ROA: Part 2. Among the Ashes of a New World.

[fathom123]

Winthrop

Spoiler:

The innkeeper is about his usual morning routine behind the bar. Your question causes him to straighten his posture "Underport? You serious boy?" The older man says, look of deep concern hewn upon his features, "That's a loft of all types of villainous sorts."

With a sigh, he contiues, "If you are serious, then you may be in luck. I've made my travels to many places in this wide world. Had it been someone else, they would have stared at you with a blank expression. Underport is beneath the port of Agronon. First travel East upon the main road. You will travel for several miles until you encounter a massive cemetery. Take the main road to the center of the place. There you will find a crossroads. Head south from there and you will find yourself at the port of Agronon. For the right price, you can buy the information to gain access to the underport. Be wary, however, someone will just as quickly put a knife in your back and leave you for dead as tell you the location of the secret bandit port."

He moves in a little closer, "While in that graveyard, never leave the road. You hear me boy? There are rumors of vile magics at work and it's best to not be mixed up in such things. Necromancy has never been a positive arcane rite for the living."

[fathom123]

Kratimos

Spoiler:

You step through the doorway. For a moment you feel as though your insides were removed and replaced with light. You step out onto a cold stone floor. Save for a few magic glow stones fitted into the ceiling casting a dim light on the room, there is no light. The stone, a fine marble, expensive and beautiful, the details finely carved. There, spilled on the floor is a thick red substance pooled and in it's center a man. Eyes open from shock, staring at the ceiling. Another humanoid creature, draped in rags, is hunched over the man's abdomen. The sound of grinding meat emanating from it.

The girl peeks over your shoulder and a piercing scream is followed by a flood of tears at the site of her father.

The creature turns about abruptly, eyes white and without pupils. Fresh blood coating its mouth. It bars it's teeth and straightens it's form.

[DollFaceKilla]

Spoiler:

I sit there for a long time, stunned, repeating over and over what the Priestess had said. After a long while I come to, and stand gathering the things I set down when I entered. Feeling completely beaten I start to try to remember where the others were headed the last that I saw them.

Bring together the Knight, the Shadow, the Orchid, the Minstrel and the Wolf. Where am I supposed to start looking?! I shout toward the sky before I pull my cloak around my shoulders and exit what used to be the grove. The Orchid, I assume, is me....the Knight would be Guy, the Wolf - Kratimos.... I guess the Shadow would be Crimson..... Who is the Minstrel? I guess I will start with Guy and Crimson. They are the ones I feel safest with alone. I mutter to myself as I make my way back to the inn I am staying in to gather the rest of my things.

I claw at the left side of my chest, about 2 inches under my collar bone, through the clothing. I walk into my room, slamming the door. Unite the branded. I HATE THIS STUPID THING! I collapse on the bed and start to sob.

[Sstavix]

Spoiler:

"Vile necromancers." Winthrop makes a face. "Thank you for the warning. I'll stay alert through there."

He makes his way to the door. Before departing, he turns back. "Incidentally, have you ever seen a elven woman traveling through here? She would be blonde, about my height, and probably in the company of a half-elven girl. Also blonde, about my age or younger."

[ArchAngel]

Spoiler:

Kratimos curses under his breath. That bloody door...[dice][/dice]
The girl and him are catching any breaks.
He sets the grieving girl down behind him and makes sure to check there aren't any other creatures to worry about.
He turns his attention to the creature. His disgust fuels his anger.
On all fours, his back bristles and he growls loudly.

Spot check:
[dice]0[/dice]

Initiative:
[dice]1[/dice]

[fathom123]

Winthrop

Spoiler:

The innkeeper looks off to the left as he scratches his chin, "Hmm...." His gaze then moves to you. "I don't know what to tell you my boy, there have been many elves who have passed through this inn at one time or another, some with children in tow. Many of the elven kind are blonde. I wish I could be of more help."

He smiles and offers his hand for a shake.

"I hope to see you again sometime....pereferably with some money." He says in jest through a big smile.

