The second tengu looks much more confused than his friend. He's carrying the bag.
Wikvaya - Short Distance from leader, Close Contact with tengu 2
Daren - Medium from leader, Point Blank from Tengu 2
Elsdon - Long distance from both.
I'll just roll both of the tengus simultaneously. The tengu yells back at Wikvaya, "You won't stop us!"
They hit the wall and with a little flapping of their feathers, attempt to scale the short brick wall.
With a jump, a skip, and a hop, the tengus climb over the short wall adeptly, using their talons to quickly scale.
Wikvaya moved closer to the Tengu, he could practically feel one of them within his grasp, but he misjudged the distance between himself and the wall and slammed against it! Don't flee! You'll die gasping for air! he said as he attempted to scramble up the wall again.
Not much else to do but keep going after them...
With a running start, Daren leapt onto the wall and tried to start climbing, but one of the bricks he held onto was loose and slid out from the force of his weight. Daren landed on his back, but managed to roll with the fall and avoid injuring himself.
Elsdon's spell turns his surroundings into a blur of speed. It's been some time since he's had to do any running and he stumbles, unused to the sudden boost. By the end of the alleyway he's hit his stride, and runs halfway up the wall before scrambling up the rest of the way.
Wikvaya/Daren - Medium Distance from both of them
Elsdon - Short distance from both of them.
I'm just going to do one roll for both of them to make it easier to explain.
Elsdon, you leap over the wall and see them not too far away. This side of the wall lets out onto a street, busy with foot-traffic. You can see the tengus run down the busy street, weaving in and out of people and jumping over pot-holes. Give me a movement and an acrobatics check.
With a raven-like grace, they weave between the streetfolk, going in a diagonal direction towards a weaponsmith storefront.
That was... embarassing. Still, Daren has to keep trying to catch up, and find out just what the hell that was all about.
And another loose brick.
Daren starts wondering if it might just be quicker to tear down the wall with his hands than trying to leap over it.
Wikvaya thought he had reached the precipice of the wall, only to feel his boot give way off the ivy that had anchored along it. Sonuva-! was all he could muster as he grasped at air and went tumbling back down the wall. Real graceful... Wikvaya thought as he picked himself up from the ground and growled at the seemingly simple obstacle in front of him.
Elsdon had run through crowds like this a thousand times. Usually he was the one being chased, but there was always the occasional goblin who didn't want to pay up. He slipped through the crowd easily, risking a glance back to see if his companions were following but they were nowhere to be seen.
Won't I look like a fool when I catch them and there's no one to back me up, he thought. Still, the tengus were right in front of him. Maybe he'd grab the bag and keep running.
Wikvaya / Daren - Long Distance.
Elsdon - Point Blank
Elsdon, you sprint towards them with unnatural speed. You're closing in quick and they know that, so they tuck into a little smithy shop. They run fast, shoving over stands to try to stop you.
Wikvaya/Daren - Climb Check
Elsdon - Movement and Acrobatics check
They run, but their legs seem to start failing. They can't keep up at this pace.
Elsdon hurtles into the shop and looks back again, still searching for his companions. He doesn't see the fallen stands until too late, and trips over the first one, falling headlong over the rest.
Daren punches the ground in frustration, lets out a yell, then gets up and eaps onto the wall once more, a curse in his mouth ready to get out should things go as before.
And he grabs yet another loose brick. Not that he wasn't expecting it at this point. In frustration, he puts his hand on a brick of the wall and tries to tear it out. It was loose as well, and comes out easily.
The growl let out from Wikvaya seemed to have an effect. He climbed up the wall and skirted over the top of it a bit clumsily but agile enough to land on his feet and continue down the street. Elsdon, where? he shouted as he moved forward.
The ravens cackle deviously as you trip over their trap.
Wikvaya - Long
Daren - Long
Elsdon - Medium
The shopowner yells, "HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? but is stuck behind a desk and is unable to stop your pursuit. The tengus barrel towards an open staircase and start attempting to ascend.
