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Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
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Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#1The last few years have been busy ones. The old king of Honuntton, Tonhel VI passed away, much to the great grief of the people of Honuntton. The funeral services lasted for four weeks before the body of the great King was relinquised to the catacombs deep within the stone heart of Hal-Honuntton, the capital island of the Kingdom. His son took the mantle Tanquebel IV, naming himself after a lineage of warriors and conquerors.
The Hy-Oritzi Combine caused many people to shake their heads in bemusement, for after sixteen days of deadlocked debate and filibustering, the Combine Council made their formal decision in the matter of Pirate Hunting to be 'Decision Pending'. This has left many of the Combine ship captains in a state of disbelief while pirates and privateers, constant parasites on Combine traffic and holdings, have praised the wisdom and courage of the Council.
Newrock Island rose from the oceans, shedding water for days before the surface became dry enough to set ship down on. The top is still spongy and thick from whatever dwells beneath the waves, and it will be some time yet before saplings and grass sprout on its surface. Already some make moves to bring the newly risen island into their realm of control and power.
The explorer and Aeronaut Tajes launched a new expedition into the Upper Reaches, taking five airships and 700 men hunting for Phantom Island. It has been three months since their departure, and not a word has returned of their fates.
Yet with rising, comes falling. The island of High Temple, the central bastion of the Paladins of the High Temple also broke the surface of the endless sea. Yet the temple was rubble, and the island was wormed through with holes, for almost every piece of pantarbe ore had long since been extraced. The Paladins are little more than a scattered dream, the survivors more than a year and a half later have yet to make any visible sort of recovery.
Chancellor Ildech of Notar's Realm announced that Grand Admiral Shaesel Ion Notar the XIX daughters, Osuzu and Ta, are of age to be courted for marriage.
Sharashka, a once great power, drifts in ruins, the cities that dotted it little more then burning slag and fields of corpses. The Sky Knights, among the proudest and valorous of orders failed to defend the island, and paid for their failure the lives of themselves and their entire nation. Since the devastation, miners and harvesters, scavengers and thieves have turned Sharashka into a den of murderers and criminals. All the while unscrupulous enterprises burrow vital ore out of the heart of the island.
Sutherland Isle
A rocky island blessed with several large plateaus, Sutherland has a pleasant climate and a growing population. The most prominent of the isle's communities is the trade city of Aenallophos. While nominally an unclaimed island, Sutherland has been a free island for centuries, a trading post and a waystation.
(OOC - Players, please feel free to post your introductions, Aenallophos is a large city by Epoan standards, as as a free port, ships from all over the local region make harbor here.) -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#2Strong winds buffeted the giant crane fly, blowing the insect native to the shipping island of Akhone back up into the air.
"Whoa, Zizi, don't you lose control on me now!", the rider shouted, a soaking wet brown cloak clinging to his leather armour and tanned face. The insect responded to the soft tugging of the reins, and with a jerking motion it resumed its descent.
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Thirty feet below a street girl gaped as she watched the insect rider maneuver his mount through the air and into the narrow alley she was standing in. Most people used authorized landing squares or the landing ground outside the stables, but this fellow was apparently intent on landing his mount in her alley.
Squeezing into a narrow passage between two houses, she watched as he landed and subsequently dismounted. He threw back the wet hood, and she saw he was a handsome man, his head shaved bald and his nose somewhat crooked. The little girl knew that her older sisters would have giggled and stared, but she did not, for she sensed something about him that made her keep silent.
The stranger threw his cloak over his shoulders, revealing brown leather armour beneath, then he started walking towards the doorway belonging to Seth, a local fence. Three taps on the door was followed by two, then four and shortly thereafter the clicking sounds of sliding locks could be heard from the other side of the door.
"You are late Naraias", Seth grumbled in his usual dour manner.
"Well, you know how it is on the lowest islands Seth. I had to brave a storm, and a fierce one at that. What counts is that I got your package, right?", the voice of the insect rider was cheerful, which she found odd given how dour Seth was and the weather he had ridden through.
"Very well Naraias, you do have a point", Seth said and then they swapped two leather pouches.
Seth closed his door with a grumble, and shortly thereafter Naraias mounted the giant crane fly. The rapid beating of fluttery wings sounded and when she peeked out again, he was already at roof level. Something shining came falling down from above, and instinctively she reached out for it.
Opening her palm she found a silver coin. -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#3Another groan came forth from the mouth of the elven girl as she writhed in bed, drenched in sweat. Her parents, weeping from a corner of the room, said she had been sick for weeks. They had tried to get help from the hospital of Aenallophos, but their city medicines had failed. They needed a Kaduai shaman.
