The dark streets seem to stretch and distort to lengths and dimensions you know they don't possess. The darkness itself feels oppressive, and a certain anxiousness gnaws at your hearts, though each keeps his or her primal fear as secret as possible, to preoccupied with keeping silent to notice that your companions share your nervousness.
Wat bringing up the rear feels as if something is watching him, and as the Canorden comes into sight at the end of a long alleyway his fears are confirmed, something, seemingly part of the shadows lashes out at him, though he narrowly avoids the blow.
Initiative;
I spin on my heel and wildly swing my axe towards the shadowy form, while Chompsky races up and lunges for where the creature's throat ought to be.
My attack:
Chompsky's attack:
Can I make a Perception check to see what I can gather of the beast?
-1d20+2
I spin on my heels and take a step forward, toward Wat, and cast .
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I spin on my heels, take a sunrod from my bag, sidestep to get a better angle for throwing, tap it off the ground before throwing it at the beast, to see how affected by light they are.
ROUND 1
Wat turns and strikes out at the shadowy foe, and manages to land his attack despite the shadowy conditions. Chompsky however doesn't even manage to find his foe in the dark.
Wat's Damage:
Euphemi lights up the alley with a well-struck sunrod. The shadowgarm seems to writhe slightly in the light, but is not obviously harmed.
The Shadow creature tries again to attack Wat, only one of the three claws that appears out of the creatures dark pseudopods actually hit Wat, dealing . They do however leave a thin film of dark slime, which Wat feels beginning to numb him where he was hit. Wat however easily resists the numbing effects.
Finally Ignatio manages to hynotise the creature, which now ceases to regard him as prey and may even follow a request, if he could communicate with it.
I look intently at the creature, trying to figure out how the sunrod is affecting it
I then proceed to run up behind Wat and clap him on the back, imparting some of my magic to help him with his defense against the beast.
I take my axe in both hands and lash out again, as Chompsky turns and lunges once more.
ROUND 2
Wat and Chompsky are temporarily blinded by the sunrods sudden appearance adn miss the shadowy creature.
Euphemi moves forward to aid her Andoren companion, casting a glamer of protection over him.
The shadow creature releases a bizarre sound, somewhere between hiss and deflation and strikes at Wat once more. Landing two blows despite Euphemi's protection. Though Wat once more resists the numbing effect.
Ignatio steps up into combat, trying to take advantage of the creatures distraction. however the cobbled streets badly hamper him and he misses terribly, almost hitting Wat.
Blinking the spots from my eyes, I face the creature once again.
"Don't anger me, beastie!" I roar, swinging my axe over my shoulder in a vicious two-handed smash.
,
Chompsky bites at the creature's misty form.
,
Guilty at my inability to protect my companion, I instead try to heal him of some of the wounds he has suffered.
ROUND 3
Wat roars his challenge to the shadow beast and strikes it a vicious blow. Chompsky narrowly misses emulating his master.
Euphemi seeing the damage inflicted on Wat heals him with an archaic ritual.
The creature lashes out at Wat, Chompsky and Ignatio this time, only hitting Ignatio, and numbing him with its almost immaterial slime. It then retreats 5ft. up the nearby wall. Preparing to escape.
However, Ignatio incenced by the creatures audacity steps forward and skewers it with his rapier, and the creature folds up and shrivels, soon rolling into a small blueish sphere with a dry but oily seeming surface.
I pick up the small sphere and slip it into a pocket inside my cloak.
"What do you think," I say to my companions "Ought we t' keep hunting?"
"I think we could take another one. The more specimens we get, the better we'll understand these beasts. Next time, let me get in first so I can use my magic to burn it before you guys run in."
"Good thought lass... p'raps we ought to stick t' th' plan for th' nixt one we encounter."
Ignatio agrees and you begin to search the night once more. You arrive at the Canorden soon, and wander its banks, avoiding a Dottarit patrol. However you hear a blood-curdling howl that chills you to the bone and sets fear alight in your hearts, followed by horrific crunching noises, the glimmer of light from the dottari's patrol a few streets over goes dark. In the aftermath there is only the nagging fear.
