Nevyn:
He looks up as Torillan enters...
"Torillan, Oh, and Atherton Dram, and the Shoanti, and Malik, and the pretty little Dancer. How strange for you all to be here together, and armed as if for a war!
"Well, I can guess most of their reasons Atherton, so I guess that implies yours too, I can't see them having paid you to guide them here if they have found me at all.
"So who told you? You killed old Korvin, so long ago it can't have been him, and I didn't think there was anyone else who knew? Well, never mind. It matters not now, you got rid of Korvin for me, and I had the pleasure of Erin for a whole hour before she died, that more than makes up for this little inconvenience.
"Why?" is all Atherton weakly ask. He stands in a daze, his crossbow forgotten at his side. For a moment he's pulled back into the moment when he realized that she was dead, that he was alone, bereft.
He's going into the dim storeroom, terrified of what he knows he'll find. He smells the metallic scent of blood and looks down. The toe of his boot is on the edge of a puddle of thick crimson blood that surrounds her like a macabre halo.He's staring down at her face through a haze of tears. She's beautiful even in death. He's brushing a lock of her auburn hair from her pale cheek, softly whispering her name as if it could bring her back to life.
He's standing beside the freshly turned earth in the graveyard, staring mutely at the small headstone that marks her resting place. For a long time he stands there, staring and realizing that Eria wasn't the only one lying beneath the earth. Atherton Dram was as dead as she.
He's back in the shop he once ran, opening the door and calling out to her. Again. He's trapped forever in that moment like an insect in amber.
His building fury and sorrow pulls him back to the present and he raises his crosswbow, pointing it at Lamm with a shaking hand. His face is set rigidly in fury, but looking closely a deepest pain and misery cand be seen behind the hate filling his eyes. He speaks in a voice shaking with barely controlled fury "Pray for your sake that you're lying, Lamm." he says, then shouts at the older man. "F@#!ing pray that you're not telling the truth!"
He waits for the older man's answer, hoping that Lamm's lying, that he's bluffing to throw them off. A part of him knows that Lamm isn't bluffing. A part of him has always known.
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"Why?" is all Atherton weakly ask. He stands in a daze, his crossbow forgotten at his side. For a moment he's pulled back into the moment when he realized that she was dead, that he was alone, bereft.
He's going into the dim storeroom, terrified of what he knows he'll find. He smells the metallic scent of blood and looks down. The toe of his boot is on the edge of a puddle of thick crimson blood that surrounds her like a macabre halo.
He's staring down at her face through a haze of tears. She's beautiful even in death. He's brushing a lock of her auburn hair from her pale cheek, softly whispering her name as if it could bring her back to life.
He's standing beside the freshly turned earth in the graveyard, staring mutely at the small headstone that marks her resting place. For a long time he stands there, staring and realizing that Eria wasn't the only one lying beneath the earth. Atherton Dram was as dead as she.
He's back in the shop he once ran, opening the door and calling out to her. Again. He's trapped forever in that moment like an insect in amber.
His building fury and sorrow pulls him back to the present and he raises his crosswbow, pointing it at Lamm with a shaking hand. His face...
Lamm, looks almost sorry for a moment, almost guilty. But the moment passes quickly, and with a smile he glances back at Atherton, standing as he does so and reaching out with one hand to the table he was at.
Lamm's hand has wrapped around a crossbow, and is carefully picking it up
"I needed Korvin Dead Atherton, and you were the man to do it. You just needed a little, " Lamm grins, "persuasion.
"She was a worthless tart anyway,", he pointedly looks at Callandra, "They all are. You'll learn that soon enough."
Tensing up at Atherton's response and the old man's harsh words Calandra places a supportive hand on the rogue's shoulder before taking a step in front of the group. Moving with purpose the young woman's hips sway with each calculated step.
"Worthless tarts" She repeats in an almost sing-song voice, her body shifting from side to side as though moving to a beat "Yet somehow you still desire us, don't you?" She questions with a small smirk of a smile as her movements become a small dance and she begins to lightly sing the melody the lively Varisian tune she's been moving to, her beautiful voice echoing around the room in sharp contrast to the dark situation they're in.
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Tensing up at Atherton's response and the old man's harsh words Calandra places a supportive hand on the rogue's shoulder before taking a step in front of the group. Moving with purpose the young woman's hips sway with each calculated step.
