'The journey from the market to Fylrok's End is not long, and as Keilaan manages to get the attention of one of the soldiers, the slaves are already being scuttled inside the massive gates surrounding the gargantuan fortress. This must be the cleanest area of the city, the banners aligned along the wall have been perfectly placed in precise order and the flora of guards; standing like statues outside wearing polished silver armor; is a sight to behold.'
'The soldier sighs as Keilaan addresses him, but the man does not answer like the sergeant from the market. She clearly notices that her appearance has instilled some kind of fear in the man, and though his hands are shaking his tone is calm and he speaks like he has practiced every word that leaves his mouth to perfection.'
"I fear that these slaves are beyond saving, even for someone of your obvious power. The evidence at the scene of the crime are enough to condemn them to death and thus they will hang come morning. You are free to bring your complaints to one of the sergeants, but I fear you will not be addressed before after they dangle. Now please, move along."
'The massive gates close as the two speak and it would seem that the slave is beyond Keilaan's reach, at least for now.'
Cursing just barely under her breath all the way back to the Hanged Man, Keilaan reflects upon the difference in bearing between the Sergeants with whom she has spoken and the "common" soldiers (if tieflings may be thought common -- to a 'planeling' new to Prism).
Ah, well... can't fight city hall, nor win them all. I wish I knew what that dwarf's glance meant. His eyes... more than his own sorrows did I see behind them. Lady, take note: soothe his ills when he stands before you, and send him to his eternity with smiles.
"That murder gives me the creeps. Sure, Harken was a rotten old bastard - I wont sugarcoat that - but skewered like.. like.. Oh you get the idea."
'Rythari swiftly cleans your table as you finish eating the food she had prepared for you this morning. She serves coffee and other morning treats for those so inclined - then is reminded by something in her memory.'
"Oh that's right! Jack told me to tell you.. let me think - oh yeah; 'you should be able to pass through to the east - a friend of a friend should accommodate you at the gate'. Whatever that means. Anyway, you're welcome at the Hanged Man for as long as you wish. Let me know if you need anything else!
'She trails off to serve some of the older townsfolk that have come to drink their morning coffee.'
Ladder tries to swear around the drink he is having and develops a fit of coughing for the effort. He regains control, takes a careful drink to settle himself, and then starts speaking, Harken's dead? He swears again, this time in dwarven. He must have had some good information. He pushes back his chair. Knowing that i think it's best we be going. Time seems much more pressing now. Ladder already has all his equipment with hin, but he will wait for others to finish eating or collect their gear.
"I would say you are correct sir. Our way seems to lead us to the east now. Although it would probably be best if we wait for the others to return." Marcus idly waits for the others to join them, not wishing to try his luck by himself.
Keilaan walks swiftly, her pace speeding to the pulse of her heart, until she is almost running; dodging between other pedestrians, stumbling on the cobbles of the road, nearly bouncing off a wall that happens to be in her way. Speeding towards the Hanged Man's doors, ignoring the daytime flow of people and traffic. Especially ignoring the flow of her tears, despite the impairment of her vision and the impediment of her movement.
Why? Why is it always, always death? Why me? And if I am doomed to be always in Your shadow, goddess, will You never explain?
She bursts through the doors to the inn, and mumbles "I'll be right with you" on her way upstairs to her room.
"I don't know what he had for information, but someone wanted him dead." Taurven shrugs. "For some reason."
Taurven lounges back in his chair, finishing his coffee. There is too little information. Harkin's death may or may not be a piece of the larger puzzle. Taurven suspects not.
"I'm ready. Once Keilaantara gets back we can go. Unless anyone else has preparations to take care of..."
From the top of the staircase, Keilaan watches the other Pathfinders, her gaze flitting from one face to the next.
What brought the others to this life, I wonder; what did they seek, what lack do they think will be met by this? I know why I am here; because the Bones wish my witness, as always. I am the eyes of Powers from outside the bounds of the living, like it or not, as I do not. As though They cannot appreciate Their handiwork without a living seer. Perhaps I shall discover what has driven them to this. Or not... we all seem well able to keep our secrets.
