I do prefer the view from the back as well, Melifan. Be careful, those buns don't want to be toasty either. , she says with a laugh.
Heh, sounds like you two need t' get a room. Anyone have any ideas about the murderer on the loose?
Hegin finishes his drink and motions for another.
When the party finishes in the Tavern they head to The Fifth Wind Monument. The evening is humid and scarcely cooler than the day as the sun begins to slide beneath the horizon over the waves. As you walk through the districts several fights break out and tempers flare often. Even the gruff looking man in armor is cuffing his son upside the head not far from the tavern, growling admonishments at him.
As you reach the monument you find a strange island of peace, the weather is noticeably cooler. A light breeze flows in from the sea and you can see relaxation and calm on the faces of all around you.
Even Melifan seems to calm visibly and his scars seem to lessen.
Can I do a spellcraft check or cast detect magic?
Melifan, you have gotten a much sweeter taste of Elrawien Lantherion, than the half-orc has ever dreamed of.
At the comment, Garroth growled and sneered at Melifan, but didnt say or do anything further until they got up to go to the monument
Arriving at the monument, Garroth looked around at the people with a puzzled look on his face, scratching the back of his neck "What the Hells is this? You'd think people would be on edge around the place of all the killin's...heck you'd expect the place to be deserted at this time of day." he looked at Zindy with questioning eyes, apparently expecting the man to have an answer.
Melifan looks a bit puzzled. Even nervous now. He takes a closer look at the surroundings trying to take a cue from any random animals about. Maybe there is something in the air. He didn't think that metaphorically either. He assumed the air was drugged. He sniffed momentarily being suspicious and cautious.
Something is wrong here friends. I don't like this. It has the feeling of a trap.
In the shadows of the tavern, at a secluded table, seldom used by anyone, Amira sits quietly. One of the reasons she always chose this table was that for some odd reason, sound in the Old Fang seemed to get funneled to that particular spot. If a person was perceptive enough, or able to master their own senses, they would be able to sift through conversation after conversation, eventually becoming able to determine which table was which.
That was also the reason she made sure that a rat or two was seen near that table at least once a week. So it was that she listened to the table of companions discussing the dark news of The Masquerade Slasher.
She’s been aware of the case for a week now, and seen the results.
Magnimar was restless. The restlessness of fear in the streets and panic in people’s homes, from the gutters of Underbridge all the way to The Summit, the madman spread fear through the hearts of the population and an almost frenzied urgency through the city guard.
Frowning she listened as ideas were bandied about on how to catch the lunatic. This was her city and there was no way she would let this go on.
As the group finishes their drinks and leave she waits for a few minutes before rising, walking over to their emptied table and picking up an untouched glass to the finest wine the place had and drinking it. With a nod of respect to the owner she walks out of the door, making her way towards the Fifth Wind Monument.
She’s shared a drink or two with most of the group in the past, and had more in depth run ins with both the other women in some of the worst parts of the city. If nothing else they were all capable, and as she approached them, feeling the sudden shift in tensions, the odd pull in the back of her mind that always indicated the City wanted something from her, she realized that any chance of success she had, lay with them.
As he inspects the surroundings, sniffing the air, he makes a circle eyes closed as if he could sense the origin of the strange feeling permeating the area. He stops his turn and opens his eyes, nearly jumping out of his own skin.
GEEZE! Amira! What the hell have I told you about sneaking around!
He bends over, hands on knees panting from surprise. He looks up at her from the bent position squinting up.
Yeah. You should speak up or something next time. Yer gonna give a man a heart attack.
Rhiannon fell silent once the joking started to pick up, and she kept mostly to her drink until they parted. She'd indulged a bit too much in her drink compared to usual, and it left her more pensive than usual. Some air and time on her feet would have her back to normal, but until then she retreated slightly into herself and let the usual banter continue without her.
When they departed, her spirits returned to her rather swiftly, in fact disconcertingly so as they approached the monument.
"Well, this is disconcerting. I can see why he'd chose to kill here; his already weak prey is even more docile."
She turned when Melifan started shouting, rolling her eyes as she spotted the druid.
"Amira! Wonderful to see you. I take it you've been spying on us again."
Heh, maybe we should put a bell on 'er. Good to see yah miss, glad you could join us. I dunno Melifan, this place doesn't seem so bad.
Hegin begins walking towards the Island.
Giving the newcomer a once over, Garroth leaned closer to Rhia, half whispering at her sideways "So who's this then? Friend of yours?" He hadn't seen the woman before, but from what little he could gather, that was likely by design.
Spotting the dwarf already wandering off, Garroth almost didnt wait for an answer before following "Woah now Hegin, tryin' to sneak off and have the reward all to yourself?" he joked, nudging the dwarf with a knee, since elbowing would be too much of a bend.
