"you know that is an idea, Goodman Hargus, are you ready to go to your home? Afterwards we can check out this Nyserian manner afterwards, if parts of it stand still perhaps we can commandeer it for a base into the rest of the city.
He said looking over their little group. Such a small force to be trying to take back a city, but it would suffice for now.
[ooc]To Hargus'![/]
Kyra nods her head in agreement with Kelden. "A wonderful plan. Hargus, if you manor still stands, would you allow us to bring survivors there for shelter? Despite our misunderstandings, you appear to be a good man."
"If I must play host I will. Assuming it remains in good repair and my guards are able to secure the grounds.
While moving through the streets your hear shouts of alarm and panic from a nearby shop.
"Fine Fittings" The shop is a combination tailor/clothing store that specializes in particularly fancy clothing, and the shop has recently attracted the attention of a passing demon-rat-faced humanoid demon. The cries come from a human couple who are trapped inside with the demon.
Carilain doesn't have to over-think this situation. He drags the short bow from off his back and lets an arrow fly at the demon.
Thetin quickly draws radiance and charges into the fray shouting hoping to draw its attention away from the other people inside. He swings defensively. "Face your doom you vermin faced filth."
Kyra dances forward to engage the demon, yet makes her approach safely so as to not leave herself upon to a counterattack. Her blade cuts through the air as it seeks out the flesh of the demon!
Carilain-Manages to strike the beast. It lets out a howl of pain. (-6hp)
Alesie: AFK
Thetin: Swings and misses
Kyra: Dances past the creature and slashes.
Demon: The creature seems to be enraged at the sight of the shield wielding paladin.
,
By the ladys blessed kiss."
He began taking a hold of his holy symbol and moving forward using the goddesses blessing to change the nature of the spell he had memorized to one of healing. He touched the paladin and let Sarenrae's holy light renew him.
Thetin recoils from the powerful blows then strikes back at the demon.
Carilain drops his bow and draws the mace they had gotten from those murderers earlier. The magus infuses the weapon with the last bit of his arcane might, then moves around Kelden, to attack the demon.
Kyra flinches as the demon tears into Thetin, causing deep wounds in the paladin. She nods to Kelden as he appears and heals much of the wounds, allowing the dervish to focus on their enemy. She presses the attack when Carilain appears across from her, distracting the foul demon. Just as Kyra's blade slices into the demon, white-hot flames lick hungrily along the weapon's edge... eager to taste the outsider's flesh!
Late to the battle once again Alesie chastises herself silently. You have got to stop being so fearful. This is your life now, deal with it.
Taking a steadying breath Alesie runs into the shop to see the demon surrounded by her companions.
she gives a cry out as she watches Thetin take deep cuts into his body and quickly removes her Bow, Sending an arrow flying at the beast.
Under the combined might of the many blows the Demon is destroyed.
The Loumises are very grateful-the demon's left them with little stock to reward you with, but they immediately offer each of you a fine outfit worth 100 gp each as thanks.
Kelden colored at their offer, in truth more than a bit embaressed. He couldnt fathom the idea of any set of clothing being worth that much gold, especially not since he was raised in the temple an orphan.
You fine folks are too kind,Do you have a way to bar the door, to stay safe in your home? We are seeking other survivors, at some point to rally the people together in a safe location, though we have yet to find a suitible place.
He said checking to make sure they were physically okay and unharmed.
Alesie graciously takes the clothing, marvelling at it's exquiste craftmanship.
"You really are too kind." Alesie mutters, clutching at her new clothes.
"We hate to leave you unprotected, is there someplace safer you could hide?"
Thanks to you we are alright, it seemed far more interested in destroying our shop, and more particular, to our mirrors. We'll stay here for now, I imagine it'll be safe for a time yet. If you do find someplace for the other survivors we'll join you then.
"Why thank you." Carilain smiles at the Loumises. "I'd better stay in my work clothes, though. I think we have a lot more to do."
Carilain frowns. It's hard to think with an endless howl echoing in one's skull.
