| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
Once he's clear of the crowd, Juraan stays out of the crowd and winds his way to Maavu's warehouse.
Along the way he patches himself up with one of his wands of Cure Light Wounds.
Using up two of the last four charges of my original wand of Cure Light Wounds.
Going through the motions since a roll of 1 on UMD means I can't try again on that one item for another 24 hours.
That should leave me at 41/44 HP, with the non-lethal all cured up.
At least that's what's showing on Hero Labs for me.
-----< end of spoiler >-----
By time he gets to Maavu's warehouse, Juraan himself looks to be in reasonable shape.
But his clothes and gear are covered with dirt, grim and his own blood.
When Maavu's said his piece, Juraan sweetly and calmly says, "I'm ever so glad to hear you're feeling guilty and that you're not mad."
And then abruptly becomes livid, "But you are an … IDIOT!" he shouts briefly, before carrying on:
"I myself was damn near killed that group storming city hall."
"And here you are trying to do a runner; [u]again[/u]!
"First that umberhulk you ran away from just [u]before[/u] it appeared."
"And then you outdo yourself in grand style by starting this deadly riot."
"Now, before I lose my cheery frame of mind, I want you to tell us what you've been up to all this time."
"And I want to know about all your antics; NOW!"
"Y-yeah..." Marigold agrees, folding her arms across her chest and scowling at the merchant. "Wh-what's going on, M-Maavu? Th-that th-thing, it s-seemed like it w-wanted your b-blood and n-no one else's. S-seems to me that you've m-made some p-pretty powerful enemies. M-Might be a g-good idea to t-try making some f-friends for a ch-change."
"I think, given all the archers, that perhaps it was someone that Maaven was talking against perhaps that called that creature. It was summoned.." notes JJ.
Maxim eyes the rival merchant closely as his companions serve him volley after volley of questions and demands.
Mighty interested to see where this goes...
:
"I will not blame you for being mad at me. But this was not my intention at all. I just wanted to raise awareness at the people of Cauldron" he pushes a palm at his forehead "How would I know they will slaughter those half-orcs in that way?"
"Yet, after this, I cannot think any longer the previous attack on my warehose is coincidental" the merchant looks straight back at you, in clear desire to be quick with this "I will put it straight. Do you believe some evil is at work within the government?"
Maxim scowls at the man's words;
"I ain't buyin' what you're peddling Arlintal. Raisin' awareness is speaker's corner or holdin' court in a tavern. Hell even puttin' the word on yer customers... The blood spilt on both sides is on your hands..."
As for the his question he stares hard back at Maavu;
"Politican's ain't in it for the good o' all... Despite the sh1t our nobility peddle. Neither are the mercantiles nor kirks neither!"
He sighs and holsters his pistol, aware that a threat of violence is irrelevant in the current juncture;
"Rank an' file Cauldronite couldn't give a rat's ass 'bout right nor wrong neither. If it ain't on the doorstep, nor affectin' their lives or loves, then life goes on... but to answer ye... Ain't nothin' happenstance... Is there evil at work? Our experiences would suggest so, though where it roots ain't as clear cut..."
Kikinnin does what he can for the fallen citizens, where there is still hope for healing, almost losing his crew to the crowd. He eventually breaks free from the gathering to bring up the rear to Maavu's Warehouse.
"I am wracked with guilt for what has happened. All this riot thing is very worrisome. I am no mad, I know it was largely my fault that things got so out of hand."
When Juraan lays into the merchant, Kikinnin smooths his beard, joining Maxim in conversation observation, while observing the others for signs of injury.
"I will put it straight. Do you believe some evil is at work within the government?"
Kikinnin finally finds a reason to speak. "That's not 'putting it straight', Maavu. That's an 'ask'. If you wanted to put it straight with us, you would speak your fear first, and confess your own personal belief that you think there is evil afoot in the governing body of Cauldron."
