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"But enough business," Alexander says as he gently pushes Undrella back onto the bed.
Slowly, he starts to stroke her stomach.
"Pleasure. Pleasing a woman is like mastering a new spell. Though acknowledging similarities to others, you must always remember that each is unique. What makes her tick? What makes her purr? What makes her quiver? Let us consider every part and element of her with the canvas and all her beauty laid bare before the studying eye. Let us examine the magic, the mystery, the woman that is Undrella. Let us begin... at the base, at the roots of the magic."
Suffice it to say, Alexander takes his time to leave Undrella with a good memory. And he is not cruel to her.
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Rukn starts to read the awful calligraphy, holding his breaqth, till he finally finds something that makes him shout. -Haleen!
His feelings could easily make his heart burst out from his chest. Finally! Then his joy calms down a bit when he reads '20 gnolls'. -Well, at least I've found what I'm here for. Now let's see how to rescue her
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Solomon was over Rukn's shoulder like one of his own glowing darts. He scanned the map, his pupil's constricting as his orcish nature pushed his excitement, worry and fears to it's boiling point.
"Twenty gnolls." he growled.
Huffing once he nodded and went back to where he was tending to Kilarra and started knapping out darts.
Erizi stomps about obviously nervous about the upcoming conflict, and a bit worried that his recent slump might put the others in danger. He knows he is the hammer not the carpenter, and while paying attention to his role, he is too troubled with his own thoughts to contribute much.
Looking at the note once Rukn and Solomon Kilarra looks it over "...A Gladiator?!?! Either I never really knew her to begin with or she really has branched out from being a foster mother!! Whatever the case maybe we know where she is and it seems that she is in no immediate danger. Let's clear the surrounding area as soon as we can so we can find out what is going on."
Kilarra begins watching across the river for the Demon to come and go before giving the signal to quietly cross the bridge in order to begin clearing the buildings.
After a bit more than two hours, Kilarra sees the demon come to the far end of the bridge where it pauses and glares across at the far bank. After a short time it turns and moves off into the town once again.
The demon is a tall, muscular humanoid with the head and hooves of a demonic goat. Ragged-looking fur patches cover it’s body around the forearms and lower legs, with a crestlike patch running down from the creature’s crown to the nape of its neck. It moves in a stooped posture, so it is difficult to tell how tall it will be if it straightens, but Kilarra is sure it would be at least as tall as a tall man.
It seems to be in no hurry and often stops to sniff the air or glare around at the ruined buildings, at which times it actually chews or mouths the business end of its wicked halberd. It does not seem to notice the scent of blood near the battle site with the snake, however, and keeps moving past it.
Kilarra waits another two or three minutes after the demon is out of sight to ensure that he does not return unexpectedly then returns to the group. "It is time, the demon has gone." Kilarra goes on to describe the beast to those who have not yet seen it. "Based upon that description does anyone know what we are dealing with?"
Zhalet gets a good look at the demon and tries to narrow down the types it could possibly be.
Alexander joins the others in studying the demon, his brow furrowed in thought as he tries to recall his studies of outsiders.
"I think," he starts to say, "in the book of malefic warriors.... something quite like this brute. What was its name again...."
Although not especially intelligent, schirs are cunning warriors and able sentries. Although they prefer to charge into combat, a schir’s natural jumping ability makes it a nimble enemy, capable of using its surroundings astutely. A schir will often jump on top of rocks, crumbling walls, or any other high place to hack with its disease-ridden halberd. For all of schirs’ capabilities, their spitefulness makes them distrustful of any creature that has not proven its greater power and strength numerous times.
A schir set loose upon the Material Plane quickly seeks to set itself up as a leader of its own army—often, schirs seek out tribes of savage humanoids and attempt to replace the current leaders. They are particularly fond of infiltrating gnoll tribes.
Alexander whistles thoughtfully, then relates what he remembers about the creature to the others.
"Immobilising this thing should be our first priority. Afterward, ranged attacks before melee; give it no chance to contaminate us."
Kilarra nods "I will be ineffective at range. I will stand in front of our ranged combatants and be ready to attack only if he breaks free and makes it to us. Additionally, I am not sure if your studies have any details on their senses however he seemed to sniff the air many times not unlike what I have seen dogs do when tracking. In case it has a keen sense of smell I would recommend we hide as a group downwind of him instead of breaking up as I previously recommended. Shall we go?"
Kilarra heads out, looks once more before going into the open and then heads carefully and quietly to the first building they intend to clear.
Solomon trotted after Kilarra letting her take point into the building. He moved to just outside the doorway where he could keep Killara and the rest of the group in sight.
Rukn waits for the others to get in, bow in hand offering cover fire if needed. When everyone has entered, he does as well, always ready to release an arrow at whatever they find inside.
18
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After .... certain events a gentleman does not divulge and a little time to catch his breath, Alexander sits up and stretches.
"Well," he says, smiling down on Undrella. "I hope you consider that worth repeating sometime."
Unhurried, the Wizard starts to collect items of clothing.
"I hope you will not find me a cad for leaving so soon, but the hunt is on again. Our mutual enemies are waiting to be cut down."
