Oruch-ouch-um
Log Info
- Title: Oruch-ouch-um
- Emitter: Jinks
- Characters: Aelwyn, Andelena, Nemori
- Place: Lower Alexandria Markets District
- Time: Monday, August 1, 2022, 1:00 PM
- Summary: A shipping container is cracked and spilled open containing two so-called 'inert' Kulthian Necrophidia. Andelena, Nemori, and Aelwyn happen to be there and they take down the creatures, but are unable to stop a bystander from being slain in the process. A local shopkeeper reveals that he's the one who ordered them, and when Andelena learns that they were inert, she decides not to arrest him--but does encourage him to file a suit against whoever sold the Necrophidia to him in the process.
The heat has broken and the past days' blazing glare of the unchallenged sun in the sky is muffled by a low, grey cloudcover. The air has that earthen smell conjured by a light rain and shallow puddles have begun to form amongst the uneven cobblestone roads. The wind is enough to tease draping flags and banners but less-so now that they've had time to accumulate damp.
Both sides of the street are lined with permanent structures-- something of a rarity in the western markets-- and most sport a cantilevered second storey that serves as home for the shopkeeps and craftpersons what hawk wares below. A moneychanger/lender, rat-catcher, bookbinder, furrier, antiquer, clothier, and builder's union make up the row. A wagon laden with crates sits and lettered "SHIP ORuch BUST" sits parked outside the antique's shop and a pair of burly yrchkin work at unloading it. Most of the shoppers and other traffic had made concessions in their dress for the weather or stick to the awnings and overhangs as best they can.
An orange-skinned gobber with green splotches grunts under the weight of an oversized pack as he shakes a parasol and shouts about the benefits of gobber engineering in daily life.
The Sunguard Andelena happens to be here on what else except for guard duty. Helmet covering her head, her wavy red locks spill out underneath and onto her white cloak that proclaims her station as an adherent of Daeus.
And she looks pretty damn bored to boot until she notices the gobber. An eyebrow crawls up her face. "Sir," she inquires, "you alright? Need a hand with that pack?"
A certain shade of red was lazily ampling his way along the wet streets, heedless of the rain. Even if rain was splattering over those ruddy scales - it was still warm, and the sith-makar had a chewing stick between his sharp teeth. A small sack was thrown over his shoulder, while he was carrying his typical glaive with him. It was looking particularly polished today, though.
The gobbo hanging onto the heavy pack catches his eye though - and he was already making his way over before Andelena beats him to it. Hmh! Last chance to try and barter help for coin. "This one can guard the pack for the engineer," He offers, and gives the Sunguard the Looks and a low rumble.
"Eeh!?" The gobber turns, the contents of his pack rattling as he begins to tip over backwards. His free arm spirals madly and he opens the parasol behind him with a *fwamp*-- creating sufficient force to steady him. "Easiest way to make it lighter is to buy one! Look--" he lifts the parasol up and rests it against his shoulder. The taut fabrics between wooden ribs are a mismatch rainbow of colors-- "no rains on me! C'mon now, time is money, friend!" His broken-toothed smile spreads.
"Normally two-hundred gold pieces but discounted to one-hundred and fifty! Can't beat that price. And you're helping local goblinoid crafters earn an honest living that doesn't involve exploding parts of the city..!" He gives another grunt as he shrugs his shoulders.
A pair of working class sylvanori step out of the clothiers, brown-wrapped parcel under the arm of the skipping daughter as her mother calls her back close. The builder's opens up and a half-dozen men and women pile out chatting amongst themselves. A well-dressed arvek nar steps out of the main doors of the lender's and checks a pocket watch from behind a heavy-barred gate. The two orcs are grumbling back and forth as they work to manipulate a particularly heavy crate.
GAME: Andelena rolls Perception: (8)+8: 16 GAME: Aelwyn rolls Sense motive: (14)+1: 15
Andelena seems almost immediately disinterested the moment it turns into a sales pitch. It's not that she doesn't care about the plight of the local crafters--it's actually more that she hones in on the crate that the two oruch men are interfacing with, squinting her steel-grey eyes at them.
But after a moment, she seems to arrive to a conclusion, and just looks at the sith-makar. "All yours, bud," she informs him.
