Fantasy The Sundering Star

[TheLoyalAcorn]

The shanty town was reminiscent of the birth place of The Sons of the Serpent. Everywhere petty criminals fought, bled and died only meters away from where they were born. The only difference was that Legionary patrols were able to still enforce city law. A dozen or so militia men with a core of legionaries roughly kicked down the door to an inn and hauled out a small gang of lesser gang members and swiftly read out their death sentences and beheaded them.

Filth covered the streets the farther one ventured into the shanty town. All around Verena could see lesser local gangs and their marks. Oddly enough, they didn't have any evidence of a larger gang's presence. A bar with the Serpent's mark was nowhere Verena looked.

Usually, the Serpents kept a headquarters within every city. The little enclaves usually bring impossible to enter unless you come through the roof top and clearly marked by the fact all the locals think the building was haunted.

During the short time looking for her kin, it was easy to tell there were no obvious signs of Serpent territory much less members. The local hangers were eyeing her saber seeing their own deaths, but a large bounty to send them into a life without looking over their shoulder. Any more time away from the order the legionaries provide may prove dangerous, or it may very well be a risk worth taking looking for her elusive cousins.

 

[Verena]

The slums reminded Verena of her younger years spent on the streets, fighting every rat and child for shelter, scraps, and crumbs. The smell of mud, vomit, excrements and everything in between was rather overwhelming and so also pulled the scarf over her nose to filter out the air.

She avoided the legionaries, taking a more secluded route but this way also attracting the attention of the occasional misfits. Thankfully, a stern look from below the hood was all it took to dissuade the majority of them. After walking a few blocks down, Verena decided that the search here was going to be a dangerous waste of time. There wasn’t a single sign her brethren would settle down here. Therefore, the serpent decided to return to the inn at the gate. She didn’t go back to what was assumingly the main road of the shantytown but instead chose the side roads where she felt the safest.

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

The gang members stayed tantalizingly close. When one group would stop shadowing Verena out of fear of leaving their territory. The next gang took over. This continued to the inn by the gate simply named. "The spit and swallow". It was rather rundown, yet it was considerably well kept than the rest of the shanty town. It was rich enough to not hire gangers to protect the inn, but three retired legionaries sat outside.

Their hair shaved close to their scalp. Two of them kept the top of their hair long and braided on the left showing the honor of being combat veterans of at least 5 battles. The number 14 was branded on their left fore arms. They wore simple street clothes with swords buckled on their sides. They simply sat in front of the door blocking none.

When Verena drew close. The youngest with no long hair drew to his full height and simply took a single step step the gangers direction. The gangers immediately froze and scattered. The infamous "Beserker" Legionaries enough to scare off the rabble. Verena's saber was enough to show she had money. Ill intent or not. They cared not.

The establishment was owned by a shadowy figure named "Artheius" the bartender who cut an amazingly underwhelming figure. Dirty brown hair, average height and skin as dark as oak. A large section of skin was flayed off his left forearm leaving a patch of skin pale as snow that seemed to catch the light everytime he moved it shining if one looked directly at it.

The inn itself was filled with patrons many like Verena were cloaked and doing their best to look small and uninteresting. The majority drank hard with their Legionary brands proudly displayed. The Bloody Third, Beserkers of the 14th and The 19th Soul Drinkers were the predominant members.

Those who tried to hide wore fine rings and crests. They were obviously traders and merchents. The two groups arguing quietly over the trader's furs, stones or other goods while the merchants demanded better prices or more quantity for their coins.

The servers were mostly females older and married. Many of the patrons greeted the servers recognizing them as sisters, old acquaintances, regulars, friends or even family. Order was the watchword of the inn with no one causing trouble out of fear that Artheius would get involved. Many of the regulars without being asked to had holstered their arms at the door without anyone watching them. Those who left the inn dug around the pile of weapons and grabbed their property before leaving. A very peculiar situation for an inn without formal protection by a gang, yet it wasn't unheard of.

Meanwhile, Artheius himself was flaying a fish for his famous stew. Patrons patiently waiting for him to finish before ordering a drink. In the far corner, a staircase was revealed leading to the 2nd floor and the inns rooms. This was the inn in all its glory if Verena was to enter or approach it.

