"I'm n-not going to s-start anything, b-but w-we're n-not...we're not going t-to leave, either. I th-think m-most of your 'friends' w-won't jump in if s-something does s-start." Eilidh stands up and works her way over to the barkeep. "S-sir, are y-you g-going to let th-those big thugs start a b-brawl in your t-tavern? Especially w-with the T-Tilernos sisters? I m-mean, we d-don't want any trouble with th-them, especially n-not here." There, now if something does start, maybe he'll come in on our side, and the soldiers too.
After working with Grimold to gather information, Daen pops in to the conversation Timon and Marcus. He had a bit to drink, so the things he'd normally think were coming out of his mouth before he had time to stop them. "Leo doesn't have friends. He has pawns. Everything he does is to manipulate you into serving his purposes. He will lead you right into trouble and try to dance away, saying it's a joke. His entire family is the same way. The longer you serve him, the worse off you will be. He's the reason your cohort is last in the points race. And doesn't he owe Kassie a favor still from when she beat him in a duel? And isn't she number three in our cohort? You guys are going to have to aim higher if you want to compete."
"And besides, " He continued, jerking his thumb toward the bar. "The only one who has say of who gets served here is the owner. If he tells us to leave, we will. If he hears you're trying to kick out other customers, you'll likely be the ones to be tossed. He's trying to run a business, it's not like he cares about a trainee's petty claims or rivalries."
Marcus seems surprised as Allie walks to the barkeep. He holds up both his hands, palms out and shakes his head. "Didn't I say I didn't want to start a bar fight?"
The barkeep, however, is apparently not surprised. He looks up with tired eyes and glances to the cohort two scrub. "That's the third time in the last week, Scrub. I'm tired of all this posturing bollacks. All of you, get out. I'm not having you threaten paying customers!"
Timon glowers and reaches for the blade at his side. Marcus hastily steps away from him and looks to Braxton and Padraic. "Your brother's going to get himself thrown in a jail cell, help me get him under control?"
With that, he motions with his head to the door and the two groups of scrubs start to move toward it. Padraic shrugs apologetically at Kassara and nods respectfully to Daen as he passes. Marcus spits at Daen's feet and scowls. "I serve only Iomedae and the Watcher-Lord. Leo's earned a right to lead until one of us successfully beats him. I'm not cocky enough to put our failure on one individual. Would you blame your cohorts near last place on any one person?" He doesn't wait for a reply, instead turning and moving to the door. However, there he pauses.
Both the barkeep and the scarred bouncer watch him, hands on large cudgels in case a fight does break out.
"You'll regret this. And that's coming from me, nothing to do with your high-born brat of a cousin." Flint smiles then, flashing teeth. A smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Or maybe I'll regret this. Either way, it'll be--." The scrub stops as a soggy roll smacks him in the face and rolls down his cheek, across his shirt and to the floor. The grease stain shines in the flickering firelight. It's only around this time that you realize the argument had escalated to a point that the generally noisy tavern was quieter. Many of the soldiers looked ready to grab clubs and start a fight--whether with Flint and the rest of cohort two or cohort one you can't be sure. Others look irritated at the interruption and are trying their best to ignore it all.
Elyssa stands by her chair, holding another roll between two fingers, as if not wanting to hold the gravy-soaked bread much more than that. She glares at Flint silently.
A thin, Varisian looking man with an oiled mustache watches part of the exchange. He slips out the side door while cohorts are arguing with one another, looking suspicious although you're not sure why.
"Elyssa, p-put th-the b-bread...put the bread down, p-please. I th-think we're w-winning, but if it t-turns into a b-brawl, no-one w-will win."
All her concentration is on the Cohort One boys as she shoots them a dirty look. "L-look, I d-don't know what k-kind of t-trainer yours is, b-but if he's anything l-like Fisk, you'll b-be washing s-sand for a week if you get in a f-fight. W-we're not here to fight, we're here t-to d-drink. Now g-go away."
Grimold hangs back from the conflict. He may be part of cohort one, but this isn't his fight, and there was no reason he had to inherit his fellows' enemies.
