"Nothing specific. Anyone here you know of match the description of a 'beast'?" Jean asked his two marginally erstwhile companion as he moved to take point again. He kept the pace brisk despite the obvious weight of his armor. The perks of modern engineering at work. It took some training to learn how to trust the pneumatics and anyone who did not know how to move in such a rig would likely end up bruised, blistered, and frustrated.
"Three hostiles down in the Devil's Dance Floor. Advancing further."
Wincing at that response, Seraphina fought down the urge to follow her, and headed up towards the noise.
“Unfortunately not an ability my god has bestowed upon me. Perhaps one day.” Tom responds to Kal. “In truth I’ve never had much use for flight. Though I guess Mr. Hightower seems to think it necessary to fly down hallways. I’m sure we have plenty of ways to keep you both safe with our feet planted firmly on the ground.”
”Person that's a beast? What like a werewolf?"
Lady asks, but something strange lies in the answer she gets. It wasn't Bishop shouting with bloodlust.
"Who-"
A loud gurgle comes from ladys direction.The chamberlain jumps at the signal, but by the time he casts light again, a gruesome gout of blood has already erupted from the unaware womans neck. She falls to the floor limp, and a serrated blade that looks oh so familiar retreats to the darkness.
In a quick and orderly fashion the Ainsworth party sets themselves conduct their way down the stairs and find themselves at a sort of plaza. Here they see no elevators, instead a good old fashioned staircase sits across the tiling from the party. But one of the windows to a nearby store is smashed in, and a small figure is seen darting out. Investigating the site shows the place is a sporting goods store by the name of “Autumn’s Bounty”. A lot of merchandise is strewn about, perhaps the last person here ran out of room to carry with. Inside are two unconscious figures.
”I would suggest we secure this room before heading further. If nothing else we may find something of use to compensate then for later.”
”This is a dangerous night to be alone, wouldn’t you say? Stephen Percival Hightower at your service. Would you care for an escort my lady?” He seems pretty straightforward about trying to impress the healer Seraphina. Percival is quite a bit more slight and short in stature, and indeed age than the other men here. It seems clear that his own group is heading down on their way out of the building. At the speed they traveled they would be off the grounds in short order. Of course, that isn’t the direction Seraphina was told her group was in.
(+1 if avoiding surprise)
"If you've got any healing at your disposal, keep her alive," Jean said in a cold way that he had yet to use with Bishop. There were hints of it here and there when something managed to break through his mask of annoyed indifference but this was something else. There was a terrible calculus running in his head, one that was simply tallying numbers and deciding on a course without ego or pride.
One thing was certain, if the Ghoul made the mistake of letting Jean leave here alive he would make a very dedicated and thorough enemy.
"Get her to your boss and get out safely. If I survive, we can talk about insubordination. I might drop away but you keep moving."
Were we able to get any details on the figure that ran out of the place? Size, build, Scales, tusks, did he have horns or a tail, was he a built male or female?
“Perhaps those two will have something useful as well. Be it information or weaponry.” Tom will look to Abel to coordinate their advance. Knowing full well that two is less than ideal in this resort that is staring to look more and more like a war zone and he knows communication will be necessary to survive... never really been his strong suit. “We will need to restrain those two. If you handle the knots I have the range to cover you effectively, then we can move through the area checking for hostiles but if you have a better plan I am all ears. You’ve got the seniority here, what do you think?”
i have been thinking. Whoever stopped the elevator planned to kill us with it, of course someone with the ability to do so likely also had a backup plan in case we escaped. In other words, i believe we are most definitely walking into a, or several traps. Abel says this as they walk down what I'm assuming is a lengthy flight stairs, This also does bring up a ppint that perhaps in the future we need some way to maintain contact with eachother, i do hope Seraphina and Jean are alright.
The group approaches the store, abel says with a chuckle what are the chances those are just looters. Let me go give them a look for identification before we assume restraint is necessary.
Stay back here with Lady Ainsworth, if you see anything call out to me. With that Abel walks in the store to look over the two unconscious people.
“Ok but if they stick you with something pointy while you’re giving the benefit of the doubt I may just misplace my heal stick.” Say Tom with a grin. He will also keep an arrow knocked.
