OOC:
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I didn't heal 'frenemies' unless they were unable to climb. If they requested it, I would, but having them semi-disabled while we're separated is a benefit. I heal them all once they are in the cells.
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OOC: Okay, good to know. I wasn't sure.
Neurotic said:
Akos smiles beatifically at the boys and instructs them to immediately spread the food around. He gives full silver to each of them as a reward for their efforts.
The boys are giddy as they work to distribute the food to those affected by temporal shift. They are enriched by doing a good deed as much as by the Loremaster's silver.
Neurotic said:
As the crowd gather he nods at those he recognizes from earlier gatherings, he positions himself so they gather in front of him and that he blocks easy access to the guardhouse.
To the food vendor he says
"Thank you, good man, it was good thinking."
Turning to the crowd and raising his voice:
"Everything you buy from this good man is on my account. But please, see to those affected by the magics first."
As the crowd reshuffles to take advantage of his offer, his armor folds back on itself leaving him exposed to attack, but also leaving the crowds to see him not as a threatening armored figure, but a man of cloth.
The man nods in acknowledgement as he helps up a young woman who looks pale and bit green. She takes some water but she doesn't have the stomach for food. The man helps her to a stone bench at the side of the street opposite the guard post. Several others also affected by the nausea effect of labyrinth being closed and sealed also find their way to the bench with the help of the boys. An old man hit his head when he fell and is bleeding from a wound on his forehead.
"A few others at the market were also left in this state, but we managed to get most of them upright," the man says to Akos as he tends to the old man's injuries. He seems to have some skills as a healer as he gets the bleeding under control. "I mixed some crushed peppermint leaves with water and seemed to help them."
He goes into a satchel and pulls out a bundle of herbs. He crushes them up in his hands and put them in a clay mug that he fills with water. He offers it to the woman and she drinks it down. It seems to soothe her stomach. The man mixes up more peppermint water for anyone who needs it.
Neurotic said:
"Now for the tale of the battle of magics, of the hideous evil of the renegade, of the purity of faith of the heroes of The Five and bravery of the city defenders, Sectarians, Regulars and The Elite."
Entering his sing-song preaching mode and priming the crowd to hear another tale of the heroes, he attempts to sway their insecurities into determination.
"In the hidden underground, carved by the ancient magics and kept sealed from time immemorial there are secrets. Bluffside as you know it is but a latest incarnation of the great traditions that make our city so great. But at the same time, as any place built upon and built over, there are secrets. And this particular secret, found...rather stumbled upon...by the renegade holds a terrible mind-warping magics against which we fought. Once we passed through the magical defenses, the renegade tried to subvert our minds, but with the faith in our abilities, our respective gods and the confidence of The Five we fought off that assault too. Finally, we faced against the demon from hells, summoned by the sorcerer and sent against us while he made good his escape once again. As you can see, we prevailed against the demon. And the noose is tightening, the reign of terror will soon end."
The crowd gathers around Akos and listens to him. Most are keen to hear his words but many stand back from the 'cursed' gate and the guard post, unwilling to get to close. There are voices in the crowd that murmur "the renegade?" and "that damn sorcerer is responsible for this too!"
It is at this point that the guards stationed at the Masque Arch appear at the other end of the street. There are six of them and they make their way towards the crowd and Akos. The Loremaster doesn't know any of them by name, but he's seen a few of their faces over the last few days. They are Regulars, not Elites.
Neurotic said:
Taking a deep breath, Akos shakes his head
"I already know about the attacks against The Five. It is obvious now that this 'lead' was just a trap to hold us, but you may have noticed that the attacks are getting more desperate. While you, good citizens of Bluffside are suffering in the crossfire, DO NOT let the The Loyalists frighten you or intimidate you. Keep your spirits up because ultimately, they are on the losing side. Some of you will remember a street fight couple of days ago where even foul gods couldn't help them against our combined might. And The Five are mightier still. Keep your wits about, take care of your families and the renegade will soon be only a story for your grandchildren of the times when Bluffside was reeling, but rallied and prevailed in the end. Times change and the mores may have to change. But that is the nature of time. It changes us all and no law, no society can survive without change. But Bluffside will continue. As always."
