The World of Skara Brae

"I'm not from the Watch. I'm just helping Drek" said Sam, sword in hand and as expected of her, not getting the true meaning behind the man's words.

James opened the door one of the swordsman went in. It's too bad it seemed like nobody else was following him keep on the trail of the other swordsman.

The looter Sam and Kalan were talking to looked surprised and said: "Drek? You mean the hero of the Drow War? The legendary adventurer?"

Meanwhile, James found one of the swordsmen in a bedroom, where he was trying to open the room's one window.

"The very same" Where Sam's simple words as she kept her eyes on the looter and a good grip on her blade.

Mellara for her part turned to Drek and grinned as she said "Your reputation seems to not disappoint at all, Ranger Hero"

Approaching the swordsman, James said "That's funny, I don't think that's the door..."

The looter went on: "Then... then, it was he wut slain the dragon? Aye, I did see the dragon go down, saw it's head crash down and not come back up. But then the giant spiders poured out of the sky, and dem townsfolk wut 'ave not already fled panicked and ran. It was pandemonium, every man for himself. Me and my mates are but poor beggars an' we hadn't eaten all day so we came 'ere and took wut we could find. Honestly, m'lord, we aint no thives, we was only trying to survive."

Drek replied to Mellara: "Yeah, I get that a lot." Then he turned to the looter who was talking and said: "Do you take me for a fool? I can forgive a starving man for stealing food, but you three were trying to loot the entire liquor cabinet, not to mention the wine rack. By rights, you three should be chained up and throw in jail. But you know what? I'm fresh out of chains, and I've got more important things to do than haul your thieving asses all the way over to the jail. So I'll tell you what: You put everything back where you found it and maybe you walk away. And when I say everything, I mean everything."

The looter hung his head and said: "Aye, we'll put it back. You're a fair and kind man, m'lord."

The looter that Kalan had injured was rolling around on the floor yelling: "Ahg! My knees!" Drek turned to this fellow and said: "Oh please. You're not hurt that bad. Stop faking or give you a real reason to scream in pain." The man stopped his fake-injury act and got up. He said: "But he really did hit my knees." Drek said: "And yet you can stand up. Funny, that."

Drek said: "Alright everybody, see that they put everything back where it belongs. If you don't like how they behave, feel free to give them a kick in the pants."

Mal, who was till holding the third looter in her "Helping Hand" spell ended the spell, sending the looter crashing down to the floor. She said: "How about a floor to the face?" Drek said: "That works too. I'm gonna go see if I can find James. He went up those stairs, I think."

Meanwhile, the swordsman that James was confronting was either ignoring James, didn't hear James, or he was deaf; He gave no indication that he had heard James and kept right on trying to open the window. He wasn't having much luck, though, because the window wasn't budging. That might have been because the latch was jammed.

The window itself was, like all the other windows in this building, a rectangular wood-framed window with two sections, one on the left and one on the right. The two sections were designed to swing open laterally and inward. A simple brass latch in the middle secured the window. Each section of the window was made up of twelve thin rectangular glass panes arranged in a grid, four panes wide by three panes tall. The panes themselves were rectangular, about 4 inches wide by 5 inches tall. Each pane separated from the other by a thin chrome-metal rod that was about half an inch in diameter, with five rods in total. Each of these rods were set into small holes in the window frame. The glass was sealed to the frame and the rods by glaziers putty. All in all, it was a handsome piece of window-making, not something one would typically find in a low-class establishment.

edited 30th Jun '12 11:25:49 PM by TheSarge

"HEY!" shouted James, "That window ain't opening and I'm right behind you! Why don't you just explain what you're doing!?"

edited 1st Jul '12 5:20:19 AM by JustaUsername

Sam walked over to pick her arrow from the wall where it had gotten stuck and then nodded her head at Drek's orders. She kept a close eye on the looters as they put everything back in order.

Mellara for her part fished some berries from her pocket and started eating one after the other while leaning against a wall.

