Zumii will follow the others as they leave quickly. If Zumii gets the chance she will cast on Hadrian.
Zumii will follow the others as they leave quickly. If Zumii gets the chance she will cast on Hadrian.
1d20+11
I pause for Zummii's attentions.
"Thank you good lady but let's make haste. I'd rather we see less of these fellows."
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As everyone else hustles forward, Zumii takes the round to check over Hadrian and to apply some healing. They follow shortly after the others down the hallway and around the corner just in time to hear shouts behind them about the other fallen knights.
Not stopping to check on the closeness of the pursuit the group moves ahead 120 feet before reaching another junction with two ladders. Checking the walls, Salm finally finds a marker that looks like it is pointing upward but there is also another smudge that could be a marker pointing down the tunnel to the right.
Salm quickly makes up his mind. He turns to the next in line, "Go up the ladder. I'll make sure they stay back until everyone is safely up." He moves to the back of the line and prepares to fire at the first hellknight that comes into view.
Hadrian scurries up the ladder, prepared to see if there's a new threat there and really hoping there isn't.
Zumii follows the others up the ladder.
Tobias takes a moment to examine the markings...with a slight hesitation, he looks back momentarily, and then follows the others--hurriedly scampering up the ladder.
Once everyone is up, Salm also hurries up the ladder.
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Deciding to take the chance on the ladder Hadrian leads the group up the ladder. As he is about to push upon the grate, a pair of gloved hands reached through and pulls it up instead. With the dying light of the day shining behind her, Janiven reaches her hand down and says, "Hurry! We don't have much time!"
Helping each person up and out, the group finds itself in a small alleyway next to a boarded up doorway that appears to belong to an abandoned temple. Morisimo stands next to the boarded up door and bangs on it as Salm finally exits the tunnel. Closing the grate, Janiven points to the door, "Go through there! She quickly wraps a chain and re-attachs a lock before following the group to the door. As the group gathers around the boarded up door suddenly opens revealing it not to be so boarded up after all.
A large human male with dark hair and beard dressed in a plain leather jerkin and leggings stands with a lantern on the other side of the door. His large arms are pocked with burn marks indicating he might work as a blacksmith. While he looks nervous he quickly ushers everyone inside and closes and bolts the door.
Moving further into the building you find that the building is indeed an old temple but what appears to be abandoned from the outside is actually quite functional on the inside. The large sanctuary has been converted into a functional meeting space and common room. Heavy black curtains hang over the windows blocking out any light from coming in or out. A number of people are standing in various places in the room but come over to see the group as Janiven says, "Welcome to the Children of Westcrown's safe house. We will be safe here until the Knights give up their search. While we wait for things to calm down perhaps we should get cleaned up and have something to eat. Nothing like a mad dash through the sewers to make one smell ripe and make you hungry. Morisimo can show you to the bath area and get you some clean clothes while we launder your gear."
ACTIONS?
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Apparently, not in the least bit phased by additional grime or lingering smells Lia plops herself down and begins to excitedly re-enact the story of the mad dash through the sewers after Janiven and the group parted company. When she finishes, "So, did you run into any trouble Janiven and what are we going to do now when things cool off?"
"I would like that bath that was mentioned. I suspect I smell worse than than an industrious whore." Wiping some slime off, "let's hope that we didn't pick up any diseases to complete the comparison."
"I shall leave my clothing as it is, after all we will have to trek back through those sewers again at some point." Zumii glances back towards the way they entered. "However refreshments would be greatly welcomed. Maybe you could tell us more about the Children of Westcrown & its sanctuary"
Zumii looks around to see if there is anything to note.
Salm accepts the hospitality of the Children of Westcrown. He does keep a weapon close at hand at all times, though.
Tobias does what he can to clean of his own clothing. Once satisfied, or at least as satisfied as he was going to get, he diverted his attention onto the group as a whole, Anyone have any wounds that need tending? Turning to the man, Tobias catches himself, Uh...excuse me, I didn't mean to be rude...I'll extend my offer of health to...these children, wherever they might be...
