GM Fez's Hell' Rebels (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

"Keep my back safe!" Aerodus shouts towards Isabella, then rushes towards the mist's edge.

withdraw towards the voice of Meliandri

"Varro!" Izzy said with a smile as she saw her dog stand again after attacking one of the guards. With the need to revive him gone, Isabella takes in the fullness of the situtation she has found herself in. "Varro, run," She orders.

Varro and Izzy both do withdraw actions towards Mel and the others.

GM, thank you for interpreting my words as intended and not following them to the letter. I appreciate it. =)

"Mel, it's going to be alright. Nobody probably even saw," Veccio says beseechingly, attempting to soothe Mel as he follows her away from the ruckus. "He would have likely killed you. Don't beat yourself up over it!"

Just gonna keep moving away.

The two dottari try to catch up with Aerodus and Izzy but the fugitives prove to be fastr than they are and manage to keep them at distance.
The edge of Aria's Park is not far now and your makeshift group feels confident it can escape from the madness the protest devolved into. As you get nearer you can savor hope again... but then something turns your dreams into a nightmare: the woman you saw at the beginning of the riot has returned, but this time she's brought company. No less than 12 dottari follow her, but what makes her truly fear inspiring is the creature she has on a leash: an Hell Hound, the very spawn of Hell, marches at her flank. As you escape the plaza and the dottari guards following you finally decide to let you run away, you hear the otherworldly howl of the hell hound and know that the protest is going to turn into an abatoir. As you make your exit and escape through Kintargo's side streets you cannot but ask yourselves how you'll be able to pray your city out of Barzillai mad tyrant's grip...

Very well done my dear revolutionaries! You survived your first test (more or less) unscathed! Ready for what comes next?

After a few minutes of running you need to stop and your escape breaks down to an hasty walk. There are no people around you and in the distance you can still hear the clamor of battle coming from Aria's Park direction. Yet there seems to be something more... some other noise, nearer to you and even more worrysome.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Aerodus, quite out of breath himself by chance realizes what is going on. He quickly motions to the others, so that they follow his gaze into the alleyway. He whispers to keep the moment of surprise "Let's get them fast and clean. No backup for those bastards here."
The words should do the trick. A man that stood his ground so long against such odds was a valueable asset, and not to be wasted lightly.

"Also, can someone spare a dagger? I lost mine." he says while he reloads his crossbow - ready to shoot it the moment somebody starts a battle-mad charge towards the thugs. That would most propably be Veccio.

perception Izzy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
perception Varro: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Izzy and Varro follow the others out of the madness of the riot. No, not follow. She was going to escape this way anyway, they just happen to be escaping in the same direction. Once they have a moment to catch their breath, she notices the cleric who helped Varro earlier.

"Thank you," she says hoarsely before clearing her throat. The strain of the tiger spirit was more violent on her body than usual. "Thank you," She says again, more clearly this time. She pets Varro affectionately on his head and smiles at the dog before looking back up. "Though it pains me to admit, I owe you for your kindness" She trails as she notices a few more thugs making their way through the streets. She takes her bow in hand, arrow already notched and ready before moving to hide behind the various clutter of the Kintargo streets. "Heel," She orders Varro.

stealth Izzy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
stealth Varro: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

"Oh, why did I go to zee protest? No one worth seeing, no fun to be 'ad, and worse, now I 'ave become a murderer! If only I 'ad stayed 'ome, none of zees would be 'appening. I see why 'Osetter was so disappointed when 'is revolution got out of 'and." Meliandri seems to be taking the shock of her near-fatal wounding quite well, though she hasn't shut up since leaving the protest. So busy talking her newfound friends' ears off is she that she almost misses the tell-tale sounds of combat. As she looks, she sees the thugs preparing to smash someone's brain in, and she immediately begins shouting a profanity-laden speech at them. "ZEE BASTARD 'OO GIVES YOUR ORDERS AND DOLES OUT ZEE MEAGER WAGES YOU TAKE 'OME, DO YOU THINK 'E CARES EEF YOU DIE IN ZEE STREETS, 'OMELESS AND ALONE? NO, 'E JUST WANTS YOU TO PAVE ZEE ROAD TO 'IS SUCCESS BY ANY MEANS! ZEE ONE 'OO TELLS YOU EET EEZ ASMODEUS'S WILL ZAT YOU BEAT ZEE 'ELPLESS AND ALONE, 'E EEZ TO SCARED TO DO EET 'IMSELF! ZEE POWERFUL ARE POWERLESS! WE 'AVE ZEE POWER!"

