Author Topic: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom  (Read 13204 times)

Offline Skyrock

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 1789
    • View Profile
Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« on: March 14, 2020, 04:10:07 PM »

Early morning in the Cathedral Ward of Chancel. As to be expected from such a posh and pious area, once you move past the inner gates and their Blue Guards, the streets and alleys are devoid of human life - especially on this unholy night of St. Fyodor's Eve.

Clusters of statues of saints can be found on every corner and niche, richly adorned with sacrifices to call down divine favour and protection on the donors - candles, coins, scented candles, flower bouquets, sticks of slowly burning incense, even a few pieces of wrapped candy that your warden Tanya hungrily eyes while rubbing her tummy, yet too fearful to take them for herself under the watchful eyes of the saintly statues.

Your target location is the well in Chandler Street near St. Nephemias' cemetery, to recover the bridesmaid Nadja Ovlova or whatever may remain of her. The question is, would you prefer to take your wards Tanya and Fuyuko with you, or would you rather park them somewhere and get them out of harm's way, even if that would mean losing sight of them?

Offline Skyrock

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 1789
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2020, 07:07:00 PM »
With there not being that many inns in Cathedral Ward that would check in guests so late at night, you take your wards Tanya and Fuyuko to a small chapel dedicated to St. Elusia, patron saint of artists and the young. An oddly fitting choice, that might give a little extra bit of protection even if you have little faith into the religion of this land.

To your surprise, the chapel is far from empty. There is a fairly big congregation, among which an angelic seeming man and a well-armed man of xitano heritage stand out as leaders of their respective groups.

(click to show/hide)

(click to show/hide)

Offline dman

  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 753
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2020, 10:08:39 AM »


The bright faced man is dressed simply for rough travel, but there's no mistaking his presence is magnetic. Over a score of sharp-eared craftsmen and angelic musicians are smiling - apparently engaged in some sort of game. The man nimbly jumps up onto the top edge of one of the pews sparking laughter from the crowd.  You observe an elaborate bow strapped to his back.

He notices you, bows, throws his arms out wide and calls out warmly "Welcome friends! The great saints of old and the smile of the divine shine upon you! It seems we're not the only ones up late worshipping on this fine night of St. Fyodors.  Come in!  Come in!  No doubt travelers such as yourselves at this hour are in need of succor. Cooks have some dinner left over and there's plenty of room in the circle."

The man hops down and strides over. "Forgive me. I am Hanchrevanu Kess Iljure III, but my friends call me Hank." He smiles sincerely, snaps his fingers, and extends his hand.  As he snaps the musicians begin to play


Offline Stratovarius

  • Forum Host
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 7678
  • Arhosan Emperor
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2020, 06:24:11 PM »
Karlat, for his part, casts his eyes over the new arrivals, but maintains a safe distance. He's looking for work, but it's best if he knows who and what he's working for first. There'd been too many examples of things turning out to be not what they seemed in this realm of theirs. But coin was always appreciated.

The men at his side, although the bows aren't drawn or even held vaguely threateningly, give an impression of being ready to shoot should the need arise. Karlat smiled at that, knowing he had trained them well.

For all his caution though, he does bow in the direction of those who have come to seek shelter. It is better to be polite when the cost is nothing at all.

Offline skydragonknight

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 2660
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2020, 10:33:39 PM »
With Tanya secure elsewhere, Mist can 'talk shop' without unnerving the client.

The short, raven-haired woman addressed the chatty fellow first. "I am Mist and I must decline the offer of friendship Hank. Our goals are merely intercepting at this point in time and after the unkind work is done a kind soul such as yourself you should forget about me."

She then looks as Karlat. "Hired muscle, excellent. And seemingly a man of discretion as well. I trust the coin that was mentioned is enough to buy silence from you and your men, Mr...?"
Hmm.

Offline Stratovarius

  • Forum Host
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 7678
  • Arhosan Emperor
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2020, 07:10:52 AM »
"Don't mistake me for just muscle, ma'am." Karlat turns on his charm as he speaks, letting it wash over Mist. "And yes, the contract is sufficient. Or I wouldn't be standing here."

(click to show/hide)

Offline skydragonknight

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 2660
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2020, 07:23:06 AM »
Mist smiles politely. "You must be popular with the ladies." she says before explaining the current situation. They were seeking evidence that would give Tanya her rightful inheritance.
Hmm.

Offline Stratovarius

  • Forum Host
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 7678
  • Arhosan Emperor
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2020, 07:45:15 AM »
Karlat listens politely as she speaks. At the end, he asks, "And what is it you'd require from me? For the moment, anyway."

