For several weeks, excitement has been building in Kenabres-Armasse is coming!
Traditionally an opportunity for scholars and priests to come together to study the lessons of history from wars past, since Aroden's death, this holy day has become more about training commoners in weaponry, choosing squires, and ordaining new priests. Over time, Armasse has grown to encompass jousting competitions, mock duels, battle reenactments, and other festival events. In Kenabres, the festival (which takes place on 16 Arodus) is eagerly anticipated, for it provides distractions from the horrors of being on the front line of the war. Smiles on faces normally marred by downcast eyes and furrowed brows do wonders for city morale in the weeks leading up to the event. Armasse is a citywide celebration, but the majority of the event, including its jousting matches and other entertainments, takes place at Clydwell Plaza, just west of the cathedral.
With still an hour to go before the ceremonies officially begin, the streets are crowded with every manner of vendor and merchant out hocking their wares as the residents of Kenabres push through the crowds, from peasants to soldiers and even the wealthy elite.
Entertainers jostle for position on every street corner and alley way trying to earn a few extra coins as children conduct mock fights and play games while managing not to get trampled. There is no shortage of food as is evident by the aromas floating through the air, all competing and assaulting the senses of every passerby. And the sounds, it's enough to make a deaf man hear. It's a wonder that any conversation can be had.
Moving easily through the crowd Vala wears a wide smile. The chaotic throngs are a welcome change to the city’s usually somewhat regimented demeanor. She is amazed and amused at the diversity of the population and how they ‘can’ get along with each other when they want to. Although this was hardly her first Armasse festival, having seen at least a dozen over the years.. The blair of distant trumpets tells her that ceremony will soon begin. She quickens her pace toward,the jousting matches at.Clydewell Plaza. She wished the Knights would get over themselves and finally hold a descent archery contest. Pulling her hooded cloak a little more snug and thereby obscuring her face in shadow, she moved along. Though she is unashamed and confidant of her appearance, She learned long ago it could occasionally make others uncomfortable, or cause her to make them so with her fists after a derogatory comment. And she just didn’t have time for such things. Besides the “mystery woman” thing is fun. This new group of ‘friends’ has real potential. For some fun if nothing else. Tarot had said that the groups collective skill set will allow for greater opportunities with respect to employment. Of course all Vala heard was. Blah, blah, together. Blah, blah, better jobs. And while she considered hunting demons, a calling. A girl does have to eat and she did prefer to sleep indoors. Since those things require coin, and her purse was nearly empty; She reluctantly, she agreed to the...Plan, just the thought of the word left a bad taste.
The group had agreed to attend the festivities together. Vala and Hope to insure a good time was to be had and Tarot and Arathorne said something about looking for work and keeping out of trouble. Now how’s that gonna be fun?
Where exactly did Tarot say they were supposed to meet?
She had told Vala along with the others. But at the time the Tiefling was bored with being scheduled. Thus was not listening. She stops and shimmies partway up a lamp post, earning her looks of disapproval from several passersby. She scans the crowd looking for her friends.
Sure, finding a single half-elf in this mess is one thing. But just how hard could it be to find a Samsarian and an Aasimar? Well; Hope did look human too...Okay where is that blue girl?
"I am sorry, but I'm afraid I will have to decline your offer, Commander." Tarot stands and offers a half bow.
"I know garrison duty ain't exactly glorious, but it is necessary, you should reconsider."
Tarot shakes her head. "It isn't about glory, Commander. It is about proper management of resources. My team are specialists." She looks into the distance, her round white eyes seeing something in her past. "A carpenter must know the wood they work with. What is hard and firm, what is soft and pliable. They need to know how to use each tool in their box, and what techniques to employ. They must know ahead of time how much of their supplies to bring, and craft and follow plans to build safe houses." She turns and walks away.
"We ain't building houses, girl," the Commander sneers.
"Try the Black Arrows squad at the tavern. They would be a good match for this assignment."
Outside the small warehouse where her meeting took place, Tarot looks about the throng. She snickers at the sight of the tiefling atop a lamp post. Hides under a cloak, but still makes herself obvious. On a whim she decides to test the Scout's skill and ducks into an alley. Can you catch me?
Vala scans the crowd.
She catches a glimpse of blue vanish into an alley. Which to Vala means pursuit. She drops to the ground, startling those nearby and takes off toward the alley.
Tarot peeks around the corner to find Vala hot on her tail. She considers rabbiting for a moment, but she showed up for her meeting in full kit to project an aura of readiness and her armor would just make running through a crowd impossible and possibly dangerous for anyone she might slam into.
