Demons Marketplace
A bone-chilling rain falls from the sky which offers not even a little light this night. No moon, no stars. Just a great empty blackness from which the rain falls at a moderate pace. It might have been bearable at just that, but a harsh wind was kicking up carrying a winter wind and it bit past most normal clothing and had driven off those that could afford to leave their shops for warm homes. The shouts of the shop keepers are quiet things in the darkness, as if a night like this has weight to it. Weight that they did not wish to disturb.
Rocky doesn't mind the rain, and the layers of armor stop wind as easily as blades. The darkness is a minor thing, mostly ignored. But the cold, the cold bugs him. He's meant for the steamy weather of the jungle, not these crazy softskin lands. Ah well, at least it's not snowing. Yet.
The greyscale trundles between the shops, eyeing wares with casual interest, but not really looking for anything specific.
Frankly, Dolan wishes he were inside, too. The good news is, he's headed in the correct direction, his shopping done and tucked into the braided leather haversack over his back, oiled wool cloak pulled over everything he can manage to cover against the rotten weather. It doesn't help, and another couple of layers would be helpful. Armor and greatsword over his back was the choice for tonight, simply for the fact of a walk across Alexandria at night.
He strides now down the street towards the Tornmawr bridge, keeping alert, just in case - it doesn't pay to fall asleep here.
Cloak soaked (and possibly clothing beneath) and boots muddied, Kira possibly does not look much different from the other (perhaps few) wanderers in the market. She recently completed a brief trade with one of the remaining cart-owners, and looks about in the dark as she considers her next move. Maybe it would be best, for all involved, to purchase any other sundries when the weather was more hospitable.
GAME: Dolan rolls perception: (11)+12: 23 GAME: Rocky rolls perception: (17)+12: 29 GAME: Kira rolls perception: (9)+24: 33
Rocky perks slightly in his wanders, stopping at a stall to casually browse the wares while taking a look around. Other peoples business isn't his business, but sometimes a guy gets curious. Still, no reason to intrude. Probably.
Dolan's thinking is similar to Rocky's - the words reach his ears, and he pauses, turning his head towards the sound, his harvest-gold gem of an eye twinkling beneath the manalamp lighting the main street. There is no reason to be involved, yet, but something, some instinct, prompts him to stay just a little longer and listen.
Kira hears the low voices well before her eye locates the sources. She turns towards and begins to approach through the rain at a walk. Curiosity is piqued more than concern. It's now that she notices Rocky. Well, rather, notices that he is not a statue, but armored and scaled. She offers a smile and a raised brow rather than voice an inquiry before she looks to the alleyway.
The conversation in the alleyway continues unaware that someone(s) are listening in. "Alright. I'll take it." The shopkeeper opens his hand and accepts a delivery of gold from the man before him who nods and hands the twinkling bag over. There's an odd smile on his face as he turns away, without anything seemingly purchased.
The curiosity of this situation is broken by a third man appearing at the edge of the market district. He grabs the nearest stall manager by the lapels and hoists the poor woman a bit. "Help me!" She lets out a garbled reply and then whacks him on the head with a frying pan. This forces him to let her go and he stumbles away from her little shop. Grabbing the arm of the next nearest person. "Please help!"
Rocky chuffs softly, his attention pulled by grabbing and shouting. Weird shopping is interesting, but this is more important. "Stop. What is wrong? How may This One help?"
That is Dolan's cue - it looks as if his instincts were spot on, once again. He turns and strides in the direction of the man grabbing random folks. "Hold," he calls, projecting as much stern authority as he can muster. "No grabbing. What is this about?"
It is the market. Maybe the two just uses the alleyway as some shelter against the rain? If Kira chose to give it further thought, she abruptly no longer has the opportunity. She turns at the first cry for help, and by the second she is moving briskly towards the latest arrival. "Please, try to be calm. I-" she pauses as others speak up and her smile widens "-We are here to help. What can we do to help you?"
