City of Ashes (Inactive)

Game Master Grimmy

I knew someone was gonna go there if I didn't change that guys name!!!

Lilia believes she won't have any trouble getting Jaeger to describe whoever ends up wanting to buy the unholy mace. She had that guy in the palm of her hand.

Ew...oh you meant eating, not literal...better imagery..Ha ha

A covered figure moved to the half orc, she seemed to step out of darkness. Only her eyes could be seen from behond a mask she was waring.

"it's here. I see it is done..." she turns her head toward the extra individual
"Best leave here. You lost nothing here" all the while her voice was monotone. In different. Emotionless. As if everything was just plain fact. Her eyes just stared at him. Her arms under her cloak. There was almost no indication that she even had other limbs.

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T'Salix's jaw drops when Erin reveals himself. He looks at Ronen... then at the assassin... then at Ronen again.

Finally he shrugs. Thrusting his shovel in the mound of dirt he turns to walks away.

"I'll be back to fill it in."

After a few steps he stops and turns to the monk again with an uncharacteristically philosophical expression on his face.

"It's a nice thing you do for the dead here, monk, but in a place like this not everything is black and white. I'm not asking you to live in the gray areas, I'm not that naive. And I'm not even asking you to choose your battles. You seem like the type to fight even if you know you can't win. Just don't go after what might be victim without knowing the whole story is all."

He looks back at the hooded assassin before walking quickly away.

Lueck doesn't seem to notice when Cairenn misses with the rock. It was a rock and not a bow, after all; we're not halflings!

"Those nobles were just human; you can't expect too much from them when it comes to understanding the beauty of elven music." Lueck clears his throat and looks away.

When Cairenn asks how brave Lueck is feeling, he hesitates, but tells himself [i]You've elven blood; be brave! He meets Cairenn's gaze and says "Yeah. Suicidally dangerous. Yeah, that sounds good. Tell me more."

Cairenn grins. "Well," he says, "you know how everyone gets out of the cemetery by nightfall, of course. But I have seen..."

He pauses, for effect, and drops his voice to a near-whisper, also for effect, "...a figure, walking the banks of yon river... too far for me to tell much, though I believe it a maiden... doubtless beautiful, even if is the bittersweet beauty frozen forever in time by death itself."

Cairen pauses, reflecting a moment. Bittersweet beauty - yes. Frozen forever- hmmm. Maybe forever frozen?

"...forever frozen in time by death itself," he amends. "Scans better. Anyway. Perhaps she is a ghost, a shade of a long-lost lover who walks the banks seeking sign of her drowned beloved. Perhaps she's living flesh and blood-- a mourner of noble blood, who comes to weep over the commoner she loved in secret. Perhaps she's a death-witch, who seeks to raise these bones from slumber!

"Anyway, I think it's worth investigating. What say you?"

Is Ronen and Erin's thread taking place at the same 'time'? Sorry if it was stated and I missed it.

A covered figure moved to the half orc, she seemed to step out of darkness. Only her eyes could be seen from behond a mask she was waring.

"it's here. I see it is done..." she turns her head toward the extra individual
"Best leave here. You lost nothing here" all the while her voice was monotone. In different. Emotionless. As if everything was just plain fact. Her eyes just stared at him. Her arms under her cloak. There was almost no indication that she even had other limbs.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Ronen turned to look at the cloaked figure. Hidden in such a disguise Ronen began to wonder what misfortune this figure brought with them. He cared little about who or what chose to hide itself behind such a bleak outfit. No doubt the figure must belong to some ill begotten guild of thieves or worse.

So the Caretaker's are in league with a thieve's guild? Perhaps the craftsman was more than met the eye. Could this be the craftsman in some disguise?

"You are correct I have lost nothing within this cemetery, but it is my duty to consecrate those that will be laid to rest here so that The Lady or some other power may pass final judgement accordingly.

Do you have such an individual that needs to be judged before walking the long road?"

Ronen effortlessly shifted his body to set himself in a position so that he could watch as T'Salix hastened away while maintaining most of his attention on this cloaked figure. The words T'Salix spoke as he left would have to be weighed later.

Is Ronen and Erin's thread taking place at the same 'time'? Sorry if it was stated and I missed it.

