Legacy of Fire

Game Master Megan Robertson

Directing his attention to Silena, "Well, we are talking to extract information. Such as: troop numbers, locations, secret passages, things that typically make life in battle less stressful. Let the creature speak....first, then judging by his answers you may take out your deviant frustrations upon his hide." He smiles at the gnoll.

"Now, you were just about to tell us..."

It bursts into tears.

"Stop blubbering and spill your guts before she spills then for you." He tersely states as he points towards Silena.

Sonya remains near the back door her mind aflame with the goddess's gift ready to burn into whichever spell she needs to draw upon. Sonya waits patiently sensing no harm to any of her friends through her life link.

i would advise against retrieving Sonya if this way of questioning is to continue.

Silena kicks the blubbering Gnoll, "Answer you cur! Or are you telling us you no longer want to live!?!"

- No damage just humiliation to get his attention that he needs to cooperate or its death!

Erizi decides to open the door, and see where the gnoll was heading.

Jengren simply watches as he patiently waits the answer to his questions.

The gnoll looks up, tears in its eyes.

"Nothing to tell," it sniffs. "Me'n Bil here was on guard, in case anyone came poking around. Rest is patrolling or in that Battle Market place."

"How many gnolls are in the battle market? How many gnolls are on patrol?"

Out of character side note. If this gnolls name is Ted let him live. He will make this adventure excellent for us.

"Um. One. Two. Three. Er. More'n I can count." says the gnoll.

Jengren looks a bit disgusted with the answer. "Are there any sneaky entrances or ways out of the battle market, that you know about or heard about?" His eyes boring down on the gnoll. "Look...she wants to kill you," He nods towards Silena, "so, think hard about your answer. Truth or death. Help me, help you."

"Dunno. Went in and out the door," says the gnoll, who you are beginning to suspect is not very bright, even by gnoll standards.

Don't forget Erizi just opened the door.

Dusty ground. No tracks worth speaking of although it's a bit scuffed up. A couple of dried out and almost dead shrubs.

Silena is getting anxious, "Look its clear this cur knows nothing... but we can't let him go or cowardly dog that he is he'll just go and rat us out! Personally, I'm not even sure at this point if Kardswann actually has an arrayed military to fight for him... I've Seen no evidence of such! Just a few moronic gnolls and some pit fighters..."

His blood up now, Erizi leaves through the door, looking for something else to smash.

Silena does not hesitate any longer, with one swift motion her "LEOPARD'S PAW" is suddenly in her hand from her wrist sheath and she stabs the gnoll in the throat a vicious killing blow, "Go to your B#$*~ mother, LAMASHTU in Oblivion monster... may her jaws gape open Wide to receive your pathetic misbegotten soul!"

Turning to the party her pretty violet eyes blazing with... a scary bloodlust, "Come on... let us wipe this city clean of their filthy hides... let the slaughter BEGIN!"

The gnoll falls, choking in its own blood... whispers Mummy and dies.

Silena sheaths her Leopard's Paw and collects the gnoll weapons and loot to load onto her horse for transport.

B1 - Slave Market: Large Snake Lair <KILLED>
B2 - Gatehouse - there's a warthog kept there.
B3 - Inn, no longer in use alas!
B4 - Stables
B5 - Wharfmaster Manor - rather nice and surprisingly intact 3-story house
B6 - Mill: Peryton Lair <KILLED>
B7 - Tannery: Umdrella's Home
B8 - Trade Alliance Guildhall that was.
B9 - Watch Gatehouse - there's a gnoll who keeps a pack of hyenas living there now <2x Gnolls - Slain, all 6x Hyena's KILLED>
B10 - A palace - in olden days it's said that it was kept in instant readiness against a Pactmaster coming a-visiting.
B11 - the Battle Market.
B12 - Ruined Temple to SARENRAE: Hecuva Lair <KILLED>
B13 - Graveyard {searched - Laid Hecuva to rest}

Then she nods to Erizi, and Sonya to move down street to the Trade Alliance Guildhall {B8}.

You make your way towards the Trade Alliance Guildhall. This stately building once served as the office of Katapesh's Trade Alliance, a guild of merchants organized to corner trade on certain commodities and set prices on others. This guild is a national one, this was the 'local' office. It's all boarded up and shows no signs of life - or even of forced entry.

Do you want to break in?

In the distance, you spot a party of four gnolls wandering along. They look bored, but reasonably watchful, although they haven't spotted you lot yet.

Sonya leans in whispering to Selina, "Think you can put that group to sleep without being noticed?"

Silena nods, "I'll try."

Silena steps into the shadows and begins to cast. Sleep has a relatively decent range and she times her casting to finish just as they get in range.

Cast Sleep - Will DC14

OOC: Sorry for the delay.. been busy with work.

The gnolls fall asleep, looking a bit startled as they do so.