Ignatio and Euphemi manage to get themselves under control, but Wat's mind is filled with panic stricken images of being hunted through the woodlands at night by hounds composed of shadow. He is filled with the desire to get as far away from the source of that howl as possible. Chompsky whines, his tail slung low ready to flee, but unable to leave his master's side.
"D'ye think we ought t' look for another creature tomorrow night, maybe?" I cautiously but urgently mutter to my companions.
"Pull yourself together Wat. We beat one of these things pretty easily, we can do it again."
"Ignatio, how are your wounds? Want me to tend to them?"
Ignatio scowls at Euphemi, 'Thank you for the healing, but I have to say Wat is the stranger to our streets and you the local, yet he is uttering far more sense.'
'Whatever made that noise defeated a dottari patrol with barely a fight. Could we do the same? Are you so sure there is nothing in the night but shadowgarm?'
'Let's go now, I don't want to, but me and Wat will drag you if needs be, overconfidence will get you killed out here at night, and I wont allow it. You should know that.'
As you argue the silence has fallen again. Your debate is interrupted by a snuffling sound, as if a bloodhound finding a trail, but loud. Whatever made the sound must be nearly the size of a horse to have made such a sound. The thumps of padded feet move closer.
"You speak sense friend. It's obviously bigger than the last one. Let's get out of here while we can. If we get separated, we'll meet back at the temple."
Your heart pounding race through the streets returns you to the temple, wherein you tell your allies about your encounter then head for sleep, haunted somewhat by the eerie howl.
The next morning however dawns brightly, and with Arael and a beautiful woman who gives her name as Tarvi, a jeweller who wishes to be a scholar if she can earn enough funds to hire a shop manager in kitchen. Arael's cooking proves far more palatable than Janivens, who is away on various errands and missions.
In the main chapel are five more members who Arael introduces: Sclavo a queit genuine man with broad shoulders with a holy symbol of Iomedae on a chain, Gorvio a chatty lively young horse trader with bright amber eyes, Fiosa a dark-haired halfling who has become Arael's initiate, Rizzardo a muscular Varisian with a handaxe on his belt, and Mathelen a slim athletic woman in the garb of a porter of on of the great Houses.
After pleasantries are exchanged, Arael reminds you of the various tasks he beleives will further your shared goals:
-defeating Whitechin, the Goblin King,
-claiming the reward from Bluehood for slaying the shadowbeast,
-and helping Gorvio's uncle with a troublesome noble
"I can't but say as I'd like to see th' nobility taken down a notch, what problem has yer uncle, Gorvio?"
'An actor, by the name of Thesing demands a particular type of horse, but the last man to borrow the horse was murdered west of town and the horse went into the forest. Unless he can get the horse, or another if it's breed to fulfill his contract, Thesing has threatened to sue my uncle and take his stables from him. He'll never beat a noble in court! I need to convince Thesing to give us time so that the new horse can arrive from the country, but he won't listen to us. Perhaps you can help?'
"Which forest has the horse rub into? Is there anyone in the chapel who is any good with tracking who could help us find the horse? If not, what kind of horse is it, and how available/expensive would it be to get another one of the same breed?"
"And my final question: If we have to take matters into our own hands, where can we find this nobleman?"
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I walk slowly around the room, staring about me, half listening to what is being said. My eyes roam over everyone and everything, till I decide it is my time to speak.
"You know... My Grandmother was a world renowned Bard!" my voice carries low but clear through the air as I stare deep and hard into the fireplace. "And my Father, son of a whore that he is, is of Noble blood!" a grimace crosses my lips and I spit coldly into the fireplace. "Wat and Euphemi may search for this horse but, and I think they will agree with me, only I can deal with the Nobleman. Actor Thesing did you say?" I turn, staring Gorvio long and hard in the eyes. "If I may... I believe that, with a little persuasion, I would be able to sway this Thesing for you."
