The party repositions itself at the (G 11/12) doorway. Once again, Andrea notices the distinctive carrion odor near. This is the second of two doorways she has smelled death. (G 11/12 and C 11/12)
Be wary of undead, the reek of carrion is strong. Andrea stands ready when the doors are opened
Daniel puts away his shield again, it was impeding his ability to do damage and the needed to kill things faster to protect his allies.
Gerard examines the door...
Gerard opens the door and Daniel steps forward ready for the peril within.
You find a simple hallway lined by heavy cell doors that block entry into cramped and filthy cells. A ring of keys to these cells hangs on the south wall beside the door. The first four cells are packed with naked corpses. The fifth cell contains a beaten and bloodied naked Jarvis Alebrecht, who is sitting defiantly in middle of the cell. Rhe sixth cell, the farthest away, contains three naked men.
Jarvis, we heard you were missing.
In the last cell you see who you think is Eirtein Oberigo, head of the Oberigo family, but your not certain. You've never really "met" him before but you know of him. If it is him, that he was rumored to be a leader of the council of thieves.
You also recognize one of the other men in his cell as a nobleman.
You see a rather filthy Eirtein Oberigo, head of the Oberigo family, who you've met at the mayor's party. You remember is exceptionally powerful leading the #2 family in the city.He is unconscious. you don't recognize the other two men in the cell but they are also unconscious.
Jarvis simply sits there blinking.
Any of you sorry souls wanna live? Give me your names.
Gerard they are unconscious. The only one able to respond is Jarvis but he seems to be staring off into the distance, unblinking.
The senseless one is Eirtein Oberigo. Orsin and I met him at the mayor's party after the Six Fold Trials. I don't know who the other two are.
Jarvis might be magically controlled, I remember that vampires can dominate people.
Andrea casts Detect Magic on Jarvis and studies him.
After a few minutes Jarvis begins to stir.
Andrea gets out some water for him after unlocking the doors of his and Oberigo's cell. Jarvis, what happened to you? We heard you went missing. She slowly feeds him some water. Euphemia, would you please check on the other three men? I am not a skilled healer.
"Ki...ki...kidnapped my family...'oldin''em."
Gerard bends down and gives the identified nobleman a slap across the face. He is firm, but not harsh. Wake up. Sleepy time's over.
Still feeling somewhat injured from the battle with the Niholi and seeing the chance to get everyone on their feet, Andrea sends out a wave of healing energy
Every heals this amount
Ilnerik and the Council of Thieves? Do you know where?
The unconscious men awaken gasping for breath. Groggily they grunt and groan. "I...I wi...will pay a reward for freedom." He coughs. "y..yes, Ilnerik is h...here, the council has changed hands."
Meanwhile, Jarvis tells his story, "Aft'r the ambush they sought revenge and inform'tion. Chammady and Ecarrdian want you dead, they came after me." He coughs up some phlegm and spits it out. "They grabbed m'family b'fore I got home." He blinks then continues, "I came h're, sneek'd in but was caught by the wizard...coupe days ago."
We will try to find them. As for a way out, there is a hole where we slew Ilnerik's general but you would have to be flown out. There is also a boat that can take you across the lake. We have killed most everything in the manor so all of you have a clear way out.
Andrea casts her eye over the nobles and Jarvis. What can you tell us of this area? Does Ilnerik have any more vampire or shadowmen allies with him? Have you met Ilnerik and has he displayed any abilities such as spell casting or martial skill? Andrea gives the rest of her water.
"That's... absolutely terrible." Euphemia admits, looking over the begging injured. She and Frank seem to cringe in tandem over this.
She administers her healing hex to any who have need of it after Andrea expends her healing burst.
Jarvis responds, "Ilnerik nev'r bother'd wit me, 'is general got me. Yep, he has night creatures. Don't know how many."
----
Eirtein offers more, "These dead men were council members they were purged. I've been here over week now, the kids killed their grandfather...so I've heard. Bit of my family to." He drinks a bit of water. "Ecarrdian and Chammady Drovenge are devious and cruel they wanted their grandfather's position...it was a power grab....wanting "more" and "a new order of things.'" He wipes his tender face. "There's a secret treasury below....last I heard, they were there. Ilnerik and his shadows will be there...planning their own vengeance on Westcrown."
The paladin gathers the men together when the opportunity arises,
Gentlemen, I am Daniel Arrisen, Sword of Imoedae and beholden to the House Tilneros, I am here to aid these brave souls in the cleansing of Illnerik's foul influence on this place. All we have encountered have been slain behind us. We are closing in on him and he will be ended by the close of the day. If you wish to secure yourselves in here until we complete our business I will provide escort to your homes. Or you may go behind us freely as you wish.
We found the elder Drovenge dead upstairs so they were successful with that. As for those two they were pretty stupid about all of this, if they just stopped crapping where they ate like the Mayor they could of had the city eating out of their hand with fixed walls and dead goblins. Now they will get our swords in their faces and if not us, the army's.
