4. Footway Robbery - Waelass

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea needs to get away, but she can't do it with this accursed hunk of metal (and something else) still stuck within her. She tries to wrench it free once more.

[Interovegas]

[Andrea (Athletics): 10,9,9,7,6,1 Result: Not Sanic enough]
[Armored Soul (Weapon Skill-Unarmed): ???]

Andrea grips at the sword and pulls with the last of strength. It begins to budge! She grits her teeth and nearly removes the weapon ... until she's sent unconscious by another skull rattling blow.

[Andrea takes 3 shock damage to head]

Everything fades to black.

[Andrea diverges to 4.5 Footway Robbery - Edge of the Maw]

Vala bursts through the door fantically yelling and bashing at the door post to wake up the party.

[Andrea's player continues posting here for Vala]

[Dekaru]

Finch jolts up from his seat and reflexively grabs a dagger from his boot. Rubbing his eyes he looks around in the dark and curses at being so thoroughly startled

[Ob-Lob]-"Furphy corker whacker would ya push off with that racket!"

Finch stands up and hits his head on a ceiling beam recoiling back onto the bed. Seeing stars Finch does his best to find his tongue.

[Imperial]-"What you yabberin' about jillaroo? Don't tell me this is all because Henry needs to go out again?"

[Zwiche]

Zwiche lifts up his head, but is careful not to stand in such close quarters.

[Imperial] - "Calm thyself, maid Vala. Speak clearly, and tell us what troubles thee."

[Xenoe]

Judy rubs her pounding temples. It's hard to be a morning person when it's not even morning yet...

Judy - [Imperial]: "Henry's right here Captain..."

Henry barks in both indignation and confirmation.

Judy - [Imperial]: "It's coming from the outside, I think its the voice of the lady knight's squire?"

Judy walks up to the door:

"Who goes there? Is it Vala?"

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Vala [Imperial]: "Yes, 'tis I! Lady Andrea is in dire straits. She hath encounter'd some blackguard clad in a strange suit of plate, and been run through by her sword! Oh, please help!" she laments.

[Zwiche]

Zwiche has only journeyed with these strangers for less than a week, but he already knows he would die from them. He gathers his weapons and throws on his scavenged furs, before crawling out the door.

[Imperial]-“Lead the way Vala! Show us to your Lady, that we might rescue her!”

[Dekaru]

Finch is a tad confused as the door is already open and Vala inside banging on the door frame but chalks that up to the stars he's still seeing. Finch stands up and stumbles around a bit for a torch or some light source. Following after Zwiche he rubs his temple with his free hand

[Imperial]-"So much for rest."

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "I would be less than effective without my enchantments, and I need time to set them up. If the warrior and the captain would go first, I'll try to catch up with Henry after I'm ready."

[Corenat Rovarnus]

[Imperial] "This way, please!" Vala leads the gang back to the location where she last saw Andrea.

[Interovegas]

The party rushes back to Andrea's last known location out in the streets but discover Andrea is nowhere to be found. There is a small puddle of blood quickly drying into the stone. A few specks of blood trail off from the evidence of the struggle.

[Xenoe]

Judy, after armoring herself and Henry, and creating a wheelbarrow to carry a some firewood, comes to find the party.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Vala's heart sinks as she finds only the blood puddle. Could they be too late? [Imperial] "Ah, there is a trail!" She follows the specks until they end, then tries to infer the best direction after that.

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"I be no tracker but with luck whoever took her left an easy trail to follow. The dog should have an easy enough time of it."

[Zwiche]

[Imperial] - "Indeed, let us follow the blood. Should we lose our way, Judy and henry shall surely join us soon."

[Interovegas]

[Henry (Scrutinize-Smell): 9,5,5,5,1+MD:9 Result: Elementary...]

Henry picks up the scent and moves swiftly in pursuit of whoever abducted Andrea. Henry leads the party to the very same sewer entrance Zwiche investigated earlier. Strangely enough, the sluice is closed.

[Dekaru]

Finch, not eager to go down into the sewer of death, clears his throat and gestures at his hip and lack it's of a sword

[Imperial]-"I do not think it so good an idea to pursue down into the sewers. I lack proper weaponry and am not eager to be fighting any monstrosity with only a knife. I should think preparation is the key to success here and our dear knight may be lost to us."

[Zwiche]

Zwiche narrows his eyes. [Imperial] -"You would abandon your crew? I know not what creature has taken Lady Halsey, but I know that she is not long for this world. Here, take one of my blades, whichever you wish, but we cannot leave her to die."

[Xenoe]

Judy: "It may be reasonable to conclude that wherever the lady knight is, it should be beyond that sluice gate. Perhaps I could use enchantment to seal this sluice with a solid of smokemass, and then head 'upstream' to stake out another one of the exits. Whatever is down there is surely to come up eventually and we can funnel it towards a place that is more to our advantage so that we may ambush it and ask for the lady's whereabouts, or failing at language, at least avenge our comrade."

[Dekaru]

Finch takes Zwiche's sword offer and feels the blade out with a few short swings. Disappointing it isn't as well balanced as his old saber he reluctantly places it on his hip.

