The dove sits quiet for a few seconds as if in contemplation You're concerns are well founded. Dangerous days lie ahead and I'm beginning to have concern that if you keep on your current path you will never make it to the Dark Tapestry. I will send someone to replace you in your party in a few days. Then follow Beatrice who will know the way to a portal of the Crossroads. Once in there make your way here to me and the next part of your quest will begin. I will see you soon. With those parting words you suddenly are back in the Four Points of the Undercity and no one seems none the wiser of the vision you just had.
Then, looking back to Eroned, he looks uncertain again. Turngut not know. Turngut never get to make choice for what Turngut want. Always do what others say.... Turngut is tired. Turngut tired of killing. Turngut tired of hurting. But if Eron-dead say Turngut should go help friends, then Turngut will fight. Turngut will hurt. Turngut will help friends.[/b]
When Turngut calls out to Ib the hobgoblin looks up Turngut and smiles Well I wanted to wait a minute so I could thank you old friend. I may have bit it but you avenged me, avenged a whole lot of folk killing that Butcher. He glances around and laughs Guess he won't be joining us up here, hope he's real warm where he is. Ib motions for Turngut to come have a seat with him and begins to speak again.
Every day I thought I would get killed. During the war, on the boat I was stowaway aboard, camping in wilderness of Enderal. He laughs So many chances for me to die like a rat, slit throat in the middle of the night. Even after I joined the Guild I thought that way, I was ready to go whether it was on my terms or no. Heck going down swinging ain't a bad way to go is it? So I think I'm at peace. Ib remarks standing from the celestial stone bench You truly are one of greatest people I have ever known Turngut, always keep that heart of gold of yours ye hear. I'll see you on the other side whether it be today, or years down the line. Goodbye. Ib says departing through the Cradle with Eroned.
Emerging a short time later Eroned returns to the gate and simply says Take all the time you need to decide.
Poppo you see the green mist float downward twenty feet so its five feet above the the bottom floor.
The Guild of Beggars members glance around looking for any more hostiles then finally get a chance to breath as they think the battle is done.
Idrok who goes just after the Guild members says Bloody taking orders from some Holy Order paladin what on Vyn has become of the Undercity, Idrok "Carver" Nernalt taking orders. Alright, alright I'll try to get up there but the two fellows up there disappeared. Idrok struggles to climb up the wooden house even the assistance of his two soldiers.
Poppo and BobE you're up!
Poppo perches on a rafter and keeps his eyes on the green mist. Ready to follow it if it moves.
The mist then floats ten feet through the North wall of the building. Poppo you fly out the same hole you came through and see the mist float ten more feet. It seems to be heading for a manhole cover about 25ft away that bird form Poppo likely wouldn't be able to fit through.
Nalia you manage to climb up the building and make it to Turngut, he's cold to touch. You don't feel any pulse, Turngut is lifeless.
Poppo flies and lands next to the manhole cover and watches the mist to see if continues toward the manhole.
CAW! CAW! he calls out.
The mist flies twenty feet close and is right next to the manhole cover and Poppo the bird.
Poppo returns to halfling form, and lifts off the manhole cover.
I'll be glad to follow you down there. He tells the mist
When you lift the manhole cover the gas stops and though it doesn't have eyes you can tell its looking at you. It then flies down twenty feet into the sewer.
Poppo leaps down after the mist.
Poppo leaps into the sewer which only goes down ten feet and leads to a long pipie. As you leap down you see the green gas floating there and next to it a black hooded, grey skinned elf with a scar over his throat. The Mute Assassin looks at you curiously then looks up at the manhole as if giving you a chance to leave.
Poppo stands his ground, glaring at the mute assassin, he doesn't move a muscle, just stands eyes completely locked on the assassins eyes. Grip tightening on his boarding axe.
The mute assassin looks back at Poppo not unsheathing his weapon just standing there looking at Poppo. He motions again to the manhole cover then to his rapier at his hip, he shrugs. The mist moves twenty feet down the sewer line.
Initiative Order Round 1
Mute Assassin
Poppo
The Mute Assassin manages to act before Poppo and hits you while you are still flat footed
Poppo is able to react as the assassin goes in for attack, and attempts to swat the attack away.
And he quickly swings back!
He then let's arcane energy flow through him again, and concentrates on his arcane arts.
Electricity crackles onto his boarding axe, he swings. He then steps back.