The black beard sheathes his axe behind his shield. "Maxim has the right of it- your public preaching brought death to Cauldron today. You gave your enemies a reason to kill half-orcs, in your name. Those half-orcs didn't die from the lay folk. Those dagger strikes were deadly, suggesting that a real provocateur was stalking your gathering. He took off as soon as he finished his job. For who, I don't rightly know."
Kikinnin moves a little closer to Maavu. "Do you?"
"I will not deny my fault on this that happened today. I did not expect they would be willing to reach this far" the merchant nods at Kikinnin "I do agree those daggers were unsheathed on purpose for provocation, but I know no more than you also saw out there"
"I trust you." the man packs a couple spellbooks in his bag "Regretfully I have little time for explanations right now, but what was a feeling like yours, it has come to grow more of an insight as of recently. I have to leave town before some other enemy or law enforcer takes notice of me" he ties his pack and slightly opens one of the windows of the office "If you are willing to help me expose and defeat this hidden evil there are some friends I would like you to get acquaint with that might shed some light on your questions"
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Every fiber of Kikinnin twists up, as Maavu Rabblerouser prepares to hie away. An obvious stirrer of pots, the man holds a good share of the responsibility for the crimes perpetrated against the citizens of Cauldron, both commoners... and half-orc guards. He flusters behind his eyes that he would hold any sympathy for the guards' slaughter, but the act of assassination motivates him to include the half-orcs with the dead townsfolk, despite his ancient hate for orcs.
Light and Dark. Good and Evil. Chaos and Law. You can't define One without the Other. When an agent of Chaos crosses paths with an agent of Law, there is Conflict. But there is also Respect. Equal weights on opposite sides of the Universe's Scales. Without balance, Entropy rules the day, and Disorder brings everything to destruction and blackness.
Kikinnin recognizes something in Maavu, without needing to give the man his Look. There is Good in the merchant, along with Chaos, and the black beard focuses there, like he focuses on the human in the half-orc, not the beast.
"You've spent the last of your goodwill today, Maavu War-merchant, as far as I'm concerned. I will not take action against you, and suggest you make this right by telling us why you think we should meet your friends, and who they are." Kikinnin breathes deep.
"If you're at the center of another mass madness, I will bring my full strength to put you down, Maavu. That's a stone promise."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Maxim raises a bushy eyebrow as Kikinnin allows the agitator grace to leave.
The dwur shifts his hand unconsciously back onto the handle of his pistol;
"Fancy words Arlintel. Yer a good salesman I'll grant you that... but you know as well as anyone that everything has a cost. Some folks paid in blood today, others in repute. We'll be judged on lettin' a prize such as you slip betwixt our capable hands..."
The gun-mage eyes his Uncle's rival with a hard stare;
"Weren't no goodwill in my ledger afore this day. So before you try an' skedaddle from our fair city, best give me a reason to follow the wisdom of my bror here. Gold, precious item or one o' them arcane books'll ease my troubled conscience..."
With his other hand he reaches out expectantly.
"You've tried what patience I had, Maavu."
"You won't answer any of our questions."
"An eel couldn't possibly be as slippery and as evasive as you!"
"Whatever is going on, TELL US NOW, DAMN IT!"
"And take us to your acquaintance. NOW!"
"Leaving things up to you to sort out yourself is not an option."
"You're either incompetent or being manipulated."
"I'd have say you're both of these things."
"But perhaps I forgot my manners."
"Let's do it this way."
"Stop lying, stop being evasive and be completely open with us."
"PRETTY PLEASE"!!!
With that, Juraan then gets out his rapier and holds the point in front of Maavu's throat.
"Or perhaps you'd prefer Ryan here to wheedle the truth out of you."
"He can do that easily enough with Abadar's blessings."
Maavu looks serious at Kikinnin as the dwarf states his oath, he reels back as Maxim places his hand back at the gun "If you need so, I am willing to offer that as a token of my good intentions" the merchant unpacks his bag once more and throws one of his spellbooks over the office table.