She steps out with a smile and says, "Maybe I would have had better luck climbing a lamp post? So, bad news, that job lead was a no-go. Wrong sort of mission. Terrible pay. No support. And the Commander doesn't know what a metaphor is. Seen the others?"
Shaking her head Vala says.
"Nope, wasn't looking for them. They look too much like the too many people here. I was just looking for you. Easier to spot and I knew you would know where the meeting was...because you set it. So no work then?"
She shrugs, smiles and says.
"Well I say we party today and tomorrow will take care of itself."
Tarot rolls her eyes. Of course, since she lacks irises and pupils, no one can tell. "I told you to feel free to cut loose. Our next job could leave us in the field for some time, better get your R and R in while you can. But first, help me find the others."
Fresh out of training and a little wet around the ears, ok a very wet around the ears, Arathorne makes his way around the streets. Arathorne can count the number of times he has been to a large city and the large crowds still freak him out. But still, he makes is way to the designated meeting point. He scans the crowd hoping to find the rest of the party.
"Why should we have to do all the work?"
Pulling off her hood.
"I mean if they can't find a blue girl and a fuchsia girl...I'm just saying."
"Besides, Arathorne is over there." Pointing with her tail.
"Don't look! Only a paladin can look so out of place, while trying not to look out of place."
"What do you mean I'm one to talk?"
"Yeah," Tarot snickers in response to Vala. She looks to where she is pointing and holds up one pale-blue hand. "Hey, kid! Over here! You doing alright? Not used to so many people, huh? It's just because of the shindig. And like I said, things like this bring important people who have real assignments. So just bear with it a little longer. Seen the Desnan?"
Right on cue, Hope stepped out onto the streets from the post office, where she'd just mailed yet another letter. She waved to her companions, a half-hearted smile on her face. She was trying her best to put herself in a festive mood, but her ongoing frustrations had her less than celebratory. She'd tried every channel she could think of to get a missive to the Queen, but neither the governor's office, the mayor's office, or the military brass would hear her. She was a nobody, and they were very important people. They'd all made sure she'd known it too.
"Is it happy hour yet?" she said with a sigh.
"So Hope, still no luck with seeing the Queen? Hey! Have you ever thought about getting arrested? Depending on what you did, if it was 'interesting' enough you might get to see the... Tarot, you got another headache? You're making that face again."
"Yes Vala, I've got a headache. A big one," Tarot sighs. She can't help but recall something Vala told her not long ago: "Tact is just saying not true stuff. I'll pass."
"A drink might just help," she says to Hope. "Let's see if we can find a quiet place. Relatively quiet, given the festivities."
"I considered it," Hope shrugged. "That's the kind of choice that closes off a lot of other options though. I'm not quite that desperate yet."
She fell in line, wandering through the crowds with the others, enjoying their distracting banter.
"Yes, a drink. I second that." Arathorne says as he follows the 3 ladies through the crowd.
Tarot turns and grins at Arathorne. I hope this kid comes as advertised. A bit wet behind the ears. No, he will be fine. She walks through the town with her cloak down, unfazed by the occasional stares she received from the hayseeds and bigots. When The Wanderer stumbled upon an unknown race of people on Golarion, he always walked with openly. Even the most dangerous tribes and nations respected his unflinching honesty. Of course right now it was The General who was on her mind.
"First round is on me. Team?" Tarot says 'team', but looks Vala in the eye, "Let's not start any brawls this time, okay? You don't have to always take some townie drunk's bait."
"Okay most of those were not my fault."Says the Tiefling with a strait face. But she only manages to hold it for a moment. Then she grins, inadvertently showing her fangs."Well some of them weren't my fault. But for a free drink I can behave."
Hope snorted delicately and rolled her eyes at Vala's protests. "Some? Name two that weren't."
Vala pauses for a second her eyes look up and to the left. "Hey I just kick butt. I don't take names." She replies smiling broadly.
The throngs gathered in Kenebras make traversing even the streets difficult. Fortunately, the blue-skinned woman stands out among the stark contrast of pale flesh, white banners, grey streets, and dirty peasants. It's not hard to follow Tarot through the crowded masses clogging even the usually wide open courtyards.
Unfortunately most of the gathered peasants and even some of the nobles seemed to have a similar idea as all of the inns and taverns are filled with all kinds of patrons, several of which are spilling out of the doors and into the streets and alleys.
Luckily however, most of the establishment owners have witnessed the sort of spectacle before and have learned how to make the most of it. Barmaids frequent their lots carrying trays of mugs and full wineskins. Young boys hustle around with boxes full of mostly fresh fruit and hard cheeses. The costs for these arrangements are doubled however, as the shopkeepers have learned to try to squeeze out every copper piece during the most celebrated and holiest of days.
