The Coup D'état of Redwood City (IC)

[Slay33]

((This is the IC thread for The Coup D'état of Redwood City. All posts here must be made in character or moved to the OOC thread))

OOC Thread: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?531010-The-Coup-D-%E9tat-of-Redwood-City-(OOC)&p=22217640#post22217640

Sunlight glows dim as dusk approaches on the cool, autumn evening. Fallen crimson and faded scarlet leaves cover most of the ground, concealing the goldish hue of the grass, unique to the region of Redwood. Some of the leaves are carried in clusters by the light winds, forming small and brief scarlet cyclones that would disperse and add to the massive cover of dark red already settled upon the ground. The redwood trees swayed lightly with each gust of wind, regardless of the strength. This only served to add more shades of crimson to the wind as leaves left their branches, carried away briefly before gently floating down to the earth, covering what gold patches of grass remained visible.

The slight aroma of vanilla is carried within each gust of wind, leaving behind a lingering scent which fills the air around the campsite. Whatever sunlight that was previously breaking it's way through the cover of crimson leaves has all but faded as the bright and visible glow of the fully rounded moon now shines through in it's place, the only other glow being that of a faintly burning campfire, it's flames nearly done cooking whatever had been left over it to roast.

The previously frequent gusts of wind now come in random intervals, with less duration and more force, kicking up the leaves and harassing the flames within the small circle of stones, renewing the faint vanilla scent already lingering within the air. The cool air now chills slightly, bringing with it the sounds of small animals stirring about in the leaves, returning to their dens and nests for the night, escaping the chilled air as they return to their known places of warmth and comfort. This is the second night the party has camped together.

(What do you do?)

[Celticbear]

Jonas rubs his gloved left hand, the one where his infernal mark was laid all those years ago. He has yet to reveal this mark to the party, and has no intention to until he deems these people trustworthy. Jonas himself is silent, warming his old bones on the fire.

[JNAProductions]

Elytra looks around, eyes bright as diamonds. She seems eager, though not sure for what. Jonas-is that how I should refer to you? I feel we don't know each other well enough for me to call you Jo-Jo, she says with a laugh, but I would like to do so. Not that I need to give you a nickname-but I'm interested in getting to know you better.

[Space Lawyer]

Master Hyren stands up in a fluid motion from where he had been sitting by the campfire. It was always strange how monks could do that, with no sounds of joints popping or tendons stretching. He seems at ease here, as if he had always been here, one with the forest and the world around him.

"I believe tonight would be an auspicious night for action, were we of a mind to undertake any. The winds herald change."
Monks speaking in mysticism. Nothing strange about that.

[Slay33]

The wind begins to come in longer intervals, but with the same amount of force. The flames previously harassed by the powerful gusts were now left to cook freely, wrapping it's glow around the spit. The meat left over the flames now gave off the alluring smell of a freshly cooked meal.
The meat is prepared, The strong aroma fills the air alongside the vanilla scent already lingering.

The bushes begin to rustle towards the outer edge of the camp, signaling some sort of activity.

[JNAProductions]

Hm? You guys hear that? Elytra asks.

[Celticbear]

Jonas sighs at the golem's attempts at friendship, yet with the change in atmosphere he perks up.

It is not just you. Something is in the bushes, though it could just be a small animal of some sort. rasps Jonas. The disguise ring he wears does wonders towards how he looks, though the damage to his lungs will be ever present.

[JNAProductions]

If it is, I have just the trick! Elytra says, drawing her flute. She holds it over the flames, letting it gather a small charge of energy, and then begins to play a sweet melody on it. It's soothing and enticing, with just a hint of magic to it.

Putting some spellwork into it. Nothing major-just something to put everyone at ease and lure anything unintelligent, like bunnies or deer, towards us.

...

Reading that, it sounds like a bad plan. But SCREW IT! :P

[Slay33]

If it is, I have just the trick! Elytra says, drawing her flute. She holds it over the flames, letting it gather a small charge of energy, and then begins to play a sweet melody on it. It's soothing and enticing, with just a hint of magic to it.

Putting some spellwork into it. Nothing major-just something to put everyone at ease and lure anything unintelligent, like bunnies or deer, towards us.

...

Reading that, it sounds like a bad plan. But SCREW IT! :P

The disturbance is the bushes continues to move, though at an increased pace. While the flute did appear to have some sort of effect on whatever may be within the bushes, it did not succeed as a lure.

[Space Lawyer]

"If you would please come out of the bushes, we bear you no ill will." Presumably. If whatever was in the bushes proved to be hostile, that situation would change rapidly.

Hyren walks towards the bushes, staff in hand. Had he always had it with him? He must have; staffs didn't just appear out of nowhere. He begins chanting, a prayer of protection and harmony. A soft golden glow surrounds the party then fades inwards. It wasn't much, just enough to ward off any casual blows.

[Slay33]

From the bushes, snarling slowly becomes audible. Out from the bushes leaps a wolf, slightly smaller in size and build than normal wolves of it's species. The wolf has various scars across it's body along with a spiked collar, signaling that it is being used as an attack beast for someone, or something.

The wolf leaps towards Hyren, opening it's mouth for a bite and aiming for the monk's left arm.

In the distance, the same direction the disturbance in the bushes came from, movement can be heard along with the clanking of multiple sets of heavy armor. Whatever is moving is moving fast, and together.

[JNAProductions]

Elytra starts as the wolf attacks, but leaps into action, heading for where Hyren is and going to bash the wolf's head in. While she might not be particularly well-trained in the art of war, her body is built to be strong and tough.

