Angmar nods to Kori...Ay! I say we put a chain round yer neck and we say you're our slave to be pitted in the arena!
Kori gets real serious, and growls though her clenched jaw "You better hope that was a joke dwarf! If it was I ain't laughing. I will NOT be shackled EVER again. Get that right through your anvil head." She scowls and controls her breathing as best she can to avoid letting her anger get out of control.
Nobody's gonna shackle you. You're a free woman, as are we all.... free that is. We just need to know the patrols around here, so we can move about without alerting too many guards.
I'm wondering if we should visit the church first. If something strange is going on in there, what's to say we won't be compromised when we infiltrate the Battle Market? Just my thoughts though, so take them as you will. says the man, as he looks towards Kori.
"I'm sorry, I can't help you with patrol patterns, only that the gnolls travel around in a few groups of four at a time. They don't seem to have destinations in mind, ever. They just walk around. Oh, and there's a creature that got sent in awhile ago to help guard...big, bearded fellow, with a glaive. Sharp teeth and red skin."
Ah, well thanks for the info regardless. I guess we'll have to make do. As for the creature, where's that located? Sounds pretty mean. Maybe we should see what this fire breathing ape has to say for itself. Haha!
"....They just walk around. Oh, and there's a creature that got sent in awhile ago to help guard...big, furry fellow. Big claws and horns. Looks a bit like an ape, but breathes fire."
Angmar studies Kori after apparently having found a weak spot in the Drow's armor.
Calm yerself girl. Do I look like a slaver to ye? Us Dwarves we detest slavery. It ain't right. Was just sayin' a Dwarf three humans an a dark elf in a town like this. Our best disguise would be slavers and slave. Ye'd have to hide yer weapons an we put rope round yer wrists or neck and tie it real loose and tell patrols we goin to the battle market pitting you in a fight against what's that big thing called?
Dmitri takes note of the sudden, yet furious Koritylija. Her rage usually takes some time to bolster, and as far as Dmitri could tell, it never happened so suddenly.
It would seem that her past is quite troubling, to say the least.
Knowing this now, Dmitri feels it... necessary, to never mention that plenty of slaves existed in his church. Avalni's "Charms" weren't always... charming enough. It was odd though, that sometimes the Drow themselves would bring them in. Other times the Tieflings, and even beyond that, some darker people in general. Never women, however.
Subjugation was something that Lilith preached in kind, but it was only to be done to lesser creatures of the abyss and men, for the most part. Dmitri was an exception, but it goes without saying that, before he even liked pain, he experienced no shortages of the nine tails.
Feeling the need to interject before the Drow proceeded to invert the dwarf's ribcage, Dmitri looks to Undrela, heaving a hefty sigh of frustration with how things are no doubt going. "Dearest Undrela, it is getting late. We've known each other for merely a short time, though, I would make one final request that would no doubt aid in everyone's affairs.
I personally believe our original... expedition, into this place to be a smashing success, and some of us happen to be injured, so I ask this simply." He bends over a full foot and a half to meet eyes with the harpy. "Might you be able to... accomodate us... with lodging for the night? He says, his voice practically layered with Inuendos as he pulls his last 3 gold as penance, and placing it in her hands.
At Angmar's uncertainty, Apollo replies to the Dwarf, staring blankly forwards as he speaks out loud. Kardswann...big guy. Possibly human, possibly not. Whatever the case, we'll find out soon enough but I guess we need our beauty sleep.
As Dmitri continues kissing Undrela's arse, Apollo just grins. Undrela, I think you and Dmitri have an opportunity here. If we're allowed to stay the night, try to keep it down. We don't want to attract too much attention, and some of us could do with a good nights rest!
Kori balks at the dwarf's explanation, "I don't have to be shackled to be the champion for the battle market. Do we even know they'll play fair? What do we do when I beat this big Hurvank thing, just leave, or start killing all of the gnolls? Not sure now how us walking in will help us clear out the place, now that mention it."