Offline skydragonknight

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 2660
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2020, 04:34:45 PM »
"One does not simply elevate a person to noble status without a certain degree of....resistance."
Hmm.

Offline Stratovarius

  • Forum Host
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 7678
  • Arhosan Emperor
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2020, 05:22:01 PM »
"I see. Do we have details on what form the obstinacy might take?"

Offline Skyrock

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 1789
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #10 on: April 08, 2020, 09:04:51 AM »
After having got to know each other and having found a haven for Fuyuko and Tanya for now, you get on your more or less merry way towards St. Nephemias' cemetery. You soon locate the dry well in Chandler Street, and find the rope and bucket still sturdy enough to descend it. Once you reach the bottom, you can't find any body - but a breakthrough in the wall leading towards beneath the cemetery.

The atmosphere here is cold, clammy and slightly damp.

(click to show/hide)

Offline skydragonknight

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 2660
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #11 on: April 08, 2020, 09:17:02 AM »
Mist peeks her head around the corner into the cavern, but lets the better-armored individuals step in first.

(click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: April 08, 2020, 09:22:55 AM by skydragonknight »
Hmm.

Offline Skyrock

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 1789
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #12 on: April 08, 2020, 09:30:54 AM »
Mist hears or senses nothing special from her current location.

Offline Stratovarius

  • Forum Host
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 7678
  • Arhosan Emperor
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2020, 09:34:38 AM »
Shaking his head as he examines the situation, Karlat gestures for Cwalu and Saethur to stay back while he examines the ground. When he stands, he flicks a hand and a sickly green magic washes over all those in his presence, his companions nodding tightly to their commander as they understand what that means. Always watchful, their eyes and ears hunt for targets, the heavy warbows they carried readied for danger.

« Last Edit: April 08, 2020, 09:59:30 AM by Stratovarius »

Offline Skyrock

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 1789
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2020, 09:45:43 AM »
Karlat finds some tracks that seem canine, but too large for that - ghouls, or maybe ghasts. There are three of them, their trail is about three days old, and it leads further down the eastern tunnel.

Saethur hears faint sounds of scratching and falling dirt coming from further east.
« Last Edit: April 08, 2020, 10:00:53 AM by Skyrock »

Offline dman

  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 753
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #15 on: April 08, 2020, 12:06:49 PM »
"Can someone explain to me what we're doing down here? -  Look sharp everyone. Light bless us and protect us. We're on the hunt." 
(click to show/hide)

If you don't mind, gentlemen. The only thing I enjoy more than seeing a soul redeemed is stalking those who would harm them. He inspects the ground next to Karlat. 
(click to show/hide)

He draws his exotic bow and knocks an extra arrow.

Telepathically to Mist:
(click to show/hide)


« Last Edit: April 08, 2020, 09:08:35 PM by dman »

Offline Raineh Daze

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 10577
  • hi
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #16 on: April 08, 2020, 10:41:00 PM »
Yuki works a crick out of her neck, looking towards the darkness. "We are looking for a body. Not a secret passage... hm. Should I perform reconnaissance?"

She was, after all, a stealth specialist.

(click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: April 08, 2020, 10:55:11 PM by Raineh Daze »

Offline Skyrock

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 1789
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #17 on: April 09, 2020, 10:54:09 AM »
Yuki checks into the southern and eastern hallways. Everything is quiet to the south, while to the east she hears the same faint scratching noises that her comrades have noticed earlier. She also notices that the frequency of the scratching noises suddenly decreases, and instead are enriched by the sound of quiet, slow steps. Something is trying to sneak up on her from the east. The party will have guests soon.

Offline dman

  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 753
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #18 on: April 09, 2020, 11:54:54 PM »
You sense Hank's mind sharpen into an eerie heightened calm like he's done this a thousand times. His breathing slows.

Дейвид, Calim, Salverus - stay back.  Salverus, get ready to shoot when you see trouble.

Hank creeps out, sidles up against the wall, and takes aim down the cavern.

(click to show/hide)

Just before we hit them I'll cut off the mind speak and inspire strength of arms to better perforate our quarry.



Offline Skyrock

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 1789
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 2 - Race to the bottom
« Reply #19 on: April 16, 2020, 01:08:27 PM »
Bracing yourself for the approach of the creature, you look at the corridor. A human-sized encrusted with grave earth creature shuffles towards you, it posture slouched, its skin of a greenish hue and with canine claws and fangs. Shortly behind it, you can guess at two more of its kind following up.

(click to show/hide)