"Well then, let me see if I can help."
He turns to his horse and calls out "Nouhves!". The horse looks at him alertly. Sir Justahl points at the prisoners and calls out "Guard!" The horse steps over to loom over the prisoners, nickering menacingly.
"There have been a few who thought they could outrun Nouhves, but they were horribly, tragically wrong." Sir Justahl shakes his head sadly.
Intimidate:
Tanel hisses and spits viciously.
'Nice work! That'll do the job!'
Then he keeps an eye out for Agon, or knowing his 'luck' someone strange and dangerous to arrive and make life difficult. A twenty foot gnoll? A n orce riding a dragon? The strange and exciting life of a chosen one who doesn't particularly care.
He shook his head, fighting away the negative thoughts. He had been revived by the action, and indeed the voilence. And that scared him. He needed to not be in susceptible state if he was going to fight again. He didn't want to start enjoying it.
@Tanel and @Justahl: People are starting to stir. All around you is the sound of a city slowly waking up, as if it all its residents had been slumbering all at once. The gnolls, already deeply shaken, put their tales between their legs and cower when Justahl commands Nouhves to stand over them. They are both making a low whining noise.
The large white owl that led Tanel here and signaled Agon to what was happening flies down from the roof on which it had perched and lands on Nouhves' saddle. Its huge dark eyes regard Justahl and the unconscious bundle in his arms.
"Whooo." it says.
@Jorzan, @Kelne, @Karthan:
@Agon and @Tanel:
Tanel glares at the owl. Muttering obscenities sprinkled with the words 'bloody owl'.
Perception:
However, he keeps alert, looking around himself for strange goings on.
@Tanel and @Agon:
Now that battle is done and their cloaks are in disarray, you see that these gnolls have Black Dragonflight insignia on their armor. Even aside from your own personal reasons for hating them, this is rather disturbing for a couple reasons;
1. The BD is not supposed to be this far west.
2. You were not aware they were now using gnolls in their army as well.
3. Why were they involved in this...whatever this was?
4. Stormfare is famous for having some of the most powerful magic relics in The Land stored in the main library at the university. If they get hold of them...
Sir Justahl looks at the owl, puzzled for a moment, then dismisses it as he gazes into the sky.
"I say Master Tanel, on the way here I could swear I saw a second funnel cloud over the University Library. Think you we should go and investigate? I think that it is not by coincidence that we have here met; we should go there as a unit. Our lives are clearly linked by fate..."
Sir Justahl looks at the owl, puzzled for a moment, then dismisses it as he gazes into the sky.
** spoiler omitted **
'
Mulling over the meaning of the message on the ring, Jorzan continues to stealthily move along
Perception:
his thoughts leaving somewhat less observant than is his norm
Mulling over the meaning of the message on the ring, Jorzan continues to stealthily move along
Perception:1d20+12
his thoughts leaving somewhat less observant than is his norm
As the city resumes regular activity, you notice a couple Paladine of Izmir, with their squiers at their side, talking to a large group of refugees, and you are struck with the sting of memory and deja-vu. The squiers are the ones on show, here, not the knights, since they are intended to be the hook to get orphans or children whose parents cannot keep them to go to Izmir to live, since orphans in Izmir get chosen to be pages and then squiers, and perhaps eventually knights or even dragonriders.
It was what was supposed to happen to you, and it brings back memories of your brief time in the orphanage, when the shadows were calling you, and were more real to you than any of the other children.
Mulling over the meaning of the message on the ring, Jorzan continues to stealthily move along
Perception:1d20+12
his thoughts leaving somewhat less observant than is his normAs the city resumes regular activity, you notice a couple Paladine of Izmir, with their squiers at their side, talking to a large group of refugees, and you are struck with the sting of memory and deja-vu. The squiers are the ones on show, here, not the knights, since they are intended to be the hook to get orphans or children whose parents cannot keep them to go to Izmir to live, since orphans in Izmir get chosen to be pages and then squiers, and perhaps eventually knights or even dragonriders.
