John play: Hero for hire

JOHN PLAY
“05 JUST PUSH PLAY”
SEGMENT 79
“THE MONSTERS OF RAWK”

RHAAN 3 ,997 19th BELL

The Citadel of Sharn is a looming and dark looking place. It acts as a city prison and garrison. It is also used by certain government groups in secret. The Dark lanterns have a section of this area reserved for them. Some live here working on information sorting and equipment building. These agents and several others have been called here for an emergency meeting.

Seven men and women wait in the meeting room here. Though they make brief eye contact with each other, none say anything. They merely wait patiently. The youngest seems the most nervous but says nothing following the lead of the other veteran Lanterns present.

A tall gaunt man and a dark haired woman enter the room. Everyone quickly gets to their feet and gives a short bow of respect. “Lanterns. Please sit. Thank you for coming at such short notice.” Says the woman. Her name is Nadia. She is a Dark lantern with powers of the mind. The man beside her is the local commander- Captain Vron. He doesn’t look happy but then again, he never does.

“Before we start, allow me to introduce our newest Lantern.” He nods to the young man. “Thomas Zaire, born near Ardev. His skills include magic and surveillance. He then nods his head to each person here. “Cole, diplomatic specialist, Cue, artificer, Tarmac, Xen’drik connections specialist, Thorn, Droaam specialist, Chadwick and Lucan who together oversee Undersharn.”

“Captain Viorr could not make it tonight. The reason you were asked to come here and assemble involves news Thorn has found out through her contacts. Agent Thorn- if you please.”

Dressed in black leather with a shadow weave top, the woman stands up again and steps forward to address everyone. “A very reliable contact has informed me that a contract has been made to kill a high level government individual in Sharn tonight. We have tightened security and arranged the most likely targets to be removed from public access. Beyond this, we have little information.”

“What are we to do?” asks Tarmac.

“We are cover the city. Watch for the assassins.”

“Easier said than done.” Adds Lucan.

“They will stand out. Trust me. They are the assassins of Rawk. Many refer to them as THE MONSTERS OF RAWK.”

Several members give slight hints of fear and respect. Rawk of Droaam is the training place of the country’s assassins and soldiers. The stories of their brazen terror tactics are well known to everyone in the Dark Lanterns.

“We need to find the target and stop the violence and bloodshed that will certainly follow.”

MM, I spent the last 4 days reading all of this Story Hour. I enjoyed the format, and the Eberron setting. Was this a single-player game? I'm tracking down your other Story Hours. Thank you for pointing me here.

JOHN PLAY
“05 JUST PUSH PLAY”
SEGMENT 79
“RATT”

RHAAN 3 ,997 21st BELL

Sometimes you just have to SCRATCH THAT ITCH. You just TAKE A CHANCE and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. That’s me tonight. I’m going out for a drink or two and see what kind of action is in Sharn tonight. I considered going to the new club INTRO TO SHAME but decided to stay closer to home and go to The Dancing Dragon. No matter what happens here I’m always BACK FOR MORE. Guess maybe they are right, I’M INSANE.

Bloog, the newest front door bouncer doesn’t give me a HARD TIME at the front door. I tend to stay until LAST CALL even though it gets the BEST OF ME. The women come here to drink and DANCE which can DRIVE ME CRAZY with their BODY TALK. If I WANT A WOMAN this is a good place to go. But I’m tired of being a WANTED MAN and just want to relax and have a few drinks and laughs. Inside, I see many have already had A LITTLE TOO MUCH as they are making up for a LOST WEEKEND which is fine with me.

“WHAT’S IT GONNA BE?” asks the elven waitress whom is new.

“I could go for a dwarven ale.” Says Play still taking in the scene. It’s NO SURPRISE that after an hour or two I feel like life is AS GOOD AS IT GETS. The trip to see Kerri wasn’t that calming but this…. Is CLOSER TO MY HEART. Several women try to pick Play up but he wants to relax. The BOTTOM LINE is, he wants to have fun with no commitments, no fights, no SCENE OF THE CRIME reports to the city guard. WHAT I’M AFTER is…. Uh-oh.

Looks like someone is starting a fight. People are moving away and in some cases running away the front door. I’m sure Bloog will deal with it. I’m enjoying the show too much. Then Play sees the source of the commotion – three short hairy humanoids wrapped in black strips of cloth and a tattered cape are scurrying around on the floor and jumping table to table.

IT DOESN”T MATTER where I go, from CITY TO CITY, trouble follows me.

“Water room is too the back guys, Sewer is about forty or so floors down.” Play looks about for a weapon or means of defense. He came to relax, not fight for his life.

“You are John Play. It is you we want. “Squeaks the middle Ratman. The left side Ratman leaps from one table to another. It breaks under his weight but he merely hops to the floor as if it were all planned.