Elsdon - Movement Check
Daren - Climb Check
Wikvaya - Climb + Acrobatics
The ravens, motivated by their trickery, quickly glide up the staircase.
Elsdon swears profusely and leaps to his feet. "Sorry mate, they'll pay for the damage!" he shouts to the angry shopkeeper as he dashes up the staircase after them.
In this whole city, they couldn't find a decent brick layer...
Daren continues his grumbling, but it is incomprehensible after this point, even to himself. He tries to jump over the wall another time, though he looks defeated through the whole thing, and his movements are visibly not as sharp.
Daren manages to leap over the wall almost effortlessly, even though he wasn't exerting much effort in the first place, defeated as he was. He stops for a while, incredulous about his success, then resumes the chase.
Wikvaya didn't get his feet set under himself and had an usually difficult time weaving through the crowd moving down the street. He still pushed on...
Wikvaya: You're able to weave in and out of the populace and potholes and follow the trail of destruction into the smithy house. The man now has gotten up and is looking around angrily, and motions to try to stop you. If you run past him, give me a movement check.
Daren: You finally ascended the godforsaken wall and watch Wikvaya run into a store. Acrobatics / Movement.
Elsdon: You've gotten hot on the heels of the tengus. You're now at a short distance. The staircase is now breaking off into residential areas to the left and right, apartment-style. The birds keep going up and up the staircase, you're probably about three stories up now.
Nothing can stop these birds, they're moving with a new-found purpose. You hear some chatter to each other in Tengu.
Elsdon is starting to feel decidedly uneasy about the whole thing. He hasn't seen his companions in some time, and he has no idea where the birds are headed. The fact that they seem to know doesn't bode well either.
"Daren! Wikvaya!" he shouts as he runs. "Where the hell are you?"
Daren sees Wikvaya and keeps running in the same direction, until he sees himself faced with a large crowd. Still frustrated, he doesn't even attempt to evade them, and simply keeps running straight ahead, though them. He knocks people down on the floor around him indiscriminately, but manages to make it through.
Wikvaya sees the shop owner try to slow him down, he raises a hand to try and wave him out of the way, but the shop owner doesn't move.
Elsdon, you get closer and closer to the tengus until you're almost arms-length from them. However, the tengus carve a sharp corner and run towards a glass window. One behind the other, they burst through the glass windowpane on the fourth floor overlooking the street. Daren can hear the noise and a bit of glass rains on him. The tengus, bloodied from the glass, open their wings.
They attempt to open their wings, but the glass has skinned their wings too much. They flap desperately, but manage to change their straight-down fall into a spiral-like crash. They tumble over each other and crash into the ground right next to you, Daren.
Daren is surprised, but reacts quickly. He throws himself on the tengu holding the bag, and attempts to pin him to the ground and prevent him from moving.
Elsdon dashes to the window and draws his bow but the tengus plummet out of sight. He leans out just in time to see Daren nearly collide with a falling tengu, then wrestle him to the ground. "There he is! About damn time," he grumbles, trying not to sound too relieved. He rushes back down the stairs, running into Wikvaya confronting an angry storeowner.
"Wikvaya! Daren's got 'em! We got the thieves who messed up your store," he adds to the storekeeper, while frantically gesturing at Wikvaya to go help Daren. "You can take up any damages with them. Just file a criminal damages claim. The, uh, Boros Legion thanks you for your assistance, citizen." He points to the red-and-white clad Daren still wrestling with the tengu.
He darts out of the shop after Wikvaya.
Wikvaya moves past the shop owner and out the door while drawing his great sword from over his shoulder. He approaches the tengu laying on the ground and lays the flat side of the blade over them. Daren wrestles with the smaller one who held the bag. You should not struggle so, my blade thirsts for warm blood. Speak, or it won't only be your wings I take, Wikvaya said to the tengu.