 

[Verena]

As Verena walked back towards civilization, she became certain that her brethren wouldn’t settle down here. Too many vermin to exterminate, too little opportunity. If anywhere, they would be inside the town. Being to close to New Salieri, the Serpents surely would want to secure this location.

Verena gave the Legionaries a small thank-you-nod for scaring off her tail and entered the unappetizingly named inn. After a quick look around to note the rest of the visitors and staff, she sat at the closest empty table. Verena didn’t leave her saber at the entrance, suspecting it would vanish the moment she turned her back to it and instead covered its grip with her coat.

It didn’t take her long to smell the fish that was being prepared and the steaming cauldron close-by and her stomach didn’t wait to remind her of the fact she hadn’t had a proper meal for a while now. Verena called one of the servers over with a wave and ordered a stew and some tea. While the serpent waited, she took out Lucius’ coin and began toying with it, rolling it across her knuckles and passing it between her hands. If there was someone like her, they would probably recognize it and stroll over. If not, she would simply ask the server if there was another way into town, paying some extra for her services of course.

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

The Legionaries returned Verena's nod. They looked confused at the fact she decided to notice them but didn't press the issue. Meanwhile indoors, many patrons raised brows at Verena keeping her saber and many cracked jokes at her expense. Many of the jokes being more spur of the moment rather than targeted aggression. Those who also brought their swords into the inn heard the tables close to them crack the jokes. They swiftly covered the hilts of their own weapons red in the face from embarrassment.

An older gentleman sat in front of Verena the moment the coin came out. He had a small tuff of white hair with spectacles that seemed too small for his long hooked nose and his skin seemed like a size too large for the small withered man. His dress was a brown cloak not unlike those scholars, religious men and other bookish occupations. His hands seemed to be almost always curled. He tried to open his palm and gesture to Verena to allow him to view the coin with only the briefest introduction.

"My...." he tried to decipher Verena's age, gender or background but only saw a rather ordinary traveler. She was an absolute curiosity to him. The normal for those that came and went from this inn he supposed. "-ahem friend what a fabulous coin you have there! My name is Hevesi the Old. May I?" He gestured to the coin once again.

A few patrons began to leave the bar. One group of red and black cloaked individuals left tankard half empty and their stews all but gone with only half eaten bread sitting in the bowls. Another group of retired legionaries staggard out of the inn. A small party of bickering merchants angrily yelled over each other as they left the inn angry they couldn't reach an agreement. Lastly, a well dressed gentleman with bright golden hair and a beautiful two handed sword left after showing his sword off to a few curious onlookers.

All debts were paid and a server quickly began to clean the 4 odd tables. A small group came in all hunters looking worse for wear. All were muddy and more than excited about getting a hot meal.

The inn seemed busy as usual. Unfortunately, that left the main entrance as the only escape route readily available. Fortunately, there still remained many regulars who constantly eyed the new customers for trouble and intentionally set themselves in locations to best defuse any potential problems.

 

[Verena]

The serpent glared at the elder man that came and sat before her with suspicion, then leaned forward over the table and presented the coin in her open palm, all without speaking a word. Verena enjoyed the confusion her outfit caused. That was one of its main functions, after all. She didn’t recognize him or his name but his mere appearance at the sight of the coin led her to believe he was the one she needed. Hopefully, he wasn’t just some numismatist looking to make a deal.

Verena watched as more than half of the guests left and were replaced by others, wondering when her order would arrive. No one seemed to be eying the two of them in particular at least. This Havesi didn’t seem to rely on some sort of backup unless of course, it was the staff or even some of the regulars. Then again, all of them seemed to have left their weapons at the entrance.

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

The man very nervously accepted the coin as if it was a deadly poison. He slowly opened a little pouch on his belt and pulled out a finely crafted white cotton cloth to lay out and place the coin on. He grabbed another pair of spectacles that seemed much too large and set them on his face as he looked at the coin gently moving it and peering at odds and ends. His eyes remained steady and unwavering as he narrated the coins past.