People seem to be getting comfortable or looking for better seats as the start of the official ceremony is only minutes away.
Looking about Vala sees no empty tables or really any good empty standing room. But undaunted as always.
"Hey Tarot, you want me to clear us a table out?"
As she smacks her right fist into her left hand. Smiling all the while.
"Didn't I just say something about not starting fights?" Tarot sighs. "So make sure they swing first," she adds with a grin. "Vala? Come back, I'm joking! Vala!"
Arathorne turns to the Asaimare "Hey Hope, rock, paper, scissors on who bails her out of jail"
Looking over her shoulder she says. "I promise not to start a fight between 'ME' and anyone else." Then winks at the group.
She looks around for two rival factions. Then steps over to stand between two crowded tables. One with Inebriated Kellid mercenaries and another with equally drunk noble-looking warriors. She crosses her arms and glances at the Kellid table then back to the Nobles. Just as one of the Mercenaries pushes back his seat to get up.
She surreptitiously shoots out her tail and smacks one of the Nobles across the back just as he is taking a drink. Causing him to spill it.
The Noble turns and sees Vala standing back looking out at the street with her arms crossed. Then sees the Kellid.
Watch out you milk-drinking pig." Vala Shouts out the side of her mouth (in Hallit). When two of the Kellids turn to look at the Tiefling she points to the Nobles and steps back.
Hope sighs and thumps her fist into her palm a few times.
Arathorne mimics Hopes action, and throws out
As Vala's future is decided by a game of chance, the tension in the tavern becomes palpable within seconds. Hands find hilts and eyes lock as tempers flare. With each passing second, more men stand up and begin to take sides. Arguments turn into shouting matches as the pushing and shoving begins. Drinks spill, tables rock and chairs are overturned.
Suddenly the world turns white. A bright light washes over everyone and everything, blinding people left and right. A thunderous explosion follows the intense flash of light and rips through the air and earth sending a tremor tearing the ground open. Almost everyone in the tavern loses their footing and ends up on the floor as screams erupt from outside.
Focused on watching to make sure Vala isn't caught up in the standoff or brawl about the kick off, Tarot is completely blindsided by the massive rift that opens up and is knocked to the ground. She quickly regains her composure and gets back to her feet before pressing her back to the wall in anticipation of the potential stampede and riot from the crowded bar. "Cover, cover, cover!" she shouts to the rest of her team.
Managing to brace herself with the help of her tail, Vala looks about. Then turning to the party she says.
"It's not my fault!"
"What's going on?"
"Where did it start?"
"Looking around for obvious threats or need for help."
Still trying to decide who is gonna take care of Vala, Arathorne manages to get his cape up to shield his eyes from the blast all the while steadying himself.
Managing to keep his feet Arathorne takes cover behind the bar as he draws his weapon. Shouting out "V, what the hell did you do now?"
Hope's laughter at the tie to their game died in her throat as she was tossed roughly to the shaking ground. She tried to stand up again. She tried, but she was paralyzed by the visions of the future flashing through her mind.
They were the same visions that had brought her here, that she'd been trying to warn the queen about. They came sharper now, and faster. It had begun.
"Too late..." she whispered.
The blinding light fades as quickly as it came, but the ringing in your ears drowns out all other noise. Dirt and debris float the through air like embers on the wind. Warriors of all sides began clambering to their feet and while their mouths hang open or move, you just can't make out anything anyone is saying. The building shakes and the ground sways again as if the world was a drunkard getting ready to vomit.
As people climb to their feet and regain their senses, something rushes through what's left of the doorway. Taking advantage of the chaos, it scurries between legs until it finally hops up on a table laughing a terrible cackle. It's small, ash-grey, goblin-like, clawed hand lashes out and opens the throat of an unfortunate serving girl, spraying blood everywhere. Some immediately run for the door while others draw arms in an attempt to defend themselves.
Known as a swaithe demon, the small goblin-like creature can still see as well as a person despite having no eyes. It is immune to gaze attacks and can curse people much the same way a witch can. They would much rather torment individual victims from the shadows, so why is it running into a tavern in the middle of a city in broad daylight?
They are immune to electricity and poison, and resistant to acid, cold and fire. While their skin protects them some from most weapons, cold iron still opens their flesh easily enough.
Tarot shouts out, unsure if she can be heard or not by the others, she points to Vala and to the door, then to Hope and Arathorne and makes a slashing motion with her hand pointing towards the gray monster. She then turns her gaze to the dying serving girl and forces her will to seal her wounds.
