Group 40 - Witch Hunt

[Calisson]

The fool creature did not seem to react at the injonction to abide by the force of law.
She was making her case worse, thought the detective.
Sure, from her perspective, it was only a little worse, after she had been turned into an agressive zombie in the first place, and when her children were dying from the same disease.
But now a quick death warrant seemed more appropriate than a slow torture sentence.

The second-class prosecutor had little chance to investigate further his first witness before having to destroy it.
A positive point, there were already some worthy observations.
The zombie like creature did not react to voice.
Quite disturbing, it seemed not to react to Hysh, either. Did it mean that the creature was not really undead?
Or was it only that the Light adept's first attempt to use the Wind of Pure Truth had not been incisive enough?

A huge blast was heard at distance, like a reminder that action was called for, and quickly.

No time yet to check with a second attempt. Chances were that even a female creature could be stronger than the son of the jail, whose fighting talents never shined.
Better run and make some distance, in order to fight later in his terms, which were hardly ever meant to be fair.

Not waiting for the clash, Clavisson jumped backwards, turned swiftly around and rushed back around the street's corner they had just passed with Seth.
He stopped immediately after the corner and placed his staff at ankles' height, across the creature's path.
If it was as clumsy as it looked, it would undoubtedly trip and stumble on the staff and tumble down, where Clavisson would get more easily the upper hand.
With a staff stabbing repeatedly her head, she should quickly become less of a threat.
The child following her would be as good a guinea pig for measuring the influence of Hysh.

The classic tripping staff across the corner.

_________________
Clavisson the detective - WS3 S2 T4 D4 I5
Equipment: Staff, dagger (throwing).
Inventory: Drachau's note - diverse lighters, candles and black powder
Skills: Power of Hysh (1), Urban Lore
Class: Mage (Light)

[Jcitalia4]

Taldein continued down the long, drab road towards the cities centre. The gloom of the rain, along with the ever nonpresence of people occupying the streets reminded him of the death night, when people would hide away, hoping they would avoid the witch elf's attentions as they searched for sacrifices. Several small clashes could be heard echoing off the stonework of the buildings. One in particular grew louder as he walked. His ears pricked up upon noticing this.

A few buildings ahead a skirmish came into few. Clearly overwhelmed, two guards tried in vain to support one another against what could only be described as decrepit, almost dead elves. This disturbed Taldein. What power could ensorcell an elf? He had hazard to guess that this was the plague that had befallen the city.

One of the guards called out to him, requesting assistance. Taldein secretly cursed himself for being spotted. He nodded to the guard. Reading his draich, he uttered a word of power. Drawing the grey wind to his feet he moved at the speed of shadow to close the distance. Crashing into the melee from the side, he swung his draich about in great arcs, clearing the area in an attempt to relieve the beleaguered shield and swordsman. He then fell in with the two guards, working in tandem with them. Striking out from behind the guards shield, he protected his flank and made openings for the crossbowman to pick those that still stood off.

Taldein will attempt to cast a spell to speed himself into the melee, he will then fall in rank with the swordsman and try to finish off the "zombieelves"

[Cananatra]

The guards reply wasn’t one Valin would have expected. Usually offers of help would be accepted when the prospect of dealing with hordes of zombie look-a-likes was concerned but clearly the guard had been offended somewhat by his questions. As usual Valin felt a certain amount of exasperation in dealing with people who simply were not as smart as him. His questions had been perfectly logical after all and it was hardly his fault that he liked a challenge. For a moment or two he considered casting a spell on them, causing their toenails to grow at a thousand times speed would hobble them and make his displeasure clear. He banished the thought as soon as it arrived. The guards would actually be needed later.

“Well, try not to get eaten!” Valin called out over his shoulder as he turned away to retrace his steps and head towards the centre of the city.

Valin will wander away towards his proper destination, or where he thinks it is anyway. On the way he’ll keep an eye out for gardens full of plants so as to collect some seeds of various plants or any poisonous plants he may see and harvest.

[Minigrift]

All the while, as Grith spoke to the guard, the recruit was clearly enjoying himself. Cries of 'Aha!' and 'Take that!' were accompanied by the sounds of his spiked mace doing the damage to the beast. He had reduced the foul thing to a bloodied pulp in fairly short order.

"Which then begs the question: what were you doing on that roof?"The sergeant looked Grith up and down, shook his head and rolled his eyes, then shrugged. "Well, lad, you see that spire over yonder? That be your destination." The tip of the spire could be seen rising over a cluster of buildings, it was a goodly distance away. But before you scamper off, I must detain you for a moment. Just to prove a point, you understand."

"Sir," the recruits voice was sharp as he stepped from the doorway. "We should burn this place..."

"Khaine's bloody balls!" Both recruit and sergeant remarked in unison as they turned to look at the rather large flash of light from the other side of the city. The recruit appeared somewhat shaken but it was business as usual for the older elf.

"Not a night to be wandering around alone, you may regret not wanting an escort. Off you pop, then, we got work to do."

Though he didn't exactly get directions, at least the warrior knew where to go and his presence was no longer required by the guards. Grith set off in a easterly direction, the path slowly curved up along the side of a steep hill. On the right, at the bottom, from what he could determine, a ploughed field consisted of cordoned pieces of land - likely for maintaining life-stock or growing vegetables.

As he neared the top of the path it veered sharply to the left alongside a high wall and there was a short set of stairs at the end. As he approached the stairs faints sounds were becoming more and more apparent - sounds of smashing and tearing. He walked through the gate at the top of the stairs and was now in a short, dark, tunnel-like alleyway. The sounds were coming from a house directly across the road, opposite the alley, and in the faint light, he could also make out back-doors to the building at either side of him. The faint glare of a distant street torch was his only light source.

* * * * *

Se'alara braced herself for the coming fight. The two creatures appeared mindless and simply ran at her with no thought for self-preservation. Drawing her two daggers, she stepped out into the wet street, angling herself so her attackers would come one at a time. And when she judged the time to strike, she counter-charged the lead figure.

Had her target been a normal living person, the knife plunging into her assailants lung would have crippled him, ready for a slow, agonising death. But these... things weren't normal. Surprised, but not daunted, she struck again. Her second dagger cut deep behind the knee, her knife cut through bone and tendon almost effortlessly. The know one-legged creature toppled to the ground with a loud splat.

The second creature was now upon her, one hand held out straight to clamp her around the neck while the other hand appeared ready to swipe at her across the face.

* * * * *

Clavisson jumped back from the path of his attacker and quickly hid behind the corner of the building. Laying his staff out flat he gripped it tightly in expectation. A moment later it was nearly yanked from his hand but his grip held firm. The female tripped over and flew through the air for several yards before scraping across the road, leaving a slight trail of face flesh.

Satisfied with the result of his unorthodox tactic, the mage stepped across the street to jab his staff into the back of the woman's head to try and finish her off. But in an amazing display of not-quite-dead agility, his target somehow managed to dodge his attack. Again, he struck, and again, his staff hit nothing but cobbles. Third time was the charm, the butt end of his staff smashed the poor woman's head like a grapefruit.

A mewling, wailing sound behind him reminded Clavisson that there was still another infected to be dealt with.

* * * * *

Taldein, upon seeing the sight before him, readied himself for action. He swung put his draich and cast a brief enchantment upon himself. He crossed the gap and sprang into the melee, eager to slay the foul zombie-like monstrosities. He approached the sword-side of the guard in front and swung his blade in three great arcs. Moments later three of the infected fell to the ground, two of them not quite as dead as they should be.