Cloudstrider Balthustrol began his chant again, the a chant he had made for the past two hours. Dressed in the headdress, cloak, and bangles of his people, he applied more incense and herbs to the brazer before the child. [[Sky Mother! Heal your people, heal with the winds,]] he chanted and sung in Kaduai. [[Abandon not your people, people of the winds, the winds of the Six Directions! Send the spirit of healing, let your people live!]] At last, Cloudstrider felt a spark of life from within. His hands oustretched, he placed the fingers of one hand on the girl's forehead, the others into the hot ashes of the brazier. The couple behind him gasped, first at the sight of his hand in the fire, then at the sight of the girl as her eyes flashed open. A fit of coughing came over her, Cloudstrider's firm hand still holding her head to the pillow. She gave a sudden gasp, then fainted.
The chanting stopped. Cloudstrider gave a deep sigh, catching his breath, then stood, brushing the soot from his hands. "She will live," he said simply, quietly. "Let her rest and make sure she gets plenty of water." He reached into his medicine bag and placed a sachet of herbs on the nightstand next to the brazier. "Mix a pinch of that into tea and make sure she drinks it once a day."
The mother wept with joy and exhaustion, and the father gave a joyous and pained laugh. He kissed his wife and rushed to a cabinet in the corner of the room. He threw it open and pulled out a small pouch. "Please, take this," he said, voice still shaking, placing the bag in Cloudstrider's hand. "It is all we have."
The half-elf felt the weight of the bag and opened it with his fingers. He took the elf man's hands with one of his own and dumped all but a few of the coins into them. "Keep them well-fed and happy," he said, closing the pouch. "Kata Rangi will bless you." The man began to weep again.
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Cheff was almost asleep in the tenament alley when the door finally opened and Cloudstrider stepped out, wearing ordinary traveller's clothes with a Kaduai jacket. He stood up quickly and followed the half-elf down the street. "She gonna be okay?"
The shaman nodded. "She'll be fine," he said calmly, breathing in the cooler outside air. "She's awful lucky though, Three-stars. A day later and she'd've been dead."
Cheff wrinkled his nose, itching at his elven ears beneath his toboggan. "It's Cheff now," he corrected. "We ain't in Kaduai Nation."
Cloudstrider snorted, looking the other over. "Y'know, they always say you can take the elf out of Kaduai, but you can't take the Kaduai out of the elf. Guesss that's wrong, huh?"
Cheff sighed. "Epoa's changing, Cloudstrider. Kaduai's got to change too, or she'll get left behind. Us here, we're the new settlers, just as much as the humans on the Outskirts. You oughta know that much as anyone."
"Yeah, I guess so," Cloudstrider said, stretching his arms above his head. They turned the corner of the street and approached the rental stables nearby. "I don't think it's a zero-sum game, though. The world's big enough for everyone, isn't it?"
Cheff shrugged. "We'll see about that, Balthustrol." He dropped a few coins onto the stable manager's counter. "Check under 'Cheff'," he ordered. The bearded man nodded and shouted an order to the younger men in the back. Cheff leaned against the side of the building. "What's your next job?"
Cloudstrider shrugged. "Beats me. Reckon I'll just follow the winds, see where Sky Mother takes me." A shrill cry came from the back of the stable, followed by a yelp. Cloudstrider grinned. "There's Moonwing."
The heavy stable door opened and a young man came out dragging a large hawk by its reigns. The hawk resisted, scratching its talons backwards and straining the cords that restrained its wings. When it caught sight of Cloudstrider, it gave another cry and hopped forward. Cloudstrider took the reigns from the boy who had a large scratch on his forearm. "That's some bird you got, mister," the boy muttered.
"That's a Kaduai sun hawk, kid," he said, smiling at the bird and ruffling the bright feathers on its head. "Best bird in the skies." In a single motion, the half-elf cleric swung his leg over the bird's saddle and mounted himself. Moonwing cheerfully hopped forward again.
Cheff stepped back. "'Preciate the help, Cloudstrider. You at least gonna stay in town?"
Cloudstrider nodded. "Yeah, we'll see if anything interesting happens around here." He reached for the knife in his belt and cut the cords tying the hawk's wings down. Moonwing happily flapped and fluttered, preening her freed limbs. The half-elf steered her into the street with the reigns and looked up just in time to see a huge insect flit across the sky, a small man seated on its back. "See? There's something interesting already."
Cheff grinned and shook his head. "We'll see you around, Balthustrol. Safe winds."
"Safe winds and Sky Mother's blessing to you, Three-stars," the shaman said with a wink. He gave a short whistle and Moonwing flapped her powerful wings. Within moments they were in the air, sailing toward the heart of the city. -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#4Tahar stood against the railing, looking out across the sky, cloud-islands forming ever-changing, wondrous scenery. Though the High Temple lay low and desecrated, beauty still held sway in the world, and so there was still hope.
He thought back to the last hours he spent with fellow Paladins, the terrible battle that destroyed the The Resolute. Many of his order had perished in the fight, and Tahar had nearly drowned himself after the stricken vessel settled into the sea and sank. The quick action of a somewhat insane Sea-fisher had saved him from a watery grave, though none other of the crew appeared to be as lucky.