At Apollo's mention of Dmitri keeping it down, she adds "And if Pain-lover's gonna sleep here, and have sex with that thing. I don't want to be anywhere near it. I'll go sleep at the mill instead, who knows what kind of disgusting noises the two of them will be making. It's already obvious he likes it rough."
Undrella smiles at his request, and says "Of course you may stay here. I trust nowhere else for my new friends in this town."
Letting them into the building as the sun goes down, it's clear Undrella has organization problems, as things lie around haphazardly in the tiny space.
"I thought I should mention, I have another condition for my help. I know that you were sent here by others. When they follow you after you've killed everyone else...you must let me stay here. This is my home."
Apollo nods at the request.
Sure thing. I'd feel the same myself.
Man I'm ready for bed. Got a lot to do tomorrow it seems!
Dmitri laughs at the request. "My dear, that would be easier than bringing you the snake head! You have no worries." he says, taking a bow before grabbing her by the hand. "Now, where should I sleep?" he says with a grin.
Undrella grins - showing a wide mouth of sharp teeth. "You are going to sleep with me, of course."
For the first time during the expedition, Dashki speaks up. "Y'know, elf lady, I think I'm with you. I don't want to be anywhere near this thing and its' squelching."
As a man who Dmitri hardly knew, found revolting and uncouth, Dmitri found the word... "Thing" rather offensive. This was made apparent by his sudden lack of a smile, despite the fact the Harpy had just certainly sealed his hopes.
Turning to the man, he said simply; "This woman is no "thing"... sir..." He had actually managed to forget this person's name. Not surprising, he can barely remember Angmars, but at least the he seems to get along with Kori.
"Her name is Undrella, and I would have you treat her with some courtesy, as she's been kind enough to allow us the use of her abode." he said, crossing his arms.
Dashki had been quiet for some time. Silent ones he needed to be weary of. He was far too eager to come along, and if he remembered correctly, no one expressly invited the man. It was fortunate, at least, that he had little presence, but now that Dmitri had talked of him, the smell started to creep back into his nose.
Dashki grins a knaveish grin, also a slightly greasy grin, and replies "It seems you're givin' her all the courtesy for all of us, if you know what I mean. Make sure to give her a bit o' courtesy tonight. Y'know, as a favor from me."
Insubordination! This fool, this foolish fool, spends all day silent as a mouse, and the first time he speaks, it's nothing but absolutely appalling! His smell, his manners, his ungratefulness, all of it... Were his unholy powers completely fastened to him, he'd kill him here.
Dmitri felt it necessary to end the conversation on a hard note, if only to get a rise out of the man. He thought for a moment, about insults... Finally, one clicked in his mind, and with a rather wry smile, said; "A man with your kind of hygiene, Dashki, is only fit to lay with the very gnolls we've killed today."
With that biting retort, his smile grew again, and he grabbed Undrella by the hand and beckoned her to lead the way.
Angmar while slightly curious prefers a quite nights rest. Enjoy yerself Dmitri. I'll be joynin Kori and Dakshi!
Guess I'm on my own then. Suits me! says Apollo as he searches for a bed or corner of the room to rest for the night.
Ah, either forgotten or ignored. I don't see them doing that when we're in combat. We're still doing our own thing even in a group it seems. Good thing that's how I work best. Still, Dmitri's alright. He's got my support if he needs it. The same can't be said for anyone else yet though. I still feel I should probably protect the woman mind. Let's see how things go.
As Pain-lover gets all worked up, Kori just shakes her head, not understanding how the man could do what he intends. On some level she's even disturbed that she had at one time considered his attentions a little flattering. Seeing what he's into, she begins to wonder about her own image, but then remembers all the unwanted 'attentions' she had received from previous male owners. "Lizard-friend, New-guy, you guys planning on hanging around while theses two...?" She just shudders, "You two aren't hoping to have a go as well are you?" she asks with a grimace.
Heading to the other building to sleep, she asks "Hey Short-legs, you have any of that magical healing you used before? I still have a bit of sting in the bites from that damn deer-bird." as an afterthought, she clarifies for Imp-stick, As for you, just because we're sleeping in the same building, don't you dare try anything or you'll be someone's harem eunuch before you know it."
