The man's club hurts but Davor tries to ignore the pain. They needed to save the supplies or they'd be delayed longer....
Davors dagger leave a deep cut across the chest of the freeman and rhe man bleeding from several rounds the man jumps down from his stack of crates and runs away deeper into the warehouse.
Gregor and Kerndrew rush forward to face the second group approaching along the courtyard.
Seeing the new opponents the freman charge ahead, swinging their clubs with full force. Kerndrew is easily able to deflect the hit with his shield, but gregor is surprised by the Onslaught and gets caught on the shoulder.
From Inside the warehouse the smell of more fires reaches you.
Seeing the enemy run off Davor is tempted to throw a dagger into his back.... but instead turns to Shalissa. "There's smoke, so there's more fire. I'll take lead if you can summon more water?"
"This is private property..." Kerndrew begins as he shifts his weight to prepare for his swing, bringing his arm back. "And you're trespassing," he continues, bringing his sword around at the man in front of him. "So I'm going to have to ask you to leave!"
"Yes Davor, but let's surprise them through the other door instead" Shalissa then moves out of the warehouse to face the troublemakers, casting sound burst at them.
Next turn she will continue rushing towards the western gates.
Davor runs along with Shalissa. When he spots the enemy he quickly pulls and throws a dagger at the enemy in front of Gregor.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Father Kerndrew tries to order the Freeman to leave, but even if they would be willing to do so, they are cut down before they can react.
Only their leader is still standing and but he shouts defiantly back at the Iomedean. "Lying Northerner None of these lands are your property. This place belongs to the Mwangi!" before attacking in a flurry of dagger strikes.
Back in the Warehouse you hear the sound of another small explosion, and then the missing Freemen is shortly visible running past the western doort towards the back exit.
Father Kerndrew steps around the fallen troublemaker in front of him to bring the combat to the back line. But he changes his tactics slightly, wanting to capture at least one foe alive to get some information if they can. It sounds like maybe this is political, not about us specifically, but rabblerousers can be paid to spread those lies too.
Shalissa advances to see who is speaking. When he sees the troublemaker, and with the fire still away from the range of her spell, she wrings a hold person on the enemy inside their warehouse "And can you tell us what right you have to burn this warehouse? We payed for all this stuff! We do not want this land! Do with it whatever you wish, burn it if that is your pleasing, but stay aside from our hard worked stuff!"
Seeing the enemy in the warehouse Davor charges at him, but hears Shalissa's spell and words and does not attack.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
While Davor and Shalissa rush towards the burning wares they spot the last remaining attacker. Shalissas Prays to her god and a icy wind blows up around the man, freezing him, and holding him in place.
Davor runs inside the warehouse watching out for any sudden attempts to escape, but is greeted by the sight of two more fires burning.
The northern of the two fires has almost reached a cask of oil.
Gregor follows Kerndrews lead and tries to subdue the leader with skillfull unarmed blows, landing two hits, while The Paladin distracts him.
The large man is unfaced though by all this attacks and continues to slash out at Father Kerndrew with his two Kukris, expertly weaving below his defences and leaving two nasty cuts.
"All this was stolen from our land First. And will only be used to enslave our people further. We will drive out the Usurpers from our homeland."
Father Kerndrew smiles as Gregor takes position opposite him, and he tries to press that advantage with another nonlethal strike. Even as he does so, he silently calls on Iomedae to heal his wounds, sending her divine energy coursing through his body.
"Stolen? We payed for it in the city shops! Enslave? We are just to explore a few ruins left there abandoned!" Shalissa seems as shocked as furious by the men attitude, but she goes inside the warehouse, and casts create water to downpour a rain on the closest fire.
Wishing that he could also create water with his magic Davor scans the area for anything else he could use. Spotting a cask of oil near the northern fire he curses loudly and sprints toward it trying to move it to safety without dumping it on the floor....
