Diurn holds his ground and ferociously strikes again.
He may have hit something vital.
Sir Adolphus quickly regains his footing, planting his feet more firmly. He nods to the priest in gratitude.
He looks down at the blood and says to the thug. "See what your foolishness has wrought. You must be very willing to die for your beliefs."
With that, he swings with ferocity once more, hoping to end this battle and restore peace to the streets.
for
Darthal draws his dagger. If Thug #2 is still in the same position, he takes a 5' step to flank and attacks him. Otherwise he moves to flank Thug #3 (if possible without provoking an attack of opportunity from #2)
Dorian looks down the alley to see if he has an open shot with his crossbow yet, but with the large cleric taking up the entire width between the two buildings he feels it might be safer to hold off.
"Well hot damn there!" Dreygard excitedly exclaims to the thug. "Looks like you be the runt." Dreygard then turns to the priest. "I think this'll be wrapped up shortly. What the hell do they want with you and this orphanage? Can I help?"
Looking up from having stabilized one of the priest's assailants, Valamont sees no effective way to get through the tight alley to the thug at the far end. "Yes, mother, I think you're right. That gigantic man probably has things well in hand. I think I heard one of that Luc fellow's hand-cannon explosions too, so I'm sure they're set."
Valamont remains kneeling by the unconscious thug and begins patting him down and searching the ruffian. "Let's see if you've got anything more identifying on you than some silly face paint."
Luc shouts to the dwarf, "Step to the southwest! He can't effectively defend himself from both sides!"
Diurn nimbly weaves his flail through a hole in the thug's defenses and with a triumphant yell smashes it into the thug's head. Blood, bits of broken bone, and brainmatter burst from the ruined head, covering all those nearby, and the thug drops to the ground, lifeless. With a nod to Luc, Diurn says, "That won't be necessary."
The final remaining thug hears the death scream of his ally and flinches, and Adolphus wastes no time in taking advantage. Perhaps hoping to mirror the giant's success, he unleashes a heavy cut at the distracted thug's head. While not quite as spectacular, the result is the same - the thug drops to the ground, quite dead.
With two thugs dead and one unconscious, the ferocious battle comes to a halt. Your hearts race wildly; little did you expect to stumble upon such a scene this evening. Still, you've done quite a lot of good - an accosted cleric saved, immoral thugs defeated (two of them quite thoroughly).
Valamont begins searching the living ruffian, but is stopped short before finding anything by a new voice, coming from the roof of the southwestern building. "Well done! But the cleric lives because we wish it so, not because of your misguided bravado."
You look up and see a beautiful young woman with short black hair pulled into a ponytail, her face also painted like a harlequin. She is dressed entirely in black - cloak, boots, gloves, and leather armor. She holds a shortbow, and points it at the cleric. "Take these words back to your temple, priest! The children are lost and no longer Iomedae's concern." With the words, she nocks an arrow to her bow and fires it at the unconscious thug. A perfect shot - straight between the eyes. When you look back up to where the woman stood, you see nothing but the miserable rain. She is gone.
"Curses." As the woman escapes, and the cold rain starts to wash the blood from the alley, Adolphus looks down at his attire. Fortunately the armor and padding had protected the fine clothing underneath, but the silver chain around his neck had been liberally speckled with blood. "By Iomedae, I hope this chain can be cleaned."
He turns to the one who had been searching the unconscious thug.
"You there, whatever coin you find, I say give half to the priest. It is only fitting that the one accosted by these ruffians should profit from their destruction. Give another portion to the wounded, and let us split the remainder."
After this, he turns to the priest.
"I only know of one orphanage in this city. The Lantern Street Orphanage. If something is happening there, with the children, I am sure the Vanderborens will wish to hear of it. Will you accompany me to dinner? "
He turns to the others present,
"I am certain you will be accepted there as well, for your heroism today."
"My goodness, do these Laughers have children in their power? How diabolic and evil. Do they expect to intimidate us? They do not know the citizens of Cauldron."
Diurn joins in the search of the ruffians.
"This event was destined by Arshea and Iomedae. I am sworn to seek freedom for those who are imprisoned unjustly. I was meant to be here at this time. You all probably were too."
Valamont looks down at the thug he'd stabilized and the arrow shaft now springing from his forehead. "Guess I was wrong. Looks like Pharasma gets to have you first after all." As he continues to fully pat down the thug, he keeps regarding his sword as if carrying on a conversation with it.
"Yes, she was a bit dramatic wasn't she? Sudden rooftop appearance, even more sudden vanishing act - it was rather impressive in a way.
...
What?! NO! She was *not* my type, mother. How could you even say that?
...
Mother, it's sweet that you care, but I don't think some roof-running, face-paint-wearing, murderous trollop is going to make me happy. Anyway, can we talk about this later?" He shakes his head and rolls his eyes.
