAME: Seyardu rolls 2d6: (4): 4 GAME: Seyardu damaged Aryia for -4 points. 7 HP remaining. GAME: Seyardu damaged Seyardu for -4 points. 17 HP remaining. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Name | CHP (T) | HP | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Aryia.........| 7 | 36 | | Kaz...........| 16 | 16 | | Merek.........| 104 | 104 | | Seldan........| 142 | 219 | | Seyardu.......| 17 | 40 | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There it was again. The sulfurous smell, for the moment, the surroundings looking like the realms of the damned she had seen before, and many times since as it invaded her thoughts. It was much clearer that time, which may not have been a good thing. It was easier to focus on the visuals, the rotting of the wood beams of the shop, and how it drained even more of the color from the mul who had been blocking the stairway. The air heating up, or feeling like it, as it burnt a way down her throat.
It was easier to focus, as they were still on their feet. where they stood, their hand was starting to bleed where it splintered some of the doorframe. Despite everything, they felt reinvigorated. They were still on their feet in spite of it, when they had nearly been sent to deaths door the previous time.
Aryia was pulling herself into the alleyway, and that was the main focus. The shimmering warsword making a half hearted swing at the lancer as she sprinted past those in the hall. One hand to their breastplate as she dropped the warhammer and kneeled on the ground.
"You will be fine, Aryia. You are strong to be standing still." She reassures there was some energy radiated from the sith-makar, mending their wounds some, but the mul'niessa's force of will was almost stronger. It was true, Aryia didn't need the gods, she could do this herself. "When I'm done, we'll go back, together. They are not getting out."
It's chaotic and tight in the along the flights of stairs. The light spell helps, even with the momentary unholy darkness.
The Lancer has retreated down the stairs, one hand resting on the doorhandle, the other gripping her blade. Aryia's blood drips from it, onto the floor, down along the length, over the guard and onto her fingers.
She seems pleased by that.
Her expression is not one of fear. She has a cruel grin as the Mul'niessa falls, and the Silverscale staggers under the onslaught of her Blight. If anything, she seems pleased, as if things are going to plan.
Until the Silverguard bursts in. Her expression goes from satisfied to shocked, her grip on the blade tightens. She frowns.
Then even more wings arrive and fill the hallway. The Seer in his angelic aspect. It is getting rather crowded with feathers. She smirks at him, flips up the tip of her longsword like she means to tap his nose, although she is too far for that.
Instead, she fades.
GAME: Merek rolls spellcraft: (9)+26: 35 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Greater Teleport."
Seldan remains in a defensive posture. "How fare you?" He calls outside, more quietly to the Seer he says, "'Ware, she could be anywhere."
Kaz moves in, to cast a little grease for the benefit of the defender and other front liner, but it seems the Lancer has withdrawn. For now. Like Seldan, he still has a wary look on his formerly simpering face, and asks, "Are you two all right?" to the other Mul and the Sith cleric.
Something smells bad from the bottom of the stairs.
Aryia looks terrible, to be frank. Her gaze is locked in the direction of the stairs, jaw clenched as blood dribbles down her chin. The bit of healing from Seyardu gets her to stop wobbling on her feet, though a hand presses hard into where she was cut into. Her simple outfit was ruined, yet again. Now dyed red.
Aryia whispers something silently, her lips moving and her scowl deepens before she spits a glob of blood out. There is no hissing or popping, like normal. Just speaking to herself. But to those that could read lips:
"I'm going to kill that fucking bitch."
GAME: Seyardu casts Silence. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15 (Converted CMW) GAME: Seyardu rolls 2d8+4: (7)+4: 11
Seyardu was more sure on her feet, but still was not at her peak. She helped pull Aryia to her feet with one hand where she had fallen forward. "I will use some healing magic, Aryia." "Celestial mother, mend this childs wounds, from fighting against those who live to cause nothing but strife." She chanted quickly, using the moment to help her up to send more healing energy down the arm, staunching the bleeding for the most part.
"They are gone, for now. But we learned much. To discuss another time. They teleported away. We will not let them do so again."
There was a stench of blood in the air, from the brief battle that had taken place. But something else, unpleasant. "I will be right back. But there is something at the stairs I must check." Hers bit more steady on her feet, she pushed down the stairs somewhat, with a nod to Seldan, and to Merek. "I will explain more in a moment." She offered as she walked down, trying to find the source of the smell.
