Preparations made, the Delvers stalk off into the night, determined to get to the bottom of the events of the evening. Making your way across the Sunburst Market in the direction of the Necropolis, you quickly come across an over turned wagon. Spilled across the ground are half-filled sacks of moldering grain, shoddy pottery, and jugs of long-hardened paint. The remains of the driver lies nearby. What little remains that is, It is obvious that he suffered horribly, torn apart with most of him missing.
A closer look at the wagon reveals the contents to be a ruse, as a large hidden compartment is open and revealed within the false bottom. A strong smell of cedar oil and incense wafts from the concealed compartment.
As you contemplate the circumstances regarding the cart, you hear the sounds of a confrontation from a short distance away. Numerous voices can be heard arguing, along with wood crunching and glassware smashing.
Kheled shakes his head at the poor man's fate. He is not sure what to make of the hidden compartment but is curious if they noise and cart are connected. Sighing at the distraction he looks at the others quizzically before nodding Dumah in that direction.
Myron gives Kheled an affirmative nod and prepares to investigate the disturbance.
The muse-touched elf investigates the ruined wagon, curious. Despite her studies in the area of religion, she is at a complete loss as to its significance, and indicates as much with a shrug of her slender shoulders.
Kheled whispers to the groups that both items are used in traditional Osirian mummification rituals.
Odd, but maybe this is connected somehow?
Dumah furrows his brow in concentration, but arrives at no conclusions.
When Kheled nods towards the disturbance, Dumah does not hesitate. He bolts towards the sounds, drawing his falchion as he goes and convinced there are innocents to be saved and undeath to be combated!
Rakara moves quickly towards the disturbance on silent feet. It doesn't really sound like battle so she is more measured in her approach.
Following the sounds of the disturbance you make your way into a side street lined with shops. Most of the buildings are shut up tight. You spy the occasional face in the windows, but almost all quickly duck out of sight as they spot you in the street.
Nearing an intersection you can tell whatever is going on is just around corner. Myron eases up to the corner, takes a quick peek, and spots a number of figures at the end of the block. He can see four for certain, surrounding another man who lays on the ground arm raised in defense.
A broken-open shop door beneath a hand-painted sign that reads "Sun-Ripened Teas." From the sounds coming from within, you guess there are a number more inside. Whatever they are doing in there, it sounds destructive.
As the man on the ground protests one of the other men tells him to shut up and stay still.
"Wanton destruction is no way to resolve conflicts with the living." Dumah growls.
Unless one of the others stops him, Dumah will advance openly on the apparent thugs and victim.
"Wanton destruction is no way to resolve conflicts with the living." Dumah growls.
Unless one of the others stops him, Dumah will advance openly on the apparent thugs and victim.
Dumah wait. If we rush in we could get the man killed. Best we get Myron and Rakara up close to protect him then the rest of us can move up. Myron, Rakara are you good with that?
You two can run around the corner saying you are being chased by the undead?
I agree, but I'd rather sneak closer than try to trick them by bluffing. Both Rakara and me are pretty stealthy, they are preoccupied and it's dark.
Whatever you feel is our best chance of success Myron, I trust your judgement. Why don't you two sneak close and we will wait for one minute after you leave to come around the corner. As soon as we do you strike. Sound like a fair plan?
Remember, we secure the man first and then confront these people...we likely will determine their intent quickly.
Dumah looks frustrated at being left out of the first stage of the plan, but nods in agreement. "Yes, the man's safety comes first. We will do as you say."
Dumah takes another half step back, and glances at Kheled and Myron. It is good that the Dawnflower brought us together. They are wise and think quickly.
Kukri out and ready, Myron gives Rakara a moment to prepare, then slowly creeps down the side of the alley, moving from shadow to shadow.
Rakara nods in agreement with the plan and holds her falchion close.
Like Myron, Rakara is nothing more than a fleeting shadow; she blends seamlessly with her surroundings opposite Myron. She advances on the group and gets into position.
While Dumah and the others keep an eye on the goings on in the street from the corner at the far end, Rakara and Myron slip into the darkness back up the block to circle around the buildings.
As you wait for them to reappear or receive some sort of signal you watch as the group continues to verbally abuse the fallen man as the sounds of ransacking continues within the shop.
It takes you virtually no time to circle the buildings and get to the alley just past the group. The two nearest men are preoccupied with the commotion in the street and do not notice your approach, while the others are just out of view.
Through a window you spy at least a half dozen more men inside the shop.
