Watching the Stryx come down, Sendi braved herself. And...
Watching the Stryx come down, Sendi braced herself. This was it. She could see the hand covered in electricity. One touch from that and it could all be over. So focused was she that she didn’t notice the tiefling rushing at her flank.
What could have been a disaster was averted by Titus’ power. She felt a tug, a pull, something which made her glance over just in time to see the short sword being thrust at her head.
She ducked just in time. And that is when the Strix landed. The winged woman reached out for her just as Sendi ducked. She twisted aside, shifting her footing so that the electricity-encased hand went just past her. She could feel her hair stand on end as it came close to ending her.
Already crouched, she sprang up, claws first. Her right hand raked up, cutting a bloody swath across the Srix’s face. A spray of blood followed. The winged woman stumbled back, and Sendi followed with her right hand. Moving forward, she plunged her hand directly into the woman’s stomach. She felt her hands dig in. The warm blood seeping down. The two locked eyes. Sendi pulled her hand free, and acting on pure adrenaline, spun around to face the tiefling. The Strix fell to the floor.
Pakuzzo watched with a scowl as the latest crossbow bolt skidded across the to a stop nearby. He wanted to return fire, but one good hit from the tieflings would be all that was neeed to take him down.
Instead, he took his free hand and shut his eyes tight, braced himself, and firmly wrenched the bolt that had hit out of his side. The pain was horrid, but after throwing the bolt aside he then covered the wound with his hand and muttered a string of syllables.
The wound stopped oozing as much and even began to close, but it still stung terribly. It would have to do for now.
But from adversity comes opportunity. Seeing the strix leader drop under Sendi's claws, that freed up Vinz for a new command. He pointed in the direction the crossbow had been fired from, and changed Vinz's animal aspect at the same time.
"Vinz, ATTACK!"
Immediately afterwards, the tengu winced as he went into a tumble across the roof to get into a better position to return fire.
Hearing Pakuzzo's command, Vinz's vision goes black and white as the tieflings come into view.
With a caw, he takes flight and zooms toward the offending tiefling, attempting to stab at something tender.
Titus offers a grim look of determination as he sees the Strix fall. Though not one to take a life lightly, he understands the dire situation here, and only the resolve of those willing to fight and kill for what is right can offer these people the freedom they deserve.
Now completely sure who is on his side, Titus takes a slight step to the west, hoping to flank the enemy with the woman who took down the Strix.
With her quick reactions, Sendi manages to fell the beast in good form. Laying in front of her, the strix's blood pulses out with each heartbeat. The pulses begin to fade.
Pakuzzo works on repairing his wounds as he sends Vinz after the foe that's gotten the better of him. The raven dutifully sails into the dark, a soft grunt emanates from within.
Titus sidesteps cautiously and swings at the tiefling there, missing by a hair.
Spotting their leader fall, the voice from the black calls out "Screw this dude. I'm out!" and the blackened region begins to move, rapidly away from you.
The remaining tiefling frowns. "Yeah? Well....Wait for me!" and the man takes off in persuit.
Enemies (Black -29, unconscious)(Blue: -18, unconcious) (Pink, -1 Nonlethal)
Sendi Divine Favor
Pakuzzo (-6) Gravity Bow
Crady (-6)
Titus (-9)
Titus grunts as he tries to adjust his swing...too late. He draws his morningstar back in close for another swipe, but notes the men taking flight. Never one to hit a man in the back, he lets them run away, though he glances at his new, impromptu allies, to gauge their response.
Seeing them run, Sendi stayed her hand. Instead she yelled after them ”Run! And tell everyone it was the Silver Ravens who did this!” Truth be told she was relieved that they had taken flight. With their ability to darken the night as they did, and with their crossbows, there was the very real chance that she or her companions could have gotten seriously hurt. Better to let it end now, and to take their victories where they could.
But...more importantly, she was now a Raven! She was sure they would accept her now. And speaking of which...she turned to Titus and said ”I don’t know who you are, but thank you for your aid.”
Titus relaxed, his shield dropping slightly and his morningstar hanging low. He was suddenly a bit tired, though he hadn't done much. The thrill of the fight leaving his body, he surmised. He nods at the woman. Not be taken lightly...no, Titus, not at all His gaze flicks to the fallen Strix, then back.