The man is out of breath, and obviously wounded. He's got a nasty cut on his head that wasn't just from the bout with the woman with the frying pan. "Demon!" He says hastily. "Coming this way... maybe already here. I'm not sure. Please you've gotta help me before it does something terrible!"
Rocky blinks slowly, but his hand rests upon the hilt of his blade. "Explain, please."
That is all Dolan needs to hear, and in a trice, the pouring, cold rain is forgotten. His blood starts racing, and in an instant, his hand goes towards the clasp across his chest. "There's no time to explain, if what he says is true," he snaps at the sith-makar. "I have some experience with demons. We go. Now. Show us." That's an order, directed at the cut man, and although he turns his full head towards the man, surveying the injury, it's not bad enough for him to stop. "We have no time to lose."
Kira's smile dims; first at noting the man's injury and further in concern from the man's warning. "Yes, we should move quickly." In her mind, however, there is enough time to tend to small things quickly. "May The Healer grant you respite and peace," she offers as she extends a gentle hand to the man's shoulder. "Please, show us where it was."
"That's the problem I don't know. It can make itself look entirely human. I can't sense its evil myself but there has to be someone around here who can! Quickly before it makes any more mischief." The man seems glad of the focus that Dolan and Kira have, and notably doesn't answer Rocky's inquiry for further explanation.
Rocky blinks, looking to Kira and Dolan. "...This One serves The People, not the gods. Is good duty, but lacks magic powers." The sith considers a few moments, and draws upon the powers of his simple looking cloak. It;s not Detect Evil, but maybe a view of Detect Magic will help? (Cloak of the Hedge Wizard, Divination)
"I can. Come on, quit screwing around," Dolan tells Kira crisply, reaching for the stylized dragons hanging outside his armor and bringing it to his lips. "Holy Daeus, show me the presence of Your enemies," he pleads, and turns his head, looking around.
GAME: Rocky rolls perception: (17)+12: 29
"Don't worry, I won't delay anyone," Kira assures Dolan. After the quick tending, she encourages all with, "Let us go" followed by a brief smile to Rocky. "All help is welcome, especially if a demon is involved. We can find it, and stop it."
Rocky peers around several moments, the edge of the cloak covering his eyes, but nods to Kira, pulling the hood back again, making a mental note. "Are people with traces of spell. Cast, but now faded. Maybe is nothing. Let us find this demon."
Dolan, on the other hand, is much more certain, a faint glow of sunlight brimming in the yellow gem where his other eye ought to be, and he turns in the direction of the man whom they'd been eavesdropping on, and in the direction of someone talking to one of the shopkeepers. "Those two," he nods at the close one, then at the alleyway where the other disappeared. "Neither one's human. Move it or don't, I don't give a fuck."
With that, he turns towards the alleyway where the other disappeared.
Rocky chuffs softly. "This One is not human." he admonishes quietly. But no matter, is a demon to find. . "Healer guide me," Kira implores in a soft intonation before looking where Dolan indicates; first one, then the other. Confirmation, perhaps, but more importantly that she has the same individuals as Dolan worked to identify. Her smile dims as Dolan steps off, head turning between one and then the other once more. "Should we remain together, or confront both at once?" Her inquiry is to either or both of her companions-in-aid, if Dolan is yet in earshot.
If Dolan heard Rocky's comment, he ignores it, instead looking down the alleyway where the other one went, blinking as he peers into the dimness and through the rain. "There more than one?" he snaps to the injured man.
"There wasn't when... well the one that I dealt with knocked me clean out. There's no knowing what it could have done while I was unconscious." The man wrings his hands together. "Shouldn't we stop them?"
Rocky blinks. "Yes. But step wisely, doing least amount of harm."
"You pointed out two," Kira confirms to Dolan, "and I can see the same." A very brief hesitation before she makes the suggestion to Dolan and Rocky. "Go down the alley. I will check the other. I can catch up if you need aid." She doesn't like the idea of division, but she likes the idea of demons wandering about the city (or escaping) even less. She then steps briskly for the source speaking with the shopkeep.
There's no answer from Dolan, who is already headed down the alleyway in the direction of the other one he'd identified. He quickly disappears from sight, striding quickly in the direction where the other one had disappeared.