"Worthless tarts" She repeats in an almost sing-song voice, her body shifting from side to side as though moving to a beat "Yet somehow you still desire us, don't you?" She questions with a small smirk of a smile as her movements become a small dance and she begins to lightly sing the melody the lively Varisian tune she's been moving to, her beautiful voice echoing around the room in sharp contrast to the dark situation they're in.
Lamm watches Atherton's reaction and his eyes follow Callandra as she moves forward. "You! you...." his words trail away as Calandra's song and dance take hold of Lamm, and with a clatter, a crossbow falls to the floor, triggering with the impact a bolt flies up and embeds itself in the wood above.
Proud of her performance Callandra continues her song and dance, working in waves of her arms to signal for the others to advance as she knows the magical compulsion of the performance won't last long, she's not that well trained.
Istas stiffens as she realizes Lamm has reached for a weapon. But then Calandra's unexpected song and dance seem to mesmerize him. The priestess avoids looking at the enchantress. 'So that's her talent...' Istas thinks, 'And the reason Pharasma included her in this...'
When the crossbow discharges harmlessly as Lamm falls under Calandra's spell, Istas knows it's time to move. Sensing that Atherton is still wrestling with an inner turmoil...was it pain? fury?...she slips past him and edges towards the wall and one of the paths around the hole in the floor. She keeps a wary eye on the large alligator below, her spear held ready.
As long as she hears Calandra singing and dancing behind her, Istas assumes Lamm's attention will be directed there. So she attempts to get as close to him as possible. After all, if the man was willing to defend himself, he'll likely follow through with that plan if Calandra's spell doesn't hold.
"I needed Korvin Dead Atherton, and you were the man to do it. You just needed a little, " Lamm grins, "persuasion.
"She was a worthless tart anyway,", he pointedly looks at Callandra, "They all are. You'll learn that soon enough."
"She wasn't worthless!" Atherton snarls and lets loose a crossbow bolt at Lamm and begins to stride closer, reloading his crossbow.
Swearing quietly under her breath as the entrancement of the old criminal fades away Cal breaks into a run, quickly following Istas and making her way past the lounging Gobblegut and to within striking distance od Gaedren.
Init
Atherton 21 acted
Calandra 20 acted
Malik 19
Torillan 6
Istas 4
"Gobblegut will only get one meal today. And that will be you, Lamm. Murderer. I'm prepared for your pet."
Malik makes gestures of slipping strength and speaks in a voice getting more and more quiet. Then he points out with his finger to the lounging crocodile. A coruscating ray streaks toward the reptile in the water....
Ranged Touch;Strength damage (1d20+1=2, 1d6=2)
and is reflected by the surface.
Init
Lamm 23
Atherton 21 acted
Calandra 20 acted
Malik 19 acted
Gobblegut 19 acted
Torillan 6
Istas 4The alligator splashes around in the water, obviously having been recently fed, and not moving to attack anyone.
Istas continues her path around the alligator pit to make room for Calandra and anyone else following behind. Rather than focus on Lamm for the moment, there seems to be plenty of others dedicated to taking him out. So, she turns instead towards the more dangerous alligator. Noting Malik's spell had little effect, she calls instead upon Pharasma's favor to trigger the animal's flight reflex with an imagined fear of its own mortality.
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Torillan is momentarily shaken by the sight of Lamm, but quickly recovers. He takes the distraction of Atherton and Calandra's confrontation to move round the pool, using the opposite route to Istas, and getting within striking range of Lamm.
Meanwhile, Istas' call to her Goddess captures the attention of Gobblegut, the creature begins shaking it's head, and moves to the middle of the pool away from the threatening figure.
"You little shit Atherton, I'll teach you to shoot at me. I thought we could do business together, once you had grown a little, matured out, so to speak, but no. Never now." Lamm spits, in Atherton's general direction,as he re-loads his cross bow and fires the bolt at Gobblegut. The alligator rears up in pain and anger, and lets out a blood curdling roar, water splashing under it's mighty tail, and increasing the fishey stench of the place.
Lamm's mood changes quickly, and he laughs as he looks from the enraged alligator, to Istas' concentration, "No, priestess, you're not hallucinating this time, and I'll make sure you don't again after today.....no more Shiver for you now my girl." he smirks.
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As Reth moves forward, the two Thugs to his rear move with him, but that movement means they get nothing more than glancing blows and defensive sweeps in.
As Reth pivots on the ball of one foot though, and finally puts his back to the wall, the Leader gets a convincing blow in. It sweeps across Reth's side, splitting armor like butter, and draws blood in a deep gash.