Titus Enfield, ma'am...I'm...well, a devotee of Milani most importantly, and most relative to our situation. That...woman? She seemed to take an instant dislike to me, and my beliefs, it seems.
"Thanks for your help, Titus. Names Crady. Metronicus Crady. King of Kintargo's City Guides. Perhaps it was your patron that brought you to our plight."
Pakuzzo was sorely tempted to run the remaining tieflings down (especially the one who shot him), but he could see that the others didn't give chase. Anyway, Sendi had made sure they'd spread the word that the Silver Ravens had eliminated the Red Jills, so he supposed for the sake of the revolution it was better to let them slip away. Marillo had been avenged.
The tengu joined the others in greeting the newcomer, allowing Vinz to his own devices for now.
"Could be," he said, agreeing with Crady. "He's not a legion of azata, but I'll take whatever help the Everbloom can spare."
He extended a clawed hand to Titus.
"I'm Pakuzzo. And we appreciate the assist, to say the least. Still, how in the Nine Hells did you manage to wind up on this roof in the middle of a gang fight at midnight? Most folks have the common sense to keep away from a mess like this."
Titus nods and shakes Crady's hand, then takes Pakuzzo's. He grins and shrugs. Perhaps it is as Crady says, Pakuzzo - Milani put me here for a reason. That, or I've simply a knack for finding trouble. Either way, I'm happy to meet you, even under such dire circumstances.
He pauses before continuing, as if juggling his words about in his head in order to least offend. So...not to question you since I saw the darkness...both literal and figurative in this bunch, but what's your place in this fight?
"We're the guys still standing," he quips. "More accurately, we're--"
He suddenly pauses, glancing at the others to see if they agree with letting this information slip. The guy claimed to be a Milanite, but you could never be too careful.
"We're the Silver Ravens. Revolutionaries. They are--heh, were--the Red Jills, a gang of thugs who killed one of our members and his family. We were paying them back for it."
She has a potion, 5 darts, a finely crafted spiked gauntlet, an amulet with what appears to be a piece of an oread contained within, and 45g
On the downed man, you find a shortsword, studded leather armor, light crossbow (with 15 bolts), and a potion.
Searching the rooftop, you locate what appears to be the strix leader's nest. Buried within, you discover a small fortune in stolen goods and coins: 12 Platinum, 279 Gold, 1302 Silver, 530 copper and a variety of miscellaneous jewelry (worth 750g)
Potion of CLW
Potion of Invisibility
Amulet of Natural Armor +1
A silence falls over the town as you begin your search. This newcomer has proven himself already in a fight. Is it safe to trust him? Is it a setup? Time will tell.
A final 'Bloop' emits from the strix as her heart pulses a final time, leaking fluids no more. A puddle under the tiefling nearby continues to grow, but seems to be slowing.
From the distance, you hear sporadic grunts from Thrune's underlings causing havoc randomly throughout Kintargo. Far off footsteps give evidence to the ever increasing patrols under the cities new rulers. The wind blows softly, as if the city is letting a long, dreadful sigh.
Due to the lateness of the evening, you are in the midst of a restless sleep. Images of Barzillais minions catching Sundry and Casper dominate your mind. You watch, helpless as they are marched up to the throne at the Opera house before the villains sneering face.
Laughing, the man stands. Retrieving a wicked blade from the wall, he approaches the captives. Blade pointed to the trembling children, he turns to Casper and asks "Who do you serve?"
Terror filling the poor innocents eyes, quickly squeezed shut. Perhaps if one can't see the weapon...it doesn't exist right?
"I said WHO DO YOU SERVE?!" bellows the man, drawing the massive blade back, he pauses. Still Casper is unable to find the voice desperately needed...the blade starts traveling forward...the poor child's eyes still shut....
Your eyes suddenly snap open. The horrific scene gone, you see but the dark ceiling of your room. Sweat pouring off you in buckets.
Someone...something outside. Calling for help?
A voice replies, "Yeah? Well, you should have thought of that before you went out, huh?"
A pair of men clad in red flank a young tiefling man. From his appearance, you assume he's from the Devil's Nursery district. Though he's unarmed, the men point maces towards him.
It's not hard to piece together these aren't regular guards, but the traitors chelish thugs employed by House Thrune.
Titus nods at Pakuzzo, slowly though as he mulls over that new information. If they're revolutionaries, then perhaps that is why I am here. Oh, Everbloom, how you have a way of weaving destinies.