The young khainite could see a whole mess of dismembered and butchered corpses leading away to his right, some of them not quite as dead as he might have hoped. It seemed, for some, severing limbs wasn't enough to take them out of action completely.

Having cleared the right side of the guard, Taldein then moved to take point at the other side. The repeater crossbow armed guard finished the khainites work for him, two bolts flew past him practically simultaneously, each bolt lodged itself into the head of a zombie, silencing them for good.

* * * * *

Valin, surprised, confused, dismayed, flummoxed, concerned, or all of the above, moved away from the guards as they busied themselves with cleaning up the mess they had made. The mage was heading easterly, slightly downhill, along a residential street. Unfortunately, along this road there were no gardens so the mage was currently unable to look for alchemical ingredients.

After a hefty walk, the soaked mage was finally nearing the end of the street. He had passed several dark alley ways on his way and most of the houses were boarded up, though the occasional one looked like they could easily accept a guest into them.

A groaning sound was escalating from up the road, between him and the junction at the end of the street. The noise reached it's crescendo with a loud crash followed by the sound of gushing water. Valin looked on, unsure of what to make of this freak occurrence and then... the chittering came.

Dozens, if not hundreds of rats erupted from the sewer cover, spreading out into the street in all directions like a sea of vermin. They looked rotted, with pallid skin hanging on to their tiny skeletal frames in wispy strands. There seemed no end to the swarm, they simply poured upwards, multitudes of them ran like a river down the street towards Valin, leaving nought but defecation and festering sewage in their wake.


Grith is in a tunnel underneath and between buildings - well, just one building, really. Ahead of him across the street he can hear the sounds of something large tearing into flesh and smashing furniture. What's he going to do?

Se'alara has dealt with her first attacker (for now, it's still alive) and will now have to fight the second

Clavisson has slain the female but still has the kid to deal with.

Taldein has another group of not-quite-dead people to deal with.

Valin has a sea of undead-vermin scampering for his flesh - there are a few avenues of escape back the way he has come, or...

[Cananatra]

Valin turned his back on the guards and left them to their work. Traipsing down the street he was irritated to find that his route seemed devoid of gardens, or indeed any plants. He knew from the lack of weight in any of the numerous haphazard pockets of his robe that he was seriously lacking in the ingredients of his trade. Not having any serious offensive magic was just insult added on top.

As he meandered down the street, wiping drops of water away from his eyes every now and then; he could see that the houses were rather decrepit. A large number of them boarded up and apparently deserted. Though he was forced to admit, in the circumstances, that a likely explanation was the plague currently sweeping the city. A strange noise came to his ears as he neared the next junction. It sounded almost like someone was assaulting a large organ. As the noise reached quite a high pitch it ended with a crash and spay of foul water. Can’t be one of those undead, he thought to himself. They squelch and moan and I haven’t seen them spraying water.

Just as he finished thinking that his eyes made out movement. A veritable horde of rats were scampering over one another in their rush to exit the sewer. On closer inspection, as they spread out across the street, Valin could see they looked very dead. “I knew that guard was wrong!” he exclaimed to the empty air as if someone could hear him before his voice dropped to a mutter. “Ok, dead, check. No way could they live with all those bits hanging off. Coming for me to eat me means they must be driven by a compulsion of some sort. Though why anyone would use rats is beyond me”

His own words finally crept into his thoughts and he began to back away down the street. He might be short but his legs were certainly longer then the rats. “Right, how to deal with them.” He thought back to several experiments in his cave. “Average weight of a rat’s brain, 2 grams, 650 times less than that of a Druchii or Human. Average body weight 400 grams, though probably less due to decomposition. So how does that help me?”

Suddenly the idea came to him, disgusting as they were a natural rat was rather predictable. Reaching for the winds of magic Valin began to shape a spell he hoped would work and take advantage of certain instincts.

Valin is going to draw on a life spell of healing and use it to target the undead rat’s brains, bringing them back to life and holding that organ functional. Since they are so tiny compared to large animal organs he is confident he can do many at once (like 650 or so). With the undead brain now gone, he hopes the initial compulsion will be either broken or overwhelmed by the living instincts. In specific the rats instinct to eat any dead stuff it comes across. Hopefully the spell will result in the swarm tearing itself to pieces. If it doesn’t, Valin is going to run away back the way he came.

[Calisson]

Strangely, the creature did not protect her face when she tripped over Clavisson's staff.
Not protecting her face? Was she so severely ill as to forget even her most basic female instincts?
Clavisson was so revulsed by this discovery that it took him three attempts before he could explode her skull.
Finally, the corpse came to a rest, and the abject creature was no more.

Nothing too early. A mewling, wailing sound behind him reminded Clavisson that there was still another infected to be dealt with.
The child. It had been damaged by the fall from the floor, and the fastest it could hobble wasn't much of a threat. Despite being severely hampered, it showed no pain whatsoever.

Clavisson thought that it was high time to check the exorcism power of Hysh on that creature, which seemed to have turned undead.
As the mage apprentice had read with lickerish delight in his library of forbidden tomes, a mere touch of the purity of the sacred arcane Light would blast away creatures of Undead or Daemon essence.
Such a spectacular outcome would prove definitively the undead nature of the infected - and the lack of anything special would prove the opposite.

The detective checked all around that no witness was there to see the arcane light he was about to make visible. No, only the tad and him.
Sure, at night, Hysh energy was scarce, especially in a cloudy city where direct sunlight made breaking news. But just a spark would do the trick.
Fortunately, there was little demand for such energy, nobody here would ever strip that subtle potency so there was quite enough left.
Clavisson made a deep suction of all Hysh force that could have been accumulated by the street itself over the ages, and concentrated a pale purple ray at the end of his staff.
Then, as the laddie zombie rose its arms, the would-be exorcist kicked it in the middle of the chest.
"Foul creature, reveal what you are!"

Jedi's lightsabre. <WwwzZz>

_________________
Clavisson the detective - WS3 S2 T4 D4 I5
Equipment: Staff, dagger (throwing).
Inventory: Drachau's note - diverse lighters, candles and black powder
Skills: Power of Hysh (1), Urban Lore
Class: Mage (Light)

[Drainial]

Precise and deadly Se'alara's left blade sank in between two ribs to side into the lung of the nearest elf. It did not flinch nor did the adjective 'deadly' seem especially appropriate for the creature neither faltered nor fell.
'what manner of creatures are these?' she though to herself as she sliced down into the leg and sent the thing crashing down to earth. In that at least they seemed to have a normal anatomy.

This was something to bare in mind as the second creature, she would not call them elves, bore down upon her. Unarmed it seemed intent on strangling her and bearing her to the ground. Knowing that she was not in her element in such a brutal engagement Se'alara relied upon her agility and training to slip past the clumsy assailant. As she moved Se'alara slashed at the groping hands, she doubted the creature would notice a lack of fingers or severed tendons but if it could not grab her she would be in a far superior position.

Using her evasion skills Se'alara will try to slip out of the attack and get to the side/behind the creature. As she does so she will strike at its hands and wrists as they ought to be in range but the more important part is not getting touched/grabbed/throttled.

[gsharm]

Grith strode smugly away into the dark and rainy city, satisfied with how he was able to manipulate the two guards by acting like nobility. Cold rain trickled without affect over his sea dragon cloak, but the crisp chill of fresh rain on his head was pleasant, matching his thoughts. Giving orders seems to agree with me, that sergeant hardly dared to question me! Soon enough, I'll have household guards of my own to boss around and slaves to follow my every whim!

