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It is only a couple of days left until the grand opening of Wati’s necropolis for exploration (some would say plunder), and you are starting to grow nervous. The Order of the Stone still only sports three ill-assorted members, and other adventuring parties are tight-lipped and unwilling to part with any information, let alone share the potential spoils.
On this day you find yourselves – for your own reasons – in the very heart of Wati, the Sunburst Market, right in the center of the town, in the Midwife district. Colorful banners and tent throng between the orderly rows of pillars that demarcate the market space. One of these, known as the Pillar of Second Thoughts, sports a dozen of shriveled hands, the remains of previous violations of the sacred law of Abadar, upheld by the stern women known as the “Marketwives”.
Business is bustling and the whole town is abuzz with rumors, mostly about the coming opening of the necropolis, and here and there tempers flare as foreign merchants try to eke out a space among the native sellers. The scent of spices and rare goods that are being desperately peddled before the expected inflation, and of course the inevitable musty odor of people and animals crowded in a restricted space, fill the air, but most sharply the palpable sense of expectation makes itself felt.
"Well folks. We made it. By hook or by crook. I guess we best sign ourselves up or i dunno.... get more people to join us. Maybe people who can handle the heat better! he laughs. Slapping the paladin on his back
Fleur wanders into the marketplace aimlessly, her nose stuck in a book as she walks... Yet somehow she maintains enough awareness of her surroundings that she rarely bumps into anyone in the crowded square.
When she finally realizes where she is, she slowly closes her book and looks around at the gathered merchants and adventurers and shoppers. She yawns and peers around, removing her reading lenses, slipping them into a pocket of her robe. She blinks as her eyes adjust and then smiles at the hubbub around her.
She begins walking among the stalls, seeing if there's anything new or different that she MUST have... As she nears another stall, she spots an odd gentleman with horns talking to himself... "I'm sorry, I don't mean to eavesdrop, but what may I ask are you signing up for exactly? Is something going on I don't know about?"
So many purses begging to be explored... Sigh... I must keep my mind on the bigger picture though... concentrate.
"What? Hmm... Yes you are correct, perhaps finding someone to do all the work... I mean share in our labors is advisable. It might also increase our chances or success".
Inmir stands staring at the Pillar of Second Thoughts.
That could have been me there. Well my hand anyway, if The Lady had not laid her hand upon my heart and saved me. Jiko had mentioned it once ... mostly in jest, but in the end I think we would have talked ourselves into it. And now I must do it in The Lady's name. Legally and in full view of the world. Only I can't find a group to do it with.
He huffs out a sigh of frustration, then looks around hoping that no one has noticed his impatience.
Calm yourself Inmir El-Alshaen. If you are on the path you are meant to be on then Pharasma will make the way clear to you in time.
With that he bows his head in a moments prayer and then continues to quietly make his way around the market.
Suddenly something strange happens. A slender, light-skinned figure clutching a box of some kind leaps off a roof of an adjacent building and lands on an awning, which collapses and drags down a tent, sending fruit rolling in all directions. After him or her (the flowing robes makes it difficult to discern gender or even race) follows a flock of insanely screeching black baboons. Their glowing red eyes and huge fangs together with their threatening demeanor makes their intentions clear: they are after blood.
The nearby merchants and shoppers panic and scatter in all directions, and you quickly find that there is nobody between you and the savage primates.
State your actions. The baboons go on 15, so if you beat that you can go ahead and take your action.
so no...
Seems this day has become interesting all of a sudden. Not his usual prey, but they do seem to be acting out of the norm. With a few quick hand movements, there was a bolt in his crossbow. He takes his aim, and fires at one of the unengaged baboons
Fleur swallows an extract, then spits out a tangle of fibers at the nearest ape (Adhesive Spittle)
She also takes a step back away from the ape.
The sudden appearance of the flock of mad eyed baboons draws a startled exclamation from the young man in black priests robes...
Lady of Graves! What in the worlds are they!
Then, seeing others trying to stop the creatures he will move over near to them to assist if needed.
Odd that I don't know these - perhaps these others will distract one for long enough for me to touch it... then we shall see.
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Luuther looks for a doorway, or alleyway that he can quickly duck into to keep himself from being flanked, drawing his shortbow as he goes. If possible he'll jump over a few boxes and tumble into his fighting position.
