For several weeks, excitement has been building in Kenabres—Armasse is coming! Traditionally an opportunity for scholars and priests to come together to study the lessons of history from wars past, since Aroden’s death, this holy day has become more about training commoners in weaponry, choosing squires, and ordaining new priests. Over time, Armasse has grown to encompass jousting competitions, mock duels, battle reenactments, and other festival events. In Kenabres, the festival (which takes place on 16 Arodus) is eagerly anticipated, for it provides distractions from the horrors of being on the front line of the war. Smiles on faces normally marred by downcast eyes and furrowed brows do wonders for city morale in the weeks leading up to the event.
Armasse is a citywide celebration, but the majority of the event, including its jousting matches and other entertainments, takes place at Clydwell Plaza, just west of the cathedral. Each of you are in attendance near the cathedral’s facade. You've been lucky enough to get good spots to observe the opening ceremonies at noon.
Korak smiled from where he sat doing a decent business. He had his collapsible plank set across two barrels of brandy serving as a makeshift bar as he sold his more mundane wares. He looked over to his left were a young woman was doing a brisk business selling some kind of savory smelling meat, looking around he went and placed a couple of coppers a customer had just left in front of her and smiled at her flirtatiously before collecting his food and sitting back down behind his "bar"
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Xantrius strides through the plaza, the crowd parting before his massive armored form. As he stands head and shoulders over most of those assembled, it is easy for him to scan the faces of those around him for his quarry.
All of Kenabres is here so why can't I find the Head Librarian? He has been "out" every time I have visited the library. Could he be intentionally avoiding me? But why? How would he even know who I am?
His hand goes to his chest where the strange amulet hangs beneath his mail. He grits his teeth beneath his helm and his hand drops as he continues his search. After another hour with no luck, he makes his way closer to the cathedral for a better view and stops near a make-shift bar where the dwarven proprietor is enjoying a meal. The spiced meat smells quite enticing, perhaps he will have time to buy some after the festivities if he does not find the man he is looking for.
Korak holds up a mug. "Come on over and wet your whistle. Some of my finest brew here." Korak calls out to the perspiring man in mail.
A rather tall woman walks through the street enjoying the fares until a rather uncommon thing catches her eye, a man that is taller then she is. A shout by a nearby dwarf catches her attention. It seemed he was selling drinks, which seemed like a good idea.
She walked up to, and towered over the dwarf, "I'll take one. How much?"
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The helm swivels in the dwarves direction and he can see two dim red pinpoints study him from the narrow visor. He seems to be debating with himself for a moment, then shakes his head regretfully.
"I thank you for the offer, but I have... duties to perform right now. Mayhap I shall partake later after I have completed my task."
The deep, gravelly voice sends chills up the spines of those in earshot, sounding like ground glass being scrapped across metal. With a respectful nod, he turns back to studying the crowds milling about the plaza, apparently searching for someone.
The woman responds cheerfully, "It is rather unkind to send you on duty out in the middle of all this temptation. So, what are looking for, I may know where it is."
"Come, is your task so urgent that you must die of thirst?" Korak turns to the woman and smiles. "First sip's free, if it's to your taste, well, pay me what you think it's worth. Can't get a better deal than that."
"Why thank you sir, you are generous." she smiles as she takes the mug, quietly whispers something then takes a sip and stifles a cough before taking another sip. "An excellent brew. What is it?"
"It's Fire Brandy, I make the wine for it from Jalapeno peppers, gives it a nice kick. I created the recipe for an old friend of mine."
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The helm turns to the woman and stares at her for a moment, judging.
Then the hideous voice booms out "No one set me on this task, it is self-appointed. I am seeking the head of the Librarium of the Broken Black Wing. I hope that he may aid me with some... research."
Turning back to the dwarf, he says more softly "While your ale sounds enticing, I... do not eat or drink in public. Thank you." The last words sound apologetic, almost embarrassed and he quickly turns away to watch the crowds again.