We'll get you out of here, we need you to get to the Tilneros and tell them everything that has been going on so if we die than others can finish the job.
The two lesser nobles nod and one mentions, I know your family, we've done some legit business together."
Eirtein looks at Daniel, "All former debts between our houses are forgiven if you get me out of here." Daniel you know this is a significant gesture by this man.
Eirtein replies,"You need to get the ashes...its the only way below." He looks towards the hall door. "Can someone fly us through that hole you mentioned, we can get to safety from there."
He looks the paladin in the eyes, "Our families can fight against Ecarrdian and Chammady."
The two lesser nobles nod and one mentions, I know your family, we've done some legit business together."
Eirtein looks at Daniel, "All former debts between our houses are forgiven if you get me out of here." Daniel you know this is a significant gesture by this man.
Daniel offers a nod, Then await my return here honored Sir, for I will return not only to escort you to safety, but bearing report of the death of our mutual enemy. I can see everyone of you here has suffered at the Vampire's hands, yet another crime he will pay for today.
The paladin looks around.
These cells are built solidly. They would provide good protection should any come before we return. We have left none alive behind us. Forward is our path to end this today.
We got some ashes from a meeting room in Walcourt and were told we needed them. Andrea looks at Euphemia.Can you fly them up out of the hole using your abilities?
"Rub ashes on your eyes, then you'll see the door. Without the ash it is nearly impossible to locate." He looks over to the witch, hopeful she can fly them out.
Daniel similarly looks at Em, You carried me with your magical hair. Do you have any such magic left today?
The paladin looks hopeful she may have enough reserves to carry out his promise.
Ware a trip unguarded through the city. The devil in the Mayor's mansion has been freed. What it's plans for the city are, I know not.
"I have some, yes, but not enough to take everyone out of here at once, if that is what you wish for."
Just enough to fly up the hole in the room the Nilohi was in.
I assume the nobles will all want to leave, what about you Jarvis? We can lend you weapons and armor if you want to fight with us.
"We can fend for ourselves once outside the building."
Euphemia walks from noble to noble and struggles to lift them, provided they get close, but she does get a semi-accurate reading.
"Well, while I cannot take you directly back to your homes, but the ground is rather a different story. Glad to hear about your abilities, too."
Her hair begins to whip up again, and she squeaks some form of chant to rise into the air.
Once there, she whiplashes said pelotic appendage to pick up the first blueblood and darts towards the surface.
Frank chirps a little on the ground where he is left behind.
Twould seem the mistress is enjoying this little chance to show off. Oh, dear, oh dear... she should know by now that makes her a handsome target to the hidden ones. Encapsulator keep her.
He meanders over to Jarvis.
I suppose that means I am reduced to this capacity again.
...and starts fussing, licking off dried blood and filth while trying his utmost best to be adorable.
Thank you Em, once again, you prove invaluable to our efforts.
He makes to Grasp the forearms of each man before they depart.
May your own gods grant you safe passage home. Know that the one whom has caused you injury finds justice a cold judge today.
"Chammady and Eccardian..." The bard ruminates on the names and all the pain and suffering they have caused in their coup. Maybe I've been thinking about this all wrong. What would a devil want more than my soul? Two souls. Gods above know they deserve it...
Orsin loses himself to his reverie as Euphemia lifts the wounded to safety.
"I will honor my pledge," Eirtein states jsut before the witch lifts him out of the pit.
Jarvis remains behind, "Staying t'find my family." He looks at Gerard, "Short swords, daggers are my preference. Perhaps some clothes too."
Let us check the other door where I smelled carrion.
Andrea will let Jarvis wield a +2 Short Sword,+1 silver dagger, +1 Mail shirt,+1 cloak of resistance and a MW composite short bow with arrows and a potion of CSW if we wishes to stay.
"May Calistria bless you with a wild orgy!" Jarvis gratefully replies. He gets a bit of assistance sliding the chain shirt.
Gerard positions himself at the next door, exhales and detects for traps.
He doesn't find any and he quickly disables the lock on the door. the smell of carrion is thick outside the room. Jarvis will take up a rear guard position.
An orgy is in dire need.
I know there's a lot on your mind, but that job offer still stands.
"If we live...then let's talk."
Gerard opens the door... uniting Andrea with carrion. Or at least, the stench of it.
The stench of death is strong in this room. It is dimly lit, long and dusty, with a few broken boxes and crates tucked into the corners. There stripped corpses—primarily humans but with a mixture of other races thrown in. (The non-haloed bodies laying down). All are bloated and appear to be in the early stages of decomposition.
Mulling about are three skeletal figures (haloed in white) but even more noticeable is a large loin-like figure (haloed in red) as black as night, it has wisps of smoky flame outlining it's body. As soon as the door open, it roars a thunderous sound.
nightshade
Orsin
Gerard
Skeletons
Andrea
Euphemia
Jarvis
Daniel
Edit: jarvis init.