You are able to parry and riposte the mute assassin, he lets out no sound of pain or discomfort. You are then able to hit him with a very powerful and electric strike.
The gaseous forms moves twenty feet down the pipe and is about ten feet from turning a corner.
Initiative Order Round 2
Mute Assassin (28 Damage)
Poppo (13 Damage)
The assassin is clearly in shock over the electric strike and misses his attack again. You're up Poppo.
Poppo presses his advantage. He tries to cast again.
He casts an acid splash!
Then takes a swing.
This time the assassin is able to duck the acid splash but definitely gets hit by the axe. The assassin however is still upright.
You see the green mist disappear behind the corner.
Initiative Order Round 3
Mute Assassin (36 Damage)
Poppo (13 Damage)
The assassin once again tries in vane to hit Poppo is a increasingly more frustrated.
You're up
Another safely cast acid splash
Poppo knows he's lucky, but this guy is tough! Is the pressure getting to Poppo as he loses the spell.
But he brings the boarding axe around low near the assassins groin.
Once again you hit the assassin but he is still upright but very wounded.
Initiative Order Round 4
Mute Assassin (42 Damage)
Poppo (13 Damage)
The assassin who is apparently the most incompetent person in the world misses for the fourth time.
You're up
Feeling more confident tries to cast acid splash again.
But he's growing battle weary, he loses it. Seeing the queen is escaping he takes a desperate swing.
This time the assassin is able to parry Poppo's attack.
Initiative Order Round 5
Mute Assassin (42 Damage)
Poppo (13 Damage)
This time the assassin is able to strike for the first time,
Poppo you feel that you can move any more and collapse to the ground from the poison. The assassin walks over to you and sheathes his rapier, looking you in the eyes. He then proceeds to pick you up and begins to carry you somewhere. You aren't dead, but Poppo has been captured. Where this will go we will find out when I actually write something down about whats going to happen.
BobE and Nalia what are you guys doing?
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Nalia looks to her friend Turngut as she climbs onto the top of the building. She can see the horrible wounds on him. She knows he's beyond her depleted healing or the stabilize spell she has. She bows her head knowing her sword of Malphas is his best hope but not sure if it has the power to be used again. You're right BobE, by Malphas, maybe we can perform a miracle again.
She kneels next to him and lays the sword along his body, hilt towards his body and sword point towards his toes. Then she prays, praying for Malphas to show his mighty power in front of those around her, to confirm his strength in front of witnesses, to heal her friend. She knows in her heart this may not work, but she trusts, knowing Malphas is true.
Nalia you try the ritual but all you get back is a quiet voice from Malphas It cannot be done, the sword has yet to regain its divine power. I'm sorry Nalia.
Nothing seems to happen.
Francis picks up Ib and looks sadly at Nalia and BobE You should take him back above, this isn't the kind of place a hero like him should be laid to rest. He glances around again, then does so more frantically Where's Poppo?
You are carried through the disgusting sewers unable to move from the poison. After taking several confusing turns and twists the assassin stops and take the time to tie you up. He carries you further completely silent apart from the occasional squish from stepping in something slimy. Eventually he gets to an exit of the sewer, a place you don't recognize and you are able to see a barren part of the Undercity with hardly any inhabitants. He leaps down with you still on his shoulder down off the raised out flow pipe of the sewer.
He continues and eventually you are just able to make out a building that resembles an old castle ancient and crumbling. The gates, a pair of large wooden double doors seem to be freshly repaired and are in good condition. The assassin knocks a specific knock and the doors open up Ave brother. The Queen has already arrived and informed us of the failed Dance of the Four Points and the set back brought on by those Holy Order do-gooders. the voice pauses and laughs Ooh got mister Hedgehopper I see. Vesuvius will have a fun time getting information out of him! the voice proclaims take him up there right away.
The assassin carries you further and enters the keep of the old castle. Eventually he brings you to a room and you hear a familiar voice say Ah dangit! you can't see the figure but you recognize the voice of Trusty Patches. Then you hear a booming dwarven voice.
Why don't you shut it Patches or ole Vesuvius will start to pull yer precious teeth. the dwarf laughs gutterly before coughing and hacking up a huge loogie. Bloody hell! the dwarf loudly proclaims as the assassin enters with you. My word don't sneak up on ole Vesuvius like that. So what have you brought me? the dwarf asks getting no response Ah right, can't talk let me see.