Sensing the tension in the room, he quietly pulls up a stool and starts playing his violin softly. The folksy song starts slowly but picks up into a toe-tapping tune.
Remaining sitting the whole time, Kassie's only reaction to Fisk's words is to burst out laughing as the roll smacks into his face. She remains sniggering through Allie's speech.
Timon pushes past his brother and takes a step back into the bar. Marcus moves out of his way, but the bouncer steps forward. "Keep on moving." The big man rumbles at the brother.
Obviously not keen on the idea, Timon takes a swing. The bouncer grabs it but, surprisingly, or perhaps not, Timon ducks under it quickly and lashes out with a kick, knocking the man down. His brother, apparently the smarter of the pair, hastily moves backwards and out of the bar. Flint follows, calling over his shoulder. "You're an idiot, Timon."
A half-dozen soldiers standing nearby converge to help the bouncer, who is apparently not nearly as well trained as the partially-trained Bonewatch scrub. The rest of the soldiers turn to Grimold's tune and a few start to clap along, ignoring the scuffle by the door as it moves outside.
Elyssa moves up to Eilidh and frowns. "Arrogant sod, that one. He's a right bastard, trying to bully us out of here."
With the tension diffuses, the scrubs have time to enjoy the rest of their time there. They discover little else about the elusive Josica, only that he is regularly seen thieving or hanging around the marketplace near the Tower of Scholae.
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The half elf watches the spit land by his feet and looks up into the face of Marcus. "Next time we're in religion class I'll ask the priestess if Iomadae ever held petty grudges against people in her company who'd rather be left alone. I'm sure she'll set me straight about any misconceptions I have. When she does, you'll get an apology."
With the threat to their good time gone for the time being, the magus turns back to his friends to spend time with them. Daen frowns when Elyssa calls Flint a bastard. He tries to put a positive spin on it, but it's easy to see it touched a nerve. "Except he gives a bad name to bastards the world over." And he takes another drink.
The half elf's words remind Elyssa of her past and she winces. "Sorry, Daen, I didn't mean..well, you're right! He's a right fool. They all are."
The slight scuffle seems to have spoiled the alchemist's mood and she doesn't partake in any more drinking. Will the group leave shortly or after a longer period of time?
Though she's lost her appetite for cider, Eilidh eyes the door with apprehension. "I d-don't think w-we should leave j-just yet. G-give them a m-minute to clear off, th-then we'll head b-back to the Bonewatch. C-can we t-take a different route th-than usual? It m-might throw them off if th-they're p-planning to ambush us."
Kassie listens to Allie's suggestion and nods. "They didn't look like they were just going to forget being humiliated like that. Maybe there's a back way out of here? I'll ask the barkeep." With that she saunters over to the bar and smiles at the man. "Sorry about that, but it sounds like they've been causing trouble for a while. They're nasty ones they are, and,.. well they're the type who might try to try something on when we leave. I don't suppose there's a back door we could use to avoid them?"
There is, in fact, a second door. It's smaller, a bit shabbier and looks like a staff entrance, but it's there. Kassara's wiles fail to attract the older man's attention, but he stiffly points toward the staff entrance door. "I don't want any trouble with the Bonewatch. Scrubs start fighting in here and it'll be awkward fer e'eryone. That lot kept arguin' with others of you lot. Makes mah customers a bit upset. No one likes ta see such things but the Knights tell us to let you all sort that shit out yerselves for the most part."
After another hour or so of downtime, Elyssa leads the group out by the staff door. It leads out into a sketchy, narrow alleyway that stinks slightly of wet and mold. Several rusted buckets lay in a haphazard pile to the side and the cobbles here are starting to come up from the ground. The alley exits into a different part of the docks than you're used to--this isn't familiar territory for anyone.
After wandering around for a moment or two, you realize where you are and can direct the group to the Bonewatch.
You're lost. Hopefully someone else knows where you are. If not, you may have to wander around...or ask for directions. There's a pair of blokes with wide-brimmed hats hanging out in a dooorway nearby. Maybe they'll do?