He spent a harrowing week on the Sea-fisher's ship. He had trained on ships so high that the sea was just an expanse of featureless grey, and for days he was within an arrow-shot of the sea. The air was so thick it could have been soup down there, and it made him dizzy.
The work on the Bottom-Feeder was hard, and dangerous, but the captain had regaled him with tall tales of fishing expeditions. He mentioned 'Cities below the Sea', whose lights one could see at night-time, giant Aerophins that swam below the waves, and other amusing nonsense. He left the captain when he stopped at Aenallophos to sell his catch. Tahar refused payment for his help and thanked the captain.
While walking down the main thoroughfare, he noticed people looking at him with a strange, almost predatory gaze. Suddenly, he was grabbed by the elbow and pulled into an alley.
It was Yethric, a member of his order, though he looked far from the part in the guise of a beggar. "Stow your emblem, brother - our order is being hunted still by Tanquebel. You are junior enough not to make his lists, but your emblem makes you a target!" Seeing Tahar's frown, "You will serve our Liege little if you are dead, my brother. Never deny him, but there is no need to reveal unasked. Now, go, but take that end of the alley, and put on this cloak!"
Tahar put on the cloak and as he looked back, he heard running footfalls and Yethric was disappearing around a corner.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#5Most people dont tlook up when a lone rider flies overhead, but even in Sutherland a man riding his warhawk a few feet from the tops of the buildings gathers some attention. One such man was doing just that. A child pointed first as the rider, mounted atop a silvery grey great Erne came down towards the town, his mount leading several others who were struggling to keep up. The man scowled, he felt weak, something no doubt he attributed to the pair of arrows that protruded from his side and back. The armor held and he only bled instead of falling like a stone from his great erne. He spared a glance over his shoulder, the two outriders were still after him, but their aim had fallen off, both they and their smaller birds were tired from the long chase. He felt Tierney, his erne, still had a good deal of strength in her, more than he had though which was why he had angled for the island.
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The three skyhawks were tiring, the chase would soon be over for Atard, Radech and Taitanath if they didnt force the Sharashkan to ground quickly. Almost as if sensing their need, the skyknight angled towards Sutherland, a good sized island. Atard gestured to his companions, "We take him, I will come above and down, you from the flank and behind." The female rider scowled at her erstwhile commander, she gestured curtly, that she would follow. Once on the ground, the skyknight was a deadman, but they had to take some care, even wounded he wasnt going to be an easy kill. These Sharashkans were as tenacious as any foe they had met. Radech goosed his skyhawk with his heels, asking for a bit more speed from the weary bird...
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The Skyknight looked back, buildings whistling beneath Tierney's taloned feet. Three to one werent good odds. He raised his bow, pulling the arrow back toh is cheek and sighting bown the shaft. The rider was too far a shot and his aim was faltering, but he could still hit the broadside of a skyhawk. He held for a moment and released the arrow as one of the riders started to close on him. The crow-feathered shaft flew straight and true, piercing the hawk through the throat. The great bird sculled at the air with it's wings, suddenly ignoring it's rider for the barb in it's throat, the man atop fighting to keep control over the wounded animal, but it was not truly his mount, just one commandeered for the chase. In a few lurching seconds, the chaser lost his seating and grip on the reins.
Radech fell for what seemed like an eternity before Sutherland caught him. People shouted and pointed into the sky where the skyhawk settled atop one of the buildings, clawing at the arrow in it's neck. A few paid heed to the fallen rider, but there was nothing to do for him but to build a pyre.
The Skyknight found a smaller plaze and let Tierney take them to the ground. The erne landed with the force of a storm and the grace of a ballerina.
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Naraias, mounted atop Zizi was buffeted by the erne as it passed him, then by the three chase riders in hot persuit. The rogue had a good view of the engagement from behind, and was rather close when one of the riders fell from his mount, perishing on the unyielding flagstones of the plaze below.
The shaman of Kaduai, Cloudstrider Balthustrol, saw this also though he was spared the trouble of dodging the skyhawks. The half-elf recognizes that the three persuers are Honuntton Stalkers.
Tahar is forced to backpedal as the erne landed close in front of him, a wounded Sharashkan Skyknight on her back. The man dismounts with some difficulty... -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#6The Skynight, a Sharashkain, was a kindred spirit to Tahar - his order and Sharashka had both suffered at the hands of the same enemy. And so, the rider's enemies were likely Tahars own.
And this is what he was waiting for - a more obvious sign from the Azure Lord could not be made! First, secure the scene!, he unshouldered his shortbow, while saying - "Who persues?" The stranger needed aid, but that would have to wait. Next he drew an arrow and knocked it, scanning the sky for assailents.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#7"Uh-oh," Cloudstrider murmured. "There's trouble." He watched as one of the Stalkers tumbled out of the sky, down, down onto the pavement below. Whatever was going on was clearly serious business, especially with Honunttons involved. A well-placed distraction just might provide enough time to figure out what was going on.
