At Ameiko's description of him, Camillo feels the hairs on the back of his neck rise as he imagines her older brother drawing steel right there.
It is with some relief that the bard realizes that his head is still attached to his shoulders, but the blush on his cheeks is a long time leaving.
When Ameiko stops speaking, Camillo offers, "I want what is best for your sister. Simple as that."
Rullis provides his assistance to Vidar, telling him the details he is making out on the first and third auras. The young cleric is completely ignorant on the other two. Vidar clearly seems to be the expert here and Rullis resides himself to being the student helping his master. Always eager for the opportunity to better himself, he soaks in the experience with the wizard to help him in the future.
Toshio takes a quick moment to compose himself at the different pieces of troubling news. What lies father could have told her about their Uncle were irrelevant. Toshio had returned to Tian Xia and found nothing but an honorable household steeped in tradition, why he had almost immediately been sent off to the mountains to begin his training as a Samurai. His family had had a warrior in service to the city lords for 9 generations and he had reestablished that grand tradition. Amieko did have a very good point though, she was a VARISIAN and it would be under Varisian law, NOT Tian where he would have to press for ownership of the glassworks. But did it REALLY matter? His directive in coming here was to wrest control of the business from his father and strengthen the business with the view of establishing trade of glasswork into and out of Goka via Sandpoint. A directive that would likely take years before any real windfall was seen by the city. His father was no longer an issue, aside from the matter of executing his brother for his murder. That left him needing to become part of the business again. Something he could pursue when he and Amieko were a family again.
Yes. This will work. Amieko at least seems willing to take me back into her life. I will be able to satisfy my heart and my lord. All it will take is time. Thank Irori and the ancestors things are aligned to satisfaction.
He exhaled and looked upon this fine, proud young woman Amei had become and his heart swelled. She had lost none of her lustre. While he was certainly not pleased to hear her intentions with this skinny man she said she loved, he would have to trust her judgment and simply be there to protect her as he had been so long ago.
Very well, Amieko. I will press no further for legal writ over the glassworks. Father is gone and if your heart is a true as I remember, the place will be well served with you running it. Our name will no longer be sullied by his legacy.
He looks daggers at Camillo, Know this. For twenty years my heart has been torn between my pursuit of our family's honour and the terrible failure in my duties as a brother to Amieko. My only regret EVER, was leaving her, my mother and brother to life with a man who did not deserve them. I was selfish. I will compromise on that no longer. If Amieko wishes to love you, then I will welcome you as brother. Youwill have me at your back in the coming battle and my loyalty is not lightly given. But know that any indiscretion will be marked by me and if you ever dishonor my sister or betray her heart, I swear the last thing you see in this world will be my face.
He looks back to Ameiko, There will be no fight Amei, just as when we were children, your smile disarms me. The is still the matter of our little brother. I have nothing to go on for his character. He was too young for me to know anything of what he has become. What happend sister? Father was not a good man, but what could he have done to make the boy want to kill him and ally with goblins who threaten the town. Honor demands he die for the way in which he killed our father, but I need to know why.
Camillo bows to the samurai and graces him with a small smile. "There is no need for threats, brother. Our wishes are in alignment and I would have it no other way. As I said, I want what is best for your sister - if it's not me, I can accept that. And her having more allies in her time of need seems a good thing."
Diplomacy
Indeed. Toshio shows his back to Camillo and waits for Amieko to reply about thier brother and the murder.
Kithian nods at Yorin and gives him a winning half-orc smile. "Looks good on you Capt. Time to take the prisoner for transfer."
He moves down the hall and looks in the cell before entering. "Morning. Time for you to leave. Turn around and put your hands behind your back. I am going to put these manicles on you then we are heading to the docks. I wil give the key to the Captain, and he will release you. Either that or get in this here sack and I'll carry you like a bag of garbage."
Work the second job in Sats now so no time to post long messages and your next few are complicated.
Kithuan, did you catch that the luggts are doused and gyards missing? ill fill in if I beat you to post later today.