As Drek was climbing the stairs, James was still getting no response from the man who was trying to open the nailed shut window. The man, seeing that the window would not open, turned around. Seeing James, the man opened his mouth as if to scream, but no sound came out. He them brought up his sword and pointed it at James.

edited 5th Jul '12 12:01:34 AM by TheSarge

When the man attacked, James's battle instinct took over and he immediately thrust his glaive into the swordsman's torso.

Kalan stayed by the looters, smiling a bit while playing with one of his knives. "So, what's your names?" Kalan asked as he picked away some dirt under his nails with the scalpel.

Disembowled, the oddly-deaf-mute man with the short sword fell to the ground just as Drek walked in. Drek said: "Another looter?"

"I have no idea" responded James, "It looked like he tried to scream at me but he stayed silent..."

Drek then said: "Perhaps he was under a spell that rendered him speechless, or perhaps he was a deaf-mute? I don't suppose we'll ever know. Looks like he drew a weapon on you, though, so legally you're in the clear... but we'd best dispose of the body anyways. Um... carry it downstairs and then throw it in with those dead giant spiders. We'll burn the lot of it. I'll see if I can find something to clean up this blood with."

Meanwhile, a looter was saying to Kalan: "I'm Bob, that there's Kerum, and the quiet one is Mitch." The looters were (rather sloppily) putting the bottles and ashtrays and other assorted knickknacks back were they'd found them. Surprisingly, they had not broken any glass when they'd dropped their sacks. This was mostly because the floor behind the bar was lined with cork, which had party cushioned the fall of the bottles.

Claire, who had been hiding behind a table when the fighting broke out, put her head up and said: "So this is an Inn, aye? Nifty! But where's all the people?"

Bob The Looter said: "Ya mean the waiters and the bartender? They fled with everyone else when the big fight in the town square happened. The innkeeper took the cashbox, but not much else. I suppose they'll come back home when they realize the fight is over, but who knows how long that will take them?"

As Bob was saying this, Kerum The Looter slipped a silver fork in his pocket when he thought nobody was looking. Sam saw it, though.

Mal said: "With the Town Watch nowhere to be seen, we should post a sentry in case more trouble comes looking for us. That mad dwarf, more spiders, more drow... who knows what else could show up?"

Orren said: "I agree, but for now we do what Drek said to do. He knows what he's doing. Besides, we don't know for sure that there aren't any watchmen out there patrolling the streets. From what I saw of them, they seemed like a fairly professional organization. They may not have abandoned their posts."

Mal said: "Or they may have. Until we know one way or the other, I say we assume the streets are dangerous."

Just then, Aaron's vision started to come back to him. Everything was blurry, but he could make out shapes and colours now.

edited 20th Jul '12 11:14:49 AM by TheSarge

"You!" Sam said, looking straight at Kerum. She didn't even say anything more, but instead simply gave him a severe frown.

Mellara for her part perked up when people started talking about a sentry "I can do the job. I'll call if something strange comes our way"

James said to Drek "Quite the law abiding citizen...though yeah, we should get on to that."

If news of this got out, this might put a dent in James's reputation. He can't have that, he worked hard to make himself a hero and didn't want an act of self defense stain it.

Aaron was glad to have his vision back, though he was still confused on what was going on. "Hey, can anyone tell me what happened?"

Drek was about to go hunting for some cleaning materials when there was a noise like glass breaking. It sounded like it was coming from the next room. Drek said: "That sounded like a window breaking. Say, weren't you chasing two men when you ran upstairs? Where is the other one?

Meanwhile Orren was taking Aaron and putting him into a chair: "Well, let's see? You remember that demon we fought, right? Well we finished that thing off, and then Zelph and Edvin materialized out of nowhere, so then we went looking for an inn so we could find beds to put the three of you in. We're in one now. Found some looters inside, but they didn't give us much trouble, and the innkeeper and all the staff and patrons apparently fled when the big battle in the town square happened. Oh and James and Drek are upstairs right now, probably looking for beds. I think that's everything. How are you doing? Can you see?"

edited 14th Jul '12 11:46:02 AM by TheSarge

"I lost sight of him..." answered James, "Maybe I could smell his trail though!"