I turn away, a look of deep thought settling over me. I take a seat on the bench and begin strumming my harp softly, as if I have drifted away.
"Sorry Ignatio, it's hard to hear you when you're talking to the fireplace. Personally I reckon we should stay together. We all have skills necessary to each task. If we're going to get the horse, Ignatio can hypnotise it into submission, Wat can calm it when the hypnosis wears off and I can heal it of any wounds.
Both you and I know, Ignatio, how fickle and petty the nobility can be in this town; especially actors - present company excluded, of course. If Thesing can be bargained with, he'll be much more agreeable."
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Looking up from my harp I fix Euphemi with a steely glare.
"I know this to be the best course of action. I also know the Nobility, as yes I am part of it. And, should you claim to know the way of Nobles so well, then surely you know that neither you nor Wat have the skills necessary to interact with them. Really the horse can be gotten without me but if the Noble goes unattended he will be most inclined to drag our Gorvios Uncle in front of a Council or simply have his throat slit. I know THIS for truth as it is exactly how my father would act. Now you may decide to wait here or to search for the horse, I am not your Guardian so I hold no sway over you girl. But I can not bring you to the Noble as we are not known associates. You wouldn't get close enough to the Noble to speak to him yourself and if you tried you would more than likely be trussed up and thrown in a cell and I could not save you from that. So here we are... You sit here and sulk or go find the horse but I must go visit this Actor Thesing!" I nod sharply and turn back to my harp, my anger now cold and dead.
A tight lipped smile crosses my face as I reply:
"No need for raised tempers Ignatio; all I am saying is that Thesing will be more agreeable if we have the horse. If you want to make things harder for yourself, be my guest. I may not be a part of the high society, but I know how these people work at least as well as you do.
If we have the horse before you go to talk to him, you can bargain with him, and use the horse as leverage. If you go empty handed, he could easily just throw you out of his house, noble blood or no. Once Thesing needs to be talked to, you are the only man for the job - I am merely trying to give you all the help you can."
Arael raises his hands to sooth the harsh words being spoken, 'Freinds, please. Let's decide on a course of action and stick to it, working together. Young Gorvio is in need, and we have to start improving the lifes of the Wiscrani however we can.'
"I reckon we ought t' look fer the horse. Doesn't do no good sittin' here as you have yer words with Thesing, may as well look fer the damnable beast. What kind of a horse was it? Could we get anything t' track it by?"
Gorvio pipes up at this, rubbing his long hands awkwardly on his workman's apron.
'It was a Diritan Blond, a rare breed with sandy yellow colouring and a white mane. I have the last saddle he wore before he went missing with me.'
Gorvio fetches the saddle from nearby and gives it to Wat.
"First thing's first: Where is the last place the beast was seen? Along which road was this man murdered? How long ago? Obviously, time is of the essence, so we should try to mobilise and get the horse as quickly as we can."
"And is there owt else livin' in th' forest that we should be afeared of?"
'Out the east side of town, I can take you. The forest is a bit wild, theres said to be bandits, even though its on the road from the Hellknight Citadel to the City. There may also be monstrous wild beasts, the countryside is not half as populated as it once was. Shall I take you there? I can take you to the scene of the murder, but it would dangerous on my own.'
As Gorvio replies to the other two, Arael comes to stand beside Ignatio.
'Will you head off to find the location of this actor? I've a feeling assuaging him is of a more timely imperative than finding the horse. He needs to be calmed down and diverted from seeking to harm Gorvio's uncle.'
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A small smile of triumph crosses my lips and my fingers dance happily across the strings of the harp, bringing forth a joyous, merry tune.
"To practice my art for Noble blood? T'would be an honor sir!" A small pleased laugh escapes me and I stand, facing the room. "Well dear friends before we part ways let me play you a verse or two, in the hopes that the music stirs within you a passion to match my own. A passion to see young Gorvios' uncle healthy and hale!"