It was what was supposed to happen to you, and it brings back memories of your brief time in the orphanage, when the shadows were calling you, and were more real to you than any of the other children.
Jorzan's pace falters for a moment as he observes the scene before him. Although the strict and binding ways of the Paladine in general were near anathema to him, always would the young man have a soft spot in his heart, and more than a little gratitude, for the Paladine of Izmir. 'Who knows where I would be, or what I may have become at the hands of that thrice damned mage were it not for my valiant rescuers.'he thinks. 'Was it the darkness He spawned in me that caused me to choose the Shadow over their Light? Was I fated to never join the ranks of Paladine?' he continues to wonder. 'Perhaps these young ones here shall fill the ranks I was never able to'
Yet despite these thoughts the young Shadowdancer feels no regret. For the Shadows have become his home. They had shielded and protected him from harm more times than he could count. With every day he feels more deeply connected to them and he knew in his heart that, no matter what dark intentions the mad experimenter may have had, he, Jorzan, was now master of his own destiny. And he could, and would, use the Shadows to fight on the side of Light.
Giving the Paladine a silent salute of gratitude that they never see, the young man quickens his pace to catch up with the others; as always, the shadows he calls home sheltering him as he passes through their dark embrace.
Karthan murmurs under his breath as the library fades into the rain and mist, "Somehow, when there's fire at the library, I'm always around, and it's always deemed to be my fault..."
@Tanel and @Justahl:
As the two of you are standing in the street, you are startled when a door suddenly opens. It is the coffeeshop up at the end of the alley, the one Agon and Tanel originally sought to enter. The same barista from before steps out and...
"GAH!"
...when he sees the tipped over handcart and gnoll carcasses. He quickly runs back into his shop. Another back door opens just 20 feet away, the smell revealing it to be a butcher shop, and out comes a very old gnoll, her muzzle gone all gray and her steps tender. She looks around, and her eyes get wide when she sees the two of you and your prisoners. She gets very agitated then, and begins walking over, pointing in your direction and yelling.
"You lot aren't welcome here! What are YOU doing in this alley! You'll ruin everything, you fools, with your warmongering and slaving. Don't you THINK of bringing any of that to my city!" After a couple seconds of this, you realize she isn't talking to you. She's talking to your prisoners. She's wearing a small, square hat, perched ridiculously on her flat head, and a blood-spattered apron. Your prisoners look at each other in utter confusion, then resume their terrified whining as this new interloper stands over them shaking her head. "I finally find someplace peaceful, where I can get a little respect, and now THIS." After a moment, she finally seems to actually see the two of you. "You two! You're not gendarmes." She looks more closely at Justahl, sniffs deeply. "But you're gorgeous! Grrrr." She turns away from contemplating Justahl's charms and looks back at the prisoners. "Anyway, if you're not gendarmes, we need to call them. These are Black Dragon soldiers and they shouldn't be in this city. They'll ruin everything we gnolls have built here." She looks at you again, and this time she eyes the bundle in Justahl's hands significantly. "Hmmm... Tell you boys what. You leave these two with me. I'll get the authorities. I get the feeling something's going on here much bigger than me and that you two need to not be here when authorities arrive."
Sir Justahl looks on at the elderly gnoll with some puzzlement. He could not recall encountering a gnoll before without being at swords point.
With a brief sidelong glance at Tanel, he addresses the old gnoll.
"With respect madame, but who are you, and how can you be secure alone with the likes of these two?"
Tanel interrupts before the woman can reply.
'Fate Justahl. You followed it here, and we're done with the owls business here. This is clearly an upstanding butcher of the community. If she dissapears the Gnolls we know where she is, and the gendarmes do too. You wanted to go see the anamoly over the university? Well let's do that then. We'll end up there sooner or later. Let's save ourselves some time and effort. Eh?'
Tanel smiles at the woman, nods his thanks, and gathers up his stuff. He places his halberd in his bag, and roots out a longsword and shield, though it seems to take quite some time to actually find the items.