At the barkeep's gesture, Eilidh shoots him an awkward grin. "Th-thanks. H-have you considered h-hiring another b-bouncer? D-didn't seem like you'd b-be able to stop th-them from causing problems with what you h-have h-here...what you have here."
Eilidh follows Elyssa out into the alleyway, wrinkling her nose. "I d-don't like it h-here. It r-reeks, and th-the footing is terrible." She shrinks against her sister, holding an arm. "K-Kassie, go t-talk to those t-two with the hats. M-maybe they'll t-tell us where to go, b-but y-you kn-know...but you know how I am w-with n-new people s-sometimes..."
There, maybe that'll help her get over being scared of that stupid cat-thing. Everyone's scared of something.
Kassie glances at her sister and grins before approaching the two men. "Hi there" she says with a friendly smile, her hand resting casually on the hilt of her rapier. "My friends and I seem to be lost. I don't suppose you'd be able to point us back towards The Bonewatch?"
The two look surprised at the approach and exchange a glance. One has a gaunt, narrow face with a thin mustache and flat black hair. The other has curly black hair and dusky skin with a similar mustache and a scar across his left eye. He glances down at the rapier and frowns, stepping back and putting a hand under his cloak.
"The Bonewatch? Are you all scrubs then?"
The two Varisians' exchanged look implies some sort of shared unspoken communication. They also seem far too interested in your identity.
On the gaunt individual, a tattoo of a key can be seen on his arm.
If Perception check above is made:
The key could either be a sign of Abadar or the elusive criminal Sczarni.
Definitely sczarni.
Kassie pauses for a moment but maintains her smile. "We've just gotten a bit turned around." she says, shifting her weight slightly. "We're staying with family who work there. They'll be worried if we don't get back soon."
Grimold reaches out a hand to stop Kassie, but he's too late. He watches her exchange words with the men, and he feels uneasiness starts to tingle behind his ears as one of the men slips a hand into the folds of his cloak. Gripping the sword was a bad move... The tingle blooms into heat and the hair on his neck stands up as he spots the key tattoo on the other man's arm. No good can come of this!
Before he has time to think things through, Grimold finds himself walking over to join the conversation. "Ay! I told you we should have gone to the Soggy Dog instead. Mama is going to have our heads for this!"
The dusky skinned man shrugs and smiles faintly. "Ah! What a sad tale. Of course we would be happy to lead you to the Bonewatch. Perhaps your happy family would offer a reward for our help? Well..it would be our pleasure to help either way." He motions toward the street and holds a hand out, directing the scrubs to move down that way. "We have to go down Jennings until we reach a statue of Saint Marcus. We'll take a right there and then go down a shortcut through the old butcher's district. Should bring you right down to the main roadways and you can probably find your way from there or we can take you the rest of the way."
The two wait, obviously wanting to direct where to go but being uncomfortable walking amidst all of the scrubs directly.
Seeing the interest in the two men, Daen could only think of one possibility. These were unsavory men looking to entrap them and do unsavory things to the ladies. He saw they way their eyes lit up when the pretty Kassie asked them a question. But Daen wasn't fooled. They would have been better off going back a way that they knew to go. As it was, he would just have to be prepared to hit them with a spell that would help them escape.
Kassara and Daen think the route sounds at least plausible. They know the statue they reference is near one of the main thorough fares. However, they have no idea what the old butcher's district is.
With no response from the scrubs, The two men start walking with shrugs. "Follow us if you want. Otherwise, you kind folks can go your own way."
Kassie glances back at the others and shrugs "Hold on," she says "we're coming. I think I can find my way if you take us to the statue."
Kassie glances back at the others and shrugs "Hold on," she says "we're coming."
Character: Zohluk
The journey from where the Rising Sun is settled and the Bonewatch of Vigil takes about a week. You mount up on a brilliant Taldan stallion of black with a white star between his eyes. Lukyan leads the way on a larger brown stallion. Within a day or so you pass by the current border between Lastwall and the Hold. Castle Everstand looms above the road, blocking the way with imposing towers, complex defenses and a large array of watchtowers. You stop there briefly with the Knight, being introduced to Ser Thaum Gauntwood, commander of the fortress. Durante mentions the scouting parties of the orc tribe as well as investigations done to find the third Bloodstone. Gauntwood looks you over and, while surprisingly polite, doesn't seem too impressed. "Let's see how he does after the first month." He states before leaving.