Merek looks to the demon while she begins to teleport away. It's probably best to not try to follow. The man nods a bit while he will then place that forge hammer along the hip. "Thank you, alright. Well, that looks to be managed, I will work on that thing to make sure that they will not be able to find you."
Kaz is honestly surprised she's alive, to also be frank. While Sey worked at healing he works at, um, prettifying. That is to say, using prestidigitation to get the red from her clothes, and the rest of the blood off. "She's in for it," he agrees, encouragingly (or at least that's the idea). To Merek, who might be departing, he lifts a hand, waggling his manicured fingers, and says, "Ta."
Aryia flinches as magic is used on her. Her head snaps up, more sure footed as her wounds close. But she abates and sighs, nodding in thanks towards Kaz and Seyardu. Aryia just slides down to the ground in the alley, and puts her head in her hands. A just heavily sighs.
The door at the bottom of the stairs is not locked, it opens into a room that occupies the same footprint as the store above. It seems like the store-room, there is even an elevator of sorts, for a lift into the alley.
It's empty. Row after row of shelving and low tables.
Except against the far wall, opposite the entrance, and not immediately visible. There are some rusty knives, a table that is tilted with stains that run to the lowest corner. Further stains on the floor, leading to a dark patch around a drain.
And barrels. Small, barrels, of recent construction that all have dark stripes along the edges of the staves.
This shop. It's known to fops and fancies. It has trouble keeping a tenant. It's got an apartment above. Rent is really low, but anyone who moves in, moves out again pretty quickly. Rumour is it is haunted. Spooky noises in the basement, no one there when they check. One family went down, place was clear, went back, they swear, just a minute later, it was full of skinned, dead cats all hung from the ceiling. Weird, bad stuff would happen here. Oddly, it was just a normal shop a year ago.
Opening up the door at the bottom, Seyardu looked to Seldan, gestured to him.
"Seldan, you serve, Daeus, yes? This is important for you to share with your order. One of those, fallen angels, likely one from the riverbank. She had the guise of Lancer Taretha, the one whose body we were shown. It was not dispelled by the magic of Merek." They explained as the walked deeper beneath the building. "And this one, mother give me strength , but I have a suspicion that we have found where they did their work."
There was a pause as she caught herself on the wall of the basement, wracked by a cough and a wave of realization. "They were trying to bring me here. And I feel they planned to do the same again. Do not show Aryia this place, make sure she does not come down."
Looking at the barrels, she crouched down, to investigate them further.
Kaz gives the other Mul that same idiot smile that he'd first given to Merek upon meeting the man. He hasn't actually heard Seyardu, but he kinda doesn't want to stick around. For other reasons. Which are, "You know, I think this is the building they call haunted. People keep moving out. One of the places I was offered to rent, when I came here. And then I saw the place--" No. No way the fop was going to live here. His fingers waggle again, but in an affected way to convey skin crawling. "I need another smoke," he decides, and plucks the cigarette holder from behind his ear, then retrieves the cigarette case from his pocket.
GAME: Merek casts Blood Biography. Caster Level: 15 DC: 17
Merek looks about the place and nods a bit, "Alright, you all look into that, I will... You know what. I am going to divine a few things, this will be safe. Though, I want you to watch the wall," the man places a hand upon the knife which he finds, while he takes the other to lift it to the wall.
Aryia doesn't realize Kaz is taking to her until halfway through. Her head lifts, giving the man a deadpan stare before shaking her head and letting it fall back into her hands. She was a tough nut to crack.
Seldan straightens, and turns towards Seyardu, the crescent and sphere hanging around his neck over the armor in plain view. "I serve the Dreamer, and yet shall I gladly inform them," he answers, frowning soberly. "Indeed, I wish to see that basement for myself. If this is indeed their lair, or one of them, then the guard must know of it."
He turns then to Aryia. "Are you all right, mistress?"
"Yes, my apologies. I seem to have made the association between you and Zeke, and being at the temple the other day." Seyardu sighs. "It was a lapse of concentration and judgement.
She turns to Merek, and nods after opening one of the barrels. "As long as it does not have the potential to bring back memories and voices of those who may have been down here."
