The little dragon, having relayed the information, flies an excited little loop and says, "Hear that Prat? I'm important and you're not!" She flies over and lands on Mohktar's head, "Forward human."
Lilly bumps Pratavh softly with the elbow.
"She is a girl. Girls like to feel important and appreciated."
Giving Lilly a sidelong look Pratavh replies, "Then, my Lady Lilly, I take it you would appreciate a quiet dinner, maybe a wine, and an evening where you are the soul focus of someone?"
For somebody of Mohktar's skill, climbing up the exterior of the nearest house is easy. Within 10 heart beats he's on the roof and from there he can see a solid snake of people intermingled with the souls of the departed, leading down to the ocean. In the far distance he sees the glimmer of blueish curtains of light filtering up in shifting patters from the surface of the otherwise tranquil seas.
Closer to hand he spots the overturned cart that Hirati spotted, and it's an easy matter to jump from house to house to get closer. In fact Mohktar marvels at how free he feels up here, above the sweating masses. With a heavy heart he resigns him self to plunging one more back into the sea of humanity. He jumps from the roof and lands lightly next to the cart. His entrance makes many people turn and look.
Communications prove somewhat tricky but after a while, and many hand gestures and miming of actions, Mohktar gets his idea through to the people. It takes some time but with a group effort he and a half dozen burly locals manage to tip the cart back onto it's side. Mohktar isn't quite sure what the cart driver was saying, but it doesn't matter. The man who had been staring ruin in the eye is saved and he seems to be ecstatic. The crowd cheer and they help the man load barrels back onto the cart. Before long the cart is led away by a long suffering donkey and the log jam eases up.
Seeing Mohktar's difficulty communicating, Hirati translates for him with her innate telepathy, transcending the language barrier to better facilitate things. Of course she also acts like a little general with her new "troops" as they work to unjam the street. You! Two steps to the left, and YOU, slow down. CAREFUL, you don't want to drive into that hole.
Giving Lilly a sidelong look Pratavh replies, "Then, my Lady Lilly, I take it you would appreciate a quiet dinner, maybe a wine, and an evening where you are the soul focus of someone?"
Lilly stretches her arms up, then back down in a relaxing way.
"I've yet to meet the man who's peaked my interest for that."
While they wait for the procession to move again Pratavh replies to her, "You have not? I find that rather surprising. Or is it more that such a thing is simply not to your liking?"
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Alwyn politely ignores the conversation between Pratavh and Lilly, while waiting on Mohktar to return. Finally the crowd begin to filter down the road more quickly and the excitable fairy dragon returns crowing her triumphs in leading the way.
Commending her for her excellent leadership skills, while hiding a smile and a nod to Mohktar on his return, Alwyn makes ready to move on.
"You have not? I find that rather surprising. Or is it more that such a thing is simply not to your liking?"
She shrugs with a smile.
"Who knows, maybe both?But let's get through this parade first."
Mohktar makes his way back to the group via the roofs and already the crowd is moving again. The mood is joyous, for just a short distance south you can see the ocean! And there is an incredible sight as you watch thousands upon thousands of spirits stream out of the city and into the lake. They descend into the waters and towards a huge glowing whirlpool of light. As each spirit touches the gate, there is a flash of light and a brief vision of that which lies beyond is visible. The souls past the gate are winding their way into the boneyard, awaiting Pharasma's judgement. This is an occasion mixed with joy, terror and wonder, for Pharasma cares nothing for flattery and judges everyone with a dispassionate glare.
Fahad calls your attention, "Bahani śvāsa uthalē hai aura usakē raṅga vaha itanī pīlā hai... Hai. Mujhē lagā ki vaha aba jyādā pichalē hūm̐ viśvāsa nahīṁ kara sakatā, lēkina maiṁ vaha karanē kī jarūrata nahīṁ hai lagatā hai. Maiṁ ēka baṛē paimānē para pānī sām̐sa lēnē kī pustaka hai. Hama usakē mādhyama sē madada karanē kē li'ē kī āvaśyakatā hōgī. Yaha thōṛā ajība laga sakatā hai, lēkina phāṭaka usa kē bārē mēṁ cintā mata karō, hamēṁ karanē kē li'ē kucha bhī nahīṁ hōgā."
As Lilly was walking, watching th sky from time to time, she notices something.
"Hey guys, up there on the roof! Some shady guy's staring from behind that chimney!"
*Points at said chimney*
Shiko moves to investigate this new development
With the crowd beginning to move again Hirati lands on Pratavh's shoulders again. He looks at Lilly with a slight smile, "I believe you are right Lilly, though I would enjoy the chance to continue our discussion sometime." Hearing the acolyte's words Pratavh nods his head in understanding.
