Ayesha spun into a swirl of silk and steel, the black blade in her hand spinning through the air with the lightness of a feather and the edged menace of the razor-sharp blade that it was.
Nilus takes the opportunity that Ayesha's arrival gives to attack the demon with a renewed vigor.
Die!
As Ayesha dances in, she spins beautifully on foot and comes up with a brutal slice with her scimitar. The demon's hand goes flying off across the room, landing near the shop keepers. Nilus' glaive finishes the job slamming deeply into the chest of the demon. It lets out a gurgle and lies still.
End of Combat
The shop keepers scramble to their feet.
"Oh gods thank you, thank you, thank you! It promised it would get to us once it was through with the clothes. It just wanted to destroy something beautiful!" cries the man.
The woman spies Horgus through the window.
"Is that Horgus Gwerm? Are these your friends?"
Horgus stomps into the shop, grinning from ear to ear. "Nira, Belthis you're both alive! Good. You owe me money. You can have an extension after this mess. Glad I came here in time!"
Anevia leans exhaustedly against the doorframe.
"Friends is an odd choice of words, but I'm sure they were happy to help. We... we don't know these two though, but certainly appreciate their timing."
Anevia gestures to Niles and Bellis.
Ayesha looked at the blade in her hand and at the severed demon hand on the floor. Did you do that? I never had this much control in combat before.
She looked back up a little embarrassed at the man's words. "I am just glad that we came by when we did. We were escorting Lord Gwerm and some others, and he insisted that we come to your aid."
Turning to Niles and Bellis, she nodded, "My name is Ayesha, and I am thankful for your assistance in helping these good folks. Well, maybe it was the other way around, seeing as you got here first." She smiled.
You did. Sometimes it takes a great shock to awaken your talents. We have great work to do. These two you've met. I like them already. The halfling's song was pretty.
Nilus nods at the beautiful warrioress My name is Nilus, this most glorious creature he gestures indicating the halfling Is Bellis. he bows low to Ayesha. Rising, Nilus continues We were trying to find a safe place and other survivors when we heard the screams. Since St. Clydwell's it has not been...easy.
Ayesha nodded and smiled at Bellis. "We ourselves were caught up in the battle, and sent underground in the upheaval. We spent the last few days trying to find a way above ground, and only just emerged."
[i]Move closer to the man, I can sense something from them. I think I know why I like them. They have the same energy as you and the others. Ahhhh! The silver dragon blessed these ones too. Perfect. This will suit.
Ayesha stepped closer to the two newcomers and asked, "Did the silver dragon bless you with...certain gifts? Perhaps a scale or some such item? I get a sense of...kinship with you."
Ehhh... Nilus says not sure about the question
When Terendelev fell, you bore witness to this and she reached out to you, casting a protection spell to save you from the exploding debris. After the smoke cleared, you found a single silver scale near you. You have since discovered this scale of Terendelev will allow you to cast resist elements against electricity or cold three times per day as a standard action.
Since then, you have heard of others who were blessed by Terendelev to help rally and save what's left of the city. You've been looking for others like you, and found out that Bellis possesses one of the scales herself.
..I have this Nilus says holding out a small silver scale.
Terendelev.....beautiful protector...died, when the demons attacked the Kite.
Bellis beams as she pulls out a silver scale. "You mean like this? Yes! And yourself?
"We we were all blessed with a gift from Terendelev." Looking around that the devastation "We have to find who or what is behind this terrible thing that has happened."
Jinxx makes and low deep growl as if in agreement
The two shopkeepers rush out of the store, the woman babbling as the man goes to speak quietly with Horgus.
"Oh thank the gods. Thank you thank you thank you. We've been hiding in here since the city fell and that... that thing sniffed us out. It just wanted to destroy beautiful thing!"
The man turns away from greeting Horgus.
"We don't have much to thank you with, but we can share what we've heard about the state of the city and... here, Nira - can you find them something for their help? Anyways, my name is Belthis. I see you know Horgus here. Shrewd businessman - I've never charged him a cent more than I could."
The woman - apparently named Nira - runs into the store.
Horgus harrumphs. "Good thing I got here in the nick of time! These folks are under my employ to escort me home after we were found trapped beneath the city. Would you believe there are mongrels down there?"
He looks keenly at Bellis and Nilus. "This city is obviously very dangerous and more people the better. I fear for my life in this place! I will pay you each 200 gold if you join the escort to my home. Those scales the dragon gave you may mean something. I couldn't touch the damn things!"
Anevia limps over, speaking up.
"And.. we have the locations of three safehouses for the cultists of Baphomet! Please, we need all help we can get to ferret them out! I fear they are responsible for the wardstone failing."