The men are dressed in a mix of commoners clothing and low quality armor (mostly leather and padded) and carry clubs, dagger and a few short swords. There doesn't seem to be anyone particularly in charge, but a few are more boisterous than others.
From their comments, you get the impression they believe themselves to be "defending the streets" but their behavior looks to indicate they are nothing more than common street thugs and looters taking advantage of the chaos in the city.
Myron takes stock of the situation, then whispers to Rakara.
None of them looks like they are worth in a fight, but they have us outnumbered. In a moment, I'll tumble past them and get into position by the fallen man, where I can both protect him and block the door. Follow me and move into flanking position. Once the others see us advance, they'll move in as well. If the ones inside threaten to overrun us, I'll slam the door and use the oil of hold portal we just got to seal them in.
Rakara gives a quick nod to show she understands and is ready to go with the plan.
As Myron makes his move Rakara also moves into position, holding her falchion menacingly.
Once Rakara indicates she is ready, Myron dashes forward, weaving through the group with supernatural agility.
Now, what's going on here? he says cheerfully, loud enough that Dumah, Kheled and Elrisiel can hear him. He makes sure to hold his weapons in a non-threatening manner, but promtly displayed.
Surely, on a night such as this, with the dead swarming the streets, there is no cause to quarrel among the living.
Before the group of thugs even realize they have additional company, Myron darts into the thick of it and seems to materialize beside the fallen man. Brandishing his kukri protectively over the shopkeeper, he makes his inquiry.
At the same time, Rakara emerges from the shadows behind the group her weapon held threateningly.
At the other end of the street Dumah, Elrisiel and Kheled see their companions move and react accordingly.
Sensing the imminent outbreak of hostilities, the musetouched elf retrieves a scroll from her scrollcase.
Myron delays.
The man on the far side of the fallen shopkeeper is the first to react to the sudden appearance of Myron and Rakara. What's this?! Who do we have here? Some troublemakers? Best you be off before something bad happens to you. The streets aren't safe tonight, he smirks while waving you away with his short sword.
Elrisiel pauses, peeking around the corner and waiting.
Careful where you wave that blade, fella. Someone might get hurt. And my friends and I have walked the streets of the necropolis and defeated both the dead and the living. You should be more concerned for your own safety than ours, Myron replies, slipping a hard edge into his tone. He turns his attention to the shopkeeper.
Are you all right, sir? In need of assistance, perhaps? he asks, making sure to keep an eye on the thugs.
Kheled follows Dumah around the corner.
Our deadly friend is correct. That you would take advantage of the situation for your own gain...I think we should teach you all a lesson. In Pharasma's name you are under arrest. Drop your weapons, NOW!
Spurred into action, Dumah closes the distance to the stand off. As he approaches, Myron's words makes him unsure whether to strike or not. Erring on the side of mercy, he stops short, waiting to see what Myron's next move is.
Rakara also waits to see if the situation will be resolved without a fight but is ready to defend if they prove too stupid to give in.
As the other Delvers move into the alley, revealing themselves, one of the other men jeers, Oh look they brought friends! Well, we have friends too! Boys! Grenn! Come on out! We've got us some troublemakers out here!
At Kheled's demand, the man scoffs, Arrest us?! On what authority?! We are protecting the streets!
If you want to make a career as a looter, you should learn to lie better. Lets keep your friends contained while we deal with you.
Myron drops his offhand kukri, pulls the vial of hold portal from his bandoleer and seals the door.
Kheled nods his head to Myron's statement
You are guilty of theft and assault! Subdue these men.
At the words of Kheled and Myron, Rakara springs into action striking out at the man between her and Myron.
If you want to make a career as a looter, you should learn to lie better. I have neither patience or mercy for cowards who prey on those that can't defend themselves.
Myron slashes at the thug between him and Rakara.
The man between Rakara and Myron doesn't stand a chance as Myron's blades eviscerates him in an instant.
As the others gawk dumbfounded for a moment before raising their weapons in protest, Rakara strikes down the other man nearest her.
From inside the building come howls of protest, and one man spills into the street and rushes at Dumah...
...who easily turns aside the clumsy strike.
Elrisiel looks around the alley and their surroundings vigilantly.
You little bastard! the first man exclaims stepping past the downed shopkeeper and taking a swing at Myron...
...which is easily avoided. Obviously outmatched, the man again calls for help,
Rakara steps in to the next foe, falchion flashing and swings again.