As they walk Hexqin sends her thoughts.
::"Well he is fast on his feet, I will give him that"::
Then as the familiar flyes off
::"I bet you all thought I had run away"::
A mental chuckle.
::"I left because I felt that angle had taken a real dislike to me."::
Then as they go on.
::"So Tiame why not tell me a bit about yourself and this strange house we are heading to."::
As she hears the history and sees the keys she nods. Then when they enter the house, she looks around.
"Well I must say, this must have been most grand once."
Sinri takes off and gets a look back towards the town from a bird's eye view. Without spending several minutes flying closer and pursuing the signs and then several minutes back, there's a limit to what Sinri can see. All that's really visible is an orange glow from the torches, moving through the streets.
He turns down a street and keeps running, the sounds of angry people still driving him forward. Turning down an alleyway, he finds himself quickly at what appears to be a dead end. On the right is a solid plaster wall, on the left the backdoor of a small building.
Karthan wasn't entirely pleased when he found whom the leader of this branch of the order was. But, given recent events and revelations it could be worse.
Gesturing the two cadets to stand back Karthan stepped forward and cleared his throat, "good evening madame might I be speaking to the leader of this martial order?"
Eliana had placed herself before what was once an altar to Avacyn. Her head bowed and hands clasped together in a classic prayer pose. Though she prayed to no one, she just... contemplated and thought over everything that happened. The status quo in the city had fallen apart. Was she right to not attack the demon? To not aid the mob in hunting him down? They might be dead now at his hand, and she'd have let them.
The noise of Karthan entering the chapel didn't bother her, she assumed it was a monk. His voice surprised her, and she stood. Turning to look at Karthan, her silvery-white eyes stared at him for a few moments before she nodded. "I am the leader of the local branch of the Order of Saint Traft. I suppose you're here to discuss the events that recently happened?"
"Well yes and no," said Karthan putting on his negotiator voice, "that second part comes later though. First, I suppose I shall get directly to the point and ask what in all the horrible hells we can think up that was all about and how are you involved in it? I thought I was dealing with some overzealous angel in a town that could frankly use a proper crusade or three and the next thing I know I'm in a brawl with a vampire and demon thrown in the damned mix. Last time that happened I had at least a score of equally angry men next to me on an open field. I didn't quite expect to be doing the same in my street wear before I've had my lunch!"
Li'Omrut skids to a halt when he sees the dead end. He curses, but he has to admit that he's chased plenty of targets into alleys like this, so he has can't deny a certain amount of professional appreciation for his situation.
Trying to decide between breaking down the door or scaling the wall, he grins. What if he breaks down the door and then clears the wall? If he can be out of sight before the mob sees him, they may see the broken door and think he's gone into the house.
Giving the door a solid kick, he determines that it's too sturdy to take the time for his deception. Over the wall it is, then.
"First, I suppose I shall get directly to the point and ask what in all the horrible hells we can think up that was all about and how are you involved in it? I thought I was dealing with some overzealous angel in a town that could frankly use a proper crusade or three and the next thing I know I'm in a brawl with a vampire and demon thrown in the damned mix. Last time that happened I had at least a score of equally angry men next to me on an open field. I didn't quite expect to be doing the same in my street wear before I've had my lunch!"
"Well, life is full of surprises. Especially after the madness that threatened to consume everyone. Things aren't exactly gonna be normal... ever again potentially." She reached a hand up, pulling her hood down so she could run her fingers through her hair. Why did Isabela have to go and show her true form? That was gonna make this very annoying indeed. "Not the first time I've fought alongside a vampire, or hell that specific vampire. Isabela and I fought at the Battle of Thraben. As far as we've been able to tell she's never murdered anyone innocent, and she aids the city as an investigator. Just before the angel showed up, we were trying to track down a monster who was abducting children."
She nods.
"Somehow I feel there is more to it than that, but I'm not one to pry.
As for me, well the fangs give that away. But I am no monster, I did not become this way by chouse, it was forced on me"
She keeps her eyes open for the Demon.
As Isable, under her cloak, she shifts form again.
"I do so like being blond"
Karthan frowned at the mention of the vampire, "yes I'm sure after extensive interviews with their dried up corpses every one turned out to be some horrible monster with a tragic story. I bet if we ask the demon he's secretly trying to redeem his wicked nature through acts of kindness and the love of an innocent girl." Karthan sighed clearly not comforted by the news.