[Space Lawyer]

Hyren drops into a low stance and leans back from the wolf's path. As it continues forward, he reaches out to grasp it by the ruff and rump. Utilizing the beast's own momentum, he spins it around and slams it to the ground. A quick jab between the eyes completes the attack, leaving the creature stunned. "Rest, friend. No need to fight us."

He stands and spins his staff around. "As for you in the bushes, I am feeling somewhat less merciful. I do not care for those who use others in their pursuit of violence."

[Celticbear]

Jonas pulls a dagger from his belt. Men in heavy armor where either guardsman or inquisitors, and neither of those groups were to Jonas's liking. He couldn't pull any magic without putting a big red target on his chest.

[JNAProductions]

Stunned by Hyren's quick movements, Elytra takes a moment to steady herself. Right. Um, we... Should I just try to look menacing? she whispers, not being used to conflict.

[Slay33]

The wolf whimpers and falls unconscious from the strike.

In the distance, the clanking of armor becomes more audible as it approaches. Voices can be heard being raised as the clanking spreads further, as if it were breaking off into different groups.

[Space Lawyer]

Hyren shuffles backwards, taking up a position with the other two. "Elytra, if you would so kind as to sing another song for our unwelcome guests. I have heard that a bard's voice can dull the senses and slow the body." The monk really had no desire to seriously harm these men. Many of them were probably just underlings, given pay in exchange for carrying out violence and thuggery. They may have taken the road of evil, but killing them would deprive them of the chance to turn away from that path. Of course, a thorough thrashing would also help them see the error of their ways.

[JNAProductions]

Right! Elytra says, before lifting her flute to her mouth. She moves as she does to stand in the flames-while prolonged contact with fire is obviously not good for her crystalline form, the heat will empower her flute and not cause damage so long as she leaves before too long.

She begins with a quick trill, designed to capture attention, before fading into a slow and delicate tune, purposeful and lazy.

Doing what Hyren suggested, and simply imposing foggy minds and dulled reflexes on our attackers.

[Celticbear]

Jonas goes into a defensive stance with his knife.

[Slay33]

From the cover of the trees, three large figures clad in dark, heavy iron armor reveal themselves. They seem distracted in a way, as if they are having a hard time focusing due to the magic disturbance in the air. Two of them are holding rusted, poorly crafted longswords while the one in the middle holds a crossbow.

They are stunned and currently unable to raise their weapons.

The clanking in the distance becomes less audible as it increases in distance, presumably pursuing another interest.

[Space Lawyer]

"I apologize for the violence I am to inflict on you, my wayward kin."

Hyren charges at the orc holding the crossbow. An open palm darts upward, smashing the crossbow against the warrior's armored chest. At the same time, Hyren places a foot behind the warrior's leg. His hand continues onward, shoving the stunned warrior over his leg and onto the ground. The crossbow lays shattered, a proper metaphor for those who rely on external objects for power.

[Celticbear]

Jonas ducks for cover. A knife against Orks? No way. If he casts a spell though, that may make his new friends... uncomfortable in the least.

[JNAProductions]

Elytra continues her playing, stepping out of the flames (having gathered enough heat to keep the flute going for a good while).

[Slay33]

The orc's eyes widen, his weapon shattered to pieces. Already stunned from the sound of the flute,
the orc stumbles back and drops to a knee, vulnerable.

The warrior falls to the ground with a thud, dropping his sword as his defense is broken.

The orc dashes towards Hyren, aiming to ram him with a shoulder charge.

[JNAProductions]

Elytra, seeing the orc charge for Hyren, moves to intercept him. Her melody, which up till now has been peaceful and drowsy, suddenly takes a sharp turn, to dissonant and aggressive, focused entirely on the charging orc.

[Slay33]

The orc stumbles over himself, dropping his weapon and attempting to cover his ears, his charge being stopped almost instantaneously.

[Space Lawyer]

Hyren begins a new chant, one of aggression and battle. He begins to spin his staff, faster and faster until it is a blur of wood and flowing blue. "Flow as the water, strike as the wave."
He lashes out with his staff, smashing the tip right into the center of the crossbowman's breastplate. Armor and ribs shatter under the force of the impact. He turns and sweeps with his staff again, right into the shins of the warrior who had become the focus of Elytra's song. There is a wet snapping sound as the orc's legs break under him.

None of these injuries would be necessarily fatal, certainly not to an orc . . . but they would be quite painful and debilitating.

[Slay33]

The orcs lay broken and beaten across the ground, defeated. A wind pierces through the forest, blowing aggressively for half a minute before almost instantly coming to a halt. In the distance, armor clanking can be heard approaching, much larger in number and force than the previous clanking which emerged from the bushes,

There are two paths that connect to the main road. Both paths are significantly different, but at the end of both is a connection to the main road, which leads to Redwood City.

The first path is heavy in forest covering, and the path remains dark even throughout daylight hours, due to the massive overgrowth. The path is passable, however, will require a form of lighting to navigate through.

The second path is has no covering whatsoever, and is completely exposed to the moonlight. This path is also a quicker route to the main road.

Aside from the paths, the campsite at which the party is currently located is a pretty decently sized opening. There are some tents for cover, some rocks and short ledges for acrobatic movements and a fire, though burning low.

What do you do?

[JNAProductions]

Right. Anyone have rope? Elytra asks. We should probably tie these guys up, and maybe bring them in? You know, to the city, to be arrested, or something?