Many in the crowd move in closer to hear Akos speak. Their fear of the gate isn't as strong as the rousing words of the Loremaster. The boys that he gave silvers to move to the front of the ring of people and are completely transfixed on Akos. Many of the gathered citizens of Old City are soon nodding their heads in agreement with the Loremaster's assurances.
The guards stay at the back of the crowd and do not interrupt Akos' story.
Neurotic said:
He waves the hands away from him
"Now go! And remember, you're not alone. In the darkest of times, heroes raise from the common fold, common and noble alike, those who will take the mantle and pain of resistance so The City can live! Go, and tell your families things are coming to a head. Go, and know this nightmare will be over."
Diplomacy: 1D20+24 = [9]+24 = 33
The gathered crowd cheers and many praise the Heroes of Old City. Others call them the Exemplars of Bluffside. As they gather around Akos to ask for his blessing...
Breva moves to lend aid and distribute food. He soon hears Akos' words and feels obligated to speak as well.
"The loremaster has shared much wisdom. We have learned much about the enemies of the city during the last few days and well as capturing some important members of the forces arrayed against us. Our successes have forced the hand of the enemy. These latest attacks have cost them valuable agents that will be hard to replace. Bluffside will continue!"
OOC:
aid another diplomacy: 1D20+10 = [11]+10 = 21
Breva's words rouse a few more spirits, especially those watching from the fringes... those unwilling to go near the gate, despite Akos' tale and rousing speech. His words seem to have more effect on the guards who respect him and his god. The Purifier is a popular deity among the Regulars.
As the people crowd in around Akos, the guards come up to Breva. "We are glad to see that are still alive, Sir Breva." The Lord Commander had feared the worst and he was unwilling to send any of us down into that place without more information from the Wizard Council. The head of the House of Divinations cast several spells to try to figure out what was happening here, but she was unsuccessful." He looks towards Akos who is being treated like a holy man by the citizens of Old City. "You think he'll be alright?"
"I don't think we have to worry about him," Custodio says. The Vanquisher cleric walks out of the door of the guard post into the street. The nausea has left him completely.
"They love him." He pauses.
"Almost too much... but better that the rage of the mob."
As Custodio tells the guard captain (who calls himself "Bertram Pare") the less glamourous version of what Akos told the crowd, several citizens gather around Breva and ask for the blessing of the Purifier. Some offer to go to the Temple District and make offerings to the Purifier. "Although that will have to wait until Martial Law is lifted in the district. It was put in place last night," a young man says to Breva. "Lord Varian wishes to try to keep a firm control on Old City. These damn Loyalists have been attacking in broad daylight! So brazen!"
"Akos mentioned attacks on The Five?" Custodio asks motioning to the Loremaster. He heard Akos' speech.
"Here," Bertram pulls a broadsheet out of his belt and hands it to Custodio. "I figured you'd want to see this right away." He motions for Breva to take a look as well.
"This is outrageous!" Custodio snaps in anger.
"The Loyalists have done all this while we've been in that damn labyrinth! I swear I'm going to gut Waldo the instant we catch him!"
"This renegade seems to have an infinite number of sycophants willing to die for him," the guard captain adds. "The Rising Swords helped in the attack on the Tribunal too. Of the magistrates that were killed, two of them have been raised from the dead but the other man's soul was unwilling... or lost."
Tuck smiles to himself, hearing Breva and his friend Akos turn frightened citizens into brave heroes once more. Oh, the kobold is very glad to have someone like the Loremaster here in Bluffside; he himself tries to be a beacon of hope to the people, to those most desperate, but he can never use words in such a magical way.