“ENOUGH!” screams a beautiful ½ elf woman dressed to impress. It is Jarrella, the owner of The Dancing Dragon.

The Ratmen never take their eyes off of Play but still tell her where to go.

“Guys, it’s not just that SHE WANTS MONEY to replace that table but I believe YOU’RE IN TROUBLE in general. She owns this place and obviously feels you’re not meeting the dress code. You’re GIVIN’ YOURSELF AWAY with those ratty and nasty smelling rags you are wearing. I’m sure I can suggest some other worthy …places for you to get a drink or two.” Offers Play beginning to wonder if the rumors of the bar and its owner are true. He locks eyes with the center Ratman and knows its ALL OR NOTHING now.

The three Ratmen rogues spring at once even as Play kicks over a table and grabs a chair. Jarrella begins to weave her arms up and seems to almost dance in place calling up magical energies placed within the tavern. The stained glass Bronze Dragon begins to shimmer then peel free from the window behind Play. The three Ratmen skid to a stop.

“YOU SHOULD KNOW BY NOW that you are ONE STEP AWAY from a world of pain.”

Two of the ratmen are cut off from Play by the activated Stained Glass Golem but one is not. It charges Play again until in striking range. It wisely stops knowing Play could try to use its own momentum against it and deal a possibly lethal strike.

“So who hired you RATT?” scolds Play.

“You have angered my master and for that you will die.” Hisses the hairy monstrous humanoid assassin.

“Sounds like a misunderstanding, a LACK OF COMMUNICATION…. Or your boss is a jerk.” As Play had hoped, this angers the creature whom attacks. Play strikes out and hits it BETWEEN THE EYES with a strike of his fingers in an attempt to blind the creature. It doesn’t. They circle each other ROUND AND ROUND near the edge of the space where the Golem was.

The creature attacks and surprises Play as it redirects its strike from a nerve punch to a grab. Play twists to throw the creature off but instead has his weight thrown off. In a crazed and feral state, the creature continues to scratch at Play not seeing what is happening to them. They fall out the open space of the window!

It is only now the creature realizes its folly. “LOOK OUT BELOW!” calls Play as they fall two stories onto a bridge. Being tangled in combat, neither can break their fall. Wheezing, the ratman stumbles to its feet and sees Play is getting up also. Not having its teammates to attack with, it turns and runs into the tower.

Play looks to a neighboring tower, his home, and decides he needs to get his weapons and equipment. “What a Motley Crew of assassins I have to deal with.”

John Play and Siberys Seven are games I run. I have done up the characters and tell the story while rolling out the success / failures and so on. Its not a traditional Storyhour / game. Creation Schema, Heroes of Eldeen, Wayfinders of the Floating Tower and The Hidden are traditional games played with friends and family.

Hope you continue to enjoy reading them.

If you read the other Storyhours, you may also note how each Storyhour relates or overlaps with each other. Characters of this power level and importance should have interaction especially when much of their adventures are related to one master villain.

As you may have guessed by the last segment, the Monsters of Rawk have an underlining theme of rock bands I grew up on. The villains Play will face are somehow related to the band with titles of their songs worked into the writing. Something different and something I have wanted to do for years now from when I first developed John Play as a character.

I hope you enjoy.

JOHN PLAY
“05 JUST PUSH PLAY”
SEGMENT 80
“MOTLEY CRUE”

RHAAN 3 ,997 21st BELL

“SAME OL’ SITUATION.” Mutters Play as he races up the stairs to his apartment to retrieve his equipment. “IN THE BEGINNING of the night I’m relaxing and enjoying myself but by the end I’m PUBLIC ENEMY #1.” Play reaches his floor and runs to his doorway while fishing out his keys. “MISUNDERSTOOD. No one understands me is all. Sigh.” And he enters his apartment. While grabbing his magical belt of many Pouches that holds many of his potions and smaller tools of the trade he peers out the window to the Dancing Dragon. The huge stained glass golem is inside out of sight and there are no signs of the ratmen assassins. “ON WITH THE SHOW.” He says as he gathers his clubs and mask.
As he is about to leave he spots his bow. “USE IT OR LOSE IT.” He comments as he grabs it with a plan in his mind.

Outside he spots an air taxi and waves for it while looking for ratmen assassins. Seeing none, he runs to the craft. “TAKE ME TO THE TOP.” Play commands. The startled pilot stares at the notched bow. She mentally commands the ship to rise and Play watches at the Ratmen begin to appear. There are more than three. It’s a pack.