The man gulps as the dragon-blooded Juraan erupts in passion "There is nothing I can say now that will sooth you or fix what happened" Maavu starts playing with something in his pouch "Now, if you talk with my allies your vision might change. You are invited to meet with me and my friends in three days at Redgorge. You might be more interested to know Alek Tercival will be there to answer questions as well" he takes his hand out of his pouch and he is holding a potion "I hope we are all calmer and can set a better communication by then. Just drop by the Redhead Miner's Inn in Redgorge and answer 'mortar' to the appropriate question" the merchant does not let Juraan reach him with his rapier, instead he imbibes his potion.
Suddenly, Maavu and all his gear become insubstantial, misty, and translucent. In your face, the gaseous form quickly escapes through the opening in the window into the cloudy sky of Cauldron.
JJ jumps back in surprise.
"Was... was that even Maavu?" he asks.
He shakes his head in surprise and wonder. "I didn't think there might be others in the crowd trying to incite violence, but it does make sense. But Maavu is not the only agent here. Those archers were not using blunt arrows, and whoever summoned that elemental has skill and a desire to kill, not capture." he notes.
"I feel like the crowd, and to an extent, us, are being played like pieces on a giant chess board, with two shadowy players sitting back watching as things progress."
He grins boyishly. "I only hope we are soon to be promoted from pawn to something a little more meaningful."
Sheathing his rapier, Juraan is still in an uncharitable frame of mind.
"He's still an idiot. Getting an answer out of him is like trying to squeeze blood out of a stone."
"I wouldn't trust him with the time of day after all this."
Kikinnin frowns as Juraan continues to seethe. The man doesn't quench quickly. Might have to dunk him a couple of times to see his steel cool down. Right now, though, he's too red...
"He's given us three days to make Redgorge. How soon do we need to leave in order to make it in time?"
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Joining the group late Ryan walks in a Juraan is giving his final words to Maavu. Not today, didn't think I'd need that in town He thinks to himself.
Listening as Maavu speaks of Redgorge and Alek Tercival, the church's missing paladin, he opens his mouth to ask "What's Alek's part....". The question dies on his lips as Maavu disappears into a gaseous vapor and departs out the window.
Somewhat flustered he looks at the others "What'd I miss?"
"He's given us three days to make Redgorge. How soon do we need to leave in order to make it in time?"
Ryan considers the maps he seen over the years within the church, "It's about 15 miles as the crow flies however the road there is far from straight with the switchbacks going down the mountain, probably closer to twenty by road. Going downhill, all day by foot, considerably less by horse. If we meet no troubles. "
"It look a hard nights ride to get to the Lucky Monkey, and that was about half way.." offers JJ. "I'm guessing it is probably two day's travel for us."
He smiles at the thought of being on the road again.
"Hey, if we are going there, my family had a holding in the area. Like my actual mother and father. If we are going there, I'd like to spend a day trying to find them and see if there are any other relatives, cousins or such, around still."
Maxim maintains a hard eye as the merchant provocateur drifts from their company.
He nods to himself and claims the tithe left by Maavu, before looking to his companions with a scowl;
"Hell's Teeth... Y'all learned nuthin' keeping' my company?! Could have driven a collective hard bargain an' each gained some fortune..."
As he thumbs the book, the dwur speaks plainly;
"So we're meeting Arlintel an' his mysterious friends in three days time. That I get. More pressin' will be how he escaped us, an who we tell 'bout this little rendezvous..."
"Well, given he is persona non grata in Cauldron at the moment, I don't think we tell anyone. If they ask, we just say that after the riot we want to get out from Cauldron for a few days."
He looks worried though. "I should check on Sara and Tessa and make sure they are okay... Meet at the stables near the gate out of town in an hour or so? " he suggests.
"Okay, fine. I'll go there with you all. I still have my doubts about him, though, Juraan says.
