You all reside in the infamous Snapping Turtle Tavern. Inside the crowded interior are many people, humans, Drow, elves, dwarves, Halflings and everything in between. The door of the tavern swings open and a burly man shoves his way in. In front of him is a platinum haired woman (Audria). He forces her into seat and he goes to the bar ordering a drink.
(Plot convince)
Audria tries not to glare at the man's back as he sauntered off to the bar. The smug bastard had caught her while she slept and she hadn't managed to escape before he'd forced a torc around her neck that had left her without any of the abilities she could normally have used. She'd tried running, twice, but the man had caught her, and her left cheek was still discolored from the "lesson" he'd given her about running away. He hadn't dared take it further than that. She isn't much of a fighter when unarmed, but the possibility that she might hurt him badly enough to make good her escape is not one he wants to risk, especially given how large the payday he keeps gushing about is supposed to be.
No, he'd just settled for taking everything but the clothes from her back and the torc now locked around her neck and giving her a backhanded slap on her cheek. She'd been told to not make a scene, else he'd find someone to pay for it in her place. All she can do now is sulk and pray that a miracle happens by.
She doesn't want to think about the other possibilities. It's been months since the fall of the temple and her bare escape from the cult that'd taken her sisters and the Grail. She had hoped that she'd be able to find them, now, she hopes that she might be able to get out of this and find somewhere to hide or get help.
Not that she has a lot of hope left. The trail had grown cold not long after she'd set out, and in the six months since, it had only gotten colder.
"Some guardian I am," she whispers to herself as she waits her captor's return, "I can't even defend myself."
When Marla walked into the tavern she was merely hoping to wash away her aggravation with something really strong if not all that good. Months on the hunt and not a clue as to where the cult went. Then again her tracking and survival was barely passable. She'd gotten lost and way off track a few days out. By the time she got back on track the trail was cold. Very Cold. So here she was, a new town and a new tavern to gather info or interrogate someone.
Then she catches a glimpse of platinum. Audria? She looks down at her drink, wondering just how many she had, before looking back up. One and half drinks wasn't enough to even give her a buzz. This was no drunken vision. One of the guardian's disciples was away from the temple. Why were they not protecting the grail? Marla slams the tankard of ale down and makes a bee line for Audria's table. She slams both hands down on the table and gets right in the woman's face. The scar on her lip turns her scowl into a snarl. "What are you doing? You have a duty to attend to do you not?"
Audria's prayers had been answered but by the last person she was hoping it would be. Balserius doth work in mysterious ways.
The sudden crack of a hand slapping wood jolts Arianna out of her reverie and when she looks up her jaw drops.
Marla?! What's she doing here? Does it matter? Who cares how? I've got some help now.
"I'll explain later. We need to hurry and get this off me and get my gear back," the young woman says quietly and quickly as she pulls the collar of her shirt down to reveal the rune-covered torc around her neck. "Please, before he gets back!"
Her eyes fix on the man that had captured her, hoping he wasn't paying too much attention to Marla's outburst.
Please, just this once, let something go right! Please!
Marla ignores the pleas and obvious signs of duress, cutting off Audria mid sentence. "No. You explain. Now. Why did you abandon the temple with the guardians dead? Are you working with the cult?" Marla turns from angry to suspicion.
Audria's eyes snap to Marla's face as they widen in shock, she can hear the conversations beginning to die as more and more people began to focus on the two of them. She had to make Marla understand that now wasn't the time to cause a scene.
"Marla, please! Help me! He's going to kill someone if we cause a scene and don't stop him," she begs the woman as she feels a cold chill blow down her spine.
Phaelanna was sitting at a table enjoying a nice warm mushroom and root soup with bread and cheese. On the table skittered a small magenta spider with rosey hues and patterns. This spider chewed on a few nibbles of chicken she had cut up.
The woman paused looking at the woman pushed in to the tavern as well as the subsequent dialogue between her and another. Phaelanna was no slouch when it can to seeing others in iorns and chains. She was a former noble in an effluent house in the ever intriguing city of the drow. Unlike her breathren she was a bit different. Which is wbg she roamed about the world enjoying the fruits of her mercenary labors.