Shaking her head, she shoulders her pack and checks her weapons, coming last to the dagger of cold iron, which she secretes in her left sleeve this time. Descending to the floor below, she walks silently to the bar, and tells Rythari, "I've left some things in the room -- my wardrobe, such as it is, and more importantly, my harp; it would be a kindness if you would watch over it while we are away. Do I owe you aught to keep the room?"
"I'm sorry to have kept you; I am ready now. Let us see what we may discover of Ihren and her guild."
"Sounds good," Tarial agreed as she hoped down. "It's always fun to meet good thieves. They have the best stories of the stuff they've seen when they're on a job." She gulped down the last of her drink and, standing on tip-toes, put it next to her plate.
She considered the issues with Harken. "I suppose whoever killed the slaving ass might have the information, but it's not a short list. All the slaves and Red-Jack instantly spring to mind, and neither of those would have anything to do with useful information." She wandered off for the door. "See, when someone finally manages to kill me, at least it'll be a short list."
'You make your way through the streets leading towards the eastern gate marked on Red-Jack's map. Though the trek was uneventful, you noticed that the massive wall surrounding the City Within, which in a sense resembles a smaller version of the outer wall, seems to have been constructed to keep someone inside rather than to keep anyone out. At the robust-looking gateway, enclosed by two large towers on each side, stand two Triumvirate guardsmen dressed in the same silver armor as those you have seen before. One of them steps forward as you draw near and speaks.
"Hold, planelings. This gate leads to the City Within, inhabited by the foulest denizens of Door. Sick people and lawless men dwell inside - and only a madman would enter on his own volition. On what authority do you seek entry? Wait a second.." The middle-aged soldier takes a good look at your group, then orders the gate opened. A group of infected are coming inside, give them some space!" He leans over towards Marcus as he walks by, whispering. "Our mutual friend says hello, watch your step in there."
'The gates open inward, leading in to a damp, filthy area – where run-down houses, beggars and thugs riddle the streets. Towards the end of the far-stretching street, you spot a large cloister surrounding a small chapel. You can make out a sign hanging from the entrance to one of the houses, not too far down the street, depicting a flagon of ale. Several warehouses and shops litter the area, and before you take your first step into the mud-ridden street, you notice a pair of robed clergymen lifting what appears to be a dead beggar laying in the street, piling him up on their wagon before scuttling away towards the cloister.
The sky seems different from within, darker in a sense. Throughout the streets you notice several people coughing, some beggars stand rambling to each other – while a few others wander about aimlessly, stumbling into things as they move along. The smell of filth and decay fill your nostrils and at first you find it hard to breathe as you try to keep your breakfast from coming back up."
Keilaan mutters, "I want to find out about the cloister, and these strange priests. The tavern we've been warned about, and I -- for one -- have no real desire to drink anything we didn't bring in with us. We'll have to talk to someone to find Ihren. Tarial -- when we decide who to try talking to, you be "good guard," and I can, if needed, be the "bad guard," if that suits?" She smiles at the gnome, and shrugs; "You're nicer than I am -- I've noticed! -- and I've got the freak factor going if it comes to scaring folks."
Tarial grinned. "Yay! I'm noticed. That doesn't always happen for Gnomes, you know. But sure, I can play good cop. If they get too awkward, though, we'll switch to Bad Cop Oh Gods Please Stop Burning Me Why Are Your Burning Me Cop. It works surprisingly well on anyone who sin;'t fire resistant, and sometimes on those who are!"
Glacning at Keilaan's scars, she added, "Of course, I still think your scars are funky. And at least they stay put. When we came over I got a new tattoo that keeps moving around. It's freaking my familiar out something rotten."
let's forget all the cop stuff and play detective Ladder steps in front of the others. I'll lead, but where are we going? I don't think we want to involve priests just yet. Ladder pulls out the map and points to the top left warehouse building. I would put my money on her being here. Large enough base of operations, too far from any entrance to get swallowed in a counter raid, and away from those priests, which might be most important of all. Ladder points to a spot on the center Avenue, We'll probably only make it this far before we are shot at or questioned, though. Hopefully since we were let in it will be the former. But you know what they say about trusting thieves...
'The houses in this district are smaller than those you have encountered outside; shoddy make-shift buildings of poor construction. A select few of them seem to have been in better shape, though it must have been a long time ago.
