"How big are we talking here, giant demon vs dragon- big? Or 15 by 15 feet big?"
Either one is bad news, though the latter we might manage.
" Now that I'm rememberin' The Balor wasn't all that big and wasnt that closer to the center.. If this was caused by somethin' big and it was a safehouse, either we suddenly had some good creature stomp it to the ground or the demons had a schism. That might actually explain why everything isnt taken over yet. "
Verim buts his shield up against Wendaug in a calming manner. " It's alright.. We've fought cultists, demons and terrible bugs and are likely gunna fight more Lovebug. If you are worried about being too exposed you can just hug close to me HARHAR! " the jolly guardian spok though his tap was a bit off target.
" So Talli.. what'd ya see there? "
----------------
Verim acted innocent, " Oh, y'know, small things overall. I don't want ot seem like a bad host above the surface. So I might have done a few things here or there you MIGHT enjoy. Those may or may not pertain to your current... disposition. Can't tell ya more than that though.. no matter what ya say! "
Wendaug gives Verim an irritated look, and maintains her nervous vigilance.
Tallina is able to further report that the ruins of the Nyserian Manor appear to be more of a happy, or unhappy, accident. The trail of destruction seems to have started somewhere to the east, and smashed through the manor, moving in a westerly direction. It's impossible to tell the exact size of whatever came through, but from the wreckage it's plan that some rather large buildings seem to have just been... in the way instead of targeted, as seems likely in regards to the former Nyserian Manor safehouse. There are some very deep gouge marks, over a foot deep into solid stone, as well some immense potholes sunk into the ground, from the steps of something very very heavy.
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Wendaug snorts, the sound somewhere between disgust and a chuckle, "Keeping secrets from the one you desire? Never did find that a longterm winning strategy." She ends with an expectant look on her face, as if expectant but not optimistic.
" Well I suppose we should head back now... I don't suddenly have an arrow in me and this is no longer a safehouse. Lets get all this stuff back to headquarters. I really need a drink and some salve. "
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Verim looks as though he is debating saying something he looks serious and softened reaching out gingerly to grasp her hand. " Its very important.. and I want it to be a surprise to you. I want it to be special. "
"Well, big enough, but I can't tell for sure without seeing it. And I don't think I want too. If anything survived it would be underneath the rubble in a basement of some kind. Hey Tobongo, help me out here, I'm going to check it out. My mind might be a bit more at ease if I knew there wasn't anything underground."
The druid and treant head towards the manor to possibly look through the rubble for any kind of basement door that may have survived.
"Go help them search.", Mia tells the little bird.
Mia casts guidance on the bird.
Tallina searches for a good long while, and does locate some documents scattered around that indicate the home was owned by a man referred to as Kandro, but that's all they were able to discover. Some of the less helpful discoveries include blood stained rubble, 23sp and 14cp.
"Well, nothing but some coin and scattered documents. If we had the time we could search and perform a proper burial, but as it stands, I do not believe we can. May the gods watch over their souls, and may Pharasma guide them to their final resting place."
Content with her search, Tallina scoops up the spare coin and heads back to the group.
"So...shall we head off?
Potential survivors' odds will get slimmer if we wait."
She says with a smile.
With no 'strangers' around, Mia's obviously not into the 'cute little girl act' anymore, probably this is the more casual Mia.
Verim stretches " Good.. I thought I saw a greyhair start to grow. We've enough time to hit up some districts on the way back but I'm sure all tis knowledge on the enemy will be a nice reward. The more people we save, the better. "
"Maybe we could take a detour? Perhaps find more survivors or trouble, and swing back by the tailors shop to pick them up. Although it would ease my mind that the survivors we have found were safe and sound."
Hopping off the pile of rubble, Tallina gets ready to head out.
Leaving the ruined manor the group decides to take a circuitous route back to the Tailor shop in order to search for any additional survivors. Some tremors rattle the stones at their feet for a full thirty seconds, only to cut off suddenly and completely. The trip remains uneventful, the group keeping a fair amount of caution and avoiding several large bands of demons, or just avoiding suspicious looking areas. They pass a roaring bonfire, no creatures in sight, but a large heap of bodies being consumed within. They pass a wall where a humanoid, likely human, has been reduced to a bloody target. Several knives keep the body upright against the wall, hands and legs staking the body in place. The rest of the body is riddled with arrows, knives, spears, axes, with crude and bloodied hammers, stones, and more of the same lying strewn about in a shallow pile on the ground. Nothing is recognizable anymore, as none would be surprised if it was learned a hundred men spent a solid fifteen minutes of target practice on the victim.
Continuing on, the group nears another bend on the way to the tailors shop.
As Verim get's close he stops and quirks a brow. " Hey, Ladies.. its seems we got company! I hear three of 'em And something or someone is wailin' I don't like the sounds of that. "
Verim moves towards the sound sufficiently ready, the previous scenes fueling his sense of justice.
