As you step forward blindly through the Mist you are barely able to see your own hands in front of your faces much less each other. You do hear each other though the Mists create strange echoes that make it impossible to ascertain how far you are from one another.
Finally the Mists recede and you find yourselves standing in an alleyway. For a moment you blink getting your bearings. As you look around you can tell that whatever happened it brought you elsewhere. The buildings in this alley are not brick and concrete but made of wood. The ground is cobblestoned but the work is shoddy, even for Blackchapel. Finally you notice you are not alone...
Marco draws both swords.
Citizens and protectors of Blackchapel. Who might you be?
Khalid brushes some of the sewer muck off his robes, then gives a slight bow. "Ahem. Khalid de la Poer." before give a confused look around. "Where might this place be exactly?"
"Ah, we are all strangers to this place then. I would normally be skeptical of such a thing, but I've seen such strangeness these past few days.." Khalid leaves the rest unspoken. "Well, let's get the lay of the land here then. It's been a very long day and i could certainly use a rest."
Nadima looks at Bannock curiously, "The Divinity?"
Khalid looks around as the Mists recede, Derrick is indeed nowhere to be found!
"We seem to have lost another friend folks. Did anyone see if Derrick followed us into the mist?"
Nadima, a human female appears worried. "Nezter, is this not the same sort of fate that your friend Korgan suffered? He battled shapeshifters at first and then the Mists took him to a harsh desert where he battled some undying tattered horror no? Now these men appear and having lost a companion..."
She turns and feels at the wall near her, "The Mists have stranded us, by... wait. Korgan mentioned a Gypsy Wizard, a Monk, a Rogue, and a Warrior. Two of the four are not here, could these be the same men and this the same place!? By Gerana this is most foul magic indeed!"
I recall, Korgan. Weird bird, that one. Did he tell ya anything else, like what we're here for.
Nadima appears confused at Matrco's question, "Here for? Where even is here? You all seem as confused as we are".
Nezter in the meantime begins to head to the ed of the alley.
"Well it seems that none of us are going to get answers from each other. Let's start exploring our surrounds, shall we?" Khalid will follow the ranger out of the alley "Hopefully this place has a proper inn. I could use a bottle of wine or two after the past days events.
I am with ya, but the plight of me long time mate gives me the willies, I gotta say.
Somewhere...
As the group steps forth from the alleyway, they see a very different city from the one in which they all hail from. Gone are the stone buildings and cobblestone streets of Absolom and Paridon replaced by wooden homes and buildings only a story or two high and dirt roads.
In distance a set of roaring falls can be heard. It is daytime, the sun is bright in the sky outside of the shadows of the alleyway. The people in the streets are dressed colorfully and there are many together in groups speaking with one another smiles upon their faces. This way seems a rather main thoroughfare as a few shops line the row.
A sign for what appears to be an Inn, the Bard's Retreat, nearby. As you close in on the Inn the people who are in your path cease speaking and frown at you suspiciously.
Seems like a much more pleasant spot than ole Black Chapel.
"Indeed," Luc replies to Brutus. He raises his flagon and clunks it against his friend's drink. "May they ever stand strong against the tyranny and shadows of the land. The darkness may be all about, friends, but even a single candle held high dispels it for a time." He takes a sip of his ale and raises his eyebrows. "What wonder more when many candles are raised as one?"
Khalid takes a breath of the fresh air. "Indeed. And it seems to have a proper inn. What more can a band of displaced heroes ask for?" Khalid is no stranger to sideways glances due to his heritage and the general attitude of Black Chapel. He'll head toward the Bard's Retreat, paying no mind to the collection of frowns.
the Bard's Retreat
As Netzer, Marco, Khalid, Bannock, and Nadima enter the Inn they find it half crowded. The bar area is devoid of creatures but four of the largest tables are crowded with people. The Inn itself is crafted of fine oak wood, polished to a shine. The windows are all darkened and instead of letting light are used as displays for various musical instruments.
On in particular stands out, lounging in one of the chairs is a thin man in a flowing scarlet shirt and a black leather vest, a wide-brimmed leather hat atop his head. His booted feet are cocked out to the side atop another chair, and he leans on one elbow on the table. A faint smile lingers on his face, and his sight drifts from his friends to the birdcage set on the table beside him. Two birds currently perch inside, a cardinal and a thrush, and they chirp and whistle now and again.
Certainly while the bird cage captures your attention, your group captures the attention of the locals. As happened outside, the locals who were noisy and talkative suddenly quiet down. They all eye you dourly none speak.
"Drinks and lunch for my friends and I, please", calls out Nezter.
a table in the center of the room is free and has six chairs. You sit and the barkeep nods to one of the serving wenches who approaches, she awaits your order but does not greet you as is normal custom in a tavern/Inn of this sort.
Khalid runs his hand over the polished bar before taking his seat at the table. "Fine craftsmanship. You can tell we aren't in Black Chapel anymore because this isn't all caked in grim. The vistani adjust his robes and sits at the table. "A red wine and whatever your lunch special is madam. We will also require use of lodgings if they are available."
The serving wench absent-mindedly takes your order and heads to the back. Still those occupying the Inn remain silent. They are not watching you but you know they're watching you.
Nadima huffs, "How very rude of these people. Well, we at least need to know where we are".
She stands and approaches Lucifer, "A pretty set of birds you have there sir, may I inquire as to their names?"
When the new arrivals enter the tavern, Lucifer's gaze drifts over to take them in. They don't look to be locals, at least not as far as he recognizes. Salvas's comment confirms that suspicion, but he gives his old friend a slight smile and a raised eyebrow. "Come now. All that talk of heroism, and you're offput by some travelers off the road? For all you know these folk are heroes themselves." He taps the table, and his smile turns to a slight grimace. Not that I've had much warmer reception.