Kira's approach is noticed, and suddenly the man talking to the shopkeeper grabs her by the hair and stabs her. He doesn't wait to see if she survives, but throws her at Kira and rushes to the nearest person. It's as though he's racing to do as much damage as he possibly can before Kira can stop him.
Bodies hit the floor.
Meanwhile Dolan hastens after the other demon who is setting fire to some of the garbage in the alley. The hellish flames care nothing for the torrential rain and even eats at the material of the stone street.
Rocky follows after Dolan. Of the two situations, that seems more likely to turn violent. He could very well be mistaken, as shouts behind suggests, but the flames ahead say he wasn't all wrong.
It doesn't take long, by the light of flame that ignores the cold rain slanting down his face, for Dolan to see what is going on. He draws a deep breath, and shouts for all he is worth, "FIRE! STOP THAT ONE!" That's all he says, instead bolting towards the arsonist and reaching to grab him away from the flames. "What in the fuck do you think you're doing!"
Kira's reaction may have been intended to be a yell, but surprise at the sudden brutality chokes the "No!" to a pained gasp. Her first reaction is to catch the tossed woman. Her second is to tend to her... but he is already moving to others! No, it is time for triage. This means stopping the source.
"Someone tend her!" she calls, beseeching bystander aid as she moves for the man assaulting. MOVES, in that she shifts from brisk to blurred to intercept him.
GAME: Kira rolls cmb+7: (5)+21+7: 33
"_You,_ Dolan snarls, the light of the flames glinting off of rain that coats the furrows and melted flesh of the right side of his face, a twisted expression that is anything but nice to look at, or be faced with. Oiled leather slides to the cobblestones in an unheard clank of metal, and the greatsword is in his hands. "Freeze where you are, or face the wrath of the Knight."
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+20: (7)+20: 27 GAME: Rocky rolls weapon9: (5)+11: 16
"No!" Now Kira's word is less a surprised question and very much more a statement or command. It is firm and louder, perhaps because she utters it as she reaches the blade-wielder. She swiftly grabs the wielding wrist and rotates the pointy end into a non-threatening direction. Her other arm wraps itself around the man's other and a final step brings her leg to entrap his. Her body is now against his and, ideally, between him and innocent bystanders.
Rocky is somewhat less articulate in his confrontation of the demon, drawing his blade and charging forward with a roar. The demon's opening blow is batted aside, but this throws off the sith's own strike.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+20: (4)+20: 24 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+20: (6)+20: 26 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+1: (15)+1: 16
The pair of demons though they can't see one another act in concert. The one facing Rocky lashes out, but can't hit the sith-makar. The other wiggles aimlessly in the grasp of Kira. Hissing and spitting at her.
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon1+2: (17)+9+2: 28 GAME: Dolan rolls 2d6+5+2+2d6: (10)+5+2+(4): 21 GAME: Kira rolls cmd+7+5: (3)+6+7+5: 21
Every ounce of Dolan's soul is racing, his mind picking up speed even as the world around him slows. "Over here, demon asshole. I'm your worst nightmare," he snarls. "Holy Daeus, guide my blade, he shouts, the stylized dragon around his neck glinting in the flames as the blade comes crashing down, sinking itself deep into what would seem to be mortal man.
Kira works against the squirming man, but cautiously. It could be a man possessed rather than a physical fiend. Demons may take many forms, but they also tend to use claws and teeth or (worse) conjured weapons from their own essence.
Kira may be perhaps too gentle, even as she demands firmly, "You are not welcome here, evil. Begone! Return to whatever hell spawned you!"
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon9: (12)+11: 23 GAME: Rocky rolls weapon9-5: (4)+11+-5: 10 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+20: (9)+20: 29 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+20: (19)+20: 39 GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d10+8: (16)+8: 24
The demons don't seem terribly afraid of the adventurers that they face. One quickly escapes Kira's grasp and grabs the nearest civilian with a cruel grin. "You can't protect them all." It mocks her, and indeed there's smoke rising from where Dolan and Rocky disappeared. Smoke that should not be. Meanwhile there is a critical battle going on there, and Dolan finds himself facing several heavy blows.