Seeing tbat this woman seemed to be clearly held against her will the ebony skinned elf came over, her spider scarlet going directly into her silvery hakr that writhed with life of its own, stop at the table and loomed over the woman in chains.
"Tell me are you a slave?" she asked as she ran her hand over Adrinas shoulder trying to look as if she was inspecting the merchandise. She leans in close and whispers. " I can possibly free you, but I need assurance you are not a criminal?"
Though her original plans were to go to her father's homeland, she often got sidetracked exploring the cities that dotted the land. Occasionally she would summon the spirit of her father to help take care of the various problems she would see, but quite frankly she hadn't needed to do so for at least a week in these, the more civil lands. Since leaving the drow city, Eleanor frequently finds herself overwhelmed with everything she sees around her. A culture shock if you would. Dancing in the streets is new, people inviting her, a traveler, into their home for dinner is new, and most especially was this patriarchal society that often objectify the females within their race was most definitely new. Ele had taken to wearing her hood up not to hide her skin tone, but to hide her strikingly feminine features, but now she tossed it back. Eleanor stood from the fire where she had been warming her hands and made her way through the throng that encompassed the room to the man that had just walked in and was now talking to the barkeep, and leans on the counter attempting to look casual.
Eleanor puts her hand in her money pouch before talking to make sure she still has some left. Seeing that she does, she taps his shoulder to get his attention and somewhat hesitantly begins, How much...for the slave?
The man turns to Elenor and grins, "A Drow? Wasn't expecting one of you to ask, but I think she'd run you bout a thousand gold..." His voice years is as he sees the human woman and other Drow woman talking to his property, "One second miss," he stands up and stomps over to Marla and Phaelanna before grabbing Audria by the shoulder, "Something wrong my little angel," the sarcasm in his voice is heavy, "We don't want any terrible, do we?"
Before Arianna could answer Phaelanna, she sees her captor approaching. He was already too close, and she couldn't drag them into this mess with her against their wills. The iron grip on her shoulder causes her to wince as it squeezes tightly, an unspoken threat and a reminder of the cost of disobedience. It is humiliating. This whole ordeal has been the most humiliation she'd endured in her life.
But the desperation is worse by far. She can feel her chance, her hope, slipping away. Pride, comfort, home, and family were all gone, and all she had was a faint, fleeting hope that Marla and the drow woman who'd approached her can help her, will help her escape this nightmare of degradation.
"N-no," she mutters, her silver eyes fixed onto Marla's and Phaelanna's.
Please! Help me! Her mind desperately focuses on them, hoping that they would see the despair and the hope she so keenly felt.
"N-nothing's wrong," she lies.
Help! Please!
Silver eyes full of fear, of terror, of hope and of desparation remain fixed on the two of them as she silently begs them to save her.
Please!
Help me. Help me so I can save my sisters.
As the moment passes, her head bows and her voice is on the verge of breaking.
"Nothing at all."
"Kill who?" is all Marla can get out before another new development occurs. This time it was dark skinned with white hair. A drow. Marla's scowl deepens.
Marla grabs the drows hand that was touching Audria. "Hands off tunnel-dweller," she says as way of an insult. "This is none of your concern." She roughly pushes the hand away and returns her attention to Audria. Though she had ignored it before, Marla finally sees the collar and recognizes what it is. She also finally notices that Audria is without her gear. Gear provided by the temple. She would not cast it off so easily, despite Marla's lack of faith in the woman's abilities.
The last piece of the puzzle falls into place when a man she does not recognize walks over and grips her shoulder tightly. Even for Marla it is easy to see the strain with which Audria speaks. She was acting meek. She never did that. She never backed down. It was one of the few things she could respect about the woman. Something had happened. The cult must have attacked again to finish the job. And they took at least one of the guardians in training hostage. No. As a slave. The drow had mentioned it and on that she was positive the drow was an expert.