At Adolphus' words, Valamont will look up to regard him. With a wry grin, he teases the well dressed noble, "You there? Well that's a fine howdoyoudo. It's Adolphus, right? The same Aldophus who likes to frequent The Drip? Aye, I thought as much. I'll get right on doing all you ask right away, your royalnessship."
He'll then raise his hand in greeting to Luc, down at the other end of the alley. "Hullo there, Luc! Is that you? I thought I heard your noisemaker go off - good timing!"
Overhearing the well-dressed man, Dorian approaches Adolphus with a smile. "Impressive show, there. I believe I can take care of that chain of yours." As Dorian uses his ongoing prestidigitation, the blood coating Adolphus's chain coalesces into a small sphere before slowly falling to the road. He also takes an opportunity to dry his clothes with the spell in a vain attempt to keep from getting too soaked.
Dorian then approaches the cleric, a look of concern on his face. "What did that woman mean about the 'children?' And how did you draw the attention of the Last Laugh? Forgive my forwardness, but I've only just returned to the city and would like to know what I've just got myself into."
"Some kind of bandits running around this city, and more bandits killing them lest they talk?" growls Darthal, pressing his hand to his side. "I, too, would hear more of this." Blood trickles slowly between his fingers.
Luc patiently waits for the priest to explain what is going on, while trying to contain his anger over what the guild could be doing to the children.
"Let us retire to a more hospitable place and dine and share stories. The shadows have ears. The healing powers of Arshea to you all."
channel positive energy to heal
Dreygard breaths a sigh of relief as his wounds almost completely heal. [b]"Thanks buddy. I was worse off than I thought." He then looks to the priest, waiting to see if he answers of our questions or explains things.
"My thanks, sir" Darthal says, looking around at some people he knows and some he doesn't.
"Ooh..tingly!", says Luc, as the channel energy washes over him. "What a bunch of good Samaritans we have, myself included. Hey there, Valamont. For the rest of you, Luc Theriot, at your service. Don't let my youthful appearance fool ye, I pack quite a punch! And you...so cool turning into a golden giant like that!" Luc gives Diurn the thumbs up!
Diurn raises his arms and smiles at everyone.
"Diurn Selestro, priest of Arshea. I said before that we are all here as part of something bigger than ourselves. Cauldron needs us in this time of need to bring its children back. Shall we retire with yon knight? I am sure his connections will help us get to the bottom of this affair."
"And you, sir, seem to have a metal stick that shoots fire." Adolphus remarks to Luc. "But I don't take you for a wizard."
"I am Adolphus Ministhrien, currently of House Vanderboren."
"Ha..a wizard, those curmudgeon book-carrying virgins! No, definitely not. Ooops, hope I didn't offend anyone here. No, this here, is a gift from the gnomes. It actually shoots a metal pellet at high velocity something or other....can't remember the rest. All I know is, it's quite effective for putting the bad guys down. A pleasure." Luc shakes Adolphus' hand, if he offered it.
Adolphus shakes Luc's hand briefly. "Best to get out of this rain, before my clothes are completely ruined. The Vanderborens' Estate is not far from here, to the south, and they will want to know what is going on at the orphanage."
Dathal looks around at everyone. "I'm Darthal Blackaxe. Of Clan Blackaxe. If you haven't heard of our famous history, i will be pleased to remedy your ignorance over coffee. I am a servant of the deep caves, of the shadows that have never seen light. But we ca speak of that later. It seems some children are in danger."
He runs his fingers through his beard, leaving a few rusty stains on its black perfection.
"Ahh, Darthal. Thought I recognized you. Great job back there and I'd love to here some Blackaxe history. I'm a little bit of a history buff myself. And to the others, I am Dreyguard Splintershield." He then turns to Adolphus, "Vanderboren Estates, eh? I here they are gracious hosts of fine wines and dwarven spirits. I've worked up quite a thirst and it seems we need to get this fine priest off the streets and learn what is the happening here."
Diurn and Valamont pat down the lifeless thugs. Each was wielding a short sword, wearing padded armor underneath their street clothes, and carried a small pouch containing coins - 11 moons and 20 stars in all.
The cleric, still shaking from the assault, mumbles a prayer, then responds to Adolphus. "They were indeed speaking of the Lantern Street Orphanage. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ruphus Laro, priest of Iomedae. Words alone cannot thank you for your timely rescue, all of you."
Addressing all of his rescuers, Ruphus continues, "Four children recently went missing from the orphanage, and I was sent there to console the the staff members and other children. Those poor orphans have a dreary enough life as it is, the fear they are feeling now is a crime."
"I was on my way back when those thugs accosted me. At first, I thought their intent was to rob. Me, a priest of Iomedae! But this warning...it makes no sense. I was not investigating anything. Why would they want to keep a simple priest from an orphanage?"