Despite herself, the woman giggles, and lets out a small cheer.
The man simply grins knowingly at Reth, finally beginning to enjoy his day.
Furious, Atherton shouts "We did do buisness together Lamm, and for my trouble you betrayed me! You will pay!" and reloads and fires his crossbow at Lamm.
Nevyn...
As Reth moves forward, the two Thugs to his rear move with him, but that movement means they get nothing more than glancing blows and defensive sweeps in.
As Reth pivots on the ball of one foot though, and finally puts his back to the wall, the Leader gets a convincing blow in. It sweeps across Reth's side, splitting armor like butter, and draws blood in a deep gash.
Despite herself, the woman giggles, and lets out a small cheer.
The man simply grins knowingly at Reth, finally beginning to enjoy his day.
that was a 3HP blow...Which should sill be in posiive figures, but I think the others may turn up soon... :)
Staggering back against the wall for support blood flows freely between his fingers and down his side. "I don't suppose you'd all be interested in going back to the negotiatin' part now, would ya?" He glances over at the woman after she giggles, "You know, you ain't quite right."
Teeth gritted Calandra runs into close combat, swiftly attempting to introduce one of her daggers to Lamm's side.
Malik's fear is clearly showing on his face as he takes a step back, away from the monster. "K-kill him!" He shouts to the others, but it is not clear, if he means Lamm or Gobblegut. Then he throws one of his acid flask at the alligator.
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Atherton's bolt grazes Lamm leaving a line of blood down his cheek, he winces in pain, obviously about to shout a curse when Calandra crashes into him, her knife also causing a small cut as he staggers to regain his balance and face her.
Malik's flask sails into the air, and comes crashing down the the alligator's nose, enraging it even further, it snarls and snaps, obviously torn between the two people attacking it, and finally settles on Istas. With a heave of it's tail it flies through the water propelling itself fast enough to jump from the water, and reach up to the Shoanti priestess. It's jaws snap shut with a resounding clash that echoes throughout the room, mere inches from her legs.
Init
Lamm 23 acted
Atherton 21 acted
Calandra 20 acted
Malik 19 acted
Gobblegut 19 acted
Torillan 6
Istas 4
Malik's flask sails into the air, and comes crashing down the the alligator's nose, enraging it even further, it snarls and snaps, obviously torn between the two people attacking it, and finally settles on Istas. With a heave of it's tail it flies through the water propelling itself fast enough to jump from the water, and reach up to the Shoanti priestess. It's jaws snap shut with a resounding clash that echoes throughout the room, mere inches from her legs.
Istas hops back, her eyes wide with fear.
She puts some room between them and then hurls her spear at the creature, hoping it won't climb any higher.
Torillan moves closer to Lamm, looking for an opening.
Torillan sees his chance and takes a swing, but slips on the water sloshing around his feet from the gator's thrashings.
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Torillan moves closer to Lamm, looking for an opening.
Torillan sees his chance and takes a swing, but slips on the water sloshing around his feet from the gator's thrashings.
Pharasma is with Torillan his day, and as he slips, his swipe doesn't cut as deeply as it otherwise would. But cut it does, leaving Lamm staggering, a look of Panic in his eyes.
"Petty street thug, what have I don't to you?" he hisses.
Istas hops back, her eyes wide with fear.She puts some room between them and then hurls her spear at the creature, hoping it won't climb any higher.
Gobblegut howls again in pain, as the spear embeds itself in his skull, waving wildly in the air as he crashes around the pool.
Lamm, already facing Torillan, stabs at him wildly with his dagger, failing, in his pain, and age to even rent the cloth of Torillan's cloak...
Lamm 23 acted
Atherton 21
Calandra 20
Malik 19
Gobblegut 19
Torillan 6
Istas 4
Pharasma is with Torillan this day, and as he slips, his swipe doesn't cut as deeply as it otherwise would. But cut it does, leaving Lamm staggering, a look of panic in his eyes. "Petty street thug, what have I done to you?" he hisses.
"It isn't what you've done to him," Istas calls over her shoulder as she continues to face the alligator, "It's what you've done to people your whole life. Today, it catches up to you, Gaedren Lamm. Today, Pharasma's waters close over you and harden to ice."
Gobblegut howls again in pain, as the spear embeds itself in his skull, waving wildly in the air as he crashes around the pool.
Istas takes satisfaction in her perfect throw, as well as getting some distance between her and the alligator. At least the beast would have to crawl out of the pit in order to reach her now. And that alone might give her an opportunity to hit again before it could reach the top.