The vigil soldiers of Castle Everstand eye Zohluk with mistrust and, in some cases, outright loathing. Lukyan keeps you well away from them and in his sight at all times before moving on.
Finally, the thick, double walls of Vigil rear above you. You enter through the Antiochlus Gate which is named, as Lukyan informs you, after General Antiochlus who led an assault into Gallowspire thirty years ago to try and clear out the cultists who gathered there. He also helped hold the Hordeline against the Hold of Belkzen, and died defending it.
Passing between the Antiochlus Gate's great doors is an inspiring presence. Murder holes line the heighs above while at least a dozen archhers patrol the upper walls. Wagons full of salt, ore and trade goods come in through this gate from the mines in nearby hills. The smell of dust, sweat and salt pervades everything. Shouts from those coming and going, from the guards checking wagons and papers and from those who get refused entry thunder in the air. The press of bodies is sweltering until Lukyan leads you beyond the gates and into smaller, less crowded side streets. He gives a running commentary on the city as he does, avoiding any tempermental issues about defenses.
"The salt mines were here before Vigil was a village. It's one of the reasons Taldor established the small trade town here."
"That's Valor's Hilt, a merchant guild run by a former Knight of Ozem who retired. If you ever need basic supplies, that's a good place to go. That is if you don't get them from our quartermasters."
"Down that way you will find the Plaza Frontenack, dedicated to a tribune who helped establish the Oath pledge."
After the crowded streets, the relatively quiet area around the Bonewatch is strange. It remains quiet until you are inside its imposing walls where you are set upon by grooms taking the horses and supplies away. Lukyan turns to you and takes you by the shoulders, looking grave.
"You understand the honour your tribe gives you by sending you and the honor you receive by being selected." It wasn't a question.
"This will not be easy for you. The Knights of Ozem teach swordsmanship, unarmed combat, mounted fighting, archery, military tactics, how to fight undead and monsters, magic both arcane and divine and how to defend yourself in nearly any situation you can imagine. It will challenge your body, your decision making, your thinking and your teamwork."
"Each group of scrubs, which is you, a first year student, is divided up into a cohort. There will be between twenty-four and eighteen or so scrubs in each cohort. You'll be in Cohort One."[/bb]
[b]"Every day you will practice combat, spending more time on it during Moondays. You will also take classes on magic, religion and military history." He pauses here and leans closer, whispering. "There are also extra classes you may take, they aren't required but I highly recommend you take at least a few. They teach numerous additional skills..you won't easily find where they are either. You have to hunt out where they will be from other students or staff."
"At the end of each week all scrubs may challenge one another--you're ranked--I forgot to mention that. Ranking is important...each month you go through a trial and at the end of the trial several scrubs are removed, scrubbed, from the Bonewatch. Don't disappoint me. Don't lose in your first month. You'll go through this process for several months until there are only between six and ten of you left per cohort. Then we'll forge you into a team."
He takes a deep breath and turns, leading you inside while talking over his shoulder. "You also have two days of downtime--use them wisely for extra classes or earning some cash or studying..or gettting to know your fellow cohort members."
Inside the walls are lined with thick grey stone covered in elaborate tapestries. The windows are high and thin, providing few places for easy entry. The training arena is a large sand pit surrounded by racks of armor and weapons and several locked crates holding, presumably, special equipment for each cohort. Up a set of stairs you come to a hallway with several double doors--all of them open. Within are rows and rows of beds.
Stopping by one set, Lukyan gestures inside. Within is a boy with messy white hair and another with a thin beard. Lukyan motions and one approaches. "Ardis, do you know who I am?" he asks the boy.
The brown-haired youth shakes his head. "N-n-n o, S-sir." His slight stutter seems to annoy the Knight, who frowns and shakes his head. "I knew your brother. I'm Lukyan Durante and this is Zohluk. Answer any questions he may have. He's joining your cohort."
