The Forbidden Land of Sundara: Insurgency IC

[Plushie Arz]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Evercursed/6ff2c2ae-d032-4a03-bed7-2a1c7ef96e9e.jpg

It was once called the Shrouded City but the shroud around Kiiska has fallen. The city was built within the deep jungles of southern Sundara and it very much formed part of the landscape. The city was layered in tiers. On the forest floor, between columns of hollowed out trees was the Undercity, where the paved streets and laneways winded under a canopy of timber decks and vine webbings. It was the domain of half-breeds, beggars and those deemed unworthy of scaling the dizzying heights of elven society.

Above the Undercity, the elves crafted a network of timber platforms and walkways between the branches that was connected to everywhere but led nowhere. The lower trunks and branches were reserved for citizens and artisans and the apartments within the hollowed out trunks were designed accordingly. In this sense, hundreds of elves could live within the trunk of a single redwood. As the branches ascended and the trunks narrowed, the stature of their inhabitants rose. The highest platforms were home to the most privileged. Politicians and the nobility lived a life of hedonism and luxury, protected by mighty spellwards and far from the morass of the Undercity.

At the centre of the city was the White Monarch; a vast whitewood almost three hundred feet high with trunk of over fifty feet diameter. When the old Council ruled, they held court on the highest platform in the White Monarch. The upper tiers now lay abandoned and spell-damaged while the lower sections serve as the stronghold for the new Kiiskan government. The new regime shares their stronghold with the Order of the Morning Sun, who had established a fortified safety zone around perimeters of the inner city. It is from there that they conduct their operations while keeping the city under constant vigilance.

BAKU

It was a violent neighbourhood; one which the Order and Kiiskan patrols avoided partially because of the stray arrows that tended to find their mark between the joints of armoured plates. It was also the domain of the Harbringers, a faction of Jagon worshippers lead by Warlord Hogarth, a mighty orcish warrior. In an underground storeroom, Baku was among a crowd of singing orcs, goblins, kobolds and humans, strangely united by their circumstances. Incense and smoke filled the chamber, masking the odour of sweat and coupling bodies. They had won a great victory over the Order to which Baku contributed; smashing a supply caravan and freeing prisoners. They passed around racks of salted pork and flagons of spiced wine, exchanging stories and giving in to their baser urges.

At the centre of the room, Warlord Hogarth lay by the stone brazier, straddled by his newest prize. She was one of the freed prisoners, a savage looking woman who called herself Zargen-tesh. She claimed she was human but Baku, among others, suspected she had some goblin blood, with her long hooked nose and filed teeth. Her dark hair was slicked behind her pierced ears and she wore a crude necklace of severed fingers around her thin neck. “JAGON!” Her ecstatic scream rose above the chanting. She drank heavily from the gold goblet, the dark wine running down her chin and between her full breasts. “PRAISE CHAOS! PRAISE JAGON!” The men standing around the room shouted encouragement.

Baku was seated on a low bench in the corner of the room with a leg of roasted horsemeat in one hand. He hadn’t eaten that well for months, and it was his first hot meal since he arrived in Kiiska. Opposite him, sat several of his fellow Harbringers; Rowgar the Orc, Skinny Skreven and Fat Waros.
"baku fought good first time!"* Skreven, a wiry gnoll, raised a steaming tankard to the hobgoblin. “baku shot down three horses!”
"baku smart" Conceded Rowgar, tearing off a chunk of roasted horse. "horse easier hit than metal man"
*Orcish


BRANNA
Branna had always liked Kiiska. The shrieking of birds in the canopy, the organic architecture of the city and the grey elven devotion to Nai’Tuhra made her feel as comfortable as she had ever been when she was out in the wilderness. She sat on the edges of a treetop platform, Mahb purring beside her in the darkness. The area had once been a popular nightspot, where elves drank their sweet wine and frolicked under patches of conjured illumination. The surrounding apartments were now all darkened and boarded up, one of the first changes under the new regime. Few dared to breach the evening curfew.

Of course, the elves had always been decadent, freely indulging in the pleasures of flesh and dreamweed. In fact, hedonism was encouraged by the Old Kiiskan Council and any who did not partake in such excesses were seen as deviant. But the elves knew their place in nature, never despoiling the jungle in which they made their home. The Order of the Morning Sun were different. Branna had seen huge tracts of forest reduced to nothing more than barren husks by the toxic gas that Order mages had conjured in their warpath to Kiiska.

Branna heard the sounds of feet on the streets below her. From her elevated platform, she could see two figures turning the corner.
DM: Spot and Listen checks from Branna and her animal companion.

KATRIA
It had only been five weeks since Katria last saw Kiiska. She missed her home, with the raised decks and walkways that twisted between the great redwoods. She also missed the twisting alleyways of the Undercity, where her friends danced between the rare columns of sunlight that pierced the verdant canopy. It was with sorrow that she remembered the last time she saw them, marching off into the jungles with the rest of the Order prisoners. They would all be gone now.

It was evening when Katria left the safehouse and ventured into the streets. The Undercity was almost unrecognisable, empty and lit by torchlight. The acrid odour of smoke filled her nostrils and piles of charred debris were heaped along the rough-hewn pavers. The adjoining buildings and whitewoods were battle-scarred and scorched. The few elves on the streets paid Katria little heed. They may have once been clad in finery but their silken clothes were smeared with dirt and they gave Katria scared, hungry glances before scampering into the darkness.

She recalled walking past her old home, the treetop apartment that she grew up in with her parents, only to find a half-elven couple living there with their two infant children. She was sure that a few blocks down, she saw a famous Kiiskan dancer, once renowned for her beauty, bent over in an alleyway under a balding human soldier. She quickly continued her pace.

She turned a corner, into a row of boarded up terraces under the boughs of a great white fig.

“Halt!” It was a familiar voice behind her. Katria could hear the sound of wood dropping onto the pavers. “Good goddess... Katria? Is that you?”

SHENRA
“I don’t know why you fight for those terrorists.”
Shenra stared through the fire-hardened bamboo bars of her cell at her gaoler. He was portly man with a thick neck and a closely shaven head. He wore the steel mail and white tabard of an Order soldier. He sat on a crude wooden stool opposite the cell, sharpening his dagger. She struggled against her bonds but the silken rope held. “You’re lucky the Justiciar is granting you people a trial. If I had my way, I would’ve put a knife through your throat.”

It was her second week of captivity. She was in a small ten by five foot alcove in the building which the Order had converted into a makeshift prison. She still remembered the circumstances of her capture, the screams of her companions as they died around her and the dull throbbing at the back of her head as a solid lead mace found its mark. They had been told by their informants that the Order outpost was undermanned and well-supplied. It seemed too easy, a quick hit and run raid that would feed their resistance cell for the next couple of weeks. They took out the sentries easily enough- two green boys who had probably never seen combat before they died screaming in a spray of blood. What she didn’t realise that it was an ambush. By the time the mages arrived, it was already too late.

She looked around the room. It was dark, probably underground and the only source of light was a flickering torch behind their gaoler. From her position, she could see that he sat in a circular room, approximately thirty feet wide, ringed by six other cells. Two of them were occupied; one by a blonde woman in her thirties wearing a dirty shift and another by a bearded man who may have once had a powerful frame but now looked woefully underfed.


DAELRIC
Daelric sat by the open balcony, looking at the darkened Undercity streets below. For the man who had never been to the jungles of the Deep South, the experience was deeply unsettling First, was the heat. When he had first seen Khallis, he scoffed at the girl’s exposed midruffs and bare arms. He now wiped his forehead and wished that he had packed a set of more comfortable clothes. He was in Oldentown when he had first met the elf. He was drinking in a tavern called ‘The Mermaid’s Pearl’, trying to maintain a low profile when she approached him.

He didn’t find her attractive – he thought she looked too much like a boy with her small, slim figure and rather flat chest with thin legs. However, she had a different proposition for him – join her in the South in a band of rebels. She had promised the usual incentives. Women, gold, magic items. But it was also the prospects of fighting the Order and running to a place far from civilisation. She had told him that the Order of the Morning Sun had taken the city and there was now a resistance forming against the occupiers. After two weeks of riding and three days of being eaten alive by jungle bugs, he had finally arrived in the outskirts of Kiiska.

The room in the safehouse was comfortable but sparsely decorated. The walls were formed out trunks of the ashen whitewood and the ceilings were coiled from the knotted tangles of the strangler fig. A small round table with four wicker chairs was placed in the centre of the room, the pale timbers illuminated by the pale glow of a magical cantrip. He heard the sound of steps from behind the door. Khallis would be coming.


FEEONA
She was a small sun-kissed girl with almond green eyes and auburn hair. Gods, those eyes! Feeona remembered staring at them as Khallis recounted the sacking of Kiiska and the rape of women by Morning Sun soldiers. It seemed at odds with everything the Church of the Morning Sun had taught her; the lessons of love and respect for her fellows. Of course, her own experiences as part of the campaign taught her otherwise.

Most women who fought for the Order of the Morning Sun were hardened veterans, trained to kill and defend the cause of the Goddess. The ones who were not often entered the convent and served Mornay in other ways. However, some of the men were a different story. Several of them would have been green boys with no experience of war or women before they signed into the army. Many others were plucked from their farms and workshops across both empires, and sailed to a strange land far away from home or family. They would have fought in the putrid jungles for months, seeing their friends die around them. Of course, when the Sol Jeremiah Bradford preached that all creatures were made to serve the will of man, she could see how a few of her former compatriots would have interpreted the message.

She met Khallis when she was working in Oldentown as a waitress at the Constance, a higher-end restaurant in the fancy part of town. The elf seemed to look beyond Feeona’s menial job and they spent the rest of the evening after work discussing religion, politics and the resistance forming in Kiiska. The way that she spoke; in an accent inflected common, captivated Feeona. That was when she decided to make a return to the Deep South.

Feeona followed Khallis up into the safehouse. She could not help but notice the elf girl’s bottom, tightly wrapped in black leather trousers and swaying as she ascended the stairs formed from the spellwarped tangles of a strangler fig. “This is just one of our many safehouses,” Explained the girl, “Hold onto the railings and watch the steps.”

[WebTiefling]

Branna glanced around for anyone else in the area before looking more carefully at the two figures below. While there were few indeed who could match her agility through the marvelous treeways, the soldiers were far too free with their arrows. Another thing she held against the Order.

Branna Spot: [roll0]
Mabh Spot: [roll1]
Branna Listen: [roll2]
Mabh Listen: [roll3]
Just two probably weren't a threat, though they were disturbing her peace.

[Plushie Arz]

BRANNA
It was dark but the clacking of armoured boots on the cobbled streets was unmistakeable. They were two men wearing the chainmail and leathers of the Order. In the torchlight, Branna could see their faces. One was stocky and brutish, his ruddy cheeks covered in a stubby growth. The other looked younger, his armour hanging off his lankly frame. They spoke loudly, their speech slurred and their steps were uneven.

“Saw ‘er a’ th’ markets. She ‘ad a nice body. Followed ‘er ‘ere”
“You spoke elvish then?”
“Only language I need wit’em’s this,” The brutish soldier rolled back his squinty eyes and moaned. The other howled at the lewd display.
“And her boyfriend? That thin fellow?”
“Won’t ‘e botherin’ no one after I was done with’im. Better’n th’grave.”
“Sod that. Can’t stand it when those ****s cry.”
“Aye. ‘Etter get back ‘fore some lad notices we’re gone”

[WebTiefling]

By the Mother!

It was only sentients that "naturally" had no restraint. The only time the natural creatures of the world ever behaved in such a destructive manner was if they were sickened in some way.

Branna watched them for a second. They were only two of the thousands that so brutally occupied the city, but they were a perfect picture of everything wrong - drunken to excess, dirty, and out to harm others for no reason but their own unbridled urges.

With the suddenness that stereotyped Halflings the world around, she decided.

They weren't missed at the moment, and it would be a blessing to the world if they never returned. She turned to Mahb, the black panther.

"You work your way down and come in behind them silently. I'll distract them from the front. When you see the chance, take the fat one from behind. I'll handle the skinny one."

She reached out and ruffled her ears.

"This'll be fun."

With that, Branna leaped to her feet and began running ahead of them, working her way down the levels to street level. It wouldn't be hard to distract a couple males like those two.

As she reached the crossroads, she peaked around the corner at the two guards plodding along. She quickly whispered out a call to nature. She summoned a medium-sized viper, and gathered it up in her arms under her staff and javelins. Human guards wouldn't be able to see any detail, especially in the gloom.

She took a quick breath and turned the corner, walking toward the approaching guards no more than 30 feet away. A halfling girl just carrying an armful of sticks after dark. Alone on an abandoned street. Approaching guards discussing recent rapes.

Branna grinned.

Mabh moving silently up behind them: [roll0]

[Vertharrad]

Katria

The misery and hardship Katria sees everywhere does it's best to shroud her heart in a deeper darkness then the one she wars with daily. She keeps the despair, grief, and heartache from overcoming her; keeping her expression happy for those who are more devastated at this occurance. She harbors no ill will for the half elves, they were nothing more than a convenience for those who are really going to pay. Even then the state of her people gives her resolve and determination to keep going.

She turns to acknowledge whoever spoke. She speaks ever so slightly so as to make it harder for others to hear. "May I help you sir?" *Elven

[sunwukong]

It's been months since Baku has gorged himself on meat, and even longer since he's had reason for laughter. Now, he finally is able to do both, and he clinks his own tankard of spiced wine against Skevern's before he drains it. He inhales the smoky air of the underground hideout with relish, and replies, "The pinkskins aren't so brave without their little beasties, are they? They're slower and weaker than us...there's just a lot of them. And they have armor, like you said. But even their best armor has a couple of arrow-sized holes in it." *Orcish

Baku is fairly confident that he can shoot down even an armored knight, given the opportunity. In this first battle, however, he chose to prioritize the tactical imperative to cause as much havoc as possible...three screaming, bucking horses definitely did that! And they're good eating too, he thinks as he takes another bite from the shank of one of his kills.

He accepts Rowgar the Orc's praise without boasting overmuch, but it does touch upon a small truth: on the whole, hobgoblins are much cleverer than orcs. Back when the Ghann tribe still existed, it was almost always hobgoblins that gave the orders. It's a bit strange to Baku to have Orcish suddenly become the common language rather than Goblin...but that doesn't matter compared to the relief of finally being amongst warriors once again! And Horgarth seems like a strong leader, Baku thinks to himself, I could get used to this.

His hunger, thirst, and need for acceptance from his peers all taken care of, Baku scans the room for a female freed prisoner who might prove as grateful to him as Zargen-tesh is to Horgarth. He's looking to catch the eye of a female hobgoblin in particular, though he won't be overly picky. The presence of humans among the Harbringers is another thing he'll have to get used to...but obviously, if they're living in the Undercity in the company of orcs, they have their own reasons for hating the Order of the Morning Sun. Still, we had best keep an eye out for spies among the pinkskins, Baku reminds himself. He doesn't notice that he is already starting to think of the Harbringers as "we" rather than "they."

[Plushie Arz]

BRANNA
The two soldiers paused in their steps when they saw Branna approach.
"Look at tha' lad!" Snorted the stocky one, "It's a monkey wi' tits!"
The young thin soldier sniggered at the remark but was cut off when a dark blur leapt onto his companion, knocking the man over. The brutish soldier screamed as Mabh tore at his exposed neck and jugular and Branna could smell the odour of piss as the young man befouled himself. "W-what is that?!" He demanded, his left hand reaching a pouch on his pocket.

KATRIA
"Katria, it's me, Jarren." Katria turned to see a young half-elven man in the woven armour of the United Kiiskan Guard. He moved forward and swept the elf in an embrace. The last time Katria had seen Jarren was weeks before the occupation and back then, he was dressed in the simple clothes of an artist. He was always soft spoken but with the helmet covering his tousled dark hair, he was almost unrecognisable. "I..I heard about what happened to your parents." He said, as he freed her from the hug. "I'm so sorry. They said it was a mistake. It wasn't ever supposed to happen."

BAKU
It was not difficult for Baku to fulfil his other needs. The scene was one of hedonistic chaos, where thralls, freed prisoners and cultists freely indulged in excesses among each other and themselves. It was some time later that a commotion erupted at the entrance of the chamber. Looking up, Baku could see Gulbeck Tosh forcing her way through the crowd grabbing around the neck of a thin man. She was six foot tall orc woman with braided brown hair and a pitted steel breastplate. She was probably in her late twenties and she was quite attractive with a fierce temperament. She had a red pin bearing Jagon’s sign on her left breast. The man on the other hand, was incredibly thin and pale, his black robes lending him a insect-like appearance.

"Lord Horgarth-" She started, averting her eyes from the wanton displays around her. "This one says he demands audience."

"You need to listen Warlord!" Wheezed the man, his eyes widening as he grabbed at Gulbeck's fingers. "O-otherwise, you're all going to d-die!"

The orc warlord cursed. "Third time this week, maggot. No, we're not interested. Throw him out. Baku, you deal with him."

[sunwukong]

Seeing as Gulbeck Tosh already has the scrawny human by the neck, Baku grabs him by the upper arm and forcibly marches him back to the doorway. He shoves the man out the door, then growls, "You're lucky the Warlord doesn't have me just cut your throat. Don't come back here."

Let me know if you want grapple checks.

Intimidate: [roll0]

[Plushie Arz]

DM: No grapple check necessary.

BAKU
Baku felt the cool outdoor air against his skin as he and Gulbeck hurled the man out of the door. The man rose and gritted his teeth. "You're fools if you think you can survive out here alone." He spat, rubbing his neck. "Horgarth might have won a small victory but he's no match for the Order. You'll die with him!"

[Vertharrad]

Katria

"Jarren?" A single silent tear rolls down her face. She hugs him back.

"I didn't know if I was gong to ever see you again. It looks like you've traded in your brush and paints for a soldiers life." A look of in-trepidation crosses her face quickly replaced with a smile. She wipes away the tear and composes herself.

"Are you working for them now? Did they really tell you what happened? They forced us into the dessert without the supplies or preparation needed, they herded us like animals to our death. I watched many of my people die. Why would that happen if they didn't mean to? Enlighten me as to why they prosper and we suffer. Why I see my people and other less fortunate creatures treated like we don't matter. Why do they destroy the beautiful jungle instead of learning to live in harmony with it? Why did they attack us? I asked my elders, but I got the impression that either they didn't know or didn't give it much thought."

She sighs before going on. "Do you see what I see just walking this simple path? These humans defile what they touch. And now you count yourself among them. I just want to understand. So that this doesn't have to happen again." * Elven She tells Jarren just some of the horrible sights she's seen choking back a sob at the horror of it all.

[Plushie Arz]

KATRIA
"Gods, it wasn't supposed to happen to you. I'm so sorry. It was Captain Atoloch Nar's idea. It was supposed to be just the lizardfolk and the goblinoid mercenaries who were supposed to be deported. The ones who came to our city to fight remember? I know nothing would bring your parents back but it was a terrible mistake."

Katria recalled the last days of the Old Kiiskan council. The city had well and truly devolved into a state of pandemonium with looting and constant skirmishes between the Order of the Morning Sun and the Kiiskan army in the streets and treetops. The presence of goblins, lizardfolk and even drow only added to the chaos.

"I'm not working for the Order." He said. "I was in the Undercity when the riots broke out and I figured I had to do something right? Vhoris took me on as a Kiiskan guard. He's First Speaker now and he rules the city. We've been doing good work, stopping the riots and looters since."
*Elven

[WebTiefling]

Branna flung the viper onto the skinny man along with the handful of javelins and staff. As the viper and Mahb attack the two, she grabs her staff from the ground.

Charge and Pounce:
Bite:[roll0] and damage: [roll1]
Claw:[roll2] and damage: [roll3]
Claw:[roll4] and damage: [roll5]
Rake:[roll6] and damage: [roll7]
Rake:[roll8] and damage: [roll9]
Bite:[roll10] and damage: [roll11] plus Poison (Constitution damage DC 11): [roll12]
Her animals would be able to finish these two off themselves, she knew, but she wanted to join in for cleaning up the world of these sort of scum.

[Alabenson]

Daelric settled into his Dance of the Spider stance as he moved to place the small table between himself and the room’s door. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Khallis so much as he didn’t trust anyone. And besides, it never hurt to be prepared in case things went sour.

[sunwukong]

Baku's eyes narrow at the man's insolence. He was more polite when Gulbeck was choking him, he thinks angrily. Baku waits for the human to leave, then turns and asks Gulbeck, "What was that about?" *Orcish

Originally, Baku had thought the human had some knowledge of a specific threat, but his prophecy of doom seems to be of a more general nature. If Baku had to guess, it almost sounds like the human is pushing for some kind of alliance...but what use is any group that would send such a weakling as their representative?

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria reaches to touch his right arm with her left hand. "I'm so sorry Jarren, I didn't mean to accuse you of anything. I just want to know why all this is necessary." Sweeping both of her arms to the sky and the sides indicating the run down sorry state of the city. "What was it we did to deserve to have our lives destroyed by war. Anyways are you on duty? If so I could wait till your off and then we could really have a chance to exchange stories." She smiles a sincere and happy smile. "I would like to dance with you later. I need to lighten the mood or I'll be buried under all this doom and gloom." * Elven

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

– Galatians 5:22-23


Mornay help me, I'm too shallow by half.

“Right,” Feeona muttered. “Steps.”