"I'm profoundly unhappy about Marigold and I nearly getting trampled to death by the riot he started."
"Even if he means well, he's being played for a fool. At best."
"In the mean time, I'm going to find Shensen."
"I want to make sure she's okay after all this."
Juraan then stalks off, sulking and pouting, to look for Shensen...
As well as their plans to meet Maavu.
Including his own uncharitable opinions of Maavu.
He'll also ask if Shensen and the others are unharmed after all this.
For the past hour chaos has reigned supreme near the Town Hall. As you step out of the warehouse isolated pockets of rioters and looters continue to plague the city.
Out in the square Navalant and Vhalantru step into the balcony as the evening sky turns dark. Navalant raises his voice taking the attention of everybody and proclaims "The government is sensitive to the needs of Cauldron. We promise that taxes will not be levied for three full months as we reconsider how to better address the city's problems" as the two nobles step back into the interior of the Hall, the people slowly cease in their disturbs around the square, and word is quickly spread around the city, giving to a tense but peaceful evening.
"It is later than I thought." sighs JJ.
"Maybe a good nights sleep, no sense in riding through the night if we don't have to. Aim to camp at the Lucky Monkey, and then hit Redgorge the day after?" he suggests to the other Watchers.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Umm, JJ, any particular reason you're heading west to go south. I think the Lucky Monkey has seen a decline in business, and Sarah's already staying at your place....." Ryan ask JJ somewhat confused.
"I f-feel uneasy about leaving C-Cauldron again so s-soon," Marigold sighs as they step outside and look at the evening sky. "F-feels like we only j-just got back from our t-trip below. B-but do we really have m-much other choice? S-Seems like there's no other l-leads on what happened today."
Glancing at JJ, she smiles slightly. "B-but it m-might be worth it j-just to see what sort of p-path JJ would lead us on to g-get there. A g-grand tour of the whole c-countryside!"
"More pressin' will be how he escaped us, an who we tell 'bout this little rendezvous..."
Kikinnin shrugs. "Wasn't our duty to bring him in. No barked orders from the archers or the guards. Hells, Skylar was barely able to keep his head. And we can always speak the truth, that he turned to mist, and slipped through the window."
As you step out of the warehouse isolated pockets of rioters and looters continue to plague the city.
Kikinnin doesn't allow an opportunity to cuff a looter pass him by, sizing up the competition and engaging with the bigger boy, non-lethally. He finds it little different from ratting, other than these rats are bigger and bolder, and don't seem to have the survival instincts to stay in the shadows.
The black beard is not stupid, however. He doesn't bite off more than he can chew when the rioters look meaner and outnumber him handily.
When the evening comes to a close, Kikinnin agrees to depart for Redgorge in the morning. "I want to learn what Tercival has to say about the current state of affairs surrounding Cauldron. That's supposing he's been researching things pertinent to our recent troubles with the Eyeball thing."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
JJ blinks. Twice. "I don't know what I was thinking. Of course you are right Ryan. That mob must have hammered me harder on the head than I realised."
He grins at Marigold.
"I was, ahh, thinking some cross country hiking might do us all some good?" he tries.
The youth then gives a nod toward the balcony. "At least they are stopping taxes for a few months. I told you that Vhalantru was a good sort."
Looking around his face turns serious. "I know what you mean Marigold, but I don't think we have much choice. I hate to leave Gretchyn without support with Cauldron seething like this, but I think we really need to find out some more information. And find out what Alek has discovered."
In a considerably better state of mind, now that things are calmer, Juraan meets up with the others.
"Marigold's right. We barely got the dust off our boots and off we go again."
"This trip ought not be as troublesome travelling through the Darklands."
"At least it's closer than the Red Monkey was. Which is something, I reckon."
"Speaking of which; does anyone know what, if anything, is happening wtih the Red Monkey Inn?"
"Travel between Cauldron and Sasserine a bit more difficult without the Red Monkey as a mid way stopping point."