Ardis looks to you as the Knight walks off and he shifts uncomfortably. "H-hello..nice to meet you. I'm Ardis..Ardis Rotheld. Welcome to the Bonewatch."
Daen and the others follow Kassie until they get to the statue, where the half elf speaks up in his trademark monotone, expressionless speech. "Thanks for bringing us this far, I think we can make it from here." At least he hoped they could.
By the end of his first week riding a horse, Zohruk is quite sure he prefers to move under his own power. I can see how some folks like charging down their foes with a lance, sure, but that's not really my style.
The sight of Castle Everstand finally drives the point across that Zohruk has once again been sent away from home, and into an unknowable peril. He accepts the commander's skepticism with a certain nonchalance, Part of his job to question the troops, I guess. The rank and file's attitudes, though, rankle him. Zohruk finds himself thinking of what Yhrrilka said to him before he left.
"You are sent to be tempered in the forge, not consumed on the pyre. Don't start any fires you can't control. Not without me, anyway," the last said with that slightly dangerous smile of hers.
Just for you, Ril, so I can see your face again. As the guards make their disparaging looks, Zohruk makes a point of sticking close by Durante, exhibiting the demeanor of someone who won't start a fight, but will gladly finish it. More than once, he absentmindedly reaches up and handles the copper sun-disk worn around his neck.
Zohruk's first impression of Vigil is, Burning Mother, it's just like Urgir, just all roshkas. And fewer skulls as decor. He pays close attention to everything Lukyan has to tell him about Vigil. When I made my way in Urgir I had to do all my own legwork; no reason to waste this chance.
Lukyan's words of encouragement help alleviate some of Zohruk's tension. "Sir, I won't lie. I don't really understand yet why both you and Chief Madja thought this was such a great idea, but I'll give it my best shot. I managed to survive a year in Urgir, I like to think I can last at least as long here in Vigil." That thought seems to finally sink in with him, and Zoh gets a bit of his swagger back.
In the barracks, Zohruk pauses a moment to size up the situation. In Urgir, the first day would require a large display of violence to show I'm not to be messed with. I have to believe that won't be necessary here. He puts on his best smile, Just go easy on the teeth, humans can misconstrue the fangs. "Hello, Ardis. Not quite what you were expecting, eh?" He moves past Ardis and searches out an empty bed. Upon finding one, he goes through a little ritual of sorts. This many steps in this direction to the door. Again for the window. Where is my gear in relation to where I sleep. And so on. "How many in our cohort, and how long do I have to get my feet under me before someone gets tossed into the volcano?"
Characters: Daen, Grimold, Kassie, Allie
Saint Marcus's statue isn't very impressive. It used to be a fountain but the water has stopped running long ago. Mold and small donations fill the basin around it while the Saint's features have been worn away--likely both from time and pilgrims come to touch his face or hands. The buildings in the are are poor, although not quite as poor as those down by the docks. The people who live here are laborers, but have sworn their Oath to the city.
At Daen's words, the two men stop and turn, a scowl turning over both of their faces. They step backwards, hands under their cloaks and draw forth swords.
"Nah, I don't think you will, scrubs. Now, you probably ain't the scrubs we really want to cut up. But you'll do as a warning to those fecking Knights of Ozem. They think they can ambush our people in the streets? Kill them where they lay in prison cells? No. That's not going to get away easily."
As he speaks, you hear the sound of boots on cobbles. Several more thugs appear from around buildings and close in on you wielding swords and torches.
There are two crossbowmen on the rooves.
The dusky skinned Sczarni thug growls and twirls his blade. "I told yeh to have ten o' us waiting here, idjits!" He doesn't wait for an answer to his shout, but simply rushes toward you with his weapon drawn.
Initiatives
Round 1
While not known to everyone, a few know that many, if not all, of the statues in Vigil serve two purposes. Chanting a quick prayer to the saint or general they represent will make them shed light to ward off the darkness as well as give a Bless-like effect to those who have sworn their Oaths. Stating this prayer is a move action.
Round 1: Ambush
The two thugs who had been escorting the group rush forward. One engages Daen while the other attacks Kassara.
for damage.
for damage.