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Janiven motions to the man who let them in, This is Ermolos. He handles a lot of the heavy lifting and smithy work we need. He can show you to the baths and gather up the clothing for cleaning. We will be here for a bit but once the knights give up, we'll be able to move out from here without a return to the sewers."
Motioning to a halfling female, Janiven says, "Fiosa, could you be good enough to gather up some food for the main table. Our new guests had their meal interrupted and I would see them fed.
Returning her attention to the group, Janiven says, "It was quite a trip down there but we managed to stay ahead of them and got here just a few moments before you. I was half-scared to open the grate for fear that you were the knights."For now rest, eat and clean up while I find out what the situation is with Areal."
Janiven heads off to take to two human males near the front of the building leaving the group in the company of Ermolos and Fiosa. Each stands expectantly.
As an answer to Tobias' question regarding healing, Fiosa pipes up, "Oh are you a cleric? Whom do you worship, sir?"
Ermolos ignores Fiosa and says, "Our group has chosen the name of Children of Westcrown to show our allegiance to the people while trying not to sound like an anti-establishment or militant group. I'm not convinced its the best name, but its all we have come up with so far."
"It's a fine name. Brings to mind the love and hope one has for their children. Both are sorely needed in these dark times. Love gives people reason to fight for something better and hope gives them the will to act. The Children of Westcrown is a fine name indeed."
"It's a fine name. Brings to mind the love and hope one has for their children. Both are sorely needed in these dark times. Love gives people reason to fight for something better and hope gives them the will to act. The Children of Westcrown is a fine name indeed."
"It lacks punch though. Sounds like you do bake sales. But, my raising may have left me over concerned with the dramatic. It is a fine name."
Hadrian gives his best smile and heads to the bath hoping that the water is hot enough to disinfect.
Zumii removes her backpack, lays it on the floor on the right hand side of where she stands. She then removes her cloak, roughly folds it & then places on the ground so it can act as a cushion. Zumii then rests her shield against her backpack & sits down.
Zumii understands she isn't likely to sit for long, as no doubt the main table would be ready shortly for them, but she wants to appear to feel comfortable in the new & strange surroundings. She sits quietly and observes the others.
Zumii ponders. Hmm, an intriguing temple. One can only wonder who has resided here over the years
I agree; Children of Westcrown sounds like a most appropriate title for...whatever...this is...I've no ill-will toward our beloved Westcrown, but it is a sick city. Tobias trails off. He pauses a moment to collect his thoughts; reaching up to grab his chin, he furrows his brow and continues, talking to himself for all to hear; at this point, I suppose I am committed to...this. I'm not so naive to think that the pacifistic innocence of a child is what will cure this city's malady, but perhaps by adopting a less aggressive name, we can maintain a less offending posture with the local authorities, who through not-so-hushed whispers will inevitably discover, at the very least, the name of this operation. Yes, Children of Westcrown will do quite nicely.
Tobias collects himself, and addresses Fiosa with a sly grin, My my...Fiosa, was it? I do not rely on the unpredictable and often implacable whims of some higher power for my healing. Instead, I've learn to harness the energy of nature and combine it with the many mundane healing techniques I've studied. With that, I've learned to heal, and I offer these services to any being of any creed, religion, or species , friend or (unarmed) foe.
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After the initial rush of excitement dies down, people begin to move back to their appointed tasks. As Zumii looks around the temple she sees signs of Aroden though all but the basic architectural design has been changed. In its place are the working spaces and living quarters for the Children of Westcrown.
Meanwhile, Ermolos leads those who wish to bathe to the bathing room. 4 large copper tubs sit in the centre of the room with towels draped over the ledges. A small pantry of shelves and various soaps and perfumes line the top. Inside are a number of robes which Ermolos pulls out and places next to the tubs.
"The hot water can be drawn from the tap over there," he says pointing to the far wall where a spigot sticks out from a large tank sitting over a steaming vent.
Several buckets line the wall next to the tank. "Just put your clothes in the bin over by the pantry and we'll get them cleaned and returned to you. If you need anything else, I'll be in the common room.