Korak looks at the mugs before him, simple wooden things that can easily be replaced. He fills one up, stands and walks up to the armored figure and claps his hand on his shoulder. "Here. Have a cup, drink it when you want, my friend." He says as he pushes it into the warrior's hand. Korak walks back towards his bar hoping to converse with the woman.
A beautiful blue-skinned girl with long flowing dark hair that sparkles like starlight walks through the crowd. She is dressed in lacquered armor, looking to be better suited for parades than combat, though in thruth it's as good as studded leather. It's littered with symbols of Mendev, so clearly it's local, but not seen much as the guards prefer heavier stuff.
She is fidgeting and looking from person to person, clearly worried about something. Once she comes to Xantatius her eyes go wide. "You! You were in my dream! Please... Tell me it won't happen! Please..." she pleads of him. She makes wild gestures with her hands, one of which is covered by a heavy spiked gauntlet. At her side is a rapier.
The woman seems distracted by the frantic blue skinned person and absent mindedly takes a drink which the type of contents obviously forgotten as she quickly devolves into surprised sputters and coughing.
Korak downs a mug of his own brandy ignoring the blue woman, he'd seen more than enough strange things during his travels to let blue skin fluster him. Though he did take a long look for her beauty.
After regaining her composure, the woman speaks seemingly to no one in particular, "Oh shut up. It wasn't that funny."
"Excuse me?"
She suddenly looks at the dwarf, "Oh not you, I was talking to Pip." she points at the snake on her shoulders, "Seemed to think my choking was funny."
I look to the snake. "Hey, how's it going? Want a drink?" He looks over at the woman. "So you're a wizard then?"
"Not quite. I'm a mystic. It's magic but the techniques are different than wizards, more flexible, more in tune with the world, and less math. Thanks for the drink, here." she pulls a small pouch from the folds of her jacket and retrieves a couple silver and places it on the bar.
Two small bipedal dragons come around a corner people move out of the way for them not so as not to cause an altercation. The two seem to be talking to each other as the one with well made weapon "glaive" fro the look of it points to the women selling meat, he nods and heads over buying three servings. He places two on the ground and begins to eat the other as the weaponless dragon beings to eat as well.
The one with the weapon looks up to the small gathering at the makeshift stall and turns to his companion
"Much Obliged"
Bakji walked about the festival grounds a frown upon his face. They have turned this day into a mockery of what it once was, why must everything be a festival of all things.
He just shook his head as he saw kids running the streets with their treats and their best clothes on. The worldwound was still open, he could feel it in his soul and here they were celebrating.
He had been here for too long waiting for the order to strike up the banner once again and it weighed heavily on his mind. He stopped absent-mindedly at the stalls taking out a bit of coin and dropping it on the 'counter' of the brewers stand. He didn't care much what he would be drinking, only that it would take his mind off of what was plaguing him.
He wore what looked like everyday traveling clothes but underneath was the armor that had saved his life so many times over the years. On his back was his bow and quiver. His tall lean form looked almost out of place, almost mystical given his pale blue skin and colorless eyes. His black hair had been pulled back in a braid for the day to keep it out of his eyes.
I take a mug and fill it, noting I'm almost out before passing it to Bakji. "How are you this fine day?"
Bakji's head turned and he focused it on Korak. He did this more for the benefit of others as he had found that people felt better when he did that to show he was looking at them. "I am well, impatient but well. How are you?" he asked before taking a deep and heavy draw from the mug.
"Haha! Quite well quite well. The people enjoy my drink and I enjoy the people. An excellent relationship if you ask me."
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Surprised by the strange blue-skinned girl's words, Xantrius gazes at her for a moment from beneath his helm.
"Apologies, m'lady, I know naught of what you speak. What do you think will happen -" he is interrupted by the arrival of the two draconian creatures, who he watches warily.
As another blue-skinned person strolls up to the stand, it seems to him that this area is starting to become quite crowded. Was something about to happen here or did this dwarf just craft really fine brandy? He looks down at the cup and raises it to his helm for a sniff.