"Look, I'm not here to pry into the private affairs of your order. Such information would only be as valuable to me as to allow her destruction and I have neither the manpower nor hard coin to make it happen, and in this city I would need significant amounts of both to burn out all the day lairs. What this does tell me is that things are dire indeed if you have to rely on monsters to hunt their own kind. Did you know Havengul has no formal town guard? Even its government is fairly minimal. Little more than a few offices for idiot relatives of powerful merchants to inhabit to give the semblance of order and tell the priests off when they, heh, bring the word of the angel to the city. Last time they had the power to levy taxes the fort had just laid it's foundation. Rulw of law here is rule of the coin pouch, or the mob if a large enough pouch is unavailable."
You notice that every time Isabela changing form, she also seems to take on some of her personality. When noble detective, she was all manners, when a crass old hag, she took on that crude and rude language and behaviour. Now as a chipper Blond lass, she is happy-go-lucky girl. You think it's more than an Act, that somehow the way she looks affects her.
What this does tell me is that things are dire indeed if you have to rely on monsters to hunt their own kind. Did you know Havengul has no formal town guard? Even its government is fairly minimal. Little more than a few offices for idiot relatives of powerful merchants to inhabit to give the semblance of order and tell the priests off when they, heh, bring the word of the angel to the city. Last time they had the power to levy taxes the fort had just laid it's foundation. Rulw of law here is rule of the coin pouch, or the mob if a large enough pouch is unavailable."
Eliana completely ignored the first part of his comments, just continuing to stare at Karthan as he speaks. Eventually, he spoke on something actually important, the state of the city. Letting out a small sigh, she nodded her head and waved a hand at her surroundings. "The state of Havengul is the state of most of Innistrad at the moment. The Church of Avacyn was the government, and it's lost almost all of its power. Beyond Avacyn's madness and subsequent death, fighting off the madness that spread resulted in massive losses."
Looking directly back at Karthan, she pressed a hand to her chest. "I'm one of the few Gryff Knights left, in all of Innistrad. Havengul's frankly better off compared to a lot of places since the church's presence was comparatively limited and it wasn't as heavily attacked. Thraben will likely never recover from what happened. But I digress. I suppose you're interested in trying to form some kind of government for the city then?"
"Government? God no. Mention the word taxes anywhere between here and Kessig and you'll collect a wide variety of hurled stones, broken beer bottles, and the feeling of having your back turned into a novelty kitchen knife block. If Havengul had a real government itd be fully corrupt by the end of the week and most of the participants hung by an enraged mob by the end of the month."
Karthan crossed his arms. "However, that doesn't mean this state of affairs is tenable forever. Especially if some fool mage is calling demons into the city. It used to be the things in the shadows would content themselves in the sewers and ark alleys. The vampires outside the city, and the lich a mere rumor. There are no inquisitors in a fortress for the merchants to cry to and most of the mercenary companies who specialized in such work were annihilated by Emrakul and mad angels. As it stands me and my six men and the few members of your order represent the largest concentration of armed force, and the only source of civil order and justice in the city. If one were to be purely cynical, and they would be right to, you could view this with a sense of dread."
Karthan pauses to lend weight to his words as a wicked grin slowly creeps across his face, "or as an opportunity to leverage what we need from some real bastards."
Karthan pauses to lend weight to his words as a wicked grin slowly creeps across his face, "or as an opportunity to leverage what we need from some real bastards."
"... So you want to basically force the merchants into giving us support? Is that what you're getting at?" It hadn't been what she expected, and frankly she could see Isabela becoming an issue in the future. Even still... "... We could use more funding for supplies. The Order of Saint Traft is stretched thin enough that there's little to send this way."
She pulls her new long golden hair back into a munch and ties it to a ponytail. Then she takes Tiame when it reaches out a hand and places it on her hair.
"See real, An illusion or glamour tries to alters the minds of others, This 'trick' alters me, my body and mind changes to match someone I have... let's say tasted."
She seems to be being diplomatic but does not elaborate on what tasted means if it's blood or some other mechanism.