Nemori has a parasol of her own to assist her wide-brimmed hat in keeping off the rains, however gentle they may be. Weather; another aspect of life she's still growing accustomed to. As for why she's here.. well, unlike others who are looking at doing their part of keeping the peace, looking for work, or just being good all around samaritans, she is here looking for a few things to add to the smithy that neither her, Robert nor Gramarye can make themselves with the forge. The orcs get barely a look.. in fact, it's almost as if she is deliberately not loking their way as she heads towards the builder's shop.
Aelwyn tilts his head at the gobbo making his salespitch. His slit pupils dilate and then narrow, and dilate again, as he stares at the gobbo. The draconian keeps listening to the words - even if he didn't quite clearly catch what was actually being sold - and then after the words, keeps staring for a moment longer.
Finally, he gives a nod to himself, to the gobbo, or even Andalena whose attention drifted away. "Twenty coppers to carry the bag. Strong legs will go far." The butt of his spear thwacks onto the ground as he tilts his head, staring firmly down at the merchant.
"Y'can't spend money to MAKE money!" The gobber's shrill voice counters Aelwyn (and conventional wisdom). "Parasols! Sold alone or in pairs! One-fifty crowneroos!" He begins crying again, pushing roughly past Aelwyn. Well, grunting at the attempting and bouncing off. Then he squeezes by. "Escape the rain! Under my umber-ella! Fifty cheaper than that gnomish scrap!"
"Paaaaaaar~a~sollsssssss! Tell Rada to go suck a lemon..!"
The workers leaving the builder's union part around Nemori, grunting, glancing, and/or smiling at her. One might make a rude face and a warding gesture (but that's probably just a coincidence).
There's a shout of alarm as the oruch in the back of the wagon loses his grip on a rope. The one beneath the crate has to move out of the way to avoid being crushed and the whole box comes apart with a crate. Straw spills out as glass shatters and odd, murky blue-green water spills out. There's an odd hum and something metallic and ophidian begins to stir almost immediately..!
Nemori pauses just short of the door leading into the shop; if she acknowledged the milling out builders parting for her, it was a gesture easily missed. To further compound her taking their gesture for granted, she stands in place, looking towards where the yell and the crash came from. And the mind starts calculating. Is this her problem? No. Does she care? No. Will people comment if she turns her back on it? Perhaps. Decisions.
<OOC> Andelena says, "Gonna cast bless on the party and then move forward to 11,8." GAME: Andelena casts Bless. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14
Andelena mutters darkly as she sees all hell break loose. "For fuck's--"
The longsword on her back vibrates in its sheath. Andelena sighs. "Yeah, yeah. Complain at me later, I get to swear when shit turns sideways," she says, before she murmurs a prayer to Daeus and receives His answer in the form of a blessing on herself and her most likely allies.
She draws her sword and holds it out, a slight shiny sheen to the blade. "Okay, Deliverance, let's do this," she says as she strides toward the situation.
<OOC> Jinks says, "Andie is 1" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d3: (1): 1 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (17)+6: 23 <OOC> Jinks says, "Fort save, Andie!" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d8+4: (8)+4: 12 GAME: Andelena rolls Fortitude: (14)+6: 20 <OOC> Jinks says, "Big chomp on Andie but she saves!" <OOC> Jinks says, "Andie, I could use a Will save now, too, please!" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+1: (18)+1: 19 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+1: (9)+1: 10 GAME: Andelena rolls Will: (20)+7: 27 (CRITICAL SUCCESS)
Two creatures slither from the wreckage of the crate, glistening and stuck with bits of straw packing. Metallic, skeletal, and snakelike, they writhe with writhe with ophidian malice. Red, gem-like eyes glow with some sort of arcane power.
The first lashes out, biting the cleric with glinting fangs and pumping burning venom. Andelena feels her muscles stiffen but resists the worst effects of the creature's poison.
The other coils and rises, swaying in place hypnotically. The swordswoman and one oruch manage to peel their eyes away from the display but the other stares on dumbly.
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "Will move to 11,7 and smack at the thing in 12,8" <OOC> Aelwyn says, "Oh, sorry, reach. Back away to 10,7 I guess? ._." <OOC> Jinks says, "I'd suggest 10,9. Using reach through an ally/enemy gives the attacked a bonus to AC from soft cover." GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon 11: (19)+0: 19 GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Jinks says, "19+5 is 24 and a hit." GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11: aliased to 1d10+3: (6)+3: 9 <OOC> Jinks says, "Type of weapon?" <OOC> Aelwyn says, "Glaive, nothing special except being masterwork." <OOC> Jinks says, "Alright, it's a bit resistant to the damage."