As he dresses, Alexander shares a look with the Harpy. A look of bloodlust. "If you find that black Gnoll before I do, please let me know. When the Djinn is dead, I shall inform you, of course."
For a moment, Alexander sits back down on the bed and kisses Undrella twice; once on the stomach and once on the lips.
"At the risk of seeming forward .... if we have made life together, I should like to know her. There is much I could teach a child. Until next we meet, oh winged vision."
Out on the road, Alexander trails after the others, rehearsing spell formulas in his mind.
Erizi looks first at Alexander, then at Kilarra, then at his hammer, then at his sword. "Unless you think throwing big rocks at it will do some good, then I too am not very effective at ranged combat. It is a good plan, but not sure how good we are at it. I will try to wait before charging in as well, and like Kilarra will attack when he does".
Ready Action?
Stealth
Perception
-Actually- says Rukn, smiling, -throwing rocks sounds like a perfect plan to me.
B5: This was once a rather handsome, three-story mansion. Despite having fallen into disrepair, the building still maintains a fair bit of its former beauty. A quick search of the interior reveals no threats, nor any other creatures.
B4: This building, connected to B3 via a short hallway, is a still-intact stables. As you move into the stables several of you become aware of another creature in the stables with you. You adopt a cautious, wary posture, but before you can investigate further, a voice calls out quietly, "I .. I'm, coming out. Please don't kill me," and a human male with a rusty helmet, a worn leather breastplate, and what looks to be a longspear with part of the haft broken off steps into the aisle between the stalls. He jumps a little and stares at his spear as if suddenly remembering he was holding it and drops it, almost flings it, to the ground.
B3: This building was an inn and tavern. It is uninhabited and still intact and sound.
Alexander mutters a Word of Power at the appearance of the stranger, and subjects him to a tense scrutiny.
Alexander mutters a Word of Power at the appearance of the stranger, and subjects him to a tense scrutiny.
You detect that the man is shrouded in a magical aura.
"He's wrapped in magic!" Alexander immediately warns the others.
Any response from Undrella to the fond goodbye?
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"He's wrapped in magic!" Alexander immediately warns the others.
** spoiler omitted **
She rises from the thoroughly rumpled bedding as Alexander begins gathering his clothing and takes a small vial from a cabinet. She holds the potion out to Alexander, "Drink this, and hunt well. I will do what I can to hold at bay some of the current inhabitants of the Battle Market when you make your move on Kardswann."
When Alexander drinks the potion, it heals the damage and residual pains of their .. negotiating.
She nods at his request, "I shall not take your enemy without you there to join in the fun."
When Alexander kisses Undrella's lips, she catches one of his in her teeth, piercing the skin by a tiny margin, "Something to keep me in your thoughts as you go forth to beard the genie in his den."
She seems to consider his final request for a moment, then nods sharply, "Though I fly once more in the face of the tradition of my kind, if that does come to pass you shall know her."
Wary that this 'man' may be magically disguised Kilarra remains on guard. "Who are you, what are you doing in here?"
Rukn points at the stranger with his bow as Kilarra speaks, to reinforce the 'threat'.
The man throws his hands in the air and drops to his knees, "Please, please! Do not kill me! I am Felliped. I was a mercenary with the Lions of Senara. I escaped the gnolls but I have been too afraid to get out of the town! Please, don't turn me back over to the gnolls!"
Zhalet had hung back when he man appeared. Although she doesn't remember it herself, from what she has heard about the initial meeting with the harpy, it was an uncomfortable and tense couple of minutes for her. She doesn't want to repeat the experience.
In light of that, when the man identifies himself, she asks "Then tell us, who is your leader in the Lions of Senara?"
His eyes fasten onto Zhalet, and he cries out, "It was Andrus that led us here. Andrus was out leader. But the gnolls took him outside to die and he never came back."
"He's wrapped in magic!" Alexander immediately warns the others.
** spoiler omitted **
After a few more seconds of study, Alexander is able to figure out that the magical aura comes from a Silent Image spell.
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"Three days?" Alexander asks, humorously. "Woman, you'll kill me!" Then he winks. "Once we have some genuine time together, I'll need at least a week, lest my own fire consume me."
The old Wizard draws Undrella close after the nip - and places one of his own at the junction of her neck and shoulder. Not enough to draw blood, just a pinch of the skin.
"Remember me, my darling," he murmurs as he pushes Undrella back onto the bed, "and maybe dream of me. Rest now. You have had a long night. Sleep. Until we meet again."
With that, Alexander leaves the Harpy's boudoir and rejoins the others.
"Beware!" Alexander snaps. "This creature bears an illusion - a silent image! By the nature of the spell, it cannot create sound, but it can show false sights!"
With a quick twist of the handle and a brief hisss, Alexander draws his sword cane and looks around.
-What?- Rukn reacts by kicking a small stone or any other debris on the ground to the image, trying test its touch. By the old tales, at least the ones Rukn has heard, touching an illusion makes it fade.
Solomon drew two darts into his palm and waited with tense energy like a cat ready to pounce.