Shaking her head does nothing to remedy the ringing in her ears. preparing to move and engage the creature, she notices Tarot pointing at her and outside.
"Okay, I'll see what's going on out there."
Hopping up on one of the tables she had formerly been trying to vacate. The Tiefling draws her bow and wrapping her tail around the sill of the shattered window. She leans out at a 45 degree angle, bow ready for action. Looking up and down the street she attempts to make sense of the mayhem.
"What is one of 'those' little buggers doing here?" Recognizing the Demon.
The street is still too obscured with smoke for her to see much.
Arathorne doesn't instantly recognize what it is but knows its bad news. He takes aim from behind the bar and fires his pistol at the grey monster.
Touch
Hope drew her starknife and glared at the creature. Her eyes flashed black and full of distant stars for just moment.
As Tarot tries to take charge and organize a defense, Vala takes a peek outside. Beyond the smoke-filled haze that seems to occupy the streets, she can make out screams of terror and panic. What was once a crowded street has turned into a stampede with noble and peasant a like running for safety. The sounds of combat are unmistakable and bodies already litter the ground, some trampled to death, others meeting their end from more grievous means. What was once somewhat of an ordered affair has descend into complete chaos and anarchy. Buildings burn as the sky darkens and blood stains the street.
Tarot's quick action manages to stabilize the girl and save her life, even if only from the small demon still perched atop the table. If your ears weren't already ringing, they certainly would be from the discharge of Arathorne's pistol. The bullet streaks through the air, missing the demon and splintering the wall of the tavern. The demon glares back at Arathorne until a new sensation washes over it. It starts to feel the invisible blade of Hope's psychic strike pierce into it's skull but it soon remembers the terrors it has already endured and shakes away the pain.
Still, the point is made. The demon, while still cackling with glee at the fear reverberating in the tavern, fades from view.
The ground heaves again and the wooden walls of the tavern shake and splinter. The roof groans under the strain and spills dust down through the rafters as people begin to push and shove to reach the exit.
The demon used an invisibility spell-like ability.
"We have to go!" shouts Tarot who realizes the ringing is subsiding. "Move, but be orderly, avoid getting swept up in the crowd!"
"Here out this way, avoid the rush on the door!" Vala calls from the street and holds out a hand to help the others through the window.
"It's a war zone out here, and our side is not winning."
Pulling her hood down and drawing her sword she presents an imposing sight, hoping most of the crowd will avoid.
"So toward the fighting or head for the palace?"
Arathorne puts his weapon away and walks toward the window. Pulling his cloak over his head he steps out and follows Vala.
"Where are the other two? We need to get the hell out of here."
Arathorne says as he helps Vala get the people out the window and to safety.
"We're right here!" she answered Arathorn, rushing up next to him and taking a knee to help the others quickly out the window. "Go!"
Seeing the rest get out Tarot hastily follows with Hope's assistance. "Those are demons?" She doesn't wait for an answer. "Then they have breached the ward somehow and this threat could be catastrophic." She thinks for a moment. "If it's a full scale planned invasion, then Kenabres is lost no matter what. We need to get to the keep and see how bad the damage is." General, what do you recall of this place from before?
The General's thoughts echo through Tarot's mind. Not much more than you see before you. Kebenbras has been the shield protecting the world from demon incursions for ages. The city started as a small border city. Once the demons invaded, it was rebuilt, time and time again. The people here, they are hard, harder than those anywhere else, but even time can soften the hardest. If the Kite has fallen, you are likely correct. The city may be doomed.
The scene outside is worse than expected. Soldiers try to mount a unified defense against the chaos raging around them but are faring poorly at best. Bodies litter the streets, too many to count, with more falling every minute. Horrific creatures, some with four clawed hands, some with no eyes, some with bright red skin or multiple mouths, as if torn straight from the pages of children's stories rampage almost unchecked.
Smoke fills the sky as buildings burn. The light from the fires creates a stark contrast cast against the dark skies above. Screams from the dying even drown out the din of battle.
A moment later a powerful roar accompanied a welcome sight rising from what was left of the crowds. Kenabras's greatest guardian, the ancient silver dragon Terendelev, who had until that moment been attending the opening ceremony disguised as a human. Above, another form appeared, as nightmarish as the dragon was breathtaking. A humanoid shape three times the size of any man, with skin coated in fire and lighting, gripped a flaming sword and whip. The creature's identity was immediately obvious: Khorramzadeh, the Storm King of the Worldwound had come to Kenabras!
