In the days that followed the outbreak of undead within the city, a cloud of despair had fallen over the town of Luizlurgh. It's people - once pleasant, kind folk - had become shells of their former selves. No one had seen the Bonvalet's leave their manor in days, the only word from the establishment came in the form of a decree: Adventurers were not welcome here. In their minds, the outsiders had done nothing to save them, despite promises of aid. A town ravaged by undead left to it's own devices for a greater cause, a cause that had only ended in the death of young boy. A loved boy. The town had begun to rebuild, but it would never be the same again; the gallows erected outside the walls as warning a true testament to the mindset of it's inhabitants.[/align]
-- Return to Luizlurgh --
Having recruited a number of allies to his cause, Doctor Defeign made his way through the Clerk's Ward with all manner of beings in tow; humans, nymphs, deaders - each with their own thoughts and motivations for taking on the task offered to them. Despite not having known the key needed to open the portal within the specific archway, answers soon become reality with the dexterous pulling of spacial threads at the tip of Kapaneus' fingertips revealing both the portal and the key needed for future attempts. With the protection of a few subtle wards, the group wastes no time upon entry.
For Brindas and Trissa, however, the sight that meets their eyes on the other side is shockingly stark in it's contrast, the imagery no less daunting for the rest of the party. Fresh graves outside the city gates are overshadowed by the hanging gallows and a sign baring warning to unwelcome visitors. At the rising din of angry voices heard over the settlement's walls, the group changes from their armor into less menacing but hardly dull 'civilian' wear before entering the city gates where they are greeted by the sights and sounds of an angry mob. With torches and pitchforks in hand and spoken exclamations of burning witches, it's quite clear something has them in quite an agitated state. A demon, the very same creature whom had brought this ruin upon the town, was said to be within; a cunning fiend capable of turning herself into an elf.
The mob buzzed like a disturbed hive of bees, gifted with the chance to take a stand and act. To get answers for all that was done to them and put to death the vileness of the demonspawn. To the people of Luizlurgh, the demon Scarlet and the Seductress were one and the same.
[align=center]"She turned me into a newt!"[/align]
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Group One: Infiltration
With the unspoken decision that Miranda, Trissa, and Aleis would remain as a diversion the remaining the - Brindas, Krystelle and Kapaneus chose not to aid those in need and instead branched off in search of the missing pages of the tome that the doctor had previously scryed upon. Forging a Telepathic Bond through use of a fifth circle spell of the same name, Brindas and Krystelle mentally bonded and thus were able to communicate through thoughts. Kapaneus, on the other hand, dissipated into a near invisible mist of fine particles and remained close to the group as they ventured onward to the manor.
After locating and dealing with the locking mechanism on a nearby trapdoor, the group elect to enter via the manor's cellar rather than approach through the front door. Musty and dark, they are met with little resistance save for the savagery of a few rats whom soon succumb to the domination of the party's vampire. From them he is able to pick through the recesses of their simple minds and gleam the number of persons within the main building. Together the three continue, following the trail of scampering rats to the cellar's door and subtle entry into the manor. Each of them make use of their unique skills, infiltration a success. Sneaking past one of the laundry maids, Brindas is able to match the image of the hallway and a particular door to the one he had previous seen in his scrying attempt on the book.
It is Kapaneus who makes the first move, however, the mist-like particles of his form shifting easily through the gap at the door's base to hover unseen in the library within. A quick glimpse over the various scrolls upon the desk yields nothing akin to single torn pages and thus a sweep of his gaseous form sends the contents fluttering to the floor. Such an act draws the attention of the servant nearby whom quietly goes about her organisation duties. The distraction provides Kapaneus with a window of opportunity, materializing behind the woman to muffle her sound as she's rendered unconscious with a sleeper hold. Outside, Brindas and Krystelle manage to avoid the panicked gaze of a man who runs down the hallway with ragged breath, calling out words along the lines "peasants revolting" and "brightly clad strangers" as he passed.
Opening the door to the library from the inside, the vampire promises to deal with the possible threat and once again drifts off in his vaporous form. The two are left to pour through the room's contents, their search eventually yielding success when the doctor finds the box from his vision wedged in between a stack of books on the shelf. After a glimpse at the intricate lock, accompanied by the sounds of shouting down the hall, the box is instead thrust into a pack and the two hurry after their companion as quickly as they can under the guises of stealth.
Kapaneus stands with scythe in hand, locked in a daring exchange of words with the Lord Bonvalet himself. The proud noble stood risen from his throne, the Lady Bonvalet at his side with wide eyes over the sight before them. It is not difficult to see the bitterness and pain etched over their features at the mention of their slain son and the challenge issued to them. Kapaneus' words spark a change in the man, a desire to protect his town and people. A desire for power, the best of intentions corrupted by grief. Actions speak louder than words, however, and the harbinger of Nerull is sent from the building with the expectancy that he will return the lost child . . . whatever the cost.