He scabbards the sword, but straps on the shield. This done he looks at Justahl and says 'You coming sir Knight? Your talents will be of much greater use and good where I'm going I've a feeling.'
Sir Justahl nods at Tanel.
"Yes, I feel we should investigate what happened at the Library and what the connection is. There may be more of these priests or Black Dragon troopers."
He bows to the elderly gnoll.
"Very well madame; we leave these to you. And thank you. Nouhves come!" Nouhves looks up from the prisoners and trots over to Sir Justahl. He snuffles at the sleeping girl curiously.
Sir Justahl picks up his lance and sockets it into his saddle before carefully mounting, trying not to wake the girl still bundled in his cloak.
"Well then Master Tanel, shall we go?" He turns Nouhves towards the Library and starts him walking.
'Just Tanel will do. And yes, lets.' Tanel sets off keeping stride with the glowing knight's great brute of a horse. He keeps an eye out around him for more strange occurences or shifty people.
I don't have a good feeling about this whole thing at all. As I told shiny clogs here though, best to get it over with. I of all people can't fight fate.
@Jorzan, @Karthan, @Kelne: Having hustled across the city, you come to Dogshank Alley, which leads to the marked spot on the dead mage's map. Up at the end of the alley is some kind of tremendous commotion, with gendarmes and barking gnolls and yelling humans, and walking towards you are three men, all human, and all clearly warriors of some sort. There is a huge brute of a man -- even bigger than Karthan -- wearing a bow, a more average-sized, but very haunted-looking fellow with a strange dark aura about him, and a man who seems to be of high nobility. A large white owl is flying not far above them.
@Tanel, @Agon, @Justahl:After having destroyed the fell altar in the house, the spilled blood hissing terribly and the wood splintering like rotted flesh, you three start heading down Dogshank alley, with the small girl bundled up in Justahl's arms. You hear a racket behind you as the constabulary shows up, but if anyone notices you three, no one is making any fuss about it. The owl is flying just a little above, keeping close pace. You're not 100 feet down the alley when you see two…warriors, it looks like. The human is clearly a man-of-arms, and the large half-orc appears to be some divine or magical being, the rain evaporates instantly as it strikes his greenish skin.
Suddenly, the bundle in Justahl's arms starts struggling. A small voice comes from within. "MMF! Lemme! Lemme out! It's the shadow man!" The girl's head suddenly pokes out and she begins flailing towards the two warriors approaching you. She is still filthy and, quite frankly, malodorous. Her hair is so filled with brine and dirt you can't even tell what color it is and her skin is equally encrusted with all manner of disgustingness; seaweed, paint, dye, caked blood, sand, and who-knows-what else. She is frantic as she reaches toward these two. "The shadow man!"
Jorzan,
Suddenly, she seems to notice the other two. "The dragon man! You save us when the frost lady buries us! And mean man! You save me from the vampire! You're all here! WE're all here! We can go now! You can take me to the wall! I finally get to leave!" She continues to struggle with Justahl, trying to get down.
Justahl:
Everybody:
You know that 'The Wall' is a Citadel of Gorum, famous for its brutality and for producing lethal, barbaric warriors.
You know that 'The Wall' is a Citadel of Gorum, famous for its brutality and for producing lethal, barbaric warriors. You also know it is in the far arctic, in Allemagh, in badly threatened territory on the borderlands of the Frost Kingdom, the Great Trackless Woods, Allemagh, and the White Dragonhold.
'Best to let her go Justahl. I get the feeling that she isn't any ordinary girl,' he squints upwards at the owl and scowls at it.
'Whos the shadow man little boots? Is he a ghost? Do you two strangers know any shadow men?'
'Tanel Eppun by the way. I get the feeling this wasn't an accident. May as well know each others names. Where you lot at the library?' He continues talking to the strangers as Justahl struggles with the girl. He hopes Agon is quick with his bow in the newcomers aren't what they seem. The girl was right, they look mean.
'Best to let her go Justahl. I get the feeling that she isn't any ordinary girl,' he squints upwards at the owl and scowls at it.
