And so......
Feli approaches Nigel once again.
"Interesting times? Can't say i keep myself busy with tien matters, but much of history can be called 'interesting times'. What is it supposed to mean?"
Nigel, being a distant man more often than not, does occasionally like to learn a new thing or two, be it for his work, or something that can relate to his elven point of view. In this case, the latter, with their long lifespan, Feli pressed a good button today.
Phosdlon approaches the chelish man, as he is about to move from one conversation to another.
"I don't care about that man's opinions. Now if you'll excuse me, i have people waiting for me to relate my efforts to."
The 1st impression Phosdlon made wasn't firm enough to get the man's interest, and he moves along.
Turzyk decides to speak to Rubaani Shafar, bringing up the topic of battle.
There is a spark of interest in her eyes.
"Then that old head-guard should have been fire. He did get fired, didn't he? I take my work very seriously. Let me tell you of one time, that.."
Turzyk struck a good topic with her, but the price he paid, was that she gets going on in her excitement of the subject, that he barely gets any
word in anymore. Still, seeing the serious woman passionate about something is rather nice.
Vassago looks for Tencrid, and sees him standing at the refreshments table, now out in the open for a 1 on 1 talk.
"Ah, a non-noble man dressed in proper attire, how refreshing.
No no, i am most definitely not be here on behalf of those zealots' side. I am merely my country's representative, an acquaintance of the lady Blakros. So, mister Ilsidore, indulge me, what part of the world are you from? You don't look like the typical human man, after all."
Eventually, Damian approaches your group, pulling you aside.
"Something is amiss. I don't see my wife anywhere, i must confess i find it worrisome. Would you please look for her?"
Feli draws nearer and politely asks.
"where was she seen last?"
"I do not know.", Damian answers Feli. "But the last place i myself saw her, was the western exit. I can't say for certain, but she may have been talking to another woman. But there is nothing west except...."
"..oh. Perhaps look at their old family estate. Maybe she needs to clear her head, let things sink in, i know i do at times."
Felicitas nods and moves forward."Well then let us move to the old family estate!"
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Sir Spenser, who had been loitering about the punch bowl but spending more time staring at the wall behind it than drinking from it, suddenly cups his hand to his ear.
"Doth the cartilaginous seashells 'neath the shore of my bangs deceive me, or have we at last been called upon...A QUEST?!? To rescue a damsel fair from straight the STORIES, forsooth!"
The group discretely exits the reception, and heads west. It takes you a good hour, but you arrive at the ruins of a summer estate.
Its walls are burned and aside from some stonework, everything what not has been burned, has been stripped.
Felicats uses her inspire competence to aid Phosdlon with her checks.
With Phosdlon on the initiative of searching for clues, he finds traces in the sand. Traces suggesting something -or someone- had been dragged here, and the trail leads to the beach up ahead.
The beach has trees as a natural barrier before it, and once you get past those, you see a group of warriors near a boat, and the bride is with them.
"It seems they try to take her hostage. Forward!"
As the group comes closer, but no closer than 20ft from the warriors, you notice Michellia is talking at normal tone with the warriors who, with a simple Kn. Local check, you reckon to hail from the cold northern lands.
Michellia greets you.
"Hello pathfinders. I take it my absence drew attention after all?
Forgive me. My sister Eleanir, who was venturing in Garundi with my cousins, has returned early for my wedding. She booked passage aboard these warriors' boat."
"She was always the daring of us two."
"Things ended up in a quarrel and, to my regret, it got heated and we fell, with her hitting her head and passing out. I think for the wedding's sake, it's best she be returned to -and dropped off at- Absalom by these men."
*Facepalms laughing*
Michellia sighs, and what seems like the leader of the group seems to tense up, but she motions for him to wait.
"I was hoping so, yet it is not a complete lie."
"I'll indulge you. I am Michellia's twin sister. Michellia is obviously not happy with the marriage, doing only so for the family, and my warrior friend Olaf here has had a vision of a great catastrophy. My twin sister was by his side in it, and he fervently believes she is key to avoiding it. But she must go with him at once."
"I have studied her new husband, Damian Kastner. I would take her place, Michellia would not be pressed into an unhappy marriage, and the disaster my friend here had seen would not come to pass. All three of us win by doing this."
"That is, of course, if we can count on your discretion."
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Spenser looks the scene over quizzically.
"By what seidr doth this boon-friend Olaf of thine prophecie this 'great catastrophe'? Und what of thyself? If thine own cradle-mate would fare so ill in this marriage to which but she hath been properly betrothed, why wouldst stealing her Story end any more joyously for du?"
It is not our place to decide. We are tasked with bringing her back and reporting to our superiors. Nothing more, nothing less. If all of you wish to follow us back and work things out there, then so be it, otherwise you best leave her with us and be on your way.
Olaf seems to get more tensed up. When Spenser takes another approach, she turns her head towards Olaf.
"Go on, tell them."
