Morning's Shatter Star (IC)

[Mornings]

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It was cold...
The fell wind carried with it a shrill-and-sobering air. You felt it run through you, and a
prodding sense of foreboding hung in your mind. Like some sinister omen borne by the ill-fated.
But you were no seer, no prophet, or oracle. You quickly dispelled the notion, it was nonsense.
For it was a day to celebrate! The Society had not only summoned you for your first true mission,
but the very founder and Venture-captain of the sole Varisian-branch of the Society had addressed
the letter to you personally. This was the stroke-of-fortune you had waited for.

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The Magnimarian's ( Viridi/Jeska/ Alica/ Avaricious)-----------------------------------------------
The roar and chatter of life and the city, roiled and passed about you, like the intangible
lapping of waves upon your ears. People of every color and walk of life traveled about the
winding stone streets. Men of every height and faith from lands unknown, many of which were
armed and armored. Baring colorful flags and tabards of family and city. It was busy, even for
the city this day. Many had traveled here over the past few weeks, noble and mercenary alike,
to compete in The Summit.

You followed the ebb-and-flow of the crowd making your way east along the avenue of Lord Mayer's
March. It's marble tiles, were clean, neat, and new. Such a far-cry from the destruction that had
decimated this vary road not so long ago. Most had agreed they should change the name of the avenue
being that the position of Lord Mayor no longer existed, but Lord D'Aritel spoke against it. Reasoning that
it should remain, to serve as a reminder of their history, and that which once was. It was a strange and
haunting remnant of the civil-war. As were the dots of sparkling new buildings from Naos and the Capital
District's western half that flanked the avenue.

The Pathfinder Lodge was located in the Alabaster District of the city, the easternmost burrow one could
find. Populated by all of the nobles houses and sites of great importance, to include The House of Lords.
The court of the city, overseen by representatives of The Council Lords, the position created after the fall
of the autocracy.

A small group of Korvosan Knights passed by eyeing you suspiciously. The relations between Magnimar and Korvosa had improved under Lord D'Aritel's rule and guidance, but the fierce competition between the two cities was still quite alive and well. At the very least, it was no longer a rivalry born of bloodshed, and as such, the city had been permitted to attend The Summit. Using such festivities had become an important factor in maintaining peaceful relations, but there was still conflicts within the populace.

It was quite a long walk, but at last you neared The Junction, formerly known as the Starsilver Plaza. The crossing between The Avenue of Hours and Lord Mayors March. It created a wide a open space where The Capital District, The Alabaster District and Naos all collided in a strange explosion and mix of livelihoods and cultures.
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The Ancient (Asiresh) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The travel had been long and grueling. Traversing the Lost Coast Road was the simplest leg of the trip.
The massive walls could be seen for miles and the distant enchanting view of the Irespan, the massive
stone Thassilonian bridge-like relic, added a strange sense of wonderment to the view. Even for you.
You had traveled with extreme haste to reach the gates of Magnimar. A strange supernatural storm had
been hot on your heels for days. Even now you could see the strange clouds whip and churn in the distance
carrying a strange and malignant wind.

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The strange clouds seemed to distort the light. For here all seemed well.
The noon-day sun hung in the sky without a care in the world.


You Hobbled along with 'staff' in hand, like a three-legged mule. Your old bones wept
in pain at the load of goods you carried. A large series of encampments on either-side
of the road. Hundreds of men and women, warriors abound, talked and mingled.
Clever merchants dipped and marched through the numbers hawking wares.
A less educated man might think the city in siege or war with the vastness
of the fighters displayed. But you knew better. Men of all walks of life had gathered
here to compete in The Summit, from local villages to wandering swordsmen and
nobles. The inns were overflowing no doubt, and many had chosen to camp just out
side the city. Close to The Alabaster District where the action would be seen.

You drew many a strange glance. For your appearance and attire was strange and
foreign even once surrounded by foreigners. You waved off a guard who volunteered
to assist you with your burden as you made your way through the gate. Then paused...

The wave of life and movement hit you as surely a mace might. It took your breath
away. The marble streets, the well fashioned white stone of the walls and buildings.
The swathe of people. It disturbed you to be surrounded by so many...creatures. But
the view was surely astonishing, and a wave of nostalgia washed over you.

You had been to Magnimar twice in the past. The first time, long, long ago was with
Aviresh your Mentor and Master, before his death. The city had not even been constructed
yet. There was no buildings, no life. It was just ancient ruins of remarkable nature. The second
time you had come. Was with your only, and last friend Jaroosh... before you put an arrow
through his heart. The city was new and still too young to really be called a 'city'. It was but
a town amid ruins. You issued a small chuckle. The City of Monuments they call it, yet you
were older then even this place. A living relic...
The city was just over a hundred years old...

You pressed on. You did not know the streets, but you knew this land. Drempt of it, even.
Dreaming of one day returning here to relive some long forgotten memory of joy of the man
that betrayed you and the Master who was slain. You smiled, tightly grasping the letter in your
pocket. This hunt, was truly blessed by Ketephys.

Even should you fall, you could think of no better place to die.
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The Pathfinders (All)
The Junction was a wide circular marble floored social artery of eastern Magnimar.
It stretched, at it's widest point, 250 ft across when heading north along the Avenue of Hours.
It was not exactly a circle, but it had close to 200ft in circumference standing at it's very center.
Merchants selling all manner of wares had stalls scattered about. It was a strange and exotic place.
The Regal flavor of The Alabaster District. The Lawful do-goods and shrewd business men, and the
colorful cultural diversity of Naos all met here, in this one small space of the city. You could find
men of almost any profession or skill-set lurking about. Artists, musicians, warriors, legalmen, lords,
outcasts, assassins, wizards, merchants, and men of the cloth all converging. Directly at the corner
where the Alabaster District began, and touched The Junction sat the House of Lords. At the corner
of Naos lay the Triodea the most significant cultural site in the city in terms of music and play.
And at the corner of The Capital District lay all manner of fine and peerless artisans of various forge-works.

You stood at the corner of Naos, directly in front of massive 110ft wide marble theater.
A crowd was beginning to gather, you knew why. You had heard the rumors, but you had not
traveled to the Triodea or The Junction for that matter in some time. But you were aware of the
rising celebrity that was The Lady of Morning. Apparently she played and sung in front of the Triodea
most days of the week. You had hoped to not encounter her, for the rumors that clung to her name
was somewhat haunting, which fueled her popularity. Whisperings of her prophetic music, and how
she never preformed the same song more then once. Regardless if all this was true or not, it was true,
that she had been arrested once or twice on suspicion of murder. On account of a song foretelling the
death of one of her listeners. After this unnamed individual was indeed found slain in similar fashion to
The Lady's song, she was taken into custody. Lacking any evidence the charges were dropped, and her
fame skyrocketed. An oracle of song? a seer of music? It was the general opinion of the Society and
official orders of the city to not endorse this would-be-seer, who may indeed prove to be a murdering
musician. You pressed on, you were not short on time, for there was no dead-line. But The Lodge sat
directly on the other-side of The House of Lords.

Weaving and bobbing through the massive crowd was a dangerous thing, or at-least, it had been.
Killers, pickpockets, thieves, and just general nay-er-do-wells had, once-upon-a-time. Dwelt within
the circle of the surge of people in The Junction, using it as an opportunity to rob, assault, or generally
accost tourists and those who didn't know better. But that was in the past. You cut through the crowd
easily enough.

At it's center stood an armed and armored women. A stout sentinel sheathed in Numerian-steel and
regal attire. Her eyes were calm, cold-jeweled-beads-of-sapphire that swiftly cut through the crowd.
Picking them apart of every detail. Stopping to rest on one strange old-man who cut through The Junction.
The crowd provided her a wide birth of 30 ft or so. She held a naked long sword in her hands, it's tip resting
upon the marble tiles. The ground at her feet was a rough and frozen sheet of ice. Wisps of dancing-misty-
frost-matter wove and intertwined about her hands and sword. The proud tabard of Magnimar secured on her
garb. You knew who she was. Her frost-forged siccatite sword was legend. The hero of the Battle of Grobaras.
Alice Ira D'Aritel, The Knight of Luminescence.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/LadyAliceDAritel_zpsbc3edbe5.jpg

She was the only daughter of High-Lord D'Aritel, Lord of Magnimar.
With the ruling of the city being now, somewhat monarchical, Alice D'Aritel was not a mere Knight of steel and sword. She was Heir to the crown. The 'Warrior Princess of the People', the chant goes. Her word and sovereign right was questioned by none. She was a women of unparalleled principle and might. Remembered and capitalized upon by those who remembered her valiance during the last moments of the Coup d'etat.

The former-Lord Mayor Haldmeer Grobaras. With his back to the wall, attempted to burn the city to the ground, rather then relinquish it to his 'usurpers'. Lady D'Aritel possessing the only free unit, fought valiantly saving The eastern Capital District and The Alabaster District from the Mayor's mad scheme. Parts of the city were destroyed, but through fire and assault Lady Alice and her men prevented a single civilian life from being lost. An act no Magnimarian will forget.

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The rule of The D'Aritel House was a strong and noble one. A stark contrast to the terrible corruption that had plagued the city since Haldmeer Grobaras was made Lord-Mayer. They lead the city with an unflinching will to do justice and crush the last pockets of depravity still lurking within the city's official office. Now all matters of state were overseen or guided by those who carried the trust of the D'Aritel House, with power slowly and carefully being redistributed to the people under a weary eye. The new House of Lords, a newly created office only a few years old, once again allowed noble lords to hold court within the physical 'House of Lords'. It also allowed noble families the ability to hold general cases of appeals from the public. However, the new office of the House of Sovereigns was instated as the primary ruling body of legal maters, overseen by Lord D'Aritel himself. The positions were filled by public vote. Those elected becoming House-Lords, and received a suitable noble title if none were possessed. The notion outraged most noble houses who has helped take Magnimar from the Mayor, but the support of the general public drowned such concerns away. It was a system that forced the noble lords to use their limited power within The House of Lords to do good by the people to remain a House-Lord and their status. A cleverly devised system, which appeared to be working towards leading the city to heights and glory unseen for many years.
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The 'Steel Princess' nodded sternly in acknowledgment as you made your way towards The House of Lords, but suddenly the churning crowd stopped. Stopping So abruptly, you nearly fell into the strange folk surrounding you.
All eyes seemed to be drawn behind you, towards the Triodea. You turn to see the theater doors have opened.
A large and lavish animated chair marches out of the darkness to the theaters foyer. A women leisurely strolled out of the dim interior, her head rolled back to the sky in careless thought. She dragged her feet on the ground as if she was too tired to walk properly, then plopped down in the deeply cushioned chair rather inelegantly. The noon-sun struck her pale-polished skin and cast an enchanting aura about her. Her distant deep aqua hued gaze seemed to glow faintly and scanned the crowd as if half awake. Her silver hair was neat and well cared for, and an assortment of platinum jewelry and finery hung from here white gown in a shameless-ostentatious-manner.
She carried a strange eerie-yet-unearthly beauty. She raised her hand and smiled at the gathering crowd. An overly lavished mandolin of white-birch and Perl was placed into her hand by some unseen attendant.
A bizarre silence gripped the air.

If there was ever a time to walk freely amid the plaza this was it.
You could easily make your way unhindered to the Heidmarch Manor; the Society Headquarters, or perhaps....
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MAP KEY
[1 SQUARE = 100 FEET]
*Location #12 - Heidmarch Manor; Pathfinder Society HQ
*Location #13 - The House of Lords; Current legal-office of Magnimar's Court and The House of Sovereigns
*Location #34 - The Triodea; Theater in Naos, important cultural icon after the destruction of Starsliver Plaza
*Black Diamonds - Current encampments of various warriors and soldiers awaiting The Summit.
*Black-Red Square - Current Location

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The Steel Summit was originally a tournament of arms open to the public for a simple fee. The Summit was created by Sheila Heidmarch as a small gathering which would call forth locals of Varisia to compete for a sizable Victor's-purse. The idea was endorsed by the Society as a means of recruiting and raising awareness in the new region which the chapter had been raised.

The tournament was a resounding success. Warriors from abroad came to compete, tales of the might of many of the combatants who fought spread wide. An unquestionable contest of martial prowess before an unbiased audience. The coming year formal requests were sent from other lands willing to challenge Varisian warriors in the tourney. Pride far outweighed the purse. The stakes were raised again and again each year. Cities desired to compete to display not only superior quality warriors, but military might. A common trend emerged of small units of elite warriors escorting a single competitor for no other purpose but to display their exceptional soldiers.

Over time it mutated into something else entirely. It was not a festival, or a simple tournament. It was a gallery of military might. An opportunity for many city-states to safely display their strength to one another in a sanitized environment. The duty of hosting The Summit was passed on to Lord D'Arital with the oversight of the Society. As the best way to maintain their neutrality.

The annual event had become an important time for many of the cities.
During this period, a great number of advancements between the relations of
many leaders had been made, and notions of peace forged.

The importance of The Steel Summit could not be overstated.


All PC's are within 50ft of each other
within the square marked. As are a sizable number of other people.
Feel free to interact, harass, etc. As you like. Major options are;

~ Remain in the Plaza: See what happens.
~ Go to the Lodge
~ Whatever you make up and put behind Door Number 3

As a note, the AP begins once you reach Heidmarch Manor.
You aren't pressed for time, but you know where you need to be
so that you can begin your 'successful' career as a Pathfinder.

[Desril]

Viridi

Finding himself immersed in a crowd much more dense than usual, the Numerian-born Kellid grunts in annoyance as he has to force his way through the crowd. In spite of the scowl on his face saying otherwise, Viridi was in fact enjoying the journey through the busy streets. Though the road was packed, it took little effort to part the sea of bodies before him enough to pass through, and any who began to speak up about his less than pleasant passing were quickly silenced at the sight of his sword. Of more interest were that such crowds brought plenty of lovely sights for him to rest his eyes upon, ranging from a number of foreigners in the crowd, to locals he'd never seen, including one rather buxom red-head some ways distant, and even the Knight of Luminescence standing alone with her magical blade.

It is on this last that his gaze lingers however. Lady Alice Ira D'Aritel, the woman that Viridi had decided to surpass and make his own, always stood out to him even when she wasn't being given so wide a berth by the crowd. Images of what he could do flood Viridi's mind, dreams of challenging her to a duel then and there, of rending through her armor and their struggle of steel turning into one of flesh there in the street, it is only with effort that Viridi returns to the present in time to notice the arrival of the so-called 'seer' Triodea.

He'd never given much thought to the stories of Triodea. Seeing the future was a useful talent, but not one he cared for personally. Her beauty, on the other hand, was not something Viridi had heard of previously. Even with the Knight of Luminescence standing before him, Viridi found it difficult to look away from Triodea.

The silence of the crowd, hushed by the arrival of the seer, was alien to Viridi. He'd grown up in Magnimar, and had never heard such silence from a gathering of this size. Strange as it was, it made him curious. Deciding that it was not quite yet time to make Alice aware of his existence, he looked back at the lady knight once more while silently vowing to one day see her stand just like that but as naked as the sword in her hand. His oath made, the brute of a man pushed his way through the stilled crowd toward Triodea, intending to move so that he is the closest one to the seer when she speaks. Fake or not, she has the people's attention. And even if her visions are not real, her looks must be.


There was just so much setup, I don't know how to respond to it all. Ultimately though, I had to choose between Alice and Triodea, but I think I'll hold off on speaking to the former until Viridi has done something impressive in game. Also, my apologies if it was a bit vulgar, just wanted to get his thought process across a little bit.

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

A slim figure could be seen at the front of a fairly decent sized covered wagon, a team of donkeys leading the way forward. The man was experienced with traffic, having spent most of his life either on the streets or in the wagon. Still, the city seemed a little bit more congested than usual, and Avaricious rather worried that he'd be late to his meeting with Ms. Whatever-Her-Name-Was. To be perfectly honest, he was a little bit unnerved by the fact that he'd be working with the Pathfinder Society. So many capable fighters and warriors, all of them easily ten times as strong as the slim, five foot seven wagon-rider. However, he put his worries in the back of his head with all the rest of the stress and just attempts to enjoy the day. So, he begins to hum as the wagon makes it's way through the streets, tapping the small wooden board beneath his feet, humming a little bit even as the citizens around him came a little too close to the dhampir. It was true, the warmth of nearby travelers could prove to sometimes be quite uncomfortable for the less-than-completely-living, but for this particular dhampir had learned to hide his discomfort after many long years spent with the living. After all, you could hardly get on someone's good side by acting like they repulse you, even though the bard found most of the living sweaty and foul smelling. Still, he hides his inner unease well, his thin lips drawn together in a subtle smile, his dark shades hiding his eyes from not only the sun's harsh rays, but the populace.

He bites his lip for a second, ceasing to hum and breathing in deeply, settling his nerves. What was he doing stressing about some society clerk? Today was a day to celebrate, not worry! He'd finally be able to pay off the cutthroats he'd been in debt to, and in doing so get himself back on track, back to focusing on his priorities, what really mattered. Still, he wouldn't take back what he'd had done, not in a thousand ages! Still, something wasn't quite right. Avaricious takes the occasional glance around, smirking as he witnessed the men and women in tabards pass by, clutching flags into the air as if their life depended on it! Who were they fooling with there bright colors and house emblems? Did the honestly think loyalties mattered? That the houses and noblemen they pledged their lives to really cared about the lives of such small, insignificant people? Fools! Fools, the lot of them, thinking that a title and a shiny bit of metal strapped onto their fleshy little bodies really meant anything in the end. No... In the end there was only power, and coin, neither of which the footsoldiers in even the shiniest plate mail could ever even hope to possess. Pah. Avaricious never could understand those who'd put their lives at stake for some fat, foppish old man they'd likely never meet in the first place!

Still, he's distracted from his thoughts as the bard's eye darts to the flashing armor of several Korvosan Knights, the loud clank of their armor rather disruptive as they march past him, their closeness to the wagon forcing the man takes his time to look away. The last thing he wanted now was to be recognized by some whelp with a big sword and balls enough to approach the dhampir. He had nothing to worry about, most likely, but he'd hardly have gone as long as he has without being caught if he wasn't careful about the little things, no matter how paranoid his efforts may seem to others. As the knights fade behind the wagon, the man gazes towards a few others as the wagon made it's way closer and closer to The Junction. Here comes a baker, there goes a blacksmith, that one's a priest. All of them good, decent, law-abiding folks, surely. Singing to their gods on days of prayer, begging for the gifts they'll send. Hah! What a bunch of buffoons! As far as Avaricious was concerned, praying to little stone figurines was as pointless as asking a large, particularly mossy boulder for gold. Where were the gods when his life fell apart? Where were the gods when the Inquisitors came... Upon the mere thought of the word, "Inquisitor", Avaricious is reminded once more of the torches, shining in the night, the glint of a steel blade... He could feel it, he could feel the fire, the warmth... a blazing inferno in front of him, he could here them! The screams, the horribly, agonizin-

BIRD.

Oh, a bird. A bird distracted the bard as it flew by, the little grey thing cooing and fluttering loud enough to pull him away from his dark reminiscence. Looking forward, the small man saw it, The Junction! Finally! Time does fly when you're deep in thought, it seems. He takes some extra time to find a decently sized alleyway, before parking the wagon within and jumping off the seat in front. He'll pat the donkey closest to him before whistling once more, sliding across the wall to get to the back of the wagon. From there, he'll make sure both of his chests are locked, and that everything valuable is stuffed into the chests. This was a nice part of Magnimar, but you could never be too careful. He grabs his crossbow from the back as well, along with a few kits. Pulling a mirror out of a nearby cloth, he'll flash it over himself for a bit, whistling quietly as he looks over himself, dabbing his thumb with spit before wiping a smudge of dirt off his noble's clothing. The colors are faded now, on it, and the sleeves are a little bit worn. However, it still fit him quite well, the muted colors of blue, gold, and red matching the muted hue of his pale skin, and stark white hair. With a squint of his eye, he finally decides upon a final article of clothing, reaching for the feathered tricorn cap he was so fond of wearing, before setting it on the top of his head. His hair looked a bit greasy, and it would do well not to look too undignified. He didn't want anyone to think he was some common vagrant, the ex-nobleman still had a bit of pride left yet.

With that done, he'll walk out of the alleway, ruffling his blue tailed overcoat as he walks into the cold. He'll look over to the Triodea, glancing fondly towards it as he recognizes a few of the musicians standing about outside. He would frequently come around the place and perform under a stage name, with a bit of makeup on. It was a good way to make money, but he still had no intention of letting any of them know who he really was, or what he really looked like. Magnimar was his closest thing to a base of operation, so particularly public cons weren't possible, but that hardly meant he didn't try the occasional pickpocketing or false palm reading. Speaking of, the man snaps his fingers! He'd almost forgotten! With a quiet word and a little wiggle of his hands, he pats his clothing once over, using his weak magic of prestidigitation to clean up the suit. There, good as new! "You look beautiful, Avy", the man thought to himself before smiling and bobbing his head pleasantly. "Thank you, Avy", the man replied to himself in his head. Did he really just give himself a pep talk in his own head? Why, yes, that he did, and it was hardly an unusual thing for him to do nowadays, being the loner he is. Everyone needed a little bit of encouragement every once in a while, and with no one to tell him he was handsome, or kind, or good anymore, he eventually learned to just do it himself. It was... unhealthy, but it worked.

Then, his lip curls in disgust as he looks over the crowd gathered just at the marble theatre, no doubt there to cheer for that Lady of Morning. That was her name, yes? Lady of Morning... Avaricious ponders over the many different ways to make an "M" sound, while simultaneously thinking over the Lady and her supposed powers. He'd have to meet her soon enough, yes? Right? Maybe, hmm. Decisions! The man did want to listen in on a performance or two, but at the same time he hardly wanted to be seen by many people right now. He felt so naked without his makeup on, so bare in public. Yes, he'd come see the Lady after his meeting with the Society. He'd probably need a bit of a stress-reliever after spending so much time around so many scary adventurer types. Speaking of scary adventurer types, Avaricious was so wrapped up in his thoughts of possibly malevolent seer-singers and the origin of the letter "M", that he seemed to have walked straight into the 30 ft. gap that was the space between the proclaimed Warrior Princess of the People, Alice, and the crowd of smelly, sweaty people. In fact, he walks directly in front of her by accident, most likely breaking her eye contact with whoever she was staring at before.

Incidentally, just as the bard finally realizes that the stench of man was oddly less repugnant where he was standing. His brows furrow in confusion before he looks around and turns to stare right at Alice D'Aritel, his eyes going wide as he realizes that he'd almost accidentally ran right into arguably the most dangerous person in the city on the side of the law. He just stands there, like a deer in the headlights, unsure of what do to other than blink. It is at this moment that the crowd goes completely silent, staring towards the Lady of Morning who had just entered. However, Avaricious has his back to the stage, staring at Alice. Due to this, the man gets even more nervous than he would have been otherwise! However, he does not panic. He's never been one to panic. So, in an attempt to break the ice and maybe get the crowd to start talking again, he decides the best course of action would be to talk! To say something! Do something! Avaricious doesn't even have the time to think about what to say, so instead decides to blurt out a quick joke. Unfortunately, he'd been working on a specific joke the night before, and it had gotten stuck in his head. Unable to think of anything quicker, he just quickly spouts the joke out as loud as he could, breaking the complete silence. "Erm, uhhh! I knew an old Bishop who had lost some of his teeth, and complained of others being so loose that he was afraid they would soon fall out. “Never fear,” said one of his friends, “they won’t fall.” “And why not?” inquired the Bishop. His friend replied, “Because my testicles have been hanging loose for the last forty years, as if they were going to fall off, and yet, there they are still.”

Following the joke, he closes his eyes tightly, realizing what he just said as a look of horror comes onto his face, his cheeks reddening. Did he literally just tell a joke about an old man's testicles to the 'Steel Princess' of Magnimar? In a final attempt to make things a little bit better, he'll start laughing. It's a forced laugh, a nervous laugh, clearly not real, but obviously meant to distract from the horrid thing he just spouted out.


"Ha, aha, ha ha, ah?"

[oyzar]

Alica Derexhi wanders through the crowded streets of Magnimar accompanied by a tall robed figure, her eidolon Wayan. Her walk is not effortless, every step makes her feel the links of her chain shirt chaff against her tender skin. She is carrying the protective garment under her clothes, only a thin linen shirt separating her pale skin from the cold metal. The armor is too heavy for her, she studies the warriors effortlessly strolling by in their heavy armors with envy. So unfair, I get tired from wearing just this shirt, while they go around in full chainmail without seeming to be bothered. You got other attributes to make up for the lacking strength though. A voice resounds in her head telepathically, as dark in her head as it is out loud. She can communicate with Wayan with a mere thought. Another step makes her armor jostle around her large mounds of flesh and makes a link land right around a nipple, the weight squeezing down on the sensitive flesh. She lets out a gasp in surprise. "Argggh" Angrily she responds back in her head. Yes, my ability to feed the children I may or may not have one day sure is useful when I am looking to participate in a dangerous adventure as part of the pathfinder's society. A deep laugh resounds from the robed creature next to her, making some people turn their head to see the shadows within the cowl. You know full well I meant your magic, not your ability to feed or bear young. As if on cue, her shapely hips bump into a passerby. An old man with white hair turns towards her and winks at her, sizing her up and down, her slender waist and arms are possible to make out under her beautiful attire. She quickly nods and apologizes, even if she is pretty sure it wasn't her fault. "I am sorry." Before she turns and hurries on, Wayan stepping in behind her to cut off the man's gaze.

Alica smoothes back her hair to calm herself. It at least takes her mind of what just happened, but it does not bring her calm. Ah, how long have I gone without human contact? Melissa and I used to spend a lot of time fixing each other's hair every day. She was quick enough to condemn me after the accident. How will I make her trust me as before? Despite being in a sea of people she is lonely. She hums softly for herself. "All the lonely people. Where do they all come from? All the lonely people. Where do they all belong?" Again a voice in her head interrupts her singing. You got me now, no need to be so sad. She smiles a bit and manages to focus back on reality. "Tank you." She says in a whisper, though loud enough for the robed figure at her shoulder to hear. Alica surveys her fine dark crimson dress, made to fit perfectly along her body, even with the chain shirt underneath. It sure shows off her hourglass figure, nicely curved hips, slender waist and large breasts. Ah, at least the colors of my former house will hide any bloodstains if I should become wounded by any of the ordeals I am set to face by the pathfinders. Everything is indeed in order and she is ready to face Sheila Heimarch, even if the dress does not quite match the crossbow at her hip.

The young summoner finally makes her way to the Junction and starts crossing. Her gaze can't help but be drawn to the icy woman at the center of the square. She studies the other woman with envy as she thinks. Ah, Alice. Our names are similar and even our upbringing, however our circumstances are not. I wish I could have but a fraction of your power and fame. And companions... I am sure you got plenty of close friends and admirers. I want close companions more than anything. One day you will surpass her in power and steal her admirers. Who knows, maybe the two of you could even become companions.

As the young girl walks on, her gaze gets drawn to another one studying the same as her. Broad-shouldered and bare-chested, with shoulder length black hair and fierce green eyes and an enormous sword. My, isn't he something else. That man is quite pleasing on the eyes, and I am sure he is strong enough to offer protection. He wields such an enormous tools. Her cheeks colors as her thoughts drifts to some other tool he could have been using. I will probably never see him again, so I should let my eyes drink in as much as possible while I got the opportunity. She stops for a moment to study the man as the crowd goes silent around her. The choice is easy once the man starts wandering towards the theater. I might get something useful out of this seer. And he us confidently clearing a path to head over there. The meeting is not in that much of a hurry. Maybe some of the other people I am meeting are just as interested in this as I am. Don't lie to yourself. You want to be closer to that man, to spend more time in his presence before he is gone. It is not a bad choice though. You will be able to focus much more effectively at the task later if you have some good inspiration and peace of mind. The couple are able to move quickly through the crowd in the path left by the bare-chested man.

Knowledge Nobility to know about Alice [roll0]
Knowledge Nobility to know about The Lady of Morning[roll1]

[iValkyrieX]

Upon arriving in the thriving city, Asiresh quickly headed for the nearest alleyway surrounding the main square to where he would observe any peculiar happenings that may happen. On his way through the crowd he is pushed aside by a hulking creature carrying a rather larger sword than expected and spits behind him before moving on. As he arrives in his chosen spot, he is somewhat pleased to find a stray dog picking through the garbage littered around. Asiresh whistles for the dog and as he nears Asir pulls out a small piece of stale bread to feed him and befriend him for the given time he needs to rest.

He stops to take in the sheer beauty of what the city had become and to relive far distant memories of an old friend and his master. He flashes back to what seems like a century ago before the city was even built, hes standing next to his master Aviresh. But i dont understand why you brought me here master? Oh but in time you will thank me for everything done here. This? It's nothing but ruins and weeds? Give it time my dear son...give it time

Asiresh soon snaps back to realize the dog had gone off on his own and the crowd had gone silent in preparation for the arrival of the seer and notices the creature who pushed him out of the way was at the front. Asiresh decided best to stay far from any turmoil that may be unraveled around beasts like this one.

He just waits as if like a game to him, surveying the crowd, looking for anyone with an alternative motive to being here. He see a very intriguing blend of different nobles and warriors amongst the filth and smell brought with unfavorable beings. He noticed a few interesting men and women dressed differently spread out among the crowd as if strategically. Asiresh whispers to himself, Ah, don't get ahead of yourself now Asir, it could be nothing at all. Most likely just a coincidence. He puts it to the back of his mind and tries to find out what is going on up front again.

[Mornings]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tragic Villain
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stumbling into the frosted clearing, caught before the crystal gaze of Alice,
you blurted out the first joke that came to mind as loudly as you could.


"Erm, uhhh! I knew an old Bishop who had lost some of his teeth, and complained of others being so loose that he was afraid they would soon fall out. “Never fear,” said one of his friends, “they won’t fall.” “And why not?” inquired the Bishop. His friend replied, “Because my testicles have been hanging loose for the last forty years, as if they were going to fall off, and yet, there they are still.”

"Ha, aha, ha ha, ah?"

A group of ragged-worn mercenaries baring no notable colors began to laugh hysterically.
One of them fell over laughing, attempting to rise to his feet, but his action was impeded
by his chain-mail. He fell over a second time, adding to another round of laughter. You opened
your eyes. The sudden sound of cackling drew strange looks in your direction. Alice's gaze slowly
rotated over to the group of men. The blood drained from their faces, and the outburst ended as
immediately as it had begun.

There was no trace of acknowledgment. No trace of humor. Just the unflinching frozen
visage of the Steel Princess gazing back at you, with no fragment of scorn, nor pity. A
simple calm indifference that sent a small shiver down your spine. Her presence seemed
transcendent, inhuman. As if removed from the simple feelings and expressions that was
a soul's humanity.

"Mind your step."
It was a sharp, clear, crisp-vocal-riposte. That did not dismiss your words or notions in
any measure of disrespect. But simply ended it. Wrapping it up neatly like a gift, before
placing it upon a shelf in a market stall. Then burning it to the earth.

You quickly realized what she actually meant though. You feet had gone numb...
You looked down to see the frost-rime had begun to wither about your well-worn
noble boots. You had walked directly within her frozen-domain. You knew full well
the birth provided around her was not due to her house, or shrill nature. Hopping
back out of the frost-frozen space, you felt the unnatural cold ease away. The
experience had simply served to justify your worst fears. Gri'athal was a fearsome
creature, and Lady Alice was truly worthy of the lock-step-terror she inspired.


The once-little-known myths and tales of the D'Aritel House had become common knowledge after Lord D'Aritel's succession to power. The most popular of which was the tale of Gri'athal, The Great Ice Linnorm said to have been put into service under the might of the first of their name. The little-know Margrave, Halvirice Renton D'Aritel, who was said to have originally hailed from Kalsgard far to the north. The family was old by all rights, and trace their heritage back a century and more. Fierce warriors had always led the D'Aritel name, with Margrave Halvirice's sword in hand.

No one knows the details of how The Glacial Talon was truly forged. But those who came close enough told tails how the blade contained the Linnorm Gri'athal himself. Willing or not, it created a weapon of incredible might. An artifact passed down through the noble-warrior-linage, to be held by the head of their name. High-Lord D'Aritel had granted the blade to his daughter upon his rise to power, reasoning that he was no longer the Head of House, but the Head of the State, and that he would not allow his alliance to his name to taint his decisions.


The ancient longsword possesses a blade forged of one the seven ancient skymetals, known as Siccatite.
A bright-silvery unnatural metal. That while is brother to adamantine, possesses unique features of its
own. Rather then the unnatural hardness of its brother, it possesses a yet-explained elemental affinity
to either fire-or-ice which is completely dependent on the steel itself. The fittings of the weapon were
frost-forged of an unknown skymetal alloy. The exact details of the weapon were known only to the D'Aritel
House, but few that had seen Alice D'Aritel in combat doubted the myths that surrounded Gri'athal.

The physical frosty exterior that often accompanied Lady D'Aritel's presence gave rise
to a number of humorous tavern jokes and prods. However, everyone knew not to walk to close to the frozen field
she left. The writhing super-cold that permeated the blade and her touch when drawn, created a space of freezing-unlife. Remaining in the space was undoubtedly deadly if careless. The living frost-matter would climb and encompass anything that remained within its touch. A man could be encased in a block of ice if he stood within the glacial circle for an hour. Some had even made a challenge of it. A sword-less duel to see how long they could withstand the freezing-cold. No one understood how Lady Alice herself could sit within such a sub-temperature climate for seemingly, indefinite periods of time. Even her father had rarely, or never, drawn the weapon readily for fear of it's cruel embrace. It was a secret known by none, save Lady Alice D'Aritel...


The freezing crystal gaze broke form you.
All eyes were pulled behind you. You felt a strange
tug at you consciousness, you turn to the Triodea to
see what was so significant.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Pathfinders (All)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

She laid back in her burgundy-overstuffed-chair, her delicate pale hand
weaving elegantly above her, as if casting some wordless spell. Then she
ceased the motion, rolling over on her back, her legs kicked up upon the
arm-rest of the large chair.

"My, what shall I play? What shall I play..."
Her voice was soft, with a strange and whimsical-smooth-tone. She
looked to the blue-noon-sky, as if in thought...

The crowd began shouting out in random bursts of noise that
split the strange silence that had settled over the once-busy-plaza.
"Sing about my future!"
The cries began to rise up, and become deafening. An
incomprehensible jumble of screams, cries and shouts
to hear their destined fates sung by this women.
"No! Sing about my business!"
"Will Bell get better!?"
"Will I find my son!?"
"Will I make it to The Summit of Fire!?"
"SING OF ME!"
"SING OF ME!"
"TELL ME!"

She raised her soft pale hand once more, and the crowd
found a tense-hushed-silence. Lowering her hand, she rolled
over in her chair. Her strange pose was angled somewhat
seductively, with her crossed-legs and arms on either side
of the rest. Her loose white gown did not exactly cover much
of her self to begin with.

"My, my. Please calm yourselves...
T'wid not be in good manner to sing of only one, yes? But I must
sing, must-I-not? So let fate find, who-will-find, what fate finds!"
She chuckled somewhat softly, as if such airs was a game she
played. She placed her delicate hand over here eyes, and laid
her mandolin to the side.

"I will siinnnnng....."
She waived a pointed finger in the air menacingly, like it was some kind of weapon.
A forgotten god's quill. An arbalest with bolts forged by destiny. She fired.

"...Of you!"
She blindly pointed at a strange, worn noblemen (Avaricious)

She lifted her finger again, she was not done yet.
"...And you!"
She pointed to Lady D'Aritel. A small series of gasps did
not halt her strange stunt, and she appeared to be completely
unaware of the stern disproving gaze of the Knight-Princess.

He hand want back up into the air a third time. The crowd was
held in silent anticipation. But contradictory to what had already
transpired, her hand shot off in a random slew of directions picking
out individuals with a shot-gun approach.
"...And you! ...And you! ...And you! ...And you!
...And you! You too!"

A strange crippled old man, who hobbled in the corner with a long stick (Asiresh)
A well armed and armored Magnimarian Knight dressed in worn polished armor (???)
A strange warrior-maiden of Korsovo (Jeska)
A large bare-chested barbaric looking warrior (Viridi)
A young noble women in red, with a strange companion (Alica)
A mysterious young artisan wearing well worked brown leathers and a cap (???)

She lowered her hand, and removed her mock-blindfold.
Her playful tone had been lost somewhere in her gimmick.
Her voice seemed to carry a somber and a steady-sober-inflection.
"I will sing of all of you. I will sing of this city..."

She picked up her mandolin, and stumed once. Then stopped to tune a few strings.
She began a steady somewhat otherworldly melody. A tune that could have been
crafted by magic, you could not be entirely sure that it wasn't. Perhaps her instrument
was more then just flaunty stage-appearance. She smiled darkly looking at Viridi who
stood directly before her, only a measure of steps and a 20 ft space spanning the distance
between them.

"I think, I'll name this Song.... weather? Storm? Ah.
This song is called.. '...To Reflect The Storm' "

Rumors said her songs were spontaneous, with lyrics fired-from-the-hip.
That appeared to have some validity it seemed. Her voice was enchanting.
Entrancing. It was a soft-perfectly-pitched-hymn to the gods of music.

" Mother. Mother. Mother, I'm here."
Father. Sister. Mother, still here.

So would you turn away?
Come again, another day?
...And pass in peace?
...Please. In. Peace... And dream."

The rhythm began to increase, an ethereal
crescendo of sound as if in wordless reply.

"...You know not peace.
...You know not peace.

Mother... you know not peace.
Sister.... you know not peace.
Father. Come back... oh, please.

Sister is lost.
Mother is lost.
They won't, look away.
They won't, look away.
They won't, show their face.
They won't, show their face."


The melody drops back and forth with intricate
streaming arpeggios, then breaking into a haunting
assault of blinding sweep picking.

"...So let your storm, wash theses streets.
Run their blood through my dreams....

'Nay, I'll not turn away!'
'Nay, I'll not show my face.'
'Nay, I'll not walk away.'
'Not til thine sisters come. Running through mornings sun.'
'Not til thine sisters come. Running through the bloody run.'
'Bare my charge, upon your feet. Let them not rest-or-eat.'
'Bare my charge, 'fore your head. Strike them til they are dead.'


Nay, I'll not turn away!
Nay, I'll not bare cruel fate!

Mother, Mother, Mother, hear me.
Mother, Mother, Mother, show reason.
Show reason...
Show your face...
Show reason... "

The last note echoes outward upon the silent crowd.
The Lady's head rolled back to the sky, sitting upright,
as if caught in a trance. A fierce stream of infernal notes
begin to shred across the tentative silence.

"Fire Strike! Burn away! Pull the Souls, from this place!
Break and flee, fore the bell!
Second toll, will signal Hell!
The sky you crack, broken flame. To their frame you do the same!
Blood will spill upon the hour. From this sin, innocence to scour.
With his axe, upon the head, many are lost. Many are dead.
Purge the flame, walk in smoke. Through grey clouds, your words are chocked.
Sword raised high! To the Sky!
...To fight in light. The air is right.
Come from East. To bring your beast.
To take me home!
To take them home!
Far away. So, far, away...

....To the stars.
...This, day. "

Her last words stream off into a whisper. Her eyes open, and her head rolls back to look
at the crowd. A strange stunned quiet chokes the air. The look of worry and shock is chiseled
into the features of most. Even the foreigners wear a dire mask.

A man screams out,
"RUN! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! THE CITY WILL FALL SECOND BELL!
A panic ensues. Men, women, and persons of every sort, break off from the Plaza trying to separate themselves from the massive chaos. People of all sorts dropped goods and wares, running over those in their path in a mad dash for the gate to Lost Coast Road. Screams and shouts erupt as the tumultuous mob stampedes out of the plaza, some to escape the city, and others to simply be far from the infernal-witch who prophesied the assault. Lady D'Aritel moved about helping those she could who had been accosted in the rush, separating the wounded and feeble from the onslaught.

The Lady chuckled softly in plain amusement. Laughing amid the chaos and screams.
She threw her Mandolin over her shoulder carelessly. It disappeared without a trace,
as if fetched by some invisible hand. She tapped the chair as if commanding a dog-sled;
"Mush!"
The large chair animated, and slowly began it's march up the fine sparkling marble tiles
of the Triodea. She smiled all the while, her gaze locked upon Lady D'Aritel who glared
back scornfully in turn, surrounded amidst a sea of pandemonium.

[iValkyrieX]

As Asiresh looks up to the stage once more he notices a lady of a sort with a mandolin pointing at different people, including himself, as if to mark them in some way with a song. He feels as if hes seen this before, but before he could ponder upon it for to long the woman broke into song. He listened carefully for curtain words, his eyes dilate and he can sense something is strange with this one. He quickly casts detect magic then takes a took around the stage and to the sky. After a subtle look around he begins to listen to the words of the song once more.


So let your storm, wash theses streets.
Run their blood through my dreams....

It dons on him...The storm that followed me...could it be that she is controlling it? He looks to the sky once more but returns his gaze to the stage. His mind flickers once more at the words coming from the woman's mouth.


Come from East. To bring your beast.
To take me home!
To take them home!
Far away. So, far, away...

....To the stars.
...This, day.

He looks to the east in hopes of seeing the wall of clouds but to his misfortune he see nothing but buildings and walls. Sadly there's no time to move to a better veiw, his thoughts were disrupted by a loud yell from the crowd and turmoil broke loose. He takes a quick glance down at his palm to see the symbol of Ketephys, and prays that this is a worthy hunt to please his god. Asir decided he would sit back and wait to see if any of these worthless warriors would stand and defend the city.

Asiresh casts detect magic upon hearing the first verse of the ballad.

[Mornings]

- The Mistress of Shadow -

(1d20+7)[27]

The Steel Princess's renown existed further then just Magnimar. Tales of the cities
'Ice Princess' had reached all about the Inner Sea region with the brutal victories she
achieved within The Steel Summit. She was regarded as one of the top three Master's
of Fire within the region next to Kovosa's fierce battle maiden, and the far-removed
'Crimson Crow', a certain Aldori Swordlord from Rostland who had made an unexpected
entrance last year. She was a walking monument, a 'mascot' of sorts representing the
people. and the city's might.

Her might in arms inspired order. Her dauntless determination to crush evil and corruption
inspired fear. She was educated, well mannered and disciplined. She had a knowledge and
mind of the court and the political workings of the city that far outstretched most noble lords.
She served the city tirelessly. While named as 'The Alabaster Ward' officially giving her full
command and jurisdiction over the district. Her word commanded the whole of the city's
Guard and military force. The unnamed 'General' of the city.

The D'Aritel policy was one played close-to-the-chest. They let no official function or group
operated outside of their watch and grasp. Thus, it was only fitting that the daughter of High-Lord
Alv'tir D'Aritel command so much responsibility. The symbol that she was, was one of incorruptible
duty and loyalty.

Lady D'Aritel competed in The Steel Summit every year. Yet never
had entered in The Summit of Steel. She had earned enough merit to enter twice, yet she always
declined. She sought no personal glory, she merely competed for the city's honor and had not
forgotten her station as heir-to-the-crown. More then half the men that entered The Summit of
Steel did not live to attempt it again. Such danger was involved that there was no guarantee a
Summit of Steel would even be held. Generally The Summit ended with the naming of The Master's
of Fire. It was truly a tournament to be recorded when men entered into the final phase.

The Princess always fought with a powerful and furious style, that was measured-yet-vicious.
She did not withhold the strength of her blows even in sport. Almost half of the lesser warriors
to face her in combat had been slain. Often not under the weight of her sword-arm, but from
the crippling-cold of her strikes and presence. Those that were not slain often surrendered after
having their weapons cloven-and-shattered, a feat that had become something of her signature
for how often she managed to perform it.


Lady D'Aritel was as much herself as she was also her duty-and-station.
She currently pursued no romantic interests. And was often too busy with her official position to
pursue other interests. However it was known she enjoyed music, literature, and forge-works of
arms and armor. The later was somewhat of a hidden passion. She found the artistry to create
weapons and armor enthralling, a little known fact. However, the Lady's almost obsessive pursuit
of greater master of combat in all it's forms was well known. She would often accept challenges
of sword, bow, and boxing in leisure, with those she respected. It was a passion that she only
shared with friends... and enemies, to their dismay.

Princess D'Aritel was a strange one by the measure of her family. At
a young age she had been somewhat meek-and-bookish. She enjoyed sword-work but did not look
to pursue it actively. Instead she choose the 'lesser arts', or so the D'Aritel's called it. She took an
interest in the old rune magic and mysteries of old. The ancient stories and texts were enchanting.

Lady D'Aritel never became an arcane caster as she had sought out as a child, but she had learned
to apply some of the workings of less-known magic in her sword-craft. Often it would be so subtle
it was overlooked in combat.

She still maintains a private library and records which she uses
as a study, and to re-explore her roots from time-to-time.





(1d20+7)[19]

Rhis Valaria Childman, not many people knew that name. Official ledger listed that as her
official name, or so said a loose-lipped lawmen of the Capital District. It could have been
entirely fabricated. There was no mention or record of her family. No estate. No wealth
to speak of. On paper, she was no better then a begging commoner. But to see The Lady
of Morning in person. Her elegant gestures and whimsical wordplay. She was anything but
a commoner. Educated. Well versed. And a master of an assortment of musical instruments.
The mysterious back-round was a thing of common talk and gossip. Perhaps she was set
loose by the gods, with a prophetic tongue-in-cheek and a voice to sing.

Truth was, no one truly knew where she had emerged from.
After the war, she was occasionally seen at the Triodea, and within The Alabaster District
once every few months or so. But it was only recently within this year she had taken up
residence in Magnimar. It had been less then three months and her fame had spread like
wildfire. She charged nothing. She made nothing. She was no more then a glorified street
performer with no home or money to speak of. Yet she seemed to possess such extravagant
instruments and possessions, even buying the Triodea for herself, becoming the owner of said
theater. No one could explain where this vast wealth came from or who she really was.



Those that did not spend time within Starsilver Plaza, Naos, or The Alabaster District were
not usually familiar with some of the more recent common gossip regarding The Lady.

Fairly recently she had taken it upon herself to become an 'employer of adventurers'.
Pathfinders. Fighters. Mercenaries. The homeless. It didn't matter. All that mattered
was a willing and able bodied individual seeking employment was seeking her sponsorship.
She would hire any man, women, or child who sought work from her. The jobs and tasks,
were completely random, but often involved fetching an item, usually a mundane object like
a book, bucket, mop, broom... of no actual relevance to her. Often she discarded this items
immediately. However, she payed upfront for each task complete.

However, the infuriating 'catch', was that she would not name the item in question specifically.
Those under her employment had to listen to a song, and interpret what she sought. Often they
would not know if they were right or wrong in their guess until the money was in hand. There was
no additional clues, or hints and The Lady of Morning only played a song once.


From what they said. Conversations with The Lady tended to be increadibly difficult.
bordering between an unless slew of puzzles or riddles. Or interrpreting a song, for
things as simple as a 'Yes-or-No' answer.

There were only three things she would speak about openly:
-The various medallions she often hung about her person.
-Employment
-And her songs. Which was often vague.

She was nortoriously flighty and short of attention.
The moment she no longer found enjoyment or a measure of
interest in a conversation, the talk was over. She was a difficult
women to manage, but her power and influence seemed to grow
with each day.

[Desril]

Viridi

The Numerian grins back at the Lady of Morning, but slowly his face moves from a grin to a look of confusion as she sings her song. He crosses his arms and looks irritated as the crowd cries out in panic and runs around wildly him while he mutters aloud to himself. "That's her fortune telling? Some song about Hell's Bells or something? It doesn't even make any sense!" Grunting in frustration he shakes his head, "Well, she'd still be a hell of a bang if I just went after her right--" Finding himself cut off by one of the panicking citizens running head-first into him, Viridi finally actually takes note of the chaos around him, and that Lady Alice was trying to keep everyone from getting hurt. Guess I'll help too. Might make her notice me at least, and mobs are annoying to walk through anyway.

Looking around and seeing the panic, the bloodrager quickly decides that both beating down the mob one by one and trying to be nice about it wasn't going to get anywhere. People were dumb in big groups, and panicky people were really dumb, even Viridi knew that, but knocking them out would take too long and upset the city guard. Instead, using the tricks he learned in his days fighting mock battles in the Serpent's Run, Viridi takes a deep breath before shouting with as much force as his lungs could muster, intending to cow the crowd with sheer volume. "ALL OF YOU! STOP RUNNING AND BE QUIET!"

Not waiting to see if he got their attention, or giving any whose attention he did grab time to start panicking again, he continues at equal volume. "THE CITY WILL NOT FALL! WHAT DO YOU TRUST MORE, HER WEIRD SONG, OR THE STRENGTH OF THE KNIGHT OF LUMINESCENCE?!"

There. If there's even a half a gallon of sense in the lot of them, that should shut 'em up. And though he doesn't let his face show it, Viridi silently fumes about how he needed to give someone else's title in his little speech rather than his own name.


Intimidate to silence the crowd [roll0]

[Kai927]

Jeska re-read the letter she had recieved, directing her to the Heidmarch manor. She folded the piece of parchment and placed it into the bag she had strapped to the side of her pack. The scarred woman walked over to the small water basin in the inn room and splashed the cold water on her face to help wake herself up, before undressing and scrubbing her whole body clean. It would set a rather poor first impression if she arrived smelling of sweat and filth after all.

After finishing with her own bathing, she takes a brush and scrubs her armor as well, trying to eliminate the sweat smell from it as well. Again, first impressions and all. Seeing that was taken care of, she quickly dresses herself, then starts putting on her plated armor, first with the cloth padding, freshly dried from the previous night's washing, then with the various leg plates, followed by the curiass and rerebrace. She finished with the red leather wrappings that served as her vambraces and greaves. To the latter she added a half-greave to each leg, covering her shins. She topped the ensemble off with a red cape, not the original that she received with the armor when she completed her training with the Gray Maidens, that had been torn to tatters in her flight here to Magnimar, but a replacement she had acquired with some of her winnings from the Hippodrome. The helmet was left in her pack. While she could wear the Maiden's armor, the very symbol of her sins, she refused to return to being a faceless warrior.

Strapping on her baldric, she makes sure her sword is loose in it's sheath and grabs her shield, leaving the room after slinging her pack over her shoulder, heading downstairs and settling up with the innkeeper. Leaving the inn, she starts walking towards the Heidmarch Manor, arriving in the plaza just as the Lady of Morning made her entrance. Jeska shook her head in wonderment as several people began shouting their desires for their fortunes that the Lady could supposedly provide. Could they not tell that she is crazy? she wonders to herself, not acknowledging the Lady pointing at her. After she finished and the crowd broke into a panic, she just shook her head. To lend such weight to a crazy woman's meaningless song just amazed her.

She did not stay in her wonderment for long, quickly stepping forward and gently pushing people out of her way with her shield, heading for a young couple that had fallen. Thankfully she manages to reach them and help them up before they are trampled by the panicking crowd. Keeping an eye out, she pushes her way through the crowd, looking for others that might have fallen or were otherwise in danger.

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

With a look that's seventy percent relief, twenty percent unease, and ten percent amusement, the dhampir noble smiles awkwardly. Unfortunately, this reveals his vampiric fangs, inherited directly from the vampiric father he never knew. Usually, in an attempt to hide the distinguishing feature, the man applied some hideous makeup onto his teeth, making him look like every other dentally inadequate nobleman, of which there were an incredible amount in the world. This time though, he was attempting to come off as a little cleaner in order to impress the somewhat intimidating Pathfinder Society. As he smiles, he realizes what he's done and blinks incredibly fast, before deciding to use his arms to take the attention away from his teeth. He uses his arms fairly well, slapping his knee in mock laughter, continuing to laugh awkwardly, his voice getting smaller and smaller until Alice silences the mercenaries that took at least a little bit of the attention away from him. At that, he just lets out a faint croak, finishing his interaction with Alice by waggling his eyebrows, throwing his hands up by his face, and promptly walking straight backwards into the crowd. Well, he tries to at least. Something was wrong, his feet weren't working with his brain the way they were supposed to. So, he runs a nervous hand through his hair, sort of bobbing the hat off to a steep angle, before gesturing one finger forward. "Erm. One sec."

At that, he attempts to wrest his foot away, but sort of stumbles as he does so. He wasn't used to having his limbs respond all noodley-like, being fairly dexterous most of the time from all the dance lessons of his youth. Ah, dance lessons! Yes, that was it, that was why he was so intimidated by this Alice! She had a face just like the dance instructor he dealt with when he was younger. Avaricious's grandfather, though bedridden, still forced the young boy to take fencing and dancing, as all noble children were supposed to, even though the dhampir hadn't technically ever been a real nobleman. He attempts to walk away once more, nod furiously towards Alice before snapping. When he does this, his powers of prestidigitation will take effect, heating up his shoes until they're hot enough to sort of melt away the numbness. It's a process that shouldn't take more than a second. He'll speak to fill in the time, addressing the warrior princess directly. "M'humble 'poligies, miss. See, it's not every day a man like me sees a gal like you, aheh." He smiles, this time with his lips pursed, before bowing curtly and fading into the crowd, his face still facing the knight until he vanishes behind some tall warrior, flipping on his heel and beginning to navigate the crowd.

That was a mighty looking sword, clearly magical, and worth a pretty penny. Avaricious raises an eyebrow and ponders over just how much one could get for the legendary blade, before shrugging the thought away. There was no chance he could do it, no one was even close to her, everyone could see it happen! No, this wasn't even close to being the most ideal situation! The poor guy is a bit embarrassed. He was normally so suave, so diplomatic, so well-prepared! What the hell was the matter? "Ahhh, must be the damned Society on me mind, best not mind the... the mind... I... wha?" His train of thought is brutally thrown off the rails as something draws his attention towards the Triodea. He'll raise a hand to scratch at his head, pondering over what the hell he was thinking about before the woman on stage distracted him. Most bards would be thrilled at the chance to listen to The Lady of Morning, but not Avaricious. He was always one for speeches, for philosophical debates, for rousing toasts and political intrigue. The dhampir preferred the power of words over the powers of song, and as such didn't particularly care to be here, although he did, of course, respect The Lady as a performer. However, with the way the crowd was locked up, attempting to leave the area would likely get his slim and short build of five foot seven crushed. Not much to do but wait it seems.

Finally, the Lady of Morning begins speaking and rousing the crowd, getting more and more annoyed as the people in the crowd spout suggestions left and right. It was incredibly rude to blurt in like that. Finally, a young boy about eight or nine standing just behind Avaricious shouts out the final, "TELL ME". As the kid does so, Avaricious steps right in front of the kid before aiming a kick backwards at the little boy. If there was one thing the bard hated, it was children that misbehaved or acted like nuisances, and secondly, he hated it when an audience wasn't quite and respectful to a performer. Hopefully, the boy should end up kicked onto his ass and made to quiet down. (I don't think an attack role needs to be made to bop a kid, but if I am mistaken, do tell me in the OOC, DM, and I will role then.) Once the business with the child is done, he'll solemnly shake his head and cluck his tongue. "What is the world coming to." The quiet utterance was particularly ironic, seeing as the nobleman himself was a particularly horrible person in most people's eyes. The dhampir takes a look at the stage again, his eyes tracing along the outline of The Lady's pale hand, her skin standing out to him. He'd always had an incredible fascination with those of pale skin, for though he was quite pale due to the angle of his cheeks and forehead, his face often seemed a bit darker than it was thanks to the shadows. That, and The Lady's skin reminded him somewhat of Avilia...

The man sighs and closes his eyes, looking down as he's suddenly yelled at. He opens his eyes and gazes to the stage, his eyes glancing around quickly. She was singing of him? Oh gods no. He had no intention of ever having his future foretold. To be honest, the man was frightened of what he might told, for he knows full well that the path he's on would most likely end with a painful sensation and a short, sharp shock. Avaricious had actually often thought of the ways of execution he'd prefer, and eventually decided that he'd prefer beheading. Much faster death that way. He was occasionally rather morbid, another reason he didn't want his future told. Avaricious knew he was paranoid enough as it was, he didn't need a death sentence in rhyme shouted at him by some creepy old crone smelling of urine and wine. Then again, The Lady of Morning was no old crone, and probably even smelled of vanilla. Avaricious had always loved the smell of vanilla, Avilia always smelled so strongly of it... So sensual, so welcoming, so soft. His first real poem was for Avillia, featuring some witty comparison between her name and the vanilla orchid, and how similar the names sounded when pronounced. Avaricious sighs deeply, crossing his arms and taking his time to actually listen in to the woman on stage. Lately, he'd been so often deep in thought, it was unusual.

As the song gets more and more unpleasant with each verse, Avaricious just starts to clasp his hands together and rummage through the satchel of bolts at his hip. Yup, all there, good. He may have to use them soon enough, unfortunately. The man really didn't like the sight or taste of blood, although the smell of it was always so intoxicating for whatever reason. Sort of like how some of the people he knew were with particularly strong-tasting beverages. Hopefully it wouldn't come to the point where blood needed to be spilled. Then, as the woman finishes her song, the people begin to panic. Avaricious stays perfectly still, seemingly unfazed by the doomsday prophecy. In fact, as the people begin to panic and scream, he begins to do a little dance. It's very small and reserved, first just a bob of his head, followed by a jovial bounce of his shoulders. Finally, he finishes the little jig by slowly waving his hands up to his face, silently praising the skies for his good luck. Hundreds of people in one place, a marketplace-like area even, panicking and running about, knocking things over! This was a veritable goldmine of opportunity! In fact, the man will stop his silly little dance and begin to maneuver the crowd with great skill, his focus entirely on the job at hand now that hee had a bit of adrenaline flowing through him. That sword, hmmm. He had to get to that sword! But how?

Well, first, he needed to not look like himself if he ended up caught, but his disguise kit was so far away, in the back of his wagon, stuffed into a locked chest! Time to improvise. First, he passes an older man with a ragged cloak, brown and worn from travel. Probably a trader of some kind, it didn't really matter. He'll walk behind the guy and attempt to grab the cloak off his shoulders, pointing and shrieking into the man's ear to direct him away from the act. "Gahh! Look, it's a thing! Boo!" The noise itself was enough to frighten and distract most people, it didn't really matter what he said. (Sleight of Hand: [roll0]) Should this succeed, he'll quickly wrap the cloak over him and make his way to the next target. Ahh, a little boy with a scarf! That would be perfect for hiding his face! He'll attempt to run right at the child before feinting and turning to brush past him, hopefully grabbing the yellow scarf in the process. (Sleight of Hand: [roll1]) Assuming all goes well, he'll wrap it around his face as he continues to move along. Finally, he realized he still had that blasted hat! Alice was probably at least a little bit intelligent, she would recognize it! So, he'll rush towards a fellow with a mop-like looking hat, sort of frumpy and shapeless. Not at all his style, but he'd have to make it work. This time he'll just sneak up behind the guy and grab the hat from his head, before placing his own hat on the other man's head! (Sleight of Hand: [roll2]) Of course, Avaricious will pluck the feather from the cap he once owned that was now on the other man's head, and stuff it into his own new hat. Avaricious liked feathers. (A Disguise Check for the final costume piece. (Disguise: [roll3])

Finally, he'll cast prestidigitation once more, this time using it to warm the clothing he's wearing beneath the brown cloak. The warmth effect heats the object or objects enchanted forty degrees higher than usual, which ought to help him deal with that cold sword. He was wearing heated gloves now, after all. So, he'll make his way behind Lady Alice before attempting to wrest the sword from her and run off into the crowd. Should he fail his sleight of hand, however, he'll go with it and simply rush right into her, pretending to have simply been pushed into her. So, on a success, he'll run right off with it, back to the alleyways. On a failure, he'll crash into her and start shouting about an injured arm in a strange voice, his face covered by the hat and scarf, the large brown cloak covering his noble clothing, looking for all the world to be nothing more than an average peasant man, if a rather eccentric one. (Sleight of Hand: [roll4])

[oyzar]

Alica

Alica is suprised to see that she is selected from the crowd, though, the feeling is quickly replaced by a spreading warmth as she realizes she has been singled out together with Viridi. Maybe this means we will get to interact more than these brief moments on the plaza. I don't think I would mind that. I wouldn't mind that at all. I wonder why I feel like this about him though. I have never felt like this before. We haven't even spoken together!

Her attention turns quickly towards the song once the seer starts playing. What an ominous song. I wonder what will happen. Might it be connected to what the pathfinders want us to do? Maybe this is some sort of task she is giving us? It is so vague though. Hard to get anything useful out of this. As she sees the panic spread through the crowd a crazy though strikes her. She decides to act on it before her judgment can get the better of her impulse. She starts moving quickly, but towards the seer, instead of away, also towards the man she followed through the crowd earlier.

Alica bumps into the man, pressing her breasts against him. Unfortunately this causes the chain shirt to press into her tender flesh. She can’t help but wince in pain as the rigid material constricts her sensitive mounds. At the same time she marvels about how steady, solid and warm the flesh of the man she ran into feels. Something is seriously wrong with me, how I can enjoy this. She thinks at the same time as she utters. “Ouch, I am sorry.” Staying close to the big warrior she looks up to see him start to shout out. Such confidence, he believes he can quell the crowd with his voice alone. Might not be realistic, but it is really nice to see him help out. A confident, good and strong man. His voice is nice too, if a bit loud. A smile creeps onto the face of the girl thinking of all the good characteristics of the man that is still nearly pressed up against her. Finally she speaks up. “I don’t think it is possible to stop the crowd at this point, they are too panicked. It is a noble effort of you to try though good Sir.”

[Mornings]

- The Ancient -

Your eye's dimly glow with arcane energies augmenting your vision. You can feel something immediately upon completion of the spell, but are not able to make it out. Studying the performance carefully, a strange golden light seems to emanate from The Lady of Mornings as she enters her trance-like-state. As if her whole being was a conduit of magic. It was not blinding, but it gave a strange sense of calm that filled your heart with a warm and humming sensation.

As her performance neared it's end, you could feel the presence of other magical entities upon the stage. Yet you could make out no trace of it's sources. It was not until the very end amid the chaos that you saw the very delicate out lines of strange figures surrounding The Lady. You could not make any details out of these amorphus outlines. They appeared as veiled humanoid entities, clear as glass. The strong presence of Illusion magic, of a nature you had never encountered lingering upon your thoughts.

Sliding back and towards the western corner of the Triodea, steping from out of the chaos in the plaza, you watch and wait. Who will rise up, what might unfold here?

Chaos in The Plaza; Magnimar - 12:25 PM, Toilday the 15th

It was madness.

The plaza was large by any-man's account, and this day it had been filled almost to the point of discomfort. Thousands of men, women, children. Merchants trying to make a days pay, men of every sorts, had filled these streets. Now, it looked like a scene from battle. A warzone of fleeing citizens and nobles alike, if not out of fear, out of the desire to seperate themselves as far as possible from the disorder and violence beginning to erupt.

Mother's lost children. Merchants and their wares, trampled underfoot.
The panic was contagious, and soon their was only a blinding disarray.

- The Solemn Guardian -

The steel-clad women, pounded her way through. Men crashed into her shield, bounding off and resuming their mad sprint. The mob was not fleeing in a single direction, they were fleeing in all directions, not even sure where they were going. Not even sure if there was any safety that shelter could provide.

A sight had caught her eye. With a kick-and-sprint, she covered the forty feet between herself and her target. Pulling a child from the stone floor before he was crushed like rotten fruit. A wave of crazed maddened men and women washing over her like a wave striking a rock. She saw the Steel Princess wading through the discord, carrying four men like sacks of potatoes to the corner of The Capital District, placing them out of harms way. The princess was right. She could not aid those she recovered while remaining within the threat. A motherless girl crashed into her and fell to the floor as she made your way to the same clearing. Quickly she lifted her as well, bringing both children to safety. Two of the individuals already recovered from the pit of hysteria, cry out in joy and recognition while looking upon the children she saved. A merchant man, dressed in an apron and dusty attire, and a regal looking women. They both thanked the lady-knight again and again, then fled from the absurdity in the plaza.

- The Mistress of Shadow & The Action Hero -

His voice boomed out from the steps of the Triodea. Almost carrying across the Plaza.


"ALL OF YOU! STOP RUNNING AND BE QUIET!"

I don’t think it is possible to stop the crowd at this point, they are too panicked. It is a noble effort of you to try though good Sir.”

"THE CITY WILL NOT FALL! WHAT DO YOU TRUST MORE, HER WEIRD SONG, OR THE STRENGTH OF THE KNIGHT OF LUMINESCENCE?!"

Men, women, creatures within twenty-feet of the man froze. Some even fell over in fright at the sudden shout. But he could see some thought beginning to cross the faces of those in the plaza. His words were true, and proven. The Knight of Luminescence had indeed saved the city once before.

A great deal of people around the Triodea seemed to re-garner a small sense of reality, and truly think again. Not being driven by blind fear and apocalyptic-prophecy. But the Plaza as a whole was still in wild-unfettered-frenzy. Cries of terror and random screams proclaiming the song as "...from the mouth of the gods", and that "steel could not defeat Divine Will."

Scared people were stupid after all.
He could hear the large elaborate doors of the Triodea close behind him.

- The Tragic Villain & The Steel Princess -

The cunning bard danced through the crowd with an elegant two-step-and-flair. The cloak looked like a perfect addition to his soon-to-be, disguise. Coming up behind the old man and pointing away in the distance while screaming in his ear;


"Gahh! Look, it's a thing! Boo!"
The men let out a feeble and fearful cry looking away. But moving to grab the cloak, he seemed to pull together his wits and notice the attempt at his ragged possession, he grabbed his own shoulders as if to secure it while yelling in his old mumbling-rasp-of-a-voice " mmmm, hey'r' Wha' ya' do'in!". Deciding to forgo elegance, the dhampir simply ripped the dammed thing off his back, and gave him a firm push in the rear, sending him sprawling into a passing crowd. He let out a pathetic scream while being trampled as the bard quickly moved for his next mark without a pause-in-step. Grabbing one end of the scarf, the villain took afew steps about the child easily removing it from his face, all the while moving to another man with a perfectly-fine-piece of trash on his head. He easily swapped hats with a deft-and-practiced hand while being sure to re-set the fine feather from his previous item. The guise was complete! He ran his hands quickly over himself to secure the new-found-display.

Casting his meager magic over himself to warm his cloths, he scanned the crowd. She had just finished recovering four men from the chaos placing them at the corner of The Capital District and moved to reenter the panic-spree once more. This was your chance. You'd have that sword. It was probably worth a fortune to some collector, pompous-noble, or just a good-old fence who might take it off his hands.

He charged with the crowd, becoming just another panicked face in a sea of faces. The push and roil of the wild mob did most of the work for you. At this point, He was relatively certain he probably could not stop even had he wanted to. A short-sprint and a hundred-feet later, he came upon his mark, veering into her in a rush as if thrown by the mob to disguise his attempt.

His hand grasped the hilt, he'd done it! Victory was at hand!
Then, that split second seemed to drag on. Everything around him seemed to be overcast in a blue sheen. There was no screams. No one moved. There was only an eerie-haunting-silence. While he could not move, and still remained in place, he could perceive this single suspended moment. Was this a dream? What was happening?

Then he heard it. Distant at first, that grew into a crackling-thunderous howl echoing through his consciousness. It was like a series of claws fired through a shaft in his mind. It's terrible voice wracking the walls of his thoughts like knives upon porcelain, amplified to a bellowing roar.

" Oh.... WHO... IS THAT... WHO SEEKS TO BARE ME!? "

It's voice was like a violent fissure of telepathic energy ripping apart his brain. The thing was no object. It lived! It still lived. Whatever it was, and now it had seen him... A terrible cacophonous laughing roar ripped through his being. His lungs ached. Sweat began to bead on his brow. A dreadful wave of nausea. The drowning oppressive wave of consternation choked him, as the entity let loose an abominable cackle. It's very voice vociferous blades of energy shattering through him.

" G'HEHEHEHAHA!

He could feel it running through his bones. The essence, running through his skin. Invade his body. Pervade his mind... It prickled in his conscious thoughts. He could see flashing images. Terrible things. The crusaders... Avillia... As if forced to re-watch that which was burned into his mind and heart already. He felt the intangible claws reach out, as if to steal his very memo-


A hand tightly pulled him close, as he crashed into the Steel Princess. The impact caught her flat-footed and unsuspecting. The weight of the charge lifted them both from the ground in a violent clash. She pulled him close to her cuirass protecting him from the fall. With a fierce obstreperous gesture, she whipped her free-arm backwards and back-fisted the fast-approaching stone. The concussive blow unleashed a raucous-ear-splitting crack, that thundered through the plaza, resounding to echo again. Citizens froze and dived to the earth, as if expecting the end of the world had came early. The tremendous force pushed them both back from the fall, hitting the ground in a sitting posture atop Lady Alice and shattered stone.

She put an arm around the strange man and stood, placing him upon the ground as if she had removed a small child. Standing within the small crater, and seeing the chaos had been quelled by the some-what violent display. She took the opportunity to end this ridiculous chaos once and for all. Stepping back out of the hole, she began to scream proudly across the plaza, piggy-backing on the Numerian's outburst.

" HAVE YOU ALL GONE MAD!? HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN WHO I AM!?
THIS CITY, WILL! NOT! FALL!
I WILL KILL YOUR AGGRESSORS!
I WILL KILL YOUR ENEMIES!
I WILL KILL ANY MAN!
ANY GOD. WHO DARES THINK THEY CAN TAKE THIS CITY! "

The crowd not missing a beat, and still freshly inspired from the superhuman-feat-of-strength, roared and cheered. How could they have let such fear grip them. How could they have forgotten 'the city's sword'. Some looked down to the ground in shame. She cleared her thought, signaling to the guards and clerics now gathered at the corner of The Capital District.

"...Now. If you all wouldn't mind. Would you all calmly... "
" CLEAR THE PLAZA! "

The crowd began to disperse. The knights, guards and cleric under Lady Alice's command moved in. The bodies of the wounded and dead becoming visible. A long with the wreckage and lost property. She looked to the strange man that had crashed into her. He trembled visibly for some unknown reason. Perhaps it was shocking experience. But he looked well enough, physically anyways. She decided to let him be and recover on his own time. She had work to do. Aid the wounded, caring for the dead, returning the bodies to family...the paper work, uhg, the paperwork. It would be a long night. Thankfully she need not travel far, she'd be within The House of Lords til Wealday-evening she suspected. She looked back one final time at the man before going to tend to her duties.

" It's a little warm for a scarf... "



The Plaza; Magnimar - 12:30 PM, Toilday the 15th

Calm had settled in the plaza. It was unnaturally desolate and quiet. The guards waved others on, directing foot-traffic around the open space. Bodies lay strewn and broken about. Goods, wares, and property lay mostly broken and tattered all about. Lady D'Aritel coordinated the work from the center barking orders, once or twice, then moving towards The House of Lords to fulfill her other duties.

The guards prevented any individuals in the plaza directing them around it's outer reaches. This would slow the trip to Heidmarch Manor considerably versus when you had been capably of just walkng directly through The Junction, but there was little other choice. It was already half-past noon. It was best not to keep The Society waiting too long.

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

The man braces his back up against several of the panicking peasants before raising his eyebrows and awaiting the sensation of shooting forth into the middle of the square, right through the crowd. Sure enough, eventually someone bumps into the individual behind him, giving him enough momentum to make his rushing into her a little more realistic. There, he's coming closer! Closer... About five steps away, he winces as he wonders just how painful slamming into Alice's full plate would be. Oh well, no turning back now! With a growl and a vicious looking grin, he grips the hilt of the large blade with his heated up gloves, already celebrating his victory. As he attempts to pull the sword out of it's sheathe, everything changes. Where there once were the screams and shouts of the people running to and fro throughout the panicked square, there was now silence. As he gazed about, he realized that the artifact wasn't in his hands anymore, and that he was frozen in motion. Desperately, he attempts to run, panicking as his body doesn't seem to respond to what he's telling it to do! Then there was blue, everything so blue, so many shades of that blasted color. There's a terrible sound, a great shout, distant at first but growing louder and louder by the second, each word causing is heart to beat faster and faster, until he felt it's voice rip into his mind, tearing and ripping through him.

He cannot close his eyes, he cannot hide, for it was all around him. There was something here, something with him, something darker. And as he gazes forward, the man stares into the depths of his own personal hell, watching in horror as his past is flashed in front of him, forced to look, unable to turn away. More and more images pass by, their voices warped and strange, the bodies of the people in the memories ethereal and spectral. Finally, even the images and the crackle of the great fire fade before the terrible sound that is the howl of the creature trapped within the blade. Claws come for him, large and sharp, like spears in the dark coming for him. Avaricious attempts to scream, to escape, anything, but cannot. Finally, as the claws wrap around him and envelope him, something grips him from behind and pulls him away from the terrible dream world. It's Alice, Lady Alice. As he returns to the real world, he'll simply crash down onto the floor, trembling in fear and confusion as his body just puddles down to the ground. Even now that he's returned to the material plane, everything seems so muted, so faint for a good thirty seconds. He looks around as if still in slow motion to see lips moving without sounds, subtle movements without meaning. Then, he blinks a few times and all is normal again. There's yelling and screaming, and it seemed to be that Alice was taking control of the situation.

She turns to stare at Avaricious and speaks to him, but the bard doesn't respond, simply standing up and nodding, backing away into the crowd once more, making his way to lean his back against a nearby wall. From there, he'll take a deep breath and take a small cloth from his pocket, breathing in the vanilla scent of the pale piece of linen to settle his nerves. Once that is over, he looks over to the right. There was some naked man with a large piece of steel. Who the hell goes to a public place like this in nothing but trousers? Hah. Probably one of those bizarre fire-jugglers or some other carny-type. Carnival performers were the only types of performers Avaricious truly didn't respect. In his mind, simply being born looking funny or being able to do bizarre things to yourself had nothing to do with real talent. The older dhampir steps forward, a little shakily at first, before weaving past the crowd. There's a kiosk right ahead with no one nearby, excellent! And a jewelry kiosk at that. There were several very shiny necklaces about, and probably a strongbox somewhere in the area. Being as disguised as he was, there was no real risk of being caught, at least none that he considered worth passing over the opportunity for. However, he does notice that there are a few guards nearby. Hmm. Ah, he knew just the thing! Most guards wore heavy boots with many laces, and an ability of prestidigitation was the magical power to tie items no more than five feet away. He'd done it before, and was good at his work by now.

He'll make his way through the crowd, away from the kiosk, going from guard to guard and quietly casting prestidigitation from beneath the scarf and cloak, never looking the guards in the eye. By the end of his detour, several guards probably have their bootlaces tied straight together, which would help him a great deal if he was caught looting the kiosk. With that bit of business done and over with, he'll waggle his fingers in excitement as he finally gazed over the kiosk again. Though he was still quite concerned about what he saw, he put the thought of the great voice and sharp claws that belonged to whatever was in that sword away in the back of his mind, with all the other terrible memories. Now there was just the work. There were several shiny necklaces hanging about, a rack of rings it seemed in a glass case, and probably a strongbox on the other side. He'll rush by the kiosk, attempting to grab every single necklace and stuff them in his pocket, before grabbing the entire glass case on display and stuffing it up his cloak, finishing off the movement by sneaking around the back of the kiosk, looking around for a strongbox to steal, and maybe something shinier kept in the back. (Sleight of Hand: [roll0]) Should he fail, the man will grab what he can and run into a nearby alley, before attempting to simply run through the labyrnith of alleyways the large city no doubt had. After all, with the guard's shoes tied magically, how could they catch up with the quick little man?

On a success, he'll grab what he came fore, stuff it under his cloak, and make his way back to his wagon in the alley, whistling nonchalantly even as his mind races, his thoughts still on the strange things he saw.

[Desril]

Viridi

Oblivious to the attempt to take the legendary sword of Lady Alice, the Numerian scans the crowd with a deeper scowl than the one he was wading through it with, as only those nearest to him listen to his words and stop moving. Still, Viridi holds his tongue and opts not to lash out at the cowards for creating such a panic, Useless, stupid pieces of garbage. Instead, though he wasn't paying attention, he heard an apology from the one who'd bumped into him. Turning his face toward the poor unfortunate soul that distracted him from his thoughts of bedding the Lady of Morning, he prepares to begin cursing them out so thoroughly that they end up running in fear too, but of him, not the Seer's words.

Upon seeing who it was though, and belatedly realizing that what had crashed into him was not a sack filled with coins and a pair of cantaloupes, his initial invective is lost. "By Calistria's honeyed thighs those things are big!" Noticing Alica properly now, and that her impressive bust is still so shapely in spite of the fact that she must be wearing some sort of chain under her dress, the bloodrager's agitation and anger are replaced by a more powerful emotion. Lust, however, does not a gentleman make, and even if the insinuation of his words isn't obvious, the almost bestial desire in his eyes is clear to anyone who can see them as they scan the woman in red's body from head to toe. "I'll let it slide this time, 'cause I have to get to Pathfinder's Lodge at Heidmarch Manor, but if you really want to apologize, come meet me tonight. I've got a big thing that I need help with, and you look like you can handle it. Name's Viridi, I should be easy to find."

Though those words come out of his lips while Lady Alice begins to shout over the crowd, his thoughts are filled by an even simpler, short term plan. I should rip that little dress off her right now. It wouldn't take a second, and whatever she's wearing under it wouldn't last either. She hit me, there's no reason I shouldn't get a little repayment and take in the sights right now. All it'd take is just a quick grab and---It's then that the words "CLEAR THE PLAZA" snap Viridi's attention to the fact that Lady Alice had done what he failed to do, and the crowd had fallen into sullen, obedient silence as they all slowly made their way out of the plaza. "I guess that's the signal for me to go meet the new boss."


There's a certain entertainment value in playing such a simple character. Wonder if it'll last?

Anyway, other than waiting for oyzar/Alica's response, Viridi has nothing left to do in the plaza and makes his way toward Heidmarch Manor.

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh blends in with the crowd and makes his way to Heidmarch Manor where he rests for a bit after his long trip.

Perception on the manor if he makes it that far. [roll0]

[oyzar]

Alica smiled at what she percived to be a compliment about her bust size. The smoldering hot look he sent her started a fire inside her. She felt moisture start to form between her legs. She avoided rubbing her legs together, she didn't want to let on the effect he had on her He desires me. Such strong, raw, primal passion. I wonder what he intends to do with me. Whatever it is, I am sure I can enjoy it. He seems so capable, so in control. I've been so lonely lately. It would be nice with someone who won't allow me to be lonely. And I am sorry Wayan, you help a ton, but somehow I still feel like there is something missing. No problem hun, I know you can't get all that passion with me nor be able to relinquish control, you are my master.

Alica's surprise is visible on her face as he reveals his destination. "You are going to the Pathfinder's Lodge? I am a Pathfinder. In fact I am going there right now. Please allow me to accompany you. I guess we can meet up there after each of us are done with our respective business. You want a date as an apology? We can talk while we walk." She moves to grab his arm. She presses herself against it, yearning for skin contact, though finding herself obstructed by their armor. At least she can enjoy drawing in the raw male smell of her new companion. The soft smell of cherry blossoms drift from her carefully tended hair. "What brings a man like you to the Pathfinders? Other than rescuing me from the wild crowd that is?" In truth she had never been in danger, but he had sorta rescued her from her lonelyness within the crowd, if only for a short time.

As they start walking, Alica silently orders Wayan to stay out of sight, but to follow close behind. Wayan slips in amongst the crowd with ease, carefully avoiding notice while following after the pair.
Wayan Stealth, take 10 for 23
Perception to study Viridi, take 10 for 25. What gear does he have etc?

[Desril]

Viridi

Suppressing the impulse to laugh at Alica's suggestion of a 'date' as way of an apology, Viridi simply smirks and replies "We'll see, but I had something more fun in mind."

He continues on in a straight line toward Heidmarch Manor as he thinks about her second question. Why did I become a Pathfinder? I was bored. I wanted more than what I could get staying here. "I heard about some monster terror-izing some nearby town until a group of adventurers killed it a few years ago. Figured fighting monsters was more fun than mock battles in the Serpent's Run, and the pay's better too. Plus, I have a little magic in me, I figure I might learn how to use it better if I work with people like the Society."

Glancing at his side to examine the scrawny, if well-endowed, woman at his side, he decides that it might help to sound interested in her and asks in return, "Whata 'bout you? You look like you belong in some fancy house with servants dressing you. Why're you a Pathfinder?"

[oyzar]

Alica blushes at his comment about something more fun. Surely he could not mean... But obviously he could. So straightforward and honest, so refreshing. I like that. All the courtiers want the same, they just hide it behind pretty words. Do I want to respond to his request though? I got night tea, so... Her mind flees to other matters, postponing the decision. Where are we walking? Straight across the plaza, but there are guards blocking it. He is so confident, not letting any obstacle stop him from getting the fastest path to what he wants. She looks around while keeping her hold on his arm, slightly worried that the guards might accost them.