Yup, Ronen, Erin, Cairenn and Lueck are all in the City of Ashes at the same time now. It is just a really big place. Cairenn and Lueck could be just in the next plot over, within earshot but unnoticed.

A light chuckle came from her. She gave a small bow
"Welcome to this holy ground. No respect ment. And do not think ill of the caretaker. He was informed. I do not wish a fight. I was merely delivering."

She turns her head, looking around
"You are alone? Seems a bit... negligent don't you think? I bid you farewell. And good night. Stay safe" she turns and walks back into the shadows

-Posted with Wayfinder

sorry. Was in a rush. I ment to type "no disrespect ment" english is not my first language. So i make mistakes now and then

-Posted with Wayfinder

Shortly after the masked assassin has disappeared, a nondescript man with a cart follows in her wake. He pays no attention to Ronen as he tips the contents of the cart into the freshly dug grave... a body in a burlap bag. As an afterthought he tosses a bag of coins onto the mound of earth. Then he wordlessly wheels away his cart.

In the next plot over, T'Salix comes upon Cairenn and Lueck. Seeing the bard idly reclining and tossing stones, the half-orc gravedigger throws up his hands in exasperation.

"What is this, visiting hours?! First the monk, now you two. Why don't you make yourselves useful and go fill in the grave I just dug when the monk is finished saying his prayers."

"Is there anything else you need before we head to the temple, Priscilla? I'm ready to get there and try to figure out more about what's behind all of this.". If there is nothing mentioned, Lilia will take the fore and lead them to the Muir temple.

Ronen watches as the shadows seem to envelope the masked figure curious about this 'delivery' when he hears the rickety sound of wheels churning over the hard ground. As the driver of the cart tips his contents into the freshly dug grave Ronen's eyes once again turn to the shadows where the masked figure disappeared. He pays no attention to the driver as he throws the coins onto the mound of earth and pulls his cart back to where it came from.

"Just a delivery indeed. The next time we meet questions will need to be answered..." Returning his attention to the grave he climbs down and begins to untie the rope sealing the burlap sack. Opening one of the pouches on his belt he removes a tiny bag and spills some of the metallic contents into his hand "May your journey bring you to the The Lady's blade and her judgement find you honourable to know the eternal rest"

As he speaks these words he takes hold of the symbol with his other hand that rests on his neck. Slowly a glowing silver light surrounds the hand holding the metallic dust and with the same he reaches into the burlap sack and rests it upon the body in the bag. Removing his hand he reties the burlap sack and climbs out of the hole.

Casts Sanctify Corpse on body in sack; Take 10 to climb out of pit if necessary 10+7 =17

Hearing T'Salix yelling at someone Ronen decides to head in that direction his duties now completed with this corpse.
"Perhaps more mourners have arrived. The time is growing late let me see if my assistance may be of need."

Lueck shudders at Cairenn's vivid description, but swallows hard and nods. "I'm with you; I won't let you down. Let's do it."

He shifts the spear to one hand, then wipes sweat off his palm onto his pants. Then he sifts the spear to the other hand and repeats the gesture.

Temple of Muir

Lilia and Priscilla arrive at the Temple of Muir to find Barahil alone again, contemplating his reflection in his shield.

"Lady Springheel. Imril told me you were back in Bard's Gate. What do you have to report."

His tone is flat but his eyes reveal joy that the halfling has come to see him.

"And who is this friend you bring with you?"

Lilia waits for the halfling to tell the whole story, but while doing so, she introduces herself. "I am Lilia Stinisen. I'm a local. I met Ms. Springheel earlier this morning."

Back in the temple

Urrnir finishes her telling of the tale and then pauses while it sinks in. "So much speaking, it's left me quite parched" she mutters as she takes another draft of the sweetened milk.

Ares wakes up on the floor of the vault. His vision comes into focus. Forms moving, working. The Knights from the Citadel. The Lyreguard. Imril's men.

They have stretchers. They are putting bodies on stretchers. Lucia. Andrek.

There is an empty stretcher too.

Ares remembers Jeb limping up the steps out of the vault with his last arrow nocked and drawn. Following those frog priests who withdrew when their demon vanished after laying waste to him and his friends.

Imril notices Ares is back.

"Where are you riding then? On griffonback or in a stretcher?"