** spoiler omitted **
'Whos the shadow man little boots? Is he a ghost? Do you two strangers know any shadow men?'
Reflex save:
Knowledge (Religion):
Sir Justahl tightenes his grip on his lance when he sees the warriors ahead of him, then when the girl starts struggling, he tells her;
"One moment young lady, you are too high off the ground! Let me dismount first...".
He halts Nouhves and dismounts; setting the girl down and unwrapping the cloak.
"Do you know these men? Perhaps we should introduce ourselves. I am Sir Justahl of NeoWald, Order of Iomedae. And this is... Uh..."
He stops, not knowing what to call the girl.
"I say, what IS your name anyway little girl?"
Knowledge (religion):
Sense Motive:
More than a little surprised at the filthy street urchin-looking girl being to look right at him, Jorzan pauses for a moment. The haunted looking man is completely unknown to him, the half-giant seems vaguely familiar, there certainly are not many humans that large and the young Shadowdancer has a sense he may have seen the man somewhere in the city before. The one on the horse though catches Jorzan's attention the most. Sir Justahl of NeoWald, was the Paladine in Stormfare. Although they had never met in person, Jorzan had followed his exploits with more than a little curiosity.
The strange situation moving him to speak far more than is his norm, Jorzan steps from the shadows, seeming to appear from nowhere, and says quietly "I am 'the shadow man', I suppose, though you may call me Jorzan. Though how this young girl was able to see me, and know that, is another matter entirely." He then turns to the man calling himself Sir Justahl. "Sir Justal of Neowald, I know of you. Though you do not know me, I have and will always hold great respect for the Paladine of Izmir, for I would likely not be here were it not for them."
Turning to look at all the men before him he continues with "You know of what went on at the Library? For yes, we come from there now, and were on our way to investigate a similar phenomenon in this area of the city. Do you know of it, has it been stopped?"
Lastly he looks directly at the girl "You, little one. You are obviously more than you seem. What are you talking about? Who has prevented you from leaving? And why you do you wish to return to such a place as a Citadel of Gorum?"
Sir Justahl looks confused at the girls words. He starts a little as Jorzan appears.
'I've no idea what happened. But we roughed up a bunch of gnolls and some mostly-Lamashtan cultists and it put a stop to our half of it. I imagine you did something likewise? Why not fill us in on the details Shadow man and co. Wait did you say Gorum!?'
As soon as Justahl sets the girl down, she goes racing on bare feet across the cobblestones and hugs Jorzan. "You're my favorite! You hide me from the smelly demons in the big pit underground where the dead people are and the magic wall almost kills...Dragon man!" she says as she seems to notice (again) Karthan and runs over to hug him, as well. "I didn't know your skin was warm! My eyes couldn't see that part." She steps away from Karthan and looks flintily at Kelne. She gives a short little wave. "Um. Hi Mean Man."
She takes a few steps back and the owl swoops down and lands on her head. The bird is practically as big as she is, but if this bothers her in anyway, it's not apparent to any of you. She looks back at Justahl and Tanel and Agon.
"I saw this part. I saw it with my eyes. Shining Man and Haunted Man and Big Man and all of you, you all take me to the wall. A Golden Lady put me on the boat, the Dawnflower made her do it, and now I'm here, because it was the only safe way to get me here, so all of you can get me to the wall. The Golden Lady will be there too, when we get there. She's very nice, and I love her, and I have to get her to the wall because she is going to burn. She...she has to be...all on fire and" Her face starts to crumple and her lower lip trembles. She begins to cry softly, though her little shoulders shake. "...and it's going to hurt so bad and it's all my fault!" She plops down in the street. The owl, startled, flies up to a balcony. "Whoooo." It offers helpfully. Her sobs subside.
She sniffles. "But it has to happen. Because that's how it all is going to end. With the metal things and the dragons and the burning. And the wall. And you all help to end it." She looks at Justahl. "I'm *sniffle* Cassandra. *sniffle* Shining Man."
