Janiven AKA DM J's page

Janiven grins, before following the half-elf.

It's good that you're here - I haven't seen him that motivated in some time. THAT'S the fire that drew the rest of us in. Thank you for stoking it.

She follows Arael, quickly and quietly.

Janiven shakes her head, and briefly covers her face with the palm of her hand before continuing.

Look, each of you has good points, but you're not seeing the forest for the trees. A woman with guards? That sounds like a noblewoman of some type, no? And if so, what are we going to do against the nobility, as we are currently comprised? I'll tell you what - nothing. It cannot fall on us to do so.

At the mention of Arael being captured, there are gasps throughout the room, and Janiven holds her hand up.

Although I'd have preferred to break that news myself, Sarien is correct. Arael has been taken into custody. I've been talking with Morosino, who has what information there is first-hand, and I'm not clear yet as to whose custody he is in, precisely. If there is any way to get him back - to rescue him - we certainly must try to do so. Only time will tell who holds him, and where. I must put word into the street - among friends, of course - that I'm looking for him. I have no doubt that I'll know more soon. For now, our newest guests are surely exhausted (you are quite tired after a whole night trekking through the sewers), and need rest. Please don't panic. I need to get more information, and as soon as I do, you'll all be the first to know.

Mathalen, will you show our new friends to their accomodations? I will return shortly. With that, Janiven disappears into a side hallway. A few seconds later, a door opens and closes quietly - she is gone.

Mathalen stands up effortlessly, bows slightly, and inclines her head toward the same side hallway. If you'll follow me?

She leads you to your rooms. There is enough room for everyone to have their own accomodations, and although the rooms themselves are little more than cells without bars, there are fresh straw mats of decent quality in each.

I've been thinking a lot about how to do this, because the AP wants you to be Level 2 when you exist the sewers. So, as a one-time thing, please put yourself at the minimum XP for 2nd Level, 2,000 XP. Let me know what you're doing in terms of levelling in the OOC thread. Happy levelling!

Janiven looks at Sarien and shrugs.

If you wish to continue living under the heel of the Hellknights and the Asmodeans, Sarien, you are welcome to do so. It seems to me that you could live a somewhat risk-free life of opressed anonymity, or lead a perilous if fulfilling life spreading hope to Westcrown and it's citizens, and perhaps even returning it - and your name - to their former glory. - she looks at Sarien with a pointed look at the mention of his family's name.

Janiven glances at Freya before returning her gaze to Sarien, and finally to the party at large. For all Freya's bile and vitriol - I've felt it's sting several times now, myself - she is clearly commited to stopping the oppression of those who she calls countrymen. I don't care one whit about whether she's polite while she works to better Westcrown, as long as she's bettering Westcrown.

Either way, you have a choice, and I'll do nothing to hinder you. I admire your penchant for independant thought, and although I'd think you would see that such a mind cannot - will not - go unquenched by the Asmodeans and the Hellknights...perhaps you don't see that. Either way, when we ascend the stairs in a few moments, if you're with us at the top, I'll know I have an ally. If I don't... you know where the Hellknights and the sewers are. But I'd much rather have you with us than against us.

She glances at freya again.

You, dear Freya, would be well served to save your angst for your enemies instead of taking it out on your friends. You are welcome to speak as you wish, but as one who has learned the hard way, I feel obligated to pass on my experience.

Anyone else?

Janiven gives a relieved sigh as Rauno moves the loose bricks aside.

Good, they’re still here. I stashed a small cache of healing potions here a few weeks ago in the event of an emergency just like this one. We won’t have time to stop and rest as long as the Hellknights are after us. Here, everybody take a few of these.

She distributes three Cure Light Wounds potions to each of you (Three per person, not three among the whole group.), and nods briskly. Alright, then - off we go.

As the group approaches another 4-way intersection, the sound of bootsteps can clearly be heard distantly from behind, and more closely from the left-hand corridor.

Damn! Janiven hisses, shining the light up toward the pipes. The symbol points to the right. Morosino and I will try to draw them off. Quickly, now, across the channel, each of you, and Morosino and I will proceed straight with the light source. Once you get across, follow Tao - he can lead you in the darkness. Wait until the Hellknights pass by, then do as I've shown you, follow the signs! We'll meet up again if the Gods will it. Go!

DC 5 Acrobatics checks to avoid falling in the waste, please.

The tunnel ends at a crude wooden door; Morosino fumbles with the latch for a few seconds before finding the latch and getting the thing open. As soon as the door is open, the unmistakable stench of raw sewage rises to greet you. There is a small stone landing just beyond the door, large enough to fit everyone, but only barely. A large plank of lightly damp wood stands beside the door; as Janiven emerges from the portal she quickly closes the door behind her and bars it shut.

That'll hold them for a few minutes. Morosino, have you found the mark?

Morosino is squinting into the dim light, looking up at some pipes that run along the ceiling. Sorry, Miss Janiven, I can't see without some kind of light, he says.

