Planescape 3.5e - Cold Black Mask

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"Vicious fighters, the barbazu. The glaives are quite potent all of their own, and that is the least of their tricks. They serve as the shock troups of the infernal armies, and my kin have fought them before. They can go quite crazy in battle, attacking with even their metallic beards, and the wounds they inflict bleed with infernal fury. Fast movers and teleporters, like most devils, and can even gate in their kin to assist in combat. They are difficult opponents, to be certain," Pierce says, reciting her childhood lessons rapidly. She might not know much about the structure of the planes, the ideals behind it, the power structure of Sigil, or things of that nature, but she does know about enemy fighters, particularly the infernal ones. Acheron's lessons were either learned immediately and well or not at all.

 

[Ambrus]

The hurried gnome scans the side streets in hopes of catching sight of such a creature or their missing friend (Spot +11). "So how do we go about finding our Barbazu?"

 

[Cage-Rattler]

As the group walked and conversed, those astute to such things noticed that the style of their surrounding environs began to change subtlely. Basic cobble-stone streets gave way to broad, sweeping avenues, paved in tiles of immaculate marble. Domiciles shifted from the small and practical to grand and ostentatious; immense manor-houses with walls covered in sprawling, ebon-hued vines and secured from the outside world by fortified portcullises and personal guards.

The atmosphere here was much more subdued than before; the din of the bustling marketplace sounded muted and far away. The wide, open streets were practically devoid of traffic save for the occasional pedestrian, and the much-more-frequent patrols of humanoids outfitted in impressive red armor; presumably the city watch, or a police force of some sort.

Aided by the curiously concave curve of the city, keen-eyed Istavan could easily make out a massive, sprawling building that seemed to call to mind a palace of sorts; and beyond that -- perhaps the quivalent of six or seven Suzail city blocks from where they stood -- a collection of monumental edifices which could only be temples devoted to various religions. Despite his thorough searching, however, he could spot no sign of either the "barbazu" or the missing Hagen. ooc: Istavan's Spot Check 1d20+11; [16,11] = (27)

 

[Ambrus]

Seeing how the cityscape is changing around them, Istvan continues on with his previous thought. "...I mean, seeing as how this neighborhood is so big, bright and quiet, I'd figure a big bearded devil with a glaive and human captive would kind of stick out around here. One of these knights must have seen em..."

 

[Dire Lemming]

Despite the quieter and seemingly safer environment that they have entered, Anthony seems to become uneasy. Constantly shifting his gaze, apparently in search of something he wishes to avoid. "A'right, and here we are in The Lady's Ward, as in The Lady. Top shelf neighborhood, not all it's cut out ta be. Mark the Red Death. Don' pike em off." He increases his pace slightly.

(OOC: Spot... +3 apparently. Or do you want me to do the rolls on invisible castle? I can never remember what GM wants what.)

 

[Cage-Rattler]

Increasingly wary, Anthony kept his head on a swivel for anything that might prove to be a threat on the still streets of The Lady's Ward. ooc Anthony's Spot Check 1d20+3; [20,3] = (23)
Like Istavan before him, the tout didn't recognize anything as immediately dangerous -- no baatezu lurking in the shadows, no squadrons of Mercykillers poised to swoop down on the group. Further down the way, however, a small patrol of the red-armored soldiers bore down on their position. Once within earshot, the lead guardsman called out in a booming voice.

"Harmonium! Hold there, citizens!"

 

[Dire Lemming]

Anthony stops and glances at the approaching guards then whispers quickly to the others. "Hardheads, just lemme do the talkin' if you don't twig to the idea o' gettin scragged your first day in the city." He steps in front of the others and calls to the Harmonium soldiers. "Aye, what can we do for ya?" trying to sound at least somewhat respectful.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Heinrich pauses, but recognizes the sense in not angering the guard of whatever this strange city is unduly, and so he carefully keeps his sword-arm relaxed at his side and lets the native speak.

 

[Ambrus]

More concerned with losing the devil's trail than buttering up the local constabulary, Istvan whispers back to Anthony: "Mayhaps they've seen our Barbazu..."

 

[Dire Lemming]

Tony nods nearly imperceptibly in response to the short one's suggestion, but doesn't say anything.