The spell is cast. It's a safe spell. It delivers simple answers, who, what, how, when, in regards to the victim and how they came to bleed. The answers appear written on nearby walls.
Normally.
It does not start with a quiet, distant mewling that grows, louder and louder, turning into yowls of pain, until it is nearly deafening, coming from everywhere.
The names do not appear suddenly on the walls, in splatters of thrown blood, that magically form letters. Which drip. Names of pets: Fluffy, Spots, Frisky. Cat. Badcat, and names of street-strays which more often are smears that resemble the sounds of a yowl.
The how and the when are meaningless to these poor creatures. Pain! Pain! And more Pain! They have no conception of the methods used to torture them, or time, or dates. When it was hot. When it was dark.
The magic does the best it can to translate their animalistic understanding. The Seer can understand the 'when', if he focuses on a blood stain. It is not clinical and neat.
Somewhere in all of it the details of Lancer Tafetha's death can be found. She bled because devils cut into her with knives. She bled for eight days as they amused themselves with her body. Uninterrupted, unrelenting, without respite for need of sleep.
Devils do not, nor do their playthings. A detail the Seer would remember well.
The tortured yowling can be heard upstairs. It's not hard to guess what is in the barrels.
Kaz's lips thin for a moment, but just for a moment, and then he's back to seeming carefree. The cigarette is set into the holder, lit, and he takes a drag from it. The first one is always the best. The scent of burning cave lichen joins the scents of the blood and fighting. "As I mentioned before, I think this must've been their lair for quite a while. The locals call it haunted," he tells the cleric, just liking to talk.
The explanation draws a small smile that is still genuine and warm, and he lowers his eyes. It's a boyish and almost shy look. "Zeke and I are kin, and stand side by side."
When Merek casts his spell, though, the smile fades, trailing off into a horrified silence that lingers for several breaths after the spell fades. "I see. Nothing living deserves that fate. Come, if there are living creatures in those barrels, they must be released."
Aryia curls up into a ball, resting outside, trying to keep her head screwed on right. She doesn't hear the cats. Fortunately.
Kaz just -stares- at the others when they want to OPEN THE BARRELS. "Nonono--" he tries to say, and hastily reaches for the scented handkerchiefs that all Mul nobles carry by necessity.
<OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "okay, anyone checking the barrels, DC20 Will. DC25 if you really like cats." <OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "It won't cause a status effect but you might have to stop and rest if you fail it." GAME: Seyardu rolls will: (8)+7: 15 GAME: Seldan rolls will: (5)+31: 36
There was a wince from the sith-makar, and she sprinted as quickly as she could to the door to shut it, to drown out as much of the sound as she could. But she was still stuck down there with the noise as she did her best to make out everything. Her gaze darkened more and more until it was finished.
"Lancer Taretha was down here, definitely. A swift death feels too good for the one at the river. Any pity this one had has vanished. But this one is concerned now, at the nature of the disguise. They may be able to disguise as others, that may not even be seen as missing yet."
There was one last thing to be done. The sith-makar opened up one of the barrels, to check what was inside.
Merek looks then to Sey, "It will bring that back. It's the only way to be able to learn what all of them did," he will note. Then he's watching. The man manages to keep the magic even through the whole of the thing. The man nods a bit while he sighs, then he takes a look to the party, "... I'm used to it. I went through that and more in those three months that I was kept in the Iron Hells. What they did. I understand it... The Petitioner will be alright. These memories of this kind of world will... Well, I can see if she wants to be brought back, if not. I know a few people on the other side who will make sure she's at ease."
The first barrel is skins. Animal pelts, all feline. Nothing shocking, leatherworking is common. The next has cat heads. No eyes, no ears. Those have a separate barrel each. Forelegs, hindlegs, bodies. All carefully separated. Very precise.
One might think they were bored. Perhaps practicing.
There are still a few more barrels, which are much heavier. They aren't full of cat parts. They aren't full of anything living.
They have the bodies of people. Not as nicely separated. Not as cleanly cut.
Their names are on the walls also, hard to spot under all the street cats, but they can be found: Doryn Maes, Zerva Longhammer, Llew Corrin. They died as far back as ten months ago. They were tortured by Devils who did not give them the courtesy of their names, nor a death they could return from.
