Riaxh

DnD 5th edition -esque Rople Play Missing only a Couple of Players.

@Duthguy right-click on the cell you are interested in, and select "insert note"

@Lucius Cypher great, I was going to wait for backstory and such, but I'll assume we're doing the first option for now and cook something up.

DnD 5th edition -esque Rople Play Missing only a Couple of Players.

Alright, cs is basically done. I've made an oath of conquest paladin. Just need to write a background now. Any idea when we'll be starting up?

DnD 5th edition -esque Rople Play Missing only a Couple of Players.

I'm thinking Paladin or Sorcerer for mine. What's the current party made of?

DnD 5th edition -esque Rople Play Missing only a Couple of Players.

First idea sounds appealing, though I'd be fine with either. PvP squabbles sound fun if theres some incentive to not let it devolve too far.

DnD 5th edition -esque Rople Play Missing only a Couple of Players.

I'm interested in joining this.

Whistlehowl Star {always open!}

"Admit it, you fell in by accident, and now we're lost."
"Nonsense. My mind's impeccable treasure sense led us, and the ruin's supposed to be around here somewhere. For all we know, these tunnels could be a part of it... Ouch!" Edric looked at the raven-like bird hovering on his shoulder accusingly, having been jabbed by a beak.
"Seems perfectly peckable to me." Balsaam admonished haughtily. Edric could barely make out his friend's pitch black feathers in the gloom of the cave, only the weight and sharp yellow eyes floating in the dark and told him he was there at all. "I don't see any forgotten treasure or ruins. This is just a damp, nasty cave that's making my feathers all dewy and we're only here because you can't see an inch in front of your nose in that silly hat." he grumbled. Edric clutched his wide-brimmed hat defensively, as if afraid it might get offended. He could feel the claws kneading his shoulder, letting him feel the weight of his partner's displeasure. Balsaam was always cranky underground. They both were, though Edric did his best to supress it, because who would respect a claustrophobic treasure hunter?
"Well we might as well take a look now." he said firmly. The bird could warble as much as he wanted. There was something to this cave, Edric could feel it. "Besides" he said, unable to resist a rebuttal. "where were you, my keen eyes in the sky? Off chatting up some forest songbird I bet, otherwise you could have warned me there was a bleeding crevice in all that foliage." He kept trudging through the darkness of the twisting tunnels, keeping one hand on the wet stony wall as he went, trusting in Balsaam's keen eyes to catch any threat to his footing despite what he'd just said, and ignoring the bird's squawks of indignation and insistence that he was a gentlebird who was above that sort of thing.

Their bickering was eventually cut short, as they noticed a soft glow ahead. It was an object. Impaled in the rough floor ahead of the them was an opulent sword, bathing the crude walls of the cave in a shimmering, mystical light. Edric approached enraptured. It was beautiful. Like every magic sword he'd ever imagined.
"Edric, this is..." Balsaam counselled hesitantly, but the man had already grasped it with both hands, and pulled. It came free of the ground with the sound of a clear bell, and Edric held it reverently. He could feel it thrumming with energy. He gave it a swing and it cleaved the air with the sound of a thunderclap, causing Balsaam to squawk and take off in alarm.
Yes, he thought, feeling a surge course through his arms as he held the weapon aloft. This is the power I need. With this I can finally- The weapon abruptly burst into flames, shocking him, and suddenly he heard the screams. The awful, familiar screams filling his head with their fear. The glowering, hot metal seared him, and in the bright, flickering blade he could see the shadows of other things burning. Houses. People. It was like he was there again. He could almost smell it. He cried out, hurling the sword away. The blaze flared once brightly, and then the cave plunged into darkness. Blinded, he fell to the ground, clutching himself as the screaming gradually subsided.

He lay there afterward for a moment, flinching when he felt something land beside him. It laid a comforting wing across his head, saying nothing. Eventually his eyes adjusted back to the gloom, and he made an effort to rise, not wanting to look weak in front of his partner. "We've come across some nasty traps in our time." he said shakily. "But that was..." He fell silent.
"I understand if you're a little shaken up after that" Balsaam crowed nervously. "But we've got to get moving now." Edric nodded, and the pair lapsed into uncomfortable silence as they started down the tunnel again "I could hear those screams." he eventually said hesitantly, "were they from..?"
"Yes"
He shook his head. "Then that was no trap. This place is unnatural. The longer we stay here, the more in danger we are."
"Then go fly ahead. Find us a way out."
The creature shook his head seriously. "I'd never find you again in the darkness." It was a valid point, but Edric thought his reluctance was probably founded on not wanting to leave him alone with more illusions. "I-" Balsaam stopped, tensing up. "Do you hear that?"
Edric did. It sounded like crying. A gentle sobbing being carried by the acoustics of the cavern. Moreover there was another light, softer and less eerie than the first, up ahead. He could make out some figures at its centre. "Another trap?" he whispered.
"Yes. Or other people stuck down here." he heard whispered in his ear. "Either way, we don't have much of a choice."
He was right, they couldn't get out the way they'd come in. He advanced cautiously, Balsaam huddled down on his shoulder, entering a much larger cavern. Disturbingly, Edric had seen no trace of the sword, as though it had never been there to begin with, though his scolded hands testified otherwise. What he could see was drawings, everywhere, covering the vast ceiling, though he kept his attention on the three figures in front of him as he neared them.

They were certainly a bizarre looking trio. "Um, is this illusion targeted at you, Bal? I've definitely never met..." he squinted. "A knight, a wildling and a cat-person."
"What?.. No! Besides, they don't feel like the sword did. My intuition tells me they're real."
He had no idea what such a motely bunch would be doing down here, but they didn't look very dangerous. Edric closed the rest of the distance and stepped into the circle of light that emanated from the group, his hands held up so as to try and not cause alarm. "Er, Hello there fellow spelunkers. My friend and I are kind of lost." he said uncertainly, taking in the two teary-eyed faces and inscrutable gaze of the knight. Aw hell. I'm no good with kids. he thought. "I don't suppose you folks know where we could find an exit?" he asked, without much hope.

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

Eudaxia

A gentle hand touched Eudaxia's shoulder, stirring her from her slumber. "Eudaxia?" A gravelly voice asked.
She jumped awake with a start, momentarily panicked then relaxed as she remembered what had happened. Dustran was watching her, and the regular rhythm of plodding hooves on cobbles which had lulled her to sleep had stopped. The carriage was stationary. "where are we?" she asked him, rubbing her eyes. She felt better after her rest, but her complaining stomach reminded her only one of her needs had been met.
"I regret having to wake you" said Dustran, "but we have arrived at the castle, and Shaemus is waiting."
Shaemus. What did these people want from her? He had claimed to want to give her answers, but nothing in life was free. "Alright, lets go." she said, getting down from the vehicle and getting her bearings.

They were in a large courtyard surrounded by high walls and the Castle of Lords ahead, its high towers reaching up into the black sky, dark and foreboding. An intimidating structure even when viewed from the distant parts of the city, up close it felt more oppressive than the keep had. She had never been this near. She was technically allowed to visit the rich districts of the city, but seldom did. She'd tried begging there once, when she was new. She'd made a killing from the crowd, and then had been promptly beaten to within an inch of her life in an alley, after a shopkeeper had scolded a watchman for allowing her to sour the scenic street with her presence.
"This way, Eudaxia." Dustran lead her through the courtyard, along a cobblestone path that wound around a plot of earth. At one time no doubt a magnificent garden, but now it was bare, mere mushrooms and stunted shrubs the only things that grew.