Silena strides over to the unconscious Gnolls, the petite half-dark elf woman drawing her captured Gnoll Falchion a brief gleam of cruelty in her pretty violet eyes... but then - she hesitates. Then turning the heavy two handed blade she thumps them all one by one into unconsciousness with the flat of the blade... 'coup de grace'... for subdual.

Turning to the party she resheaths the Falchion across her back, "That is my last Sleep spell for the day. I should just kill them... but there is little point in senseless slaughter when they can be subdued. Erizi.. would you please bind them up and drag them into the stables. We'll let Lady Almah decide their fate!"

Hijiro will assist with the tying up and relieve the gnolls of anything of value in the process... not to the detriment of the party though - he displays all he finds to the others.

Erizi begins to bind and drag the gnolls away. "I don't understand". "Do you flip a coin in your mind to determine which enemies are killed, and which survive to reproduce"?

Alas the now unconscious and bound gnolls were not wealthy - a grand total of 35 sp between them, some dice, leather armour and battered but serviceable falcions and spears are your lot!

Thinking they might come in handy - at a tavern someday if nothing else - Seijiro pockets the dice, determined to find out later if they are loaded or not. The coins and weapons he offers to the others, taking a few silvers for himself (one share).

"Not my decision, but then again, it's not in my nature to kill a helpless creature."

Sonya averts her eyes from the gruesome task, and is genuinely surprised to here Selina spare them. She gives Selina a kind, telling smile. "I think we should press on and take the battle market today as well. Their forces are smaller than we anticipated and if we take it all in one day we, we retain the element of surprise."

how are we introducing the new people? Just assuming they've been here all along?

Erizi begins to bind and drag the gnolls away. "I don't understand". "Do you flip a coin in your mind to determine which enemies are killed, and which survive to reproduce"?

Silena turns a cold gaze on the big warrior, "There is a distinct different between killing a foe before you in battle or looking a condemned prisoner in the eyes before executing him... it's Entirely another thing to slaughter a helpless foe without them ever knowing why! Where is the decency or Honor in that... especially when the foe is and was no threat?!? It may make no difference to you.. But it makes a world of difference to MY honor!"

Nodding in agreement with Sonya, "Yes, there numbers seem much exaggerated.. let of be about this bloody task so we can clean the filth of these vermin from our memory.. and the world!"

Ok with whatever you all think is best. I am going to use this as a dot so I keep track of everything.

Erizi the Landless wrote:

Erizi begins to bind and drag the gnolls away. "I don't understand". "Do you flip a coin in your mind to determine which enemies are killed, and which survive to reproduce"?

Silena turns a cold gaze on the big warrior, "There is a distinct different between killing a foe before you in battle or looking a condemned prisoner in the eyes before executing him... it's Entirely another thing to slaughter a helpless foe without them ever knowing why! Where is the decency or Honor in that... especially when the foe is and was no threat?!? It may make no difference to you.. But it makes a world of difference to MY honor!"

Nodding in agreement with Sonya, "Yes, there numbers seem much exaggerated.. let of be about this bloody task so we can clean the filth of these vermin from our memory.. and the world!"

Erizi simply shurgs..."Not so different". "Dead is dead". "And some things just need to be killed". "Would you not kill a viper sleeping beside your infant"?

"Still the same arguments I see. It's impressive how you can inspire the same reaction from different people; must be a carryover from your darker blood." A red haired elf chuckles quietly as the danger winds down. Several other new folks are behind him as well. "You move quickly; it appears that most of the town itself has been dealt with. Find anything interesting?"

"The temple to Sarenrae, and a pretty powerful seal on the door. Well beyond any magic we have to open it. We haven't found the key yet either. The seal holds a demon though, so that may explain the genie's sudden turn for the worse."

Silena turns to see the familiar elf.

Then looks away sharply, "..and that's all that matter's doesn't it? My birth heritage which I had as much choice or decision to determine as I do the color of the sky! I'll always be a half-breed monster to all you 'civilized' people... whether I'm being cruel... like I learned I HAD to be not to be a sacrifice to demons or worse a whore of the Abyss at their mercy until they they'd tire of my screams of sorrow & humiliation then feast upon my flesh and soul - all for the sick pleasure of my own mother! Or whether I'm just trying to be merciful to keep the stain of evil upon my soul just a tad bit from growing! Its all the same to you! You ALL hate me cause I dare to not just give up and die... regardless of what I do or refrain myself from doing! Well Screw YOU!"

She walks away, "Why do I even bother...? Let's finish this place so I can be alone from you all, until the next butcher's bounty for gold is offered by Lady Almah! I tire of always being treated like worse than scum... just because of my skin color!"

Her anger is far more poignant than one would expect... perhaps the elf's words struck far deeper than expected or caught her off guard.

Heedless the petite half-elven woman-child strides toward the next assault objective fuming in frustration...

CRF my previous post, since I assumed we were just with you all, and now we are just joining... lol

Hijiro looks from Silena to SW and back again, astounded at her outburst, not seeing anything particularly wrong or different about her. When she stalks off, he turns to SW and asks, "What was that all about?"