Standard Action: Fire up Inspire Courage (5/11 rounds used)

Aerodus, you know me so well.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12

Despite his fussing and worrying over Mel, Veccio hears the unmistakable sounds of combat. Following Aerodus' gaze, he chances a glance around the corner into the alleyway, slowly and carefully drawing his rapier, sizing up the five men and their positions. When Mel begins shouting, rousing anger and passion in those nearby, he punctuates it with a roar of his own, charging at the nearest thug.

Rapier (inspire courage): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 damage (inspire courage): 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Charging in like a fool. Sorry, Mel. :P

Since I haven't spent my standard action and we're not running away again...

That fool, Isabella thinks before poking her head out of cover and firing her arrow at one of the thugs. "Varro, guard," She orders before reading another arrow.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Varro readies an action, if a thug get close to him he attacks. I'll go ahead an log an attack for just incase.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

The checlish supporters are taken by surprise by your swifta and determined attack: Isabella shoots one of the thugs wounding him and Veccio's charge takes finishes him off. The remaining four stare at him in confusion before deciding to meet his threat before finishing off their previous victim.

Initiative check (Abigail): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Initiative check (Aerodus): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Initiative check (Isabella): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Initiative check (Meliandri): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Initiative check (Varro): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Initiative check (Veccio): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Initiative check (thugs): 1d20 ⇒ 15

LOL

"You fools should have minded your own business" one of the thugs, probably their leader, hisses before raising his mace and signaling his friends to deal with Veccio...

The thugs act then the party. Abigail has surprise + normal round action

Thug 01 attack vs Veccio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 -> Thug 01 damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Thug 02 attack vs Veccio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 -> Thug 02 damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Thug 03 attack vs Veccio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 -> Thug 03 damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Thug 04 attack vs Veccio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 -> Thug 04 damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The young cavalier is faced with 4 bloodthirsty enemies, but somehow he manages to avoid every single attack!

Don't I get my readied shot when Veccio charges? ^^

Once the fool charges, Aerodus fires his bolt - almost in the same second as Isabella lets her arrow fly.
attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 -> damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1
target: 1d4 ⇒ 1 as there was no wounded thug at this point, he just shoots number one.

Abigail moves swiftly through the streets of Kintargo, pursued by the hellish vision of a slaughter-to-be.

A hound the size of a horse, draped in flames! Its mistress must be some kind of devil lord, come directly to feast upon the city!!! My poor Bereth! My poor Jadath! she thinks, on the verge of tears.

Then suddenly all is silent. She welcomes its peace. The others seem worried, and she makes what they're preparing for. She unsheathes her dagger and presents it to Aerodus with a nod, preparing her crossbow.

As they charge and fire, she too turns the corner and fires a shot, then reloads as fast as she can and fires again at the nearest thug! "Leeches! The city can do without you!" she shouts with tears in her eyes.

This is her city. She will stand up for it.

Crossbow w/ IC: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 61d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Crossbow w/ IC: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 61d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The bolts fly left and right, but she does not flinch or worry. She never was very good with weapons.

As the thugs rush forward, Meliandri takes a reflexive step away from them and mutters under her breath once again. The picking of a thread of cotton from her cloak and the phrase "Debilus Mens" sends the spell on its way to one that attacked Veccio.

Standard: Case Daze, DC 13

The spell off, she continues to shout, letting her voice's pitch drop lower and volume taper off a bit. "I think you will that zee time for peace eez over., Zee people 'ave 'ad zeir say, and now must use zeir swords. Zee say or zee sword, my friends!" Her hand goes to her own blade and she pulls the first foot, or perhaps a bit more, from its finely-filigreed sheath before shoving it back in and instead reaching for her own crossbow, which she shifts to her left hand.

Free: maintain Inspire Courage (6/11 rounds used)
Move: draw light crossbow

"This city is our business, and I will not let you harm this man!" Veccio cries in response, effortlessly parrying and weaving away from the weapons that attempt to slice and dice him. "That said, a little backup would be nice," he mutters to himself, stabbing once at one of them.