"Odd choice of metal yes? Many use the metal to brag, yet the owner is proud of his humble roots. Interesting everything engraved looks like it was done by hand with great care." The coin itself was remarkable. The outer edges was a chain of roses. The center piece was a front facing skull with a sword and knife mirroring one another and jammed into the skull. The skull itself had a golden tear drop on it's right side. The other side was much simpler in design. It was a serpent on the left hand side fighting a skeletal warrior who wielded an ax. The coin itself a bit larger than the average coin maybe an inch and a half in diameter.

"Curious skulls represent death obviously, but a knife and sword signifies a duelist by trade. The flowers at the outer edges an appreciation for the art itself perhaps? A tear for regret?" The man almost dropped the coin once he flipped it. His face turned white as he looked at Verena.

"My friend this is a death coin! I've only see this coin twice before! Once amongst the dead body of a Guardsman! Another inside the bowels of a noble! You must flee! This coin is a coin of death!" The old man trembled and as bitten he immediately stood up and all but ran out the door trying his best to escape.

Meanwhile, the patrons and new guard shift had caused only the main entryway to be left open as an escape route for the old man. The guards lazed about talking to those replacing them pleased to see their friends before the end of their shift. The bar seemed oblivious to the old man's plight and only increased the difficulty in the man's escape.

 

[Verena]

It wasn’t long till Verena realized she had made a mistake handing the coin over. This guy obviously wasn’t the one she needed. Still, she didn’t interrupt him as he examined the coin. Perhaps he could tell her something she didn’t know after all. Turns out she was wrong on that one too. Verena rolled her eyes at the excentric reaction of the scholar. Of course, it was a coin of death. Everything about her practically screamed death.

When he stood and ran for the exit, Verena didn’t follow but instead took her mentor’s coin back, let it dissapear into her coat and rose from her seat with a sigh. Then she headed for the exit. Clearly, the staff was either stupid or chose to ignore her order and she wasn’t the patient type when it came to food. It was time to enter Townshed, look around for horses and grab a bite on the way. If they didn’t let her through the gate, then she would simply wait until nightfall and scale the wall. Few things could keep the serpent out and a wall wasn’t one of them.

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

As Verena tried to make her way out. Three red clothed individuals calmly stopped her. One went to shake her hand introducing himself as Sleyart. The other two roughly grabbed the legionaries sitting there out of their table and flung them out and roughly shoving the former residents food, utensils and other such trinkets out of the way. Sleyart waved to the table and ripped a bowl of stew out of a passing servers hand and sat down already expecting Verena to accept the invitation. Especially since more of his men came calmly strolling into the entrance of the inn and surrounding the table. A little less than half a dozen in all. A few of those standing watch over you, you recognize as the changing guard.

"What an interesting coin ya got." Sleyart's hands twitched like those of a special beastly kind. His mouth seemed too small for his body. His men were all varying shades of gutter rats. Each with their own beastly ticks. Each wore the tell tale bloody hand on some part of their body. Sleyart's own emblem of allegiance was tattooed directly over his forehead.

"Hell you scared the old man for once"

 

[Verena]

Verena cursed internally as the three men stopped her and were quickly joined by others like them. Sanguine guardsmen, she assumed from their marks. Clearly, this was their territory and she had just announced herself. They didn’t seem aggressive yet so perhaps there was still a way to negotiate. Escape was clearly out of question at the moment after all. So reluctantly, the serpent sat at the table but rejected the bowl with a wave. She didn’t introduce herself but didn’t remain silent either. “Some antiques tend to have this effect on people, yes. So, is there a reason for all of this or is this just how you greet guests in this town?”, she asked, looking around the gathered guardsmen.

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

"Greet guests? Ha get a load of this one!" The men and woman under Sleyart's command laughed they moved closer to Verena purposely sitting beside her to decrease the effectiveness of her Saber while others moved farther away pulling out cleverly hidden crossbows.

"You see last I heard no Serpent was allowed her according to the latest cease fire. This is Order territory. You're fortunate I even offered you a last meal." Sleyart grabbed a nearby spoon and began to eat the food lazily to purposely annoy Verena with every slurp and smacking of his lips.