You feel the weight of nosy eyes resting on your group ever since you entered the area - some more benevolent than others. Some of the beggars seem upset, while others stroll around blank-eyed - like their minds are completely absent.
Some local tough-guys stroll the area, wearing a posture and attitude like they own the place. Once they spot your group, a small group of them gather at the center avenue - before they disperse. Most of them head towards the tavern, while a single figure heads off around the bend to the north.'
Taurven produces a dagger and begins to clean under his fingernails with it. "I tend to fall in with Ladder on this one. We are not cops of any kind, here. Jaren warned us about the severity of punishment, here. I'd rather not sample it."
Taurven notes the gang of toughs, and the one who heads of with a purpose to his step.
"I'd bet a sphinx piece that's one of Ihren's lookouts." Taurven is so sure of this, that he takes off at a jog to follow the man.
Ahh a bit of a chase to get the blood flowing. Marcus begins to give chase with Taurven, his long robes flutter and swish as he tries to keep pace.
Ladder rumbles off after the other two. Come on, he shouts back to the others, We need to stick together
"'Join the Pathfinders' they said; 'see the world' they said." Pulling her sling on the run, Keilaan jogs after the men, taking care to keep her pace to a gnome's stride, so that she and Tarial, at least, stay together. She growls to Tarial, "Have you noticed how boys seem to like planning things -- like a marching order -- but never stick to the plan?"
As they follow after the wayward males, she cocks her head and asks "A new tattoo is an... interesting addition, but why would it bother your familiar, particularly? And I've gotta say, you hide it well. Ferret? Rat? Somethin' tiny, anyway, I guess, since I haven't noticed it yet."
'The group picks up speed towards the bend in pursuit of the lone thug, several beggars seem worked up as you pass them, ranting on incoherently or pointing fingers.
Around the bend, you see the street stretches far to the north, ending up at a gate similar to the one you entered from the east. From this point, you can see that the entire district is walled in - several towers stand as silent guardians watching over the area from above - though the smell and sights stay the same.
Down the street, you notice the thug you are pursuing disappear into one of the shoddy-looking houses, just past another tiefling standing with his back leaned towards a house closer to your position. He waves you over, while his tail flicks back and forth with slow, concise movements.'
"Ana teb, delg aeb gnootsalanm. Bdoog nnootsm eeeae ge gda taoosdnendeeg?"
"Ere now, hold up travelers. What brings you to this neighborhood?"
His hands fidget and his tail flicks back and forth a little faster as he speaks.'
"Oh, right," Tarial replied as she follows the guys, struggling to keep up due to her shorter legs, "I'll introduce you later." Taller people really need to appreciate they run too quickly, she thought to herself as she ran.
Still, as they approached the alley, she heard the man challenge them. She wasn't sure if any of the others could speak Abyssal, but decided she was going to run a class when she got the chance. "He wants to know what we're doing here," she added to the others. It was amazing how often a gift for languages proved to be.
'The tiefling grins as the group draws near him and knocks a few times at the wall behind him.'
"Ed, Oo gdootb eeeae'll na taagoots pena gdoot oo dootg. Neeem?"
'The tiefling draws his blade, a simple blade of common quality; but sharp none the less. You suddenly notice several doors opening on each side of the street, where several tiefling thugs emerge - approaching you with weapons drawn. You recognize one of them to be the thug fleeing towards this area.'
Keilaan moves to put the ramshackle wall of the (shed? well? -- you see the move) at her back, and casts Murderous Command upon the foe nearest Marcus.
As soon as the threat begins to manifest, Ladder waves a hand behind him, "Hurry up Keilaan, we're going to need you." Ladder turns back to the enemies and casts Magic Weapon. He draws his great sword and he moves towards the emerging tieflings, watching them very carefully.
Ahem cough cough,"Oh Lord and Savior I beseech thee, pass thy pain over me and unto mine enemies."
Taurven steps away from Tarial and flings his dagger at the nearest tiefling.
"Well...crap." She looked around at the Tieflings. Oh, and it had to be Tieflings! Fire's not gonna do a lot against this lot. So I can't switch my spells over...
Still, she wasn't entirely harmless without being able to use fire magic. She unloaded her crossbow to use if she needed it, and glancing around, selected a target for her magic. She was pretty good at ice, too, and Tieflings didn't like the cold too much if she recalled correctly...