With a quick double-kick, Balthustrol urged Moonwing forward. The sun hawk blinked in reply and flapped her powerful wings rapidly, the golden feathers gleaming in the sunlight. Cloudstrider let forth a war whoop as he sped toward the two Honuntton Stalkers in the air, making sure his javelins were close at hand. -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#8His head had been full of women and trouble, jealous instincts whispering in his ear. Then the erne sped past him, quickly followed by three riders in pursuit.
"Real quiet, Zizi, we need to get behind that wench", he whispered to the giant crane fly. Not that the insect could understand him, but he did so at times, particularly when he had roamed the sky alone for long periods of time.
He gently squeezed his knees and pulled a rein, signalling to the insect that it should change direction, making it head after the female rider.
As Zizi pursued the pursuers, Naraias pulled a dart from his belt. A wounded knight would surely reward his brave rescuer and, if anything, Naraias loved coin.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#9The surviving two stalkers pulled up and into what looked like it would be a circle above the plaze where the Sharashkan landed, both intent on their prey. Below, the man staggered from the erne, his armor dented and wet with blood. "Stalkers, I have a terrible message. They are trying to stop me from delivering it." He dropped his bow, no arrows left to fire and drew his battered longsword.
Naraias' throw and the war whoop came at almost the same instant (roll roll) the dart going wide of it's intended target. The rogue discovered that it was quite difficult to get a clear target on his foe as even when hovering Zizi moved and bobbled a fair bit. Below the dart clattered against a rooftop, coming to no harm of it's own nor injuring anyone in the falling.
(Thus ends first round of combat - each player may take two actions: the second action involve the two Stalkers landing in the plaza, Atard on the ground, Taitanath landing on a roof. He will prepare for melee combat, she will prepare her bow. Third round is their first attack, assuming 1 round for quick landing and quick dismount. I would like everyone to start their next post with a D20 roll for initiative. ) -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#10
Cursing softly, annoyed at his own incompetence, Naraias nudged Zizi after the pursuing woman. Shortly thereafter she landed on a roof and Narais followed suit. While the knight seemed like he could stand his own with a sword, arrows would cause him quite some concern.
What's gotten into you, Naraias? Chasing mounted warriors now? For what reason? The gilded coin of a knight? Or is it because she looks like...
Naraias shut out the unwelcome thoughts and dismounted a short distance behind the female warrior. If he didn't act, the knight would die.
Stealthily approaching the woman from behind, Naraias unsheathed his dagger. -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#11
As the two rider moved to land their mounts, Cloudstrider considered where to go next. Watching the little man on the big bug gave him his answer: to the Stalker on the ground.
The half-elf nudged his mount's reins, maneuvering Moonwing to glide straight toward the Stalker on the ground. Cloudstrider pulled a javelin from his pack and readied it, feeling its heft and the crosswind. Finger pointing to the moon, he reminded himself as he aimed. As the sun hawk neared closer and swooped down, Balthustrol's arm thrust forward and let loose the missile. -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#12
"Back! Stalkers! - no more blood today unless it is yours!"
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#13All OOC Character Information Post
Listed Initiative Rolls:
Taitanath/NPC - 17
Skyknight/NPC - 17
Naraias/AG - 13
Tahar/Valadaar - 11
Atard/NPC - 3
Cloudstrider/Dozus - 2
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#14Taitanath scowled as her companion drew a broad-bladed axe and charged the skyknight. They had originally started off as a four man team, and the Sharashkan had already killed two of their number. Radech was a fool and almost deserved what he got, but Mosaris had been a close friend and she would see him avenged. The Sharashkan had cut him down as he tried to hold the knight's erne. She drew the arrow back to her cheek and let the arrow fly.
The Skyknight, now dismounted and sword in hand saw both the archer on the roof and the bruiser barreling towards him. He could feel exhaustion grinding against his bones, and the injuries he had thusfar sustained leeching away his strength. The arrow struck true, punching through a thin spot in his armor to bury itself in the thick muscle of his thigh. He grunted and prepared to receive the ground-pounders charge.
Naraias threw his second dart, and unlike his first throw which had landed somewhere east of where they were, this dart flew high and straight. The archer released her arrow and had lowered her bow to draw a second arrow when the dart caught her in the back, just to the side of her spin. Naraias could see the dart buried itself deep and she was now bleeding freely as she turned to face her new assailant, leaving Atard alone to deal with the Sharashkan and the stranger with him. (successful attack, 6 out of 1D4+1d6 dmg)
The Stalker ignored the Paladin's warning and continued his endeavor. Tahar drew his shortbow and fired a shot, but the arrow deflected off of the warrior's helm, causing not so much as a dent in the metal.
Atard, axe raised, crashed into the skyknight, bringing his weapon down with frightening force. The Sharashkan buckled at the knees, but the strike missed it's target and Atard cursed as he fended off the skyknight's weak reprisal.