"Oh, thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I'm heading up. I'm supposed to meet with my colleagues upstairs, and make sure everyone's alright. I got a little distracted with another task and seem to have misplaced just about everyone," she added with a small laugh. "But do you know what's going on? I haven't met anyone who knows what this is all about."
”She is already dead Jean. I am going to give an order only once: Leave here and rendezvous immediately.” A ghastly shade crawls over the chamberlains weapon once more as a chilling ripple overtakes the longarm.
========================================================
Bishop
Jean
NG
========================================================
Give me a d100 to see what exactly is available for Abel. If Tom wants in on more items, I’ll take another d100 from him as well.
"But do you know what's going on? I haven't met anyone who knows what this is all about."
”I’ll fill you in. The Nameless Ghoul is back for the first time in six years! He’s here in The Nines hunting for someone.” That is a name Seraphina would likely know in passing. A Knowledge: Local check may give more information.
”I’m a bit of an expert on vigilantes you see, but we still don’t know anything about him. Why he stalks the night, how he chooses his targets ever so carefully. Given what we know about him, I think there’s more than one guy using the name as a cover. Or a madman. Or an automaton! We only know the last well-funded experiment failed, but not why.”
The reptilian man interrupts Stephen before he gets too into theories. ”Lord Hightower, we must make haste.”
“Err, right I know! But yes I would suggest finding a group and exiting the premises. Stay out of any dark corners in the way out, and good luck.”
Just as quickly as the group arrived, they make an equally boisterous exit heading further down.
Tom likes
Rummaging through the Autumns Bounty not sure exactly what he might find in this entirely new shop Tom will converse with his compatriots “So we’ve got two bodies. Well all things considered at least it’s less likely they will poke you with something pointy Abel. I certainly hope the festival isn’t always this kind of eventful.”
There was a pause, then Jean asked flatly, "Or what?"
It did not take a great analytical mind to parse that Jean was strongly considering going against direct orders yet again. The last time it had happened, his commanding officer had needed to have his jaw wired. This time, as a small mercy, his aggression was directed elsewhere.
Well...crap. She couldn't think of a reason why a violent killed would be hunting her, but she could imagine several of the others wouldn't be so lucky - including her employer. Then again, if he was a simple but successful serial killer, she might match whatever it was that made him kill, so it was possible but unlikely that she was a target.
"Thank you!" she calls after the other group as they flee. The fact they were also fleeing was a little worrying, but maybe she could run away if she saw him.
She continued to hunt for the others, heading once more to where they'd been last seen, and then the elevators and stairs - it seemed as likely as not that they would regroup near exits, after all, and not running down stairs would be easier.
I'm not worried, these two are very dead, Likely employees trying to lock things down. Abel gives a look around the bodies and store trying to get a handle on the situation
Something tells me the Festival is always this... I'll say Troublesome. This city seems to attract criminals and the like. No offense to anyone from here, the observation is just something I've noticed. Its a wonderful place I'm sure.
While he waited on a response from Bishop, Jean put his rifle to his shoulder and squeezed the trigger. They needed to get past the Ghoul to escape anyway, it would be better to give the bastard cause to hesitate.
Jean drew a bead on those overly theatrical eyes of his enemy but then dropped the barrel and aimed for center mass. There was very little that could shrug off a direct hit from his rifle with a full charge and a special round chambered. He did not wait for confirmation of a hit but instead slung his rifle over a shoulder and stooped to throw Lady's remains over a shoulder. He would be more gentle but there was still a good chance he would need to fight off an attacker.
When those red eyes vanish, it doesn’t bring any sense of ease. As the Ghoul once more melts into the dark. Then… nothing.
For only a moment before two more shots ring out. Bishop seems to settle for making his point with a hail of covering fire into the dark. A literal hail as it would turn out. Although his breathing seems to suffer again, the chamberlain focuses his efforts onto the ghoul.
========================================================
Bishop
Jean
NG
========================================================
Tom on the other hand, has found a number of hunting implements on his way through the store. Somewhat less concerned with what’s behind the counter, this man sees a few odd hunting implements. One in particular is a spear of quality design. A wide flat blade on top and two wings inches below the blade. It’s labeled as a “boar spear” on the display. The darkwood haft is strong, and if nothing else, this tool may help Tom keep away from assailants.