Aiming at the one to the south, she let loose with a Snowball spell, hoping the frozen magic would slow him down. It would have been more fun if it was a burning spell of death, but...
'As Keilaan steps aside to work her divine powers, the combined effort of Marcus and Taurven gives the tiefling behind them a one-way ticket to the afterlife. With the Taldan rogue's dagger stuck in his jugular, the tiefling staggers for a few seconds before crashing to the ground, suffocating from his own blood. Adding to injury, Tarial flings a magical snowball at the tiefling - but he seems not to notice as he dies.
The other thugs writhe in pain as Marcus' potent powers inflict them as well, tearing flesh and skin off their bodies. One of the thugs, the one furthest away, looks horrified at his own hands before he takes off towards a warehouse down the street.
Seething and gnashing their teeth, the two remaining tieflings bring their weapons down upon Ladder, hoping to repay the pain inflicted on them by his companion. The largest of the two manages to catch the dwarf off-guard, while Ladder tries to parry a blow from his accomplice, cutting the dwarf's arm open with a swift slash.
The shorter thug flinches, even though the blow connects he does not manage to gather enough strength behind it to do any serious harm with his mace.
Really, these pathetic little wimps manage to hit me? Maybe that trip through the portal really did change things. Ladder stays calms and attacks
Ladder brings his great sword around and slashes through the foe in from of him, spilling enemy blood on the road and himself.
Snarling at the failure of her first spell, Keilaan steps up behind Ladder, in preparation for loosing the healing magics of the Bones. Taking note of the building to which the fleeing tiefling runs, she casts Cure Light Wounds upon the dwarf.
Tarial's eyebrow raised as the man died before her spell could even land. Something of a surprise, really. She bad for wasting a spellslot, as they were valuable at such a low level, but she'd just have to cope. Still, she had no interest in wasting another. Loading her crossbow, she scanned to see if any of the tiefling thugs were still alive and opened fire.
Marcus continues with his prayer."May your many resplendent tortures be meted upon those worthy of torment."
Drawing his sword, Taurven moves in to where he can use it.
'Keilaan quickly moves to Ladder's side, laying her hand upon the dwarfs skin as she mends his wounds with but a simple touch. She takes note, while mending the wounds, of the direction one of the thugs headed.
Marcus and Ladder again wreck havoc upon the Thugs. Calling upon his god once more, he severely injures both his foes - before Ladder swings his blade with immense force, decapitating the mace-wielder with a fierce blow - sending the tieflings head rolling.
Tarial spots the remaining Thug attempting to take benefit of Ladder's positioning, but the shot flies wide and she tries to call out to her companion, but alas it was too late. The Thug seems short of breath, but manages to cut straight through the dwarfs defenses again, shedding blood with a swift slash. Rushing closer to aid his companions, Taurven draws his blade - ready and willing to end this fight as soon as he can.'
The Thug realizes that he is alone, his companions dead or fleeing - little is left of humanity in his eyes, appearing more like a cornered beast than a man.'
Taurven weighs his options. If Ladder moves, it could present a fine opportunity to strike at the tiefling. The rogue decides not to wait. He makes a fairly skillful stab at the foe.
Keilaan steps forward, drawing her dagger, and stabs at the remaining foe.
Tarial grinned. Despite missing, these guys were going down like dominoes. Glancing around, she spotted the final opponent and moved to a better position, then fired a Ray of Frost. Not as harmful as a bolt, true, but more likely to actually hit.
.
Ladder watches as the man seems to have renewed life now that at he's cornered. The man dodges his allies attacks a little too easily for Ladder's comfort: they lack the killer instinct. If the man hadn't scratched him, maybe he would have let him live and kept him for questioning.
'Although Tarial and Keilaan fumble their attempts to slay the last man standing, Taurven's deep cut forces the man into the wall. The Thug steps forward just as Ladder brings down his blade with immense force - eating deep into the man's torso, splitting him in twain down towards his midsection - blood covering his upper body as he crashes to the ground.'
'The streets seem silent all of a sudden. As if a strange beast had entered a hunting party's territory. You feel eyes looking upon you from all directions, watching - measuring. Blood and gore abundant, the harvest has just begun.'