Her mind stinging with memories, she fought down the feelings of awe and at her surroundings. She was under no illusions. Acts of charity did not exist. If they had busted her out, then they needed something, and her magic was the only remarkable thing about her. She followed closely, and decided to try and tease some answers from the man. "I don't mean to be rude, your grace." she said finally. "But why are we here, if we're visiting Shaemus, shouldn't we be at the temple?"
"Perhaps if what we discussed was a matter for the priesthood. Alas no. Our business concerns all of Haven." he said. Palace guards, clad in shining steel and holding spears, turned their heads as they passed, no doubt in awe at the sight of the company his grace was keeping. "Besides, I have the impression you may not be quite comfortable in Godsreach."
She kept her gaze lowered from the passing guards, aware of how terrible she must look in her state. This is not my world she thought with distress. I don't know how it works. I don't know how to act. Left with only more questions after Dustran's cryptic reply, she followed him to the far end of the courtyard, to the south east corner of the castle grounds. There the walls intersected with a high tower, fires burning bright in the windows above. Two guards saluted Dustran as they neared, and opened the double doors with a bow.
She hesitated before entering, though the dark interior held no secrets for her eyes. "Why me, your grace." she said finally, as they entered into a large chamber with a high vaulted ceiling hoisted up by pillars and A hearth burning brightly on the left wall before a seating area. On the other side of the room was another set of double doors, and bookshelves ran along the right wall. A servant stood before them with a bowed head. "I just don't understand, what could you possibly want from someone like me?"
Dustran turns around to face her, pulling his blue robe back and placing his hands on his hips, some measure of his patience fading. "I sense the power that swirls about you, Eudaxia. I feel the arcane energy but it is wild, untamed, and unfocused. Do not deny it! I am no gaelor or miscreant!" His cool blue eyes bored into her like icicles.
She shrivelled before his gaze like it were fire, not ice, saying nothing. He raised his chin with a stern look before spinning around to face the servant. "Garys, bring refreshments for our guest. Have her fitted as well for some clean clothes."
"Yes, your Grace. At once!" The servant bowed before disappearing behind the door to the right.
Dustran motioned to the seating area by the fire. "Join me, please."
She did so, sitting gingerly on the edge of a chair, so she could be closer to the warmth of the fire. Dustran removed his hat, brushing his white hair from his face as he sat down with a sigh. He regarded her for a moment, his demeanour turning kindly, offering a slight smile as he crossed his legs, but saying nothing. He seemed to expect her to start the conversation.

"so, um..." she tried, uncomfortable in the silence. "Seeing as you are definitely not, as you put it... 'a gaelor or a miscreant'." she said wearily. "Do you mind me asking who are, your grace?"
"How rude of me!" He exclaimed, standing up with a bow. "I am Dustran. High Wizard of Haven, and Chief Advisor to the High Lord." He sat down after the introduction.
"High....wizard..." she said, eye twitching slightly in shock. This was no noble. she was casually sitting across from the second most influential person in all of Haven. "That is...I mean... It is an honor..." she stumbled. What In the Nine Hells have I gotten myself into.
Dustran actually laughed. "Oh please! Would you believe only a few years ago I was but a mere librarian?" he said, waving a dismissive hand.
At that moment the far door opened and Garys wheeled out a cart of food with accompanying silver dishes and cutlery. There was egg fried bread, porridge with fruit and nuts, raspberries, cream and hot tea, chilled water and milk. Garys placed the fine fare on the tea table before them, then stood off to the side, a string in his hands. "Would the lady kindly stand for her measurements?"
She gazed at the food with wide eyes, her belly informing her that something far more important than a High Wizard demanded her attention, but stood, her eyes fixed on the cart, as if afraid it might disappear.
"Make it quick, Garys. If you'll please" Dustran said with slight amusement. "I believe our guest is famished."
The servant said nothing but quickly began running the string across Eudaxia's limbs and around her waist and chest before disappearing once again.
"Eat Eudaxia, please!" Dustran said. It was an order.
She sat back down. Normally she would have been suspicious, but she did not question the feast in front of her in her hunger. Still, there were three different kinds of fork and four things that looked qualified to be spoons, and she had to make an educated guess as to which of the many fancy utensils was intended for each dish. She did not gorge herself, but ate with restraint, knowing her company. She savoured every bite of the rich food, each new flavour like a fresh wave of water over a dry and cracked beach. The cream and porridge were thick. The fruit juicy and succulent. The bread was warm and crispy. She'd never realised food could be so good, for Eudaxia, it was just something else you needed to stay alive.

Dustran watched her with a smile. "Tell me, Eudaxia, can we have an honest conversation?" he said finally.
She paused in her eating, her guard returning slightly. "I... forgive me your grace, if I seem defensive." she said after finishing her mouthful. "I feel very much out of my depth right now. Maybe it would be easier if I knew what all of this was about." she said, still treading carefully.
"That is understandable. Where shall we begin then? Were you born in Haven?" he said turning serious, making no attempt to answer her unasked question.
"Yes. I mean, I think so. I was abandoned here by my parents when I was little." she said, put out a little.
"How awful. Do you know what became of them?"
"Yes..." she said, conversationally. "I learned some years later that they were killed." This was her second interrogation of the day, though a lot more pleasant than the first. Wilo asked about my parents too. she thought. A joking part of her wondered if she was still under arrest, and this was just "good cop, bad cop" taken to ridiculous extremes.
"Tragic. So who raised you? An orphanage then?" She could sense he was measuring her up, judging her somehow.
"I raised myself, mostly." she continued. "some others of my kind took me in, early on. But they treated me badly." her fists balled at the memories. "I learned I was better off on my own."
"Hard enough for an orphan, much less a tiefling" he commented solemnly. "How did you survive all these years on your own?"
"I begged. I tricked... stole, when I needed to." she confessed, "Then..." Then the dream. The demon. The magic. "Things became a little easier when I discovered my magic. I was able to look after myself better. Do things like what I did with Shaemus, hunt rats in the sewers."
"Indeed" he said, contemplatively "You must understand it is a rare thing to be able to wield magic, Eudaxia. I can help you tap into your power, learn to focus it, if you will let me." He raised an eyebrow. "Do you know how you came by your abilities?"
This. This was what she needed. Was he really offering to teach her? But she couldn't answer his question properly. Who knew what he would do if he discovered her powers came from a demon. "I would very much like to understand more about magic." she said eagerly. "I don't really know how it works. I just seemed to discover them in myself one day."
Dustran eyed her for a long moment then sighed, shaking his head. "I hope one day you will come to trust me."
Just then the door opened and Garys brought out a set of fine clothes. "Through the door there you will find a powder room you may change in, my lady," said the servant.

She excused herself awkwardly, going into the side room and changing into the new clothes. They were practical but elegant, and fit her well. The dressing room contained various wardrobes, stands with powders and bottles of what she assumed must be perfume, as well as a full length mirror. The girl that stared back from the reflective surface was different from the one she was accustomed to. She seemed weary, and seemed to be lacking much of her trademark self confidence. But she wore finery, not rags. This person was better than an urchin. She rather thought the colours complemented her yellow eyes and tan skin. Garys knew his job well. Does my tail look big in this? she caught herself wondering, then shook herself out of it. She would not be taken in by fantasy. For now this was nothing more than a costume, though an expensive one. She had lost all her money in the jail, if nothing else came of the day, she could probably sell the clothes. Perhaps she could wear them to the masquerade. she was tempted to pinch something on the way out, but this could easily be some kind of test, and her paranoia won in the end.