She peered warily at railing and steps both. Her right sabaton was placed on the first step tentatively, as some small part of herself absolutely insisted the tree needed a momentary warning of the welded steel to come. To let it sense that she was no intruder and intended no harm. Another step, and pause. Am I truly treading lightly so my full plate might not offend the stairwell? She shook her head at her own meekness, yet still put her right hand upon the railing gently.

Hewn wood, mortared stone and bolted steel had always served in the nation of Farlaen, but here nature was worked into every concept and construct. Plants grew in every season so it was self-evident even in the city that they lived. But with sorcery involved, Feeona couldn't guess if the buildings around them now weren't just alive, but also bore sentience. A moment was taken to reaffirm her grasp on the shield painted with a yellow sun, to clutch her helm between plackart, pauldron and palm, all with the left arm. So done, she focused her eyes firmly downwards, lest any vile hope steal on her, and ascended in earnest.

“Do you think they'll allow me to help?” she asked suddenly. “Your allies, I mean. All they know of Mornay are rape and robbery, travesty and tyranny. They'll think me some spy. Or a mercenary. I'm – I'm not oversure I can proof I'm not.” She stopped then and all but glowered intensely at the next step, scrutinizing it as though it might well be the most significant one she would ever take. “How do I show them her teachings are everything of love, when all I dare offer is war?”

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"Midnight Syndicate." Grunted Gulbeck, slamming the door in the man's direction. "Heretics and madmen. They want us to join them. Hell's chance." In the few weeks since he arrived in Kiiska, Baku had heard of the Midnight Syndicate, a group of fanatics who believed that Ni'Kote and Jagon were two aspects of the same deity. They were notorious for committing acts of opportunistic violence, revelling in sadistic and random slaughter.

BRANNA
The man shrieked as Branna summoned viper coiled around him and he dropped to the floor, rolling. Meanwhile, his companion's desperate screams turned to wet gurgles as Mabh tore into soft flesh.

DAELRIC, FEEONA
"You're invaluable to us, m'dear. You'll see."


* * *

Khallis opened the door. "Feeona, this is Daelric. He's good with the knife. Don't be alarmed Daelric, this is Feeona. She's sympathetic to our cause."

KATRIA
"Of course. It's been far too long" Jarren smiled and his expression softened. "I have good news too. Cortinea and I. She finally said yes. We married last week. We'd love to have you over sometime."

Cortinea was one of Katria's childhood friends and Jarren had pined after her for years. Whereas Katria had embraced a relatively ascetic lifestyle, Cortinea indulged in the hedonistic ways of Kiiska's elite - at times enjoying the favour of multiple paramours while deferring Jarren's attentions. Katria thought it typical of Cortinea to turn to Jarren when the tables turned.

[Alabenson]

Daelric takes a step back as he eyes Feeona, and the symbol of the Order on her shield, cautiously. A holy warrior, a paladin, or a martially inclined cleric perhaps? In any event, this could mean trouble; the last thing he needed was for some elven quisling to try to ingratiate herself to the new establishment by turning him in.

As Khallis finishes making the introductions, Daelric gives an elaborate bow. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Feeona was it? Tell me, what brings you to this enchanting cesspit of violence? As the words leave his mouth, Daelric tries to take an assessment of the situation.

Sense Motive roll for a Hunch
[roll0]

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria smiles wider then playfully punches him. "That's wonderful news. I told you she'd come around, you only had to 'strike' at the right time. I would love to see your place. But first I want to settle in and find a way of making a living. I don't think it would be safe to resume my former profession. Some people don't know what the right signals are, and I don't want to be sitting in the jail for defending myself. Maybe you could suggest some options?" *Elven

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC
Daelric couldn't see anything underhanded about Feeona. If anything, she looked an ordinary girl he might have encountered in Farlaen, few years younger than himself and a little naive.

[Plushie Arz]

KATRIA
"Well, you can always join the guard. Vhoris needs people like you to bring order back to Kiiska. The pay might not be great but there's always a warm meal and a roof over your head. But knowing you of course, there's alot of other things that need to be done. The riots left the Undercity devastated, not that it wasn't a bad place before the war. It's alot more dangerous down there now than it ever was."

[WebTiefling]

The man shrieked as Branna summoned viper coiled around him and he dropped to the floor, rolling. Meanwhile, his companion's desperate screams turned to wet gurgles as Mabh tore into soft flesh.

Branna shook her head as the skinny man grabbed at the snake. It was just a snake. If it weren't for her own prodding, here it would have slithered away instead of attacking - the man should have just grabbed the snake behind the head and he wouldn't have been bitten again. But no, he screamed and slapped, ensuring that the snake would remain panicked and biting.

More evidence that they were completely divorced from any good and natural sentiments.

There!

The man's head turned toward her and she took her shot.

Branna attack vs prone (-4 AC) guard [roll0] for damage [roll1]
Mahb full attack: bite [roll2] claw [roll3] claw [roll4] for damage [roll5] [roll6] [roll7]
Snake bite vs prone soldier [roll8] for damage [roll9] plus poison [roll10] Con damage DC 11.

[sunwukong]

Baku shudders slightly at the mention of Ni'Kote and the Midnight Syndicate. He isn't particularly concerned with "heresy," as the devoted Gulbeck seems to be, but "madmen" are not people he wants as allies. Jagon is an extremely unpredictable deity, but the ever-present possibility (however slim) that It will protect Its worshipers and destroy their enemies makes trying to stay in the god's favor a good idea...or so Baku has been taught since childhood.

From what he's heard of Ni'Kote, conversely, Baku expects only the cold certainty of death and darkness. No wonder his followers go mad, and kill indiscriminately, Baku muses. The fact that Jagon is probably not a good influence on the type of people drawn to the Midnight Syndicate doesn't cross Baku's mind.

Aloud, he asks Gulbeck, "Do you think he'll try to come back again? And what should I do if I'm on guard when he does?"

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"You break him." Gulbeck flexed her arms. "He's mad. But he's got point. We're not strong enough to fight Order. When I fought for Avaraxus, we had big army to march to Farlaen."

There wasn't an orc or goblinoid alive who didn't know of Warchief Avaraxus Kull, the greatest Orcish warlord in many generations. Over ten years ago, he raised a massive host and was one of the key powers in the Second Darkstar War. Avaraxus' horde destroyed Kae'ris, the last elven city in the North and almost took Farlaen before being beaten back by the united humans, dwarves and elves. The Warchief vanished along with the majority of his army in the final battle for the Obelisk and his accomplishments passed into goblinoid legend.
DM: 600XP to Baku.

BRANNA
The man flailed and Branna's dashed his head against the pavements. Mabh tore out the other soldier's throat and his pained cries soon subsided into silence.
DM: 700XP to Branna.

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona



Feeona started, having never expected to stand near exactly to height with the bland black eyes, brown hair or dull ears of another human. Nor did the quaint gallantry keep peace with those same features that would have been lost in any marketplace or bustling street. A cut-purse, she knew then.

“Sir, you answer your own question,” she replied, softly, frowning. “The Order has spread farther than ever before, but our cause has nearly been lost. To go forward means turning back.”

Brown eyes, as common as dirt, peered at him curiously. “But what of yourself? You're going to know a lot of danger just for offering us some sleight-of-hand.”

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria smiles widely and mischieviously "That's an excellent idea." she gives him a mock shocked look. "I'm always careful, you don't have to worry about me. Do you know if anymore of our friends made it and how they're doing?" *Elven

[Plushie Arz]

KATRIA
"I haven't really seen most of them to be honest." Said Jarren, looking down. "I hope they're alright. I'll let Cort know that you're safe though. Take care."

[Vertharrad]

Katria

"Tell Cortinea I'll be over to see her when I can. Take care yourself." *Elven

She waits for Jarren to leave then proceeds further to get a more complete picture of just how bad the undercity has gotten. She makes sure to try and avoid any unnecessary trouble. After a few hours if theres no trouble or other business she heads back to the safehouse.

[Plushie Arz]

KATRIA
The Undercity had always been a haven for crime, where Kiiska's outcasts went to scrape a meagre living. Half elves, who were persecuted under the Old Kiiskan Council often made their homes among the winding alleys. After the Order's arrival and the forced eviction of thousands of elves, the situation had deteriorated and Katria noticed dozens of new shanties housing the dispossessed. It was a particularly quiet evening and the elf saw that most of the houses were boarded up. She walked past what was once a popular evening spot and noticed movement in the distance.
DM: Spot check from Katria.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria keeps moving being careful to keep the area she thought movement came from in her peripheral vision.

spot [roll0]

[Plushie Arz]

KATRIA
It wasn't until she was within thirty foot that she saw what appeared to be a halfling woman and a panther standing over two bloodied corpses. Despite the bloodstains, Katria's keen eyesight was able to make out the metal armour and markings of Order soldiers.
DM: +500XP to Katria for the roleplaying.

BRANNA
Mabh had already detected movement in the distance and the panther purred softly to gain Branna's attention. Thirty feet away, Branna could see an elf approaching. Even though they had never spoken before, the druidess recognised the elven woman as Katria, a well-known dancer in Kiiska and something of an oddity among the hedonistic elves.

[Alabenson]

Well, either Khallis was incompetent or desperate. The woman was probably some simple, naive country bumpkin who thought dressing up like a warrior made you one.

What’s the matter? Daelric asked, his grin never leaving his face, Has all of this raping and looting taken too much attention away from the Order’s holy mission of genocide? Narrowing his eyes slightly, Daelric continued As for myself, don’t discount the value of being able to move unseen, especially in a place like this. A little subtlety can often be much more valuable than brute strength.

Daelric turns to Khallis Please tell me this woman isn’t the rube she appears to be. I didn’t come to this festering jungle to babysit some naïve child.

[WebTiefling]

Branna jumped to her feet. If it had been soldiers, she would have immediately attacked or run, but considering the opinion most of the residents of the city held for their occupiers there was a decent chance the dancer would be happy to have a couple soldiers dead, or at least wouldn't make a fuss.

Still, it wouldn't hurt to put as laudable a spin on this as she could. She turned her head and spit at the bodies on the ground.

"Serves them right! They just tried to rape the wrong girl!"

She turns toward the graceful dancer and crosses her arms, belligerence in her upturned jaw. Waiting to see how the elf would react.

[roll0]

[sunwukong]

When Gulbeck mentions that she fought in the Second Darkstar War under the command of Avaraxus, Baku is deeply impressed, though he tries not to be too obvious about it. The Ghann tribe was too small to send many warriors, and none of those who were sent ever returned. Nonetheless, the stories of the Warchief's campaigns are a source of pride and inspiration to all goblinoids.

He quickly realizes that if he wants to advance in the ranks of the Harbringers, his time is better spent talking to a veteran like Gulbeck than to the likes of Fat Waros. "So, what other groups are around that we might form an alliance with?" he asks. "I heard there were lizards crawling about, though I don't care for them giving the kobolds any fancy ideas. And if you were at Kae'ris, I can't imagine you want to work with no skinny elf-worms. Are there other bands of the Strong People* that have not answered the call of Jagon?"

"The Strong People:" A Goblin term encompassing both orcs and goblinoids.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria walks to within 10 feet of the bodies then stops. She looks down at the soldiers for 5 seconds. Then she looks up to take stock of the halfling standing before her.

She puts her hand up to her mouth to stifle a giggle. "If you think I have a problem with someone defending themselves your wrong. I have no love for these monsters in uniform. Your the first one I've seen around here who is willing to challenge them. My name is Katria, what's your name? Do you need any help?"

She eyes the both of them warily. Jarren said to watch myself...I hope I haven't made a mistake approaching this woman. That panther could eat me in one swallow. She appears calm.

[WebTiefling]

Branna relaxes and excited nods.

"Oh good! I wasn't sure how you might react. They're scum and the city, indeed, the whole continent would be much better off if they all left.

"You're that dancer, aren't you? I saw you once a while back - it was just like the wind blowing through stone canyons!"

She reaches down and picks up the snake, petting it a few times before it vanishes.

"Would you like a drink and something to eat?" She riffles through the guards' belts looking for any little coin pouches. "These two wanted to treat us, I'm sure."
[roll0]

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"I don't know of others in this city. We all follow Horgarth here, despite his ways. Stick together, be strong." Gulbeck took a seat on a small stool by the doorway. Her mailed fists closed around the hilt of her jagged morning star. "The elves, we handle. The ones here are not as soft as the maggots in Kae'ris. Some good fighters in that lot. There are also pinkskins here who want blood. There are worse things in the city than the Midnight Syndicate."

BRANNA, KATRIA
DM: On the bodies of the two soldiers, Branna found;
Masterwork Dagger
Longsword x2
Chainmail
Potion of Barkskin
Wand of Dancing Lights
30sp, 16cp

DAELRIC, FEEONA
"She's more dangerous than she looks. She could gut you if you're not careful."

Khallis gave Daelric a wry smile. "Play nice, both of you. We're all on the same side here. You both have the distinct advantage of being humans, a rarity one might say when fighting Order oppression." She traced her fingers along a groove in the Whitewood walls and the timber rippled, revealing a hidden alcove stashed with dozens of rolled up parchments. She picked out a vellum scroll and unfurled it across the table. It was a map of Kiiska

"The Order has recently captured some of our people and they're planning to relocate them to a more secure location. They're currently held in Redmaiden Hall, a holding centre about twenty minutes away. It's lightly guarded and the two of you are ideal for this task."

[Vertharrad]

Katria

"I agree, they need to be stopped from ever doing this again. do you intend to just leave their bodies here or get rid of them elsewhere?"

Katria looks away shyly, blushing. "I wasn't that good, was I? To me and some of the others dancing comes from the heart. I never thought about being good at it, I do it to make others happy."

"However much I appreciate your offer I have no need of sustenance, I would instead offer it to those who need it more than me. That is if they weren't hiding in fear."

Katria keeps a lookout for trouble while Branna searches the soldiers.
listen [roll0] spot [roll1]

[Alabenson]

Daelric gave Khallis a curt nod and peered down at the map. When you say you say “lightly guarded”, exactly how big of a garrison are we talking about? Also, what can you tell us about the layout of the building? Is it typical elven construction, or a different style?

[sunwukong]

Baku drops to a squat, so that he's level with Gulbeck as they continue talking. "So, what have the Kiiskans and the humans done lately? Or is it just us doing all of the actual fighting?" He pauses for a moment, then offers, "I wouldn't mind helping the Warlord encourage the elves and human traitors to kill more Sun-lovers. That'd be something to see." Baku bares his teeth in a sneering grin, clearly enjoying the idea of watching his old enemies fighting his new ones. "I'll even go fight with them, if the Warlord wants me to."

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
Gulbeck laughed throatily. "I said that to Horgarth months ago and he sneered. Horgarth may fight good but he's not interested in war or alliances. He's happier eating, drinking and rutting with his slaves. We don't have numbers to fight big battles and he only takes supply wagons."

DAELRIC, FEEONA
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Evercursed/Sundara%20Giantitp/RedmaidenHall.jpg

Khallis unfurled another document, marked with grids. "This is a copy of the plans. It used to be a Seminary for Nai'Tuhra but the Order has it converted into holding cells. A squad of twenty soldiers are supposed to keep watch but they're down to thirteen."

[WebTiefling]

OOC:This is all done in a nonstop chatter with barely a pause for breathing much less time for interruptions unless you put a serious effort into it.

"Hmmmm." Branna considers the bodies and glances around. "They could probably track me down magically if they put enough effort into it. I think it would be better to keep them from wondering at all. Two guards doing something they shouldn't and got jumped, which is exactly what they intended."

She quickly yanks down their pants and tells Mahb to drag them over into the alley.

"This will keep anyone from wondering. They were derelict in their duty and got caught with their pants down in a bad part of town. They won't even think twice about it. Hmmm, any body that's out here for ten minutes would get stripped of valuables too."

Branna grabs the wand, potion, and dagger.

"Ok, you don't need to eat? Huh, that's weird. Do you ever have to take a dump?"

She tosses the coins out into the middle of the street.

"There, those should be gone in two minutes, and will certainly be a help to whoever finds them. I don't know what sort of wand this is, but the potion is one I recognize the smell of. Barkskin. I can't imagine what druid made it for them. I'll wait on doing anything with the wand - if they investigate they might look for it particularly, but if you would like I will gladly sell it and toss the money to someone."

She jumps up on top of the panther.

"Come on. You may not eat, but I certainly do. You're pretty good to people, aren't you? I like the idea of stuff from these guys going to help people. Maybe if we get rid of all these guys we can help lots of people. The jungle will like it better too ........."

Branna continues to chatter as they head to an up-tree inn that is friendly to locals and won't cooperate with any investigation.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria waits patiently for the non-stop chatter to end before replying. She says with a jovial tone. "I can assure you that my body still works mostly like everyone else, although I require no sustenance I am provided for in a fashion and still must relieve myself like others do. I don't push my own lifestyle on others if you can find a use for the wand keep it, besides seeing as how you did all the work anything having been offered to me from you would be generous and really your choice. I'm curious what exactly is considered as normal gear for a soldier? I have always been kind and selfless since when I could remember, even as a child. The jungle could do with more people wanting to better it, rather than chop it down or defile it for some greedy excuse."

She looks around to make sure their relatively alone before going on in a low voice. "You have a panther companion, and mention druids casually. Are you a druid or ranger yourself? Do you know how the fey in the jungle fared?"

[Plushie Arz]

BRANNA, KATRIA
The Revanthas aul Bell, or Friend in Hand, was a small bar nestled above the Undercity and hidden by an intricate network of vines and branches. It was a spot usually frequented by half-elves although with the occupation, former Kiiskan soldiers and mercenaries are counted among its clientele. The owner, Dominiel, a middle aged half elf with a notable belly was known to both women as a discreet purveyor of potions and other illicit wares. It was a relatively quiet night when Katria and Branna made their visit. Dominiel stood behind the counter, cleaning steel goblets with a rag while Avalia, his daughter served bottles of wine to a table of six elven bowmen.

DM: Knowledge (Nature) check from Branna to know about the Fey. Nobody has Knowledge (Local) ranks.

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona



Feeona's frown deepened throughout the mockery, wondering how she went from introductions to insults for having implied the man brave. She only realized during the attack that the bow had been everything but gallant. To be at fault was human, to forgo attack humane, to forgive another – hallowed, she reminded herself, although she failed to recall who had ever taught her that. Like as much it had been her mother. When the elf chided them both, she nodded her agreement at their now having been allies against the tyranny. She made herself smile at him.

“I bear him and his no quarrel,” she said simply and approached the table when the documents came one near after the other.

“If they should be twenty, it can't be so difficult to attach ourselves, but actually subduing thirteen armed soldiers is something else,” Feeona mused aloud. “The best window may well be when a pair of guards change shifts. Waylaying and replacing.” She glanced between her two companions to gauge just how well her idea seemed to be syncing. “It comes down to how much time we truly have until they might be moved, and how well we know their patterns, but we might well be able to get to the prisoners without shedding any blood. Even if it did come to that, we would likely be behind any makeshift defences.”

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC, FEEONA
"The prison is on the outskirts of the city." Said Khallis, leaning over to mark its location on the map. Feeona could smell the scent of cinnamon from her body. "It's a low priority transfer, hence the lack of guards. They've underestimated the prisoners though. Streos and Sophiea are both strong fighters. Shenra is a mage, someone we need. It'll be much easier once you free them."

[Alabenson]

Daelric listened to Feeona’s plan with a smirk Take another look at the floor plans; if I had to guess, I’d say the bulk of the guards are going to be positioned within view of that staircase on the ground floor, with the prisoners being held in the basement. Waiting for the guard change might make it easier to slip through the front door, but you still have to get down the stairs, into the basement, get the prisoners out of the cells, and then get out the way you came.
He looked at the drawings again and scowled. It wasn’t the most secure building he had ever seen, but it was far from open. One ground entrance plus the two windows, a fairly open floor plan, and thirteen guards. Stealth was off the table; he was by himself he might be able to sneak in without being noticed, but Feeona didn’t look like she could sneak past a deaf man in that armor, and sneaking the prisoners back out would be too difficult anyway. Likewise, brute force wasn’t going to cut it either, there were simply too many guards to handle at once, at least without risking witnesses who could identify them. Daelric gave Feeona another glance; deception was probably off the table too. That didn’t leave many options left. Then Daelric remembered an old burglar’s trick. It was crude, and the other two probably wouldn’t like it, but it was likely their best shot at getting as many of the guards out of the way as possible.
Khallis, let me ask you a question, Daelric began, his smile returning, how are house fires generally handled out there?

[WebTiefling]

"Hi Dominiel! What's going on tonight?" Branna stands on Mahb's furry back to get on the outsized-for-her stool. "I'll take a bowl of rice and monkey soup, and a cup of your finest water." She tosses several coppers onto the table.

A bit more quietly, "They probably stole it some time. The potion too. I doubt many druids would make one for the likes of them."

Back to a normal voice. "Yup, I'm a druid. Like you in some ways, I was drawn to it since I was a little girl." She grins. "Littler girl. Went charging out into the jungle as soon as I could toddle."

Her vivacious grin dims. "Seeing what these soldiers are doing to the forest and how they're treating this city really makes my sap rise. Have you seen what they have done on their mechanus-damned road through the jungle?!"

[WebTiefling]

OOC: Sorry, I screwed up my roll code and it never came through.
[roll0]

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC, FEEONA
"Depends on where the fire's at. On the treetops, the guards and enchanters usually respond pretty fast but in the Undercity, a fire can burn for hours before anybody does anything. With those half-elves guarding the city? A fire in that part of the city can burn for days."

