** spoiler omitted **
Perception:
Kithian sees the dagger sticking out of Toshio's chest and grunts. Where the farg did that come from?
He spins and looks at Camillo then back into the crowd trying to see the Tstuo.
Kithian sprints towards Tstuo with his falchion high in the air.
Rage
Charge power attack:
Damage:
Without question, Rullis sprints after Vidar having no trouble keeping up with him in his youth.
Kerrec sees a dark-haired man slipping into the crowd. When Camillo shouts it's Tsuto and starts casting, Kerrec pulls out his NEW crossbow, shouting towards who he now believes is Tsuto. "You murdering dog! Face justice like a man, you coward!"
He motions at those in the crowd near Tsuto to disperse. "Clear away! Clear away! There's an assassin in your midst!
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Camillo whirls around in response to the sudden violence, "It's Tsuto! Stop him!" and raises his hands to cast his magic. Thick grease sprays across the square and while one older woman manages to keep her feet two other townsfolk cry out and collapse to the ground providing a better view of Tsuto Kaijitsu who seems completely unfazed by the now slick bricks around him.
Toshio whirling in rage as he processes the origin of the weapon screams at his brother, Tsuto! Coward! You will surrender for your crime or die fleeing it. FACE ME! The samurai turns to better see his treacherous kin but hesitates a moment.
With the fluid skill of a trained marskman Kerrec moves not straight towards Tsuto but at an angle to him to keep his lines of fire as clear as possible. You murdering dog! Face justice like a man, you coward! Pulling his new crossbow Kerrec works to find finds an angle that is clear, Clear away! Clear away! There's an assassin in your midst!The effort is made easier now that a townsperson or two are on their ass creating greater exposure. Kerrec finds a decent line of sight that is put in peril by the agitated crowd if Tsuto attempts to take off.
Kithian growls as the square erupts in chaos, not quite seeing his prey but able to move closer as his companions point the way the barbarian yells, I'm coming for you, you farggin bastage! His enhanced speed easily brings him into the square past Camillo and within easy striking distance if the coward Tsuto does not move too far.
Slow to respond Das Korvut realizes suddenly that the very reason he was asked here is now less than 50 feet away. The mastiffs barking and agitated from the chaos the large smith yells loudly, REGGIE, CLIFF. THE HALF ELF. ALIVE! The large smith points his hand towards Tsuto to emphasize and drops the leashes. The dogs falter for a moment and then start to growl as they brace to run forward.
Rullis and Kithian break into a run as the almost imperceptible bells fade into silence. Blood and breath pumping the men exit the clearing with ease and see the foot bridge they used to exit the town. A few more seconds and they would be within the city walls and hopefully discover what new danger has transpired.
Tsuto
Camillo
Toshio
Kerrec
Kithian
Reggie/Cliff
With the bearing of a seasoned acrobat Tsuto Kaijitsu bends his knees and dives further into the crowd, leaving behind the grease streaked bricks meant to slow him down. His progress is stopped short however as it appears clear that despite his acrobatic prowess, the crowd frenetic movements and chaotic energy afford little space to move at the moment.
[ooc]Tsuto is currently in
Camillo takes this moment to pull sword and shield and advance towards the fray...
"The garrison is this way." says Rullis to Vidar as he runs in front of the older man, crossing the bridge. He feels the adrenaline pumping through his veins.
Frustration creases Kerrec's face, seeing that it's far too dangerous for him to fire with the crowd still surrounding Tsuto. Kerrec shoulders his crossbow and takes out his dagger. Seeing that Kithian and Camilo are approaching their enemy, joing forces seems the most prudent action. He wordlessly moves toward Tsuto.
Toshio, feeling grievously wounded, but unable to allow such an affront to his honour pass, CHALLENGES Tsuto.
You are patheticically outnumbered Tsuto. Surrender or face me in single and fair combat before you die. This lot will kill you for your crimes but you can choose to die with honour.
Toshio closes to within 15ft of Tsuto, avoiding obstacles and mindful of his wounds, he draws his Lucerine Hammer. Pharlap obediently follows, adjacent to his master.
Toshio pulls his sword and navigates through the crowd approaching within a few feet of the struggling Tsuto. You are patheticically outnumbered Tsuto. Surrender or face me in single and fair combat before you die. This lot will kill you for your crimes but you can choose to die with honour.As Toshio moves to the north, Kerrec comes from the south, pulling his dagger and advancing in a sort of pincer on the fleeing Kaijitsu. Kitihian closes the distance with his speed from the west and moves but the distance of the grease spattered bricks to the throng of people that are pushing and resisting Tsuto's attempts to move. The dogs run to join the fray, cautious of the weapons being bared the mastiffs are plainly trained for combat but eagerly bound into the crowd barking and growling after their prey.