Knowing the direction he had to travel gave a sense of purpose to his steps and Grith quickly found himself far from the guards. He had become more aware of just how unnatural the situation was around him as he traveled, the hints and details finally sinking into his thoughts. A Druchii city, almost totally empty of people, a mutated creature living in an abandoned tavern, explosions in the night, and city guards acting strange, what could possibly be happening that could have brought a city to this state with apparently no notice of anyone else in all Druchii society?

The eery atmosphere and lack of normal city sounds slowed Griths feet unconsciously as he found himself walking into a sort of a tunnel. Strange sounds came from up ahead, and his soldiers training and instincts warned him that he was walking into an area well suited for an ambush. The noises were disturbing, Grith pulled his sword and nearly called out a challenge in the dark, but the memory of the twisted and foul creature in the tavern stopped him. The guard had been right when he had said Grith would want an escort to travel in the city.

Going forward seemed like an increasingly bad idea, especially since he was becoming aware of just how bizarre the situation was in the city. Going back to find another way could take a long time, Grith couldn't recall seeing an alternate route past this point. Returning to try to find the guards to escort him was out of the question as well, Grith's pride would not allow it.

The only acceptable option left was to go forward, through the tunnel and head for the flickering torch up ahead. Grith raised his sword and began walking slowly towards the torch far down the alley. Tension ratcheted up with every step as his eyes flicked around him, watching the buildings and doors for signs of movement while hoping that he could sneak past whatever was creating the violent sounds nearby.

Grith will attempt to walk quietly down the road without disturbing anything nearby. He will take the torch when he reaches it, keeping it in his left hand with his sword in his right. If attacked by something in the dark, he will keep his distance using wide, defensive slashes until he has a better idea of his opponent.

[Jcitalia4]

Taldein made quick work of the zombies assailing the guards. Those that remained were picked off by the crossbowmen. Looking up, he saw more coming from the same direction. He saw that this could easily become a quagmire and they would become isolated out here. Given that they now had a brief opening, he turned to the guards.

We need to move. I have pressing concerns and you'll quickly be overwhelmed here just the two of you. I'd suggest falling back to your nearest allied posting and returning in numbers, that is if you want to retake this section of the city. Good luck.

Not waiting for a response, he hurried away from the melee continuing on his journey to the temple. While you never wanted to leave combat, if he stopped to investigate and help in every skirmish across the city he would never reach his destination nor get the answers to his questions.

He quietly slipped into the shadows along the road and hurried in the same direction. The sooner he was out of this weather and forsaken city, the better...

Taldein will advise the guards to seek reinforcements and continue on his way

[Minigrift]

Valin, perhaps not quite as scared as he may otherwise ought to be, stood his ground in the street and gathered the necessary energies to cast a spell on the foul horde. For such a dead and vacant place, the energy required amassed in seemingly short order. Extending the beneficiary magic out over the horde, the mage could almost feel the magic doing it's work as if it were a physical force.

The lead rats slowed, almost as if they were confused, as their minuscule brains reknitted and restored some semblance of their habitual behaviour to their decrepit forms. Though the spell seemed easy to cast, it was a difficult thing to judge exactly how rotted the vermin had become, and Valins hopeful predictions of such a spell was ever so slightly overambitious as only a mere few hundred of the rats were affected.

Unfortunately for the minute mage, his spell only slowed the horde down, the few hundred he had blessed with life were quickly swarmed and devoured by thousands more of their unblessed brethren - blessing, in this case, being synonymous with one's own perspective. Then they continued their relentless march towards the mage and were scant metres away. Though thousands of rats had appeared and were still appearing, they spread out across the street in all directions.

* * * * *

On the other side of Everain, the other rather short mage was doing some rather spontaneous field research on the poor little blighter crawling with all the mindless intent that only something essentially mindless could muster. Clavisson, like the life mage, found the necessary energies for his spell in little time at all. As he prepared to cast, he kicked at the helpless child and pinned it to the cobbles with a well placed heel.

With a loud command Clavisson ushered his spell upon the child. The child, a boy of no more than two years of age, who was in the unorthodox and unique position of being not-quite-dead-but-not-exactly-alive-either seemed little affected by the power of Hysh, though a little colour returned to it's semi-lifeless eyes and a momentary cry erupted forth from it's bloodless lips. Almost a child again, it's cries of of anguish, despair or helplessness were short lived and quickly returned to a guttural croaking as the virulent plaque once again ravaged the childs tiny body.

From around the corner came the sounds of Seth finishing off his playmates then his heavy boots running to see what in the nine hells the Inquisitor, whom he had the distinct pleasure of escorting, was doing. Before he had even turned the corner, he called out for his friend. "Sir?"

* * * * *

Nimble and agile like most elves, especially those of the female persuasion tended to be, Se'alara had an easy time avoiding her mindless assailants clumsy attacks. Ducking down low she shimmied past with apparent ease and slashed out a quick and precise slash with one dagger, easily severing a hand. Perhaps, more importantly for her, she was in position to do some serious damage with Dusk and Dawn - at least, if it were a normal elf that may have been the case.

The other creature, behind her still, with scraping knuckles, was struggling to stand on it's feet, little seeming to realise it only had one leg...

* * * * *

Grith, the proud warrior, walked steadily and quietly to the end of the tunnel and out onto the street. The rain was as vicious as ever and made the street more of a hazard than was thought of as comfortable. Looking to his right he could see that this was a main road which led a goodly distance South and he could clearly see a large bonfire lighting the junction of several streets - from this distance he could make out the presence of several guards, though they seemed like miniature toys. However, this was not the direction he wished to go, and quickly turned left to see the torch ensconced across the street, perhaps ten metres away.

But the sounds of something large and obviously hungry were clearly heard coming from the house directly opposite him. Ripping and tearing, not the sounds of material being torn, but the sounds of flesh, bones and organs being diced and sliced. And almost gloopy sounds of the same ravenous entity gorging on the unfortunate victims.

Fortunately, the house was one that had been boarded up from the inside, a common feature of this city. Nevertheless, Grith was cautious as he approached the burning torch. He made it without incident and reached up high to take the torch from it's place. Unfortunately, the torches fastenings were not quite as sturdy as one might have hoped, just as he took the torch, it's metal basket fell to the cobbles with a loud clang and, helped by the rain fast-flowing down the street, rolled with the tide in none too subtle a fashion.

A few moments later the wall exploded outward, concealing a quadrupedal creature in a cloud of dust, glass, wood, and not a few bricks. Whatever it was landed halfway between Grith and the tunnel from which he had recently emerged. As the cloud dispersed Grith noticed the creature facing him - naked muscles formed it's body, which was elongated, with bony spikes up it's spine and down the backs of it's limbs. It's head consisted of an overly large mouth with massive teeth, an impossibly long tongue licked out, darting this way and that like a pit viper, the remainder of it's noggin consisted of, what appeared to be, brains. For the moment it did not seem at all interested in Grith, but rather, it's head followed the trail of the metal basket as it slowed to an eventual stop by the wall of the house next door.

* * * * *

The guards had thought it was their lucky day, for a stranger had come into their midst and relieved some of the pressure of the encroaching horde of pestilent citizens, they had fought a steady retreat, their comrades had died, and the arrival of a strange stranger made the difficult situation marginally more tenable. Their relief was to be short lived.

Taldein helped the guards with a few of the zombie-citizens before offering them some, ultimately useless, advice. No sooner had he finished offering it he was already retreating from the fight. The guard with the large shield had his mind pressed firmly to more pressing engagements, and as the khainite fled the scene one of the guards shouted either to him, or more likely, at him.