Well then, Pakuzzo...I agree with your cause...in fact I applaud it. This city has a dire need for what you do; how can I help?
He searches about, then begins sifting through the Strix's nest on a hunch. He exclaims and steps back, pointing. Well now, that may help to fund our cause, look... He notably includes himself in the noble cause, perhaps not even noticing doing so, as he gestures at the trove.
Ok, where am I? The hiding closet in my shop, a plan for a full night's relaxing sleep painfully interrupted. What am I doing here? Those goons have already broken and looted this place once, they have plenty of juicier targets all over the city, so I shouldn't have to worry about them coming back. Where are Sundry and Casper?---
The images of the nightmare return to her. The blade arcing towards her childhood friends... A slightly hysterical giggle escapes her mouth before she can compose herself.
Sundry and Casper as kids! Is it bizarre that I can still think of them that way after forty years? A stupid nightmare, that's all that was. The two of them are fine, their kids are fine. The grandkids too. Even if they're hiding like I am, there's no reason for Barzillai's thugs to seek them out. Definitely not. They wouldn't do something reckless.
Her mental reassurances do little to quell the unease in the pit of her stomach. But to be fair, that kernel of unease had been a fixture ever since she'd come back to find the shop destroyed.
Unable to fully calm herself, Phila squirms in the bedding of the hiding closet. The tiny space had been built into one of the back rooms of the shop to hide people who needed to be hidden. People who wanted to lie low or wanted out of the city as Thrune's attention fell upon it. It was sized for children, or halflings. Phila still fit just fine inside.
Always both a blessing and a curse.
She unlatches the closet door from the inside and slips out, hoping to calm herself with some tea before trying to sleep again. But before she gets than half a dozen paces away, the panicked cry from outside draws her to a stop. Moving quietly, she makes her way to the front window of the shop and peers out into the street.
Philacris peeks out the side of the large bay window of her shop. With one eye she watches the injustice for a few moments before stepping back from the window.
Just two nobodies. No problem.
She takes a deep breath and, in an instant, changes. Her height grows half a foot, her ears become stubby, her hair blackens, her clothing becomes covered in the typical black and red leathers of a Hellknight of the Rack. She even matches their spiked-wheel insignia and their equipment. In a matter of seconds, the adolescent elf has been replaced by a scowling, scarred female human hellknight.
She strides to the front of her shop and throws the door open. With a scowl for the three troublemakers in front of the building, she hisses "Thrune's Hells, not only can you lot NOT keep even the slightest bit of Order on your own, but you have to make a damned racket doing so." Her scowl intensifies as she glares at the tiefling "Another piece of s!*# breaking curfew? Give him to me. I'll make sure he gets his punishment. You two can go find trouble elsewhere." She breaks into a cruel grin.
Sendi smiled when she saw the treasure trove. She had no idea that fighting for what was right could be so profitable. "We should get this all back to our base. Figure out what it all does, and find the most efficient use for everything. Irori has always taught us that the path to perfection needs not be walked alone, and that everything has it's proper place."
"I don't know about you", speaks a weary Crady, "But I could use a drink. I know a bar open at this hour called Clenchjaw."
Looking around the dead bodies on the roof, the urban druid continues, "Aaand they're buying".
"Amen to that," Pakuzzo replied to Crady and Sendi.
He stowed his shortbow and turned to Titus.
"Why don't you tag along with us for now and share a round. We can discuss employment opportunities at the tavern, and I find that sales pitches tend fare better when all parties involved are good and soused."
While the others were talking, Vinz had been busying himself with the carrion remains of the Red Jills. The less said about that the better. When it looks like they're about to leave the roof he'll gulp down his last treat and take flight after them.
Pakuzzo:
Sendi:
Metronicus Crady:
Titus Enfeld:
"But...we were told..." stammers one of the chelish thugs.
Glaring at his companion and looking you over with an inquisitive eye, the other replies "Uh, certainly ma'am. If I may...what were you doing in that building? And alone?"
Both men lower their maces, and take a short step back away from you, before the first adds "We...uh...don't mean any disrespect."
With a quivering lip, the tiefling manages to eek out "If it's all the...the...can....please just let them beat me!" before bursting in to tears and collapsing to the ground. The youngster continues to whimper "Don't let the Rack take me" repeatedly.