Fighting monsters, so brave, beliveing he can take on anything. Me, I just want to help people... He has magic? That reminds me... Of how I came to have to join the Pathfinders. After he has had his say she bites her lip for a moment then looks up at him with eyes filled with a flurry of emotions, anger, sadness and desire. "Magic you say... Magic is actually what got me into this. I didn't have control over my abilities... An accident happened... My sister... could never forgive me... Yes, I am... Was... A noble." She starts sobbing as she talks, nearly breaking down to cry. Not even his presence can keep her happy. Still, she feels relief wash over her at finally sharing her burden. She clutches his arm, wanting someone warm and real to be there for her.

[Mornings]

- The Tragic Villain -

He recovered quickly from the aweful experience. The tragic experiences of the past haunted him still, yet they forged a strong measure of resilliance in him. He took the memories, the experience, and shoved it in the corner of him mind. Where all the dark-things went.

Never to miss an opportunity, he saw his next score and was quick to put his plan into motion. A slight strafe-and-gesture later, the guards boot strings were neatly tied into a knot. All too easy. Doubling back on himself, following the newly directed traffic around The Junctions perimeter, he slunk over to the broken kiosk. He moved to make his grab when suddenly..... He heard a sneeze and a crash. Glacing back over his shoulder he saw the guard had apparently tripped himself without any assistance. The other guards pointed and laughed at the ridiculous spectral. The guard waved his hands about in confusion, trying to deflect the blame on The Lady of Morning and rogue spirits, which made the guards burst into heavier laughter. Even some of the passing by citizens began to make prods and jeers. Surely things could not possibly go better then this, aside from perhaps uncovering a massive sack of platinum coins off this merchant's stand.

With deft and careful hands he worked, shamelessly and without need for clever-steps-and-cover. The rubbernecking passersby made a wonderful wall of flesh blocking out any prying eyes. Rings. Eh, fair enough. Necklaces? cheap. He moved to grab the entire glass display... but it seemed, to simply be unlocked. No need for excess weight. Cracking it open, he ran his hands through and grabbed all of the fancy looking earrings and jeweled hairpieces. Jumping around the back of the shattered wooden stand, he found a small lockbox. Interestingly enough, the box seemed to be worth something itself. An intricate little thing, only a foot long and only four inches in depth. Covered with all manner of inlayed silver arcane markings. You didn't have to be a mage to know money when you saw it. Picking it up, he shook the box to the left of his face once. Hm. Shaking it again on his right side this time. Yup. There was definitely shines in their, something light and valuable. The box didn't weight more then a pound or so itself. The lock appeared frustratingly complex. No time for that right now. Stuffing it it his cloak. He calmly walked down the ally and back to his wagon. Unseen. Unheard. As if he wasn't even their.

Crude Silver Ring x2 (5gp ea)
Fake jeweled necklace x3 (5gp ea)
Ebony Hairpin x2 (25gp ea)
Fine Garnet Hairclip (15gp)
Crude Silver Tiara (20gp)
Arcane Lockbox (???gp)


- The Hero, The Mistress & The Ancient -

The burden weighed heavily upon his march. His old bones ached, his back was sore, his legs were heavy, and his rear needed a sit. But those old bones wouldn't fail him now, not yet. He'd been a tough little runt all his life, and tough runts age to tough men. He was a tough man still. He refused to be defeated, even if his trip had suddenly grown in length exponentially, due to the detour the guards had set in place. With a grunt he pressed on, his old-beaten-green stick tapping on the ground helping him divide the weight. He glared at the guards, then glowered at a women passing him. She skidded back in surprise of the mean old man's glare. Bah. He wouldn't let the bothersome little whelps see the sweat on his brow. He watched the rambunctious-meathead-of-a-man stroll into the plaza carelessly. The damned fool. A good thump in the head'll do him right, no doubt. This was nothing but a walk. though his steps were heavy. A leisurely stroll. Though his back ached.

Perhaps he was getting old.


Alica is able to see the large amounts of steel this man carries. But namely his absurdly large sword and the lack of any armor are the most noticable features. Could a man even wield a blade that large? The logical answer was 'no'. But his confidence and the manner which he wore it, strongly suggested otherwise.

The guards near by were minorly occupied, still recovering from the entertainment of their fellow's fall. The laughter was dying away as the broad-shouldered Numarian strode through the clearing. One of the guards before him, while still chuckling noticed the man, ; " Ha,he... Sir. Please follow the directing of traffic....Sir? " The man payed him no heed, as if he spoke to a wall, or the man simply viewed him as some minor distraction. The guard directly stood in his path blocking his advance. "Sir, you're not supposta be here! " He almost wanted to laugh at the scrawny little man who attempted to halt his advance. How could this sorry looking fool hope to defend the city, when he couldn't even defend himself? He replied curtly " That's Nice ". Then proceeded to swiftly grab the mans face with a single hand, and throw the man aside. He crashed to the ground in a heap somewhat disappointingly. He had hoped he would have at least fallen like a warrior. The guards begin to cry out issuing loud shouts and warnings as they pull out their clubs. There were six of them, all beginning a slow advance upon the couple. They circled-in, shouting at the pair to surrender and kneel. The odds were not good. Even if he managed to crush these slightly-more-competent looking men, he doubted he would do so unscathed. They inched forward, creeping with careful steps... ready to strike. Never missing a beat, and never one to flinch under pressure, he looked down at the men and bellowed out; "You've got enough problems here without making trouble!" I'm just passing through. If you've got a problem, find me later, I'll be at Heidmarch Manor!"
The volume and strength of his declaration shook the men visibly. Half of them dropped their clubs and backed away. Cowed by the barbaric-man's dauntless spirit. Fear replaced training, and their rank broke file. He threaded through. He'd lost a small bit of time to that nuisance but it was no matter.

He walked through the center of the plaza. No guards had moved to stop him again. But he could see a man. A Knight walking from the opposite direction to him. He was clearly a paladin of some sort. His armor fine fitting and worn half-plate over leathers and a ripped noble's half-coat of white and red. A hood of mail and cloth covered his head, his face was strong and stern. Long golden hair was tucked into the chain-cowl, the hard-brown eyes of a true warrior looked back at him. And, this man was a true warrior. He could smell stench of combat radiate from him. The cuts and Knicks in his armor were not from rolling upon the ground. Nor the burns and ware in his leathers. He stopped before the man. This was a warrior worth a good-fight. They stared down one another for perhaps a minute or two, as if sizing up the other's combat-prowess. Viridi was not disappointed. The man was not a wall of muscle, but his lean form was ironed, and refined like a keen weapon. Sharp, and light in his step. No doubt a swift and more tactical warrior. He had a broad and well worn scimitar belted to his him, and a shield and greatsword upon his back. Clearly the man was not all speed, but some strength as well to wield a larger weapon like that. The various light-colored scar-tissue that dotted his face like badges, and a slightly off-centered nose, showed the man could at least take a hit. But as if he sensed the Numerian's battlelust, he spoke. " Press on Pathfinder. We will meet again. Of that, I'm sure. If not at Heidmarch, then at The Summit."

The man broke the long tension and passed him by. Heh, that had cost him another delay, but it was well worth it. The confidence in his stride as he passed by and cut across the plaza reminded him of someone else. He had the right scent. The scent of a man who lived by the law, that was the reckless-abandon of true combat... He looked forward to the day he would crush him in battle. He pressed on.



Heidmarch Manor; Magnimar - 12:35 PM, Toilday the 15th

- The Ancient -

His old legs had moved with all haste. It had been a rough and difficult trip. The Alabaster District was much finer in scenery and view then the previous places he had seen. The House of Lords, the court of Magnimar he had passed on his track was a magnificent building, a massive building of polished stone, marble and granite. A fitting place for old men to rule on the fate of the poor sod who got caught. Caught doing what he know he shouldn't be doing anyways. The foolish youth needed a strong and stern hand, to show em what-was-what. To show em how cruel the world can be...

Talking filled his ears as he made his way around the gate of the manor-proper. The property was huge, with a large, fine-steel gate and walk ways leading unto the property. A number of small buildings and storehouses were around the building, with a finely maintained pleasant lawn. Hearing the voices clearly now, he crept.

"How long does she intend to keep us waiting? She's fortunate her other guests have yet to arrive. What is Miss Azmeren even doing here? Was she not out exploring the Darklands?"
"She returned early. Something about Thassilonian artifacts she'd uncovered."
The first voice was of a mans. A solid well spoken gentlemen who was fast becoming impatient. The second was a whimsy-lyrical female voice, that had a sing-song pitch quiet unusual, yet sounded as if it belonged to a child.
"Well, I do hope they hurry up. I wish to atleast spend my last..... Hour and a half, left living in atleast some minor comfort. Rather then dying out here. "
" Awh, come-now Andel.... you don't really believe in The Lady do you?"
"I've seen The Lady's miracles' with my own eyes. She's a true prophet. Yet, soon... her same gift will burn this city. The creeping darkness and spite of the gods will RISE OUT, AND.. RAAAAAAH! "
Asiresh, quite finished listening to this nonsense, steps out making his way for the door in time to see the man scream and gesture dramatically as if he's some dragonic-fire-breathing-monstrosity. The old man's staff gently crushes a small dried leaf. The almost inaudible sound sends the girl into a fright. She screams like the small child she is. All the while leaping into the air and diving towards the manors bushes in spinning somersault while snapping off two arrows from her shortbow.
Passed 18

The maneuver was brilliant for pure reflex. The child had skill, perhaps skill enough to be a great archer one day. But his old practiced eyes saw through the arrows path, as surely as a smith knew the heat of the steel he tempered. With a quick whipping-snap of the wrist. His old staff smacked the arrows off their path, in rapid succession. Then he stuck it back to the earth as if nothing had happened, a quick and blinding motion. The girl looked on, awestruck within the shrubbery, and the tall man's mouth was troublingly-left-agape. He ignored them, as if they were another bothersome shrub in the garden and looked upon the manor.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Heidmarchpic_zpsbd79eeef.png

Heidmarch Manor was a wondrous place. It portrayed a soft and comforting aura. It's braziers on the property grounds lit in wondrous magical fires, that cast an interesting and wily blue and purple light upon it. Tree's gently hugged the sides of the structure. It was a magical place. A place that had seen many great names and faces, and see many more he imagined.

He limped to the side where a small ornate stone garden-gnome stood. Looking at the distastful-odd-creature's smiling face, inspired a bitterness in him. He kicked over the disgusting thing. It hit the ground with a sharp 'CRACK'. It's little gnome-head broken off from it's solid-stone-body. He placed down his burden of travel goods beside it, and sat down. Ah. What a good seat. A rest well earned.

...And for the first time. In a long time... he smiled.


If you were in the process of traveling to Heidmarch you arrive shortly after this event. A young girl hides in the bushes in shock. A man stares dumbfounded, both looking at an old man sitting upon a broken Gnome.

Those who have yet made their way to Heidmarch may do so during this time, under the assumption they have made way just prior to 12:35PM and will arrive after the following round. Approx time: 2min of travel. (approx distance: House of Lords -> Heidmarch Proper 400ft + 200-300ft crossing plaza.)



1 SQUARE = 5 FEET
Black = Asiresh
Green = Young Girl
Brown = Man

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/ManorOutsideGRID1_zpsdbc2309d.png

[Kai927]

As soon as the children were taken care of, Jeska turned to return to the fray, stopping short upon witnessing the Steel Princess's superhuman strength. After such a display, her aid was no longer needed, as order quickly returned to the plaza. Nonetheless, she lingered in the off chance there was more she could do. However, the Magnimaran guard had it all under control, and she quickly joined the crowd milling about the edges of the plaza. Stopping by a small merchant stand just long enough to get her bearings, she continues her journey to the Heidmarch manor, wondering what it was that she would be required to do.

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

With a sickening grin and a dark flash in his eyes, the man slinks his way over to the kiosk, waggling his fingers in anticipation before running his cold hands against the smooth wood, taking in a deep breath. He always breathed particularly deeply before something like this was to happen, it always settled his nerves. Finally, after looking around once or twice, he quickly reaches forward to grab at the largest looking necklace, before a sound behind him startles the thief. He doesn't move away from the kiosk, knowing that the sudden movement would be suspicious, but instead rests his elbow against the counter, raising his eyebrows and looking down at the ground as he waits. Hmm. No one approached him, obviously the ruckus had nothing to do with him! Or did it? Avaricious looks over his shoulder to see one of the buffoonish guards rolling about on the floor, spluttering and blathering on about some kind of evil spirit, hah! "Did I do that?", the man thinks to himself before chuckling darkly under his breath. No, no, now wasn't the time to celebrate! Anything could go wrong here. Avaricious bites his lower lip with his sharp canine fangs, drawing the tiniest bit of blood. It was a habit by now, the little bit of pain keeping his mind on track. Hm, these necklaces looked to be poorly crafted, worth a paltry sum, but it was still something more than he had.

The three are stuffed into his coat jacket, along with the pair of rings and the hairpins. Those would fetch a bit more than the rest, the shining ebony metal glittering in the light of a nearby torch. The garnet clip and the tiara fallowed suit, the bard strapping the clip and tiara to a system of strings he had rigged in the underside of his coat. He could hang all sorts of things there, hidden from the common man's view. Still, it was disappointing, this haul. On average he'd probably be able to get about a hundred gold pieces all and all, provided he could sell the items at a slightly higher price to whatever fool wanted to buy from him. Avaricious decided he'd wait until the next holiday comes around, where the forgetful people suddenly start getting desperate for a good gift to come by. You'd be amazed how much the average person would pay for something that looks at least a little bit nice around the holidays, when all other shops are closed. With a turn, he glances over the side of the kiosk to see a small box, distracting him from his thoughts of the near future, and of profits to be had. A box? Hm. What kind of box. Magic box? Very, very locked box. With a frown, he taps his chin before shaking it gently beside one ear at a time. Yes, there was something in there, but the runes on each side of the small container seemed inherently magical, which meant that just straight up breaking the box could result in some terrible explosion.

He glances around quickly for a key, unable to find one. Now he was just so curious! Cursing to himself, Avaricious pockets the box and stares back once more at the guards, rolling his eyes as he sees that the bumbling brigade's still laughing at eachother. It seemed that the dhampir was indeed blessed with the gift of finding the most incompetent guards around. So, he'll solemnly step away from the kiosk, skirting down a nearby alleyway and vanishing into the darkness of the shadowy corridors. He felt at home here in the swirling, festering, labyrinthine maze that was the backstreets and alleyways of Magnimar, the light of the hot sun unable to penetrate the canopies of cloth that covered the alleys, only the occasional patch of light seen. With his fairly good memory, he finds his wagon in as little time as possible, arriving and looking around once more.

No one around, good. With the twirl of a dexterous finger or two, the dhampir begins unlocking his first chest, wrapping up the stolen jewelry in a shoddy looking blanket. No one would think to check there, right? Still, an actual secret compartment would be most helpful when it comes to hiding things. Perhaps after being paid by the Society for whatever no doubt unpleasant task they had in mind for him to do, he would be able to find some shifty carpenter willing to build one into his chest. Or, he could just get a new one, hm. As he thinks of chests, he drops the magic box into the chest as well, before allowing himself to smile a little. He had done it! Another success. One quiet click later and the chest is locked up. He'll get onto his wagon again before attempting to navigate the city once more, through a way that doesn't lead through the town square.

Though it may take a little more time, he is in a wagon, and the thief had no intention of getting his cart searched by any particularly bored guardsman.

---

So, he makes his way to the Lodge, whistling as he does so, still in costume, his shades on his face in an effort to shield himself from the sun.

[Desril]

Viridi

It took Viridi a good moment after getting across the plaza to remember the sobbing girl attached to his arm as he had been concentrating on the knight who seemed like he'd be a good challenge. Eventually, however, Alica's tears splashing against his arm caught his attention again and his one track mind thought back to what she said. A noble, eh? Makes sense, most common wenches aren't so busty. Probably crying because she lost all her servants.

Not bothering to put an arm around her to comfort her, but not taking the arm she latched onto away either, he finally responds to her while ignoring the sobs. "Was? What, you blow up the house? Lit your sister's fancy dress on fire?"


*****

At Heidmarch Manor, Viridi sees the little girl hiding in the bushes, too young to be worth the trouble, the young man, looks like a coward, and the old man sitting atop a broken garden gnome, what's a geezer doing here? Not interested in any of the trio, he makes his way past them all and up to the door to try opening it, not bothering to knock or announce himself first.

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As he is resting upon the makeshift seat, from what is left of a fancy garden gnome, he sees the same grunting behemoth of a man with an even larger sword on his back. He remembers this man from the crowd of people and when he bumped into Asir without a word of apology. Despite this rude figure entering into the manors grounds, Asir stays on his makeshift seat. It is not worth the effort of getting up and confronting this brute after such a long journey with so much gear on. He still notices the girl and the man standing there in the courtyard somewhat astonished at his being.

Perception check on the group of people. [roll0]

[oyzar]

Alica draws stregth from the warm and solid man beside her as they walk. He is like a rock, no what happens he will remain steady and move on. He'll bear any burden without blinking. She calms down by herself, greatly aided by his steady pressence. Of course the support she imagines he is giving her is imaginary, but nontheless it is a great help to her.

After he pose his question she wipes her tears away and look up at him. "I am sorry, being without those I love for so long has been hard. And no, they are still alive. I didn't blow up anything. I just conjured something that my sister's boyfriend got so scared by that that he fell down the stairs. I didn't even know I could do it before it happened. Not long afterwards someone set me up, making it seem like I had plotted against my own house which caused me to get disowned and banished. I am sure it was my sister, after all she had sworn that she would see me gone from the house. We used to be so close, her and I. I wish there was some way to restore our relationship one day." Somehow she feels like laying everything bare for this man. She is sure he can handle it. The words just streams out of her. She feels great relif flow into her to replace them and calm settles over her. She straightens her back, shooting her breasts forward, and wipes her face ready to face the pathfinders.

****

Once they enter the courtyard and they see the three people there she waves at them with her free hand and says. "Hello there! If one belives the madame out at the plaza, us pathfinders are needed in these troubled times ahead. Maybe Venture Captain Heimarch already got a plan in motion? She follows along with Viridi up the stairs without stopping to chat though.

[Mornings]

- The Ancient -

Gained awareness of visible equipment. Individuals around him and physical appearances. Perception - [12]
He scanned the diverse looking group. The barbarian. The Mistress. The Child. The Traveler. An interesting crowd to say the least. Though the thought of entertaining their company urked him. He'd no intention of baby sitting an intolerable man, and a superstitious coward. The child at least appeared to be capable of taking care of herself without being unreasonably bothersome. The arms and armor, the pathfinder title, it all meant nothing to him. They were still troublesome nuisances.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/LukaSized_zpsd9af3068.png

Knowledge [20] - Passed
She still looked at his old face out from the bushes. Her bright green eyes were still filled with wonder-and-awe. Her finely made emerald half-cloak and cowl sparked a small fragment of memory in his old mind. The seal and blue feathers finally connected the dots within, and he knew who she was.

With a swift and nimble movement, she dashed from one shrubbery, to the large bush behind him. It was a well practiced light-step that had probably been missed by those around them. She sat behind the old man, still remaining in the leafy-cover.

There had always been rumors of Luka. She was something of a myth and rumor since the founding of the Lodge in Magnimar. Sheila Heidmarch and Canayven, her husband. Lived in the manor for some time, yet there were some whispers of a wild-free-willed daughter, left behind. In truth, Luka Heidmarch was a force all her own. She could not stand being in one place too long. Yet the thrill of her bowcraft and battle called her back to Magnimar each year. She entered The Summit under the persona of Emerald Gale. A wandering archer just looking to win the purse. But in truth, she cared little for the prize money. She came each year for the challenge, and during the off-season, she chased her pray all across the Inner Sea, taking dangerous marks from the Society. She did all of this for four years, or so. All without her mother's awareness. She had believed her child was visiting Sandpoint after training in the Sanos Forest with a group of fine rangers she knew in Nybor.

She would have never known her daughter was wandering the world. Fighting the various dangers it had to offer, using her mother's name to perpetuate her endless hunts. But when she did find out, her mother was furious. It was last years' Steel Summit. The fates had not smiled upon her that day, for she competed against Magnimar's Champion, Lady D'Aritel and her hand-selected team of warriors. Luka always signed on with a band of gruff warriors from Rostland that traveled far to compete in the Organized-Team category of the competition. She signed on with them every year, and they were glad to have her. The young half-elf had made a name for herself as Emerald Gale, the persona became a title. Her snap-shot-style and nimble feet became a commodity that lead to many teams offering her a position. She would sometimes join with other groups if she could not join her friends from Rostland, but it was that year she had found the greatest success. They had made it to The Summit of Fire, a fact that had only been but a dream days before. Unfortunately, The Summit of Fire was a cruel and lethal as the rumors had led her to believe. Though they had completely defeated the knights of Magnimar, and surrounded Lady D'Aritel, victory was not there-own. She crushed many of her friends skulls with her bare hands, not even bothering to strike with her sword.

Luka knew Lady Alice from times past when the Lodge had been created. Though she hid her face well with her green cowl and scarf, the disguise was destroyed by the force of the princess's sword. Too-swift to be caught, duck, diving ,and sliding, always out of reach. She was forced to resort to more serious measures while being peppered under a constant volley of steel. Once her disguise was gone, all she could do was hide from the spectators view. Alice forced her surrender, and brought the child to her parents where she was forced to confess.

The Emerald Gale has not been seen since that day. Many unsure where she had gone, expecting the return of the only archer to swift to be caught by the Steel Princess. She still wears her colors, though her appearance has minorly changed. A new wardrobe of fine cloths ready for adventure and battle. A wardrobe her mother intends to ensure never sees use. Luka has been bound to the grounds of the Manor since the day she was discovered by means of magic, until she has learned her lesson. It's been eleven months, but her heart remains wild and free, hungering to return to the world and the hunt.

Waiting. Watching.... for the chance to make her escape.

Luka is a young 16 year old half-elf. She does not speak readily to many, and often speaks in a quiet whisper when speaking with her captors (parents), and other pathfinders.

Luka is not an official Pathfinder, but uses her mother's name as Venture-Captain to make use of the Society's resources.



She spoke so softly from behind, any man could easily miss it even while this close. He focused on her voice, and attempted to translate the gentle whisper from the child behind him. He had no intention of speaking, that was not the men he was. But he'd listen. Watch. Wait. As he always had.
Perception [26] - Passed

"You're him aren't you. The old archer. I know you, mum spoke about you when she thought I wasn't listening. She said you were a hunter of sorts, but you're not.... You're not a hunter. You are the hunt. You follow it like I do. Like i did... I can tell. You're like me."


The Pathfinders (Heidmarch Manor)


Hello there! If one belives the madame out at the plaza, us pathfinders are needed in these troubled times ahead. Maybe Venture Captain Heimarch already got a plan in motion?

The young man had recovered with the passing of the large Numerian. He was sure he must have had a grandly-preposterous look on his face while they passed. The words finally sunk in. Oh... oh! He spoke up at the couple standing infront of the Manor's door. The large man shaking the handle seeing it was locked.

"Ah. Hello there! Welcome to Heidmarch Manor and all that! I'm Andel Gesseran, a chronicler for Venture-Captain, Sheila Heidmarch. You must be the new adventurous-lot she mentioned. There should be a few more of you..." He glanced around, and down the walkway past the gate, as if looking. "Ah, and this is..... " He glanced back at the empty bush and grumbled. "Uhhg... not again. In anycase, the summons should have included all of you, and two more. From what I've been told, you should all be involved in the same endeavor. " He looked to the old man, the lady, and the warrior. "I can't say what you all bring to the team..... except maybe you perhaps.." He looked at the mans massive bastard sword. "But whatever the case may be, you've all been chosen by the Captain's hand..... Unfortunately, she's alittle..." The sound of something being thrown to the door and shattering echoed from the inside, and then frustrated bickering shouts back and fourth. Andel shook his head. "Abit... preocupied with other guests at the moment.... I'm not sure how long the wait shall be, so perhaps it's best to meet your fellow Pathfinders while you wait?"

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Andel_zpsdfe7fad0.png


KEY - 1 SQUARE = 5 FEET
-Black: Asiresh
-L. Green: Child
-Brown: Andel
-Green: Viridi
-Purple: Alica

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/ManorGRID2_zpsaf72affd.png

Players traveling to the manor still finally arrive just following this encounter. The child is no where to be seen. (Perception - to locate her well hidden hiding-spot in the large bush behind the old man.)

[Desril]

Viridi

Hm...probably killed the kid if they were that mad. So, her sister's single then. I'll have to find her later and see if those things run in the family. Pity she lost her nobility though, all that money could be useful and if she's this clingy already... That line of thought eventually gave him an idea about how to solve Alica's problem just before they made it to the Manor. Or rather more accurately, with Viridi's mind being what it is, an idea on how to get what he wanted and maybe what she wanted as a side benefit.

"Once we finish up whatever this job is for the Pathfinder's, let me meet your sister. Maybe I can fix the problem with her."

*****

At the Manor, he grunts in annoyance at the door being locked and the announcement of a delay, figuring he should've followed after the Lady of Morning after all. In the end though, he drops with an unceremoniously loud thud unto the steps in front of the door and looks around at those already gathered with a confused expression.

"Alright, I'll ask it. You look pathetic, but at least you can hold a sword, so I'da understood if you were going with us on whatever this is," he says looking at Andel. "But what's with the old man and the kid? He don't look like a mage, and she's too young to do any fighting. 'm I supposed ta be their body guard on whatever this is, or did we get these letters at random?"


Just because, Perception to hear what the fight inside is about [roll0]

A 16 year old half-elf, so that makes her, what, about 12 in human terms?

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

He stalks the streets like one of the many rats that scatter here and there in the light of day, a wolf dressed in finery, a man with more masks than the average theater, and secrets enough to fill many-an-ear for many-a-day. His boots splash in a puddle of grimy water, his reflection warping as he glanced into the water for a slip second. Now, here was a left, then a right, following a circle around the Butcher's Shop. The dhampir made his way around the innermost workings of the city with ease, knowing each sleazy location like the back of his hand. It wasn't that he liked hanging around the places, hell, he hated it. However, drunkards and addicts tend to be the easiest people to rob, or manipulate. Still, every once in a while there was an unfortunate glimmer of sympathy when the older half-vampire witnessed something truly horrible going on, a glimmer that represented whatever humanity he had left. It was a glimmer he'd come to despise, for the guilt he felt truly weighed on him. Though he did things like lie, cheat, and steal, the man was still shocked by the things he'd witness in the darkest cesspools of the city. Although Avaricious had seen a lot, one such occasion truly stuck with him, though he rather wished it wouldn't. With a blank look on his weathered but attractive face, he recollects what he had seen months ago, in a darker part of the city.

He had rounded the corner that day, making his way far from the marketplace he was visiting at the time, just to find himself walking into a section he'd never been to before. Before Avaricious could turn back and check the map of the city he'd scribbled up, he was distracted by the sight ahead. There was a woman, young but tired looking, bags on her eyes, with hair wet in the rain but greasy too, the look of a woman who'd fallen on hard times. She was with her back against the wall, and three men were facing her. They seemed violent, and between the ragged look of their patchwork clothes and bloodshot eyes, Avaricious's suspicion that these were thugs of the most unpleasant kind were confirmed. Luckily, the bard was in peasant's clothing this day, in disguise of course. He'd been scouting out a stall beforehand, after all. It was a good thing for him to look like just another lower-class citizen, for had he been in his noble's vestment, chances are he would have been attacked by the three. While Avaricious may have been lucky, the woman was not. The bard froze as he heard what was being said. There was something about the woman's husband owing the three a substantial amount of gold, one hundred pieces, to be exact. Avaricious didn't know why, but he figured it was something unsavory, for these were dangerous looking men. As the three approached her, one of them noticed his presence.

Again, Avaricious didn't remember exactly what was said, so dream-like was the experience. Something about being told to stay away if he knew what was best for him. All three were glaring at him now, and the woman stared at him pleadingly, but didn't speak for fear of being slapped by one of the thugs. One hundred pieces, that was all she needed. The bard remembers thinking about his wagon, and the gold stored within, one hundred and four pieces. He could pay off the debt here and spare her, all it would take was a few minutes walk to the wagon and back. He was shouted at again, this time more aggressively. Avaricious panicked, not knowing what to do, not willing to part with the gold he had. That gold was going towards something more, something greater than himself, greater than the well-being of a stranger to him. Wasn't it? With a blink of his eye and a quiver of his lip, Avaricious turned his back on the scene that day, walking off into the opposite alley as he heard her start screaming at him, shouting at him to call the guards, and calling him a bastard when he kept on walking silently. He remembered the laughing of the thugs as he walked away, and the muffled tone of the woman's voice as a large hand belonging to one of the three found it's way over her mouth. It was a sad memory, one of the only times of his life where he questioned himself. He walked away, and to this day knows not what befell the woman, whether she was killed, whether she lives.

Finally, he looks over and sees the lodge ahead, it's gates open and vibrant, yet still somewhat intimidating to him. He ceases his musings of past regrets and casts prestidigitation once more, cleaning his shoes and dirtied socks with a waggle of his gloved fingers. He was dressed in his finest, a blue and gold coat of the finest quality covering a brilliant white vest with silver patterning, buttons of silver and sleeves of the same gold color making the coat seem all the more regal. Gloves of the same white material covered his smooth and somewhat spidery hands, trousers of the richest brown cloth, dark as chocolate, cover his legs and hips. A leather belt topped with a buckle of shining platinum straps his pants up, the codpiece built into the pants hidden a bit by the flaps of his shining white vest. By his feet, his white socks and black shoes can be seen, completing the attire. Some ends here and there were frayed, but all in all he looked to be a man of good taste, and certainly a man with a lot of gold to spend on clothing. As he steps forward through the gates of the lodge, he catches the end of Viridi's conversation, going from his somewhat morose look to a more official one. There's a mischievous smile on his face, and one eyebrow is raised higher than the other. This was his most charismatic face, and the man knew it well, he'd practiced for hours on stage, or in the mirror he owned. He'd play the role of the fool, the fop well.


"Alright, I'll ask it. You look pathetic, but at least you can hold a sword, so I'da understood if you were going with us on whatever this is," he says looking at Andel. "But what's with the old man and the kid? He don't look like a mage, and she's too young to do any fighting. 'm I supposed ta be their body guard on whatever this is, or did we get these letters at random?"


A voice can be heard from behind Viridi. "They are here, Master Swordsman, because there are certain people who's skill sets and abilities can accomplish far more than that chunk of metal you've got strapped to your back there." The bard speaks rather tongue-in-cheek, although there is a bit of truth in his statement. With the walk of a dancer and the looks of a lead actor, albeit a pale one, the charisma that the nobleman boasts makes itself apparent. Although this side of him is mostly a mask, at his heart Avaricious is still quite a man of elegance and nice things. Avaricious flashes a smile, pulling a satin cloth out of his sleeve and rubbing it across his forehead. "Ugh, I simply must get out of this heat. So much excitement in the square today, hah." He'll make his way past Viridi, not even bothering to look towards him, instead settling his gaze on Alica. Hmm. She was dressed fairly well, what was a woman doing around the arm of a barbaric looking man like the warrior? He doesn't give it any more thought for now, instead clasping his gloved hands together and addressing Andal Gesseran. "So!"


"There was adventure to be had, sirrah?"

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As he sits there awaiting to see if there are others to arrive on the grounds of the manor, he hears a soft and subtle voice, that of a child. That of Luka Heidmarch, The Emerald Gale.


"You're him aren't you. The old archer. I know you, mum spoke about you when she thought I wasn't listening. She said you were a hunter of sorts, but you're not.... You're not a hunter. You are the hunt. You follow it like I do. Like i did... I can tell. You're like me."

"You speak as if you truly know who I am. I am nobody to you, simply just an old man whose existence is in question as to why I am here. I will say one thing in fact, you don the colors of the hunt so you must know this." Asiresh puts his left hand out towards the little girl, palm facing up to reveal the holy symbol of Ketephys. "This is who I am, nothing more than that."

He stops himself there, he had never expected to find another hunter of the sorts, here of all places. His mind wonders off to a time long ago once more, he sees himself welding a crude longbow with a single arrow... "You shouldn't be here Asiresh." "You know why I'm here...you brought this upon yourself Jaroosh." As they speak, thunder rolls in the background and it starts to drizzle as it the storm clouds pass over there small town. "I am your best friend, you wouldn't dare do this to me." "Do you doubt what I would do to avenge my fallen master? YOU KILLED HIM JAROOSH! This must be done" Asiresh pulls the drawstring of the longbow back, and releases the arrow. It strikes Jaroosh straight through the heart and he falls to the ground in a pool of blood, mud and rain water.

He slowly recovers from the sudden flashback and brings his hand to the leather cord around his neck to make sure that it was still there. It was. The leather cord had been home to a "trophy" off his first kill, a tooth from Jaroosh.

As he looks up he just glares at the brute of a man on the steps after he questions his being here as well.

[oyzar]

Back before they actually arrived she replied. “If you could reunite me with my family I would be eternally grateful and would do whatever you wanted in return. I am not sure if speaking with my sister would alone be enough though. Dad is the one who decides things in the family and he would be the one able to absolve my disownment.”

********

Alica was ecstatic to hear that she would actually get to team up for Viridi. She smiled widely at the news. I will get to spend more time with him. It is also reassuring to know that he will be there to protect me. He seems so capable and confident. We will get to know each other better. Maybe I can even sneak into his heart? She blushed at the last thought.

The summoner listened to the others as the thoughts of her future raced through her mind. She found that something was lacking and decided to speak up. Alica let go of Viridi’s arm and took a short step away before opening her mouth. “I am looking forward to working with all of you. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, we should all be introduced. I am Alica Derexhi.” She did a short curtsey before holding out her hand towards the bush on the other side of where Luka was hiding. “And this is my companion Wayan.” On cue, Wayan stepped out of hiding and tossed back her hood, revealing a head hidden in shadow with glowing yellow eyes. “It is great to see someone almost as good at hiding as myself” Wayan said with a nod towards the bush where Luka was hidden. Alica continued unfazed. “This great swordsman beside me is Viridi. I assume I am here for my magic and my abilities to work with outsiders. Sadly, I do not carry the full weight of my father’s organization behind my back though. Now who do I have the pleasure of working with?” She looked around at the others, studying them, trying to figure out. She waved towards Asiresh. “You are not nobody to us, at least not if we are to work together. A name to call you by would be nice.”

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh


“You are not nobody to us, at least not if we are to work together. A name to call you by would be nice.”

Asiresh acknowledges the faint insult and ignores the ignorance of the woman and simply states "I'm only here for one purpose. My name is of nothing of great importance but what you should know is if you get in my way I will not hesitate to 'get through you' per say."

He returns his glaring gaze to Viridi.

[Desril]

The father? Damn. Would've been easier if it was the mother. Still, worth the trouble if the sister is half as hot. I'll just have to play nice a bit more.

*****

Not seeing a point in speaking up as Alica introduces him to the rest of the assembled group, Viridi simply continues to glower at Andel, at least until Wayan reveals herself. His curiosity about what the inside of a shadow-creature felt like was interrupted when the new comer arrived, however. Thankfully, Avaricious' 'compliment' about him being a master swordsman was enough to keep Viridi from noticing the thinly veiled insult, so instead of challenging the dhampir's words and returning fire, he merely grunts in response.

The unnamed old half-elf, however, elicits a more obvious reaction. A short, derisive bark of a laugh escapes the bloodrager's mouth when the old man gives his warning. Well he's got balls. Let's see if he can do more than talk. "Is that a challenge? You're right, you're not important. But you are funny." Standing up to his full height, Viridi glares at Asiresh whiles holding his arms out to the side, leaving his chest completely exposed and unprotected. "Let's see what you can do. Give me your best shot."

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

Asiresh stands up from his broken seat and takes his gaze away from the big oaf momentarily. He takes his staff and tucks it behind one leg. With a quick grunt and a minor amount of effort. He bent the wooden dowel, running a string across it's length with a swift, blinding, sweep of the hand. It took the form of a well made greenwood longbow. He snaps out a thistle arrow and nocks it, leveling the weapon at the troublesome child.

"I'm only going to give you one warning child, if you take so much as one step towards me ill release this arrow without hesitation. So i advise to sit back down and know your place."

Ready Action: Immediately shoots Viridi if he does not obey his warning and sits back down on the steps. If attack misses, it will be played off as a warning shot.

[oyzar]

Alica takes a step back towards Viridi and grabs his arm again, though her gaze is fixed on Asiresh. "Calm down guys. We are all on the same side here. Obviously the Venture Captain has a plan for bringing us all here, it will be much easier to accomplish that if we are all unharmed. You heard the lady in the plaza, some bigger challenge to test your mettle is comming soon and you better be ready for it." The words were ment for both of them, but still she turns towards Viridi and goes up on her toes to whisper in his ear "He is not worth it. I look forward to seeing you fight, but beating up an old man is not really going to be much of one."

[Desril]

Viridi

Realizing that Alica is right, and that the old man isn't worth beating up, but also refusing to back down, Viridi keeps his gaze focused on Asiresh without moving. "You heard her old man. There's no point in starting a fight you can't win. Put the toothpick thrower down, and I'll forgive your little threat."

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As he is readying his shot, he is convinced that taking the shot would endanger the hunt. He slowly drops his draw and puts the arrow back in his quiver. "I simply only want to enjoy what the hunt brings me next. Now know this i will be watching you. As for my name, it is simply Asiresh...nothing more."

[Kai927]

Jeska arrives at the manor just as Asiresh was returning his arrow to his quiver. The scarred-faced woman looks over each person there, though whether she was sizing them up or just observing them was anyone's guess. A large shirtless man, a young woman practically attached to his arm, an old man with a bow and a middle aged looking man. Quite the crew that had been assembled in front of the manor. "Any of you Sheila Heidmarch?" She asks after a moment, "Or did you all receive a similar letter as I did?" She pulls out the letter she had received, unfolding so the others could easily see and read it.

[oyzar]

Alica smiles towards the new arrivsl, happy that someone isn't threatening the others as the first thing to do."Ah, you must be the last one. Apparently we are all summoned here, in what I imagine was a similar fashion to you. However the Venture Captain is busy inside behind barred doors. We will have to wait to see her. I am Alica Derexhi, it is a nice to meet you. The man beside me is Viridi. The shadowy one is Wayan. The old man is Ashiresh. That is Andel Gesseran. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?" She let go of Viridis arm again took another curtesy before pointing out each person in turn. She felt like taking charge. This group needed a firm but gentle hand to avoid pulling itself apart.

[Kai927]

Jeska gives each person a nod as Alica points them out and introduces them. "My name is Jeska Navern. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." She returns the letter to her bag. "So, we are waiting around until the Venture Captain is ready to see us then?"

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

The bard lets a trace of a smirk play out on his fair yet weathered face, his eyes flashing their light crimson as he gazes around from person to person, making a few mental notes as he glances from flashy individual to flashy individual. From the muscular warrior with his grunts and lurches, that massive bit of metal on his back shining just a few shades darker than his silvery buttons in the light of midday, to the wizened old man with the bow and arrow, grimacing in the sun, bitter in both mind and mannerism, Avaricious was quite impressed with the variations of adventurers gathered here today. As Asiresh and Viridi continue to butt heads, the bard keeps on eye on the newcomer, Jeska. She seemed a military type, muscular and strong for a woman, no doubt just as strong of will. However, there was not enough information on her to make a proper analysis, so he refrains from attempting anything specific, beyond a slight nod her direction. Finally, after what seems to be a good batch of pandering back and forth between the old man and the arrogant swordsman comes to an end, the bard speaks once more. With a flick of his wrist, he raises his hand to stroke back a lock of white hair and chuckle quietly.

His voice is once more a tad sarcastic, still poking a bit of fun at the barbaric warrior, and the grizzled old archer. "Hmm. Seems the stench of testosterone is no less foul at the age of eighty, as it is at the age of eighteen!" At the time when numbers are stated, he'll move his eyes from old man to younger, his grin still faint, but a little more evident. After that's done, he'll clap his hands together and walk a little farther away from Viridi and the uppity old man, finding his place and reaching his left hand down to tap at the crossbow hanging at his belt, just to know it was there. "Now onto less mind-numbingly egocentric matters, I believe introductions are in order." He grins, before lazily flourishing his hand upwards. "Avaricious Deleblanche!" The dhampir briefly thought of lying about his name, before realizing it would be a poor decision later on when it came to collecting rewards. However, he went by his mother's maiden name, and not the name of House Versade. He tops it off with a great movement, casting the spell prestidigitation on himself as he continues to make some overdramatic movements with his arms, his face covered until the spell takes effect. He finishes, and voila! His hair is a blonde now, his skin a tanner pale, his eyes green and beautiful like an emerald. However, he still looks like the same man, simply with dyed hair and colored skin. Combined with disguise, the spell worked wonders, but now with so little time, it looked a tad odd, but still quite impressive to most.


"The man of a thousand faces! At your service..."

[Mornings]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/shatteredstarbanner-Act0-RESIZE_zpsd29af653.png

The man named Andel was about to speak, when Alica seemed to take the lead on introductions. He beamed and breathed a sign of relief. Usually new pathfinders didn't tend to get along in the beginning. He'd been around long enough to know wild adventurers were more likely to kill one another, then put aside their differences and band together. The sunny disposition was fleeting. At the old man's not-so-cryptic words, and the barbaric-man's boastfull challenge, the blood drained from his face... "uhhhhg... not again." . He ducked low to the small shrubbery at his side. The old man's nimble fingers were quite impressive, it took him at least a good minute-or-so to string his own bow. The tense moments dragged on, they stared each other down for what seemed like an eternity until Alica's reasoning-words broke the intensifying stand-off. She was obviously the reasonable-one of the group. He smirked to himself. He was once the 'reasonable one'. Captain Sheila told him once, 'the voice of reason was always a needed, but was a necessity with a short life expectancy.' She explained to him, that the only way he would succeed as a pathfinder was to bring his team together. Not simply continue to attempt to defuse disaster after disaster. He never did really learn that bit... And his party eventually did finally meet a disastrous-end, that could have been avoided. It was a memory that brought with it a deep sense of regret, and what motivated his new career choice of a chronicler for the Society.

Score [26] - Passed
Her form was spectral and almost completely constructed of no more then a wispy-solid-vapor. Like a clear smoke wafting from dry-ice. She possessed no feet to speak of, her form simply dissolved to pale smoke that left no trace of evidence of her existence upon the fine wooden floor. She was a 15 ft tall incorporeal being, with a body so light and airy, it could have passed for the heat rising off the terrace-way from the noon-day sun.

Her vision was awe-inspiring, and that of terror. She was clad in whipping spectral shawls, torn and wild as if from running through the woods and brush. Her face was clad in a long and haunting funeral-veil that covered her face, and mid-chest, blowing in a non-existent breeze. Great and massive antler-like horns stood proudly like a crown from her fore-head piercing the veil. A massive 8ft arc of mist, a long bow, was readied at hand. As if mimicking the old man. It we held menacingly above the same target, like some terrible god of the forest.

They lowered their weapons in unison, as if somehow joined.
Then she was gone. Without a trace or hint of her passing.
You do not know what exactly it was you saw. An illusion. A spirit. Or perhaps something else.

He watched the bard's grand display. Each gesture was dramatic and practiced, but the result was truly impressive. How how Captain Sheila came to hear of this man, he could only guess. It was a massively useful talent, especially in The City of Monuments. Each of them seemed particularly-peculiar, he could only begin to guess how this would play out, for he did have a good concept of what their quest would entail.


- The Ancient -

As he lowered his weapon, he could feel it upon his hand. The familiar sensation over his holy brand was unmistakable. The Kiss of Winter. It brought back rare, fond memories from so very long ago where Sif had kissed his hand. The two great-wolves were his only friends left in the world, though they were far away now, dancing among the heavens no-doubt, in the endless hunt. It warmed a small place in his bitter-old-heart. This hunt was blessed, he knew for certain now.

Sif and Sèr; The Maw of Winter, The Law of the Hunt:

"The Balance', as they were often called when together, was long forgotten to the world. Old Gods, of The First World. They were whimsical, cruel and divine, great deities to the fey and the natural cycle. They did possess forms of their own, but when visiting their few loving-devout followers, they appeared as great white wolves of unnatural stature and appearance. His old bones still recalled them well. It had been the day he had chosen to take up Ketephys's bow and follow the path of purity that was 'The Hunt'.

He quickly glanced behind himself to see if the child still lingered, but she was gone without a trace. She was a stealthy-one alright. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised, she was 'the uncatch-able' Emerald Gale after all.


- The Pathfinders -

Andel stood, and began a vigorous round of applause. " Most impressive Master Deleblanche! And very well done Lady Derexhi, defusing that incident! Know this now, you are all pathfinders, and you have ALL been selected by Captain Sheila's hand for a reason. Your skills are diverse. Personalities different. But you will need to learn to tolerate one another, and come together as a team. I assure you, this mission will not be a small one. As a former-adventurer, and fellow pathfinder, I promise you this will not be something you can accomplish alone. Use your fellow's strengths, as your strengths and you will not fail. "

He paused, and cleared his thought. Perhaps he felt compelled to say that after recalling the memory of loosing his own dysfunctional family to such similarly ridiculous circumstances... He also didn't want to reveal too much about their quest, and steal the Venture-Captain's thunder. That was never a good idea... Just as he was beginning to contemplate how he would continue, the door to the manor cracked open. Not fully, but enough that the shouting could now be heard in full.

Someone stood at the door, facing the inside, as if about to leave. Only the women at the door could be heard, her voice was a hearty-stout-tone and fiercely loud as she screamed into the house.

"....GAH, YOU NEVER LISTEN TO REASON! ......NO. OF COURSE NOT. IF YOU WONT GIVE ME HER, THEN GIVE ME MARKUS, ROLAND, JESKA AND VIRIDI. I'LL GET YOUR STUPID RELIC ANND, TAKE THE SUMMIT OF FIRE! ....UHG! YOU'RE INTOLERABLE WHEN YOU'RE LIKE THIS! There was a brief pause and then a scream at the door from the women, as if in surprise. "GODDAMIT, LUKA! Don't sneak up on me like that!" Footsteps could be heard moving to the door. "Luka!? Have you been in here the whole time!? I told you to wait outside! You're going to be in trouble young-lady!" The armored women at the door, pushed open the solid wooden portal, then gave the child a hug. "Lay off the kid. You're the reason she rebels so much.... I'll be back later when you cool your head."The armored women began to walk out, the other women, now visible, an elf in a fine green dress called out behind her. "Captain Haldan, we're not finished yet!" Lady Haldan didn't look back, just waved her hand behind her in dismissal.

Andel piped out, "Venture-Captain Haldan, I hope your visit went well! Please come visit again." She glared menacingly at the man, like she was about to leap over the terrace rail and split his skull with her iconic-heavy-bastard sword. "Shut your mouth, squire!" She barreled through Alica and Viridi upon the steps without the slightest pause or hesitation, her heavy boots resounding on the wooden steps threateningly. "...Get out of my way."



Lady Noir Rose Haldan was the Pathfinder Society Venture-Captain of Caliphas, of the nation of Ustalav. Or 'The Immortal Principality of Ustalav', as she called it. Ustalav was a long ways away, past the Hold of Belkzen and the Hungry Mountains. Yet she made the journey with, the then, 'Emerald Gale', all the way back to Varisia... and her home of Magnimar each year. It was later revealed to some pathfinders in Magnimar that Captain Haldan personally sponsored Emerald Gale in her entry into The Summit and the occasional work she did for the Society, while maintaining the young-women's secret identity. Seeing her here now, could only mean Emerald Gale had returned to Magnimar to compete yet again after her period of absence.

Captain Haldan was particularly feared for her specialty in combat against living enemies. Ustalav was particularly well known for the amount of necromatic events that took place within their boarders. Most were therefore exceptionally skilled in combating the undead. However Lady Haldan used her free time developing her skills and martial prowess in combating living creatures. The more common rumors, were that she was applying the same baneful necromatic energies to better combat those living enemies she had, with no concern for the dead. This misunderstanding, if it was indeed that, and her violent nature fueled her infamy as 'The Commpassionate Tyrant'

It was a false-name now only spoken behind her back, after she began immediately killing those who mocked her. Captain Haldan was at best, unpredictable. At worst, violent-to-an-extreme. She did not invest heavily in her resources as a Society member, but rather, there were whispers of dealings with strange death-orders of assassins, and cults who owned their allegiance to her. Censoring unfavorable information regarding her activity and allowing her to perpetuate her seemingly lawless, untouchable, organization.

Those who knew her for a long time, spoke against such rumors and gossip. Attesting to her valor and personal code. But often her public actions, and volatile disposition muddied these words. Some say that the Caliphas Society had always been a front from some dark-secret organization, and after Haldan killed her former master, the former Venture-Captain, she inherited it's dark workings. Caught in the perpetual cycle of dark dealings and death. Not many knew the story behind her succession, or the mysterious murder. It was simply a fact, Captain Haldan murdered Venture-Captain Olomnycree. Some say she was a cultist. A necromancer. An assassin. Or some-other ridiculous story that explained why she had been murdered. The truth though, was lost to most....

To those who might call Captain Haldan 'friend', she is a steadfast ally. Quick to anger in her ally's defense. She is a very difficult women to get along with for most. Caring not for pointless words, and notions of peace, harmony and friendship. The only friendship she knows, is those forged by strength of will, might at arms, and s stalwart spirit. The few friends she does possess, carries with it a strong bond.

Aside from this handful of individuals. Her personality at best can be described as cruel, crude, and unreasonably temperamental. Quick to anger, and quick to violence. Which is why she is so well known.


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/LadyNoirRoseHaldanofCaliphas-RESIZE_zps04d6bc17.jpg




- The Hero & The Solemn Guardian -

While not overly familiar with history, and rumors. He knew that Captain Haldan sought to enter The Summit of Fire. Who knew she'd actually show up here? He also remembered some passing bit about the Captain teaching other warriors she found worthy some of her Life-Slaying feats of combat. Who else was more of a warrior, and more worthy? The application wasn't on a paper, it was with steel and might. A Duel. It was an intriguing thought.

- The Ancient -

Seeing the Captain only brought troublesome thoughts to mind... Unsettling thoughts, for he knew the truth. The truth of the night Captain Haldan viciously snapped Meliri's neck, and left her for dead. If the words of the young necromancer were true, which he was sure they were. Meliri was not only a necromancer, she was the leader of their dark coven. An organization of death-dealers and undead-raising arcane casters. More often then not, Captain Olomnycree was away attending to other matters, leaving the running of Society matters to Haldan. However this revelation was eventually brought to life, and finding out this, she immediately set upon her captain, killing her and leaving her body in the same foul-dark-cave she as the bodies of her followers. And that was how the story ended... at least for Captain Haldan.

She did not know, Meliri was already undead. Her physical 'death' propelling her necromatic-arts to a larger scale. The young mage led him to her. His 'Litch-Queen'... it was an experience he would never forget, no matter how hard he tried. That was the only hunt he had ever failed, for upon seeing his mark, he knew true-despair. He fled from her insanity and toying-words. It was a dark churning flood he left in the dark pits, in some remote-chamber in the darklands below Ustalav. A threat that would no doubt flood the country in time... but it wasn't his problem anymore.

- The Pathfinders -

Captain Haldan continued her march around the small pond as Sheila Heidmarch walked out upon the terrace, a young girl under her arm. He held a large ornate staff with a hawkish figure carved at it's top. Things seemed to have calmed down. The tall, refined women spoke. She had a certain elegance that would be typical of an elf, yet she was indeed human.

"Welcome guests, I am Sheila Heidmarch, Venture-Captain, and this is my daughter Luka.The young girl's face flushes red, and she begins to pout as if displeased. She pauses looking down at her child, then clears her thought. "I suppose, I should get this out of the way now, so that it does not become an issue later... Emerald Gale, who you may be familiar with, is my daughter, Luka. This is also the last time i'd like to speak on this particular matter. Now, if you would. Please come inside, I've space to secure your things, if you're traveling heavy. We've much to discuss.

Captain Heidmarch and her daughter turned, and entered the manor, leaving the door open for their guests.

Heidmarch Manor; Magnimar - 12:45 PM, Toilday the 15th

[Desril]

Viridi

Surprised to see the Compassionate Tyrant here in person, even Viridi shows some respect and steps aside so that she can pass. It isn't for a full second that his thoughts rapidly begin racing.

The little girl was the Emerald Gale? She might be worth the trouble after all. But first, at their hostess' words and invitation inside, he shakes his head. "I'll be in in a minute."

Drawing his sword and stepping away from the door, Viridi shouts out. "Captain Haldan! Wait!" Assuming she stops, he moves forward to where she is to speak at a normal volume, but if not he continues shouting. "I've heard you will accept any challenge, and I could use a fight. I want to spar with you."

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

Asiresh starts to return his bow to his walking staff once more then begins to gather his gear to lock it up. As he does so the feeling of The Kiss of Winter is much to strong to ignore now. The tingling feeling all too distant in his memory. He almost thought his long lost friends had all but forgotten his old bones and moved on to a new younger version of himself in need of their powers. But to know that they still think of him even to his crippling old age is a heart warming feeling and hopes that one day he gets to see his friends once more to please them and Ketephys together. He stops to observe the women storming about around him, only to see Viridi issue a challenge to Captain Halden.


"I've heard you will accept any challenge, and I could use a fight. I want to spar with you."

Asiresh chuckles to himself and continues to gather his gear and head inside the manor to store what he can't carry any longer. He also heads inside in hopes of finding Luka and having a more private conversation with her, someone who shares a common following.

[Mornings]

Viridi

Surprised to see the Compassionate Tyrant here in person, even Viridi shows some respect and steps aside so that she can pass. It isn't for a full second that his thoughts rapidly begin racing.

The little girl was the Emerald Gale? She might be worth the trouble after all. But first, at their hostess' words and invitation inside, he shakes his head. "I'll be in in a minute."

Drawing his sword and stepping away from the door, Viridi shouts out. "Captain Haldan! Wait!" Assuming she stops, he moves forward to where she is to speak at a normal volume, but if not he continues shouting. "I've heard you will accept any challenge, and I could use a fight. I want to spar with you."

The women slowed her gait, then stopped, turning around to the man behind her. She eyed him carefully, as if somewhat skeptical. The lack of armor, the giant sword. Seemed somewhat familiar. He at least looked like he could handle his own weapon. "You look ridiculous, but you handle your sword well enough.... what's your name?

[Desril]

"You look ridiculous, but you handle your sword well enough.... what's your name?

Irritated at the ridiculous comment, but kept in check by sort-of compliment that followed it,the bloodrager answers. "Viridi, my clan has no last name any longer. Now, are you going to draw your sword or not?"

[Mornings]

"Viridi, my clan has no last name any longer. Now, are you going to draw your sword or not?"

She paused as if in recognition. "Viridi.... heh. I see. I'd the mind to recruit you myself for The Summit, hearing of you from the Society... I've no complaint fighting you here, though as a Venture-Captain, it would be somewhat inconsiderate of me to delay Captain Heidmarch's business further." She turns away curtly and begins walking again. "Come to the Triodea at Second Bell, and we'll have our duel at the end of the world." She throws her head back and laughs in a disturbing-raucous-manner as she leaves the grounds of the Lodge.

[Desril]

Viridi

Nodding in agreement with the time of their duel, Viridi straps the sword to his back once again. "I will see you then," and marches back to Heidmarch Manor to find out why everyone had been gathered here.

[Mornings]

- The Ancient and The Hero -

Asiresh limped into the manor, following Captain Sheila and Luka. Sheila looked back and spoke. "My daughter will help you with your things, and show you where you may secure your belongings." She looked back as Andel made his way in, with the warrior in close pursuit. She looked to Andel, and spoke in a harsh-hushed whisper, "...and don't think I've forgotten about you for a second. You were suppose to keep an eye on my troublesome child..." His expression visibly dropped, his day ruined. Viridi made his way up the entrance-way stairs. Sheila moved further in the house. "Please join me in the study when you are ready."

Luka carried some of the old man's bags as they made their way into a 15ft circular room. It was somewhat cluttered, and filled with various raw materials. Various kinds of wooden dowels, feathers, fletching jigs, adhesives, spools of sinew, of an assortment of various metals and bits. Someone obviously used this place as a workshop. "Mum won't let me leave the house much, so I make arrows when I'm bored..." She points to a series of lockboxes set into the floor and wall. "These are for guests. You can leave all your stuff here. It's sealed by warding glyphs, so you won't need to remember the combination or carry a key. She gently floats in the air, laying on her back as if levitating. "It's so boring here.... Mum just makes me study..." The others can be heard making their way in, as well as Sheila's comment.


KEY; 1 SQUARE = 5 FT
Light Green = Luka
Dark Green = Viridi
Dark Brown = Andel
Light Blue = Sheila
Black = Asiresh

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/HeidmarchManaorMap-GRID1_zps81e86578.png

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As Asiresh loads his gear into a lockbox, he begins to ask Luka, "Luka, is there somewhere within the grounds that is more private that you may escort me to? I have some questions in regards to a certain...higher power."

Asiresh drops off most of his kit in the lockbox(bed roll, iron pot, mess kit, spare waterskin, 10 torches, 3 sun rods, 10 flasks of oil, 10 incendiary arrows, 1 grapple arrow, 5 obsidian arrows, 2 bone arrows, and 4 days of field rations). Reducing his weight to 31lbs.

[Kai927]

Jeska watched as Captain Halden forced her way through the group, shaking her head at the rudeness of the woman. She had heard of her before of course, and the rumors did not paint the woman in a positive light. When Viridi chases after her, she sighs, his doing so lowering her opinion of him as nothing good could come from following so monstrous a woman. Though you have little room to talk yourself.

When the Venture Captain finally came out and introduced herself, Jeska refocused on her, showing little sign of recognition when Sheila introduced her daughter as the Emerald Gale. Shrugging her shoulder, she follows them in, listening to Luka's explanation of the magic lockboxes. "Boring as it might be, you never know when something you learn might come in handy. You should take the time to learn all you can." She says to Luka as she places her backpack into a lockbox. Her tone, while not quite condescending, had a certain blunt quality to it. She barely stops long enough to give Luka the chance to reply, as despite her comment, the girl was of little concern to Jeska at the moment. Adjusting her red cape for a moment, she then turns to join Sheila in the study.

[Mornings]

Luka rolls over in the air, looking like a sad-puppy in a doggy-paddle. She recognized the armor well enough, she'd traveled much further then Korvosa of course. She'd never fought a Grey Maiden before, but the rumors of the warrior women were something that fascinated her.

"Boring as it might be, you never know when something you learn might come in handy. You should take the time to learn all you can."
The women's brusk comment ended that notion, and rubbed her the wrong way. Learn more!? Did this meat-head not know who she was? As far as Luka was concerned, she had been everywhere, and knew everything because she was a celebrity in the Inner Sea. She stuck out her tongue at the lady-knight as she left. "If I wasn't stuck in Mum's house, i'd put ichy-powder in that sassy-knight's armor." She crossed her arms and legs as if sitting-and-pouting, but she was upside-down.

"Luka, is there somewhere within the grounds that is more private that you may escort me to? I have some questions in regards to a certain...higher power."
She scrunched up her face looking at the old man inquisitively. She raised up a hand and brushed the tall feather on her head. A small fleck of dim-snowy light silently fell from her hand and dissipated. Then she pointed at the old hunter and spoke. Her lips moved, but no voice could be heard, rather, He heard her voice projected into his mind as if some magical vox-link had been created between them. "This'll do I think.... unless you have spies in your noggin'."

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As Luka speaks, he sees her lips moving but her voice comes from within his own head.


"This'll do I think.... unless you have spies in your noggin'."

He begins to speak but his voice is silent.

"Luka, I can tell the hunt flows through you. Have you heard of the old gods, Sif and Sèr?"

[Mornings]

"Luka, I can tell the hunt flows through you. Have you heard of the old gods, Sif and Sèr?"[/QUOTE]
The short half-elf kicks her feet about, her mouth moving silently as if laughing. She spins over on her side as if laying on some invisible floating couch that was flipped right side up, for she was still upside-down. He was beginning to think she didn't notice, or maybe everyone else was the ones who were wrong in her mind. He lips moved, and the voice resounded in his mind again.
"hehe, all true hunters know 'The Balance'. They feel it in the air, they hear it in their bow-song. That's how I could tell it was you, who was you! The trees' told me. They're lazy and dumb, but they could still feel your hunter's-soul...
She paused and looked at him curiously, flipping to the other-side. She tilted her head to one side with her small hand under her chin, as if in thought.
"...Hmmm. But you're still strange... You're like me. Even hunters' don't wear 'The Mantle'. That's how the Tree's knew. It's like those fussy-clerics' that sometimes come by, how you can 'feel' them. Their, 'goody-to-shoes-wearing-frilly-pants', it's unmistakable. Like, an aura, but people forgot how to feel it... Cept the trees. They still know. Maybe, Sèr gave you a hug, and that's why the tree's know!

She flipped over in the air, floating right-side-up with a goofy grin on her face. Sheila came around the corner, poking her head in the circular room. Luka audibly squealed in surprise not expecting her mother to be the one coming in the room. She dropped to the floor immediately, landing on her feet with a small thud. "How's everything going it was quie-..... LUKA! What are you doing! What are the rules in this house!? She yelled at the sulking child's back. She grinded the toe of her left boot into the marble tiled floor as she mechanically issued a response. "...No archery...No flying...levitating..jumping. No..walking on walls, walking through walls, sneaking, disappearing, magic, teleporting, or fun.... in the house." Sheila nodded in approval, missing the addition. "That's right young-lady. Now go play in the garden." Luka dragged her feet on the ground and hung her head as she Mopey-walked out of the room. She dragged her feet noisily all the way to the green-house garden attached to the manor, as if cinder-blocks were tied to her feet.


KEY; 1 SQUARE = 5 FT
(1)Light Green = Luka
(2)Dark Green = Viridi
(3)Dark Brown = Andel
(4)Light Blue = Sheila
(5)Black = Asiresh
(6)Grey = Jeska

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/HeidmarchManaorMap-GRID2_zps37f7cd6c.png

[Desril]

Viridi

Having nothing better to do, and in what for him is a good mood thanks to the run in with Captain Haldan making the effort to show up here worthwhile even if the venture itself turned out to be pointless, Viridi heads into the house. Not wasting time talking any further, he simply heads for the study just behind Jeska, with Alica presumably at his side, to wait for their host to explain why they were all summoned here.

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

After the altercation between Luka and her mother, Asiresh doesn't believe this girl with so much potential should be locked up in a manor with so many rules.

"Excuse me, Sheila, you know your daughter is quite the gifted girl to be able to do ALL that she does at such a young age. Maybe it would be best for her to be able to get out and help the world with those gifts. She is most certainly the most talented girl i have seen at her age in a very long time. If you allow her to aid us in certain ways it would be substantially helpful."

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

The man accepts the praise given to him with a short little smile, his sallow cheeks only a slight bit paler than his darker, but still quite pasty lips. His now newly colored eyes flash back and forth from individual to individual, and he straightens his spine a little more when he hears angry words in the distance. Avaricious had never been one for enjoying listening in on a dispute, especially one as heated as this. He didn't know why, but the sound of people fighting was one of his least-favorite things, and this is coming from the man who's heard and experienced all sorts of unpleasant things in his lifetime. As soon as the nonsense about a duel ends, and the people start pouring into the lodge, the bard sighs deeply and quickly reverses the effects of the spell he laid in place. In about thirty seconds or so, he's back to looking like the man who walked into the gate, his crimson eyes glaring around hungrily before he steps inside, looking out towards the marketplace and chuckling under his breath with a tone of finality, before closing the door behind him and gazing forward.

Guards were so easy to fool sometimes.

As he walks into the lodge, he'll carefully look around, keeping his slim frame close so as to not accidentally bump anything particularly valuable off any nearby furniture. It felt so strange being in a place like this, to actually be invited inside such a nice looking house. Usually, he'd end up inside places like this at the dead of night, with a ladder resting just outside a second story window. A place like this was too dangerous though! Powerful looking adventurers lived and worked out of here, no doubt there were traps around. There was too much risk here, but hey. Perhaps one day. Avaricious will watch the old man move away to talk privately to the young girl, raising an eyebrow in suspicion but not daring to follow. He'll find his way to where he's supposed to be and sit down in a nearby chair, trying to find the biggest and comfiest one possibly. From here, he'll close his eyes and rest a little bit. His heart was beating way too fast earlier, what with the strange blade.

So, unless interrupted, there sits Avaricious.

[oyzar]

There is a huge spectral being behind you Alica turned towards the door in shock, but could not find what Wayan was referring to. It has some giant bow and seems to be taking after Asiresh Alica’s alarm at the imminent conflict rose, Did he summon some wraith? I got to keep them from attacking each other. Luckily her words were enough to keep the two men from fighting.

Alica took a step closer to Viridi when Haldan stepped out. Venture-Captain Haldan! That is frightening, I feel safer closer to Viridi, though I am unsure if he can actually take her at this point, she is so experienced. Then Viridi challenged her. He does think he can take her! Such bravery. I like his confidence. Though, it would delay us to have to wait for him fighting on his own. The summoner was glad when the Venture-Captain suggested to delay the confrontation.

Once she is done watching the confrontation she figures she might as well go to see the Venture-Captain along with Viridi. Getting out of the armor and then back in again when they went out later would take way too long, and that was the majority of the weight of her equipment anyway. “So what is the story with your family Viridi? You mentioned your clan has no last name any longer. I hope it is not as sad as what happened with mine.” Alica asks as they venture further into the building to wait for what comes next.

[Desril]

Viridi

Viridi grunts at Alica's question, thinking about it for a minute before answering with little more than a brief description. "Sad? No. They were just weak. My clan's name was tied to their land. When the Worldwound opened, my people ran away. When they gave up their home, they gave up their names too. Not that it matters."

[Mornings]

- The Ancient -


"Excuse me, Sheila, you know your daughter is quite the gifted girl to be able to do ALL that she does at such a young age. Maybe it would be best for her to be able to get out and help the world with those gifts. She is most certainly the most talented girl i have seen at her age in a very long time. If you allow her to aid us in certain ways it would be substantially helpful."
Lady Heidmarch stopped in place and slowly turned her head around, as if it was being mechanically cocked back like some clockwork golem. "Master Lokin, It pleases me greatly that you are comfortable in my home and, 'fond'... of my daughter. However! We are by no mean's on a 'first-name-basis'. 'Captain Heidmarch' will do just fine, thank you. And my daughter is no concern of yours, she is not a Pathfinder, she is not an adventurer. She's a child with a bow. Skilled as she may be, she is still just that. She's rash, immature and irresponsible. And I'll see that she receives proper training and education before she's set loose in the world. ...She perhaps maybe the swiftest girl in Varisia. On Golarion. But she can only run for so long." She sharply turned away and resumed her march, her footsteps making sharp tacking-sounds on the hardwood floor as she went. "Now, if you're quite-finished Master Lokin. Please meet me in the study at the end of the hall."
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Sheila_HeidmarchRESIZE_zps6eb9a900.jpg

- The Tragic Villain -

He didn't bother waiting, he quickly made his way past the brute-with-the-sword, and past the lady-knight, who stood at the door in the far-reaches of the house. Opened the door without a care, and walked into the study. It was a rather impressive collection to be sure. Most of the tomes seemed to be genuine, or single-print works. Many-more-still, seemed to be actual chronicled works directly from the Society. A vast wealth of knowledge and coin, no doubt. He took a quick scan, ignoring the women in the room for a quick second. 'On the Matters of Time and Destruction.' hm. 'The Quest of Barro and 7 Nights' . Eh. 'The War of Magnimar Vol 1: The Stand of Magister Bel'nacht'. What the hell were half of these books? Magister Bel'nacht had a personal chronicle of the civil war submitted to the Society? This was quite the strange place. It was hard to even tell what was junk and what was priceless....
The Arch-Magister was known by just about anyone who knew what magic was in the Inner Sea. After all, he was 'The Lord of Steel'. The only man to ever win The Summit of Steel and be awarded that title. Strangely enough, he was a mage, but had fought through the martial tournament with nothing but his personal martial skills with his strange and mysterious 'Apeiron-Staff'. He was a tactical-genius, and cunning warrior, qualities that complimented his arcane path well. He had used the winnings, and the fame that followed to build an immense fortune. He used this new-found-wealth to bring his little known school of magic to new-found glory, buying most of the magical facilities in the city, and even gaining ownership of the famous Magmarian Golemworks.

None could offer complaint to the new 'arcane-baron'. He was wise and cunning, yet the quality produced in his various endeavors was exceptional. It truly had benefited the city and provided an avenue for first-rate magical education to the city's finer folk that could afford it, or the less-privileged who were selected in the various 'gifted programs', that would award full-scholarships to those in need. Bel'nacht was a forward-thinking progressive man who sought to better the world in his own way. Some of the magically-trained, were still skeptical of his philosophy however. For Segnenhall, the grand arcane-academy, endorsed, and educated students in all forms of magic, without discrimination between the schools of practice.

He looked to the women standing in-front of the main table in the room as he sat down and took a rather proud appearance. Ah, Koriah Azmeren. He knew her immediately, she was a rather famous pathfinder in this region after all. Not so much for her sword-arm, but more so for her expeditious ventures and her 'unique' skills.
He did not 'know' her on any personal level. But she was surely one name he had kept in his pocket for sometime after joining the Society. Koriah was a traveler, and adventurer as a Pathfinder, but was a 'master of shadow-work' on her own time. A master lock-smith, padfoot, and general jolly-good thief. Even though this was general known within a certain tier of the Society, her general knowledge of artifacts, relics, navigation, survival, the darklands and Thassilon was in irreplaceable boon to the Society as a whole, and the region. And now, it seemed, you actually had a reason to speak with the slippery-fingered-half-elf. He had a tricky-box, with a lock. And no key...
The slim half-elf wrote some notes on a large pieces of parchment while tinkering with a large and elaborate looking chest, of which-a-likeness-he-had-never-seen, and he'd seen a lot of chests. The golden chest seemed to have no top-or-bottom. No markings to hint at a lid, and no hinges to hit at it's joining side. It was truly a marvel, but his instincts told him it was some form of storage container, albeit, a very strange one. A series of strange sigils embossed in gold were inlayed in a series of tracks that run along the entire chests' surface, meeting on it's front to form an empty block where they would be aligned if ran on the correct track, in the correct order. Yet, as you watched her move the pieces about, you noticed, the sigils were not always the same...

Koriah did not look over in his direction but spoke. "...annnd, you must be the 'smart-one'. I've about got down how our-fair-captain, puts these teams together now. By how alert you are, there surly must be a complete dunce among your rank... She slid the sigils around another time. "Yes, it's a box. But not just any box. No, no. That wouldn't be any fun at all. It's a Thassilonian relic i've uncovered.. unfortunately, this damned cipher is quite troublesome, simply because it won't stay put. I've just about figured it out too..." She looked up at the bard with a cocky smile. " But I don't want whats inside. You can split it among your merry-band if you'd like." She pat a hand on the golden-vessel. "I just want the box."

Viridi, Alica, Jeska, Sheila, and Asiresh came in. Andel stood at the door. "Right on cue, I do believe I called it" She said with a wink at Avaricious. "But the old one... that's new..." She shook a finger as if perplexed.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/KoriahAzmeren_zps74c0f41c.png

- The Pathfinders -


KEY - 1 SQUARE = 5 FEET
(2) Viridi
(3) Andel Gesseran
(4) Sheila Heidmarch
(5) Asiresh
(6) Jeska
(7) Avaricious
(8) Alica
(9) Koriah Azmeren

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/HeidmarchStudyGRID1_zpse0fc2ac4.png

The sight of of Koriah in the corner tinkering around drew some raised eyebrows. Being called to the Lodge, while a Venture-Captain's and a rather famous pathfinder were visiting, seemed like it was unlikely to be a mere coincidence. The Pathfinder looked to the Captain, "Well? Come'on then Captain. Out with it." Sheila looked about the room, "First, I'd like to thank everyone for coming, and also like to inform you. These letters' you've received were sent in total secrecy. Only a very few amid the Society know of this mission, and you shall be operating, for the most part, autonomously. Should you fail, or fall upon dire circumstance. There will be no Calvary coming to save you. All you will have, will be each other, to face the dangers to come. Thus, what we are about to discuss cannot, for any means, leave this room..." She looked out the door to Andel, pausing, before she slammed the door in his face. " I will try and keep this brief, for there have been many events and setbacks recently. However, you are the second team to be organized by the lodge. The first met with a terrible end due to our initial lack of concealment. You have all been called here for your unique skills, and general lack of 'identity', within the city. You are all skilled, yes. But you all possess the ability to walk the streets freely, without drawing too many prying eyes. For indeed, many are watching. We work against time, unseen agents, and infiltrators within our own ranks. Spies lurk all about the city with the knowledge of the weight this mission holds..." She paused, and spoke in a low somewhat whispering tone. " We quest for the Shattered Star. The Sihedron. One of the mightiest relics of power created by the first lord, and founder of Thassilon." The weight seems to mount in the room. This... was not another 'fetch the lost kitten' missions. This was real... and the thought, the realization, that the effects of this quest they were about to be charged with, could actually change the world, slow began to sink in. What did they just walk into? Captain Heidmarch continues on in her low tone, as if someone might be listening from the window sill.. "My solo-operative, Natalya Vancaskerkin, has been lost. Her last report provided me confirmation, that she had retrieved a shard of the star successfully. She was due to report every 6 hours until the shard was safely obtained, and secured..... That was 6 days ago. Unfortunately, I can only assume she had been discovered and captured or killed, by who or what I cannot say. The most likely answer, the Sczarni gang, as she had been required to infiltrate their numbers just to get us this far." She nodded to the Dhampir at her side. " A skill that you will need again, I'm certain." She looked about the room. No longer speaking in a whispering tone. "You are not to report back here again, unless absolutely required. If asked, your visit was for no more then submitting an application to the Society, which they promptly refused. As of this moment, you are not Pathfinders. You are the Society's secret weapon. You will act with caution and not alert others of your existence if possible. If discovered, you will 'ensure' the one who exposed you cannot divulge what he knows, to anyone. Ever. If you are caught by the guard. Surrender, and you will be released in 12 hours. The expenses of which will be deducted from your running-salary."

"You are permitted to use whatever force necessary to accomplish your assigned missions. All Society interface will be done through your assigned 'Watcher', a 'handler' of sorts. That will manage your progress, funds, deposit resources, or fetch them. All of which will be securely stored here, but we can speak of that in awhile. I've still matters to discuss with Miss Azmeren before we move to logistics. I'm sure you all have questions, but for now please speak among yourselves." She opened the door, as Koriah moved away from the table and proceeded to follow the Captain. "Ah, and that Vessel. It's an ancient Thassilonian relic, Koriah's recovered quite a number of them in the past. I'm sure it contains items you will find useful. Please feel free to open it and take what you'd like from it." Sheila left the room dragging Andel behind her like a dog on a leash. Koriah, waved as she walked out. "That's her way of saying, it's a kind of 'test'. Good luck~"

Heidmarch Manor, Study; Magnimar - 12:55 PM, Toilday the 15th


It all happened so fast.... it was all a blur. The realization of the immense task before them, still not knowing what exactly their first mission was... only knowing the vast importance of it. It was, staggering. Koriah closed the door with a sharp slam. A sharp crack that echoed in the silent room filled with dumbfound expressions.... What was a 'handler' ?

[oyzar]

Alica was surprised at what she was revealed, though she was also excited to be part of something big. In the end she was frustrated when the captain left. She turned and looked at the others. ”So we are to be some secret under-cover group? That is not what I was expecting at all. Still, it sounds like the task is important. To me, that is more important than fame and recognition. I would have liked to know more about our mission though, like where do we start. Leaving halfway in the explanation is not very nice. Still, we could use the time to get to know each other better, I imagine we stand a much greater chance of survival if we know each other’s skills. I am not very good in harming people physically, nor to prevent blows from hitting me, but I can summon wild animals and other beings to help us in a fight. I also got some protective magic and can conjure up grease to make enemies fall.”

She turns to look around at the others before directing her attention towards the chest. “We should try to figure out that chest while we talk. Maybe that holds clues to our mission? Wayan?” On cue Wayan stepped forward and pulled back the arm of her robe, revealing hands quite unlike that of a human. It was hard to make out, since they were shadow-cast like the rest of her, but they appeared somewhat like a large curled fist with long sharp objects poking out of her knuckles. She went over to the chest and studied it closely before fiddling around with her suddenly malleable claws to try to find some kind of lock or other nock and cranny to make it open.

Alica took a step closer to the chest as well, but she did not touch it, but instead she focused sharply and started chanting softly in a melodic voice. “Alarala selerele omunoi Ijeloilia” She tried to detect the magic of the chest.

Wayan Perception chest [roll0]
Wayan Disable Device chest [roll1]
Alica Detect Magic, determine aura [roll2]
Alica Spellcraft, identify item [roll3]

[Mornings]

Wayan Perception chest (1d20+15)[25]
Wayan Disable Device chest (1d20+7)[14]
Alica Detect Magic, determine aura (1d20+5)[8]
Alica Spellcraft, identify item (1d20+5)[16]

Perception
The strange object, appeared to be a large-heavy chest. Covering its surface were well-made tracks running around the entire container. The chest appeared to have no lock, no lid, no hinges, no way to determine which was the top of bottom. It almost appeared as if it was a single solid golden box. Running along the tracks were a number of black stone tiles, inlayed with strange sigils. Occasionally, they would switch places, randomizing the order. It appeared that the order reset every 10minutes or so. The box was ornate, yet showed small hints at its age. Ware, and moss-smudges covered its bottom. The large item stood about 3 feet off the table, and 4 feet long, 2 feet wide. Next to the chest, three scrolls lay with a large series of detailed notes signed by Koriah. These appear to be her initial observations and translation of the sigils and the intricate mechanism.

Disable Device
Tinkering with the device provided critically useful information. That information being, this device was absolutely impossible to crack, disable, or otherwise open via normal means. There was no way to open the box with any physically prying or probing. There existed no keyhole, no wedge to set. It appeared that only by cracking the mystery of the cipher would the box be opened.

Detect Magic

Alica feels a magic aura radiate from the item. Spending a minute in undisturbed silence, she can detect trace amounts of some hybrid form of transmutation-magic to be involved in the objects creation. The true nature however, was completely alien. The old magics which had forged it while, similar to those that existed today, were a force she was unfamiliar with. It did not appear harmful externally, however if there was any magic-nature regarding its contents, she could not know. It appeared to be shielded from observation.

Identify
The item appears to be more than a chest, but something more akin to a large chest-sized puzzle box, trimmed with brass and gold. It appeared to be an infuriating device with the intent to secure its contents.

Heidmarch Manor, Study; Magnimar - 12:56 PM, Toilday the 15th

The party watches in silence as Alica attempts to solve the riddle that was the Thassalionian relic, the tense air still palpable with the alarm and confusion of what to do. What they were to expect, what to say... A minute ticks by and is lost as Alica works.

Performing actions to solve the mystery of the relic will consume a fixed amount of time based on the actions. Knowledge; History. Intelligence Checks, and studying the books/scrolls in the study will consume 10 minutes. Minor actions related to the chest will consume small amounts of time. Players may contribute/aid checks during these periods of time-lapse.

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As Alica and Wayan attempt to break into the mysterious box, Asiresh takes his mind to the scrolls and the books in the study looking for something that might help with the cypher. He finds what he's looking for and pushes the lover-girl and her creature aside and takes a seat at the table.

Asiresh Studies the Scrolls and books at his disposal. Perception on the scrolls. [roll0]

[Desril]

Viridi

Paying more attention to the gold chest now than Alica's brief description of her abilities, Viridi runs through his list of ideas. No hinges, can't rip the lid off. I could cut through it, but that might break my stuff. Best to let these pansies figure out what the secret is.

Deciding that his course of action will be to wait and see what happens, and if he's going to be going on some super secret mission with this lot that it might be a good idea to know what they can do, since it's painfully obvious that none of them except perhaps the one in armor can fight worth a damn, Viridi follows Alica's example. "I don't need armor or tricks or little beasts to fight for me, I can just smash whatever is stupid enough to try to hit me. And if they're wearing armor, or have a weapon that pisses me off, I can cut through that as easily as I can them. Don't even need this sword to do it."

[Mornings]

- The Ancient -

Passed [23]
The scrolls on the table were laid out, and plainly accessible. Sketches of the chest and its sigils were scribbled about with a light hand in plain view. An obvious hint if there ever was one. The cranky-old-man pushed past the summoner girl and pushed aside the freaky-shadow-mutant, sitting down in the chair in-front of the table with a sound 'thud'. This was a task for the wizened and educated, not some love-struck-tott and her beastie. He picked up the scrolls and squinted as if looking through reading-glasses, bringing the documents close to his face. Hm. Yes. Quite interesting. Koriah had seemed to do most of this work fairly recently judging by the granite flakes that fell from the parchment. It was a rather detailed explanation of her observations. Not only that, it also seemed to roughly translate the sigils as well, a long with some quick interpretations. Apparently the Sigils were individual ciphers them-self, each concealing a separate letter. Hm. This could become quite troublesome. And the documents would take some time to examine thoroughly... Best to get started now.