"What do you think we're trying to do? Oi! Don't just leave us here - get us some help!"

Further along up the street there was guard post - still a goodly ways distant - so it was entirely possible for Taldein to get some help for the beleaguered guards, if he was of a mind to do so.


((OOC - ALL - Please check the OOC thread. Just want to go over something with you ))


Valin has only succeeded in slowing the horde down. There are still thousands of rats left and it is highly doubtful Valin will be able to stop them all and he'll only be able to slow 'em down for so long - there are avenues of escape back the way he has come. Alleys and suchlike.

Clavisson's spell was also successful but since the child isn't truly undead it didn't have much effect on the boy - Seth is about to reappear around the corner.

Se'alara was/is successful with her attack plan... So far. Remember there is still the other zombie-citizen to finish off as well.

Grith has encountered another strange creature - how is he going to handle this situation?

Taldein can chooses, if he wishes, to get assistance for he guards he has left behind. He can go back to help if he wants. Or he can do whatever else he might do, whatever that might be!

[Calisson]

Splouach.
Clavisson's staff piercing the toddler's chest was rather disgusting.
The body offered even less resistance than expected, like if it was made of rotting pumpkin.
Piercing the chest had sounded like exploding a rotting pumpkin.
In the dim light, splatters of the child's body looked orangeish and pasty like pumpkin's pulp.
The smell, also, that was more a rotting pumkin than anything elvish.
Must be some kind of pumpkin disease. thought Clavisson.

The brat's body was still wiggling despite having a large vacuum where the heart used to be.
As Seth was coming from around the corner, he saw Clavisson methodically flattening out the remains of the child with his staff.

The Light spell had worked, and the blowtorch had helped the staff to penetrate the tiny body effortlessly.
Still, there had been no hint of particular reaction form the infected body.
Proof that the child, despite obviously not being as alive as it used to be, was not undead or of daemonic nature.
This disease was a corruption of the living, not a rising of the dead.

The Plague in Everain.
Information source: direct experiment.
1- Infected creatures have lost even the strongest instincts, including survival and up to female instincts.
2- Their body has lost resilience, and need no cohesion for body parts to keep working.
3- They are not of undead nature, nor daemonic.
---
Temporary conclusion: Strong suspicion for Nurgle infection.

Clavisson turned towards Seth and asked him.
"This is a plague caused by Chaos influence, isn't it? It looks like Nurgle more than anything else.
How do you arrange not to be contaminated?"

Destroying tiny body with staff.
Discussion with Seth the guard, checking if it could be Nurgle's disease.
Intention: to pursue to the guard's post, and to get some escort to the city hall.

_________________
Clavisson the detective - WS3 S2 T4 D4 I5
Equipment: Staff, dagger (throwing).
Inventory: Drachau's note - diverse lighters, candles and black powder
Skills: Power of Hysh (1), Urban Lore
Class: Mage (Light)

[gsharm]

The horrible slurping and tearing sounds were loud in Grith's ears as he walked forward, his boots scuffing and splashing quietly in the rain filled street. He breathed heavily under the weight of the tension as he finally wrapped his hand around the torch and lifted it from where it hung on the wall. The torch fire was reassuring, warmth and light, comforting on a primal level in the dark and cold empty city. He raised the torch, feeling some of the tension lift just as the metal basket of the guttering torch fell.

The moment seemed to stretch out, the basket suddenly falling through the rain, the firelight glittering on the wet blade of his sword, the horrifying muffled rip of flesh inside a building. Clang! The sound seemed unnaturally loud, echoing in the street, cutting through all other sound, somehow silencing everything for a long second as it rolled into the rainwater washing through the gutters. Nothing moved for a moment, Grith was frozen, even the sound of the savage ghastly feast had paused.

The silent moment broke as a wall exploded with unimaginable force, and a beast leaped out into the street in front of Grith. It's attention was focused on the rolling metal basket and Grith breifly wondered to himself if it relied on hearing to sense the world since it's body was so unnaturally formed. As he took in the monstrous form of the creature, the verbal expression of the guards came unasked to his lips, his voice a shocked whisper.

Khaine's bloody balls!

He forced himself from his shocked inaction, the beast was obviously violent and unnatural, and that was all that was necessary to convince Grith it was a threat. He barely thought before he acted, his soldiers training and instincts guiding his actions. There was only one thing to do with a threat, eliminate it.

He attacked, thrusting out the torch ahead of him like a weapon, he leapt forward, raising his sword for a swing at the thick muscled neck of the spiny beast. The creature was already moving, turning to Grith with a shocking speed and ferocity. Even hampered by the torch, Grith's swing was text book perfect, aided by his leap and his full body weight, but the beast was something beyond anything he had ever faced. Recovering his balance as he landed, he awkwardly swung the torch like a burning club, aiming for what passed for the beast's face to keep it at bay while he whipped his sword in a backhand stroke aimed for it's dangerous forelegs.

Grith attacks the creature full force. Overhead swing aimed at the neck followed by a weak swing of the torch to it's "face" and a backhand sword strike intended to disable a front leg to make it less manueverable. Grith will rely on aggressive attack without thought of defense, hoping to kill it in a sudden flurry of blows before it can effectively strike back.

[Drainial]

These creatures, whatever they were, were clumsy. This was fortunate for Se'alara as what they lacked in agility they seemed to make up for in mindless dedication and an apparent total lack of concern for pain. Certainly the first of them seemed intent on rejoining the fight, something it was having trouble with given its injury. She couldn't count it out forever though, this fight needed finishing and quickly. The only problem with that was her weapons, though she loved them dearly neither Dusk nor Dawn were heavy cleavers or beaters. To take down a foe that felt no pain she would need to do serious and irreparable damage but hacking off heads and limbs was probably beyond her.

'Why do we need a head?' she asked herself 'simply as a place to put our brain,'
surely even in this state these things would still need a brain to co-ordinate their bodies. Cognitive function after all was only a small part of what the brain was for. Damage the brain severely enough and the creature had to fall, probably, she hoped. Having gotten behind the former elf Se'alara struck quickly before it had a chance to turn on her. Hitting hard and precisely she levelled a single blow right through the half-corpse's right temple seeking to scramble the brain and leave it lifeless. She could only pray that it worked because the novice could almost feel the second creature just out of sight. If destroying the brain worked then she would have a way to deal with that one in turn, if not... she would need a plan B.

I am not sure how far you want us to take the several actions thing as the subsequent ones depend on assuming that prior ones work so I will include some contingencies here that I left unspoken for the sake of not wanting to God Mod. Se'alara will stab hard with one dagger into the temple of the still standing zombie thing and waggle it about a bit before pulling it out in order to hopefully produce the same effect as decapitation. Should this succeed she will then turn on the one trying to get up and if it is still trying to get up she will get behind it and stab both her daggers hard into its neck to try and sever the spine, not bothering with all the skin and flesh involved in decapitation.

If the brain puncture doesn't work she will kick hard at the back of the first zombie's knee hopefuly driving to down and will then slash its throat with her daggers to see if it still needs blood. I hope that is more what you are looking for Mini, even if the round up is almost as long as the post.

[Cananatra]

Valin muttered to himself as he drew on the winds of magic, using the half formed words to help him in focusing the magic as he desired. There were many targets; so many in fact that the plan looked slightly risky. As he released the spell he could feel it take hold of the rats as many shuffled to a halt, though somewhat less than he had initially expected to be able to target. Perhaps it was the varying nature of the decomposition, but whatever the case Valin was happy with the result, however briefly they lasted.