"Shalissa! Oil! Can you dampen this fire too?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Seeing Father Kerndrew bleeding from several wounds, Gregor orders enzi to Join the fight and attacks with renewed force. Since thre Freman leader ddn't expect a new attack from that direction he is helpless to preven Eniz juping onto his back, and mauling him with both of its claws.
But Umagro is expertly winding out of the grip and is slashing out at the Jaguar with both his daggers, hitting him hard.
Inside the Warehouse Shalissa is able to reduce the larger fire substantially but not quite completely. The Nothern fire continues to burn, but has not yet reached the oil cask.
"What's it Davor?!" Shalissa shouts alarmed and follows the half-orc in, giving a suspicious stare at the held men, she casts create water to stop the fire before it can reach the oil.
Worried about the fire Davor doesn't want the oil to explode and destroy the whole warehouse. He grabs the barrel, trying to tip it just enough to twist it away from the fire, not dump it.... "Oil! These arsonists were lucky to not blow themselves to ash!"
Father Kerndrew continues to press the attack, silently calling on Iomedae to continue healing his wounds.
"Mother of Waves, bring the waters over the fire, do not fail me please!" Shalissa makes her best at pouring the waters exactly over the fire, trying to not soak Davor in the process.
Dexterity: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Correct
"Mother of Waves, bring the waters over the fire, do not fail me please!" Shalissa makes her best at pouring the waters exactly over the fire, trying to not soak Davor in the process.
Davor rushes to the flammable barrel and tries to pushit away from the fire, but the heat is too intense he can't really get a grip on it.
Luckily for him Shaliisa is able to coniure another Bucketload of Water exactly over the dngerous area, leaving him soaking wet, but extinguishing the fire.
Back in the Courtyard Father Kerndrew tries to subdue the Leader of the group once more but is expertly fooled by the mans Daggerplay. Gregor and Enzi are able to land a few hits but deal less damage than lst round.
Umagro turns back towards Kerndrew, easily slicing below the iomedians Sword for nother nasty hit.
seeing his weapons ly on the floor in frint of him and Shalissa and Davor looking for the fires he decides to beat it.
Getting soaked by the water actually feels really good after getting too close to the fire. He smiles at Shalissa, "Thanks! It was too hot for me to move the oil. And it would probably have exploded soon."
Turning around to face the other fire, Shalissa sees the held troublemaker escaping. The elf runs to see if she can stop him, but even her darkvision eyes cannot see him around anymore "Oh no! He escaped Davor!"
"I think this is the last fire, let me deal with it, perhaps you can try to help the others" raising again her holy symbol, she causes more water to fall over the last flames.
Davor nods at Shalissa's words "Yell if you spot any more dangers. I'll return as fast as I can run!" and runs back out toward the battle.
"In the name of the Inheritor, stand down!" Father Kerndrew yells, frustrated, following it with a well-aimed strike.
Frustrated at the continuing misses, Father Kerndrew reconsiders his strategy and waits until the man is distracted by further attacks from Gregor before raising his sword and this time hitting him squar over the head with the flat side of his blade. This time he lands a ful hit and the man drops unconcious on the floor between Gregor and Kerndrew.
Gergor calls off enzi and Father Kerndrew and him make sure tio restrain the man.
In the meantime Davor and Shalissa have no trouble putting out the reamining fires. ()
Shalissa breathes relieved as things come back to calmness "Ufff... it seems we saved most of it... but what was all this about? Do you thing there are some troubles going on we should comment with the Governor? Or was perhaps an attack perpetrated by some rivals?"
The elf looks on the fire spots to check the extend of the damage. She will also check the fallen bodies, in case they took something from their warehouse.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Well," Father Kerndrew points out as he finishes tying up their captive. "Hopefully we can get better answers from this fellow. Better than the generic 'Mwangi Mwangi you're not supposed to be here' nonsense he was spouting earlier."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Shalissa and Davor search the Warehouse for additional fires, but the insurgents managed only the three ones you have put out already.