Aleziella jumps from foot to foot, almost dancing with graceful movements. From observing her it's clear she is limber enough to be an acrobat with enough charm and sense of rythm that she could easily be a ballerina, if not for these war-infested lands. "Danger! Peril! Swirling! Black and Red! Creatures! Halfbloods! I don't know where or how, but I know it will happen unless we manage to stop it! My dreams always tell the truth in one fashion or another. As I said, you were there with me, so maybe you know something? Enough to stop it?!" Aleziella somehow manages to stop herself from screaming. She doesn't want to cause a general riot. Certainly an armored fella like this can handle the information without panicking. She doesn't really care all that much about the surrounding people, but instead focuses on her task.
the two small silver dragons seem to have a small argument it ends with the one with the glaive nodding and walking over to the dwarfs make shift stand
with a small flap of his wings this silver dragon jumps onto the stand
"sorry, sometimes I forget to speak the common tongue when I talk to others, *ahem* anyway my companion over there wishes to have some of your drink to wash down her meal. I tell her alcohol would just make her thirstier but she can be bothersome when I don't get what she ask for. *sigh* but what are you going to do, how much will that be...oh and good day to all of you fine folk today it dose seem that a grand event will take place here soon. Xill and I, oh sorry name is ਭੂਤ or Kothar in the common tongue. This is the first time we have been to this city what pray tell is happening here."
the other dragon walks up giving a small growl and cry
"as you can see what I mean hehe. So as to my question what will be taking place here?"
Bakji drains the mug real quick and wipes off what little was on his lips with a handkerchief. He looks over and sees Tanya "Tanya" he says before giving a nod of affirmation. He listens to the blue skinned woman and shakes his head. "Bah, there will come a day when we are allowed to fight again. The worldwound waits for no one." he said before walking off towards his seat.
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Xantrius shakes his head. "No, I am sorry, I know nothing of any danger. Have you spoken of your visions to the Guard?" he asks before turning around to scan the area for anything unusual as one hand edges down to the sword sheathed at his hip. He was not sure if this woman's predictions were accurate, but it never hurt to take precautions, especially this near the Worldwound.
Aleziella shakes her head vehemently. "The guards? You mean the inquisition right? What do you think they would do to one such as I? I am a halfblood myself, even if my father was a good Azata, I don't think they would care. They would tear my mind apart looking for any scrap of information. I don't want to set of a second third crusade either. I didn't actually experience it, but I've heard tales. Besides there weren't even any demons in my dream. Will you at least help me look for information?" Aleziella looks dissapointed that the armored figure didn't have any information to her problem, though she knew that this was the kind of problem that she couldn't solve with just information. that would just be the first step.
OK, Xantrius and Kothar are good to go. Aleziella, Bakji and Korak have to get back to me to address the issues I sent you (I know some of you just got the PMs). Tanya will be done sometime tonight (I need a break).
I've never talked to your kind before. Should she grace me with her company, the first will be free.
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Xantrius holds up his hand to halt the woman's near-panicked speech. "Calm yourself. Hold a minute and gather your composure; I will aid you if I can. I know not of your experiences elsewhere, but I have found most of the Guard here quite reasonable and accepting of those with divine heritage, even welcoming! I can introduce you to some of those I have met and I believe they will give your story due consideration."
He is interrupted again in his conversation by the little dragon's questions. He keeps his composure and turns aside to address him politely before resuming dealing with the blue woman. "Today is the festival of Armasse, a grand celebration for all to come together and test their mettle with duels, jousts and tests of skill, as well as sharing of Lore to better combat the demonic horde."
"Now Miss, if you will tell me what you know, starting with your name, I shall see what I can do to discover what your vision means and ease your distress. I am called Xantrius, Paladin of Pharasma." he states with a shallow bow, almost spilling the cup he had forgotten about until now.