Cautiously making your way down from the roof, you differ to Crady's navigational talents again. The sage kneels before the building and closes his eyes, touching Kintargo. After a moment, he nods for you to follow and you begin picking your way through the streets and back alleys. He stops short a couple times to reroute, moments later you hear heavy boot prints passing where you would have been.
As you begin to ponder if your luck will continue to hold when you try to cross the bridge, after curfew again...a shape bursts out of a side entrance to the alley...then another...and another! You're eyes begin to focus and you realize you've stumbled upon a group filthy, dog sized rats. Four pairs of glittering eyes stare up at you, long scabby tails trailing behind. They're momentary hesitation betrays their surprise in seeing you.
Pakuzzo
Titus
Sendi
4 Rats
Crady
These are Dire Rats
Can disease you with a bite.
”Dire rats! Right, Crady? I think that their bites could give us a disease...I’d rather not get close to them. Can you make them back down?”
Titus eyes the creatures before him warily, knowing that a rodent's bite can do a lot more than just draw a bit of blood. Besides...they were filthy creatures. He turns to face the creatures, his shield up and his morningstar ready to crush one of the creatures should it lunge at his less-protected legs.
”Dire rats! Right, Crady? I think that their bites could give us a disease...I’d rather not get close to them. Can you make them back down?”
"Only one I'm afraid", sighed Crady, "And that's if I really sweet talk it."
"They will see us, and they will attack. It is their way."The urban druid pulls out his club to fight for his life and the lives of his friends.
"In that case let's scatter them. They are animals, so hopefully they will flee when they realize we aren't easy prey."
Holding back, Pakuzzo and Titus prepare for the inevitable; neither particularly looking for another fight tonight.
Stepping forward, Sendi rears back and punches the lead rat on the snout...flattening the beasts face. It drops to the ground with a single twitch.
The three remaining rats surge forward, one catching a vicious whack from Titus. Thrown off guard by the beating, it bites wildly at the air.
The other two rats snap for Sendi. The woman, quick on her feet, easily twists away from the rancid jaws.
Crady
Pakuzzo
Titus
Sendi
4 Rats
Titus, seeing what may perhaps be a way to help Sendi's predicament - though the powerful woman didn't seem to see it as such - takes a step forward to the rats side, and slams his weapon down at it again in an attempt to put the beast down.
Sendi lashed out once more, using Titus’ assistance to it’s full effect. These were disgusting creatures, and she wondered if Irori ever had to kill giant rats. Then again...it seemed like every tale began with brave adventurers battling large vermin.
Metronicus steps forward to provide the half-elf some support, but stumbles, ruining his swing.
Pakuzzo swears angrily. He had been looking forward to getting to rest at the bar without incident.
Unslinging his bow, he takes takes a step to the left and fires an arrow at the rat nearest to the edge of the bridge, hoping to skewer the vermin.
"Vinz! Attack!" he commands, pointing at the same rodent.
Vinz flies up and over the bridge, spiraling down to land in front of the leftmost rat without inviting an attack from the one next to it that is facing Sendi.
Once the giant raven lands in front of the dire rat, he caws and attempts to spear it with his beak.
She brings a sardonic glare to bear against the two militia members and casually rests a hand on the hilt of her illusory longsword. She raises an eyebrow in response to the braver of the two men questioning her "The lack of discipline out here in the country never ceases to surprise, and disgust. Do I hear two-" she looks dismissively at their outfits "-militiamen looking to be turned in for remedial training in the chain of command? Or did I just imagine that?"
She gives them only another second of her attention before snapping a "Silence you!" to the prisoner. "You'll receive your just punishment. Nothing more, nothing less. Unless you have anything to do with one of the 'misguided' religions of this backwater?"
In a flurry of claws, arrows, and beaks the trio drop two more vermin, as Crady distracts the third long enough for Titus to land a telling blow. The vile creature scurries off into the dark alley and out of sight.
You manage to make it to the bridge without any further incidents. Spotting the same guards you saw before and a fourth subject wearing monks robes. The symbol of Asmodeus hangs from his neck.
"Oh, certainly not ma'am. He was just...um..."
"I was just..."
"Quiet! Sincerest apologies. We'll be about our duties and leave you be. Asmodeus' blessing upon you."
Without another word the duo scurry off into the night, rounding a corner, they quickly disappear from sight. Noting their direction of travel, it reasons to believe they are headed towards the Devil's Nursery district to cause trouble to the poor souls that dwell within.