Gladius / Aboroth / 4561
"ACK! the bird squawks. "Guess my stunt didn't work but I'd still like to keep my wings, Alright, alright, here's the pixie! With a bit of tugging, the tengu lessens the rope holding the bag together and dumps it onto the ground. An unconscious pixie falls out. The tengus continue on, "We gave you what you want, can we go now?
The store-owner seems walks over to Daren as he finishes up wrestling the bird. He says, "Huh, sorry for all the ruckus. Your buddy over there told me that you're a part of the Boros Legion and I should go through you to file a criminal damages claim? Odd, they normally send out lawmages to do the job, but you seem competent enough. Although it seems you came last to the party of incompetent idiots. Okay, can you give me the form to complete or something?
Wikvaya scoops up the unconscious pixie and holds it in one hand while letting the weight of his great sword go heavier because it's held with one hand. I believe there's a blind man that would hear your whimpers as you apologize, he said while studying the pixie. Elsdon, Daren, what do you think? Wikvaya asked.
"See if they have anything valuable," Elsdon said to Wikvaya in a low voice. "Least we'll get SOMETHING for our trouble besides an apology and a thank you. Aw, s!!!, what does HE want?" The last comment was in reaction to the shopkeeper, who had approached and was now talking to Daren, looking for the form. Damn.
Elsdon felt inside his pocket. He had the notes he took in Engor's office as well as a "borrowed" inkpen but no ink. Well, it'd have to do. It wasn't enough for a form but it was enough for something.
He tore a small slip of paper off and knelt down near Wikvaya's tengu, glancing up to make sure the storeowner wasn't watching. "Hold still and be quiet," he muttered, and dipped the pen into the blood pooling in one of the tengu's wounds. He quickly scribbled the words "Case Number" and a series of digits that he hoped looked convincing, then mumbled a prestidigitation spell to dry the "ink" and turn the letters black. And a little more magic to clean up some of the splotches and stains. Close enough.
He stood up and walked over to storeowner hovering by Daren, who by now had his tengu in some sort of submission hold. Elsdon cleared his throat.
"Sir, these are dangerous criminals. I must ask you to stand back while we take them into custody. I've sent word to the district office and the lawmages will be here shortly to take care of the paperwork. This" - Elsdon thrust the scrap of paper at him - "is your case number. Give it to them when they arrive. I expect they'll want you to testify as well."
He politely but forcefully pushed the shopkeeper toward the store.
"Might have to take these guys with us to make it look official," he whispered to Daren.
"Yes, let's", whispered back Daren, propping up the tengu he was grappling with and shooting a glance at Wikvaya, to take care of the other one. As he began dragging the tengu back to where they came from, he pulled Elsdon close to him, and whispered "Just so you know, regular patrolmen don't actually have the forms for filing claims. Azorius deals with that, and you have to go to an office to file it. But nice bluff. Just keep that in mind next time."
Elsdon nodded. "Thanks. Haven't been arrested enough to figure that one out. You'll have to go over Boros operating procedure with me sometime, 'fore I make a fool out of myself." Daren had paid him very little for his help when they had first met, but to Elsdon this type of insider knowledge was worth more than gold.
The store owner grumbles, "Thanks, but next time try to be sure that your friends don't ruin more than they save. I'll wait around for some lawmages."[i] He goes over and tries to put back up some shelves. They break and the mutters under his breath raise to audible swears.
[i]"Careful, you'll have to pay me a few gold the way you're handling me!" one of the bird cackles as you search him. On them you find one instance of masterwork studded leather armor. They had a potion that was crushed by the fall, now ruining the color on one's feathers. He seems displeased by this.
When you return to your original starting-point, the old man is sitting down on the side of the street whistling a high tune. "I recognize those footsteps! Did you fellows find my pixie?
As they approach the old man, Wikvaya squeezes the wings of the tengu he was bringing back. Now tengu, when we arrive, beg forgiveness. he said.
The trio and tengu arrived at the old man. Wikvaya shifted the tengu's wings in one hand and he shook the pixie lightly to try and wake it.