Initiative
Perception
Acrobatics.
"Well folks. We made it. By hook or by crook. I guess we best sign ourselves up or i dunno.... get more people to join us. Maybe people who can handle the heat better! he laughs. Slapping the paladin on his back
"Don't rub it in, Talin."
Duriel, a tall, handsome, gold-skinned man wearing scale mail, swats one of the baboons with his greataxe, remembering that he hasn't eaten much in the last few days and the prospect of meat, whatever sort of meat was inviting.
"For all things are made possible in your name. Amen."
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Haydar was walking in the market, his stomach grumbling, as he tried to find some fruit to eat. It had been a couple of days of fasting and he needed some nourishment. Of course, there had been no observance of holy days. It was just his way of dealing with the fact that he had few coins left to spare. In the temple, food and shelter were provided free of charge, but in the real world, those things costs coins and Haydar was learning the hard way the difference.
His quick senses picked up the arrival of the fanged baboons, as he was perplexed by their attack, though it was clear they meant the general public harm. With no time to draw his sword, Haydar leapt into action, taking a running start and aiming his heel for the nearest baboon's chin, his leg stretched out and his body coiled tightly until the last possible instant, when he unleashes his fury, as he was taught! The blow connects and Haydar feels teeth fly and blood flow as he lands on the ground, vigilant for other enemies!
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As the baboons see that you refuse to flee, but rather advance upon them, they throw themselves in a rage at you. But before they reach you, Haydar stomps one of them into the ground with a flying kick and Fleur immobilizes another spitting goo at it.
The remaining baboons press the attack. Two of them launch themselves at Haydar, while two others go for Duriel. While fending off one Haydar takes a vicious bite to the leg from the other for 5 points of damage while Duriel also is bitten, the baboon's unholy rage giving it unnatural strength and almost piercing his armor. He is bruised for 3 points of damage.
With a disgusted frown Duriel chops its head off, while Talin puts a bolt in the other, wounding it. Meanwhile Inmir walks up and touches the immobilized baboon, insight streaming through his body. Luuther moves into position to set up a flank with Haydar.
Haydar and Fleur are up again, then the baboons.
Talin merely takes another step back as another bolt appears in his crossbow, he levels it at one of the baboon he wounded and fires a shot, making sure to be able to hit it while it is in combat with his companion
Not really prepared for combat on a stroll through town, Fleur backs away another step from the apes and lets the powerful men take care of them from here on... She pulls out another extract but doesn't drink it unless an ape comes close to her. (readied action to drink a shield extract if an ape comes close enough to attack her, bringing her ac to 18)
Stinging from the sharp bite, Haydar grimaces at the 2 baboons who advance on him. He sees an unknown ally moving to flank one of his enemies, so he nods at the dwarf and sends 2 fists into the baboon's face!
Haydar punches out another baboon with two powerful blows, while Fleur draws back. A tousled mop of brown hair emerges from the collapsed tent, belonging to a young man of indeterminate age. He seems to be still clutching a box of some kind.
The baboon caught in the sticky stuff desperately tries to escape but only manages to entangle itself further. The last baboon bites Haydar again for 4 points of damage and Duriel suffers a vicious bite for 5 points of damage.
Then you are all up.
Inmir gasps and jerks his hand away from the baboon.
Pharasma protect us who would do such a thing?
Then he calls out to those fighting the beasts... Beware! These creatures are Fiendish! They will not be easily hurt with fire or cold.
Then seeing two of the men in the fight take vicious wounds he grasps at the holy symbol of Pharasma, a strange spiraling amulet and holds it forth as far as the chain around his neck will allow.
Pharasma! Mother of Fate! Lend me your aid that I might help those who seek to protect your people from these vile summoned creatures!
There is a wash of pale light in a 30 foot circle surrounding Inmir and everyone within that light hears a faint sound like an echoing but wordless whisper and has a fleeting sensation of the presence of a departed loved one. Those who are wounded are partially healed.
The feeling sent shivers up his spine. But he says nothing of it.
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Suffering vicious bites after a long hot day, it is clearly not Duriel's lucky day. So he takes a swipe at the bad baboon and steps back to give the ranged attacks a chance to whittle them down.