@Kelne:
Sir Justahl looks on in astonishment as the girl (Cassandra!) rattles off... predictions? Prophesies? Whatever they were, her words rang true for some reason. As her tears erupt, he goes over to hug her.
"Whatever may come, I will be there to escort and defend you! The Inheritor has ordered it so." He looks up at the others.
"I think all of us will." He smiles down at Cassandra.
"And the first thing we're going to escort you is to a bath!"
Karthan murmurs, a low rumble. He's frankly surprised to see someone bigger and taller than he, but he isn't put off by it. A faint nimbus of magic comes across his hands, and he kneels, patting down the girl...and grime comes off of her, and she looks considerably more presentable in a few moments.
"That trick probably ensures more wizards never get married..."
And with that, he looks the girl in the eye, and says "Cassandra, I am Karthan. Would you like to be even taller than him?" He points at Agon. As soon as she assents, he lifts her up and puts her across his shoulders.
"Jorzan, let's get her away from here," He looks about the hubbub. "Ideally by different means... and then meet up. Is Pyotr's Coffee still your preferred venue? I didn't see you at the library coming in, and that puts you one more drink ahead."
Knowledge (Local):
Sir Justahl looks at Karthan with new respect.
"That, sir, is a marvellous trick."
'Nicely done,' Tanel smiles up at Cassandra. Then makes a point of glaring at the owl. He has the temporary feeling that it's a rather arbitrary division.
'So, Karthan. I think me and my new friends will meet you at this cafe. If you don't mind. I've the feeling that even if you do, we'll end up in the same place sooner or later. Better to get some good coffee out of it. My head is splitting.'
K(religion) check:
Kelne looked... a tad disconcerted by the little girl so casually reeling off their collective destinies. Especially since his own seemed worryingly plausible. As a rule, he didn't worry overly much about fate, and wasn't entirely sure how to feel about fate taking an interest in him.
On the whole, it was probably best to carry on as he normally would and not worry overly much about what he might one day do to earn the moniker 'Mean Man'. He certainly wasn't going to start letting destiny make impotant decisions on his behalf. That way lay madness.
"Coffee sounds good," he said, having somewhat recovered his equilibrium.
Karthan grins at Justahl. "It is at that." He then proceeds to dry clean any mud and blood off of people who need it. "You'll attract less attention this way."
"Pyotr's Coffee is at Birnham and the uphill end of Fishguts. Remember, the uphill end. It smells better. I suggest that everyone take a slightly different route to get there to throw off pursuit."
To the girl riding his shoulders, "Cassandra, we're going to play a game - I'll need you to be as quiet as possible."
With that, and the girl riding his shoulders, Karthan taps his chest, murmurs a word, and assumes the appearance of a tall human with a toweringly tall contraption for keeping the rain off of his head. Cassandra is hidden within the illusionary (but still largely functional) umbrella.
Disguise with vest
He then slips into an alleyway
Stealth
and seems to blend into the shadows.
Perception check to notice anyone following. The owl is expected...
Tanel watches the man change shape and hide Cassandra. He smiles at the strangeness of the situation, then looks around at the others.
'Guess I'll see you all there! Tanel stows his sword an shield in his magic bag, and silently thanks the half-orc, Kathan for cleaning the blood and mud off of him. He decides to heal up his various scratches and wounds so he doesn't further bleed on his clothes. Muttering words of healing and restoration, white runes spring into being around his wrists then dissappear as he finishes the incantation and lays his right palm on his chest. Wounds and scratches seem to knit themselves clean.
'Before we go, does anybody need some magical healing? We'll be less conspicous if we're not bleeding.'
Arriving at Pyotr's, you find the place only half-full and as such it's easy enough to commandeer one of the big, cozy oak tables in a well-upholstered corner of the place. It's not much past lunch hour, so it stands to reason that more folks are at restaurants or home at this point during the day. The proprietor is a grouchily avuncular fellow from north of the desert of Rass-La, in the town of Karabulak, and makes coffee so powerful some of his customers suspect spellcraft is involved.