The rest charge forward, swinging their weapons. One moves in to flank Daen, but attacks Elyssa. The last one moves toward Grimold and attacks.
for damage.
for damage.
From the rooftops, you hear the distinct clang of crossbows going off and two bolts fly through the air.
for damage
for damage
The shadowed forms above try to use the darkness around themselves to hide again, but not to much use.
Characters: Zohruk
The nervous scrub follows slightly behind, out of arms reach, of the half-orc. He has a defensive look to him, but has no weapons on him. "N-no..not e-exactly. They..they said there might be-be a uhm..a new scrub showing up..Where a-are you from?"
"We h-have nine-ninet-nineteen of us..er..tw-twenty now I guess. It's the end of the week, s-so we have two days of free time before classes start up a-again. A-at least the normal ones. Ther-there's a dueling class and an alchemy class on Sunday."
As the men move forward Kassie turns in shock at the new attackers. Gasping in horror as crossbow bolts streak down from above. Pivoting on her heel she pulls her rapier from its scabbard and strikes at the bandit facing her.
If that beats the attack roll
Eilidh grabs her scimitar, placing a judgement upon it to increase its accuracy. Stepping forward a few feet, she swings at the thug in front off her.
Grimold had been expecting trouble, but not this much of it. He's momentarily stunned by the irony of his situation. Surely Desna was laughing now. It was times like this that made him consider take up worshiping Calistria.
He snaps out of it just in time to avoid a clumsy strike. "Bastards! They were my friends, too!" Ducking and side-stepping, he lashes out with his foot, sweeping the leg of his assailant.
The Tilernos sisters turn their attentions to the nearby bandits and swing their blades, only to encounter nothing but air as the darkness and dodging Sczarni avoid their sharp edges.
Grimold's opponent grunts and falls to the ground, just barely keeping a grip on the torch he holds in one hand. Elyssa slips backward, and flips up onto the statue behind her to flank the prone man. Her shortsword slips from its sheath and she tries to plunge it down into him. However, even while prone he manages to roll away from the attack.
for damage and sneak attack.
Round 1
Round 2
The Sczarni engaged with Grimold looks faintly familiar, perhaps they'd met briefly sometime in the past through Jorge. He scowls through a thin beard and brandishes a tattoo of the Sczarni key on his hand. "I have no idea who you think you are, but you're with them. And last we seen our friends, they were locked up in a Vigil jail and ended up dead! Bet the guards killed 'em all!"
Grimold's words only seem to spur the thief on, who swings low with his sword. As Rolando moves to block it, the thief thrusts his torch into Rolando's face. to blind Grimold for 1 round.
The thug fighting Kassara grasps his weapon in both hands and swings overhand, but she slides to the side and catches his blade, thrusting down its length toward him. Unfortunately, her weapon catches on the hilt and is deflected aside harmlessly.
Standing on the roof, outline revealed in the dim light, one of the crossbowmen fires a shot at Elyssa. for damage.
In the darkness though, the bolt flies far away, skidding off stones.
The other roof standing thug tries to hide in the darkness.
Surprised by the audacity of the Sczarni to attack in the open streets, Daen fumbled at his sword a bit. Perhaps he'd had a bit too much to drink. He takes a step back to close ranks with his companions and to keep them from closing him off. He lit up his sword with it's eldritch blue light, barely noticable even in the fading light, and he took a swing at the thug in front of him.
It was only then that he noticed he was injured because of the blood running down his arm, he nearly lost the grip on his sword entirely. This was not turning out to be the night he'd hoped it would be.
Kassie dances sideways, then steps forward to bring her elbow down on her opponent's wrist grabbing forward with her left hand in an attempt to steal his weapon and yelling as she twists: "I'm trying to find out who killed your friends you idiots! Stop attacking us and maybe we can talk!"