Note that the designers have mentionwd and it may be in the book too, that normally social skills dont work on other players. They can be a useful measure but it has been noted it was.not ever meant to override player on player interaction. We can play it eitger way, just a note on something ive read
*stretches fingers*
With care and concentration the pair of you manage to find a relatively dry glade in which you set the book down and examine it. While Rullis is indeed the lesser capable in this scenario as Vidar has studied the very means of compelling arcane forces to reveal their secrets, both men stretch their individual capacities to probe the book of its secrets. While the men end their studies after an hour or so satisfied, it is clear to them that the do not know all the book is capable of but can make some guesses.
It is made clear to any student of magic that the rules of creation and effects are static and knowable. This of course is true until the student reaches a certain level of expertise at which they are told that there are exceptions in the realm of artifacts, magics from other planes and worlds and other rare circumstances throughout history. It is obvious to the two of you that you have in your possession such an exception.
The book seems to be tiered in escalating sections of power and protected in kind. The first section is intended to be accessed by novices of the lower tiers of magic with each section corresponding to each successive tiers. Indeed the last section of the book contains magics powerful enough to hold the power of mages many times more powerful than Vidar but certainly not the most powerful magic possible.
The third section eludes you both but based on your observations of the other 3 you can make some guesses.
Magics of alteration compress each section of the book, undoubtedly to hold more information than the mere pages could hold. Additionally helping magics seem to be at play in giving the user access to that information in a manner seen only in great magical libraries of learning; a system of reference and search, magically curated. Finally this system is all protected by magics of warding, subtle glyphs that in the least incapacitate and at the worst destroy unauthorized users of the tome.
While each tome section seems to have similar protections and functions, the book as a whole is seemingly corrupted on a subtle level. You are convinced that no defense can be offered as use of the book is an acceptance to the forces contained therein, surely a price and protection carefully considered by the books creator. The extent of this influence or the nature of the information contained within can only be determined by a user and apparently only one user; the last magics that affect the whole book share common elements of necromantic energies used to bind souls- whoever opens the book is bound to it as the only allowed user until death of the person or the use of powerful magics to sever the bond.
With the levels of magic at play and the subtle aura at work the book is decidedly Thassilion and the information contained is great. A price is being asked of someone who dares to open the book but what the nature of the bargain might be is difficult to tell without daring to open the book...
Ameiko watches the display between the two men with some amusement. Looking on Toshio the young woman rolls her eyes slightly, Yes yes defend my honor or something. Now prove how loyal you are and help these men defend the city. I am almost finished with father's affairs and we can discuss my plans later tonight. For now I need to catch up with Bethana and probably look to my staff.
Ameiko rises and gestures to the door, her expression brooking no argument as she shoos you from her office. Perhaps Camillo can regale you with a tale of why he disliked our father too and you can bond over that. As she kicks you out to the taproom and the door moves to close behind you a sing song play nice boys is cut off by the dooring shutting.
The mayor is silent a moment and the emits a very subtle groan as she looks up from her work. Know him? In the barest sense. We are of close age and our families worked in tandem with the others on the council but I paid little attention to such things until well after he left town and my families..ah...circumstance led me to take on authority far earlier than I had intended. I remember a proud young man. Opinionated. He and his father clashed I recall and when he left the Kaijitsu family disavowed him entirely. Ameiko has been quiet about it and I thought it best not to pry...but you are right...the timing...Do you think the elder leads the younger or perhaps they work at common cause?
As you approach the cell you here Yorin behind you utter a concerned I thought I had men posted, but perhaps not. The hallway stands dark and the young man sounds exceedingly more alarmed as you enter noting, I would not have left the goblin to his own devices in the dark sir. I must have some slackers on my hands, a prisoner should be treated with respect, regardless of their history. The young captain strikes a torch and leads you on down the hallway.
As you settle in front of Joyuk's cell and rattle of your threat to bag and gag the goblin you note that the small body is lax on the bed in a weird position, his head lolling of the edge at an exaggerated angle. On the wall the words "Traitors die, not go on holiday" play across the stones of the wall, written in a sickly green color that was not easy to see with your darkvision but brought out in relief by the flickering torch.
