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The Esoteric Order of the Golden Globe
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<blockquote data-quote="Celebrim" data-source="post: 6098742" data-attributes="member: 4937"><p>Three days pass. The young explorer Mandible gets work as a teamster in the city, allowing him to pay off what he feels are his debts to the Jarl the lay brother of Aymara in whose apartment he has been squatting. The Mokoheen Rex reluctantly takes work as a porter, clearing wreckage - and covertly looting houses and the dead as he does so. Gareth, Jarl, and Moruth have more than enough work tending for the wounded and desolate citizenry - though few and paltry tithes are forthcoming. Gareth helps the other congregants of Aravar begin preparations for a mass grave in the catacombs, and to lay to rest the bodies so that they will not rise in vengeance or confusion. However, all the Aravarites know that in such a circumstance, their resources are too meager to find and perform the proper ceremonies for all. There will be problems. </p><p></p><p>Lythen returns to the ruins seeking her 'family'. Of the 20 'sisters' in the brothel, only 2 survived the tsunami other than herself - one is now scared, disfigured, and hysterical. One of the two bouncers also lived, but is dead drunk. The current 'fancy boy', the daughters of the prostitutes who lived in the house and prepared the meals and did the sewing and were prepped for the day they could sell their virginity are all dead. Almost everyone she has ever known is dead. Most of 'the family' is now dead as well, though 'The Painted Lady' is rumored to have survived Lythen is unable to contact her and no one can say where she is. One of the few that is privy to the secrets of the 'The Painted Lady', Lythen privately wonders that the one who been said to have survived is the same person who was 'The Painted Lady' four days ago. For the first time in her life though, she is truly free and answerable to no one. She wonders what to do with her freedom, and allows sparks to crackle from her hands thinking of the power Mr. Biogen helped her unlock just a year ago. She wonders if she could dare now use it, now that she is free and no longer under his disturbing menacing hungry gaze.</p><p></p><p>On the night of the next Wallsday, in the middle of the night, the protagonists are wakened by the shouts of a crier and the ringing of bells in the streets. Looking out the window, they see a crier in the livery of the Palace shouting, "By order of our Benevolent Despot, Lord Dikelgard, all able bodied men are ordered to take arms and report to the nearest guard officer. Until otherwise instructed, move in groups toward the harbor and there join up with the guard. By order of our Benevolent Despot…"</p><p></p><p>The protagonist begin dressing and putting on their arms, and discuss what might be going on. "Some new threat to the city, obviously.", says Jarl. "And one that requires arms." </p><p></p><p>Moruth says, "Better that than more waves. At least this may be something with which we mere mortals may contend." </p><p></p><p>Mandible asks, "But against what, that's the point. And should I also come, seeing I am not of the city?" </p><p></p><p>Jarl answers, "If you can use those swords you carry, then yes, your help would be welcome. Besides, I doubt our enemies will greatly distinguish between citizens and guests." As they finish dressing, there is a hammering on the door. Jarl draws his sword and cautiously opens it, to find a young page, probably only thirteen. He looks excited, and says, "If you truly be men-of-arms, the despot commands..." Jarl answers, "Yes, yes, we heard and are coming, but what is this danger?" The page says, "I know not, sir, only that they say an enemy has entered the city through the harbor.", and he turns to knock on the next door. Moruth shouts, "That is only my neighbor, a seamstress, save your trouble and hers.", and the protagonists head down the stairs to the street were they see that Lythan has followed them.</p><p></p><p>Jarl says, "I thought the call was only for the men of the city."</p><p></p><p>Lythen smiles wickedly and says, "So it was."</p><p></p><p>Jarl says, "Then you are a man, then?"</p><p></p><p>Lythen laughs and says, "Do you think that only men are capable of fighting? You'll find I can handle myself."</p><p></p><p>Jarl says, "So you're a woman then."</p><p></p><p>Lythen only laughs and moves down the street gracefully swishing skirts and swaying hips.</p><p></p><p>The night is overcast and very dark. Mandible lights a lantern given to him by Moruth the priest, and the part makes their way through the darkened streets. Occasionally overtaking or being overtaken by groups of shopkeepers and crafters, looking uncomfortable and afraid in padded armor and carrying militia spears. As the group reaches the edge of the desolation and ruins, they can see in the darkness the fires and torches of the camps near the water and hear distant cries and shouts as of battle - but no ringing steel and no clear sign of who the enemy is nor any torches that might suggest the landing of boats. At this distance, from the dim torchlight the figures can not be clearly made out. As they begin to creep cautiously down toward the harbor, a voices bellows out of the darkness with a growl.</p><p></p><p>"Can no one get sleep here. What is this noise about?" It is the big Mokoheen Rex.