His task complete, Ermolos turns and heads back to the common room and begins to assist with the final preparations for the meal. You notice as he walks that he has a slight limp in his right leg but despite this seems to move fairly easily and quickly.
Looking around the room, you take note of the other occupations. Other than Janiven, Morisimo, Ermolos and Fiosa, nine other people are in the safe house. Three are human females, five are human males and there is one female gnome.
A young woman who, while dressed very plainly, shows beautiful features nonetheless is folding clothing near the living quarter section of the room. Her brown hair is pulled back tightly in a bun atop her head while she grey dress is well secured up around her neck.
Over by the fireplace sits a strange-looking human male. His hair is green and his clothing has various small tools hanging from small hooks. Currently he is whittling a small flute and sending the shavings into the fire. A cloth cap with dangling straps adorns his head.
In the kitchen area, the remainder of the group is working on the meal preparations. A gnome female is directly traffic rather curtly as the others bustle about to get things ready. A human male larger than
Ermolos pulls the huge stew pot of the fire and scowls at the gnome as he hoists the pot onto another table and begins to ladle food into bowls. A young thin, wiry woman dressed in robes and with her blonde hair pulled back into a long pony tail stationed high on her head patiently listens to the gnome about setting the table before quietly taking the filled bowls and setting them around the table.
A young human female with fiery red hair and piercing green eyes sits at the table already, pouring over a book and making notes on a piece of parchment.
Two other human males who had been talking with Janiven move to start carving up meat and loading up plates talk quietly as they work occassionally looking in the group's direction.
The final human male fills pitchers with water and wine depositing them on the table with a number of goblets. He does not speak to anyone while he works, his long black hair, often sweeping in front of his eyes. His large hands show rough calouses.
Finally the table is set and all are called to the table.
Zumii gathers her belongings & heads to the dining table. Once there she places her belongings under a chair & gets settled.
Zumii directs her question to the human female with red hair. "If I may disturb you for a second, what book are you thumbing through?"
I'm taking a shower but keeping an eye on the door. I get out from the hot water once I'm clean to rejoin my new comrades.
After Salm fills a tub with water, he strips down without concern for modesty. He deposits his clothes within a bucket, lays his morning star against the tub and gets into a tub. He allows himself to rest for only a few minutes before scrubbing clean and getting out of the water.
In the common room, Salm takes a moment to get familiar with the layout and faces of the Children of Westcrown. He's one of the first at the table when it's finally time to eat.
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Zumii gathers her belongings & heads to the dining table. Once there she places her belongings under a chair & gets settled.
Zumii directs her question to the human female with red hair. "If I may disturb you for a second, what book are you thumbing through?"
The girl does not look up and says without taking her eyes of the page and in a slightly distracted voice, "Ah, its a tome on the fundamentals of incantations. The shopkeeper who sold it to me said that it was all the rage in Korvosa amongst the trainee wizards."
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Fascinated, Lia watches the man whittle for awhile before speaking, "I'd like to hear it played when you are done....and I've never seen green hair before..." Feeling somewhat self-conscious she lets her voice trail away.
The man finished up one of the air holes before looking up at Lia. He then pulls his hair around and takes a look at it almost as if it is for the first time, "I suppose it is a bit strange. I just like it. Helps me blend in with nature, I guess." He puts the small flute to his lips and tentatively blows. A soft whistle comes forth so he presses a few of the holes in succession to test the scale which seems to be pitch perfect. Smiling he extends the flute to Lia and says, "Care to try? By the way, my name's Vitti. What's yours?"
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If Thosys manages to catch the eye of the red head, he will say hello, or at least wave lamely. But he won't go out of his way, cause he's totally cool like that.
The young girl seems to be very intent on her book and doesn't even look up when Zumii sits down next to her and asks her about what she is reading.
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Hadrian and Salm both enjoy the warm of the tubs as they soak before cleaning up and returning to the main room and to the large table.
Once everyone is ready the food is brought to the table and everyone begins to eat. After everyone has had a chance to fill their plates and eat, Janiven stands up and says, "I'd like to welcome our new friends to the Children of Westcrown. Before we get to the business at hand, I think we should introduce everyone."