"And I know what you mean about age, we.. well, let's just say my kind don't tend to die of old age"
She takes off the hooded ripped robe and under it, she has on simple clothing for traveling, and around her neck is a symbol as well.
Her hand glows a moment and the robe is as good as new, slipping it back on she ties it off around.
Planes walker
"I noticed you're runes and got a glimpse was it, of Avacyn's sign. You are a complicated one Tiame. A witch with faith who knows the truth about Angles."
She grins and seems happy to have met someone interesting after so many years of being around yokeles.
"Where did you find your companion, fascinating fellow, Animale or embodied other?"
Karthan pauses to lend weight to his words as a wicked grin slowly creeps across his face, "or as an opportunity to leverage what we need from some real bastards.""... So you want to basically force the merchants into giving us support? Is that what you're getting at?" It hadn't been what she expected, and frankly she could see Isabela becoming an issue in the future. Even still... "... We could use more funding for supplies. The Order of Saint Traft is stretched thin enough that there's little to send this way."
"I wouldn't use the word forced in front of them. Consider it proper recompense for our continued service. The way I see it they would benefit more from paying us to bolster and train our forces than deal with an unchecked rise in monstrous forces and angry mobs. Havengul is the largest freeport in Innistrad. We have more sailors here willing to spit in the eye of a kraken than Avacyn had angelic hosts. It is my opinion that enough of such brave men properly equipped, trained, and supported is a match to any mage or monster. Several such men were present on that very street. What they lacked, madame, was incentive. Many of these men are without ships or work. Do you see where I'm taking this?"
Then Li'omrut turns and leaps. His goatlike legs and huge strength give him the power he needs to fully clear the fence and onto the next street. He can hear the groans of frustration from the commoners on the other side of the fence. He can hear them start to bang on the fence in an attempt to break it down so they can chase after Li'omrut. Still, the demon turns and keeps running. With the head start he gets from the latest maneuvers, he's able to make it to the docks area before the chasing mob gets around the latest corner to see him. If Li'omrut is able to jump across the water, make it to the other side, he can hide amongst the barrels and other shipping supplies before the commonfolk can get the chance to see him.
"I wouldn't use the word forced in front of them. Consider it proper recompense for our continued service. The way I see it they would benefit more from paying us to bolster and train our forces than deal with an unchecked rise in monstrous forces and angry mobs. Havengul is the largest freeport in Innistrad. We have more sailors here willing to spit in the eye of a kraken than Avacyn had angelic hosts. It is my opinion that enough of such brave men properly equipped, trained, and supported is a match to any mage or monster. Several such men were present on that very street. What they lacked, madame, was incentive. Many of these men are without ships or work. Do you see where I'm taking this?"
"I can see the benefit of training the common folk. Instilling some discipline so we don't get angry mobs rampaging around. Ensuring they're able to stand for themselves, and not get themselves killed doing something potentially stupid. How exactly would you see this handled? We go get the funds from the merchants and then start recruiting campaigns?"
Li'Omrut chuckles loud enough that he hopes the mob chasing him can hear. He briefly wonders if he would have been able to get over the wall before anyone saw him if he hadn't taken the time to try and break down the door, but he figures it doesn't matter. The wall was the most likely place for him to go in a dead-end alley. Even the yokels chasing him would have figured it out.
Coming up on the docks, he sees another chance to gain some distance by leaping to the next pier over. He gives it a shot.
Easily making the leap, he finds a comfy spot in the middle of some stacks of crates and barrels, and lies back to watch the clouds roll by and listen to the sounds of the ships creaking on the waves until evening. He entertains himself by thinking of the dumb looks on the townsmen's faces as they chased after him.
She strokes the hair when it falls back, and looks off thinking a moment.
"You know it's been so long, that I forget."
Her voice seems somewhat sad.
"When the fangs show, that is I suppose is my true form now. Its the only one I can't get rid of."
there is a deep loss there, then the moment is gone.
"My kind tends to be so in love with themselves, that they forget to look at others. Whereas I like nothing better than to just sit and watch. I won't tell you the hours I have spent just talking about the weather or how fish has gone up in price. Watched a city lass walk in the park lost in lovers' dreams. OR worked with a maid scrubbing fools. Eaten fine foods with fat merchant waves complaining about servents' tardiness."
She smiles now, happily remembering better times.