"Ok, on to kicking more ass, woohoo!" =^^=
"Okay; let's go." Luci said, readying her sword.
Verim and the others stride around the corner to a grisly and bizarre scene.
The rubble has been cleared away from the street here, and an improvised stage made of several partially destroyed wagons and carts has been erected in the middle of the street. On this stage stand four frightened-looking men and women, each armed with jagged broken weapons and clad in bits and pieces of dented, bloody armor. Three quasits flap about nearby as they seemingly work to stage a "play" of sorts comprising battles between their victims. Each of the humans left are battered, bleeding and look completely exhausted -only their fear of the Quasits keeping them upright. Four more dead men and women lie scattered about the cleared area- their poses indicating they likely tried to run away only to be killed by one of the quasits.
When the party appears, one quasit screeches in delight and shouts in a grating voice, "Oh joy! an audience! You there -bloody beard- attack Gretta there like we rehearsed. And be quick about it!!" The man had a beard stained red with his own blood from the cuts on his face, and jumps at the command, looking with maddened eyes at the group, then turns towards a woman, who must be Gretta, and raises a broken club with a resolute expression on his face.
The familiar darkness rises in Verim's heart as he rushes forward recklessly " Don't be a fool! Don't stoop to their level! "
Verim smashes his shield up against the Bearded man shoving him away from woman.
He then points his Glaive at the Quasits his eyes glowing and skin darkening, " Playtime is over DEMONS! "
Mia pats Tobongo on his side.
Rounding the corner, Tallina rushes the stage trying to get between two of the injured people.
"Stop fighting, hide and come out after we defeat these little pests. Tobongo, attack!"
-----Tobongo-----
The treant moves quickly for his size towards the creatures with one arm swinging.
"Get clear; leave the demons to us!" she called, moving up with Verim and Bianca.
Verim seems not to register Luci all that much.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Bloody Beard was shoved away easily enough, the man stumbling back, his eyes flickering between Verim and the poor women who was trembling with fear.
The quasits cackled in anger as the human ruined their little play, "This was not rehearsed! Our play is ruined!" cried out one of the quasits.
"No no no, see now we have a new story to watch!"[b] giggled another one before looking at the humans with a twisted look of glee, [b]"Stupid humans, attack these poor party guests!"[b]
[b]"Intruders!"[b] sung another, [b]"How about I give ya something special!"
In total and absolute fear, all the survivors turn on the group, fear driving their limbs, primal fear for their lives.
They all turn immediately on Verim, him being the closest target to all of them.
Most of their attacks were wide and completely missed Verim, despite one making it through his defenses and landing a solid blow with a half broken sword.
[ooc]Crit for 4 Dmg
The quasits seemed to be pleased about this turn of events as they buzzed around, attempting to surround the group that has entered the street. One buzzing right by Tobongo with a cackle that was interrupted by the sudden strike of the treant.
Ow ow ow stupid tree! I see you burn! screeched the quasit as it backs away from the tree, attempting to put a safe distance between him and it, while the other two suddenly vanish.
Verim raises his shield to steel his mind against the effect
As the people get closer he grits his teeth and sighs, " Don't make me have to do something I regret! " As the side of his glaive knocks against their heads.
Mia, despite feeling a bad vibe, steels her resolve.
She looks at the quasit just struck by Tobongo and speaks something in halfling.
Moving closer to Tobongo, the half elf casts a spell of guidance and hunkers down, hoping her companion can keep her safe.
"Tobongo, beat that one out of the sky."
-----Tobongo-----
Seeing that the demons were intent on making their prisoners fight them, Luci moved up to help Verim subdue them in the hopes that it would draw the quasits out into the open.
The poor fear stricken villagers were blind to their own stupid actions. Luckily for them Verim seemed to have not resorted to lethal force to subdue them, for at least three of them. They fall unconscious from the blows, their bodies hitting the makeshift stage of carts with a solid thump. One remained, the bloodied bearded crazed man. He attempted a swing at Verims head with the club he had in hand.
The swing going wide and useless, leaving the man exposed.
The quasit that tried to retreat from the large walking tree did not fare too well.
The demon could feel the hex make him weaker, unfortunately he did not have much time to react as the tree just completely clobbered him, ending his live quickly as he was flattened by wooden fists. His body exploding open to the smash like a sack of compressed water. Demon ichor spewing in all sides.
Screeches suddenly erupt around Verim as the two quasits who were invisible appear one either side of him, both attacking with a raged induced fever.
One of the Quasits sink their teeth into Verim and begins to rip its head back and forth, trying to tear armor, flesh, anything that it grabbed hold of. The other raked him with both hands, its claws digging into flesh. "Kill kill kill kill!"