Rapier (inspire): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Varro growls as veccio fights the thugs and looks up at Isabella. She fires an arrow and readies her next shot. "what?" she mutters to her hound. "You are to protect me, we don't know them and I'm not putting you in danger again for their sake," she says to Varro asbif he can comprehend.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

If I got a readied shot in the surprise round, this would be my action for the first round, otherwise ignore.
Having reloaded, Aerodus makes sure to shoot at a thug that is not engaged with Veccio.
attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 -4 if all are in melee
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7
He then takes the dagger from Abigail with a smile.

Aurodus manages to shoot a couple of bolts in rapid succession and bot hit the same opponent causing him to bleed heavily!
Abigail tries to follow his example... but the result is a lot less tha spectacular as bot bolts fly wide and the same goes for Isabella who also fails to hit anything.
In the fray Veccio keeps fighting alone against all 4 of the thugs but this time his attack lacks accuracy.

The thug who's been wounded by Aerodus roars in pain and points to the rest of the group:"Get them! We are sitting ducks out here!". Immediately two of the thugs move away from Veccio and move against the rest of the party. Varro snaps at the one attacking Isabella but the man manages to avoid the wolf's jaws.

Veccio's AoO vs 03: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

And Veccio manages to wound one of them deeply as he moves away and lets his guard down!

Thug 01 vs Veccio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Thug 02 vs Veccio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Thug 03 vs Izzy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Thug 04 vs Aerodus: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Despite still being outnumbered Veccio avoids the thugs clumsy attempts to crush his skull. Izzy does the same not so Aerodus who gets hit by a vicious blow to the knee!

Round 02 - Bold may post

Thug 01 -8hp
Thug 02
Thug 03 -9hp
Thug 04

Abigail
Veccio
Aerodus
Meliandri
Isabella
Varro

As there is no map, I'm just assuming that a 5 ft. step to the back is possible

"Augh! Bastard!" Aerodus bellows when the pain shoots through his leg - losing the grip on Abigails dagger from sheer surprise.
He limps back slightly, reloads the crossbow and lets a blot fly towards the man right before him.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 -4 if he counts as in melee combat with Izzy
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Yes 5 ft step is an option here and follows normal rules. Also, the alley is narrow but allows for movement, so you and your opponents are not inconvenienced in any way. Thug 03 is adjacent to Izy and Varro, Thug 04 was adjacent to Aerodus. Consider the rest of the group at 5 ft of distance but for Veccio who is at 20 ft of distance and adjacent to 2 thugs

Wounded but not beaten, Aerodus steps back and shoots the thug at point blank, hitting te man right in the shoulder!

Round 02 - Bold may post

Thug 01 -8hp
Thug 02
Thug 03 -9hp
Thug 04 -4hp

Abigail
Veccio
Aerodus -3
Meliandri
Isabella
Varro

Meliandri lets her speech end, aiming carefully for one of the thugs menacing Veccio. As she looses, though, there's a gust of wind and her bolt flies harmlessly over his shoulder and off into the alleyway.

Light Crossbow (#1): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Abigail and Veccio have Inspire bonuses this round, others do not. I'll save my last few rounds for if they're needed later.

Fortunately for Veccio, he's quick on his feet and able to easily avoid the attacks of the armed thugs. Unfortunately for him, his own fancy footwork proves to be his undoing as his next thrust is as clumsy as the last, going too low and too far to the right.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Abigail shuffles back as the thugs move to engage them, charging her crossbow and letting the bolt fly in haste.

Crossbow w/ IC: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 91d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Unsurprisingly, the bolt hits the pavement at the thug's feet, causing him to dance for a step, but nothing else.

Cursing under her breath, Abigail prepares to let her magic do the talking instead...

Isabella curses and carefully moves back before firing another arrow at her assailant. Varro lashed at the thug as well before carefully backing up to stay by Isabella's side.

Izzy's attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Varro's attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Good rolls everyone... XD

If the thugs cannot seem to hit, the makeshift group of rebels doesn't do much better at all. So Barzillai's supporters keep attacking with rabid abandon... But not all of them do so, as one of the thugs attacking Veccio is suddenly overcome by Meliandri's magic and he stops attacking!