Toshio is somewhat relieved at his sisters challenge to defend the town. Finally a task I am accostomed to.
He looks at Camillo, I need to feed and water, my horse. Give me a moment and then you can tell me of any further preparations your group needs help with before the assault and we should see it done.
He turns to leave, but stops suddenly, remembering something, By the way, if I'm going to be fighting alongside you all, it is prudent that I know what skills you each have. Actually training together would be prudent, but I doubt there is the time. Barring the big Half-Orc and the Half-Elf whom I marked as warriors, I have no idea what the rest of you bring to a fight and I would know any tactics you may have developed in your time together, so that I may best know where to lend my expertise. You DO know how to use that fine sword on your hip I take it?
Toshio is TRYING to be amicable, but War is serious business and he was still not happy about Ameiko's relationship with this man...
Kithian draws his falchion and growls into the darkness. "You have more than slackers on your hands Captain." The half orc enters the room and checks the goblin for sign of life, feeling that he is to late.
"Better lock it down and search for the intruders and your men. Seems assassins are on the lose in Sandpoint."
Vidar considers all he has learned carefully before turning to Rullis.
"Well master Stillman, I guess we now know why the book might be considered cursed. A powerful item indeed.
My guess is that it may indeed contain a library’s worth of information inside."
Slowly Vidar picks the book up and weighs it in his hands.
"I'm going to use it...
Don't think of me as some kind of hero Master Stillman, I swore to protect the town, and I intend to live up to my promise..."
As Vidar turns to regard Rullis, he has a fierce look in his eyes.
"Don't tell the others, I don't want anybody fawning over my potentially dangerous sacrifice or anything, I cannot stomach that idea.
We will simply say that the curse was a clever ruse to protect the information hidden within, and that is ONLY if they ask."
Vidar puts one hand on the book and nods.
"Please stand back a little Master Stillman...here goes nothing."
Kerrec thinks for a few moments before. "My instincts tell me he is being truthful about wanting what's best for Ameiko. Sometimes the Gods maneuver us in ways we do not understand. Perhaps this coincidence is one such time, bringing us someone who may help Sandoint at a moment of its greatest need."
Kerrec taps his chin. "Still, I do have ways of learning a man's true nature. It's a gift given to me by Abadar, allowing me to look at a beings base instincts. Because it is a gift, I choose not to abuse it unless it is truly necessary. If it comes to that, I will peer into Toshio's soul. I hope it does not come to that and his deeds will speak for him."
He turns to leave, but stops suddenly, remembering something, By the way, if I'm going to be fighting alongside you all, it is prudent that I know what skills you each have. Actually training together would be prudent, but I doubt there is the time. Barring the big Half-Orc and the Half-Elf whom I marked as warriors, I have no idea what the rest of you bring to a fight and I would know any tactics you may have developed in your time together, so that I may best know where to lend my expertise. You DO know how to use that fine sword on your hip I take it?
"I have some ability, but as you have guessed, Kithian and Kerrec are our strongest warriors. I combine some minor arcane talent with my modest fighting skills, but I don't back down - when I'm in, I'm in for the long haul. Vidar, the northerner, is a mage of some ability, but I'm far from a good judge of such, while Rullis is an adherent of Gozreh and has put his divine gifts to good use. Both Kithian and Rullis are able to provide mystical healing, but that's another one of many things I don't understand. I'm just happy that they can do so. Kerrec has a strong personal relationship with Abadar and a strong moral compass - it seems that he would be a steadfast ally for anyone once he has decided that they are on the side of right. As for our tactics, we have not been in combat enough to develop them as much as they could be. Perhaps your experience will help us to that end."
Very well, I shall have to watch and observe and adapt to suit circumstances. Now, do you have anything to do? Or shall we meet up with the some of the others to see what assistance we can render?