"You're going to want to not move and drop that spell, friend." he rumbled.
Erizi simply backs up his friends, his massive warhammer held high, and growling deep in his chest.
-What?- Rukn reacts by kicking a small stone or any other debris on the ground to the image, trying test its touch. By the old tales, at least the ones Rukn has heard, touching an illusion makes it fade.
The stone bounces along the ground and ricochets off the kneeling man's leg. Other than that, there is no reaction to the stone.
As the group shifts into a more aggressive posture, Felliped becomes even more distraught. His voice takes on new notes of panic as he cries out in protest, "Wait, please! It is just a disguise to hide my race! I am not human, but I have been attacked on sight because of what I am by ! I am no threat to you!"
Alexander slightly lowers the tip of his blade, and gives Felliped a stern look.
"Drop the spell. We are in enemy territory; this is not a good place to be coy about your species."
'And why would you wrap a Silent Image about yourself when you could as easily cast Disguise Self, I wonder....'
Alexander slightly lowers the tip of his blade, and gives Felliped a stern look.
"Drop the spell. We are in enemy territory; this is not a good place to be coy about your species."
Felliped's eyes dart around frantically for a moment as if he is looking for a way out of this situation, then his shoulders slump and his head bows in resignation. His voice is very small, "Please don't kill me..."
He shimmers for a second then subtle changes slip over him. His hair darkens from a dark brown to a dull, charcoal black; his skin pales to an almost luminous whiteness; and his body grows in height a little, becoming more slender and graceful. When he looks up at Kilarra again, he has noticeable fangs in place of the usual incisors of a human.
'And why would you wrap a Silent Image about yourself when you could as easily cast Disguise Self, I wonder....'
"A Dhampir?" Alexander guesses.
The old man grunts .... and sheathes his blade.
"Apologies. We are close to powerful foes."
The old man limps forward and offers Felliped a hand up.
"A Dhampir?" Alexander guesses.
Felliped's eyes snap to Alexander, widening a little in surprise before he nods slowly.
The old man grunts .... and sheathes his blade.
"Apologies. We are close to powerful foes."The old man limps forward and offers Felliped a hand up.
Felliped looks at the offered hand in disbelief for a long moment before cautiously taking it and rising back to his feet, now staning a little over six feet tall. He staggers a little, and the depth of relief in his voice is almost embarrassing, "Does this mean you will not give me back to the gnolls? Usually when I try to explain what I am it only makes people more likely to attack me; as if I could spread some disease."
"My dear fellow, if I wanted you dead, I would stab you," Alexander says. "Not give you to one of those scavengers. From what I know of Dhampir, you are indeed not the bearer of anything infectious. No one should be blamed for their parentage."
At the last bit he says, Alexander gives his comrades a brief look. Not a chastising one, but perhaps a little stern.
Zhalet sheaths her scimitar. She had it out long before they came across the man, but the symbolism of the act might be appreciated by him.
"You'll be glad to know that Andrus is safe. We came across some gnolls preparing to stake him out and rescued him."
Rukn lowers the bow. -I guess if they trust you- he points at Alex and Zhalet, -I trust you too.
Still, he tries not to let himself be distracted from the environment.
Solomon knew a thing or two about being shunned due to heritage. he put his darts away. "We'll get you to safety and back to Andrus. Anything you can tell us about the Gnolls and their Market would be helpful."
Kilarra relaxes a bit and moves back near the entrance so as to watch for any patrols. As she goes she says under hear breath, "I am not sure why he would pretend to be human, he is cute in the tall dark and handsome kinda way. Too bad he seems to be a bit skittish...I prefer my men to bare their teeth when cornered, not show their belly."
Felliped's relief at hearing of Andrus' survival is palpable, "After I watched so many of the Lions taken and tortured to death, I knew Andrus had to be gone. Thank you so much for rescuing him, and for rescuing me! If there is anything I can do to help you, you have but to ask! I am a musician, storyteller, and sometime historian. I have a little magic, as you saw, and I am fairly handy with a blade or bow. I have more than my fair share of skill at being unseen, so I won't be a hindrance to you. I left three more of the Lions inside the battle market and I would like the opportunity to help you rescue them. What little I know of the interior of the battle market and what skills I have are yours; I can wait to be reunited with Andrus until later."
As if on cue, as Kilarra heads back toward the street entrance, a roaring howl is heard from somewhere in the ruined town, easily identified as the demon, and another voice shouts defiantly back, "Then come, you rotted son of a whore! See how well you fare when you are outnumbered!" Though muffled by distance and walls, the voice sounds like Andrus.
Initiative:
Schir: 22
Dashki: 21
Andrus: 20
Solomon: 19
Erizi: 17+
Alexander: 17-
Rukn: 14+
Kilarra: 14
Felliped: 14-
Zhalet: 10
A
S
Alexander
Erizi
Kilarra
Rukn
Zhalet
Solomon
F
=15%
-We need to help them!
Rukn runs to help Andrus, in the hopes of being in time.
"The fools!" Alexander growls - and speed-limps after Rukn.