The little dragon is too preoccupied preening at her latest accomplishment to notice anything is but Pratavh catches sight of the man with his bow and prepares to take action if necessary.
Curious...
What are you gonna do next?
Pratavh points in the direction that Lilly did as he tells his companions, "There seems to be a spell that was cast up there. Unfortunately I could not tell what it was. We should be on the lookout for whoever it was and whatever they cast."
Shiko remains vigilant, and continues to move along the rooftops to see if any of the unnamed assailants reveal themselves.
+ pluses
+ pluses
+ pluses
Fzzz-Thwack!
Suddenly the ground near the illusion of the Palanquin has something poking out of it. Something distinctly arrow shaped, barbed and about a yard long, it appears to be smeared with some nasty looking greenish substance... What do you do next?
Fahad glances nervously at Wadi who mutters, "Hama yahām̐ sē bāhara hō jānā cāhi'ē! Phāṭaka kō śīghratā kara?" They then look to you for direction.
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No hope of making the perception check, so we'll try the Knowledge one.
Seeing the nasty looking greenish substance on the arrow shaft, Alwyn causes the tissue parts of the illusion affected by is to begin to dissolve as if affected by a caustic substance.
Alwyn thinks hard and quick before exclaiming...
"Pānī kē mādhyama sē mārga sabasē adhika pratyakṣa hai, yaha jaldī hōnē kī sambhāvanā sabasē tējī sē, yaha tarīkā nahīṁ hai."
translating quickly for his companions..
"While the route through the water is the most direct, it is likely not the fastest, this way, quickly."
Leading those with him towards the alley to the NW hoping to use the alleyway to the west from there to bypass much of the crowd; as well as providing cover from the mysterious sniper
Having no doubt the sniper behind the chimney was the perpetrator, Lilly shakes her fist at his direction, before following Alwyn.
Pratavh, you think the chimney is about 80'- 100' away. You can't see the sniper currently.
"Hirati, you know what I need you to do, be careful and come back to me safely." The little dragon nods and then begins to fly near the sniper's position using the crowd for cover. Once she gets out of his line of sight she follows the building to just below the edge of the roof line and goes invisible then continues to close until she reaches one hundred feet from Pratavh, the limit of her telepathy range. She looks to spot the sniper and directs Pratavh in targeting his location with glitter dust. Once Pratavh's spell has gone off she casts grease on the sniper's bow and then flees back to the nearest roof edge and down.
शांति
स्थिरता
मौन
Mohktar's face is grim, eyes seeing the poisoned javelin (?) sticking out of the ground. He sees Alwyn make a slight gesture to the alleyway, the monk considers the proposed route and sprints forward to take the lead.
(watching path)
Hirati is able to fly around with impunity, unobserved by anyone. She spots the shadow of a figure cranking an oversize crossbow with a peculiar windlass... He's not from from where she last saw Shikyo!
Pratavh casts glitterdust on the spot described by Hirati!
--> FAIL HE'S BLINDED
--> FAIL HE'S PRONE
You hear a soft curse from above. Shikyo you can easily see the glitter dust outlined form of a vicious looking man who is currently face down on the floor, scrabbling to get the glowing gunk out of his eyes. As well as the crossbow which he dropped, he's armed with what looks like a falchion.
Shiko bounds forward drawing his katana....
Mohktar! Here!
Shikyo you will have to jump over to the next roof, but it's an easy jump in your estimation.
Alwyn as you set off you easily spot where Pratavh's spell went off. You think you saw some motion up there, might have been the sniper. Soon though you are past and the crowds to the west are much thinner and you think you'll have a clear run to the ocean.
Shiko easily clears the gap.
--> FAIL
Shikyo, you jump lightly onto the adjacent roof and you can see a man dressed all in black lying on his back, trying to wipe the golden gunk from Pratavh's spell out of his eyes. You notice a heavy crossbow near him, it's loaded with an oversized wicked looking barbed bolt. The man seems currently unaware of you.
शांति
स्थिरता
मौन
"Alwyn, Lilly, Pratavh, remain with the palanquin. The path ahead looks freer to the water." Mohktar cinches the straps on his haversack and scopes out a path upward to the roof and his friend.
(spot a path up)
"If you're comfortable with this, I shall go and assist Shiko-san. Then we will move along the rooftops to follow this path." If the others are ok the plan, the monk makes his way to the rooftops.
Once he hits the roof, Mohktar scans the area for other enemies who might harass the palanquin.