Captain Pare pauses to look at Tuck before turning to speak to Breva and Custodio. "They also attacked several guard posts in New City but were badly beaten by the Elites and Regulars arrayed throughout the district. But, the fighting was bloody. Their attacks in the Undercity were even more vicious. They seem to be going after anyone allied with you, that you've been in contact with, or that are your kin."
He pauses again and motions for Breva to come in closer. He whispers so the citizens can't hear. "The Rising Swords even attacked the Castle of Purification just last night. That is where Lord Wellington is recovering. While they didn't even come close to getting into the temple, the fight lasted nearly an hour. We didn't have any extra guards to send to help the Purifiers. We are beyond stretched to the limit." The captain motions to his team of Regulars. "We are responsible for not only the Masque Arch, but also the Actors' Gate. I've left two others to stand guard at both, but we have to get back right away."
JustinCase said:
Making sure Mutt is satisfied with enough water and choice bits of food from his rations, Tuck ruffles the big dog’s fur and stands up. He will leave Mutt here and trust it will find its way back to him, or home, when it feels better.
”Where to now?” he asks his companions when they are out of earshot from the crowd.
"You better go see Lord Commander Oakfirst," Captain Pare suggests. "I don't have anyone to spare to go tell him of your return. He is probably at the barracks or in the Palace. With both Lady Pomander and Lord Wellington recovering, it has fallen to Lord Blander and Lord Varian to run the day to day operations of the city. Lord Varian is now officially the Lord Mayor of the city. The confirmation process was expediated to try to show stability to the people. They haven't named a replacement for Lord Hollingsworth yet, but I expect that will happen very soon."
He motions for his guards to head back to their posts. "I cannot wait any longer. When you see the Lord Commander, please tell him I need more Regulars. I'll even take green recruits at this point. We haven't slept for over a day."
Tuck can see that the guard captain looks like he is ready to fall over, as are his Regulars. The three men and two woman look ragged and they are on edge. If the rest of the Regulars and Elites are in this state, the city could be on the verge of outright chaos. Hearing about attacks in the Undercity is troubling and Tuck wonders how the kobolds down there are doing. Of course, it would be stupid for the Loyalists to brazenly attack Tuck's people but these fanatics don't seem to care about dying for
Waldo.
"Thank you, captain," Custodio says.
"We will go see the Lord Commander right away." The Vanquisher cleric goes back into the guard post to collect the others.
"It seems the Loyalists and Rising Swords have attacked more than one member of The Five." He shows the broadsheet to Tim and Vinccenzo.
He goes to the cells and glares at Lowenan.
"You didn't tell us everything, it seems!"
"I told you want I know," Lowenan replies calmly.
"Phelix doesn't share all his plans with those that he deems expendable. And I did not know I was expendable to him."
"I don't believe you," Custodio snaps.
"If I had my way, I'd kill you right here."
"You need to listen to me," Lowenan says.
"Phelix is very dangerous man with many allies. He has promised these allies a place in Bluffside once he's conquered it. That is his goal, right now. He will do anything to achieve it, as it will allow him to have a power base to plan to return to Khasan and become the head of the Del Cannitha Family. He wants to rule over that city too." He pauses.
"Yes, I admit that peace was probably never truly on his mind. He only respects power." He turns to look at Tim.
"He can sense you and your allies growing power, and he is determined to stop you all, especially the Loremaster." He turns back to Custodio.
"You say that he has implemented other plans that I didn't know. That doesn't surprise me. Why does it continue to surprise you?"
He sighs and shakes his head.
"I would say you should all flee the city, but I know you will never do that, so, I will simply say to you... trust no one. He has many vipers among the Regulars and Elites, as well as among the nobility. And, no, I don't know their names. Meetings were always cloaked in magic and shadow. There are a few that I suspect, but I am not sure. Phelix keeps that information for himself. Well... maybe the gnome knows."