Your pixie is here, although it appears to be unconscious, he said as he lowered the pixie into the blind man's hands. The thieves would have a couple things to say, don't you little tengus, he said in a stern tone.
"I'd like to know why they're kidnapping pixies in the first place," Elsdon added. "Good money in it? A favour for a mage? I don't suppose YOU'RE a mage, are you?" he mused, sizing up the blind dwarf.
"Money's a good bet", said Daren as he relaxed his arms a bit after stopping, but still holding the tengu firmly. "Pixies can fetch a good price in the black market."
"I wouldn't know anything about that," Elsdon said innocently. "Like my father always said, 'never steal anything that can run away. Or turn you into a frog.'"
Gladius / Aboroth / 4561
"Oh gosh! You got him back! Thank you so much!! He should be okay, he's gone through a lot of troubles. I'll see if my son can help me restore him. Here, you should come back with me! I'm sure there's something I can find for you as a reward, maybe you'd like to stay for lunch? Who stole my dear pixie?
"We did the birds say sheepishly, probably the first embarrassed statement you've heard them say. "We're sorry, we were going to sell him on the black market. We were running low on money.
"Well you should have said that you needed money! My son runs a shipping company that runs from the sixth to the tenth district, I'm sure I could find a job for you.
The tengus exchange glances. "Sure?
The older gentleman continues, "Also that's a weird thing for your father to tell you. But to continue, please come back with me! Come eat, I can't thank you enough!
Wikvaya looks at the others, and then at the tengu. I'm going to relax my grip on your wings, should you attempt to flee, there's a sword here thrice as long as you, he said. I'm good with some food and drink. Had a bit of a workout moving up that wall earlier, he said with a smirk and nod toward Daren.
"My father was a great man," Elsdon chuckled. Great at abandoning his family, he added silently. "He was full of odd stories and tales from his adventuring days. I'll see if I can't remember a few. As for lunch..."
Elsdon thought for a brief moment of their assignment, though his mind was already made up. "What the hell, that crime scene isn't going anywhere and I haven't had a decent meal in weeks. Let's eat!"
Daren was annoyed by the delay, at first, determined to look at the crime scene as he was, but the chase, especially his fight with the brick wall, left him exhausted, and he was only now noticing it, as his adrenaline levels went back to normal. His stomach grumbled for a few seconds.
"I don't see why not. I could use some food right now. I'm starving."
That said, Daren went into contemplation. This would be his first meal after coming back from the dead. Might as well make it a good one, he thought.
Gladius / Aboroth / 4561
"Wonderful! I'd love to hear stories of your father. Errrr, I should be able to get us home from here if you'll help call out the street names. Normally my pixie helps me get around but I'm in no condition to be able to rouse him. Does he look stable? Is he breathing?"
"Err, but I'm not exactly comfortable having these fellows come with us. Here, the company is Ralphye shipping. You can find it off the side of Atlas street, P45-A. About a day south of here if you're willing to make the trek. I think it's best that we let these folks go under the promise that they won't resort to stealing any more pixies?
They'll be back to snatching and stealing as soon as they're out of sight, Elsdon thought. Still, he wasn't about to volunteer to accompany them. He just hoped they wouldn't bear any grudges or remember his face too clearly.
"On your way then, you heard the man. Don't let us catch you again or next time, my friend's sword might slip." He left it at that. Normally he would have a lot more to say but he was starting to feel feel like a damn schoolteacher giving a lecture and he didn't like that, even if he used more death threats than the average teacher. Or fewer death threats, if the teacher in question was Preceptor Augustine from the Sorcerer's Academy of his youth, whom it was rumored had the souls of several unruly students bound to her service and was always looking for opportunities to obtain more.
