Mists over the Musarde [IC]

[ewancummins]

in the coach...

Denys asks Benn, sotto voce, so as not to disturb Norzak,

'''Do you have any idea who could be behind this? ''

[steveflam]

Though Norzak appears to be concentrating he tells the others which way to go, to which they relay to the driver.

[ewancummins]

Denys relays Norzak's directions to the driver. He comments,

''Norzak seems to know which way we should go. ''

[Le Noir Faineant]

Cirdan will throw a coin to the elder stranger.

"Make sure my horse isn't stolen, and I'll give you nine more of these."

The half-elf will dismount and walk straight to the door, sword drawn.
There, he will kick the door open, and storm into the house.

Subtleness apparently isn't a warrior's way...

[Adam]

Bennedict lowers his voice as well, recognizing the signs of magical concentration at work. "I have a suspicion, but little evidence to back it up." He scowls at this. "We apprehended a fellow named Pierre Renault who, we confirmed, had paid three gentlemen to kidnap Evangeline, at least the initial attempt. On a normal day I would suspect him exclusively for the continued abduction efforts, still attempting to settle some score between the two of you. However this appears to be more sinister. For one thing, he's dead now." His expression becomes apologetic, since Denys knew Pierre. "Either because he was panicked or guilt driven, he threw himself out the window of the room in which we were questioning him. We knew there would be questions and, technically, we were guilty of kidnapping at that point so we elected to leave the matter. Then comes news that the man's grave is empty." He shakes his head ominously. "This compounded with the discovery that your recently recovered artifacts contain some manner of occult and diabolic significance is very unsettling. I fear that the threat against your daughter is much greater than we could have imagined."

[ewancummins]

Cirdan will throw a coin to the elder stranger.

"Make sure my horse isn't stolen, and I'll give you nine more of these."

The half-elf will dismount and walk straight to the door, sword drawn.
There, he will kick the door open, and storm into the house.

Subtleness apparently isn't a warrior's way...

The door must be dry-rotted, because it gives way very easily, exploding inward as Cirdan's armoured boot smashes into it. A quick step carries the knight into the first room, a large antechember.

He sees a man standing just a little to the left of the door and another in front of him, both about three paces away. Both men are looking directly at him, and don't seem the least bit surprsed by his violent entry. The man to the front is holding a matchlock arquebus leveled at Cirdan's chest! The big fellow to the left grips a spiked flail in both hands and is winding up to take a swing at Cirdan's face!

Before Cirdan can react, the handgunner squeezes the trigger and his arqubeus belches forth smoke and fire. Cirdan feels the lead ball smash into his his breastplate towards the left side, hitting him so hard he spins halfway round.

The thug with the flail swings the ball and chain at Cirdan, just barely missing the knight's head and taking out a big chunk of the marble doorframe, instead.

[OOC, I rolled initiative, to get things going. Baddies go first. You just took 10 points of damage. The shot dented your breastplate and contused you painfully, but you'll live....for now.

The room in a 20x30x12' antechamber of marble, with only two egresses- the door you just kicked in from the outside and a closed wooden door beyond the gunner in front of you.

Both opponents are wearing armor. Once the smoke clears a bit, Cirdan will spot the glint of mail from within the arquebusier's open tunic. The big guy with the ball and chain is wearing a brigandine jack.

Your action, please.]

]

[ewancummins]

Bennedict lowers his voice as well, recognizing the signs of magical concentration at work. "I have a suspicion, but little evidence to back it up." He scowls at this. "We apprehended a fellow named Pierre Renault who, we confirmed, had paid three gentlemen to kidnap Evangeline, at least the initial attempt. On a normal day I would suspect him exclusively for the continued abduction efforts, still attempting to settle some score between the two of you. However this appears to be more sinister. For one thing, he's dead now." His expression becomes apologetic, since Denys knew Pierre. "Either because he was panicked or guilt driven, he threw himself out the window of the room in which we were questioning him. We knew there would be questions and, technically, we were guilty of kidnapping at that point so we elected to leave the matter. Then comes news that the man's grave is empty." He shakes his head ominously. "This compounded with the discovery that your recently recovered artifacts contain some manner of occult and diabolic significance is very unsettling. I fear that the threat against your daughter is much greater than we could have imagined."