"I have a gift you see for understanding others."
Then she looks at Tiame.
"I can show you if you like, if you wish"
You feel something press on your mind, like a breeze blowing across it.
If you let her in, then you form a Mind link
"I can see the benefit of training the common folk. Instilling some discipline so we don't get angry mobs rampaging around. Ensuring they're able to stand for themselves, and not get themselves killed doing something potentially stupid. How exactly would you see this handled? We go get the funds from the merchants and then start recruiting campaigns?"
Karthan grunts as he sits at a nearby pew and removes his tricorn, "and thats where it begins to get complicated. Between both of us putting pressure on them getting the merchant and shipping guilds to pledge funds would be easy. What comes next determines how much and how long that support remains. They'll want to know how this will be organized. Do we split everything, reorganize, cut the city into jurisdictions, agree on a common law with consistent penalties and otherwise remain separate? Do we combine our forces into a common town guard and reorganize into a single command structure? Either way I have to completely dismantle and rebuild my rank and pay lists. A lot to at least outline before drawing up any contracts and charters. What would your order even want?"
Karthan grunts as he sits at a nearby pew and removes his tricorn, "and thats where it begins to get complicated. Between both of us putting pressure on them getting the merchant and shipping guilds to pledge funds would be easy. What comes next determines how much and how long that support remains. They'll want to know how this will be organized. Do we split everything, reorganize, cut the city into jurisdictions, agree on a common law with consistent penalties and otherwise remain separate? Do we combine our forces into a common town guard and reorganize into a single command structure? Either way I have to completely dismantle and rebuild my rank and pay lists. A lot to at least outline before drawing up any contracts and charters. What would your order even want?"
"We remain separate." She stated that much firmly. "I can't make a decision like that. I've got got to answer to Thalia, and I doubt she'd like to hear that I tied any of the people in the Order to a command structure under someone else. No offense to you, but I doubt she'd want someone in charge of a significant number of the Order without meeting them. I think splitting everything, cutting the city into jurisdictions, and agreeing on a common law would be reasonable. Honestly, if things go well, I could even see if extra recruits would be willing to head to other towns the Order's trying to protect."
"We remain separate." She stated that much firmly. "I can't make a decision like that. I've got got to answer to Thalia, and I doubt she'd like to hear that I tied any of the people in the Order to a command structure under someone else. No offense to you, but I doubt she'd want someone in charge of a significant number of the Order without meeting them. I think splitting everything, cutting the city into jurisdictions, and agreeing on a common law would be reasonable. Honestly, if things go well, I could even see if extra recruits would be willing to head to other towns the Order's trying to protect."
Karthan shrugs, "understandable, though it does make logistics and financing a little trickier. More of a problem would be your own recruitment efforts. Though that problem might be sidestepped through making it an organization associated with the Order but not necessarily a part. That's for your order to decide."
Jurisdictions will likely be drawn along property lines, though with some arm twisting I'm sure we can expand it into the poorer neighborhoods. The merchants guild will be first, followed by the noble families, the ship captains, and whoever else requires security. Perhaps we can repurpose the old fort? I dont know if any of the church is left uo there but if so they might be willing to sign on just for the comfort of belonging to a cause. "The idea, ultimately, is to gain some semblance of order back in this city without the interference of mad angels, godless monsters, and bloody madmen. We will need to make an appointment in any case. Tell me will you be available in the morning to walk down to the guild and make that appointment and pitch?"
Li'Omrut is fine waiting in the midst of barrels and crates for quite a while. When the sun sets, he finally rouses and sets off to find the house Tiame described to him. When he thinks he's found the house, he enters without knocking.
While it is already night when Li'omrut begins hiding, he waits around for a couple of hours. Once he figures he's really and truly away and clear, he heads out, climbing up the hill towards the manor on the seaside cliff. Once he gets closer, he sees Taime and and a blonde stranger waiting for him outside the house. The doors are locked, and neither of them have dared to enter yet.
She nods
"As ou wish"
And the matter is forgoten. They wait and after a while she spots the Demon.
"Well, he is here at last, shall we go in?"
Li'Omrut blinks in surprise at the offer.
"That would be better than waiting for them to heal on their own in case the winged crazypants shows up again."
Not recognizing Isabela, he looks her over. "What's your story?"