Marla draws her blade, a long and curved blade of elvish make, and points it at the man without any hesitation. "If I am not mistaken, and I know I am not, slavery is illegal in this kingdom. I have reason to believe you are attempting to sell this woman into slavery. I also have reason to believe you are part of a cult that attacked and murdered acolytes at a temple of Balserius. If not then you are certainly aiding them. Release her and her possessions immediately. If not, I will exact Balserius's judgement on you here and now." Then she looks around the room. "And to anyone that stands in my way." She then turns back to him.
A palpable aura of wrath slowly exudes from her in all directions. It is undeniable that she means business.
Ele sighs as the man gets up. Though she would've liked to have been able to solve the problem diplomatically she knows that she doesn't have that kind of cash available; a situation similar to this one would've likely occurred if that other woman hadn't drawn her blade. Smiling despite herself, Ele observes the events What a catalyst. Could use a bit of tact, but there's just... something in those eyes.
Snapped back into the present by the realization that a fight is brewing, and after a quick look over the occupants of the room, Eleanor realizes that this hero looks to be outnumbered by the amount of ruffians that might feel threatened. She puts her hand to the hilt of her sword and quietly tries to make eye contact with Marla. Once contact is made she'll nod and motion to show that Marla has her backing. My horse is picketed outside if it comes to it. she mouthes to Marla.
Marla sees another drow not to far from her place her hand on her sword hilt. She turns back to the one before, still far to close for comfort.
"So you have connections with the drow too? Is that where she was going?" she says nodding to Audria.
The man backs up a bit his hand going fire a club at his side, "Y'all are in this together, well I'll have yet know that this 'ere girl is my property and y'll have ta go through me to get her, she'll catch a pretty penny in the Drow city, I know 'ow much they love aasimar," (Make sense motive checks everyone)
"May your god have mercy on your soul then."
Arianna's mind reels as things begin to degenerate quickly, but she pushes away the thoughts racing in her head and focuses on what she could do to help. It seems that there were at least two that'd be willing to help her now. She can worry about the rest later, for now, she needed to get free and get the torc off her neck. If she hit the man at exactly the right moment, she might be able to tip the odds enough that Marla could take him on while the drow woman got the collar cutting her off from her god off her neck.
All she needs is an opening.
Phaelenna did not like getting man handled by such a woman. Almosgt reflectively her hair writhed seeking to stretch out and get her. Especially when the insults came. Before she would strike the slaver came back and made a remark.
As tensions rose Phaelanna stood mentally having her hair uncurl it self from the elaborate braiding she had chosen. It was subtle as she assessed tht something was about to go down and she didnt want to be defenseless.
Harbaestus notices a commotion, but doesn't completely grasps what's going on. He dreamed of guardians and had been on the road ever since, but nothing was found - until now. It can't be an ordinary thing - he sees other drow, and immediately starts suspecting they might be chasing him - until he sees the drow noble is, in fact, the one he has been seeking. Yet, it all gets deeper when he sees Audria - yes, he knows her face fairly well. That's her.
The paladin stands up and, for the split of a second, he seems to shine - as if his presence has something truly divine about it. Finally, though, he speaks.
I... I know you. - he says towards Phaelanna, as if he instinctively knew their paths were connected - ... And, of course, you. - he finally completes towards Audria.
He steps forward, as martial maneuvers seem to be exchanged - and pulls his sansetsukon.
I'm here in peace and I ask you to lay low your weapons and seek peace, as well, in your intentions. Irori guides my journey and I'm his Paladin of Perfection - and by my Ascendancy, I shall not see blood spit in vain.
If Marla seemed unnerved by the apparent numbers against her, she did not show it. If anything, she might have smiled a little. "Paladin of Perfection? I did not know drow had a sense of humor," she says, scoffing at his claim of paladinhood.
Phaelanna looked at the swords woman and shook her head. Her hair cured as she looked to the swords woman. As she walked over to the Swords woman and glared into her eyes.
