As the group filters up to where Irabeth waits, she nods to Jens and continues. "The Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth, worshippers of Baphomet and Deskari, have infiltrated the city." She shakes her head and her jaw clenches, "They have spies everywhere, and have apparently been among us for decades. Only recently has proof of their presence been manifesting. I personally managed to root out one oft heir more powerful members the leader of a group called the Hammers of Heaven. We all thought of Staunton Vhane as a model crusader, but as far as I was able to discern, he's been working for the demons for decades. There's even evidence he may have been the one to betray Drezen 75 years ago. They knighted me for that discovery, but I'm still not sure why, since he slipped through my fingers and is out there still, causing who knows how much more damage ... " She trails off for a bit before continuing, We've narrowed down the spots that they have safe houses to a number throughout the city, but I don't have the manpower to clear them all out. I can offer a reward for you of 1000 gp per safe house you clear out. There are three that I would need you to investigate the Tower of Estrod, Nyserian Manor and Topaz Solutions.
"Aye, we found evidence of Templar activity beneath the city," Jens agrees, frowning. "I can join the next patrol personally, but cannot speak for my companions."
Well, in return for this fine lady Heinrick indicates the horse that he has. I will also accompany the next patrol
Iolana considered the request, she wasn't sure if she even wanted to stay in this gods forsaken city any longer. Her hand drifted, almost unconsciously, to the locket about her throat and found her choice really wasn't one at all. She nodded and said, "I'll go as well, I have an incubus to hunt and kill and I believe that I can do that better with your help than alone my friends. I'll stay and help you at least until I've found the demon and ended him once and for all."
Irabeth nods at the group "Good, at times like these we need all the able bodies that we can muster, and you appear to be more able than most." She looks at Iolana with a mild look of concern, "Seeking Vengeance is well and good, but please do not make that all you are. It will hollow you out, and crush the wonderful spirit you show." She shakes her head as if clearing some memories of her own, and looks back with a tusky smile, "Come, I will take you to the merchants, and you can resupply before heading anywhere."
Taking you out, you see merchant stalls, though hastily constructed, lining the walls of the compound, selling most anything you could think of. A working blacksmith situated near the stables, also looks to be selling armor and weapons. People mill about, despite the grave situation they are in, many smiling, and helping each other where they can.
[ooc]You can resupply here, or buy most anything from the normal equipment lists.[/occ]
After everyone has finished with the merchants and Tatyana says her farewells, Irabeth calls everyone together. "It looks as if you are a person short after your friend's departure. If I can make a suggestion for a new companion, there is a Paladin of Iomedae here that could use some companions, Allen?."
[ooc]That'd be your cue, Allen ;) [ooc]
Heinrick picks over the materials for sale, and trades some stuff out.
Hearing Tatyana interdiction a fully armored Allen will step forward and removing his helm will nod to the party.
Hearing Tatyana interdiction a fully armored Allen will step forward and removing his helm will nod to the party.
Iolana was relieved for the chance to rest and resupply, it was great timing and much needed. After she had finished with this task she got the message that Irabeth wanted to see them and reported in curiosity. When Tats said her goodbye's Iolana was a bit surprised and saddened, she'd grown to like the woman and knew she'd miss her. The bard gave the tiefling woman an impulsive and fierce hug before saying goodbye and watched as someone she'd grown accustomed to left her once again. At least this time the person in question left alive instead of dead. Her attentions were quickly caught by the sight of Allen, Lose a tiefling, gain a tiefling it seems, she thought to herself. She eyed the newcomer with interest and noted his physique and looks, he wasn't bad looking, especially for a tiefling. It seemed like those that were found around here had demon blood in them and it made them...attractive? Compelling? She wasn't sure which. She gave the man a smile and a graceful curtsy before she said, "Iolana Torlinni, a pleasure to meet you sir."
At the meeting, after introductions, Irabeth looks over a map of the city and points out three locations, "The other Eagles are out and about the city, but these three places are suspected of housing Templar safe houses, and I just don't have the manpower to cover all of them. We're rousting out others, and trying to coordinate to get them all in a small period of time. Can I ask you to clear these three out? There is Nyserian Manor, the Tower of Estrod and Topaz Solutions, all fairly close together, and we don't expect much resistance there, since it's in an area where the devastation is thorough."
