***He tries to remember a matching description to the beast from his studies at the monistary.***
History: 18
[Nice try, but wrong speciality: There's so many different beasts and monsters from History that might fit the vague description you've got to work with.]
Images of Tuu'Saayn flash in Torm's mind. The rage within him boils like an apothecary's cauldron over a hearth.
Without breaking stride, Torm executes a soldier's 90-degree pivot on his heel and marches directly to the stall. Reaching over and clutching the vendor by the shoulders, Torm yanks the whisperer forward.
Staring eye to eye, with clenched teeth Torm describes his monk friend to the bigot.
With a primal snarl, Torm shoves the vendor back into his stall.
He steadies himself for a moment, nostrils flaring with every audible snort of an exhale, trying to process the recent events--Gus's eyewitness details of the fiend, Tuu's internal battle with an unseen entity, random outbursts of exaggerated chaos erupting throughout the market, a multitude of unjustified death and destruction, the complete lack of law enforcement.
I need to find Tuu'Saayn and Gryn.
With one last look of disgust at the disgraceful vendor, Torm turns and continues toward the west and the well.
[He was if you want him to be - That's not a scene I need to firewall. And if Gryn doesn't show up tomorrow, you can go look for Regith, who is effectively an NPC Cleric now!]
The vendor's eyes suddenly were the size of dinner plates. He took a half step back as Torm shot him a look of utter disgust. If the man wasn't already standing in a puddle of his own panic he surely was when the red skinned freak himself appeared a few steps behind the angry paladin. Torm felt a hand come to rest on his left shoulder.
"I saw the weird hell spawn near the fire. The fool was dancing through the spreading flame, breaking a line of safety through the wreckage with his bare hands."
A look of sincerity and deep concern met the shock and horror on the merchant's face. He removed his hand and pointed back to the tavern, making sure the man could see the shredded knuckles, blistered skin, and numerous small cuts.
"The sneaky devil was tending to the wounded in the tavern a minute ago. With any luck we can catch and interrogate him there."
He shot Torm a half-hearted grin and motioned for the paladin to lead on. As they walked to rejoin their companions he shared his thoughts.
"His judgement is not worth my energy to combat. My master of philosophy once asked me who is the greater fool? The fool, or the man who argues with him? I learned much in my time in training. We cannot control the thoughts or actions of others, but we can control our reactions. That fool will learn from this or he will not. I will remain Tuu'Saayn either way. But thank you none the less."
He stops for a moment, looking directly into Torm's eyes. He looked beyond the resting anger face and saw the friend. He brought his hands together in front of his chest, left palm pushing against right fist. His head dipped low as he leaned forward, offering Torm a formal bow signifying deep respect.
He stood gracefully and waved his arm outward in a decidedly 'lead on' motion. He would certainly encounter more like the prejudice vendor, but would not be facing them alone.
The wrath emanating from Torm, which could almost be felt like the heat wafting outside a blacksmith's shop, noticeably dissipated as Tuu'Saayn spoke. As the monk bowed, Torm's usual scowl and furrowed browed slackened, feeling unworthy to be the recipient of such a display.
In response to the bow, Torm raises his opened sword hand and lays it across the heart side of his chest, lowers his head and whispers, "Helm guide you and protect you."
Lifting his head up, the usual downset scowl and determined look has returned to his face. For a moment, one corner of his mouth lifts in what may be a smirk.
"You know," he says, "I think that coward was more terrified by you than he ever was of me."
With that, any semblance of humor disappears. "Come, let us find Gryn and figure out what true devil is causing this chaos."
***OOC: I'm going to be offline for most of this weekend. Feel free to use authorial intervention for Torm's sourpuss character if necessary to keep the narrative moving.***
"You know," he says, "I think that coward was more terrified by you than he ever was of me."
With that, any semblance of humor disappears. "Come, let us find Gryn and figure out what true devil is causing this chaos."
Torm could certainly inspire fear, even terror - but what Tuu'Saayn had done had left the man ashamed - which might even lead to him changing his ways: Something fear was unlikely to accomplish.
The pair searched the road to the west, finding no sign of the Halfling Priest, and circled round to the South road - still with no sign of Grynn, but they did find Regith, praying at the roadside shrine. He listened to their stories, asked a few questions and then listed what he felt were the main points
"So: A large creature, but not huge enough to be a Dragon. Two legs, massive wingspan, and strong enough to carry four bodies. I, too had heard a voice in my head, seeking answers - I refused to respond to it, and I am glad I did so. The offerings of deals are as suggestive as the use of a fireball:
I believe it to be a fiend of some sort, probably a Devil from Hell - Not one of the Lords themselves, but if it sees itself as a Knight, it must be high in their ranks
Even speaking to such a being is to risk your soul - though they are bound by their laws, and by any commands of their summoner on this plane, they are always eager to claim the souls of the corrupted: Bringing an early end to such damned souls gains them great reward from the powers of hell - thus they seek to turn mortals to their path, as souls not already damned to the Nine Hells are useless to them.
