The Fish's Hells Rebels Game

Game Master Scott Williams 16

Canacha was only half paying attention, she uh... had that problem sometimes. Too many gears and wheels moving in her mind. Abby had meantioned something about the strix not liking it, and some lady named melony had silver birds... and she was busy carefully reloading her pistol... she probably shouldnt have wasted the shot. but those men were...

She paused and looked up at everyone for a moment suddenly aware that something large was looming in front of them.

Uh...

She began sticking her tongue out slightly as her mind hurriedly went back and focused on what she had heard not just what she had paid attention to...

Of course! Does this mean we get cool code nick names?

Ummmm....sure?!? Yes? Why...of course! When you are prepared, we can venture forth to the Livery. There are some refreshments here, I had them brought earlier today. Bread, cheese, apples, some small beer and drinking wine. I, myself, need some time to recover. But I wish to accompany you, please.

"Of course, yes." Zev replies to the man's generosity, and then, in a much lower and less formal tone, "I am sorry, for the loss, whether temporary or permanent, of your parents."

Once their host leaves to rest the skinwalker looks over the arrayed beverages and meals. He couldn't stand the loud snap of his teeth sinking into an apple right now, as senstive as his senses and thoughts were right now as they raced through his head.

He reached for beer, but he did not grab one. His hand hanging in the air after a breath he simply lets it drop back to his side empty. Though he wishes it wasn't.

Abrasax finds a stool and rests her feet. She seems to study the humans present to the exclusion of most everything else.

The Black Thorn studies her new companions as her mid processes her circumstances. The Silver Ravens were real. Not only that but they were now essentially all that was left of the fabled champions of the city. This small group was essentially the city's hope for rebellion. She takes each of them in, assessing their apparent attitudes and what she'd seen of them in combat. One way or another they'd be putting their lives in each other's hands at some point.

Looking as though she were making an important decision, the woman in black and crimson takes a deep breath before removing the veil that drapes across her face, revealing her countenance.

Nobility: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The confusion resulting from combat still dulling his mind, Lensar doesn't recognize the face. Instead, he grabs a few bits of fruit & crouched on a chair, mindfully crunching through the skin of one apple, shifting his weight slightly from one feet to another which gives him a slight sway to his appearance.

"We have found ourselves in an odd situation, for sure..."

Talon grabs an apple and a beer. "So that's who's under that mask. You look good." She had never revealed her identity to him though thanks to a certain incident with a knife wielding thug, she knew his. Luckily she was trustworthy enough to guard his secret. Now the question is, was everyone else as good in that regard?

Talon's words snapping him out of his thoughts Zev took his eyes off of the food to catch a glance at the unmasked archer. He had to agree, she did look good.

All of the woman around him did, in fact. To the point that since he was no longer having to strain to keep his bestial side leashed that his mind began to wander away from the bitter thoughts it had been dwelling on for the past while.

Unconsciously his tail began to gently wag back and forth.

Mirais, too, moves to eat something, but stops when she reaches the table. It was true that she was determined to do something about what was going on in the city, now...but the recent event were still vivid in her head, and that surely didn't foster her appetite.
Sitting on a nearby chair, she slightly tilts her head as the Black Thorn solemnly removes her veil.
Is she...supposed to be someone famous? I really don't want to ask her that out loud...

Instead, the tiefling closes her eyes, trying to calm and focus herself: if they were going to have to fight again, she couldn't lose control like she did back in the alley: singing had always helped to clear her mind, and maybe it would have helped her now to focus the monstrous strength she wielded a few minutes before.
Humming, she briefly sings a few lines in celestial to herself.
"Wee ki gaya, chs mahin ieeya..."

Gather Psionic Focus. From now on, if we are out of combat, assume that Mirais refocuses herself.

Even though he couldn't understand the words she was singing hearing that combination of pleasant words and beautiful voice further soothed Zev's mind, causing his tail to increase in its jubilant movement.

Abrasax finally sighs and breaks the awkward silence. We are all committed to trusting each other with our lives by our actions today. It would be good if we at least knew each other's names. I am called Abrasax. I studied the Devil's Bells until today.

Voice of reason that she is, Abrasax's proclamation snapped the skinwalker out of his ardent daydreaming, his tail slowing to a still. "And I am simply Zev Kelevra, formerly of the Uskwood." he says while performing a deep bow to the others.

"You're right about that. The name is Talon." He then takes his cowl of his pack and puts it on. "Or you might know me as the Demon of Kintargo." He follows up in a deeper voice.

"Most now me as the Black Thorn, but my name is Arani.....Arani Thorndal." she says with a smile at her companions."It is a pleasure to meet you all."

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Thorindal." Zev replies, his tail starting up its happy wag slightly again.

Noting Zev's tail and assuming his apparently canine nature means what she thinks it does, Arani smiles, while giving her Talon a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks!"

At the Thorn's continued friendly nature and response Zev lightly nods and keeps smiling, his tail moving in tune with the current atmosphere.

"I'm Lensar. Lensar Major." the elf continues to sit precariously perched on his chair, observing the group almost methodically.

"We are an interesting mix, that is certain..."