Walking around the table, she places her hands on each member's shoulders as she introduces them. The young beautiful woman with her hair in the bun and plain dress she introduces as Amya. The man with the green hair that Lia talked with is Vitti. The gnome kitchen taskmaster is called Yakapulto. The large man who handled the stew pot is called Rizzardo. The young wiry woman dressed in robes with the blonde ponytail is known as Mathalen. The young red-headed girl who is still reading the book is Tarvi. The two men who were talking with Janiven are Gorvio and Larko and finally the man who was filling the pitchers is called Scalvo. Janiven also re-introduced Ermolos and Fiosa before introducing each of you.
With introductions out of the way, Janiven's face turns more serious and she moves back to her seat at the table, I wish we had more time to get to know one another but I am afraid time is of the essence. The Hellknights of the Rack have taken our leader, Areal, prisoner and their plan is to transport him back to their keep outside of the city. Should they make it there with him, we have no chance of rescuing him. Word is that they are transporting him within the next few hours and allowing those armigers that caught him to run escort on the prisoner wagon. I propose that we ambush the wagon and free Areal. If we can get Areal back into the city I am sure that the city leaders will not allow them to take him again as they were not too pleased about moving him this time.
Standing once again she takes a piece of parchment from Tarvi's pile, who protests only slightly before quieting down after a disapproving look from Janiven, and begins to draw a rough map of the terrain. She outlines the roads from the city and the location of the secondary road to the Hellknight stronghold. "There are two possible places we could launch an ambush, she says as she indicates two locations on the map, "One is an area where the brush has not been cleared very far from the road and the other one is where a bridge crosses over a stream. It does not provide as much cover but it does provide the choke point of the bridge. I think we should attack the wagon from one of these places and make off with Areal. We'll have to do it with the minimal casualites so as to not draw more amenity from the Hellknights or the people of Westcrown. What say the rest of you?
Salm was oddly surprised that he was so willing to join in this conspiracy. I guess that's why I follow the Everbloom, he thought.
"Which location will they arrive at first?"
Zumii considers what she has just heard.
"Is it possible they would take both routes? One path with Areal and the Hell Knights guarding him, the other path with purely Hell Knights to ensure no-one interferes? Or are these Hell Knights too head strong to even consider anyone would try & attempt a rescue?
Zumii asks the group as a whole, not knowing who would have more knowledge in regards to how the Hell Knights tend to operate.
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The man finished up one of the air holes before looking up at Lia. He then pulls his hair around and takes a look at it almost as if it is for the first time, "I suppose it is a bit strange. I just like it. Helps me blend in with nature, I guess." He puts the small flute to his lips and tentatively blows. A soft whistle comes forth so he presses a few of the holes in succession to test the scale which seems to be pitch perfect. Smiling he extends the flute to Lia and says, "Care to try? By the way, my name's Vitti. What's yours?"
"It's Lia." Taking the flute from him she gives it an experimental blow or two. Gaining slightly more confidence she tries to emulate the hand movement that he did. Stopping she looks to him, "It's very beautiful. You want to blend in with nature? Are you one of those wilderness warriors or people who talks with animals?"
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In response to Janiven's question, "I think we should go with where the brush hasn't been cleared. It'll mask our numbers and we can lure them away while others free the prisoner. We could also rig up a hidden rope or line across the road that would stop the wagon when it approached." From her excitement and smile, you can tell the thought of being able to strike back at the Hellknights is obviously one that sits very well with Lia. In response to Zumii, "Oh yes, they are always full of themselves just like the ones we met in the sewers."
Hardian sits forward after listening for several minutes. If we plan on escaping and not killing them we need to immobilize them. Can we plausibly dig trapped pits or use nets to our advantage?
I must agree with Hadrian, here. Tobias interjects with a somewhat glum look. If we must attack an office of Westcrown directly, I'd rather do it with as little bloodshed as possible. I may be able to put the driver to sleep, or perhaps we can disable the horses some how? Traps seem best, especially anything nonlethal. I'll help you only under the pretense that we are liberators, not murderers .