When the dark-haired girl comes over, Luc smiles and swings his feet off the chair, gesturing for her to sit if she pleases. "But of course, miss. The chattering speckled one there is Eofen, and the gentleman in scarlet is Callan. Pretty they are, though it's a shame I don't have a pretty raven to match your hair." He turns from the birdcage to give the woman a smile, but no matter his mirth, his eyes always hold something strange, a hidden oddity at the edges. "Though you didn't ask, this gentleman in scarlet is called Luc. Might I inquire as to your own name? And your companions'?"
So, birdman, what does a bloke like yerself do with yer feathered mates? Are they part o'an act, or somethin'?
Luc laughs at Marco's question and shakes his head. "Not so much, I'm afraid. They mostly serve to keep me company and--" He cuts off, a queer look coming over his face for a moment, and then he smiles and shakes his head again. "No, no mean to offend, I'm sure. An honest question. And no one need know of that."
The odd smile fades after a moment, and the man returns his gaze to the new arrivals. "I'm sorry. As I said, company on the long nights in the dark. Does that answer your question?"
The wizard raises an eyebrow, obviously a bit puzzled by the mans odd demeanor. The vistani stands and bows anyway. "Well met Luc. I am Khalid de la Poer. It is nice to finally meet a friendly person in this place. Are you from this area?"
"A harmonious meeting and glad tidings to you, Khalid de la Poer. I'm a native of this fine settlement, yes, although I've been away of late. I take it you and your friends are travelers? Tell me, where is it you come from?" Luc sits up in his chair, no longer lounging at an angle--he's quite earnestly interested.
"I am Nadima, come sit with us if you would..." She heads back to the table with the men she entered with.
Food and drinks arrive as Luc stands up the waitress once again silent. The drink is terrific, the food is bread, you assume served to hold you over until the meals arrive.
The wizard nods. "We are. We come from a place caled Blackchapel. It is very different from this place. I hadn't seen a tree in years before we arrived here.." Khalid drinks the wine and scarfs down his bread.
This place is almost cheerful, mate, compared to Blackchapel.
An awkward silence stretches until the food arrives. The food smells delicious - chicken and steak as fresh as any of you have seen in a long time is served with mashed purple potatoes, carrots and a red colored sweet juice drink that smells faintly of alcohol.
Luc gladly accepts the lady's invitation, tossing his friends a wink and a grin, and he takes a seat at the table with the newcomers. "This Blackchapel, it must be a very dour land. My home was beautiful once, and still is in many ways, but dark times have arisen of late. Though I suppose that's true of many places." He takes a piece of bread and breaks off a small chunk, and places it on his shoulder. Without any comment, he continues to eat and drink with the others.
"What brings you to Kartakass, though? It's not too often we have strangers in the region. I expect some important task drew you from your home." The man smiles and sips his drink. Now that he's close and talking, it's easy to see something strange in his eyes. They're clear and bright, true, but behind the smile there's something pained about them, something disturbing--and disturbed.
"Our group was pilfered from our land and deposited here by the mists. Though I suppose you could say that we volunteered more so than pilfered" He admits. "We were in a bit of a pickle when we left."
"Grave tidings indeed, then. A missing friend and running away from other troubles..." The man shakes his head and cocks it to the side as one of the birds chirps. "I was just about to ask that, actually. What trouble did you have in this Blackchapel? And what brought your friend here, Nezter? I imagine they weren't a local, given I don't recognize you myself."
Nadima frowns, "Blackchapel? Kartakass? I am at a loss, I have heard of neither of these places. Netzer and I hail from Golarion, the city of Absolom to be precise".
|
Netzer looks at Nadima a scowl on his face very quiet so only she might hear these people are very suspicious, don't single us out by telling anyone anything about us and then Netzer turns to Lucifer and says listen I appreciate the questions but perhaps this might wait until somewhere more private and after we know you better.
Luc cocks his head at Nadima's comment, but he laughs at Netzer's suspicion. "Try to relax, friend. True, the people here can be mistrustful of strangers, but steeping yourself in fear and suspicion is no way to live your life--certainly no way to make new companions. I'm sure these people will come around if you act with good intent."
Nadima's face goes red in embarrassment, "Sorry Nezter, it's just I've never been away from Absolom before and I don;t know how we got here and I don;t know how to get back..."
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Bannock had not joined the others.
He found a quiet corner, enshrouded by the dark, where the evil of the saturated this place seemed to meet a low ebb. He drew his weapon and took a knee, bowing his head. Long time he spent in deepest reflection, his spirit tormented that he had failed at the last battle, tossed about like a farmer with a pitchfork, his devotion to the healing arts ultimately impotent to bring down the foe.
In his muttering he reached to the heart of the Divinity, dwelling hard on what he should take as his course.
At last it came to him. Though an army on the march might have need of logistical support, and may offer the olive branch next to the sword, in this, his current situation, his quest, he could brook no such softness.
He made a stone of his heart, giving off the genteel spirit that lay at the center of the LifeCleric soul, and now he swore that he would know...
Only War.
Bannock at last enters the establishment and sits down next to Khalid without a word of explanation.
"Greetings," he rumbles at all gathered.
Hey, Bannock. How goes it, mate? Seems like we've been thrown in with these blokes fer some reason. Is there anythin' that needs investigatin' here in Kartakass, wherever the hell that be? See murderin' was easy t'see as a problem that needed solvin' in Blackchapel. What is the problem here?
Right, mate.