GAME: Dolan rolls weapon1+2: (5)+9+2: 16
Dolan screams as the blows come crashing down on him, and gasps out a prayer. "Holy Knight's mercy smile on those who fight in his name," he gasps in pain. A faint aura of sunlight surrounds him in response, and he reverses the blade and shouts to Rocky, "Stop the fire! I'll draw him!" Unfortunately, slashed muscles do not respond, and his swing has far less strength in it than last time. "RUN!"
GAME: Kira spends ONE use of SMITE EVIL. GAME: Kira spends ONE point of KI POOL. GAME: Kira rolls weapon0+charisma: (12)+19+6: 37 GAME: Kira rolls weapon0+charisma: (10)+19+6: 35 GAME: Kira rolls weapon0+charisma: (12)+19+6: 37 GAME: Kira rolls weapon0+charisma-5: (10)+19+6+-5: 30 GAME: Kira rolls weapon0+charisma-10: (8)+19+6+-10: 23 GAME: Kira rolls weapon0+charisma-15: (2)+19+6+-15: 12 GAME: Kira rolls damage0+paladin: aliased to 1d8+3+paladin: (8)+3+10: 21 GAME: Kira rolls damage0+paladin: aliased to 1d8+3+paladin: (7)+3+10: 20 GAME: Kira rolls damage0+paladin: aliased to 1d8+3+paladin: (2)+3+10: 15 GAME: Kira rolls damage0+paladin: aliased to 1d8+3+paladin: (8)+3+10: 21 GAME: Rocky rolls weapon9: (6)+11: 17 GAME: Rocky rolls weapon9-5: (9)+11+-5: 15
Kira gasps again as he moves to another victim and then gloats. Her ever-present smile fades to a line. "Yes, I can." She steps rapidly to him, and this time the hands that stretch out to him are curled into fists. "I. Only. Need. To. Stop. You." Each word is delivered with a strike. A measured strike, in case the flesh and blood is mortal. Not all land, but enough that it seems unlikely said flesh and blood is, indeed, mortal.
Rocky chuffs. "Fire burns stone. Stop demon, stop fire." So saying, the sith renews his attack, the cold iron of his blade glinting in the light. But the blade again fails to draw blood. Or ichor. Or whatever this demon has.
The demon facing the sith-makar and man shakes it's head and laughs at Rocky. "Quite right. But if I'm not here... you'll have a time trying to put it out wont you?" With that it races away into the city, and likewise the demon Kira is after throws the woman she's so desperate to save into her face and rushes off into the crowd.
GAME: Dolan rolls knowledge/the planes+3: (6)+8+3: 17
Still reeling, Dolan manages to straighten as the creature goes rushing past, and his greatsword goes clattering to the ground as he grits his teeth. "I will find you, and I will hunt you with my last breath," he snarls, but for now, he's got bigger problems. Like that fire. He stares at it for a moment. "The water's making it worse!" he shouts. "Smother it before it lights the buildings on fire!" He puts the heel of his hand to his head, clearly thinking. "There's a way to put this kind out -" He grits his teeth again, the answer escaping him as the fire made by claws burns through his flesh.
GAME: Kira rolls heal+4: (5)+24+4: 33
Kira does 'protect' the woman flung at her, if only by catching and steadying her. This reminds her that there is another to help, potentially in far worse shape, and she gives up the chase to rush back to the other, stabbed, woman. She takes a moment to assess her and there is some relief as it is not as bad as she feared. On the other hand, she might soon notice the flames.
GAME: Rocky rolls survival: (15)+6: 21 GAME: Rocky rolls perception: (13)+12: 25
Rocky takes off after the demon without hesitation, leaving the fire to burn. "....are all demons stupid?" he ponders aloud. Fight a magical fire, or fight the demon that made it? This is barely a question. There is the question, however, of just where the demon went? The sith hesitates a moment, then follows what he's pretty sure is the trail.
-TBC