Finally a smile appears on Aleziella's mouth. He is at least willing to hear her out. "Thank you so much for offering to help Ser Xantrius. I am sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I am Alexiella Libuyaza, blessed by Desna." She curtsies, which is quite hard to do in her stiff armor, but somehow she manages to pull it off with the same grace as her hopping from before. She holds up a holy symbol from around her neck as she does so. "Desna shows me all sort of dreams, communication with otherworldly beings and foreshadowing of things to come. I know at once if a dream is foreshadowing something and while something related to the dream always seem to happen, I've often been able to affect the outcome. As dreams they can vary greatly in detail, sometimes they are as vivid as real life, other times they are just a set of shapes, colors and feelings. There was very strong feelings of danger in last night's dream, which usually means it's important, but thankfully there were also something more substantial. There were strange creatures that looked like a mix of several races, though I don't think they were demons. I was there and in danger, you were there as well, along with several others I couldn't make out, but it didn't feel like you were part of the danger. Have you ever heard of such creatures before?" Aleziella has calmed down somewhat and it's with great involvement and passion she tells her story, attempting to draw in Xantrius and anyone else who might be listening. There are dots of light in her black hair sparkling like starlight as she sways her head femininely from side to side.
OK, I need each person to check in with the following information:
1) How long have you been in Kenabres or did you just arrive today.
2) If you've been here for any period of time, where are you staying.
You are suddenly in a dark place. Your heads throb with thunderous headaches. Your ears ring. Your’re having trouble breathing. After a few moments, the sounds of rocks clattering, coughing, and moans of pain, as well as the choking smell of dust, become apparent as your senses seem to return, but it remains pitch black. Feeling around in the darkness, you feel rubble all around you, and realize that your bodies are covered in dirt and filth. Despite the general aches and pains, you do not seem to be damaged.
you see that you are in a large underground cavern, one wall of which is an enormous mound of rubble. The air is filled with dust, and now and then small rockslides of gravel tumble down the mound.
Korak groans as he takes in the dust choked cavern and begins to stand up, he looks around and begins to gather the salvageable remains of his gear.
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What? What happened...
Xantrius forces the dust from his lungs with an explosive cough. After testing for any injuries he looks around and spies other forms in the rubble. He instinctively shifts his sight to gaze at their souls to gauge the strength of their life-force.
"Do not fear, I can aid anyone who is hurt. Stay calm and I will be with you in a moment!" his firm tone belies his uncertainty and confusion, but he knows the best way to keep others from panicking is for them to see another's confidence.
Realizing that many of those with him probably do not have his demon-spawned sight, he pulls his shield from his back and attempts to create a light, his movements hampered by his heavy armor. The shield starts to glow with a warm golden radiance, and he moves closer to the nearest person.
Tanya recovers rather quickly, unfazed by the darkness as she also grabs several rocks and makes them glow, tossing them around in a circle. "Everyone okay?"
Bakji slowly gets back up dusting himself off. He shakes his head a bit and simply clutches his holy symbol causing it to glow. "I am fine, everyone else alright?" he asks as he begins to look around to the edge of his sight to see if anyone who looks like they were common folk were caught in the situation as well.
"That makes three of us."
Tanya takes a moment to look up, to see just how much city fell in the hole, and to get an idea of how far down they fell, assuming of course that falling is what happened. If there is no hole above, she will start looking for potential attackers, otherwise, she will start searching for other survivors who haven't woken up yet.
Kothar gets up coughing a few times, the other dragon jumps up makes a few growls and deep wines looking at Kothar
"oh, look girl there are some other ones that are here. I everyone alright?"
the other dragon makes a few odd sounding noises
he turns back to the others
"would anyone happen to know what happened or how we are here"
Aleziella gets up from the ground in a hurry and draws her rapier and gets in combat ready stance. She quickly looks around with her darkvision and identifies the people from the stand above. Once she hears the other speak and she sees no other creatures she relaxes slightly, though she keeps her rapier at the ready. "I am fine. Are anyone else hurt? I can heal as well." She peers into the darkness, she has practiced a lot for dangerous situations even if she hasn't experienced many herself yet. "This wasn't in my dream, but bad things rarely happen alone. Be on your guard. Desna, be my guide through the darkness!" As she prays she briefly touches her holy symbol hanging around her neck to her lips. She moves closer to the others, wanting to protect them.