I begin playing, a look of intense concentration upon my face as the verse pours forth in a tidal wave, alternating between sorrow, anger and complete joy. As the verse falls away I smile softly and turn my head to look at the group, seeking any sign that my performance had had an effect.
Turning my back to Ignatio's performance, I give Gorvio my full attention; "How quickly can you be ready to leave? I reckon we ought bring along someone who knows how to track. Who would you recommend?"
The gathered children seem to take heart from Ignatio's rendition of the major soliloquay's of Lord Ferederi formt he well-known, though now old play Against Gallowspire, wherein the hero steals into the Whispering Tyrants spire to allow Aroden entrance and succeeds heroically against all the odds.
Many of the gathered women, excepting Janiven and Euphemi look at Igantio with warmer eyes after the performance.
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Arching an eyebrow coolly at Euphemis clear dismissal, I smile, turning to stow my gear and move back to stand before Arael, checking my blade before speaking. "Lets go. Lead me to someone with some information and I will take it from there!"
I turn and clasp Wat by the shoulder. "Gorvio can lead you to me when you find the horse. Do not, and I must stress this, do not let it be known you know me unless I make a move to greet you as such. This is my area Wat and I need to play it accordingly!" I smile and clap the man softly on the shoulder.
I move to Gorvio and pat him on the back. "I'll spin this bastard Lord round my finger and have him eating out of my palm. Your Uncle will be a free man. I am Ignatio Aulamaxa, my name means something!" I smile and nod softly.
"And of course our dear host..." I smile, moving to shake Janivens' hand. "Enjoy my little piece...?"
I listen quietly for a moment before nodding and smiling a little. I turn and bow to the remaining men and women in the room before fixing Euphemi with a cold stare. I nod tersely before turning and heading for the door.
I gather my gear and get ready to go. Making sure my axe is secure at my hip, the saddle is safely contained in my pack, and my hound is at my side.
"I don't envy you, navigating th' upper circles of society, bard. Fare thee well with yon spoiled actor." Turning to Gorvio, I say "Lead th' way, lad. Sooner we get this business sorted, sooner your uncle is safe."
Gorvio leads the way out and into the city, it bustles now under the midday sun people trading and shopping and working hard. Sharing jokes and stories, and whispered promises of trysts. You see a hint of Westcrown one was, what it may someday be again.
You are lead out of the north-western gates, near the divide between Parego Spera and Parego Dospera, and soon find your self in the forest. Gorvio leads you to the site of the ambush, where Chompsky searches for a trail.
Arael looks solemnly at Ignatio, 'I'm afraid I know no more about this actor that you do. I recommend you ask around town and some bars near the playhouse to find out his haunts. Would you like one or two of the Children to accompany you? I worry about getting them hurt, their not as adept in fights as you are, but I'm sure this will be an endeavour free of blood-letting, and their eager to help.'
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"If any danger should befall us I will of course put myself between them and it, and allow them to flee to safety. You have my word Arael. I think I may have need of two Apprentices!" I smile, looking at two of the Children, a boy and girl, around the same age, with long fair hair. "We need clean respectable clothes and instruments..." I frown, sitting down to pen a list on a sheet of paper.
I scrawl my signature on the bottom of the page and add my symbol before handing it to Arael along with a bag of money. "Emblazon the Outfits with my personal Crest. Find the quickest Seamstress you can. Give her 5 Gold for the effort. We are going to find these youngsters a bath and a Barber, and fast!"
IGNATIO
WAT AND EUPHEMI
Chompsky picks up the trails with ease, and shadowed by Gorvio who bears a shield and shortsword, you are led deep into the woods, as it becomes dark and overgrown.
If it is too dark to see, I'll hit up a sunrod for my companions, and cast light on my crossbow, which is in my hands. I look into the forest, Blacky on my shoulder, hoping to catch a glimpse of anything which might lead us to the horse.