They are creatures of rules and laws - evil they may be, but their word is their bond."
Regith returns to his prayers, leaving Torm and TuuSaayn to their thoughts
[ooc: Helpful chunk of Religious Lore, but an NPC isn't going to actually help solve your problems - that's why we have Player Characters]
[OOC: Where is Gus? There was mention of firewalling a scene, which I took as inadvertently posted something I shouldn't have. So, I have been laying low waiting for him to pop up in narration but he hasn't.]
[Gus is wherever you want him - Tuu'Saayn wanted to pop up in Torm's scene and surprise the dumb merchant, and I said that was fine.He can have met Torm and TuuSaayn on the road naturally enough.]
Tuu'Saayn nods to Regith in gratitude for the information.
"The puzzle pieces begin to take shape on the board. The Watch, to a man, left the Market, all exits have been locked, the well, which is cleaner than it should be, was double padlocked, the council was summoned to meet, a devil has been trying to temp us, and said devil just torched the Market and flew off with the charred remains of the council. Something wanted this to happen, but why? Who could put this all together, and what is the gain?"
Tuu'Saayn spoke his thoughts aloud, organizing them in his mind as much as laying then out for discussion. He poured over the information that they knew, llistening to his companions thoughts and trying to piece together the clues.
Gryn hears Gus calling out to Ivor Buckets and convincing him to arrange a bucket brigade. In order to help Gryn goes off in search of buckets and pails so that every member of the bucket brigade will have something to fetch water with.
Perception: 18
"Here's a bunch of buckets and pails for everyone and the gates to the well have been... opened!" Gryn shouts out to everyone as he begins passing out the supply of items to carry water.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
Gryn hears Gus calling out to Ivor Buckets and convincing him to arrange a bucket brigade. In order to help Gryn goes off in search of buckets and pails so that every member of the bucket brigade will have something to fetch water with.
Perception: 18
"Here's a bunch of buckets and pails for everyone and the gates to the well have been... opened!" Gryn shouts out to everyone as he begins passing out the supply of items to carry water.
The bucket chain had extinguished the spreading blaze, the brigade members turning to help recover bodies, and sweep the remains of smouldering stalls from the grounds.
Gryn, wandering alone and unaware of all his companions have learned, does hear the sounds of a deep, rhythmic thumping, coming from the direction of the North Gate, along with the sounds of shouting:
"There's noises coming from the direction of the North gate!"
Gryn looks around but doesn't see anyone from his group immediately near him.
"If anyone wants me, Gryn, I'll be investigating whatever's going on at the North Gate!"
With that he heads off in that direction.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
"If anyone wants me, Gryn, I'll be investigating whatever's going on at the North Gate!"
[Gryn needs to roll a D20 (DEX) saving throw...]
At the North Gate, Gryn sees the man who passed him earlier, running from the first fireball: Standing shouting encouragement to eight others wielding a huge piece of wood as a battering ram against the Portcullis.
As he watches, a bright light descends from above, and he hears that 'Whumph' sound again, as the world explodes into light.
25
[From the South Road, the Fireball is not even audible - but the burst of light illuminates the entire Night Market]
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
Tuu'Saayn didn't need to hear the low roar, the brilliant flash of light to the north told him all that he needed to know.
"Gods help us," he said softly. "I had hoped that the council was the main course, but it looks like this is more than just "restructuring", as the young messenger put it." Tuu'Saayn braced himself for the inevitable, the screams of pain; the white hot pain of the fire itself, but, somehow almost worse, the screams of grief. "We need the buckets to flow again, to at least buy us some time. I don't think that anyone is meant to leave this place; save those willing to sell their soul for the privilege. They plan on cleansing this place with fire and and start over right on top of our charred bones. I had hoped that the council was his objective, but it looks like whoever his master is wants to watch it all burn."
Tuu'Saayn called once again on his infernal heritage, his voice boomed out, enhance by magic, "Water to the North Gate! Ivor, lead the brigade! Help the wounded to the tavern! Gus and Gryn, meet us at the South Road Gate!" ***Tuu'Saayn casts thaumaturgy***
The Tiefling generally liked to be right, but his prophetic words to Janet earlier just in case... seemed more like foreshadowing than a lucky guess. The thought made his stomach churn, but did not slow his momentum. "We need to get that gate open. All who remain within these walls will surely perish. Torm, do you think that there is a secret way out through the Watch House?" With that, Tuu'Saayn was off like a flash, tail trailing out behind him like a cheetah in chase.
***OoC: he looks for a locking mechanism or another way to open the portcullis and or gate.***
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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[Nice try, but wrong speciality: There's so many different beasts and monsters from History that might fit the vague description you've got to work with.]