On the way back to Bard's Gate, some Wyvern's are sighted, but they don't engage the Knights.

When the Griiffons touch down at the gates, Imril has a few parting words.

"Looks like that was the last favor I can do for your church for a while. The politicians don't want so many defensive resources being diverted to what amounts to a conspiracy theory in the public eye. I don't doubt that what killed your friends, and, well, you.. was something that should concern all of Bard's Gate, if not all of the Lost Lands. Bring me evidence to appease the law-makers, and you will have my cavalry. You can trust me with your brothers body. Barahil will send for him later today. Are you strong enough to walk to the old temple district?"

"Uh yeah I'm alive....and for priests you guys seem more informed then thieves guilds. Anyways yes I am back and alive!" She says looking up at the man her brow furrowed.

"No thanks to you guys, I mean seriously two weird priesty factions. Well I assume they are factions one was frog, er maybe toad men the others were Orcus I think. At least that's what was told to me." She said as she slips past the man and looks inside.

"As for the mission...Well everyone is dead, and you guys need to go get them and bury them. Seriously Things went bad quickly demons were summoned it was awful. So awful....I could hear them being gnawed on..." She says starting with anger and sliding ever so softly into a sobbing whisper. and there she stood crying. This was her first real cry since it happened.

Barahil's stoic expression melts away.

"There, there, little one. I'm sorry, I failed you all so terribly. I hope one day you can forgive me. I have already sent Imril to get your friends bodies and bring them here. "

Should I tell her Ares lives? No, I had best wait and find out if it is even true first...

"What you have told me is serious business. Orcus the Prince of Undeath and Tsathogaa the vile Frog God were ancient enemies that tested the greatest champions of our faith even in the Age of Heroes. In our modern times, I'm afraid there is no force in the world who would have any hope of opposing either of them. In light of this information, we must find out what we can about the circumstances surrounding the event that started all of this.. the appearance of the head of Muir's idol on the black market here in Bard's Gate. But with Lucia gone, who can tell us the details of how she came to know it was being bought and sold here in our city?"

Lilia tried to steel herself from tears yet again. She grunts out the following through quivering lips. "There's been a rumor that I have heard. I was at one of the Midnight Masquerades at the Vinewood Estate. At one of the Masqueraders, I overheard that the severed head of the Idol of Muir was being sold as a black-market art object in Bard's Gate. The trouble is, all Masqueraders were in garments and masks, so I haven't the foggiest who I heard spread the rumor."

DM

Exactly right, they were in masks, but you know some things from clues and references in the context of the conversation that night.

sorry I forgot I never got around to telling you that part lol

Lilia pauses for a second. "The only other thing I recall about that night was that one of the gossipers was apparently an artist. Another of them alluded to the fact that the artist's work "could be seen all over town". He apparently is a rather famous artist in town. Other than that, all I heard was that the head of Muir was to be transported to the City of Ashes. I don't know what purpose it would have there, so I didn't jump in the conversation."

Leaning on the wall Ares notices the griffon knights but there words fall deaf on his ears when he sees Andrek on the stretcher. He limped over on stiff legs towards his brother. Ares leans over his brother with his eyes watery, "Andrek I promise to live for us both, and I'll carry your spirit with me through all these future trials." With that he exchanges his nice silver holy symbol with Andreks beaten up wooden one. "May Muir's courage guide you and my memories help me through this next journey. Goodbye brother." With that he places his silver holy symbol in Andrek's hand.

Then he turns to the Captain, "I'll ride."

As he gets off the Griffon and salutes the Captain Imril, "I can make it and I'll keep that in mind good sir. I know Andrek and Lucia is in good hands, please send word to me if you ever find Jeb. He is cunning one and might have made it since the woods are a second home to him. Thank you good sir for all your help." Ares turns to walk away then pauses and looks side to side. The Aasimar turns a little red as he turns back to Imril, "Which way is the temple district again?" He says with an embarrassed chuckle and unknowing shrug.

Lilia pauses for a second. "The only other thing I recall about that night was that one of the gossipers was apparently an artist. Another of them alluded to the fact that the artist's work "could be seen all over town". He apparently is a rather famous artist in town. Other than that, all I heard was that the head of Muir was to be transported to the City of Ashes. I don't know what purpose it would have there, so I didn't jump in the conversation."