"Well, there was an errand I was going to run this morning and I was planning to try to aid Vidar and Rullis in their study of the book, but since they've gone off to take care of that, I guess they will get along fine without me. Seems the most likely choices are to the Mayor's to find Kerrec or to the guardhouse to aid Kithian."
"My errand can wait. It's not important, anyway. Not with everything else going on."
Before Vidar can open the book, Rullis lays his hand on the mage's shoulder. "Wait! Are you sure about this?" When Vidar looks up at the young cleric, he continues, "I couldn't think of another more able to understand the magical powers of the ancient Thassilion. You seem to know more than anyone on them, but is it worth potentially your very life to gain whatever knowledge resides in this mere book? Or worse, whatever magical forces present in this book could take control of your very soul, binding your soul to its will. Even in death, you may not be able to escape its wraith! This is quite a risk you are taking."
Assuming that Vidar does not back down from his desire to open the book, Rullis looks him in the eyes and says, "It is your choice, but I swear I won't tell anyone. Unless of course I have to strike you down to keep you from threatening the good people of Sandpoint." This last part his says with a half-smile. "Surely it won't come to that though."
With his hand still on Vidar's shoulder, Rullis grabs ahold of the wooden leaf hanging from his neck and softly begins chanting. Divine energy flows through the cleric's arm and into the mage. "Good luck, Master Ekstrand. May Gozreh protect you." he says before slowly stepping away from the wizard.
When he gets about 30 feet away, he stops and watches nervously. One hand resting against his holy symbol once again as he prepares to charge in and administer divine healing in case things go bad.
After his words to Rullis Vidar looks down and takes the book fully in had, grasping the cover with vigor and turning the cover open with intention. A small pin prick of awareness gives presence in Vidar's mind not unlike the ringing of a very soft bell or a fast flash of light; just on the edge of consciousness.
The book loses its color and takes on a rich red color that makes the silver decoration on the front of the book pop out distinctively.
Inside the front cover a variety of symbols and letter of ancient Thassilion text rearrange themselves before Vidar as simple text of his choosing; switching his thinking to common of Skald the book simply wavers and represents the information as he sees fit.
Without prodding or investigation Vidar simply knows more about the book. Until reaching the ability to casts ball of fire or the ability to dispel the very fabric of magic the books second sections and so on remain locked. Vidar can tell that more powerful rewards lurk behind the "locks" on the more powerful sections. A spell of warding prevents access to this information and risks physical and mental injury when attempting to pry into the contents of the book. Additionally Vidar knows that if anyone other than him attempts to open and read the book they will be subjected to the warding effect regardless of which section they attempt to access.
Further illustrating its connection to Vidar the front page of the book offers the name, "An Illustrated and Cross-Referenced Guide to Ancient Thassilon" as well as the sub heading "a tome of knowledge of and on the ancient empire and its magics for Vidar Ekstrand". No author is given.
Vidar is greeted with blank pages yet Vidar knows instinctively that the tome will answer questions about magic of all kinds but especially items or issues of Thassilonian magic with supreme depth.
The final sensation that Vidar senses is the subtle corruption that was noted before; the book feeds on Vidar's presence and will compel him to use it if it is not used often enough. Over time the tome will attempt to force Vidar to use it, eventually attempting to manipulate his mind to force its' use.
Vidar believes, but would need more powerful magics to confirm, that a kind of addictive bond will form and Vidar will suffer physical and mental anguish if the book is not used regularly or taken from him for prolonged periods or if they are separated by great distances. The negative impacts surely scale with use so as to be minor if Vidar got rid of the book now but would escalate over time if he uses the book on a regular basis.
With this information absorbed, and despite the magics of Gozreh attempting to stave off compulsion, Vidar is taken over with a desire to ask something of the book.
"What magical effect or spell would you like information on?"
Vidar pauses for a moment...
The mayor nods at Kerrec's words and considers the young paladin for a moment. Even if he is of questionable character I fear we need all the help we can get if this goblin threat is as dire as you report. We are still a day or two at least until the sheriff returns, the Magnimaran caravan that visits every week brought word to me that the poor man is caught in some sort of bureaucratic petition issue and is still trying to find men. I penned a response but it will be a day at least until I hear word. It disturbs me further than no message of any kind has come from the elven ranger Shalelu. She too was to report in soon and I am of a mind to be pessimistic that her silence does not bode well.
