4. Footway Robbery - Waelass

[Interovegas]

Agrina-[Imperial]: "There was a nagging uncertainty about thee Judy. Ifn thee be'est a traitor to Imperial slugswine I will question thee not. I second Vala's proposal."

She gives the squire a friendly elbow nudge. She whispers to her.

Agrina-[Imperial]: "Thou shall rise to a brilliance beyond thy master's if thou dost maintain the current course."

[Xenoe]

Judy lets out a little chuckle.

Judy: "Hah, ye've gotten me dear Lady Andrea, but haven't we all been an Imperial at some point in time a few hundred years back?"

Judy looks over the big man and the Ob-lob.

Judy:" Weeeeell... Maybe not ALL of us, but my point still stands. I've been quiet, for it was usually not my chance to speak captain, words are best reserved for when they're most useful, unless it's between close friends."

Henry barks a couple of time in affirmation.

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"Lead away then."

Finch gestures towards the city

[Xenoe]

Judy heads out towards the city with her buddies in tow.

[Interovegas]

Judy walks at the fore of the group consisting of Finch, Andrea, Zwiche, Vala, Henry and herself. It's a short walk up to the well beaten path. The one story homes outside the walls are built from stone foundations with sharp angled thatched rooves. The presence of people is confirmed by several lights shining from the windows. A child peeks at the party from one but is quickly snatched away by an adult. Some faint yelling and the sharp sound of slap ring out from the window.

The group marches up to the gate. Two guards come out from around the corners behind the broken portucullis. Their armor is unlike the Imperial uniform at the battlefront. They wear a short fur vests over chain shirts, iron caps studded with three small spikes and wield shortspears and medium targes. They speak from behind the partial protection of the sundered iron rods.

Male Gate Guard-[Imperial]: "Another lot of mercenaries by the looks of it."

Female Gate Guard-[Imperial]: "Aye the Kinsgrumur traitor seems to 'ave sent summons for many hired swords."

The female addresses the party.

Female Gate Guard-[Imperial]: "Tis poor fortune for the lot of ye. The tactic already came to pass and this city has no more need o' thy service. Mayhaps 'tis not for nothing though. I hear some of the mercenaries ave taken on pay for the Captain commanders request to assist at the battlefront just a cycle and some away. If thy be instilled with courage the coin is good. Speak with some at the camp on the other side of the city and they will have you sorted."

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Aye, Waelass seems much different now from how we expected it to be, but as ye knows, mercenaries work for coin, not for people, and for coin we will fight. Still, that great hole in the gates has me curious, what manner of might or magic could have accomplished such a feat?"

(fascinate with discipline)

[Interovegas]

[Judy: 3,2+MD:3 Result: Jabber Jabber]

The male Gate Guard turns his gaze upon his partner. She ignores his look and continues speaking casually.

Female Gate Guard-[Imperial]: "That would be the second matter at hand. At first we were of the opinion a Ceaseless Soulcaster had assisted in breaking the gate, but we were told it had been lifted by some of Kinsgrumur's other soldiers before the raid began. Seems as though someone had been too rough with it afterwards and let it drop wrong. This iron is more ancient than me grandad's bones! Must've shattered under such a shock."

The way the gate is bent and broken near the bottom and some cracks halfway up the left wall of the gate lend credence to her claim.

Female Gate Guard-[Imperial]: "If the lot of ye are willin to pay for some lodging I know some of the merchantfolk are exchanging lodging for coin. 'Fore we can let ya have passage we ought get a record of from whence thy lot hail."

---

[Judy (Lore - Difficulty 6): 7,6,5,5,4,1 Result: WHO KNOWS???]

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Well, I bet ye can tell just by our looks that we hail from all corners of the world, as mercenaries can be my dame, but I, myself am from the Western Marches.

We thank ye for yer consideration, it'd be greatly helpful if someone as knowing as ye could introduce us to more reputable individuals."

[Interovegas]

Female Gate Guard-[Imperial]: "Strangers as thee shall garner attention without introduction. Yet perhaps thou may reconsider mention of thy homeland."

She winks at Judy suggestively.

Female Gate Guard-[Imperial]: "On thy way then."

The gate guard beckons the party to clamber through the gaping hole. They do as instructed and proceed into the lower ring of Waelass. The homes within are only ever so slightly an improvement to those outside. The stones in the walls are more carefully arranged and some are even cut to fit. The exposed ground is more even than natural earth indicating some past efforts at improving the place. The path the party stands on is laid in stone and follows along a path of stair ways that rise two or three more times (some of the view is occluded by higher up buildings and inner walls) until it terminates at the main keep way up above.