</p><p></p><p>Gareth says, "There are enemies in the city. Battle is afoot."</p><p></p><p>"Blood to be shed? That is more like it. I was about to die of boredom in this cursed city. There is hardly drink, nor meat, nor woman to be found. Let me go with you."</p><p></p><p>Gareth says, "I for one will be glad of your sword."</p><p></p><p>Rex roars, "The let us make haste!" and he unslings his sword and begins to make haste down the road, followed by the company. </p><p></p><p>He goes only about 50 yards though before the elf calls out, "Halt, there is something moving in the darkness, and it bears a long spear." She points ahead and a little to the left.</p><p></p><p>Jarl readies his bow and the group instinctively forms a formation, with the Templar and the big barbarian in the front. However, the young sailor suddenly charges straight out into the darkness screaming furiously. Jarl only has time to mutter a curse before the big man and Gareth shrug and follow the retreating light source. Suddenly, into the rapidly moving circle of light appears shark skinned deep one. It carries in its hands a long spear of a strange white substance that might be bone, which it brandishes nimbly and sets. Undeterred, the sailor charges right into the spear, only avoiding skewering himself by the narrowest of margins by a last second attempt to knock the spear aside with his sword but nonetheless tearing a huge gash in his side. He stabs at the fish man, which immediately drops its spear and prepares to apply its claws. Jarl fires an arrow, but wary of hitting the young sailor, misses and sends the shot out into the darkness. The rest of the party surrounds the deep one on all sides. Gareth yells to the sailor, "Tactics young friend. Fight defensively, while we take this beast down."</p><p></p><p>The sailor nods, and dropping the lantern near his feet, draws a second rapier and assumes an unexpectedly skillful en garde, fending off most of the blows of the deep one. The rest of the party attacks the creatures exposed sides and rear - a slash from the Templar, a might hack from the Mokoheen, a nimble thrust from the lay brother, an awkward flail from the cleric who appears of the group most uncomfortable in battle, and the raging deep on staggers pouring black blood all over the ground. Just then Lythen pulls a short ivory wand from somewhere in the folds of her dress and stabs it into the beast, calling out in a strange tongue as she does so. Lightning crackles from the wand and engulfs her target. In seconds, it lies motionless on the ground at her feat, smoking and smelling of oil and blackened fish.</p><p></p><p>Jarl says, "You are a wizard?"</p><p></p><p>Lythen says, "Yes, something of that sort. Well, I'd say that went rather well. This company seems to be rather good at surrounding things and beating the feces out of them. Shall we find more?"</p><p></p><p>Rex grins and curses his approval.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Celebrim, post: 6098742, member: 4937"] Three days pass. The young explorer Mandible gets work as a teamster in the city, allowing him to pay off what he feels are his debts to the Jarl the lay brother of Aymara in whose apartment he has been squatting. The Mokoheen Rex reluctantly takes work as a porter, clearing wreckage - and covertly looting houses and the dead as he does so. Gareth, Jarl, and Moruth have more than enough work tending for the wounded and desolate citizenry - though few and paltry tithes are forthcoming. Gareth helps the other congregants of Aravar begin preparations for a mass grave in the catacombs, and to lay to rest the bodies so that they will not rise in vengeance or confusion. However, all the Aravarites know that in such a circumstance, their resources are too meager to find and perform the proper ceremonies for all. There will be problems. Lythen returns to the ruins seeking her 'family'. Of the 20 'sisters' in the brothel, only 2 survived the tsunami other than herself - one is now scared, disfigured, and hysterical. One of the two bouncers also lived, but is dead drunk. The current 'fancy boy', the daughters of the prostitutes who lived in the house and prepared the meals and did the sewing and were prepped for the day they could sell their virginity are all dead. Almost everyone she has ever known is dead. Most of 'the family' is now dead as well, though 'The Painted Lady' is rumored to have survived Lythen is unable to contact her and no one can say where she is. One of the few that is privy to the secrets of the 'The Painted Lady', Lythen privately wonders that the one who been said to have survived is the same person who was 'The Painted Lady' four days ago. For the first time in her life though, she is truly free and answerable to no one. She wonders what to do with her freedom, and allows sparks to crackle from her hands thinking of the power Mr. Biogen helped her unlock just a year ago. She wonders if she could dare now use it, now that she is free and no longer under his disturbing menacing hungry gaze. On the night of the next Wallsday, in the middle of the night, the protagonists are wakened by the shouts of a crier and the ringing of bells in the streets. Looking out the window, they see a crier in the livery of the Palace shouting, "By order of our Benevolent Despot, Lord Dikelgard, all able bodied men are ordered to take arms and report to the nearest guard officer. Until otherwise instructed, move