Hatim gives short wide-eyed look at Kori then at the Harpy mess, "Ah, no. I will find myself a place at the mill." Even if it does mean being closer to Dashki. At least his dirt can be washed away He then makes his way to the mill. Once there, Hatim creates a clean sleeping area as far away from the others as he can manage.
Yes I can attempt one more prayer for today. But perhaps in the future you should keep yourself out of trouble...
Ha! No, I was hoping to stay here for the night, but if Dmitri and his new found lover get too loud, I'm thinking I'll just go over to the building we were at before. Besides, I only have interest in one woman at the minute, and she's not exactly wanting to speak with me right now.
Apollo shrugs, looking a little bothered about something, but shakes his head and continues to speak with Kori.
Well, let's head over to the Mill and catch a good nights rest. We can meet Mr.D back here in the morning.
I don't s'pose it'd be a good idea to speak with Almah anymore. Not while she's angry for whatever reason at least. Hopefully she'll be thankful and approach me on our return to the Monastery, but who knows if we'll even make it that far, or how many casualties we'll take along the way? I mean we're right in the middle of a settlement heavily guarded by Gnoll's....apparently...though I've only seen two so far.
Everybody except for Dmitri moves back to the mill (and the three corpses they left there) to sleep, leaving Dmitri and Undrella...alone. The corpses are cleaned easily enough, and the cots are set up, armor and weapons beside each person's cot.
As for Dmitri...well, his armor is practically ripped off of him. When Undrella sees his scarred body, she practically growls, and leaps on top of him.
Dmitri wakes up the next morning exhausted from his long night, but still well-rested. He has quite a few new marks on his body, although they're just slightly worse than the many scratch marks he's received from previous lovers.
The rest of the group wakes up in the mill, peaceful and quiet. No intruders, no birds crying, all is silent in the desert and the abandoned town. Even Apollo wakes up this morning feeling better than ever, his fever gone for today.
Waking up, Dmitri was just as ravaged as he... well...
His dreams, oh yes, the dreams. They wracked his mind once more In the night as that ridiculously carnal act of debauchery sealed the deal. It was just what he needed, too.
This time, the dream was simple. He merely stood in a circular room, surrounded on all ends by the tinted, glass-pane windows, masterfully depicted with acts of all kinds. Slavery, Lechery, Subjugation, and Carnage! Oh, it was a room he could get all too acquainted with. Just off to the center was a small pool filled with black water that glinted in the lights.
The room's Ambience was... perfect. The colors danced as he walked towards the waters, a voice, calling him to bathe his hands in the muck. Heeding it as the undisputable voice of Lilith herself, he hurried, and looked down into it.
A face, his, stared back, freakish in appearance, but with all the allure, if not, more than he had. Dark, black rings surrounded the pool Dmitri's eyes and 2 grand horns grew from the sides of his head. Symettrical splotches were on his neck, black feathers! Ah, so wonderous... This must be him as an Incubus, he thought?
Kneeling down, he enjoyed the view of his future allure, thinking on it. Placing his full forearms in the water, he jumped back in merciless pain as his forearms melted away in the wash. Frightened, the pain subsided as he stared at his malformed arms as they shuddered back into sleek, dark claws... Brimming with unholy energy.
The black color seeped into his body, eating at his soul as it consumed him. Finally, as it reached his eyes, he awoke in a cold sweat, though grinned with a hearty laughter as he looked down at his hands. He tried once more to force his negative energy into his fists, surprising himself with the sight of his hands taking the form of that in his dreams.
It would seem that... he had many things to learn, for Lilith had well and truly blessed him at this point.
That aside, Dmitri looked over to the well-satisfied Undrela, and proceeded to get up and place his armor on, as well as drink the potion he'd been eyeballing for quite some time.
Brimming with unholy fervor, Dmitri inspected himself, finding not even a hint of the wounds he'd recently garnered. It would seem that between the sleep, and his encounters, and the potion, he was now at the peak of health once more! Truly, today would be grandiose. He had his Deity to thank, after all.