The pilot goes above Play’s apartment and the top levels which house Jorasco’s military care complex and then goes to another nearby tower. Play notes the name of the craft- NONA. “Don’t be AFRAID- I do this all of the time. Don’t DRIFT AWAY too far. I may FIND MYSELF in need of your help again. Here- KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE MONEY and he flips a gold piece to the pilot of Nona. He spots a ratman sneaking out of UNCLE JACK’s tavern onto a bridge. Play fires three arrows at it. All hit but only one arrow did much damage. The monstrous humanoid scurries across the bridge. These three arrows embed themselves deeply into the ratman and make him stagger and twist from the impact (scored a crit with a bow!) but it keeps going for cover. “WHAT’S IT GONNA TAKE?!?” exclaims Play seeing the Ratman run for cover. He releases another set of three arrows and the ratman drops. Several more run at once across hoping to get by. Play pulls out a special magic arrow. Smiling he aims and says to no one special but himself- “YOU’RE ALL I NEED because this BABY KILLS.” The arrow strikes one ratman and explodes in fiery energy. “How’s that you BASTARDs? HOTTER THAN HELL!” Play pulls out another similar arrow and releases it again. Boooooom! “LOUDER THAN HELL also.” He hopes this not only sends the assassins running away but also alerts the local law enforcement to arrive. Play hears some screams from another bridge way and looks. Several more ratmen are pushing through a crowd from HOULIGAN’S HOLIDAY.

At this point Play has lost track of the original assassins and looks for them. He can’t attack the new group in fear of hitting the by standers. He looks back over his shoulder and finds the aircraft has left. “Crap! TONIGHT is not my night. Fearing becoming trapped, he looks for an exit from the tower. The pilot of Nona dropped him off on a roof covering a balcony. He carefully swings onto it and tries the door. Locked! “ANYBODY OUT THERE?” asks someone from inside.

“Let me in! I’m John Play of the Dark Lanterns. I need immediate entry!” calls Play.

“How do I know you work for the king? What are you doing on my balcony? How did you get onto my balcony?”

Play decides he has no time for this. He kicks in the door- hard. It breaks open and strikes an older man in his night clothes holding a wand. “I said Immediately!” Play rushes into the room. The man calls for him to stop or he’ll use the wand. “Go ahead- it’s a FAKE.” Play recognizes him now. He’s a merchant named BRANDEN. He knows him because his daughter is a real BEAUTY. Ah- GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS…. They have LOOKS THAT KILL but I can’t help myself. The man just stands there blinking like he was HYPNOTIZED….. “How did he know?”

By time Play finds an exit out of the tower onto a bridge way he has put away his bow and pulled out a club and a wand. I need to FLUSH these guys out again. Using the Dancing Dragon for reference, Play goes to a series of stairs that lead down. His plan has worked too well- three ratmen appear before him and two more step out from the shadows behind him. “Crap!”

Meanwhile, several towers away, Lucan Stellos, a Dark lantern, spots SMOKE IN THE SKY. He quickly turns and begins to make his way to the area hoping he is not too late to save the Breland official.

“Zap” calls Play a second time and another fireball strikes at the assassins ahead of him. They have taken better cover this time. The two ratmen behind him rush up now to attack. Play was expecting this and steps forward to dodge the oncoming attacks. Play turns and clubs the closest assassin. Then finds him surrounded with nowhere to go by the five of them. Play begins his usual combat methods of constantly moving making it hard for the creatures to hit him. Several strike him still. This pauses him a moment for additional attacks of opportunity for them.

Play quickly reasons that this is a bad situation. He is surrounded by five experienced assassins. Even he cannot survive this. He can’t fight his way out of it so time to do what he does best- the impossible and unpredictable. He does a backflip over the rail! As he leaps three of the assassins strike him.

All five of the ratmen do not believe what just happened. The lead ratman especially. “I knew he had a WILDSIDE but this….. hurry- we must find the body.

Play knows the area but this is still a gamble. Once he is sure the ratmen cannot see him clearly anymore he removes his last Potion of Fly that he got when in the Lhazaar islands and drinks it quickly. He then concentrates on slowing down which at the speed he is falling is easier said than done. Once he feels himself slowing down he removes two potions of healing. He begins to will himself up but in such a way that the very bridge the ratmen are standing on gives him cover. Two more potions later he returns to the bow.

One ratman leans way over to see better. Play reaches up and grabs him. He pulls hard on the vest and the ratman falls with a loud squeaky shriek. The others, just beginning to leave while drinking their own potions turn with wide black eyes. “Karrilia!” calls the lead ratman. “Play.” He snarls. Play watches her fall. SHE GOES DOWN until a by passing sky coach strikes her. The pilot barely regains control at the sudden impact.

“You know, no matter how many DANGERs I face in a night, always- always- I WILL SURVIVE.” Says Play as he fires his bow while flying by the startled assassins. A ratman is struck three times in the side and red bubbles rush to his mouth. He is however, not dead. “Ah Kerri- WITHOUT YOU and your fly potion I may have called it an early night. Play fires another three shots before the ratmen make it to the stairs. Play quickly rushes to the top allowing a moment for one arrow to be fired. He hits an already seriously wounded assassin.

