First Post
Second! So there!
Dotting.
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The air about the town of Torch is cool as a sharp breeze from the northwest blows in. Indeed, many in town now take this breeze as a sign that their good fortunes are about to turn as this breeze almost seems to come in from the Worldwound and it's demon haunted lands.
Why the poor attitudes from a town usually on the better side of life in the strange lands of Numeria? The Torch, the point at the top of the Black Hill in the center of town, is no longer. This sole flame was hot enough to word even the hardest of the Skymetal that litters the lands and has been used for decades now to set Torch on the map. Almost independent of Starfall, the capital of Numeria, save for the odd appearance of a member of the Technic League to "collect taxes", the strange violet flame has been central to the people and it's going out now threatens them in ways they never thought possible.
At the behest of the town's council, several expeditions have been made into the caves beneath the Torch to see what is wrong. Only one has come back and they went back in after getting supplies. And now that one, headed by Councilman Khonnir Baine, is missing. With people now presumed dead and Baine, a well-respected and endeared citizen gone, the town is fit to burst with anxiety. The remaining members of the council have called for another expedition, this time to not only explore but to save Baine and his team if possible, offering a 4000 GP reward for his return, dead or alive.
You all gather before the Town Hall (location 15) to heed the call. While you wait outside the main gathering hall of the building, you all may talk until you are given permission to enter and talk to the town council.
Hmmm...
Clearly perturbed, Van looks out across the Torch Commons before the town hall. His eyes light over the others present as every so often he shakes his head is if either searching or assessing.
Lucky is clearly nervous. He spends his time waiting working out his nerves by performing some maintenance on Vera, looking for a friendly face.
Hitomi did not pace, near the back of the small crowd, though she very much wanted to. Since her father's death she had restless in the town, and the only town councilman who seemed even remotely interested in her fathers death had been Mr. Baine. That meant however being persuasive.. she was not good at persuasive. . . Well not that good at it really. She sighed and focused on the crowds and the wait, some word would have to happen soon
Lucky spied Hitomi in the crowd. She and her father had spoken with Khonnir many times, so Lucky moved over, waving in greeting.
"Hitomi! I didn't expect to see you here. Are you hoping to become part of a search party?"
Tristrina waits, somewhat impatiently, but with the solemnity for which the elves are known. She looks about at the assembled, taking note of each individual and their behavior.
"So, is everyone here to apply for the rescue team?"
Alany stood by herself. She was well known as the Tanner of the town, though she had only been there for a couple of years tops. The girl looked around before shoving her hands into her pockets, clothes she had managed to get before she could remember. She let out a soft sigh and then looked over to Van, someone she had taking a liking to but all in all she barely knew anyone here. She was hoping to join the search party, but she wasn't sure if she should be here as The Ebon Pixie, or herself.
Deciding now that it might be best to show herself as the Ebon Pixie she ran off, hiding in a nearby ally way. She took in a deep breath and performed her dance, while little bells and whistles played to the tune of Blue Danube by Strauss. When she was transformed into her vigilante Magical Girl for she made her way back and looked around, a mask on her face, a pancho along with her cloak and studded leather armor.
"Yes, Councilman Baine was good to me and my father, I would not have him lost if I can help it.
She began in her quiet yet no nonsense manner. It was clear by her accent and inflection that the common tongue was somewhat newly mastered by her.
"Besides with the torch out, the forge is much quieter. There is less need for skilled smiths there.
Lucky nodded at Tristina.
"Khonnir has been like a father to me. There's no way I'm going to let him be lost like this!"
Rumor:
After several minutes, as well as some passerby looking at the strange and motley crew at the town hall, a young man in his early 20's with a wild mane of black hair steps out from the building. Spotting Lucky, he walks over and pats him on the shoulder.
"Baine's boy, right? Hopefully he's still well. Name's Kierth, I worked with him for a short time a few years back before Val and you showed up. Been tied up here trying to work papers more than anything but still got to chat to Baine on occasion." Looking back around to the rest of you (and the Ebon Pixie in particular, raising an eyebrow), he motions for you to follow him into the building.
"Council is currently out. Most of the folks are running around like some spell of insanity is affecting them, trying to keep most folks calm and the town running. Dolga Freddert will meet with you though."