It seemed the rats were a never-ending flood and those he had co-opted into attacking their fellows soon fell under all those extra teeth. “Considering the number of rats inherent in a city this size that spell won’t work enough” Valin muttered to himself as he spun on the spot and took off back the way he’d came. The rats were small, and hopefully their short legs would slow them down enough for him to get away.

Valin will run back the way he came from and look for an alley he can be sure isn’t a dead end. When he finds one he’ll head down that alley to hopefully find a road parallel to the one he is on so as to bypass the rats. If his legs start to tire or the rats start to gain he’ll trickle some life into his legs to refresh them to keep going.

[Jcitalia4]

Taldein heard the guard call out after him. He silently cursed himself for leaving them behind but he couldn't stop and fight in every skirmish he heard. Nonetheless, he slowed his pace as he saw a guard posting in the distance. As he neared, he called out to the guard. Some of your compatriots are being overrun just down the way I came, he stated briefly. Not one much for chat, he left it at that. He hoped they would feel the need to help out the guards, but if they didn't, such actions would explain the defense of this city.

As he started to continue away, he halted. Quickly muttering a small obscenity to himself, he returned to the post. Come, they will be sorely pressed at the moment.. Enlisting the guards aid, he broke into a run, leading them along the path he had come back to the skirmish with the two guards. He hoped that they wouldn't be too late and that the defense could be met in time.

Taldein will try to recruit the guard posting to help out with the fight. Upon reaching it, he'll get stuck in.

OOC: Definitely more in character for Taldein!

[Minigrift]

No sooner had Clavisson finished decorating his staff and the street with the squished remains of the toddler did Seth appear round the corner, his twin longswords firmly gripped in clenched fists. He halted suddenly, a look of shock on his long face as his swords very nearly pierced the mage through the stomach. He quickly retracted them and sheathed them in a single motion and, looking down to see his feet inch deep in pumpkinned child, let out a disgusted grunt.

"Just sodding lovely!" Face aghast, Seth stepped back out of the mess and looked up at his new found friend, then his good humour seemed to return and he offered Clavisson an impish grin. "Nurgle, y'say? And that's your learned opinion?" He then began to clean his boots in the foot-infested puddle by shaking his feet briskly in the water. "Well, I don't know, but it is still a... troubling thought." His boots now relatively clean, at least, free from any pumpkin matter, Seth returned his full attention back to Clavisson.

"How do I arrange not to be contaminated?" He laughed, genuinely amused by the question. "The Drachau issued each of the guard with one of these pendants." Seth pointed to the rune-shaped pendant he wore around his neck. "But not before a lot of us became contaminated, it was several days before we realised the severity of the plague." Seth stepped aside to allow the mage to pass well clear of the artistic mess he had made.

"Come, we can walk and talk. There is someone you should meet - I think she is expecting you." Seth winked down at Clavisson, his grin growing ever wider, and motioned for the Inquisitor to lead the way up the street past the remains of the other family members. "It'll be a most interesting encounter, no doubt, always is with her."

* * * * *

At the shocked whisper of one of Everains most known cuss phrases, the creatures head snapped round, with a snarl, to face the warrior. The creature leant forward slightly as if listening for other sounds, then began to crawl, ever so slowly, towards Grith. It was a few moments before the stunned warrior forced himself into action, his warriors instinct overriding his inactivity.

His first attack was a well aimed, full forced overhead strike at the creatures neck. It may not have been as blind as it first appeared, perhaps his few footfalls alerted the creature to Grith's presence because his attack was almost a narrow miss. The very tip of his blade nicked the creatures neck as it move aside with a preternatural speed. In this brief instant, he could see that the creature had a thick, translucent skin.

Recovering quickly the warrior then flashed out with the burning torch to cover himself as he reigned in his primary weapon. The creature hissed as the torch flew harmlessly overhead, but instead of taking the moment to attack it retreated back a step, then in two deadly fast movements, jumped to the right then pounced at Grith from his sword side. With no time to think, Grith instinctively slashed out with his sword in a wide, sweeping arc that slashed the creatures across the back of it's right paw and cut deep.

It was far too heavy a monstrosity to be batted aside by the blow, and as it howled it's fury, it's right shoulder butted into Grith's chest and he felt the claws of it's wounded paw slide by his armoured ribs. Had he not been so quick-witted, those knife-like claws could very well be imbedded in his belly. The collision sent neither combatant sprawling, for both were tough. The warrior spun a half-step on the spot and the creature landed six feet away from him.

The creature, facing away from Grith, stood stock still. It seemed to be waiting for Grith to make his next move.

* * * * *

Se'alara was having a more successful time of things than the warrior. Her assailants were slow, clumsy and mindless, and their reaction times seemed little better than a snails. The lithe young khainite darted past the unthinking once-citizen and struck a well placed back-stab of Dusk - or Dawn - into it's temple. The dagger inserted itself with little resistance, and when she wriggled the blade for good measure, the brain churned like butter. Her target fell slowly to the ground, as if even in death it was eager for life. Satisfied that her work was done, Se'alara moved to finish off the other creature.

During the fight her hearing had returned almost to normal and all around her she could hear several small skirmishes in the smoke and smog of the ruined warehouse. It seemed there were several little fights like this one going on around her.

The other zombified citizen was wriggling about on it's belly in a fair imitation of a fish out of water, it's surreal efforts of trying to swim through concrete leaving it's supple skin blotched and weeping. Se'alara stabbed both her daggers hard into it's neck and severed it's spine, the head breaking sideways with a crunch. The body stilled for a few moments, then began to spasm.

As did the other 'corpse'. She heard the noises and looked over. The limbs of the deceased seemed to be acting as if they had a will of their own, and so it appeared that the body was actually crawling along the cobbles in a desperate bid to get no where in particular.

((OOC: This is more a discussion for the OOC thread - I can try to explain what I mean but I'm too tired just now. I'll find an example for you next time!))

* * * * *

The rats were fast little buggers but Valin was faster. He turned to run back up the street, on his travels down this seemingly innocuous street the mage had seen more than a few alleyways. Most were likely dead ends, but some of the larger one's more than likely let some place. Valin boosted his flight from the vermin horde by gathering the life energies around him and feeding the collected samples into his slight leggies.

His chosen alley wasn't much further up the road and by the time Valin reached the right side-street the rats were a good twenty metres behind him. But he wasn't taking any chances and continued to along until he veered right into the recess of the alleyway. He had barely taken six steps before a crossbow bolt whistled past his face.

"Hold your fire, recruit." A gruff, experienced voice shouted. "This one looks... clean." Watching him run towards them were half a dozen city guards, two of them, hiding behind barricades, followed Valin with repeater crossbows trained upon his person. The one who shot at him was a young female, still to gain the status of an official guard. The officer and another guard armed with swords and shields stood between them, with another two guards keeping vigil along the main road behind them.

Valin slowed when he was a dozen or so paces away. The rats would be pouring round the corner momentarily.

* * * * *

Upon hearing the dismayed cry of the guard, Taldein, in an unlikely predicament for a follower of the Bloody Handed God, had a change of heart. He neared the large bonfire which was zealously guarded by a half dozen guards, one of whom had a repeater crossbow trained on the shadowy khainite. This guard was not quite as trigger-happy as the recruit who fired at Valin, he was much older and could clearly tell Taldein wasn't one of the 'walking dead'.

The leader of the post stepped forth and made ready to question the approaching khainite, but Taldein cut him off and quickly stepped down a side street. For the second time in as many minutes, the draich-wielder changed his mind. He returned to the post to see the leader issuing orders to his troops, he then turned to appraise Taldein, with only a hint of suspicion etched into his scarred face.