Aaron responded "I can see...but not so well. Anyways, I don't feel sick but I am a bit tired..."

"Nice to meet you!" Kalan said cheerfully as he inspected his now newly manicured fingernails before calling out to Drek "Say Master, when will we leave town?!"

Kerum, seeing Sam's look of disapproval, sheepishly took the silverware back out of his pocket and onto the table where it should have been.

Meanwhile Drek was replying to James with: "You probably could. Go to it, I'll take care of the body." With that, Drek went downstairs again to get some help with the body. Hearing Kalan ask when they would leave town, Drek replied: "At first light. Meanwhile, come up here and give me a hand with something."

All the while, the three looters continued to put back that which they had stolen, all under Sam's watchful gaze.

And Sam did keep staring at them, standing watch like a guardian dog, with her arms crossed.

James headed to the other room and got his nose ready to trail the swordsman he couldn't catch.

Cecilia looked at Sam and said: "Well, as inns go this one is fancier than most, but I've never understood why the people of this world feel the need to gather in dark, smokey rooms and consume mind-altering liquids. King Marcus of the Lizzardmen offered me some ale once, but we were outside sitting by a fire under the open sky. I'd seen men drink Ale before, of course, but I'd never tried it myself because I didn't like how it smelled. Still, I knew I'd insult Marcus if I didn't drink it, so I did. That was probably a mistake... seeing as how I vomited right after. Haven't touched a drop since. Do you feel the same way, sister?"

Kerum said: "Oh, that's a shame, miss. Me and me maties 'ere love a good ale, don't we lads?" The other too would-be-looters all nodded and said "Aye."

Orren stomped a hoof, looked at Kerum crossways, and said: "I don't recall anyone asking you how you feel about ale, looter. Now less talk out of you and more of you putting back objects you were caught trying to steal. I, however, WILL be drawing an ale for myself. After all, slaying gods and monsters is thirsty work...."

Cecilia interjected: "You didn't slay a god, that was..."

Orren cut her off with: "Gods and monsters, I say. GODS AND MONSTERS! Now bring me ale, woman. ALE I SAY!!!" Orren had a gregarious look in his eyes and a broad grin on his face. He was obviously trying to make a joke, although Cecelia didn't seem to get it.

Seeing this, Gerrard grinned and patted Orren on the hip and said: "Hey, hey, we'll get you some ale, buddy. No need to yell. The taps must be behind the bar, aye? Now, if Arrons' eyes were only working, we could read that price list... can't very well steal it now, eh? Ahahahaha.."

Suddenly, Cecilia and Mal both had a strange looks on their faces, as if she'd just seen something very disturbing. Cecilia put her hand on her sword and said: "Wait... something's not right.... can you feel it?"

Mal said: "Yes... I sense it. By the gods, it's..."

Then, suddenly, without warning, an axe phased up through the floor at great speed, cutting Kerrum neatly in half from groin to skull in the process. The axe was on fire will a very bright-red flame. When Kerum's body hit the floor, the body began twisting and glowing and the two halves of the body began to slowly pull themselves together in a grotesque display of infernal magic. Holding onto the axe was the mad Duregar (Dark-Dwarf) called Thrthen, the same one who had gone into a mindless rage and attacked first James and then Drek in the square after Sam had gotten Eruantian's Ring. Now covered in Kerum's blood and gore and screaming a battle-cry, Thrthen fell to the ground, landing on his feet. With a look of mania and murder in his eyes, Thurten yelled: "Gah! Blast it, that wasn't me target. And I see the elf and the werewolf not be 'ere and me blade is hungry for more blood. No matter, I see his dogs and whores, I'll start with them, and then I shall have the power! By my blood, it shall all be mine! Mine I say! Hahahhahhah... such power! GAHHHHHHHHHHH!" With that, Thurten brandished his axe dramatically, in a show of skill and bravado that was obviously intended to impress and intimidate his foes. Unlike the last time he'd been seen wielding an axe, this time he seemed to be quite skilled in it's use.