The blind elf, known as Aravashnial, accompanying the group is a known conspiracy theorist who has been in trouble repeatedly for accusing people of being cultists. He's rumoured to be a Riftwarden as well.
The woman who just limped up is not well-known, but you have seen her in public several times with Irabeth Tirablade, one of the most famous paladins in the city.
The grumpy-sounding man in fine clothes is Horgus Gwerm, a notorious cheapskate of a merchant Lord.
Nilus doesn't recognize the folks but he does whisper a prayer to Shelyn as he watches them a moment. His curiosity satisfied, he offers his hand in friendship to all present.
To Horgus
I would be glad to accompany you. And save your payment Sir, you might need it to help rebuild this fair city into something even more glorious than before.
To Anevia
My lady, you are injured, perhaps we should safely ensconce you somewhere before we go on the offensive yes? Do we have such a place? I have been looking since the Kite exploded.
Anevia smiles wearily. "You are too kind. I've been dragging my lame self after this group for several days and do well so far. We've agreed to visit my home after Horgus, simply because I don't want to have the argument."
Horgus scoffs at Anevia, but she ignores him.
Belthis, the shopkeeper speaks up.
"We've been hidden away and so don't have too much information. You're the first friendly faces we've seen, so I have no idea where the crusaders are holed up though. That said, I've heard that some of the crusaders have gone mad and they're causing as much mayhem as the demons though!"
As the others make introuctions, Sarkast moves around the building, looking for any further dangers or signs of demonic influence.
Sarkast screams and runs away for a few seconds, and then comes back with his dignity more or less intact.
He explores the shop for any further sign of danger. Fortunately, it seems like the abrikandilu acted alone, and targeted the shop for the express purpose of breaking everything within. Nothing of note is found.
Nira scuttles out of the shop, her arms laden with clothing.
"I have an eye for sizes. Please, take these as a token of my appreciation."
She begins handing everybody extremely fine, well-made outfits. They are largely made out of silk and linen, vibrantly coloured, and embroided with a skilled hand.
She smiles sadly at Bellis.
"We haven't had many of your stature come for clothing and so the best I have are outfits for human children. However, this is a lovely dress which should fit, and does not look childish at all. It should bring out your eyes."
Once the outfits are handed out, Nira looks over her shop with a sigh.
"Master Horgus said you were escorting him. Best we not stand in the streets and attract attention. Be safe, and thank you again!"
With that, Nira and Belthis return into the shop.
"Well that was lovely, but can we get moving? The sooner Horgus bears witness to his ruin the sooner I can get to Blackwing."
Despite being unable to see the carnage around him, Aravashnial is obviously as disturbed and upset as the rest, and his language is short and terse.
Rowena moves over from the window, looking down with some puzzlement at the dress she was just given.
"If these two will help you escort Horgus back home and find the cultists that puts me at ease. I... I followed a dream to come here. I think I have made a mistake. Pharasma does not speak to me here - my journeys lie elsewhere. I am sorry. My first calling is to my goddess."
Rowena produces some items from her pack, handing them over to Sarkast.
"I'm not sure who can use these, but you seem resourceful. Good luck, and thank you!"
With that, Rowena turns and departs the company.
Nilus nods respectfully to the departing priestess, following the will of a goddess was sometimes arduous, he knew first hand.
At the offer of the clothing Nilus at first begins to wave off the payment, but then understanding that this was Nira's way of contributing to the effort and that his refusal might offend her, he says I will wear this garment proudly at the next temple gathering Madame.
To the impatient elf he says nothing.
Ronan bows to Nira "Thank you for this fine outfit."
'Yes, Jinxx I know I usually wear black, maybe its time for a change'
Sarkast is surprised by the clothing suddenly placed in his arms. He has never worn anything this ... urban ... before. He mutters his thanks, and carefully folds the clothing up and places it in his pack.
As Rowena announces her departure, he nods sadly. "We must all go where the gods send us. Your path crossed ours briefly, and we all thank you for everything you've done to help us. May the Song of the Spheres sound sweetly on your travels."
He takes the magical scrolls and wand, placing them in his pack as well. "I will hold these until we meet one who can make good use of them."
Once he has the weight distributed as well as he can, he hoists his pack again onto one shoulder. He takes his spear in his other hand, and nods to the rest. "Yes, let us be onward. There may be more in need of our help, and the sooner we can allay everyone's worries about their homes and families, the better."
A fine idea, which way to the first stop? Nilus says as he gathers his belongings.
You are convinced that the remaining crusaders have holed up somewhere in the area. However, you haven't found anything useful on their location yet, and keep encountering demons and cultists. For the most part you've been able to lay low, avoiding all manner of horrors. However, your luck has just run out. While darting across the street, six horrible, demonic vultures swooped in on you! You've loosed a couple of arrows to no avail, and have dug your heels in to try and fight them off. However, you hear shouts coming down the street.
