Everything is happening too fast. The Dottari are battling against three look a likes? She wants to sit down and talk about what's going on, with Geoffrey and the others. But survival keeps her moving. "I know the city well, lived here all my life. Stick together sounds good right now. You got a place in mind?" Even as she speaks, she quickly darts towards the door, more gliding than moving as a shadowy form, attempting to look outside.
Belinda stumbles forward. Her bestial futures do not reflect her confusion or her current stupor.
"I know a place where people tend to keep to their own business, lest they see too much and cause themselves problems. It's an inn called The Boar's Last Stand.. The owner and I have traded favours for years, though I can't quite remember who owes whom at the moment. Either way, I'm sure he'll lend a hand, particularly if we promise to make it worth his while. Good man. Honest, but not too honest, if you catch my meaning. He's got no love for the Hellknights. Let's go."
The bronzed man follows the others up the ladder to the main floor. Seeing the struggling men and their instruction for us to run, he gives then a nod of respect, just before moving out of the building with the others.
Geoffrey inclines his head, a movement accompanied by the sound of quietly clicking gears.
"I think I made a tonic delivery there once; I should be able to make it. Let's go!"
"I know of it too. We'll meet there if separated. Come this way....whoever you are." Oktavia grabs Belinda's fur covered arm and tries to pull her towards the doorway.
Belinda follows Oktavia, first listlessly, and then with greater purpose. What's wrong with me? Why can I not think straight?
As the transformed captives rush towards the back door, several of the Dottari beat one of the blonde men into submission. The other two are so hard pressed by the remaining five guards that they don't even glance over their shoulders. The back door is unlocked and opens into an alley; an alley shrouded in the pitch black night of the shadow curse. If it wasn't apparent inside, it certainly is now, all four of the escapees can see perfectly through the darkness, in black and white tones.
Oktavia looks down both streets, heading down whichever direction seems to have the least light. The silvery mark on her foreahead giving the semblance of narrowed eyes as she moves down, listening to the sounds of movement. She tries to blend into the shadows as she moves forward.
<< | | | >>
As the group makes their way out of the alley, Geoffrey clearly recognizes where they are. They are near the eastern edge of the Parego Spera, or Hope's Altar, near the docks. Whoever took them was able to get them across the Westchannel in a boat at night. That spoke even more of the insane man's influence, his mystery. To get to the Blood Sector and the The Boar's Last Stand they will need to cross over one of the famous Pegasi Bridges, built during the time of Aorden. Specifically the Truemount (named for a holy pegasus that acted for a time as Aroden’s mount). The great stone bridge is engraved with pegasi on its sides and bottom, many of which hide Eyes of Aroden amongst their wings. It's about a mile as the crow flies, nearly double that with the twisting route they will need to take.
In a mixed blessing, they will be able to avoid lit avenues. However the Truemount will likely have a pyrahje (man sized torch) and patrol of Dottari at the base of the Parego Spera end. Along the way they may need to contend with some of the shadow beasts which haunt the night. Time is short, the whistles of more Dottari on their way are getting closer and closer.
The group makes their escape from the house where the ritual took place without molestation. They can see in the dark, unlike the Dottari whose bright torches and lanterns give them away long before they can get close to the fugitives. It's very strange for the group to travel the streets at night. In fact, it's something none of them have ever willingly done before. Several times a minute they can hear the terrible howls of the shadow beasts ringing out from various parts of the city. As they get away from the Dotarri, the howls are the only noises that pierce the night. All the houses and businesses they pass are boarded up tight. If they didn't know better, they could easily believe themselves fleeing through a necropolis. Geoffrey, a true master of the streets of Westcrown, leads them unfalteringly towards their destination.
About halfway through their journey, York and Belinda spot a shadowy form flitting along the rooftop along side the group.
The amorphous creature loosely resembles a cross between a large snake and an insect. It has black oily skin, and parts of its very flesh blend seamlessly into the shadows. Its constantly moving, writhing form makes it difficult to identify from a distance. It moves slowly and silently to the edge of the roof, crouching, ready to pounce on the unsuspecting Geoffrey below. It appears to be unaware that it was spotted by two of the group.
__________________________________________________
Initiative
??? 16
Party 13 (Belinda high roller)
"Look out! A shadow garm! I've read about them before! There were wonderful illustrations in that book. Oh, their movements are retarded by bright magical lights."