"Well just like yourself, the locals did not take to me. So I thought it best to change lay low in a new form."
She smiles at him.
"Shall we go in, I don't know about you., but its been a long night"
"Humm A Vampire, A Witch, and A Demon walk into a house, I wonder who should be worried?"
She smiles, this happy-go-lucky Blond seems a lot more light-hearted than the dark-haired manifestation of Isabela.
"But it always pays to be safe, do you mind if a check it?"
She lifts a small crystal spider from under her clothing.
"Have a look see Hex"
She places it by the base of the door. If it can it will try and get under.
Tiame walks over to the demon with the runic amulet in her hand, and looks over the wounds. She draws several patterns in the air just above the skin, and the wounds start closing.
"Ooh, yeah. That's good stuff."
Li'Omrut is very agreeable to entering the house despite it's unknown dangers.
The unlikely trio enters the house through the back, since that was where Taime uncovered the key. Unfortunately even a construct so small as Hexqin is too large to fully fit underneath a door. Luckily, there is nothing in the small mud-room at the back of the house. Just a few coats hanging from hooks, a few pairs of old boots, a few dirty gardening tools, and an assortment of buckets, boxes, cobwebs, and other garbage. Another door leads further in, to a central hallway. The entire house is dark, quiet, and spooky.
- - - - -
Karthan shrugs, "understandable, though it does make logistics and financing a little trickier. More of a problem would be your own recruitment efforts. Though that problem might be sidestepped through making it an organization associated with the Order but not necessarily a part. That's for your order to decide."
Jurisdictions will likely be drawn along property lines, though with some arm twisting I'm sure we can expand it into the poorer neighborhoods. The merchants guild will be first, followed by the noble families, the ship captains, and whoever else requires security. Perhaps we can repurpose the old fort? I dont know if any of the church is left uo there but if so they might be willing to sign on just for the comfort of belonging to a cause. "The idea, ultimately, is to gain some semblance of order back in this city without the interference of mad angels, godless monsters, and bloody madmen. We will need to make an appointment in any case. Tell me will you be available in the morning to walk down to the guild and make that appointment and pitch?"
"I've permission to recruit new members to the Order. That will not be an issue. Drawing jurisdictions along property lines is fine, but the Order's not gonna stop its patrols through the poorer neighborhoods. The old fort... It would be useful. It'd be worth checking out at the bare minimum... Remember though Sternmason, we're all godless now. Tomorrow I'll be available. Meet here, or meet outside the guild-hall?" Rather than waste time, she got right to the point.
She picked up Hex and headed in. Being a vampire did have its advantages, one being very good eyesight in the dark.
She looked around the central hallway, if there were steps leading up, she heads up.
"I've permission to recruit new members to the Order. That will not be an issue. Drawing jurisdictions along property lines is fine, but the Order's not gonna stop its patrols through the poorer neighborhoods. The old fort... It would be useful. It'd be worth checking out at the bare minimum... Remember though Sternmason, we're all godless now. Tomorrow I'll be available. Meet here, or meet outside the guild-hall?" Rather than waste time, she got right to the point.
Karthan chuckles darkly looking out the window at the moon just rising over the rooftops, "no, no there is a god. And plenty of bastards mad enough to pay it homage."
He pauses for a moment to contemplate the words before getting up from the pew, very well, let's meet here so we can confer and decide on an approach before we speak with them. They may just want to make an appointment so all the relevant members are present but if we can toss the initial idea in the door perhaps they'll be more willing to honor that date than not. I will see you in the morning."
Getting up with a grunt from his still aching wounds Karthan begibs to make his way towards the exit.
"I've permission to recruit new members to the Order. That will not be an issue. Drawing jurisdictions along property lines is fine, but the Order's not gonna stop its patrols through the poorer neighborhoods. The old fort... It would be useful. It'd be worth checking out at the bare minimum... Remember though Sternmason, we're all godless now. Tomorrow I'll be available. Meet here, or meet outside the guild-hall?" Rather than waste time, she got right to the point.
Karthan chuckles darkly looking out the window at the moon just rising over the rooftops, "no, no there is a god. And plenty of bastards mad enough to pay it homage."