The Holder

He moved to the second scroll. It seemed she had the time to pencil up three documents relating to the relic. The first only being a simple summery of the thing, and general thoughts. This scroll detailed a section she listed as 'The Holder'. It was mentioned in the first scroll repeatedly, along with something else called 'The Seeker'. Her couldn't be sure if these actually translated to anything, or were just simple reference names she had created for herself. Was hard to say... He read on about 'The Holder', perhaps this scroll would shed some light on the matter.

The sigils seemed to be the most oft seen on the box. Apparently the held some sort of meaning. Unlike the other sigils, this series seemed to actually translate into something meaningful. The order was inscribed into the relic's surface in multiple areas according to her notes, aside from just the sigils them-self. When decrypted, they formed Thassilonian letters. The letters formed came together to create; W-R-A-T-H. Presumably, translating into 'wrath', however, the notes continue on. This old-phrasing of the world, hinted back, towards the ancient culture's system of magic, rather then the plain word itself. The notes detail how this spelling of 'wrath' was used in the early variation of Evocation magic, with the word 'kindness' in similar spelling. According to her thoughts, she believes that this series of 5 sigils is no more then a tag, linking the boxes origin to an owner of the Thassilonian nation of Bakrakhan. And is no more then a ruse disguised to cloak the true key. The other 5 sigils inlayed into the coffer. If that were true, this puzzle-box's possible solutions were cut in half making this much less frustrating.

The Seeker

The third scroll listed an interesting hypothesis yet was far shorted in length. By using the translated sigils of WRATH, which covered the boxes surface in small carved markings aside from the tracks which the sigil-tiles moved. One would notice a single side that possessed a single-line of Sigils which was slightly different. These sigils, according to Koriah, were the same randomized sigils on the other 5 tiles, and marked the 'face' of the box. The single position from which it could be opened. She had already adjusted the box to face the appropriate direction. Without knowing of the secret of the other sigils, it was entirely impossible to notice.

By this record, the randomized sigils spelled C-R-U-E-L, which by its actual translation, meant nothing. If her intuition was correct, this was the proper cipher-key to the chest. If one could simply translate the sigils proper inferred dialect and meaning from it's butchered form, it would create the password and the box would open...


He put down the scrolls, and looked at the chest letting out a deep breath. This was a troublesome thing. Even knowing this. The Sigils were in constant rotation, however it seemed that the 5 sigils of WRATH and the 5 of CRUEL did not intermingle with one another. The scroll detailed, that the sigils need only be touched before they animate and slide into place... It would take a sure-hand, and quick movements to assemble the solution in the brief time the sigil's alignment remained in position, otherwise it would just reset while in the middle of inputting the answer. He rolled up the scrolls and laid them on the table.

+4 Circumstance Bonus to Inelegance Checks to decrypt the box
+4 Circumstance Bonus to Linguistics to decrypt the box

Heidmarch Manor, Study; Magnimar - 01:06 PM, Toilday the 15th


Players may attempt to act during this action. As Asiresh is reading players may attempt an Intelligence Check or Linguistics Check to solve the puzzle. Make an action. Study the material in the office. etc.

This 10 minute period will be expended once another Time-Consuming action is taken.
Asiresh is currently reading the scrolls. To gain the bonus, another player must read the documents after this window, or be educated by a character who has read the article already. Solving the puzzle is not required, but will greatly aid PC's

[Desril]

Viridi

Not having much of an imagination, it didn't take long for Viridi to get bored sitting and doing nothing. So, rather than waiting patiently for someone else to figure it out, the bloodrager moves over to look at the sigils on the chest to see if he can figure out the answer. "These symbols are like letters, right? Just put them in the right order or whatever. Any of you read symbol?"


Infinite monkeys with infinite typewriters and infinite time. Let's see if Viridi is the one right monkey at the right time, shall we?

Int check to see if he's an idiot savant with puzzles [roll0]

[oyzar]

"I got a bit of magic that makes it slightly easier to acomplish any task. It might help with this as well." Alica went around and briefly touched everyone in the room "Competencio!" having done that she turned to the box alongside Viridi. Snuggling up against him innocently with the excuse to solve this box might be nice. Who knows, maybe I'll impress him by opening it? She went very close to Viridi so they could work at the same time and said "Let me see if I can try to open it as well."


Guidance for all :)
Int check to puzzle, using guidance [roll0]

[Mornings]

The Cipher in the Study

The large Numarian man, pressed in on the old man's left, side, attempting to decrypt the puzzle himself. The noble-women and her pet went around the room waving a magic finger, briefly enchanting all present shortly before pressing in on the old man's right... It had become a very unforfortable position, but he continued to read the scrolls.

Ten sigils, a box covered with nonsense. The barbaric warriors large hands fumbled-about, smacking, swatting and smashing the sigil-covered tiles. The women's hands moved in pressing, tapping, and sliding the relic's keys about. It became a tangle of hands over the old man's head as he hunched over reading the scrolls, ignoring the idocy to the best of his ability. There was too much movement, to many people touching things at once to even tell when the sigils change or reset, or what the other had moved. The dumbfounding-cipher, became infuriously difficult, if not impossible to solve.

Viridi's face turned red in frustration. Alica's head ached from the mindnumbing impossible task. Eventually, they both turned away from the damned thing unable to solve the riddle, know what they were doing, or even see the sigils changing patterns with another's hands in the way.


* If more then one person attempts the Cipher at once, the shifting patterns and keys themself become very difficult to distinguish. (Penalty)
* Aiding-Another individual attempting the Cipher assists in tracking the pattern. (Boon)
* Without the knowledge of The Holder and The Seeker Patterns, solving the Cipher becomes near impossible. (Penalty)
* Not spending a full 10 minutes analyzing and tracking the pattern makes solving the Cipher unlikely. (Penalty)

Viridi - [8] -(5) -(8); [-5]
Alica - [15]-(5) -(8) -(5); [-3]

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As he finishes reading the scrolls he is fairly annoyed at this point from Alica and Viridi. He stands and says, "Are you CHILDREN done fumbling about with your hands stuck to each other? Now give me the damned box, I think I can get this blasted thing."

He pushes the lovergirl and the oversized meat stick aside to take a look at the cypher on the box.

Intelligence check to decipher the lockbox with guidance. [roll0] (+2 int mod, +4 circumstance mod, +1 guidance)

At this point with everyone fumbling about I'm the best shot we have at getting this thing open so just try to aid me instead of trying to solve it in my hands.

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

With a raise of his eyebrows, he begins to get a little bit restless as he sits down, staring forward and the many tomes and scrolls on the large shelves in front of him. Silently, he wonders just how much he'd be able to sell the many no doubt priceless pages of magical lore and knowledge. Knowing the Pathfinder Society, there had to be at least one magical tome stuffed somewhere, maybe behind a religious book. Lots of people hid their valuables behind religious items for whatever reason. It's hardly like Iomadae herself would come down from the heavens to smite upon some sticky-fingered thief in the knight, just to defend a back of ten gold behind a book. He'd always found the people's bizarre dependence on the gods a little bit comical. That being said, clerics were quite an interesting kind of adventurer to him, for though he'd never actually witnessed any sort of divine miracle, he sometimes wondered what it'd be like to witness an actual act of the gods in front of him, even if it was in the form of a Light spell or something equally anti-climactic. Looking around, he didn't notice any particularly religious looking individual in the group gathered with him. Perhaps he may not be able to sate his curiosity just yet.

He looks over some of the titles of nearby books, feeling himself grow a little sleepier with every passing moment. He knew of the histories, but the tales he usually told of times gone by tended to be worded like stories, great reenactments and passionate retellings. After all, the stories were often quite interesting, and wasting the power of the words and story by recording it all in some textbook-like medium seems an awful way to go about recording the great tales of heroes and warriors long dead. For although he himself didn't personally believe in heroics, he did believe in the power the tales had on people. The stories of heroes long dead besting enemies that may or may not have ever even existed tended to inspire people, it gave them hope. When the Magister's name came up, the bard just sort of shakes his head forlornly. Avaricious had heard many stories about the man, but to this day could never get rid of an odd sort of distrust of the man. True casters and wizards great were given too much power naturally, in his opinion, but the Magistrate possessed not only great power, but a veritable monopoly in magical trades and works! No man with as much political and magical might as the Magistrate could truly stay unaffected by the power of the position for long. It all goes to your head, eventually. It was inevitable, after all. Absolute power corrupts, and all that.

Avaricious glances away from the books, his eye brought to those of the woman sitting close by. There's a moment of eye contact before the dhampir looks off to the side, trying to remember why that face was so familiar to him. Ah! There we go, after half-a-second he recalls who she was and why he seemed to know her. That was Koriah Asmeren there, a master thief! He'd seen her picture in a book he once read, some sort of master with locks and getting into places most would prefer her out of. There was a definite look of admiration on his face as he looked over her again. After a few seconds, she starts conversation with the bard, nodding his head curtly and smiling lightly as she took him for the 'smart one'. "'Fraid so, Ms. Asmeren. Might even be several, unfortunately. Only time will tell, I suppose." He chuckles lightly before looking over his shoulder and glaring a little bit at Viridi from the corner of his eye, turning back to her in a second, his gaze softening before laughing a little louder. "There's certainly at least one, as I'm sure you've noticed too. They're usually the ones with the largest chunks of metal on their person, hah." As she finishes, he replies with a small and silly sigh, clearly a fake one, seeing as he's smiling the whole way. "Of course you do, hah. Solid gold chest and all, and here I was hoping you'd just let us walk out of the lodge with it, siiiigh." His smile slowly fades.

She seemed knowledgeable when it came to locks, and he had a certain box of his own resting in a chest at his wagon. It's entirely possible she could assist him with an idea or two on just how to get the blasted thing open. The dhampir is just about to ask before he's interrupted by Sheila, deciding to just keep quiet. She had the aura of someone in charge, someone who made big decisions. Better listen up. So, he raises a hand to his conversation partner before turning a bit in his chair to face the Venture-Captain. As she speaks, he begins frowning more and more, until by the end of her speech he looks quite a bit unhappy. It wasn't that he was troubled by it, he just really expected something small. You know, "fetch the thing from this dark place", or, "help Farmer Brown keep the goblins away from his pumpkin crop". This secret-search for the Shattered Star was far beyond anything he expected! As she looks towards Avaricious and seems to nod something his way, his face returns to his neutral look, nodding affirmatively. Infiltration would be easy, he did it every day. When she's finally done speaking, Avaricious waves to Koriah as she lives, still a little bit shell-shocked. He met Koriah Asmeren, and was now part of some secret mission all in the same day? It was thrilling! But also very frightening, this was most unusual to him.

He listens to Alice speak as she breaks the silence.


Alica was surprised at what she was revealed, though she was also excited to be part of something big. In the end she was frustrated when the captain left. She turned and looked at the others. ”So we are to be some secret under-cover group? That is not what I was expecting at all. Still, it sounds like the task is important. To me, that is more important than fame and recognition. I would have liked to know more about our mission though, like where do we start. Leaving halfway in the explanation is not very nice. Still, we could use the time to get to know each other better, I imagine we stand a much greater chance of survival if we know each other’s skills. I am not very good in harming people physically, nor to prevent blows from hitting me, but I can summon wild animals and other beings to help us in a fight. I also got some protective magic and can conjure up grease to make enemies fall.”

She turns to look around at the others before directing her attention towards the chest. “We should try to figure out that chest while we talk. Maybe that holds clues to our mission? Wayan?” On cue Wayan stepped forward and pulled back the arm of her robe, revealing hands quite unlike that of a human. It was hard to make out, since they were shadow-cast like the rest of her, but they appeared somewhat like a large curled fist with long sharp objects poking out of her knuckles. She went over to the chest and studied it closely before fiddling around with her suddenly malleable claws to try to find some kind of lock or other nock and cranny to make it open.

Alica took a step closer to the chest as well, but she did not touch it, but instead she focused sharply and started chanting softly in a melodic voice. “Alarala selerele omunoi Ijeloilia” She tried to detect the magic of the chest.

Oh no, questions about his skill-set. Honestly, the man had always felt so awkward about talking about what he was good at. He'd gone over what he would say when asked the same question, but he imagined it would be in some private office. In truth, Avaricious disliked so many people knowing what he was capable of. He'd always preferred the element of surprise, but if he truly was to work with these people, especially in a mission as important as this one, perhaps it was time he grew a little more comfortable with who he was, and what he could do. Although he doesn't look towards Alica, still juggling many thoughts in his head, he speaks as he stands up. "Erm, yes. Avaricious, but I already introduced myself, I believe. Looks like I'll be your inside man." There! Vague, but still implied a certain skillset that usually belonged to a very certain type of person.

As he stands up, he makes his way far past the lobby, making a decision to make a quick run to the wagon to recover his little box, then to find Koriah. Retrieving the box oughtn't take more than a minute, but when he enters again with the box in his coat, he may have some trouble finding the woman to catch up with her and ask a quick question.

[roll0]

[Kai927]

Under cover? Secret agents? Jeska shakes her head. This is sounding dangerously similar to the early parts of her former employment. She considered backing out, but after a few moments, decided against it. The Dawnflower led her here for a reason, so she must see this course to the end.

"Well, as far as more detailed introductions go, I am Jeska Navern, as I already mentioned. I prefer swordplay, but I can make do with any one handed weapon if I need to." She shrugs, "Not sure what else to say at this point."

She watches as Asiresh and Alica poke and prod and mess with the box, starting a little at the presence of extra hands emerging from the latter. Puzzles weren't really her thing, but watched on anyway. Perhaps something will come to her.

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor, The Villains's Gambit; Magnimar - 01:06 PM, Toilday the 15th

He left the room and calmly walked out as Asiresh began his attempt at cracking the box's cipher. He simply opened the door and left, without drawing any concerned glanced. Walking down the hall and out the door, he circled about to the large stalls next door which housed his animals and wagon. He quickly went through his chest and recovered the item before heading back in. He walked the halls, the house seemed... darker. Somewhat eerie now, it was somewhat over-cast outside. It was a little strange for this time of day, and in this warm period of weather that had been hanging over Magnimar this recent week. It was no matter though, he paused and opened his ears. It was odd, it was as if his hearing had been augmented, he could hear the distant hum of conversation brush upon the walls. Moving through the house, He passed the store room and pushed through the second set of fine-heavy wood doors. He paused, to his right he could he hushed voices.

"...Yes, I'm sure. She hasn't been seen in years. Somme sudjest she's moved on, but I think not." "You suspect she is involved in this then? I've entertained the thought myself, but then I doubt we would have made it this far if that were true."" Yes, I feel the same... In my mind it's unquestionable the she has some hand in this, but if that were true, we're being allowed to continue as we are. Could it be..." " ...A feint? Unlikely. But I fear what stirs unseen in the darkness. I doubt our friends can handle this alone."" Then what've you in mind? We're being bled dry with each failure. We cannot afford to loose them. They are our last chance.... everyone's last chance. The fate of many lives hangs by a thread in a war fought in shadow.""I've already summoned for Roland and Markus. Lady D'Aritel, while not informed of the matter fully, will lend her assistance as well... also. There seemed to be a tense pause. " I don't mean to press on bleeding-wounds, but I agree with Captain Haldan. Give me Luka. If this all goes to hell, there won't be any place you can lock her up to keep her from this mess. The world is changing, the game is changing. We need Emerald Gale."


KEY - 1 SQUARE = 5 FEET
(2) Viridi
(3) Andel Gesseran
(4) Sheila Heidmarch
(5) Asiresh
(6) Jeska
(7) Avaricious
(8) Alica
(9) Koriah Azmeren

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/HeidmarchManaorMap-GRID2_zpse4077735.png

The temperature in the dimly-lit hall dropped while he listened quietly at the door. Hm. Flakes of small ice began to gently dance down from above as if he was under a midwinter sky. Uh. Well, that wasn't quite right. He looked up... Nothing. He turned around... nothing. He breathed a sign of relief, heh, it was almost as if he was expecting a gho-

A Voice pierced his mind, a familiar sensation. It spoke in a soft, but firm mature feminine voice.

"...Eavesdropping is quite the nasty habit."
It felt as if the projections were coming from behind him. He turned around again. Nothing. The flecks of ice gently fell before him... He looked up, and grasped his mouth to stifle his body's nature desire to scream in shock. The ghastly figure floated above him, half a body protruding from the ceiling. Her bluish-spectral form was wild and unearthly. Her unreasonably long hair waft-and-waved in some ethereal ocean he could not feel. It looked like half the corpse of some drowned women. Freezing flecks of ice fell from her form, the air touching her and freezing instantly, falling silently to the wooden panels at his feet. She was not ugly by any means, but the sight of the frost-wraith chilled him to the bone. His legs locked-and-knocked at each other standing before the inverted women. She chuckled softly, her hand brushing by his face.
"...Do not despair. I've come not baring wrath, merely....curiosity."
Her last woods dragged on as she faded from sight, the flecks of ice concluding their dance, and melting upon the floor leaving a small damp patch of slickness upon the floor. The only proof that he was not going insane. 'errrk' The door opened behind him. "Ha'waah!" Andel fumbled about nearly slipping on the slick floor. He steadied himself and spoke. " You startled me Master Deleblanche, I thought I heard something at the door. Do you require assistance? " He looked down at the floor inquisitively. "...And did you perchance, spill something? It's rather wet... " He could see clearly in the room now. Captain Heidmarch stood proudly looking out of the door somewhat impatiently, while Koriah sat cross-legged on a large circular chair.

"I imagine he seeks myself Andel. Let him in, we've some time to spare still."

[Hattish Thing]

Heidmarch Manor, The Villains's Gambit; Magnimar - 01:06 PM, Toilday the 15th

He left the room and calmly walked out as Asiresh began his attempt at cracking the box's cipher. He simply opened the door and left, without drawing any concerned glanced. Walking down the hall and out the door, he circled about to the large stalls next door which housed his animals and wagon. He quickly went through his chest and recovered the item before heading back in. He walked the halls, the house seemed... darker. Somewhat eerie now, it was somewhat over-cast outside. It was a little strange for this time of day, and in this warm period of weather that had been hanging over Magnimar this recent week. It was no matter though, he paused and opened his ears. It was odd, it was as if his hearing had been augmented, he could hear the distant hum of conversation brush upon the walls. Moving through the house, He passed the store room and pushed through the second set of fine-heavy wood doors. He paused, to his right he could he hushed voices.

"...Yes, I'm sure. She hasn't been seen in years. Somme sudjest she's moved on, but I think not." "You suspect she is involved in this then? I've entertained the thought myself, but then I doubt we would have made it this far if that were true."" Yes, I feel the same... In my mind it's unquestionable the she has some hand in this, but if that were true, we're being allowed to continue as we are. Could it be..." " ...A feint? Unlikely. But I fear what stirs unseen in the darkness. I doubt our friends can handle this alone."" Then what've you in mind? We're being bled dry with each failure. We cannot afford to loose them. They are our last chance.... everyone's last chance. The fate of many lives hangs by a thread in a war fought in shadow.""I've already summoned for Roland and Markus. Lady D'Aritel, while not informed of the matter fully, will lend her assistance as well... also. There seemed to be a tense pause. " I don't mean to press on bleeding-wounds, but I agree with Captain Haldan. Give me Luka. If this all goes to hell, there won't be any place you can lock her up to keep her from this mess. The world is changing, the game is changing. We need Emerald Gale."


KEY - 1 SQUARE = 5 FEET
(2) Viridi
(3) Andel Gesseran
(4) Sheila Heidmarch
(5) Asiresh
(6) Jeska
(7) Avaricious
(8) Alica
(9) Koriah Azmeren

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/HeidmarchManaorMap-GRID2_zpse4077735.png

The temperature in the dimly-lit hall dropped while he listened quietly at the door. Hm. Flakes of small ice began to gently dance down from above as if he was under a midwinter sky. Uh. Well, that wasn't quite right. He looked up... Nothing. He turned around... nothing. He breathed a sign of relief, heh, it was almost as if he was expecting a gho-

A Voice pierced his mind, a familiar sensation. It spoke in a soft, but firm mature feminine voice.

"...Eavesdropping is quite the nasty habit."
It felt as if the projections were coming from behind him. He turned around again. Nothing. The flecks of ice gently fell before him... He looked up, and grasped his mouth to stifle his body's nature desire to scream in shock. The ghastly figure floated above him, half a body protruding from the ceiling. Her bluish-spectral form was wild and unearthly. Her unreasonably long hair waft-and-waved in some ethereal ocean he could not feel. It looked like half the corpse of some drowned women. Freezing flecks of ice fell from her form, the air touching her and freezing instantly, falling silently to the wooden panels at his feet. She was not ugly by any means, but the sight of the frost-wraith chilled him to the bone. His legs locked-and-knocked at each other standing before the inverted women. She chuckled softly, her hand brushing by his face.
"...Do not despair. I've come not baring wrath, merely....curiosity."
Her last woods dragged on as she faded from sight, the flecks of ice concluding their dance, and melting upon the floor leaving a small damp patch of slickness upon the floor. The only proof that he was not going insane. 'errrk' The door opened behind him. "Ha'waah!" Andel fumbled about nearly slipping on the slick floor. He steadied himself and spoke. " You startled me Master Deleblanche, I thought I heard something at the door. Do you require assistance? " He looked down at the floor inquisitively. "...And did you perchance, spill something? It's rather wet... " He could see clearly in the room now. Captain Heidmarch stood proudly looking out of the door somewhat impatiently, while Koriah sat cross-legged on a large circular chair.

"I imagine he seeks myself Andel. Let him in, we've some time to spare still."

As Avaricious walked slowly, his well-made but worn boots quietly pattering on the wooden floor, he began to think over what had happened earlier. The blade had left a mark on his mind, that he was sure of. The memory was one that he would never be able to forget now that he'd seen how powerful the being was trapped within, and what it could do, even without a physical body. There was an evil trapped within the magical metal, a great one, and one that should have been destroyed long ago. It was cruel, was it not, to keep it alive and trapped so? Simply ending it's foul existence would have made the world a better place, wouldn't it? One less linnorm, one less blade that could be disastrous in the wrong hands, hands like Avaricious' own. As he grabs the box from his pack, he looks around, something strange having caught his attention. Bah, but it was nothing! Nothing at all to worry about, right? Hm. With a look out of a nearby window, he notices the sky having changed. It seemed so sunny earlier, far too bright for his liking. This was a much better sort of weather in his opinion, but then again, with a storm on the horizon and that damned prophecy he'd listened to earlier, he almost wished it would have stayed annoyingly sunny.

With a shrug, he makes his way to find Koriah now, tapping his fingers against the small cube in his pocket. It was rather comforting to him, somehow, in an odd way. As he walked forward silently, the sound of hushed voices pervaded his ears. It was from the.... from the right, yes. Avaricious closed his eyes and concentrated on the direction the sounds were coming from, his eyes looking all around as he decided to take advantage of the moment. After all, this was a very strange job for very strange people. If they were hiding anything from him, he deserved to know. Hopefully, they were just discussing something mundane, like where to go to dinner, but the bard was always one to suspect the worse of people. It did him well to expect the worse out of people. So, with a move to the right, he places himself closer to the door, taking a small notebook out of his left pocket, along with the tiniest paint-brush. A small button-sized jar full of ink is detached from the end, where it had previously been tied to with string, and in a second he's writing down what he hears, just in case something was said that he really needed to remember. His penmanship is flawless, and he writes awfully fast, not really listening to what they were saying, but writing it down. He could read over it later. This was not the first time the man had spied on someone...

Finally, the end of the conversation draws near, and Luka comes up in the conversation. Quickly skimming over what he's written down, he makes the mental decision to come by Luka sometime in the future and let her free. No doubt the Society would need even the help of someone as young as her, if they were hiring people as green as the group he'd met with to undergo some secret mission. One could even call them desperate, and what does one do with desperate people? Why, you take all you can when you can. There may be away to extract a bit more in the way of payment with the right wording, especially if a contract was involved. He didn't quite know how contracts worked with the Society, but he imagined they were rather professional. Then, snow. Er, rather, ice-flakes. What were those called? Avaricious hadn't been to a snowy place in many years, and so the word, "snowflake" was a rather exotic one to him, one he didn't quite recall all the time. The bard turns around, rather confused, raising an eyebrow to look back and forth across the room. First, his eyes traced to the right, then left. Nothing. With a strange fear setting in, he turns slightly, before looking to the left once more and feeling the blood in his face run cold. As he gazes upon the being before him, the spectral figure speaking, he backs away slowly until his back is to the door he was eavesdropping upon.

Then, the door opens behind him and Avaricious falls straight through, landing on the floor on his back, suddenly staring straight up at the ceiling in confusion. He just lies there at first, staring up before croaking out in a somewhat jaded tone, "help." Shaking his head, he settles his nerves quickly. He didn't want to appear insane or crazed, he needed this money. So, he pushes the thought of the specter away and speaks louder this time. "Yes! Pick me up, help me up. I... slipped, and fell."

[Mornings]

All eyes seemed to be fixed upon the puzzling spectacle that was made by the man laid-out upon his back.
Andel reached down and helped hoist the man to his feet. "Ah, well. It is strangely slick in the hall...""Oh, come now. Surely you don't mean to play-at a man as nimble as yourself, stumbled into this room by simple chance.... If you've truly no bussiness here, see your way out." "Yes... If you're quite-finished, please find your way back to the study. We're finishing up here." The atmosphere obviously wasn't a very patient one, and Koriah didn't seem to be buying the gambit even though truly half of it had been legitimate, born from the shocking sight that was before him. The thought of walking down those haunted halls again though... it was not exactly a pleasing one. A tense and agitated air filled the room as an awkward silence took hold. Captain Heidmarch began tapping her tip of her fine emerald-green heeled shoes on the ground, glaring daggers into the man, with a look of something between aggravation and infuriation for the sudden interruption. A moment passed before she spoke, "....Get..Out." Her tone was stern and impatient.

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor, The Secret of the Cipher; Magnimar - 01:16 PM, Toilday the 15th

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/1Manorscene1_zpsfe03d0a0.png


- The Ancient & The Emerald Gale -

She watched his aged deft hands work. At first, his movements were slow and peckish, as he examined the pattern and traced the sigils moments. As the minutes ticked by, the speed of his motions grew more swift and sure. He was beginning to see the pattern, always hitting the same five keystones. R...U..E..L..C.... no, U,E,L,C,R.... No. There had to be a pattern, it needed to be a word with meaning. She quietly waited, her elbows on the end of the table, chin-in-palms. He could obviously see the letters now, his hands continued to rattle off patters looking for an answer, the look on his face, evidently in quiet contemplation. Thinking... thinking, searching. The word... reward.... money... His hands moved quickly, tapping off a pattern, a word. LUCRE. *CLINK* His eyes brimmed with excitement, standing tall in silent victory. He still had it. He smacked a fist on the top of the box and its lid cracked from around it's edge, flipping open. A golden light. Large brimming arcane-glyphs of power. A dazzling show of illumination, then a voice spoke....

"&%%&... &$##@@ , $@$%^& ?"

It was the box! It was gibberish! He couldn't understand a thing. What language was this? He spoke four languages and had never even heard such a strange thing. There was a quiet pause before the box continued it's non-sense.

" @#$%#& !"

Gouts of brilliant golden light flashed and weaved. The arcane marks spun and exploded in a strange dance beginning to fill the room. Large circular shapes began to form and levitate in air randomly about the room. Golden runes surrounding their circumference slowly beginning to turn as if activating. This... was not good.

" Ohh, wow. Pretty!" The small half-elf child looked at the spinning golden seals in wonderment. He hadn't heard Luka enter the room. Did anyone notice? He couldn't even remember the door opening after the strange bard had took his leave. She was truly as silent as could be. The childlike fascination in her eyes quickly died away. The Sparkle replaced by curiosity. " Oo, Oo, What's in the box!" She lifted her self off the table, trying to look in, but the coffer stood to higher. The old man could see in the box.... it was empty.

Or so he thought. The simple empty shell of the container began to warp and twitch, as if the space inside it was being altered. A small pin-size hole formed, then violently ripped itself into existence, taking up the whole of the chest's interior. It was a pitch black hole, the seemed to drop into the chest, as if it was now connected to some other dimensional space. It was wide and deep. Filled with many strange objects he couldn't identify.... some arrows? strange jewels, an array of flasks? A Key? Really, a Key, in the locked box. That was somewhat humorous in his mind...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/ENCOUNTER_zps74de3a04.png


They waited patiently in near-silence for all of 10 minutes, when the safe cracked open and gold-light spilled forth from the arcane-device. The cranky-old-fool had done it, he's solved the cipher. Yet the thought of riches and coin was a fleeting thought at best. The strange voice and... Luka? When did she come in? The strange light whirled and danced menacingly. The strange magic-rings, solidified and burst in silent showers of light. Strange rough-furred creatures fell from the magic summoning glyphs. Their rust colored blotchy-manes were rather unkempt and wild. A foul smell filled the room, like that of wild hound covered in it's own feces. A pare of menacing yellow-darting eyes skipped about wildly in their mean dog-like heads. There was no cloths to speak of, aside from a damp torn cloth loosely wrapped around the small creature's waist. A small, pathetic rusted looking tooth-pick-of-a-dagger sat in the creatures hands.

There was three of them... They fell about the room randomly, wherever their summoning circles had dropped them. As if dazed for a half second, there was a small pause in silence.... then. "RaaahTaaah TaaaRaah!!!!", their strange squeaky little gnarly voices screeched out. Their arms flew into the air, as if they just realized they were free. They jumped about the room in a wild frenzy, ignoring the adventurers, and proceeding to throw books and papers, and quills above their heads in wild celebration. One of the foul-smelling creatures dropped in-front of Asiresh, but ignored the old man and began cackling hysterically as it proceeded to smash in a window. Another fell on the large stone desk that held a great number of tomes. It began to throw them about in a frenzy, before stopping to gaze at his reflection in the crystal ball beside him. The third landed the bench the bard had sat upon some time before. It threw a book over it's head and bayed wildly in glee. Chaos and havoc filled the room with wild screams, the strange, nasty, creatures reveled in the destruction.

Luka climbed on the table looking in the chest, before stopping and looking on in horror as the little beasts thrashed the room and its furnishings.


"Oh-my-gosh, Mom's gonna kill you guys...."


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(Initiative Order)

[1] Luka
[2] Alica
[3] (3) ???
[4] (1) ???
[5] Viridi
[6] Jeska
[7] (2) ???
[8] Asiresh
[9] Wayan


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- The Emerald Gale -

The small child snapped her broad-green-shortbow off her back, and snapped off two ridiculously accurate shots, in a jumping-spin. The movement was so blindingly swift, the crazed creature directly below her could not even react to the aggressive maneuver. The flashing-green of her two greenwood arrows blazed outward, creating visible small sonic ripples in the air following their path. The first arrow nailed the creature across the room by its own ear to the wall. It writhed in pain at the sudden shock-and-thud of it crashing into the solid wooden surface. The second arrow she snapped out as she landed whipped outward and nailed the near-by mangy beast's ear to the window-sill it was proceeding to destroy. She pointed at them with her bow.

"Stop messing up mom's stuff, or i'm gonna beat you up!"

Creature (1): [Ranged Grapple] - 28; Forced Reroll; [26] - Pass
Creature (2): [Ranged Grapple] - 34; Forced Reroll; [20] - Pass


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COMBAT GRID-----
1 SQUARE = 5 FT

[1]- Luka
[2]- Viridi
[5]- Asiresh
[6]- Jeska
[8]- Alica
[10]- Wayan

Enemies (WHITE-RED DIAMOND)
[1] ??? *Pinned
[2] ???
[3] ??? *Pinned

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/STUDYCOMBATGRID-Copy_zps0cd5453b.png


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The Gremlins possess an aura of Ill Luck. Being within 20ft of any of them will force the player to roll any d20 twice and take the worst result. When making an action/attack/etc roll twice and the worst result will be taken. If you forget, I will re-roll for you.

Gremlin's [1] and [3] are both pinned and cannot attack until they free themselves from the wall. They cannot make AoO, or move. The White circle symbolizes their [NEGATIVE-STATUS]

Some actions/attacks will gain a secret roll to determine if it becomes a 'Heroic-Action', gaining some significant bonus to the already successful action. This only applies to players. Fumbles (rolling a natural 1) will cause the action to automatically fail, and might create some silly/negative result but does not interrupt multiple attacks or the action itself. This applies to PCs and NPCs.




COMBAT BEGINS; The Round-Que is Open
As mentioned in OOC, please feel free to Que your combat actions in OOC and they will be resolved as soon as possible. This is not required, but offers players the opportunity to make their action without waiting if the decision is clear-cut


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[Desril]

Viridi
HP 12/12
AC 15

Caught off-guard by the sudden appearance of the miniature menaces, it takes Viridi a moment to rise to his feet. When he finally does though, he smirks and casually walks over toward the one that Luka didn't pin down and raises his fist, intending to smash the creature without bothering to draw his sword. As luck would have it, however, before he could bring his meaty hand down to end the thing's miserable existence, he slipped and lost his balance, smashing his hand into the table next to the creature instead.



Viridi unarmed power attack against Enemy #2 (normally it'd provoke an AoO, but it should be flat footed since it won't have acted by Viridi's turn)
(1d20+4)[15]
(1d20+4)[7] (Damn you Unluck Aura!)

Damage (1d3+6)[7]

[oyzar]

Alica became cautionous when the box started streaming light and speaking. What is this? Is the box alive? Or are there living things in the box? Better be on our guard. She was still a bit surprised at the gremlins appearing, but she quickly sprang into action. We are so clumped up. Better if I move to get some room. She rushed past Wayan and all the gremlins to reach the door before turning towards the closest gremlin. She pictured a huge bird in her mind, an eagle. The birds were so majestic, one such bird would certainly help rip these things to shreds in no time. Suddenly the bird was there. It appeared right next to one of the gremlins pinned down by Luka's arrows. With claw and beak it set to the task of tearing the small creature apart.


Move to the door, 2s of the the gremlin(3), then summon an Eagle into the square between them.
Eagle attacks gremlin(3):
Bite:
[roll0][roll1]
damage:[roll2]
Talon
[roll3][roll4]
damage:[roll5]
Talon
[roll6][roll7]
damage:[roll8]

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor, The Secret of the Cipher; Magnimar - 01:16 PM, Toilday the 15th

Encounter; Round 1

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- The Mistress -

Seeing the chaos beginning to unfold as the foul dog-like creatures manifested in the study. She quickly moved away from the dangerous things and towards the door that led back into the manor. She raised a hand, and the manifestation she had envisioned in her mind sprung to life. It was a large elegant creature, with proud wings. The eagle sprung to life directly in-front of the unfortunate beast that had been pinned to the wall by the child's arrow. It's small black-beady eyes opened wide in terror as the bird descended upon it. It began to fail-about wildly, desperate to escape or resist. The large bird seemed to twitch unnaturally as it came within striking distance, as if under some magical effect. The two creatures flailed about wildly at another, talon, claw and beak flinging around in some indistinguishable exchange until the proud eagle seemed to crash into the wall during it's attempt to bite at the beast. The gremlin kicked the feathered-menace off, It flapped about but was clearly struggling to regain its bearings.

Bite - Fumble
Talon - Fumble
Talon - [5] - Miss

STATUS;
Eagle is Dazed for 1 Round.



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- The Beasts (1) & (3) -

The creatures now realizing the imminent danger of this strange fleshy-mortals that surrounded them, began to writhe and squirm, grabbing the arrows and trying to break them. Their small arms pulled and pushed, and tugged, but neither of the things could shake itself loose. They both failed about angrily, becoming more frustrated with their bonds.

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- The Hero -

The large Numerian smugly walked over to the one creature that had not been pinned. The small furry rodent didn't look like much trouble... In fact, it looked like a pest that a good, solid-boot would fix with a quickness. He clenched his fist and raised his hand to strike, he wouldn't need a weapon for some rodent like this.

He struck down with all his might, confident his hand would crush the little rat's skull like a grape. It hit him, like a wave of nausea. His vision blurred and he could feel his body move off course, as if something redirected his arm and dulled his senses. His fist can crashing down, striking the corner of the hard cold-stone table. A small 'CR'K' could be heard on contact. A miniature, hairline-fracture shifted along the tables surface. He could feel his bones in his hand shift and flex, til something came loose. Sharp bolts of pain raced through his arm. He grasped his hand in pain, he grunted instead of crying out. The skin hung from his knuckles, small trails of blood running down his wrist.

...Now he was starting to get a little angry.


Unarmed Attack: [7] - Miss
Strength Check: Fumble

Status:
Injured Hand: You're not sure if it's broken. But the blood and pain sure are distracting. You try to close you're hand into a fist, but it's just not happening... Seeming a doctor wouldn't be a bad idea.
Penalty;
-2 To Attacks Made with Main Hand
Recovery
Heal Check; Difficulty - Easy




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- The Solemn Guardian -

The warrior women watches as the battle swings up in full. The strange noble-lass's summoning, the Numarian's haunty-misplaced-attack, and the creatures desperate attempts to free themselves. Quickly, she moved into the space which the noble girl had previously occupied, stepping off from around the massive crystal globe, drawing her sword in the process. With a vicious overhand chop she came down upon the creature, determined to put it down quickly. A strange blurring sensation ran through her. Her vision became distorted and jumbled, a wave of energy pushed past her she had crossed an invisible field. It made her skin itch and burn, and produced a pounding migraine. The blade's aim was throw off, it sharply rebounded off the stone table. The feeling passed, but she looked on at her own sword in surprise. She knew her aim had been true...

Sword/Attack [7] - Miss

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- The Beasts (2) -

The creature dipped and dodged in a panicked dance. It was surrounded by people trying to kill it, but rather then being fearful, it was angry. It saw the stupid man-creature smash it's fleshy hand to the stone, thinking him weak and distracted, it let out a gurgly-cry and jumped up making a stab at him. The dull knife whipped past the Numerian. It's arms were so short, it sruggled to land a blow, but it still cried out triumphantly as if it had won. " TAAAAHH RAAAHHH! HAHAHA! " Chuckling menacingly.

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- The Ancient -

The old man was not so quick to act this time. He had not expected all of this nonsense from a damned box. Eh. These children could use a fight anyways. He looked at his side where the stupid dog-faced mut flailed about stupidly. He'd seen better traps then this. He waddled over to the corner where the big-oaf had been, and climbed on the small table in the corner. He pushed aside the books and clutter from the surface, his old bones aching as he lifted himself up. It was obviously a scribe's work-bench, probably a chroniclers... he presumed Andel's, as he was the only chronicler he knew of in this lodge. He peaked over the slim 5ft wooden wall. Yep. This would do.

With a quick bend and twist, he strung his bow up and laid an arrow across its shelf, holding it steady with one hand. He looked on at the wild mess going on in the room. Men breaking their hands. Knights dulling swords. Wild.. bird-things writhing around. The work of armatures. He took a breath, focusing his divine energy. What a fight required... was patience. He waved a hand above his head. A small green spark of light flicking outward and dissolving upon his crown.

He drew back his bow, and waited. It was time to show the young-pups how battles were won.

Guidance Cast
Partial Cover (3/4)

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Next in Combat; Wayan


MAP UPDATE

COMBAT GRID-----
1 SQUARE = 5 FT

[1]- Luka
[2]- Viridi
[5]- Asiresh
[6]- Jeska
[8]- Alica
[8-1] Eagle
[10]- Wayan

Enemies (WHITE-RED DIAMOND)
[1] ??? *Pinned
[2] ???
[3] ??? *Pinned


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/STUDYCOMBATGRIDCOORD-Copy_zpsd2ad8f74.png

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:


All eyes seemed to be fixed upon the puzzling spectacle that was made by the man laid-out upon his back.
Andel reached down and helped hoist the man to his feet. "Ah, well. It is strangely slick in the hall...""Oh, come now. Surely you don't mean to play-at a man as nimble as yourself, stumbled into this room by simple chance.... If you've truly no bussiness here, see your way out." "Yes... If you're quite-finished, please find your way back to the study. We're finishing up here." The atmosphere obviously wasn't a very patient one, and Koriah didn't seem to be buying the gambit even though truly half of it had been legitimate, born from the shocking sight that was before him. The thought of walking down those haunted halls again though... it was not exactly a pleasing one. A tense and agitated air filled the room as an awkward silence took hold. Captain Heidmarch began tapping her tip of her fine emerald-green heeled shoes on the ground, glaring daggers into the man, with a look of something between aggravation and infuriation for the sudden interruption. A moment passed before she spoke, "....Get..Out." Her tone was stern and impatient.

As Andal reached for him, the man will feel Avaricious' skin to be so cold against his own. The chilling encounter outside had frightened the dhampir, and the half-vampire was already quite cold when not spooked. With a groan, he rises to his feet, only digging his rather sharp nails into Andel's wrist for a second or two to help him up. He always did have oddly sharp nails, and those large fangs he boasted. Avaricious had never been particularly proud of his vampiric heritage, but it was hardly a well-protected secret, what with the teeth and all. So, once he's risen, he nods once towards the man before stepping a bit away, leaning against a nearby couch and fondling something in his coat pocket. "Yes, yes, that it was. Maybe some servant spilled some water or something. Do you have servants here?" He continues to feign ignorance, even bringing a hand to his chest in mock shock, speaking again. "Nimble? Little old me? You think I'm nimble? Oh, I'm just so flattered." The man grins slightly as he does so, pretty much admitting to having been doing something at least a little bit unusual in the halls. Still, it didn't seem like he was some sinister kind of person, just a bit silly, and too fond of shadows and secrecy. In reality, the dhampir could be quite the sinister man, but it did well for him to put upon this mask of some flighty fool of a man.

He always enjoyed being underestimated, no one ever expected the man in noble's clothing to rob them senseless. As Captain Heidmarch begins to try and verbally shame him out of the room, the bard gets up and haphazardly walks to the other side of the room, even past Ms. Heidmarch, raising a finger to his lips as he does so. "You know, I didn't plan on this, but I maaaaay need a quick word with the pretty lady here. Won't take looooong." He finishes off his statement in a sing-song voice, walking forward but still keeping an eye on Heidmarch. He didn't know how much he could say to her before she got all sorts of upset about him. She seemed the impatient type. With a wiggle of his free hand's fingers, he makes his way to the chair, resting his arm on the back of it, looking over Koriah from behind. He'll speak quickly, flipping the little box out of his pocket and twirling it around in his fingers. "So, erm, yes. I've had this thing for a long while now, love." He's certainly a tad flirtatious with his words, but he doesn't feel very warm when he says them. The buttery warmth that he usually gives off when being social is lacking now that he's talking all about business. "It's an... heirloom of mine, but I've never been able to open it and see what's inside. My family always had a fondness for the mysterious."

"Think you could help me out?" He'll reach to place the cube in her hand, his sharp nails gently brushing against Koriah's as he looks over her shoulder.

[oyzar]

Wayan is slow to react to what is happening, she is not too used to combat. Once she finally figured out what is going on she sees that two of the things are trapped and turn to finish off the last one before it can cause further harm. Her shrouded arms whip out silently, clearly useful as claws in combat.


Attacking Gremlin 2
Claw
[roll0][roll1]
damage[roll2]
Claw
[roll3][roll4]
damage[roll5]


Alica is frustrated that the Eagle fails so miserably. If eagle's are that bad, maybe it is better to keep Wayan out for the time being. At least the gremlins are either trapped or unable to hurt them, yet. She sees that Viridi hurts his hand and is sad that she got no healing magic. Her magic is not going to be very effective when everyone, friend and foe are clumped up together, so she gets out her crossbow and starts loading in a bolt.


Draw and load crossbow.

[Desril]

Viridi (Raging)
HP 13/13
AC 13
Bloodrage 6/7

Letting out a bestial growl as his hand smashes into the table, Viridi snarls at the damnable beast in front of him.

Where a more skillful fighter might repress their anger, however, Viridi gives into the fury as his eyes momentarily shift, almost glowing with a brighter green and his pupils slitting vertically as his hands seem to explode, fingers replaced with great, green scaled claws as he slashes at the gremlin before him.


Claw 1 (broken hand):
Attempt 1 (1d20+5)[11]
Attempt 2 (1d20+5)[18]

Damage (1d6+6)[11]

Claw 2:
Attempt 1 (1d20+7)[8]
Attempt 2 (1d20+7)[19]

Damage (1d6+6)[9]

Oh sure, it looks dramatic and all, but he can't hit ****!

[Kai927]

Jeska
HP 12/12
AC 23

Undaunted by her previous failure to strike the beastly critter, Jeska keeps up her assault on it. Hopefully this time her blade will not fail her.

Attempt 1 [roll0]
Attempt 2 [roll1]
Possible damage [roll2]

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As he took careful aim at the creature, he second guesses himself on his arrow choice. He decides to sheath his bow and get out a handful of incendiary arrows plus a tindertwig and light the arrows on fire.

Move action-Sheath bow
Move action-Light x6 arrows on fire

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor, The Villains's Gambit; Magnimar - 01:06 PM, Toilday the 15th

There was an awkward pause before Captain Heidmarch spoke;
"...He can't be serious. Koriah chuckled, "Oh, I think he is. Let's take a short recess from our talk. We've some time to spare." Sheila threw her arms up in defeat, evidently flustered. " Uhg. Fine. Waste more of our precious time, with your new playmate." The Captain moved to the door, "Andel, with me. We've still business to see to, while these two have at their games." The chronicler followed Sheila, they both departed the room. the man closed the door with a soft 'clink'.

The theif flipped the small palm-sized box in hand a few times in hand. Not saying a word. He noticed that the small item did look... well different. Different from when he had first recovered it. Different from when he had removed it from his chest. Different from when he had placed the strange thing in her hand. She looked up at him silently, lifting the box up, and shaking it once. A soft rattle could be heard. "I won't ask where you got this. Though clearly you have no idea what you found." She shakes the item again, before examining it more closely, as if searching for something, her strangely sharp long thumb nail tracing along its edge. "You've strangely found the one box, the one item, that doesn't lie. This isn't an heirloom, it is no family trinket. The box began to change shape in her hand, becoming slightly less familiar to the box he had found. " This is a Vessel of Three Gates. There aren't many left in existence. Namely because the chest itself is created around the item by very old magics few are still able to wield. Why I know you're lying, is because this vessel was created less then a week ago, and has passed between you, myself, and 2 others that are not its creator..." She rattles the box again, as if it's a young-babe's toy. " The Vessel is sentient you see. It 'knows' things, it tracks, watches, and records what it see's for those that know how to read its strange codex." The box began to slowly change shape as she continued to trace around its crevices. " Vessels come in 'grades', the greatest being 'Eight Gates', of which i've never seen. But the magic that binds the strange-thing to existence, it is inherently complex and nigh-impossible to crack conventionally. The box itself alters itself to make it's riddle even more complex each moment it is in the hands of one not permitted by its creator. To reveal 'The Gates'... " She finished tracing the many crevices of the box, and it altered considerably. Long interweaving bands of silver built into the box became visible. "...One needs first to follow 'The Stream'. These silver lines, while, somewhat jumbled, are actually all interconnected. This is called 'The Stream'. It displays the age of the item. If too much time passes in the possession of another, the box will change, and this pattern will become less-and-less visible, until it is simply no longer possible to open the Vessel without the assistance of the creator. To reset this, one needs only trace The Stream. If the silver of it's pattern is no longer visible, it has shifted to hide itself in the cracks and crevices of its design." She flipped the box again and lifted it for him to see. Three large arcane symbols were brazenly embellished on its new surface. "These seals are The Gates... blasted-dangerous-things. You can touch one and focus, they are numbered in Thassalonian. Touch the correct gate, speak it's number in the proper language, annnnd... BAM. Get lit on fire by a flame wraith. Haha." She laughed, but she seemed serious enough. " Usually that's how things go. The Gates are often very dangerous undertakings, but just 'killing the flame wraith' isn't enough. The Gate needs only be broken once. But to actually unlock the seal requires the challenger to succeed at some nameless task. Perhaps the task was not to 'kill the wraith for example' but 'make it laugh while being doused in water'. Or something equally idiotic..." She flipped the box back over to the bard to catch. " That being said... this is as much as I can provide you. At the least, I've reset the damned thing. Keep in mind, this needs to be done once a day to prevent the item from sealing itself. Otherwise it will become more and more difficult a task to reset it. After three days in possession without being reset, the item will 'lock'. Then it will no longer be possible to open by any means... The box cannot be destroyed conventionally, nor opened by normal magical or physical applications. It is very much a work of 'art' in terms of security. If you wish to see what's in-side, I suggest you take this to The Lady of Morning... this is very much within her realm of expertise."

There was a crash, and thump. The floor slightly shook. Koriah signed; "Hm... it sounds like your friends are having a bit of fun. It's never happened to myself, but I suppose the box could have been trapped." The door opened and Sheila and Andel came back in the room. "I assume you've finished by now? " She looks at the Dhampir as he secured his item once more. " It sounds like there is a bit of a commotion in the study. If you wouldn't mind... see what that's about. That is the Society's only archive and scribe-hold for chronicles, in all of Varisia."

Performing a Reset requires an extensive amount of time based on how many days have passed since the last rest.

Day 1: 10min
Day 2: 20min
Day 3: 30min


Magnimar - 01:16 PM, Toilday the 15th

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor, The Secret of the Cipher; Magnimar - 01:16 PM, Toilday the 15th

Encounter; Round 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- The Shadow -

The shadowy Eidolon's claws slashed outward like black whips. The bleak talons snapped through the air, he creature was sure she would strike the foul thing squarely. Yet, her strikes were untrue, and seemed to veer off-course, slashing into the book case behind the rust-furred-beast. It danced-and-pranced about, pointing at the shadowy being and cackling like a little devil; "Tah-Rah-hahaha!"

Claw (1); [7] - Miss
Claw (2); [12] - Miss
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Encounter; Round 2

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Initiative Order)

[1] Luka
[2] Alica
[3] (3) ???
[4] (1) ???
[5] Viridi
[6] Jeska
[7] (2) ???
[8] Asiresh
[9] Wayan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Emerald Gale -

The child pointed at the wall across the room accusingly. " Oh, don't think I don't see you laughing there! She paused as if someone responded. Her as if in turn, she began speaking another language. The words were strange and whimsical, like a whispy-song;

"That's right I see you! Are you the one who brought these furr-balls!? If you are, you better make 'em go away! Or I'm gonna kick your butt!"
She snapped out three arrows, like they were magnetically drawn to her hand, and shot them all at once. The arrows ripped outward like screaming rockets of air. Creating a deafening sonic howl that shattered the glass window at her side. The arrows disintegrated into white-wisps of energy that created massive whirling-funnels of sub-sonic air that came crashing into the wall she aimed at. The blasts came smashing into the wall with canon-like-force. The wall was blasted apart, debris and falling bits of wooden wall-panels came ripping across the room as if someone had thrown a bandoleer of grenades. The stone foundation was visible from the creators ripped into the house, the ground noticeably quaked under-foot from the annihilating assault.

Intimidate; [21] - Success
Target Location [B-1]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Mistress -

She covered her face and ears while ducking from the mass of flying debris thrown out by the acoustic-assault. The vicious attack looked like it was aimed at absolutely nothing. What had gotten into that child she wondered. The attack was truly impressive, but what if the chest's defenses were more then just these creatures? Perhaps she had been cursed, or maddened, that was a dreadful thought....

She quickly moved, drawing her crossbow, and moving to load the weapon.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Beasts (1) & (3) -

Gremlin (1); [17] - Success
Gremlin (3); [13] - Failure


The creatures struggled about, whipping their bodies around, trying to loose the arrow that held them without removing their own ears. The sonic-blast, shatter one of the creatures, it squealed out in panic, raising its small arms while yelping out sharp panicked cries. Its hands just managed to grab the shaft of the arrow inadvertently. IT looked up confused, as it held itself up, then realized what it grasped. With a violent sharp, and all its effort, it snapped the arrow and fell to the ground. It waved its hands in the airs and cried out gleefully; 'RAH-RAH-TEEEHHHH!!!" In victory. It's brother, still pinned, began to thrash around more in frustrated anger.

Gremlin (1) Is Free

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Hero & The Solemn Guardian -

The duo had taken the creature and their assault in full now, commuted to ripping the foul-smelling thing in as many pieces as possible. The Numerian seemed to throw his battle-composure out the door with his last failed attack, letting out out a howling bestial growl and flying into a fit of rage. However, to the shock and surprise of those around him, his hands exploded into large green scaly-taloned-claws. His body seemed to become slightly larger, as if he muscles and bulk increased. He unleashed a flurry of wicked slashing blows that cleaved into the table slashing out stone and sending it flying about, completely unconcerned with the blasts of energy behind him. His attacks seemed to be hopelessly and recklessly placed, seemingly with no better intent then to cause sheer destruction.

The well disciplined knight took note of that which unfolded behind her, but did not let it distract her from her task at hand. She unleashed a fine series of controlled slashes, before coming down in a vicious overhead-backhand, a slash intended to kill the toublesome-beast in a single fell strike.... But things seemed to slow, slow... then stop.

An energy filled her body, but it was not like moments before. No, it did not make her feel ill. It filled her arms, her body with a burning light. A divine strength. A strange, short-vision raced through her mind... darkness, all about her.. but within that darkness emerged a brilliant-celestial light. It was blinding and divine, and though voiceless, it compelled her to strike, swiftly and with conviction.

In a sudden, momentary flare, her sword ignited in a brief golden blaze, then flickered out of existence as time began to slowly resume its pace. Her body moved. her sword arm continued its silent approach.... She silently screamed out with all her might, a surge of energy rushed through her and time violently resumed its pace.


The sword cut through the air with a terriblely vicious superhuman speed. Everything seemed to still itself once more. Though time had not frozen. She had cut through the table. Cut through the wall.... A golden light traced the massive damage... It raced a long the ceiling. It cleaved through the wall, and the stone work of it's foundation. It cleaved through the creature, the books, the table, and into the floor. Her sword hissed violently as the golden beam the blade had become faded, leaving it stuck into the charred floor. The table fell in on itself, the pressure that held it together released as the corpse of the creature fell to the ground with a soft 'thmp'. The dog like creature's remains laid upon the ground like sacks of meat. Bloodless and smoking, it's wounds cauterized by the blade that cut it.

The gaping hole in the wall made the hallway visible from inside the room.

Viridi; Attack (1) - Miss / Attack (2) - Miss
Jeska; Attack - Miss / Heroic Strength; Passed

Gremlin (2) - Dead


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Ancient -

The old man ducked behind his wall at the explosion as he was taking aim. He signed, well... it looked like the children didn't mind destroying the damned manor, so why should he hold back too? It was time he prioritized damage versus proportionality. He slid away his arrow and slung his bow across his back by its drawstring. Taking out a tindertwing and a handful of arrows, he began to light them from behind his wall. He stood and looked over when he was finished taking in the sight of all the destruction... it was quite a mess.

Sheathes weapon / Lights arrows

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next in Combat; Wayan



MAP UPDATE

COMBAT GRID-----
1 SQUARE = 5 FT

[1]- Luka
[2]- Viridi
[5]- Asiresh
[6]- Jeska
[8]- Alica
[8-1] Eagle
[10]- Wayan

Enemies (WHITE-RED DIAMOND)
[1] ??? *Free
[3] ??? *Pinned

Enemies; Corpse/Defeated (White Diamond)
-Location: (D-3); 2 Halves/Cauterized Wounds

BATTLE DAMAGE; Damage Caused by PC/NPCs (Red Marks)
-Location: (B-1); Blown out wall
-Location: (D-3/E-3/E-2); Destroyed Ceiling/Walls/Floor - In-Line
-Location: (A-4); Blown out window


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/STUDYCOMBATGRIDCOORD-COMBAT1_zps3cb16ebf.png

[Desril]

Viridi (Raging)
HP 13/13
AC 13
Bloodrage 5/7

Too lost in his fury to process the enormous blast of energy that the armored chick next to him just unleashed, Viridi continues relentlessly trying to rip apart the gremlins. With the one he was after gone in a flash, his attention turns to the next closest one.


Attacks rolled in the OOC. If #3 dies, he'll 5ft step over B3 and attack the last survivor. Ending rage after this turn.

[oyzar]

Wayan jumped back from the searing light that cleaved through her target. While she could handle normal light just fine, she did not want to come into contact with the energy that could tear through the furniture and walls of the building. She knew there was another gremlin behind her and the jump had convinently brought the shadowy creature without striking distance. The shadowy claws lashed again, aiming to tear apart the creature still hanging on the wall.


Free action Jump 1 ft away from the light (not really a square, just for flavor).
Full attack on gremlin #1.
Claw1
[roll0][roll1]
damage: [roll2]
Claw2
[roll3][roll4]
damage: [roll5]


The eagle finally managed to recover from tumbling into the wall. Inspired by the mighty light strike of Jeska it's eyes flashed with a heavinly light, although much less impressive than what Jeska had done. It tried once again to tear the gremlin appart, this time also moving aside slightly so Alica had a clear shot at the thing.

Alica did not waste the opportunity. She trained her crossbow on the tiny creature and fired her massive weapon. She was not very good at using it, but she knew that if she hit, it could cause massive wounds. She just hoped she hit the creature and not the courageous man standing next to it. Speaking of that man... She was impressed. He had literally grown claws like a dragon. He was so strong, able to tear their enemies with his bare hands. She wanted to feel that strength wrap around her, have her way with her... Though he could do without the claws.


Eagle:
5 foot step to D2
smite the gremlin 3
full attack gremlin 3
bite
[roll6][roll7]
damage [roll8]
talon
[roll9][roll10]
damage [roll11]
talon
[roll12][roll13]
damage [roll14]

If the gremlin is not dead Alica will shoot it
[roll15][roll16]
damage [roll17]
then use a move action to reload

[Kai927]

Jeska
HP 12/12
AC 23

"Dear gods..." she mutters, stunned by the destruction she had wrought, Jeska simple stands and stares at the tear in the wall that she was now responsible for. Fortunately, this only lasts a couple of seconds. Gripping her blade, she turns to engage the next foe...only to find her blade had become embedded into the floor. Gripping it tighter, Jeska begins to try to pull it free.

Strength Check: [roll0]
Aura rereoll: [roll1]

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

As Sheila continues to complain about his being present in the room, the bard does nothing but smile brightly, though it's an incredibly fake one, quite a bit of annoyance in his eyes. It's not like he'd take more than a minute or two to get the business he had with Koriah over with. He crosses his arms on the back of the chair, continuing to look over Koriah's shoulder as she fiddles around with the small box. There's a sudden silence as she does so, and the dhampir's brows furrow in suspicion as it begins to change shape in her hand. What was she doing to it? It didn't look like she was attempting to unlock it. As she finally opens up and reveals what she knows about the device, Avaricious will quietly listen, taking in the valuable information. When she finishes talking, there's really not much he can say in response, needing a few seconds to ponder over what he had been told. Finally, he speaks. "...Alright, hm. Let me see if I understand this. Can't be opened with force, nor with magic. Whatever's inside is probably valuable, but this isn't even close to the most powerful of the Vessels, the rarest being a Vessel of Eight Gates. I'll need to do some research on these, now that I know what they're called. I need to work with the thing for a bit each day, to prevent it from getting even more difficult to open, hm."

He frowns and shrugs, reaching to gently pull the box out of her hand and look at it once moree. "To further complicate things, there's some business with these runes that could result in some horrible thing happened to me, ugh. Whatever's in this thing better be worth the effort it's going to take to open it. Here I was thinking it'd be some weak enchantment a spell of Knock could open in a jiffy. I suppose this makes the find a little more important, but still." Avaricious seems a little bit frustrated, after all he'd gotten his hopes up for this device, and now it turned out he'd need to go to that creepy witch-woman to even discover what was inside it. Still, he did appreciate what he'd found, he was just dealing with the initial frustrations of learning he'd have to go find another expert to talk to about the magic box. "Erm. While I will admit it wasn't what I was hoping to find, Ms. Koriah, I'd still be in the dark if you hadn't helped me, so thank you for that. Your advice is always appreciated." He smiles before Sheila and Andel entered, when suddenly the sound of thumping battle could be heard. "Oh." Well, now that he knew a bit more about the device, perhaps there was more written on it in the library? Hm. Best go make sure nothing's on fire, or worse.

He nods to Sheila, winks to Koriah, and waves to Andel before pulling the Heavy Crossbow off his back and flipping it about, a clear sign of his prowess with the heavy ranged weapon. It's already loaded, for Avaricious had planned for combat just in case, as he always does. The bard calls back to the trio once more before making his way down the corridor, and into combat. "It seems that rescuing this gaggle of gaumless goons may end up customary to my position within this entourage, ahah." He might as well attempt to sound valiant while he can get away with it. So, he makes his way down the halls, rushing a bit faster then he usually did, still a bit bothered by the ghostly presence that had found him earlier. As much as he would rather evade battle completely, he'd choose it over being face to face with that creature again. When he finally reaches the small room before the study, he opens the door wide, gazes inside, and steps back. Now that the door is open, he walks in, stopping beside Alica and aiming the crossbow. With a flourish, the bard calls out a greeting to Alica he enters. "Ahah, seems to be that you may be in need of assistance." He really didn't care if Alica was listening or not, he only said it to further cement his character as being that of any average bardic hero, chivalry and all.

Double Moves to E2:

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor, The Secret of the Cipher; Magnimar - 01:16 PM, Toilday the 15th

Encounter; Round 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Shadow -

Leaping back from the annihilating-light from Jeska's strike, the shadowy Eidolon set upon the creature behind her. With lashing claws she attacked the creature. It cackled and danced about frantically, she could feel her strikes distort and erringly stray from her enemy.

Claw (1) - Miss
Claw (2) - Miss

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Encounter; Round 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Initiative Order)

[1] Luka
[2] Alica
[3] (1) ???
[4] Viridi
[5] (??????)
[6] Jeska
[7] (2) ???
[8] Asiresh
[9] (Next Round) Avaricious
[9] Wayan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Emerald Gale -

The child triumphantly called out again in her strange sing-song-tongue, speaking in words too strange and alien to comprehend;
" That's Better! Now take your stupid doggy things out of here! " She waved her bow menacingly as if to emphasize the point, pointing to the wall she had just destroyed with her short bow.
" Or else, i'm not gonna be so nice anymore! "

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Mistress -

The proud bird finally recovered from its fumbling bout with the creature. With a feathery-flap-and-caw it came down upon the pinned creature again. They met in a similar clash of fur-and-feathers yet again, talon and mangy arm waving about in an indistinguishable mess of combat, but this time, as if learning form his previous encounter. The Eagle flapped off the creature, and gave the foul thing a hard parting-shot with its large taloned feet. The creature squeaked out, from the surprise-jab, a small laceration forming on its head. However as quickly as the blow had landed, the wound had healed. Apparently it possessed some unnatural ability to recover from such wounds.

Bite - Miss
Talon (1) - Miss
Talon (2) - Hit
Damage: [1]

Not missing a beat, Alica took careful aim. Her eagle's combat had been more measured this time, and it's break from the engagement provided her the split-second she needed. She pulled her crossbow's level and loosed the bolt at the creature. It sharply cried out seeing her attack for half a second, "TAAA-" Then was silenced. The bolt struck the creature square between the eyes and pinned its dog-like face to the wall again, red blood streaming down the expensive wooden panels' surface. She coughed-and-gagged, its blood smelled foul, like rotting fish and corpses. It made her want to wretch, but she kept her focus and began reloading another bolt into her weapon.

Crossbow - Hit / Kill
Damage: 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Tragic Villain -

The cunning man entered just to see Alica's joint-assault on the creature as her bolt nailed the gnarly-thing to the while, and the smell of its repulsive blood filled his nose. It was quite unsettling. But the shot was very impressive.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


- The Beast -

The beast cried out in panicked fury seeing its two brothers ripped apart. It leaped up and attempted to slash the Lady-Knight in the back while seemingly distracted from the brilliant attack. The dull knife struck and harmlessly ding'd off her armor with a small bell like 'Tink'. It thrashed its head about infuriated with the womens' seemingly impenetrable armor.

Attack (Jeska) - Fail

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Hero -

The Numerian, too enraged for the events around him to even mentally register yet, came upon the creature behind him, leaping forward to cover the distance, and unleashing a ferocious combination of rending attacks with his claws. The flurry of blows ripped the creature apart, slashing out an eyes and face, and cutting out chunks of flesh from its small body. With a mighty two-handed slash he threw the creature to the floor where it writhed in blood and squeaked out pathetically. His massive clawed hands crashed into the window sill and ripped out the wooden frame from the wall, sending it flying out onto the balcony with the power of the blow. He roared out victoriously as the gore ran down his arms, standing over the twitching creature.

Attack (1): Hit
Damage: 7
Attack (2): Fumble
Strength/Heroic; Passed
Destruction: Destroyed window
Rage Ends

NOTE:
The creature lies prone on the ground bleeding, and writhing in agony at the verge of death.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Mystery -

After the Numerian's bloody-assault, a light began to fill the room again. It surrounded the remains of the creatures who has been slain, and the writhing body of the small creature before the bloodrager. Bathing the room in swelling beacons of wispy grey-smoke and a pale light. It coiled about the creatures and collapsed in an audible 'Puff'. the creatures were gone, and the some came to the center where the childs' arrows had pounded into the wall. It formed the silhouette of a strange old cloaked looking figure. He was only about 4' 8" tall, and had a bowed back. His face and features were shapeless smoke. He had no mouth, but strange words could be heard through the room;

" &^%$#$%^....#$%%@%^&...%#%#^.. &^$%$#"

He lifted up a clawed-smokey-hand. As if it was made of mist. His eyes were simply pale light behind a hood that hid nothing but his shapeless form. He turned his hand, and released a handful of...plants. Strange plants, black flower buds. They were full flowers without a stem, with their petals tightly rolled together to form a sharp point. They looked glass-like, and landed on the ground with a soft thud, attesting to their weight.

" @##$%&, @#$%%...@#$ %$###@.... @#, # @% #$$%## ...."

The strange misty figure whirled in a spiral and dissipated into nothingness. Leaving only the flower buds upon the floor to mark its presence. The gore, blood and stench from the creatures still filled the room. The haphazard, wonton destruction made the room look like a war-zone.... A book case teetered, and collapsed onto the floor where Alica had nailed the creature to the wall mere seconds before. The wood broke and splinted sending wood and tomes across the floor about the room.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/EncounterEnds_zps786fbbc6.png


Aftermath


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- The Solemn Guardian -

The hit had not even made her flinch, but the strange ungodly sight of the unearthly specter had shaken her. What was happening... First her divine blade cutting through the room, and now this. She pressed upon her blade, putting her entire body weight upon it. to loose the blade from the ground. It had sunk deep into the foundation, cutting past the wood and coming to a rest. pulling and pushing the blade up and down, she finally wedged the thing free. She took a quick inspection of the blade, it was undamaged...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- The Ancient -

With a quick gesture he let his magic fill his eyes, to detect the magics in the room. Though he could yet identify what exactly he was sensing, he could feel a large number of magical sources all about the study. A dazing magical aura from Luka. A strong magical sense from the black flower-buds left on the ground. An unusual aura from the chest he had unlocked, and its contents.... and one more. It was strange. He could feel it through the wall Jeska had cut through. Something in the back rooms of the study. Tucked away somewhere in the mess that no doubt filled the room now.

But his thoughts kept returning to the box.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Combat Damage; Damage Map

The Players, NPCs, Creatures, have caused significant damage to The Lodge's Chronicler's Library. The only place within the country that the Society can compile/record and create Pathfinder Chronicles. Without a functional record's room, the Lodge's mission and functions generally cannot be completed as required. Damage is listed below:

[B-1] Blown Out Wall/Only to exterior stone.
[C-1] & [C-2] Destroyed book case and books/Damaged volumes, shattered wood from Wall mounted Case
[C-4] Charred/Burnt floor & hole in floor/Large hole in floor, in addition to large cut in floor
[B-4] Blowout window & Destroyed Window pane
[C-4] [D-3] [E-3] [E-2] Massive Damage/Charred cut through room/Walls/Into hallway. Destroyed table.
[C-1] Blood
[B-4] Gore/blood




http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/STUDYFINALDESTRUCTION_zps77364d81.png

[Desril]

Viridi

Seeing no more foes to crush, Viridi slowly returns to his proper mind, slumping his shoulders in fatigue from having exerted himself so much while his draconic limbs rapidly begin to shed, the scaley forearms falling uselessly to the floor revealing his normal, meaty fists once more.

Caressing his broken hand, he scowls in irritation, muttering aloud. "I do not know what these things were. But if I ever see another one, I am going to smash it under foot. Slowly," he says, practically growling the last word.

Knowing that his hand is in quite a lot of pain, but not knowing or caring the first bit about how to properly treat the wound, the Numerian simply squeezes the broken hand with the good one to ease the tension.


Untrained Heal check [roll0]
If that fails.....Strength check to forcibly fuse the bone back together! (He's stupid enough to try it, and I think it'll be amusing enough to attempt) [roll1]

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As the room starts to settle, the old man continues to focus on the magic in the room look and waiting for something of interest. He slowly puts his bow on his back and blows out the arrows he had previously lit. He puts all effort now to focusing the magic.

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor, The Secret of the Cipher; Magnimar - 01:16 PM, Toilday the 15th

The chaos dust and gore finally began to settle in the room. Virid shed his dragonic form like a snake. Letting the dead flesh defend to the floor. Looking at his damaged hand, he gripped it tightly in his fist. With a squeeze and a twist a soft grotesque 'sck' could be heard as something felt like it fell back in place. It was painful, but he bore the sharp stabbing sensation silently.

Heal Check - Passed Hand has recovered.

The old man stood quietly upon the table still, remaining only half visible behind the wall. With a quick breath he blew out his lit arrows and put them awhile. Not bothering to unstring his bow, he slid the weapon over his back, letting the taught sinew run across his chest. He focused his arcane sight around himself. He could feel the magic energies in the room become more clear.

A strange dancing energy, of a sort he had never before seen emanated from the black flower-buds.
A powerful aura of evocation magic and transmutation intensely poured out from the magic chest.
A burning mystic aura filled his sense from Luka with a magical nature he was not familiar with.
And in the distance he could feel something buried amid the rubble of the back rooms of the study...

[Kai927]

"That...that was weird." Jeska comment, wiping her blade clean before sheathing it. Afterwords, she walks over to and crouches down to examine the black flowers, though she avoids touching them. "Does anyone know what kind of flowers these are?"

[Desril]

Viridi

Satisfied with the return of full mobility with his hand, Viridi finally turns his attention to the wall that Jeska destroyed in a flash of golden light, recalling what happened before turning to face her. Hrm, more impressive than I thought.

"I'm more interested in what you did. Never seen someone swing light out of a sword like that. How?"

[Kai927]

Jeska stands up and turns to face Viridi. That beam of light...What was that really and how had she done it? She shakes her head. "I don't know. I've never done that before," she replies. "Is growing claws normal for you, or is that another mystery?"

[Desril]

Viridi

The Numerian shrugs his shoulders, "Only when something really pisses me off. My parents said that our line had dragon blood in it. I just figured it was the result."

Not caring about the flower that the shadow creature left, or what the creature even was, he moves back to where he was sitting prior to the fight and plops back down.

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As the group around him is trying to figure out how the hell Jeska just cut through half the house, and why the the gremlins came out of that box, Asiresh continues his search for magic. He notcies the faint sense of magic from the closet and makes his way towards the door. On his way across the room he says "If theres arrows in that damned box i want to see them. Let's make sure we all get something from it as well.". With no regard as to what other people have planned for the box he goes for the closet door to find this magical aura, all while still focusing to find more.

[Desril]

Viridi

Between his irritation at the annoying creatures and the misfortune that seemed to routinely occur around them, and the pain of his hand, Viridi had competely forgotten that this all started when the strange chest was opened. Figuring that there might be something valuable in there, the bloodrager stands up from where he plopped down and moves over to examine the contents of the annoyingly difficult to open chest.

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor, The Secret of the Cipher; Magnimar - 01:16 PM, Toilday the 15th

- The Ancient -

He gingerly moved forward, stepping around the debris and destruction that had befell the room. He moved toward dipping by those who stood in his way as he traced the faint magic aura emanating from further inside the study. The old man grasped the hand to the closet door and pulled... It was stuck. He tugged, and the door cracked ajar. The magical essence could be felt in full now. He pried the door open with his feeble arms and stepped inside.

It was a vast library. A series of interconnected rooms only 5 ft wide, whose walls ere covered with endless series of books and logs. Walking further he could see the destruction in the far room wrought by the lady-knight's blade of light. Shelves were toppled over and books were thrown all about in an indecipherable jumble, yet he could see the objects magic emanating from under the rubble-and-mess.

He began sifting through the mound of volumes piled onto the floor... whatever it was laid below all of this nonsense. He threw tomes aside as he dug, finally coming upon the source of the magical aura. His eyes grew wide in surprise.



- The Hero -

The rash warrior moved over to the bow Luka stood over and looked in. He payed no mind to the fact that half-elf was almost straddling the chest and began to sift through it's contents. Meh. Some shiny looking crossbow bolts...a necklace with some strange golden beads... More shiny bolts... A strange looking arrow made of some twisted blue metal. A key? Really? A key, in the locked chest... He grunted, where was the SWORDS!? Stabby-things that made people bleed!? He ruffled around with one arm deeper in the box. Luka looked down at him "Anything neat in their? " He pulled out a handful of well-cut gems. That's a start.

But it was then that he felt something hit his hand and begin to buzz around in the box. He withdrew his arm quickly expecting another trap or smelly imp-creature. Instead a strange blue band of metal came buzzing out of the box, the size of a ring. Yet unlike a typical ring, it possessed small pixie-like wings attached to it's band. IT emitted a strange rhythmic buzzing sound. " *&^^$#$%.... @##$% ?" There was a pause and no response, so it began again, this time he could understand it though.

" Understand?.... Understand?.... I am P'yii, Teller of Truth! "



- The Ancient -

He took the three volumes from the floor, he could feel their magic radiate from their surface. He never thought he would find such things here. He tucked them away for now, it would be best to investigate the tomes when he had time and privacy.



- [Kelgorian Codex; Written entirely in Abyssal] 'The Sword of Woe: Vessel of the Godeater'

- [Kelgorian Codex; Written entirely in Abyssal] 'Our Lady of the Black Veil: Vessel of Hensa'

- [Kelgorian Codex; Written entirely in Abyssal] 'The Wrath of Stars: Vessel of the Night Heralds'

Only those of the arcane arts, fluent in the tongue of the foul creatures of the Abyss knew of Magister Arcree Kelgore, the infernal scholar. His works were said to be the complex genius of a madman. Kelgore's work often contained magics and truths too profane to be allowed to exist. Kelgore wrote a great many series of books, and each possessed terrible knowledge and might best left in darkness. The Mad Scholar refused to let mystery claim any truth and insanely devised a method to ensure all knew his works were nothing short of facts. He contained a faction of the essence of the subject discussed within the volume.

Each volume as encrypted in Abyssal, the language of choice for his works, but designed in such a way that any creature fluent in the tongue could eventually crack the cipher. It was the deeper secrets contained within however that unlocked the magics contained. A secret cipher, maddening to crack, that would spell out the True Name of the essence bound within the pages. Speaking such a name would release the energy and impart it to the speaker. It was said to be reasonably dangerous, but the tales of some of the powers that could be granted were the stuff of legend. However, powers side, the volumes were very valuable to those that knew what they were. Both in coin, and in the knowledge they contained.... secret truths of the world.

The Codex's are immediately recognizable to any faith-based caster. Good-aligned characters of a faith-based class will feel strongly compelled to destroy the tome. Destroying the tome is a good act. Unleashing the secret powers of the tome be speaking its True Name is an evil act. Reading the tome is a neutral act, however some tomes possess mind altering effects upon those who read their contents. Good aligned Paladins, clerics, and War Priests will not read the tome.

The tomes cannot be recognized without speaking Abyssal or being a faith-based caster. Persons caught reading these tomes by an individual who can recognize the work will usually be viewed as Evil.

[Desril]

Viridi

Ignoring the part of his mind that silently expressed his desire to have little Luka straddle something else entirely, Viridi focuses on the task at hand. Finding the gems he raises an appraising eyebrow and gives a noncommittal shrug to no one in particular, as if to say 'not bad'. Not as nice as I'd like, gems are as good as gold for simple pleasures

The strange ring-creature, however, elicits an entirely different response. Not wanting to deal with the chance of it flying off or using some irritating magics, as soon as it begins to 'speak' the bloodrager moves to grab it and hold it still between his fingers while glaring at the odd entity. "You are the 'Teller of Truth'? Then tell me what it is you do and why I shouldn't just smash you like we did with the last things from this chest?"

[Kai927]

Jeska watches as Viridi empties the box. She eyes the necklace and gems for a moment, but quickly focuses on the talking ring. "After everything else that has come out of the box, I am not really surprised to see a talking ring." She comments, shaking her head slightly, mostly in response to Viridi's eagerness for violence.

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

Just as the bard set himself to a knee and aimed the heavy crossbow forward, the last of the creatures utterly destroyed by Alica's well-timed shot. Still, at least he made some appearance at the battle, and could claim that he simply went looking for the restroom or some other mindless excuse and came back during the middle, instead of what actually happened. His conversation with Koriah needn't be a public matter, nor would his sighting of the strange spectral woman be a particularly pleasant thing to discuss with anyone around him. While Avaricious was quite confident of his own sanity, what other people thought of him mattered greatly to the bard. He didn't want anyone he'd be working with to think of him as some sort of raving madman! That just simply wouldn't do, he had to maintain the appearance of a perfectly respectable individual! There was no need for anyone to know about the real Avaricious, or at least the more perfidious, manipulative, shady side of him. Some would say this more duplicitous side of the dhampir was his true self, but Avaricious disagreed.

Of course, who wouldn't.

With a raise of his eyebrows, he looks upon Alica once more, gazing from her to the wall, where one of the nasty little things remains bolted fast. He stares distastefully at the gory sight, frowning intensely as blood drips down the wall. However, there was still something about it, something primal about that smell. Something wondrously attractive, sickly sweet. No, no. Avaricious closes his eyes and breathes in quietly before biting a little bit at his lip, feeling the familiar slight twinge of pain as his fangs dug into his lip. In a quick attempt to distract himself from his own thoughts, he blurts out some small bit of conversation, directed towards Alica. "Wondrous shot, I must say, but to be fair to the poor little thing..." The dhampir moves closer to the small, dead creature, wincing as he looks at the large wound. "...It looks like a poorly timed trip and a stomp could squash the life right out it." Although it filled the silence, the words weren't entirely tactful, and Avaricious knew it as soon as he finished talking. Still, he gives a warm smile towards Jessica before walking away from here, setting his crossbow down on a near table.

With a slight frown returning to his face, he looks around the room, attempting to avoid the largest splotches of blood, and evade the splintery bits of wooden plank that got destroyed during the battle. He's looking at the variety of books that got strewn all over the place. If he notices any interesting ones, or any about the history of the lodge, he'll quietly pick the tomes up and place them in his pack.

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

After looking over the books and realizing what he has just found, he mutters under his breath "What are these doing here of all places...?". He simply places them deep within the contents of his bag and makes his way out of the closet to confront the contents of the box once more. He also readies his walking stick to assist his movements trough the rubble and trash strewn about the room.

[Mornings]

[ The Tragic Villain ]

He wasn't expecting the sight of the destroyed study walking in. The sight was slightly unsettling, he stepped over the large fissure of smoking-charred wood that clove through the room and out into the hall. Whatever in the hells happened here, he wasn't sure if he should be pleased, or disappointed he missed it. At the very least he had shown face as the foul creatures were dispatched.

The thought of finding some useful information on the still-too-recent vision of the strange ghostly creature he had seen guided him. He sighed deeply. Many of the tomes and shelves were annihilated as if some explosion had ravaged the bookcases on the left-hand wall. A few planks fell to the floor and rattled loudly. Kicking through the remains of broken covers and scattered pages, he could find nothing of relevance. Just as he gave up, and moved to stop. He saw a strange page, stained with foul-smelling blood. Perhaps to anyone else, it would have appeared as some poorly drawn whispy sketch, he picked up the parchment and gave it a good look. A charcoal drawing, with poorly written elven. It looked strikingly similar to the entity he had seen, the page was from a Chronicler's Bestiary, listed as a 'Fey Creature'. It was signed by Andel, and had no further details. He folded the paper and put it in his pack. There was no tomes, or any surviving documents that looked applicable left. Some librarian's travesty, no doubt.
-------------------------------------------------------
It could only have been seconds after that the strange shadowy figure manifested in the room. The whipping bellowing clouds of dark dust dissipating the corpses of the dog-faced gremlins, speaking in its strange tongue and dropping the dark flower-buds before vanishing itself.... what a strange day this was.
--------------------------------------------------------

Heidmarch Manor, The Study; Magnimar - 01:18 PM, Toilday the 15th

The ring squealed and flailed about in the bloodrager's fist as if it was being electrocuted. The ring finally had enough, and flew into the air, lifting the heavy Numerian with it. With a violent shake, it threw him loose to fall 4 ft to the floor.