The streets are remarkably empty. At a glance there is a single elderly man carrying a pair of water buckets down the way. However, as before, there are several lights peering out from various windows that signal the presence of at least a few peasantfolk. From this side of the wall the party sees there are relatively few guards to keep watch from atop such massive and wide reaching walls. The terrain outside may make it easy for any on approach to be seen but there is no fathomable way these guards could cover all the required lines of sight.

Finally, there is a funny odor hanging about the air. It is certainly part sewage in origin, but there is a second unplaceable aroma about.

[Xenoe]

Judy does a brief look over the city before shaking her head.

Judy: "Certainly city life at it's best, can't ever get used to the smell though. Perhaps now that we're here, we can split up and ask around for information?"

[Dekaru]

Finch has a fairly good idea of what the cause of the odor is and tries to ignore it. He stops and speaks to the others as he looks around

[Imperial]-"I'll head to a bar and see what I can find. Under circumstances like these the bars are always full of people trying to forget troubles. Company is welcome but it's likely best I go alone. Good opportunity for you to learn the trade Agrinna. The rest are best served seeing the sights of the city."

[Xenoe]

Judy nods:

"I'll head towards the market square and see if I can get any information out of grocers and the like."

[Zwiche]

"This odor sparks my curiosity. I do not recognize it. I will try and track the second smell, hidden as it is. Where shall we meet after our individual searches?"

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"Whatever passes as the market aught be suitable."

[Corenat Rovarnus]

[Imperial] "And we shalt look into yonder vessels." Andrea and Vala will attempt to ascend to get a closer look at the skyships and their moorings. Should they encounter any of the crew they will inquire about the recent battle.

[Interovegas]

DIVERGENCE BEGINS:

4.1 Footway Robbery - A Giant Nose (Zwiche)
4.2 Footway Robbery - Veggietales (Judy and Henry)
4.3 Footway Robbery - A Fish In Water (Finch and Agrina)
4.4 Footway Robbery - Who would visit the suffering of four divergences upon themselves (Andrea and Vala)

[Interovegas]

All seven souls of the party reconvene. Zwiche is the last of the group to arrive. When he finds his way to the market the others are standing idly amidst empty stalls. It is early into the night and the streets are utterly barren. Judy is holding a torch to cast some light for the party.

[Zwiche]

Zwiche speaks first, holding the iron torch he claimed from the sewers, a small twig in his mighty fist.

[Imperial] - “Captain Fringe, this city is cursed. There is some foul magic or monster in the sewers. The tunnels are lined with the dead, and a sickly heat emanates from their center. I dared not press forward alone, lest I be unable to return and tell you of my discovery. While I explored, I was discovered by some sort of creature, by I did not manage to capture them before they disappeared into the darkness.”

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea mills about haphazardly, wishing she could freely exercise all four legs. [Imperial] "Well then, we art all gathered again. I'm afraid my venture was terribly unproductive, I was shooed away by the guards on the pretense of some curfew from Lord Kinsgrumur, though I think they truly just misliked my presence."

[Dekaru]

Finch leans against a wooden post in the market scratching his chin contemplating the next course of action. Without looking up and hiding his face from onlookers with his hat he supplies his own information.

[Imperial]-"There be numerous mercenaries here from as far as the Ruhini deserts. The Imperials are hirin' them to dig fortifications but the group I made acquaintances with seem above digging holes. The Imperials pull the civilians they can to do their digging. The Ruhini do not seem to care for the Imperials and only for the coin meanin' they may be useful if'n they could be convinced. I was left with impression the people and mercenaries alike do not know the Imperials here are of a different breed so to speak."

Finch moves his hand to inside his coat and feels the hilt of one of his daggers. Without his sword he's not much use in a fight but he knows a potential solution to their issue.

[Imperial]-"Mercenaries also spoke of monsters killin' the people from the dark. I can only assume them be the monsters you speak of Zwiche an' be good you did not pursue further. If'n these creatures be real the curfew unlikely to be a farce. Ridding the city of these beasts may be enough grant audience with the Lord an' provide us the information we need."

Finch glances at Judy who has remained quiet about her own discoveries

[Imperial]-"Less you found something of greater use or hints of rebellion brewing in hidden alleys?"

[Xenoe]

Judy sees the captain's glance, and figure's it be her turn to speak.

Judy - [Imperial]: "Aye, I also spoke with a local peddler and gleaned that this city was once ruled by a Queen who opposed the empire, but was back-stabbed by the very Lord Kinsgrumur who now controls this place, and their independence was sold back to the empire. As a result of whatever machinations which transpired behind the scenes, they got to keep their own men stationed in the city while the imperials are mostly encamped not far outside.

As for the monster problem, I've also heard similar stories of children and elderly disappearing at night."

At this point Henry interjects with a couple of barks, and pointing his paw at a nearby sewage drain, then his own eye's, and does a strange leering expression.

Judy - [Imperial]: "Ah right, when I was walking here I felt a watchful presence upon my back, I think Henry here's saying that it might be from the drains?"