In addition, the pair find 600 gp in coinage among the debris. They could probably find something else here, but time is short.
Fortunately, Seraphina crests the stairs (After quite a few eerie minutes) to the sight of... most of the Ainsworth party. Abel and the foreign fellow seem to be inspecting damage to a sporting goods store. “Autumn’s Bounty” is the name. Their mascot seems to be a cute little rabbit emerging from a stump. Kal and Morgana stand to the side.
”Ah good. I had begun to wonder who else would go missing in the night. Stay close now yes? Our investigation is just wrapping up. Isn’t it boys?” Lady Ainsworth offers as a greeting.
“Well this I like, always best to keep an enemy at a distance if you ask me. There’s a reason the spear has dominated combat for hundreds of years.” Tom would like to pay attention to Lady Ainsworth and her mood. How is she doing with this less than ideal situation, is she annoyed with our looting?
Jean moved quickly for a man wearing this much plate and carrying a body. It was easy to focus on either being perfectly agile or a thunderous brute but on a battlefield you needed some of both. Bishop would either see to himself or he would not. In either case, Jean's patience for the situation was about at an end.
He was taking Lady and going. With luck he could pick his ground and make a stand at the very least.
Seraphina sighs, pleased that she had finally found the others. "Sorry. Got a little distracted chatting with Lady Ebrietas and making other friends. Does anyone have any idea what's going on? Someone told me the Nameless Ghoul is on the prowl around the hotel, for some reason, but no one has too many details." She glanced at the shop as she padded towards her employer.
Abel quickly pockets the Mystery seed and heads back out to Lady Ainsworth,Yes, we should be going. Now isnt the time to be staying put as Seraphina rejoins the group, Abel takes a smile, There you are Seraphina, i was beginning to worry, this Ghoul character is on the loose the elevator was sabotaged. Now all we need to do is find Jean, while we find a way out.
And yet something seems… off about her whole demeanor. At least compared to the first meeting Tom and her had. She doesn’t seem to track the looting though. Her eyes are dodgy. Perhaps the circumstances are getting to her.
The question still remains which way to go in the night. Jean has reached the hall certainly. The padded thumping underfoot indicates the
Behind the soldier is a roiling sea of gunsmoke in the dark. An interplay of the Ghouls shrieking gunfire and the deep thunderous roar of the opposing firearm continue.
========================================================
Bishop
Jean
NG
========================================================
Seraphina finds a wand after spotting something that glimmers way, way deeper under the checkout desk. The design of the wand is functional, but fashionable. A hexagonal brass rod seven inches in length. One node near the top jutting out of the side, and another set upon the tip off to the same angle. Filigree-like carvings mark the haft all the way down for embellishment. The underside is engraved with ”Borealos College”. That famous site of occult study.
Tom finds himself in a different aisle of this fairly small store. It could easily fit on one of these street corners. And although his compatriot Seraphina finds what looks to be the first explicitly supernatural item Tom has seen since he started travelling Calweld, he finds something more valuable. At least sentimentally. He finds “Fire-in-the-whole” brand liquid fire. The label on the metal can proudly boasts that their product can ”start a fire no matter how wetted your campfire is! Apply the whole dose for bonfires with the kids!”
Indeed, there are even four of these cans for four times the warmth during outdoor camping activities with the whole family. And certainly nothing else.
”Yeah, hey I’m with Abel here, we gotta go? We don’t even know if Jean is still alive.”
Range: 60 ft cone
Area: cone-shaped emanation
Duration: 3 rounds/level (9 rounds)
This spell functions as detect magic, except that it gives you a +10 enhancement bonus on Spellcraft checks made to identify the properties and command words of magic items in your possession. This spell does not allow you to identify artifacts.
A direct hit deals 1d6 points of fire damage. Every creature within 5 feet of the point where the flask hits takes 1 point of fire damage from the splash. On the round following a direct hit, the target takes an additional 1d6 points of damage. If desired, the target can use a full-round action to attempt to extinguish the flames before taking this additional damage. Extinguishing the flames requires a DC 15 Reflex save. Rolling on the ground provides the target a +2 bonus on the save. Leaping into a large body of water or magically extinguishing the flames automatically smothers the fire.