Nodding to Adolphus, Ruphus says, "I thank you for your invitation to Vanderboren Estate, but I must decline. My superior, Jenya Urikas, must be told of this at once. Would you be so kind as to escort me? The streets do not feel quite as safe as they did a few minutes ago. I'm sure Jenya will reward you for your kindness." He raises his voice and looks around, including everyone in the request.
"Three short swords and some change. We would be glad to see you safely back. Let's see what Jenya has to say."
Diurn is struck by the irony of the Last Laugh name. I guess the wall crawling lady did have the last laugh.
"Luc, nice to meet you. My mom and I are old school--how do you like fancy weapon you have? Darthal, nice to meet you--always interested in help bringing light to the darkest caves."
Dorian looks from one person to the other as they speak before piping up himself, "Introductions, then, is it? Might as well join in. Dorian Cavendish from Sasserine, only just arrived here a day ago."
After hearing the cleric's request he responds, "If your superior is at your church, I'd be glad to accompany you, though I'm not sure how much help I'd be. I was just heading from there, actually, so it's one place in this city I know the way to!"
Adolphus nods. "I also will accompany you, your Grace."
"4 orphans missing? Lead the way, Padre! This definitely interests me!"
"I think, sir priest, that we would do well to escort you back. Perhaps the thugs intended that you carry this message to your superior, or they mistook you for another servant of the Inheritor? In either case, you should carry the tale to him, and I would be honored to assist. I am not so honorable as to refuse your proferred reward, either. Why, Carthal Blackaxe once made the mistake of doing that, and failed to make his rent payment as a result. My second cousin's third aunt's great-grandfather never let him live that down."
"But the caves are so much nicer without light. Let me tell you about the rock formations... Darthal goes on at great length unless Diurn stops him.
"Yes, we must talk after this business is over. Perhaps over a cup of coffee? Wonderful drinks these humans have, but no sense of history. Why, I was asking a child in the streets the other day about a monument, and he didn't know why it was there or who had carved it. Imagine that!"
Valamont stands up, his knees sopping wet from kneeling in the rain-slick street. "Orphans are missing? Likely kidnapped from the sounds of things? I shudder to think of anything more low and despicable. Whatever help I may be, I offer it."
He falls in with the group as they depart the alley then quietly mutters, "Who'd have thought it would be this dark after sundown in the middle of a thunderstorm? Huh." He speaks a brief incantation* and four torch-like lights spring into existence, two in front of the group and two trailing behind. "The name's Valamont, by the way, in case I forgot to mention it. Well met, all of you."
*
Dreygard nods and follows along.
"Then let us be off. I do not wish to linger here any longer than necessary."
As you walk up Obsidian Avenue toward the Church of Iomedae, the drizzle of rain lightens and stops. Ruphus looks to the sky and says, "Ah, thank Iomedae. 'Tis too soon for winter's rains to be upon us. We are not yet prepared for the Flood Festival." Turning to Dorian, he continues, "You said you just came from the church? Are you a follower of the Inheritor?"
Now that the rain has dried up, more citizens are about on the streets. Laughter and bits of conversation float around you as you near the church of Iomedae.
"...says a monster be hiding in the lake! Big one, with lots of tentacles. Says if I don't do my chores, maybe he'll toss me out into it."
"Ah, that's just a story. Why, I heard that..."
After a few more minutes of walking, the walls of the Church of Iomedae are before you. The two-story building is made of white marble suffused with veins of vivid gold. It stands in stark contrast to the buildings of bare black stone that flank it on the north end of Obsidian Avenue. A pair of white marble statues depicting holy knights stands on either side of the temple's heavy oaken door. Each of the statues raises a longsword to the sky. Above the door's marble architrave are boldly inscribed the words, "WITHIN HONOR AND JUSTICE LIVES HOPE."
"Flood Festival? Oh, yes, someone needs to install a proper drainage system, like the Blackaxe one."
Darthal steps forward and trots under the archway, obviously eager to get indoors and be under the safe shelter of stone. He nods briefly in respect to the statues, though perhaps more to the stonework than to the motto.
"A proper drainage system might be best, I agree. But I'm not certain what all would have to go into a project like that. Sounds like quite a lot of work."
As they enter the grounds of the church, Adolphus looks around with a sigh. "I never get tired of the simple beauty of this place."
I just hope my mother doesn't come up in any conversation.
Dorian softly laughs at the cleric's question and smiles, "Oh, no... your church was just kind enough to allow me use of the library for my research. If there's anything I'd be a follower of, it would be the pursuit of knowledge, no disrespect intended."
Luc follows the others inside the building, remarking "Pretty architecture!"
Valamont raises an eyebrow as the children dart by and he chuckles softly. He is still smiling when they arrive at the doors to the church, "Within honor and justice lives hope, eh? Can't say I agree with that, but I appreciate the effect. Quite an entryway, don't you think, mother?"