The owl, having followed Karthan on his winding, local's route of shortcuts and sidecuts, settles on the roof across from the coffeeshop.
Perception
Nice place, Tanel thinks as he finds him some where comfortable to sit, glad to be out of the rain again. He orders coffee almost immediately, eager to lift his spirits from the low of the receding alcohol.
Perception:
1d20+12 Perception
Karthan, it's clear to you that you are being tailed, and though the tail is very clumsy, at one point knocking over a garbage can, the tail is also invisible.
Karthan taps the Amulet of Ventriloquism and throws his voice 40' away into the alley, then casts Message, including everyone in the group.
And with that, Karthan introduces himself around, buys himself a mint tea, Cassandra a large muffin and an egg sandwich, and Jorzan his usual reward for winning their game.
We've been followed. By someone with resources sufficient to be invisible. Everyone be calm, enjoy your coffee, and we'll make introductions all around. When I drum my fingers on the table, it's a signal to listen for the effects of this spell. You can all communicate with each other, but it's best to make sure that someone else is talking at the same time. Understood?
"I am Karthan Zhosk, and I'm native to Stormfare. My father does missions for the city, and my mother is one of the librarians here. I've been in town relaxing from my last caravan guard run...it looks like relaxation time may be over."
Nice place, Tanel thinks as he finds him some where comfortable to sit, glad to be out of the rain again. He orders coffee almost immediately, eager to lift his spirits from the low of the receding alcohol.
Perception: 1d20+2
Your trip to the coffeeshop is blessedly uneventful save for one minor incident; your reflection has changed. You now have an idea what that last knoll you killed saw when it looked up at you. An ominous, dark, hooded shape, some 12' tall, looms up behind you, shadowing your every move. It doesn't appear other pedestrians see this, but so many walk with their heads bowed against the rain it's tough to tell.
Sir Justahl nods.
"Well then, it would seem a degree of anonymity is called for. I will be but a moment."
He will remove his knight's pennon from his lance, roll it up and pack it into his saddlebags along with his Order of Iomedae tabard.
Next he will, with some distaste, put a canvas weather cover on his shield.
He dismisses Nouhves with a word. "See you tomorrow old friend." His horse neighs, gallops forward and dissappears in a celestial flash.
Lastly he will use his "Mark of the Inheritor" to change his appearance: hair and eye color to black, shortens hair, and gives a magnificent scar on his right cheek. Now he looked like a typical armored soldier.
"There now no one will..." He looks around wildly, But they're gone.
"No, wait, I'm supposed to escort her. I'M SUPPOSED TO ESCORT HER!" But there is no one to hear.
He grabs his head. !@#$ @#$@# @$#$ How many more times will he be allowed to screw up before the Inheritor gets someone else?
He hurries up the alleyway towards his rendesvou.
Perception:
Karthan shares a knowing look with Jorzan and uses the Message spell to speak to the shining knight.
Too late now, but that might have been better saved until after we'd left. You are distinctive enough in appearance - as am I - that the best time to change appearances is when there's a distraction about to call people's attention away. I'm guessing that they don't prioritize deceptions and lying in your order. Don't change back - we'll find a way to smuggle you out if necessary.
"Jorrrrzan!" Pyotr greets you warmly, as a regular customer, grandly rolling his 'Rs' in his distinctive midland accent. "Shall I prepare your usual?" Noticing the demeanor of Kelne and Agon and Tanel and the disguised Sir Justahl and Karthan as they come in, he surreptitiously moves tables away from where you're sitting to give a modicum of privacy, or at least keep casual eavesdroppers a little further away.
Perception: 1d20+2
Justahl, you note that as the others leave, those two gnoll archers who were attacking you have come back and sort of melded into the confused crowd at the end of the alley. They don't follow you, but they stare beadily in the direction your party goes.
Sir Justahl sits, vowing silently to never leave the girls side again.
"When I left the alleyway last, I think I saw those two gnoll archers staring at us. I don't think they followed."