Steady drizzle falls from the ash-gray sky. The walls of Fort Inevitable seem especially bleak and frightful this evening, the ramparts hunched over under the tireless rain. Ladge has ridden ahead to secure entry into the fort, leaving you all to follow the muddy road on your own. The smell of wood smoke fills your nose from the nearby inn, a single light burning from inside. You also hear the sound of water trundling down the roof, splashing into the space between the inn and a barn.
A sudden, plaintive cry for help splits the night air. It seems to be coming from the stable.
"That's a sight for sure" - Hagrin grumbles under the pouring drizzle - "But looking at these walls" - he added with a chuckle - "I'm not sure if it is better inside or in the rain..." - his words are cut short by the scream - "See? What did I just say?" - the half-orc grumbles, drawing a dagger from his bandoleer, and skulking in the shadows towards the direction of the scream.
Grinning at the sight of the inn. Thank the North Star. I am soaked and really do not like it. I need a full bel... Her smile falls at the cry for help, No food for me I guess.
Scowling down at her growling belly and hissing, Quiet you! With a huff she moves to follow Hagrin.
Easily slipping into a place between the shadow of Hagrin and the buildings.
The grin on Hagrin's face crept back in as Nisancy followed him - Dang, sneaky that girl, even with the green hair and all - he thought to himself with a chuckle, throwing a wink at his gnome companion.
Ravena travelled toward the fort with these new companions but found out quite readily that being sneaky would pay off as well as the scream pierced the night and she too prepared to sneak toward the sound
and immediately she crunches in to brush like a baby!
The long trip to Fort Inevitable has been interesting for Mikiel, as he first had to explain to his traveling companions the relationship he shares with Greel, and then finds them to be easily distracted and utterly without interest in the ley lines around the area. When the goal seems finally within sight they dash off after some noise, leaving him momentarily surprised.
When Greel nudges his arm questioningly, he shrugs and says, "How am I supposed to know what they are doing? Stay here - we can't have you scaring the horses." Then he walks in the direction of the stables too, making no real effort to be quiet but neither being deliberately loud.
Hagrin skulks.
Hearing the cry Felix looks left and right before moving forward stealthely , drawing a dagger.
You follow the noises to the mouth of a mist-shrouded alley, wherein you see three figures assaulting a fourth, who lies facedown in the mud. One of the attackers lifts the victim by the hood of his cloak and thrusts him against a wall as another growls, “Stay away from the Empty Maiden, you got that?”
A flash of lightning illuminates the area, revealing paint made to look like skulls on all of their faces.
Just a mugging. That´s life. Sigh. Wait. He wouldn´t want me to behave like that. That life is beyond me.
"Folks, that ain´t fair. You are 3, he is alone. You made your point. No move on!"
"You heard the man..." - Hagrin growls.
Two of the thugs pull out a sword, backing up slowly. The third wheels around at the two half-orcs.
"It weren't nothing. Just a bit of a scare."
His hand hovers at his hilt as he stands, giving their victim a chance to start crawling towards the party.
"Scare's done then - good job" - the rogue sneers - "You can go now"
The two with the swords out lower the tips of their blades. They both peer into the dark, as if looking for something. They turn to each other, grab their friend, and march out into the storm.
The victim slumps against the wall of the inn after they leave, panting.
Stepping out of the shadow of her taller companions, Orcs do have their purpose. to move next to the man. Kneeling down at his side and mumbling What did you do them?
Mikiel watches the posturing and eventual retreat of the three men impassively, undecided on how to respond. With a sharp whistle he calls Greel to him and whispers in the bear's ear. At his master's direction the bear approaches the spot where the attackers last stood, sniffs the ground attentively, and growls meaningfully back to the druid.
"We can track them, if neessary," Mikiel says, before looking around at the area and keeping an eye out for signs of anyone else approaching.
Nisany gives him a quick once over. He looks like he'll be bruised, but there aren't any broken bones.
"I didn't...*cough*...do anything. Came here looking for...*cough*...someone to search for...*cough*cough*...two magic users."
Mikiel, can you please make a Perception check, along with your friend.
Why are you looking for magic users? And if that is all you did why did they attack and threaten you?
Ravena will cast cure light wounds on the poor fellow
Glancing over at Ravena with a sheepish look on her face, Thanks.
"Well Fort Inventable is not the safest place. Let us find a dry spot!" With that Felix helps him up and guides him back into the inn.