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Now it's Marigold's turn to blink. "R-Red Monkey? Um...isn't that s-slang f-for...um..." the halfling begins and then stops, her cheeks blooming pink. "Ah...a-anyway...I think you m-mean the 'L-Lucky Monkey'..." she mumbles.
Maxim arches his eyebrow as talk turns travels and the nature of monkeys;
"Reckon hittin' the road is part o' all this hero stuff we signed up fer Surabar. Beside's might be more maiden's in distress fer you to up an rescue along the ways."
He flashes a wry smile as he packs the tithed spellbook;
"Need to check on my Uncle an' his wares after all this chaos. Check I ain't required... an' load up on stogies for the journey o' course. See y'all on the morrow."
Maxim will head back to his Uncle's making a detour past any of the Garthûn warehouses or holdings to check on their security. If necessary he'll dispense hard justice on looters, leaving them winged with lead if it comes to that.
Meeting with Adrick, he'll reconnoiter some more cigars and rum for the journey and fill his Uncle in on Maavu's involvement, along with the mooted meeting with the rival merchant's mysterious allies...
Before dropping off he'll also cast Read Magic and discern the contents to the claimed spellbook.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Sorry, Marigold, you're right."
"JJ wasn't the only one to take some knocks on the head."
"Anyway, we should check on the Lucky Monkey sometime."
"I'd hate to think it's fallen to wrack and ruin."
"Or worse, fallen into the hands of bandits again."
You do receive the telepathic voice of Meerthan "All the agents are well. Still trying to uncover our enemies. Fario and Fellian are trying to track down and uncover who are the half-orc assasins"
Back at Adrick's warehouse you find out Daxavalt and Kerg are holding the place against a small group of rioters. You do spot one looter escaping through one of the broken windows, but your gun is easily able to stop it before it runs to far away. Your uncle is happy to recover the wooden box full of Andoran wines the rat was trying to steal.
The party breaks up to look for diner and try a nap through the tense night.
A few hours after sunset though, the City Hall bell begins to ring. You seek a window or door to look through and discover an intense orange glow that lights the western area of the crater lake on the dark night.
JJ offers Sarah a hug and a reassuring glance for Tessa.
"There was a riot down near the town hall.." he starts.
"Some fool stirring up the crowd. And then the crowd turned ugly. Quite a few people got hurt, but I don't think anyone died. At least I hope not."
He grabs some tools left over from the work on the roof and ineptly hammers some boards over the broken window.
"That should keep you safe at least." Trying to make light of the situation, he pulls out some food he purchased on the way to the house. "I brought dinner with me, as I thought maybe you wouldn't want to be out on the streets. "
He sits and eats with them before breaking the news that he has to leave again early the next morning..
As night grows and the fiery glow appears JJ sighs deeply.
"It looks like more trouble." he says. "Some fool has set a fire." Slightly too casually he stands from the table and offers his apology. "Lock the door behind me, and don't open it for anyone other than me before sunrise. I'll try to come back before I head off, but if I might not manage that. I should be back in a week or so."
Slipping on his armour and belting on his swords, the young man steps out into the night filled streets of Cauldron.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ryan leaves the others to report back to Jenya at the church.
"This is getting out of hand, the citizens are on edge and it takes only a small provocation to set them loose. And by the scales, Maavu sure gave it to them, but someone else was at work in the crowd. There was word that Sir Alek will be in Redgorge, we are leaving to see if we can meet with him. I don't trust Maavu much but I want to speak with Alek and get his take on the situation."
As the bell tower rings out Ryan comes awake within his small corner in the church If Initiate Rhiavaldi is pranking the church again I'm going to beat him soundly before break- ah hells Ryan thinks to himself spotting the orange glow.
Donning his gear he heads out to investigate, however he doesn't take any chances and takes all of his gear.
Seeing the Orange Glow, Juraan frowns.
"Well, shit! 'No rest for the wicked', as they say." he mutters to nobody in particular
He gets all his gear together and heads out to investigate.