"Oh! Sorry if I didn't introduce myself before." Mirais apologizes, snapping out of her meditation.
"I'm Mirais: I am just a singer at the Opera House. Or at least I was, until a week ago..." the tiefling gives a sad laugh.

"Just a singer with a beautiful voice." Zev quickly adds and steps forward before just as quickly shying back, his tail going still and laying against his leg.

Well it almost seems a shame to waste the day doing nothing... i mean if its crazy now and bad things might happen, what will happen if they catch us out after curfew...

She complained but thats all it sounded like really, more of a complaint than an absolute adversion to the idea.

Man Zev, are they sort of cool with their codenames and their neat masks... we should make some.

"Sure..." the Skinwalker lets out at Canacha's admiration for the vigilantes and their outfits.

"What would you like yours to be? There aren't very many wolfmen in Kintargo so I don't know if me having one would be any good..."

I dont know... whats scarry around here hmm. We could get you a cat mask... how's your meow? Im just kidding!

She began putting her hand on her chin.

That is a good point we will have to think about a disguise for you, I mean there arent a lot of wolfmen here. It wouldnt do us much good to become vigilantes if we are recognizible.

Zev stares blankly at the gunslinger. I'm not completely opposed to a kitty mask... or a bunny mask...

"Do I really need one? At this point there's not really a life outside of what we're doing."

"No family to hold hostage if anyone found out what you were doing?"

"If they want to go into the Uskwood to drag something back they're free to try."

"Well the rest of us do. So if they figure out who you are, they'll figure out who we are and go after our family and friends. Loved ones become leverage really quickly."

Zev tilts his head from side to side before shrugging. "Do you expect to associate with me outside of what we're doing?"

"Probably not. But it's something to think about when Thrune starts looking into us."

"If Thrune starts to look into us do you think they will only use mortal senses? How much protection does your masks offer against magic and fiends?"

"Not much, but I'm not going to make it easy on them. If I had a way to hide from magic, I'd do that too."

Zev waits a moment before simply shrugging again.

The question is a good one. Is each of us comfortable with the possible consequences of this? Especially with harm to loved ones. I don't have family here, but the other Strix are close enough to give me pause. Not that any strix in Kintagaro will remain neutral. Any chance to cull the chelaxian herd is a chance worth taking.

Lensar looks to the pup and takes off his glasses, rubbing the age marks around his eye.

"Some of us do have the abilities to keep identities somewhat hidden. The thing about searching us out will be that they will need something to go on. Without that...well, let us just say that things would be a bit like the metaphor of a needle in a haystack."

The elf motions to the group. "I am the last of my family in this city. The rest either fled Chelaxian territory or are dead. If we are to do this, we must understand that our families will be relying on us to save them. Not from a temporary danger of being targeted but of a more permanent variety, under Chelaxian rule."

Mirais smiles a little, blushing, at Zev's compliment, but her expression quickly turns serious when the others start discussing the repercussions their actions could have on people close to them.
"The people back at the temple are like family to me, but..." Mirais furrows her brow "Things are already tense right now. They don't like that we've been giving refuge to the Sarenites after the Silver Star burned down, and things will probably only get worse."

"House Thorindal may be only a minor house, but I would still rather protect my family from the repercussions of my nightly activities." Arani says quietly. "Plausible deniability and an ear to the doings of the upperclass have their uses."

"Exactly. My parents are just simple barristers. I don't want them hurt."

Good thing you two already have a mask then. I plan to leave at dusk.

"I'll be sticking to the shadows, as best I can."

This aged stable leans slightly to one side, its roof precariously propped up by aged wooden walls. The air reeks of stale urine.

Going to work with the idea you are all quiet enough to avoid unwanted attention from the dottari and smart enough to not start a fight with them either.

We are being quiet right? super sneak mode?

Canacha asked from behind a handerchief she had tied about her face trying to look as sneaky cool as their vigilante friends. She patted the pistol on her hip well aware it could probably easily break that lock...but that there would be plenty of noise in doing so.

History: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Lensar nods in response, working to be quick and quiet. Motioning to the front and back of the building, he motions the group to remain silent as he tries to peek in both the front and back, while retaining his silence.

Let me know if I need a Stealth roll

Talon also nods to the enthusiastic Canacha.

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"So how do we want to do this? There's enough space to squeeze through but it could be more difficult for some that others." Arani says looking over at Abrasax. "Wouldn't want your wings getting caught up."

"I can try picking it, or we could force the back door as well." she continues, looking to the others for their opinions.

"Let's try to pick the front door's lock." Mirais says quietly, trying to make as little sound as possible "Trying to unstuck the back door may make too much noise."

Stealth checks will be required if you are trying an action with a consequence of failure, otherwise I am using the take ten rule.

That will cover most of the routine issues.

SO, if you are trying to pick the lock or squeeze between the door, Roll them Dice!

I will roll dice for you in secret, if needed for some actions, but I try to make it rare. We are all gamers, even if it's the message board roller, no one likes to let someone else roll for them!

The elf keeps his voice low.

"If we can get that lock open, those of us most capable with moving in the shadows can look inside and see."

"Yea, so which one of us is good at B and E?"

Arani crouches down in front of the lock, producing a set of lock-picks as she begins working to gain them entrance.

Disable device: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

"Apparently not quite good enough."