The sewers are composed of many individual tunnels, each of which are buttressed at the top, but rarely more than 5 feet high. Taller characters will have to stoop quite a bit in the tunnels, but not enough to impede most activity. Most tunnels (including this one) are 10 feet wide, with a 3 foot deep trench for sewage and water taking up half that width. This means that the party will need to provide a marching order, and travel will be squeezed (half movement, -4 on attack rolls and -4 penalty to AC while within the tunnels).

Janiven cracks a sunrod, illuminating the area. Tao, I know that you can see without this, but we would travel too slowly without the rest of us being able to see, she states. There! See that symbol of Iomedae on the pipe? She points to a chalked drawing of the symbol of Iomedae, Goddes of Valor and Virtue, turned on it's side so that the point of the sword points to the left. That is the symbol that will lead to our safehouse. Arael and I scouted the way a few months ago should this very situation ever arise. I hoped never to need this escape route, now I only hope that the months and the moisture have not served to erode our guideposts. On we go, quickly! The knights will only be thwarted by our precautions for a short time. They may even send patrols into the tunnels ahead of us, if they can guess our route. We must hurry.

Marching order?

Janiven frowns at Freya's outburst. He is only a boy, Freya - one who does not share your street savviness. He sought only to warn me. This is not his fault.

Regardless, I regret involving you all in this. She reaches up and locks the door, displaying amazing calm for someone in such a position. If you will all kindly follow Freya into the kitchen, we may yet escape.

As she moves behind the bar, the door begins to take a heavy pounding. A deep voice exclaims, Open up, in the name of the Hellknights of the Rack!

Fair questions, all of them, and deserving of what answers I can give. I firmly believe that a dedicated group of concerned citizens will be able to sway the citizens of Westcrown to our cause - not necessarily through blatant acts of defiance, but through good works - and in so doing, form an unstoppable tidal wave of popular sentiment that will wash the filth from our streets, and the infernal influence from our city, if not our great nation entirely. Rest assured, you are not alone in your desire to see the city renewed in this way. My business partner and colleague, Arael, is full of ideas regarding how we should proceed, all of them sound. We have already assembled a small group at our base of operations, and Arael is certain that...

At this moment, a sudden excited pounding at the front door disrupts the meeting. Immediately adopting a defensive posture, Janiven peers through a window, then swiftly moves to the door, unlocks it, and opens it.

In stumbles an out-of-breath and frightened-looking teenager. They’ve got Arael! he calls out, then immediately doubles over in a fit of coughing brought on by what looks to have been a long run.

Janiven's face grows grim as she comforts the lad. Come, Morosino, what nonsense is this? What are you talking about?, she asks.

The boy takes one long, deep breath, and finally words come tumbling out of his mouth. The dottari nabbed Arael, and the Hellknights of the Rack are trying to get custody of him! There’s a bunch of Hellknights on their way here now! I only just made it in here; they’ve already surrounded us!

@ Sarien: I was hoping we would be joined by another, but I am thinking that he may not be coming, after all. It is unlike him to be late.

@ Tao: Those are great questions, the answers to which apply to a much wider situation. And now, as everyone seems to mostly be finished with their dinner, it seems that mayhap we should discuss that situation...

After dinner is finished, and with the last rays of daylight beginning to shine outside, Janiven stands up, takes a deep breath, and addresses the group openly.

Again, thank you for agreeing to meet with me here. I have chosen each of you for a singular reason—everyone here, myself included, has suffered, whether we realize it or not. I have lived in Westcrown my whole life, and although I love this city, I must admit, as must you, that despite our peace and prosperity, we continue to suffer. Fear should not be an expected part of life, and yet each night brings fear to our doorsteps. Yes, Westcrown has been safe from war and famine for nearly seventy years, and yes, our businesses have prospered—but this safety and prosperity has been bought in the coinage of fear and prayers to Hell. Other lands live free from tyranny. Other cities do not fear the night. Other governments do not cede the streets to monsters of the infernal shadows. Westcrown was once such a place, and she wants to be such a place again. Westcrown is not only her buildings and canals and docks and history—she is also her people. Westcrown is our friends and neighbors, our mothers and fathers, our siblings and cousins, our sons and daughters! With but a small group of supporters and dedicated brothers and sisters, we can earn the trust and admiration of those people. A Westcrown free of these shadowy beasts that stalk our streets is one step closer to a Westcrown free of the devil that is the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune!

Raising her gaze to meet Kael's, she looks momentarily agitated, then smiles slightly. Good of you to ask, Kael. As you no doubt are aware, shadow beasts stalk the unlit streets after dark. I have heard many different explanations for these creatures, but personally, I think I know the answer. She lowers her voice conspirationally. I believe that they were put into the streets by House Thrune, to oppress the citizens of Westcrown and consolidate their infernal power. She glances out the window again before continuing. I assure you that our meeting should not last past true nightfall, but should you wish to stay the night here, I will gladly make arrangements as necessary.