Stepping in, the large room is largely empty though ahead of you at the wide desk reserved for council members sits an old but still hardened looking woman. She is dressed in toughened leathers and a worn but clearly still usable warhammer made of some greenish blue metal rests on the table before her. Her face seems intent on being as stern as possible as you all approach.
"I assume you lot are the ones wanting to go in next?" The old woman stares each one of you down as if trying to size you up to some high standard.
Alany stared at the woman, trying to gauge her emotion, not understanding what she was up to, but she puffed out her chest and put her hands on her hips.
"Yes, we plan to help," Alany stated, though was that an air of arrogance? Their voice sounded a little flat too, like it wasn't like they were quite sure how to speak with pride.
"This man has been missing for a while yes? And he's a member of the community many people like. I think the Ebon Pixie should help with an endeavor like this."
Lucky gave Kierth a weak smile and offered thanks for his kind words.
When brought in front of Dolga, Lucky nodded his agreement.
"I'm not going to rest until I can get Khonnir back. What information do you have for us?"
Eyeing the short one in the poncho and mask closely, Dolga's eyes narrow as if not sure what to make of this so called "Ebon Pixie". "Indeed, missing for a few days now. Thought he'd have this all cleared up by now. Should have gone in with him but he kept going on about my age." Grabbing the warhammer, the woman raises and slams it down, shattering the chair next to her. "Even at my age, I still swing better than most of those fools." Letting out a worried sigh though, she looks to Lucky.
"Not sure. Oh, lots of stuff, but what exactly are you needing, boy, that you haven't heard already? Baine is missing, we have a reward out and the Torch is gone and so is our trade. Been here a 100 years now and not once have I seen it go out for more than a day..."
"True enough. Thought there may have been something you weren't telling the public as a whole. Been hearing some weird stuff lately. Something about attacks and huge indents near the farms?"
"All horse talk." Standing up, Dolga uses her warhammer like a walking cane and steps over to the group. "Lucky, right? Baine talked a lot about you." Turning to the Ebon Pixie, she grunts. "And what are you supposed to be? One of them heroes people talk about in those Pathfinder Chronicles?" Letting out a soft laugh, she continues to walk down the line.
Standing before Van she looks at him before leaning in real close. "Van, if memory serves. Aren't you one for looking into those Technic League devices? Or am I thinking of someone else?" Snorting some, she walks back to take a seat in another chair .
"And you, there, must be Hitomi. My own great-great-granddaughter has a blade of your make. Beautiful little dagger as I ever saw." Offering her first smile as she caresses her warhammer she nods. "Nothing like working the forges, right?"
"And you there, Elf. I have never met you before but the offer is all the same to everyone. We have 4000 gold for Khonnir Baine's return and another 4000 to get the Torch working again. Think you youngins are up to task? Or will the Freddert clan going to have to go in your stead? We've already lost 4, we're hoping we can save the fifth."
Wincing then, she brings a hand to her head and Kierth runs forward to tend to her. "I'm fine! Get back you fool. Just these damn headaches I keep getting now."
"I can't speak for the rest. But I'm in. The gold is just the icing. No way in all the Hells I'd leave Khonnir to die in the caves. And even if our new friends here aren't super altruistic, that's a pretty tidy sum. What do you say, gang?"
"Hai.... yes The joys of working the forge are second to none, I am glad to have my fath..."
She paused and took a deep breath closing her eyes and trying to push down the pain. It was slowly getting better, but she knew she would never be over it till she saw his murderors pay.
The money of course will find its uses, material for the forge if nothing else.
and to procure instruments of my revenge. She thought darkly to herself.
Not much escaped Lucky. That clipped reference to a father hit way too close to home at the moment. He'd have to remember to have a talk with Hitomi soon. Seems like the two of them might have a bit more in common than either would wish.
"If the rest agree, I'm ready to leave right away. I have everything I need already", he said, patting Vera.
"Gehiago itzal eztabaida. Beti 'norbait norbaitek zerbait ikusi duten batekin hitz egiten jakin dut'..." Van mutters sotto voce as he leans in to yet another townsperson hoping to share 'juicy gossip'.
"Zuk eta nik bai jakin ez benetan existitzen dira." He adds, shaking his head ruefully.
As the constable ushers himself & the others forward, Van observes this 'Ebon Pixie'.