“Everyone thinks you “Monsters of Rawk” are so hot so very RED HOT but you’re DROPPIN’ LIKE FLIES against me.” Play fires at the retreating ratmen. All strike true. Beginning to enjoy himself, Play flies over them again firing once before cutting them off from the next stairway going down. “Hey- DON’T GO AWAY MAD. It was you or me.” A fourth ratman succumbs leaving only two behind- the leader and one more. Play fires again and again all three arrows strike true including one in the calf (crit) that trips up the critter. With its FACE DOWN THE DIRT it snarls in frustration. It calls for the Mockery to remove this human from its sight. Play makes it see no more leaving only one remaining creature- the leader.

“When I get done here I’m taking more healing and getting HAMMERED. So… where were we lil’ guy? Oh yes- Who sent you and where is he?”

The assassin attempts to throw a dagger at Play but he is too far away. He returns fire. The leader barely escapes one shot but is struck by two.

Unseen by Play, someone or something is slowly rising up to the battle.

The leader mumbles something quietly. “I can’t hear you.” sings Play. Again it mumbles. Play slowly moves closer to hear it and it leaps at him. Play easily side steps the feeble attempt and sighs. Does he attempt to save him to learn who hired them or go back to the Dancing Dragon?

Suddenly, Play sees a burst of light to the side of him and instinctively he tries to dodge the magical attack. Elderitch energy washes over him making his already itching back burn even more. “You were not expecting that lil’ Dark Lantern. Then the night is full of surprises.”

Play looks over and sees a pale skinned woman barely wearing anything except for shadow weave top and bottom. She has a tattoo that begins at her left foot and wraps around her body then down her left arm.

He recognizes her from rumors he heard when active in the Dark lanterns. “Anshanti Love, the Whitesnake. Great.

JOHN PLAY
“05 JUST PUSH PLAY”
SEGMENT 81
“WHITESNAKE”

RHAAN 3 ,997 22ND BELL

“John Play of the Breland Dark Lanterns, I have heard much of you also STORM BRINGER. Tonight is your JUDGEMENT DAY.” The warlock says as she raises her arm to blast Play again.

“Ah COME ON. I look at you and all I see is CHEAP AND NASTY mixed with a lot of TROUBLE.” Play begins to move away from her while debating the best course of action. He is beginning to worry what is going on. This is the seventh assassin in a night.

“Such a SWEET TALKER. No wonder you are the PRIDE AND JOY of Breland. To me you are just another one of the BAD BOYS.” She blasts him as he circles over a bridge way. He flies directly into the ray and screams at the pain. “You’re ALL OUT OF LUCK lil’ GAMBLER.”

“EASIER SAID THAN DONE Droaam OUTLAW. I’m getting tired of being MISTREATED and made BLACK AND BLUE all over. YOU’N ME are going to end this now. He fires three arrows and they all hit.

The rain begins again in Sharn as she moves behind a tower’s balcony for cover. Play flies around also with an arrow notched. “FARE THEE WELL Ashanti.” And fires at her but the arrow goes through her. Gone. She has teleported away. “ONE OF THESE DAYS I will learn to pay attention and look before firing away.” His artifact (his new mask) had revealed it was an illusion but in haste he fired anyway.

The Whitesnake decides to try some HIT AN’ RUN tactics. She blasts him to disorient him. It hits him but doesn’t send him flying away as she had hoped but he still feels the impact. Refusing to be another VICTUM OF LOVE, Play flies down quickly to try his own disappearing act to recover.

She takes this time to call on her power over the CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT, Bats- Dire bats. Unknown to any of the Dark Lanterns, she is a Dhampir, a Daywalker, something close to a vampire but not.

Play circles around the tower and flies over it in hopes of attacking her from above. Gone. Then he spots her hiding against a tower. Wishing to end her EVIL WAYS Play fires away. She grunts in pain. She glares at Play then smiles. In the background, thirteen large flying mammals can be seen in the three full moon’s light. Play doesn’t know what will hit him. Play aims again but then hears something. He turns just in time as the bats play at him. Play tumbles through the air and strikes the window of a store that is closed. He doesn’t break through it but it leaves him open for attacks. “Ugh…. She is a MEAN one.”

Hiding by STANDING IN THE SHADOWS , she blasts him again. A second blast just misses him as he drops from the window cell. The blast BLOWs out the window. Falling, Play mumbles HERE I GO AGAIN as he falls down the wall of the tower. “SLOW ‘N’ EASY…. Play….Slow ‘n’ easy….. LOVE AIN’T NO STRANGER to aerial combat. I need to be more careful.” He says to himself. As he rights himself the flight of Dire bats have swung around again. Play dodges them and pulls out a wand. “DON’T MESS WITH ME!” He calls out as becomes a little bit frustrated by the bats. Four of the Dire Bats burst into flame as the fireball blows up within the flight.