Ooops: forgot to make one of them roll for will against Meliandri's daze

Will check Thug 01: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

Thug 02 vs Veccio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Thug 03 vs Izzy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Thug 04 vs Aerodus: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 -> Damage roll: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Veccio dances between the blades as a well praticed fencer, while this time Aerodus somehow manages to avoid the overeager thug swipe. Izzy isn't as fortunate and her opponent manages to hit her with his mace!

Round 03 - Bold may post

Thug 01 -8hp
Thug 02
Thug 03 -9hp
Thug 04 -4hp

Abigail
Veccio
Aerodus -3hp
Meliandri
Isabella -6hp
Varro

Abigail now shifts her stance, connecting to the eldritch magic found in all things. With a flick of the wrist, she commands the nergey from the ground to her feet, and through her extended fingers. The energy coalesces in her palm as she moves to wrap as many thugs as possible in the effect. Suddenly, she shouts, palms and fingers extended, and the energy is released in colourful rays of green and orange that dance brightly as they course through the thugs.

Casting Color Spray, Will save DC 15. Not sure how many I can catch in the cone.

From where you are you can catch 2. But to do so without hitting Izzy and Aerodus you need to step near them and cast between the 2 risking AoOs. Of course you can always blanket them and your team-mates with the cone and see what happens

i was hit last round too and i'm at 0 hp after the hit. You actually rolled better last round. I'm all for my character not being unconcious, but i also don't wanna feel like i'm cheating.

Isabella stumbles slightly, holding her head in her off hand. Her cision blurs as she tries to focus on her surroundings. She tries to say something to Varro but slips into unconciousness before she can give Varro a new command. Seeing his master collapse, Varro fiercely guards Izzy's body againansr their foes.

stabalize: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

varro's attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

well at least i'm stable... dunno whats up with my dog...

Abigail would chose to get one thug without AoO. If that's not possible, then she would risk the AoOs to get two.

You can always just cast defensivly ;)
I'll wait for the results of your spell before posting my own reaction

That's something Abigail should learn the hard way ;)

Abigail, since Izzy is down (sorry for not noticing it btw, I don't know why I considered a 19 a miss...) you can move behind her and cast blanketting her, and the 2 thugs

Meliandri fires off another bolt, which flies wide of the thug pressuring Isabella.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Damage?: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Don't worry! We'll out-roll them eventually!

Still fending off the two thugs, Veccio starts when one of them suddenly lurches with glazed eyes. He stabs at that one, finding flesh this time.

Rapier: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 on the dazed thug.
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

At long last Veccio evens the odds a bit by taking down the first thug with a precise slash of his rapier.

Round 03 - Bold may post

Thug 01
Thug 02
Thug 03 -9hp
Thug 04 -4hp

Abigail casting color spray. How?
Veccio
Aerodus -3hp delaying
Meliandri
Isabella -11hp -> stabilized
Varro

Abigail, since Izzy is down (sorry for not noticing it btw, I don't know why I considered a 19 a miss...) you can move behind her and cast blanketting her, and the 2 thugs

Perfect.

Abigail flinches as her companion falls to the thugs, but she also see the opportunity she was hoping for. She moves behind the fallen and directs her spray of light at two unsuspecting thugs.

Will save thug 03: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
Will save thug 04: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Abigail's torrent of colorful magic invests both thugs leaving them stunned and unable to do much but babbling.

And what does Aerodus do?

Aerodus sees Abigail work her magic and quite satisfied, unleashes his bolt on the last enemy that is still able to do them harm.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 (-4 if in melee with Veccio) - I kinda lost track -> Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Color spray: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Aerodus' bolt barely misses the thug locked in combat with Veccio. He seems esitant but when he sees his last 2 camerades fall unconscious he decides to turn tail and flee!

Combat Over. The last thug standing withdraws and the other 2 are knocked out for at least 8 rounds. You'll have to decide what to do with them. And of course you might want to help the person they were trying to kill before your timely arrival...

"Somebody look after her" Aerodus points at Isabella "and him as well."poitning at the man who was the reason for their newest predicament.
He then reloads his crossbow again and puts it to one of the thugs forehead, looking up to the people around him
"You know, these men won't just stop in their foolish loyality. They will come back to haunt us in the future, stopping any pursuit of rebellion cold in its tracks. We should just kill them now."

