|
The haggard old receptionist didn't seem to even have time to get the required papers as the Sergeant and those whom followed her seem to have gotten her back to her normal appearing self. All she did was put the badge back from the drawer on the desk so Lavanna could grab it on the way out.
Meanwhile at the time the Goblins had gone through what was left of their stands, both rather surprised that no legal or financial punishments had occurred to them yet. Both seemed to dislike the idea of them working together especially but they didn't want to draw the ire of those officers still on the scene. The only thing they could salvage seemed to be their lockboxes, discovered just as the rest of the party had come back.
Lavanna strides up to the goblins - and speaks in their language!
"Look here now. We were both in the wrong. You started the fires - but I fanned the flames. And now, you suffer the consequences: Your business is burned. So tell you what:" she looks sideways at the more lawfully aligned officers in her midst - everyone but #145 - to make sure they don't hear this next part "Sergeant Salt owes you a favor" and shows them her badge number - #234 - hoping they can remember to count - and shakes their hands.
Sergeant Salt says something to them, then looks to see who is watching, then whispers something to them, then points to her badge, then shakes their hands.
Not speaking the language, Scarlett isn't sure what is going on, so she just holds a stern face and stands by.
Salt shoots Scarlett a paranoid look - then goes back to talking to the goblins...
Her body language is like she is cutting a deal of some sort...
Greyjay casts an inquiring look at Scarlett. What exactly happened there? He wonders, before turning his attention back to the goblins. I hope she's not shaking them down or something, but it wouldn't do to present disunity before the people. I'll have to ask her later.
He moves to the sergeant's side, leaning down and speaking quietly to her. "Is everything okay, sarge?"
|
|
With a small amount of testimony and watching as the rest of the small fires were put out, things on the street were back to normal and crowds began to walk past to enjoy the fair. You all on the other hand would have to continue your route as normal, an officers day on patrol wasn't over until it was over as you continued on through the busy streets of Absalom. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and if anything it was a rather joyous opening day.
You reach a busy street corner off Radiant Way spotting a rather new hotel that had very likely been built recently. Refined folk of top hats and cigars walked in and out of the front door to the smoking room as a familiar man worked in a small front flower patch, wiping the sweet from his brow. Pratchett and assumedly his hotel "The Dreaming Palace". He instantly recognizes you as you walk by, a big smile on the half elf's face.
"Officers, good to see you. I received a letter from Ms. Breckenridge informing me of the good work you did last evening," he spoke wiping away some dirt from his hands with a rough and worn cloth.
”Pleasure to see ye again in the light of day. And thank ye for the kind words. This looks to be a fine establishment. Are ye needin’ anything from the Edgewatch?”
Sergeant Salt pats the goblins on the head, and dismisses herself from their presence.
"You bet it is, #107" beneath the spoken confidence, their eyes meet, and Salt hopes Greyjay doesn't mention her blunder - and if he allows her to roll it off her shoulder, she says "These two are squared away - for now - just happy we didn't fine 'em"
Over at The Dreaming Palace, she lets Locke do the talking, nodding when appropriate to advance the conversation. This one looks like he wants something - let's have it then!
"Understood, sergeant." Greyjay smiles faintly. A lie, but fair enough.
When they meet with Pratchett, the veteran nods his greeting. "Good to see you, too, Mr. Pratchett. I hope you've recovered well from that unfortunate incident."
|
|
"I'll have to put a good word in for you all the business council. I'm rather hoping such can be a regular case that our fine enforcers of the law can keep the peace proper," he says in a cheery way, as if high on life itself. His nose seemed to have been healed, most likely by magic but a small bruise on his right cheek bone was still evident from where part of the glass hit him.
”Keepin’ the peace is why we do it. Just wishin’ we could have kept it sooner before the glass hit yer face. Ye have yerself a good day, sir.”
And with a nod, I suggest we continue walking our beat to make sure we keep keeping that peace.
"Very well, my dwarven hero. Lead the way!"
Scarlett still keeps an eye on the two groups she earlier identified as potential trouble.
...Salt takes a quick swig from her flask, corking her face at it's bite, and stuffs it back into the coat pocket...
"Soo... good gracious what the Hell is happening over there!" he suddenly shouts out towards the end, caught in whatever he was about to say. Pointing past the assembled officers to a sudden commotion of workers running away from an older building just past the hotel. Screams and cries of people as they saw what was slowly emerging from a discovered abandoned basement.
"Run, get away!"
"They live!"
Out from the basement came four skeletons in ragged clothing, all appearing rather uniform with familiar symbols though differing in humanoid look.
"Those are not our men" Salt squints to gain a better look, preparing to warn her team about what is to come!
◆) Recall Knowledge: Absalom Lore
◆) Recall Knowledge: Religion
◆) Raise Buckler
↺) Shield Block (if 8 damage or less)
Grayjay takes a quick glance at the undead, drawing his sword swiftly. "Get back, civilians. This is what we're here for."
He stalks forwards, his sword weaving a net of steel that slowly closes in around one of the skeletons.
Undead. Godsdamned undead. They just keep coming back... poor sods.