Dustran awaited her in the outer hall, beckoning her to join him. "Come, its past time we joined Shaemus"
They walked to the double doors at the end of the hall. The wizard pulled the doors open to a small empty chamber awaited them, he stepped inside and turned to face the entrance, nodding at Eudaxia to do the same.
Inside, a whirring sounded beneath the floor, followed by a jolt, then the room began to rise, climbing up and passing over a great number of doors as they reached higher and higher up the tower. Eudaxia's eyes expanded in wonder. "is it magical, or mechanical?"
Dustran smiled under his snow white beard. "Mechanical. A device I exhumed from an Old Elven ruin in Isera."
She wondered what it would be like, adventuring through an old ruin in search of treasure and secrets. She could hardly picture the old man doing it, though they'd already established there was more to him than met the eye, herself however...

"So... If I wanted to learn more about the nature of magic, where could I go to do that?" she asked, refocusing and trying to sound timid.
The lift came to a stop, halting at a door. Dustran pushed it open, revealing a modestly sized parlour. There was a seating area, a small book shelf, a window with thousands of twinkling lights of the city below, and a door on the far side. "I can teach you, Eudaxia," he assured her. "If you can prove to be an able student, that is." He stepped out of the lift, toward the door on the far side.
"I would work hard." she said with determination, wandering over to the window, looking out at the the city she knew like the back of her hand. From up here it seemed an entirely different beast. So big. So bright and dark at the same time.
Dustran stopped by the door, turning toward Eudaxia. "Of that I have no doubt. What concerns me, however, is if you will use your powers responsibly."
Dustran pusheed the door open without waiting for a response and stepped through. On the other side was a surprisingly modest chamber compared to the other rooms. It was small, had a desk and a few chairs, a hearth, and what appeared to be an alchemy lab and books. Lots of books. It almost seemed as though the books were taking over the solar. Sitting at the table was Shaemus, who stood up and faced their direction as they entered.

"Shaemus," said Dustran. "I believe you've met Eudaxia."
The blind priest held out a hand toward Eudaxia. "I am glad you're now safe, child."
She entered the solar, looking around curiously at the alchemical equipment and taking Shaemus' questing hand. "I suppose I have you to thank for that, Shaemus." she said. It wasn't quite a thank-you. More an acknowledgment of debt. Still, she wondered how he was able to secure the help of the High Wizard.
Shaemus smiled, giving Eudaxia's hand a firm squeeze before releasing it. "Actually it is his Grace you have to thank. He came to me."
"Reports of magic misuse are taken very seriously in Haven, and I see to them personally," explained Dustran. "It was the merchant you attempted to rob that pointed me to my dear friend, Shaemus." He sat casually on his desk, motioning for Eudaxia to have a seat on an empty chair across from him.
"I will get to the point. I have need of someone of your particular talents, Eudaxia. You have lived through the worst of this city. Raised on the streets, you know first hand of the dangers and the rot that festers within it. Haven is changing. After coming so close to destruction by the hands of the Shadow Cult, we turn to the Gods once more, and put our faith in heroes." Dustran paused a moment, becoming lost in grim recollection before continuing. "I intend to find men and woman of stout hearts that are willing to sacrifice all for the sake of this city, nay the world! I intend to find successors to the Heroes of Haven! My dear, I believe I may have found one." His blue eyes stared intently into hers.
Eudaxia sat still, confounded. The cards were finally on the table, and they didn't make sense. What did the wizard see in her? She was no Hero. Heroes were crazy people, sacrificing themselves for the sake of others. But... if that was what Dustran needed from her, maybe she could fake it till she made it. Playing a role was what she did best after all. "I will be frank." she said slowly. Her rescuers deserved that much. "The Heroes of Haven are probably dead, and I have no desire to meet that same fate. I'm in no hurry to Martyr myself for this city, let alone the world, after how it has treated me... But having said that, I don't want to go back to just eeking out a living on the streets either." she said fiercely. "I'm not afraid of danger. I owe you, and you're offering me the things I need. I won't be doing it for the city's sake, but if you help me, I'll be whatever you need me to be. She sat back in the chair, arms folded, tail twitching, awaiting their response. A straight up trade. she hated being beholden to others, but such an arrangement she could handle. It may not be exactly what he wanted, but a selfish hero was the best she could give him for now. If she ended up doing some good along the way, that was just a bonus.
Dustran let out a deep breathe, stroking his beard in thought and looking to Shaemus. The priest gave a curt nod, as if he could see the wizards glance. "My friend has faith in you," Dustran said finally. "However, I am not as easily convinced. I hope your coming deeds will convince me otherwise."

Eudaxia nodded. It was fair. She would get him his results. "So, for what reason are you so keen to gather successors for the heroes?" she said, turning businesslike. "is there a task you have for me?"
Dustran's eyes grew dark, his voice lowered. "Tell me, Eudaxia, have you heard of the Sword of Maha Dun?"
The what of what now? "ehh, no?" she said. She knew little of stories and legends, outside of what drunks told at the Rusty Cudgel.
Shaemus joined in with a conspiratorial tone. " The sword of Maha Dun is a relic of the Warp of Demons, wielded by the ancient Demon Lord Maha Dun. When the demon was defeated, his fallen blade was fragmented into three shards."
"Should the blade be reforged," said Dustran, "Maha Dun's corporeal form will reshape in the material plane. Under great secrecy, one shard was brought to Haven for safe keeping. Last night, it was stolen!"
Her blood ran cold. "A.. demon?" she said, feeling a little sick. More demons. The topic was following her everywhere. Nerull is coming. He swallows the world. His shadow calls The Half-elf's mantra from the night before filled her head. "do you have any idea who stole it? where was it being kept?" she said. mind racing. If they were expecting her to help recover it, she would need to know as much as possible about the robbery.
"The shard was being kept in the catacombs of the Larenthian Temple, in Godsreach," explained Shaemus.
"We apprehended a dwarven agent nearby, a member of the Order of Valhammer, an elite warrior of the Underkingdom of Razor," said Dustran. "We believe it may not be mere coincidence that the shard was stolen a day before the arrival of King Wrothiron. You should begin your investigation at the temple, and learn what you can from this captured agent. Our mutual acquaintance Wilo at Founder's Keep, can aid you in this."
Her eyes blazed slightly at the mention of Wilo, but then she remembered something else. "There was such a dwarf in the cell I shared when you released me. He addressed you." she said to Dustran. "Is he the one I need to interrogate?" Regardless, she thought she would investigate the temple first as he suggested. "Wait, are you saying that Wrothiron might be behind this?" she said with a start.
Dustran sighed. "The alliance between Haven and Razor has been strained in recent years. One of many consequences of the nihilism and xenophobia that had ruled this city. We have made strides to mend this old friendship, however, since Wrothiron lost his eldest son and heir, he's been unpredictable. Who knows what goes on in his mind. As for the prisoner you met previously, yes. He is Forad Oakchest, and an agent of the king's. He has told us nothing, but perhaps you may have better luck."
"Sounds like he'd have to be pretty nuts to try summoning a demon." she said standing up. "Well, tomorrow is Founder's day, so I better get started. Is there anything else I should know before I go? and... are the other shards safe, or could we have a literal demon on our hands as far as we know?"
"You need only concern yourself with this one," said Dustran. "The priests at the temple should tell you all you need to know. And here, take this..." Dustran handed here a circular pin, rimmed with gold and blood red, with a gold cross etched on the surface. "This badge identifies you as an errant of the High Lord. And for expenses..." he handed an astonished Eudaxia a heavy purse of gold. "You needn't take on this task alone." he advised. "Use this to hire a sellsword to watch your back, and any other expense you may incur. I've also arranged a room for you at the Castle Inn should you need lodgings."
Eudaxia attached the pin to her clothes, but concealed from immediate view. Her eyes bulged slightly as she was handed the heavy purse. It held hundreds of gold pieces. She simply held it for a moment, carefully, as if it were a baby bird. This can't be real. It was too much money. Too much.