"That poor woman is under attack!" shouts Anevia as the group make their way through the ruins of Kenabres. Slowly, the company have wound its way vaguely northwards towards Horgus' residence. Unfortunately, the journey has been fraught with fires, chasms, and crumbling roads as a constant threat.
As the group take a temporary turn southwards at Horgus' insistence, they spy a scene in the streets ahead. A woman stands in front of you, gripping a bow despite her eyes being horribly burned, certainly blinding her! Surrounding her are six vulture with glowing red eyes, preparing to attack.
Dejik
Nilus
Sarkast
---
Square
Triangle
Circle
---
Jinxx
Anevia
---
Star
Cross
Plain
---
Ronan
Ayesha
Bellis
Aravashnial
Horgus
Nilus moves forward his glaive at the ready!
Surrounded by vultures, Dejik searches frantically for an escape route. She fires one last desperate time at the vulture on her left, then draws her long sword and charges towards the same creature.
Then she switches her bow to her off hand (free action) and runs towards the same vulture, drawing her long sword as she moves.
Her goal is to get to the alley, where she hopes to get some cover and take on the vultures one at a time. The party is out of her vision range, so she doesn't realize they are there.
Sarkast sees a woman who shares his features, despite wearing clothing marking her as a crusader.
"Apua on tulossa, serkku!"
He drops the pack as he runs up, drawing his dagger. Turning the corner, he runs between the two nearest, yelling at them in their language to draw their attention from the woman.
"مرگ، حیوانات ناپاک!"
The group notices the woman in trouble and bursts into action. Nilus hustles into place, the vultures squawking at his very menacing-looking glaive. Sarkast tumbles past, rolling beneath a flapping vulture and coming up on its other side.
Dejit hears a crowd incoming, and sees a Kellid man vault beneath the vulture, calling to her in Hallit. She is only distracted for a moment, however as an arrow takes a vulture clean in the eye, bursting its head like an overripe orange.
Three of the vultures fold their wings, diving down from the air towards their targets; Sarkast, Nilus, and Dejik respectively. Black energy begins to crackle from their talons as they strike back!
One vulture manages to viciously bite Sarkast's shoulder. Dejik barely manages to batter off the one attacking her. Nilus is not so lucky as a vulture dives straight for his eyes!
With a burst of speed Jinxx is on the nearest vulture in an instant, biting at the filthy creature.(circle)
Nilus fails to hit the vulture as it swoops at him. He suffers the vulture's break but prepares to return the favor.
Nilus backs up and swings with his Glaive but the blood running into his face from the wound distracts him greatly.
He calls on Shelyn to heal his wounds.
Jinxx brutally bites into a vulture, but it remains aloft.
Seeing the burst of holy energy from the paladin, the cross vulture circles in the air before diving down at Nilus as well. The paladin knocks it aside with his glaive.
The plain vulture dives in against its original target, Dejik, but scrabbles against her armour to no avail.
Ronan moves to near Jinxx and aims his crossbow and fires at circle vulture
Being too worried about hitting Jinxx, Ronan miss fires and the bolt goes harmlessly into the air.
Ronan almost hits Jinxx, and jerks his crossbow to the left. The bolt smashes into the rubble of a building.
Dejik moves along the wall, trying to dodge attacks from the two vultures beside her. Keep talking, so I know where you are!
Oletko loukkaantunut, "serkku"?
As the vultures come down between him and Nilus and Jinxx, Sarkast smiles. To the crusader, he says, "Hieman mutta olen ehdottomasti ollut huonompi."
Stepping toward Nilus, he says, "Keep it distracted!". He jabs with his spear, then spins to bring his dagger up.
Dejik tries to dodge past the vultures but they both peck at her, one scoring a nasty-looking, but shallow wound on her arm.
Sarkast skewers the vulture in front of him with two vicious spear thrusts, sending it to the ground. Ayesha then rushes in, a whirl of cloth as she slashes out at the vulture in front of her, cutting it down brutally.
Bellis then charges up and loads her crossbow. Anevia follows suit, and snaps off an arrow, which slams into a vulture. It somehow remains upright.
Finally, the vultures retaliate, those that are left. They fold their wings, diving in at Dejik and Sarkast! One manages to score a brutal hit on Sarkast.
Just before Jinxx sets off to pounce on blank vulture Ronan gives Jinxx Mage Armor
Jinxx now has AC 23
Yet another vulture flies in, pecking nastily at Deijk. It manages to score a nasty-looking, but shallow wound on her arm.
Jinxx charges and pounces on blank vulture biting and clawing at the vulture