Scarlett starts... singing? Yes, it starts as a low hum, a quick little ditty, and builds into belting out a song with her husky voice.
"♫What do you do in the infantry?♫
♪You march, you march, you march♪
♪What do you do when your pack has got your back as stiff as starch?♫
♫There's many a fall in the cavalry but never a fallen arch♪
♫What do you do in the infantry?♪
♪You march, you march, you march!♫"
These dead must have been trapped there since the great earthquake, risen from the whirl of negative energy or by some unknown means. Such is unknown at the time as you recognize these unfortunate undead were fellow guards, wearing old uniforms from a day long past.
Blunt objects will get through any resistances they have beyond being unfeeling undead, even then they are fairly weak creatures that can't take a hit and use numbers to kill those unfortunate to meet one. Since they are mindless automatons, mind affecting and death spells will do no effect.
Greyjay enters the fray as Scarlet sings a song to encourage and help his blows, but his first strike is a miss as the skeleton seems to remember some vague training it had in the long past.
"Nightsticks, agents!"
"And don't rush..." she watches as Greyjay jumps into the middle of the pack "...in" she slaps her forehead "These looks like those trapped before the 'Quake!" she notices their manner of dress, as well as the telltale signs of age.
This could be OUR fate!
Sharing her silent thought with nobody, Sergeant Salt prepares to rescue her teammate.
Drogyn moves forward, strikes once with his shield at the one in front of Greyjay and then raises it in defense.
Drogyn moves forward, strikes once with his shield at the one in front of Greyjay and then raises it in defense.
1d20+7; 1d6+4
Abi was deep in thought about where she had heard the name Pratchett before - a side character in a book perhaps, or a slightly obscure author - and so was completely taken by surprise by the sudden appearance of the skeletons.
Drogyn's attack does the trick to one skeleton as it bursts into pieces, splintered pieces of bone clatter on the cobblestone road. The other three remaining creak forward like the automatons of bone they were, evil necromantic powers propelling them to do one thing, kill.
The First A steps forward and brings its scimitar to attack the dwarf that destroyed its ancient comrade.
The other skeleton attacks Greyjay with its skeletal claws.
The one towards the back wears an eye patch and pulls back on the string of its shortbow, attempting to fire on the rest of the group.
Doubled to 12 on Crit
The skeleton's blows comes close to hurting the dwarf clang against metal armor harmlessly. Not so much for Greyjay, who recives some nasty cuts. Even worse for Scarlet as for a creature with no eyes manages a deadly blow.
Abi
Greyjay-7
Drogyn
Lavanna
Killer Skeletons
Scarlett Dying 2
Shocked by the sudden onslaught of violence Abi turns towards her downed companion and tries to staunch the bleeding.
Following Salt's advice she then draws her night stick and assesses the situation.
Salt looks like she is about to kneel - but Abi comes swooping in!
"Well spotted #363 - keeping our men UP is our best chance!" her commanding praise is met with her valorous charge "Let's March!" carrying the tune of Scarlett's song poorly, she strides right into the fray!
◆) Draw Nightstick
◆) Stride
◆) Strike
Still warming up her skills of battery, at least the Sergeant does arrive!
Drogyn uses his Champion’s reaction to use Glimpse of Redemption on the one that was attacking Greyjay. The skeleton must decide between doing no damage at all on the first hit or resistance 3 and the enemy becomes Enfeebled 2.
Drogyn then goes on the offensive and attacks the one who attacked him.
And he follows this up with a hit towards the one in front of Greyjay.
Drogyn must have been a slayer of undead in another life as his quick movement and smart thinking smashes those once fellow officers of the law to dust and helping them find eternal rest of Pharasma's embrace, downing two. Meanwhile quick thinking by Abi brings Scarlett out of her brief stint of unconsciousness with quick treating of wounds.
Greyjay's turn
The veteran curses himself for letting his guard down as the claws rip into his body. He growls a curse, before chanting a single word, invoking a protective barrier of force before him.
"Alright, time to lie back down." Greyjay grunts, taking swift steps to the sole remaining skeleton and slashing swiftly with his blade.
While the eye patch wearing skeleton was deadly accurate with a bow, flailing its arms around was not so much, smacking on Greyjay's armor without much success, especially with the magic that protected him.
Abi
Scarlett-1 (Wounded 1)
End of Round 2
Start of Round 3
Lavanna
Greyjay-7
Drogyn
Scarlett stands up, holding her head. "I think I passed out or something."
Drogyn steps towards the final skeleton, dusting off the previously slain ones.
Drogyn moves like a machine, smashing the last skeleton and ending the menace of undeath. A few moments later a few of the workers arrive back to the scene as fellow guards from the precinct come as reinforcements. Besides officer Scarlett's injury, no one was harmed by the skeletons that had arisen, saving the day.
"You all first on the scene, looks like you all dealt with it already," spoke an out of breath woman of Tian features, "Officer Shibi, got here as soon as we can."
"Officer Shibi" Lavanna is cleaning up bones as she comes onto the scene "No major injuries - At ease. I'm Sergeant Salt, and this rascally bunch are my Speak-Easies!"