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"And where is this queen now I wonder?"

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "The citizen said that she should be in the dungeons, whether she is dead or alive is a mystery, though.

On, on another note, I've also rented a lodging for us if we are to spend the night here."

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea [Imperial]: "Ah, excellent! But dost thou know if this lodging hath accommodation for... larger individuals?"

[Zwiche]

[Imperial] - “And so we sleep? Should we not take advantage of this darkness and dive into the sewers now, and slay these monsters quickly?”

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Hmm it might be a bit cramped, but the man did not say anything about a size limit... I suppose we are free to do as we see fit, except destroy it of course."

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea [Imperial]: "I ask thee to what end would we slay these 'monsters' thou speakest of? Certainly 'twould not free this city from Imperial control."

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-“Nor would it bring us necissarily any closer to our goals. This lord is not a man I care to be in the good graces of.”

[Zwiche]

Zwiche stands bewildered.

[Imperial] - "To what end? Beyond the end of honor and glory? And besides, although we must not join the Empire, it can only help our cause if we get close to their lords. Perhaps we could gain entry to the palace and rescue their queen, or capture his heirs, or the man himself!"

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea raises her eyebrows. [Imperial] "Ah, so thou hast found a way into the keep through the sewers?"

[Zwiche]

“I do not mean entry via the twisted tunnels running under this town. I mean through earning the lord’s invitation, as he surely will want to honor the monster slayers. Once invited to his estate, who knows what we might be able to accomplish.”

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea nods. [Imperial] "Ah, surely he will. This idea holds merit." She relishes the idea of marching past those recalcitrant guards into the keep.
Vala groans. "Please, no. This is not a risk we need to take."
Andrea pats her on the shoulder. "Oh, be not craven my squire. 'Tis a quest we shall embark on!"

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "There's just one foreseeable problem with that line of thinking. The people here do not seem to realize, or are unwilling discover that the danger to their lives lurks beneath, for certainly if they did there would be a more formal investigation by real fighting professionals. As such, even if we were to endanger ourselves underground, we might not even get the recognition we deserve, or even perhaps become subjects to an unfortunate 'cover-up'."

[Dekaru]

Finch says and pushes himself off the wooden post

[Imperial]-"In leu of a better idea we can at least do some good for a change. A real change of pace. I need to visit a blacksmith 'morrow to get a new sword. I'm not eager to delve into monster filled sewers tonight so let us rest and do the dirty work then."

[Zwiche]

"Then let us sleep, and perhaps spread rumors of the monster beneath our feet. We shall bring awareness of the plight to the citizens of this town, as well as their salvation."

[Xenoe]

Judy still thinks its a bad idea, but without a sky ship there is little to be done.

Judy - [Imperial]: "Alright, if that's the plan we best rest up."

Judy leads the gang to her rented abode.

[Interovegas]

Judy shows the group the way to the empty homestead she secured. The guards have abandoned the streets of the third and fourth ring completely. The only signs of them are at the sentry posts along the outer wall inner ring. The party reaches their resting place for the night. There are only two cots and not much floorspace. But, the temperature is amicable for sleeping without blankets. There is a bit of puzzle solving involved in carving out a space for Zwiche but even he is able to rest his head upon the ancient uneven brick.

The majority of the party sleeps uncomfortably. It is no surprise they gently drift into a state of half awareness when soft metallic steps sound out from the street. Those awake estimate it must terribly early in the morning.

[Doing anything other than ignoring the noise and returning to sleep will deny a character the opportunity to roll for vigor from this night.]

[Dekaru]

Finch ignores the noise and goes back to sleep

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea gets up groggily, as there was no way she was getting a good night's sleep in these conditions anyhow. She peeks out the door to see what the source of the noise might be.

[Interovegas]

Andrea assumes a form with two legs to navigate to the door quietly and without commotion. She pushes the door open just enough to try and get a look out the crack. She doesn't find the source immediately but can tell that whoever it is they are walking with a dim torch. Andrea creeps her head out ever so slightly to identify the source. She sees a large a person wearing a bizzarre set of plate armor. By her estimation the wandering person must be seven and a half feet tall. Their size is still the least concerning thing about them. Their armor is intentionally perforated with inch wide holes in a wide grid pattern all along their helmet, chestplate and chauses.

The person halts and turns about. The front of their armor appears equally perforated. They hold up an armored finger to their close helm and stare directly at Andrea, as if to signal her silence.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea closes the door, waits for a while, then exits the homestead to follow in the person's footsteps from a distance.

[Interovegas]

[27.2.343]

Andrea ignores the chills running down her spine and quietly slips out of the homestead after waiting for a short while. When she exits she spots the glow of the torch around the bend further along the central path of the ring. Andrea quietly follows behind.