"Lead on, lad. I'll send three of my troops with you." Taldein led the way, followed by three of the guards, though not the crossbowman. It wasn't long at all before the sounds of the skirmish were heard over the pounding rain. The two guards were holding their ground, if just barely, a testament to their skilled and discipline. The shield-bearer was swamped by a horde of not-quite-zombies. The crossbowman, now out of bolts, was using his comrade as a the shield as he deftly chopped limbs and necks with his serrated short sword.



I've left it open for you to question Seth a bit more should you wish to do so - you'll likely meet the, ah, interesting lady in the next Mod post as well. Seth will answer any questions Clavisson has before the two of them do meet.

Grith and the creature are still fighting - he's scored a couple of minor wounds but it's still just as deadly.

Se'alara can finish off the bodies, help the guards with some of the other skirmishes, or continue with her journey. If she chooses to help any of the guards (there are two fights happening fairly close - a guard versus a couple of dead-beats in both cases) she may also question them - the guards, that is - if she wants. I'll give you a bit of free reign for this one

Valin has nearly almost been brained by a crossbow bolt. He's reached a small guard post. The rats will be appearing at the end of the street in fairly short order...

You got me just as I was going to post! Taldein has three guards with him, you also can have free reign as well! You can choose what armament the guards have and they'll be under Taldeins orders (the sergeant has had to stay at his post) and one of them is female. You can't speak for them but they will follow Taldeins orders

[Drainial]

The brain's did appear to be necessary and in disrupting them Se'alara had managed to reduce both creatures to a helpless state but even now they were not dead. Looking at the beasts squirming on the ground Se'alara was at a loss as to how to end their suffering short of hacking them apart, something which would take quite some time and would probably blunt her knives. As their writhing was unlikely to harm her Se'alara decided to simply leave them to their misery. The more important question was what these things were, and where had they come from? A cursory examination showed that they were, or had been, elves more or less like her. Clearly there was some dark magic at work here which meant either rouge mages or the convent behaving more than a little outside of its jurisdiction.

'Probably the later,' Se'alara thought bitterly 'sorceress sluts have no regard for what is proper' it would also go some way to explaining the Drachau's use of Vauvalka, not that it could excuse such a blatant violation of the Scourge's own will. Even good old sectarian suspicion was no substitute for facts however, she needed to know more and as she sheathed her blades Se'alara's ears picked out the sounds of fighting not far away.

'Perhaps someone with a little more knowledge than I,' she thought. Knowing that she would be discarding it again shortly but unwilling to leave it behind Se'alara found her robe and draped it round her shoulders but did not fasten any of the strings that normally held it in place. The fabric whipped in the wind driving grime off of the slick surface all the more quickly. This robe would never allow a stain to take hold, it was one of the secrets of the temple and she had spent many hours stitching such fabric whilst meditating.

Now that she knew a little better how these half dead elves could be dealt with Se'alara went in search of more to destroy and living elves to question. When she finally got to her destination she would not do so in ignorance. Then again with exploding buildings, undying grocers and unidentified fury objects she might not reach the town hall at all.

Se'alara will seek out the nearest fight she can find. When she gets there she will ditch her robe once again and charge into the rear of one of the zombies (assuming that she can, they ought to be distracted fighting the guard). She will hamstring it and kick it hard in the small of the back to knock it over before turning on the second one, ideally disabling them so that the guard with what is hopefully a more appropriate weapon can kill them.

[Calisson]

"Come, we can walk and talk." , sid Seth the guard.
After having participated to thousands of prisoner's interrogations in Black Guard's jails, the detective with unnatural insight had many opportunities to learn that the most sincere confessions were obtained from those willing to talk.
The guard was more than willing to talk. He seemed not much knowledgeable about the plague, but could tell Clavission lots more.

Clavisson examined the rune on the guard's neck, and tried to remember from his many nights of arcane reading what was its magical significance.
The guard interrupted him without being adressed.
"There is someone you should meet - I think she is expecting you. It'll be a most interesting encounter, no doubt, always is with her."
Seth words were full of understatements. Clavisson, whose Urban Lore knowledge did not sufficiently extend to the lovely city of Everain, had a golden opportunity to get some information about local powerhouses.

"She is expecting me? I may know her, then. What's her name? Is she part of the drachau's inner circle?"
Guards were often a good source of gossip. They were standing close to the nobles, who usually ignored them like if they were mere furniture. And guards had little distraction available during long nights of watch standing, when they were usually very happy to spread all kind of information.
Clavisson winked at the guard, in an attempt to increase the connivance.
"Hey, tell me, does she belong to the Drachau's most intimate... you know what I mean?"
Suggestive questions would often lead to more unexpected and valuable information than straightforward ones.


Trying to recall the meaning of the protective rune the guard is wearing.
Walking with Seth towards the guard post.
Gathering Urban Lore information - and gossip, too .

_________________
Clavisson the detective - WS3 S2 T4 D4 I5
Equipment: Staff, dagger (throwing).
Inventory: Drachau's note - diverse lighters, candles and black powder
Skills: Power of Hysh (1), Urban Lore
Class: Mage (Light)

[Cananatra]

Valin felt his robes flap about his legs as he ran up the street away from the oncoming wave of rats. They were surprisingly fast, he couldn’t deny that, which brought up some interesting questions about how their muscles worked. “Must be self repairing somehow otherwise the rot and general usage damage should have them very slow.” Casting a glance over his shoulder he could see he wasn’t pulling out as much of a lead as he would have hoped for. Reaching out to the winds of magic he drew on it to boost his muscles and was pleasantly surprised to find himself faster than he was before. He’d never had occasion to do that to himself before and it was definitely a spell he would be remembering.

Rounding a corner into a handy sidestreet in an attempt to get away from the rats he was greeted by a crossbow bolt tearing past his face. Thankfully the commander was quick to stop further target practice and Valin closed with the barricade before slowing. Looking at the one who had fired he spoke. “You should pay more attention. When was the last time you saw one of those infected sprinting down an road? Hmm?” The memory of the rats however drew him quickly back on topic and he turned to the commander. “There is a rather substantial horde of undead rats heading this way, setting the barricade alight might be a good idea.”

Join the guards behind the barricade if allowed. Suggest lighting it on fire (I assume as we’re in a city a makeshift barricade is probably made from scavenged wood such as furniture ect). The undead rats, not being renowned for their smarts will hopefully immolate themselves trying to get through the burning barricade.

[Minigrift]

The nearest fight was a short trek through the smoke and debris, though the khainite had to take care not to tread on anything hot or burning. Nimbly, her feet danced through the maze-like rubble and, shortly, she came upon the fight to which she was heading in her search for answers. Two of the zombie-like creatures had their backs to her, one had no arms and was shambling towards the armour-clad guard almost as if being invited. The other had no legs and was monkeying around on the ground.

The guard didn't seem to be in much of a hurry to 'kill' them but, rather, seemed to be using them as target practice. As with the other guard she had met, this one was was clad in a chainmail hauberk, a sea dragon cloak and leather boots and gloves. She had noticed the first guard wore a rune pendant around his neck, but paid it no heed at the time, and now this guard was wearing an identical piece. He was young and attractive, in a way that only those of noble birth appeared to be, and most likely had been a recruit until recently. He wielded a bastard sword in a two-handed grip and had a buckler attached to his left forearm.