"Fair travels, friend," Jens murmurs, placing a heavy hand on Tatyana's shoulder. "May the road under your feet be safe, and the gods smile on you." He doesn't hug her, but he offers a firm handshake and a genuine smile.
Eyeing the newcomer with suspicion, he looks him over, taking in the holy symbols and visibly easing some of the tension in his massive shoulders. "Jens Varmodsson," he nods, extending a gauntleted hand. "This is Alfsigr. We should get moving right away - I'd suggest closing on Topaz Solutions first."
Seems the logical choice.
Heinrick looks over at Tats. Fair thee well, and may you always find solace at the hands of the inheritor.
He then looks at the newcomer Heinrick here. he offers a hand, and then goes back to packing for the trip.
Allen will shake everyone's hand in turn. He will then node his head in agreement to the plan.
Heading back into the city, the group is again hit with the devastation that the demons visited upon the once pristine streets. In contrast to the almost normality of Defender's Heart, the broken buildings and rubble strewn streets are a stark reminder of what you're fighting against. The smell of burnt timbers, and brimstone lend an almost palpable pall to the air, and perhaps more striking is the eerie silence, reminding everyone of the lack of life that once teemed these avenues.
Wending your way to the indicated area on the map, you come upon Topaz Solutions, or what remains of it. The roof is partially torn away, exposing the upper floors. The wooden sign depicting a bundle of orange herbs and flowers hovering over a beaker filled with smoking orange liquid hangs askew from the remaining chain, twisting slowly like a hanged man. The building's windows are tightly shuttered, but the front door hangs halfway off its hinges.
Quietly, Heinrick brings the attention of the others to the sounds from the building.
Allen focus on the building. detect evil
The pervasive sense of evil that now holds over Kenabres like a blanket makes Allen have to concentrate even harder on what is normally an ability that comes as easily as breathing, but he is fairly certain that whom, or whatever it is making the noises is not evil.
Allen will start to walk that way. But he will not draw his weapon.
As they traveled to the first location they were to search the lovely bard Iolana found the city very depressing. It was quiet, ruined, and very much like traveling through the corpse of something dead. When they found the building she was earily reminded of just how bad things had become as the sign seemed to dangle like a man from a noose. It was then that she heard it, faintly but there, a sound of glass being broken and laughter. She reached out to Allen and placed a hand on his shoulder, holding one finger to her lips in a shushing gesture. She stretched up and pressed her body against his side so she could speak quietly into his ear. Her breath was warm as she breathed out, "Someone is in there breaking things."
Allen stops at the touch and is momentarily distracted by the closeness Iolana. Then continue to the building.
Shaking his head like a disapproving father at the sight of Allen and Iolana, Jens approaches the front door, keeping his sword-arm free and his shield high. Making no attempt to move silently in his mail, he looks through the half-open door cautiously.
Allen will take up position on the other side of the door. Then look in.
Allen and Jens peer into the building and see three men who have set up in the shop, obviously squatters, they have some goods strewn about them and are drinking. Shattered bottles near a fireplace evidence that they have been doing this for some time. As Jens opens the door, the three of them rush to their feet, hands to the short blades at their hips. One man in the middle of the group holds out a warning hand, "We don't want no trouble. We's just tryin' to stay alive an' gather enough stuff ta pay fer travel out of this godforsaken place."
Heinrick moves up to support the others, and waits to see what happens.
All of the men stay tense and ready, but the leader stands tall, "We was just usin' this place ta stay away from them demons, mind. If this be yer place, just let us takes the stuff we gathered and we'll be scupperin' out here right quick. We don't wants no trouble mind."
Allen will node and turn to leave.
Iolana stood ready in case trouble ensued, she didn't like letting looters go free but she wasn't willing to start a fight over it either. If they would leave on their own she was willing to let them.
You hear quite a bit of movement inside presumably things being shoved into sacks. After a minute or two of this, several figures start to emerge from the shadowy interior of the shop. 5 people armed with daggers and makeshift weapons, carrying sacks filled to bursting with goods exit, eyeing you warily but slide by you without making any kind of threatening movements. The last figure exits a few moments after the others, looking at you all with a curious, perhaps hopeful look.
Ashnah observes the new arrivals with a curious look. Unlike many people in the city, they looked as if they had a purpose - or more accurately, perhaps had a cool head. She noticed that two of the figures openly carried holy symbols, although the distance prevented her to spot more details.