Crossing the foot path and rounding the southern bridge you see people running in all directions, primarily away from the garrison while the few straggling guards from the south docks seem to be hustling towards it.
Honour?!? Honour?! The coward who ran and left a child to be beaten by that SAVAGE empty shell of a MAN!? Tsuto wheels from the crowd expertly navigating between running men, barking dogs and closes the distance to Toshio pulling a sharp edged short sword which looks a bastardization between Golarion and Tian styles. Screaming in rage the young half elf presses against the samurai but face to face the young half-elf is not the swordsman that Toshio is and does not even land a scratch on the samurai's armour.
Camillo closes the distance to five feet, but, respecting Toshio's wish to challenge his brother, takes a defensive position rather than pressing an attack.
In the past, Rullis would of probably have joined the masses as they flee whatever terror scares them so. But he has a new purpose in life now and he rushes headlong into the crowd, pushing past people as quickly as he can. "Vidar, we must hurry!"
If he gets the attention of someone fleeing, he'll stop them and quickly ask, "What's happening? What's going on?"
Kithian will close the distance. He cares only for the death of Tusto at his hands.
Damage:
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"That goes without saying Master Stillman...after all, when have we ever done anything but hurrying lately?"
Despite the quip, Vidar makes sure to follow Rullis at full speed.
..
What mistakes I have made little brother, I will pay for. You did not have to kill the old man. Nor do you need to do this. I have accepted responsibility for my actions. Can you, brother?
Toshio, moving painfully with the Dirk still lodged in his armor, finds it painful to move effectively.
..
Kerrec pauses for a half a breath wondering if Toshio's cultural sense of honor, something Kerrec has no familiarity with, will be compromised by denying him single combat. Then the vision of the massacre in the Glassworks led by Tsuto fills his head and Kerrec decides Toshio's honor will have to wait. He wordlessly gets to a position adjacent Toshio, dagger in hand.
"Today you pay for your crimes Tsuto!"
Cursing his brothers impressive agility, Toshio takes a 5 ft step back to achieve reach and draw Tsuto into being surrounded. He attacks again, starting to fight through the pain in his side,
Tsuto, surrender and pay for your crimes or die without honor,you cannot win against such numbers
Toshio withdraws his position and brings his hammer to bare, Tsuto, surrender and pay for your crimes or die without honor,you cannot win against such numbers his teeth pressed in determination as he fights feelings of betrayal and the pain of the wounds such betrayal has brought. Seeing that his brother presses his attack Toshio's hammer falls on the half-elf's shoulder and almost brings the younger Kaijitsu to his knees.
Emerging from the crowd, Kerrec brings forward his dagger and swings at the villain, Tsuto still slashing about with his sword in rage. Closing to melee Kerrec sets aside any doubt about what must be done and presses the attack. Today you pay for your crimes Tsuto! The words ring true as the blade finds purchase in Tsuto's side, puncturing deep into the organs. Withdrawing the blade and standing for defense, Kerrec can see the slackening look of the young man as his vital energy leaves him.
Dazed, Tsuto turns to Toshio, a solitary word plays almost silently against his lips yet amongst the din of battle the word "Ameiko" thunders in the samurai's ears. The moment is cut short as Kithian explodes across the square, the half-orc caught in his rage of rages and brings his falchion up into the half-elf's abdomen. The man is taken off his feet as the barbarian lifts and slides the assassin of his blade.
Collapsed to the ground Tsuto Kaijitsu coughs his life blood upon the cobblestones of Sandpoint. As the light of his life fades from his eyes his bitter anger is clear as he manages to gasp, She will kill you all.. His body tenses with the final struggle for life and then falls silent his wounds overtaking his battered frame.
Rullis and Vidar, finding little help in the gasps of "trouble" and "battle" of the running passersby emerge into the garrison square in time to see Tsuto's body shiver once last time.
The half orc crouches over the body of the assassin with his falchion held high above his head and roars in sound simular to a mixture of a large hunting cat and a bull.
"WHAT? NO!"
Vidar rushes headlong over to Tsuto's body and yanks his head up by his shirt.
"Bastard!
How dare you cheat me out of my revenge?!? How dare you cheat the people of this town out of their justice by dying before we can put you on trial!"