Amira smiles at Melifan's reaction, grinning as she is greeted by the others.
"I wouldn't call it spying so much as keeping track of a few of my favorite members of the community. Looks like this brought out everybody."
So your not here to arres...
His voice fades and he clears his throat.
Look, I swear I thought that job was completely legit. How did I know that idiot was jus another pickpocket lookin for marks.
He straightens up and moves away from Amira a bit not wanting to get whomped by her again. She had a habit of catching him in the most awkward and compromising of situations.
Besides, we are at least on the same side this time...
We ARE on the same side this time right?
Zindelo nods at Garroth, "It's very strange, I'm not sure what's going on." Zin looks at the sky trying to judge what's happening.
What about the weather? Is either the weather in this plaza, unnatural or is the weather in the rest of the city more weird than is should be?
Just how uncommon is this weather, and this sudden transition?
After checking out the sky, he sees previously quiet friends arrive and talk. He checks out the area looking for what's to be seen, particularly if anyone shadowed them from the tavern.
What's there? Who's there?
"Greetings ladies, my eyes are dazzled by the bounty of beauty and grace before me." Zindelo is his usual charming self, but it does seem his attention is truly elsewhere.
Hegin laughs at Garroth.
Just making sure I get there before you Garroth! He jests.
"No Melifan, obviously Amira wants the Masquerade Slasher to continue operations in her city. I'm sure gruesome murders make her druid senses tingle in all the right ways."
She rolled her eyes and turned back to Amira. "That's why you're here, right? The will of the city calling you to aid us in finding him?"
"I wouldn't quite have phrased it that way but yes. Magnimar wants this disease removed from her streets. The damage he causes increases daily."
Knowledge Local
Knowledge Nature
Perception
As she speaks, she takes in the surroundings, her senses combing the area for information, sifting through the experiences in this part of the city
Looking around at everyone who seems to be calmer, thinking to herself, This is odd. Perhaps my magical talents will be of use here. Ast Trsinto rmen
Sensing nothing she continues,
[b] Very interesting, even the dour Melifan Karneyus seems a bit more subdued. I detect no eldritch energies. [b]
The area of calm seems to radiate from the monument and extends about a hundred feet out in all directions.
If one walks around the area or crosses the border of calm:
|
While following the group and quietly assessing the situation, Agatha
is genuinely disturbed by these attacks.....(I mean she has much in common with these socialites!)
Enough so that she pulls her attention off of an ornate hand mirror she constantly preens herself in. Striding around the monument regally, unable to be rushed she methodically takes her time inspecting.
|
|
A puzzle dawns on Agatha's face. It starts with an immediate creased brow, expanding to a a sudden widening of her eyes
"These magics are just not possible.... I have heard of Rune Magic before but not like this not this .....old feeling" She breathlessly purrs before continuing.
"There is an aura here of ... enchantment while that is something i'm familiar with there is something much more ancient than the compulsions and charms of the court i hail from" she finishes.
As you investigate the evening turns into night and suddenly the cool air becomes warm and sickly. Peoples moods become more surly and aggressive. A cackling laugh rings out down a dark alley to the east.
Ancient huh.
He shoots a glare at Rhiannon.
Ya hear that s#!t?! Ancient enchantment. Ya still think this bloke 's a pushover? The damn psycho 's ancient. I dun wanna fight somethin ancient. Ancient means scary. Like dragons. Dragons are ancient. Dragons are scary. I swear, if this guy we're lookin for is a dragon, I'm out. I'd rather be alive and poor than rich and dead.
Then shoots a glare at the dwarf.
And jus cuz I said dragon, you 'ad better not be gettin them damn dwarfy ideas like goin dragon huntin tiny. Cuz I swear, if you go on another rant 'bout how we need ta kill us a dragon, Im'ma glue dat beard o'yours to a high branch of a tree.
His strong street accent seems to be thickening as he talks about his own mortality. The thoughts of dragons fires and magic seem to be getting him a bit on edge despite the calming effects of the area. At least he isn't yelling like normal.
Rhiannon closed her eyes, trying to gather herself and think. She'd definitely underestimated whatever was happening, and the fact the mood magic was slowly shifting the atmosphere didn't help her focus at all.
"Shut up and let me think!" she snapped, looking down toward the alley. "Whatever's happening is coming from that alley. We don't have very long until it's empty, so we need a plan and we need one now."
Never fought a dragon I couldn't be...
He gets cut off by Melifan, and laughs.
You know me too well sir. Very well, whadya suggest?
Hegin looks in the direction of one of the buildings forming the alley and points.