Well, that either indicated she was entirely out of blood or there was supernatural buggery going on. These days it was a crapshoot. Best to hurry and keep his revolver in hand should she revive with a hunger for human flesh or something.
In long sprints, his armor still slowed him down but far less than that much alloy plate should have. Jean ran full tilt in the darkness, trusting to his instincts and the adrenaline singing in his veins to keep him on something like the right path. He was not quiet, his armored feet pounded the fine wood floors and carpets brutally he clipped furniture here and there but his armor shrugged off the blows. Some part of him idly wondered if his path of destruction was going to drive some interior decorator to drink.
Seraphina wasn't great at identifying stuff. Still, since they seemed about to leave, she raised the wand. "Would this be worth buying before we left?"
Tom will happily pocket his pack of Fire-in-the-hole and wander over to seraphina as she asks about the wand.
Tom will gesture to the room and the bodies and say “As for buying I’m not totally sure. Seems to me that there’s been a discount instituted. Not to mention I think this little stick is the first bit of genuine magic I’ve seen since coming to Calweld and given that there’s a murderer loose I think we should probably take what we can get.”
Tom will spend the required few moments to observe the wand through detect magic to decipher a school of magic.
“I’m not totally sure what it does but the aura doesn’t look like it’ll help with blasting or healing. I still think you should hold onto it. Never know maybe it will turn out useful.” Tom will then pick up his newly looted spear that he will definitely be stealing from this place and walk over to Lady Ainsworth.
“I do believe we best get to heading generally downward until we are out then. Sooner we can put an end to this night the better it will be for everyone.“
No offense my lady, but you are missing my point. Yes, going down is the way out, but which route is safe? There is the chance you are being targeted if the elevator was any indication. Abel folds his arms behind his back, crossing his fins, although there is something to be said about us attempting to catch this "Ghoul". It would be a considerably good deed
Seraphina shrugged, since she had no way of establishing what it did, and considered what she was wearing. The dress wasn't heavy on pockets, so she'd just have to hold it.
"The stairs were clear on my way up, and another group just headed down, so it's likely we'll see them in trouble if someone's planning to ambush people on the stairs if we head down them soon."
“Good deeds are subjective. I’m sure the ghoul would think us capturing him a very bad deed, personally I wouldn’t mind putting some hurt on the guy that ruined our nice night out. Though first priority needs to be getting Lady Ainsworth and Mr. Savard to safety.“
Good and evil aren't really all that grey unless one goes out of their way to make it as such, even then any situation can be worked out morally with careful thought and consideration. Though i agree, we need to get them Home post haste. If you two are done, let us proceed
“Any situation can be worked out morally...” Tom full scoffs at the idea. “Aren’t we so very lucky that all morals align in exactly the same way.”
It's not simple, but it is possible. Morals aren't exactly aligned, nothing is ever perfect to think so is foolish. Abel smiles at Tom, a smile so genuine, All i wish is a world where the good are free to live their lives in peace and Prosperity, and those who disrupt that peace are brought to atone. I'm a reasonable man, i only refer to Murder and mindless destruction as clear evils.
“Interesting perspective.” says Tom before he turns to the front door of the shop and gestures for the group to follow.
A long low groan escapes the woman's body as life begins to return to her limbs. The gash across her jugular, gone. Her mouth wide in hunger.
”uuuhhhhhhhhhhh I really wish you hadn’t seen that. You’re running. Did you get him?” Lady tries to look past Jean's shoulder as she begins her questions.
No offense my lady, but you are missing my point. Yes, going down is the way out, but which route is safe? There is the chance you are being targeted if the elevator was any indication. Abel folds his arms behind his back, crossing his fins, although there is something to be said about us attempting to catch this "Ghoul". It would be a considerably good deed
”Therein lies the issue, dear Abel. There is only one path downward at the moment. At the junction of the next few floors, our options for travel decrease quite rapidly. At a certain point, we only have a single staircase to make use of. After that, we can consider other means of escape. Unless you have some other way for us to travel aside from walking.”
The stairs facing the party loom cavernously, only offering a flickering hum and glow in the night.
Continuing down they come across more dead silence. The landing past them is quiet. However, shortly after passing the stairs, they hear the sound of someone grunting and struggling. The rattle of a cage muffles the individuals voice.