Dreygard walks in, eyeing the human who talks to himself warily.
Ruphus nods to Dorian. "No offense taken. Knowledge is indeed a worthy goal, though it should be tempered by valor. Judging from your actions tonight, I'd wager you are not as far from Iomedae's teachings as you might think."
As you enter the church, Ruphus thanks you again for the escort and leads you into the back rooms. You arrive in a large rectangular room. A large wooden table is centered in the room, and has ten cushioned chairs spaced around it. A fireplace holds a merrily burning fire to one side; the warmth is welcome on this cool evening. Unlike the rest of the church, the room is sparsely decorated, clearly designed with a purpose in mind. "Please, wait here. I'll be back in just a moment."
The door opens, but it is not Ruphus who enters the room. Instead, it is a woman in her early thirties. She has premature streaks of gray in her elaborately-coiffed, rich brown hair, and the symbol of Iomedae hangs from her neck. While not beautiful in the classic sense, she has a presence that is at once both distinguished and welcoming. Her white robes hang loosely on her thin frame, and the golden trim sets off her brown eyes. "I am Jenya Urikas," she says, her voice warm. "I've spoken to Ruphus, and I extend the gratitude of Iomedae for your valor. She has chosen you seven for great things, I think. But before we get to that, may I know your names?"
Adolphus takes a moment to remove some of the heavier pieces of his armor, revealing the rich blue velvet noble's outfit beneath the padding.
"Forgive me, while I get some of this armor off. I had no intention of fighting today, just training."
He looks for a cloth to wipe away the blood that had started to settle on the armor and the silver chain of chivalry he still wears around his neck.
"So, Valamont, is it? Who is this mother?"
Luc follows suit and takes off his wet duster, laying it to dry on the back of one of the chairs. He wears a black leather vest underneath studded with pieces of steel. He shakes his wavy black hair, sprinkling water mist around him and proceeds to the fireplace to find some warmth. He checks his pistol to be sure it is dry and then holsters it again on his belt sash. He crosses his non-muscular arms and leans back against the fireplace, listening to the conversation and taking note of his 6 companions.
When asked for his name, he says, "Luc Theriot, ma'am, errrr Priestess."
"Diurn, disciple of Arshea. I am sure it was not happenstance that this very group was on hand."
Diurn bows deeply.
"Please tell us about these unfortunate children."
Unless someone speaks to him directly, Dorian remains silent as the group waits for Ruphus to return.
He introduces himself to Jenya in turn, "Dorian Cavendish, from the Witchwardens down in Sasserine. Pleased to meet you." He refrains from asking about the 'great things' she mentioned, trusting that everything would be explained shortly. With patience comes understanding.
Valamont rakes his hand through his thick, black hair, shaking some of the wetness out and onto the floor. As he does so, his distinctively pointed ears are briefly revealed before his mane falls down over them again. He turns to Adolphus and smiles brightly, "What an odd question. Why, she's my mother, of course. Ah, here, let me help you with that, Adolphus." Valamont sidles over to Adolphus and aids him in removing his armor. "Huh. This is awfully bulky stuff. Never much cared for it myself. Still, happy chance you had it on you when you did!"
Valamont will then ease himself into one of the cushioned chairs, likely near Luc. He'll drape his cloak either on a chair or a hook near the fire for it dry as well, revealing a simple tunic underneath. A broad-bladed dagger rests in a sheath at the small of his back, the handle parallel to the ground and on his left side. A leather baldric carries his sword over his right shoulder.
He smiles to each of the people in the room in turn, offering a handshake and a genuine "Well met!" to anyone he's not met previously.
Valamont will look up as Jenya enters, a slight bit of color rushing to his cheeks after a moment. Exasperation and annoyance are clear in his tone as he harshly whispers under his breath, "Hush! No, she is not my type either! ... She is a priestess, mother! Gorum's iron fist! You are insufferable! But of course I think she's pretty, that doesn't mean she- *ahem* Good evening, Lady. My name is Valamont Caine, though feel free to call me Valamont, Caine, Val, or another name entirely if you'd prefer. Ah heh." He smiles at Jenya despite his nervous laugh. "But, ahhhh.... yes, as Diurn said - Rufus mentioned missing children?"
Jenya's arrival prevented Adolphus from asking the next question that came to mind to Valamont.
"Your Holiness. I am Adolphus Ministhrien, Knight of the Chivalric Order."
He bows respectfully.
"Dreygard Splintershield, at your service maam."
"Darthal Blackaxe, of Clan Blackaxe, here in Cauldron in the service of my clan." The dwarf strokes his beard thoughtfully, then tucks his purple scarf back around his neck, where it contrasts very nicely with the blackness of his hair and garb. "Honored to be of service."