Aelwyn's lips shy away from his sharp teeth and he was about to go and argue with the parasol merchant - but then he hears the crash. The Dragoon instantly sprints to action when he sees those slithering forms, soon dumping the sack he was carrying wayside. Pausing at a respectable distance away, he thrusts the sharp end of his weapon at the nearest ophidian.
"Tsch, their scales are tough." The Dragoon rumbles and retreats his blade to prepare for his second attack.
<OOC> Jinks says, "One withdraws and the other is Dazed." GAME: Jinks rolls 2d4: (5): 5 <OOC> Jinks says, "Go ahead, Nemori!" <OOC> Nemori will cast spiritual weapon upon the snek doing the hypnotism. <OOC> Nemori says, "and move" <OOC> Nemori says, "to 12,6" GAME: Nemori casts Spiritual Weapon. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15 <OOC> Jinks says, "Roll your SW attack." GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (6)+4+3: 13
Nemori's sigh is one of long sufferance; unfortunately, she recognizes faces that have engaged.. well, she can't see what they've engaged. Still holding her parasol, she pushes past anyone who may still be milling about the builder's entrance to follow the edges of the buildings until the creatures come into sight. "This city..." she mutters to herself as she draws out her muse's token, then channels a transparent, rose-hued copy of the rapier at her belt. The magical construct of force stabs at the serpent like creature, but strikes street stone instead as the creature writhes out of the way.
<OOC> Andelena says, "Attacking the one that tried to poison me." <OOC> Jinks says, "12,9 is damaged. 12,8 is the one that bit you." <OOC> Andelena says, "Doing so with power attack + bless." GAME: Andelena rolls weapon7+1-1: (9)+8+1+-1: 17 GAME: Andelena rolls damage7+2: aliased to 1d8+5+2: (3)+5+2: 10 <OOC> Jinks says, "Also bounces off a bit. But still damaged."
"Motherfu--"
That's the first thing ripped out of Andelena's mouth when the snake tries to bite her, cut off again by the sword shaking in Andelena's hand. "Okay, you little wriggling piece of shit, stay /down/," Andelena growls in frustration with both her nanny-blade and the snake that's decided she's a snack.
She throws her blade down into the snake with a mighty swing, although the blade doesn't seem to do as much damage as it should.
OOC> Jinks says, "1 is Andie" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d2: (2): 2 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d8+4: (3)+4: 7 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+4: (7)+4: 11 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d6: (5): 5 <OOC> Jinks says, "Oruch is bit and paralyzed." <OOC> Jinks says, "1 is Andie, 2 is Aelwyn" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d2: (2): 2 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Jinks says, "No bite"
The constructs continue their advance, seemingly attacking at random! The first of the pair turns on the stunned orc, wrapping its skeletal maw full around one muscular thigh and biting hard. The mover cries out only to have the sound die out into a rasping sound. The muscles begin to spasm beneath his green-yellow skin and his face locks into a rictus grimace.
The other surges ahead cross the cobbles, sliding through the mud and gathered rainwater. It lashes out at Aelwyn but its mouth fails to open and it ends up booping against the armored sith-makar harmlessly.
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "Shall take a fivestep to 9,9 and continue smacking at the thing that just tried to bite me. ._." <OOC> Jinks thumbsup. GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11: (6)+5: 11
Aelwyn had little capacity to take a proper stock of the situation - slithering bitey things that tried to eat and paralyze the people around them. Instead he was smoothly moving back in the fray, neatly sliding away from the be-boop-snake. He attempts to retaliate but his blade bites the wet air. "Hnnh! Little bastard," He mutters underneath his breath, shaking his head as he attempts to refocus his step. <draconic>
<OOC> Nemori says, "Alright. I'll channel heal. And SW will attack." GAME: Nemori refreshes special ability pools. GAME: Nemori spends ONE use of CHANNEL ENERGY. <OOC> Nemori says, "Excluding the snake things." GAME: Nemori rolls 3d6: (13): 13 GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (5)+4+3: 12
The floating rapier continues to harry the serpent occupying the makari mercenary while Nemori's gaze continues to take in more information. The human daeusite is injured.. and now too the orc, who seems to have succumbed to the serpent's poison. The beginnings of a sneer start to show what she thinks of the latter; unfortunately, too many voices whispering in her ear with too many different ways of admonishing her for certain thoughts prompt her to hold her token forth once more. She holds on to the shop's sign to steady herself as she uses herself as a conduit, Ceinara's healing flooding over the combatants.