"Hasoi take me I even heard you snakes couldn't even take your end of the bargain what a sad day to be a forest rodent"

 

[Felis]

Marguerite looked out at the sea through the window of the dwarfs' hut, trying to ignore the sand that had made its way inside her socks. It had been only since Morinia had left, but she still felt anxious stranded (how appropriate) without the one local in their group. At least Calista seemed to continue getting better. Marguerite had spent most of the time inside with her - there was no point trying to socialize with other survivors of the storm who hadn't packed up and moved on yet, anyway. Likely she'd just draw questions she couldn't answer properly.

She had tried to help the dwarfs out on chores, both as a thanks for their hospitality and to avoid Addir's temper, even though her first attempts had frustratingly been a bit clumsy. Most tasks beside cutting vegetables, making tea or swiping the floor weren't exactly common in a world relying on electric appliances, and while Marguerite thought she knew about some in theory, in practice she lacked the routine to not be at risk of breaking or burning something.

If she thought about it, it was a bit curious that there didn't seem to be any magically enhanced household tools. One would assume that people would seek to make their lives easier through magic, but maybe such things were outside its scope. Marguerite wouldn't know.

 

[Verena]

Verena knew exactly why some were getting so close to her and others were backing away. Her saber was starting to become useless. She wouldn’t even be able to draw it properly, let alone swing it. On the other hand, the crossbowmen might have a harder time getting a clear shot if she used one of her forced “tablemates” as a meat shield. “A fish stew as a last meal? Really?”, the serpent exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips as if offended but in actuality getting closer to the dagger at her back. “I’m guessing he isn’t too good with the ladies.”, she said jokingly, glancing towards the few women surrounding her. “On the side note, I wasn’t kidding when I said I was a guest. A guest as in messenger. Met your friend Lemartes, real nice guy by the way. A real gentleman.”, she explained, looking back to Sleyart, snickering at his uncultured table manners. “Told me to talk to the mayor for him. So do you guys wanna waste your time, escort me the town hall and then kill me or do you wanna explain to your friend why his message didn’t get delivered?”

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

"Lemartes? You think we're guardsmen? Ha she thinks we're gentlemanly types" the crew chuckled before he pointed at the red hand print on his head. "We are the all father's chosen. Not those damn blood suckers. Hell if he wanted you to talk to the mayor, I'm more inclined to kill him and his ilk before sundown."

The order was all too familiar with aggressive negotiations like this. While the bolts could easily hit their friends. The hope would always be 3 chances were better than one. Those sitting at the table aside from Sleyart wore lesser armor.

The local patrons began to clear out. Not even the owner stayed behind leaving nine odd order members and Verena alone in a bar.

"I'll give you a deal. Kill yourself and save me the trouble, and I will bury you with the whores" the order members were remarkably less equipped than a Serpent kill team, but their disadvantage was circumvented by their numbers and tactics within the bar.

 

[Verena]

Verena grinned at the proposed deal, now scanning each and every one of the nine gangers. “How generous of you. Let me think about it.”, she answered, immediately thinking of those poisons that faked the user’s death for hours at a time, regretting not having a vial of it right now. The serpent quickly pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the predicament at hand. “How about no?” With one quick motion, her off-hand slipped into the back of her coat, drew the dagger and stabbed with it towards the right gangster’s throat. (14 on D20, 5 on D6) Her stronger main hand reached down her leg, grabbed a handful of throwing knives and threw them in an arch at the crossbowmen. (16 on D20, 2 on D6) She didn't wait around to see if they hit their marks and instead immediately pulled her extended throwing arm back, aiming to hit the gangsters mouth on her left with her elbow, punch some teeth out and perhaps even throw him back. (18 on D20, 4 on D6) Verena only hoped the crossbowmen wouldn’t be able to recover, aim and fire so quickly.

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

The man on Verena's right clutched his throat. He was still alive but barely as his hands pressed against his wound. He could still somewhat breath, but he was out of action (3hp). Unfortunately, the man remained where he was creating a less than desirable obstacle for Verena.