But what was she going to do? Give it back?

She seemed to struggle for a second, as if chewing something unfamiliar. "Thank... you.", she said finally. "I won't let you down." Then she swept from the room, before anything else crazy happened.
"Eudaxia!" Called Shaemus, following her out of the room, a new walking stick in hand. "Take great care in how you proceed. I'd gladly go with you if I had my sight, but seeing how I'd just end up tripping over myself like last night, probably not the best course." He chuckled. "Follow his Grace's advice. Enlist aid for this venture. The Craven Kraken at the harbour is a known hive for mercenaries. And judge well who you hire! The last thing you need is a knife in the back!"
"I will!" she called. She was all too aware of the possibility of being betrayed. "And nice stick!" she says, as she disappeared into the lift contraption, noticing the new item for the first time.

Once she'd gotten inside the whirring device, and located the runes that marked "ground floor", she simply stared at the pouch in her hand. It has to be a trick she thought. She weighed, bit and otherwise closely examined several of the coins, but if they were fakes, they were good. There were five-hundred of them. He's mad. He must be mad only a madman would trust her, a thief, with this much money. It had to be a mistake. A big mistake. he would realise his error and send someone to stop her. She should run now whilst she had the chance, her paranoia screamed. With this much money she could live comfortably for years. She could buy a horse and flee the city. They'd never find her then. She could buy a fleet of horses. She could... she could...
She gripped the side of the lift with one hand, feeling dizzy, and took a couple of deep breathes to compose herself. It would be so easy to take the money and run... but she couldn't. Why? she screamed in her head. Why can't I just take it all and go?

Because she needed to find out more about her powers. It was a revelation for her, holding a bag of five-hundred gold pieces in her hand after a life of poverty and realizing that she valued getting to the bottom of the mystery more. Maybe Dustran realized he had that kind of hold on her. That magic was that attractive. It also made her admit to herself, in her bones, truly how afraid she was of the demon. It didn't matter if she ran a thousand horses to death. No matter where she went, that connection would follow her.

speaking of demons. She had an interesting task ahead of her. One she would need to impress the High Wizard with, and an interesting new position to do it from. She examined the little pin in the torchlight of the elevator, thinking of all the little freedoms it would grant her. By the time she reached the bottom and the elevator doors opened, she was grinning wickedly from ear to ear. Getting arrested was the best thing that had ever happened to her.

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

Hostile eyes stared at Eudaxia as the cell door slammed shut behind her. The steps of Tattoo and Lazy eye faded into the distance as the guards walked away, leaving the girl squeezed in with a dozen other inmates of all races. She could see many of them seemed to have endured similar treatment to her, at Wilo's hands. They were a ragged bunch, all crammed shoulder to shoulder in a cell that was far too small. She could spy a small gap towards the back, where room had been left for a burly looking dwarf with what looked like war paint on his face, who occupied the only bench space in the cell, lording over the other prisoners.
The sight of the bench made Eudaxia ache all over, and she took a moment to rest against the bars of the cell, catching her breath. During her moment of respite, she spied a group of tieflings huddled in one of the back corners of the cell. One of them, a male whose horns had been cut to stubs, was watching her. He gave her a slight nod as she caught his gaze, suggesting an invitation to join the group.
She held his gaze wearily. It wasn't uncommon for tieflings to band together on the streets, keeping to their own. She had been like that too when she was young. A tiny waif, freshly abandoned by her parents, she'd clung to the only kind who didn't curse her and kick her away. Though time and time again, the groups had always stabbed her in the back eventually, using her as bait or abandoning her to angry passers-by.
Despite her insistence that tieflings could be trusted in the torture room, she'd learned that she couldn't trust anyone, and had avoided the groups since, working alone.

Still, strength in numbers was not something to be turned down in a situation like this, and she gingerly began to edge her way towards the tiefling.
"Watch it!" growled a naked faced Dwarf as Eudaxia squeezed by.
"Watch where yer goin!" Squeaked a halfling who nearly caught a knee from Eudaxia.
"Cursed Tieflings," breathed a man as Eudaxia pushed past.
"it ain't my fault we're packed in here like rats!" she exclaimed as she finally made it through the crowd, glaring at anyone too hostile.
The tiefling with cut horns greeted Eudaxia. "Ahmens Ra," he said in traditional infernal greeting.
"yo" she replied. Partly to throw him off balance, and partly because of her discomfort with the language. "You're very polite for being in a jail cell."
"We may be locked in cages, but we are not animals," he replied in the common tongue.
"I guess not. Though they do like treating us like we are. Has Wilo worked on you too?" she said, finally switching to infernal for privacy, and nodding angrily to the stubs on his head. "The horns, was that him?"
The tiefling had a dour look on his face. "Some of us, yes, but alas I seem to be beneath his notice." he replied in the infernal tongue. He gestured to his horns. "This was a gift from my former master, one of many gifts I endured before killing him. I am Zercis, by the way."
"Eudaxia. The pleasure is mine." she replied, skipping over his confession of murder. "Do you know what we're waiting for, in here? do they take people away at all?"
"They come every so often, taking a few out, bringing new ones in... Most will go on before the magistrate, whereas I, and some other unfortunate souls, will be going straight to the chopping block.Tu-ra chok cro'sa. I go to the Gods."
She almost snorted in derision, but restrained herself. "You think the gods care? After everything that's happened to you?"
"I will see soon enough."
His peace irritated her. If he had killed his master, then why not fight his current oppression? "And you have accepted your fate?" she egged on. "You don't want to fight back?"
Zercis sighed. "I have fought all my life. All of Amnon was my battleground. I battled the Stoneguard of Gemstone and did not cave. I raided and slaughtered the Khagoni Legions that descended upon my home and my sword could not be sated. I rose up against my masters and broke the chains they thought would bind me. Now.... Now I am tired."
She fell silent, taken aback. She had underestimated him. He was far stronger than she was. Did this mean she too would give up eventually? She shook the thought from her mind. If he had given up then he was weak. "this sounds like an unworthy end for one such as you. I would make some noise on my way out in your place." she said eagerly. This man seemed capable of leading a prison break. It would be the perfect revenge on Wilo and the guards. Plus they might just survive. "And what of the others? They too will perish if you do nothing."
"Our fates are our own. I intend to march bravely toward death. My final act in this doomed world."
She fell back, disappointed. "well... good luck." she said awkwardly. She decided to change the subject. "what's with the dwarf lording over everyone?"
"An ill tempered brute," Zercis said. "Claims to be one of the Valhammer Guards of Razor. Best let him lord over his piece of wood."
"probably wise." she said falling into silence.