Yeah, no problem Hijiro... we get it! :)

"Other than me not being a very good comedian, I don't know for sure. I often get groans, but rarely outbursts of pure anger. That subject seems to be a delicate one, that much is clear." Samuel pauses as he considers Sonya's words. "The demon worries me. We should finish up checking out the rest of the town and see where we stand for time before approaching the market. What all haven't you explored yet? And what do we know about the demon and the genie?"

Sense motives 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 lol I expect no less from my dice

"We should keep moving, let her take her anger our on the gnolls. You can trust her, I guarantee that myself." With that Sonya slips after Selina, catching up to her away from the others. Sonya throws her arms around Selina holding her close. "I am so sorry Selina, please don't let this snuff the embers of hope you've been fanning."

Silena tenses slightly... but quickly relaxes to the gentle touch of her friend... though she is silent for long moments....

She lowers her gaze and speaks softly and sadly to her friend, "... but its all true Sonya. I'm damned, no matter how I wish it were different... you know what I am... there is a beast that resides within my heart. I'm no better than the gnolls now! The full moon is coming... and I don't know if it will be me that survives it... you should stay away from me.. I'm ...dangerous... I don't want to hurt you."

Then even softer, "...and I'm not worthy of.. decent men..."

Barezata's eyes widen at the dark elf's reaction and beneath her veil, her mouth drops open. What have I gotten myself into now? She only nods as Sonya apologizes for Silena and moves off to comfort the other woman. "Facing a demon is never something I would rush, but when it is time, I may be able to do something about that lock. For now, I'd rather kill gnolls. How can I help?"

Erizi stares at Silena for a moment then laughs and points at her.

"Ha"! "So angry and full of hate". "I have known many like you, though most for only a short time". "You blame the world for your troubles, and use that anger to fuel your life". "Who cares what others think of you". "I believe that you must learn to accept who and what you are before you can expect others to embrace you".

"I have seen the good in you, and the bad in the short time I have known you...but do not let your anger and resentment cloud your judgement". "That is a recipe for not only your demise, but those who must trust you.

Barezata draws a barely concealed sharp breath. She gives Erizi a more considered look. This one may not have a silver tongue, but his words are wise. A lesson I have barely begun to learn myself and not one that I'd have expected to hear from a warrior such as this.

"Wise words to reflect on as we continue exploring. What places have not been examined yet?"

"Did you all say something about a battle market. What is that?" Barezata's thoughts spin to tales she has heard of similar remote towns.
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Barezata, centuries ago, when the mysterious Pactmasters first came to Katapesh, one method they used to calm the savage humanoids and barbarians of the nation's interior was the creation of numerous battle markets in small villages throughout the land. Each battle market was a multi-level bazaar, tavern and entertainment arena designed to keep traders safe from brigands and spread wealth to the common folk of the heartland. Those who wanted to brawl could do so as 'entertainment' in the arena... sort of 'mixed martial arts' style.

"This battle market sounds like the type of place we might find someone. If you haven't explored it, why don't we go there next?"

Silena sheaths her Leopard's Paw and collects the gnoll weapons and loot to load onto her horse for transport.

Silena Dulare wrote:

B1 - Slave Market: Large Snake Lair <KILLED>
B2 - Gatehouse - there's a warthog kept there.
B3 - Inn, no longer in use alas!
B4 - Stables
B5 - Wharfmaster Manor - rather nice and surprisingly intact 3-story house
B6 - Mill: Peryton Lair <KILLED>
B7 - Tannery: Umdrella's Home
B8 - Trade Alliance Guildhall that was.
B9 - Watch Gatehouse - there's a gnoll who keeps a pack of hyenas living there now <2x Gnolls - Slain, all 6x Hyena's KILLED>
B10 - A palace - in olden days it's said that it was kept in instant readiness against a Pactmaster coming a-visiting.
B11 - the Battle Market.
B12 - Ruined Temple to SARENRAE: Hecuva Lair <KILLED>
B13 - Graveyard {searched - Laid Hecuva to rest}

Then she nods to Erizi, and Sonya to move down street to the Trade Alliance Guildhall {B8}.

Silena continues her way toward the Trade Alliance Guild Hall {B8} as she was before we met the gnoll patrol on the street and Silena subdued them with a sleep spell Megan... as you may have forgotten.

We were just going systematically down the list everyone.. since we are going to go everywhere anyways - so top of list to bottom was just a good a plan as any. After B8 we do B10 .. then finish off with B11 {arguably} the hardest location.

Still talking, you make your way down the road to the Trade Alliance Guildhall. This stately building once served as the office of Katapesh's Trade Alliance, a guild of merchants organized to corner trade on certain commodities and set prices on others. You've all heard of the Trade Alliance Guild, it covers the entire nation. Their Guildhalls are built to a standard sturdy pattern - this one looks like it would be ready to be put back into use after a good brushing-out.

There are no signs of life.