[fathom123]

Spoiler:

Attack 1
[dice]0[/dice]

[dice]1[/dice]

Attack 2
[dice]2[/dice]

[dice]3[/dice]

[fathom123]

Kratimos

Spoiler:

A horrid stench fills the air and Kratimos is taken aback by it. He shakes it off, but the child begins to retch and soon finds herself in a ball at your feet holding clutching her stomach. The rage boils over and the beast lunges forth, claws aimed to destroy this disgusting foe. With your left hand you find only the air as the creature reveals it's true speed. It lunges at you and connects sharply with your abdomen. You've been cut before but this...is different. You feel as though a poison were coursing through your veins. Within, the beast rises up. You look to the wound and see your own body pushing the disease from the open cuts before your skin seals itself closed. It strikes again, raking you in the face. It's speed is unnatural given it's appearance. Your face mends itself and in return you offer your own offensive as you rend the creature across it's torso. The thick claws dive deep into the rotten flesh and a black substance oozes from it's body. It screeches in anger and begins it's assault anew.

((I hope you don't mind, but I rolled your attacks so this encounter would get underway. You scored one hit (out of two). That his was a critical and it confirmed doing a massive amount of damage))

[fathom123]

Livia

Spoiler:

((I have to wait until a few others catch up until I can progress your story line. It may be a day or two but hopefully it will happen quickly. It will depend on the others to respond. In the meantime, you are in your room inside the the bandit hive of Underport. There you live as a refugee hiding from the darkness that seeks you and your companions.))

[DollFaceKilla]

Spoiler:

(( Is there anywhere I can find information on what the priestess told me? A library or maybe a Wise Man/Woman?


As a side question, does each character's brand glow a different color or are they all the same? If they are different, What color is mine? ))

[fathom123]

Crimson

Spoiler:

You search about the cellar. You notice that the room, as far as you can tell is free of any traps that you are aware of. You walk through the area in front of you only to hear a noise that would case any person of your talents to freeze in fear. The sound of a spring plate shifting beneath your feet. You then hear the sounds of gears turning. The doors in front of you rattle as the sound of four massive bolts slide out of place and the door opens freely. Out rushes a creature wrought from the stuff of nightmares. It's stench fills the air as it charges forward and you find yourself completely sick to your stomach, on the edge of vomiting ((All rolls take a -2 from the effect)).

As the adrenalin kicks in, your senses sharpen. Through the dim light you notice that the creature is shackled about it's wrists and ankles and that the chains are probably attached to something behind it.

((Roll initiative))


((Also, please let me know if you can see the above image, thanks!))

[ArchAngel]

Spoiler:

((Much appreciated.
Was I poisoned or did I resist it? Would I need roll a fortitude save later?))

Kratimos roared in revelry over his last attack. In a battle of monsters, Kratimos will not be outdone.
His claws glint softly and he continues to pound on the plaguish creature.

Attack 1:
[dice]0[/dice]
Damage:
[dice]1[/dice]

Attack 1:
[dice]2[/dice]
Damage:
[dice]3[/dice]

[fathom123]

Kratimos

Spoiler:

((I try to roll most of the behind the scenes stuff (that way I can just play it out in theatrics) but yes, you succeeded at resisting some kind of effect when you were attacked. Your fort save is pretty high luckily))

You swing for the devil and it ducks aside and in turn misses your torso. You connect at it's throat, the black liquid pouring from it's wound. It swings weakly in retaliation and clips your arm, the same feeling burning in your skin, but the wound once again closes as the ooze pours out from it.

[ArchAngel]

Spoiler:

((Cool!))
The thrill of victory is pouring through Kratimos veins. He breathes deep unleashes another roar, spewing a hot and wet gust right into the creature's weakening face. No mercy. The claws rise and strike again, relentlessly and destructively.

Attack 1:[dice]0[/dice]
Damage:[dice]1[/dice]

Attack 2:[dice]2[/dice]
Damage:[dice]3[/dice]

[ccgr]

Spoiler:

Horrified, Crimson takes a few steps back and is thankful her stomach is empty. Noticing the chains around the creature it must have a limit and certainly must hamper it's mobility. Crimson goes behind an barrel to roll it towards the monster. She wonders what her bowling average will be.

Initiative

[dice]0[/dice]

(barrel/crossbow) Attack

[dice]1[/dice]