After some time, the distinct sound of an unlocking door was heard. Wilo and two guards then appeared before the cell, as well as another; an old man with a snow-white beard, wide brimmed hat, and a blue cloak, trimmed with gold. "Eudaxia," called Wilo. "Step forward."
Welp. Time to go. She thought, giving the tiefling a last nod and making her way carefully to the front.
The dark eyed dwarf seethed from his perch. "Oi! Dustran!" He called to the old man. "Why have you not come to release me? Is this how you treat one of the Valhammer?!"
"Be still your tongue!" Snapped the old man named Dustran. "King Wroughtiron has forsaken you. You will face justice."
"Is that what you think?" Howled the dwarf. "We shall see!"
Wilo eyed Eudaxia as she emerged at the front of the cell, turning to Dustran. "This is Eudaxia, your Grace." Dustran stepped forward, pale blue eyes regarding her thoughtfully.
Your grace? Could this man be the magistrate? He didn't look like one, but this was no jailer. "Hello sir" she said, presenting herself and subtly displaying the signs of her torture. Looking down and trying to appear meek before the richly clothed man.
Dustran turned to Wilo. "Tell me what you uncovered."
"I have doubts of her guilt, and the report of her wielding of magic, your Grace." he said.
"And it took torturing this poor girl to foster said doubts?" His eyes looked as though they could bore into glass.
"I assure you my methods are sound!" Wilo balked in suprise.
"Your methods are obsolete in today's Haven. Release her." the man stated.
Relief washed over Eudaxia. I'm getting out. "Thank you... your grace..." she managed, even attempting a curtsy.
One of the guards unlocks the cell, opening the door just enough to pull Eudaxia free, and slamming it shut behind her once more. "But she has yet to see the magistrate!" Wilo protested.
"I will take full responsibility," Dustran said. "You would do well to consider your loyalties, Wilo,"
"I am loyal to Haven, your Grace!"
"Ah yes, but the old or the new?" Dustran then turned to the stunned Eudaxia. "Follow me, if you'll please."

What is going on? she wondered. If he wasn't the magistrate, who was this noble with the power to release her? He led Eudaxia out of the corridor, through the initial chamber that houses the stocks. Eudaxia saw fresh faces locked in the stockade, including a bloodied dwarf, unconscious and hanging limply from the binds. Did I look like that? she thought.
she tried to keep up, being careful of her leg, feeling increasingly apprehensive. "Where are you taking me, your grace?" she asked timidly.
"To my solar. A friend of yours awaits you."
Slight understanding dawned on the urchin. She had no friends. He could only mean one person. She had hoped that Shaemus might speak up for her at her trial, but if he had been able to outright secure her release, the priest had more credit than she had given him. Dustran lead the way through what looked like a receiving office. Judging by its cleanliness, she guessed it belonged to Wilo. The old man went behind the desk and opened a cabinet. Within were her possessions. "Help yourself to your items," he said, stepping aside.
She stepped forward, touching her things, relieved to see her worldly possessions intact. She picked up her gear and strapped on her armour, feeling safer in the leather. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised the money is gone." she sighed. She was a penniless pauper once more.
"I would guess your purse has been forwarded to the magistrate." suggested the man, who she now guessed must be some high ranking priest. "Likely a fine is a forgone conclusion in his mind."
"getting out of here is the important thing." she said, though she was still bitter. Her money had been taken even before her case was heard. "I'm ready."
Dustran's eyes looked Eudaxia up and down before he reached into his robe, pulling out a vial. "Here. Take this. It's a potion of healing and we have some stairs to climb. Can't have you passing out on me." A shadow of a smile appears behind his snowy beard.
She took the vial and eyed it with slight distrust as she unstopered it, her paranoia not trusting the mysterious liquid. He had been stern with Wilo, but this Dustran seemed friendly enough. In the end she decided she didn't have much of a choice, and quaffed the potion. Invigoration coursed through her, washing away her pains and bruises. She gasped as she felt her leg mend, the throbbing subsiding to nothing. "Alright lets go." she said, feeling reborn. "A few stairs are nothing after the morning I've had."
Dustran then lead her up a spiralling staircase. It seemed to wind up forever. Both of them breathless, they came to a door at last. He pushed it open revealing a courtyard. A carriage awaited them, drawn by two magnificent white horses. Four horseman waited by the carriage as well, sitting atop chestnut steeds. They seemed different from typical watchmen, donned in shining armor and red robes fastened about their shoulders. Knights? she wondered.

"Your carriage awaits, your Grace." One said as they approached.
"My thanks, Ser Arthur. We make for the Castle of Lords." He then turned to Eudaxia. "We may part here if that is your wish, Eudaxia. However I would very much like an audience with you. Shaemus awaits us at the castle and I believe you would be interested in what I have to say."
An... audience with me? she thought, stunned. Just who was this man? The priesthood had been a joke until a few years back, this could not all be the influence of the church. She cringed before the shiny knights and opulent carriage, overwhelmed. Her instinct was to flee, and he was giving her a way out. She knew she should take it. But she had been rescued, and she hated being in debt. This was the third time she'd been invited to see Shaemus, and she still needed answers about her magic. Looking at the carriage, she realised this was an opportunity she might never have again. "Alright" she said hesitantly, feeling like she was climbing into another cage. "I'll come."
Dustran opened the door for Eudaxia, climbing in after her. "Take some rest, my dear. You must be tired. We will be at the castle before you know it."
She didn't want to let her guard down in this strange environment, but her experiences weighed on her heavily. A healing potion was no substitute for food and sleep. With its soft seating, the carriage was more comfortable than anything she'd ever been in. Reluctantly she let her eyes droop as she descended into slumber.

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

Eudaxia

Eudaxia's awareness returned gradually. First there was the throbbing. It felt as if her heart had decided to squeeze itself into her head to try and awaken her with its pounding beat. Then a sharper pain in her leg as feeling returned to her extremities. She made a feeble attempt to move, but couldn't do more than wriggle. She was locked in a stock. She hung limply on her knees in the rough wood's grasp, her entire body aching with the strain of the position. She could feel swelling in beftween her horns where she must have been knocked out by the guard.

Groggily opening her eyes to slits, she turned her attention externally, taking in the dim light of her surroundings. The first thing she noticed was that the chamber she was in was far from quiet. Opposite her were cells crammed to the brim with rowdy people emanating a stench of sweat and filth, which overflowed their contents onto chains that hung from the walls. She wasn't alone in the stocks either. She turned her head, hearing the clinking of the irons around her ankles behind her as she struggled. A fiery haired dwarf was constrained on her left, and she could make out the distinctive ears of a half-elf on the prisoner to her right. Both hung limply like she did.

A slow fear began to creep into her chest as she processed her situation. She was at the keep. In the belly of its dungeon. Crackling torches lit its dark walls, and she could spot a wrought iron door out of the corner of her eye on the left. Other than that there was no exit. The walls of interlocking stone were bare save for where they were draped in rusty iron chains. Despite her discordant lifestyle, she had never been dragged back to prison before, and every narrow escape and mad scramble through the streets had been fuelled by a secret dread of ending up in this place.

Now she was finally here. She supressed the feeling. It was useful on the outside, but not anymore. She had no idea what awaited her. She needed to weigh her options, but first she needed information.

"How long... have I been out?" she rasped towards the other prisoners. Her tongue felt thick and dry like sandpaper in her mouth. The dwarf turned to look at her, but said nothing. She tried again, her foggy mind beginning to tick, asking about how often the guard passed and her belongings. There was a chance he knew where they would be taken.

The Dwarf growled beside her. "Who the fuck knows, tiefling. The guards come when they feel like it. They can come anytime as far as I'm concerned and open this bloody stock!"

She lapsed into silence. Escape was impossible in her current state, even without the stock, she was too weak. But maybe there was a chance she could talk her way out of this. She ran over what had happened in the square again in her mind. If she could convince them she wasn't a magic user, there was a slim chance they would listen.

"What's the point. We're all going to die." The half elf beside her muttered. She could see he had a scar above one of his eyes now, which were wild, his gaze making her uncomfortable. Even restrained in his stock, he seemed jumpy and skittish.

"If they were going to kill us, they wouldn't have bothered with the stocks" she said firmly... but not entirely convinced. She shouldn't hang, not for stall pinching. But who knew what they would do to her. she was half surprised the brutes from the watch hadn't just thrown her into a gutter to bleed out. Just the thought of being at their mercy made her want to thrash and squirm in her stock until she was free, no matter the damage she would do to herself.