The strength! This blade seems lighter now, and quicker. Ladder wipes the sword on what is left of the teiflings coat and sheathes it. Did anyone notice where the last one went? I had my back to him.
Taurven wipes the blood off his sword, then puts it away. Eyes darting furtively around, Tarven wonders if his shadow is watching. It doesn't seem to be.
The rogue collects his dagger from the fallen tiefling, then decides to see what the fellow had for loot.
'Except for the blood splattered across the street and the poor state of your slain enemies, Taurven does not notice anything out of the ordinary. He does notice the fresh footprints left behind by the Thug that escaped though, leading slightly around the bend - towards a courtyard situated in front of a large warehouse.
From this angle, the way seems clear. Most of the beggars around this area has cleared out once the sound of combat reached their ears. Some of the Thugs situated back the way you came from seem to have dispersed as well, leaving you with an ill sense of silence.'
As the adrenalin of combat wanes, Keilaan's facility with language -- aside from Aklo -- returns. Shivering, she answers Ladder: "He ran into that building" gesturing towards the warehouse, "but I doubt he stayed there. We may be out of luck as far as that goes. Though we may as well look. This reception has been unpleasant." She sheathes her dagger, and peers around the alley.
Ladder watches as Keilaan looks around. Don't worry about them jumping us, I think we're well past that stage. I believe it time to collect this gear and head to the warehouse. As he says it, Ladder pulls out the map. He looks at the warehouse and then the map quite obviously, smiles and puts it away without saying anything. Let's go into this thing talking though, not fighting.
Oh yes. Ladder turns to Keilaan. Thank you very much for the healing. It was appreciated.
Tarial glanced around. "Well, apparently my aim is off today, but you guys were pretty effective. Damned fire resistance. It takes away all my best toys." She wandered over to the bodies and began to rummage though there possessions along with Tauvern, whistling under her breath. "Oh hey, anyone need some new daggers? And a mace! This might have been worth a spell after all."
Yanking off a set of armour as big as she is, Tarial added, "I don't mind where we head next. Doesn't look like my kind words are going to be too big a help, though - these guys are pretty nasty, and look like they intend to be all rough and tumble. Although, really, I'[m not sure why they bother - I've had wrapping paper give up more fight than these guys, and I didn't even manage to hit them!"
'After scavenging their fallen enemies for items deemed of some use, the group sets off after their elusive quarry. The footprints are fresh in the mud-ridden street, nearly impossible to miss - leading to an open gateway. The courtyard is situated in front of a large, L-shaped warehouse, leading to two double doors; one straight ahead, and one slightly to the right from the entrance. A gate, leading out from the courtyard into a dead-end alleyway, can also be seen from the entrance.
The warehouse is quite large, though overshadowed by other buildings of similar construction in this area. The towering wall surrounding the district casts a looming shadow across the building, granting it an eerie drape of darkness. The building holds no windows, at least not that can be seen from this angle.'
'The path leading to each of the two double-door entrances are less filthy and mud-ridden than the streets you just emerged from, making it harder to reveal the footprints that led you to the courtyard. Luckily, your keen eyesight notices a few drops of blood; leading towards the entrance straight ahead of you.'
Ladder points out the blood spots to Tarial but there isn't thought behind the action. Bugger, they got a nice layout here if this turns to a fight. Attacks from both sides, probably cover for their ranged attackers as well. If i had another fighter and two tower shields...
Ladder turns back from his thoughts to the others. Okay, let's remember that if this is where Ihren is we are here for information and not for a fight. I'll let you guys direct the talking but I'll keep the tactics. If this comes to a fight though: I'll take the front. Marcus, take the right side and be wary of them coming from the doors on the right. We want to stay on this side of the pathway to the right to avoid fighting on two fronts. Them coming out with bows and crossbows is what really worries me. They can hang back and try to force us to split up. If they do show ranged attackers from both doors, we need to try to overwhelm the attackers on the right side and move past them into the building. We should have some better cover there. Ladder looks around at the others. Everyone got that? Good, remember, diplomacy first. Ihren isn't useful dead.
Marcus nods solemnly to the dwarf."I do hope it will not come to that, I would hate to have to remove bolts from our friends. It would be... messy work." With that, Marcus prepare himself to take the right side. He waits patiently for the others to fall in line.