"The only reason I haven't taken my leave of you fools yet is that your home is on the way to my own. Or at least near enough to make little difference. That and I'll hold up my end of the bargain for getting me home safe. "
Look, she doesn't want our help. If you wanna leave food, fine. But we linger here too long arguing a point we obviously can't win.
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Pollux takes the ribbon grudgingly. Moments pass as he listens to others chip into the argument. As it dawns on him that there will be no reasoning with her to come, he removes his sling from his pocket and hands it to the oldest looking child. "Here. It doesn't look like much but..." he picks up a rock and sends it smashing against a nearby wall, "you may be able to put out more than an eye or two with it. Use it to protect your family. Believe me it has done a fine job for me these last three terrible days."
He stands up and nods at the mother before turning to continue with the group.
Xaivan agrees to that rather quickly. To save a city you need financial backing for supplies.
After hearing Argus' requestKarthak looks uncharacteristically uncertain for a moment before nodding:"Very well. If it's on the way I see no harm in leaving you at your home. Provided you feel sure you can fend for yourself alone, we won't be able to protect you anymore when you leave our company, and we won't stray from the path of duty"
Moving up beside Pollux as they leave she whispers, "If I had wanted to harm her it would have been an arrow, was just trying to knock some sense into her."
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"Yes, I know." he replies. His face grows a slight tinge of red barely noticeable through the soot built up from the past few days. He remains silent for a few moments after that before adding, "We are doing this all wrong. We should not have left them there."
He looks down at the ribbon she gave him and wraps it around his hand and forearm.
In the middle of all the chaos and destruction, Hargus Gwerm's manor is something of a miracle, for it seems to have escaped without any damage at all.
Hargus is somewhat disgusted that his guards and the help have abandoned the manor-even more so when he realizes that they made off with a lot of his valuables. Fortunately for you, his vault remains locked tight, and while he might grumble about it, he stays true to his word to reward you
with the gold he promised earlier. He hands over a few purses from his vault totaling 1,000 gp.
Gwerm thanks you awkwardly once the award is paid, covering his genuine expression of sentiment by offhandedly remarking, " Of course you recognized my importance immediately, but still, you did a most adequate job of getting us safely to the surface. Above average, even. I will stay here. You should hurry on and take that woman to her wife. "
Xaivan just smiles and waves, happy that he will at least get paid for something for his visit here. The more he looks around the less he seems to want to stay here.
"I hope he can fend for himself. Unfortunately we cannot afford to worry overmuch about Hargus' well being. He made his decision, let's hope he knows what he's doing" says Karthak after departing Hargus' house.
Jokum grunts a farewell to Hargus, then heads on with the others. "Better to have that one out of the pack," he mutters to no one in particular, and then, raising his voice, calls to Anevia, "Onward to your home, then?"
More of the fiendish vultures see you out as you trek through the remains of the city. They are just as easily dispatched and you reach the location of the Tirabade residence quickly.
The house sits in the southern part of the Gate District, and despite Irabeth's standing and success in the Eagle Watch, is a simple three-room affair. Arriving at Anevia's house, you find the building abandoned but still standing. Anevia calls out for Irabeth, but there's no answer. The front door is locked.
Ce-Eshna keeps watch, hoping that her call didn't attract anything uncanny.
Karthak carefully approaches the house examining it with care, careful not to miss any hint of danger that may surface.
Well, you got the key? Xaivan would try to pick the lock if that is the only way inside.
Jokum scans their surroundings, but also takes a moment to clasp Anevia by the shoulder. "Where would your wife go in case of trouble?" he asks quietly. "Is there an Eagle Watch stronghold nearby that she and the others may have gone to fortify?"
Anevia fishes about in her pack and finally finds the key. After fumbling a little with the lock she opens the door and steps inside.
We should probably check the house before we leave.
"Indeed," Jokum rumbles. "And," he adds to Anevia, "while I will leave you to your home if that is your wish, the idea of abandoning a woman with a broken leg in the midst of a city like this does not sit easily with me. If your wife is not here, you should come with us until we find her, safety, or both."
Karthak scoffs:"Yes of course Jokum is right but I had hoped to find shelter here and maybe some of the surviving defenders of the city. If we could regroup and prepare maybe we could rally the population and turn back thetide!"
Without warning a fiendish beetle seems to materialize on the floor in front of you, burning with some hellish inner fire. It lashes out at Anevia.
It tears into her uninjured leg!
Order
Xaivan
Jokum
Ce-Eshna
Karthak
Pollux
Enemy
"NOOOOO!"
With a bellow of rage, Jokum drops his bow and, vision reddening over, leaps forward, tearing at the beast with his bare hands. Though his nails score its carapace, they have no visible effect on the insect itself.
Karthak looks surprised as the creature manifests itself but he quickly takes hold of himself and slashes at the giant insect with savage abandon.
If I can I will try to coax Anevia to take a 5' step back so that I can take her spot and slash at the creature with my morningstar!
for
The halfling smashes the beetle's head in!
The beetle's body disperses clearly reviling it's summoned origins.
Where'd that come from? Xaivan looks around to see if more enemies are about.
Jokum, blinking out of his battle-rage, stares at his hands for a brief second. Did I just...why? He shakes his head. That, later. He strides over to Anevia, drawing his greatsword en route.
"How badly are you hurt?" he asks her gruffly, but gently. "Is there anything we can do to help?"
Ce-Eshna scans the room, looking for anything that might indicate a concealed foe
Karthak scans the room, silently searching for their assailant
The room appears empty apart from you and your companions.
This time an eagle is called forth into being in the room just above Anevia. Its jet black feathers and burning eyes hinting at its fiendish origin.
Again this creature comes after her only ignoring the rest of the group.
Even ready for another attack she is by its furious blows.
Someone is clearly casting a silenced Summon Monster 1 spell. They must be within 35 feet.
Xaivan steps back, drops his weapon, grabs his bow and fires an arrow at this new creature!
for
Jokum doesn't waste time with a bellow, now; he just swings his greatsword in a mighty arc toward the eagle.
"Where do these beasts come from?!" he snarls. "Is there some portal to the Abyss nearby?!"
Karthaks looks around growing more frustrated by the minute.
Then illumination strikes:"Someone's summoning these creatures! Whoever the villain is he can't be far. Search every nook and cranny he must be in the immediate vicinity! Vile scum, come out and face justice!" the dwarf finishes with a thounderous shout
She looses her nocked arrow at the creature, unsure if the cold iron was necessary but not wishing to take the chance.
The door opens to a small bedroom but it appears empty. The eagle is quickly returned to it's home plane. As of yet you are no closer to discovering it's origin.
Xaivan will move outside and see if he can't figure out who or what is causing this.
Karthak moves near Anevia guarding her:"The villain has a thirst for Anevia's blood! Let's protect her before we can root him out!"
Jokum keeps his sword drawn and moves up behind Pollux. The only way this makes any sense is if this sorcerer is lurking in the building...
Anevia manages to retrieve a potion vial from her belt.
Further explorations reveals another empty room.
Slowly unstopping it she drinks the dark liquid.
Another creature appears, and Karthak swings!
Barely missing the fiendish beetle.
It bites at Anevia
Leaving her reeling from the attack!