Truthfully, Ashnah had almost had enough of Topaz Solutions. The looters had at least started off with a plan, had some direction, but her goals and theirs differed, electing not to follow after her old allies, Ashnah instead decides to head directly towards the trio, trying to get a handle on all three. Conscious of the rather awkward situation, Ashnah clears her throat for a moment, before offering a slim hand slightly. "My name would be Ashnha, Ashnah Lialda, dressmaker of Kenabres. Who would you interesting folk be?", she enquires casually.
Allen turns back to look at her then looks to Lolana and Heinrick.
We are a group, that is trying to make a difference in dealing with those demons. The road looks rough, and not easy, but then the best paths rarely are.
Iolana accepted the woman's offered hand and said, "Heinrich is right, we're trying to do something about all of this," she gestured around at the broken city, "We've been getting people to relative safety and are now tracking down groups that need to be...dealt with." She had released the hand by now and said, "I'm Iolana, a performer by trade." She eyed the woman thoughtfully and continued, "I take it, by your coming to us instead of following the other looters, that you may want a change of vocation? If that's the case what can you bring to our cause, Miss Ashna, besides repairing our clothing after a fight?"
Ashnah notes the responses, that a few avoided introductions of their own, and a general deferral to the female of the group - Iolana, who appeared to be the spokesperson. Ashnah therefore takes care to direct the majority of her responses back at the performer.
"I'm not a looter Iolana, I was merely hanging out with a group of people that survived the attack. The moment it became clear their motives were self interest - I left and here I am. Having said that...to answer your question, I design / rather than repair clothing, but my real talents come from the magic I have access towards, spells that I can bring to bear against anyone that...irritates me. Does that sound useful enough Iolana?"
Smiling, Iolana stepped forward and leaned in close to speak quietly in Ashnah's ear, "Yes, I think that would be useful." She stepped back and asked the others, "Does anyone else have any questions for her?"
Allen will look at her then at Iolana and shake his head no.
"Well good because I have a question for the rude one over there" Ashnah exclaims rather hotly, jerking a thumb in the direction of the tiefling."He won't shake my hand, won't introduce himself, he hasn't even said two words to me, and he keeps looking at everyone else except me - like he's afraid of catching some disease. What the hell is his problem?"
Iolana laughed gently, "I don't think Hell is the problem around here." She reached out to lay a hand on Ashnah's arm as she continued, "I don't think it's personal, he hasn't said much to any of us so far." She stopped for a second to consider and continued, Actually, I don't think he's said anything to us so far. If I had to guess he's one of those quiet ones who aren't good at meeting new people. I'm sure he'll warm up to us eventually." She gave Allen a quirky smile, "Maybe we'll even get him to smile someday."
Allen will look slightly embarrassed as he awkwardly hold a hand out to shake. Then will look her in the eye for what may be a bit to long. As if that may fix his apparent and unintentional social slight.
Ashnah grudging takes the offered hand and shakes it."Whatever it is, I hope that it gets sorted soon, the last thing I want is being in a life and death struggling because he doesn't want to communicate - or equally in a situation where only he notices something of importance...and I'll need to know his name unless he wants me to make something up" she grumbles, although slightly mollified.
The leader of the small group that is leaving watches this exchange and gets a slightly perturbed look on his face, "Oi! Ye stayin' wif this bunch then? Ahhh, good riddance, means more goodies for th' rest of us then."
Heinrick looks at the group of them.
I would stop that thought now, else you suffer the consequenses. But leave now, and hope we never see you again.
Looking over at Ashnah Please don't take this the wrong way, but it might be that he is still reserving judgement as you were found with looters.
Ashnah shrugs slightly. "I'm withholding judgement on him as well - but I can still be nice about it. Still, speaking speaking of judgement..."
Ashnah looks up at the leader, a dark look on her face. "I fell into your little group only recently, and even then only because your team knew how to survive, and I valued that during a difficult time. I can understand taking what you need to survive - but taking more than that disadvantages others, or Kenabres. Leave what isn't essential behind please and don't take more than your share."
My name is Allen and I value actions more then words. With that he will turn again to leave.
The man shrugs, and shoulders his bag, I am takin' what I need to survive. Lost everything in this, so I'm jus' takin' my fair share t'get back on mah feet." He then starts trudging off away from the shop.