The gangster to Verena's left saw stars. His head snapping back hitting the back of his seat. While stunned, there was just enough space to crawl over him if one was quick enough and most importantly lucky enough.

The crossbowman hit fired his bolt into floor out of a reaction of pain (6hp). Another crossbowman ran to his aid. The two quickly seeing the knife didn't bit too deeply or too accurately to cause permanent harm if attended to quickly.

The third crossbowman took aim and fired at Verena. (Rolled an 11 needed a 15. 2 degrees of failure.) His bolt went flying into his stunned companion. The bolt pierced his friends heart pinning him into place (3DMG). Sleyart cursed and made a getaway with two of his fellows leaving only 6 men and women in the bar. Of those 2 were on the edge of death. The three remaining gangsters drew their blades and surrounded the table preparing for Verena to make her move to leave the booth where they would have the advantage.


To leave the booth via left side with disadvantage on gangster attacks (+1 hit modifier)
D10 agility test need a 5

To leave booth by shoving the man on the right with advantage on gangsters attacks. (-1 hit modifier)


Enemy party status
Left gangster 1hp about to bleed out
Right gangster 3hp an obstacle barely able to control his bleeding
3 remaining gangsters all 8hp fit to fight
Crossbow 1 6hp slightly injured no bolt ready
Crossbow 2 8hp helping crossbow 1 still loaded
Crossbow 3 8hp just fired his bolt

Sleyart will escape with his 2 bodyguards in 2 turns

 

[Verena]

Verena felt her blade sink in and her elbow hitting bone, practically counting the first two gangsters out of the picture. She saw one of the crossbowmen fire at the ground, as well the third aim at her and gasped as the bolt flew only inches from her, pinning the stunned man instead. The escaping Sleyart didn’t escape her sight either. She had to get out quickly now for he was sure to call for backup.

The serpent immediately rose from her seat, grabbed it by the back and threw it towards the third crossbowman, trying her best to make him fire that last bolt elsewhere. (2 on D20) She then caught the table by the edge and attempted to turn it over and to the side in order to create a barrier for at least one of the other attackers. (13 on D20) Now finally, she was able to draw her saber and charge towards the gangster closest to her, both her weapons at the ready. If she could just create an opening, she would make a run for it. (19 on D20, I rolled 2 on D6, cat immediately snatched it and rolled it on 6 – you decide)

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

Verena's blade was less than effective. The knife clattered uselessly against a wall far away from any particular gangster. The crossbowman with a bolt loaded fired with only a moment to aim and hit Verena. (3 on a 20) and buried itself uselessly into the overturned table (2 on a 6). With a curse on his lips the other two crossbowman reloaded their own weapons with the injured one struggling but barely managing to reload it.

Meanwhile, the thug closest to Verena eagerly met her blade. A grin crossed his face as his brute strength held her at bay only for a flash to appear and spill his guts on the floor. A look of confusion cracked his face. Unable to move, Verena's saber twisted in an elegant yet simple arc and beheaded him taking only moments.

The path laid open to Sleyart and the exit. The only thing in Verena's way was the two crossbowman. One of which was injured. The other crossbowman and two gangsters were on the other side of the booth and looked eager for revenge.


Enemy party Status
Sleyart(12 HP 3AC) + bodyguards (8HP 3AC) feet away from the exit.

Crossbow 1 (6hp) loaded in front of Verena
Crossbow 2 loaded in front of Verena
Crossbow 3 unloaded on the other side of the table

Gangster 1 on the otherside of the table
Gangster 2 on the otherside of the table

 

[Verena]

The stool may have been useless but at least it was a good distraction. The table, on the other hand, served its purpose marvelously, blocking not one but two of the gangsters, even for just a few seconds. Every delay counted though. The fool that decided he could match the serpent died more swiftly than he could even comprehend, his expression frozen in place even as his head separated from his shoulders. Blood and guts showered Verena, then spilled on the floor, turning it into a slippery mess. Anyone running after her would now surely slide and lose their footing.