" . . . the red skinned freak!"
Images of Tuu'Saayn flash in Torm's mind. The rage within him boils like an apothecary's cauldron over a hearth.
Without breaking stride, Torm executes a soldier's 90-degree pivot on his heel and marches directly to the stall. Reaching over and clutching the vendor by the shoulders, Torm yanks the whisperer forward.
Staring eye to eye, with clenched teeth Torm describes his monk friend to the bigot.
"Is that the 'red-skinned freak' you saw?"
"Yeah. That sounds like the guy - a Weirdo."
With a primal snarl, Torm shoves the vendor back into his stall.
He steadies himself for a moment, nostrils flaring with every audible snort of an exhale, trying to process the recent events--Gus's eyewitness details of the fiend, Tuu's internal battle with an unseen entity, random outbursts of exaggerated chaos erupting throughout the market, a multitude of unjustified death and destruction, the complete lack of law enforcement.
I need to find Tuu'Saayn and Gryn.
With one last look of disgust at the disgraceful vendor, Torm turns and continues toward the west and the well.
***OoC: was Tuu'Saayn close enough to catch any of that exchange between Torm and the dude that doesn't much like Tieflings?***
[He was if you want him to be - That's not a scene I need to firewall. And if Gryn doesn't show up tomorrow, you can go look for Regith, who is effectively an NPC Cleric now!]
The vendor's eyes suddenly were the size of dinner plates. He took a half step back as Torm shot him a look of utter disgust. If the man wasn't already standing in a puddle of his own panic he surely was when the red skinned freak himself appeared a few steps behind the angry paladin. Torm felt a hand come to rest on his left shoulder.
"I saw the weird hell spawn near the fire. The fool was dancing through the spreading flame, breaking a line of safety through the wreckage with his bare hands."
A look of sincerity and deep concern met the shock and horror on the merchant's face. He removed his hand and pointed back to the tavern, making sure the man could see the shredded knuckles, blistered skin, and numerous small cuts.
"The sneaky devil was tending to the wounded in the tavern a minute ago. With any luck we can catch and interrogate him there."
He shot Torm a half-hearted grin and motioned for the paladin to lead on. As they walked to rejoin their companions he shared his thoughts.
"His judgement is not worth my energy to combat. My master of philosophy once asked me who is the greater fool? The fool, or the man who argues with him? I learned much in my time in training. We cannot control the thoughts or actions of others, but we can control our reactions. That fool will learn from this or he will not. I will remain Tuu'Saayn either way. But thank you none the less."
He stops for a moment, looking directly into Torm's eyes. He looked beyond the resting anger face and saw the friend. He brought his hands together in front of his chest, left palm pushing against right fist. His head dipped low as he leaned forward, offering Torm a formal bow signifying deep respect.
He stood gracefully and waved his arm outward in a decidedly 'lead on' motion. He would certainly encounter more like the prejudice vendor, but would not be facing them alone.
The wrath emanating from Torm, which could almost be felt like the heat wafting outside a blacksmith's shop, noticeably dissipated as Tuu'Saayn spoke. As the monk bowed, Torm's usual scowl and furrowed browed slackened, feeling unworthy to be the recipient of such a display.
In response to the bow, Torm raises his opened sword hand and lays it across the heart side of his chest, lowers his head and whispers, "Helm guide you and protect you."
Lifting his head up, the usual downset scowl and determined look has returned to his face. For a moment, one corner of his mouth lifts in what may be a smirk.
"You know," he says, "I think that coward was more terrified by you than he ever was of me."
With that, any semblance of humor disappears. "Come, let us find Gryn and figure out what true devil is causing this chaos."
***OOC: I'm going to be offline for most of this weekend. Feel free to use authorial intervention for Torm's sourpuss character if necessary to keep the narrative moving.***
Torm could certainly inspire fear, even terror - but what Tuu'Saayn had done had left the man ashamed - which might even lead to him changing his ways: Something fear was unlikely to accomplish.
The pair searched the road to the west, finding no sign of the Halfling Priest, and circled round to the South road - still with no sign of Grynn, but they did find Regith, praying at the roadside shrine. He listened to their stories, asked a few questions and then listed what he felt were the main points
"So: A large creature, but not huge enough to be a Dragon. Two legs, massive wingspan, and strong enough to carry four bodies.
I, too had heard a voice in my head, seeking answers - I refused to respond to it, and I am glad I did so.
The offerings of deals are as suggestive as the use of a fireball:
I believe it to be a fiend of some sort, probably a Devil from Hell - Not one of the Lords themselves, but if it sees itself as a Knight, it must be high in their ranks
Even speaking to such a being is to risk your soul - though they are bound by their laws, and by any commands of their summoner on this plane, they are always eager to claim the souls of the corrupted: Bringing an early end to such damned souls gains them great reward from the powers of hell - thus they seek to turn mortals to their path, as souls not already damned to the Nine Hells are useless to them.