Olaf: "I am a seer in my clan. I received a vision some time ago. The land all around, as far as the eye could see, suffered from earthquakes and floods, followed by monstrous trolls and other beasts running rampant with wanton destruction. The Blakros maiden appeared at my side, and the disaster ceased."
"My visions in the past have always come true. Troll attacks, weather events, i warned my brother in law not to go somewhere because of a wyrm, he didn't listen, he got eaten..."
"It was a sign of the gods. I will prevent disaster from happening, such has been my oath to my people."
Whatever sense motive result, the man speaks his mind with blunt honesty.
Eleanir in response to Spenser:
"I have returned from Garundi, and i have come to the conclusion that i am no longer desiring long expeditions like the past years. I want to settle down. Getting married is, for daughters of our family, an obligation towards the family, associated with status for the family. Michellia had been the sheltered one, of us two, not having properly lived excitement, as far as i have experienced her."
"As such, she'd get the chance to live freely, and have a better chance of living a life free of the traditions imposed by our mother, and i get to settle down. And Olaf here will see his lands safeguarded. The girl needs some excitement in her life. This all, in the end, depends on discretion."
Pondering for a long moment Felicitas smiles gives Michellia a kiss on the cheek and smiles.
"Run, live free, experience adventure. The duty of the family is fullfilled and out of free will.
This buffon of a Hellknight will get what he wants so he should be content!"
Turzyk gets the impression Eleanir speaks the truth, and while Olaf seems tense about the situation, both he and his men stay passive as Turzyk examines Michellia.
Of course, Feli's expressed sentiment seems to contribute to this.
Turzyk finds Michellia with a slight lump on her head, but nothing bad. In such a condition, she could be waking up by herself in an hour or so, without applied healing.
If there would be any, she'd wake up right now for sure.
Michellia's lump disappears, and she slowly opens her eyes.
Quite beautiful eyes, now that Turzyk has a closer view.
"Hmm....what happened....Eleanir........ELEANIR!", she sits upright with a worried look on her face. Rather than worried of fear or anxiety, it is the worry of one sibling about another's welfare, surprisingly.
She then focuses on the clearing shapes of people around her....
"I remember my sister drawing my attention at the reception, and we chatted while going to the old estate. There i tripped over something, and now i wake up here."
"Eleanir, what's this all about?"
Her sister relates the setup to her sister, who thinks deeply on the matter.
"It's true that i've had my reservations about the whole marriage. To suddenly go with this warrior is both a leap of faith and a doubt. He's a seer, you say?"
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"Indeed, mi'lady.", Vassago affirms, smiling warmly at the woman. "But he does seem sincere and truthful. While I wouldn't want you to do something against your will, it seems like you already are via this wedding. I do believe that this would be the chance to explore and be free of your familial responsibilities that are plaguing you so."
With the gathered people reaching the agreement, the sisters make their switch, and Eleanir returns with you in her sister's bridal attire, and Michellia sails away with Olaf.
After the hike back to the pavillion, business is as how you left it.
Damian notices you after a bit, and discretely makes his way over to you.
"Michellia, pathfinders. I am relieved you have returned. As will the matriarch be, she has been watching everything and everyone like a hawk."
It is briefly after this, that something unusual is happening.
A man in armor takes the stage, shoving aside the musicians, and the act quiets down the gathered guests.
"Ladies and gentlemen. I am Arastrax of the Onyx Alliance."
He looks around the crowd. "I have you all surrounded. Your harbor has fallen..and i shall soon feast upon your souls. Know that resistance will be met with utmost cruelty, as it makes your souls more delicious if you do, so feel free to resist.."
Sounds from outside the tent erupt, as people shout, the drawing of blades are heard, together with shouting is abyssal speech... tongue of demons. The guests draw their weapons and start fighting the demons getting in or take it outside, leaving you with the armored man and 3 demons which had made their way inside.
==================================
Blue seemingly remains, unmoving.
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Feli & Vassago
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Arastrax, Green & Red
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Phosdlon, Spenser & Turzyk
I can´t believe that!
Felicitas quickly starts to inspire her comrades.
Feli starts an inspiring verse about demon slayers, getting her allies pumped up.
Vassago gathers his power, and launches a blast of water, dealing respectable dmg, but the thick exterior of the demon reduces it to 35 dmg.
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Arastrax laughs.
"Bwahahahaha! These things are useful, and efficiently sadistic."
He himself touches a crest on his armor, and the entire area goes pitch black.
Green and Red (-35) move into flanking positions against Vassago.
Between the two of them, they rend and tear vicious wounds on the ifrit.
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Phosdlon, Spenser & Turzyk
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"Gadzooks! Whither dear Lot whensoever he should most pine to bear me into righteous sturmdrang? VILLAIN! Alself me to introduce mylow: Sir Spenser Pellinore Quixote The Last, Marquis de Exupery, Savior of The Stories! 'Tis my fine and sweet honor to be the final page in thine own woeful hornbook, for howsoever else shall The Story end for one who so blights yonder dream-within-dream?!?"
"COMPATRIOTS! By mein command, gird thy sinews to fall upon the foe as the bat doth fall upon the mango!"