Bob and Mitch, the two surviving looters, immediately dropped what they were carrying and bolted for the door. Bob screamed: "Yikes! It's a demon! Run!" Orren, who had been closest to the door, didn't try and stop them. Instead, he got between Thurten and Aaron and readied his weapon.

Celcia drew her sword (which instantly ignited) and said: "Foul murderer! I swear by my father you shall answer for your hideous crime, dark one!" With that she charged forward and parried the dwarf's axe with he sword. Where the two weapons met, a powerful explosion of bright energy blossomed forth, throwing the two combatants away from each other with violent force. Cecelia spread her wings in an effort to use the wings as air-brakes, but the effort was too little too late and she ended up crashing out through one of the windows.

Thurten landed feet-first on the stairs and just grinned as the fire from his axe slowly stated to crawl up his arm. He said: "That's right, angel-girl, just ye try an' stop me. You dana frighten meh with yaer burin' sword an' yaer gold'n aura and yer pretty little face. I took what 'as left of da demon's power, da one ye thought ye ad slain. It made me stronger... faster... more powerfull. And now I see that helping people and questing for that blasted ring was a waste of time. I should just takje what I want. Yes... but ye be a goodie-two-shoes and you are all holy and such, so now dis axe an yer sword repel each other; I be immune to yer magic and ye immune to mine. Oh, but I'll find a way to slay ye, I just av nay found it yet. You just stick around, I'll find a way to slay thee. Mayhap I'll slay me a wizard and take his power.. and 'den some peasants, and deir power. I'h kill yer frinds too... and that pointyeared elf too, an' take his power. I'h take eehun's power. If I danna 'ave da ring, I'h 'ave evrithing else. I'h kill everyone, an' den I'h 'ave everything. Everything, do ye 'ear me?! Everyone will die! Ahhahahahahahah!"

Mal, with fear in her eyes, said: "Watch out, he's possessed! I've seen this before, in the Underdark! He's been corrupted by infernal magic! He thinks killing grants him power, but it's just feeding the demon that's inside him. I don't have a spell that can counter this. Ooooh where's a druid when you need one...."

Thurten screamed in rage, in strange growling voice that was not his own: "DROW BITCH! Shut up shut up shut up! No talk of druids, do you hear me! I hate druids! Just for that, you die first!" Thurten then lunged at Mal with unnatural speed, covering the distance between him and her in a fraction of the time it should have taken him. In a show of incredible courage and gallantry, Deimos, who had been standing right beside Mal, shoved her out of the way and took the hit himself. He was badly hurt in the process, for the axe had bit deep, cutting through his armour like it wasn't there and sending his various knives and other weapons scattering onto the floor as the axe cut through the leather straps that were holding them. With his sides split open and his guts spilling out, Deimos, a look of pain on his face crumpled to the floor bleeding profusely. He screamed in incredible pain, and then fell silent.

Claire screamed and ran forward, apparently intent on healing Deimos, but Gerrard caught her and held her back, saying "No, child! It's too dangerous! Stay behind me!"

edited 20th Jul '12 10:14:09 PM by TheSarge

Right then, Sam didn't know what to do. She only had to arrows left and seeing the sheer malevolence in the dwarf's axe... the might behind his blows... she knew she couldn't go against him blade to blade. Still she had to do something... even if it was only to get the dwarf's attention.

Sam grabbed the nearest bottle of ale and then flung it with all her strength towards the duegar's head.

However, just seconds after Sam let go of that bottle the mighty roar of thunder could be heard just outside the inn... And then the sound of shattering glass and wood as a powerful lightning bolt flew towards their demonic foe.

Though the shattered window they could see Mellara standing just outside, her eyes focused on her target as from her fingertips danced little sparks of electrical energy.