With a sense of unease, almost as if the universe itself disapproves of her lollygagging, Belinda begins to cast Mage Armor on herself.
A shadow beast!?
Fear etched across his face, Geoffrey, too, casts a strangely-familiar spell, to encase himself in more protection.
THP 5/5
HP 8/8
AC AC 17 T11 FF16 CMD17)
F/R/W 0/1/4 (1/1/4)
Spells
1st - 1/2
Effects
Mage Armor
Seemingly the same thought springs upon Oktavia as she herself hardens her shadowy exterior to help ward off blows from this creature.
Following the example of his peers, York covers himself in Mage Armour as well.
The amorphous creature loosely resembles a cross between a large snake and an insect. It has black oily skin, and parts of its very flesh blend seamlessly into the shadows. Its constantly moving, writhing form makes it difficult to identify from a distance. It moves slowly and silently to the edge of the roof, crouching, ready to pounce on the unsuspecting Geoffrey below. It appears to be unaware that it was spotted by two of the group.
"Look out! A shadow garm! I've read about them before! There were wonderful illustrations in that book. Oh, their movements are retarded by bright magical lights," Belinda warns. With a sense of unease, almost as if the universe itself disapproves of her lollygagging, Belinda begins to cast a spell of protection that stands out in her mind on herself. Odd. For so long she's studied magic and mysticism, and never once cast a spell before now, but it feels as natural as if she's been doing it her whole life. She chants the short incantation loudly and clearly, and a suit of force armor flashes around her briefly before fading from sight.
A shadow beast!? With fear etched across his face, Geoffrey, too, casts a strangely-familiar spell, to encase himself in more protection. Gears whirr and click as he moves his limbs through the somatic components of the spell and his voice calls out a similar incantation as Belinda.
Oktavia sees what her companions are doing, she's not sure what their spell's effects will be, but she can guess. Searching her own mental library she finds a spell that will armor her, and casts it as well. The shadows around her seem to darken and take on a more solid tone as she completes her spell.
York watches as the others incant spells, and decides to give it a try himself. He can't remember ever having cast a spell before, but it seems easy now. As he finishes his short chant, a semi-transparent muscle curiass of force appears around his chest before briefly disappearing.
---------------------------------
The shadow garm realizes it's been seen, and leaps off the gable of the roof to attack. It flies through the air at Geoffrey, screeching inhumanly. It slams into his chest, slicing right through his armored form, both magical and mundane. The thing's ice cold claw rips through the "metal" of his eidolon, slathering his chest liberally with a dark slime, before it plops off of him onto the ground at his feet. It coils like a snake, still hissing. It holds its three clawed limbs aloft and coils like a snake, ready to strike again.
Belinda and Oktavia's heads whip to their right as they see more movement in their peripheral vision. There is a second Garm creeping slowly along the gutter of another nearby rooftop.
________________________________
Perception
Magic? What am I? Who am I now? Belinda catches a glimpse of her own hirsute form and shudders. Now is not the time for reflection.
On four legs she moves swiftly between Octavia and Geoffrey and begins to chant a healing invocation that appeared in her mind. Do I have whatever magic I need? I want to be home! Nothing.
------------------------------------------------
Geoffrey reels as the beast attacks him, its claws slicing into his flesh.
Why did this have to happen to me? I just want to be home, safe!
When Belinda touches him, Geoffrey momentarily recoils, thinking he is under further assault, before the ticking in his head gets louder, and his 'armor' restores itself to pristine condition.
"Thank-you."
At a level below conscious thought, he lashes out at the creature attacking him.
His first, experimental blow is easily dodged, but the second *just* connects with the beast (still off-balance from its charge), delivering a solid hit.
Reacting quickly, York moves around the attacking presence, getting it arranged between himself and his companion. Once in position, he throws a wild strike at the beast, hoping to knock it flying.
Though his fist connects, it seems to slide off the oily darkness of the creature.
Sliding off or not, the beast reacts as if struck, shifting off balance.
Round 2
THP 5/5
HP 8/8
AC AC 19 T13 FF18 CMD19)
F/R/W 0/1/4 (1/1/4)
Spells
1st - 1/2
Effects
Mage Armor
Fighting Defensively
Oktavia moves up near the first creature, lashing out with a claw. The attack is more a feint than a strike, seeming to make herself a target even as she watches the other from the corner of her eye.
