Starts running with the others.
Stricia is running as well. If the noble doesn't accept the ride she keeps pace with him like a bodyguard.
Nio sends Hasta ahead to scout and runs along with the group, staying toward the back in case he needs to provide covering fire or lob arrows to discourage pursuit.
There certainly was no point in falling behind now, Indio had done what he could to delay a pursuit already.
All that was left was to put as much distance between them and pursuers.
"Please.. if you could just assist me." He lifts his withered right arm in a sling to indicate his difficulty in "hanging on to someone".
Marquel is a handsome, pale, and thin man with dark straight hair which he wears down past his shoulders. He is dressed in fine traveling clothes, and on his hip hangs an epee.
You make your way back into the sewers with no one visibly on your heels, and travel quite a ways with no sign of pursuers.
"Can we stop a moment?" You can see his minor injury is starting to wear him down.
Bastargrae leaned against a slimy wall, huffing through his teeth as the effects of his extracts wearing off, the adrenaline, and the fall finally settling on him.
Apologies, goodser,we merely wished to extract you without putting you at risk of combat. I did my best getting you out bit I am a tea merchant, not a strapping stud such as Erodel.
He offered a hand, bowing in the dark out of habit. Bastargrae Sweetgulp,at your service. Again, forgive me for the rough handling. Why were you being held in that manor, if you don't mind me asking? Political prisoner?
Indio produces a handkerchief and wipes his brow for a moment.
Neither seeing nor hearing any pursuers, he nods to himself.
"I believe we are safe enough to be able to afford a few minutes of respite.
We should not linger too long however.
Did anyone bring a healing draught?"
"Marquel.. as you are aware. My family has fully endorsed Barzillai. Gorefangs was his gift to my father.. the cerberus you slew to rescue me. My father sealed me in my chambers due to my having thrice sullied our name - in his eyes. The first occurred at birth..." He lifts his withered arm.
"Then.. my love for a man - which does nothing to carry our noble blood through further generations."
"Most recently.. he discovered that it was I who had been inking words against Barzillai's rule. My nom de plume is the Poison Pen. I humbly apologize for my part in bringing you so clearly against the madman Thrune's "Royal Decree"."
I do not have a healing draught. One of must have one. Stricia apologizes. But no matter, we are commited against Barzillai in any case, now let us get you, and us, to safety.
"The Poison Pen... I know I've heard that name..." Mused Idril aloud.
Seeing the injury, Idril bustled forward to Marquel. "Never mind, I'll do it." She said.
Singing softly and rubbing her hands together, she rained a shower of glowing golden motes over the injury site.
hp healed.
No worries, Marquel. I am here since Thrune was mad enough to declare what sort of teas I was fit to sell. And outlawed mint. Mint! Of all things.
The tea merchant rubbed at his chin as an afterthought struck him. That and the fact those Thrune enforcers attempted to outright murder me and other peaceful protesters with excessive lethal force the day this madness began...
"Thank you.. much better. I'm ready." Marquel gives a curt nod, and stands.
To Bastargrae he responds "Yes.. countless oppressions have been inflicted upon the citizens of Kintargo. Nothing will change without a rebellion."
Stricia has an Ioun torch
Nio let the others question the man, instead watching up and down the tunnel for threats and pursuers.
As you near the bend which leads to where the storm drain opens below the Bleakbridge, you see illumination ahead which suddenly dims. As you pause, those with the keenest senses can hear shuffling and shifting of what could very well be armored individuals.
"Hmmph, we may have been overusing these paths as of late..."
Stricia moves to the front and prepares to go into a defensive stance. I think they know we are here she whispers.
Idril gritted her teeth, thinking of dousing her light and retreating.. . but no. She needed light to see by in the absolute dark of the tunnels.
Facing forward, she whispered "Lets see what we have..."
Whispering the spell Dancing Lights, she caused four torchlights to form up and proceed down the tunnel towards the suspicious sounds (up to 150ft).
Idril's globes of light disappear around the bend. You hear a wordless but audible reaction.. and then a hushed voice.
"Minor cantrip.. be ready.. they've a caster among them."
Nio hangs back, pulling out an arrow, while Hasta moves up behind Erodel, ready to dart forward when the enemies show themselves.
Hmmph, unfortunate. If they have found us, we are unlikely to be able to avoid them.
But a fight here will make sure the sewers are patrolled more heavily in the future, so we can't use them again safely.
Stricia will cast Barkskin on herself as a Ki power before the festivities start.
Idril hangs back. She finds a brick and drops it in the pocket of a scarf she uses as a sling.
Bastargrae hastily retrieved and sucked down its contents, grimacing at the tangy taste of coin shavings. He held three gold coins between his fingers, ready to launch.
You come around the bend, and see five figures in the dim light. There is a mechanical twang as bolts are fired at you - which crack intot he stone behind you. It looks like two shieldbearers are up front.. two crossbowmen and another behind.
Stricia moves up to one of the Shield Bearers and goes into Crane Style, smacking at one of them with a defensive spin while maintaining solid defense
[ooc]Active effect is Barkskin +2 AC, Fighting defensively for -2 attack and +1+4 AC
Indio follows Stricia, stopping just behind her and to the right, guarding her flank, seeking to prevent her getting overwhelmed.
Idril moved up with her companions...
The elder in the back raises a hand, and briefly chants, then...
"Be still young lady."
The crossbowmen reload and fire, and the shieldbearers swing maces.
[ooc]
Idril moved up to (N,9).
Slingshot attack vs old guy at (B,8)
for a possible damage.
Nio whistles at Hasta and the little lizard-bird thing dashes forward to slash at the closest shield bearer.
The would-be Knight of the Torrent follows behind, much slower as he readies an arrow, whispering a prayer while carefully sighting and firing at the spellcaster.
The missiles whistle through the tunnel, and thunk into their targets. One of the crossbowmen topples like a tree - a deadly blow from Erodel's bolt. The elder grunts and growls in pain as he is struck by Nio's arrow to his kidney.. and Idril's sling bullet cracks into his cheekbone.
One of Hasta's claw swipes gets past a guard's shield, and draws blood.
Stricia, manages to force her way out of the numbing spell through sheer force of will.
The man in front of him was a source of irritation for Indio, and he resolved to rectify the situation.
His eyes flashed their signature sign of power, followed by a raised blade, catching the light from the torches and sending it towards the eyes of the foe.
And as a natural consequence, the then sends the tip of the blade towards the enemy's throat.
The guard in front of Indio flinches.. before being able to bring the shield back into position, Indio's blade has left a mortal wound.
The elder gestures and chants, then taps his chest with a glowing palm. He backpedals until he clangs against the grate.
The remaining shieldbearer swings a mace at Stricia as she recovers from paralysis. The crossbow wielding guard strafes in front of the elder, then fires at Indio.
Bastargrae moves closer to the melee.
"Hmmph, you nearly ruined my second favorite cravat just then, my good man."
Erodel's bolt tears through the elder's neck.. his head bonks against the metal grate, and he falls.
"It might be advisable to surrender at this juncture. You have a chance to live if you do."