Arrathion |
The world you know has changed. Things linger on the very edges of your sight, keeping to the shadows. Others around you take no notice, and criticize any attempts to explain with accusations of insanity or dismissal. For the last few days, you've each felt as if you've been followed, as if some shadow stalked your every move.
An assembly in the Caspian Convention Center draws your attention, a man by the name of Alex Grayson will be addressing the very things you yourself have been experiencing and other things besides. Sightings of faeries, people going missing or attacked by strange creatures. You dismiss it at first, but as your own feelings become more disturbed, for your own various reasons you decide to attend and see what it may bring.
You arrive before the large double glass doors of the convention center. You can see the large crowd that had gathered inside. The line had died down quite a bit, as you are a bit later than you would like. As you walk through, the doorman hands you a pamphlet with Alex's picture on it. The title, "Caspian and its Darkest Secrets" in bold at the top. You are ushered through and directed to a seat surprisingly toward the front. You are seated next to each other, Alex seeming close to the finish line of his current topic. Faeries.
"-sightings of these Faeries seem to be nothing more than rumormongering."
There is an excited uproar as a surprising number of audience members immediately outrage at the denial. The volume is intense, and you find it difficult to follow any one individual.
Arrathion |
Aside from the man or woman sitting beside you. You look to each other amidst the chaos incredulously as the situation escalates. The young woman sitting behind you immediately screeches in agony, just before her lifeless body crumbles onto your shoulders. Her blank eyes staring back at nothing.
There is a moment where everything stilled and was silent, the next everyone panicking. Instantly there were arms flailing and bodies trampling every which way. You do the same.
Saia Fluer |
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
+2 if its a heard perception
After regaining myself I would look to the exits in hopes to catch a glimpse of someone that looked out of place. My thoughts were that it was possible the one responsible was still in this room, as well as looking to disappear with the crowd, whomever it was had me in awe. I felt bad not knowing if it was deserved or how the blow was delivered, yet couldn't help but admire their... skill.
Arrathion |
Neither of you heard the shot go off. And as the others surrounding you scramble you find it difficult to move. Difficult terrain for both of you in every direction. In fact, you stumble into each other.
Saia Fluer |
My eyes almost go cold without emotion momentarily as I assess the situation. With everyone in a panic and now stampeding to get away I calmly sit down beside the now dead person. Reaching to their neck I check for a pulse,
Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
based on if they are alive still or not I will inquire their name, and if they know why they were targeted. If not then...
Searching the now deceased's pockets for any information as to whom they were I check around again, assuming the room has cleared out some in the past 6-12 seconds again in angst my eye will dart from the stage, to the windows, to even the ventilation shafts if any in search of a gap or opening allowing the projectile to pass through. After my vague search my eyes once again will fall on the bullet wound, "rest easy now"
my perception prior to checking the deceased
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Arrathion |
The license lists an address in some other city you haven't heard of before, in Wilmot, but you find a hotel keycard in her clutch that belongs to a local hotel. The Veterian Suites.
A security guard attempts at handling the situation, calling out to the scrambling horde of terrified people to stay as calm as possible and to move in an orderly fashion toward the main exit. He was promptly trampled and consumed by the mass of bodies rushing the door and he could no longer be heard after that.
The immediate area is no longer swarming, and you've gained some breathing room.
The noise level seems to be at the same level it started, but the both of you are able to see outside through the windows both from the entrance wall you came from, and from there both sides as well as a ventilation system near the top of the wall to the left of you seats large enough to crawl through if you remove the steel grate. The streetlights and billboards lighting things enough to cast light inside even as the lights in the chamber go out. Low lighting.
As you both begin to pursue your decided upon actions, blood spews from the crowd before and around you. Roll reflex DC 19 or become sickened, Fort DC 19.
Saia Fluer |
i don't even perceive the rought angle of the trajectory to narrow down probable sniping positions? Also what did they have in their pockets? Liscense? Etc
reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
fortitude: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1
I blankly stare for what felt like moments at the wound. Not able to accept that this person was actually dead. The rush of fear from before as well as hope left me in a rush that pulled what little tears I could shed with it. Looking up I saw blurry shapes of those that were rushing to escape the confines of this room. For a moment time felt like it had stopped for me. A moment later gore swifty shot up everywhere around me.
Saia Fluer |
Now drenched in the blood of those around me the smell caused what little bit of food I had in my stomach. The crying ceased for the overwhelming heaving of my body. A moment passes and I force myself,..."get up... I need to get away from here" I tell myself as if being a personal life coach would help much. Still holding onto whatever I found in her pockets I wipe the tears from my face and dart towards the vents where my previous neighbor via seating arrangements was oddly heading as well. Making my way swiftly past all the bodies I couldn't help but notice from the corner of my eye that my new white dress was drenched in blood... Feeling thoroughly defeated, the thought of finding answers to finally escaping my father faded away.