[Alabenson]

Meaning that if a fire starts near the prison, the ones who’re most likely to respond are going to be the guards. Perfect. It’s simple, then; we start a fire in an abandoned home near the prison, and then our resident champion of the Order can rally the guards into forming an impromptu fire brigade before the fire threatens the prison itself. With any luck, we should be able to convince half of them to vacate the premises. We then kill whoever wasn’t gallant enough to go put out the blaze, release the prisoners, and then get out of there before anyone’s the wiser.
Hell, with the average discipline level of the troops stationed here, I’d say there’s a good chance we could get the whole garrison to simply abandon the prisoners to the fire.

[Plushie Arz]

BRANNA, KATRIA
"The usual Branna. I see you brought a friend." Dominiel tipped his head to his daughter. "Avalia, the kitchens! Bring out some stew and some venison for the cat."

The fey were elusive, even around druids such as Branna. When the Order invaded, many fled deeper into the jungles but some of the more martially inclined put up strong resistance against the followers of the Morning Sun. Of course, there were considerable casualities. Branna knew of at least half a dozen dryads and even a Verdant Prince who succumbed to the Order mages' spells. Of the Fey who live in the outskirts of Kiiska however, Branna knew of three who were hidden from Order and half-elven patrols. Síle the Nymph still remained in her lagoon to the Northwest. Bitterwort, a Murderjack was also known to lurk around the swamps and Cirol, a half-fey Centaur still roamed the forests.

[Plushie Arz]

DM: +400RPXP to Feeona and Daelric for the roleplay. A bonus +150XP to Daelric for conceiving of the plan.

DAELRIC, FEEONA
"And they'll believe you because you're human." Concluded Khallis, a smile forming on her lips. "That is brilliant. I have two vials of alchemist fire. Would that be enough to start burning?"

[sunwukong]

Gulbeck's earlier comment about following Horgarth "despite his ways" starts to make more sense to Baku. Clearly, Horgarth is no Avaraxus. "Well..." Baku says slowly, "he didn't order you not to work with other groups, did he? Why don't you and me go talk to some of the elves or something? I know they're good fighters, my tribe battled them for many generation. We can't make a real alliance without the Warlord's permission, of course, but maybe we can carry out some extra attacks on the side." Baku doesn't know his way around the city too well yet, and he's hoping that Gulbeck will suggest which other faction of resistance fighters to talk to first.

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"And more loot. The pinkskins have good steel." Gulbeck's lips curled in a grin, revealing her yellowed tusks. "And we smash the humans. There's a big elf conclave near here. How do we stop elves from killing us? They're used to shooting hobgoblins and orcs."

[sunwukong]

Baku thinks for a moment, then says, "It's that damned curfew right now, isn't it? The Sun-lovers are all scared of the dark, and even the elves might as well be blind. We stay outta sight, find some fool elf who's bumped into a couple of Sun-lovers, and kill 'em. Then we tell the elf to go talk to the guards at the compound for us, get them to hold their fire."

If Gulbeck agrees to the plan, Baku pulls the hood of his enchanted cloak over his head and starts out the door of the Harbringers' hideout. The Undercity is fairly dark already, but Baku takes care to stay in the shadows of the trees and bridges above. All the while, he looks and listens intently for any sign--screams, begging, the flats (if lucky) of swords striking soft elvish flesh--of a curfew enforcement in progress. An arrow is nocked to the string of his longbow as he skulks about...and he doesn't plan to go back until he's had the occasion to fire it.

Hide: [roll0]
Spot (60' Darkvision): [roll1]
Listen: [roll2]

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"Sounds like plan." Gulbeck grabbed a dark cloak from the hangers and hoisted a bandoleer of arrows and other implements. She clutched her morning star, a cruel weapon of adamantine and steel. "We bring death to the maggots."

The evening air was cooler than the smoking haze of the Harbringer basement and an uncharacteristic silence held the city in thrall. Baku and Gulbeck made their way silently along the quiet decks and platforms that ran parallel to the streets of the Undercity. Fifteen minutes later and out of the Steel Pits neighbourhood, they heard voices from the streets some thirty feet below.
“Sir, this is the third time we’re here. I swear. I’ve seen this tree twice before!”
“Shut up Private. This place is swarming with rebels. You saw what they did to our supply caravan earlier.”
“Perhaps we ought to call command? They can teleport some mages!”
“No, command says we can't do that unless there’s fighting.”

Baku looked down and his keen eyesight made out six Order soldiers in heavy armour marching in a tight cluster formation. A more lightly equipped woman in black leather armour trailed a few steps behind them, her eyes trained to the treetops looking for signs of danger. She had a repeating crossbow in hand and her steps were slow and measured.
DM: Hide check from Baku.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria its down on a stool near Branna and gives the proprietor a smile when he comes over. "Greetings sir. Having a busy night?"

She turns to Branna "I was with the other elves when we were forced out of the city, yes I saw what they did to our beautiful jungle. It sickens me to think that I used to not care about what race or gender a person was and treated everyone equal. Now I strongly distrust humans. I don't know if I can ever give them the same consideration I would any other creature." She gets a mischievous look on her face. "Although not all the time, I too have stole away into the jungle in my younger days to frolic, laugh, and have fun basking in the shear magnificent beauty of it all."

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


Feeona only dimly noted where Khallis pointed on the map over the scent of cinnamon that called without being cloying, or her lilting voice that was as pleasant as any psalm. She leaned back as a strange giddiness ran through her. Daelric offered an alternative, Khallis gave her insight, and Feeona only made the odd sound of acquiesce until she trusted herself once more. She cleared her throat to ensure she would speak without issue.

“A lot of lives could be saved, and all for a distraction,” Feeona said finally, sounding happy. “I can do it. We'll all be safer for my knowing certain basics, though. Who commands the Order here? Where's the prison's nearest source of water? Where should we meet after?”

It would be a slight balance between tackling the fire long enough to ensure success, but avoiding it being done so poorly that evacuating prisoners would sound more sensible. But unless the task fell apart, it wouldn't take Daelric more than two minutes to subdue remaining guards and free the hostages. She would just have to fathom up orders in the meanwhile.

[Plushie Arz]

FEEONA, DAELRIC
"High Justiciar Jacob Helarm commands the Order soldiers in Kiiska but he delegated the area to Marshal Arwell Wessing. There should be a well two blocks down from the prison. That should give us enough time to deal with any stragglers left inside."

Khallis pointed to another area of the map directly adjacent to the prison. "This trail in the Undercity should lead you through the Steel Pits, a neighbourhood held by Jagon worshippers. The Order avoid it but you should follow the trail to lose any trackers. We'll meet there and then double our way back here."

DM: Knowledge (History) check from Feeona to know more about Marshal Wessing.

[WebTiefling]

"Yes! Yes! That's how a jungle should be approached. I know that there are all sorts of beings in the world and not all of them are made to actually live in nature, but those who don't shouldn't go burning it down.

"I lost some Fae friends. They stayed out of the first fighting for the most part, but when the Order started poisoning huge swathes of their homes and killing them just to make a road there were a lot who fought back."

Branna shakes her head sadly, "Obviously they didn't stop the order and a lot of them died. Those who didn't die fled deeper into the forest or have hidden around here.

"I used to feel like them - leave the city-folk to fight among the city-folk, but that doesn't work with the Order. Once they finish taking over a city they then start attacking everything else too. I don't think it's a good idea to just leave such an evil people alone until they happen to be on your own branch."

She looks at Katria a moment, the animated face stilling for a moment into careful consideration. "It sounds like you aren't happy with them either. Would you like," she paused and rephrased. "What got you so unhappy with the Order?"

There, that would be a slightly safer way to phrase it.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria listens to Branna nodding consent at everything she said. When questioned a guarded look flits across her face. Katria looks around quickly making sure of no eavesdroppers. She takes a moment to look down and place her left hand into her right before looking back up. The seriousness of her gaze strikes you to the heart almost.

She leans so close you can stare into the depths of her eyes and she starts talking low enough only you hear "I was here when the fighting started, although worried, I thought the council could handle the war. When it was over me and my family was among the prisoners sent out of Kiiska. The order pushed us into the Dessert without proper preparation, or provisions. I watched as many of my friends and even my parents succumbed to the harshness of that environment. My happy and content life was shattered, my home defiled, my precious friends and family killed. when I questioned the elders about it the answers they gave didn't satisfy me. I came back with those who are determined to take back what is ours. I don't want to finish with just taking back our home, the Order of Mornay must be made to feel justice. Their threat must be greatly diminished before I will be happy."

She leans back and goes quiet studying Brannas reaction or response.

[Alabenson]

Alchemist’s fire will be a good start, and if you have any rags and lantern oil you could spare that would help as well. Khallis, a question about this well; were I heading to it from the prison, would I be walking towards our escape route or away from it?

[WebTiefling]

Branna's eyes go wide as the tale of her family's death comes forth. At the end she is nodding vigorously.

"They won't stop. I know the type of creature. Occasionally you'll find some creature that is so sick that it loses all reason and will charge about attacking everything it sees. I've recently learned how to cure those diseases in animals, but until then, the only thing I could do was kill the animal to save everything else around it."

She shakes her head and leans in, lowering her voice. "There's no herbs or spells that can heal an entire people, and so the only thing left is to take it down to save everything around it. I agree!"

She leans in even further. "Those guards weren't attacking me. They had just raped some elf and killed her husband. They were mad. Sick. The only thing to do was put them down like a sick animal."

She shrugs. "I do my part where I can. I can't cure the whole people, but where I can I'll limit the disease."

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria quietly listens to Branna nodding consent at various parts, she scowls when she hears about the guards indiscretions. She looks like she's contemplating something, then leans in only far enough to limit eavesdroppers and speaks in a low voice only loud enough for them two. "How would you like to be a part of our group to retake Kiiska? I'm sure we could help each other deal with the 'disease'. Either way do you know of any other rangers or druids who would be willing or able to help?"

[WebTiefling]

Branna's jaw drops for a second, and then another. Then an excited squeal escapes her lips and she gives a quick clap!

"Eeee! Oh that would be wonderful! We would ...."

She suddenly clamps her lips tight and looks around. In a whisper she leans over to Katria's ear.

"Who is 'we'? Are you part of a secret group?"

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria smiles mischievously and chuckles at Brannas enthusiasm. She looks around and tries to discern if they are being observed or listened to.
listen [roll0] spot [roll1]

Talking in a whisper she replies "I will divulge some specifics when we get to a more private setting. I hope you have no problem working with elven wizards?"

She leans back and resumes talking at a normal volume. "You know me, however I don't think I have ever seen you. How is that? I thought I knew most of the people who would come around and watch or partake in our festivities. Nice panther by the way. I don't think I've ever been this close to one before."

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


Feeona's eyes widened at mention of who controlled the Steel Pits. “No, you can't. The both of you. We have to get Khallis' friends free, but it's known the half-elves aren't disciplined, and they weren't treated kindly before the occupation. What if they returned that abuse? You both might be supporting people too hungry and thirsting to run, or else too hurt. Worshippers of – of that horrible god,” and she was forever careful not to mention his name, ever since being told as a child that to name a deity was to ask its attention, “are mean, dishonest, firebugs. They won't second-guess attacking just because you're carrying wounded. Escaping towards them is nothing but risk. If that's the only way, safe a vial,” she urged.

“If they put in an appearance, try to spot the smallest of the clan, and lob the Alchemist Fire at him. To engulf their weakest; that's a gesture of friendship to them.” The warrior-girl shook her head with wide-eyed disquiet. “If he catches fire, they think it their god's blessing. It's cruel. But if we have to go that way, it might be the only thing that keeps you all safe.”






History roll to try and know more about the Marshal.

[roll0]

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC, FEEONA
"The well should be in a square in the opposite direction of the trail. You can see the trail being nestled between two shanty houses. It's easy to miss so look out for a red sign above the alleyway."

From her brief service in the army, Feeona knew of Field Marshal Arwell Wessing as an old man steeped in military tradition. He is in his seventies, and having hailed from a long line of aristocrats, he bore a special fondness for heavily armoured cavalry and conventional set-piece battles. His tactics during the initial push towards Kiiska were completely unsuited for the dense jungle battles and he sent thousands of men to their deaths.

KATRIA
Katria couldn't find anybody listening in on their conversation. The archers on the other table seemed drawn to their own discussions while the bartender and his daughter minded their own business.

[Alabenson]

Daelric turned to Feeona ,You know, not all of Jagon’s followers are screaming fanatics. I cut my teeth under a half-orc who was one of his worshipers when I started with my guild. He was like a second father to a lot of the younger guild members. Daelric scowled as he looked Feeona straight in the eye. At least he was until the Order got ahold of him. The bastards cut him down in the street when he tried to stop them from beating one of the guild's child members to death.

Daelric turned back to Khallis, The well's position is going to be a mixed blessing. It means the guards will be drawn away from our escape route, but it'll also make it easier for the guards to put out the fire. Ah well, I suppose it's still better than the alternative. I'll just have to make sure the fire's really going before we lure them out.

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


“That monsters wear disguises, I do not doubt. That innocents have been harmed, I do not doubt. That these horrors must halt, I do not doubt,” Feeona replied with a voice low and firm and held his gaze with the uncanny ease of one that held convictions as deep as any ocean, and a will to see it done as broad as the sky. Only after this did she blink, many times over, and frown.

“You've lost someone kind and brave. I'm sorry for that. I don't know that type of pain; Mornay hasn't deemed me strong enough to bear it yet. But if you're going to hear my words, please listen. I've said what I said of that god's followers, and no more than that.”

Feeona had studied religion long enough to know that Jagon's followers could be described in many ghastly ways, but screaming fanatics tended not to be one. The Midnight Syndicate wouldn't have proven a constant enemy were they easily tracked and plainly fought, for the Order excelled there.

“Anyway, the option remains. You two are going to be the first protecting Khallis' friends and heading into the Steel Pits. It's right you two decide then, but I still say you should save a vial. It's already been said that the half elves might well leave a fire burning. Use just one vial on a house and whatever extra scraps we might have to start the fire. With a little patience the plan still holds, but everyone is safer when we escape.” She smiled at the thought.




Last post for today. Night all.

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC, FEEONA
"One vial, two vials. Doesn't make much difference. Not when you've got half a jar of palm oil. That stuff burns hot." Khallis squeezed Feeona's arm. "It won't be half-elves manning the prison but Order soldiers. So you'll distract them with the fire and then meet us down in the Steel Pit trail?"

[Alabenson]

Daelric let out a sigh. It was the typical mix of platitudes and religious gibberish he’d heard several times before. The sole solace he took from it was that this time he actually believed it was meant to be sincere; Feeona didn’t appear to have an ounce of deception in her body.
Alright, there’s no point in debating this all night. Khallis, how quickly can you get everything ready?

[sunwukong]

Baku immediately stops walking when he spots the soldiers. He tries to make eye contact with Gulbeck and shake his head from side to side with the minimum movement possible. She better understand that there are too many soldiers in this patrol for just us two. Then he freezes in place, hoping to blend into the tree trunk behind him.

[roll0]

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
Gulbeck nodded and the squad of soldiers below proceeded along the Undercity, making their presence known to half the city. The orc and hobgoblin waited until the soldiers were out of sight before moving onwards. "Elf conclave close." Grunted Gulbeck. "Keep eye for Order." Approximately half an hour later, they noticed rustling in branches approximately sixty feet away.
DM: Spot check.

DAELRIC, FEEONA
"Give me ten minutes."
* * *
Khallis, Daelric and Feeona made their way through the platforms to the Redmaiden District. It was far quicker travelling via the elevated walkways and with the elf guiding them, they traversed dozens of shortcuts that would have otherwise been hidden among the tangle of ferns and branches. Eventually, the elevation dipped and the group found themselves back on the hard cobble of the Undercity. Wisps of Faerie Fire and conjured lights bathed the area in pale glow but the shadows of the great blackwoods and whitewoods still filled the precipices with darkness. Nearly eighty feet away and tucked below a row of timber shacks, the group could see Redmaiden Hall and the glinting spears of the three guards at the door.

[sunwukong]

At Gulbeck's words, Baku scans his surroundings carefully, making sure to glance up and down as well as around.

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU

A black nightingale flew from the shrubs and into the upper branches above Baku. Gulbeck startled. "Scared by a bird. Hate birds." She grumbled, turning away. However, the hobgoblin had never seen a black nightingale before and he looked up into the branches above him. The bird was gone. In its place was an elven woman dressed head to toe in dark leathers. A midnight feathered cloak was draped around her shoulders and a black cowl covered her upper face. She sang.

It was an unearthly song, the crescendo rising to eerie heights but her voice never broke. The hobgoblin felt the song reaching the centre of his being, shaking his will.
DM: Will save.

[WebTiefling]

"Oh, I tend to travel all over. I've found that most druids tend to stick to their own area, caring for it and not traveling much outside. I've always had the wanderlust. I've swing by Kiiska every few months - it's a delightful city, for a city.

"Mahb and I," she pats the panther's shoulder "will relax here for a few weeks before heading out again. I was out when the fighting first began and stayed away because I didn't want to get tangled up in city-stuff. I'm not sure that was the best decision, but hindsight is perfect."

She pauses and says a bit more deliberately, "I get along with just about everyone, elves to goblins to lizardmen. I even traveled with a wizard once - a bit odd but a nice enough girl. And I even know a few fae are probably sticking around the city's edges in spite of everything."

Back to her more boisterous speaking nature, "Yeah, I get along with lots of beings and I like to meet new people. It's part of why I travel around."

The look after her statement was more serious than the carefree sounding words, though.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria listens intently to Branna. "Curiosity is good, that's how we learn about the world around us."

"I fault no creature for staying out of Kiiskas war with the order, we must all make our own way in this world."

Katria leans forward a bit and lowers her voice. "I asked about the fey because I have a dryad friend that I haven't seen since before the start of all this. I just want to know what happened to her. That the order hasn't destroyed her tree or captured her for whatever reason. I guess that means I'm taking a trip outside the city here soon."

[CryWolfCorrupt]

"You truly don't understand the depth of your evil, do you?" Shenra's fingers fiddled with her binds, but seemed unable to break them. "They are no terrorist. But if you prefer to speak such words, you should know that I am. And if there was ever a larger mistake," she calmly awaited the time to come when the binds would release and kept talking to attempt to ensure the guard remained present on his stool. She calculated a handful of reactions he could take without breaking stride in conversation, only pausing long enough for a breath. "It was allowing anyone to stop you from killing me before."

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


Feeona couldn't feel Khallis' hand under the couter, but she smiled gladly for the gesture. A nod. “Distract and regroup.”

* * *

Through the plant paths and bushy byways, the bastard sword that had slept on Feeona's hip would slap at a metal leg when the rushed, tussling in its wooden bed for a nightmare of striking out at the well-meaning soldiers that had been told that they would make the world a sounder place.

No one gets harmed if it all swings smoothly.

The close helmet visor was put up as she turned to them.

“Who lights the fire?”

[Alabenson]

I’ll do it. Arson is a surprisingly tricky science, and if this isn’t done right we risk the guards putting the fire out too quickly.
Daelric pulled his hood up and quickly walked by the makeshift prison, never breaking his pace. The only outward acknowledgement he even gave to the building’s existence was a brief nod he gave to the guards as he walked past, which he used as an opportunity to take a surreptitious glance at the building’s windows.

[roll0]

[WebTiefling]

"I know! It's so fun to meet new people."

Though her tone is bright and cheery, Branna's volume is subdued.

"Like for example, if you wanted to meet some beings you've never seen before, I suggest the Fae. They're reclusive and I'll bet you've never met one before. They're really interesting people.

"Some of the more," she pauses, looking for the right word, "... martially inclined fought against the Order and most of those died. Many who could, moved deeper into the jungles. Unfortunately, Dryads are bound to their trees and can't flee. Any who were in the path of the Order died. Danm the order to Mechanus."

Branna's face very suddenly takes on a very sad look, dramatically, morosely, forlornly looking down into her empty soup bowl.

"I suddenly miss the jungle. I think I'll go out to reconnect. You know. Druid stuff. I might run into a Fae even. Have you heard of any Fae around here?"

She looks up with a wink at odds with her downcast expression.

[sunwukong]

[roll0]
Baku's yellowish eyes widen as the elf's melody begins to tamper with his mind. But Baku's a warrior who has seen his entire tribe slaughtered by the Order of the Morning Sun...surely he hasn't come this far to be brought down by some singing elf! A deep growl escapes his throat as he tries to resist the effects of the song.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria winks back. She gives Branna a curious look. "You said you went out into the Jungle when you were younger and became a druid. What about your parents? Other family members? What called to you so much that you became this wild jungle expert? Do druids get together in groups or is there only a few in any specific area? Do druids just talk to animals and aid the plant growth or is it more than that?"

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
DM: Baku was fascinated for the duration of the performance.
Despite the hobgoblin’s best attempts, Baku lost himself in the elf’s song and he stood fixated at her performance, paying little heed to anything else around him. He didn’t know how long he stood but her song stopped and he blinked. He could see a sardonic smile on the elf’s lips and she spoke in a throaty, alluring drawl. Nearby, he noticed Gulbeck rubbing her head with a dazed look on her face.
“A hobgoblin and orc, high in the trees and far away from home. You are far from the Steel Pits at any rate. Hogarth won’t find any slaves here.”