“Hold your fire! This is the Law!” calls out a man using a magic wand to amplify his voice. The Whitesnake turns and looks at him. She slowly moves closer to him. Making direct eye contact with the lead officer she says “I am not the threat…. He is.” The officer blinks twice then turns to his men.

“Fire on the man.”

And they do.

Two arrows whiz by Play’s head. He turns to see what new threat he is encountering and is struck by an arrow (crit- unconfirmed by the watch). “AW Comon guys! Not you too!” Play zips higher wondering just what the hell is happening. Ratmen, naked female assassins, dire bats and now the watch. He went out tonight expecting no worse than an angry boyfriend or husband. “LIE DOWN your weapons and go away guys. I can’t do this. Not with you…. not against you.”

Play switches back to his bow while watching for Ashanti. “soft” he states and the magic within the bow transfers to the arrows as he aims. As each of the three arrows fly the heads broaden and swell. They strike mercifully and KO each guard they hit. The leader tries to get Play with his wand of holding but fails. Two blasts of energy flash past Play. “I NEED YOU to stop. Just stop it lady!” exclaims Play in frustration. “hard” he says and turns onto her with the bow. All three arrows hit her again. The bats swing by again. They miss him but create a distraction that she uses to attack. She strikes him solid (max’d die roll minus 2!) . Play has had enough.

Play flies directly at her while firing. One of the shots drives into her throat. “Not HOT STUFF anymore lady. You’re going down. And the best part after this- It’s time for WINE, WOMEN AN’ SONG” She begins to call up a dark cloud to hide within when Play fires another round of arrows into her. She grunts in pain again. She can’t believe this is happening.

“Call the DANCING GIRLS, because NOW YOU’RE GONE. Bitch.” Fly fires again. Again, all three hit. Suddenly Play is struck by an unknown arrow. He pulls out wondering who it is now. He sees a white fur covered humanoid wielding a bow. “If this keeps up I’m going to have a nervous BREAKDOWN.”

In a garbled voice, Ashanti calls to him. “Leppard- this is MY kill. You can’t STEAL AWAY my prize.”

“Killian’s cubs don’t care who kills him- so long as he is dead.”

“Stop CRYING IN THE RAIN lady- I’ve had enough!” She turns and blasts at Play. He swings towards the new bit of trouble and sets her up. The blast nearly hits The Leppard.

“Really?!?” He turns to fire at her instead. She is beginning to resemble a quill covered GIRL instead of a powerful vampire like Warlock. Suddenly she is engulfed in a fireball. Everything becomes quiet as she falls from the sky burning. A beam shots out from the darkness and strikes The Leppard. He snarls and takes a miss step forward. He thumps his ear and shakes his head.

“What is your problem?” demands Play.

“He can’t hear you. I made him into a DEF LEPPARD.”

Play turns and smiles. It’s Lucan Stellos, a Dark lantern.

JOHN PLAY
“05 JUST PUSH PLAY”
SEGMENT 82
“DEF LEPPARD”

RHAAN 3 ,997 22ND BELL

The now Deaf Leppard takes cover into a tower before Lucan can strike with another wand attack. Unknown to him, the wand has used up its attacks and turned into ash and splinters. “We better get after him John that wand effect won’t last long. It’s a wand I took off of a goblin last week. It has a very short life.” The Dark lantern calls out.

Play begins to fly to the section the furry assassin went into but suddenly finds himself slowing down and beginning to hover. “Uh-oh… speaking of running out….” Play’s fly spell potion is wearing off and he is now floating towards the doorway but several floors lower than he wanted.

“GO on ahead of me. My fly spell is WASTED. I’ll catch up in a few minutes.”

Lucan pauses then runs ahead as he switches to his sword.

“C’MON C’MON…. I can’t continue to deal with this EVERYDAY.” Grumbles Play as he floats down a total of three floors from his target.”

Several WOMEN and a man are startled as John Play rushes at them on the bridge. He switches over to his club and a wand again. One of the women begins to scream in fear he is attacking them. Ratmen, LOVE and now this ANIMAL guy…. It’s all so UNBELIEVEABLE. The woman continues to scream from HYSTERIA as he runs by them.

Finally he finds what he was looking for- stairs going up. This is the thing about chases in Sharn- it can go ON THROUGH THE NIGHT and into TOMMORROW since it looks and feels like a huge maze.

Meanwhile, Lucan is chasing the Leppard up the tower away from Play.

Play can hear sounds of panic above and Lucan calling out “NO NO NO!” with then banging sounds.

Play comes to the top of the stairs and finds Lucan at a door lock. “He has locked it FROM THE INSIDE.”