"I'm fine, though my stock isn't. And no, I don't know what happened, one moment I was talking to a Kobold the next moment I was waking up down here." After strapping my stuff on I walk around a bit, scoping the place out.
As you hear people start to move about and some produce light, your heads clear and with that memory comes flooding back. Armasse officially began at noon, with the blessing of the festival by Lord Hulrun himself, ruler of Kenabres. The crowd gathered in Clydwell Plaza quieted as the aged inquisitor took the stage, clad in shining, resplendent armor. He cleared his throat, but just as he was about to speak, a bright light shone from the west, as if the sun were rising from the wrong direction. Hulrun’s shadow fell huge and distorted across the cathedral’s facade. A moment later, the sound of a thunderous explosion ripped through the air and earth, along with a violent tremor. To the west, the fortress known as the Kite—the location of Kenabres’s wardstone—had vanished. In its place, a brilliant plume of red fire, lightning, and smoke erupted into the heavens. A moment later, a powerful roar accompanied a welcome sight rising from the crowd—Kenabres’s greatest guardian, the ancient silver dragon Terendelev, who had until that moment been attending the opening ceremony disguised as a human. Above, another form appeared, as nightmarish as the dragon was breathtaking. A humanoid shape three times the size of any man, with skin coated in fire and lightning, gripped a flaming sword and whip. The creature’s identity was immediately obvious:
Khorramzadeh, the Storm King of the Worldwound, had come to Kenabres!
As the ground continued to shake and disgorge demons into the streets, the dragon and the balor lord clashed above. The fight was over in a few harrowing moments, as the balor cut deep into Terendelev’s body, swooping down to strike the dragon and arresting her charge. A few more blows, and the titanic duo spiraled downward toward the crowd. The sight of the dragon smashing into the facade of the Cathedral of St. Clydwell is one no witness would ever forget. At that moment, a titanic demon erupted at the far end of the plaza, reducing several buildings to ruins as it smashed into this world. The rift it created shot across the plaza, and this time there was no escape—it opened below your feet, angling away into darkness. Even as you fell, the dragon noticed your plight. Though she saw death standing over her, she seized this final chance to save a few more souls. After she uttered a few arcane words and stretched out a bleeding talon, you felt her magic take hold of you, slowing your plummet into the darkness as if you were feathers falling into a pit. Yet the fall remained as inexorable, and as you drifted downward into the depths, the last thing you saw was the Storm King standing before the ancient silver dragon, his sword lashing out and cleaving full through her neck. As her severed head fell, the rift above you slammed shut, and the light of the world above was gone.
As you gather up your belongings and look around, you realize how narrow your escape from destruction was. Your are at the base of a pile of rubble. The collapsed remains of the pit into which you had fallen. Interspersed with the rubble are crushed bodies of other citizens that did not have the same fortune as you.
Looking around you see there are eight of you that have survived. Aside from the strangers (your party) there is a rough looking man closest to the rubble, one of his legs buried under a large rock, grimacing in pain. An older man with burns across his face and bleeding eye sockets. And a pudgy middle aged man in what were once very expensive clothes standing and muttering to himself.
Tanya goes over to the man with the trapped leg, "Hey, tall guy, help me with this rock please." as she gets to the guy, "Lucky for you, I know some spells to help. We just need to move this rock, which might hurt." finding a good grip on the rock to move it she talks to her snake, "Pip, keep a tongue out for anything else that wants to crash the party, okay" Pip starts tasting the air and keeping watch.
Korak walks over knowing he isn't the tall guy or ever would be. He takes hold of the rock and begins lifting with Tanya.