<OOC> Andelena says, "Hitting the snake at 12,9 again. Power attack + bless." GAME: Andelena rolls weapon7+1-1: (1)+8+1+-1: 9 (EPIC FAIL)
The Sunguard tries to swing down at the snake again, but this time, her attack goes wide--probably because she yells, "Hold still, you little bastard!" and the sword in her grasp wriggles again.
<OOC> Jinks says, "1 Andie, 2 Nemori, 3 Orc." GAME: Jinks rolls 1d3: (3): 3 <OOC> Jinks says, "Andie, take an AoO" GAME: Andelena uses an AoO! 0 remaining. GAME: Andelena rolls weapon7+1-1: (11)+8+1+-1: 19 GAME: Andelena rolls damage7+2: aliased to 1d8+5+2: (2)+5+2: 9 GAME: Jinks rolls 2d8+8: (4)+8: 12 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9 <OOC> Jinks says, "Orc is coup'd" <OOC> Jinks says, "1 is Aelwyn, 2 is Andie" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d2: (2): 2 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24 <OOC> Jinks says, "Fort save, Andie" <OOC> Nemori says, "Whelp. I tried. He died." GAME: Andelena rolls Fortitude: (15)+6: 21 <OOC> Jinks says, "Still no paralysis!" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d8+4: (6)+4: 10
The oruch can't move and the metallic snake senses easy prey. It turns and coils, ignoring Andelena long enough to afford the woman a shot to its back. Pouncing after, the creature clamps the orc's face between its jaws. The red-eyes flash and the sound of bone crunching leaves the mover in his death throes.
The second pivots, turning on the closer fighter and taking a bite out of Andelena's leg.
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "Well, carry the thing that didn't work before, slam at the same snake." GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11: (3)+5: 8
<OOC> Nemori will... summon a second spiritual weapon. <OOC> Nemori will put it on the one Andelena is fighting. GAME: Nemori casts Spiritual Weapon. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15 <OOC> Nemori says, "SW's will attack, Aelwyn's first, then Andelena's." GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (4)+4+3: 11 GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (1)+4+3: 8 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Jinks says, "Well, if it's going to be one of those days you guys can each have a free d20 reroll starting now."
Nemori, still supporting herself on the shopfront's sign, scowls when the serpent kills the orc with the ease of a well practiced hunter. Not that she's unhappy the orc is dead, mind. "Wasted effort," she mutters. Then she straightens and summons a second rapier to join the fight.
<OOC> Andelena says, "I am going to hit the snake I've been hitting and hope it takes." <OOC> Andelena says, "Power attack + bless." GAME: Andelena rolls weapon7+1-1: (6)+8+1+-1: 14 <OOC> Jinks says, "Miss. But you've got a reroll meow if you want it." <OOC> Andelena says, "Yeah, I'll take it." GAME: Andelena rolls weapon7+1-1: (4)+8+1+-1: 12 <OOC> Andelena says, "Heh. Oh well." <OOC> Jinks says, "Alright, any movement?" <OOC> Andelena says, "Where can I go to set up flanking for Ael?" <OOC> Jinks says, "12,9 is a 5' that'dd give him flanking on the snake if it stays on you." <OOC> Andelena says, "Ok, I'll go there!"
Another fruitless swing as Andelena swears. The Sunguard looks unhappy, so she decides to do something different--move to provide a tactical advantage for her allies.
<OOC> Jinks says, "1 is Andie and 2 is Nemori" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d2: (2): 2 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11 <OOC> Jinks says, "Miss!" <OOC> Jinks says, "Holy smokes that AC." <OOC> Nemori says, "Oh, I probably wouldn't have my armour on." <OOC> Jinks says, "eh, it's fine" <OOC> Jinks says, "1 is Andie, 2 is Aelwyn" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d2: (2): 2 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (10)+6: 16 <OOC> Jinks says, "Miss!"
Both of the fabricated monstrosities slither away from Andelena. Their construction is immaculate and ancient, their wet, elongated ribcages covered in runes. It's just too bad they're intent on murder!