Keeping his eyes open for the rest of the party, who he figures will want to see what's amiss.
Earlier, in response to his last communication
[color=blue]Those assassins must be professionals of some sort.
They looked like ordinary people, but killed those Half-Orc guards with alarming speed and efficiency.[/color]
... and he'll try describing them as best he can to Meerthan, if that helps at all.
Later on, when the alarms are going
[color=blue]Alarm bells are going. Looks like it might be a fire or something on the Western side of the lake.
I'm heading out there now. I'm assuming my friends are too.
Fario and Fellian and the others might be needed if they aren't there already.
[/color]
"...wha...?" Marigold mumbles later that evening, when the city hall's bell begins to ring. She blearily sits up in bed, rubbing her eyes as she slowly climbs out of bed and pads to the window. Looking out, she blinks and then does a double-take as she realizes what the strange orange glow in the sky means.
Oh no! Nonononono this is bad!
Marigold scrambles to get dressed and gather her gear, hopping about her room on one foot as she tries to pull on some pants with one hand and reach for her pack with another. Once dressed and armored, she hurries out into the night and towards the ominous orange glow...
Kikinnin mobilizes easily enough, as the hour isn't late enough to have driven him out of his armor altogether. Picking his shield up from next to the door, he ventures out into the street, looking for Ryan before heading in the direction of the glow.
No doubt the drinking's brought a new level of grievance, and someone's gone and set fires. Innocents at risk, arsonists in need of thumping... gonna be a long night...
Maxim scowls as he breaks from his evening tincture with his Uncle.
"Hell's Teeth... More anarchy afoot Uncle! Reckon we'll be called upon, so I'll take my leave so fid the source of this fire..."
As he grabs his gun-belt, he nods toward the two bodyguards;
"Keep an eye out. My concern is merchant's 'ill be targetted on account o' that damn fool Arlintel."
The mage also shifts into the night, making toward the glow and keeping eyes and ears peeled for his fellow Watchers.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
You follow the orange glow to west Ash Avenue. As you approach you discover Minuta's Board inn is aflame!
The half-orcs currently occupying the inn have evacuated the building and started a bucket brigade to douse the flames, which already wreath the entire building. Several burly half-orcs begin chopping down the outlying wooden structures near the inn with their double axes in an attempt to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby houses.
As you approach, in the red light of the fire, you overhear whispers and screams against the half-orcs "Go back to the hell you come from, mongrels!" someone from the crowd "Have a taste of fire, spawn of the Unwinking Eye!" a woman from a window "Let's burn away the rot from your human half, freak!" Other citizens, however, have rushed to help the half-orcs fight the fire.
In front of the flaming inn, its innkeeper Pilok Minuta and a mercenary half-orc sergeant argue. The innkeeper pulls at his hair, crying and yelling to the big half-orc. "Your thugs are demolishing my inn! Stop them!" The half-orc ignores the innkeeper, and turns away to yell to his axemen in Orc "Отрубите его, прежде чем он распространится на другие здания !!!" The orcs continue their chopping with renewed energies.
"Chop it down before it spread to the other buildings!!!"
You spot some of your companions arriving to the scene at a similar time as you do!
As Marigold arrives and takes stock of the situation - as much as she can understand, anyway - she feels a huge surge of relief when she spots her friends arriving as well from all directions.
"U-um!" she waves frantically at her friends. "I'll h-help with the f-fire, s-some of you t-talk them out of k-killing each other!"
With that, Marigold begins to do what she can to at least keep the flames from spreading elsewhere by conjuring water atop them.
We can figure out what started the fire later!
________
Ryan rushes down the street towards the sound of arguing in both a language he understands as well as one he does not, taking a moment he seeks grace from Abadar, grasping the key at his neck. "Grant me understanding." cast Comprehend Languages - last 80 minutes
Reaching the innkeeper and the sergeant, Ryan takes a moment to explain.