DAELRIC, FEEONA
The soldiers paid little heed to the hooded man as he walked past them. Daelric took the chance to note the locations of the windows in the building. They were crafted of some stained glass and set in wooden frames ten feet from the ground. He could see a flickering light behind them and he heard the sound of men laughing inside.
Looking around, Daelric also noticed that the shanty terraces surrounding the prison were all derelict and boarded up, as though the Order soldiers had forcibly evicted their former residents. A fire in any one of those could easily spread and threaten the structure.

SHENRA
DM: No spells with somatic components. Is Shenra using a Stilled Spell? I also notice her character sheet is missing feats.
Shendra’s bonds were tight. The guard shrugged. “Suit yourself. You’re the one getting the noose. I bet they’re going to have fun hanging you.”


DM: +200 XP to all for the roleplaying.

[Alabenson]

Daelric walked for a minute or two until he found an abandoned shanty that fit his needs: just far enough that the guards would be unlikely to notice the fire until he wanted them altered, but close enough that the fire would be a credible threat to the prison. Once he found what he was looking for, Daelric slipped inside and went to work, prying open windows to let the air circulate, splashing the palm oil Khallis provided near all the points of entry and spreading whatever rags and other kindling he had available over the floor. As he finished his preparations, Daelric muttered a short prayer his mentor had always offered to Jagon whenever they had committed arson, as much to spite his colleague as to show deference to the fire god.

Jagon grant power to this blaze
And help these flames this building raze

This one’s for you, Grosh, you crazy bastard. With that, Daelric lobbed one of the flasks of alchemist’s fire into the home, and then slunk into the shadows, doubling back to the prison.

Hide: [roll0]
Move Silently: [roll1]

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC
True to Khallis’ promises, the palm oil erupted into flames as it made contact with the alchemist’s fire. Even at a distance, Daelric could feel the heat washing over the building and he heard the loud crackling as flames licked at the timber structure. The fire was growing and cinders rose from the burning building. He knew that in a few minutes, the flames would grow hotter and spread. The three guards at the front of the prison hadn’t noticed his presence or the fire around the corner. One soldier, a young man in his early twenties looked quizzically in Daelric’s direction but quickly diverted his attention to the empty streets in front of him.

FEEONA
“It’s burning. He’s done it.”
Feeona could see a dull orange glow rising above the rooftops of some buildings around the corner. She waited until the glow reached a particular intensity and cinders started to rise from the flames. She could smell the acrid odour of smoke and burnt sap. Khallis gripped her shoulder. “Go now. I’ll meet you at the trail.” With a nimbleness rarely seen in humans, the elf leapt onto the trees and started running along the branches towards the complex.

[Alabenson]

Daelric silently cursed his clumsiness as he slipped behind the prison building; if that guard had been just a little more attentive everything could have been ruined. Taking great care to remain out of sight, Daelric slithered up the prison’s outer walls until he had a clear view of the prison’s entrance. Now, it was all up to Feeona.

[CryWolfCorrupt]

"We shall see. But retribution shall be swift upon your head for the innocent lives you have taken." Her bonds too tight to wiggle out of, she leaned against the wall. Ras was taking an awfully long time to get the message back to the resistance that she was here. She sighed. I suppose an owl can only do so much to find a group its never met before... Her time was coming to an end, but surely Ona would not just abandon her when her work was so important?

Ona, please grant me one last fire. I wish only to do your bidding and correct the cycle of life. I have not a care for the pestilences that wage war on each other; I only seek to right the innumerable wrongs committed by the Order. Please. Do not extinguish my flame yet. Allow me my opportunity that the woods and earth alike shall know your righteous campaign.

[Plushie Arz]

SHENRA
Shenra could feel her spirits lighten as she made her prayer. Her faith grew stronger, her will surer. She felt a certain... conviction as fear was expunged from her spirit.

DM: Shenra is temporarily under the effects of an Aid spell.

[CryWolfCorrupt]

A wicked grin crossed her lips. She knew that Ona would not abandon her; help was coming. She knew what she was going to do.

Fire danced within her veins as she awaited her liberation.

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


“Stay safe,” Feeona whispered after Khallis had already leapt upward.

It was then she knew she would never sew together half the courage needed to squeak out anything beyond pleasantries or plans to her, and there a sudden pang was in her chest. But worse than not having the will to speak was not knowing what words should be said at all. I had ten minutes! Why didn't I think of something then? Her feet were already marching forward, oblivious. Twenty-odd souls rode on the gambit, and every dear one of them deserved better than her doubt.

Feeona felt her hands shake, but she was running towards the trio then. Somehow, she was to be seen to take command, and somehow without being gravely quick, and somehow avoid being hopelessly tardy. Mornay help me. Her eyes flickered from the growing smoke to the glinting spears to the three soldiers themselves. She thought again of Arwell Wessing, the small soul that had presumed it his divine right to throw away thousands of lives for pageantry and pride. The horse-faced marshal that didn't deserve rank, but these soldiers still served.

A clod of an aristocrat that could save them all.

“Fire!” Feeona cried, by that time her every step a speedy clangour itself. Before she had managed to dig her heels into a full stop she was already shouting again, looking first to the trio and instantly to the Hall beyond.

“Everyone, out! Everyone that knows the name Field Marshal Arwell Wessing; out! Assemble! Form rank!”





[roll0]

[Plushie Arz]

FEEONA
The three guards standing at the door reached for their weapons when they heard Feeona approach but visably relaxed when they saw the insignia of the Morning Sun emblazoned on her shield. All three of them looked young, not much older than Feeona herself. Two of them were little more than boys who had the self-assured cockiness of youth. The middle one, a freckled girl in her late teens stood to attention. "But 'mam, we were left Orders to guard the prisoners! The sergeant told us not to leave under any circumstances!"

[sunwukong]

As he regains awareness of the world around him, Baku feels a stab of fear in his gut. What the Hell did she just do to me? An archer could've shot me down while I stood here! But she didn't, and now she's talking to us... Cautiously, Baku removes his right hand from his bowstring and spreads his arms in the cross-cultural gesture of non-hostility. He still grips the bow in his left hand, but he keeps it lowered.

In as respectful a tone as he can muster, Baku replies to the elf, "Not looking for slave. Looking for talk. We both enemies of Sun-Order, no?"

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"But you still follow Horgarth yes? Horgarth the Base, Horgarth the Drunk, Horgarth the Depraved." She flitted from branch to branch without a sound but Baku had the eerie sensation that she was watching his every movement. "Well, you're talking now. What have you to say?"

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


Feeona wanted to throttle the freckles off the teen's face, all too aware her diligence could be their downfall. But she was all adrenaline and nerves and her reply flowed hotly. “Let the fire spread and there won't be any prisoners left to guard! Look, the sergeant answers to the Field Marshal, and the Field Marshal will make you answer why all that remains is ash. You're not leaving the area, you're securing it. Now stop wasting time, start raising the alarm, and get the others out here!”

[Plushie Arz]

FEEONA
The girl looked as if she was slapped in the face by Feeona's rebuke and she took a step back. "Y-yes 'mam. Phillips! Maddon, rally the men inside! Stop their dice games this instant!" The two boys kowtowed and rushed indoors to fetch the others. The small squad gathered remarkably quicky and Feeona soon had ten soldiers standing to attention in front of the building.

[sunwukong]

Baku hasn't fought with Horgarth long enough to defend his reputation, but he has no intention of criticizing his leader in front of an elf. "The Warlord is the Warlord," says Baku. "I'm not traitor. But we two thinking that working with elves, we kill more humans. Maybe fight together now, talk to Horgarth later." He glances at Gulbeck, hoping for some words of support from the orc.

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"Horgarth not Avaraxus." Stated Gulbeck, keeping her eyes on the elf. She thumped her pitted breastplate with a mailed fist. "And we not Horgarth. We help elf smash metal men. Break enemy like puny bone under hammer.

The elf laughed, her throaty voice flowing like velvet. "And what if hobgoblin doesn't want to kill humans. What if hobgoblin and orc want to kill elf instead? Chaos is such a lovely mistress is it not?"

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


Feeona's brow furrowed and eyes narrowed as though those that stood before her were lacking, when truly they lacked for nothing but numbers. Thirteen, she thought, pained. There's supposed to be thirteen. But she couldn't fathom up a further excuse to excavate the remaining three, and the disagreement had felt like an eternity while knowing the fire yet burned, and she had to ignore the unease in her stomach. Instead she pointed, first at the square and after at the shacks.

“I want a line running between the well and the fire. One person drawing up water, everyone else relaying it down the line. Move!”

[Alabenson]

Silently, Daelric watched the scene below and considered his next move. With ten soldiers out of the way, that would leave only three left to watch the prisoners. The issue then became how best to approach the remaining three. His initial plan, to climb in through the window and strike at the remaining guards from above, had fallen apart the moment he realized that the stained glass windows would have to be smashed to permit entry, which in turn would alert the guards to his presence. That left him with only the front door as an option.
On the other hand, Daelric mused, he had expected the guards to have at least been bloodied, but even from this distance he could tell these were green conscripts. He'd have to move fast once he was inside, but he felt increasingly certain that the plan would proceed just fine. For now, he would wait until Feeona and the bulk of the force were out of sight.

[sunwukong]

Baku doesn't have a better response than "Only two of us, many of you elves. You know we've been robbing Sun-lover supplies, freeing prisoners. Let us fight with you in one battle, see how well we fight humans."

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"Why not?" She seemed to consider Baku's words but the mocking amusement never left the elf's voice. "These are strange times after all. Perhaps you will be useful. Perhaps not. But Fharel will make good use of you. Go. Tell them the Nightbird sent you." She quietly chuckled, more to herself than anybody else and swung over the branches. When Baku looked back, she was gone.

"Elf witch." Grumbled Gulbeck, gritting her jaws. "Foul trickery.."
DM: +600XP to Baku.

BRANNA, KATRIA
Mabh's ears suddenly perked up and the panther lifted itself from its bowl of cured venison. Branna knew Mabh only did that when it sensed danger. "Oh, kitty's hungry!" Said Avalia, from behind the counter.

FEEONA
The soldiers formed into precise row and started following Feeona's orders. The fire was beginning to spread and the pungent odour of burnt sap filled Feeona's nostrils.

DM: +700XP to Feeona.

DAELRIC

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Evercursed/Redmaiden1.jpg
Initiative
Daelric: [roll0]
Guard 1: [roll1]
Guard 2: [roll2]
Daelric opened the door and looked into the Hall. It was then he realised why they called it Redmaiden. At the centre of the chamber, was four metre tall redwood, formed in the striking resemblance of a woman with her leafy arms spread wide. Knots and rings in the bark gave the tree an eerie visage that cemented the resemblance. The spiral stairs to the basement were built around the tree and strewn on the floors, he could see the soldier's rucksacks and a bag of confiscated arms that presumably belonged to the prisoners.

Two soldiers in heavy plate armour stood guard. They looked considerably older than the recruits outside and they carried their shields and swords with the seasoned air of veterans who had already seen combat. One of them turned and noticed the man. "You are under arrest for trespass. Submit to the Order or die!"

[Plushie Arz]

SHENRA
"You're a fat coward, an' a slug! An' your mother is an ooze!" The man opposite Shenra's cell called out to the guard. She hadn't had an opportunity to really notice him before. He looked like he may be in his thirties and he had a head of closely cropped auburn hair and a beard. He may have been attractive at some point but his face was beaten and covered in bruises. With his hands tied behind his back however, he also looked woefully underfed. "You're a limp dog man!"

It was obvious. The man was trying to rile the guard and Shenra could see the soldier's scowl growing as he tried to ignored the insults.

[WebTiefling]

"Druids serve nature like clerics serve the gods. I mentioned curing or removing sickness from nature, but with 'intelligent' creatures going around doing stuff, there are lots of times where the problems are much ...."

Branna cut off what was likely going to be a long, excited ramble. Mahb's senses were better than her own.

"Actually," she replied to Avalia, "she hears something out of the ordinary."

She is slightly nervous that somehow the Order might have already tracked her down, as unlikely as it seemed to her. Still, she knew there were lots of things about civilization she didn't know, and she didn't want to be caught unaware.

"Mahb, stay out of sight for a bit. Katria, care to help me see what caught her attention?" She hops down off the stool and begins moving toward the entrance.

[Plushie Arz]

BRANNA
Branna's keen smell was able to pick up the bitter whiff of ashes and soot. Indeed, for the first two weeks since the occupation, the burnt smell was everywhere around Kiiska as riots gripped the Undercity and slowly spread like a wildfire. In the weeks since however, as the United Kiiskan Guard brought law and the Order soldiers imposed a curfew, the rampant burning and looting of property had largely stopped. Tonight was different.

DM: Spot checks from Branna, Mabh and Katria.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

"Yes. It would be my pleasure to help investigate." she says as she gets up and follows Branna.
spot [roll0]

[WebTiefling]

Branna pokes her head out the door before she heads out.
[roll0]

[CryWolfCorrupt]

Shenra wondered what could have upset the man, but she smelled fire. She smelled smoke. Her warmth at Ona's touch grew to an incendiary revolt within her blood, and she joined the man, biding her time. "Say, only a coward would let another man call him such. You sit on your stool, sharpening a knife that probably hasn't tasted anything but veal for quite some time. You've put on weight too, I can tell it from here!" the guard's eyes grew darker. "Your steel will abandon you. The cold will overtake you and the warmth you once felt will be alien to your heart. The earth underfoot cries for your blood, and the forest thirsts for it. You have upset the balance of life and for that you will pay with your own." She stood up, adrenaline flowing through her and the other man was still calling out against the guard as well. Shenra was impressed at the will of the guard but could tell it was wavering under her barrage. She pleaded with Ona to let the guard come after her and not the other prisoner, who looked like malnutrition had removed most of his fight from his body.

"Wer ixen di ona geou sho'voth wux."*draconic, "The fire of Ona will cleanse you"

[Alabenson]

Daelric assessed the situation quickly; the guards were too far away for him to close before they could fully react, so he’d have to improvise. Adopting a slightly drunken stagger as he lazily twirled his chain, he moved forwards into the main room. Trespassin’? I pay mah tithes to the church, so I own thish buildin’ just as much as the rest of yah, Daelric slurred as he stumbled forwards. To a casual observer, Daelric may have looked like nothing more than a violent, drunken brute, but in fact his mind was totally focused, ready to strike the moment one of the guards came close enough to attack.

Daelric moves straight forwards 25 feet and readies an action to initiate Insightful Strike against the first guard to enter his threatened range.
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Also, note that Daelric receives an attack of opportunity against the first 4 opponents who move through his threatened area each round.

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


Feeona stood out of file, alone but plainly visible, standing in the direction opposite of the prison's door should anyone look to her. She hadn't done that intentionally, but saw it for the boon it was immediately after. Her eyes followed the bucket as it was hauled up with water, freed from its clasp, and relayed down the line to be dumped unto the fires that danced in dilapidated windows and on flimsy roofs. But on every face was writ different shades of stress. It was the same strained looks she had seen and worn when she camped with a host in the northern jungles after they were ambushed; right before they broke. No.

“Good,” she complimented when they completed their first circuit, and strained to keep all the doubt and fear from her voice; it instead proved projected and precise to a pitch. “A fair pace. Again!”

The second time Feeona's attention lingered on the shacks to gauge whether she needed to let them keep pace, or offer ways to be more efficient. Her pug nose wrinkled at the stink of burning sap.

[sunwukong]

Baku grumbles in assent, "Yeah, it was. We were lucky she let us through though..." *Orcish

Cautiously, he makes his way further into elf-controlled territory, looking about for the next sentry (presumably named Fharel).

[roll0]

[WebTiefling]

[roll0]
OOC: totally forgot the spot check for her. Sorry.

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
Baku and Gulbeck continued along the linear trail. They could hear the rustling of the canopy above and felt the evening breeze against their skin. Around them, they saw the dim lights inside the windows of the treetop apartments but the streets were otherwise empty. Eventually, the trail led to a circular platform that rested on the boughs of a redwood. Orbs of pale light hung around the platform and the bushes rustled. Baku turned to see a group of elves pointing aiming their arrows at himself and Gulbeck. Their leader, a handsome-looking man with golden hair and magenta robes pointed a flaming shortsword at the two.
“Don’t move or we’ll fill you with more arrows than the hairs on your head.”

BRANNA, KATRIA
Mabh and Katria could see the orange glow lighting a section of the Undercity a few hundred metres away. Columns of thick smoke rose from that area to the treetop canopies. It was a fire. From experience, Katria knew that fires rarely affected Kiiska despite the abundance of wooden buildings. The natural humidity of the jungle and the weekly downpours left little fuel to fan the flames and the enchanters were fast to respond to any potential blazes. In the Undercity however, it was a different story and an unattended blaze could burn for days with the intensity of a wildfire.

DAELRIC
One of the soldiers lowered his weapons. “Just a drunken lout, Jacobs. The cells will do ‘im good.”
“Who the hell is he? I want to know why he’s armed!”
They made a steady advance towards Daelric, imposing their steel shields between themselves and Daelric. His prepared attack failed to penetrate the soldier’s defences but he spotted an opening as they advanced towards him.
DM: I’m at work so I can’t edit the map. Daelric gets two attacks of opportunities against both the guards with his 10’ reach.

FEEONA
It took precious minutes but the first buckets were poured on the growing fire, temporarily pausing its advance. Feeona could see the sweat and soot that clung to their brows as the soldiers followed her directions. She knew they were fighting their own fears as much as combatting the fire. The inferno rose and an overhanging floor collapsed, sending shards of ember out of the deformed windows. One of the soldiers, a young girl with cropped brown hair stared in horror at the inferno and stumbled as her comrades passed her the bucket, spilling the contents over the flagstones.

SHENRA
The soldier gritted his teeth and sheathed his weapon. “You’ll get what’s coming to you. I bet.” He rolled up his sleeves and started walking towards the man’s cell, waddling slightly from having sat for too long. Shenra could hear the sound of bamboo bars being pulled aside as the soldier let himself into the cell and she could hear the wet sound of fists raining down on flesh.
The violent struggle lasted several seconds but with a heavy groan, the soldier was down on his face. The prisoner reached towards the soldier’s belt with his bound hands and cut his bonds. He then walked to the other cell and freed the other prisoner before breaking down Shenra’s bars and cutting the rope around her hands and feet. Closer up, Shenra could see the powerful muscles under the man’s drawn out skin and the flickering torchlight cast shadows around the bruises and scars of his broken face. He spat out a wad of phlegm and blood. “You mage?” He asked, offering her a hand up.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katrias face lights up in fear, and determination. "This isn't good." Not waiting for a word or acknowledgment she bolts for the area of the fire. Using her knowledge of the area she takes the most direct and quick path to the fire. She doesn't even look back to make sure Branna is there, time is important in case innocent people are in danger.
She either uses double moves(100 ft.) or a flat out run if possible(200 ft.).

[sunwukong]

Baku comes to an abrupt halt, as ordered. The first words out of his mouth are "Nightbird sent us," followed closely by "We came for talk, not trouble."

[Alabenson]

Daelric silently cursed as his chain lashed out at the two advancing guards like an angry snake. Outnumbered two to one against well trained and competent guards; hardly the sort of odds he preferred. Thankfully, he thought as he glanced up towards the roof, it would be child’s play to shift the odds back to his favor.

Guard on Left, Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Guard on Right, Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Alabenson]

:smallbiggrin:
[roll0]

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
The leader lowered his weapons and gestured the others to do the same. He swaggered towards Baku and Gulbeck. For a moment, he seemed to appraise them before offering his hand. "I am Fharel, of the Blood Hunters. Leader of the Resistance, Rightful Speaker of Kiiska. What may your names be?" Despite Fharel's apparent friendliness, Baku noticed the warmth never reached his ice-grey eyes. The elves standing in around the circle bore unreadable expressions as they waited their leader's commands.

DAELRIC
Despite the soldier's raised shields, Daelric's chain whipped around and struck their bearers. The men flinched as the spikes tore through metal and leather to score against flesh.

DM: Daelric's turn again.

KATRIA
The fire was burning in the Redmaiden District of the Undercity, an area filled with combustible shanty houses and shacks that generations of Kiiska's outcasts scraped together from scrap wood. It took Katria the better part of ten minutes to reach the scene, jumping over rope walkways and leaping from platform to platform. She leapt onto the roof of a building a hundred feet away from the blaze and surveyed the scene before her.

DM: Spot check from Katria.

[sunwukong]

Baku accepts the handshake--the first he's ever shared with an elf--and replies, "I'm Baku. We fight with Horgarth, but we fight for victory over the humans. We thinking we fight together, kill more humans."

Has Baku heard of the Blood Hunters before?

[Plushie Arz]

DM: Yes. I'll reflect that.
BAKU
Fharel's lips curled in a smile but his expression was otherwise unreadable. "It has always been my vision for a united resistance against the Order." He said. Baku could sense the self-assured conviction in his voice. "Elves, orcs, hobgoblins and drow fighting against the human tyranny and their half-elven catspawns. It will be glorious."

The Blood Hunters were known to the Ghaan as brutal enforcers of old Kiiska's order. Each warrior was a skilled tracker and hardened killer and goblinoid mothers often told tales of their exploits to frighten their children at night.

[WebTiefling]

"Mahb! Come on!"

Branna leaps onto Mahb's back and they go chasing off after Katria, the panther's superior speed making up for the lack of familiarity with the area.