Disgusted, Vidar throws Tsuto back down and stalks away, his face a mask of anger.
Pushing his way through the crowd, Rullis makes his way to where the opening where the action is happening. He stands back and watches, taking it everything that is happened and trying to determine what happened.
As Vidar stalks off, Rullis looks to Kerrec. "We heard the bell and came as fast as we could. What happened here? Is everyone all right?" His eyes fall onto the newcomer who appears to be holding his side, his hand covered in blood. Since the others don't appear to be concerned with him, the cleric approaches.
"Sir, if you'll allow me, let me tend to your wounds." Assuming that Toshio will allow him and doesn't make any threatening gestures, Rullis will examine the wound before closing his eyes and chanting softly. A slight breeze blows as his prayers are answered and the healing energy of Gozreh flows into the man clenching the giant hammer.
The bleeding stops as the wound closes. It still doesn't look that great, but it is much better than it was.
Looking down at the dead man, Camillo mutters, "A traitor and a fool." He looks up at the samurai, "Sorry, Toshio. I know this is not what you had in mind when you came back."
Sheathing his swords, he dismisses the grease spell and starts assisting any townfolk that had fallen as a result of it as well as trying to put any concerns to rest, "No, ma'am, he was the only one. No, we're not sure what made him go all crazy like that, but it's better this way. Yes, sir, he was a danger to himself and the whole community, it's good that he didn't surrender." Oh, sir, if you only knew...
As his brother falls to the ground Toshio looks at the exaltation on Kerrec's face. He could understand the battlelust. Had felt it himself. But NOT this time. He wanted Tsuto to at least take some honor from his death. Toshio would have been honored to face his brother in a duel or at least cut of his head, had his brother chosen to submit to his crime. That was not to be...
Tsuto had chosen the foolish and cowardly path. Attacking from ambush was a valid tactic against foes not worthy of honorable battle. Had Tsuto truly thought so badly of him to not afford him that respect?
Toshio knelt beside the corpse, and said a quick prayer, May you rise above your faults in the next life little brother...
Kerrec addresses Rullis, wiping blood from his dagger. "He ambushed Toshio. I guess he heard his brother was back in town. For someone who seemed so calculating, this gambit was very reckless. Now he will answer for his crimes in the Boneyard."
Looking at Camillo. "You heard what he said before he died?"
Perception
Camillo, returning from his attempts to disperse the crowds, nods. "I heard the last part. I think we should pay her a visit and give her the chance."
He thinks for a minute. "Wait a minute... Kithian, we came to the garrison because the bell was ringing and found you ready for war, but you weren't chasing Tsuto. What was all the ruckus about?"
Kithian shakes his head as if shaking something off. "Uh, Yeah. The goblin is dead, along with 2 guards. I gave a peice of cloth to the black smith so his dogs could track the bastage. Guess we can point to this dirty son-a-ma-batch ." He looks down at the body at his feet to determine if the cloth did come from its clothing.
Going over to the guards, Toshio asks, What of my brother's body? I am unsure if Amieko would want him buried in the cemetery. Do you have an undertaker, that I may arrange for a Pyre?
The young guard, obviously too green to have seen such violence stammers at Toshio's inquiry, FFFffattherr Zantus! He's the one you want. Church handles all the...uh..death rriiitteess and so on!
Das Korvut wrangles up his dogs and the crowd starts to settle. What becomes more evident as the setting clears is that so many people were out on the street due to a presence of a large line of caravan carts and merchant stalls that have been temporarily erected throughout the main roads of town. The Garrison square is apparently the start of the mini-bazaar.
Kerrec puts a comforting hand on Camillo's shoulder. "Perhaps he was trying to misdirect our efforts, planting a seed of doubt to delay us while his lover prepared for her next attack. 'She will kill you all' could be a refence to her, not Ameiko."
After cooling down in an alleyway somewhere for a few minutes, Vidars brain starts to function properly again.
As he steps out of the alley and scans the surroundings, he notices the beginning of the bazaar and a light appears in his mind.
"From Magnimar...that means the Sheriff might be back, or we can get news about him. Good, I am sick to death of being stuck here; I want to end the threat once and for all...after the business with the fountain is solved."
Hurrying, Vidar will try to find someone in charge of the Caravan, hoping to find some news about Sheriff Belor.
I missed my chance for revenge, but his lover was the true mastermind anyway I am betting, SHE will feel my arcane might, coupled with my wrath.