O'er there mates. Looks like our mind is made up for us.
He draws his greataxe.
Keep yer wits about yah!
Looking at the befuddled Melifan, Now dear, we know that you are excited and perhaps a little fearful. That is understandable but allowing your accent and lack of education to come forth, even in trying circumstances, well that just won't do.
Alley what now?
He looks toward the same alley she was peering down. He then took a quick measure of the distance from the alley to any defensible and advantageous positions so the alley within twenty feet, his maximum effective ambush distance. The options were bleak, especially with the numbers they were moving in.
So what do ya think Gar...
-2=1
The dwarfs words and drawing of his weapon cut Melifan short. Not knowing what the dwarf is speaking of, he draws his sword defensively knowing better than to second guess such a proclamation.
Zindelo tries to recall information on the area.
"The monument is for a cleric that sacrificed himself for the city. I think it's trying to protect it. Something is overcoming it ...
"Where? Down the alley?"
Zindelo keeps his hands free to move.
Quieter, "Might be a bad time to bring this up, but does anybody know how to heal? That's the person most to be protected."
The drawing of his dueling saber sends a ringing hum in the air as the blade sings from its sheath. The ancient blade is in emasculate shape for such an old weapon etched with runes long forgotten by all be the most learned scholars. The blade holds an edge so sharp it seems to almost slice the air around it as it glides effortlessly and masterfully in Melifan's practiced grasp. It is a wonder that such a large and seemingly unwieldy two handed blade could be handled with the grace and comfort of a sword half its size in the hands of one who knows how to use it.
"I can heal. A little bit. Not very good at it, and I can think of a few other things I could do with my talents instead, and I can take care of myself."
Perception
I can heal if need be, but I have other gifts that may be more important." Amira says quikly before breaking into a run towards the alley.
Garroth had been looking the other way, growing steadily more annoyed with the others bickering, feeling like he should join the arguments and give them a peice of his mind "Wait, no, what? Why would I do that, I..."
The sound of Melifans blade leaving its sheath brought Garroth whirling around on his heels, his own blade drawn with such force, those closest to him were treated to a welcome breeze in the oppressive heat. The number of times he had drawn steel in response to the sound of unsheathed weapons had honed his muscle memory to the point where he didn't think to act, he simply did. Confused to find no adversary, no monstrous killer, he blinked a few times and looked around.
"Melifan you idiot, I've told you a thousand times not to play with that thing near me, I..." he cut himself short as he to spotted the cloaked figure. "Well what fresh Hell is this then?"
At the talk of healers who needed defending, and with Rhia the only one to proclaim herself as such, he moved to her side, drawing his shield "Well, you know my line of work Rhia, do try to stay behind me."
Melifan stupidly, but definitely with exquisite grace, turned this way and that looking for the opponent everyone was facing and not catching sight of the shifty sly devil. He took a quick breath and peered at his compatriots a moment. Then followed their gaze back down the alley way, squinting his eyes trying to get a good look into the shadows they all seemed to be staring at. He lowered his sword to the side and put one hand over his eyes as if the setting sun were a noon time blaze blinding him from their target.
What in all the Hells are you blokes lookin at.
|
|
Coldly confident, Agatha slips her mirror into a handbag and making sure she's near the end of the train, runs down the alley.
"I can heal if need be. It will be less a strain on my resources to do so, while my spell casting can't rival Elrawien, I have other gifts to assist us in these endeavors." She proclaims.
And Agatha will Evil Eye the Climber if Rhia cast first i will target Skills if Agatha goes beforehand I'll target Saving Throws.
Wah... Whe... Why is the bloody bat lady runnin down there by her lonesome?! Damn it all! OYE!
He grumbles to himself at that point about his bleeding heart is gonna get him killed faster than any of the others standing around him. He darts forward reversing his grip on his sword so he doesn't inadvertently skewer the woman he is trying to help.
As Amira and Agatha race into the alley followed first by Melifan and shortly after the rest of the party they see a figure climbing up the side of the right hand building with eerie grace. The body of a lithe and delicate woman in white dress lies in a pool of spreading blood. A green and tusked mask stretched in a hideous grin affixed to her face.
Melifan curses under his breath as he surges forward. He pulls a dagger from his belt and flings it at the climbing figure hoping to slow it's ascent in hopes that one of the others can do something more prominent and helpful.
We do this right and we wont need healin'. Stay behind me, I will go check it out.
Hegin begins walking towards the alley with his wits about him and axe in hand ready to strike at anything that looks threatening.
Melifan's dagger almost makes the long shot but misses barely clattering off the wall next to the figure. The hooded form turns it's head to glance down.
The figure hisses in suprise and anger before returning to it's ascent.