“Ah for CRYing out loud- are you FOOLIN’ with me?!?” calls out a frustrated Play. “TONIGHT has not been my night…. “

Looking at the door Play decides PERSONAL PROPERTY or not, he’s breaking down the door. Play and Lucan both strike the door and it falls apart. Inside is a less than EXCITABLE woman whom looks to be in shock. She has a welt forming on her cheek. They follow the path of destruction and it leads to the furthest room back. The would be assassin has taken a bed sheet and used it to made a rope. “He went down to the bridge we started on.” States Lucan.

“NOW- That is very mean…. First he tries to kill me and now he runs away.”

Lucan is first to climb out onto the home-made rope. Three arrows strike him of the four the assassin fires. “ANOTHER HIT AND RUN guy. Well- here’s BACK IN YOUR FACE!” and Play fires his wand into the shadows were his magical mask shows the archer is hiding. They hear the assailant snarl in pain and he can now be seen by Lucan as he stands within a RING OF FIRE. A clear change in attitude is seen on the assassin’s face as he begins to STAND UP. The creature drops his bow and produces an incredibly large club. “Here comes Mr. DEMOLITION MAN… a regular fill-in for the GODS OF WAR. If you’re up for the ACTION then comon. Keep in mind thought- the last assassin tried and didn’t do so well. We FRACTURED LOVE. And the ones before her were TORN TO SHREDS.”

The Quaggoth warrior goes into a berserker rage and rushes them as Play gets off the rope. “LET ME BE THE ONE.” Suggests Play as he rushes past Lucan. “I’m TWO STEPS BEHIND you.” answers Lucan.

Play fires the wand again. The fire doesn’t DISINTERGRATE him…it only makes him more angry. Play and Lucan both move up but spread out to the edges of the bridge. They are hoping to lure the creature in and flank it. (CRAP! Confirmed crit!) Play is struck by the oversized Great Club and nearly goes over the edge. Up this close, Play sees there is a long SCAR going over one eye and the assassin is female. Play is suddenly happy the young Lantern is here as its clear SHE’S TOO TOUGH to battle one-on-one.

Play easily tricks her into one move as he adjusts his stance and clubs her hard for maximum effect. Lucan slips behind her and strikes her. “We don’t have ALL NIGHT Lucan. TEAR IT DOWN!”

The creature turns onto Lucan and unloads several heavy hits onto him. His eyes roll back and GRAVITY does the rest as he falls over (-5 in one round!) “If you’ve killed him I’ll hunt you down DAY AFTER DAY.”

Play takes another series of vicious hits. Play has to move away. He can’t take another hit like that and he can only hope to find Lucan TO BE ALIVE when this is over. With no remaining Fly potions, Play needs to escape with a great deal of caution. The two of them find themselves COMIN’ UNDER FIRE by the law again. The creature looks back at the source of the arrows and Play tumbles away towards the exit. Play PROMISES himself to buy more Fly potions from Cue at the Citadel if he survives this.

The creature is about to charge the men when Play calls to it. He knows the men will be quickly killed by her otherwise. “Hey look beastie! YOU GOT ME RUNNIN’. Am I too much for a GIRL LIKE YOU? If I get away you have to ANSWER TO THE MASTER.” And with that he runs.

WHITE LIGHTNING flashes behind them as the law enforcers are here with better wands to stop the crazy violence. The patrol captain however is not very good with the magical weapon and misses pitifully. However, Play’s ACTION NOT WORDS has lead the assassin away from Lucan and the law is there to stabilize him from his serious injuries.

Play ducks into a dark corner and hides for a moment. Shortly the creature runs by. The enclosed hallway makes it impossible to swing the over-sized weapon. “HELLO…..” says Play seeing an awesome opportunity to take it down. Play downs a few potions quickly then calls to the assassin. “Zap!” he says and activates the wand. The fireball strikes it as it stops and begins to attempt to turn. The size of the club actually hampers her ability to even turn within the narrow hallway. “It was TOO LATE FOR LOVE and soon it’ll be too late for you.” says Play as he fires another blast. He will attack at range for as long as he can then use his club. She howls out in pain and frustration. She is forced to drop her club to avoid the blasts. “SORROW IS A WOMAN without her club. I use the word woman loosely of course.” And with a smile fires again.

Then she does something Play did not expect- she charges! She attacks with Tooth and Claw. The attack is effective and causes a lot of damage to the ex-Lantern. His own patience and anger surfaces. He decides to LET IT GO. Just GOTTA LET IT GO. Play batters her right back with a sickening strike to the ribs then to the neck. She back hands him hard but he blocks the bite and following claw attacks. Once more he spins and tricks her into protecting one area while aiming for another. Her jaw and cheek bone shatter as he strikes her across the face. Her dead body thumps up against the wall and slides down it leaving a bloody smear.