Cloudstrider's throw fell like a bolt from the heaven's, Moonwing wheeling to come back around over the plaza. Atard staggered as the javelin struck him from above. The weapon struck deep and hard and the Stalker grit his teeth as he jerked it out of his back. Blood spattered across the paving stones of the plaza. Instead of three on one, Atard found his back-up missing and facing two men on foot and one in the air.
end of round 3, actions for next round: Taitanath will fire her bow at Naraias, Atard will fall back to his mount. Skyknight will not persue the Stalker, he is injured -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#15Naraias held his breath as the dart flew towards its target, and when it struck he physically winced, for he was not used to hurting people, though it had happened on occasion - particularly during his pirating days. The woman furiously turned around, drawing an arrow, obviously intending to shoot him. For a moment panic engulfed him, and he forcefully had to dismiss the fearful notion. Having regained his senses he charged across the roof, throwing a dart and pulling his dagger as he approached the woman.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#16Cloudstrider whistled as the missile found its home. It was a good hit, good enough to stop the man's attack, though now he was headed for his mount. "D*mn Honunttons," he grumbled, "making trouble in a free town." He noticed the skyknight's extra blows; with arrows in his hide and a new axe wound, he would need help fast. The Kaduai drew his second javelin, took aim, and let it fly. He then tugged Moonwing's reins, directing her to prepare to land.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#17"Sky curse you hull-biter!" Taitanath shouted as she drew the arrow back with a smooth motion, barely letting the fletching of the arrow touch her check before releasing. The arrow sped like a hawk taking a starling. Naraias felt a jolt of pain as the arrow punched it's way into the muscle of his thigh (Narais takes 2 damage). The woman was already drawing another arrow... The Akhonian slung his own weapon, a dart. The weapon arced gracefully and slammed into the Stalker's chest. The stalker coughed blood onto her own hand and shot the oncoming rogue a die and go to hell look as he drew his dagger, her feet planted and ready to fight...
Cloudstrider's second javelin fell with less grace and effectiveness, missing the retreating Hununtton Stalker by a close margin. The man looked up at the half-elf as Moonwing sculled her wings and came in for a landing, but he was already commited to his retreat. The skyknight looked dead on his feet, but was still on his feet.
Tahar drew back a second arrow, the stalker on the roof turned away from her first target and started shooting elsewhere. The arrow struck the woman in the side, drawing her breath away as she faced her assailant on the roof. (makes Morale check)
"I'm sorry Morais," Taitanath whispered as she dropped her bow and fled, she ran for her skyhawk, hoping she could reach the avian and get airborn before the rogue could get to her before. (retreats for mount)
"Don't let them escape," the Skyknight said, "They will bring more Stalkers to Sutherland, I implore you and your allies to help me further," he said to Tahar. -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#18Tahar drew back a second arrow and sent it hurtling towards Taitanath. He then dropped his short bow and drew his battleaxe.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#19Naraias cursed as the woman fled. He did not want to kill her, yet by the sound of it she would bring danger upon them and Sutherland itself.
There was no way he would reach her in time, so he sheathed his dagger, threw another dart and signalled for Zizi to come.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#20Cloudstrider made an agile dismount, grabbing his medicine bag as he did. "Hold on there, brother," he said, approaching the skyknight. "Those arrows sticking out your side won't do at all." With practiced caution, the cleric felt the area around the arrows. "Your armor's gonna have to come off," he said plainly. "This might make things a little easier." With a deep breath and closed eyes, Cloudstrider began to chant, laying his hands over the man.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#21How quickly the odds had turned, Morais cut down in one swing, and then Radech splattered against the unforgiving earth. Taitanath scrambled as fast as she could fer her Skyhawk, she was now outnumbered and hoped to reach the bird and the relative safety of the air. If she was lucky the Sutherlanders would dash to the Sharashkan and not try to tail her and Atard if he even made it off of the ground. That was his problem now, not hers to deal with. She grabbed the reins of the 'hawk and started to haul herself up. Naraias threw his third dart, another good throw. The dart struck the Hununtton woman square in the back, she let out a thin wail. Her grip on the bird's reins failed and she fell to the ground and stopped moving.
(Currently at 0 HP, loosing 1 HP/turn. Dead at -10 HP)
Atard was not able to reach his skyhawk before Tahar, paladin of the Azure Lord and the High Temple was on him. The axe caught the light of the setting sun along it's finely honed edge before falling against the Hununtton Stalker. The man tried to stand his ground, but the Stalker, barely more than a mercenary couldn't match the anger or fervor of the paladin, or the anguish of avanging a lost home and many fallen brothers. The axehead clove though flesh, through bone, through vital organs. Atard twitched several times as his body attempted to keep fighting, even though the brain had already perished. Tahar was spattered with arterial blood as the Hununtton collapsed, his skull split almost to the torso.