" We do you ignorant human, Now as for the slave I want her for my handmaiden, and if she is gonna be sold I want to lay claim now here with you. I believe we could easily make some sort of arrangement. I mean what Noble doesn't need a trained maid slash bodyguard' She says placing a hand on her hip and looking regal.
As the situation goes more and more complicated, Audria starts to wonder if it'd be better to try making a bid for freedom and take her chances on the drow being genuinely friendly to her.
(All that got 15 on the sense motive realize he is trying to get the Drow t to help him stop Marla) the man pros or his club (roll iniative)
Seeing the man go for his club, Audria tries to ram her shoulder into his side and knock him off balance though the sudden threat of violence manages to catch her off guard.
Seeing an opening she can take advantage of, Eleanor rushes to the side of the man miming as if to draw her sword. Eleanor is no stranger to barroom brawls though, and she knows that if she's to draw steel it'll likely all go to chaos, so instead she abruptly pulls the back of her hand across the ruffian's unassuming face in a vicious backhand. Subduing this target quickly will likely diffuse the situation, she hopes.
- Fly into rage (free)
- Charge Attack (full round)
Phaelanna sighed as she saw the others sought brute force over diplomacy. Granted tensions were already high but to not try for a better outcome that minimized the risk of personal injury and injury of the others involved. Alas that was not the case, seemed she would have to get her hands dirty.
" Well now that is quite the form you have dear" Phaelanna said as she let her hair unwind and writh freely her brow cocked in annouance.
She strikes sending her hair in to strike the man.
Harbaestus didn't seem to particularly care much for the opinion of the human - drows were so much closer to perfection than these short-lived pinkskinned arrogant people that it was pointless to glorify it with a reply. Instead, the Godling became more concerned with the apparent fight breaking around him, and concerned himself with the aggressive actions - making sure to step in an angle that he could see everybody on his field of view.
Marla caught the drow's movement out of the corner of her eye and prepared for a fight, bringing her blade back into both hands. Marla had every intention of cutting both of them down with one accurate slice. But then the drow attacked the man instead. And what's more, a blast of ice came hurtling towards him from...a kobold? Whatever, she could sort it all out later. She points her blade at him one last time, "You die first."
Marla then leaps back and completely disappears from sight. Behind the slaver, something hits the ground. He turns time to in time to see her blade flashing towards him.
Standard: Relentless Warden’s Strike - Teleport behind, and hopefully get into flanking, then attack. Bonus damage when cursed.
26 with flanking
Effects: Aura of Shared Misery - extra damage to cursed targets
Elusive Shadow - +2 dodge bonus to her AC and Reflex saves if I move at least 10 feet (including by teleportation).
AC 21, +2 Ref
The drow stepped to advance, but misread the intentions of the present - and for moments paused to consider his options. Seeing all the needless violence breaking around him, he took a deep breath and simply stayed on his spot assuming a completely defensive stance.
@DM
Eleanor rushes up and slaps the man, he is blasted in the chest by a bolt of cold energy. The Slaver swings his club at Eleanor, but she catches the club and it breaks in her hand. At the same time Marla rushes and teleports behind him striking in the back, but her strike moves him out of the way of Phaelanna's hair. Finally Audria attempts to trip him, but he keeps his footing.
Eleanor quickly surveys the area around her, suprised at the surge of movement that has encompased one part of the tavern. The club comes out of nowhere, almost braining her, but she hardly needs to bat it away as it splinters in her hand. Eleanor glares at the man and tosses the remnants of the club aside, making sure nor to catch any splinters as she does so. Insolent MALE! she growls out, almost sounding like an animal as she lacerates up his body with her claws. Grasping his shoulders she pushes him downward toward her waiting knee.
Effects: Aura of Shared Misery - extra damage to cursed targets from Marla, yes? rn it is +3 unless I'm incorrect
from a rage power
Eleanor swings her claws at the man, but he Dodges out of the way, yet her fist connects with his jaw giving a resounding crunch. At this time the others in the tavern start to get riled up, all hell breaks loose as a bottle of whiskey breaks on a man's head. People start to fight and the bar keep shakes his head as he goes into the back room.