Barahil raises an eyebrow.

"An artist who can be seen all over Bard's Gate. I imagine that could be a number of individuals. I'm afraid I don't really follow the modern art of this city. But, Priscilla, I'm beginning to see why you brought this young woman..."

He draws a deep breath.

"Priscilla.. You owe me nothing and I owe you everything. But I am going to ask you to help me once more. Look into these circumstances for me. Any way you see fit. Try to find a connection. I must stay in this Temple the next seven weeks fasting and performing rituals to prepare spiritual defenses against the incursion of these demons on this realm. And anyway my profile is too high to effectively carry out an investigation. Will you help me?"

Ares turns to walk away then pauses and looks side to side. The Aasimar turns a little red as he turns back to Imril, "Which way is the temple district again?" He says with an embarrassed chuckle and unknowing shrug.

Hope this is a good place to join in. If it doesnt make any time issues :P

A young looking girl leans over to Ares. A look of curiosity on her pale face. She looks beautiful for her age, lithe and friendly. The things that stand out though, are the two small horns on her head, and a pair of black feathered wings

"Temple district? That's easy, I'll help you get there, lickity split and all that!" she smiles broadly at the man

Perfect place to join. A guide! Good work.

Urrnir Drahaenn wrote:

Back in the temple

Urrnir finishes her telling of the tale and then pauses while it sinks in. "So much speaking, it's left me quite parched" she mutters as she takes another draft of the sweetened milk.

Zoey has been sitting transfixed in rapt attention at the recounting of the events in the abyss.

"Fascinating. So the demi-plane where you found him had a kind of portal, with shackles and iron bars nearby... and that is where you found him wandering, but there was no cruel demonic slave-master there to bind him and lead him to this abyssal iron prison you saw on the horizon. It's almost as though whatever took his life was not aware of the trap that shuttled him to the abyss.. and whoever set the trap was not aware that his life had been taken. We must get a better description from Ares as to what manner of demons laid him low. Hasten now to the Temple of Muir if you have the strength, Maiden of Freya. Barahil will know you when you arrive."

"Very well. Thank you for your indulgence Mistress Zoey." and though it seemed that that would be the end of her time in the Longhouse Shrine, it would be another half an hour until Urrnir was in such a state to move about under her own power.

Under directions of the Shrines Attendants, the maiden made her way through the streets of Bard's Gate to the Temple of Muir. The midday sun hung lazily in the sky and the scent of earth pleasantly wafted on the air. Wearing the robes and furs of her former station, Urrnir did not seem out of place among the denizens of the temple district.

Finally arriving at the house of Muir she pushes open the doors and steps inside. Her boots click softly on the cobblestone floor. She stops when she says there are already others in the temple, two women and a man, that were apparently busy with their own matters. Unsure of whether Ares had made it here yet Urrnir decides to take a seat in a nearby pew to silently await his appearance.

Barahil sees Urrnir sitting on the pew. He nods to her but turns back to Priscilla awaiting her answer.

Urrnir sees recognition in his face when he nods. His expression says "things are falling into place".

DM

"Well, I'm in, Barahil. Lucia was a friend of mine. If she thought this was important enough to risk her life for, at the least I can try to contribute in her memory. I'll see this is done for her. You prepare for those demons...that might be out of my depth," Lilia began answering, pausing as the priest begins glancing at others in the pews.

Ares looks over to the tiefling, "That would be lovely Miss, my name is Ares Valorn a servant of Muir. May I ask yours madame." The Aasimar moves to let his newly found guide lead.

The cheerful guide leads Ares through the streets and parts ways with him when he recognizes the street with the Temple of Muir.

My apologies again for my slowness. Home now, and, at least until round 3 is announced, my life is a little calmer. Fingers crossed!

Cairenn just stares at the half-orc caretaker, brows lifted. Does T'Salix really think that his hands were made to work a shovel's haft? His eyes bore into the man, as he wordlessly tries to drill the knowledge in...

These hands were made for plucking a lyre's string, for penning a poem to last the ages! I am no mere workhand! I am an artistic genius!

Sadly, Cairenn does not yet appear to have developed telepathy. Lueck's voice breaks his intent staring, and he gives an aggrieved sigh.