(Rolled a 20, then max damage for weapon, tripled for the critical hit, 27 pts dmg. Nicely done. Atard is irredeemable dead at -17 HP)
Seeing both Hununttons defeated, the skyknight visibly relaxed, his shoulders slumping and his head dipping. With the adrenaline rush of battle over, his wounds stacked up and left him feeling drained. "Your armor's gonna have to come off," Cloustrider said plainly. "This might make things a little easier." (CLW - 5 hp restored)
"Thank you Healer," the Skyknight said. "Terrible things are afoot, and I am in sore need of allies." -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#22Cloudstrider nodded. He began to say something, but the sudden thud of the female Stalker against the pavement commanded his attention. "I don't mean to discount you, but it might be good to have one of them alive to corroborate your tale," Balthustrol said with a polite smile. He quickly turned and rushed to where the woman was, preparing his medical bag. Given her actions and raucous demeanor, she didn't need to be treated with the same courtesy as the skyknight; the Hunutton would have to go without Sky Mother's blessing.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#23Reaching the rooftop where the Hununtton Stalker collapsed took the elf several painful moments to reach, he knew that each second that ticked past was a bit more blood pooled around the body. Each drop lost was one less drop to hold the woman's spirit to her mortal form. He reached her and she was in bad shape, an arrow wound, and hits from three darts each left bloody wounds. He opened the healer's bag, and quickly went to work.
The dart above her kidney was the deepest and was bleeding the worst. Using a small knife he cut the dart free. The metal weapon came free and clattered to the roofing tiles. Cloudstrider's hands were wet with blood as he worked, herbs and bandages staunched the worst of the wound's bleeding. The arrow and second dart in her back came away easier, his hands steady and sure as he worked.
He finished, closing the case with hands starting to become sticky from coagulated blood. She was breathing steady and though the bandages were staining through, she wouldn't die. Or at least she wouldn't die just yet. It was in the hands of whatever gods the woman prayed to if she would awake from her injuries.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#24Naraias surveyed the scene. First he would have to reclaim his darts, alleviate the fallen of their equipment and then talk to the rescued knight. All this before the city watch arrived, which would be rather soon.
No doubt these knights and holy men will be given praise and public honour. Me? If I am lucky they will ignore my presence, but any probing might unearth my pirating history and time in the locker will be given. Ahh, well...
Trying to be discrete, Naraias went about recovering his darts and, when no one else were paying attention, recovering some other equipment as well. These Sutherlanders were too damn strict. What did they think? That they needed their gear in the realm of the dead? Hell no, they were intruders and murderers and their coin belonged in Naraias' pockets.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#25Picking up his foes axe, Tahar regarded it breifly and tucked it in his belt.
"I doubt she would willingly do us any favors, but her own words may convict her. If you wish to leave, you may - I will attempt to explain what has transpired to the gaurd. Hopefuly some of these bystanders will collaberate our story." He looked down at the product of his violence, not entirely happy. His strike was one of legends, but was this a worthy foe?
"And I believe we can be far better masters to these noble beasts then their late riders."
Tahar walked over to the fountain to clean off the blood before it dries.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#26With a soft grunt, Cloudstrider picked up the woman's unconscious body and slung her over his back. It would surely draw attention, true, but enough attention had been drawn to them that it didn't much matter at this point. He walked as quickly as he could back to the skyknight and draped the Hununtton on Moonwing's back, tucking her quiver and bow into the saddlebags. "I'm not sure what you want to do with this one," he said to the skyknight, picking up his javelins as he spoke. Reaching the fountain, he nodded to Tahar as he washed his hands and the one bloodied javelin. "You seem decent enough, so I'm hoping nothing sinister. Can't just have her bleed in the street, though."
He shook his hands dry, leaving tendrils of crimson in the once clear fountain. "Anyway, we oughta move out. Someone will probably be here shortly to make accusations and throw on the manacles." He turned again to the skyknight. "If you're well enough to ride, we could hide out and finish binding you up, maybe figure out what to do with her." Cloudstrider looked Tahar over. "You sure you're okay with handling the guards? Don't want to leave you with the short end of the stick. Don't forget about that one, too," he said with a nod to the approaching Naraias. With a lower voice, he muttered, "Looks like he could use all the help he can get."
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#27"If you are able to deal with the constabulary you have my thanks friend." The Skyknight said. "My name is Dom. Jajix and Sharashka used to be my home. There is an inn on the far side of Sutherland, it doesnt have a name, but there is a large eyrie for the mounts and it is easy to find. There is a large red star painted on the roof. The barkeep is named Van Rufus, tell him you are with me and your stay as needed will be reduced in price. I will relate to you my information there." He spoke softly and quickly.
*****
(OOC - After Jajix, Cloudstrider and Naraias leave, which I am assuming they will)
Tahar saw the constrable coming, riding a drab brownish-grey kestrel. The bird came to a hover above the plaza before settling near the fountain. He dismounted and patted the bird on the neck before approaching Tahar and the corpse of Atard. "Dead bodies weren't in the weather forecast." the man scowled, looking at the erstwhile paladin. "I've got one splattered three blocks from here and one here with his skull split in half. I want to know what in Gods' balls is going on here." He shouted.