Atherton fires his crossbow at Lamm again. 'I don't know about Pharasma's judgement, but my judgement has certainly caught up to him.'
Not allowing herself to get distracted by the conversation around her Calandra focuses solely on attacking Lamm, slashing furiously with her dagger.
As Malik sees Gobblegut trying to bite at Istas, he gulps.
This beast is huuuge. If it gets me.... I... I... will drown.
He watches the carnage with Lamm in the middle. But his knees forbid any movement to wreak his revenge.
Then he hears Calandra's words again with he spiders. I knew you could do it, she said. I CAN do it.
He takes the last acid flask from his belt and throws it at the raging crocodile.
Ranged touch (more than 10'); damage (acid) (1d20-1=3, 1d6=6)
The flask lands harmlessly in the water near the crocodile and just bobbles on the waves. I... I have failed them.
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[occ]Death by 1,000 cuts is it?[/ooc]
As Atherton's bolt flashes overhead, to embed itself in the wall, Calandra's knife flashes again, leaving another cu on Lamm dripping bloody.
He is panting now, and looking more drawn than when you entered, and looks at Calandra with a pained expression, "You, you really do mean to kill me? But why? What will it achieve? The priestess must have told you it will not bring your loved ones back..." H whispers...
The alligator, still in a rage, throws itself once or twice against the side, but knows it will not get all the way up out of the water, so picks another target...The splash of Malik's acid flask draws it's attentions....It disappears under the water for a moment, a shadow hurtling across the pool arrow straight, and shoots from the water as it's mighty jaws snap shut on Malik's leg, tearing at the flesh in a horrendous fashion, but fortunately not able to retain a grip on the helpless wizard, and disappears back under the waves...
1d20+4=22, 1d20+6=12, 1d8+6=13
The alligator, still in a rage, throws itself once or twice against the side, but knows it will not get all the way up out of the water, so picks another target...The splash of Malik's acid flask draws it's attentions....It disappears under the water for a moment, a shadow hurtling across the pool arrow straight, and shoots from the water as it's mighty jaws snap shut on Malik's leg, tearing at the flesh in a horrendous fashion, but fortunately not able to retain a grip on the helpless wizard, and disappears back under the waves...
"Malik! Look out!" Istas warns. But she can see the wizard is practically frozen with fear. Sensing the outcome before it happens, her feet are already moving to circle back around the alligator pit to rush to his aid. When she arrives, she's relieved to see that the beast falls back without pulling him in. She grabs Malik by his robe and hauls him forcefully away from the edge and out of range of any further attacks.
"'Ware the alligator!" she calls out to everyone else, her hands busily trying to staunch Malik's wound.
"C'mon, Malik..." Istas whispers as she works, "It's not your time yet."
He is panting now, and looking more drawn than when you entered, and looks at Calandra with a pained expression, "You, you really do mean to kill me? But why? What will it achieve? The priestess must have told you it will not bring your loved ones back..." He whispers...
With a dark glare Claandra replies with a harsh, hissed whisper of her own.
"Besides" She adds in a slightly louder voice "What it will acheive is ensuring you won't hurt anyone ever again"
As Atherton's bolt flashes overhead, to embed itself in the wall, Calandra's knife flashes again, leaving another cu on Lamm dripping bloody.
He is panting now, and looking more drawn than when you entered, and looks at Calandra with a pained expression, "You, you really do mean to kill me? But why? What will it achieve? The priestess must have told you it will not bring your loved ones back..." H whispers...
"No, it won't bring anyone back, but you can at least burn in whatever hell the gods have waiting for you", Torillan hisses. "Now, you die!"
Torillan makes to swing both swords , but Istas' cries distract him momentarily....
Lamm 23
Atherton 21
Calandra 20
Malik 19
Gobblegut 19
Torillan 6
Istas 4
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Confused by the reactions of Cal and Torillan to his words, Lamm slowly starts to realize his own mortality, his bravado drops, and a weak old man stands agape as Gobblegut attempts to rip Malik apart. His cross bow clatters to the floor, moments before Toriallan's first swing impacts, and Lamm is left a bleeding heap on the floor.
As if it senses the death of it's master, the shadow in the water slowly fades, as Gobblegut flees.
Calandra exhales gently as Lamm sinks to the ground and soon her foot collides with the body's ribcage, unable to resist kicking him again in her residual anger at what the man had done to her and her family. Shaking her head she moves away and towards Atherton with a weak smile.