You are then dropped to the ground looking up at the ceiling you see the assassin standing over you and a crusty old dwarf looking down at you Aye this that Holy Order agent Vatyra been sending us word about? The assassin nods Blimey! Ole Vesuvius can surely get some information out him. Why don't you help me strip him of all of his gear and put him in some dimeritium shackles. Hear he's a spell caster so that outa repress those powers. Vesuvius laughs and they remove any gear and magical items you have on you and store them in a chest in a small closet. You are then thrown in a cell and put in shackles that are attached to the stone wall. You can't move your head but you can see in the cell next to you the bald headed information broker Trusty Patches also captured.
The assassin leaves and Vesuvius glares at you through the locked iron barred door You Holy Order type don't know when to stop snooping do you. Well ole Vesuvius will teach you. Vesuvius laughs. Its around this point that you feel yourself once again able to move.
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Looking around Nalia comes out of her inward focus, extreme sadness on her face. I feared this would be the case and Malphas, by his grace, has confirmed it. The sword takes time to recharge the mighty power of resurrection and it hasn't been long enough since Pearson was returned to us. It seems like and eon since then......I'm so weary.
Nalia looks around as well, Francis, you're right, Where is Poppo?
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As the party begins to wonder about Poppo, a young woman clambers onto the rooftop and wails in anguish at the sight of the orc's body. At first glance, the waifish woman could almost be mistaken for a teenager, but the dirt and grime of street living makes it difficult to determine. In addition to the layers upon layers of crud, her skin appears to have an odd tinge of grey that some may recognize as a clue of her partial Grey Elf heritage. Another reason for her unnaturally youthful appearance. Her dirty brown hair falls in greasy clumps to her shoulders and, in places, sticks out in odd angles. It looks like she cut it herself with a dull knife weeks ago. Dressed in street urchin rags, with the body odor to accompany it, she could easily go unnoticed, except for the fact that she is running directly towards the party. Grief clearly on her face with streaks of semi-clean skin where the tears run down her cheeks.
No. NO! Not this one. Not this one!! She wails clearly upset seeing Turngut lying there. Tearing her face away from his corpse, she looks to each of the party in turn while stifling back tears. Lady Malphason, She gives a brief, awkward curtsy with her threadbare dress. And M'sir BobE, Herald of Elnil. I am honored. And you must be Beatrice. She finishes with a pitying, yet compassionate look at Beatrip. Sniffing, with tears continuing to stream freely down her face, she continues. I am so sorry to meet you in person in this manner. I didn't know if you were even real until I heard the fighting and saw the five of you battling those horrible people. And then....and then, that happened. She looks to Turngut and her voice breaks. Oh, this is terrible, so very terrible.
Then as if suddenly remembering something, she spins around wide eyed. Where is he? Where is the little citrus man? Not seeing Poppo anywhere, she sobers up and looks to Nalia and BobE intensely and expectantly. This...this isn't the one where he turns into a bird? Is it??
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I'm sorry, have we met? Did you know our friend Turngut? I'm afraid he's gone, he's beyond our ability to heal. I wish I could say otherwise.
Nalia looks more closely at the thin young elf in front of her. Where did you come from anyway? Who are you and I guess why would you intrude on this solemn occasion; you can see the awful battle that happened here...did you have something to do with this? Are you working with those shapeshifters? Nalia begins to bristle more as she realizes she's talking to a stranger who seems to know more than she should about her and her friends.
The girl looks questioningly at Nalia. What? I-I mean, your pardon my Lady. I believe we have met, haven't we? Or was that another time? Or was I another person? But yes! I know you. And no, I had nothing to do with this terrible battle, at least not directly... Oh the horror, I didn't think that this one would be the one that came to pass. She sobs and then pulls herself together to look at Nalia directly. I know all of you and I know...I knew Turngut. Sweet, naive boy. She bursts into tears again. Gone! Gone again!! But there is no time. No time for that right now. She sniffles and holds back tears long enough to ask calmly. Where is Poppo? Was he a bird? I must know right now. If he was a bird during this fight, then he is in great danger right NOW! She falls to her hands and knees next to Beatrip and Turngut, head down, and begins wailing, her tears flowing freely and mixing with the orc blood.
She seems to be very sincere and her emotional outbursts appear genuine.