"Shoot them, Talin!!!"
"Someone kill the one in the goo before it gets free, please... I don't know how long the goo will hold."
A bolt between the eyes dispatches another baboon, while you are healed.
Fleur hangs back from the baboons and watches (delay)
Seeing the Baboon before him distracted by the human with the hard fists, Luuther takes the opportunity to move over and plunge his dagger into the distracted beast.
Bow or Dagger (Flanking or stuck)
Dagger
or
Shortbow
"Ha Ha... You want to play do you little monkey".
Luuther steps on a discarded banana peel just as he prepares to attack and the laughter ensues... Himself laughing harder than anyone.
"Good one Jing! Good one"!
A grievously wounded Haydar welcomes the cleric's healing energies even though he knows the baboon can take him out at any time. He hopes the dwarf can end the threat but alas. Haydar draws his temple sword and tries to strike true!
While Luuther tries out a new dance move, Haydar cuts down the last free baboon. Cheered on by a lot of angry merchants Duriel makes short work of the entangled baboon.
Panting after your ordeal, you look around more closely. Among the enraged merchants that already have started to salvage what's left of their stands a few faces stand out: a tall, dark-skinned halv-elven woman and a human woman wearing a pretty gaudy aristocrat's outfit and what can best be described as a say-something hat, twirling a wand. Both seem to be observing you. With a shrug they vanish into the crowd.
The young man, who is still clutching the box, which seems to be leaking some sort of sticky substance, is set upon by angry merchants and busy explaining himself. With a preternaturally sweet voice he understands their plight but maintains that he was in mortal danger and quite unfortunately not in a position to consider what lay ahead of him.
After only a brief discussion they understand that he doesn't have any money to reimburse them and that even his box is cracked and possibly ruined. Exasperated, they leave him alone and turn instead to the Marketwife who has appeared at the scene and is busy questioning witnesses. She'll want to hear from you too.
"After a long desert walk, that sure livened things up a bit." he says as he looks his crossbow over. No nicks. String still looks fine. Yup. All good
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As suddenly as it started, the combat was over. Inmir stands stock still, eyes wide for a moment as he sees the last threat fall. He scans around the market to assure himself that no more of the summoned monsters are lurking about the place. Then he sighs quietly to himself.
Don't be foolish man... you saw them, you saw what they were like ... do you really think them capable or inclined towards lurking.
Then his gaze shifts to those who fought off the baboons and he glances down to the spiral symbol still in his hand. This time speaking in a much quieter voice he says ... Pharasma please, once again grant me the boon of your divine grace ... and again the pale light washes across those nearby ...
Releasing the holy symbol to rest once more against his chest, he smiles a great beaming smile.
She answered! She answered my prayers! For all the training I think I was not sure that I would be found worthy in the heat of battle. Praise her! Praise her!
Then he raises his arms to the sky and his voice in song. Singing a song of praise and thanks in Garundi.
Fleur walks over to those who had fought the baboons. "Hello, boys. I'm Fleur. Thank you SO much for dealing with those apes. Or are baboons monkeys? Hmmm.. No, I guess they're apes... anyway, you all fought splendidly, and your healing," she turns to Inmir as she says this, "was pivotal as well. I am so thankful you were there, or so many people would have been hurt."
"And did you see those women watching us? It was almost creepy, like they staged the whole thing just to have something to do. Rich people can be like that, you know. Maybe they were bored. Anyway, it seems like fortune has thrown us together for some reason. Perhaps we should find someplace to sit and talk... Maybe the Falcon's Rest? I've heard it's a very nice tavern and not far from here at all. Don't get the wrong idea... I don't talk to strange men in the marketplace just any old day or invite them to join me for a drink, but I don't often get saved from certain death every day either. So what's it gonna be, boys?"
Luuther regains his feet, finding that he also sit in a small basket of blueberries as he fell, and the back of his pants, now sports a large dark blue stain. He turns to the crowd, and takes a bow, a large smile on his face.
"Thank you! I'll be here all week".
He then turns to the boy, who seemed to be responsible for the carnage. "Come young man. It seems as though it might be wise to make yourself scarce for a while. I'm sorry to say that you might want to find somewhere to rid yourself or your burden. It seems to have been broken in the activity".