Meliandri scowls at Aerodus. "Needless bloodshed eez zee purview of zee Hell-worshippers 'oo 'ave brought us to zees point, and of zee 'revolutionaries' eez Galt. We can be leaving zeese 'ere, I think." She gives Veccio a smile of appreciation for his heroics and, reloading, tucks her crossbow back into its straps before re-adjusting her hat. "Does anyone 'ave any experience with zee wounded? Eef not, I weel do my best, but I promise nothing."

Aerodus face remains calm. "Very well then. But it may be wise to at least bind and gag them." He stands up and gestures to Veccio, somehow expecting the man to know what he means by this.

"I used my sole scroll to heal her dog back in the fog. If you do not feel qualified, at least help me with the checkup. You too." He gestures to Abigail and stands up, hanging his crossbow back onto his belt, then procedes to use the basic knowledge of mundane healing he had learned during his training.
"Somebody check the thugs for healing potions pelase." he says, while doing the same with the two unconcious people he tries to stabilize.
Taking ten on Heal gives Aerodus a 13. One successful Aid Another would be enough to stabilize Isabella (obviously we don't know yet that she is in fact stable already) and the stranger (should he be still alive)

Veccio angrily brandishes his rapier at the fleeing man, yelling obscenities after his retreating back. After a few moments of this, he comes to his senses, rejoining the others and offering Meliandri a small smile in response to her own. Suddenly, the chaos didn't seem to matter.

Aerodus' half-voiced request draws a "Huh?" from him before his hand goes to his pack seemingly of its own accord. "Ah, yes. Of course." He sets to work clumsily binding the two unconscious thugs, surreptitiously taking the opportunity to look through their pockets as he works.

Heal (untrained, aid another): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Meliandri does as requested, helping out Aerodus and hoping that Isabella wakes up quickly. After all, the long they're out and about, the more likely it is that the dottari find them instead of some thugs. When she's done with Isabella, she turns toward the beaten man. "Eez 'e alive? Can 'e speak?"

Abigail is surprised at the effectivemess of her Art. She watches with glee the last thug being chsed off by Veccio.

"They'll think twice next time at least!" she says, supporting Meliandri, then turns her attention to the three thugs. "Let's strip them for good measure, but before, we should tie, gag, and blindfold them. Anybody got some rope?"

unless i get some healjng i'm unconscious for at least an hour when i get to roll to see if i regain consciousness and heal myself.

You will get a heal, but it will take a while for me to prep the spell slot I left open. No spontanous healing from Aerodus ;)

@Abigail: Veccio is already binding them.

Aerodus watches silently as the other man goes about securing the thugs. Once Veccio is done with the first of them, he leans to the unconcious man's ear, whispering something.

Casting "sow thoughts" (DC 14), with the following content: "We will die if we follow Thrune further! We have to join the rebels!"
Maybe he gets a malus on the save because of dream inception? :D

Abigail notices the rope in Veccio's hand: "Right you are! Need a hand?" she says as she starts putting their weapons away first, then proceeds to undress them.

"No, I think I've got this," Veccio says proudly, standing up and dusting his hands off. The rope, as if obeying the unwritten rules of comedy, immediately slips right off of the two men. A flush rising in his cheeks, the young swordsman mutters, "Well, alright, I suppose I could use a hand," as he sets about tying their hands again.

Meliandri giggles and stands up from helping the wounded. She walks over to Veccio and whispers in his ear. "Did zey 'ave anything of value? My, er, my money 'as just about run out, and living with Lucca 'as grown tiresome." She stops, blood running from her face as she thinks back to the last time she saw her friend, and her voice grows louder and takes on an edge of panic. "'As anyone seen Lucca? Friendly, likes to be teasing me, short dark 'air? She was at zee protest, but I lost 'er..."

"Now that you mention it, she seems to have vanished into the crowd back then - before Thrune sent his dogs after us. But we made it out, so could she." Aerodus says without emotion, while he sits down, with his back to one of the alley's walls - crossbow ready to strike should the thug decide to return.
"Won't do us good to run back now, Meliandri. Unless one of you happens to live nearby, this spot is as safe as any other to wait out the worst." His face distorts slightly, as if thinking of something unpleasant, then returns to its usual calmness.
"Carrying two unconcious people around in broad daylight might lead us into even more trouble, so we should stay put for a while if there is no safehouse in the vicinity."