Dom is a title, basically the same as Sir, and is an abbreviation of Dominus, or Domino
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#28 -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#29"Well, my good constable, we have had several Hununtton Stalkers attempting to kill a Skynight. It sounds like the first you found was slain by the skynight himself, while two others were felled by various citizens doing their civic duty. The unfortunate with the head wound was my work, I'm afraid. I was a little too zealous in my attempt to bring him under control. The fourth is still alive, having been tended to by a priest, whome I did not make aquaintence with. The last I saw of her was with the Skynight and the aforementioned priest.
And I remained to discuss the matter."
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#30"You remained to discuss the matter?" the Constable looks confused for a moment, and Tahaar might be able to gleen why, criminals run, they lie, they hide. They dont stand next to the dead body, claim the deed, and wait for the authorities to show up. One of the bystanders steped forward, a shop keeper by the looks of her calloused hands and dirty apron, "He is tellin the truth, Constable, those fellows came a chasin after that 'knight and if it wasnt for this man they would have killed him and carried his body off for sure." she said.
The Constable rubbed his chin while some of his men, town guardsmen on foot started to pick up things in the square. "Tell you what, you take me to this Skyknight and this priest, and let me see what this She-stalker has to say about the mess and we'll go from there?" The constable said, still scowling. "If it works out, you might could have a job in the town guard, I could use a fellow like you, good and upstanding and wicked with an axe. That is assuming that nothing goes foul between here and there." -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#31"Why, of course, and I'll consider your kind offer as well. I am new to town, and that may work out well in some circumstances. "
Tahar was sure that the Knight wanted to keep a low profile, but this needed to be dealt with properly. Surely the skynight and the priest would not let anything untoward happen to the bounty hunter.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#32The flight across Sutherland was a slow one, Moonwing labored under her heavy load, while the Hununtton skyhawks were obviously reaching the end of their endurance. The trio of riders hung close together, and Jajix pointed down towards a cluster of buildings that was a town. Near the edge was a large flat building with a faded red star painted on the roof, the eyrie for the birds easily noticed as they circled closer and landed. Two grooms assisted in stabling the birds, something the weary skyhawks were obviously grateful for. Tierney, the silver erne was less agreable, but the larger eagles and great hawks were known for being tempermental. There was some concern over Zizi, as very few of the great insects came up from the lower reaches of Epoa, but the grooms, with some help, cleaned out a stall outside of the Eyrie. It wouldn't do to have one customer's mount eat someone else's.
jajix spoke to a man with a thick red beard and arms like smoked hams who glowered at the new arrivals up and until the point that he laid eyes on Cloudstrider. Afterwards the man's dour mood broke like brittle glass and was replaced with a hearty smile, something that left even Jajix somewhat astonished.
"Rufus is feeling generous, he will let us have rooms no questions asked for 30 gold pieces, that's two rooms which is all he has available at the moment." Jajix rubbed his chin. "We can get her inside before she draws any more attention to us," he said looking at the Hununtton.
(OOC - Players may feel free to post actions while they wait for Tahar to arrive, Tahar should be along about 20 minutes later with the Constable. Taitanath will not regain consciousness during this time.)
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#33Cloudstrider nodded, the unconscious Stalker in his arms. "Very well," he said with elven patience. "Let's get her inside then. She'll be alright, the wound is starting to clot. But I'm more curious of you, Dom." The cleric's eyes fluttered, as though a thought came to him. "You mentioned you had vital news to share. I reckon we ought to hear it. Hununttons don't fly like that after just anybody; whatever you've got to say must be terribly interesting." -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#34"You are quite correct, you are." Dom Jajix said, his mood turning dour. A groom, one who had barely managed to keep both hands after stabling the knight's erne, lead them to a large room, the largest in the tavern. Cloudstrider eased the wounded woman down onto one of the small cots, her complexion was pale, but she seemed to be looking a bit better. It would be a good while before she felt like climbing back into the saddle or picking up the bow again. That of course was moot if she didn't wake up.
"Friends, I feel I may call you such, I will share my tale, though it is a sour one. I assume you all know what occured to Sharashka, her cities ruined, her people slain, and my once great order shattered and reduced to a half-handful of surviving Skyknights. The Hununttons still hunt anyone who wears the skyknight's device. I know of the means by which Sharashka was laid ruin, and for that knowledge my life is no longer forfeit, but has a bounty attached to it." He took a deep breath and looked over at the woman on the cot, his expression was mixed.
"They have a new type of weapon, a new sort of skyship that is nigh impervious to arrow and bolt, built all around like a beetle but the size of a Sharashkan Cloud Galleon. It destroyed our ships, the rest of the Hununtton fleet following it like starlings, our strongest ships were broken, our faster ships fell to theirs, we were defeated through and through. We skyknights braved attack after attack against the thing, but our arrows only found metal, though theirs found flesh and blood, man and avian alike. Then, it disgorged from it's keel barrels that blew apart with great force, and stones the weight of a man that cracked walls, broke bridges, and killed any who were unlucky enough to be caught under one. After this I do not know how the Hununttons were able to so quickly law waste to the Citadel of the Boyar, but indeed they did. I was wounded and came close to death's shadow, but Tierney, my erne, she flew me away from the battle and to a safe place."