He noticed the lithe she-elf as she barrelled into the armless zombie-thing and was momentarily distracted by her near naked form. Se'alara, with a precision born of very recent practice, effortlessly hamstringed the walking corpse and kicked it forward. The guard sidestepped and flicked a quick blow at the creatures hips, his heavy blade easily severing both of it's legs. A limbless body sailed through the air a short distance before scraping along the ground and coming to to a halt. The second 'corpse' was equally helpless to the agile khainites attacks, coming up behind it she slashed out with both daggers simultaneously, another limbless creature fell face first into the concrete.

The female looked at the guard. He had knelt down and still held his swords handle with both hands, it's point now touching the ground. A tentative eye glanced up, met Se'alara's, then looked to the ground once more. "Thy most sincerest of gratitude to you, oh maiden of divine beauty, for thou hath surely saved me from a most ignoble and insufferable end by these, oh so foul, creatures of undeath! Fortune hath suredly smiled upon this humble and dutiful guard, in servitude to a most benign Mistress, to deliver one such as thee into a gaze most appreciative of the angelic form which stands afore him." Another sly, shy glance. "I beseech thee, dearest maiden of exquisite perfection, forasmuch as I would love to gaze upon thee fully and resplendently for eternity and forever more, I so most solemnly fear that my presence is further needed in this plagued and cursed city, aswath with those foul and unwholesome cretins that infest it's very streets!"

((OOC: As much as I could potentially continue with this, for some time, I fear I should cut it short.))

* * * * *

At the other end of the city Clavisson and Seth were 'walking' to their destination. Again, Seths imitation of a walk was actually a fairly fast jog, though unlike last time, he wasn't going so fast that the mage struggled to maintain pace with him.

Clavisson studied the rune pendant in the little time he had. The design seemed somehow familiar but he couldn't quite place, or remember, which House it belonged to. Certainly not one of the more well known or powerful houses.

Seth slowed, fractionally, as the light mage pestered him with questions, but Seth was of a mind to indulge the mage's curiosity. Indeed, he seemed a very jovial and easy going person. "She is very knowledgeable, my friend, she is, I believe, the one who brought you here. You do not know her, trust me on that. And she may well be a part of the Drachau's Inner Circle." This last comment seemed intentionally ambiguous, almost as if Seth was unwilling, or possibly unable, to tell Clavisson the truth.

They entered another dark alley, though this one seemed to end on a main street as it was better lit than any other street the mage had ventured down since his arrival. "Is she intimate with herself, is that what you are asking?" Clavisson could hear the grin in Seths voice. "It would not surprise me, she's... ah, not exactly shy in flaunting her many assets."

* * * * *

The female recruit angrily cocked another crossbow bolt at the mages insulting remarks, but true to her sergeants command, she didn't fire it, though she a shot perfectly lined up.

"What?" The sergeant bellowed in a voice like thunder. "Set the barricade alight? Are you mad? Where sha -" Now the burly, bearded sergeant fell silent as the horde of rats began to, quite literally, pour around the corner. "Well, bugger me!"

He, like an elf well versed in war, immediately took charge of the situation. "Runner, get a barrel of pitch over here. Now! Tella, grab a torch and bring it to me - a lit one, you crazy bastard. Recruits, get this path barricaded, pronto." The sergeant barked out his orders with all the finesse of a beached whale giving birth, before looking back to Valin. "You just going to stand and gawp, lad? Sodding get over here, you wanna be devoured by vermin?"

The druchii ran around frantically, one fetched a barrel from a nearby stockpile while another ran to the corner of the street to grab one of the lit torches ensconced at various intervals, and the two recruits - one the female with the crossbow - set about further barricading the road with doors, tables and chairs, taking care not to leave any gaps.

The sergeant, now a picture of calm, spoke to the mage. "Mighty timely arrival there, stranger."


Se'alara has quickly dealt with the two victims (they're still alive, kinda, though not much of a threat with no limbs!), with a little help from the guard. The guard is thanking her for 'rescuing' him.

Clavisson will have time for one more question before he meets the mysterious woman. He'll definitely be meeting her in the next mod post. Gave you an extra wee post as I thought you'd appreciate a bit of a chat - but there is more of that to come

Valin has some time to cast a spell if he wishes to. Otherwise he'd better hide quickly!

[Drainial]

Both brainless former elves were dealt with in an adrenaline fuelled high, it was only as her buzz began to fade that Se'alara realised the guard had been in no need of her help, indeed he seemed far better suited to battling them than she was herself. Still it was done now and if this night was to continue as it had begun he would have other opportunities to use his sword. Chaos and death she was prepared for, at least she thought she was, but what happened next took the khainite novice rather by surprise. In the outside world she was fairly sure it was known as flattery, not a topic often covered at the remote temple of Bloody Joy. Though on his knees and professing gratitude Se'alara knew he was far from humble, which was good, humility was a trait best suited to slaves not Druchii.

She thought she should probably feel affront at such obvious insincerity, somehow she she didn't. She hadn’t been called pretty before, at least not since joining the temple, it wasn't something that was a factor there. Feeling perversely pleased Se'alara was suddenly acutely conscious of her lack of clothing. All knew that Khaine preferred his brides to fight without encumbrance and while she was not yet wedded to the red god she was not sure where the church stood on those not divine enjoying traditional forms or dress, or undress as the case may be.

This confused jumble of thoughts decided to manifest as embarrassment, her pale cheeks flushed red and wordless she quickly wiped off her knives and recovered her robe. With the white silk once more wrapped around her Se'alara jogged back over to the guard. He appeared set on moving off but she had a few questions for him first.
“Apologies if I interrupted your sport,” she said
“but do you know what happened here? I have never seen elves in such a state, and what caused this?” she gestured to the wreckage, some of it still aflame despite the persistent drizzle
“Is the whole city affected so? And if I am asking so many questions I should add a last, your name sir?”
'Divine beauty? Really? Oh don't be silly you are promised to god... promised but not yet given... oh do shut up.'

Se'alara will get dressed again and ask the guard about the situation, usual stuff, what's the buzz, tell me what's a happening. Zombies and bombs.

[Cananatra]

The recruit aimed another bolt towards him however Valin was already busy talking to the sergeant and so simply ignored her presence. She could put a hole in him, which he could easily heal but then the sergeant would probably kill her, so all in all his position was the better one. From his unique point of view anyway. At first it was clear the sergeant didn’t quite believe him, which was perfectly alright considering the story however Valin did feel amused at his reaction when the rats came into view.

At that point the command instincts kicked in and he began shouting orders including an offer, of sorts, for Valin to cross the barrier. Wasting no time, as he would rather he didn’t get eaten, Valin scampered to the opposite side to stand near the sergeant. Leaning on his staff he watched the vermin closing on the barricade. Closing a tad fast, he mused to himself as he watched the swarm closing in. Reaching once again to the winds of magic he gathered a small amount and cast the spell he had cast earlier to revive certain rats in the swarm. Just enough to slow them down, no point wasting power.

Valin will cast a small version of the spell he first tried, just to ensure the swarm doesn’t close before the barricade is lit. He’ll stay relatively far back to watch what’s happening though he will take his staff to any rats which make it past the fire.

[Calisson]

Clavisson and Seth were hastily walking in desert streets. No other bad encounter interrupted them.
The detective managed to throw in a few more questions before they reached the guard post, despite having to catch his breath.
"Tell me, dear Seth, what is the name, of the House, represented, on the rune, you're displaying, which protects you, from the plague?
Also, this powerful, lady, who we will, soon meet, by which title, shall I adress her? She must be busy, fighting the plague, like all of us are."