Neither succeeds in its violent task, however, as both fail to find homes for their envenomed fangs.
<OOC> Jinks says, "Aelwyn! Sadly, the snake came after you and spoiled Andie's flank. But it missed." <OOC> Jinks says, "What would you like to do?" <OOC> Aelwyn says, "Do I still hit if I five step to 8,8 and go for the smack?" <OOC> Jinks says, "Yup!" GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11: (17)+5: 22 GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11: aliased to 1d10+3: (3)+3: 6
Aelwyn continues to attack and back away from the snake reaching out for him, this time attracting its attention away from the others. "Tch, this is not correct." He chastises himself as he winds up in worse position. Still, his glaive comes up from below and scrapes on his assailant.
<OOC> Nemori says, "Two spiritual weapon attacks, first on Aelwyn's, then the one on me. THen drawing my rapier and attacking." GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (15)+4+3: 22 GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (6)+4+3: 13 GAME: Nemori rolls 1d8+2: (7)+2: 9 GAME: Nemori rolls melee: (13)+5: 18 <OOC> Jinks says, "Hit!" GAME: Nemori rolls 1d6+1: (5)+1: 6 <OOC> Jinks says, "Lil bit of damage!"
Nemori is a master of blades! No, not really. Much the opposite. In fact, it's all she can do to fumble her own rapier out as her summoned blades continue to thrust. When the snake-like creature lashes out at her, she manages to sidestep and then poke it back with her rather mundane sword.
<OOC> Jinks says, "Andie! The one Aelwyn is fighting is worse off. You can get a flank against either." <OOC> Andelena says, "I'll fight the one that Aelwyn's fighting and get the flank." <OOC> Andelena says, "Power attack, bless, too." GAME: Andelena rolls weapon7+1-1+2: (11)+8+1+-1+2: 21 GAME: Andelena rolls damage7+2: aliased to 1d8+5+2: (1)+5+2: 8
Andelena scores a hit on the one that Aelwyn's working on, grinning victoriously as she manages to clip it. "Finish it!" she tells Aelwyn. They have it cornered.
"I think these things are... skeletons? They take more damage from weapons that can bludgeon rather than slash!" Andelena informs the group.
<OOC> Jinks says, "1 is Nemori, 2 is Andie" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d2: (1): 1 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20 <OOC> Jinks says, "Fort save, Nemori!" GAME: Nemori rolls fortitude: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Nemori says, "haha" <OOC> Nemori says, "I'll use my reroll there." GAME: Nemori rolls fortitude: (10)+6: 16 GAME: Jinks rolls 2d8+8: (5)+8: 13 <OOC> Jinks says, "1 is Andie, 2 is Aelwyn" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d2: (1): 1 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18
The creature pursuing Nemori feints beneath the point of her rapier, drawing her guard low and then springing up and out impossibly fast. It takes hold of her beneath her jaw, biting with arcane-fueled force and tearing away flesh before it settles back and slides across the stonework street.
The other creature twists across the floor and lashes out at Andelena, nearly finding purchase with its wicked fangs but skipping off and falling back down after the nearest of misses.
<OOC> Jinks says, "Aelwyn! You have a flanking buddy. So +2 to hit." <OOC> Nemori says, "HMMMM." <OOC> Aelwyn says, "Smaaack." GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11: (10)+5: 15 GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11: aliased to 1d10+3: (2)+3: 5 <OOC> Jinks says, "Ooof. No damage. :(" <OOC> Jinks says, "Kn.Religion, anyone?" GAME: Nemori rolls knowledge/religion: (17)+6: 23 <OOC> Andelena says, "Right here." <OOC> Jinks says, "Go ahead." GAME: Andelena rolls Knowledge/Religion: (18)+6: 24
Aelwyn glances at the Sunguard moving to corner the snake and he grins toothily - before he swings his own glaive, scraping a decent chunk across the creature. Yet his blade does nothing. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. "This one cannot find purchase!" He shouts back at Andalena, rolling his glaive in his hands.