(dangers lurking)
If Mohktar spots Shiko, and there are no other assailants lurking, he moves towards the ninja.
Shiko kicks the arbalest away and places his katana on the man's neck...
Move and die. he growls in Vudrani
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Alwyn nods to the monk, "Take care friend, we will move forward with Bhani. Her time grows ever shorter. Yet, before you go a parting gift to help you blend in with the shadows."
Alwyn will cast blur on Mohktar if the monk allows it.
Turning to the others, "Lilly, Pratavh are you ok with this?"
With everyone in agreement they part ways, with Mohktar disappearing quickly to the rooftops and the trio escorting the palanquin to the gate.
"Hirati, my dear, will you scout out our way for us forward? Looking for those would would do the fair singer harm."
Mohktar bows his thanks to Alwyn and heads up.
Having succeeded at her venture, Hirati returned and landed on Pratavh's head. He reaches up and strokes her chin, "Excellent job we'll find a suitable reward when we have the time." The little dragon seems delighted at the prospect. At Alwyn's words Pratavh nods in agreement, "Yes, it sound like a good plan, one we should put into immediate action." Hirati gives Alwyn a look filled with pride at her usefulness and says, "Yep! On it!" She then flies off, keeping in as much cover as she can while she watches for trouble.
@ Mohktar, "You be careful! Don't get your ass kicked."
@ Pratavh,
Lilly smirks as she sees Pratavh complimenting Hirati.
"See...she looks much happier."
So Mohktar quickly climbs up the drain pipe and window sills to the rooftop where he finds Shikyo with a sword to the throat of a man lying on the ground, covered in glowing golden gunk!
The man seems unable to see, but he's much calmer than you might expect.
Giving Lilly a somewhat annoyed look Pratavh says to her, "I will try to remember that Lilly." Once he hears back from his companion, Pratavh relays the little dragon's message, "We are clear, it would be best if we moved quickly."
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Worried for the suffering that Bahni is currently going through, Alwyn sings a soft lullaby to her while sending a surge of power through her to ease her symptoms for a short while.
To Pratavh and the others...."To that end, gather close all I think this will be a good use for this now."
"Time to go!"
शांति
स्थिरता
मौन
Mohktar springs forward, leveraging every ounce of speed granted him by the Master of masters. His foot presses outwards against the man's knee, turning it at an awkward angle of grant the monk room to slam into the would be assassin. His other leg comes up and slams into the man's elbow while his hands snake out to put his hand into a firm grip. His eyes go from the man's then to the area of his vest to spy what sort of object is held therein.
(Avoid AoO)
"Cease your foolishness, assassin. The game is over. Accept the honor of this defeat and live to see your life set aright."
(searching for treachery)
Mohktar expertly pins the man to the ground. The man seems to seethe with anger, but makes no overtly aggressive moves. Mohktar gets the sense that he's biding his time. He says nothing to Mohktar's words.
Alwyn's magic flows through the group, and they rush forwards towards the pebble beach. Nobody challenges the group although they do attract a good number of strange looks. Soon the warm waters of the bay are lapping at your toes and the acolytes start casting a communal water breathing spell from a scroll provided by Mistress Tari.
Fahad checks Bahni and gasps, she has stopped breathing. What do you do?
Pratavh stands there looking frantic at the man's words but Hirati says to him, "Quickly! Kiss her and breathe into her mouth Prat! NOW!" Pratavh quickly follows instructions taking a deep breathe, he puts his lips on Bahni's and and breathes into her mouth. Hirati exhorts him once more, "Keep doing it til she can breathe Prat!" Pratavh repeats the process until he's told to stop or she begins breathing on her own.
That seems to help, her eyes flutter open for a moment and she takes several shallow reedy breaths before loosing consciousness. This close of course you can't help but notice the sickly sweet fragrance of decay and her skeletal appearance. There isn't much time.
....
"You're forgetting the heart compressions."
Lilly sits down opposite Pratavh.
"I do two compressions, you give her breath 30 times.
We'll switch if you feel dizzy...if at all."
शांति
स्थिरता
मौन
"It would seem the home of my grandfather is teeming with those who have no honor." he responds to the assassin's silence.
Mohktar searches in the direction their comrades had departed towards the waters. Although he'd seen nothing before he searches for any other immediate dangers along the rooftops.
That done, he presses on the hand that he has locked in place and uses his own to open the assassin's vest and procure whatever object he had been reaching for earlier.
"Shiko-san, this honorless dog bides his time, delaying until some other event occurs. Or someone else arrives. Be vigilant."