[Imperial]-"I haven't any idea how complex the sewers are an' the only people who may aren't around. This is our only trail an' only chance at saving the boatswain. Had we time I'd certainly opt for your more protracted approach."

[Zwiche]

[Imperial] - "I have explored this charnel house. I am certain that the Lady Halsey has been taken down that corridor of bones, deep into the humid heat which emanates from the center of this ossuary labyrinth. Follow me, and stay on your guard."

Zwiche opens the sluice and heads in ax-first.

[Dekaru]

Finch curses and follows. As his nose is blasted by the utterly foul odor he mutters to no one in particular

[Imperial]-“Sleep is apparently considered overrated now.”

Finch reaches up to take the torch from Judy so she can climb down without issue

[Xenoe]

Judy, unable to abandon her comrades, sighs and lowers herself and her wheelbarrow into the dank sewers.

Judy - "Sorry buddy, if you want to can wait back at the house."

Henry barks a couple of times and bounds after her gagging pitifully at the terrible smell.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

In stunned silence Vala watches the others enter the sewers like the band of brave heroes they are. Truly Lady Halsey had good taste in company. But would she want to see her squire hurt or killed for her sake? Surely not.

Vala gulps. Sometimes being a hero means doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. Pinching her nose, she too ventures into the depths.

[Interovegas]

Zwiche and the others cross the boundary into the dark and foul sewers of Waelass. It is of no surprise that the scent and sight of the trail are buried beneath the streaks of sewage in bottom of the passage. The party treads carefully and cognizant of the fact that with torches in hand they cannot evade the notice of anyone or anything lurking ahead. In a short time Zwiche leads the party to the first junction.

[Dekaru]

Finch takes one look at the pathways down each junction and complete lack of trail, nods, and matter of factly says

[Imperial]-“Whelp we tried. Let’s turn back now before an ill fate befalls us as all.”

He then turns around and starts walking back the way they came.

[Zwiche]

[Imperial] -"If your order is to leave our friend and fighter to her death, then so be it. I cannot countermand your wish, for you are Captain. But I must stress once more that there is only one logical place for the Lady Halsey to have been taken. Note the marks on the walls, marks which match this very ax. She is surely down the passage of corpses, suffering unknown torments, wishing only for her companions to rescue her."

[Dekaru]

Finch bites his lip but doesn’t turn back to face Zwiche. He knows it is cowardly not to go but he can’t help but shake the feeling that continuing is suicide.

[Imperial]-“We know not if there is only one of the monsters down here or a dozen. I am not as capable a fighter as any of you. I am not a master of magic nor a reaper of men. If the knight could not fight one of the monsters then I have no chance.”

Finch removes Zwiches sword from his hip and places it to rest against the wall.

[Imperial]-“If you’re to continue you’ll need this back.”

He resumes his walking

[Zwiche]

Zwiche spits on the floor as he hooks his sword back through his belt. He turns to Judy, his brow creased with anger.

[Imperial] - "And what say you? Shall we dare these depths together? I fear for our chances, but if you desire to save your friend, I will not deny thy wish."

[Xenoe]

Judy shakes her head.

Judy: "Rather, with what chances is the lady knight still alive? For ransom? Or captured as a spy for interrogation? Or perhaps used as material for some dark ritual? In any of these cases her life would not be in immediate danger, and so the proper course of action would be to bait out the one behind the scenes. If it indeed be some beast which lurks in these sewers, I fear that she is no longer.

In any case walking within the sewers, our enemy's home territory would just be fool hardy. What if this is all a trap, and when we get further on in they shut their gates and ambush us?"

[Zwiche]

[Imperial] - “Vala! Tell us more of what you saw. We need details, that we might decide whether to leave your Lady to her doom.

“If this be a trap, then I must agree; we need more men. We must be able to find additional mercenaries in this wartime town. But we cannot delay. Every second we waste is another closer to Lady Halsey’s death, should she still live.”

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "I'm for resuming our search after we obtain more help. Lady Andrea was no slouch in combat, and yet she was taken alive without the night watch finding out, attesting to her assailant's formidable strength."

[Zwiche]

Zwiche spits into the sewage, trying to wash the taste of cowardice from his mouth.

[Imperial] - "Very well. Let us go and gather our forces. We can bury her body with respect."

[Dekaru]

Finch walks the short distance the group had traveled down the sewer and climbs out. As Zwiche and Judy climb out Finch looks solemnly at the entrance knowing full well Andrea is likely being left to her death. Once the covering is back on the entrance the group heads back at their temporary sleeping quarters. When Finch walks in and Agrinna looks at the group wondering about their success Finch shakes his head and without saying a word goes to whatever passes for bedding and sits. Removing his hat and feeling the brim as he rotates it Finch finally breaks the silence in the room.

[Imperial]-"This city has proven itself doubly dangerous in just one night. I know not what hope Andrea has of surviving or we of saving her but we have at least gained a modicum of understanding of what is occurring here. Come morning, we will seek out some associates I made in the city and see about gaining their aid in our sewer delve. For now, we will try to get some rest. You all sleep, I'll take the first watch."