<OOC> Nemori says, "Spiritual weapons. Aelwyn's, then mine." GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (16)+4+3: 23 GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (20)+4+3: 27 <OOC> Jinks says, "Both hits!" GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (5)+4+3: 12 <OOC> Nemori says, "Going to use my luck domain for the reroll" GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (20)+4+3: 27 GAME: Nemori rolls 1d8+2: (2)+2: 4 GAME: Nemori rolls 2d8+4: (8)+4: 12
Nemori's summoned rapiers continue their work, one landing a particularly telling thrust.. nearly pinning the creature to the road. Unfortunately, after the snake coming after her pushed through her guard and nearly attached itself to her face, Nemori has little interest in pressing her own attack. INstead, her face a fearsome visage of blood, an errant flap of skin, and eyes a mixture of rage and.. yes.. fear... the elf puts her sword up into a defensive posture instead.
<OOC> Andelena says, "Okay. Going for that snake flank. Snank. ...Nevermind, that sounds like a dirty word." <OOC> Andelena says, "Still doing it though." GAME: Andelena rolls weapon7+1-1+2: (15)+8+1+-1+2: 25 GAME: Andelena rolls damage7+2: aliased to 1d8+5+2: (7)+5+2: 14 <OOC> Jinks says, "That'll pop that one." <OOC> Jinks says, "Wanna 5' after to flank with 'mori?" <OOC> Andelena says, "Works for me! Move me!"
The chips are down, and the Sunguard's going to win it all. She carves down into the snake-like creature and finally shatters it, huffing. "His light on me!" she cries out in a victorious shout.
<OOC> Jinks says, "1 is Nemori, 2 is Andie" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d2: (2): 2 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (19)+6: 25 <OOC> Jinks says, "Fort, Andie!" GAME: Andelena rolls Fortitude: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d6: (6): 6 <OOC> Jinks says, "ooooof" <OOC> Jinks says, "Paralyzed for 6mins."
The remaining creature rolls in a confusing spiraled tangle as Andelena steps behind it. The skull's maw shoots out at an unexpected angle, finding the sunguard's flank and pumping in yet more of the venom. It's finally enough to knot-up the woman's muscles and leave her frozen in place.
<OOC> Aelwyn says, "Move to 10,8 and continue smacking." GAME: Aelwyn rolls weapon11: (17)+5: 22 GAME: Aelwyn rolls damage11: aliased to 1d10+3: (4)+3: 7
"A pleasant hit, Guard!" The Dragoon calls out, as he moves closer and thrusts his own spear against the last remaining snake. There's an odd sense of satisfaction when he can feel his blade doing work against these allegedly slash-resistant creatures. Not against his blade.
<OOC> Nemori says, "5' back. Cast remove paralysis on Andelena. Move action to move the first sword to the other snake. Two SW attacks on the snake." GAME: Nemori casts Remove Paralysis. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15 GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (5)+4+3: 12 GAME: Nemori rolls spiritual weapon: aliased to BAB+Wisdom: (13)+4+3: 20 GAME: Nemori rolls 1d8+2: (2)+2: 4 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d8+4: (8)+4: 12 <OOC> Nemori will channel a heal now, and include it in her pose. GAME: Nemori spends ONE use of CHANNEL ENERGY. GAME: Nemori rolls 3d6: (8): 8 <OOC> Nemori says, "Maybe two." GAME: Nemori spends ONE use of CHANNEL ENERGY. GAME: Nemori rolls 3d6: (15): 15
Nemori takes advantage of the snake turning its attention on the larger woman by taking a few, guarded steps back. And then she notices Andelena going stiff and unmoving. Having little wish to continue to face the snake that feels like it took half her face with it without the large swordswoman there, she calls upon the muse to liberate the Daeusite from her temporary prison... and then both of her summoned swords descend upon the final snake.
Her breathing relaxes a little bit at the signs of the creature's death throes.. but then she moves to the next order of business. And by the time she's finished channeling yet more and more healing power over, well, primarily herself.. but the makari and the human both as well.. she has allowed herself to sink down to sit upon the market street, her back against the shop's sign.
Andelena draws in a sharp breath as she's rescued from paralysis. "/Damn,/" she hisses. "Fucking little wriggly shit got me. That fucking sucked."
Of course, her sword in her hand demonstrates its displeasure by shaking at her. This just earns the sword a flinty glare as she sheathes it, before she looks to Nemori with a much happier and grateful glance. "Thank you."
Then the Sunguard resumes her occupation. "Ok. Anyone need healing? Aid? Sound off if you need help."
Aelwyn was breathing in deep when the final snake finally shatters. Rumbling audibly, he turns on his step on the instant and moves to retrieve his sack - or what's left of its spilled contents - and holds it up on his hands. So many wasted buns of bread. He was really bad at his job.
