The two guardsmen in the group point to the Northwest. "Defender's Heart is in that direction, but I doubt there's a straight path to it anymore."
Drakra looks at the destruction. Not being one usually thrust into the lead, or even one who people look to for advice, he decides that enough indecision is enough.
Well, I think we should follow the wall that way. - pointing in the same general direction as the guardsmen - If we follow the wall, it might make a bridge over the destruction if another rift has opened.
We head NW, I say inside the wall, but inside or outside is equally likely to run into trouble.
The growing group starts its way to the Northeast, following a line of destruction along the wall. After a few hours of moving, a breach in the wall, the result of the line of whatever demons caused this path becomes apparent. While moving, some of the people in the group start to look up in a state of near panic, "Its some of those bug things!" One of the people, a small woman states in a loud harsh whisper, looking at the group of adventurers "If they spot you, they swoop down and eat you!" Others in the group start to look first at her, and then up into the sky.
At first, nobody sees anything, but after a few moment, the silohuettes of a large group of flying figures can be made out in the gloom presented by the clouds, and the smoke, and unnatural pall that hangs over the city. At present they don't seem to have seen anyone, but they do appear to be growing closer.
Those that cannot fight should hang back and hide Those who can should move ahead and attract the attention of the demons
Vardan asks, "Anyone know what those are, and how hard they would be to shoot out of the sky?"
"Shall we make a run for it?? WE should probably stick together."
Drakra squints up at the flying creatures trying to determine what they are.
Knowledge(planes):
Nodding and recalling having read something in a book he was lent . . . or that someone unknowingly allowed him borrow . . . or something like that, the small gnome carefully considers the options.
Well, those are most definitely . . . <-- insert relevant info from knowledge check
Drakra looks to the others:
Pretty sure they are demon stirges. Horrid creatures that put their prey to sleep and then drain them of blood. If my memory is correct, they will even attack other demons, some claim they actually prefer demon blood. One interesting thing is that they have great eyesight, and other senses that are all but useless. I think if we can find a place to hide, they will eventually find other prey, hopefully demonic, and then move on.
With that, Drakra begins to look for places in which the entourage can hide, something that should not be difficult with all the collapsed buildings.
Vardan nods, "Given the amount of work we spent saving these people, I think it's best to use cover and keep away from those things, rather than risk undoing our efforts."
Then we will hide. Godwin motions to everyone to hide and does the same.
Stealth: <-- at least Drakra is good at something
Not sure how Stealth is handled in the saddle -- rolled Stealth, but I keep thinking it would be ride / stealth of mount.
The group manages to find shelter under some of the fallen houses, and you watch as the creature comes closer. The sound of the buzz from its wings cutting down to something visceral within you. It makes you want to curl up and shut out the noise. You hear several of the group with you whimpering lightly. The demon circles your area, hovering closeby, the noise from his wings grating against your senses, and it seems like it's going to land, when you hear the sounds of another Abrikandilu smashing out from a nearby building. The demon stirge immediately flies over that direction and you see the horse sized bulk of the thing flying away with the other demon in its claws.
That was good fortune. May Iomedae send us some more. Let us move on with as much haste as is safe.
Even after the buzzing fades away, Drakra continues to cower watch for any other threats from beneath the ruin he is hiding standing under.
Yes, my . . . the plan worked perfectly and everyone is safe, we could not have asked for more. He says with great flourish.
We should continue and get everyone to safety.
Vardan smiles and says wryly, "Of course. Well done, Drakra."
The group huddles around the party even more nervous than before, and waits for the heroes to plot a course for them. "How are we going to get there with things like that and the way blocked by the chasms left behind? Which direction do we go?
Same way as before. We keep following the wall, it will also give us a place to hide if necessary.
Keep heading NE.
Unless someone else has any other ideas we will do as Drakra suggests. He has kept us safe before.
Fomiel follows Drakra. He has good ideas.
Vardan nods, "I like the idea of staying in the shadow of the wall, as much as possible, anyway."
As Drakra begins to lead the group again, he does the best to hide his concern and general wish that he were anywhere but here.
Why didn't I go south. I hear Taldor has wonderful beaches this time of year.
The group follows the shadow of the wall travelling until a deep chasm blocks their way. Traversing along the edge, the group follows it back down in a southerly direction until they find a destroyed section of wall that would lead East, rather close to the Gwerm Estate. However, one of the safehouses mentioned in the letter found in the underground, Nyserian Manor is very close by to the south.
The Manor.. one of the places where the conspiracy against us was hatched according to that traitorous letter. But with our strength low and the refugees we are protecting... We should make for Lord Horgath's estate. Lord Horgath, is it acceptable that these refugees shelter in your walls if they are found to be standing and secure? It is an imposition but our gratitude would be immense, as would be of all of Kenabres when the city has recovered and your charity is well known
Fomiel nods.
"Sound reasoning."
Vardan nods, "Agreed."
Drakra nods in agreement.
Any place that gets us away from these demons is good.
Drakra says a prayer to all the gnomish deities thanking them for allowing him to avoid soiling his pants this day.