The flying skull flies and doesn't see anything the way Poppo went, no sign of him. You can give me a survival check if you want to look for tracks.
You can't find him! The girl shrieks at BobE, lifting her head up with a terror-stricken face. He's lost and if he flew as a bird, that can only mean that he's been captured, maybe killed. They'll kill him. He's the key to everything on Vyn!!. Her voice rises in volume and shrillness as she speaks. She lays a hand on Turngut's cold chest a moment and then hops to her feet. OK. OK. Where? Where!? Where has he gone?!? She mutters to herself while clasping her head between both hands and tugging on her filthy hair.
Suddenly, she jolts upright, back arched and face pointed to the sky. In a strange sounding voice, like the voice of a male halfling (but not Poppo), she says in Halfling: Sê healsrefeðer ð¯ærunderm¯æst wafian. Drûsian w¯ægholm under befæstan. Forðian hêo!
She snaps back to the present and falls to her knees. Again, weeping, she pleads to Nalia: Please. Please, Lady Malphason. I know where Poppo is! He is in great danger, incapacitated and being taken prisoner by the Vatyra. A-a gnome has him...No! A dwarf! A smelly, putrid dwarf. She suddenly gasps as though responding to something...or someone unseen. They will torture and then kill him! We must go now! She grabs Nalia's arm and tugs at her to move towards the sewer grate. I can lead you to him, but your strength, and that of Malphas, will need to rescue him, M'Lady.
Francis clearly feeling guilt over the battle and for the new situation the group is in speaks up If the Vatyra have kidnapped Poppo we need to find him. But how do you know all of this? Francis turns to Nalia and BobE Whatever I can do to help I will, I owe you all for helping me.
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BobE, you have a point.... she says as she stares at the girl. Let's go, lead us to him if you know the way to go. He flew to the top of the building as a crow, a part of his magical cloak, but I'm not sure where he went to after that. I lost him in the swirl of battle.
Looking at the tear stained young elf she smiles, knowing that roughness won't help at this moment. Thankyou for any aid you can provide us, I can't loose two friends on the same day. I don't know that language you just spoke, if it was a language, and I don't understand all that you've said, but if you know where he is, we must go quickly, because he does have a knack for getting himself in trouble!
Looking between Nalia and BobE with a little fearful respect in her eyes, Nalia's words seem to soothe the half-elf. I-I will...I mean, thank you M'Lady. She gives an another awkward curtsy before dashing off barefoot across the roof and directly for the manhole cover that Poppo when through.
Once Nalia, or one of BobE's ghouls opens the lid, she immediately leaps down into the muck. Without looking back, she dashes through the maze of the sewer, muttering to herself and occasionally pulling at her hair. Other than her crazed murmurs, the only sound she makes is the squishing of muck and filth between her bare toes.
After a few moments, you can hear the very faint sound of a deep dwarven voice. The girl stops and crouches and when Nalia and BobE catch up, they can hear that she mutters to herself in a guttural dwarven language. Farurm hlegu. Valbleth kvinn ilv thungthis. Zank gurstath vljaedlik.
Turning to her companions she whispers: M'Lady. Mayhaps you should lead? I feel there is danger ahead and your courage is needed. Reaching out her hand hesitantly, If I may M'Lady. To bolster you for what is to come?. Wordlessly and without the normal gesticulations that accompany the casting of a spell, she touches the sword of Malphas (only if Nalia allows it).
Nalia also feels her mind bolstered as psychic energy flows from the girl, through the sword and creates a Mindshield: . Both spells have duration of 7 rounds.
Alright you don't see any trouble sewer but it is also very dark within and you will need some sort of light source. I will also need a survival check if you would like to look for and follow tracks.
Tinboy, lads. Take the bodies back to the Grove and send word for a priest who can preserve them. And send word for Hurak the Hunter if we can't find Poppo down here we may need a professional investigators assistance. For now I'll come with you all and back you up! Francis says also climbing down into the sewer Anyone have a light source?
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Along the walk into the sewer I'll call out to BobE, How are we all, do we have any healing left? Can we make it through this to get Poppo? We don't have any choice.
With that, she cast CLW on herself via the sword of Malphas.
When healing is done, she runs along with Vynya and will let her touch the sword of Malphas when she asks and will then take the lead when the appropriate time comes.
Girl, how many languages do you speak?!