" P'yii tells many truths! P'yii is powerful! ... and.. Magic! Do not anger P'yii! "

The strange thing buzzed around overhead for a short while before returning over the box. Circling as if in thought. A moment passed before the thing began to speak again.

" ....P'yii is free'd by one here. P'yii's new master, to him P'yii lends his power and truth! The greatest warrior shall i make him! Together unstoppable P'yii shall be! "

Luka looked down on the thing as if annoyed, then began swatting at it a few times with her bow as if it was a fly swatter, or club of sorts, until she finally managed to hit it, sending the thing out of the shattered window.

" Shuddup you! "
She jumped off the desk, and put her bow on her back.
" You guys can go play with the thing, I bet he doesn't have any powers. I bet he doesn't even tell the truth! I'm getting outta here before mom comes back to kill us! "
She clapped her hands, and with a misty-flash of light and emerald smoke, she was gone. The wood hissed softly from where she had stood. A small sigil faded from the ground, the distinct signature of conjuration magic evident.

A silence settled over the room as the adventurers gathered their wits once more.


--------------------------------------------------------

You've completed your task in the Study. You've 1 more round before story advancement.

--------------------------------------------------------

[Desril]

Viridi

Landing with a heavy thud, the massive Numerian man grunts in a combination of irritation at being dropped, and impressed at the ring being capable of doing that. He watches with a smirk as Luka knocks the ring out of the window and, before she vanishes, tells her plainly to "Come find me later. I want to fight the Emerald Gale," though his idea of their fight is likely not of the sort the half-elven teen is thinking of.

Having no better idea, the bloodrager moves to the window and yells to the ring, "Come inside, Truth-Ring, and I swear I won't smash you. Do not make me go pick you up."

[Hattish Thing]

[ The Tragic Villain ]

He wasn't expecting the sight of the destroyed study walking in. The sight was slightly unsettling, he stepped over the large fissure of smoking-charred wood that clove through the room and out into the hall. Whatever in the hells happened here, he wasn't sure if he should be pleased, or disappointed he missed it. At the very least he had shown face as the foul creatures were dispatched.

The thought of finding some useful information on the still-too-recent vision of the strange ghostly creature he had seen guided him. He sighed deeply. Many of the tomes and shelves were annihilated as if some explosion had ravaged the bookcases on the left-hand wall. A few planks fell to the floor and rattled loudly. Kicking through the remains of broken covers and scattered pages, he could find nothing of relevance. Just as he gave up, and moved to stop. He saw a strange page, stained with foul-smelling blood. Perhaps to anyone else, it would have appeared as some poorly drawn whispy sketch, he picked up the parchment and gave it a good look. A charcoal drawing, with poorly written elven. It looked strikingly similar to the entity he had seen, the page was from a Chronicler's Bestiary, listed as a 'Fey Creature'. It was signed by Andel, and had no further details. He folded the paper and put it in his pack. There was no tomes, or any surviving documents that looked applicable left. Some librarian's travesty, no doubt.
-------------------------------------------------------
It could only have been seconds after that the strange shadowy figure manifested in the room. The whipping bellowing clouds of dark dust dissipating the corpses of the dog-faced gremlins, speaking in its strange tongue and dropping the dark flower-buds before vanishing itself.... what a strange day this was.
--------------------------------------------------------

Strange, and getting stranger with each moment he spend in the company of these particular individuals. As he looked over the destruction caused by the battle, he rain a finger along the wall that the bookshelves had been placed against, dragging his long and sharp fingernail forlornly across the paint as he looks over the ground and mourns over the loss of the many tomes once comfortably nestled in the comforting arms of the now obliterated oak bookshelves. With a slight hop and a curve in his movement, he steps over the crack in the floor and turns in a single incredibly dexterous move, pacing back and forth and pondering over what had occurred, going over mental notes. Anyone watching the dhampir may pick up on a slight spring in his step. A somewhat thoughtful individual would easily be able to deduce that the man had been a dancer before, possibly, or had some other elegant hobby that required smooth movement. He pauses after a third pace back and forth, placing his back against the wall and slowly sliding down to sit upon the floor, folding his legs to sit in lotus position, raising his fingers to his temple and massaging himself gently. It helped him think and gather his thoughts when something heavy weighed upon his mind.

As he closes his eyes and ponders over a few things, the sound of a few planks falling distracts him, and he opens his eyes. He looks towards the direction the offending sound came from and sighs loudly. He couldn't even find himself peace enough to think over what had happened so far in this damned house! Everything was falling apart thanks to the carelessness of his comrades. Just as his mood somewhat sours, he looks over and sees a particular page resting on the ground, with a scribbled drawing on it. It looks familiar, and catches the eye of the bard. Something about it seemed so... He couldn't quite put his finger on it. So, he stands up, doing a quick stretch before walking over and bending to pick the piece of parchment up. His white eyebrows raise slightly as he ponders over the drawing and reads it over a few times, walking over to one of the few remaining chairs and sitting down on the cushioned bit of furniture. Fey creature, fey creature. The bard racks his brains, trying to recall anything that had to do with a fey-like creature that assumed some wispy form, or perhaps some form of fey undead. (Dungeoneering Check: [roll0]) Perhaps something will come to mind.

Regardless of whether or not he recalls anything important, he'll place the paper away, folding it cleanly and putting it in the pocket of his blue and gold coat. He'd show it to Andel as soon as he came across the man again. However, his train of thought goes awry as the strange shadow-being pops in and speaks nonsense. He thinks fast however, and seeing as the creature didn't seem to be particularly threatening, he pops out a pen and begins scribbling down bits and pieces of what the thing said. Though it was all probably nonsense, it may come into being useful later. Somewhat unlikely, yes, but who knows. With this done, he sets that paper down and taps his fingers together, rising from his chair just as Luka begins swatting at the magical ring. He frowns, but doesn't bother speaking to the child. She was young, and curious, and naive. Best she was left to her have her fun swatting away at rings before she had to deal with real problems. As the key smashes through the window, the attractive dhampir stands and makes his way over to Viridi. Now would be a good time to interfere, before the giant oaf of a man became more of a problem in Avaricious' slim side than he needed be. That ring was most likely worth quite the pricey bit of coin. (Appraise Check on ring: [roll1])


Viridi

Landing with a heavy thud, the massive Numerian man grunts in a combination of irritation at being dropped, and impressed at the ring being capable of doing that. He watches with a smirk as Luka knocks the ring out of the window and, before she vanishes, tells her plainly to "Come find me later. I want to fight the Emerald Gale," though his idea of their fight is likely not of the sort the half-elven teen is thinking of.

Having no better idea, the bloodrager moves to the window and yells to the ring, "Come inside, Truth-Ring, and I swear I won't smash you. Do not make me go pick you up."

Avaricious moves closer to Viridi, putting on his best fake smile despite his dislike of the man. Though the warrior was a brutish thug of a man, and nigh intolerable to be around for more than five minutes, having a mass of flesh between him and whatever nasty things would want to harm him in the distant future would be a good thing indeed. Though Avaricious pales in size and bulk when compared to the fighter, the bard was quite confident, and showed not a bit of fear towards the fighter, knowing full well that these sort of men tended to prey on that sort of thing. Avaricious leans against the wall by the window, to the side of Viridi, subtly giving the bigger man some advice. "I saw you looking towards Lady Alica, earlier. Methinks you have a thing for her, no?" He smiles warmly, though he honestly would rather be a good deal farther away from the warrior. He smelled something terrible. "May I offer a pointer or two, my friend? You see, I'm rather good around women, you'll find, and know a few tricks when it comes to wooing said women." He begins to whisper conspiratorially, though the tone is somewhat forced. Avaricious felt like he was talking to a child.

He continues. "You're a muscley fellow, yes, and quite rugged, you've got that going for you, certainly, quite a popular look in this modern age of ours. However... Women love men with a more romantic side in them! A more artistic one, with mystery, and flair, and... I don't know, penache! So. Let me help you out a little bit, and I'll handle this annoying ring business, yes?" He steps back and speaks again to Viridi. "Now, the first thing you'd want to do was get her some flowers, and maybe wear some nice cologne, something to really reel her in, then she's as good as yours!" He wiggles his right arm, raising it up and swinging it through the air like a stage magician, before a beautiful bouquet of roses, red and lush, appear in his hand. (Prestidigitation.) He'll come a little closer and hand the roses to Viridi, before moving close to adjust whatever article of clothing is closest on the fighter. As he comes close, he'll use his powers of prestidigitation to magically clean the warrior's clothes, and cover him in the smell of some exotic cologne. When all is done, he'll step back once more and look over his work happily, before nodding towards the fighter. "You look marvelous. Now go get her, champ." He'll smile and wave off the warrior, before sliding near the window and looking outside.

Avaricious speaks to the key now, quietly, so that Viridi doesn't hear him. "I apologize for the behavior of my friend. He's not exactly the most knowledgeable of fellows. However, I recognize value when I see it, my little friend. You're quite the pretty little thing, truly fit for a king, I'm sure even the emperor of the farthest empire would be most honored to have you as his prized artifact. Perhaps, however, you could settle for me? Yes. Come here, my little ring, and tell your good friend Avaricious what you are, and how you came to be?"

[Desril]

Viridi

Frowning at Avaricious as the pale twiggy man talks to him of matters like love and wooing, Bah, slow bastard. Think I don't know all this? Flexing a little for the sake of showing off as he responds to the conman's spell and efforts to clean him up, and swatting away the flowers as he does, "This one doesn't need that sort of trick. Some of 'em are just in need of a good plowing, and she's one of them. But whatever, do what you want with the ring. I'm getting tired of waiting here, I want to know what this job is supposed to be."

Shaking his head in disappointment and irritation, he walks past Avaricious, ignorant of the true purpose of his efforts.

[Kai927]

After Viridi storms off, Jeska approaches the table and examines the necklace that was left there. "I am beginning to wonder if this rag-tag group of ours has any chance of surviving together," she comments idly as she drops the necklace into a belt pouch. "Or even how to explain away the fact we trashed Captain Sheila's home."

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

He walks up to the table where the box had been put down , and begins to search the contents of the box once more. The only thing that interests him are the gems, the key, and the blue metal arrow. He puts the arrow in one of his many quivers, the key in a belt pouch, and a handful of gems in another belt pouch. He then walks toward the window where the con-artist is trying to persuade the ring to rest on his finger and states "Look here fangs, twist your magic on this ring all you want but the ring wants the one who opened the box and that, by chance, would be me.". Asir then shifts his gaze to the ring and says once more "I'm the one who opened the box and released you, But what do you have to offer me now that you are free?"

[Hattish Thing]

Viridi

Frowning at Avaricious as the pale twiggy man talks to him of matters like love and wooing, Bah, slow bastard. Think I don't know all this? Flexing a little for the sake of showing off as he responds to the conman's spell and efforts to clean him up, and swatting away the flowers as he does, "This one doesn't need that sort of trick. Some of 'em are just in need of a good plowing, and she's one of them. But whatever, do what you want with the ring. I'm getting tired of waiting here, I want to know what this job is supposed to be."

Shaking his head in disappointment and irritation, he walks past Avaricious, ignorant of the true purpose of his efforts.

Avaricious looks over to the much larger man, internally sighing as he noticed the glazed off look in the warrior's eyes. Clearly, the brute wasn't quite understanding what he was saying, or simply didn't care one way or another. Either way, the bard finishes his conversation anyway, at least until the point where the flowers are swatted away. The dhampir backs away swiftly, raising his hands up and chuckles quietly. "Ah, I'm sure you know what's best, my bombastically bulbous companion." As Viridi walks past him, the dhampir smiles lightly, his crooked little grin just as attractive as it was somewhat disconcerting. The fangs were quite apparent when he smiled this way, which may be why the bard doesn't seem to like showing teeth when he grinned. When smiling towards others, it didn't do well to accidentally scare said individual away.

Still, the conversation had served it's purpose, and the bardic half-vampire continues his conversation with the ring happily, only to be rudely interrupted by a particularly unpleasant comment.


Asiresh

He walks up to the table where the box had been put down , and begins to search the contents of the box once more. The only thing that interests him are the gems, the key, and the blue metal arrow. He puts the arrow in one of his many quivers, the key in a belt pouch, and a handful of gems in another belt pouch. He then walks toward the window where the con-artist is trying to persuade the ring to rest on his finger and states "Look here fangs, twist your magic on this ring all you want but the ring wants the one who opened the box and that, by chance, would be me.". Asir then shifts his gaze to the ring and says once more "I'm the one who opened the box and released you, But what do you have to offer me now that you are free?"

As Avaricious gazes out the window and speaks to the ring, he's distracted by the older male speaking towards him. As his eyebrows furrow in confusion, then anger, he turns away from the window to face Asiresh, spinning quickly to look towards the warpriest. "..." There's no words, at first, but then the dhampir looks down at the floor, first expressionless, before there's a sad little smile on his face, his fangs quite visible. He speaks now, not bothering to look towards the old man as he does so. "Fangs..." With a sigh, he turns his back to Asiresh, walking around slowly from the window and moving over to the table where his crossbow rests, loaded. "I've known men like you longer than you've been alive, old man. Cruel, apathetic, and uncaring. Fangs, hah." He sits down in his chair now, by the box, and by the crossbow, calmly and collectively, though there's a certain quiver of emotion in his otherwise unemotional voice. "Do you know what it's like to be hunted for something you can't change. Something you've no control over. Do you know what it's like to be hated for being who you are?"

He scoffs quietly. "No. Of course you don't. You're just like every other human out there, hah. Ignorant of the troubles people like me have to endure. I wonder what goes on in that backwater head of yours. Because I'm not like you, clearly I'm to be feared!" He stands up somewhat violently, before quieting down once more and moving closer to Asiresh. He'll walk over until he's standing just in front of the old man and looks to him, his red eyes flashing angrily in the dim light. The dhampir grins, making it a point to show off his large and quite sharp fangs.

"Maybe you should be afraid of me, old man."

[Kai927]

"I imagine it is similar to the hatred for being on the wrong side of a winning revolution," Jeska comments, suddenly next to both Asiresh and Avaricious, ready to restrain either of them should the need arise. "Now we were called together for a reason, so can we at least try to get along? At least for the sake of the mission that Captain Sheila gave us?" She continues after a moment, not elaborating on her previous statement.

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

He hears the "scary" damphir blabbing behind him as he speaks to the ring but ignores him only long enough until he was face to face with the ugly bastard, fangs out and eyes gleaming in the light.


"Maybe you should be afraid of me, old man."

Asir just looks him the the eyes and laughs..."You know who hunts your type? People like me who get paid to. People who live for the hunt. If your name had come to me in the past i would have been pleased to skin you, and keep your fangs right here next to these" He pats his belt pouch filled with teeth from completed contracts and worthy prey. "Maybe i would have even put yours next to those of Jaroosh. But there's no point killing you now, not before our mission for the dear Captain here begins, atleast. So let us just simply move on and forget this exchange ever occured."

[Hattish Thing]

"I imagine it is similar to the hatred for being on the wrong side of a winning revolution," Jeska comments, suddenly next to both Asiresh and Avaricious, ready to restrain either of them should the need arise. "Now we were called together for a reason, so can we at least try to get along? At least for the sake of the mission that Captain Sheila gave us?" She continues after a moment, not elaborating on her previous statement.

There's a small look towards Jeska from Avaricious, his eyes quickly flashing to her. Though his crimson eyes were somewhat startling to most, some found the dark glint in his oddly colored irises attractive. In truth, his features were quite fair. Many would find him incredibly attractive if he was human. However, his nature as a dhampir, a being of wicked undeath, often turned people away. His eyes meet hers, and there's a sort of acceptance there from him. It's a very brief moment of connection there, but it's a very solid one. Internally, Avaricious collapses a little, great emotion raging and burning through him before showing in his eyes, subtle but quit evident. There's great pain in the scarlet eyes of the dhampir, and a murderous flash glazes across them, a clear window to his emotional center, his soul. It was his one weakness, his eyes. Though a great liar and a master of deception he may be, the red orbs occasionally betrayed his intentions. His body stiffens as memories of men in the night, with torches burning as hot as the hate in their souls haunt the dhampir, and rather than see Jeska there before him, he sees only the flames burning, the howls and cruel laughs of the inquisitors echoing as his life ended, everything he ever loved destroyed. Everyone he loved, taken from him by men like Asiresh. The flash of anger vanishes quickly as he regains his composure in an instant, the look of desperate, hungry, fiery emotion gone as fast as it arrived. In it's place, there's a cold and collected look. The frozen curtain has fallen, and the half-vampire turns his eyes back to the old man, the icy gaze of Avaricious Versades seeming to pierce through whatever was in front of him.


Asiresh

He hears the "scary" damphir blabbing behind him as he speaks to the ring but ignores him only long enough until he was face to face with the ugly bastard, fangs out and eyes gleaming in the light.


Asir just looks him the the eyes and laughs..."You know who hunts your type? People like me who get paid to. People who live for the hunt. If your name had come to me in the past i would have been pleased to skin you, and keep your fangs right here next to these." He pats his belt pouch filled with teeth from completed contracts and worthy prey. "Maybe i would have even put yours next to those of Jaroosh. But there's no point killing you now, not before our mission for the dear Captain here begins, atleast. So let us just simply move on and forget this exchange ever occured."

The dhampir does not flinch, even as the old man laughs, instead taking this time to assess the hunter. Strong? No, nor particularly fit. But there was some range of motion in those old bones, the dhampir could tell by the stance the hunter took. The bow the man carried betrayed his focus as well. The man was meant to fire away at enemies from a hidden place, perhaps, much in the way Avaricious fought with his crossbow. There was a holy symbol there on his palm, evident as the man pats away at his pouch of teeth. That was interesting. It was a symbol he knew well, a symbol he knew personally. Ketephys, the elven god of the hunt. His wife, dead now for so long, had been elven herself, the daughter of a great hunter of Ketephys himself. Avaricious himself never understood his father in law's fondness for hunt, and honor, and fair play, but the elder elf had always been kind to Avaricious. The bard seems to be meaning to speak, a very slight quiver in his lower lip visible momentarily. However, he decides against it, simply giving the man a look of deep disgust before moving away and around him, gripping his crossbow and pulling it off the table, holding it in one hand. With his other, he'll reach into the box, grabbing whatever's left and pocketing it before walking away. As he turns, he gazes towards Jeska once more, for a slightly longer period of time. He seems upset to have shown weakness, realizing that the brief torrent of unpleasant memories swept through him as he looked her way. The entire situation leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.

He'll head out of the room, not bothering to look back towards either Jeska or Asiresh. Avaricious waits in the hallway outside the study.

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor, The Study; Magnimar - 01:27 PM, Toilday the 15th

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/banner%20coming_zpsumeliu8e.png


There was a strange, awkward silence as the dhampir deftly looted the chest, and exited the room, firmly closing the door behind him. A minute passed, then another. Perhaps only Jeska truly knowing what had transpired.

The silence broken, but the buzzing of the creatures strange wings as it re-emerged from the blasted window. It floated around the old man inquisitively.
"Yes.. yes.. old and wise. I can see, surely you are my master! Donn'eth me, and we shall find adventure and truth.... my truth."

[The Ancient ]

The ring expanded from it's small simple size, and quickly fit itself to the hunter's left ring-finger. It's wings faded and dissapaeared. It's blue hue, quickly vanished and replaced by an ebon-black, like that of obsidian. An electrifying display ruptured forth from his hand, black bolts of energy racing up his arm. As the ring dissolved into a leaving a black charred scar around the ringed, as if the flesh had been burned. He shook violently, gritting his teeth against the tumultuous violent energies that threatened to rip his old bones apart...

Passed]- 23

The Black energy settled, and his lungs ceased their aching and throbbing. He dropped his bow to the floor, with a sharp'clack', as he lifted both hands and began to howl in pain, as memories, thoughts, knowledge, flooded into his consciousness. Finally that too, subsided.... and he could hear the great beast within his mind, and he knew who he was... what he was. He looked at both of his hands, as the black energy crackled and faded. It was cursed.


Nelrin Fel - The Soul Stealer

The terrible devil Nelrin Fel, was unknown to any, save for those with unpresidented knowledge of the ancients of Old Thassilon, and even then the name perhaps may have came up in passing. The devil, the trickster, master of lies and deceit was not so great in power, cruelty, and the terrible might as one might expect from a Devil. No, rather, Nelrin Fel, was a weak devil, but one of unpredictable cunning and ability, who possessed the unique function of harvesting souls of the mortal races for his own use. He formed parasitic pacts with those who would bare him, and accept this pact. He could grant great arcane power and knowledge, immortality, masterful skills, and forbidden secrets. But the cost of such as high, for the brand he left upon his new 'host', his new.. 'master', drained them of their very life-force if they gathered not the souls he needed to feed. Nelrin did not care who donned his ring to which he was imprisoned eternally, by his fist master. He simply sought souls to feed upon, and one worthy of exercising his power properly.

The years however had not been kind to him. His former master, had used him to capture Grun'melesh, the soul of misfortune.. A Fey god who brought balance to the forces of chance. His master had been cursed, and by capturing the god's spiritual essence and sealing him within a vessel, a long with himself, he had assured his victory... Nelrin did not even know such a wizard existed, that could un-bind them from their contract, and as such, the betrayal came as quite the shock after so many years of fruitful service.

After many.. many years, he had waited, and planned, and developed such a technique to 'protect' his interests... For never again would the mastermind be made the fool. Now he had gathered sufficient power to possess his master-in-question if such a need ever arose. He had no intention of any old wizards exploiting his fool-proof binding-ritual again. Of course, he also had no intention of releasing a fair master from his possession as well... he had learned far to clearly, that finding a suitable host was no easy task. Always... planning, and conniving. He was not an unfair master, or so he liked to believe. Was a few meager souls, for the power of greatness such a high price? He thought not....


Nelrin Fel is a Neutral Evil Devil now joined to his host. The Black band upon his hosts finger represents their union, but does not interfere with their bond. Loosing the finger, or the hand, does not terminate this union. Nelrin may choose to change any action his host takes, by asserting his will over his host. This is decided via conflicting Will Saves. The winner deciding the final action. This can be done at any time.

[Curse of Deceit]
The host is eternally cursed. They can never tell a statement which contains a simple and direct truth. (For example; I am Old/The Warrior has a Sword/I wont hurt you). The host can attempt to tell a truth via other forms of elaborate speech, however, for the purpose of the curse any form of communication, to include, written and signs, that are intelligible to themselves or others are prohibited. If the host breaks this rule, they take 1d4+1 points of non-lethal damage and are Exhausted for 1 hour. This damage and duration doubles with each offence, but the severity resets every 24 hours. This Curse carries over to questions which state a truth as well. (Example: That hurts, can you stop?). The interpretation is entirely decided by Nelrin Fel.

The Host may choose to resist the Curse up to; 3 + Wisdom Modifier (minimum 3) times a day. Taking a Will Save to resist the Curse. DC15, which increases by +2 for each additional time resisted. This DC resets every 24 hours.

[Living Being]
Nelrin Fel is a living PC, bound to his host. While his actions are often limited based on the amount of Soul Energy he has at his disposal, he is granted an Initiative Roll, and all other entitlements a PC would. Nelrin is not commanded by the host, and possesses his own interests.

[Knowledge of Host]
The host is aware of all current knowledge Nelrin possesses, to include his 'hunger' energy, and current abilities at his disposal, unless he chooses to hide them. Which then may be revealed with a successful Will Save, if the host is aware something is being withheld.

[Souls and Powers]
Nelrin Fel only has a small number of significant scores, as listed below:
Wil +8
Initiative +4
(SP) Soul Power: 1

The Black Band may only contain 4 Souls (SP). Other souls must be contained in crystalline materials, or previous gems valued at above 50gp. For every 50gp the item is worth, it may contain one additional soul.

The Host must gather a soul, by landing the finishing blow on a living, intelligent humanoid creature of a civilized race. Within 1 round of landing the killing blow, the host must chant:

" Pholor dosst athiyk Usstan zhal gotareshtsh "

An infernal prayer, which will trap the soul in the nearest available vessel for contrainment. The host must do this once every 48 hours, or sustain 1d3 Constitution Damage. Regardless of the method by which this damage is attempted to be healed, only 1 point is restored. This damage does not heal naturally, and cannot be healed by magical means more then once a day.




[Self] - Basic powers the host has access to
[1 Souls] +10 To One Skill Check
[0 Souls] Detect Magic - 3/day
[0 Souls] Detect Evil - 3/day
[0 Souls] Detect Undead - 3/day
[0 Souls] Read Magic 3/day
[0 Souls] Virtue - 3/day


Nelrin Fel - The Devil possesses a great number of powers and trickery at his disposal, some known, and others hidden. He does not always mean well for his benifactor, but rather seeks enjoyment from meddling, combat, death, and cunning. His powers are his to command at will, and without warning. The Host possesses no control of when he exercises his abilities, or upon who.
[CASTER LEVEL 10, Unless Otherwise Noted]

[0 Souls] Lay on Hands (1d6+1 Swift Heal) 3/day
[0 Souls] Bless - 3/day
[0 Souls] Disguise Self
[0 Souls] Compel Hostility - 5/day
[0 Souls] Grace - 3/day
[0 Souls] Hero's Defiance - 1/day
[0 Souls] Protection from Evil - 1/day
[0 Souls] Protection from Good - 1/day
[0 Souls] Protection from Chaos - 1/day
[0 Souls] Stunning Barrier - 1/day
[0 Souls] Lesser Restoration - 3/day
[0 Souls] Cure Moderate Wounds - 3/day
[0 Souls] Veil of Positive Energy - 3/day
[0 Souls] Shocking Grasp (CL5) - 1/day
[0 Souls] Expeditious Retreat - 3/day
[0 Souls] Windy Escape - 3/day
[0 Souls] Ironskin
[0 Souls] Life Shield (CL5) - 3/day
[0 Souls] Paladin's Sacrifice - 10/day
[0 Souls] Righteous Vigor - 3/day
[0 Souls] Weapon of Awe - 3/day
[0 Souls] Zone of Truth - 5/day
[0 Souls] Fumbletongue
[0 Souls] Grease
[0 Souls] Haze of Dreams
[0 Souls] Hideous Laughter
[0 Souls] Jitterbugs
[0 Souls] Lock Gaze
[0 Souls] Memory Lapse
[0 Souls] Negative Reaction
[0 Souls] Saving Finale
[0 Souls] See Alignment
[0 Souls] Sleep
[0 Souls] Summon Minor Monster
[0 Souls] Touch of Gracelessness




Heidmarch Manor; Magnimar - 01:38 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Tragic Villain ]

The screams and groans of the old man from the other side of the door, lasted for some time, the hurried steps and movement brought a small twinkle to his eye. Yet, the strange sound of crackling electric energy surely hinted at something far more sinister... The image of the tall Numerian man pounding his fists into the geezers face was quickly replaced with something of resembling concern. What if there was still something left in that room? He looked down to his stuffed pockets. Two finely sewn and embellished leather quivers, with two very distinct styles of regal crossbow bolts, rested comfortably at his side. They were undeniably commissioned by some wealthy-sod for his fancy weapon. He could feel the tingle of their magical properties upon his hand. Potent little things. But his eyes went wide at the sight of the double handful of Blood-Rubies he had carelessly packed into his coat. His quick and practiced eyes easily counted an excess of 2,000 gold worth of gems. His hands shook slightly, if not in excitement, in fear... for where there was treasure...there was...

" By the gods man! What happened here! " Koriah's voice interrupted his thoughts as she looked at the massive charred hall, that had been cloven through and left a view into the study. The screaming had stopped. She must had missed it. " Gather your companions, and quickly! There have been... 'developments', and little time to dawdle. Have them collect their things, you depart within the hour. Meet us in the dinning room. Big table. Can't miss it. Now go. " She turned on her heal and jogged down the hall taking an immediate left, obviously the location they would be taking as well... but something had seemed off to him... was it the haste in her step? Perhap it was the ring-and-jingle of her dual sabre's and armor. Or perhaps it was the urgency in her step...

It was beginning to darken outside. The shade of the house grew more and more ominous with each passing moment reminding him of his oh-too-recent encounter. The pitter-patter of heavy rain drops began to sound in the distance. He glanced over to the far window in his sight...

Oh yes.... a storm was coming. And a violent one at that. The thought of the rain, dirt and grim of the city streets, and the inevitable crawl through low-town was not a pleasant thought. For surely they would need information to get this damned quest fulfilled, and there was no better place to do it... It would be a long night... a very long night.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/1Stormcenterscene_zpsa210d9d0.png

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

The bard walks forward before resting his back against a wall, right by a window. He sighs deeply before slumping against it and slowly reaching into a pocket to look through what he took. As he does so, he pauses for a second, frowning and pondering over things once more. There will always be people like that, and he was supposed to work with such a horrid person? A hunter of man, a killer and a racist. Murderer of his own kind, and of those he considers abominations. And people called Avaricious a monster. It was bad enough to deal with the strange looks he occasionally got, and even worse to listen to the things people say about his kind. The bard thinks of a story he read as a child, a story about a man who killed a foul count, a vampire. He remembered how the townsfolk cheered for the hero in the book, and mounted the vampire's head on a pike. He'd lived with the knowledge that he would be hated, blindly, his entire life, by the cruel and heartless of the world. However, this wasn't the first time he'd met people like this. Nor the last, he was sure.

However, something about this particular instance was different. Maybe he was just getting more sensitive as he aged.

The dhampir frowns once more before looking into his pocket and pulling out the leather quivers, acknowledging the fine stitching and beautiful material that composed the quivers. Clearly, these were meant for some well-off man, probably some fool for his hunting expedition. Still, the quiver was much prettier than the one he wore at his belt at the moment, and as such the bard unclips his old one, placing the two other quivers at his belt. Looking around, he sees a potted plant in the windowsill, and slides the old quiver behind it. There, no one would notice it was there. Now, he looks through the bolts in the two quivers, casting Detect Magic and counting the amount of bolts within. After this is done, he'll smile happily at the rubies, another two thousand to go towards bringing his family back. After this is done, Korah bursts by him, and Avaricious pushes against the wall, sliding towards her as she passes, before speaking to her. "Idiocy, lovely Korah. Idiocy happened here." He chuckles a little, but it's more of a gingerly exhalation of air than an actual laugh. However, when she begins to act like there's something very much wrong, he nods and speaks once more. "I understand, love." He smiles lightly, but stops when he feels his lips opening a bit. After the issue in the other room, he felt self-conscious about his fangs.

Following his conversation with her, he moves to the door where his companions are gathered.

Avaricious knocks on the door before calling within, despite being outside. "Dining room, everyone. It appears we've been summoned. Grab what you can. We live within the hour."

With that said, Avy moves away to go gather this things from his wagon. He'll be at the table, equipment ready, in ten minutes.

[Desril]

Viridi

Grunting, glad to finally be getting to the reason they were all summoned here in the first place, the bloodrager heads for the dining room and plops down unceremoniously in the first available chair, the legs groaning from the sudden impact.

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

Before making his way to the dining room he makes a stop off at the lock boxes to retrieve the gear he had deposited earlier. On his way there he decides to talk with the demon that just broke through into his consciousness uninvited. He simply thinks to the demon and asks "Why...what would make you choose me? I'm simply just an old man with lots of grief and torment in this world. What do I have to offer such a devil like yourself...? No matter I take it your here to stay and if I don't comply you're going to ill me and move on to the next host. We might as well try to be somewhat civil to each other...." After he retrieves his stuff he will make his way to the dinning room and find a seat in the corner to continue his conversation with the devil.

[Kai927]

Jeska notes the odd look in that Avaricious gave her, after a moment believing that she knew, or at least had a strong idea of what it meant. She shakes her head, noting that she is going to soon be the last one to leave. She starts to move to the door when she hears someone, Avaricious she thinks, talk from the other side. Jeska picks up her pace and starts towards the dining room, making a short detour to grab her bag. As soon as she arrives she takes a seat in a chair in an empty chair, much like the others have done.

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor; Magnimar - 01:48 PM, Toilday the 15th

He moved as quickly as his old bones would allow. It was rather discourtious to be so swiftly removed without fully being told of what their mission entailed. But in his mind he knew there was reason behind this sudden shift in pace, and he had new concerns of his own...

[ The Ancient ]

He could see.. no.. sense, the spectral figure of the devil close at his side, passing through walls and substance like some vaporous imaginary figure. He we neither defined by a form, nor lacking one. Yet simply appeared within the old mans consciousness as some translucent cloaked figure, with strange-long twisted horns. Thick like that of a bull, let, bent and jutted pronging outward like that of a deer. AS strange being he was. Faceless and intangible, yet all too real. His mind, his will was bound to this strange entity now, that much was unquestionable.

The knowledge of this devil... this.. Nelrin Fel, this ancient soul-stealing creature flooded into him, memories, history, terrible deeds. Black deeds. Yet deeds not so unalike his own. The creature was incomplete, weakened, a fragment of itself, but no less of a threat. He learned of the creature's rival, Astrok'Ru, a mischievous god of misfortune. That had been the strange entity he had seen earlier, the shadowy-dust-like being. While a 'god', in his own right. Astrok'Ru possessed no great power, nor the desire for it. Ever caught in games of chance and spreading woe to those caught within his path. He and Nelrin'Fel had been trapped in that vessel, the result of a very high risk gamble the devil had taken against the cunning god, thwarted by Nelrin's former 'master', trapping them both. The Devil and the God, did not possess a 'dislike' for one another merely an eternal unending game to best the other. Their only entertainment within the vastness of eternity. While he spoke aloud, he knew he could communicate with the devil just through thought, for their bond was now sealed. He doubted he could even resist the powerful being in his current state if he chose to forcibly pervade his mind. Still his words came in reply. echoing though his mind as clearly as spoken words;

"Yes. Old, and weak, and brittle. Tormented, perhaps. But now you know, what you must know. And the foolish betrayal of my former 'master' in my games. A mistake, he will regret, of that you may be sure. For I will hunt his feeble soul through The Otherworld and deliver unto him the torment for which he is long.. long past due..... once I regain my strength. "

"....and yes. Old...but wise. Or can you not see the simplicity in your words? I need not explain to you the rules. I need not explain to you, what you must do. What you will do. Or what I will do, should you refuse me. The young... the strong foolish youth would be much quicker to turn, and seek rebellion though my sight pierces their fragile minds. " He chuckled in some strange rasping manner, like sand being sucked through a metal pipe. And no, no. I cannot let you simply wither and die while you serve me. While you bare my brand, and my charge, you will not die of your age. Though in this state, I cannot return your strength, I may lend you my powers should you maintain my favor. And perhaps... when i've reclaimed my strength, if you have served me well. I shall grant you the gift of immortality. I will remove the wear from your bones, and the pain in your back. I will make you strong once more......so hunt... hunt them all.. and hunt well. For all life, every fragment of living essence will I consume. Or I will make due feeding upon you, until I find a 'master' of worth..."

His words were strange, but he could feel his intent, and the truth of his words melt into his consciousness like some strange sickly inkor bleeding into his mind. It was a strange sensation, but his words were true. Nelrin'Fel would lie, and cheat, and steal, and kill, and do whatever he would to get what he desired. But he had some strange semblance of honor about him. A 'code' that defined his actions towards his 'master', his host. He had no reason to lie.

His old hands moved quickly as he gathered his things from the magically secured wooden container where he had stored his things with Luka not so long ago. He loaded all his possessions and looked to the window... It was not late, yet it was quickly darkening. A strange feeling, a dreadful feeling began to fill him. He moved faster now. A mist began to roll in outside, lightly shrouding the greenery. He could feel something in the air, a creeping darkness that made his skin crawl and the back of his neck itch. The Devil looked down upon him, feeling his insecurity. " What is it. What comes?" The bitter old man, grunted at the devil and waved him off with a hand. Nothing... it was nothing. He hoped. Yet as he rose, and made his way to the designated meeting place. His thoughts drifted back to a dark night... a night such as this. Not so long ago.... a night... 328 days from this day, under the skys of Ustalav, with mist, such as this.. and a terrible storm.

He pushed the door open and took a seat at the table, putting his equipment at his side, yet in his mind, he was haunted... haunted by that terrible..terrible shrill laugh... the laughter of Meliri Olomnycree.

[ The Hero, The Guardian, The Mistress, The Ancient ]
Heidmarch Manor; Magnimar - 01:51 PM, Toilday the 15th

The entered the room after quickly gathering their effects, leaving the ruined remains of the Heidmarch Study behind them without a thought, though Koriah gave them all silent, scornful gazes as they entered, yet did not speak of it. The Venture Captain paced nervously back and forth in the room looking out the windows, which covered the wall behind the head of the table. Her guests sat, but she payed them no mind. Andel sat upon one corner of the table, with a grave and solemn expression, yet said not a thing at all. The silence, then tension was palpable. Captain Sheila turned sharply after a time went by of utter silence, finally speaking in a frustrated manner. " Uhg... where is he? Where is your 'Man of Many Faces"? Uhg.... and where is Roland....He should have made it here by now..." She gave a concerned side-long glance at Koriah, but she only returned with a shrug. Things were apparently behind.

[ The Tragic Villain ]
Heidmarch Manor; The End of a Dream- 01:52 PM, Toilday the 15th

He was outside.... the mist rolled in. A strange sight for seaward breeze to carry the vapor this far. It was thickening by the second. A light breeze, faint, but noticeable in the air. It felt... charged... alive. He looked about himself while standing upon his wagon, just finishing securing his wares and re-positioning the vehicle toward the front of the manor proper to quickly be on his way once they were finished. Yet, something ominous held his attention....

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/heidmarch_zpsz7vmiy2l.png

The pleasantness of the Heidmarch courtyard was still very much intact, even with the strange weather, which had turned again, beginning to drizzle a slow, but steady downpour of rain. Thin, small drops. Some of the water struck his hands and face... he looked down upon it. It was black....

Yes, indeed! it was time to go! He jumped off his wagon and headed back inside, eager and ready to be done with this place, or at the very least be surrounded by the company of half a dozen capable warriors... something was not right in the air. As he entered the manor, he could hear the black rain pick up in intensity. He stepped into the well lit room where the others had already gathered, all eyes drawn to his entry for a brief moment, before resuming the silence. The Captain looked up as if expecting someone else, then began her pacing again, looking out the window, the strange black rain and mist beginning to make the view of the outside difficult to distinguish. Koriah, finally having enough of the silent treatment, and the Captain's pacing walked up and put a hand on her shoulder to steady her, and cease the repetitive sound of her fine boots on the floor. She looked her in the face and began to speak, first addressing Sheila. "He'll make it in time, so cease with the pacing. Your making the others nervous, or at least irritable." She turned to the now full room. Looking over each of them as if trying to measure, or take some factors into account. Were they packed? Where they armed, ready to begin? Something else? Her face did not even begin to betray her intent. She waited, looking at the door for a time, as if expecting it to open, someone to walk through any second....but it did not.

He spent the time examining the fine arrows he had taken from the old cipher box. Truly exquisite craftsmenship. As he brushed his hand over their finely tuned shafts he noticed magical engraving began to appear under his thumb, and then quickly fade. It was the mark of their maker, a Magister of Segenhall, a 'Venery E Wellthorn'. He'd never heard the name, but upon inspection, bringing the shafts to his face, he could make out the fine magical workings, patterns of micro-etched sigil work. Their magical nature becoming apparent to him. These were mighty bolts indeed.... indeed. He quietly slid them back within their lavish compact quivers, and put his hands together, a small, small grin on his face.

The Junior-Magister Wellthorne was not known by many outside of Segenhall's community, and he had only heard of him himself in passing. A young, and recent appointed graduated-Magister of the school. He created and fashioned strange new applications for age-old spells and arcane devices. The unconventional sigil-binding method he created and employed while practicing his preferred practice, crafting magical devices, created interesting and easily identified works of devastating effect. The immense intricate row upon row of sigils created a 'road map' of the items function and purpose, but was far to difficult for most to read or even notice.


x9 Wellthorne Bolt of Undead Bane
(This fine silver sheen bolt of multi-hued fletch functions as an Undead-Bane weapon, however, it will emit a strong illuminating green glow when within the presence of undead. The exact distance this effect occurs is unknown. This glow by default is only visible to the one who possesses it, however at will they can convert this light into a physical illumination which functions exactly as a Sunrod but produces green-light. This sunrod effect of visible light may be trigged once at will, without the presence of undead, once per arrow. This ammunition looses its magical properties after it has slain 1 undead target. Consuming the single use of visible-light the arrow possesses does not effect its offensive properties. Details of its function are etched into its shaft, yet are very difficult to read)

x5 Wellthorne Bolt of Kinetic-Force +1
(This bolt of fine silvery, clear glass-steel functions exactly as a +1 Bolt would. However, this bolt when fired ignores 20 points of Hardness when it is shot at an object. The force that drives it propels it through objects, to include walls, shields and armor. Attack rolls with this bolt resolve as ranged touch attacks. Attacks made with these bolts ignore total cover, and may pass through up to 1d4+1 ft of a single solid material when fired. Any object penetrated, to include the target, release a sonic burst as the bolt gains even more momentum, dealing 1d6 sonic damage within a 5 ft blast originating from the target's square. The damage increases by 1d6 for each consecutive target penetrated, but the arrow will detonate upon reaching 6d6 Sonic damage. Dealing this damage in a 20 ft burst.

Enemies struck by the bolt are immediately penetrated taking 1 point of bleed damage for 1d4 rounds or until a successful Heal Check (DC10). Subsequent enemies if in the same line of fire are struck as well, using the original attack roll. The bolt when fired unleashes a stream of silvery light. The bolt can be redirected, but cannot be stopped via conventional means. Until it has either traveled its maximum distance (1st range increment), or strikes an object with a mass of 1d4+1 ft of solid material in which the bolt will be embedded, or it will continue along its flight path. Additionally, soft materials, which do not possess adequate hardness and hit points will be penetrated as well even if they possess the thickness required to slow or stop the bolt. Each bolt contains 1 charge, which is expended upon use. If a bolt is recovered, it can be recharged by Magister Wellthorne. An uncharged bolt, is a standard +1 Bolt.

(Miss-Fire)
The massive power and force contained within these bolts is so destructive that there is the possibility of a poor shot due to a mechanical hick-up or jostle from the crossbow's rigging. This can lead to disastrous results for both the bowmen and those around him. On a miss-fire (Natural 1 on Attack Roll) while firing this bolt. The following occurs:

A massive sonic explosion is unleashed from the bowmen's weapon, which deals him 2d6+5 Sonic Damage in a 10 ft blast, knocking him prone.

Additionally, the bolt flies forward in a straight line, following a path directly in front of him.The bolt detonates upon the first target it strikes (automatically confirmed) that is in this line, or it detonates upon the reaching the first adjacent creature within it's path of travel. Upon detonation. The bolt unleashes a massive cacophonous explosion of kenetic force. A super-sonic blast of energy so powerful, it throws back everything in it's range.

(Miss-Fire Detonation)
A massive 30ft blast is unleashed from the bolt destroying it completely. All creatures within the blast are thrown back 10ft away from the source of the explosion and fall prone. All creatures take 8d6+10 Sonic Damage (Reflex Save DC20, For Half Damage) However, succeeding the save still renders the creature prone and pushes them 10ft away.



[ The Pathfinders ]
Heidmarch Manor; The End of a Dream- 01:58 PM, Toilday the 15th

The clock ticked on, the Numerian warrior grew impatient. The time of his duel was quickly approaching, it would take at least 5 minutes to make the trek back to The Triodea from here, and the massive courtyard of the House of Lords could be troublesome to cross at times, during the hours of hearings, which was indeed the case. In fact, the main-bell was mounted upon the top of The House namely for that reason, sounding when the folk and citizenry could make their address to the court, the lords, and their representatives. He stood up, red faced, at wits-end when she spoke. " I apologize..." Koriah looked to the Venture Captain, her words as much to her as to them. " We're out of time... We were expecting Sir Kaddren of Lady D'Aritel's knights to arrive. As we have been for some time... He was our means of having you gain access to the city and the resources you will require for your mission without arousing too much suspicion. Unfortunately we've lost the time. You must leave now... you're presance has been discovered it seems, and those who would hunt you have arrived in Magnimar. We've others to assist you, recently arrived as well, but we've not the time nor the means to gather them discreetly... GONG.... She paused... GONG..... A tense silence. GONG..... It was Second Bell. "We've lost too many people, our hope rides upon your shoulders. You cannot trust anyone, but trust The D'Aritel's, trust, Segenhall... Trust Arch-Magister Bel'nacht. There are far too few who can help you now, and far to many who would see you dead. I don't know what will come next... or if we will ever see each other gain. Our contacts will find you. They will use an alias... the a name of a color, and the word 'Nightingale'. Trust no others, disclose information to no others. " The Venture Captain turned on her heel, the thick eerie rain forming a thin film of greasy black froth upon the windows. A sudden roar of thunder overhead shook the house, a long and terrible tremor that made her jump, startled in surprise, a vase in the room crashed to the floor, a strange red flash illuminating the quickly darkening room.... lightning perhaps. She smiled faintly. " I apologize for the delays.... the secrecy... the waiting, but it was all for your own well being. It was, truly.... But now I fear that effort was wasted... Perhaps I had not mentioned it before, but there were there were three others... Three other groups of Pathfinders employed by myself, Varisia, this lodge. They have all been hunted down, slain, butchered, by forces cloaked in shadow and darkness. But by powers so terrible, they made the sacrifice of those brave men and women justified.... This time... contingencies are in place, but I fear we've lost the advantage of time, and worse yet. Been discovered... and now they have come, come for you all, and me. To 'cut off the head of the snake', as it were, and they would burn this city to take you." There was a tense hushed silence, she stood quietly. She glanced at Koriah, then spoke a silent word of command, a tattooed mark on her wrist silently vanishing in a small gleam of light. "It's better that she is free, you cannot protect her from what will come should we fail..."The Captain nodded in agreement, a short but resolved nod. Her expression stern. She looked about the room, a slow gaze, as if to remember the faces of those she expected to not see again. Her voice was sobering, and quiet. "Thank you.... truly. Thank you. For the sacrifices... the sacrifices I know you will soon have to make. For baring the weight of a nation upon your shoulders, for you must know. If 'they' acquire the star... Varisia will cease to exist, and the world will be put into great peril, as has once happened before..." She looked at the cursed, tormented old man. " As some of you are acutely aware..." She sat at the head of the table, pushing Andel aside, the dark foreboding light of the window at her back becoming steeped in a faint orange hazy tinge. " Natalya, my agent, or those that killed her possess a fragment of the shard. A piece of the star. Find her, or her murderer's. Find the star. Her contact which she used to infiltrate the Sczarni Gang and steal the fragment, was 'The Amazing Zograthy' .... She paused looking with all seriousness at the fickle-bard. " I'm sure a number of you are very 'familiar' with him... with all haste, make you way to Washer's Row in the Dockway... as discreetly as possible if you value your heads..."

[ The Tragic Villain ]
Hearing the name made the man flinch visibly, but aside from that small gesture he maintained his facade.

The 'Great' Zograthy, was one of the greatest pieces of low-life scum to ever have crawled out from the deprived pits of Washer's Row. He was cunning, a coward, irritible, unpredictable, and most importantly.... dangerous.

A number of... 'jobs', things he had done had ultimately been at Zograthy's bidding. Pulling strings from behind the scenes. He had met the man before, more then once.... he was all too familiar. The man was a racist piece of filth who truly deserved to dwell in the sewer-like streets of Dockway. He never missed the opportunity to remind him about the nature of his 'lesser birth', or the 'justice' delivered upon him by such men that wronged him, hunted his kind. He had never asked anything of the Dhampir directly, never even bothering to acknowledge the 'creature' that he was.

The man was a master of lie-weaving and truth-stealing. He had his hands in too many pots to count. He knew too many of the wrong-kind of people, and was heavily protected. Appearing as some fortune-teller within Washer's Row, and the rejected freak-show that it was. He plied his trade and an expert con-man, lier, murderer, and general crook. But if there was a master informant in the city, it was him, and because of his value, those who would live on the wrong side of the law held him in great esteem and provided him ample muscle to continue his sham in general security. Washer's Row was Zograthy's territory. Dangerous Territory, and he knew those streets well enough to know he should stay off of them.... people knew his face. They knew his game. He owed favors... but a few were still owned to him... This would be a dangerous game indeed. They would need to tread with the utmost discretion if they were to NOT end up in the bottom of the bay, with they necks cut and stones filling their stitched-over-stomach's. The dwellers in Dockway, especially those he knew, were particularly ruthless, and he imagined if the threat was as significant as the fine Captain expressed, people he knew... people he did not wish to meet, would be looking for them...

A long glace over his party of 'comrades' filled him with dread.... by the gods.... they were as good as dead.

Heidmarch Manor; End of a Dream - 02:05 PM, Toilday the 15th

The Venture Captain stood up at the table, then began to speak loudly and clearly. " Though you are no longer Pathfinders, you will have our support, our aid. So do whatever you must! We cannot afford to fail this time, you mus- "

[ Perception]
Viridi ----
Wayan ----
Alica ----
Asiresh [13] - Failed
Jeska [10] - Failed
Avy [23] - Passed

[ The Tragic Villain ]
She stood outside the window in the black rain, slowly abaiting. She wore a fine, noble, yet old tattered black dress. Her skin was pale as a corpse. Her face obscured by a long hood, and the obstruction the large three-section window presented while it was covered in the dripping flim of inkor. But he could see her... her the glowing sapphire light of her eyes, and her fine thin chin... her smile.

Within either hand, she held a whirling void of terrible pitch supernatural blackness. As if within those orbs, the world, all light collapsed... consumed. Engulfed. He stood from his chair in alarm, knocking over his chair as she raised her hands and with violent force through the orbs at the side of the manor. The umbral-dark of the twin-pockets of bleakness united into a single sphere of power. Then...... nothing.....

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/ACT1BESIEGED_zps5e86f42e.png

[ The Tragic Villain ]
What... what had happened.... the pain, gods the pain. He couldn't see. It was all dark. He writhed, and struggled, his arms.. his limbs. Numb. Slowly... slowly he started to remember... yes... first....

Heidmarch Manor; End of a Dream - 02:05 PM, Toilday the 15th


Reflex
Viridi ----
Wayan ----
Alica ----
Asiresh [6] - Failed
Jeska [12] - Failed
Avy [14] - Failed

Will Saves
Viridi ----
Wayan ----
Alica ----
Asiresh [24] - Passed
Jeska [11] - Failed
Avy [20] - Passed

Damage
Viridi ----
Wayan ----
Alica ----
Asiresh [2]
Jeska [3]
Avy [4]


The explosion blew out the windows, the entire side of the house. The terrible blast ripped the dinning room apart. The solid stone walls, wooden beams, the fine colored glass... they all become terrible projectiles, as he stood he caught the fragmented volley directly. It slashed he face and arms, the explosive energy lifted him off his feet and threw him back into the far wall. He remembered the terrible gory spray as Andel caught the blast directly, standing just next to the Captain. The force rent him apart. Painted him and the others with an instantaneous crimson coat.

Next... the darkness. The consuming night.... It engulfed the entire place. There was no escape. Terrible dark hands reached out and clawed at him, attempting to pull him into the dreadful void, but with a cry, and a wave of mental anguish, he fought the surge of umbral magic away, and the darkness passed... and the silence fell... the terrible silence. until the creak and groan of the burning support beams washed away the quiet. Then... Heidmarch Manor collapsed.

Heidmarch Manor; End of a Dream - 02:20 PM, Toilday the 15th

Fire.... smoke. A tragic hazy orange mist began to pour into the obliterated mansion from outside. The black rain had ceased but left it's mark evident. The mist-like-smoke smelled four... like burning flesh. Limbs... bits of flesh... feminine and masculine... were thrown about the remains of the room. Bodies, pale and seemingly lifeless laid about him. He took a series of panicked gasping breaths, finally regaining his vision. He coughed, the smoke, the fire... a terrible familiar sight that shook him. A groan finally could be heard from somewhere about him. It was difficult to see in this thickening mist.

[ The Ancient ]

He was upon his back.... He felt a terrible surge of pain. He was cut. Torn, lascerated. shards of glass were stuck in his skin. Gashes ran across his face. He coughed once, hard, breath returning to him. The terrible shock of the explosion stole his breath. The arcane-darkness washed over him and passed, there was something within that bleakness, but his fortified will fended off the wave without incident. His vision was obscured by the roiling mist that poured in. Orange-gold in color, and fowl. He'd never before seen such a thing, which was quite a feat... for he had seen a lot. He pushed a large piece of wood off of himself. trying to gauge his surroundings. Thankfully, his possessions lay next to him. The manor was destroyed, the terrible sight before him was tragic and unsettling. The body of the large Numerian, which he did so dislike lay next to him. His flesh pale, his body torn and thrashed. His open, glazed-over eyes looking into the emptiness of the ceiling, his chest still moving, but began to slow.. and slow. Then stop. He could make out the form of Alica some 10ft away as well, with the same empty expression and pale skin, yet she continued to breath, though it appeared as if he consciousness was somewhere else... far away.

[ The Lost ]
Devoured By The Swirling Night; Plane of Condemnation (I) - 02:20 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Solemn Guardian ]
WILL SAVE [11] - Failed

She fell into the void...
The dark hands grasped her, and ripped her free from the world, tumbling through the darkness and the stars. The vast bleakness of the heavens above circled all about her, spiraling outward, out of control. She saw familiar faces, falling through the stars with her... The Numerian. The dark claws reached out from the bleakness and slashed him to pieces, his blue essence scattered into infinity, unleashing a terrible clap of force, and fragments of light which the hands fought and grasped at, closing them within clenched fists, as if mouths existed within their palms. The women, the summoner, could be seen falling through the darkness as well... through the well of darkness.

She looked out, the light from the man had all but faded... then the long, infinitely long clawed hands came for her. The came upon her and slashed her and rained down blows that shredded through her mind and spirit, ripping away pieces of her self. Each strike through her body, released a flash of light and flecks of brilliant blue fragments of light.

The terrible void of darkness has trapped Jeska's spirit, leaving her body undefended and standing upon death's door. While ensared within this pocket micro-verse, Jeska must resist, and fight to return to her body.

Jeska must make a Will Save each round. Upon a Successful Save, she is released from the previous Plane level she had descended. Succeeding while within the first plane will return her to her body. Failing a number of Will Saves, equal to the level of the plane will cause her to continue falling into the next level. ( i.e; Plane 1 = 1 Fail to transition/Plane 2 =2 2 Fails to transition)

The further down Jeska descends the more difficult it becomes to return to the previous plane. Each round she remains within The Eternal Night she will suffer either Wisdom or Constitution Damage, which will be randomly determined. If either of these scores reaches 0, Jeska will be unable to return to her body, and will die. The status damage can be healed by normal means once she returns to her body.

Condemnation Damage - Constitution Damage: 1 Point



~ Visibility Reduced to 10 ft
~ All squares within the mannor are difficult terrain and require 10ft to pass through.

[Mornings]

The End of a Dream; Dawn of Night - Toilday the 15th

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/town_zpsh9gcnhut.jpg

Long had it been since her return. Her return to the seaward breeze. Her return to the bustling marble streets. Her return, home... The challenges, the education and courses provided by Segenhall had whisked her away to far off lands and all across the Inner Sea. She could hardly recognize herself at all, no longer the girl, the child, the impetuous daughter that had left here. The years had been long, perhaps too long, and it was now as some incarnation of herself that she returned. The metamorphosis of her arcane studies had been complete. She now returned as this women she had become. As Magister Kestal'rah. Junior-Magister of Segenhall. With her arcane studies complete and all titles, privileges, and rights afforded to her, and new status, she found her home a much different place. She was treated differently, held in a respectful regard when addressed. She was someone now, and the tall quiet man next to her, her guard and escort re-enforced this strange new reality.

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[ Daughter of Evenings ]
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Eris had grown, lived, and stood between two worlds, separated from the civilized world which surrounded her by her demonic heritage. Yet, she had overcome, and triumphed over many adversities she had come to face. Still, within her mind, she still stood somewhere under a darkening sky of uncertainty. Many questions of her own personal identity left unanswered and the persecution of old stigmas always hot upon her heels. She stood upon the precipice of a night that would never end, shrouding her past and denying her future, yet upon the edge of a glorious new day. A day she would seize and whose illumination would finally bring light to her past and a brilliant future she would forge for herself. With her own hands and wit. By all her cunning and knowledge. She would see that day, and end this ceaseless gloom that impeded her life, this eternal evening.

Magnimar - Dockway; The Captain's club - 07:20 AM, Toilday the 15th

Sinofel stepped off the ship and directly in from of the Magister, cutting off Eris's path. Though his eye's were closed, he rotated his head about, as if surveying the area defensively. The tall lean man was always quite alert and she had learned to trust his judgement. the 6'4'' tall man towered over the Magister, yet he was not exceptionally strong bodied, and his timid nature often offset his stature. He did not often open his eyes, which she had seen only once. Stark silver, much like his long hair. His lineage was as mysterious as his nature and origins. He did not speak at length, and she had the growing suspicion that he was not a human at all, but a wind elemental holding a human guise. His unearthly abilities and grace had saved her more then once during their time together. He wore large richly emboldened embroidered fine cuts of silky cotton cloths over his adamant chain armor, and carried with him little else, save for his massive bastard sword and a small number of possessions on his belt. She was certain the weapon was some long forgotten relic, for its blade was forged of some strange crystalline sky-metal alloy and appeared to change in color and hue when the master duelist wielded the weapon. While he was a quiet, odd fellow, she trusted him, and the deft hand with which he fenced with the large, broad blade. He could strike with the weapon with the same staggering agility as a swashbuckling duelist, and still manage to protect her, using the flat of the weapon as a shield for his master. With a minor thought she reflected upon those encounters in the past... Indeed, she had never been struck while the man had been at her side.


Sinofel Tespin Pike
Male TN Class: ???? Deity: ????, Level 8, Init 7, HP 74/74, DR DR1/-, Speed 40
AC 26, Touch 17, Flat-footed 19, CMD 23, Fort 6, Ref 11, Will , CMB +13/+8,
Melee +20/+15
Calamity Edge (Bastard Sword+5) +7 (1d10+14, 17-20/x2)
Adamantine Chain Shirt +3 (+7 Armor, +2 Shield, +5 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 20, Con 19, Int 15, Wis 7, Cha 16
Condition None

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Sinofel%20Tespin%20Pike%20-%20Copy_zpsy01uhpnu.jpg


...and now they had returned to Magnimar together, after running what could have only been called a 'fool's' Errand' for The Lady of Mornings. they had traveled quite far only to retrieve a small silver pocket watch from the runins of some ruined ship far out from the coast. They found no bodies, no signs of damage, nothing to hint at what had sunk the vessel, which simply appeared to have sunk on its on accord, still a fine ship. This strange timepiece, which was engraved with painfully detailed markings, which changed as time passed, yet the piece itself did not open, thus she had never seen the watch's face though they were in transit with the object for six days now. All of these detail were eerily accurate from the song they were given which outlined their task. the Bessel itself, which they had used to find the phantom wreck was owned by a friend the Magister had made some time ago before Segenhall had called her away from the city. Captain Kantiki owned this ship. A name that struck fear in both the lawful and criminal citizenry that sailed the Inner Sea or were natives of The City of Monuments.

Captain Leruu 'Whitelips' Kantiki

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Leruu%20whitelips%20Kantiki_zpsundpncsq.png

Captain Leruu Kantiki was a name well known in Magnimar, and even better known in her home district in Dockway. The ship carried her flag brazenly. They met no resistance or challenge, or even a tax or fee for anchoring the large ship in port. Captain Kantiki was a Corsair, a fierce but fair pirate who promoted trade and order in the once orderless district. Even the Civil War within the city had not shaken her iron-grip and dominating influence within the area, and thus trade continued to flourish. Free trade, untaxed by the Lords of the city but run under the Captain's watchful eye. In Dockway she was 'The Lord', 'The Court', and the final say in any civil dispute between the traders and merchantmen. A very good friend to have, one she made by chance working an odd job for The Lady. The 'chance' encounter had led to their relationship, and now she had developed a measure of influence within Dockway, and wasn't afraid to ask a favor when she needed it.

Sinofel walked upon the dockway seemingly satisfied that there was no evident danger. The crewmen gave the Magister a pat on the back as she un-boarded the vessel. The crew of 'The White Lie' were a lively bunch. Rowdy a raucous as any seamen, but after spending a week with the boisterous men she found she enjoyed their company, and they were a good and capable lot of men, well traveled and hardy from their experience at sea. The walked down the dock, the Captain's Dock, a few shouts and cheers ushered out from the crowded bustling portway. Leruu's men. The pair walked on for awhile, finally coming to 'The Captain's Club', perhaps the highest-class tavern in Dockway. The both entered the exquisitely decorated establishment, the wide-open first floor was packed with sailors and patrons at tables caught in drink and chatter, the Captain was already waiting near the entrance. She smiled towards them, her pale face only made more pale by the make-up she favored. " Ah, I'd heard you'd finally returned. I'd started to question whether you'd charmed my crew and stolen my ship" She jeered playfully. " Well, welcome back. I imagine the job was a waste of time?" Sinofel tossed her the watch from a belt pouch. The thing didn't appear to be exactly valuable... or delicate. She flipped it over once or twice in hand, then tossed it back to the man. " Figures. The Lady would send you off for some such device. I cannot distinguish if it's extraordinarily valuable, or a piece of trash. However..." She paused, a cunning smirk painted on her face. "My men told me of the vessel you managed to rummage through. An undamaged, sunken ship? A War-Galleon with no hold, outfitted with no guns, under the sea. I intend to salvage it." She pat the Magister on the back seemingly satisfied. She had returned with nothing, and gave her nothing for the favor, but the information she returned with appeared to be more then enough in terms of compensation. " You always do turn up such odd things, let me know if you require my assistance again, love." She turned away but still looked over her shoulder as she spoke " I won't delay you any further Magister. It was a pleasure." Sinofel looked to Eris with a somewhat confused look on his face, he paused as if he searched for the right words. His voice was low and timid, just barely audible over the pleasant music and chatter. "...Raise a ship, Ma'am?". The Magister smiled. If there was anyone in Dockway with the resources to revive a sunken warship that lay awaiting off a 4 day sail from the coast, it was that women. They left the tavern and stepped into the Bazaar of Sails, looking to acquire a carriage ride up to The Alabaster District. There was a women who wanted a watch...
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The months had been long, longer still the nights upon the stone floors. She had fought with all her might and vigor in Serpent's Run timing her arrival perfectly with The Steel Summit, knowing full well many would be attending the matches within the Colosseum scouting for talent and those they could use when then tournament began. She had no intention of being stuck within The Dawn Crucible, only to be knocked out, or worse, killed during the brutal games to win a spot. Far from home, in the land she had only heard of, fighting within the massive arena of marble and stone. Her blade sung out in refusal of the fate that her blood had provided. She killed and bled before five thousand calculating souls, judging and being judged by her sword arm. Offers came, often and readily. She denied them all. The other fighters on the run, envious and bitter of her refusal to take a patron shunned her. The Run was not enough, she needed to find a name, a patron worth her efforts... and so she wandered. Sleeping where sleep would find her, fighting where there was sport to be had. Upon the streets, the back allies of Washer's Row with cruel-faced men with blood-stained gold, and the private matches beneath the old taverns in Dockway. She grew and began to understand the city, understand all the things the books left out. The hardships ironed her skills and her body. She began to make a name for herself, the swordsmanship she had been taught became her life, her profession. The rage and grief that had brought her to this place to prove herself still carried her onward. Until The Summit was only a month away. She began to despair that she had still yet to find a patron for the contest. With so little time left, hope was quickly beginning to fade, until a women approached her. She could hardly believe it, The Knight of Luminescence, Lady D'Aritel had come herself to sponsor the young women. Readily, gladly, she accepted, and thus taken under the care of the most powerful family within the Inner Sea.
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[ The Wayward Sword ]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

She had been cleaned, clothed, housed and fed under the care of the D'Aritel name. Given status and position within the City Guard, Lieutenant Vorns directly served Lady D'Aritel. She primarily escorted The Steel Princess on her duties, and her job within the city as a guardian and protector of the people was as a House Warden. A guard assigned within The House of Lords during hours of court, which is where Lady D'Aritel mostly found herself at work. She was in command of four other men, guardsmen appointed under her as Wards of The House of Lords as well. They were a young but dependable bunch of young men and women;

Ward Lissa Edell
Ward P'trell Wellford
Ward Melkip Asland
Ward Kreplin Ausford

It was the first time she had been responsible for others lives and duties, the position took some adjustment. Yet it also provided her great opportunities to continue to train for The Summit which was now only days away, with The Dawn Crucible beginning tomorrow. So much had changed within four weeks. Her mind still struggled to recognize herself each morning when she rose from her rest. She possessed her own property within The Alabaster District by the grace of the D'Aritel's. She was someone now, her name, her claim had been made. The Pathfinder Society seemed so small and insignificant now.

She armed herself and prepared for duty. As a Ward of The House, she had late mornings and long nights, being that The Court did not even open to the public til second bell. Still, she was to meet Lady D'Aritel in Starsilver Plaza before duty as-per-the-norm. Along with her other guardsmen. She expected another slow day....

Chaos in the The Plaza; Magnimar - 12:25 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ Daughter of Evenings ]

She had not expected The Lady's song to issue such a panic. The screams, the chaos. Men trampled over one another in their attempt to flee The Plaza. Sinofel shoved men aside, and issued forth a few short smacks and pokes with his sheathed sword, keeping the panicked crowd from getting to close to his master. He looked behind himself, and gestured towards The Triodea. Using his sheathed weapon he 'cut' a path for the pair through the mob.

They finally reached the steps of the theatre, looking out upon the frenzied mass, and Lady Alice's declaration, a long with the work of the guards that seemed zoned within the center of the mass of citizens. The moved up the stairs and opened the large marble doors, stepping within the darkness.

It took some time for her eyes to adjust. The theatre was almost perfectly dark, save for a single overhanging crystal suspended from the ceiling which cast a dim purple light that seemed to distort her sight. Things seemed blurred, as if a 'double-vision' was impaired upon her sight. It made it difficult to distinguish what was what in this place. She found the interior of the theatre, even its arrangement different with each visit. After a moment, she pin-pointed The Lady. She sat some 20 ft in the air, on her large cushioned chair at a 45 degree angel, accompanied by a floating table. She held a fine porcelain cup and dish in either hand, drinking, what she could only assume was tea. Around herself a strange, un-worldly Ballad of figures danced in union. With her vision as impaired as it was, she could not tell how many of them pranced through the air in an unerring union. They floated about like ghosts, cloaked in black draping cloaks and veils that masked their features, yet they each had long silver hair. Much like The Lady's... and Sinofel's. That thought had never crossed her mind.

She took a sip from her cup. The dizzying ballad of shadowy dancers continued, circling about her. Under the strange illusionary effect, it should have appeared as a living doll or a child's carousel. She smiled. "My, oh my. My goodness. Hail. You've returned! Thusly must I assume you've found 'the ship that lay perfectly drowned' " Sinofel nodded meekly, obviously infatuated with the lady and responding in turn unthinkingly. She threw the cup and dish to either side of her, the objects vanishing as if they fell through an invisible void, clapped her hands excitedly. "Yes, yes. Hurray. The time-piece, if you would?" Sinofel tossed her the silver watch, which only traveled five feet before stopping, suspended in the air, and floating to The Lady, before dropping within her soft palm. She looked over the device incredulously as if examining for something particular. She touched the device once or twice, then hit the button at the top, popping open the watch. A sonic burst, carrying with it the sound of a terrible wailing exploded through the theater, shattering the dishes on her table, and throwing Eris and Sinofel to the ground. She quickly closed the watch. "Ah, yes. That's the one!" She lifted up her arms and did a short jolly jig, before proceeding to throw the watch over her shoulder casting it off like a piece of trash. While it traveled through the dark, it seemed to vanish as well, and no sound of it landing upon the theatre floor was heard. Another object mysteriously removed. She smiled clapping her hands together. " Well done. Well done. You've done it again! Even mother would be proud, and that wolf would sing!" The pair rose from the floor, Sinofel looked to Eris for some sort of translation... clarification? She just shrugged in response. The Sword-master did not take The Lady's words lightly, for all she seemed to voice was true, and not understanding her messages was something he quickly found to be a thing he feared above all else. Eris too did not like finding uncertainty while dealing with the women, she had found that The Lady of Morning was actually incredibly lethargic and did very little or spoke without a purpose. Thus she could not simply waive her words away as a simple, if somewhat ambiguous, 'congratulations'. Sinofel spoke softly, briefly. The complete opposite of The Lady, yet that seemed to add weight to his words, a certain value that was evident when she listened to his words, which is why the Magister also made it a point to bring the man with her whenever she visited. "...necessary?" The Lady tilted her head to the side, her silver hair running to one side. "The chaos you mean?" He nodded. She laughed at the question. "Oh, you silly. Oh, you goose. Oh, you fool. I've no control how the people will act. I merely sing as I sing, and I gave them nothing less then what they asked, did I not? Or did I? " She paused. "Well, in any case. On to other matters. Compensation. You've completed my task, but gold is so boring.... what is one to do." She put her thin chin in her palm and leaned to one side, tilting her large chair over to the right, still strangely suspended in the air. "Ah, perhaps a trade. Something worth your time of course. Something for something, and even better, I shall lend you my aid. " She gestured playfully with her hand as if it was some monstrous claw. "Compensation would mean nothing if you'd be rent of your limbs and left as fodder now, wouldn't it? And even more vexing if mother took you home. Unacceptable." At this point, she appeared to just be talking to herself. Sinofel looked to Eris again, another shrug. He cleared his thought. "...okay" His words seemed to disrupt her personal monologue, because she was still talking when the Sword-master interrupted her. "..Yes, yes. I Know. It would be shameful. No, of course not. Ha, yes, I'd enjoy the look on her face........ GREAT! that's wonderful. I'm glad you agree to my terms of payment. Perfectly fair. Yes, fair." She beamed at the pair, smiling, seeming very satisfied. "...but now, what would be worth that...equal value.. equal value... Yes. Fair.... No, not that. Maybe.... Oh! That is a great idea, but it's pretty..." She sighed, her shoulder's visibly slumping. "very well, very well... Yes..fair. " She lifted up a hand and slid off one of her many, many fine silver gleaming bands. She lifted it up to the light, looking at it once last time before tossing it over to the pair. Sinofel attempted to catch it, but the double image of the object fooled him, grasping the illusion and having the band bounce off his arm and into Eris. The Magister quickly recovered the item. Knowledge of the object flooded into her mind like a wave of energy and weight filling her. It did not come from the item, but simply washed within her consciousness as if she always knew the object.

The band of woven adamant is enchanted with a unique ability which triggers when arcane magic is released from the user, but creates a pool of negative karma with each use.

When casting a spell, the wielder may, as a Swift Action make a Will Save against her own spells save DC. On a successful save, the band activates. On a failure, one charge is used.

Desperate Recall - (Success)
The mage unleashes her spell as normal, but with an amazing force of will weaves the arcane energy back into her body. Casting the spell and immediately reclaiming the energy. Spells that are successfully 'recalled' do not consume their Spell Slot, or Use and are cast for free.

Cursed Karma - (Success)
On a successful recall. One ally within 60ft is cursed. (Player's Choice), they may select any ally but may not select themselves. The cursed ally gains 1 point of Curse Karma. Each time a spell is successfully recalled, 1 Point must be given to an ally within 60ft.

The character's luck is consumed temporarily in order for the mage to recall her spells. While in possession of Cursed Karma, the player/character must re-roll their next roll, on ANY roll they make and take the worst result. Each time this is done, 1 point of Cursed Karma is removed. Points do not expire over time, and will effect the next roll taken regardless of the time between rolls.

The band itself is only able to protect it's master from the Cursed Karma it creates for so long. After the band has produced 5 Points of Cursed Karma, it's master takes 1 Point of Cursed Karma. The contamination to the bracelet is lost with this release of Karma, and the current amount of points the band can produce safely is reset. This value does not reset over time.

Cursed Karma Taint 0/5
Charges (Consumed on Failure) Equal to 3+Int or Wis (Minimum 3)



Chaos in the The Plaza; Magnimar - 12:30 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Wayward Sword ]

It was maddness. She did not expect The Lady of Morning held such influence to throw an entire mob into a panicked frenzy with one apocalyptic song. She had never seen her perform before, but this surely painted the women in a new light. Lady Alice barked out commands, and as more guards, and her own House Wards reported in, the chaos was contained and routed.

Men, women, children lay broken and trampled a long with many merchants wares and stalls. A number of people had died amid the commotion. They directed people around the center of The Plaza now, policing the scene and providing aid to the wounded as the clerics made their way from body to body inspecting to see who was still living. It was horrible... all this over some song. The Lady should be held responsible for this, for truly this needless destruction was a crime. Yet she knew she could not be charged with anything. She did not move to incite the riot, the panic that ensued was born of the citizens zealous belief in her words. There was little that could be done about that.

Other guardsmen began populating The Plaza giving her sharp salutes as they made their way by. Lady D'Aritel signaled to the House Wards to fall in step with her as she made her way to The House of Lords now that the situation had been contained. They did have a job to do after all, and she knew Lady D'Aritel had much paperwork and documents waiting for her before the court could even open, not to mention all of the paperwork to be filed over damages over this incident and the claims of property loss that would probably be flooding in this very evening. It would be a very.. very long night, made all the longer because of The Lady of Morning. She clenched her jaw in controlled, but understandable frustration. The lives and property damaged over a single song and five minutes was remarkable, surely this could not be allowed to continue or repeat. She was certain there would be a hearing over the matter, some new rule enforced to keep The Lady in check. They circled around the large building, It was still early, they could no open the main doors just yet, which faced The Plaza. The walked within the wonderful marble pathways lined with trees and brightly colored flowery plants, a massive 150 ft pool with a fountain in the center was the center-piece of The Courtyard of Sovereigns. This side of the building was separated from the rest of the court building. The House of Sovereigns...

She looked up at the wonderful marble dome of the building's crown. A servicemen skillfully wove through the marble pillars that held the dome, and the massive bronze bell. He secured a piton and rope in place as he worked performing his regular service on the bell. His cloths were dusty and dirtied like a chimney-sweep, yet he wore thick brown garbs, a service-vest and a rather fashionable hat, which was very obviously the most expensive thing he wore. He waved below. She returned with a short gesture, not trying to appear unprofessional while in formation with the other Wards and Lady Alice at the head. His name was Markus, that was about all she knew of the machinist, that and he held favor with the D'Aritel's, for reasons unknown. However, he was not an uncommon sight at The House of Lords.

They made their way to the large foray and the massive steel doors of The House of Sovereigns. Lady Alice removed a key from her belt and unlocked the doors. Two guards off-set themselves to the sides watching the rear as they opened the doors. After the others entered, both entered swiftly behind then re secured the doors.

She and the House Wards began their duties immediately without thought. It had become a regimen that was very familiar it no longer required thought. They moved through the lushly carpeted burgundy halls setting the lights and casting a sobering illumination through the building. Fine ornamentation, statues of various judges and figures of merit populated the halls. She finally made her way to the filing office where, as expected, she found Lady Alice at a dark hazel-wood desk filled with stacks and stacks of papers. She hung her arms on the back of her chair, small-framed circular glasses upon her face and quill in hand. She looked so refined, educated, she stood in the door unable to help but stare until Lady D'Aritel's quill stopped moving, she looked up to the door. Startled back in place, she gave her reporting statement and notified her their duties had been completed. She nodded, "Very good. Relieve your men. You're dismissed, report back for duty prior to second bell." She nodded and closed the door as she left. The House Wards usually did not leave the building after their initial duties, otherwise they would need to re secure the building again, and their was not much that could be done within the time it would take to leave and return. And so, they usually found themselves in their off time relaxing in The Hall of Commons. A lavish room where Lords and representatives of the court usually frequented and created many of their policies to be presented to The House.

The Triodea; Magnimar - 1:10 PM, Toilday the 15th

Sinofel sat upon one of the theatre chairs waiting for The Lady to finish her monologue with... herself. He looked to his master who laid out across an aisle of seats, she played with the neat band... so many ideas. Sure it was a week, but for something like this? Why not. Completely worth the effort. All the fun things she could do with this... she smiled as she spun the brace on her wrist. A thought came to her mind, looking at the gaudily ornamented Lady of Morning. All those jewels... bracelets, bracelets. That tiara. She wondered just how much of it was for show, and how much was actually functional. What if it was all functional.... a walking magical arsenal, that was a frightful thought. As if on cue, The Lady turned to them both, still floating in her chair. "Yes, perhaps then she'll understand....No. That is an interesting thought. Hm, Nelrin too? Haha, quite the party." She looked down at them both. "Oh my, you're still here. You needn't wait for me. Just return before Srhalla brings her lightning if you wish to keep your limbs. " She turned away and continued her conversation, beginning to pluck on her mandolin. The dance had changed a number of times, but still continued. The indistinguishable number of shadowy smoke-like dancers circling about her. Sinofel looked to his master again with a very obvious look of concern painted across his face, evidently distressed. "...Worried." Eris nodded in agreement, this was a particularly distressing visit to The Triodea. The both decided the safest thing to do was remain within it's walls, and so they did...

The Hall of Commons; Magnimar - 1:58 PM, Toilday the 15th

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They had begun their preparations some 15 minutes ago when the weather began to go sour. The sky had darkened as they opened the curtains and began preparing The House for Public Hours. First... the darkening mist roiled in.... it swept through the streets so quickly it was as if it was of magic origin. Then.. the rain. The black inkor fell from the sky painting the white marble streets sleek with the ebon-stuff. The Lieutenant immediately ran to call for Lady Alice. She found her in her office donning her sword once again. She pat her officer on the shoulder. "Secure the building, reinforce the doors. We are under attack." She ran through the building shouting orders to her men. They quickly began setting down the heavy adamant beams that secured the doors in place. Th doors would literally explode before they were ever opened externally. This was perhaps the securest location they could be, and as she was aware. High-Lord D'Aritel, Lord of Magnimar entered the building some 20 min ago to prepare for a Court of the High-Council scheduled for today. They could not afford to let this building be breached. The House Wards took up defensive positions throughout The House, setting patrol routes. At her command Lissa took up patrol of Central Hall within The House of Sovereigns, she was the best trained of her men, and the rifle she carried would make for a very good alarm if they were attacked from the rear.

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They stood readied and braced in place. Lady D'Aritel opened the central door to The Court of High Lords, where Lord D'Aritel sat, his crimson robes were as bold and proud as the man she saw. Lieutenant Vorns had never seen The High-Lord before. His figure was powerful and awe-inspiring. His grey hair and beard finely kept, and a golden crown securely resting upon his brow. They both bowed once, before Alice began to speak. "The city is under siege. The same forces Captain Heidmarch mentioned it appears. We're prepared, they will be repelled. " He sternly nodded once and issued no response. His steely gaze was unshakable, unquestionable, dominating. She could see where Lady Alice gained many of her own personality traits. They both turned and left the chamber, securing the door behind them. Alice grabbed her by her collar and pulled her a few inches from her face, speaking slowly and clearly. "This... door. Does not open again. Do you understand." She nodded and the women released her, she didn't notice that she had been removed from the ground until her boots met the tile floor again.

...Suddenly. An explosive force rocked the building. The windows exploded inwards. Shards of glass flew about. The thick unnatural mist began to pour within the building. Dark shapes began to emerge stepping forth as if carried with the mist. Living shadows...

The Triodea; Magnimar - 1:58 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Daughter of Evenings ]

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They were outside....

The Lady of Morning spun in circles with her arms thrown out wide with her face to the sky laughing madly, the black rain befouled her cloths. Her bare feet padded through the puddles of slick inkor. The pair looked on at the mad spectacle.

Finally, she tired and plopped down into her animated chair which moved surprisingly quick to catch her. Her white cloths seemed to become clean and renewed, a wide white parasol floated above her blocking the rain. Then, an explosive roar erupted from the sky. A cry like thunder, a visible wave of force crashed down from the sky into the city. All glass and fragile materials exploded instantly. The fine stained-glass windows of The Triodea exploded behind them, showing them all with sharp flakes of glass. The very ground seemed to tremble beneath the cry. The sky was dark and tainted. The rain had stopped as quickly as it had begun, and a thick mist covered everything in a dark shade. the Lady took out her mandolin and begun to pluck strings forming pieces of a melody. "Prepared were we. Knowing was I. Shrouded, un-shrouded. Seen, Unseen. Steel in hands before their summit. All gathered to witness her words... all gathered to bathe in her tears. " She stopped plucking strings, and her half-song. She smiled at the pair. "Have you noticed yet? As I've said. They've come, but without the element of surprise. For all have gathered in preparation for battle, though of a different sort. Still, the guard has rallied. " Her ambiguous nonsensical ceaseless talk finally began to makes sense... they were under attack, as she had foretold. But more then she knew that to be true. She glanced about. It was hard to see in the mist, but should could make out men and women of the City Guard rallied and armed about The Plaza already, moving towards the district's Main Gate. They knew? They were waiting.... and that last bit. She was right... thousands upon thousands of warriors from all over the Inner Sea had gathered here for The Steel Summit, warriors and knights, the best warriors of the realm gathered in once place for the competition which began tomorrow... If there was ever a good day to be attacked, surly this was it.