The shadow garm realizes it's been seen, and leaps off the gable of the roof to attack. It flies through the air at Geoffrey, screeching inhumanly. It slams into his chest, slicing right through his armored form, both magical and mundane. The thing's ice cold claw rips through the "metal" of his eidolon, slathering his chest liberally with a dark slime, before it plops off of him onto the ground at his feet. It coils like a snake, still hissing. It holds its three clawed limbs aloft and coils like a snake, ready to strike again.
Belinda and Oktavia's heads whip to their right as they see more movement in their peripheral vision. There is a second Garm creeping slowly along the gutter of another nearby rooftop.
Magic? What am I? Who am I now? Belinda catches a glimpse of her own hirsute form and shudders. Now is not the time for reflection. On four legs she moves swiftly between Octavia and Geoffrey and begins to chant a healing invocation that appeared in her mind. Do I have whatever magic I need? I want to be home! Nothing.
Geoffrey reels as the beast attacks him, its claws slicing into his flesh. Why did this have to happen to me? I just want to be home, safe! When Belinda touches him, Geoffrey momentarily recoils, thinking he is under further assault, before the ticking in his head gets louder, and his 'armor' restores itself to pristine condition. "Thank-you," he says. At a level below conscious thought, he lashes out at the creature attacking him. His first, experimental blow is easily dodged, but the second *just* connects with the beast, delivering a solid hit. There is a whump like a large stone hitting the surface of still water, and his fist penetrates an inch or so into the garm's flesh. It shrieks as it's knocked back slightly. As it regathers itself they can see a large impacted wound which is leaking more of the shadowy black slime.
Reacting quickly, York moves around the attacking presence, getting it arranged between himself and his companion. Once in position, he throws a wild strike at the beast, hoping to knock it flying. His fist connects solidly with the creature, who is still reeling from Geoffrey's blow. York smiles involuntarily as he feels his hand rupturing the shadow garm's flesh. He hasn't felt that in years. The creature thrashes, hissing and shrieking again. It appears to be unsure who to face now that's it's surrounded.
Oktavia moves up near the first creature, lashing out with a claw. The attack is more a feint than a strike, seeming to make herself a target even as she watches the other from the corner of her eye. The now wary and wounded Garm easily dodges the blow.
--------------------------------
The badly wounded garm steps away from Oktavia and York, slashing out at Geoffrey with its three claws. All three of its claws impact on the alchemist's apprentice, but his new armored form completely protects him from harm. The claws simply screech along the surface of the magical material surrounding his body.
The second garm leaps off the roof, dropping like a striking hawk at Oktavia. The penumbra of shadows surrounding Oktavia flars as the shadow beast is about to impact her. Stepping to the side, she dodges the blow, as the Garm tears through the part of her shadowy veil where she was standing a moment before.
More chittering can be heard, and the group spots a third garm slithering rapidly down the street towards them from the north, this one making no attempt to hide.
__________________________________________
Miss
Miss
Miss
Hit
Miss
Something bestial in Belinda sang out at the sight of the garm's shadowy blood. New and unwelcome instincts, compel her to finish off the weakened creature. But she fights these urges to her determent.
------------------------------------
York moves up next to his shadowy companion, striking out at the new attacker with his heavy fist.
With a whirring noise, Geoffrey slashes repeatedly at the garm.
THP 5/5
HP 8/8
AC AC 17 T11 FF16 CMD17)
F/R/W 0/1/4 (1/1/4)
Spells
1st - 1/2
Effects
Mage Armor
Oktavia sharpens the edges of the shadow, unconsciously knowing how to do so, and goes on the offensive, striking out towards the garm. The first claw misses due to the shadowy nature of the night, while the second fails to connect.
The badly wounded garm steps away from Oktavia and York, slashing out at Geoffrey with its three claws. All three of its claws impact on the alchemist's apprentice, but his new armored form completely protects him from harm. The claws simply screech along the surface of the magical material surrounding his body.
The second garm leaps off the roof, dropping like a striking hawk at Oktavia. The penumbra of shadows surrounding Oktavia flars as the shadow beast is about to impact her. Stepping to the side, she dodges the blow, as the Garm tears through the part of her shadowy veil where she was standing a moment before.
More chittering can be heard, and the group spots a third garm slithering rapidly down the street towards them from the north, this one making no attempt to hide.