One of the law enforcement officers runs up yelling for him to stop and drop the weapons (wand and club). Play stops and puts down his tools of the trade. “I’m John Play. If you talk….”

“I don’t care if you answer to the king himself. I am placing you under arrest! Several of the city’s finest are dead because of you. You are GUILTY of murder and I’ll see you die for it.” With obvious fear in his eyes, the officer pulls out manacles.

“Officer- please- there could be more. Contact the Citadel… ask for the Lanterns. I know they will support me…..” He is cut off as several arrows sale through the air. Two glance off of Play and one imbeds itself into the arm of the officer. The officer gasps then falls to the ground. Play catches him midway and settles him to the ground. He is alive but unable to move.

“POISON!”

JOHN PLAY
“05 JUST PUSH PLAY”
SEGMENT 83
“POISON”

RHAAN 3 ,997 23rd BELL

“Poison!” Gotta STAY ALIVE thinks Play as he rolls back into the hallway for cover. A shadowed dark figure wearing a large hood and cloak drops down near the entrance holding a short bow.

A raspy voice calls to Play. “I will not kill you yet young warrior- not UNTIL YOU SUFFER SOME.”

Play climbs the stairs he used as cover to attack The Leppard. “You cannot outrun me.” It calls to him.

“AIN’T THAT THE TRUTH.” Sputters Play as he climbs another set of stairs. Play is hurting and out of healing potions. He wonders if he could reach the healer’s tower but decides against it. Someone may get hurt or worse killed that way. To BRING IT HOME is also too close to the medical facility.

Play spots a flash of light ahead of him. At the top of the stairs is the figure he barely caught a glimpse of before. Something about the figure concerns him. “Can we call it a day? Have a few drinks at the bar and have NOTHIN’ BUT A GOOD TIME?”

The creature before him CRACKS A SMILE and giggles in an unholy manner. The hood twists and churns on the head of the would be killer. “I will instead kill you and send your soul to Dolurrh to the VALLEY OF LOST SOULS. There LIFE GOES ON, everyday being pained and miserable.

Play moves back onto a bridge way connecting towers. He draws his bow and hopes for the best. “STRANGE, I didn’t think I would go like this.” He fires at the figure as it jumps out in a roll from the entrance. All three shots go wide. Then he sees what he is facing. Female (if you want to call it that), wearing no armor or clothes except for a cloak and hood. The skin is ruddy and scaled. Yellow eyes peer from the eye slits of a mask. The hood shifts as a snake or two appear. A Medusa!

She smiles and a forked tongue tests the air. “LAY YOUR BODY DOWN and die like the pathetic creature you are.”

Then he hears it. THE SCREAM. The scream of a predatory animal he knows well. Carmilla. The hideous creature looks up leaps to the side just as a large golden griffon crashes down where she was. A woman dressed in tight black leather gracefully lands and rolls next to the animal. Nadia! Nadia speaks in the Medusa’s NATIVE TONGUE. Play is unsure what is being said but is happy for her arrival.

The creature quickly removes her face piece in an attempt to turn the psionic Dark lantern to stone. Nadia turns at the last moment to avoid direct eye contact. “We should have known it was you Play. We should always BLAME IT ON YOU. “

“Of all the Lanterns to come to my rescue, I wanted you to BE THE ONE.” Play calls out as he tries another round of arrows at the creature. Again, it dodges them with ease.

However, Nadia’s Psychic Crush hits home. The creature tumbles and falls near her feet. “She nearly had you John.” She calmly comments in passing as she looks into her hip bag. She hands play a potion of healing.

Lucan slowly walks up with several city guards. Unnoticed by the group, the Medusa awakens but doesn’t move. She activates her magical ankle bracelets again and teleports away. “Crap!” calls out play as he spots the flash of light.

“You will still FACE THE HANGMAN Play. That was but a SACRIFICE on my part to judge the strength of your allies I knew was arriving.” The creature murmurs as the magical healing washes over her. She then empties two healing potions herself.

Deciding the woman is the greatest danger, she targets her first. Two arrows strike Nadia in the back. Her twisting and collapsing body allows her to just avoid three more arrows. Nadia immediately feels the poison in her blood. “Damned Monster- figures she would PLAY DIRTY. Poison.” Calls out Lucan as he drops to protect her body. Play fires again but by never taking aim isn’t even close.

Carmella, the magical totem arrives next. It is willing to SACRIFICE itself for its master. On BLIND FAITH, Play leaves her side and goes to lure the Medusa away. Lucan is peppered with arrows including one that pins his arm to his leg. He goes down in a heap.

Her incredible ability to avoid ranged shots convinces Play to switch to his Wand of Magic Missiles. The creature hisses as the five dots of energy streak up and strike her.