Then hearing the woman...Fleru it seems... he puts his arm on the young boy's shoulder. "Come. Now we have a destination. I'll buy you a drink for your tale".
As Fleur comes over and begins speaking, Inmir finishes his song and lowers his arms to his sides. He looks momentarily surprised to be included in the grouping and the invitation. His hand drifts almost unconsciously to touch the symbol hanging at his neck and then falls back to his side. At her mention of the two women his brow creases for a moment as he thinks back...
Oh, two women? A half-elf and a human in a strange hat? Do you think they had something to do with the beasts? Who in their right mind would do such a thing?
His hand drifts back to the symbol ...
Nobody ... nobody in their right mind would release such beasts into a crowded market like this.
Then his eyes come back into focus and he looks at Fleur.
My apologies ... I am Inmir El-Alshaen. I am pleased to have been able to help. But as shocked as I am at the thought that someone would so recklessly summon fiendish beasts into the heart of a busy market, such is a job for the Marketwives and not such as we. Pleasant as the Falcon's Rest may be, I am searching for a group to essay the great trials of the Necropolis and I have little time before it opens. So, with regret I must decline your offer and continue my search.
With that, he bows to Fleur and the rest of the assembled group.
"You're going to the necropolis? Oh, how exciting! I'd love to go and do some hands on research there! Would you consider taking me a long? Perhaps if you want to interview me to join you, you could come with us and call it part of your search? I mean after all, what were you GOING to do? just wander the marketplace and look for likely folks?"
Inmir tilts his head slightly to one side with a faintly uncertain expression.
I believe that is what I am meant to be doing. If I have read the portents aright, then that is what the Lady wishes of me. If I am right then the market is as good a place as any to start. The Lady will place clues and opportunities as she wills.
His eyes widen suddenly. And perhaps she has! Perhaps it is not that I am meant to join a group, but that we are meant to form one! Then perhaps this trial itself was a clue. And an opportunity. We strove together and together we overcame adversity. Shall we not then continue together and strive to overcome ever greater trials?
There is sudden growing excitement on his face...
What say you? Shall we venture into the Necropolis together?
Duriel wraps the bloody scratches the baboons made.
"Greetings, one and all. It is fortunate that we all took a stand when all the others ran away."
"I am Duriel. My companions are Talin and Luuther. We are the Order of the Stone. And like Luuther I am up for some refreshments."
Duriel points to the tiefling and the dwarf.
After a moment, Duriel strikes a poses he deems heroic. "To the Whispering Stone!!!"
He then lowers his voice, "We can discuss matters there." He tells the others.
"One tavern is as good as another... come Inmir, let's join our new friends and discuss with them the possibility of forming a team to enter the necropolis... it seems they are already a group, but a small one... they perhaps need us, yes?"
Inmir bows to Fleur. As you say, one tavern is as good as another. And such a discussion can only yield good results for us all. However, I think that the Marketwife will wish to speak with us about the events here before we depart.
He glances about the market to check where the Marketwife is, and also to be sure that nobody else has been hurt that remains unattended to and once again touches his hand to his holy symbol as his eyes take in again the chaos of the day and the corpses of the fiendish creatures that brought it about.
The marketwife approaches you and asks what has been going on here. She is under a Zone of Truth enhantment so you'll need to pass a Will 13 save in order to lie to her, should you feel so inclined.
She is contented with your explanation that you were just passing by and even commends you for stopping this menace before the monkeys could do any more damage to life, or worse, property. She is a little more stern with the young man, whom she addresses familiarly as Kyle.
He claims that he happened upon some kind of clandestine negotiation and that curiosity impelled him to take a look into the box when noone was watching it and that this act seems to have enraged some sort of magician who conjured the abyssal apes and set them upon him. The marketwife just sighs at his yarn and confiscates the box, but lets him go, since he didn't commit any crime other than defending himself in the marketplace proper.
You are free to withdraw to any inn that you prefer, with or without Kyle.
"Good day to you, madam. We were just taking our leave."
Duriel leads his companions to the Whispering Stone.
He puts his hands in his pockets and shuffles after his companions. And the new ones too. Well. New for now.
He gives the woman a grin and a salute with his tail
"See you around"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Talin, please." Duriel frowns at Talin's tail gesture.