"Do you have a cellar?" I don't know why demons would want to break your mirrors, but If they want them broken, then it's a sure bet that we don't want them broken. I'm thinking we best hide your mirrors."
Carilain pauses, taking a swig from his water skin."You two should also hide till we get back, but in a different room than your mirrors. Maybe the attic, if it has a window. Take a rope up with you."
Kyra closes her eyes and whispers a prayer to Sarenrae after the demon falls. Upon the offer, initially the young dervish waves away to offer of a reward; however, when Mrs. Loumises approaches her with a dress in hand, Kyra gasps.
The seamstress tries to smile. "A young noblewoman of your size was to pick up this for her wedding, but... I suppose now..." She starts to tear up, but is able to get control of her emotional break. "Please, take it."
Kyra smiles and hugs the woman tightly. "I will cherish it forever, m'lady. Thank you." She carefully folds up the dress and packs it into her backpack before rejoining the others.
"Bar the doors and be wary of whom you allow in. These demonists have infiltrated the crusaders. If possible, we will try to come back for you. We may have a safe haven shortly." She smiles at the Loumises, trying to provide them a semblance of hope.
Thetin waits for the demon to stop twitching before he pulls out some rags and begins cleaning the fresh layer of gore off of his face and Radiance. He looks up as one of the shop owners approaches him with the fine outfit.
"Thank you." Thetin carefully takes the outfit, as to not get his blood on it, and folds it into his backpack. "It will be nice to have something other than this to wear." Thetin motions to his armor.
Thetin listens as the rest of the party gives there thanks as well. "I would listen to Carilain. We'll come get you once we've found a safer place to protect any other survivors."
The older man grumbles but offers to show you a short cut to his home. Hopefully it will be a safer route.
Only a few troublesome dire rats seem to get in your way, but picking your way past them Alesie catches sight of the remains of a human hand, wearing a silver ring, no one else seems to even see the hand.
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. The fact that Hargus has no family and his servants and guards all fled immediately, leaving the manor abandoned, is the
primary reason for this-the demons are more interested in demolishing buildings with people in them.
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, 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 him earlier 1,ooo gold peices for his safe return to the manor.
While the vault is open Carilan spots something familiar mounted on one of the walls, a blade that he hasn't seen for years.
Carilain pauses to admire the wealth to be found in Hargus Gwerm's vault. His eye is drawn to the sword hanging on the wall. its blade is long and narrow and double edged. The weapons hilt is obviously of elven style.
As Carilain admires the weapon he hears a voice inside his head. "I know you, son of Carilais. I am Grimstar, heirloom weapon of the Riveroak line for three generations. It's time for you to take up your birthright, Carilain."
Carilain walks to the sword and takes it down from its place. he swings the blade a couple of times to get a feel for it. The weapons balance seems perfect.
Turning to Hargus, Carilain asks."Might I have this sword? It belonged to my father. I've been looking for this since I arrived here in the North."
Kyra looks around the large manor with more than a little suspicion when she spots the pristine building amongst all the destruction; however, when they realize the building is utterly empty and that was likely its saving grace, she relented. After acquiring their reward from the noble, Kyra looks back at Hargus. "You were true to your word in the reward. Will you still allow us to bring survivors here to use as a safe haven? Perhaps the mongrelmen forces can send a group of their soldiers to guard the gates, once they mobilize."
Alesie blinks away tears as she lightly touches the human hand and the silver ring on its finger. The instant she touches it, she feels an overwhelming connection to the ring, unsure of why, she lightly takes the ring from the hand, and places it perfectly on the ring finger of her right hand.
"I am glad you are home Hargus, and that your home is untouched. At least their is some silver lining to this horrible day." Alesie mentions to the group. "Now that Hargus is safe I suppose the final stop is Anevia's residence?"
I did want to take a look at that other manor.. the one perhaps in league with the demons, but yes we could take you home as well Anevia first, we still need to find a stronghold, and other survivors... preferably the armed kind.