Well, that didn't sound promising. Despite being able to see well in the dark she wasn't as observant as some of the others. Still, she glanced around even as she moved closer to Lady Ainsworth.
Tom draws his bow and aims toward the sound. Thinking it best to be safe then sorry.
Tom does his best to ignore the clattering cage to zone in on the voice.
"So what are you?" Jean asked bluntly, clearly he was sharp enough to put things together on the fly but he wanted to piece the last parts together quickly.
Stay close to each other, no one leaves sight Abel gives a look around for the struggle, keeping his guard up
"So what are you?"[/b] Jean asked bluntly, clearly he was sharp enough to put things together on the fly but he wanted to piece the last parts together quickly.
”Human? Look, I don’t keep monologues ready in my head, it’s hard to...” Before she can distract further, a thundering footfall grows from the far end of the level. It sounds like the cacophony is coming from above, but on the other side of a nearby store. Whatever is creating the noises approaches fast.
”We don’t exactly have time for the long answer. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna suck your blood.”
A small figure seems to be caught within the security cage to a closed store. Seems to be a simple snack vendor. ”Maxine’s Mouthfuls.”. With the light the party can make out that this was the figure that Tom and Abel saw leaving the last store. A goblin with a spindly frame and scratchy voice to match. His eyes are that typical red with a vertical pupil goblins are known for. Only he faces a problem in that his tail/foot is caught on the cage that he nearly cleared before the group arrived.
”Hey! Hey you! You were just upstairs right? Help me out here! You can uh...” At this point he stops struggling for a moment as he internally debates what his offer for help will be.
”You can have one of the things I was inspecting?” There’s a twinge of regret in his voice as he looks to the rather full pockets of his oversize coat, but what’s been said was said.
Currently the party is about 30 feet away from the storefront itself, and while it isn't out of the way, it isn't exactly in the same place.
“The way I see it you’re trapped. What’s to stop me from just taking all of the things you were inspecting and then leaving you here as ghoul food. I hear he targets criminals... You know like looters.” Tom takes a page out of Jean’s book and goes for the intimidate. And as he speaks he bounces his new spear in his hands.
"Keep moving, I'll be right behind you, don't wait up if I fall behind," Jean ordered her as he loaded another special round and charged the chamber of his rifle.
Abel goes over a look of both sympathy and disappointment on his face, he speaks with a tone of a calm parent expecting better I will help if you promise not to do so again, surely their is a better path than thievery for.your skills. Make me a vow on your honor
Seraphina hung back protectively, largely because she didn't want to walk into a trap, and also because the others seemed to have it well in hand.
Soon the sounds separate and become distinctive voices.
”So, what? This is normal around here? That’s insane, how do people live in this city?”
“No! Well, not most of the time. This whole buildings a safety hazard, but the Ghoul was supposed to be dead. No one found a body you see, so I don’t know why the elders just assumed.”
“I still think we can take him.”
“Well that isn’t happening. Slow down. The Nines widens out here again. Could be trouble.” One of the voices sounds young. The other has a vaguely familiar accent.
”I am growing short in patience. Either we get rid of him or move on.”
All seems clear from behind the party at least.
"He's not bait, is he?" Seraphina said, looking around and well aware her eyes were terrible by most standards. "I think we should head out." Still, her heart did go out to the little creature. She'd like to help him. But she needed to keep the boss safe, and this seemed like a potential setup.
i agree, i gave a choice it's his fault for not accepting Abel shrugs casually, i will inform some guards at the earliest convience, they will handle this
“One way to solve bait.” Tom knocks an arrow and turns to lady Ainsworth. “may I solve this potential issue efficiently ma’am?”
"But it sounds like you might have some insight, how about we chat?" Jean was not stealthy, but he could draw attention so that Lady could sneak as needed.
The largest figure whispers something to the others before they let out a baritone chuckle. But it’s the smaller one in the group of four who addresses the soldier first.
”Chat? I’m curious. What do we have to discuss exactly?”
There’s an awful draft from that direction.
”Wh-no, no! Please! I swear I don’t know anything!”
Tom cleans up the issue. The paths available seem to seize and restrict more than before from here. The elevators don’t run in this area it would seem. Lights remain spotty, but the coast is clear for the moment.