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Ardis definitely catches Zohruk's attention with the mention of an alchemy class. "Alchemy, no kidding? When I was living in Urgir I made a living doing um, security for trade runs that were mostly bound into the Black Tower, the main alchemy school in the city. They didn't really encourage any outsiders asking questions, though. Word was, you poke your nose in, you end up strapped to a table, screaming. Hey, how do you tell an alchemist of the Black Tower? He's got seven fingers and he glows in the dark!" Zohruk pauses for a second after his punchline. Nothing? I guess some folks don't appreciate a good joke. "Well now I have to see what this is all about. When on Sunday, and where do I go?"
Eilidh screams a quick prayer to Saint Marcus, shutting her eyes as the courtyard fills with light. Opening them again, she swings at the thug before her.
[ooc]Also, that spoiler has important info, so I recommend everyone go back and read it. Apologies for slow posting, life is crazy at the moment.
Round 2
for damage and sneak attack.
As one of the thugs tries to stand after thrusting his torch into Rolando's face, Elyssa shoves her shortsword through him from behind, sliding it to the hilt into his ribs. The Sczarni tumbles back to the ground.
Swinging with her scimitar, Allie catches the thug under the arm, cutting deep into his side. He lets out a groan and falls to the side, clutching at the wound, his torch falling to the ground and his sword slipping from lax fingers.
Seeing one of their members fall, and the soft, golden glow that infuses Eilidh's weapons, the eyes of the Sczarni go wide. Its apparent that they haven't seen the bless-capabilities of the statues used before.
The one engaged with Daen tries to roll past him to attack Grimold and help his friend on the ground. The other steps forward and swings at Eilidh.
for damage.
for damage.
Kassie reaches out, snatching the blade from the unsuspecting thief who takes a step back in alarm. As she does, Elyssa reaches into a belt pouch and hurls a vial of black-ish liquid at the (poorly) hidden crossbowman on the roof.
for fire damage. The bottle explodes upon contact with the man, lighting his cloak on fire and scorching him as he falls backwards onto the roof.
The torches, knocked to the ground near dead corpses, may go out in rounds.
Round 3
Seeing three of their companions fall, the disarmed Sczarni seems a bit more willing to negotiate in his actions if not his words. He doesn't approach Kassara, stepping further back and reaching for a dagger. "We know who killed them--Vigil did! The guards locked 'em up and beat them to death then claimed it was someone who snick in there!"
However, even as he speaks, a crossbow bolt whizzes from the other rooftop and plunges toward Kassara. for damage.
"Fight smarter! Don't give up you fools!" cries the thief from the rooftop.
In response, the other two thugs move to flank Daen and lash out with their weapons. "Ye have a dagger--'fraid of a girl, Mihai?"
for damage.
As the blade finds purchase and knocks Daen down to dangerous levels the other turns and plunges his weapon toward Elyssa. She gasps and tries to shift to the side, almost falling off of the statue as the weapon strikes her--sliding down along her side and bouncing harmlessly off of metal studs.
for damage.
The disarmed man holds his dagger, point down, and looks at the other Sczarni. "Wh-why did we think it was smart to attack people from the Bonewatch? Who cares if she's a girl?!"
Ardis definitely catches Zohruk's attention with the mention of an alchemy class. "Alchemy, no kidding? When I was living in Urgir I made a living doing um, security for trade runs that were mostly bound into the Black Tower, the main alchemy school in the city. They didn't really encourage any outsiders asking questions, though. Word was, you poke your nose in, you end up strapped to a table, screaming. Hey, how do you tell an alchemist of the Black Tower? He's got seven fingers and he glows in the dark!" Zohruk pauses for a second after his punchline. Nothing? I guess some folks don't appreciate a good joke. "Well now I have to see what this is all about. When on Sunday, and where do I go?"
The Bonewatch
Characters: ZohrukAt the mention of Belkzen's capital city, Ardis blanches. He takes a step backward, his eyes shifting to the half-orc's belongings. "I thought--I mean I assumed...y-you were in th-the Hold of Belkzen? I th-thought you were local.."
Clenching his fists lightly, the boy leans forward forcefully--not aggressively but rather abruptly in an awkward way. He takes a deep, quick breath. "That sounds terrible. I'm not sure exactly where it is, you'd have to ask Elyssa or Bryson. They're the only two who take it from our cohort. I believe its in the evening though..so you'd have the m-morning free."