Something bestial in Belinda sang out at the sight of the garm's shadowy blood. New and unwelcome instincts, compel her to finish off the weakened creature. But she fights these urges to her determent. Her teeth and claws catch nothing but the shadowy aura around the garm.
York moves up next to Oktavia, striking out at the new attacker with his heavy fist. His bronze knuckles rupture flesh as easily as paper, and his arm plunges into the beast up to his wrist. York snaps back into a fighter's stance, with a loud sucking noise as his fist withdraws from the gaping hole left in its wake. The garm thrashes and hisses loudly in pain, flinging shadow goop in arcs around it.
With a whirring noise, Geoffrey slashes repeatedly at their original attacker. His metallic claws shear clean through its already badly battered front section, sending the wormish creature's corpse into a series of death convulsions, before it curls up into a loop and lies still.
Oktavia sharpens the edges of her shadow, unconsciously knowing how to do so, and goes on the offensive, striking out towards the garm. The first claw misses due to the shadowy nature of the night, while the second fails to connect entirely with the wounded beast.
--------------------------------
The remaining wounded garm calls to its companion, while stepping back around York. The newcomer shadowbeast charges forward, slithering with incredible alacrity over the paving stones. In a coordinated attack, the two garms savage the old man turned bronze golem. He manages to fend off the first two claws, but then he runs out of arms to parry with. The wounded beast slams it's remaining two spikes into York's legs, piercing through his eidolon shell, and stabbing deep into his quadriceps. A cold numbness joins the massive wave of pain flowing up from his legs into his nerves.
___________________________________
Hit
Hit
Fail
Slowly -- little by little -- her new instincts erode her reserve and dignity. While her slashing claws find nothing but shadow, her serrated maw bites firmly into the shadow beast.
----------------------------------
Geoffrey steps forward, his limbs moving with mechanical precision, and unleashes two powerful blows upon the closest garm!
The creature manages to dodge the first, but the second catches it across the back with a solid 'thump'.
Rocked by the significant hit received from the claws of the shadowed beast, York lets himself be moved to the side, to get distance from one attacker, only to lash out furiously at the second.
His massive fists connect with the charging beast, impacting with crushing force.
THP 5/5
HP 8/8
AC AC 17 T11 FF16 CMD17)
F/R/W 0/1/4 (1/1/4)
Spells
1st - 1/2
Effects
Mage Armor
Oktavia's form shifts to the side, bearing a flank with Geoffrey against the creature. She lashes out with the shadows again, not quite sure she knows how she's doing it, letting some other feeling take control. One claw scores a hit on the shadow, but she recoils from the strike, a panic taking her for a moment.
[dice=Claw 1 Damage]d4+3
[dice=Claw 2 Attack]d20+4
[dice=Claw 2 Damage]d4+3
The remaining wounded garm calls to its companion, while stepping back around York. The newcomer shadowbeast charges forward, slithering with incredible alacrity over the paving stones. In a coordinated attack, the two garms savage the old man turned bronze golem. He manages to fend off the first two claws, but then he runs out of arms to parry with. The wounded beast slams it's remaining two spikes into York's legs, piercing through his eidolon shell, and stabbing deep into his quadriceps. A cold numbness joins the massive wave of pain flowing up from his legs into his nerves.
Slowly -- little by little -- Belinda's new instincts erode her reserve and dignity. While her slashing claws find nothing but shadow, her serrated maw bites firmly into the shadow beast. There is a squishing sound as her mouth fills with cold oily liquid and the Garm thrashes out of her teeth.
Geoffrey steps forward, his limbs moving with mechanical precision, and unleashes two powerful blows upon the closest garm! The creature manages to dodge the first, but the second catches it across the back with a solid 'thump', slicing the creature clean in two. It's two segments wiggle feebly on the pavement as its shadowy lifeblood leaks out into a thick puddle.
Rocked by the significant hit received from the claws of the shadowed beast, York lets himself be moved to the side, to get distance from one attacker, only to lash out furiously at the second. He slams his fists onto its back, cracking its spine. The beast lays there screeching until two swift kicks from the spikes lining York's feet put it out of its misery.
York looks down at the remains of the vile night creatures. Taking a second glance to gauge the severity of his own wounds, he waves to the others, "Let's get going. We don't know if the sounds of that scuffle will bring anyone else, or anything else, over to investigate."
Geoffrey nods, with a whirring of clockwork.
"Agreed. Let's get out of here, *now*. We should keep going for our original destination."