Tobias then sits down with a resigned sigh and a worried look on his face.
"You are naive fools if you believe that no one will die during this rescue. If you insist on using only non-lethal force, then it will be our people to die rather than theirs. I agree that we should do all that is reasonable to minimize death, but don't lose sight that first we need to minimize the death of our people then worry over the death toll on the other side."
"You are naive fools if you believe that no one will die during this rescue. If you insist on using only non-lethal force, then it will be our people to die rather than theirs. I agree that we should do all that is reasonable to minimize death, but don't lose sight that first we need to minimize the death of our people then worry over the death toll on the other side."
With a slight twitch, Tobias grits his teeth as regards Salm, You'd call us naive for wishing to preserve life? Who're we to decide who deserves to die and live? I will not kill someone. I refuse it.
Tobias, realizing what he spouted off almost as a reflex, then gathers himself, calming his countenance. Excuse my outburst, Salm, but you must understand, Im not denying you the use of your blade, merely asking we respect life, regardless of affiliation. Also, consider this: We are to be the Saviors of Westcrown, not some rabble of freedom fighters bent on toppling society. If we are to win the hearts of the people, we must prove that tyrannical leadership of force is NOT the only means of living. While I understand we will find ourselves in situations where people will want to slit our throats, and a lethal defense may be necessary, I believe, firmly, we should take every effort to avoid that situation.|
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Janiven listens as people weigh in on the issue at hand. After a moment of contemplation she speaks, "I understand that people may die in this rescue attempt. I am not suggesting that we throw ourselves on their swords. I am agreeing with Tobias. We need to minimize the fatalities so as to not look like those we profess to disagree with. Now, we need to firm up a plan. We have less than a hour to get out ahead of the prisoner wagon so the possiblities of digging pits is not likely. The two proposed ambush sites are both along the secondary road that branches off from the main road. The Hellknights will not be expecting anyone to attack them on their own road so we will have an advantage. My thought was that most of the group provide a distraction further up the line from the actual ambush site to draw off escort. We line an area close to this group with caltrops to drop the horses leaving the heavily armoured knights far from the wagon. This will allow the main ambush group attack the wagon and free Areal. The secondary force heads for the bush to avoid contact with the knights and the main force can incapacitate the wagon guard and free Areal and be gone before the other knights can get back to the wagon. Thoughts?"
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"It's Lia." Taking the flute from him she gives it an experimental blow or two. Gaining slightly more confidence she tries to emulate the hand movement that he did. Stopping she looks to him, "It's very beautiful. You want to blend in with nature? Are you one of those wilderness warriors or people who talks with animals?"
Vitti smiles and says, "I am much more interested in the animals and the sounds of the nature that surrounds us than being a warrior. There are times when nature must fight back against encroachers. When that happens, I will be there to fight by nature's side.
Standing up, he wipes the shavings from his clothing and smiles at Lia, "It would please me if you would keep the flute as my gift to you. You seem like one who appreciates the small things in life. Gingerly he takes Lia's hand and then bends low to kiss it, not taking his eyes from her face. His kiss complete, he moves towards the table and takes his place near Janiven and awaits the meal to begin.
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Standing up, he wipes the shavings from his clothing and smiles at Lia, "It would please me if you would keep the flute as my gift to you. You seem like one who appreciates the small things in life. Gingerly he takes Lia's hand and then bends low to kiss it, not taking his eyes from her face. His kiss complete, he moves towards the table and takes his place near Janiven and awaits the meal to begin.
"Oh! Thank you." Her smile turns to surprise as he takes her hand and kisses it. Hoping her blush isn't as bright as it feels she drops her head so her hair falls over her face as she pretends to be preoccupied with examining the flute.
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At the mention of using caltrops on the horses Lia frowns, "I don't see a need to hurt the animals if we strike and then fade back into the thick brush. Have everyone create a diversion on one side of the road and then I can sneak up from the other and free Areal. Tobias can put anyone they leave behind to sleep for me. You can do that like you did in the sewers, right Tobias?"