"Let's do that" - Hagrin agrees, keeping watch in case any of the three decides to come back to settle the score.
Mikiel, can you please make a Perception check, along with your friend.
Greel
A whip-thin man walks up, a slender rapier at his hip, his infernal ancestry obvious to anyone who sees the horns curling back from his forehead.
"Everyone alright out here?" he asks, his keen gaze seeming to take in every detail.
Inside the Empty Maiden, a pink-haired serving girl is cleaning tables at the far end of the room. She looks at each of the party members as they enter. When she sees the young man who was attacked outside, she flees to a back room, leaving the PCs to the empty room.
The young man collapses into a chair near the fire, wrapping his cloak around him.
"Iliara is looking for two of her missing wizards. The Hellknights do nothing, and her time at the fort is coming to an end. She had hoped to have this business concluded before she left for Thornkeep."
He looks around at the assembled party.
"Once the Hellknights open the gates in the morning, you could meet with Iliara. I'm sure she would love to meet with you."
Raising a green eyebrow, Who are you talking about?
"Well I will join you and meet her!"
He looks at Nisany, the hope that had briefly shone in his eye fading.
"Iliara...wizard-lady...offering a reward to find her lost wizards...stunningly beautiful..."
"Never heard of her" - Hagrin pipes in - "What kind of reward are we talking about?" - he adds with a smile, looking around - "So, no one comes to get our order?"
"Everyone alright out here?" he asks, his keen gaze seeming to take in every detail.
"I think he's good Antonian" - Hagrin nods - "Think you can find someone to bring us some drinks?"
"Two thousand solid gold pieces...for the entire group that brings the two wizards back to the fort."
He pulls out a piece of paper, reads it over. "Been about a dozen companies that have already gone into the Spire looking for the wizards."
He pauses, looking around the room. "What happened to Jezz?"
"Who is Jezz? And two thousend blinkys. That would be nice."
well I came looking foe adventure so lets get to it
"Stunningly beautiful, you say?" says Antonian. "Consider those two wizards found, then. Where is this Iliara? Is she seeing anyone?"
"Girl with the pink hair. She's usually here waiting for guests." He shrugs, moving on to Antonian's questions.
"If she is seeing anyone, I wouldn't know. I hardly know her."
Smiling at Ravena, he nods. "Best to be getting through the gates before we raise too much suspicion. I've got a writ that'll get me back inside the walls."
Sighing, When she saw you a pink haired girl ran into he back.
Glaring at the man, Could you give a little more information on thse people you are after and why the locals seem so bothered by you?
Seeing nothing, Mikiel follows the party into the inn silently. After looking around for an appropriate to leave Greel and finding none he ushers the bear inside and remains near the exit uncomfortably. "I don't recognize the name 'Iliara' either, but I was planning to investigate and study the Emerald Spire, so if we can help to find her and get a reward, wonderful. In the meanwhile, I don't want to start up any more trouble than we already have. I mean, we don't even know your name yet..."
As apparently Antonian didn't hear him, Hagrin shrugs, getting up from his seat and looking for someone to serve him a drink - "Fine. I'll go look myself" - he grumbles.
Smiling at Ravena, he nods. "Best to be getting through the gates before we raise too much suspicion. I've got a writ that'll get me back inside the walls."
"So, no time for a drink I guess" - the half-orc stops dead in his tracks, looking over his shoulder at the others.
Sighing, When she saw you a pink haired girl ran into he back.
At those words, Hagrin decides to take a peek out back nonetheless - "Hello? Anyone here?"
The young man chuckles. "Right. Jax...nice to make your aquantiance." He then holds out his hand for Mikiel to shake.
"Gods damn this..." - Hagrin goes into a defensive stance, looking around him.
If he finds no immediate threats, he grabs the paper and picks the girl in his arms, taking her to the others - "Guys... I don't know if she is alive or dead..."
"Whats up, can´t you order a ro... oh by Asmodeus sweet left ball, what happened here?" Putting a hand on his sidearm Felix prepares to draw steel.
Exclaiming, Oh wow! [b]Nope! Again[/ooc]
Felix trys his best to heal her.
In the meantime Hagrin peruses the note.
When Felix casts his spell, a green viscous slime comes from a single puncture mark in the girls neck. She groans, shivers, then lays still.
Jax pushes through, laying a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Jezz...?"
"She dead?"
"Can't say" - Hagrin replies.
Mikiel watches in silence, his face somber and unconfident.