[align=center]"We lost our humanity the day our son's lifeless body was placed in our arms."[/align]
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Group Two: Witchhunt [color=515151](Assisted by EM Littlehorn)[/color]
Meanwhile, back at the Inn the Thayan Merchant Miranda had been making a show of her diplomatic skills in an appeal to the enraged townspeople. They wanted blood, and what better way to charm an angry mob than to pledge oneself to their cause? The Captain of the Townswatch was not so easily swayed, however, knowing full well the decree issued by the town's governing Lord in addition to having witnessed the devastation first hand. With Trissa and Aleis both working their own subtle attempts to quiet the roar of the crowd, Miranda went on to suggest and mix a concoction of cold iron shavings and holy water with the promise it would burn the demon from the inside out.
The excitement of the crowd grew with the promises of a painful death to the being they believed had caused them so much pain, jostling and shoving one another in their enthusiasm and turning on suggestions which did not allow them to see and partake in the justice they deserved. Deciding that this woman was indeed their best shot at maintaining some semblance of order, Captain Lovell stepped forward to address the crowd.
The Captain informed them that he would be employing Miranda's assistance in apprehending the demon so that they could see justice was done. Yet the flames of a riot were further coaxed to life as one commoner protested that they shouldn't allow an outsider to interfere after what happened those short few cycles ago. Hoping to reassure the disquieted townsfolk Lovell touted Miranda as a capable demonologist and a sure answer to their prayers, only to have the woman undermine his statement and admit herself to be a mere alchemist instead.
Erupting into chaos over the combination of the Captain's incompetence and the prospect of Scarlet dying horribly, a single flaming torch was thrown toward the Inn. A roar followed, the spark ignited as all followed the lead of the lone assailant. In mere minutes, flames had began to creep over the building's exterior and sure enough mirrored within. But before the mob could erupt into a riot that would surely have overwhelmed the meager forces of the city watch, the Thayan Wizard shrouded them in a mind-numbing fog and made for the razed inn.
Without hesitation, the three women boldly leapt into the golden dance of flames that licked at the doorway and threw themselves inside to rising inferno. Using a combination of magic, and teamwork the group hastily spread out in an attempt to rescue any and all souls that may have remained within the building including proprietors, Jereth and Ann Ridgeway, whom were convinced to abandon the place for their own safety at Miranda's promise to help them rebuild whan all was said and done. Their calls for Scarlet were left unanswered, the succubus weak and unconscious in her room above.
As they moved through the precarious blaze in search of Scarlet Trissa and Aelis swept through each room, evacuating several trapped and distressed staff members, and a particularly flirty patron too addle-coved by the ale to fully grasp the seriousness of the situation. Ash and debris started to fall and shatter around them as the building's foundations screamed and shook. Opaque sheets of smoke crawled along the walls and crowded at the ceiling, buring eyes and lungs alike as Miranda and Trissa moved upstairs. Finally locating Scarlet in the nick of time, Miranda lifted the fiend into her arms and stepped through to the ethereal plane. An eerie calm came over the group as they vacated the failing tavern.
Displaced in the ethereal, Miranda leaves the building with Scarlet unharmed and undetected and promptly takes her outside the gates of the city where she left the succubus alongside a wagon and shrouded in an invisibility spell. Trissa and Aleis likewise tumble from the building as it collapses behind them.
It is here the groups reunite, and offer parting words of derision, disappointment, and even disgust to the previously bloodthirsty townsfolk before leaving the prime.
[align=center][ Prologue ][/align]
Scarlet now rests within the House of Healing in the Clerk's Ward, unscathed by the fires of the burning Inn. However, she still remains heavily fatigued after attempting to use her blood to fuel an electrifier. Smears of dirt and ash coat her being, laid to rest on one of the single beds by both Brindas and Krystelle. As soon as she wakes, she is free to go. Trissa, Aleis and Kapaneus likewise disperse and go about their own business.
As for Brindas himself, he now has possession of the lockbox which is believed to contain the torn pages from the ancient tome previously recovered. The tiny locking contraption is a curious one, seemingly a puzzle of cogs and gears at the apex of a metal band that wrapped the box's width. Dark cherry wood with golden edging, the box clearly has a magical aura to it.
Miranda, having passed off the body of Scarlet to Brindas, discreetly returned to the portal from which the group had emerged. The fire now mostly put out, and the citizens dispersed, the wreckage of the Inn had been reduced to naught but a smoldering pile of debris. Strangely enough, the muhordani woman is found 'unconscious' some time later among that same debris. The blue garb of her attire now smeared with ash and grime still proved noticeable among the wreckage, catching the eye of Inn proprietress Ann upon her survey of the damage. Recognizing the woman as one whom had aided in saving the life of both she and her beloved, the woman calls for her husband and together they carry the mage back to their home. Miranda is laid upon a straw mattress within a darkened room and covered with a blanket. A cool and dampened cloth is placed gently upon her forehead, before being left to rest and recover. Ann makes regular check-ups on her condition.
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[[ EM Notes: A huge thank you to those who participated in my event today. After a delayed start, there were times when things moved a bit slowly, pauses in story and other things that needed sorting out OOCly. I had planned for a group of 3-4 and ended up with 8 whom split into two groups. You all have my deepest gratitude for your patience, and the roleplay participation. Being only my second major event, I promise things will run a lot smoother in future. Additionally, thank you to EM Littlehorn - brand new to the client - whom also took on a huge role by taking the lead over one of the groups with only my vague and frazzled plot aids such as "burn it down!". As always - comments, questions and more are welcome in my inbox! Please continue to use this thread for plot-based RP as you see fit.]]