Presuming no monsters come to visit in the night the group does their best to rest until morning. When it comes Finch groggily stands up from his bedding and peeks out through the door as he yawns to see if there is any hub bub or many people out and about in the city streets.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Vala sullenly returns to the homestead as well, realizing that some of the companions are in fact not heroes. Her sleep is restless, but she makes it through the night.

[Zwiche]

Zwiche spent a restless night, wracked with guilt over the loss of Andrea. As the sun rises, he pushes his way out the small door and stretches to his full height, his joints popping as he shakes off what little sleep he achieved.

[Imperial] - "Well then, Captain, shall we see these associates of yours? I would find the Lady Halsey before she rots so much as to be unidentifiable."

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-“Do recall that in these walls I am not Captain, but yes, we should move with haste. I must visit a blacksmith on our way to acquire a new sword but it should be a minor detour.”

Finch turns back to look inside as the others groggily wake up

[Imperial]-“Lets hop to it you lot. Our goal here has not changed, only the expectations of difficulty.”

The group presumably heads to a nearby blacksmith so Finch can buy a new sword and then heads to the same tavern he met the Mer canary group.

[Interovegas]

The quartet detour into the second ring in the mid morning in search of a blacksmith. There they are told there are more weapons than heads around because of recent events. However, these weapons are so numerous they have been stockpiled in the Imperial camp beyond the walls and in the castle's armroy. The blacksmith being a servant of the crown, and not a free market agent, is busy making nails.

The group moves along in search of Finch's new acquaintances. They ask around at the alehouse from yesterday and are informed that Nassur and the others perform morning drills just outside the main gate. Indeed, the party discovers Nassur and his fellow mercenaries circled around a duo performing a duel with wooden weapons. Nassur waves to Finch to acknowledge his arrival. Nassur and the other mercenaries all pause and take a moment to stare at Zwiche.

[Dekaru]

Finch tips his hat as the group walks over and smiles at the man as big as Zwiche. Finch gestures from Judy to Nassur as he speaks

[Imperial]-"And here I was hoping for another round of cards and drink; this be the ones, sir. The exceptional fellows from the sands I told you about. Their skills are sharp and by my thinkin' able to help us with our situation. This intimidating man be Nassur."

When they get close Finch jabs at the air with his elbow in an air nudge at Nassur while he winks at him

[Imperial]-"Careful with her. She may not look it, but she's a stone cold killer."

[Interovegas]

[Imperial: 10,10,10,4 Result: Understanding!]

Nassur Li-Ak-[Imperial]: "I think you come cross sword with us. Practice and ... komputition? This ally big like rhino. He skill like he look strong?"

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Good day, my good man. As much as I expect the big man to favor a good scuffle, we are here short on time. One of our friends left the house last night, whether for a midnight stroll or some other venture I do not know, but she was kidnapped, with only her squire returning to tell the tale.

We suspect that she might be held by whatever is in the sewers, and would like to hire a few more helping hands. Yer swords look sharp, and yer skill sharper, would ye fancy to put it to use for some coin?"

[Interovegas]

[Imperial: 8,8,2,1 Result: JABBER-WOCKY]

Nassur narrows his gaze. A roguish wry smile stretches across his elegant angular face. He thrusts his short spear into the dirt.

Nassur Li-Ak-[Imperial]: "Good lady, we not acquainted. I am Nassur Li-Ak!"

[Zwiche]

Zwiche nods to the mercenaries.

[Imperial] - "As the Lady says, I would be honored to join you in a challenge. But today, I fear we have not the time. Will you join us? Our ally sits chained, or even worse. We must rescue her."

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "And I am Justice Jade,"

She bows in a gentlemanly manner.

"We're travelling mercenaries looking for work, and we thought we'd find it here, but instead we found ourselves down a member in a supposedly secure city."

[Interovegas]

[Imperial Comprehension: 6,3,3,2 Result: I swear to god this is possessed, 4 dice should only be a 50% chance but there has yet to be a comprehension failure what is going on.]

Nassur Li-Ak-[Imperial]: "Who thrash in shit halls of closed city like this? Maybe think of new member for cutting and smashing."

Nassur pounds his fist into his open palm.

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Aye, whether smashing or thrashing, we'd welcome an additional hand, or more."

[Interovegas]

[Imperial Comprehension: 8,7,5,3 Result: WoOoW]

Nassur Li-Ak-[Imperial]: "Me and them no want roll in filth. Pay four coin and we do."

One of the other foreign mercenaries lets out a whine. Nassur waves his hand behind him to dismiss their protest.

[Xenoe]

Judy turns to her fellows.

Judy - [Imperial]: "They say they require 4 coins for their services, but I do not have that much on me. We will need to pool our possessions."

[Zwiche]

Zwiche frowns.

[Imperial] - “can you not negotiate? Four coins! Those willing to sell their swords for the equivalent of four sandwiches cannot be greatly in need of money.”

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Perhaps, but perhaps our insincerity might anger them. Do we even have time to find another helper?"