Four more to go, with one of the crossbowmen practically defenseless with his empty weapon. Verena had to have to give it to them though. They were a fearless bunch. She probably looked like a crazed Sanguine guardsman at the moment – covered in blood from head to toe, gore dripping from both her weapons, the floor that of a slaughterhouse. Verena didn’t wait around though. She rushed the remaining crossbowmen, accompanying her attack with a battle cry in order to up her adrenaline even further. This time, she aimed her strikes at their weapons. Even dying, they could still pull the triggers.

(Three actions at the three crossbowmen. D20: 12, 9, 20. 1 miss so… D12, D6: 2+1, 1 –> 4+1, 5)

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

The crossbowmen drew a line in the sand as the pair drew their bows and aimed down their sights. The time spent drawing their weapons only ended poorly. Verena's blade snapped upwards slicing the drawstring causing the crossbow to implode in the ganger's hands. The other gangster tried to pivot in time to fire at the assassin and tried to yell for his friend to take cover.

Instead his mouth was welded shut. He went to resch for his mouth weapon forgotten only for Verena to rip out her knife from the bottom of his jaw and the roof of his mouth. Blood and spittle spilled everywhere killing the ganger.

The crossbowman with the broken weapon was sitting on the ground in shock. His hands were a mess from the draw string breaking somehow hitting only his hands leaving it a bloodied and tangled mess.

The last crossbowman saw the death and destruction caused by Verena and his unloaded crossbow. He threw the weapon on the ground and sprinted to the door screaming for Sleyart to wait up. Verena was able to close the distance, but went to swing to only miss and have her Saber narrowly miss her targets head and hit an unseen obstacle in the form of an overhead wooden beam. The two surviving gangers kept at bay by the table were able to finally run and somewhat catch up hot on Verena's heels, but they were far enough away that Verena could slip away from them with ease.

Sleyart and his two bodyguards were able to flee the inn, but a well verse tracker or mage could no doubt find him again.

 

[Verena]

The miss irritated Verena and for a moment there, she wanted to chase the last crossbowman till the end to cut him down right out in the open. Thankfully, she could control this senseless emotion and focus on getting as far away from the crime scene as she could. And as quickly as she could too. By the time she made it back into the shantytown, her tail was gone. The serpent stopped in a dark corner to catch her breath from the sprint, finally sheathing both her weapons and only now looked herself over properly. Thankfully, her black clothes camouflaged the blood, as was their intent, but they were still moist to the touch from it all. Her hands, though, looked as if she was wearing dark red gloves. They were starting to itch from it drying on her skin too. Her colleagues often told her to wear gloves but she always denied. Lockpicking, climbing and throwing knives all required more sensitivity than gloves would ever allow.

Verena looked up at the sky. The sun was rather low now but there was still too much daylight to try and scale the wall unnoticed. Now that she was aware of the Order and they of her, she couldn’t use any of the gates anymore. News must have spread already, either from the rest of the gangsters or from the innkeeper and his staff. The serpent couldn’t hold in a small laugh at the thought of them returning and seeing the mess they had to clean.

“No time to waste now”, she reminded herself and started looking around for any abandoned building, sticking to the shadows and the empty alleyways. She had to find a hiding spot until night took over. Plus, she had to change her look in private. People would be searching for a masked, hooded woman dressed in black and so the snake had to shed her skin. It wouldn’t be the first time.

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

The order was out in force on the main roads in the shanty town. The blood red hand print seemed to be on everyone as the started to kick down doors and remind the smaller gangs who owned the town. Only on the side streets, darkest alleyways and guard check points did the legionaries and small gangs influence keep the order away.

Verena saw a few gang marks to pick from if she wished to try and seek their help. A rat with a knife in it, painted blue circle with a white smiley face or a tree with a figure being hung. On the flip side, she could seek the help of the local legionnaires the only ones who openly questioned the order with a few brawls and sword fights breaking out with the Legion always showing why Legionaires were so feared in Kvass.

Aside from that, some clothes hung out smelling like pig shit, but they were close to Verena's size and the current chaos caused many to find shelter inside rather than stay out and protect their property. Only a few dozen street urchins with no where better to hide remained outside with the gangers, legionaries and other depraved scraps of humanity in the shanty town.