The sound of battle could be heard far away in the direction of the Main Gate. "...and so we begin. ...and down we go. To meet again, to dance alone. " Sinofel stepped in front of Eris. They stood upon the steps of The Triodea. Someone was coming. The sound of heavy footsteps, armor and steel. They were in a dead sprint....someone. Sinofel lowered his hand to the massive ebon hilt of his weapon preparing to draw, a stern focus forming in his eyes.

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A shadowy figure began to form. Emerging from the shadowy mist. It was a hooded figure, eyes of pale blue light. A haunting apparition that floated amid the plaza slowly making its approach. The sound of hammering steel steps still came thundering on til a figure emerged. She came flying out of the mist in a mid air attack, her broad-bladed sword came crashing down on the thing with a thunderous swing that cleaved the thing in to and embedded her sword into the ground with a massive CRACK that rang out through The Plaza. She ripped the blade from the stone with a brutal feral prying motion. She was covered in the black inkor and fresh blood. A delightful expression upon her face, caught somewhere between ecstasy and battle frenzy. Captain Noir Halden menacingly marched up the marble steps of the theatre. " Out of my way.... I await a man foolish enough to challenge me. " Sinofel stepped out of the way, scooting Eris with him as he went. Even he knew Venture Captain Haldan, but more importantly, he knew what crazy looked like, and the wide-eyed smile upon her bloodied face was surely it.

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Creatures began to emerge from the mist. Shadows and strange creatures alike. They clawed out from the shadowy substance, as if summoned. The Magister could feel a strange magnetic force in the back of her mind, with a small amount of focus she could feel it. her ears ringed, and the pressure about her was evidence enough. It was as if temporarily the boundary between planes had been weakened, or perhaps sundered... " The Triodea will not be safe for much longer, shall we?" The Lady of Mornings began to move down the stairs, carried by her large animated chair. The vision of the creatures being spawned forth in great number seemed to hold little attention in her mind. The sound of battle was full now in The Plaza, warriors and creatures fought in a wild skirmish. They stayed close to The Lady moving by seemingly unnoticed by either. Creatures began to surge forth into open space from the direction of the main gate, in a rush, they cut down the warriors who were caught in combat. They tore and ripped at their bodies, and shortly after the slain began to rise up once more. Undead began filling The Plaza, the bodies of the guards and soldiers becoming mindless animated corpses as they were slain by the strange shadowy creatures. They began to retreat from the direction of the Main Gate, even with the cover of The Lady's illusion it was not safe. They quickly retreated through the mist, until they were abruptly stopped by a warrior they had startled. She glared back at them defensively, apparently foreign by her appearance, cloths and strange curved sword.

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A figure emerged from behind her, patting her on the shoulder. She eased her weapon down. " Magister Kestal'rah? is that you? " The knight stepped forth from the mist. She signed in relief. It was Roland. He laughed briefly. " Gods, I was looking everywhere for you. You they said you got back from port but you never reported back. I'm glad I've found you. We're behind, but we've still time. The House of Lords is under attack from within. The High-Lord is being evacuated as we speak. But we must make for Heidmarch Manor, there is matters even more important then that to tend to, but we'll aid them if we can. " He pointed behind him. A wind blew the wind aside, and the view of a number of men and women came into view.

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" I've gathered the 691st Regiment of Rostland here. They will hold back the enemy If the gate falls, and buy us the time we need " The mist began to push away even more, revealing the full regiment. She couldn't make out everyone, but she could swear she saw Leona Aldori within their number. An Aldori Sword Lord, and the 4th Master of Fire. Surly there could be no better defense to mount against this attack, and the 691st was the most elite unit Rostland possessed. This was the first time it had even been deployed outside of the country out of a time of war. It was by the might of those gathered here that the Aldori continued to maintain their rule within the country. They would not be easily defeated.

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The Lady of Morning rose from her chair. " This is were we part for now, I suppose. We'll meet again amid the flowers and dead." She spun once, with her parasol in hand, and skipped off vanishing like an apparition. Her chair was nowhere to be found as well. Roland watched her leave, then turned to the pair. " She's an odd-bird, but you've always managed to find strange company, i'll give you that... now lets be off." The charged ahead out of the plaza, it would take some time to reach the manor...


Sir Kaddren; Lord of Commons, Alabaster Minister of Arcane-Affairs

Sir Roland Kaddren was a knight, and noble of great note. His climb into the political arena was in stark contrast with the courageous military-service that the Kaddren Family had been known for. Roland was by far the most far-sighted of his family and while accepting his Knighthood and serving two terms of military service, took political office within The Alabaster District after completing his service holding his family's official office as Lord of Commons, and representing the district's neutral representative as Minister of Arcane-Affairs serving in court and official rulings during court and Segenhall's affairs. Each Magister was accountable to their respective Minister for the district which they were assigned.

(Magister Kestal'rah is an Alabaster Magister, and thus works for, and with, Sir Kaddren. She reports both to Segenhall and him, and each represent two sides of the same policies while in Court.)

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The Courtyard of Sovereigns ; Magnimar - 2:10 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Wayward Sword ]

The air was lit aflame. Bolts of red lighting raced across the sky. The mist was charged with a whipping orange-golden energy. The dark had faded as quickly as it had come, and a whipping maelstrom opened above the city. A terrible storm. The House of Lords was ensnared in combat. Lady Alice and the House Wards defended the Chamber which the High-Lord was secured, yet, she grabbed her, and told her to leave. That she was to report to Sir Roland and defend the Heidmarch Manor. Lady D'Aritel did not explain what was so critical about the Pathfinders, now of all times. But she obeyed her orders. Before she left Lady Alice gave her a ring, insurance that she would not fail. And so, she fled The House fighting her way through the Courtyard which was quickly flooding over with undead. She did not know why Heidmarch was now more critical then the safety of The High-Lord, the lady's own father, but it was all the reason she needed.

She slashed through the animated body of a dead guardsmen, as the sky began to crack and split. Bolts of crimson light illuminating the mist covered world. She suddenly found another reason to get clear of the open ground that was the courtyard as she looked into the sky in awe as the titan-like creature descended from the heavens. Whirling golden light and energy cycling about it as it stretched out its massive golden wings, and issued forth a terrible cry that shook the earth, unleashing a visible blast of sonic force that sent her and everything else to the ground. She covered her face with one arm as it emerged from the clouds fully, unleashing a sun-light illumination upon the shrouded city.

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She pushed herself off from the ground. She sheathed her weapon and kicked off from the ground. She ran. She ran and ran, as hard as her legs would take her. What ungodly creature was that..... what awaited her at Heidmarch... How could they hope to defeat something like that? Even with Lady D'Aritel, how could they rebuke a titan such as that. She hoped beyond hope answers laid at the Manor.

Heidmarch Manor; End of a Dream - 02:20 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Villain and The Ancient ]

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[ SURPRISE ROUND ]

Perception;
Asiresh - Failed
Avy- Passed

Initiative;
Wolf - 10
Avy - 9

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From the golden mist stalked forth a large fierce wolf. Its flush was dull and rotted, hanging loosely to its bones. An undead monstrosity of nature. Its eyes were rotted glow green slits of necromatic energies. It issued a low menacing growl, it's snout twisted and snarled. Its piercing eyes saw through the mist and the bloody sacks of flesh it would tear into. It looked at the bard, standing against the wall, then to the helpless old man upon the ground. Then back at the dhampir.... Then it took off, ripping through the debris, smashing through collapsed wooden support struts and chunks of blasted cement and gore, howling out viciously as it descended upon its prey.

Caught completely unaware, the creature came upon the old man. It opened its massive mouth revealing rows of green rotted teeth and thick yellow mucus. It claws and bit the old man slashing his face before finally biting into his shoulder and thrashing its head about in wild abandon. It continued to thrash its head about wildly until it finally ripped free a chunk of flesh, it's gory prize. The old man screamed out in agony, and began to writhe in agony as his body began to spasm. His eyes rolled back in his head, and he began to foam from his mouth as his body entered a violent seizure as the taint and toxins entered his blood.


Attack [19] - Success
Damage - [6 Points]
Fort Save DC12 [5] - Failed
Paralyzed - 6/6 Rounds


His head thrashed about, blood spewed from his ears and nose. Trails of blood began to run from his eyes, as he quaked and shook terribly, threatening to snap his own neck. Yet, still, he could feel something else.... Not the devil, Nelris'Fel that looked down upon him with a sense of pitty. No, something else. Familiar. He felt the light slowly draining from the room... the temperature began to drop. An icy rime began to form upon the walls, and creep across the ground.

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[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

For a while, there was only darkness. Avaricious was in a black place in the dream he had while unconscious, the bard in what seemed to be a poorly lit ballroom. He looked around in the dream, only to find that the room stretched on for ages, the beautiful decorations of the room comforting him somewhat. Still, something seemed very off. It was raining in the dream, a cold black rain, more akin to ink than rainwater, much like the strange rain that the dhampir had experienced earlier. Avaricious, growing cold, moves forward through the dim room, calling out only to have nothing come out. As he continues to cry out, he sees someone ahead. It's a woman, the same woman that was standing in front of the window built into Heidmarch Manor. The same woman that seemed to have caused the explosion. Avaricious glares towards her, before attempting to rush her way, shouting out and begging her to stop. However, she simply vanishes, and suddenly the bard is surrounded be spectral men and women in masks, waltzing back and forth. He attempts to turn around, only to see what appears to be poor Andel, who grabs Avaricious' shoulder violently. The bard attempts to wriggle away, but gazes in horror as the dream visage of Andel suddenly begins to melt away into blood before his eyes.

Avaricious screams...

And then, after what seemed like ages, the dhampir lulls awake, having been roused by the strong scent of blood. As his crimson eyes open, he looks around, assessing his situation. First, he notices that he's on the floor, a very odd place for the dhampir to be. "I don't remember being on the floor", thinks the wounded bard, before his eyes widen. There was... blood. Blood everywhere. His trousers were completely destroyed, as was his coat. There was red everywhere, having soaked into the cloth and befouled the once exquisitely colored dressage. However, Avaricious seems somewhat comforted, for he realizes after a few short seconds that it wasn't his blood covering everything. This begged the question of just who's blood he was covered in. Then, the memory of the strange dream he'd just had comes back. Andel... he had watched it happen when the manor was blown into. The man just... suddenly wasn't. And there was so much blood, everywhere. The dhampir attempts to scoot away from the puddle of gore beside him, but groans out as he feels a sharp pain erupting from a spot on his head. Did he get hurt? Right... He had hit his head during the explosion, pretty hard it seems. He raises a hand to push away his hat, stuffing it in a pocket and frowning as he feels blood in his hair.

There was some sort of laceration there. Best ignore it for now.

Though he can barely see, Avaricious struggles to stand up, squinting his eyes in great pain as he does so. He runs his hand up a wall that's mostly destroyed, sighing lightly as he does so. The bard speaks out very quietly into the void, the great golden-hued mist covering everything before him. Avaricious whispers, calling out in the darkness as much as he could, but he didn't dare speak particularly loudly. "H-... Hello? Is... Is anyone... *ow* ...there?" He winces in pain as he speaks, a pounding headache forming as he feels the dried blood in his hair rest against his cheek. Everything hurt, and he felt excruciatingly sore. This was no way to live! There had to be a way out of this terrible fog. If he remembered properly, the way out would be just over here. Avaricious steps forward before grimacing, just about slipping on what he was sure was someone's blood. Still, he regained his balance easily, although the brief bit of confusion somewhat turns the bard away from where he was going. Looking this direction, Avaricious notices something, the light of a nearby fire lighting up the gruesome but honestly somewhat gratifying scene.

Through the fire, smoke, and mist, Avaricious notices Viridi's corpse there, staring upwards into the nothingness of the cieling. He wasn't breathing. Avaricious sighs a little bit despite the pain. He had never liked the massive man, nor people like the tall man. They had their uses, clearly, but Avaricious could never enjoy the company of an individual like that. Still, it looked like the Numerian man had died quite painfully, for he looked all torn up and damaged beyond repair. The dhampir quickly thinks back to when he saw Viridi up close, not in fond remembrance, of course, but rather to recall as to whether or not Viridi ever had anything that seemed particularly valuable on his person. Avaricious can't seem to recall Viridi having anything other than that massive, horribly-painful looking chunk of metal on a stick, and as such, the bard's eyes pass along, looking around more and more. There was Jeska, she looked... alive. Sort of. She was breathing at the least, Avaricious could tell that. The warm-blooded always seemed to breathe so ridiculously heavy, as if trying to take in double their body-weight in air! Still. She was too far away to bother collecting, or helping. No, Avaricious would leave her fate to chance. It was not his business interfering.

The bard is about to leave before he looks to the left of Viridi's corpse once more, seeing a certain individual looking rather the worse for wear. Why, it seemed to be Asiresh there, looking torn up and bloody. Avaricious grins and chuckles to himself a little bit, before his vicious grin changed to a look of distaste. That laugh was somewhat painful, and Avaricious decides not to do something like that until he's gotten himself fixed up. Still, he glares at the body of Asiresh, spitting down to the floor as he notices that the old man still breathes. The bard turns now, and is about to leave, heading towards the exit out of the room before something... appears. Avaricious stands close to a wall, and the horrifying looking creature that came from the mist saw him. Avaricious' eyes go wide and the bard stops breathing for a moment, every hair on his arms sticking up. It was... horrible, and wicked, and violent... The frightened bard pushes his back against the wall, looking side to side, as if about to make a dash. However, the wolf is quicker, and rushes forward! Avaricious brings up his arm to cover his face and shrieks, but feels no pain. However, Avaricious does hear the terrible crunch of bone and flesh being bitten into.

Avaricious opens his eyes and stares forward, witnessing Asiresh's shoulder being ripped apart, though regularly, the screams of the old man would bring a smile to Avaricious' lips, this was just too much. There was so much blood... and bile, and mucus. It was everywhere, and foul. "Oh... oh gods." The bard seems about to vomit, bringing a hand to his mouth before the headache pain sends another jolt of agony into his system. Agh! Everything hurt, this was not okay! He needed to get out! Avaricious rushes away as best he can, moving into the next room, across the rubble, stifling cries of fear and attempting to ignore the horrific crunching sound that the wolf thing produced as it ripped an entire bit of flesh from the old man's shoulder. Avaricious half crouches and half crawls into the next room, finding a large amount of rubble in the corner.

He'll make his way to it, hiding in the corner and bringing his knees to his chest, hands up to cover his ears, attempting to make as little of himself known as possible. Avaricious was more frightened than he'd ever been in his life.

[roll0]

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

She had run through the streets at breakneck pace, keeping one hand on the grip of Ankyron. What could possibly make these washed up former heroes the Pathfinders worth so much now? Was Lady Alice as blind as she herself had once been? She should have stayed and fought. That...thing was coming. She shuddered at the memory. Nothign could possibly-

She broke off that train of thought. The greatest warriors in the land were gathered here for the Summit. It was why she had come. She stopped for a moment against a wall to catch her breath. As she did, she removed her hand from Aknyron's grip. She pulled off the glove that she always wore in public. Underneath it was a ring. Her ring. The symbol of her family, two crossed blades, one of black metal, the other of silver, crossed behind a ruby shield, was as clear as the day she had fled her home. She had kept it hidden, planning to reveal it after she proved herself in the Steel Summit. But whatever happened tonight, she would have earned her place by the time it was over. She no longer needed to hide who she was. She was the Lady Nadia Vorns. She would find honor and respect once again.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out the ring that Lady Alice had given her. She considered putting it on opposite her own signet, but decided against it for the time. Placing it back in her pocket, she rose from the wall. She had paused for less than a minute, but she knew she was close to the Manor. Another minute or so of hard running should get her there, and she wanted to be ready when she arrived. She took off again, hurrying to make up lost time.

-----

As Nadia approached the Manor, she slowed her frantic pace. Instead of running, she simply hurried the rest of the way, Ankyron now drawn and at the ready, alert for any signs of danger.

[Mornings]

Encounter Round 1 - Initiative Order

Asiresh [17]
Nelrin'Fel [13]
???? (Wolf) [10]
Avy [9]
The Maw (Delayed) [22]
The Huntress (Delayed) [10]

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As he lays on the ground he attempts to break free of the paralysis that has taken over his body(Fort save). After a short struggle he releases and within his own mind he says to the devil "Nelrin...this bite....it has left me paralyzed! I cannot move to kill the foul beast. I would hate to ask but do you think you could help a defenseless old man out in this instance?" His eyes hazy with doubt and the mist in the air, Asir tries to see through it(perception)."Do you happen to see anything in this mist that i cannot by chance? It seems quite thick." He then attempts to pull the shadows as a cover with Shadow Well power(stealth check). "One more thing, I do wish to take this monstrosity's soul as a peace offering in our new-found bond"

Fort save-6
Perception-14
Use Shadow well
Stealth check-19

[Desril]

Eris

Arriving on the docks, the tiefling looked out upon her city with a smile as she stretched her arms and unfurled her wings, enjoying the feeling of the wind brushing against her body while her illusory robes flow with the breeze. "Ahhh, it's nice to be on solid ground again."

While talking to Captain Kantiki, she keeps the discussion brief, as much as she enjoys the corsair's company, she has places to be and a cute prophet to see. "Come now, Captain, you know me better than that. I charmed your crew days ago, I just didn't want to do something so stupid as offend you by trying to steal one of your ships." When Sinofel tosses her the watch, the tiefling grins, "And the Lady's little quests have never been a waste of time, they're usually just very hard to figure out the significance of. Anyway, you're welcome to the ship, but if you need help trying to raise it, I'd be glad to help you. I've been trying to figure out why it sank, but I didn't have the chance to properly study it," she shrugs, "Anyway, I'll be off. See you later, Captain."

As they leave, she smiles at Sinofel's question, "There are ways. Sufficiently powerful magic could raise the ship or even part the ocean. Or perhaps a lot of zombies. Giving them the orders would be difficult, but they could probably just haul the ship back to land. As far as I could tell, there was no reason the ship should've sunk to begin with though, so it's probably better to raise it since it should be sea-worthy once all the water has been bailed out."


*****

Outside the Triodea, she can't help but sigh at the panicking crowd. What good is this going to do? Does nobody realize they're just making it worse? Shaking her head, she and Sinofel make her way inside, At least Lady D'Aritel has her head on right. I'll leave this to her and the guards.

Inside, she can't help but smile again, always enchanted by the vision of beauty that is the Lady of Mornings. Her mind can't help but wander for a moment, wishing she could try to create a more personal relationship with the Lady whose name she didn't even know. Still, she knew that Sinofel was infatuated with her as well, and it was difficult to get him to speak as it was, so she regretfully allowed him to handle most of the talking, glad that he was opening up at least a little, even if it meant she lost the chance to talk to the Lady. When she catches the braid, however, she gasps. "Lady! This is...amazing!" Holding the braid up to her chest, she looks up toward her benefactor happily, "I'll treasure this, thank you." And it was one she wore herself...it's beautiful...

After the Lady goes into her little apparent monologue, however, Eris sprawls out on nearby chairs, looking up at the braid and grinning as fun thoughts flow through her mind about how it could be used before she finally puts it on as a bracelet, visible just beneath the sleeve of her illusory robe. Oh, I should update my journal, I haven't had much to write since we found the ship. Pulling out the book in question, she sets to putting her thoughts to ink for a while.

An hour passes and Eris looks up at the Lady of Mornings again, I didn't think it was possible to have so much magic concentrated in a small area, but perhaps she found a way. I'll have to ask her about it later, the tiefling thinks, suddenly picturing herself clad in a similar magical arsenal.


*****

Finally making their way outside, Eris shudders in the rain. "Eugh, I don't know what it is, but this black rain isn't right. It feels disgusting." As the Lady begins to play and asks her question, however, Eris looks contemplative. "You wouldn't have been responsible for setting the date of the Summit, would you?"

As they made their way, the shadowy creature was struck down by Captain Haldan. She was beautiful in her own way, but Eris could see the bloodcrazed frenzy she was in as clearly as Sinofel could. Angry, scared, hurt, or vulnerable and Eris would want to try and help her, but the crazed look in the Captain's face wasn't something that Eris wanted to try getting involved with altruistically. Ignoring her, she makes her way with the Lady of Mornings and Sinofel until they finally reunite with Lord Roland.

Sighing in relief, Eris instinctively flaps her wings, "Sir Roland, it's good to see you. Though I wish it was under better circumstances." Glancing around at the force he'd managed to gather in such a short time, she whistles, impressed. But, thinking about the news he brought, Eris frowns. "Do we know what this is? What's attacking us? Actually, just a moment," she interrupts as the Lady says that this is where they'll be parting. "I wish you well, my Lady. Please, stay safe, and let me know where I can find you when you have the opportunity."

Turning back to her superior with a wry grin, "Strange, perhaps, but important. And you're right, we should go, quickly. You can explain what in the Abyss I missed while we're traveling."

[Kai927]

It was cold. That was the first thing that struck her as she fell in the darkness. It wasn't a normal cold either. It was not the cold of a winter night without a fire. It was a cold that chilled straight to the soul. A cold that had never known warmth, or rather had never known the concept of warmth.

She fell, wondering how she had gotten to this inky void. She had been at the manor, Captain Heidmarch was urging them to hurry and begin their mission. Then blackness. She looked around, noticing that she was not alone. There, Viridi and Alicia were falling as well. She tried shouting to them, but no sound escaped her throat. She tried again, and Alicia disappeared into the void. A third time, and Viridi was torn apart by the claws.

Was that to be her fate? To disappear into the void? Or would she suffer the Numerian's fate and be torn apart by the claws? That was soon answered by the claw's reappearance, tearing into her body. For the first time she noticed that she was without her armor. Without any coverings for that matter. She screamed a silent scream as the wispy blue flecks fled from the wound. Never before had she missed her armor so much. She had hated everything it stood for, the tyranny, the subjugation. But at the same time, it brought a subtle sense of comfort. Of safety. Now she wanted it back. To be wrapped in it's cool embrace, shielding her from everything else.

She opened her eyes, not remembering when she had closed them. The claws were rearing back to strike again. She had just remembered something. It was too early to die. She had just found the path she was to tread. Jeska would not allow some cruel twist of fate take her away from that. Twisting around, she prepared to meet the claws head on. She already had plenty of scars. What were a few more then?

Will Save [roll0]

[Mornings]

[ The Wayward Sword ]


Lifeweaver's Signet

The small coppery ring was covered in various arcane markings. Words of power long forgotten. A small circular disk of siccitite was mounted upon the bands crown, bearing a strange rendering of a seal, appearing as a noble's signet ring, but perhaps far older then most royal families bloodlines. It was polished, yet tarnished by age. It would have appeared as an ancient relic kept by a family in a study somewhere behind glass, the original seal of their name, perhaps. But this was far different. This was a bloody token taken as a prize long ago by some D'Aritel warrior, back during the days when they hunted mythical creatures and the cults that worshiped them. This band was a relic of those days, possessing the unique ability to convert life, into life energy...

When Lady D'Aritel passed her this ring, she understood the weight of the order that she had received, though she still did not understand her reasoning. There was arguably no higher priority then securing The High-Lord in her mind, but her superior thought otherwise. So she took the ring, and prayed that she'd find her answers or Sir Keddran would shed some light upon this role she had been charged with.

[Abilities]

Lifeweaver's Gift
The wearer summons forth a fraction of their own life-force, charging it, and gifting it to another as empowered positive energy through a touch. A surge of emerald light passes into another, closing their wounds, but depleting the wearer's life in exchange.

As a Swift Action the wearer may touch another creature, charging them with Positive Energy. The target is healed or damaged by this energy for 1d8+2 points of hit points. The wearer sustains 1d4+1 points of damage in the process. This ability cannot be used on themselves. The wearer may choose to double the damage taken, doubling the amount of positive energy released.

Lifeweaver's Charge
The wearer spends a measure of their life force to attune an object to The Life Weave, allowing positive energy to pass through it. Using this ability the wearer is able to use their abilities in conjunction with an attack or touching another with an object they hold.

As a Free Action during the use of Lifeweaver's Gift the wearer may choose to sacrifice an additional 1d6 Hit Points to attune one object. This object may be a weapon or armor, and the ability may be used through that object or as part of an attack. The object remains attuned for 1d4 Minutes. This ability may only be triggered during a use of Lifeweaver's Gift. Not independently.

Lifeweaver's Bolt
The wearer charges a great amount of life energy into their body and releases it through their hand, or an attuned object as a green thundering lightning-bolt of Positive Energy. This ability taxes them greatly, and while it can unleash great force upon the living and the dead, poses a great risk to the wearer.

The wearer as a Free Action while using Lifeweaver's Gift may choose to sacrifice an additional 1d10+4 Hit Points to convert it into a Lifeweaver's Bolt. The current positive energy die count that had been spent before this conversion, is doubled. The bolt travels in an 80ft long line. The bolt passes through any creatures it strikes and continues forward until it reaches its maximum distance or strikes a solid inanimate object, such as a wall. A ranged touch-attack is made against each creature the bolt effects. Creatures directly struck take the full amount of Positive Energy. Creatures adjacent to the bolts path may make a DC10 Reflex Save to evade the bolt entirely. On a failed Save they take half of the amount of Positive Energy Healing or Damage.

After using this ability the wearer must make a DC20 Fortitude Save. On a successful save, the wearer becomes Exhausted for 2d4 minutes, and cannot use this ability again until the Exhausted Status expires. On a failed Save, their attainment to The Life Weave is disrupted. The wearer unleashes a 10ft burst of 2d6 points of Positive Energy that does not effect him. He is then Paralyzed for 2d6 Rounds. Upon recovering, he is reduced to 0 Hit Points.

Life Weave Attunement
The wearer becomes attuned to the forces of life and death and the passing and change of its forms and energy. They can sense the strength of weakness of other creatures vitality and how near they are to death. Using such knowledge, they are able to manipulate the natural forces of the world to grant them unnatural boons to their own health.

*The wearer gains the effects of constant DeathWatch
*The wearer gains Fast Healing 1
*The wearer gains DR 1/- (Stacks with other sources of DR)
*The wearer automatically stabilizes when their HP total becomes negative.
* 1/Day The wearer can gain 1d10 temporary hit points as a Full Round Action. These points remain for 24 hours or until they are lost via normal means.

The wearer of the Ring must make a Fortitude Save when the ring is donned and removed (DC20), or be reduced to 0 Hit Points. Their body must adjust to the influence of The Life Weave, which often renders their masters unconscious initially. The effects of the ring become active after 1 hour of being worn. It's benefits are lost immediately upon being removed.

[Mornings]

[ The Daughter of Evenings ]

The Triodea; Magnimar - 01:58 PM, Toilday the 15th

The Lady of Mornings spun twice more in the black rain, splashing in the puddles laughing at the Tiefling's question. " The Summit? The Date? The Summit date? What've I to change? It has never changed. Always has it been as it was. Forever set has it been. Unchanged has it remained!" She stopped abruptly staring at Sinofel with a strange empty gaze that held some indistinguishable intent. " ....Or have you forgotten?" She spun once more before falling back into her chair with a laugh. "Let us be off then!"
*************************************

The Plaza; Magnimar - 02:08 PM, Toilday the 15th

Roland crossed his arms a large smirk on his face, seemingly pleased with the Magister's impressed reaction to the forces he had rallied to their cause. " It is good to see you again as well! " He laughed heartily, " There are far worse circumstances which we could meet! It took me so long to drag you out of hiding, I began to fear your escorts had fled, and I'd find you in a ditch or ally " Sinofel silently scoffed in obvious offense of the Knights' jest and responded in kind. "...Impossible." The Knight laughed again gesturing with his hands " Easy there Swordmaster. It was a jest, a jest! I pitty the man or creature that has to cross paths with your sword!" Eris remembered the day the two men had met, Sir Keddran challenged the Swordmaster to a duel immediately, which he promptly refused, but at The Lady of Mornings prodding to Eris, she agreed to have them 'spar'. It was the first time she had gotten to see the silver-haired man's skill with a sword. Sir Keddran was disarmed three times, struck eight times. Defeated eight times, and surrendered once. All without being able to land a single strike or even stay within striking distance of the swift-movements and expert footwork the swordsmen demonstrated. Sir Roland had never known such complete defeat, and thus the Swordmaster gained immense respect from the Lord of Commons.

There was a small pause as The Lady spoke, she smiled softly at Eris's words, " Fear not. Fear. Do not despair... We shall meet again soon..." She danced off into the mist vanishing from sight. Roland moved to speak after she left, " Ah, Well the Ene-GAH!" A creature lept forth from the mist. It was a strange thing, some shadow armored entity with frightful bladed hands. It lashed out at Roland and Eris. CLANG- PING. The surprise assault was thwarted as quickly as it begun. The strange thin curved blade of The Warrior in Mist lashed out with unnerving speed. Sinofel drew, his blade, lashing out with super-human speed, blocking the attack with the flat of his blade, before unleashing a swift downward swing, spinning the blade over in hand during the strike and re-sheathing the blade. A small sonic keening wail screeched out as the blade entered the scabbard, a gust of wind following the blades path struck with a half second delay dividing the creature in two. Black inkor spewed about identical to the rain which had just halted.
"...Careful"
"...Mind your surroundings, my lord."

They spoke at the same time, pausing, then looking at each other awkwardly. They could have been related, though the strange nameless warrior's eye's burned with an otherworldly glow, and her deathly pale skin could not have been human. It was impossible to tell. Roland breathed with a sign of relief, genuinely caught off-guard though his hand had reached his sword within the brief time he had to realize the attack. "...hah..Thank you Taiiri... and you too Swordmaster. I don't remember you being that swift last we fought...." Sinofel shrugged, not wanting to insult the man. "....Got better." Roland coughed. Perhaps blocking with a drawn weapon or shield in such a time would have made the man's words more believable, but drawing his sword, to block his master, riposte, and sheath his weapon again in a single motion was ridiculous, even in his book... the man had obviously been holding back on him. The women, Taiiri, sheathed her blade and turned away moving into the formation from Rosland. "... Yes, well. Let us get going, we can speak while we run. We've little time to dally." They moved through the formation, then began their long run to Heidmarch Manor.
*************************************

The Courtyard of Sovereigns ; Magnimar - 02:10 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Wayward Sword ]

She ran hard, getting her distance from The House, seeing the battle still rage on from where she was. Her vision had extended as the golden light illuminated the city, the air charged with a strange energy. She looked at the ring, securing it in her pocket... not yet. There would be a time for it. She was close now... Close to Heidmarch.

[ The Daughter of Evenings ]

Roland ran quickly even with his armor, but it was Sinofel in the lead, seeming to move with an effortless blinding speed. He appeared to have difficulty slowing himself to match the pace of Roland and his master, looking over his shoulder frequently to make sure he did not outpace then. " Gods, you're fast. Take point, Kestal'rah, left flank." They took up positions, forming a tactical wedge as they ran. " The enemy you asked about...Gaaah!" They all stopped abruptly as the sky errupted in light, the colossal winged titan descended from the whirling maelstrom of clouds, what appeared to be a massive neutron star placed upon its back, cutting through the whipping winds. It's cry sent them blinded and shaken to the ground. "That! By the Gods, that is the enemy!" He rose from the ground, Sinofel pulled the Magister from the stone. " Quickly. Our time has long expired! We must make it to the Manor in time, we must!" They ran on the other-planar pulse released from the titan's cry charged the air. It glowed golden in hue, and made her skin tingle. She could feel it... the barrier between the planes weakened... damaged. A strange sensation, alien to her began to be spun in her breast. An unnatural fire, a burning. It made her light headed ,but she pressed forward. If the answers... the solution, to that thing lay somewhere in the Pathfinder's little hands' she could not ignore it.

Heidmarch Manor ; Magnimar - 02:20 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Daughter and The Sword ]

They reached the Manor's grounds, panting and out of breath, save for the Swordmaster who seemed to be unaffected by the marathon-run. Roland looked up, seeing The House Ward reach the gate to the property at the same time as them. He spoke out while gasping, " hah... ha... Lieutenant, here! Lady D'Aritel told you the..situation then? You're with me and the Magister." He coughed. He pointed backward behind them to the sky, and the massive entity that loomed within the cyclonic rift, bolts of red lightning decimating the city " We're.... We're... gonna stop that...ha...ha..." He took a deep breath, hunched over trying to regain his baring. " The Pathfinder's finally bit off more then they could chew. We're here to clean up. With me!" He drew his sword, gripping it tightly with both hands, unsure of what to expect. They moved forward onto the manor grounds.
*************************************

The Manor was lit aflame.... it's structure collapsed. The stench of burning flesh and timber filled the air, Sir Roland stood deathly still, the blood draining from his face. He swayed slightly, catching himself in his stupor. The Manor... the Manor, was gone! Obliterated. The once beutiful garden and shrubberies now lay blasted and burning, light flickered and twisted, casting miserable shadows. He ran forward, running to the building screaming out, tears in his eyes. He was late... too late. " GODDAMIT SHEILA! SHEILA! LUKA!? CAN YOU HEAR ME!? ran forward, leaping over the small pond , and charged up the stairs building momentum as he went until finally throwing himself through the broken remains of the wooden door.
*************************************

Heidmarch Manor ; Magnimar - 02:20 PM, Toilday the 15th

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/ENCOUNTER_zps74de3a04.png

Initiative: Jeska -> Asiresh -> Nelrin'Fel -> ??? -> Avy

[ The Solemn Guardian ]

She gasped a breath of air, her lungs ached, she wheezed as if she had been deprived of air for some time. She breathed heavily. She was in darkness. Yet, she could hear now... terrible howls, a cry... the ripping of flesh, the blood. The smell of burning skin. Her eyes fluttered open. She was back... Blood, charred soot, small pieces of glass embedded into her skin. She ached, she laid in a pool of gore and debris. Koriah lay next to her, she seemed to be unharmed, at least initially. While her skin was not cut, blood ran from her ears and nose, her head bled. She had took a severe blow to the head from the wall... perhaps the same as she, for that dream...

She felt the air chill, the color drained away leaving only a frightful white mist. She rose to her feet slowly, using the wall for support. She could hear something skulking about, some thing writhing around, something moving... and... weeping, distantly.

[ The Ancient ]

He regained enough of his mental capabilities to regain some measure of his focus. His body jerked about painfully, the large undead wold stepped over him as the bard fled from the room in fear. The look of dread on his face impossible to miss. The creature seemed to loose interest in him, and stalked forward. He spoke out with his mind to the devil Nelrin'Fel who gazed down upon him with his black expressionless hole of a face. His large horns shook in disapproval at the old man's condition. "....I see." He paused raising a clawed finger to his non-existent chin, as if in contemplation, mulling over the man's words as he writhed about in terrible indescribable agony, his teeth clenched together so tightly blood began to seep from his gums. With his mind, he reached out and grasped the shadows. He couldn't focus properly, but perhaps it would provide some cover... his form started to slightly dissipate into the deeper darkness he created. The undead atrocity looked back upon its prey curiously, it's rotten glowing green holes it called eyes peered through the sleight with ease. It was a pitiful attempt at... something, and it was uninterested. It desired to hunt... and so it continued with another slow step forward.


[ The Soulless One ]

Nelrin'Fel thought long and hard, truly this man had been, almost the ideal master he now sought, after having his previous experience with his former master...the blasted man. He wasn't looking for anyone with needless aspirations, or cunning that could be used against him. He needed a safe bet, someone... something complacent and unwilling to resist him. This man, fit the bill, almost... too well. He possessed the traits he desired, but... his frailty left something to be desired... He wondered if he even possessed the ability, the physical ability, to harvest him any souls.... He mentally signed. Uhg... why not? He might as well place his bet upon a possible investment, besides what had he else but time? He'd help the old fool.

"Very well, Old One.... I will lend you my aid. Show to me it is not time wasted..." His voice was haunting and disquieting, clawing through his mind like a knife on a porcelain plate. "Attempt to rise again, I will release you from your torment."

[ The Undead ]

The undead wolf stalked forward, creeping after the fleeing creature. Something to hunt... Instinct pressed it on forward. It poked its head out from the door way. It looked about, but could not see the man who had just slipped around the door and behind a large colapsed wooden support beam and the cement that had held it firmly in place. It crept outside into the hall... It growled low... he was here.. somewhere.

[ The Tragic Villain ]

He held his hands to his ears to mute the unsettling growling. He held his breath to stifle his whimpering. What was that thing... by the gods.. by the gods. He shook visibly, nestling himself in the rubble as best he could and prayed he wasn't seen....


[ The Maw of Winter ]

His essence formed, his being was called and beckoned. The walls of the worlds waned and thinned... The air became a terrible sub-zero frost that chilled to the bones and froze the skin. He stepped through....

The massive form of the white wolf errupted into the room. The mist whipped and kicked, but partially dispersed by the whirling aura of super-cold rime that stormed about him. He stood 5'5'' from paw to shoulder, his back partially passed through the fallen ceiling like a ghost. Visibility in the freezing room suddenly became clear, the mist pushed away in the great beast's presence. His coat was stark and bright, yet light passed through him. His massive maw was lined with rows of glass-like blue fangs a cold and freezing mist pours forth from his jaw. His eyes were a piercing blue sapphire light. Beneath his crushing white paws, blue gem-like claws touch the floor, freezing it with rime underfoot, and dissipating without a sign when he passes.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Sif%20the%20Maw%20of%20Winter%20-%20Copy%202_zps32viqrct.jpg

He circled around the weeping child, waiting, as if in anticipation...


[ The Goddess of the Hunt ]

She was slumped upon the ground, quiet and unnoticeable, but the tears came. They fell unto her mothers lacerated cheeks like frozen beads of glass. The cold of the great wolf's presence crystallizing the moisture as it was produced. Luka held her mother's blooded body tightly to her chest, her shoulder's trembling... a wind began to encircle the pair, kicking up the freezing mist. A crackling energy charged the air. Small flecks of blinding sapphire light cackled and radiated out wildly... until...

She placed down her mother's body and stood. Her green cloths begun to darken and twist, patches of blue flame igniting her emerald cloak. Her eyes burned with a horrifying blue fire. She Threw back her head, and unleashed a terrible visceral howl, a ground-shaking thunderous bolt of light exploded through the ceiling striking her, disintegrating her form. Blue veins of electricity raced through the walls... then, a shock wave of force... The stone-surface of the walls of the room, the halls, the entire Manor exploded dropping the ceiling another foot. A terrible void of bleak darkness and whirling light filled the entire room, until... from the infinite distance, she emerged.

They both bolted forth from the darkness in tandum. Her fangs of blackened lightning illuminated and dispersed the darkness, the mist evaporated. Together they exploded forth with a earth-shaking force, passing through the debris and leveled-ceiling as phantoms.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Ser%20Goddess%20of%20the%20Hunt.jpg_zpseft2nd0y.pn g

They exploded through the wall, ripping the undead creature in two, simultaneously freezing and disintegrating its remains. The bard looked up just to see the terrible bloodied sight, showered with black gore and frozen black flecks of blood... That was it... all he could take. He lept up and sprang through the debris with a cry, perhaps he had soiled himself from the fright, he didn't care. He pushed through the ruin of the Manor fleeing back toward the study.

A supernatural fear clentched at Jeska's soul... She had never seen such a terrible sight in her life. She turned and fled towards the blasted hole where the windows had been, making it outside, crashing through the debris.

The White wolf issued a terrible thundering roar, before glancing back through the door where the old man lay... then he vanished.

The phantom wolf of thundering fury, stood in the doorway... not as an animal, but a women. She looked down upon him silently. Then, without a word, without a sound... without a trace... she was gone.


Avy - Will Save Failed
Jeska - Will Save Failed
*Enemy Slain*

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Ser%20Goddess%20of%20the%20Hunt%202%20-%20Copy_zpskmvn8nqm.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/EncounterEnds_zps786fbbc6.png

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

Nadia smiles weakly as Roland spoke. Clearly bravado, but it was bravado that she could get behind.
Of course we are sir. Who else would be insane enough to try?
His comment about the Pathfinders actually drew a small laugh from her.
Doesn't take much to overwhelm them, from what I've seen. A stray cat, maybe?

Then they step onto the grounds and see the burning manor.
More than a cat, I guess. Let's pray this wasn't all in vain...
She stuck close on Roland's heels, not wanting him to get too far ahead. What could have done this? For all her disdain, the Pathfinders were an able group. Anything that could have utterly destroyed this place had to be powerful. A threat to the entire city. This night was going to end badly for a lot of people.

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

The bard closes his eyes tighter as he hears the undead creature turn around the corner, seeming to hunt after him. What had happened? Did it finish feasting upon the old man, and now desires some fresher prey? There was no way to tell, not without giving away his position, and that'd be suicide by now. As he covers his ears, he still hears the ever-unsettling growl of the foul creature, unable to prevent the low sound from echoing in his head, the horrible image of the beast ripping out Asiresh's shoulder haunting the dhampir's mind, even as he hides. As the creature draws even close, the terrible smell of the beast begins to creep into his nostrils, pervading his senses as he struggles to keep his stomach down. The scent of blood was everywhere, closely followed by the strong smell of ash, and rot. The stench was one of the worst things, and although Avaricious couldn't pinpoint where the monster exactly, the smell gave him a decent idea as to where it may be. The undead wolf was close, far too close, and it frightened him greatly.

However, just as the creature grew close to the point where Avaricious was certain he'd be spotted, there was a great and horrifying sound as something exploded through the nearby wall, which proved to be just too much for the bard. Between his own head wound, and the spine-tingling fright that he'd been struggling to keep hidden earlier, this sudden explosion of sound caused him to jump and scream out, giving away his position quite clearly as he shifted in the rubble. Now that he was quite obviously there, he was almost certain that the wolf would come close and rip out his throat. Instead, something far better, but no less gruesome occurs. Two strange... things, shapes and colors appear to rip the undead completely apart, freezing it, disintegrating it, eventually leaving nothing but icy ash. Black blood spurts everywhere, mixing in with the great crimson red on Avaricious' clothing. Now he's covered in a great froth of strange liquids, blood, sweat, and now ichor everywhere. It was absolutely intoxicating.

With a great coughing fit, Avaricious covers his mouth with his sleeve, the smoke starting to get to him. He backs himself against the wall again, frozen in absolutely fear as he looks upon the pair of creatures, a great white wolf and a blue hybrid being. Avaricious wasn't particularly fond of canines before, but now after this terrible incident, he'd absolutely detest the things. The bard reaches for a weapon, his unique short sword to be exact. As he reaches for it, however, the great white wolf lets out a piercing howl, and the bard's entire body seems to seize up briefly before adrenaline begins to pump through his system. Avaricious jumps up, using the wall to prop himself up. He draws his weapon now, the short sword's jagged end held in front of him with both hands. It's quite evident that the dhampir has little to no actual skill with the weapon, but at this point it is unlikely that he even cares. While holding the weapon in front of him, he shouts out towards the entities, his voice cracking in absolute fear as he begins to slide away and down a hall, through the debris. The shout is quite loud, a desperate plea that sounds both frightened and angry. Avaricious is at his breaking point.

"LEAVE ME ALONE, LEAVE ME ALONE! WHY WON'T YOU LET ME BE! STAY BACK!"

The shout will easily be heard by the others.

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor ; Magnimar - 02:20 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Sword, The Lord, The Daughter and The Master ]

Roland crashed through the door, quickly recovering, butby the terrible howling blast ripping through the house, blasting off the surface of the walls, veins of blackened lighting shattering their surface, dropping the ceiling down to 4ft. He raised he shield and crouched just as the ceiling came down, expecting it to colapse entirely. Sinofel was with him, ready to recover the Lord of Commons from the building as the roof began to cave, yet held. The Magister and the Lieutenant circled around the pond meeting them, as they watched the Manor shudder and drop another level lower. There wasn't much time. The mist was cleared away as the ferocious phantom wolfs intertwined in a bloody assault. Screams could be heard from within as well as a man's frantic words, his slim silhouette just visible in the distance as he turned and hustled through the debris of the house pushing further inside the crumbling building.

Sinofel raised a hand pushing the Magister out of the house, refusing to let her enter the fast failing building. "....Wait." Sir Keddran readied his arms in front of him as he waded through the terrible destruction of the building, now burning with patches of terrible black flames that cast ominous sapphire shadows. The mist was cleared away, giving them more visibility then they had seen in almost an hour, but the foul golden stuff was quickly seeping back into the building. Roland Looked over his shoulder, and yelled back an order to the women as he and the Swordmaster waded through the destruction. " Circle about the building! There may be survives, others who had fled! The house has a rear-courtyard. We'll clear the Manor, meet us back their! Go!" They disappeared into the eerie sapphire-darkness. " Gods... What a mess...They must have fled, there is no way the Manor could have been leveled whilst defended. The Venture Captain keeps a ward upon the compound prevnting her daughter and..." He gestured off at where the massive wolf-creatures had been. "....things like, whatever the hell those were." Sinofel payed him little mind, as he passed through the terrible upheaval and shattered ground easily. He paused, "...Survivors" Roland smirked, "Should have known, these Pathfinders are a tenacious lot".

[ The Soulless One ]

He waved a ghostly hand above the crippled man, his wounds began to close. His writhing began to ease. Though his body was still held fast by the terrible toxic ooze that had tainted his blood. The faceless horned devil spoke once more.

"Now rise... Others come. Souls for the taking."


Asiresh regains (3 Hit Points) - Total 5 HP


[ The Solemn Guardian ]

She trembled in fear stumbling out of the Manor's blasted walls and out into Heidmarch Compound. She gasped for air, her hands shock, her fingers were going numb. Dark claws, darkness... everywhere. Everywhere. fell to her knees, crawling forward through the grass, tears of despair beginning to run down her face. It wasn't a dream... that black place... This wasn't a dream... this dreadful world.


Panicked

A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can't take any other actions. In addition, the creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature cowers and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape.

Panicked is a more extreme state of fear than shaken or frightened.


[ The Tragic Villain ]

He turned and fled. The ungodly ebon wolf of thundering fury had become a terrible phantom women... he turned and ran through the manor, crashing through the crushed door into the sub-room before the Study's entrance. He through his weight into the damned thing, and shoulder rushed it, closing it half way... something to hide behind... some place safe. He covered his face with his arms, his body shook uncontrollably. He looked down at the sword he held, he couldn't keep his arms still. It quaked and stuttered beyond control, his heart pounded, sweat beading upon his brow, cold chills running through his body.


Frightened

A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may fight. A frightened creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape.

Frightened is like shaken, except that the creature must flee if possible. Panicked is a more extreme state of fear.

********************************************

MAPS
(MAP KEY)

***RED SQUARE (Blown out Wall)
***COLORED SQUARES (Casualties)
(8) Dark Red Square - Alica (Soulless/Alive)
(2) Green Square - Viridi (Soulless/Dead)
(4) Light Blue Square - Sheila Heidmarch (Soulless/Dead)

****PLAYERS (Circles) - (WHITE DIAMONDS = STATUS EFFECT)
(7) Avy (Frightened)
(5) Asiresh (Paralyzed/Prone)
(6) Jeska (Panicked)
(9) Koriah (KO)
(11) Sir Roland Keddran
(12) Sinofel Pike
(13) Eris
(14) Lady Vorns

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Manor%20Outside%20UP%201_zpsqeof5wgg.png


********************************************

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Heidmarch%20Manaor%20Map%20-%20UP%201_zps9tbxu0vt.png

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As Asir lays in his paralyzed stupor the words of Nelrin'Fel ring in his consciousness.
"Now rise... Others come. Souls for the taking" He finds himself with another chance to awaken his muscles. Asir attempts to break from this paralysis. His body aches as he moves his body about. His knee pops and cracks, his back crackles with his old age, but he stands up gripping his bloody shoulder. Through the vastness of his consciousness his voice rang out, "We must find those flower buds you had mentioned earlier I feel as if they will be useful to us in the future. But as for these souls coming to us we may need to hold off on them, the captain had mentioned some help that was on our way. Chances are these souls are the reinforcements and if am to attack them, then we may both fall to their swords. Do not worry I will find you souls in due time."

Fort check to resist paralysis-13(Passed DC12)
Rise from prone

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

Nadia glances at Eris.
Let's move!
She begins to run along the side of the house. Reaching the side stairs, she sees a woman crawling from the wreckage.
Are you hurt?

Double move up to the top stairs on the right side (2 beneath Jeska)

[Mornings]

[ The Ancient & The Soulless One ]

The phantom-figure of the faceless horned devil watched the old man rise from the ground unassisted. It was an impressive feat for the broken old body of his to manage to resist the effects of the toxic pile that bled from his bloody wound. Of course he knew that the old man would not be able to maintain this resilience for much longer, but at least for a short while he would be able to move until he removed the taint from his blood himself...

The old devil chuckled, seemingly quite amused. "Yes...Yeeesss..... A perfect plan. The fool Grun'melesh, did not expect me to take a host from those among his liberators, or he would not have rewarded you with those Ebon Petals... We would often 'play' for the Renor'anon, those 'flowers'. Find them. Take them! ...take their power ....and quickly, before you are crushed and gored within this failing structure. Then... begin your hunt. For all with a soul within, or bound to their bones, are prey now, and my patience wanes as my hunger grows...Now, go."

Asiresh resists paralysis for 1 round and rises to his feet - Round 4 of 6

[Desril]

Eris

As the manor continues to collapse, Eris pauses, still trying to take in the chaos that's overtaken her home in such a short amount of time. No, there's no time for that, there must still be people trapped inside!

Nodding at Nadia, the tiefling calls out as she takes off, "I'll go with you! Sinofel, get everyone out as quickly as you can!"

Running around the building, she sees the open wall to the room that everyone must have been in before the city was attacked. Seeing that the large, bare-chested man lying by the door is clearly dead, impaled and not breathing, and that Madam Heidmarch was in even worse condition, split apart as she was, Eris instead focuses on the others. Noticing the old man rising to his feet and not having time to be polite, given the circumstances, she hastily orders him about, "If you're strong enough, help me get these others out of here, this place doesn't have long left! How many of you were in here?!"

Oh praise to Our Lady in Shadow, they aren't all dead!

Still, even after seeing Asiresh starting to stand, she doesn't stop and instead steps over the wreckage and bits of gore to check on the unconscious women as she calls out, "Is anyone else here?!"


Double move to adjacent to...most of Sheila...and visual check to see who's still breathing

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

As he stands the voice of Nelrin'Fel rings in his mind...he's hungry for souls. Asir understands his hunger but has other things on his mind...He must get those flower buds. A voice comes from his side...
"If you're strong enough, help me get these others out of here, this place doesn't have long left! How many of you were in here?!"
He silently ignores her with the pain of his body increasing once more, But her voice rang out once more...
"Is anyone else here?!"
There's no more ignoring this wench. He turns to speak to her "There may be some more in what's left of this room but I have more pressing matters to attend to for the moment. I must look for the Captains daughter to make sure she is safe. She is my main concern as of right now so please if you would step aside so I may pass.
After staggering for a moment, struggling with his paralysis, he moves through the manor to get outside. Noticing Jeska, he ignores her as well and pushes through her to get past. With the burning building to his left, he makes his way towards the side of the wall where the study once was.

Move to two squares directly above where Jeska stood.

[Desril]

Eris

Growling at the old man and his callousness she makes an irritated fist and is about to call him out before deciding that there's more important things to deal with. And besides, if there is a kid around here, it is important that we get her out too. Instead cries out to Nadia and those entering through the front door, "There are people alive here, but they can't move! Hurry! I'm going to keep looking for other survivors!"

True to her word, she rounds the corner, spotting the terrified looking Avaricious, though not recognizing him from any other dhampir. Seeing the crazed look in his eyes, she holds up her hands as she approaches, trying to sound authoritative and calm as she does. "Sir! Are you OK? Do you know where you are?"


Move past Alica's body and adjacent to Avaricious.

If only I had Calm Emotions. Maybe I can break his fear with Diplomacy since we're out of combat and the source of the fear is gone? [roll0]

[Hattish Thing]

Eris

Growling at the old man and his callousness she makes an irritated fist and is about to call him out before deciding that there's more important things to deal with. And besides, if there is a kid around here, it is important that we get her out too. Instead cries out to Nadia and those entering through the front door, "There are people alive here, but they can't move! Hurry! I'm going to keep looking for other survivors!"

True to her word, she rounds the corner, spotting the terrified looking Avaricious, though not recognizing him from any other dhampir. Seeing the crazed look in his eyes, she holds up her hands as she approaches, trying to sound authoritative and calm as she does. "Sir! Are you OK? Do you know where you are?"


Move past Alica's body and adjacent to Avaricious.

If only I had Calm Emotions. Maybe I can break his fear with Diplomacy since we're out of combat and the source of the fear is gone? [roll0]

Avaricious had been backing away slowly, his maddened looking eyes darting every direction with great speed, frantically searching for things that aren't there, monsters in the darkness. His blade is held in front of him, the jagged bit of metal wielded quite poorly by the bard. Both of his hands are gripping the same bit of hilt, and though the weapon was probably once quite sharp, it's been somewhat dulled over the years. The dhampir mutters to himself in a hurried whisper, grumbling out nonsense as he began to wildly swing at the air around him, seeing phantom visages everywhere, his fracturing mind making broken down bookshelves look like terrible beasts, clawed and fanged, ready to pounce at and tear into him. His lip quivers, and he closes his eyes in pain, his terrible headache beginning to throb quite a bit as he continues to move about. "Oh gods, oh gods, why..." Avaricious steps back into a bit of rubble and curses out, swinging his blade down until the metal end slams and slices into a bit of floor. He spends a second pulling the sword out, only to find that he's completely lost his sense of direction. There was so much smoke everywhere, just like...

The bard begins to cry out in sorrow, his morale beginning to quickly decline as he looks around. Nothing but blood, and ash, and smoke, and wreckage everywhere, as far as he could see. The panicked dhampir braces his back against a bit of sturdy looking wall, struggling to make himself fit under the now quite low roof. He waits now, breathing heavily, imagining that he was going to die here. As he leans here, seemingly alone and away from everyone else, Avaricious begins to cry, unable to stop himself from emotionally releasing somehow. Just as it seems he's starting to calm down a little bit, the bard hears something come close. "Oh please no." As the footsteps come closer, Avaricious grits his teeth close, his fangs digging into his lip and drawing a fair deal of blood, more than he would have liked. He holds his blade forward now, his arms completely rigid, holding the painful looking hunk of weathered metal in front of him, preparing to defend himself to the bitter end.

---

As Eris comes close, she'll see a particularly unsavory sight ahead of her. A figure leans against the back of a bit of steady looking wall, looking both wounded and panicked. His clothes that seemed to have once been quite beautiful, once dyed in vibrant hues of red, blue, and gold, are now shredded up and covered in black blood. His overcoat is missing a sleeve, and there's a fairly large rip in the cloth of his chest where a piece of shrapnel caught him during the explosion. The figure's face is gaunt and pale, and although it may regularly be attractive, at the moment he looks absolutely terrible. There's tears streaming down his face, and the entire side of his forehead is covered in blood, his stark white hair caked in the nasty bit. There seems to be some kind of gash there as well, evident in the light. He growls at her before immediately lunging forward, shouting out something nearly incomprehensible, seeing as he was crying and shouting at the same time.

"SHTAY AWOY FRUB ME!"

With that, the maddened and evidently quite frightened bard thrusts forward, aiming to plunge his blade straight into the side of the strange and frightening woman, no doubt an ally of that wolf monster's aiming to come after and finish him off. After that, he'll bring his short sword upwards, attempting to nick at her shoulder and neck. He's not particularly good at what he does, but he's cornered and desperate.

The thrust towards her hip manages to find skin, slicing through what he can. However, the second falls short by a longshot.

Waist: [roll0] DMG: [roll1]

Neck: [roll2] DMG: [roll3]

Upon hitting his target, the bard seems to collapse there in front of her, dropping his weapon and backing away, a hand forward in defense. "Please.... Please.... Please don't..."

[Desril]

Eris
HP 9/11

It isn't until the dhampir before her has already drawn his sword and started his attack that she sees the extent to which he's snapped. Crap! He's going to---! Before she can even finish the thought, however, Avaricious had already lunged for her, his blade piercing the illusion she kept around herself effortlessly and cutting into the soft flesh underneath. Grimacing at the sharp sting, she hops back and out of the way before he can strike again, gingerly touching a hand to her side and wincing at the sensation of blood. Could've been worse. It's not deep at least. Probably won't even leave a scar.

Still, even if it was from fear, a crazed man with a sword wasn't something she could leave alone in this situation. With her other hand she was already in the midst of casting a spell when the dhampir dropped his sword and she noticed his tears. Faltering, she interrupts her own casting and looks at him more closely. I'm going to regret this...

Taking a step closer to him again, wincing when she puts pressure on her left foot at the pain from the wound on her side, she does her best to remain calm and level sounding while resisting the urge to just slap him back into reality, "I'm not here to hurt you, just calm down. We need to get you out of this place, the manor is collapsing. Come with me if you want to live," she tells him while offering him her hand, the one coated in her own blood. Hopefully it'll entice him. Even if he's not a full vampire, somewhere in his subconscious must be the urge to feed.

[Mornings]

The Swordmaster

The silver-haired warrior glided effortlessly through the debris, and slipped pasted the shattered-and-failing door in the small room, just as the panicked man thrust his broken blade out. Blood. The ring of steel upon the floor. Words. Meaningless words. A rage gripped the swordsmen's heart.

Slow, slower, still. The fires of the burning mansion did not dance and flicker. The suffocating smoke ceased it's chocking ballet. Sightless. With vision that spanned time, he could see the small enclosure of the room. The collapse of the support struts of the ceiling. His soul moved towards stillness, and the world froze in place.

He opened his eyes. Pupil-less eyes. Orbs of gleaming metallic-silver. One strike. A thrust. He watched the phantom-form of his future-self move forward with such speed. A spinning slash, low, precise. The flat of his blade. The metal did not touch him, but the force. The gale-breaking force of the blade, sent the frail creature bounding off the wall.... ...Heh. He closed his eyes.

Faster then the eye could catch, he entered a reverse spin drawing his blade in the motion. The air in the room exploded with a sonic scream, blasting away the smoke in the room. A thrust, sure, and deathly precise, ending a half inch before it reached flesh. A misty-flash of light. He was spinning in a low horizontal crouched-slash with the flat of his blade. The sword was filled with a terrible purple-light surrounded by a sub-sonic field of energy. It collided into the man, and sent him crashing into the wall, with a thunderous clap. His body slid down the charred-and-blasted stone surface, quite unconscious, but generally unharmed. The explosive force of the blade left him bereft of his sensibilities.

He spun his blade into a reverse grip and sheathed it in the same motion of his strike. A single blurred-thundering assault. He stood, albeit, hunched with the lowered ceiling, before speaking a single word to the now debacled man; " Unacceptable...."

He looked to his wounded master shamefully, evidently distressed he had not been able to prevent such an incident, with no concern for the man he had put down. He looked as if he was searching for the right words, until after a pause, he spoke. "...Sorry."

[Mornings]

Edit------

[Mornings]

SinofelCombat - [Non Lethal]
Force Edge - Absolution (1)
[roll0] [roll1] [roll2]

Force Edge - Absolution (2)
[roll3] [roll4] [roll5]

Additional Move Action ( Sheath Weapon )

[Desril]

Eris

Caught off-guard by the whirlwind appearance of her bodyguard, Eris couldn't help but stare, dumbfounded and amazed, at his speed and power. I really must learn what he is. If only he'd open up more, she says while suppressing a sigh. Maybe I should talk to the Lady and see what she can tell me.

Hearing him apologize though, she shakes her head. "You can't be everywhere, don't worry. It's not like he could've really hurt me. I think I hit harder than he does," she says with a chuckle, only to be cut off by a sharp pain in her side. Putting her hand through the illusory dress, she feels the wound again, "But you should apologize to him when he wakes up," she motions to Avaricious' twitching body, "He had already surrendered, there was no need to knock him out like that."

Just then, the manor groans and Eris remembers their situation. "There's no time for this, please, check the rest of the house for survivors! I'll help get him and the others out of here!" With that said, assuming Sinofel does as she'd requested, Eris does her best to lift up Avaricious' unconscious body and starts to haul him out of the house. First him, then the unconscious girls, Mrs. Heidmarch, and then that dead brute if there's time. I could do a lot with a body like that. Groaning under the dhampirs weight, she grunts, "Oh, you better be the last one!"

[Kai927]

She had escaped that horrid realm, or was it something she had imagined? Jeska wasn't sure, she barely had the time to contemplate this before she heard what sounded like crying. Then it overcame her. The terrible fear. In her mind she flashbacked to the night of her escape from Korvosa. The sense that if she did not flee, she would die. There was no reason for it, no reasoning her out of it. Dropping her shield, she rises to her feet and flees as fast as her armored form will take her.

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

The building still engulfed in flames, all while the structure is collapsing, Asir begins to make his way toward the study once more while attempting to focus his magic. Within his consciousness, he asks the devil "Help me search for these petals before the building collapses!" His eyes begin to glow from the magic infused within his being, searching, looking for something quite peculiar. He hears the crackling of the fire around him drowning out the voices around him, but not those of Nelrin'Fel.

Move into the study one square and cast detect magic.

[Mornings]

[ The Swordmaster & The Daughter ]

He looks down at the unconscious man, and back at his master. As if processing her words, assessing the risk and feasibility of leaving her unattended again. Until finally seeming to make up his mind and speak, "....Very well." He turned, and with a gust, he seemed to dart out of the room. The debris not slowing his gait for a second.

He moved through the manor. He looked through each room. His steps, his movements carried an inhuman speed. He checked the back rooms, the side rooms, the garden, the closets... dancing through the destruction like a specter. He began making his way back, finding no one else within the Manor. It took him all of 5 seconds to clear the distance. He saw Roland again, as he had begun dragging out bodies from the Dining room. The paladin looked up at him as he finished getting Koriah out side. and began trying to drag the large Numerian. "Uhg... by..the..gods..." He tugged at the man's body, slowly dragging him " Whatever in the hells took out this lumbering fool... Is just another mystery..uhg.. that I'm glad...uhg... to remain blissfully unaware... " He finally finished dragging the man's body out. Sinofel shook his head. Whatever had done this... was truly a force to be reckoned with, but it was a force far too dangerous to let remain shrouded in mystery. He moved back to where his master has been. He had yet to check the Manor's Study.

As quickly as he had left, he had returned. Eris blinked in disbelief, was the man so quick he could search the manor and return in such haste. " No others... Keddran... clears the.. room." He moved past her. There was still one room left, yet unchecked.

[ The Wayward Sword & The Guardian ]

The old man stumbled and clawed out from the smoking rubble, the female knight obvious caught in a terrible fright cried out as the old man pushed her aside and made a dash for the back of the house. She was seemingly dazed and hardly coherent.

Sir Roland emerged from the massive hole in the Manor shortly after beginning to drag out bodies. Some of them breathing, others, not. After a short while, he had moved all but the largest of them, an oversized man, from the flaming complex. "Pay no mind to me Lieutenant, Go find that other one, the old one! He seemed to be well-off enough. We need to know what happened here. Who's left! ...Sheila....The Venture Captain, is gone." The words seemed to choke him, but with all his bravado he pushed back the pain that welled in his eyes and made his voice crack. " We were too late, but our mission still stands. We need to know, what they know. And we need to know now! So go! "

[ The Ancient ]

The terrible voice whispered within his mind, like a nauseating vapor that permeated his thoughts.
" Yes..... they are here. Within this rubble and stone. Beneath the fallen shelves. Your arms are feeble, but even you should manage.... now move quickly. Souls gather about us, coming to us.."

His magically augmented sight peered into the smokey room as he stood before the door way. Massive pieces of wood and timber and fallen cement blocks, the foundations of the walls filled the room. It would be difficult traversing through all of this mess. But he could see the dim glow of his target. Exactly where the devil said it would be. He had to move quickly if he was to fetch the things before this place came down completely....

Then, the door, opposite of the room slammed open. Across the room through the burning smoke the began to fill the room, he could see the tall lithe man hunched over from the lowered ceiling. His silver hair was strange and unnatural. His eyes were closed, as if blinded. A large fearsome looking sword hanging from his baldric at his side. There was a moment of silence. Then he spoke. " ...Pathfinder? "

[Desril]

Eris

Though it takes her far longer to move Avaricious' body than it took Sir Roland to move several, she smirks at the Lord of Commons as he struggles to move the body of the muscular Numerian. There's no point in letting such a beautiful body go to waste in this fire after all. But I'm going to want to keep this one to play with later, so let's put a little oomph into it.

"Minister Kaddren," she calls out to her superior, stepping back into the burning building, "There's no time for you to be wasting on moving a corpse like this out of here. Time is of the essence, I'll animate this one so that it can help us if we need the strength, he looks like he must've been as strong as an ox when he was alive, and I can strengthen his body further. It's better he serves the city in death than burns to nothing! Go look for the old one in case they need help, I'll tend to the wounded."

Assuming that Roland doesn't stop her, Eris abandons the dhampirs body briefly and moves over to the man-mountain's body, now freed from beneath the rubble thanks to Roland's efforts. "Alright, big boy, time to get up." Ignoring the blood and viscera on him, the tiefling flexes her wings before lowering herself to her knees and quickly tracing a rune on the corpse's head in its own blood, sending arcane power pouring into it. Smiling, quite pleased with her new toy in spite of the situation, as its lifeless eyes open, blood pouring freely and seemingly endlessly from them, Eris gives it a simple command. Pointing to Sheila Heidmarch's remaining parts, "Take that body outside of this house and set her down next to the dhampir." Doing as told, the hulk lumbers to his feet, a seemingly endless amount of blood draining from his open wounds.

Trusting her mindless servant to do as instructed, Eris waves the smoke away from her face as she makes her way outside to where the bodies, both living and dead, had been gathered. Checking each one, she tries to determine what's wrong with the beautiful young woman that was closest to the room the dhampir was in even as she quickly casts a pair of spells to treat the wounds of the other woman and the dhampir. Actually, now might be the perfect time to test the Lady of Morning's gift...how about...you. We can call it penance for stabbing me, she thinks. As she casts the spell to heal the dhampir she draws upon the power of her luckstealer's braid and speaks aloud to him. "You're lucky I'm here, you know. Most people with magical healing abilities wouldn't be able to help you without killing you."


Animate Viridi as a "Bloody Zombie" (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=160383) for 1 DR (6/7 remaining)

Cast InfernalAbyssal Healing on Koriah
Cast Abyssal Healing on Avaricious using Luckstealer's Braid Will [roll0]vs DC 16 (If successful, Avy gets the bad luck)

Spells per day 3/5 (if braid fails, 4/5 if successful)

[Vhaidara]

Nadia nods to her superior, moving towards the end of the house where she had seen the old man heading. As she rounds the corner, she sees the zombie that was once Virdi. Luckily for the newly animated hulk, she assumes he is just badly wounded.
Keep moving civilian.
She sees Eris standing over the unconscious Dhampir.
Another survivor?

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

The body that seems to do little but breathe gently opens it's eyes as soon as Eris casts her spell upon it. As un-life flows back into his body, Avaricious wakes up with a jolt before shouting some unintelligible plead, his crimson eyes wide in fear as he looks up into the world again. Upon seeing that the knight that cut him down is nowhere to be seen, the dhampir seems to calm down slightly, although he's still breathing quite quickly, and breathes far too shallowly to be completely healthy. Now that the bard has regained control of his senses, he takes a good look around at the unfamiliar environment around him. First, he grimaces a tad, having been set down atop of a particularly round rock of some kind, which digs uncomfortably into his back. He smells smoke in the air and looks over to see the mansion still on fire, the building continuing to collapse upon itself. "...Wasn't I just... What happened." He turns back to the area closest by him, noticing that Koriah lies beside him, breathing and whole.

Avy's eyebrows rise and he seems a bit less upset now that he knows she's alright. "I'm glad she made it. But... I think that was Heidmarch that I saw in there... Only she was less... Complete." He groans and moves a hand up to his bloody head, only to notice that the actual cut on his forehead is slowly sealing itself, although the crusted blood remains all over his face and hair. However, things seem calm, now, and the bard takes great comfort in that. Still, a thought crosses his mind. "Oh by the gods... With all the blood everywhere I must look terrib-!" His eyes widen once more as he notices Nadia above him, looking down. Avaricious shouts out now, clearly simultaneously frightened, and incredibly confused. "...Who are you?!" Though he looks at Nadia at first, he quickly notices Eris above him as well, and although he's not used to seeing her from this angle, he does recognize her somewhat.

He'll speak to her now, although he still looks quite confused, and a bit annoyed by the headache that continues to persist. He does bend a bit at the waist, still sitting on the ground but using his arms to prop him up. "Hey... Don't I know yo-!" However, the sudden sight of Viridi, blood dripping out from every orifice and lumbering about menacingly completely destroys Avaricious' train of thought. He raises his eyebrows high before just shaking his head silently, and lying back down onto the dirt, muttering quietly to himself.

"Nopenopenopenopenope."

[Desril]

Eris

Nodding to Nadia even as she finishes her spell she replies without glancing up. "These three were alive and," she motions to Avaricious and Koriah, "these two should be waking up as soon as my magic takes hold, barring any mental trauma. The other girl though, there's something off about her. Her body isn't particularly beat up, whatever knocked her out didn't affect her physically, I'll have to look at her more carefully. Actually..."

She quickly pulls out her spellbook and refers back to it briefly, quickly memorizing a spell that she's not particularly good with and casting it, looking at the bodies and back toward the house for anything that might explain what happened. "Oh, and don't bother telling #7 what to do," she says offhandedly while scanning the area and Alica's body, "It only listens to me."

Then the dhampir stirs and she flashes him a toothy smile, glad to see that he's going to be alright, even though he'd attacked her only seconds ago. Can't really blame him, and he did surrender when he realized what he'd done. He probably would've attacked a kid if they'd been the first one he saw. When he finally seems to notice Eris, however, she ***** her head to the side, Know me? I don't really know many dhampirs...one bumped into me in that panic at the square this morning, maybe that's him? ! Wait, it couldn't--she finds the thought interrupted, however, by Avaricious' sudden cowering response to Viridi.

Patting him gently on the back, she can't help but chuckle, "That's new. A dhampir who's afraid of the undead. I mean, I'd get it if you hated them, but fear? How do you take care of your body without someone to keep you from staking yourself nearby," she asks him, in a playfully mocking tone of voice, far more light hearted than the flaming manor and corpses next to her should permit.


Spending 1 DR to use Quick Study. Swapping out Jolt and Mage Hand for Detect Magic, then casting it. 5/7 DR remaining.

Loooots of K: Arcana checks to figure out what the **** happened (Not sure what all there is to roll for, I may only need 1)
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]

Spellcraft for same
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]
[roll12]
[roll13]

[Mornings]

Eris

Nodding to Nadia even as she finishes her spell she replies without glancing up. "These three were alive and," she motions to Avaricious and Koriah, "these two should be waking up as soon as my magic takes hold, barring any mental trauma. The other girl though, there's something off about her. Her body isn't particularly beat up, whatever knocked her out didn't affect her physically, I'll have to look at her more carefully. Actually..."

She quickly pulls out her spellbook and refers back to it briefly, quickly memorizing a spell that she's not particularly good with and casting it, looking at the bodies and back toward the house for anything that might explain what happened. "Oh, and don't bother telling #7 what to do," she says offhandedly while scanning the area and Alica's body, "It only listens to me."

Then the dhampir stirs and she flashes him a toothy smile, glad to see that he's going to be alright, even though he'd attacked her only seconds ago. Can't really blame him, and he did surrender when he realized what he'd done. He probably would've attacked a kid if they'd been the first one he saw. When he finally seems to notice Eris, however, she ***** her head to the side, Know me? I don't really know many dhampirs...one bumped into me in that panic at the square this morning, maybe that's him? ! Wait, it couldn't--she finds the thought interrupted, however, by Avaricious' sudden cowering response to Viridi.

Patting him gently on the back, she can't help but chuckle, "That's new. A dhampir who's afraid of the undead. I mean, I'd get it if you hated them, but fear? How do you take care of your body without someone to keep you from staking yourself nearby," she asks him, in a playfully mocking tone of voice, far more light hearted than the flaming manor and corpses next to her should permit.


Spending 1 DR to use Quick Study. Swapping out Jolt and Mage Hand for Detect Magic, then casting it. 5/7 DR remaining.

Loooots of K: Arcana checks to figure out what the **** happened (Not sure what all there is to roll for, I may only need 1)
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]

Spellcraft for same
[roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]
[roll11]
[roll12]
[roll13]

[ The Daughter of Evenings ]

(Results)

Her augmented sight could see the whisps of dark magic radiate outward from the site of the explosion that had leveled the manor. Yet traces of energy neither arcane, nor sorcerous in nature was intertwined in the mix of energy. But she could identify it. Umbral Magic, a lost art, the forgotten school of shadow. An ancient magic once practiced within The Inner Sea. It was a power that even the Magisters of Segenhall had lost all knowledge of, and only taught as history. Someone... something, still possessed those powers, and had used it to raze this place to the ground. The dark whipping shadow-matter of the smell still clung to the walls and the debris, as if it existed as its own intangible, sightless form of dark matter. Whatever... whoever had come here. Was one of the last of their kind. Perhaps... the only one left in all of Golarion that could tap into such raw.. dark... primeval forces. Something ancient, something terrible now walked among the streets of Magnimar.... she shuddered at the thought.

Try as hard as she may, she could not identify what had happened to the young women, seemingly asleep. Yet she was writhed in the same shadow-matter as the devistated house. She had been touched by this same Umbral Force. Who could know what it had done to her... but she yet lived, as if locked in a blissful sleep, a coma. Perhaps her mind was far away. It was something she had never before witnessed nor heard of. A kind of ancient wizardry that had not been seen in millenia.

She looked up at the storm. The massive winged-titan of gold-crimson lightning. With each flap of its wings mist poured down upon the city. She had never before seen such a thing, but the storm seemed to find its origin from the creature. Or, more particularly, the massive whirling star of light it bore upon its back. The mist was charged, with an aura of magic, conjuration so similar to that found in dimensional binding spells, or magic of the sort. She could feel it now, see it in the air. The walls that separated the material plane had begun to thin here.... and the energy seemed to only intensify the closer she dared look to the blinding archon in the sky.... She did not know what this storm was, but whatever it, and that thing were. They disrupted the very balance of the plane.

[Vhaidara]

Nadia looks from Virdi to Eris, and back a few times. Then she swears.
Of course they pair me with a practitioner of the darkest magics.
She pushes past them to enter the house from behind, keeping an eye open for the old man.

[Hattish Thing]

Eris

Then the dhampir stirs and she flashes him a toothy smile, glad to see that he's going to be alright, even though he'd attacked her only seconds ago. Can't really blame him, and he did surrender when he realized what he'd done. He probably would've attacked a kid if they'd been the first one he saw. When he finally seems to notice Eris, however, she ***** her head to the side, Know me? I don't really know many dhampirs...one bumped into me in that panic at the square this morning, maybe that's him? ! Wait, it couldn't--she finds the thought interrupted, however, by Avaricious' sudden cowering response to Viridi.

Patting him gently on the back, she can't help but chuckle, "That's new. A dhampir who's afraid of the undead. I mean, I'd get it if you hated them, but fear? How do you take care of your body without someone to keep you from staking yourself nearby," she asks him, in a playfully mocking tone of voice, far more light hearted than the flaming manor and corpses next to her should permit.

After looking around at the destruction for a little while, Avaricious eventually decides he's had enough. He rolls onto his back now and rests his head in the dirt, looking towards the sky again. Unfortunately, the sight here isn't much better, what with the tempestuous storm raging a little while away, and the titan-like creature attacking the House of Lords a little bit after that. Avaricious exhales loudly before speaking out in frustration. "By all the gods, everywhere I look there's nothing but things I'd rather not be near. Wonderful. Look, over there we've got a storm the size of a godsdamned country, and a little bit away from that there's... whatever the hell that is, lumbering about the House of Lords." He turns to look towards the zombified Viridi once more and shakes his head in disapproval. The bard hadn't even liked Viridi when he was alive, now that he was dead and dripping gore everywhere he walked, Avaricious found he enjoyed the presence of the warrior even less. With a sarcastic tone, he speaks towards the zombified bit of Viridi before grabbing a pebble off the nearby patch of ground and tossing it towards Viridi's boot.

"And there you are, you big ugly oaf of a man, looking as beautiful as always. Quite the prime example of human perfection, aren't you. I think you actually look better this way than you did entirely intact...

Odd."

Now, he turns to speak towards Eris, but closes his eyes at this point, before moving to rest his arms behind his head. "I wonder what would happen if I just decided to lie here a while. Maybe if I just wait long enough here, on the ground, all the nasty things out there waiting to kill us all and eat us will go away." He grumbles and complains once more before continuing. "But hah, with the luck I've been having so far they'll be some terrible earthquake or something, and I'll wake up split in two like our good friend Heidmarch there." He raises a finger in the air, looking somewhat ridiculous all covered in blood and grime, with one arm stubbornly stuck in the air. "Question! Lady... you never told me a name, you should fix that. But that's not the question. What in the world are you doing here of all places. You're clearly not an enemy of the Pathfinders, else you would've stabbed me by now, not... done whatever you did. I am thankful for that, by the way... Anyway. What are you doing here with that... grumpy looking one with the armor and such. It's... Not a nice place to be you know, here."

"Gahh. I can't get comfortable. Help me up, will you?"

[Desril]

Eris

While she studies the house she flippantly replies to Nadia, calling out to her as she walks off, "No, that would be magic that destroys one's very soul...or perhaps spells that create darkness, pending on how literal you want to be," she adds casually.

Or, she thinks shivering in a mix of fear and excitement, Nadia being too far away to reasonably call to now, the magic that did this. I can't believe it! Umbral Magic! There's still a living practitioner! AND they're in Magnimar! This is amazing! Well, it's terrible, but it's also amazing. What I wouldn't give to get them to teach me about how that works...

She doesn't let that distract her overly much though. Between the fiery titan in the sky and the umbral-touched girl she has plenty to keep her attention. But before she can focus her thoughts on them, she has a whiny dhampir to tend to. Letting him rant, she can't help but smirk, knowing quite well the answer to his question of what would happen if he tried to just lay there would be that she'd have Number 7 pick him up and carry him off. So, his name was Viridi, huh? Well, that's no longer important, #7 will do. That thought, however, is also interrupted as she cuts off Avaricious. "Wait, what do you mean I never told you my name? There hasn't really been a chance to--" stopping mid sentence, remembering now, she squats down next to the dhampir's side and pulls up his tattered sleeve, looking for the brand on his arm. When she finally sees it, she grins cheerfully at him. "Oh! It's you! I didn't think you would've been a Pathfinder," she tells him in happy disbelief while standing up and offering him a hand, "My name's Eris," she says and points toward her illusory badge with her free hand, "Some people call me 'Magister Kestal'rah' but you...well, you can call me anything you want," she says with a wicked grin There's still time to play around a little bit. It'll take a few seconds longer until my magic finishes its work, but we shouldn't linger longer than we have to after that.

"Getting back to the point, we came here to try and save you lot. Unfortunately," she adds with genuine sorrow as she glances toward Viridi and Sheila, unaware of Andel's death due to the lack of a body, "we were too late. Someone seems to have used an ancient and assumed dead magic on you all before we got here. You'll have to tell me about that when things calm down."

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh


" ...Pathfinder? "

Asir hears this wretched voice and looks in the direction from which he heard it. He speaks but one simple word as a lie. "...No" He then makes his way to the petals and attempts to lift the debris in his way to retreive te petals then makes his way back out of the mansion.

[Hattish Thing]

Eris

But before she can focus her thoughts on them, she has a whiny dhampir to tend to. Letting him rant, she can't help but smirk, knowing quite well the answer to his question of what would happen if he tried to just lay there would be that she'd have Number 7 pick him up and carry him off. So, his name was Viridi, huh? Well, that's no longer important, #7 will do. That thought, however, is also interrupted as she cuts off Avaricious. "Wait, what do you mean I never told you my name? There hasn't really been a chance to--" stopping mid sentence, remembering now, she squats down next to the dhampir's side and pulls up his tattered sleeve, looking for the brand on his arm. When she finally sees it, she grins cheerfully at him. "Oh! It's you! I didn't think you would've been a Pathfinder," she tells him in happy disbelief while standing up and offering him a hand, "My name's Eris," she says and points toward her illusory badge with her free hand, "Some people call me 'Magister Kestal'rah' but you...well, you can call me anything you want," she says with a wicked grin There's still time to play around a little bit. It'll take a few seconds longer until my magic finishes its work, but we shouldn't linger longer than we have to after that.

"Getting back to the point, we came here to try and save you lot. Unfortunately," she adds with genuine sorrow as she glances toward Viridi and Sheila, unaware of Andel's death due to the lack of a body, "we were too late. Someone seems to have used an ancient and assumed dead magic on you all before we got here. You'll have to tell me about that when things calm down."