Arriving to meet the others, Dmitri was complacent and obviously on airs. Looking to the rest of them, he simply said "Friends, I believe today... is going to be a fine day. Now where shall we venture? I, for one, believe we should investigate the church, or the market..."
Angmar gets up in the morning and a fter a few short prayers and a bit of morning workout the Dwarfis ready for action.
Before she goes to bed, Kori settles down and munches on one of the trail rations she brought, being the only thing she really had to eat for the day. As she munches, she reminds the others. "Don't foget to eat. It's the only way to keep your strength up. A few days without food and you'll feel it."
Kori also rises and does her limbering stretches, but this morning she actually doesn't feel like the need to excercise. Given the workout she had between trying to hack that snake in half, and pinning the deer-bird, she's now just trying to work the kinks out.
After she's done she gathers with the others, and looks along the ridge the 'battle market' sits atop. She offers her perspective, "We should go from building to building, follow the road. If we head straight for the market, they'll see us climbing the sides."
Waking up with a stretch and a yawn, Apollo puts on his breastplate, ruffling his his hair as he stands.
Grabbing his hammer and slinging his bow and arrow over his back, he makes one last check before heading for the door of the mill.
Bow, check. Arrows, check. Hammer, check. Nom....I won't be long buddy. I'm glad there's enough Pugly to keep you going for a few days. I just hope those I asked are looking after you okay...
As Apollo heads over to the door, Dmitri steps in, looking a little cheeky and proud of himself, seemingly happier than he is normally.
Morning D, how'd last night go? Apollo smiles, before answering the pain-lover's question.
Well, like I suggested yesterday, I think we should make our way to the church first. I dunno why, but I'm concerned that whatever's going on in the Church will effect us in the Battle Market if we choose to ignore it. Not only that, I'd prefer to deal with the outside proximity first, working my way in, if you're all down with that?
The man then swings his hammer up on his shoulder as he awaits response from the others.
Dashki is last to rise, he of the luxurious sleep and no washing (although none of the party members have been doing any washing lately, and all of them have started to smell a little ripe). He walks to the center of the group, "Imp-stick" clicking on the ground. "I think...I think I'm bored with this. I got what I wanted, I killed some gnolls. I saw the town. Gonna go back and let Almah know what I've seen. Izzat alright with you all?"
Hearing Dashki speak, the tired Ranger speaks up; You're here now, so you may as well stick with us an help in the killing of all Gnoll Dogs.
Dunno about you guys, but I'm pretty psyched. said Apollo to the group.
Dmitri had to agree. He was ready for a day of injury and sadism, to say the least. Especially after last nights enjoyable time and the dream that followed. He'd made sure to tell Undrela goodbye before he left, at least.
Looking up to the battle market, he was more than just a little curious, to be frank. What exactly awaits us at that place, I wonder?
He spent some time looking at it, but was far too away, and riding too much of a high at the moment.
As the man asked to be gone from all of this, Dmitri scoffed, still rather upset with how the man treated himself. He partially believed that his choice of insult was enough to stave off the beast of a person, and he took quite a bit of pride in shoo'ing off the wretched of the male gender.
"Leaving so soon? As I recall, you were rather insistent on coming. A change of heart, boy? There was so much condescension in his voice that it kind of bit the wind.
Kori doesn't understand rushing to the church, "Do we even know where this church is? I think we just deal with whatever's along the way, as we get to it. If we have to get past the market, to get to the church, we would be trapped between the two. I think we don't need to decide where we're going, just the best way to clear out the town as we go."
As far as Imp-stick, she seems shocked "Imp-stick? Why you wussing out? I didn't figure you for a crybaby. I thought you did good yesterday, and would welcome anybody helping to kill more of these things. But if your gonna just wimp out, try not to stub your toe and die on your way back to the others."
Ye Kori speaks true let's take this one place at a time and not take any risks along the way!
Dashki scowls - he's not used to being questioned so much. "Hey, I got what I came here for. Now I'm gonna go. Don't you think I should report to Almah what's happened? Especially about the harpy bit, she might take some time to wrap her head around that bit."