Its looks like the used flasks of alchemist fire to start them, but the swift action of Davor and Shalissa has prevented the worst. a few tents and Mosquiot nets have been bruned unsuable, so it will take a day or two to replace these.
"I hope so Father Kerndrew. I fear we might have just experienced but the tip of the real problem and things like these are going to repeat" Shalissa frowns "I fear we are going to need to keep a permanent watch on the warehouse. We should request the mates to keep a watch of two people at the least through the whole day"
Then, once bound, Shalissa will channel energy to heal the party and possibly revivify one of the attackers for interrogation.
You are able to revive one of the underling, and Leader can also be woken up whenever you like.
Father Kerndrew makes sure the man is securely tied, then wakes him up. "Okay, what gives? And don't get started on that political stuff. Let's talk about the real reasons you're here. Who's paying you?"
The man spits at Kerndrews Feet and answers: "I am no paid mercenary like yourself. I fight for the freedom of my people."
Shalissa looks at his friends after they got the initial response "This is going to be tough..."
Then focuses back on the man "We are not here to cause trouble to the Mwangi people. On the contrary, we are trying to help you understand the past of your region."
"Who did convince you burning our warehouse will advance your agenda of liberating the Mwangi from the Sargavan government?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Father Kerndrew looks at Shalissa with a strange look. It's not quite surprise; surely he can't be hurt by what she said... "Iomedae shows me her path in so many small ways; I am her servant, but sometimes I'm blind." He says this more to himself than anyone in particular, but it's not a whisper, either.
He shakes his head and shrugs as he returns his attention to the man. "She should be the Inheritor's voice here; I'm still learning. Sorry; my path has always been one of violence, and that I fall into too easily. Shalissa's right; we're not your enemies here. I'm not here to conquer the Mwangi, nor do I support it. We," he says, indicating the party, "are here to learn from an ancient ruin. No more. This warehouse has no part of the colonial conquest you oppose, no more than that inn nor that stable, yet you don't attack those. Let's come to peace on this."
Davor comes out of the warehouse disgusted at the vandalism. But it could have been worse. He appreciates Shalissa's healing, sighing his thanks.
When the prisoner spews his crap Davor is tempted to spit at him. Seeing the others trying to reason with him though he holds his tongue and just watches.
"Lying Foreigner. We know how you were hired by the Preator. Of course he would get a fellow Ionmedean to send to the jungle to further steal our history. You even visited the Barons Palace, while in the city."
The leader is clearly hostile and will not trust anything you say.
"I see" Shalissa breathes deeply and looks ashamed at the other ones "It does not seem like we will be able to change the mind of this one and make him to speak"
"What do you prefer? Shall we just let him go, or would you prefer to hand him to the authorities he so much despises?"
"Hand him to the authorities. He's broken the law; it's a simple matter now."
A few minutes later a first group of Watchmen arrives to help out with the fire, suzrprised to see you having things sorted out already.
When you hand over the two surviving Freedom Fighters, they tell you that Umagro (the leader) had built up a lot of notoriety in the last monnths trying to stir up trouble in the settlements of Outer Wall. Although they too seem to be surprised why he would target your expedition specifically.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
It aktes a few day to collect replacements for the supplies burnt in the fire, but finally Kassata has asked you to visit her on her ship once more.
"Ahoy maties, I hope ye finished yer preparations and be ready t' weigh anchor. Thank ye once more fer meetin' with Nkechi, I be sure he will be a valuable member o' th' expedition."
"I have gathered an large expedition t' carry our tools and supplys into th' jungle, but we will move only slowly, we'll keel-haul ye, by Blackbeard's sword! I believe we both think somebody be workin' aginst us, so its probably better if ye move ahead smartly. That way ye can also clear th' trail o' unexoected dangers and obstacles."
Kassata than hands you a map of Sargava and the southern Mwangi.