Having nursed Scarlet's suggestion in the back of her mind now, she comes out with it. Why not? This bunch wasn't taking initiative, and they needed a moniker...
"I was not briefed on your mission here - let's have it already" with the last of the bones piled, and the weapons and armors sorted into piles, our gruff anti-hero has money on her mind as she mentally totals the "haul"!
"Um, speak for yourself, Salt. I would call this a major injury." Scarlett looks at the blood soaked bandage, although she is now realizing that Abi did wonders to take care of he injuries. "Thanks, Doc. Your the best!"
Greyjay grunts at Salt's words as well, sheathing his sword. "Not quite true, Sarge, but we're all still alive." He turns his gaze to Scarlett. "You doing alright?" He asks, limping slightly as he moves towards both the half-elf and Abi.
"Officer Shibi, how common are these sorts of things?" He manages, waving a hand at the corpses.
”I be covered in the dust of the fallen enemies but it was a good fight ye missed all around, officer Shibi.
Drogyn casts Lay on Hands on Greyjay (which I think brings him to full, so everyone to full?) and helps with the searching and piling of the skeletons while refocusing to gain his focus spell back. If anyone is left hurting, he asks Abi to attend to this while we do this.
"I can say at least that things like this here are not relatively common, but there is enough of a frequency far above the normal level here in the Precipice Quarter," officer Shibi wasn't alone as she spoke with you as a few other guards doing their rounds of the various streets nearby had come to help secure the dig site, "A bunch of stuff is just lost to time, waiting to be rediscovered for good or ill I am afraid. Plenty of stuff got skipped over to and the priest folk never got to before the city began construction. Who knows what is just a small away in some unsuspecting person's cellar?"
"Looks like the Doc fixed me up just right. I will live."
"Just happy I could help!" Abi responds cheerfully to Scarlett before turning back to the Tian officer.
"I said to the Lieutenant that we needed to look out for undead and stuff! But no, he said 'Just the usual troublemakers to look out for'. These may be old bones but surely they couldn't have been mobile ever since the quake - something must have raised them more recently! We need to figure out what. Officer Shibi, has anyone mapped the location of the different undead attacks? There might be a pattern!"
Abi starts poking around the piles of bones, hoping to find any further clues.
"The city is old" Salt agrees, looking for the officer's badge number "But I think we have it under control now - was there some other business you intended to conduct?"
She whirls on Abi "Never listen to the Lieutenant - he runs the operation in face only. It's good old fashioned guard-work that always brings everything in - and never for credit is it given what's due" and back to Officer Shibi "I have the same question as #363 - who despite her pleasant demeanor is the brains of our humble operation" she winks at Abi.
Noticing the sergeant appear to look for her badge number she blurts out, "Sorry, my apology, badge #122 Officer Shibi. Old might be an ass at times back in precinct but the man made his name by good work out on the streets.
"We have it from here. Already called a few religious folk to come down and get this place purified of whatever else may taint it," she says giving a small salute to the group.
"Probably for the best." Greyjay says, a slight frown furrowing his brow at Salt's words. He places a hand on Abi's shoulder (leaning down to do so). "We can look into it more when our route's done, if you want. Right now, let's let our comrades handle it, whilst we do our own jobs."
Having quelled the threat of the undead rather efficiently, though not without some harm to persons of the group. A few newly arrived officers and a local cleric of Abadar dropped down into the basement, hearing a wet splash as they entered in. The basement was flooded, and beyond a few scurrying small vermin, completely empty of any other undead. Seeing no threat, workers also entered, setting up equipment to drain it.
With no more threats there, the five of you part the scene to continue on your beat. The hustle and bustle of the festival was everywhere, and things around the recent incident had calmed. As you go into more residential areas, the crowds thin and a calm is created in its absence. This street, which only years ago was broken and discarded mess after an earthquake had been healed if not reborn. If such calm was to be rudely interrupted by a new sudden event to cross their paths.
High-pitched shouts and the sound of breaking glass emerge from a narrow wooden building painted with mystic runes. A woman in a floppy, wide-brimmed hat stands outside the door, arms crossed and tapping her foot impatiently. She looks up to the sky in exasperation and snaps, “Finally! It took you long enough.”
Snark with Snark "You know what they say - better late than never!" then Business with Business "So - what can we do you for?"
Greyjay scratches his beard, looking at the woman. "I assume that there's something amiss in the building. A conjured creature wrecking the place, maybe?" He asks her.
"Did you send for help? We've not been sent here specifically, we were just on our patrol, so you'll need to fill us in"
Scarlett starts to look around the corner of the building to see if anything stands out.
"No, I have not been able to send help, I only got home from lunch with an associate only a few moments ago to come back to this little twerp having not only broken into my home and business but also barricaded himself in," says the woman in a floppy hat looking rather disappointed,"My name is Marin, Marin Porphyry and this is my workshop. The boy inside claims I've done something terrible to his master. I have not the slightest idea whom that is but he blames me for it."
A squeaking voice of a puberty stricken young man breaks the conversation as something made of glass is obviously heard to be broken inside, "You villainous heartless liar, I know you've hurt my master, where is he!? I'll break everything in here if I have to!"