Gladius / Aboroth / 4561
It'll take about 30 minutes to walk to the old man's house. He makes casual conversation on the route and seems excited at social companionship. He mentions that he has only one son, the owner of the Ralphye shipping. He came back to visit, but he's only here until Abyssi. He continues on about how excellent his son's cooking is. He guides you up several staircases to a wooden door and opens it. Inside is a meager apartment with a middle-aged man cracking open a flare cartridge over a small stovetop. He looks back and asks, "Well, lookie here, you've got company? Who're these folks? Also, where's Elyen? Don't tell me he flew off again!
"Well, it's been a rather confusing day, the older Ralphye responds. "Perhaps these gentlemen can explain better than I. as he motions for you to talk
The important thing is that we recovered the little one before it could be sold, Wikvaya said. These creatures are valuable to the right people. Regardless, I thirst and hunger, what can you provide, he questioned.
Elsdon decided to jump in with some more explanation before Wikvaya's intimidating demeanor frightened away their lunch.
"Elsdon Blackburn at your service. These are my companions, Wikvaya and Daren. We found your father in need of assistance and decided to stop and help." He hoped the elder Ralphye had forgotten by now that Elsdon was dragged into it against his will. "Seems your pixie friend - Elyen, was it? - was nabbed by a pair of tengu thieves. Well, if you've ever raced a tengu you'll know chasing one down isn't easy, but we were able to do it and rescue your friend. Your father has graciously offered us lunch and a little compensation, so here we are."
"As for the tengus, Wikvaya scared enough sense into the two that your father offered them a job with your company. I can't vouch for their honesty but I can attest to their speed."
"As my friend said, my name's Daren Nalavor", Daren said politely. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I don't really have anything to add to Elsdon's story, that's the gist of it. Thank you for your hospitality."
Gladius / Aboroth / 4561
"One moment! as the room is overcome with light. After a quick blindness, it seems that the fire is lit. "Okay, sorry for that. Had an extra supply of those from last shipment, figured that I'd use them for something. Not many people buy single-use flare cartridges, unsurprisingly.
But oh my! That seems like a very eventful day. Fortunate that you're all back safe and sound." The man seems unfazed. "I'm finishing up lunch now, just have to cook these vegetables and we should be able to eat in a few minutes! I once delivered some gunpowder for some Izzet mages in the corner of the tenth district and as nervous as that job made me, the food they prepared was so calming and exquisite! Here, let me see if I can work on Elyen while these cook."
The man is not nice to look at. His face resembles a board: flat and uniform. He's got weathered skin, early for his age. He picks up the pixie and looks him over and announces, "Yep! He'll be fine. Just give him a day or so to rest."
"Huh, I'm not so sure I want people that stole your pixie to be working for me, although we do have open slots." he says as he starts serving lunch. After everybody sits he questions, "Also, what were you folks doing? Thanks for helping my father, it seems graced that he came by you.
Elsdon recognized what the man was using to light the fire just in time to close his eyes, though it still left a spot in his vision. He chatted with the man while the food was cooking. "No doubt they're good chefs," he said as the conversation turned to the Izzet mages, "but I'd look very hard at what a wizard was serving me before eating it. A little prestidigitation goes a long way," he remarked, snapping his fingers so that the aroma of coffee briefly fills the room, "and you won't realize what you've eaten until you're in the privy an hour or two later. Sorry, not the best lunchtime conversation, is it?"
As they sat down to lunch, the man inquired about their business. An innocent enough question, but Elsdon had a lie ready before he was even finished. He held himself back. They weren't doing anything illegal, after all, and it might help to know how far news of the crime had spread.
"We're looking into the recent massacre at a church of Erastil," he said. "Have you heard the news? A lot of people died. Some of our friends were there." He carefully omitted any mention of Engor. It was bad manners to implicate an employer and throwing around names carelessly had gotten him in trouble before.
What Elsdon said, we're investigating bloodshed, he said as he started digging into the food with his bare hands. I require drink, he said without looking up from his plate, eating loudly.
"Please excuse my companion here, said Daren. He's from the outskirts tribes. Hasn't been here in the city for long.