The mayor sighs heavily and pinches her nose. You and your friends are the vanguard of our efforts it would seem. Hopefully your plans to thwart trouble at its source will save the town further hardship. The town is low on resource so I have little more to offer in coin but the caravan is here and they often carry items hard to find in the town regularly. Talk to Meecham, he is the caravan head. He will give you a discount on your items. See that you are prepared and hopefully when you return we will find the elder Kaijitsu has distinguished himself admirably and the threat to Sandpoint has ended.
The mayor rises and escorts Kerrec to the door. You have been a friend to Sandpoint Sir Valorian. This will not be forgotten if you can save the city further hardship.
The captain jumps at Kithian's growling observation and hustles down the corridor. Moving forward the half-orc kneels to check the body of the goblin. He is dead but just barely. Whoever did this is still nearby. Down the hallway the obvious sounds of Yorin marshalling men and giving orders is clear.
Seeing Vidar simply stare into the book for a while after opening it, Rullis calls out, "Are you okay?"
"No thanks is needed Lady Mayor. It is my obligation to further the prospects of and protect civilized society. I am where I am suppose to be. I will inform the others of the caravan and the sheriff's predicament once I get a report of the night's watch from the town guard."
With that Kerrec will take his leave if the mayor has nothing further to add.
Kithian roars with bestial rage and runs into the hall. "Send a runner to my companions and surround the complex! The coward is still close! Tell them to bring the black smith's dogs!"
He searches at the doorway hoping to find a sign of the assassins passing.
Survival:
"I told you master Stillman, no fretting."
The words however are not harsh, and accompanied by a small if wry smile.
"The book wants to be owned I think, if I were to hypothesize I would say that by making itself into a desired item, it can guarantee that it will be kept on and have information added to it in time.
So this book may have an agenda of its own.
For now however...we need it."
Vidar thinks a little.
"Information on destroying the fountain...but we do not know what such a fountain is called.
BUT, it was used in the creation of sinspawns, something not been seen more or less since the fall of Thassalonion."
Vidar focuses on the book.
"I wish for information on the creation of Sinspawns. Specifically if there are special receptacles used in its creation and what they are."
Camillo and Toshio coming from the Rusty Dragon and Kerrec emerging from City Hall see each other in the square. As each of you make note of each other a loud bell echoes from the garrison down the street and it is plain that what few guards serve at the hall or around the area are rushing on to the garrison in response.
Kithian looks about the door and passage and sneers in disgust as he finds nothing of value. Focusing on the energies within, Kithian summons forth a celestial dog and indicates that it is to use its few precious seconds on this plane to find Kithian something, anything, to track.
The dog casts about with its nose and runs the hall fast on a scent. Dog and caster, connected via magics, know the dog has but a few more seconds before it must return to its plane. Rushing through the passage and around the corner the dog bursts with speed, panting and growling as it ascends to the next floor. Kithian follows in pursuit picking up Yorin and another guardsman as you ascend the stairs and barrel down the hallway as fast as you can.
Fading out of existence the dog slides to a side door and snuffles about the frame. The dogs celestially intelligent eyes fading into the aether, a solitary echoing whine can be heard as the dog disappears from the world.
Kithian stands in front of a side passage door and does not need to turn to know the newly minted captain and his guard are pulling swords and forming on the barbarian waiting for his next move.
Rullis watches on as Vidar smiles ever so slightly at the book. Exchanging a few words of reassurance, the wizard one more looks into the book and fufills the need to ask of it a question.
"What magical effect or spell would you like information on?"
"I wish for information on the creation of Sinspawns. Specifically if there are special receptacles used in its creation and what they are."
A deluge of information pours onto the page and it is clear to Vidar that something about his question was "off" whether it was too little or too much the book is presenting data and formulae that the wizard cannot quite grasp.