The sound of keys jingling came from the iron door at the end of the room. "Nerull is coming. He swallows the world. His shadow calls." The elf sobbed.

what the hell. "Quiet" she hissed. Though his words gave her goosebumps. There had been much mentioning of demons this night. "get a grip man. what are you in for anyway?"

Only the iron door replied, its hinges complaining as they were swung open. A grey bearded man in a white robe strode in with a bad at his side, a guard lounging behind him. A relative silence came over the chamber as he approached the stockade, observing his three prisoners.

"Salutations. I am Wilo and I shall be your host during your stay. As you can see we are exceedingly busy for Founders Day, so you may be here for some time before the Lord's magistrate can hear your case. Until that time, be on your best behaviour and we will get along just fine." he said. There was something discomforting about the man, and it took Eudaxia a moment to put her finger on it. It wasn't that he spoke as if he were simply an innkeeper explaining the house rules. It was that he was very clean. Freakishly so. Despite working in a filthy dungeon, no grime soiled his white robe. His nails were neat and free of dirt. Even his long beard was combed and had no food in it.

This was a man from a different world than Eudaxia, she thought. If she was lucky, he would also be free of its prejudices. "Please" she said. "I shouldn't be here. I was haggling with a merchant. They used me as a scapegoat!"

"Save it for the magistrate." Wilo replied coolly.

She hesitated, then changed tack. "The case... what will it involve?" she asked. She needed to know what chance she had. On the streets, few would trust a tiefling's word. She was trash. Nobles saw her as even more so. But from experience she knew some in higher society could be so sanctimonious it could override even that.

"First, let's see to your wounds." The man approached, kneeling down beside Eudaxia and pulling a small bottle from his bag. She could feel her leg sting painfully as he poured a clear liquid over it, wiping it away afterwards with a cloth, but the pain brought a kind of relief, and clarity. "An account will be given by the arresting officers and witnesses. The magistrate may or may not ask for your testimony. He will then determine your guilt."

"Shaemus, the Larethian Priest... he would vouch for me... He was with me that evening..." she said weakly. It was a gamble, since he knew she could do magic, but he might speak out for her.

The old man rolled up his sleeves, pulling out a needle and thread. He began stitching her wound. "I shall make a note of it."

"So how long will I need to rot here for?" she asked as he worked.

"Until the magistrate can see you. Likely until after Founder's Day" he replied, beginning to bandage her leg.

She couldn't wait that long. Founder's Day was too good a chance to make money. "But this guy won't stop going on about the shadow of Nerull... and I was just buying a walking stick for my friend... please..." she did her best to give him a pleading look.

he peered into her eyes, appearing to reach a decision. "We will get to the bottom of it, my dear. Do not fret. "he turned to the lethargic guard, wrapping the leg tight with bandages. "We will question her next. Fix her upon the rack in the morning." the old man said standing up, moving back towards the door and missing Eudaxia's expression of horror. "Good night one and all." he said as they disappeared behind the door, locking it with a resonating, final click.

---

The night passed in slow agony. She tried to sleep, but between the half elf whispering his disturbing mantra to her right, and the accumulating pain of her bonds, she could not rest. The fate that awaited her come morning hanging over her, she spent the time in a kind of daze. Alternately raging and despairing over her predicament within the confines of her mind, as she went over the events of the night over and over. How it had all gone so wrong. The ones in the crowd who'd attacked her. The one who'd tackled her had used her magic. She was sure of it. What did that mean? What had he wanted from her? Her thoughts tumbled into confusion as she finally entered some parody of sleep.

The reprise of the door's hinges roused her from her stupor. She felt exhausted and afraid, but part of her was happy the wait was over. She managed to stand up as the two guards unlocked her stock, snatching the brief of moment to stretch and bring some relief to her protesting muscles. They weren't a pretty couple. One was short with a lazy eye. The other's face was almost entirely covered by a badly done tattoo. She didn't need to put much weight on her injured leg, as the guards then began to practically drag her from the room.

"Hope you had a good rest tiefling" Lazy eye said.

"Aye," tattoo smirked. "Wilo has a taxing morning in store for you, I'm sure." Eudaxia didn't reply, instead steeling herself for the trial ahead. Beyond the iron door lay a collection of empty cells, probably for more permanent residents. They went past these, through another door. This chamber somehow seemed darker. An old rack, also of iron, dominated the centre with the weight of its history.

Wilo was waiting for them. Both he and the room were unusually clean. "Strap her to the rack" he ordered, his face grim.

Eudaxia regarded the rack. "You don't even care about the truth do you?" she asked, afraid. If this man wasn't interested in her innocence, if he just wanted to hear a confession, then she didn't stand a chance.

The guards pushed her forward, tattoo gripping her horns with the same smug smirk as he pushed her backward onto the rack as lazy eye strapped in her limbs and waist. Wilo shook his head. "My dear, the truth is all I care for. I take no pleasure in this, really."

"And I wonder how many poor souls have screamed confessions to things they haven't done in this room, to end their pain." she said, letting her anger surface to try and hide her fear. She regarded him defiantly. "Know however that I will not be one of them."

The gaoler sighed as he watched her being tied. "Torture serves two purposes, both as a deterrent to crime, and to surmise the truth. My methods are honed, I assure you. I can decipher the panicked cries of the desperate from that of the truth. I fear your confidence is ill placed. I've seen many a stout heart cave to my methods."

The bonds tightened. Eudaxia could feel her body being pressed against the cold iron, and her heart beating furiously in her chest. She could make only the tiniest of movements. This is really happening. Wilo checked the bindings, pulling on them and checking for slack. He nodded to the guards, and they took their leave, the door slammed closed, sealing her in with Wilo. He sighed, his tone no less grim. "Alone at last."

The silence that followed was too much for her to bear. "Well?" she said. "Let's get this mockery of justice over with."

The jailer regarded her seriously. "I give you this one last chance to confess, my dear.... Did you attempt thievery upon the merchants of Hero's Square?"

Uncertainty filled her. Was this really worth getting tortured over? She couldn't know how they would punish her. She could end up a slave. But there was more than that. She didn't want to prove them right about her. "No." she said obstinately. "I was buying a gift for my friend."

His eyes narrowed. "Are you proficient with the use of magic?"

The question was unexpected so soon, but the one she wanted. He had looked into her case. The urchin gave a condescending laugh. "Do I look like a descendant of Godsbane's?"

The old man stroked his scraggly beard. "No, I suppose not." he said finally. "Yet there was some trickery you employed, according to witnesses. I will get to the bottom of it." She lost sight of him as he retreated into a dark corner of the room. This is it, he's going to pull a lever and pull me apart on the rack. But that's not what happened.

It was far worse.

A collection of fine silver instruments gleamed from the case Wilo brought on his return. Knives, needles, screws and tiny saws. All very sharp and of course, all impeccably clean. He selected a long thin needle, its point reflecting the small amount of light in the room, and gazed down at her with what looked like pity, his gaze shifting to her hands. Her fingernails. "I really do wish this wasn't necessary". He said.

she sneered. "Admit it. It doesn't matter what I say. You're just as bad as the rest."

"I am but a servant of Haven, my dear. Not long ago I would have taken your hands. You should consider yourself lucky." he admonished.

Then he got to work.

And Eudaxia discovered she could move vigorously on the rack after all.

Leaving the needle in its place, Wilo pulled out another. "Its okay to scream, my dear, in fact it may help to cope with the pain." He said exercising his dark craft one needle at a time.