Snarling she turns her attention to play even as Nadia looks up. The medusa fires on Play. He does his best to avoid the many shots but is struck by some. He can feel the poison in his system and feels his strength go. The creature calls out in triumph as Play can no longer STAND and falls to the ground.

“And soon my people, my sisters, will be TEARIN” DOWN THE WALLS of this city and the nation. You cannot bring us… CAN’T BRING ME DOWN.” And the creature laughs.

Play looks at her with blurry eyes then at Nadia who merely looks at him and slowly shakes her head, either to say no or to shake the cobwebs out. Unknown to Play, she has tricked the medusa into seeing him dead and the others dying. Slowly, Play removes his one potion of removing poison and drinks it. Next he removes his wand used to restore strength from his belt with hidden magical pouches.

The medusa slows down and tilts her head. Then a madden look appears on her face. She is seeing through the psionic effect! Using the mental link she can share with the two men, Nadia mentally says Now and they all move. She turns invisible and rolls to the side to climb onto her magical steed. Play, with his fireball wand fires away and Lucan, unable to do much but use a wand fires away also. His is merely a wand of healing which he touches Play with. The medusa is caught in the full effect of the small fireball. She snarls in pain and calls on the power of a ring one of her snakes wears. The flames no longer bother her as her resistance to fire suddenly kicks in as if wished to be.

Play, holding the wand and bow together, fires three arrows. One amazingly strikes her. She wobbles but will not go down. Then there is a flash behind Play. Play instinctly kicks out behind himself. He strikes her square in the face even as she was withdrawing a dagger. She goes down and without use of her automatic healing ability she doesn’t get up. “BABY GETS AROUND A BIT. Play says to the teleporting creature. He puts his booted foot onto her neck and with the bow kills her cold-heartedly like his old Dark Lantern wet works days of the war.

JOHN PLAY
“05 JUST PUSH PLAY”
SEGMENT 84
“RECOVERY”

RHAAN 4 ,997 1st BELL

Citadel tower, semisecret location of the Dark Lanterns within Sharn. Play doesn’t miss it. Not at all.

Nadia and Lucan lead him through security. He says hello with a wave to the guards he knew and a hello with a nod to the new agents on guard duty. They walk through the prison section and into the heavily guarded area used by officials and researchers (few know there is a large library of nasty people’s activity hidden here) and then through a secret door that leads down.

Play spots Cue, the ½ orc artificer that creates many of the potions and magical items used by the Lanterns. “Jonny! How does it go my friend? Long time no see! You have to visit more often! Where is the twenty gold you owe me?” The jolly artificer suddenly becomes serious with that last bit then smiles and bear hugs Play. “Ahem.” Nadia clears her throat.

Voirr walks through the room glaring at Play and the ½ orc whom is unsuccessfully trying to stifle a smile. Two other operatives follow him that Play doesn’t know. “We better…” begins Nadia and Play is quick to follow up with a “Yeah. Still my number one fan I see.”

They go to an unmarked room where the agent named Cole is waiting outside. The cool but Sauvé agent nods with a smile to Play. “Still causing trouble and chaos.” He states. “Still keeping up with that whimsical Inquisitor?” suggests Play.

They go into the debriefing room and sit down with Viorr at the desk in the front of the room. A sectional map of the city, docks and cogs are on the wall. Several pins of various colors are attached. Play notes two are centered on his apartment…. His activities of the night. Oops.

The next hour is spent blaming Play for damages to the towers, injuries to civilians and to officers. One officer has died. Then comes the list of damage, chaos and death attributed to the assassins breaching the country. Several more deaths at an entry point within the mountains for instance.

Finally, as the sun begins to rise, Play is allowed home. When he reaches his floor in his tower he sees a sleepy gnome leaning against his door. The door is still slightly ajar from the prior activities. The gnome is quick to stand at attention when Play begins down the hallway towards his apartment. Play notes the insignia of House Sivis. The gnome is a messenger.

“The door was open- you could have waited inside.” Says a rather tired Play. The gnome is uncertain if it was said as a joke or if he meant it. “A message for you sir.”

Play takes the scroll that is sealed. He hands the messenger a few coppers and goes inside. Everything is good and where it should be. The security in the tower is better than average since House Jorasco and the government of Breland own the upper most floors.

Play falls down into a large soft chair and unlaces his boots before picking up the scroll again. He snaps the wax seal and pulls it open. He merely smiles and sighs as he reads it.

JOHN.
FULL ALERT.
ASSASSINS HAVE BEEN ATTACKING.
EXPECT THEY WILL TARGET YOU ALSO.
TAKE CARE.
KERRI d’ORIEN

It was dated late last night. No doubt close to when I was attacked. The Turbulent yet is a danger. Fine. Now the Dark Lanterns are onto you also. “You over played yourselves.”

Its not long before Play falls asleep on his chair, his boots still on but unlaced, snoring.