The gossip collector was thinking about this intriguing lady. Would she be a sorceress?
Anyway, a true lady worth her femininity would find highly valuable the company of Clavisson, with his extensive knowledge about the latest fashions in dress and etiquette, his fine understanding of court love stories, and, what ladies always found exquisite, his willingness to talk about these topics despite being a male.

Walking fast towards the guard post with Seth.
With an empathic approach, Clavisson tries to get as much information as possible about the drachau, his amulet and the mysterious lady.
He keeps observing the city as they are walking.

_________________
Clavisson the detective - WS3 S2 T4 D4 I5
Equipment: Staff, dagger (throwing).
Inventory: Drachau's note - diverse lighters, candles and black powder
Skills: Power of Hysh (1), Urban Lore
Class: Mage (Light)

[Jcitalia4]

Taldein nod a brief thanks to the sergeant. He quickly gestured to one of the soldiers to bring an extra quiver before leading them back the way he had come. They raced down the streets, feet stamping through the puddles in the nighttime gloom. Up ahead, the groans to the guards embattled could be heard echoing down to them. As they first came into view, the two fought with a vigor of hatred like they were resigned to their hates and had resolved to take down as many with them purely out of spite.

Hand your extra quiver to the guard with the crossbow, you two will then provide overwatch. You other two, with me, we'll hold the line right over this roadway.

With that he ran into place. The embroiled guard gave him a quick look of confusion. It went away quickly as a zombie struck out at him, nearly taking advantage of his distraction. Taldein joined the line, again using the guards shield with his own movements. He struck out at the zombies in great arcing swipes, trying to make openings for his fellows to take advantage of. Taldein thought to himself, What am I doing here? This is not my fight... as he parried a clawing hand, severing it with a quick repost. Blood for khaine, I suppose. I doubt this was the reasoning he brought me here though.... Hopefully their efforts would be well enough to hold the line.

Taldein will return with the guards and try to mount up a defensive line

[Minigrift]

The guard remained bowed until Se'alara returned, dressed, to stand opposite him. When she had finished talking the guard rose to his feet and inclined his head respectfully. "My apologies also, m'lady, I am in training but this was, perhaps, not the best of times to practice. I may have buttered it up just a bit, but I spoke the truth. About your beauty, I mean." He flashed Se'alara a winning smile, showing her his full rows of pristine teeth - another mark of his nobility.

"My name is Andiril, though you may call me Andi, if you wish." Andiril looked around over the still burning wreckage. "We laid a trap for them, we killed dozens. Do you not know what is going on? No, I see from your expression that you do not. A plague has swept across the city and has affected many, friends, relatives, colleagues, we have had to kill all the infected."

The noble-born guard turned his piercing gaze back to the Khainite once again. "I would be honoured if you would tell me your name, m'lady. I am also curious - you walk our city's streets yet you have no idea what is going on. Have you come to visit the Temple?"

* * * * *

Valin cast his mind to draw in magical energies once again, his aim was to slow down the approaching horde, which he did. The lead rats were once again devoured, in a matter of moments, but the mage had at least bought the sergeant a little time to prepare his defence.

"The barrel, Sarge," The elf named Runner announced as he rolled the barrel by his officers feet.

"Chuck it down the street, you whoreson!" The sergeant looked down at the oncoming swarm, calmly noted their position and seemed not at all troubled by his troublesome predicament. "Rafan, shoot a few holes in that barrel, would you? There's a good fellow."

The angrily bearded elf looked at Valin, his purple cast eyes hinting at his bemusement. "A stroll over yonder, what do y'say?" Tella returned to his sergeant's side brandishing a torch which the, obviously crazy, sergeant took from him without word, then winked at the mage. "Well, best duck first..."

The torch flew through the are in a graceful arc even as all of the sergeants troopers dived to the ground covering their pointy ears with their hands. BOOM! Another concussive blast, though not quite as impressive as the first, erupted through the night air spraying parts and entrails of burnt and burning rats in all directions.

"Ain't that something?" The elf grinned, his face covered in soot and much of his hair and clothing singed. He looked around at his squad with an almost puzzled expression. "Rise! You lazy curs. This ain't no time for sleepin'!" The sooty officer then looked down at Valin with the most evil smile he had ever pulled. "How about it, then? A walk over yonder, ah, could this night get any better?"

The sergeant stepped over to Valin and motioned, with a jerk of his helmeted head, for the mage to follow.

* * * * *

Clavisson and Seth stopped at the end of the alleyway. "You wish to learn of the Drachau's house? I cannot tell you, for in truth, I do not know, but I trust the Drachau with my life. As for the lady you shall meet, have you never before met a female of high-standing?" The tall guard looked around furtively, as if scared of being overheard, then spoke in a whisper. "A word to the wise, my friend, do not piss her off!"

Together they stepped out onto the main street, up ahead a large bonfire was lit at the crossroads and many guards lingered about as sentries. "I must report in, wait at a respectable distance and approach when she is ready." Seth ran off and soon after saluted to a tall woman dressed in revealing robes and as dry as a twig in the desert, the rain somehow falling from her voluptuous form an inch or so away from her body. Clavisson approached cautiously and watched them all, noticing that each guard wore an identical pendant to Seths. The sorceress wore a similar piece but hers was much more elaborate and made of finer materials.

"... whipping! Understood?" Seth saluted somewhat too formally, his face forced into calm but his eyes glimmered with sadistic expectations. He quickly moved away and the lady turned her attention to the approaching stranger. Clavisson could feel the sorceresses power radiating from her in wicked waves, almost as if he were being slapped by the feathers of gentle birds. She looked at him with intense, lavender eyes which seemed to stare into his very soul - there was no escaping that piercing gaze.

"Ah, another pet. What brings you to this fair city, hmm?" She was much taller than the mage - whose eyes were level with her heaving cleavage - even taller than most of the male guards standing at their posts. "Mage, Inquisitor, Detective, Son of the Jail and Bringer of Light. You have many titles, Clavisson. Tell me, young man, have you any hypotheses about the nature of this plague?" The barely dressed sorceress grinned wickedly, her sensual lips curved into the welcoming embrace of a roses' thorn.

((OOC: Tall sorceresses remind you you guys of anyone?))

* * * * *

"Yes, sir!" The lead guard responded to Taldeins command. Extra clips were given to the crossbowman, who joined the other just as Taldein and the other two guards took his place in the line. The shield guard seemed much relieved to finally have people with whom to share his burden. The six of them, four at the the front with the two crossbowmen providing support, were soon into the prod and pull of the fight, and many of the zombie-like creatures would soon begin to fall.

Taldein slashed out methodically and with little finesse, for none was needed against such brainless opponents. The guards to his side quickly took advantage of the openings he provided. The guards themselves were equally as skilled, if not more so, than Taldein was himself and before long at all the relentless assault of their enemies soon came under control. Striking out again, the khainite neatly severed the head of another creature.

But there were many more, not so many that the six of them would bring the situation under control, however, certainnly more than two guards alone could handle. Another wave of deranged citizens assaulted their defence line. From what Taldein could ascertain, there were about twenty in total.


Se'alara has met a far nicer guard than the first one she encountered. He is asking what she is doing and wishes to know her name.

Valin has survived the zombie rat assault and the sergeant wishes to speak with him. They will be walking down a backstreet between two rows of houses. Still no gardens, unfortunately.

Clavisson has met with the mysterious woman and she is asking him if he might have any conclusions about the plague.

Taldein has mustered a defence with the guards and they have stymied the threat, though it must still be dealt with. Another half dozen 'zombies' are assaulting the line. ((OOC: You weren't thrilled with the last zombie assault so I'll try and keep this one short!))