Looking to Dashki, Apollo just says Whatever..., before turning to Dmitri.
Ready? Looks like we're heading to the Church the sensible way.
Apollo smirks and laughs under his breath ever so slightly, with a smug tone.
Ha. Ya know, I like this approach. We work our way around, taking out whatever support they may have, so that when we finally get to the Battle Market, there won't be any backup or unexpected arrivals......arriving. Simple and effective....
So let's get a move on. he jests to the group before heading outside past Dmitri.
Kori is not so much concerned as to why Imp-stick is leaving, as much as the idea of having one less person to help clear the town. She figures it looks like everyone is ready to head out, so she moves back up front with her normal scouting posture.
Dmitri eyes the man with a sense of doubt. This... was strange? This wasn't merely him wanting to leave because of yesterday's petty, yet well-turned insults. No, this was something else... A wild card, really.
Looking to Dashki with agitation in his eyes as he talks to apollo. "Surely that will be the best way to go about it..." he says.
As he passes by Dashki, he places a hand on the man's shoulder and slightly forces a quick whisper into his ear, mustering as much of his abyssal accent into the following as possible.
As he finishes, he leaves the man almost immediately, shoving him a bit away, and proceeds to walk with to where Apollo and Kori are headed.
Picking up their things from the previous night, the party equips themselves and is ready for another day of adventuring. They're all hale, hearty, and healed up, unlike the previous day.
Dashki leaves the camp, headed back south with his tail in between his legs, daring to glance back a few times to look at Dmitri, but in a rush all the same.
Taking off down the road into the town proper, the party encounters no patrol (yet again, apparently the gnolls have been lax), and the first building they come across is a large manor. Mostly intact, the manor's windows are dark (but complete) at least on this side. The manor is connected to two more buildings, at least by the fact that their walls are directly adjacent if not by actual connection.
Dmitri, satisfied with himself from his earlier threat to Dashki stands near Koritylija as he looks up at the manor. "A building like this still standing? Surely something has made it a home... It doesn't seem like a Gnoll dwelling, at least?" he says, not entirely sure on what constitutes a gnoll dwelling.
As Dmitri speaks with Kori, Apollo keeps an eye out for anything that looks a bit out of place, suspicious or Gnoll like.
I dunno why this place is so deserted. I was expecting a bustling district of trade, but so far all there's been is sand, sun, dirt and death. Ah well, hopefully something interesting will happen soon!
If you guys see anything...let me know! smiles the man.
I've got an itch that needs scratching. Now where are these mangy mutts?
Kori looks at the building, briefly from the outside before responding. "We should clear it, that's the job we were given. Besides, if it's nice in there, it would be better than sleeping at the mill again if we need to stay another night." She moves up to the door, new longsword in hand, and tries to open it.
"I'd obviously prefer my previous arrangements." He says with a bit of a giddy perk as he follows suit.
Hatim stands silently looking the building over. He is for clearing it, but then again doesn't care.
Apollo and Hatim notice something interesting - there are no tracks or anything near the front door of this manor. The door is locked, and it doesn't look like anyone (certainly not any gnolls) has used it in awhile.
So shall we take the back door? What do you girls think?
Ha! Well, considering this looks like a place of residence, there's not a single trap to be found. So....I'm game for whatever, but if I see those sodding things, don't expect me to hold back!
The man laughs proudly as he looks to Dmitri.
It seems we both thirst for blood, but I question that man's motives at times. Good thing we get along, haha!
Kori nods, "It's either bash it down, or look for another way in. I'd would prefer to find another way that doesn't involve breaking or knocking." She prepares to circle the building.
Out of pure curiosity Hatim begins to approach the door, while wondering why his companions only stared at it.
“It’s locked,” He bends down to investigate the door, “I’ll fix it.”
Dmitri looks at the feat rather surprised. With a smirk he says; "It would seem the silent one has his uses." looking to Kori. "I believe we've found that entrance." he says with a bit of a giggle.