"First ye should strike fer Kalabuto. Shiver me timbers! Its th' largest City in Sargava and th' Gate t' th' real expanse. Walk the plank! Splice the mainbrace! th' fastest way t' get there be th' barnacle-covered Trade route which travels betwixt th' Bantu Hills and th' laughin' Jungle, to be sure. Its not used much these days with most trade flowin' further south throught th' river, but it should be much faster. "
Davor listens to Kassata's words, curious about the extra phrases interspersed within the whole statement. He decides not to mention it though....
"Faster is good. I think we're all ready to go."
Shalissa gives it a second try before the authority forces arrive "Pardon to contradict you, but your sources seem not well informed. We visited the Preator, but that has nothing to do with our expedition, we did it because there was false accusation against one of our friends, and we helped him proof his innocence. And yes, Father Kerndrew is a Iomedean, but he has not been sent to the jungle to steal any history. His temple has sent him because they think there is a dark power, an undead or evil sorcerer, hunting the Mwangi tribes, and they want him to help"
"It seems your informants made the wrong conclusions from just some random events they witnessed" Shalissa tries to speak as soft and giving as little guilt in her tone as she is able "Could you tell us who gave you that information?"
---
When the authorities arrive, Shalissa will behave depending on how the conversation with the Freedom Fighters ends.
---
Shalissa smiles, she is starting to enjoy the strange way Kassata has to talk. The elf picks up the map and tries to orientate herself "So, we will be walking ahead of the main expedition I do understand. Can the mates bring at least part of the supplies with us?"
"Also... how ahead in days are we going to walk? And how do we contact you if we need to give you alert or advise on the steps ahead?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Shalissa smiles, she is starting to enjoy the strange way Kassata has to talk. The elf picks up the map and tries to orientate herself "So, we will be walking ahead of the main expedition I do understand. Can the mates bring at least part of the supplies with us?""Also... how ahead in days are we going to walk? And how do we contact you if we need to give you alert or advise on the steps ahead?"
"I think you should make all haste to reach Tazion before our rivals might do. I have provided you with a group of pack mules to carry some tents and food. This should allow you to get by without need to forage until you reach Kalabuto. There my contact will await you and discuss what will be the best way forward."
"Try to leave messages along the way with the people you find. As long as you follow the road we will find them and receive their messages. to be sure I have also provided Shep with a cage of carrier pidgeons to convey more urgent or risky information."
"Thanks for your worries Kassata. It seems you have it well under control. And the system for messaging is a good idea" Shalissa smiles as the group is likely to see the Captain for a long time now.
For the last days in Eleder, Shalissa will buy a few tools, basically so she can craft a few remedies if necessary in the field, and attend some prayers at dawn giving farewell to the beloved sea.
Father Kerndrew spends the evening before they depart at the Iomedean temple, in prayer and contemplation.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
You spent the afternoon bringing all your affairs in order and collecting your supplies from the warehouse. The main expedition will leave Eleder in two days and than follow you at their own pace und the leadership of Captain Kassata.
In the next morning you decide to get going early to avoid the worst of the noon heat. Mate and Kyra are taking care of Meg and Bill your two new Pack mules. Davor is happy to notice the bag of spices and multiple pots and pans which Cooky brought along to ply his trade.
Shep is walking together with the Tempest and remiscing about old times.
The heroes take one last look back at the magnificient Wall of Eleder and then you are on the road again.
The old road leads southwards through the slums of the Outer Wall before starting to turn towards the east leading you along the southern side of the famous Bantu Hills, where the miners of Sagrava dig out the countrie's wealth. Dor days you are travelling through the foothills while avoiding the Laughing Jungle to your right. By now the villages have become scarce and last night was the first night since your day's on the Shiv that you had to sleep by a campfire.
In the last couple of hours following the road has become harder and harder and aftzer reaching a large meadow you are not sure where to proceed.
Father Kerndrew studies the field with concern on his face. He remembers the Mwangi map that he brought with him. He pulls it out and has the others gather round as he tries to help the group find their next path.