Realms of Dread Chapter Two

[ewancummins]

the brothel

The Madame looks at Shana, then back at Ironheart. Her powdered face has turned the color of liverwurst. She manages to squeak out:

''I....ahhh....you two....ahhhh....''

Then the fat woman turns and runs back into her room, slamming the door behind her. There's a little 'click' as Madame locks herself inside.

The surviving bouncer runs straight for the front door, not even pausing to open it but just barreling through it and into the foggy street.

The main floor and balcony of the Palace are empty now- save for Shana and Ironheart. Everyone else is hiding or has fled the premises.

[Archedius]

Archedius charges right after Rardi. As he does so he notices with grim acknowledgment the twinge of pain he feels as her prayers channel into her holy symbol.

The Red Knight has blessed him with this continued existence through the Angel's kiss, Lathander certainly didn't.

[ewancummins]

Archedius charges right after Rardi. As he does so he notices with grim acknowledgment the twinge of pain he feels as her prayers channel into her holy symbol.

The Red Knight has blessed him with this continued existence through the Angel's kiss, Lathander certainly didn't.

When Archedius reaches the top of the shaft, bearing his torch, he immediately spots the same corridor that Rardi is now intently watching. It runs perpendicular to the main shaft [which ends a few feet overhead in a blank stone ceiling]. The short, level corridor ends with a closed wooden door, light peeking out in the narrow space between the door and the frame. From beyond that door issue the weird uluations that reverberate up and down the ocrridor and into the vertical access shaft.

[kintire]

Shana looks at the fallen bouncers

"well you just can't get the staff these days, can you? I think we've probably outstayed our welcome here. We should probably be moving on. Assuming you've finished, of course?"

Shana will slip out of the brothel via the front door, and consider the information sshe's received. If possible, she will try to find out which way Fortis usually came to the brothel by asking bystanders, but its probably a bit late for that. Back to the Old Shell probably...

[VAN]

Inovidil looks up and then waves her hands in intricate patters. Then she joins the others. Then she casts another spell.

"Lets go in. Don't waste time, for 90 sec you will be able to move faster."

OOC> Stoneskin and haste

[Ken of Ghastria]

at the Frogwife-

''You want more work, eh, Mikhal? Well...if you can keep quiet when needed and take orders with no trouble, I have a good job for you."

"I'm knowin' a good source of coinage when I see it," says Blaise. "So, keep quiet and take orders to get some solid work? No problem ... times have been rough these days, and I'm happy for the work. Just tell me what you be needin' and I'm there."

[BigBadQDaddy]

By his magical light, Alain can see what has been following him: a pretty teenage girl pushing a handcart. The cart is covered with a piece of duck cloth. The girl smiles at him. ''Out late, aren't you?''

Blinking a little in disbelief, Alain responds in curt tones.

"The same could be said for yourself mademoiselle." He tenses a bit less and looks to the cart and again to her.
"I apologize. My name is Alain Guischard and I am in the employ of the city militia. Do you need help getting home?" He gestures to the fog as he finishes speaking.

[steveflam]

"There be evil beyond the door, I kinna sense it." Moving quickly to the door she has a quick listen check before deciding what to do.

[Archedius]

Archedius signals to Rardi that he'll try to kick the door in after she listens for a second and moves into position to do so.

*For after Rardi's listen check, Archedius has a strength check of 21 (17+4)*

[ewancummins]

beneath Blackpillars-




Archedius fails to do much more than shake the door. It is very solid, indeed. You all hear a metallic clicking sound from overhead, immediately following this failed attempt to break the door.

SLAM! rattle, rattle, rattle...

An iron portcullis crashes into place across the corridor, cutting the three of you of from easy escape down the shaft. At the same time, heretofore concealed panels in the ceiling open and spill out varying lengths of barbed and spiked chains, which swing about, clattering against one another noisily. None of you are really hurt by the chains, apart from a few inconsquential bruises and scratches.

The chains begin to vibrate and hum. You all hear a voice from behind you [towards the shaft], jagged and cruel as broken glass being fed into a sausage grinder-


''RIPE, SWEET, TENDER, FLESH....ahhhhhhhhh.......''


The speaker stands a few feet beyond the portcullis, not far from the shaft opening. It is a tall humanoid figure, wrapped head to toe in tangled, barbed chains. Only a few inches of bare skin are exposed, and those are all covered in scar tissue. Two blazing yellow eyes stare madly out from the fine links pulled across the lumpish head of the creature. It raises its arms, and exhales a long, obscene sigh.
The wickedly hooked and barbed chains all around you begin to dance...

[steveflam]

Rardi looks at the yellow eyed creature and speaks firmly and loudly, brandishing her holy symbol at the thing. "IN THE NAME OF THE MORNINGLORD, I COMMAND THEE, FLEE FROM HERE, THE POWER OF LATHANDER COMPELS YOU! NOW!"

[ewancummins]

beneath Blackpillars-


The monster laughs at Rardi.

''LITTLE PRIESTESS, YOUR GOD CANNOT SAVE YOU NOW. NOTHING CAN.''

A chain hanging near Rardi suddenly lashes out, snagging her holy symbol and tearing it from her grip. More chains wrap around the priestess, barbs ripping into her exposed flesh and tugging at her clothing and armor.

[ewancummins]

at the Frogwife-


"I'm knowin' a good source of coinage when I see it," says Blaise. "So, keep quiet and take orders to get some solid work? No problem ... times have been rough these days, and I'm happy for the work. Just tell me what you be needin' and I'm there."

''Sure thing, friend. Meet me and the lads in two days' time, right here at the Frogwife. I'll have more work for you by then, for certain. Don't advertise this job, though, it's only for discrete types like yourself, not just anybody off the street.''

[ewancummins]

on the street, Alain-

The winsome girl stops rolling her cart and frees one hand to tuck an errant lock of hair beneath her simple bonnet. She smiles agains, laughs lightly, and says-

''Certainly, kind sir. My name is Mara. I live not too far down the way-''

She indicates the direction they've both been travelling with her right hand.

[Ken of Ghastria]

at the Frogwife-

''Meet me and the lads in two days' time, right here at the Frogwife. I'll have more work for you by then, for certain. Don't advertise this job, though, it's only for discrete types like yourself, not just anybody off the street.''

"Two days, yes sir," says Blaise, "and thank you." Blaise continues to banter and drink with the other men while he eats. He tells a couple of bawdy limericks that he's heard in his travels, and despite his nagging curiosity about Cross-face's employer, he doesn't ask the question just yet, worrying that it would raise suspicion.

When he's done eating, he clasps hands with Cross-face, thanks him again for the work, and says he'll see him in two days' time. He slowly makes his way back toward the dockyard, not rushing but also very much aware that he might be followed. After several minutes, he walks down one alleyway, and he conjures a strange mist out of very body that he hopes will mix with the natural mist coming off the harbor. As the mist clings to the very spot in which he stood, he heads off in a completely different direction back to the inn to report to his companions.

OOC: Blaise invokes miasmic cloud.