Ardis is nervous, but has been working on it. His sharp, jerky movements toward what he was afraid of--in this case Zohruk--are an attempt to seem more confident. Or at the very least try to inspire confidence in himself.
Based off of his slightly controlled stutter, it may work.
Around this point, several other scrubs start to trickle in. A pair of bells toll and Ardis looks up, waving toward two scrubs who look older. They wander over. One smiles at Zohruk, his eyes lingering on the tusks and greenish skin. He steps forward and holds his hand out to shake, although he turns his body slightly away. "Almost supper-time. You're the new scrub? I'm Vorin and that's Jalen." He jerks his other thumb to the taller boy.
The other stands back, hooking his thumbs into the elaborate black belt around his waist. A longsword rests at his side. He slowly looks over Zohruk, his face showing no emotion.
Despite Vorin's friendliness, he seems more wary of Zohruk than the silent one does.
Round 2
Grimold steps over the corpse at his feet where Elyssa had struck down the foe trying to stand. He lashes out at a new opponent, slashing with one dagger and whipping the other around his hand to slice with the other.
for damage.
for damage.
The bandit blocks one blow, but takes a raking wound across his chest and neck, dripping blood thickly. He grimaces, keeping his feet by sheer will, but seems like a strong wind might knock him down.
Round 3
Kassie cries out in shock as the Sczarni's sword wickedly bites into her sister, dropping her to the ground. Distracted by the site of her sister falling, Kassie is unable to dodge the other man's crossbow bolt, which lodges painfully in her shoulder. Grimacing in pain, but frantic for her sister, she yells . Looking up, with a fierce determination she moves forward to protectively stand over her sister where she drops the short sword and lunges at the man who hurt her.
[thumbs]Twiddle[/thumbs]
Round 3
The flick of a blade, the bite of cold steel. Firelight shines against Tilernos weaponry as one blade falls and another darts in to take its place. Kassara stands over her sister, a look of rage on her face as she leaps forward to defend her sister. She blocks an attack from the Sczarni thug, utilizing all the technique taught to her from hours of Fisk's brutal teachings as well as what she'd learned tutoring in Castle Firrene. The rapier slides down along the crude sword, twisting it to the side and giving her the opportunity to slide her thin blade between the floating ribs, pushing the tip up and into vital organs.
A gurgle parts the thief's lips and blood spills down his chest. A hand moves to the wound as steel departs and he collapses down to his knees, teetering for a moment before falling dead at Kassara's feet.
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Zohruk puts two and two together, and chuckles a bit at Ardis' alarm. "Oh, man. You thought what, your commanders let some crazed devotee of the Blood God into your barracks? That Lukyan Durante seems to be a pretty sharp guy; I don't think he'd let that happen."
"Yeah, I'm from Belkzen. My first home is all of maybe two days' ride from Axe-Face Bluff. My tribe's name translates to your tongue as the 'Burning Sun'. We... we aren't like a lot of other orcs. We revere the Burning Mother; Sor... Sorrenrae, I think you call her?" He takes his sun-disk medallion out of his shirt, shows it to Ardis, then drops it back against his chest before continuing. "We try to live our lives in obedience to the Mother's Voice. This has made our tribe a little bit unpopular among the other tribes. My chief, she got the bright idea to send me into Urgir, just float along and keep my ear to the ground, listening for trouble. So yeah, I met with some baaaad fellows in my time there. But me, I'm all right." He tries his best disarming smile.
Hey, he's offering a hand and it doesn't have a knife in it, that counts for something, I think. At Vorin's introduction, Zohruk offers his hand in return, meeting his gaze and doing his best to not seem threatening yet. "Hello Vorin, I'm Zohruk." Zoh decides against a joke about catching and cooking a member of the other cohorts for supper, Because you just know it's gonna become a thing, 'Your grandfather ate my grandfather,' then everyone's making with the accusations, and the stabbing, and it's just not worth it this time of day. "Yeah, I'm the new scrub, just got in today. I'll just be happy to eat a meal that's not rations shoved in while riding; Durante rode us pretty hard on the ride here."