As they finally see the flames ahead, she gets ready to summon a water elemental once she can figure out where it can do the most good. It doesn't stay forever and she has a limited number of the spells she can cast.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria surveys the scene as she finds a path to the entrance of whatever building is burning while listening for cries of help you'd hear if there were any conscious occupants.
listen [roll0] spot [roll1]

[Alabenson]

Daelric grinned broadly as the guards flinched away from his assault. Perhaps these men weren’t quite as experienced as they first appeared, he mused. Still, Daelric saw no reason to take his chances in this fight. He quickly assessed the guard to his left, looking for vulnerabilities. Once Daelric thought he saw an opening he quickly brought his chain around in a vicious blow.

Daelric initiates Sapphire Nightmare Blade, targeting the guard on the left.
Concentration Check (DC of guard's AC): [roll0]
Attack (if previous check succeeded, guard is flatfooted. If check failed, attack suffers -4 penalty: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]
Additional Damage if initial skill check succeeds: [roll3], Sneak Attack [roll4]

Not pausing to gage the effect of the blow, Daelic then tumbled backwards before summersaulting up the wall. Righting himself, Daelric twirled his chains with increasing speed, daring the guards to come after him.

Daelric employs the Tumble skill to move at half-speed without incurring attacks of opportunity, employing Dance of the Spider to end his turn standing 5 ft. up the wall.
Tumble Check: [roll5]

[sunwukong]

Baku's no fool, and he knows what Fharel considers glorious: a resistance unified under elven leadership. But that doesn't matter now. "When you attack humans next? Us two will join you. Go well, maybe we bring more fighters next time."

Baku knows that most of the Harbringers would be reluctant to put themselves at the mercy of the Blood Hunters. But if him and Gulbeck can prove that cooperation with the elves is possible, perhaps they'll be able to convince more of their brethren to come along in the future. Conversely, Baku can imagine that the elves probably don't want to work with a horde of goblinoids until they've fought in the company of one or two first.

As for the old history between the Ghanns and the Kiiskans, Baku ignores it...for now. He'd had the presence of mind not to mention his tribal name when introducing himself, and he hopes the question never comes up. Personally, he's not afraid of the Blood Hunters (any more than he should be, considering that he's currently surrounded by them). After all, he was basically his tribe's equivalent, and the elves had never actually succeeded in wiping out the Ghann tribe...that was the Order.

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"In a few hours time, the Order will assemble for an attack in one of the districts. You will join us and we'll ambush them. One of the Field Marshals is leading this assault and he may be known to your kind. They call him the Hound of the Darujos."

Gulbeck seethed and Baku immediately knew why. Marshal Eream Ross, the Hound of the Darujos earned the fear of the unified orcs and goblinoids during the Second Darkstar War. He led a company known as 'the Diggers' and he devised dozens of strategies for dealing with orcs and goblins, piling multiple successive victories against Avaraxus' forces. When the Order turned their crusade against the goblins after Jonas' assassination, Marshal Ross oversaw the slaughter of scores of tribes including the Ghaan.

DAELRIC
Daelric's attack glanced off the soldier's pauldron. They immediately realised Daelric was out of reach on the wall. Taking five foot steps back, the more wounded guard seized a nearby spear that was discarded by the conscripts and hurled it to his companion. The other soldier seized the weapon and thrust it at the man on the wall.

DM: Soldier 1 Attack: (9+9)=18
Damage (if successful): see below.

KATRIA, BRANNA
Both Katria and Branna could see an old shanty burning nearly sixty feet away from Redmaiden Hall, an old seminary to Nai'Tuhra. A small squad of ten of Order soldiers were fighting the blaze, seemingly guided by a blonde woman in heavy armour and carrying a shield with the sign of the Morning Sun. Looking at the group, they all looked young with some barely past puberty. They formed a chain, carrying buckets from a well two blocks down to douse the parameters of the inferno.

It was plain that while they were slowing the spread, they could not douse the fire. The orange flames had already reached two of the surrounding terraces and the blast of heat was discernable even a hundred feet away where Branna and Katria stood.

On the slate roof of Redmaiden Hall, Katria could see an elven woman watching the blaze. The glow from the fires made her auburn hair appear like a blazing halo and her face was lit with fascination as she surveyed the humans fighting the inferno. Katria recognised Khallis as a fellow member of the resistance, although belong to a different cell. She didn't know the girl particularly well but heard rumours that she was off recruiting in human lands up north.

[Plushie Arz]

OOC: [roll0]

[sunwukong]

Baku is stunned into silence for a moment. When he speaks again, his nostrils are flared and his eyes bore into Fharel's with obvious passion. "Yes, we know of the Hound. Nothing will stop us from being there. When do we start setting up the ambush?"

Of all the humans, Baku hates none more than Eream Ross and the Diggers. He hadn't anticipated the chance to pursue his vengeance against them so soon after his arrival in Kiiska...the Diggers weren't exactly assigned to guarding low-priority supply convoys, it seemed. Jagon smiles upon me, no question about it.

[Alabenson]

Daelric grimaced as the spear jabbed him in the side. Quickly, he dropped into a roll around the guard armed with the spear, slipping inside the polearm’s reach. As he came up from the roll Daelric swiped upwards with a length of chain in a fierce uppercut as he refocused his mind. He needed to end this, and quickly.

Daelric uses Tumble to move through the spear-armed guard’s space without provoking an attack of opportunity, moves adjacent to the spear-armed guard, makes a melee attack, and spends a swift action to regain his maneuvers having moved 10 ft.

Tumble: [roll0]
Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria looks around to see if Branna is there. After noticing her nearby she motions for the druid to follow her as she finds a relatively covered or concealed spot to watch the proceedings from.

She leans in close and whispers. "From what I know that's Khallis a member of the resistance, I hear she was recruiting from human lands." She motions in Khallis' direction for Brannas benefit. "I don't know what's going on and since I don't hear any cries for help I think observing would serve us better at this point. I don't think she would needlessly risk peoples lives."

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC
The spear-wielding soldier ducked Daelric's attack and took a five foot step back. He then stepped back further and jabbed. Meanwhile, the other soldier assumed a position behind Daelric and swung his sword.

Soldier 1: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Soldier 2: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Plushie Arz]

CONFIRM CRITICAL
[roll0]

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"I have sent word to the other resistance cells, banked old favours from the Council." Said Fharel. "The Serpent's Fang, the Nightsong Guild, Emerald Scales. They will be joining us. Our agent in the United Kiiskan Guard would convince them to turn during the battle. The humans will bleed for trying to take my city."

[sunwukong]

Baku nods, impressed by the scale of the operation. Again, he reflects on how fortuitous it was that he and Gulbeck picked this night to seek out the elves. Horgarth might be too stubborn to form alliances, but it would be a shame if no orc or goblinoid was present at such an important battle.

"Good. I'm an archer, give me and Gulbeck a post and we'll shoot as many of the dogs as we can."

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Evercursed/Uploads/Redmaiden2.jpg
DM: Daelric's turn

BAKU
"Agreed. You will take places of honour on the battlefield. Scalp the Hound and I'll give you a lord's bounty."

[CryWolfCorrupt]

"You could call me that, yes. I am a servant of Ona, a restorer of balance." The sounds of Daelric's fight up the stairs resounded off the walls and echoed their way down. "Come, it seems there is a commotion above." With that, she flew up the steps, eager to see whom Ona had sent to her aid. When she reached the top of the stairs, one guard had his back to her, and she focused harder than she had the whole time she was down below. "Xarzith purge nomeno sepa."*draconic, "ice purge his soul" she whispered and swam her hands through the air as if harnessing the very presence of Ona herself into a weapon.

An icy chill crept up around her hands, and she forced her will out towards the unsuspecting guard with a flick of her wrist.
Ice Knife
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Fort save against 2 dexterity damage
The blade of ice whipped past the guard's head and shattered against the wall.

[WebTiefling]

"Really?!" Branna looks excited. "This is a strike of some sort? How can we help?!"

Her hands, ready to cast a spell drop to her sides and she leans forward on the panther's back, apparently ready to signal to attack something.

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


Feeona flinched. She would have gaped in disbelief had she not found her eye drawn to the fire that lurched and smouldered, and would happily feast on the Hall with the three soldiers of Mornay, the helpless prisoners, and the same fire-bug that fathomed it all to start with. Her mouth set stubbornly. She didn't know if it was the Alchemist Fire, the dry timber, or that Daelric had incredibly invoked the back-biting deity twice, but the fire was keen to consume all. But not for going unchecked.

“Challenge breeds greatness so prepare to become the finest,” she rallied quickly. “Recover, refill, refine!”

Feeona marched directly towards the mousey recruit and stopped within quiet earshot. Quickly she nodded at the soldier nearest the clumsy girl and a gauntlet-hand pointed at the bucket, telling him to restart the process. They may have just been doomed for their efforts, and while her imagination didn't immediately offer any words, she remembered a quote from Lessons of a Lightbringer.

“Lo and hearken, that to be is at times to misbecome, and only those whom have never erred are verily they that never tried.” Her eyes smiled. “The only unforgivable mistake is in giving up. When the bucket gets to you, carry on. No rest for the wicked, right?” She winked and lingered only a moment in the hope it might impart the message a little better before returning to her impromptu post.

“We need every hand,” Feeona spoke loudly again, this time more to shield the clumsy girl from future blame than to bolster the spirits around her. “Now does anyone have holy water? Can anyone create water?””

[Alabenson]

Daelric grimaced as the guards continued to pierce his defenses. Thinking quickly, Daelric shifted his stance, trading mobility for the concealing defenses of the shadows. He then tumbled away from the guard armed with the sword behind him until he was next to the spear-armed guard, at which point Daelric lashed his chain towards the guards face, hoping that this time he could find an opening.

Daelric changes stances to Child of Shadow, then tumbles until he is adjacent to and directly to the right of the guard armed with the spear. This activates Child of Shadow, granting Daelric concealment until the beginning of his next turn. Daelric then initiates Insightful Strike against the guard armed with the spear.

Tumble: [roll0]
Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

I'm an idiot, I posted this in the OOC thread first by mistake.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria keeps whispering as she keeps eyes and ears on the conflagration and the area. "I don't know what this is, there are different groups within the resistance. I know of her, she's with a different group. Until we're sure what this is I think we should just observe, intervention could end up complicating the situation in a bad way. Be ready for almost anything though. Do you have a way to stop the fire from here? If so keep it handy in case that fire gets out of control"

[WebTiefling]

"Oh."

Branna settles back down, somewhat disappointed at the lack of immediate action.

"I didn't realize there were different groups fighting the Order. I guess that makes some sense. Huh, I hadn't thought of that. Which group are you with, Katria?"

She watches the people working on the fire for a few minutes.

"It looks like it might be getting away from them. I can call in a water elemental to help put it out, but if it gets too big, it will grow faster than I can put it out. If they don't start getting it under control in another minute or two, I'll need to act before it's too late. A major fire here could kill hundreds of trees and thousands of people."

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Still speaking quietly Katria replies. "I'm with the Serpent's Fang. I'm going to defer to your judgment considering the fire and summoning of elemental's. So when your absolutely sure it's necessary go ahead and summon it. I don't want Kiiska to get more destroyed than it already is, but I'm more concerned about innocent people and other creatures that might get hurt. Trees and plants can be regrown given enough time and effort." She cringes suddenly would I be so casual about destroyed trees if it was Nea's tree? I hope my being cautious isn't just me being afraid.

[WebTiefling]

Branna absently winces at the dismissal of the trees burning.

"Humans can just have more born, like trees can just have more planted. Doesn't change that you're burning them to death in the first place."

But there's no heat to her statement. She has long since gotten used to the lack of understanding people have about the world.

"It would be a thousand years before the new trees grow to replace the ones that would die in a major fire. The entire city would cease to exist if the fire gets entirely out of hand."

She shrugs.

"But I'm not really worried. There are people in the city who would step in to put out the fire before the whole city burns. I'm not the only one with magic in the city. A few might die, but I think that would be all even if I can't put it out."

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria feels chastised and looks apologetic as she turns to Branna and says "I'm sorry, your right. I don't know whats going on here and I'm reluctant to change the circumstances too much. When you feel it's appropriate call the elemental, I never meant to imply that the trees and plants don't matter.

[WebTiefling]

Branna glances over in surprise. She had barely paid attention to what she was saying - it was an old conversation rut, and she had expected a typical dismissal of plants. Instead there was at least a little openness. That was ... rare.

She went back to watching the people running a bucket chain and the woman Katria had pointed out as a resistance fighter.

Absently she spoke, "Ran across two trees who were fighting. A cocoa tree next to a redwood. The cocoa was young and buddy, always dropping seeds over toward the redwood. The redwood finally shifted a big root over, knocking the cocoa tree pretty hard. The cocoa didn't stop harassing the redwood though, and they fought for the next twenty years. By the time I got there, the cocoa tree was almost entirely out of the ground, and had dug its roots into the redwood, slowly killing that side of the redwood."

She shook her head. "Humans and elves aren't the only ones to do stupid, petty stuff. They just do it a lot faster. The tree those buildings are built next to," she gestured to where they were fighting the fire. "I'm guessing it's a pretty mean tree. Probably causes lots of headaches for those who live on it."

[sunwukong]

Baku nods eagerly. He knows that "place of honor" means "place of danger," but he's used to that. He's simply glad that as an archer, he won't be used as common spear fodder. And to be given the invitation to shoot at the Hound himself! That's more than I'd hoped for!

He glances at Gulbeck quickly, then says, "I'm ready. Where should we wait?" He gestures at his three quivers of arrows, pointing out the fact that he is already equipped for battle.

[Plushie Arz]

DM: +600XP to Baku, +400RPXP to Katria and Branna, +750 to Daelric. Baku receives Gloves of Dexterity +2.
BAKU
Baku couldn't remember how he arrived at the elven stronghold. They called it Harthome and it was located in the husk of a long-dead hanging buttress perched on one of the hanging platforms. In the war chamber, Baku could see the piles of gleaming swords and stacks of sharpened arrows on arranged on racks and tables. Many of the elves gave Baku and Gulbeck wide berth but Fharel’s fiery stare silenced any opposition. The resistance leader picked out a pair of dark kidskin gloves from one of the racks and handed them to Baku. He gave Gulbeck a thick leather belt adorned with metal studs.
“Weapons alone will not defeat the enemy.” He stated, an old elven truism. “You must be swifter and stronger than your prey. We will meet in the war chamber in a few hours time. I have some other matters to attend to.”
They were left alone in the guestroom. It had Spartan furnishings, with only a small wooden crate serving as a chair and table. A earthen jug of water was nearby but when Baku drank, he tasted the sickly sweet tang of flowers mixed into the jug. Gulbeck ran a mailed finger over the studs of the belt. “He’s a snake. I don’t trust him.”*
*Orcish


DAELRIC
Daelric's chain lashed at an exposed spot in the soldier's helmet. The metal links tore through the man's face with a frightening force and crushed his skull. As the soldier fell to the ground in a spray of blood, his comrade charged towards Daelric with reckless abandon.
DM: Daelric has an AoO against the second soldier.
Attack:
Damage: [roll] 1d8+5

FEEONA
"'W-we've got none left 'mam. Peena was shot dead last week. Some goblin bastard got her on patrol. She was our only cleric. She could've cast a water spell!" The recruits continued their task at fighting the fire and for a moment, it looked as if they were succeeding. The front part of the building had stopped burning and the it would have only take a few more minutes before the blaze was under control. But the fires were spreading. Feeona noticed the burning embers had reached the thatched rooftops of the two surrounding huts. Had it been a normal grass fire, the fresh wood would have held but fanned by the unnatural heat, they burst into an incendiary cloud that pelted the air around them with a shower of burning sparks and cinders.
DM: Reflex save from Feeona.

BRANNA, KATRIA
Katria noticed Khallis jumping down from the roof and disappearing inside the wooden doors of the Redmaiden Hall. The elf moved so swiftly and quietly that if Katria hadn’t been watching, she could have sworn that she just disappeared into the thin air. Meanwhile, the fire continued to burn with a relentless intensity. The recruits had extinguished part of the blaze but it had already spread to the surrounding huts. Black smoke choked the air as the flames licked at fresh wood and they could hear loud pops from the exploding sap. Both Branna and Katria could see the exhausted soldiers hauling their half-filled buckets and futilely throwing whatever their contents into the inferno.

It was as if an unnatural force was fuelling the flames. Branna knew that in the wild, a fire of that intensity would have burnt out long ago but here it was being spreading violently. An small explosion showered the soot-covered humans below with sparks.

SHENRA
DM: Keep in mind Shenra does not have any of her equipment with her. It was all taken away when she was captured.
"Mage moves too fast." Complained the man. "We ain't got no gear or nutt'un. She gonna be dead."
"They should be upstairs." Said the freed woman. She was in her late twenties and her light brown hair covered her beaten and scratched face. An assortment of scars covered her body and those were masterfully covered by a pattern of elven war tattoos across her back, shoulders and arms. "Come Streos. At least you've got your fists."
“An’ whaddo we do with him?” Streos jerked his fingers towards the prone guard, now groaning in the cell that Streos had formerly occupied.
“Leave him. He’ll be fine when he wakes up.”

* * *
Shenra climbed the stairs to see a rather forgettable man swinging his chains around an Order soldier. The corpse of another soldier lay dead on the floor nearby, his ruined face spilling a pool of blood onto the stone pavers. Twenty feet away and almost hidden in a corner of the building, she could see the brown leather sack where the soldiers had confiscated her gear.

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC
Attack: [19]
Damage: [roll0]

[sunwukong]

Baku accepts the magic gloves with a respectful inclination of his head and a "Thank you." He pulls the gloves over his hands, and marvels at how well they fit him. They seem to make it easier to manipulate fine objects rather than more difficult!

Once seemingly alone with Gulbeck, Baku keeps an ear trained on the door, either for an eavesdropper or for the sound of someone coming to summon them to the war chamber. In a low voice, he replies to Gulbeck, "I don't trust him either, but I haven't noticed a lie yet. We'll just have to be on our guard." *Orcish

After sipping the water, Baku sniffs at it more closely. Leave it to these pansy elves to put flowers in their water! But do I recognize that smell?

I assume that the Sense Motive check didn't result in Baku thinking he'd been lied to. Also, would you allow me to use Survival to try to identify what the flowers in the drink are? I'll roll on the chance that you will.

Listen: [roll0]
Survival: [roll1]

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


It had been easier to remain level-headed when she knew what the danger was, where it would be, and how to stop it. Feeona yelped when the heat hit her all the harder and the cloud rose up. Dully she raised her shield to block the burning rain, wide-eyed.




[roll0]

[WebTiefling]

Branna shifts back and forth, becoming more nervous as it becomes evident that the fire is growing more quickly than it should, and far more quickly than the bucket brigade can handle. She shakes her head.

"It's getting out of hand. I've got to do something."

She jumps down and begins walking toward the fire, pulling out her drinking bag of water. Her hands and voice beseech nature to send her its servants of water.

Summon Nature's Ally III for 1d3 water elementals: [roll0]

She urges the elemental forward to fight the raging fire. It slaps into the fire and a Large area of fire is suddenly doused, turned to a steaming mass of charred wood.

It douses a 10'x10' area with each touch. Any magical fires it Dispels as a CL 2.

It is coming in from the side where I'm coming in from, and attacking the fire from there. Unless other events dictate, it will work around the edges of the fire as it goes, putting out the areas that are catching fresh wood on fire. Lasts for 7 rounds.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria agrees with Branna's assessment and nods affirmatively. She follows Branna, although worried about the damage this fire could cause she seems calm and patient as she walks behind the druid. Now we see how this plays out. Hopefully the soldiers don't notice.

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
Baku noticed the flowers had a distinct appley taste. It appeared they were nothing more than ordinary fruit flowers that the elves used to flavour the water.

BRANNA, FEEONA, KATRIA
Feeona avoided the worst of the shower of cinders but she was still scorched by the heat. (3 Damage).

The elemental set to work, moving towards the flames.
DM: The Elemental will take 1 round to get to the flames and then spend several rounds dousing it.

[CryWolfCorrupt]

I'm aware of the lack of armor, but Shenra wouldn't spend time searching for it if she felt that Ona's messenger was potentially in danger up the stairs. Shenra ducked back inside the stairwell looking for the second guard who was now racing like a mad man towards the fighter with the chain. Could he be friend or foe? If he's fighting the guards he can't be too different from myself... Unless he's here to loot. That chain would hurt me pretty bad. Ona, bless me. She took a deep breath and peered back out into the room. "Mitne di Ona tomosha wux.."*Draconic, "Light of Ona blind you" She focused the energy around her again but this time a great ball of light erupted above and behind the fighter, shining directly into the face of the rushing soldier. After she saw her work had completed, she ducked back into the stairwell. Ona protect him, should his intentions be pure. And if his intentions not, grant me the time and manner to escape him.

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC, SHENRA
DM: The two escaped prisoners are no longer downstairs. They have followed Shenra up the stairs. Shenra also didn't roll for initiative. Please do not jump the gun or do this again in the future. I'm going to hurry this up. 350XP to Daelric and Shenra.

Daelric's chain wrapped itself around his enemy but the soldier was within reach and dealt a deep wound with his longsword. A blinding flare of light suddenly appeared between the two combatants and squinting through the glare, Daelric noticed three figures emerging from the circular stairs.