The prisoners shakes in the street before you, sobbing quietly. A couple rats squeal somewhere in the night.
Titus nods appreciatively at the efficiency of the group, then does a quick survey. Seeing that Pakuzzo at least still has some wounds and feeling his own still singed skin, he utters his practiced words of faith, sending out healing energies in a radius around himself.
He sighs, then looks up to the sky...a habit he picked up from his father when talking to the gods. Again, please, Milani....your servants need their strength to do your work.
She hides the twitch of a smile by turning away from the tiefling to survey the street. Once the prisoner heads on in, she follows after and closes the door behind her.
A sigh escapes her. "Of course, they go right back to causing trouble. Hopefully everyone else tonight was smart enough to keep out of their way." With a single dismissive shake of the head she puts thoughts of the Thrune-hired thugs out of her mind. Instead she takes a seat on a damaged stool and grins mischievously at her "prisoner".
"Welcome to Phila's Philters! Can I get you anything? A tonic for energy? Alchemical components for your work? Love potions are 10% off right now." She raises an eyebrow at any confusion from the tiefling, grin widening "Obviously, I'm not a Hellknight. You're not in trouble. Or at least, you're not in trouble right now. You're free to hide out here for the night and then go back home in the morning."
Once the tiefling is settled down a bit she asks "Why did you end up wandering outside after curfew anyway?"
"The same guards. I'm not going to be able to fool them twice. And they have someone else with them...reinforcements by the looks of this. How are we going to get across this time?"
"Much obliged," he answers, thanking Titus for the healing.
Once at the bridge, Pakuzzo thinks for a moment.
"I don't suppose any of you are capable of any appearance-altering magics? I'm not, sad to say. If it were just me and Vinz we would climb up an alley wall and take to the roofs, probably bypass the whole squad entirely, but that wouldn't help you lot."
He looks at the guards again.
"We could try ambushing them and fight our way through, but that's going to cause a scene, and they might have reinforcements..."
He throws up his hands in frustration.
"Ah hells, why don't we just give up and try to find a place to sleep on this end of town for the night. In the morning there'll be plenty of foot traffic and a lot less guards on the prowl."
Crady yawns, "Yeeaah. We've had a full day, I suppose. I think I know of a place nearby."
Titus seems disenchanted with all of the options, save perhaps for the last. I, regrettably, am not the stealthiest man in all of this armor. Nor am I when I'm out of it, I suppose. I agree...a good night's rest and perhaps a bit less attention in the morning. I'm not sure what time this Clenchjaw opens, but I'd think we can discuss our plans when they do.
"Ye...Yes ma'am." squeaks the tiefling. Struggling to his feet, he scurries into the room, stumbling over himself as he goes. He manages to fall only twice, quickly raising his hands to block any blows to the head before he makes it inside.
Sitting as ordered, he raises an eyebrow to your sales pitch. "Uh..what?"
Cautiously, slowly, he wipes his eyes. "A hellknight...of the order of the Rack at that...why are you not beating me? As to my being out? I went to the tavern... After ninth candle, the owner is asleep and they'll serve anyone." Blushing, he hesitates. When you don't strike him, he continues "I know it's not exactly...appropriate to drink at my age...but..."
Trailing off, he stares at you a moment. "Why are you protecting me? What is it you want from me?"
Thinking hard about the options nearby with easy access, Crady considers two immediately. A nearby pier where some of the less fortunate tend to huddle for warmth, away from the prying eyes of the locals and an abandoned building. Though, it has been a while since he'd visited either and with the new Lord-Mayor...a lot has changed in the city.
"Nothing to worry about then. There's some cold tea in the kitchen you can help yourself to. And the cellar has a pallet set up for anyone who needs a place to stay. You can take it for the night." She gets up swiftly, still grinning "As for why I'm helping you... hmm. You looked like you could use help, and I had a chance to stick it to Thrune's dogs. That's enough for me."
"Now I'm going to get myself some sleep. You can feel free to head out on your own time in the morning. I won't be around. Oh and make sure you have your story straight in case you come across those thugs again. Tell them I gave you a terrible beating."
Philacris heads off to the storage room, closing the door behind her. She spends a while listening in to hear if the kid follows her instructions or not, during which her illusion expires. Either way, once he's settled down she heads back to the closet to get some shut-eye.