"Master Pilok, they seek to stop the fire from spreading to your neighbors and at the same time they are trying to put this fire out. Turn around and join them." he implores the man.
Moving towards the head of the line, "Let me help." Ryan cast Resist Energy(Fire) - 80 minutes on himself allowing him to get closer to the flames without taking damage so that he can direct the water directly to the source of the flames.
JJ nods to the others as he arrives, slightly late on the scene. Rather than trying to tackle the crowd he picks people one at a time.
"Pilok Minuta is your neighbor. And a good one too. Whoever set this fire didn't think about hurting him, or the damage it will do to his neighbors. We are cauldronites. Help put the fire out, and keep your hands away from your weapons - we don't want any more accidents."
He stops however when he hears the cry about the unwinking eye and starts to move toward whoever said that. "What is the unwinking eye?"
When Juraan nears the burning building, he casts a spell: « უხილავი მსახური » . .
And sets the new invisible servant to help the half-orcs in the bucket brigade.
Once he does that, he casts a second spell: « זען ומזעיק » . .
... and looks around to see if there's anyone or anything invisible about:
Bereft of magic that can assist, Maxim mulls the situation and pulls a fresh stogie from his pocket
Huh. Bad business this. Burn the half-orcen on a pyre o' Cauldron is a nasty turn o' events...
The dwur leans in collecting a smoldering shard of the inn and lights his cheroot; studying the crowd as he does - trying to focus in on any more vocal leaders of the rabble;
Question is... whose fannin' the flames..?
:
Marigold quickly runs closer to the action alongside JJ and Juraan.
Ryan casts a spell to better understand what is going on and shouts at the owner, but he seems a bit too far for him to notice.
Kikinnin and Maxim head down the avenue after Ryan.
Pilok grabs at the sergeant's arm in an attempt to get his attention. Bewildered, sweaty, and visibly scorched by fire, the half-orc loses his temper and throws the innkeeper to the ground. The half-orc grabs Pilok's neck with a single hand, puts his foaming mouth at just one inch from the man's face, and yells, "You tiny idiot! You don't get it! Flame-demons inside kill us! Fire unstoppable! Blades useless!" As Pilok whines incoherently, the half-orc puts his scimitar before the innkeeper's face, showing its twisted and melted blade.
Willing to help Juraan casts unseen servant while Marigold casts a mist of water that starts to sooth some of the flames at the southern façade. Observing he might have to move close to the fire, Ryan casts a protective spell on himself.
"Someone is inside!" cries out JJ. He drinks his potion of fire resistance, ready to head into the blaze.
Taking JJ's word for it, Juraan quickly casts a spell on himself: « აღუდგეს ცეცხლს » . .
"Where at, JJ?"
Kikinnin sizes up the situation, flames licking at Minuta's Board Inn, half-orcs hacking at it, and watering it down, instead of abandoning the scene. He sets himself to the same task, joining the burly half-orcs in destroying what's already lost, to prevent the fire from spreading.
As you take position, a gout of fire explodes through the doorway of the inn, enveloping and incinerating a screaming half-orc axeman!!!
Two Huge fire elementals burst out of the inn and into the street to seeking further things to burn while everybody around starts screaming and abandoning the scene as fast as their feet allows!
You do know huge fire elementals are Neutral extraplanar outsiders of the plane of fire. They do have DR 5/-, are immune to fire and have elemental traits. Despite being vulnerable to cold they have extreme reflexes on combat.
Minuta's Board subterraneans hold the base of the now presumably dismissed Alleybashers.
Realizing he won't be much help himself if he can get burnt to a crisp, Juraan casts another spell on himself:
« დაცვა ცეცხლი » . .
He then gets closer to the Half-Orc leader and says "I have magic that can help some of you against fire."
He will also order the Unseen Servant to start splashing buckets of water on the nearest fire elemental.
JJ hurries forward, thrusting his shortsword at the massive creature.