The escaped prisoner hurled himself at the remaining guard, his fists swinging in an uppercut. Daelric did not expect the man's attack to do much against the soldier's metal helm but with a loud clang, the blow connected and the guard was out cold. The tattooed woman walked over to the brown leather satchel and started taking out their equipment. She tossed Shenra her armour and took out a steel laminated fullblade and breastplate for herself. She then gave the man a chainmail and his punching gloves.

Daelric could see that the woman was in her late twenties and her light brown hair covered her beaten and scratched face. An assortment of scars covered her body and those were masterfully covered by a pattern of elven war tattoos across her back, shoulders and arms. The man who had just knocked out the Order soldier looked like he may be in his thirties and he had a head of closely cropped auburn hair and a beard. He may have been attractive at some point but his face was beaten and covered in bruises.

"Name's Sophiea." She said, "And this one's Streos. The two of you fight against the Order?"

[Alabenson]

Daelric was exhausted, badly injured, and above all thankful for the assistance. Yes, I was sent by an elf named Khallis to release the lot of you. Pardon me for a second, Daelric takes the weighted ends of his chain and brings them crashing down on the head of the unconscious guard. It’s best that we don’t leave any witnesses behind us, Daelric explained as he swiftly stripped the guard of his equipment and valuables, stuffing them into his haversack. Once this was finished, he turned to the released prisoners. Alright, let’s clear out before any of the other guards return. Follow me.

Daelric performs a coup de grace on the guard that the prisoner knocked unconscious.
Damage: [roll0], plus Sneak Attack [roll1]

[CryWolfCorrupt]

Shenra graciously received her equipment. Shrugging off the sack she had been forced to wear in the prison, a great number of tattoos showed on her shoulders and arms. She donned a small shirt and a deep red robe, which covered most of her skin. The hood of the robe fell behind her. She adorned her trinkets and gathered an old, knotted staff from the wall across the room. Hanging from the knots were several small satchels and sacks.
"Yes. I am Shenra, Oracle of Ona. Well met. The Order has taken much from me, and the balance of life has been thrown off. I aim to restore balance, somehow." She turned to Daelric. "Are you here alone? Where are the rest of the guards?"

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria whispers into Brannas ear from behind while keeping her attention on the fiery blaze and Redmaiden Hall. "Khallis went into Redmaiden Hall, if any of these soldiers start back that way I'm going to intervene. How much time before the elemental puts out the fire?"

[Alabenson]

As Shenra changes, Daelric turns to give her some small modicum of privacy and begins searching the other guard for valuables while he responds. The rest of the guards are busy dealing with a little distraction I prepared for them. My compatriot is with them making sure none of them decide to check back here. Now, let’s not stay here any longer than we need to. I’d rather not have to deal with another ten guards if I can avoid it.

[WebTiefling]

While the crackling roar of the fire had lessened where they were, Branna figured it was probably still roaring closer to where the Order soldiers were still tossing buckets.

"Depends on how 'out' we want it. If the fire is supposed to be a distraction, we probably don't want to completely stop it."

Branna looks toward where the fire is still burning fully. It's hard to even guess at how long it would take to put it out. The elemental could put out as much fire in a few seconds as the buckets could in a minute, but ....

"I can summon another water elemental while we try to sneak over to where Khallis went in. It can keep putting out the fire while we're moving. Once we get over there, I can call one more if it seems like it will be needed."

DM? How long will it take the elementals to get it down to a point the soldiers can evenutally finish it off? [roll0]

[CryWolfCorrupt]

"I second the motion. Streos, Sophiea, will you be accompanying us?" She hurries to follow Daelric, not oblivious to his respect for her modesty. "I think you should, at the least until we escape the perimeter and the swarm of guards." The smell of the smoke from outside the prison caught up to her again and she sighed. Fire was perfect in itself. Fire, both destructive and creative, of death and rebirth, created a sense that knew no bounds. Smoke was the naked presence of the fire, the bearing provided so that nature itself might witness the raw power. Such beauty, such elogance, such truth to be found in fire.

[sunwukong]

"The water has apple flowers in it, but seems safe enough, far as I can tell" Baku informs Gulbeck, before taking another swig from the jug. Sneaking around the Undercity for hours had left his mouth rather dry, and he's glad for the drink. He holds the jug out to Gulbeck. "Want some?" *Orcish

After a few moments of silence, Baku attempts to start up a conversation, "So, when we fight the Hound, are you going to be using your bow or that big skullcrusher of yours?" He nods towards her morningstar. "I'm OK with this sword myself, but I much prefer shooting."

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria replies in a whisper "Do what you think is best, but I need to warn you I'm not very stealthy. My talents were more focused on entertaining and being joyful for others."

[WebTiefling]

"Hmm, that's something that I can help with. A bit of Camouflage can be a marvelous thing."

Branna looks around, some dark greens and mottled black here and there. That would probably be about right.

"Let me know when you're ready, and I'll put a spell on you that will help you blend in. It's not invisibility, but it should help."

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria pauses to consider the situation. "Hhhhmmmmm. Do you think that best? What do we know of what's going on? There's 11 order soldiers putting out a fire, Khallis who has entered Redmaiden Hall. What's in the hall? Who started the fire? Was this planned, is it happenstance? If you still think it wise to sneak over there then I'm ready when you are."

[WebTiefling]

The little Druid shrugs, unconcerned. "I don't know. I've never been a part of a resistance before! Your resistance and their resistance should work together. That's the way things work out best in nature. It'll work best with people too, I'm sure."

She lays her hand on herself and begins to say something and then pauses, shoulders slowly slumping.

"Oh, I can't cast a Camouflage on you. A person can only align themselves with nature for this. I ... I guess I got carried away.

"Um, ... I guess we could just charge over, but that would probably attract the guards' attention to the Redmaiden. That probably wouldn't be good - too much like a kit yapping to let its mother know it sees a rabbit.

"What should we do? Just let them go on with whatever they're doing?"

Branna had been feeling so great, having put down a couple diseased humans, joining a resistance movement against the dreadful Order, keeping the city safe from fire, and about to help another resistance group!

But, maybe she wasn't as good at this resistance stuff as she thought. Her blithe words of assurance that the resistance groups would obviously work together suddenly sounded suspiciously like naive pronouncements of a druid trainee declaring they understood the deep rhythms of nature.

Katria's words of caution suddenly sounded much more wise upon reflection.

[Alabenson]

“Alright, anyone who’s coming with us, let’s get going, I can already smell the ‘distraction’, which means we need to go before it starts drawing unwanted attention to this place.” With that, Daelric turns and starts leading the escapees out of the prison and towards the rendezvous point in the Steel pits. As he goes, he pulls out a small potion vial and downs the bitter, syrupy contents with a grimace.

Daelric consumes one of his potions of cure light wounds.
[roll0]

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"I smash them the same way I smashed the metal men in the Darujos. Break their bones like little twigs" Gulbeck gratefully accepted the offered jug and drank thirstily. She shook her head as she set down the container."And to think I fought with Avaraxus all those years ago. You weren't there at Kae'ris. The Warchief smashed through the city. Our Darkling vanguard backed them in the rear. Nobody could get out. The city burned."
*Orcish

DAELRIC, SHENRA
The soldiers were stripped of their equipment. Armour, weapons, rings, potions and belts. There would be time to identify them later.
“Yeah, we better not wait.” Streos hefted two bags of supplies from the corner and slung them over his shoulders. “They won’t be needing those right?”
“Just hurry up. We don’t have time.”

The group ran into Khallis on their way out.
“Daelric, lead the way to the Steel Pits! I need to get Feeona!”*
*Elven

BRANNA, KATRIA
Branna and Katria trained their eyes and saw Khallis sneaking out with four humans following her. They were too ragged and unkempt to be Order soldiers. One looked like a spellcaster of some description while another looked completely forgettable, perhaps a cutpurse or a common thug whose chains were coated in a layer of fresh blood. The third was a bearded man in chainmail hefting two large sacks behind his shoulders. It was the last human who Katria recognised. She had a lean, muscled physique and wore mithril armour with a laminated steel fullblade strapped to her back. An array of elven war tattoos from decades past covered her forearms and shoulder.

It was Sophiea the Elf-friend, one of the first humans to enter Kiiska in many centuries. She was supposedly a veteran of the Second Darkstar War and arrived in the city with a ragtag group mere days before the Order of the Morning Sun landed on the shores. She spent months fighting against the soldiers in the deep jungles but was captured in an ambush shortly before the Order took the city. Katria and everybody else had thought that she was killed. No doubt news of her presence would bolster resistance morale.

FEEONA
The Order recruits were exhausted and several of them slumped against the building to gather themselves. Feeona thought she could see a water elemental halting the spread of the flames but in the shimmering haze, she couldn’t be too sure of anything. Exhaustion was beginning to set in and she knew that the bucket line had well and truly broken. She felt a hand grasping her gauntlets and looked down to see Khallis gently tugging at her. “They’re freed. You have to come with us!”

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria was about to reply to Branna when she spots Khallis depart the Redmaiden with company. A smile carves itself into her face. "Now that's a sight for sore eyes. If those soldiers try to stop Khallis and the others we stop them. If they get away on their own we 'melt' into the background and disappear after making sure this fire is dealt with properly."

[Plushie Arz]

KATRIA, BRANNA
Curiously, Katria and Branna could see Khallis breaking away from the assembled group. The humans hustled in one direction away from the fire but Khallis sneaked through the thick smoke towards what appeared to be the leader of the soldiers, a tall blonde woman in soot-covered armour. They both stood some distance away from the exhausted recruits but Khallis was tugging at the woman's hands and whispering something in her ears.

[Alabenson]

Understood. We’ll meet in the Steel Pits once you have Feeona.

“Alright everyone,” Daelric began, a smile returning to his face, “stick to the shadows and try to avoid standing in the light of the giant house fire behind us.” Quietly sliding from shadow to shadow, Daelric leads the escapees towards the trail leading into the Steel Pits.

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


The cinder bounced off the steel shield, but the heat still slapped Feeona across the face. Rivulets raced down her soot-stained face, hair mated with sweat. The fire was spreading still. Had she been a genuine soul, she would have made them gather their weapons, and attempt evacuating the prisoners safely out. No one deserved to be burned alive. Instead, she found the silence in the background besides the crackle of flames to be damning. Had any of the Order soldiers survived, they would have checked on their friends and allies. There wasn't a choice but to battle the blaze.

Feeona tried speaking, but instead coughed on the air, and spat. Her second attempt at speaking died near after. She started to wonder if she didn't surrender to the stress of the situation moments ago, because little else explained what approached. What might have been dew drops, damp soul and perhaps a puddle or three had heroically pooled itself together to become a torso-tall alliance of rippling humanoid. Through a lens of fatigue, she thought it stride swaying, but she wasn't sure she hadn't imagined that any more than she did the squish of its steps, or even the hissing of water chastising fire. When Khallis appeared she was the only thing that appeared real. All else was an impossible dreamscape of aiding the deaths of three Order soldiers, leading recruits away from fear and desertion to a united front, and water growing so impatient that it simply fought the fire itself.

She nodded warily at the elf, too tired to speak.

[Plushie Arz]

DM: +300XP to Feeona, Katria and Branna. Feeona is now fatigued, taking a -2 penalty to strength and dexterity and loses the ability to run/charge until she has had rest.

The fire was extinguished and left a thick pall of smoke over the Redmaiden district. The ten soldiers lay exhausted from their efforts, too tired to care about anything else. None of them noticed Khallis leading Feeona away by the hand and into the darkness of the Undercity.

* * *

[sunwukong]

Baku nods, "I thought as much. You'll understand if I try to kill the Hound first when the fight starts, but I promise I'll do my best to provide you with covering fire."

Baku feels like a young and inexperienced hunter once again as Gulbeck speaks of the Second Darkstar War and the Sack of Kae'ris. Knowing that they have a several hour wait ahead of them, he asks, "Will you tell me more about fighting with Avaraxus? What was your first battle after joining his army?" *Orcish

[WebTiefling]

"Oooooo," Branna whispers to Katria. "That Order lady went away with that Khallis person. She must have been a double agent, and everyone got away! They must have had that pretty well planned."

She shook her head, staring through the whisping smoke and steam where the resistance fighters had disappeared.

"I think I have a lot more to learn before I'm going to be able to plan out stuff like that. It's almost like being a novice again."

Branna turned to Katria.

"But I'll go through it again if that's what it takes to put a stop to the Order. I'm ready to learn and follow your groups orders if they're willing to use me to fight against the Order."

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria looks at Branna with a stunned expression on her face. She makes as if to say something a few times without a sound coming out then she speaks in a subdued low tone without realizing it. "I think we need to go before those soldiers find us." Katria starts walking, taking a round about way out of the area and to the safehouse. "I hear you about feeling like a novice, this resistance thing is new to me too. And I'm sure my comrades will be overjoyed to know we have another person, especially a druid, to help. By the way I didn't catch your name."

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
Gulbeck chuckled. "I was like that in my first battle against humans. Knights had attacked the Tosh and slew our elder. Took his amulet, a holy artifact from Jagon to our people. Their leader then was a witch called Grey Lydia. I swore that I would be the one to put a mace through her skull."

"I spent weeks hunting her, killing her men in small ambushes. How they died, begging for their mothers and wives. But Lydia was not there. I later heard she was joining with the dwarves, those bearded fools. I gathered what warriors I could and pursued her to the Mountains."

"I saw her that day, wearing our elder's amulet. I had to kill her that day. Nine hells be damned, I charged straight at her." The orc pulled back her braids to reveal a deep scar on her scalp. "It was a trick. The dwarves opened my ranks and killed my warriors. I... I displeased the Warchief. I was lucky he let me live. I later killed Lydia when the Horde got to Farlaen, years later. Strangled her with my dead elder's amulet. The bitch couldn't even cast a spell to save her own worthless hide."

"You may kill the Hound but take this lesson from me. Vengeance is good, vengeance is pure. But the Hound will be protected. He would have planned for this. I fought him too, as I fought Grey Lydia and he is the better general by far. Don't risk the battle for vengeance. Otherwise it's just a stupid risk."

[Plushie Arz]

KATRIA, BRANNA
The safehouse was located ten minutes away, in an apartment formed from the hollowed branches of a hornwood. Katria, Branna and Mabh ascended the spiral stairs to a doorway where an elven man in biege coat stood above the banister. "Revanthas aul ant"* He said, with his palms outstretched. He nodded when Katria gave the correct response and stood aside to grant them entry.

Branna was certain that the safehouse appeared bigger on the inside than outside. In the antechamber, where the walls, floor and ceiling were formed from the whitewood, they could see racks of polished leather armour and longbows hanging from the wall. A dozen elves laboured with the stockpile. One of them, an athletic man with cropped silver hair and purple eyes greeted them. Katria knew his name was Cyrus, and he was once a hunter before the occupation. He had once pursued her as a partner for a time before giving up.

"Katria, you're back. And I see you brought a friend. Did you hear the news? The humans are going to drive the Orcs out from the Steel Pits"

"A friend in need?" Katria could see a green snake tattooed on the man's palm.

SHENRA, DAELRIC, FEEONA
The group passed through the winding alleys of the Steel Pits and they instantly knew why the Order soldiers avoided the neighbourhood. The buildings were made from hewn stone, packed tightly between the gaping roots of giant Banyan Figs. However, the closeness of the alleyways and the sharp corners meant that a less experienced warrior could easily be lost. Furthermore the group could occasionally see red and yellowed eyes peering at them from cracks in the buildings and there was a sense of great unease, as though they might be attacked any second.

Fortunately, the group made it unmolested to the safehouse. It was an apartment, like many others in the city, formed from the hollowed trunk of a whitewood. Streos and Sophiea were quick to take their leave and Khallis nodded, but not before Streos left them one of the two sacks that he obtained from the Redmaiden. As Shenra entered the room, Ras the owl swooped on her shoulder. "Take a bath, get some food, have a rest." Said Khallis, slumping down on one of the armchairs. She kicked off her boots and undid her leather shirt without the slightest trace of bashfulness. "We'll meet up here afterwards and figure out what to do with the loot from Redmaiden."

[sunwukong]

"You're right," says Baku in a lowered voice, humbled by Gulbeck's story. "I won't do anything foolish. But if I see a clear shot, I'll have to try, at least once." He falls into silence. Perhaps later he'll ask her more questions about her experiences in the War, but she's given him plenty to think about for the moment.

[WebTiefling]

Branna nods to the elves. "Branna's the name. We saw some action taking place over by the Redmaiden. Dunno if it's important." She nudges Katria. "Tell 'em."

She glances around in curiosity. Well organized, it seemed, and enough elves here to make a considerable localized fighting force.

Hopefully she would be able to add some new capabilities, and just as importantly, learn how to best use her capabilities to throw out the Order.

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


Feeona shuffled more than walked in her attempt to keep pace with the group. Where Khallis led and what turns they made, she didn't know. She knew only that to be let go was to be lost. Eyes in the dark stared at her. Angrily, accusingly. I abandoned them, she thought. When they had been too exhausted to budge, she dumped them to discover the jailbreak, and their dead.

Inside the apartment, Feeona dimly marvelled at having found energy enough to appear uncomfortable. Plainly she looked away when their host started to disrobe. What Khallis was being in that instance, she was too tired to recall the word, but like most elves, she was being too much of it. No one in Farlaen would have done that. Only after did Feeona note the unknown extra that yet lingered in the room when the other two had left without much a peep as to who they were.

“You were in the prison,” she said to the other human woman, subdued. “Would you like to bath first?”

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria nods at cyrus and Branna. "Hopefully they weaken the order in the process. "A new recruit. She has expressed a desire to fight the order and I have personally seen her handywork." Tonight has been eventful for me. I came across Branna here having just killed 2 order soldiers, later at the Revanthas aul Bell we heard a commotion and went outside to investigate. A fire had broke out in the Redmaiden district 60 foot from the hall, order soldiers had already formed a bucket line and were fighting the fire when we got there. Khallis was also there. She departed the Redmaiden Hall with 4 humans, left the area with 5 humans. One of those humans is Sophiea the Elf-friend, one of the others is also the human female order soldier that was directing the bucket line."

[CryWolfCorrupt]

Shenra looks wearily at Feeona. She had not been prepared for the drop after her adrenaline rush. "That would be beautiful, Ona bless you. She bowed her head and fully removed her hood, her long hair unfoiling down to her waist. She extended a warm hand to Feeona. "I'm Shenra. This is my owl, Ras." She indicated the bird on her shoulder. "Thank you for your generosity."

[Alabenson]

While Feeona and Shenra talked, Daelric removed his cloak and armor, filled a bucket with water and began washing the guardsmen’s blood off of his weapon. Without the cloak covering him, the injuries he sustained during his fight with the two guards were plainly visible, wet patches of dark red on the drab material. “Khallis,” Daelric began, his back to the elf, “I don’t suppose you have a needle and thread here, do you? I’m going to want to patch up my clothes at some point.”

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


“No, no. Khallis is generous. I'm just her guest. Feeona.” A hand covered in steel and soot clasped the extended hand reluctantly, and she offered a look apologetic for it. “I had to help with the distraction while Daelric got you out, and got distracted myself. Turns out Alchemist Fire burns hot.”

Not wanting to spread the day's dust around the room, the follower of Mornay hovered close to the door they entered, indecisive. A part of her had hoped to hop straight into the shower before she offered. She was still much she had been outside, armoured with her visor up, and with a sunny shield clutched in her left hand. A glance was given to the obedient pet.

“You must have trained Ras really well, though. You're not even wearing armour,” she sounded surprised. “How long have you had him? Do you hunt much?”

Most falconers Feeona had heard of needed no less than a thick glove to protect their arm. Here, the owl rested sharp talons on its mistress' shoulders without either showing a hint of discomfort.

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC, FEEONA, SHENRA
"I can fix that. I forgot you're that injured. Here, have these" Khalls took Daelric's cloak and handed him five vials of a clear viscous liquid. When Daelric lifted them to his nose, he could identify the familiar whiff of a healing potion. The elf girl was quick with thread and needle. In seconds, she had stitched together the holes in Daelric's cloak and he couldn't even notice the repairs on close inspection.

* * *

When they were cleaned and rested, the four of them stood before the table with the items taken from Redmaiden laid out before them. Khallis had brewed some tea which restored rejuvenated their spirits and washed the exhaustion from their limbs as though they had a few hour's rest. "We're joining up with another resistance group soon. The Order are going to be attacking the Steel Pits, to drive out Warlord Horgarth's orcs. We'll be helping Lord Fharel ambush the humans. These items were recovered from Redmaiden. See if any of those are of use to you."
Characters with the highest rolls take a pick first and go from descending order.
Daelric:[roll0]
Feeona:[roll1]
Shenra:[roll2]

ITEMS
Ring of Sustenance
Ring of Protection +1
Gloves of Arrow Snatching
Figurine of Wondrous Power: Silver Raven
Elixir of Sneaking (2)
Potion of Cat’s Grace
Potion of Lesser Restoration
Hat of Disguise


BRANNA, KATRIA
"That is good news. Lerethi will be glad to hear of that, no doubt. She told me she wants to see you when you get back." Cyrus bowed his head and acknowledged Branna. "And it is an honour to meet you little lady. I wish you well."