Sensing that his time with the information is limited Vidar flips from page to page and see all manner or diagrams and notes of all kinds. Most of the information he can glean, are things he already knows and recognizes.
One new thing that jumps out to Vidar as the information fades is that typically the spawn are created via an apparatus and while that apparatus takes on many forms it can be exhausted of whatever it uses for fuel if it is forced to make too many spawn too quickly. Blood is usually a catalyst. Sadly the book seems to give too much too fast and Vidar is forced to let the information fade with little else to guide his inquiry.
A feeling of slight satisfaction echoes in Vidar's mind, the book seems almost pleased to have had a chance to offer information. The book nudges Vidar to ask another question. Vidar instinctively knows, were he simply to ask about the same topic again, the information would surely present itself in a chaotic manner once more. He would have to try his inquiry again tomorrow to glean more on the Sinspawn and their creation.
Kithian attempts to sling the door open and rush through, leading with his falchion.
Kerrec's eyes widen. He nods at Camillo and Toshio before making a bee-line to the garrison.
Kithian throws open the door and finds a small service closest used mostly to store the brooms, mops and so on that are used to clean the dungeon as well as extra manacles and a small locked cage with swords, shields and a polearm. Two men lie slumped in the closest their tunics stained dark with blood. The smell of fleeting bowels and death punctuates the air.
Yorin whispers lowly, Aaron and Jile. These were the men I stationed to watch the goblin.
Kithian's eyes catch a small piece of fabric caught in the hands of one of the men. It appears to be a scrap of cloth, soft and almost cool to the touch. A rich blue color, a faint pattern is barely visible on the scrap, some kind of print.
Kithian thinks he has seen the cloth before but his memory fails him. No other tracks lead to or from the closet.
The three men arrive at the front of the garrison to find it barred shut. A guard stands atop the wall yelling down to someone on the other side. On seeing you approach the guard begins to say something when his voice is drowned out by the barking of large mastiffs being brought down the street by Das Korvut. A skinny twig of a boy follows gingerly in tow, some fair youth serving as a runner for the guards. Korbvut approaches you three and yells over the dogs, HEARD THE GUARDS NEEDED THESE LUGHEADS! BOY WOKE THEM FROM A NAP WITH HIS WAILING ON, IN QUITE A TIZZY THEY ARE! WHERE WE GOIN?
As Vidar asks his question of the book, Rullis slowly moves forward. He tries to peer over Vidar's shoulder to see if he can see anything, his curiosity peaked. "What does it say?"
Toshio quickens his pace as they all come together. When he sees the dogs and the situation, seemingly gaining momentum he let's go of Pharlap's lead and says Heel.
At least if something happened while they were outdoors, he'd have at least one ally who knew his fighting style and how best to pair up...
Toshio quickens his pace as they all come together. When he sees the dogs and the situation, seemingly gaining momentum he let's go of Pharlap's lead and says Heel.
At least if something happened while they were outdoors, he'd have at least one ally who knew his fighting style and how best to pair up...
"Not many coincidences occurring lately in Sandpoint - it's got to be the goblin." Camillo hustles alongside Kerrec.
Reaching the gate, he shouts up to the guard, "What news? How can we help?"
Kithian shakes his head and slams his fist into the wall. He reaches in and takes the peice of fabric from the dead guards hand.
"We will chase this bastage down. When the dogs get here let them get the scent from this and have them start here. Then we hunt. Capt are there any exits from the jail other than what is obviouse?
Vidar slowly closes the book.
"Well, I can tell this book and I will have a rocky relationship. I'm a scholar master Stillman, and I cannot give up on finding my own answers just because I have a tome that may hold many of them."
He looks down on the book.
"I'll use it, but I won't become its slave. As to not grow too dependent on it, I will endeavour to only use it when necessary, but to add what lore I find to it."
Looking up at Rullis, Vidar continues.
According to the book, the key, at least for now is to drain the fountain of its power by utilizing its main ability.
In layman’s terms, we will have to use the fountain to create sinspawns until the energy powering it is exhausted."