He pauses for a moment to contemplate the words before getting up from the pew, very well, let's meet here so we can confer and decide on an approach before we speak with them. They may just want to make an appointment so all the relevant members are present but if we can toss the initial idea in the door perhaps they'll be more willing to honor that date than not. I will see you in the morning."
Getting up with a grunt from his still aching wounds Karthan begibs to make his way towards the exit.
"... I wouldn't describe that thing as a god. God's can be understood on some level." She knew exactly what he meant, and her frown deepened and her eyes closed. Really, she didn't like considering what was in the moon. Considering she was pretty sure she had some connection to the moon now...
"I'll see you in the morning Sternmason. Hopefully, this all goes well." With those words, she pushed herself upright. While he went to exit, she went to try and find Misana. She needed to be informed of this turn of events. And... she really could just use a chance to talk to a friend about everything that happened today.
As he follows Isabella, Li'Omrut talks over his shoulder to Tiame.
"So, we're just checking up on your patient, then? If he's not here, are you going to go look for him? If he is here, and he wants us to leave, we can convince him to let us stay for a bit until things blow over."
Taime, Isabela and Li'omrut push past new spiderwebs on their way down the central hallway and up the stairs. The grand stairwell has chestnut-wood banisters, plush carpeting, and paintings of the various members of the household hung up along its interior. The first is an elderly white man clad in an expensive smoking jacket with a pipe, wispy white hairs clinging to his head. The second is a severe-looking woman probably ten years younger, with curly salt-and pepper hair held up in a bun, wearing a plain black dress. Her face bears a deep frown. The third is a young girl (though the painting is probably outdated). She wears a pink frilly dress and holds a teddy bear in the painting.
The stairs creak underneath the trio's feet as they ascend. The second floor landing has three gleaming mahogany doors leading to different rooms. One of the doors is cracked open, and a musty smell emits from inside.
- - - - -
Eliana leaves the chapel in search of her contemporary peer. After a short search in the limited compound, she finds Misana in the barracks. Along with most of the other monks, she was getting ready for bed, and had already changed out of her robes and into a comfortable gown. She was doing a bit of cleaning around the barracks when Eliana finds her. She looks up, brushing her messy brown hair away from her face. "Hey, Eliana," she says by way of greeting. "How's it going? I heard today was a bit rough in town."
"Oh trust me, you don't know half of it." She plopped herself down onto a nearby chair. Pulling her helmet down, she ran her fingers through her own brown hair. "Isabela asked me to help track down a child abductor and murder in the sewers. We lost track of him, so I'm gonna have to figure that out." Letting out a grumble, she threw her hands out in a semi-dramatic gesture. "Then, an angel showed up looking for that demon the Merchant's Guild somehow bound to their service. She threatened to cut a swathe through the city to root out any 'corruption', and I cast a prayer of sight and saw the madness surrounding her. Before you know it, Isabela shows up with some other spellcaster, Sternmason shows up, and the DEMON."
Rubbing the bridge of her nose, she made a vague gesture. "Because of the immediate threat the angel posed to the city, I wound up fighting it alongside the demon. It ran off, then a mob showed up. I tried to calm them down but they refused, so... Who knows what happened with that. I came back here to think, then Sternmason showed up again with an idea. I agreed to try and convince the Merchants Guild to give us some funding so we can recruit more cathars. Split the role of protecting the city with Sternmason's mercs."
After a moment, she winced and gave Misana an apologetic look. "Sorry, I should have gotten your opinion first. We haven't spoken to the merchants yet, so I can always tell him we're backing out. He'll be showing up tomorrow morning?"
"Doors, one each or would you, my fine Demon, care to take the front and protect us, poor weak ladies?"
She grins and makes her way to the cracked open door. Popping her small Crystal spider inside to have a look-see.
"Lets see what Hex fines"
Li'Omrut gives Isabella a deadpan glance as she claims weakness, but he steps past her and opens the door anyway. Rather than look for any threats, he's looking for which bedroom to claim for his own once they determine there's nobody home.
She smiles to herself as Li'Omrut moves past, stepping back to give him space as he barges into the room. She smiles a smile to herself and places her hand on her shoulder, her Crystal spider is in her palm. She had never even let it go. It moves to her breast and is once more just a brooch. She looks for a seat, taking it she sits Cross-legged and waits as the others look around.