As the ground continued to shake and disgorge demons into the streets, the dragon and the balor lord clashed above. The fight was over in a few harrowing moments as the balor cut deep into Terendelev's bdoy, swooping down to strike the dragon and arresting her charge. A few more blows, an dthe titanic duo spiraled downward toward the bloodied streets.
The sight of the dragon smashing into the facade of the Cathedral of St. Clydwell is one no witness would ever forget. At that moment, a titanic demon erupted at the far end of the plaza, reducing several buildings to ruins as it smashed into this world. The rift it created shot across the plaza and through the streets. There was no time to escape and no place to escape to. As the crater opened below your feet, darkness sought to envelope you.
Even as you began to fall, the dragon noticed your plight. Though she saw death standing over her, she seized this final change to save a few more souls. After she uttered a few arcane words and stretched out a bleeding talon, you felt her magic take hold of you, slowing your plummet into the darkness as if you were feathers falling into a pit. Yet the fall remained as inexorable, and as you drifted downward into the depths, the last thing you saw was the Storm King standing before the ancient silver dragon, his sword lashing out and cleaving full through her neck. As her severed head fell, the rift above you slammed shut sending rock, dust, and debris raining down on top of you and stealing the light of the world away.
Her eyes slowly open, every thing is black.
Wow I must be dead. The she tries to move. Ow! Oh everything hurts so I guess that means I'm still alive.
No not black just dark. A moment later her infernal heritage kicks in and her dark vision allows to survey the area. Seeing Tarot and Arathorne nearby and beginning to move reassures her. Then noticing Hope still out spurs her to try and stand.
Yeah definitely alive. No way standing could hurt so much otherwise.
"Tarot, Arathorne get up. Hope's still down over there"
Then realizing that the others don't see in total darkness and can't see where she was pointing. Rummaging through her gear and finally finds the flint, steel and a torch. Soon with only minimal trouble..."Oh come on how hard can this be?"...she lights it.
Tarot sits up with a gasp, immediately feeling every laceration and contusion in her body and a pounding in her head upon regaining consciousness. She looks around and croaks out, "Everyone okay? Vala? Kid? Hope? Hope?" She fights through her headache and crawls over and checks her vital signs.
She sighs in relief. "She's okay, just out. What's our situation?"
Arathorne sturggles to get on his hand and knees, then on one knee then standing. He streches out his neck and shoulders. "This is why I hate the city." he murmurs to himself.
The torchlight provides a little light, but fails to illuminate the entire cavern. There are numerous bodies around you at the foot of the nearest wall. The cavern shakes occasionally causing small rock slides and dumping gravel down all around you. Dust drifts down from the ceiling creating a slight haze combined with the flickering torch light.
The ceiling and far walls of this vast cavern recede into darkness. On the near side, the wall has collapsed in an enormous mound of rubble. Here and there the arms and legs of victims who didn't survive the fall protrude.
"This is not good. We need to find a way out. Up doesn't seem to be an option, and we cannot afford to wait here. This sinkhole may not be finished settling..." Tarot says scanning the area in the dim light. "Arathorne, can you try and get Hope ready in case we need to pick her up and move out?" Human eyes are not great with the dark. I wish I could see as well as Vala!
She carefully stands and checks her gear. "I'm not hopeful, but let's give the dead a quick search in case there are any tools to make getting out of here easier. Vala, give me a hand? Then let's see if we can find anything resembling an exit." She pauses for a moment. "Desna? Hope is one of yours, so if you don't mind, she could use a hand," Tarot says looking upward. "Sarenrae? I would really like to bask in the sunlight once more, if that be your will."
"You should show better respect," she hears The Priestess say. "They may actually listen more closely if you do." Tarot swallows and nods. I have nothing but respect for the deities of light, Priestess. But my squad comes first. She shakes her head and stands, slightly unsteady, then moves to check the dead for anything that could help.
Walking 5 paces in each direction Vala looks about.
Moving to help Tarot. "Here take this." Offering her the torch.You need it more than I do."
She begins to check the bodies.
Do I remember anything about caverns or tunnels below the city?
Is the air current stronger in any particular direction?
When Tarot invokes the deities Vala's right hand goes to the 4 small holy symbols she wears on a necklace. Fingers drift over each. A Butterfly, 3 Crossed Daggers, an Ankh and a Pentagram. She takes a deep breath as her hand drops away.
"No, not quite ready to call on them; Yet."
Instead she check her bow and blade to ensure they are ready to serve her.
"Don't if I'm pleased or concerned that none of the bad guys are here."