Rullis is silent as Vidar talks about the book, not quite sure yet what to make of this new twist. But when the wizard explains the method of exhausting the pool, Rullis speaks up. "With Kerrec and Kithian at the ready, we should be able to slay the spawns as we create them one at a time. It wasn't the spawns that were too much of the threat last time, it was that demon. Though I'm sure if they were to attack the town in great numbers, it would be devastating to Sandpoint."
Moving back to grab his backpack, he continues, "We should go find the others and take care of this today so we can plan our attack on the goblins for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to those awful little creatures being gone and we can get back to some sort of a normal life." Starting to walk back the way from wince they came, "Do you know how to activate the pool? If my memory is serving me today, I think the demon dripped some blood into it. Do you think our own blood would work? Or does it need the blood from a demon?"
"I can only tell you that the wizards of old Thassalonion were men, and if the fountain is indeed of Thassalonian origin, then I believe any blood would do.
I would postulate that it need be fresh however, from a living person. But the demon was successful with just a few drops, so the plan is indeed sound."
Vidar puts the book away for now and begins to walk behind Rullis, thinking carefully.
To unlock more power I need more power myself, I must take care that the lust for power do not blind me...but, I need more power to learn more magic.
As Kithian walks with the captain to courtyard a cacophony of dogs barking, bells clanging and men yelling make the yard almost too loud to hear in. Yelling over the din the capt notes, WE ARE A SMALL GARRISON. ONE GATE. ONE DOOR! IF THE ASSASSIN LEFT IT WAS EITHER THROUGH THE DOOR OR OVER A WALL! Pointing at the gate Yorin yells again. THE DAMN DOGS DO NO GOOD OUTSIDE! BRING THEM IN! AND STOP RINGING THOSE DAMN BELLS!
As the men move to open the gate Kithian and the other men on the outside of the garrison make eye contact as the doors click and clack on their pulleys, hinges and ropes. Das Korvut nods in understanding as he see the half orc towering with his weapon drawn with a piece of cloth in his hand.
The din diminishes greatly when the bells stop ringing but the crowd of people that has gathered andthe yelling guards trying to control the crowd is quite a loud affair itself. As the bells fall silent a scream punctuates the noise as Toshio is struck suddenly and violently with a thrown blade. The weapon finds purchase in an impossibly narrow joint in his breastplate mid abdomen on his side. The handle has markings similar to Toshio's own weapons. The knife has bitten deep into vital organs.
Kithian Ref, Init
Toshio Ref, Init
Camillo Ref, Init
Kerrec Ref, Init
Kerrec, Kithian and Camillo, reflexes honed by trial after trial these last few days respond with vibrant force, ready to act. Toshio strucken dumb by the pain of the blow wheels for a few precious seconds before finding his sense to act once more.
Camillo wheels about, takes in the sight of the blade and searches the crowd quickly, pointing, "It's Tsuto! Stop him!"
Singing a few notes, he will cast Grease on the space that Tsuto is attempting to step back into.
Ready the sword and shield and take a 5' step toward Tsuto.
"But who gets to be the lucky one to cut himself to summon..." He stops and gives the wizard's bird a strange look as they continue walking back. "What's up with Enok?"
.
Looks like you missed my reactionary trait on that initiative roll. My bonus is actually +4. No worries though. Toshio won't act this round, but speaking is allowed.
Toshio, grunts and looks down at the thrown dirk in his side and realizes it was one of his FATHERS.
He missed seeing the attacker. But given the blade and the ambush it's not hard to figure out. All thoughts of his fathers' murder having any extenuating circumstances, that may hold hope for Tsuto were gone. The man was obviously a coward and fiend.
Still grunting away the pain, he screams to the crowd,
"Good question, I...what?"
Vidar glances over at Enok.
"You got something to say old man? Spit it out?"
At Enoks urging, Vidar listens for a moment.
"That's the town bell isn't it? I think we should run now master Stillman."
Grateful for his condition, Vidar begins to spring towards Sandpoint.
Not all wizards would be able to do this.