He sighed, his shoulders slumped. The story was painful to tell, prior to their breaking, the Skyknights of Sharashka numbered nearly 200 mounted warriors of the first quality, plus the Sharashkan armada, though the product of but one island was considered large and strong. Those ships were flinders and flotsam on the sea so far below. Those brave men and women were dead, their graves lost in the waves. He took a deep breath. "My health recovered, I sought to find revenge, and I found where this behemoth make's it's roost, a high island, a monsterous place where stone has been joined with pantarbe and steel, dozens of small and tiny islands hammered together with girders of metal, moorings of rope, and the sweat of many men."
"I know where it sleeps, and for that, they will hunt me down and do their best to kill you. To speak the name of that island makes you a marked man. I seek others to help me spread the word, so that Sharaska's fate doesnt befall other islands, and that I might infiltrate the island and see some method to destroy that infernal vessel..." He said, looking weak for the telling.
(OOC - feel free to PM me your intentions, actions, questions.) -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#35Naraias looked lost. The knight told tales of murder and adventure, though Naraias was but a simple rogue. Yet, the tale moved him still, for if what the knight said was true, no place on Epoa would ever be safe. The metal dreadnought might eventually arrive, and all would be forfeit.
"Sure, there must be some weakness to this... thing?", Naraias said, his voice weak at first.
"Are you telling me you, the Skyknights, couldn't even scratch the thing?" -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#36Tahar accompanied the guard as they headed accross town to the nameless tavern that the Skynight had mentioned. Hopefully nothing untoward was happening to the hunter. Since there was a Skynight present, he had no real concerns about that - though not followers of the Azure Lord they were still known to have much honor. This issue should be settled soon.
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Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#37Tahar and the Constable found the Inn with no difficulty, the Constable knew exactly where it was and called it the Red Star, rather plainly. Rufus and the Constable spared each other a knowing nod of the head, Sutherland wasnt exactly a giant of an island and for the most part most islanders knew the rest of the residents. He told Tahar where his associates could be found, upstairs in the adjoined rooms, on the left. It was quiet as they entered the room. The Hununtton was still unconscious, but the bandages were no longer staining with blood and she seemed to have stabilized and was breathing easier. The only thing left to do was wait to see if she would ever wake from her slumber.
"Well, this one looks bandaged up pretty good." the constable said. "I'd like to know what happened out there." The man said, arms relaxed, and at his side. If he was expecting a threat, it didnt show.
"If I may," Jajix stood slowly, like the stalker he was wounded and half held together with bandages, "I was persued her by four Stalkers of Hununtton. I am not a criminal and have commited no crime other than to find out one of their secrets. For that my life was made forfeit and these four were sent to collect the debt. I will admit freely that I did kill two of the men, one here in Sutherland, the other in Hununtton territory but in honorable combat. THe third was killed in combat as well and died with his weapon drawn." -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#38"It was an act of defense, Constable," Cloudstrider chimed in gently. "I bandaged up this one as much as I could. If we were criminals, we'd have left her dead in the streets." He offered a faint, slight smile. "As it is, one does wonder why four Stalkers would chase a lone rider at arrowpoint into Sutherland. Doesn't seem much like Honunttons to go after a quarry with that kind of zeal unless he had something important to them." Out of the corner of his eye, he waited for a reaction from the Dom. If his tale was true, he'd probably be eager to state it.
For the cleric, it did sadly reek of truth. Honunttons had treaded many a time into Kaduai Nation, rarely with any courtesy and never with elven consent. Young Kaduai braves looking to prove themselves occasionally forced Hununtton prospectors off of the islands, each time resulting in some sort of retaliation. The Honunttons cared little for anyone but themselves, letting pantarbe-starved islands sink into the endless seas, inhabitants and all, so long as the precious mineral was totally mined out. It was probably even within their power to create such a massive, impenetrable airship. If they indeed had such a thing, it would need to be stopped. Somehow. -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#39"I've no love for the Honunttons, they cause nothing but trouble on tread on too many toes. It's going to get them in trouble one of these days. I dont like trouble on my island, and she is trouble. You didnt bring here her as a get out of jail free card, you did it because it was the right thing. I'd like you too keep doing the right thing, especially if the right thing takes you away from Sutherland by morning."
"I'll have to make a report of the events, it'll be easier to say I dont know where you are if it is true. And no survivors is much easier on the report than a wounded woman." The constable said, clapping Tahar on the shoulder.
*****
After the constable left, Jajix spoke, "If you will help me, we will need to make a plan." -
Re: Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)
#40"Absolutely, but I will not countenance any additional harm coming to our prisoner. If she lives, we will need to discuss this carefully."
There was something oddly familiar about the Huntress...