Avaricious rolls his eyes as she talks about Viridi, although he's slightly unnerved by the detachment the necromancer shows when dealing with the zombiefied fighter. As much as the bard disliked the burly warrior, he was still a person. However, the thought is discarded, tossed away and out of his mind. Now was not the moment to be feeling sentimental about beings not with his time. He does, however, speak somewhat softer than he did before, a more serious tone on his face. "Aye. That he was. Not a great man, nor a particularly good one. But a man nonetheless. I won't lie, it's... somewhat disconcerting to see him here so lifeless." He raises his brow a little bit before continuing, a strangely sorrowful expression on his face. "But it is not him I will truly mourn for... Many others I knew have... fallen." Avaricious is lifted up, and as the bard stands, he notices Eris staring towards the brand on his wrist, a brand he'd always been particularly ashamed of.

Now that he's back on his feet, he'll pull his arm away from her, looking a little bit offended. He'll step a bit away from her, but not too far, before rolling his sleeve forward and tapping a glowing finger to the coat. As he does so, the grime and dried blood begins to magically vanish, and soon enough Avaricious is looking quite a bit better than he did, although several articles of clothing on him are a tad ripped up and in need of repair. "...Nevermind that. I've had it for a long while now. It's none of your business." He looks up to her again before gazing at her, quickly looking her over and speaking again. "...You do not look like someone I'd know. Yet you speak like you know me, 'Magister'. What is someone like you, with a title like that, doing here caring for and rescuing people like me? I have no title. Nothing to give, or pay you for your assistance. You don't look to be a vigilante, either. Nor some plate-wearing priest looking to do good in the world..."

He'll move closer now, before he'll attempt to grab her wrist instead, looking down at her suspiciously now that he stands entirely upright. Although the dhampir is not particularly intimidating looking, there's a strange glint in his crimson eyes, a feral but calculating look. There's chaos in his eyes, maddening and vibrant, bursting to escape.

"No... You look like the kind of woman, the kind of mage, to take advantage of a situation like this. You certainly seem to know a lot about whatever sort of magic did this to me, and to my friends, and to these innocent people."

"What are you really doing here... Who sent you?"

[Desril]

Eris

As the dhampir speaks about the man who her new undead minion used to be, the tiefling does her best to comfort him about the fact. "Well, if it helps, that's not the man you knew. He'd left this body before we arrived, the magic allowing it to move now didn't stop his soul from going to whatever fate awaited it. But you have my condolences for your losses, mister...?"

A little upset that he doesn't seem to remember her, partly due to wounded pride and partly because it means she hadn't managed to lead him to Nocticula's open arms, Eris frowns at Avaricious. "That's hardly a nice way to speak to me after the night we had. It's barely been two weeks, surely you haven't forgotten me already?" She sighs, "Well, anyway, you've had some hard times, haven't you? Just because I have a title doesn't mean I don't want to do the right thing you know. You don't need a reason to help someone."

Seeing him move closer, Eris tenses up briefly wondering what he's going to do, given that he'd already stabbed her once today, but she doesn't back away, knowing that if he tries anything that Sinofel would rip him to shreds if she didn't do it herself. Matching his gaze, her eyes look into his but with compassion, seeing the anger and distrust hiding the same sorrow that she'd seen that night. Letting him grab her arm, his hand effortlessly passing through her sleeve to grip the smooth skin beneath, but she snarls at him, glaring when he accuses her of being responsible for this. "Of course I'll take advantage of the situation! What sort of person would I be if I let this tragedy stand without making a silver lining? But don't you dare accuse me of being responsible after I dragged you out of the damned building! And trust me," she says with a grim smile, but eyes still cold and and clearly irritated, "I wish I knew about the magic that did this. Rediscovering a lost art like umbral magic would be one of the most significant events of the century!"

"As for who sent me, perhaps you should pay more attention. But if you don't believe me, perhaps some proof will suffice?" Ignoring Avaricious, she turns her head "Sir Keddran!" She shouts out to the Lord of Commons, "Were there any more survivors?!" These ones' wounds ought to be nearly fully healed now, we shouldn't linger.

[Mornings]

[ The Golden Herald ]

Roland pushed the the debris, searching for answers. The scorch marks... what he'd seen when he had crashed through the mansion's door.... so many questions whirled in his mind. But he could see it, the seal on each of the far corners of the mansion was gone. Sheila had released Luka, at least before, whatever THIS was happened. He glanced around. The explosion that decimated the mansion, was not the same as that which had lit these black flames.... he coughed. Whoever... whatever, he saw... that black wolf-like spirit, it had not done this... he lifted up a piece of wood, once part of the dining room table, finding a man's arm, baring a familiar sigil'ed ring. He flinched, nearly falling backwards. Andel! By the gods.... what had happened to him. He glanced about the walls frantically now, at the charred gore that was baked into the dining room's painted perimeter. He... it... what... He shook his head violently. He had to keep it together... he had to keep it together.

He could hear Sinofel from the study. The crackling of the black burning flames muted most of the brief dialogue. But the familiar hum, and pressure change within the building was alarming. The mist being pushed away as if a swift breeze had begun to blow from within the manor.... "....Dammit, man. What now..." He heard the Magister's call from outside. He got up from his crouched position. drawing his sword, and crashing through the debris in a rush. ' I've found no other's no others, but it appears your Swordmaster has found combat! To the rear, of the Manor, quickly!" Not waiting for them to move, he rushed off around the house where Lieutenant Vorns had headed only a short while ago.

[ The Wayward Sword ]

She had seen the old man enter the manor, he seemed to be either preoccupied... historical, or speaking to himself. Yet, he walked back within the flaming Manor from the rear study's entrance. She could hear the exchange between the man and Sinofel, only 5 ft from the steps herself. Not yet decided on how she should go about dealing with the matter.

[ The Swordmaster & The Ancient ]

He simply stood in place watching the old man dig through the debris. lifting a book-case aside and digging through the rubble as if searching for something. Then, with a pause. He found whatever it was. Grasping them in hand, he shoved them into a pocket, and moved to leave.

The Swordmaster opened his eyes. Two-steps. Death. Collapse. Wind. Lies. Fire.... Devil. He closed his eyes. His hand moved to the blackened hilt of his broad-bladed weapon. Slowly beginning to draw the blade. A surge, a gust of cyclonic wind rushed about him, the sword's blade intensifying into a faint light... growing until it appeared as a solid beam of crimson fire. Half drawn. The whirling storm about him became a raging wall of wind, ripping away at the papers and debris. A spinning vortex within the study, alighted by the growing surge of energy gathering within the blade, now half drawn from the scabbard. "......I see you. I've found you. I've returned, to hold my word." He drew the blade now in full. A wave of super-heated wind exploded outward from the room, like a nova of fire from the exposure to the blade's aura. The paper, and tome were cast about, in instant combustion from the heat, whipping flares of flame danced about the room.

Calamity Edge - True Slaying Aura (Infernal) - [roll0] Fire Damage to Asiresh (40ft Aura)

The old man was lashed by the storming flames, the maelstrom of fire, as the study was lit aflame in terrible crimson light. He cried out in pain as the flames scourched his flesh. The Devil's voice cried out to him. " RUN, RUN YOU FOOL! HE IS CONTROLLED BY ANOTHER! " The old man stumbled and crashed out the door. Smoking upon the ground, failing to notice the steps in his haste.

[Hattish Thing]

Eris

As the dhampir speaks about the man who her new undead minion used to be, the tiefling does her best to comfort him about the fact. "Well, if it helps, that's not the man you knew. He'd left this body before we arrived, the magic allowing it to move now didn't stop his soul from going to whatever fate awaited it. But you have my condolences for your losses, mister...?"

A little upset that he doesn't seem to remember her, partly due to wounded pride and partly because it means she hadn't managed to lead him to Nocticula's open arms, Eris frowns at Avaricious. "That's hardly a nice way to speak to me after the night we had. It's barely been two weeks, surely you haven't forgotten me already?" She sighs, "Well, anyway, you've had some hard times, haven't you? Just because I have a title doesn't mean I don't want to do the right thing you know. You don't need a reason to help someone."

Seeing him move closer, Eris tenses up briefly wondering what he's going to do, given that he'd already stabbed her once today, but she doesn't back away, knowing that if he tries anything that Sinofel would rip him to shreds if she didn't do it herself. Matching his gaze, her eyes look into his but with compassion, seeing the anger and distrust hiding the same sorrow that she'd seen that night. Letting him grab her arm, his hand effortlessly passing through her sleeve to grip the smooth skin beneath, but she snarls at him, glaring when he accuses her of being responsible for this. "Of course I'll take advantage of the situation! What sort of person would I be if I let this tragedy stand without making a silver lining? But don't you dare accuse me of being responsible after I dragged you out of the damned building! And trust me," she says with a grim smile, but eyes still cold and and clearly irritated, "I wish I knew about the magic that did this. Rediscovering a lost art like umbral magic would be one of the most significant events of the century!"

"As for who sent me, perhaps you should pay more attention. But if you don't believe me, perhaps some proof will suffice?" Ignoring Avaricious, she turns her head "Sir Keddran!" She shouts out to the Lord of Commons, "Were there any more survivors?!" These ones' wounds ought to be nearly fully healed now, we shouldn't linger.

As Eris asks for his name, the bard considers lying to her and making up some quick alias. There were several he used, it would not be a difficult fib to pass off, no, not at all. However, he quickly decides against it before speaking to her. "My name... Heh." He looks down towards the ground before loosening his grip from the woman's arm. "My name is not one you'd know of, I assure you. I am known as Avaricious, it is the name my mother gave me, but not one I feel particularly fits me, wouldn't you agree?" He flashes a quick smile, and Eris will see those shimmering fangs of his, white and quite visible even in the low-light. "It means greedy. Corrupt. I'd almost be impressed with my mother for even knowing a word that large, had she not used it as a name for me. Not sure why, either. Perhaps out of spite against my father. You look the... type to know a fair lot about the undead. And about dhampir. I'm sure you can put together two and two and reason why she would feel spiteful against my father, you look quite intelligent. As well as beautiful, I believe."

"I prefer one or the other, personally. I find an individual possessing both traits to be... difficult to deal with, at times."

He finally looks at her, really looks and seems to recognize her there in the light. "Beautiful on the outside, at least, which is all that really matters, I find." He curls his lip up in disgust before continuing to speak. "Yes, now I remember you, now that I can see you more clearly." His smile fades and a stony expression forms over his usually quite handsome face. He taps his thigh with his middle finger, a bit of a nervous tic of his, before continuing to speak to her, a somewhat icy tone to his voice. "Oh. It's you, the witch woman with the holy symbol and the narcotics. Of course I hadn't forgotten it, or you, or what you did to me, against my will." Avaricious shakes his head and looks away, a small bit of his back exposed to her. He clasps his hands together and continues. "Take advantage of the situation, hah." He smiles, but it's a small forced one, bittersweet and somewhat difficult to look at. "At least you know how to take advantage of more than a man." The smirk fades away as quickly as it came.

Avaricious doesn't stop here, however. "Accuse you of causing all this?" He'll gesture towards the destroyed mansion before shrugging a tad. "No, perhaps not."

"But I can accuse you of far worse."

---

At this moment, Sinofel comes rushing back and shouts out that there's some sort of combat erupting inside. Avaricious quickly looks down and thinks fast. The only people within that were even capable of standing would have been Asiresh, and that wolf creature. The undead thing was destroyed, however, the bard saw it with his own eyes, watched as it was torn through a wall, into shreds. That could only mean that whatever swordmaster Eris had under her command was doing battle with Asiresh, it was the only possible explanation. Sinofel goes rushing forward, and Avaricious begins to grin, his poor mood fading quickly. This was a real grin, and a sinister one, a grin that only schemers and planners possessed, full of confidence and bliss. The dhampir was a bright man, perhaps not as bright as his studied companion, but smart enough to think of a plan.

Asiresh, the old, cruel, racist hunter. The man had threatened to murder Avaricious, to stab him in the back as soon as possible and collect his teeth, or some other barbaric thing. The bard knew that this wouldn't do, and he had seen firsthand how skilled Sinofel was with his sword, it downed him in one blow! With this mysterious swordmaster and Sinofel there, united against him, the old man would hardly live for more than a few seconds. However, this woman would surely try to stop it, to try to save the old hunter's life. She seemed good of heart, if naive. Despite what she did to him, Avaricious did grow to enjoy it, and it wasn't like she hurt him in any sort of way afterwards, although she easily could have. She even healed him after he was wounded, after he'd stabbed at her. No, her soft little heart would show his enemy mercy, and that would not do at all!

Avaricious may not be strong enough to take his revenge on the old man himself, but he hardly needed to. The bard would simply keep this woman distracted while the others swing away, and hopefully the old man would end up splattered all over the floor.

---


The old man was lashed by the storming flames, the maelstrom of fire, as the study was lit aflame in terrible crimson light. He cried out in pain as the flames scourched his flesh. The Devil's voice cried out to him. " RUN, RUN YOU FOOL! HE IS CONTROLLED BY ANOTHER! " The old man stumbled and crashed out the door. Smoking upon the ground, failing to notice the steps in his haste.

As shouting is heard from inside, Avaricious will wait for Eris to come rushing by him. As she does so, he'll reach to grab her from behind, attempting to hold her forearms back, the friendly and somewhat foppish individual that she just healed long gone, replaced by something far darker, something much more feral. Should his grapple go well, the bard will move forward, until he's directly behind her, his chest against her back, his head just over her shoulder. From here, he'll whisper angrily to her, an accusatory and threatening tone in his voice. "I know you must not fear someone like me, being who you are. I must seem so pitiful to you, and weak. That's why you took advantage of me, wasn't it?" He'll hiss and continue speaking, a certain breathlessness to his voice. "I know who you are, witch. I know who you worship, Noticulan whore. You made me break my vows to the one woman I ever loved that night, and you wouldn't even stop to let me tell you what you were spoiling with your filth. You accosted me, you forced me, I was unwilling... You blackmailed me."

He smiles a little, oddly enjoying feeling this powerful, this in control of the situation, this was true power, power he hadn't felt before. It was intoxicating. "Don't bother calling your swordsmen friends, they won't be of any use to you. I know your secret now, I saw your symbol, your statues. Worshiping a demon lord can get you into a lot of trouble, can't it? They can strip you of your title, soil your reputation. Your intelligence is worth nothing, when everyone thinks you're a whore. Then they'll be nothing left to you but the body you defile in the name of that hellish creature you consider a god, the body you used me with." He'll chuckle darkly here, his crimson eyes flashing with malice. "Your guards can kill me, certainly, but they can't stop the word from getting out if I tell the world. And they can't purge the stains your soul is covered with, can they, nor the guilt you'll feel when I'm dead. You're too soft a person to feel nothing over death, I know the kind of person you are. I was one, once."

"Now you're going to do something for me soon, and you're not going to tell your friends what I said to you, do you understand? I control you."

"You're mine."

[Kai927]

Slowly, the fog of panic receded from Jeska's mind. As her senses returned to her, she looked about, realizing that she was near the gate of the Manor. She turns and heads back at a brisk pace, only to discover the rubble where a wall used to be and numerous people sifting through the debris. Some of which where her assigned companions, but more were people she had never seen before. "What happen-" She starts to ask, before noting the position that Avaricious was in, holding a strange woman. Making a quick decision, she draws her sword and brings it to the ready, "Avaricious, what is going on?" she asks, completely focused on the woman, her stance making it clear that she views Eris, and not Avaricious as the potentially dangerous one in this situation.

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh


"......I see you. I've found you. I've returned, to hold my word."

The old man was lashed by the storming flames, the maelstrom of fire, as the study was lit aflame in terrible crimson light. He cried out in pain as the flames scorched his flesh. The Devil's voice cried out to him. " RUN, RUN YOU FOOL! HE IS CONTROLLED BY ANOTHER! " The old man stumbled and crashed out the door. Smoking upon the ground, failing to notice the steps in his haste.

Asir hears this death threat and decides this is one fight he is not matched for, especially after being lashed by fire and burned. He also heads to Nelrin's warning and makes haste to run the hell away from this man intent on purging the devil from his body at any cost. Asir makes his way out of the back door of the study blowing past anyone in his way while screaming and flipping his walking stick to his hand and using it to make his way out of the area."Who the hell is this guy and why does he wish so much pain and suffering on an old geezer like me! HAAAAAALP!!!! SOMEBODY SAVE ME!"

He is making his way farther and farther away from the manor, toward the main gate, and he states in his consciousness to Nelrin: "Who was he and why was he so hell-bent on destroying us. We could have died back there. That sword of his wasn't just any old sword it had a slaying aura. I don't think even your stature of being could survive such a blow. Explain this man and how you knew he was "controlled by another"" As he thinks his final words he is still running with his walking stick in hand ready for anything.

Full round action to run 90ft.

[Mornings]

Asiresh



Asir hears this death threat and decides this is one fight he is not matched for, especially after being lashed by fire and burned. He also heads to Nelrin's warning and makes haste to run the hell away from this man intent on purging the devil from his body at any cost. Asir makes his way out of the back door of the study blowing past anyone in his way while screaming and flipping his walking stick to his hand and using it to make his way out of the area."Who the hell is this guy and why does he wish so much pain and suffering on an old geezer like me! HAAAAAALP!!!! SOMEBODY SAVE ME!"

He is making his way farther and farther away from the manor, toward the main gate, and he states in his consciousness to Nelrin: "Who was he and why was he so hell-bent on destroying us. We could have died back there. That sword of his wasn't just any old sword it had a slaying aura. I don't think even your stature of being could survive such a blow. Explain this man and how you knew he was "controlled by another"" As he thinks his final words he is still running with his walking stick in hand ready for anything.

Full round action to run 90ft.

Heidmarch Manor; Magnimar - 02:25 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Star-Seekers ]

He dived out the door, clawing off the steps screaming, smoking, burnt and bruised. The adrenaline hammered in his head, his old bones hadn't moved this hastily in 40 years! Lady Vorns witnessed the frightful sight as the man, dashed off speaking to himself madly questioning what in the hells was going on. Her target had run off, but the view from within the Manor's study shook her. The blazing heat could be felt, radiating outward from the building. Begining to slowly re-focus, and center. The raging fiery storm condensing, shifting. The light tinted from crimson flame, to a tarnished purple haze. The maelstrom became a single ring of imploding light being drawn into the Swordmaster's blade. His body visibly shook holding the blade infront of himself with both hands, as if being electrocuted. He violently screamed out, his voice, distorted, the sound of two men.

" GAAAAHHHHH AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! BROOOOTHER!!!! "
" GAAAAHHHHH AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! BROOOOTHER!!!! "
************************

The Demon laughed within the old man's mind, as he bolted past the dhampir, the paladin who stopped in his tracks, and the bard who held the Magister. All eyes were drawn in reverse, and too him as he made his mad dash.

" HAHA, RUN HARDER FOOL! I know not what monster, that was that'd stood before me. But I know the soul which possesses it. My brother Sino'Fel, yet lives! ....I'd slain him long ago, though he destroyed my body in the exchange. I had bound my soul elsewhere, though he had cursed me before I took his head. It appears he has managed to capture... whatever creature that was, as his host.... and I must admit.. I burn with envy. But it is no mater! WE HAVE THEM! You've found the Renor'anon! With but a single bud at my disposal had I destroyed him once before! Now we've FIVE! " He laughed maniacally. As if they had already won. " If we can only make it to Quortek V'dre, we will hav- !" His words were cut short echoing in his mind. Cut short, by the cacophonous sound of the destruction of Heidmarch Manor. There was a flash of violet light... pain. Heat... then... nothing.

Asiresh - KO'ed
************************

It did not take very long for it to register in her mind, the Lady Vorns made a quick dash away from the manor, as the violet light of the beams blade began to darken, and the Swordmasters body was caught in a terrible seizure, as energies raged within his frame, threatening to tear him apart. Bolts of violet lightning coursed through his limbs and body. The very air charged, the charred fragments of tomes, began to raise, as if gravity had begun to reverse. She could feel a pulling, tugging force, drawing her closer as she dashed away, as if a void was beginning to open as the blade darkened. A deafening, magically amplified cry echoed out, as the Swordmaster thrust his blade of ebon-light into the lowered ceiling.

She dived to the ground.
************************

Calamity Edge - Auroral Calamity

The blast of violet light exploded outwards. The Manor in its entirety annihilated. Raining debris of rubble were lifted into the air, or disintegrated outright. A massive pillar of light, a dark spear into the sky cleaved through the darkness and the mist clouds of the storm.

So violent was the blast all within the compound were caught within the massive blast. The shockwave, ripped the consciousness from the old assassin, casting his body another 10 ft forward to the ground. Jeska was listed off her feat, and throw to her back, the impact so shocking she spat blood from her lips, her head aching. The swift dhampir, ever light on his feet, released the Magister, turning her about as a shield. He was thrown to his knee's the blast of the shock wave negated. but the world was spinning... his ears were ringing... he was dazed and confused... he took afew staggered steps forward, trying to steady himself. He couldn't think straight his body. Wouldn't respond as it should. He coughed blood, and his ears bled. Eris, catching the full force of the blast, as the bards shield was thrown back 5ft and upon her back. She writhed in pain. It felt as if her lungs would collapse from the stunning blow. Blood seeped from her nose and ears. She coughed terribly trying to regain her senses. Lady Vorns, too close to the origin of the blast, was thrown forward in her dive, falling upon her face. The Staggering force, shook her to the core. Her hands quivered, and her face was scratched and marred by the fall. The terrible trike was unexpected, but not enough to put her down. She'd taken worse blows then this. She coughed, it was difficult to breath. But by the sheer destruction she saw about her... things could have been far worse.

Debris rained from the sky. The massive dark spear of energy into the sky diminished, and vanished without a trace. From brick, to stone. From wall, to timber. Heidmarch Manor was gone.... Only desecrated ruins stood in its place.... There was no sign of life within the walls. The Swordmaster was gone.

[Desril]

Eris

Recognizing the fangs, lengthy and sharper than most dhampirs, no trace of doubt remains in the tiefling's mind as she flexes her wings to fan herself from the heat of the burning house while Avaricious -So that's his name. A shame he's so defensive about it, it is a good name, even if it has unkind roots. Fitting for one of his kind.- gives his little speech. She even blushes lightly in embarrassment at his compliments to both her appearance and intellect, but frowns when he finally recognizes her and begins to seethe, all but cursing at her.

"Against your will?" She asks almost in disbelief, "I may have limited your options, but you didn't turn me down. And I seem to recall you being eager to keep going!" She fumes, irritated at him for suggesting, even in ignorance, that what the Lady called her to do was somehow wrong when he enjoyed himself quite thoroughly, as the bite marks that had only recently healed could attest.

But now wasn't the time for a petty quarrel or philosophical debate. Roland had called out and warned her that Sinofel had found a fight. "Whatever, we don't have time for this," she tells Avaricious, brushing off the dhampirs veiled threat as she dashes past him...only to find herself pinned by the very bard she just wrote off. Struggling at first, she shouts indignantly, "Let me go!" But it is in vain, as her body goes limp in the dhampir's grasp while he whispers caustic accusations to her. Break his vow? He's married?! And I...Finding herself put out by this sudden realization, though it is not entirely accurate, Eris stops resisting and suddenly becomes very aware of the multitude of holes and cuts in the dhampirs outfit, feeling the cold touch of his skin on her own as her illusory robes pass through him soundlessly. Her breath starts to become more shallow, and her heartbeat speeds up to the point of becoming erratic, but not out of fear.

Listening to his continued threats, Eris decides to let him enjoy his little power trip, partly in an effort to appease the dhampir and calm him down in the process, and partly because even though this isn't the time, she can't help but to want to give in to his threats even though she knows he has no real power to carry out even half of what he wants. Even if he was right though...he made a mistake. His? He'll have to try a lot harder than this if he thinks he's strong enough to control me! Quietly, Eris chuckles, causing her body to push up against his even more.

Starting out at the same level of volume, she whispers a short reply, "Do what you want with my body...say what you want about me...destroy my reputation, strip me of my title, see me cast out from this city, I don't care, I'll still do what I can..." Seeing the swordswoman who'd been so terrified earlier that she'd fled at the sight of the tiefling and her companions drawing a sword on her caused Eris to pause and briefly consider her options. In the end though, she settled on trusting her own abilities, "But never blaspheme against Her!"

Ignoring the swordswoman in front of her, Eris twisted in Avaricious' grasp and did her best to punch him. The tiefling knew it wouldn't cause any real harm but wanted to drive the point home. Unfortunately for her, however, the explosion obliterated the manor in the same instant. Not only did her swing go wide, she herself flipped over-end to land on her back, staring up at the sky.

Shaking her head, she sits up and turns around, seeing the manor completely obliterated. Dumbfounded, she merely stares in shock for a few seconds before quickly recasting her divination and examining the magical aura to figure out what just happened as she wipes the blood from her nose and lips. "No...That idiot, what's he done now?!" Dragging herself to her feet, she ignores both the pain in her own body and the dhampir, more important issues at hand than a jilted lover and the pain being less than she's suffered at the hands of friends. Though I will need to apologize to him later...and take my revenge for daring to try and stop me like that when he knew someone was in trouble, she thinks in a daze.

"Sir Roland!" She calls out to the minister as she accepts that whatever happened to Sinofel is beyond her ability to fix right now, "We need to get out of here, now! That explosion could've been seen for miles, it's too dangerous to stay here! We can just haul the ones who can't walk on their own, we need to go!"

Shaking her head in an effort to clear it and trying not to cough up blood, she looks toward the zombified man she'd raised only a minute ago, "Carry the sleeping girls on your shoulders, then grab the corpse and follow me!" Obediently, the undead Viridi begins to reach down and pick up Alica first, then Koriah if she remains unconscious from the blast. Each over a different arm, it gracelessly takes Sheila's torso by the hand and begins to follow after Eris, leaving a trail of its own and Sheila's blood behind it.

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

As Nadia was blown forward, she kept her grip tight on the blade in her hand. Akyron was her blade. She gritted her teeth as the explosion rocked her body, her eardrums bleeding a little from the assault of sound. She struggled to her feet, looking around a bit wild eyed. She sees the old man to the south.
Stop right there old man! we need to stay together!
And she sets off in pursuit of him.

[Hattish Thing]

Eris

Recognizing the fangs, lengthy and sharper than most dhampirs, no trace of doubt remains in the tiefling's mind as she flexes her wings to fan herself from the heat of the burning house while Avaricious -So that's his name. A shame he's so defensive about it, it is a good name, even if it has unkind roots. Fitting for one of his kind.- gives his little speech. She even blushes lightly in embarrassment at his compliments to both her appearance and intellect, but frowns when he finally recognizes her and begins to seethe, all but cursing at her.

"Against your will?" She asks almost in disbelief, "I may have limited your options, but you didn't turn me down. And I seem to recall you being eager to keep going!" She fumes, irritated at him for suggesting, even in ignorance, that what the Lady called her to do was somehow wrong when he enjoyed himself quite thoroughly, as the bite marks that had only recently healed could attest.

But now wasn't the time for a petty quarrel or philosophical debate. Roland had called out and warned her that Sinofel had found a fight. "Whatever, we don't have time for this," she tells Avaricious, brushing off the dhampirs veiled threat as she dashes past him...only to find herself pinned by the very bard she just wrote off. Struggling at first, she shouts indignantly, "Let me go!" But it is in vain, as her body goes limp in the dhampir's grasp while he whispers caustic accusations to her. Break his vow? He's married?! And I...Finding herself put out by this sudden realization, though it is not entirely accurate, Eris stops resisting and suddenly becomes very aware of the multitude of holes and cuts in the dhampirs outfit, feeling the cold touch of his skin on her own as her illusory robes pass through him soundlessly. Her breath starts to become more shallow, and her heartbeat speeds up to the point of becoming erratic, but not out of fear.

Listening to his continued threats, Eris decides to let him enjoy his little power trip, partly in an effort to appease the dhampir and calm him down in the process, and partly because even though this isn't the time, she can't help but to want to give in to his threats even though she knows he has no real power to carry out even half of what he wants. Even if he was right though...he made a mistake. His? He'll have to try a lot harder than this if he thinks he's strong enough to control me! Quietly, Eris chuckles, causing her body to push up against his even more.

Starting out at the same level of volume, she whispers a short reply, "Do what you want with my body...say what you want about me...destroy my reputation, strip me of my title, see me cast out from this city, I don't care, I'll still do what I can..." Seeing the swordswoman who'd been so terrified earlier that she'd fled at the sight of the tiefling and her companions drawing a sword on her caused Eris to pause and briefly consider her options. In the end though, she settled on trusting her own abilities, "But never blaspheme against Her!"

Ignoring the swordswoman in front of her, Eris twisted in Avaricious' grasp and did her best to punch him. The tiefling knew it wouldn't cause any real harm but wanted to drive the point home. Unfortunately for her, however, the explosion obliterated the manor in the same instant. Not only did her swing go wide, she herself flipped over-end to land on her back, staring up at the sky.

Shaking her head, she sits up and turns around, seeing the manor completely obliterated. Dumbfounded, she merely stares in shock for a few seconds before quickly recasting her divination and examining the magical aura to figure out what just happened as she wipes the blood from her nose and lips. "No...That idiot, what's he done now?!" Dragging herself to her feet, she ignores both the pain in her own body and the dhampir, more important issues at hand than a jilted lover and the pain being less than she's suffered at the hands of friends. Though I will need to apologize to him later...and take my revenge for daring to try and stop me like that when he knew someone was in trouble, she thinks in a daze.

"Sir Roland!" She calls out to the minister as she accepts that whatever happened to Sinofel is beyond her ability to fix right now, "We need to get out of here, now! That explosion could've been seen for miles, it's too dangerous to stay here! We can just haul the ones who can't walk on their own, we need to go!"

Shaking her head in an effort to clear it and trying not to cough up blood, she looks toward the zombified man she'd raised only a minute ago, "Carry the sleeping girls on your shoulders, then grab the corpse and follow me!" Obediently, the undead Viridi begins to reach down and pick up Alica first, then Koriah if she remains unconscious from the blast. Each over a different arm, it gracelessly takes Sheila's torso by the hand and begins to follow after Eris, leaving a trail of its own and Sheila's blood behind it.

Avaricious growls against Eris' face, his long white hair falling to her shoulders, over his face, shrouding his cheeks in shadow with nothing but his blood red eyes visible. He struggles with her as she moves about and shouts, but his firm grip remains strong, his long nails digging into her wrists. "No one's going to come for you, they're inside, spilling eachother's blood like the dogs of war that they are, your dogs, abandoning their queen. You know, I've always been so fond of chess." He'll grin now, before opening his mouth and revealing his long and quite sharp fangs, white and well-taken care of. He speaks to her once more, smirking. "I suppose this is the part where I say, 'checkmate'. I'm going to enjoy this..." With that, he'll dig his nails into her wrist once more, harder this time, at the same moment he snaps forward like a viper, digging his sharp fangs into the skin of her shoulder, his teeth passing through the illusory cloth to rip straight into her warm white skin, burying deep within before Avaricious tears out of her, blood dripping onto her and on his chin.

Now with her crimson blood on his chin and dripping down her body, Avaricious speaks to her, his lips redder now than ever, his teeth covered in it. He smirks some more, a smug look on his face as he licks his lips. "I will do what I like to you, yes. You think your demon lord will save you when I'm feasting on your lifeblood, feeling the warmth of your whoreish body slowly drain away, until there's nothing left for you to feel but the coldness of my skin against you?No, she won't. Even now I taste your blood in my mouth and feel you try to escape, and you are powerless in my grasp. Your faith does not serve you well, the gods do not care for the people, nor do the demon lords, and demon whores, even less so." Avaricious chuckles darkly before moving a little closer, as near to her as can be, before licking at her neck, as blood drips from her wound.

"Where is Nocticula now, witch?"

---


Slowly, the fog of panic receded from Jeska's mind. As her senses returned to her, she looked about, realizing that she was near the gate of the Manor. She turns and heads back at a brisk pace, only to discover the rubble where a wall used to be and numerous people sifting through the debris. Some of which where her assigned companions, but more were people she had never seen before. "What happen-" She starts to ask, before noting the position that Avaricious was in, holding a strange woman. Making a quick decision, she draws her sword and brings it to the ready, "Avaricious, what is going on?" she asks, completely focused on the woman, her stance making it clear that she views Eris, and not Avaricious as the potentially dangerous one in this situation.

Suddenly, Jeska wakes up. Avaricious notices it out of the corner of his eye as she begins to rise, and instinctual he turns, shifting Eris a little bit until his back is to the warrior with the sword. From there, he'll pretend to be struggling with the woman, using his body language to imply that the tiefling was wrestling to get away, although Avy was simply shifting about and grunting, dragging her along as he moved about. As the warrior woman draws her sword, Avaricious calls back to her, shouting out loudly this time. "One of the... urgh... She was here just before the manor exploded. I don't know where her... ugh! Stay still! I don't know where here allegiances lie, please, help... I can't... hold her much longer." To make his deception even more believable, at this point she punches towards him, and although the punch misses, Avaricious pretends to knock his nose on the back of her head as she misses, and lets go of her from there. The bard will stagger back, turning to Jeska.

She'll see blood dripping down his face from here, although one hand covers his nose, making it look like she had just hurt him in some way or another, even though the blood dripping down his face was Eris', not his own.

"Oh by the gods, I'm bleeding again... Jeska, get he-!"


Eris

Ignoring the swordswoman in front of her, Eris twisted in Avaricious' grasp and did her best to punch him. The tiefling knew it wouldn't cause any real harm but wanted to drive the point home. Unfortunately for her, however, the explosion obliterated the manor in the same instant. Not only did her swing go wide, she herself flipped over-end to land on her back, staring up at the sky.

Shaking her head, she sits up and turns around, seeing the manor completely obliterated. Dumbfounded, she merely stares in shock for a few seconds before quickly recasting her divination and examining the magical aura to figure out what just happened as she wipes the blood from her nose and lips. "No...That idiot, what's he done now?!" Dragging herself to her feet, she ignores both the pain in her own body and the dhampir, more important issues at hand than a jilted lover and the pain being less than she's suffered at the hands of friends. Though I will need to apologize to him later...and take my revenge for daring to try and stop me like that when he knew someone was in trouble, she thinks in a daze.

"Sir Roland!" She calls out to the minister as she accepts that whatever happened to Sinofel is beyond her ability to fix right now, "We need to get out of here, now! That explosion could've been seen for miles, it's too dangerous to stay here! We can just haul the ones who can't walk on their own, we need to go!"

Shaking her head in an effort to clear it and trying not to cough up blood, she looks toward the zombified man she'd raised only a minute ago, "Carry the sleeping girls on your shoulders, then grab the corpse and follow me!" Obediently, the undead Viridi begins to reach down and pick up Alica first, then Koriah if she remains unconscious from the blast. Each over a different arm, it gracelessly takes Sheila's torso by the hand and begins to follow after Eris, leaving a trail of its own and Sheila's blood behind it.

The explosion goes off, sending everyone flying. As the burst goes off, Avaricious maneuvers himself behind Eris, letting her take the brunt of the shockwave. The bard had always been one for self-preservation after all. He watches her go down and hit the ground hard, and then Jeska shortly after. The dhampir smiles, quite proud of himself for staying up this long, until the last wave bombards him, and the dhampir is pushed down onto his knees, his kneecaps cracking into the ground painfully, a wave of pain rushing up his legs. "Oh, gah, spoke to soon... Ow." He rises up from the ground after a second, managing to keep the blood down fairly easily due to his particular fondness for the substance. However, he doesn't react particularly well to the fact that there's blood dripping from his ears. With a scowl on his face, he's almost completely forgotten what he was doing, temporarily distracted by the pain.

Suddenly, he notices Sir Roland again, and a little while away, the body of Asiresh, still breathing. A quick idea forms in his head, an easy way to take revenge for what the old hunter said and threatened to do to the bard. He would regret what he said... Avaricious begins to speak up, addressing Sir Roland with a pained look on his face, which quickly turns to concern. The better to fit the part. "Wait, you look like a knight! You can help us! That... that man there, on the ground, I recognize him! He came here with us to submit to the Pathfinders earlier. It was a special mission... He didn't seem right, he threatened me, even. And my friend, Viridi. Now he's... Well." He gestures sorrowfully towards the bloody undead that shambles about before continuing. "Right after the first explosion, the man drew his weapon and started attacking people! He was the one who killed Ms. Heidmarch! I saw it, it's why I was running. He looked like he was after me... He once threatened to kill me and make a necklace out of my teeth, because I was a dhampir... Jeska, she was there, she heard it when it happened."

"The man led our attackers to this place, I'm sure. He's one of them..."

"We should execute him here, or at least bind him while we can. He's very dangerous, and a caster. Don't let him speak."

"He almost killed me..."

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

Within his shattered mind lies blackness...a form starts to appear before him. He cannot make out who or what this form may be right away, but as it begins to come into focus, he realized it is Nelrin'Fel. ' What? I must have been knocked out from the blast...' Speaking to himself; 'Think Asir think.'
He turned to the devil, addressing him directly; ' Nelrin we must rise before something happens to us. Is it not within your power to intervene with such a thing? Or are you too weak to raise a crippled old man?'

He paces back and forth within the void of his consciousness. Thinking. Planning, his next move. 'What is this blue arrow I took from the cypher box that sealed you for so long... I took it in hopes it was something useful but I haven't had the time to step aside and examine it fully.' He pauses, glaring at the devil condescendingly; 'Surely you could not have been locked within that box for so long and not known what else had been sealed along with you!'

[Kai927]

Jeska nods in response to Avaricious, completely taken in by his deception. Just as she starts to take a step to chase after the woman, another explosion goes off, sending her back to the ground. Whoever was causing these explosions really wanted to make sure the job, whatever it was, was done. She struggles back to her feet, ignoring the aches and pains that coursed through her body. Times like these, that Gray Maiden training was useful. Jeska notices the ringing in her ears just moments before it stops, just managing to catch what Avaricious had been calling out. She looks about to see who Avaricious was calling to, spotting an armored man shortly after.

Not forgetting what she was going to do before the explosion, Jeska looks about for the woman Avaricious had been grappling with, intending to prevent her escape, especially if she had something to do with the explosions.

[Mornings]

Heidmarch Manor; Magnimar - 02:26 PM, Toilday the 15th

He watched silently as the black 40ft wide, spear of darkened light, pierced the sky. My... what an entertaining fellow. He was sure he would see him again... very soon. But where were they, The Seekers? He looked down upon the motley bunch that clawed their way from the dirt. Pathetic. Disgraceful. And she'd promised him so much more then this... He sighed. A sigh of regrettable resignation. What his sister saw in them, he could not know. He grew bored.

He waved his insubstantial hand outward as the shockwave ruptured outward, threatening to consume all it touched within its disintegrating light. Canceling the magical after-shock of The Calamity's 'Edge'. He'd fashioned the weapon, to be used by his brother, not to be used in the ridiculous squabbles of the twins. Why brother had even lent the blade to him, he could not fathom. What gain was their from this, aside from some minor entertainment...and once more, he could have inadvertently destroyed his pets, and that would not do at all...No, no. At least one or two had to live... at least one or two.

[ The Golden Herald ]

The disheveled knight rose from the ground. The last images in his mind where that of Lieutenant Vorns diving to the ground, and looking back in the direction of his compatriot and the fleeing old man. Briefly seeing her accosted by one of their salvaged tenants from the manor. The explosion struck him hard, and squarely. A visible bubble of force, disintegrated around him as he was cast into the air, thrown back 5ft, and landing on his knees with a gauntlet'ed fist to the ground. The ward he prepared had spared him, what could have perhaps been a devastating blow. He looked over to the Lieutenant quickly, ensuring she was in once piece. Before rising to the round. He heard the man... no, the 'creature's' words. And while he did not dismiss them, he would not, could not ignore what he had seen, a long with the swordswomen that had returned. He remembered her before, she had been dazed, and fled in quiet a fright as if she had experienced the terror of death. He Begun to slowly advance upon the group with sword pointed brazenly before him and in the direction of the Dhampir. Shouting loudly, and clearly for all to hear.

" I AM SIR ROLAND MORRE KADDREN, LORD KNIGHT OF MAGNIMAR, LORD OF COMMONS. THE ALABASTER MAGISTRATE! STEP AWAY FROM MY MAGISTER, IMMEDIATELY! " He gestured towards the old man in the distance, laid out upon the ground, still smoking. " I WILL ASSESS YOUR ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THAT MAN, IF THEY PROVE VALID, I WILL DETAIN HIM! " His voice was an unshakable roaring command. " TO THE BOTH OF YOU! " He gestured at the armored dame, and the dhampir, " ASSAULT AGAINST A STATE-OFFICER, LET ALONE A MAGISTER OF THE ARCANE COUNCIL OF THE ALABASTER WARD, IS BOTH A FELONY AND A HEINOUS ACT! I DO NOT KNOW WHAT DROVE YOU TO SUCH BLATANT DISREGARD OF THE LAW, NOR YOUR INTENTIONS! DISARM, AND KNEEL, AND I WILL ACCEPT YOUR SURRENDER, AND HEAR WHAT YOU'VE TO SAY. REFUSE..." He readied his shield " ...AND I WILL EXECUTE MY AUTHORITY TO DISPATCH ENEMIES OF OUR STATE ON CHARGES OF BOTH ASSAULT AGAINST A STATE-OFFICER, AND TREASON AGAINST THE HIGH-LORD 'D'ARITEL, AND THE GOODLY LORDS OF THIS GREAT CITY! " His face was stone, and deathly serious. By his form, title, and nature of his combat posture. He was no novice in combat, and did not flinch at the proposition of combating them both at once. He awaited their answer with his shield before him, his sword tightly readied at his side, for a quick and measured, thrust or step.
*******************************

[ The Dark ] - The Void

He chuckled. Within this place.... within this void, that he could hardly call his own mind. The great 'devil' Nelrin'Fel sat. He leisurely laid back with one leg crossed over the other at a great table made of naught but shadow. His form was far, far different now then he had seen before. Loosely the same dark shadowy robes hung about him, as if made of a mist. But his face was visible. Handsome and lithe, he could have passed for an elf if not for his massive pair of large curving antler like horns, and the silver of his hair. He looked at the pacing old man. " So you're not just an old bag of bones and blood after all.... I had begun to suspect we'd never meet like this. Begun to have my doubts if you were even worth the effort. Yet still, you managed to acquire the Renor'anon for me., haha. Brilliant.... Even I. The great, and fearsome. Nelrin'Fel applaud your effort. " His grandiose and self-gratifying words seemed to almost be a joke, when the old man considered the damned Devil didn't even possess a body to call his own. He clapped his hands together at the old man's words. " Raise you up? Ha! Mere child's play. Even one as decayed and rotten as yourself should recognize that by now. Or have you not notice? You've already regained consciousness? This is not your mind, old one. This is The Void. The place where you and I meet. The place our spirits are joined..." He rose to his feet slowly. He circled the table, picking up a chalice of shadow, taking a sip before beginning to speak again. He coughed, almost spitting up the shadowy liquid at the geezer's bold words. He paused, glaring at the ancient elf with daggers in his eyes, then his featured softened, and he threw his head back and laughed diabolically. " You old one, are by far, the most amusing, or dreadfully dense host I've ever had... and amusing in your own distasteful manner." He swirled the contents of the shadow cup about as if in thought, " Yes, I know very well, the contents of all that had laid within my prison. Things my former master thought best lost, and forgotten to the world. Tools and weapons employed in my 'games' with Astrok'Ru. The arrow, you possess, is however, not an arrow at all. It is, a little thing, I've had for some time. An ancient prize, won at the mischievous-god's expense. An artifact, best, rarely or never used. The Istovet Nacta - ' The Veil Piercer '. The item, as befitting the cunning little sod, while, in the form of an arrow. Is not as such, will not strike what it is fired upon.... A fowl trick, as I was so found of the rod-and-quiver myself, and expected something... with abit more... 'well.... destructive? Fire the damned thing at your own risk, but you've been warned. The Arrow cannot be lost, nor stolen, and is bound to your spirit, to follow you even in your passing. Only Astrok may destroy or reclaim it. And I do not doubt, such would require another 'game'... Now.... If you're quite finished. Get off the ground... you look pathetic." He turned around, before pausing, then looked over his shoulder. " Ah... and a final bit of business.... You seem to be having...severe difficulty acquiring souls for me... If this body is a hindrance. Find me another, and We shall remedy that... you've proven worth the effort thus far. Don't dissapoint me. "

~ Asiresh has gained Knowledge of 'Soul Binding'

~ Asiresh has gained knowledge of The Void. ( This location may be entered at any time, but will not permit the character to make physical actions or perception of their surroundings. This is a meditative state, and is broken if interrupted when entered willfully if disturbed.


Cure Moderate Wounds: [+11 Hit Points ]
Current Total HP 14/15 - Recovered from Unconscious Status
**************************

[ The Master of Whispers ]

She groaned and rolled over on the ground. She coughed harshly, the smoke-inhalation had got the better of her no doubt. She bit down on something in her mouth with a sharp crack. Like a wallnut splitting. Her wounds began to heal. The lacerations on her head and face, closed and recovered. With a quick darting glance about, she took in her surroundings, while patting herself down, as if making she she was all in one piece... or checking that everything was still in the right order. Koriah, rose to a knee, still on the ground, seeing Roland pointing his sword menacingly at the Dhampir. She lifted up a hand at the paladin. With her other hand on her acheing head. The mansion gone... flames and gore all about. She'd apparently missed a great deal. " Easy their big boy, I dunno what's got your panties in a knot, but we're not your enemies. I'm - " She paused. Tilting her head to the side as if in realization. " Roland, is that you!? The goddam, hell you been doing!? Sitting on your ass for the last three hours!? We were waiting for you! " She points acusingly to Sheila's body, being carried by the lumbering hulk. " SHE, WAS WAITING FOR YOU! "

The paladin is obviously distraught at the women's words, it was apparent they knew each other. The name sounded familiar now... Captain Halden, Sheila, and Koriah had mentioned the man's name a number of times. It was he they were waiting for. It was this man, and perhaps this troupe, that had never come.... or rather, came to late... for the darkness had came, and swallowed up Heidmarch Manor, and the captain with it....

[Desril]

Eris

Checkmate? Oh, silly little dhampir, the game's only just begun, Eris finds herself thinking just before the explosion sent her reeling.

Once she'd recovered, however, there was no time for games. With Roland drawing his sword on the Pathfinders, for it was obvious to her that, in spite of Avaricious' threats, that was indeed who he and the woman must be, and likely the old man as well. But with the dhampir issuing accusations at the old man who'd ignored her to go search for Luka earlier, Eris decided that her time playing the helpless victim to Avaricious' power play had to come to an end for now. I need Sir Roland to continue to trust me, letting Avaricious here spill my secrets would be too troublesome. I'll let him think he's in charge for the time being, and it's not as if I don't owe him an apology anyway, she thinks quietly to herself.

With Koriah awake, they had another witness to the events inside the manor and could sort this out more easily, but not now. Every moment we waste here bickering, more enemies could be speeding their way toward us. We will have to settle all of this later.

Turning to the waking Pathfinder, Eris smiles sadly, "I'm sorry we weren't faster Koriah, but too much is happening to explain now. We need to get out of here, we can argue about it later."

She's much less diplomatic with her superior, knowing how stubborn the paladin can be. Despite her lower standing, she calls out as if she was the one in command. "Roland!" She shouts, her voice sharp as she drops the use of all titles, something she only does to him when she's truly serious, "There's no time for this! Gag and shackle them both if you have to, but we have wasted far too much time here! Clearly nothing more in the manor can be saved! We saw a large wagon on our way in, we should load everyone onto that and LEAVE! We can sort out these accusations with Koriah's help then!"

[Hattish Thing]

[ The Golden Herald ]

The disheveled knight rose from the ground. The last images in his mind where that of Lieutenant Vorns diving to the ground, and looking back in the direction of his compatriot and the fleeing old man. Briefly seeing her accosted by one of their salvaged tenants from the manor. The explosion struck him hard, and squarely. A visible bubble of force, disintegrated around him as he was cast into the air, thrown back 5ft, and landing on his knees with a gauntlet'ed fist to the ground. The ward he prepared had spared him, what could have perhaps been a devastating blow. He looked over to the Lieutenant quickly, ensuring she was in once piece. Before rising to the round. He heard the man... no, the 'creature's' words. And while he did not dismiss them, he would not, could not ignore what he had seen, a long with the swordswomen that had returned. He remembered her before, she had been dazed, and fled in quiet a fright as if she had experienced the terror of death. He Begun to slowly advance upon the group with sword pointed brazenly before him and in the direction of the Dhampir. Shouting loudly, and clearly for all to hear.

[B] " I AM SIR ROLAND MORRE KADDREN, LORD KNIGHT OF MAGNIMAR, LORD OF COMMONS. THE ALABASTER MAGISTRATE! STEP AWAY FROM MY MAGISTER, IMMEDIATELY! " He gestured towards the old man in the distance, laid out upon the ground, still smoking. " I WILL ASSESS YOUR ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THAT MAN, IF THEY PROVE VALID, I WILL DETAIN HIM! " His voice was an unshakable roaring command. " TO THE BOTH OF YOU! " He gestured at the armored dame, and the dhampir, " ASSAULT AGAINST A STATE-OFFICER, LET ALONE A MAGISTER OF THE ARCANE COUNCIL OF THE ALABASTER WARD, IS BOTH A FELONY AND A HEINOUS ACT! I DO NOT KNOW WHAT DROVE YOU TO SUCH BLATANT DISREGARD OF THE LAW, NOR YOUR INTENTIONS! DISARM, AND KNEEL, AND I WILL ACCEPT YOUR SURRENDER, AND HEAR WHAT YOU'VE TO SAY. REFUSE..." He readied his shield " ...AND I WILL EXECUTE MY AUTHORITY TO DISPATCH ENEMIES OF OUR STATE ON CHARGES OF BOTH ASSAULT AGAINST A STATE-OFFICER, AND TREASON AGAINST THE HIGH-LORD 'D'ARITEL, AND THE GOODLY LORDS OF THIS GREAT CITY! " His face was stone, and deathly serious. By his form, title, and nature of his combat posture. He was no novice in combat, and did not flinch at the proposition of combating them both at once. He awaited their answer with his shield before him, his sword tightly readied at his side, for a quick and measured, thrust or step.
*******************************

Avaricious glares towards Roland and frowns at the paladin. "Keep your voice down, this is not a safe place." He'll stare towards Eris for a second before speaking to the knight once more, crossing his arms over his chest. "I understand that throwing your title around like every other tyrant everywhere is kind of a thing with you people, but now really isn't the time." He'll raise his hands up and slowly walk backwards, until he's by Jeska, someone he considers an ally.

"Your magister, knight? Do you own here, or what, what is with that?" Avaricious shakes his head scornfully before continuing, raising one hand to his head to clutch at it. "The woman woke me up and greeted me with not only a faceful of stranger after what had just occured, but by showing me the corpse of a companion of mine. He was a Pathfinder too, and she just... Look at him now. Would you yourself not be panicked after waking up to something like that?"

He wobbles a little bit, holding his head, as if in great pain.

The bard obviously seems a tad upset, and as he backs towards Jeska, he'll attempt to move to her side, before reaching for his belt slowly. "I think I have a concussion... I hit the wall quite hard during the explosion. I don't feel so good... I need to leave this place." He pulls out a small key from his pocket. "Now put your sword away before someone gets hurt. You need me." He'll point towards the large wagon a little bit away before continuing. "That over there is mine, and there's just enough space for all of us to get the hell out of here while we can. Listen to 'your' magister and stand down."

"I'm no threat here, but the old man there is, Jeska and I have seen it. He threatened to kill me, and the others, and I saw him turn against his allies in combat. He's a caster as well, he ought to be bound and gagged."

"Do this, and I'll get to my wagon and take us all to where we need to go. We were given an important mission."

"Do not soil Heidmarch's memory by getting in the way."

[Kai927]

Jeska half turns at the sound of Roland's voice, so that she can keep both Roland, and the magister, as he called her, in view. His voice held the tone of one who is used to speaking with authority. When he spoke, others scrambled to get things done. She knew the tone. She had often used it in her days as a Gray Maiden, and even before that as a simple guardswoman.

She weighed her option, on the one hand, Roland was acting on legitimate authority, though she had no idea how corrupt that authority was. On the other hand, they were all too injured to continue fighting for much longer. It was not a very difficult decision. Jeska sheathes her blade as Avaricious got close to her, though she does not fully disarm. "What Avaricious says is true, I can confirm what he says. However much the word of a former guardswoman means to you." Jeska comments as she drops to a single knee, her hands clasped behind her head, just as Roland had instructed. Minus the disarming of course.

[Mornings]

Jeska half turns at the sound of Roland's voice, so that she can keep both Roland, and the magister, as he called her, in view. His voice held the tone of one who is used to speaking with authority. When he spoke, others scrambled to get things done. She knew the tone. She had often used it in her days as a Gray Maiden, and even before that as a simple guardswoman.

She weighed her option, on the one hand, Roland was acting on legitimate authority, though she had no idea how corrupt that authority was. On the other hand, they were all too injured to continue fighting for much longer. It was not a very difficult decision. Jeska sheathes her blade as Avaricious got close to her, though she does not fully disarm. "What Avaricious says is true, I can confirm what he says. However much the word of a former guardswoman means to you." Jeska comments as she drops to a single knee, her hands clasped behind her head, just as Roland had instructed. Minus the disarming of course.

[ The Golden Herald ]

The man's eyes still seethe with palpable aggresion but he lowers his sword at the Dame's words as she takes a knee. " Very well, I will take them both under custody. The old one for answers, and this one... He looks at the dhampir with flint in his eyes, " ....On charges of treason against the city-state of Magnimar. You will be given a fair trial by judge and jury, formed of a concil of your peers and the goodly citizen's of this city." He looked to the Magister, " I leave the matter, of pressing charges against this man, for assault on your person to you. But I cannot ignore his blatant accusations against the Lords of our State." He looked at the Kneeling knight. " You are free to go. You will recieve a court summons from a city-courier to attend court for this man's crimes, either for or against his defense before the Council of Lords. " He pointed at the fanged man with his shield, " Now. Kneel. You are under arrest for alleged crimes against the State. You have the right to advisement from a legal authority. You have the right to a Council of Defense, selected by your own word. You have the right to remain silent. Any words spoken hence forth may be used against you within the Court of the Lords.

Your person is now the property of the state, to be detained to await fair trial at a later date. If you resist arrest, I will be forced to detain you. " The paladin looked over his shoulder yelling out to the House Ward who had recovered behind him, now on her feet. Lieutenant Vorns! DETAIN this man. See he comes to no harm! He is now under arrest. " He gestured to his Magister. " Magister, if you would be so kind. Detain the old man, and see him silenced if he is a caster... That falls within your field, not my own. " He threw a pair of manacles at the Magister to secure the old man. " QUICKLY NOW, WE'VE NOT GOT ALL DAY!"

[ The Master of Whispers ]

She signed, completely ignored by the paladin. It was both a sign of resignation and troublesome worry. They didn't have time for this. Sure, she could pull some strings and have them out of jail soon enough, but every hour wasted, was another hour the shard was further away, soon to be lost no doubt! But there was nothing she could do now... the cunning man's words cut deeper then he anticipated no doubt. Accusing the Lords as tyrants so blatantly was indeed a rather serious crime, especially after the war had ended, and the Lord-Mayor disposed of. Many radicals and guerrilla fighters kept the streets in conflict for months. Even after their defeat, the occasional terrorist cell or two emerged to inflict some minor havoc. There wasn't any way she could talk him out of this one, and ignorance of the law, did not grant immunity from it. They had executed men for less, but she'd get them out before the ink on the court order had even dried. Working the system is what she did after all.

She turned and subtly gestured to the dhampir to yield. The grin on her face evident that she was not yet out of either resources, nor ideas, just yet.
***********************************

It was then they heard the crackling blast of thunder.... The great titan in the sky began to rise. Flapping its wings about while ascending into the heavenly storm, pillars, streams of shadowy smoke descended, and tunneled through the air like flumes of whirling darkness. They approached quickly. The light dimmed slightly as the star atop the creature's back was covered by the stormy clouds. They crashed into the Heidmarch Compound. with silent explosive gusts of mist.

Uhg.... gods. Already? I had hoped we'd had more time.... And it was beginning to become so much more entertaining. Yet there is nothing I can do for you now. I've protected you as long as I may, brother. Brother... if you can hear these words... dear pets. Seekers... If you can hear these words..... run. run..... run... .....run.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/ENCOUNTER_zps74de3a04.png

A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar - 02:28 PM, Toilday the 15th

The came down from the sky like wraiths cloaked in shadow. A massive knight, a strange creature, sheathed in layers and layers of dark armor with burning red eyes stood before the group at the vanguard. A Massive charred blade was held firmly in his hand, a blooded longsword clenched in slashed and broken fingers. One hand left ungauntleted. His armor was terrible scarred and appeared ancient.... He spoke nothing, but his gaze was frightful. The other pillars of shadow struck down begining to surround the group, near the kneeling dame, and the Dhampir, cutting off their immediate passage to the wagon the lay parked, though damaged from the massive blast that sundered the manor.

Out of the darkness stepped a terrible sight. A freezing rotting corpse, a dead man, dressed in tatters. He appeared to be a sailor once. The rotting cloth upon his back and the cutlass in hand seemed to hint at such. frozen rime still seemed to be frozen upon his body. His steps seeming somewhat nimble still... Then behind him. Another such sailor emerged, stepping forth advancing upon the group with weapons held at the ready.

Another cloud struck down, but the smoke did not dissipate or abait. flames, terrible flames and smoke. the odder of burning flesh sickened the air as burning men, fleshless with blackened skin cam stepping forth from the darkness. The were wreathed in flames and cried out in terrible moans.

The dark knight stood solemnly, unmoving, as if he saw no challenge before him. Waiting....waiting, as the creatures made their approach. Then, at last. Far in the distance. A final pillar of smoke struck down. In it's place, crouched a fair skinned maiden. Her face was smooth and soft, with piercing crimson eyes. Her silver hair hung over a shoulder. Her armor seemed to move, and shift as if made of some solid shadow. Two blades upon her back, they were strange and appeared as if they were some tainted dueling sword, as an Aldori Lord might've used. She crouched by the old man. Her hand pet his greyed and tattered hair. " Brother.... brother? Can you hear me? I came as soon as I saw the light! I swear it. Brother? Why wont you move?" Her voice was soft, and loving, a sweet and caring tone. She looked up at the gathering horde of monstrosities. She began screaming terribly, like an enraged harpie. Her voice shook the very air, as if augmented by some psionic force. " CAN YOU NOT SEE HE'S FAMISHED!? GATHER SOULS FOR ME, AND QUICKLY! KILL THEM ALL IF YOU MUST! " She bent down and kissed the man's old wrinkled cheek and smiled. " Don't worry, I'll kill them all for you.... then we can leave before Mother notice's. Silly Sino'Fel came back home. He told her.... But don't worry. I'm here now." She gleefully drew her blades from her back menacingly, a dark aura radiated from her person. She wasn't human. She wasn't normal. The blades glowed brightly. silently vibrating in her hands. She licked the flat of the blades, somewhat suggestively. " hehe, so greedy. Don't worry Gestal... Estalt... soon.... soon. "

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/1aaaaaaaaaaaa%20-%20Copy_zpsr7jqkk7w.jpg

BATTLE MAP KEY

CIRCLES - PCs
Black 5 - Asiresh (Prone)
Grey 6 - Jeska
Gold 7 - Avaricious
Orange 9 - Koriah
Yellow 11 - Roland
Purple 13 - Eris
Red 14 - Nadia

SQUARE - NPC's CONTROLLED BY PC
- Zombie Viridi

DIAMONDS - ENEMIES
Pink 0 ( The Daughter of the Seeker )
Brown 1 ( The Blackened )
Blue 1 - ??? of Brine
Blue 2 - ??? of Brine
Orange 3 - ??? Na
Orange 4 - ??? Na

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Manor%20Outside%20-%20Copy_zpsnyifonqz.png

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/Manor%20Outside%20-%20Copy%20NEW%20BATTLE_zpsvkwmrct0.png
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THE ACTION QUE IS NOW OPEN

Initiative Order:

[33] Koriah
(23) Asiresh
(20) Jeska
(18) Nadia
(16) The Daughter
(12) Avy
(11) The Blackened
(11) ??? Brine 2
(10) Roland
(8) ??? Na
(7) ??? Na 3
(4) Eris
(0) ??? Brine 1

( COMBAT )

She might have been on a knee but she was no less aware or sharp then she had been all her life. They came. These monstrosities. The way to the front of the manor was blocked.... Though she had previously appeared only armed with a fashionable kuruki at her waist, she dug into her garments and started throwing out a hail of knives upon the burning creature closest to her. (??? Nat 4 )

The knives came in like rain, one after the other, after the other, after the other. In lightning fast succession. The stabbed into the things body making it jerk and twist awkwardly. Flames spouted out from it's wounds. Within the blink of an eye she had unloaded two handfuls of blades into the creature yet it barely seemed to notice. She rose to her fear, a look of dread beginning to cross her face. The creature looked like a knife holder, yet seemed unfazed.... "....Awh.... goddamit. Seriously? "

Attack 1 - (1d20+4)[19]
Attack 2 - (1d20+4)[10]
Attack 3 - (1d20+4)[11]
Attack 4 - (1d20+4)[14]

Damage 1 - (1d6+5)[9]
Damage 2 - (1d6+5)[9]
Damage 3 - (1d6+5)[6]
Damage 4 - (1d6+5)[6]

The Battle for their very lives had begun. They had to escape Heidmarch.

[Mornings]

A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar - 02:28 PM, Toilday the 15th

Koriah stumbled back a step, still awestruck the creature had sustained her hail of attacks. The four long daggers dug deeply into it's charred corpse. Small gout's of flame spat forth from the razer-like incisions. Her eyes grew wide in fear. These were no ordinary creatures, and those were no ordinary daggers. She quickly regained her senses. She wasn't the kind of women that didn't come without a back up plan, though it was regrettable.... she'd invested quite a bit of coin in that particular set. She pointed a finger out at the creature she struck yelling an insult in elven she had always been fond of.

" Llie n'vanima ar' lle atara lanneina! " She snapped her fingers, and the dagger's exploded with a cracking storm of electricity. [ DAMAGE - 19 Points Electricity ]

The creature exploded in a storming blast. Geyers of flame shot out from its terrible wounds. With deft steps, she dodged and twisted maneuvering out of the way, but one such stream struck her, she cried out as it burned her arm Fire Damage - 5 " Screw off, goddmit! " She spat at the smoking creatures electrified bits. The fancy golden bladed daggers had been lost in the detonation... She applied pressure to her arm to staunch the minor bleeding. She didn't have a high tolerance for pain.

All the while The Lord of Commons kept a keen eye on the Dhampir as he quickly gathered the situation, and the nature of the cursed creatures about him. The dark arts and the taint of necromancy were his areas of expertise, and he could recognize well what had begun to gather about them. He called back over his shoulder with a cry, as to be heard, while also turning toward his officer. " Lieutenant! Tread carefully, these are no common undead... " He looked to his arcane compatriot " Tread carefully Magister. Most... while they may be undead... they are tainted somehow. Steeped, cloaked, in some foreign evil magic. This is not the work of a necromancer. Something far more profane has brought these creatures life. For indeed, they are not merely animated. A soul is bound to these creatures. They... they are corrupted. Changed, somehow...Forget the old one... We should break the rear line, and fall into a more defensible position. I will detain the traitor. "

[ The Daughter of Evenings ]
Arcana (18) - She could feel it. Some magic sheathed these creatures. Augmented them somehow. Faint traces of transmutation? Yet no trace of Conjuration magic could be seen nor felt. These creatures were not raised they were born.... She'd never heard of such a thing. There were to many variables, Sir Keddran was right. They needed to fall back into a better position. Flanked from both sides and surrounded, was not exactly the more beneficial of circumstance.

Appraise (18) - Their bodies, the bodies of the undead creatures before her were marked strangely. Sigils? Glyphs of sorts? She could not tell. But some strange markings were carved into the flesh of the creatures before her, and the completely covered the armor of the black menacing knight that stood in silence before them, blocking their path. They were magical in nature, she was sure of it, yet, she could not place their significance.

Local (21) - Lady Roslen Alery, daughter of Lord Alery master of the Foreign Ministry of the High Court. She recognized the women's face instantly. She knew of her, because she had been lost... 'abducted' so they said, by highwaymen some years ago. They demanded an insane ransom for her return. It cost the Lord nearly all of his personal wealth. He sold his property and paid the criminals their money... however, in exchange he received only her body. The leader, clawed and scarred said she'd resisted them and tried to escape, so they put her to the sword. Lord Alery, devastated by his loss, vanished from the public eye for years. It was only until recently he had reemerged to the public once more, holding both his former title and being instated as High-Judge Alery. He vowed to see criminals like those that had slain his daughter brought to justice, that no one need know the pain and suffering he had endured... the act had created a stone man. A hard man. With freezing eyes, and a calm transparent temperament, that levied the weight of the law with complete lifeless and un-endearing disquieting silent ferocity. He was a man feared by any man on the wrong side of the law, and the story... this women's face... had both become quite famous.... how was she here now?

Spellcraft (18)) - Her eyes picked up on elemental traces of magic wafting about the creatures. The great black fearsome knight, who stood lifeless and unmoving, and the others about her. Something compelled them. But more then that.... even without an arcane sight to aid her. She could feel it. The intensifying pressure, the terrible pain the began to compress her mind and made her ears fill with a painful long ring from the spiritual pressure as her senses focused on the twin blades wielded by Lady Roslen. They were....evil... dark... so terribly dark. As if both light and life bend and were consumed by them, like they were not swords at all, merely illusions to disguise a void of abyssal bleakness resting within her palms. Her nose began to bleed, she rubbed the small stream from her face.... She could feel it. The distant, blurry vision of the maelstrom began to gently... insubstantially form within her mind's eye. A 15 ft wide whirling void of all consuming lifelessness. A pale light that existed some place else....She couldn't explain it, yet she knew.... to step within that, would surely mean death.

[ The Tragic Villain ]
Religion (21) - He had learned many things in his time. He studied the enemies of his enemies. The native foes of the Inquisitors... the Paladins, those brand of men he had come to burn so bitterly against. He recognized these creatures. Though, they seemed absurdly abnormal to him... nothing at all like those typical of their kind. Something was different, they were different, by means he could not know.

Brine Zombies.... Burning Ghats? He thought? It was very hard to tell. But they appeared to atleast appear as such creatures. The dark one? He had to take a guess.... at best... a Knight Gaunt... at worst?... Gods... At worst, they'd be better off turning tail and running. This was not the place he wanted to be right now.

Nobility (15) - Avy recognizes Lady Roslen Alery


[ The Ancient ]
The old man laid upon the ground, taking in the sights around him slowly, not daring to rise from the ground just yet. There were things he still had yet to understand.

Nature (27) - He knew now. Looking at the inextinguishable black flames that still burned in the ruins of the manors leveled destruction. Ser, Goddess of the Hunt had come with her husband he knew so well, Sif. They had saved him from the ghoulish wolf that had accosted him, yet he knew. They had not come for him. Not for his well being. Luka... somehow someway, she had carried the Goddess's spirit, as her vessel and aspect, and finally that vessel had cracked, and she had been set free upon the mortal realm with a body now to call her own. Luka was gone.... perhaps she never lived. Perhaps she had died long ago as The Emerald Gale, only to return as she had been. The patron of divinity. What were the consequences of such? Unleashing the now living cruel Huntress upon the world? He could not know. Only now, as once perhaps, long... long ago. A Goddess walked this earth.... and she would be seeking, searching, as he was.... Searching for worthy prey.

Spellcraft (18) - He could feel the terrible forces around him. Like a maelstrom of lifelessness. From within it, the world. Time. Seemed to be slowed. The outside was colorless and rendered in grey-scale, such was the all consuming void about him centered around the women who stood at his side. Her black shapeless armor changing shape like steel skin, morphing as it chose, as if sentient.


The Void; - The Dark

He stood before him again. He did not face him this time. His back was turned away from him, his hands clenched behind his back. For a time he did not speak, yt he could feel his intent. "As it seems.... we've assimilated far more... completely then I would have anticipated. " He turned to face the old man. His voice was calm, yet betrayed no intention. "Yes, Halja'Fel is my sister...and my wife. Unlike I, she is complete. Complete as I never had been. So attuned are we now, even she could sense my return through you. I will not tell you what to do, but now you must decide who you will stand with. These.... 'mortals', who conspire against you. Or us. We will collect the shards, and we will defeat Mother.... and the others. Know well, that even if you would join us, you will be pursued. My brothers and sisters seek to return us home, for we had fled... they and their apostles will come for you. It is a danger you must be prepared to face by your own violation. But know well.... Betray me, and Halja, will cut you down and release me to find a more suitable host. Though I imagine that might prove somewhat difficult.... I leave the choice to you. " He turned his back away from the old man again. " Know well... If you accept these words willingly. You. Asiresh Lokin will cease to be. You will be Nelrin'Fel. And I will be you, as you will be I. "

Asiresh has gained Knowledge of The Pact

Perception (17) - He looked about himself while on the ground. His heavy breaths pushed the dirt on the ground. He was muddied, bloodied and felt terrible, yet lived. He looked up. The silver-haired, red-eyed women looked down upon him with a smile. She released her grip from one of her blades, which levitated menecingly in the air. "There is no need to lay upon the earth, dear. Don't worry. Soon, we'll have their souls and be on our way " She reached down and offered the man a hand as he lay upon the ground. Her smile was lovely, but as he looked upon the terrible weapon once more, he was reminded again of her true nature. She was truly a Devil.... while Nelrin'Fel was just the shadow of a man, sustained by the souls he stole.... What was he to do... what was he to do?

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

As she rises, she sees the charred corpses descending from the sky and surrounding her allies. A warcry leaps to her lips as she charges, Akyron's wocked blade flashing twice as she strikes at the burning monsters.
For Lady Alice! For Magnimar!

Move: Moving to the square above 4.
Swift: Initiate Encouraging Roar (should affect everyone down to Zombirdi)
Standard: Initiate Flurry Strike, aimed at 4. If the first hit drops it, change targets to 3

Attack: [roll0]
Crit: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]+[roll3]
Crit Damage: [roll4]

Attack: [roll5]
Crit: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]+[roll8]
Crit Damage: [roll9]

Discipline: Golden Lion (Boost)
Level: 1
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: 30-ft.
Target: Allies
Duration: One round
The disciple lets out shouts of encouragement to bolster his allies in battle. All allies within 30-ft. of the Golden Lion disciple gain a +2 morale bonus to attack and damage rolls for one round.

Discipline: Broken Blade (Strike)
Level: 1
Initiation Action: 1 standard action
Range: Melee attack
Target: One creature
Duration: Instant
The disciple of the Broken Blade learns to maximize openings in his opponent’s defenses and makes lightning fast attacks whenever possible. As a standard action, the initiator may make two attacks at his full base attack bonus.

[Kai927]

Jeska had no idea what was going on. One moment, people were getting arrested, the next this woman and a small horde of undead looking things appeared out of nowhere. She draws her sword as she quickly gets back to her feet, knowing full well that this was going to be bad. As she steels herself for the inevitable combat, she hears Roland shouting orders. Taking a quick look, this seemed to be the best course of action, thus she follows through. She turns and moves as quickly as her heavy armor will let her, dodging around Roland and Koriah, ending right in front of one of the undead monsters, blocking off it's advance.

Moving to just below Orange 4, setting up a flank for Nadia on her turn.

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

With a sigh, the bard ignores Roland completely, before looking around the battlefield and calling out to Eris. "Your knight is correct, woman. These are no ordinary undead. By Nethys, these few are Brine Zombies." He'll move twenty feet back, before shouting out to the others here. "The firey ones are called Burning Ghasts, I studied them for several years when I attended Lepidstadt." Ah, now here was something that'd work quite well, it was an alias Avaricious often used to get into places he shouldn't be, or out of trouble in this case. He'll reach into his coat pocket and pull his small holy symbol of Nethys off the ring of holy symbols he kept hidden, in case he needed to masquerade as a man of the church. Avaricious will clutch it in the palm of his hand before presenting it towards the undead, and to Roland.

He'll stand his guard here and continue to speak.

"The big one's a Knight Gaunt or something equally unpleasant, too strong for us. If I had Father Tolmy here with me we might have a chance, but as such we are gravely outmatched, and seeing how easily that thing summoned the undead, we may end up outnumbered soon as well." He'll hold his crossbow up and aim it at one of the creatures, but he's still far too shaken from the explosion to truly fire. "We need to get out of here, and then I will answer your stubborn knight's questions."

Moved 20 Feet backwards to U10, pulled out Holy Symbol of Nethys.

[Desril]

Eris

Lady Alery? Less dead than believed...or more, I suppose. There's no time for that now, whatever she used to be, she's just a threat right now. I'd love to chat and see what happened to her, but that void...No, not now. We're not ready for this, I'm not ready, she thinks bitterly, swallowing her pride and making ready to retreat. Now, how to get out of here? The best way...Ah hah!

Before she can set her plan into action, however, there's something that needs to be taken care of first. Though not entirely convinced of Avaricious' claims, she does recognize both that he seems to know what he's talking about, and that Roland, Stubborn, thick-headed, oaf, is likely to waste precious seconds detaining the dhampir when there are graver threats. Circumstances being what they are, Eris decides to take the matter out of her Magistrate's hands, Besides...I want to see what this greedy little demi-dead's next move will be, she silently thinks to herself, enjoying the game that's just begun even in the midst of this battle with a new foe.

"Sir Keddran!" She cries out, "I believe that the magic that destroyed this place may have affected the dhampir's speech! And if he is truly a servant of Nethys then this entire incident falls within my domain and not yours! I will see to it that justice is served and that he will not escape my sight! For the time being, focus on our retreat!"

It's only a little lie. Sorry Roland, but this is what happens when you won't listen to logic and reason. ...You better not screw this up dhampir, or I won't be able to save you.



Knowing there's little time, she sets her plan into motion. I'm sorry, whoever you are. I hope we'll be able to save you, but...fate has conspired against us today. Forgive me, she silently begs Alica's body, knowing what she's about to do will likely doom the girl, but ignorant to the fate that had already befallen her. "#7! Toss the girl down toward us, and attack any of that group that tries to come closer to us," she orders, knowing the mindless zombie will willingly sacrifice its own life to buy them time. Only a few seconds, but every one of them is precious right now, we can't waste this chance!

"Everyone, follow me, I have a plan!"

Rushing past the others, Eris does her best to tell them as she passes by, hoping her voice won't carry to their enemies. "The north-east corner, it's our best hope. If any of you can scale it and lower down a rope, we can all escape, unless someone has a faster method! I'll buy us a little time, but it won't be much!" Nimbly steps between her companions and over the body of the fallen undead even as she draws upon her innate magical ability to summon forth a wave of mist. I'm not as close to the wall as I'd have liked, but this will still slow them down.


Move to V7, on top of 4's corpse, unless 3 is also dead in which case I'll move to V5.

Using Obscuring Mist SLA (doesn't provoke).

Zombiridi will toss Alica's body down in the square between him and Roland, and then Ready an Attack against any of ones currently below him on the map, first to come into striking range and any who provoke.

Slam [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[Mornings]

A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar - 02:28 PM, Toilday the 15th

Round 1/13

Initiative Order: Block 1

[33] Koriah - done
(20) Jeska - Done
(18) Nadia - Done
(16) The Daughter -Done
(12) Avy - Done
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[ The Seekers ]

Koriah's assault on the Burning Ghnat exploded with an effective electric storm . The geysers of flaming blood were troublesome, and the tainted creature seemed to be stronger then normal, but it was nothing to fear. She clutched her burned arm as the Knight-Maiden rushed ahead of her to the charred bits of the creature. Little remained save for electrified bits of burning flesh. " Don't worry, love. I took care of that one. Though... it seem's the thing's blood is quite hot and caustic. Undead and the like are not my specialty... I recommend you tread with caution. She pointed off in the distance. Her voice was low and only audible to The paladin at her rear, and the knight-dame; " There's an escape route hidden in one of the supply sheds in the rear of the mansion. It's hidden, but if we can make it their, it will lead us back out, and around, towards The House of Lords. That's our best bet... Last I heard Rostland's army was marching upon the courtyard. I'd rather be surrounded by a few hundred well armed men, then running through the streets.. if you catch my meaning..."

The House Ward ran from around the corner already recovered from the blast, unleashing devastation upon the flaming undead creature. Flaming blood sprayed from its wounds but she quicky dodged most of it, a slash of it hitting and yet leaving her un-marred from its contact. The creature shuddered and leaked flaming gore all about. It's body trembled on the very of collapse, yet it remained standing. It's head was cloven-in. It's chest torn and gored. Terrible wounds that charred the ground with its fiery blood. It gurgled disgustingly though, still very much...unliving, yet not dead.
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[ The Daughter of the Seeker ]

The silver haired women released her blades, floating about herself within the strange sub-space her and the old one seemed to remain. She pulled him up to his feet. " Rise now, no need to look so pittiful before this lot... we must hurry though. Mother will send the others soon, and you need to feed..." She pointed at the huge towering black knight. His head turned as if being acknowledged. " Maelidin.... Kill that big digusting one for me. His pressense offends me, and he's in the way. Then bring me the women upon the ground. She'll do." The knight gave no reply, just looked forward again. The light in the burning blackness of his faceless helm set upon the walking corpse of Viridi. She pointed to the two frozen, rime-covered sailors. " You and you! Kill the Magister, or that...abomination. They'll do as well." She pointed at Eris and the Dhampir, she seemed displeased with his racial-status, and able to distinguish him from the others without provocation. " ....Kill the rest if they get in the way."
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[The Tragic Villain ]

The man fumbled backwards over the hand-rail and shouted out his knowledge to those about him. Donning his holy symbol as if he was some cleric or priest. Roland looked at the man with a look disgust. He was personally quite un-fond of those who turned to the gods only in their times of strife. He listened to his Magister's words. " Very well.... If you will bare this man's charge. I leave him under your watch. Know full well though, fail to uphold your word and bring this traitor to court, alive....and I will see the Arcane Council hears of your failure. I'm sure they will be far less tolerant then I. If you will uphold weight of this responsibility, he is yours."

(BLOCK 1 MAP - POSITIONS)
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/MOURNING%20AND%20LIGHT%20PART%201%20ROUND%201_zpsp nv6thhh.png
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Initiative Order: BLOCK 2

(11) The Blackened One - Up now
(11) Brine Zombie 2 - Up now
(7) Burining Ghat 3 - Up now
Burning Ghat 4 -DEAD
(0) Brine Zombie 1 - Up now
(10) (Delayed) Roland - Up now
(4) (Delayed) Eris - Waiting
(23) (Delayed) Asiresh - Waiting

The 8ft tall knight of walking black steel aproached the zombified Vridi. Wordlessly it lifted its blade high into the air. Black profane energy surrounded the blade, and with a violent swing it came down. A trail of shadow-like energy was left in it's wake. A massive explosion of darkness rocked the ground shacking everything within 10ft of the creature..... As the smoke cleared...and the darkness faded. The zombie still stood. The dark-knights sword hovered above a massive hole in the ground. Not burnt nor charred, just a crater filled with ash. As if the very ground the sword had struck had been disintegrated.

The Blackened

Bane-Slayer Strike - VS Viridi

Attack (1d20+8)[14]
(1d8+26)[33] + (1d4)[3] + (4d8)[21]

Bane-Slayer Castigation

Fort 4 (-10) = -6
DC20; (1d20-6)[0]

The swashbuckling frozen features, perhaps pirates once, obeyed their commands and moved in upon the Magister. Without any trouble the creature stepped over the hand railing, showing surprising dexterity for no longer being among the living. One of the creatures, stepped upon the collapsed roof, they came upon the Magister with their cutlass's swinging with quick and precise strikes, yet, the attacks danced by the mage. They were confused. Their blades passed harmlessly through her cloths. No doubt sorcery of some kind! They cried out in frustration " Arrrrrggggaaa! "

Brine Zombie #1
Attack (Cutlass) (1d20+6)[9]
Damage (1d6+2)[6]

Brine Zombie #2
Attack (Cutlass) (1d20+6)[11]
Damage (1d6+2)[3]

The battle was on in full. The undead abominations were upon the group now in full. The group retreated backwards, being pressed by the hordes advancement. But it was only Koriah and Nadia who had begun to notice the Burning Ghat's mutilated corpse start to quake and quiver. Gouts of flame begun to leap from its body. It's wounds begun to sporadically spew molten liquids forth. Until it was caught in a full spasm it's charred flesh bubbling and cracking. A red light begun to build. Koriah took a step back, eyes wide in realization that they had made a grave error. She assumed the rear line was just weak.... a vulnerability she intended to exploit as they focused most of their forces from the front, and with distractions to permit their escape. She looked back far across the warzone, as her senses sharpened and she could see the lips of the pale-silver haired women curl up in a devious smile. Her lips moved, she couldn't hear it, but she could read it.... ".....Checkmate. "

The pathfinder turned back to her compatriots and screamed a second too late. " HIT THE DIRT!!! " She yelled out, just as the Ghat exploded. A massive 20ft blast of infernal liquid napalm-like fire flared outward, A sonic wave of force following the blast. The combustion struck everything around the creature, as if its body was a vessel of flame.