"Oh, let's go see the grave, anyway. We can go to our other... meeting... later."

With a haughty lift of his chin at T'Salix, Cairenn turns on his heel and heads that-a-way. (A cloak, he thinks. He needs a good, dramatic-flourishes-and-exits, flutter-in-the-wind kind of cloak.)

As he and Lueck walk towards the recently-occupied grave, Cairenn notices the figure heading their way (Ronen).

"Hail, stranger," he says with a small bow, hand over his heart. "An omen hang on the hour of our meeting. For is it not said that those who meet between death-stones may become bound together in life?"

(Cairenn has no idea if it's actually 'said' or not. But it's a good proverb to be the one to have invented.)

It's ok it's worked out fine having you drop in here and there. We're still just getting through introductions.

Still crying Priscilla sniffles through it "Yeah, but but I want double the pay"she says still sad but cute. She hoped it would give her leverage to get more money for the suffering. Or at least some better healing when they return.

Lueck dutifully follows Cairenn as they make their way toward the grave. When Cairenn hails the stranger, Lueck tries to follow along with the talk of omens, but then just bobs his head and says "Hi."

Still crying Priscilla sniffles through it "Yeah, but but I want double the pay"she says still sad but cute. She hoped it would give her leverage to get more money for the suffering. Or at least some better healing when they return.

Barahil nods.

"I suppose you will need to hire yourself some protection." He gives Lilia an appraising stare, as if sizing her up. "Go in the back, through that door, and see Everin. Tell him to give you 350 gold harps from the coffers for your expenses. He won't question it, I have described you to him before Miss Springheel. Come see me again before you go, please, both of you. I am expecting some visitors you should meet and it seems one of them has already arrived."

"Hail, stranger," he says with a small bow, hand over his heart. "An omen hang on the hour of our meeting. For is it not said that those who meet between death-stones may become bound together in life?"

Lueck dutifully follows Cairenn as they make their way toward the grave. When Cairenn hails the stranger, Lueck tries to follow along with the talk of omens, but then just bobs his head and says "Hi."

He nods in turn to the two strangers taking note of the disparities between each of their appearances. First looking at the more rugged individual holding the spear,"It is unnecessary to arm yourself as such during these hours. And one would need more than that spear if you chose to stay past the brightening of the sun."

Then looking at the rugged man's companion, "I have never heard of such an omen or proverb, but I will take your words kindly. What brings both of you to the City of Ashes? Has a companion fallen that you need last rites spoken to so that they may know the eternal rest? If so I can be of assistance. I am a Ronen, devotee to the Black Tressed Lady, her whose blade will hold back the darkness that enters this land."

Priscilla feels a bit bad for emptying out the coffers but knows its gonna go to a good cause. She would take this money and use it for some thing to maybe remember the fallen.She did not know what.

She also could get some enchanted blades or an enchanted sling.She shrugs and heads back to Lilia."Okay we got so goods to start up a little party. We will avenge our friends and ferret out this buyer. Maybe even make some more coin!"

Alone with her now, Brahil turns his attention to Urrnir sitting on the pew, as Pricilla and Lilia visit the Everin in the back to get the funding for their investigation.

Barahil makes the sign of Freya's faithful. "Greetings, Temple Maiden. How much have you been told? And what can you tell me? Did you find your charge? Is he coming home?"

Urrnir stands and approaches the front of the temple, speaking: "When I left him, he seemed committed to the idea. Though, depending on where his body is there could be complications. As for myself: I know only as much as I needed to accomplish my task, along with what I saw."

She then proceeds to describe the Abyss to Brahil.

"What rate of pay did Lucia and yourself negotiate for your last venture? I think asking for more makes sense, knowing there is a dark and evil cult opposing your goal now. It doesn't get more dangerous than that."

" Well in this business death is quite prominent, and unfortunately you tall people seem to run towards the danger. Granted we Halflings aren't much better, save we sneak into it all cunning like to grab what we came for and then run from it. It still baffles me that all you tall people are still alive!"She says as she heads back to the front.

"Lucia did most of the negotiating but I am not wrong about the danger. It seriously bad out their, Wait what is it you do again?"Priscilla says not wanting to elude to her quite fat stack of coins.