"Oh, darling, why," Kaz whines when he's ignored and those barrels opened, nose held fast to that perfumed, lacy handkerchief. The smell was never going to get out of his clothes. "I'll-- I'll go tell the guards about...." He doesn't finish the sentence, before he's off to do exactly that.
"If they are... willing to come back after what happened? If it is possible, then I would not have these devils have their way, if they wish. They deserve better." Seyardu sighs. "It is something to be discussed with the temple at another time."
The barrels were, unsettling. And there was that feeling, if others had not been around, and she came upon the lancer on her own, there was likely little she could do to not be dragged in there herself. Her own body in one of the barrels or out in the forest, a name on the wall if anyone would even had thought to check.
The sith makar braced herself on one of the shelves, closing her eyes.
"When we are ready, these barrels should be delivered to the mourners. his one will help deliver them. Would do so personally."
One by one, the barrels are open. With each barrel, Seldan's easy calm grows more and more stiff. Icy, even. It is still calm, but a seething anger lies beneath it, an anger that begins with the cats, and multiplies when the human remains are found. The smell is enough to prompt him to cover nose and mouth, but there is no weeping, no shock, only a seething, roiling anger that flashes in his eyes and sets his jawline. He looks after Kaz, measuringly, but at length stands. "The Mourners must be informed. They will know what to do with Gilead's creatures, as well. "By Eluna's holy path through the night sky," he snarls slowly, "these menaces must be hunted down and removed from the city." The usually easy words are laced with steel.
Merek walks along with the party to look at the barrels, while he begins to adjust the wings so that they will come back into him. Then the man will begin to relax, he doesn't look all that bothered by it all, he has been able to kind of keep his emotions well in check, then he's taking the time to draw a cigarette to light, "I will assist. And I'll talk to the families if we need to, and ask about it all."
"Yes, the Mourners, yes," Kaz agrees, and goes off to make his reports in hope that the smell won't linger too much on him. Both to the temple and the guards. And maybe, eventually, the paper.
It was several long minutes before Seyardu opened her eyes again. and she nodded, closing the barrels.
"Yes, the families deserve to know. Though it should be by those who are safe to visit them." She adds with a sigh. "But I will do what I can for now. And... this one will stay at the temple of Daeus for now. Discuss the resurrection with those there, and the temple of Serriel. To do what is possible, where possible, to stop them from doing this again. But first, to rest. For all of us."
She kneels down to make sure the barrels were sealed, before picking up two of them, those with the bodies of the fallen. And she began carrying them upstairs. She did not wish for Aryia to see, but she would not hide what happened there, but her description was simple. People were hurt and killed in the basement of the building.
It was certainly still unsettling how many barrels came out of there.
The Mul'niessan Fop doesn't have to go far, at least to report to the guards. The two Patrollers from earlier have entered the building, followed the adventurers downstairs.
"Holy Mother!" One of them exclaims!
"What kind of man.." The other adds, and then Kaz is there with a helpful explanation and a desire to leave the basement. Which they are eager to indulge, leaving the charnal scene to the psychopaths who are unaffected by it. The tending of the dead to those who can stomach it.
There's a reason most guards aren't adventurers.
Eventually, enough guards arrive in force and venture down, to secure and examine the area. A cart is found, so the Silverscale can load them. The Mourners are notified.
It's not routine, but there is a routine.
Combatty
Map
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mvexukvhx5d
<OOC> Seyardu says, "Don't think I've said it enough yet, but I've been really enjoying the scene and the event coming off of it!"
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 3 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
>> 19 Merek 1 <<
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14 Aryia 5
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14 Seyardu 1
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13 Lancer 1
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10 Seldan 1
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5 Kaz 1
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===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 4 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
19 Merek 1
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14 Aryia 5
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14 Seyardu 1
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13 Lancer 1
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>> 10 Seldan 1 <<
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5 Kaz 1
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| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
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|Aryia |SHADOW_ELF|Mnk | 36 | 36 |19/15/18 | 24 | 7 | 9 | 5 |
|Kaz |SHADOW_ELF|Bard | 16 | 16 |13/10/13 | 15 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
|Merek |HUMAN |Clr/MTh/Sor| 35 | 104 |19/15/18 | 28 | 13 | 12 | 19 |
|Seyardu |SITH-MAKAR|Clr | 31 | 40 |20/20/10 | 15 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
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