"We're scattering the people we should be protecting all over the city. That doesn't seem like the best of plans. Maybe we should gather Aravashnial and his people, and Those folks that make clothes, all here. They could keep Goodman Gwerm company until we get a better idea of the situation in the city."
"I was given that blade by a crusader who recovered it from the worldwound. IF truly that blade is from your family i would welcome you to it. It does little good here in my vault."
"As for turning my home to a safe house, I can't provide security but I can supply floor space. With any luck you'll find a better place to keep them."
"Hargus does your manor have some kind of armory for your guards. Any extra weapons or equipment that might help us or any other survivors would be greatly appreciated." Thetin looks down at his shield wishing he'd purchased a sturdeir tower shield before coming to Kenabres. "Otherwise we need to move on to our next location. For now we'll send whoever we find here, but we'll surely need to find a safer location."
"I did, it was that empty room we entered before this one, though if you want you can check to see if there is anything they left."
Thetin searches the room for extra arms and armor
To one side in the back room, he finds a damaged tower shield.
Kyra thinks over Carilain's comments and she concurs with his thought process to a point. "I agree that we are leaving survivors scattered about; however, one thing to consider would be having such a large group of unarmed survivors in one location would be a very tempting target. Also, I don't know that our small group could necessarily protect such a large group in transit..."
She bites her lip in thought. "Before we continue further into the city, or attempt to gather survivors, I believe we should investigate this safe house. I am with Kelden on that." She sighs. "What a nightmare... I keep hoping I'll wake up back at the Heart and this was all just a bad dream." She smiles wanly.
Thetin comes out of the room carrying the broken shield. "Would any of you be able to mend this shield?"
"This city is a waking nightmare, now. That's for sure." Carilain's skin has the sheen of sweat. The howler's curse rings in his head constantly.
"If it's closer, it makes sense to check on this Nyserian Manor."
Carilain addresses Anevia and Hargus. "You two may not care much for each other, but I think you should save that for later. I think you, Hargus, should offer Anevia the comfort of of you home, until we get back."
Carilain offers the mace he had been using to the nobleman.
"This is a powerful weapon. Take it, lie low while we are gone. Take turns standing watch. We'll be back to pick up Anevia. Hopefully this evening. I could use a night's sleep in a nice bed for once."
"As kind an offer as that mace is I've my own blade again here, and I've little skill with such a clumsy heavy handed weapon. I do hop ewe will meet again."
"Please hurry, every hour that passes makes finding our families more difficult and unlikely."
She is clearly unhappy about being left behind but knows she's been only slowing you down.
The trek to Nyserian manner goes more swiftly without Anevia but even so the streets become more dangerous as you draw nearer what remains of the Ring District.
You skillfully navigate thought the streets managing to avoid the foulest of demon ilk.
What was once surely a stately manor is now nothing more than a pile of rubble and a gouged trough of ruin. You could spend day sifting through the rubble. In any event, little remains of this manor and it certainly is no longer used by the Templars as a safe house.
Kyra stares at the rubble for a moment. "A dead-end." She turns back to her companions. "It seems we wasted precious time coming here. Perhaps we could return to the clothing store and then escort them to Hargus' manor? From there we should gather Anevia and continue on." She looks directly at Alesie. "Where is your home in Kenabres? We will make our way there soon."
Alesie looks up hopefully at kyra's comment. "near the North gate...I know how far it is from us still." she states sullenly.
"as much as i want to go home. We should do right by our companions and see Anevia home first." alesie adds with a barely contained tear.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Let's go then." Carilain looks tired, his magical reserves are near tapped out.
The trek to the Tirabade residence meets little resistance from the weak filth traveling the streets. In about an hour you reach the small home.
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.
Anevia fishes about in her pack and finally finds the key.
Carilain draws Grimstar, he can feel the blade's eagerness. The elf doesn't feel the same, he only feels tired, but at least the howling has faded.
"I have a hand free. I'll get the door."
Carilain waits until everyone is ready, then opens the door. He keeps to the side as much as possible, as he does so.
Thetin goes through the door ready for danger. He then goes room to room checking the house for any trouble.