 

[Verena]

As Verena was searching for some sort of disguise and the darkest alley around, she couldn’t help but ponder why the Serpents hadn’t taken Townshed and these slums with it back already? If this was the best the Order could throw at her, then they would take the territory back in less than a day. Why did Good Lord Seth hesitate? Was he waiting for something to happen? Of course, it wasn’t her place to question and Lucius had made sure to beat it into her head, literally and figuratively, but he still couldn’t quite change what was happening inside her mind.

The smaller gang’s signs intrigued her but she didn’t follow any and the legionnaires were way too lawful for her taste. No. Verena preferred not making any ties or deals here or having to owe someone. She just wanted to get the job done and disappear. Hopefully, the two girls hadn’t lost hope of her ever returning.

When the serpent finally spotted some clothes she could wear, she quickly snatched them from the line and hid before being seen with them. Only after stopping in a particularly dark and empty corner did she smell them though. “Oh fuck me!”, she cursed and gagged. “I guess beggars can’t be choosers.”

Verena swiftly began changing into something more fitting. Luckily, her dark undershirt had been saved from the bloody mess and so she left it on. She also left her scarf to cover her feminine collarbones. So first, she ripped the pig shirt into strips, wiped her hands and wrapped the knuckles, as well as the hilt of her saber. The long coat came off, was rolled nearly, scrubbed with dirt and secured with another strip. Now it practically looked like a sleeping bag.

She wiped her leather armor with a rag, then rubbed some dirt into it as well. The somewhat baggy trousers covered up her wider hips perfectly and she only tucked one of the legs into her boot, leaving the other one hanging messily.

Next was her face and hair. Verena shaved parts of her sides with one of her remaining clean throwing knives, then stuck some of the small hairs along the jaw. She easily passed for a teen boy that was just growing out first beard. Next, Verena rubbed some dirt into her entire face and also rubbed some blood into the corner of her mouth and parts of her cheek to make it look like she had taken a hit recently. To finish it off, she picked a small pebble from the ground, wiped it a bit and placed it inside her mouth, giving her voice a lisp from losing a tooth in said fight.

When Verena had to change appearances, she often chose to be a teen boy. In her younger years, this had saved her hide from sex traffickers and rapists more times than she could count. The look on Lucius’ face when he first discovered that the boy he had taken in that fateful night was, in fact, a girl made her giggle every time.

Now that she was done, she simply found the first urchins around and sat down among them, giving them some coins for good measure. She wanted it to get real dark before attempting to enter the town.

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

A dark ritual came into being. Never before had such an ambitious undertaking had been done for the last 3 decades, the elder cared not as he finished his preparations. The heart of his trusted friend laid in his palm as he finished the last incantation surrounded by candles made of human fat. The summoning circle made of children's bones and the blood offering of one he betrayed. The last ingredient was the hardest requiring a plethora of additional spells to attain enough blood for this... Request... "Ras al ğul narl un Cryptidus!" These were the closest words one could spell on paper. The words themselves an evil and convoluted twisted thing that was barely recognizable for sound itself.

Flame shot forth scorching the closest matron at first burning her immediately, but the flame itself was otherworldly and dark in nature leaving the woman an eternity of pain to relive and only seconds to pass for any onlooker. A voice roughly spoke in a volume and timber humans couldn't decipher but only now down at as the mist revealed a being. Some of the younger and less experienced cult members knelt down in the dirt trembling in fear requesting mercy on a being they knew as vile and evil. Deep in their hearts, they felt the presence of an evil so old, ancient and powerful all mankind just instinctively knew its devilish howl.

A raging inferno was crackling as the signal of the birthing of the evil deity. The inferno soon turned on the unnatural being that was forcing itself into the world. The ritual hardly one of true power just a small opening that the powerful god could break into reality with. Within the flames, A mask of ebony bone sprouted two horns made to gore any who opposed it. It stood 15 feet tall sitting upon a rock, that if one looked from the corner of their eye, was a throne of entrapped souls screaming to leave. Every animal fled knowing the danger, but cruel unnatural people felt its call even those who were laying in the dirt begging for a second chance. Time distorted as the demon flicked its hand and portals emerged surrounding his summoners showing realms upon realms of suffering humans. Humans that the cult knew all too well from their cattle. The angry spirits tried their own pitiful attempts to escape and wreak their vengeance on the living only to simply dissolve as they tried to cross causing immense pain to those poor sacrifices.