"taken the hands... of an innocent... without evidence..." she pressed on stubbornly once he paused. "Just because nobody trusts my kind. Haven was supposed to be just for all... or do your gods hate tieflings too?" she finished with shaky breaths, holding on to the act. But it was only partly an act. This was the resentment she'd carried since childhood.

"Your kind are the spawn of unholy mingling of demons and mortals, tiefling" he said without mercy. "but I know your will is your own, and have a capacity to do good or harm... A shame you've chosen the latter. What is your name?"

"Eu...daxia" she whispered. He had spoken dispassionately. She believed him. He really took no pleasure in doing this to her. She hated him anyway for what he represented.

"Where were you born, Eudaxia?"

She shook her head against the pain. "I don't know... I was abandoned... I've lived in Haven all my life..." she answered in part honesty. Painful memories of her parents filling her mind, almost worse than the needles themselves in her vulnerable state. "this is none of your business! It doesn't have anything to do with anything!"

"Perhaps you're right. I am merely trying to get to know you, Eudaxia. The real you, that is. Even now, you're far too wilful. You will break. They always do." He shook his head. "You mentioned your Gods...." Pain exploded in her hands as Wilo began to twist his instruments free. "Tell me, what Gods do you worship?"

"I worship nothing!" she screamed, pain mixing with contempt. Even as she spoke, fear of the one from her dreams shot through her mind, but she kept the denial out of her voice. "The gods have done nothing for me. I still remember the light of the sun they took. I've been born the form of a monster... and those who follow their ideals have shown nothing but hypocrisy to me."

"Bitter and resentful of the Gods... Such was the way in Haven for a long time, but no more. Look where such an outlook has landed you, my dear Eudaxia!" The old man shook his head sorrowfully.

she managed to muster a sneer. "yet you torture me so piously. You're blinded by self-righteousness like all the rest." A morbid part of her told her she would never win, because the bastard would never have it in him to admit he was wrong about her.

"The truth lights my way, my dear. Gives me sight." The old man disposed of the needles in a clay bowl upon a table, looking back at Eudaxia, his eyes lingering upon her shaking thigh. "Let us see how your wound is faring." He kneeled down, gingerly unwrapping the bandages. "I am pleased to see its a clean wound."

she looked down at her leg. "I don't regret running." she said. "I'm no fool. Those guards would not have stopped to ask questions and find out what happened."

The old man moved back to the table, pulling a small knife and pincer from his case. "But you are a fool, or guilty, or both! For only they would flee if innocent." He kneeled down, griping the stitching thread with the pincer, and slowly undoing the stitch, opening the wound.

"Then you are deluded." she said scornfully. "The city watch are no paragons of justice. At least not to my kind."

Wilo paused in his work. "You're right. That I cannot deny... I still intend to get to the bottom of this."

"Tell me..." she egged on, sensing a chance. "How much coin did the watch turn over from me? I had 10 gold pieces to my name. and 250 silver from the very watch themselves. For crawling for rats in the sewers."

"I will ask the questions here." He punctuated the point with his knife, and she howled as it entered the wound. "Are you gifted with the use of arcana, Eudaxia?"

She reeled. She could resist the pain, but it made thinking so hard. "Well?" he said, twisting the knife deeper. "Can you wield magic?"

"I am no arcanist... I have no power... or education. I have only the tiny power all Tieflings have. To change the colour of their eyes or make their voice boom." she said, letting helplessness into her voice.

The old man scratched his beard... "So the mere unholy gifts you were born with, hmm? Perhaps." The old man retrieved more needles, and Eudaxia felt them all in her leg. One explosion of pain after another, making her body shake and shudder.

It was too much. She thrashed and screamed without restraint. No. Please no. God. Stop. I can't take it any more.

Wilo struck, sensing weakness. "Did you attempt to rob the merchant?" he shouted.

Of course she had. She was guilty. But she had been innocent, once. It was this city that taken that from her and made her into what she was. And now it pinned her down, filling her with pain, punishing her for just trying to survive. She hated it. She hated that tyranny. The little girl inside her that had been abandoned cried out for justice. Even if she really was a liar and a thief, she couldn't let them see her as one, just to prove those bastards wrong about tieflings, even if it was a sham.

"I wanted to buy a stick for my friend... in the sewers... he was kind to me..." she moaned.

Wilo sighed. "I believe there is truth in what you say... Yet you are holding something back. I know it." He pulled the pins free and closed up the wound before bandaging it. Eudaxia lay limply. She heard a banging on the door seconds later. "I'm done here!" It opened, and the two guards step inside, moving over to the rack and unfastening the straps.

Wilo's sharp eyes pierced into Eudaxia's hazy ones. "The magistrate will get a full report." I doubt you attempted any thievery, nor that you wield any arcana beyond that of your tiefling heritage. The magistrate will take it as he may. May justice prevail, and may you find the Gods yet, Eudaxia."

She made no response as she was carried away. She'd done it. She hadn't broken. She'd proved them wrong about her. It was a victory. It mattered.

That's what she told herself.

[D&D 5e] Shadow World ~ A West Marches Campaign

Eudaxia

"It's a real shame I dropped that stick you know. It's served me well for years, you wouldn't believe how long it-"

Eudaxia tried to contain her annoyance as the Shaemus plodded along beside her, hand on her shoulder to guide his way. Her eyes darted around her as they walked towards the main gate, looking for a stray length of wood or stick that might be lying around so the old priest would shut up, a heavy sack full of rats an uncomfortable (and not to mention smelly) weight on her shoulder. She was half tempted to ditch the blind man for his constant lamenting, but even though she had the rats now, she told herself it was a waste to discard a new ally.

She'd managed to gather fifty of the rodents in the end, though it had been grim work. Many of the rats had been in cloven into pieces or fried by their magic. She'd also given most of them a good squishing before picking them up, to make sure they were well and truly dead. Eventually they'd run out of rats around the ladder base, and she hadn't had the courage to move further down the tunnel.

It wasn't long before Hero's square came into view, and the pair entered the late-night crowd. Thankfully their dishevelled state was good for one thing and people parted to avoid the pair. Eudaxia continued indifferently, scanning the stalls as they walked past out of habit, she was getting tired now, and looking forward to returning to her hideout, but you always had to keep an eye out for opportunity...

"Bits and baubles! Get your bits and baubles here!"

The cry caught her attention, as did the carved walking stick the stall had for sale. The merchant sneered at her as they approached, likely worried they'd keep other customers away. "You there, Tiefling! If you aren't buying, move along." Then he spotted the priest, instantly switching from defensive to welcoming. "Why, Shaemus, I didn't see you there!"

"Ah yes Craton, my old friend. You have nothing to fear from my friend here." Shaemus replied. Patting Eudaxia on the shoulder.

"ah of course! My apologies!" He said, without a hint of sincerity. The two chatted for a second, but Eudaxia urged them on to the gate, she had no desire to sit and listen to the slimy merchant fawn. They could return for the stick later.

Soon the crowd faded and the city gates loomed before them, shut closed for the night, save for a small side gate, where a small line of miserable looking individuals clutching sacks lined up before a desk. Eudaxia approached, noting with a small amount of satisfaction from their envious glances that their sack was the largest. She lined up, shooting glares at anyone who looked their way too long. A small tiefling and a blind priest must have looked like easy targets, and the last thing she wanted was to have to fight off scavengers who wanted their rats.

It wasn't long before it was their turn. An eccentric looking adventurer with a red Mohawk cursed under his breath as he left the desk. "fucking tieflings"

Eudaxia stepped up, eyes forward. "FIFTY" she said, almost proudly as she dumped the sack on the desk, not envying the poor slaves who stepped forward to count the haul.