Walking back over to Andalena and Nemori, he turns towards the shorter woman and holds out his hand. It had a nice looking red ribbon. "Rapier keeps being the respite in times of distress," The sith-makar as he offers the ribbon to her, orange eyes looking at her. Then he bows his head, and turns towards Andalena. "This one will remember the Guard." The Dragoon says, and with that, he turns around and begins heading down along the markets, as if nothing had happened.
In the wake of the battle, a tiny old wizened Xian man steps from the antique's shop cautiously. He's still futzing his way into a coat and shuffling a bit on stiff hips. His white hair is a circlet beneath a bald pate and hangs past his shoulders. His beard is white, too, well-trimmed, and conceals a few age spots on his wrinkled face.
"What the devi-- oh, no! Not--!" He braces against the wagon as he steps around, eyes going wide in horror when he sees the shattered crate and the destroyed constructs. "... th-th-thousands of crowns... t-tens of th-thousands..." he covers his mouth with a shaking hand.
His shriek is impressive when he finally notices the dead oruch and he trips hard over the crate debris trying to scramble back the way he came.
The man doesn't escape Andelena's notice. "Oh, hell to the n-fucking-o, /no/," Andelena grumbles--her look of irritation made worse as the sword writhes in its sheath on her back. She gives pursuit, tracking down the little old man.
Nemori is too out of sorts to offer anything snide or snippy or deflecting to Aelwyn.. she's left instead with a ribbon in hand as he walks away. She turns her eyes from his back to the ribbon, then scowls and gives her head a sharp shake before climing to her feet and stuffing the ribbon in her pocket. Her gesture towards Andelena is dismissive of the woman's thanks. "Do not mention it." She looks like she might have more to say, but then the old Xian announces his presence with... oh, yes, whining. Nemori's eyes close, her rapier gets sheathed.. and then the bridge of her nose gets pinched.
"Aah--! No--! Stay back!" The old man splits his attention between climbing up off of the ground and keeping an eye on the large, approaching woman. "I didn't see anything! I won't say a word!" He flinches down, ducking his head and shielding his face from view as if to demonstrate his point.
"He p-p-probably f-fell! Yes!" He snivels. "Accidents happen!" He trumbles a little before he adds. "Swings and roundabouts!"
Andelena stares. No, that's a glare. Steel-grey eyes bore through him like the steel that's on her back could if she were to run him through.
"That man is dead. He was attacked by what was in those crates, which you appear to have a vested interest in. Care to tell me your name, occupation, and /what/ your connection is to what was in those crates?" The Sunguard is out, and she's not playing games.
Nemori considers turning away... but then feels otherwise compelled to join the tall human. She may not contribute to dressing him down, but she does look pointedly at the orc corpse more than once. Possibly also to keep reminding herself that there will be people with questions. "I imagine there are laws..." she offers.
"No, n-no! You are mistaken--!" The Xian chances a glance at Andelena after there's no immediate violence. "Kw-- kw-- K-Quillan. I am Quillan. This-- this, here-- this is my shh~hop." He extends a gnarled, trembling finger at the antiques store. "Quillan's Curios."
He's not a fast mover and he winces after the fall but he still takes a few steps to put the corner of the wagon between himself and the two mercenary women. "I sss-suh-sell ant-t-t-tiques. That is all!" He blinks and squints and reaches up to adjust glasses he's not wearing. He begins to pat at his pockets and check the front of his shirt but comes up empty handed.
"Two. Two K-kulthian Necrophidia. Preserved and in display cases. Ruh-recovered from M-mmm-merkabah. Inert. Ten-thousand gold-pieces..." The color drains entirely from his wrinkled face.
"... ten-thousand..."
Andelena looks at the man for a long moment. Then, she sighs. "Yeah, well, they sure as shit weren't inert. One of them stung me and paralyzed me. If you want to build a case against whoever you were buying them from for fraudulent goods, I'll be your witness."
She glances again at the dead oruch man. "I gotta go make arrangements for that man. Get him to the Mourners. You're not being charged with anything--pretty damn clear it was an accident based on your side of the story."
Nemori just gives a shrug. Then she pauses in consideration. She looks at the dead orc, then back at the elderly human. "If you need a solicitor, ask for Integrity C. Truefeather." Hey, never hurts to push business for friends.