Lerethi Magdellar was known to both Katria and Branna as a powerful arcanist who ruled as part of the Old Kiiskan Council for almost two centuries. She was softly spoken but served as the leader of the Serpent's Fang.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria nods acknowledgment of Cyrus' message. She goes to see what business Lerethi has with her. "You needed to speak with me madam?" * Elven

[Alabenson]

“Precisely how soon is ‘soon’ going to be exactly? I can’t imagine the Order is going to leave themselves vulnerable by launching an all-out attack after tonight.”

[Plushie Arz]

DAELRIC, FEEONA, SHENRA
"Two hours time. The Order are amassing soldiers within the parameters of the Green Zone and they plan to strike under the cover of darkness, while Horgarth and his orcs are still drunk. We need to meet with Lord Fharel at Harthome as soon as you're ready."

BRANNA, KATRIA
Katria and Branna opened the heavy redwood doors to Lerethi's study. She sat in a stuffed leather chair behind a stained desk piled with rolled up parchments and scrunched up letters. Behind her, were three large bookshelves neatly arranged with hundreds of leather-bound volumes. Lerethi was a middle aged woman with her light platinum hair tied in a bun behind her head. She wore verdant green robes embossed with scale patterns. She carried an air of mature beauty and grace. A clay pot of tea rested on her desk and she gestured the two women to take the leather chairs opposite her.

"It is good you are here, Katria." She said softy. She glanced at the halfing with her piercing celadon eyes."And Branna Swiftheart is it? It has been many years since I last visited your village. I hope your elder is well? You have grown into a beautiful young woman. Please. Would either of you have some tea?"
*Elven

[sunwukong]

There's a question that's been on Baku's mind for many a year now, and he finally has the opportunity to ask someone who might actually know something about what actually happened. "So what do you think happened to Avaraxus? It's been over ten years since he disappeared at the Obelisk. Do you think he'll ever come back? Some goblins I know say that he will return at our hour of greatest need, but I don't know whether to believe that or not." *Orcish

[Alabenson]

Daelric let out a sigh and began downing the healing potions Khallis had given him. He had hoped to at least have the opportunity to get a night’s rest before going into combat again, but no rest for the wicked, as the saying went.

[roll0]

[Vertharrad]

Katria

"Yes, thank you madam." Katria gets some tea before sitting down in one of the seats indicated. She takes a sip before her curiosity gets the better of her. Do you have a task for me? * Elven

[Plushie Arz]

KATRIA, BRANNA
The deep aroma of green tea filled Katria's nostrils. Lerethi clasped her fingers. "I'll get to the point then. The Blood Hunters are going to attack the Order tonight. Fharel wants fighters from us, whatever remains of the old Kiiskan council. I want you to go and represent the Serpent's Fang."

Katria knew of Lord Fharel Grimtar, the leader of the Blood Hunters. His good looks and charisma made him wildly popular with the girls in Kiiska. She remembered how excited Cortinea was to have spent an evening with him when she came of age. As Katria grew older though and spent more time in the Undercity among the half-elves, she heard rumours that Fharel held a seat on the old council and relentlessly enforced the persecution of half-elves and political renegades.

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
"It.. it was unholy magic. Human trickery." Gulbeck cursed. "I was a scout in that battle. Sent to harass the Sol's knights. I saw a blue flash and a hole in the sky. The Warchief, the Horde, the Obelisk itself... It all vanished. They later told me that one of the old Sol's friends did that. Killed himself to vanish the Horde. I pray every night to Jagon for Avaraxus' return but we cannot rely on him. No, Avaraxus will not be our salvation."

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


Immodest, the word occurred in Feeona's mind as the conversation briefly lulled, and her attention wandered back to the Khallis. The elves were too immodest. But her easy confidence wore it well. Immodest wasn't so bad, she decided, just different. Unsure how long she looked, she turned away suddenly, not keen to be seen to ogle anyone. Her world was narrowed down to a human woman in red robes with an owl resting peaceably on her shoulder, and made sure to see no more than that.

***

Feeona knelt comfortably in beige arming doublet and padded trousers. They were far from fashionable, but the first impression she had been given after showering was that the day wasn't done, and her armour would see use after all. She glanced at it, set out neatly in a corner to her right, but unclean. She might be lucky if ash was the worse that stained in today.

“A small prison break won't ruin them. The fire distraction that close to the Steel Pits might have made them move plans forward.” She sipped her tea to try stemming her worry. “Do we have any idea who commands the Order soldiers?”

[Plushie Arz]

FEEONA
"I heard the orcs had stolen twenty barrels of spiced wine from a supply wagon earlier today. It was a plan to get them drunk before the assault. They say the army is led by one called Eream Ross, if that means anything."

Feeona knew of Field Marshal Eream Ross, the Hound of the Darujos. He was by all accounts a fair man, good to his soldiers and a brilliant tactician who used his understanding of the battlefield to prevail over his enemies. During the Darkstar Wars, Ross and his rangers, 'the Diggers', inflicted scores of crippling victories against the orcs and goblinoids of Warchief Avaraxus Kull and he later served with distinction during the Order's goblinoid crusades.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria took another hurried sip of the tea then set it down. "I'll go and represent us madam. Where is it we're supposed to rally for this counter strike? How much can we trust Fharel? I have some news for you, Sophiea the Elf-friend is alive. She was rescued along with some other humans tonight by Khallis at Redmaiden Hall. She hesitates before saying this last thing. A order soldier was aiding them. * Elven

[Plushie Arz]

KATRIA
"It is good news. Khallis is a good girl and I know many people will be happy to hear about Sophiea." Lerethi gave Katria a weary smile. She filled her tea and sighed. "I've worked with Fharel for many years on the Council. He is many things an elf should be. Brave, resourceful and charming. I fear though for his confidence. If anything, his brashness will be his undoing. He will be meeting you at Harthome. A small group of warriors will accompany you but I'm loathe to spare too many."

"I've seen too many good elves die in the last few months. I never thought I'd say this but I want you to take care. Are you sure you won't reconsider wearing protective amulets? I know you're trained in the ways of the dance but it seems like folly to wade into battle with just those lovely clothes you're wearing."

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria smiles shyly and self-consciously. "Madam I appreciate the offer, but I have made vows to eschew material possessions beyond the necessary. I use any excess to provide for those truly in need." She gives Lerethi an apologetic smile. "I can leave anytime your ready. Who will be going with us?"

[Plushie Arz]

BRANNA, KATRIA
"I'm afraid Fharel must excuse my absence at this battle. He is a capable commander but we cannot risk the entire leadership of the Resistance if the Order triumphs. Captain Luthais and his men will be accompanying you, as would you Branna, if you wish." Lerethi handed Branna an oaken necklace, carved in the shape of an owl. The surface was polished to a dull darkness, almost black and it carried a heft that felt good in the halfling's hands. "Your elder gave me this during my last visit to your village. It's supposed to provide wisdom and clarity. I think it's fitting that you should have it as a small token of my thanks. Please look after each other for me."

DM: Periapt of Wisdom +2 to Branna.

[CryWolfCorrupt]

Shenra stroked Ras' feathers below his wings. "It would appear that this mission will be a bit more... difficult than a prison raid." She picked up the figurine, examining it. She held it up to Ras, who quickly turned his head away from it. Smiling, she replaced it on the table with the other spoils. She picked up the hat next, and as if by sensing her thoughts, shimmered before taking on the same red color as her hooded robe, and assuming the shape of a slim ribbon. "This will certainly come in handy, won't it?" She adorned the ribbon in her hair and smiled. "So, what path are we planning to take to the Green Zone? I can have Ras scout ahead if necessary." Ras hooted softly and stretched his wings. Shenra sat at the table. "Do you think I could have a map to look at? And who is this Eream Ross fellow?"

[Alabenson]

Daelric looked over the assorted items for a moment before his eyes landed on one of the two rings, a simple polished circle of metal. Plucking it from the table, he slid it onto his finger, feeling the ring’s magic envelop him in a sheath of protective energy. It might not have been powerful, but it would have been enough to turn at least a few of the blows he had received earlier that night.

[Plushie Arz]

SHENRA, DAELRIC, FEEONA
"We're not going to the Green Zone. That's in the centre of the city, where the White Monarch is and it's going to be teeming with Order soldiers. We're going to Harthome, where we'll be meeting with Lord Fharel."

* * *


Some time later...

THE PARTY
Nobody could seem to remember exactly which path and platforms that they took to arrive at Harthome. The fortress was formed from the grey husk of a long-dead buttress perched on one of the hanging platforms. Despite the rather unremarkable exterior, the fortress seemed far bigger on the inside with fully furnished chambers seemingly moulded from a single layer of hardwood. It was in the war room that they met; Baku, Branna, Daelric, Feeona, Gulbeck, Khallis, Katria and Shenra. There were others too. Captain Luthais, a middle aged elven man with a black greatbow strapped behind his shoulder. A dark elven woman in black chainmail waited by the brazier next to a grey-skinned Tuh'raan man. An air of tenseness filled the chamber as the assembled group waited by a large circular stone table with a map of the Steel Pits laid out in the centre. The flames from the braziers flickered, casting dancing shadows over the aged parchment.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Evercursed/steelpitsmap.jpg

Lord Fharel entered the chamber and the soldiers around the door bowed. He was six foot tall, with long golden hair and sharp features. He wore gilded armour and a magnificent crimson cloak was wrapped around his shoulders. He nodded in acknowledgement. When he spoke, it was in a rich accented common that commanded complete attention. "Friends, valued allies. I thank you for your attendance. The Order of the Morning Sun have held this city for a month. They have committed atrocities beyond reckoning and besmirched the collective honour of our people. Tonight, we will reclaim that honour."

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


“The Hound of the Darujos. The Diggers.” Feeona chewed on her lip anxiously, her tea totally forgotten on the table. “Field Marshal Eream Ross. He's led more crusades than some priests have services. Near no one questions that he's a good man and a great leader, and if his victories are anything to go by, he excels against goblinoids. I should have known before Khallis said it; it's an attack on an orc Warlord. Anyone else would have been false.”

She shook a head of washed and combed hair. “Two hours isn't much. I don't want to hurry anyone, but we really need to start thinking about going very, very soon. If we're going to spare the orcs, Lord Fharel will need to know who's helping him, and how.”

After a moment's hesitation, she plucked up the silver raven figurine, and tried not to think about where the items came from.

[WebTiefling]

Branna turns the amulet over in her hands, examining its workmanship and color. "Beautiful, and even just holding it I can feel the greater understanding it can provide to someone. I look forward to putting its greater ability to work to protect people from the Order.

"My village is part of why I fight against the Order. Once I had thought if I left the 'civilized' people alone, they wouldn't be a blight to nature. The Order, though, is a poison to all it touches. No village, no matter how buried away is safe."

She clasps the periapt around her neck and takes a deep breath, "I'll do everything I can to support those who oppose the Order."

[sunwukong]

When one of the Blood Hunters finally knocks on the door of the room Baku and Gulbeck have been waiting in, Baku eagerly follows the elf to the war room. As he and Gulbeck find a spot to stand near the stone table, Baku eyes the others in the room. Aside from the Hunters, it looks like there's three Kiiskans, a black-skin elf, a gray-skin elf, three humans--one of them has the cursed Sun on her shield--and a goblin-sized pinkskin of some sort. Most of these people must be from the other factions Fharel was talking about. I don't see a lot of weapons or armor, I hope they all know how to fight!

Baku's yellow eyes widen with shock and anger as his gaze falls upon the map on the stone table. This map is of the Steel Pits! And Fharel said nothing! He could've sent one of us to warn Warlord Horgarth, but instead he kept us in that empty room! He better be planning on springing this ambush before the Hound is unleashed on the Pits! Baku glances at Gulbeck to see if she's noticed the map and the soon-to-be battlefield it depicts. At that moment, Fharel walks into the room. Baku keeps his jaw (and his gloved fists) tightly clenched, not trusting himself to speak just yet. He knows it would be suicidal to accuse Fharel of treachery while he is in Harthome, surrounded by Blood Hunters.

The others in the room see a tall, crimson-skinned hobgoblin with a fierce scowl upon his face. For all they know, though, he always looks like that. They'll also notice a powerful-looking longbow on his back, three quivers of arrows strapped to his body, a longsword at his hip and the glint of chainmail beneath the mottled gray cloak that was clearly designed for a smaller person.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Waiting patiently through Branna's speech Katria replies. "We will not fail you madam. * Elven She grabs her quarterstaff, collects Captain Luthais and the others, then proceeds to Harthome.



At Harthome...
Katria holds her staff and looks around at the different groups of people represented, even though from different backgrounds she smiles, this is the first time she's seen such a diverse group in one place. The only ones that give her pause is the order soldier and the grey-skinned human. I hope Lord Fharel knows what he's doing. She listens avidly to Lord Fharel's speech. We definitely will take back our fair city, no matter the obstacle.

[Alabenson]

As the rest of the items were divvied out, Daelric selected yet another ring, one whose enchantment would sustain him without food or water. Not a particularly powerful item, but there was something to be said for not having to worry about where your next meal was going to come from.

*At Harthome*
Daelric looked around the room at the various factions represented, paying particular attention to the gobliniods present. They seemed particularly angry, and one glance at the map told him why. While the elves priority was defeating the Order, he doubted that they would be overly troubled if the Warlord’s forces were diminished in the ensuing fight, a suspicion the gobliniods likely shared.
As Lord Fharel gave his speech, Daelric listened with skepticism. Large-scale warfare may have been outside of Daelric’s experiences, but it was fairly obvious that their forces were badly outnumbered by those of the Order. Hopefully this Fharel had a viable plan, otherwise…

[Plushie Arz]

THE PARTY
"Rest assured, we will strike the Order at their flanks before they can reach the Steel Pits." Fharel pointed to the map and moved two ivory pieces from the south. "We have information that the humans have one hundred armoured infantry and fifty mounted knights. They would be split into three forces and try to mount an assault from the Greenway. It's the only area in the Steel Pits that can accommodate their horses. Three hundred United Kiiskan Guards will be sweeping in from the north. That is when we strike."

"We'll be coming in from the slums. The buildings give us cover against any of their archers. The Order think the Kiiskan Guards will be supporting them but at our sign, they'll turn. Are the men ready, Kolvars?" The assembled group hardly noticed the pudgy half-elven man dressed in the dark olive garb of Kiiska's new guard. A bald patch was starting to form through his stringy brown hair and his expression seemed to always rest in a half-smile. He slowly nodded at Fharel's question. "As always m'lord."

"Gulbeck, you will be with Tellista's night fighters. Baku, you will have a place among Khallis' team. I promised you the chance to kill the Hound and I intend to make good on that. Katria, Branna, I want you to support them. Luthais, Commander Velayinar and General, I want to discuss your troop movements."

BAKU
Baku noticed Gulbeck staring at the map in horror. He hadn't seen that expression before on the orc woman before and she struggled to compose herself. Her expression returned to a stoic gaze when Fharel announced her place in the dark elf's team. He saw the drow walking over with a smile and embraced her. She whispered something in an unintelligible tongue and a hint of a smile shaded Gulbeck's lips.

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


The mind's eye of the recruit-turned-rebel mentally moved each piece to puzzle together the plan. Feeona paid no attention to anyone but Lord Fharel until he was done, and anything but the map until she made sense of it all. “Lord Fharel trusts you a lot,” she remarked quietly to Khallis. “If we flank from the southern slums, but that Baku person is joining us, we'll be aiming at the thickest fight. The Field Marshal might have his Diggers beside him. Are any of the other officers attacking from our angle? Or is he only sending us because they won't excel against humans?”

[Plushie Arz]

THE PARTY
Khallis seemed just as surprised as anybody else at Fharel's announcement. "I... I honestly have no idea." She quietly said to Feeona, "I was just told to bring everyone here. I didn't expect this." She held Feeona's hand and brought her closer to the stone table. The room had started to empty as the elven generals and drow consolidated their groups. The elf scanned the map, trying to make sense of the markers and grid.

"I imagine we'd be acting as a strike group of sorts then. There's alot of elevated platforms around the Greenway where archers can shoot unseen. It'll be dark so the Order soldiers won't know our exact positions. I guess we can also move from below, among the slum huts. You've seen what the buildings were like in Steel Pits. No Order soldier can follow us."

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona


It likely didn't need to be said that Feoona couldn't follow the path they had gone, so all she did was agree. “It's a maze down there. I'm not much of an archer though, so send me wherever you need. A strike force likely fits us best. But how we disengage if we don't win out is something else.” She started chewing her lip again. “Will the spellcasters be better in the Greenway with the archers? They could stay safe and see more. Or would it be better if we all stayed together?” She looked over at Shenra and Daelric to make it plain that they should quietly come into the discussion, if not just earshot of the conversation. It was ultimately Khallis' call as to their deployment, Feeona supposed, but insight was never bad.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria turns to Branna and speaks in a quiet tone. "Shall we go meet the rest of the group were going to be supporting?"

She heads over to Khallis' Team and introduces herself when given a chance. "Greetings my name is Katria. It's an honor to work with you. How may we be of assistance?"

[sunwukong]

Baku is more than a little taken aback by the look on Gulbeck's face. After all, she just told him that she saw Avaraxus disappear into a hole in the sky ten years ago, surely nothing can surprise her now! Baku relaxes slightly when he sees the orc smile at and embrace the dark elf Tellista, though he also feels a slight stab of paranoia at being separated from his fellow Harbringer. He accepts his assignment with a nod and a grunt, however, and turns towards the red-haired elf Khallis.

Baku sees that Khallis is engaged in a whispered conversation with the human bearing the sigil of the Morning Sun upon her shield...clearly, a traitor to her Order. How can such a one be trusted? He crosses the distance between himself and Khallis in a few long strides, just as an unarmored elf with a quarterstaff joins Khallis and the human as well. She doesn't much look like one of the elf wizards, but what else could she be? No armor, and just a staff for a weapon...she doesn't even seem to be carrying anything else!

"I'm Baku," he says tersely, in response to Katria's introduction. "So Fharel wants this squad to kill the Hound, is that right?" While still eager to have a chance to assassinate Eream Ross, Gulbeck's earlier words are firmly lodged within his mind, and Baku's voice displays no emotion.

[Alabenson]

Daelric listened to Fharel’s plan with a bit of skepticism. Only a true idiot would bring mounted troops into an urban battle, and he had to believe at least some of the Order commanders were moderately competent.
As Baku approaches the group, Daelric meets the hobgoblin partway.

“I take it you have some history with our target. Is there anything you can tell us about him?”

[Plushie Arz]

THE PARTY
"I'm Khallis." Said the elf. She shook Baku's hand rather apprehensively and was much less restrained in greeting Branna and Katria, wrapping her arms around the elf and kissing her on the cheeks. "Amin llien quar." She gathered the group around the map.

I've seen you dance. You are wonderful.

"I don't understand why anyone would use cavalry in the Undercity, much less the Steel Pits. Their troop lists just sounds... wrong. Sure, a horse is great for running down a panicked orc but it's hard enough to move around the slums on foot let alone control an animal. Somebody fires an arrow or lights a fire and a horse will bolt. Throw a man wearing heavy steel from a horse and you might as well have broken his back"

"I think the best course is if we harass soldiers who venture near the slums. Lets us escape if they throw any nasty surprises. We definitely can't rule those out if Ross is half as competent as you say. We kill off any mages or vulnerable targets that stray too close. If we can kill Ross, even better." She looked to Daelric in particular as if confirming her plans.

[Alabenson]

Daelric mused on what Khallis had said. “It might be better to allow the soldiers to move into the slums before we strike. The streets there are cramped, dark and twisting, perfect for an ambush. Not only is it the perfect place for an ambush, but we hit them hard enough in a situation like that there’s a decent chance the less disciplined troops will scatter. In the end, our goal should be to throw the Order’s forces into chaos. Once you break their ranks, there’ll be no chance they can launch an attack on a tea party, let alone an area filled with battle-hardened gobliniods.”

[Plushie Arz]

BAKU
Baku knew that the Harbringers had a gang of kobolds lay traps in the slums in the past weeks, making it dangerous for anybody who ventured into the winding alleyways of the Steel Pit slums. Unwary trespassers would often fall victim to oil traps with alchemist fire, falling rocks with tripwires and faeces-smeared arrows and darts that fired from dark places.

THE PARTY
Khallis smiled at Daelric. "I won't put it past the goblins to trap the slums. We need to be careful then if we're moving around that place. A hundred armored infantry and fifty horses. it's a small enough force to move quickly through the city but not nearly enough to take the Steel Pits by arms alone. There's got to be at least as twice as many goblins in there, if not more. My guess is they'll try burn it, force them out into the Greenway where they'll be charged down by the cavalry and the Kiiskan Guards."

[CryWolfCorrupt]

Shenra traced her fingers along the border of the city on the map. "I could have Ras scout for us and set a fire within their borders. A fire elemental coulf throw them off relatively easy, could it not? Or I could have one of their torches leap from their hands and begin lighting them on fire." A wicked grin crossed her lips and she calculated ways to disrupt the Order's encampment.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Katria embraces Khallis back in a show of emotion. Blushing a little shyly she responds to Khallis' praise. "I hope the dance tonight pleases you as well." * Elven She stands quietly and observes while their talking strategy.

[Alabenson]

Daelric couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It was one thing for a thief to set fire to a single building as a distraction (and even that was something most thieves would only consider under unusual circumstances), but to set an entire neighborhood on fire in a city you were occupying was sheer lunacy. On the other hand, it did open up a potential tactical option.
“Khallis, how much palm oil can you get ahold of before all this goes down? If we start tossing that oil onto the Order forces while they try their hands at arson, we could turn the Greenways into an oven filled with lots and lots of dead soldiers.“

[Plushie Arz]

"Yes, I can get a wagon of that stuff within an hour or so, if any of you have an animal messenger. Problem with that is we're going to burn the orcs and goblins too if we try it. They're not going to be able to get out of the Steel Pits and they're all going to roast."