Horgus' face immediately flashes to outrage, but only momentarily. "You were mostly competent in getting out of the underground quickly, once you recognized my importance. You kept us mostly safe from harm. I suppose I can let these people stay...temporarily." He almost smiles at what you feel sure was a compliment from him, and leads everyone to the manse.
As you enter, you notice that the place is mostly untouched, outside, but inside is a different matter. Empty spots on the wall denote where artwork is missing, and circles on shelving and furniture shows where other antiquities or artwork that have been in place for years have gone missing. It is also apparent that there is nobody left inside, they all appear to have abandoned the place, which would also explain why demons have left it alone. There is simply no fun in attacking an empty building.
Demons do not tend to loot precious art works Godwin says with a confused expression. Still his main emotion is relief to have found some safe harbour Tomorrow we will see about finding more permanent shelter, perhaps at the Defender's heart. There is also Avenia's home to find and these... locations of conspiracy that we must investigate. But for now... rest finally through the grace of Iomedae and the generosity of Lord Gwerm.
Vardan winces, "The loss of art is always terrible. I only hope that the pieces can be recovered and have not been destroyed..."
He then nods at Godwin's statement, "That sounds like a wise plan... though I'd recommend we set watches. This mansion seems to have been mostly spared, probably because it was uninhabited... but it isn't that any longer."
"Well, the structure is intact. That is good to know."
Horgus seems almost apoplectic, "They left! The abandoned the house...no worse, they LOOTED my house, where they worked! I'll have them all arrested and brought up on charges, I'll see they never work again....I'll..." His bluster seems to wane quickly as he searches the rest of the manse, and stops at a door that he opens with a special key. The door opens heavily, and Horgus lets out a small sigh, "At least the vault is still intact." He sifts through various bags, and comes back with several large sacks, "As promised, here is your reward. Thank you for getting us out of that place alive. He stops a moment as if realizing what he said and then attempts to cover, "You did a most adequate job of getting us out of there...above average, even. You earned it."
He then looks back at the dirty, disheveled people that have followed them, and starts to bluster again, but relents, "They can stay, but you will send back for them as soon as you've secured a place?"
Godwin nods. Tomorrow Lord Gwerm, we will make for Defender's Heart and hopefully return with good news.
Drakra looks at the bag of coins rather surprised that the man would have kept his part of the bargain, and even more surprised by the sheer amount of coins, far more than he has ever seen before.
Um . . . yes, we shall make for the Defender's Heart and then send for help to rescue all you good people.
The gnome is unsure whether his semi-false assurance is taken at face value, but he is hopeful under the circumstances that the people will believe him and remain safely, relatively speaking, within Horgus' home.
Vardan nods, "We will, indeed." I certainly don't want to leave these poor folk beholden to your charity or generosity any longer than we have to...
[ooc]2000 gold[ooc]
"Very well." He sighs resigned, and turns to the people "Welcome to Gwerm manor, you are welcome to stay only as long as it takes for them to find you space at defender's heart. There is an almost palpable sense of relief from the various refugees that have followed you all, and they start to move into the house. Horgus watches some of them, "Not on the!.... He sighs and shakes his head with a pained look, and waves a hand in defeat as the people start to "make camp" in one of the living rooms. He looks at the part with a pinched look, and almost whimpers, "Please hurry..."
Iomedae willing we will find the Defender's Heart standing and well defended tomorrow. What say everyone else? This Nyserian manor is close by so perhaps we should make a quick trip there first before attempting to find Anevia's home and then Defender's Heart?
Drakra nods in agreement with Godwin, not that he really agrees, but more that he would rather someone else make the decisions so that he does not get in trouble for making a poor choice, something he is very familiar with in his pre-hero life.
Leaving the refugees in the hands of a rather nervous looking Horgus, the party and Anevia start out for Nyserian Manor, the home of Kandro Nyserian. As you approach, it would appear that if this was a safe house for the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth, someone forgot to tell the huge demons that destroyed most of the city. The once sturdy manor is now simply a pile of rubble and a gouged trough of ruin.
Godwin looks over the destroyed building. Was this building targeted as well by the filthy forces of chaos?
Vardan eyes it for a moment, "It's hard to tell. Given the damage the rifts and ravines must have caused, I'm thinking some buildings may just have collapsed under the strain.... Then again, maybe they planned where to rend the earth in their attack."
Drakra looks timidly from behind his taller companions.
More destruction than most. Probably targeted as though they knew where the safe house was. We should search it for survivors and anything of value. No reason to leave anything here for demons when they come back.
Having said this, Drakra wonders whether the person saying was him, or someone else using his voice.
Vardan nods at the gnome's suggestion, "I think Drakra has the right of it. Especially since we don't have a train of refugees to worry about. "
You start to sift through the rubble, but the devastation of the manor is both catastrophic and thorough. From the layout it's clear that the place once had rooms hidden in the basement, and from what little you can pull from the wreckage indicates that Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth would house here. Presumably to escape any heat from within the city.
Bah if the demon worshipers did infest this place why was their stronghold burn down? Godwin shakes his head angrily at the documents in their possession. Let us move on to Anevia's home and then hopefully find Defender's Heart