The blast struck the fleeing party, the Magister looked back just as the explosion went off. A blinding flash of light and heat, blowing back her hair and burning her face.

Jeska - KO'd
HP 9/12 (-14 Fire Damage)
Current HP: -5 (Unstable)

Avaricious - KO'd
HP 10/12 (-15 Fire Damage)
Current HP: -5 (Unstable)

Nadia
HP 24/24 (-9 Fire Damage - Resistance Included)
Current HP: 15 (HP 10: - Counting Non-Lethal)
****************************************

A cry could be heard. It roared out from the blazing flames. From the air he lept. The paladin's sword high as he came down upon Brine Zombie that had accosted his Magister. He attacked the Brine Zombie (#2). His blade cleaved into the creature's collar and into its torso before smacking it off his blade with his shield. He looked over his shoulder to the wounded. " Koriah, grab who you can! " He looked over to Eris " We're leaving now! Send word to the Council! We need assistance! "


Attack 1 (1d20+8)[25]
Damage (1d10+5)[7] + (1d6)[1] (1d6)[2]

Attack 2 (1d20+8)[9]
Damage (1d8+5)[9] + (1d6)[1] (1d6)[5]]

The women chuckled in genuine amusment watching the smoke and flames clear. The bodies laid-out upon the ground like smoking dolls. She looked upon the old man, pulling him close by the waist. " See. Is it not as I promised my love? Soon we'll have all the souls you'd like, and we've still so much time to spare. Who would you like first? The knight perhaps? " She chuckled.
****************************************

CURRENT MAP

Black 5 - Asiresh (Prone)
Grey 6 - Jeska
Gold 7 - Avaricious
Orange 9 - Koriah
Yellow 11 - Roland
Purple 13 - Eris
Red 14 - Nadia
--------------------------------------
Pink 0 ( The Daughter of the Seeker )
Brown 1 ( The Blackened )
Blue 1 - Brine Zombie
Blue 2 - Brine Zombie
Orange 3 - Burning Ghat
Orange 4 - Burning Ghat

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/MOURNING%20AND%20LIGHT%20PART%202%20ROUND%201_zps7 ggqhg1n.png

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[Desril]

Eris

While Koriah's whispered message gave her hope, between the explosions and cries coming from behind her that left two of her companions unable to move, Eris knew that there wasn't any other choice. Lady Nocticula, please, let this call be heard by someone who can help get us all out of here! With her silent, desperate prayer, she reaches for the Magister's Badge and wills it to activate, crying for aid.

I hope, whoever you are, you can get all of us out of here! The Abyss itself would be safer! That thought in mind, she narrowly evades getting skewered by the undead before her. If only these things were weaker, I could take control of them! No time though...there's only one option...Jumping back and away from the undead, Eris flaps her wings in a futile effort to take off, but trying to drag Avaricious' off the ground when her wings weren't even strong enough to support her own weight was a pointless gesture. Immediately giving the idea up as lost, she instead calls out to Roland as she runs as fast as her legs will carry her around the back of the house. "Roland! Grab the suspect and come with me, I'm not strong enough to carry him! I've called for aid, hopefully they can buy us some time while we get out of here!"

Realizing that she's got one last method to buy time, she also issues another command to the undead Viridi, "#7, move to where I was just standing, do not let any of those things," she gestures toward the enemy force, "Get passed you!"


Free - Using Magister's Badge, see OOC
Full-Round - Withdraw (failed Heroic action to pick up Avy and Fly off in the process) to move to O2 without provoking any AoO

Zombirdi - 5ft Step to where Eris used to be at U11

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, The Wayward Sword

Nadia swings Ankyron around as the flames from the fallen enemy wash over her, scorching her face. The heavy blade arcs, aiming to finish the work it had started mere moments before. She dedicates her full weight to the blow, grasping the sword in both hands as she strikes.

Swift: Declare Victory Gambit
Standard: Attack 3
Attack: [roll0]
Crit: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]+[roll3]
Crit Damage: [roll4]

If it drops: Move two squares down and prepare to pick up Jeska

Risk: The warlord successfully reduces an opponent to 0 or few hit points with a melee or ranged attack on his turn from either a standard attack or full attack action.
Reward: The warlord and his allies gain a morale bonus on attack rolls equal to his Charisma modifier on their next attack roll.

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

The bard is unable to act further as the searing flames envelope him, and soon Avaricious finds himself choking on smoke, his lungs burning up as he breathes in. Within a second or two, his vision goes dark, and he collapses to the ground.

He's out.

[Mornings]

A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar - 02:28 PM, Toilday the 15th

Round 2/13 - Advancement Interrupted.
*****************************************

Into Night's Requiem Infernal; Magnimar - 02:28 PM, Toilday the 15th

A strange, quiet old dark voice resounded in the Magister's mind as her badge disintegrated and her call was issued. She could feel something change. Her demonic blood seem to respond and awaken, as if she had unleashed something, yet awoken something within herself all at once. She could hear now... the dark tidings of this ancient speaker.

' I could hear his cries ring out through the space of time and ages past... From another world... another realm. The prison The Lord of War had belonged... far from here, from this place. I should have intervened. I should have stopped them. Even with The Bringer of Peace returned to this world once more. The Calamity Edge was now unmade... my work, unmade. This would... unmade. Now, there was little left to stop it. The clock had begun to tick once more. The merciless, cold, unfeeling hands of time that would usher forth the fall of this realm, this world, into The First. Even she, The Mother could not have foreseen this. Even they, The Children, feared it. The Night Heralds prophetic ascendance to the endless Devouring Night that dwelt within the sub-space of nightmare and reality, bound by Wrath's umbral-might... it was all in motion once more. There was no choice. No hope save for The Star left in this dying world....'

'Seekers... Seekers. Hear me. You must, before it's too late. You must leave this place. You must find me. Find Astrok'Ru or the Renor'anon, and find me! Now... the only salvation awaits in Quortek V'dre.... I can protect you no longer...No longer...'

The voice faded away as if it was dragged from her thoughts, from the world to some place, not here.
**************************************************

[ The Bringer of Peace, Lord of War ]

A darkness filled the city. The storm turned black. All eyes turned skyward, as the massive titan of light fled into the stars. The silver haired women pointed a sword at the sky and screamed in frustration. Black lightning took its place. The storm a maelstrom of shadow. A void, a massive black hole of nothingness opened at its center. From it... from the eternal blackness something was spat out. Massive adamantine chains glowing with runes and golden sigils were bound to him and seemed to extend endlessly back into the darkness. The exploded from him. Casting him into the world, as if he was once imprisoned. He was bound in strange garb, teal and emerald with sigils all about him. His arms were bound by black belts, and arcane bands of semi-physical crimson binding magic entwined him, disintegrating as he fell.

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A great pair of black shadow wings errupted from his back as he fell and exploded into a shadow of dark feathers as his angle was violently altered. He landed from the sky, colliding with the ground in a sickening explosion of gore, showering everyone about him with a chilling shower of black-blood. The super cold of the liquid burned, but did not damage their flesh. The fall, had completed spattered the man's body into a black, inkor-soaked mutilated mound. Jet soon, it begun to jerk, and the bones mended, his face restructured. The blood returning to his body, as if by some magical means. His four, to 5 thousand foot free fall landed directly atop one of the Brine zombies that had accosted the Magister, and been attacked by the Paladin, killing it instantly in the landing. Roland took a step back, with a look of both horror and disgust etched upon his face. "...Black-Black..Black-Blood! What foul creature are you!" The man did not respond, his face still buried in his bound arms, he looked up from the gory pit which he laid upon and the remains of the creature his fall had slain. Drool and other liquid poured from his mouth. He was gagged, by a hot bar of Siccitite that burned his lower face and tongue, bound to his face by thick leather straps.

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His hair covered most of his face, but the look of misery and suffering in his eye was evident. How long had he been sealed away. How long had he been bound and tortured in the void that was fast closing above them... He twisted and writhed about, freeing his hands, begning to unfasten the thick bands that bound his arms. Then unfastened the bar from his face and spat out burning bar upon the ground. He looked young. No older then 18 or 19 perhaps. He looked down upon his hands. Steel wire was bound within his fore-arms. biting deeply into his flesh and bone. His finger-nails were black and missing. He closed his hands into fists. A dark energy removing the adamant-barbed-twine from his skin. He floated off the ground as if lifted by some force. A red band on his arm.... the Magister recognized it. It was The Seal of Valpurga. The Order of The Watchers. The original chapter of Magisters that existed long before Segenhall's existence. He was a Magister..... but to be of the original order. This child had to be... an elf? At least 160-180 years old. Older then the city itself. He smiled. His head still hung low, as the barbed adamant twin danced about his hands by sheer mental force. "....Free." "...She freed us" "....Did she? " "...She did" He stepped in front of the Magister lifting his head. He stood so close she could feel his breath upon her face. He looked at her closely, and the illusion of the seal upon her head, the looked so similar to his own. She could see under his hood, under his silvered hair. His eyes.... one was a pale silvered-light blue. The other, a terrible crimson red, pupil-less and demonic. He tilted his head to the side, as if dumbfounded. "....Why are you naked?" "...It's magic you fool." He snapped his fingers. "...Ah, of course it is." He sniffed the air. The burning flesh. The smoke and death. He looked all about him, as if soaking it all in "...Ah... so wonderful. " He stroked the side of the Magister's face as if in adoration. "...Such fine work. And to free me. I would take you as my wife!" "....Sin, I don't think she did this, can you not feel it... I know her. I... " His body jerked slightly. The Magister took a step back as visions of the past were ripped from her mind, as if a hand pervaded her consciousness. He covered his face with his hands, "....What's happened to me" "...It was...then..." He turned around to the silver haired women. The adamant razor-wire begun circling about him. He smiled deviously, lifting his head up to look down upon the pair "...Hello again Halja.....Nelrin.... dearest, dearest sister.... I had begun to think i would not see you again..... that I might flay the flesh from your pretty little face myself for what you did to me.... "

A look of panic crossed the women's face as if in realization. She visibly trembled before the man's steely gaze. She dropped her swords, which vanished without a trace, with a terrified whisper she spoke... "...Sin" and grabbed the old man. " We're leaving! NOW! " The man laughed diabolically. He turned back to the Magister. "....You freed me. So my gift to you." He flicked out a finger. A small whimsical trail of energy floated about and entered her mind. A strange magic filling her. "...You'll get no such thanks from me... I will come for you again in time. That is my promise to you. " He flashed a wicked smile. "...I'll give you a head start.... now go. While I 'play' with my family. "

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[ The Golden Herald & The Master of Whispers ]

The paladin didn't waste anytime, he had no idea what in all the hells his Magister had conjured up, but he had no intention of finding out. He turned around and dashed off. He placed his hand on the fallen Dame. A flash of life energy entering her body [ Jeska is restored to 7 HP ] He pat her on the back. "Get up! Get up! It's time to move! " He ran over sliding his sword into his belt, not bothering to scabbard it properly and threw the unconscious traitor over his shoulder. " Koriah, Lead on! We're getting the hell out of this mad-house! " Koriah nodded in agreement while she patted out the flames on her leathers. " Hell yea, we are. Follow me! " She threw a Stormknife out and snapped her fingers detonating the blade at the last remaining Burning Ghnat. She didn't need another one of those things left standing. She broke into a run. " Last house on the northern corner! Run, dammit, Run! "

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

Nadia wanted to keep fighting, but then the terrible...thing descended from the sky. She steps back as the stranger speaks, and quickly falls in line behind Koriah.

[Desril]

Eris

Hearing the dark voice in her mind, Eris could only briefly concentrate on it, trying to figure out who was speaking to her, and why. Doing her best to call out mentally, she directs her thoughts toward the voice, hoping it can hear her but not knowing if it can, What are you talking about, what's in motion?!

There wasn't time for that though. Even as she heard its words and filed the names away to think about when she had more time, Eris saw the strange, bound man fall from the sky. The less mature part of her mind even briefly wondered about procuring a similar getup for herself when there was time, but for now, she could only stare in shock as the man, or whatever he truly was, landed before her and coated her bare body in the freezing black blood. Shaking her head as she wiped the gore from her face and ignored the rest of it for now, she'd submitted herself to far worse than a literal bloodbath before, and she finally recognized the reforming creature before her. Sinofel! But...not. And the Seal of Valpurga...time magic, then? That's the only rational explanation...damnit, I don't have the time to figure this all out!

Frozen, knowing that whatever this creature before her is must be even more dangerous than those she'd called it to aid her against, Eris can do nothing as he speaks with the other him. His laugh, there was something about it that got to Eris. Something just off enough that it chilled even her. She couldn't move as he gave her his little gift, instead, all she could do was give a nod of honest thanks and understanding. This is too far beyond me right now, I'm not going to miss this chance to escape!

And though Roland got a head start on her, his armor slowed him down. Silently cursing herself, knowing that this wasn't the time to slow down but feeling guilty for allowing all this to happen by not forcing these fools to leave faster, Eris quickly caught up to him and cast another spell, imbuing the dhampir with unholy blood to bolster his health once again as she calls upon the luckstealer's braid's power. This was partly your fault, Roland, so it's only fitting if you pay some of the price.

Even as she runs though, she realizes that maybe she can still save the girl after all. It's no guarantee, but... "#7! GRAB THE GIRL AND HIDE IN A CORNER!"


Running running running

Abyssal Healing on Avaricious, Luckstealer's Braid (targeting Roland) [roll0] (DC 16)

Zombiridi will, if it survives, drag Alica's body off into a corner or one of the huts or something. We can pick them up later.

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

Suddenly, the bard feels life forced back into him again for the second time in five minutes. It was less shocking this time, but still quite uncomfortable for the dhampir. He never felt particularly great being raised back, and this time was no different. When he wakes up however, he's in the paladin's arms, which makes the whole thing even more awkward. Avaricious looks up towards the paladin and frowns, before deciding to turn his head a little bit to look behind at the creatures behind him. His eyes widen, and the dhampir seems incredibly confused.

Nothing back there made any sense, but it all looked terrible bad for his general health. With a groan, Avaricious notices just how slow Roland was going in his full plate. Now that wouldn't do at all, his mule ran faster! With a glare, the bard will slide out of the paladin's arms, sliding down onto his feet with a fair bit of dexterity. As he does so, he'll take one more look behind him, just trying to make sense of it all.

Unfortunately, the whole scene was still the very strange and confusing thing it was the first time Avaricious looked back, and he decides to just run forward after Eris as fast as possible, wordlessly.

[Kai927]

There she was, ready to face down the zombie monster thing. While she had little experience with fighting the undead, no amount of experience would have prepared her for what happened. The zombie exploded. She had no idea if zombies were supposed to do that or not, but the point was really moot. She took the full force of the explosion, and unsure of as to how, ended up on the ground. She missed the actual falling part somewhere. But no matter. The ground was surprisingly comfortable, and she was feeling very tired all of a sudden. The noise of combat was fading, and she felt herself being wrapped in the comforting embrace of sleep...

With a sudden jolt, Jeska returns to consciousness, with Roland shouting at her. Shaking her head to wipe the last vestiges of her sleepiness away, she gets up and runs after the paladin and company.

[iValkyrieX]

Asiresh

He stares in aww as the man that fell from the sky and stands back up. Asir's mind races looking for reason behind this man. He looks toward Halja'Fel to tell him what's going on. "Well I think its time to take my leave from this place. If this vessel gets destroyed take the tomes hidden within my bag and give them to my next one."

[Mornings]

The Deepest Dark; Magnimar - 02:30 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Seekers, The Blue, & The Lady of Black ]

They can hard, as hard as their legs could carry them. Koriah didn't stop jumping into a flying drop-kick into the door, ripping the wooden thing from its hinges. She scampered to her feet as the party caught up to the swift-footed Pathfinder. She ran in the small house, throwing over a book-shelf, and kicking in a wall, throwing wooden planks aside revealing a steel door, with a fine lock on it. She took out a key. " What, madness is this? Where does that thing go!?" Roland seemed to be evidently suspicious, and still shaken from the experience. " Do me a favor...and SHUDDUP! We're getting the Hell- " A massive blast sent them all to the ground again, for perhaps the fourth time in the last 2 hours. The very air caught in arcane-combustion, they gasped, breathless, a dark and terrible energy filling the air. Being drawn back towards where they had came. Koriah dragged herself from the floor, smashing the key in the lock and turning it, dropping the 4 pound piece of steel to the ground with a heavy thud, ripping the door open. A wave of air, hit them, a long with a terrible, stench. The party and the paladin all gagged from the terrible smell, but were able to breath again. " To the hells, with this. To the hells with this place. GET YOUR ASS IN THE HOLE!" She grabbed the paladin and threw him down the steep hole. He stumbled upon the crude stone steps catching himself, and beginning to move, turning to shout at the Magister. " I'll lead the way, but don't you let that man out of your sight Magister!"
******************************************

The Deepest Dark; Magnimar - 02:40 PM, Toilday the 15th


It quickly became evident they were running through the sewers, they had ran for some time now, but no one seemed to feel as if they had gotten enough distance between them, and whatever had unfolded in Heidmarch. Until finally The tall iron sluice gated off their path. Branching off into another direction. The paladin looked back at the Pathfinder suspisciously, pointing at a large X marked upon the wall the turned down the other path. "This path leads to UnderCity.... " His grip tightened around the hilt of his blade at his side. " Why would we be heading to UnderCity? ...and what's more, why would there be a secret passage on the Heidmarch compound?" Koriah scoffed at the man. As if insulted. " ...When have the people of UnderCity stopped being people? And more'over... are you daft? Did you not see me kick down a door, a wall, and rip the rusted door down? This passage hasn't been used since The War. Heidmarch Manor was re-built after the war." Roland still seemed skeptical, but sheathed his blade, satisfied for now, but turning his head in unapologetic-silence. "..Yea. I thought so...dumbass." She turned to the rest of the group tired, worn and still beaten from the previous encounter. They were all fatigued from the long run. " Catch your breath, but we need to move. We'll cut through UnderCity and come back up in The Courtyard of Sovereigns. That should be the nearest exist... And assuming Rostland's regiment still stands, and the D'Aritel's are still within The House of Lords, I'd probably say it's the safest place in the city right now... or atleast as good a place as any to make our stand. We can't stay down in UnderCity for long, if you don't want to find a knife in your back." She slid down the wall, resting for a short while. " Take a few minutes.... another 5 minutes should being us to Butcher's Bay. Not exactly a place I'd like to be for long. " To those who lived in Magnimar, and lived through The War, that name, brought with it a chill. The supporters of the old regime had been forced to flee, beneath the city. The sewers and tunnels that extended through the metropolis turned into UnderCity. During the war, The large underground chamber beneath the Courtyard of Sovereigns was a blood bath. Men accused of terrorism, men, women, children, were executed mercilessly by the 'Black Blades' a group of brutal warriors loyal to the D'Aritel funded by the Houses of Taldan and Kaddran. They were mostly active during the fall out of The War. Black clad warriors protected by the D'Aritel name. Committing heinous crimes, and silencing those who would speak out against The High-Lord. In large part, it was fear of the Black Blades that led many to flee to UnderCity. Butcher's Bay, was now a thriving large chamber of thugs, criminals, and fences of illegitimate wares, to dangerous to even pedal on the Black Market of the Bazaar of Sails. Crime thrived her, as did the radicalists... the 'freedom fighters' and rebels who fought to end the reign of The High-Lord. It was possibly the worst place for a Magister and The Lord of Commons to be found. Or any Noble for that matter. For any who still retained their title had been loyal to the D'Aritel, or swore their fealty... It was a dangerous place. Easy to find, less easy to leave. Many gangs of 'men of colors' guarded the in's-and-out's of The Bay. Conflict was inevitable.
**************************************

The Deepest Dark; Magnimar - 02:42 PM, Toilday the 15th

They had only walked down the sewer way for a short while, looking for a better position, in the event they came across a patrol. For indeed, the men who called this place home, patrolled their own territories. It was wild, but now lawless. The Fallen Lords, commanded different sections of UnderCity. The former lords who were loyal to the old-city. As they rounded the corner. They were stopped, by two individuals blocking their path.

" heh... took ya lil' sheits long 'nuf...." His voice was unpleasant, and a rasped like a man who had lost his voice. Croaking out maniacally. The man looked shaggy, like a wet dog. His hair unmade, his hair wild and unkempt. Scars from manacles clearly visible on his wrists. His hair covered his face, and his leathers were worn, torn, and in tatters, but not from misuse. Blade scars, and battle-wear was evident. He smoked a long stick of something that was not tobacco... A tattered cloak was trapped over his shoulders. Grime and wet filth gleamed in his long grey hair. His hands were black and calloused. It was obvious he lived here.

Next to him stood a lady, tall, taller then most in her dark heels at 6'1''. She was dressed in a fine regal black dress. She wore a dark funeral veil over part of her face. Her long black hair drifted down in an unearthly manner. She carried a long adamant apeiron stave, with a large black glowing crystal mounted upon its top. Her skin was pale, but not appearing as if she was undead. Just denied sunlight perhaps. It took only one look for all of them to recognize who she was. She smiled at them. " My. You've finally come. Hello Seekers. Friends... Please excuse my companion. This is Moral Blue. She gestured down to the man. The grizzly wet old man growled in response. " ...Ya, can call meh Blue.... Or i'll cut out you fuggin pretty little throat. " He spat a black glob of tar on the ground.

Moral Blue.... there was no one in Magnimar that had not heard the name. He was perhaps the most feared man in the city. More feared then Lady D'Aritel. More feared then Magister Bel'nacht. Moral Blue, had, as rumors said, been the man who killed the Lord-Mayor, after the war. But his notorious name was not for that. It was his legend. The Lord of Assassins. He had hunted, and killed most of the Black Blades. Politicians. Lords, commoners, Royals alike. Without provocation. Without payment. Without known reason. Moral Blue, was thought to be a legend by most of the common folk. But the 180,000 gold pieces posted for his capture, alive or dead, posted on every other board of the city said otherwise. His tales were innumerable, some of criminal honor. Some of horror, and terrible acts. Some said, he was not a man at all, but something else. Some said he was a man of the cloth, an assassin guided by the gods, balancing the world, tilting the scales as they would have see it. But the truth was... no one knew the truth of Moral Blue, and fewer still had ever seen his face.

The paladin, magister, and the Lieutenant dropped to a knee before the women. " My Lady, forgive me. I did not expect to see you in such a place.... and in such company......" There was a long, and very awkward pause. The paladin very obviously conflicted, trying to decide if he should cut off the man's head now in front of The Lady.... or.... She spoke interrupting his thought process. "Please stand. Mr. Blue is my Ward. I would appreciate it if you did not eye him so threateningly." The old man chuckled, drawing a long breath from whatever foul substance he was smoking. " heh...heh...Just hav' teh ruin all meh fun, eh? I'd like teh see da' lil' sheit try..." Roland ignored the man. " Very well My Lady. I understand."

The women looked at Eris, a somewhat distant smile on her face. It was impossible to not know this women. The High Lord Judge, Arch-Magister Black. The Lady of Black. Arguably the most politically powerful figure within the city, and second only to Arch Magister Bel'nacht within Segenhall. The Lady Black, was the original, and the last known living Black Blade of The War. She had executed innumerable souls beneath the city and within it. Now, she was the High Lord Judge of The Court of High Lords, ruling upon matters that effected the entire Inner Sea region. She was easily, the last face any criminal would ever want to see. The stories of the terrible, and agonizing methods she had executed her victims was still taught today within the school, to educate the younger generations of the evils of magic's misuse. No trials were ever held against her in-numeral crimes committed during the war. Many of the spells now used by the Council Guard to combat dark mages to be seized, to include Magister Rose, had been created and designed by The Lady of Black. The women was also known to have created three unique arcane schools of dark magic, which was fueled by Diabolism, rather then typical infernal pacts, and deals with creatures of the lower planes. The magic was so dreadfully vile, it was outlawed in both practice and education by The Arcane Council, though records exist documenting historical references of its application and use. Written by The Lady herself. The records, while known to exist, are maintained by the Arcane Librarians as controlled material. Unenviable to all but The High Magistrate and by authority of a Council Ruling with written documents permitting access to the many volumes. Rumors within The Hall were that she was somehow connected to Ex-Magsiter Kelgore, and the Kelgorian-Works, but that was just hearsay....

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[Desril]

Eris

Ignoring Roland's call not to let the dhampir out of her sight, As if he has a choice, it's either come with us or die, and we've got too many questions for each other for him to get himself killed now, Eris follows after the others as fast as her legs will carry her, the stench of the sewage and overflow on their walkway mixing with the blood splattered across her feet causing her to repress a shudder. The blood is one thing, but the rest of this? Eugh.

Finally though, when they reach the split in the paths and Koriah and Roland have their little argument, Eris takes a deep breath. OK. This might be dangerous, but now's the best time to test it. I won't have time to experiment properly until later, and everyone's still injured. If this doesn't work, it won't waste enough time to matter, but if it does...we can spare a minute for me to restore everyone's strength, even the dhampir's, she thinks, glancing toward Avaricious as she does, her blood still visible on his chin. "Koriah is right, Roland. Above ground isn't safe right now...the Magister who answered my call..." she shakes her head, not wanting to say any more just yet, not until she has more answers. "But first, let me try something. He gave us more than just time, if I'm right, then I should be able to restore everyone's strength better than any priest..."

Without giving anyone a chance to stop her, the tiefling spreads her wings and starts to concentrate, calling upon the power she didn't yet understand. Her normally flawless skin cracked, almost as if it was made of glass, and through the thin shattered veins a vibrant violet light flared outward, even passing through her intangible robes. Breathing heavily, not used to the strange feeling of the energy coursing through her now, the strange effect it had on her body dissipates and her flesh smoothed out instantly, much to her relief. Oh thank you Lady Nocticula. I didn't think about what this might look like. At least it seems to only be momentary. Calmed, she speaks up, "Alright, now, if this works as intended..." She quickly chants a simple spell, but rather than reciting it on pure instinct as she normally would when she needed to clean something, she gave it her full attention, pouring all the newly gathered energy into the first cantrip she ever learned, willing it to take on the form of the healing energies of the plane normally hardest for practitioners of the arcane to access.

"HeheHAHAHA! YES!" She can't help but throw her head back in maniacal laughter and cheer, her voice echoing through the sewers as she does when it takes effect. Though to her companions, the only change is that much of the blood on her person vanishes, she feels her energy restored, "It works!" Turning to her companions, realizing that she might seem more than a little crazy, she smiles cheerfully, "Who's still injured? It will take me a minute to tend to everyone, but I don't think we're being followed right now. I can tend to everyone's wounds now and clean all this filth off you at the same time." When she gets to Avaricious, however, she lowers her voice before casting, "We'll talk later."


Spending a move action to gather a point of Bleakness, and then a Full-Round Action to use Annihilation Channeling on Prestidigitation and imbue it with Desolation Positive Energy for [roll0] for Eris

I repeat the process;
for Jeska if she wants it [roll1]
for Nadia if she wants it [roll2]
for Koriah if she wants it [roll3]
for Roland if he wants it [roll4]
and again but with Negative Energy for Avy regardless of if he wants it or not [roll5]

If anyone wants seconds, I'll do it again as we walk



***************************


On her knee, seeing the two before her, Eris could hardly believe their luck. First she'd managed to call him to their aid, and now these two were here. Well, as long as no one does something stupid, she glances sidewise toward both Roland and Avaricious, we should be safe from attack as long as we stay with these two.

"My lady," she says to the Arch-Magister, "I'm sure you must have heard my Emergency Call, but I do not know how appraised of the situation you are." Assuming her superior doesn't object, she rises and does her best to summarize the situation, leaving out Avaricious' crime of passion. "Heidmarch Manor has been destroyed, and Sheila herself is dead, along with several of the Pathfinders that were with her. Minister Kaddren, Lt. Vorns, and I arrived too late to stop whoever it was that destroyed the manor," she pauses, "But I managed to learn that the one who'd done it destroyed the place with Umbral Magic." Waiting a moment to see if that gets a reaction out of the Arch-Magister, she continues. "After that, I'm afraid I'm not entirely certain what happened. I sent Sinofel to search for survivors and it seems he found one responsible for the attack. I don't know the specifics, but he seems to have destroyed himself in an effort to kill the one responsible. Whatever the case, he drew the attention of some particularly powerful individuals. It was only seconds after his apparent death that they swooped down from the storm with a small troop of undead unlike any I'd seen. And I do not know if you remember later Alery, but she seemed to be their leader."

She looks toward the party for confirmation briefly, "I also seem to recall her calling the one that apparently lead the attack on the manor her 'brother' but I do not recall her having one, and I certainly saw no family resemblance between them, so I do not believe that the souls in control of the bodies were the ones they were born with. In any case, I recognized that not even Sir Kaddren could stand up to them and I had been left in a vulnerable position with their sudden appearance, so I used the last resort I had available to me." Pausing, she does her best to describe the events that transpired after that, including the strange, black-blooded man's fall from the sky, his regeneration, what he'd said to the woman who wasn't Lady Alery, and, she pauses once more.

"There is one more thing, and I feel you are in a better position to understand it than I. Before the man with the Seal of Valpurga offered us a 'head start' he...gave me something. A memory, and access to a strange kind of magic." She calls upon her newfound gift once more, drawing upon the Bleakness once more. "I know this is something called 'Desolation Magic' but other than the most basic understanding of how to use it, I do not know enough about it." She looks earnest and almost desperate as she concludes, "I was hoping that you might know more and could help me understand what has happened to me and the risks that this power must have."


Not sure if it's necessary, but if it is, Diplomacy [roll6]

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

The bard continues to run, not even bothering to look behind as he evades the creatures that really wanted him dead. Although he would prefer to be somewhere else, anywhere else, really, the bard sighs and simply accepts the fact that he'll be travelling with the ever-unpleasant Roland, at least for the time being. As soon as the group reaches the door, Avaricious moves straight up to the door beside Koriah and just glares towards Roland with a look of incredible disapproval and disappointment in his face, though he doesn't bother speaking, instead using this time to take a few deep breaths. Finally, he impatiently eyeballs the door as Koriah verbally fences and stumbles around with Roland.

He'll speak, attempting to hurry it all up. "Can we please move on, I'm getting incredibly antsy, and I've had to take a piss for the last hour or so. Would you like to watch, Roland? You know what they say about those church types, and you don't seem like you intend to leave me alone for more than a few seconds if you can help it. I'm sure that watching your prisoners durin-!"

Unfortunately, the smirking dhampir is suddenly rocketed towards the ground, falling on his face once more, only kicking his headache into gear again, but with much more intensity. He gets up with an unfortunate pounding pain ripping through him, and doesn't bother talking any further. It seemed that this was just a poor time to exist for the dhampir, honestly. He leans against the side of the door as Koriah opens it up, before slinking in behind her.

---

As they enter the sewers, Avaricious steps forward and wipes a bit of blood off of his face, before taking a good long whiff of the sewer air. Ahhh. Now there was a scent he hadn't experienced for many a year. The bard steps forward and gazes forward, thinking back to a time a bit ago, when he was somewhat new to criminal behavior. He briefly remembers dragging several bodies through the grim with a man he was working with, it wasn't particularly fun. Still, the scent stuck with him, and after spending so much time in the muck, the dhampir was barely fazed by the foul smell. After a moment of silent thought, he'll continue forward, until Eris begins her strange magical transformation and whispers to him.

The bard simply nods in response, his eyes slightly higher than usual.

---

With the newcomers before him, Avaricious puts on a more friendlier face, and edges closer to Eris. He felt safest there, even though Roland was still annoyingly close by. He gazes towards Moral Blue and looks him over, before nodding slowly and looking down. The bard had heard stories of the man before him, very interesting ones, still, he was somewhat unimpressed by how the legendary criminal carried himself.

Would it hurt to have a little more class?

---

Avaricious will stand by and not bother talking here, instead listening in on the conversation. His time for talk would come later.

[Mornings]

The Deepest Dark; Magnimar - 02:42 PM, Toilday the 15th

The old man's hand stopped abruptly as the Magister spoke, in the process of drawing another draft from his cigarette. He rose his hand at the tiefling, temporarily pausing her. He looked up at Lady Black. " ...'eid ya' lil' munchkin-gal say, dat' bish' Valpurga's Seal? " The Lady looked down on him silently. "....I've business den', teh see's' too. " She nodded, speaking softly. " Yes. It appears you do... Return once you've finished." He flashed a wicked smile, the lower half of his face visible as he slowly rose from the ground. His long gray hair drapped down past his waist-line. The large black cowl he wore did little to hide that. He flashed a look at the Magister. Eyes, white and pupil-less. Beyond blind, as if both of the orbs were simply made of glass. " ...I likes ya' kid'. Ya' know how teh' draw out da' fun ones, heh-heh." He sniffed the air like a wild beast, shaking his head violently, as if he caught something unpleasant. " But YOU! " He slammed through Roland, passing through his body like he was made of mist. Grabbing the Dhampir by the back of the neck and pulling his face close to his, an inch-apart. The Dhampir could feel the very energy of his life slowly being pulled away from him by his simple touch, but he was held fast, forehead-to-forehead with the man. Staring at his dreadful sightless eyes. He spoke with bitter foul, forceful words that blew his mangy hair, and threw trails of spit in the bard's face. His breath smelled like rotting meat. It made him sick, and his legs began to shake, as a numbness crept through his body. His limbs locked in place. "...YOU...You...You..... Ya' saw mai' wife.... close enough teh' touch 'er. Close 'nuff teh see 'er. Close enough! I can smells 'er on ya. Smell 'er on ya' skin... ya' cloths... ya' hair..... Why'd she leave'n lil' sheit like ya' livin' meh' wonders? ...Did ye' cry? Did ye plead, and beg? Did ye' run, when dem' black-flames burned da' very air 'round ya'? ....She's a' 'andful aint' she? " He pat him on the side of the face softly with a large freezing hand. "....Da' next time I see's ya'. We's gonna talk. Ya' gonna' talk honest en' true. Or i'm gonna cut off dat' pretty lil' 'ed a' ya's...nice... and, slow." He released him, pushing him back roughly almost tossing him in the running sewage wastes. " Meh... " He took a draft, and spewed out a long line of smoke. " ...I'll beh' back... Ya' can count on dat'. " He gestured pointing towards the disheveled bard. Then like mist, he was swept away, like a pale vapor, leaving nothing.
***************************

The Lady Black listened silently as the Magister went about healing those around her with her new-found magic. When she finished she smiled softly. " I am glad to see you well, Young Magister. But sadly. I've only poor news to provide. Though I heard your call, I could not respond as I was preoccupied with other business with Mr. Blue.... and unfortunately, all of the fates have conspired against you." She placed a hand on the Magister, as she finished casting her last spell. " The only man who still bears the Seal of Valpurga. Is Arch-Lord Magister Valpurga himself. Long sealed away by The Domain of Black, my Order.... But now that you've spent the gift he has given you. You must decide... Her voice began to trail away, as the Magister's body started to go limp, within The Lady's arms. "...Will you follow The Path of Desolation? Nothing can be born, without something unmade... I await your return..."

The Magister's eye's closed. Falling from consciousness a strange glowing hue of violet-glowing misty light emerging from her body, as The Lady held her up. Roland looked in terrified stupor, "....My Lady! What is this? What have you done!?" She smiled softly at him. " Fear not brave-knight. She merely rests... The new power she has found has taken its toll. When she will wake. I cannot know... I will take her in my care until then. " He nodded firmly. " Very well My Lady. We will press on." Koriah signed... "...and the flock thins more and more. I wonder who will be left in the next hour...." The began to walk on, The Lady of Black, turned about, chuckling silently. " ...Silly girl. That should already be apparent. None of you will. " The shadows emerged around her like massive dark claws, consuming her like two taloned palms. Then The Lady, and the Magister were gone...

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

After a few seconds of standing still and listening to the somewhat mundane conversation, the bard is suddenly pulled up into the air by the strange and unpleasant criminal. Though he's gripped rather forcefully, his first thought is one of admiration over that no doubt incredibly useful mist ability. What he wouldn't give to have that particular power. Suddenly, the man he knew through all the stories began to shout and complain quite violently towards Avaricious, who just quietly takes it all, as quiet and confused as he ever was, unable to really speak.

He had no intention of offending this strange man any further. When he's finally set down, he watches Eris get taken away, somewhat unhappy with the events that had just occurred.

As soon as all the others leave, he slinks next to Koriah and whispers to her. "Can we please ditch the knight... We need to talk."

[Mornings]

Avaricious:

After a few seconds of standing still and listening to the somewhat mundane conversation, the bard is suddenly pulled up into the air by the strange and unpleasant criminal. Though he's gripped rather forcefully, his first thought is one of admiration over that no doubt incredibly useful mist ability. What he wouldn't give to have that particular power. Suddenly, the man he knew through all the stories began to shout and complain quite violently towards Avaricious, who just quietly takes it all, as quiet and confused as he ever was, unable to really speak.

He had no intention of offending this strange man any further. When he's finally set down, he watches Eris get taken away, somewhat unhappy with the events that had just occurred.

As soon as all the others leave, he slinks next to Koriah and whispers to her. "Can we please ditch the knight... We need to talk."

Roland leads the way as they march down the hall. Koriah pats the bard on the back. " ....Now, what you really should be asking yourself is this; ' How in the hells is The Lord of Commons going to get through Butcher's Bay' " She smirked at him. As if she already had a plan, they marched on. The Lady's words echoing behind them. She looked down to the Dhampir, answering her own question. " ... He's not."

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

Nadia stays toward the front with Roland.
Sir, do you have any idea what is going on? I am no coward, but all of this is more than a little overwhelming. First the sky, then the dead, then that...thing that fell, and now we are in the company of criminals and the Magister has been taken from us.
She smiles a wan little smile.
Permission to admit I am scared, sir?

[Kai927]

When she had awoken this morning, this was not what Jeska was expecting to have happened. All she was expecting was a job from the Pathfinder Society. Not all of this. None of the explosions and infinitely long soul tearing claws or humans that were clearly not human. She shakes her head, this had been enough adventure for a week, and all of it has happened in the span of a few hours. She snaps out of her thoughts when the group halts. She looks about, realizing that she must have been further out of it than what she had thought, as she did not remember crossing into the sewers or the undercity.

As Eris does her magic, Jeska takes a cautious step back as the cracks appear on the tiefling's skin, and she very noticeably flinches when Eris touches her to heal her. It was clear that Jeska was quite uncomfortable at being on the receiving end of the magister's magic, but forces herself to allow the healing to happen. Given the events of the day so far, she would likely need her health.

She folds her arms across her chest and listens to the judge and murderer when they stumble upon them, however the only part that made sense to her was that the tiefling had somehow summoned them. After a mystifying conversation, they leave, with the judge claiming the tiefling woman in the process. After they leave Jeska lets out a loud sigh, "Now that part is done with, can someone explain what is going on? Were those people Asiresh joined the people that Captain Heidmarch warned us about? The ones that would interfere with what she wanted us to do?" She asks, rapid firing the questions one after the other, displaying the stress that had been building ever since she almost died the first time that day.

[Mornings]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

Nadia stays toward the front with Roland.
Sir, do you have any idea what is going on? I am no coward, but all of this is more than a little overwhelming. First the sky, then the dead, then that...thing that fell, and now we are in the company of criminals and the Magister has been taken from us.
She smiles a wan little smile.
Permission to admit I am scared, sir?

The Deepest Dark; Magnimar - 02:46 PM, Toilday the 15th

Roland's stern unflinching gaze meets The House Ward. "Lieutenant Vorns. We are the righteous. The enforces of law and order in the civil world. We cannot afford to show fear in the face of our enemies! No. We shall spit in death's face, and take back the city!" The ground shook violently. A tremor, and a cold mist passed over them and then was gone.... The paladin spoke in a hushed voice; " The Altus-Rime.... Lady D'Aritel has joined the fray..." He looked to The Warden smugly. A large grin on his face. " We are atleast a hundred feet below the Plaza, and another 20 minutes from The House, and even here you can feel The Knight of Luminescence's strength. Do not let your conviction waiver. We will see this through."

Koriah walked silently besides the bard, and pulled Jeska closer, keeping her voice low. "...Those freaks at the manor, were NOT the ones myself and the Captain were referring too. It was alittle more mundane then that. Assassins and the like... Not some insane bunch like that. We're in over our heads, and he knows it.... " She paused. Looking back over our shoulder. " We've also been followed for the last 15 minutes. This is Black Hand territory. These tunnels were sealed not to keep people out... but to keep them in... Black Hands aren't a kind lot... they'll slit our throats and dump our bodies in the sewage... Or atleast... they WOULD, but Moral Blue's 'Pact of Lords' still applies here, even in UnderCity.... They'll most likely subdue us, and take the Sir Kaddren. You can't kill a House Lord, even down here. He'll be ransomed back to the State, but it'll buy us our passage.... When they come... drop your weapons. The knight turned around skeptically. "Now, What's all this whispering ***- Gah!" The came from the shadows. all at once.

Men clothed in nothing but torn black loin cloths, painted from fingernail to face in pitch-black tar. They blended in with the dim light and darkness perfectly, like assassins. They lept forth grabbing them all. Roland, fast to act, shouted out a war cry. Punching one of the men in the face, knocking him off, but was tackled and subdued by another large man. They came upon each of them, grappling them from behind and slamming their faces into the ground.

A slow clap could be heard from down the hall. It was a young lad, clad in black leathers. No older then 17 perhaps. " Come now, lift them up. Get them up..." The blackened men, pulled their prisoners to their feet. " My... quite the haul...." He eyed them all carefully. Cold calculating eyes unfitting for one his age, emotionless and as stale as his tone of voice. " The Lord of Commons... Now what are you doing down here in this little **** hole? ...And a Knight.... And, hm. You... you look familiar. " He eyed the bard more closely. Of course he looked familiar. This kid was Telvin Belkel, right-hand to Markus, and the current in command of The Black Hands since his recent death of his older brother. A young son of a noble lineage, with a title he had never known nor carried. " ...Eh. Yea. You're one of Kantiki's men no doubt. You looked familiar. We don't get many from DockWay round here cept the Boss." He smacked one of the men upside the head. A tall burly man with massive, stocky arms. " Let her go you dolt. " He dropped Koriah. She chuckled as she rose to her feet. " You little sheit... I was wondering when you'd show your ugly mug. We haven't even gotten to The Bay." He through back his head and laughed bitterly, with a somewhat amused maniacal tone " You haven't changed at all. Still scrubbing the floors for The Society and digging through old duty crypts?" " Nah, I got promoted, during the chaos upstairs." Roland looked at them both, struggling against the iron hold that held him fast to the ground. " ...What? What do you mean!? ...Koriah, have these criminals release me!" She glanced down at him half-mindedly. " That's Venture Captain Azermon now... My Lord." The paladin froze still, very evidently confused. " What madness do you speak of?...You are no Venture-Captain!" She crouched down and patted the man's head. " Oh, you silly man. Of course I am! .... As the last living Pathfinder, and now oldest serving member in all of Varisia. I now hold the title. " There was silence. The man's eyes wide, the gears obviously turning in his mind... "...The others... from the house!" "...Not Pathfinders." He shouted out. "...THE OLD ONE WHO TURNED ON US!?" "...Not a Pathfinder." The paladin's face turned red, caught in silence, then be begun to scream. "AHHHHHHH GAAAAAHHHH!!!! TRAITOR! WHORE! DECEIVER ! I WILL SEE YOU BROUGHT TO JUSTICE! I WILL SEE YOU BROUGHT TO JUS-" She lifted up her heel and brought it down upon his face with a wet thud, knocking the man unconscious. Telvin crossed his arms. " He's not... like.. dead, right? You know we can't kill their type down here." " He'll be fine. The rest are mine..." She looked back at them, with a wink in her eye, gesturing at her previous words. "Naturally, we'll have to keep The Lord and ransom him back to the city... as per the terms." " Yes, yes. See he gets back in one piece. The last thing this city needs is a District Lord missing..." Telvin put his hand to his chin, " By now the real question....Why should I let your merry band go? You know the terms. You know no one crosses through Hand's territory without permission and lives. We'll need to kill atleast one of em'.... Which one's ours?" The black men slid out sharpened glass wrapped in leather, brutal pointed instruments of murder. " I vote for the Kantiki-chap. Never did like fella's in Dockway much anyways. " " Easy their big-boy. We're here on business, not a little stroll through your turf. " The boy raised an eyebrow. " Oh? Well, that changes things, now doesn't it... What's this... venture you have in mind?" " Fair and simple. I just delivered to you a District Lord. So for starters, you owe me." "Heh. Fair enough." " But, I'm not here for that. No, I'm here to give you something back. Something you can't do bussiness without... And I'm gonna give you it back, and you're going to grant me...and my friend's here, unrestricted, unlimited permission to everything from The Bay to DarkEye" Telvin's eyes were wide, honestly surprised. " What in the bloody hell would you have that I wouldn't know is missing, worth THAT!?" Koriah smiled. She lifted her hand up, the men in black, readied to pounce on her, but halted as she pointed to the ceiling with one finger. A thundering quake shook the earth again, another passing cloud of freezing mist passing over them. "...Your boss." The young gangster's eyes went wide in disbelief as if they would roll out of his face. Blindsided, out-maneuvered, not seeing the obvious. " Oh sheit.... " He grabbed her by the collar. " Where'd you assign him! WHERE!?" " On the bell of course. " He released her, stepping back, fumbling, walking in circles. "sheit-sheit-sheit-sheit-sheit....." He stopped glaring at the women. "Well...fuggin... played. You really didn't loose your touch... but what about her? He pointed down to The House Ward 'She's worth a buck-and-a-dime too. I'll take her as well." " Like hell you will. She's mine. The Lord Kaddren was only her escort, by The D'Aritel's order, she's assigned to the lodge's Venture-Captain.... which, by the way. Would be me. So shove it up your ass." The little man pulled at his hair.... "Uhhhhhg..... FINE... but if any of your little dogs fall out of line. We'll put em down... put em down quick an' bloody, too.... Now move your ass and go get the Boss." Telvin turned on his heel and begun walking down the hall. Slowly his form began to meld with the scenery until only the brief outline of his shape was visible as he walked away. " Common' boys! We've got work to do!" The men released the group and picked up the paladin off the ground, in a four man-carry racing off and similarly fading.

".... See? Without a hitch. Now lets get back top-side before we outstay our welcome."
***********************************************

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

Nadia was about to reply when the attack came. She struggled against the man holding her, attempting to bash the back of her skull into his head, but to no avail. She watched in stubborn silence as Koriah traded Roland for their safety. Her anger was bubbling beneath the surface.

As the men walked away, she turned to Koriah.
Well? How are we going to rescue him?

[Mornings]

A Song of Mourning and Light; Quortek V'dre- 02:46 PM, Toilday the 15th

" ....I didn't know. But, I could not leave brother down their... alone. I'll take Mother's spite and anger, but I could not simply stand aside... and now Sin.. AHHH! That bastard... He's cast him away from me again."

The voice sounded familiar.... she had heard it before... and not so long ago. Then another voice she recognized spoke out.

" Fear not young-one... He will return again. His spirit has been rebound. It will be but a simple matter of time's course before he emerges and returns to us once more... Mother will forgive your transgression. I will see to it. "

That voice... It was Lady Black.

" My, oh my, oh dear. She's returned. So quickly and with such haste. Must you always be so impatient? Could you not wait but a little while more? Your powers have not yet been granted to you in full... for better or worse.... But he will speak to you now. Whisper as I do, but within, and throughout, for you have chosen The Path. How open your eyes..."

Her eyes fluttered open. It was dark... yet a strange light illuminated the world cast in shadow. Without a sky, without a moon or sun. Plants, wonderous silver flowers with budding lights, were all about them in an endless field. Before her... next to her, laid The Lady of Morning. "I said, I spoke, I said... We'd meet again soon. Did I not? I did." She smiled, and waved towards another women. The same women from the manor... the 'dead' noble-girl who had accosted them. "Little Halja, poor Halja, silly girl. Come, come and apologize to our friend." The women approached and knelt. " I apologize for my actions Lady Magister. I did not know you were allied with my family... and I was not thinking clearly, having my brother threatened so brazenly." The lady patted her on the head, "Thats a good girl, A good girl, a very nice girl. Now run along now."

The Lady of Black stood before them, as proud, and tall as ever. Eris leaned up looking around herself, realizing The Lady of Morning was practically laying atop her though, was a pleasant surprise. In the dim light she could see in the distance.... many different faces. Women with silver hair, kneeling within the fields of light.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/15251e1c2d713a8202ec673cb7071fb2%20-%20Copy_zpszxhuw5v7.jpg

The Lady of Black spoke; " Well done Magister. I had expected your success. Though besting Astrok at his own game so quickly... I must say, even I am surprised a measure. But these are trivial matters.... Now you follow The Path as we. Now you are one of us, and may see what others may not... "

She waved her hand about her to the endless fields;

" Welcome to Old Quortek V'dre: Haven of Rebirth, now rise... I'm sure you've many questions, and while our time may be lengthened here, the hours remaining of your world wain with each wasted moment, for you have released Valpurga upon your poor world unknowingly, and with him... Sin. He will toy with them for awhile... but when he is done... He will unleash The Hollowed Tide, and remove that which once was your 'material plane' from existence once he grows bored..."

A voice interrupted her.

" -But he will be stopped."

She knew that voice! She turned around to see Sinofel standing before her once more. His hair long and perfect as ever. Un-scarred and seemingly unharmed, with his classic blade strapped upon his side.

[Desril]

Eris

With her mind and soul back in her living body, rather than the astral projection that she'd been in moments before, it takes the tiefling a moment to aclimate to her new surroundings. Though the voices around her seem familiar, it's the pleasant feeling of a woman laying so very close to her that finally gets Eris to open her eyes and smile at the sight of the Lady of Mornings being so close to her. It's only with a great effort of will that the tiefling resists the urge to kiss the beautiful seeress that she'd longed for more than a few times and take stock of the others around her. Though her eyes go wide at the sight of the woman who'd very nearly killed her not 10 minutes ago, the reassuring presence of both Arch-Magister Black and the Lady of Mornings keep Eris from immediately jumping to a defensive stance as Halja approaches her and apologizes.

"Oh...uh," she flounders, not having expected this turn of events. There must be more going on than I know about. At the very least, she doesn't seem to have been directly responsible for the attack on the Manor, and everyone got out alive, so I guess...Tentatively, she replies, her kinder nature getting the better of her anger and fear, "I forgive you..." she turns toward the Lady of Mornings and continues, "But I don't understand. Why are you here? Who is she?"



When the Arch-Magister speaks up though, Eris moves her gaze from one lovely woman to another, watching her superior as she stands up, whispering to the Lady of Mornings beneath her breath as she does about how she'd "...rather pull you closer..."

Before Eris has a chance to form the questions she was dying to ask though, Sinofel made his presence known. "You're alive?! How?" She shakes her head, "No, I guess that's not what's important right now. You have to come back with me!" Turning back to Lady Black she continues, "If what you're saying is true then I don't have time to waste here with too many questions. I hope you'll forgive me for being curt, but I have to hurry. If you're right, I have to find some way to stop this 'Sin' but..." she hangs her head and pauses briefly, remembering his rather dramatic entrance, "I'm not strong enough to stand against him. So I need to know what I can do keep him from destroying the plane, please, help me!"

She looks around, "You're right when you say I have questions, and I'm sure you can predict what most of them will be," she says while glancing toward the Lady of Mornings before shifting her eyes toward Halja and back to the Arch-Magister, "But apparently I don't have time to ask everything, so I'll only ask two questions now; Can I return here later to seek help and counsel or at least contact you all some other way? And how do I stop Valpurga and this 'Hallowed Tide'?"

[Mornings]

The Deepest Dark; Magnimar - 02:46 PM, Toilday the 15th

The House Ward spoke as the men disappeared into the darkness. The Venture-Captain didn't turn around. There was a moment of silence. She turned to look at the women. " ...Well, The House will pay for his release in three-days, as per The Pact of Lords. He will not come to any harm, aside from my boot to his face perhaps... I really did want to stick with the original deal and get an 'All-Access-Pass" to half of UnderCity. That's worth a great-deal more then Sir Kaddren, and you'll be back down here again without a doubt in your pursuit of the 'Star'. It would be much better for all of your interests to just let matters lay and let the City recover its lord by its own process... But if you really insist, you can easily trade their Boss for the Paladin... though that is hardly a fair trade when you've got the bull by the balls, if ya'know what I mean." She walked up to the women and pulled her to her feet. "..But that's not my call to make. You can vote amongst yourselves as to how you'd like to act. I'll take you through The Bay, up to the Court, save the sorry sod. Get back down here. Cash out the Boss... You can have your vote. But I'm leaving after that. With Lady Heidmarch gone, I've a lot to tend to in her place... and having the city under siege, and... whatever the hell that Magister coughed up, blowing half the goddamned place apart. I imagine we have less time then we think to get the job done. So lets grab him, and make for Dockway. It would be faster to go through UnderCity with a Pass. But without it, you're going topside, and I wouldn't show your faces down in these parts for awhile..." She turned away beginning to walk down the hall. "..That's the plan. It's your card. Play it how you like. But were not wasting anymore time here."

The party gathered behind her. There was little argument to be made. She'd made her bluff, and evened the odds in their favor for a time, at the cost of Sir Kaddren. Her voice was cold and calculating, much different from it had been all the times they had seen the women before. Over-spoken, and emotional. It was impossible to tell how she felt on the matter of The Lord of Common's ransom. She had steeled herself, made the decision that had kept them alive, and showed no traces of emotion. But with her words, it was a reminder, there were much larger things at stake then a single man's life. Men died every minute they wasted. If they didn't act now, there might not be a left to return to...
***************************************

Butcher's Bay: The Heart

Light flooded the hall. the sounds of innumeral voices echoched throughout the massive underground chamber. Easily 400ft in diameter. The Heart of The Bay, was a chaotic swirling pit of merchants and men, with order only defined by the colors of the cloths of men gathered their. In the far left, the Black Hands sat atop a massive gallows with many steps leading to a fortified house built into the wall. Men clad in red scarves and dingy cloths to the right. Who gestured at a man upon the gallows when the party walked in, he flashed a small mirror, and the man turned away. The Hounds were vicious criminals known to any Magmarian, but The Bay was not their ground to hunt. In the far distance. Men in blue were dressed, and many more of them, as they wove through the crowds, in shawls and multi-colored grey shades. They peddled and sold wares. They were known as 'Speakers' to the common folk. The name of their organization not known to many. They kept UnderCity alive. trafficked wares and were the peddlers of all things. Their bodies bore a large and varying number of brands which identified their service and rank. They moved unfettered. Immune from the laws of the rival gangs.

Koriah turned around. " Welcome to Butcher's Bay ladies... try not to get shanked in the ass? We'll be heading to the far end with The Speakers, they control the gate out and up of this pit... it's a long walk, so keep your head on a swivel..." She marched forward. Pushing through the crowd.

[Mornings]

A Song of Mourning and Light; Quortek V'dre- 02:46 PM, Toilday the 15th

The Lady of Black smiled. She waved a hand about herself, gesturing at the entire world about them. At the Magister words, the forms of innumerable silver haired girls rose from the grass... hundreds perhaps. " Can you not see it? This is but Old Quortek V'dre... The Haven of Rebirth exists no longer. This is but a fragment of it self, a memory, which now holds the memories of those destroyed, that they may in time pass to the Great Beyond and find peace. Or rise once more, Reborn anew as Children of the Mother of Rebirth. You will not return here, least you suffer a tragic, rather mundane death... But I am always here for your council." She opened her hand, black shimmering lights danced about like butterflies of glimmering shade, gentle landing upon her. " Speak to me, and I shall hear you, as this day you are born anew. A Magister of The Path." A hand stroked her leg, "Silly, silly, foolish girl. We are always here. If you've but the ears to listen. But know well. Sin cannot, must not be laid down upon upon the valley of flowers. Just as existence needs life, so does it need death. He is but a force given shape by a man.... and now the man cannot return to right his wrongs that he has been brought forth from bleakness as once before, and taken his own place. As the devil no longer stands. So to does the man you knew fall... But all is not lost. For the devil is gone, but the man may be made new, should you take his charge."

Almost mechanically, Halja and a hundred-hundred voices from the women around them spoke as one;
"Life. Death. Rebirth. We are complete and made new."
"Life. Death. Rebirth. We are complete and made new."
"Life. Death. Rebirth. We are complete and made new."
"Life. Death. Rebirth. We are complete and made new."
"Life. Death. Rebirth. We are complete and made new."
"Life. Death. Rebirth. We are complete and made new."
"Life. Death. Rebirth. We are complete and made new."
"Life. Death. Rebirth. We are complete and made new."

Sinofel laid a hand on the Magister's shoulder, speaking the most then she'd ever heard him before; " Forgive me. But I cannot return with you. What Our Lady speaks is true. I am now free. Possessed by the bitterness of Sino'Fel any longer. He has made his peace and found his revenge with your summoning. And though I am free once more, I cannot return with you.... For I am Valpurga N'Cht, founder and Arch-Lord Magister of our.... In a world now gone. I had won over Sin with Sino-Fel's guidance, and The Lady of Black, with The Children and Our Mother, Hensa. We united, and sealed him away. I died their, held in an infinite cycle of death and rebirth, in perfect balance at the cost of my world... But Hensa took my Caste, and re-created me once more within your's, the space consumed, filled by Sino-Fel. But now I am complete once more..... yet I cannot return. For myself, and that which I am now, cannot exist within the same world. If I was to return, we would both be destroyed, and Sin would be released upon your world, unmaking it. He is but a force given consciousness. He.... Valpurga is dying. And when he falls, or Sin grows bored, he will end himself, unleashing The Hollowed Tide. Reverting all that was, to it's state before creation, but that energy, much like your forces of Desolation, will unmake the possibility that once existed. Balance will be restored. And Mother will raise another world from the energy that he creates within the omnicide of existence. But it will be a time, a world, which you will have never known, that does not yet exist, in place of yours which will have existed not at all..." He looked upon the ground. Shame, guild evident in his eyes. His face, held emotion, such a strange sight. "...He can bested. You can still win once more. As to how...every Child knows."

The silvered-haired women that now surrounded them replied with Valpurga in once massive single cadence;

" The Master of the First, holds his debt. The dark petals his payment by chance. Within Eternal-Night does Dark dwell. Seek The Seeker, the master of The Balance... and so shall it be restored. "
" The Master of the First, holds his debt. The dark petals his payment by chance. Within Eternal-Night does Dark dwell. Seek The Seeker, the master of The Balance... and so shall it be restored. "
" The Master of the First, holds his debt. The dark petals his payment by chance. Within Eternal-Night does Dark dwell. Seek The Seeker, the master of The Balance... and so shall it be restored. "
" The Master of the First, holds his debt. The dark petals his payment by chance. Within Eternal-Night does Dark dwell. Seek The Seeker, the master of The Balance... and so shall it be restored. "
" The Master of the First, holds his debt. The dark petals his payment by chance. Within Eternal-Night does Dark dwell. Seek The Seeker, the master of The Balance... and so shall it be restored. "
" The Master of the First, holds his debt. The dark petals his payment by chance. Within Eternal-Night does Dark dwell. Seek The Seeker, the master of The Balance... and so shall it be restored. "
" The Master of the First, holds his debt. The dark petals his payment by chance. Within Eternal-Night does Dark dwell. Seek The Seeker, the master of The Balance... and so shall it be restored. "

It was almost as if it was a thunderous, frightful child's rhyme. Valpurga smiled, "Our time draws near. But I will be your sword and guide you through the horror to come.... I followed The Path, and found its end. I forged a Shard of EverNight, and created this, and so I will see it brought to an end."

"Take my sword, that I may be your shield. Take my breath, that you may hear my words. Draw my blade, that I may strike your enemies. Speak my name, and I shall show you for what you are. "

He drew the Calamity Edge. It's blade a red light. It began to dintigrate til it left nothing but wisping orbs of light. He smiled, as his body began to shine with a red light, evaporating and merging with the crimson wisps of energy. The energy struck her she felt a strange sensation fill her numbing her body. Her hands began to fade.

" You're returning to your world now, but The Domain of Black stands at your back. By Mother's blessing will we see this misfortune ended. Find and gather The Seekers, gather your allies, any who will listen. Then find Astrok'Ru once more...win from him the Renor'anon, The Petals of Bleakness as payment to Dark. Then find True-Quortek V'dre: The Soul Warren... you will not return here least you clear another Gate... or as before. Die a simple death. Valpurga will guide you. I will hear you. But you've little time.... 18 hours from this hour, the Valpurga of your world will die, and The Tide released. Find The Soul Warren, where such matters do not exist. Find Dark, and make him find reason! Find Astrok'Ru, who will no doubt hide in his games! Find Nelrin'Fel and hunt him if you must! Now go!"
**********************************

Butcher's Bay: The Heart - UnderCity (Magnimar) - 02:47 PM, Toilday the 15th

Her body vanished into a pale mist, then there was only blackness...The sounds of the surging crowd could be heard. The shifting of men and women. They bumped into her. Cries were all about her. Men screamed and shouted. She opened her eyes...

She stood within the middle of Butcher's Bay. 16 men, armed with steel surrounded her. She wondered why their eyes held such terror. She raised a hand. Dark mist pouring forth from her skin, as if she was something else. In her other hand she held The Calamity Edge. The translucent vision of Valpurga stood at her side reflecting her every movement, holding the sword at his side as well. " Do not fear... " The circle of ragged and scared criminals crept closer, tentatively. Shouts of men from all directions. She could see herself, beyond herself. Long black horns sat atop her head. Large wings upon her back. Her skin slightly darker. An aura of black and crimson energy about her. Who was this. What was she? " Close your eyes... " There was blackness. A rush of sound and steel. The wipping of her long silver hair, now grown down to her waist. She opened her eyes.

There was only death...

The muted sound of screaming, as men fled. Bodies laid all about her in a 20 ft circle of gore and limbs. Valpurga's voice echoed in her mind. " Now rise.... Kestal'Fel. The Seekers come to be reborn as you... and stem The Tide."

Koriah, and the others stopped dead in their tracks before the field of mutilated flesh and bone. A strange demonic women stood within the circle. A blade of crimson light in one hand. Unsullied by gore, in perfect figure. She appeared terrifying, yet beautiful. She stood upon a field of corpses. wings spread wide, head held back and aloft. The whole of The Bay scattered and ran from the image of the summoned demoness. " ...By the gods... Magister? .....Magister Kestal'rah? Is that you? " She took a step back into the party, sliding familiar golden bladed knives into her hands subtly. How could she know, how could she see that? She felt herself, yet controlled herself as if out of her own body. She was reborn anew. A Daughter of the Abyss.

Obtained: Calamity Edge: Dual Soul Calamity
Obtained: Blessing of Black
Obtained: Mythic Tier 1 (Abyssal Rebirth)
**********************************
**********************************

[Desril]

Eris?

Listening with rapt attention, Eris doesn't say a word as her new allies explain, at least in part, what she has to do. In the end, she doesn't say anything more before finding herself vanishing from that realm only to wake up elsewhere...

A tiefling no longer, the magister looked at her own body from outside it, even as it moved to see with its own eyes what she was trying to view. Her gaze shifting from the circle of corpses back to her own body, at least, I think this is mine, she looks almost confused, as if she was trying to process everything. Watching her body move was almost entrancing as she tried to become accustomed to it, raising a clawed hand to look at the new appendage, slowly flexing it, opening and closing again and again. "...huh." She almost sounds bored, though the truth is closer to her being overwhelmed.

When Koriah speaks up though, she flexes her wings. Oh, good, the others are here. I'm going to need all the help I can get. Though she never stops examining her own new body, patting herself down and feeling her horns, she does reply. No longer bored sounding, she instead speaks as if she was carrying out a conversation with someone whilst in the middle of an experiment, which, in a sense, she was. "I think," she says while frowning at her hair, disappointed by its new silvered color, "it is 'Kestal'Fel' now, actually...though I'd still rather go by 'Eris'. I never did like using my title when I didn't need to." Seeing the looks of concern, she suppresses the urge to laugh at the sight of them being so frightened of her, "You can relax, I'm still me. I'm just...better now."

Frowning again, she places a hand to her breast, at least seemingly, and purses her lips. Still feeling strange with this out-of-body experience, she watches herself grip her holy symbol through her illusory robes. Thinking aloud, she ***** her head to the side looking contemplative. "I suppose, with this body...there's really no point in hiding it. No one is likely to trust this form anyway...and being open about it might draw more interest..." The demon raises its hand while Eris looks on from the side, debating with herself. A slight blush appears on her new face briefly, "Well...there's no point in being ashamed of this body after all. It might be mine, but..." Making her decision, she closes her eyes briefly and for the first time she praises her goddess publicly and by name, "Thank you, Lady Nocticula, for these gifts you've allowed me. I swear, I shall not see them wasted!" Nodding to herself, she slips off the bracelet she'd been wearing, her illusory robes vanishing in their entirety, revealing the succubus' voluptuous form in its entirety, along with the holy symbol of the demon lord she'd been wearing as an amulet. "Oh my..."

She continues exploring her new body, entranced by her soul's new vessel, twisting and turning to examine her new form from every angle, her mind getting a different perspective than her body and the oddity of it amusing her as the succubus' body flips its hair into a position that gives her the semblance of modesty as she continues to talk to the group. "But we have a problem. I don't know what Sheila wanted you Pathfinders for, but it has to wait. If we don't do something, this entire Plane is going to be obliterated in only just under 18 hours!" A bit of urgency finally returns to her voice, though she's still clearly distracted by her new body. "I'll explain, just..." she grins fiendishly, realizing how much more control she has over her wings and tail now, using the former to push herself off the ground and her ghostly perspective to examine her body from below, "I want to figure out what I can do now as quickly as possible." She starts to laugh, cackle, really, exuberant about this sudden change with the sole exception of her hair's coloration.

"Now listen up, I have a lot to say and we have very little time. I'll answer what I can when I'm done," she says, explaining everything that had transpired after being separated from the party with the exception of mentioning the possibility of her being able to revive if killed by mundane means and that Sino'fel or, rather, an alternate Valpurga, was co-piloting this new body, figuring it best if she kept that pair of facts close to her chest, all while continuing to poke, prod, and examine her new form from every angle. It isn't until she's almost finished with her explanation that she finally stops playing with her new self and turns to face everyone properly with a look of desperation mixed with determination. "So, Lieutenant, Pathfinders, you know what's at stake. If we don't find this Soul Warren and these 'Petals of Bleakness' quickly, everything will be lost. I believe I know how to find Astrok'Ru," she says as she gathers a small bit of bleakness into herself, "since I found him once already, though before I knew what needed to be done," she continues as she unleashes a pulse of chaotic energy at one of the corpses, sending it flying even as she resists the urge to put a hand to her head to quell the sudden pain the effort caused her, "but without your aid, I don't think I'll be able to gather everything in time to stop this."


Gathering a point of Bleakness and then using a Chaos Pulse on a corpse as practice.

Explaining most of the stuff that happened in my threads.

Removing the Bracelet of Modesty and tossing it in her sack.

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

Nadia is about to speak again, hotly objecting to the abandonment of the knight, when the Magister returns. Ankyron is raised into a defensive posture as the arcanist's true form is revealed, but again, before she can speak, the Magister delivers truly dire news. The entire plane is under threat. They have less than a day to stop it.
Less than a day...
She had hoped it would not come to this. But the stakes were far too high. As much as she wished to do this duty on her own power, she couldn't take that risk.

As she speaks, she pulls the ring that she had been given by Lady Alice from her pocket.
Well then. I'll see you all on the other side.
As she speaks, she is fingering the ring in her hand. As she finishes, she slips it on.

[Kai927]

With Koriah's explanation, Jeska returns to her silence as they make their way through the undercity. From there, she follows. This place was not her element. The dimness and long shadows of the place bring the shadow realm that she was trapped in back to the forefront of her mind. She has yet to fully recover from that particular ordeal, and idly wonders if she ever will. The damage itself was minor it seemed. Just a slight bit of weakness. Something that with exercise she should be able to work out of her system.

She focuses more on the present when they reach the Butcher's Bay. As Koriah had instructed, Jeska keeps an eye out for potential threats. So, she was not caught unawares when Eris(?) appeared. Almost on instinct, Jeska draws her sword, but the lack of hostile reactions from the others stops her from doing anything further. "Petals of Bleakness?" Jeska mutters, something about that sounding familiar. Then she remembers why, she takes a few steps forward towards the succubus, "If those are what I think they are, I saw some back at Heidmarch's manor." She gives a quick description of what they looked like, wondering if they were indeed the same thing.

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

As the ring slips onto her finger, Nadia collapses to the ground.

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious:

As chaos unfolds around him, what with naked magisters spouting doomsday predictions and hot-headed knights drawing swords angrily before dropping to the floor, the bard simply slides a little closer to Koriah, finding himself somewhat more comfortable beside the deceptive woman. At least with her, Avy knew where he stood.

Though he listens intently to the Eris' concerns, Avaricious quickly finds himself frustrated. He had never wanted any of this.

With a sharp tone to his voice, he crosses his arms and speaks to Eris. "The entire plane. So... so what are we supposed to... What exactly do you mean for us to do about it? I'm.... I'm a little confused." He looks around to the others before shaking his head and continuing.

"Even if... and that's only if, you're right and some horrible thing is going to destroy the world, why should we care? This entire venture has been nothing but a poor investment on my part. I've seen more people die today than anyone should, and for what?"

"For what..."

"Eris. We're no heroes, neither of us are. This isn't our place. We don't owe these people anything."

"Why should we care about what's going to happen?"

[Desril]

Eris?

Seeing Nadia pass out and listening to Avaricious' bickering causes the newly reborn succubus to roll her eyes. Pitiful mortals, they don't even know what their lives are worth...I should just take them for myself if that's how they're going to react to my offer of salvation...She looks surprised, Where did that come from? Is that the sort of impulse demons must deal with from the moment they're created? I'll have to write that down to look into it later.

Snapping herself out of the trance, she glares at the dhampir. "We're not heroes? Why should we care? What about that woman you vowed to?" Her eyes almost blaze with flame as she intensifies her stare, all guilt she'd felt for him seemingly vanished now to be replaced by anger, "If you ever truly loved her, then you'll fight for her now. When I said this plane was doomed, I didn't mean it would be simply destroyed. It will be undone. Everyone that ever lived here, every memory, every moment of happiness, all of it will never have existed!" She steps closer to him, stumbling briefly but using her tail and flaring out her wings to steady herself, "Hm, I'm taller than I used to be...this will take some getting used to," she says, the anger in her voice vanishing briefly before she asks coldly, "Or did she mean nothing to you?" I'm sorry for that, Avaricious, but it's better for you to hate me and help stop Sin than mope and try to hide from this. Before she can cut it off, however, another thought forces its way to the forefront of her mind as she tries to ignore the temptation of it, And when he does something stupid after this is over, nobody will be able to stop me from having my way with him.

Turning away from the dhampir she steps, carefully, over to Nadia's body. "We don't have time for this...but if I have to waste more time to pick you up, I might as well take advantage of it," None of them would be able to stop--NO! Stop thinking, just focus on the spell! Drawing in more Bleakness she calls upon her innate connection to the divine domain of Darkness and unleashes it in a cloud of supercharged mist. "Don't let the dhampir touch this cloud...the rest of you should enter it if you're injured though. Now..." She draws in more Bleakness, her skin cracking and glowing with the purple energy as she does. Before I do this, I need to ask all of you, she thinks, directing the thoughts toward Valpurga, Arch-Magister Black, and the Lady of Morning, Where should we go from here? As I understand it, I can get to the 'Master of the First' by just returning to the Gate, but where can we get the Petals of Bleakness? Where can we find this 'Seeker'? How are we supposed to do all this in only 18 hours? This task seems impossible!

With that done, she waits for their answer before calling out in silence, Tresk'ri-Chath, I need your power, come to me! Though it's difficult to see her within the mist she'd summoned, the succubus is suddenly outlined by a pillar of flame before she reaches out to touch one of the orbiting cards.



Gather Bleakness, using Annihilation Channeling to use Obscuring Mist infused with Positive Energy (healing me, Nadia, and anyone else in the cloud for [roll0] per round until the cloud disperses

Gather more Bleakness and use Tresk'ri-Chath: The WorldFire's Spirit. Since we're not in combat do I need to roll to summon since I can just repeat until it works? If so, I'll just roll it in the OOC.
Edit; Summoning roll attempt #1 (1d6)[2] - success on the first try, post works as written

Draw: Come on, Evens! [roll1]

[Mornings]

Into Night's Requiem Infernal; Magnimar - 02:30 PM, Toilday the 15th

He smiled. The ancient knowledge of the demon's brother flowed into mind. Valpurga... Sin... Time's long past when he had once been mortal, so long ago. A lifetime ago... In another world. Another time and existence. When his brother turned upon them all, he burned with terrible anger. Vowed he would do anything to stop 'them'. The Betrayer. He fled from The Soul Haven, and traveled long through the Abyss. He forsake his kin, and to the nameless darkness in his heart he vowed any atrocity, any act, to surpass his Brother. To crush his power with his own. But truly, just to show the discourteous bastard his place. But then he was sealed away... His very reason for existence taken from him. He stalked through the night and devoured men's spirits aimlessly. Pointlessly. Flustered, until one day... He closed his eyes. The rage that burned within his heart, and sustained him flickering, fading, and then extinguished. Accepting his death, he found some small fragment of peace, for a time.

Until the day Astrok'Ru beckoned Tresk'ri-Chath, challenging the divine couple to a duel of chance... To restore a small measure of Bleakness to the world. He won. With fire in his heart, he woke once more. His soul bound to his Caste, a ring once worn by the Lord-Magister long ago, when he had been but a Child. He rose to stop Astrok'Ru's devious game, and let the dangerous workings of his imprisoned brother die. But every cunning and witty, the brother's played game upon game against one another, to win the rights to destroy or grant the force Valpurga had mastered within this new universe reborn from that ashes his destruction has wrought. Though he had no physical body, he found patrons, and sought those ever more cunning to best his distant-brother's fiendish games and riddles. Til the day he was bested by his patron, and they were both sealed away....

The sight of Sino'Fel, and the explosion by his rash use of the Calamity Edge was highly unexpected. But, the fact that he had failed in his attempt was even more humorous. He would be disciplined very harshly for his behavior, and loose his host, and the blade without a doubt. He didn't recognize the man at the time. It was all too fast... too many distractions. He was too focused on recovering the Renor'anon, which he had. The sight of his wife returning to his side in his time of need was quite joyous. The tides had turned in his favor, or so he thought. With many souls of Halja to collect for him... but he was blind. Blind to two things. The first... which he still beat himself over, Sino'Fel had found his own brother, Valpurga and made a pact! Aged, and returned! He could barely recognize him. And with the Calamity Edge he had removed them both from this world. The Second.... The Magister. He had always been bitter of them, of the descendants of his brother's Order. He had forgotten long ago, had he created the magic each of them carried as their signature of Authority. A fanciful bronze-badge baring a sigil so similar to his own. With Sino'Fel's foolishness, and Valpurga's removal... it opened the remote... slight possibility, that perhaps the Valpurga he knew, the Valpurga who was locked away, imprisoned, could exist in this world. It was a thought that had never crossed his mind. A thought, a possibility he had overlooked for so long.... Until now.

" Hello Sister.... ah, I didn't see you their Brother. The years have not been kind to you. " He laughed hysterically. " Haha, So good to see you again. I remember you had a falling out with Mother after I left. I'd love to talk about it with you..." " ...But unfortunately. I still owe dearest Halja for last time." He raised his hand, to his side, extending two fingers. Nelrin smiled, a furious, mad smile. An insane plight as his soul burned once more. His reason, his justification had been returned to him. " ....Now, watch your beloved-husband die, whore." He snapped his hand out across. He couldn't feel anything. He saw his body... half of it. His lower chest and legs still standing as he fell away. Falling... falling into darkness, his face still branded with a terrible joyful smile. He could hear his wife screaming, his vision blurring. Then the air was lit aflame. As the after-image of the massive 140ft black-blade of energy flashed out from his fingers and vanished. Halja ascended. vanishing into nothingness. Then his world was lit aflame, darkfire igniting the air and his lungs. Then an explosion issued out as the bleak-energy surged, and unleashed a thunderous fury..... darkness.

There was only darkness. But within that pitch void a light filled his sight. It was a women shrouded in a large blue misty veil, with a bow of light, and a familiar arrow. The Istovet Nacta: The Veil Piercer. She drew back the bow of light. Leveling the arrow at him. There was a brief pause. Then, she fired. A stream of blue light struck him. He was carried away through the void in a pillar of streaming sapphire energy. He closed his eyes. He felt it... slowly, his mind collapsed. Slowly he was undone. Then, they were one.

A Song of Mourning and Light; Quortek V'dre- 02:46 PM, Toilday the 15th

All the souls gathered at the gates. Brother, Sisters, Children all. He descended into the dark world, the petals of light casting a blue haze into the air. The light of every existence ended. Every life and memory preserved within these fragments. He looked down upon The Maiden, she waited for him looking up at his decent with an expression that betrayed no intent. He landed. His bare feet upon the soil. His long silver hair free and whole once more. His massive antler-like horns reached up to the lightless sky, distinguishing himself from his kin. The looked at him blankly. Without resentment, without pity.

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The Maiden held her rod loosely in hand. She smiled gently. " Welcome home, brother. " It had been so long since he had returned here. So long... Many of those that surrounded him had yet been born. The very plane he had been cast out from had yet been created. This was his home, this was his place... Quortek V'dre. If only he had returned with the Renor'anon... But still The Istovet Nacta had ensured he was not ended by Valpurga's foolishness. The fool had yet to learn. He couldn't kill him with such rudimentary Desolation. But somewhere in the back of his mind... he knew. He held back. Only looking to traumatize Halja for her part played in his down-fall and imprisonment. He sighed. "Where do you take me then? ...To finally meet my punishment, I assume?" The Maiden smiled, distant, but truthful. " No my Brother, your sin's have been forgiven by Mother. I take you to The White Hall... Blessed Tansal'ri beckons you." That had been far from what he had been expecting. He nodded. Forgiven? Someone had stood in his favor, perhaps with recent events...his actions appeared differently. But he trusted Tansal'ri. One of the few, that would stand at his side. Who had not forsaken him when he had turned his back upon The Family. The walked through the large gates of light, and into The Haven of Souls. The large fields of light and flowers all about them. Children tended to the wisps of light and life all about him, his passing drawing stares. They walked on... and on. He could hear a rush from behind him. Arms wrapping him tightly. "..I had feared you dead! How? How did you return?" Halja clung to his back. " I'm not so easy to be rid of, come. We make for The White Hall" She nodded, walking beside him, holding his pale hand. He wondered, and wondered... what insane plans Tansal had now. Finally they reached The White Veil. A screen of light hovered before them. The Maiden lifted her rod, tapping it once. The light solidified and created a gate of light. She turned about and bowed to the couple. "Fair Journey, Brother. Sister. I may pass no further." They nodded. Maidens could not enter the sacred hall of the goddess, only The Chosen. The Children Tansal'ri-Fel blessed herself by her own hand. With a slight hesitation, they walked through the gate. blinded by light...

A Song of Mourning and Light; The White Hall- 02:## PM, Toilday the 15th

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/6d9c9c5cacbc0694bed417e5f81f09bb%20-%20Copy_zps8xmi5k2p.jpg

His vision returned to him. The sound of quiet chatter and movement all about them. He looked around himself. Children. Chosen of Tansal'ri, all Sisters. Silver haired and red-eyed with perfect features stood about him. The nodded in acknowledgement, before moving on. Halja pulled herself closer to him. " I've never been allowed into The White Hall... The Maiden's have never permitted it. Lady Black forbids it. Why are you here? A male no less... I know Blessed Tansal'ri favors you, but still, this is... excessive." She shrugged. He could not imagine why he would be summoned to this sanctified place. No males were permitted, but those who were not permitted would have instantly been slain upon entering by the Soul-Scourge. The red eyes of The Chosen demonstrated their affinity to it, and their natural purity. The elite of their race. His hand touched his horns almost absent-mindedly. He felt almost...dirty standing within this place, and its perfect halls of white light and marble. A tug upon his chest directed him where to go. Guided by some invisible force. They walked on until they finally came upon a set of large white doors. She heard something crash and shatter upon the door, and a furious scream. " DON'T JUST STAND THERE! ...ENTER! " The shout made Halja flinch back behind the horned man. He pushed the doors open, seeing only darkness through the growing portal, until... He was tackled.