in groups toward the harbor and there join up with the guard. By order of our Benevolent Despot…" The protagonist begin dressing and putting on their arms, and discuss what might be going on. "Some new threat to the city, obviously.", says Jarl. "And one that requires arms." Moruth says, "Better that than more waves. At least this may be something with which we mere mortals may contend." Mandible asks, "But against what, that's the point. And should I also come, seeing I am not of the city?" Jarl answers, "If you can use those swords you carry, then yes, your help would be welcome. Besides, I doubt our enemies will greatly distinguish between citizens and guests." As they finish dressing, there is a hammering on the door. Jarl draws his sword and cautiously opens it, to find a young page, probably only thirteen. He looks excited, and says, "If you truly be men-of-arms, the despot commands..." Jarl answers, "Yes, yes, we heard and are coming, but what is this danger?" The page says, "I know not, sir, only that they say an enemy has entered the city through the harbor.", and he turns to knock on the next door. Moruth shouts, "That is only my neighbor, a seamstress, save your trouble and hers.", and the protagonists head down the stairs to the street were they see that Lythan has followed them. Jarl says, "I thought the call was only for the men of the city." Lythen smiles wickedly and says, "So it was." Jarl says, "Then you are a man, then?" Lythen laughs and says, "Do you think that only men are capable of fighting? You'll find I can handle myself." Jarl says, "So you're a woman then." Lythen only laughs and moves down the street gracefully swishing skirts and swaying hips. The night is overcast and very dark. Mandible lights a lantern given to him by Moruth the priest, and the part makes their way through the darkened streets. Occasionally overtaking or being overtaken by groups of shopkeepers and crafters, looking uncomfortable and afraid in padded armor and carrying militia spears. As the group reaches the edge of the desolation and ruins, they can see in the darkness the fires and torches of the camps near the water and hear distant cries and shouts as of battle - but no ringing steel and no clear sign of who the enemy is nor any torches that might suggest the landing of boats. At this distance, from the dim torchlight the figures can not be clearly made out. As they begin to creep cautiously down toward the harbor, a voices bellows out of the darkness with a growl. "Can no one get sleep here. What is this noise about?" It is the big Mokoheen Rex. Gareth says, "There are enemies in the city. Battle is afoot." "Blood to be shed? That is more like it. I was about to die of boredom in this cursed city. There is hardly drink, nor meat, nor woman to be found. Let me go with you." Gareth says, "I for one will be glad of your sword." Rex roars, "The let us make haste!" and he unslings his sword and begins to make haste down the road, followed by the company. He goes only about 50 yards though before the elf calls out, "Halt, there is something moving in the darkness, and it bears a long spear." She points ahead and a little to the left. Jarl readies his bow and the group instinctively forms a formation, with the Templar and the big barbarian in the front. However, the young sailor suddenly charges straight out into the darkness screaming furiously. Jarl only has time to mutter a curse before the big man and Gareth shrug and follow the retreating light source. Suddenly, into the rapidly moving circle of light appears shark skinned deep one. It carries in its hands a long spear of a strange white substance that might be bone, which it brandishes nimbly and sets. Undeterred, the sailor charges right into the spear, only avoiding skewering himself by the narrowest of margins by a last second attempt to knock the spear aside with his sword but nonetheless tearing a huge gash in his side. He stabs at the fish man, which immediately drops its spear and prepares to apply its claws. Jarl fires an arrow, but wary of hitting the young sailor, misses and sends the shot out into the darkness. The rest of the party surrounds the deep one on all sides. Gareth yells to the sailor, "Tactics young friend. Fight defensively, while we take this beast down." The sailor nods, and dropping the lantern near his feet, draws a second rapier and assumes an unexpectedly skillful en garde, fending off most of the blows of the deep one. The rest of the party attacks the creatures exposed sides and rear - a slash from the Templar, a might hack from the Mokoheen, a nimble thrust from the lay brother, an awkward flail from the cleric who appears of the group most uncomfortable in battle, and the raging deep on staggers pouring black blood all over the ground. Just then Lythen pulls a short ivory wand from somewhere in the folds of her dress and stabs it into the beast, calling out in a strange tongue as she does so. Lightning crackles from the wand and engulfs her target. In seconds, it lies motionless on the ground at her feat, smoking and smelling of oil and blackened fish. Jarl says, "You are a wizard?" Lythen says, "Yes, something of that sort. Well, I'd say that went rather well. This company seems to be rather good at surrounding things and beating the feces out of them. Shall we find more?" Rex grins and curses his approval. [/QUOTE]
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