[Andrea (Stealth): 8,3,2 Result: CLOP CLOP CLOP]

For several minutes the noblemare follows after the suspicious person. Eventually the person comes to a long stop in the middle of a long straight stretch of the path about forty paces away from Andrea. They do not turn, they do not speak, nor do they give any other sort of signal that they might be aware of Andrea. Instead, after a motionless two minutes they leap from the ground to the roof of the nearby building. The torch left on the ground below barely illuminates their silhouette as they conduct their unknown mission. Andrea can only tell they are hunched through the thatched roof. Moments later they draw up the outline of a child no older than thirteen and jump down to the fire.

This time, they turn to face Andrea's direction. They kneel down and lay the child before them. Something is certainly amiss. The child still seems sound asleep despite being carried down some twelve paces by an armored giant. The person in armor draws their sword. The torch light emanating from below is weakly reflected as glimmers of orange and gold against the sword. Still, Andrea can tell immediately by the broad body and angular taper towards the point, the sword is made in the Northhold style. But, like the size and armor of this person there is something strange about the sword as well. The fuller of the blade is thinner and deeper than a traditional Northhold broadsword, and small grooves reach from the fuller to both edges of the sword.

The armored mystery holds up their sword point at Andrea.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea instinctively draws her own sword, as this cannot bode well. [Imperial] "State thy intentions with yon child, knave. Depending on what thou says, I may have to kick thy arse!"

[Interovegas]

They look up to the impenetrable darkness of the night sky and raise their sword. They turn the blade upon themselves and bring half its length down through the viewing slit of their close helm. Beyond all reason they remove the blade from their head as if unharmed, and without a trace of blood. Suddenly, the armored soul falls forwards and begins a freakish and swift sprint towards Andrea. They punt the torch directly at Andrea with their first powerful bound and rapidly close in right after.

[But the rest is for a combat, with a map, many hours from now]

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea's jaw drops, her confidence evaporating into fear. If this...being was not harmed by a sword piercing straight through its head, would her own strikes even have any effect? Realizing she is ill-equipped to deal with such a foe, she swallows her pride and exercises a technique that makes use of her legs- by bolting in the other direction.

[Interovegas]

The armored soul catches the torch in their right hand and runs down the street with suddenly eerily silent steps. Andrea flees with all the haste she can muster.

[Andrea (Run): 9,6,4,4,4,2 Result: You better run]
[Andrea (Sight): 9,5 Result: No, no, it's too dark, you cannot see]
[Armored Soul: ???]

She dashes madly into the darkness. Desperately she hops and leaps down small steps and corners. Anything to reach the safety of her comrades. A misstep in the dark sends her tumbling to the rough stone path. She frantically turns her gaze towards her pursuer. The armored soul finishes their chase with a great leap and land just after Andrea. They turn their gaze down towards Halsey.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea brushes dust off her knees. If she could unleash her true form... but it is not her legs that are lacking, it is her eyes. She turns back (or to the side) and keeps running, hoping to find a light source to guide her path.

[Interovegas]

[Armored Soul: ???]
[Andrea (Run): 9,8,7,7,4,6 Result: Fast, but fast enough?]

Andrea makes to flee again, but this time she is not quick enough. The armored soul grabs her side with a painful grip and flings her five paces overhead. They crouch down as Andrea reaches the apex of the toss and spring upwards with a merciless thrust. Andrea falls directly on the pointed steel. The armored soul stretches out their right arm to slow Andrea's fall, seemingly to extend the agony of being impaled. Between the waves of blinding pain Andrea feels something shift about the blade inside her.

The armored soul lays Andrea on the ground with sword embedded in her and crouches down over their quarry. A light flickers around the corner and a familiar voice trembles as it sounds out.

Vala-[Imperial]: "M-master?"

The armored shifts its helmet to cast a gaze upon an unarmored Vala holding a torch and shaking at the sight of her discovery.

[Andrea takes 4 killing damage to Torso, AP 4 if it is relevant]

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea [Imperial]: "RUN! Fetch our companions!" She tries to pull the sword out of her whilst undoing her transformation. Vala does her best to comply.

[Interovegas]

[Andrea (Athletics): 9,8,6,4,2,1 Result: A stomach of steel]
[Armored Soul (Weapon Skill-Unarmed): ???]

Andrea strains against the metal for what feels like an eternity. Her companion flees and the armored soul does not pursue. Instead he delivers a brutal blow to Andrea's skull with his armored gauntlet and follows up with a terrible punch to the gut. Andrea nearly blinks out of consciousness from the impacts. When she shifts back to her equine form her attacker is thrown back for a moment, shocked but not scared away by the abrupt transformation. Blood ebbing from the impaling blade begins to soak Andrea's back and side.

[Andrea takes 3 Killing+1 Shock to Head]
[Andrea takes 4 Killing+1 Shock to Torso]