The demon yelled, screeched and reached into the minds of those around. Each attempt to communicate more painful than the last until he finally settled on the spoken language that was ancient and without words, but the humans who listened could instinctively understand the words of the god. "Who calls!" The demon without a face demanded. Only a fool wouldn't be able to feel the blood lust of the demon at being called away from its perverse desire to inflict pain on all. Its bright eyes leaked liquid flame whenever it "blinked". All shrunk before the demon many openly throwing themselves on the ground begging for forgiveness offering their children to the demon or the very lives of their "loved" ones.

The man stepped forth. "I do!" The demon "blinked" before laughing. Grass nearby burned white hot not burning anyone to death, but an agonizing heat blaze across their skin leaving many weeping masses of humans. The demon only seemed to find himself even more comfortable leaning back in his "throne". The throne itself contorting and causing the souls a new wave of beautiful and excruciating pain as they fought one another to "desirable" spots believing anywhere else would be a less painful experience, but this only caused them to fight amongst one another and create a new source of pain and terror.

"Fool to call me! You dare separate me from my grand works!" in his rage the flames in his eyes increased tenfold. It caused the white flame around him caused the pain to double for those still in its vicinity. I quite enjoy this..... fresh souls to torment! Living souls to torment! Yes I will make this my new home. You! Bring me a young one t-"

"No!" The man spoke. Sweat beaded down his face and with a simple motion he waved the demon away. "I wouldn't dare insult Kithin" immediately the flames disappeared. The demon stood cowering as he looked around. For the first time in decades those on the throne felt some measure of relief. The first time in eternity to see their tormentor in fear as the flames in his eyes all but went out.

"Master summoner speak! I didn't know this was His domain. I apologize for my transgressions and would request you tell him my apology."

"I don't plan to" the demons eyes widened showing miniature suns where eyes should be. "I just wanted to ask for a favor my lord. My ward has disappeared into a realm. I wish her returned. She was favored by Him"

The demon gave a slight nod. No more needed to be said only a contract sealed. The man nodded before drawing a knife and tore out his heart. Blood spewed and bone cracked before it sat in the demon's outstretched hand. "It would be my pleasure....." the demon peered into the still beating heart. He searched and saw a life unfold before his eyes. "...Hami"

 

[TheLoyalAcorn]

RoninN7
Felis
Meme Machine



Meanwhile, the three days that had passed for Verena was little more than what Marguerite had seen to. Calista was well on the road to recover, but a visit to the doctor could easily heal her overnight. For now, Calista was at full strength aside from a vicious cough that would come and go every few minutes that would frequently cause liquids to come out. The other survivors just milled about sharing stories of home and how they looked forward to seeing their families back wherever they came from. Many had prayed to Hasoi in these trying times.

Addir was distant to all the survivors aside from Calista. He made a point to make sure she ate first, had tea available at all times and wasn't bothered by anyone but Marguerite. His own relationship to Marguerite was cool almost as if she wasn't a living thing easily frustrated by her efforts to help but even more frustrated whenever she was late to help during meals. The dwarves lacked any magical items to make life easier. It was simply hard work just the way Addir liked it. Gunther on the other had would fish daily and quickly became friends with all the other survivors.

Life was simple and for many a nice break from the sea, Venn'darian raiders and the oppression of city life. On the third day, A ship was sighted. The sail had serpent with a length of it sewn to look like it was skinned alive. The ship itself was large enough to anchor itself a ways from the beach before smaller boats made their way back to beach. There were 4 of these craft each carrying 8 well armed, armored and trained "militiamen" each held a spear, shield and chain mail. A few even held guns. It would only be moments before they made it to land and a few more moments before they reached the hut to speak with the dwarves.