Saia Fluer |
Unsure of what to make of the situation, I sloghtly hesitated before inevitably nodding in return. For some odd reason his calmness calmed me as well, even if just only.
sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Regurdless of how well I could read this man, I knew nothing about him, he was as much a mystery as anyone else here to me. My only goal was to escape from here, to survive. In a barely audible squeak I exclaimed thank you to the best of my ability, still shaken up a little.
before you stands a young girl, easily guessable that she is in her teens. She has platinum blonde hair, Steele blue eyes that at the moment seem cold and lifeless. (You're guess is from shock). She stands all of 5'2", and is very beautiful. Her clothing consist of a white yet blood stained dress, healed sandals, in her hair is a pair of sunglasses tucked behind her ears.
Arrathion |
The ventilation shaft is near the ceiling, how are you going to get up there?
Saia Fluer |
sorry I was on my phone and it didnt show my spoiler post that Id gotten from the DM earlier
I shoulder the purse, frantically as if it was my own, remembering and analyzing the locket's contents and all that I could remember about her to the best of my ability, before looking away.
Appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3the locket's worth or material
As the man worked at getting to the vent i glanced at the license, then the phone, then proceeded placing them securely in my new purse. Also checking it thoroughly for any other signs of info I could utilize
After a few moments, my voice comes back to me as I picture the entry of the wound in my mind, the systematically backtrack to possibilities of where it was shot from. "the sniper shot her at ground level..."there was a pause in my information...staring at the ground, my eyes darting as if reading invisible information laid out in front of me..."he was so close to her...but why..."
Arrathion |
Blood splashes over you, and you look to find the source. Each of you finds a new victim lying eviscerated on the floor lying in a growing pool of dark crimson. Something tore through these poor people with what looked like large, vicious claws but as before you see no signs of a would-be perpetrator and you notice that the crowd inside had nearly come down to the two of you.
Saia Fluer |
apparently the vents are higher up, the layout is scattered with a dozen or so bodies at this point, blood everywhere. there are rows of chairs with walk ways on either sides after so many per row, and we're about 25-30ft from the exit everyone that is alive is still pushing to try and get out of
David Akerman |
btw, you see a tall man, standing about 6 feet tall, weathered with age, around 40-50. short brown and gray hairs slicked back, wearing a penny coat, a thick wool scarf and a tattered linen green pin-striped suit, he holds a wooden cane in one hand and a pocket knife in the other. You can see in his cold black eyes, past his half-framed glasses, surrounded by crows feet, he seems collective of what to do. Resting under his arm that is holding the cane is a small thin black cat, its emerald eyes seem to shift about in panic.
Arrathion |
Anyway, here's a bit more of an explanation of the current situation. You're in a decent size auditorium, with three levels. The first level is below ground level and has no slope. The ground level seating is on a sort of balcony situation overtop the first, and has a slight slope the further back from the stage you go. The third tier of seating is a smaller, sloped half-circle on a second balcony overtop the last.
As for where you started, you came in from the street entrance, and was led to seats that were pretty close to the stage, 3rd row. On either side of you, roughly half of the walls are made of thick glass, providing a view deeper into the convention center. Behind you is the street entrance, through the double glass doors you can clearly see the street. Further in on the sides it shifts into cement walls decorated with a series of banners representing crowning achievements of local performers for each year ranging as far back as the 1800's.
The stage is black granite, the red curtain was drawn behind Alex as he spoke, whom was seated in a tall steel chair with a small wooden podium, revealing the last stage props used neatly tucked away in the corners. Currently though, if you were to look back at it, the curtain is now closed.
Other than the glass walls, there are no other windows. There is an air filtration system placed high on the walls on either side of you, just below the ceiling, which is cathedral style and quite a ways up even at the base. As you look up to the peak of the cathedral, an exquisitely painted image of ancient soldiers in armor and swords in the heat of battle gazes down upon you.
The lights were situated along the sides of each aisle, and along the wall at even intervals before they went out. There are three main aisles, on in the center, two on either side near the walls. Now the only light you have is from the streetlights outside. The overall dimensions of this room are roughly 80Lx60Wx80H Your vents are at the base of the cathedral ceiling, at around 35ft up.
Saia Fluer |
Normally I wouldn't allow anyone to make contact. I didn't particularly like being led. But something felt right, I thought that maybe at least for the time being it would give me the upper hand in this situation. My mission now was to exit the building alive and fine Alex by any means. He knew something, he waved to me.
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 I looked around frantically while I was led across the room,... My urge to break free and run out through the crowded doors were dying down faster the more distance that was put between us and them. Rationally whatever was attacking seemed to be going for the groups but for this stranger to think of someone other than himself in a time like this was either a trap... Or he just genuinely was a nice person. Either outcome would get him killed one day....
Arrathion |
With a bit of effort, David pulls Saia along with his cat and cane tucked underneath his other arm, making their way down to the ground level by way of a small staircase. Keeping close to the wall gives you a wide field of view, but it does not seem to reveal anything new. The crowd had died down, but was still hording at the doors on all levels, barring any hope of exit. It seemed there was a commotion outside hindering their escape.