They are creatures of rules and laws - evil they may be, but their word is their bond."
Regith returns to his prayers, leaving Torm and TuuSaayn to their thoughts
[ooc: Helpful chunk of Religious Lore, but an NPC isn't going to actually help solve your problems - that's why we have Player Characters]
[OOC: Where is Gus? There was mention of firewalling a scene, which I took as inadvertently posted something I shouldn't have. So, I have been laying low waiting for him to pop up in narration but he hasn't.]
[Gus is wherever you want him - Tuu'Saayn wanted to pop up in Torm's scene and surprise the dumb merchant, and I said that was fine.He can have met Torm and TuuSaayn on the road naturally enough.]
Tuu'Saayn nods to Regith in gratitude for the information.
"The puzzle pieces begin to take shape on the board. The Watch, to a man, left the Market, all exits have been locked, the well, which is cleaner than it should be, was double padlocked, the council was summoned to meet, a devil has been trying to temp us, and said devil just torched the Market and flew off with the charred remains of the council. Something wanted this to happen, but why? Who could put this all together, and what is the gain?"
Tuu'Saayn spoke his thoughts aloud, organizing them in his mind as much as laying then out for discussion. He poured over the information that they knew, llistening to his companions thoughts and trying to piece together the clues.
Investigation: 3 ***OoC (maybe IC too) f word***
Gryn hears Gus calling out to Ivor Buckets and convincing him to arrange a bucket brigade. In order to help Gryn goes off in search of buckets and pails so that every member of the bucket brigade will have something to fetch water with.
Perception: 18
"Here's a bunch of buckets and pails for everyone and the gates to the well have been... opened!" Gryn shouts out to everyone as he begins passing out the supply of items to carry water.
[Ouch: The Gods of Dice are *not* with us. Luckily, you don't need them: Go back and read the clues, you'll be able to work it all out.]
Tuu'Saayn struggled with the fog of memory. The Beast had told him its plan
And what else had it said? If it was summoned and bound to obey, was there any limit to what it would do and where it could go?
The bucket chain had extinguished the spreading blaze, the brigade members turning to help recover bodies, and sweep the remains of smouldering stalls from the grounds.
Gryn, wandering alone and unaware of all his companions have learned, does hear the sounds of a deep, rhythmic thumping, coming from the direction of the North Gate, along with the sounds of shouting:
"And again, Lads, Heave!" THUMP
"There's noises coming from the direction of the North gate!"
Gryn looks around but doesn't see anyone from his group immediately near him.
"If anyone wants me, Gryn, I'll be investigating whatever's going on at the North Gate!"
With that he heads off in that direction.
[Gryn needs to roll a D20 (DEX) saving throw...]
At the North Gate, Gryn sees the man who passed him earlier, running from the first fireball: Standing shouting encouragement to eight others wielding a huge piece of wood as a battering ram against the Portcullis.
As he watches, a bright light descends from above, and he hears that 'Whumph' sound again, as the world explodes into light.
25
[From the South Road, the Fireball is not even audible - but the burst of light illuminates the entire Night Market]
Gryn's DEX: 15
[Ah. We'll have to come back to Gryn, assuming the rest of the party eventually find him...]
Tuu'Saayn didn't need to hear the low roar, the brilliant flash of light to the north told him all that he needed to know.
"Gods help us," he said softly. "I had hoped that the council was the main course, but it looks like this is more than just "restructuring", as the young messenger put it." Tuu'Saayn braced himself for the inevitable, the screams of pain; the white hot pain of the fire itself, but, somehow almost worse, the screams of grief. "We need the buckets to flow again, to at least buy us some time. I don't think that anyone is meant to leave this place; save those willing to sell their soul for the privilege. They plan on cleansing this place with fire and and start over right on top of our charred bones. I had hoped that the council was his objective, but it looks like whoever his master is wants to watch it all burn."
Tuu'Saayn called once again on his infernal heritage, his voice boomed out, enhance by magic, "Water to the North Gate! Ivor, lead the brigade! Help the wounded to the tavern! Gus and Gryn, meet us at the South Road Gate!" ***Tuu'Saayn casts thaumaturgy***
The Tiefling generally liked to be right, but his prophetic words to Janet earlier just in case... seemed more like foreshadowing than a lucky guess. The thought made his stomach churn, but did not slow his momentum. "We need to get that gate open. All who remain within these walls will surely perish. Torm, do you think that there is a secret way out through the Watch House?" With that, Tuu'Saayn was off like a flash, tail trailing out behind him like a cheetah in chase.
***OoC: he looks for a locking mechanism or another way to open the portcullis and or gate.***