Kerrec puts a comforting hand on Camillo's shoulder. "Perhaps he was trying to misdirect our efforts, planting a seed of doubt to delay us while his lover prepared for her next attack. 'She will kill you all' could be a refence to her, not Ameiko."
Obviously not understanding, Camillo stares at the paladin for a moment. "What are you talking about? Of course, he referred to the wannabe demon Nualia. Why would you even thing otherwise?"
Hearing Vidar's words, Rullis adds, "Yes, the fountain." Looking at the others, "In studying the book, Vidar believes we can exhaust the fountain so that it no longer functions. We should do that as soon as possible." Glancing at Kithian, Kerrec, and the new guy, "It may help to have such a constructive output."
Confusion crosses the paladin's face. Kerrec looks at Kithian and Toshio, "Did my ears deceive me?"
Kithian looks at Kerric, then back to Rullis. "Say what?"
As Vidar passes by the others he throws a glance at them.
"What are you, rehersing a play? Focus now, come on.
We've got a lot of work to do.
Fountains to de-power, demonesses to destroy, plans to foil, towns to save and so on.
Let us all be big godamn heroes."
"Exactly!" Rullis turns to see where Vidar is headed, but then finds the nearest member of the guard. "We have pressing business elsewhere. Do you still need them," gesturing with his thumb back towards the others, "or are we good to go?"
Camillo looks back at Kerrec, just as confused. "He said, 'She would kill us all,' or some such rot, right? He had to mean Nualia. She's the only 'she' we've heard about. Well, I guess there's a mage, but Nualia's the one in charge, everything points to it. Right?"
Of course he was referring to this... Nualia. I heard it Kerric, his referral to Amieko, was a dying man's final message to a brother that failed in his duty to his siblings, it is a PRIVATE thing. Best kept that way, Thank-you.
Toshio walks over to Pharlap and grabs a bedroll, draping it over Tsuto's body. The turns to crowd of gawkers.
Toshio is more outraged and sad than hehad felt the day he left. His father was dead. His brother was dead. The town he remembered had changed so much and Tsuto's actions had laid him with a massive dept of honor that would be difficult to repay.
He only wanted to come home. Build the business. Have children to follow his path. Serve his city and Lord. He had thought himself so blessed to be given his life back. He thought his soldering was over. He was wrong.
We will start with Nualia. If the threat ends with her, so be it. My brother has been a part of the root cause to murder and the threat of Goblin attack upon MY HOME. I WILL NOT stop until that threat is extinguished.
After his proclamation, he walks back to the guard to arrange a runner to go to the Chapel to get the priests.
"Toshio, I know Father Zantus. Actually, all of us do. I will go get him or one of the acolytes." Looking at Vidar and the others, "Where do the rest of you want us to meet you to make plans for dealing with the fountain?"
Camillo will take off at a trot to the Cathedral. (If memory serves, it's not far, right? I don't have a map handy.)
"Wait up, I'll go with you." Rullis hurries after the Camillo.
Kithian makes his way to the black smith, giving Reggie a good ear scratching. "Thanks for comming out. Luckily the assassin played his hand before we had to hunt him down." He looks down at the dog then back up at the owner. "Reggie here wouldn't be for sale would he?"
Seeing Toshio's anger, Kerrec decides to keep any more thoughts to himself.... for now.
Answering Camillo: "Why don't we all meet at the cathedral."
He pats a pocket on his chest where the contracts are kept. "We have some business we need to deal with there that should only take a few moments. With that, we will have plenty of gold to buy what we need from the caravan."
Kerrec follows Camillo and Rullis to the cathedral.
Das Korvut scratches his cheek for a moment. Sell my Reggie? The thick built smith looks at the dog for a moment and back at the barbarian clearly weighing his classic grumpiness with people, his love of dogs and his fondness for the raw brute nature of the half-orc...after a moment Korvut gets on his knees and pulls the big dog's face to his. They attach to a master outta love. No dog like this gets sold without liking the buyer. Whatta you say Reggie? Wanna be a hero dog?
The dog snuffles at Korvut's face for a second and looks to Kithian. Pausing for a second the dog whines at Korvut then considers the half-orc again and begins barking loudly and bounds to its feet. Korvut rises from the ground, Well theres it is. Seems like the galavantin arund the countryside is appealin to 'im. He's a bit better trained than most and he's a big chore. I'd wantcha word he'd be accounted for proper. Fed well and all that. I got some rig and gear, food and so on...I'd say...75 gold. He's a fair hunter, good listener. Stays when told. Good price for a good dog.