"In a battle, people run. A burning soldier would risk setting ablaze the rest of the neighbourhood. There's no way for us to control that fire and with so many empty buildings and treetop platforms around. Well, lets just say your prison fire would look like a child's burning twig by comparison."

[CryWolfCorrupt]

"If you were to place me amidst the flames, I can control them. I am not about to burn a civilization to the ground. But fire is the best way to attract attention."

[sunwukong]

Baku is rather surprised to be approached by a short human speaking Goblin. Without breaking his stride, he responds in the same language:

"How could I not? The Hound of the Darujos and his Diggers have been killing my people for over a decade, since the Second Darkstar War."
Baku makes a mental note to ask the human where he learned the Goblin language later, but for the moment he is more concerned with exchanging a mutually cautious handshake with Khallis and listening to the elves and humans discuss tactics.

As a red-robed human woman speaks up and claims that she can control the fire, Baku lets a bark of contemptuous laughter escape his lips: "Ha! Control Jagon's wildfire? How do you think you'll be able to do that, human? Let me remind you all, if you fail, the Pits will burn. That is not acceptable. With Jagon's help, we will burn the Sun-lovers alive one day, but not today, when more goblins and orcs will die than humans."

"And yes, the streets are trapped," Baku confirms. "What we need to do is to make the Sun-lovers walk into the traps. We do that by killing anyone we see with a torch or a fire-flask...what the Hell, anyone who gets close enough to shoot. That forces them to advance, setting off the traps. Hopefully the Hound will be in the vanguard, but he's a secondary objective compared to preventing the Pits from burning."

[CryWolfCorrupt]

Shenra nods quietly. "Your lack of belief is not new to me. But I will aid in any way you need me. But I will see those dogs of the Order burn, as Ona guides me." she continues tracing the map slowly, counting and planning.

[Plushie Arz]

"And just to let you know, the palm oil doesn't spread easily. It's sticky and gelatinous. When you're burning down a building, it's fine but lobbing it at moving soldiers in the dark? You're more likely to cover yourself in that stuff than to hit them."

[Alabenson]

“But what do you do if the Order has issued every one of their soldiers a torch or flask? You’re not going to stop them from burning the slums through raw force. What we need is some way to throw their forces into chaos first, turn them from a disciplined force into a panicked mob.
And we wouldn’t need to even actually hit the soldiers, just frighten them enough to break formation and force them into the slums where they’ll be vulnerable.”

[Plushie Arz]

"Then perhaps we can generate an illusion and support it by lobbing burning palm oil at the soldiers? A giant fire elemental perhaps? It will force the Order to waste their firepower and maybe scare the horses." Khallis looked at Shenra. Can you do that?"

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona

Feeona listened to the forming plans until Khallis pointed out the absurdity of cavalry in the Steel Pits. The Field Marshal will use divine magic to make them viable, she would have said. But as she thought it about it, it didn't chime right. Not with Field Marshal Eream Ross. The Hound had hunted an enemy that venerated a god of trickery and cruelty. One didn't outdo a crafty enemy by making unforced mistakes, and she cocked her head at the elf as she spoke of how offbeat the army composition was, but it was too late. Khallis was ignoring her and Daelric was plotting and they were agreeing but there wasn't another mention of cavalry in the Steel Pits.

Everything that was said was half-listened to from there. It's wrong. It's all exactly wrong. Isn't it? She stared down at the map until she started to scowl, which looked more like a teenage pulling a face than any kind of glower. Her blond head shook and she looked up from the map at the people around her and down again so someone else might say it and she wouldn't feel so bad if she was wrong. I'm just wasting valuable time. Again. Leave them alone. Her lip pursed.

Feeona wanted to ignore it more than anything. But she couldn't. Not when it was cavalry in the Steel Pits which was the clumsy signature of an aristocrat that didn't care about lives, and not when it was Field Marshal Eream Ross that only ever outfought and outthought his enemies, and not when the United Kiiskan Guard were turning their backs on the humans that just by allowing them into the Guard had given more rights and status in one month than the elves ever offered in decades. Her parents had taught her enough history to know what she knew. It wasn't just cavalry in the Steel Pits that felt so very wrong; it was everything.

After marking their location in her mind, gingerly Feeona reached down, and picked up the two Order insignias that depicted the infantry. All that remained on the map were the symbols for the United Kiiskan Guard and the Order cavalry aimed at attacking into the hobgoblin territory. But she hadn't ordered her thoughts, and she didn't know if she grappled with an epiphany or her own empty, stupid imagination.

“Why are the Kiiskan Guard helping our resistance? The half-elves have known decades of neglect under the elves, and have just recently received rank. Forgiveness of that magnitude isn't just unlikely; it's miraculous. Only one goddess gives that level of compassion.” Her voice was ever inch tentative, but she forced herself to continue all the same. “Even the tactics don't tie together. Why is the Hound taking cavalry into the Steel Pits? The Steel Pits aren't his jurisdiction, he's not overfond of cavalry, and he would never jeopardize lives. Every bit of that is Arwell Wessing. If Khallis is certain the Hound commands, then I'm not this isn't all a trap. Who told us about the attack?”

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Looking at Feeona Katria speaks up. " From what an old friend has told me the Kiiskan Guard is pretty divided on decisions. That some of their commanders are as brutal and heartless as their human counterparts. The others might want to get rid of them and are allying themselves with us until then. Would this goddess your talking about be Mornay? The very reason were plotting a overthrow of the orders forces? The very representation of Mornays 'compassion'? Save the speech. Even though I know not these commanders you speak of, I see no reason to use cavalry when foot soldiers would serve better. I fear were being 'played'."

[Alabenson]

Daelric considered things for a moment before responding. “I’m not all that familiar with this Wessing, but I take it he’s an arrogant twit, and if he outranks the Hound, then we might not be the ones being played. From what I’m hearing, the Hound is competent, well-respected by his subordinates, and probably in line to be promoted. If Wessing is the incompetent glory hound you make him sound like, then he might well have decided to kill off his uppity underling by assigning him to command a suicidal assault. From Wessing’s perspective it would be a win-win; if the Hound succeeds in his mission, Wessing claims to his superiors back home that it was all due to his inistance that the Hound bring in cavalry. And if the Hound dies, then Wessing just discredited and disposed of a potential rival. I’ve seen this kind of stupidity before on a smaller scale, armed forces just seem to breed a specific type of arrogant, paranoid moron.”

[Plushie Arz]

DM: +500XP to Daelric, Shenra, Katria, Baku, +1000XP to Feeona.

Khallis looked between Feeona and the map laid out before them. "Sweet goddess, you’re right! But the information was provided by Kolvars. He's worked with the Old Council for years and he’s meant to be our agent in the Guards. He commands his own unit and is one of Fharel’s closest friends.” She bit her lips as if in thought and she suddenly cried out, her features painted by alarm. She turned to the six members of the group and lowered her quavering voice. “If what you’re saying is true, it’ll be treason of the highest magnitude. Fharel’s entire plan turns on the support of the Guards. It’ll be a bloodbath and we'll be walking right into it.”

[Vertharrad]

Katria

"Maybe we could alert The Steel Pit to the ambush and use their strength against the Hound? Start a fire between the Guard and the Hound's cavalry cutting them off from supporting each other. Should they win there should still be enough of us there with knowledge of the area to help survivors escape."

[sunwukong]

"Why are the Kiiskan Guard helping our resistance?"

When the woman with the sigil of the Morning Sun upon her shield speaks, Baku's first thoughts are a hostile "Our" resistance? Why are you helping, Sun-lover? Human, human-elf...who understands the mind of a traitor? Her point about the unlikeliness of the Hound deploying cavalry gives Baku pause, however. He remembers the stories of how Avaraxus routed the cavalry of Farlaen, and how Eream Ross delayed the Warchief for almost a month with his infantry-manned trenches. The turncoat Sun-lover is right: such a man as Ross would know the shortcomings of cavalry better than any.

On the other hand, setting fire to the Steel Pits is exactly the kind of tactic that Baku would expect from the hated Hound and his Diggers. Baku is convinced that this threat, unlike the cavalry, is real. However, he has no answer to the point raised by the human-who-speaks-Goblin: if every Sun-lover soldier has been equipped with a torch, then perhaps there is little option but to rely upon the Ona-worshiper and her supposed ability to control fire. Baku knows that Jagon will do little to intervene once the flames are roaring.

Reluctantly, he nods and says, "The Hound is no fool, and no horse-lover. And he doesn't bow to the Horse-Marshal Wessing, as far as I know. The horses must be some kind of bait or distraction. Setting fire to the Pits is something the Hound would do. We have to stop that from happening, however we can."

"As for your half-elf Guardsmen, I know little of how traitors think. And whoever they fight for, they are betraying half of their ancestors, are they not?" Baku looks around at the group assembled under Khallis's command. None seem to be Blood Hunters. "Fharel will not listen to any of you," he guesses with confidence. "That leaves two options: kill the half-elf traitor now, or be prepared to kill him when he plays his trick. The first option will cause open conflict with Fharel, and the second risks defeat on the battlefield."

Now that he has put forth the possibility of murdering Fharel's friend, Baku responds to the unarmored elf's suggestion with unconcealed bitterness: "If Fharel wanted to warn Warlord Horgarth, he would've sent me or Gulbeck hours ago. I suspect it will be too late by the time we arrive."

[Alabenson]

Daelric turned things over in his mind again and again. There was more than one plot going on here, he was certain of it.
Ross wasn’t in total control of the troop deployment; regardless of what was planned, bringing cavalry to an urban battle was moronic, which meant Wessing had probably ordered it. And if Wessing was micromanaging a battle like this there had to be a specific reason, a blowhard like Wessing likely wouldn’t consider gobliniods worth his time. That in turn meant he had other targets in mind, either the resistance, Ross, or both.
If there was a plot against the resistance, then someone in the command was working with half-elves. And given what he knew about Wessing thus far, it wouldn’t be a stretch to conclude that Wessing likely would never listen to a half-anything out of sheer stupid racism. So, Wessing wasn’t targeting the resistance, at least not by himself. Ross, on the other hand, was supposedly smart and used to dealing with deception. No doubt, then, that if a half-elf who knew of the resistance came to him, Ross would act on the information. But Ross wasn’t totally in control of the situation, hence the cavalry. But there was something else about the troop deployment that didn’t make sense; why keep the Kiiskan Guards so separated from the rest of the forces? From the Order’s perspective, it would make more sense to have them front and center to absorb casualties.
And it all fell into place; Wessing planned the raid to kill two birds with one stone; wipe out the savages and hopefully get Ross killed in battle. Ross isn’t an idiot, he sees what Wessing is planning, but he has no choice but to follow orders. Then a little half-elven bird whispers in his ear about the resistance, and Ross gets an idea. He convinces Wessing to let him bring a large force of Kisskan Guards as part of the operation; Wessing agrees because he figures the half-elves are nice and expendable. Ross arranges for the resistance to learn about the plan, and leaves himself nice and exposed to his half-elf troops. And when the resistance comes in, thinking they have him trapped, Ross’ loyal half-elves wipe out the resistance, the combined forces clear the Steel Pitts, and Ross becomes the new darling of the Order’s military.
It was a clever plan, but it had one fatal flaw; it hinged on the resistance forces walking into a pincer movement.
“I think I’ve figured out what Ross is planning; he’s going to mass his troops at the edge of the slums surrounding the Steel Pits, making it look like they’re going to burn them down, while the Kiiskan forces get into position behind his troops. He figures the resistance will attack thinking the Order forces are trapped between the slums and the guards, when actually they’ll be the ones trapped. The only problem he has is that his plan falls apart if the resistance doesn’t show up. He isn’t really planning on burning anything, it’s just a bluff to force our hand on his terms, and he’ll never convince his troops to move through trap-infested slums when they have a nice, large force of half-elves to sacrifice. The Kiiskan Guards will object, and between the general lack of discipline and the likely tensions between the two forces it wouldn’t take much to set them on each other. And that would be that; Ross’ brilliant plan turns into a career ending disaster, the Order and the Kiiskan Guards will be at each other’s throats throughout the city, and we’ll barely have to lift a finger.”

[Plushie Arz]

"No, Baku's right." Khallis leaned on the table, her green eyes wide with concern. "We can't risk abandoning the Steel Pits and letting the orcs die. For all we know, whether they're led by Ross or not, the Order will still try to kill them. Why else would they be willing to lose a supply wagon and all that wine? If we let Fharel go ahead with his plans he'll be betrayed."

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona

Feeona was strangely relieved when the others became uneasy. It was only when being berated that she took real notice of green eyes and midnight hair. The voice that had identified itself as Katria earlier, and revealed itself one doubting of Mornay, but it conceded there was sense to her words. Then Daelric. Then a creature crimson of skin, straight-backed and muscled, towering over all by no less than a foot. His was a face as forgiving as a crag, with a mouth keen to scowl. She didn't want to admit she had missed his name. But whatever else he might have been called, he was ever inch the Red Mountain.

Even he reluctantly agreed there was something wrong with what was.

“We still have that raven. There's time.” She replaced the infantry markings on the map. “Lord Fharel or the Warlord could still receive a warning. Does anyone know the best way to convince either?”


I don't know why I'm still spoilering when we're all one party. So I'll stop until we're divided again.

[Vertharrad]

Katria

"If Baku knows where the traps are and can keep up with me I'll be able to get him to The Steel Pits in time to warn them. As for warning Lord Fharel, I don't know who can convince him."

[WebTiefling]

Branna has been staying to the back of the pack, unsure how to contribute to planning a strike or fight - it's nothing like she has ever tried before. But, once a plan seems to be forming, she does see where she can help and finally speaks up, standing up on the back of Mahb to be more visible.

"As to stopping the fires they may set, that is something I can help with. The fire earlier tonight was getting out of hand and I put it out. And I can travel quickly while being completely unnoticeable to carry warnings. Would that help?"

[Star_In_a_Sky]

Feeona

Feeona found it difficult to keep all the voices in mind. Daelric had puzzled out one idea, and his cunning as before outdid anything she could offer, but she disliked that it relied on Ross being trusted to give orders that would cause open hostility in the ranks. She paused to note just how agitated Khallis had, and placed a hand on her shoulder in dim hope it might comfort.

“We have to prevent Fharel being betrayed. But it's been said Lord Fharel won't listen to us, and we would have to deal with Kolvars carefully if we want the resistance not to splinter. Fharel's plan is for a flank, and if we're right, the Order is prepared to crush the same. We obviously can't do that. I suggest orderly disobedience. We send word we'll attack, but not to the agreed angle. Fharel would have to adapt after. Saving the orcs is the priority, so it's a safe guess he'll invest in the fight anyway. What exact plan our team adapts to is another issue. ”

Feeona considered the unarmoured elf with the quarterstaff, having revealed herself a runner moments before, and near fearless. It would be a huge risk over just sending the silver raven. But warning was Fharel integral, so she didn't question it. Instead she removed her hand.

“You all mentioned fire before, and the dangers of it. Between Shenra's elemental control and our friend's conjuration,” Feeona indicated the small girl on the panther, and was too busy trying to bring their ideas together to question that, “we should have a firm grasp on it all. No hobgoblins need to be die unduly, Baku. As long as we're certain we can control and quell the fire as needed, Daelric's earlier thought about panicking them and using incendiaries has strength. Can anyone provide an illusion or conjuration, as Khallis earlier asked? With that we would have near everything underpinned soundly.”

[Alabenson]

“Oh, the Order definitely intends to kill every orc and gobliniod in the Steel Pits, there’s no question about that. However, the Order isn’t planning on using fire to accomplish that. If Ross has spent the bulk of his career fighting gobliniods, then he’d know exactly how dangerous burning the slums would be. Think about it, we set fire to a single home tonight and nearly wound up burning down a city block. If Ross were to actually burn the slums like you’re suggesting there’d be no way to stop the entire city from burning down.” Daelric paused for a moment as he considered something. “Unless…Khallis, has the Order been knocking down buildings around the perimeter of the slums recently?”

[CryWolfCorrupt]

Shenra speaks up again at the mention of illusions. "I can do illusions and conjuration alike. Above that, I can manipulate enemy weapons if it comes to a fight with Ross, whether I disarm him or turn his weapon against him." Shenra turns to face Daelric. "I have a spell that would allow me to scry the Steel Pits if you would like. Ras could deliver this charcoal to the Pits and we would have about 5 minutes to fully survey the location. But we would have to move fast, and I could have him drop the charcoal wherever you wish, or perhaps hold onto it and scout the entirety of the Pits? Are you thinking of using fallen buildings as a perimeter to monitor the fire?" She traces the outline of the city again.

[sunwukong]

Baku looks at the elf Khallis. While his allegiance to the united orc and goblinoid race trumps his alliance of convenience with the elves and humans, he has agreed to fight under Khallis's command in the coming battle. "If you think there's enough time to send a messenger to the Warlord, it should be me. The Warlord doesn't like listening to outsiders," he says. He turns to the unarmored elf and asks, "How exactly will you get me into the Pits, when the Hound's soldiers are already on the move? Are you a witch?"

[Alabenson]

Daelric sighed. “It’s not that, it’s-you know what, it’ll be easier if I show you.” Daelric reaches into his backpack and takes out some tinder, which he spreads out on the table. “Let’s say this tinder is Kiiska, and this part here,” Daelric points to one corner, “is the slums. Now, if you set fire to the slums, the fire will spread and consume the entire city. However,” Daelric picks away at the tinder until the corner is separated from the rest by a finger’s width of open space, “knock down a few buildings and the fires will be contained. It’s called a firebreak, and if Ross is as competent as people keep saying he’d certainly know this. So, unless the Order has been knocking down buildings around the slums, then it’s safe to say that the threat of fire is just that, a threat. If they have been, though, then we have a serious problem.
There's something else I think we need to consider; Kolvars might not be the traitor in the half-elven ranks. Setting up a major betrayal on the part of the Kiiskan Guard would require the coordination of a lot of half-elven officers, and any one of them could have decided to go to Ross with the plan.”

[Plushie Arz]

Khallis took Feeona's hand and squeezed it. "But Kolvars would be in charge of the officers in his unit. Wouldn't it be easier if a command to turn on the Resistance in the middle of battle comes from the top of the chain? It depends then whether Fharel takes Ross' bait or not then doesn't it? If he does, then he risks Kolvar's betrayal."

[Alabenson]

“It’d be easier alright, but strange things can happen to the chain of command on the battlefield. Like, say, the officers in the guard loyal to the resistance all having their throats slit on Ross’ order by half-elves who prefer the Order’s way of doing things.”

[Vertharrad]

Katria

Turning to Baku Katria smiles mischievously. "No I'm a dancer. Most of my life has been spent in the city, jungle, and the undercity. A number of my former comrades and friends come from the undercity. I spent my free time bringing clothes, coin, entertainment, and anything else I could to the desperate and destitute. I know enough ways around there to get you to The Steel Pits...provided we have certain requirements. Knowing where the traps are to avoid them. Time to get there, and speed. If you can't keep up with Branna's panther your not going to keep up with me."

[WebTiefling]

Branna pats the black beast proudly, "Aye, she's a fast girl. If need be, we can guide you in and slip back out again, quick as can be. I can scout ahead as we go."

Branna turns to Shenra with a worried look, "But are you sure you can keep the fire under control without me there to support? If that fire gets away from you, it'll kill thousands of animals and hundreds of trees."

[CryWolfCorrupt]

Shenra quickly stands when the tinder is laid on the table. "Ras can carry my charcoal and we can scout here," she traced a straight line over the tinder. "We would have only a limited amount of time to scry once the spell has been activated, but that could reveal a way for our friend Baku here to get in past the guards. From there, especially if they do have a firebreak established, I think that would be the logical place to start a fire, but on their side. The efforts of containing it would still need to be made, but if they have men stationed there ready to start a fire, starting one on top of them could prove exactly what we need to get more arms to the firebreak. If not, I still think a fire here," she pointed to the opposite corner on the tinder from the slums. "Would at least provide the distraction we need. If we draw numbers to that fire, we can attack from the east. And if I control the fire, an illusion could actually corner them." She paused to take a breath and put a small amount of sulfur on the center of the tinder. "If we get enough guards into a quarantine, the matter simply becomes how big we make the oven!" She stands back and snaps her fingers, and the sulfur in the center burst into a small flame and immediately went out, leaving no mark on the tinder. "I can't think of a better way to utilize the city. We wouldn't need to burn anything, but one strong flame (or flame elemental) could push the guards back away from the perimeter of the city. Best case scenario, we get Ross with the rest of them in the center and from there I can simply disarm them all." She smiled and stroked Ras' wing. Then, her smile was interrupted. "The only downside would be trying to identify the traitors from the resistance. If I push everyone from the perimeters to the center of the city, I'll still not know which Half-Elves are friend and which are foe. And I have no intention of killing off or threatening anyone who opposes the Order."
Shenra turns to Branna. "What I'm thinking would not even necessarily involve a fire, but an elemental who can (with the help of some illusion) look like the city is burning down. From there, we simply make the Order think it is too big to put out in order to force their backs to the corner. I can control one side of the city, no problem. I won't let the fire get away from me."