'' Oh! I knew Pierre was dirty, but this is terrible! Damn him.
This talk of a greater threat is most disturbing. I had assumed these were the ordinary sort of rogues, kidnappers for ransom. In such cases, it is customary that the victim is returned unharmed so long as the ransom is paid in full. Of course, trusting such scum is a risky proposition, regardless.''

Denys pauses for a moment, deep in thought.
''You really think that mirror and the other things from the old house might have something to do with this? Are they cursed? Maybe I should get rid of them?''

[ewancummins]

In the coach...

The coach travels the silent streets, not meeting any traffic on the way.
Looking out the window, Norzak can see the silken strands of essence growing thicker- meaning that they must be getting closer to Cirdan's present location. The trail turns sharply and leads down an alley, a space too small for the coach to pass.

[ewancummins]

Norzak feels his spell falter as the limits of his power to maintain the effect are reached. The trace of Cirdan's passage through the alley vanishes from his view!

[steveflam]

OOC : at work here so he casts it again as he does have 3 0 levels per day.

"Down there but spell's done" he points down the alley. Then casts again.

[ewancummins]

Seconds after chanting the words, the traceries of light reappear in Norzak's field of vision. It's definitely thicker and more vibrant here- you may be only a few minutes behind the knight!

The alley is wide enough for a horse to enter, but not the coach. Its middle section is choked with debris, although it wouldn't be hard to climb over the mound.

Upon hearing Norzak's words, Denys calls for the driver to halt the coach and then bring it closer to the alley. The driver does so.

[Adam]

"I do not mean to alarm you overly, sir, as I have merely consulted a single text and have not correlated my discoveries elsewhere. Nevertheless, there is strongly suggestive evidence that these devices have some some relation to a powerful demon, or in any case to a cult that worships him." Bennedict looks alarmed to hear Denys's declaration to throw the items away, "Er, I should think that that is a bit premature, Herr Sancerre. I have reason to believe investigating their origin further may have some bearing on the efforts to protect your daughter, and my furthermore lead to a discovery regarding a possible origin for this city."

He hears Norzak's declaration and waits for the carriage to come to a stop. "In any case, Herr Sancerre, this discussion can be held during less dire times. It appears we have caught up to the action. We will go forth and investigate further."

With that he readies his crossbow and prepares to continue the pursuit down the alley.

[ewancummins]

Denys nods in response to Benn's summation of the situation at hand. He leaves the coach and joins Benn outside.



[OOC I shall presume that Benn and Norzak are following the ''trail'' down the alley. Correct me if I am wrong, of course. ]

[steveflam]

Norzak leads the two men ino the alley. He concentrates on the elvish heritage of Cirdan. He unsheathes his crossbow.

[Le Noir Faineant]

The door must be dry-rotted, because it gives way very easily, exploding inward as Cirdan's armoured boot smashes into it. A quick step carries the knight into the first room, a large antechember.

He sees a man standing just a little to the left of the door and another in front of him, both about three paces away. Both men are looking directly at him, and don't seem the least bit surprsed by his violent entry. The man to the front is holding a matchlock arquebus leveled at Cirdan's chest! The big fellow to the left grips a spiked flail in both hands and is winding up to take a swing at Cirdan's face!

Before Cirdan can react, the handgunner squeezes the trigger and his arqubeus belches forth smoke and fire. Cirdan feels the lead ball smash into his his breastplate towards the left side, hitting him so hard he spins halfway round.

The thug with the flail swings the ball and chain at Cirdan, just barely missing the knight's head and taking out a big chunk of the marble doorframe, instead.

Badly hurt, and pushed out of balance, Cirdan will do what a knight has to do in the face of the enemy: Not think about retreat or surrender. No step back. Only one step forward, the sword risen. Into battle.

[Power Attack on the man with the flail, hoping to push him between himself and the shooter.]