[GM's Ominous Battle Music for this battle:

Sam's bottle hit Thurten in the head just in time to distract him, thus preventing him from continuing his attack... although he didn't seem injured much by the bottle, probably because his helmet protected him. Just then, before there even time to think what to do next, the roof was blasted asunder by a huge lightning bolt. The lightning fried the mad Duregar where he stood, his axe raised above his head as he was preparing to strike down his next victim. The handle of his axe fused to his skin, his armour melted, his skin caught fire, and his and his face contorted in obvious pain as he was electrocuted. Oh, and a small part of the roof caved in and some little pieces caught fire.

Gerrard threw two of his heavy throwing axes at Thurten, one by one, all the time holding Claire back with his other hand. The axes neatly sliced off first one and then the other of the mad dwarf's arms, cutting the off just below the shoulders before careening off into the walls, sticking into the walls at odd angles. Still, the mad Duregar did not fall... but neither did he make any motion. Undeterred, Gerrard prepared to attack with his sword.

At about the same time as Gerrard was doing all this, Orrend launched a very powerful and brutal attack: Yelling something in Centuarian* as a battle cry Orren took steady hold of his spear with both hands and then raised it above his head. Rearing up on his hind legs so as to bring the spear up as high as he possibly could, he jumped into the air with his hind legs; Thus, Orren had brought his spear up as high as he possibly could. Then, at just the right moment, using all his weight he brought the tip of the spear directly down on the head of Thurten. The spear pierced through-and-through; Into the back of the mad dwarf's helmet, through the skull, through the brain, and then out the other side of his head exiting through his right eye (poking out one of Thurten's eyeballs in the process). The spear then rammed into the floor, with spearhead piercing down into about two inches into the floor, sending tiny splinters flying a few feet in every direction. His task completed, Orren twisted sideways so as to not come down on Mal's head. This put him off-balance a bit, and he ended up crashing into a nearby table with a final Centuarian* expletive. The table collapsed underneath Orren, and Orren ended up laying on his left side. Although he was mostly unharmed by the fall & crash, he was going to have a bit of a hard time getting back up.

Mal, for her part, immediately began casting Cure Critical Wounds on Deimos by uttering her religion's sacred words of healing while moving her hands in a flowing pattern and then placing her hands on Deimos' head. Deimos was in bad shape; He wasn't breathing, his eyes were fixed and dilated, and his limbs were not moving. When Mal's spell was finished being cast... nothing happened. No display of magic light, no closing up of wounds, no choir of mystic voices.... nothing. Mal caught her breath with a shocked look and tears welled up in her eyes. She closed her eyes, and with a sad look on his face and said: "I.... dear goddess forgive me I was too late. The man was dead before I could heal him. May whatever gods he believed in guide his soul to peace in the afterlife. Eilistraee, I beseech thee, hear my prayer."

And then, to everyone's surprise, the burnt husk that had been Thurten opened its mouth and a demonic voice said: "No peace. No peace, only suffering. I shall bring death and suffering and torment to you all. You thought your magic could rid my spirit from this plane back when we first met, but you only succeeded in destroying my body. I simply found a new host. The dark dwarf provided an excellent host. He was so full of delicious hate and resentment and anger and envy. A satisfying meal. And such a violent end, thank you all for feeding me with all that violence. Muwhahahahah! The horse-man thing seems a likely host, I think I shall taste his soul next." However, although the mouth was moving, the rest of the body was still.

Gerrard, tears in his eyes, cried out: "No... not Deimos..... NO!!"

Orren snarled and said: "Who you calling a horse, hell-spawn?!"

Meanwhile, Drek was about to begin disposing of the unfortunate man who had come to a bloody end at James's hand, while James was concentrating on picking up the scent of the missing man... when all of a sudden there was a tremendous noise like a thunderclap, and then the roof shuddered and heaved as if it had been hit by a massive, angry hand.

Surprised, Drek cried out: "What in the nine hells was that?" and he ran down the stairs to find out what was going on.

[G Ms Note: "Centuarian" is simply the language unique to the the Centaurs of Orren's tribe; As he was raised in that tribe, it is his mother-tongue. Although he is fluent in Common as well, sometimes there are words that simply do not translate; Expletives and curses are an example of words that don't really have a counterpart in Common.]

edited 24th Jul '12 2:07:29 PM by TheSarge