You come to the maintenance closet, which was more of a large storage room than closet. It was packed with cleaning supplies and equipment, including an extending ladder that looked like it would suffice for the job. A quick scan of the room also reveals two other people cowering in one of the corners, they had barricaded themselves behind cleaning carts and pallets. One was a woman in her mid twenties, short black hair that barely reached her shoulders and her blues eyes wide with fright. The other was likely her boyfriend, short curly brown hair and green eyes. It seemed he was putting on a bravado for her sake, and his eyes never leave you as you move about.
Saia Fluer |
Pulling the door almost closed behind me momentarily I take the cane, slightly confused why this man had so many weapons. thinking to myself, maybe he was more dangerous than I'd thought.I take a 10 to realize it is actually a sword cane I then look to the couple and try my hardest to give a half smile, not daring to speak for the time being.
sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 sense motive the male
perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 I will take in the room, the couple included, while also listening to the commotion outside if any. i get a +2 to the roll for hearing, and if there are any supplies I'd like a list of them, chemicals included
Arrathion |
David has no trouble removing the ladder from its perch on the wall, held up by steel hooks, the cat perches itself atop his shoulders while he labors with the ladder.
All the while, the young man is keeping close tabs on you both. The girl is near catatonic, either with fear or stress you are unsure.
Saia Fluer |
I hand the cane back, half smiling in return. "Somethings happening outside this room again..."my eyes go from him shooting the door a glance then returning, and there seems to have been a spill of sorts in here. I doubt the poor thing even realizes it..."
nodding to the girl slightly I also ready an action to attack
what is the liquid you spilled? I ask as i slightly look in the boy's direction
Arrathion |
The look on the boy's face shifts to a manic humor. Your eyes on them, it comes as a great surprise when the door, which was only barely open to begin with, slams shut behind you, casting you into complete darkness.
Initiative checks.
Male Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Female Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Saia Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
David Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Combat will work like this.. the highest initiative on either opposing side will be the effective 'teams' initiative. In this case, the boy has the highest initiative, so I will post their round first, then you two may post in any order afterwards and the events will resolve in that order.
The next moment, you hear the voice of the male, though it seemed to encompass the entire room, disembodied. "Do it." The next moment, you hear a metallic click and the scratch of a liter before a small flame appears, illuminating the female. There was no sign of the boy. Her face and expression was blank, and she proceeded to set the liter on its side on the floor, igniting the spilled fluid.
Again you hear him speak, seemingly from nowhere and everywhere at once. "Die in ignorance."
Mysterious Roll: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Saia Fluer |
With my hand on the handle of the door I jiggle the handle to check if it were locked. I almost expected it seeings as half the chemicals were flammable in here as it was. Holding my breath I think to myself, you poor thing
Arrathion |
Mysterious Countdown. 2>1=1
The door handle stubbornly holds its ground before your shaking hand. A glance around the room would show that the girl has made no move to escape, and seems oblivious to her situation. Also, a thick black smoke emanates from the flames and begins to spread through the room. The fire is growing fast, finding more and more chemical and other material to feed it. There is now a noticeable odor as the liquid is burned.
Saia Fluer |
Assuming the door was locked I pull my arm back and make a slicing action with my arm at the door,on the door handle to cut the locking spectrum free the very air around me seems to still itself and a shadow is almost seen for a slight second, weather or not it was the fire giving it off or not is hard to tell, but the sound of metal being hit by something metallic is heard.
I wanted to say something, I wanted to get to the bottom of this, but for now I was gonna try my hardest to get out of the room
1d20 ⇒ 3
Arrathion |
Mysterious Countdown 1>0=0
Saia flourishes the shadowy apparition of her chosen weapon at the lock and handle. The heavy clash of steel on steel rings forth and the force of the blow was impressive, yet it seems there was no serious damage done and the door stands valiantly against your efforts.
The smoke from the fire was upon you now, thick and choking. Fort DC 19, or suffer a -4 penalty to str and dex. As the spell, Pyrotechnics and you can no longer tolerate breathing the smokey air.
Still the girl makes no moves, but it is apparent she is suffering the same effects and having a hard time breathing. She soon falls prone, and remains in that position.
The fire spreads further, merely feet from you now. The heat of it doing wonders for the smokes choking presence.
Arrathion |
Mysterious Roll #1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Mysterious Roll #2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
There are no noticeable sprinklers in the room. You do however note the safety procedures in red beside the door. From it, you garner the location of the small vents about the room that would normally clear the air from a chemical fire. As the power was out though, you are unsure if these can be depended on or even if there was a backup generator that would come on in emergencies.
David Akerman |
I sheathe my sword, wave over to the girl to come, and grab the ladder, pointing it towards the door in a sturdy position as if to ram it. I did not know if he backup generators would run, nor if they existed, I couldn't let my survival or the young girls be in rish on chance, I had to take action!
Arrathion |
As David motions for Saia to move from the door and assist, you both realize that if this fails you are likely doomed. The vents here were too small and there were no other doors or any possible escape routes. For the moment, the fire itself was no threat. The smoke was the killer here, but soon, should the fire spread any further there was no telling what it might ignite with all of the chemicals in the room. You can only hold your breath for so long and your efforts are increasingly taxing.
You could no longer see the girl, a curtain of black smoke drawn between you.