Freakishly tall Halfling? Painfully thin Dwarf? Just...
Odd?
Who this person & have they been doing here in Torch?
As the others engage with Councilwoman Freddert, Van contemplates the implications of her words, drawn in to interject at Siodhachan's words.
"dugu-
Ahem, when Councilman Bain's team came back for re-supply, do you know what they considered necessary?"
"You and I both know they do not really exist."
"We-"
Tristrina shrugs, her face remaining impassive. "I have no reason to believe that we will not succeed. I accept the burden and am ready to leave immediately."
"The longer we wait, the colder the forge fires get, we should strike while its hot. I am as ready now as I will be later.
She said adjusting her grip on the haft of her naginata slightly. She paused and pursed her lips slightly in a strange little frown at the masked woman in the draped clothing. Perhaps she was a ranger... she heard that those type of folk took up nicknames for proper names at times.
"I am the one that keeps the streets safe at night or at least as best as I can. There are ruffians around here looking for trouble and they don't expect me to show up and show them what for," The Ebon Pixie replied before looking at the chairs, especially the one now broken.
"I will help out as best as I can and I will make sure we rescue Khonnir Bane, even if I'm within an inch of my life," she stated.
Dolga looks to Van and nods, wincing some more in pain. "He went and got some healing from Joram Kyte, the priest. Something attacked them, and I think it was some machine thing. He dragged it out and took it back to his home despite my protests. They grabbed some tools of his from his shop. Said some damnable metal wall was in the caves down beneath the Black Hill and they was having a time to get past it. Had to come back before they could get past it from what I understand."
Nodding at the strength of character before them, she stands up and pulls out a few small metal slabs, each about 6 inches by 5 inches and about 1/2 an inch thick. Atop them is some etched notes. "Show these to folks around town. You'll get a fifth off of anything you need. Head to Kyte at the temple and he'll give you a spell to breath water so you can go through the lake to get into the caves."
Turning to Lucky, she frowns. "And you, Baine's boy, Val was by earlier looking all sorts of worried. Just remembered that..." Wincing again as she rubs at her head, she sits back down. "You might want to stop by your father's foundry. Said she needed to tell you something or other I think."
Lucky grimaced. Val was sure to not be taking this well, and no surprises there.
"Aye. I'll head out straight away. I don't need to buy anything, but in case you all do, let's meet in an hour at the temple. I'll see you there. If anything else comes up, let me know."
With that, Lucky headed off to Khonnir's foundry to meet with Val.
"" Van calls out after the receding gunman.
Turning back to the Councilwoman, he nods respectfully in thanks before hurrying to catch up with Councilman Bain's foster son. "It may be of help to us to examine the machine your father recovered, and to inquire with your sister what else he might have told her. The more we know going in, the less likely our chances of emulating those who did not come back."
Lucky's frowned, but nodded.
"You're right. Just...just tread carefully with Val, okay? I don't want her any more upset than she has to be."
Cocking his head in contemplation, Van then inclines it respectfully. "As you say. I will, 'follow your lead'."
"We should probably stay together," Tristrina says, hurrying to catch up. "My name is Tristrina, but my friends call me Trina."
"Good to meet you, Trina. My friends call me Lucky, and I'd be happy to call you friend. Val's...sort of a little sister to me, so I'm kind of protective. Khonnir took me in and raised me after...well, he's like a father to me. So I'm highly motivated to get all the information and tools we need and get this done, so please, forgive me if I'm a little hasty right now. I've got a pretty large personal stake in this."
The Ebon Pixie headed out.
"I will have one of my friends meet up with you all later, I will tag along when needed," She stated before she wandered off, finding an ally way to transform back into her normal form, making sure no one followed her to do so. She went back to her little set-up and took it down before she made her way over to a nearby food shop.
"Excuse me, I'd like to get some rations, how much for a 7 days worth of rations for 5 people," She stated.
As the group nears the Foundry, a unique but fitting name for Baine's property which was a smithy and a bar and a home all next to each other, the tavern was finally quiet, the smithy devoid of life as well.
The sun is just starting to reach it's zenith as the four approach the home of the councilman. [b]But just as they draw near a loud screech of terror breaks the still in the air!
"VAL!"
Lucky unholsters Vera and loads a round before getting ready to charge through the door.