"Hey Ath.." She starts before realising she doesn't have the right words for what she wants to say to the rogue and instead just wraps her arms around him in a brief, loose hug.
Shifting easily away she spots Malik for the first time and her eyes fly wide open. "Mal!" She gasps before rushing over and standing beside Istas "Is he going to be alright?"
...she spots Malik for the first time and her eyes fly wide open. "Mal!" She gasps before rushing over and standing beside Istas "Is he going to be alright?"
"He's unconscious...lost a lot of blood...and more in shock from that bite than anything," Istas explains to Calandra, "It seems Pharasma has a different fate in store for him than Lamm."
Cure light wounds... (1d8+1=9)
When Malik's eyes open, Istas smiles down at him. "Don't worry," she says, "I brought you back before death could claim you." She looks from him to Calandra with an air of confidence and joy to feel so close to her goddess in a time like this. "You see?" she tells them, "There was a reason for us all to be here. Even me..."
After helping Malik back to his feet, she guides them back into the room. She examines Lamm as well, just to assure herself of his passing. "His cycle is ended," Istas bows her head, motioning with her hand in a sign of faith.
She then goes to make sure the alligator has truly left, taking her grandfather's Shoanti-made spear with it. 'Everything has its purpose,' the priestess tells herself, willingly letting the spear go, despite its connection to her past, 'A new page turned...' she realizes, 'A sign that my old life has truly passed from me. I am yours completely, my Lady."
Lost in her own epiphany, Istas hardly notices the actions of the rest of the group around her...
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It takes a few moments, but Malik comes round, remarkably quickly, and is back on his feet and examining the room with the rest of you.
As far as the room goes, the part where Lam was, and now lies dead is at the far side from the entrance.
The far corner of the room is walled off, with a closed door between you and it, and the remaining space is ten up by tables surrounded by junk and litter. This is obviously where the things that the children pick pocket end up.
It appears that Lamm spends his days sorting through for trinkets, and discarding anything of little value, though what happens to the junk after that is anyones guess. None of it looks too old.
Curiousity quickly getting the better of her Calandra stalks over to the closed door. Resting her hand on the doorknob she waits for a brief moment before attempting to open the door.
Atherton stalks over to where Lamm lays bleeding on the floor and draws his dagger, raising it to slash across Lamm's throat. Right before he swings, he looks down at the old man and, with a cruel smile, mutters "I would never have been capable of this without your 'mentoring'. Now I let her rest in peace." and he slashes the dagger down.
A cold, bitter smile flashes across his face as he wipes the blood from his dagger. 'It's done.'.
He shrugs Calandra off, not meeting her eyes and muttering "Hey yourself. Let's finish this and get out of here."
"That was close. I thought, I'd be dead. I was sure, that death opened its maw and tried to swallow me." Malik takes a deep breath, taking in the surroundings. Then he walks over to the corpse of Lamm and kicks him in the chest. "At last. Vivienne can rest now." Malik takes a look, if Gaedren Lamm was wearing anything around his neck.
Before Atherton, Malik, and the others can leave or search Lamm's headquarters, Istas gathers their attention with a loud voice.
"Mark this day!" she tells them, "And mark this hour! All of you!" Her eyes seem to specifically draw Malik who came exceptionally close to death. But also Atherton, Calandra, and Torillan. It's almost as if the priestess feels empowered (or emboldened?) to look deeper into their souls and past whatever facade they've constructed to hide behind or justify their actions over the years.
"This can be a turning point in your lives," she announces, "Whatever choices, whatever circumstances, may have lead you here, Pharasma now offers a new direction. Many paths will open to you. To us all. Consider what brought you here...how you came to be here. And then choose wisely if you wish to make the most of your future."
"By Pharasma's direction, I implore you," she finishes, "Don't discard this chance to be someone better. To do something different. To choose a more heroic path. That is the opportunity that now lies before you. Seize it! Or fall into despair and ruin, doomed to live out the rest of your years in a life of diminishment. For these are Pharasma's tidings to you all..."
With that outpouring, Istas falls silent. And indeed, she completely withdraws, her personality abruptly changing with regards to everyone present. Her message delivered, it's as if she has no more words to say.
Instead, Istas takes it upon herself to search the rest of Lamm's hideout, looking for any remaining children that might need a change of fate as well...
Calandra rolls her eyes a little at the huge announcement by Istas and as she finishes the Varisian slips through the door to the as yet unexplored room.
'Being a hero doesn't feed three sisters'