The guard who sat across from her with a quill in his hand stared with dead eyes. "Where came you by these rats, tiefling?" he said imperiously after a pause.

"The sewers, can't you smell?" she snapped, her irritation at the suspicion bleeding through in her tired state.

"Impossible to tell the stink from sewer and tiefling." spat the guard, a spark of hatred creeping into his lifeless eyes. "Let me see your scroll of recommendation." he said, rising. From a guard post, a second guard emerged, hearing his colleagues firm tone.

oh hell no she thought, seeing where this was going. Deep down she felt that silent fury, that seething anger she'd carried all her life at having to fight harder for every scrap, grovel more piteously for every handout, just because of her horns and tail. She'd been swarmed and bitten and nibbled on, how dare they try and take this from her. She wanted to flare her magic and punish them, but that not how she fought. Not yet.

Instead she rolled her eyes tiredly. "I ain't no professional. if you didn't want lowlifes hunting the rats you shouldn't have put the notice up. C'mon lads, can't I just get my silver and get out of your way? " she gestures at the line of people with sacks. "folk aren't going to bring you rats no more if they hear you're screwing them over their money."

The guard looked back to the line hesitantly, then sighed, his eyes returning to boredom as he settled back into his chair. "I suppose you have a point" he grunted, slowly counting out shiny coins into a pouch he slid across the table. "Take your silvers and begone, wretch, 'fore I see you in stocks."

Eudaxia snatched up the coins, enjoying its weight, and flashed him a winning smile. That was how you did it. Convince them you're not worth the hassle of bullying. It was the only victory she had ever been allowed. She bounced away from the desk, re-joining Shaemus. "I think that went pretty well." she said, her mood reversed. "Your friend back in the square had a stick on sale you could buy if you want."

"Ah splendid! Though knowing him he'd charge an arm and a leg, and a blind man sorely needs those appendages, my dear!" Shaemus laughed, before turning to the guard. "My good sir, a moment of your time!"
The guard sighed, his patience near its end. "What is it priest?"
Shaemus leaned in close, speaking in a hushed tone. "Are you aware, officer, that these rats carry the Grey Plague. It has been a harrowing ordeal for me and my friend here. We were most alarmed when we found out, and I'd wager the line here behind me will be equally alarmed...."
The guard pinched the bridge of his nose, and Eudaxia's mood improved further as he paled visibly. "Name your price, priest."
"Why only another 250 silver, my good sir." Shaemus smiled. Could he wink, perhaps he would have toward Eudaxia.
The guard tossed a fat pouch at the priest. It bounced off his arm and onto the table, before he seized it, and slipped it into his robes.

"Not bad at all." she said, surprised and impressed. She wished she'd thought of that. But then again she'd though she as the only one ignorant of the plague. "I thought members of the faith didn't stoop to such strategies."

Shaemus smirked. "I feel like a scratching post for rats. Surely the city coffers can handle a little extra silvers, besides this alm box isn't going to fill itself."

"to the stall then?"

"No need, child. I head for Godsreach, back to hearth and home." The priest seems to think for a moment. "My invitation is still open, Eudy. Should you need a place to stay, find a hot meal and some rest, as well as answers, the Temple of Larethian is open to you."

She hesitated. "I'll consider it, thanks." This was the second time the offer was made. If she could really find answers... But not tonight. She was tired, and though she had no doubt Shaemus meant well in his own way, she wanted to be at her full strength before delivering herself into the hands of the clergy.

"Very good." Shaemus was quiet with thought for a moment before speaking. "I shall think we saved some poor soul from the grey plague thus night."

she shrugged indifferently. "Probably. it was a lot of rats. Though another two poor souls nearly ended up catching it themselves. and those rats seemed.....strange. this whole plague seems strange. Magic even." she said hesitantly.

"Indeed it does. These are dark times, child." He took a step and stopped short. "Ah Eudy.... which way is east?"

she grabbed his arm and pointed with it. "That way. you sure you don't want that stick?" She had an inkling of an idea, if she could get him to distract that sleazy merchant...

Shaemus laughed. "Like the back of my hand, child. Like the back of my hand! At least now that I have my bearings. Fare thee well, and Gods be with you! Until our next meeting." Shaemus bowed low, making his way eastward.

She shook her head as the strange man left, no stick to guide his way, and walked back to the square. She had some spending money now, she could retire, but it still felt like there was more to be done. In the pitch darkness of the night market, it was easy for things to go missing. Since she was here, she might as well take advantage.

This line of thinking would ultimately prove to be a mistake.

She moved around the edges of the crowd, scanning for a good mark. She caught a flash of a priestly looking woman. She wore chainmail,
but more importantly had a golden holy symbol around her neck. Too risky, she thought. necklaces were difficult. She looked around and spotted other suitable looking targets in the crowd, but her mind kept coming back to the sleazy bauble merchant. If anyone deserved to be robbed tonight, it was him.

She wandered back over to his stall, noting how diligently he eyed his wares. With a whispered word and a gesture, a ghostly hand appeared floating underneath his stall, barely visible in the darkness. It was a neat trick, handy if you worked alone like she did. The merchant eyed her suspiciously as she approached, sand stood to the side of his stall. "I'd like to buy the stick please" she said pointing. "Shaemus lost his and I think it would make a nice present." She slowly manoeuvred the hand with her mind as she spoke, creeping it up the other side of the stall. There was a nice golden brooch on that end of the stand.
"It's a gold coin for the finely carved stick..." he said suspiciously.
"Oh come on, a gold piece for a stick? I'll give you fifty silver" she said, maintaining eye contact with the man as she willed the hand to move over to collect the brooch.

Except it didn't. It ploughed into stand, scattering a few bits of jewellery. The peddler gaped in surprise, swatting the at hand which vanished into the mist.

well crap. This was what happened when you didn't watch where you put your hands. cmon, I can still smooth this over. She opened her mouth.

"I should have known! Guards! Thief! Thief!"

She made the call, and bolted. There was an alleyway nearby. Nobody knew these streets like she did, she would lose them th-

Pain. Pain in her leg. She staggered, looking down in shock. There was an axe in her thigh. She barely had time to process this before she felt something else overcome her. She suddenly felt sluggish, like she was moving through water. The feeling washed over her, and in a way it felt strangely familiar. It feels like... like my magic. From the crowd ahead, she could see a man charging towards her determinedly, the feeling was coming from him. He collided with her, catching her in a grip. She felt too lethargic to slip away, so she pushed and shoved instead, with all her might, but it was fruitless. She couldn't get any purchase with her wounded leg.

No... Not like this.

"Tiefling bitch!" a guard cursed as they caught up with the pair.
"Why do they let these vermin walk the streets?" another questioned, slapping irons around her wrists. It was Over.

She struggled defiantly in the mans grip, still stunned at how quickly things had gone wrong. “Wait, she’s with me! Part of a case!” the strange vigilante said, not relinquishing his hold.

From the crowd, a dwarf approached, walking up to Eudaxia. "I'll be taking this" he said, and she cried out in pain as he yanked the handaxe from her thigh, as if he were simply collecting his hat from a tavern cloakroom. "Good day to you all" he said, leaving without giving her a glance, even as she glared after him, eyes full of cold fury at his indifference.

"Take it up with the watch commander. This ones coming with us to the Keep." they said, wresting her from her captor's grip.

W-wait! Let me just ask her one question! Time is of the essence, right now! Do you know anything about a haggish herbalist selling potions to young women?” They turned her around to face this strange man who had magic like hers, and looked at her, waiting for a response. She raised her head and looked into his eyes.

And spat in his face.

Then everything went black.