Her small arms wrapped around him, he felt four ribs break under her grasp. He coughed blood, as she lifted him off the ground, and spun him around in a circle, hugging the life out of him. She finally dropped him. The small girl only stood 4'5'', but her strength was ungodly. She smiled. She held a different form then last time. She changed her appearance so frequently. But it was very close to her true form. She spun in a circle, and sat upon a large mound of pillows on the floor and smiled. " You've made me wait for so long... I was begining to think i'd need to send one of my girls to fetch you myself." Halja fell into a kneel. "My Lady Tansal'ri, forgive my intrusion. I'm honored you've allowed me in your home." She tilted her head to the side, with a childish eye, " ...Rise. I hate groveling. "

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The child-goddess rose to her feet. "So you used the The Istovet Nacta while merged with a host did you? I warned you about that... but it seems whoever that was held perfect alignment with you. You look... whole. Surprisingly. That's... not normally how things work. I guess you got better at picking your hosts since last time!" She laughed in his face brazenly with her hands on her small hips. He put a hand to his face in shame. He couldn't deny he had err'ed greatly, but she never missed a chance to rub his face in the dirt. However, it was by her efforts that he'd even acquired the arrow, and his demonic stature. She has been the only one to support his choice to betray the family and find his own path. Not even Halja approved. Still, he knew better. She did not call him here for idle talk. She was impatient and always in action, but cunning and mercilessly cruel. " You might still be around... well, your soul. But you're still dead. Your body destroyed. I don't know if you liked your previous body or not. But I could always restore it if you brought with you a Renor'anon....which...you didn't by that look on your face. " She shrugged and begun to walk through the dark room raising a hand. Brazier's sprung to life with bright red flames. " I made you what you are. I told you to follow your own path... I suppose I can be partly to blame for your... 'condition'. You wanted to best your silly little brother. You wanted to show him your might, but all you have ever accomplished is borrowing what i've lent you. " She raised a hand a smacked him from across the room. a Full 30 ft away, with just the force of her hand. Blood ran down his face. A 'clack-clack' sound echoed throughout the room. His horns ripped from his face. They laid upon the ground like bloodied antlers. He looked up at her, horrified. Disfigured. Halja ran to his side, and covered his bleeding wounds with her sleeve. " You were never any 'demon'. You were never able to commit to your own choices. Living haphazardly in a state of such disarray. Lacking any conviction... 'Boo-hoo, little brother is locked up', SO WHAT!? ...I thought i taught you better then that. I thought YOU were better then that... and then lost? For, how long? I almost sent some girls to drag your sorry ass back here!" She crossed her arms, obviously irritated. She paced back and forth. "...And so, i'll give you another chance. A chance to decide, what is more important. A chance to choose for yourself. To hell with the rules. To hell with Mother! You can try to stop Valpurga...AGAIN. And cry yourself to sleep when its done. Or maybe, you can figure out how you want to live yourself. Mother might have forgiven you, but Nelrin'Fel will never be allowed to leave The Haven again... So, I'll give you one more chance. You know what you must do... what must be done. Nothing can be gained, without sacrifice. Nothing can be gained without compromise..." She lifted a hand... she cleared her throat. Gesturing at Halja. She looked confused, then as if remembering something dug out a trilogy of large red tomes. " I didn't forget... I fetched them for you. " Tansal puffed out her small chest, as if disgruntled. " Yea... Yea. Little Halja might have claimed you first. But I'll always love you more." She stuck out her tongue at the women. " Don't loose the damned books... Those are from my Hall, you dunce. " Her raised hand began to crackle with a red energy until a void of crimson light enveloped it. " You know I'm not good with aiming, now.... go get my goddam flowers! .....BY THE MOTHER OF THE BLACK VEIL'S COMMAND: I NAME YOU AS TALRI'FEL, DAUGHTER OF ANGUISH, CHOSEN OF TANSAL'RI! NOW RETURN FROM THAT WHERE YOU'VE COME!" She struck down with her hand. A vortex of light consuming him. The Absolute Command overwriting his current state of existence. He felt himself descend. The memories filling his mind, both old and new. He could feel his Sister's spirit now.

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A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar, The Triodea - 02:42 PM, Toilday the 15th

She stood within the desolated plaza. corpses surrounded her. Her hands were bloodied, but the gore quickly evaporated. " Ah, welcome Brother... you've come much sooner then expected!" A wounded knight dragged himself away from the strange women. " Please, PLEASE! MERCY! " "It was so boring here.... The Mistress never wants to have any fun, and Bleak doesn't know how to tone it down sometimes. I just can't keep everyone happy." She threw down a dagger of shadow into the man's throat with violent force, watching him drown in his own blood. She looked like a strange ghostly figure in the mist, surrounded by death. She smiled. " Our body, is yours. What shall we do? Fetch the Renor perhaps? My Lady Tansal has spoken to me of her interests... or do you have something more fun in mind? ...I can feel Sister below as well. Perhaps we should pay a visit? So much to do, so little time..." A cacophonous earth-shaking roar issued out in the distance. " Oh my, oh my. Brother's being a bad boy again!. Hollowed already? Such impatience.... I hear you devour souls... I'd love to see how a soul tastes." She stretched her arms in the air leisurely while yawning. " I wonder how long these mortals have left... This is kinda boring."

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[iValkyrieX]

Nelrin'Fel

"Hmmm, hello sister. Let us make way to manor once more and retrieve the Renor. They will most definitely come in handy with the events forthcoming. I fear something heinous is making its appearance. Perhaps it would be best to make haste to the manor before events unfold." While imbuing himself with the former energies he once held, she raises his hand while smirking "I'm back." His body sets off through the air with blinding speed. She dashes through the sky, her feet making contact with nothing. Within an instant her body vanishes into a dark mist, but then materializes 70ft from her previous location in the clouds. She found herself over The House of Lords from the Triodea....it had been only 6 seconds.

Standard Action - Nelrin casts 'Expeditious Retreat'
Swift Action - Veil Step
Move Action - 70ft through the air
Move Action - 70ft through the air
Move Action - 70ft through the air
He makes his way toward the manor

[Mornings]

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[ The Daughter of Evenings - Kestal'Fel ]

A terrible chill filled her body. Her hands begun to shake, as a thunderous quake sent massive fissures down the walls of The Bay. Rocks descended from above. Valpurga's voice filled her mind
' Sister... Can you not feel it? Tansal'ri has descended. I can feel them above. Talri-Fal has come at Her beckon-and-call. Tansal'ri will interfere with our plans. The Renor'anon are at Heidmarch Manor! We must go! and quickly! Grestal, Estalt and Halja have returned... something is not right. We must go back the way we came. '
Lady Black spoke;
' Young-one. You must leave that place. Gal'Korhal will soon be upon you... Valpurga has called to The Hollowed, and they lay but a few meters over head. I cannot save you should The Devourer come upon you. You have called Tresk'ri-Chath, and now Astrok'Ru will hide from you. Gather the petals, and find him. He walks among the people of that world, in guise un-befitting of him. Find him, and return home with the Renor'anon. The Seeker rests within The Soul Warren, where time exists not at all, but that will mean nothing if you fail to return to Quortek V'dre with the petals. You will need as many as you can gather. But time is not in your favor. Our Lady of The Flame, Tansal'ri moves The Chosen to acquire the petals for another reason, but has not incurred Mother's ire. Whatever her intentions, she has not broken our laws. You must move quickly. This has become a race of hands and time... '
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A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar, Above The House of Lords - 02:47 PM, Toilday the 15th

At first she was hesitant, kicking around at the bodies that littered the ground. Knocking over the fallen swords. She had been so bored. She listened to her brother's words. "I like it..... Me too! ...I can agree to this course of action... THEN! It's settled! " She nodded her head, speaking aloud, all of them coming into agreement with the plan. They had come to fetch the petals after all, but with brother here, she knew so much more. Many names... many faces, of fun and interesting souls she'd like to meet. She also enjoyed the thought of meeting her new little-sister. "...I Wonder what she'll be like? ...There's only one way to find out, is there not? .... This is true. " She lept into the air and with a sub-sonic burst, dashed off through the sky, running upon nothing save for the mist that choked the city. With a slight thought, she stepped through The Veil, and stepped out, appearing above The House of Lords. Explosive blasts of frost could be seen below. The whole of the building was under siege. Almost a dozen Hollowed Fragments clawed and swarmed the building. A man atop the bell fought tooth-and-nail with exotic duel-curved blades, striking at the things with all his might pushing back a small number as he quickly become surrounded. Below a massive 30ft blast of chilling force could be seen below. "...Oh my! That is Lady Alice is it not! She's so strong! " With a whirling slash she unleashed a massive 360-degree freezing beam of freezing light. The explosive force of the slash pushed away the mist revealing the truth. Talri covered her face with both hands as the beast unleashed a massive roar, that lifted everything within 30 ft off the ground, casting them back another 10 ft upon the ground. She trembled in fear before the sight of the massive black beast. It was eyeless, a massive gaping maw 20ft wide rested within its skull, lined with terrible teeth the size of greatswords. 120 ft long, and another 60 ft wide, the beast could not be mistaken. " MY LADY! ITS-ITS.... ITS GAL'KORHAL! " The Knight of Luminescence charged forward with a gleaming blue sword. She spun twice, and struck the creature directly in the face with a terrible windmilling uppercut with her blade. The force was so violent, the massive beast was lifted clear off the ground and fliped over once before crashing back down into the ground. She flipped her sword into the air releasing the blade from her gauntleted hand while the creature seemed stunned. " By Hensa's light.... that women has a death-wish. ..Heh. Formidable as she may be, she cannot hope to win....Should we assist her? .....No time it appears. " The swarm of Hollowed Fragments turned their unified attention against The Child. She could hear Lady D'Aritel scream out " GRI'ATAL! ... NOW!" With a blazing blue light, the sword became a massive 20ft wide spear of ice above her raised hand. The Blade could be seen frozen within its center. She dropped her hand. The Pillar fell. She stared in awe as the massive pillar crashed into the beast collasping the courtyard ground sending the creature down into the deepest depths of the city, a massive and violent explosive tremor shook the very air from the crash, an aura of mist and darkness flooding out from the massive creator into the earth. " Oh my.... He is not going to be happy about that....I would have to agree..... I pity the poor fools that must deal with him now, but very well played." The knight lifted her hand, the sword spun out of the darkness it's hilt slammed into her hand, she violently sheathed the blade before running from the massive destruction she had wrought, and proceeded to beat the life from the undead creatures around her with her bare hands. The sub-sonic after shock of her blows often dismembering the damaged and bloodied bodies of the recently risen guardsmen. Their armor punctured like soft tin beneath her fist. " I like that women..... As do I... She's fun. "
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The Deepest Dark; Magnimar - 02:47 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Seekers ]

She laid in darkness. Once the ring had been set upon her finger, she had felt herself slip away from the world. A distant vision filled the emptiness. Flashes, a void. The man who had fell from the sky stood amid a burning world shrouded in darkness. He smiled, as the world around him begun to shatter like glass. A massive eye-less beast cried out far in the distance behind him, the souls of the lives destroyed by the spreading void gathered within its massive maw. She woke.

The earth shook as the men and women of The Bay fled. Massive stone blocks rained down from above, with rime and ice. Massive blocks of cement and ice came down, crushing men in splatters of gore. A block landed before the dhampir, crushing a man that had pushed him aside. His blood spraying him on crimson liquids. He was stunned for a moment. Had the man not pushed him aside... that puddle of gore, would have been him.... Then came the colossal beast. With a cloud of black mist it struck the earth far on the otherside of of The Bay. It's massive tail blew out the far wall where The Speakers had gathered. The Bay was only 250 across, and even though half of its body was within the massive hole within the ground and the fallen wall. It nearly stood in the middle of the chamber. Men screamed, children cried. It was chaos. The Black Hands fled up their series of ladders, entering the house built into the walls above, an escape route no doubt.

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There was a silence as the creature emerged. Black mist poured out from its lipless-toothed face. It filled the chamber. A terrible tremor shook the ground, as the creature issued a low and throaty growl. The wounds upon it's body, from the massive hole in it's Steel-Plated flesh, to the gash in it's face sealed shut without a trace. Small sparks of violet and crimson light sparked about it's massive maw. " ...Mother, save us. The Devourer.... Gal'Korhal.... old friend." He looked to the Magister, urgency in his voice. " ...We must flee quickly. He cannot be stopped. Long ago, when I created him, I sought to best my older sister, Tansal'ri, and create an invincible engine of death. A creature as invulnerable as her Vessels. I succeeded... Allow me to take your place, and I can use my abilities to leave this place. But I can do nothing for your allies. They must flee themselves if they wish to live. If....Valpurga or rather... Sin. Has let loose Gal'Korhal, then Tansal herself must intend to intervene and he has seen such. Do not let the thing touch you. The creature is spawned of The Sixth Gate. If it stokes you, you will be slain. His Gate-Resistance will also make him highly resistant or outright invulnerable to most of your attempts to harm him, even from Desolation Spells. Leave him to my sister. Even I cannot hope to actually fell the beast... I no longer possess the strength I once held. " The creature unleashed a terrifying howl. The walls trembled and cracked. The fissures were beginning to race up the walls, the very chamber appearing to begin its collapse. The blast from its breath lifted them back and through the air 10ft away. It smelled of death and the scent of rotting flesh.
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A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar, Above The House of Lords - 02:47 PM, Toilday the 15th

She raced through the sky. Higher and higher, the massive swarm of fragments chased after her gathering below. A host of 10 of the creatures. She stood upon the air. She crossed her arms. " Alright ladies. Enough games. Let's take care of these stupid things and move on. We're wasting ALL the time on these stupid things..." Beside her, the blue crystal spun and exploded into a sword of blue crystal light, an exact image of herself with pure sapphire eyes stood at her left. The crimson crystal at her right did the same, a twin image of them both stood in her place. her eyes perfectly scarlet. A pure-blood. She held a blackened sword with a blade of crimson light. They held the blades before themselves ceremoniously as the winged shadowy creatures swarmed below. " ...This world will be better off without this... corruption to stain it." He dark sister laughed at her words. " This world can burn... Just kill everything that's boring." Talri crossed her arms. " Shuddup you two. Now go to work, and smash those things up. " They both looked at her releasing their blades at the same time, to float around them, crossing their arms. " Whaaat? Mama put ME in charge! So do what I say. Besides. I hardly think swords are necessary.... Just blow em up. They both sighed in unison.

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The storm of creatures gathered about them now. Both her sisters rose their hands, large 4 ft circumference wheels of light formed in either hand, sapphire and crimson. They floated above the palm like massive chakrams of light. "You guys just blow em up. Me and brother will focus on the scrubs left." They all nodded in unison. A trinity of in the sky.

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Encounter: - Turning the Tide

Imitative Order:
The Mistress
The Bleak
Nelrin'Fel
Talrin'Fel

Hollowed Fragment (4)
Hollowed Fragment (5)
Hollowed Fragment (10)
Hollowed Fragment (2)
Hollowed Fragment (9)

Hollowed Fragment (7)
Hollowed Fragment (1)
Hollowed Fragment (6)
Hollowed Fragment (3)
Hollowed Fragment (8)

Battle Map will be posted in next update.
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[Desril]

Eris?

The newly reborn demon barely had time to process what Valpurga and Lady Black told her before the enormous beast came crashing through the ceiling. Even without his warning, Eris knew that this...thing...was beyond her.

Though her demonic nature didn't care, Eris' mortal soul still held sway over her thoughts and emotions. I don't have time to waste...forgive me, all of you...

"RUN! This beast is beyond any of us! Get back to Heidmarch Manor as quickly as possible!"

Furious, at herself, at Sin, at Valpurga, and everyone who'd made this situation possible, she shouts silently to Valpurga. Go! Take over and get us back to the manor, just let me know if I can do anything to speed us along! And when you don't need to focus on getting us out of here, tell me EXACTLY how to stop all of this, leave nothing out! I can't fix anything if I don't know what needs to be done and how to do it!


Lots of talking and thinking. Luckily the former is a free action and the latter is a non-action.

If he says it'll help, using Wild Arcana to cast either Expeditious Retreat for +30ft movement speed or Urban Grace for +10ft increase to base movement speed, so if he's got a multiplier to go off of it'd help.

In any event, whatever action is required to let Val take over.

[Mornings]

The Deepest Dark; Magnimar - 02:47 PM, Toilday the 15th

[ The Daughter of Evenings ]

With a flash of a spell, and a thought, Valpurga took control of her body. She felt surge, upon surge of energy enter her body. With a sudden dash, they raced off back the way they came, a blast of air and a shower of loose gravel showered her comrades. Koriah turned about to watch the women vanish around the bend and back the way they came. " Dammit all! Lets get the hell out of here! Screw the plan, we'll figure out what we're doing as we go!" She couldn't wrap her head around the demoness's words, destruction... Armageddon. It had all been whimsical nonsense until that hellish thing crashed through the ceiling decimating The Bay and raining death down upon the citizens of Under City. She turned and ran after the Magister as fast as she could, not desiring to be around this massive death-engine that stood before them. She knew suicide when she saw it. Nothing in the world could convince her to tango with that thing.

The Magister bolted down the hall, running up the wall and around the corner back to the ground. The wind whipping her hair back as she ran low to the ground, her steps left cracks in the stone from the force of her steps. It was as if her body had awakened to some new-found strength. They raced down the long channel where they had previous been accosted, then past the familiar hall they had rested. She reached the bottom of the large stone staircase and raced up to the very top stopping directly in-front of the large steel door... smoke rose from behind it, seeping through the cracks. The stone around the door was cracked and stone chips fell from around it, as if a massive blast had damaged the wall surrounding it. " ...They've come this far. The Hollowed no doubt gather as well in search of the Renor'anon. The force that made them, is similar to that which I used in their own creation. They've a sense for such things." Her body took a deep breath in and pushed the door open with both hands. It was warm to the touch and required great effort to move.

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Before them.... was not Heidmarch Manor. No. It was a molten smoking infernal wasteland. Cavernous and wrought with terrible destruction. Nothing stood of the building. All was covered in a thick smog that chocked her throat, and stung her eyes. A sulfurous gas in the air, made her begun to feel sick. Something stood in the distance. A large blade gleamed off the light that danced and twitched with the fire. "....What... What is this? ....I've never made a creature such as this." He knelt to the ground, raising his hands and placing them together into a fist, as if he begun to prey. "....He must have created this being recently with my former abilities. But it is not beyond us as Gal'Korhal was. I can sense intelligence in whatever this being is, though it possesses no soul." He closed his eyes and focused. A pounding energy hammered into her consciousness, a force she had never felt before. Then again. And again. And a final time. It was more power then she had ever felt before. " Wenress D'Jiv'undus.... Wenress D'Jiv'undus.... Wenress D'Jiv'undus.... Valsharess D'Barra. Hear me once more. Answer this call, lend me your aid."

Move Action: Gather Bleakness: 20 Points
Bonus Move Action: Gather Bleakness: 20 Points
Bonus Move Action: Gather Bleakness: 20 Points
Bonus Move Action: Gather Bleakness: 20 Points

Free Action: Desolation: Lar D'Valsharess - Mistress of Gates


Lar D'Valsharess - Mistress of Gates - [ 80 Bleakness ]

The smoke. The fire. The world. Slowed....the fire's dance, the hammering steps of the creature in the distance, that shook the earth paused. Then. All was still. A thick gray fog begun to surround them. It encircled them, leaving nothing in view. Only the infinite vastness of the dark-grey of clouds. There was no sky. Only darkness stretching forward...forever. A shape begun to manifest before her kneeling body, still holding her hands together as if in prayer. A lithe form stepped forth from the mist. She was unearthly and elegant, she did not walk. She floated towards them. Long mist-like gray robs covered her lower half while barely managing to cover her breast. Her hair was excessively long, and silver, but draped across her face, covering her features like a mask, only the shadow of her visage, and her lips were visible. Valpurga moved to speak; " My gracious Lad- ...." He was not even given the chance to speak. A sharp crack sounded out as the women struck her body in the face with a vicious slap. Her long nails digging into her face, Valpurga obvious felt pain from it, and she felt a strange sensation, as if her very spirit had been touched by the blow. "...You worm! You DARE to call me, and SPEAK when not addressed. I should take your head for your impudence. " He bowed low to the ground putting her forehead to the rocky earth, blood running down her face. " PLEASE, My Lady... forgive me! " She looked down upon him, tilting her head to the side, painting her blood across her fine lips. There was a moment of silence as if she was left in consideration....

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She reached down and grabbed her body by the throat, lifting her off the ground. They remained like that for a short while. Valpurga struggling to keep her grasp from crushing her neck completely. " ....Very well. I will forgive you, just this once. ....Your new form amuses me." She ran a hand through the Magister's long silver hair. " I'm well aware of the circumstances, and dear little Kestal'Fel's predicament..." She ran her tongue across the side of her face as if tasting her skin. " ...Mmm. I'm well aware of Sin, and his little mess...Did you expect me to care?" She pulled her body close to her face, still her visage seemed non-existent. "...I know you've broken our laws, and used the Calamity, whilst rewriting your Dual-Soul Pact within The Haven.... So please. Tell me something, I DON'T KNOW, and why you'd dare to call upon me." He struggled in her grasp, just barely able to speak, gasping. " ...B-Bring. Ka...." She smiled, "..I'm sorry, what was that?" " ...K-Ka...KAL'FEL!" She released her body, dropping him upon the ground. She glared down upon him from the blackness that shrouded her eyes. Then she paused, and laughed. "...You see. This is why I let you live. You never cease to entertain. Call The Son of the Morning? ....For THIS? ...Ha, have you lost your touch Little-Val, or are you so desperate?" She crossed her arms. As if somewhat irritated, and half amused. "...I was not expecting, such an outrageous request, even from you. Your request is denied... Have a wonderful day. " She turned to leave. "W-WAIT! My Lady..." She stopped. Stopped dead in place. Not sure how to respond. "...Oh, Little-Val. If I turn around again. It will only to be so that I may shred both your hides and cast the remains into The WorldFire...Sorry Little Kestal... that your guide is an idiot. " " Please. Don't move... Just listen.... That is Vengeance's Rebirth out their, is it not?" She nodded with her back facing them both. "Mmm... Yes. It is. Though a poor job... Almost a sin to see him in such a sorry state." He nodded. " Yes... I cannot leave him like that, can I? ...but I've not the power I once possessed.... I offer up what you have blessed me with. What The Path. Your Path, has blessed me with.... Lend me you aid, grant me your favor that I may use this Blessing of Tresk'ri-Chath." She looked over her shoulder, somewhat curious now. " Oh? ....And which blessing would you choose? I'll net permit you to call Kal'Fel yourself, as you are well aware." He shook her head. " ...No. Not for him. I will use The Soul of Rhis." She smiled, evidently his words had struck a chord with her. " You'd offer up your very soul to shield poor Little-Kestal... Ah. Sweet-Val... This is why I let you live. You never cease to entertain. " She snapped her fingers. A shard of grey light struck the Magister's naked body. An energy filling within her. " ....Very well. It is done. Use it well. " He bowed low to the ground again. " Thank you My Lady.... Thank you..." She begun to float back into the misty void, before stopping. Looking over her shoulder once more. " Oh. And Little-Val'y.... " ....Yes, My Lady?" "...Don't call me again." " ....Yes, My Lady." She swept forward through the mist like a spirit, floating out of sight. The mist begun to dissipate slowly. "....I am sorry to have put you through that, but now we have what we need.... and time does not move for as long as this mist remains..." He lifted his hand into the air while standing, a card made of flame appearing in his fingers. The card dissipated into nothingness as the last of the mist vanished. Slowly the ground could be felt quaking beneath their feet again. A light of white began to form around them. From behind her, arms reached around her waist and pulled her close. Her glowing white hair looked not silver at all, her skin translucent and sprinkled with small light, like stars. But she knew who she was. The Lady of Morning. Massive white wings of light stretched out behind them, as the creature made it's way into sight. She hummed a song softly, before her voice gently sung in her ear, as Valpurga stepped out into the molten core, that was once the Heidmarch compound Fire strike... Burn away... Pull the Souls.... from this place. Break and flee, fore the bell... Second toll, will signal Hell... The sky you crack.... broken flame. To their frame... you do the same. Blood will spill upon the hour.... From this, Sin..... Innocence to scour.... With his axe.... upon the head..... many are lost.... Many are dead. Purge the flame..... walk in smoke..... Through grey clouds,....your words are chocked. Sword raised high ....To the Sky. ...To fight in light.... The air is right..... Come from East.... To bring your beast. To take me home..To take them home....Far away. So, far, away.......To the stars....This, day."

Active Blessing: Quortek D'Nossta: The Soul of Rhis

The blessing of martyr's. A Soul has been bound forming a shield of light around one they care for, and is protect by The Soul of Rhis for as long as the soul that has sacrificed itself remains in existence. The soul prevents any form of damage (to include Desolation Damage, and Ability Score Damage, Negative Levels, and Death Effects). The Body of the protected indivdual can be touched, but all damage the soul or body of the protected individual would sustain is instead converted into Bleakness, and dealt as direct Malediction Damage to The Soul who is bound. This effect ends when the soul has been consumed by Bleakness or willingly releases this effect. During it's duration the protected individual gains Favor of Rhis. The Bleakness gained or intentionally generated may be spent normally, but still applies as Malediction Damage, even if the Bleakness is generated by themselves. The blessed individual's HP can be altered, but it cannot drop below 0. If the blessed individual is reduced to 0 HP, by lethal or non-lethal damage. They gain Fast-Healing equal to the amount of Bleakness the Bound Soul possesses. This effect ceases upon returning to full health.

Valpurga's Quortek D'Nossta: - 20,000/20,000
Valpurga's Bleakness: - 0/20,000

He walked through the mist. Drawing the Calamity Edge. The massive figure of Vengeance stood in the distance before them. Strange shadowy winged creatures rose from the ground, then flapped into the air. " That is the remains of Vengeance. A friend once. Sin must have pulled some fragment of his remains to create... whatever this is suppose to be. Those winged creatures are Hollowed Fragments. Easy to strike, but they are very resilient to abuse. Beware them, for they are made of bleakness and may sacrifice their forms to strike at you directly knocking you unconscious for a short while while I shield you. I would take care of them first. Vengeance is very slow, and will not be able to catch us. Just be wary of his charge. He was a man of immense strength in the past. I imagine this creature is as well, and difficult to kill..... now focus. Focus you mind and clear your spirit, that you may see how to properly use our Dual-Soul Calamity..."


While Dual-Soul is active, at any point the Prime Soul they may switch with the Host Soul . This is a Free Action that can be done at any time. Switching Primary Souls after performing an action does not end that Souls ability to perform additional actions within the same turn, out of their initiative order. (Example: Valpurga Moves - Switch - Kestal Casts grease - Switch - Valpurga Strikes with Sword - 5 ft Step - Switch - Kestal flies 30 ft - switch) During the Primary Souls Imitative, the Host Soul may switch and act, consuming their own resource actions, but this does not effect their own future available actions upon reaching their own Initiative. Both Souls roll Initative separately, but must switch Primary Soul at the end of the round for the Host Soul to take their turn as normal, if the Primary Soul does not switch, the initiative of the Host Soul is skipped. Both souls may make full round actions and swap freely upon each others turn without penalty applied to their own coming rounds. The time spam of all of these actions does not exceed 6 seconds, as the Calamity distorts time to accommodate both Souls actions. A chain of actions may be 'qued' similar to a readied action. Creating a chain of actions and tactical Soul swaps to create a single round.

He held the sword out before him in a familiar stance, the brilliant illumination fighting back the darkness. " Do you see now, We are as one... I will defend you from the darkness.... We need to destroy the Fragments first. Do not try to control Vengeance. He is impossible to trip or stagger. Look at his very steps piercing the earth. Use your spare moments to attune the Calmity Edge to our enemies, then I will strike. That is the fastest way to slay these beasts.....It's time."

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/ENCOUNTER_zps74de3a04.png

Combat: The Deepest Dark - Heidmarch Manor (The Burning Fields)

Initiative
Vengeance - [17]
Valpurga - [12]
Fragment 3 - [11]
Fragment 2 - [8]
Kestal'Fel - [7]
Fragment 1 - [4]


MAP KEY - 5 ft Squares
Purple 13 - Kestal'Fel / Valpurga (Primary Soul - Valpurga)

Burgundy 1 - Vengeance
Red Diamond 1 - Hollowed Fragment
Red Diamond 2 - Hollowed Fragment
Red Diamond 3 - Hollowed Fragment

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/new%201_zpsfycsvn6b.png




http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/sample-cb2e437a113be542581096e98f9dc6c7%20-%20Copy_zpsukmynszb.jpg

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A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar, Above The House of Lords - 02:47 PM, Toilday the 15th

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/ENCOUNTER_zps74de3a04.png

Combat: Turning The Tide - Round 1

The two sister's smiled, looking at their eldest. " ...Well, don't just stand their and look pretty! ...Go get 'em!" They laughed in unison. Bleak's raucous laughter in hard contrast to The Mistress's lovely voice. They raced off into the distance, running through the air, and vanishing into black mist simultaneously. The Mistress was the first to emerge. She spread her hands out wide, and through out blade upon blade of blue light, the circular rings leaving her hands with explosive force as if thrown, then magically propelled. The rocketed into the flying swarm. Blinding blue light, like that of a brilliant morning sky lit the city. Blow after blow rained down from her hands. She cast out the six of the blue wheels of light. The Sky finally faded once more. The charred remains of six of the creatures could be seen descending to the earth disintegrating in their fall. Bleak appeared next. With deathly grace, she spun thrice, throwing three blades of crimson light to both her left and right. Massive explosions of light changed the sky's color once more to a crimson dawn, before fading. The creatures had been vaporized in the annihilating assault. Talri squinted in the distance, some 105ft away. " ...HEY! You Losers! You missed one!" They both shrugged in unison. The creatures was lit with crimson flame flapping about half live, charred and blackened. " Looks like you're up brother... Just give it a knife to the face to finish it off. It's pretty much dead anyways.... besides. It looks like baby-sister Kestal beat us to the manor. That's... not nice. When she become so fast?"

Up Next: Nelrin'Fel


MAP KEY - 5 ft Squares
Pink 15 - Talri'Fel/Nelrin'Fel
Violet 16 - The Mistress
Ruby 17 - The Bleak

Enemies
Hollowed Fragment #4 (Red Diamond)

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/4_zpsbiqtojfz.png

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[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

Nadia stirs slowly from her momentary repose, the images she had seen still burned into her mind. She sees the demon that was once the Magister leaving at great speed, and she steadily gets to her feat. She is trembling. She looks at Avaricious, Koriah, and Jeska.
We need to go after her. She can't fight this alone.
Her look is desperate, her voice on the verge of cracking with fear. Then it grows strong once again.
We owe it to Roland. She was his charge, and our failure means that he isn't here to protect her.
She glares at Koriah.
I have no authority over any of you, but unless you wish to prove that all Pathfinders are craven, you will join me.
And with that, she turned back along the path Eris had taken, and began to run.

[Mornings]

Combat: The Deepest Dark - Heidmarch Manor (The Burning Fields) Round 1

Initiative
Vengeance - [17]
Valpurga - [12]
Fragment 3 - [11]
Fragment 2 - [8]
Kestal'Fel - [7]
Fragment 1 - [4]

The massive knight of steel and flame stood motionless amid the field of flame and fire. The shadowy winged creatures rose into the air from the ground flapping their wings about. Sharp maws of shadow and blueish light thrashed about.

Valpurga intended to follow his plan, to the letter. " ...I'll take care of the fodder first. They'll get in the way. Then I'll see what I can do about.. him. " As if in response. The Massive knight saluted with his axe, accepting their challenge. " ...Soulless, but not mindless. I can feel it as well. He's already gathered the Renor'anon. Most likely they are already on.. or.. in, his person. If he flees with them, we will be in dire-straights. But if we can acquire them we must find Astrok'Ru to grant us access to The Soul Warren, then return home.... but I've no doubt he now hides. We may need assistance in locating him." He saluted with his sword back at the knight bringing the hilt to his face, then back down again with a flourish. A hammering energy filled her mind, as bleakness gathered within his soul.

Valpurga's Bleakness: - 20/20,000
Valpurga's Quortek D'Nossta: - 19980/20,000

With A simple word within his mind; 'Vet-Ph'Zhin', a circle of light begun to spiral about them. It snaked its way around them before dividing into two lines and entering her bare feet. Strange spiraling whimsical glowing marks or violet light covered her skin. He stretched out her wings, and with a slap. They flew through a black mist... A vastness, a world of stars surrounded them, a circular tunnel of light fast approaching. The emerged 45 ft above the ground in a haze of black mist. " Attune the blade. I'll handle the rest. " She felt her soul return to her body, the Magister within her own body once more. The arms of The Lady of Morning around her waist still, pulling her close, wings of stark white light pushing away the darkness. She held the blade with both hands, The soul of her target forming within her mind. The translucent blade became crimson red, like a beam of light, then she released her body yet again to the ancient spirit. With a flap of her wings. They vanished into a cloud of mist yet again. Flying though this world of twinkling light and stars. He hand her hand along the length of the blade. It became surrounded with a strange sonic aura. The emerged from the dark-starlit world in the midst of the pack of flying Hollowed Fragments.
Vet-Ph'Zhin - Veil Walker: 10 Bleakness
Valpurga's Bleakness: - 10/20,000

He spun about, facing the black winged creature Kestal'Fel had attuned the blade to. That one would be the first to die. Her form exploded into a translucent windy-spirit. With terrible might he unleashed a blinding spinning series of mid-air flipping cuts. The very passing of the blade, sending forth blades of crimson light energy. The light from the sword died, as the creature was cut into 5 sections, then as it's body began to fall, it froze in place. As if time had been suspended. Three shards of light entered his body. He turned about unleashing another series of devestating blows. Blades of light cleaved though the creature freezing it in place. Three shards of light entered the glowing white of their body once more. Then a final time, with spinning slashes of violent white light. Three blades cleaved through the last of the creatures freezing it in place, and empowering their body once more. He raised his sword high to the sky.... All other enemies slain before him. Frozen in place as if time had ceased to exist for them. "....This is the end, old friend. " With violent force, he came upon the knight from the rear. With a flying spinning slash he cleaved into his armor with the sabre of white light. Then again, with another devastating spinning slash before unleashing a brutal thrust into the back of the Knights helm, violently ripping the blade from the armor. There was a brief moment of silence. A pause... then.

With incredible blinding speed, the knight whipped about with a two-handed, overhead blow with his axe. It glowed with terrible violet light. He closed his eyes as the blade cleaved through him. Thew them. But he felt nothing. He opened his eyes. A white hand stretched out before him, the hand of The Lady. The axe crashed into the ground. with a massive explosive blast, turning the ground into a 10ft molten pool of burning magma. He felt the blow chip away a small bit of his soul, but nothing more.
Valpurga's Quortek D'Nossta: - 19,886/20,000

If The D'Nossta had not shielded them, they most certainly would be been slain form the terrible blow. The massive knight glared back at them from the pitch black recesses of his helm. Motionless and menacing. Without a word. They lept once more threw the world of stars, and found themselves 110ft away, close to where they had begun. The knight silently... slowly, turned about to face them, with massive earth-shaking steps that pierced into the ground. " ...He's.. He's strong. Well, not as strong as I remember... But much more resilient to say the least. I'm not sure if we can slay him alone... Halja is to the east. Talri, is close, to the south. We could use her assistance, but I know most certainly now, Vengeance has gather the Renor'anon. I can't tell how many, but it is evidently more then one." He readied his blade, exchanging his place with Kestal'Fel, becoming a spirit once more. " Vengeance cannot move more then perhaps 20 ft, as he is. But I would recommend not getting too close to him. He is a walking fortress... The strength of his blows have been augmented Bleakness. If I am struck, I doubt I will be able to continue combat as normal, so be wary.... perhaps it is best if we retreat for now."

Initiative
Vengeance - [17]
Valpurga - [12]
Kestal'Fel - [7]

The white light of Valpurga's Maelstrom-Form faded. The 9 shards of light released from them in a burst of brilliant white light that faded off into the darkness. The bodies of the slain creatures rained about the Knight and some into the burning pit of magma. Now it was just them... and him. He stood silently, raising a massive gauntleted hand pointing at them, and beckoning them to come. Waving them over, in a blatant challenge. The massive warrior looked unfazed by the blows that had cleaved into its armor. The puncture wound in the front of its face still visible from the rear impalement attempt with the blade of light. The magic died away... and The Magister, was left, within her body once more. The empty clear blade of the Calamity Edge in hand, and the Desolation Enchantment of the Vet-Ph'Zhin still glowing upon her body like a series of tattoo's. She was 45 ft from the ground. Yet, she still didn't feel safe in the face of the monstrous warrior before her.

Map Key
X's - Slain enemies
Circle - Pit of magma

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/2_zpsflitmkdn.png

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[ The Seekers ]
Those running back to The Manor will arrive in 3 Rounds

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[iValkyrieX]

Nelrin'Fel

"Hmmm it looks like i do get to lift a helping hand in this situation after all. Thank you sisters." With that said, Nelrin makes his dash toward the enemy, running on thin air. His body then vanishes with a puff of mist only to re-materialize 20ft from the last enemy. As he makes his appearance, his hands already wielding what looks to be blades of pure blackness. Her hands make a sharp movement and the blades are gone in a flash directed at the hollowed fragment. Once the creature is dealt with she makes off into the direction of the manor once more with haste.

Move action - 70ft closer to target
Swift Action - Veil step 25ft ending 20ft away
Standard action - Throw 6 knives at the hollowed fragment (Rapid shot + PBS)
Right hand: To Hit
Knife #1 [roll0]
Knife #2 [roll1]
Knife #3 [roll2]

Right hand: Damage
Knife #1 [roll3] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage
Knife #2 [roll4] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage
Knife #3 [roll5] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage

Left Hand: To Hit
Knife #4 [roll6]
Knife #5 [roll7]
Knife #6 [roll8]

Left hand: Damage
Knife #4 [roll9] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage
Knife #5 [roll10] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage
Knife #6 [roll11] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage

Move Action - Move 70ft toward the manor
Move Action - Move 70ft toward the manor

[Mornings]

Nelrin'Fel

"Hmmm it looks like i do get to lift a helping hand in this situation after all. Thank you sisters." With that said, Nelrin makes his dash toward the enemy, running on thin air. His body then vanishes with a puff of mist only to re-materialize 20ft from the last enemy. As he makes his appearance, his hands already wielding what looks to be blades of pure blackness. Her hands make a sharp movement and the blades are gone in a flash directed at the hollowed fragment. Once the creature is dealt with she makes off into the direction of the manor once more with haste.

Move action - 70ft closer to target
Swift Action - Veil step 25ft ending 20ft away
Standard action - Throw 6 knives at the hollowed fragment (Rapid shot + PBS)
Right hand: To Hit
Knife #1 [roll0]
Knife #2 [roll1]
Knife #3 [roll2]

Right hand: Damage
Knife #1 [roll3] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage
Knife #2 [roll4] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage
Knife #3 [roll5] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage

Left Hand: To Hit
Knife #4 [roll6]
Knife #5 [roll7]
Knife #6 [roll8]

Left hand: Damage
Knife #4 [roll9] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage
Knife #5 [roll10] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage
Knife #6 [roll11] Damage / +1 Constitution Damage / +1 Bleed Damage

Move Action - Move 70ft toward the manor
Move Action - Move 70ft toward the manor




A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar, Above The House of Lords - 02:47 PM, Toilday the 15th

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/ENCOUNTER_zps74de3a04.png

Combat: Turning The Tide - Round 1

The burning lights had faded. The blue and crimson lights of the sky dimmed and diminished leaving the view of the one Hollowed Fragment left, writhing and burning from the crimson rays of the explosion. She sighed. " ...Okie, Brother, have at it. Let's get this over with. It looks like Little-Sister is having some fun of her own.... And Halaja is, well... being her. " Bleak crossed her arms. " She prefer's Halja, you know..." " ....Who cares?" The Mistress looked on at them as she dashed through the air and teleported. " ...That is Brother's wife you're speaking of. Mind, you show some respect. " She sighed again, as the darkness of the Veil gathered in her palms and crafted shards of glass-like-shadow. With a blinding snap of her wrists she threw out a hail of knives. The first blade killed the thing instantly, piercing it's skull and coming out its tail in a burst of darkness, but her arms kept moving, the blades mutilated, and cut the creature to ribbons. Bits of flesh and wing fell away, and she laughed madly all the while. " You see! Brother is so much fun! ... Why can't you be more fun!? Now that was fun! Lets go stab more things!" She raced off towards the manor. Explosions of blue and red light ignited at her sides, her Sister's re-materializing, flanking her on either side as they ran along as well, The crystalline blades of light still orbiting around them. "...There. Heidmarch Manor... I guess. Looks better then I thought." Telri'Fel tilted her head in confusion looking down at the compound from the sky. It was a massive molten creator of charred earth 150ft off. "....Ummm.... I don't think that's how it's supposed to look. But Little-Sister is down their with the big guy. We should say Hi, right? ...Then get the flower-things." " I can feel their essence emanating from the large one." " Heh, let's kill it then and get on with it. " " Oooo, that sounds like fun, and Mama will be so happy we got the flower-things. Hehe." They all smiled in unison, looking down upon the burning fields... " ....Let's have some fun!"

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/EncounterEnds_zps786fbbc6.png

[Desril]

Eris?

Still processing everything that's happened to her in the last few minutes, Eris had no objection to letting Val take over and give her a moment to think. Unfortunately, she barely had time to get upset at Valpurga's reckless summoning that nearly got her killed before he managed to turn the conversation around and grant some sort of boon. Not fully comprehending what it was that was happening with that blessing, partly thanks to being so contentedly distracted by the embrace of the Lady of Morning against her very soul, and partly because she was suddenly no longer certain why she was going through all this effort to save these pathetic mortals. Fight it, Eris. I won't lose myself in this power, I refuse! Silently yelling at herself, she snaps back, her mortal soul winning out over her demonic nature once more.

Coming up with a plan of her own, she does as requested and focuses on attuning the Calamity's Edge on one of the Hollowed Fragments and letting Valpurga use her body to dice the lot of them. It isn't until Vengeance strikes out at the two of them and she feels...nothing, save for the Lady of Mornings pressing into her insubstantial back, that she finally comprehends what exactly it was Valpurga had given her with the call he made. "You idiot! If this keeps up, your soul might be destroyed!" She fumes, still annoyed at him for being the source of all this, but not wanting to sacrifice him to stop it. "Our...sisters," she hesitates, not used to having any 'family' aside from her adoptive mother and being uncertain how she feels about the term, "are nearby, like you said. But there might be a way to end this more easily. At the very least, it will hurt you less than taking another blow like that one! We don't need to slay this thing, we just need the Renor'anon, and if it's carrying them inside that suit of armor, I might be able to flush them out!"

Putting her plan into motion, Eris focuses her power, drawing on her limited knowledge of Desolation magic and her own demonic power, focusing it all to make an impossibly slippery oil fill every crevice and opening in Vengeance's armor in order to allow the Renor'anon to simply fall out of it. "If this works, just grab them and let's get out of here. We can deal with this creature after getting rid of Sin."


Casting Grease (DC 11+5+4)
Using Demonic Reservoir to boost DC by 2
Using Annihilation Gale to double the DC (44) causing [roll0] damage and knocking us back 10ft. It would knock us prone, but flying things can't go prone, so yay us.

Free action to swap with Val to either pick up Renor'anon (if they fall) or attack (if they aren't available)

Plan; Grease Vengeance's armor and cause a reflex save (DC 44) vs dropping the Renor'anon on the ground. After the casting, allow Val to take over and act as appropriate.

[Mornings]

A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar, Above The House of Lords - 02:47 PM, Toilday the 15th

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/ENCOUNTER_zps74de3a04.png

Combat: The Deepest Dark - Heidmarch Manor (The Burning Fields) Round 1

[ The Daughter of Evenings ]

Valpurga's Quortek D'Nossta: - 19,862/20,000
Valpurga's Bleakness: - 34/20,000
Kestal'Fel Bleakness: - 1/11

The Magister had never before used the abilities of her Desolation magic is such a way. She felt the Bleakness beginning to build inside herself as her soul entered her body once more, and she spoke to the man, the spirit, that shielded her from harm. She took a deep breath. She felt a strange tangling beginning to run through her body. Then as if possessed. Her body began to act on its on accord a strange voice speaking with her lips. " .... Olath Silara l'itami." She could feel the energy radiate, crash, and meld within her. Arcane becoming desolate. Desolate, becoming arcane. Small charges of blackened light surged about her body. She raised both her hands to the sky. "....Ssussun Silara I'xuz." She leveled her hands at the knight from the air, her arms shaking, small spouts of black-lightning spontaneously dancing around her extended limbs. She felt her lungs scream out. " ....ELGE! ...HWESTA! "

A blinding light of darkened energy exploded out from her hands. A recoiling blast of black lighting struck her directly in the chest as the energy left her arms, like a short beam of tainted light. The lighting blasted her 10 ft through the air, her body spammed and writhed, unable to maintain her flight, she plummeted to the earth. She descended head first, but then was caught by the white image of The Lady, and laid upon the ground. She shook violently for a brief moment, the dark energies finally discharging completely. With a thought, she pushed her spirit from her body, and Valpurga took control once again, rising from the ground, huffing and panting, out of breath, small ' bzzt' sounded, as the remains of the black electric energy danced around her. " ....Uhg. Perhaps that was not as damaging to my spirit. But that was quite painful.... I'd.. Recommend using The Gale, with some discretion. It's costs only become more dire as you grow in strength." The watched as the massive knight seemed to jitter, and tremble. Black ash began to pour from its armor like pounds upon pounds of life blood. It looked down at the ashes, as if unconcerned. Then back up again. Pounding the flat of its axe with the side of its arm in challenge. " ...Well, it looks like he still wants to fight... It's hard to tell if any of the Renor have fallen with all that ash.. it's magical as well. I will need some time to attune to it's energy to distinguish it, but it feels like at least one lays somewhere in that mound.... A wonder of caution. We WILL need more then one, and I doubt he has any intention of moving now. Our choices are becoming more limited by the minu- ....Telri'Fel, she's here! ...Now that changes things. I may not possess the strength I once held, but my Older Sister, is not doubt just as murderous as ever and will put that thing down.... but she's never been one to share.... Mind your words around them, She's quite fickle."

28 LBS of Magical Ash has poured from the creature's armor. Atleast 1 Renor'anon has spilled out with it. End of the Round

Round 2 Begins

The Seeker's will Arrive at the end of Round 3


Combat: The Deepest Dark - Heidmarch Manor (The Burning Fields) Round 2

Initiative

Nelrin'Fel - [31] - UP NOW
The Anguished - [25]
The Mistress - [22]
The Bleak - [18]
Vengeance - [17]
Valpurga - [12]
Kestal'Fel - [7]

[iValkyrieX]

Nelrin'fel

"Sister take over for a moment, I merely wish to observe the enemy. This may take more than just brute force and ignorance, we need strategy."

Nelrin'fel - round delayed

[Kai927]

Jeska watches for a moment, then takes off after Nadia and Eris. Given the situation, innocents were in danger. And she is a guardswoman, or at least she was. Regardless of her current status, the convictions that led her to join the Korvosan guard have not left her. Making sure that her sword was loose in it's sheath, and retightening the leather wraps on her arms, Jeska try her damndest to keep pace with the others.

[Mornings]

A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar, Above The House of Lords - 02:47 PM, Toilday the 15th

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/ENCOUNTER_zps74de3a04.png

Combat: The Deepest Dark - Heidmarch Manor (The Burning Fields) Round 2

Initiative

Nelrin'Fel - [31] - Delayed
The Anguished - [25] - Up Now
The Mistress - [22] - Delayed
The Bleak - [18] - Up Now
Vengeance - [17]
Valpurga - [12]
Kestal'Fel - [7]

She blinked in confusion, not understanding her brother's hesitation. She stood in the air for a brief moment before speaking. "....Well, that's boring. Okie then.... Sister. Let's finish this thing quickly then." The Bleak, the red-eyed pureblood, nodded in agreement. " Just as well. I'm more curious of Baby-Sister anyways... I can feel Valga'Fel here as well." Telri extended her hand, as they both vanished into black mist and dashed above the massive knight.

The massive steel-warrior's armor shook and trembled. Beginning to reform. The massive slashes and goring wounds closed, and reformed, the damage Valpurga had inflicted completed removed without a trace of battle-wear to be seen. Telri looked on in genuine astonishment. "...Oh goodness... He's a.. re-errr-en...tor?" Her dark sister looked at her with a stoic un-amused expression. "...A regenerator." "YEA! ...One of them. " Her extended hand caught the crystalline blade of darkness in hand that orbited her sister. "...So we should just squish it before it makes a mess." "...Agreed. Now shall we?" They circled the knight from above. Telri and her dark sister, begun a blade-dance. Their movements mimicing one-another, though only she held the blade. They begun to chant in unison, flashes of dark energy striking the knight. Passing through him, and into the blade, as they tossed it across to one another.

" Life's Ending, True Name
" ...Mother. By my will. Strike those I do name."
"... Ilhar. Zotreth nindyn Usstan.... xun kaas "
The black blade of light spun out and struck through the creature like a phantom weapon. Small flecks of blue light spewing out upon striking and exiting to Bleak's hand before being tossed back again. Talri unleashed a frenzied dance, casting the weapon out again and again.
" ...Life Ends, for..."
"... Dro Unl'r."
She cast the blade out again, it exploded through the knight and into her sister's hands, where, without missing a beat, she spun and unleashed a massive dark blade of force cleaving though the armored dreadnought, passing through him with a geyser of blue light. Sigils formed on the blade painted in blue. They smiled. The ritual complete. She raised the blade into the air above, her red eyes gleaming with frenzied battle-lust.
" ...VHARC-LAC!"
"... VHARC-LAC!"
The blade erupted with a blue gleaming energy, the darkness gone. A massive sword 80 ft long stretched out into the heavens. Images of the knight... a man. Strange reflections of another world... days past played out upon its glassy mirrored surface. "...Farewell."

The blade came down. The titanic sword of tainted burning energy passed through the knight like mist. A massive geyser of energy exploded out from the being's armor. A gargantuan pillar of light to the sky piercing the clouds. The form of a man, proud and strong jawed appeared within the heavenly pillar. A massive man, clad in large suit of armor, red hair that danced wildly about his face. He smiled. He nodded once, then faded away. "...Rest in peace."

The light vanished up into the burning sky, parting the storm. "...The Balance is restored." The suit of armor trembled and quaked. Pieces of it's massive frame falling to the earth with thunderous pounding sounds. It's helmet fell from it's own shoulders into the molten pit. With a massive crash, the armor fell forward, breaking apart, and leaving scattered bits of massive piece-mail, and several tons of smoldering ash. The sisters walked down to the ground. The sigil's upon the black-blade fading quickly. Bleak looked to The Mistress "...What a mess." She smiled at her sister. " ...It is no matter. I've spent the time to find our prize while you were playing about." She bent down and dug through the ash. " ...My, that burns." She plucked out three black buds from the massive 10ft field of ash. She smiled and looked at the Magister. " ...Hello, Baby-Sister. Dear, brother."

Life's Ending: True Name Death
DC30 Fort Save - Failed
Vengeance: Dead

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/EncounterEnds_zps786fbbc6.png

They all looked at her curiously. "...Hey, you're naked ya'know." Bleak crossed her arms. "...I'm fairly certain, she would have managed to figure that out by herself." She scoffs at her appearance, taking in the image before her. " ...Pfft... and her blood is as muddied as Nelrin's." " ...Must you always be so callous?"


MAP KEY
16 - The Mistress
15 - The Anguished
17- The Bleak

(Grey Field)
-Field of Ash

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/DreadfulMorning/SHATTERED%20STAR/end_zpsfip1xck4.png


[The Seekers ]

The party finally manages to climb the last leg of the massive stair-case and exist the building to witness the spectical of light, and the giant-knight's fall. The blue light blows back their hair and ashes into the wind, as it ascends into the heavens. The dismal bleak grey of the mist and the storm returns once more seconds later. ( The party enters from Block A-2 on the map )

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[Desril]

Eris?

From her relatively safe vantage point, Eris watches her 'sisters' engage Vengeance and quickly vaporize it. Well, that was impressive. But we don't have time to waste, we need those flowers! Casting a quick spell to detect magic auras even as The Mistress plucked three of the precious petals from the ashes.

Damnit! She silently swears, realizing that she's likely too late, We need at least four of those damnable things...but maybe we can strike a deal. Val, I need to know, how valuable are these things outside of being able to stop Sin? Asking her soul-bound companion even as she teleports down to confront her 'sisters' and search for the flowers herself, using her tail to snag any she finds that haven't already been claimed.

Returning the smile that greeted her, Kestal'Fel does her best to be diplomatic, reigning in the urge to call the trio out on their greed potentially obliterating the Material Plane itself or on the comment about her blood. "Hello...'sisters'," she says, still not certain how she feels about the term. "It seems you have me at a disadvantage. You have my thanks for dealing with that creature," she gestures to the ash that's left of Vengeance, "but I'm afraid a proper show of gratitude will have to wait," she adds coyly, her grin going from polite to shameless as she turns to Telri, "As for my dress...well, there was no need to hide myself with an illusion anymore was there? This really is quite freeing...perhaps you should try it as well?"

She pauses there, reigning in the urge to offer that the four of them have a little fun, Now's hardly the time...keeping these new impulses in check is far more difficult than I would have thought, she comments to herself. "But there's no time for that right now. Newly reborn as I am, I know that I must have no right to ask this of you, but I wish to name my birthday present. I need two things from you, sisters. Could I persuade you to grant two boons to your new little sister?" She asks, feigning deference and hoping that the appeal to their newly forged relationship will be enough.


Detect Magic
Move to I-21
Start gathering Renor'anon that are left with her tail. Yay for tails!

Perform (Seduction) [roll0] Make them like me, distract them from their primary purpose, make them want Eris more than the Renor'anon, anything really, as long as it helps convince them to do as I ask.

Diplomacy [roll1] to get them to agree to the 2 favors.

[Kai927]

Jeska comes up out of the tunnels, soon arriving back at Heidmarch manor. She looks over the devastation, noting Eris and the other demons. "Looks like we weren't needed after all," Jeska comments to Nadia. "Hmm, I wonder." While keeping an eye on the demons, since she had no idea how much of a threat they were to her, Jeska begins rooting around the debris of the manor in the hopes of finding her shield that she had dropped earlier.

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, The Wayward Sword

Nadia strides forward, taking short jumps to clear some of the rubble.
Magister? Are you here?

[Mornings]

Jeska comes up out of the tunnels, soon arriving back at Heidmarch manor. She looks over the devastation, noting Eris and the other demons. "Looks like we weren't needed after all," Jeska comments to Nadia. "Hmm, I wonder." While keeping an eye on the demons, since she had no idea how much of a threat they were to her, Jeska begins rooting around the debris of the manor in the hopes of finding her shield that she had dropped earlier.

A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar, The Burning Fields (Heidmarch)- 02:48 PM, Toilday the 15th

She kicked at the burning debris, most of the manor had been completely leveled low. Nothing more then charred bits of petrified wood in the cavernous fields. She sighed, it looked like nothing remained of the place. But as she looked to the ground, a glint caught her eye in the fire's light. A large overturned heavy black board, perhaps once a table, lay overturned. With her scabbarded blade as a prop, she heaved the massive plank up and aside. Below the debris lay a hole. Burned wood and small black flames danced about, and with it her shield. She picked it up. It was cold to the touch. The strange darkfire of the wolf-like creature she had fled from seemed to have tainted it's surface, altering it's color. It gleamed ominously. It felt light. Lighter then she remembered. She mounted the shield on her arm. She felt a strange energy from it, but it made her feel stronger, perhaps even faster. Like a surge of adrenaline.

The House Ward called out through the burning smog, greeted by the cavernous ruins of the manor's remains. A field of ash in the distance. Four strange horned women standing in the distance. The strange new form of 'Eris', coming in view.

The Mistress smiled, as she slid the flowers buds away into her sleeves and out of sight." ...My aren't we quite charming." She began kicking up some of the ash, until the small gleam of one of the glass-like buds emerged from its buried state. "...There we are... Happy Birthday." The Bleak paced around, her running a hand across her back. " ...You seem to be fairing rather well in our presence in addition. Most are not foolish enough to approach us so haphazardly... Our presence gives life, but burns away the spirit..." She came around behind her, sniffing her hair like a hound. "...A D'Nossta. Quite the impressive feat. I imagine, you had some assistance with that.... Valga'Fel, perhaps?" She came about once more taking her previous position. " It was good to see you little sister, but mum, calls us to return. Help yourself to whatever's left." The Mistress smiled coyly, "...Another time perhaps." With a puff of black mist, the teleported 70ft in the sky. Waving back down below.

She could feel the magical nature of the ash about her now, and the glass like flower-bud at her feet. She could feel another somewhere within the ashes. She picked up the bud, kicking through the ashes to recover the other. She looked at them in hand. Would two be enough? ...And now, what of Astrok'Ru? "...We still need to find him. Perhaps two will do if we mind our words and speak carefully. Only Astrok'Ru can make way for us to pass through the gate however. We may need some assistance. If only Nelrin'Fel was still here... I can sense him no longer. Talri, is mischievous, do not doubt. But perhaps she may aid us..."

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[Desril]

Eris?

Before she could stop them, three of the much needed Renor'anon teleported away in the hands of the sisters whom she very much wanted to get better acquainted with. With two of the petals in hand she swears, cursing her misfortune, muttering to herself, "Two will have to be enough. There must be a way to make him see reason..."

Turning to face the now skyward trio, the holy symbol of Nocticula resting above her breasts and the braid that the Lady of Mornings gave her being the only covering she has from her new sisters' gaze, Eris finally calls out a response to Nadia while taking to the air herself, "Over here, Lieutenant!"Though she does approach, she's careful to keep to a safe distance.

"Sisters, please! I know that I overstep, but I swear, I will make the sacrifice worthwhile to you. We will have an eternity for me to repay you, after all," she adds coyly, "So I ask for yet one more of the Renor'anon, and" she turns to Talri, "your aid, Sister, in tracking down Astrok'ru, if you are willing to help me."

[Mornings]

A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar, The Burning Fields (Heidmarch)- 02:48 PM, Toilday the 15th

There was a brief pause as they all looked down at their sister speaking, then they looked at once another. They looked back down at the demoness speaking as one.

"Blessed Mother needs these more then you."
"Blessed Mother needs these more then you."
"Blessed Mother needs these more then you."

" But if you find Astrok'ru, you can always win more from him. He does enjoy his games so much, after all... Perhaps I can show you the way. " The sisters smiled at once another. " Though perhaps your company best keep their distance from us. It is unlikely their souls are as well warded as your own... would be a shame to watch their spirits burn away." Her dark sister smiled. " Yes... A terrible shame."

The House Warden approached the Magister tentitively, not sure what to make of the other three now in the air, who looked strangely similar with their horns and silvered hair. She looked at the demoness. " Magister, are you well? She looked over over once, and the bright winged light that surrounded her... almost, angelic. She seemed completely unharmed. With that she continued. " What were you thinking running off alone! You could have been killed in all this madness about us!" She seemed displeased with her choice, but relieved to see her unharmed, yet confused of what to make of it all... all these strange creatures, and strange names. It was overwhelming, and slowly, she begun to worry about the fate of Sir Keddran... did he escape that...thing? Was he still alive? The desolation lay about her that was once Heidmarch seemed to stand as the capstone of the hopelessness of it all.

Posted for Nadia @Kel's request.

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[Desril]

Eris?

Only briefly taking her gaze from her sisters, she responds to Nadia's approach Idiot girl, I'll have to teach her a lesson in respecting her betters--I should just stop thinking until I get this under control. "I'm fine, Lieutenant. But stay back, this place isn't safe for you. Just give me some time, I might be able to fix all of this."

Focusing back on her sisters' again, "Then please, show me how to find him. I'm sure you'll enjoy what comes of it."

[iValkyrieX]

Nelrin'Fel

"Sisters, let us help them find Astrok and then we shall take the flowers to blessed mother. But in the meantime, do you know of these tomes I have? I'm curious of the contents of the books. Do you think you'd be able to tell me about them?"

[Mornings]

A Dance of Mourning and Light; Magnimar, The Burning Fields (Heidmarch)- 02:48 PM, Toilday the 15th

Within the cavernous darkness... the recesses of their shared consciousness they gathered. Within this place, they all appeared so different. The Mistress's hair was wonderfully long and well kept, reaching down to her knee's, tied and arranged with strange whisps of blue light. The Bleak stood like some infernal shadow. Her skin was transparent like glass, her eyes a fierce burning red, the very air around her seemed to burn. Her hair was short and cropped. Many black sigils were tattooed upon her face and skin, numerous blessings of The Blessed Mother. A pureblood of The White Hall. And between them stood The Anguished. She smiled, playfully. Short and whimsical. She could have appeared as but a child, standing only 4'5'' tall. Terrible scars ran across every inch of her skin. Her eyes were empty sockets of pitch darkness. A terrible black mist roiled forth from the umbral voids within her face. Her hair was shoulder length and bloodied, as was her hands, dripping still, as if freshly covered. It was the first time they had met like this. The first time he had seen their true forms. Nelrin stood among them, cloaked in his familiar cloak of shadow. His massive cowl coming up to hood his features, only his lower jaw was visible, as were his pronounced antlers that rose proudly into the air 2'' above his skull, puncturing the shadowy-hood of his mantle. At his side he held the tomes, the Kelgorian Codex's.

" If you will choose to aid them..."
" ...So then shall we."
" ...Then shall we return to Blessed Mother."
" ...As for the tomes, those...That."
" ...That which should not exist within this world at all."
" ...It speaks of The Truth. The Fate... and all that transpired before these days, these skys were born, and after. It is the knowledge that Blessed Mother was charged with caring for, to maintain The Balance. For to know... is to perceive... And those of this would need not know anything more then what this world has to provide... what we've to provide."
"..So hear me Brother when I do say... 'tread lightly'. There is much that is best left unknown. But Blessed Mother has given you the choice."
"...But delve too deep into the dark, and much like That Man, You may find yourself unable to return here, or their."
" ...For only one may walk between the vast consuming dark of The Night, and the flame of creation... because he bares The Key."

" The Son of the Morning. "
" The Son of the Morning. "
" The Son of the Morning. "
" ...Brother Kal'Fel "
" ...Brother Kal'Fel "
" ...Brother Kal'Fel "

" Dear Brother, I would ask that you would return the tomes, and let what rests within lay undisturbed. For should you reach too far.... touch that which we, The Children may not possess. You will be lost and forsaken. Cast out of this world, as That Man was..."
" But we will not stop you... Do what you will. But should you disrupt The Balance. Talri shall come for you as well, and you will be removed from this world. This world... where that man's words cannot exist."

They closed their eyes, holding one another's hands. An energy coursed through them each, like a jolt of force. The image of the mischievous trickster filled their mind. They opened their eyes.

They looked down upon their sister. As if joined, they all moved at the same time, pointing west. Across the burning fields, the walls no longer standing, the distant image of Serpent's Run could be seen in the burning horizon.

" ...Go West from here, and without fail you will find the cunning man in guise.... Without fail. For he hides, be seeks to be found. "
" ...Go West from here, and without fail you will find the cunning man in guise... Without fail. For he hides, be seeks to be found. "
" ...Go West from here, and without fail you will find the cunning man in guise... Without fail. For he hides, be seeks to be found. "

" That is where you will find Astrok'Ru, Little-Sister."

[Desril]

Eris?

Bowing as low as she can without taking her eyes off her 'sisters', "Thank you, Sisters. I hope I'll see you again soon and be able to make good on my offer," she flirts, "But I must be on my way for now."

Assuming they don't stop her, she turns to Nadia and the rest of the party and, after floating down to the ground, begins walking toward them, her Nocticulan symbol freely visible, "Come on, we should hurry on. I can put a stop to all this soon, but I don't know how far we'll have to go. Either way, we've all survived this far together. We might as well end this together, right?" As she gets closer to the Nadia though, she whispers to her in a low voice while brushing some hair out of her face, "Though once this is over Lieutenant, I'd like to get to know you better...if you're willing."

Well, if she's not, I'll just want her more...I can have the dhampir whenever I want...after them, I should see about getting Koriah and that armored woman at the same time.

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, The Wayward Sword

As Eris approaches, she finds Nadia settled into a defensive crouch, Ankiron raised between them.
I still don't know what to make of you, demon. If it were not for my debt to Sir Roland and his charge to protect you, I would cut you down now. But as it stands, I am bound to protect you.

[Desril]

Eris?

Pitiful mortal...I should put her in her place. She should be begging for me to grace her with a touch. I'll have to teach her a les--Stop it! Abyss this is hard.

Unafraid of Nadia's stance, Eris puts a claw upon the blade and brushes it aside, stepping closer to the Lieutenant with a smile, "I don't know what to make of me yet either now. Maybe we can find out together once I fix this mess. It could be fun, don't you think?"

[Kai927]

Jeska jumps a little at feeling the pulse go through her as she lifts her shield. That was definitely not normal. Could all of the magic in the area have enchanted it? The altered color and weight seemed to imply such a thing. Filing that away as something to check on later, Jeska stands and joins Nadia and Eris. "Well, you were a tiefling before, and the prejudice for that must have been hell." She pauses for a moment, realizing what she had just said, "No pun intended. Anyways, going full demon like that, well, I don't imagine that will help matters much." She comments to Eris.

[Mornings]

The Newly appointed Venture-Captain strode through the cavernous expanse of the blasted manor's grounds. She smirked at the armored dame's words. " Common misconception. As a demon, that makes her kin to the Abyss, rather then the forces of hell. Which, would be devil's rather... at least if I recall all of that correctly from Andel's notes... She sighed at mentioning his name. "...He was a well studied man... In any case!" She moved forward, patting the House Ward on the back. " No point fretting over the little things after all. I for one like the change though..." she smirks lifting the silver holy symbol from the Magister's breast. " Not surprising I suppose... and It's not as if the worship of Demon Lords is outlawed by Segenhall, after-all. I guess, that's somewhat of a -gray-area... But if you know how to put an end to all of this madness. Perhaps we can get on with that... I'd like to think the sacrifices of all the souls no longer with us were not in vain." She crossed her arms. " ...We're in a little over our heads, so lead on if you've a way to deal with all of this."

[Desril]

Eris?

At Jeska's comment she nods solemnly without taking her eyes off of the Lieutenant, "You're not wrong. Outside of Segunhall I had plenty of fools who'd try to attack me in the night, or call the guards when I walked by, hide their children. Eventually I got bored of it and developed a harmless little spell to get even, but now..." she shrugs her shoulders and grins darkly, not finishing the thought aloud, Now, I'll do so much more to them.

Her grin turns much more friendly as Koriah actually gets that little factoid right, a personal pet peeve of her's being when people mistake her for a devil, she smirks and momentarily shifts her gaze away from Nadia as the Venture-Captain's hand so very nearly touches her bare chest when she reaches for her holy symbol. "You're right, I figured with this new body there was no point in hiding anything that I am. I must admit," she says while her tail curls around front, tracing a meaningless symbol on Koriah's midriff before moving down to just above her trousers, the obvious message clear, "I like this change myself, and I'm eager to find out what I can do now."

After giving Koriah a chance to respond to the invitation to have a little fun she continues, obviously annoyed that no one has already stripped and moved to do something exciting, The entire plane of existence is at stake, and now I'm annoyed that I'm not screwing someone instead...I really must get this under control. This must be how she always felt, the demon thinks, remembering her shadow. "Anyway, yes, let's move on. We need to go west, I don't know how far, but there's someone in that direction I need to find. He has the power to end this destruction, and I have what we need to get him to do so," she says while holding up the black flowers.


Unlike Jeska and Nadia, I can Seduce Koriah [roll0] Take 10 for [21]

[Hattish Thing]

Avaricious?

After a fair bit of confused running, the bard catches up and spends a bit of time panting and resting, before leaning against a nearby bit of mansion rubble, slowly sliding down until he's sitting upon the ground, his back braced against it. The dhampir looks outwards but doesn't appear to see what's in front of him, his mind elsewhere. He'll slowly bring his legs to his chest and rest his forehead on his knees, taking a moment to simply exist, and think about what just happened. The disaster, the monsters, the demon thing, the thugs that wanted to kill him, all of it went flashing by in his head once more.

Why did he have to join this particular day of all times.

As he sits there, he slowly rests his hand in his pocket to grab his wedding ring. Avaricious does not wear the ring, for fear of having it stolen, but still keeps it on his person, a constant reminder of why he did what he did. It was a comfort to him, his only comfort at times. And right now, in the confused, frightened, and adrenaline-filled state he was in, he needed some comfort. As he reached into his pocket, the bard felt... nothing. A strange, horrible, unhappy absence. He straightens his back a little bit and looks down, only to see a finger pop out through the small pocket of his.

No. Nonononono. NO.

Where was it... Where did it go, what, during the explosion, and then the running... it must have. It... It was gone. His ring was gone, his wedding ring. It wasn't an extremely expensive one, what with the cracked gemstone, but it meant the world to Avaricious. Unable to grasp what had just happened to him, unable to wrap his head around the twisted, awful situation, the bard just starts laughing. It wasn't the threat of death, nor the breaking of his vows, nor the sight of others dying before him that would put him over the edge. It was this.

It was all gone, wasn't that beautiful. Poetic, almost.

He'll stand up, a big, wide, crazed looking grin on his face before looking outwards again, continuing to laugh quietly until his chuckle grows in volume, until the dhampir seems to have just completely lost it, tears welling in his eyes as he continues to laugh, unable to stop until he turns around again and notices Koriah and Eris nearby. Koriah and Eris, this was there fault. Eris, with the strange magic. She was the one that had broken his vows. Someone had to be blamed. He needed someone to hate.

Avaricious glares towards the others, hate and anger in his eyes as he walks closer, that bizarre smile on his face. He points a finger at Eris. "You. Hahh. Hahaha. Heh. You did... you did this. Heh. This... This is your fault. Isn't it. It has... Hahhh, hahahhaa... It has to be. It has to be, doesn't it. You... Haha, oh gods. It's your fault, if you hadn't... not it's gone... it's all gone and... oh gods, hahahahahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHA." He loses it here, laughing madly as he comes a little closer still. "Through everything, EVERYTHING, I always thought that I'd... Hahahhh. Oh gods, what just happened, what happened, why am.... WHY."

He'll attempt to suddenly charge towards Eris and grab her by her throat. "YOU DID THIS, I KNOW IT WAS YOU, IT HAD TO BE, WITH THE SPELLS, AND THE MAGIC. WHAT ARE THEY FRIENDS OF YOURS?!?! WHY?! HAHAHAHAHA."

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH."

"I'LL KILL YOU RIGHT HERE."

[Desril]

Eris?

While Avaricious has his breakdown, Eris turns away from Koriah briefly, hoping that by the time she's deal with the dhampir the new Venture-Captain will be as naked as she is. Heh, the poor bastard is at his limit. I should push him just a little more...break him and see what happens. I could use a pet with teeth...she quickly shakes her head, chasing away that thought. No, he needs to vent. Someone like him...I bet he needs control. For now at least, I'll let him work out his frustrations and try to calm him dow--wait, her thoughts are interrupted as the magic aura of the odd box that Avy stole hours ago reveals itself to her enhanced vision, What's that? Val, do you see it? I can't place its aura...strange...I'm not much of a thief, can you steal it off him without being caught?

Letting Avaricious put his hand around her neck, she looks down at him, grinning, Shame about the situation...if he'd push me down and get on top of me, this could be kind of hot...as it is, as weak as he is, it's too pathetic to be exciting. Luckily, the dhampir's grip isn't strong enough to completely cut off her voice as she speaks up, making it easy for her to sound like she's struggling. "I know...you're hurting, Avaricious...but I'm not...your enemy." She tries to calm him, "Attack me if...it will help you, but...think. I'm going to...make all of this right, but...if you kill me now...I can't fix anything."


Readied action; If Avy tries to bite me, Eris will use Investiture of the Abyss. Su: ftw!

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

Nadia, seeing the dhampir approaching the woman she was currently charged with protecting, steps forward, grabbing the man roughly by the shoulders and attempting to pull him away.
Get off of her!

Reposition Combat Maneuver, attempt to move Avy away from Eris?.
Combat Maneuver Check: [roll0]

[Desril]

Eris?

Not wanting Nadia to interfere, she does her best to wave her away without Avaricious noticing it. When the Lieutenant doesn't stop, however, she resorts to more obvious methods, swatting Nadia's hand away with her tail when she gets close, making her point clear. Leave him alone Lieutenant. Let him have this.

[Mornings]

With the sudden change of events, the Captain shook her head, coming out of her short bout of fascination with the demoness. It was clear the frail man was beginning to fray and come undone, like a worn rope under too much pressure. She crossed her arms, bringing her hands close to her sides. A familiar gesture. " Easy-there, lover-boy. You might not be a 'Pathfinder' by the record, but she's still a Magister of the State. Regardless of her....condition. As a betting women, I'd wager you're full of hot air. I'd wager, she knows more about what's going on then we sure do.... and If my hearing isn't failing me yet. It sounds like she knows how to stop..." She gesture's with her chin around the massive cavernous ruin of Heidmarch. " Whatever in all the hells caused 'this'..." The ground shook violently below them, cracks running through the molten stone expense. She tapped her foot on the ground. " ..Ah, and we can't forget our friend's down-stairs now can we. Considering your words from before my-lady-magister... It sounds like you know what's going on. It sounds like you know how to stop it, and it looks like you came prepared for it...whatever 'it' was. " She nodded towards the giggling trio of horned women in the air looking down on the side-show-spectacle. "...And you brought friends. Now...considering nothing today, at least that I can recall, has even looked remotely human, that has tried to tear off my head today.... save for that one bout with that necromancer you had, before you called that mage from...well.... that hole in the sky. I'd say, things have gone from bad, to worse, to complete sheit. In about the last half hour.... " She paused, clearing her throat...and her head. " So, dear, Avaricious... If you would be so kind. Feel free to explain how you came to your conclusion. But while you're at it. It'd be lovely if you could release our lovely Magister here. I've been around the block, and under it, more time's then I care to admit... and I'm gonna say, if she was WAS behind all of this. At least one of our spectators above would have came down to vaporize you like, whatever-the-hell this thing was supposed to be." She kicked at a piece of metal plate, that broke under the pressure, now rendered useless and brittle. She smiled. "...We're all having a hard time, but if all this has a solution. I'd rather get on with it and end this freak-show."

[Hattish Thing]

Eris?

While Avaricious has his breakdown, Eris turns away from Koriah briefly, hoping that by the time she's deal with the dhampir the new Venture-Captain will be as naked as she is. Heh, the poor bastard is at his limit. I should push him just a little more...break him and see what happens. I could use a pet with teeth...she quickly shakes her head, chasing away that thought. No, he needs to vent. Someone like him...I bet he needs control. For now at least, I'll let him work out his frustrations and try to calm him dow--wait, her thoughts are interrupted as the magic aura of the odd box that Avy stole hours ago reveals itself to her enhanced vision, What's that? Val, do you see it? I can't place its aura...strange...I'm not much of a thief, can you steal it off him without being caught?

Letting Avaricious put his hand around her neck, she looks down at him, grinning, Shame about the situation...if he'd push me down and get on top of me, this could be kind of hot...as it is, as weak as he is, it's too pathetic to be exciting. Luckily, the dhampir's grip isn't strong enough to completely cut off her voice as she speaks up, making it easy for her to sound like she's struggling. "I know...you're hurting, Avaricious...but I'm not...your enemy." She tries to calm him, "Attack me if...it will help you, but...think. I'm going to...make all of this right, but...if you kill me now...I can't fix anything."

Avaricious grabs her and continues to leave his hands on her throat, managing to get quite the hold on her despite his relatively small muscles, his dexterous hands finding pressure points, but not pushing on them particularly hard. He does speak to her though, his face close to hers, his crazed eyes staring into you. "I can almost see through you... I know it had to... Had..." He closes his eyes and turns his back on her, panting and breathing hard.

"Quiet... quiet.... calm."

"Calm..."

[Mornings]

Avaricious grabs her and continues to leave his hands on her throat, managing to get quite the hold on her despite his relatively small muscles, his dexterous hands finding pressure points, but not pushing on them particularly hard. He does speak to her though, his face close to hers, his crazed eyes staring into you. "I can almost see through you... I know it had to... Had..." He closes his eyes and turns his back on her, panting and breathing hard.

"Quiet... quiet.... calm."

"Calm..."

Koriah, smirked. " Much-obliged.... You look like hell, not that I can talk myself, and that's about as close as you can get with out fancy magic. ...I'd ask if you were 'ok', but no one is 'ok' right now... just try to keep it together for a little while longer." She looked to the Magister, " If you know how to end this madness, i'd like to start working on that. I don't know how much more everyone can take."

[Desril]

Eris?

As Avaricious lets her go, the magister pouts, wishing he'd been more forceful. And just as she was about to turn to Koriah to pick up where they left off, the new Venture-Captain cut her off, getting back to the world-ending business, causing Kestal'Fel to sigh.

"There's a...man...Astrok'Ru, who we will find to the West. I don't know how far, but he's somewhere in the city due west of us, and he can end this madnes." She holds up the Renor'anon, "I can't tell you exactly how, but from what I know of him, he's very powerful, powerful enough that both Arch-Magister Black and the Lady of Mornings told me that he could put a stop to Sin and for some reason he will barter for these. I intend to end this...insanity," she says, motioning out toward the smoking ruins, "and restore all that was lost since the storm hit this morning...which would include," she says sliding up to Koriah, "Former Venture-Captain Heidmarch."

I'm not going to wait any more. We have plenty of time, and I have to know what this body can really do! She whispers now, leaning into Koriah's back, "We still have most of the day to solve this...and everything's going to be fixed anyway. But wouldn't it be exciting...knowing that 'Venture-Captain Azermon' not only helped save the world...but got to be the first person to see what this new body of mine could do in the home of the former Venture-Captain? Can you imagine the look on Sheila's face if we did it in her dining room?" The succubus grins hungrily, her arms wrapping around Koriah's waist now, as she's clearly ready to give in to her desire, "I promise to be gentle...it's my first time, you know," she finishes in as seductive a tone as she can manage, not technically lying.


If possible; Take 20 on Perform (Seduction) for a [31]

If it isn't possible; Perform (Seduction) [roll0]

She is screwing something damnit!

[Kai927]

Jeska watched the exchange, not really sure how to handle the laughing mad Avaricious. She just keeps close and ready for if things turn south. After Avy calms down, seemingly with help from Koriah and Eris, Jeska relaxes a little as well. Then, once Eris starts flirting with Koriah, Jeska smirks a little. That, she knew how to deal with. "Now, now, duty first, playtime later." She comments, giving an almost friendly tap to Eris's back with her free hand as she starts heading west. "Shall we get going, or is there something else that needs to be done here first?"

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, the Wayward Sword

Nadia watches the Magister in horror as she grinds up on the Venture Captain. And then the other warrior they had rescued joins into the debacle!
LADIES! The world is ending right now! We do not have time for this!

[Desril]

Eris?

As Jeska taps the succubus, she uses her tail to grab the Grey Maiden's wrist and lower it down, turning to face her with a sultry smile, "There's a few things that need to be done here first, actually...and I would love to have you help with them."

Completely consumed by her new body's desires at this point, Nadia's interruption is an annoyance, as Eris' mind is currently only concerned with one issue, and it'd require more than a little annoyed voice to stop. Turning the focus of her lust toward Nadia even as she pulls Koriah against her and gently tugs on Jeska's arm with her tail, clearly wanting to take as many lovers as were willing right now and not expecting Koriah to mind. "Actually, Lieutenant, we have most of the day...everything has been chaos and explosions and doom for the last half hour. I think all of us could blow off a little steam. Fixing all this damage shouldn't take but a few minutes, but don't you want everyone to be thinking clearly when we find the man who can fix this in case we have to reason with him?"

Should Jeska resist, Eris will let her go, but otherwise she'll pull the armor-clad 'maiden' closer to her while fiddling with Koriah's trousers with one hand and beckoning to Nadia with the other, "You've all been through so much, all of us could use a little time to relax, why not let me help?"


Kai; Up to you if Jeska lets herself be pulled in. If she resists, she can break free of Eris' grip without issue. If she doesn't though...:smallwink:

[Vhaidara]

The Lady Nadia Vorns, The Wayward Sword

Nadia grits her teeth, but slowly takes a deep breath, and exhales.
Magister, I think your change is affecting your judgment. I am sorry.
Suddenly, her arm flashes out, two powerful jabs striking at Eris?'s neck and face.

Swift: Bronze Knuckle
Standard: Unarmed Flurry Strike (nonlethal)
Attack: [roll0]
Crit: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]+[roll3]
Crit: [roll4]

Attack: [roll5]
Crit: [roll6]
Damage: [roll7]+[roll8]
Crit: [roll9]

[Kai927]

Jeska pulls out of Eris's grasp. "Eris! There are things more important at hand than being consumed by base desire." Jeska begins, but is quickly interrupted by Nadia striking at Eris.

[iValkyrieX]

Nelrin'Fel

With his sisters words in mind, he grasps one of the ancient tomes labeled 'The Sword of Woe: Vessel of the Godeater' and stares at it in wonder. He thinks to himself "Shall I read them...or just let them be as sisters wish?" After his quick moment of indecision he flips open the front cover and begins to read the tome to himself.